February 2012
1 post
10 Things I Learned From Crashing My Car
Well y’all, I’m sad that my first Lists, Lessons & Loves post is about a car crash, but hey, c’est la vie and all that jazz. I got into a mighty car crash on January 30th, and the front end of my car ended up underneath the back of a very large pick up truck thing. An airbag hit my face, lights and sirens came, and some very nice strong men taped me to a back board and...
January 2012
1 post
Lists, letters and loves...
Friends, it’s been a hot minute since I posted last. The holidays have come and gone, and holy sugar plum fairies, it’s 2012. It’s been a fantastic holiday season, and I’m clueless and excited about what 2012 may look like.
To stretch my blogging muscles (where are those, exactly?), I’ve set myself a task. I’d like to blog for awhile (honestly, til I get bored...
November 2011
1 post
Thankful.
I am deeply thankful to the Lord for so much. Thanksgiving in America is my favorite - it doesn’t require gift purchasing or tedious decorations. It’s all about family and friends…and food. Turkey. Mashed potatoes. Stuffing. Pumpkin pie. It’s a celebration of all things loved. Nothing to be done other than to enjoy each other. Love each other. Huh. What an revolutionary...
September 2011
1 post
“Do everything in love.”
– 1 Corinthians 16:14
August 2011
1 post
Way to go Joe!!! (And David!!! And Peter!!!)
Joe Sidebotham, a fantastic young friend from Coventry, is currently UNICYCLING the length of Britain. What’s that? The length of Britain? Oh yes, 1,145 miles, from Lands End in Cornwall, England, to John O’ Groats in Scotland.
He started off with his Dad (on a bicycle) and the vicar of Holy Trinity Coventry, David (on a crazy looking tricycle) on the 14th of August, and...
July 2011
2 posts
“In a word, what I’m saying is, grow up. You’re kingdom subjects. Now...”
– Matthew 5:48, The Message
June 2011
4 posts
Feed Your Soul.
Friends, whether you’re out there and are all about Jesus and church and everything pastor-endorsed, or vaguely seeking something kinda maybe related to spiritual things, or even none of the above, you need to feed your soul. We take in multitudes of opinions and perspectives and viewpoints throughout the day, about everything from J-Lo’s buttcheeks to Obama’s view on peace in...
May 2011
4 posts
“The longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth, that God...”
– Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)
“Those who look to Him are radiant; their faces are never covered in shame.”
– Psalm 34:5, NIV
April 2011
2 posts
Rhythm of Thriving, Not Surviving
On the theme of healthy rhythms, here’s an excerpt from an article by Rob Bell in Catalyst Leadership Magazine…
Some pastors think about how to survive for the next 5 years. The better question to ask is, how are we going to thrive? How do we construct a rhythm and pace of life that ensures five years from now we’ll have more passion, more energy, that we will be filled with...
March 2011
7 posts
The Rhythms of Waifs and Warriors.
Fact: We are all made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27).
Therefore: Our lives will, whether we intend it or not, tell others about who God is and who He created us to be. They will also show how our humanity’s choosing of death over life has tainted that relationship. The question is, will your life tell a story of striving and death, or of grace, redemption and life? Our stories do not...
What to say, how to pray...
With the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan unfolding, we can feel the fear in our own hearts as we think of those fighting to survive. What can we say? How do we pray? Where is God in all of it?
God hasn’t gone anywhere, He hasn’t left our friends in Japan. As for my prayer; I pray, I beg, that God’s love would be evident; that His presence would bring peace; that...
Famous, Rich & In The Slums →
Red Nose Day is a phenomenal initiative in the UK. Folks rally together to raise money for amazingly worthy causes all over the world, including projects in local UK communities. They’ve filmed a two part show in Kibera, the largest slum in East Africa. While I was in Kenya, I worked in Kibera each day. It’s something you need to see to even start to grasp. The folks here need money...
“…For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those...”
– 2 Chronicles 16:9
Love.
I read a lot of children’s books these days. There’s a lot of truth in those little books with the little words; truth that we often forget comes from God. That truth is hardwired into us, into every blood vessel, into every neuron. Take time to ponder the simple truths.
Some truth from the book “Big Words for Little People” by Jamie Lee Curtis:
Love is the biggest BIG...
February 2011
2 posts
Dre, where are you?
Hey, I’m here! Over here! In America!
I’m currently thoroughly enjoying time with my family in Raleigh, North Carolina. I flew here from Nairobi (via Istanbul, Dubai and New York, thanks to the snow in England) just before Christmas. I spent a fantastic Christmas with my family, something never to be taken for granted, and then hit the ground running! I’ve never actually lived...
January 2011
1 post
December 2010
9 posts
Delayed...Pleasantly :)
I was meant to fly to London Heathrow last night and then on to Raleigh, NC this afternoon, but the crazy snow storms in England have closed the airports. I’ve been re-booked to fly out tomorrow (Monday) night, arriving in England early Tuesday, then leaving at lunchtime for the States. I should arrive in Raleigh at 4pm.
In the meantime, British Airways has put me up in the nicest hotel...
Heading back to the West...
Well my friends, it’s been three amazing months, but I’m heading back to the States tomorrow to take care of some family business. Cutting my trip a few weeks short isn’t ideal, but being with my family right now takes priority!
Tonight we’re having a Thanksgiving Celebration dinner with our volunteers, which will be ace, then I’ll pack tomorrow and leave Nairobi at...
I am...stunned.
Today I took money that people from all over the world have donated to our Tabasamu project and bought 440 pairs of shoes. Tomorrow morning, four hundred and forty children, aged 10-14, will receive a brand new pair of shoes - most likely their first new pair of shoes…ever.
I am humbled by the support we have received from friends and family all over the world. I am stunned at how far a...
Thoughts...
I have been in Kenya for 11 weeks now, and time has absolutely flown by. So, here are a few thoughts from my journey thus far… Beeping your car horn is a necessity. In the incredible Nairobi traffic, it can mean anything from “You are the king of the blind moron drivers” to “Hello friend, you are most welcome to go in front of me if you’d like”. I am no longer...
“Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of one’s...”
– Proverbs 27, verses 9 & 17, the Bible
November 2010
11 posts
“Keep on loving each other as brothers. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for...”
– Hebrews 13:1-3, the Bible
WatchThis is the older class from Hidden Treasures Kindergarten, where our team teaches 3 times a week. They’re singing Jesus Loves Me!
akadre asked: Are you enjoying your stay in Africa? what are the challenges so far?
Tabasamu: a Smile for Christmas!
Tabasamu is the Swahili word for smile, and that’s what our annual Tabasamu event is all about! We work with local churches and schools to identify children in particular need in the Kibera slum, and then we raise money locally, nationally and internationally to provide as many children as possible with a pair of brand new shoes for Christmas! Imagine NEVER having owned a new pair of shoes...
“Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance.”
– Jude 2, the Bible
October 2010
5 posts
“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully...”
– 1 Peter 4:10-11, NIV
A week in the life...
So, Dre, what do you do each week?
MONDAY: I spend each Monday with our office staff, training and supporting them as they do awesome stuff. They plan lessons and larger events, as well as do fundraising and general office-y things.
TUESDAY: Each Tuesday, we meet with our staff to pray, study the Bible and make time to be friends :) We often have school visits in the ...