KACC GO! TEAMS

Australia's Aboriginality

2011-07-09T06:59:00.000-07:00

As we round the final turn and begin our run toward the finish, our Australia team has been blessed and sometimes overwhelmed with all God has shown us here in Queensland. A good portion of our last two days has been spent with the indigenous (aboriginal) community- observing, interacting with and learning from them as they live out lives straining toward a greater recognition and equality in this setting.

"Deadly" is a good term here!

We spent the better part of Friday at NAIDOC (National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee) which celebrates the indigenous cultures of the aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It is a festive, carnival-like atmosphere with much joy and thankfulness for the heritages presented. We watched dances, heard singers and speakers, and interacted with organizations and vendors providing social services information for those in attendance.

This afternoon we learned to throw boomerangs (some learned better than others) with Goma Conlon, an indigenous pastor and good friend. He also demonstrated the playing of the didgeridoo (way cool) and talked about what it mans to be a follower of Christ in the aboriginal setting. Following this, we hopped over to the church at which he and another indigenous pastor are working an shared evening service with them. It was a great blessing to gather and worship with them. Josh drummed for their worship team, Don and Alexis shared testimonies and Alexis sang. What a rich history of stories and struggle were present among those members!

I thought you might like to share one more collection of photos of this great team:

NAIDOC festivities in downtown Brisbane

Josh and Luke made a new friend

Papa Fresh in da house!

Time for chocolate fondue at Max Brenners

Don sharing testimony at Saturday night service

Remember these guys?! They were the bomb!

Josh and Alexis with Saturday night worship team

Please pray for our last hours here. I'll preach Sunday morning at Ann Street, and Josh will speak for their Youth Church in the evening. We want more chances to share the hope that's within us before we leave these shores. Will you ask God to provide them, and for us to boldly speak of what He's done with our lives and what He wants to do for all who come to Him? Thanks!

We'll see youse soon- good on ya!

Eidsvold Doesn't Sound Australian

2011-07-07T08:32:00.000-07:00

Our 2011 Australia GO! Team has had an incredible experience so far! We just returned from 4 days in Eidsvold, a small community about six hours from Brisbane. Our goal was to serve the Christian Center there, along with its new pastor, Mark, and his wife, Alex. We had such a great time with kids and adults alike, playing sports, working through Bible lessons and crafts, singing, eating and running around together. We also got better acquainted with different adults in town, learning much about the issues and circumstances surrounding this small community of both white and aboriginal residents.

It's tough to quantify our take-aways from this experience, or the impact we were able to have. One local businessman did tell me that he appreciated our group being there, even for a few days each year, because he saw positive influence in kids' lives from our interaction with them. He told me that our presence is a reminder of normality (imagine someone referring to us as normal!), that the world is bigger and more functional than what is seen only through the local lens of the town. He thanked us for coming again, and offered his encouragement for our return next year.

The following are some more snaps of our last couple of days. I'll write more about Eidsvold and other good stuff a bit later:

Pastor Mark and his wife, Alex

Prayer circle before leaving Eidsvold

Captain Luke, superhero of the crafts debris!

Lianna mixing it with kids during crafts

Craft Woman Leslee and her monkey

Beautiful Eidsvold kids

Josh and Clinton

Which way back to Brisbane?!

Alexis singing to an appreciative audience

Don (aka Papa Fresh) and the girls, Leslee and Daun

Please keep us in prayers as we head into our final weekend here. Pray that we'll finish well and will take every opportunity to share the most important message on our hearts. Pray that we will remain focused on the task at hand and not too distracted by thoughts of getting back to our "regular" way of life. And pray that God will speak to us, even as He speaks through us, concerning lessons He's been showing us while serving here. We just can't afford to be the same people when we return as we were before we left.

And those around us can't afford that either.

GO! Australia in Fine Fashion

2011-07-02T06:37:00.000-07:00

Wow! it's been a whirlwind first week here in Brisbane for our team. We've tried to update our activities via Facebook, but our long days/evening schedule has hindered blogging up to this point.

Ann Street Church

We made it here with no worries, surprising our missionary (Daun) with her father (Don)! It was great to see her stunned expression at the airport as he came out the ramp! More than anything throughout this week, we've been impressed with the need and opportunity for relationships. The young people of the Ann Street Church are so open for friendships, and those connections matter to them. People with whom we've come into contact are also open to finding more about us and connecting with us on some level. These opportunities are abundant and fairly easy to negotiate- something all of us are able to do!

Community BBQ

We've been to an island off Brisbane's shore with the church, visited a zoo, cleaned and begun repainting Ann Street's Fellowship Hall, eaten kangaroo, served a Community BBQ (like our Community Supper), dined at the Pancake House in the city at midnite, attended a farewell service for Ron Tatum (visiting for a month from Southside Christian Church in Inglewood), and prayer walked in the city...just to mention a few things. Tomorrow (Sunday), Mike will preach a combined service (Ann St. regulars and their Korean church), then we'll pack up and head to Eidsvold, a small, predominantly aboriginal community 6 hours from here. Chances are there'll be no way to blog there, so we'll catch you up on our return next Thursday. Meanwhile, thank you for your prayers and love (keep 'em coming!), and enjoy a few recent snaps:

Daddy Don

Luke the artist

Josh and St. John

Alexis and the Ann St. mob

Work crew gettin' it done

In 'N' Out training pays off

Beach bunnies!

Mike keeping an eye out

We've experienced a lot in a short time, and there's more to come! Pray for opportunity and boldness as we represent our God here. We love you all!

Australia and Montana- GO!

2011-06-23T11:17:00.000-07:00

Summer in SoCal is kicking off, and with it two Knott Avenue Global Outreach (GO!) Teams committed to making a lasting difference throughout the world.

GO! Australia will be in Brisbane June 26-July 11. We'll again partner with our own Daun Slauson and the Ann Street Church of Christ, working with them as they reach those in their world. Our team includes Luke Hamagiwa, Josh Carman, Leslee Marvin, Lianna Cabrera, Mike Carman, and (in insets) Alexis Alvarado and Dan Stanton.

GO! Montana- Larry and Joyce Clasen, Kelly and Judy Kappen, Lynn Ramirez, Carol Hall, and John and Connie Bergsto (not pictured)- will be in Kalispell, MT June 26-July 6, working at the Youth With a Mission (YWAM) base there. This training center is led by Jeff and Kristi Wilke from KACC. The team will be busy with projects from office help to construction needs.

These teams need your prayers, as the experiences they'll encounter are not simply of the physical realm. Without sounding too esoteric, we need to remember that we wage a battle of a spiritual nature. That means that no matter what we're involved with, there are spiritual overtones and constructs that take us from the natural to the supernatural. Our conversations, relationships and opportunities all have spiritual overtones and ramifications that may resound into eternity. So please pray for each of these team members as they give themselves for a cause so much greater than they.

Brisbane

Pray for them as they travel, serve, connect and pour themselves out for the glory of our Lord. Pray for divine appointments with people who need the hope and that Jesus brings. Pray for team unity and a spirit of oneness. Pray for their families who will carry on here in their absence.

Remember also that you can check this blog site periodically for updates (at least for the Australia team!) as a way to keep you more closely connected with what's going on. Better yet, you can subscribe to this blog (it's on the right of this screen and it's free!) so that when we do post, that update will come to you automagically! Thanks for your prayers and concern for our teams...and as we go, will you also be aware of your call to go to wherever your world or field might be today so that you can make a world of difference?

After all, we really are all in this together!

Canada, Eh! Some Final Thoughts

2011-06-10T11:48:00.000-07:00

I've spent the better part of this seek reflecting on out team's recent time in Toronto. We had opportunity to see and do much, meet many, and learn so many things. Friends here at home have asked us about the trip and those experiences that stood out to us. I want to take a moment to list a few of those highlights (although my list may differ slightly from what my teammates might say!):

The ethnic and cultural diversity was overwhelming. We learned that 55% of Canadians are now born outside of Canada. In a gathering of some local Christian church pastors, five of the eight were non-Canadian born! The Churchill Meadows Christian Church, a congregation of more than 600 with whom we partner, has more than 46 ethnic or people groups represented!

This diversity provides great opportunity for the gospel. We met with a young Polish church and its leadership, and spent a day in Little Portugal, distributing information for a new Brazilian church plant.

We visited Hindu and Buddhist temples, and a mosque. The time at the mosque was especially engaging, as we spent time with a young imam named Munir. He explained tenets of Islam with us and was extremely open and gracious as we discussed differences between our faiths. There were times he admitted he had no answer to some of our questions, and we parted ways agreeing to continue seeking truth, wherever it might be found. Please pray for him, that he will truly find the truth about God and the need for a relationship with Jesus.

People throughout Toronto (properly called "Torontonians," we discovered!) were extremely nice to us, in every situation. They received us politely as we distributed information about the church house-to-house, they helped us whenever we approached them with a need, and they were patient with us at every turn. I asked the Canadian sitting next to me on the flight back to LA if every one in Toronto was so nice, and he replied, "Oh, there are many cities in the country where people are far nicer than those in Toronto!" If that's true, I want to visit those cities!

Canada has great spiritual need. The culture has become increasingly secular in the last years, with little tolerance for Christianity. The increasing immigration means a huge influx in other faiths, and a great deal of favor and latitude have been afforded them. But standing for Christ has become more unpopular and difficult for individuals and groups. There's more need for new churches now than ever! We know that church planting is the most effective evangelism that can be done, and now is the time for contextually-relevant expressions of the church, meeting the needs of and hopes of this generation.

We can make a difference in Canada! Churches and individuals like us can impact and influence the spiritual landscape of those to the north of us. Our partnership encourages and strengthens our brothers and sisters there. Our involvement can help open new works and extend the influence of God's kingdom beyond our front doors.

Jim Tune, senior pastor of CMCC and president of Impact Canada, told us that it's understandable that we funnel resources and attention to the farthest points of the world. And it's easy to overlook those who may be closest to us, assuming that they have all they need to understand the truth about God. But with declining spirituality and burgeoning immigration, Canada, though a first-world nation economically, is a third-world nation spiritually (Jim's words). And that a Canadian soul dying without Jesus faces the same eternal consequences as a person in India, China, Japan or anywhere else who dies without knowing Him.

Thanks to those of you who prayed for us while we were away- but please don't stop your prayers! Keep praying for your brothers and sisters at Churchill Meadows, for the churches in Toronto and beyond, for Impact Canada as it continues to plant churches throughout the country, and for God to be glorified among the Canadian people. And in case you're interested, we're already talking about returning next year. Pray about it...and the possibility of your place on the team with us.

Take a Look- GO! Team Canada

2011-06-08T22:35:00.000-07:00

We made it safely back to Los Angeles late Sunday evening, after a tremendous worship experience with Churchill Meadows Christian Church. I'll write more on that in the next post. But for now, a few pics of some of our great experiences...

Shop in Little Portugal (urban Toronto)

Jerry (church member) and Jose (Brazilian church planter)

GO! Canada Team ready for action

Jose and Mike with Brazilian flag

Mary in her groove with Caribbean singers at cultural festival

Pastor Gregory of Polish church plant

Cory and Floyd, Prez and VP of Voice of the Martyrs, Canada (Floyd is a CMCC elder!)

CN Tower, tallest North American building, and we were up there!

Ann, Liz and Mary taking a breather

Liz enjoying the TImbits (Canadian donut holes from Tim Horton's)

CMCC worship team led by Tim Kolb (center)

Taking Toronto- KACC GO! Team

2011-06-01T20:31:00.000-07:00

The trip is just past the halfway mark, and we are brimming with information, insight, challenge and blessing here in Toronto.

Our time with the Churchill Meadow Church has been remarkable. This is a congregation begun 10 years ago in the home of Jim and Claudia Tune. They had been meeting in schools as they purchased property toward an edge of the city of Mississauga. In fact, in 2006, Shane Womack (KACC senior pastor) and I stood in that empty field with Jim and Claudia and prayed for God to demonstrate his power and direction for this group as they desired to build a facility that would move God's kingdom work forward. Two months ago the church moved into its new campus on this site, and they are going full throttle, trying to "lay down track in front of a moving train," as Jim put it. I'm blessed that KACC has partnered with this work and is able to contribute in multiple ways to its development and success.

We've been on the move the last few days as well. We're working daily to place door hangers announcing upcoming events in adjacent communities to the church.

The last two days we've hung more than 1,000 flyers, and been able to speak with people along the way. We met with a group of Christian Church pastors yesterday, and were challenged in hearing their stories of struggle and success in their communities. Of the eight men present, five were NOT Canadian-born! So much diversity and opportunity here.

Today we visited a local mosque, where Edmund (CMCC's admin pastor) has a good relationship with a young imam, Munir. He was extremely gracious as he shared the tenets of Islam with us, fed us and tried to make us feel a bit more comfortable than we may have appeared at first. As our conversation progressed, we were able to ask more pointed questions, clarify differences (as well as similarities), and share the Gospel with him. He seemed surprised at some of the things we did and didn't believe, and was vulnerable enough to tell us when he didn't have answers to certain questions. We ended on a positive note, as we encouraged him to seek truth (and he us). And I got his email address, so I can keep in touch...which I will!

There's a spiritual battle taking place in this great nation, something greater than we realize. Our brothers and sisters need our prayers, our partnership and our willingness to step out and become part of the battle in some measurable way. Peoples' lives hang in the balance and we have opportunity to come alongside those committed here and stand with them in the fight. Will you pray for Impact Canada (www.impactcanada.org), for the Churchill Meadows church, for the Tunes and other workers here? Will you consider coming on a short-term trip to serve and encouage those who live out this challenge each day? And will you commit to becoming more of a world Christian, looking beyond your own yard to the harvest field before you?

"Do you not say, 'Four months more and then the harvest? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest!'" -Jesus

GO, Canada!

2011-05-29T21:07:00.000-07:00

Well, it wasn't easy at times, but our Toronto GO! TEAM made it out of Orange County and into Canada! We took off Friday morning from LAX with no problem, making a connection in Chicago. That ongoing flight was delayed an hour (no big deal)and we made it into Toronto by 10:00 pm. Edmundo Lucido, the admin pastor of Churchill Meadows Christian Church (our host) met us there and took us to pick up the car we rented. Once onto the freeway, we got ready for the 20+ minute trip to nearby Mississauga, a suburb of Toronto with a population of more than 700,000. However, even through it was a late Friday night, freeway construction squeezed everything down to a choke point (one lane), and our short jaunt took nearly two hours! Weary but undeterred, we made it to our accommodations, met our hosts and settled in for a short time of rest.

Saturday began with a great breakfast time with Jim Tune, senior pastor of CMCC and president of Impact Canada (the church planting organization with whom we partner). He clued us into the spiritual situation in Canada, the heart of Impact Canada and the beginnings of CMCC. We even got to sample REAL Canadian bacon, called peameal bacon. Wow! What a difference from our faux product in the US!

We took off from there for our one free day outing- a drive to Niagara Falls, about a 60-mile drive through beautiful countryside.

The Falls was an unbelievable display of God's handiwork and we were blessed to take it in. But the evening was even better. We got back to the church about 5:30 and bumped into the Polish church plant pastor, who meets with his small group on campus. Gregory invited us to meet with his group that evening, as they were gathering to watch a Joni Ericson DVD in Polish. We were so blessed by our time with these believers! So much sharing of life and encouragement between us all, even with language limitations. The four of us agreed that this was even greater than what we had experienced earlier in the day.

Sunday's two services at CMCC were outstanding. This congregation, newly moved into its current outrageously outstanding facility, numbers about 600- that's mega-church size in Canada. And the ethnic/cultural diversity is overwhelming. At least 46 nations or people groups are represented in the church, all moving and working together as one, and all for God's glory. It's like looking at a small piece of heaven when they gather to worship!

Jim and his wife, Claudia, took us to an Indian dinner where they shared their story, and we were able to see their heart for God and His Kingdom. It was challenging to hear them and know that the burden they have, not just for their city, but for their country and world, is one that needs to be shared by each of us if we're going to complete the task of proclaiming the good news message to all peoples in all places.

Our opening weekend was a great one. And the week promises to be even greater. We'll fill you in on it as it happens- will you remember to lift us in prayer? Specifically ask the Father that we would have opportunity and courage to share with those who need to know the Lord's love. Thanks! More soon...

Rock the Moat!

2010-11-06T00:22:00.001-07:00

We arrived in one (stiff!) piece yesterday in Globe, ready to work with Arizona Reservation Ministries (ARM). We went out on the "fun bus," which is what the kids call it, and had probably 40+ onboard for Bible lesson, games, crafts and snacks. Then we played with them on the playground, avoiding the myriad of glass shrapnel until sunset.

Today we began with a prayer journey, where Diana Lawrence, co-director of ARM, drove us through several of the rez neighborhoods, shared stories and gave us items to pray for. There are always tears in our eyes before we're finished because the situation is so difficult for us to wrap our heads around. And yet we know we need to hear it all, to enter into some level of understanding that we didn't have before, and to feel for a people's plight in a real and ongoing way.

After the prayers, four of the team left to work on a house being built with/for an Apache family. The rest of us found the rock pile on ARM's property. We spent the better part of the day moving rocks to fill giant baskets being set into a bridge. The bridge is being built to access the property across a culvert that fill during the rains. But the county is requiring that the bridge be built according to specs designed for a hundred-year flood that hasn't happened in...well, awhile. I'm telling you, if a nuclear holocaust hits, the cockroaches that we're told will survive will do so by being on this bridge, because it's not going anywhere!

We're tired tonite. Tired, sore and full of questions about circumstances that are so much greater than we can change. It's obvious the answers to needs around us here won't be solved by governments (ours or theirs), or better economics. The deeper issues sure seem to be spiritual, and if that's true, there's only one person who can make that difference. And I'm thankful He's working in ways that are going to produce change in lives. Not just theirs, but ours as well, as we continue to connect with life here.

Thanks for the prayers. Please lift us up tomorrow, as we are helping host a "Family Fun Day" in a local park. We're looking for 150-200 kids and adults to come and spend time laughing, sharing and finding a ray of hope in the midst of much struggle. We want to be difference-makers for people who mean so much to their Heavenly Father. Pray that we will be just that.

- Posted far too late at night because we ran all day.

Location:San Carlos Apache Reservation

GO! Team Heading to San Carlos

2010-11-02T20:36:00.000-07:00

Our next Global Outreach (GO!) Team is getting ready to hit the road this Thursday morning, bound for the San Carlos Apache Reservation and Arizona Reservation Ministry, located in Globe (about 90 mi. east of Phoenix). ARM has been working since 2002 with the San Carlos Apache, building houses, ministering to kids on the youth buses, and connecting with Apache leaders and believers on the reservation.

There are 12 of us on this team, and our hope will be to spend time with kids, help with home-building (some of us do worse at that than others!), help host a picnic/family day on Saturday, and return on Sunday. Please keep us in prayer as we drive, serve, share, and learn lessons God has waiting for us. There is great spiritual warfare in this place and an unusually abundant supply of hopelessness among adults and youth alike. Pray that our lives, our words, and our actions will demonstrate the hope of Jesus in a way that will make people want to know more. We'll update you as we go, both here and on Facebook.

Looking Again at Kenya

2010-10-25T11:08:00.000-07:00

Thought you might enjoy a couple of short video clips taken while we were in Kenya. One is of Pastors Josh (from Parkcrest), William ( from Masii) and me while walking in Masii town. The other is from the top of our vehicle as we bumped through the Maasai Mara on a beautiful Saturday afternoon safari. Hope you enjoy them!

Oh, Kenya!

2010-10-20T22:32:00.000-07:00

It's just hard to believe. Hard to believe we've been back from Kenya for a little more than a week now. It seems like we were just there, yet in some ways it seems like a long time ago. Guess that's the way these experiences usually play themselves out in our lives. And yet, even though Kenya may seem a million miles away at times, there are memories and lessons we gathered there that will be close to our hearts as long as we draw breath.

We learned about trust in God and finding our satisfaction in his grace, regardless of what we have or don't have. About the ways he takes care of us, even in the hardest of struggles. About showing hospitality and warmth to strangers who come and stay awhile. And about taking care of each other, because that's the one debt we owe on a daily basis.

We had the chance to serve in ways that may have been outside our comfort zones, and we discovered that it wasn't as tough as we thought it was going to be. We learned to work outside our cultural parameters, stretching in new ways and finding newly appropriate methods for sharing the love and message of God. And we even picked up some new vocabulary terms, some in Kiswahili and some in Kikamba- just ask Samaki (aka Jeremy) how to say "fish!"

As much as anything else, we saw firsthand the impact and power of a ministry like Tumaini. Children and families with little or no hope have found a new outlook and future for themselves. They have a reason to persevere, and reason to hope again. And we get to continue to be a part of it all.

You need to know that $35 monthly sponsors a Kenyan AIDS orphan. This provides the bulk of educational and material needs for a child, and makes a more promising tomorrow a reality. You may not be able to change the world, but you can change the world of one family for about a dollar a day. Would you consider becoming a sponsor, if you haven't done so already? Find out more at www.tumainiinternational.org.

Here are some pictures of one the greatest trips we've ever taken!

Daktari Ron with local dental license

Sharing with hooch-makers in "Kosovo"

Oh, those lazy kings!

Louise, Wambua, & the home we'll rebuild

The 3 Preaching Amigos- Josh, William, & Mike

The boys in Nairobi- Bill, Daktari Ron & Josh

Watching the elephants was a sacred experience!

Delivering food to a Tumaini family

"Fast Mary" beating the local boy!

Our Kenyan Home Stretch

2010-10-10T08:56:00.000-07:00

It's happened again. Just like in other trips, the finish line has snuck up on us and we're looking at completing our experience almost as quickly as we began.

We wrapped up our work in Masii on Friday and said our good-byes. That was a tough one. One little street girl, Vicky, grabbed Josh's fingers and refused to let go. I thought I heard his heart break in that moment. And when other kids were waving and cheering as we pulled out, Vicky held her head in her hands and refused to look. We felt much the same.

After spending that night in Nairobi, we caught a flight to Maasai Mara in the southwest part of Kenya, for a couple of days of real safari. And I can tell you that this experience is unparalleled with anything I've ever done. We've gotten up close and personal with lions, cheetahs, hippos, elephants, giraffes, buffalo and zebra, to name a few. But you know, as overwhelming as this has been, processing and wrapping our hearts and minds around what we experienced in Nairobi and Masii is an even greater challenge for us.

We debriefed again last night about what we've been through and agreed that God provided so much in such a short period of time that we haven't been able to sort it all out yet. But we did agree that Tumaini is doing a great job of not only providing AIDS orphan sponsorship, but of hope for the future as well. That the Kenyan people need the love of God in a real way, and are very open to receiving it. That Tumaini's use of holistic ministry is key to presenting the gospel to east Africa in a way that makes sense. And that we want to keep ridin' the Tumaini bus as it rolls on down this road.

Thanks to all of you who have given, prayed, encouraged and followed this team in any way the last few weeks. You are part of this experience and we appreciate your place in our lives. We still have some miles to go before we touch down at LAX Tuesday afternoon at 12:40, so keep praying for us. That we'll have the chance to share with one more person about God's love and hope for them. That we'll learn just one more lesson. That we'll hear God's voice one more time.

And that maybe we'll see just one more lion.

A Voice in Kenya

2010-10-06T14:24:00.000-07:00

I heard God's voice today.

Our devotional booklet has focused on learning to hear the voice of God, and I've been working on that during the trip. Before leaving for home visits this morning, I asked God specifically to help me hear his voice today. Our visitations to Tumaini kids and their families took us to a number of homes, some of them with very little. But one was different than the others.

Louise is a grandmother raising her two grandchildren, Rachel and Wambua, because their mom died several years ago through HIV AIDS. Dad's still around, but is sickly and probably has the disease as well. In addition to this loss, Louise has lost other children, one who died giving birth and others to AIDS. She is a faithful believer, a widow, and probably more than 70 years old. She struggles just to make sure her family is taken care of. And Tumaini helps.

Her home consists of a few brick and mud structures that appear little more than small storage sheds. But she and the kids have used them for shelter since last April. It was during heavy rains then that another small brick and mud structure in which they were sleeping began to collapse. Some of the walls gave way in the downpour as the children began screaming, "We're dead! We're dead!" Somehow, walls that should have fallen on them didn't and they were spared.

As Louise shared her story and we surveyed the half-collapsed home, Stanley said quietly to me, "Tumaini doesn't typically involve itself in building homes, but I believe God wants us to rebuild this one." It was then God spoke to my heart and said, "You- you and people you know- make sure this home is redone and this family is safe." I stood there quietly considering the situation. How could we not? I acknowledged what I believed I heard, told Stanley what God had laid on my heart, and asked how much it would cost. He said he would have estimates and a man ready to begin in a couple of days, but he thought it should be about $700. I calmly thought, "Our missions budget can probably afford that."

Then I heard God's voice again. "No," he clearly told me, "Not just from your budget. I want greater awareness and ownership from others. I want you to ask and involve people."

Really. That's what he told me.

So there it is. I believe with all my heart God heard my prayer this morning and spoke to me. It's not exactly what I was expecting (I'm not sure just what I was expecting), but he spoke. And I'm kinda excited, because he's either spoken, speaking, or going to speak to someone else about his or her part in this. If you think God might be speaking to you, let me know. Soon. More rains are on the way and this family needs assistance before something else falls.

It's not about the money. It's about listening. And responding. I'm trying to hear him and follow what I believe he's saying to me. It's not always easy. Too many voices, too many distractions, too much talking on my part. But I know something for sure tonight.

I heard God's voice today.

Of Celebration, Goats, and Tooth in Advertising

2010-10-04T13:45:00.000-07:00

Wow! What a blast! That seems to be the general consensus of the team as we hit this full week of ministry at full speed. First was our time with the Masii Christian Chapel Sunday morning (into afternoon!). Being part of a time of corporate worship in another culture can be nothing short of amazing, and our experience was no exception. The warmth, the energy, the power and the excitement of worship and praise left us wanting more. Josh Chavez preached a powerful message (with the translating help of brother Stanley) and we immersed ourselves in Kenyan culture for a few hours. It's something we'll hold onto for a long, long time.

Today three worked on peoples' teeth while the rest of us loaded supplies and visited some of the kids sponsored by KACC and Parkcrest churches. It took all day to visit six homes- and we should have had my jeep for the roads errr, trails we took to get to our destinations. We met the families (usually grandparents) of these children, caregivers who have stepped up in the wake of the deaths of the kids' parents due to AIDS. And we saw happy, thriving environments where the challenges of raising a second generation has been offset by the joy of seeing God's hand working among them.

A couple of today's gems:
- Mary Flores made such a great impression on one of our visitations that she was bargained for by the family. They decided they would give 36 goats in trade to have her remain with them! We told Mary that she should be honored, as this is a great deal to give on her behalf! A couple of our guys were pretty hungry in the moment, and the prospect of fresh goat meat (and lots of it) sounded good, but they decided it was still too little for the lone woman on our team!

- Daktari Ron Jurgensen (our dentist) was examining a woman who wanted two teeth pulled. As he looked into her mouth he immediately saw that there were actually three, side-by-side, that needed to come out. His translator, Esther, tried to tell that to the patient, but she insisted on only two. Ron, in his great compassion for relieving pain and problem, suggested to Esther that they go ahead and pull the three and tell her that they got the two...to which the patient said in clear English, I said I only wanted two pulled! Ouch! Forgot that she just might understand English, and got busted big time! So two were pulled, if a bit sheepishly!

Thanks for prayers and support. Much is happening, and much is yet to happen. Pray that we hear God's voice and sense His direction as we serve these wonderful people. Right now, we feel like some of the most fortunate people in the world...and indeed we are.

First Report...Good News from Kenya!

2010-10-02T14:02:00.000-07:00

I apologize for taking this long to post a blog about the team. The first week here has been extremely eventful in so many ways. Not only did it take us an extra 11 hours and an extra city to reach Nairobi (a saga in itself!), but we lost Stanley Mutunga as we boarded our flight in NYC. Seems someone for Delta decided he needed more pages in his passport and removed him from the flight until he could get more added. We landed Thursday morning instead of Wednesday evening, and Stanley arrived Friday night!

Nairobi was a quick but eye-opening experience. We journied into Mathare, a slum of about 800,000 (and only the second largest in the city!). There we visited two ministries- WEEP (Women's Equality and Empowerment Project), and Community Transformers. WEEP trains women with HIVAIDS with tailoring skills. These new abilities allow them to provide for their families, and provides value for them in their communities. It gives them a reason to live and a hope for their futures. Community Transformers was started by a group of HIV+ young people who, upon their conversions to Christ, banded together, to remain in Mathare, and now minister to others who may not have the hope of Christ. Both works challenged and encouraged us as we saw the impact of Christ in the most serious of situations.

We moved on to Masii (a couple hours south) Friday and set up shop at the Tumaini Center. Dr. Ron saw and treated a handful of patients as we settled in. Then today (Saturday) we shared in a program put on by and for our nearby Tumaini children. There were familiar faces throughout the crowd, as Ron briefly examined each child and then took care of a small number of them who needed care.

Today (Saturday) we shared in a program for those Tumaini kids who live close by. There was singing, praying, testimonies food and laughter as we caught up with kids whom some of us have known for years, as well as met new children. Ron examined each child briefly, then treated a small number who needed his help.

We are already sensing God's hand upon us as He opens our eyes to a world so much bigger than what we know. Hearing stories of faith in impossible circumstances, seeing hope in the eyes of those most would have forgotten, discovering our oneness in spite of ovbious differences makes an indelible imprint upon our spirits. The stories and lives they represent remind us of a great and powerful God who is working in the most impossible of situations to show people His great compassion and care. We are blessed to be part of it.

Tomorrow will be worship and celebration together as God's people, and we can hardly wait to experience them with our Kenyan family. One thing's for sure: for all the ways we're different, we sure have a lot of the same needs, hopes and desires. And that common bond in Christ takes us beyond our surface issues and differnces, straight to the heart of God.

Can you think of a better place to be?

The Hope of Tumaini

2010-09-28T03:06:00.001-07:00

It's 2:30 a.m. and I'm awake. Preparing for our early morning flight that will take us (eventually) to Kenya. That's where we'll spend the next couple of weeks working with Tumaini International Ministries. Tumaini, founded by Stanley and Rose Mutunga, is a Kiswahili word that means hope. Their focus is to come alongside AIDS orphans, through sponsorship, education and encouragement, and walk with them in their journeys toward adulthood. These kids have lost one or both parents to AIDS, and usually live with grandparents, other relatives or friends. Life is hard at best, and sponsorship ($35 monthly) makes the difference between failure and success for hundreds of children, both young and old.

We'll leave LAX at 8:00 today and touch down in Nairobi about 7:30 Wednesday night (11 hours ahead of LA time). All Thursday and Friday morning will be in this capital city of 4+ million, as we will visit different ministry sites in one of the largest slums in Africa. Then Friday we'll travel 2-3 hours south and east, to the small community of Masii, where Tumaini has its offices. Doctor Ron Jurgensen (my favorite dentist!) is with us again and we'll pull teeth for a week for those who'll walk for hours just to sit in his chair and find the relief his skills can bring. We'll also visit some of the children that our church sponsors, as well as meet with the new church there as they are designing strategies for planting a church in the nearby city of Machakos. It promises to be a great couple of weeks.

Our team of seven includes KACC and Parkcrest Christian Church (7th St. campus, Long Beach), and our desire is to continue to partner with Parkcrest in this ministry of compassion and church planting. Please pray for us as we travel, adjust, connect and serve. Pray for divine appointments with those who need to hear good news, and for boldness to share. Pray for unity within our team a life-changing experience...for Kenyans and Americans alike.

I recently read some words in Psalms that spoke to me in a fresh way about Tumaini:

He [God] raises the poor out of the dust,

And lifts the needy out of the ash heap,

That He may seat them with princes-

With the princes of His people.

Psalm 113:7,8

Tumaini's work has lifted hundreds of children and adults alike from the dust, from life's ash heap, and is even now preparing a new generation to sit with leaders and movers of their land. Because they're giving an opportunity to those who needed it. Because they're giving compassion and care to many for whom no one else cares. Because they're giving a vision to many who had lost sight of their futures.

Because they're giving hope.

Time with a Kiwi

2010-09-09T09:30:00.002-07:00

I was blessed in a special way last week. Hamish Taylor was in town and we met for breakfast and dinner, to find out what God had been doing in our lives. Hamish is part of South Pacific Christian Fellowship, and leads a church planting team in Christchurch, New Zealand. I visited their work last year, as they were in preparation for the launch of a new church in that city, and we (KACC) committed to their financial support for this endeavor. I was impressed with the team of three couples (Hamish is Kiwi, the rest are from the States) and their vision and plan for a new congregation.

Their first service was held in February of this year and currently they are consistently averaging 50-60, with a number of baptisms and outreach contacts growing. This is more significant than it may sound, as New Zealand is far more secular than the US in its religious thinking. Hamish told me that probably only 5%+ of the country's population attends church on a given weekend. Suicide rates are high, as are substance abuse numbers. Christianity has lost much of its relevance through the years, and there needs to be a rethinking and recasting of the vision of and for God's people and work in this island nation.

This is probably why the team chose to name their work "Rechurch," to signify that theirs was to be a new and fresh way to see the hand of God in their lives. And it's working! People, young families especially, are being drawn to this concept. They are discovering relationships and views that are different than what they had imagined, or had seen in the past. Rechurch is impacting lives for Christ and is growing.

Hamish and I enjoyed several hours of fellowship that morning and evening, and I was refreshed by our time together (as I hope he was). He's home now, back with family and team. Back with his church and mission. Back to what moves him. And to what is moving his people. Please keep him and the team in prayer as they continue to move forward. Pray for open doors, for receptive hearts, for favor with people around them. Pray for ongoing financial support, for protection against the schemes of the evil one, for strength in the battle. Pray for this small but influential nation and for its collective heart to open again to the Lord. You can learn more about Rechurch and the team at http://www.rechurch.co.nz/.

PS- Hamish left just prior to the earthquake that hit Christchurch last week. He wrote and told me that they are all OK, but there is much to do in response to this disaster.

Run and Fun

2010-07-09T07:55:00.001-07:00

So much to tell you and so little space! Let me catch you up a bit:

After Sunday's service at Ann St. we loaded up a bus and hit the road for Eidsvold, a small, rural and largely indigenous community about 6 hours from Brisbane in the bush. We've been making the trek to this town since 2005, and Ann St. continues to visit throughout the year. Our goal is to connect in significant ways with people (especially youth) through our Christian Centre there. Although we have no congregation presently in Eidsvold, our arrival signals that there will be activity for a few days! Kids and adults we've come to know begin to come over and they bring friends.

One of my (Mike) highlights was teaching about 25 kids some songs for a Tuesday evening program put on for their folks. It was simple. really. I taught them "Lord, I Lift Your Name on High" and "Father, I Adore You." Nothing new for us, but apparently new for them. They not only learned those songs and asked to sing them again and again, but recalled what they had learned last year ("I Like Bananas") and taught that to me!

Tuesday evening we hosted a community bbq (no shrimp, but plenty of sausage!) and then our program. The kids did a great job and Edgar shared his testimony with the crowd. He gave an invitation for people to give their lives to Christ, and at least three responded! The time of sharing afterward and the days that followed was also full of opportunity and openness.

Leaving Eidsvold was tough on Thursday (it always is) because friendships had been formed and strengthened, and some were just now opening their lives to some of our team. We will continue to grow those relationships while we are apart, believing God will use what we offer to do more than we could imagine.

Today (Friday) was our experience with NAIDOC- National Aboriginal and Islander Day Of Celebration. It is a time of recognition for indigenous Australia, as they remember and rejoice in their heritage. We spent the day at a downtown park, along with many hundreds of people. The festive air and chances to learn more about this integral part of Aussie culture were exciting for us and we reveled in rubbing shoulders with such wonderful folks. And tonite we traveled the downtown part of the Brisbane River of the City Cat transport boat. It's a beautiful (and cold!) run up and down the heart of the city- a can't miss kind of thing.

Tomorrow Ann St. hosts a regular event, "Big Day Out." We will pack up a group and head to a local rain forest for a bit of a bushwalk, lunch and time together. In the past they have taken upwards of 50 to such experiences, but this time we have about 100 signed up! Should be exciting figuring out how to make transport and logistics work, but it's a great challenge!

We thank you for your prayers and concern for us. We are all doing well and are daily growing in our love and appreciation of this culture and people. We see God's imprint all over the place, even though society is more secular than ours in almost every way. Those with whom we talk are open, friendly and often interested in talking about spiritual matters. There are great challenges, to be sure, but great potential as well. And that's where we can be used! Please continue to pray as we finish well this weekend. I will speak Sunday morning- ask God to make His power and message understood in a fresh way, and that people will respond to His prompting. Thanks!

Pictures...

1. Our mob at Eidsvold the day we left

2. Team at South Bank, downtown Brisbane

3. Tim and Edgar walking through South Bank

4. Gorgeous view from the City Cat

5. Aboard a cold boat at night!

Of Rugby, Skittles, and BBQs

2010-07-03T08:34:00.001-07:00

Posted late Saturday, after two full days in the city:

We've had a couple of days with complete agendas- different activities in various locations, but a common thread throughout. Let me share a quick rundown...

Friday's highlights included prayer for the city, as we prayer-walked in the downtown area around Ann St. Church of Christ. We learned about the city's history, along with challenges and opportunities that come with ministering in an urban location. We also attended a Brisbane Broncos rugby match. You need to be at an Australian sporting event to truly understand the passion people have for games here!

Today we drove 22 km. (about 13 mi.) to the suburb of Redcliffe to spend time with a bunch of the Ann St. youth and young adults. We fished (more fishing with little catching!), played touch footy (rugby) and Skittles, a Torres Strait Islander game. Great fun! Our lunch together was good, even with high winds and cold, cold temps.

We returned to Ann St. in the late afternoon to prepare for their monthly Community BBQ. Modeled after our own Community Supper, the BBQ is held on the front steps and sidewalk of the church, and many walking down the street stop for good food and sharing. There were several international students from our previous Wednesday, many homeless and a number of others from various walks of life. We had great conversations at many levels, with chances to share our faith with receptive listeners.

The commonality we sensed throughout our activities is the need of many to connect in significant ways. One of our team admitted an internal desire to complete tasks on trips like this, making sitting and listening to others' stories a tough job. But we all agreed that taking time to share life's journey together may be the most important task God will assign to us. For through these times and experiences He builds into peoples' lives the lessons He wants them to learn. One young man here told me he still has pictures of some of our team from three and four years ago in his room, and they encourage him in his walk. Others are eager to reconnect with those of us who've come before, picking up where we left off last year. Regardless of the particulars, the desire to share life in a significant way makes our time here of great value.

Please pray for us as we drive to Eidsvold (6 hrs. away) tomorrow following church. Pray for continued chances to connect (and reconnect) with many there, encouraging them and sharing the good news of life in Jesus with those who have yet to know it. We'll update you as we're able, connecting with you even as we do with those in our immediate view. Meanwhile, some recent pics...

Brittney, Mary and Daun at the Broncos game; our rugby match in action; Kyle and the guys getting ready for fish; Edgar posing with frozen friends; the team in prayer mode; many gathered for the BBQ; passing out the evening meal for our community.

Location:Brisbane, AU

Sharing What We've Seen

2010-07-01T07:17:00.000-07:00

Today was a workday for us. We spent the better part of the morning cleaning an indigenous (aboriginal) Christian center in Logan (a part of Brisbane. After lunch, we threw boomerangs with Goma, an aboriginal pastor and leader from the area. Then we cleaned the yard of a young woman in the Ann Street church who is recently widowed. In all these events, we had opportunities to connect (and reconnect) with brothers and sisters who encouraged us, even as we sought to be an encouragement to them.

I want to share two video clips with you that will give you a taste of some of what we are doing here. The first is a short demonstration of shepherding skills using border collies; the second, our friend Goma showing us how to play the didgeridoo. I hope you enjoy seeing them as much as we did being able to be here in person for them!

Rising Up Down Under

2010-06-30T23:55:00.000-07:00

The team rolled into Brisbane yesterday, a bit weary from its travels (14+ hrs. LA- Melbourne, 3 hrs. there following customs and transfer to our domestic flight, and nearly 2 hrs. Melbourne- Brisbane), but excited to see everyone and begin to get down to business.

After a pretty good night's rest, we hit the road for some local Aussie sights and experiences. We spent a good part of the day at the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, where we got up close and personal with creatures unique to this great nation. We experienced kangaroos, koalas, wombats, platypuses (or is that platypi?!), kookaburras, tasmanian devils, emus, pythons, crocs, and cassowaries first-hand...and loved every minute of it. It helped us see again the creative and imaginative hand of God our Creator.

The evening was given to a weekly meeting held at Ann Street Church, designed for international students who want to learn English and make friendship connections. This group runs anywhere from 12 to 45, and there were more than 15 with us tonight (from places such as Korea, Taiwan, China, Japan and France) as we engaged in "speed chatting" and a giant Scrabble game. We had multiple opportunities to share our faith with different young people, and made some blessed connections.

We see God's fingerprints all over this place and we're excited to be part of what He's doing here. We agreed that it would be easy to let our spiritual guards down a bit because life here seems so similar to our own culture, but that the spiritual warfare is every bit as intense in this place as it is anywhere else. So we pray that we will be stretched and challenged, that we find open doors, and that we courageously live out and speak out the message of hope and life that Jesus brings. Would you join us in praying for these needs in our lives while we're here?

Thanks, and good on ya!

Pics: 1. Team hanging out with some of the locals; 2. Border collie meeting the girls; 3. Posing with newly-shorn wool; 4. Edgar and his little buddy; 5. "Kookaburra sits in the old gum tree..." 6. Brittney checking out Aussie bike racks; 7. Kyle introduces the team; 8. Scrabble in a whole new way!

Location:Brisbane, AU

where in the world are we going?

2010-06-24T12:45:00.001-07:00

As we approach the end of June (and the beginning of our summer), two Knott Avenue Global Outreach (GO!) Teams are making preparations for experiences in different parts of the world.

Our Australia Team will be in Brisbane June 27-July 12. We will partner again with our own Daun Slauson and the Ann Street Church of Christ, working with them as they reach those in their world. Team members (left to right) are Edgar Garcia, Mary Flores, Kyle Marsh, Brittany Hughey, Leslee Marvin and Mike Carman.

Our Montana Team (Larry and Joyce Clasen, Kelly and Judy Kappen, Carol Hall, Lorraine Dupray, Jim and Maureen Wilke and John and Connie Bergsto [not pictured]) will be in Kalispell, MT June 30- July 14, working at the Youth With a Mission (YWAM) base there. This training center is led by Jeff and Kristi Wilke from KACC, and the team will be busy with projects ranging from office help to building and construction needs.

Pray for these teams as they travel, serve, connect and pour themselves out because of the good news they've come to know. Pray for divine appointments with people who need the hope and encouragement that Jesus brings. Pray for team unity and a spirit of oneness. Pray for their families who will carry on here in their absence. And for lessons to be learned and lives changed, both among those who go and among those to whom they go.

Romans 10 tells us that those who bring good news have beautiful feet. How great to know that KACC has several with such gorgeous feet this summer! Check back here throughout the trips for updates and encouragement. And while you're at it, why not show off your own pretty feet? Wherever you find yourself, take the opportunity to deliver a message of hope, life and good news to those around you. After all, you don't have to get on an airplane to make a difference in this world!

one last look

2009-07-06T01:03:00.000-07:00

And as quickly as it came, so it's nearly finished (for me, at least- one final Aussie sunset for me on right). The team is now in Eidsvold, having left yesterday (Sunday) afternoon. I, on the other hand, am winging my way back to sunny SoCal, as our son, Jon, is making plans to get married Saturday. Currently sitting in the Auckland airport, I've been reflecting on some of the events, meetings, reunions, introductions, lessons, and laughter of the last two weeks.

I began in Christchurch, New Zealand, meeting a church planting team with which KACC has begun a partnership. From there I arrived in Brisbane a few days ahead of the team. Time to catch up with friends there, including our missionary Daun Slauson. The Ann Street Church has been going through a rough patch the last 6 months of so, and as they emerge the better for it, I was able to share with them over some of the issues and upcoming direction.

You'd be proud of the team and the job they're doing connecting with people around them. They've had many meaningful conversations and opportunities to talk about the good news of Jesus, and they've stepped up each time (that's Sarah Bishop sharing in church). They've been wholehearted into everything they've done (and they've done a lot already!), and have not shrunk back from any challenge set before them. Pray for their time in Eidsvold (they'll be there until Thursday) as they continue to deepen relationships with many (especially youth) who need to know so much about God's love and desire for them.

And as usual, I take my leave with the usual tearing inside, excited to head home (I miss my family tons!), but having to leave brothers, sisters and opportunities in this place of ministry. When I got to the airport here in NZ, I did something different, for me anyway. I stopped inside the chapel for awhile. One thing I was counting on- and I wasn't disappointed- I was by myself!

I was able to read Scripture and pray aloud, and even sing some praises aloud (but quietly!). I can't express to you just how valuable that time was for my spirit. I was able to begin putting thoughts together from my experience and talk with God about what lies ahead. I took time to thank Him again for the last few weeks, and lift up the team as they continue on. And I was reminded how much I need to stop like this in my daily life and cry out to Him about issues on my heart, hear Him speak to me, and find the still waters from which He wants to feed me. I understand again the need for Sabbath rest, and though I'm not good at doing it, I'm making this a point for my own growth when I get back.

As I contemplated in that chapel my ministry- the "why" of what I do- I found Matthew 16 and read again the words of Jesus. He said," What would it profit a man if he gained the whole world but forfeited his own soul? What is more valuable than a human soul?" And I saw again why I do what I do. Because there's nothing of greater value than a human soul. Jesus proved it in his death, and I want to make sure my life revolves around that same value, the value of a life. That's why we're out here with brothers like John and Eugene (on right). That's why we take time to introduce people to the grace and hope of God. Because they matter so much to Him. Because they're worth more than anything in this world. Because Jesus came for them just as He did for us. Doesn't matter if they're American or Australian. Kiwi,indigenous or islander. Up-and-comers or down-and-outers. They all matter to God. And therefore they must matter to us. So we'll continue to go, share, work, weep, love, laugh and serve. Could there be any greater investment?

Not a chance.

1 Night, 2 Cultures, 1 Message

2009-07-04T06:58:00.000-07:00

Now that's what I'm talking about. What a great evening. We helped serve Ann Street's monthly Community BBQ to their neighbors on the street, something they've been doing a couple of years now. They adapted the concept from our own Community Suppers, but with a twist. First, they barbecue the meat they serve (since they barbecue just about everything but spaghetti!). Then, because of logistics, they serve the meal on the front steps of the church, right out on the sidewalk. This has proven quite successful, as many have come simply because they were passing by at the right time.

Tonight we had about 60 men and women show up, most of them living on or nearly on the streets. Many had great stories to share and were eager to talk to a group of Yanks. I was proud of our team, as they worked tirelessly preparing the meal. We found out Ligaya, on left, is a chef from the Hilton, and she really made the presentation of the meal shine! After preparing, the group set up and served the crowd. I then looked around and found everyone sitting and sharing with those who came to eat. What a great and satisfying sight- I was blessed.

Following the dinner, we hurried over to another church hall to catch the end of celebratory dances of the Torres Strait Islander people. It's their yearly observance of the coming of the Bible to their islands in 1871, and is called The Festival of the Coming of the Light. We got to see about 30 minutes of dancing that had been going on since 2:00 p.m. today! It was a real cultural treat to sit with these people as they remember and give thanks for the Scriptures' entrance into their society.

Two cultural experiences, each different from the other. Each with an acknowledgement of God (for the most part), yet with an always-present need to know Him more fully. Each with hopes, dreams and struggles that can't be dealt with alone. Each with a desire to somehow do and be better tomorrow. Each with a story, a journey, and a destination. And tonight, each with a group from somewhere halfway around the world connecting, learning, serving and sharing the love of Jesus like it makes a difference.

Because it does.