Mark Newland - Life in the Kingdom

Excited?

Sun, 28 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Are you excited to go to Haiti?

This has been the question that's got me squirming in the days since deciding to go. Honestly, I don't yet know how to answer that, but I'm going to try anyway. Here's what first goes through my mind - the people of Haiti are digging their parents, their children, and their friends out from under buildings just to know they're really dead. Some won't find the people they've lost, will never get proper closure, and will always have that nagging thought that they could still be alive somewhere that won't allow them to carry on. Many can't work, can't rebuild, and don't know what's next or if there is a next at all. For most, things are desperate.

I've been in countries that were just recovering after being at war for decades, and I've been in countries that are still trying to find their way after mass social injustices were visited upon them. I've been in Cambodia where both of those statements apply. In those situations, there was a steady pit of despair in my stomach knowing how long the road to recovery would still be for the people I'd met and loved there. All of those places were years after the initial wound was dealt, and I still felt that way.

Haiti, on the other hand, still lies in ruins. Haiti has only begun to mourn. Haiti still bleeds. And I'm going there.

So in thinking all of that, being asked if I'm excited to go to Haiti feels like being asked if I'm excited to stay with a friend for a few months while they do chemo therapy. Going to Haiti will mean mourning with Haiti and watching them go through all of this, and it's going to hurt. That said, there are things I'm looking forward to: I will see healing, in every sense of the word; seeing first hand what God is doing in Haiti; I'm absolutely ecstatic, to the point of crying for joy, at how many are turning TO Him in this painful time, and I'm humbled and honored that He has put me in a place to be a part of that. Above all, there is the sense that I couldn't be doing anything else - it's where my spirit is pulling me, and by that there is a quickening in my blood driving me to do, with great determination, all that God is setting before me. I am anticipating great things for God's kingdom to come out of all this, and also for Haiti. And amidst all those different emotions, there I dwell.

So...if anyone has a word for all of that, let me know, cause I could sure use a shorter response to the question.

Haiti is a Go...Mostly

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

The decision has been made for me to go to Haiti for 3 months as part of a team of project facilitators. We're working out the details, and there are a couple of things that have to happen for me to be able to go (more on that in a moment), but I've said yes to joining the team that will be leaving in the next few weeks. Basically, there are a lot of short term teams that AIM is sending to Haiti over the next year (for starters), and they need leadership on the ground that can stay abreast of the needs in Haiti in order to match the incoming teams to the people and ministries they fit best with. We desire to see the body of Christ in Haiti taking this chance to rebuild their nation on the foundation of God's word, that they would rise up as God's people and lead their country through this. Please be praying that I would be constantly listening to God's direction - in a place like Haiti where needs are scattered over every bit of space available, it's really easy to just try and help and get lost in the details. Listening to God is the ONLY way to have significant impact, and it's hard in that kind of situation for me to hold back on just doing what I think needs doing.

One thing that needs to be taken care of before I go, in addition to the usual list of visas and plane tickets, is that this time around I can't just pack my stuff into boxes to store at mom and dad's place and leave, as is usually the case. I made a commitment with some good friends to rent a house together just a few days before the earthquake in Haiti, and so I need to be able to meet that commitment while I'm gone. With just a few things falling into the right places this shouldn't be a problem, but I would greatly appreciate your prayers that what needs to happen would come about quickly and not delay my departure. Also, don't forget to be praying for Leia as she leaves for Swaziland in a couple of weeks.

This has been a little scattered, I know, and it's because we're still putting all the details together. I will post more details (like leaving dates and such) once I have them, hopefully some time next week. In the mean time, here's a video from our set up team that was in Haiti last month to give you a little idea of what we're getting into:

Prayers Answered

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Like so many people I have poured my heart out in prayer for Haiti, unsure of why this country in need has grabbed ahold of me more so than the other disasters of our time like the tsunami in 2004 or China's earthquake in 2008. From the stories I've heard of Haiti, it seemed that when faced with this kind of disaster its traditional stance on how to follow God (or not follow, as it were) would lead them even further into poverty and depravity. As I prayed, part of me was desperate because I knew how crucial a moment it was in the nations spiritual life, and I had trouble seeing past human stubbornness that threatened to continue to choke the life from these people. As I watched this this morning (originally posted by Seth Barnes, re-posted by Aaron Bruner), I was seeing all those prayers begin to get answered in a powerful way - from the leadership of the country down, all demanding a 180 degree turn on the traditions of the country - and all I could do was cry and worship. This is what we want to see for the entire country. And from there, the entire world.

Passing a Torch

Fri, 12 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

For those that haven't been following the Haiti updates with AIM, the logistics team met open doors and opportunities in Haiti that are now being developed into long term plans to aid the people of Haiti. The prayers for their time on the ground (and after) are hugely appreciated, and they couldn't have had the impact they did without them. AIM is implementing a 3 month rotation of former world racers to stay in Haiti to help host short term teams as they minister there over the coming year. I'll let you know if I join them.

Two years ago I was on the world race (wow does time go by), and we'd just left a little country called Swaziland and travelled to neighboring South Africa after a week of teachings and ministry there. Later we would return to Swaziland to dedicate a children's village in Nsoko that is still a major ministry for AIM, one that other teams on our squad had a major part in. I helped slaughter the bull! Unknown to me at the time, I was only a couple of very short months from an event that would go down as a defining moment in my family's history, something I wrote about a fair bit on this blog, and something many of you prayed us through - my little sister Leia's car accident, which left her legally blind. Well, it's time for an overdue update on that for all of you.

Leia graduated with honors last summer and is hoping to start university this coming September. She wants to become a trauma counselor, is currently taking braille lessons once a week, attempted a little skiing over Christmas (just a few feet of hill), and recently discovered both Lost and The Office, amongst other things. As always when it comes to my sister, there is no telling what will come next because where anyone else would see limitations, Leia simply does what she's going to do without slowing down. As such, in exactly 28 days, Leia will be going on her first missions trip. Rather than going somewhere semi familiar to see what missions is about and get comfortable with the idea, she's going as far as you can go on the planet to the country with the highest AIDs infection rate in the world (do you see the connection coming?): Swaziland. She will be working with some of the same people I got to when I was there, as well as some of the ministries that have been developed by AIM and local pastors alike in the intervening years, doing a mix of outreach and orphan care. She will only be there 10 days, but I know from experience what just a couple days in Swaziland can do to someone's life.

And so, as the community to whom I have turned to so many times before to carry my family, teams, friends and colleagues through with your prayers, I come to you once again. Leia has been raising funds and getting flights and asking a dozen questions about what to bring, so she's about as prepared as anyone else ever is. Which means she needs lots of prayer - for safety, flexibility, provision, and open ears to what the spirit is saying in each moment. She'll be gone from March 12th to the 22nd, so please be in prayer for her and her team during that time. And if you feel so inclined, send me a message if you would like to help with her support. Thank you all for your prayers, they make all the difference in the world every single time!

(picture courtesy of Christie Albaugh)

Haiti Update

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

God has made a way for a team of six World Race alumni to fly into the Dominican Republic this Thursday. From there, they will head to the border of Haiti to serve and establish contacts for future AIM short-term teams. The plan is to start something that will continue to impact Haiti for years to come. Sadly, I missed getting on this team, but if all goes well there will be plenty of opportunities in the near future. So what I need from everyone is this: Pray. World Race went to Haiti for the first time a year ago and through an AIM missionary couple that is there we're doing this set up team. In other words, this is the very start of something - something that we want to see grow for years to come. It needs to be covered that much more in prayer right now. The World Racers from the last few years are doing a 24 hour prayer watch while the team is in Haiti, and I would love it if you could join us. The team has 7 days to identify the largest needs and what will be needed in the months and years to come. In all of our experiences, that only happens when we're fully submitted to and listening to our Father, and prayer is what gets us there. So please, be praying that God would open the team up to what He's doing and where He wants them. Pray for great contacts. Pray for the people of Haiti. And above all, pray that His kingdom would be revealed amidst everything that's happened there.

If you would like to follow the team, sign up for updates from these blogs (to name a few): Ashley Musick, Aaron Bruner, Jacob Hoyer, and Steph Tyrna

To give to the team's ministry fund:

Go to this direct link to give: https://www.adventures.org/give/donate.asp?giveto=worldrace&desc= (this is also accessible by going to www.theworldrace.org and clicking on the 'Donate' tab on the homepage. Hit the button that says 'click here to give!')

Once you're on this page, change the program on the drop-down menu to 'Support a World Race Project.' A new box will appear, for a description of the project. Please type in WR HAITI as the name of the Project.

Thanks everyone!

Haiti

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Ok, I know it's been a long time. I've been thinking about you guys and writing here, honest. That said, something that takes precedence over ministry and life updates has come up: Haiti. You've all heard the news, I wanted to update you on what AIM is doing in response and also inform you that I've put my name on the list of volunteers should we manage to get a team together to go and help. Please be praying. Here is AIM's update:

By this time it's no surprise that Haiti was hit with a 7.0 magnitude earthquake last night, one of the worst earthquakes that the country has experienced in decades. Many people have been asking how they can help. Thankfully, AIM missionaries Miguel and Kristen Shaul are on the field in the Dominican Republic right now and are headed to Haiti as soon as possible to begin providing some much needed relief and help to the country. Here is the latest from the Shauls:

Thank you to everyone who has been praying and sharing concern for our neighbors in Haiti. As we speak we are coordinating with other NGO's here in San Juan to mount an emergency response to those affected by the earthquake that occurred yesterday evening.

Four hours southwest of our home in San Juan lays the Dominican city of Jimani, which is only about 40 miles east from the hardest hit area of Haiti. Our hope is to be able to travel to Jimani early tomorrow morning, bringing supplies with us.

If the borders are not too difficult, Miguel will attempt to get in as far as possible and access the nearest need closest to the Dominican border. We imagine smaller, poorer towns will have massive devastation as well due to inadequate structural integrity even though they are further out from the epicenter.

The primary goal is to bring first response relief to those in need, supplies such as food, blankets, shelters, and basic health care will be needed. Our secondary goal is to identify communities in which we can get involved in long term rebuilding. In both of these cases, we request prayer for the LORD's leading of our effort and favor, and we also ask for partnership in funding our response. Please consider joining in our work to respond to this great brokenness with the love of Christ.

How you can help:

Give a Gift

Click here to give a tax-deductible financial gift for the purchase of supplies needed for first response (food, blankets, shelters, basic health care, etc.).

Give Haiti Prayer

Continue to pray over the country of Haiti, over the ministry that we're establishing down there, and for physical and spiritual restoration.

We'll keep you updated as things further develop.

*Photo courtesy http://www.reuters.com/news/world

Inklings

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

After my last post from Belgrade, Serbia, Caitlin and I made our way to Croatia to meet two more of her teams. The teams were staying in a youth drop in center with whom they were doing some ministry and setting up other contacts. As I got settled the first 24 hours I found myself in a very different culture from the one I'd just left in Belgrade - I'm not talking about the countries, I'm talking about the world race teams. I'd left a culture of deep talks around the kitchen table to one of dancing around the kitchen table. Literally. It was a great window into what it's like as a squad leader, jumping from one culture to another within your own squad, finding the different ways each team moves and worships and encouraging it in the way God is taking it, rather than trying to make everyone fit a mold or do what you would do.

Something that breaks my heart to see is when the differences between churches drives them apart rather than strengthens them - and it's something I see worldwide. When faced with something we don't understand we don't rush to partner with people to understand it, we cut and run instead. We label it as weird, not for me, not of God, or anything else that means we don't have to get out of what we're comfortable with and into something we're not gonna get right away. What I love though is seeing people embracing the differences God has given us, learning from each other the hundreds of different worship styles that God has enabled us to glorify Him with and enjoy, while being challenged by the complete lack of walls that God has in His personality. It was encouraging watching Caitlin and her co-leaders nurture the teams to be who they are and leave behind what they're not, joining in on the kitchen discussions or doing handstands in the worship room. It's this kind of leadership that pulls the body together stronger than its individual parts - one that encourages a hand to be a hand and a mouth to be a mouth and calls the foot to stop trying to be the stomach and for the lips to stop looking sideways at the hand for waving and not smiling. Leadership that calls people forward while celebrating what and who God has made them to be, both as individuals and as larger bodies. As churches.

I was very thankful that God gave me this opportunity to spend time following Caitlin around, getting a window into what squad leading will look like while also getting to know these awesome teams. God has definitely laid it on me to do this at some point in the near future, it's just a matter of waiting for Him to say when. Or who, I guess, would be more accurate.

Over Defined

Wed, 7 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

I have an excerpt from another blog that really captured a lot of how I view my walk with God, and more specifically 'missions,' so I thought I'd share. This is by a man about to head to Uganda with his family (from http://www.claudandmary.com):

We, or should I say "I", have made a fatal mistake in the western world far too often of applying business principles to the gospel. Both in the church-world and in the missions community, more and more decisions are made not based on principles from scripture or in relation to Christ, but rather from a bottom-line driven mentality. The longer I have walked with Jesus the more I am convinced that the true "kingdom gospel" has nothing to do with programs and institutions and other business based concepts, and everything to do with with love, and family, mothering and fathering. Let me give you a taste what I mean by recreating the average conversation I find myself having with folks recently.
-"So you are moving to Uganda, what is your vision?"
Claud: "Jesus and him alone."
-(frustrated by the simplicity of the first answer) "Well yeah, but I mean what is your ministry?"
C: "I don't really have one. But I hope to Love God and love people'".
-(even more frustrated now) "Ok, so what are your ministry goals or your strategy?"
C: "I really do not have any. I intend to love God with all of my heart, and out of that to love and relate deeply with people"
-(at this point the person either changes the subject, or the conversation goes into a number of interesting directions)
What is the point of me sharing this dialogue. It is this: I am convinced the gospel is simple. I am deeply persuaded by my Father in heaven to get away from the "missions model" or from any model at all for that matter. It has to be about the "Man" and not a model. Even the very word "missions" in itself has a connotation of turning a person into a project or a goal, and happens to be a word I cannot find in the scriptures. It devalues authentic relationship, especially when I feel the need to snap a photo of a person to "blog about them later on in order to get money from a supporter". Therefore I know now more than ever that it is time for me to retire (a second time) from my career in "missions", and get on with the gospel among Africans.

Claude goes on to share his heart some more, and specifically how it relates to him moving to Uganda, but this is the part that I identified most with because I've had that exact conversation many times. People ask me how many I've led or hope to lead to Christ, what the goals are, what the vision is, what I'll do, and what the plan is. To all of the above I usually say 'Ask God.' My only goal or plan or whatever is to reveal to people how much God loves them and desires a relationship with them, telling them what God sees in them and what He has made them to be, to speak that truth over them, disciple them in walking in those gifts as much as they will allow and God has enabled me to, and to then step out of the way so they can lean on God and not me...Which is a long way of saying loving God and people. Just incase you wanted to know what this whole lifestyle thing I'm aiming for is.

The Other OTHER Side

Sun, 4 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Last year I was reading a book called 'The Irresistible Revolution' by Shane Claiborne, a book about living for each other in community within our intensely independent culture. In this one part he told a story about a trip he took to Iraq, right at the beginning of the US invasion. His reason for going was simple - to love our brothers and sisters there, even as his own government and army dropped bombs on their homes. Obviously he goes into more detail in the book, and if you haven't read it I highly recommend it, but my reason for talking about it is this - as I read about Shane and his friends standing with their brothers and sisters in Christ through the bombings simply to let them know they were not alone, I began thinking about all the wars I've studied in books, seen news clips about, and heard 10 second updates for on the radio. I wondered about how the family of God responded in those times, if Christians on both sides ever sought each other out to stand together in hope in a similar way.

This week as I wander the streets of Belgrade and see the remains of a bombed building in the midst of a bustling, lively city that I've come to love, I wonder if anyone came here to stand with our brothers and sisters as NATO dropped that bomb (and many others) in its attempt to end the atrocities against Kosovo a decade ago. I know what the general consensus was on this side, I can see it in the monuments - 'Dedicated to the children killed by NATO aggression' pretty much says it all. And I know from text books and what I remember of news clips in '99 that our consensus was we were fighting on the side of right, fighting for justice. But what I want to know, what actually matters to me in the body of Christ is this: did we step up as a family and ignore what the world was telling us to think about a people and instead remember that we have family members that are cut off, alone, and in danger for their lives? By what I'm told of missionary activity here in Serbia, I don't think we did. At least not much. And I know we didn't do much of that in either the Iraq or Afghanistan wars either.

So what is our response to be? We look at these conflicts and know there is nothing we can do to stop them. We also would argue that putting ourselves in harms way does nothing to stop the fighting, so what is the use of risking our lives? What I want us all (myself oh so included) to chew on is this: '...as I have loved you, so you must love one another. BY THIS all men will know you are my disciples...' The point is not to save lives (not directly, anyway, and not so much the physical ones). Nor is it to end the conflict (though it would be nice). It is not even to preach, pray, or worship - these are all just things we do in the process. The point is to give such great love for one another that all men would know who it is we follow. That, as always, our love for God would be such a part of our every day lives that it would show in a love for each other that would drive us to such great lengths as risking our own lives just to bring our brothers and sisters a hope that comes in knowing you don't stand alone. That we would love too much to leave them cut off in the midst of darkness.

I don't know if there was anything that could've stopped the bombs from falling on this great city a decade ago, or to stop this government from doing what it did to Kosovo and its people. It doesn't matter. What does matter is I know I would have forgotten that I have family here when I saw it all on the news and would've instead focused on who was right, who was wrong, and who I was most frustrated with. I want to love more than that. I want to love beyond borders and nations and sides and even beyond right and wrong. I want to love with a reckless abandon that puts others first and me last. I want to love as God loves. I need to love as God loves.

Healing

Thu, 1 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

A few days ago, just after leaving the Awaken conference, a member of the I squad was badly injured when she fell 2 stories from (or through, I'm not sure) a balcony she was sitting on. I highly recommend reading Tara's blog by clicking here for the story as her faith and unshakable devotion to loving people for God is inspiring to say the least. This Friday the World Race community has dedicated themselves to joining in prayer for her complete healing, so I'm asking that all of you would join us as well. Set aside a little time on Friday for it, spread the word, bring on healing. Thanks guys!

Awaken!

Sat, 26 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In my last actual blog I talked about heading to Romania to pour into a few squads of world racers, followed by some backpacking hostel ministry. Well, there's a slight change in that plan - instead of going from here (Brasov, Romania, where we just finished up the awakening yesterday - more on that in a minute) to the backpacking plan, I'm going to continue to pour into world racers by tagging along with Caitlin Woodward, who is the amazing tumber/artist/writer that was on D Squad with me and is now a squad leader for K Squad! So I will head off to...well, I can't remember if it's Croatia or Serbia at the moment, but somewhere where a world race team is rocking out and I get to join in the awesomeness with them! I'll just be doing what I can to pull them deeper into their walk with God this year, prophesying with them, praying with them, worshiping with them, and possibly ministering with them as well. You know, whatever I'm needed for, as always. Be praying for them all as they learn more and more about what it means to walk a spirit filled life in community with others. Pray for Caitlin as she seeks how to serve, lead, and minister to them best, and for me as I fill in wherever I'm supposed to.

Ok, so I know I said I'd give you more on the awakening now, but to be honest I have NO IDEA how to capture this in words. First off, getting to be physically with the World Race community again is beyond awesome, with people from every squad that's gone out since before they even gave them letters to tell them apart. I love being where we can go to people we've never met before and start a conversation about the deepest stuff possible without any preface. Beyond that though, I spent every day this week seeking time with whoever God would put in my path, just doing my best to listen to what God had for each of them and then delivering those words to them. Getting to be a part of God opening someone up to new giftings, freedoms, and understandings is just....mind blowingly stupifyingly bodaciously awesome, to put it simply (and mostly not in English as far as my spell checker is concerned). And He let me do it all week, whether when sitting in on teaching sessions or during worship or getting to share a vision God had for all 250 of us sitting there or just having lunch with some one person. I think my favorite part though is watching people take what words or gifting they're given by God and go give it away to someone else. They don't wait till they have all their stuff figured out, they just step forward in complete trust that what they have been told to share desperately needs to be said or done. When I do this at home, it's always like the message is getting tangled up in people's doubts, like they're not quite ready to trust God's word about them, so they kind of absorb it and dwell on it. Which is good, that's what they need at that time. But I love being here where such a large group of people are ready to just trust in Him, ready to be completely broken by God in really hard ways knowing that His plan is best. So when they are told that they are a child of the king and that they need to let go of the belief that they don't know enough to teach on the bible because they are only the voice and God is the Word, they are willing to step away from the fear they have and walk across the room in complete humility to teach something to someone that they have been mentored by and led by and that they view as having all the answers and could never need a word from the likes of them. Or they go share their testimony with a table of guys at the pub we're hanging out at, or they go unlock someone's prayer language when they only just spoke theirs for the first time a moment ago. It doesn't stop. I love it, seeing it, being in it, living it, and I love speaking God's words to people. It's been a good week.

Capturing the World Race

Sun, 23 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

I saw this and thought it did a good job capturing what the World Race is all about. It also pushed me this morning to be seeking every day, and to not get so relaxed around here. Hope it gets you thinking too.

Next!

Sun, 2 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Firstly, thank you all for your prayers after my last post (yes, nearly a month ago, I know). I started feeling a little better the day after I posted it, and the day after that woke up with no sign of sickness at all (except I was still 15 pounds lighter, which I didn't think I had to spare in the first place). I was able to fully enjoy my sister's wedding, tears and all, deliver my speech, sample all the amazing foods, and dance the night away. So thank you for that.

A lot of people ask me what's next or how long am I home these days. Mostly I answer that I'm here until Christmas, with a short trip to Romania for the first ever World Race Awakening. Three different squads will all be in Eastern Europe in September, so they're all getting together in Romania to pray, worship, debrief, empower, and anything else the spirit brings. Coaches, speakers, and World Race alumni have all been invited to join in on this, and I'm hoping to do just that. And since I haven't been to Eastern Europe yet, I'll spend a couple weeks afterwards doing a little backpacking and hanging out with my favorite people group to minister to - hostel dwellers. Since my first trip to Europe when I was 19 I have loved the conversations that start amongst those that jump from hostel to hostel in countries around the world, because 9 times out of 10 those people are seeking truth in life whether they know it or not. It's one big open door. As for after Christmas, I tell people I have no idea.

That said, here's a little secret for you - there are a lot of things simmering on the backburner of my brain for what's after Christmas. AIM is always looking for leaders for World Race and other trips. There's a leadership school in Spain, and even just taking some college courses somewhere has definitely interested me. Moving to Colorado like I planned on doing a year ago is still on my mind. Who knows. For now, I'm enjoying being here for a bit. When I was home last year I thought I was leaving soon the whole time, and then I did leave, so this is the first time in a few years that I know I'll be here for 5 months. In some ways that's kind of nice. It's different, in any case, and I like different.

Feeling a Little Woozy...

Wed, 8 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

So I've been home 3 weeks today, and thought I'd let you all know I haven't forgotten you, it was just that full a schedule for my first 2 weeks, and then something new happened. Here's a breakdown:

Feasting: I found as many things as I could that I hadn't had in 6 months (or hadn't had much of due to cost, or it just wasn't the same there) and ate those things all day. I hugged my dad at the airport, said hi, promptly asked where the nearest Tim Horton's was (conveniently it was right behind me. Love that airport) and bought myself a half dozen donuts. At home, it was cereal, 4 kinds of cheese, yogurt, grapes, greek salad, smarties, a big plate of nachos with ALL the fixings, sour cream and salsa, ice cream....it was a good day.

Friends: I expected to spend my first day home recovering from jet lag before my friends from the world race arrived the next day for Jenn and Dustan's wedding. My local friends had other ideas jthough - we all played xbox, ate pizza, talked about movies, and had a long debate about the best leader ever - Captain America or Optimus Prime. I think it was the best welcome home celebration I could've asked for.

Celebration: World Racers started arriving for Jenn and Dustan's upcoming wedding the same day I got back. For 5 days we enjoyed the natural beauty of the Vancouver area, saw totem poles, ate Gelato and Poutine, went swimming in ice cold water (Kyle and I did anyway), had a salmon barbeque at my place, and did as much catching up as we possibly could. Then of course was the wedding, which was beautiful and an absolute blast. We danced, we cheered, we ate, we laughed, and some people we love set themselves to live for each other for the rest of their lives. I never did tell the cow story on here from the race, but here's a nutshell since it happens to be how I met Dustan - we were buying a cow to feed 400 people at the dedication of a children's village in Swaziland, and instead of doing it the easy way the locals told us we had to seperate the cow from the herd and convince it to walk with us the 10km to where it would be slaughtered, cooked, and eaten. 5 of us pushed, pulled, dragged, and even bit this stubborn, uncooperative cow in the hot sun for hours on end, and by the end we were all eager to see it on a dinner plate. Dustan, who had come to visit Jenn from Canada (and proposed to her at that time), initially joined us other 5 guys in the attempt, and right away gave us a memory we'll never forget. He was put out of commission for the day while we were still seperating our cow from it's herd when a rope, attached to our chosen cow, got away from us as it ran It wrapped itself around Dustan's leg and pulled him through the fence feet first like a ragdoll being pulled behind a Formula 1 car, casting the logs that were the fence aside like balsa wood. I've never seen someone go through a fence, and didn't know they could go through without really slowing down like that. Dustan had the instant approval of all us guys right there I think, so it was a great joy that we could see him marry our Jenn.

Re-Settling: For the next week I was running around every day doing errands either getting myself back into things here (insurance for the bike, catching up on last year's taxes, collecting things leant out, etc.), and helping my sister prep for her wedding this coming weekend. I didn't have down time until Canada Day (July 1st), after which I figured I'd finally get to some writing on here, putting together my speech for Brenna's wedding, all that stuff. That's when the monster hit:

HOW?!: I was bed ridden for a couple days with aches and pains and a progressively worsening sore throat. The glands in my neck swelled till I looked like a bullfrog. When it was clear this was still getting worse, I went to the hospital and spent the morning attached to an IV (my first experience with one of those, and it sucked as much as I figured it would). They told me I had mono. Yeah, Mono. And I asked the same question everyone seems to ask me 'How the heck did you get mono?!' No idea. I've been in bed all week. Until today my throat was so closed off I couldn't eat and it's been taking a long time to get a smoothie down. My fever kept me from sleeping despite being without any energy all the time, and I keep flipping between shivering cold and drenched in sweat. And to top it all off, what I see in the mirror at the back of my throat makes the top 5 most disgusting things I've ever seen. Things I've seen, that's something special, and it makes me queasy thinking that that is IN me.

So my biggest prayer request right now is that I will have energy, speaking and eating abilities, and a lack of fever by Saturday. Even if it's just for the day. I have been looking forward to my sister's wedding since Christmas and am SERIOUSLY dreading not being able to take part. It's nearly the most important event in my life to me so far. Hopefully I'll be back on my feet enough to write again soon!

Chickens!

Sat, 13 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Last year on the race China was country number 4 for my squad, and it came just after New Year's. The first thing that struck all of us about where we stayed in Hong Kong was the silence while we slept. Now, I would not describe where I stayed as being quiet at night - there were always distant honks, occasional fireworks, passing cars, boats on the river, and any other usual city noises coming through my paper thin windows. But I'd forgotten until this morning what particular sound we were all suddenly surprised to be without each morning - the sound of a crowing rooster. No matter what country we were in, or how big a city, there was always a crowing rooster to greet us in the mornings, so after 4 months of hearing that it stood out when it was gone. Even in an airport once, I think it was here in the Philippines, as we waited for our luggage at a turnstyle out came a box amongst all the other suitcases that suddenly let out the most confused and indignant cock-a-doodle-doo I've ever heard a rooster make.

As you can probably guess, this morning I woke to the sound of, amongst other things, a rooster crowing. It brought back a lot of memories, and now I'm sitting at a table and on a chair that I helped move in here last December, remembering our coaches talking about brokenness over there by the couches, seeing photos of my squad mate Danny hanging on the wall, and talking with Christie about the inescabable necessity of peanut butter (a common topic for us on the race and now). I'm loving it.

I'm already realizing that God has me here for more than just a visit - already I feel myself debriefing (the act of reflecting, analyzing, assessing, and internalizing the lessons learned) all that's happened over the last 6 months. Knowing how busy I'm going to be when I get home on Wednesday I'm even more grateful for my time here, for some downtime in between culture shifts. I can't think of a better place than here for it, as anyone that has been here will attest to.

That's All Folks

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

I apologize for the lack of posts lately. Over the last few weeks it seems there has been no end to the last minute things that needed doing, amongst other distractions, as I prepared to leave China. Now I'm just a few short hours from starting my journey home, and I'm not even sure I've allowed myself the time to reflect on what my time here has been for me. In any case, I'll cover a few things as quickly as possible to get you up to speed:

1. The Passport and Visa

I was without a passport until this past Monday, and had no valid visa for a total of 28 days. I received my visa to allow me to stay my final month yesterday morning. I leave the country this afternoon. This is how my life works. Despite it being out of my control that my visa expired while not in possession of my passport, they still kept saying they would charge me the $3000 in overstay fees. I was praying the whole time I waited in line to pick up the visa - especially after they handed me a bill that read 16000 RMB (about $3000) and told me to go downstairs to pay it. The cashier lady only asked for 160 RMB (about $30) - they had forgotten the decimal and given me a heart attack. I was thanking God all the way home.

2. Paul

I may not have mentioned his name before, but Paul is the boy at the boys home who was applying to that special school that would better meet his needs. Unfortunately, Paul is missing some important paperwork, something similar to a birth certificate, so they could not approve his application. An attempt was made some years ago to find this same paperwork in Paul's home province, but it was never located. The heads of the boy's home are trying again to track this down, so keep this in your prayers.

3. Stan

I never got around to telling the story of a student at my school that has been a focus for me for the last several months, so here's a nutshell version. I'll call him Stan for now. Stan is an extremely intelligent 11 year old that doesn't believe in God (even though he's at a Christian school), which I didn't know about him until I asked him something from a workbook one day (I don't remember what), and a few hours later we were still discussing some of the most advanced theology problems I can think of. This is an 11 year old with English as his second language asking questions that they base college level courses on, and rather effectively following and debating the arguments all the way through. I loved it. It was one of the most challenging and interesting conversations I've had in recent memory. At the end, Stan decided that he needed to know more about who God was before he would commit to following Him, and since then I've been sharing scriptures with Stan on a regular basis and hearing him out as he wrestles through the implications of each passage. Fluff answers just don't cut it for him, so we've had some great talks (again, he's only 11!). I see him becoming a great apologetic and a strong Christian leader one day, so be praying that God would be very real to him and that he would come to recognize the need for a step of faith.

4. Philippines

Christie Albaugh, of team Seven:Eleven fame, moved herself to the Philippines not too long ago to carry on ministering with Kid's International Ministries who hosted us while in Manila last year. I couldn't pass up a chance to spend some time with her, so I found a cheap flight and will be spending the next 4 days in Manila with her before flying home to Vancouver on Wednesday.

5. World Race Wedding

When a World Racer gets married, as many people as can afford to come from our various corners of the earth make our pilgrimages across nations and oceans, as much to see one another as to see the bride and groom usher in a new season of life. It's always over too soon, but it's also a weekend of the best fellowship you can find. Next weekend Jenn Fancy, my fellow Canadian racer, is getting married in Vancouver so everyone is coming to my backyard this time. It's going to feel like one big homecoming extraveganza for my first week home, and I'm really looking forward to it.

6. Goodbyes

A million things happened this week unexpectedly, and so instead of reflecting and properly saying goodbye to friends here, it's just been a rush from one thing to the next. I think a few important people don't even know I'll be gone today. There's a number of people I only just connected with after working beside them for months, and with the churches here I feel like I just started to get a vision for what's going on and what to do about it, how to strengthen each of them. So I feel like I've started things and walked away mid stride, which is normal for me if I've found or raised up someone God has chosen to carry on the work. But that hasn't happened here. It will take some time and talking it out with people to figure out exactly what I've just gone through, and maybe some of the whys.

In any case, while there will be more stories and thoughts on China to come that I didn't get the chance to tell or write yet, as far as blogs straight from the orient go this is the last of them. Goodnight, and good luck.

Kingdom Living and What's Next

Sat, 30 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

I changed the sub-title of this blog months ago now to 'Life in the Kingdom' without ever getting around to explaining that as far as I remember. So here's the why: the Kingdom of God isn't something coming to us, it's something in us now. And we have the job of building it.

The quick rundown goes like this - God creates the world and man and hands dominion over the world to man. This was man's inheritance, to be handed from generation to generation. Adam disobeyed God, gave up his inheritance and handed dominion of the world over to Satan. The crap hits the fan for a few thousand years. When Satan tempts Jesus in the desert, he offers Jesus all the kingdoms of the world (which were Satan's to give because of Adam) if he only bows down and worships Satan. Jesus of course has a better idea. In redeeming Adam's and Israel's actions (in all the temptations of Christ there is a mirrored failure of Adam and Israel to follow God's ways), in living a sinless life and taking on the world's sin as the perfect sacrifice, to pay for it instead of us, Christ then marched into the halls of hell itself, threw Satan down and crushed that serpent's head beneath His foot - stomped it's head so hard He bruised His own heal. Christ took back the inheritance Adam foolishly gave over to Satan by crushing the headship Satan had over the world and over people that would choose to be freed. Christ, as the last Adam, is now the rightful heir to the kingdoms of the world. And we, as co-heirs with Christ, have that as our inheritance too. Just like Israel was supposed to enter the promised land and occupy it, we are to move forward into the darkness and bring the kingdom of God with us, setting the captives free as we go, building the Kingdom one living stone at a time. Like Israel entering the promised land, there are large obstacles in our way that God has promised victory over. But if we in fear or complacency shy away from that task and don't move INTO the promised land, others will continue to occupy what has been promised to us, God's people, leaving no need for God to remove those obstacles. It won't be done without us taking responsibility and action.

I want to live a life where I walk into the dark places, the messy places of life where Christians 'don't belong,' and bring God's kingdom with me. I want to take back the inheritance that rightfully belongs to Christ, who dwells within me and therefore shares that inheritance with me. This is what kingdom living means, and it's what I've been trying to do with my life. Do I know the full extent of what those words mean? Am I always successful at living out what I DO know of it? Not even close. But I know it's right, the way many of the disciples had no idea what they were getting into by saying yes to Jesus when He said come follow Him and did it anyway. As I learned more and more of what this looked like on the World Race last year, I wanted this lifestyle - a life lived IN the Kingdom, taking back what was given away and not just waiting for God's Kingdom to appear.

The staff, coaches, and even some of our foreign hosts on the World Race all shared this vision. They passionately desire to see a generation rise up with this understanding of their role in God's kingdom, knowing the responsibilities they have as Christians and what their place in God's Kingdom is. They want to see this generation reaching out to itself and stepping forth in who God made them to be, and they do an amazing job of empowering people in their spiritual gifts and living out their faith fully alive. In short, working with them rocks. And in September there is an opportunity to work directly with them that I want to take advantage of. Three world race squads will all be in Eastern Europe at the same time, and so AIM is pulling them all together in Romania for one big teaching, worshiping, counseling, imparting, and training time. They've invited former racers to come and help with it too, leading, counseling, speaking, praying, and whatever else God has for us. I am hoping to join them there. Afterwards, since I can't fly all the way to Europe for only 5 days, I hope to do some of my favorite type of ministry - hostel ministry - while seeing Eastern Europe for a month or so, since I've never been. So that's what's next, once I finish up here in a mere 2 weeks and fly home.

Three Weeks?!

Fri, 22 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

What a week! After spending several days arguing my way through red tape, paper work, and lineups full of angry frustrated people, I got an application together for a new passport only to be told it would take 15 working days to get it. Which means I'm an illegal alien for nearly 3 weeks, possibly at the cost of $100 a day in over-stay charges. I think it will all turn out after some more well placed arguments and my usual dose of stubbornness, but be sure to be putting that in Dad's ear for me.

In other news, I've been finding more opportunities to speak with a couple of 'house shepherds' in the area about encouraging and lifting each other up in a regular face to face manner that would help eliminate some of the denominational separation I've been seeing here. I don't know why I had this idea put on my heart so late in my time here, but now is when it happened and so I'm doing all I can to get this rolling. So far, people have been excited about the idea. I just hope they don't crumble when the hard parts get here. The other idea that seems to keep coming up in conversation is the idea of youth groups. Chinese culture, and a lot of Asian culture, is built up around individual achievement and study. The family unit is given a lot more importance than what we give it in North America, but community outside of the family is a foreign concept in many ways. Extra curricular activities are individual based activities, not team or group based, and trying to explain organized sports leagues took quite a bit. But there's a need amongst the youth here for peer groups, I can see it in their interactions with each other. Chinese society is as plagued by the 'Fatherless Generation' as we are in the West, though it's roots are different, and young men here especially have no idea what it means to be men, to take part in life rather than wait on an answer from a text book or mom. I've seen youth groups be extremely effective in raising up these types of youth, allowing for community to show them who they are and accept them for it. I just don't know what to do about it in only 3 weeks (yes, that's all the time I have left here).

So I need you to do what you all do best and ask that these needs be provided for. And if I'm to be part of it that I would know what to do, say, or be, and who to do, say, or be it to. I want to finish well here, and not get distracted with getting bills paid or renewing visas or whatever else there is to distract me (and there is plenty to be distracted by).

Travel Companion

Sun, 10 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

I would like to tell you about the amazing and adventure filled life of a good friend of mine. He's been through 15 different countries in which he's ridden on, in, and over oceans, lakes, planes, trains, cars, trucks, trailers, bikes, motorbikes, dirt roads, concrete roads, and no roads at all. He's seen minefields, sand beaches, rocky beaches, gone through jungles, up hills, sat in a desert, and has shaken the hands of a hundred people or more from all manner and walk of life. He's been stared at and scrutinized, marveled at and coveted. Everywhere he goes the first thing that happens is he gets labeled and told how long he will be accepted there. Five months ago, he saw the inside of a washing machine and lived to cross even more borders, but that washing machine was the beginning of the end for him. I'd like to introduce you to my passport.

Since the washing machine incident, border crossings have raised extra eyebrows and invited extra scrutiny, but since we were always allowed through, I didn't do anything about it. Other than my Cambodia visa now being blank, you can read everything else in there just fine (albeit a little faded in places), and my passport has 10 times the character it used to. However, I went to renew my visa on Friday, and they told me to come back when I got a new passport. Which brings on a whole lot of issues since by the time that can happen, my visa will have expired and they will expect me to have left the country. I think everything will be ok once I talk to the Canadian embassy, hopefully I'll get some kind of temporary visa while I get a new passport, but be lifting this up for me all the same.

And yes, it really is that faded in real life, it's not the angle or lighting, and those are threads coming off of it around the edges, not lint from my pocket. It's the end of an era trading this one in.

Lift it up 2

Mon, 4 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Just so you all know, the comments section of this blog is a great place for debate and letting me know how you really feel. I like feedback, I enjoy discussion, so don't hold back when you disagree. Anywho, some updates and additions:

Terry, who I told you about in my Lift it up! blog, continues to show great signs of recovery. She stood up a few days ago, and should be working on walking by now, and her speech is almost completely clear again. There still isn't much improvement with her arm, but that's always the last thing to recover with strokes like this, so it's normal. The family is doing fairly well by the sounds of it, they know the work being done here isn't finished for them so that's keeping them faithful. Keep lifting Terry and the family up!

On an immediate need one of the boys at the home will be doing an important interview today (Tuesday here, Monday night for most of you) at a special school. Paul is one of two boys that were here last year when I first came to China that are still at the home - he's been there the longest, in fact - so I feel like I know him best. He likes my card games, especially Crazy 8s. He doesn't have full use of his legs, which are underdeveloped, and has many motor skill problems, so getting around is a challenge (though he does very well for himself all things considered). The school he's gone to apply at is one specifically for people with disabilities - their facilities are fully equipped for wheelchair access - and focuses on life skill training. Their goal for their graduates is to have them running a business of their own or working in steady, rewarding jobs rather than the 'whatever pays the bills' mentality that most disabled Chinese are limited to. It's a great opportunity, and we hope he can be accepted as the boy's home isn't set up to give him these kinds of things. He will be missed but we REALLY want this for him, and so does he, so be lifting that up today!

Thanks for all you do everyone!

Tongue Tied

Sun, 3 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Often I find myself ministering to and encouraging other missionaries, pastors, and other believers or church groups more than evangelizing. This is largely due to the short term nature of my callings - I can build on what's there in a short time, but to build a whole new foundation takes more than what I'm usually able to do. Not always, but usually. I started feeling God's nudgings to a deeper calling in this last January and voiced it as God calling me to help heal the church, strengthening what's there and enabling others to reach out more effectively. In that vein, today I want to tackle most divisive subject I come across, in nearly every nation, because it's something we've let come between so many of us when it's actually laid out very clearly. It's speaking in tongues, and often comes hand in hand as an issue with prophesy. This has divided North American churches a lot, and I'm seeing the same thing happen here in China right now. It frustrates me. God hands out a gift by which we can strengthen our spirits, an amazing way in which to worship Him, and while half of us start calling people crazy for accepting it and using it, the other half call the first half spiritually dead! I'll lay it out as I see it, just so you know where I'm coming from, but defining how this should be viewed isn't the point of my blog - I'll get to what that is in a minute.

Before anyone goes labeling me, let me say that I (sadly) do not come from a church that practices or teaches on things like prophesying and/or speaking in tongues. We're a work in progress, like any other congregation. Once I started seeing how God works in people that don't have our preconceptions of how God works I saw that many of us (on both sides of the argument) were missing things in our relationships with God. Today, I have yet to speak in tongues myself, but I expect it to happen, and for the last two years I've prophesied whenever given the opportunity. But before all that I had to wrestle with what God's word says on the subject, since I always naturally lean to the intellectual and logical side of faith. I'm a cynic first, what can I say. What I found is that it all boils down to one simple verse: He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. Everything else that's said on the subject breaks down that verse into everyday actions or defines differences between preaching in tongues and praying in tongues, but that right there is the heart of what the bible teaches on it. To deny the existence of these gifts is to deny scripture cause it's all over the place in there, and nowhere does it say these gifts stopped being given to believers. So, speaking in tongues is something by which we can worship God, and it is a practice that builds us up, strengthening us for God's purposes. What I want to explore is, since it's so clearly laid out and given as an amazingly good thing, why does it divide us?

When I was going into Morocco my first time I was going to be filming stock footage for our outreach television programs. When choosing what equipment to bring, I was advised that most North Africans think in boxes and to not take anything that would put me in a questionable box. This meant that using a tripod looked professional and using one meant being asked for filming permits, work visas, etc., while without it I'd be taken as a tourist. Even though amateurs often use things like tripods, larger cameras, microphones, or special lenses, any one of these would be from the wrong box to a Moroccan so I had to make do to avoid attention (using our van as a tripod instead). I thought about that a lot, and you know what? We all do this. We have different definitions of which box means what, but we all have them. And the sad part is we've all got a nice neat one where God fits. We either want to know what to expect and build a box, or we think we know what to expect and have a box. We either think that crazy isn't of God, or if we're the crazy ones then somber isn't of God. All it is in the end is a box, a limitation on what we believe God capable of because we're not comfortable with a God who does these 'other' things. The tongues issue is merely an indicator of where our hearts are. We want predictable even if what we can predict is that it will be unpredictable, and as soon as we put up our little box of what or who God is and what He does, those that have a different box for God are quickly viewed as anything from merely tolerated to outright ungodly. This is the division that is killing us, world wide, for when we don't whole heartedly support one another, when we look down on one another like this, the world sees it and rightly wants nothing to do with us. We are divided on this because we can't accept that other peoples worship is as acceptable to God as our own, and that God works in ways we haven't seen or experienced ourselves.

I'd never noticed this verse in Mark 9:24 before reading it a couple months ago, and it's been stuck in my head since: 'Immediately the boy's father exclaimed "I do believe; help me with my unbelief!"' I found it odd, claiming belief but asking for help with his unbelief, and had to think for a minute before I got it. See, I believe in God. You can sooner convince me I could not eat for a year and never feel hungry (I need to at least snack every few hours or my stomach mutinies) than convince me God isn't the God of the bible and that every word He's spoken is truth. Yet I do things contrary to that belief, like being uncertain of whether speaking in tongues is real, or that the word I'm speaking for someone is truly from God. He's saying, 'I believe this far, Lord; help me believe farther.' May this be our prayer as churches, that our different boxes would push us to seek more from God and each other and not divide us, that we would ask God to DESTROY those boxes we have Him in by simply not fitting into it any longer.

And we do have Him in a box. Even if that box is bigger than most of the other boxes we see out there, He's in a very small confining box for each of us when compared to what He really is. Are we willing to admit to our brothers from the church down the road that we've looked down on how they worship and ask them to teach us? Are we brave enough to really seek Him and step up to the responsibilities that come with knowing a God such as this? Can we ask for help with our unbelief?

Lord, I do believe. Please, please, help me with my unbelief.

Lift it up!

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Kevin and Terry are a couple that have been doing a lot of impacting work here through multiple short-term trips over the last 10 years. Their own house for Dad back in Michigan has helped start a house here, and they've been involved in bringing copies of His book to those that need it here too. I had the privilege of meeting them on their most recent trip, and even got to spend Easter with them over a hot pot dinner. On this last trip Dad gave them several amazing opportunities to expand and continue His work here, just prior to them heading home to Michigan. Last Saturday, less than a week after arriving home, Terry had a stroke that has left her paralyzed on one side of her body. Thanks to Dad, she's showing improvements, regaining some movement in her extremities, and we're thankful it happened after she got home and not while still here. Kevin and Terry have four sons (and seven grandchildren), the youngest of whom is just graduating high school and still living at home, so be lifting up the family as well as her recovery. We know the work for them isn't complete here yet! Thanks everyone!

An Excursion...Sort of...

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

A few weeks ago I mentioned that I was going away for the weekend. Here's the resulting video that I finally got around to editing for you (real updates to follow soon, promise):

I Know Kung Fu

Sat, 11 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The thing about Chinese culture is that when they have a tradition (and there are more than a few), they make it a complete experience. There is a right way and many wrong ways to prepare for it, it takes some form of precision and dedication to master, and there is deep, profound (or at the least seemingly profound) life philosophy to be experienced and reflected upon during said tradition. Today I learned a new one - Kung Fu Tea.

In the partaking of Kung Fu Tea you use a special kind of tea set with, amongst other things, a small clay teapot and tiny espresso sized teacups (no handles though). The dry tea is placed in the clay teapot (clay to absorb flavor over time), which is only big enough to fill about 6 of these small cups. You drink shots of tea in batches, adding hot water to the teapot for each new batch. The trick is that you only steep the tea for about 30 seconds or so each time, and you go through 8 or so servings like this. Here's the why: the part in tea that is not so good for the body does not (supposedly) steep into the water as quickly as the flavor and aroma, so this is supposed to be a much healthier way of drinking tea. Also, each batch changes the flavor and slightly changes the intensity of the aroma, much like an aging wine except that the tea is not what's aging but the tea leaves are simply changing what they will lend to each new filling of water. You get an almost completely different experience with every cup. The philosophy, which is the point of describing all of this to you, is that each batch or shot of tea represents a decade of life. At first there is little flavor or aroma though you can detect these elements, like in children where you see the potential but not what shape it will take. As you continue, the aroma of the tea is strongest first while the flavor is not so smooth or as enjoyable as later on, becoming more so in the '30s and 40s' as the aroma seems to influence the flavor little by little. This changing carries on to the end which is usually around the 8th 'decade' depending on the quality of tea.

I saw one of those Nooma videos by Rob Bell awhile ago that was talking about the Hebrew words for breath - Yod, Hey, Vav, Hey - and how those words are the names for the letters which spell LORD, also translated as Yahweh or Yahveh. Rob talked about how the word for spirit and the word for breath is the same word, and how we come from dirt, return to dirt, and in between are sustained by the breath, or spirit, of God that Genesis tells us He breathed into us. What I kept thinking about while we drank the tea was how the aroma of the tea, while its intensity changes slightly, was the exact same all the way through to the last cup. How even through all our stages in life, our shortcomings and screw ups, our strongest and our weakest times, we still have that same breath in us just as the tea has the same smell. To God we have the same aroma from start to finish and He knows that if properly nourished the breath He put in us will seep into the flavor of our lives, mellow out the harshness, sweeten the bitterness, and smooth out all those finer edges we have as people. But it won't happen if that breath isn't nourished, if it's treated harshly or with disdain, if it's left without hope...We need to remember this. No matter what the current state of a person is, no matter what they've done or who they are, it's the breath of God that sustains them. Nourish it.

A Passover Feast

Thu, 9 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Friday mornings are my day to lead a bible lesson for all the kids, and tomorrow being Good Friday I think the topic is fairly obvious. So I'm going over some passages with Paul at the boy's home as a dry run when it dawns on me - right now (time zones aside), right around this time, on this day, Jesus was eating his last recorded meal on Earth. Tonight he will be betrayed. By this time tomorrow he will be dead and kicking down the doors of hell to crush the serpent's head. The veil will be split, and then on Sunday He comes back victorious over death. Everything - and I do mean everything - changes. Tonight is the last night of the way things were.

So on my way home I'm wondering what I should do with this insight since I'm feeling inspired to be in remembrance. Easter is Easter of course, but I don't think I've ever given much thought to the actual last supper, except as it's demonstration of communion. My first thought is to pick up some take out so I don't spend the next hour cooking dinner, so I stop at my favorite restaurant. I checked the mail on the way up to my apartment, and sitting there is an envelope that for once isn't covered in indecipherable Chinese characters that indicate another bill to be payed - it's a personal letter! I sat down with Dad's Word out so I could do some reading over dinner, got my food ready to be eaten, and opened the envelope. Inside was a birthday card from Sarah Burrows, fellow world racer and all around pro at making you feel loved. If you've never had the blessing of getting a word of encouragement from her, you're missing out on years worth of warm fuzzy feelings.

So here I am, looking down at my little table (actually I'm using a chair as my table so I can sit on the couch), probably about to try and think of a good way to make this box of noodles significant, when I realize Dad has spread a feast before me. My spirit is feasting on the His word that just seems to be pouring over me - I'm in awe of the greatest thing ever done in the history of doings all over again. I'm feasting on fellowship from across the world in Sarah's birthday wishes that just happen to arrive today of all days, and at this hour of all hours, and I haven't felt so close to loved ones in months. Last of all, my body is feasting on Chinese take out from my favorite restaurant - I'm pretty sure this is even lamb that I ordered! As He so loves to do, Dad threw a celebration of His glory and allowed me to enjoy His provision, which is exactly what passover has always been - God providing freedom, God providing mercey, God providing the sacrifice...God providing. So let Him set out the passover feast this year, the true feast, the one that leaves you satisfied. Just ask Him for it. He loves giving it out.

Happy Easter everyone!

A Sister Goes Home

Wed, 8 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Major prayer request for everyone to lift up. The following is copied from the blog of Seth Barnes, head of AIM (which you can find at www.seth barnes.com):

Sarah Buller, an AIM participant in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, was killed in an automobile accident on Sunday. And though they're rejoicing in heaven, we're all the poorer for it.

Her passing reminds us that God has called us to a road that is sometimes more than we can bear. Sarah set an example by following God's call in her life and ministering to the poor in South Africa. She loved Jesus and died serving him. We can't help but praise God for her life.

Her last blog entry a few weeks ago gives us a picture into her life: "We work with kids in the townships and I work with babies. Life is good here. some days are more crazy then others!!! My parents just come to see me! And it was GREAT! They got to see the whole team. We went to Swaziland a country with in South Africa. I LOVED IT! My Dad got to see old friends. I'm in love."

"In love" describes Sarah's life well. She was in love with life and with those around her. And they couldn't help feeling it. Recently she got a tattoo on her foot. It said love, and it had a bunch of stars around it. Each star represented one person in her family, one for mom, one for dad, and one for each of her eight siblings (four of whom are adopted). She wanted them to be with her wherever she went!

Teammate Nicole Eckenroth describes Sarah like this:

Sarah was one of the sweetest people I have ever met. She was accepting of everyone. She loved to have fun, and she had no fear. We jumped off of a bridge together, bungee jumped that is. She is a night owl. She liked to stay up later than most, and sleep in later than most.

Sarah was precious when we were in ministry. We worked together at a children's home, with abandoned and beaten babies and toddlers. She was so good with all the kids. She wanted to be a mother so badly. She could handle toddlers better than most people.

She loved nature, and being outside. She loved the beach... and having ministry right next to the beach. She was blown away by the beauty of creation.

She was artsy... always seemed to have her camera on her... then she would photoshop them.

She loved music. She had a beautiful singing voice.

She loved youth. The youth group we worked with, Firehouse, was blessed by her. She really was able to invest in the girls... to help grow them up in Christ.

Sarah loved to worship God. Her life was worship.

I had fun with her. One night, we didn't want to go to bed, so we sat outside in the yard. We laid in the grass star gazing, while Kevin played guitar. It was a perfect night!

Then another night, we stuck our head out the window while laying on a bed and looked at the stars... or tried to look. the whole time we couldn't stop laughing... we were sooooo giddy!

Sarah just liked to have fun. She brought joy wherever she went. She was never negative. She loved what she was doing. She loved God and loved people.

She was amazing! And it's so hard to think that she is not around anymore, but I know, she is in the Lord's presence. She has no pain. She has complete and perfect joy! She is missed. But I can't wait to see her again!

Teammate Beth Lynch wrote this about Sarah, "I think one of my favorite stories of her was when she and a few other girls drove to a lion park for the day. Sarah went into a cage with a lion cub and he pounced on her. She came back with a torn shirt and minor scrapes on her arm and stomach. She was so excited about it! We all laughed about how when she got home she could say that when she went to Africa, she was attacked by a lion."

"During Thanksgiving break, we went to Cape Town. We spent eight long hours in the car but it was so much fun! We goofed off and sang at the top of our lungs as we drove. That weekend we visited Table Mountain and it was the most gorgeous site any of us had ever seen."

* * * * * *

The local paper in Minnesota, where she was raised, posted an article about Sarah.

If her home-going leaves us overwhelmed by sadness, we have the consolation of knowing that sometimes God loves us so much, he asks for our best. And in receiving Sarah into his loving arms, he got the best we had.

Prayer Update

Thu, 2 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

An answer to prayer came this week in the form of a teenager named Peter that was formerly a student at my school. He has started coming to the boy's home with me to act as my translator, which as you know I've felt at a loss without for a long time. His English isn't exactly fluent, but he knows enough to struggle through and he's learning bit by bit as we go, so while conversations are slow, they are at least conversations. He's got a great heart too - with the two Down Syndrome boys he's especially loving, and they love him right back. It's still difficult to make a connection with these guys as I can't seem to go more than a moment before Peter is having his own conversation and I'm sitting waiting to find out what's going on, but if nothing else, I think I've given the home a helper that will outlast my own time here, so I'm happy about that. So praise God for Peter.

There is a new boy at the home that came today, one who's name I can't recall at the moment, that instigates much prayer need. He has the most severe case of ADHD I've ever seen. He can't look you in the eyes for more than a second when you're talking to him before he finds a spot on the wall to go and start doing something with. It can be anything, a scrap of paper to shred, a shelf to climb, a table to try rolling across, a bike to loosen a bolt on...it would be hilarious in a tragic way to watch if I wasn't the one trying to keep him from destroying everything in sight. I don't think anyone there is equipped to handle him properly, and I worry about what will happen to everyone's sanity between now and when I go back there next week. So lift them up, they need to know how to reach him.

I'll be travelling to a different city for the weekend, so ask for safe travels and good conversations too!

Wading Through the Rain

Sun, 29 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

A few days ago my friend here was telling me how much they hated the rain. Growing up I was never a fan, but these days when people say that I always think of the quote, "Anyone who says sunshine brings happiness has never danced in the rain."Cause I really do think we grow up disliking rain because it means we can't do certain things, but never take advantage of the things you can only do in the rain. Though there are plenty of applications for such thinking, today I just have a story: Yesterday I went into town to pick up my camera, which I finally got fixed (yay!), and then out to enjoy a free piano concert with my friend Shirley. While inside some stores, it started raining. My first clue that it might be really bad outside was when, while on the 3rd floor of a shop, someone opened a door to what was an exterior stairwell to discover it had turned into a waterfall. That still didn't prepare Shirley and I for what was waiting down in the street for us - a few city blocks had become a shallow lake, stopping traffic in all directions and forcing everyone to the dry strips of raised sidewalk, and we were on the island in the middle. There were hundreds of people trying to stay on the sidewalk, mere inches above the water line, while everyone was also trying to move in one direction or another. It was as bad as being front and center at Edgefest. Of course we needed to get off our little island, so we fought through the crowds and at each road crossing, pants rolled above my knees (though in the end that wasn't enough to keep them dry), with Shirley on my back holding my phone, shoes, and camera up out of the water and an umbrella over our heads, I waded through the filthy water to get us to a hot meal, a piano concert, and then home.

And I just kept thinking, with a smile on my face, that you don't get to do this with an abundance of sunshine.

(Sorry for the bluriness, it was darker than it looks here, makes it hard to focus)

Gimme!

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Cultural differences is a common discussion topic with anyone that feels the need to practice their English with me here, and the thing that comes up most is the upbringing of the current generations. Here in China the family is everything, so when the government limited families to only 1 child each due to the massive population it changed an awful lot. You know that one kid in your class growing up that you just KNEW was an only child because they would arbitrarily decide that everything you had was theirs, that they got to do whatever they wanted, and threw a fit when you didn't give in to these whims? Imagine the reverse, where you know the one kid that isn't an only child because they don't know how to whine as loud or grab as fast as all the other kids. That's what it can be like here. Many of the kids just grab what they want because they don't spend the first few years of their life having to defer to an idea of shared resources, and then upon entering into the larger world that is society here, well, grabbing fast gets you fed cause there's a billion people all needing what you're after. My question, then, is what's the Western world's excuse?

Somewhere along the line, our society started acting like it's entitled to...well, everything. Some people reading this are nodding their heads thinking about those people you hear about on the news that won't give up their huge retirement packages to save the jobs of the people working for them. But I'm not talking about greed. I'm talking about when you feel put out because the guy in the car in front of you is driving slower than you want. When you think 'This is crap, I should get this free' because a restaurant mixed up your order. We escape from our families because we deserve to be happy, we sue because we deserve an inconvenience free life, and we fight because we deserve respect. It all sounds logical. But is it true? What are we really entitled to?

You know the answer I'm getting at. We all know in our heads what we really deserve, it's laid out in black and white (and often red lettering for Jesus' words) - the wages of sin is death. I deserve to fall into the pit and burn. We don't because of God's mercy and love, but in that there's something else we are entitled to in accepting His mercy - servanthood. Being a Christian means we get to serve. That's it. We're promised trials, troubles, persecutions, and that we get to serve those that do these things to us. We know this, somewhere in our heads, but we don't live it. We've let what people are referring to as a culture of entitlement shape our thinking and actions instead.

I'm finally getting around to reading Les Miserables, and I'm sorry I didn't do this 10 years ago, I love it. In the beginning there's a scene often talked about in sermons and the like when Jean Valjean, a newly released convict, gets caught in possession of a set of silver plates he stole from the Bishop, the only man in town that would house him for the night. The police officers bring him back to the door of the Bishop, and the Bishop immediately cries out 'I'm so glad you returned, did you not know that we gave you the candlesticks as well?' Jean Valjean can't really believe what just happened - as a man facing a return trip to prison, he's instead given grace and means to start a new life. The Bishop, by our standards, is entitled to get his stuff back and to have such a man as this thief taken off the streets, that we would all be safer. He sees things how they should be seen though - he is entitled to serve, entitled to give a man his tunic when someone takes his cloak, entitled to show love, grace, and mercy in the proportion that it has been given us.

I'm not sure how to get there. My sister had her laptop stolen when the house was broken into last week, a laptop set up with programs to help vision impaired people. Her school will replace it, sure, but the pictures and other files on there are gone, many of which represent important work for her, and I'm pissed that somebody just stole something so important from my sister. I'd have a few choice words to say if I met the guy that did it. I wouldn't think to offer him the install disks of all the programs on it just incase it crashed and needed a reformatting. I want that to change. May this entitlement culture be stripped from my being and replaced by a culture of servanthood, the culture of the Kingdom.

Humpty Dumpty Life

Sun, 15 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Thanks to some birthday money from mom the computer has a new harddrive and I'm back online (still no camera though). That said, the sudden access to communication hasn't been the easiest to deal with. News from home looked something like this:

The house was broken into. A friend is watching her mom go through radiation treatment for cancer while trying to find a balance between being there for the family and living her own life. Another friend is watching her family tear itself apart at the seams. One of my oldest friends is at his wits end dealing with an injury that's changed his life. And after being there for his mom (who is also a surrogate mother to myself and all my oldest friends) as she recovers from part of her lungs being removed a couple months ago, my best friend lost his father suddenly last week.

I know life's a pretty big mess on a good day, that it falls apart without any warning and can't be put back as it was, but normally there's some pause between the fractures. This is just...a lot. Thing is, everything I've been coming across lately has been about mourning, loss, storms of life and all that. We're reading through Job at school, having discussions on loss and trials at church, and other random places that just keep bringing the same subject up. I've found myself sharing the story of Leia and what our family has been through more in the last month than the whole of this last year combined. It's kept me thinking.

And what I'm thinking is trials suck. Mourning sucks. Losing people, losing hope, losing security, losing trust - it feels like you're screaming at an avalanche to stop as it buries you under 300 tonnes of earth. But when do you cling harder to the ones you love most? When are you held tighter? If you think about a child, when does a parent hold them closer than when they are comforting them in their fear or pain? It's the same with us and God. He doesn't wish these things on us any more than a human parent for their child, but in all the parables and lessons on life's storms and pains, it's always worded as 'when' they come, not 'if.' And in those times He does what every parent does - He wraps His huge arms around us and holds us closer than any other time, because in our desperate pain is when we let Him nearest. When we are the weakest. I couldn't really wrap my head around the idea of 'Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted' for the longest time. I mean, isn't it better to not have to mourn than to just be comforted when you lose something you'll never get back? But I kind of get it now - those who mourn get to be closer and more intimitely familiar with God than all the rest of us. The avalanche of earth becomes a blanket of arms and chest on which to shed your tears. The pain may not diminish, but the presence of God rises up to meet it toe to toe, tonne for tonne, a gentle word for every tear, peace and comfort to balance the pain and anguish. Dad stoops down, picks us up, and holds us as tight as we can bear until the pain subsides and our tears are shed. That's the blessing.

I obviously don't look forward to those moments when I need Him most. I'm just not a big fan of pain. But I can truly say that I have been blessed in my times of mourning with an intimacy with God that I've not experienced in any other circumstance. So as much as I'd prefer to take away the pain my friends and family are going through, I am left mourning along side them and praying that they would know this blessing.