We're leaving to the Dominican Republic

So excited!

...not about the travel.

LONG flights with 3 little kids could equal becoming "that parent" that everyone hates on the airplane. God have mercy. 

But we are going back, one year later to continue to nurture the friendships we made and continue to learn about Jesus in the context of the DR.  There is a lot for us to learn.

We'd love to know you are praying for us! 

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Following Jesus to Africa

Short story....with big implications.  You know how people always say..."I'm scared that if I follow Jesus...he'll send me to Africa, or something."

Let me tell you this:  He might.

...but in our student Alex's case - it was his joy to obey. 

He's a talented mechanic

...and he is following Jesus to use his skillz in a place that needs great mechanics.

It was exciting to see him take a step (leap? jump? base jump?) of faith.

Take a lesson, blog readers.

Sometimes taking a step of faith means leaving some comforts behind so our only comfort can be found in the One who says, "Come to me all who are weary...." (Matthew 11:28)

Our community misses this guy!  

But we'd be more bummed if he missed God's Call by sticking around Vancouver

Better to follow Jesus on mission than find yourself in the belly of a whale...

...at least, that's what Jonah said.

Go get em'! 

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Our trip to the Dominican Republic - Lessons learned

It's very hard to summarize a missions trip in a blog....or two. 

But I know that's not what you're expecting.

You want to know the answer to a very simple question: Why was it awesome?  

You already know it was awesome...because they always are.

When you take risks for Jesus....your world is enlarged....and you begin to see a bigger Plan.

So here are 10 reasons we are so thankful for YOUR support

...as we led a team of college students to the Dominican Republic.

We served in three places:  an elementary school, an orphanage, and a local church....all in the city of Monte Plata in the Dominican Republic.  We worked with an organization named Kids Alive...an inspiring group of people who aim to provide Christian care to kids at risk.

Here is what we learned:

1.  God's plan was that our kids had something to contribute to our team and were not just "tag-alongs."

We saw how they adapted...and joined what we were doing.  We saw how they loved the team members and the people of the DR we were encountering. 

THE LESSON:  God calls families.

2.  God's plan was that our hearts be enlarged for his world.

I've always felt like I've had a small heart --I feel my selfishness and self-centeredness.  But I saw my heart enlarge for the kids of the DR, especially in the orphanage we were serving in.  

THE LESSON: Small hearts aren't a problem for God.  Let someone into your small heart and they'll make your heart bigger.  

3.  God's plan was that we meet people who inspire and challenge us

Like this man -- J.R.  He is a firefighter in the poor village we were living in....but in his spare time he volunteers at a local elementary school (which we were staying at) serving kids who are very at risk.  He spends his leisure time....serving.

THE LESSON: Followers of Jesus always have time to serve.

4.  God's plan was that we experience community

Community -- what an overused word that has lost it's punch.  Seems like any time people "hang out together" and "like each other" or have "common interests"  are in community.  Real community -- like the one we experienced at the orphanage 1.  Depends entirely on Jesus 2. Depends entirely on one another 3. Has a mission beyond itself. The group of orphaned teen girls (all which we now know by name), under the leadership of a house mom...are in community.

THE LESSON: If we dared to live beyond self concern, people's indifference to Jesus would crumble.

5.  God's plan was that we experience the DR eating experience.

Each night we ate together (amazing DR food!!) as a team, sometimes with guest speakers who shared their stories of God's provision and amazing ministries of service in the village we were staying in.  Somehow food opens more than the mouth and stomach...but it opens the ears too.  We were listening. 

THE LESSON: Food and Fellowship belong together

6.  God's plan was that our kids make intimate connections

We watched as our kids made friends, played, danced, smiled, and totally adapted to a new people and a new culture.  One night Elizabeth said, "Mommy...I love my friends".

THE LESSON: Kids are an amazing avenue for relationships. 

7.  God's plan was that we meet Miguel.  

He was a champion distance runner in the DR.  He could have competed in the Olympics but to do so would cost to much...and have taken him away from helping his parents work their farm.  Miguel is a better athlete than me, a deeply devout follower of Jesus, a visionary, and speaks 5 languages FLUENTLY.  I have much to learn from Miguel.    

THE LESSON: Never condescend, because the person you patronize may very well be your teacher.

8.  God's plan was that we live and serve at an elementary school in the city of Monte Plata.

What an amazing school.  Each year they accept something like 12 of most at-risk kids they can find.  These kids come from all walks of life...most depend on the school to provide a couple meals a day, some live on the street, and many come from very challenging home situations.  The teachers in this school teach with a sense of duty and "missio-Dei".

 THE LESSON:  Education happens best when Shalom is the agenda

9.  God's plan was that we see a pure moment of trust as two cultures collided.

I can't explain the moment well enough in writing....so suffice it to say -- this picture captures an important lesson for us....

THE LESSON:  Trust is a key foundation for racial reconciliation.

10.  God's plan was that Joe preach in a local church

As we walked through the village on the way to church....I marvelled at how people from our church in Vancouver were some of the first to share Jesus' good news to people in Monte Plata....and from that have come a legacy of church plants all now led by Dominicans. 

THE LESSON: Keep preaching the gospel....for it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes. 

Thank you so much for your support of our family to lead this team. It means so much to know that you  are behind us as we follow Jesus....wherever he leads us as a family.

Love you

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Where is home?

Home is where mom and dad are.

This is altruism when it relates to kids. But something happens when we get older. We begin to leave mom and dad and cleave to someone else. And that process is a good thing. In fact, it’s a biblical mandate. But I’ll tell you…I sure enjoy the stage that we’re in.

While in the Dominican Republic, our kids entered into a new culture, a different language, like champions. They never skipped a beat. When we struggled with culture shock – cultural dissonance – they adapted. They always looked like they were at home.

Home is where mom and dad are. 

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3 weeks in China with a sweaty baby

There are very few ways to tell a 3 week story in a blog post and still make it short enough so that I'll still be interested in writing it and you'll still be interested in reading it.  The best way may be to share a few pictures and a few thoughts along the way.

We went to China as a family, leading a team of people who wanted to better understand Chinese culture and volunteer in an orphanage for medically at-risk babies.  On the weekends we spent our time in Shanghai, Nanjing, and Beijing.      

We carted this girl around the whole country.  It was uncomfortably HOT but this girl was a trooper.  And in the entire trip, she only had 2 short melt-downs.  We were amazed.  

Often she became the center of attention for our team but also for strangers.  People would gather around her and want to take her picture. 

We didn't do any climbing this trip, but thought about climbing on this fence.  

One of the things we love about china is learning about it's history and seeing it's architecture.  Spectacular! ...and of course, great food!

The orphanage we worked at was a very special experience

we've been to China before, and had spent time on the great wall...but dude, you're in China, you have to go to the great wall!  

This is the vantage point Elizabeth had for most of the trip.  Pregnant mom or sweaty dad carrying 25 pound toddler.

we visited a three self church to better understand the role of Christianity in China.

love this girl, love the team we were leading, and love China!

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A note from the big "W"

We got a note today from our good buddy...whom we have never met nor have we heard in person...BUT....he is smart, sassy, and a super good writer.

His name is Jim Wallis. He is our buddy...and although we do not agree with everything he says, we listen to him and try to be held accountable to his thinking

He is a prolific writer and chef editor for Soujourners Magazine

Here is an excerpt from a very personal email, he wrote, very personally, to us:  (jk)

Dear friend,

Desmond Tutu said it best: "As Christians, we are prisoners of hope."

Right now you and I stand poised between the coming of Christ at Advent and the renewal of a new year, a new administration, a new era.

What do you hope for?

• Peace on earth?
• Spiritual renewal?
• A responsive new government?
• Unity in the church?
• The end of extreme global poverty?

In fact, the signs that breakthrough is likely are clear after November's election.

A post-election poll we co-sponsored revealed that a clear majority of evangelicals and Catholics believe a broad political agenda best represents their values. This poll echoes what we hear from Christians across the nation - that we are exhausted by the limitations of having only one or two issues dominate the focus of our politics.

Sojourners clearly informed and mobilized the religious shift that you saw in the last election. Our strategy included distributing a Vote All Your Values election guide in both 2006 and 2008.

Thank you for your role in our success!

To achieve the other hopes, Sojourners has called the church in the U.S. to repent from the Iraq war, has given you a voice in passing legislation and defending workers' rights, and has led a much-needed conversation to resolve the political divide on the abortion issue.

Through our Mobilization to End Poverty, Christians of all stripes and political leaders have signed on to the goal of cutting domestic poverty by half in the next 10 years and achieving the Millennium Development Goals for global poverty reduction.

Our Justice Revival in Columbus, Ohio, unified churches to fight unjust practices and bring an end to the poverty experienced by many there.

Seeding massive cultural shifts begins with Sojourners magazine, SojoMail, the God's Politics Blog, speaking events, and extensive media coverage. The changes build with each Justice Revival and national event like our 2009 Mobilization to End Poverty. Finally, the changes are realized when the church unites, when the corporations pay workers fairly, or when political leaders make plans and policies informed by moral reasoning.

Sojourners plans to remain at the forefront of the broad moral agenda. We have always been propelled by your support and energy.