• God introduces Himself to us
• We "fall" in love, want to know and follow Him and in the process we become fully human
• Life is a dance as we stay in love and learn His ways (dancing is hard for me)
• As we live together His character, ways and purposes are fulfilled in us
• Stay in love, keep saying yes, do what God puts in your heart, include others

Alternative Missions became a non-profit corporation in 1995 to facilitate the hopes and dreams of a group of friends. Since that time A. M. has operated as a growing organization encouraging missionaries and mission teams to believe God for great things as they seek to share the love of God and message of the Gospel. 

What does Alternative Missions do?

We pioneer and run ministry projects...

• Ministry locations in various countries. 

We coordinate resources related to missions...

• Teams, equipment, supplies.

We recruit, train, and facilitate missionaries... 

• Alternative Missions University and Staff support

Statement of Purpose

Alternative Missions exists to...

• Express the love of God in ways that are relevant, creative and tangible in order to influence people to come under the lordship of Jesus Christ.

• Seek out and partner with others who want to commit to the long term process related to influencing people for Christ.

• Network resources to missions projects around the world.

We truly believe that "You can do things I cannot do; I can do things you cannot do and together we can do great things!" Mother Theresa

Let's serve together!

Over the next few weeks I am in Roatan, Honduras working with people who are "the behind the curtain folks" in desperate need of housing and other basic necessities. From August 8-14 I am being joined by a team from the North Seattle Alliance Church in Seattle, Washington who have generously given of their time and finances to build a home with Consuelo and her family. You can follow a blog post about the build here that will have pictures and running commentary as the build takes place.

Roatan is an island that most visitors that arrive by plane, sail boat or cruise ship know as a beautiful tropical paradise where every pleasure related to food, beach and other desires can be fulfilled. What tourists do not see is that behind the "curtain" exists a population of desperately poor people who live without the benefit or conveniences that the hotels and dive resorts provide those with money. One day of play for a tourist can represents months of income for a local family with the combined income of several people. It is amazing and sad. A local worker can watch a tourist enjoy things that they could not even dream of...like eat. This week I have been shown the world not seen or experienced by most. It is a world of folks trying to survive. Their day is spent trying to find enough work to provide water, food, and shelter for their families. I don't mean an abundance of those things I mean enough to survive the day. It is amazing and heart wrenching to see and experience. While people come and go on world class cruise ships and fly in on personal and commercial jets to experience some of the best diving the world has to offer, others watch and wonder why they have to live like garbage dump dogs. I am finding it hard to sleep at night processing what I have seen. 

As I tour the island and then consider what can be done I am reminded that it mentions several places in scripture that Jesus "saw" the crowd or individuals need and was "moved" with compassion and took action. I am also reminded that Jesus has commanded us to "Go" with the gospel. I think both of those are important and need to be a part of our lives…"Going" and "Seeing". As we go we will see and the combination allows for our hearts to go out to people and act in compassionate ways.  I wrote a blog post called "Pray, Go, Give" which is also the title of my blog. It speaks of a beneficial life cycle that exists as we do so. 

Personally; I am finding great fulfillment building homes for folks. The relationships that are formed and needs that are met are incredible. The week long build gives amble time to show people the love of God and share in their life with them. I cherish the time visiting and praying with folks. People are connected together and the love and truth of the gospel is shared with the family, friends, neighbors, and all that we do business with. It is an amazing experience. I would love to have you join me on a build. I have many families that I have interviewed who dream of a simple, clean, safe home to put their kids to bed in at night. Let's talk about how you can participate by "Praying, Going & Giving" towards a home for a family in need.

When there is a high tide this ladies home (made of particle board) fills with water. What a mess...she needs a new home. Can you join me with your prayers, time and finances and build her and her daughter a home? Dwellings: Building Homes / Changing Lives.

Book Recommendation: "The Hole in our Gospel" What does God expect of us? (an overview of the who, what and why of those in need and what we can do about it)

If you would like to help provide a home for a family in need you can contact me via email: tom@alterantivemissions.com 

Conceptual drawing of the home we build in Roatan.

1.  Identify what you believe and value. - write them down so you can see how they relate to one another.
2.  Look for ways to live out your beliefs and values. - prayer is a big help here. Talk to your friends. Be creative.
3.  Create steps of action that others can follow. - organize for growth and effectiveness / there are a lot of ways to get something done.
4.  Encourage people to join you. - communication is the key.
5.  Do it and show others how it can be done.

I have found these steps of action to be effective in starting Alternative Missions and other mission organizations. Having identified my beliefs and values I went on a journey of finding creative ways of living them out. Steps of action were created, projects were developed, people were invited to join me on the journey and together we have touched the lives of countless folks. What was a response to personal beliefs and values has now grown to facilitate the involvement of thousands of people, millions of dollars and projects in several countries.

This process is easier than you might think. Time, effort, and communication are required. People are seeking out opportunities to live out their beliefs and values. You can be the catalyst that brings them together. Get started today. Share your heart with someone that will join you and before you know it you will be in the middle of a movement.

Additional Reading:

• Communication Tools for Buiding Your Team

This has been an interesting morning. I have been preparing for a phone call/interview regarding the history of Surfers For Missions International, one of the ministries I have been involved in pioneering over the years. Reviewing the details related to events and people over a 10+ year time span has evoked memories of gratitude and regret. There are so many miracles, special people, and yet difficult aspects to any given endeavor. As I weaved my way through the narrative in my mind I experienced the spectrum of emotions from joy to sorrow. We; God and people, accomplished some amazing things! I recalled stories of calling, provision, adventure, friendship and changed lives. The bummer is that there are also stories of misunderstandings, hurt, and disappointment. While I do have some regrets, I am thankful for my involvement to this day. If I were to sum up what I am concluding, I would have to say that I realize my personal strengths are also the things that make my life complicated. I suppose we can all say that.

In the past I have taken various "strengths" tests and found them to be enlightening and quite accurate. According to one test my strengths are - Strategic, Self-Assurance, Connectedness, Futuristic, and Activator. The downside is that there are negative aspects or byproducts to each strength, many of which you may have personally experienced if we have been involved in something together.  Those who have been involved in projects with me know that I am not afraid to take a chance and much about "failure" really does not bother me. Another thing about me is that I can become bored easily which adds to the complications of how I do life. I could go on and on regarding the negative side of my strengths. My hope is that going into the future, I will be more aware of my strengths and weaknesses. More than anything I hope, in time, I can reconnect with some folks while going on to new projects, people and accomplishments.

I WISH:

• I could have a redo on some things.
• I understood some people and situations better.
• I was in touch with some folks that are no longer in my life.

I Am Thankful For:

• The amazing people I have met, places I have gone, and things God has blessed me with getting to do.
• My wife, kids, and friends that have not given up on doing life with me.
• The way God is patient with me and allows me to participate in what He is doing.

I have the privilege of leading the Dwellings home building ministry for Alternative Missions. I love the "hands on" and personal nature of this ministry. I have benefitted by my involvement and received far more than I have given. Let me share with you what building homes for others has meant to me.

Join me and Pray, Give and Go.

How Building Homes for Families in Need is Changing My Life

Poverty

• By entering the world of the "poor" I learn how people can be marginalized by economic class and it helps me be more aware of how I view and treat others. 
• I learn about how people survive in tough times and it gives me peace to know that I can do the same if the time comes for me to do so.

People / Community

• I see how helping one another is the essence of community life and that makes me a better person back home.
• The build gives opportunity for new friendships to form and love to be shared across race, ethnic, and economic barriers which is a blessing for all involved. Working together allows relationships to form that may not have a chance in any other way giving place to love and shared life. Shared life changes me. As I love others I see life and hope and love birthed in them and in me.
• As I build I connect with people with different life experiences but the same dreams like health and safety for children and the hope that they will have better lives. It grounds me in the truth that we are really very much alike. As new friendships are formed confidences are shared, discussed, and prayed over. God is there and good things happen in all of our lives.

Simplicity

• I enter a world that I would otherwise never experience and it gives me the ability to think differently.
• I am exposed to how little is needed to live, which affects what I want, leading to contentment with a simpler lifestyle.
• I watch how those who have less to distract them have more time for each other which encourages me to evaluate both what I posses and what I spend my time doing.
• The build is a time dedicated to serving which is a form of worship and an excellent time for contemplation.

Giving

• I see how giving encourages giving and when we choose that lifestyle we create an environment that others will join. I participate in miracles of provision and those miracles build my faith and renew my hope for all aspects of my life. I have opportunity to meet people on planes, in taxis, at restaurants, and on the worksite and as I share what I do it is encouraging to hear how many people want to help. I meet and experience interesting people and those people enrich my life.
• Building homes (hands on) puts me in a place of doing that thinking or wishing or dreaming can not accomplish. We live in a fast paced technological world where reading or thinking makes it seem like we are doing more than we really are. The doing is making me a better person.
• I experience extreme dependence and sense the very real need for God to be our friend, father, and provider which helps me recognize that God is my source.

What a concept in our crazy busy world...Time Alone? We all need it. Some avoid it. Others are purposeful about it. Many wish they could figure out how they could have it.  

The Benefits of Time Alone:

• Re-creation, Inspiration, Peace, Direction

Some signs that you may need some purposeful Time Alone.

• Feelings of frustration, lack of direction, discouragement, depression, sickness, broken relationships, burnout, purposelessness.

Time Alone is a Spiritual Discipline (solitude):

• Jesus took it: “he went up on a mountainside to pray.”

• Jesus invites us to: "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest."

• Speaking of Elisha: “And it came to pass, when the minstrel played, that the hand of the LORD came upon him.”

Daily Time Alone Ideas:

• Find a time in the day that works for you.

  • Find a private or special place in your home that you like.

• Read, listen to music, exercise, take a walk, watch a sunset, pray

Schedule Time Alone:

• Go hiking, fishing, hunting, golfing, to the spa, for a drive or ride on your bike. There are countless culturally acceptable hobbies and interests.

• A day or weekend away - plan your time to some degree ... be purposeful.

Extended Time Alone:

• Aboriginal Australians have the “Walkabout”

• Modern sojourners go “Trekking” or on “Walking Tours”

  • I hitchhiked and rode freight trains when I was young

• A purposeful approach can be a Short Term Missions trip serving others while processing things in your own heart, mind and spirit.

• Some might find they need a longer period of time away.

Making Time Alone work with those you love:

• If you are married you will need to talk and plan Time Alone. The loving thing to do is to recognize each others need and plan for each persons need to be met. That may mean rearranging your schedule in order to serve your spouse. Watch the kids, arrange for a sitter, plan something together. You may be saving your marriage. Mothers of young children will appreciate their husbands sensitivity to this need. 

• Some alone times don’t have to be completely alone.

  • Enjoy a sunset, bike ride or take a drive with someone who can respect the moment.

Quotes about Time Alone:

We live in a very tense society.  We are pulled apart... and we all need to learn how to pull ourselves together.... I think that at least part of the answer lies in solitude.  ~Helen Hayes

The great omission in American life is solitude; not loneliness, for this is an alienation that thrives most in the midst of crowds, but that zone of time and space, free from the outside pressures, which is the incubator of the spirit.  ~Marya Mannes

No man should go through life without once experiencing healthy, even bored solitude in the wilderness, finding himself depending solely on himself and thereby learning his true and hidden strength.  ~Jack Kerouac

Additional Resources:

Movies that address this topic:

• Into the Wild

• City Slickers

I am sure there are many others.

How do you manage Time Alone? How does it work with those you love? Can you think of resources that might be helpful to others?

Facebook is a GREAT way to network and involve people in your life and mission. 

In the past 25+ years since I have been in missions communications has changed ALOT. I have gone from expensive and time consuming quarterly "regular mail" newsletters to emailed newsletters to instant and free communication via Twitter and Facebook that allow video, audio, and a variety of other content. For now I can't think of a better way to stay connected. While other communication tools should not be abandoned and personal time with folks is always best Facebook is quickly becoming the medium of choice for those you want to be in touch with. 

Facebook has a plethora of tools, features and applications. It is important to be strategic and thoughtful about how you develop your Facebook site as a missions networking tool. There is a lot to be said on this subject. In this opening round I will limit myself to a few thoughts and links. 

Some do's:

Get started ... Now.

• Wall - post often, educate, and inspire people.

• Info - post appropriate personal and mission related content.

• Photos - think before you post. How do your photos enhance your mission?

• Links - find content that is helpful and share it. 

• Video - this is a powerful medium I need to develop.

• Notes - this can work in the place of a blog.

• Email -  someday this might be the only email tool you will need.

Some don’ts:

• Wall - Don’t fill it with farmville and mafia wars game posts and expect to be taken seriously.

• Info - Clean it up!

• Picture - Limit the “party” with friends and restaurant photos and post some photos of needs and ministry.

• Email - spare the world your personal comments to others by making use of the email tool. I think it is weird and creepy when people make personal comments to their wife or someone they live in the same house with on their wall.  Get a room and realize people don’t want to read that stuff.

If you have a FB page and want to use it for communicating about missions go through and clean up your existing FB site. Make sure your accomplishing what you want with your content. 

You may want to consider starting a fan page or cause for your ministry content:   I prefer the cause application over the fan page.

My Cause:  “Hackett Mission Support Team”

Solicit "Friends": I am always looking to add friends so whenever I speak or am representing Alternative Missions somewhere I ask people to add me as a friend on Facebook. I like to have a sign up sheet available asking for people's name, email and whether or not they are on Facebook or Twitter.

Related PGG Links:

• The Missionary Life is a Shared Life

• 5 Steps to Creating a Movement

• Mission Support Team Building = Success in Missions

• The Verizon Effect

• Communication Tools for Building Your Team

Join the conversation. What works for you?

Let’s be friends on Facebook

Luke 2:52 - Jesus "hidden" years between age 12 - 30? How might we use those years to prepare for ministry or a career in missions?

"And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men."

Wisdom - learned about truth and it's application to life.

• How is your environment, culture, region affecting your ability to understand truth?

Stature - physical development

• Learned to manage his body - self control, eat, drink, exercise, sexuality

Relationship with God 

• Learn the word, communication (prayer), God's voice, exercise faith (attempt great things for God…it is something you learn)
• Learn the art of contemplation ("full or deep consideration; reflection")

Relationship with Men

• Develop quality relationships (Jesus & John the Baptist)  They are critical to forming your values. Marry well! It makes all the difference
• Learn how to team, cooperate, and serve  
• Learn how to work
• Develop a network

Twitter, Facebook, Blogs, Email - a successful life in missions is directly related to your ability to network.

Join Blogs that can serve as training and mentoring relationships

Pray, Go, Give    There many quality blogs and networks. - read and ask questions.

Let's be friends on Facebook

Later that day I ran into a woman whos daughter has moved to the U.S. looking for a better life and she asked if I could go on my computer and show her pictures of her grandchild she has never seen. It turns out her daughter is a friend on Facebook. Later today I look forward to showing her photos of her granddaughter.

So here I am up since 2am unable to sleep thinking about life in the worlds I live in. I have been spending some time checking on news in the U.S. and other parts of the world via websites, blogs and twitter. Wow; that is scary. Being in a place where some people don't even know what the Olympics are and I am getting majorly stressed out. I am wondering when I will be able to sleep again. What a blessing and curse technology can be.  I am blessed to be able to video conference with my wife on Skype while I am away and stay a nervous wreck over world news at the same time. I have to admit I am hooked on technology and yet there is definately an appeal to the simplicty of this village. Relationships, hard work, survival, and not knowing some things can be good. We live in interesting times.

There is a lot to process as I live the missionary life. I am glad that I live at this time in history. My goal is to balance technology with contemplation, family, friends and service to others. God is good. Let's do this together!