Vance E

It's amazing how you meet someone early in life and somehow later in life, there you find them again. That's my friendship with Vance. A strong and faithful man, whose legacy will live forever in the lives of his children and his children's children and their children... Need I go on about the children. He is living proof that faithfulness produces a wonderful and abundant crop. I remember when Dawnette and I first got married, we made a trip from Portland to Wenatchee. We decided at the last minute to change our plans and visit MY friends in Wenatchee. (I lived in Wenatchee for a year and a half before moving back to Portland where I met and married Dawnette) After evening worship time, Vance invited us to have pizza at a local pizza place. I remember him asking where we were staying and I had said, "no where yet... we're just going to get a hotel room" Something that people say a lot to newlyweds. Anyway, Vance insisted we stay in a trailer home he had. Remembering that he had once owned a trailer park, I thought, "great! cheap!, free place to stay!" We followed him to his house and as he stepped out of his car, he pointed out our sleeping accomodations and that the toilet was outside in the garage. I won't share what I thought at that moment... I will only say, now, 15 years later, I can laugh at it. The next day we were off to finish our "honeymoon" as we had originally planned. Long, long, long story short... our car broke down, the hotel lost our reservations, we had no more money because we had to have our car fixed which took TWO DAYS! Yet to our rescue, Vance came to pick us up. I was hoping we wouldn't have to stay in the camper again... We didn't. He had found a home for us to stay in while our car was being repaired. He is a servent. His life reflects the Joy of the Lord. He embraces children, provides for those who cannot, yet, he is humble and serves without reserve. Next year, he will be 90 years old. What a life story. peace. johno~

jason hill pdx

My good friend, Jason Hill. I'm not sure how I can honestly keep this post short. Jason is my closest friend. Which is kind of funny since we live about five hours away from each other. Jason grew up with brothers, (I with sisters). He reads, (I look at pictures). He sings, (I make a joyful NOISE). He uses a PC, (I use a Mac). He's a rock star, (I am not). He has a chocolate lab, (I have a chocolate lab). ah finally something in common. We do share many things. He's a jerk, sometimes... as am I. He loves his family, as do I. He's passionate about African missions, me too. He has no credit card debt... I'll never have another credit card. Dare I continue the list? He seeks God... On our trip to Louisiana in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, we had some great talks about God and being a servant as we dug sewer holes. I found humility in a bottle of ice cold water with Jason and KP. Beyond the trenches Jason is the best worship leader I know... at least he tries to be. I've enjoyed his leadership at the Metro church of Christ and at Faith Quest, US. He puts God first into his worship planning and then all of himself. He is the reason I will run someday. And that's Jason. He says we can do things we sometimes don't think we can do. Or rather, he gets me to do things I wouldn't even think of. Glass half empty vs. glass half full. I'm a blues man, so you can imagine with ease what my glass is most of the time. He wouldn't say it himself, so I will. He is also an accomplished photographer. It was his rebel xt that sent me down the road of Canon DSLR's. Via email, IM chats and cell phone calls on the drive home, our conversation is most everyday. Perhaps it's good to be five hours away... most, in their right mind, would never place dynamite next to a spark... something could explode. So when we have the time together, we have to potential of being little dangerous but our intentions are good... We continue to build on a great foundation which makes us more brothers than friends. peace. johno~

Love

Oh, for the Love. Mark Love has been a friend for sometime. I first knew his parents when I was young. His father preached at the church I attended in California. Having a father like Mark has, one with a well known name for ministry, I've wondered... How do you get past being just, that "preacher's... KID?" Well, Mark has done it... Not in making a name for self, but a name for God. His love of God and his love for the northwest has given drive to a passion that restores a community that has been called to shine Light to the world. Truly a difficult challenge here in the northwest were it's hard to get even the sun to shine. Being encouraged to remember Gods kingdom, Gods reign and Gods preferred future for the world is a strong statement of his. He has a fight on his hands... a good fight that is well worth it. There are lives at risk. God wants His people back... Mark has heard the call. On top of it all, he loves U2 and plays the guitar. I'm glad to know him and I'm glad to learn from him. peace. johno~

Blanche

Sunday morning. Short scuffing sounds of a forward motioning walkers. If you're not careful, you could be trampled and very slowly killed by anyone of our senior saints in their attempt to find their Sunday morning pew. "Death by walker" not good. However, Blanche, with her limited sight, finds time to "see" people around her. She has such a calming voice when she speaks, you know you are in the presence of a true saint. She would never say that about herself... that's why I'm here. Blanche is a beautiful daughter of God. I struggle for words to share, because... how do you write BEAUTY? A few weeks ago, during worship service, I turned to look around at those gathered and saw Blanche. It was like a light opened from heaven and I saw this little woman with her eyes closed, her hands together yet lifted up... both giving and receiving praise. As she sang, I wanted so badly to move next to her, to "see" what she was seeing. Although a brief moment, it was one of the best worships I've ever been a part of. I am a fool for not spending more weekdays with her. To hear her share of her childhood, is a pleasant trip to a time more simple and less distracting than today. They are stories of places I would like to find for my children and their children. Yet, in all her wisdom and grace, I also love her spice. She will tell you only truth. Like it or not. Bold and honest. As the weeks go by I see her body grow more frail... However, as the weeks go by, I see her Spirit grow stronger. The words of the prophet Isaiah are fulfilled in her... Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Amen~ johno