All items from Trey Morgan
.jpg)
I was 12 and Darrell was 10. We grew up 2 houses apart and were the best of friends. Our summers were spent outside playing make-believe games, dreaming of girls and just doing boy stuff. Every childhood memory I have includes Darrell, but no memory is more vivid than the summer that everyone carried a slingshots. Everyone on the block carried a slingshot that summer, including big Curtis Smith, the neighborhood bully who lived two blocks away.
It was a simpler time and life was good in the neighborhood. Our biggest worries in life were that our moms would make us come in early and do chores, or that big Curtis would show up just to bully us around.
Curtis was older than us. He was also bigger, faster and stronger than everyone else on the block. As all bullies would, Curtis loved picking on Darrell because he was the smallest kid in our group of friends. Thankfully Curtis wasn’t a regular visitor to our neighborhood. But when he did show up, he’d reek havoc on our Summer day of fun.
I’ll never forget that one summer day when Curtis showed up for another afternoon of bullying with his slingshot around his neck. In those days if you didn’t have a pocket to carry your slingshot, you simply wore it around your neck like a necklace. Then when when you needed it, you had it close by. When Curtis showed up that day he immediately ended our game and started trying to pick a fight. Curtis got up in Darrell’s face, their noses two inches apart, and said, “Come on squirt, I double dog dare you to start something with me.” It was like Goliath challenging little David, and the rest of us stood around watching like the scared Israelites.
I never expected Darrell to do anything, because he never had before … no one ever had. Big Curtis had spent many a day bullying us without one person ever standing up to him. But today was different. That day would be celebrated from this day forward as VOC Day … “Victory Over Curtis Day!”
What happened next will forever be ingrained in my memory. Some who saw it think it was because of the “double dog dare” that Big Curtis thrown down to Darrell. As you know, double-dog-dares are impossible to turn down when you’re that age, but I think it was something else. I think it was that Darrell had spotted a weakness in Big Curtis that no one had ever seen before. It was the slingshot Big Curtis wore around his neck like a necklace.
The sling shot dangled from Big Curtis’s neck as their noses were two inches apart. Just about the time Big Curtis’s challenge rolled from his lips, Darrell quickly reached up, grabbed the wooden handle of Curtis’s slingshot, pulled it down as far as he could stretch the rubber band and let it fly back towards Curtis’s head. It was the shot heard around the neighborhood. The wooden handle of the slingshot smacked Big Curtis HARD right under the chin. I remember Curtis’s eyes immediately turned solid white just before he took two steps and fell face first to the ground with a large crash. Goliath was out cold.
I’m not sure what shocked me more. The fact that someone had just stood up to Curtis or that it was possible that he lay unconscious there in the dirt. As we stood over Big Curtis’s body, our hearts beating a million times a minute, my brother Bruce asked, “Is he dead?” Seconds later we did the only thing we knew to do … we ran away as fast as we could. I have no idea how long Curtis lay there in the dirt because we were blocks away within minutes.
From that day forward Big Curtis wasn’t all that “Big” anymore. The Goliath in our lives had been defeated by the littlest David on the block. Darrell walked a little taller that summer knowing he had done what everyone thought was impossible. Big Curtis didn’t come around much after that. Oh, occasionally he’d wander through our neighborhood, but when he did, he never bothered any of us anymore. I know he was humiliated because it got out at school that a kid two years younger than him had knocked him out. While Big Curtis never wore his slingshot around his neck again, what he did wear from that day on was a big scar on his chin where the slingshot hit him.
I miss those simple times as a kid, but more than that I miss my friend Darrell that passed way 8 years ago. I think about him, our friendship and the good old days every May 16th … today he would have been 44 years old. He will forever be a champion in my eyes!
I’ve been getting lots of Dump Day questions, and I’m going to try and answer some …
QUESTION: What can I do to REALLY make a BIG difference on Dump Day tomorrow? (3 Things…)
- Pray and ask God to bless our day.
- Make a donation.
- One of the most important things is tell everyone you know. Tomorrow use your Facebook, Twitter, blog, email, etc to spread the word. That is the key to making this work. Post on your Facebook about Dump Day and tell people to come over here and pledge.
QUESTION: How do we give this year? There are several ways to give this year …
- You can send a check via snail mail to: Honduras Hope, PO BOX 9222, Columbus MS, 39705 (attn: Dump Fund). This is a tax deductible donation. You can also give to the Childress Church of Christ, PO Box 239, Childress TX 79201 (attn: Dump Fund).
- You can give online by going to Bread For A Hungry World’s, website and on the top right there’s a “Give to the Dump” donation button. Bread for a Hungry World continues to partner in the work at the dump. This is also a tax deductible donation.
- I’m trying to encourage everyone to use one of these two forms of giving I just mentioned. I’ll also remind you that my Paypal button is always on this page, and while you’re welcome to use it, please understand that my Paypal is NOT going to be a tax deductible donation.
QUESTION: Why and How do I make a pledge?
- We try hard to keep up with how much has been donated throughout Dump Day (tomorrow), so we always ask you to make a comment on my blog saying that you just pledged (or will give) a donation of “$100″ (or whatever the amount). You can do it anonymously or just make the comment. This is not so we can say, “Look what we’ve given,” or “Look what we’ve done,” but so we can keep up with a close estimate on the total … and give God the glory.
QUESTION: How do I fast?
- I’m encouraging a food fast for 30 hours. I’ll start mine at bedtime tonight and end it Thursday morning when I get up. No food on Dump Day. If you want to do yours for 24 hours, that’s okay. If you want to start and end at a different time than mine, that’s okay. But consider a fast of some kind tomorrow. I will fast from food but will drink liquids. If you can’t fast from food (because of health reasons), fast from something else like television, eating out, driving (walk tomorrow), etc. Use tomorrow to remind yourself how blessed you are materially and how some are NOT so blessed as you and I.
QUESTION: How do I get a Dump T-Shirt and or a Dump Bracelet?
- All the details are HERE, but if you make a $50 donation Bread for a Hungry World will send you a Dump T-shirt. Or…a $25 donation will get you a Dump Bracelet. Make sure you specify that you want the t-shirt or bracelet, and include your address. There is a limited amount of these so pledge early in the day tomorrow.
One more quick Dump Day story …
This is Gloria. She is Marc Tindall’s friend who works at the dump to support her 4 kids. Three years ago she fell in front of a bulldozer and it really brutalized her arm. She will be having another surgery on her arm Thursday. She is really worried about how her family will eat while she is out of work, but today Marc promised her that food will not be an issue. Dump Day 2012 will make this happen. Thank you for making it happen. 
Have I missed any questions? See you tomorrow at 8 a.m. when Dump Day 2011 kicks off. I’m SO excited. See you in the morning.
Today I celebrate life as a father and a husband. It was 9 years ago today I was told I had cancer . Recovering from two surgeries made the summer of 2003 an extremely tough summer I’ll never forget.
I’m not looking for sympathy today or even high-fives, but I am simply reminding myself of some things that I learned from that hard summer. Simple things that I try and remind myself of every year on this date. Things I learned things like…
- I learned I’m not indestructible. I’m not guaranteed 30 more years … 3 more years or 3 more minutes. Each and every day is a gift so make the most of every day.
- I learned it’s impossible to have any sort of self-dignity in a hospital gown.
- I learned that it was okay to be scared and even ask God, “Why?”
- I learned that I’m blessed to have friends and family that surround me with support and love.
- I learned I have an amazing care-giver in my wife, and that the care-givers of cancer patients don’t get near the credit they deserve. I remember asking Lea as I lay in the hospital, “Aren’t you heading back to Childress today to take care of the boys?” and I still remember her response, “No sir, the boys are taken care of. You are my husband, and I’m not going anywhere!”
- I learned about real love, not the stuff you see in the movies or on soap operas. Real love is my wife telling me I looked “great” to her, even when I was pale, skinny, sick, throwing up and too weak to do anything.
- I learned that I hate cancer. I hate everything about it … what it does to families, how it steals loved ones from our lives and how it is no respecter of persons.
- I learned my God is bigger than cancer.
Today I celebrate 9 years … and I’m reminded once again just how blessed I am.
Every year on the first Wednesday in May, we meet here on this blog to raise money to bless the ministry that takes place at the Tegucigalpa dump in Honduras. That money provides for things like food, milk for newborns, medical emergencies, and on and on. This year’s Dump Day is May 2nd, and here are 10 good reasons you should give this year…
- GIVE because they really needed. The people at the dump are the poorest of the poor in this 3rd world country, and if we don’t give … no one will.
- GIVE because God wants you too. “If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?” James 2:15-16
- GIVE because God will bless you. Proverbs 19:17 says, “If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord, and he will repay you!”
- GIVE because it’s fun. Seriously … giving is a blast … unless you’re a Scrooge.
- GIVE because “our stuff” really isn’t “our stuff” in the first place. Everything we have belongs to God, we are just the managers of the stuff He’s given to us. So share a little of the things God has given you.
- GIVE because you can. “If you have two shirts, give one to the poor. If you have food, share it with those who are hungry.” Luke 3:11
- GIVE because you’ve been blessed abundantly. If you own a car, you are in the top 10% of the wealthiest people in the world. God has blessed you abundantly … share a little of what you’ve been given.
- GIVE because you want to, not because you feel guilty. “You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” 2 Corinthian 9:7
- GIVE because people are hungry. The ministry at the dump gives them not only physical food, but spiritual food. The people at the dump see God’s love through words, actions and smiles. They know they are loved.
- GIVE because God has given to us.“For God SO loved the world that He GAVE His one and only son …” John 3:16. God is a great giver.
Please help us spread the word about Dump Day 2012 by sharing this post on Facebook and Twitter.
See you on May 2nd for Dump Day 2012…
Our 4th annual Dump Day and 30-Hour-Fast is one week away. Many have started giving early, and that is totally okay. If you do give early, please make sure you stop back by this blog next Wednesday and let us know what you gave so we can kind of keep a running total. We’re hoping to use this blog as a place to make pledges and point you to ways to make donations. Here’s several things I want to let you know … first and foremost … understand that everything you and I give goes to the ministry at the dump. That’s important to know.
We have 2 give-aways this year …
- If you make a donation of $25 or more, I’ll send you a “Honduras Dump Ministry” 1 inch neoprene band (See Picture Below). These aren’t the little silicone bands; these are the nice ones. You can show off your support of the Dump Ministry with one of these bracelets. I’ve been wearing mine for about a month now, and I love it. There is only a limited amount of these, so it’ll be first come first serve.
- Also, the awesome people at Bread for a Hungry World are going to give away Dump Day t-shirts to anyone who makes a donation of $50 or more. I’ll be putting a picture of it up soon. This is important … when you donate, you need to tell us “I want a bracelet” or “I want the t-shirt” and include your address, so we’ll know to send you one.
Here are your options for giving next Wednesday …
* Send a check to … Honduras Hope, PO Box 9222, Columbus MS, 39705 (attn: Dump Fund) (This is a tax-deductible donation)
Also give ONLINE,
You can give online by going to Bread For A Hungry World’s website, and on the top right there’s a “Give to the Dump” donation button. Bobby Moore and Bread for a Hungry World is helping partner in the work at the dump. We love and appreciate very much what Bread for a Hungry World does throughout the world. (This is also a tax-deductible donation.)
I’m trying to encourage everyone to use one of these two forms of giving I just mentioned. I suggest the above link of Bread for a Hungry World because it’s the easiest. I’ll also remind you that my Paypal button is always on this page; and while you’re welcome to use it, please understand that my Paypal is NOT going to be a tax deductible donation.
I was just trying to book a hotel room, and the cost was a bit more than I was expecting. So I asked the nice lady …
ME: “Is that your best rate?”
HER: “Sorry, it really is … unless you qualify for a discount.”
ME: “Really … how do I qualify for a discount?”
HER: “Well, are you a AAA card holder?”
ME: “No.”
HER: “How about military? Are you active military?”
ME: “No.”
HER: “Are you a member of our rewards program?”
ME: (I’m sure I was sounding depressed by now) “No ma’am, sorry.”
HER: “So, if you’re not a AAA member, a military member or rewards program member … do you have anyhing at all to offer?”
ME: “Well, I’m really a super nice guy?” I said, just kinda kidding around.
HER: “There you go” she said excitedly, “that’s worth 20% right there!”
ME: “Really?” I said.
HER: “Absolutely … we need more super nice guys in our world.”
Who says … “Nice guys finish last.”
Two beautiful girls from the dump.
Many have asked about totals for Dump Day. It’s become increasingly hard every year to get an exact total until about a month or so has passed and everything has come in. We try hard to keep up with it on this blog, but not everybody posts what they gave, which is fine.
Here’s what we do know … right at $40k was pledged on this blog on Dump Day 2012 for the Dump Ministry. We also know that Bobby Moore and the wonderful people at Bread for a Hungry World, added $25k in matching funds, making our total right now around $65k; which is incredible, awesome and amazing. We totally give God every ounce of credit.
What we’ve learned in the past Dump Days is that many times more comes in than was pledged. So, if that happens there’s a chance that $65k will be more. Marc Tindall, missionary in Honduras, said that with the number over $50k, there will be funds for a couple of our “wish list” projects at the dump.
A big thank you to everyone that has fasted, prayed, and given to this ministry. Thank you for honoring and helping the poor on Dump Day 2012.
The following is a post from my friend Marc Tindall who works in Honduras and does ministry in the dump.
This is little Marco, he is now almost 2 years old. We took him to the doctor today because his mom, my friend Johana, has tried for about a month to get him feeling better and nothing was working. We found out that little Marco has parasites and without treatment, which cost about $20, he would have died. Since the parasites knocked his whole system out of whack, he also needed about $30 more in meds to help him out. The annual dump fund saved this little guy from dying. Dump Day 2012 will be on May 2, we need to replenish the bank. Please help. Please!
This is a day that we stop to consider how blessed we are materially. A day we stop to be the “Good Samaritan” in the story Jesus told, choosing NOT to pass by on the other side of the road. We choose to help today. We choose to make a difference.
THIS is the day will WILL make a difference in the people who live, work and eat at the Tegucigalpa dump. They are the people of the dump. Dirty people. People who have names, lives, needs.
We are blessed people. We eat until we’re full. We don’t go to bed hungry. We live in homes that are MORE than adequate. We have an abundance of everything … food, clothing and “stuff.” Please understand there’s nothing wrong with being blessed with material things, but not sharing what we have is wrong! Just “realizing how blessed we are” is not enough. Feeling sorry for the hungry and the poor of this world is NOT what Jesus was looking for from us. Poor people don’t need our sympathy or our pity, they need our compassion. The same compassion that the Good Samaritan had, one that took action. For me to sit back and simply say, “How sad,” makes me no different than the Priest and Levite that passed on the other side.
So what are we going to do today?
Let’s give a little. Any amount would be great. Here are two ways to give. You can give via snail mail by sending your check to:
Honduras Hope
PO BOX 9222
Columbus MS, 39705 (attn: Dump Fund).
(This is a tax deductible donation)
Also give ONLINE,
You can give safely and securely online by going to Bread For A Hungry World’s website, and on the top right there’s a “Give to the Dump” donation button. Bread for a Hungry World is helping partner in our work at the dump. (This is also a tax deductible donation.)
I’ll also remind you that my Paypal button is always on this page, and while you’re welcome to use it, please understand that my Paypal is NOT going to be a tax deductible donation.
If you donate today, we’d love to keep a running total of donations. So if you don’t mind, leave a comment on this blog saying something like, “The Morgan family gives $100″, or your comment can be totally anonymous by not adding a name. That’ll give us the ability to say, “We’re currently at … “
We have 3 give aways this year…
- If you make a donation of $25 or more, I’ll send you a “Honduras Dump Ministry” 1 inch neoprene band (See Picture Below). These aren’t the little silicone bands; these are the nice ones. You can show off your support of the Dump Ministry with one of these bracelets. I’ve been wearing mine for about a month now, and I love it. There is only a limited amount of these, so it’ll be first come first serve.
- Also, the awesome people at Bread for a Hungry World are going to give away Dump Day t-shirts to anyone who makes a donation of $50 or more (picture below). I want one of these so I’ll be making my donation through them early this morning and leaving the amount I pledged below.
- Also we have several prints of this picture (16×24) left over from last year. If you’d like one that is signed and numbered by the artist, we’d like to give you one. We’re asking for a $150 donation for a print and it’ll be mailed to your home. It is essential that if you want one or all of the giveaways that you include somewhere with your donation, what you want (a shirt, bracelet and/or print) ALONG with your name and address.
Print of the Little Boy at the Dump
Here is a picture of the "Honduras Dump Ministry" bracelet
The very cool Dump T-Shirt that Bread for a Hungry World is offering.
PLEASE help spread the word today. Let everyone know (via Facebook, Twitter, blog, email, etc) what’s going one. Encourage everyone to give.
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink… I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” ~ Jesus
Thank you VERY much!
I’m a fan of several things. I’m a fan of the Texas Rangers, I’m a fan of running, and I’m even a fan of bacon.
Everyone is a fan of something. You may be a NASCAR fan, a college football fan or a fan of golf. Maybe you’re a book fan and love to read, or a music fan and love to go to concerts. Whatever you’re a fan of … just don’t forget if you’re married, to be a fan of your spouse.
Being a fan of your spouse is something Lea and I talk a lot about in our Stronger Marriage workshops. We personally think you should be a HUGE fan of your spouse. In fact, I like to say … if your spouse had a fan club, you should fight to be the president of that club. If you’re a parent, I know you praise and build-up your kids … do it for your spouse as well.
I love seeing couples who have figured this out. Like my friend Amanda, who has listed as her middle name on Facebook , ”LovesErik.” Erik is her husband, and every time he logs on to Facebook he’s reminded how much his wife loves him. Or, my friend Haley who every couple of weeks proclaims her love to her spouse on Facebook … making her husband’s day.
Here’s a few ways you can show you’re a fan of your spouse…
- Encourage your spouse every day by building them up with your words.
- Compliment them everyday.
- Remind them why you love them.
- Leave them a note, send them a text or email.
- Praise them both privately and publicly.
- NEVER bad-mouth your spouse in public or to your friends.
Remember, it’s not good enough just to not be critical … you need to be proactive in being positive and looking for ways to build up. Be your spouse’s biggest fan … and not a fair-weathered fan.
