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Genesis of Hope, one of our partners in ministry in South Asia, was created by the Landge family who has been working among the poorest of the poor since the 1980s. While meeting physical needs has value, they were driven to meet the spiritual needs, which has eternal value. They work in many different areas and engage people from Hindu, Muslim and Buddhist backgrounds. Genesis of Hope has eight children's centers focused on meeting the physical, mental, educational and spiritual needs of children and families living in the slums of a major city in South Asia. They employ engaged, creative, and caring staff to work in their own communities.  

Last October I traveled with a small team from MCC and was able to visit three of these centers and meet several of the teachers and pastors that work tirelessly for the children and their families. Several of these staff members I had met on previous trips five years ago, and some even more than 12 years ago. There is such joy from these men and women. They showed us some of the ways they are creatively teaching math and language lessons to the children and art projects they have done as a community. The centers provide a safe space for the children and the leaders provide care and emotional support. 

The first center we visited was Shahbad Dairy. MCC provides annual support for this center, which allows them to minister to approximately 80 children and their families. We were able to meet about half the students and were able to share a song, story and craft. The teachers at this center are amazing. We heard their testimonies and how Genesis of Hope has made a difference in their lives, even as staff. They were so excited to share how they are teaching the students in very creative ways.  

The second center was in a predominantly Muslim area. I was especially excited to visit this center because my family sponsors Sana, a 12-year-old girl that lives there. At this center we squeezed into a very small space. There were three connected rooms where maybe 60 kids crammed in and sat on the floor while we shared our song, story, and craft. I was also able to spend a little time talking with Sana and her mother and brother. 

The third center we visited is a new ministry that was begun by a pastor who noticed a growing slum underneath the metro lines on the floodplains of a major river near his home and asked if the ministry would be able to support another Genesis of Hope center. This center meets in a very basic open-air structure. This area receives food daily as a part of a feeding program from Amazon. It’s a rural area and gets flooded as the monsoons come every summer. 

Now imagine a super fun Vacation Bible School week at each of these centers. Genesis of Hope hosted six VBS experiences throughout their city this past week. What a sweet thing to pray about as we experience our own VBS. There were over 700 kids in attendance total. Kids had a chance to experience the hope that Jesus brings and have fun with their friends. Unlike many of the students attending MCC’s VBS, these children are from Hindu and Muslim backgrounds. Some are regular attendees of a Genesis of Hope program and for others this will be the first time they have ever had a chance to hear about Jesus. 

There are some logistics that make this VBS quite different from what our students experience in our church. While we may think it is hot here, they have experienced 110+ degrees with little or no access to air conditioning. They also managed to fit nearly 50-60 kids into spaces that we would only feel would comfortably hold 15-20 kids. The snack the kids receive may be the only nutritious food they receive that day. But there were volunteers and staff with smiles on their faces greeting each child, just like what happens right here. There was fun, there were songs, there were snacks, there were games and most of all, the name of Jesus was proclaimed. Those are the very same things that make our VBS special. 

Genesis of Hope will continue to meet the needs of children living in the poorest parts of this huge city. Our support enables them to pay their faithful staff, maintain their buildings, and provide materials needed to provide education and support for these children. Pray for all the staff of Genesis of Hope. The situation in their country is becoming more and more difficult for them to share their faith freely and sometimes even finding a space to meet together as believers is difficult. Pray for favor among their neighbors, and even with the government. When you pray this week, just remember Genesis of Hope. Please pray for each child to understand God’s love for them. Please pray the stories and lessons they learned will take root in their heart and that their families would come to know Jesus as well. 

On June 17, 11 MCC high-schoolers and three youth group leaders caravaned up to Glorieta, NM to attend a youth summer camp with 5 other churches from the greater ABQ area. Over the ensuing week, the teaching (1-2 messages per day), worship (2 times per day), and discussions were focused on one word: Follower. We deep-dove into what it means to be a follower of Christ, from the commission, the purpose, the way, the hardship, and the reward. 

Discussion topics weaved in and out of important thoughts, with some of my favorite conversations centered on:

• ‘How do we reject the fading beauty of worldly things for the eternal beauty of godly things?’
• ‘Why is the struggle of being a 21^st-century believer worth it?’
• ‘How do you represent Christ to your peers when they don’t want to hear about Him?’
• ‘What’s the difference between believing something is true, and living like it’s true?’
• ‘How do I prioritize Christ amongst all the other big decisions in my life?’

The Lord was at work through these conversations, basketball games, gag-ball pit contests, an adrenaline-raising slew of camp activities, the praises lifted in accord with some 200 other camp attendees, the quiet times we regularly had with the Lord, and the daily time spent together, as brothers and sisters in Christ.

Our MCC students were example-setters all week, even garnering recognition from other churches for the way they comported themselves. One of the other leaders mentioned in the morning leader-huddle that he was so grateful for the Mountain Christian Church students, and how easily they engaged other students, as his group had been blessed by ours. Another leader told me how impressed he was by our students’ constant choice to serve and engage with some of his younger students. How beautiful it is to see God use young people to model Christlike living!

There’s a beauty in attending a camp where exhaustion sets in, and distractions slowly disappear as the focus moves onto Christ. I was immensely encouraged by the willingness and humility of our young adults to enter conversations regarding things eternal, and grateful for the Lord’s faithfulness in meeting us daily. 

I continually pray that each student will eagerly build on their professed desire to follow the King of Kings, and if any do not yet profess it in their heart, that a seed would have been planted at camp, which will continually grow into a full-throttle approach to knowing Christ our Savior.

In our culture, when someone says, “I’m on a budget” it’s code for, “I can’t spend any money”. It conjures up images of longing gazes at forbidden items, or plunking down jars of coins onto checkout counters.

This used to be my view of budgeting too. My parents were always starting a “tight budget” in an attempt to get control of their finances, and then bailing a couple of months later when they just couldn’t keep it. Then they’d start again. It was always their excuse for why I couldn’t get something, so as a kid, a budget was the enemy.

When Von and I had a young family, money was getting stressful. Von, my “solution finder”, signed us up for a weekend budget workshop. As you might imagine, I was not excited about it. I had very low expectations of taking away anything meaningful from it.

But I walked away pleasantly surprised, and....dare I say it, excited?! Is it possible to be excited about starting a budget? What we learned was how to honor God by being good stewards of His money. How to see how money flowed through our household, and how to stop the “leaks”. We learned to pray and set goals together, and then how working on it together made us a team, not opposing spenders. We saw that as the budget is based on our goals, it’s a living document that changes as our goals and situations change – it’s flexible. And situations do change all the time! Jobs change or have pay adjustments, health and goals change, kids grow and have new interests...and your budget can easily flex with you.

We also learned to save, and this was a big one for me. I felt a lot less stressed knowing that money was ready when those unexpected expenses happened. And, boy do they! The first time I wrote a check for yet another emergency car repair, and I knew the money was right there in the account all ready for this moment, I was a complete believer. This budget thing works!

Honestly, this has been a game changer for us. For our marriage, our family, our faith... oh yeah, and for our finances. We got involved teaching budgeting because it was so impactful for us. We would love for it to be a game changer for you too.

Please join us on Saturday, June 29, from 9 am-3 pm at MCC. Childcare and lunch are provided. Ages 15-110 welcome! Please contact me (Elisa Trullinger) at 505-971-7432 by June 26 to find out more information or sign up!

We are continuing our series on getting to know your church leaders a little bit better. Read along to learn more about Tom Mead, who serves on our Deacon Council. 

Where were you born, and do you still consider that home, or somewhere else?

I was born in Glen Cove (Long Island), NY, but home is Sandia Park.

What did you want to be when you grew up – and is that still a dream?

I wanted to be a pilot. I still dream about it. Many are nightmares.

What or who was your earliest spiritual influence?

I attended Sunday school growing up but my earliest spiritual influence was the drug culture of the mid-60s. Posters saying ‘Acid is God’ generated a real ‘No He is not’ reaction and pity for those who were caught up in and lost in that culture. The real influence was a Christian Navigator, Ed Polley, conducting an adult Bible study at Bitburg Air Base, Germany in 1979.

How and when did Christ call you to Himself?

At Bitburg, in the late ‘70s, I knew that I was not part of the prevailing culture and chose to maintain the moral standards of conduct that I had been brought up with. This was my first situation of having to make a clear choice based on secular values and Christian values, that is choosing to obey the Lord.

What is a scripture you often read or share with others?

I love reading how John the Baptist jumped for joy in Elizabeth, when Mary, pregnant with Jesus, entered the house of Zachariah and greeted Elizabeth.

What is a special answered prayer you’ve received from the Lord?

There have been many. In 2014, my son was hiking in the Sandias, had an accident, and had to be rescued. I prayed during the whole rescue sequence and the Lord got him to UNM hospital where he was taken care of.

What is a blessing and what is a challenge in serving as a deacon?

The blessing is to help mitigate what could be distractions from worship, Sunday School or any of the other many activities that go on in our church facilities. The challenge is finding time to do all that needs to be done.

What are your hobbies and how did you get into them?

New Mexico and Colorado have some great fishing spots. I got into this to enjoy time with my brother, who is an avid fisherman, when he would visit.

What is your favorite family tradition?

We meet our kids for dinner somewhere in Albuquerque about once per month.

How do you enjoy spending a day off?

I gave up ballet when I outgrew my slippers so now I do yardwork.

What is the perfect meal?

Waffles with molasses, and bacon.

Who or what never fails to make you laugh? 

My son in ‘one ups-manship’ pun making contests.

We asked Karin: 

What is your favorite trait of Tom's? 

Honor. Tom is an honorable man in everything he does! From this flows faithfulness, loyalty and integrity. I have known this for as long as I have known Tom.

What does Tom do that can always make you smile? 

Every year when it is time to plant his garden, I smile at how much joy this gives him. He gets those little plants ready to go in the ground and tends to them faithfully. Tom gets up to water before going to work and waters first thing when he gets home. He produces some great veggies and loves to share with the church members every summer.

Every morning, before our kids wake up, my husband Tim and I leash up the dogs and take a walk around the neighborhood. It’s a great way to connect before we start each day. 

At such an early hour, we ease into our conversation. It usually starts with a review of how we slept the night before, and later, what’s on the agenda for the day. This time is so ordinary. (We’re endlessly fascinated by the amount of poop our two little dogs are able to produce and how ill-behaved they are around others.) But in the middle of all of this very ordinary business, we also experience the extra-ordinary. 

This morning, with Father’s Day right around the corner, I prodded my usually matter-of-fact, non-introspective husband to dig deep into what he’s learned in his 20+ years of fatherhood. He doesn’t love it when I do this, but after some nagging gentle prodding, the wisdom started to flow.

Below is Tim’s top 10 list of the ordinary things that have reaped extraordinary blessing in his life as a Dad. May they bless you and your families this Father’s Day.

1. Date Your Kids

Everyone knows dating your wife is important, but do you date your kids? For years, Cara and I would alternate weeks and alternate kids on a weekly date night. Sometimes our date was as simple as running errands together, or other times it was extravagant as a movie night. But those weekly date nights gave us special insight into each child and what was going on in their little worlds. As they’ve gotten older, and their schedules have become more demanding, this has become more challenging. During busy seasons, when a “date night” is not in the cards for us, we still try to be intentional about getting some one-on-one conversations in with each child. 

2. Deal with Matters of the Heart in Discipline

It’s way easier and faster to punish kids for their behavior and never deal with the heart behind their actions. Every time discipline was (and is) required is a new opportunity to discuss the gospel with our kids. They sinned because they are sinners, and Jesus forgives because he’s our Savior. We all need more of Jesus and times of discipline are a bittersweet reminder that we never outgrow the gospel. It meets us right where we are, every time.  

3. Be More Patient 

I’m often amazed at how dumb kids can be. What did you think would happen when you threw that ball at the window, or stuck the pipe cleaner in the electrical outlet, or put the metal in the microwave? I can’t say I’m always good at finding the humor in these things at the moment. But as my kids get older (and I’m getting wiser), I’m learning to keep a lighter touch on those childhood inconveniences (and expenses).  

4. Love Them Intentionally, Even When They’re Annoying

The pre-teen/early-teen drama that happens in our home on a daily basis is exhausting. Everyday I hear new “fun facts” about Harry Potter, or some random YouTuber, that I don’t care about. But I try, I mean really try, to listen to what they care about. I sometimes don’t know whether to slap them (figuratively), or hug them (literally). If you have 11-14-year-olds in your home, you’ll probably understand. It goes so quickly, even when it goes so slowly. 

5. Let Them See You Struggle 

I’ve been self-employed most of my children’s lives, which has been both a challenge and a joy. It’s given me the opportunity to be more physically present, but it’s also meant some serious sacrifices have been made too. They haven’t had the kind of childhood where budgets weren’t a concern, or some corners didn’t need to be cut from time to time. But even in this, God has been gracious. They’ve learned to be grateful, and as a family, we’ve been able to rejoice together as God has graciously provided. What a great lesson to learn early on in life!

6. Move Heaven and Earth to be at Their Sports Games

Sports were a really important part of my childhood and our kids have each found their own athletic interests too. I’ve had more heart-to-heart, ‘life talks’ around the issues of sports than any other single thing. When their sports schedules come out, I enter their games into my calendar just like I would a work appointment. So much of what you learn in life comes from what you learn on the field or court. I want to be present and cheering them on for all those moments, win, lose or draw.

7. Become An Expert On Who They Are 

I love personality and work assessments. They give me insight into who would be a good hire. These are great tools for our kids too. I’ve learned how (and when) to criticize, and when to keep my mouth shut. Our four kids are all so different, and learning how to best connect with them has been a real game changer. (If you’re interested in learning more, for a small fee, the Kolbe Index offers a great assessment of how your child works. Myers-Briggs also has some helpful tools and assessments that are free.) 

8. Kiss Your Wife in Front of Your Kids  

One of the best parts of being a dad is making your kids squirm. Nothing gets a bigger reaction from my kids than showing love and affection for my wife in front of them. All kidding aside, I want to model what a loving husband should look like for my daughters and for my son. Today, they say “Ewww!” but someday they’ll get it and appreciate it. 

9. Keep the Main Things, the Main Things 

Some parents make grades and test scores the end all, be all. Of course, we want our kids to succeed and try hard, but in light of eternity those measurements don’t matter. What we care about is if they know and love Jesus Christ. If they do, then the conversation changes to doing our best, for God’s glory. An easy “A” says less about you than a hard-fought-for “C” when you’re overcoming obstacles. Keep the main things the main things, and Lord willing, they’ll grow up doing the same.

10. Protect Your Kids, Even When It’s Costly

Sometimes doing what’s best for your kids puts you at odds with other people you care about. Fathers are called to protect. In the most extreme cases it might be a life or death situation, or it might be removing toxic people from life. I wouldn’t have chosen the suffering that accompanied some of the decisions I had to make about protecting my kids. But I would choose to protect them at the expense of those relationships a million times over. It’s been one of the most defining things in my life as a father.

In Praise of All the Ordinary (& Imperfect) Fathers

Isn’t it amazing that God showed his heart toward us through the description of him as our Father? His heart of love for us is like an earthly father’s love for his children. And while our earthly fathers try and fail, our Heavenly Father loves us perfectly and completely. 

Being a dad is a huge job. The stakes are high and the culture in which we live isn’t friendly to strong male leadership in the home. Yet, this has always been God’s plan. He’s always intended for imperfect men to lead imperfectly and in dependence on him.   

I’m thankful for Tim, and my Dad, who’ve lovingly laid down their own lives, to love and serve us well. It’s their imperfections and their ordinary-ness that makes what God does with these acts of faith so extraordinary. 

Christian fathers, you are the bedrock of our homes and society, and you are extraordinary. We don’t sing your praises loudly and often enough. Thank you and Happy Father’s Day!

Cara Ray. In Praise of the Ordinary Fathers Making an Extraordinary Difference. June, 2021. Cara and Tim Ray.

https://cara-ray.com/in-praise-of-the-ordinary-fathers-making-an-extraordinary-difference/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=in-praise-of-the-ordinary-fathers-making-an-extraordinary-difference