We Are the Breath of Each Other

Back in Morocco, we were such a close, tight-knit group. The culture of community there was like none other that I have experienced. So coming back to the Western philosophy of independence was tough. Attempting to make the transition back into "church" as it is here in the States has been a struggle for us. For the past years spent in Morocco, our lifeline was our intimate Home Group who faithfully supported each other through thick and thin. But since our reentry back into the States, it has been exceedingly difficult to connect in such a profound way. And it may be tragically true that we may never again have such a close community. The Lord only knows.

However, we are hopeful. The new group of believers that we have chosen to join gives us great anticipation in regaining this closeness that we so desire. It has truly been interesting to observe our need for this type of nearness to one another. You have heard it said that "man is not meant to be an island." Even more than that, we believe that man is meant to be a brother, and a son, and a father, and an uncle. He is meant to be part of a family. Without this, he suffocates.

God has spoken to us a lot lately through a family. This family's name is Red Sea Church, a humble group of people that have been connected deeply by the unity of Jesus. As a family, we have been welcomed with loving, open arms and are enjoying rejoicing with our brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, aunts, uncles, and other relatives here in Portland.

It is such a far-reaching and meaningful truth that we are the breath of each other. In other words, without each other, we suffocate. We can no longer breathe. We can no longer grow. And we can no longer be truly alive. Kattie and I have found renewed aliveness lately in reconnecting with our family here. It has taken us over six months to do so, but the Lord has provided much grace in leading us into His loving presence with these people. By no means are they perfect. And by no stretch of the imagination are they the best. But they are family -- no matter how dysfunctional. And family is where life happens. It is good. It is good to remember this.

I think that the essence of being truly present and being intentionally living life on purpose in a place means putting down roots and finding a family to be with -- for however long life takes us wherever *here* may be. We have been reminded of that a couple of times lately. It is not good enough for us to simply look forward to our return to Africa in order for our lives to count for something. Our lives are supposed to count here and now, wherever here is and however long now takes. In Portland and in Africa. It is a sin for us to waste this time here and do nothing with all these glorious gifts that God has given us, simply for the sake of "doing good later in Africa." And so we receive the rebuke and go along with this family who have all similarly been rebuked one way or another, and we live life with them, serving the people around us, fully alive here and now.

And we breathe the fresh air of togetherness.