Missional Stories http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/ These are some stories about how our community is engaging with our communities in our small groups, as a church body, and as individuals.  Enjoy! Tony Traback, Pastor of Mission Mobilization Click here for a guide to all of The River's blogs and photostreams. Tue, 29 Jun 2010 19:43:43 GMT en-us Copyright 2010 The River Church Community A Gardener’s Perspective on The Early Disciples’ Writings 4 http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/a-gardeners-perspective-on-the-early-disciples-writings-4/ http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/a-gardeners-perspective-on-the-early-disciples-writings-4/ Tue, 29 Jun 2010 19:43:43 GMT Scattered Seed grows:

A few days ago, I grabbed buckwheat and cowpeas by the handful and liberally tossed them into the air and unto the soft ground.  (See entry 2 to learn more about cover crops). The little red and tan seeds sat atop the soil, full of potential and completely vulnerable—to birds to the sun to any number of things.  Hoping to protect them, I raked the dirt around a bit.

The walk from the garden to my house is 5 blocks.  I walked it slowly, thinking of all kinds of various concerns and dreaming a bit of future possibilities.  At home, I ate and watched a movie with my wife.  I prepared for bed and slept on a tempur-pedic pillow (a great buy, I might add)—without a worry in the world.

And today, I returned to the garden.  The plot looked much the same.  Except, today, a few seedlings had begun to pop through the soft soil.  Seeds had popped.  I had scattered and watered and life had sprung up. And tomorrow, I will come again to my plot after a nice nights sleep and see the seeds growing more still.  Day by day, they will grow as if by magic.  Months hence, the cover crop will by ready for harvest and I will add the buckwheat and cowpeas to the compost pile or dig them straight into the soil to add even more micro-organisms to the dirt. 

Much like the kingdom of God: "The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how. The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come." 

The crop will have grown and through I understand the science, I know not how it happens—for the process is more beautiful than chemistry and biology makes out.  Greater than the sum of its parts, it is a wondrous and majestic dance in which life comes forth from dirt and worms and little things so small the eye can’t see.  A mysterious dance choreographed by a mysterious hand.  A seed tossed, water spattered, and life.  Such is our Creator God.

]]> A Gardener’s Perspective on The Early Disciples’ Writings 3 http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/a-gardeners-perspective-on-the-early-disciples-writings-3/ http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/a-gardeners-perspective-on-the-early-disciples-writings-3/ Mon, 28 Jun 2010 19:02:05 GMT Small Seeds:
Have you ever planted a seed?  Some seeds are so small that you can barely pinch one between your fingernails.  So small in fact that when you throw a bunch in the soil, it is easy to go back and second-guess oneself: “did I really put any seeds there?”  When planting such small seeds, or planting any seeds for that matter, the rule of thumb is to plant the seed three times its length under the soil.  So, if a seed is itsy-bitsy, it should barely rest just underneath the dirt.  And if it is larger, it should go deeper.

It is miracle to watch a seedling come from a seed.  It is especially beautiful when the seed planted can hardly even be seen—when it smaller than a grain of sand.  It such a beautiful miracle because it is so unexpected—that a plant could grow out of such a small seed to provide food and shade.     

And it was this kind of beautiful miracle that Jesus alluded to when he compared the Kingdom of God to a mustard seed. He said long ago, “It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown on the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth, yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and puts out large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade."  A seed so small that it is difficult to pinch between two fingers.  A seed so small it is planted just beneath the soil.  A seed so small and yet so beautifully miraculous that it is like God’s Kingdom.  From a peasant women hope is born.  Through a seemingly insignificant carpenter God’s kingdom is built.  A man is nailed to an execution stake and death dies.  From that which is considered unimportant and insignificant comes that which is most wonderful and beautiful.  From a small seed to a fruitful plant or a shade providing tree, so the Kingdom comes.

]]> A Gardener’s Perspective on The Early Disciples’ Writings 2 http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/a-gardeners-perspective-on-the-early-disciples-writings-2/ http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/a-gardeners-perspective-on-the-early-disciples-writings-2/ Mon, 28 Jun 2010 17:45:34 GMT Sowing Cover Crops:

I went to the community garden thinking about soil, seed and sowing.  Knowing the soil’s neglect at the garden over the past 100 years, we had decided not to plant veggies for our consumption in the newly dug plots in the fall.  We had decided to plant a cover crop.  The point of a cover crop is to make the soil better.  Some call it “green manure.”  You plant rye or legumes (peas and beans) because they add nitrogen, taking it from the air and implanting it into in the soil.  One of the best cover crops sounds more like a swear word or a gremlin—“hairy vetch.”  Cover crops, like hairy vetch, also limit weeds and with their roots, create more room for air and water to flow into the soil—attracting other little critters, like worms, who meaningful add to the soil’s goodness.

 You plant a cover crop because you want to make the soil better.  But you don’t plant a cover crop like you plant most seeds at the garden.  You don’t dig a little hole and drop each seed individually into that hole.  Instead, like a farmer in the first century, you take a handful of seeds and cast them into the air unto the soil.  Then, you take rake and move the soil around a bit to cover the seeds as best you can.  But, for us, with such hard rocky soil, it was quite difficult to cover any of the seeds.  Most of them lay atop the soil, uncovered and vulnerable.  

It was at this point, with seeds sown and “covered”, that I went to the garden.  I wanted to see what had happened.  And I was surprised by what I saw.  At the garden, we have chickens.  And those chickens, free ranging, were eating up uncovered seeds like candy.  Dismayed, I ran at them, arms flailing and yelling.  But, alas it was too late.  The seed’s had been left uncovered.  The hard-rocky soil—the very reason I had tried to plant a cover crop—had proven impenetrable.  And I recalled the words of Jesus: “A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured it.”  And I recalled the parables’ explanation as well: “And these are the ones along the path, where the word is sown: when they hear, Satan immediately comes and takes it away.”    

]]> A Gardener’s Perspective on The Early Disciples’ Writings http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/a-gardeners-perspective-on-the-early-disciples-writings/ http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/a-gardeners-perspective-on-the-early-disciples-writings/ Mon, 28 Jun 2010 16:59:45 GMT 1 Dollar on Soil:

I once heard that if you have 1 dollar to spend on your garden plot, that you should spend 99 cents on the soil.  The soil is that important.  99 cents on soil.  1 cent on the rest.  With that in mind, I turned my attention to The River Community Garden and its hard clayey soil.  Soil so hard it resists every shovel thrust.  Soil so hard that it takes 20-30 people to dig a garden plot.  And I began to think about how much money had been invested in the soil over the past century.  Not much, I think.  You can tell. 

 And it makes you wonder about Jesus’ words: “he was teaching them many things in parables, and in his teaching he said to them: ‘Listen! A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured it. Other seed fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil, and immediately it sprang up, since it had no depth of soil. And when the sun rose, it was scorched, and since it had no root, it withered away. Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no grain. And other seeds fell into good soil and produced grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold. And he said, ‘He who has ears to hear, let him hear.’"

It makes you wonder.  If you had 1 dollar, how much would you spend on soil?  And how much would you spend on all the rest? 

]]> bLoG 39: Another Update http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/blog-39-another-update/ http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/blog-39-another-update/ Mon, 28 Jun 2010 16:41:32 GMT I wanted to take a minute to update you today about what is happening in Compassion Ministry.  Locally, we are still building the web-eco-system for the homeless service agencies.  Though the process is taking longer than we expected, it is plugging along.  You can actually take a peak at a “rough draft” it on-line at www.homeless-scc.org  I would suggest clicking on “search for services” to get idea what the map will look like. 

Also, we are continuing to add sections to the community garden.  Specifically, we are thinking about adding a strawberry patch and arbor (for shade and rest) as well as some more flowers.  And I am hoping that in the next year we will begin to focus more on mission originating in small groups, rather than staff initiatives.  From my perspective, I hope that staff initiatives, like kindness SJ, are, in the future, ways for newcomers and people that don’t self ID as Christians to serve as well as a place for us to serve together once in a while as a body.  My hope is that staff initiatives are not the culmination of mission at the River but a bridge to deeper and more meaningful engagements. 

Internationally, we have an ICE team in Peru currently.  Pastor David Alvarez is there with them.  If you have the time, take a look at that partnership on our website at http://www.the-river.org/compassion-ministry/who-are-river-partners/  Also, a River team will be going to Honduras later this summer. 

]]> bLoG 38: Washington Neighborhood Bible Camp http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/blog-38-washington-neighborhood-bible-camp/ http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/blog-38-washington-neighborhood-bible-camp/ Mon, 19 Apr 2010 22:29:22 GMT For the past few years, The River has hosted a Bible Camp for kids in San Jose’s Washington Neighborhood.  It happens to be where I live.  And this year, I was grateful to be able to serve in it.  My Job: to work with the kids in the River’s community garden.  It was blast.  We learned about seeds, soil, plants, compost/mulch and even planted a hummingbird and butterfly garden!!!!  When the kids learned that we were adding poop (i.e., steer manure) to the ground to make the soil better they were overjoyed—who knew poo was such fun! 

And now as I walk the streets of my neighborhood, I see the kids I worked with in the garden.  It is wonderful.  We wave and smile.  And I look forward to next year when we will be able to do it again.  Even today, as I watered some of our newly planted flowers, one of the mother’s I met during the camp approached me.  We talked about the garden and now she is going to have a plot.  She loves to garden but she does not have enough space where she lives. 

This is why I started the garden.  And now it seems that its purpose is being fulfilled.  7 local families and 3 River members have plots.  30 at-risk kids at Washington Elementary School have weekly garden time.  Two other organizations (BUG and La Mesa Verde) use our garden for trainings and have plots of their own.

This is why I love my job.  I have seen urban blight transformed into garden blessing simply by digging some soil and inviting others to dig with me.  I have seen the kingdom of God come to earth with the swing of a pick and the thrust of a shovel.  Together we have made good soil and sit overjoyed as it produces fruit…30, 60, 90 fold.   

Tony, River Pastor and Garden Dirty Disciple

]]> bLoG 37: River Community Garden Partners http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/blog-37-river-community-garden-partners/ http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/blog-37-river-community-garden-partners/ Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:14:23 GMT I have recently had the pleasure of getting to know 2 awesome organizations: BUG (Bronco Urban Gardening) and La Mesa Verde.  We work with both at the River Community Garden.  La Mesa Verde was even in the NYT last month!  For more information on these organizations see...

https://sites.google.com/site/broncourbangardens/

and

http://www.shcstheheart.org/

]]> bLoG 36: Earth Ethics For You http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/blog-36-earth-ethics-for-you/ http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/blog-36-earth-ethics-for-you/ Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:05:32 GMT We had such a great time this fall in Earth Ethics (a gathering geared to see how "green" God really is) that we decided to put some of the scriptures we explored on the web.  If you have interest in seeing how the scriptures might inform your relationship with the earth and other creatures, then take a look at the Earth Ethics Scripture Studies.  Enjoy!

Tony Traback, River Pastor

]]> bLoG 35: River Garden and Homelessness Update http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/blog-35-river-garden-and-homelessness-update/ http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/blog-35-river-garden-and-homelessness-update/ Thu, 18 Mar 2010 00:07:11 GMT So much to say…

First, the community garden is taking off and it is exciting!  Since its founding in the Nov of 2009, The River Garden has become more and more robust.  We began with 6 raised beds and a few local families.  And now we have nearly 15 beds and numerous families!  With the help of River members, Santa Cruz IV students and members of the community, the garden is beginning to flourish.  We have added beds, sown cover crops, and most recently formed a partnership with BUG (Bronco Urban Gardening) which has enabled the garden to take flight! BUG is now using our garden to bless at-risk youth at Washington Elementary.  They are using our garden to train community members served by La Mesa Verde, a branch of Sacred Heart Community Services, which gives raised beds to low-income families.  And they are using our garden for training the local community more generally. It has been amazing to see The River Garden take off.  And we look forward to God's good work.  For we acknowledge that in all things, we may sow and tend but it is God who causes all things to grow (1Cor 3:5-8).

Second, today Curtis Chang and I are meeting with the directors of all the major homeless agencies to present our web-tool.  We have gotten such good feedback.  It is wonderful to see how the church can make an impact in the world!  It is the classical collective action problem.  This tool is in everyone’s interest but no one person’s interest enough to build it—and this is where the church can step in and help.  I could share about this for hours…maybe a few bLoG posts will be needed soon…Or if you want, we could meet for lunch one of these days…

Third, I have been convening a number of the downtown pastors to talk about how we can work together to address homeless issues in our neighborhoods.  This is again wonderful—especially in that the unity of the church is expressed.  It is a way to actually work together, rather than in competition for Sunday seats…a sad churchly reality sometimes…If you are ever interested in attending one of these meetings let me know.  You are welcome.

Tony Traback, River Pastor

 

 

]]> bLoG 33: Homelessness Update http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/blog-33-homelessness-update/ http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/blog-33-homelessness-update/ Fri, 13 Nov 2009 19:28:08 GMT These are some of the ideas we are sorting through...

The Church and The Homeless


A Church Shelter Winter Rotation
In many cities of the United States churches have started church shelter rotations.  In Cupertino, for example, they have a system in which one church shelters homeless people for a month and then another church hosts the same group for another month.  It lasts all year.  In downtown, we do not have such a system.  We would like to consider what it would take for us, as a larger church community, to create one for the winter months (from Nov-Mar) in the downtown area.  It would require 5 churches that own their buildings to dedicate space in them for 30 days out of the year.  It would require a considerable amount of volunteer help, training and permit/zoning exploration.

A Church Locker Network
In conversations with the homeless, it is evident that they need a place to store their belongings.  We would like to consider creating a church locker network where downtown churches host 5-10 lockers for homeless with whom they have relational connections.  This would require an initial investment in lockers, volunteer help and contracts/policies to navigate the potential complications (i.e., the storing of illegal and smelly items.)

A Church Landlord and Mentoring Network
Many churches in the downtown area have members that are landlords.  It may be possible to network these landlords with homeless tenants.   This would help people who want to change their situation find shelter.  If this was combined with a mentoring program (budget, resume, job application training etc), it could be a robust way to address the needs of those who are willing to take serious steps to transform their lives.  The main complication would be to create a winnowing system that filters out potentially destructive or uncommitted tenants.

Creating a Network of Friends
The goal would be to equip volunteers to be effective advocates and friends to the homeless.  To do this effectively, we would need a training from the city to enable volunteers to work within the existing city system; and we would need a homeless/shelter eco-system map so that volunteers could connect the homeless to providers and be more helpful friends.  Though this would not expand the existing shelter infrastructure, it would help homeless individuals make the most of the resources that already exist.

]]> bLoG 34: Homelessness Update #2 http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/blog-34-homelessness-update-2/ http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/blog-34-homelessness-update-2/ Fri, 13 Nov 2009 19:26:39 GMT In the past few weeks, I have been meeting with pastors and leaders in non-profits downtown at the ministry center.  One of the primary accomplishments of these meetings is the possibility of creating a rotating downtown shelter for the winter.  Specifically, we, the larger San Jose church community, are going to host a two-week “beta-test” shelter in downtown San Jose in late January!!!!  This is a huge step!!!  It would hold between 15-30 people.  Moreover, Sacred Heart, EHC and Innvision are willing and able to train volunteers!  I am working with Sacred Heart to even have a training before the “beta-version.”  God is at work…

We are also beginning to create an eco-system map of homeless services and programs available in the downtown area.  First, we need to gather information.  Second, we need to create a web interface that allows church members and non-profits to easily and effectively sort these services based upon the homeless person they are trying to serve.  This would allow a huge network of people to more easily be able to serve the homeless.  It would also be the first ecosystem map of the downtown area which we could eventually expand to include other services from immigration to education.  It is an enormous need that we have the skills to address.  

Lastly, we are trying to create a small locker system at the ministry center for homeless people within our congregation.  We are currently trying to find people to staff it—essentially just be good friends to our homeless friends.

Pastor Tony

]]> bLoG32: She came without warning... http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/blog32-she-came-without-warning/ http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/blog32-she-came-without-warning/ Wed, 16 Sep 2009 22:23:19 GMT I was coming home late.  I was tired and my head ached with hunger.  My house was within shouting distance and I was ready to be home.  My car came to a stop.  A woman ran up to my window.  “Do you speak English?”  She was holding her large belly and clearly in pain.  “Can I have a ride?”  What do you say?  You are tired and irritable, ready for the comforts of home.  Everything in me wanted to not be having this conversation.  So, I said, “Come on in.  How can I help you?”  

The woman was pregnant.  She was in pain.  It reminded me of Mary with child wondering whether an Inn Keeper would welcome her in.  More recently, I have reflected on Mary’s faith.  She has become an inspiring model to me.  An angel shows up, tells her crazy news and all she says is “I am Yahweh’s servant.”  Oh that I was so faithful!  

…And so when my car pulled up to that stop sign and I felt, tired, hungry and crabby, I said, “come on in" and drove her where she needed to go.

Tony Traback, Pastor in Process

]]> bLoG31: Why the bLoG shortage...? http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/blog31-why-the-blog-shortage/ http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/blog31-why-the-blog-shortage/ Mon, 14 Sep 2009 21:10:51 GMT You may have noticed a long break in my blog.  You may have wondered why this is true.  And, in part, it has to do with words.  It is one thing to tell stories and another thing to live your life.  And this can be confusing when you tell stories about your life.  Your life begins to be lived in order to tell stories about it.  You become a voyeur of your own experience—an exceptionally odd but all to common experience.  For me, this became unpalatable.  I want to live my life not think about how my life can be communicated.  I want to offer myself to God and his creation without thought of consequence, not so I can blog about it.  Over time, I found myself thinking about blogging about an experience I was having as I was having the experience.  And so the break...Just thought you might want to know: if in fact anyone is reading these words...

Tony Traback, Pastor of Mission Mobilization

]]> bLoG30: Guerilla Gardening http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/blog30-guerilla-gardening/ http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/blog30-guerilla-gardening/ Tue, 23 Jun 2009 22:14:39 GMT For years I have heard about guerilla gardening.   The basic idea is you find a patch of land and sow seeds there.  The key is that it cannot be your land.  Hence, guerilla gardening.  Now my main problem with the practice is trespassing.  How do I sow seed on land not my own legally?  Or at least without getting caught.  Because of these questions I have not been a good guerilla.  

I have been a victim however.  Two weeks ago I discovered plants planted without permission in the community garden.  I have been guerilla gardened!  An unseen suspect had raided the garden, planted a melon plant, and vanished.  I had no suspects.  No leads.  

But then I caught him.  Well, really, his daughter snitched.  Their family already has a plot and he wanted to be able to garden too.  There was no more space—and so…he became a guerilla.   

The good news is that the community garden is expanding (a new pumpkin patch) and another larger plot for a River small group.  The bad news is that our new-found guerrilla’s “garden” was uprooted in the process.  The moral of the story is this: if you are going to guerrilla garden don’t tell anyone; and if you want a plot at the community garden, just ask—we have room.

]]> bLoG29: Community Garden Pumpkin Patch http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/blog29-community-garden-pumpkin-patch/ http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/blog29-community-garden-pumpkin-patch/ Tue, 23 Jun 2009 22:33:00 GMT This last Thursday the community garden got a lot bigger.  We dug a 15-20 foot plot for a pumpkin patch and another 10-15 foot patch for a River small group.  We will harvest and hand out the pumpkins in the Washington neighborhood in October.  Fun fun…But to accomplish this huge task, we needed some serious labor.  As part of their week-long urban plunge, 25 UCSC students dedicated four hours to the garden and dug.  They removed tons (maybe even literally) of hard rocky clay soil and mixed in nice black smelly soil with chicken poop in it.  Some parts were so rocky that we needed to use a crow-bar to break it up!!!  Now, the pumpkins are sown and, in a few months, will decorate neighborhood porches with jack-o-lanterns.

You should have seen the students taking their shoes off to wade in the muddy mess.  To soften the soil we needed to really soak the plots and to mix the good soil with the rocky-clay-soil.  It reminded me of crushing grapes to make wine.  In this case, though, it was mixing soil to make pumpkins.  Or, telling a different story,  the UCSC mud dive was an offering, a demonstration of a people relishing the life given to us.  It is a witness to a God that enjoys childlike followers…

As the garden expands, meeting the needs of community members, it is fun to watch as people walk by and wonder why a farm is springing up in their neighborhood.  Eggs (from the chickens coop) and veggies (from the plots) flow freely in and out of the “farm.”  It is no wonder that people stare.  In a neighborhood decorated with dilapidation and hardly sprinkled with trees, is it really a wonder that plots are going like hot cakes?

]]> bLoG28: Shelby's garden stories... http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/blog28-shelbys-garden-stories/ http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/blog28-shelbys-garden-stories/ Wed, 10 Jun 2009 22:12:16 GMT
As many of you know Shelby lives in a home on the same land as The River Community Garden.  So, in many ways, she is garden keeper.  Included in my bLoG are a few of her stories.  The one below is from Mothers’ Day 09.


“My neighbor Alejandra and her family, who I’ve come to know over the past 4 years and especially because of the community garden, came to the door asking if they could use the gravel driveway to BBQ for their mother’s day dinner. (They live in a 3-unit complex that doesn’t have any place to put a BBQ pit).   I told her sure and off she went to tell the rest of her famillia.  It was about dusk when I went out to water the garden, I could see the family enjoying themselves as they bbq’ed. They had brought out little chairs to the driveway and were playing lively Latino music; they we’re singing and laughing—generally, having a good time. Alejandra’s mom Enedina called me over to the fence and offered me a piece of carne, and then asked if I waned a tortilla to go with it.  Of course I said yes; and then they offered me some kind of diced-onion jalapeño mix with garden grown fresh cilantro. To say the least, it was muy delicioso.  Before the community garden, I would not have thought that watering could be such a delightful experience. But then when one extends a little kindness, often, the return is far greater than one could ever expect.”

]]> bLoG27: Which came first—the chicken or the egg? http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/blog27-which-came-firstthe-chicken-or-the-egg/ http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/blog27-which-came-firstthe-chicken-or-the-egg/ Tue, 02 Jun 2009 17:34:38 GMT
Months ago Rick Shertle, a River member in downtown’s Northside Neighborhood, made a chicken coop for his family.  His family enjoyed it so much (I guess) that they began to ask other families if they wanted one.  It so happens that he also asked me if the community garden could use a chicken coop as well.  This set me to thinking—how could a community garden which is meant to be a River connecting point in the community benefit from a chicken coop.  And then it hit me—people eat eggs.  Well, not really.  I knew people ate eggs.  I had eaten them myself multiple times (difficult to believe, I know).  

The Community Garden allows people who do not own property to grow their own fresh vegetables.  This is not only more cost effective but much healthier.  And eggs could certainly add to both the River’s connectedness and the well-being of the community.  With chickens we would have a way to both bless neighbors and initiate odd but natural conversations.  “Would you like some eggs from our chickens?” would be all it took…

And this is all is took Shelby, who lives in the home on which the garden is located.  She has handed out eggs to neighbors both known and unknown.  And eggs have been one of her connecting points.  Eggs like all veggies are an offering of food but also friendship.  They are a way for us to offer more than words.  We can offer a cucumber or an egg depending on the season and the hen’s productivity that day.  And this is important.  In a community dominated by fears of paying the rent and feeding one’s family, an egg can be the good news people are groping for.  It can be a small sign of hope is more difficult times.  

Tony Traback, Pastor of Mission Mobilization

]]> bLoG26: Beet Offering http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/blog26-beet-offering/ http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/blog26-beet-offering/ Tue, 02 Jun 2009 17:27:26 GMT
Gardens require watering.  This is fun when you first start but over time it can become a burden.  Since I just planted my summer garden, I was quite happy to go to the community garden to water.  It was a Saturday afternoon.  When I arrived, another family was there.  And it was a family that I had not met.  I knew a family worked the plot but I had never actually seen them—only the fruit of their labor.  For months this went on.  Until this last Saturday.  Her name is Loupe.  She was there with her daughter harvesting the beets they planted months before.  They had tons!  They had so many beets that her daughter sat separating the bulb from the greens while Loupe pulled them out of the ground.  As I watered, we talked.  We connected.  The garden was both our place of connection and the source of our conversation.  It gave us something to talk about.  I spoke about my winter crop and they talked about what they hoped to plant this summer.  And before I left, she gave me a bag of beets.  

I left grateful and hopeful.  Only a few months ago, we started the community garden to bless families in the Washington Neighborhood.  And now the harvest is here and I am being blessed by them.  Now, out of their abundance they are serving me.  Not only have I begun to meet many families because of the garden, but the people that I meet are giving me stuff now!  It seems to me that this should be the result of mission.  The giver becomes recipient and recipient becomes giver.  This is the Kingdom of God.  Upside down.  The only way it should be.

Tony Traback, Pastor of Mission Mobilization

]]> bLoG25: Chris' Thoughts Continued... http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/blog25-chris-thoughts-continued/ http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/blog25-chris-thoughts-continued/ Tue, 26 May 2009 16:02:55 GMT Christ' thoughts continued...(see previous entry)

Chris on church growth and evangelism

“One of the most interesting things we heard was about evangelism in Liberia. Sheppard told me that Liberians have "itchy ears" for the Gospel. (I love this imagery!!) Lots of Liberians told us about sharing the Gospel with total strangers, but the most amazing idea was actually sparked by something we saw by the side of the road. We asked there was such a large group of people along the side of the road, circled up. One of the possibilities.....someone preaching the Gospel, for whoever would listen. Later we asked someone about, and their reaction was fairly calm, as if the idea is commonplace. I am still flabbergasted by the thought of going out, and just standing on the corner, preaching boldly. As we were talking about, we realized that in most places in the U.S. such an attempt would result in mocking at least, and a lawsuit at most, not conversion of by-passers.”

“One of the most exciting things that we saw was the growth of the church. The church we were at, New Life Bible Church, Jacobtown, was started in a house. It grew very quickly, and is now meeting in a regular building. Following that same model of housechurch to meeting in a public building, NLBC now has 5 other branches, and our team got the chance to go visit all but one of those branch churches as well. Very inspiring. One of the congregations was meeting in a schoolhouse, at least 15 yards away from any kind of road. Really IN the community. To get to it, we walked past a huge mango tree, which had a guy lounging underneath in his lawn chair. It was so interesting. Another church is growing, and recently had some land donated where they will be able to build a building. A much needed building, as currently they are meeting in a breezeway between two houses. Swelteringly hot. Really made stark how blessed our church is.”

]]> bLoG24: Chris' Liberia Thoughts http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/blog24-chris-liberia-thoughts/ http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/blog24-chris-liberia-thoughts/ Tue, 26 May 2009 16:01:21 GMT As many of you know, I was recently in Liberia.  I went with a River team to partner with AHEAD Ministries.  Three of us went: Baker, Chris, and myself.  In this bLoG I thought it worthwhile to share some of Chris’ observations and thoughts.  He is 17 and it was his first international trip—so, I figure, his insights are likely more fresh than mine.  Below are some snippets of Chris’ observations.

Chris’ thoughts on the “VBS”
“The VBS was totally overwhelming. When we arrived, there were 68 kids waiting for us, which was a bit of a letdown, because we had planned for about 225 kids. We started our different sessions, and about 30 minutes later, a large school let out class, and our ranks swelled to around 300 kids. Next day, 325 kids, next day 400, last day 450 kids. All these numbers are approximate. Even with the margin of error, that's a lot of kids!! We found out that only 250 kids or so had signed up from the church, or through the church, and the rest were children from within the community. The children were so much fun to be around, really just amazing. Smiles, laughs, love, joy, great attitudes. We felt like celebrities, all the children jostling and competing to sit next to us, grabbing our hands whenever they were available, and showing us every little thing they drew, or cut, or glued. As we were talking about it later, a very interesting idea surfaced. In our treatment of the kids, and how they treated us, we could see Jesus. The kids just wanted to be with us, to hold our hands, much like how we are called to be with Jesus, and we tried to be like Jesus, just holding their hands, and loving them, and telling them their picture was beautiful, like he does for us. Being back here, it is challenging to keep both of those mindsets a part of our daily routine.”

“Part of the appeal of the location for the VBS was the neighborhood. Aside from the church attendees, the neighborhood was almost entirely Muslim. (We asked if there are people who aren't anything when it comes to religion. The looks we got for that question were the best answer possible.) We got to be the face of Jesus to these kids who have never heard about Christ, and we got to see one of the Liberians share the Gospel with them. It was pretty powerful to see.”

Tony Traback, Pastor of Mission Mobilization

 

]]> bLoG23: BLAM! Things Change... http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/blog23-blam-things-change/ http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/blog23-blam-things-change/ Wed, 13 May 2009 23:56:06 GMT On February 24th, I bLoGgEd about Shawn, who I met at Crema Coffee Shop.  I was able to share the gospel with him in this amazing God ordained encounter.  A few days ago, I again met with Shawn again.  This time we met across the street from Crema at Chipotle.  Nothing could have prepared me for what he was to say.  I assumed that he was going to ask more questions about scripture and God and that I would need to be “on my game” or in the very least able to respond with some wisdom.  We did a brief little check-in and then he hit me with the news: he is now becoming a Catholic Priest.  From marginal seeker to Priest in less than 60 days!  Wow!  My jaw hit the floor.  It took me a few minutes before I picked it up.  He enjoyed my slack jawed surprise.  And in the minutes that followed his incredible disclosure, I learned that our short conversation was the beginning of an intense process culminating in his road to ordination.  Apparently, at the age of 5, he had felt called to the Priesthood.  Since that day (for about 25 years I guess), he had been ignoring God’s invitation.  What he needed was a nudge and God used me, during our random encounter, to nudge Shawn into his calling.  

How odd is the economy of God!  I hardly did anything.  I merely showed up at a certain place at a certain time and opened my mouth.  I hardly said anything worth repeating.  I just spoke.  And BLAM!  A wanderer nearly becomes a priest.  If only we are open, God can do so much through us.  We only need to show up.  And BLAM—things change…

                    Tony Traback Pastor of Mission Mobilization

]]> bLoG22: Another Garden Story... http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/blog22-another-garden-story/ http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/blog22-another-garden-story/ Wed, 13 May 2009 19:27:47 GMT In a former bLoG, I wrote about the family next door to the community garden.  Yesterday, I learned more about them.  I was planting tomatoes, jalapeños, beans, cantaloupe and other veggies when a voice called out, “Pastor Tony.”  I looked up to see a man I had never seen before.  He called out again, “Pastor Tony.”  “Yes?”   And that was when the conversation began.  He explained that he grew up in Burma and had been called by God to minister to Burmese refugees in the USA.  Hence, why he was standing across from me.  The house next to our community garden is full of recent refugees from Burma.  I had met them before, but had not learned their story.  He shared with me about their need to learn English and I offered to be of service.  I thought that maybe some of the ESL teachers in our midst might be able to help or that I could sit down and talk with them weekly—assuming that would be better than nothing.

It surprising me how much can happen with soil in hand.  Burmese refugees yesterday.  And the day before, a boy named Alexander, age 5, also said hello.  He had never planted anything and so we did it together.  He wanted to water and plant and generally help out.  With soil in hand some much can happen.  Plants grow at our community garden.  Sure.  But so do relationships.  Both are extraordinary miracles.  Both reveal our Creator God’s beauty…

                    Tony Traback Pastor of Mission Mobilization

]]> bLoG21: Sowing Seeds http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/blog21-sowing-seeds/ http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/blog21-sowing-seeds/ Fri, 20 Mar 2009 00:40:10 GMT It began unexpectedly.  I was watering my broccoli, cauliflowers, sprouts and beets when I saw the guy next door watching me.  I was a bit surprised but wanting our community garden to serve the community I asked him if he wanted a plot.  He motioned with his hand that he did not speak English and disappeared inside the apartment.  Seconds later, he appeared again with a middle-aged woman at his side.  Since I don’t know any Vietnamese, I tried to explain with my hands and expressions that their family could use a garden plot if they wanted to.  After a few minutes, I gave up—uncertain of whether I made myself clear.  Actually, I was only certain of one thing: I had not made myself clear.

And then…

And then three weeks later (yesterday in fact) I learned that this woman came to The River this last weekend.  Not only had she begun to plant seeds in our community garden but she had come to The River to check us out. 

I am not sure if she is a Christian.  But it is exciting to see how God used my small offering to deepen our investment in the community.   The garden was a means to relationship.  It was a bridge to our community of faith.  And practically my offering will yield fruit—well, veggies, I think.

]]> bLoG20: A Re-telling of Philip and the Ethiopian Man in Acts http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/blog20-a-re-telling-of-philip-and-the-ethiopian-man-in-acts/ http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/blog20-a-re-telling-of-philip-and-the-ethiopian-man-in-acts/ Tue, 24 Feb 2009 19:49:42 GMT This last Saturday I knew that I needed to study for a final exam.  It is my last class of my masters and so I knew that I just needed to get it over with.  My friend asked me if I was going to study and where. I was leaning towards Peet’s but for some odd reason I decided to go to Crema.  After some time studying, I had to use the bathroom and on my way back I realized that I recognized the Vietnamese man sitting just behind me from the gym.  I felt some need to ask him whether he went there.  He said he did.  Then he asked me what I was studying because he was also studying.  I explained to him that I was finishing my last masters’ class in theology and was a local pastor. 

Then it began.  He reached into his bag and lifted out a New Testament, saying “last night I began reading this for the first time and I cannot understand it.  Can you explain it to me?”  I nearly fell out of my chair.  And then before I could muster an answer, he asked me another staggering question: “what does it mean that Jesus died on the cross for my sins.”  I offered my best reply, not eloquently or perfectly but I offered what came to mind.

When I was finished, he seemed confused.  I was like “great!  I failed!”  But it was not about my answer.  He had just last night opened a bible, had questions, run into a theology student and pastor the very next day.  He explained to me that he knew he needed someone to ask questions with and now I was sitting before him offering to meet with him and talk.  He asked, “what does this mean?”  I said, “it seems like God is offering you an invitation to follow him.  And I would really like to meet with you regularly to help you answer some of your questions.”  Since that we day, Sean and I have stayed in contact. 


Tony Traback Pastor of Mission Mobilization

]]> bLoG19: Sharing the Gospel Verbally http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/blog19-sharing-the-gospel-verbally/ http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/blog19-sharing-the-gospel-verbally/ Tue, 03 Feb 2009 17:53:33 GMT As many of you know, I worked with incarcerated teenagers struggling with drug addiction and gang affiliation.  In this context, we often had conversations about what it meant to share the gospel.  I often argued that our non-violent posture was the soundest gospel argument that we could make.  And I still believe that.  But I am also aware that my ability to love my enemies is never as “perfect” as I hope it would be. So, where does that leave us?  If our actions do not clearly testify to the God we so dearly love, at what point are words essential?

I once spoke with a staff who relied so heavily on his actions to testify to the goodness of God that he recoiled at verbal evangelism.  Yet, from an outsider’s perspective, his actions were not clear.  This made me thoughtful.  Why did this guy have such a negative association with verbally sharing the gospel?  Was he ashamed to verbally associate with Jesus?  Could be.  Or was he afraid that if his actions undercut his verbal message that his message would be discounted?  Possibly.  My guess is that it was a combination of the two.  

In our context, actions based evangelism is held in high esteem in many circles.  Right, who doesn’t like Mother Teresa?  But how people can we point to that we really admire for how they proclaim the gospel to co-workers?  Not as many.   This affects our desire to share the gospel verbally.  I would also argue that it has led people to justify the fact that they are ashamed of our gospel—a gospel that is not shy about sin, the cross, and eternal salvation.  I am the first to argue that gospel articulation must not solely be a verbal exercise but I am also really hesitant to make it entirely non-verbal.  

One of the advantages of being a pastor is that I am often explaining my job.  To every question about what I do, I can throw out a gospel line and see if anyone wants to talk.  When I write about sharing the gospel verbally I am not referring to standing on street corners with a sign and yelling.  I am talking about having a conversation with people about what is most important to you—your faith.  We are not providing answers per se but rather telling a story that has compelled us to follow.  And maybe in our telling, God will work a miracle. 

Tony Traback, Pastor of Mission Mobilization

]]> bLoG18: X-mass at juvi continued... http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/blog18-x-mass-at-juvi-continued/ http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/blog18-x-mass-at-juvi-continued/ Tue, 27 Jan 2009 17:10:21 GMT In December, a few River members went to juvenile hall to share the Christmas message with the kids incarcerated.  Mike Valentine wrote this to me after the experience:

“I must say that coming to the end of a very busy day in a very busy week left me quite tired and the idea of going out in the cold for an evening at Juvenile Hall was definitely not top on my To Do list.  I even commented to Pat that, honestly, I was just too tired to go.  Even during our abbreviated guitar practice with the other guitar players I wondered if this was worth all the effort. But when we got to Juvenile Hall and met the boys, the overwhelming knowledge that they aren’t consumed by the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season and the close of the business year suddenly hit me.  All they have now is the unit they live in and the other boys they see all day, every day.  Time stands still for them now and they have plenty of time to think.  When we started singing Christmas carols and they only knew just a couple I also had a glimpse of the world they grew up in and remembered how different it was from mine.  But they didn’t care that they only knew a couple of carols, they just cared that someone bothered to come out on a cold winters night to try to bring them something of Christmas.  When the night was over the tiredness was gone and I was energized about the idea of coming back.”

Tony Traback, Pastor of Mission Mobilization

]]> bLoG17: X-mass in Juvi continued... http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/blog17-x-mass-in-juvi-continued/ http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/blog17-x-mass-in-juvi-continued/ Tue, 27 Jan 2009 17:06:17 GMT In my last bLoG, I shared my experience of x-mass in juvenile hall.  But I was not the only visitor present.  My friend Abe was also there.  And this is what he wrote in this journal after the experience.  Don’t worry, I did not pilfer!  Permission was given…

“I went with some people at the River last night to juvenile hall to put on a Christmas service for the kids (literally -- they're 12 to 19 years old) in lock-down.  Even though they're just kids, based on the sentences that some of them are looking at, they've done some pretty horrendous things to get where they are.  Still, they were just kids. Giggling at the word "gay" in "gay apparel" (admittedly, I giggled too) in one of the Christmas songs that we sang, and being nervous reading passages from the Bible in front of the other boys. One of the boys shared his gospel rap with us (I asked Peggy later if they were allowed to listen to music--maybe they'd like Lecrae...). The rap was not catchy at all, but it was perhaps one of the most sincere raps I've heard. A few lines will certainly haunt me. He kept talking about how the "devil's got [him]" and his fight to keep pressing on. The refrain even has a line something like: 'When I leave this life of hell (?), I pray the Lord my soul to keep.'

Luke 23 is my favorite passage in the Bible. And there's no question that that kid's rap sounds a lot like the penitent sinner's final plea to Jesus: 'Jesus, remember me when you enter into your kingdom.'  I wonder though, does he know Jesus' response?”

Tony Traback Pastor of Mission Mobilization

]]> bLoG16: Back to Juvi for X-mass... http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/blog16-back-to-juvi-for-x-mass/ http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/blog16-back-to-juvi-for-x-mass/ Tue, 27 Jan 2009 17:11:58 GMT On Wednesday December 17th, I gathered seven River members to go to the maximum-security wings of Juvenile Hall.  We arrived at 6:45 pm, were briefed and led through security.  It was probably the first time that any of us had been asked at a church gathering whether we were carrying any weapons.

We walked down a white hallway in a longish line.  Prisoners with hands behind their backs, face to the floor, drifted past us.  I recognized our destination (see blog #6).  The young men were seated and seemingly expectant when we entered.  I was thrown off by their organization.  It meant that we needed to get ready quick—for we had come to “put on” a Christmas celebration for these young men awaiting life sentences and long prison terms for crimes committed. 

The service began with songs.  Mike Valentine, Lawrence and Abe played guitar and sang and we followed their lead.  In such a context, the old hymns sounded rather odd.  What does it mean to sing of “Yule tide treasure?”  Or why use Latin (Gloria en excelsis deo) when Spanish might have been more helpful?  Though luckily they did smirk when we sang, “put on your gay apparel.”  The ice broke slightly.   

Despite all these cultural misses, it seemed to me that the Spirit of Life, our God, was there.  Brad assured these young men that in their darkness the light of God would come just as he did 2000 years ago.  And I had the pleasure of explaining to them a basic understanding of communion—that Jesus is present to us and willing to forgive us—and offer it to them.  I asked each young man to come up, one at a time.  I had the privilege of looking each struggling boy in the eye and saying to him, “the body of Jesus broken for you.”  It is a beautiful thing to offer the presence and forgiveness of Jesus to those who are obviously desperate for him.  It is a powerful thing to see the power of God come to earth.  And guess what?  He came in power to possible criminals awaiting trial in Juvenile Hall.  If that is not a Christmas message, I do not know what is.

Tony Traback, Pastor of Mission Mobilization

]]> bLoG15: What does it mean to love like Jesus? http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/blog15-what-does-it-mean-to-love-like-jesus/ http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/blog15-what-does-it-mean-to-love-like-jesus/ Mon, 15 Dec 2008 21:16:17 GMT
The first time I organized a Living Center lunch, I was unsure what to expect.  I had asked the staff to prepare food items and join me at the Living Center for lunch and conversation.  I should also add that I had briefed them before arrival.  I explained to them that many of the Living Center’s clients had been badly hurt by the church and we were there to love them, not to preach.  Why you might wonder had so many people that were hurt by the church in one place?  The answer is simple.  They have HIV/AIDS.  I can recall many conversations with them about how they have been hurt by Christian communities, families and friends.  And our role, coming to the Living Center, was to overcome these hurts by love.  A tall order to say the least.  And yet not. 

We brought lots of a good food.  Angela served Italian sodas to each client like an expert bartender.  We chatted about everyday things, about life.  And by the end of the time, men living with HIV/AIDS were sharing us videos of their recent adventures, laughing with us.  How did this happen?   I cannot give details but I think it began with listening and sharing.  And then it progressed to a joke here and there.  And suddenly strangers became friends. 

The second Living Center lunch I organized was the same.  Students from UCSC brought food, chatted and laughed.  Strangers became friends.  It has happened again.  I find this significant because the HIV/AIDS community and the homosexual transgender communities are often the communities that the church loves the least and the worst.  The reasons are manifold.  But one lessen I learned from these Living Center lunches is that love is a simple thing.  It begins with listening and ends with laughing.  Often it involves food.

Jesus was not stranger to such love; and yet sometimes I think we forget who he loved.  He loved the people, considered by the religious establishment, to be the most distant from God.  And yet, it is so easy for us to wonder whether we should love the seemingly estranged in our context.  Why is that?   Are we afraid?  Or are we biased?

I found it revealing that many of the men with whom we talked at the Living Center asked me for my card so that they could check out our church.  They seemed surprised that Christians could be nice.  They were merely impressed that we listened and laughed with them and on occasion brought them food.  And having done these simple things we invited them to experience the love of Jesus in our midst on Sunday mornings.  I don’t know about you but it makes me sad that such simple acts could be so profound to a particular community.  Are we generally that mean?  It may be easy to excuse ourselves from those mean people, those mean Christians “over there.”  But I wonder if this is fair. 

It reminds me of the story of the Good Samaritan.  The priest who passed the man on the side of the road has not been remembered throughout history because he did something bad.  He merely did not do something that was good.  And the Good Samaritan has historically been named “good” because he helped, he acted.  When I look at us, I wonder whether we have missed the point of this story.  What do you think?

]]> bLoG14: eco-what? http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/blog14-eco-what/ http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/blog14-eco-what/ Mon, 15 Dec 2008 19:05:22 GMT


In the past few months, I have become convinced of an often-unheralded church mission.  I would call it an ecological mission, but Dave Kwok says that is too esoteric.  So maybe an explanation is in order.  Basically, I have become convinced that God has commissioned his people to be his environmental stewards—his earth stewards.  From Genesis through Revelation, we see God’s care for creation.  In Genesis he creates the earth and the heavens and in Revelation he renews all things—the earth and all that is in it. 

Reading the story of Adam and Eve (actually the story of Adam at that point) from this perspective, I began to notice new things.  Primarily, I heard a commission from God to serve and protect the earth as I read God’s instruction to Adam: “serve and protect” the garden.  And this is just one small example of the many ecological insights from the scriptures.  But what am I to do with this commission?  As a pastor of mission mobilization, how does this fit within my role on staff?  And so the questions went. 

First, I tried to fit little eco-friendly engagements within the first Kindness San Jose—a little trash pick up in Bakesto Park.  But that seemed rather trite.  So, I began to ask myself what would be a do-able but challenging next step?  And I decided that I should try and start a River community garden.  I knew that the Oak St property (a piece of land the River owns in the Washington Neighborhood) had more than enough room to support a community garden and Shelby (both a River member and current tenant) agreed it would be a good idea, but I was unsure how to connect with the community and invite them to grow their veggies on our land. 

And so my community investigation journey began.  I spoke with most of the non-profit community organizations in the neighborhood and finally found one that seemed interested in a partnership: Santa Maria Urban Ministries.  Lawrence their director put a sign up sheet out for less than one week and five families signed up!  I was overwhelmed by the interest and quickly asked Lawrence to remove the sign so that we could more easily create a community garden for them to use.  I realized that if we had twenty families, it would take too much work to make 20 raised beds.  (Since the soil is so bad, we needed to make raised beds.)

With families gathered, I asked Jill Bekaert to help me actually “make” a community garden.  Thanks be to God that Jill knew what she was doing.  All I did was tell her my idea and buy the wood she told me to get and she did the rest: invited River people to the Kindness San Jose community garden installation and got wheelbarrows and all the tools necessary.  All I had to do was come up with some rules, get them translated into Spanish and invite the Washington Neighborhood families.   And on November 15th, a community garden as born.  

Looking back, I see this as a step in the right direction.  It is a way for us (and me) to more fully embrace what it means to be God’s ecological steward.  But I know it is only step.  The more I consider the ramification of my actions on the earth and its creatures (including humans) I am amazed how long I have lived without considering the implication of my actions—the effects of driving to work, eating beef, and using a clothes dryer and so much more…

Maybe these questions interest you.  Maybe they don’t.  But if they do, please come talk to me about your journey of being an ecological steward of God’s good creation.  I am looking for company as I journey.  Maybe you are too.

Tony Traback, Pastor of Mission Mobilization

]]> Tony's Travel bLoG: Nicaragua http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/tonys-travel-blog-nicaragua/ http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/tonys-travel-blog-nicaragua/ Wed, 26 Nov 2008 21:24:25 GMT Blogs: ICE Visit to Nicaragua

bLoG1: Why ICE trips?  (if you read my Honduras Blog ignore this first one.  It is a repeat.)

It is not always clear why we send members of our congregation across seas, mountains, and plains to other countries.  Have you ever wondered why we do this?  I have.  Many times I have questioned the wisdom of spending so much money to board a plane to love someone in another country.  Why travel so far when our unknown neighbors are so nearby? 

I believe these are good questions. They are valid and worth exploring.  As I have struggled with them, I initially concluded that such international compassion experiences are worth more than the money we dedicate to them as long our compassion is not limited to our overseas “neighbors.” 

With that said, with that assumption suspended, I realized that I have a certain local bias.  This local conviction is important to me.  I believe that we cannot ignore our literal neighbors assuming that a weeklong love-trip somehow fulfills a quota.  But I must admit that this conviction has softened as I have traveled to Peru and now Honduras and Nicaragua.

Traveling to Peru, I realized that ICE trips can have an inherent value, regardless of whether the trip leads to on-going compassionate service locally.  Money spent on securing justice is never poorly spent.  I realized that the work done in Peru is, without question, necessary. 

Moreover, during ICE trips we experience a certain alignment, which often escapes us in daily California life.  On ICE trips individuals can experience an alignment between what they read in the gospels and the lives they live.  If only this experience allows one to read the gospels with new eyes, this experience is valuable.  

ICE trips can also help us to exit our Superpower lens for a short time and learn from those who do not see reality from a posture of wealth and power.  ICE trips are an opportunity to learn and repent.  They are an opportunity to see reality from the posture of Jerusalem, not Rome. 

And ICE trips are an opportunity to share our resources with those in need.  Paul teaches that those with much should share with those with little.  Simply, ICE trips are a way to do this. 

But on this trip I have learned a much deeper reason for ICE trips.  There is a purpose, which dwarfs all others.  It is an end and not a means.  I am fully convinced as I sit en una casa en Nicaragua that ICE trips are not about accomplishing something or performing good works.   They are not about personal transformation or biblical application.  In their essence, the purpose of ICE trips profoundly simple.  They are about friendship. 

Leaving Honduras and Nicaragua, I leave friends.  They are not a means to an end but ends in themselves.  They are friends.  Together we have laughed and prayed, broke bread and worshipped.  They have welcomed me with open arms and now we are more than partners and certainly more than international “abstractions,” they are friends with whom I have shaken hands and hugged.  They have given me gifts of precious worth.  But the greatest gift they have offered is friendship.  And that is why I will return and encourage others to go.  Let me introduce you to my friends.  They live in Honduras and Nicaragua.  Let me introduce you to their lives and their struggles.  Let me share with you about the wonderful people that I have met.  My friends.

bLoG2: Nicaragua, Day One

The bus from Honduras to Nicaragua took about six hours.  This may sound odd but I really enjoyed it.  For six hours I was free to read. 

When I arrived in Managua, Osman, Adelaida and Enma picked me up in a Taxi.  Though my Spanish had improved by this time, I was relieved when Osman spoke to me in perfect English.  The ride to San Juan de Oriente was quite quick.  The road along which we travelled apparently goes all the way to Costa Rica; and it was quite smooth, making for a comfortable trip.  Mostly I spoke with Osman, though Adelaida (the director of La Vida) and I spoke for a moment about the day’s schedule.

After dropping my things off at Anita’s home (my wonderful home-stay hostess), we visited families in the pueblo with whom River families had stayed.  As we walked from home to home, it began to rain and we had our first real bonding experience running from shelter-to-shelter to escape the torrential downpour. 

And one of these shelters happened to be a potter’s shop.  More accurately, it was a home, ceramic studio and shop.  Father and son greeted us.   Clearly, it was a family trade.  (I later learned that every home I went into had a potter’s wheel and a little store in which the family sold pottery.  Something like 90% of families in San Juan de Oriente make and sell ceramics).   The son showed us how he made the ceramics and when the rain ceased, we were off to visit another family.       

Having met the different host families, we walked to a dinner with the entire staff of La Vida Education.  Our dinner was in Catalina, the pueblo next door—or better yet, up the hill.  And at the top of the hill are both restaurants and a beautiful view of a lake and volcanoes.  Truly, it is spectacular!

And then we ate.  I ordered bistec con Jalapenos again (by the end of this trip I think I ate this meal 3 or 4 times.  It became a bit of an addiction!)  It was also during this time that I learned more about La Vida Education and its staff.  La Vida (or La Biblioteca as the locals call it) was started by a former River attendee and youth director, Aaron Pick.  It is more than a library—though it is the second most trafficked library in Nicaragua!!! In a town of about 8,000 people, they have over 30,000 visits a year! It also hosts music and art classes as well as helps students at all of the local schools do their homework.  Not only is the staff available to help with student assignments, but La Vida buys the books which students need in their classes so that the poorer students can afford to learn.

As I learned about La Vida, I also learned about its staff: Adelaida, Sully, Enma, Celia, Osman, and David.  Each member of the staff introduced himself or herself and explained how La Vida has helped them.  Most of them shared how little money they had made as teachers at a local school and how working at La Vida had improved their lives.  Now, most of them are able to afford university and able to help their families financially.

Walking home from dinner, Adelaida and David (her husband) invited me to their home.  They shared with me family photos, of their wedding and other special occasions.   And then I asked David, who works at La Vida as a music teacher, to play the guitar for us.  He agreed but then invited us all to sing worship songs.  It was amazing.  I enjoyed all the songs I did not know, and I relished the Spanish songs that I had learned at the River.  It was such a beautiful moment to be able to sing with them!  We truly worshiped together.  We sang for over an hour with David, Adelaida, and David’s parents.  Though it wasn’t Sunday, it was church.

bLoG3: Day Two in Nicaragua

I awoke early and ate.  Anita, my host mother, fed me a delicious meal and I was off to meet the families of the La Vida staff.  Both families were very welcoming and kind.  Each showed me how to throw a pot and shared with me their finished pottery.

As we walked from one casa to another, I noticed that kids were playing baseball in the streets.  It reminded me of old videos in which kids in the Bronx played stickball.  As a bit of trivia, unlike most Latin American countries, Nicaragua focuses its talents on baseball, not soccer. 

Next we took taxies to the nearby town of Masaya.  We ate (and I ate Bictec de Jalapeno again!) and then we checked out the market.  There, Adelaida surprised me with two wonderful gifts.  One is a traditional Nicaraguan shirt, which I wore the next day.  The second is a cup, which I really like.  I had been looking for a goblet with which to celebrate the Eucharist and I found it at the market.  I wanted to get it (I think it was $5) but Adelaida would not allow it.  And so now I have it as a gift!

After a bit of rest at my home stay and some cena, I joined a few of the staff for church—at a Baptist church nearby.  [One of the truly interesting things about the staff of La Vida is that there is an intentional effort made to have a balanced number of Catholics and Protestants.  Because there can be some division between the two communities (as in the US), when La Vida hires new staff they make it an absolute principle to have as equal numbers of Catholics and Protestants.] The church worship was enjoyable but in all honestly I could not understand the sermon.  It seemed like people who understood it enjoyed it.  While the pastor preached and I sat uncomprehendingly, I decided to do a little people watching and I noticed a bunch of gringo families.  I felt like I should wave at them or pass a note.  As you can imagine, I didn’t.     

bLoG4: Day three in Nicaragua

In the morning of my third day in Nicaragua, Adelaida and I walked to a nearby school to explore property that La Vida Education is interested in purchasing.  Due to the enormous demand of their facility, they currently have to force youth from each school into time slots during the week.  For instance, one school might come on Mondays at 8:00am and another at 9:00am and so on.  Even with this forced limitation, it is the second most visited library in Nicaragua!  Imagine if they had a larger facility in which more students could fit.  Well, this is exactly what they have done.  They imagined.  And accordingly they found a piece of land, which is both for sale and being sold for a good price.  With land, La Vida could build multiple buildings to house each of its diverse “ministries.”  It would also enable La Vida to expand its library—which is currently limited by space.  In fact, La Vida has stopped stocking more books because it is already crammed to bursting! 

The property is actually quite beautiful: a green and rolling landscape that lies next to a local road for easy access.  Though many of the coffee plants located on the property would likely be removed, I could imagine that coffee beans might add some revenue.  And more than four acres, it would be plenty of space to build a new facility. 

Hopeful about the prospect of the new property, we next went to a local school. The principle greeted me and then brought me to each classroom in the school.  When I entered each classroom one of the students, on behalf of her/his classmates explained how La Vida’s library has helped them in their studies.  This was pretty amazing.  Their gratefulness for La Vida’s services was overwhelming.  Clearly, it made a significant difference in their lives.    

Before our final dinner, we met with the local priest.  Just as in the US, there are divisions between Protestants and Catholics.  La Vida, as noted previously, has tried to alleviate some of these differences.  My talk with the local priest was another attempt.  He is a kind man who loves his community.  In fact, he is someone I so enjoyed that I hope to remain in contact with him. 

Our final dinner was at Adelaida and David’s home.  The food was excellent but the  worship songs we sang afterwards were even better —Protestants and Catholics worshipping together.  It was beautifully ecumenical.   Yet, best of all, were the gifts given and the pictures taken at the night’s end.  It wasn’t that receiving gifts was the height of the evening but the meaning of the gifts I received from my new friends.  Three of the staff gave me a ceramic creation, which someone in their family made and David painted me a canvas beautifully.  They each gave me something, which reminds me of not only who they are but who their families and communities have been for over a hundred years!  

And, finally, we ended the evening with a fun picture—a picture in which we all jumped about in “unique” postures.  The picture captured a moment of fun and joy.  The picture was particularly significant because after taking the picture with a digital camera, David put it on the TV and we spent a good twenty minutes laughing together.  It will be one of those moments I remember for a long time.   


bLoG5: Nicaragua Thoughts, We Made it out of Clay

I would be remiss to write about San Juan de Oriente and not have an entry dedicated to ceramics.  As I mentioned earlier, every home I entered was also a workshop.  And I should say it is like entering into a history—both familial and communal.  The word workshop does not communicate the personal passing on of their tradition from generation to generation.  In every home, a father or a mother had passed on her skills to her children.  Father had taught son.  Mother had taught daughter.  In one home, I met three generations of potters—grandmother instructed mother, mother taught daughter and daughter I am sure will teach her daughters if she has any.  So, to enter a home is to enter an on-going story.  In this particular multi-generational home, the grandmother handed me a ceramic vase, which she had found as a child.  Apparently, it was from hundreds of year previous.  From her ancestors…  

And it is story, which also is linked to the earth.  All their clay comes from the earth, found in their backyards and the countryside.  Many of the colors used to decorate are also from a local lakeshore.  And interestingly, not only are the paintbrushes made from sticks and the like but the bristles are often composed of human hair. 

One of the things which I find most frustrating about consumption in the US is not that we consume too much but rather that we consume poorly and not enough.  These potters consume resources that they gather themselves from their local community.  We consume items shipped across the globe.  And they consume thoroughly—they even use their hair for bristles!  We eat half of a sandwich and toss it; we buy new technological devices every year, trashing last year’s model which seemed to all observes to work just fine.  And so it goes.

 On my second day in San Juan de Oriente, I walked into Sully and Celia’s family home (they work at La Vida) and their father greeted me and proceeded to explain to me about their town and pottery.  Have you ever been in a situation when the person talking to you really seems to know what he is saying?  Because, you know how sometimes people go on and on about things they have never experienced.  (My favorite is when people have dogmatic opinions about things they have never read.)  When their father began to talk about their town and pottery you knew he knew his stuff.  It helped that his hands were covered in clay.  We must have just interrupted him.  In one hand he held what looked like a pot’s handle, which he preparing to attach.  With the other, he gesticulated as he told his story.

San Juan de Oriente made plates, cups and other functional pottery when the rest of country was eating food out of leaves.  People from around the country and Central America came to San Juan de Oriente to trade.  It was so famous for its ceramics that it was affectionately named San Juan de Los Platos.

And then in the 1970’s “Western” banks came to the pueblo.  They saw the commercial potential of the enterprise and made the economic most of it.  They encouraged the potters to make more decorative, and less functional, pieces to sell to tourists.  So, in addition to utilitarian and rustic ceramics, they began to make pre-Columbian copies and other creative pieces.  They also gave the potters colors, which they did not have—of which black was most significant. Furthermore, to increase the speed of production, they also introduced the spinning wheel. 

[Lost in translation (due to my limited Spanish) was whether these additions were particularly helpful.  What benefits resulted from these additions and did they have long-term positive results?  Yes, a tourist received a beautiful vase and set it on her table in Madrid.  But did the woman and the future potters in her household benefit?  These are questions I ask myself but was not able to ask at the time.]

One thing that did not change in the 1970’s was oven construction.  In backyards around the town ovens cook clay.  Little brick igloos heat clay to over 800 degrees.  It is amazing.  Taking a peak at the brick igloos I was puzzled by the simple and yet profound engineering.  A $4000 industrial pottery-baking device could do no better.  This backyard over made of local materials did the job.  And from my perspective, based on the beautiful ceramics throughout the town, it did an excellent job.  Moreover, they built it.  They formed the oven with their own hands and because of this were given a skill which flipping switch on machines rarely does.  Like most modern machinery, it increases speed but decreases skill.  Too often, a sad exchange, if you ask me.  

bLoG6: Nicaragua Thoughts, Public Gatherings, Time and How to Be

We just showed up at people’s homes.  Unannounced, we entered and chatted. 
If we tried to just show up at each their homes in the US, it is not that people would not welcome the visitors (I hope), but that most of us would not be home.  We are busy, productive and paying for entertainment.   

I find it significant that the people of San Juan de Oriente often gather without paying for a reason to gather.  From what I could tell, they rarely go to movies or pay for someone to entertain them to provide significance to being gathered. They simply eat together and talk.  They just sit in parks and lookouts.  They sit in one another’s homes.  It is a beautiful thing.  So often this is not true of us.  This is why actors and actresses, spots players and other famous people make so much money!  We pay their salaries.

But this is not even the primary point I want to make.  Time is not king in Central America.  In the US, time rules.  Sure, Jesus is greater than Cesar but is Jesus really more important than our time?  In Silicon Valley the watch (followed by the chip) is king.  I can’t tell you how liberating it was for me to enter slow life.  I felt no pressure to be productive with my time or to fill it.  Waiting for someone for 30 minutes was less frustrating because my schedule was not packed.  As I waited, I enjoyed the chicken strutting on the streets, pigs pacing, and thin horses munching on grass.  And if I were lucky, a beautiful parrot would land nearby, showing off.  Or other times I would simply watch the sky and dark clouds prowling or simply become lost in absent-minded thought. 

The pace, the slowness, reminded me of Sabbath slowness.  A slowness that accepts the simple fact that God is in control, not us—a slowness which embraces being a limited and humble creature that will die but whose creator is gracious and merciful.  If I were to contrast this Sabbath orientation to our orientation in the US, it would be like the simple and yet profound story of the tortuous and the hare.   And we all remember who “wins” in the end.
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bLoG7: Nicaragua Thoughts, Exporting Technological Culture 

My conversation with Gerardo Rodriquez, San Juan de Oriente’s priest took place in an adjoining room of the Internet café.  Its location is ironic given one of the topics, which we discussed: electronic technology.   While Westerners are becoming more aware of the cultural perspectives, biases and assumptions that they bring to a place, few of us even consider the technological culture that we bring with us and that it is being spread around the globe without thought of its consequences.  When the priest said something along these lines (though much more diplomatically), he was surprised that I heartily agreed with his critique.

For instance, most of us assume that technological progress is a good thing.  Health care saves more lives.  Advances in engineering enable water distribution and ensure the water’s safety.   The examples are numerous.  And they are real and good improvements. 

But we rarely consider the other technological “advances” which we adopt and then pass onto the rest of the world.  For instance, cell phones.  I was surprised to see how many people in Nicaragua have cell phones.  And my immediate question is whether or not this is a good addition to culture—whether in the US or otherwise.  Just like in the US, I saw people gathered together in a crowd of friend text messaging and phone-focused.

Or TV.  Is the TV a societal good?  Now that electricity has arrived, TV’s are becoming central to living room arraignments—with TV as focal point.  How will this affect social and family life?  In the US, the facts are very clear about how it affects family life.

Or Ipods?  I have seen young people walking around wearing earphones and even wearing them in the presence of friends.  In the US, the same is true.  Is this a societal good?  Better yet, is it an ecclesial good? 

Questions to consider are how does technology affect our understanding of the incarnation and therefore embodiment?  How does it affect the speed of our lives and the practice of the Sabbath and walking with a Slow God—a God who walked for forty years a distance that most humans cross in two weeks?  How does our technological culture affect our consumption and our relationship to the earth?  How does our tech culture lead to the disenchantment of our perceived reality and therefore lead us from the awe in which we encounter God’s presence?

As I visited Honduras I asked myself whether such (and other) technological advances are really ecclesial goods?   If not, then why don’t we even talk about them?  Such “advances” are spreading across the globe.  These “advances” have not only affected the US church but now they are spreading to the rest of the globe.  What are we to do?  I believe that if we are the presence of Christ whenever we are, then we need to seriously begin to question whether the technologies that we place so much hope in (yes, hope) are actually an ecclesial good.  These are not only questions for US Christians serving around the globe but they are essential questions for all of us living in one of the most technological valleys on the earth.  Technology is not bad in itself.  I am no Luddite or technophobe.  But like anything it can be used for good or for ill.  And, yet, I only here a chorus of its potential good.  Why is that?

]]> Honduras Tony's travel bLoG's... http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/honduras-tonys-travel-blogs/ http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/honduras-tonys-travel-blogs/ Wed, 26 Nov 2008 21:21:58 GMT bLoG1: Why ICE trips? 

It is not always clear why we send members of our congregation across seas, mountains, and plains to other countries.  Have you ever wondered why we do this?  I have.  Many times I have questioned the wisdom of spending so much money to board a plane to love someone in another country.  Why travel so far when our unknown neighbors are so nearby? 

I believe these are good questions. They are valid and worth exploring.  As I have struggled with them, I initially concluded that such international compassion experiences are worth more than the money we dedicate to them as long our compassion is not limited to our overseas “neighbors.” 

With that said, with that assumption suspended, I realized that I have a certain local bias.  This local conviction is important to me.  I believe that we cannot ignore our literal neighbors assuming that a weeklong love-trip somehow fulfills a quota.  But I must admit that this conviction has softened as I have traveled to Peru and now Honduras and Nicaragua.

Traveling to Peru, I realized that ICE trips can have an inherent value, regardless of whether the trip leads to on-going compassionate service locally.  Money spent on securing justice is never poorly spent.  I realized that the work done in Peru is, without question, necessary. 

Moreover, during ICE trips we experience a certain alignment, which often escapes us in daily California life.  On ICE trips individuals can experience an alignment between what they read in the gospels and the lives they live.  If only this experience allows one to read the gospels with new eyes, this experience is valuable.  

ICE trips can also help us to exit our Superpower lens for a short time and learn from those who do not see reality from a posture of wealth and power.  ICE trips are an opportunity to learn and repent.  They are an opportunity to see reality from the posture of Jerusalem, not Rome. 

And ICE trips are an opportunity to share our resources with those in need.  Paul teaches that those with much should share with those with little.  Simply, ICE trips are a way to do this. 

But on this trip I have learned a much deeper reason for ICE trips.  There is a purpose, which dwarfs all others.  It is an end and not a means.  I am fully convinced as I sit en una casa en Nicaragua that ICE trips are not about accomplishing something or performing good works.   They are not about personal transformation or biblical application.  In their essence, the purpose of ICE trips profoundly simple.  They are about friendship. 

Leaving Honduras and Nicaragua, I leave friends.  They are not a means to an end but ends in themselves.  They are friends.  Together we have laughed and prayed, broke bread and worshipped.  They have welcomed me with open arms and now we are more than partners and certainly more than international “abstractions,” they are friends with whom I have shaken hands and hugged.  They have given me gifts of precious worth.  But the greatest gift they have offered is friendship.  And that is why I will return and encourage others to go.  Let me introduce you to my friends.  They live in Honduras and Nicaragua.  Let me introduce you to their lives and their struggles.  Let me share with you about the wonderful people that I have met.  My friends.

bLoG2: Honduras Host, Meeting Jairo

I did not stay in a hotel in Honduras.  I stayed with a family.  Jairo (the pastor of Iglesia en transformacion) met me at the airport and took me to his home.  I slept in his son’s room—on the lower bunk of a bunk bed.  See Jairo and his family wanted to welcome me into their family and welcome me as a friend.  They could have set me up in a nice hotel.  They could have picked me up at the hotel entrance daily and driven me around, introducing me to church programs.  But Jairo and his family decided otherwise.  They welcomed me into their family and their home as a friend.  

I stayed in their home for three days.  And I stayed with Jairo all day everyday.  He was not satisfied to drop me off at projects.  He wanted to personally introduce me to his world.  He took me to his church, notable localities with his city, and introduced me to his friends.  He also shared about himself as he shared his world.

This entry is about some of the things I learned.  As boy, Jairo learned what it meant to be a minority—a Protestant in a Catholic country.  One day he and his father (a pastor) were even shot at by Catholics.   And yet, I find it amazing today that among all the division existing between Catholics and Protestants in Honduras, Jairo holds meetings with the Cardinal and harbors no resentment.  As we enter our Peacemaking series, he seems a sterling example.

He can also relate to the poorer children of Los Pinos (where the church is heavily invested).  In Los Pinos, the children often drop out of school so that they can begin to make money.  But Jairo encourages them to remain in school as he did.  For he knows that they will have a much better chance of making a living if they continue to learn. 

As the youngest of six children, Jairo sought education.  At university, he studied psychology and worked in the mental health wing of the hospital.  At the end of his education, he received what is equivalent to a PHD and then started Iglesia en Transformacion.  Because he worked with the poor, he was labeled a communist.  And this was not something to joke about.  Around Honduras wars were being fought over communism.  Being labeled a communist was no joke.  Yet, Jairo remained faithful to the whole gospel—a gospel which does not ignore the material life of the poor and simply focus on disembodied souls.  And now he trains pastors around Tegucigalpa on Integral Mission (what we might call a holistic gospel).  Gone are the days when he might have been considered an Evangelical stepchild.  Now he is a mentor to many.

As we rode along, he casually shared with me that he also started habitat for humanity in Honduras and was recently given a shirt saying that 7000 houses have been built.  While most people would have worn such an accomplishment like a badge, Jairo modesty shared that unless the people return to their houses with changed lifestyles, the new houses are only a cosmetic improvement.  Rather than dwelling on his many accomplishments (and there are tons—for instance, he recently drafted mental health legislation for all of Honduras!), he humbly welcomed me into his family and introduced me to his ministry.

He is an amazing man of God that I am so glad to be in partnership with.  Arriving in Honduras, I was unsure what I would find.  And I found a profound man of dignity, faith and wisdom—one of the many reasons why our church has been partnered with him and his church for the last 8 years.

bLoG3: Honduras, Day One in Tegucigalpa

I flew into Tegucigalpa Honduras before 10:00am.  Jairo picked me up and we drove to Iglesia en Transformacion.  The drive was through the city, nestled in the green hills of Honduras, populated with cars and their productive exhaust pipes, and people.   When we arrived, Jairo explained that the church is located next to the most expensive university in all of Honduras and a poorer community called Los Pinos, focusing especially on its education.

Education, in fact, is one of the principle focuses of Iglesia en Transformacion.  Its name is based on Rom 12:2—do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing your mind.  [and this happens to be one of my favorite verses…!]   Anyway, Jairo seems to believe and act on the premise that right thinking leads to right action.  Like Paul, he affirms the truth that the renewal of our minds, leads to ascertaining God’s good will.  Accordingly, on the church property they teach youth basic English and computer skills and help women pass Elementary Level tests (something like a middle school level of education in the US). 

Located on the property itself is their church and some buildings.  Their church building has a roof but open sides.  I imagine this helps in the hot months—at least one gets a breeze.  Apparently, in the past, they used to meet in a large tent and people often referred to their church as “the tent church.”  But one day, strong winds literally ripped it apart.  And their newer structure was built after this.  When I asked Jairo if church attendees were soaked during rainstorms, he replied that in the four years that the church has had no walls, it has never once rained during the service.  Can you say God’s blessing?

Also on the property are some offices and their newest building—a two story building with classrooms on the lower floor and office and a gathering area on the second story.  They are hoping that the construction will be done by OCT 11th—the day they celebrate their 26th anniversary.      

Having seen the property and how River giving has helped lead to the construction of some of the buildings and a few mud navigating cement sidewalks, we went on a car tour of the city.  As I said, the city is nestled in green beautiful hills.  We rose and dipped along narrow cement streets, from traffic jam to honking bus.  As we rode, Jairo told me about his city, the poverty and the corruption, the violence and the safe spots.  He showed me the malls for the rich and the malls of the poor.  Basically, he showed me the city.

If you have been to Rio de Janero, you know that they have a large Jesus statue.  Big Jesus stands with arms outstretched like they are nailed to the cross.   In Tegucigalpa, they also have a Jesus statue.  Though not as large, Jesus stands with hands lowered yet inviting.  It is a more humble Jesus.   And in some ways it personified Iglesia en Transformacion’s heart.  They are hoping to invite all the poor and hungry to this welcoming Jesus who can relate to their suffering and need.  

bLoG4: Honduras, Day Two in La Tigra

On day two, I awoke after a good nights sleep, and Jairo and I drove 12 km up a dirt road to La Tigra (where our church put a roof on Iglesia en Tranformacion’s satellite church last year.)  One cannot justly describe the beauty of the lush green steep hills.  As many of you know, years ago I served in the Peace Corps in a little rural village.  The village is located in similarly lush green steep hills.  Since coming back from the Kenya, I had yet to find a similar location.  The primary differences are two.  First, in La Tigra there are many Pine trees—which happens to be the national tree of Honduras.  Second, in Kenya, the hills overlooked the Serengeti Plain and Mount Kilimanjaro in the distance.  Here they overlook a huge city way way way down the hillside.  I had always thought I would not find a similar place.  Now I have.

When we arrived I met Walter (coordinator of the church and project) and Geraldo (the head of the elders).  Next, I received a tour of the 14 acre property.  It began with a look at their strawberry crop and proceeded down to the River—which I might add in this rainy season is flowing with a gusto!  Here, in a small pool, they baptize new Christians.  I have never seen such a beautiful baptismal pool!  Located along a gushing river, the merger of two lush “jungle” hills, it is quite a site to see.

On the way back up the hill to the church-plant, I noticed long piles of pines needles.  I asked why they had piled the pine needles in 40 foot rows about two feet tall, and Geraldo replied that it prevents erosion.  Nice!
 
Back on level ground, I visited Walter’s home, which is located on church property and the worship area—where our ICE team put a roof last year.  And it works quite well they tell me.  Good work ICE team…!!!

If this short story has captured your attention (if it has not, I apologize), I also wanted to let you know that Jairo is interested in letting Gringos (and other Westerners) buy a little cabin on the property nestled in the trees.  It would be a sweet get-a-way.  It would cost $5000 and be small.  But the real advantage is that when you are gone, the church would be able to rent it out as a retreat space and make money…not a bad deal…you could come for a year or a week every year or three months or whatever and live rent free.  And then when you leave your cabin, it would bless the community. (And in case you were worried about safety, La Tigra does not have any tigers anymore.  But they apparently used to.  So, your safe.)

bLoG5: Honduras, Day Three in Los Pinos

Next to Iglesia en Tranformacion is a small-impoverished community called Los Pinos.  There is one paved road through the town but mostly it is composed of a series of smaller dirt roads and many walking paths.  Most of the homes are dilapidated, made of wood or mud or spare metal.  Though power lines extend through the community, the residents of the community only use it for lights and other entertainment, not cooking.  For cooking, they use propane.  [When I entered into one of the homes and smelt the propane, it reminded me of the year I spent in Kenya without electricity cooking with either propane or coals or wood…oh, the memories…but I digress.]  And they also have no running water. 

I would never have entered Los Pinos by myself.  It is not one of the places that one enters safely as an outsider.  Accordingly, Tony (a former Utah resident who moved here almost two years ago) led me through.  Only recently, he started going into Los Pinos.  Because of the violence and possibility of harm, he began by merely driving through so that people would become more comfortable with him.  Then he took very short walks.  Now, he walks further in and even takes groups with him.  (I believe The River went on a walk with him a year or so ago).  It was amazing to enter Los Pinos with him.  For the last few months, he has been serving the children of Los Pinos breakfast at the church (for 40-60 kids!) and hangs out with them afterwards.  As we walked it was clear they the children of Los Pinos know him.  At each turn, little voices would yell out “Tony.”  It was beautiful how much they love him.

He took me to the school in Los Pinos, which has three rooms.  Each classroom has 40 children and one teacher.   And because it is so small, the kids can only attend half of the day.  Kg, 1st, and 2nd grade meet in the am.  3rd, 4th, and 5th grade meet in the afternoon.  Moreover, there is no water for the kids or the teachers to drink.  To make matters worse the teachers are irregularly paid and this means that they   have “meetings” weekly and school is canceled.  To say the least, it is not an ideal situation.  As we stood before the school, Tony imagined all that could be accomplished if only a few North Americans were willing to give up drinking Starbucks for a month and donate the money.  Only a few hundred dollars would make such a difference…a sliver of our monthly incomes…

As we walked home, it began to rain and I recalled a time I was in Kenya hitchhiking.  It was raining hard and so I caught a ride with a big truck.  Since the inside of the truck was full, I jumped over the large truck bed and landed in manure.  It was horribly wet and stinky!  I imagine the driver was laughing so hard that he could hardly see.  However, today, I made it home without any such adventure.  In fact, we made it to the church rather dry. 

bLoG6: Honduras Eating

Some of the most memorable times on my trip were eating with Jairo and his family.   Jairo is the meat chef and the whole family, especially Lourdes, prepares the rest.  We sat and talked as the food was prepared.  The first night we ate Honduran enchiladas.  So good!  They are like Mexican tostados but with this cabbage, carrot, and lime topping.  And Jairo has a Habenero bush in the back yard, which he uses to add flavor—and it did!  It was worth coming to Honduras just for these enchiladas!  They are the best enchiladas I have ever had and well worth the flight. 

Another night, I ate chicken soup with Jairo and his family.  It was perfectly flavored and delicious!  I was surprised (impressed, rather) by the freshness of the soup. All of the ingredients were freshly growth within a few miles of the city.   Less transport gas wasted and no preservatives used.  And believe me, you could taste it.  Lourdes combined all of the ingredients and as the food cooked in the pot, we sat and chatted.  As an aside, they know how to eat and be together.  We sat talking for hours, enjoying one another.  It seems to me that this leisurely way of eating is the way to live.

I should also add that we ate tons of food for all meals, including breakfast.  For instance, this morning we ate eggs, beans, freshly cooked tortillas, and tomalitos with cream.  Tomatilos are like tamales but only with corn.  We then put freshly whipped cream on top and it is one of my new favorite Honduran dishes.  Though today I also ate a “streak” with a creamy jalapeño sauce, which was amazing!  I’d never had anything like it…


bLoG7: Honduras Thoughts, Earth Ethics

As some of you know, more recently I have been focusing a considerable amount of my mental energy of ecology and the Kingdom of God.  Driving with Jairo, I learned a lot about the ecological situation of his city.  First, none of the water in Tegucigalpa is drinkable.  And much of it, even if boiled, is still highly questionable.  This is especially true on the extremely poor hillsides.  Here the sewage merges with rainwater and finds its way into the streams.  Not only does this likely kill all of the biotic life in the rivers, but this the very water that they drink and wash their clothes in.  Their relationship to the earth is not only hurting the earth but themselves as well.  The social structures (i.e., the city) they communally experience and cannot escape (only the rich can leave) is suffering from serious ecological poverty. 

More than this, because they do not have any trash pick-up system (in part because the trucks cannot reach these steep dirt road hillside communities and likely because many of them don’t pay taxes), their trash ends up on the ground outside of their homes.  This not only affects the soil but it, along with the other waste, is washed, during the rainy season, into the streams…and we know where that goes.  And then there is the link to food…with the trash collecting on the ground randomly throughout the city but especially in the poorer dirt-street neighborhoods, even if they wanted to grow food, the soil’s wellness is questionable. 

Moreover, you don’t need to be long in any Central American capital or small city for that matter to notice the car pollution.  I usually develop a cough for a few days until my lungs “adjust” to the deluge.  One of the most interesting facts about Central American pollution is related to US school bus sales.  The US has certain pollution restrictions and when an old school bus does not meet those restrictions (and therefore is not “green” enough), they sell that very carbon emitting school bus to a Central American city.  The school bus continues to pollute.  As the US goes “green,” it profits by increasing the pollution in Central America.  And this pollution is not merely a question of beauty or enjoyment.  When I asked Jairo, if the pollution affects people, he reaction was proof enough—there was no question that it did! 

Moreover, during the rainy season, Jairo explained that the runoff causes avalanches.  This, however, was not always the case.  Previously, there were trees on the hillsides, which prevented soil erosion and therefore such mudslides etc.  However, because of deforestation, the soil is eroding more and more quickly leading to more and more hillside crashes.  On our city tour, I saw the rubble of two recent rock/soil/house crumbling on the roadside.

Though we tend to not think of ecology and justice as brothers, they are.  The way that the poor are trapped in cycles of ecological poverty is unjust in its most true sense.  We are made of earth—remember our Genesis creation accounts.  We are all earth creatures.   We cannot live without earth.  It is our substance animated by the breath of God.  From earth, we receive our food and water.  Earth soil is the fodder of our food.  Earth water is the elixir of our life.  Earth is us and we only continue to live with earth.  Understood thus, living against earth is absurdly ironic.  It is patently unjust.  And yet it occurs everyday in all parts of the world too often unnoticed.

bLoG8: Honduras Thoughts, NAFTA

Driving along, I asked Jairo about NAFTA.  Focusing on ethics in my master’s program, I had studied some about the effects of NAFTA on Mexico.  What I learned was that Maquiladoras (large factories) have been built in Mexico.  These factories attract many people to work.  Most of these people leave their simple agricultural lives in the country to find work at these factories near the city.  Even though the factories do not pay well, they offer stable wages.  [Though this is somewhat tangential, one major problem around these factories is safety.  Many of the workers are women and when they leave the factories, there have been horrifically high levels of rape in some places.]  Potentially an even greater problem with the factories is that they only remain in the region as long as the wages that they can pay their workers are less than they can only them in other parts of the world.  As soon as they can find workers who will work for cheaper wages, they pack up and move on.  This creates a huge problem.  Many workers have abandoned a somewhat sustainable agricultural life to come to city and work.  But now there is no work and the skills they have learned in the factory are so specialized (maybe, they learn how to put on one part of a shoe or the collar on a shit) that they cannot easily apply that skill in the open market—where they now need to find a means of living. 

As I asked Jairo about these things, he said it happens similarly in Honduras.  As we drove, he began to point out the different factories that have opened and closed since NAFTA came into being.  He also explained that NAFTA is based on certain free market assumptions, which may not necessarily work.  Simply, NAFTA is based on the assumption that both the US and other Central American countries have certain comparative advantages.  [The ability to produce something more cheaply and then sell it for a greater profit.]  The problem is that in Central America, or lets say Honduras, even if Hondurans have a comparative advantage, they don’t necessarily have the ability or the expertise or the power to take advantage of it.  So, the US continues to export goods to Honduras and Hondurans hardly export the same amount of goods to the US.  This means that many of the businesses in Honduras that could provide the goods, which the US exports, are put out of business. 


bLoG9: Honduras Thoughts, Walls

If you have ever been to a “developing nation” (isn’t interesting how the words we use define our reality.  Is Honduras developing or developed? Well, it depends on what we define as progress…but be that as it may), you have noticed walls, often with barbed wire at the top.  Coming from the US, I have always had a negative association with such walls.  Walls, in their very essence, are made to keep people out.  In Berlin, it needed to be knocked down.  In Northern Ireland, it still stands—though we too rarely talk about it.  Prisons have walls—thought it is to keep people in—and the same is true with concentration camps: though the incarceration is for different reasons. 

Driving, I asked Jairo about the many walls in Tegucigalpa.  His answer seems to me to be pure wisdom and worth passing on.  He explained that walls could be both negative and positive.  Walls in the OT are often good.  The walls around Jerusalem provide safety and protection from dangerous foes.  Yet, he also explained that should walls allow for openness.  The walls of Jerusalem were not always closed.  During the day, the walls remained open except under certain extremely dangerous circumstances.  And at night, the walls were closed.  Yet, even then, a small door allowed desperate people to enter the city.  In this way, the Jerusalem walls served both a protective and an inclusive purpose.  Despite their divisive purpose, they allowed for openness.

In Tegucigalpa, I wondered how to navigate their issue.  It is not simple.  Thieves will enter if not walls stands in their way.  Violent men must also be kept out.  And property rights are also not secure.  If no obvious boundary exists, people are able to put up a home and live there.  Yet, what do we as Christians communicate when we set up walls?  And while we may gain safety, we still must ask ourselves what do we lose?  One wonders how much of the adversarial posture between the rich and poor would change if walls were not so central?  Or, even if walls remain (and likely they need to) how can they serve a purpose like the walls of Jerusalem…how can they allow some openness?

And even in our neighborhoods, how do walls communicate the great Welcome of Jesus?   How do walls function to divide us from our neighbors or even the poor and too often unwelcome?  Do our walls serve an exclusive function or a protective function?  And if we are walled, are the walls really necessary or are they a product of sinful fear?  Do they protect us or divide us?  Literal walls are erected throughout our Valley.  After listening to Jairo, I wonder why?

]]> bLoG13: San Jose’s “Third World” http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/blog13-san-joses-third-world/ http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/blog13-san-joses-third-world/ Mon, 29 Sep 2008 18:42:36 GMT A few years ago, I lived off the Los Gatos Creek trail.  Since I enjoy bike riding, it was a great location for me.  I’d take quick rides from Sam Jose to Los Gatos.  It may be surprising to you but along the Creek Trail I developed a relationship with a homeless man named Rob.  I noticed Rob’s home under the overpass along the Creek Trail and one day I decided to say hello.  I’d seen Rob reading so I offered to bring him novels.  He liked the idea and over time I brought him a few Grisham novels and Shelly’s Frankenstein to name a few.  But one day, he was gone.

I knew homeless life was unpredictable.  Rob would tell me of police raids along the rivers in which homeless people were forced to re-locate and in the process lost most of their belongings.  You’d be surprised how many people live along our creeks.  When I lived at 16th and Santa Clara, I’d run along Coyote Creek, and I was surprised by the little shanty communities full of life.  When I first saw the creek communities it seem highly incongruous that third world living was the creek-norm in San Jose.

Since Jeanie and I moved to the Washington Neighborhood, I have been biking along the Guadalupe trail (i.e., Guadalupe Creek).  The ride is about 4.5 miles to work and quite nice off the busy downtown streets.  Yet, the pattern is the same.  Along the creeks, the homeless gather. 

A few days ago, I was surprised to see Rob again.  Forced to leave the Los Gatos Creek trail, he came to downtown and the Guadalupe Creek.  Though unfortunately, he also explained that earlier that week a man with a knife had attempted to steal his bike and in the process seriously injured my homeless friend.  Fortunately, the police happened by in the middle of the struggle and brought Rob to the hospital.

Because our book exchange had been helpful in the past, I offered to begin again.  He gratefully accented and we have since started a book exchange and dialogue.  This week I gave Rob Treasure Island.  As we talked he wrapped his feet in paper-towel-“socks,” and I was forced to consider the true source of my treasure.  In Luke 12, Jesus tells his disciples that where their treasure is so their heart will be also.  Riding to work after meeting with Rob, I wondered and still wonder where my heart is.  Living in one of the wealthiest cities, in one of the wealthiest nations that earth has ever seen, is my heart truly with Jesus? 

It is one thing for me to abstractly and even spiritually affirm that my heart is in “heaven” with God.  But then I wonder if my heart was truly with God, then would not my heart also be with Rob—would it not be with the lepers, the prostitutes and the lower-class “fisherman” with whom Jesus walked the dirt roads of Galilee?  For if my spiritual affirmation is not practically realized, then is not my spiritual affirmation merely a mirage? 

As you can imagine, this is not a question I hope to answer today.  It a question which I must carry like a little rock in my shoe to remind myself that my life does not necessary reflect Jesus’ just because it reflects those around me.

Tony, Pastor of Mission Mobilization

]]> bLoG12: Another Kindness story http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/blog12-another-kindness-story/ http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/blog12-another-kindness-story/ Wed, 24 Sep 2008 17:48:16 GMT During Kindness San Jose, the River's youth also served.  Kyle typed up a short bit on what they did. I have added it below.

"The youth divided into three teams to show love to our local community.  The first team, lead by Chris, Lis, Wil, and Jesse went to the Guadalupe Park to hand out water, sport drinks, and fruit snacks.  The second team, lead by Amy and Lauren went to Ryland Park to hand out popsicles.  The third team lead by Kristy and Kassy picked up dog poop and handed out dog treats.  Overall the teams had a great time bonding together and meeting new people and animals along the way.

Although I wasn't with the youth, I was with Lawrence and Cindy trying to hand out the Sunday Mercury newspaper to neighbors across the street from the Ministry Center.  We met many people but our conversations were few as people rushed to and from the Japan Town farmers market.  As Cindy and I walked back to the Ministry Center we met a family that once attended The River years ago.  We had a great conversation and it was exciting to share how The River has evolved since they attended."

Tony. Pastor of Mission Mobilization

]]> bLoG11: An Intercession Story http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/blog11-an-intercession-story-/ http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/blog11-an-intercession-story-/ Mon, 22 Sep 2008 22:09:30 GMT During Kindness San Jose, Brad (our lead pastor) led a group of intercessors.  I asked him to write a thought or two about his experience.  It is below:

"Our group was charged with the task of prayer.  We wanted to pray God’s blessing for the neighborhood around the ministry center.  Moreover, we wanted to seek God’s purposes for our church community as a people in the neighborhood.  I paired people up, named some of the locations that we could walk, and then invited people to go to whatever site the Spirit seemed to be leading.  Interestingly, each of the pairs went to a different location.  Mike and Matt both felt led to pray at the county jail, recalling Jesus’ teaching that we encounter his presence in the incarcerated.  Susan and Pam both felt led to pray at the Planned Parenthood facility, tuning into the immense pain, shame, and confusion many women feel.  Benji and Jason prayed up and down North First Street, focusing upon the families in crisis that come to the bail bonds businesses.  And Pat and I prayed for county leaders and police officers.  As we gathered together at the end of our time, there was palpable excitement rising within us . . . a clearer sense that God has sent us into this neighborhood and that He would empower our service as we offer ourselves in risks of faith.  Since then, Mike and I (amongst others) have begun to explore ministry to kids in the juvenile detention facility.  Who knows what lies ahead?"

Tony, Pastor of Mission Mobilization

]]> bLoG10: Those Who Live Next Door http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/blog10-those-who-live-next-door/ http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/blog10-those-who-live-next-door/ Tue, 16 Sep 2008 22:56:32 GMT As many of you know, Jeannie and I recently moved to the Washington Neighborhood.  We got a great deal on a bigger apartment—now we can have more than two people!  In our old apartment, if another couple joined us for dinner, we felt like crammed sardines.  No longer.  And believe me, we are grateful.   Our new place is spacious and perfect for hosting River people and our new neighbors.  

But we had not yet met our new neighbors.  Having moved one week ago, we are still in the process of unpacking.  Yet, despite our current transitional state, we decided (actually Jeannie suggested) that we make cookies for our new neighbors and meet them.  It is one of those things where you have a window of time to meet your new neighbors and you want to meet them before it is really awkward—yet, it also true that it is always a bit awkward!  It is always a bit awkward to approach the front door of a home whose residents you have never met.

And so we went.  We handed out cookies, chatted and even got home tours.  It was really encouraging.  Mostly, it was encouraging to see how God used our little offering to build bridges and even possible friendships.  It is amazing to me how God can transform a small offering into something beautiful before our eyes; we offer a cookie and God gives us joy in return. 

As you can imagine, we returned from our little cookie handout more full of life.  We returned more apart of the neighborhood, our community.  And for this I am grateful.  In an age of isolation and division, in this small way, we sowed the gospel of reconciliation and re-union.  Isn’t it wonderful how a cookie can go such a long way?  It is like the modern day manna.

]]> bLoG9: Cookie Handout http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/blog9:-cookie-handout/ http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/blog9:-cookie-handout/ Tue, 09 Sep 2008 22:10:57 GMT I thought it would be appropriate to attach a little info from Dave Kwok and the Kindness San Jose engagement that he led. It is below:

"Team Cookie" had a great time greeting our neighbors around the
Ministry Center.  We had a large crew including the Hays, Kims, Turners,
McKee's, Changs, Walter, the Yang-Chang's and others (sorry if I forgot
you!).  We all had a great time.  In all, we gave out over 100 bags of
cookies and invitations to The River.  I and the Changs met a friendly
couple who had returned from a walk. They had seen The River setting up
at Ryland Park and were happy to receive information and the cookies.
We met several more people and got to know many homes and apartment
complexes in the neighborhood.  That interaction was characteristic to
the experience that many of us had.  We found that people were generally
happy to know that we were in the neighborhood and trying to reach out
with some friendliness.

After a morning of extroverted friendliness and a lot of walking, we all
really enjoyed the picnic.  It was fun to hear everyone else's stories
and the food was especially tasty to my hungry stomach!

]]> bLoG8: A Word from the Reverend and some Ramblings http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/blog8-a-word-from-the-reverend-and-some-ramblings-/ http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/blog8-a-word-from-the-reverend-and-some-ramblings-/ Thu, 04 Sep 2008 20:33:45 GMT St. James Park has a certain ministry appeal.  Whenever downtown ministry is on the table, St. James Park is served.  The main reason is, I presume, that the homeless gather there in droves.  Another reason is that it is so close to the heart of downtown (at least, where the tall buildings are: i.e., what I like to call “tall downtown.”)  But to be honest, while I assumed that St. James park and ministry go together like a hot-dog and a bun, I really had no idea what other churches did there or what other services already existed there.  To alleviate this obvious gap, I visited the churches next to St. James Park.  And I was surprised by what I found out. 

There are two primary churches on St. James Park—a Unitarian church and an Anglican church.  Since the outreach director was out at the Unitarian church, I met with their head pastor.  I’d written a paper on William Ellery Channing so I was able to build some quick bridges, and get a sense of their St. James park ministry without pretence: they don’t do anything.  In the past, they apparently held services in the park.  When pressed, she couldn’t think of a reason why they had stopped.

The Reverend at the Anglican Church was more focused on “the homeless question.” Having worked with the homeless in Washington D.C. for 13 years, he explained that the homeless in St. James Park are different.  Granting some possible exceptions, he told me that almost all of the homeless in the park are drug addicts or drug dealers.  For this reason, the city has forbidden feeding the park’s homeless—to discourage the drug dealers and addicts from congregating where children are meant to play.

This policy still unsettles me.  Are we really contributing to the problem by giving food to someone who has no kitchen?  If we switched back the clock to AD 30 would we really not feed that wandering homeless Nazarene who consorted with “society’s dregs”?  When I met with the Reverend, these ideas flooded into my head and I was temporally distracted.  When I came back to reality, I heard the Reverend explain that someone could easily feed the homeless, get arrested, and be put in the paper.  But he wondered whether this would really help the homeless.  The homeless have access to food in San Jose (for the most part) but what they need is housing.  EHC (emergency Housing Consortium), which is the largest homeless housing project in Santa Clara Valley, turns away 20% of the homeless who come to its overcrowded doors every day!  If I wanted to help, he argued, it would be better to focus on this problem, not food.  

I had to admit, he had a point.  I was infatuated with my principle but my principle was less connected to benefiting the homeless than the righteousness of the principle itself—and I have to admit it seemed rather sexy to have my mug in print as the defender of the defenseless (oohh narcissism!).  Yet, with that said, is making homeless-feeding illegal really the solution?  Should we really shun drug dealers and addicts so that they only consort with one another?  Does that make the children any safer?  And I guess I even have my doubts about how often meth addicts, high out of their gourd, really enjoy the slide and the swing.  Or does the dealer really sling meth to the four year olds hanging out with their mother’s? 

And so my thoughts wander…I am not totally sure what I think or what I should do next.  But I am convinced that doing nothing is not an option—though I admit it is appealing.  It is much easier to loose interest when I face the confusion than to keep trying.   Yet, I have a feeling that this is what it means to have hope in God: I will not continue to advocate for the poor because I believe that I am capable of making a significant difference.  I labor on because I believe that Jesus will make a difference and in the end, this is where my hope lies—in Jesus and the coming of his kingdom.   
Maranatha!!!! (ICor 16:22)

]]> bLoG7: Another's Story http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/blog7-anothers-story/ http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/blog7-anothers-story/ Thu, 28 Aug 2008 23:30:56 GMT A few weeks ago, I asked River members to send me their missional stories.  In this bLoG, I decided that it was time to share one story that Jody Chang sent me.  And just os you know, she has changed the names for confidentiality. 
 
A few years ago, I met Anna as she walked her kids to school in front of my house.  I'd seen her before, but wasn't sure if she spoke English.  Over the years, we saw each other a few times.  She and her boys came to play in our sandbox, and she invited us to her third son's birthday party.  Their family moved twice in our neighborhood, and each time, I had to track them down by going to their old house and knocking on a neighbor's door.  "Do you know where Anna and her family moved?"  "I think they're on 15th now, near the park."
 
A year and a half ago, I went over -- it had been a long time since I'd seen them.  I asked if she and the boys wanted to go to the park with me.  "Oh, we can't... John is really sick."  "You mean he has a cold or something like that?"  "No, it's cancer."  I started taking them meals and buying them the organic fruit and vegetables the Stanford doctor recommended.  But increasingly, my heart was being drawn to Joe (now 10 years old), John's older brother and the second of the four boys.  He has some learning disabilities and behavioral problems, and has been sent to four different schools in the neighborhood.  I asked Anna if I could start tutoring Joe once a week and she eagerly agreed.  Garrett, a friend from our Small Group, comes over every Thursday afternoon with his daughter Mia.  He entertains Mia and my daughters while Joe and I do some academic work, and then teaches Joe checkers or chess while I start cooking dinner.  Sometimes Joe and the girls bake cookies with me.  Sometimes we play in the sandbox.  Joe loves dinosaurs, so one time I borrowed all our preschool's plastic dino's and we made prehistoric baking soda volcanoes in the sandbox.
 
I love seeing Joe blossom and experience new things.  And it has been a wonderful gift for me to be involved with a family whose life journey is so different from mine... and yet so similar in many ways.

]]> bLoG1 (re-inserted) http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/blog1-re-inserted/ http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/blog1-re-inserted/ Thu, 21 Aug 2008 21:32:06 GMT [For some reason this, my first blog, was dropped from the missional stories webpage, and so I am re-adding it.]  As some of you know, I am not what some call “edumacated” in the technological arena.  In fact, I am somewhat resistant to our technocratic society.  But in the interests of River storytelling, I am picking up my cross and beginning a bLoG.  To some, this may seem hyperbolic or exaggerated.  To others, who know me well, they know the extent of my gesture—however, the minimal the risk may seem…

And so the experiment begins.  I have never written a bLoG and I am not sure what a “real” bLoG contains.  So, I guess this gives me a certain freedom.  I will write what I feel necessary, fun, and Spirit-led—or more simply, in the words of Emerson, I shall feel free to write “whim on the lentil of the doorway.” 

bLoG1: If you are reading this, I can assume that you know me or the River to some extent.  Either way, you already know that I am the new pastor of mission mobilization at the River Church Community.  Since we have never employed a “pastor of mission mobilization,” I guess I am not really the “new” mission mobilization pastor.  More accurately, I am the only mission mobilization pastor.  But that is beside the point.  The point is that I am trying to engage our neighborhood with people who call the River home. 

I thought I might take bLoG1 to share with you a few things that I am currently doing around the ministry center.  About a week into working at the office, I realized the deep irony of my pastoral position and sitting in an office—an immobile mobilization pastor!  Convicted, I asked Kwok (a.k.a. Dave Kwok) to meet our ministry center neighbors with me.  He agreed.  And off we went. 

First, we went to the large apartment complex next door to us and received a friendly reception from the assistant manager.  During our interaction, we offered to serve free coffee to the residents in the future and he seemed open to the possibility—an encouraging beginning.  {I am pleased to also add that Brad and Dave are following up with the assistant manager to set up a time to serve coffee and meet residents there as I write!!   And so we begin to share God’s love in practical ways to our neighbors!} 

Encouraged, we walked south on First Street introducing ourselves to every business until IHOP (if you know the area, this is about a block).  Some of the introductions were warmer than others; I would only describe one as icy.  Walking back, it felt good to have met some of our neighbors. 

In an age and area in which isolation reigns, the Spirit convicted me that I cannot claim to be mobilizing us in the downtown area if I do not know the people who live and work next door to me (to us as a church).  I realized that if ministry is going to have a beginning it should be with those who live next door to us.   In an age defined by telephone friendships, IM communication and text messaging, the church can be good news by shaking hands with its neighbor.  It is small way that we can follow Jesus’ lead—the one who became embodied to love us.

Tony, Pastor of Mission Mobilization

]]> bLoG6: To The Cement Cage http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/blog6-to-the-cement-cage/ http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/blog6-to-the-cement-cage/ Wed, 20 Aug 2008 18:33:42 GMT bLoG6: To The Cement Cage

I felt slightly nervous as I biked to the Santa Clara’s juvenile hall.  The man at the front bars (it is hardly a front desk) paged the head chaplain and I waited.  I waited with a few other people—one middle-aged women likely waiting to see her incarcerated son and one younger man, likely an older brother.  The wait to enter made me wonder how painful it must be to wait to get out.  At least I could leave—not so the boys I came to see.

When the chaplain arrived, she gave me a brief informative tour.  One could not say that it was good.  “Good” could imply enjoyable—but that would be far from the case.  We saw solitary confinement cement boxes in which inmates are “stored” for up to 23 hours a day if those with power deem them “unsafe” or “security risks.”  And I am sure that some of them are.  But did you know that a boy or girl could be denied educational rights if they are put in one of these cement boxes.   No multiplication tables, no Huck Finn, no biology…almost nothing.  But I digress…

First we went to B8.  (B= boys, 8 signifies maximum security, I think).  Here reside the boys with futures seriously unknown.  They are in maximum security for serious offences (murder, rape, etc).   I have worked with kids like this enough to know that they are here for a reason but I also realize that many of them are just kids.  The chaplain told me that she worked with a 14 year old for three years in the maximum-security block as he waited for his trial to be completed.  When his verdict was released, this 14-year-old gang kid received three life sentences and will never walk an American sidewalk again.  Michele Foucault once wrote, "Justice must always question itself."  My question is "does she?"

As I chatted with one of the youth, I was struck by his faith.  The only book he owns is the bible and you can tell that he has made good use of it.  In their cells, they are not allowed to have pens or pencils or anything they could uses for a weapon (which I might add, given their creativity, is almost anything).  As we talked, he played the chaplain’s guitar.  I recognized the tune immediately: stairway to heaven.  It felt ironic.  We all know this song is a “drug song” but for him it seemed to be a resurrected drug song—a song that once alluded to drugs that now alludes to the Father who has forgiven him in heaven.  As he strummed, he spoke of how “limitless” he felt within his cell.  I could not help but feel humbled by this young man’s faith—limitless, really?  In a cement cell, unable to leave the small maximum-security area.  Visiting him that would have been the last word I used to describe his situation.  But such is faith, I guess.  It reminded me of Paul words (“I pray with joy”) as he sat imprisoned (see Philippians).  I guess the chaplain was right—the spirit of Jesus of alive and well in prison. 

Next we went to B4 (the boys mental health division).  We sang songs—lean on me, amazing grace and others.  One volunteer adapted “I got five on it” (about marijuana) to “I got Christ on it” and had all the kids singing with him.  It was clearly healing for them to sing.  It is profoundly moving to worship in an oppressive environment.  In the mental health area, suicide risk is a serious and daily issue.  And in the midst of this depressed environment, young boys are singing, “Through many dangers, toils and snares we have already come. T'was Grace that brought us safe thus far and Grace will lead us home.”  Even though these young men are imprisoned in cement cages and suffering from extreme mental illness, they sing to Jesus, the embodiment of grace—the one who offers them hope.  There are few things as beautiful as this.  In a room of hardened young boys, I held back my tears….what a glorious gospel.

Tony, Pastor of Mission Mobilization

]]> bLoG5: Jailhouse Steps http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/blog5-jailhouse-steps/ http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/blog5-jailhouse-steps/ Mon, 18 Aug 2008 18:35:42 GMT bLoG5: Jail House Steps

If you have read bLoG’s 1-4, you have already noticed that my first goal was to not be the “immobile mobilizer” and my second goal was to get to know our ministry center neighbors.  Having introduced myself to our immediate neighbors, I thought it would be good to get to know some of the people near the government offices—particularly the people around the country jail (only a few blocks away).   Kyle grabbed one of the youth (Chris Hayes) and we were off with juice squeezes, waters, and chips. 

The first man to whom we offered juice and chips initially ignored us and then chided us for being Christians.  Hardly the start we hoped for.  In fact, it was quite discouraging.  If I had been alone, I might have called it quits.  But peer pressure enabled me to continue (sometimes I think peer pressure gets a bad wrap).  Continuing, we went on to the jailhouse steps prayed for people, satisfied dry pallets, and even hooked a homeless woman up with housing.  It was quite beautiful.  It was amazing to offer people a little comfort as they waited for a court appointment or for a loved one caged within the building.  In some little ways, we were able to sow some hope…But one wonders whether any of these little acts of kindness make any difference.  You know?

A few days ago, I received the following e-mail: “Pastor Tony, we met you at 70 W Hedding on Tuesday around 4 p.m. You know what?  My wife and I were actually thirsty and feeling a little depleted when you and your friends offered us the fruit drinks and chips.  You all really were God's love shown to us.”  The thing that amazed me about this e-mail was that this person did not have my contact information!  He searched for it and found it!  He went out of his way to let us know that we revealed God’s love to him.  And those are his words!!!  Our hope was to share the love of God in practical ways.  I guess it worked.

Tony, Pastor of Mission Mobilization

]]> bLoG4: Unplanned http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/blog4-unplanned/ http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/blog4-unplanned/ Mon, 18 Aug 2008 17:06:30 GMT bLoG4: Unplanned

I went south on First Street.  Most of my introductions were more or less normal.  Then I entered “The Adolescent Family Life Program and Cal-Learn” office.  As I walked through the door, everyone immediately turned toward me.  I felt like an intruder, like I had premeditated a hold-up and had a 12 gauge ready to fire.  They stared and I stood stunned by their fear.  When I finally got my voice I explained that I was a pastor at the church on the corner (tension heightened to extreme levels at this point) and that I was just going around meeting our neighbors.  And then they breathed.  I really think they had held their collective breath for a minute or so.  Literally, I heard them exhale…anyway…then I realized why (or so I think).  They explained that they are associated with Planned Parenthood.  Once they explained this to me I wondered if I had CHRISTIAN written on my forehead and they feared that I did not come in peace.  I guess this would be a realistic fear.  Not surprisingly this made me thoughtful.  Workers at Planned Parenthood feared me as a pastor.  It did not seem like a righteous fear but a fear of being verbally assaulted.  I wondered how Jesus would have dealt with these women?  How would be interact with them?  Would he love them as he did Zacheus (a hated tax collector) or would he shun them?  If I had to take a side, I think Jesus would love them.  And so when they asked me if I would be willing to give them River brochures so that they could hand them out to young women looking for a church, I said yes.  I said that I would bring them to them the next week.  And so I shall.

Tony, Pastor of Mission Mobilization

]]> bLoG3: Juice Squeeze Party Ends in Mystery http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/blog3-juice-squeeze-party-ends-in-mystery-/ http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/blog3-juice-squeeze-party-ends-in-mystery-/ Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:53:31 GMT bLoG3: Juice Squeeze Party Ends In Mystery 

Kwok (a.k.a Dave), Angela and I hauled about 50 juice squeezes around the neighborhood.  Well, actually, Angela carried a little display straw basket to show our neighbors what we were offering, Kwok pulled the 50 juice squeezes in a brilliant cooler with wheels (it is like a carry-on for cold stuff!!!), and I glided along unencumbered.  Since we had already met these neighbors, it was fun to see them again and I was surprised that they not only remembered us but welcomed us in more warmly.  JoJo the hair stylist excitedly distributed our little offerings to his clientele, and two people working in the hot sun came back for seconds.  It was awesome.  And even the man mentioned in bLoG2 seemed a bit more welcoming—like a cloud had lifted (answered prayer—SCORE! 1 team church, 0 team devil!)  But I have to say the most memorable interaction of the afternoon took place when our juice squeezes were rejected for not being sugar free.  I would not have even thought twice about it if we were offering them to someone leaving the gym or hippies passing the peace pipe.  But our juice squeezes had been rejected by two men with tattoos from neck to knuckles.  I guess that old adage by Jack Handy is proved true once again: “Maybe in order to understand mankind, we have to look at the word itself: ‘Mankind’. Basically, it's made up of two separate words –‘mank’ and ‘ind’. What do these words mean ? It's a mystery, and that's why so is mankind.”  And so the mystery continues…

]]> bLoG2 A Story to Share http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/blog2-a-story-to-share/ http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/blog2-a-story-to-share/ Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:09:23 GMT bLoG2:

This week I went north up First Street to meet my neighbors.  Specifically, I focused on one cluster of businesses: the carpet company and the three story run down building next to it which is populated with tons of many tiny businesses.  The carpet guys were quite nice and artfully tattooed (to be honest I was slightly jealous.  I have always wanted a tattoo but have decided against it in case God calls me to live in third world…but anyway).

Next I visited a little dry-cleaning business run by a wonderfully kind Vietnamese man who attends Saint Joseph’s basilica downtown.  And up and up I went into the three-story building.  As I ascended, I felt the spiritual weight of the place grow heavier and heavier.  Have you even been in a place that just seems a little depressing?  This is what it felt like.  Using more charismatic vocabulary, it felt like there was a spirit of despair.

One office in particular stood out to me as a particularly sad place.   I explained to the man that I was a pastor at the church on the corner and that I was going around meeting my neighbors etc…and his first response was something like this: “I don’t attend church.  I don’t give money to the church.”  I tried to explain to him that I did not want his money and that I wasn’t handing out tracks.  I was merely trying to meet my neighbors.  Eventually, he offered me a chair and we chatted for a bit. 

For some reason, this interaction still affects me.  I can’t help but sense that there was something else affecting this man—more than his dimly lit apartment, more than his rather crass response would indicate.  I began to wonder whether there was a spiritual reality behind the obvious reality I perceived.   Do you ever wonder about these things?  Sometimes I wonder if this is what Paul was referring to when he wrote to the Ephesians: “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”  The more I think about this man and his office, I am more and more certain that loving him as a neighbor may also involve opposing those powers—the one’s who affect him without his consent or awareness—those powers who do not want him to flourish.

]]> My first missional story http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/my-first-missional-story/ http://www.the-river.org/missional-stories/my-first-missional-story/ Mon, 04 Aug 2008 23:23:35 GMT

As some of you know, I am not what some call “edumacated” in the technological arena.  In fact, I am somewhat resistant to our technocratic society.  But in the interests of River storytelling, I am picking up my cross and beginning a bLoG.  To some, this may seem hyperbolic or exaggerated.  To others, who know me well, they know the extent of my gesture—however, the minimal the risk may seem…

And so the experiment begins.  I have never written a bLoG and I am not sure what a “real” bLoG contains.  So, I guess this gives me a certain freedom.  I will write what I feel necessary, fun, and Spirit-led—or more simply, in the words of Emerson, I shall feel free to write “whim on the lentil of the doorway.” 

bLoG1: If you are reading this, I can assume that you know me or the River to some extent.  Either way, you already know that I am the new pastor of mission mobilization at the River Church Community.  Since we have never employed a “pastor of mission mobilization,” I guess I am not really the “new” mission mobilization pastor.  More accurately, I am the only mission mobilization pastor.  But that is beside the point.  The point is that I am trying to engage our neighborhood with people who call the River home. 

I thought I might take bLoG1 to share with you a few things that I am currently doing around the ministry center.  About a week into working at the office, I realized the deep irony of my pastoral position and sitting in an office—an immobile mobilization pastor!  Convicted, I asked Kwok (a.k.a. Dave Kwok) to meet our ministry center neighbors with me.  He agreed.  And off we went. 

First, we went to the large apartment complex next door to us and received a friendly reception from the assistant manager.  During our interaction, we offered to serve free coffee to the residents in the future and he seemed open to the possibility—an encouraging beginning.  {I am pleased to also add that Brad and Dave are following up with the assistant manager to set up a time to serve coffee and meet residents there!!  And so we begin to share God’s love in practical ways to our neighbors!} 

Encouraged, we walked south on First Street introducing ourselves to every business until IHOP (if you know the area, this is about a block).  Though some of the introductions were warmer than others, walking back it just felt good to have met some of our neighbors. 

In an age and area in which isolation reigns, the Spirit convicted me that I cannot claim to be mobilizing us in the downtown area if I do not know the people who live and work next door to me (and to us as a church).  I realized that if ministry is going to have a beginning it should be with those who live next door to us.   In an age defined by telephone friendships, IM communication and text messaging, the church can be good news by shaking hands with its neighbor.  It is a small way that we can follow Jesus’ lead—the one who became embodied to love us.

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