The month of June is well over but it is still lingering with me.
The days were too long, passing too quickly.
On the morning of the 8th one of my closest friends called to tell me her brother was gone.
He died suddenly in an accident in Yellowstone, June 7th. He was 23 years old.
Even now, my mind and heart rebel at the words. It is too unreal, too bizarre, too cruel.
In all my memories, he is very much alive, an integral part of his family, his community, this world.
I have wished a hundred times over that there was a way to bypass the stilted inadequacy of words and even presence in such a time of grief. Ones own body and mind are inadequate to the task of grief. The mind surges with pain and then ebbs in forgetfulness. At times the body simply refuses to produce more tears or register the ache. What can one offer as comfort out of this state?
My heart breaks for Colin's mother, his father, and his siblings - my friends.
I have nothing to give them that can temper the jagged trauma of his loss or shorten the long days that will stretch into years of grief and longing.
In the depths of grief there is a place where none can follow or approach.
Christ alone waits there.
Yet even He does not close up the gaping hole that is left in this world in the wake of such a life.
Colin lived wholeheartedly, generously, boldly.
He left a mark everywhere he went, and now there are so many broken threads.
I am still in shock.
I have trudged through anger and suspicion towards God and been given not an answer but an assurance that Colin is truly and gloriously well.
God gives no answers, no reasons. When we stand before Him at last, the terrible beautiful truth is that we will not even ask Him for a reckoning.
Death has truly lost its sting... for the one who dies, the one who passes from death into glorious life.
For the rest of us, the wait is lengthened by the longing.
Thursday, July 14, 2016
Thursday, May 19, 2016
Three makes a crowd
First things first.
We are happy to blog-officially announce the pending October arrival of the third Grimm addition to this adventure! Meet the Grimmling (gender as yet unknown):
I am four months along and doing well. We are happy, healthy, and very excited; even though, as you can imagine, this will change up our plans a little.
Cementing our partnership with Word Made Flesh is still in progress. We were thankful and blessed to meet with a few of the staff this last weekend, including their newest project manager. It was very nice to ask questions, hear stories, and pray together in-person.
Since the baby is due in October, our four months training with Word Made Flesh will probably be bumped over to January 2017.
Patience. Sigh.
Our current tasks are to propose a budget (email me if you want to see the first draft - mowen10@georgefox.edu - your feedback and advice would be very much appreciated), rally our prayer network (that's you), and wait patiently.
Pastor Clemence has informed us that Baku village in Papua New Guinea has begun building on our house. More than ever, we wish we could book a ticket for tomorrow and just go!
In other news this month:
We had a wonderful time in Portland announcing our pregnancy to family and friends and getting an ultrasound checkup.
We celebrated our second anniversary (May the fourth be with you) with a romp on Mt. Rainier. We climbed up to Muir Hut for a fantastic view at 10,000+ feet.
We were very blessed and encouraged by our visits to two Churches that have been partnering with us in prayer.
We are still working on the Bamboo farm (though not for much longer as the season winds down) and stashing away as much as we can into emergency savings. Ben already has work lined up for the rest of the summer, but I am job hunting.
We are pursuing membership with a Church community in Bellingham, WA called Oikos Fellowship. Finding this community has been a surprise and a great blessing to us.
Prayer and Praise:
We praise God for our village in Baku, for our friend and mentor, Pastor Clemence Komnapi, and for the many that have been praying with us, advising, encouraging, and supporting us.
Please pray that God would guide us in making good use of our time left in the States, that He would provide for our health and financial preparation both for the baby and for travel overseas, and that He would help us to be discerning and patient while we wait for things to unfold.
Thank you all for your prayers and love. As ever, we are blessed to be a part of your lives and to be engaged in this grand adventure.
May God bless and keep you.
Love,
The Grimm Crowd
We are happy to blog-officially announce the pending October arrival of the third Grimm addition to this adventure! Meet the Grimmling (gender as yet unknown):
I am four months along and doing well. We are happy, healthy, and very excited; even though, as you can imagine, this will change up our plans a little.
Cementing our partnership with Word Made Flesh is still in progress. We were thankful and blessed to meet with a few of the staff this last weekend, including their newest project manager. It was very nice to ask questions, hear stories, and pray together in-person. Since the baby is due in October, our four months training with Word Made Flesh will probably be bumped over to January 2017.
Patience. Sigh.
Our current tasks are to propose a budget (email me if you want to see the first draft - mowen10@georgefox.edu - your feedback and advice would be very much appreciated), rally our prayer network (that's you), and wait patiently.
Pastor Clemence has informed us that Baku village in Papua New Guinea has begun building on our house. More than ever, we wish we could book a ticket for tomorrow and just go!
In other news this month:
We had a wonderful time in Portland announcing our pregnancy to family and friends and getting an ultrasound checkup.
We celebrated our second anniversary (May the fourth be with you) with a romp on Mt. Rainier. We climbed up to Muir Hut for a fantastic view at 10,000+ feet. We were very blessed and encouraged by our visits to two Churches that have been partnering with us in prayer.
We are still working on the Bamboo farm (though not for much longer as the season winds down) and stashing away as much as we can into emergency savings. Ben already has work lined up for the rest of the summer, but I am job hunting.
We are pursuing membership with a Church community in Bellingham, WA called Oikos Fellowship. Finding this community has been a surprise and a great blessing to us.
Prayer and Praise:
We praise God for our village in Baku, for our friend and mentor, Pastor Clemence Komnapi, and for the many that have been praying with us, advising, encouraging, and supporting us.
Please pray that God would guide us in making good use of our time left in the States, that He would provide for our health and financial preparation both for the baby and for travel overseas, and that He would help us to be discerning and patient while we wait for things to unfold.
Thank you all for your prayers and love. As ever, we are blessed to be a part of your lives and to be engaged in this grand adventure.
 |
| The view from Muir Hut |
May God bless and keep you.
Love,
The Grimm Crowd
Tuesday, March 29, 2016
Checking In
It's funny how nothing seems to be going on in life until you set out to give a monthly update.
My initial summary of this month is that we handled a lot of bamboo while we waited for everything to be processed with Word Made Flesh (still waiting). While this is true, we also had many wonderful opportunities to spend time with family and friends, make new friends, and learn some good lessons about communication and prayer.
I had the opportunity to visit my dear friends in Colorado at the beginning of the month and returned with some borrowed books and a lot to think about.
The next weekend Ben and I were down in the Portland area, catching up with old friends, receiving some much needed counsel, and making new friends at the Church we had the privilege of visiting.
Back home, we celebrated Ben's birthday with a climbing gym membership and dinner with some good friends.
My parents and little brother came up for spring break the following weekend. It was a treat to introduce them to our dear brother in Christ who was visiting from the Middle East and to take them to Church with us. It was an eventful Sunday since the transformer down the street blew up and started burning. The guest pastor gave half his sermon in the dark.
My brother stayed for the week, and we put him to work playing music for us and working at the bamboo farm.
Easter weekend, our car started going haywire about 40 minutes into the drive down to Portland. We turned around, went home, switched all of our gear into a second vehicle recently gifted to us by a friend (more of a blessing than we realized), registered that car, and finally made it down around midnight. God is good.
Easter is always a time of remembering the goodness of God in my own story and the very real Truth of His resurrection. He is Alive! We are walking miracles, raised from death into His life.
I love these lines from the song "In Christ Alone":
"There in the ground His body lay, Light of the world by darkness slain. Then bursting forth in glorious day, up from the grave He rose again! And as He stands in victory, sin's curse has lost its grip on me. For I am His and He is mine, bought by the precious blood of Christ!"
Now March is almost over, and we are back to cutting and packaging bamboo. There are many stories and good conversations that linger with me as I work. Each dear friend and family member forms a part of the pattern, a beautiful image of God's intricate weaving. Words and memories circle in my mind.
"There comes a season in every Christian's walk where God asks, 'do you love me, or do you love my stuff?'"
"I told God I had nothing left to give and then He asked me 'So are you going to let me carry you?'"
Stories. Laughter. Abandonment. Blessing. Poetry. Painting.
"There is a healing balm in Gilead."
A blessing in Hebrew. A prayer in Arabic.
"God is His own interpreter, and He will make it plain."
Threaded through it all is the joyful, conspiratory light I see in the eyes of the person across from me as they pour out their passion and hope and share the glimpses of something so beautiful only God could have dreamed it up. That same light hovers around those who, in the midst of pain, cannot shake the deep rooted knowledge of His goodness. His plans are not our plans. His thoughts are not our thoughts.
He simply Is.
He is Good.
And it is good to know and serve Him.
My initial summary of this month is that we handled a lot of bamboo while we waited for everything to be processed with Word Made Flesh (still waiting). While this is true, we also had many wonderful opportunities to spend time with family and friends, make new friends, and learn some good lessons about communication and prayer.
I had the opportunity to visit my dear friends in Colorado at the beginning of the month and returned with some borrowed books and a lot to think about.
The next weekend Ben and I were down in the Portland area, catching up with old friends, receiving some much needed counsel, and making new friends at the Church we had the privilege of visiting.
Back home, we celebrated Ben's birthday with a climbing gym membership and dinner with some good friends.
My parents and little brother came up for spring break the following weekend. It was a treat to introduce them to our dear brother in Christ who was visiting from the Middle East and to take them to Church with us. It was an eventful Sunday since the transformer down the street blew up and started burning. The guest pastor gave half his sermon in the dark.
My brother stayed for the week, and we put him to work playing music for us and working at the bamboo farm.
Easter weekend, our car started going haywire about 40 minutes into the drive down to Portland. We turned around, went home, switched all of our gear into a second vehicle recently gifted to us by a friend (more of a blessing than we realized), registered that car, and finally made it down around midnight. God is good.
Easter is always a time of remembering the goodness of God in my own story and the very real Truth of His resurrection. He is Alive! We are walking miracles, raised from death into His life.
I love these lines from the song "In Christ Alone":
"There in the ground His body lay, Light of the world by darkness slain. Then bursting forth in glorious day, up from the grave He rose again! And as He stands in victory, sin's curse has lost its grip on me. For I am His and He is mine, bought by the precious blood of Christ!"
Now March is almost over, and we are back to cutting and packaging bamboo. There are many stories and good conversations that linger with me as I work. Each dear friend and family member forms a part of the pattern, a beautiful image of God's intricate weaving. Words and memories circle in my mind.
"There comes a season in every Christian's walk where God asks, 'do you love me, or do you love my stuff?'"
"I told God I had nothing left to give and then He asked me 'So are you going to let me carry you?'"
Stories. Laughter. Abandonment. Blessing. Poetry. Painting.
"There is a healing balm in Gilead."
A blessing in Hebrew. A prayer in Arabic.
"God is His own interpreter, and He will make it plain."
Threaded through it all is the joyful, conspiratory light I see in the eyes of the person across from me as they pour out their passion and hope and share the glimpses of something so beautiful only God could have dreamed it up. That same light hovers around those who, in the midst of pain, cannot shake the deep rooted knowledge of His goodness. His plans are not our plans. His thoughts are not our thoughts.
He simply Is.
He is Good.
And it is good to know and serve Him.
Saturday, February 27, 2016
Year in Review (with pictures)
I am a month late for "Year in Review" and "New Years Resolutions"...but who cares? Lets do it anyway! I thought some pictures would say a thousand words, something old, something new, something...blue...eh, I forget that saying. Moving on.
Here is our year in review, praise God who has better adventure plans than we do!
January: Mary Got a Haircut to try something different...and hugged a tree in Newberg.
April: We went to a friends' wedding in Grants Pass. Ben wore a bow tie. Smiles were had by all.
May 4: Remember THIS mountain?!? Yeah. We did that. Happy Anniversary to us. One year of life together and we are both better and different than we could have imagined.
May 11: So there we were...five days later we are standing on top of Mt Adams. On a snowy and sunny day. Without sunscreen. See those hats? Useless. I'm going to burn them one day. Really. If you will kindly direct your attention to the slope picture that was par for the course. It's an "easy" mountain. Heh.
May 13: Saw friends off to Alaska with poofy lips and peeling faces. We miss you, Adam and Lauren! And the three of us finally coerced (yes, coerced) Mary into wearing shoes! Hold your heart attacks until the end...
June: Took the host family kiddos on an adventure to the Mount Baker Wilderness unprepared and totally joyful.
September: Took a date weekend to Deception Pass and sat for hours just listening to the water and staring at the waves. This was pretty joyful! Also, God gave us a home. Seriously awesome. Found the place unadvertised through a professor's wife at Trinity Western, within the price range, out of town(quiet), in a cedar grove(gravy for Ben), Christian landlord, and wonderful neighbors.
October: Our good friend Jahnathan and new friend Carilyn got married. After we threw Jahnathan off a bridge. No really...that picture is ON the bridge!
November: Went to see Ben's Momma and took a trip to Astoria's Tower for the first time. This was the first time in something like seven years that Astoria had a clear sky and it lasted for three whole hours! Woot! (hideous exaggeration mine)
November: This is a really really big root ball from a bamboo row; with the roots it weighs a bit less but you are looking at around #150. I put my glove down for size comparison. This job has been a blessing so very many times over I am stunned. It paid more than all other jobs I've had while in Bellingham. It allowed me to see Mary much more. Being an introvert, I get to spend most of the day by myself and working at my own pace (effective but completely without pattern). It's outside, which is fantastic in good weather and desireable even in bad weather. I got a raise! And in December, when we were praying about what Mary should do for work, the owner offered Mary a job!
December: Christmas with the families! A wonderfully raucous day with the Owen clan and we got Dominion from Mary's sister and her husband! Awesome points were liberally awarded and we immediately broke it in. Then a pleasant quiet day with the Stapleton crew. Sigh! Best of both worlds. We have very very good family.
February: Now with the weather improving, Ben has been in a frenzy of DIY, homesteader projects. Among the successes: Pickles (Mary likes this one), Chocolate made with coconut oil (we both REALLY like this one), pickled kale, beet greens, bell pepper, and onion. The bowl of unidentifiable goo is soured Quaker oatmeal to act as a starter and for meals. It's kind of fun to keep adding to it; kind of neglect combined with tasty treat payoffs. The antique hand grinder we got from Ben's step-dad works great and we use it as often as we make coffee. It's quite effective and only takes a few minutes to grind up a full batch for the french press. One of those little adjustments to learning how to live without electricity...
In the hopper: Beet cider! More as that one ferments.
We also have access to a metric ton of bamboo our boss can't use and Ben is playing with different joining techniques to put together wind chimes, a bookshelf, a step ladder, a turning barrel compost bin, and a structure to hold the barrel-ponics project.
In seeking a sending body: Word Made Flesh is in the final steps of our application process. These guys are big on long term relationships and Christ-centered community development. In January, Mary chatted with one of their recruiters and we had a very positive "That's exactly what we do! You should work with us!" So after a great phone conversation a week later between the three of us, here we are! We are praying for God's direction and would appreciate your prayers.
We started attending a new church in Bellingham and fell in love when we had a chance to serve the community the first Sunday. Every component we wanted to be present was there in spades and after praying before going into the service we had confirmation that said loud and clear: "Go here." Praise God for talking loud.
Otherwise, we are putting together a hand tool kit for PNG. Ben is wanting the professional grade stuff for tree felling, auto repair, and carpentry. This guideline is subject to change, but since we aren't taking a generator: no power tools. Suggestions and donations are appreciated here, thank you!
May and June will be school time for Ben when he will attend classes in Permaculture Design and Medical Missions Intensive (focus on tropical disease). August will be the capstone for Ben when he attends Remote Medical International's Remote EMT course in the Okanogan National Forest.
In the meantime, we are trying to keep our little hands busy getting ready for what amounts to homesteading. Questions for you, our friends: What should we be practicing? Laundry by hand? Construction? Home school curriculum? Let 'er rip, brothers and sisters!
Finally, remember we love you all and pray for you daily. Let us know what needs you have so we can intercede for you and more importantly, keep us updated! It is always a blessing to hear answers no matter what they are.
In His Grace,
Benjamin and Mary
Here is our year in review, praise God who has better adventure plans than we do!
January: Mary Got a Haircut to try something different...and hugged a tree in Newberg.
April: We went to a friends' wedding in Grants Pass. Ben wore a bow tie. Smiles were had by all.
May 4: Remember THIS mountain?!? Yeah. We did that. Happy Anniversary to us. One year of life together and we are both better and different than we could have imagined.
May 11: So there we were...five days later we are standing on top of Mt Adams. On a snowy and sunny day. Without sunscreen. See those hats? Useless. I'm going to burn them one day. Really. If you will kindly direct your attention to the slope picture that was par for the course. It's an "easy" mountain. Heh.
May 13: Saw friends off to Alaska with poofy lips and peeling faces. We miss you, Adam and Lauren! And the three of us finally coerced (yes, coerced) Mary into wearing shoes! Hold your heart attacks until the end...
June: Took the host family kiddos on an adventure to the Mount Baker Wilderness unprepared and totally joyful.
September: Took a date weekend to Deception Pass and sat for hours just listening to the water and staring at the waves. This was pretty joyful! Also, God gave us a home. Seriously awesome. Found the place unadvertised through a professor's wife at Trinity Western, within the price range, out of town(quiet), in a cedar grove(gravy for Ben), Christian landlord, and wonderful neighbors.
October: Our good friend Jahnathan and new friend Carilyn got married. After we threw Jahnathan off a bridge. No really...that picture is ON the bridge!
November: Went to see Ben's Momma and took a trip to Astoria's Tower for the first time. This was the first time in something like seven years that Astoria had a clear sky and it lasted for three whole hours! Woot! (hideous exaggeration mine)
November: This is a really really big root ball from a bamboo row; with the roots it weighs a bit less but you are looking at around #150. I put my glove down for size comparison. This job has been a blessing so very many times over I am stunned. It paid more than all other jobs I've had while in Bellingham. It allowed me to see Mary much more. Being an introvert, I get to spend most of the day by myself and working at my own pace (effective but completely without pattern). It's outside, which is fantastic in good weather and desireable even in bad weather. I got a raise! And in December, when we were praying about what Mary should do for work, the owner offered Mary a job!
December: Christmas with the families! A wonderfully raucous day with the Owen clan and we got Dominion from Mary's sister and her husband! Awesome points were liberally awarded and we immediately broke it in. Then a pleasant quiet day with the Stapleton crew. Sigh! Best of both worlds. We have very very good family.
February: Now with the weather improving, Ben has been in a frenzy of DIY, homesteader projects. Among the successes: Pickles (Mary likes this one), Chocolate made with coconut oil (we both REALLY like this one), pickled kale, beet greens, bell pepper, and onion. The bowl of unidentifiable goo is soured Quaker oatmeal to act as a starter and for meals. It's kind of fun to keep adding to it; kind of neglect combined with tasty treat payoffs. The antique hand grinder we got from Ben's step-dad works great and we use it as often as we make coffee. It's quite effective and only takes a few minutes to grind up a full batch for the french press. One of those little adjustments to learning how to live without electricity...
In the hopper: Beet cider! More as that one ferments.
We also have access to a metric ton of bamboo our boss can't use and Ben is playing with different joining techniques to put together wind chimes, a bookshelf, a step ladder, a turning barrel compost bin, and a structure to hold the barrel-ponics project.
In seeking a sending body: Word Made Flesh is in the final steps of our application process. These guys are big on long term relationships and Christ-centered community development. In January, Mary chatted with one of their recruiters and we had a very positive "That's exactly what we do! You should work with us!" So after a great phone conversation a week later between the three of us, here we are! We are praying for God's direction and would appreciate your prayers.
We started attending a new church in Bellingham and fell in love when we had a chance to serve the community the first Sunday. Every component we wanted to be present was there in spades and after praying before going into the service we had confirmation that said loud and clear: "Go here." Praise God for talking loud.
Otherwise, we are putting together a hand tool kit for PNG. Ben is wanting the professional grade stuff for tree felling, auto repair, and carpentry. This guideline is subject to change, but since we aren't taking a generator: no power tools. Suggestions and donations are appreciated here, thank you!
May and June will be school time for Ben when he will attend classes in Permaculture Design and Medical Missions Intensive (focus on tropical disease). August will be the capstone for Ben when he attends Remote Medical International's Remote EMT course in the Okanogan National Forest.
In the meantime, we are trying to keep our little hands busy getting ready for what amounts to homesteading. Questions for you, our friends: What should we be practicing? Laundry by hand? Construction? Home school curriculum? Let 'er rip, brothers and sisters!
Finally, remember we love you all and pray for you daily. Let us know what needs you have so we can intercede for you and more importantly, keep us updated! It is always a blessing to hear answers no matter what they are.
In His Grace,
Benjamin and Mary
Sunday, January 17, 2016
Happy 2016, friends!
I am officially finished with my Masters in Linguistics; Ben and I are debt free; we are in our own little place with a wonderful landlord; and, tomorrow, I will be starting full time work at the bamboo farm where Ben is already working.
We are so deeply thankful for God's abundant provision for us and for the prayers and support of friends and family.
What happens next?
A friend and I were talking about awkward seasons in life when we stand ready to jump at the next thing God wants us to do, but that next thing is not quite apparent yet. It feels unstable, full of possibilities and maybes but no concrete plan to present with certainty.
I am having to learn that it is no shame to present the community of Faith with the maybes and by so doing receive prayer and guidance.
This is where Ben and I are now.
We are eager to be on our way, to come to our new home in Papua New Guinea and join in the work of Bible Translation and community building that we have been invited into. But between us and that destination there is an ocean of unknowns. Who will we partner with? Who will send us? Are we sufficiently equipped? Are we ready spiritually?
At least we know the right next step. There are some things that are clear: God has provided Ben with opportunities to become more equipped for his work in our mission, including a workshops on sustainable agriculture and wilderness medical aid; we have been counseled to put together a faith statement and letter of intent to share with those who are interested in partnering with us; and we have been provided an opportunity to save and set aside a sum of money during this next season. That's a good place to start.
Thank you for praying for us and for your patience as we fumble our way through this adventure. We are currently praying about sometime in August as a departure date for our initial stay in Papua New Guinea. God has been faithful, and we know He will continue to direct us and provide for us as we seek His will.
We pray that your new year has begun with joy, and that God will bless you abundantly as you seek after Him in obedience.
With love,
The Grimms
I am officially finished with my Masters in Linguistics; Ben and I are debt free; we are in our own little place with a wonderful landlord; and, tomorrow, I will be starting full time work at the bamboo farm where Ben is already working.
We are so deeply thankful for God's abundant provision for us and for the prayers and support of friends and family.
What happens next?
A friend and I were talking about awkward seasons in life when we stand ready to jump at the next thing God wants us to do, but that next thing is not quite apparent yet. It feels unstable, full of possibilities and maybes but no concrete plan to present with certainty.
I am having to learn that it is no shame to present the community of Faith with the maybes and by so doing receive prayer and guidance.
This is where Ben and I are now.
We are eager to be on our way, to come to our new home in Papua New Guinea and join in the work of Bible Translation and community building that we have been invited into. But between us and that destination there is an ocean of unknowns. Who will we partner with? Who will send us? Are we sufficiently equipped? Are we ready spiritually?
At least we know the right next step. There are some things that are clear: God has provided Ben with opportunities to become more equipped for his work in our mission, including a workshops on sustainable agriculture and wilderness medical aid; we have been counseled to put together a faith statement and letter of intent to share with those who are interested in partnering with us; and we have been provided an opportunity to save and set aside a sum of money during this next season. That's a good place to start.
Thank you for praying for us and for your patience as we fumble our way through this adventure. We are currently praying about sometime in August as a departure date for our initial stay in Papua New Guinea. God has been faithful, and we know He will continue to direct us and provide for us as we seek His will.
We pray that your new year has begun with joy, and that God will bless you abundantly as you seek after Him in obedience.
With love,
The Grimms
Wednesday, October 21, 2015
A new month and a new perspective.
We have finally moved into our own home for the very first time. What a blessing it was to host our first guests, to cook our first meal together, to feel at home and at peace. Our communication has improved and our relationship is healthier thanks in part to the prayers of our hosts, the prayers of our friends and family, and the results of all those growing pains.
Mary remarked to me yesterday that she was looking for something she missed. As if there were something wrong and she couldn't quite find it. Thank God for that; at last we have broken the mold of repeated and unresolved mistakes and problems. Let us establish a new direction and habit of NOT doing those things. So much peace and contentment. We have been able to minister to friends in our free time and that has become fulfilling and fun. I find myself (I think Mary too) asking for and expectantly waiting on the next chance to serve.
We are now in the home stretch with school; Mary is on an easy semester with only three classes. One in person, one online and one the prep for her comprehensive exams. She only needs to be in Canadia (intentionally misspelled) two days a week now, praise God. We are counting down to the last school payment EVER. November 15th will be a (cheap) celebration day for us.
I am gearing up for classes in the spring Lord willing and pinging local farms for education/work on bamboo. More on that as it develops though a spoiler is in order. I have made contact with a pair of wonderful resources who are eager to teach me about aquaponics - conjunction of aquaculture (fish farming) and hydroponics (grow beds). These intellectual giants have all the knowledge I need to make it work in PNG four hours boat ride upriver from the end of the road. I am blessed with these guys. With their input my bible study group is going to help me put together a proof of concept!!! God is good all the time, and all the time God is good.
When you pray remember us and the murky in between we are navigating just now. We know where we are and why we are here. We know where we are supposed to go. God has not seen fit to tell us WHEN to leave yet. It makes planning troublesome since we both wish to be obedient to His leading and have no clues to what long term decisions to make.
Pray that we continue our excellent progress in our relationship. It has made a big difference for us both.
Pray that the hearts of our tribe(s) are prepared for us especially in the midst of this awful drought
Pray for their provision in this time of hunger and thirst
Pray for the strength and joy of the presence of the Holy Spirit to be near us both when we are tired and especially when we are busy and liable to become distracted
We earnestly desire those of you praying for us to speak into our lives and admonish, correct, and teach us. If you see something, speak the truth in love! You are welcome and we need this.
You who are reading this know I am thanking our King for you right now. Know that your prayers are heard and answered in His time; you have only to look at this blog to see His hand saving us time and time again. I love you, brothers and sisters. I love you.
Mary remarked to me yesterday that she was looking for something she missed. As if there were something wrong and she couldn't quite find it. Thank God for that; at last we have broken the mold of repeated and unresolved mistakes and problems. Let us establish a new direction and habit of NOT doing those things. So much peace and contentment. We have been able to minister to friends in our free time and that has become fulfilling and fun. I find myself (I think Mary too) asking for and expectantly waiting on the next chance to serve.
We are now in the home stretch with school; Mary is on an easy semester with only three classes. One in person, one online and one the prep for her comprehensive exams. She only needs to be in Canadia (intentionally misspelled) two days a week now, praise God. We are counting down to the last school payment EVER. November 15th will be a (cheap) celebration day for us.
I am gearing up for classes in the spring Lord willing and pinging local farms for education/work on bamboo. More on that as it develops though a spoiler is in order. I have made contact with a pair of wonderful resources who are eager to teach me about aquaponics - conjunction of aquaculture (fish farming) and hydroponics (grow beds). These intellectual giants have all the knowledge I need to make it work in PNG four hours boat ride upriver from the end of the road. I am blessed with these guys. With their input my bible study group is going to help me put together a proof of concept!!! God is good all the time, and all the time God is good.
When you pray remember us and the murky in between we are navigating just now. We know where we are and why we are here. We know where we are supposed to go. God has not seen fit to tell us WHEN to leave yet. It makes planning troublesome since we both wish to be obedient to His leading and have no clues to what long term decisions to make.
Pray that we continue our excellent progress in our relationship. It has made a big difference for us both.
Pray that the hearts of our tribe(s) are prepared for us especially in the midst of this awful drought
Pray for their provision in this time of hunger and thirst
Pray for the strength and joy of the presence of the Holy Spirit to be near us both when we are tired and especially when we are busy and liable to become distracted
We earnestly desire those of you praying for us to speak into our lives and admonish, correct, and teach us. If you see something, speak the truth in love! You are welcome and we need this.
You who are reading this know I am thanking our King for you right now. Know that your prayers are heard and answered in His time; you have only to look at this blog to see His hand saving us time and time again. I love you, brothers and sisters. I love you.
Monday, August 17, 2015
"Get Well Soon"
I was packing this morning, and found a folder full of cards.
Some were from this Christmas,
well wishes and updates from friends and family.
Some were from our wedding,
congratulations, notes of encouragement, advice, recipes.
Some where from my time in the hospital
after the whole Mt. Hood misadventure, "Get well soon!"
And good many were from Linda,
the mom of the family that has been hosting us.
I was packing this morning because we are moving.
We have been asked by our host family
to find another place.
'Host' has often struck me as a strange word,
but recently it strikes a more ironic note.
Hosts have parasites. Parasites benefit at their host's expense.
This is what we have done.
Our stay has been an unsustainable expense,
not in physical but in emotional and spiritual resources.
Those cards from Linda are witness to the hard work, prayer, hope, and tremendous energy that she has poured into this relationship. There are cards too from others in the family: the little kids, welcoming us warmly; the older girls, working hard to mend what they could when things went wrong. For a year and then some, this family has gone beyond anything I've ever witnessed in the realm of hospitality, graciousness, sacrifice, and hope.
Nobody writes stories where the bad guy wins in the end.
No one posts pictures on Facebook of late night shouting matches, deepening worry lines, or tears of frustration and disappointment.
And no one can capture the dreadful dawn of realization - nothing is working, the wound is turning gangrenous, the pieces can't be glued back together.
All is not well.
The build up of relational damage has long been over the threshold of what most families would call too much.
"Get well soon." What a strange phrase - as if the wellness of the body or soul could be brought about by sheer will power. But I confess to having believed this. If I only try harder, say more, say less, say the right thing, argue louder... I can out-will the crash of the waves.
We are defeated, ashamed, depleted. A golden opportunity lies dashed on the sands, broken, wasted.
And yet...
The Christmas cards, Get Well Cards, Wedding Cards, and most of all the cards from our host family reassure me. All is not lost. We are loved, even when we don't deserve it. We are prayed for, even when we forget to pray. There is hope for us because people keep hoping.
All is not lost, because God is a seeker and a reconciler, a redeemer of broken things.
We are broken. We are not well. As individuals and as a couple we have a lot to learn about godly relationship.
We have hurt the family that has given so much to us.
For them we are praying 'get well soon.'
May the damage that has been done heal quickly, may the dust of this turmoil be swept away and forgotten in new joys.
For us, please pray 'get well soon.'
We are putting our plans to go to PNG on hold for a little while. We asked God to make it clear if we should go, and we have taken this event as a red light. We have received a very sharp wake up call. If we are so ill equipped relationally - so damaging in a Christian community - how much more damage might we do when we are the only examples that people have of who Christ is?
Please pray for us as we seek relational wellness. This isn't about being 'ready.' We are willing to go as soon as God says go. This is about taking our calling to reflect Christ seriously. We need to grow in wisdom and humility. We need to learn how to fill the roles of husband and wife in a way that puts God on glorious and beautiful display. We need spiritual protection as well as hearts that are willing to learn and grow no matter how painful the lessons may be.
Thank you for your love and support. We are ever humbled and amazed by God's care for us through this blessed community. Please, keep praying and hoping for us.
God is good.
Some were from this Christmas,
well wishes and updates from friends and family.
Some were from our wedding,
congratulations, notes of encouragement, advice, recipes.
Some where from my time in the hospital
after the whole Mt. Hood misadventure, "Get well soon!"
And good many were from Linda,
the mom of the family that has been hosting us.
I was packing this morning because we are moving.
We have been asked by our host family
to find another place.
'Host' has often struck me as a strange word,
but recently it strikes a more ironic note.
Hosts have parasites. Parasites benefit at their host's expense.
This is what we have done.
Our stay has been an unsustainable expense,
not in physical but in emotional and spiritual resources.
Those cards from Linda are witness to the hard work, prayer, hope, and tremendous energy that she has poured into this relationship. There are cards too from others in the family: the little kids, welcoming us warmly; the older girls, working hard to mend what they could when things went wrong. For a year and then some, this family has gone beyond anything I've ever witnessed in the realm of hospitality, graciousness, sacrifice, and hope.
Nobody writes stories where the bad guy wins in the end.
No one posts pictures on Facebook of late night shouting matches, deepening worry lines, or tears of frustration and disappointment.
And no one can capture the dreadful dawn of realization - nothing is working, the wound is turning gangrenous, the pieces can't be glued back together.
All is not well.
The build up of relational damage has long been over the threshold of what most families would call too much.
"Get well soon." What a strange phrase - as if the wellness of the body or soul could be brought about by sheer will power. But I confess to having believed this. If I only try harder, say more, say less, say the right thing, argue louder... I can out-will the crash of the waves.
We are defeated, ashamed, depleted. A golden opportunity lies dashed on the sands, broken, wasted.
And yet...
The Christmas cards, Get Well Cards, Wedding Cards, and most of all the cards from our host family reassure me. All is not lost. We are loved, even when we don't deserve it. We are prayed for, even when we forget to pray. There is hope for us because people keep hoping.
All is not lost, because God is a seeker and a reconciler, a redeemer of broken things.
We are broken. We are not well. As individuals and as a couple we have a lot to learn about godly relationship.
We have hurt the family that has given so much to us.
For them we are praying 'get well soon.'
May the damage that has been done heal quickly, may the dust of this turmoil be swept away and forgotten in new joys.
For us, please pray 'get well soon.'
We are putting our plans to go to PNG on hold for a little while. We asked God to make it clear if we should go, and we have taken this event as a red light. We have received a very sharp wake up call. If we are so ill equipped relationally - so damaging in a Christian community - how much more damage might we do when we are the only examples that people have of who Christ is?
Please pray for us as we seek relational wellness. This isn't about being 'ready.' We are willing to go as soon as God says go. This is about taking our calling to reflect Christ seriously. We need to grow in wisdom and humility. We need to learn how to fill the roles of husband and wife in a way that puts God on glorious and beautiful display. We need spiritual protection as well as hearts that are willing to learn and grow no matter how painful the lessons may be.
Thank you for your love and support. We are ever humbled and amazed by God's care for us through this blessed community. Please, keep praying and hoping for us.
God is good.
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