Jason stays at our house

Beyond our children, one of the greatest gifts God has given Lisa and I are friendships with folks who daily do the hard work of making this world a much better place; people who each day make a decision to love God, His world and the people who call this place home; people who are doing this noble work often in difficult places.  

A couple of days ago I blogged about Carolyn & Nour Sirker.  Here's another one.  Another friend.

I met Jason and his wife while in seminary years ago and we've been tracking with their journey since seminary for nearly 10 years now.  For much of that time Jason has been engaged in disaster relief and community development work.  His faith in Jesus and his passion for lost and hurting people has led him and his family to this life.  Specifically he's been working in a number of community, villages and towns that were affected by the tsunami in 2004.  Now, long after the cameras and spotlights and even other NGOs have left the area Jason and his band of community organizers continues to help businessmen restart old businesses, help the local dept. of education develop new teachers and train counselors to help people heal the emotional scars left from violence - but from mother nature and human nature.  

He was in the US for a couple of weeks connecting with donors and speaking at conferences.  The night before he returned to his southeast asian apartment to rejoin his family, he stayed with Lisa and I and the boys.  We had folks over from Living Hope.  We prayed for Jason and his family.  Nathan played silly games with Jason.  And the next morning, at 4am Jason headed home.  

I'm grateful that my sons are able to know men like Jason.  Men who, despite cynicism, despite sin, despite the enormity of the challenge look it in the teeth, grin and charge head long with arms full of faith, hope and love.  

Jason, may your tribe increase.  May my family be among them.