live on mission

calling

2012-01-21T16:36:00.000-06:00

We met this morning for a leadership retreat at our church to share and celebrate what God has been up to in and through our body, to spend time in worship, and to collectively look ahead of us into the future a bit. Over one hundred leaders in the room. It was so, so good to hear from people in our body and to listen to the movement of God through their voices. I desire processing and discerning from this day for a good spell ahead.

I was paying particular attention to many comments throughout the morning, but it was during one time of sharing that tears began to well up and my mind has been fixed since ....that's when I know I better pay attention. The sharing done was about the discernment and transition process for a bringing a new leader for Orchard Hill in the next six years. The issue on which my mind is stayed is that of calling.

The person who will lead this church must be undeniably called by God. I think I got teary because the call of God is so powerful...so irrevocable....so compelling.....so right.....so burdensome......so difficult.

On the one hand, you cannot NOT follow the call of God, you feel compelled, you cannot rest and find peace until you do. When you are in the way of God's calling, you know it, you feel carried along by God, you have great passion, and you recognize His work in and through you. You feel like you're coming into your destiny and purpose. There is no deeper joy and grace and dependence found than here.

On the other hand, though you feel Kingdom rightness and gain, there is much death and loss to undergo. The way is treacherous, and it is foolish to those with eyes and values of the world. There is hardship and struggle and suffering and sacrifice at multiple levels. The burden is heavy. It is lonely. It is hard, often unpopular, dangerous, risky, and it is costly in the ways of this world. I am familiar with only a bit of this cost at this point in my call but enough struggle to feel deeply moved to pray for the future leader of Orchard and for all leaders as they move with courage into the calling that God has for them.

That's why we so need the Fellowship of Christ around us...to pray, listen, discern with...to give courage to one another so that we might walk forward in obedience and en-couragement, to sharpen one another as God equips and empowers His Church to do His bidding as He reconciles the world through Christ.

"The way is fraught with danger." A mentor far, far, far ahead of me on the journey of Christian Community Development sat straight across from three years ago, looked me in the eye, and spoke those words. At the time, I could only begin to guess what he meant. I have a slight taste in my mouth now of what dangers lurk on this journey, so what a reassurance it is to remember "The battle is the Lord's". It is Christ who works and calls and empowers and reigns as King. May we trust and loyally follow as His servants.

17, 011 days in

2012-01-20T14:49:00.000-06:00

I'd be sure to receive the author's severe reprimand for speedbrowsing through a book called The Power of Slow (Hohlbaum, Christine Louise, 2009, St. Martin's Press), but I did. I can't help myself from taking home several books from the "New Books" shelf at the public library, knowing full well I won't arrange my time to read most of them.

Ah, well, as long as we're on the subject of time, here's a quote from The Power of Slow:

..."the term 'time management' itself is contradictory. How can you manage something as uncontrollable as time? It exists whether we do or not. The only things you can manage or control are the activities in which you engage during the time you have available to you. It is inarguable that we all get twenty-four hours a day. And Americans live, on average, approximately 28,000 days. That gives us about 672,000 hours to make use of. While there are broad variations from one person's life span to the next, we all get to choose what to do with the time we have. Most of us do not know how long we have to live. This uncertainty makes our relationship with time extremely personal. We begin our lives with our own individualized bank account of time. It is up to us as to how we spend our temporal currency."

I'm 17,011 days into my earthly time bank. Praying I'll invest the balance in learning to love and follow Christ without reservation.

undoing racism

2012-01-18T19:15:00.000-06:00

After the UndoingRacism workshop last winter, I wrote the following list of what I think I’vebeen learning about change and action…

1 1. I can’t see change without Jesus. Becauseof our sin, He’s the only one who can truly reconcile and restore us to Himselfand one another. Forgiveness of self andothers, newness, freedom, our true identity and calling as a community ofpeople can be known when we trust and obey Jesus as the leader of our lives.

2 2. Ineed to meet people where they are. Ionly have to look at my own journey thus far and know how important it is notto condemn or write others off.

3 3. Thisis a slow, very intentional journey of patience, grace, humility, love,listening.

4. Thisis a very urgent journey of importance and is deeply interrelated to our identity,lifestyle, values, poverty, worldview, faith.

5 5. Wemust bridge and bring people together. We deceive ourselves to think the problem can be solved without comingtogether, reconciling, and modeling change.

6 6. Relocationis optimal. When we become literalneighbors, our lives become more integrated and interconnected.

7 7. Conversationsand questions are critical for the journey.

8 8. Personalstories are important to help people tap into emotions involved in the issue.

9 9. Beingreborn means seeing people as Christ sees them…the value, worth, dignity, giftsof all people.

1 10. CCDAhas been a great source to learn about components and models of reconciliationand restoration.

1 11. Focusis important. Too often we stay toobroad, overwhelmed, disjointed.

1 12. Findthe bright spots in your defined area of calling and build off of them.

1 13. Wholisticneighborhood strengthening.

1 14. Smallthings have a cumulative effect as relationships are built. We often think big problems need one bigsolution. Many times, small, focusedwins and successes create a momentum that makes big change happen.

1 15. Translateideas into specific behaviors. Beconcrete.

1 16. Knowpassions, gifts, skills, calling in the mix…we try to serve outside of thoseand we lose energy, get distracted, burn out.

1 17. Experienceslead to relationships; relationships lead to advocacy. Not a lot of people are aware enough or careenough to start with advocacy.

1 18. Learningcommunities are helpful.

1 19. Bookdiscussions are helpful.

2 20. Focuson children is key.

2 21. Jobsfor Life and economic strategies important

2 22. Longterm commitment is necessary.

2 23. Partnershipsare critical. It may start with a corebut is too big for one or two churches and will require many people offaith, as well as cooperation with agencies and government at all levels.

What have you been learning aboutchange and action toward reconciliation and justice in our community ?

plumb line prophets

2012-01-16T08:57:00.002-06:00

This past week, I read both the book of Amos in the Bible and the "Letter from a Birmingham Jail" written by Martin Luther King Jr. in 1963. I think I, along with the North American Church at large, can deceive myself in believing that words like those found in Amos and in the Birmingham letter were written for another time, another place, another people. "Thank God things aren't like that today!" Or are they?

If I get past denial and justification, I honestly think Amos and the Letter from a Birmingham Jail speak directly for my life, my time, and the very place in which I live. These writings convict and challenge me toward repentance, a re-ordering of my life that puts me more directly on the path of Jesus, of justice. I'm thankful to God for raising up prophets such as Amos and Martin Luther King Jr. to show us the plumb line of our lives.

from where we have come

2012-01-15T10:29:00.001-06:00

I've been feeling a burden overnight that I didn't bring up when we were gathered together for the MLK Jr. party last night, but I want to bring up briefly here.

The group opened last night in a big circle. Each person sharing their name, what food they brought, and a bit about their heritage. We closed last night in another big circle, and during our prayer time, heritage was again brought up. It was during the prayer that I felt the pain for our brothers and sisters who have been robbed through slavery from knowing much about their heritage and ancestry. This wasn't voiced aloud last night, but I recognized the tension and was sensitive to the absence of not being able to mention the roots of some of our friends gathered last night. Maybe I was particularly sensitive to it because my mom is a genealogy fan who has been tracing our family line back 250 years into Germany. I feel a sense of sadness about that today, and I'd like to tell many black friends that I am confident that someday in eternity they will be introduced to their rich family history. I am also so grateful that as we all trace back, we can be confident in finding our amazing Creator and Father who fearfully and wonderfully made us all in His image and who in Christ makes us all brothers and sisters.

come together

2012-01-14T22:45:00.000-06:00

God's been leading me on a racial reconciliation journey over the past few years. This past fall was an especially defining time for me as I studied and discussed the book Divided by Faith together with six black friends and six white friends.

As we began to near the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday this year, I began to pray and think about what intentional act I would like to be involved with this year that would help me continue to commit to this road toward a racially reconciled community. One of my takeaways from Divided by Faith was the fact that we're so segregated that we really don't know one another, and if we do, it's often casually...we often don't have the relationships needed to get real or get deep about issues of race. We often don't know what we don't know because of our deep separation from one another.

So, why not have a party?! A time to actually come together as human beings, Christians, friends, so that we might better come to listen, understand, know, trust, and celebrate one another. A time for fellowship....food (a potluck with food from our heritage or family traditions...can I say aMAZING? German soft pretzels, Dutch apple cake, rice and beans with avocado, collard greens with smoked turkey legs, German meatballs, beef stroganoff, Kolaches, and so many other yummy dishes!) and a time to focus on the vision of reconciliation and justice that MLK Jr. lived and died to share and that Jesus lived and died to make possible.

We met in 3 small groups for awhile after dinner to share stories and to discuss 5 questions. You'll find a few notes below from those questions. We'd love it if you would care to add to any of them in a comment on this post!

1. Whathave you been learning about racism or undoing racism in the past year?

-That it is more deeply embedded in our lives than werealized.

-How ignorance plays a part.

-I have had blinders to its existence.

-Racism is “alive and well” in our society.

-It’s not as obvious as it was in the past. It’s morecovert.

- There is black vs. black racism….light skin/dark skin, andmore.

- My recent conflict is that though I find my identity inChrist now, how much is it okay to identify and be proud of my race andculture?

-There are misunderstandings that happen…not out ofill-intent, but out of ignorance.

-When you become aware, you can hear and see racism moreeasily around you.

-Now aware of the systems and structures of racism, of thepowers and principalities of racism, it requires greater responsibility tospeak, to educate, to be an activist for justice and reconciliation.

-Systems perpetuate racialization

-Building relationships is key

-Solutions are long term

2. What doyou most respect about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr./what influence or impact hashe had on you?

-He was strong but humble.

-He kept standing, even under persecution.

-His Christian witness was so strong. His example inthe face of persecution. He continued to stand firm. He lived hisfaith.

-He was a reluctant leader. The people pushed him tothe front to lead them. They wanted to follow him before he wanted totake on leading them.

-He gave a face to Black America that White America had not seenbefore. He was intelligent. Clear and articulate. Loving. Prophetic. Powerful. Wise. He shattered notions thatWhite America had about the Black community.

-He was brave. He had the ability to galvanize peoplewith words, move them to action. He was powerful and clear. Hebelieved what he said. He knew the cost. He embodied truth. In the truest sense, he followed the law. He had the ability to teachnon-violence.

-Power of his leadership

-The ability to verbalize his wisdom

-Bravery of his action from the heart

-Respect of his sense of calling- truely someone that was allin

-Appreciate his view that it is not about race but aboutpeople, unity and equality

-How steadfast and consistent his approach was

-His view that power is in people coming together

3. What is yourdream?

-I want my children to not perpetuate the racism andignorance that I was taught and have to work through. I want my childrento have a natural way of thinking that differently.

-Educate people I socialize with

-That the Waterloo/Cedar Falls communities will respect eachother.

-That black churches in Waterloo would embrace Christian CommunityDevelopment. We have to raise up indigenous leadership. The Blackcommunity hasn’t seen itself in leadership but needs to and needs to getinvolved in this movement.

-SHOUT MO’. Sharing Christ through concerts andevents. John and Brion writing music and sharing it in a way and inplaces where people can hear the Gospel in the music and testimony.

-That our children will ask what was the big deal

-That our children can just live

-That there will be a higher level of awareness- everyonewill be Christ centered

4. What isone thing you’ll do toward the vision of racial reconciliation?

-Build relationships with those in my sphere and be therefor the long-haul.

-Bring Christian influence and prayer

-Help the white staff of an organization.

(only one group got to this question)

5. If wewould ever have a joint MLK Jr. service together, what would you include as apart of the service?

(only one group got to this question)

Heart felt content as a result of MLK's strong opinions

Not a worship of him

Diverse

Allow attendees to just observe if so inclined

Include elements of his vision- love of people, unity

Celebrate impact he had on all of us

"Men often hate each other because they fear each other; they fear each other because they don't know each other; they don't know each other because they cannot communicate; they can not communicate because they are separated." Martin Luther King Jr.

timeless words of Martin Luther King, Jr.

2012-01-10T20:44:00.001-06:00

He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it. - Martin Luther King, Jr.

Almost always, the creative dedicated minority has made the world better. - MLK, Jr.

If physical death is the price that I must pay to free my white brothers and sisters from a permanent death of the spirit, then nothing can be more redemptive. - MLK, Jr.

Read more quotes from Martin Luther King, Jr. here.

stories from the streets

2012-01-09T14:15:00.001-06:00

Last night's "Stories from the Streets" was a powerful time of sharing and listening! Four friends from Harvest Vineyard helped our listeners get a glimpse of the power of Christ and the power of Christian community to transform lives. It was a great time of partnership strengthening as we spent a few hours together listening, learning, and praying together!

service vs. justice

2012-01-06T21:23:00.001-06:00

Not-as-deep service vs. Deep justice

Service makes us feel like a “great savior” who rescues the broken.
Justice means God does the rescuing, but God often works through the united power of his great and diverse community to do it.

Service often dehumanizes (even if only subtly) those who are labeled the “receivers”.
Justice restores human dignity by creating an environment in which all involved “give” and “receive” in a spirit of reciprocal learning and mutual ministry.

Service is something we do for others.
Justice is something we do with others.

Service is an event.
Justice is a lifestyle.

Service expects results immediately.
Justice hopes for results some time soon but recognizes that systemic change takes time.

The goal of service is to help others.
The goal of justice is to remove obstacles so others can help themselves.

Service focuses on what our own ministry can accomplish.
Justice focuses on how we can work with other ministries to accomplish even more.

(taken from deep leadership: training onramps for your youth ministry team by Kara E. Powell, from the Fuller Youth Institute)

wumcac

2012-01-03T14:12:00.003-06:00

I'm a wumcac. That's short for white, upper middle class, American Christian. And I sure am learning more over the past few years about how my wumcac lenses have shaped the way I see and experience the world. Because I am a part of the dominant culture, one of power and privilege, I have much ignorance and arrogance that I have not even been aware of throughout my lifetime.

I am increasingly more aware of that within me which is characteristic of my wumcac culture, especially as I spend time with people who are not wumcacs. I have been experiencing the Spirit of God most when I make it a general rule to engage people who might seem"other" to me in the following posture..

1. Confession. As I meet with people whose life experience is different than mine, who might be a different race or struggling in a different socio-economic reality, it is best for me to enter with a prayerful posture of confession. I confess my ignorance and arrogance. I confess that I do not see people as Christ sees them. I confess that I have rules of superiority and inferiority that are deeply embedded in my being. I confess my judgmentalism and prejudice. I confess my indifference to so many injustices around me.

2. Listening. One of the best things I can do is to listen well to people. To hear from their life experience and their perspective. To seek to better understand others.

3. Receive. Instead of being concerned first about what I can offer into the interaction, I believe God wants me to first be willing to receive. Am I willing to receive people as gifts? Am I willing to receive God's truth in the encounter? Am I willing to be open to receiving from the other person?

4. Participate in/join with. The wumcac in me wants to believe I have all the right answers. The wumcac in me wishes to control and fix. The wumcac in me has pride and self-protective issues. I have found that if I can sit together with others long enough, and we can authentically begin to forge relationship and trust to a place where we validate and value one another, God begins to take our collective giftedness and do a new thing.

I wish I could tell you that this posture is easy for me. It's not. This four-fold posture does not come naturally for me even when I'm with people whom I live and work with everyday and who are similar to me. Oh my, yes...I have a long way to go as Jesus teaches me about living and loving. This is a good reminder for me as to why Jesus tells me to abide in Him and stay connected to the Vine...for apart from Him I can do nothing.

stories from the streets

2011-12-30T15:13:00.001-06:00

Stories from theStreets
Sunday, January 8,5:30-7:30 p.m., in the Orchard Hill Commons. Soup and Sandwich Supper Provided.
We serve an AWESOME God! Come listen as four men share how Christ has empowered them to overcome brokenpasts that included addiction, prison, homelessness. Judy Marshalland Laura Hoy will facilitate this panel of men from Harvest Vineyard, andwe’ll listen to how God has brought them from the streets into a discipling,serving community of faith at Harvest Vineyard. Please RSVP to Laura Hoyat lhoy@orchardhillchurch.orgby January 6, so we know how much food to prepare.

missional church

2011-12-30T07:10:00.001-06:00

Someone shared this video with me last year, and I ran across it again recently. I agree with the pictureof the arrows being turned outward and of the people being theChurch in the areas that the video shows: neighborhoods, schools, andworkplaces. The issue I take with this picture, though, is that we have so often set upsociety so that our neighborhoods, workplaces, and schools are places with people whoare a lot like us. This is not always the case, certainly, but among the vast majority, our churches, schools, neighborhoods, and workplaces areoften filled with people much like ourselves. And even if there is some diversity, we tend to gravitate toward the people there that are most like ourselves. Therefore, you could live "missional" as defined in this video, and you'd perhaps never grow aware of justice or racial reconciliation as matters of concern. A person might never bechallenged to reorient their lives to be on the side of just living and racial healing. What might we add to this missional whiteboard thatwould stretch people to move beyond their familiar circles and help themconsider God's call on all of us to be more wholly missional?

I run into peoplewho are hearing this whiteboard video message of missional, and they'll tell methat because they are being missional in the places God has called them tolive, work, and go to school, that there is little of their resources leftto direct toward crossing racial, economic, or cultural divides. With this being the norm,"missional" continues to be largely about sharing Christ with people similarto us and bringing them into our current homogeneous church models. What ifGod is calling us to be less separate from people we've largely neglected (or perhaps condemned...or oppressed) in our cities? To work at breaking down walls that divide us so that we might more fullyrepresent Christian community and the love Christ has for all people?

sabbath

2011-12-27T08:25:00.002-06:00

One of my favorites about Christmas Morning each year is to get up before dawn and to savor some early morning time on my living room couch while the rest of the family sleeps. The quiet of the house, a hot cup of coffee in my hands, the light and smells from the Christmas tree and cinnamon spiced candles, the afghan that my now-deceased-grandma made me when I was in high school, and the Word of God. And if that isn't enough to thrill me, the brilliant orange sunrise that cut through the black outside was the absolute cherry on top of already delicious moments with God as He reminded me of the many gifts He gives us through Jesus Christ.

This Christmastime, while I'm thankful for times like these of solitude and slowing, I've also been vexed these past few days by a gnawing sense of how behind I feel and the mountains of work I sense are ahead of me this winter/spring. And as God knows us better than we know ourselves, He "randomly" led me this morning to a debriefing journal entry I wrote last February, after completing a forty day juice fast that He graced me with the ability to complete. I'm quite certain it is His way of reminding me of the absolute necessity for Sabbath and for fasting/prayer in my life so that I don't get mixed up about who He is, about who I am, and our roles and responsibilities in light of these truths.

An excerpt from that journal entry:

"Sabbath. Through the forty days, God brought much tome about Sabbath. This was a surpriselearning for me; I did not set out on this fast with “Sabbath” goals in mind. I listened to a Tim Keller cd on Sabbath atHarvest. I read through Genesis, Exodus,and Leviticus, and I was amazed at how much God brought up the command forSabbath. To cease from work. To rest and trust in Him. To remember Him and honor Him. To remind us who is in charge and whose workit is. To help us be God-centered ratherthan self-centered. God knows humannature so completely. He knew that He’dhave to hammer this commandment because we would neglect it.

Besides this teaching I received on Sabbath, the fasting itself produced in me so much more Sabbath than I ever would have experiencedhad I not been fasting. Fasting has away of slowing me down on the inside. MyRPM’s decrease dramatically. I go to bedearlier. I strive less and receivemore. I release. I listen and watch more intently. My prayers of “God, your will, your work,your way” are more genuinely uttered from my very core than just spoken from mylips. Several mornings, I found myselfon my couch curled up praying, “You, God. I just want you. My prayers mightbe all wrong, so just please give me You. You work. You lead. You reveal. You empower and fill me. “ There is something about fasting that helps meunderstand dependence on God and to rest in His power and work. In Genesis 15:1 God says, “Do not be afraid,Abram. I am your shield, your very greatreward.” God Himself is the reward ofthis fast. Not what He can do butHim! This was a very good “Sabbatical”for me even though I found myself in my office and at my computer through the40 days. I felt like I was trulyretreating for many of the 40 days..."

What disciplines and structures do I need in 2012 to help me be willing for God to be God in my life and work? How about you?

20 under 40

2011-12-22T14:32:00.002-06:00

Hurray for my friend, Derek Sallis who was named one of our community's 20 under 40! Read the article here.

suburban-urban partnerships

2011-12-22T07:41:00.002-06:00

I'm currently doing some review through my Harvest-Orchard Hill church partnership file. For me, the most instrumental resources for our partnership have been the CCDA Institute called "Developing Urban-Suburban Partnerships" that Alvin Bibbs gave in St. Louis in 2007, and the book Linking Arms, Linking Lives.

Here's a summary list from Linking Arms, Linking Lives that has been helpful for us on the journey:

PartnershipEssentials

1. Deepreconciliation

2. Authentic relationship

3. Collaborativeaction

Do’s and Don’t’s forboth urban and suburban partnerships

1. Do beginwith existing relationships/don’t attempt to partner with brand new contacts

2. Do let human need motivate us/don’t forget tolove God!

3. Do strive for equality and joint ownership ofthe ministry/don’t allow inequality to define the partnership

4. Do foster interdependence and mutualservice/don’t be a burden and a liability to the other.

5. Do cultivate a relationship that transcends theministry project/don’t forget to play

6. Do commit long-term/don’t give up too easily

7. Doaim for quality partnerships/don’t partner indiscriminately

Do’s and Don’t’s forurban partners

1. Do bemotivated by the larger Gospel truths of reconciliation and mission/don’t letfinancial needs define the partnership

2. Do be honest about your struggle/don’t sabatogethe partnership with unforgiveness

3. Do have confidence in what you bring to thepartnership/don’t play the victim

4. Do provide key leadership in thepartnership/don’t acquiesce to the default posture of subservience

5. Do listen to the insights of suburbanpartners/don’t let the oppressed in you become the oppressor

6. Do be open to new ways to understand time/don’tdimiss the virtues of timeliness

7. Dosee enriching suburban culture as part of the task/don’t ignore suburbanculture

Do’s and Don’t’s forsuburban partners

1. Doremember that Jesus is Lord of the City/Don’t be overly critical of the City

2. Do make it personal/Don’t objectify the urbanpoor

3. Do understand the initial distrust andresentment that may come from urban counterparts/don’t be too defensive

4. Do establish presence in the community/Don’t bealoof

5. Do live by the principles of servantleadership/don’t always feel you have to lead and teach

6. Do show generosity as the ministry calls forit/don’t mistake wanton handouts for generosity

7. Do share the responsibility of managingfinancial resources/don’t allow finances to manipulate and control the ministry

8. Do learn the art of being flexible with regardto time/don’t be impatient and too quick to judge tartiness

9. Doprovide ways for suburban volunteers to participate in the work/don’t make ashowcase for the poor

a simple month

2011-12-19T05:18:00.001-06:00

A friend and I were talking the other day about the discipline of simplicity, and it took me back to 2007 when we invited friends into an experiment of 30 Days of Simple Living together. I revisited our blog from that time, found at www.orchardhillsimplicity.blogspot.com and I re-posted the same challenge for January 2012. Anyone else want to join in this exercise during the month of January?

elephant and mouse...a parable

2011-12-17T11:55:00.006-06:00

"Let me tell you a story about missions," an African Christian friend said to me.

"Elephant and Mouse were best friends. One day, Elephant said, 'Mouse, let's have a party!' Animals gathered from far and near.

They ate. They drank. They sang. And they danced. And nobody celebrated more and danced harder than Elephant.

After the party was over, Elephant exclaimed, 'Mouse, did you ever go to a better party? What a blast!' But Mouse did not answer.

'Mouse, where are you?' Elephant called. He looked around for his friend and then shrank back in horror.

There at the elephant's feet lay Mouse. His little body was ground into the dirt. He had been smashed by the big feet of his exuberant friend, Elephant.

Sometimes, that is what it is like to do missions with people in positions of power, high status, or authority.," the African storyteller commented. "It's like dancing with an elephant."

This parable was given to me in 2007 in a CCDA "Urban-Suburban Partnership" class taught by Alvin Bibbs who works at Willow Creek Community Church near Chicago. I have reflected on it often, especially when Orchard Hill Church partners with Harvest and the Walnut Neighborhood for events like the recent "Christmas in Walnut."

One thing I love about the parable is that it does not condemn the elephant for BEING an elephant. Elephants are marvelous animals. The parable does, however, speak of the great need for the elephant to exercise caution...to pay attention...to be aware of her size and power and to serve and celebrate in humility and care with her friends.

Orchard Hill Church is an elephant. And, like I said above, there is nothing wrong with BEING an elephant. In fact, I celebrate the generosity, the joy, the love of this elephant. As we seek to come together and partner with others, though, in Christ's work of reconciliation and restoring neighborhoods, we will have to exercise caution...to pay attention...to be aware of our size and power and to serve and celebrate in humility and care with our friends.

Christmas in Walnut volunteer quotes

2011-12-16T08:59:00.006-06:00

Here are a few quotes from volunteer feedback from Saturday's Christmas in Walnut:

"I can't tell you the last time I felt so filled full as I did Saturday."

"We celebrated the smiles all around."

"I met people in the community and our own church that I had never met."

"Seeing everyone coming together by providing gifts and service to those in need in a venue that is challenging a long standing tradition of charity that keeps a division between our communities. No matter the degree to which you can provide, having an investment and choice in providing for your own is a major part of an individual's own sense of value."

"I feel like I am a part of something that reflects Christ's love for all people."

"Many kids had a great time doing the crafts, and several even made their crafts and then wrapped them right away to give to others for Christmas."

"Watching lots of people, all very different, yet the same....interacting and enjoying time together...the way it is supposed to be!"

"Parents and children were able to shop and make crafts with dignity. I didn't feel a division between us and them..we were doing it together."

"I celebrate that Orchard is working, not just for, but alongside the Walnut neighborhood to help make Christmas brighter for the community. It's not about the gifts, it's about the relationships."

You can still make a comment! Comment below on this post, or fill out the Christmas in Walnut survey.

Christmas Store remaining gifts and finances

2011-12-16T08:42:00.003-06:00

Many people ask where the money that comes into the Christmas Store goes and where any remaining toys go. Here's the answer for this year's Christmas Store...

Finances brought into the store: $5239.00. This money was distributed in the following ways:

-gifts to the following schools: Cunningham Elementary, Carver Middle School, Highland Elementary, Irving Elementary, Edison Elementary, Lowell Elementary, and Lincoln Elementary, Waterloo. These schools had the most parents represented at Christmas in Walnut.

-gift to the Boys n' Girls Club

-gift to Link Christian Development Corporation, a 501c3 being formed among OHC, Harvest, and the Walnut neighborhood for the purpose of holistic neighborhood revitalization.

Remaining boxes of toys were offered as follows-

-Boys n' Girls Club, Salvation Army after school program, EMA Headstart, Sonrise Christian Daycare, Quakerdale, Alternatives, Women's program through the Black Hawk Co. court system.

-Some toys are being stored to seed next year's Christmas Store.

Joy

2011-12-15T16:48:00.005-06:00

One of the things I love about the Christian community that God has surrounded me with at both Harvest and Orchard Hill Church is the JOY of Jesus that pours out of my friends as we serve together. Both this year and last year, one of the most common responses about Christmas in Walnut from both volunteers and shoppers is about the joy experienced. Here are just a few feedback quotes:

"So many smiley, friendly volunteers."

"There was joy everywhere."

"The smiles, hugs, and intense feeling of thanks that were poured upon me. It was humbling to tell all that it is not us that is providing the blessing, but our Father who is showing His love to all through us."

"There was a palpable sense of joy throughout the day."

"It was a great day! The joy of the morning was contagious."

"I saw so many Christian principles at work...the Body of Christ (we all did a little and did our own part and together it was beautiful), joy found in serving and loving on others."

"Seeing the awesome look on the face of the children as they finished each of their crafts. Their excitement to put something else in their sack!"

"The joy and feeling of family at breakfast!"

"There was great team work and encouragement."

Luke 2:10-11 "...I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord."

Christmas in Walnut...celebrating in a number of ways

2011-12-15T16:13:00.005-06:00

Here are some Christmas in Walnut stats!

950 pancakes

450 sausage patties

670 cups of coffee

470 cups of hot chocolate

370 hungry breakfast eaters

175 children making crafts

350 shopping tickets redeemed

2,250 toys and gifts

$48,500 estimated amount in toys and donations

600 cookies offered in hospitality

340 Jesus Storybook Bibles given away

425 estimated volunteers for Christmas in Walnut

1 big God

Christmas in Walnut in the news

2011-12-14T07:30:00.004-06:00

Christmas in Walnut made the front page of the Courier on Tuesday. You can read the article here.

Christmas in Walnut '11- Setting up the Store

2011-12-12T19:05:00.006-06:00

Christmas in Walnut '11- Breakfast

2011-12-10T16:21:00.004-06:00

Click on comments, sign into your google account, and share your thoughts about breakfast!

Christmas in Walnut '11-Craft Fair

2011-12-10T15:48:00.011-06:00

Share any favorite moments about the craft fair below under "comments"!

Christmas in Walnut-Christmas Store 2011

2011-12-10T14:03:00.009-06:00

Please share any comments about your experience at the Christmas Store today! (click comments below, sign in with a google password, and leave a comment!)

Christmas in Walnut.....building capacity and community

2011-12-09T14:05:00.005-06:00

The world's ways keep us separate, isolated, competitive, and categorized in a hierarchy of the world's values. There always seems to be an "in" group and an "out" group; somebody on top and somebody on bottom. Race, class, religion, denomination, physical features, education, job status....you name it, someone is always the "worthy" and someone the "unworthy".

God's design for Christian community is a design that draws people together in a way that breaks down divisions and helps us to see one another all as fellow unworthy neighbors...all created by God and made worthy only through Jesus Christ.

One of my favorite, favorite, favorite things about "Christmas in Walnut" is watching how God draws diverse people together in Christian community to begin breaking down divisions through this togetherness experience. See a few stories below of how God has been using the whole of our community in this effort.

-Some of our shoppers for tomorrow's Christmas Store are also leaders and volunteers helping to run the store.

-Two other churches in our community have contributed to Christmas in Walnut through donations of toys, money, and/or volunteers.

-My husband's office at UNI passed around an envelope and contributed a financial donation for the store.

-Several retail stores gave wonderful discounts to our shoppers when they learned about the Christmas Store.

-Children from Orchard Hill Cedar Falls, Orchard Hill Grundy Center, and Harvest Waterloo colored and wrote messages on the back of bookmarks. A bookmark and Bible will be handed out to each Christmas Store family who shops.

-Teenagers/young 20's from our student ministry program (which is a collective of churches) provided 350 gifts over the past week to the Christmas Store. Their joy and enthusiasm in the giving was electric. Also, several young adult small group leaders modeled sacrificial giving as they took their high school small groups out shopping. One small group leader had been saving his giving money for this event and put forth $400...their group of 4 came in with toy purchases totaling $580. What an amazing act of giving and generosity!

-One shopper from last year has started a ministry in Waterloo. She loved last year's Christmas in Walnut experience and rallied her congregation this year to contribute several gift cards for this year's Store.

-Two family support workers from local schools have done an outstanding job sharing the vision and getting tickets to families in need of assistance this Christmas.

-Over $14,000 and 2,200 gifts have come in over the past four weeks for Christmas in Walnut. A leadership team of 18 people has been stellar. Somewhere around 310 volunteers are signed up to be at the Boys n' Girls Club and Harvest Vineyard tomorrow. 500 tickets have gone out to families who could use some assistance this Christmas. aMAZING!

God's goodness is so evident through his design for relationship...community.

Ephesians 2:14 "For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility..."

teenagers and toys

2011-12-07T23:01:00.007-06:00

Teenagers got it goin' on! These teens from Big House Wednesday Night went shopping in their small groups tonight for the Christmas Store. As they generously opened their hearts and their pockets, these small groups brought in a mountain of toys that pushed us over our goal of collecting 2,000 gifts for Saturday's Christmas Store. Don't underestimate what God wants to do through the lives of teenagers to make a huge difference in our world! One thing's for sure...they made a huge difference here tonight!

gatekeeping

2011-12-01T16:29:00.003-06:00

As I watch and listen and work around our community and around our church, I've been thinking a lot about the following notes on "gatekeeping" that I took at an Undoing Racism workshop I attended last February...

What is a gatekeeper? Someone who has access to information, opportunities, knowledge, resources. He/she tends the gate and determines what gets let in and what gets let out.

Generally, how have gatekeepers worked in our under-resourced communities? They often are the ones who define what is helpful. They tell the community what it needs. They control, analyze, write grants for, and define what the community needs. They measure, interpret, evaluate, often without getting permission or involvement of the community. They define the rules, hide the rules, define the needs so often that the community might not even know what it needs anymore or believe that they can make a difference in their own neighborhoods. Gatekeepers often make all the demands on the community, and the community often has little voice or power to make any demands on gatekeepers. Without mutuality, there's abuse. Problem solving and creativity get silenced. Healthy relationships and community does not get built.

However, an empowering, liberating gatekeeper will give tools to the community as he/she works WITH the community in defining their needs and creating solutions. The organizing piece is so critical for the gatekeeper. To create collective power...that's real power.

This is becoming an increasingly important filter for me as I consider what to get involved with, who is involved, and how I should participate.

more Christmas Store rationale...

2011-11-21T19:45:00.004-06:00

"One-way mercy ministry, as kindhearted as the giver may be and as well intentioned, is an unmistakable form of put-down. On the other hand, everyone loves to engage in the process of exchange. Everyone loves to find a bargain. There is something life affirming when someone comes to the bargaining table with a resource to barter. The playing field is leveled. The eyeing of each other's commodity takes place from both sides of the bargaining table. Both sides have a choice; both sides weigh the worth of the other's commodity. A deal is struck and an exchange is made. And remarkably, both parties leave the encounter feeling like they have gained more value than they brought."

"The Kingdom reserves a special place for the poor and for those who show compassion toward the poor. But how we demonstrate our compassion has everything to do with whether or not the poor actually feel valued. This is very good news indeed to Kingdom-minded people who are also bargain hunters, entrepreneurs, wheeler-dealers and creative types who know the magic of exchange. Our is the unique opportunity to use our know-how and our creative energies to design methods of exchange that enable those with little as well as those with much to come to the table, participate in the excitement of making a deal and leave satisfied. With dignity."

- Bob Lupton, from his book Compassion, Justice, and the Christian Life

Jesus Storybook Bible

2011-11-21T19:25:00.002-06:00

What an amazing Bible storybook. We are currently selling this Bible to families at church, and we plan to give one to each family that shops at the Christmas Store on December 10.

I decided to buy one, read through it over the next several days, and allow my reading to serve as a reminder to pray that God would...

*supernaturally prompt those who take home the Bible to open it and read it.

*prepare the hearts of the readers, children and adults alike, to receive His love and truth in Christ through this Bible.

*use this Bible to create a longing for Himself and spur people on to go deeper in their journey of faith.

I love, love the illustrations and the language of the Jesus Storybook Bible. Every story ties in to God's Big Love Story of rescuing His broken and sin-stained people through the life, death, and resurrection of His Son, Jesus.

youth development learnings

2011-11-18T16:27:00.005-06:00

Here are 3 key learnings we have discovered as we delve into the youth development component of Christian Community Development work:

1. Cross-cultural friendships/teams are important if we are ever going to break down racism.

2. A strong adult:child ratio is critical if we hope to actually get to "development" and not just "crowd control".

3. Students have more God-given ability than we often believe possible. We are learning that we need to learn and do hard things. Challenging students to higher level thinking, creativity, and action is producing some outstanding contributors as we join Jesus to create a more just community.

Last night was our fifth and final night for Youth Art Team's 3rd session. The students did some research on The Five Sullivan Brothers, and teams created a framework for the play that they are writing. I learned so much about The Five Sullivans who grew up in Waterloo, enlisted in the Navy together, and who died together in WWII when their ship, the U.S.S. Juneau, was bombed. My study group had fun learning about the brothers as boys. The brothers stuck close together, hung out by the banks of the Cedar River...hunting, fishing, and making a boat that capsized while they were trying it out. Their brave dog paddled over to save the youngest brother, Al, from drowning.

We also learned about "The Great Banana Heist." One day the boys skipped school with some friends, saw a railroad car full of bananas being unloaded at the Hoxie Fruit and Produce Co., climbed on in the boxcar, only to get locked in while the produce company employee called the truant officers and had them come find a boxcar full of boys who should have been in school.

The boys were also known to watch out for their neighborhood and help to keep it safe and strong. It was great to talk about how Jesus wants us to be good neighbors like that as well.

Christmas in Walnut '11

2011-11-17T15:14:00.001-06:00

why a Christmas store?

2011-11-17T10:32:00.003-06:00

We are in partnership with others this season to offer an alternative to a Christmas Adopt-a-Family program...The Christmas Store...where new gifts are donated and then sold at a 75-80% discount. Why?

"Something seems to go wrong when one with valued resources attempts to distribute them to others in need. The transactions, no matter how compassionate, seem to go sour in the gut of both giver and recipient. A subtle, unintentional message slips through: "You have nothing of worth that I desire in return." The giver remains protected by his one-up status while the recipient is exposed and vulnerable."

"Perhaps the deepest poverty of all is to have nothing of value to offer in exchange. Charity that fosters such poverty must be challenged. We know from forty years of failed social policy that welfare depletes self-esteem while honorable work produces dignity. We know that reciprocity builds mutual respect while one-way giving brews contempt."

-Robert Lupton, quotes from his book Compassion, Justice, and the Christian Life

on safety and security

2011-11-15T20:37:00.003-06:00

"Every day, people make decisions influenced by a desire for security. Ask yourself, "To what degree are my employment decisions based on money or job security? Would I willingly confront an injustice in the workplace even if it might jeopardize my job? When I consider where I should live, how much of a factor is the safety and security of the neighborhood? Do I move toward new relationships or remain in unhealthy relationships because I clutch a measure of safety or security that they provide? Have I ever refused to do something that I felt God might be calling me to do because it felt too threatening, too unsafe?

None of us is immune to pressure from the false self to play it safe, to keep a hedge of security around us. The problem is, we become enamored with safety. When this occurs, pressing hard after the Lord's will, abandoning ourselves to the character of God, offering up our livelihoods and possessions to follow Jesus are seen as too romantic and risky. Though rarely voiced this bluntly, our fears can easily infect our motivations. We give lip service to the romantic while examining our choices through the eyes of culture, gravitating toward those options with the most safety and security. Thus, the manner in which we make choices is virtually indistinguishable in practice from the average non-Christian's method, except for the invocation of God's name to lend legitimacy. We mimic the world, and it's simply business as usual."

- Judith Hougen Transformed into Fire as she writes about our false self's quest to find security, esteem, and power in the things of the world rather than God.

community dreaming

2011-11-12T14:04:00.006-06:00

I went to a "Rebuilding our Community" workshop today with about 65 people there from the community. We spent time moving table to table, forming new groups to listen to one another and dream together for our community. The pages of notes I wrote largely fell into the following dreams for the community:

1. Economic opportunity and justice for everyone.

2. Neighborhoods revitalized and beautified.

3. Youth empowered with opportunity to discover and use gifts. Also where there are community spaces to gather for recreation.

4. Unified, reconciled people across the many barriers that divide us.

5. A community that is safe and where people have community pride.

The youth that were gathered there today voiced their desires for more places where teenagers could gather for sports, music, art, theater, rollerskating, hanging out. They also spoke of wanting to find more businesses that were willing to hire teens and where transportation would not be an issue. I left at the point in the day when the young people at the table where I was seated were writing a "next step" to form a youth council so that the youth voice could be heard at the level of city government.

It was an interesting day listening to people, participating in the process, and meeting a whole variety of people with different passions and gifts in our community who desire to help create a better Cedar Valley.

youth art team students are brilliant

2011-11-11T07:22:00.003-06:00

What a night at Youth Art Team! The students drew sketches of Waterloo.

They brainstormed some things about their community that they might want to write their play about.
They looked at historical books that gave them more clues about what makes Waterloo, IA, unique and interesting.
Students grouped up, went to the public library, and each group chose one Waterloo topic to research. Our group chose to learn about the Five Sullivan Brothers. These five brothers grew up in Waterloo and all served in the Navy on the U.S.S. Juneau in WW II. They were all killed when their ship was bombed in 1942.
Youth Art Team students were brilliant at researching and sketching their community topic.
Each group returned to Harvest and reported on their topic. This group researched Lou Henry Hoover, President Hoover's wife who grew up in Waterloo! They had fascinating trivia about First Lady Hoover.
Heidi wrote down some interesting facts as each team reported. Here's our group reporting on the Five Sullivan Brothers. They told the other Youth Art Team members that the brothers liked to hunt, fish, ride motorcycles, and dance Irish dances while they were growing up in Waterloo.
This group reported on the four "green goddesses" seen perched on top of one of our downtown's buildings. Brilliant! I learned a lot that I didn't know about the statues.
Here's a group that talked about the "Mother of Waterloo". Mary Hanna, who rode in on a wagon and found the Cedar River to be CLEAR! Amazing!
The Youth Art Team voted about which topic they'd like to write their play about. Five Sullivan Brothers won the vote. On to the next step of producing a play!
As always, we closed up the night in a circle prayer and Youth Art Team cheer. Go, Youth Art Team!

friends like doug

2011-11-11T07:06:00.005-06:00

This is my friend Doug.

Doug is a grown-up on the Youth Art Team, and he's also my supervisor at work.
Doug is amazing with kids and adults. And Doug makes me laugh.
Hard.
Here's Doug with friend Heidi, our brilliant and fearless Youth Art Team leader.
In the midst of a whole lot of serious brokenness in our lives and world,
I hope
you have someone like Doug in your community of friendship
who makes you laugh, brings fun to the party, and reminds you of the joy found in Jesus!

why love our neighbor?

2011-11-08T20:21:00.005-06:00

When our friend, Josh, was here from Food for the Hungry, I asked him how he approached audiences in speaking about Christ's general call for his followers to love our neighbors and engage with those who are considered by society as least, last, or lost. Josh told me that he often teaches the following:

1. Help people to see that we ourselves were strangers, orphans, slaves, helpless and hopeless in our sin. Only by God's mercy, grace, and hospitality have we been rescued and brought into freedom and his family.
2. Help people see that every person is created in the image of God...there are no ordinary people. Everyone has inherent worth and dignity because they are made and loved by God.
3. Everything is owned by God. We own nothing. We're given and entrusted with life, opportunities, gifts, money, etc... only to steward and put them into play in the larger mission of Christ's work to restore everything into right relationship. (justice= "right relationship"...God to people, people to self, people to people, people to creation)

How would you address an audience regarding this call on our lives?

waking up to find the oppressor in the mirror

2011-11-06T19:03:00.006-06:00

The following is an excerpt from Insurrection by Peter Rollins:

"In the surreal late-1960's television series The Prisoner, the show revolves around a secret agent who, after resigning under mysterious circumstances, is kidnapped and taken to a strange unknown location. The Village, as it is called, is an elaborate prison that looks to all intents and purposes like a picturesque seaside town. Everyone in The Village is referred to by a number that has been assigned by the authorities. The secret agent is given the number "Six."...

"Number Six has been brought to The Village because those in charge want to know why he resigned. Each episode thus revolves around the ever-escalating conflict between the British agent and his captors. Number Six constantly attempts to escape his bizarre prison, undermine those in power, and find out who ultimately runs The Village, while his captors devise ever more elaborate schemes to break him and extract the information they desire.

The result is a tense psychological drama that explores the nature of power and resistance in contemporary society. On the surface, The Village is a place of freedom and contentment. All one's needs are provided for, and the powers that be appear benign. Yet the calm and free nature of The Village has a deeply uncanny texture- beneath the surface there is constant indoctrination, escape seems impossible, and obscure psychological techniques are routinely employed to keep people docile and obedient.

In addition to this, it is never clear who the prisoners are and who the guards are. In fact, it is unclear as to whether the guards themselves are prisoners. One of the few authority figures we do see, Number Two, changes constantly and would seem to be just as trapped in The Village as everyone else..

Throughout the series Number Six is constantly striving to find out who the power behind Number Two really is. As the dialogue over the credits show, he is obsessively attempting to unmask the always elusive Number One...

In short, what the series reveals is that the oppressive power behind The Village is none other than Number Six himself. He is responsible for the oppressive regime that holds him captive. He enables it to function. He has built this prison in which he languishes. He is the power whom he rails so passionately.

In The Prisoner we are confronted with the idea that it is we who create the Big Other that controls us. While we may experience this Other as separate from us, existing independently of us, and bearing down on us, it is nonetheless our own creation. We are oppressed by a foreign power that is our own.

We are Number Six and Number One, the oppressor and the one being oppressed. We are a divided subject at war with that which we create and which creates us."

This passage struck me deeply. Ever since I took part in the Divided by Faith discussion this fall, and then attended CCDA in October, the truths found in the excerpt above have been hitting me hard. I've been challenged to examine the structures and systems in which I operate my life and the ways that I contribute to keep them from changing. I've been challenged to see how some of the very structures and systems I give a lot of my energy and time to do, in fact, help create some of the very problems I'm devoting my time to fight.

What do you do when you wake up to discover that you're an oppressor by the very nature of your privilege and power, freedom and choices? Well, according to some of our friends who have been more marginalized and oppressed in our society...they would suggest the following:

1. Admit...confess once you grow aware of how you contribute to the problem.

2. Submit....repent and walk in obedience and the will of God.

3. Commit...commit to relationships that will help overcome oppression and injustice.

Awareness and admission can be disturbing and freeing both at the same time. However, it's the next two steps that cost the most and are most often left unattended. We will need the grace and power of God to help us submit and commit so that growth and change can happen.

question to ponder

2011-11-04T18:04:00.004-05:00

What are some things that you know but you live pretending you don't know?

harvest party

2011-10-30T19:50:00.010-05:00

Psalm 107:1 Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His love endures for forever. This was the theme for today's Harvest Party at Harvest Vineyard. 75 kids. 50+ adults from Harvest, the neighborhood, and Orchard Hill. Dancing and singing to God. Adding leaves of thankfulness to the Thankful tree. Bobbing for apples. Drawing on pumpkins. Tossing bean bags. Bingo. Coloring. Face paint. Good eats. Old friends. New friends. Much for which to be thankful. God is indeed good!

confession

2011-10-27T09:57:00.006-05:00

This fall, some African-American friends and Native American brothers have been sharing with me a different version of American History than I grew up learning in school and from media.

As Christ-followers, we are to seek peace and reconciliation among people. I agree with the core convictions mentioned in a workshop that I took at ccda a few weeks' back:

1. Confession is at the core of transformation.

2. Anemic confessions lead to negligible transformation.

3. Authentic confession demands confronting authentic history.

kids in the kitchen #3

2011-10-24T20:56:00.002-05:00

God put children on the earth to help us Type A personalities learn to roll with the punches a little! When I was able to turn the corner and be okay that things were going to roll quite differently than My Plan this evening, I could enjoy watching the creativity and delight of children and adults alike as they decorated Halloween cookies. It was fun to see how engaged and creative the students were as they went to work on those cookies, and how enjoyable it was to connect with the children during Kids in the Kitchen tonight.

power of a letter

2011-10-23T19:41:00.006-05:00

When I was in fourth grade, my teacher, Ms. Adams, wrote and sent a letter in the mail to my parents. The letter expressed her appreciation of my work in her fourth grade classroom as a peer reader. I had been a strong reader and was paired with students in my class to work on reading skills and comprehension with them. I'm quite sure my work in her classroom and her letter to our home influenced my decision to become an elementary teacher out of college, as well as fueled my confidence as a reader.

This is only one story of the power that letters have had on me through my years. So, today, when I watched children and families write letters to their sponsored children in Mozambique, I was so excited as I imagine the children receiving the letters in their homes.

Orchard Hill families are sponsoring over 325 children in the Gorongosa Region of Mozambique, and every time a letter gets sent to a child, a Food for the Hungry staff person translates the letter into their language while another FH staffer personally delivers and shares the letter with the family.

What a great opportunity to make a friend across the globe! What a great way to encourage and share Christ with a family in Mozambique! Listening to Halkeno today share with us the power of a letter, he said, "Letters are transformation." Don't under-estimate the power of a letter....letters have been used by God in my own faith and development, and I know these letters are being used by God to grow and develop the faith and lives of our sisters and brothers in Mozambique.

Ice Cream Social for Sponsoring families Today at Orchard Hill Church

Kris thanks Sheilla who translates many of the letters we send, and Halkeno, the director of child sponsorships in Mozambique.
The Rose family write letters to their seven sponsored children. One child per every person in their own family.
Suzi and Aaron Wikner look up a Scripture to include in their letter.
The Karsjens Kiddos include some awesome stickers on their letters!
Megan and Kelsie finish writing letters to their sponsored children.
A bookmark is a perfect homemade gift to send along in a letter.
Marianne and Antonio hold up a picture of the young man they sponsor through Food for the Hungry.

charity to development

2011-10-22T17:22:00.003-05:00

This morning, we interviewed four practitioners around the topic of charity vs. transformational development in ministry.

Ninety percent of Americans, whether they follow Christ or have another belief system, are generous in charitable giving and believe it is important to support a cause they believe in. There is a mindset across America that we are blessed in this country and should share some of the abundance that we have with people who have not. There are some problems, though, with this mindset and the behaviors that result from it. A few:

1. The donations of money and material goods often presume that poverty is only the lack of material goods. This is rarely the case. Poverty often stems from broken relationships with God, self, one another, and creation. The definition of success and abundant life does not find itself solely in sharing or redistributing "stuff".

2. In charity, givers will often think, even if it is subconsciously, that they are superior to the receiver...that the person receiving the charity is inferior, incapable, or has little to offer.

3. Charity often makes the receivers dependent and destroys personal initiative. When we do for others what they can do for themselves, we are not only not helping them, we are hurting them....and ourselves as well. Opportunities to build community or to reconcile are often hindered due to charity mindsets and behaviors.

Churches for the most part have been tremendously generous with charity. Though there is a need for charity when tragedies occur, it's really transformational development in which we should spend the bulk of our time and resources. A few characteristics of development work:

1. It's relational. It's meeting people where they are and sharing a vision for what could be through an environment, experiences, and information that will help them discover who they are and who they were made to be in Christ.

2. Development helps a person discover their own capabilities and helps them to own the process as they partner with God to change and grow.

3. Development work nurtures reconciliation and community as people walk together side by side in life.

When I try to think of the differences between charity and development, all I have to do is think about it in terms of raising our children. Our twins are 12 years old. I can see the results of the areas in their lives where we've taught them and expected them to function independently. I've also seen the results of the areas where it just seemed faster and easier to do for them that which they are more than capable to do on their own. This way of "faster and easier"...largely the way of charity...does not produce growth and transformation in the long run! It produces dependent children who resist profusely in their tween years when you suddenly realize that it's time to change up the rules of the game so that development trumps dependency.

youth art team...season 3

2011-10-21T07:52:00.009-05:00

Last night started the third season of Youth Art Team. I couldn't be there for much of the evening, but by the time I did arrive, I loved the language of the Gospel that students were responding to in their sketchbooks:

From Psalm 19..."God's glory is on the tour in the skies...God's Word vaults across the skies from sunrise to sunset, melting ice, scorching deserts, warming hearts to faith...."

I also loved hearing that those we consider heroes of the Bible were really just men and women who made mistakes, who were sometimes mean, who often times lacked courage. And that the real hero of the story is God, the Rescuer, who came in love...in Christ...to rescue us from our mistakes.

Looking forward to seeing how God uses the gifts of Youth Art Team this season to bless the community.

partnering across communities

2011-10-20T23:41:00.002-05:00

It's been fun this week to meet and listen to our partners visiting from Food for the Hungry. Sheilla and Halkeno, here from Mozambique, and Josh, on staff at FH in Arizona, are staying this week in Cedar Falls and sharing in several venues. This afternoon, we had the pleasure of spending time together with our Harvest partners. I love that we can learn across our global and local communities as we together seek God and His power to transform lives, families, and whole communities.

some John Perkins quotes from ccda 2011

2011-10-17T21:25:00.004-05:00

John Perkins' spiritual authority and leadership keep Christian Community Development Association on the solid rock of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In his prophetic way, he spoke powerfully through the conference in Indianapolis this past week. His theme was discipleship, and here are just a few JP quotes:

- "We got people trying to be Christians without being disciples. People are calling themselves Christians and then trying to act right."

- "We've got so much freedom that we've reduced Christianity to our self."

- "We must unshackle the Gospel. Release Jesus in our community."

- "We could get rid of all this racism stuff if we believed every human being is created in the image of God and has inherent dignity."

-"We have to first be born again- come into the knowledge that we're sinners. If you've got too much religion, it's hard to come to the truth of yourself. We got too much pride."

- "We need to be reproducing the character of Jesus, the ways of Jesus, the mission of Jesus. We need to be pouring into the next generation and teaching people to be disciples."

- "Leaders are called and commissioned, but they first have to be discipled."

- "Christian Community Development without a youth component is not Christian Community Development. We must be discipling our young people."

- "There is no reconciliation until you recognize the dignity of the other, until you see their view- you have to enter into the pain of the people. You've got to feel their need."

- "The biggest thing about reconciliation is that we have to see the sinfulness of our sin. We have to become aware of our sin."

- "We're talking about authentic Christianity- The Kingdom of God. Not this black-white thing. We have to acknowledge our failure and use this light of God's reconciling love. Get serious about tearing down these walls. Racism contributes nothing but hate, violence, death in our world."

- "The mission of the Church is to demonstrate God's love to the world- not only through words but deeds."

- "On our way of discipleship, we must be disciplined."

- "A servant leader's greatest concern is for the people. We can evaluate the leader by the growth of the people being led. We need to be discipling so there is growth."

- "We've got trouble. People are being called Christians without being discipled and then we're putting them in leadership without being discipled first."

- "We have to live a life of confession and repentance. God pours out his love and power when we confess and repent of our sin. We hear God speak to us clearer when we confess our sin. He calls us to repentance."

- "Leaders are called by God to work with God to solve the problems of the world and enter into the felt needs and pain of the people."

kids in the kitchen #2

2011-10-17T20:39:00.006-05:00

Our second night of Kids in the Kitchen at the Salvation Army involved going out into the neighborhood with chicken noodle soup and mini cheesecakes.

We started the evening with a reading from Deuteronomy 24:16-21: God reveals himself as a sharing and generous God when he commands his people to leave wheat, olives, and grapes for those who might be in need of food. We determined that God wants to live his life out through us in Christ so that we, too, might be a sharing and generous people.

So, out into the neighborhood we went with the soup and cheesecakes they made and froze last week. The boys were excited and enthusiastic to share with neighbors...neighbors were excited and enthusiastic to receive the gifts... and our young cooks were excited and enthusiastic to come back at the end of the night to get a taste their creative goodness!

thursday ccda

2011-10-14T06:57:00.003-05:00

Yesterday was a great day at ccda. I hit two workshops- one on accessing federal funds as a faith-based non-profit, and the other on deploying the business and entrepreneurial gifts of our congregation in the work of justice and shalom in our community.

Last night, we listened to Richard Twiss speak on "rescuing theology from the cowboys." He spoke of the impact that white, eurocentric theology and domination has had on the Native American people throughout history. His story rang with the familiar story my African-American friends shared with me through the Divided by Faith book conversation last month... speaking of the damage done as the white race, with a sense of superiority, has lived and continues to live with an entitlement mentality at the expense of so many brothers and sisters across America.

ccda indianapolis

2011-10-13T05:52:00.002-05:00

Christian Community Development Association kicked off its annual conference last night at the JW Marriott in Indianapolis. There are fourteen of us here from the Cedar Valley ready for what God has for us this week through the conference.

Theme this year: Innovate

Focus: Education Reform in the midst of a national education crisis

After being prayed in by Father Bishoy, a monk who lives in the slums of Cairo, Egypt, we were challenged by Rudy Carrasco, Mary Nelson, and Thurman Williams to follow God who takes the lead in innovation and who is doing a new thing (Isaiah 43:18-19) amidst the changing realities and landscapes of our present time.

kids in the kitchen #1

2011-10-10T21:46:00.006-05:00

Part of the work of neighborhood strengthening lies in youth development- parents and friends helping children discover their gifts and identities in Christ, learn life skills, practice serving and contributing in their neighborhoods, and developing as leaders who will one day be carrying the vision and working to develop others in the same way in their neighborhoods.

Tonight, a group of six adults joined three boys in the Salvation Army kitchen for the first of five "Kids in the Kitchen" evenings.

The boys came eager to cook, and cook they did! The sights, smells, and conversations around the kitchen were all invigorating. The results? Two soup pots of delicious chicken noodle soup simmering on the stove, and a multitude of scrumptious mini cheesecakes, all of which will hit the freezer until next week.

What about next week? The students will be joined by more of their peers, and together with the grown-ups, they will venture out to strengthen their neighborhood by bringing gifts of soup and cheesecake to three elderly friends in the Walnut neighborhood. God is good through this newly formed team of chefs!

76 days until Christmas

2011-10-10T21:09:00.004-05:00

Today, I shot a video with our church's leader promoting "Christmas in Walnut" which will happen on December 10 this year. Last year's Christmas Store, Christmas Craft Fair, and Breakfast were a big success, so we're going to do it again this year! Selling toys at a reduced rate at the Christmas Store helped parents in need do the shopping for their own children and put those gifts under the tree themselves. It was a way to empower parents; a way of giving that included dignity as a part of the gift. (pictures and stories can be found in the December 2010 blog archives)

But for me, there is something even more important happening during this three-fold event in Walnut. So often people are generous in their giving at Christmas, but the gifts are often given in an impersonal context: from "us" to "them." The divides that separate "us" and "them" are many- rich/poor, haves/have nots, black/white, Waterloo/Cedar Falls, churched/unchurched. These divides are wreaking havoc for people in our community.

The event in Walnut began to do the very thing that Jesus came to do...to bring people together across divides into a "we". I loved Christmas in Walnut last year because it drew people together in community and began to give us a picture of what "we" together might look like without the divides-people caring and sharing and experiencing Christ's neighborly love one with another.

Christmas. We celebrate the Kingdom of God drawing near in Christ as He comes to reconcile the world to God and one another.

Christmas in Walnut. We come together to express such a Kingdom.

I hope you'll mark your calendar for December 10!

2011-10-06T22:31:00.004-05:00

Civil Rights Warrior Reverend Fred L. Shuttlesworth died this week at the age of 89. One colleague was quoted as saying Shuttlesworth "flung himself at injustice" and MLK once called him "one of the nation's most courageous freedom fighters." Well done, Rev. Shuttlesworth. May we all rise to even a fraction of your conviction and courage. You'll find more about this hero in this news article.

"I went to jail 30 or 40 times, not for fighting or stealing or drugs," Shuttlesworth told grade school students in 1997. "I went to jail for a good thing, trying to make a difference."

come together

2011-10-03T20:12:00.003-05:00

Gorgeous day for Picnic in the Park! Friends gathered around Norm for a little "Amazing Grace"
Some of the guys played some football in the park after lunch.
Some of Orchard Hill's high schoolers came to serve at PIP today!

I love that there is a place for even the youngest among us to serve at PIP!

The 2011 season of Picnic in the Park is winding down. We had a beautiful fall day in Lincoln Park yesterday as we shared homemade chili and rootbeer with 200 people.

Orchard Hill's Route 55 Seniors joined in to serve, some of our high schoolers came, as well as a small group from neighboring church, Heartland Vineyard. The children had a grand time playing football, decorating cookies, chalk drawing, and coloring while adults served and shared a meal at the many picnic tables.

As a part of Harvest's worship service, Tabitha gave a powerful testimony of the love and power of Christ to transform lives, and Cliff shared about how individuals and the collective Church is called to reach out and be salt and light in our community.

As I roamed through PIP yesterday, I loved watching people come together across race, class, age, denominations...all the many barriers that tend to keep us apart from one another. I believe very strongly that this coming together will be a necessity for the Church as Christ leads us into his work of reconciliation and justice in both our local and global community.

retreating

2011-10-03T19:26:00.004-05:00

Some of the most meaningful experiences of my life have been found in days carved out to meet with God in solitude and silence. I recently returned from 2 1/2 days at a cabin on a lake- one of my favorite places to seek God. I focused on Scriptures, reading, and prayer that had to do with trusting God, as I needed to be strengthened in faith deep within my mind, spirit, and bones.

Romans 4:20 Yet he (Abraham) did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.

Ephesians 6:16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

Psalm 31:14-15 But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, "You are my God. My times are in your hands.."

asset-based community development

2011-09-19T20:50:00.004-05:00

What I love about Youth Art Team:

It's an example of asset-based-community-development (ABCD). Individuals and the team consider the gifts and ideas they already possess to offer the community, as well as what God can create new from their collective effort to build a better community.

On this field trip to Des Moines, IA, on Saturday, the team had time to learn, be inspired, have fun, and to dream about what they might do next together that would help create greater beauty, health, and wholeness in Waterloo-Cedar Falls.

The girls outside of the Des Moines Art Center. We had a great tour inside!
We toured Freedom for Youth Ministries and saw what some of the students were making and selling in their welding shop.
Here, in the woodworking shop at Freedom for Youth Ministries, a student named Swedie, showed a few of the Art Team a fish-shaped chair that he's been learning to make and sell.
We also learned about the coffee roasting business that Freedom for Youth students have begun. They sell the coffee to local churches and businesses in the Des Moines area.
The Pappajohn Sculpture Park in Des Moines had amazing sculptures (and an awesome hill to roll down besides!)
Our field trip ended with a Camera Scavenger Hunt around downtown Des Moines. Here, one of the art team members fulfilled this item, "Take a picture of an art team member who looks as tall as the Principal Building, Iowa's tallest building."
Thanks, Des Moines, for helping us experience God's beauty and creativity together in your city!

Youth Art Team encounters Des Moines

2011-09-18T07:47:00.002-05:00

Check out www.youthartteam.blogspot.com to learn about yesterday's big field trip to Des Moines, Iowa. I'll also post on it this week!

exercise on segregation

2011-09-13T20:55:00.004-05:00

On a drive to a swimming party on Sunday, I randomly asked my 12 year old son what he thought was a solution to America's race problem. His answer, "We have to congregate. We live in our separate neighborhoods and separate worlds.....we have to come together, live together, for anything to change."

Take a couple of minutes to try this online exercise on segregation:

www.understandingprejudice.org/segregation/

dear white person

2011-09-01T00:06:00.003-05:00

post written by another dear friend in our group...

Dear white person,

I can't deny the fact that I feel uncomfortable around you, that I feel a bit "less" when you are in the room. Not because I feel this way of my own accord, but because I've been taught that this is how I should feel. I notice that all I know to be good and right is white and all that is dark and corrupt looks like me. My super heroes don't look like me, my role models are the personification of a distorted image and I see a perpetuated place for me among the "lost causes" of society. If I can be even more honest with you, I hate being a charity case, I hate being at the mercy and pity of what I have come to see as my great oppressor. I feel I can't progress without your permission, for you hold all the keys. Though I speak your language, celebrate your holidays, learn of your history I can never be your equal. I feel everything I do is to earn your approval. I try to speak better, grow smarter, excel higher all in some misplaced attempt to prove to you that I am worthy to be your equal. Your sympathy for my plight is as my sympathy for my dog. I will feed him, bathe him, care for him, leave him in my home, defend him... even love him. But he can never be my equal, for he is a dog and I am a man. My hope is not that you would accept me, but that I would accept myself. That all I do would be for the glory of God and not for the pleasure of men. I would be wrong and unjust to blame my entire plight on you, for every man must bear his own burden; however I can't escape the fact that I live in a society that makes being young, black and male the criteria for poverty, prejudice and prison. I am all those things, but I also have one more strike to add to my three... I am also uncompromisingly and unapologetically a Christian, and in this Ifind my identity. In this I take my seat at the table of brotherhood. I have ceased looking for you to tell me who I am or to ascribe me my value or to attribute unto me worth, for my Savior fills my cup and I thirst no more. But fear not, for there is a place for you at this table as well. The one who saved me a seat has also saved you a seat. Love covers a multitude of sins and where sin does abound grace does much more abound. Receive me as your brother, embrace me as your equal, cherish our diversity, and rejoice in our differences; for truly, how boring would it be if everyone brought the same dish to the feast at The Table of Brotherhood. So May we feast and feast well together as brethren.

Sincerely, yours in Christ

The Black Man.

dear white person

2011-08-31T23:45:00.004-05:00

post written by a friend in our Divided by Faith book group:

Dear White Person,
Thank you for the letter that you wrote to us, I can’t even pretend that I understand all of the things that you are feeling after our discussion. I do know that as a black person who has never had to face being accused of doing something that I am innocent of. I like you must rely on the things that I have read about and heard about.
Much of what you are saying would not fit any shoe that I have ever worn that also goes for many people of my race.
I can’t and won’t condemn anyone for what they believe.
After reading the scenario that you presented I tried to put myself in that scene and it made me angry also. We must find a way to put our anger aside so that we can move forward.
I will commit to you as a black person I will speak up when I hear someone from my race that has something negative to say about a White person no matter what the consequences are. That is what I have asked you to do in our discussions and I would not ask you to do anything that I would not do. I believe in the saying “What you permit you promote”.
I think that if we have the ability to get past the anger and we are willing to take the risks by committing to doing everything that is possible to reconcile with each other.
I know that as a person who believes in forgiving and the beliefs that I have been taught about God and Jesus, we have the ability to make a difference in the views of Black and White people everywhere.
This journey is one that none of us should take alone, so if there are any question that you may have that will help you understand more about me please ask. I will do the same. I truly believe that as we move forward the understanding of each other will be the key to developing our friendships and respect for all.
A Black Person

dear black person

2011-08-26T14:49:00.012-05:00

I'm reading Divided by Faith by Michael O. Emerson and Christian Smith with a group of 6 black friends and 6 white friends. We've met once so far for discussion, and now we are reading chapters 3 and 4 as we prepare to meet again. In chapter 3, there is reference to two 1971 Christianity Today articles where a black person wrote a "Dear White Person" letter, and a white person responded with a "Dear Black Person" letter. I haven't stopped thinking about our group's discussion from this past week. I decided to write my own personal "Dear Black Person" letter this week:

Dear Black Person,

The other night in a Divided by Faith book discussion, I heard one black group member tell our black-white group that white people who have eyes to see the injustices of our racialized society must not be silent but begin to speak up even if that might mean rejection and persecution. I heard him speak of the importance for us whites to join with the black community in the pursuit of justice. I was in a smaller group discussion that same evening when another black group member talked about the distrust that blacks often have of whites. He spoke of how races sometimes come together for a cause, but the black community really doesn’t trust that the white group members will come in very deep, stay very long, or risk very much.

As I consider these comments, I know that the shoe fits me. I've too often been quiet, absent, or lacked much commitment toward change. I’ve now been trying to create an analogy in my mind that would help me put myself in your shoes.

I’m imagining myself being jailed but innocent. As I sit in the jail, the jailer, over time, becomes friendly toward me. She brings me a few cookies from the break room, she begins to listen and show care as I tell my story. We begin to form trust and a friendship. We learn that we are both Christians. About that time, I begin to ask her if she could do anything to help me…speak to someone about my innocence, advocate and take up my case, do something on the outside that would help me gain my freedom. Perhaps at this point, she stops coming by my cell. Or maybe she holds up her hand and says that it might cost her too much in time, reputation, money, or that she could risk losing her job if she stirred anything up. Maybe she tells me she is powerless to help. She continues to be friendly toward me, but I am left in jail, innocent of any crime, and I wonder how much she really does care about me or care about justice in the justice system for which she works. I grow more and more disappointed and frustrated with her kind words but her unwillingness to act for my freedom. I’m now angry at the system but also the individuals who benefit from the system and who do not stand up for the rights of the innocent, especially when they voice that they are Christ-followers.

I don’t know if this even comes close to describing what you might feel about whites as you seek the freedom and justice you deserve as a human being. Perhaps this analogy breaks down in several places... you'll have to let me know. What this little scenario does do for me is help me ask important questions of myself, and pray important prayers.

The questions:

-Do I care? How do I show I care? If I don’t care, what keeps me from caring?

-Do I really believe in my friend’s innocence and rights?

-Do I even remotely understand the depth of racialization around me and embedded in me? Do I realize the prison created by it and the loss that has resulted for everyone, including myself?

-Have I arranged my days in order to know people of color as friends, to observe, listen, and learn from them?

- Am I willing to act, even if it means risk, makes me counter-cultural, or takes me away from the status quo?

-If I do act, what actions are helpful and effective?

The prayers:

-I ask God to give me his eyes and heart for people.

-I confess that years of privilege have caused me to be both ignorant and arrogant, and to act in an apathetic and superior manner. I ask that you forgive me for this.

-I confess that I grew up seeing the bars between us as normal and justified, and I ask your forgiveness for that.

-I ask for Christ’s power in me so that I might live obediently and courageously to move past the point of that which does not cost me anything.

I'm early on the journey of recognizing the systems and structures of racism that are in place. And although, I'm realizing that together we need to work to change these systems, I still do believe that the answers toward a more just and reconciled community have to do with more than sitting together on committees, writing letters to the editor, gathering together for legislative rallies, or conversing over coffee. Those things are good, but I’m learning that reconciling work begins and ends with Jesus and involves building authentic relationships that live and grow together in Christ and with one another. The outflow is this Christian community reaching out together to proclaim and demonstrate Christ and to wholistically restore our neighborhoods and communities. I want to be a part of that with you. The journey of my heart and life have a long way to go, but I trust Christ for the grace needed, and I look to you to continue helping me walk forward together in truth, love, and grace.

A White Person

blood is life

2011-08-26T11:01:00.005-05:00

So, I'm $250 into raising money by donating my plasma at our local Biolife center twice a week. The money (hopefully about $3,000 by Mar. '13) will go toward our family's intended trip to go to Haiti in 2013 so that we might proclaim and serve Christ with UCI friends there.

I only gave blood once 30 years ago before this past month, so this has been a stretching experience for me. As I lie on the bed donating, I have about 40 minutes to read, think, and pray as I pump my right hand and watch my blood travel through a clear tube. I also have clear vision of my three neighbors' blood collecting and spinning through the machines across from me.

This experience reminds me of some Scriptures....

"For the life of a creature is in the blood....it is the blood that makes atonement for one's life." (Lev. 17:11)

"God presented him (Jesus) as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood." (Rom.3:25)

"For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect." (1 Peter 1:18-19)

"But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ." (Ephesians 2:13)

It seems fitting to pray Jesus over the people of Haiti, for people in need of plasma, and for all people everywhere as I watch this blood flow through tubes and then collect and spin in the machines. Watching this deep red life flow from everyone's arms reminds me of our sameness as people, the precious and fragile state of life, and our common need, every one of us, for the beautiful, sacrificial blood of Jesus to forgive and redeem our lives.

Update from our friends in Haiti

2011-08-21T07:21:00.000-05:00

Dear friends;

We want to thank you very much for all the prayers and support and friendship we received during

our time of grieving for my mom’s passing. In both countries we were surrounded by our Christian brothers and sisters. It was so good to feel loved and cared for. In the US, we had a beautiful,

Christ-filled funeral for Mom. I got to see all of my immediate family and lots of the extended

family. In Haiti, we have been receiving visitors all day since we came back. Some of the most

touching have been the kids in the feeding centers who came and sang for us, most of our youth

group kids coming to give hugs, pastors who came hours just to be able to pray with us, and especially JeanJean’s loving family. Praise the Lord for the family of God.

We were going to write a newsletter back at the beginning of July because there was so much to

report. It didn’t happen all month and now we have even more news! I’ll try to be concise in reporting all the great things God has been doing

On July 1, UCC school had their first kindergarten graduation. The kids sang, danced, recited, did

skits and showed off their English and arts and crafts. We are flooded with applications for next

year’s term. People are amazed at how the kids have learned. Can’t wait until this year starts with

a new grade added!

Andre Charles and his wife were baptized! (If you haven’t heard the incredible story of God’s lifechanging power and forgiveness in Andre’s life, you may go to our 3/27/2010 newsletter at our

website: unitedchristianinternational.org) It was our church’s first baptism since we began services in Feb. We had 12 people that were baptized! It was extraordinary to see JeanJean baptize

this new brother in Christ who had been so lost before. And, on Sept. 15, JeanJean will be performing the wedding service for Andre’s daughter while Kristie was asked to be the maren or

‘godmother.’ Andre said, “I did not know the freedom that is in Christ.” We praise our wonderful

Father for his transforming power through Jesus.

Pastor Marvil from Cerca la Sous has been faithfully walking 13 hours to come to JeanJean’s

seminars each week for the past 3 years. For his perseverance and servant heart, he received a

brand-new motorcycle from Santa Cruz Bible Church!

Westgate church of San Jose has been coming to Caiman, Haiti for 5 years now. Each year they

come back with more exciting ways to help in Haiti. Last year, Carl Crizer, an engineer saw the

deplorable condition that our community water system was in. For a year he has held that in his

heart and researched ways to fix the system. Mind you, this is a huge system that provides thousands of people with water. It has been broken and unreliable for years. He and his team came in

with heavy-duty tools and were able to fix it! All the communities rejoiced!

Meredith Drive Church of Des Moines and the VandeZandschulps from Sioux City have put in 3

wells into our communities! Water is a precious thing.

I can’t list all the people that participated in putting in 219 cement floors and 22 houses and 5

churches for people in need.

“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life,

neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all

creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord“ Romans 8: 37-19

News from the Mompremiers Aug. 18, 2011

Mompremier address: UCI's donation address:

Unit 1072--UCI PO Box 51

3170 Airmans Drive Orange City, IA 51041

Ft. Pierce, FL 34946 *** MFI charges $1.50/lb to ship items into Haiti

Dipoma time!

Baptism at the river

Water, sweet water!

Community water system

repaired! Questions or comments? Email: jeankris@juno.com

New Hope church accepted the challenge to help with a kids’ conference in July. My kids in the nutrition center have

asked me for years to hold a camp for them. This year we did it. The kids had a blast. They said 3 days

was too short—but I think it was just about right !

We also had a lot of interest in a youth camp this year. So much interest, in fact, that we had to split the

kids into 2 different camps! One was held in July and the other is coming up in Sept. It was during the

2nd day of the youth camp in July that we received the phone call about my mom’s death. We had to

leave immediately due to flight schedules and such. But, we are happy to report that the camp continued

on. New Hope youth group and team remained in Haiti and served in the camp. When I got home, my

youth group was full of praise about how awesome the camp was. 49 kids came to Christ or re-dedicated

their lives to Him during this time. My youth kids and the UCI staff stepped up and put on a terrific

camp while we stayed in the US. Isn’t that great?! I tell you, though—I can’t wait until Sept. so that I

can participate in the next youth camp, too.

Summer is a busy time for teams and projects. Our thanks to all of the people that helped make these

things possible: women’s, youth, kids’, pastors’, ecology conference; medical and dental clinics, painting

and construction, garden work, VBS, welding of more benches for the school and church, prayer walks,

food and clothing distribution, electricity projects, and lots of good cross-cultural friendships. God bless

you.

Perhaps the biggest news we have right now is another praise from God. After 4 years of praying and

waiting on God’s perfect timing, UCI will be beginning construction on a Bible trade school!! WestGate

church is partnering with UCI to begin this exciting program. We will be breaking ground next week! I

can’t tell you how much it means to the people here to know that there will be a university for this community. Kids will be able to further their education without having to go to Port-au-Prince or Cap Haitian where it is so expensive to live and commute. To show their appreciation, the community and several churches from near and far are offering to give of their labor to help with this school. Communities

and individuals that have received nutrition centers or cement floors or churches or wells want to be able

to show their appreciation by giving back. UCI is readily accepting their gifts because we want people to

see this as a community program—not just for UCI. Keep praying that the construction goes well and

that we find the right teachers and administrators for our school!

Thank you again for your faithfulness in prayer and the love you have shown to my family!

JeanJean, Kristie, Tana and Kerri Mompremier

Global Leadership Summit: Map Making

2011-08-15T15:11:00.004-05:00

When responding to what theme the GLS had this year, I've heard "Action" and "Do Something" from several participants.

As I thought about this "action" theme, I also remember Seth Godin saying "There are no maps" during his segment of the GLS. This reminded me of a book that I had read a few years back: Missional Map-Making: Skills for Leading in Times of Transition written by Alan Roxburgh.

I opened that book back up today. It is reinforcing what I felt at the Summit...that many actions, if they are based on our internalized maps of yesterday, will no longer work. It is a new day, where new map-making is required because our old maps cannot solve the challenges of the new context in which we find ourselves.

A few quotes from the book:

"If we don't feel the depths of our own crisis like the scientist did in her field, we won't feel compelled to think beyond our existing maps. Without this deep, visceral sense that something unimaginable is taking place in the world, we will remain committed to our established certainties and try to make them work again; we will stay inside our established categories, believing that they only need to be touched up or reworked."

"The path forward will require that we learn to do things that will feel odd and even counter-intuitive to the leadership habits and skills bequeathed to us by modernity. Rather than grand schemes (vision and mission statements) or attention to the the usual objective indicators of success, we will need to become comfortable with living in a world where we don't have the answers but build communities of dialogue, both inside and outside the church, in which ordinary men and women discover that the imagination for thriving in this new space is among them in their everyday lives."

"The new maps are made on the journey; they can't be drawn ahead of time. On this journey, we'll need to let go of some common-sense convictions and address anxieties about not being in control."

One of my action steps after the Summit is to re-read this book. As I consider next steps of action, I need to better understand the maps I've been shaped by, the changing landscape around me, and the cultivating process of making new maps for the future.

Top Summit Phrases

2011-08-14T22:52:00.005-05:00

My top ten Global Leadership Summit 2011 Phrases:

10. "It's always darkest before the dawn." (during opening video of Summit)

9. "I'd much rather deal with anger than apathy." -Michelle Rhee

8. "We wait to get picked. Stop it. Pick yourself." -Seth Godin

7. "Move toward the funk fast." -Bill Hybels

6. "You are the result of a grand conspiracy of love." -Hon. Cory Booker

5. "If failure is not an option, then neither is success." -Seth Godin

4. "What does a person do when truth/reality comes to them?" -Dr. Henry Cloud

3. "If you want to see the land filled with water, dig some ditches." -Steven Furtick (2 Kings 3:9-20)

2. "The crucifixion was the event that connected humility with greatness." -John Dickson

1. "Silence your body to listen.. Silence your tongue to listen to your thoughts. Silence your thoughts to listen to your heart beating. Silence your heart to listen to your spirit. Silence your spirit to listen to His Spirit. In silence, you leave many and be with the One." -Mama Maggie Gobran

If you want to read more complete notes from this year's summit, you can find them at www.wcablog.com. What were some powerful phrases that stuck with you?

Global Leadership Summit= FLUID

2011-08-14T21:52:00.005-05:00

If I had to choose one prevailing theme for the 2011 Global Leadership Summit, I would choose the word fluid. I could sense this theme during the Summit, and I can sense it in the work I'm doing around our church and community.

The world is changing so rapidly. Things are slippery. We're in such a disorienting, major shift, and the organizational structures that we've known will likely not be the effective structures of the future. This transition that we're in is demanding creativity and differing forms. New kinds of fluid thinking, organizing, leading, networks are emerging as we meet and create the future.

Through the Summit, I could hear the challenge to leaders to take steps into this unknown by...

- believing God for it.

-creating economic and social value everywhere...being an entrepreneur.

-digging ditches...preparing the ground for God's intervening.

-understanding the limitations of predictability and cause/effect.

-taking action to create the future.

-taking small steps with what you have and building off what you find.

-flexibility and multi-dimensional efforts.

- breaking through cultural and racial barriers.

-creating art.

- practicing silence.

- stewarding over vision by guarding mission and joy.

- "poking the box."

-learning humility and vulnerability.

- serving, sacrificing, suffering.

-becoming cultivators of human talent and potential; developing the creative gifts of people.

As I continue to walk into Christian Community Development, this Summit helped give language and affirmation to the direction and findings along the journey. The word of the day may be fluid but Jesus is still rock solid!

Come and listen to what he has done for us. For you.

2011-08-03T00:23:00.002-05:00

Need inspiration? I find it every single time I read Katie's blog. Check out her latest post here.

Walnut's Neighborhood Party

2011-08-02T22:43:00.009-05:00

By Christ's grace and power and by linking arms, people CAN create a vibrant, thriving neighborhood. Tonight's Walnut Party, as a part of the National Neighborhood Night Out, fueled hope for such a vision. A great turn-out; great fun!

nothing like camp!

2011-07-26T14:24:00.004-05:00

Why couldn't life be like summer camp?! Upon hearing reports from students coming home from Wildwood Hills Ranch Camp this summer, I sense the Kingdom of God they experienced while there.... Unconditional Love, Grace, Acceptance. Fun. Growth Challenges and Teamwork. Trust and Honesty. Friendship. Nature and Beauty. Creativity and Expression. Belonging and Serving and Purpose. The story of God through His Word, people, and experiences.

Jesus, you are so good through camp!

take 3 minutes to fight hunger in Iowa

2011-07-21T20:13:00.004-05:00

I'm proud of my friend, Jordan, for the work he's doing as he directs the Iowa Food Bank Association. At a public forum today, Jordan and colleagues spelled out the realities of hunger in Iowa, the organizations in place to help alleviate hunger, and ways that caring citizens can partner to help.

One way you (if you live in Iowa) can help right this minute is to click on Governor Brandstad's website and urge the governor to declare September as "Hunger Action Month" in Iowa. This will allow for greater awareness and education about the state of hunger in Iowa and the part we all can play to ensure that our neighbors' basic needs are being met. Take three minutes to do the following:

1. Go to www.governor.iowa.gov

2. Click on "Contact" in the upper right corner.

3. Click on "Register an Opinion"

4. Fill out your name and address and leave a message. You can even copy and paste the following message:

This email is in support of the Iowa Food Bank Association and its request to declare September as "Hunger Action Month" for the state of Iowa. A month designated for hunger awareness, education, and action will help to reduce the number of Iowa families struggling against food insecurity and will promote the creation of a healthier, more secure community for all Iowans.

Thank you.

Hunger affects nearly 13% of Iowans. If you'd like to learn more, check out the Iowa Food Bank Association website here or our local food bank's website at northeastiowafoodbank.org.

What makes local mission so difficult?

2011-07-17T15:38:00.013-05:00

A team I sit on at church asked this question last week. Before I address the question from my personal perspective, I'll provide a brief context.

I'm writing this post from my home in Cedar Falls, IA. Our church recently had a team come back from their third trip to the Gorangosa Region of Mozambique where we partner with trusted leaders and friends with Food for the Hungry there. Members of the traveling team shared how they experienced so many of the development principles and practices that our church is learning about and committing to on this journey of walking with the poor. Mutual Relationships, Christ-centered evangelism and discipleship, Wholistic ministry, Empowerment, Indigenous Leadership Development, Next Generation Focus, Listening, Long-term commitment.

As we were discussing how these principles and practices are transferable in any context and culture, the question came up about why they seem so different and difficult in our own local context. I can't speak for others, but I can share what makes it difficult from my own life's experience.

Our family sponsors a little girl in Gorangosa, Mozambique, through Food for the Hungry. Her name is Maria, and we send about 8 letters back and forth in a given year. We talk about her, my daughter prays for Maria nightly, and our family hopes to visit her in 5 or 6 years when our twins are in high school. Every month, $32 is automatically withdrawn from my checking from Food from the Hungry for the children's program. Every year, our church has opportunities to pray for, learn about, and contribute in beautiful, concrete ways to our ongoing partnership work with FH in Mozambique, some 9,000 miles away. Though my lifestyle and daily choices do affect Maria and countless others across our oceans, God has used my own local context as the most powerful light to examine my life and illuminate His.

Every day, I wake up in my home and help shape my own community. I either live in a way that promotes positive transformation or a way that maintains or creates negative change. As a resident of the Cedar Valley, I am to be a responsible, contributing citizen. As a Christ-follower, I am called to be salt, light, and an co-laborer with Christ in the healing, restoring work He is doing here, especially as he advocates for the marginalized, oppressed, vulnerable, poor. Why is it so difficult then, when the call is so clear for me to be partnering with Jesus on mission locally in my own community?

1. The order of my life. The American Dream, materialism, financial and physical security, media, my relatives' lives around me, racialized society, education, ...you name it, my culture has powerfully groomed me to live a life isolated from the socially vulnerable of our community. I have ordered my days and my life in neighborhoods, schools, jobs, churches, and activities that have kept me separate from people of other races, countries, backgrounds, and socio-economic classes. This order of my life, then, is one thing that has made it difficult because I haven't been aware, listened to, befriended, known, experienced,understood, and therefore, highly valued, people whose lives are very different from me in my local community.

2. Time. The order of my life has kept me busy within the demands of this order. There are many people I love who have needs right within my own relational circles of this order. My family has chosen a lifestyle that also requires time to manage home and property. We are involved in numerous good activities within the order that take our time. Yet, in my experience with those who are marginalized in our community, time in relationship is what is most needed. Empowering social networks are missing among many who are under-privileged in my community. Developing authentic relationships in Christian community, growing disciples, sharing life and gifts together for youth development, jobs, housing, recovery, and other elements of community transformation.. these are needed and require time and commitment. The order of my life causes many separate people and places to compete for the resource of my time, and that is difficult.

3. My needs, my nature. Two of the most basic human needs are belonging and security. It is also in my human nature to seek comfort and pleasure and to avoid suffering and pain. When I primarily seek belonging, security, comfort, and pleasure for myself in anything other than Christ (and our American culture offers me plenty of tempting idols), I will keep myself from many of the people and places in which Jesus locates himself and is calling me. It is difficult to battle these idols and addictions and to step out into a more narrow way, placing my security and identity fully in Christ.

4. Power and control. The systems of our society are structured in such a way that give me privilege, status, and access that others don't have. I didn't really believe this very deeply until within this last year of my life. The history and reality of racist systems in our country have influenced everything about the order of my life....where I choose to live, who I know, how I view and interact with people of color, how I view poverty and the poor, and with no real conscious intent, how I've lived to protect my power and control of a certain kind of lifestyle at the expense of others. Though awareness and repentance have been needed on my part, it is difficult to work for change in the systems that are the very scaffolding upon which I've built my life and are often as invisible to me as the air I breathe.

5. Re-ordering my life. Christ calls me to some re-ordering of my life, and that is difficult. It's difficult to go against the grain of our culture and to fight the status quo. Re-ordering creates a crisis of values, priorities, habits. Re-ordering threatens the familiar and comfortable life I've known, and even now, when I feel called and committed to making some big moves in my life, re-ordering meets rejection and causes tension in my most primary family relationships.

I understand why CCDA's John Perkins has named relocation, redistribution, and reconciliation as the 3 most effective strategies for re-ordering. All three work to break the tight grip maintained by the difficulties I've named in this post. All work in such a way that allow Jesus to integrate our lives and to bring us together with people to restore our communities. Imagine if Christ's people were so sold out for reconciliation to God and one another through Jesus, that they intentionally and strategically began to relocate and redistribute their time, talents, and treasure in order to share Jesus and pursue a redeemed Kingdom community together with people they may have considered other for most of their lives?

I love this vision. But this way is fraught with difficulty. Along this really messy journey of my local life, I can easily find myself losing hope against giants. I can easily find myself in fits of judgment, discouragement, frustration, and impatience...aimed at myself and at others. I can easily find myself defaulting to the world's ideas for comfort, ease, security, belonging. Yet every time I find myself in these places, Jesus seems to drop me gifts and graces for the journey. About the time I want to run or escape, I sniff the sweet fragrance of Jesus along this path. I see the footprints of Christ and the early Church along this path in Scripture, and I'm encouraged to keep following in His way. And always, Jesus reminds me that the re-ordering of my outer life must be coupled with a continued re-ordering of my inner life through an abiding relationship with Him so that I will be able to face all the difficulties with strength and perseverance, but more importantly with His heart of love and grace.

I'd be interested in your thoughts about what might make local mission difficult for you in your own local life. Please share comments.

readiness

2011-07-16T05:35:00.002-05:00

Sixteen years ago, I was a youth director at a church in East Waterloo. It was a white commuter church located in a neighborhood that was mixed race, but predominately African American. One of our church members was a woman who was white, who lived in East Waterloo, and who was passionate about racial reconciliation. She had started a non-profit organization aimed to bridge blacks and whites, and at various times, she'd come by my office to share thoughts and ideas with me. I distinctly remember trying hard to listen politely but being generally disinterested. I was basically predetermined to dismiss her and thought of her work as "her thing" that had little to do with me.

Four years ago I picked up the book Divided by Faith because I had some friends who were reading and talking about it. I skimmed through parts in it and called it good as I placed it back on my bookshelves and went on to refer it to people because I knew of the impact the book had had on others.

Six months ago, I went to a two and a half day "Undoing Racism" workshop. For some reason, that workshop was a new awakening for me in regards to systemic racism and my place in it. Helping pave the way for this readiness was the book discussion I was in over The New Jim Crow , the learning I had been doing within CCDA over the past four years, and most certainly, the interracial relationships that have been deepening in my life over the past four years.

I recently just finished critically reading Divided by Faith where I hung on almost every word as if this textbook-type piece of writing was a gripping pageturner. On vacation, I reread through Martin King Luther Jr.'s "Letter from a Birmingham Jail" with tears pouring down my face and something happening deeper in my bones.

All of this has me considering the readiness factor. We cannot predict when and how the Spirit of God will choose to move in our own spirit, awakening us to His truth, causing scales to fall from our eyes, challenging us to transformation, massaging convictions deeper into our beings.

Yet, though I cannot predict, I can prepare. I can continue to learn and listen in Scripture, in prayer, in reading, in relationship and experiences with people, and through mentors who are further along the journey. I can be open and expectant and responsive as the Spirit decides and directs movement in my life.

And though we cannot predict a timeline for God's movement in others, or even whom He will tap in the Spirit, we can continue to offer an environment, information, and experiences for others' journeys. And we can disciple people to learn and to listen to the active Spirit of God in all of our lives.

We the people

2011-07-02T05:37:00.015-05:00

I'm currently on a 18 day vacation to D.C. and various parts of Florida. Our family just spent 4 days sightseeing in Washington D.C. One thing our Midwestern kids have noticed is the racial and ethnic diversity of the city. Whether it was at our hotel in Alexandria, VA, where we were staying, the Metro trips into D.C., or our experiences in D.C., our children commented often about the mix of people they encountered. African American, Asian, Hispanic, White. Multiple languages being heard around us from everywhere around the globe.

This rich diversity has caused reflection, then, as I walked through the halls of history and learned more about the founding of our country, the history of slavery, the wars fought, the leadership and decisions made. We had an interesting tour of the U.S. Capitol, and as a part of it, we were able to sit in the gallery of the U.S. Senate Chamber. I looked down from the balcony at our senators as they wandered around the room during a vote. As I looked at this group of decision makers, it was quite a visual contrast to the mix of people we had been observing all around us in the community. It made me curious to find out the make up of our Congress. See below to see the composition of the 112th Congress.

Racial Composition
*Caucasians/Whites: 362 (83.22%)
*African Americans/Blacks: 42 (9.66%)
*Hispanics/Latinos: 24 (5.52%)
*Asians: 6 (1.38%)
*Native Americans: 1 (0.23%)

Racial Composition by Gender & Party
*Caucasians
*Men: 314 (210 R - 104 D)
*Women: 48 (26 D - 22 R)
*African Americans
*Men: 29 (27 D - 2 R)
*Women: 13 (13 D - 0 R)
*Hispanics
*Men: 17 (12 D - 5 R)
*Women: 7 (5 D - 2 R)
*Asians
*Men: 2 (2 D - 0 R)
*Women: 4 (4 D - 0 R)
*Native Americans
*Men: 1 (1 R - 0 D)
*Women: 0

love is power

2011-06-23T23:18:00.004-05:00

Check out the video at www.youthartteam.blogspot.com to see and hear about the completed mural. There was also an article in yesterday's Waterloo Courier that you can read here.

stories in the stats

2011-06-22T09:32:00.005-05:00

I work at Orchard Hill Church,and one of our strategies as a church for reaching out to the under-resourced is to focus our efforts in a few areas where we can build longterm relationships, work in partnerships, and address needs wholistically. One of these communities of focus is the Gorongosa region in Mozambique where we partner with friends at Food for the Hungry.

A team of nine from Orchard Hill is just wrapping up a trip to Mozambique. Below are some numbers reported by the team leader...they sure do reflect a lot of stories in these stats.

325 Hygiene Kits and

21 soccer balls presented on behalf of the sponsors to children in Gorangosa delivered to Moz in

900 lbs of checked luggage

159 years of marriage experience in trip members

2149 (and counting) pictures taken with

4 hours of video recorded.

5 near misses on the drive back to Beira of which

2 caused Barb to see the pearly gates more clearly.

5 live chickens gifted to us

1 tin sounding speaker outside our Gorongosa guest house window which played

1 song ad nauseum most nights

22 songs in one Sunday morning worship service sung in Portuguese and Senna (local dialect)

0 hot showers in Gorongosa despite new in line water heaters

83 combined man/women hours of training to

97 FH staff, nurses, pastors and community leaders

1 nonchicken lunch or dinner meal for Dave the entire week (the restaurant was out of chicken)

400 linear feet of sugar cane gifted to us

1 man riding a bike with his wife breast feeding their baby on the back

10 hits between Halkeno and Adam per day (usually to the shoulder)

2 falls off the seat for a sleeping Neil during the ride back to Beira

1 pack of elephants sighted by 5 members of the group while the other members saw

5 piles of elephant dung

8 hours of combined car and plane time that Mapanza (Moz FH Country Director) to come to spend

4 hours with us in Gorongosa

2 weeping marathon runners receiving thanks from the community leader while the cornerstone of their school was laid

1 house blessed with laying on of hands and prayer by the first

3 child sponsors to ever visit Caia when the child sponsor found out that his child may be getting mistreated by the stepdad and intentionally not at home

18 hours for our longest flight

1 "Just clean the brain off and throw it away" to make us thankful for great translators we usually had

3 cm - the distance from the other parked car as Taylor pulled in

5 new John Deere hats in the communities

3 purple UNI shirts seen also in the communities

275 Orchard child sponsors that affect an average of

825 kids in those families and partially fund

22 FH staff in the field that work with an average of

800 kids in

7 communities in Gorongosa

50 additional sponsors over the next year as a goal

264 families turned to Christ last year in the sponsored children of Gorongosa

9 Hearts wrecked to never return to "ordinary" over what they have seen and been priviledged to be involved in over the past

2 weeks

154 prayer warriors who laid the foundation for a successful trip

For the team, see you in

2 days, Neil

juneteenth

2011-06-19T06:04:00.005-05:00

The 5th annual Hoopin' 4 Jesus basketball tournament this weekend was a part of a broader celebration called Juneteenth. Over the past few years, I have been learning about what Juneteenth celebrations represent. Here's a wikipedia explanation:

Though Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on September 22, 1862, with an effective date of January 1, 1863, it had minimal immediate effect on most slaves’ day-to-day lives, particularly in the Confederate States of America. Texas, as a part of the Confederacy, was resistant to the Emancipation Proclamation, and though slavery was very prevalent in East Texas, it was not as common in the Western areas of Texas, particularly the Hill Country, where most German-Americans were opposed to the practice. Juneteenth commemorates June 18 and 19, 1865. June 18 is the dayUnion General Gordon Granger and 2,000 federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to take possession of the state and enforce the emancipation of its slaves. On June 19, 1865, legend has it while standing on the balcony of Galveston’s Ashton Villa, Granger read the contents of “General Order No. 3”:

The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor. The freedmen are advised to remain quietly at their present homes and work for wages. They are informed that they will not be allowed to collect at military posts and that they will not be supported in idleness either there or elsewhere.^[11]

That day now since became known as Juneteenth, a name coming from a portmanteau of the words "June" and "teenth" like "nineteenth" and other numbers with teenth.

Former slaves in Galveston rejoiced in the streets with jubilant celebrations. Juneteenth celebrations began in Texas the following year. Across many parts of Texas, freed people pooled their funds to purchase land specifically for their communities and increasingly large Juneteenth gatherings — including Houston’s Emancipation Park, Mexia’s Booker T. Washington Park, and Emancipation Park in Austin.

hoopin' 4 Jesus

2011-06-17T23:06:00.003-05:00

SHOUT Ministries hosted their 5th annual "Hoopin'4 Jesus" basketball tournament this weekend. Nine teams, lots of good basketball moves on the courts, and a lot of opportunities to observe and take part in Juneteenth festivities at Lower Gates Park, Waterloo.

God's work in Haiti

2011-06-13T06:21:00.002-05:00

An update from our friends in Haiti who lead UCI...United Christians International:

www.unitedchristiansinternational.org

United Christians International

Life changing News!

Jesson Vilfort, another long-time witchdoctor, came to know Christ as his Lord! As many of you

know, we have a program where we pour cement floors for people so that we can get people out of the mud and dust. UCI had decided that we would do this for anybody in need and use it as a way to show God’s love. We have seen a tremendous response from this program which began as an alternative Christmas giving project from one church. Jesson lives near one of our nutrition centers and we poured his floor last April. When Eliberne, UCI board member and director of construction projects, went to his house, he talked to Jesson. Jesson realized that even though he had been a witchdoctor for most of his life, he couldn’t even put in a cement floor for his house. Having a Christian group come in a do this for him really made him think about his life of worshipping spirits. Last Sunday we were picking up some food and water from our nearest town and saw a huge crowd in the road next to our nutrition center. We saw Elfis, our center leader, in the middle and stopped to talk to him. Elfis and the crowd were standing around a big pile of vodou paraphernalia. Elfis told us that it had all belonged to Jesson and he wanted it burned to symbolize how he was leaving that life! Jesson had such a huge impact in his community that there were close to 100 people watching what was happening! People were afraid of Jesson because of what he used to do. Imagine how this will influence their beliefs now. They are set free! What a testimony of what happens when Christians love and care for others, regardless of who they are or what they have done, and share the gospel. May Jesus’ name be glorified.

UCI has completed 213 cement floors, 22 complete houses, and 4 churches. God is at work.

We have talked in the past about the struggle that we had in finding water and the blessing it has

been since we dug our well last May. In the last 2 months, UCI has also been able to dig 3 more

wells and in the process of digging a 4th for 4 different communities. There is a reason why Jesus

used the illustration of water in the Bible so many times. Water is a precious, precious gift and we are so glad that UCI, through the help of our supporters, has been able to bless these communities. Praise the Lord!

It is raining in Haiti. Usually our rainy season starts sometime in the middle of end of April so that by the beginning of May, we have the crops in. Our rain didn’t start until the end of May and we were worried, but it has been good rain and the crops have been planted. Jehovah Jireh, God is the great Provider.

God is also our great Hope. Andre Chansman passed away from cancer. In January, this witchdoctor of over 40 years became a brother in Christ. Those of you who were able to hear his testimony could see the joy that Christ gave him in these last months of his life. Andre had even testified on Haitian radio that he was no longer practicing vodou and debts from former services were cancelled. At his visitation we found out that Andre had 31 children with 21 different women. That is common for a witchdoctor. Of these children, only a couple were not in vodou. We met and talked to many of these children and asked if they had seen a difference in their father the last months of his life. Many admitted that they noticed how changed he was. At the funeral that JeanJean conducted, JeanJean gave a salvation message. He asked if anyone wanted to give their lives to Christ and 10 of Andre’s children raised their hands. These men and women live in a town that is hours away from us but we have contacted another pastor to disciple them. Please pray for them. And rejoice because the wife that Andre lived with in his last years and youngest daughter are coming to our church faithfully. Bob and Starla Jansen built Andre and his family a home so that he could have a new start on life. This house will be a big blessing to his family.

"Now Jesus did so many other signs in the presence of the disciples which are not written in this book but these are written so

that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God and that by believing you may have life in his name.” John 20:30-31

Since February, we started a 7:00 AM service at our worship center. We have now added Sunday school

and 2 evening services on Monday and Thursday nights. Please pray for these ministries to reach many

people for Christ.

Other Updates:

* 4,216 dozen small and 228 big cassava bread sold/made by UCI’s cassava mill in the month of April.

* Over 32,000 fruit and reforestation trees sold or given out by the tree nursery. Over 10,000 orders for

more!

* New kitchen and eating area almost completed for the UCC school and Caiman nutrition center

* New stove to be made for the nutrition center in Lapila

* New drip irrigation gardens in Lapila, Ticitron, and Lajeune nutrition centers.

* 5 more irrigation pump gardens to be installed.

* Kindergarten graduation scheduled for July 1, 2011. Exams for the school start next week.

* New mobile dental unit for UCC. Dr. Jeff Joiner helped 204 patients with dental needs this week.

* New wire feed welder for UCC.

* Jude (JeanJean’s brother) and his family moved into their own house Saturday night. It is a beautiful

house that is nearby. They have lived with us since the earthquake 1 1/2 years ago and we will miss

them. We now only have 3 extra people living with us.

* Tana and Kerri are done with school for the year. Tana is desiring to complete a year of science during

the summer break so that she can start biology in the fall. Her teacher (Kristie!) is not as excited

but is glad that her daughter is so ambitious. Kerri is quite content to have the summer off.

We continue to ask for prayers for our Bible and trade school. We believe that we can transform Haiti by

forming Christian leaders that are willing to spread the gospel and Christ’s love one community at a

time. The Bible will be the foundation of every single subject taught in the school.

Thank you for reading the letter, for praying for us, and for being a partner with UCI’s vision.

Have a

great day!

JeanJean, Kristie, Tana and Kerri Mompremier

highlights from the first PIP of 2011

2011-06-05T18:44:00.004-05:00

God could not have provided a more beautiful day for our first Picnic in the Park of 2011. A few highlights from the day:

*I was driving around downtown handing out flyers and letting people know that today marked the beginning of another season of PIPs. One man was walking his dog, and I approached him with a flyer. "Oh ya, I know Picnic in the Park. Harvest, right? They accept me just as I am. I don't have to wear no fancy clothes or anything." Amen to that, brother.

*I sat down with a man at a picnic table and asked if he was going to eat. He said, "No, I don't eat here. I'm too independent, and I'm not that low. There are other people who need it more." I encouraged him to stop thinking of PIP as a charity picnic and more as a family picnic. He later came up for food.

*We had a great mix of OHC/Harvest/Neighborhood people serving on the food line today. And lots of kids stepped in to give relief to some of the others so they could get some food to eat. It was beautiful.

*I could overhear Brion teaching and caught a couple of his phrases that stuck with me: "I will preach the Gospel; not overbearingly but uncompromisingly." "I know who He is. And because I know who He is, I know who I belong to. And because I know who I belong to, I know who I am."

*After clean-up, Alizae was given the microphone and sang through some verses of "Amazing Grace" while several others cheered him on and sang along.

Other highlights from any of you who were there?

journey of reconciliation

2011-06-04T08:23:00.005-05:00

Sometimes I begin to realize that God is taking me on a journey in which He wants to show me and teach me about something in a deeper way. He wants to reveal Himself and His vision in new ways. It often has to do with a point of transformation needed in me, and something that God then wants me to be about. This seems to be true for me regarding the journey of reconciliation. Racial reconciliation, yes, but deeper yet, to the very heart of reconciliation in every relationship.

I'm coming to understand reconciliation as the ballgame. Being reconciled to God through Christ and being reconciled to one another. If Jesus is the Great Physician, then reconciliation is the surgery he performs to heal and mend the brokenness and bring the shalom and restoration for which all creation groans.

But what is reconciliation? What does reconciliation mean and not mean? What am I learning? How do I live and work toward reconciliation? What is God's role and my role? What will it cost and require of me?

That's what I want to spend some time blogging on this summer. A book that has been particularly wonderful for my life and this journey is Reconciling All Things by Rice and Katangole. Dr. Barbara Williams-Skinner also has provided rich insights. And let me tell you, there are plenty of opportunities daily that provide the training ground needed on this reconciliation journey.

loving God and others through art

2011-06-01T21:15:00.004-05:00

So, tonight the Youth Art Team met in the park at the mural to debrief their entire youth art team session and to talk about the meaning of the message "Love is Power." (Three kids are missing from the picture, but maybe Photoshop can do a little magic in the next few days)

One father who has two children on the team stood next to me and and I tried to catch every word he said to me. He summed up the mural with words very close to the following...."People see this and they don't just see the words or the picture. The mural shows what the next generation can do when they work together. I walk by this everyday on my lunch hour and my heart just fills up to see that the younger generation is capable of doing much more than people think they can."

Youth empowerment. Development.

I drove several of the team home tonight and was so moved by how this group of multi-age kids has begun to know and care about each other and to build bridges as they've worked together.

Love. Community.

I got an email from one of the grown-ups on our team, Derek, who couldn't be there tonight. This is what he wrote:

"The mural looks great guys! Wish I could have been there to help finish everything, I plan on being at the dedication next Wednesday.

Quick praise report: I picked up one of my kids the other day whom I mentor, and he said "Derek, do you know Love is Power?" He told me he saw that phrase at a park across from the Salvation Army, and it was a topic of our next discussion. Praise God!"

Jesus, you are so good. I love you so much. Thank you for helping me to see how love is power right here in Youth Art Team.

calling

2011-05-27T10:23:00.005-05:00

I went to sleep and woke up this morning with thoughts about the young people I'm seeing and meeting in and near the Walnut Neighborhood. I couldn't get D. out of my mind- an 8 year old little friend who felt so good about contributing to his neighborhood in a positive way yesterday. I couldn't get Mrs. H. out of my mind as she signed the "save the park" petition and said, "They keep taking things away from our young people, but nobody's replacing those things with anything FOR them." I was reminded this morning of a young 11 year old boy in the neighborhood last summer who stayed after Triangle Park night, and standing there with his bike, asked us to pray for him because a friend's life had been lost just weeks before in a shooting. As we prayed, he cried, and as we talked, the look in his eyes said, "Please let there be some other option for me." Another friend in the neighborhood is a pastor. She's been dealing with several kids who are suicidal, and she's overcome with the hopelessness she's encountering.

I've been thoughtful these days about God's calling on our lives as followers of Jesus. My friend, Heidi, went to Germany this month and she blogged about her trip to Dachau Concentration Camp in Munich. She took a picture of the gate and wrote "it was strange to think that people lived right here next to the camp, going on with everyday life while all of the horror went on beyond the gates… and I’m afraid I would have been one of them if I were in their shoes." I wonder how much of that is true of my life right now. How much I'm going on with everyday life while pain and oppression and evils are going on next door to me.

We talk about how God calls us each uniquely as followers of Jesus. I agree with that, but I'm wondering why it seems in some of the areas of greatest darkness and injustice in our country and world, it seems so few followers are called? And I'm wondering if I was not a Christian and was trying to understand what Christians are called to, what would I find as I went church to church and explored people's lives to get an understanding of calling? And what would I conclude about their Christ as I explored their lives and callings? I think I might conclude that their Christ has written off and cares not for the most vulnerable and marginalized and oppressed due to the statistical findings of what the majority of Christians spend their time, talents, and treasure doing and not doing. (I am included in these statistics.) This, however, seems to conflict with the Christ I read about in the Bible.

The question I am asking Jesus this morning is "How now, then shall I live as your follower in this life that is but a fleeting moment, a vapor? Command my destiny, order my steps, let me heed your calling and not make up my own and call it yours upon my life."

growing our awareness

2011-05-25T06:06:00.003-05:00

Last September, when I left the CCDA conference in Chicago, one of my take-home action steps was to discipline myself to learn more about immigration and the need for immigration reform. There have recently been several blog articles through Sojourners on the topic. If you are also interested in growing your awareness, perhaps you might choose to read one of the articles below:

An Undocumented Student's Message to Obama

A Song and Reflection on Immigration and the Border Town

Audio: An Interview with Two Immigration Advocates from the Sisters of Mercy

The Education of an (Unlikely) Immigrant Advocate

One Pastor's Journey to America

step by step

2011-05-24T05:49:00.002-05:00

Mike and I, along with another friend, hosted a surprise "Stepping into 7th Grade" dinner party for our twins and 12 of their friends and parents the other night. The meal was served "crazy-style" with the kids getting their meal in a mixed-up manner over three courses. Dessert was experienced "team-style" as the kids decorated and ate an ice cream sundae served in a six foot eavestrough, but the best part of the evening for me, was when parents called their children up front and one by one, they publicly affirmed them for the people they've become and the great strides they had taken over the course of their elementary years. It was so beautiful to listen to the different words of love each parent used to describe their kids, and it was so fun to see the students receive such words in front of their peers. I was reminded this night of how life-giving and powerful are words of honor and affirmation.

mushy middle disappearing?

2011-05-20T17:22:00.004-05:00

“What’s happening is secularism and devout religion is growing together. And what’s going away is the kind of mushy middle, where people are just part of the synagogue, the mosque or the church because it’s expected,” said Keller. “So what’s actually happening is polarization.But not only is America becoming more polarized religiously, it is also seeing extreme division in politics."

These are the words of Tim Keller, pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian in NYC (read full article here.) He believes that the person who grew up going to church because it was expected or the cultural norm, is no longer the person going to church. He's claiming that most of those persons are either walking away from the church or they're going to church as a more committed and active follower of Christ.

I'm trying to lay his comments next to a Barna report that shares six megathemes/patterns seen in American Christianity these days. As I read that report and also reflect on Keller's words, these are my thoughts:

I see polarizing happening, but I think a lot of the polarizing is tied up with politics.

And I believe the mushy middle is still very mushy. Barna's report includes "the finding that few adults believe that their faith is meant to be the focal point of their life or to be integrated into every aspect of their existence. Further, a growing majority believe the Holy Spirit is a symbol of God's presence or power, but not a living entity." I would say this is true...which means there's quite a lot of mushy middle.

I think we need a new model. I don't want to be a part of any of those groups. Not those who are walking away, disgusted by what they see Christians to represent. Not those who are polarized in a nationalist-type of Christianity, nor do I want to be lukewarm or mushy.

Perhaps the new model is Jesus. Looking to him, I see a leader whose life reflected the kingdom he represented. He could speak words of challenge, be clear about truth, but at the same time his love and grace for people were over the top. He was all about high expectation, high grace.

Just as churches have become associated over the years to be either "evangelical" or "social justice" (and now we're trying to put proclamation and demonstration back together where they belong), I also think Christians have become either too high expectation without grace (causing a superiority and judgmentalism that has been damaging), or we've become too high grace without clear expectation (causing a mushiness with little transformation). Radical living and loving...I think that's what Jesus would ask of us these days.

the Rapture and teachable moments

2011-05-20T09:00:00.008-05:00

If anything, Harold Camping has certainly spurred some good conversation at our home. Camping, the leader of Family Radio Christian Network, and his organization have predicted that Jesus will come to rapture His Church tomorrow, May 21, 2011. Camping has advertised this Judgment Date on billboards and in press around the globe. Even our local newspaper has jumped on the story (sigh) and it was front page coverage in yesterday's Courier (sigh, sigh). You can read articles here or here.

Amidst the comments from my sixth grade son about today being the last day of school for him in his life, the Cubs not going out very well, and the Miami Heat not being able to seal the championship, we have had some good conversations and opened Scripture to see what the Bible does say about Christ's return. And we've been talking about how we should live as followers of Christ on a daily basis...living in a close, dynamic relationship with Jesus, living a kingdom life with Christ whether that be here on this earth or in eternity beyond, and being prepared at any time for either our earthly death or Christ's return.

It's been good food for thought and conversation....kind of a priorities and values check...to consider the question "If we really knew that the date of either our earthly departure or the world's end was close at hand, what would we change in our lives?" and "Why do we so often live like we have loads of time to change and do things differently anyway?"

seeking things or seeking God?

2011-05-06T21:24:00.004-05:00

"We are seeking things instead of seeking God."

These were some of John Perkins' words during Immersion. They were close again today as I spent three hours with a young man during a prison visit in Ft. Dodge. As I listened to *Marv tell his story, I heard him talk about growing up in Cabrini Green. He lived with both parents, which was a rarity, and he felt like the situation was not all that bad at home. But then he started going to some ministry camps as a kid, being mentored, etc., and Marv saw how others lived with so much more in the area of material goods. He began to long for things. Toward the end of his teens, he came to visit his brother who had moved to Waterloo and was dealing drugs. Marv saw the nice cars, nice clothes, nice electronics, nice stuff, and he wanted it. He fell in line with his brother in order to get such things.

The god of materialism is so prevalent for both rich and the poor in America. The comfort, convenience, and status found in things creates a desire for more and more, newer and better. Speaking as one who would be classified upper-middle class, I know that the lifestyle I've grown accustomed to makes it more difficult for me to give up or give sacrificially. Greed, ease, pleasure, security become roadblocks for me to care more authentically for those who are vulnerable or oppressed in our society and to trust God more with life and resources. I want to give, but I don't want to give up anything in doing so. My self-protection is greater than my love for others.

I see the god of materialism rampantly eating up some people who are considered poor as well. The desire to have things that they see all around them, the desire for status and approval in the world's eyes, the feelings of deprivation, along with unequal opportunity and access, have led some to deal drugs or steal. Some others spend unwisely and wastefully on material items even though finances should have gone toward bills and needs. Comfort, convenience, and status drive the purchasing, and the poor become lured in just the same as the wealthy.

I was just reading a new report out by George Barna Research. It states that areas of growing importance for American adults are lifestyle comfort, success, and personal achievements. These values are being pursued at the expense of faith and family. As I read this, as I look at my own life, and as I observe what's happening in our world in the areas of economics, politics, race relations, I understand why Jesus had more to say about money than any other subject. It seems that the hunger and love for money and things may be the greatest competitor for our hearts.

love is power

2011-05-06T21:15:00.002-05:00

Progress is being made on the mural! Lots of prayers going up for this painted space to stay free from vandalism and graffiti.

Check out www.youthartteam.blogspot.com for many photos of mural making.

finally!

2011-04-30T06:58:00.005-05:00

Finally, a day dry and warm enough for the kids to put the first coat of paint on the mural! It was so fun watching a few members of the Youth Art Team at work. We had some good laughs too. As you can see from a photo above, the paint didn't always go straight from the brush or roller to the wall, and at one point when we were asking the kids if they remembered what words they had chosen to go on the wall, one of the students said, "I love power!" Actually, honey, that's the whole sin problem. The vote was for "Love is Power", the way of Jesus to actually deal with that problem. Lots of joy around the wall today, and the wall looks amazing! Go, Youth Art Team!

The Interlude Dance goes to Haiti

2011-04-27T14:26:00.002-05:00

Picture the Interlude Dance during an Easter Service in Haiti!

If someone would have told me that I was going to spend about 7 hours in church on Easter Sunday in three different worship services and not understand most of what was being said or sung, and the day turned out to be very powerful and exciting, I might have wondered if they knew me very well. Turns out, that was our day. Lots of church, and lots of fun.

After an early breakfast of home-made cinnamon rolls, we walked down the road to UCI's worship center for their 7:00 am Easter Sunday service. These Sunday morning services started only 4 months ago, mostly because several new believers, many of them recent converts from voodoo, had asked for a Sunday morning service of their own. I had a chance to preach, which was a thrill, especially since it was Easter Sunday morning. Before the service was even over, JeanJean, Pat O. and I jumped in the Toyota headed to the Maranatha Church for their morning service. Most Sundays JeanJean travels between both of these churches, preaching and leading worship. Today wasn't planned, but the scheduled pastor was sick, so JeanJean asked me if I'd like to preach again. Why not! It only seemed fair since we've made the Mompremiers run back and forth between several services and classes when they've visited Orchard Hill Church. Pat got a chance to close off the service with a prayer.

Probably the high point of the day for all of us was the special community Easter Service later in the afternoon at the worship center. Choirs and groups from several churches were part of the service, many of them involving youth and teenagers. Some of the youth gave a skit throughout the service of the story of Jesus' death and resurrection. The music was powerful, amazingly energetic, joyful and Spirit-filled. Hard to put into words. It all lasted 3 and a half hours. It could have gone longer, but the sun was going down and people had to walk home. There was one unique part of the service that we contributed to. At the close, after an inspiring word of celebration from JeanJean, he invited everyone (about 450 people) to get up off of their feet and dance in praise of what Jesus has done for us. Then the music began... it was the Interlude song that all of you UNI fans are so familiar with. And our team was right in front leading the dance, along with about 20 students that we had taught the dance to yesterday. How's that for an Easter service closing!

That's all for today. We're all pretty beat, but still smiling. We've got a few full days ahead of us. So, keep us in your prayers.

Love from all of us to all of you.

And Happy Easter! He is risen!

On behalf of the team.... Doug Tensen

our debt is paid

2011-04-22T06:23:00.002-05:00

The most important event of my life happened over 2000 years ago. Thank you, Jesus.

youth art team wraps up inside

2011-04-22T06:03:00.004-05:00

Our last class session of Youth Art Team wrapped up inside last night. Students sketched what they're going to paint on their individual block on the wall.
Nathan counted orders for Youth Art Team notecards. The team has made $320 from the sale of the notecards. This pays for the printing and envelope costs, and for the painting supplies needed.
Students wrote letters to the person they interviewed in the fall, asking if they would like to purchase a set of notecards.
Students and grown-ups bundled notecards into their sets so they could be delivered.
Students finished emailing their teachers an invitation to purchase a set of notecards.

Now....we wait on the weather so that we can go outside to PAINT!!! Wouldn't you know it, the week has been cold, cold, cold and rainy/snowy here in Iowa in the middle of April!

Check out a much cooler chronicle of Youth Art Team at www.youthartteam.blogspot.com

Picnic in the Park

2011-04-20T16:49:00.002-05:00

This video was made in the summer of 2009. We're now gearing up for our 3rd summer/fall of Picnic in the Park (PIP) with Harvest Vineyard in Lincoln Park. Come be a part...the first and third Sundays of the month, June through October!