Some pictures and thoughts from my time away. (The most recent post appears first--to read chronologically, you'll have to start at the end and work your way back.)

The End….

Well, that was my summer. The summary is…

Countries Visited
Netherlands
France
Italy
Ethiopia
Rwanda
(Shouldn’t Albuquerque count as a country?)

Miles Traveled
By Air 29,304
By Rail 1,232
By Car 3,913

Total 34,449*

*Lynda says that additionally we walked at least 1,000 miles.

Sorry you have to go to the end and read backwards to get the chronological effect, but that’s the nature of blogging. This link will take you to the last page, which is actually the first page

You can check out my ongoing blog here. I’ll be posting regularly about how a real live pastor sees life happening around him.



Silke and Abby created some masterpieces at the face painting table.

Silke and Abby created some masterpieces at the face painting table.


Ryan: Devin, no way that you can fit in here. Devin: Watch me.

Ryan: Devin, no way that you can fit in here.

Devin: Watch me.


Before he could let the chilren jump, Ryan had to check out the equipment for himself.

Before he could let the chilren jump, Ryan had to check out the equipment for himself.


“My” small group did the cooking (and amazingly, people actually ate the burgers and dogs).

“My” small group did the cooking (and amazingly, people actually ate the burgers and dogs).


There were lots of conversations going on while the kids were playing.

There were lots of conversations going on while the kids were playing.


Jubilee Fair To celebrate my return to the church and the end of a terrific summer, we hosted a Jubilee fair for our members and neighbors. What a blast! It’s a little overwhelming to be welcomed back by 300+ people, but it was a beautiful afternoon and everyone had a great time.

Jubilee Fair

To celebrate my return to the church and the end of a terrific summer, we hosted a Jubilee fair for our members and neighbors. What a blast! It’s a little overwhelming to be welcomed back by 300+ people, but it was a beautiful afternoon and everyone had a great time.


Back at Church Tuesday was my first official day back in the office. On Wednesday morning I had my quiet time at Richmond Hill. There’s a park bench at the end of Grace Street with this view of the city. The breeze was cool, the day was bright, and the Spirit’s voice could not have been clearer: “This is my city. I want to help it’s people, heal their hurts, and draw them close to Me. And I will do these things through you, My church. You—My church—are My hands and feet in this city. You are My eyes and ears. You are My heart of compassion. You are the hope of the world.”

Back at Church

Tuesday was my first official day back in the office. On Wednesday morning I had my quiet time at Richmond Hill. There’s a park bench at the end of Grace Street with this view of the city. The breeze was cool, the day was bright, and the Spirit’s voice could not have been clearer: “This is my city. I want to help it’s people, heal their hurts, and draw them close to Me. And I will do these things through you, My church. You—My church—are My hands and feet in this city. You are My eyes and ears. You are My heart of compassion. You are the hope of the world.”