Some of you know that my younger brother Alex has taken to the road the past few months. With his truck, pup, tent and newly acquired banjo he is traveling the states and visiting as many national parks as possible. This past month he made it to Montana. Unfortunately, a trip like this, low key as it may be, still requires some funds. Enter Terrapin Farm. My brother met Judy Owsowitz, the sole owner of the small but well thought of organic farm, while at a market in Whitefish, Montana. He asked if he could work for her for a few months. After a little probing she apparently felt like he could manage the work and hired him on. So, he has been working on the farm for close to a month now.

What does all of that have to do with me? Well, I made it out to Whitefish last week to visit my brother and go backpacking in Glacier National Park (just a half hour away). Little did I know I’d be doing some farming as well! Judy put me to work and so the first day I was there I spent it with my brother working in the field. We picked everything from peppers to beets and lots in between. It was peaceful work in the midst of beautiful surroundings. I even managed to eat some fresh veggies right out of the ground!

I’ll post soon with some pictures from our time in Glacier, but in the mean time I hope you’ll enjoy a behind the scenes look at Terrapin Farm.

You, O Lord, will keep them;
you will guard us from this
generation forever.
Psalm 12:7

Photo taken from www.jessietorresblog.com

“This week has been difficult due to the pain and thought of losing Ivan, but right now my heart just aches and I feel sick with pain. These are boys that will be forgotten, that few knew even their names. These are boys that each had a piece of my heart and will forever have that piece.”

A close friend of mine, Jessie Torres, wrote the above words in her most recent blog post. Jessie went over to Uganda a few months back to work with an organization focusing specifically on loving and walking beside children living on the streets. These are children living on their own, in the realness and raw pain that comes from exposure to poverty and all the darkness that it carries, most with no family or caretakers outside of people like Jessie. She originally went out to work with the children for about a month, but quickly realized God had other plans for her. She has now been gone for close to two months and will be staying until the end of the year, continuing to serve the kids she’s grown to love.

Recently, several children that were part of the program Jessie facilitates were stolen during the night.

Taken.

The pain that is felt here is quickly ascribed to the death and pain that is birthed by sin, but we may be missing the complete sadness of the situation, the brokenness and depravity of the lives of so many. How perverted a man’s heart must be to find himself kidnapping children off the street, how lost and dark a soul. Scripture says “For God so loved the world…” not some, but all. It says that each and every one of us was created in his image. Prayer here should be given for both William, Nicolas, and Mukenya (the boys taken), (as well as the countless children which are represented by this sad and heinous act); and, for the men who have taken them.

“Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil…
be constant in prayer…
Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality…
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them…
Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep…
Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all…
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Excerpts from Romans 12:9-21 … such is the life we are called to live as Christians.

I can only speculate on the pain of being so close to this. But Jessie is there, she is living it. I would encourage you to take some time to visit her blog at www.jessietorresblog.com to read more, and also and more importantly, to pray for these three boys, the kids like them, and the men that have taken them. Respond to how God has called you to respond. If this instance is one in which he is pushing on your heart to act further, then I’d encourage you to do so, contacting Jessie through her blog is a great starting point. In the meantime please join the many who are already on their knees in prayer.

It has been a busy couple weeks since I have returned to the states. I have been moving into a new house, concluding my internship with Food for the Hungry, and doing my best to touch base with people (which I am doing a miserable job of right now…if you are waiting to hear back from me I promise I’m slowly getting there)! As a nice break, which seems funny to say since I am just returning, I was able to spend a few days with my family (minus my brother who is visiting family in Utah). I spent the past few days with my parents, sister, and sisters friend in California with most of our time at Lake Tahoe. It was my first time visiting here, it is absolutely beautiful. I must admit, I wasn’t looking forward to leaving again so soon, but the beauty of this place is tough to beat, and it was great to really visit my family for the fist time since I returned.

Above you can see my sister and her best friend Kelsey, Lake Tahoe from the top of a near by mountain, and a ski lift overhead of the now dry sky slope.

The lake is gorgeous. Enough said.

At multiple points I regretted not bringing my tripod. This sunset was one of them.

This Tahoe Lakeside beach was just a few blocks away from our hotel. The water was crystal clear, and the mountains peaking in the distance complemented it creating a breathtaking vista.

On one of the days we took bikes for a four hour ride around town. We went through forest, beaches, and even poked around at a local estate. The Baldwin Estate, no connection to the mostly lacking acting family, was spotted with gardens, old buildings, and neat antiques.

On our way back to Phoenix we drove through Yosemite National Park. I had been a few years back on a backpacking trip, but had forgotten how beautiful this park is. Even on the short drive you see so much!

And of course we watched some great fireworks on Independence Day. The show displayed pirotechnics over the lake and thousands of people packed the beaches to look on. That said it has been a great few days with family. I’m greatful for the chance to spend time with them and see such a beautiful part of the country. Though now, I’m also looking forward to getting home and getting caught up  on life. I hope you all saw some great fireworks as well and had a

Happy 4th of July!