Yeah... that's one heck of a big piece of meat...















Found in our bed...












No caption needed as far as I'm concerned...











What more could you ask for than old smokin' men hittin' (and acting as cigarette suppliers) on young smokin' women?





Two hot and young men on one starry African night...

My dreams made visible and tangible...

For a number of days I have been unable to sleep throughout the night and often have awoken in the morning working through thoughts racing in my mind. Although this is not uncommon, recently there have been continuous threads of one thought running about and coming together at on point, one question: What are Gods hopes and dreams for heaven on earth?

When I contemplate Gods hopes and dreams for a heaven on earth, I cannot help but wonder what that may look like in the everyday, tangible, demonstrable sense. I believe that having an intimate personal relationship with Christ is important. Yet, I can’t help but hope and believe that God is so much greater than the hopes and information I toss around in my mind and the feelings and emotions which tread on my heart.

I am beginning to think that God is best demonstrated in an everyday sense through the organic and beautiful simplicity of daily “life together”. Since moving to Morocco I have been drawn into His natural beauty of “life together.” Life together with one another as well as with the land we occupy.

Each morning Jake and I arise we begin our life together simply through spending time together - talking, laughing, and enjoying one another’s company in the bright sunlight of the Sahara. We do laundry together in the basin of warmed water and make breakfast together from the apples of a local farm or from the eggs laid by the chickens down the road. We give together, talking with and providing what we can for those who are without. We visit friends together, drinking tea, communicating through broken Arabic, acting out desired paths of communication and as a natural consequence, laughing together. Greatest of all though, we listen to one another and in return, learn from each other and from our neighbors.

There is beauty in searching for this "life together" I think. Through trying our best (and sometimes not) to demonstrate heaven on earth, a new sense of obligation and appreciation has begun to manifest itself in my own life as well as in my relationship with others. I am now questioning more often if there is a better way I can best utilize the resources I have been given and make more beautiful this “life together” I have been given to live with others. I wonder more often if I can more intimately connect with others and the soil of which I walk on. I speculate the possibilities of what more I could do to offer the community I live with opportunities to experience “life together” where God is experienced by all.

I am finding more and more of how often Jesus speaks of heaven on earth as being a place where the poor and meek are blessed. I am fniding that He promises time and time again to bless those who are persecuted for doing what is right as well as those who stand up for the sake of doing what is right (seeking justice) and make it a habit to demonstrate peace. In fact, I think that I am coming to believe that Jesus asks us, as His Beloved, to undermine the ways things are to welcome in the way things could and should be: overflowing with forgiveness, sacrifice, and love.

Morocco has taken my “life together” with Him and with others to a new level of awareness and insight. My time here has also provided new evidence for a rededication to serving Christ as I am coming to believe He dreams of.

I sense now more than ever an organic connection to the water I use to wash my clothes, the food I use to satisfy my hunger, the resources I use to heat my home or use or clothe myself. I think He dreams of this connection… I think He dreams of me coming to know Him better by understanding how salt affects food and light affects the darkness…

I am finding more joy in the simplicity of limited choices in comparison to my life in the states.
I am falling deeper in love with the grander of His creation. The magnificence of the High Atlas mountains, the splendor of the vast Sahara, the exquisiteness of mud homes, and the great benefits of how His creation is utilized rather than wasted. I think He dreams of this simplistic joy…

I am finding myself more alive in conversation with others; finding greater freedom in my speech and ability to listen and learn. I am finding how gently, subtly, and indirectly Jesus often spoke to others when sharing with them how to live life abundantly with God while still respecting their dignity and free will to discover and choose as they feel convicted and lead. Often I wonder, do I represent and talk of Jesus through invitation, attraction, intrigue, enticement, and challenge or am I representing Him through a forcing nature? I think He dreams of these conversations and convictions…

I am finding Him more intimately involved in the subtle conversations that center on sharing and talking about the freedom, creativity, kindness, justice, generosity, peace, diversity, harmony, and teachings of both Jesus and Mohamed. I think He dreams of this intimacy and open dialouge between His Beloved in life together…

I am finding life more dynamic each day as I hope to work against acceptance or encouragement of racism, religious division, moral double-standards, ethnic partisanship, economic injustice, or class barriers. Instead, I hope I demonstrate His consistency through offering a welcoming home and table for others that is drenched with kindness, respect, healing, enjoyment, reconciliation, forgiveness, and love. I think He dreams of this dynamic daily reconciliation and demonstration of working toward a peaceful and joyful life together…

I am learning how to be more present with, intimately involved in, participatory, active, and engaged within community affairs which affect the lives of families and the greater community. I think He dreams of this daily presence with one another as we live life together…

I am finding more and more that Jesus’ message is one that takes root, precipitates reconciliation, infiltrates and transforms humanity. I think that in order to live the best I can with and for Him, I need to continually be in a state of demonstrating an accent of gratitude, encouragement, truth telling, admitting faults, and celebration of joys. I am wondering more often what more could I do to step beyond the subtle Christian sins which are often consumed with issues such as lust, greed, arrogance, and prejudice of heart and mind? Is my home a place where God is at home in, takes pride and pleasure in, and where His dreams come true? Am I offering generosity to my neighbors regardless of circumstance or convenience? I think God dreams of these convictions and questions I struggle with…

I don’t believe I am alone in my questions, thoughts, or pathways of exploration. As I was teaching English the other day my students and I began to discuss the five pillars of Islam (1 – belief in One God and follow the teaching of Mohamed, 2 – prayer, 3 – fasting, 4 – zakat (tithe), and 5 – pilgrimage to Mecca {if financially possible}) in comparison to the various principles and practices of Christianity. We worked through each of them one by one and I began to hear them ask the same questions and express the sentiments as I have above. Seeking how they can best work to make the kingdom of God visible here on earth through the teaching which they follow.

Although from separate nations, different belief systems, dissimilar cultures, and diverse experiences, I am finding more and more how connected we are to one another because of our belief in God and our innate desire to live a "life together". I am beginning to think that God loves us the same and, if we are continually seeking after Him, He will continue to grow within each one of us both personally as well as communally. I am beginning to wonder if these connections are ones that God was dreaming of when He shared with us, through Jesus Christ, that if we love others He will work through that love and make a heaven here on earth.

Return path

Just a quick story. We have been gone the past few days, and here is why.

Well, imagine that, Jess and I decided to make a return trip to our favorite little mountain town. This time the trip out was a lot more muddy and snowy.
There were a number of times that the mud was so deep we had to back up and circumvent a large area just to avoid getting too muddy. As it was we still showed up with soaked feet caked in about three inches of soggy earth.

But the views were stunning, and the trip was totally worth it.

Jess and I next to a great little water fall that was forming just from the melting snow on the hill side.

The main reason we went out to our little mountain town was to visit our favorite nun, Mary. We wanted to return, with some gifts this time, just as a little love offering to the sisters who do so much. Unfortunately Mary had not made it back yet and was still in another city. Fortunately our friend Hamu and his family (some of them are pictured here) took us in and gave us food, shelter and love for the night.

The next day we headed back, and though it was less muddy, a small winter storm blew in, so for the 10 mile walk back, visibility was anywhere from 70 yards to about 5 yards. Yikes...

Birthday evening...

So in the evening Jess and Cory were home, and we invited over Hyat and Sisu to join us for a little celebration. Not only did they proceed from the kitchen singing happy birthday...

but they brought a cake for me with "happy birthday djak" in French...


Hyat was insistent upon Jess giving me the first bite of cake...



and I got a new scarf to go along with my hoodie...

before you knew it we all had things on our heads...



later, after the party had left, we opened up the champagne, ate some garlic cheese, and watched a pretty freaky movie.

There you have it... my birthday in a nut-shell.

Jake

Birthday

Hey everybody, two quick posts for my birthday...

The morning of my birthday, Jess and Cory dropped some surprises off in my lap like... our favorite cheese.

...some curry powder...

...a new Moroccan style hoodie...

... and just because in every other photo I look insane, I thought I would make a face other than the super-big-stupid-smile=face.

SNOW!!!!

It's officially winter as of two nights ago... as we were sitting with Moha around 6:00pm of the 9th we began to notice the rain outside slowly turn into white flakes of beautiful wonder... With great excitement in our cold toes, later that night we set off to play!!!! Snowmen, big HUGE - no, MASSIVE snowballs, and a nice walk together...

It has continued to snow since then at a steady and consistent pace... slush is building up, shops are remaining closed, Hammans are packed in order to avoid getting cold, and furnaces are stoked and sizzling...



We have been busy writing, thinking, reading, and enjoying our friends these past weeks and anticipate sharing with you more in the future... Two weeks left and we will be making our way to India for four months...


Post note from Jake: This is one of our favorite snacks. We take an oily bread called milliwe and we "pollute" it with chocolate, peanutbutter and bananas. Mmmmmm.....

Although the "Holiday Season" has begun to manifest itself through most every human possible means (this is of coarse a guess, I am living in an Arabic community!)... I was just thinking about alternative possibilities to giving to others, outside of any material gift (again - I do have to admit, we did send our families gifts this year)... here are a few ideas I thought you may be interested in-

Sewa-Ashram is a Christ-centered community dedicated to the practical application of spirituality to the reality of suffering, present amongst the poor. Our mission is to provide long-term holistic care and professional treatment for the sick and dying destitute of Delhi's streets.

International Justice Mission defends the poor, the widow, the orphan, and the slave. Sponsor a day’s wages for an investigative worker ($50), legal advocate ($70), or social worker ($40). You can find these, and many other ways to give under the GIVE index, found in the top right corner.

World Hope International relieves suffering around the world. Offer a care package to a woman who has survived sexual trafficking ($60) or provide a microcredit loan ($100).

Mennonite Central Committee offers a Christmas Giving Catalog. $26 can provide kitchen supplies to a displaced family in Cambodia.

Samaritan’s Purse - Just $9 can feed a hungry baby for a week.

United Methodist Committee on Relief - Serve a child in South Sudan a meal every school day for six months for just $37.

World Vision offers a number of opportunites to give through their Christmas catalog

Catholic Relief Services - $13 can immunize a child in the developing world against measles, diphtheria, whooping cough, polio, tetanus, AND tuberculosis.

Alterna works with and advocates for immigrants in situations that are often egregiously unjust. Immigrants are not allowed to acquire driver’s licenses, yet they are allowed to purchase cars and get jobs they need to drive to. One working poor immigrant has paid over $2,000 in fines for simply driving without a license. Help Alterna turn what is exploitation of the poor into an act of civil disobedience and solidarity! Donate $1-$150 to help immigrants "Drive in Peace." To order this or other gifts, email or phone (706-302-9661) Alterna.

Hope each of you are enjoying this beautiful Advent Season...

Again... Why are we trying to do what we do?

Dhaka photo journal.

As long as there are 300,000 street children in one city that could be helped by simple education, development, and job skills training, how can we do any different?

AIDS, Education, Homelessness, Poverty, Job Skills, Love, Support, Stolen Childhoods, Slavery, Prostitution, Release, Recovery, Death, Relief, Disease, Life... Words that should be on our lips as a prayer to one another.

These are our brothers and sisters. Just as close as the people next door that we wave to in passing. Help us see our neighbors.

Day 2
And the long walk home...

Almost all night we were aware of it raining. There was the gentle sound of splashing on the dirt and clay roof, and the less frequent and less gentle sound of the rain coming through the roof to land in metal pans and buckets. Not much came through, but just enough that you could hear a somewhat steady *plink* of the droplets landing. It also got cold. We were pretty comfortable inside our house, but you could tell that the temperature outside was getting much lower.

In the morning we awoke, dressed and began the day as we normally would. I ran outside to fetch some water for the morning cooking and such and it was cloudy, very cold, and foggy in our valley. A few minutes later Mary came out of the house and pointed out, through a clearing, the change in the mountains.

Our valley was wet, but not white, like all the surrounding hills. A few degrees cooler and we would have had a nice blanket of snow covering us for our morning walk back to Midelt. This struck Jess and I as pretty funny because we had been joking, during the long and hot walk into the valley, that it would be funny if we got snowed in and had to stay a few days. Close, but not quite. The sky started to clear a few hours later, we sat and talked more, but finally had to leave in order to make it back to Midelt before sunset.

The walk back was yet another adventure. We got to see how some other people live. These homes are dug straight into the hillside. Warm, efficient, cheap, just not very glamorous. They live in a great simplicity, surrounded with a community of others acting similarly.

We also decided to not return completely by the same road, but take a couple of short cuts. Some of these shortcuts took us up and over some higher elevation ridges and peaks and offered some amazing views of the valley from which we had just come.

A view back into our favorite little Moroccan town.

A view from on top of a hill with a built in man-made reservoir for crop irrigation. In the foreground is a 2 or 3 house town with a large plot of irrigated and terraced land, in the distance in the valley we were in leading off to the snow peaked High Atlas Mountains.

The rest of the walk home was along the same road, but the snow and cold wind just gave it a magical appearance. We passed many people returning from the big Sunday market in Midelt headed back out to their village. This man had a team of 5 or 6 donkeys and was headed the way we were coming from. Every meeting on the road at this point was just comical. Some foreigners go out this way, but not many, and I am sure that none of them walk there. We were quite an oddity on this road, and the expressions on peoples faces let us know that. The most common look we got from people was somewhere between confusion and bewilderment.

There is one more photo I wanted to display, but I can not seem to get it to upload. I think it is good enough to stand on its own, so that will just have to happen later on.

I hope from this that you can see what an amazing weekend it all was. I know it is hard to tell from photos, but it really was astounding to be in this valley after an early snowfall. I hope that comes through...

Jake

Later on, Day 1...

This is "our" town, Tattowin. A small village of just over 50 people, engulfed within the Mid-Altas mountains, found deep within a valley of gardens and hard working, proud Berber families. With one fresh water running faucet, no electricity, and smart gardens surrounding their property that worked within the existing environment, Jake and I realized once again, together, that this is the life we desire. A life of true community. During our time spent there we became more aware of what a "life together" means.

We discovered that a "life together" means sharing the responsibility of baking bread together every morning. "Life together" means welcoming strangers in for tea and enjoying one dish of Tajine between 13 people, made from the fruits and vegetables that were picked by the women of the community, together. "Life together" means supporting one another and holding one another accountable in how they best utilize their resources, for in Tattowin, resources = life. No resources are wasted. "Life together" means sharing without expectation; gathering wood together to sell or to use; raising kids together; advocating for one another; and most of all helping one another. This is Tattowin. This is our hope.

After our arrival we spent some time with Mary and were encouraged by her to truly experience the beauty of the Mid-Atlas, so we took her up on her offer and set off climbing... and climbing we did... Discovering fossils, scary big bugs, and affleunet Moroccan minerals we climbed a nearby ridge to take in the beauty of the valley, our gift from the mountains. This view is from the top of the first ridge.

This is Mary. I anticipate writing a more comprehensive log about our time spent with her, but for now will simply share with you about Mary, herself. Sister Mary grew up in Ireland and later moved with her family to Argentina where she spent a number of years. During her time in Argentina she spent time with the nuns who were involved in the Liberation movement and at one time lived with them for a short period, experiencing their lives as they lived with the indigenous community. Soon after she gained employment with Westing House but shared that she could not shake the impression that the nuns in Argentina had made on her and decided to give a relationship with God a chance to grow. At the age of 36 she decided that God was asking her to give of her life for His service. And as she shared, "I have never regreted that decision." A life of voluntary service, live together, and love is her desire and is evidenced by her relationship with God, nature, and her neighbors.

During our time with Mary, God confirmed and reaffirmed the life which Jake and I desire to live. I life of simplicity, community, love, peace, and good-works. Through our many conversations God used Mary, her story, and her life as tangible ways to show us what a life with Him is like. At one point in our conversation Mary began sharing with us about a family's wedding celebration a few years back. She shared that as tradition dictates, on the day of marriage between a woman and a man, the man buys what he can and sends these goods with his family to "fetch" his soon to be wife. For this particular marriage, the man bought 25 kilos. of flour, a goat, and a dress for his bride. Because the brides family lives very simply, as a result of extreme poverty, when they received this valuable gift from the grooms family they went to work. That day the brides mother and the women of the community made all the bread 25 kilos. of flour can make. The brides father butchered the goat and that night they celebrated the marriage in high style, with all the meat and bread that one village could eat.

Two weeks following this beautiful celebration Mary took a two week vacation and attended a wedding between a very affluent Spanish woman and a very well known Moroccan man. With men on horse-back to greet the guests at the door, an extravagant, well-designed wedding, and a multi-course meal to follow - Mary shared that shortly after her arrival to the wedding reception, she had to leave.

As an ever seeking desire to make reconcilation in my heart between so many issues I deal with, I asked her, "How do you renconcile that?" Her reply, "You can't. You don't." This was one of the first times I have felt peace regarding my inability to reconcile what I know in my heart is true and what I battle with understanding and accepting... As shared before, more reflections of our time with Mary are soon to come.

Until then... To be continued...

As it comes...

From us: a combined update.

Friday, the English class that Jess teaches as the Association, got to enjoy the fruits of our Thanksgiving labor. All the left overs went with Jess to be enjoyed by a new group of students. And enjoyed it was... there was not a bite left of anything.

Most of the students are here in this picture. 3 or 4 are missing, but we want to save photo space for what is about to come...





Day 1

Yeah, that was Friday. Saturday morning we got up, made a nice big breakfast and hit the road. Our goal: to visit our friends in Tattowin.

Most of the other places we have mentoined visiting have been hundreds of kilometers away and we take a combination of public busses and taxis to get there. This town is a different matter. It is only 16 km (10 mi) away, but it is a walk through the Sahara to get there.

Now there are taxis to get you part way there, but not the whole way. And we decided that we just wanted to walk, so walk we did. The first half of the road travels through some very small towns, farm fields, the road is partially paved and populated. The second half of the road looks like this picture to the left. (Side note: it was rather hot and clear this day. My long-sleeved tshirt was almost too much at this point. It was an amazing day.)

This is still the road, but this is where it crosses the river. As you can see, most cars and taxis would not even try to come across. Several people have trucks and take them across, but they are anything but regular, and they are often full of sheep, goods, or people, or any combination of the three.

So, we walked through the heat, but changes in the world were afoot. And just to keep you interested, this story is to be continued...

From Jess:

Hey - Just a couple articles worth reading and looking at:

Goa Ladies Team Slum Outreach

Living Beyond Hatred

Don't forget to take a look below!

Thanksgiving party...

Well, it was a success. While the chocolate chip cookies we made for a holiday a few weeks ago were a complete failure (Moroccan tastes are different, so they just plain hated the cookies), last night was a blazing success. The carrot cake and apple spice cake went over like Tums at a chili-eating contest, and the banana bread seemed very well recieved as well. The pumpkin pie was a bit of a stretch for some, and one person actually threw hers away (pictured below: guess which one...), but most people got to like it after a little bit.

Some of our students...

One of the workers from the center and some more of our students.


Hyat and some of the female students. I am on the far left making fun of the Moroccans for how much sugar they are putting in everything. Yes, that is a huge spoonfull of sugar I am about to eat.

One of our best English speaking students at the Center and a ridiculous stuffed rabbit that somehow made it into our home and never left.

Jess and Hyat, together, of course.



The apple cider went over pretty poorly, but it was still consumed. People just added a lot of sugar to it and the tea (look at the bottom of his glass... that is all sugar).

Overall it was a grand success if you ask Jess or I. Truthfully, this first Thanksgiving overseas could not have been any better. It was a great night.

Jake and Jess

Thanksgiving...

Well, Happy Thanksgiving everyone. What are we going to do here? We have invited our English classes to come over to the house tonight and enjoy some traditional or semi-traditional Thanksgiving treats. Jessica is modeling our food below.

Here we can see Jessica showing off the many dishes that we have made, all of which have been significantly sampled. From left to right we have: pumpkin pie, banana bread, my tart holding a pumpkin tart, carrot cake, and apple cake.


So that's about it from here. Hope you enjoy your day. Be thankful, and know that we are thankful for you (and your comments).

Jake and Jess

From Jake:

"But what can I do?"

This is a news article worth reading:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6164134.stm

A kid, poor, a slave, but inteligent and hard working has potentially changed the course of a region of one of the most populous countries in the world.

What could he do? He grew up as a slave, but he achieved anyway. It sounds corny, but it is true.

Read it.

From Jess:

Up-date of sorts with a couple stories to share...

First off - as most of us know, I don't cook. But as of Nov. 14th 2006, that has all changed... Pictured here is the Fried Apple, Tomato, and Pepper salad with our special dessert from our favorite bakery (that we frequent all too often).

Pictured here is a slice of gratitude shown from the man to the woman and her Peanut Curry Rice (not pictured: Eggplant Dip).


Just a day in the life of Hayat and I in her carpet shop... Just as a side note: Her carpet shop isn't simply a shop where carpets, rugs, and pillows are sold. Hayat's carpet shop is a place where men and women alike, from all social classes and different ages, come to gather and talk, drink tea, rest and sleep if needed, and most importantly, pray. This is why I spend so much time here daily... It's a refuge of learning and laughing, grace and mercy, listening and friendship.

Yesterday, though, was a day of shame... As Jake and I have been looking for change purses (in that all monies under 20 are in change pieces), Jake suprised me at Hayat's shop with a new pink change purse. I've found in the past that kissing my husband on the cheek is a faux pau, so I stayed away from that. Instead, Jake took my hand and kissed it. In response, one of my favorite women sitting beside me went off and all of the sudden everyone began laughing - laughing hard. I didn't understand why but had an idea so I had to pry it out of them. After four minutes in the dark, only knowing that she probably put us to shame for displaying physical affection in public. Her exact words, "Go get a room!" We were shamed.

Only moments following, Hayat asked if I was cold and was going to give me her coat to keep warm. I was cold but there was no way I was going to take her coat. She bickered with me and to suffice her need to keep me warm, I just got up and sat on her lap and told her, "Hayat, If I was cold, I'm not anymore - I'm taking all of your warmth!" Then the shame began. One of my most favorite dirty old men said it best, "Hayat, If she wants to be warm grab her boobs!" Omigoodness... shame...

My new friend - Elvis.













So, aside from the pctures and such... here is just an up-date on our daily happenings... God has been so good and continues to manifest himself daily in so many various and diverse ways...

Community Center: Jake and I (more Jake than I - they just like having me around, I think I make a well enough fool of myself to make them laugh, that's all I'm good for) have taken over an advanced English class at the local community center. Beginning next week I will too will take over a class of my own with all intermediate english speaking adolescent girls. Jake and I have really enjoyed getting to know our students there and anticipate having them over on Thanksgiving for a party of sorts...

Women's Center: This week I have spent some time at a local women's center that doubles as a two room school and cyber cafe... During my time there they asked me to speak with a class about American culture, my life, etc. Jake and I will go back on Sunday to continue talking with the youth about school, opportunities, life skills, choices, etc. The head English teacher also has asked me to come and speak with the women soon and has expressed interest in partering up with an American school in order to increase positive communications between clutures and possibly be able to supply them with some beginner/intermediate English literature. Any takers?

Medical Association: I'll spare you from how I became associated with the community medical association, for all you need to know is that - yes, it involves me making a fool of myself once again! But what I won't spare you from is the mass amount of work they do not only for their immediate community but for surrounding villages as well... Examples: fixing a falling school structure; providing medical supplies; conducting medical examinations; and providing medical services. Over the past week I have increased my time spent there and beginning next week will begin teaching an English class for all those interested. It has been a great joy spending time with those in leadership as well as those receiving services.

Jake and I have also are attempting to intentionally increase our accountability and learning and desiring to live out our vows to eachother and to Christ. More about that later...

All in all... God continues to manifest and demonstrate himself daily within our lives with Him, eachother, and with others... we are grateful...

And a quick P.S. I need motivation and affirmation friends... We love comments and I have to tell you, the lack of comments is wearing on us (okay, me)... for more up-dates you gotta keep the comments comin' our way... okay, my way - it's me who really cares :)