Dear John – the caged bird sings

   Dear John, You never saw the chains. Maybe you just assumed that they never existed. Maybe you just didn't care. There were chains, John. There still are. You see, no little girl or boy grows up wanting to be someone else's merchandise. This isn't about a fantasy, an escape, relaxation, or good old manly [...]

Dear John: Let My People Go

      "We are prophets of a future that is not our own." I wish that I had said that. It was penned by Bishop Ken Untener of Saginaw upon the death of an Archbishop.  I had a heavy moment last week as I taught an anti-trafficking workshop at church. In the midst of teaching, [...]

six ways your church can make a difference in anti-trafficking

six ways your church can make a difference in anti-trafficking

If the story of the current 32 million slaves in the world does not move you, neither would any other plea from humanity.

Balkan beautiful

We are exploring Macedonia today. The seaside village of Lake Ohrid is in Macedonia and near to Albania. It has a beautiful, untouched, Balkan flavor that invites you to relish the Creator's touch. Some facts about Macedonia: 1. Population +2 million. 33% Muslim. Major religion Orthodox Christianity. 2. They use the Cyrillic alphabet and speak [...]

balkan beautiful

balkan beautiful

It is a journey that many of you will never take. The bone crushing hours, the erratic driving, the diversity of languages and cultures become a challenge for the average tourist. All of this adventure meshes together in a wonderful array that is the Balkan Peninsula. On 10 November, 2014, we set out for a [...]

third space

It is a little odd, really, like God forgets the storyline

balkan beauty

Amidst the goodnight chatter of JJ and Emma preparing for bed, the teeth brushing and the hugs, and the last minutes of coloring a picture crayon red, I post a photo of Sara and I smiling in the Zagreb sunshine.  Jay writes 'Balkan beauties' in the tag line and my heart swells likes the bread [...]

colorful Krakow

Beautiful images of Krakow Poland

humans and their necks

“For some, war leaves no choice; for others it makes choosing a must. A small gesture can yield irreversible consequences. It can either save a life or ruin it.” (A quote from the Schindler museum) I am angry in Krakow. Always. Angrier than a Christian should be. Angry like I could punch someone. Ball up [...]

the conflict that kills

I pulled the words from a locked room and made them speak in Hungarian, sticking my phone in his face.