end of Aug and on to month 2 (old)
end of Aug and on to month 2
Sorry I haven’t been able to bring you all up to date lately. I have been on the road for the past 15 days and I did not have even a few seconds of spare time to write. Anyway, the trip was great! We traveled to North Carolina; Atlanta, Georgia; Nashville, Tennessee; Kansas City, Kansas; Champaign & Chicago Illinois; Rochester, Michigan; Fort Wayne, Indiana; and Columbus, Ohio. A little more then 4000 miles in two weeks.It was such a GREAT trip. Some of the high lights were going to the world of Coke, Varsity (a famous burger place in Atlanta), WWI museum in Kansas City, Detroit Tigers game, bowling, and the art museum in Chicago. Every where we went was amazing. We even stayed in a hostel in Nashville. It was so cool. There were people from all over the world and we got to tell them about Ivanwold.
On a deeper note. I finally feel excepted here. All the guys and I have truly bonded in meaningful ways during our trip. I’m so glad that the guys are more comfortable with me. I shared a lot on the trip and I got rid of a lot of baggage I had been carrying around. I fell 100% better and my hart and spirit are lighter. I feel unstoppable now. And I know that Ivanwold is exactly where I need to be.
Also, I am much more intentional with the guys and our relationships are growing with each passing day. The part of the trip that meant the most to me was my time in Rochester. It was so good to see friends and family. I never realized or fully appreciated how great everyone is there.
The guys from Ivanwold and my former small group from high school played a game of night ultimate. The game was so good and so intense. Everyone had fun. It was crazy after the game though, having Bonerarro and Ivanwold together on the same field. I felt like the center of two worlds coming together. I can’t believe what a great community of men God has blessed me with… I love it and it’s intensifying every day.
When we got back from the road trip, we got 4 more new guys in the house. Two are from Nepal (near Mt. Everest), one is from Kazakhstan and, the last one is from Seattle, Washington. That makes the house full with 12 guys and only 4 are from the States…it’s so cool.
I know that I have been gone for a little over a month but, I am just now starting to comprehend what goes on here in this world called Ivanwold. I am growing so much each day. I am growing deeper in love with Jesus and loving others. I see this love everyday and I have an opportunities to practice what I’ve learned. I have been trying to study and live out the house verses; they are, Ecc. 4:9-10, Eph 4:26-27, Luke 16:10, Matt 5:23-24, Col 3:23-24 and Matt 22: 36-40. These are the foundation verses that Ivanwold is based on as well as learning how to love Jesus and others in a way that is Jesus plus nothing. It’s great and I love it.
I also want to thank those who have prayerfully sent prayers up and support to this mission. I am humbled and honored to have this opportunity and I don’t take it for granted. I hope that I can inspire some young person to welcome this kind of community into their lives and I know the world would be a better place for it. Your continued support is humbling to me. Every penny goes to support and my participating in this ‘calling’ God has on my life. I am in loving obedience. I know I am exactly where I am supposed to be at this time and in this place. I am eternally grateful for the sacrifices everyone has made.
remember love god love others
Wes tatum
