Father's Day Sunday Funday

I finished the vlogs when my sister and goddaughter were here:

and

And then on Saturday we had the pleasure of going to our friend's wedding--on the beach:

Fellipe is the one who heads up the project at the Trash Dump community. It was beautiful to see some of the kids and their moms at the wedding--and the flower girl (seen above) was Taina, and the ring bearer was Werik. If you don't remember, they were the children who were orphaned last November when their father killed their mother. It is beautiful to see how this community came around them and is raising them! 

Holidays are all confused: we celebrated Valentine's Day on June 12th (not February 14th) and in the USA you celebrated Father's day on Sunday, while here Father's Day is the second Sunday in August. But anyways, there was a group of men from Brandywine Community church here last week, and they had a great men's conference which was very encouraging to Caid, and to our pastor, Flavio. I am really excited to see how God is showing Caid more and more of his passion and calling to music, and what that might look like in the next couple of years. 

Reads from the Interwebs:

1. Fair Trade Guilt? Yes Please: written by me:). Finally got some of my thoughts together on this subject! 

2. What is going on with separating families: so I started hearing from my very vocal friends on both ends of the political spectrum about these almost 2000 children separated from their families in the past six months. One side said it was done under Obama too, is just enforcing the law, and was over exaggerated (like the picture of kids in cages). The other side said how awful this was and the right was using scripture to justify it. I see the validity of most all of these arguments from both sides. But first, it doesn't matter if WRONG was done under what president: wrong is wrong. It doesn't matter if we are just hearing about it--WHEN we hear about it and do nothing--WE ARE WRONG. I am not there in the USA, and I might be missing something, but what is happening needs to be changed. I do not know the solutions (although some were mentioned in the video linked), but to be locked up separately when you are trying to be heard for your case of asylum...the system is broken, and enforcing the law is enforcing a broken system which once more the CHILDREN pay for. NO. Don't use scripture, and don't just say you are enforcing the law. Also, don't whine about the president and the broken system (which has been broken for many, many years). Foster care, volunteer for non-profits who are making a difference, put your money where your mouth is. Ok, this is going to end up being its own blog.
3. Four word prayer that changes everything: spoiler--the words are "Reduce me to love"
4. An open letter to Focus on the Family: more about refugees/ people seeking asylum
5. Confessions of a black sheep: going against "ministry expectations" is a big deal for all people in ministry...and so hard, specially when you feel God leading you other ways.
6. I am sorry you had to see this mess
7. What's different about being an expat family? I needed this article after listening to last weeks podcast on third culture kids...whew.