Living Space for Advent

I arrived home in California this past Saturday. It is so good to be with family and friends!

Amidst all the busy preparations to leave Buenos Aires and now the full days here in California, I have struggled to find space and focus for Advent so far this season. Yesterday I discovered a new website that was just what I needed! I have been a fan of Sacred Space, a prayer site run by the Irish Jesuits. Now Living Space is an additional blog by the same people. It includes daily scripture readings with related commentary and reflection. The Sunday readings are from the Revised Common Lectionary during Advent.

I look forward to following along this remaining Advent and Christmas season.

Check it out….
http://www.sacredspace.ie/spaces/area/livingspace

making space for advent

It’s that time again! Hard to believe that Advent begins in less than two weeks on Sunday, November 30. Over the past few years Advent has become a significant and meaningful season on my annual rhythm of life. Last year I had extra time and space to read, contemplate, and share on Advent on this blog.

This year I am looking forward to beginning Advent with the community here in Buenos Aires. On the first Sunday of Advent our community of North Americans and Argentine partners will gather together to worship, meditate on scripture, and pray. We will not only light the first candle of HOPE in the Advent wreath, but we will also light other candles as we remember and pray for our friends who live and work on the streets.

Our time will include this Advent meditation prayer and video by Christine Sine shared on her GodSpace blog. We are hoping to translate it in Spanish.
http://godspace.wordpress.com/2008/11/06/a-new-advent-meditation/

I will then spend the remaining weeks of Advent and the Christmas season in California with family and friends. I am hoping to make adequate space for Advent during those busy weeks!

I thought I would post some Advent links that I have found helpful in recent years. If you know of any additional resources, please share them in “comments” here!

CRI/Voice - The Season of Advent: Anticipation and Hope
www.crivoice.org/cyadvent.html

CRI/Voice - Daily Scripture Readings for Advent
(Book of Common Prayer – Year One)
http://www.crivoice.org/advent1.html

Sacred Space Advent
(Includes Advent Retreat & Other Links)
http://www.sacredspace.ie/advent/

Living Space Reflections
http://www.sacredspace.ie/livingspace/SundayArchive/index.htm

GodSpace Blog
(Christine Sine has shared some great Advent reflections and liturgies in the past.)
http://godspace.wordpress.com/

back from peru

I returned home to Buenos Aires almost two weeks ago from our WMF South America Regional Retreat! It was a sweet time with friends from Peru, Bolivia, and Brasil! We worshipped, we listened, we learned, and we celebrated!

WMF South America - All of us!

Representing Argentina!

off to peru

Early Saturday I am off to Peru for the WMF South America Regional Retreat in Huanchaco Beach in the northern city of Trujillo, Peru. These regional retreats happen every three years. I am really looking forward to this time with our WMF communities from Bolivia, Brasil, and Peru. It will be great to have some beach time, as well! After the retreat I will spend a few extra days in Lima taking in all God is doing there. I will be back in Buenos Aires on November 5.

We have posted some new prayer requests for Argentina if you want to check them out, click here.

It really does feel like spring here. We have had several consecutive days of warm temps and sunshine! It felt good to finally pack aside some of my warmer clothes! I am loving being outside and exploring new places in the city when I have time. Last weekend we "sprung ahead" our clocks an hour, which now makes it a five-hour time difference from California. When California "falls back" and hour next weekend, we will then have a six-hour time difference. (In case you care!)

See you in November!

sari bari blankets & bags now for sale online!

I have written about Sari Bari in Kolkata, India several times on my blog. Just wanted to pass on the link where you can now purchase these blankets and bags online. They always go fast!

From the website:
Sari Bari is a safe home where women, who have been exploited in the sex trade, can have their dignity restored and experience new life in the making.
Each of our products made from the Indian sari is marked with a woman's name, a woman who now has the opportunity to make a choice for freedom and new life.

For more info click here: http://www.saribari.com/

Prayers & Creeds

Awhile back I posted a link to Prayers & Creeds on my sidebar. Those who started the blog in South Africa offer this invitation, “Several of us with an appreciation for the creeds and prayers of the Church decided to create this site. We would love for you to say these with us each day - joining others around the globe in worship through liturgy.”

Beginning today, I am the new Friday contributor to the blog. Every Friday I will post a prayer or creed from scripture or ancient and contemporary communities and saints. I am looking forward to being a part of this and invite you to pray with us! I begin with Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians which has recently been my prayer in abiding for friends here in Buenos Aires and around the world.

Click here - http://prayersandcreeds.wordpress.com/

merienda y otras cosas...

It is 7:00 PM and I just finished some Spanish review, while drinking mate and snacking on some galletitas (little cookies). Outside the drum line is marching down my street near “Caminito” (the tourist area of La Boca), which a regular sound of life here...along with the city buses (“the 29”) pulling out of the parking lot across the street every 10 minutes or so! I will start making dinner around 7:30 PM. It occurred to me how some Argentine customs have become normal for me in just six-months. Here are just a few highlights…

1) Mate – For more on mate, click here. I have always enjoyed drinking mate, especially when shared with friends. However, it is now becoming a regular part of my day and I crave it in the late-afternoons. (Coffee still rules the mornings!) We usually take mate to drink with the youth at the train station when we spend time with them in the late-afternoons.
2) Merienda – Between about 5-7 PM Argentines enjoy hot drinks like coffee, mate, or tea. Often the hot drink of choice is accompanied with a little something sweet, like galletitas (small cookies), alfajores (chocolate covered biscuits with a sweet filling in between), or facturas (small pastries). There is also the not so sweet option of crackers and cheese.
3) Dinner Time – Argentines eat late! It is common to eat dinner around 9-10 PM. Restaurants don’t even open until 8:00 PM. And restaurants are fullest around 10-11 PM (especially on the weekends). I can’t say I have embraced a 10:00 dinnertime yet, but I do usually eat around 8:00 or 8:30.
4) Greeting with a Kiss – It is common in many Latin American countries for men & women and women & women to greet one another with a kiss on the cheek. Here in Argentina the same goes for men & men. Nowadays, the “bro snap/slap handshake” or the “bro hug” with the joint pat on the back seem a little awkward to me. But, I think I better relearn them quick when I visit home in December…or I may come back to Argentina with some shiners.

Okay, there are just a few for starters! I am really looking forward to warmer temps when I can enjoy some spring and summer time culture outside in the plazas and parks! Spring arrives Monday!

Off to start making dinner…

sneak peek

Here's a sneak peek at my October prayer letter on the WMF website. If you would like to be added to my snail mail mailing list, just let me know!
October Prayer Letter - Click Here.

uruguay

I returned from Colonia, Uruguay on Wednesday. It was a restful and refreshing few days, which included some warmer weather. Colonia is a historic town on the coast of the Rio de la Plata. It was a great few days of rest and retreat. Colonia was full of lots of favorite "something about" things that were very refreshing.

I returned with a fresh Argentina stamp in my passport, which starts fresh my visa for another six-months.

I went a little camera crazy...here are some of the sights I soaked it!

visa run

This will be a quick one from Colonia, Uruguay. (My laptop battery is running low.) My Argentina visa lasts only six-months. I then have to start fresh by leaving the country and returning. The closest border is across the water in Uruguay. So, today I took a three-hour boat ride to this cool, historic, waterfront town called Colonia. I will take advantage of the visa run for some space for rest and retreat outside the busy city. I can’t believe I have been here six-months. It will be good to take a step back for a couple days and reflect on all God has had for me so far.

Here is the Wikipedia link for Colonia: http://wikipedia.org/wiki/Colonia_del_Sacramento

To top things off, it was a warm day! I pulled out the shorts and flip-flops. My feet were loving the fresh air, coastal breezes, and warm sun! And so was I!!!

I hope to blog again soon…as long as I can find the right adapter for the electricity here!

today

Today was the memorial celebration for my grandfather in California. While I miss being there with my family during this time, God has provided so much comforting love and care from family and friends here and at home. So many caring emails and e-cards these past couple of weeks have meant to much. The Forcattos, Deans, and the community here have loved me well these past two weeks and today!

Today during the service I was just about to put on my ipod and listen to my favorite hymn cd from Dorothy Collins ("Jazz Hymns"), since my grandpa enjoyed hymns had picked out some favorites for the service awhile back. Just as I was getting the headphones untangled...my lifelong friend, Matt Archuleta sent me an instant message from his iphone at the memorial service...sending his love and prayers and saying he would give my family a big hug from me! :) Matt then emailed me the below photo of the beginning of the service from his iphone. The honor guard had just presented my grandma with a flag to honor my grandpa's years of service in the army during World War II....grandpa was a Pearl Harbor Survivor and also fought in Europe. Taps was being played at this moment of the photo. This was, especially, meaningful since grandpa was a bugler in the army and a cousin, Russell, played it on the trumpet!

The combination of hearing Dorothy's familiar, comfortable voice singing hymns and this one photo from Matt, triggered the tears! Good tears of sweet sorrow! God provided just what I needed, at the right time! (Gotta love technology!)

Sweet Sorrow

Tomorrow is my grandfather's memorial celebration in California. My grandma wrote this poem years ago. It will be read at the service and printed on the memorial program. What a testimony to God's faithfulness and promises, as my grandma and our family experience God's grace, peace, and comfort in the sorrow!

Sweet Sorrow
By Fay Hutchens

Abundant grace God gives to us,
When there is a special need;
With tender love and understanding,
Each problem He will heed.

He calms the heart with gentle peace,
When loved ones from us go!
Learn to trust His perfect timing,
Because He loves us so.

When sorrow floods the human heart,
With memories of the past;
He reaches down to bless His child,
Giving assurance that will last.

Rejoice! for they are home in Heaven,
Released from earthly pains;
And someday are will meet them there,
Where Christ, our Savior, reigns.

So for today He’ll renew our strength,
As we plan for that tomorrow;
Keeping true to His every Promise,
Through our joys or sweet sorrow.

la boca pad pics

Finally! After two months in my new place, I am getting around to posting some pics. My digs in La Boca has quickly become home. I live just a short walk away from both the Forcattos and Deans, also serving with WMF. I am enjoying the new neighborhood!

I'm testing this new photo album option out. But, I think you can see the captions along with the photos by clicking "View Album."

View Album

Get your own

prayers & creeds

I have enjoyed praying some ancient and recent prayers from the blog, Prayers & Creeds. New prayers and liturgies are posted each day. There is something cool about joining others around the world in sharing in these prayers. I have also added the link to my blogroll on the side.

Homecoming for Grandpa Hutch

Early this morning my grandpa went home to be with Jesus. He passed away peacefully at home at 1:30 am with my grandma by his side. Grandpa was ready to go to heaven after several months of declining health. He was bedridden at home since mid-June. The past week was filled with special, comforting moments for my family as grandpa expressed that Jesus was talking to him and holding his hand. A couple nights ago, he said, “glory, glory” and told my grandma he saw angels.

While I am very sad to be away from home to share tears and celebrate his life with my family, I am grateful for special memories shared with my grandfather these past few years in between my travels and before my move to Argentina. I am thankful for the gift of memories and time shared with my grandparents, growing up about 15-minutes away.

My Grandpa Hutchens was known as “Hutch” since his days in the army. He was a Pearl Harbor Survivor, experiencing the attacks on Pearl Harbor and fighting in WWII in both the Pacific and Europe. He will be deeply missed by family, friends, and his remaining army buddies. We are comforted and have hope in knowing he is in the presence of Jesus and we will see him again!

photo memories with my grandpa

Family Photo taken in January 2007. We are so thankful we took this photo, as both my grandpa and Uncle Don (in the center with the denim shirt) are no longer with us.

Me and grandpa this past Christmas 2007

Here's Great Grandpa with my nieces and nephew this past March just before I left for Buenos Aires.

still here....

In case anyone still checks my blog after over a month absence….I’m still here and really do hope to get back into blogging and writing more soon. I know I keep saying that. For some reason, it has been difficult to find time and space to write on a more consistent basis. Don’t give up on me…hopefully, soon! I do miss it.

Thank you to all who have been praying for my grandfather and family. My grandpa’s health has been declining fast these recent weeks. The hospice nurse told my family yesterday that she believes he has 1-2 weeks left before passing. He is so ready to go to heaven! I was able to quickly speak with him about two weeks ago, which was special. He recently told my mom that Jesus holds his hand. It is a comfort to know that grandpa is experiencing God’s presence near him during these final days. Please pray for him and my grandma, who is caring for him full-time at home with the help of hospice. She is tired. It is hard to be away during times like this. But, God continues to give my family all comfort and peace across the miles. And Skype sure helps us stay in touch along the way!!

The Dean family returned to our community here in Buenos Aires this past weekend after a leave of absence! The doctors in the U.S. confirmed that Jordan is experiencing febrile seizures. They will continue to be an issue and concern when Jordan is sick with a fever, but they ruled out any longer term health issues and complications. He should out grow these seizures in a few years. We are happy to have them all back with us and look forward to sharing life, community, and mission once again. Thanks for your prayers!

I do hope to share more soon, but I at least wanted to post these prayer updates for now.

three months!

Last weekend marked three months here in Buenos Aires. I am settling into my new pad and it is already feeling like home. It has been fun to be live in the same hood as the Forcattos. Hopefully, I will have my phone and internet up and running this week, so I can get back to blogging and keeping up with emails more regularly.

Tomorrow I will take some time out for a 24-hour personal retreat at a retreat center here in the city. I was recently reminded of the importance of retreat in the book “Invitation to a Journey: A Roadmap for Spiritual Formation” by Robert Mulholland, which we are reading together as a community. “Retreat is the discipline of setting apart time, individually or corporately, to step aside from the normal flow of life and give God our full and undivided attention…we also need special times in which we allow God to help us reevaluate the whole structure of our life in Christ. We need to stand aside from discipleship so as to be able to see more clearly the direction in which we are going and the course corrections God would have us to make.”

Making space for retreat after three-months seems like perfect timing for some extended time with God to step aside and give space to evaluate, adjust, and cultivate how I am living out a rhythm of abiding, community, and mission. It took just about three months to feel more settled, find my way around, communicate a little better in Spanish, and begin to get into a weekly routine. I know there is a lot more learning and adjusting ahead! Really I see this first year as my “apprenticeship” year giving space to learn, discern, and grow into my vocation/call here. I think retreats every three months this first year will be valuable and essential space in the process of apprenticeship this year one!

Please continue to pray for the Dean family. They are in the United States seeing doctors for Jordan’s seizures. There are some important appointments and tests coming up this week. Please pray that these tests will give more clear diagnosis and clarity. Please pray that they would experience God’s nearness and discernment during this season. They are missed here

yep, i'm still here...

...but still internet challenged! I am all moved into my new pad in La Boca. I am enjoying my new home and hood! But, I have limited internet time for a couple more weeks until I get it set up at home. Then I will be back in the blogging game! Until then...I will be MIA for a little while longer.

pray for south africa!

Violence in South Africa continues to escalate against people who “foreigners” in South Africa. Most of these people have come to South Africa from other African countries. There are many, many reasons. Many come to escape war, oppression, suffering, and poverty. Some of my South African friends in Cape Town use the term “xenophobic attacks” to describe what is happening (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xenophobia).

Here is the latest BBC article on the spread of the violence and tension in Cape Town today: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7416256.stm.

Please pray for The Warehouse (http://www.warehouse.org.za) and SHADE (http://www.shade.org.za) communities as they seek to respond and stand up against the violence, fear, and hate. I spent time with these communities when I was in Cape Town and learned so much from them. The Warehouse is now responding to provide shelter for people looking for safety and fearing attacks on themselves and families. It sounds like the situation is worsening by the hour, as families are being chased out of their homes.

Please join me in prayer!

new pad in la boca!

I have hesitated to share much about my new apartment, since you never know how things will go. But, as of today, it is looking like a pretty sure thing! (After the owner/landlord’s questions on why a norteamericano would choose to live in this low income neighborhood and wonder about my pay stub salary. ha!) We sign the contract tomorrow and I move in next Monday and Tuesday! Thank you, Lord! It is a great one bedroom apartment in the La Boca neighborhood. Both the Deans and the Forcattos are within 10-minute walking distance. It was the first place I looked at….thanks to Walter spotting it on the way to Cora’s school one day. I think it will be a nice place to make home and the location is perfect! The historic and colorful section of La Boca is a tourist destination here, but the Lonely Planet tourist guide is quick to warn tourists to stay safe by not straying off or exploring without an “experienced guide.”

Looking forward to all God has ahead in my new “hood”! I’ll post pictures after I am settled in.

The next few days will be busy getting some furniture and essentials for the apartment. It will probably take awhile to get phone and internet connected at the new place, so I imagine I will be even more MIA then usual. Hopefully, I will be back in the blogging game before too long.

PS - For a sneak peek at my June prayer letter...click here. Although it won't be a lot of new info to blog readers. :)

may prayer request

New Argentina community prayer requests for May have been posted on the WMF website.
Click here.

another saturday...

Has it really been two weeks since my last blog post? The weeks continue to zoom by. I have been fighting some kind of cold/bug these past couple of weeks, as well as a stomach bug last weekend. Prayerfully, I will begin this week ahead healthy with more energy!

This past week I found an apartment that seems ideal! It is a great one-bedroom place in La Boca, the same neighborhood where the Forcattos and Deans live. I will be within walking distance from them. (Right now, I allow 30-minutes by bus.) The paperwork and approval process has begun and will probably take a week or two. Pray that all goes smoothly! This apartment will be hard to beat! Now the fun (stress) begins in furnishing it with essentials….mattress, futon, fridge, stove/oven, kitchen supplies, and a space heater (for the winter cold ahead). Plus, a lot of other odds and ends I know I will need! Thankfully, furniture stores deliver here.

Tomorrow is Penetcost Sunday, when we celebrate the outpouring of the Holy Spirit after Jesus’ ascension to heaven. Once again, N.T. Wright has some good words from his book Simply Christian: Why Christianity Makes Sense. I will close this brief update with a few quotes…I’m off to shop for my new pad!

“The Holy Spirit and the task of the church. The two walk together, hand and hand. We can’t talk about them apart….But the point of the Spirit is to enable those who follow Jesus to take into all the world the news that he is Lord, that he has won the victory over the forces of evil, that a new world has opened up, that we are to make it happen.”

“The wind, fire, and the brooding bird are given to enable the church to be the church – in other words, to enable God’s people to be God’s people. This has a surprising and dramatic effect. The Spirit is given so that we ordinary mortals can become, in a measure, what Jesus himself was: part of God’s future arriving in the present; a place where heaven and earth meet; the means of God’s kingdom going ahead. The Spirit is given, in fact, so that the church can share in the life and continuing work of Jesus himself, now that he had gone into God’s dimension – that is heaven.”

“The Spirit is given to begin the work of making God’s future real in the present.”

autumn saturday

Looks like I have been “missing in action” for two weeks in the blogger’sphere. Where did the two weeks go? As it turns out, “time flies” here in the Southern Hemisphere too. Between full weeks and battling some sort of cold or allergy (possibly brought on by smoke in the city last week from rural fires a few hours away), I haven’t found time to write much. This Saturday morning was the first morning I have felt good and rested enough to enjoy some downtime.

Today really feels like autumn...the air is crisp (and thankfully now smoke free!). I am feeling refreshed! Some of the leaves on the trees are actually changing color. The Deans moved into their new house last week. Jeremiah commented that he did not expect to be racking/sweeping leaves here. We will see how this so cal boy adjusts to the dropping temps in the weeks and months ahead.

Six weeks into life and ministry here, the rhythm and routine of the week is beginning to take more shape. I am still working it all through and trying to find the best way to make it all flow. But, here is just a brief “work in progress” snapshot of what some of my weekdays looks like…
- Monday - Spanish tutoring & study
- Tuesdays - Staff meeting; time on the streets with the youth (and/or Friday)
- Wednesdays – Spanish tutoring; day with the youth at the church community center
- Thursdays – Spanish tutoring & study
- Friday – Spiritual Formation with WMF North American community; time on the streets with the youth (and/or Tuesday)

In between there is a lot of getting around via foot and public transport, reading, settling in, planning, etc. I am also taking the lead on facilitating the North American WMF community here through a process of spiritual formation which will include covenant to one another after our first year sharing life and ministry together. It has been an exciting role for me to jump into and opportunity to integrate all God has shaped and formed into me these past few years. I am enjoying working closely with Adriana on this, as she provides the valuable experience and essential context. But more on this later.

I hope to get back into a blogging groove soon and share some more regular updates and reflections…I know, I keep saying that. Specifically, I hope to write more soon on my first experiences with the youth here.

Until soon….

mate

The Forcattos welcomed me to Argentina with a mate gourd! Mate is the traditional hot drink of Argentina. Over years of friendship with Walter and Adriana I have shared mate at many of their family gatherings in California. So, I have acquired a taste and appreciation for the drink and custom. It is a drink shared with family and friends. It is a staple here throughout the day...casually hanging out or during meetings, etc. Walter beings his mate, yerba, and thermos of hot water with him regularly when we spend time with the youth on the streets. Serving mate is an art and a science. Here are eight steps I found online. Below is a description from Wikipedia.

"Mate is traditionally drunk in a particular social setting, such as family gatherings or with friends. One person (known in Spanish as the cebador) assumes the task of server. Typically, the cebador fills the gourd and drinks the mate completely to ensure that it is free of particulate matter and of good quality. In some places passing the first brew of mate to another drinker is considered bad manners, as it may be too hot or too strong; for this reason the first brew is often called mate del zonzo (mate of the fool). The cebador subsequently refills the gourd and passes it to the next drinker who likewise drinks it all, without thanking the server. The ritual proceeds around the circle in this fashion until the mate becomes lavado ("washed out" or "flat"), typically after the gourd has been filled about ten times or more depending on the yerba used (well-aged yerba mate is typically more potent, and therefore provides a greater number of refills) and the ability of the cebador. When one has had his fill of mate, he or she politely thanks the cebador passing the mate back at the same time.

The drink has a pungent taste like a cross between green tea and coffee, with hints of tobacco and oak. Some drinkers like to add sugar or honey, creating mate dulce (sweet mate), instead of sugarless mate amargo (bitter mate). It is considered bad for the gourd (especially for the natural (squash or wood) ones) to be used for mate dulce so it is normal for households with drinkers of both kinds to have two separate gourds."

one month in buenos aires!

Tomorrow I have been here one full month! God continues to go before me...day by day, step by step!

April prayer requests for the Buenos Aires community and ministry have just been posted on the WMF website. Click here to check them out.

Here is a picture of the argentinos and norteamericanos (minus Jeremiah) serving among the youth on the streets here. Last Saturday we met together to discern, envision, and pray about what God has ahead. Our Argentine friends from the church here are committed to the youth and open the church doors on Wednesdays for fellowship and community. We kicked things off on this past Wednesday. We had a fun time of friendship, sharing a meal, and some ping pong. I helped prepare the spaghetti lunch...my goal of improving my cooking skills. Just call me "Cocinero David." HA!

Prayer for Eastertide....Third Sunday of Easter

This prayer is adapted from The Book of Common Prayer for Resurrection Sunday. I think it is a good one to take hold of throughout the Eastertide season…

An Easter Prayer (Adapted from The Book of Common Prayer)
O God, who for our redemption gave your only begotten Son to death on the Cross, and by his glorious resurrection has delivered us from the power of our enemy: Grant that we who celebrate with joy the day of our Lord’s resurrection, may be raised from the death of sin by your life-giving Spirit. Grant us so to die daily to sin, that we may evermore live with him in the joy of his resurrection, empowered and transformed by your grace in and among us.

O Lord, so stir up in your church, indeed in each of us, that Spirit of adoption and reconciliation that is made possible by your grace revealed in Jesus the Christ, that we being renewed in both body and mind, may worship and serve you in sincerity and truth. We pray this in the name of the same Jesus Christ our Lord who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

living the resurrection in kroo bay...

As I consider living the resurrection more fully, it is the example of my friends in Freetown, Sierra Leone who inspire me with the hope of new life they live out and share in the slum community of Kroo Bay. This article captures my own experiences in Freetown well and my admiration for Noah Tullay and the community there.

The Echo of a Saint: Signs of Hope in a Slum Community by Chris Heuertz

learning to listen...

Yikes, another week has come and gone without a lot of blogging. I have now been in Buenos Aires for three weeks and the days continue to fly by! The days continue to be filled with Spanish tutoring and studying, finding my way around, learning public transport routes, and just learning the culture here. I am making progress! Each day seems to get a little more familiar and routine. This week I went with Walter to “el calle” (“the street”) to visit the youth for the first time. I know better then to go with any expectations. Each day ministering on the streets is different and you never know what to expect, especially those first times. The only predictable thing for me is that it will be awkward and a little uncomfortable those first visits getting to know the youth and their culture.

I also knew that I could not expect the experience and culture among the kids to be the same as other places I have visited, especially my time in Rio. One of my biggest intimidations is playing soccer/futbol with the youth! My lack of skill got me kicked off the field in Lima, Peru. Believe it or not…in Brasil it was not an issue. The places we hung out did not have space to kick around a futbol. Not so here! As soon as we got to the plaza park with the youth, a few of the youth invited me to play futbol. It wasn’t a regular futbol game. It involved quite a few rules including heading the ball into the goal or kicking it in with some special fancy footwork. So, not only did I lack any skill, but I did not understand the rules or Spanish. Thankfully, Walter helped translate some of the key rules to save me a little embarrassment. The few guys were great and very gracious to the new guy without a clue! It was cool to see them interacting and having fun, especially when the goalie got kicked in the butt by each person when they missed a certain number of goals. Needless to say, I got my fair share!

Overall, it was a good first day with new friends! I look forward to how God will continue to grow relationships and opportunities to grow into serving among the youth on the streets here.

So…learning to listen! It occurred to me this morning on my way to Spanish tutoring that I need to learn to listen in Spanish. As important as vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation are, I need to learn how to listen and hear the language. God has been teaching me a lot on how to listen to Him and listen to others more deeply. Listening to God, Scripture, one another, and a new language does not always come naturally or easily. It takes attention and discipline! Anyway, it was a good lesson and analogy for me this morning. I’ll keep you posted.

There is so much more to share, but I am tired and want to chill for awhile with Sufjan Stevens on my ipod and my glass of Argentina vino! More soon! Chau for now!

Eastertide...Living the Resurrection!

The season of Eastertide lasts fifty days from Easter Sunday until Pentecost Sunday, which falls on May 11 this year. I wonder why the church does not seem to put as much emphasis on this season as Advent or Lent? Maybe we have “church calendar’itis” from the intentionality of making space for Advent and Lent? I’m not sure? But, I do find myself yearning for more celebration and reflection in the resurrection and new life! As joyous as Easter Sunday is, one day just doesn’t seem adequate to celebrate, rejoice, and make space to live the resurrection more fully! Of course, we need to live the resurrection all year long, but Eastertide can be a meaningful season to do that more deeply. I also think we “shortchange” Pentecost and the arrival of the Holy Spirit, the Advocate, Jesus promises to his disciples and us.

This quote from N.T. Wright continues to resonate with me this Easter season:
“So how can we learn to live as wide-awake people, as Easter people?… In particular if Lent is a time to give things up, Easter ought to be a time to take things up…. If Calvary means putting to death things in your life that need killing off if you are to flourish as a Christian and as a truly human being, then Easter should mean planting, watering, and training up things in your life (personal and corporate) that ought to be blossoming, filling the garden with color and perfume and in due course bearing fruit… Jesus resurrection is the beginning of God’s new project not to snatch people away from earth to heaven but to colonize earth with the life of heaven.”
(Surprised by Hope: Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church by N.T.Wright)

Wright’s reflection, along with Romans 6 and some other readings, have brought two questions to the surface this Eastertide:
1) What do I need to die to in order to more deeply fulfill God’s calling on my life?
2) What do I need to take up in order to more deeply fulfill God’s calling on my life?

These are lifelong, yearlong questions! But they seem especially relevant to the seasons of Lent and Eastertide. During Lent we are extra attentive to the sin we need to die to. During Eastertide it seems especially timely to consider all we need to take up, plant, water, and cultivate to more fully live the resurrection and represent new life!

I pray that I can give as much intention and attention to Eastertide this year, as Advent and Lent. I would love to hear how the Holy Spirit is cultivating new life in and through you. What Scriptures, reflections, and lessons inspire and challenge you to more fully live the resurrection this Eastertide?!

Christ the Lord Is Risen Today

Cristo ha resucitado! En verdad, esta resucitado!

Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia!
Earth and heaven in chorus say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply, Alleluia!

Love's redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids him rise, Alleluia!
Christ has opened paradise, Alleluia!

Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!
Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!
Once he died our souls to save, Alleluia!
Where's thy victory, boasting grave? Alleluia!

Soar we now where Christ has led, Alleluia!
Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like him, like him we rise, Alleluia!
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!

Hail the Lord of earth and heaven, Alleluia!
Praise to thee by both be given, Alleluia!
Thee we greet triumphant now, Alleluia!
Hail the Resurrection, thou, Alleluia!

King of glory, soul of bliss, Alleluia!
Everlasting life is this, Alleluia!
Thee to know, thy power to prove, Alleluia!
Thus to sing, and thus to love, Alleluia!
~ John Wesley

Holy Saturday

I continue to find reflection this church year with a book that follows the seasons and traditions of one Benedictine monastery. The section on Easter details worship during Holy Week. I especially found the following quote on Holy Saturday helpful and meaningful.

“Holy Saturday follows, called ‘the most blessed Sabbath on which Christ sleeps,’ by the Liturgy. I am particularly fond of Holy Saturday. In a way, it is even quieter than Good Friday, since no liturgy is celebrated, but we share both in the sorrow of the Passion and burial of Jesus and in the anticipated joy of the Resurrection. An Eastern Byzantine text poignantly conveys the mystery of Holy Saturday:

'O happy tomb! You received within yourself
the Creator and the Author of life.
O strange wonder! He who dwells on high
is sealed beneath the earth with his own consent.'

The stillness, the deep silence, and the peace we experience on Holy Saturday, keeping watch by the tomb of Christ, is perhaps the best preparation for the explosive, all-powerful joy of the Resurrection. Very often in life, we are likewise led through loss and sorrow to a new phase of peace and understanding that ultimately culminates in deep joy.”
(Monastic Year: Reflections from a Monastery, Brother Victor-Antoine D’Avila-Latourrette)

under construction...

Tonight I decided to switch it up and give the blog a new look. Kick off life here with a new template. Simple and easy, right? Opps! What I neglected to realize is all my sidebar links would disappear...so, the blog extreme makeover will be a work in progress. I'll work on getting them back up soon!

Good Friday

Last night I came home from dinner and watching The Passion of the Christ with the Deans just a few minutes before midnight. Just across the street and outside my window is a historic church, San Pedro Telmo built by the Jesuits in 1733. As I was getting ready for bed, I heard singing outside. I looked outside the window and there was a fairly large crowd singing outside the church to begin Good Friday. It was a meaningful close to my mediations on the Stations of the Cross this Lent. Later this afternoon I will go back to the Deans and we will go through a portion of the Book of Common Prayer Good Friday liturgy. Tonight I will attend a Good Friday communion service at the church.

On another note, I would appreciate prayers for my grandfather who is 85. He had two intensive care hospital visits late last year and he has never fully regained his health and strength. His heart is extremely weak and has an irregular heartbeat. Most recently this last month he was fighting a bad virus, so the doctors are giving him extra attention right now. Please pray for his health and God’s strength for both him and my grandma. I know they are tired and discouraged at times.

Here are a couple pics of the church outside my window and balcony.

connecting lent and easter

Yesterday I got internet going at my temporary apartment here in Buneos Aires. This should make it easier to get back into a blogging groove these weeks ahead. I continue to find writing and blogging a helpful way to process and reflect...whether anyone actually reads this stuff or not. :)

Amidst the busy activity of preparing to leave Argentina, I spent time this Lent season in the Stations of the Cross. Scriptures of Jesus’ arrest, trial, and crucifixion, along with a couple resources guided my meditations these past several weeks of Lent. Thursday night I will bring my way of the cross Lenten journey to a close and watch The Passion of the Christ with the Jeremiah and Jennifer. (The Forcattos are out of town for a few days spending time with Walter’s parents who are here visiting Argentina.) The film is center around the traditional Stations of the Cross. Today in my exploring of the city, I visited the downtown Cathedral. The Cathedral had some very old, beautiful, and detailed Stations of the Cross paintings around church. I spent time observing the people surrounding Jesus and their different reactions to him and his cross. However, I did notice how sanitized and clean Jesus was in these paintings. Not a drop of blood on him from the beatings that proceeded his carrying his cross to Golgotha. Even the crown of thorns seemed to sit gently on his head. He actually looked pretty capable of carrying the cross without falling down or needing assistance. The paintings were a pretty big contrast to the reality represented in The Passion.

I have been contemplating Romans 6:1-14 this Passion Week in preparation for Good Friday and Easter. “If we have been united with him in death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his…Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him” Romans 6:5, 8. While Lent and Good Friday gives space for self-examination to more deeply grasp our death to sin because of Christ’s work on the cross, Resurrection Sunday reminds us of the new life and hope we also share in Christ.

In my blog surfing this week, I found a great quote from N.T. Wright on Christine Sine’s Godspace blog….

“So how can we learn to live as wide-awake people, as Easter people?… In particular if Lent is a time to give things up, Easter ought to be a time to take things up…. If Calvary means putting to death things in your life that need killing off if you are to flourish as a Christian and as a truly human being, then Easter should mean planting, watering, and training up things in your life (personal and corporate) that ought to be blossoming, filling the garden with color and perfume and in due course bearing fruit… Jesus resurrection is the beginning of God’s new project not to snatch people away from earth to heaven but to colonize earth with the life of heaven.”
(Surprised by Hope: Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church by N.T.Wright)

(Looks like I have one more book to get my hands on this year!) These words of Wright helped me connect the dots of Lent and Easter...The death to sin and resurrection of new life we share with Christ that we read about in Romans 6. Really timely connections points as I continue in my themes of hope, reconciliation, and new life this year. Especially good stuff to contemplate and soak in this Holy Weekend ahead! As Lent draws to a close and Good Friday is upon us, may our year-round season of living the Resurrection take deeper root in our hearts and impact the way we live and share the Kingdom with those around us!

here in buenos aires!

This will be a quick post from an internet cafe. I (and my bags) all arrived in Buneos Aires safe and sound on Friday morning! I arrived to the welcome arms of the community here. It was so great to see the Forcattos and the Deans. The temporary apartment that Adriana found for me is perfect for two months, while I look for a more permanant place. These first days will be spent orientating myself to the neighborhood, public transport, shopping, etc. More soon as I settle in here! Thanks for your prayers!!

one week countdown

Looks like I've been MIA on my blog in recent days. I imagine I will not have a lot of time to write and post during my final days at home. I leave for Argentina in one week on March 13. My sister, nieces, and nephew arrive tomorrow. So...between family time, packing, and last minute preparations, I think blogging will be on the back burner these days ahead. I'll be back. I look forward to sharing all that is ahead...learning and settling into life and community in Buenos Aires!

twenty pounds of books

So far, my biggest packing dilemma has been deciding what books to take with me to Argentina. I think I am coming closer to a final list. Actually, this list is probably a little ambitious for me to complete in 2008. But, one can always dream big! I just weighed the stack in at 20 pounds! Let the packing games begin!

- God of the Empty Handed, Jayakumar Christian
- Community & Growth, Jean Vanier
- The Prophetic Imagination, Walter Brueggemann
- Let Your Life Speak, Parker Palmer
- Invitation to a Journey: A Road Map for Spiritual Formation, Robert Mulholland
- Catch Your Breath: God’s Invitation to Sabbath Rest, Don Postema
- Sacred Listening: Discovering the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius Loyola, James Wakefield
- Monastic Year: Reflections from a Monastery, Brother Victor-Antoine D’Avila-Latourrette
- Come Be My Light: The Private Writings of the Saint of Calcutta, Mother Teresa
- Fire Within: St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, and the Gospel on Prayer, Thomas Dubay
- The Jesus Way: A Conversation on the Ways that Jesus Is the Way, Eugene Peterson
- Spiritual Formation of Leaders, Chuck Miller
- The Rule of Benedict: Insights for the Ages, Sister Joan Chittister
- Spiritual Theology, A Systematic Study of the Christian Life, Simon Chan
- Simply Christian, NT Wright
- Blood Brothers, Elias Chacour
- The Hobbit, J.R.R. Tolkien
- Prince Caspian, C.S. Lewis
- More-with-Less Cookbook
- Extending the Table Cookbook
- Lonely Planet Argentina
- Lonely Planet Buenos Aires
- Spanish-English Bible

currently reading...

I just started reading The Spiritual Formation of Leaders by Chuck Miller. Chuck was one of the mentors of The Journey retreats I participated in recently. Some of my friends will recognize the "pitcher/cup...saucer/plate" paradigm on the cover of the book that comes from Chuck. I am just a few chapters into the book and already realizing how deep his mentoring and priorities in following Jesus have shaped my life these past few years. I am looking forward to diving into this book as I pack and prepare to leave for Argentina in just a few weeks. Great timing!

ticket in hand!

I am now officially on my way to Buenos Aires, Argentina! I leave March 13 and will be there in time for Easter Week! I am grateful for God’s provision and look forward to being a part of all He is doing in Buenos Aires.

I have carried this Psalm and Lament (along with a few other anchor Scriptures) with me these past two years. I have found rest and encouragement in these promises! They seem especially appropriate as I offer my praises of thanksgiving and wait in eager anticipation and hope for all that is ahead!

“Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have HOPE: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, ‘The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him! The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.” ~ Lamentations 3:21-26

“Give me your lantern and compass,
give me a map,
So I can find my way to the sacred mountain,

to the place of your presence,
To enter the place of worship,
meet my exuberant God,
Sing my thanks with a harp,
magnificent God, my God.”
~ Psalm 43:3-4 (The Message)

this just in....

Just this afternoon I got word that I have reached my financial support goals! Thank you, Lord! I will start shopping for tickets to Buenos Aires soon. Suddenly, this all got a lot more real! More soon...

march prayer letter

Here's a sneak peek at my March prayer letter...for those who don't get it via snail mail.

Click here.

Tomorrow is the day! We see where my support is and if I can purchase my ticket for Buenos Aires this weekend. Prayerfully, I will be there in time for Easter Week!

Grace Commissioning

On Sunday I was commissioned for ministry in Argentina by my home church, Grace Community Church of Seal Beach. It was a very special and meaningful send off in prayer by Pastor Don and laying on of hands by our Elders and Mission Commission. I shared that these past two years feel like the “long goodbye,” as the church family has prayed and journeyed alongside me! Grace is the church I grew up in and served on staff for twelve years. So, really this is now just the next season of lifelong relationships. I am grateful for the foundation of care, support, and prayers as I leave in just one month!

I wrote up my first “missionary bio” for the church highlighting some of the key moments in my journey and the communities that have played a part! My commissioning seems like a good time to share it here.

Growing up at Grace and in a family that loved and served Jesus, David made a decision at a young age to follow Him. Today he continues the process of knowing and following Jesus more fully. His burden for the poor began to take root when the youth group regularly visited El Sauzal Orphanage in Ensenada, Mexico. While attending Biola University, David sought ways to serve the poor locally. He served among Cambodian refugee families with InnerCHANGE in Long Beach, developing a relationship with one family that deeply impacted his desire to know God’s heart for those living and suffering in poverty.

After graduating from college David served in various staff roles at Grace, including young adult ministry, outreach, and missions. During this time he also attended and graduated from Fuller Seminary. He is grateful for these twelve enriching years of ministry, growth, and lifelong friendships. His mission trips with Word Made Flesh introduced David to desperate poverty overseas in places like India, Peru, and Sierra Leone. These trips broke his heart and drove him to Scripture to listen to God’s heart for the poor and consider his response to stand in the gap and intervene with God’s love, justice, and mercy. After wrapping up his staff position at Grace in 2005, a Word Made Flesh internship provided opportunity to serve, learn, and discern future steps among the poor in Brazil and South Africa. During this time a series of spiritual formation and leadership development "Journey" retreats led by The Leadership Institute were a valuable piece of mentoring and growth.

David now looks forward to sharing life and ministry with at risk kids on the streets of Buenos Aires, Argentina for a few years. He is also hopeful for what God may have ahead serving in the townships of Cape Town, South Africa. His three life priorities are shaped by John 15: 1) abiding relationship and intimacy with God; 2) loving one another in community; 3) and bearing fruit and witness among the poor. He is growing to understand his primary vocation as follower of Jesus Christ conforming into his image. He is grateful for the ongoing love, support, and prayers of his Grace family!

joy of your salvation!

Last week I got a double dose of the Book of Common Prayer liturgy for Ash Wednesday. Psalm 51 is the primary Scripture in this liturgy. I was reminded of my Lenten devotions last year in Cape Town on the "joy of your salvation"! Here is part of what I posted last Lent...

"This morning I started a book for Lent, "The Joy of Your Salvation: Reflections on the Psalms of Lent" by Deborah McCann. The title of the book is taken from Psalm 51, the first Psalm of Lent this Ash Wednesday. “Restore to me the joy of your salvation…” (Ps. 51:12). In the introduction the author of the book recognizes the importance and value of the season of penitence and introspection during Lent, but she also recognizes Lent as a “season of profound, abiding joy, a time for celebrating God’s overwhelming mercy and love for us.” She goes on to say, “Through these songs [Psalms] of yearning, loss, repentance, and triumph, you may hear you’re your own voice, and can join in praising the wonder and glory of a God who restores to us the joy of God’s salvation (Psalm 51).”

Good words as we move forward in this Lenten season!

this & that

I'll lump some random updates together today! Feeling like I need to "lighten up" my blog a little these days! :)

1) Departure Update:
I am super close to meeting my financial support goals! I long ago exceeded my love and prayer support goals! The overwhelming support, care, encouragement, and prayers of family and friends continue to bless my life! I am now very close to reaching some financial goals before purchasing my ticket to Buenos Aires! I am hoping and praying I can get the green light by next Friday, February 15! I would love to be in Argentina by Palm Sunday and Easter Week! Seems like a meaningful season to begin sharing life and ministry there! But, ultimately, I trust God’s best timing. His timing hasn’t let me down yet…nor will it! Please pray for the Dean Family who will be a month ahead of me in Buenos Aires….they leave February 14.

2) Movies:
I seem to be on a bit of a movie streak this 2008! 1) Juno - The whole package…funny sweet, thoughtful, etc. Ellen Paige deserves the Oscar nomination. 2) The Kite Runner – As usual the book went deeper, but the movie still captured the story and made me cry. 3) U23D – A lot of this was filmed in Buneos Aires…amazing! If you are a U2 fan….see it! Most of us will never get so close to Bono and you feel like you are rocking out with the crowd on floor level! 4) There Will Be Blood – If the trailor for this one freaked you out, the movie is even more chilling. Not for everyone….I’m sure I missed some symbolism in the story. Daniel Day Lewis’ performance will stick with me for awhile (hopefully not in nightmares). 5) Rambo – True confession time! Not sure what I was thinking in seeing this record breaking body count. (Sorry Rich & Ben!) I guess the opportunity to hang out with a good friend I haven’t seen for awhile got the best of me. Even the nostalgic memories of “Ramboing” in high school on the "hill" and "gum grove" in Seal Beach in didn’t justify my decision.

3) Ebay:
I have one last supply of collectible diecast cars to sell. See here. This batch also included old Matchbox pocket catalogs from the 60’s & 70’s. One 1965 catalog sold for $45! Not bad! Fun to see what more I can squeeze out of this before I go! Plus, the extra cash ain’t bad. The postal workers keep asking when I am leaving (I am at the post office at least 2-3 times a week). The other day one woman asked what exactly I would be doing. I told her working with at risk kids on the streets with a mission and answered her good questions. She replied something like this, "Wow, I see you in a different light…I thought you were just some “floater” dude waiting to earn enough to leave on your next trip." I said, "Well, that's not too far off these past couple years...I'm a little of that too!" HA! Classic.

4) Flip Flops:
I rarely wear shoes! I go through at least two pairs of sturdy Reef sandals every year. That includes rotating them with my Brasilian Havaianas. Just got my new pair of Reef Fannings with church keys in today’s mail! If I’m lucky maybe they will get me through Christmas 2008…I’m thinking winters in Buneos Aires may force me to wear shoes a little more.

ash wednesday & book of common prayer

Today I attended an Ash Wednesday service. Here is just some of the liturgy from the Book of Common Prayer before the ashes were imposed and communion was taken. The liturgy and the Scriptures could be helpful to those observing Lent this year.

Let us pray. Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing you have made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wickedness, may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Old Testament: Joel 2:1-2, 12-17, or Isaiah 58:1-12
Psalm 103, or 103:8-14
Epistle: 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10
Gospel: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

Dear People of God: The first Christians observed with great devotion the days of our Lord's passion and resurrection, and it became the custom of the Church to prepare for them by a season of penitence and fasting. This is season of Lent provided a time in which converts to the faith were prepared for Holy Baptism. It was also a time when those who, because of notorious sins, had been separated from the body of the faithful were reconciled by penitence and forgiveness, and restored to the fellowship of the Church. Thereby, the whole congregation was put in mind of the message of pardon and absolution set forth in the Gospel of our Savior, and of the need which all Christians continually have to renew their repentance and faith. I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God's holy Word. And, to make a right beginning of repentance, and as a mark of our mortal nature, let us now kneel before the Lord, our maker and redeemer.

(For the entire liturgy you can check out this link to the Book of Common Prayer I found online: http://holycross-raleigh.org/bcp/264.html.)

ash wednesday

I came across this thoughtful meditation on Lent...

"Lent is a journey, a pilgrimage! Yet, as we begin it, as
we make the first step into the ‘bright sadness’ of
Lent, we see – far away – the destination. It is the joy
of Easter; it is the entrance into the glory of the
Kingdom. And it is the vision, the foretaste of Easter,
that make Lent’s sadness bright and our Lenten effort a
‘spiritual spring.’” Fr. Alexander Schememann, Great Lent

Today I also started receiving a daily Lent devotional email from CRM, a ministry that includes InnerCHANGE and NieuCommunities. You can check it out and sign-up here: http://www.crmleaders.org/lent

st. benedict & lent

“In you, LORD my God, I put my trust. I trust in you; do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me. No one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame, but shame will come on those who are treacherous without cause. Show me your ways, LORD, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Remember, LORD, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old." ~ Psalm 25:1-6

Lent is nearly upon us with Ash Wednesday this February 6. Like Advent, making space for Lent is something fairly new in my relationship with God. Last year I attended my first Ash Wednesday service in Cape Town. This weekend I have been reading and reflecting some more on Lent in preparation for the weeks ahead. My prayer and desire is to make effort to posture my heart for the themes of Lent. Part of my preparation has been reading a bit of what St. Benedict teaches on Lent in his Rule of Life. He says, “the life of a monk ought always to have the character of a Lenten observance.” For St. Benedict Lent was the model for the monastic life of those striving to live under the Rule.

St. Benedict proposes the following Lenten practices in the Rule: 1) refraining from sin; 2) prayer with tears; 3) holy reading; 4) repentance; 5) abstinence from food. Of course, these practices and posture are important year round, but during Lent they can take on increased attention and discipline leading up to Easter. Perhaps these timeless Lenten principles from St. Benedict can help us rediscover fresh and renewed meaning and experience in Lent.

I confess that I am experiencing some tension and reluctance in my desire to dive deeper into Lent this year. As I consider the five practices above, I would rather avoid some of them. The focus on sin, tears, repentance, and abstinence is not easy. My watered down understanding of Lent is a much easier path. This morning Psalm 25 is especially significant as I consider Lent.

Lord, show me your ways, teach me your paths, and guide me in your truth! You are God my Savior, and my hope is in you!

What an appropriate prayer of hope and trust in the Lord as we enter this Lenten season of 2008!

ash wednesday & lent...next week

Ash Wednesday is already next week...February 6! Like Advent, Lent has recently become a increasingly meaningful annual rhythm in my abiding with God. I hope to post some reflections and links during this Lenten season, in preparation for Easter Week. Here are just a few for starters....

CRI Voice: Introduction to Lent
The Season of Lent by Dennis Bratcher
(Includes other Lent and Holy Week readings and links.)
http://www.cresourcei.org/cylent.html

A Journey into Wholeness Lenten Series by Christine Sine
(This guide was created by Christine Sine in 2007…just adjust the dates for 2008.)
http://www.slideshare.net/seasickdoctor/a-journey-into-wholeness-lenten-series

Godspace Blog by Christine Sine
(Should include some good Lent reflections and links.)
http://godspace.wordpress.com/

departure update...

In case you were wondering if I will ever really leave for Argentina...here’s the latest! I am still waiting to meet some financial support goals before getting the green light to purchase my airline ticket. I am super encouraged with the generous gifts that have already been given and the monthly commitments made toward my missionary support. I am well on my way! I am so grateful! I am now just waiting for the required and necessary healthy balance in my support account before confirming a departure date for Buenos Aires. My hope and prayer is to arrive by March 14…just in time for Passion Week and Easter with the community there. It would be a meaningful week to kick-off my three years in Argentina! Stay tuned! And thanks for your prayers as we wait on God’s best timing!

MLK..."the beloved community"

Unfortunately, The Autobiography of Martin Luther King Jr. remains on my bookshelf still unread. Maybe I’ll get it read by MLK Day 2009? In the meantime, this morning I reread a chapter on Martin Luther King, Jr. in Philip Yancey’s book, Soul Survivor: How My Faith Survived the Church. In the book, MLK is one of twelve mentors and spiritual directors who inspired and transformed Yancey’s life and work.

A couple quotes from MLK really stand out to me this weekend. Most of the civil right’s victories and progress did not come until after King’s death. Yancey tells the story of how Roy Wilkins of the NAACP kidded King that his methods of nonviolence had not achieved a single victory for integration in Albany or Birmingham. King responded with these words, “Well, I guess the only thing I’ve desegregated so far is a few human hearts.”

Ultimately, regardless of what laws and oppressive structures are changed, the real, lasting victories for reconciliation, forgiveness, and love must take root in human hearts. King goes on later to say the real goal is “to awaken a sense of shame within the oppressor and challenge his false sense of superiority…The end is reconciliation; the end is redemption; the end is the creation of the beloved community.”

This vision and truth of King's words and example challenge and inspire my own life today, as the themes of reconciliation and hope continue to take root this 2008.

PS - Here is a link to an excerpt from the book With Justice for All by John Perkins. "The book tells Perkins’ journey toward finding racial reconciliation even in turbulent times."

the storage unit

How can we already be in the second half of January? As always, I am amazed at how fast time continues to fly by!

This week my number one goal was to tackle my storage unit. Something hanging over my head for months! I have had my remaining furniture and stuff in a storage unit for the past two years as I traveled and discerned what was next. Now that I am headed to Argentina for three years, the time has come to empty out the storage unit! The last thing I want to do on my precious vacation time at home is clear out a storage unit. So now is the time!! Plus, I struggle with paying $60 a month to store my extra stuff, when many people around the world need that money to just survive. The words of Ghandi still challenge me…“Live simply, so that others may simply live.”

With the help of Craigslist I have sold my remaining few pieces of furniture. Why was it so hard to say goodbye to my dining table? :( Thanks to my parents and grandparents, I will have garage space for my remaining boxes! It is an interesting process to go through stuff and see just what I am attached to and not ready to give up. Although two years in storage does help with the detachment!

Today is all about my last remaining task….seven boxes of books! Hopefully, I can dwindle that stack down. And, with the leftovers, maybe half.com will prove to be a friend like eBay and craigslist!

ambassadors of hope in kolkata

Tomorrow I am sharing with the “Women of Grace” prayer group at my church. I am sharing about what’s ahead for me in Buneos Aires, along my desire to understand more deeply and live more fully HOPE this 2008. I am grateful for examples of friends who serve as ambassadors of hope in places of desperate poverty and oppression. Today a link to an article written by Sarah Lance came my way. Sarah serves in Kolkata, India with WMF and is about restoring life and freedom in the lives of women in the red light districts. Sari Bari is the business initiative I have shared about often. Check out the Sari Bari web site to learn more. Sarah and the community in Kolkata continue to impact my life by their example and inspire me to be an instrument of hope!

Restoring Life in the Red Light Districts of Kolkata India
By Sarah Lance
http://www.lausanneworldpulse.com/urban.php/884

Sari Bari Website:
http://www.saribari.com/

my year career on eBay...

Little did I know a year ago I would become such an expert in eBay! When my uncle passed away this last spring he left behind a huge hobby and business collection of diecast cars, models, and anything racing! We’re talking an apartment and storage unit full! It was his lifetime hobby and he had so much fun with it! After picking out some favorites, our next reaction was what in the world will we do with these boxes and boxes of cars!? As my year and plans began to take shape to head overseas in 2008, my grandparents and parents were so gracious to give me a good portion of the collection to see what I could sell on eBay.

Little did I know the extent (and disposable income) of diehard car and racing collectors! Thanks to them, I was able to pay my health and car insurance and other expenses to get through 2007! It was fun watching the bidding wars for these cars go up to $20-200 a piece. I also am now a shipping expert (long live the Priority Mail flat rate envelope and boxes!) You know I was at the post office a lot if they recognize a new haircut. Just today the postal workers were asking when I was leaving for Argentina.

Anyway, as the eBay run winds down…here is one example of “you never know”! We found a box of odds and ends we set aside and forgot about from my uncle’s apartment. In it were some model plane decals. I almost tossed, but my better eBay sense told me to better make sure. Sure enough…another week of life for this eBay seller!

This one little sheet of decals warranted 12 bids alone! I didn't become a "Power Seller" for nothing. HA!

more on epiphany

Recently I have enjoyed following the church calendar with a little book, A Monastic Year: Reflections from a Monastery. As this Christmas season draws to a close with Epiphany on Sunday, the below reflection reminds us that we now look forward and prepare for Lent and the Easter resurrection of our Lord. As we bow down and worship the King along with the magi this Epiphany, it is a good reminder that the gift of myrrh was for burial of kings. We remember what is ahead for Jesus. Easter is the earliest it ever falls this year, which means Ash Wednesday is just a month away on February 6.

“There are many monastic customs varying from country to country and from monastery to monastery, associated with the feast of Epiphany. Our beautiful ancient custom that remains alive to this day in almost all monasteries is this solemn announcement during Mass of the dates of the moveable feasts of the coming year: Ash Wednesday, Easter, Ascension, Pentecost, and, at the end, the first Sunday of Advent. The announcement proclaims, “As we have recently rejoiced over the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, now through the mercy of God, we can look forward to the happiness that will stem from the Resurrection of the same Lord and Savior.” With Epiphany we in the monastery reach the peak of our Christmas celebrations. Then the year proceeds seemingly slowly, as winter follows its normal course, and our monastic solitude becomes more complete during the cold months. Not too far on the horizon, however, is the arrival of the Lenten-spring, with its hidden promise of Easter Joy.” (Taken from: A Monastic Year: Reflections from a Monastery by Brother Victor-Antoine D’ Avila-Latourrete)

Just a side note….once again I am struck with how much I read on Advent and Lent that revolves around Northern Hemisphere seasons. It might be a little harder for my Southern Hemisphere friends to connect with the cold months of winter parallel while in the heat of summer in January. Or even my friends in tropical climates that never have any winter. I, myself, am thinking ahead to when I am in Argentina soon….where it was a sweltering 100 degrees this week! Anyone know of Lent reflections and meditations written for autumn in the Southern Hempishere?? :)

Epiphany...this Sunday

This Sunday, January 6, marks the close of the Christmas season on the church calendar with the feast of Epiphany. As Christmas lights come down, trees go out on the sidewalk (or back in the garage), Advent wreaths & nativities go back in a box, and our 2008 calendars continue to fill up, I am thankful for one more opportunity this season to make space to reflect on the significance of the arrival and incarnation of Jesus. Of course, this reality should cause pause and reflection throughout the year! My grandparents' Lutheran church is hosting an Epiphany feast on Saturday night, which sounds like a cool tradition to close out the rhythm of the season.

For any fellow-church calendar illiterate Protestants out there, I posted some excerpts from the CRI Voice website on "The Season of Epiphany" by Dennis Bratcher (www.crivoice.org/cyepiph.html).

“Epiphany is the climax of the Advent/Christmas Season and the Twelve Days of Christmas, which are usually counted from the evening of December 25th until the morning of January 6th, which is the Twelfth Day….In traditional Christian churches Christmas, as well as Easter, is celebrated as a period of time, a season of the church year, rather than just a day. The Season of Christmas begins with the First Sunday of Advent, marked by expectation and anticipation, and concludes with Epiphany, which looks ahead to the mission of the church to the world in light of the Nativity…The term epiphany means "to show" or "to make known" or even "to reveal." In Western churches, it remembers the coming of the wise men bringing gifts to visit the Christ child, who by so doing "reveal" Jesus to the world as Lord and King.”

“As with most aspects of the Christian liturgical calendar, Epiphany has theological significance as a teaching tool in the church. The Wise Men or Magi who brought gifts to the infant Jesus were the first Gentiles to acknowledge Jesus as "King" and so were the first to "show" or "reveal" Jesus to a wider world as the incarnate Christ. This act of worship by the Magi, which corresponded to Simeon’s blessing that this child Jesus would be "a light for revelation to the Gentiles" (Luke 2:32), was one of the first indications that Jesus came for all people, of all nations, of all races, and that the work of God in the world would not be limited to only a few.

The day is now observed as a time of focusing on the mission of the church in reaching others by "showing" Jesus as the Savior of all people. It is also a time of focusing on Christian brotherhood and fellowship, especially in healing the divisions of prejudice and bigotry that we all too often create between God’s children.”

"monestary without walls" in 2008

One of my favorite metaphors for the spiritual life comes from Eugene Peterson in his book, Under the Unpredictable Plant. I consider Peterson one of my spiritual directors from his writings. In this book he seeks to reclaim the spiritual dimensions of pastoral call and vocational holiness, using the example of Jonah. He describes a metaphor of a “monastery without walls.”

“What is required is something large enough to give our spirituality breathing room and ample space for a great variety of circumstances, moods, and levels of growth…The only substantial difference between a monk’s monastery and the pastor’s parish is that the monastery has walls and the parish does not. But walls are not the critical factor in either praying or not praying. What is critical is an imagination large enough to contain all of life, all worship and work as prayer, set in a structure (askesis) adequate to the actual conditions in which it is lived out. [our monastery without walls].”

This is my hope and prayer for 2008, as I prepare to move to Buenos Aires within a couple of months. May our monasteries without walls in 2008 contain plenty of spiritual breathing room and space for abiding with God, sharing life with one another, and mission. All of it is our spiritual act of worship and prayer….our monastery without walls!

a special rose parade connection - life takes flight

Life Takes Flight is a float in this 2008 Rose Parade. The float is sponsored by Donate Life to honor organ and tissue donors. A rose dedicated to honor my Uncle Don was included in the Family Circle Garden of roses on the float. I posted more info on the ceremony here.

I started my year off by making sure my organ and tissue donor signature card is in my wallet with my donor sticker on my driver's license.

For more photos of the Life Takes Flight Rose Parade float click here: http://www.donatelifefloat.org/prod/components/media_center/journal/journal_010108b.html