Dan and Erin Holcomb

Some Summer Shots

2008-07-31T17:41:00.000-07:00

Phil and Rea got married this summer (3 times!). Here's the wedding party on the lawn of Garden Vineyards outside of Portland.

Our college student and friend Hattan with his mom, sister and host parents (Dan and Erin).

Erin and Dan in Dodoma with Joseph Deus - one of the Lahash sponsored kids.

Little Kingdoms

2008-07-31T17:03:00.000-07:00

I recently have been enjoying John Ortberg's thoughts both in print and online. His book The Life You've Always Wanted has chapter after chapter of good solid advice for living a full life for Christ in the Kingdom. But something he mentioned online really resonated with me.

He was talking on a panel of speakers and mentioned that each of us has been given dominion - we each have been created in God's image and so own a small kingdom that we are responsible for. We all have relationships, responsibilities, gifts, time, and resources.

I think I've had a hard time understanding this in life. Early on (in grade school and high school) I just neglected my "kingdom" - did a poor job at managing the things in my life. During college as I read about Jesus I found that he preached a message of the Kingdom of God - a vast, international, eternal, network of people and beings that loved God and their neighbors and enemies.

Suddenly I jumped from poorly managing my Kingdom to trying to manage the whole Kingdom of God.

As I traveled in East Africa this past year it was clear to me that my abilities and reach were limited (thank God for that). I am not responsible for the salvation, care, and hope of the world. I am part of a team of followers of Christ and we all have responsibilities or kingdoms that we are called to rule and take care of.

Thankfully this epiphany was given to me and I feel like I have a second wind right now. I want to understand the simple responsibilities that God has called me into and then do those really well.

Prepare for a streamlined Dan.

East and west.

2008-06-30T15:57:00.000-07:00

June was a busy month for the Holcombs. We spent two weeks with the Lahash partnership in Tanzania, and then I (Erin) returned home while Dan went on to Kenya, Uganda and Sudan. Dan is returning to the U.S. on July 12th.

This was our first Lahash trip as a married couple, and it also happened to coincide with our first wedding anniversary. We celebrated by going out to a curry dinner at a local restaurant and having a delicious dessert of mixed fruit and vanilla ice cream. Yum!

Now that I am back in the U.S., I am trying to finish up a bunch of projects that I have put off for inexcusable amounts of time. Out of the fifty items on my list, I’ve probably only finished two of them. Most of them have to do with organizing various areas around the house.

I am extra motivated to get the house in order this week since Hattan’s mom and sister are coming to stay with us on Saturday. Wafa (his mom) and Hatoon (Hattan’s younger sister) will be with us through the end of August. With their room about to be occupied, I’ve discovered that we are facing a shortage of storage space in the house. Time to get rid of stuff. Anyone want to combine efforts on a garage sale?

While Dan is gone, I’ve been enjoying the company of my sister Bethany who is staying with me. Over the weekend we went to the Oregon coast with our parents and enjoyed a Roland Reunion with my paternal grandmother’s family. It was a beautiful weekend at the beach, and it was fun to go on a Willett family road trip again.

For those of you who want to know more about Dan’s travels with the Lahash staff, make sure you visit HopeIsAlive for the team blog. Please be praying for this last leg of their journey in Sudan.

One weekend to go

2008-05-29T14:58:00.000-07:00

Erin and I are getting busy with preparations for travel to Tanzania this summer. We'll be going with a group of wonderful friends from Vibrant Church in Portland (Trip website here). We'll have some updates here - as well as some group updates on the HopeIsAlive website. Here's our itinerary for those of you interested:

June 2 5:10 PM - leave from Portland - stop in Salt Lake City - Arrive at JFK (New York)
June 3 11: 20 AM - leave from JFK (New York) - stop in Dubai
June 4 3:20 PM - Arrive in Dar Es Salaam - See the beach - Spend the night at a hotel
June 5 Bus to Dodoma - supper at the Pastor's home - Sleep at the MAF guesthouse
June 6 Orientation - Break off into homestays
June 7 Home Visits (Interviews with AIDS clients)
June 8 Church Service - Adam preaches
June 9 Visit the Ntyuka Health Center
June 10 Home Visits (Interviews with AIDS clients)
June 11 Visit the Village of Hope/Home Visits
June 12 Msalato Bible Camping
June 13 Msalato Bible Camping
June 14 Children Ministry Day - Sleep at MAF Guesthouse
June 15 Church Service - Leave to Dar Es Salaam - Sleep in a hotel
June 16 5:20 PM - Lunch at a restaurant (Debrief) - Leave Dar Es Salaam - Arrive in Dubai
June 17 9 PM - Arrive in Portland (After a stop at JFK and Washington DC)

I'll be staying on and traveling to Kenya, Uganda, and Sudan after the Vibrant group and Erin head back to the U.S.

Here's a shot of Portland that I took the other night...

On rallys and presidents

2008-05-20T13:41:00.000-07:00

Erin and I parked our car and walked across the Hawthorn bridge the other day. We merged with 75,000 other people in what turned out to be the largest rally of the U.S. political season so far.

It's been fascinating to watch the elections this year - and the new directions the campaigns are going in. We have elderly John McCain who has been quite moderate in his past - facing a tough woman, and a Kenyan-American man.

I'm currently registered as an independent - and have a sickening taste in my mouth for politics after the past decade of politics.

As the nation has gone through the election year - I've been savoring the latest book from Shane Claiborne "Jesus For President". I whole-heartedly recommend this book - especially for those of us attempting to follow Christ and wondering how lobbyists, war, politics, religion, and our devotion to the Messiah all fit in the picture.

As far as the rally? It was fun being there - there is a lot of excitement over Obama right now - and the crowd was filled with a lot of hope. Obama did seem tired - he slurred words and made mistakes. And I got a little sunburn on my neck!

Here's a video from our view in the crowd:

Newly armed.

2008-05-08T21:28:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, Dan came home with his hands behind his back. He had bought me a new digital camera. I've been hoping to get one before we leave for Africa in June.

It feels great to have a way to document the world around me in higher resolution than my cell phone camera provided. Today we took a walk in Portland's Hoyt Arboretum, and I was able to test it out a bit.

Things to blow your mind.

2008-05-06T08:23:00.000-07:00

I've been enjoying some really amazing perspectives recently. First - this is especially interesting for those who follow Christ and are in the media - check out Shane Hipps.

MP3 sermon at Mars Hill in Michigan

MP3 talk

Shane was in the advertising world (and worked on the Porsche global account). Then he became a pastor. His insights into the impact of the medium on the message, the isolation and individualism that literacy and electronics bring, and the message of the cell phone are all making me rethink a lot in life. He's also written a book called "The hidden power of Electronic Culture." I hope to read that soon.

Also, check out Ted.com. On this website you'll find an amazing trove of current insights on religion, development, media, technology, entertainment, culture, and globalization. Amazing stuff. While you are at it - click over to WeFeelFine.org - a website that monitors the collective feelings of our planet by mining through blog entries!

And finally, I've also been interested in the findings of Willow Creek on the effectiveness of their church. Head over to RevealNow.com and watch the lead pastors of the church talk about their failure in guiding members of their church - and lessons that they'd like to share with the general public.

Pieces of Portland

2008-04-27T22:18:00.000-07:00

Interested in a fascinating MP3 discussion? Click on over to "Speaking of Faith" and listen to a panel discussion by Chuck Colsen, Greg Boyd, and Shane Claiborne about the relationship between Christianity and politics as seen by 3 very different generations.

It's been a great past several weeks! Today we enjoyed a nice little picnic in the park in Portland with Douganya and Hattan. We're pretty addicted to Carcassonne now, and got a couple of games in on this fine Sunday.

In the evening Leisha and Annie came over to share in a meal and some Bocci ball. At that point our neighbor girls came over and we had Spanish, Arabic, and English all swimming around our home!

Doug's Birthday

2008-04-15T15:01:00.000-07:00

Photo's from Doug's 26th Birthday! And our growing family...

Rest at the river

2008-04-02T16:19:00.001-07:00

Our Saudi housemate

2008-03-22T18:25:00.000-07:00

Erin and I have had an extra room in our home. Recently we matched up with a university home-stay program to host a college student. Hattan Alolayan arrived Thursday night from Saudi Arabia and we've had a great time getting to know him! Within 24 hours of arriving he was up for our annual Easter vigil at St. Tim's church with Anya's parents. He's been really cheerful and flexible and was up for an egg hunt and several hours of liturgy.

Anya's family lets the younger kids (those under 30 who are single) fill up sacks with candy and plastic eggs. It was a beautiful day to be outside with friends and family.

Trip to Colorado!

2008-03-17T10:18:00.000-07:00

We've been back for a week now from the freezing town of Denver. Erin and I popped in for the weekend to visit friends and family.

Bridget brought along her parents Brian and Anna to a Pizza and Mussel joint. Bridget is already blogging - you can see her site here: BridgetWarren.com

We also saw my uncle and aunt (Ray and Marilyn) and also scaled the foreboding peak of Mt. Falcon with Knotts and Mathis's!

Random Bits

2008-03-03T15:00:00.000-08:00

"You can't ask people what they want if it's around the next corner." - Steve Jobs
Quote about Apple's lack of focus groups in product development. CNN

*****

Erin and I had a mouse - in our house. We tried to catch it numerous times to free it peacefully in the wild (near someone else's home) but the little guy was quick.

So Erin bought some ol' fashioned snaptraps and the little guy went for the bait. It will give a little more tension to watching Ratatouille.

*****

We are headed to Colorado to visit a bunch of the Rocky friends - I'm looking forward to that this week.

Thoughts on Prayer

2008-02-25T14:10:00.000-08:00

I don't think I'd characterize myself as understanding prayer well - or being very dependable in my prayer life. I try to pray in the car, when I wake up, when I go to sleep, or when I'm alone. Being busy or active usually means I'm thinking about a lot of things other than prayer.

For Lent, Erin and I are being more intentional about praying, and also as we get into situations that are just too complicated, stressful, or painful - we are reminding each other to pray more.

This past Sunday we studied prayer as a part of the class that I'm leading at First Covenant Church - "Loving Your Global Family." The following quotes that I found were especially meaningful:

Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire? - Corrie Ten Boom
Of all the duties enjoined by Christianity none is more essential and yet more neglected than prayer. - François Fénelon
There is a general kind of praying which fails for lack of precision. It is as if a regiment of soldiers should all fire off their guns anywhere. Possibly somebody would be killed, but the majority of the enemy would be missed. - Charles Haddon Spurgeon
I have so much to do that I spend several hours in prayer before I am able to do it. - John Wesley
This is our Lord's will... that our prayer and our trust be, alike, large. - Julian of Norwich
The lover of silence draws close to God. He talks to Him in secret and God enlightens him. - John Climacus

And some scriptures:

1 Thessalonians 5:17
Pray without ceasing
Matthew 7:7-8
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks the door will be opened.
Philippians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Valentines at the river

2008-02-20T11:04:00.000-08:00

My idea of a romantic event often involves skinned knees, poison ivy, raging streams, and tea! On Valentines day we enjoyed a sunset on the Willamette river and enjoyed hot chocolate together.

It's interesting that through the struggles, the pain, and the doubts in life - that I find commitment, hope, and rebirth. It seems so backwards.

Erin and I have committed that through the obstacles in life - that we commit to choosing to become stronger together rather than letting stress pull us a part. There is a lot of security continually coming back to that idea.

Willett North.

2008-02-12T16:44:00.000-08:00

Over the weekend we took a trip up to Seattle to see our siblings (Erin’s side) who live up there. This is Bethany’s last quarter at SPU, so we wanted to make sure we had some quality time with her before she becomes a college graduate. J.R. and Jen came over to her house with baby Micah to add to the fun.

The six of us spent time eating together, playing games, and taking turns holding the baby. On Saturday we talked everyone into going swimming at the Queen Anne pool. And we finished out the evening with a game of Carcassonne- a strategy game that has been a popular pastime at our house lately (similar to Settlers, for those who know).

More pictures on our Flickr page—see the sidebar.

LentenReflections

2008-02-07T09:13:00.001-08:00

Erin and I bought a little Catholic devotion book to guide us on the journey through Lent this year. It's been great to stop in the morning and contemplate death, fasting, sorrow, and the hope of resurrection and new life...

We offer up our lives, God, in entirety. We bury ourselves as seeds - breathless that you will take the potential and raise up new life, new hope, and a new vision. We are broken, selfish, and surrounded by pain. But you in your goodness and love have taken out our hearts of stone and replaced them with hearts of flesh. Take these 40 days and guide us to your embrace.

Show the love.

2008-02-04T20:53:00.000-08:00

In our February support letter, I wrote about my interactions with my homeless friends at Portland Rescue Mission. In the past it has been too easy for me to look past the homeless person on the corner. It is uncomfortable to face such great need when it feels impossible to help. Now I am daily reminded that while their humanity may be covered by dirt, smells or facial hair, the image of God is still beautifully present when I take the time to look.

I know that many people care, but it is difficult (and intimidating) to know how to respond when asked for money on a freeway off-ramp or street corner. As a first step, I recommend that you prepare ahead to engage with homeless people in your community. Here are a few things that are easy to plan:

Always look them in the eye, smile and greet them. This acknowledges their worth as a fellow human created by God.
Find out what makes them unique- where are they from? What are their hobbies and interests? Do they have a spouse or children? Share some of your story too.
Be prepared to assist them by knowing about the resources for the homeless in your community. A short phone call to a shelter can give you information about where meals, clothing and beds are offered around the city. Make a handout of local resources to pass out to people who ask for assistance. Carry bottled water, rolls of toilet paper and energy bars to hand out from your car.

And to really rock your world, give your time to volunteer with organizations that care for the homeless. Seek out these hurting people. Giving yourself in relationship powerfully demonstrates the love of God to hurting people, and it might just change your life too.

Trip to the Oregon Coast

2008-02-04T10:04:00.000-08:00

Erin and I enjoyed a nice little stay at the Oregon Coast this past weekend. It was so refreshing being away from the busyness of things. My abs are sore from building a walkway of rocks for Erin to cross a raging stream... notice our wet pantlegs.

See it to believe it.

2008-01-24T15:05:00.000-08:00

I recently heard about the Personal DNA test from the HR department at PRM. Dan and I both took the free personality assessments online.

We have always known that we are very different. For those of you familiar with the MBTI inventory, Dan is an INFP, and I am an ENTJ. They say that opposites attract. It's true, but I'll add that opposites also have a lot to learn from each other!

This test highlights how you function in your workplace, and the color grids are a nice visual to see how your personality is "proportioned." Click on the links below to read about our quirks in detail.

Dan's Grid

Generous Creator

Erin's Grid

Dynamic Director

Just around the next corner

2008-01-21T16:43:00.000-08:00

Dan and I have been talking about getting this website up and going for a while now. We've both had blogs in the past, but now that our lives are intertwined in every other way, it seems that it is time to share a blog as well.

As some of you may remember, DanErin.com started out as a website with details about our June wedding. It has sat idle since then. We hope that this new purpose for the website will rekindle the interest here and motivate us to write on a regular basis.

As we grow together through our lives and work, we hope that you will join us for the journey.

Welcome to DanErin.com 2.0!