The Hood of Service

“Why are we doing this?” Sometimes there are questions that we respond to almost instinctually. Someone says, “How are you doing?” you respond with “I’m good,” even if you are sick and just got fired from a dream job after you girlfriend broke up with you and took the dog. But every once in a while we are presented with a question that knocks us on our heals, with the weight of it importance.

When Anthony asked me, “Why are we doing this?” it was one of those questions. We stood there in the quite sanctuary, waiting our turn to wash each others feet, and I struggled to answer. My answers didn’t seem to balance with the weight of those words.
Perhaps the question had added weight because of the way that Anthony asked it. His awkward bending teenage frame, trying to figure out how to hold itself to match the straight and formed décor of the stained glass sanctuary. His muscles pulling on each other trying to hide is sagging pants, oversized t-shirt, and general street thug appearance. Maybe it was because only a year ago Anthony prayed to have Jesus be the Master of his life and in the past 3 months had the Latin Kings, a local gang, try to recruit him. Perhaps the sincere and earnest way that he asked the question, truly not knowing and early wanting to, made me consider my answer more carefully.
The day, Maundy Thursday, could have added to the impact. We were participating in the evening service of prayer and remembrance of what Christ went through with his disciples the night before his crucifixion. We read the scriptures and sat in silence letting the memory of those events soak into us like drying laundry left out in the rain.
Maybe the question hit me hard because this was the second time in a week, I had knelt and washed some else’s feet. A week prior at the World Venture Short Term and Mid Term missionary training, I had the humbling experience of being taken out of the servant position and being served. At that same training, I heard this quote that as came crashing back to front of my mind with Anthony’s question.
“Servant-hood stems from a secure identity of who you are in Christ.”
“Why are we doing this?” It was almost as if Anthony had captured in his confusion the very heart of Peters protest. “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Why are we doing this?
It is only now weeks later, as I try again to study the verses and understand Jesus’ answer to Peter that I know how to answer Anthony’s question.
Jesus washed his disciples feet because he “knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God.” (John 13:3) Christ was certain of His identity and out of that authority he knelt and served. When Peter protested that Jesus was too good to wash his feet, Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand… Unless I was you, you have no part with me… Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should was one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” (John 13:7,8,14-15)
We serve one another because Christ has served us. If we are going to be part of the body of Christ we must follow his example and wear the hood of service.

Documentary Work in Africa !?

If you ever wondered what exactly Documentary work looks like in Africa, check out this awesome webseries.  It's a great Behind The Scenes (BTS) look at what Video Production entails.  I will be doing much of this type of work, and facing many of the same obstacles as I produce videos for my upcoming project.  Take a look.

http://www.zacuto.com/bts-webisode-1

Video Update #2

Check out these Links too.

Twitter: twitter.com/#!/CADVideo

Video Update #1: vimeo.com/22457837

WorldVenture: worldventure.com/​Home.html

Blog: cadvideo.blogspot.com/​

Donate: worldventure.com/​GiveNow.aspx?aliaspath=/​Give/​Give-Now

NewsLetter - May 8

Courtesy of Kriss Szkurlatowski

Let's Get Things Started

    I know it's been a while but I wanted to let you know about some exciting new things that have been happening in my life. God’s been doing so much in my life it's hard to know where to begin. I’ve been working as a Freelance Video Producer for the past couple of years but business has slowed in the past several months.  It’s given me the time to see how God has been preparing me for a new project.  I’m not sure if we ever talked about this, but I’ve always been interested in telling stories about what God is doing through missions around the world. About a year ago, I started playing with the idea of producing Videos in Africa that will engage the local US church in His work there. I began exploring the idea on the side and seeing what opportunities there were for me to do that.

Telling the story...

      Since February, that idea has formed into a reality.  Working with the mission organization World Venture, I’ve been able to plan a trip, really a 2 Year Project, to produce Mission Videos in the 15 different African Countries they are working in.  Specifically, I’m going to be traveling from country to country to tell the story of what God is doing through the missionaries and local churches; but also to visually explain the work that needs to be done.  I hope to show the opportunities that exist for people to be involved in that work. The big picture dream is that through these videos and by using social networking outlets that the people will be challenged by God's work and realize that they can be involved in it.  I believe that as we become engaged in mission work and service, that God will use each of us to impact change not only in the lives of those we serve but also in our own lives. That’s been my experience and I’m excited to be able to create this opportunity for you.  

Building a team...

The next step in making this Video Project happen is building a team and support network. That's you. Having a solid team to support me is key to the success of this project.  I would love to have you be part of it.  Right now I need people who will give both one time financial gifts as well as commit to giving on a monthly basis throughout the project. If you would like to do that please follow the links provided on the side column.  I am also building a network of prayer supporters, those committed to seriously, and consistently praying on my behalf.  Besides these two there are wide variety of other ways that you can be involved. In the coming months I'll be sending you more information about those opportunities. Regardless of how you choose to be involved I would love to connect with you face to face and share some of those opportunities with you as well as share more details about the project.  Please let me know if you'd like to get together and we can arrange a time to connect.  Thank you for your time and for considering how you can be part of this amazing opportunity.  I am exited to see what God will do through this. 

Soo... What are you up to?

 Perhaps you’ve had this experience and can relate.  You run into some one you haven’t seen in years, maybe at a coffee shop, church or maybe even the movie theatre.  The conversation goes something like this.

            “Hey, Wow how long has it been?”

            “Oh, I guess like what, since school right? That was 5 years.”

            “Man I can’t believe it.  You living in the area?”

            “Yeah, Just moved in to the neighborhood and am really loving it.”

            “Yeah, there’s a lot of great places around.”

            Then comes that inevitable silence as you both stumble for any info you’ve seen on your Facebook news feed about Jobs, Relationship status, or life changes you should have been aware of.  Eventually you ask,

            “Sooo… What are you doing now?”

            Most peoples answers are pretty similar work, marriage, church, finishing school, kids.  Mine goes a little something like this.

            “Wow, God’s been doing so much in my life. I’ve been working as a Freelance Video Producer for the past couple of years but business has slowed to almost a complete stop.  It’s given me the time to see how God has been preparing me for a new project.  I’m not sure if we ever talked about this, but I’ve always been interested in telling stories about what God is doing through missions around the world. In the last year or so, I started playing with the idea of producing Videos in Africa that will engage the local US church in His work there. 

              “Since February, that idea has formed into a reality.  Working with the mission organization World Venture, I’ve been able to plan a trip, or really a Mid-Term Project, to produce Mission Videos in the 15 different African Countries they are working in.  Specifically, I’m going to be traveling from country to country to tell the story of what God is doing through the missionaries and local church there, but also to visually explain the work that needs to be done.  I hope to show the Church the opportunities that exist for them to be involved in missions. The big picture dream is that through these videos and by using social networking outlets that the Church will be challenged by God and his work.  I believe that as the church becomes engaged in missions God will nurture and develop them into His image. At least that’s been my experience.  So I’m excited to be able to give this opportunity to other people.

“I could go on and on about this but, in a nut shell that’s what I’ve been up to.  Maybe we can get together soon and talk more. When are you free?”

Video Update #1

The first of many yet to come.  This is just a quick video about my Mission Project with World Venture.  More news and updates on the way.



Links As Mentioned
Uganda Video: vimeo.com/​19586496
WorldVenture: worldventure.com/​Home.html
Blog: cadvideo.blogspot.com/​
Donate: worldventure.com/​GiveNow.aspx?aliaspath=/​Give/​Give-Now
Bloopers: vimeo.com/​22457629

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Motorcycles, Trees & Me

            My time in San Francisco wasn't only spent becoming addicted to Caffeine.  Because my birthday was coming up my parents gave me a little money to play with while out there.  They don't condone my newfound love of motorcycles but they know I'm always safe when riding. So I didn't feel guilty when I used the money to rent a Harley 1200 Sporters.

           The morning of my rental, I rode the BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) to the rental place and signed all the paperwork.  After talking for about 20 minutes about routes for touring, I headed out.  This was the first time I had been on a motorcycle on the open road.  I was really nervous, but pretty soon the exhilaration took over.  I cruised around downtown for a little just getting used to the bike and riding along the tourist locations that I had already walked early in the week, my smile growing along with my heart rate.  Even a short rain shower couldn’t dampen my excitement, though I did realize that at 45 miles per hour raindrops hurt.  

            The rain stopped as I made my way to Highway 101 and the Golden Gate Bridge.  I hit the throttle pushing the needle up past 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, and finally settling into traffic at 65. Rolling along the wind howling around me, attempting to use my jacket as a parachute and lift me off my bike, vehicles 5 times heavier than me and my bike moving along less than 3 feet beside me. I was on the GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE.  Riding across was pure exhilaration, my heart pounding the adrenaline into every nerve of my body.  I just had to yell, which is an odd experience inside a helmet.  Nevertheless I screamed at the top of my lungs, “I was born for THIS! This is what I was meant for.  This is LIVING! WaaHoooo!”  

            It is in moments like that when pain doesn’t exist.  Everything lines up, even if only for a brief second and you know that when God made the earth and you and me, this is what He had in mind.  You feel complete; some would call it ecstasy or joy. I call it fulfillment.  Every part of me was full and I know that if anyone could have seen through my helmet then they would have seen some of that spilling out in the form of a goofy grin.

            With my grin splitting my face, I followed the signs on the back roads winding their way up and down cliffside roads to my next waypoint.  Muir woods.  When I got off the bike my body was tingling with the residual adrenaline.  After paying the 5 dollars to enter and examining a trail map I started out along the walkway in to one of the last Coastal Redwood forest in the world. I wasn’t prepared.  John Muir, the namesake of these woods, said it best, “Big Trees …”  The scene leaves you speechless. Some of these trees date back to before Christ was born, so rightfully so they call it the Forest Pre-historic.  After the gray and bleakness of Chicago that I have had for the past 5 months, the vibrant greens of this forest astounded me.  Even with a stream running through the park and kids jumping around from one thing to the next, the place saturates you in what I can only begin to describe as the nature of these trees.  They are solid, permanent and certain, but they are alive.  

             As I walked under the bows of these massive giants, staring up in wonder while trying not to trip over the forest floor, I felt surrounded by an ancient and steady power. It made me think of the Ents of the Lord of the Rings.  They were always my favorite creatures for the same reason I was awestruck by this forest.  The Ents did things slowly, but when they decided to do something, nothing could stop them.  Their power was seemingly endless.  No rock or construction of man could stop their movement.  I sensed that the same vast, slow, unstoppable power existed here and yet there was peace here.  

             It was a complete contrast from my ride only a few moments earlier.  One area, is called the Cathedral Grove and they ask everyone to stop talking and be quiet as they pass through the grove.  The United Nations, when they first formed, met in this same grove.  I am sure that they all felt the same awe and power that I did.  As I moved through the grove, I chose a short mile and a half hike and started out.  About half way through my hike, I found myself atop a hillside not looking down on the trees I had just been walking in but still looking up.  It was here, standing in perfect silence amidst these primordial woods, that I again felt fulfillment.  Everything was in it’s right place, me feeling so small next to these giants, their presence and life impressing me with Divine Inspiration and Eternal power.  The same words came to mind, “This is Living.  This is what I was meant for.”  Again, I felt like I had experienced a glimpse of heaven, the life that God intended for us.