Fortunately, Unfortunately

Monday:

After a great lunch meeting, I stepped out of my car by the mailboxes, and A---- yelled a greeting from the playground, which sits right next to the boxes.

I was surprised that he acknowledged me, since he was yelling at me last time we spoke. I had asked S---- about some gang graffiti in our hallway. Despite the fact that I had just asked if they knew anything about it, A---- and S---- got very angry and defensive while their posse watched from the stairwell.

"Yo, Ian, wanna play soccer?"

"Definitely," I responded, excited to be invited back into their circle.

We divided up into teams, and kicked back and forth for a while, trash talking each other and having a great time. When it was over, S asked me if I could drive them to soccer practice on Tuesdays, since there was a team forming at a nearby school. Glad for the opportunity to get more time with them, I quickly agreed.

Tuesday:

I drove the car to my mechanic this morning to check out a small problem and get it fixed before driving the guys to soccer, and after a wait of several hours, he gave me some bad news. Transmission problems. I delivered the car to another shop that specializes in transmissions, and they said they needed to hold it over night and check it in the morning. I handed over the keys.

I got a ride home with my sister, Lisa, who teaches a Bible study to some of the kids in our neighborhood. I arrived at our apartment feeling depressed about our finances. We were already about two grand in the hole from taxes, and now we have to deal with transmission repair costs, not to mention that we barely make enough to cover our regular bills.

I was so depressed that I completely forgot about agreeing to take A----, S----, and their friends to soccer practice until they came knocking at our door, dressed up and carrying soccer balls. I had to tell them the bad news. They left to try and find another ride.

Yesterday was one of those days that felt like everything clicked into place. Today felt a bit like it all clicked back out again. Hopefully tomorrow will contain another upswing. It's the pendulum of faith-based neighborhood ministry. We can predict and plan all we want, but circumstances always shift around us.

On days like today, the best we can do is believe that the Father has some perspective that we lack. We ask for his peace, and love and serve as faithfully as we can.

Refugee Beads Open Class

To those of our readers who look at the pictures below and think, why can't I be a part of this? we reply, "You can!"

On Friday nights, all those interested are invited to join Ruthie, Nivin, Purna, Esther, Juli, and their families for some conversation, music, kid time, and, lest we neglect to mention it, jewelry making.

Here are a few shots of our time on Friday Night:

Incarnation Station

13 miles into an 18-mile run/walk/jog on the Appalachian Trail, about four miles past total exhaustion, when we were tripping over small stones, running into trees, and laughing at dumb jokes, my brother Eric and I had a brief but rewarding conversation about theodicy.

Loosely translated and contexualized, theodicy is the ever-confusing and oft-asked question, "Where is God when the kids in our neighborhood get abused or neglected at home?" Variants of this include, "Where is God in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina?" "Where is God in Darfur," or "where is God when my BMW gets a flat on the way to my beach house?" - All asked with the same degree of desparation by those in the situations.

I spent an unsatisfying three years in Christian academia, where I banged my head against this question in all its different forms. Toward the end of my time at Moody Bible Institute, as my answers collapsed and my angst grew, I gave up on an intellectual solution.

As I traveled to New Orleans after Katrina and then later as I suffered under depression, I began to realize that, in the odd economy of the Kingdom, the answer seems to be "God is in us as we respond in love."

That was the beginning of my journey toward an incarnational ministry model, where we choose to live among the needy.

So much of God's character, so much of His perspective, so much of His logic seems beyond our reach. But when we move in love, His life seems to grow in us and connect with the world around us.

That's why I believe that so much of Jesus' teaching focused on Love. As small as we are, as limited as our understanding is, we must go about this confusing life focused on the central goal given to us- to live in love.

Then, within the context of that love, I believe that all other things find their place. Our intellect, gifts, interests, histories, weaknesses, and hungers all find their place in submission to the rule of divine love.

Nude Feet (Pt. 2)

About 75 miles of the Appalachian Trail (AT) wind through the mountains of North Georgia. It has been calling my name since I got lost on it about 6 years ago, and my desire to run the entire Georgia section has intensified after a hike to the top of Blood Mountain, the highest point on the trail in Georgia.

So here is the idea: My brother Eric and I train all summer for long-distance, barefoot trail running. The last week before he returns to college, we begin running the AT in 15-20 mile chunks. Our support team (Ruthie, anyone else who wants to see us suffer) will travel to meeting points where we will set up camp, eat, rest, and prepare for the next day. Over five days, we will run the whole GA section of the AT.

So what does this have to do with our ministry? Plenty. We will be doing the run to raise money for the arts program at a local school, in order to improve our community, build relationships within the school, and demonstrate God's love in a way that will provide creative opportunities for the neighborhood.

I sent an e-mail to barefooting legend Barefoot Rick, who has a huge heart for ministry. I told him about the plan, and he is praying about the possibility of running with us. He offered me some great tips, and suggested Isaiah 52:7 as a theme verse.

"How lovely on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who announces peace and brings good news of happiness, who announces salvation, and says to Zion, 'Your God reigns!'"

It's funny how well this verse fits with our vision for this run. Thanks, Rick!

I'll post information on how to contribute once I work out the logistics with the school, but look for more information as August draws nearer.

O Canyoneers!

Last week, my friend Charles Chung, my brother Eric, and I embarked on a Mantastic journey to Utah. While there, we camped at Canyonlands National Park and went running, hiking, and bouldering, with or without shoes. Here are a few pics:

From the Arch

Before I unveil the idea advertised in the last post, and before I go into detail on where I was over the last five days, and before we get on with all that we must get on with, I would like to show you this photo of Mesa Arch holding my brother Eric and me as we peer, awestruck, at the thousands of feet between us and a canyon floor. This was taken two days ago.

Nude Feet

Those of you who read my facebook or spend any kind of time with me know that I have a new obsession - barefoot running.

A couple of my mentors, when I told them about the injuries that keep me from running, mentioned that there are ways I can run to improve my health instead of damaging it. My research led me to a whole community of runners who are healing from injuries and running greater distances by unleashing and listening to their feet instead of insulating them.

While the data on this is still coming in (research generally happens wherever money will take it, and Nike ain't paying for any research on the benefits of running without shoes), I've seen so much improvement in my knee pain, form, endurance, speed, and just plain enjoyment of the run that I'm now a big believer in barefooting.

I've been running either in my bare feet or in a minimal pair of running shoes called Vibram FiveFingers (pictured above, right after their inaugural 4-mile trail run).

So Ian, why exactly are you telling us this on your ministry blog?

Because I have an idea, which I will post on this blog shortly, which ties my passion with barefooting and my desire to see refugees get educational opportunities.

To be continued...