Germany 2025

"Beauty does not linger, it only visits. Yet Beautyʻs visitation affects us and invites us into itʻs rhythm, it calls us to feel, think, and act beautifully in the world: to create and live a life that awakens the Beautiful."

-John OʻDonahue, p.13 "Beauty. The Invisible Embrace"

"I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people."

-Ephesians 1:18, "The Holy Bible" (NIV)

Diaspora: the dispersion or spread of a people from their original homeland.

I got the wonderful opportunity to see and experience Godʻs Beauty in some unexpected places this summer. I had the honor of joining with friends (affectionately known as T&T and Gypies for Jesus) for a month in an urban metropolis city of Germany where they have lived and ministered for over a decade to the diaspora there.

Thereʻs something really special about how my friends minister. They have a real authentic way of connecting with people through the power of story and conversation while sharing over meals and quality time with others.

This has always resonnated with me. Anyone who knows me knows I am a conversationalist. I can talk! But I also love to listen to peopleʻs hearts as they share. I love connecting with people over coffee and meals and walks together. There is something beautiful and sacred taking place when humans sit down next to each other and see each other. When we ask questions of each other to learn, take the risk and open up and share our unique perspectives and experiences, and also express our joys and sorrows and our hopes and dreams it can work at breaking down all kinds of barriers and it can help to validate and value each other in ways that can be very healing. In recent years I have adopted the Hawaiian cultural practice of "Talk Story" (which is centered around tribal peoples giving safe space to share stories with each other) and I have loved the ideology of "Live A Great Story" (which helps us see that our lives are a story as we live them out and they are a part of a bigger story...bigger than us).

We were made for story. The Bible is Godʻs story with His creation. Throughout itʻs pages interweaves the story of Jesus and how much God loves us. Jesus was a story teller. He often spoke in parables to share about Godʻs Kingdom with the people he would be discipling and ministering to. Weʻre called to be like Jesus and so it makes so much sense allowing story to be a big part of how we connect with people.

For my friends, their focus on story and conversation has been a wonderful beautiful way of reaching out to the diaspora throughout Europe (and specifically within Germany). They have gone directly to the people where they live and have taken that risk to build trusting friendships with so many who are in need. Throughout the years so many people have been genuinely introduced to the love of God in Jesus through my friends, and I had the pleasure of getting to meet some of those dear people while I was in Germany with them. Some of these people have lived incredibly heartbreaking stories and so for them to find comfort and new life and new beginnings in Jesus is such a beautiful and redemptive turn in their stories.

My friends often connect with people through a very creative way of sharing Jesus stories. They do what they call Chocolate Church. Chocolate Church can be implemented in many different ways. Basically they form house churches by inviting a small group of people to join together maybe in a house or another place like a park that is conducive for an intimate gathering for a meal and chocolate for dessert (thus the name chocolate). Throughout the meal around the table they lead the gathered people in conversation and story with aspects that we have come to recognize within church gatherings (worship, word, prayer). They start with asking everyone to share something they are thankful for that took place within the last week (this is "worship" as people are sharing in thanksgiving). Then they will share a Jesus story from the Bible (this is "word" or the message-sermon). Depending on if people present are in the house church or a discipleship group in house church style will depend on how they share the story (either paraphrasing the story or actually reading it from the Bible...sometimes being able to paraphrase can allow for a more natural flow of conversation). They then ask the following questions giving each person a chance to respond: What does this story say about God? What does this story say about people? How can we use this story in our lives? Who can you share the story with? Then they open up the conversation with asking each person if there is anything that they might like prayer for (this is "prayer" or ministry time). Once people have shared then usually my friends will take that moment and speak out a prayer including all of the prayer needs that had been spoken and more thanks to God (if someone didnʻt feel comfortable sharing then they will still lift up a prayer of blessing for that person). Anyone who wants to pray can also pray and often times most do.

This kind of story and conversation driven ministry allows for reproducability to happen (meaning that it can be easy for others to practice Chocolate Church in their own settings and circles). My friends work hard at allowing the ministry they do to be reproducable so they try to teach others as much as they can. They are currently mentoring and discipling several people in Germany (one on one and in groups).

While I was with my friends I got the wonderful opportunity to experience Chocolate Church implemented with a discipleship group they have been meeting with. They meet and share in conversation over meals with the group on a regular basis and the conversation is able to go deeper into Bible study.

Being a part of this group for the time I was there was such a humbling honor. The people were so kind and welcoming, so open to share stories of their lives with me, and so genuine. When I say it was a humbling honor what I mean is that I recognized that if they chose to share something with me it was a big deal. They have endured so much hardship in their lives (and are still in places of struggle) and yet here they were gently smiling and sharing hospitality (in huge ways) and being genuine to share from their hearts how thankful they are for my friends and Jesus in their lives (that my friends and Jesus have become their "life-lines" at a key time in their stories.)

Itʻs the people that I got to meet that are a huge part of how I got to see Godʻs Beauty while in Germany. Iʻve always said that though art and creativity might be the launching point in how I get to minister, the point is not really about the art...itʻs always going to be about peopleʻs hearts (and Godʻs love for them). So all these Jesus stories and sharing in each othersʻ stories through conversations...itʻs all Godʻs creativity opening up hearts to shine Godʻs Love. And their hearts really shined bright with His Love.

I like to have postcards of my paintings handy wherever I go so I can give them out to people as a way of opening up conversation and possibly being able to speak a story of Godʻs Love into them. The postcards are a great way to let God continue to speak His story through the painting (and itʻs story) long after Iʻm present. Itʻs like a mini portable art exhibit. Sometimes Iʻve not even been present when the postcards are shared with others and the painting gets to speak. Before this trip I had given my friends a stack of my postcards to hand out to people there in Germany as God prompted them. It was fun being there in person and then meeting people who had been given one of my postcards and they were able to put a face to the artist. And of course I brought a bunch more on this trip to give out. We had some fun interactions around the postcards as I got to explain the inspiration and meaning of each painting and they got to share with me how the paintings connected with them. These were mini beauty moments...anytime someone took a risk to express how they were receiving Godʻs love in a creative way.

Another way I got to experience Godʻs Beauty through creativity was getting to facilitate a Collaborative Painting with one of these dear families that have been impacted in deep ways through my friends introducing them to Jesus. The family invited us into their home for a traditional meal and a chance to hear their story. The time was rich with food and fun. My friend helped me lead the family in a time of painting together on the same canvas (painting colors and textures within a pre-designed picture that I had created inspired by a painting I had previously done). The theme was "Live A Great Story" and we talked about how our stories matter (the joys and the sorrows) they speak of Godʻs Love (even when we donʻt recognize God...He is still there loving us). It was a sweet time as the family painted together (parents and children).

Iʻve been a part of and facilitated numerous collaborative painting sessions over the past 15 years (with small groups and large groups, in church settings and in all various secular settings, all over the world). The concept of and the facilitation method of how I implement collaborative paintings arenʻt my original ideas. I have an Art Minister mentor who taught me (and others) how to faciltate them and itʻs his methods that I use when I create, design, and implement them on these trips. The designs I create sometimes are inspired by my own original paintings and sometimes are inspired specifically for the people Iʻm facilitatng with. Itʻs a beautiful thing to see his legacy thriving and being reproduced far beyond what I think he even thought could be possible.

People often approach collaborative painting differently based on their background and experience with art and painting. For some, painting is out of their comfort zones. People might participate but only interact with the meaning of the painting at a distance because they might be focused more on their own painting skill. Some people might get fully involved with the action of painting and feel very comfortable creating but stay within their own individual connection as they paint and are unable to see themselves as a part of the community that is painting together. What I love to see is regardless of how people begin their approach there always seems to be a transformation point when individuals painting become a unified community creating for a cohesive purpose.

This family seemed to get there so much quicker than most. Not only was the painting they created together so beautiful in the colors and textures they chose, but they were the most intentional group Iʻve worked with, allowing each section of the painting to represent parts of their familiesʻ personal story and how Jesus interwove within it. It was such a cool thing to hear them share it with us once they had finished. So beautiful. Itʻs one of my favorite memories of this trip.

Speaking of Collaborative Paintings and ministry being reproduced. I was able to leave a few pre-designed canvases and art supplies, with my friends and a young woman who is a German artist they introduced me to. After I left, they have since been able to implement collaborative painting sessions together with others that they are ministering to. This warms my heart to know, that much like my friends whose story telling can be reproduced, the art ministry that I share can also be reproduced (hereʻs Godʻs Creative Beauty and Love pouring out beyond...."see one, do one, teach one").

Another way I like to share through art ministry is by creating paintings live in front of people during church worship services. This is one of my favorite ways of getting to collaborate and express through art ministry. Itʻs not just about me painting. Itʻs a collaboration between me and the worship band and oftentimes also the speaker as we work together in unity (the music, the singing, the prayer, the reading of Scripture text, the sharing of a message, the painting as a visual message) for a shared purpose to give God glory and edify the people in the church through a creative conversation with God in worship.

My trip to Germany was bookended with painting live during church worship services.

The first time was during an art and worship night at a church that my friends took me to during my first week. I was told that this particular church held these worship nights filled with music and creativity once a month. All are invited. There were tables and easles set up with art supplies generously offered for whoever wanted to create. There was a live worship band that played for 2 hours giving people the freedom to sing, dance, fly streamer flags, create art, pray, and soak up the intimate time with God. When we had finished, the Art Ministry Director led us in a time where we each had opportunity to share about what we had created during worship. It reminded me of many an art and worship service I have been a part of and have even helped lead when I was on leadership staff of a church art ministry where I live in Idaho. Here I was all the way over in Germany where I didnʻt speak the language and so much of the culture and city was new and foreign to me (and yet I was the foreigner to them) but I felt at home. The Beautiful thing about moving within the Kingdom of God is that no matter where youʻre feet are in this world, when you are together with other believers in Jesus, you are home. It was a beautiful sacred moment that we shared together.

Before going that night I had prayed and asked God what image did he want me to paint and share with the people. I knew that whatever I created it would be a message and gift to the church. I believe I was prompted by Holy Spirit to paint an image inspired by an original painting of mine called "The Faith Place" that I had created in 2023. I hadnʻt told anyone what I was going to paint. Itʻs an abstract painting depicting the moment Peter throws out his nets on the other side of the boat because Jesus tells him to go out into deep waters to fish (even though Peter had been fishing all night and had caught nothing). After the nets miraculously fill to breaking point with fish Peter is astonished and follows Jesus (who tells him heʻll make him a "fisher of people"). The painting is about putting action to our faith, taking the risk to be obedient to trust God even if it sounds crazy. I had no idea why I was to paint that painting for them that night. But I did. Remember here I am a foreigner who basically had just arrived and didnʻt know anyone in the room except my 2 friends who brought me and they didnʻt know anyone either because this was their first time attending the art and worship night at this particular church. Once I shared what the painting was about others spoke up to share what they got from it. One lady said that it fit in so perfectly with a word that had been given earlier in the year about the city being a Gateway of Faith. They all seemed to be very encouraged and asked me questions about how I came to paint it and why I was there. I came away from the experience that night with my own faith boosted!

Thereʻs a Part 2 to this "The Faith Place" testimony of Godʻs Beauty and Love shining through in unexpected places....a couple of weeks later my friends and I were having dinner with a couple (the worship pastor of that church and his wife who is the director of outreach missions for the church). Neither of them had been at the art and worship night but had seen my painting the following Sunday (because I left it in the art room at the church and people were still talking about it). They both shared with me how the painting blew them away when they saw it and itʻs meaning went far beyond what the artists at the worship night had shared. Apparently the message of the painting was almost word for word what each of the 3 main ministries within the church had gotten for the church but each seperately and now here was my painting speaking that message (and Iʻm not from their church nor was I from their city or even from Germany!) They were confirming how much of a word from God it really was. All I could do was smile hugely and say Thank you Jesus!!! All God...totally God.

Creativity is a language of itʻs own that seems to be able to connect on a deeper spiritual level at times even more than language words.

The other time I painted live was during my last week when I was able to join my friends in collaboration during a church worship service gathering of the believers in Jesus who are a part of the diaspora in Germany.

My friends helped lead worship and spoke the sermon message while I painted live throughout. It was such a beautiful picture of the Body of Christ serving together in collaboration.

The painting I chose to paint was an updated version of an original painting of mine called "Collaboration Convergence" that I created in 2016. The original was created after a moment I had at a coffee shop when I needed a glass of water from a water jug that needed to be tipped in order to get the remainder of water to flow through the spicket. I couldnʻt do it by myself and hold my glass. 2 people saw and came over to help me. I took a picture of us in the midst of the moment and later created the painting as a beautiful picture of how when we work together (each person matters in the bigger picture) we can accomplish so much more.

Creating a new version of the painting for this particular church as a gift was such a pleasure. I had been able to attend this church each Sunday with my friends while I was there and I had the priviledge of meeting so many wonderful people who were so kind and full of Godʻs Love. Each time I got to go was a beautiful reminder of how important the ministry that my friends have been and are still a part of. Each person, each family with their own story of hardship and struggle mixed with Godʻs beautiful mercies and grace. Godʻs love shining on their faces and spoken in their voices (and in their own language as they sang worship to God) and written in their stories. When the service was finished I was able to share with the church what the painting was about (a picture of them...the Body of Christ, so diverse and so Beautiful as they work together to serve God in creative ways). Many people came up to me to see the painting up close and ask questions and give hugs.

Thereʻs a bit of a Part 2 to this "Collaboration Convergence"...my friend notified me they had another opportunity to speak the sermon message at a service there since I had left and she spoke about Worship. Many people had questions for her about my painting during the service when I was there. She was able to share about how we can worship God through many different ways including our creativity (singing and music is only one way to worship God...painting and so many other artforms can be utilized too). She let me know the man who translated was not there the day I painted but hearing about painting being a way I worship encouraged a new understanding for him that you can worship God through painting. Godʻs Love is rippling out beyond.

The experience of getting to minister together with my friends at the church in this collaborative way was so fun and it is one of my favorite memories from the trip.

Iʻm so thankful that I had the wonderful opportunity to join with my friends to experience seeing them serve within their calling to reach the diaspora in Germany for the Kingdom of God. They were made for this. They are Living A Great Story. The Jesus story that is being written there is so beautiful and so full of Godʻs Love for the people.

As I continue to process my time in Germany with my friends my mind is filled with so many beautiful moments where I got to see Godʻs Love shine. Whether it was through the colorful graffiti and mural art throughout the city, or through the colorful faces of the diverse cultures represented in the people sharing their stories, or through the colorful paintings created by myself and together with the people I was meeting....This really was a trip of seeing God show up in unexpected places through His Colorful Beauty...and itʻs rippling out beyond.