dayTWELVE

Roger Hazelton considers current theology to be in the second of the three natural phases. At the core of its purpose, this second phase seeks “the rediscovery and repossession of vast territories of human culture” which have long gone unnoticed or engaged by the Christian intelligence. Current theology, now exist in conversations with the rest of human culture. Conversations in the sense that theology is no longer demanding others to listen b/c the church is right and the world is wrong. Conversation in the sense that there is truth within human culture, society, arts, etc and the church is listening to these forms and learning from them as well as adding to them.

Conversation has at its core communication. Communication defined as: “anything you do to influence another’s experience–that is, what is taking place within the other person at both the conscious and unconscious levels." This influencing has a process made up of specific skills that you control and have the ability to enhance. Healthy conversation is dependant upon the engaged parties’ commitment to the practice of these skills. It is the task of many who communicate the church’s theology to especially be affluent in these communication skills.

As I reflect on my role as a team leader there are two things impressed upon my heart as vital: clear communication and intentional actions.

Please join me in prayer these next few days as I seek the favor of our Lord for two purposes: 1) a successful trip according to His plan; and, 2) that His Holy Spirit would come upon me to equip me for shepparding and leading Andy, Hannah, and Kate.

dayEIGHT

So here we are in Orono Minnesota. We are here to pick up our last RV for the National Tour. We arrived yesterday afternoon with a major change in plans awaiting us. Things are never as easy as they ought to be when death gets involved.

story made short: the man donating his nice RV for three months has spent the last 5-days in the hospital with his dieing mother. we were supposed to arrive sat. jan. 21st, but b/c of last-minute insurance changes had to get new flights for wed the 25th. we get word once we land in minnesota that he is not ready for us and did not know we were coming today...oopps we forgot to tell him we were on our way...poor communication is a pain!

so now we wait...we wait in minneapolis for the green light to make contact and start the getting the RV home to San Diego. we are fortunate a friend of Dave's recently moved to Minnesota. So now we wait at a coffee house, we eat, drink tea, and take naps in random chairs around the coffee house.

-the ending-
insurance was unable to be settled for the RV so Dave and I hoped on a ghetto plane back to San Diego the next day. Good news, the man who wanted to donate the RV is now going to donate enough money to rent another RV...this i think speaks loudly of where his heart was through this whole ordeal. thank you to "the man."

-funny story-
Our adventure began Wednesday morning at 4:45 am. We met up at Margie’s house and then headed for the San Diego airport.

We boarded our flight with camera on and in Dave’s hand. Immediately greeted by “good morning, oh is the camera on.” Dave said “No, its off.” As we rounded the corner the airline attendant caught eye of the viewfinder noticing the power was in fact in the on position. “Sir, that camera is on, you have to turn it off, there is no filming on board, company policy.” So we turn the camera off and sit down. As we’re breaking it down to put away the lady comes over the PA system giving a “reminder to all camera crews on board that there is no filming allowed on the plane, company policy.”

Once we arrived in Denver, we hoped off the plane and began to find our next gate of departure. Out of nowhere two ladies forcefully approached us with demands to follow them. One of the ladies left and the other took over another woman’s workstation under the notion that we were a threat to airport security. She hands us paper and pen with instructions to give all our information as well as the people we work for. While instructing us she gets the airlines head of security on the phone. “I want them checked and identity proved before they leave your sight.” So naturally we cooperate and throw down some humor to break the tension a bit…it was received with odd looks and this is serious comments. Long story short: two police officers come over and gather our driver licenses and call in our numbers to check ID. Wouldn’t you know it -we pass.

They call the plane and tell them not to push off. As we board our plane people look at us like we are truly terrorist. Oh the joys of busting out a camera on a plane (note for the future filming on planes is obviously a bad choice…what were we thinking).

dayTHREE

Tonight was a LATE one (5:30am). I'll be flying to Min. to pick-up an RV on Wednesday at 6:20am instead of tomorrow morning. OH such is the life with IC...unpredictable. I am so in love with this life; no choice but to walk by faith. Hashem will provide for all our needs.

“Ani auni vevyone. Hashem yashav li. Ezrati, umafalti, atau.”

dayTWO

Today I awoke to Margie's phone call "I'll be there in an hour and a half." So up I jumped and off walk'n to the 7eleven located a few blocks down from the edit-office (of course its a few blocks...7eleven is like churches in the south, on every street corner).

I have been given a room in the edit-office. The edit-office is the secret office where the film makers do their editing.

First full day in the office went so good! Again there is such an atmosphere of affirmation and welcome. Marge had me pull together a portion of the RV packet..."basic RV Maintenance." I called my section: "RV Maintenance: the skinny on how to keep your RV on the R.O.A.D."

Katey is a girl who works here in the office. Not so sure what she does exactly, but as I watch her I've noticed joy, gladness, warmth, and eagerness in all that she is asked to do. Yesterday it was jokingly said she was the glue of IC. Currently I don't think that was a joke.

Plans have change and I'll be flying out Saturday morning to Minnesota with a guy named Dave. Our mission is to drive back a phat-daddy RV (#4).

Jason, Laren, and Bobby are so open to the objective input I bring to the table.

It is a joy to be here.

"We are born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us..." _nelson mandela

dayONE

I have made it to San Diego!

I am so welcomed by everyone at invisible children. First impressions of the office and staff: wonderful, talented, fun, loving, and passionate with a purpose. Those are a few adjectives to describe the army I am honored to join today. THE BOYZ ARE MAKING SOME GREAT PROGRESS ON THE FEATURE FILM TRAILOR. The time I’m spending with the filmmakers is good. Jason, Larne, and Bobby work well together. Their communication is open and honest with one another. I took part in a planning/brainstorming meeting with them tonight and witnessed how they value each person's input and thoughts...perhaps it is this freedom to feel/ability to be open that allows their gifts to shine so bright. Already I am learning to be a better man by being in their presence. There is a strong atmosphere of affirmation about them and the staff @ IC. Being the leader of the Cali team I want to take some time to listen and begin to map out what I'll be most deliberate about with my team.

"Father keep us humble and undue any of our efforts to make this about us and our glory...for it is truly Your work and for Your glory..." - rough quote of CEO Ben during prayer tonight.

Thoughts while listening:
• Recognize each person’s personality
• Be thankful for it/encourage them in it
• God created each of us with gifts and talents. Recognize these in others and promote them.
• Your input, Clint, is valuable
• There is a huge difference in men and women, be sure to ask some girls about what to expect from the beautiful women on my team and some ways to appropriately respond.