Nueva Generacion

We spent the afternoon today at Nueva Generacion, a boys home in Tijuana led by Luis Salinas, his wife an family. It was an amazing day, playing futbol with the boys, eating pizza, and learning more about life and ministry in Tijuana. Thanks Shaun and Maria for opening up your world to us!

The Garden ...

I read a great article in the LA Times this morning about the New Root's Community Farm that Michael Kolbas supports and cheers on through his work at the IRC.

The girls and I have been driving by the farm on Chollas Pkwy on the way to Emily's school for the past couple of months, I discovered the farm accidentally while trying to find a shortcut one day. I've been praying for the people working in the field as we pass it on Monday and Wednesday. I often wonder about their stories, how they came to be here in this little corner of San Diego and what their everyday lives are like. Thankfully this story gave me a little peek into that.

And since nature it was one of the topics at last night's discussion, I found it very encouraging to see how God's creativity with nature can bring people from such diverse cultures together.

Its always better when we're together....

Peter moved to the apartment next door. Though the destination was only a few feet away, the load was much lighter because we were all together. Some of us carried boxes and furniture, others cleaned, others just hung out and we all took breaks to play around and enjoy the sunny San Diego afternoon. One of the simple beauties of community is that we get to surround each other, even in the smaller transitions of life.

shared leadership

Here's another great reason for us to be an all-play community:

"Jesus exercises the only kind of leadership that can evoke authentic community--a leadership that risks failure (the crucifixion) by making space for others to act. When a leader takes up all the space and preempts all the action, he or she may make something happen, but that something is not community."

"When a leader is willing to trust the abundance that people can generate together, willing to take risk of inviting people to share from that abundance, then and only then may true community emerge."

- Parker Palmer

Christmas in Golden Hill

Colin, Derek and John, originally uploaded by hallywood.

A liturgical expression of 4th Sunday of Advent.
Christmas carols.
Tamales and Cuban black beans.
And a rousing white elephant gift exchange.

It was a good Christmas dinner with friends in Golden Hill.

> more photos

Nick, David and little Carlos

Nick, David and little Carlos, originally uploaded by hallywood.

The weekend before last, a group of us traveled 90 miles south of the border into Mexico to an area about 10 miles below Ensenada. There, we landed at Casa Esperanza (Hope House), a shelter for women who are victims of domestic abuse, and their children.

It was a dirty, wonderful, magical weekend, spent with new and old friends, serving, working, laughing, praying, and sharing lives with some of the least among those living in this border region of Mexico.

Shelters for women in Mexico are rare. The problem of domestic abuse goes largely ignored in this culture, but a deep culture wound it is. Women who manage to escape abusive relationships typically have no where to go. This makes Casa Esperanza more than a special place.

I've been to Casa Esperanza a number of times, and among the many things that stand out to me, are the children. Specifically, how the children react to men being at Esperanza.

Most of these kids have never had a positive male role model in their lives. Most don't know what's it's like to have a dad playing with them, having a catch, kicking the futbol around, or just hanging out. Many have been abused in unimaginable ways.

So when I see one of the guys in our group taking time out from a serving project or task to play with a kid, play tag with them, kick a ball, or hoist them up onto shoulders, I am warmed in ways beyond words.

Some kids embrace this attention immediately. Others seem to take time to warm up to the idea of a man who may be fun, playful or affectionate in honest, loving ways. Yet embrace they do. Their eyes light up. Hearts melt. And it is in these moments I feel I see the very expression of Jesus himself.

/jon

Prep for Sunday

U2 at the Rose Bowl

-We have read through the Gospel and now we want to reflect on what we read. Just like what Rob said on Sunday, we want to share when the kingdom came alive to you. You can share a passage or a story or something that we talked about on Sunday.

-It would be cool if you could share by having some type of creative expression such as a picture, song, poem, art piece, food, or anything you want.

-It would also be cool if everyone could share something so come prepared.

-We are also going to have the cover contest for the best Gospel cover. If you haven't done anything yet you still have time. There will be a prize for the winner!!!

Scan the entire Gospel for something to share about what you learned of the kingdom and it coming alive to you.

Here's an example for me about the kingdom coming alive. I am on a U2 kick so I decided to go with one of there songs.

Miracle Drug