More than 31 Flavors

This morning I am sitting in my hotel in Carcavelos (Lisbon area), Porugal reflecting on my week. Thursday night a couple guys and I decided to see the city. So we boarded a train, that eventually broke down. Then we got on a bus...then the subway and eventually emerged in this mall the size of a small city. It was 4 stories tall and had every imagineable store from the US and Europe all under its very large roof.

As we walked around the mall, looking for a place to eat the choices were overwhelming. We could do the standard fast food thing with McDonalds, KFC, Pizza Hut and more. There were the international cuisines that were available from every part of the globe. Portuguese food was available in dozens of offerings. And then there were several ice cream and dessert varieties as well. The one that caught my eye was Baskin Robbins...31 Flavors.

I love Europe. I have had the privilege of coming here about once a year for the past 9 years! Wow! As I thought about the international "flavor" of Europe's cities I began to take stock of what it is that keeps me coming back.

Anyone of Europe's major cities, Lisbon, included is a microcosm of the planet. The world is moving to the cities of Europe. You will find cultures from every continent and most every nation here. There is a blending and overlapping of cultures that is rich and vibrant and dare I say flavorful.

While this is inheritantly true of Europe...it is doubly true of the church planting community of which I am part of....Christian Associates, International. I love their flavor. I love how when I am with them, I am changed, transformed, renewed. It is impossible for me to stay the same when I am with this group of Jesus people. Much as I would say that I am a better man for being with Mimi, I would say I am a better follower of Jesus for being with Christian Associates...in Europe.

It is easy to get caught up in the monoculture of American Evangelicalism...and while that's not necessarily bad, it is not what is best for me at least. I want to interact with other cultures. Get their take on world events. See things from their perspectives. Hear their interpretations of the Scriptures I think I know. It is both enriching and humbling to come to this place. I am learning that my vision is small. My understanding is lacking. I need the body to complete me where I am missing limbs. That's why I love Europe. That's why I love the flavor of this people...and of this place. How many flavors do you enjoy?

Frodo's Follies...Getting to Portugal

Monday afternoon I boarded a plane on Air France that began an interesting and meaningful adventure to Lisbon. The journey began as I met my new friend Sherry from Encino. Sherry and I enjoyed great food and conversation and a movie together. We discussed life, travel, spiritual backgrounds and more as we headed East towards Paris. Sherry is a single lady in her mid 50s whose father was Jewish and whose mother was Catholic. She has landed in the Jewish camp and is grateful for her spiritual heritage, but has been influenced greatly by the Catholic priest who buried her mother. She is extremely open and honest about her life, her disappointments and joys and her fulfilling her dream of visiting Paris in the snow no less. As a travelling companion, Sherry was a zest full of life. I am grateful to have met her and hope to continue dialogue with her in the future. Apparently I am going to give her information about the breeder we bought Samson from...she is looking for another yellow lab. She has one living, and one that just passed away.

We arrived without incident in Paris! Upon arrival we said good-bye and I headed for my transfer, where I met up with Frank & Dawn Wilder...and then Carlton & Shannon Deal. The five of us were going to be on the same flight to Lisbon for the conference. We enjoyed a cup of Cafe Ole and spoke of life and mission. It was extremely comforting running into these friends in Paris.

Next we headed for the gate. Our flight was apparently delayed about 10 minutes, so we continued our conversation at Gate 55 which is where we were supposed to be according to both our tickets and the screens around the airport. We waited and waited. Finally the line started to move and so we got into position and made our way to the front. When we arrived we found that the gate had been changed to Gate 63...so we ran! We arrived at Gate 63 just as the door was being closed. We pleaded, argued, and conjoled all to no avail with our French counterparts. We spoke to a supervisor and still was unable to get on the plane that was only a few feet away. We were told to go to the transfer desk and get onto the next flight.

Angry, disappointed, but glad we were together in this, we did what we were told and went to the transfer desk. An hour later we pleaded our case with the transfer desk people only to find out that it was our fault! There were about 15 of us that all missed the change that was announced over the loud speaker with the clarity of the adults from Charlie Brown...wa wa wa wa wa! Finally, they agreed that we should be able to get on the next flight out...so they issued us new tickets. As I searched in vain for the new flight on the screens a new revelation was emerging...the new flight sent us to Frankfurt, Germany! That is not at all where we wanted to go...so I went quickly back to the desk. You can see why I am calling this Frodo's Follies at this point. They apologize, which I know is difficult for the French and change our tickets once again. We are wondering at this point as to whether our luggage is going to Frankfurt or to Lisbon or who knows where.

Finally we get on the flight to Lisbon and I'm ready for a nap. As we prepared for take-off, we were joined by a company of Buddist Monks from Nepal. Mathieu Ricard, the monk who sat next to me, was a Frenchman by birth who has been a monk for the past 35 years in Nepal and Tibet. He sometimes travels with the Dali Lama to translate French for him or when there is conversation with the scientific community. Mathieu has a PHD in Genetics! He was an extremely bright and genuinely caring individual. I asked him many questions abour Buddism and was enlightened by the encounter. I even got his email address for further communication. After about half an hour of enlightenment...I was ready for that nap, so I donned my ipod and curled up to the cold window and went to sleep.

As expected we arrived in Lisbon, but the people who would have been waiting for us were no longer there. So we boarded a taxi, all huddled together and journeyed the last leg to our destination. Without further incident we arrived in time to check-in and wash our faces before heading to the Sports Bar for dinner. I hope you are smiling as you are reading this...it was quite an adventure and boy am I glad to be here!

Portugal or Bust

Christian Associates gathers all its team leaders in February for training and strategy. Now that I'm a team leader, I get to play with the big boys:) Anyway, I'm off for Portugal tomorrow and I'm very excited! Robert Webber, who has mentored me through his writing, is our guest for the conference. In addition to that I get to hang out with a lot of my buds in a very cool place. Don't cry for me...I'll be just fine!

Pray for Mimi and the girls who are staying home for the week. Natalie & Becca have both been sick lately which adds extra work and stress on Mimi...not to mention not being fun for them either:(

Com242 is at the Scholen's house this week. Mimi will be facilitating a discussion about what we've learned thus far...and what's God telling us to do! It should be fantastic. I'm only wishing I could be there to participate.

I'm packed & ready to go. Out!

Pursuing the Wild Goose

The ancient Celtic Christians referred to the Holy Spirit as the Wild Goose, due to the uncertain nature of his leading. Whereever he leads, is a Wild Goose chase...off for adventures far and near, full of danger, mystery, and meaning. Often times I want to participate in such an adventure...to leave my world behind for one of real importance. You know like the ones in the tales of old? But for the most part my Wild Goose chase involves being faithful in the everyday callings of my life. But occassionally I have something to write home about... today was such a day!

First of all, Mimi and I had yet another wedding to do. This one was especially magical and wonderful. Matt and Akiko met while Matt was teaching in Japan. They fell in love and today they sealed their vows...in English and in Japanese. The colors, the majesty, the simplicity of the occassion was truly a beauty to behold. Perched up high in my sound booth I was taken in by the simple love and faith of this couple and the journey they were starting together.

While we were cleaning up, Richie walked in. I've known Richie for a couple of years, but only as acquaintances. We share a love for baseball and Richie was recently signed to a minor league contract by the Dodgers. So we started talking and I found out the Richie got married a week ago. He was looking for some counsel and help in getting his marriage off to good start. We talked briefly and I gave him the name of a couple of books to help. Then we agreed to get together and start working on the particulars of their situation and look for some ground work to lay for their marriage. The beautiful thing is that Richie, guided by the Wild Goose, sought me out. He went looking & following...and of all places God led him to meet me, while we had just experienced a beautiful wedding.

God is good! Get carried away in your own Wild Goose Chase!

Mexico is a Go!

This afternoon I met with Dave DeVries from Lake Hills Church (our sending church) and finalized arrangements for our Mexico Mission Trip. We are more than extreme making over this home...we're building it from scratch. In most cases, the families we are building for are living in little more than cardboard boxes with a blue tarp on top for a roof. I know because this will be the 6th year we've gone down and built a home in Ensenada, Mexico.

Our team this year will be made up of students and adults from Community242, Lake Hills, and Norwood Methodist Church in the Granada Hills. The thing that keeps me coming back is the impact that is made in such a short time. We literally change life for a family. Much like the TV show does for families in the US, we radically improve the quality of life for a family in Mexico. We are as changed as the people we are building the house for. It is absolutely impossible to come back unchanged or unmoved from such an experience. It seems to me this is also true for those who work on Extreme Makeover Home Edition. They seem like they are blessed to be able to give and provide a better way of life.

I feel privileged and blessed to be able to contribute in this way as well. There is one big difference in the show and what we do. We build unashamedly in the name of Jesus who redeems and saves. If you would like to contribute toward the building of the house...the materials cost us $2850, you can send me an email and I'll let you know how to do that:)

Blessings

Frodo

Our Little Church

Without jumping the gun or counting any chickens regardless of where they are at in the embryonic process, I would like to celebrate the growing of our little church! For several months we were the same 5-8 adults and 5-6 kids every week. Once in awhile we'd have a guest show up, but that was rare and they never stayed. Well, I think that is changing now!

For the past two weeks, we have been crowded! As we huddle for worship and discussion around the Lord of the Rings in my family room, we've had 12 & 13 adults and 10 & 8 kids. This is very encouraging as we are starting to believe that maybe God will create a missional community here that would be worthy of multiplying elsewhere. I'm not sure when that might happen, but I'm cautiously optimistic about the prospects of this kind of growth. Continuing in the steps of Jesus...

Unexpected Gifts...the best kind!

Natalie, Becca and I went to see my mom today. It was her 54th birthday today...but I'm sure she wouldn't want me telling anyone. We had a lovely time and were heading back when my phone rang. To my surprise it was my friend Steve inviting me to join him and others for the UCLA-Arizona basketball game at Pauley Pavillion in Westwood. I had just enough time to get the kids to Mimi and head for the game.

The first half was exciting as each team shot 50% from the field. UCLA had a halftime lead due the fact that it hit 8 3 pointers! We had a great time even though UCLA fell apart in the second half. The game was basically over with 7 or 8 minutes left...although they did make a furious run at it when Arizona put their bench in:)

Anyway, the point of all of this is to enjoy the unexpected gifts that come your way. God gave me a special gift today and for that I am truly grateful. A night at a basketball game with some of my favorite people. It doesn't get much better than this!

Gathering Tonight!

Hey Everyone,

Tonight we are tackling the environmental issue. I find it amazing that Tolkien spoke so much to our culture today even though he wrote this shortly after WWII. Let's do our part and bring a little redemption to the world of recycling!

Love God? Honor His Creation!

Out!

Disappointment & Perspective

30 minutes ago I received a phone call that instantly dampened my spirit and made me consider what I could have done to change the situation. Instantly in my mind I wanted to retrace the steps that I/we have made over the past couple of weeks and change things to create a different outcome. But alas, that is not possible. Unlike our friends Marty & Doc Brown (Back to the Future) we are not able to change the past. Our only hope is to change our present and our future...and perhaps to find some solace in God's sovereignty as well.

The disappointment that I am experiencing right now is about our dream for a missional coffee house in Old Town Newhall. We were very excited about the prospects of a turnkey operation being a very real possibility in our very near future. All of that was dashed when someone leased the building we were looking at before we got our offer in. Providence or procrastination...that is the question circling around in my brain right now. If I have to land on one side or the other, I'll choose providence....sovereignty. I have a little bit of experience in this area.

Recently, Mimi and I had someone from the Kirby Vacuum company come by and do a demonstration for us. They actually cleaned and shampooed the downstairs carpet. It was great...except that they actually showed us the stuff left behind by our vacuum...also a Kirby that I had bought used at a garage sale one month earlier. Well, we were sold. The new machine worked infinitely better than the old one. But the sticker shock sent us into a panic. It was going to be an additional $1000 even with our trade-in for the newer unit. Mimi and I were not ready to make a commitment like that. We saw the value and how well it worked. We liked that it picked up all the stuff ours left and was effortless to use...but $1000 is a lot of money for us. So after a couple of hours of haggling with the sales person and manager we declined.

Mimi and I were both disappointed that we didn't get the new one! One thing that did come out of our encounter was a commitment to get our Kirby working like it was supposed to. So I called the Kirby repair company and brought it in for a tune up. $20 later my Kirby was fixed and working like a charm. Now we could have easily spent the $1000 and gotten a good vacuum, but God provided a way for a whole lot less money and an added benefit was the increased trust we gained in the sovereignty of God. Blessings in your disappointments as you gain perspective!

iMac G5 Rocks

Mimi's imac g3 is on the fritz. Yesterday, I picked up the g5 imac I had bought on eBay. It rocks! In heaven, if there are computers, we will use these!

A Busy Week...

I think I still remember how to do this... The past week has been crazy and it's not over yet. I thought I'd just lay a couple of highlights down to keep everyone in the loop.

-we are contemplating starting a coffee house in Newhall...more info to come
-yesterday spent time with 2 guys from South America (Brazil & Uruguay) and talked simple church & LTGs
-last night partied/worshiped with the SCO (staff candidate orientation) group from Christian Associates
-last night I scored 2 tickets to U2 at Staples Center on eBay...thanks Steve and Steve!
-still working on details for Mexico Trip-a real life extreme home make-over
-tonight we are continuing the Lord of the Rings series at com242.. week 1 of The Two Towers
-Friday meet with Dave regarding relationship with Lake Hills & the Missionary Church
-Saturday meet with the elder team at Nuevo Community Church & Steve Bagdonov

So now you are brought up to speed with where things are at. Please pray for us as we seek God's direction in these matters.

Blessings