Google Voice

Ok, so recently I learned about something called Google Voice. Essentially it is Google's answer to Skype. Currently it's in an invite only mode (likely beta testing), however anyone with a .edu email account can get it for free right now.

I figured why not check it out. The result, Havalah and I now have a local, AZ phone number instead of just our Chicago mobile numbers. But the number is operated by Google, and you can even apply for one that has words in it. So we could have had (555) HAV-DAHV if we really wanted... you get the idea.

What's cool about this latest deal from Google. People can call our number, and it'll forward straight to both our cells simultaneously. It's as if we have a house phone where people can reach us all the time. But what's really cool is you can personalize where the calls go. For example:

Havalah's cousin calls: it forwards only to her

My best friend calls: it forwards only to me

Work calls: it goes straight to voicemail

  you get the idea. And you can customize this for a bunch of phones (home, office, mobile, etc.) Pretty cool.

It also allows you to screen calls, much like a collect call, where the person has to give their name for approval before answering. Cool, but not a hugely necessary feature. On top of that, it catalogs your text messages and voicemails (converting them to text), and stores them online for you. No matter who your phone provider, you'll always have the messages you want to save. Plus, in true Google fashion, you can search them.

The Porn Event

I figured that title would get some attention. As some may know, I have a passionate heart for men and pornography addiction because of the history God has redeemed me from. One of the ministries I follow, xxxchurch, connected me to this event.

The Porn Event seems to be a live webinar type deal this week for both men and women. Different online sessions occur all week (check the site for times) and also feature a chat room and link for live prayer. It's a medium I'm not used to seeing ministry in, but certainly a valuable and challenging topic. If you or someone you know is struggling with pornography addiction this may be a good step for them.

Wayne Grudem, Grease, and Contemporary Church Liturgy

"For all of you fans of Wayne Grudem, this tribute video from friends in the UK is a must-see!

He’s thematic! He’s charismatic! He’s syyyyystematic! And these guys are fan-tastic!"

-Desiring God website

From Sam via desiringgod

Another buddy sent me this

"Who says contemporary churches don't have a liturgy?"

"Sunday's Coming" Movie Trailer from North Point Media on Vimeo.

And We're Back...

Well friends, I am reentering blogworld. If you're still there that is. Likely the only people reading this had me on their feed and neglected to delete it after 5.5 months of inactivity.

What's there to say. I'm now done with the semester and have been back in the US for 6 months. It's been an interesting half year for my wife and I, a lot of transition and a lot ahead. In March, after being wed for 6 months, we finally got our own apartment. It was an amazing blessing to

• a) have our own place
• b) be near campus
• c) be able to afford a cozy 2-bedroom and practice hospitality

It has been a process to adjust to Arizona weather, American culture, and no longer living on support. It's amazing to see God's provision everyday and know that we worship the same God we did across the world, and He still moves in the miraculous and the mundane.

I'm not sure what this blog will become now. Clearly it won't be about our travels in the South Pacific in missions. Likely it'll go all over the place from random videos, quips on things going on lately, and thoughts about ministry and what God is doing all over the world.

Hope you enjoy and keep reading.

Some Highlights from the Ship Tour

In our travels I was blessed enough to revisit some of the people I had met on a previous outreach of New Zealand last May. It was a real blessing to continue to build relationship with people in Tawa, Napier, and other parts of the country.

Napier

In May I had hitched into Napier and through means only God could do, was connected to Pastor Bruce. For the tour I got in touch with Bruce and he was happy to have us share with their youth group. When we finally presented he was so impressed with the presentation that he invited us to take part in their Sunday service as well - which he had already planned to speak on missions at. It was great.

Hastings

That afternoon we headed to Napier's sister city, Hastings. I had contacted a Christian school there only days prior and they had agreed to have us come present. We were able to share with their older high school students Monday in two presentations. Between presentations the principal and asst. principal were asking loads of questions regarding how to set up a mission program in their school, etc. This was a huge blessing for our friends, leaders and co-tour partners, Ken and April, who had previous experience doing just that! They sat and chatted for 45 MINUTES about research, program ideas and so much more.

New Plymouth

We shared in a youth group at a Baptist church in the coastal city of New Plymouth. After our presentation we sat and talked with the youth in breakout groups. I ended up having a secondary conversation with a handful of soon to be graduated guys. They were so on fire for Christ and missions it was incredibly, they practically put me to shame. I still have yet to email one of them back, I promise I'm getting there Joshua, about way to get involved in God's ultimate plan.

Oak Ridge

When given the opportunity to share with the community of and surrounding YWAM Oak Ridge, it resulted in a very special experience. We shared heavily on the call to Turkey - ANZACs (New Zealanders and Australians) have a special acceptance in Turkey due to WWI and the battle of Gallipolli that other nations lack. Kiwis have an awesome opportunity to go in and share the Gospel and we called the community to support those who were going and seek God's call for themselves. It ended with a powerful prayer time for Turkey and all those who were Kiwis, or called NZ home came forward and led the group in singing the national anthem, God Defend New Zealand, which is, in itself, a prayer. Hear/watch it on YouTube.

All in all we had an incredible time. We spoke and shared with thousands. Sometimes planned, sometimes on the fly, sometimes creating events from nothing. It was truly a blessed experience.

Eva - A Blessing

Settling back into American life has been an interesting journey so far. Although we were in a first world country in New Zealand, the cultural differences and even economical difference between the two countries is drastic.

Our first day back in the States, Dahvede and I were staying in LA with his aunt and uncle, and while they were at work we decided to venture down to the mall near where they live. Things began to quickly overwhelm me. If we were wanting to adjust slowly, I’m not sure LA/Orange County was the place to attempt to do so. We were met head on with culture shock. From the size of the cars (that carried only 1 person), to the excessive amount of places to eat, and so on, we were quickly overwhelmed. We were wandering around the shopping complex and taking everything in, and decided to grab a cheap lunch at Cosco before heading to go see Avatar (which Dahvede had been anticipating seeing for quite some time).

Now let me backtrack for just a minute. That morning I had been really struggling, and I was second guessing my decision to wear my NZ Ship Tour shirt that day. I felt like I would stick out like a sore thumb. I was feeling stubborn however, so I wore it anyway.

Well, as we were standing in line to order, I felt someone tap on my shoulder from behind. I turned around and was met by the smiling face of a 60-something woman. She beamed at us both and asked if we were still involved with the “Marine Reach thing” that she had seen on my shirt (Dahvede was actually also wearing a DTS shirt). We explained to her that we had just returned from a year and a half stint working with them, and she began to pour encouragement and thanks over us for the work we had been doing. We spoke for about 5 minutes while we stood in line, sharing about what we had been doing, and she continued to just bless us and encourage us, telling us that what we had been doing was counting, and saying that she was so blessed by our obedience to God. She blessed us by insisting on buying us lunch, and just as we were parting ways I asked her name. Eva, she said.

We don’t share this story as a way to toot our own horn. That is the last thing we are wanting. Our heart instead is to share how God knew exactly what we needed at the moment we needed it and blessed us more than we can put into words. Still, 2 weeks later, when I remember the story, tears threaten to come. Simply mentioning her name to Dahvede or I causes huge smiles to come to our faces. We are so blessed by her obedience to the Lord to speak to us.

-Havalah

The Rest of the Journey

Sunday morning (20th) we packed our bags back up, and headed to the airport for the final leg of the Journey to our new home. The airport was thankfully fairly uneventful, and our flight even left mostly on time (I think... maybe. I was jet lagged, give me a break!). We had pre-arranged with some friends of Dahvede's to have them pick us up at the airport (so we could surprise the family, remember). It took two different cars to fit all our luggage, but it worked. We were met by a sign simply saying "WOOD," which made for a fun story. Apparently they looped the airport 3 or 4 times before we were finally ready!

We had a nice lunch with our friends and then headed over to the Parents house to execute our surprise. We had one of the girls who had picked us up (Meaghan) go to the door and ask for help, as 'her battery died and she needed a jump.'

Dad came out of the Garage and we were able to surprise him! It was great! He said we has a little suspicious, but was still very excited to see us! Mom was more the surprised one, which was great! Exactly the desired effect!

It's been an interesting week or so settling in and finding places to put all our things in our tiny room, but we are loving being near Dahvede's family again! Dad's birthday was great, and Christmas with the whole Wood clan was a real treat after being gone for so long.

We pray you have all had a blessed Christmas and New Years with your families

-Havalah

Headed Home

Well, we've made it home. We have not broadcasted our return date, as we were intending to surprise Dahvede's Dad for his birthday, so very few people actually knew our date of return.

That being said, with 5 x 23 kilo suitcases, and 3 1/2 overweight carry-on's in tow, we made our way to Auckland to leave. After a very tearful goodbye at the airport with my parents we made our way through security and boarded what was to be our first of three different planes on our journey back to Arizona. We had a long layover in Fiji and had planned to leave the airport but discovered it was more work than it was worth so we found ways to occupy ourselves in the Transit lounge for about 7 hours. It went by amazingly quickly, Praise the Lord for that!

We finally made it onto our flight to LA and were blessed to have a whole row (1 extra seat) to ourselves. Dahvede very lovingly allowed me to lay down I got a good 6 hours or more of sleep, which was very much needed. He was even able to catch a few hours of sleep sitting up.

We planned to stop in LA for a few days to re-coup and culture shock before seeing family again, so Dahvede's aunt graciously took us in. We got several funny looks from people as we had to take a shuttle bus and commuter train to get to Dahvede's Aunt's house but thanks to some helpful strangers and a gracious conductor, we made it without losing anything!

We really enjoyed our time in LA and before we knew it, we were boarding our last flight to Phoenix, heading for home.

*Stay tuned to find out how the surprise went*

What We're Doing Now

Many of you are likely wondering what Havalah and I are up to these days, now that we are back Stateside.

We are currently housesitting at my parents in the Phoenix suburbs, looking to move to an apartment in March. We've returned to my home church, and are settling in at Praxis well. Adjusting to US culture, prices and life in the desert takes time, but we're enjoying it. It's been nice to have the support of family and friends (some old, some new) in the area as we transition back.

I resume classes at ASU next week and should start work there soon as well. I have been lucky enough to get my old job back, converting textbooks to braille for disabled students.

Havalah is looking for work and also heading up our apartment search. She will likely begin at ASU once her state residency comes through.

Please be praying for us:

• To find an apartment that fits our needs and budget
• Employment for Havalah
• To stay focused on Christ and not forget all he has brought us through
• For strength in our young marriage
• To be united in spirit with family across the world

Every Band in the USA - The Fold

Hey guys, haven't had a chance to post lately. Finishing up the NZ Ship Tour and it's going well. In Tauranga for a few more weeks before moving to Arizona with Havalah.

In the meantime, I thought you might enjoy watching the video for "Every Band in the USA," by my friends, The Fold. It's a parody of a Miley Cyrus song created for your enjoyment. If you find it funny, please check out their music (thefoldrock.com) and or favorite the video.

Let me just clarify that the guys did make this video/song to knock Miley Cyrus, but rather to comment on what they have seen as an independent band on the road. In their own words:

"This whole thing is just a tongue-in-cheek observation, a commentary if you will, on what we see on tour in America. The truth is, a lot of times we feel a bit old fashioned, a bit left out, and we thought it might be funny to bring our own insecurities out in to the open through this song. It turns out there's been a lot of people who connected to it, and that's just cool. This song was not really meant as a stab to Miley, Glamour Kills, Fall Out Boy, All Time Low or anyone else we called out - and we're glad it hasn't been received as such - in fact, they've all endorsed the video. (except Miley, we may need to send her a fruit basket tomorrow ...)"