January 14, 2006

THE REAL (ESTATE) STORY
By Larry Underhill

SPEAR OR BE SPEARED: The Waodani tribe in the eastern rainforest of Ecuador lived and died by this creed. The Waodani was the most violent society ever documented by anthropologists. Five Christian missionaries journeyed into the jungle to reach these people.

THEY DIDN”T GO UNPREPARED. They knew what they were getting into. These five young men were “prayed up”. They had the prayers and support of their wives. They had agreed that they would not return violence with violence. They were rewarded for their efforts with death at the hands of the Waodani.

AMONG THE FIVE men was Jim Elliot, for whom Jim Elliot Christian High School is named. Jim Elliot’s most famous quote is probably “He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”

THE REST OF THE STORY: The wives of these slain missionaries returned to the place where their husbands had been murdered. They met their husbands’ killers. Over years, they demonstrated the love of Jesus Christ to these violent people, and gradually lives (and the culture) have been changed.

THE INDEPENDENT MOVIE, “End Of The Spear”, arrives at Stadium 12 in Lodi and other theaters around January 20. My pastor, Tim Stevenson, attended a preview. His observation: “You know how so many movies say, ‘Based on a true story’ though they may be miles from the actual truth? Note the fact that this movie is NOT ‘based on a true story’. It IS the true story!” Tim couldn’t say enough good things about this film.

A GREAT WEBSITE: endofthespear.com. Learn more about the film, arrange for group ticket sales for your church or group, and enjoy the great graphics and features!

OUR LOCAL JUNGLE: The inventory of active listings in Lodi (single family homes and condos) appears to have stabilized. We’re hovering at around 250 to 270 listings after topping 300 at one point recently. The transition to a more “normal” real estate market is well under way. Good!

SANITY CLAUSE: A semblance of balance has returned to the real estate market. The manic days of multiple offers and overbidding are behind us (and, of course, ahead of us too if you can see far enough into the future. History DOES repeat itself).

CONGRATULATIONS to longtime clients Richard and Valerie Mahoney on the successful sale of their investment property! Always a pleasure, folks! Thanks also to Lodi Realtor Wilma Bauer, who represented the Buyers in this adventure. I worked with Wilma a couple of decades ago at Schaffer Suess and Boyd Realtors. Thanx, Wilma!

ANOTHER GREAT WEBSITE (If I do say so myself): statesmanrealty.com. You can check out multiple photos and information on all of our (wonderful) listings, use the Mortgage Calculator to answer that “What would my payment be?” question, and a whole lot more. Have a great week! See you next Sat.

Statesman Realty

(209) 333 23801-800-407-SOLD (7653)

Website: www.larrysellslodi.com

Website: www.larryunderhill.com

Email: Larry@LarryUnderhill.com