Joel Vestal

My father gave a book to Elise over Christmas by Parker Palmer called Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation -  He articulated the quest that I have been on in recent days in self-discovery by saying,

What a long time it can take to become the person one has always been. How often in the process we mask oursleves in faces that are not our own. How much dissolving and shaking of ego we must endure before we discover our deep identity - the true self within every human being that is the seed of authentic vocation. 

He quotes May Sarton who evokes me by these words,

Now I become myself.  It’s taken time, many years and places.  I have been dissolved and shaken, Worn other people’s faces…

I pray that 2006 I may become myself more, wear less masks, and in knowing myself more, I may as an ealry Quaker writes about self discovery: know “whose I am” in the pilgrimage.  May God alone fill us all with humility and grace in 2006.

it is ironic that i sit in a hotel room with my family tonight in nashville, TN b/c one year ago on Dec 26, my family was in a hotel room in Birgunj, Nepal (on the India/Nepal border) watching news of the massive waves that pounded our home in southern Thailand and in shock with terror. We returned to Tsunami hit area just 3 days later.   Tonight we sit in a hotel room with different stress, worry as we reflect and remember with the world compared to this time last year (altough both of our kids are sick - Zayd with 102 fever the last 3 days)   -  (Oh wait, just i was typing, Daya vomited all over the bed)   To reflect on the lack of progress and gov’t aid money that has been promised and sent but not spent (Jakarta);  the very little presence of the church in Tsunami hit areas, the ‘harvest opportunities’ that lay before us as the church are so overwhelming, those who still live with very little hope…I have returned to the area several times this year and we return in 2006 to the area to continue our efforts to help in post-tsunami Asia -  Some ways to let you know what we have been doing are:   (photo above are houses built by ServLife in southern Thailand)

Short film of ServLife’s efforts in Thailand (8 minutes) done by Thai film makers; ServLife reports and stories of our work in southern Thailand; Photos and images of our work;

Other stories/Reports. BBC News ; Malaysian Star;  Melbourne Sun Herald

Are you wanting to consume less this holiday season and allow your Christmas shopping to make a global impact for God’s Kingdom? Are you tired of buying more items that someone does not really need? Still want to show your love to someone close to you and make a difference in ending poverty and advancing Christ’s love?

ServLife Christmas Project is your answer. It is easy  Click here for more information

Recent images of Elise and Daya!  Don’t I have two beautiful girls?

Here are some photos of the dedication service for Daya at one of our supporting churches in Indianapolis: Castleview Bapstist -   Daya’s dress was my mother-in-laws wedding dress cut to fit her. For those who don’t know, Baptists dedicate new babies to the Lord in the service and do not baptize them. The pastor prays over the baby and commits their life to the Lord. Look at the first photo and Daya’s eyes looking at the pastor as he is praying!  She is wondering what is going on…