Why do we all feel guilty for not posting often enough. What is “often enough” by the way? I say we just post when we can, no appologies. : ) What do you think?
derrak
p.s. I think I posted twice because I feel guilty for not posting.
Today I discovered the 7th most visited website in the world. It is called craigslist.com. Basically it is online classifieds for most major cities in the U.S. and beyond. For most it is free to post, and it is free for everyone to read! WOW, how have I never herd about this? It is nothing flashy but a pretty neat thing. You should check it out. It has everything.
Has anyone else herd about this before? Let me know in the comments section if you have. Maybe I am the last to know on this one.
Derrak
Finally I am getting around to updating our blog. Sorry about the delay for all of those who wait expectantly every day for a new post. (yeah right)
This is one of my favorite pics from our Poland trip. It was taken while we were doing the knot game at a orphanage that we spent some time at. In the knot game, eveyone grabs hands across the circle, then without letting go you unravel back into a circle.
This is a great visual illustration of what it means to live in community. One of the things that we are called to by Jesus is unity. It seems to be VERY important to him. Trips like these remind me of this.
This is a picture of one of the more beautiful buildings in Czarnkow, the city that we spent most of our time in. We visited many classrooms and schools, sharing our stories, and performing some sketvches and games. At the end of our time, we would then talk about the book of hope, and pass them out to everyone in the calss. The Book of Hope is the 1st four books of the new testament in the bible, published in the native language of course, and done in such a way that is age appropriate. We visited kidergarten through High School age classes.
I just thought this sign was Hillarious!!!! Watch out for those cars!! Man, sometimes they can really sneak up on you.
We walked all around the town for most of the week.
I was so impressed with our team. They really stepped up to the task. It was exhausting at times!
I learned a lot leading the team too. 1 week before we left, the head leader of our team, found out that he was unable to go. Soooooo, the task was passed on to me. I really learned a lot, and remembered that I really enjoy leading teams thorugh expereinces like this. It is amazing what God does in the hearts of the team members in the midst of the trip. It reminds me that we grow as people, only when we take a step out of our comfort zone and push ourselves beyond what we think we are capable of.
This pic was taken during one of our High school assemblies that we did. This is Lindi Nelson, performing a song that she wrote.
One thing is for sure. I have a new found love for Europe, and the Polish people. Interesting 95% of the country are Catholic. I meet a really awesome Catholic priest while we were there too. In fact he invited us to his church to do a concert, and helped us get into a lot of the schools. There does not seem to be a big division between Protestants and Catholics in Poland like there are in many parts of the U.S. Unity is a powerful, beautiful thing worth fighting for.
To see more pictures from the trip, click here and enjoy. I want to send a hello out to Justina & Monia. They are two amazing Polish women who organized our trip and have a huge passion for the Polish people to really follow Jesus. I learned so much from them. Our whole team learned so much from them. You can see a picture of them in the gallery that the link above takes you to.
I hope everything is well with all of you out there in the blogging world. Thanks for being so pacient for a new post.
derrak
Poland was so much more than I thoght it would be. Life is funny that way huh? You never know what you will learn, experience, or discover. Well, that is all I have time for right now. Sorry, I will post some pics and share more in a couple days.
derrak
Well, today I leave for Poland with a group of high school students and leaders from Kensington. I am excited to see another partof the world and help out some people in need. This sounds wierd to say but I am excited that we are going to visit one of the concentration camps too. (Possibly Auswitz) I am sure it will be quite a sobering and chellenging experience.
see ya when i get back.
derrak
Hey everyone, I have partnered with my good friend ben smith to start a new blog called “circuschurch”
This colaboration came out a an ongoing conversation we have had about our own faith journeys and the church. Ben and I have found that we have similar questions, thoughts, and struggles related to following Jesus and what is means to be His church. We have had a continuing dialogue about these issues and thought it would be fun to invite others into our conversations. So . . . . “circuschurch” was born.
We really believe that the church (especially in America) is at a crossroads. I believe this has been brought on by shifts in culture that have been going on these past few years, especially as it relates to the emerging generations. If I could boil all this down into one question I would say it is this, “What does it really mean to follow Jesus, and be His church”?
I dont know all the answers, and I certainly don’t have it right myself. But perhaps through our dialogue we will help one another to become people who are a little more like who Jesus wants us to be.
Thanks for listening. I would love to hear from all my my friends out there, wether you are a follower of Jesus or not. I think we all have good things to contribute. Oh, and don’t worry I will continue to make post here on “life as a ostovic” too. : )
If you want to join the conversation on “Circuschurch”, click here or go to the link in the blog roll on the right side of the screen.
derrak
I am beginning to understand how this seemingly simple web site is beginning to have a major impact in our culture. Today I learned that originally myspace was designed as a place for indipendant music artists to promote themselves. It certianly has become that. But it has become so much more than that too.
Myspace is an online communty that has no boundaries. It really is awesome and ovewhelming to think about. I recently opened a myspace page for myself when I realized how many of our students use it to stay in touch and communicate with one another. I am intrigued to see where this goes in the next couple years. If you want to go to my own myspace page click here.
derrak
I am going to get a guitar! I have been syaing this for a long time now, but all this talk on eric’s blog has inspired me. Also the fact that I am here in Minchigan without a guitar, and having to borrow one is getting really annoying. So my jouuney begins. Any suggestions? I want to spend around $1000. Needs to sound good unplugged and plugged in. Oh, and I have some money saved up but not enough, so I wll need a down payment 12 months same as cash deal. musicians friend? Or something like that. I have played some good Fender’s, Martin’s and others. Of course there is the Taylor which would be the dream. Hmmmmm . . .
derrak