Making Memories

September 27, 2018

For the roughly 3 1/2 years we lived in Asia Pacific, we were newbies. Or at least, that’s how it felt. Upon our return to the US, we’ve felt the same way, albeit to a lesser degree. I can speak English and navigate most cultural things here, but I still feel lost a bit. Where […]

Layers upon Layers

September 27, 2018

Here are some thoughts I penned a few weeks back but am just now getting around to posting: I never guessed that life could become so complex. I was unprepared for our first trip back to the USA, and I still feel like I’m in a very strange world where things to don’t quite make […]

The Other Island: Trip 2

January 16, 2018

After the first trip, Payton and I both felt like our perspective was lopsided. At that time, we only had two potential future ministry options on the table (we now have a few more back in the mix). We had seen one, but knew little of the other. It felt odd to try to decide […]

The Land of the Dinosaurs: Trip 1

January 16, 2018

When we first heard about this potential ministry location, I remember someone telling me that flying in there was like flying into Jurassic Park. When we first started planning a trip in there, just to check things out, I really didn’t have much information to go on. Payton had been there before, but we were […]

Fall without the leaves

November 28, 2017

It’s weird to be in a place where the months and seasons move without any noticeable change. We don’t really even have a distinct rainy season here in our town, so it’s just always between 80-95 F with a mix of rain and wind on occasion. The consistent, unchanging temperature makes […]

Collection 2

September 12, 2017

Here’s a bit more from the past few months. In no particular order. Cool Stuff. Guys from interior meeting about continuing education for their kids that come to the city. It’s awesome how this interior church has continued to grow and his trying to prepare the next generation. If you ever wonder about our sanity…this […]

Collection 1

September 12, 2017

Lately, there seems to be not enough time in the days to try to blog. We just got fiber internet, which will probably help make it possible to upload photos instead of plugging and unplugging the USB drive to reset the internet when it gets overheated. And truthfully, there’s just not enough energy to write […]

A Sad Journey

September 12, 2017

Not that long ago, Payton caravanned up to a remote village in the mountains to help deliver some relatives and the belongings of a family who had just lost their dear little boy. The immediate family drove separately with the casket in an ambulance they had rented. They had moved from their village to the […]

Enjoying life at home

June 11, 2017

Fasting month here is a whole change of pace for us. It’s quiet most of the day, but crazy busy after dark. Early on an toward the end there are plenty of fireworks too. Some places are open to eat, but mostly, we don’t get to eat out much during this month. Every bit of […]

Capital City Trip

June 10, 2017

Here’s just a few random pictures from our trip to the capital city. I usually don’t like trips because they are usually just chaotic, but this one was different. I asked God to change my perspective during it, and He did just that. A lot the work came with adjusting my expectations vs actual reality. […]