tangan dan kaki

Standing in Chattanooga

2009-06-01T19:22:00.000-07:00

Check out my new summer role out in Chattanooga. www.chattanoogastand.com

-Craig

Presence not Presents

2009-01-05T19:46:00.000-08:00

This Christmas was different than those in the past. The short film off of the website http://www.adventconspiracy.org/ gave me added motivation to move away from the commercialized Christmas and look to focus on acts of service and quality time rather than spending lots of money (that I didn't have). I enjoyed this Christmas a great deal and felt absolutely zero stress associated with the holiday itself. Especially awesome considering all the other stresses hitting me. If you haven't seen the clip I highly recommend it. I should have posted it much much sooner...like say BEFORE Christmas.

Spent my Christmas family of close friends the Guinas. I don't think I could express the gratitude I have for them over the past 6 and a half years of including me for holidays when I was home and my folks weren't. I went to Colorado on the 2nd of Jan to spend some time with my family. It has been a lot of fun, tension, stress, fights, laughter, and me taking on the mediator role as always...boys and their need to fix things. Typical family stuff I guess.

Please be praying for Erika as she wrestles through some major challenges trying to move out of the life she has been living and into the one she wants to be living.

Brave Little Ashley

2008-12-21T16:07:00.000-08:00

Last night as my roommate Jeremy and I were pulling into a friend's apartment complex for her birthday/Christmas party, right behind us two cars slammed head on into each other. Called 911 and ran over to help. Two kids, David and Ashley (6 and 5 respectively) where in the back seat of one of the cars which as on its way to zoo lights. Someone had already helped them out of the car and they appeared less injured than the other adult victims. I sat holding Ashley, and Jeremy held David for over 30 minutes while the paramedics talked with them and treated the more injured adults. Ashley was way smart, super cute and even more brave. I could tell she was scared but she held herself together and even tried her best to comfort her brother who was was pretty out of it and started crying if anyone asked him questions. We checked up on them at the hospital later that night and though they were booked in overnight for observation and had some bumpy heads, bruises and sore muscles they'll be fine. Praise God no one was critically injured beyond broken femurs, a miracle considering the wreckage. Definitely a reminder as to the frailty of life and good health as well as to the ability of a little 5 year old girl to inspire someone nearly 5 times her age.

Dude, your face is lopsided!

2008-12-17T01:30:00.000-08:00

Went to the doc today due to a swollen/loss of some sensation on left jaw and cheek. Started in jaw muscle under side burns and worked its way down behind ear and jaw as well as my whole cheek. Its not particularly painful but it is certainly uncomfortable and starting to apply pressure on throat and eardrum. Docs aren't sure of the cause. Hoping it is just a deep tissue infection around the jaw muscle (there is no signs of anything inside my mouth) so they have me on hard core antibiotics. They are having me come back in on Friday to see if there is a positive response. If no notable improvement they'll test/start treating me for bells palsy (sp?)

I'm not particularly worried at the moment, but please be praying that it is not the latter of the possible diagnosis, and that the antibiotics clear it up.

Advocate through the Arts Update

2008-12-17T01:06:00.000-08:00

There have been some super exciting developments around the ATA concept. I have spent the past month meeting with artists to better understand their needs and allowing them to speak into my vision for the arts movement. I have not had a single person not then cry for involvement. I'll hold off on the specifics in a public forum like this until they are a little more concrete but lets just say the magnatude of the events we are talking about is quickly leaving me feel like I am a little out of my league. Met tonight with Ryan from the marketing agency we are working with (Factor 1 Studios), Chad, the director of the "Branded" documentary, and our volunteer brainstorming team. I love these type of meetings, and love watching ideas in the process of forming and then leading to action steps. Ryan's presence and input was especially beneficial partially due to his creativity and marketing expertise but also in regards to keeping the focus on putting some meat on ideas.

Pimp Trial update

2008-12-17T00:57:00.000-08:00

The pimp that I mentioned 3 posts back was sentenced to 18 years no parole and 5 years probation after the hard time. The victim's baby will nearly be an adult by the time he gets out. She was was incredibly brave and did an awesome job testifying. We got to go out to eat with her and a number of other members of the collaboration afterward. It was a great time of celebration and shared encouragement.

One thing that stood out to me during the trial though was when the pimp's mother testified on her son's behalf. Although she did not say it directly I was told later that she herself was a prostitute. It is interesting and tragic how this could be generational. I am not saying that Jones had any excuse for his actions nor that he shouldn't pay dearly for them, but it did serve to shed a little light on his humanity and the background that got him to that possition.

A new dawn over Phoenix

2008-11-17T18:20:00.000-08:00

I had recently been thinking about the concept of empowering people to advocate for Branded through the arts. The other morning I had been unable to sleep with my mind in high ideation gear and lots on the heart and mind. Seeing the sky start to gain the faintest signs of light, I decided to drive down to Van Buren (infamous for prostitution) and watch the sun rise over the city. It was there, as I sat moved by the new dawn through the skyline and onto a previously dark Van Buren, that the thought first surfaced. Later that day at Lux (a local coffee shop and my second home and office) I scratched out some rough ideas, but as I am not an artist, they are pretty poor. It started out with one thought, turned into another and colmulated in a combination of the two. The first piece has a girl, a tear, 3 birds on a wire and the downtown skyline silhouetted on a still dark blue night sky, the second piece taken from the same perspective only the sun is rising, birds are taking flight and the girl is turning with her back facing the viewer walking away towards the light. The concept could then be integrated into our new website as the first picture along with the words Advocate through the Arts as a link on the main page, which once clicked fades into the second image depicting the "new dawn over Phoenix" before going to a webpage with ways to advocate through art, video, music, drama, etc. I approached a local artist that also works here at Lux with the idea and he was super supportive, and volunteered his time right away.

On a related note, one of the guys from Soma North put a video together to go along with the song "God of this City." I was rocked hard by this, especially when a series of shots from Van Buren flashed across the screan.

Today I sat in a meeting with representatives from the Governors office, lawers, former Vice Mayor, VICE squad, City Initiatives, and several key social workers and church leaders, to go over safehouse related issues. I am tearing up writing this. It was so amazing seeing collaboration taking place. I also was invited to be apart of a meeting of 15 of the most influential pastors concerning collaboration early next year. For any of you who have followed my thoughts and heart concerning churches working together towards seeking justice and poverty I can't even begin to express what the knowledge that this is begining to happen does to my soul.

Strengths

2008-11-16T10:23:00.000-08:00

My team at City Initiatives is Amazing! I can't sing them enough praises! God has blessed me greatly to be a part of them. There is much I could talk about regarding them, but one thing has triggered a major shift in thinking for me. The concepts of working out of strengths.

We have on a filing cabinet a list of all of our strengths, and rather than taking a rigid hierarchical structure they try to operate within these strength zones, and encourage others to work out of theirs. Its awesome to see the balance across the spectrum that the team has and how that works out in real life.

Once I saw the concept in action I decided to look into the concept a little closer. My strengths according to the "Strengths Finder Survey" are:

Ideation
Connectedness
Woo
Communication
Belief

Ways I have been/am learning to put my strenghts to work: networking, communicating and creative problem solving around social justice, poverty, missions and multi-church cooperation related issues.

This test, its associated book, along with team guidance, has greatly aided in finding ways where I enjoy working and am best used. Traditionally I volunteered for everything and quickly got burned out spendng all my time operating out of a weakness while trying to be what people wanted of me, as apposed to being who God made me to be.

A new president, and a hope

2008-11-16T09:56:00.000-08:00

Don't freak out my conservative friends I speak of a different hope. Though there are certainly both very exciting elements and some troubling ones with the recent election, God is in control, and he wasn't surprised by the outcome. Though I hope for some positive changes, especially in regards to foreign policy and the face our our nation to the rest of the world, I am glad my hope does not lay in a human leader. But knowing that I am a moderate and a torn voter I have had a number of people in the recent month bring up Psalms 146: 3,4 passage

"Put not your trust (hope) in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation. When his breath departs he returns to the eath; on that very day his plans perish."

Though I love this passage and find great encouragement in it, I find its wielding as a reason to not vote for Obama, a weak one (do not many conservatives and Christians in particular place their security and hope in the Republican party, in the economy, or in their bank accounts?) Are these not equally pointless?

The best part about this passage is that it gives me the perfect in to talk about the rest of this passage which describes us placing our hope and trust in a God who "executes justice for the oppressed...gives food to the hungry...sets prisoners free...opens the eyes of the blind...lifts up those who are bowed down...loves righteousness...watches over the sojourners...upholds the widow and the fatherless...but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin...The LORD will reign forever, your God, O Zion, to all generations. Praise the Lord!"

Now that is someone worth following! But here is my question to those that claim to actually follow this God, myself included. If we claim Him as our hope, and we also claim that we are his body and are to be his witness to the nations, what are we as the church doing to be apart of God's passions for the things above? Or maybe first we might ask ourselves not if we are doing anything but if we have even thought about what this would look like?

A girl, a pimp, a trial, and an unsung hero

2008-11-16T09:11:00.001-08:00

A few weeks back I and the rest of my team, had the privilege of meeting and talking with one of the young girls we are advocating for. I think it was a good for her to meet some of the people (outside of VICE) who are fighting for her. It was also very eye-opening, validating, and and encouraging for us. The place of meeting was the country courthouse downtown, where the man that beat her to within an inch of her life and turned her out on the streets at the age of 14 (see's now 16 and a number of months pregnant) was on trial. The trial was postponed until the 24th of Nov, but the case is incredibly strong against him. This is not his first time on trial. The last time the other 14 year old victim ran away from the CPS home while he was awaiting trial and was never seen of again (they suspect she was murdered) with out her testimony, he walked. The girl we met that day had run away now 3 times since her pimp was arrested, the only reason she said she hasn't run away again is that she'll loose custody of her baby if she does. This is why there is a need for a safe, secure, lock-down (both from pimps and from running away) facility for these girls is so disparately needed. Safe-houses totaling 100-150 beds (right now only 8 beds for this purpose exist in the ENTIRE United States) with top quality facilities and medical and counseling services is in the works. It was a much needed injection of positive light in such a dark strong hold of the enemy. I walked away with a renewed sense of urgency and purpose but also excitement to be able to be apart of what God is doing here in Phx.

In a coffee meeting I had with the VICE Squad sergeant and a local pastor and friend, I was deeply struck by the police officer's comment that after 8 years a recent Branded screaning was the VERY FIRST thank you he had ever recieved. These men and women are true heroes, and have the haunting and harowing stories, PTSD, and a daunting task before them, and since their battle ground is our back yard and we pay their pay checks, we somehow take them (and all police for that matter) for granted, or would ask why they aren't doing more?

The chuch of greater Phoenix, stirs as if slowly waking to the idea putting action to the concepts of justice and mercy for the oppressed. God is moving and so too are his people...

Seeking Justice, Ending Poverty

2008-11-16T08:26:00.000-08:00

I am in the process of starting a City Initiatives (Food for the Hungry) affiliated student group on Campus by name of the title of this post. Taking a slightly different approach towards it, and choosing not to do the standard set up a booth and fight for passing students attention. There are already some 500 student groups, covering just about everything, the last thing the campus needs is another student group. Rather we are starting a group to give us an official platform to then serve, empower, connect, and collaborate with other student groups, departments, professors, etc on and around campus that are social justice and poverty related.

I'm excited about this concept, scaling through networks and putting the other groups first. Already it has proven a very effective model, and out of this the campus ONE (www.one.org) group's plan of a booth grew to encompass all of Hayden Lawn, and birthed a huge World AIDS day event on Dec. 1st, with live music an evening on the lawn (hot-coco and blankets style) screaning of the documentary "A closer Walk," and an audience interactive Q&A session with AIDS experts to include an HIV positive african woman. Really excited! You're all welcome to join us. I'll post a copy of the flier when we finish it later this week.

Unexpected response to the Branded documentary

2008-09-14T23:03:00.000-07:00

The following is an excerpt from my friend and colleague, David Curtis, from FH. I was going to post this story myself, but he did a great job so I'll let him tell it...

... I wanted to share with you an amazing and truly exciting fact that Brittani, Craig and I found out yesterday. We were fortunate to be able to attend a lecture at ASU-Downtown yesterday on the Psychological Needs of Prostituted Women, held by the Dept of Social Work. There was some great information and good discussion. But afterwards the three of us were able to talk with Luis from Dignity House, who sat behind us at the meeting. After exchanging simple 'how are you?' and 'how's it going over there?' pleasantries... she proceeded to inform us how much they thought of the film. She told us about how they show all their girls the film and are preparing to go into the jails. After, I asked about how effective the film was with those audiences, sharing that we typically use the film as an advocacy tool to inform the greater public... she went into a little more depth as to the responses they've received.

She told us that each time the girls at dignity house see the film, they are immediately able to confess and relate to the stories shared in the film, and are inspired more than ever to fully exit the life. They claim those stories as their own, and in turn claim the adamant desire to see the cycle end for themselves...as well as for others. Furthermore, she shared about a jail visit that hey did, and showed the film. Once the projector comes out... everyone in the jail gathers around, eager to see something new. She informed them that the film was on Child prostitution and the excitement turned to intrigue. The result of the filming was an immediate sign up of 4 women into the dignity House program, and a resounding affirmation and excitement from women that were identified those stories as their own! As Luis was telling us about this, all three of us confess to having tears in our eyes. They have appointments to go to another detention center soon and plan to show the film there. So far somewhere between 5-10 women from the program have walked next door and purchased a copy of the film.

(Craig again) Please go to www.brandedphx.com for more info on the documentary. If it looks like something you'd be interested in watching I'd be happy to purchase one for you.

Love you all!

the trio

2008-09-07T09:20:00.001-07:00

I love dogs. I forgot how much I love dogs. The past 3 days I have been dog sitting for some close friends of mine, and have been eating it up. They are an interesting trio, Bo, the biggest is a beautiful golden retriever who is super loyal and a tennis ball addict. Lulu, is a younger redish in color retriever who is affection crazy and who could probably power most of north phoenix where you able to harness her excess energy. Lastly (but arguably my favorite), comes in Vienna, a very aged but adorable dachund who's tail is in constant motion and who seems to absolutely adore me. I can't tell you how therapeutic their presence, love and affection have been. The only down side...Lulu's runs in her sleep which means that I get woken up several times a night to my side (and apparently her footrest) being raked raw as she twitches and growls at some phantom critter. My hear is full, and I'm a little bummed to be giving them back up . You sure dog's don't have souls? I'm no longer so convinced (:))

The New Job

2008-09-07T08:57:00.001-07:00

So I officially don't start until the 15th due to my team being out of town next week, but I have been spending time down at FH headquarters, familiarizing myself with the office, my role, as well as the issue of underage sex trafficking in the city of Phoenix. The materials (police reports, testimonials, studies, statistics etc) available were emotionally hard to handle. I found myself flopping back and forth from heart broken to enraged, with hits of hope thrown in the mix. I do need to familiarize myself with what is going on, but received wise guidance from Brittani to not get too consumed by it, not just for my sake but becuase my role is to be able to be able to coordinate and communicate with people from all backgrounds and if I get too emotionally wrapped up, I won't be able to meet those people where they are at, instead would only get discouraged or frustrated at why they weren't feeling the same way.

The team I work with is ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!!! I promise to go into more depth on the team element soon.

The more I learn about the collaboration termed 'Branded' the more excited I get. Already there has been MAJOR progress made towards the building and running of a safe house here in the valley. Although there are particular churches that are getting very involved it is important that no church or organization (including FH) is putting their stamp on what is going on, instead putting the needs and wellbeing of the women first. Frankly a lot of churches turn away, or at least are less enthused upon hearing this. Since when do churches only see ministry as advertisement? Doesn't the whole concept in Matt 6:3 and 4 apply to churches as well?

"But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you."

Well apparently who runs what, and who gets the credit IS a big deal with most churches, and the thought of giving to a ministry headed up by another church seems absolutely absurd to most. One church has agreed to this no stamp model and has stepped up and agreed to build and head up a 100 bed safe house for girls and women coming out of prostitution, but realistically can't foot the HUGE bill for continued operation (operational, security, counseling, medical, etc) alone. Please be praying for local churches to not just give lip service to working together but actual put feet to unity and cooperation with out fighting over credit and glory.

2 weeks back

2008-09-07T08:14:00.000-07:00

So its been just over 2 weeks now since I've been back...wierd. Honestly it was a rough transition back and not becuase of culture shock, I'm pretty used to moving in and out of a country. One of the key factors is my longing to be apart of ministry like that full time but the reality is that I have at least 2 years left in school (BA) more if I pursue an MA, and that doesn't excite me right now. Another thing that surprised me when I got back was this strong sense that Phoenix is not my "home." I'd like to say that I mean spiritually, and maybe that factors in, but when I left in the begining of hte summer, I felt like I was FINALLY begining to view Phoenix with a certain level of fondness. Though I knew I wouldn't be sinking roots for any extended time, I do like the idea of having a location on the map I feel like I am from...well for what ever reason that is gone. Moving, finances, and some other big life changes had all seemed to pile up on me, right at the same time I was trying to process the events and emotions of the summer.

All that had me pretty inward focused, and feeling a little sorry for myself, or at least less sensitive to others needs as I focused on my own. Some cool stuff definitely was happening during that time, but I was slow to see it. God was totally providing in small unexpected ways for my financial needs, meetings with 3 of the Bethany pastors went really well. My friend Meg's band tour brought them into town from WA, and it was awesome hanging out with her. My new appartment and rommie ROCK! Another highlight was when I got to lead a group of 6 other college/carrier to College Briefing, a retreat at Forest Home, CA. A beautiful place, and the bus ride and time with the other 6 was amazing. Really cool seeing them reach out to one another and open up. One other really cool thing was being included in the group leaders "Happy Hours" (hehe, just coffee). There I got to spend time talking with some of the most amazing youth leaders in SoCal, to include several conversations with Mark Foreman (switchfoot's dad). All in all things weren't as bad as I was convincing myself they were (:))

Around the world in 70 days

2008-08-22T09:09:00.000-07:00

Got into Phx late last night. Its very strange being back, and I'd like to say I am more excited about it than I am. I'm sure this is where God would have me though which is comforting but I also know that it means that trusting God is going to have to be brought to a whole new level as well. I have been asking for this trust to be healed and grown and he’s been answering. But I should have remembered rebuilding trust is a process and typically a trying one at that. Please be praying for me as you think of it, that I would continue to surrender my heart and that God would continue to heal it, that I would functionally make the transition back into phx life, school, moving and the new job. Also a huge stress is finances and fund raising. Pray that I would fully surrender this to God as well. He totally came through last time, he’ll come through again. Love you guys and can’t wait to see/catch up on the phone with all of you.

Europe

2008-08-22T08:59:00.000-07:00

FH was gracious enough to allow me to come home by way of Europe though I could only raise support for the US-Indo ticket, so coming home has been out of pocket…and as these things go, a little more expensive than estimated. I got to spend a couple days with Steffen in Berlin. We intentionally didn’t go too overboard on the tourism thing, but it was cool handing out with him and experiencing both West Berlin as well as East where Steffen lives with his aging grandparents. I can’t tell you how much better it is to experience a country with a local family than the tourist blitz. One of the biggest things that stood out to me was the Germans transparency towards their past. The Japanese seem to act like WWII never happened or if it did they seem to know little accurate facts. Most feel the victim, and know nothing of Pearl Harbor and the atrocities they committed through out Asia. (before we Americans get too vindictive when we teach of our nations westward expansion and manifest destiny we place virtually no focus on the millions of native Americans we killed in the process). Germans from a very young age are highly encouraged to be involved with and keep tabs on their government. From my exposure they are MUCH more world and politically aware than Americans and take a personal responsibility for not allowing the past to repeat itself. East Berlin was my first real exposure to former communism. You can see the once divided city healing but some of the scars still run deep. From Berlin I took a train to Czech to meet up with friends there for Joe Gordon’s wedding (pastor from SOMA). Prague is GORGEOUS!!! Best part and the main purpose for me coming there was getting to experience a bit of my friend Emily’s ministry there to the Czech youth (with Josiah Ventures). I am grateful for her inclusion of me in this, especially as these times were also her goodbyes to these people. Wedding was absolutely beautiful, though we had to move it indoors due to rain. Best part of Czech was hands down going to a REALLY small church in Bohamine (sp?) in an old communist era warehouse. It was awesome being apart of a body that actually seemed genuinely excited to be worshiping God in their own language (with their own songs, not just American remakes). The sermon was entirely in Czech but I got the bullet points translated. It was first on the areas that build our individual relationship with Christ, but then he went on to discuss collective relationship with Christ and each other through community. SOOOOO refreshing.

We then traveled to the Polish Border and hung out with a couple JV missionaries who I now count good friends. Nate organized a trip to take 4 of us to Auschwitz. I was seriously contemplating not going. I knew it would open up wounds and memories. I agreed to go, but walked in there with my heart was trying to rip through my ribcage and there was a tightness in my chest that I forgot was possible. The tour was sobering but I held it together…until she mentioned that the prisoners were allowed only one carry-on sized suitcase (confiscated upon arrival). Memories came flooding back of the time I was told we were evacuating and I could only take a carry-on bag, the flood gates shuddered then cracked. Think about it, out of all of your earthly belongings, what would you fit into a carry on? As we saw room after room on the separated contents of these bags I thought about what my bag contained…a few clothes and my stupid basketball card collection. Oh what I would give up to have traded them for my slingshot or one of my papyrus trucks and how did I forget to bring pictures of our Congolese friends? Why was I and my white skin spared and and my Congo friends damned to genocide, starvation, and made to tote AKs as 13 year old combat soldiers, forced to rape and murder? The dam exploded and the outpouring of emotion was uncontrollable, I couldn’t continue. I can’t/won’t describe the next 2 hours here, as they were too personal for a blog. But through the reopening some old wounds God was able to wash them and begin sowing me back up. I am very grateful for the group of friends that were there with me, who found just the right balance of support and space.

Change of Plans

2008-08-22T08:37:00.000-07:00

My flight leaving Indonesia was delayed 3 hours meaning I was going to miss my connecting flight in Malaysia. After countless attempts I was finally able to get through to Emirates on the HORRIBLE airport phone long enough to get a better number. Took several more tries before I was able to communicate my situation and get my flight slid. Unfortunately the next available flight wasn’t for another 4 days. To give you an idea of how bad the phone connection was it took close to an hour to get all this stuff straightened out, but in a strange way it reminded me of my navigation days and was even a little fun trying to make it work. The HUGE blessing though was that non of the flights were going to cost me any extra, which I couldn’t afford. Now I only had to find my way back to the FH office at night with no address or phone number in hand. Thankfully I could communicate one known landmark to the driver and was able to guide him in from there. I was glad to get a few extra days hanging out with David Strivings, a fellow intern (he was up in Aceh). Only real bummer was I was that my time with my German buddy Steffen was going to be cut down to 2 nights.

More pics

2008-08-05T22:10:00.001-07:00

The old trash pile just over the back fence
1 of several Waste Management projects

The FH Afulu Team: Taufik, Kathrine, Saul, Hasan, and me

He came close to getting me but I came closer (with my machete).

A whole new level of hospitality

2008-08-05T20:38:00.001-07:00

So I have spent the past few days now in Medan with the other two interns who were together up in Aceh. It has been such a blessing to get some time to decompress, relax and talk through some of our experiences and thoughts on different perspective on ministry and development. David and Andrew are both really great guys and I see the friendships continuing into the future. They also have been very gracious to allow me to do more than my share of the talking as this is really the first time I have been able to verbally process like this.

We have been hanging out pretty regularly with Das, a 55 year old Indonesian of Indian decent, and his best friend Edi, a 51 year old Malay man with good English. Das is Catholic and Edi is Muslim. We'll spend hours talking or drinking coffee, discussing politics, Indonesian history, families, the discrimination of the Tamil (Indian) community here, injustices, and even religion. Das one day even surprised us with a HUGE Indian feast (arguably my favorite food). I've always thought hospitality here is off the charts, but I was in for a surprise. Well as last night was the last night Das insisted that I spend the night at his house. I have had several other offers in the past from people but never really took them seriously. But dispite my initial inclination to respectfully decline I felt a prompting to accept. So I headed over there (Andrew left that morning and David has stuff he needed to take care of) in the evening and drank tons of tea and ate a second dinner. I was fading fast as 1230 approached and he led me up to the room where I would be sleeping...his. He then pulled out mattresses for him and Edi to sleep on the floor, I got the honor of his bed. I have to say I've never had a sleep over with 2 50 something year old men, but it seemed totally normal to them. Slept like a baby and didn't even hear Edi leave for morning prayers. Das woke me up with the smell of coffee and we sat down at the little table with cups of steaming cups of coffee and looked at more pictures of his family members that live in Holland (he doesn't speak English but fluent Dutch as do many of the older Indonesians). It was actually pretty cool experience this type of hospitality and generosity.

I leave today...hasn't really sunk in. Constant moving and good byes means I don't feel any anxiety for travel, but I feel like something is missing or maybe it just hasn't sunk in that I am returning to the west. The west...my "home" but I am SOOOO much more comfortable here. Where God calls, I'll follow, even if its back to Phoenix for now...but I hope I can learn to not just leave my heart in the developing world but truly love Americans. Walking with, without necessarily becoming like...

CRC and Goodbyes

2008-08-05T19:55:00.000-07:00

It has been an interesting mix of encouragement and discouragement seeing another NGO, the Canadian Red Cross enter our small village. As Afulu and Fadoro (the true name of our village) is one of the further and poorest villages it has taken them 3 years for their project to reach them. They are planning to build well over half of the families new medal framed/wood homes. It seems a little strange to be building them now, as each family has homes now, though some are in bad shape and will be a definite upgrade. Bowo and his only surviving relative, his aged grandmother's new home was built right across the street from the FH posko. He was so excited durring its construction that he litterally didn't sleep for 2 days and instead spent the night "gaurding" it. When it was finished just a few days ago it was like every Christmas gift he never got was wrapped up in one big one. Sad part was that so much of his excitement was that it was right across the street from me, but despite me trying he never seemed to understand that I was leaving...with no promise of return. The other frustrating thing is that the CRC has litterally taken over the village. I appreciate what they are doing, and their hiring of locals to build the structures and provide additional income, but as I mentioned the people weren't homeless, and now the fields lay empty, the fishing canoes beached, and the schools with no teachers, as most of the men choose to work construction as it pays better. After two weeks of building (about 3-4 days per house with multiple projects going on at a time) they are not even a third the way complete. Good intentions once again causing damage as "good" projects are pursued full on with little though to possible unintended consequences...such as the damage to village livelihoods after 6-8 weeks of neglect. A lesson I will tuck away for any future projects I may be involved with.

It is time to leave...I have said far, far, far too many goodbyes in my short 24 years... This time was unique though, I feel such a close bond with an entire community, yet I feel like I am leaving so absurdly soon. I can't say that I feel God saying I will return one day full time to specifically serve in Indonesia but that doesn't change my love for these people.

A starry night

2008-08-05T18:45:00.000-07:00

Laying down, listening to the sound of crashing waves, a crackling fire, and an acoustic guitar underneath a cloudless night sky is just about as good as it gets in my book . I was able to introduce the staff in Afulu to the joys of a night time beach BBQ and we had a complete blast. The meal was more Indonesian than traditional American BBQ, with fire roasted chicken, rice, roasted maize and cassava but that just added to the experience. Layed out on our backs watching shooting stars, talking, and singing till 1Am. It is amazing how close a bond can be formed between friends in under 2 months time. A night I won't soon forget. The other benefit was we were able to put the jungle covered '05 earthquake lumber from the previous structure behind the posko to good use. Picture one is of me, Taufik, and Saul chomping on some roasted maise. Below is Saul toting his sleeping mat...I am so used to sleeping on the floor I may not buy a bed for my new appartment for a while :)Also to follow up with my hand, the cuts have healed pretty well. Just to clarify, they are both on the outside of my right hand and the bone isn't that far below the skin so don't picture anything too drastic, they aren't the end of the world. Still some slight tendon issues with my pinky, after I seemed to have possibly torn it further/again when I picked up my baggage.

Update Letters

2008-07-26T19:33:00.000-07:00

If you are reading this and have not been getting copies of my update letters, first check your bulk mail but then please contact me via email at craig.vankorlaar@gmail.com and I will be sure to send them out to you. Its hard to tell who is actually on the list based solely from looking at a list of email addresses. My most sincere appologies if somehow yours slipped through the cracks.

bamboo, bugs and bummers

2008-07-26T03:14:00.000-07:00

Hey y'all!

Been a little while since I've posted one of these. I can't believe how quickly the time has been flying out here! It is gonna be REALLY hard when it comes time to leave.

Quick update on things. Staff is all doing well, and we actually have an addition to the team, Hasan. Cool guy though he knows absolutely 0 English so communication is difficult. Harvest after harvest of chili has been coming in and people daily are bringing small gifts of gratitude to us, a chicken, cassava, bananas, rice or bamboo. Its funny, each time we explain to them that it is not necessary and that we serve them not for payment but because we love them, they same the same thing back to us (:))

One of the things that I first noticed about the area surrounding the posko was the trash EVERYWHERE. Up until a few years ago little made it this far that was made of plastic or glass. Since then however, it has begun piling up in the streets, and homes, to include our own. I have slowly been encouraging a change here, and making a point of picking up the trash and doing small projects. With time (and with the help of another non-profits in town's example) they finally seem to be catching the vision. I had designed a couple of ideas but gave them to them to make more applicable, which they did. We now have several new veggie gardens, compost shed, complete with its first load of compost, a reusable/resellable plastics & glass bin, a hermit crab trap...which is actually intended as a plastics trash pit (for the majority of the plastic and foil packaging which cannot be reused or sold), and a worm bin for the first stage of food waste composting. They even took a farming technique and are culturing micro organisms to aid in the composting process. It has been fun working together but especially hearing them start to talk about doing similar projects for their families back home as well as with the farmers. They have training in composting and permaculture but this is the first time they have actually put it to practice. During the process I came across a number of scorpions, one monster blue one almost got me, and sliced my hand bone deep on two occasions handling the rasor sharp bamboo. After the second time I was forbidden from handling construction and sidelined. Everyone is very warry of these cuts getting infected, and they are probably right, but it sucks sitting on the side lines. Biggest bummer to all of this...can't go surfing. I now have a borrowed surf board (waves lately have been AWESOME) but never got a chance to take it out for a spin. Maybe if my wounds stay closed (doubtful due to their location and lack of stiches) I'll give it a try Thursday before heading back into town. The bigger bummer though is that this will be the end of my time in Afulu. I will be spending a few days in town helping there before heading back to FH Indonesia's main office in Medan for 5 days. Its gonna be tough saying goodbye!

Pictures

2008-07-16T04:49:00.000-07:00

I went and added a few pictures to the last posts so even if you have already read them feel free to take a quick peak. Love you guys!

An Ironic task

2008-07-16T03:34:00.000-07:00

God certainly enjoys a healthy dose of irony from time to time. I am currently not able to stray too far from the Posko (gut issues) so asked what I could do to best help out around here. What did Saul hand me? Nothing other than the entire new building project, graphics, budgets, loan info, the whole works for the church here and asked me to retype a few pages. As I was thumbing through the paperwork (all in Bahasa) I noticed the some of it dates back to 2005 less than two months after the earthquake. Here is just a quick run down of the project. First of all they thankfully are opting for only a concrete foundation and floor with the rest of the structure being wood and tin. They will be taking out a loan for about $42,000. Oh you are probably saying to yourself, that is not bad at all. But you need to understand something. These people are so poor that mothers are brought to tears after a first harvest is sold at the market bringing in $50, money that will allow them to purchase school uniforms for their children for the first time EVER! These people are barely scraping by doing sustenance farming and maybe some limited coco (chocolate) or rubber harvesting to cover where farming falls short. Most have virtually NO or extremely limited monetary income I did a quick calculation and based on the number of men present at church the week before (less than 50 but we’ll use 50) this would put a financial burden of $840 dollars per house hold to cover the cost, and this is JUST for the building funds. Operational and out reach (I’m hoping they have outreach) costs will have to continue so this will be above and above the past giving. When current structure works just fine, does the church has the right to pressure its congregation to cough up this kind of money? I am not apart member so I can’t speak for them but it’s a question worth asking. Christmas and Easter are the only days where seating is a problem so expansion is a weak argument (its silly to build a structure for 2 days a year when an extra service or two can do the same thing for free). Where it an issue though simply extending the current building could be done at virtually no additional cost except a few boards and some more palm leaf thatching. I can’t help but feel that this is an EXTREMELY big and unnecessary financial burden for these already suffering families. I will help them with their proposal, its not the building that saddens me but that the sacrificial giving required which one seems forced, and two doesn’t seem to line up with a justified cause in scripture. I am grateful for the nice buildings we have back in in the US, and I am not entirely apposed to spending some money to fix them up, but when the one visible fundraising push at a church, is self focused on our own comfort and entertainment, shouldn’t this raise a flag as to the heart of the congregation? Economics in the big scheme of things when doing business and running a country is a good thing but the reason it works is that it is a system built on something that is predictable, people being selfish. But in relating to eachother within the church we are called to do the opposite. I believe you can honor God and make money running an economically savy business, but you can’t take these same rules and attitudes and bring them to “church” or into your relationships with fellow believers. Since there is no switch you can force people to turn off when they walk in the doors of the weekly service its not surprising that the projects that are easiest to raise money for are ones that appeal to selfishness and love of comfort and entertainment. You can try and defend this argument with it making it a more seeker and newcomer friendly place, but if that were your true motive would you not also be doing the same in your homes? Or ALSO giving to other churches in the community that are truly NEEDING upgrades?

I am very excited to share some things I feel God is personally calling me to when I return. None of which involve protesting new or upgraded buildings or even attempting to challenge the people (or tell the pastor he should tell them) “Act more community like.” Frankly most of us don’t remember what the last sermon was on, let along actually intentionally carry out the message during the week. Rather it is small ways I can be a missionary and servant to the two groups of people I historically have felt the least compassion towards, American Christians and the institutions we call churchs along with my neighbors (I have always “cared” about the lost around me but haven’t done much to consistently reach them, is that truly caring then?) I want to spend some more time thinking and praying before verbalizing them but I’m pretty excited and God is opening up some pretty amazing doors.

2 roses

2008-07-13T21:58:00.000-07:00

Shortened...the original post was way too long...who am I kidding its still long(:))

So that was my Saturday. Today was Sunday. (actually today is now actually Monday as we haven't had signal out here for the past few days) As this is my first Sunday in Afulu, this was my first chance to experience the local Sunday service, which was…interesting…and VERY long. I started out feeling refreshed at the simple wood structure with traditional palm leaf roof. Then the service started and there were literally 5…FIVE public offerings through out. The sermon was a VERY long speech on 2 Cor 8:1-5 about giving. Apparently this church also used to meet in an over sized block and tin structure, which was completely destroyed in the earthquakes 3 years ago. They are now raising funds for a bigger and better replacement. I can’t help but feel that this passage is a completely different message than “give more to our building fund.” They gave of their own free will NOT manipulated by FIVE public offerings…despite their poverty and current affliction they begged to take part in the relief of other saints in needs…sorry relief for other Christians is not be found in a large stone structure and most certainly not during an earthquake. Gave first to God than to Paul and Timothy…missionaries. Again a large stone structure is not a missionary, despite what current trends in US churches might say. Paul is encouraging a wealthy church to look at and be encouraged by the generosity and heart behind the gifts of a poorer sister church, vs 13 and 14 “I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but as a matter of fairness you abundance at the present time should supply their need.” Who is this group that these poor people should be giving to out of their abundance and who is this other party in a time of need? Certainly not the pastors who ironically are pretty much the only overweight people I’ve seen in this country. Sacrificial giving honors God (Luke 21) and this has nothing to do with monetary value, but I think the pastor missed the whole point of God being honored by the heart not the amount of money. One of my favorite quotes of all time is by Brennan Manning, “The issue of almsgiving is to be taken up with Jesus directly, not with some pantywaist preacher.” And this is not an excuse to not give, it needs to be a continual dialog in my opinion and probably won’t look like a firm rule based on a percetage of your paycheck and likely will be stretching at times. And certainly not trowing a wadded up bill in the collection plate just so people saw you put something in. I think this passage is incredibly beautiful, which makes this whole thing that much harder to swallow. I feel its like plucking a rose on the way to the outhouse (forgive the crass analogy but I think it drives home my point). If you pick and choose the from the roses attributes (like picking and choosing your own message from scripture outside of its full context) is like only selfishly seeing a rose as soft and good smelling. When you do this you miss the true beauty and purpose of the sum of all of the roses attributes, and instead make it disgusting and useless by defiling it in the worst way. God has been bringing up again and again the drastic gap between the New Testament Church and the church today, and I have a really hard time thinking we are in any way in a better place after nearly 2000 years of “progress.” Instead the church is divided into countless factions, meet in huge ornate buildings, and individual churches are in competition with each other (even of the same denomination) to say nothing of the level of unity and love within each of these churches individually. To return to the picture of a rose, I feel like today’s church can be represented as a dried rose, still possessing beauty and fragrance, but far from its full potential and glorious design. How do you take a dried and dead plant and bring it back to its previous state of beauty and fragrant aroma, back to being an icon for love and putting others first? Sadly us humans are not capable of this, and in the same way I feel this will take nothing short of God stepping in and breathing life back into our churches. But I also believe that he desires people in the church whose heart cry is this same end. No we cannot do it in our own power but the Holy Spirit rarely forces itself on us, but what the Holy Spirt does often do is use a few surrendered hearts as living examples serving as a catalyst for spreading the flame.

I’m not sure what to make of this but the pull on my heart is so strong that I can’t help but wonder where God might be leading me. The last thing this world needs is another denomination, I don’t want to start my own church, or go to seminary to be taught how to develop programs for growth and cultural relevancy. Sadly I think seminary is where a lot of young people go on fire for God and leave having lost this fire in the academia of religion. In fact my plan isn’t even to go church shopping, but how do you get a person in today’s society to slow down long enough to learn the concepts of true community, trusting surrender to God, and selfless love, let along a whole church? First off it starts with me, and you if you’ll join me pursuing these things in our own lives. This has nothing to do with starting a new program or adding an additional Bible study to the far too busy lives we already have…but a pursuit of the heart of God and changed perspective from Christianity being only about God and us as individuals (I am not Christ’s bride), but about God and a COMMUNITY of people, the church (the true bride). Real community means investing true time and value in people, and not just those that have something to offer us back. Relationships require investment of time and energy can get messy and hold no guarantee of bliss or even protection for harm (in a self-focused, result-driven society this factor alone probably accounts for community being limited to little more than the groups of friends you’d find outside the church (anything else is uncomfortable, risky and time consuming) God doesn’t promise us comfort and our own little walled fortresses from the hurt, loneliness, and lostness that surround us, instead he calls us to be his hands and feet and that our love (FOR EACHOTHER) would be how people would know we are Christians. Please don't loose sight of what I am saying. Buildings aren't bad they are just a tangible representation of Church to most Christians let alone the world but they aren't even MENTIONED in scripture. Yes we are afforded an individual relationship but the church is not simply about catoring or baby bird feeding us. I have a problem with my church, guess what its not the pastors job to necessarily do something about that, its my job. Its not his community or organization, nor does it revolve around me and my needs and I'm not happy so I'm gonna complain till you do something. I feel called to do something, and I feel we are all called to be an active part of unifying the people that meet in this building each Sunday and making a community. Or maybe its reaching out in love to a fellow believer that lives 2 apartments down and goes to a DIFFERENT CHURCH, God forbid...oh wait, no he doesn't Jesus' prayer to the Father for the church before he goes to the cross (John 17) is that we "may be one, as we are one" (vs 11) and goes on to ask God the Father to "sanctify them in the truth; you word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world." I encourage you to read the entire passage.

Please feel free to tell me if I am off base here. I’d like to think that the thousands of churches in America have some scriptural defense of why they look nothing like churches in scripture; I just have yet to hear it. I welcome a healthy check, but if you can please find scripture to back this up. Frankly, your tradition and your comfortable old way of doing things mean nothing to me when weighed against scripture.

A not so Sweet Serenade and a Powerful Encounter

2008-07-13T21:54:00.001-07:00

Friday night music blared till 330 AM as the first day of a two day party wound down to honor the village leader. The four of us were all slow moving in the morning due to lack of sleep (we hadn’t participated Friday as we were working but we live in an open air shack across the street) and the water needs of day 2 of the party, had sucked our supply almost completely dry, so getting enough water in a bucket for a bath was taking forever…so I went to the ocean with a bar of soap. The waves weren’t too intense when I got in but as I swam out to the breakers their size quickly picked up with a couple sandblasting me clean on the ocean floor. Had a LOT of fun and was seriously craving a surf board. (Bowo watched and waved) Anyways I got distracted in the waves and by the time I returned it was apparent that the big meeting scheduled for the morning had already begun. I wasn’t all that disappointed, I knew to expect hours and hours of people making speeches honoring the village leader, in a language I know nothing of (Nias). What I didn’t know is that they had reserved me a seat of honor at the VERY front which made my substantially late entry VERY obvious. Hehe…oops. Just wait the story gets better. Seeing as I was sitting in a place of honor I figured I’d have to make some sort of a speech of my own…no problem…until they instead asked me to sing a song in English! ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME? A song? Seriously WHERE did that come from? Can you imagine ME singing a song in English in front of hundreds of Indonesians, literally every single villager in this district of Afulu, and several visiting Government officials. I couldn’t even think of a song I was confident I would remember the words to, let alone one the band would know so apparently I’d be winging it akapella style… I remember thinking, Father forgive them for they know not what they are about to subject their ears to… The comic aspect wasn’t lost on me but through my inner giggles I was terrified. In desperation I asked if the FH staff could come with me and if Taufik could go get his guitar. PRAISE GOD they said yes! So there we were, the FHI (pronounced F-Hhha-E) band…all 4 of us singing “Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart” The whole thing was hilarious and after the first 5 seconds, actually a lot of fun. I hummed very loudly (possibly too loudly) when they sang in Bahasa but by that time I was having a complete blast and didn’t care that I probably sounded horrible. Any of you that know me very well are probably rolling on the floor laughing. I am not what one would call a gifted singer in fact I have a hard time maintaining the same octave. Funniest part is that this is one of the only things I am very self-conscious about. I know God was getting a kick out of it. Needless to say the rest of the meeting wasn’t so exciting.

After the meeting the party commenced, as did the flowing of the coconut wine. I swear nearly every man in the village was completely wasted by the end of the night. Knowing this was where things were headed I opted to duck out right after the meeting and headed to the beach where I spent a number of hours of quite time, reflection, and prayer. I don’t set aside this amount of time very often, (thanks Mark for the Harbor’s podcasts on the School of Prayer) I don’t say this for any other reason than to encourage each of you to try something similar, I promise you that you won’t be disappointed. One of the coolest parts was when Bowo, my deaf and mute friend, found his way to the beach (we seemingly are the only ones who enjoy spending time on the beach) when he saw me he waved and grinning ear to ear walked up, shaked my hand and touched his fingertips to his heart (how cool is that for a standard greeting) and sat down next to my piece of drift wood. I talk to him for a minute like he understands me, even though he clearly doesn’t but he seems to appreciate being treated normal. I then resumed reading. He scoots closer and points to the red words in my Bible and gives me a quizzical look. I try to explain by drawing a cross in the sand and then to different portions of red on the page. Not sure if he understood, so I prayed that God would speak where I could not, and then I felt compelled to try something I hadn’t done before and which at first felt kind of silly, I began reading scriptures out loud to him. He followed my finger intently and moved his lips and made sounds apparently following my lead. We had to have been a strange sight, me a shirtless bearded foreigner reading out loud to a deaf mute, but after a little while something shifted in my heart and the tears began to flow. I don’t know if it was the Holy Spirit simply crying out on my behalf for Bowo or if its was the spirit working on Bowo, but what ever it was, it was certainly the Holy Spirits doing. I was discouraged to find out later that Bowo was likely somewhat intoxicated as after the meeting the men had been trying to get him drunk, he only left and headed to the beach when a large fist fight broke out at the party (mind you all these men were in church today and it smelled like a brewery. I have really been hoping I can find a copy of the Jesus film (language obviously not important) in hopes that this may communicate where smiles and hand signals fall short, but I also am now even more convinced that the Holy Spirit doesn’t need the help of audio visual equipment to communicate his love or even the gift of salvation. Please join me in prayer for the Spirit to work in a way that defies logic in Bowo.

Encouraging Progress and Pestilence

2008-07-10T04:10:00.000-07:00

I absolutely LOVE it out here in Afulu. For what ever reason the staff here is convinced that I need/want to come back to the city every weekend, but I could forgo the city and spend every day of the remaining month out here. I may feel differently if I didn’t have occasional access to the internet via cell phone modem, but this small village skirted by jungle on one side and ocean on the other has found its way deep into my heart. Its not the exotic location, as I spent the last 3 years on a tropical island, but the combo of the people and the surroundings. We spend the days visiting and assisting the different farmers, answering questions, demonstrations, or simply providing a helping hand or a friendly conversation. Honestly, I am there mostly just to serve and love. People always laugh at me because I smile so much, but you can communicate a lot through a smile and a willingness to spend a few hours in the dirt.

Saul is still in town taking care of vehicle paperwork, so yesterday myself and Katrine took the “bus” which is more like the smallest minivan you can imagine stuffed to the gills with people and goods. This got us as far as Lahewa, where Tofig met us. Katrine rode on the back of his motorcycle, and I rode on the back of a small scooter. Poor guy, I don’t think he knew what he was getting himself into. This last portion of the road between Afulu and Lahewa is HORRIBLE and I had to have been twice the size of the guy, making for a difficult drive. Still we made it safe, and it was actually kinda fun giving local transportation a whirl. 5 hours of travel only cost me $15.

Today we traveled went to visit with several of the chili farmers that FH has been training. Chili is the cash crop of choice around here. Up until this week, I would like to see them grow something of more nutritional value, but this week changed a lot of that. This is the first big harvest for many of the farmers, and many of them are glowing with excitement. 20 kg of chili will gain a farmer $50 ($2.50/kg) in the market each week, and for most this is the 3^rd week. Not much in US standards, I know, but this opens up a whole new realm of possibilities for these people, and their excitement is tangible. One woman told Tofig today that after last weeks market she was able to buy her children school uniforms for the first time. That type of money goes a long, long way here. And the best part is that these gardens promise multiple harvests for multiple years with comparatively minimal maintenance. Most people (both current farmers as well as others) want to plant more chili, but we are encouraging planting vegetable gardens with their new found time and excitement. Simple economics might suggest to keep producing chilies, but we are afraid of the market quickly becoming over saturated and the price plummeting. Balanced nutrition is also a large concern, but encourage and point this stuff out is all we can do. What ever choice they make it needs to be theirs, and I love FH’s policy to support all the farmers in an area, even those that don’t follow its programs.

(July 10th) I got cut off but didn't want to start a whole new post. Today was a stark contrast to yesterdays chili farm excitement. Today we went and visited a group of rice farmers that have been having bug problems. Man, it couldn't have been more of an understatement. In the course of the past week, a series of rice paddies have been decimated by small insects. As I am no agriculturalist I couldn't tell you what the english name is but whatever the case the damage is severe. As the SRI system that FH teaches is a new concept many of the farmers have only implemented small portions of their fields to SRI crops the rest remained the traditional methods. What ever these little bugs are, they apparently have grown immune to the manufactured chemical pesticide used by the farmers in these 3 different groups of paddies and are wreaking havoc. SRI crops have done much better but those with no prior application of organic pesticides have been damaged as well. This would be discouraging regardless, but as the traditional crops require loans to cover chemicals meaning they are not only in debt but also without a way to feed their families in the coming months. Echoing my earlier comment on FH's support of the farmers regardless of implementation of their techniques, the staff is racing to try and help. Sadly with the crop only 2 to 3 weeks from harvest and the rate they are dying it looks like VERY little of the traditional crops will make it. The farmers understand this but are still very grateful for Taufik (I've been spelling his name wrong all along) Saul and myself's presence and attempted assistance. Pray that we can communicate a reliance on God and not just us through this as well.

One last quick note, the prayer cover had immediate effect. The dreams, and weird/oppressive things going on have ceased. The war still rages, I would be kidding myself if I said otherwise, but we are thankful for God's protection and all your prayers and encouragements

Spiritual warfare

2008-07-05T01:53:00.000-07:00

Numerous things are pointing to heightened spiritual attack over this past week and your additional prayers would be greatly appreciated. Without going into too much detail, some staff have experienced straight up oppressive attacks at night, others sever infections (not necessarily a spiritual attack but continued prayer appreciated) and a lot of miscommunication and conflict surfacing between staff here. For me the last couple nights have been plagued by very disturbing dreams. Their content, timing, and the fact that I normally NEVER remember dreaming let along nights full of them, points to a likely similar cause. (Historically, direct oppressive attack drives me deep into God's arms and likely the reason for the altered tactic) Please pray for spiritual protection, unity, and a whole hearted pursuit of God through this.

Jungles, sickness, poverty and earthly treasures

2008-07-03T05:40:00.000-07:00

So it has been about a week since my last post. We made the journey back into town on Friday then left Saturday morning crossing back across the island to visit Tofig and his family. The drive took us through beautiful mountains giving the jungle a whole new feel. The roads on this part of the island were significantly better which made the drive quite enjoyable. Tofig’s family was very welcoming and served us quite a feast, after which Tofig took us out fishing, which for you anglers out there, looks nothing like fishing as we know it. No poles just large spools of line. Apparently I haven’t mastered the art as I caught nothing but rocks but was a very relaxing way to spend the afternoon. Tofig’s town, Sirombu, was hit hard by the tsunami, far harder than Afulu where I am staying, much of the town still lays in ruins. Here in Afulu pretty much everything is made out of wood so if a structure was damaged they simply tore it down and started over. Seeing all the rubble was sobering. It is sad when you can say that Tofig’s family was “fortunate” as they only lost their grandmother. Many entire families were lost. Which reminds me, this weekend Saul got news that his mother had a stroke and took a bad fall down their stairs. She was in a coma for over a day but seems to be recovering. Please be praying for their family, and for Saul who is thousands of miles away from his family in Timor. Katrine also is suffering from a pretty serious leg infection. Started out as multiple surface sores but now seems to have gone deep into the tissue making it almost impossible to put weight on that leg due to deep pain in shin and calf. Looks like we'll have to bring her to a hospital. My health is still surprisingly solid, but please pray for continued protection, the jungle usually isn’t this friendly to foreigners.

Sunday I attended a service in Bahasa in the evening. Not really sure what was said but I heard a lot of “Canada” and “America” thrown around. This brought to mind a conversation we had in the car on the way back from Sirombu. Rico speaks excellent English which was definitely helpful. Every time we’d crest a ridge the first thing you would see is a giant tin roof of the next town’s church, gleaming through the blanked of green. Some of these small towns would even have two giant structures. Although these certainly wouldn’t be all that impressive in US standards when places against a backdrop of abject poverty, and quasi squalor they seemed way out of place. When I asked the Indonesians in the car with me they all said that this is very common and a church is often judged by its building in this country, regardless of if the congregation doesn’t even fill the first 5 rows. The saddest thing is that these extravagant churches are funded by people that can barely feed their families. Some don’t even attend saying that their money attends for them, and little is done by the leadership to correct this. The church which is supposed to be reaching out and serving the poor seems to do the exact opposite…guilt trips, donation auctions, and anything else it can think of get the congregation to give their scarce money towards a building. Ironically nearly every church on the island was destroyed 3 years ago, as 3 story vaulted ceiling block structures don’t withstand sustained 9.0 earthquakes all that well, but nearly all have been rebuilt since. I get the feeling that people here tie America’s material wealth and “Christian” status as a nation to mean that we American’s are extra blessed and therefore the church seeks hard to immolate us. The last sermon I sat under that was in English (father’s day) was on the Spiritual fruits of fatherhood. I kid you not, these where the three key points of the sermon

Hard worker
Team Player
Brave mentality (risk takers)

I was pretty shocked and wrote in my journal in VERY large letters, WHERE DOES THE SPIRIT COME IN TO THIS EQUATION???? I’m not sure which translation he was using but not a single one of these are mentioned in Gal 5 in my bible.

On a more humorous note along with numerous examples of how American men are good fathers and provided well for their families (I almost laughed/cried out loud) the pastor also seemed to be campaigning for Obama, with very randomly placed praises. I left the service sad and frustrated. The last thing in my opinion is for the church around the world to model themselves after their American counterpart.

This whole issue lays very heavy on my heart right now. I am currently in dialog with Bethany Bible Church’s mission pastor, Brad, who I admire and love, even if I don’t “like” everything about the current situation. He has been tasked with the difficult job of revamping Bethany’s approach to missions, and although I agree that change needs to take place, as well as with the majority of where he would like to go, I am still deeply disturbed by the process of cleaning house, along with the amount of money (1.7 million) that Bethany has raised/is raising for building renovations to make the church more relevant to today’s culture. That this comes at the same time the majority of Bethany’s missionaries are being looked at for removal from the “supported” list, makes it that much harder for me to swallow. In Brad’s defense they aren’t looking to stop supporting missionaries, but rather more money to fewer (and younger) missionaries, more short term trips, and more supporting of local national pastors and churches that are cheaper, and already culturally, and language savvy. He also stated that it is not fair for me to criticize Bethany for its building funds. Something along the lines of that is sadly the realistic cost of building upgrades in today’s world, and so often churches are criticized for raising money for this when nothing is said of mission organizations expanding or doing large projects in order to reach the people, and that I would feel differently if Bethany was my location of ministry. I’m still mulling on this one, and still feel justified in my frustration, but want to process this one for a while. I know I am somewhat “biased” towards missions and possibly not able to be completely objective, but then again, Jesus and the new testament writers seems to be “biased” towards this end as well, with no mention of culturally relevant and expensive structures, or structures at all for that matter (church or missions). Still this whole issue has surfaced a deeper problem. Regardless of how well Brad answers my questions there is still a large sense of distrust I feel towards the American church and particularly Bethany. I don’t know fully why this is, but I know I am not alone, pretty much my entire generation of Bethany “kids” feel the same (I’m no longer talking about missions but rather a sense of distrust and hurt) and much of my generation in general feels this way about the American church. I’m still not sure what to make of this but my gut tells me its not the non-state of the art buildings that left us hurt, feeling neglected, and deceived. I also think that a new shiny building with top line audio visual equipment won’t bring my childhood friends back. That wouldn’t be a big issue if they were attending another church, but many are so disillusioned that they no longer attend church all together. Not to say that all the fault lies with the church but the trend is disturbingly prevalent.

Any thoughts? I recognize that I am a verbal processor, and I wish to use this as a sounding board, as language barriers prevent that here. I would really appreciate any additional thoughts/criticisms. Especially if there is a scriptural defense to culturally relevant multi-million dollar structures (or the Nias equivalent) “Be all things to all people”, is the only thing I can think of, which I think must be stretched VERY far and taken out of context in order to be a justification of this. Please hear my heart, I’m not being derisive, I am trying to remain open minded and would really like to know. Clearly large and ornate structures date back centuries, so their continued use isn't surprising, but a new spin on an old tradition does not necessarily justify something. I welcome human logic as well, but an especially interested in a scriptural defense.

Just now as I was rereading this we had another small tremor. They are still laughing at how quickly I jumped up (the 3 three young men from the village sitting with me all stayed seated). At least this time I had my clothes on (:D)

Earthquakes and forbidden meetings

2008-06-25T07:52:00.001-07:00

Woke up this morning after a good nights sleep, took a ice cold bucket bath and got dressed in my never truly got dry clothes. When Saul saw that I was wearing pants and a collared shirt he said we would be going to the fields and should put on shorts and a T-shrit. As I was doing so the house was rocked by the first of the day’s earthquakes. Started out as just a gentle rumble then two hard jerks. I started to run outside (in my underwear) then when I realized I didn’t have my clothes on, I went back into the room and threw them on….stupid, I know but didn’t want to blind everyone on top of their morning already being ruined (J) Next time they’ll just have to shield their eyes. We waited around for a few minutes but when nothing else happened we headed to the paddies. Bowo, saw us leaving the village and joined us. I think the others view him more as a nuisance but I like the kid. I was extra glad we brought him when he picked out a snake next to the path the other 3 of us were standing next to. Apparently they aren’t very common, and honestly am not sure if this one was poisonous or not but Saul jumped pretty good. Today we were meeting with the Borosi group of farmers, the last of the 3 farming groups that FH currently has projects with. This group is having some major water issues and the crop is failing, due to irrigation system damage from a previous earthquake. (***Picture above is of Kathrine, Saul, Me and Bowo. Tofig is taking the picture) A picture of a rice farmer and her failing crop due to a failure to fix irrigation issues (this picture was taken about 30 seconds before the second earthquake)

We went and visited the sight where the work to repair was started but not finished. I will be asking for the village leader and farmers support to try and do a makeshift dam to at least get some water flowing back to the fields. I love the people here but their lack of initiative can be a little frustrating. Anyways while we were talking with one of the farmers whose crop is failing all the rice fields and the forest behind them burst into what at first looked like a synchronized dance. It lasted for about 10 seconds, but was the largest earthquake the two FH staff with me at the time (Saul and Tofig) had ever experienced (they weren’t here for the real bad ones 3 years ago). A 5.3 and a 6.0 aren’t crazy note worthy, but as no one was hurt, I don’t feel bad saying that I thought they were pretty cool. Enough to stick out as highlights of my day (topped only by a getting a cell phone call from Europe (:D)

Another funny aspect of being back out at the jungle outpost, is that of the language barrier. My 3 coworkers all speak some English and enjoy practicing it with me (though it makes learning Bahasa a little difficult) but there is a limit to our ablility to communicate. We got in the truck today to go visit, SURFAID, another NGO doing development work on Nias. We got into the Afulu proper and met with the district leader (the man who lives across the street from us is a village leader, this is his boss) I was very confused why this district leader would tell us we can’t work alone with SURFAID, instead he would bring everyone together for a big village meeting to work with SURFAID. Apparently this would avoid jealousy stemming from the appearance of one village being favored over another. It was only after the meeting was over that I finally realized what was going on. SURFAID was not the focus of the conversation at all but rather the SURVEY we want to conduct to aid us in finding the most applicable place to start a new rice development project. Thankfully I kept my mouth shut and didn’t voice my frustration with the district leader for ordering us not to even talk with another NGO without himself and all the villagers present. Hehe…I love it! Life is most certainly interesting isn’t it (J) On a side note, these leaders are very important and provide not only approval but also very wise counsel.

As I write this email I have 3 pairs of eyes watching intently over my shoulder (or between me and the screen) as I type. One is trying to sound out the words. All the while Nani, probably the cutest little girl I have ever seen in my life, is keeping the mood festive with her constant giggling. I love this place and these people! Love you guys too! I’ll try and post a few pics to go along with this. Hopefully they will work…

Nani and her mother eating mangoes and guarding the rice fields from the birds

98

2008-06-23T02:29:00.000-07:00

That is the number of dead mosquitoes I picked up, one by one, off the tile floor in the room I sleep in while at the office in town. This was only after a healthy (unhealthy is probably more accurate) dosing of the room with bug spray. Every time I touched anything in the room clouds of the little buggers would take flight. Went a couple nights like this without a net and only bug repellent but finally had enough and went out and purchased the big guns. I really thought I was going to make it to 100 after seeing the floor littered with them, but 98 was the grand total...I'll be honest though, I totally went into the living room and squashed two more on the wall just to make me feel better (:)) Reinforcements arrived shortly after, but at least it was down to an occasional buzz rather than a constant dull roar. I know I shouldn't be hating the little guys, they're hungry too...I just didn't think I'd actually live out the name Food for the Hungry in such a literal sense.

A week in (new pics below)

2008-06-20T07:19:00.001-07:00

Selamat siang! So it has officially been one week since I stepped foot on Indonesian soil. It feels longer than that, but only because feel so at home here. The pace is slower leaving room for focusing on people and relationships, strangers are welcomed and work laid aside to talk with them, the scenery beautiful, the food delicious, animals ignored and children loved, porches well worn, no electricity, baths (including my own) taken in a river or from a bucket, where poverty is tangible, and the smiles genuine

In contrast, life in Scottsdale Arizona, is fast paced with little time spent on real relationships, and virtually no time for the random stranger. Where hospitality and sense of community are alien concepts. A land where pets are often valued over their own children, where neighbors are unknown, porches are only used as a landing pad for newspapers. Life is loud with iPods, cell phones, email, and daily planners drowning out the Still Small Voice. A city in a desert, where water is deemed endless and a given, landfills bottomless, power cheap, and internet connectivity a need. Where a person’s poverty can’t be seen for all their things, and smiles are plastic (both figuratively and, sadly in Scottsdale, far too often literally)

It is very important to recognize that poverty comes in different scales, and is not limited to material wealth. Spiritually, and relationally poor people abound in the US, especially in places like Scottsdale. But even the definition of material wealth for humans changes from region to region and even throughout our own lives. As we discover that other people have more, we suddenly feel lacking (poor) and become discontented with what we do have, wants taking on the form of needs.

Do I get to choose what type of poverty I reach out to and don’t? Sure, my calling and life’s focus will likely be with the developing world, but this does not mean that when I am in AZ that I no longer need be sensitive to the Spirit on how I can reach out to people’s needs there, with a bit of God’s love or truth. Another excuse people often give is that of being unqualified. God doesn’t look for qualifications; he looks for people willing to be used by Him (take a look at disciples prior résumés). Excuses point to a small view of God.

I certainly am not “qualified” for the job I will be fulfilling, but there is beauty in that as well. Inadequacies…made strong through weakness, and God getting the credit. I’m stoked! ()

The other pics

2008-06-20T02:42:00.000-07:00

me and Bowo...Harvest in action...spot the poser...and the shifted beach

2008-06-18T09:10:00.001-07:00

Today was my first full day on the island of Nias, and I can already tell I am going to have a VERY hard time when it comes time to leave. I can’t begin to describe how cool the past day and a half have been. Flew in on a puddle jumper Tuesday afternoon, and after meeting everyone on the city office 4 of us piled into a pickup and drove the 5 hours to the jungle post (posko) Felt like I was back in Zaire, and actually enjoyed the trip, even slept for over an hour of the bumpiest portions of the road (though I woke 2 or 3 times to my head making sudden contact with the metal doorframe :) My team is amazing! All Indonesians with limited English, but still better than my Bahasa.

Got to the posko after dark, had a delicious dinner (I love the food here!) and headed to bed to the sound of rain falling on the palm-leaf roof. This morning we woke up had breakfast and devotions, then walked out to one of the rice paddies where FH has been teaching SRI techniques (homemade organic fertilizers and organic pesticides and advanced farming techniques leading to a much larger yield) Everything was too wet from the nights rains but the farmers invited us to come back in the afternoon when they would begin harvesting the rice. Went back to the posko where school was underway. The children here are so happy, cute, and eager to learn! Went for a dip in the ocean, it is very strange seeing where the beach used to be, and where it is today. During the earthquake the entire island shifted and this side raised well over one meter, moving the beach further out by over 50 yards. Still a beautiful spot! On the beach I befriended Bowo, who is deaf and unable to speak. We bonded as even though I can do both, they mean little here. Really neat kid! Stuck around the posko for the rest of the day. Back out on the paddies, I volunteered and was put to work harvesting the rice with a small scythe, and then beating the rice off of the stalks. Had a lot of fun, and worked up a good sweat. The people here love to laugh and I gave them plenty of material I think (J) Its funny but after actually participating in an actual handpowered harvest, the words of Jesus, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest…” will never look/sound the same. Isn’t it awesome how God sometimes gives us tangible symbols to validate us within his plan. Being right were God wants you, is a sweet, sweet place to be!

After some time of troubleshooting I was finally able to establish a 50 kbs connection through a wireless cell phone modem that FH provided. It is slow but it will facilitate much better communication between the staff both here on Nias, as well as with the office in Medan. Praise God for technology!

Picture is of two of the Indonesian Staff. Saul (Saool) is the one waving. Other pictures were taking too long to load on this slow connection. I'll try again tomorrow.

Coffee

2008-06-16T06:17:00.000-07:00

Last night we were invited by our neighbor Das for coffee on his porch. Das is a Catholic of Indian descent, who was born and lived out his entire life here in Medan, very, very dark skin and speaks very little English. His friends Edi (Aidie) a breakfast shop owner and Malay Indonesian, and Bob (hard O sound) an Indonesian of Chinese decent also joined us. It was a really cool and diverse trio of elderly friends. It was the highlight of my trip thus far, just sitting and talking over coffee and tea on Das' potted plant decorated porch. Which might I add he keeps impeccably well hosed off (something every Indonesian seems to do multiple times a day) One of the first things they wanted to talk about was Barack Obama. They were not the first. I have had a number of conversations initiated by people here as well as on the plane about the prospect of prospect of him becoming president, and what that would mean for US foreign relations. The feeling I get from them is that, in Obama they see for the first time an American leader that would actually value them as equals and is capable of dialog. Indonesians in particular feel like they have a special connection with him as he lived here for part of his childhood. I thought their thoughts very interesting. I still don't know exactly what to make of the presidential candidate Obama, but I think I have to agree with the three, our foreign policy could use a face lift.

We talked about a lot of things, but the other part of the conversation that really sticks out in my mind was Bob's perplexity at why I would be going to Nias, when there were plenty of areas in Sumatra that needed help (he had no beer with the other two as they were going to be up in Ache. After him repeatedly asking why, I began to piece together the source of these feelings. Nias, unknown to me up to this past week, is actually the only predominantly Christian area in this part of Indonesia. For years Nias has gone virtually undeveloped, with the predominantly Muslim government of North Sumatra, essentially neglecting Nias all together. Bob like most Muslims, place very little value in the island of Nias and its people. Only after 2 massive earthquakes 9.0 and 8.9 rocked the island shortly after the tsunami destroying or damaging every structure on the island did the government open the door to development. These earthquakes were so massive in fact that the entire island shifted gaining an extra 50-100 yards of beautiful white sand to the northwestern beaches.

Today I talked with the regional director, David Chang, about more of what is expected of me/what to expect. He said he believes in a sink or swim mentality with us. If development is something we are interested in we need to be able to step into an unfamiliar situation, evaluate it, and run with what ever we got, regardless of prior experience. If we can't flex and make the most of it, we probably need to find a new line of work. I really appreciate his way of thinking, not all that comforting, and feeling a little under qualified, but God will get the glory this way. I'll be heading to Nias and splitting my time between the posko (rural outpost) and the office in town. (2 weeks at a time at each???) While in the main office I'll be fulfilling somewhat of a management role alongside the already existing Indonesian staff. I am encouraged to take it all in and learn from them but also told to expect that I will be expected to pull my own weight and will immediately be brought into the decision making process. Servant leadership, but no actual active leadership role. "We don't have the time or the resources to baby you." (:)) Should be fun!!!

In the office I will help with administrative components, to include project financing, establishing Internet, maintaining momentum of pilot rice development project and finding ways of designing and implementing a co-0p to sell the rice grown through FH projects with the idea that it will one day be a free standing self supporting venture. In the field I will be learning about project implementation, farming techniques (should actually get to help farm the land as well), the making of organic fertilizer, the making and use of organic pesticides, and the production, processing and marketing of the excess rice. Excited to be soon serving, walking with and learning from both the FH staff and the people of Nias!

It will be interesting to see how God unfolds the next few months.

Medan, North Sumatra

2008-06-14T16:46:00.001-07:00

Day 3...

Woke up a little early this morning, still jet lag pretty well undercontrol. Heading to church with David Chang, the regional director, and his family in just a few hours. Spent yesterday exploring the city of Medan (2 million), here in North Sumatra. In the AM us three bule (foreigners) went for a long walk to take in the sights, tastes and smells, and would have gotten hopelessly lost did we not have a GPS to guide our way back through the back streets to the FH office where we are currently staying. When we got back we met a couple of local staff, Wira and Candra (pronounced Chandra), that then took us out to lunch then down town for more of the sights. They even took us to a mall which would put Scottsdale fashion square to shame (seriously)...so odd finding a place like that in the middle of city with raw sewage in the streets, and abject poverty everywhere you look.

The food here is pretty amazing, and the fresh fruit selection rocks. People are all very friendly and patient with us as we try to grasp the language. The other two have been doing a much better job at this. Andrew especially! Slowly but surely I'm pulling up the rear in linguistic skills. Know we are all safe and doing well. Flying out to our perspective locations on Tuesday. I will be flying to the island of Nias where it is looking like I will be spending the majority of my time out in the posko, jungle outpost, as long as we can set up internet access there. It is amazing how far the reach of cell phones has gone in the past few decades, and we are hoping to put up a mobile network access point there at the posko, part of my first set of responsibilities. I will keep you updated as I am able, and as I find out more information myself.

Seat 44C

2008-06-13T18:32:00.000-07:00

I am sitting here on a Malaysian airlines flight currently flying only 50 miles south of the island of Okinawa which I called “homish” only 5 months ago. Its funny how God has a way of things happening HIS way…yet despite all our years of built up hind sight we (I) have repeatedly still felt we can control our own destiny. I got to thinking about how I got to the point where I am, exit row seat 44C enroute to 2 months in the jungle of Indonesia.

I’ll give a synopsis for those that don’t know me well as well as for me to see it written down…

1984: May 3, Mary and Larry Van Korlaar become proud parents, I just cried…a lot. Apparently I wasn’t too happy about leaving.

1989: Vacation Bible School 1989ish, I, little 5-year-old Craig, asks Jesus to come live in my heart.

1992 My parents feel they are called to the mission field (my mom says “God I’ll go anywhere…but Africa” I don’t want to go anywhere.

1994 Rethy, Zaire, Africa (case and point) becomes the Van Korlaar Clan’s new home.

1996 Dec, we are forced to evaluate Zaire, I don’t want to leave, lots of anger hurt and questions. We’re safe, not so my Congolese friends.

1997 AZ/FL Worst year of my life.

1998 Move back to Africa, this time Nairobi, Kenya. I am happy to leave! This is also the year I took full ownership of my faith.

1999 Meet my best friend Erik Zilen. We both swear we’ll never be missionaries or raise support. We’ll work in Africa one day, but never the M word.

2000: Hate hypocrisy of Christians, especially those in “God’s service” and so I rebel…I know, how very non-hypocritical of me.

2001: June – After mission politics causes close of school right before my senior year. We move back to States.

Sept 8th I sign up for the US Marines, EVERYONE is shocked.
Sept 11th my mom freaks out. Bin Laden was no stranger to me (Nairobi Embassy bombing) I was ready to ship out that day.

2002: Graduate from Washington High School

July: I am supposed to leave for boot camp, recruiter quota is full so he pushes back my ship date…over and over. I am jobless, couch crashing and living off my credit card. After 2 ½ months of this I tell them to get their act together and sign up for the fall semester at Glendale Community College and tell them I'll talk to them again after the semester.

2003: Boot camp, Combat training, aircrew school

Aug/Sept I am told I will be working on hueys as a crew chief/door gunner. Day before I get my orders, I am told about a voluntary board for the Navigator position on C-130s. “You mean those slow cargo planes with no weapons?!” Well I don’t volunteer, but what do you know I’m ordered to go anyways. We have an affectionate term for this…voluntold. I STRONGLY consider purposefully bombing the test out of spite but conscience wouldn’t let me. I am selected and then get into a tearful fistfight with my pillow. “Why?”

2004 I get one year orders to Japan. Not all that excited but figure I’d get the “Rock” as Marines call Okinawa out of the way.

“Oh, oops now we only do 2 year orders to Japan.” Yet more whys…

2007 Love my job, and voluntarily extend for a third year in Japan (I know it's ironic) and begin talking with Food for the Hungry about internships in Africa for when I get out. Won’t be off of active duty in time to make the spring internship orientation, bummed I sign up for ASU.

2008: Leave to Marines and head to ASU to study Sustainability (brand new program first of its kind in the US)

God closes the door on Africa, at least for this summer. Made it clear he wanted me to go where he lead, not where I wanted to serve…I submitted. Several possibilities look likely, the door to Indonesia opens.

April: I begin raising support…OH MAN does God have a sense of humor!

May 28th: God provides the final amount on the day its due…no sooner, no later.

June 9 Orientation starts and I am 100% certain I am right where God wants me, not only in that moment but also beginning to piece together how I got to this point.

God plan was far better than my own, and I can see how he works dispite me. As a missionary kid, I befriended and grew a heart for the poor, was taught by the poor, and developed the concept that this earth, let along any place on it, is not my home. Moving to Zaire (Congo) and the experiences there, led in part to me joining military and a longing for justice. Experiences with Erik, not only gained me a life long friend and a brother but also taught us early on that Christians will disappoint, and God thankfully is not simply a reflection of His people. Military – I quickly learned that muscles are not issued, that you still have to spend time in the gym…so much for that. America and its military are not what it strives to be on paper. Like mission organizations, is comprised of people there for doomed to fall short. College – Had I continued in '03, I would have had to settle for a degree that didn’t really fit my passions. Now I get to pursue Sustainability with an International Development focus, with the added blessing that it is free! God’s timing... Missions – I think I really needed this past 5 months to realign myself with life outside military, to address some spiritual issues, and to soak up family time. I would have tried diving right in, thankfully once again God’s timing is best.

All this long post to say, I am excited to continue letting God have the reigns on this one.

I'm leaving on a jet plane....

2008-06-11T21:59:00.000-07:00

Hey everybody! At the airport with fellow Indonesia interns, Andrew and David (different locations than me) We are all REALLY excited. Spent the past three days with Food for the Hungry in their Phoenix office conducting orientation. We are all very impressed with FH's transparency, heart, and priorities. I am very excited to be joining the team over this summer. Things that stood out to me....

Focus of FH, aka its mission is "To walk with churches, leaders and families in overcoming all forms of human poverty by living in healthy relationship with God and His creation."

Micah 6:8 "what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbyly with your God.

You read this as I did and you're probably like, oh cool. But as I've been unpacking both this verse as well as the mission statement of FH God has been blowing me away. Walk WITH! I could probably spend the next two months on just those two words alone. I will try to sum up in just a few sentences what these words now mean to me obviously most of these concepts relate directly to God as well but I will focus on the human tangible element right now. PRESENT, both physically being along side of them but also attention and emotionally present. ALONG SIDE not pulling along by the hand, not following, not piggy backing but along side. LOOKING into their face and eyes and not simply just hearing their words. (The beauty of language barriers, you look past the words to try and understand heart) SUPPORT...being a support but also allowing them to mutually support you. VALUE them a an equal, brother and sister, spiritually but also on a human sense, not valuing a beggar less than a member of Congress, but to love them both, desire to know their heart and thoughts. HUMBLE being willing to listen to what they have to teach you as well. What can you possibly learn from a bum? If you say that you've never spent 3 hours talking to a bum as if they were a regular person, Coleman changed my life.

God is AWESOME! I am so excited to be on the very edge of carrying my hearts desire out full time, for reals in a foreign land. I can't wait to see what God and the Indonesians have to teach me, and I yearn for them to be changed as well. "...my Your kindom come your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven."

Provision

2008-06-04T09:14:00.000-07:00

God is straight up awesome! He provides for our needs again and again, yet somehow us little humans keep wondering if he'll come through this time. Well God definitely was patient with me and totally came through, yet again. His timing is perfect! Sometimes this little saying has become cliche but it shouldn't be. God's timing is certainly not subject to our wants, or our plans but it is perfect never the less. Funds were still a little short as of two days before they were due, and I'll be honest, the worrying set in. But on the final day when I called up FH to check on the status I was told I had the full amount. Not more, not less. We're talking within $20! I imagine God was smiling at that moment though there was likely also a look of longing in his eye to see my trust not waiver, to know it was not conditional. The cool thing is that during those last few days I really came to grips with the fact that God faithfulness was not subject to my conditions. God deserves to be trusted regardless of the situation, the outcome, and even if my support still fell short, he was still trustworthy and would still provide in his own timing.

Now the item requiring trust is the visas. Due to some paperwork delays getting special permission to travel to this other wise off limits region took longer than expected, meaning the actual visa applications only got sent in yesterday June 3rd, with my plane leaving on the 12th. Once again, God will provide, in his own timing and in his own way. Please be praying that Lord willing everything is in place come travel time, but also be praying that if God has other plans that I would keep surrendering to them regardless.

As the time draws near, I am growing very excited (with a little anxious of the unknown). This will prove an interesting summer to be sure!

Love you all!
Craig-

More to follow...

2008-05-03T16:02:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone!

Being Christ's Tagan dan kaki, hands and feet (or at least as close as my crude dictionary translation could get me), is going to be my life's purpose this summer. This will be the place I will keep you all posted regarding what God is doing both in my heart and life, as well as on the small island of Nias, Indonesia. I can't tell you how excited I am to be apart of an amazing organization like Food for the Hungry as they reach out to those in need around the world. I look forward to sharing these experiences with you as I am able to gain internet access (at least once a week). Thank you all for your love, prayers and encouragement!

Love you all!
Craig-