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the best year of my life

If my life in 2008 had a theme, it would be contentment. During the last 12 months I prayed countless times, “Why me God? Why have you chosen to bless me so much?”

For starters, I began the year in Kompong Cham, Cambodia. Those who have known me for years will remember that moving to Cambodia was my dream. After years of hoping, praying and planning, my dream had come true. Even after four years of miscommunication, cultural dislocation, and social deprivation, the romance of simply being in Cambodia remained. In fact, upon moving out of Phnom Penh, I was able to add vocational satisfaction to romance as I worked with a ministry that I believed in alongside staff that I love and respect.

Other highlights from the past year include:

  • Cassia’s transition from infancy to toddlerhood along with my consequent exponential increase in enjoyment of fatherhood
  • answered prayer for a full-ride to graduate school and other signs that God was directing us to Seattle
  • a remarkably easy adjustment to American life
  • two more answered prayers … receiving student housing and placement for both of our kiddies at a preschool 25 feet from our front door
  • a phenomenal academic program that has significantly exceeded all of my expectations
  • Anita finding the most enjoyable job she’s ever had

I was reluctant to write this for fear that it would sound too much like the prosperity gospel. To set the record straight, I’m not in that camp at all. Along with Bonhoeffer, I firmly believe that, “When Christ calls a man, He bids him come and die.” As someone who used to pray for persecution and martyrdom, God’s relentless torrent of blessing leaves me feeling grateful but confused. I can’t help but believe that God’s gifts are not supposed to end with our family. Therefore, as I begin 2009 my prayer is, “God, help me to use every blessing you’ve given me to be a blessing to others.”

2009 01 01 Faith & Theology
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renew the U.S. anti-trafficking law

I often feel somewhat impotent to affect change in a world caught up in multiple levels of injustice. On rare occasion though, I come across an opportunity to take concrete action. The email below, which came from Love 146, is such an opportunity. This is my challenge for any of you reading this to put your faith into action.

Help to renew the U.S. Anti-Trafficking law! We must act this week.

Since the inception of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act(TVPA) in 2000, less than 100 traffickers have been convicted in the United States. This year, the House of Representatives passed the William Wilberforce bill(HR.3887), which included new measures that would make it easier to prosecute traffickers.

Unfortunately, the Senate version(S.3061) has stripped the bill of these measures and greatly reduces the effectiveness to prosecute pimps and traffickers.

Okay, so what can you do?

It’s important for your Senators to know that human trafficking is an issue you care about. It is okay if you are not an expert on the technical aspects of the TVPA or Congress. Your conversation will be very brief.

I have attached a draft letter, but if you would like to draft your own, below are some suggested talking points, especially if you plan on calling your Senators:

Hi, I am [NAME] calling from [STATE] and I want to urge Senator [NAME] to cosponsor S. 3061, the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act, to include the criminal justice provisions in the bill that passed the House be included in your bill.

Vulnerable victims are waiting for increased protections already included in house passed version of the TVPRA, HR 3887, and the Senate needs to pass the TVPRA as soon as possible with the criminal justice provisions from HR 3887.

2008 10 10 Faith & Theology
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life & debt

Coeur d'Alene
For a course I’m taking this semester, Problems in Global Health, I had to watch a video called Life and Debt. It was powerful in terms of putting a face to the issues surrounding IMF policies, trade agreements, international politics.

I highly recommend it whatever your views are regarding globalization.

2008 10 04 Life Comments (0) Permalink

first impressions

I’ve been in Seattle for almost 3 weeks now and wanted to jot down some of my initial observations before I feel fully settled here. In no particular order, here they are:

1) Cold: I wake up at night because I’m too cold. I wear a fleece all day long. I can’t type properly because my fingers are so cold the joints feel stiff. This wouldn’t be so bad if it were November or even October but it’s August. All the locals tell me this is the best time of the year. Yeah right. My thermostat may need recalibration after living in Cambodia but there’s something wrong when people complain about a “heat wave” and the temperature is hovering around 90°F.

2) Safe: Pedestrians don’t jay walk and cars stop for pedestrians. What a concept, eh? Every time I see this phenomenon I think, “Amazing. The drivers and pedestrians respect each other. I guess people get what they deserve. Bostonian pedestrians and drivers also deserve each other … because none of them respect the rules.” This is a growth area of mine for sure. I feel like I’m going to go insane while waiting for the “green man” walk symbol. I also have the nasty tendency to stop in the pedestrian crosswalk at red lights rather than 8 feet behind it as most Seattlites do.

3) The coffee myth: It turns out the coffee myth is actually not a myth. There are billions of cafés everywhere I look and the population is only about 1 million. That means that, on average, each resident single-handedly keeps at least 100 cafés open for business. It’s impressive to say the least.

4) The “green” myth: In the literal sense, Seattle lives up to it’s reputation as the “Emerald City”. When looking at eco consciousness though, that’s a different story. I’m amazed at how: a) few people bike, b) many people drive SUVs and large trucks, c) much of the city lacks high capacity mass transit, and d) little waste is recycled. I have no empirical evidence but, by my observation alone, it could be argued that Boston / Cambridge is just as green, if not more. (Admittedly, the North West has something that New England lacks … eco terrorists. Perhaps their presence gives Seattle a few more green points?)

5) International: In the past 3 weeks I’ve heard more new languages than in any 5 year period of my life. This was a pleasant surprise because my previous visits to Seattle lead me to believe that the city was comprised primarily East Asians and Scandinavians. So far I’m batting 0% with regard to correctly guessing the ethnicity of the people I’ve met but I’m hoping to improve with time.

6) Christian Presence: I’ve been shocked to discover numerous church plants scattered about the city in addition to the 3 churches I’ve visited with more than 1,000 members each. So, where is the all the godlessness? I’m keeping my eyes open on this one because so far I don’t see how Seattle is any less reached than Boston.

7) Home?: So, what’s my summary first impression of this place? Basically, it’s a great place to visit (during June & July) but I wouldn’t want to live here. I’m hoping I’ll grow to love this place but so far I find it hard to imagine being here long term. Almost on a daily basis I find myself dreaming of going some place sunny, hot and humid.

I’ve heard Cambodia fits the bill … maybe I should check it out sometime!

2008 09 02 Life Comments (3) Permalink

x-country: day 6

Seattle waterfront (from wikipedia)

Driving from Spokane to Seattle was only about 280 miles. Normally that would feel like quite a trek but, by this point in the trip it was a breeze.

Most of the scenerey was rather plain though there were a few gorgeous bodies of water which made Mike repeat again and again, “I just don’t understand. Why is there no one in the water? If this were Boston, there would be lot’s of people out there right now.”

When we finally reached the city, I dropped Mike off at the bus station downtown. As we said goodbye, we were both amazed at how quickly the trip went by and, more shockingly, that we talked the entire way without boring each other.

When Mike left, I headed off to sign a lease for a 2 bedroom apartment in Sand Point, about 3 miles northeast of campus. By late afternoon I had signed all the paperwork and received the keys. When I finally found myself alone in the empty apartment, I couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed. When I left Cambodia I kept telling myself that I was returning home. The reality of having to create “home”, from scratch, yet again, feels overwhelming.

2008 08 12 Life Comments (0) Permalink

x-country: day 5

Coeur d'Alene

Today we drove through Montana, Idaho, and crossed the border in to Washington to spend the night in Spokane. Again, the scenery was gorgeous. My favorite part was driving past Lake Coeur d’Alene. I made a mental note to try to return there with Anita and the kids sometime.

Much to our surprise, Mike and I spent another full day talking non-stop without even turning on the radio. It’s been fun to catch up on 4-5 years worth of conversation with a friend who really understands me. Today’s topics included Money, Sex, and Power and portrayals of Heaven and the New Creation in literature.

Lord willing, tomorrow I may move into our apartment in Seattle!

2008 08 11 Life Comments (0) Permalink

x-country: day 4

Wyoming

Today’s drive was gorgeous from start to finish.

The landscape in Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana was breathtaking. Mike kept talking about how the terrain made him want to watch Clint Eastwood westerns. I was continually in awe of the expansiveness of the sky. I still haven’t figured out why the sky looks bigger out here but I understand why they call Montana “Big Sky Country.”

Shockingly, Mike and I had non-stop conversations all from 9 am to 11 pm and still aren’t sick of each other. Just to avoid the awkwardness of running out of stuff to talk about out during the drive tomorrow, we’ve decided to listen to assorted lectures.

We’re spending the night in Billings, MT and will sleep in Spokane, WA tomorrow.

2008 08 10 Life Comments (0) Permalink

x-country: day 3

Jimmy JohnsToday we drove 600 miles. Unfortunately, most of them were spent crossing through the entire length of Kansas. How boring was the drive? Let’s just say I never want to do it again!

Thankfully, today’s conversations were engaging enough that I never even felt tired. Topics addressed include:
* defintions of a racist and a complicit participant in a racialized society
* the differences between “white”, caucasian, and majority culture
* what does it mean to turn the other cheek? (And does this application apply to all ethnic and social groups equally?)
* agreeing that Paul was a social revolutionary in his call for husbands to love their wives as Christ loves the church … and that many Christian men seem to completely ignore the obvious meaning of this verse (Ephesians 5)
* reflections on our felt need for worship and prayer reminescent of what we experienced through our church in college and at IHOP the night before
* numerous miscellaneous discussions about married life, cars, electronics, politics and history on the Korean peninsula, etc.

When driving around to find a place to eat dinner, Mike spotted a Jimmy Johns. The guy behind the counter was smiley, energetic and amicable, the atmosphere was bright, clean, and fun, and the sandwich was delicious. It left enough of a positive impression on me that I began toying with the idea of opening a franchise. =)

2008 08 09 Life Comments (0) Permalink

x-country: day 2

International House of Prayer

Today we drove from Indiana, through Illinois and Missouri, and stopped right over the border into Kansas, in Kansas City.

For a few years now I’ve had it in my head that I wanted to visit the Kansas City IHOP. No, I’m not talking about the pancake house but rather the International House of Prayer which has been leading a non-stop prayer meeting since September 19, 1999. When I say non-stop, I mean 24 hours a day, 365 days a year (366 on leap year). Simply the attempt to carry out such an potentially world transforming ministry is what first captivated my imagination. Thinking of IHOP always brings to mind Count Zinzendorf, an 18th century leader of the German Pietist movement (and one of my personal heroes).

Born into the European nobility, Zinzendorf feared, even a child, that his familial and social responsibilities would conflict with his desire to pursue ministry as the natural outgrowth of his “heart religion.” As a teenager at a prestigious academy, he formed the Order of the Grain of Mustard Seed. In essence it was a community of the privileged who covenanted to use their wealth and influence to further the gospel. He later granted refuge on his lands to Christians persecuted by European state churches. These refugees (often referred to as the Moravians) soon experienced a powerful revival which started a 100 year prayer meeting and launched the start of Protestant World Missions. So, getting back to IHOP … when I first heard about modern day 24-7 prayer, I began to dream and hope that God might use it in a powerful way too.

Visiting IHOP was exactly what I needed. I’d been feeling like a spiritual sluggard recently and was hoping God would give me a swift kick in the butt. It took me a while to connect with what was going on around me (probably because my heart was hard) but, once it clicked it was beautiful. I found myself singing songs that I never heard before that somehow harmonized with the corporate worship around me. Soon afterward, I felt God gently calling me back to him and and to a life of intercessory prayer. This was in sharp contrast to the harsh rebuke I was expecting and even wanting. All I could do in response was to sob laughter (I know that doesn’t make sense but I don’t know how else to describe it). After more prayer and meditation on some key scriptures I took a brief dinner break.

When I returned to the prayer room, the intercession session had ended and Worship with the Word had begun. By this time the room was packed. All 700 seats were taken and there probably a few hundred more (like myself) strewn about. After a few minutes it seemed that everyone was singing with all of their might. It was the most joyfully uninhibitted worship I’ve experienced in long time … possibly over a decade. In the midst of the music, clapping, and shouting I found myself strangely at peace and experiencing a communion with God in which words were unnecessary.

There is much more I could say about IHOP but it’s late and tomorrow we have another 600 mile trek. Next stop … Denver.

2008 08 08 Life Comments (0) Permalink

x-country: day 1

driving map from Maryland to Indiana

Today we officially began out cross-country move to Seattle. As planned, I’m driving across first to set up an apartment with Anita and the kids flying out about a week and a half later.

I started off the day driving from Maryland to Northern Virginia to pick up my friend / traveling partner at the airport. We drove through bits of Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio and stopped in Indianapolis, IN. Though I originally planned to document the entire trip photographically, I had neither the time nor the inclination to stop and photograph rather unexceptional scenery. The most interesting thing along this drive was the dramatic decrease in housing prices. Within a few hours I saw ads for spacious new homes priced under $200,000.

Thankfully 4-5 years worth of catching up with my friend made the nearly 600 mile drive feel like a breeze.

As we approached our hotel we noticed numerous people zooming around on Segways. I’d never seen one before and was deeply impressed by their agility. We finally figured out that SegwayFest 2008 was meeting at our hotel and that many of the people cruising around were preparing for a polo match!

2008 08 07 Life Comments (0) Permalink