bigger eyes, wider embrace, longer stride

In Nashville for Create conference this week

Monday morning I'm driving with Brodie Taphorn to Nashville. We're attending the Create 2010 worship conference and think tank. Check back often for updates. Also, follow me on Twitter at http://Twitter.com/danieljclark and find me on Facebook at http://facebook.com/danieljclark1 for tweets and updates from the conference.

In Nashville for

update on surgery for Ethiopian mother

We first introduced you to Workinesh, an Ethiopian mother in intense pain from a prolapsed uterus, nearly a month ago here.  The money was quickly raised and we've moved forward with her care.  Here is our latest update from Amber Kaufman, Doma's Medical Coordinator and an award-winning Nurse Practitioner and Instructor in Central Florida, and our Ethiopia Country Coordinator, Israel. 

Hello!  I have been in contact with Israel, who is working with Workinesh and her surgery.  We have been in contact throughout the week regarding her progress.  I have learned a few things through all of this…first, their medical system is very different then ours (I knew that – but I am being reminded!), second – things do not move as fast as they do here (back to the first lesson), and thirdly – it is hard, as a person in healthcare, to be here and not there, asking a million questions.  But Israel is asking questions for me and has been giving wonderful, detailed updates.  I will give you the summary of these…

When I sent the first update, Israel had been told to bring to her the hospital that next day for the surgery.  But she ended up going through pre-surgery testing.  She has had blood work, ultrasounds, and a few other tests that I will spare you the details.  The final test that she had takes 2 weeks for the results.  Once they have those results, they will be able to plan for the surgery.  They are expecting the test results back the week of February 15^th.  Based on Israel’s description of the test – this is a test that can take about a week or so to get back here in the US, so I was happy with 2 weeks.  Israel said that Workinesh can barely walk at this point.  She has been staying at his parent’s house – a huge blessing.  Workinesh and her husband speak a different dialect than Amharic – the main language of Ethiopia.  Israel and his family speak her dialect so they have been able to communicate with her and translate for her.  

Here is a picture of Workinesh and her husband.

Here is a picture of Workinesh and Israel.

friday listening party: U2's Window in the Skies

I've been listening to this song quite a bit this week.  Here are the lyrics...

The shackles are undone
The bullet's quit the gun
The heat that's in the sun
Will keep us when there's none
The rule has been disproved
The stone it has been moved
The grave is now a groove
All debts are removed

Oh can't you see what our love has done
Oh can't you see what our love has done
Oh can't you see what our love has done
What it's doing to me

Love makes strange enemies
Makes love where love may please
Soul in its striptease
Hate brought to its knees
The sky over our head
We can reach it from our bed
If you let me in your heart
And out of my head

Oh can't you see what our love has done
Oh can't you see what our love has done
Oh can't you see what our love has done
What it's doing to me

Oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh

Please don't ever let me out of here

I've got no shame
Oh no, oh no

Oh can't you see what love has done
Oh can't you see
Oh can't you see what love has done
What it's doing to me

I know I hurt you and I made you cry
Did everything but murder you and I
But love left a window in the skies
And to love I rhapsodize

Oh can't you see what love has done
To every broken heart
Oh can't you see what love has done
For every heart that cries

Love left a window in the skies
And to love I rhapsodize

Oh can't you see

Check out this inspiring and innovative video:

And then the same concept applied to live U2 footage with a great intro of a concert ending sing-along of 40.

good news for outsiders (sermon from Epiphany 4, Luke 4:22-30, 1 Kings 17, 2 Kings 5:1-19, Colossians 1:16-20, 2 Corinthians 5:18-20)

You can hear my sermon from Sunday here:

Good News for Outsiders

friday listening party: You'll Never Walk Alone

I first met Kevin Palys as a sophomore at Valparaiso University.  Since then, we've reconnected through intersecting our film and international aid worlds in some fun and creative ways.  He's a writer, producer, and director, and operates PettingZoo Pictures.  Recently, he introduced me to a song that I had somehow missed over the years.  It's a beauty from the musical, Carousel.  Here is Johnny Cash's version of 'You'll Never Walk Alone.'

Then through a little YouTube investigation, I learned that for decades Liverpool FC fans have been singing this song at their matches (that's what European football fans call games).  Yeah, and they call soccer, football.  Here's their version:

do you know the slave next door?

Tomorrow, Doma launches Project Green Light in Columbus, OH.  One of our vital connections in this initiative against underground red light districts, youth homelessness, and human trafficking, is Marlene Carson, founder of Rahab's Hideaway.  She was recently profiled in a story on Relevant Magazine's Reject Apathy digital magazine.  You can read the story here: The Slave Next Door.  Marlene will be joining our launch meeting tomorrow.  If you care about these issues and desire to see Columbus and central Ohio become a safe place for trafficked persons and an unsafe place for traffickers, join us.  Find out more here.

friday listening party: OK Go likes to dance

top 10 reasons i'm running a 1/2 marathon for charity

10. Because my New Year's Resolution is to run a 1/2 marathon in the Spring and a full marathon in the Fall.

9. Because their are orphaned children and vulnerable families around the world and if I can 'multitask' - raise resources while I get in shape and take on the challenge of a 1/2 marathon with some friends (and my wife!) - all the better.

8. Because running is a great way to stay in shape - and have time to listen to music, podcasts, pray, be outside, etc.

7. Because I want to give toward causes I believe in.  But getting up and moving feels better (and often works better) than sitting down and writing a check.

6. Because doing things together - on a team - is almost always better than doing them alone.

5. Because I've run a 1/2 marathon for me and I've run it for others.  And when I ran it for others, for those in need, it was a better, more enjoyable, more successful, more inspiring experience.

4. Because it doesn't take a 1/2 athlete to complete a 1/2 marathon.  But at the same time, it's something (almost) anyone can do (barring serious health concerns).  From beginners to pros, young and old, big and small, most people can train consistently and make it to the finish line on race day.

3. Because half of the proceeds will benefit long-term orphan care initiatives in the wake of Haiti's devastating earthquake.

2. Because our coach, Lisa Rainsberger, is a world-class athlete herself and an experienced coach.  She helped me get to the finish line successfully my first 1/2 marathon in 2007. 

And the number 1 reason I'm running a 1/2 marathon for charity is...

1. Because every step I take between now and race day on May 1st literally makes a difference in the lives of orphaned children and vulnerable families around the world.  If that's not motivation when the early alarm goes off for a long run, I don't know what is.

Time is running out.  Go to Team Up and sign up today.

sign up today for Project Green Light

Nearly 100 people, 10 churches, and many other networks, neighborhoods, organizations, and businesses will be at Heritage Christian Church on Saturday, January 30th, from 9:30 to 11 to participate in the launch of a new initiative in Columbus, Project Green Light. Will you?

Combat underground red light districts in Columbus. Be Green Light.

Find out more here.