a place to settle

A lot has happened since our June update.

We have packed up all our earthly possessions and sent them off with our friend Scott.

We have said MANY sad goodbyes to friends and coworkers.

We have driven from sunny Golden Hill, San Diego to SUNNY Portland (including a stop off at our friends Jason and Megan).

We have said MANY hellos to old friends, family and supporters.

We have bought and moved into a home in Tigard thanks to our friend's Dave and Patti.

We have left 8 years of formal ministry with NieuCommunities (though we are excited to continue with NC in a less formal way) and have been seconded to The Berean Way.

And, we have laughed, cried, pondered, sighed, missed, hugged, borrowed, bugged, talked, walked, stayed, played and prayed along the way. We seem to be a family that is on the move but looking for a place to settle... God willing, this will be that place (for a while).

For those of you who may be getting this update and wondering what is going on I encourage you to check out these updates to help "fill in the gaps".

One special prayer request... Thursday the 23rd The Berean Way is hosting an event in Portland to raise awareness of the ministries work and funds for upcoming trips. Please be praying for those coming, for the Spirits work and God's provision.

As always, thank you for your prayers and support as we move in this new direction... we are excited to see what God is going to do!

home...

Kinda feels like we were just here...

Over the course of the last couple weeks we have been undoing what we have spent the last 8 months doing... creating a home. All the pictures, plates and papers that we brought out to make our "temporary" place feel like home are going back in the boxes they came in. We've got piles of boxes all over the house (and in the garage) and our home is beginning to get that rental feel again.

Home... it feels a bit like a surreal idea to us. Partially, it feels like we are moving home OR at least closer to it. We are so excited to move back to Portland and have in fact (God willing) bought a house... a home. Not only closer to friends, we are also closer to Canada and family - there is a lot of excitement in our home right now. On the other hand, it feels like we are leaving what we have known for the past 8 years (the family of NieuCommunities) and trudging off into a new unknown... kind of like leaving home. There are so many things that feel unknown, unfamiliar... it is a strange tension.

This morning I was reading in Acts 2 where Peter was speaking to the crowd and he refers back to a passage from Psalm 16 that goes like this:

You have made known to me the path of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

I love the hope of this verse... the promise of REAL home. It was a powerful encouragement to a discouraged King David, the incredible motivation that got Jesus through the cross and a picture of God's best for each and every one of us. A picture that we, the McDonald clan, need right now as we walk through this next transition.

The Details:

Now that CRM has given us the "green light", we will be moving to Portland July 10th to begin working with The Berean Way (Check out their webpage if you haven't already). Jeff has just recently returned from India where he had an amazing time of connecting with Pastors there - I would encourage you to read about it here. We are so excited but in need of your prayers as we try to get everything done before our move date.

A part of what we are looking at doing with The Berean Way is the development of the discipleship base for the trips. We desire not only to go to India (and the nations) to teach, equip and duplicate, but to do it with increasing excellence, boldness and power in our local communities and churches. To allow our experiences with our couragous brothers and sisters in Christ around the world to shape us... transform us... unite us. As Paul puts it in his amazing letter to Titus, that we would be like Jesus, "...bringing [HIS] salvation for all people, training... to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works." (Titus 2:11-14)

Friends... we are that people... we are His possession... it is time to be a part of awakening that zeal!

Please be praying for us as we move... especially for Duncan, Celtin, McKenzie and Hallie.

Special thanks to Peter Schrock for the photo's!

Road Trip

Hi friends,

As many of you know our community occasionally does short term experiences and invites friends and potential apprentices to join us for an experience. We call these times Road Trips. Recently we had one of those experiences. This time though we were able to spend a portion of our "Road Trip" actually ON a road trip to Ensenada Mexico. SO, Duncan, Celtin, McKenzie and I were able to spend the weekend working at an orphanage and talking with another community down there doing many of the same things... it was pretty cool! There are some great pictures and thoughts about it on the NC San Diego blog.

Check it out!

communities of faith

It is amazing to me the broad spectrum of faith communities we cross through on any given day.

Sunday I counted five.

1st - Of course, there is the team of people we have come to "do life" with here in Golden Hill. It is small and curious. We have be spending a lot of time listening and looking for what God is saying to us and calling us to say... community here is learning and exploring.

2nd - We have been attending a GIGANTIC church in the mornings called The Rock pastored by Miles McPherson. No matter your thoughts on "mega" churches this one definitely stands out. Both with its passion for God and His Words AND its desire to transform the San Diego landscape... community here is moving and hopeful.

3rd - This particular Sunday we attended a service put on by another missional community called the Ecclesia Collective. It is a collection of communities seeking common ground and committed to pursuing the Kingdom objectives in action... community here is seeking and protesting.

4th - At this service I bumped into some of the other missionaries with CRM (our organisation) doing other things in and around the greater San Diego area. There is SO much uniqueness in each of these missionaries call and work as they equip leaders for Christ's body around the world... community here is global and developing.

5th - And as the evening went on I had the opportunity to go forward with Duncan and take communion with him... father and son. I was deeply aware in the moment as I was kneeling on the floor in front of him of the deep spiritual communion I share with my son... a community of two... or in my case 6! It is VERY precious to me... community here is deeply connected and full of what could be.

Bless these communities Lord in Your name... Amen.

our fall letter

Well, here I sit in shorts, a t-shirt and flip-flops… cooking hot!!!

Let me tell you how many times I've asked myself "where am I?”

I’d love to take you on a journey with me through what it has been like to move from cold rainy Scotland to always-sunny Golden Hill, San Diego!

To start off, let me first say that we as a family have been so blessed and loved by you all. This last furlough was a real challenge as we came into it exhausted and emotionally drained. The entire 2 and 1/2 months were filled with encouraging coffees, tons of hugs and words of affirmation. It made it one of the most rewarding and encouraging furloughs ever! Thank you for blessing us.

We left Portland with only an offer on a house, the bags that came with us from Scotland, a 6-person tent (no joke) and our amazing new/used van!!! We stayed with good friends in Fresno and then headed to Rob and Laurie Yackley's (our boss and wife) for a few nights. As we reacquainted and talked future we still had nowhere to live in Golden hill. On one of the days Tim, Rob and I went to find a place and it was that day we saw the only rental house. We said, “yes” to it that day, hoping to be in it short term (rent is very high here), because our hope was to get into the house soon. In the meantime, we had a good friend donate a week at a Hilton about 20 minutes from Golden hill… it was perfect. We left Rob and Laurie's after 3 nights and spent the next week at the hotel till we could move into our cute rental house. And so, after 3 long days of driving, a few stops along the way, and a week in a hotel we made it to Golden hill, San Diego our new home!

It has been quite a month and a half as we have tried to settle this family. We started with a few lawn chairs, 2 blow up beds and a bench for a table for the first 10 days. Tim and his dad then flew to Lynden, WA and picked up our stuff that we had been storing for over 7 years, drove to Portland picked up all the wonderful things people had give us and headed back to San Diego, this all took only 3 days!!! They were amazing! And what about our shipment from Scotland? Well, it only took 100 days but it finally came and we could unpack all our belongings… now the settling begins. Tim's parents came to help us and we are so thankful for the work they did to help us get set up and put some roots down. Are you still wondering about the house? Well so are we! With the market the way it is, it has become a waiting game. We have prayed hard (as many of you have)… and about 10 days ago received an answer. The Lord in His sovereignty has removed it… and so, we keep praying. We know that the right affordable house will come where we will be able to do ministry AND raise our family. Keep praying for that house that is out there somewhere.

What is Golden Hill like? Well, it has a funny feel about it that we have yet to fully understand. At times I can look at the beautiful Victorians (a bit rundown), gorgeous palm trees and views and think back to when this part of town hopped with wealthy, upper class people. But, 90 years is a long time and much has come and gone since then. The other side to Golden Hill feels very inner city! We live on a corner right beside a main road that is the entrance to Golden Hill. It's truly amazing how the city never sleeps, between fire-trucks, police cars, car alarms, people fighting, wandering drunks and airplanes roaring over us (you have to pause your conversation while they go by) we are finding it hard to stop and have peace in this city! We lived in the city in Glasgow for 5 years but the noises were different, the feel was different. Amidst this, God has opened our eyes once again to a completely new set of cultures and we have experienced more culture shock than we could have ever anticipated… but it is exciting AND it is growing on us. We have done lots of exploring in the area and will continue to watch, listen and settle where God has asked us to pour our lives and extend His love to this community that needs His love so much.

How are the kids adjusting? Well the school really took us by surprise when we started. We knew our kids would be a minority, but there are maybe a dozen “white” kids out of 400-plus… including ours... its pretty great! Parts of this we love and are so thankful they get this chance to live so cross culture. Rarely do you hear English spoken outside the classes. It's been a mental shift as we wade through expectations of what we thought it would be like and the reality of what is. Each of our kids has handled the transition in their own way, some with excitement and some with tears. The school system is so different here that the kids have had to learn a completely different style of learning and rules! It has been about 5 weeks and everyday seems to become more natural. They are making new friends and have been really blessed by the teachers they have been given. We would appreciate your prayers in one area specifically… the system is so different than in the UK, we have found they don’t know some of the styles of learning and therefore are behind. Especially Duncan, as he is the oldest – it has been a hard start for him. God continues to fill them up in the areas we are weak in and watching them take another step in their faith has been truly amazing! Some really exciting news for us as a family is that McKenzie asked Jesus into her heart about 2 weeks ago and has been so excited. What a blessing to be a part of our children’s walk as parents, we feel truly blessed by these kids of ours. Over all they have been incredible troopers and done it with smiles on their faces (most of the time!) Tim and I are enjoying this new season of life with them entering childhood, although I’m so thankful that I still have one at home. God has sure been clear to me that right now my place is with them and creating a place of safety and love. We truly would not have it any other way… to pour what God’s given us into them and teach them what a life lived fully in love with JESUS looks like is a GREAT calling!

With great blessings,
The McDonald clan

housing saga

For those of you keeping up with our housing saga... I thought I might include Britany's latest update!

Hey everyone,

Well, yesterday we finally got some amazing news... they accepted our offer!!!!!!!!! Yesterday morning our Realtor called and said that they had another offer and that the other offer on the table was greater than ours. She asked the inevitable question... "did we want to raise ours?" After a quick prayer (and some quick math) we said yes and then waited. Well, about 1 hour later she called and told us that they had chosen us AND at our LOWER offer, AMEN! Both Tim and I were a bit emotional because it finally feels like we can really put down some permanent roots (God willing... as aliens and strangers). It is so much better of a deal and in better shape than the last offer we had in. It is still a BIG fixer upper and a lot needs to be done before we can move in - but we LOVE it! We have an inspection on thursday to make sure all is well with the house, please send up some prayers for that inspection (mostly that they will find the house in good order).

This house is significant for us for a few reasons. First, it moves us closer to the school and closer to many of the families at the school that we have begun to build relationships with (we have already had opportunities to share our faith). Second, it will bring our monthly amount spent on rent WAY down and put us back into a financially stable position (all the while actually BUYING something). Third, it will give us a place to finally unpack all of our boxes with space for everything... praise God!

Well, we have a peace that surpasses so much of our understanding as we look over the past 5 months of surrendering this area to the Lord. He has been incredibly faithful as He has led us the whole way. He saved us from many other properties to prepare us for this one (God willing). I'm so thankful we have a God that looks at all the details, small or big. We can't thank you all enough for your never ending prayers for us. You have stood with us along this entire journey of leaving a home we loved to finding a place for this family to settle.

Many blessings to you all and with thankful hearts,
the McDonald clan

listening...

(pic by Jon Hall)

As I reflected on the Wesley quote I posted a few days ago I found myself thinking about where we are "at" as a community...

It’s been 32 days since we moved into Golden Hill, San Diego… a couple weeks less for the Yackleys and 1 week more till the Hall family gets here. It is still a little surreal walking the streets and praying for our new neighbors and the Spirit’s work here. Our little inner city neighborhood is home to so many new things for us as a family AND as a team – new sounds, new sights, new challenges, new adventures and new rhythms. This week we began to meet and pray (and walk, and share, and eat and speak) together as a small community AND thus begin the process of listening. We are eager to move into the lives of our neighbors but aware of how much we NEED God’s leading and directing. We are eager to “do”, eager to go, eager to move, just as Wesley calls… but first, we choose to listen. Everything is, after all, new.

God grant us Your ears to hear. Grant us Your eyes to see. Father, place inside of us Your heart for these people. We recognize that You love the people of Golden Hill more than we ever will AND that Your vision for nieucommunities in San Diego is the perfect vision… and that IS the vision we desire. Lead us Lord as we listen to this city, as we listen to our own hearts AND, most importantly, as we listen to You. Help us precious Savior to do all the good we can. By all the means we can. In all the ways we can. In all the places we can. At all the times we can. To all the people we can. As long as You give us breath.

Amen.

Great Wesley Quote

Do all the good you can. By all the means you can. In all the ways you can. In all the places you can. At all the times you can. To all the people you can. As long as ever you can.

~ John Wesley

This quote came from the little family devotional book we have been doing together every morning... it is a powerful reminder of the nature of our call as followers of Jesus, as a family, as a missional community and as HIS church.

Make this so Lord in our lives. Use us for the sake of Your GREAT Name in San Diego and around Your world. May Your Kingdom come. May Your will be done... on this earth, in this city and in our family as it is in heaven.

Amen!

"golden" sounds...

In light of my post from a few days ago I would encourage you to take a look at this BLOG entry at the San Diego Reader... there is beauty in sound.

Even at 4:32 in the morning...

all things new... (2)

I had forgotten how hard it is to start over in a new place.

There are so many things that you have to relearn...

How to set up utilities (much easier than in the UK mind you).
Where to shop for what and where to get the deals (very important in the midst of rocketing inflation).
How to keep your house cool (much harder than in the UK).
Where to get your shots for school (much more expensive than in the UK).
How to deal with the 100 people who want to help you in the MAC store (don't get me started).
New sights, new smells, new tastes (mmm... Mexican food) and new experiences.

New, new, new, new new. The list goes on.

BUT, I would say one of the hardest things has been the new sounds.

We have lived in the city for the past 5 years and have gotten used to all the sounds of "urbanity" - but it is nothing like Golden Hill! We live on a pretty major intersection that has pretty steady traffic with a hospital, fire department and police station just around each corner... so there is a pretty steady sound of cars, sirens and horns. But, all of this is trumped by the sound of the jets that fly over our house all day long (San Diego's airport is right beside the downtown... thus we are in the landing path). There is sound here almost continually and it has been tough to get used to.

It's weird the things that stand out to you... I suppose it will sound like the ocean eventually... right?!