Survival Doesn't Cut It.

Ever get those petitions to help a cause or non profit win $250,000 worth of ad space in the NY Times or some other publication? Or some twitter\facebook contest from a beverage distributer giving money to a charity? There’s about one every week it seems. Some new contest where winner takes all for the attention of the masses. As it turns out, I work in the non-profit sector. I move in circles where these type of things come up often. 

In the United States there are 200 people for every 1 non-profit. That’s a pretty small pool. Hence, we get mailings or petitions every week to give money to a charity. All of a sudden, it’s a battle for a survival. It seems there is a survival mentality among many orgs. Are our respective missions meant to be about brand survival? I doubt it. 

Granted my org isn’t very big, but do you have to be a huge brand and have celebrities attached to your cause to make it?  I hope that we can push past survival and actually serve those whom we claim to be fighting for. We\I am not here to be bigger/better/faster. I’m here to make an impact - and do that while building bridges instead of burning them. 

As always, I would love your feed back...let’s have a conversation.

Much Love,

DH

Let's Stay Connected

Hi Friends,
I know it's been a little while since I've posted...i'm a little behind. Sometimes facilitating the "back office" of a group like Ten Thousand Homes leaves one tunnel visioned. Please keep stoping by or stay connected with me on Tumblr...I'll be posting photos, bits of inspiration, dreams for the future, or vision for the way ahead.
It means the world to me that you believe in me, this Movement for Africa, and what we are trying to accomplish together. There are also, several links to the right that you can click, join, and follow. Look forward to staying more connected.

Much Love,
David

Africa...again.

Wow. That's about the best I can come up with for the first 2 months of 2010. A year that feels full of potential and hope. It's off to a good start....I'm heading to South Africa on monday the 22nd. It's been incredible to see the and experience the support of so many. It really feels like I'm being sent rather than blazing a trail like a good North American Protestant - essentially belonging to a group of people. 

This is a GREAT place to start. Especially since 10,000 Homes is not simply about building houses, but rather about creating HOME - it's about BELONGING for a generation of Africa's children. I'm feeling like i'm going on this pilgrimage from a place of belonging. It's pretty cool...don't you think? Living my values!

I'll do my best to update this regularly and keep you in the loop with picture and videos. You can also follow me on FACEBOOK and TWITTER or EMAIL Bless you guys! Look forward to hearing from you!

With Hope,

David

Africa: I Need Your Help

Hello Friends,
Happy New Year! I wanted to give you an update on things.

At the end of February, I’ll be heading back to South Africa to reconnect and evaluate with our orphan outreach called Ten Thousand Homes. As the USA point person, I’ve committed to return twice a year to connect and envision what the way forward is with our team.

As a young non-profit comprised of people trusting God as our source, our team has committed to raising the financial resources for these trips. By offsetting these essential costs, we are ensuring that funds designated to feed, clothe, shelter, and provide hope for children in the 3 communities we serve actually get used for their original purpose. That purpose is simple: Creating HOMES for Africa’s orphaned and vulnerable children.

My first trip of the year is Feb. 22nd – Mar. 17th. Currently, tickets are at $1300. I would humbly ask you to consider giving toward this specific need. This amount may seem cumbersome, but I simply ask that you be a part of this in some way. The deadline for purchasing tickets at this price is Feb. 8th.
If you're interested in giving you can do it via Paypal by clicking here. Thank you so much for standing with me in this. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions. I appreciate your willingness to consider and give. You are God’s living generosity to me.


With Hope,
David

Another World

It's been a while friends. I've recently updated and re organized my blog so it will be easier for you to keep a pulse on how things are progressing. It's certainly been an incredible adventure for me over the last few months. I've been traveling since Oct. 21 until 2 days ago. It started in New Haven and took me to LA, Denver, Orlando, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, Texas, back to Connecticut, back to Texas, and finally home to New Haven. It has been an incredible 6 weeks.
All of this traveling has been for Ten Thousand Homes, which is the team I work with that is working to eventually end the Orphan Crisis in Southern Africa. As I've traveled and seen the generous and humbling response of people from various backgrounds, I can't help but get excited. I've loved the seeing "the light turn on" for people in regards to Africa. This is something bigger than I can imagine. It's bigger than a brand, it's bigger than a group of committed believers. This is a MOVEMENT! Ordinary people who think it's possible to end the Orphan Crisis and who think it's not OK that there are an estimated 16 million orphans in sub-saharan Africa. People of Faith and Hope - this is our moment!
I know it sounds impossible, but just imagine if we paid as much attention to Africa as we do to Tiger Woods crashing his car? Would there still be an Orphan Crisis? What if our paradigm changed and we no longer saw Africa as "that place" with "those problem", but as a continent waiting to unleash it's love on the world? We need Africa and it's beauty. I sometimes wonder how history will look upon us in regards to Africa and the Orphan Crisis?
This isn't to say that I don't fight my own enemies of apathy, ignorance, fear, & selfishness. We all do I suppose. The call to the ordinary is louder than ever. The only question that remains is this: Is it worth it? Is God worth it? Is Africa worth it? Faith, Hope, and Love, but the greatest of these is LOVE.

Another world is possible.

With Hope,
David

20 Kilometers = $3000

Dear Friends,
As most of you know, I'm a runner. I love it. It's a bit of sanity for me in a hectic world.
On Monday September 7th (less than a week), I'll be running a half-marathon-that's 20 kilometers-in the New Haven Road Race. I've also decided to make it a chance to raise money for Ten Thousand Homes and help bring HOPE and Homes to Africa's orphan and vulnerable children.
It's a simple. For ever step I take, it's a chance for US to engage the orphan crisis and make a difference in lives of so many children. If you think you don't have much to give let's look at what $3 can do:

-$3 buys a brick that will help build a home or care center
-$3 is about how much it costs to feed 1 of the 500 kids we serve every week.

Now, imagine what $3000 could do?

You can also sponsor a kilometer for $150. You can give $3 or $3000 - it all counts.
Click here to see far we've come and how far we have to go:

http://apps.facebook.com/causes/fundraising_pledges/83785?m=3b936851

Thanks for giving and making a difference!

With Hope,
David

Update 7/09 - Love is Recession Proof

Dear Friend!
Hope this finds you well and enjoying the summer. Most of you are sweating buckets I’m sure and thanking God for the man who invented air conditioning! I don’t blame you. It truly is a modern marvel!

I know that communication has been slow over the past few months since I’ve been back from my last trip to South Africa. You can have a look at our website www.tenthousandhomes.org or our blog: www.tenthousandhomes.blogspot.com and see what we’ve been up to.

In the midst of economic down turn for so many, it’s good to know that love is recession proof. Orphans still need a place to call HOME. The hungry can still be fed. As we seek to bring home to Africa's orphaned and vulnerable - we are seeing the orphan become much more than simply a forgotten victim, but rather agents of change, full of joy, resilience, and bringing Christ to those around them. Thank you very much for your investment into me, our mission, and seeing HOME come to the orphaned and vulnerable children of Africa. Love is recession proof.

We couldn't do this without you.

With Love and Gratitude,
David

PS. If you'd like to give - please makes checks payable to YWAM and mail to:
YWAM Tyler
Attn: Accounting
P.O. Box 3000
Garden Valley, TX 75771
And put a note in the envelope specifying the fund for me.

Africa and Back.

Hello Friends!

Hopefully spring has sprung for most of you! Here in New England all we have is whispers that there is this season called SPRING! I have hope, that just as every other year, it will arrive.

I’m back from Africa….yet again. Coming and going from Africa has it’s beauty, it’s pilgrimage, and it’s mission, but I have no romantic ideas of what international travel is like. However I was fortunate to have good friend donate an upgrade to me! WOW! What a donation!!! I still have dreams about that seat and it’s comfortable leather, the elbow room, the leg room, the real silverwear, a seat that actually reclined…It’s the little things! For anyone who’s been on a commercial flight, I’m sure this resonates in the deepest part of your soul! (just had to share that!)

Upon arriving in Africa I learned that we had no running water. Ok, fair enough….it’s Africa. People have lived centuries without running water…Come on, I’ve bathed in rivers and buckets. No biggie right?! I can handle this for a few days. 3 and a half weeks later…I had a grand total of about 6 showers. Needless to say, I tried not to smell myself very much. I’m pretty sure I could feel myself ripening.

In spite of the absence of cleanliness, I think I’m coming away with a new perspective on what we’re fighting for in Africa. Malachi 4:6 describes the Day of the Lord as “turning the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers”. To me that means that God’s idea of a good time is seeing families restored; seeing the lonely in families; the orphan in a place to belong. I found it incredibly encouraging to know that each time a child arrives at a care center and receives a hot meal, clean clothes and is able to let down their guard- that day becomes the “Day of the Lord”. God has a good day!(It’s probably more like a celebration!) What a cool thing to be a part of?! Giving some of the most vulnerable children on the planet a place to belong. That really is a good day!

Much Love,
David

PS. I also want to say thanks to my friend Aleen Kim from New York, for coming to visit our team in South Africa. It’s always encouraging to have someone spend their time, money, and energy on something you believe in and walk a few miles in your shoes.

Africa Feb. 16

Hola Amigos!

Hello from South Africa…yes, I’m back here again. It’s been a hectic few weeks since the Holidays. Just have a look at my travel schedule on the right and that should pretty much fill you in on things. Now that I’ve made it back to Africa I feel like I can finally hear myself, and God a bit more clearly. I suppose I shouldn’t be that surprised, that so much of the “white noise” disappears. For me, there aren’t nearly as many things to demand my attention – distractions that trick me into thinking that they will actually give me life or restore my soul.

A STORY OF GOD’S FAITHFULNESS.
In the midst of the hectic schedule, I’ve been really privileged to see God’s faithfulness to me…Particularly with this trip to Africa. Financially it was tight, so I didn’t really feel like it would be wise or that I was to risk putting this trip on a credit card. Then, out of the blue, a friend of Houston, rather unexpectedly, donated almost exactly the amount I needed for the flight! Living life on the edge of God’s great adventure is scary and fulfilling all at the same time. I’m blown away when things like this happen. To be honest, I don’t really have the words. Thank you just doesn’t feel adequate. Especially, in the midst of so much economic struggle across America. The simple fact that someone went against the advice of so many and gave generously and extravagantly is a reflection of God’s heart for His people.

To top things off…my flight from London to Johannesburg was canceled until the following day due to the about 2 inches of snow. (Seriously, 2 inches!) Anyway, a day and half in Heathrow Airport isn’t exactly my idea of a fun time. Fortunately, I’ve got “people”. My good friend Ken from New Haven was flying in from the USA the same time and was being picked up by our close mutual friend, Johnny, who lives in London. So I ended up in a warm home with friends, good food, and a warm bed – Many thanks to Johnny, Lisa, Pete and Gabi!

I’m always amazed how God shows His faithfulness to me…via His people.

Much Love,
David

PS. By the way, London is really beautiful in the snow!

A New Year - Jubilee?

Hello Friends!

Happy New Year! Can you believe we are 3 weeks into 2009?!

Most have us have probably been keeping up with the news and realize that the word “recession” is what is being used to describe our current economic situation. We’ve all seen the “for sale” signs on homes. We all have heard of, or experienced, a recent job loss. And there’s not much talk of an up swing in the near future. I guess this isn’t much reason to look forward to the new year. And we’ve all probably wondered if it will actually be “happy” at all!

In times like these the natural thing to do is simply hunker down and survive. It’s simple dollars & cents preservation. However I keep thinking, what would Jesus do in a recession? Would he just weather the storm or would he be even more radical? Would he give more? Would he share more of his food, his life, his time, his energy? Would he feed more hungry people? Would he heal more sick people? I somehow think Jesus was The Great Revolutionist and would move in the opposite spirit of the times. After all when everybody wanted him to be a military hero and liberate a nation, he instead hung out with little unknown nobody’s – the under belly of Jewish culture – beyond simple prostitutes and cheaters, but also a known terrorist (Simon, the Zealot). The upper crust wasn’t exactly in his entourage. He was just a carpenter. Probably scruffy and bearded (sort of like me at the moment). He didn’t really seem to come off as the guy trying to get his hands on the levers of power.

So it stands to reason, that in a time when the instinct is to fortify our lives and survive this time of perceived lack I would venture to say that Jesus would be even more generous! Over and over thru the story of God and his people, the most opposite solution seemed to win.

So here’s what I propose - my new years resolution of sorts - to be more generous that ever before. And I would love you to hold me to it. Not just with my time or energy, but with everything – yes, even money. We all need to trust God, whether we raise our own finances or we have a steady paycheck.

Yes, it’s scary. But we serve a generous God. So, do we have a deal?

Much Love,
Dave

Hello Friends!

Merry Christmas to you all! Hope this find you well. I've posted my year end letter to sum up how this year has been - and what a year it's been! In addition to our project, Ten Thousand Homes, caring for around 200 orphans in South Africa, we've also launched a new website and put out a new video.

I've posted the video on the blog...it's to the right. Or you can check it out on youtube...HERE

Also, you can check out our new website: www.tenthousandhomes.org. We're still working out some of the kinks, but it's available. We hope you like it.

And one more little whistle on this fancy blog....If you click on the letter below you can see it in a larger format. Gotta love technology sometimes.

THANK YOU!
I really appreciate all you. Each of you has given and contributed in some way. I hope you know that I wouldn't be able to do this without you. Thank you for believing in me and God's heart for Africa's orphans.

Merry Christmas,
David

PS. If you're interested in giving, all contributions are tax deductible.

New Haven Video

Hi Friends,
Here's another video for your viewing pleasure. Thanks for having a look. Look forward to hearing back!



Much Love,
Dave

Back in New Haven.

Hello Friends!

Hello again! I’m finally arrived back in the States. After about 2 days of travel I finally arrived at JFK at 7 am. Then thru customs, a broken luggage carousel, 2 buses, a train and finally home. I’m pretty sure all I need now is a row boat and I’ll covered all forms of a travel in swoop!

It’s nice to be back, but my heart is always torn between 2 homes. It’s always a bit difficult to articulate how things “go” in while I’m over so I thought you might be able to read this story that Brittany, who’s one of our staff. I hope this helps a bit. It’s below.

As always please know how grateful I am to have all of you behind me supporting, giving, encouraging & praying. Thank you.

Your Friend,
Dave

Here the story. Please have a read:


Sweetness
Her name is Sweetness. She is barely three years old and already her eyes reflect the harsh reality that is her life. Orphaned as an infant, Sweetness had been passed around from relative to relative before landing on the doorstep of a widowed uncle. Out of necessity, he is gone most of the day at work, leaving the three year old behind to fend for herself. Infected with AIDS, his death will follow swiftly on the heels of her parents and Sweetness will soon be orphaned for the second time.
When I first started work in Kabokweni, Sweetness was shy and would not approach me willingly. She is too solemn for one so small and often stares at her feet rather than respond when I try to talk to her. Sometimes I pick her up whether she acknowledges me or not and hold her close. She doesn’t fight, but lays passive in my arms and keeps her head down. I feel the hard, roundness of her stomach. She looks like a pregnant toddler, but I know that this is often caused by malnutrition.
Yesterday, I was playing a game with about fifty of the kids. They were being loud and acting more rambunctious than normal, but still for the most part good-natured. There was a lot of noise, that amazing crescendo unique to children and, while I was laughing and yelling along with the rest of them, organizing a game was fast becoming impossible. And in that moment of chaos, I felt tiny arms encircle my leg and a small body pressed itself close to me. This alone was not unusual, but as I glanced down and saw Sweetness, her cheek resting on my thigh her eyes raised to me, I felt near tears. She stayed glued to me the rest of the day and I let her cling all she wanted. Or maybe it was she who let me cling.

Week 3 in Africa

Hi Friends,

It's about a week now before I head back to the States. I want to tell you guys about 2 of the community initiatives we've partnered with. Embowseni & Kabokweni. Don't worry they're phonetic so you can pronounce them.

Both of these places provide very, very essential services like food, love, and the reminder that the orphans and vulnerable children in these communities are not left alone and forgotten.

Here's a couple of photos from Kabokweni and a video for Embosweni. I hope they remind us all of what why we do what we do. And that the Kingdom of God not only lives in our hearts, but it is our job to bring the Kingdom of God to the planet as well.

Thanks you all so much for your incredible support and friendship. I can't say it enough. You guys are making this possible. Thank you!

Your Friend,
Dave

Life is Fragile

Hello Friends!

Well it’s 2 weeks into my month in Africa, so nearly the half way point. It’s been a an interesting 2 weeks. The first week was a YWAM conference with over 200 workers from all over southern Africa. It was great to see a broad range of diversity from around the world as well as from all over Africa. I’m always blown away when I see the diversity of God displayed in His Creation and see the unity that comes to belonging to family of God regardless of color, culture, nationality, or economic status. It’s a beautiful thing!

My time so far as also been a bit surreal. During my first week here I learned that my grandfather, Ambrosio Bosquez, passed away in Piedras Negras, Mexico. It was a bit tough to be away from my family for the time of grieving and remembering him together as a family. Fortunately my mom and dad were able to be there to represent my brother and I, since we’re both overseas at the moment. My brother and I were fortunate enough to see him together last May, I think I knew in my heart that would be my good bye to him. I’m sure he’s enjoying his new home.

Being in Africa always seems to put me back in touch with how fragile life is, thus making it that much more precious and making me realize how valuable people are, whether I recognize their value or not. I get that feeling of fragility with news about my grandfather, but also when I’m about 10 feet from an elephant that was tearing apart a tree. (yes, that did happen about 3 days ago).

Thanks again for your prayers, friendship, and love. It’s priceless.

Your Friend,
Dave

first video blogs (part 1 & 2)

Hi Friends,

Here's my first 2 video blogs. There are more to come but i just thought this would hold everyone over until I can get some more time to video a bit more.

Thanks again to all of you guys for your incredible love and support. I hope you guys know how much it means. I wouldn't do this without you.

Your Friend,
Dave

PS. There's a shameless plug for my friend Jake Fuller, who is part of our Ten Thousand Homes Artist Bloc. Which is a group of artists who are championing the cause of orphans and vulnerable children in their various mediums of art. Support them by following their sites!

Africa again

Hello Friends!

So I’m heading back to South Africa...today. Which is just funny to say really.

Inevitably the week before the flight is always some form of craziness. It’s come to be expected. Some of my own fault, some not so much. Everything from speeding tickets to broken down airplanes to figuring out how to pack all the stuff that people send to the crew over in South Africa. It’s weeks like this that make me wish I could have a personal assistant for about a week. Not to mention the Hurricane that swept thru Houston, that has affected many of you. Including my parents who haven't had power for about 10 days now. Yikes! For those of you in Houston know that you're in my prayers.

All that to say I’m looking forward to going over. It always seems to be about both a mission and a pilgrimage. Part bringing the Kingdom of God to the planet, part bringing the Kingdom of God to my heart. Honestly I wouldn’t want it any other way. All the best things seem to be a mixture of sacrifice and joy. Perhaps that’s one of the reasons why I love Africa so much. It’s full of incredibly painful stories yet bursting at the seems with hope! I always tell people that Africa wrecks you in the best possible way.

Many thanks to all of you who give and who pray and just give a rip about what I’m up to and who I get to work with. I really couldn’t do without you guys. THANKS!!!!!

I’ll be touch. My next blog will be from the other side of the world. I’m flying on a dodgy airline so I’m looking forward to how much duct tape I manage to find on the plane.

Much Love,
Dave

a promised blog and an experiment

Hello Friends!

Me again. As promised here’s another blog entry! It’s more of an announcement really. I’m heading back to South Africa, but you probably already knew that. If you didn’t know it was just a matter of time. Yes, it’s my home away from home. A place and people that I love. Most of you know what I’m about so I won’t go into that and what I’ll be doing there. If you want to know more just go to www.tenthousandhomes.org. The dates of the trip are on the right just so you know. I’ll also be putting up another blog just before I go.

So, I’ll share the backdrop of my heart as I’m preparing for this trip…Jesus once told the story about a Samaritan and Jew. The Jewish man was passed by his countrymen and clergy (or a pastor) essentially his physical neighbors. Then along comes a Samaritan man. Neither of them live in the same country, share interests, water sources, food, or even religions really. They have NOTHING in common. Each was even traditionally hated by the other. Yet, I think it’s a bit like God to use this story to redefine who our neighbor is. After all the 2 greatest commandments are 1.) Love God with everything that is in you and 2.) Love your neighbor as yourself. Hmm. Nice one God!

I’ve been thinking a lot about the idea of “who is my neighbor?” and story telling and how I could pull off melting them together. So for this trip I’ll be doing a bit of interviewing with people who are willing to share their story as well as tell my own with a couple of video blogs, which I’ll try to upload while I’m in Africa. It’s a bit of an experiment, but it’ll be a fun process I hope.

Much love to you all! I’m still incredibly grateful to all of you guys for your faithful friendship, constant support, and just downright caring. Thanks!!!!

Your Friend,
Dave

PS. If any of you are interested in giving toward this trip please send checks to the address at the side. Also, you can try the donate button, but those gifts will not be tax deductible.

Some cool thoughts

I'm back!...at least on my blog

Hello Friends!
First off let me start by apologizing for the lack of communication on my part. It’s been a low key summer for me, which has come at a great time. After almost a full year of travel, it has been a season of a slower pace of life. Unfortunately it has spilled over into correspondence and updating. I hope all of you know, how grateful I am that you’re behind me in this. Thank you!


So for now, I’d love to leave that for now. I’ll update all you soon with my plan to head back to South Africa next month.

Much love to you all! Look forward to hearing from everyone!

Your Friend,
Dave