I (Dan) am still in Charlotte. Because of the weather along the East Coast my flights to Florida were canceled on Friday, which means I couldn't make the connection at 7am this morning.
The new plan entails flying to Florida tomorrow (Sunday) evening, and then catching the 7am flight to Cap Haitian on Monday...
That's all for now - dan
13 February 2010
09 February 2010
Waiting...Going...and Growing...
Waiting...Going...and Growing... What on earth does that mean?
We continue to wait...currently for a debriefing retreat to open up that we can attend in order to reflect and process transitioning. While waiting we have been involved with one of our supporting congregations in Charlotte...
...which leads to the going... On Friday the 12th, Lord willing, Dan will leave Charlotte on his way to Haiti for 12 days. The first few days he will spend with a group from Providence United Methodist Church in northern Haiti where they have worked for 30 years. Then he will spend about a week with Corrigan Clay, a good friend from college, in Port-au-Prince (you can read about Corrigan's work at www.apparentproject.org)...
...which leads to the growing... yes, we are growing in patience as we wait. Yes, Ceara is growing - she almost crawled today! Also, the reason that only Dan will go to Haiti and Courtney will remain in Charlotte is that our family is growing!
Yep, Ceara will be a big sister in July. At first we thought Courtney had the flu or a cold or something else... instead, We thank God for this big surprise for us!
Sorry this is so brief, yet we wanted to throw out a quick update to everyone.
Please pray for us in these times of transition and expectancy.
Thank you.
We continue to wait...currently for a debriefing retreat to open up that we can attend in order to reflect and process transitioning. While waiting we have been involved with one of our supporting congregations in Charlotte...
...which leads to the going... On Friday the 12th, Lord willing, Dan will leave Charlotte on his way to Haiti for 12 days. The first few days he will spend with a group from Providence United Methodist Church in northern Haiti where they have worked for 30 years. Then he will spend about a week with Corrigan Clay, a good friend from college, in Port-au-Prince (you can read about Corrigan's work at www.apparentproject.org)...
...which leads to the growing... yes, we are growing in patience as we wait. Yes, Ceara is growing - she almost crawled today! Also, the reason that only Dan will go to Haiti and Courtney will remain in Charlotte is that our family is growing!
Yep, Ceara will be a big sister in July. At first we thought Courtney had the flu or a cold or something else... instead, We thank God for this big surprise for us!
Sorry this is so brief, yet we wanted to throw out a quick update to everyone.
Please pray for us in these times of transition and expectancy.
Thank you.
19 January 2010
Transition and Tribute
We would like to begin this post with a tribute to Sam Dixon who died in the earthquake in Haiti this past week. He served as the Executive Director of UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief), and was in Haiti meeting to help expand health care in Haiti. We had talked on the phone a few times and met just a couple of times, yet he deeply affected our lives. We do not have any more words to offer at this time - others knew him better and others have written better - yet we wanted to make it known that we will miss him, his life's passion and his life's work. (If you would like to give to the relief efforts in Haiti, then we recommend the following two organizations. UMCOR, who have worked in Haiti for decades, guarantees that 100% of the funds donated will go to the relief effort on the ground. Their link: www.umcor.org. The next organization was started by our friends the Clays, and their house has been turned into a clinic during this time. Check out their website for more info and to donate: www.apparentproject.org.)
We also would like to update you on our transition process. Our discussions with GBGM regarding our next posting have been delayed because of their need to respond to earthquake in Haiti.
Thank you again for your prayers, your patience, and your continued support.
PEACE
Ceara, Court and Dan
We also would like to update you on our transition process. Our discussions with GBGM regarding our next posting have been delayed because of their need to respond to earthquake in Haiti.
Thank you again for your prayers, your patience, and your continued support.
PEACE
Ceara, Court and Dan
31 December 2009
02 December 2009
Leaving Latvia and walking by faith
Two weeks from this moment (17.Dec. 5.20am) we will find ourselves in the Riga airport saying goodbye to Latvia.
We have spent the last two months in serious prayer and discernment, and we believe God is calling us on from Latvia at this point in time - to where and for what we do not know. We believe this is the most faithful decision we can make. We do know that we will spend Christmas with Courtney's family in Portland, which is where her sister lives. After that, well...
The book of Numbers (ch.9) tells of a cloud pillar that guided Israel in their journey to the Promise Land. The cloud would settle, and they would settle. The cloud would lift and move, and they would pack up and move. The text does not tell us anything about their response beyond obedience. Yet I can imagine the voices. (Maybe because in part we are all of us Israel journeying on to a promise, yet with our own thoughts, plans, virtues and vices.) "Can we move on already, why are we still here?" "What do you mean we have to move we just got settled and familiar with the surroundings?" "Can't we stop? I'm tired." "Yes, another day in this place." "Woohoo, it's time to get moving!" etc...
Proverbs 3:5 advises, "Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and do not rely on your own understanding."
Isaiah 55 reminds us of an aspect of God: "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways above your ways and My thoughts beyond your thoughts."
We do not know to where we are going, yet we firmly believe that God is faithful and good. We will attempt to continue the blog with random thoughts and also future plans.
Please pray that we can transition well and that we can worship in this time.
We have spent the last two months in serious prayer and discernment, and we believe God is calling us on from Latvia at this point in time - to where and for what we do not know. We believe this is the most faithful decision we can make. We do know that we will spend Christmas with Courtney's family in Portland, which is where her sister lives. After that, well...
The book of Numbers (ch.9) tells of a cloud pillar that guided Israel in their journey to the Promise Land. The cloud would settle, and they would settle. The cloud would lift and move, and they would pack up and move. The text does not tell us anything about their response beyond obedience. Yet I can imagine the voices. (Maybe because in part we are all of us Israel journeying on to a promise, yet with our own thoughts, plans, virtues and vices.) "Can we move on already, why are we still here?" "What do you mean we have to move we just got settled and familiar with the surroundings?" "Can't we stop? I'm tired." "Yes, another day in this place." "Woohoo, it's time to get moving!" etc...
Proverbs 3:5 advises, "Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and do not rely on your own understanding."
Isaiah 55 reminds us of an aspect of God: "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways above your ways and My thoughts beyond your thoughts."
We do not know to where we are going, yet we firmly believe that God is faithful and good. We will attempt to continue the blog with random thoughts and also future plans.
Please pray that we can transition well and that we can worship in this time.
27 November 2009
I have wanted to write this entry for a while...
A prayer of mine this past year has been to know God's love in deeper ways. I'm not sure what I expected when I first started praying this. I don't know if I thought I would feel a big hug, deep comfort, bubbly giddiness, etc. I just started praying.
As I have reflected on the year I see that God answered unexpectedly. I experienced a deepened understanding of the unconditional love of God, especially through realizing how conditional my love is. There are quite a few instances of my love's limits. I find it easier to love people when they are total strangers and I have no performance by which to judge them. I find it easier to love people when they are eager to serve and obedient and kind. I find it easier to love people when they tell the truth. I find it easier to love people when they listen to others and seek understanding. I find it easier to love people when pride, power, and posturing is not an issue. The list goes on and on. I'm sure you can add a few of your own.
Basically, I seem to love people when they perform well, treat me and others well and with respect, and are generally perfect in all their endeavors.
The problem is that we don't live perfectly all of the time and neither do the people we interact with on a daily basis.
Yet God's unconditional love reaches and is offered to all of these people - including you and me. How many times do I tell God that I know better, that my way is good, that I'll get around to what God asks of me in my own sweet time...
I think of how the Gospels portray Jesus. He spent time with the outcast, the beleaguered, oppressed, etc. His love offered compassion, healing, hope, and also challenge. He comforted them, and he challenged them to love in return through forgiveness, grace, and hospitality. He also spoke with those who marginalized, oppressed, and maltreated others. While his words seem challenging, judgmental, and caustic, these were meant to call these people to renewal and transformation. His love didn't coddle the abuse and tell them that they were okay and that their words and actions didn't really matter. Rather, he told them that what they did and said effected all those around them. He reminded both groups that they belonged to a larger 'family' than just their family or friends like them. He demonstrated that love may look different to different people in different circumstances. He reiterated that God has chosen to love all people, and therefore they were to love all and not only those of their choosing.
I learned of God's love by being reminded of who we are to love (everyone - even the ones we would rather right off, dismiss, and other wise ignore), why we are to love (because God has offered love to us in spite of ourselves because loves comes from God and is not earned by our success - or lost by our shortcomings and/or failures), and by what power we can do this (because on my own it is impossible, yet God has offered to help us).
When I started I didn't know where it would end. I just wanted to reflect how I learned of God's love through my failings to love and experiencing God's grace and love towards me in spite of my shortcomings.
A prayer of mine this past year has been to know God's love in deeper ways. I'm not sure what I expected when I first started praying this. I don't know if I thought I would feel a big hug, deep comfort, bubbly giddiness, etc. I just started praying.
As I have reflected on the year I see that God answered unexpectedly. I experienced a deepened understanding of the unconditional love of God, especially through realizing how conditional my love is. There are quite a few instances of my love's limits. I find it easier to love people when they are total strangers and I have no performance by which to judge them. I find it easier to love people when they are eager to serve and obedient and kind. I find it easier to love people when they tell the truth. I find it easier to love people when they listen to others and seek understanding. I find it easier to love people when pride, power, and posturing is not an issue. The list goes on and on. I'm sure you can add a few of your own.
Basically, I seem to love people when they perform well, treat me and others well and with respect, and are generally perfect in all their endeavors.
The problem is that we don't live perfectly all of the time and neither do the people we interact with on a daily basis.
Yet God's unconditional love reaches and is offered to all of these people - including you and me. How many times do I tell God that I know better, that my way is good, that I'll get around to what God asks of me in my own sweet time...
I think of how the Gospels portray Jesus. He spent time with the outcast, the beleaguered, oppressed, etc. His love offered compassion, healing, hope, and also challenge. He comforted them, and he challenged them to love in return through forgiveness, grace, and hospitality. He also spoke with those who marginalized, oppressed, and maltreated others. While his words seem challenging, judgmental, and caustic, these were meant to call these people to renewal and transformation. His love didn't coddle the abuse and tell them that they were okay and that their words and actions didn't really matter. Rather, he told them that what they did and said effected all those around them. He reminded both groups that they belonged to a larger 'family' than just their family or friends like them. He demonstrated that love may look different to different people in different circumstances. He reiterated that God has chosen to love all people, and therefore they were to love all and not only those of their choosing.
I learned of God's love by being reminded of who we are to love (everyone - even the ones we would rather right off, dismiss, and other wise ignore), why we are to love (because God has offered love to us in spite of ourselves because loves comes from God and is not earned by our success - or lost by our shortcomings and/or failures), and by what power we can do this (because on my own it is impossible, yet God has offered to help us).
When I started I didn't know where it would end. I just wanted to reflect how I learned of God's love through my failings to love and experiencing God's grace and love towards me in spite of my shortcomings.
Snow Day, Tropical Storm, T-Day, and Rolling Over
Ceara has experienced many firsts these past 6 weeks.
She went to America for the first time.
She met her cousins, aunts, and uncles for the first time, along with her two great-grandmothers and her one great-grandfather. AWESOME!
She attended her first wedding.
She experienced her first snow storm (in Colorado) in which nearly all schools closed for the day. The snow was taller than she was!
She went out in rain resulting from a tropical storm (or did it become a hurricane??) in NC.
She enjoyed her first Thanksgiving - she even ate an extra bottle!
And today, Ceara rolled over unassisted for the first time, and second, and third, and fourth...well, now whenever we lay her down on her back she turns to her tummy. She's smiling at me right now as I right this.
Ceara lit up many faces and delighted crowds.
We felt truly blessed by our time in the US with friends, families, and colleagues supporting and encouraging us.
We thank God for the prayers and support of so many. We thank God for this wonderful blessing of a baby girl.
She went to America for the first time.
She met her cousins, aunts, and uncles for the first time, along with her two great-grandmothers and her one great-grandfather. AWESOME!
She attended her first wedding.
She experienced her first snow storm (in Colorado) in which nearly all schools closed for the day. The snow was taller than she was!
She went out in rain resulting from a tropical storm (or did it become a hurricane??) in NC.
She enjoyed her first Thanksgiving - she even ate an extra bottle!
And today, Ceara rolled over unassisted for the first time, and second, and third, and fourth...well, now whenever we lay her down on her back she turns to her tummy. She's smiling at me right now as I right this.
Ceara lit up many faces and delighted crowds.
We felt truly blessed by our time in the US with friends, families, and colleagues supporting and encouraging us.
We thank God for the prayers and support of so many. We thank God for this wonderful blessing of a baby girl.
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