Back in Baltimore

We love Baltimore. It's a great town, and more importantly, it has that lingering feeling of 'home'. We're staying with my parents and youngest brother, Mark, in the house I grew up in. On Saturday, Mark graduates from High School, so we're throwing a big party.
We're here most of the month, telling the God/us/London story to anyone even remotely aware of our existence. Feeling a bit like Gideon must have felt after God cut his force down to 300, and hoping for similar displays of our Father's glory as our goal of being fully supported by August 18 races toward us.

Final Piece

My last glassblowing class was two weeks ago (a make-up from one I missed during our visit to Arkansas). I actually made two pieces - this is the only one that survived. My first drinking glass of the night fell to the floor and broke into several large pieces as we attempted to transfer it from the blowpipe to the punty.
But, this was worth it! It's about twice the size of the other drinking glass I made - holds a full pint-and-a-half. The bubbles are part of the glass, and though not intentional, I like the way they look.

Learning the faith

I received an e-mail today from friends who want to give to support our ministry in London. Part of the reason they were drawn to support us is that they have two young children around the ages of our girls, and they like the idea of being connected to people that their children also have a connection with. I love this!
As I've said before here, I want my children to learn the faith by practicing it alongside us. Here's an example of another family putting the same concept into practice. Their kids will grow up knowing that they have a connection to some other kids on the other side of the world whose family is trying to follow Jesus and tell people about him in their own neighborhood, just like their family is. My kids will be blessed because they'll grow up with friends who pray for them because supporting and praying for our family is important to their family.
Thanks guys - you've been an encouragement to my faith today.

Goths

Under the previous post, Amy asks "I'm curious to know your views on the goth scene".
To be honest, I don't know as much about it as I'd like. Camden has a very visible goth presence, so I'm hoping to get to know and better understand goth culture once we're living there.
I do know this: I doubt goths feel welcome in many western evangelical churches. Goth culture seems to be about creative self-expression and a commitment to not allowing mass media/pop culture to determine 'me'. Most churches I've been in allow creativity only within a narrowly defined (though unspoken) framework. Churches that are on the more creative side tend to be massively influenced by pop culture - and that's not necessarily a bad thing, though it does tend to exclude goths and others who are living in cultures that are decidedly anti-pop culture.
There's a church in Camden Town called Glorious Undead that's committed to living for Jesus while remaining within the Goth scene. They have a great article about Just Being Goth, which attacks many of the steriotypes surrounding the subculture.
Do I have any Goth readers who'd like to weigh in?

Jesus Loves Me, 'Yes' or 'No'...

Sing to the tune of the children's song "Jesus Loves Me", after each support call, no matter the response.

Chapelgate Missions Conference Festival

You ever get that feeling like you really should know a person? Their face is familiar, but you just can't place them.
Welcome to the past week of our lives. Somer and I met at Chapelgate and spent our formative high-school and college years there. We recognize most of the people there, and at one time knew their names...but often we find ourselves having to ask for their names. We've been warmly welcomed, and most people don't seem to mind, even if we really should know who they are. It helps that my hair is much longer, and Somer's much shorter, than when we left Chapelgate, so most people don't recognize us either!!

Thanks to all you Chapelgaters who have welcomed us back!

Here's to 200 more!

Just noticed this is post number 201. Not that anyone's counting. I've had fun, and hope you've enjoyed the stories. I keep saying this, but I really want to learn to be a better story-teller, and want this blog to be part of that process. So thanks for following the first 200, and here's to 200 more.