2015 Team member introduction - David, aka my dad!

I'm taking some liberties with this introduction and writing it myself.  This team member is Dave, my dad.  My dad's not a big writer and doesn't like to talk about himself much so I know the changes of him actually writing up an intro are slim to none.  So, I'll do it for him.  He is, after all, our only male team member at this point and that is deserving of an introduction!

My dad had a rough time growing up.  He was the kind of kid that you look at think "thank God I've been so blessed in MY life."  We all know kids like my dad....and we are secretly thankful we weren't dealt that hand of cards.  

His father passed away when my dad was 13.   That's a tough age for a boy to lose his father.  My dad spent a great deal of time with relatives as his mother was also quite ill.  His mother passed when he was in his early 20's.  Fortunately, those relatives were heavily active in the church my mom's family attended....and the rest of history.  Sort of!

Because of my dad's background, he is drawn to kids in rough situations.  He NEVER forgets a person he has met and he wants to get to know people.  Genuinely.  (He was a salesman for many of his career years and you could attribute his success to his personality....he really, really likes people.)

One of the things my dad instilled in us over the years is the importance of family.  Our family wasn't perfect but he sure made sure we knew how much we were loved.  

Why is my dad going on this trip?  He wants to see his granddaughter's birth country and have a chance to love on kids that are like him....they don't have parents to love on them.  He understand that  void probably more than most of us on our team do.

I'm thrilled he is joining us.  He loves kids, has a great sense of humor and a strong love for Jesus.  He knows that God's love brought him through some hard times in life and he always wants to share that love.

Dad, I'm so glad you are joining us!