A New Season

Well, we're back from our travels afar. Wes spent some time with his parents; Aaron and Ben visited the Upton's in Panama; and I was graciously hosted for a couple weeks by my parents in Detroit. I can tell you it's good to be back though. We're looking to dig deeper over the coming semester, while we still have time before summer activities.

Last weekend we took a retreat as a community. We wanted to take a look at what God had done and spend some time learning to do a better job praying together. More importantly we attempted to press into the things that have emerged to shape this community of faith. It was good. A lot of fruit came from our time set apart - maybe more fruit than we even know yet. Now its time to press forward and pursue the opportunities that the Lord has provided for us in the last couple months. For this reason please keep us in your prayers. Pray for boldness. Pray for unconditional love to cover the house and all who enter here. Most of all, pray for the bondage of drugs to be broken from our hood. Now is the time. Its a new season, and there is no better example of a change in the winds than the all too important life that this day commemorates. This afternoon we met at the house with some of the kids and made signs for the annual Martin Luther King march.

Heading Out.

Conner and Allenia.

There was a really good turn out, and a good number of the folks from our neighborhood were there. The kids made some really good signs too. It was an incredible day! And this might not be a very big deal for some, but I just want to boast in the love of our kids for a moment.

Today Wes was explaining to six year old Bobby that if he couldn't share crackers with Allenia then he couldn't have any at all. We share everything in our house. It's either all of ours, or no one's. Bobby wanted his own pack of crackers, but when Allenia opened the crackers she took one and said: "Here Bobby, you can have some." to which I said "Thank you Allenia." "You're welcome," she said.

When love sprouts up in the heart and grows roots in situations like this, it is capable of moving mountains. Or, at least thats what I think. In honor of our brother Martin and his unwillingness to sacrifice the message of the gospel in the face of violent opposition, I will leave you with my favorite quote.

Shadow cannot drive out shadow. Only light can do that.

Hate cannot drive out hate. Only Love can do that.

-Martin Luther King Jr.

That dream is still coming true.