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Posts from the “Life” Category

Testing Duet

Posted on January 24th, 2012

It all started three years ago when I flew from Alaska down to San Diego to visit both the city and Bethel Seminary for potential studies. Since I was carless, I rented a bike and took a 26 mile ride that took me all over the city. One of my destinations was Cabrillo National Monument where I got my first good overlook of the city, its layout and the beautiful San Diego Bay. On my way up to Cabrillo National Monument, I stopped at an overlook to gaze out at the ocean. Meeting a middle-aged woman also taking a break from her ride, we struck up a conversation. When I asked her where she lived, she said that she lived on a sailboat and…

Categories: Life

A Place With a View

Posted on September 27th, 2008

Just in case you are still wondering why in the world I would want to live on a sailboat, this was my view when I woke up the other morning. The clouds resting atop of San Diego’s downtown buildings first captured my attention. The penetrating rays from the sunrise burnt through the clouds so that part of the buildings were illuminated and part hidden. When I awake it is common to see pelicans, cormorants or other sea birds around the boat. The other day a seal dove right beside me. This is my place with a view.

Categories: Life

A Story About a Boat

Posted on August 12th, 2008

It all started three years ago when I flew from Alaska down to San Diego to visit both the city and Bethel Seminary for potential studies. Since I was carless, I rented a bike and took a 26 mile ride that took me all over the city. One of my destinations was Cabrillo National Monument where I got my first good overlook of the city, its layout and the beautiful San Diego Bay. On my way up to Cabrillo National Monument, I stopped at an overlook to gaze out at the ocean. Meeting a middle-aged woman also taking a break from her ride, we struck up a conversation. When I asked her where she lived, she said that she lived on a sailboat and…

Categories: Life

Meeting Tristen

Posted on April 17th, 2008

I had the privilege of meeting my new little nephew Tristen, this week! My sister Rebekah gave birth to Tristen on Sunday, April 13th. He was 8 pounds 4 ounces and 21 inches long. Although we live half a country apart, it’s great to be able to see the little guy and talk with him over Skype! This picture is a screenshot that I captured during our first “conversation” together. I’m thrilled to be the proud uncle of two adorable nephews! Welcome to the family, Tristen!

Categories: Life

My Article on Sudan Featured on Helium.com

Posted on July 31st, 2007

I wrote an article about Sudan during my recent visit to this country. This article is featured today, July 30th, on the homepage of Helium.com under the Politics in Africa section. If you would like to read the article, click here and let me know what you think!

Categories: Africa, Life, Travel

Granny

Posted on February 14th, 2007

My grandmother died last week, while I was in Africa. It was incredibly difficult to not be able to be there to say goodbye or even to attend the funeral. I wrote this letter to be read at her funeral: While fully confident that God’s timing is perfect and that His providence never fails, I cannot begin to understand why He chose to take Granny home at a time when neither Rebekah nor I could be there to say goodbye. Over the past few weeks I cringed every time I received another email from Missy, fearing that it would confirm Granny’s death, forever settling that I would never see her again. I cried out to God to preserve her life. I longed for that…

Categories: Life

People in Nairobi

Posted on January 25th, 2007

I have met the most unbelievable people staying at Nairobi Backpackers! Its like every time I say hello to someone, I discover another incredible and interesting person! Let me tell you about a few of them: Rob I just met Rob tonight as he was getting off the internet. He mentioned that he was glad he was able to catch up on his work emails. I asked him what he does for a living so he told me that he was leading a trek to the top of Mt. Kilemanjaro! When I mentioned that I was interested in climbing Kilamanjaro, he told me about a local guide who could give me a good deal. He informed me that now is a wonderful time to…

Categories: Africa, Life, Travel

Yet Another Goodbye

Posted on January 18th, 2007

Sometimes my life seems like a series of goodbyes. Wherever I go, I become attached and never stay long enough. Our time in Sri Lanka came and went to so fast. As I said goodbye to the children at Samudra Sri, the children’s home, I realized that although I may never see them again, I will never forget them. They did not seem as needy as the Indian children. They were more shy in general and harder to get close to. Maybe we just needed to reach out to them on a deeper level. They really seemed to respond when we did. I had so much to do before leaving tonight but I just had to spend some final time with the kids. I…

Categories: Life, Sri Lanka, Travel

A Story To Tell

Posted on January 16th, 2007

These last few days we’ve had the opportunity to travel to the Southern coast of Sri Lanka in order to film and take support photos for the children attending the AED schools at Galle and Tangalle. Two things stand out about this area of the country. First, it is a beautiful area lined with miles of pristine beaches. Second, it is an area tragically struck by the tsunami of 2004. Many homes and businesses still lay in ruins. Driving through this region has helped me to clarify the reality of what these people suffered. Driving by, however, could never teach me as much as what I learned from a man named De Silva. As I climbed out of our van to take a few…

Categories: Life, Sri Lanka, Travel

A Letter From Mounika

Posted on January 16th, 2007

One evening we were on our way to a church in India and I couldn’t find a seat on the bus. As I looked around, I heard a quiet voice call “brother” and looked to find one of the little girls from the orphanage motioning for me to sit by her. As I met Mounika, pronounced like the English “Monica,” and began to talk to her, she immediately walked right into my heart. Her English was better than I had found among any of the other children in India. As we drove, she pointed out the various types of trees and plants that we passed. She taught me about India and told me the Telegu words for things I did not know. She asked…

Categories: India, Life, Travel

Adorable

Posted on January 8th, 2007

The kids at Samudra Sri are adorable! Samudra Sri, means “Beautiful by the Sea” and is the orphanage that we are filming at here in Sri Lanka. Most of these children lost their parents to the war in Sri Lanka or the tsunami. Others come from poverty stricken situations where one or both parents could not take care of them. We have been interviewing the children and learning more about their stories. What is remarkable is that with all that they have to be sad about in their lives, they are so happy here. The staff of AED seems to really care about them, the place that they live is full of fun and learning and as we talk to them we learn that…

Categories: Life, Sri Lanka, Travel

I Left My Heart in India

Posted on January 8th, 2007

I’m having a hard time transitioning from India to Sri Lanka. We’ve been here for four days already but sometimes it seems that my heart is still in India. As I process my pictures of the Indian orphans, I remember each one and all of the joy that our time with them brought. Their sadness when we left still breaks my heart. Gotume, one of the little girls, said, “You leave for Sri Lanka. All the children sad. No games.” I do love the kids here at the children’s home in Sri Lanka. They are very sweet but it seems that they have so much more than the kids in India. They have beds, a beautiful setting, ample sporting equipment and an excellent assortment…

Categories: India, Life, Travel

Jwala

Posted on January 1st, 2007

I first met Jwala when she walked into a classroom so that we could conduct an interview with her. As we asked her to describe what her life was like before she came to the orphanage, she began to talk about her parents but then she stopped. A sad look came over her face and although she tried to suppress it, tears began to stream down her face. As she cried and we tried to comfort her, we learned that her parents had died only 6 months before. We already knew that her father had been murdered and that her mother refused to eat and died a month later. What we did not know was how recently this had taken place. A few days…

Categories: India, Life, Travel

Is This Really Happening?

Posted on December 18th, 2006

It is surreal. It is unbelievable. It is hard to imagine. We are actually on our way to India! We’re living the dream that God gave us and I could not be more excited! Sure, I’m a bit apprehensive but also confident that everything will work out. Our equipment is new, our team is newly formed and we are new to the whole realm of documentary films. The same God who led us here will give us the strength to do what we came to do. Now that we are on the first leg of our flights, our next task is absolutely crazy. We are going to get off the plane for our layover in New York and make a taxi run to B&H…

Categories: Life, Travel

A Wonderful Reminder

Posted on October 9th, 2006

“Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:38-42) This passage is such a wonderful reminder right…

Categories: Life, Spirituality

A Student Again

Posted on October 9th, 2006

Four years after graduating with my bachelor’s degree, I have finally found my way back into school. Yes, it is official: I’m a student again! For a long time it did not occur to me that I would ever need or want to go to seminary. Life was all about the destination for me. Getting to the “next step” was so important that I did not want to do anything that would consume too much extra time along the way. My undergraduate studies seemed more than adequate to launch me into the ministry. After a few years of full time ministry, however, and a few lessons in the school of hard knocks, I began to reconsider the idea that maybe God had more training…

Categories: Life

Does This Mean There is Hope?

Posted on September 1st, 2006

Could we actually hope for gas prices to fall again? Could I fill up my tank in Southern California for under $3.00 a gallon? I was beginning to lose hope until yesterday when I filled my tank up at $2.89! I’ve never been so happy to spend $2.89 a gallon in my life! This may seem a little crazy but it actually lightened my day!

Categories: Life

My Brother’s New Kidney

Posted on August 12th, 2006

Something amazing happened recently! When my younger brother John was 9 years old, we discovered that he had only one kidney and that it was the size of a newborn’s kidney and only partially functional. He has been on dialysis ever since. Infections and other significant complications over the past year caused us to decide to pursue a transplant for him over ongoing dialysis. After waiting for about 8 months with no news, he suddenly received a call a few weeks ago telling him to go to the hospital immediately for a kidney that might be made available to him. The first two kidneys that they called him in for went to other patients. On the third try, however, John finally received his new…

Categories: Life

MySpace Milestones

Posted on June 8th, 2006

I crossed two significant milestones on MySpace this past weekend! I added my 100th friend and the visits to my profile crossed over the 1000 mark! I just want to say thank you to all of my faithful friends on MySpace who are making my profile such an interesting place to hang out in the evenings!

Categories: Life

Tahquitz Peak

Posted on June 6th, 2006

Making use of Memorial Day, I hiked up the 8500 foot Tahquitz Peak in the San Jacinto Mountains. I set out early in the morning, allowing me to see the sun slowly creep over the mountains. It was both a beautiful and peaceful hike. I never encountered anyone on my way up but of course on my way down, people were everywhere, making me glad I went early! This picture is of me enjoying the majestic view from the peak!

Categories: Life, Travel

Back to the Mountains

Posted on May 29th, 2006

I have a new challenge for myself… I want to see how many different places in the world I can submit posts to this blog from! So far I have blogged from Homer, Alaska and San Diego. To add a third location to this list, I am currently blogging from Idyllwild, California. Isn’t that name (Idyllwild) awesome? I bet the name is Welsh and I honestly feel, and the landscape looks, like I have returned to Snowdonia in Northern Whales! So what am I doing in Idyllwild? Well, since I am about to start a job that will consume my weekends for the rest of the summer, I thought I should make the most of the freedom I have left! Tomorrow morning I am…

Categories: Life, Travel