Hello, reader!  This summer, I am spending a few months up in Mt. Vernon, WA interning with a ministry called Tierra Nueva (New Earth).  The internship consists of working for a few days each week on an organic, sustainable farm and learning about all that goes into running one, as well as doing special projects to help out at the Family Support Center.  I'm also taking a class they offer called Volunteer Advocacy Training to really learn and experience the heart of the ministry and how to be an  informed advocate for the marginalized.  Tierra Nueva is doing great work here from what I can see.  They are truly seeking to bring God's Kingdom here, one person at a time.  

All parts of Tierra Nueva are intentional.  The farm sells to the local Food CO-OP as well as to families in both Skagit Valley and Seattle as vegetable shares, and profits go to support the migrant families here.  There is New Earth Recovery, whose mission is "to love, strengthen, and accompany those in active addiction and recovery, through faith-based support groups, volunteer opportunities, new community, and pastoral care” (www.tierra-nueva.org).  This includes the Faith House, where 12 women can live and be encouraged in their recovery and learn to bake bread which are being sold also in the form of a bi-monthly share at churches and online, and these profits go to support them and the Faith House.  The other side is the men’s group who roasts coffee that is directly traded from the Tierra Nueva farm in Honduras, and this is being sold in the same fashion.

All this, and more.  It has been a completely enriching experience so far, and has been so because of the people here.  I should mention upfront, that I have the amazing privilege of living with my good friend Hannah who I met at George Fox.  We have faced every new place, new experience, new day, together, side-by-side.  She is interning too, and she is absolutely wonderful.  She radiates the Holy Spirit every day, which is so encouraging, and I just know I am so blessed to have this opportunity to be here with her.

Also, we’re staying here with a local couple who have just been completely generous and kind and examples as they live out their daily lives in service to others and to God- one doing tough social work and the other a full-time pastor. 

The staff at Tierra Nueva have been the most welcoming, caring, flexible family.  Their group is small, but that leaves time and space for authentic relationships.  These people work so hard each day solely because they believe in the work- they believe in the people.  They believe that there is potential for redemption and reconciliation of people with themselves, God, each other, and the rest of creation. 

Being here with these people, my eyes are being opened to many things I’d never even thought about. 

Now that the basics are covered, here’s a journal entry from yesterday, May 15^th:

    

Ah, today was so full and good!  Hannah and I got to go to staff prayer meeting, which was great.  We got to see and meet the staff which consisted of about 16 people- all from different backgrounds and income levels.  The lower-income people of the group are treated as equals, completely, because they are.  Their assets are built up and appreciated and that is the most important thing.  They are loved wholly and completely and called on to use their talents for the good of the group, the community, and the Kingdom, really.  This is what Ashley was talking about for QV.  Ask people to get involved.  This is how discipleship happens.  And not just 1:3 or 1:1 even, but better, 3:1.  Surround the person with love and care and whatever wisdom we have to offer, and lift them up.  Bring out their worth.  This is how kingdom development happens.  Bring them into leadership.  GOLLY.  I'm realizing that this is partially how I got here.  Because Ashley, Amy, Nick, and Clint did this for me.  They invested in me and empowered me to get here, and QV helped foster this relationship with Hannah, and now we will be leaders with the opportunity to do the same- to be involved in something that is producing lasting fruit.  “Nothing of lasting fruit happens without prayer.”  Also, going along with valuing a person, is recognizing their voice, and encouraging them to use it. 

These are a few points I've learned at this week's Advocacy Training Class:

         When meeting new people, don’t introduce yourself to give them any preconceptions.  Instead, let them find out who you are by your actions and behaviors.  You need to be familiar with the cultural context of the people you are reaching out to, or have someone accompany you who does. 

         It is a privilege to hear someone’s story. 

         Wherever two or more are gathered, the Spirit is here.  Thus, we need to involve Jesus in the conversation, because He is there.  We ought to consult the Holy Spirit. 

         Eternal life begins now.  The goal is to get Heaven into us (Thy Kingdom come), not us into Heaven. 

Jesus said, “I have to go, but I will send for you alos parakaleo (‘another of the same kind’ ‘one who calls out from alongside’) : another advocate.  The Holy Spirit is our advocate. 

         We need to show people that God is for them and not against them.

Okay, this was much, and today, May 16^th, was amazing too.  God is so good.  Very briefly, Clint invited us to coffee with himself, Nick Ogle, and Tom and Christine Sine, who started Mustard Seed Associates.  Hannah and I were blown away by their background in conservation and community development work and their plans for the future.  We enjoyed coffee and chocolate zucchini bread.  All was well.

A few notes: in travel, we love the carpool lane.  ... well, I guess just one note. =]