As a relative newcomer to the church's calendar, I am still adjusting to resetting the new year every late November as Advent begins. Some years it sneaks up on me amid all the other things going on in my life. But this year? I am more than ready for it before it begins, because I need to be reminded of who I am and who God's people really are. Or at least what we are called to be…

Sometimes I want to escape the city, but for us Christians is there any escape…

Without naming it specifically, the tree in the first psalm resembles the Tree of Life. Like Chekov's gun, the Tree of Life shows up in the beginning of our story as humans, and is sure to reappear at the end...

In Brazil the Friday of Holy Week is called Holy Friday, not Good Friday. Is there a difference?

What does it mean to be someone after God's own heart?

“And teaching them.” Those three words are often overlooked when people reflect on the Great Commission, but they sum up our mission in Brazil.


The teaching ministry of the church and her missionaries constantly evolves. As I age I presume sometimes that the methods I used as a student were better than what “kids these days” are doing. But I fight against that because some trends in theological education have made things better for everyone. I'll share three:

One day my daughter will learn how to work the bike better, but I’d hate to have her take out a meandering toddler or a biker before then. However, in ministry no one will yank the brake for you. And before long a collision usually comes…

John the Baptist pointed out the temptations of tax collectors and soldiers. What would he say to me, a missionary?

It is safe to say that I’ll never enter a more transcendent church building than St. Peter’s Basilica, and I am not sure I’d want to regularly worship there. But it does serve to contrast well the spaces in which I have worshiped and makes me wonder…

Moving with a family to another country is different than trying to create a new family with someone from a different culture. But nonetheless, here are some similarities I have found as a viewer between 90 Day Fiancé and being a new missionary…

What makes people think they can drive in the desert?

On November First I shared a moment with a stranger here. We were both entering the supermarket and noticed the ginormous festive Christmas ornaments now dangling from the ceiling. Confused, she said out loud “Já Natal?!” (Christmas already?) and I shook my head in agreement with her.
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Jesus tells us to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves, but my serpent side comes out in this city more often than I care to admit…

I was prepared to see ruins and imagine the past while In Rome, but I couldn’t believe that I was stepping foot on the same pavement that hosted the dusty feet of Caesars, senators, soldiers, gladiators, priests, and prisoners…

Apparently, I’m old enough to crack a rib and young enough to not realize it right away. And there's even more I don't realize about comfort, righteousness, and grace…

In Linton, North Dakota Marci and I had lunch with our missions director at a local restaurant. Over some fleischkuechle and pie he asked about our year. I told him I thought I would exhale some after being back, but I didn’t. That was October, which seems like ages ago.

No, I don't miss living in a big city, but there are lots of things I do miss…

What is it like to rustle through pieces of a past life that are stored away and forgotten with weeds growing all around its entrance, especially when it’s my past life?

My daughter greeted me in the car after school by saying, “I told my class that I was moving away this morning, and then I started to cry. I didn’t think I would, but I did.” When we say things out loud it's not just our ears that listen, but our hearts as well, so why don't we pray that way?

How do you sing hallelujah with a pain in your heart? You turn to the Psalms…