my "date," Adam Gregory

I didn’t tell you the whole story…

Generosity Water (www.generositywater.com) is an awesome ministry that came  out of a vision of my friend Philip Wagner, from Oasis Christian Center (www.oasisla.org) in Hollywood. Jordan Wagner, Philip and Holly’s son, is the head of the ministry. They fund and direct the digging of clean water wells in Uganda, Ethiopia, other countries in Africa and Central America. This is the church where I taught the “How To Be A Christian Without Being A Jerk” series. I committed to 10% of the profit from the DVD going to the Generosity Water cause. I had the chance double that so far, last Thursday.

At the fashion show fundraiser in Beverly Hills, I joined Sarah Hankowski, the Generosity Water Coordinator from our church community, her friend Desi, and a whole bunch of people dressed really nice. Actor Adam Gregory (the New Beverly Hills 90210), and Jason Kennedy (E!) were there, and the fashion show designers were “Project Runway” finalists, Jerell Scott and Korto Momulu. It was really cool with international models and all! I even think one of them used “Magnum!”

At the end of the evening, the final event was a live auction for a date with Adam! The bidding took off with many of the young ladies going back and forth.

Then I entered the fray…

Yes, I started a bidding war for a date with Adam! The crowd went nuts with a guy bidding, but come on, this is LA…Anyway, it was down to me and one woman, and we were both focused like a laser beam. In the end I won!

Everyone is roaring and Jason, the MC, asks me, “Where are you going on your date with Adam?”

I said, “O, it’s not for me, it’s for my daughter.”

The place exploded in applause and laughter (and maybe a sigh of relief from Adam!).

Jason asked me how old she is and I said “20.”

Adam said, “I’m 21.”

I am thinking, “What did I just do?”

and

“You’re 21, well I am  215 lbs. and part Russian!”-

No, not really, he is a great guy. I actually had a chance to speak to him before I knew about the auction part, and we talked about the GW ministry, he asked about my connection to the event, and then asked about LIFEhouse, and he shared he was fellowshipping at Dream Center. A gracious young man.

So, the evening ended with many young ladies coming to me and saying,

“You’re the best dad in the world!”

“I wish I had a dad like that!”

…and so on. Just, smiled and ate it up.

I told Kristina and she was thrilled. Here facebook status became,

“Kristina thinks she may have one of the coolest dads ever.”

Oh, well the things we do for our daughters. Except, as I explained to her, with that simple gift to Generosity Water, doing the math of:  The cost of a well, how many people a well services, how many people die in places because of water born illnesses, it comes out to about 25 lives saved with one small gesture (or an expensive arranged date!)

That was a night to remember and I was thrilled to be part of such a great ministry. Sarah, and Tommy Andrews from our church are going with a team from Oasis to check out new projects in Ethiopia in a couple of weeks. Can’t wait to get a report.

So, I know it is fashion models and all of that, but they have an attitude that is quite interesting. Most have a bit of disdain when they are walking down the runway, as if to say, “Of course I am beautiful, what were you thinking?”

Then to meet them afterward, I was pleased they were so gracious. I even got a picture of a guy (I believe from Italy)  I thought was the type of “hunk” my daughter would appreciate. I didn’t take any pictures of female models because a few people knew me, and “why was I scoping out the babes anyway?  “Oh, well…