We will pursue?

I stopped writing not too long ago for several reasons.  I didn't have a writing project to work on, I lacked consistent inspiration, a lot of the things I was thinking were just too vulnerable, I'm just too much of a perfectionist and lacked enough time, and a number of other worthless excuses.  At the end of the day, I gave into excuses and let my voice fall silent.

This morning I woke up to something many of you saw on last night's news broadcast and I couldn't imagine the heartbreak so many are going through in Connecticut.  That was until I opened Facebook and scrolled through my newsfeed to see "good" people answering hate with hate and I thought, "This is exactly what Satan wants."  My heart broke.  And shockingly, it had nothing to do with the death innocent children.  Let me explain...

Satan doesn't just come to kill, he comes to destroy.  The one thing he wants to destroy more than anything is the testimony and voice of the children of God.  When we call for the death or endless eternal torture of Ryan Lanza, James Eagan Holmes, Dylan Klebold, Seung Hui Cho, or any of the other gunman over the last couple of decades, we encourage the destruction of our own testimony.  We can call it justice all we want, but God already told us to leave that to Him, so do we really think we're better at that than He is?  So the world sees us as objects of wrath and hate.  Just like them.

I was thinking this morning about how we respond to tragedy.  The truth is, is that many of those families will either run to the church to make sense of this atrocity or run from it because a good God would never allow something like this to happen.  For the first group of families, it's not enough to offer condolences to help them through, even the most evil people on the planet can offer a shoulder to cry on.  We have to protect them from bitterness, rage, and revenge and lead them to forgiveness, peace, and true joy.  For the second group, we need to pursue them and not allow them to justify their hatred for Ryan Lanza and God.  Bitterness and hatred are seeds planted that need to be ripped out of the soil of our hearts immediately before the roots dig in.  Even though this goes against common sense, now, hours removed from the shooting, is the easiest time to rid the families affected of their bitter hearts and desire for revenge.  

In the next few days, these families will weep, yell, break things, overeat, not eat, not get out of bed, or mourn in various ways, but despite the emotions of the moment, now is our time to act.  Now, we need to point people to Jesus, not just invite them to church.  We need to help them focus on God's love, not Ryan Lanza's hate... or even their own.  We can't justify their evil thoughts because of the tragedy, we have to help them renew their mind and focus on life rather than death.

Sure, this is easy for me to say right now because I'm thousands of miles away and don't know anyone for Connecticut.  But unfortunately, I know that because of the world we live in, tragedy will strike me as well.  I can't convince myself I'm immune to any of this or any of these thoughts, but I pray daily that should tragedy strike me, I would have people around me to point me to what's important and remind me of these very words.  No one should ever face tragedy alone, but because of how we're raised, we're told that a strong person gets them self through these situations, rather than honestly facing the situation and letting someone come alongside them.  The flip side is that we let people get through it themselves rather than pursue them with genuine love.

Pursuit is a funny word.  Did you know you can't pursue something sitting down?  Or that you can't say you pursued something that fell in your lap?  You also can't pursue something by thinking about it without giving it your time or energy.  I read one time (I'm 90% sure it's true and 10% sure I didn't just make up the last stat) that a tiger has a pursuit trigger in its brain that when it's set off, the tiger will die of exhaustion before it gives up.  With that in mind, can I really say I'm pursuing the encouragement of these families, or pursuing God, or really pursuing anything other than apathy and laziness?  

If it were easy to help people through tragedy or pain, antidepressants, suicides, and mass shootings would affect our daily lives about as much as Bigfoot or aliens.  Sadly for us, that's not the case.  It's not about people with the gift for encouragement writing letters or making phone calls.  It's about all of us actually caring enough for people to pursue them despite our personalities or selfish desires.  We must think of others more highly than ourselves, and whether or not we do that decides whether or not we actually are a united country.  Or even beyond that, a united Body... 

So is this just a few words on a screen or a call to action?  I guess you decide that one...

The more the merrier...

So, we have had a couple more people to watch out for lately.

We are hosting 18 World Racers who have come to serve the Lord here.
We also have three lovely South Africans living with us now:

Janno and G (the men)

And Shanice

The more the merrier!!! It is awesome to open up opportunities for them and to serve with them. Everything from house visits to digging to sports ministry to cement work to cooking to college ministry. It has been a blast, but busy.

Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate?  Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. -Philippians 2:1-4

We want to encourage each one of YOU look outside of yourselves so you can help others!!!

William and I are being tested if we can LOVE beyond ourselves and serve and help others even when it is inconvenient to us. It is hard to consider others above myself but I am learning. Being humble is easier SAID than DONE.

Please pray as we are adjusting to living with more people and continuing to do the work here. 

Two months and Counting...

So much has happened in two months that it's kind of difficult to look back and think on all that has happened...

                - We've moved three times and finally settled on our long term home
                - We've launched a campus ministry at the local college that is aiming at uniting all of the  
                        campus ministries and gatherings for a united fellowship
                - We've had 12 college students dropped in our laps that just want to follow our lead
                - We've started a ministry to the local "Entertainment" or "Street" workers about their identity
                - We've celebrated birthdays and our first anniversary
                - We've met so many people that were strangers before, and now a huge part of our life
                - We've hosted sleepovers and late night events
                - We've just been living day to day life and learning what it means to be Filipino

In the midst of everything happening and all the changes and new faces, we're are seeing God's steady work in our life and He is actually the one providing all of these opportunities.  For example, Tara was sharing her heart with me on how she really wanted to find a way to reach out to the women in the darkest corners of the city and share with them how God can look through the darkness and see their beauty as His daughters.  A few days later, a pastor approached me about hosting a monthly meeting for the "Entertainment" workers (I still hate... despise... loathe... how about mega-loathe... that term), and giving them a positive message or counseling.  Because of my maleness, I had to turn down that offer, but luckily for the pastor, God had already prepared the perfect person for the job.

As we continue to share our lives with the people around us, it's fun to see how discipleship and the love that comes out of it can be so contagious.  We could have listed another dozen plus events that we've taken part in, but all we really did was show up and pray.  The people around us are realizing how simple it is to share an encouraging word with a stranger, or gather a group of people to play basketball and share water and stories no matter who won, or just wondering around and praying with anyone that is sick or discouraged.  Because we're all realizing that we tend to make this life more difficult than it needs to be sometimes by thinking too much.  We're more worried that people will think less of us or ridicule us, rather than think that they could be really encouraged, or our simple words or acts could change their lives.  We tend to be discouraged by what could go wrong rather than by fueled by what could go right.

One of my favorite questions to answer is when the people here ask me what seminary I went to.  This is a fairly traditional culture, so all pastors or missionaries get professional Biblical education.  When they find out this proud graduate of the public education system only spent a couple of months in "Official" Bible training my senior year of high school, it takes them off guard.  It's almost as shocking as Lebron picking my middle school basketball team to play with him or some religious rabbi calling fishermen or tax collectors or prostitutes to follow him...

We put too much stock in who we are or who we should be that we neglect and forget who we're serving.  If I was on Lebron's team, my focus wouldn't be on my mad HORSE skills, but it would be on getting him the ball anyway I could.  When we realize who we're teamed up with it takes all the spotlight and pressure off us and allows us to just be and enjoy.  I come in the power and the name of Jesus, so who cares who am I or what I've done in the past?  He chose me.  I'm on his team.  We've already won, so I can just enjoy.  It's kind of like we're up by 30 points with time winding down and the coach just told me to get off the bench and go try to score.  If I don't, oh well.  But if I do, everyone will cheer.

I'm not an "End Times" guy, but I cannot deny we're probably close.  But rather than look at it with doom and gloom, I like to look at it like the clock is winding down and the game is already wrapped up so there's nothing I can do to win or lose the game, so I'm going to take every shot I can get because I want everyone to know whose team I'm on.

To the bungalow...

So, we are officially living in malaybalay, mindanao. It has been an interesting couple of weeks. Visiting people, helping with children’s programs, visiting the dump, helping with a birthing clinic, figuring out how to be married and live in a  foreign country, visting the children’’s home and helping prepare to move into our bamboo bungalow. This week we are moving to the area where the children’s home and camp are. It is a beautiful location and we are excited !

Pray for us as we: 

move into our temporary house, disciple and train locals, partner with many great ministries, figure out how to help the many impoverished people here,+ just love each other and everyone around us in a deeper way.

Thanks again for all your love and support. We will have a video coming soon!!!!

Born in the USA

After spending most of our marriage so far in Africa and Philippines, we are back in the USA for a short time. God did amazing things over there and we want to tell about those great things. High school summer camps went well, a children's home was built, many people were fed physically and spiritually, and much more.  We are excited for this time, here in the USA, to spend with our friends and family before we make the long-term move to the PHILIPPINES!!!

If you want to spend time with us before we leave for the Philippines on August 19, please contact us on this blog, facebook or  w.miller33@gmail.com
We will try to make it happen.

"May God our Father himself and our Master Jesus clear the road to you! And may the Master pour on the love so it fills your lives and splashes over on everyone around you, just as it does from us to you. May you be infused with strength and purity, filled with confidence in the presence of God our Father when our Master Jesus arrives with all his followers." 1 Thess 3:11-13
We love you all and are so thankful for your support!!
Have a great summer and enjoy the Olympics! GO USA!

Building in Beira

Building in Beira

Our time in Beira, Mozambique was beautiful. Not only was the building of the first home completed, but we did some other important building. We built a leadership team, we helped strengthen and disciple the boys, and we built strong friendships and a beautiful family. God established a strong foundation in Mozambique.

 Honestly, my heart still hurts from leaving. I have cried my tears it was really hard to leave. I just love these people so much. We were a family who worked hard, prayed with others, laughed a lot, and studied the word of God together. I want our future family to be like that. I didn't know I could actually feel God's love for others, especially for the orphans and widows. I burst out in tears just thinking about how much I love them, and then I realize, that is how much God loves them. It is powerful.

Next time you read the Bible, try to look up all the verses about God's heart for the poor, orphaned or widowed.
"He executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and shows His love for the alien by giving him food and clothing." Deuteronomy 10:18 and "Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world." James 1:27
  He loves them deeply and We should too.


So now, we head to help out in Swaziland and South Africa for a little over a week. Then we will return to America by the grace of God. Thank you so much for being a part of this journey. It gets better each day!!!

Back to Africa...

Our time here in the Philippines has been a whirlwind.  From the second we landed back in Malaybalay, we felt like we were right where we were supposed to be, and now, two months later, we're headed back out.  Tara still tells people we were only down there for a month because that's literally what it felt like at most.  In a little over eight weeks, we hosted our four different summer camps, two week long basketball tournaments, and two church camps also rented out our facilities.  Needless to say, we did a ton of laundry and a ton of dish washing.  The good news is that hundreds of people were able to come and see our new facilities and hte projects that are yet to come.

Aside from the very public ministry that we have been doing with the camps, God has begun to place a vision on our hearts of what the future will look like.  Here, in the Philippines, there is a ton of need brought about by unemployment, poverty, a high birth rate, and a viscious cycle being past down from generation to generation.  I'll never fully grasp the weight of this culture because I have no idea what it would be like to be born and raised in the same house my great great grandfather was born and raised in and be doing the same thing he was doing decades ago.  People hand down this cycle through the generations because no other option is presented.

Now, it would be easy for me to say that other options exist, but is that actually a reality for the average Filipino in the provinces?  Probably not.  But when another Filipino from your village or tribe stands up and tells a testimony of his journey out of the cycle, then your hopes start to rise.  We believe this is what we need to be doing out here.  Giving Filipinos a jump start and then getting them to return to their home and passing the blessings on.  Here, Americans can easily draw a crowd because of the infatuation with our culture, but Filipinos listen to Filipinos. They need our crowds and we need their voice.

So what do you do with a vision on hold?  Later tonight, we'll head back to Mozambique, Africa to continue the work with another children's home for the month of June.  Our role there is dying down, but we still have to finish what we started and make sure they're still operating decades from now.  We're excited to return to our boys and check in on the status of the last few months, but it is still hard to leave our new home.  Over the next month, we'll be trekking up and down the southern coast of Africa with 30 hour bus rides to wrap up the work we've been doing out there.  It will be yet another big culture shock for us, but I think our emotions are starting to handle it by now.

Once we finish up in Africa, we'll be heading back to the States for the summer.  Please pray for us as we try to manage our ministry here from long distance, wrap up the work with our children's home in Mozambique, and head back for the reverse culture shock that is returning to the States.  We look forward to seeing everyone in a couple of months.  Let us know where you'll be!

Is It Worth It?

I remember a couple years ago, I saw this ad on tv about children starving in Africa. I remember thinking: these people aren't going to guilt trip me into giving money. Then I rationalized to myself, even if I do give money, half of it won't even go to the child. The truth is, I probably just spent that money on Starbucks or a cute dress. WAS IT WORTH IT? I just want to remind you all to think before you buy. As Americans, we often buy because we CAN or because we WANT to. I want to encourage you to say    NO to a bunch of the "little things" and do a big thing.  Save and give it away.  It is worth it. Each time I JUST SAY NO, I have been able to invest the money into a precious life. Whether it be feeding a sweet mother who is in downtown Phoenix, or helping a Filipino go to school...IT WAS WORTH IT! It's not that investing spiritually or emotionally into the lives of people isn't important, but it is harder for me to invest financially for a variety of excuses I have made. In truth, if you are paid more than 20,000 USD per year, you are in the top 90% of the world. You are blessed and you can bless others. "The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. As it is written,"He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever." He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way TO BE GENEROUS in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God." (2 Corinthians 9:6-11 ESV) The less you spend the more you can give away!!!  So next time you go to buy that fancy dinner on Saturday Night that you DESERVE or that shirt that was "on sale", please just think about it.  IS IT WORTH IT?

Not just crafts and Otter Pops...

It\'s hard to believe we\'ve been here for two weeks already. We\'ve been catching up with friends we haven\'t seen in a year and telling everyone the story of our wedding and showing off the pictures. The week we got here was the calm before the storm that is the camp season. One of the biggest uses of our camp and the property we run is a summer camp for underprivilidged kids in various areas around the island of Mindinao. During our summer break (March-June), we host a new group of children, varying in age and background. Our first camp finished yesterday.

During the week, I found myself flashing back to the various summer camp experiences I\'ve had over the years. Going to camp was our family vacation each summer and it\'s exciting to see these kids getting the same experience. We had over 150 children from around our own city join us for our day camp, and the only phrase I can use for it is controled chaos. I\'ve you\'ve ever experienced a summer camp, you know that phrase well. The energy level is at an extreme high and is the sugar content, which is always a dangerous combination.

But, we made it through the week alive, and Monday brings in another group. By the end of the summer, there may be close to 1000 children and teenagers from Northern Mindinao that have set foot on our campgrounds, experienced all of the events and games we have for them, and ultimately heard about the Gospel and the sacrifice of Jesus. After all, camp isn\'t just about crafts and Otter Pops. It can actually be exciting to love Jesus and fellowship with others that believe the same.

Tara and I are still waiting to see what the Lord could have for us and our time out here in Malaybalay, but until then, we\'re content with leading the conselors, washing the dishes, and playing tag with the kids since the campers don\'t understand a word we say. It\'s been incredible being here and setting up our home in the midst of outreach and loving on our kids at the children\'s home. we\'re excited to see what else God could have ahead of us...

Remembering the Vision

Sometimes it's hard to stay focused. OK, for those of you that know me, most of the time, it's hard to stay focused. Each new conversation and new friend opens up new possibilities and new doors. So how can you stay focused? Every morning I wake up, new needs and priorities pile up, and along with that, so do the "half-jobs" (tasks started but not finished, thank Tim Reed for putting a term on it). There have been many times in my life where I've stepped back to survey the shrapnel of the jobs that were once top priority, now left unfinished. So the question remains; how do you stay focused?

Tara and I have been reading through the Gospels, and I've always had this picture of Jesus being completely available as the ultimate multi-tasker. During his time on earth, I know he caouldn't have been everywhere at once, but it seemed like mentally he was. When he spoke too long and the crowds grew hungry, he didn't send them on their way, blind to that fact it was dinner time. He broke bread and multiplied it, making sure everyone had their fill (Matthew 4, Mark 6, Luke 9, John 6). When he was asked to come and heal the daughter of one of the most important religious leaders, he didn't neglect the people he met along the way. And, he still made it to his appointment with the little girl (Mark 5, Luke 8). So how did he do it with a million things going on? How do he stay focused?

Many people have lists of priorities or annual goals that can help them task manage, but we also have New Years Resolutions that excite us if they last until Valentine's Day. So I've been thinking about this whole focus thing and the example that Jesus set for us on how to attain it. I would venture out to stay that focus has less to do with looking ahead and more to do with remembering what has already happened and the promises that have been made. The Israelites turned a four month journey into 40 years, because they forgot (pretty much all of Exodus). King David nearly destroyed his character and his kingdom, because he forgot (2 Samuel 11). Peter denied and turned his back on his best friend and mentor, Jesus, because he forgot (Matthew 26). True focus is fueled by remembering.

Personally, I've torn down the to-do lists and plans for what is to come, because lists will always grow and plans will always change. I've replaced them with promises from Scripture and the vision that God gives us to go into the nations to make disciples (Matthew 28:19) and to go with the power of His spirit (Acts 1:8), because they are timeless truths that never eb and flow or change with the season. Jesus was an excellent multi-tasker NOT because of his morning coffee and daily schedule, but because he remembered his vision and never strayed from what was promised to him. He reminded himself by regularly retreating to his "lonely place" (recorded countless times in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John). The daily schedule then just fell in his lap because of his memory, not his planning.

I will make one tag onto this as I close this blog. Stewardship and planning is also stressed in the Gospels and is a desired characteristic of a true disciple. However, the more we rely on our good stewardship and wise planning, the easier it is to forget that the only reason we can be good at either is due to the fact that God has enabled us to do so. If we spent more time remembering that God rescued us out of darkness and depravity and has issued the promises that he will strengthen, guide, and never leave us, our focus would be on a "true north" that won't change with the season or pile up on us like a heap of dirty laundry.

To finish this, I'll make the strong statement I've been building up to. In reading the Gosples and dissecting the life of Jesus, true focus and vision has less to do with planning and preparing but is truly founded on remembering.

Please don't forget...

You may think you have the best, but...

Before I get into the purpose for this blog, I will give a quick update. We've officially made it back to the Filipino people and are in the capital of Manila now. As we were praying after our wedding in December about our future plans, a tropical storm devastated one of the cities we've worked in past. After many prayers and some wisdom seeking, it was clear God was leading us back. Now, our goal is to figure out what that looks like. Over the next few weeks, we will be exploring the possibilities here and praying for the direction. After that, we'll head back to be with Elias and the boys in Mozambique to finish up the buildings for one last month. There will be many more updates to come as the story unfolds.

Now, I have to write a disclaimer before I make this next statement. This is William writing. While Tara would support me in my next statement, I know there's still one person that would take her top spot...

You may think you have the best, but my mom, Tina Miller, should be at the top of everyone's "Mom List". It's her 30th birthday today, again, and we're celebrating it in different countries, again. It's always tough to miss special days like today, but luckily the internet helps us out a bit. I won't write this long message about why my mom should be at the top of everyone's list, because if you know her, I'm sure she's already there. I will say one quick thing though. My mom treats everyone like a son or daughter. Literally. I have at least 8 brothers or sisters every Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Sunday, because they're typically at our lunch table, getting the same treatment as me. Seriously, half of the Alabama campus calls her Momma.

I have to say, that God must really think highly of my mom's work because everywhere I go, someone picks me out to be their special son. I can go into a city not knowing anyone, and within a day, someone will pick me out, open their home, wash my clothes, and feed me dinner. The same thing my mom does for countless people around Tuscaloosa, especially students. It's a blessing to know someone or have someone like that in your life because it becomes a lot easier to make friends.

So, in short, my mom should be at the top of you "Best Moms" list. If she isn't, go spend a weekend with her. I promise you, you won't stop smiling, unless you're allergic to dogs. That could be a problem. But, HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM! You'll always be at the top of my list...

What if I'm tired of being dirty?

Shortly after writing my last post, I was severely humbled (feel free to read the last blog if you want as well).  I rolled out of bed a few mornings after and noticed the incredible tan line on my feet.  A few moments later, I kicked over my water bottle and the tan I was so proud of quickly washed away and into a muddy puddle on the floor.  I walked outside of the concrete oven that is our room this time of year to see all our boys surveying what had been stolen the night before and I knew we had a day ahead of us.  It then took us about 40 minutes to start the fire in order to boil the water for our instant coffee, and all I could do was just plop down on the ground and think, "What if I'm tired of being dirty?"

It's been nearly three years since I left on the World Race and started this life as a missionary.  I've had several trips back and forth, but it's been three years living out of a backpack, sleeping in someone else's bed, using someone else's shower, wearing roughly the same clothes, and mostly living in poor, rural countries.  I don't say this to complain or say, "Woe is me", because I've not only chosen this life, but I prefer it.  However, some days I can't help but think that answering the call to help is hard.

I feel like this expanded world view and serving the poor and impoverished in many of these countries has become rather trendy.  High percentages of college students and graduates are spending a year abroad in poorer countries, and many professional businesses are involved with relief trips and aid throughout the year.  But how do you survive committing your life's work to it?  How do you make it on the days that you're just tired of being dirty?  What happens when you just want to roll out of bed and not get tangled in your mosquito net and have to stare at last week's dirt still on your feet?  After three years, I'm beginning to see why people just don't make it long term any more.

BUT...

But I know what I'm called to do and I know the One that is calling me to do it.  If I were living this life for myself, my resume, my karma, my own pleasure, or even just because it's a much needed profession, I would've been home for good months ago.  We're able to post so many blogs and pictures of our stories and successes, that oftentimes, this life looks rather appealing.  And if you're anything like me and my wife, it is extremely appealing.  But there are hours of frustration and misery that turn to days, and days that turn to weeks.  During those times I find myself counting down the clock until dinner because bedtime comes shortly after that.  Those days are the days we're not supposed to write about.

BUT...

But it's specifically in those days that I hold on to the promise that was made to me that God cares for his people, and he never leaves them or forsakes them no matter what the circumstances say.  And I cling to that thought, knowing that the work we are doing is powerful, but it may also take a lifetime (or longer) to ever come to fruition.  So as I stand over the first foundation that we dug six weeks ago and left untouched since then, and I drop the first stone in that will soon become the concrete foundation, I can't help but see a dream begin to materialize, even if it is very delayed and with hardships.  I can't help but envision the orphans and widows that will have solid homes to live in for the rest of their days.  I can't help but picture the kid that we left sleeping on the dirt floor with his elderly grandmother, jumping off of his bunk bed and running to play with his new brothers and sisters.  I can't help but dream of what this will one day become.

BUT...

But we are merely a drop in the bucket and even Jesus said the poor will always be with us (Mark 14:7 is my favorite).  We don't do this for the successes or even the life changes that we are able to see in the people around us.  We don't do this because we are staring in the faces of hungry widows and orphans.  We don't even do this because we have the funds and means necessary to.  We DO this because our Father, who is in Heaven, has left us to be His picture of love to the world.  We DO this because if the world can't see Jesus or God face to face, then we need to do everything in our power to make sure they at least know he exists.  Because I wouldn't be in Africa with dirty feet, mosquito nets, and only a wood coal fire to cook on if God didn't send me.  But he sends us out to our hometowns, counties, nations, and worldly neighbors to be His messengers and pictures of love and power (Acts 1:8).

That's why when my tan washes off, I can have joy; when my showers are pretty much pointless, I can have joy; when I wake up to more stolen items, I can have joy; and when things don't follow my plan, I can have joy.  My joy isn't based on my circumstances.  Nor is my love.  When my emotions don't respond the way I expect them too based off of my situation, I can't help but think I'm living someone else's life.  I'm living a life I thought I could only dream about.  Unfortunately, not all of our dreams are good, but I still go to sleep each night, hoping for another one.  With that, tomorrow is a new day, and I can't wait to see what it holds...

The American Way...

Before we even landed in Africa, I knew what was expected of me.  Everytime I walk down the streets random children will pick me out of the crowd, run up to me, and shove out a hand for money.  The American Way, and the African view of it, says, "White skin equals money".  The kids are begging for the equivalent of about 5 cents and it would be easy to just throw coins in the air and be everyone's hero.  But the longer I'm here, the more I realize the last thing these people need is another person showing them the American way.

Many foreigners when they come here, can afford to stay in the nicest places in town.  Tara and I can even afford a long term stay in the nicest areas in town.  But God has called us to live a little differently.  When we're here, we live with Elias in his concrete, tin roofed home, cook over his fire, go to the market and buy his vegetables, shower with his very same buckets (filled with the water we fetch), and even poop in the same hole in the ground (sorry, but it's true).  Africans have certain views on how Americans should act and what Americans should do, and we're not really fulfilling that stereotype.  They could maybe believe a couple would live or survive a week with them, but three months is beginning to make them think differently.

We had a meeting with the pastor of our church yesterday because he will help us train and disciple the widows that will serve as our house mothers, and it was an encouragement to hear his thoughts.  Many Africans see white skin and rush to "serve" and work hard, but with the expectation of a handout.  Once the Americans leave, so does the work ethic and service of the locals.  However, each day we are here, the locals see us less like an ATM and more like a friend that they want to serve beside.  Our hope and dream is to leave Elias with a team of widows and other leadership that believe in the dream and this vision.  Sure, we will help fund it and bring the physical buildings to life, but our prayer is that when we leave, the children's home will not change at all.

The longer I do this work, the more humbled I get.  When I know that if somoene would just do the job they were paid to do, our process would move so much faster, but the culture says to wait and not upset the government, I have to be patient.  When someone steals our eggs, our headlamps, our bikes, or anything else we leave out, I have to know that's just the price we pay for choosing to live here (don't worry mom, our valuables are in a safe place).  When the guys we need to help us work wake up, and just don't feel like working that day because it's too hot, I have to bite my tounge because I need them to work tomorrow.  The American Way says to get it done today.  But the way to best serve Africans is to make sure it's still being done tomorrow.  This is humility at its finest.

So that's why we're here for three months when the process should barely take us three weeks.  It may take time, require us to face many trials, and not work the way we planned, but the work keeps moving forward.  We're blessed to be a part of this journey.  Each day may be harder than it should be without running water, electricity, or a stove top, but it's a blessed life we live and I couldn't imagine it any other Way...

Mommy

It\'s dinner time. "Thank you Mommy," the boys reply. Today, I cooked for my husband and the boys we are living with. Elias, 29, Antonio 24, and Tito 21. Tonight, Donca ate with us too. There is always someone new who doesn\'t have food who joins us. I love it. God is preparing me to be a mother.

Each day, we walk the streets to buy food or go to work. Children surround us hanging on William and holding my hands. They call us Mama and Papa. It is so cute. Here, children are all around. The women tell me they are a blessing and gift from God. Because of this, they are praying for our baby. They can\'t wait for our family to start.
"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,
the fruit of the womb a reward.
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior
are the children of one\'s youth.
Blessed is the man
who fills his quiver with them!
He shall not be put to shame
when he speaks with his enemies in the gate. (Psalm 127:3-5 ESV)
God is definitely preparing us to be parents.

We work on the land many days. Yesterday, Tito climbed a coconut tree because he knows that I love coconuts. All these boys serve me so well, especially my husband. He is always helping me, protecting me or just massaging my back. I feel so blessed and want to serve God and his people even more! My friend asked me why I didn\'t have a baby yet. I told her I was not ready. She said, "you are ready." God is preparing my heart to start a family, and it is ultimately Him who decides when we are ready to have a baby!

Please pray that God continues to lead us into deeper faith. Pray that He gives us energy to serve Him and do what we can for the next month in Mozambique.

Any mommy\'s out there? Please give me a recipe on the comments section. I want to cook these boys some American dishes. I only have a fire to cook over, no burner control and definitely no oven. Let me know.
Thanks for your help!

Mommy

It\'s dinner time. "Thank you Mommy," the boys reply. Today, I cooked for my husband and the boys we are living with. Elias, 29, Antonio 24, and Tito 21. Tonight, Donca ate with us too. There is always someone new who doesn\'t have food who joins us. I love it. God is preparing me to be a mother.

Each day, we walk the streets to buy food or go to work. Children surround us hanging on William and holding my hands. They call us Mama and Papa. It is so cute. Here, children are all around. The women tell me they are a blessing and gift from God. Because of this, they are praying for our baby. They can\'t wait for our family to start.
"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,
the fruit of the womb a reward.
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior
are the children of one\'s youth.
Blessed is the man
who fills his quiver with them!
He shall not be put to shame
when he speaks with his enemies in the gate. (Psalm 127:3-5 ESV)
God is definitely preparing us to be parents.

We work on the land many days. Yesterday, Tito climbed a coconut tree because he knows that I love coconuts. All these boys serve me so well, especially my husband. He is always helping me, protecting me or just massaging my back. I feel so blessed and want to serve God and his people even more! My friend asked me why I didn\'t have a baby yet. I told her I was not ready. She said, "you are ready." God is preparing my heart to start a family, and it is ultimately Him who decides when we are ready to have a baby!

Please pray that God continues to lead us into deeper faith. Pray that He gives us energy to serve Him and do what we can for the next month in Mozambique.

Any mommy\'s out there? Please give me a recipe on the comments section. I want to cook these boys some American dishes. I only have a fire to cook over, no burner control and definitely no oven. Let me know.
Thanks for your help!

African Time

Coming here, we had our plans. We came to Mozambique to encourage Elias and help Him build the orphanage. I (Tara) was expecting this to happen within a couple weeks.
I forgot we are in Africa and everything takes longer.
I forgot God\'s timing is different than mine.



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It has been incredible to see how things change. Recently, we realized we were leaving God out of everything. We finally started to seek God and He gave us a different focus. People. We were so focused on the work and the finished product, we did not have time for the widows and the children. Now our hearts have been focused on building relationships with the neighbors who live around the land, finding house mothers, and just growing our faith in God.



What I love, is that we are building a home that will last. A home that is based on the kingdom of God. A home that cares for widows AND orphans. A home that is full of God\'s love. A home that was a vision from God to Elias. A home that will be built in God\'s perfect timing.

Tudo Bem

The day we left Mozambique back in late August, a baby girl was born. They named her after me. She is so beautiful and we have been able to spend time with her family and read the Bible with them in Portuguese.

We are enjoying living life in Beira, but it has not been easy though.
It rains and pours everyday so much we can\\\'t sleep at night.
We have a world race team that is helping us serve Elias.
William and I are definitely learning more about each other.

We have been working hard on the land and it looks good!
We cleared the land and dug the foundation and have been working on the cement bricks. Tomorrow, we will start putting the bricks in the ground.
It is so exciting!!! Elias\\\' dream from 2007 is finally coming true!

We also spend a lot of time walking and talking and visiting the children.
It is all about relationships.
Relationships with the people, the World Racers, Elias, and each other.
Jesus valued relationships and He said that "They will know you are my disciples by your love for one another." John 13:35

Safe in Mozambique!

After nearly three days of travel in three different countries and three grueling flights, we made it to Beira Mozambique.  We were greeted yesterday in the airport by our good friend and the director of our orphanage, Elias, and a team of World Racers.  It felt like we were welcomed back home to Africa.  We will spend the next two months planning, preparing, digging, and building up the land that will one day be Emmanuel Orphanage.  We're excited to come alongside Elias' dream and see this building (or cluster of buildings) in just a matter of months. 

Please pray for us as the dream begins to take flesh and we spend time with these teams and Elias.  We're praying for God's provision, protection, and direction.  Thanks for supporting us and praying for the same!

The call to beLOVE

We are called to beLOVE to God.
We are called to beLOVE to each other in our marriage.
We are called to beLOVE to the African people.
We are called to beLOVE to the Filipino people.
We are called to obey God and be flexible as we follow Him.

We leave for Africa TOMORROW.
We are so excited to follow what God has told us.
God has called us to disciple Elias and help him build an orphanage.
God has sent an all girls World Race team to help us. We don't know what all these next 6 months entail, but we will listen to God.
We want to show our love for God by our actions!!

And we can be sure that we know him if we obey his commandments. If someone claims, “I know God,” but doesn’t obey God’s commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth. But those who obey God’s word truly show how completely they love him. That is how we know we are living in him. Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did. (1 John 2:3-6 NLT)

Please pray that we are able to live like Jesus and do what God is telling us to do, and we will pray that you are able to do the same.

We love you guys,
William and Tara

Happy New Year!!!

We arrived in Washington DC on New Years Eve and rang in the holiday with over a dozen friends that we've traveled and done work with over the past few years.  We spent most of the night playing Apples to Apples, random card games, and even brief dance parties.  By the time midnight came around, we were worshiping and praying in the New Year and honestly, even missed the midnight countdown.  The days since then have been spent processing through future plans with each other, praying over those of us headed out of the country, and just enjoying each others company.

Today, most people are headed home, back to work, and back to the "real world".  While we could spend time dwelling on our last few days together, almost stuck in this utopian mindset, we have to go back out at some point and live the lives God has blessed us with.  Too often in life, we retreat to these mountain top experiences only to return to our lives with good stories and fond memories that never really have that long term change.  I worked at a summer camp for four years and left each year with nothing but fond memories.  I know these experiences are necessary and highly valued, but I want to leave one of these mountain top experiences, never to be the same again.

The thing I've learned with the passing of another New Year celebration is the value of community.  We need each other to get through this life.  We need each other to talk to, process with, laugh together, encourage each other, pray over, and just be together.

With that said, I have a New Years resolution.  First, I need to respond to e-mails, answer the phone, and just be more available for my friends and family.  On top of that, I need to send e-mails, make phone calls, and just pursue my friends and family.  We're here for each other, yet we're so fond of isolation in the form of back porches, "alone time", and caller id.  We need each other, and even if we're going to Africa, it's a good thing we have internet and e-mails.  We have to prefer each other...