We have added a few features to our blog. The "Past Issues" page shows our previous newsletters. The "Calendar" page allows you to see some of the things we are doing. These calendar events are great opportunities. You are welcome to join us during our times of prayer, either in person or in absentia. For events and meetings which are off the beaten path, we are honored by your prayers and thoughts. Thank You.
While we are still working on translating our existing pages into Spanish, the addition of the Translator tool on the right side of each page may help. Our apologies to those for whom Spanish is the natural way to communicate. We sincerely want to do better here. If you can help with the translation process, please let us know!
In the meantime, it is possible to get a rough translation on the new "Translate" page (on the green bar at the top of the page). You can click the link on that page and then paste the URL of the page you want to read into the box (try it, you'll see what we mean). The entire webpage will then be available in Spanish. There are some coding limitations on our blog site, and coupled with our own lack of skills not everything is as easy to do as we'd like. We'll keep working on it.
As always, we welcome comments and suggestions about what we are doing. Thank you!
17 June 2010
15 June 2010
See the past!
Its crazy I know, but you can actually SEE the PAST by clicking on our new "Past Issues" page link! The link is above on the green bar. You'll be able to SEE PAST issues of newsFEED and prayerFORCE. This is not a joke.
02 June 2010
Great Soup, Great Scoop!
We have been getting back into the swing of things after our time in Guatemala. One important opportunity we scheduled was to hold an Informational Forum at our host church, Trinity Covenant. Among other things, an important goal of this forum was to continue to inform our hosts about what we are doing and how we are going about it. This gives more and more people the chance to share the Vision in many important ways.
Carmen opened by reciting a poem called "So I Stay Near the Door". This poem has been a favorite of Carmen's for a long time, and is now one of mine. It expresses how important it is to continually seek those whom Christ is seeking. Sometimes we'd rather remain behind the closed doors of the church, but our vision as ambassadors of Christ is to connect with others and share the love of God (see our Project Text!). This was a great way to start, reminding us all that we are compelled by Christ's love to reconcile the world to God.
Our NPC Director of Church Planting (our coach) Kurt Carlson, gave a church planting overview. He shared about the ECC's goals and process for church planting, and explained how we came to be a part of that process. We are currently in an early "residency" phase; prior to our official church planting work. This is a time to do much of the groundwork which would be done by planters who have resided in their planting area for some time. Since we spent the last 4-5 years in Chicago, its a time for us to get reconnected.
From there we shared our Project Text, our Vision, and our Values, which you can read about here on our blog via the links on the right side of the page. We had some time for Q&A, which included great questions like: "Kurt, you say church planting is 'hard work,' just what do you mean by that?"
We were very encouraged. About 35 people attended, with some using our commitment cards to commit to prayer, giving, and sharing the Vision. There are a few who are considering taking the big step of being a part of our Core Team, as well. Very exciting!
Thank you so much to those who prayed for this event, to those who attended, and special thanks to Barb and Cindy for the delicious cheeseburger and minestrone soups!
If you have questions about the FHL Project, please contact us. We'd love to talk to you!
Carmen opened by reciting a poem called "So I Stay Near the Door". This poem has been a favorite of Carmen's for a long time, and is now one of mine. It expresses how important it is to continually seek those whom Christ is seeking. Sometimes we'd rather remain behind the closed doors of the church, but our vision as ambassadors of Christ is to connect with others and share the love of God (see our Project Text!). This was a great way to start, reminding us all that we are compelled by Christ's love to reconcile the world to God.
Our NPC Director of Church Planting (our coach) Kurt Carlson, gave a church planting overview. He shared about the ECC's goals and process for church planting, and explained how we came to be a part of that process. We are currently in an early "residency" phase; prior to our official church planting work. This is a time to do much of the groundwork which would be done by planters who have resided in their planting area for some time. Since we spent the last 4-5 years in Chicago, its a time for us to get reconnected.
From there we shared our Project Text, our Vision, and our Values, which you can read about here on our blog via the links on the right side of the page. We had some time for Q&A, which included great questions like: "Kurt, you say church planting is 'hard work,' just what do you mean by that?"
We were very encouraged. About 35 people attended, with some using our commitment cards to commit to prayer, giving, and sharing the Vision. There are a few who are considering taking the big step of being a part of our Core Team, as well. Very exciting!
Thank you so much to those who prayed for this event, to those who attended, and special thanks to Barb and Cindy for the delicious cheeseburger and minestrone soups!
If you have questions about the FHL Project, please contact us. We'd love to talk to you!
26 May 2010
The Promise of Provision
Tomorrow is our first official public meeting about our call and vision for starting a new church in Oregon. Many thoughts have gone through my mind, what if no one shows up, what if our vision isn't compelling? But my mind goes back a Church Planters' Training Center that Scott and I were at 18 months ago. In the process of discerning our call we were invited to come and see what church planting with the Covenant looked like.
The training ended with a concert of prayer. A very talented church planter lead us in corporate prayer and worship. It was a very powerful experience. In the middle I remember looking at the person leading us and thinking, what am I doing? I can't play an instrument, I can't sing, I could never lead this type of concert. And then very clearly and very distinctly I heard the Lord say, Carmen I will provide. I will provide all that you need to start this church. I will provide people who sing, who play instruments, who are gifted in ways you can't imagine. I will provide. You are responsible to use the gifts I've given you Carmen, nothing more and nothing less. I will provide the rest.
This is a promise I'm sure I will return to time and time again in the process of starting something new for the Kingdom of God. As I anticipate our gathering tomorrow I rest in the promise of God's abundant provision for his people, and I remember the clear voice that said, Carmen, I will provide.
07 May 2010
A Refreshing Pace
The pace of life in Antigua is refreshing and I can't help but compare it with the month I just finished or the one that awaits me when I get back home ... Maybe I'll just stay! I have no cell phone service and better yet my laptop stayed at home. When I want to check e-mail I slip into an internet cafe, pay $2 for an hour and leave it behind.
Life seems to be fairly simple, at least in the home of our host family. The accommodations are simple but sufficient. Their home has a small living area, kitchen, bedrooms, bathroom and patio. The simple side of life was confirmed a few nights ago as we played lotteria (Guatemalan Bingo) together for Saturday nights entertainment!
The parks are crowded with people, people talking to each other, people laughing with one another, families eating ice cream, young and old together. I don't notice people talking on their cell phones in the park, or texting their friends. People are interacting with each other face to face, side by side on the park bench.
The churches are close to the life of the park and their doors are always open. Every time I've stepped inside people are present. Today there was a procession celebrating Maria, mid-week, mid-day 100 plus people gathered for the procession.
The entrepreneurial spirit seems to drift through the air here. Most people sell something in the front of their homes and since you share a wall with a neighbor on both sides the chances are high that you'll talk to your neighbor during the day. Our host family sells cheese, yogurt, and cream. Every so often the bell rings and something is sold.
The pace on the sidewalk is slow an you'll notice that locals walk on the shady side of the street. Before and after school large groups of kids in uniforms crowd the streets. Horns are discouraged in town and the cobblestone streets tend to slow down traffic. Buses use the perimeter roads. Walking is the most common form of transportation, although Scott stops often too look at motorcycles parked on the street!
A slower pace reminds me that life can get too busy! I hope as I return to Oregon the pace of Guatemala not only lingers in my mind but impacts my daily routine.
Life seems to be fairly simple, at least in the home of our host family. The accommodations are simple but sufficient. Their home has a small living area, kitchen, bedrooms, bathroom and patio. The simple side of life was confirmed a few nights ago as we played lotteria (Guatemalan Bingo) together for Saturday nights entertainment!
The parks are crowded with people, people talking to each other, people laughing with one another, families eating ice cream, young and old together. I don't notice people talking on their cell phones in the park, or texting their friends. People are interacting with each other face to face, side by side on the park bench.
The churches are close to the life of the park and their doors are always open. Every time I've stepped inside people are present. Today there was a procession celebrating Maria, mid-week, mid-day 100 plus people gathered for the procession.
The entrepreneurial spirit seems to drift through the air here. Most people sell something in the front of their homes and since you share a wall with a neighbor on both sides the chances are high that you'll talk to your neighbor during the day. Our host family sells cheese, yogurt, and cream. Every so often the bell rings and something is sold.
The pace on the sidewalk is slow an you'll notice that locals walk on the shady side of the street. Before and after school large groups of kids in uniforms crowd the streets. Horns are discouraged in town and the cobblestone streets tend to slow down traffic. Buses use the perimeter roads. Walking is the most common form of transportation, although Scott stops often too look at motorcycles parked on the street!
A slower pace reminds me that life can get too busy! I hope as I return to Oregon the pace of Guatemala not only lingers in my mind but impacts my daily routine.
Composition Dos
For you English speakers, this is my 2nd post in Espanól. Spanish speakers will easily see how simple my grammar and writing is. While I am responsible for the content, everyone should know my first draft was much, much rougher. It is again thanks to my teacher Julia that this post remains simple in composition and yet has a few points in which some advanced sentence construction maintains my intent! FYI, if you would like to read this message (and I hope you do!) and don't have a Spanish speaking friend, you can search for "translate spanish to english" on the internet and find a translating engine you like. There is obviously more I could say about this experience than what I have said below. As usual, feel free to comment on any part of my post or on an idea the post leads you to.
Hoy es mi último diá para estudiar espanól en Antigua Guatemala. Muchas veces yo estaba con frustracion. Siempre que you aprendiá una nueva cosa, yo olvidaba otra. ¡Muy frustrante! Mas, hubo muchas cosas que you quise decir, pero yo solo no supe como.
Sin embargo, yo tuve una maestra excelente. Ella siempre me ayudó. Julia es muy inteligente, paciente, y alentadora. Aunque mi familia es muy buena (¡muy, muy buena!), habla conmigo como you sé espanol, muy bueno. ¡Yo puedo traducir las primeras 3 palabras, cuando está hablando la segunda oración!
Mi experiencia aqui me requerda de la experiencia de un nuevo cristiano. Ellos no saben el idioma, la cultura, o la gramática. Bruscamente, un nuevo cristiano está rodeado de personas bienintencionadas, pero no entienden lo muy duro, muy pesado, y muy intimidamente está.
Gracia a Dios yo tuve una persona que caminaba conmigo. Esta persona supo que yo era un principiante. Ella supo que you necesito aprendir, y ella estuvo lista para ir a mi paso. Tambien, ella estuvo lista para empujarme a ayudarme a crecer.
De cristianos, viejo or nuevo, nosotros tenemos un amigo tambien. Mayor que alguien, Jesus sabe como nosotros somos y donde nosotros estamos. Él está listo a caminar con nosotros, o al frente de, o atrás.
De cristiano, yo espero yo puedo ser un amigo como Julia. Yo necesito recordar que es como que estoy nuevo y tengo miedo. Si tu recibes la oportunidad, yo espero tu la tomes. Tomas la oportunidad de aprender algo nuevo. Tomas las oportunidad de ser un principiante. cuando tu no tienes poder o habilidad.
Asi nosotros hacemos esto, posiblemente nosotros podemos dar mas a las personas en relacion con Jesucristo.
Hoy es mi último diá para estudiar espanól en Antigua Guatemala. Muchas veces yo estaba con frustracion. Siempre que you aprendiá una nueva cosa, yo olvidaba otra. ¡Muy frustrante! Mas, hubo muchas cosas que you quise decir, pero yo solo no supe como.
Sin embargo, yo tuve una maestra excelente. Ella siempre me ayudó. Julia es muy inteligente, paciente, y alentadora. Aunque mi familia es muy buena (¡muy, muy buena!), habla conmigo como you sé espanol, muy bueno. ¡Yo puedo traducir las primeras 3 palabras, cuando está hablando la segunda oración!
Mi experiencia aqui me requerda de la experiencia de un nuevo cristiano. Ellos no saben el idioma, la cultura, o la gramática. Bruscamente, un nuevo cristiano está rodeado de personas bienintencionadas, pero no entienden lo muy duro, muy pesado, y muy intimidamente está.
Gracia a Dios yo tuve una persona que caminaba conmigo. Esta persona supo que yo era un principiante. Ella supo que you necesito aprendir, y ella estuvo lista para ir a mi paso. Tambien, ella estuvo lista para empujarme a ayudarme a crecer.
De cristianos, viejo or nuevo, nosotros tenemos un amigo tambien. Mayor que alguien, Jesus sabe como nosotros somos y donde nosotros estamos. Él está listo a caminar con nosotros, o al frente de, o atrás.
De cristiano, yo espero yo puedo ser un amigo como Julia. Yo necesito recordar que es como que estoy nuevo y tengo miedo. Si tu recibes la oportunidad, yo espero tu la tomes. Tomas la oportunidad de aprender algo nuevo. Tomas las oportunidad de ser un principiante. cuando tu no tienes poder o habilidad.
Asi nosotros hacemos esto, posiblemente nosotros podemos dar mas a las personas en relacion con Jesucristo.
06 May 2010
Church Plant Informational Forum
What's this? A new post? That's right, and its muy hondo.
We hope you´ve had a chance to hear about Carmen and Scott's call to plant a church in the greater Salem area. You've had a chance to read about it at their webpage (here!). Would you like to know more?
Join Carmen & Scott for a casual dinner and informational forum on Thursday, May 27th at 5:45p at Trinity Covenant Church (5020 Liberty Road S, Salem OR).
Enjoy delicioius soup while you get the scoop!
We´ll end before 7p. We'd love to see you there.
RSVP by commenting below on this post OR email us at fhlproject.or at gmail.com OR call the church office (503.581.5675).
If you forget to RSVP, show up anyway!
We hope you´ve had a chance to hear about Carmen and Scott's call to plant a church in the greater Salem area. You've had a chance to read about it at their webpage (here!). Would you like to know more?
Join Carmen & Scott for a casual dinner and informational forum on Thursday, May 27th at 5:45p at Trinity Covenant Church (5020 Liberty Road S, Salem OR).
Enjoy delicioius soup while you get the scoop!
We´ll end before 7p. We'd love to see you there.
RSVP by commenting below on this post OR email us at fhlproject.or at gmail.com OR call the church office (503.581.5675).
If you forget to RSVP, show up anyway!
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