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Vietnam Team Update #5

May 21, 2009 in Uncategorizedwith View Comments

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bizen99/1302289774/
Got another email from Dan Pollard this evening. Here is the latest update from the team:

We closed out the teachers conference with a lesson in how music can help in student centered teaching. Becky did a masterful job. She even sang to them (they had requested this all week). The morning was awesome as Crystall led the kids in a fun game of simon says in front of the school and other fun games that can help cement concepts in a fun way. I wiI had had teachers like Crystall growing up. She is amazing. The videos of her and the kids playing simon says against the backdrop of the mountains and sky were awesome. What a day.

While waiting for the director of ed to arrive to debrief we danced…yes we showed them the cupid shuffle which then evolved into a full blown dance off on the front porch of the school. It was hilarious. This of course caught the attention of the construction workers who were laughing and trying to work. It even caught the attention of two european tourists who stopped on their motor scooter and seemed genuinely confused by the mix of westerners and vietnamese dancing to “who let the dogs out.” Weird for them, a blast for us.

Had a nice debrief, said goodbye to the teachers from other schools and came back for dinner. Everyone has been deeply moved by this trip. The director of ed seeks our continued commitment. He is really stoked on what we were able to bring.

Last morning at the school today then we begin the trek home.
See ya soon!

Dan

Four Words

May 21, 2009 in Uncategorizedwith View Comments

Get to church early.

You won’t want to miss this. Seriously. We’re wrapping up our current series, “Business Time” and it is going to be a great Sunday. Bring your friends out as we enjoy a weekend of community and learning more about God’s plan for our lives (as well as have some fun and laugh at ridiculous stuff together).

Jason *over and out*

The Readers Have Spoken

May 20, 2009 in Uncategorizedwith View Comments

131 people over Facebook, Twitter, & here on the blog have spoken. Your voice has been heard. So, without further delay… enjoy this video (I know I didn’t).

Vietnam Team Update #4

May 20, 2009 in Uncategorizedwith View Comments

Got an email from Dan Pollard this evening. Sounds like the team is doing great. Here is his update from the team:

We arrived at the school and Michelle, Becky, and Crystall went right to work. They had an incredible day. The teachers engaged them way more than the day before and took part in all of the activities our team were teaching them. It was cool to hear the noise, laughter, and applause coming from the conference as we worked on the fence. Construction is going as only it can go here…interesting. We actually had to tear down a little of what had already been done because the Director of Ed showed up with headmaster, conference called the foreman and redrew the plan. It’s all good.

We had a huge lunch at the school with the teachers, headmaster, director of ed and a few other dudes who showed up. I suspect they were other government folks. The teachers cooked traditional Vietnamese and we had pizza delivered for the teachers. Not quite domino’s 30 minutes but it got there and while they devoured pizza, we ate Vietnamese and a little pizza. A few of us had tea with them after. It was really awesome and the team really enjoyed it.

Monica and I saw Mr. Pho who is the village water authority. He wandered down with his little son on his back. We all remembered each other from last year and we took a photo together even though he felt he could have dressed better! We are now seeing what we once dreamed about.Some of the local populace outside of the school are starting to recognize us and are seeking us out when they hear we are there.

Too amazing for words…!
Love to all,

Dan

Admit It…

May 19, 2009 in Uncategorizedwith View Comments

Deep down we all want to fly. Right? Maybe not literally, but we all have dreams, aspirations, and goals in life. What’s hold you back from jumping out and really living life to the fullest? In my review of this Sunday’s message- I think I’ve found the answer. Lack of experiencing a genuine love. A love that pays a debt we should have paid.

Check it out: “Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?” Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled.” “You have judged correctly,” Jesus said.
Luke 7:41-43

There’s nothing like encountering the love of Jesus. It makes you want to fly, soar, and move. But, it also shows you the ways that you fail, stumble, and ultimately- sin. In the midst of this encounter, is where I believe we find the passion to fly. When we have our debt paid for us; the love that boils up inside of us is so intense that we cannot contain it. When it comes out- it’s in the form of living life, a full life- a complete life. Because it’s life in Him. It’s the only way to soar.

But to have that, we need to begin to understand His grace (that we don’t deserve), encounter His love, and begin to comprehend the magnitude of our debt that He paid for us. It’s wiped clean. It is no longer. So guess what time it is… time to fly.

Goose & Maverick ain’t got nothin’ on this ride.

Jason *over and out*

[photo via: technicolourkendall]

Possibly???

May 19, 2009 in Uncategorizedwith View Comments

It could be the next big thing?! Who knows…

Poll for My Peeps

May 19, 2009 in Uncategorizedwith View Comments

There’s been a lot of texting, tweets, and Facebook MSG’s sent my way in reference to the manly goodness growing on my face.

Most of the response has been “for the beard.” But, I put it in the hands of my online peeps- “To shave or not to shave?” What say you…?

What’s Your "Always?"

May 19, 2009 in Uncategorizedwith View Comments

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Do not put out the Spirit’s fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil.”
- 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22

[photo via: technicolourkendall]

I’m A Proud Big Brother

May 18, 2009 in Uncategorizedwith View Comments

From funny guys to desperate husbands, and everything in between- my sister Natalie is living out her dream. I couldn’t be more proud of my sis. She’s a journalist for a newspaper right outside of DC. Her latest run in was at the White House Correspondents Dinner. Seriously?!?

She was rubbing elbows and sharing personal space with the likes of Jim Cramer (Mad Money, MSNBC), Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Gov. Mark Warner, Bradley Cooper, Megan McCain (yawn), Owen Wilson (who’s a lot skinnier in person), Chace Crawford (who is a lot shorter in person), Keith Olbermann, and even Kyle MacLachlan who plays Orson Hodge on Desperate Housewives.

So, after reading her post on this, I wanted to ask a question-
“Who is the most famous person you’ve ever met and how did you meet?”

Vietnam Team Update #3

May 18, 2009 in Uncategorizedwith View Comments

Got an email from Dan Pollard this evening. Sounds like the team is doing great. Here is his update from the team:

“We arrived at the school on Monday with 24 teachers ready for the conference. The construction workers were there working on the fence. We immediately went to work. After a short introduction Dan and Monica worked with the construction crew and Becky, Crystall, and Michelle started the conference. Initially as expected the teachers were a little quiet and reluctant but by the first session after lunch they were participating fully and enjoying the methods they were being taught. The transformation was awesome. By the end of the day we were laughing, singing, and enjoying each other. The fence is moving along well and Dan has already built a cool rapport with the workers. We even had some Mien helping us move bricks. Very cool. The team is doing great. Nobody is sick and except for a little insomnia with one of the team, all is great. A very cool change in the schedule is that we will be eating lunch with the teachers for the rest of the week at the school.

Each trip builds deeper relationships and our reputation. As were wrapping up the day Becky took a short walk and came upon a family of Black Hmong with a very ill toddler. They were looking for some help and had already been to the clinic. They came to the school and Monica rendered aid. It was sobering for the team as their situation is a stark reality of what happens in many parts of the world including our own country. Basic health care is not affordable or available. In this case Monica did what she could and she’ll be treating her again Thurs but there are no guarantees for this child. She is pretty sick. Don’t mean to end on a low note but I think that as sad as it is it reminds us how fragile some people’s lives and circumstances are. You don’t need to travel far to find it either.”

Talk to you all soon,
Dan
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