Here's a letter from Craig from Vital Connections:
Dear Friends,
Costa, one of our first four orphans, called from South Africa yesterday. His younger brother, Anywhere, a name and face remembered by many from recent teams to Zim, has died of malaria.
Anywhere was raised at the Good Shepherd Centre in Chinhoyi, Zimbabwe. His life was full of ups and downs and few things ever came easy to him. I knew him. He called me Uncle as so many of the young people have over the years. Our ministry helped house, educate and support him on many occasions. I even scolded him a couple times.
I don't know how to react to this appropriately. Of course there is sorrow. I feel great sorrow for his older brother Costa, who as the head of the family will try to give support to his loved ones when he can barely, even rarely, support himself. There is regret because Anywhere was so young, best bet, 21 or 22, these things are not always clear with orphans.
What I have a hard time processing is the feeling that things like this are inevitable. I want to be a hero and rescue all the people who struggle with the realities of life in Africa. Yet, I have learned that no matter how wisely I plan, how hard I work or how much money I throw at a problem, bad things happen. TIA, this is Africa. I throw that little phrase around occasionally but some days it is just too heavy to flip easily off the tongue. Africa is hard sometimes. It bruises me.
We can't do it all and the west and it's economics and aid will not solve the problems of Africa. Africa will solve it's own problems some day. I have hope for that.
There is only one solace for these inevitable tragedies, Jesus Christ. If you know me at all, you know that I am not prone to language tinged with religion. I feel the great gravity of the only true God no matter which of His personas or names I consider. So I use His name judiciously and with economy and always for effect. I use His name with respect. Jesus Christ, Yaweh, I Am, The Comforter. Anywhere knew these names and it is in those names that we place our hope for him.
If you are receiving this e-mail you have been an encouragement or support to our ministry at one time or another. I want to assure you today that every bit of support or encouragement, every instruction or kindness, every form of aid or comfort that we have together given to Zimbabwe, to Africa, has been given in the name of Jesus. We go in the name of Jesus. We love in the name of Jesus. And we always, always, speak the name of Jesus. If not for the name of Jesus, I would never have set foot on the continent of Africa. It is because of the name of Jesus that Africa shines as a place of hope, not despair, in my heart and mind.
Please pray for Costa and his family.
God Bless,
Craig
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
House Search
Chapter I: Anxiety
Last April, I had an idea to buy a house. It was a $40,000 junk-pile on a street named Benjamin.
My debt was eyeball-level, my income nearly non-existent, yet the elusive $8,000 bonus from the government proved to be a proverbial carrot in front of my eyes.
Along with it, I dragged my beautiful fiancé Emily into my perfect, greedy storm.
After months of relational strain, I was literally forced to call off my desperate search.
We went to work instead, and started sorting out our finances.
Chapter II: Contentment
Fast-forward five months later.
As a Christmas gift, we paid off all of my remaining personal credit card debt, and then, two weeks ago, the last of our company’s debt, in a wild season of business fury that can only be the creative movement of God—in connections, accounts, the energy to work diligently, the endless patience and support of our wives (especially my new bride).
On the other side of debt, we began looking for houses again, and more importantly, we started looking together.
We found some good options. Nothing was perfect.
We came close to compromising (and closer yet to overextending our finances), but the counsel and wisdom of others kept us in our apartment.
Slowly, we began to loosen our grip on the dream that now was our time, along with the government bonus (which, ironic enough, I had originally intended to pay off the credit card debt that I had paid off legitimately).
Perhaps most importantly, we recognized that we don’t “need” a house.
On Friday night, our realtor emailed us that two new houses hit the market, including a foreclosure in Eastown, the area we love and long to live, two blocks from our apartment.
Chapter III: Surprised by Joy
We saw the house on Saturday; Em said she knew when she got out of the car.
We walked inside and fell in love. Ironically, it is not a junk-pile, but is also on Benjamin.
“There’s going to be a bidding war,” I said. We’ve been down this road before. It was everything we were looking for, minus a large back yard. (We talked with friends with kids for advice, they cleared the way).
Saturday night, we put in our best offer, adhering to the advice of our real estate agent, who predicted that the first offer would win.
We had asked Pat and Jack, Em’s parents, to tour the house on Saturday, but they had dinner commitments. They came Sunday instead.
(Jack’s career is investing in real estate as a landlord, and has graciously prevented us from buying a few money pits, so I was anxious to hear his thoughts on the pad). Everything he said was positive.
Then, randomly, the real estate agent showed up to take photos. He and our realtor talked on the front porch.
“We’re no longer a piece of paper,” I said. “We’re humans to him.”
They discussed the offer, and everything looked promising, as well as other surprises (a bonus for the agents, a free 2-year home warranty for us).
We were feeling it. One night of rest, one sleepless night, then rest again last night.
Today, our agent called with amazing news: “The bank accepted our offer!”
In a nearly unprecedented twist, the bank received a cash offer today that was slightly less than ours, but they still accepted ours as a matter of policy.
(The conventional wisdom of real estate is to always take a cash offer, especially on a foreclosure.) This was an Orchestrated deal.
I called Em with a direct shot: “We got the house!” Of course, hysterics and shock ensued.
“They also want to close by June 11,” I told her. (June 30 is the final day of the rebate).
She’s out of town until Thursday, so we prayed over the phone. Almost immediately, I was overcome with emotion (that’s man-code for crying), as I recognized that this unfolding story is about much more than a house.
It’s a story worth telling, full of pride and greed and selfishness and love and patience and surrender and contentment and diligence and provision and blessing.
And as Em prayed, we hope this house becomes a blessing for others.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Monday, November 16, 2009
Meet Joe
We met Joe recently during an interview for series of videos for Degage, an organization that helps homeless people in our neighborhood.
I’ll wait until the video releases so you can experience Joe yourself, but it was the single most moving interview we’ve ever done.
He’s likely in his sixties: he’s battled the ghetto of Detroit, Vietnam, the loss of his wife, and now cancer. He weighs 112 pounds; a walker is his transportation.
When we went to shoot additional footage, I had a minute or two with Joe.
He told me he was mugged by two guys a month ago on South Division.
“Did they get anything?” I asked, after he told me the story.
“Fourteen cents, one bus pass, and a voucher to Degage,” he replied.
About two dollars worth of loot.
Joe ended up in the hospital with fourteen stitches. Before he went to get help, he limped up to his room, fell down and bled on the floor.
The assisted living complex called a bio-hazard company to clean up the blood.
And kindly sent Joe a bill for $1,200.
It will be taken out of his monthly government checks until it’s paid in full.
“You know how much they charge for paper slippers?” he asked me.
I shook my head.
“Sixty eight bucks,” Joe says.
The assisted living complex won’t pay for it, claiming the assault didn’t happen on its property. And our hearts hurt to hear of this injustice.
If you want to help Joe, let me know.
I’ll wait until the video releases so you can experience Joe yourself, but it was the single most moving interview we’ve ever done.
He’s likely in his sixties: he’s battled the ghetto of Detroit, Vietnam, the loss of his wife, and now cancer. He weighs 112 pounds; a walker is his transportation.
When we went to shoot additional footage, I had a minute or two with Joe.
He told me he was mugged by two guys a month ago on South Division.
“Did they get anything?” I asked, after he told me the story.
“Fourteen cents, one bus pass, and a voucher to Degage,” he replied.
About two dollars worth of loot.
Joe ended up in the hospital with fourteen stitches. Before he went to get help, he limped up to his room, fell down and bled on the floor.
The assisted living complex called a bio-hazard company to clean up the blood.
And kindly sent Joe a bill for $1,200.
It will be taken out of his monthly government checks until it’s paid in full.
“You know how much they charge for paper slippers?” he asked me.
I shook my head.
“Sixty eight bucks,” Joe says.
The assisted living complex won’t pay for it, claiming the assault didn’t happen on its property. And our hearts hurt to hear of this injustice.
If you want to help Joe, let me know.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Video Conversation
There's quite the conversation happening about our video we shot and edited for ArtPrize.
Check it out on YouTube.
20,000 people flooded into downtown Grand Rapids.
Check it out on YouTube.
20,000 people flooded into downtown Grand Rapids.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Wow
This video floored me at a retreat this weekend. It's video clips from the BBC's Planet Earth series, set to the sounds of Sigur Ros's "Hoppipolla." Wow. If you haven't seen it, please watch.
Friday, August 21, 2009
two cents on three years
Today is our third anniversary at the business.
We started as two young entrepreneurs working out of a room inside a rented house, touting around two portfolio pieces, video gear, an Internet connection, a few computers and phones.
In the beginning, each project saved the company.
They always seemed to arrive just in time.
Three years later, we find ourselves working in an up-and-coming neighborhood we love in downtown Grand Rapids, with a growing portfolio of clients and projects and relationships we’re proud to call our own.
It’s been a wild journey, one that has brought with it great highs and lows, joys and sorrows, laughter and tears, accomplishments and failures, new lessons and affirmation of age-old truths.
And we recognize that we're not an island.
We’re part of many communities, made up of specific groups of people—companies, non-profits and organizations—who have partnered with us in the common vision of storytelling and communication.
We’re fortunate to be alive and growing, and know we don’t take that for granted.
Thank you, to our wives, family, friends and supporters, for exactly that: your support, affirmation and encouragement along the way.
Thank you, to our clients, who believe in the work they do, and entrust us to show the world.
Thank you, Grand Rapids and West Michigan, for embracing us.
Thank you, to everyone who has made the beginning stages of this journey possible, who have helped us catch the vision for what’s next. The list of the people who have been good to us is too long to list, and has come in many shapes and forms, often when we need it most.
We hope to pay-it-all-forward in the future.
We started as two young entrepreneurs working out of a room inside a rented house, touting around two portfolio pieces, video gear, an Internet connection, a few computers and phones.
In the beginning, each project saved the company.
They always seemed to arrive just in time.
Three years later, we find ourselves working in an up-and-coming neighborhood we love in downtown Grand Rapids, with a growing portfolio of clients and projects and relationships we’re proud to call our own.
It’s been a wild journey, one that has brought with it great highs and lows, joys and sorrows, laughter and tears, accomplishments and failures, new lessons and affirmation of age-old truths.
And we recognize that we're not an island.
We’re part of many communities, made up of specific groups of people—companies, non-profits and organizations—who have partnered with us in the common vision of storytelling and communication.
We’re fortunate to be alive and growing, and know we don’t take that for granted.
Thank you, to our wives, family, friends and supporters, for exactly that: your support, affirmation and encouragement along the way.
Thank you, to our clients, who believe in the work they do, and entrust us to show the world.
Thank you, Grand Rapids and West Michigan, for embracing us.
Thank you, to everyone who has made the beginning stages of this journey possible, who have helped us catch the vision for what’s next. The list of the people who have been good to us is too long to list, and has come in many shapes and forms, often when we need it most.
We hope to pay-it-all-forward in the future.
Monday, August 17, 2009
family at work
Great news! Today is Emily's first day at Young Life for East Grand Rapids. Keep her in your prayers in the coming weeks as she adjusts...more on YL later.
Also, anyone know of any GR job leads for my brother Justin?
He and his wife recently moved to the city for Kelsey's stint with Americorp. Justin's heartbeat is working with group homes or youth, but is ready to take on new challenges...if you hear anything, email me at aaroncarriere [at] gmail [dot] com.
Also, anyone know of any GR job leads for my brother Justin?
He and his wife recently moved to the city for Kelsey's stint with Americorp. Justin's heartbeat is working with group homes or youth, but is ready to take on new challenges...if you hear anything, email me at aaroncarriere [at] gmail [dot] com.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
wedding pics
Still processing the beauty of our wedding day and honeymoon, but many thanks to all.
Pics are available at Julie Harmsen's blog.
Pics are available at Julie Harmsen's blog.
Monday, July 27, 2009
pray for cam
Please read the latest post from my good friend Cam's blog.
We went to Europe together in '06, and now he's left a recent lucrative freelance gig in Nashville for a two-year stint with the Peace Corps on Cape Verde, an island in Africa. He's taking baths in buckets, learning a new language and feeling the pain of homesickness.
He needs our prayers; what a major transition. I'm proud of him for stepping out.
We went to Europe together in '06, and now he's left a recent lucrative freelance gig in Nashville for a two-year stint with the Peace Corps on Cape Verde, an island in Africa. He's taking baths in buckets, learning a new language and feeling the pain of homesickness.
He needs our prayers; what a major transition. I'm proud of him for stepping out.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
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