August Newsletter

Special Christmas ornaments, kid’s artwork, and well-loved cuddly toys; raincoats, winter clothes, and over-the-counter American medicines; hearts full of hope, bellies full of familiar foods, and support raised to hopeful levels … With suitcases stuffed with all of these treasures and more, we are headed back to Berlin. Our Summer Garage sale fundraisers, Skype calls […]

Carnival of Cultures

His words were terse and, presumably, direct in nature. The befuddled look on his face a clear sign of misunderstanding, he took the shrugs of his would-be sexual partners personally and with more than slight indignation. I had hopped the U-line in Berlin on my way back to the YWAM base. On this particular Saturday […]

Ihab

When I met Ihab, he stuck out. With a big cross around his neck, he cut a significantly contrasting future against the mainly Muslim backdrop of the refugee camp in Wedding where he lives. Having served four years in Assad’s army as a medic, he has seen his share of death and suffering. This is […]

The Bridge

I am taking German classes at a refugee camp in Wedding, Berlin. My classmates are intrigued by me. “Why are you here?” is the most common question. I tell them I am a Christian Missionary from the U.S. They are starry-eyed about the West and especially about America. When I tell them I am from […]

Confirmation Bias, Social Media, and the Politics of Division

“Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?” —Matthew 7:3 In the age of social media, we see a great deal of confirmation bias, that is, we tend to look for and follow those who affirm our beliefs and […]

Eine Nacht

Eine Nacht … One night in Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon. One night in Mosul, Damascus, and Aleppo. It isn’t so much to ask. One night of their mother’s own home cooking, of tea and conversation and familiar music won’t erase the horrors of the past. It won’t bring their homelands or even their homes back. […]

Only a Tree

“I am a tree, I am only a tree” my dear friend from Europe said as I complimented him on his art work. Hanging from the branches he so deftly drew were fingerprints in lovely pastels. This unique fruit, born out of various struggles to survive on that same tree, blossomed before our eyes over […]

Love is on the Move

All over Europe, and all over the world, the armies of good are committing violent acts of generosity and love. From the Northern-most parts of Norway to the southern Greek islands we see evidence mounting that Christians and ordinary people who have lived under the liberating regimes of Europe and North America are exporting this […]

Missionary Kid Extraordinaire

Our son received an email from home this week. I’m so proud of the way he responded to it and feel led to share it with you (with his permission, of course!). Hi Mark, I am writing you back. My answers to your questions are in blue below next to your questions. From, Will Do […]

Praying for our leaders

I am praying for Donald Trump, and I want you to join me. I have, in the past, been quite critical of Donald Trump in my social media posts. Although I stand by my convictions about the persona he projects on our national stage (hubris, misogyny, vulgarity, opportunism, etc.), I want to repent of any […]