"It's Because He Has Autism"

November 12, 2014

Kieren is so super verbal.  She takes any moment of silence and turns it either into a song or a conversation.  If there is no one to talk to she will talk to herself as if she is having a conversation with someone.  It’s adorable.  And scary.  But mostly adorable.

One thing she talks to me about, and thus I suspect she talks with others about, is why Keller seems to be having a difficult time with one thing or another.  She will say:

“It’s because he has AUTISM.”

The problem is that she often says this sentence for instances that have no relation to autism.  If Keller won’t eat his dinner it’s because he has autism.  If Keller cries when getting dressed it’s because he has autism.  If he hits his head on the coffee table while playing it’s because he has autism.

Kieren’s reason for every strange and troubling behavior is “It’s because he has AUTISM.”

Now Keller does have autism and there are many moments in the day where his behavior reminds us of that, but we are also experiencing a difficult season of ‘the terrible two’s’ with our Keller and so sometimes “It’s because HE IS TWO.”

Honestly, it’s hard to tell the different between a two-year-old tantrum and autism at times. They can look similar but have two distinctly different origins.  When Keller is having a tantrum it is because he doesn’t want to do something and he is expressing his opinion on the matter.  But a tantrum happens when he CAN do something but he doesn’t WANT to do something.  An autism meltdown happens because a person is not able to process what is being told to them or what is going on in their environment and they become overwhelmed and anxious.  An autism meltdown is something beyond the control of the person because they actually can’t process through what is happening.

We have lots of both in this house.

Realizing Kieren that Kieren thinks everything unfavorable in Keller’s world is ‘autism’ has pushed us to really try to learn more what is the difference between two and autism for Keller.  My go-to-parenting-method is to never discipline or correct and only hug and kiss.  Obviously this method has a few flaws.  We need to know the difference in Keller’s meltdowns so we can help him to process in the anxiety and make better choices (i.e. not SCREAMING AT THE TOP OF HIS LUNGS) when he doesn’t want to do something.  Keller wears his heart on his SLEEVE which is beautiful but also won’t be okay in EVERY situation.  He has to learn to feel and then calm himself.  Oh but I pray he is always still so close to what he feels.  What a treasure that is.

At the end of the day my goal is to help Keller be the BEST KELLER HE CAN BE.  So sometimes the best he can do is have a meltdown because of autism.  That is okay.  Sometimes his best is LEARNING how not to tantrum and be a part of this world that necessitates things like bath time and eating.  That is also okay.

You know what, Keller is doing a pretty good job of working through both kinds of meltdowns and I am so proud I could shout it from the rooftops!

Five Ways to Last As a Missionary

November 7, 2014

This past October we will celebrated five years on the mission field living in South Africa.

This is a momentous and special occasion for us and definitely something we celebrated.  Not because we are so special for lasting this long, but more because those we love and serve are so special for putting up with us so long!  No but seriously…

So it has me thinking of HOW DID WE MAKE IT THIS LONG??

In honor of our five year anniversary on the mission field here are:

FIVE WAYS TO LAST AS A MISSIONARY:

1. GIVE and RECEIVE .  Many missionaries come in to serve, help and love people.  This is based on the assumption that I have something and those I am coming to serve do not.  I am blessed.  I am whole.  I am healed.  I have resources.  I have and they do not.  Obviously most missionaries do not realize this is their thinking, but it’s an underlying assumption and it separates you from those you serve and can quickly create a ‘Messiah Complex.’  Urban Dictionary describes the Messiah Complex as “a state of mind in which an individual holds a belief they are, or are destined to become, a savior.  Jesus had a messianic complex.”  Umm yeah, Jesus had a messianic complex because HE WAS THE MESSIAH.  WE ARE NOT.  We need to know that while we have been blessed with some talents, gifts, finances, and training, there is SO MUCH that we can learn from those we serve and we always need to be open to what God wants to teach us.  Trust me, He has a LOT to teach you.  Be ready to teach and help but be open handed so you can also receive from those God puts you among.

2. CREATE COMMUNITY. Oh man you can’t do this journey alone.  We have had a few instances happen in our story here that FORCED us to create community (i.e. major burn accident and special needs diagnosis) but no matter the ease of life we always need to do this life together.  You need people to pray with you, laugh with you, cry with you, work beside you, and celebrate all the milestones of ministry on the mission field.  Bring people on the journey with you and it will be so much fuller.

3. Love SCANDALOUSLY.  When you go into the mission field I want to let you know one thing you will encounter that you won’t expect: BROKEN PEOPLE.  The people you will go to love will be pretty unlovable at times and it is hard to love broken people.  They don’t know how to receive love or give love.  People will hurt you and try to break you and manipulate you and turn their back on you.  When this happens… love anyways and love SCANDALOUSLY.  We are called in Philippians to have the humility of Christ who gave everything to love His people, and we must follow that example.  Don’t just love the ones who are easy to love, the ones who come to all your events, the ones who respond to your brilliant sermons and studies, but seek out the really broken and hurting.  They need it most and love even when it’s beyond reason and scandalous.

4. LIVE in Scripture.  As a pastor for many years, I have taught scripture, read scripture and studied scripture for my bachelors and Masters’ programs.  I KNOW much about scripture, but as a missionary I have learned that I have to LIVE in scripture.  I eat scripture and devour it like my life depends on it.  We have faced so many huge trials in our five years here and huge challenges we face in serving the people here in Africa.  Without scripture I honestly don’t think we could have made it through what we have faced.  God has been sovereign and allowed these things to happen in our lives, but learning to cling to HIM for power and strength in it all has changed our lives.  We find that strength, hope, guidance, and inspiration in God’s word.

5. Seek out REST.  This last one is the hardest for me.  Seems that my life trained me to be a ‘do-et’ and not a ‘rest-er’ but I have found that you desperately need to be both.  Our hearts, our health, our families, our entire lives desperately need both.  We know so many missionaries and pastors both near and far who struggle with finding rest as well and we are convinced that the only cycles and habits of rest and renewal will allow the spiritual worker to make it for the long haul.  Find out what gives you rest and renewal and put it on the schedule.  Be unapologetic and persistent about your rest.  Your life depends on it.

Now go and change the world!  Or rather, be changed by the world you SERVE!

Listening in Ocean View

November 3, 2014

“Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.” – Proverbs 11:14 ESV

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Fun and exciting new developments are happening in Ocean View.  We are recognizing a gap where God is asking us to step in and we are taking the plunge to love others.  We have been serving in the Ocean View High School over the past year running the Shine and Strength Courses that are written by Hillsong Church, teaching girls and boys of their inner worth and value through Biblical principals.  These courses have been hugely successful and really welcomed by the school and students.  However, we always left feeling there was MORE that needed to be done.  MORE that God wanted us to do.

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“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.” -Proverbs 12:15 ESV

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Over the past 9 weeks I have been overseeing two students from Azusa Pacific University in California who are here doing a study abroad program and needed an internship.  They volunteered in various places in Ocean View doing counseling, and OV High was their primary place to serve.  They met with a few students and counseled them but it showed us that SO MANY MORE are needing someone to listen to them.

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“Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;” -James 1:19 ESV

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So we are making plans and moving ahead.  My ‘WE’ is myself, Chevonne Lawrence, the Ocean View Methodist Youth Pastor, and Hannah Ross, our volunteer from Raleigh,NC who is here working with us in the View.  We are setting up structures in the high school so we will regularly have ourselves and other counselors in the school meeting with students who are in need.  Students will be nominated by their teachers if they are showing problematic behaviors or signs, and they can also nominate themselves to speak with someone.  We will also be weekly encouraging the teachers at one of their faculty meetings in order to support and connect with them.  Furthermore, we will continue our Shine and Strength courses and even start to do MORE!  Lastly, we are setting up a room at the Methodist Church that will be a counseling room; safe and private for any who want to counsel those in needs.

Really exciting stuff.  This has been on my heart for years and now together with my team we are setting up structures to actually help those in need and let them know we are here for them.  I can’t wait to see how God works and can’t wait to share it with you!

The Crossings

October 28, 2014

Lately I have been feeling super nostalgic.

I am reflecting back on the past five years of mission and ministry here in South Africa.

This week I found an old CD and put it in during dinner and play with the family.  Suddenly the last song stopped me in my path and shot me back to five years ago right as we were finishing our preparations to move our lives here to Africa.  It is called “The Crossings” by an artist named David Wilcox.

The song speaks about starting a new journey and the moment you are standing at the crossroads looking at both what you are leaving behind and what could be ahead.

I remember literally crying my eyes out listening to this song as I looked into the abyss ahead not having any idea what could be ahead in our world as we moved to Ocean View.

Five years later I can’t imagine what life would look like if I HADN’T crossed that road into my new life in South Africa.

It encourages me to continue looking ahead to the ‘new worlds’ in my future.

I will be in South Africa for a long time in my future, but God always has new roads, adventures, and challenges ahead.  Are we willing to cross over and take the leap of faith into the unknown ahead?  I hope we are.

“The Crossings” by David Wilcox

We set sail from the harbor
On the trade routes of old
Where the tall ships of spices
Bring the bright dreams of gold

There are towns full of travelers
Where the stories are told
Of the lost and the longing in the little known language
Of the wayward and bold

On our way to the crossings
We had to leave where we’d been
‘Cause the roads we came over had come to an end

So we meet here as strangers, bonded as friends
We were torn from the fabric
But the threads of our lives are beginning to mend

And the hardest mile to travel
Is that first away from home
When we wonder at the hunger of being alone
But then these tears flow with laughter

With these friends we never knew
They’ve been waiting at the crossings
For this to come true
The world of wonder set in motion is waiting for you

There are clues in the legend and gifts in the signs
That lead to the treasure we’ve been searching to find
Like a map newly written of an ancient design
We have come to the crossings
Like the travelers before us, through the ages of time

And the hardest mile to travel
Is that first away from home
When we wonder at the hunger of being alone
But then these tears flow with laughter

With these friends we never knew
They’ve been waiting at the crossings
For this to come true
The world of wonder set in motion is waiting for you

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It's Our Anniversary!

October 22, 2014

It’s anniversary time!  We are so happy to celebrate that we have been in SOUTH AFRICA serving for FIVE YEARS!  What the what?!?  But what we are most cheering about is that we have lived in the incredible Ocean View community for five years.

So in honour of our FIVE YEAR ANNIVERSARY here are my FIVE FAVORITE THINGS ABOUT OCEAN VIEW:

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1. The noises.  There is always something happening.  Always someone in conversation.  Always a dog barking.  Always music playing.  Always someone sharing in someone else’s life.  I love that.  If I need to go write a sermon or focus on something I like to sit in a crowded coffee shop with lots of noises and action.  I dig lots of stuff going on and I dig Ocean View.

2. The food.  My people know how to eat and value food.  It is awesome.  It has always reminded me of my Mexican heritage (my Mom is Mexican-American) because people in Ocean View love to gather and share food together.  Another great thing about Ocean View is that while food is a value, there are many who do not have a meal to eat some days, including many vulnerable children.  What I see is that those who have are ALWAYS sharing with those who don’t and making sure children go to bed with a meal.  My friends are always sharing with those who are in need.  In addition, when there is something to celebrate it is done with FOOD.  People love to have gatherings for birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, accomplishments, holidays and anything else in between.

3. The laughter.  You know the Prince’s love some laughing and this is something that is really valued in the community of Ocean View.  Come to any meeting, dinner, gathering or even tea and you will eventually hear laughter.  Laugher is LOUD and done with the entire body.  I remember vividly seeing a stand-up comic we love named Trevor Noah with a group of friends and our friend Treswill was laughing so hard that he unintentionally was hitting the seat in front of his with his knees.  He didn’t even notice but the people in front of him did and kept looking back at him hoping he would stop.  I told him of his kicks and he changed his sitting position but continued to laugh WITH HIS ENTIRE BODY.  It was awesome.  And it’s normal.

4. THE COMPASSION.  You guys.  In Ocean View you SEE IT ALL.  Pain, suffering, abuse, gangsterism, addiction and just HURT.  You would think people would be so use to it that they don’t even notice it happening, and unfortunately that does happen at times.  But the norm in Ocean View is COMPASSION and response to those who are hurting and in pain.  I am frequently humbled when I hear about how my friends in Ocean View respond to hungry children at their doorstep or people who need to borrow money… again.  Compassion is deeply woven into the fabric of hearts here and it challenges me to be God’s compassionate hands and feet even more in this community I love.

  5. The LOVE.  People in Ocean View love FIERCELY.  They take care of their own family and they love really deeply.  The love of the people here in Ocean View has spilled into our lives and we will never be the same.  We see it most vividly in the way people here love our children.  They hug and kiss them spoil them beyond anything they deserve.  Even with Keller who struggles to interact with anyone because of his autism, he has LEARNED how to love people because of those who have loved him in Ocean View.  That is profound and true.  We are loved beyond our failures and weaknesses here and seen just as we are.  That is true love and we are so blessed to experience the love of Ocean View.

Happy anniversary Ocean View!  To MANY MORE!!

Five Tips on Taking A Child with Autism on Holiday

September 30, 2014

We recently were inspired to take a short family holiday (or vacation for you Americans) as it’s been such a hectic season of life around here.  A couple nights on the coast of South Africa in peacefulness and rest.

Oh and we were planning on bringing our son with autism too.

So I now would like to share five TIPS on taking your child with autism on a holiday:

1. DON”T EVER TAKE A CHILD WITH AUTISM ON A HOLIDAY/VACATION/DAY OUTING/ANYWHERE OTHER THAN HOME.  What are you thinking??  Your child has AUTISM?  Everything new and different makes them completely stressed out and scared.  If you are ever thinking of taking your child with autism to a new place for a rest take that thought and put it in a treasure chest, dig a hole, bury it and only retrieve it again in 10 years when life bears some sense of normalcy.  Do NOT take your child with autism on holiday.

2. Did you see number one??  Just wanted to remind you in case you were tempted to not listen to me.  If you are sure you want to try this holiday thing, get ready for major meltdowns.  Oh, you think you are use to your child with autism having meltdowns?  You haven’t seen meltdowns until you have experienced holiday/vacation meltdowns.  The travel and new environments will cause your child’s brain to completely short out and melt into a puddle.  This will result in LOTS. OF. CRYING.  LOTS.

3. Okay, so if you still determined to take your child with autism on a “STRESS-CATION” as Keller would have termed it if he could speak clearly, then you need to load down your car with LOTS and LOTS of __________ (whatever your child with autism is crazily obsessed with).  For us this is trucks, books, and the iPad.  Have them available at EVERY MOMENT.

4. Also very important for your “STRESS-CATION” is your own favorite __________ (wine, chocolate, cake, movies, books, heavy narcotics, whatever makes YOU happy as a parent).  Eventually your crazy kids fall asleep and the quiet noises will be as loud as a construction site.  Make sure you have something to do as parents because you will not be preparing for the next day of school/therapy/driving to activities/playdates/etc that you normally do.  You get to REST as shocking as it is, so make sure you bring some things to help you rest.

5. Last tip – even though your holiday may be a “STRESS-CATION,” count the costs and do it anyways.  GO!

It is hard and it is exhausting to take a child with special needs on a holiday but it’s worth the effort/stress/crying/trouble.  In the end the joy of being together and resting and making new memories is WORTH IT.

Keller struggled at first to get use to the long drive but he (we) made it.  Keller struggled being in a new house and figuifng out his new surroundings but he (we) did it.  Keller struggled to sleep in a new place that wasn’t home but he (we) did it.  Keller didn’t love our hiking adventures and outings but he (we) did it.  We all did it.  Together.  And it was special and beautiful.

So go!  Head out on your own stress-cation… I mean HOLIDAY soon!

RESTORES

September 24, 2014

“He refreshes and restores my life (my self); He leads me in the paths of righteousness [uprightness and right standing with Him—not for my earning it, but] for His name’s sake.” – Psalm 23:3 Amplified Bible

This scripture recently pierced through my heart.  Psalm 23 is a passage normally read at funerals and one I personally often overlook and think very little about.  But this scripture was read in our women’s group recently and it hit me hard.  Our God is still in the business of restoring and refreshing our lives.  Even mine.

Here is what I realized about being restored.  To be restored means you actually have to STOP before God and invite Him to restore you.  Just as you can’t have your brakes changed in a drive-through car repair shop, so too with God you have to STOP and give him the time and space to refresh and renew you.  That is super hard, right?  Why can’t God just renew us in the quick five minute devotional that we throw him daily… most days?

So after a CRAZY year that God has given us I have made an executive Prince family decision and we are going to MAKE SPACE during the last half of this year to rest and restore.  We are going to open up our lives, get away and invite God truly into us to make us new and whole.  No drive by hail-Mary prayers for us, but together we are really going to seek Him for restoration.  We are getting away, we are going on outings, we are praying more, sleeping more, and just looking for HIM more.

So how can you too open your life for restoration and refreshment?  Our God is in the restoring business but we have to come and give him the space.  Invite Him in.

HOUSE RULES

September 17, 2014

I was thinking lately about our strange little family and how every once in a while you realize that how YOU do it isn’t how everyone else does it.

I have always loved family and grew up in a very happy one that valued our time together.  As Casey and I have begun to watch our kids grow up in our household we have realized that we have some HOUSE RULES that pertain to our family and are non-negotiable when you live with the Prince’s.   Even when we have fostered children we involved them in our home rules and we think that abiding by these rules is what keeps us happy and whole.  Our home is a place of PEACE and JOY and these rules help keep it that way.

So here they are in no particular order.

PRINCE FAMILY HOUSE RULES:

1. Wrestle-mania.  We like to wrestle and throw little people and put each other in head locks and yell and scream.  We wrestle and even autistic Keller who hates hugs LOVES to wrestle.

2. Family Dinner.  This is a non-negotiable that always is being ‘tweaked’ because Casey is a soccer coach and often gets home late.  MANY nights we have TWO dinners at the dinner table because I eat with the kids earlier and then we sit with Casey when he eats.  We eat together.  We are working on Keller on this one because his little autistic brain HATES sitting at the dinner table but coaxing and bribery is helping!

3. Say “I LOVE YOU.”  This one I got from my parents, but when you leave the home or say goodnight we must share that we love each other.  Even though we ‘know’ it we still must say it.  It’s good to know you are loved.  All the little kids that are in and out of our home are also told they are loved.  We are working on this with Keller but I have no doubt he will be screaming it out sometime soon!

4. Big LAUGHS.  We like to laugh in our home and even on the hardest days we find ways to laugh.  We watch funny shows, we do a lot of tickling, we tease each other and we generally try to just have a good time.  Laughter really is the BEST medicine.

5. PRAY.  We think it’s very important to pray together and so we do it with the kids and with each other as a couple.  This is just a non-negotiable that we started at the beginning of our marriage 12 years ago.  We do it when we need to pray, we do it when we are thankful, and we DEFINITELY pray when we don’t feel like it.  We just pray.

6. Dance.  When all else fails, just dance.

7. Make it work.  We are ALL in ministry together as a family, no matter what one or the other is called to be a part of.  Because of that we make our callings work for the ENTIRE family.  God won’t call one of us to do something for His kingdom to the detriment of another.  We are one as a family and whatever the call or need, we have to make it work for ALL of us.  At the end of the day we are in this together so we figure out how to do it together or not do it at all.

8. You are welcome.  People are welcome in our home.  You are ALL welcome.  Our home becomes a bit of a ‘train station’ at times, and we definitely have boundaries, but we want people to feel welcome and loved in our home.  So come on in.  Have some coffee, play with the toys, let’s pray about it, and feel at home.  You are welcome here.

What are your house rules?  We love our home and would love you to come by anytime!

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The Other Side of Kids in the Bed

September 15, 2014

You know those nights where your kids are sick and miserable and have disgusting fluids coming out of every orafice and they will ONLY settle if in YOUR bed, disrupting your precious treasured sleep?  Those long nights with feet in your back and little snores and coughs and you wake up feeling more tired then you went to bed?  I just realized that I would do ANYTHING for one of those nights.

There is another side of kids in the bed.  The other side is when your kid won’t ever sleep in your bed.

Keller is an INCREDIBLE sleeper and always has been (PRAISE THE LORD HALLELUJAH).  Many kids with autism really struggle with sleep and so we are super blessed in this regard.  I remember Keller at about four months old when he suddenly WOULDN’T LET ME rock him to sleep.  He literally pushed me away and arched his back leaning towards his crib.  He WANTED to be alone.  He WANTED to fall asleep alone.  He still does.  I think his crib is like his happy alone-time-space.  He loves it.  This all sounds super great I know and what could possibly be the problem??  I found out last night.

I am in bed reading before I fall asleep and suddenly I hear Keller’s bloodcurdling screams from across the house.  I ran to Keller’s door but Casey was already in his room so I RESTRAINED myself and sat outside the door.  Casey was doing everything right.  He was cuddling Keller, rocking him, singing to him, and NOTHING WAS WORKING.  Keller eventually pointed to his bed and Casey put him back in his bed and closed the door as the screams continued.  We sat outside the door as Keller eventually quieted after a minute or so.  PAINFUL for a parent.  More painful that in about another hour Keller woke me up screaming again but this time I went in to rescue him in his bed only to have him again point back to his crib after I took him out. I put Keller back into his bed, un-cuddled and un-loved and walked out the door.  Again Keller settled in a minute and awoke in the morning happy as a jaybird as if nothing had happened.  My heart was still sore from the events (and even feels sore just writing about it now).

It is excruciating as a parent when your child is sick or in pain.  Let me tell you, it is FAR MORE EXCRUCIATING when your child is hurting and WON’T LET YOU COMFORT THEM.  This is a major part of the life of a parent with autism.  “Many children with autism have a reduced sensitivity to pain, but are abnormally sensitive to sound, touch, or other sensory stimulation. These unusual reactions may contribute to behavioral symptoms such as a resistance to being cuddled or hugged.”  Keller will hug and cuddle sometimes but evidently HATES to be held when in distress during the middle of the night.  We have had him react this way MANY times in the middle of the night as he seemingly only wants to be alone in bed.  So hard.

I was thinking about the many parents who discuss ‘co-sleeping’ and kids in the bed and the endless debate about how to get your kids to SLEEP in their own bed.  We had some fights with Kieren for sure, but now having a child who hates to be cuddled at all is the most difficult by far.  I would welcome many sleepless nights over a child with autism who cringes at touch.  Through therapy and lots of time with Keller he now likes to cuddle and snuggle at times, but we find out his real heart in the middle of the night and I can only pray that one day he will let us rock him to sleep after a bad dream.

I want some of your mommas out there to consider the other side of co-sleeping – what it would feel like if your child completely resisted your touch in the middle of the night.  We should always consider the other side of any situation.  Sometimes our present difficulties and hardships are someone else’s most cherished dream.  Maybe smile the next time you feel a foot in your stomach during the night and think of those who would give anything for that kick.  I know I would.

There is always an other side.

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After the Mission Trip

September 8, 2014

Living in Ocean View allows us to be here before the missionaries come and long after they leave.

I do understand that I too am a missionary, but as the days, months, and years go on, Ocean View has become home to us and we consider ourselves a part of the community.  By God’s grace others do too!

A few months ago a missions team came to work with us and took over the church and its grounds for two weeks transforming everything they could get their hands on.  They did big projects, connected with our people, played with the kids and even ate in the homes of some of our church members.  It was a life-changing experience for the missionaries and impacted many of our church members.

But now it’s months later and we are still here in Ocean View with no one to rally the community with projects and outreaches.

So what does it look like AFTER THE MISSION TRIP?

Sometimes, unfortunately it doesn’t look good.  One thing that hurts my heart is when I see people I know here in Ocean View, mostly children, act a certain way around the missionaries who come to visit and then act another way after they have left.  One day while the missionaries were here, a boy who I know really well was walking through the church grounds (and didn’t notice me).  However he obviously saw the missionaries and had been hanging out with them for days.  He was trying to seem as if he was just casually and normally walking through the church grounds but he was LOUDLY singing a Christian worship song.  Suddenly as he came close to me I said hello to him and he met my eyes and laughed.  I have honestly never heard this boy sing a worship song in my life and I don’t think it was an accident that he was singing it in front of the missionaries.  Sometimes those we go to serve play roles towards us as we play roles towards them.  This hurts me because Jesus wants us JUST AS WE ARE.  We come to Him just as we are, broken and messed up, and we need those we serve with and alongside to meet us as their true selves.

Sometimes after the mission trip something changes for the better and it makes an impact far beyond the beginning project.  The church that visited us helped to start a garden and greenhouse and planted many of the plants while we were still in the cold winter months.  When they left they greenhouse was up but other than that all that sat there was a big square of dirt.

Here is what I love.  The American mission group didn’t leave a finished project tied in a bow, they left an undone project that needed nurturing, care and teamwork.  This is PERFECT.  This unfinished and baby garden has needed a LOT of work over the past months and there are no short-cuts in gardening.  Over the past months the women and men of this church have spent hours nurturing and watering the garden and now it is OVERFLOWING with greenery and life.

 This garden is growing and flourishing and beginning to provide for our community.

It is a beautiful thing.

PLANTING is a beautiful thing and GROWTH is a beautiful thing.

To me, this is a beautiful metaphor for what it should look like AFTER THE MISSION TRIP.

A mission team needs to know that they aren’t there to save the day or change the world.  We have one savior and it is JESUS.  But a mission team can PLANT SEEDS that can only grow and flourish after the team is long gone.  The missionaries were blessed and provided all that was needed to start this garden… and then they left.  Now those in the community have had to COME TOGETHER to make something beautiful grow.  These projects will only be fully brought to completion when those in our community work TOGETHER.  This is so good.

I am very proud of what it looks like at Ocean View Methodist AFTER the mission trip.