Coming to Florida - FBC Jax Mission Fair

Amber and I are excited to be arriving in the Sunshine State tommorrow! While the temperature continues to drop here in Michigan, we'll hopefully bring back a Florida tan to the midwest upon our return.

We will be in town sharing about International Justice Mission and informing people of how they can become involved with this growing movement. We will also be raising support for our year abroad in Uganda with IJM - will we be seeing you?

FBC JAX 2011 Mission Fair
While in town, we will also be participating in First Baptist Church's annual mission fair. For details, please visit this link: http://www.fbcjax.com/events/missionfair This will be a great time of fellowship with others in overseas Christian work, as well as meeting people who would like to become involved.

We would enjoy visiting with you while in town! If you would like to get together, please give us a call and let's see what we can arrange.

We also wanted to let you know we are now on Twitter. This has been a great way of connecting with people, giving real-time updates, as well as informing others of what we'll be doing in Uganda. Our Twitter name is: drewhutcheson. Send us a tweet!

If you would, please pray for our journey down to Florida, that as we drive, we will arrive safely and swiftly.

See you soon!

We're Adopting!

We have some exciting news to announce:

We are adopting! 

Yes, you heard right! We are adding to our family through adoption. We are SO excited about beginning this process and can't wait to see how the Lord will work!

God placed adoption on our hearts and minds when we first got married (actually we talked about it while we were still dating but didn't feel God's confirmation until later). Ever since then we have been discussing the idea, praying about it, and looking into the details of how to go about it. Over a year and a half ago, when the Lord first called us to Uganda, we decided that while there we would like to pursue adoption. After many months and much prayer we have finally begun the process and started the paperwork (the mountain of paperwork I should say!) to adopt from Uganda.



The orphanage my sister Janae was adopted from.



Janae

The orphanage my sister Adelynn was adopted from.

Addie



Janae and Adelynn today.

We will be adopting indepedantly while we are in Uganda. This means that we will not be going through an agency for the adoption but instead will be visiting the Ugandan orphanages ourselves, choosing our own child to adopt, securing our own lawyer, and figuring out things like visas, birth certificates, paperwork, and legal requirements on our own (with the help of our attorney). My parents adopted my two little sisters independantly from Uganda and we have many friends who have gone through the process so we feel confident that we can do it with their help!

Last Saturday we had our Home Study done. We got to meet Mary, a very nice lady from Families Through Adoption, who came and interviewed us and examined our home. She is now in the process of writing our Home Study approval. When that is written we can apply for the I-600A which will be the written approval from the US government that we can advance in the process of our adoption. We can take that approval to Uganda when we move there in May and we should be all set to bring a child into our home soon thereafter. There will be much work and paperwork after that in order to finalize legal guardianship in Uganda and later the adoption in the U.S. but we will take it one step at a time! The Lord has already proven himself faithful over and over again and we are trusting in Him to continue directing our path.

It's strange to think that our baby may be born already, may be being born right now as I type this, or may be still in his or her mother's womb. In any case, we have begun praying for our precious child, that wherever he or she may be they would be safe and loved. We do not know how old our child will be, whether we will adopt a boy or a girl, or even how many we will adopt! But the Lord knows and He does all things well. We trust that in His timing He will bring the right child/children to us and we will know that they are ours!

If the Lord brings it to your mind please pray for us as we travel this exciting road He is taking us on! We will keep you updated as things progress and hopefully by summer of 2012 we will be able to introduce you to the newest member of our family! =)

And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, “He [Jesus] has done all things well."

Mark 7:37a

Sending Bad Guys to Jail, Defending the Orphan & Widow – IJM

Sending Bad Guys to Jail, Defending the Orphan & Widow – IJM   

International Justice Mission’s (IJM) quarterly newsletter just came out and it gives a great glimpse as to why IJM holds criminals accountable for their actions by prosecuting them and sending them away. But hold on a second, you may be wondering, “Isn’t IJM a CHRISTIAN agency?” Yes, undoubtedly. “And they’re sending people to prison for years?” Indeed.

This is one of IJM’s most central hallmarks – perpetrator accountability – which really makes societal structural change in a location IJM works in possible. Now, why is this such a cool and amazing work? Because, for quite some time the need for the church to truly embrace and live out the call to DEFEND the orphan and widow has gone unanswered. It’s a difficult objective to carry out tactically. But now, it’s happening. Working in developing countries, IJM is there rescuing and defending the oppressed from all sorts of oppression; be it forced labor (slavery), rape for profit, illegal property seizures, and other sorts of injustices. In order to do this, IJM must prosecute the perpetrators to bring an end to the oppression occurring in the community. God’s call and command to defend the orphan and widow is being answered!

In IJM’s recent quarterly update, Gertrude’s story is highlighted. Gertrude is a victim of illegal property seizure. After her husband died, her husband’s brother made it clear he was going to take her property. When Gertrude would not willingly give up what was legally hers, the man went from threatening to using violent force. Gertrude was dragged from her home and beaten in front of her daughters and granddaughter. The only way to stop such violence is to punish those who cause it. By doing this, “suddenly,” as Sean Litton (VP of IJM Field Operations) has said “the weak have a voice and hope for a community where they do not need to live in fear anymore.”

Often times these are our brothers and sisters in Christ who are suffering.

When a criminal in a community is sentenced to time in prison, it sends an alarming message to those who are also involved in the same violent work: there’s consequences for what you’re doing. Stop while you still can.

God smiles upon this, as His gospel and call to execute justice on behalf of the oppressed is being embraced and lived out. It’s happening, now, in this generation. May it be so, o Lord, that the dark oppressive forces that exist shall dissipate from an onslaught of the light of justice. This is world-changing work. This is the work of IJM.

Justice has been served - Gertrude's perpetrator is in prison. Now she can return to living a life without fear! 



Back From D.C. - IJM & Other Highlights

"Who do I work for? I work for those who are suffering!" - Gary Haugen, President & CEO, International Justice Mission

This past week I was in Washington, D.C. attending International Justice Mission's (IJM) pre-field orientation week. I have long respected and been fond of IJM, but after this week, I can honestly say "astounding" is an understatement to describe who Amber and I are working for. Hear these words here first, IJM is redefining what Christian work looks like and is setting the standard for future generations. Wrought with professionalism and excellence, IJM is equipped with a powerhouse of well-qualified and experienced staff from all realms of life; be it government, investigators and law enforcement personnel, lawyers, trauma and aftercare specialist, corporate world, or pastoral - IJM is qualified and taking action. This, though, should not be a surprise at all in light of their line of work.

In posts to come, I look forward to sharing more about the foundational values of IJM which motivates their corporate governing structure.

Some Highlights from D.C.

- Becoming adept in IJM and what they do makes us all the more humbled and honored to be a part of what they're doing.

- Getting to ride the Metro. I always enjoyed riding the Metro trains in Chicago. I didn't know D.C. had the same set-up. When I flew in and had to buy a rail card, I was pumped for the adventure!

- Meeting the IJM staff, Fellows, and Interns.

- Spending time with John Ginn. It was great to see and talk with an old friend in person, instead of normally on the phone.

- Meeting Dr. Douglas Elmendorf. Do you know who this is? Perhaps not. Dr. Elmendorf is an American economist and the director of the CBO (Congressional Budget Office). He is overseeing right now with a group of others the priorities in helping our economy recover.

Things I'll be Looking Forward To While In D.C.

This coming Sunday I will be flying to Washington D.C. for the entirety of the upcoming week. While there, I will be attending training week at International Justice Mission's Headquarters. Although I am greatly looking forward to being with IJM's staff and other field workers I will be working alongside of, there are at the same time, some things I will be missing about home. Thus, below are some things I am looking forward to and others I am not:

I am looking forward to:

- Spending a week with world class talent and a world class organization taking action against injustice

- Hopefully stopping by the National Archives and the Lincoln Memorial (I can remember being there when I was younger and have always wanted to return!)

- Receiving complimentary Coca-Cola while flying (Coke is my favorite pop; all the more is it when it's free and served to you!)

- Visiting with the one, the only - John Ginn! (John is one of my closest and most long-term buds. He recently transferred to American Law School, which so happens to be in D.C.)

- Just being in D.C. What an electric place to be! (I've always been a good rhymer)

I am not looking forward to:
- Being away from my dear Am for a week. Except for being in the Philippines while Amber planned our wedding, this will be the longest we've been a part both before and since we've been married.
- Being away from Isaiah! I won't see my little big guy for a whole week! He's already walking. He'll have his license by the time I return!

 
- I'll miss being away from the youth group I oversee at Bethel

- And, I'll miss working on the farm here in Fremont. This job is a blast, but there's no doubt, there will be plenty of work to do upon my return.

Happy Anniversary!

Drew and I celebrated two years of marriage last Sunday, August 7th! And what a wonderful two years it has been! There have been ups and downs, happy times and sad times...and lots and lots of learning experiences. =) I love living life with my very best friend. It has been an amazing ride so far!

In our two short years together we have lived in two different apartments in two different states, started our support raising to move to Uganda, and added an adorable, fun, funny, and incredible blessing of a baby to our family (and we'll soon be adding to our familiy again- yes...we're getting a cat!). Also, Drew graduated from Moody Bible Institute, rode a roller coaster (can I just say that was very difficult to get him to do..but he loved it!), and is loving his job as a youth pastor (and farmer!). I am loving my job as a mom! It is the most rewarding job and there is nothing that can describe a mother's love for her baby! Every day Isaiah makes us laugh and brings so much joy into our home. What a wonderful blessing children are!

Anyways, to celebrate our two year anniversary my always romantic hubby booked a surprise weekend in Machinaw City for us! I had never been there before and have always wanted to go. What a great surprise it was. We had a wonderful time! Just wish we could have stayed longer. =)



We took the ferry over to Mackinac Island for one of the days. Isaiah loved the boat!



Daddy and Isaiah went up to the very top of the ferry to feel the wind!



Just landed on the island. Excited for a fun day!




Mackinac Island is beautiful. Lots of fun shops and things to see.



We took a bike ride around the entire island. Isaiah rode in a burley behind our tandom bike.




Drew was in the front of the bike so he did all the hard pedaling and the steering. I got to sit back and relax. =)

No cars are allowed on the island. Only bikes and horse drawn carriages.



Isaiah made himself right at home in the burley and fell asleep within minutes!

It was so fun to ride on a bike yet not have to look where I was going. I took lots of pictures along the way!

Isaiah had fun in the toy store!



On one of the days we went to an indoor water park. Isaiah LOVED the water!



He wasn't too sure about the waterslide though... =)

It was a great weekend with my favorite husband and my favorite son! I am so blessed to have such a great family. =) I can't wait to celebrate many many more anniversaries with Drew!



Compassion's Reaction

Jesus allowed his heart to be the handle which the needs of others turned to open the door of healing.

Mark 1:41
καὶ σπλαγχνισθεὶς ἐκτείνας τὴν χεῖρα αὐτοῦ ἥψατο καὶ λέγει• θέλω, καθαρίσθητι.
“And being filled with compassion, he (Jesus) wholly extended his arm touching him and said, ‘I am willing – be healed.’”

There is much we can glean from this lone verse. We first realize that Jesus first saw the leper and then was filled with compassion.
σπλαγχνισθεὶς (“being filled with compassion”) is in what is called the passive voice. This simply means that it was the physical state of the leper which filled Christ’ heart with compassion.

APPLICATION
1 – If we have our eyes upon others and their needs, we will become burdened for them.
2 – Jesus opened his heart to the world allowing the needs of others to evoke him to take action and do something for them.
3 – Jesus moved toward this leper. The world promotes people coming to you, to serve you. Christ modeled going to others, to serve them.

Next, Jesus wholly extended (ἐκτείνας) his arm out to apply his healing touch to the leper. This word ἐκτείνας can literally mean to extend to full length. This says much of how we are to reach out to those around us. Jesus went against the norm in reaching out to someone who otherwise was overlooked and forgotten by society. Furthermore, he reached out all the way to this person!

APPLICATION
4 – Hold nothing back when it comes to serving others and may we not be afraid to go the extra step and do what we can, whether little or much for others, despite how we look in the eyes of modern culture.
Finally, through Jesus’ touch, this man is healed. Today, we live as God’s healing hand in the world, with him touching lives through us.

For Jesus, helping someone could mean, as it does here, healing them from their disease. God could still do this through someone today, but for the most part, helping others could be anything between faithfully praying for someone or going to help orphans in Africa. The needs of those around us are great and many. However, like Jesus, we must allow those needs to fill us with compassion which in turn, will lead us to do something.
Who is the friend you know who just found out they have cancer? Who do you know who just lost their job or is still looking for one? Who is the young person who is struggling in a home recently ransacked by divorce? A little encouragement, a meal offered, a listening ear, or even something as simple as faithfully praying for them may just be the healing touch of Jesus in their life.