Nuru November At West Virginia University

The last couple of weeks, I’ve been able to watch a handful of really cool initiatives get started in my wonderful home state of WV, and every day I feel even more inspired by what friends and neighbors around our state are willing to do to confront the crisis of extreme poverty that exists in our world.

Just this month, a group at West Virginia University, YoungLife College, started an initiative called “#NuruNovember.” I was able to share a bit of Nuru’s story, our WV and WVU roots and connections, and a vision of where we are going and how they could be involved. These students grabbed hold of the issue and began taking action.

So what are they doing? This week, they have been set up in the Mountainlair Student Union at WVU telling people about Nuru’s work, and challenging others to take action and help Nuru continue to expand its life saving and life transforming work in Kuria West Kenya.

They have set a goal for the month of raising $4078 dollars as part of their initiative during the month as well. The number 4078 is the grocery code for yellow corn and so these students really got creative with their goal. One of Nuru’s programs involves helping farmers increase their crop yields to be able to feed their families. Before Nuru arrived, families in the community suffered in chronic hunger. But with the help of Nuru’s programs, and the support of amazing individuals like these students, over 10,000 people have had their lives changed for the better.

I hope other groups and individuals will follow the example of these students and choose the path of action over apathy. One out of six people on the planet live on less than the buying power of $1.25/day, but together, we have the tools, knowledge, and resources needed to bring lasting change.

Together, we truly can end extreme poverty, one community at a time. 

Derek and Becca’s Wedding

Last weekend, I was able to be part of an incredible wedding celebration that featured an old roommate. It’s the second marriage ceremony I’ve been part of in the last month, and it is always a true honor to be involved in such an intimate ceremony and sacred commitment taking place among incredible friends.

This ceremony was an interesting coming together of lives and worlds. One of the  officiants for the wedding was none other then Ben Tuel, another of my former roommates. After graduating, Ben went to work for a ministry called YoungLife in Morgantown, Charleston, and now back in Morgantown again. During his time in ministry, he had met a number of students and witnessed their lives beginning to glow with a love for God and for neighbor. His favorite was a young woman named Becca Thomas, who is now Becca Roberts, my recent roommate’s bride.

As close as Ben was to Becca, I would have to say I felt equally close to Derek. Derek was a roommate of mine for over two years, and he and I have been part of many road trips to Atlanta, Charlotte, and places in-between. I watched Derek grow in both his zeal for God as well as his compassion toward others. During the time I lived with him, I had seen him dedicate time to serving people who were less fortunate in life, both locally and globally. Along with some friends he started a cold shelter for people who did not have homes in Morgantown. He also launched a nationwide tour and drove around the country  raising awareness about the millons of people in our world who lack the tools and knowledge to lift themselves out of extreme poverty.

This coming together of worlds is really what marriage is all about. Two lives are becoming united to serve God and others in ways that they couldn’t do so on their own. Becca and Derek are currently making their home in Charleston, WV, within site of the capitol. The Robertses have been working with high school students in a local church, River Ridge Church, and continue their efforts with YoungLife as Becca finishes her nursing degree at University of Charleston.

The ceremony was definitely memorable. Much like my friends Joel andHolly, Derek and Becca chose a locale that was picturesque, and contributed greatly to the solemnity and sacred air of the occasion. Friends and relatives from many different areas came together for the celebration, and I’m hopeful that this trend will continue throughout their marriage. May their home and their jointly-lived life be a place where many connect, come together, and experience rich hospitality and a wonderful sense of deep love. And further, may their love be an example that is emulated by the many people who cross their paths during their lives together.

Saying Goodbye to Curtis and Lindsay

Saying Goodbye to Curtis and Lindsay, originally uploaded by chanchanchepon.

My friends Curtis and Lindsay Fowler just left Morgantown for the west coast on Friday. They actually had left the week before, but they were called back East when they found out their grandfather had past away.

Curtis and Lindsay had left for a year right about the time my mom got sick. They worked as staff at a YoungLife camp in WildhorseCanyon. They returned to Morgantown last Fall, and have been spending the last few months working and saving money for an eventual move to Alaska.

Curtis is like a brother to me. We were actually trying to figure out how we grew to be friends, and honestly, it just kind of happened. We've always been pretty tight with each other, and our relationship has been much more like two brothers than it has two friends or acquaintances.

We were able to hang out a decent amount this past winter, but as with any interaction with kindred spirits--it's never quite enough.

So, I drove over to see the fowler's off and wish them well on their journey (and Curt's mom did the same thing!). So I grabbed this great family photo opportunity, to remember some fun moments together, and to remember some of my most quality friends.

I'm so thankful for the friends I've been given, and I know I will miss Curtis and Lindsay dearly while they are in Oregon and Alaska. I've been so privileged to meet amazing people like them who are changing the world for Christ, and who are living out their faith in a way that is contagious.

I bet you've got some pretty amazing friends too. Christ is my treasure, but I think the friends he has given me have been among my greatest gifts received. I think it's kind of like Jesus said about brothers and sisters that when we follow Him, he truly adds to the size of our family--or maybe in truth, we contribute to the size of His great family.