Did you know how Ted has been spending his spare time for the past year?

He's written a book!  Yep -- it's a mystery novel set in Haiti, in the particular neighborhood of Bwa Nef where he worked during our semester in Haiti in 2010.

Last Monday, Drexel Law invited Ted to speak at a Working for Justice in Haiti event, in part to discuss what his law school co op looked like in Haiti, and also to share about the release of his Haiti-based novel: Because We Are!

Picture: check out the poster they made for this event -- that is Ted's book cover in the bottom left corner :)

A Drexel student wrote an article on Ted's presentation and took some a great picture of him as well.


The short but sweet article is here: Alumnus Ted Oswald

Finally, if you haven't heard about Ted's book via Facebook, watch this great two-minute video he made that explains the background and his reasons for writing the book:

Because We Are video

The book will be released in December. E-book copies will only be $3. Stay tuned!

Wissahickon morning

Just another morning in Philadelphia. 

Sometimes I can't believe I live in a place like this.

 Where I can venture into the woods, just about a 20 minute drive away from our house.

I found the most beautiful spot. On a rock, in the river, with a covered bridge in view, and colorful leaves falling all around me like snowflakes. Wow...

 Thank you, Lord.

A Second Chance

Please check out this article I wrote on a client of ours at CLCP, Miguel Hernandez.

Miguel took advantage of CLCP's first ever expungement clinic. Read more about his experience here.

Connections are made

Sometimes amazing connections are made, and you just know that God’s fingerprints are all over it. If nothing else, it serves as a great encouragement to us that God is active is the lives of His saints.

Last week, Pete met with an attorney at a big downtown law firm; they had been connected by a personal friend. This attorney, a Christian, has a passion for turning his law work into something more than a job; he wants to treat it as his vocation. Christian Legal Clinics of Philadelphia, he speculates, could be just the organization to help him do that.

Having gone to school right across the river in Camden, New Jersey, this attorney has a particular interest in serving that community – one of the lowest-income and highest-crime cities in the area. Pete was so encouraged by this attorney who has a passion for getting involved in ministry and using his legal skills for the public good.

The very same week, Ted receives an e-mail via the CLCP website – another enthusiastic attorney who wants to volunteer his time to “give back” to the city. He was actively involved in leading the Christian Legal Society chapter at his law school and, with significant private practice experience under his belt he is poised and ready to jump in to serve! And get this: he is only barred in New Jersey and New York, and he has particular ties to Camden, New Jersey.

Hm! Could God be moving His attorneys to adapt the CLCP model to the city of Camden? Ted and Pete experienced some similar "wow" connections while at a lawyers lunch in Delaware County (the county just west of Philadelphia) last month. Christian attorneys we meet are getting excited about copying CLCP’s model to “do justice” in the communities in need closest to them.

And this is good!

Hands-on community fun

At Saturday's Community Beautification Day, we helped pot 50 planters for as many families in the neighborhood. That was a lot of soil, flowers, peppers, and pots - and they all got used! Outside of the new Esperanza Health Center building, the S.E.A.C. coalition hosted this great event for community members. We had music, crafts for kids, healthy snacks, and these fun planters to plant. Just the right amount of families came, and I believe all the volunteers had a great time helping with the planting! :)

This little boy had a particularly good time. He took his time filling his pot - first helping his friends and then doing his own - one small hand-full at a time. He then excitedly dug into the soil to prepare to plant. As he followed my instructions on how to "loosen" the flower roots before planting, he was astonished to come upon a worm hidden in the roots! After telling him what I had just learned - that worm poop helps to enrich the soil - he became even more delighted and affectionately named his slinky friend "slimy."

It was so fun to be a part of coordinating this event. God provided good weather and a spirit of joy permeated the place.

_________________________________________________

S.E.A.C. is a coalition that represents our church, Spirit and Truth Fellowship, Esperanza Health Center, Ayuda Community Center, and Casa de Consejeria (House of Counseling), four Christian organizations that serve our community. S.E.A.C. received an awesome grant to work together for two years, hosting a unique community event each month.

websites for each: esperanzahealthcenter.org, ayudacc.org

A string of unique trips

For the past month, this "one life in Philly" has looked more like this "one life in Hagerstown, Silver Springs, Cape May, and Quakertown." Travel has been the name of the game.

During the same weekend as Ted's Pro Deo Conference, we also were reunited with friends at a Haiti Partnership conference in Silver Springs, MD. Our friends, Sarah and Sadrack, were the main initiators and organizers behind the church-based conference, and our dear supervisor and mentor from our semester in Haiti was in attendance!

Ted met up with us in Hagerstown, MD, where conference participants reconvened at Sarah's house for an amazing feast and worshiped together at her home church.

The group of us - Sarah, Gina, Ted, myself - with old and
new friends at Sarah's house.

The conference was an amazing opportunity to listen in on plans for emerging models of partnership between Haitian and American churches.

The following weekend was something special - my 28th birthday! For the occasion, my hubby had a grand surprise - an overnight stay in Cape May, NJ! Cape May is a beautiful seaside town, full of Victorian B&Bs, specialty shops, and  - at this time of year - empty beaches! March 23 was a record-hot day, so we hit the sand for sure...

Beautiful cherry blossoms were on display in MD, and
here in Philly as well.

Finally, this past weekend found me in Quakertown, PA at the annual women's retreat with my church. The one-night stay was relaxing and refreshing. Women's testimonies and times of sharing were edifying and helpful in identifying ways the Lord is moving.

A great few weekends, though it is nice to be settling back into a normal pace of life here in Philly. :)

Pro Deo 2012

Thanks to all of you who prayed for the 2012 Pro Deo Conference that happened last weekend (3/17 - 3/18). The Conference was hosted by Christian Legal Clinics of Philadelphia (CLCP), and it brought together about 30 law students, lawyers, paralegals, and even a few undergrads who were passionate about exploring their role in bringing justice in ways that reflect God's crazy love for this world.

Our church, where the
conference was held.

During the conference, an elder from our church, Barb Weidman, spoke vividly on the meaning of shalom and the depth of our world's brokenness as a result of the fall; three women from our church and one from CLCP's board shared about being women of faith in the legal profession; a young attorney spoke on how she prayerfully responds to the injustices experienced in her firm surrounding issues of race and gender; CLCP's executive director, Pete Hileman, shared about mediation and Christian peacemaking, a powerful ministry of which he is a part; Dr. Ron Sider also came and gave a talk on the Biblical meanings of justice.

From what I heard, it sounds like participants left invigorated, stimulated... and exhausted! :) Most everyone indicated on their conference evaluation forms that they would come back for a Pro Deo Conference next year - what great feedback!

On the opening day of the conference, I had the opportunity to help with many last-minute preparations, hear Barb's opening talk, and listen with anticipation to Ted's address on "a vision for pro deo lawyering!" (see links under the photos) He was filled with enthusiasm and gusto as he gave his talk, and I was so happy to see him well-received by all.

Another big event for Ted, and for CLCP! Thank you for your prayers!

 

Ron Sider's talk

 

Ted's talk

   

Pete's talk

You can also listen to the Women of Faith in the Law panel here.

Thankfulness

I wanted to take a moment to share of an opportunity God has provided and one reason I am rejoicing. In our recent prayer letter, I wrote of my desire to understand better what the ministry of reconciliation means in my own life and this world. As I was starting to recognize this desire, Ted stumbled upon Duke's Center for Reconciliation, and a program they offer in May called the Summer Institute. The Center is run out of Duke's Divinity School and is co-directed by Chris Rice and Emmanuel Katongole. The Institute's purpose and tagline - the Ministry of Reconciliation in a Divided World - was enough to get me really excited.  

A few weeks ago, I applied to the Institute, and I found out last Tuesday that I got in! May 28 - June 2, this is where I'll be and what I'll be doing. Every afternoon, I'll participate in the seminar Building Beloved Communities of Justice and Advocacy with "the Poor." Please continue to pray as this opportunity draws near for me.

Duke Divinity School's Chapel -where morning sessions are held
at the Summer Institute

Pro Deo time!

Tomorrow night, 6pm, marks the start of CLCP's first ever Pro Deo Conference.  One of Ted's dream projects since he was in law school, the Pro Deo Conference will be "a place for lawyers, paralegals, students and friends to gather, celebrate  and articulate answers to difficult questions. Questions like “What is my calling as a Christian in the law?”, “If Christ was a lawyer, what would his practice look like? and “How is a Christian attorney different from any other?”

The name is a play on the Latin pro bono, meaning "for the public good." What if we saw our work primarily as pro deo, for God, instead? How would that drive our sense of work and vocation differently?

Talks include, Shalom, Biblical Foundation for Justice, Biblical Peacemaking, Contemplating God at the Law Firm, Women of Faith in the Law, Corporate Social Responsibility, and A Vision for Pro Deo Lawyering. Phew! And guess who is giving that last presentation?  None other than Mr. T.A. Oswald himself! ;)

It is set to be a monumental event, but we desire your prayers! Please pray as 40+ participants gather at our church for fellowship and discussion. Pray particularly for the speakers, as they prepare to share wisdom and cast a vision for young and seasoned lawyers alike who want to utilize their gifts and skills to be salt and light in this earth.

www.clcphila.org/wp/pro-deo-conference/ 

Time Together

What was on the menu? Chicken
marbella - a new one for me!

After legal clinic this week we opened our home once again for a "debrief" dinner for volunteers. It was fun! As I did the grocery shopping and prepared the chicken marinade on Wednesday night, I thought to myself how enjoyable this can all be.  At my worst, I'm the anxious chef calling my mom multiple times from the grocery aisle to double-check on ingredients. But when I relax and remind myself that the purpose of our clinic meals is to enjoy fellowship, learn more about each other, and reflect on the work of CLCP, then I am more free to enjoy the preparation process. A helpful reminder - it's not about me! :)

Table set for 8.

Thursday night, we had another great group: a board member Regina, the executive director Pete and his wife Wendy, two contract attorneys working on community legal education with the clinic, and a law student at Temple who was commencing her hard-earned Spring break by eating with us!

We went around the table and shared what we've been grateful for - today, or in the past week. It was neat to hear how many of the attorneys were grateful for their afternoon at the clinic that day. Many clients came, and there were enough volunteers to assist them. It seemed like God had orchestrated divine appointments all around.  Thank God for the ways He moves!

Our great group for dinner. Thanks to all who came!

Good for the soul

There are few things so energizing as laughter and good conversation with friends.  I would also say that few things are as satisfying and enriching as cross-cultural experiences that take you out of your everyday comfortable "routine" and expand your appreciation of life...

In this past week, we had both!

First, last Saturday -  a wonderful celebration with neighbors. The "cross-cultural" aspects came in as the baby shower started two and a half hours after the start time listed on the invitation (but certainly not "late"), the conversations around us were mostly in Spanish, and the food and drinks were thoroughly Puerto Rican -  out of this world amazing!! Our friends were such gracious, wonderful hosts. They went out of their way to take such good care of all of us - constantly refilling our cups with sugary, delightful drinks. ;)


It had been awhile since Ted and I were led into that realm of unpredictability where you really have no clue what and how things are going to unfold. It's a familiar feeling though -took us right back to some nights in Haiti. I personally appreciated it. It's such a great thing to be invited into other people's lives for these precious moments. But after 4 hours of baby shower madness, we were pooped :)


The following Friday, we had the opportunity to see good friends for yet another celebration! It was a friend's birthday, and our friend B picked the perfect spot in South Philly for us to celebrate. Sitting at the back of a family-owned Italian restaurant, where all the pasta is homemade and the owners regularly come out to chat with you, our group of six enjoyed delicious food and laughed (almost to tears) until we closed the place down. Even though it was well past 11pm, the owners never would have kicked us out!  You could tell that they loved the fact that we were enjoying their place.

Hope @ Joy in the City

Ted shared a story with me last night that I loved hearing.  Recently one morning, while at his office (see CLCP), he had a few visitors from the neighborhood. A loving leader in our community, Adela, brought in one young woman and her mother to seek legal advice.  Though several hours before the official start of "clinic time" (4-7pm every other Thursday), they found someone to talk to in Ted.

I don't know the details of the young woman's case (as rules of confidentiality require), but I do know that she had burdens overwhelming her, and the tears flowed freely as she broke down and shared her story for Ted.   The legal issues were entangled and complex (as is frequently the case in difficult situations), but what this woman clearly needed as much as legal advice was hope and help to withstand the current trials she faces. 

So Ted shared Truth with her: truth of God's love and His ability to redeem all situations; the truth of His strength and His power to sustain us and overcome the troubles we face - not necessarily by taking them away, but by walking with us through them, if we believe and acknowledge Him.   They prayed together, and Adela ended the time in song, holding the crying client and kissing her forehead, communicating that God is Love, and He cares for us.

God is a Comforter. Amen!

Mural at the entrance to Ted's
office building, Joy in the City.

Celebrations!

The Open House celebration at CLCP last Thursday was a great success. After weeks of hard work planning the event (on Ted’s part), sending out invitations, and hoping for a good turnout, I can say it paid off in a lovely way – many people came, and they didn’t seem to want to leave!

I don’t know why I have a tendency to sit in the background and worry about things. Two months ago, Ted and Pete decided to throw this Open House party, at the suggestion of a CLCP donor. Neither of them had experience in planning an event like this, but they put their heads together – along with  the Ayuda clinic coordinator Pam, who does have extensive experience in this – and sweat through the details involved in making any four-hour “open house” event a success.

As for me –  I prayed for them.  I refilled coffee dispensers and set out dessert displays during the event. I made nametags. And that’s about it!  Oh yes … and I worried!  I didn’t know how to make this event a success. How do you plan a program for a rotating crowd, not knowing when the peak traffic times will be?  I didn’t know how best to dive in and be a part of the planning committee, so I watched some of the planning unfold.

When I arrived two hours before the kick-off to help with set-up, I saw that Ted and Pete had already arranged the tables and chairs, and skillfully displayed artwork from Ayuda’s youth art program around the room. It looked great. But not as great as when 40-50 people filled the room at the peak of the party! J

So many people came: volunteer clinic attorneys and their spouses, law school friends of Ted’s, pastors, teenage volunteers from HPCA, and other key community members. We had a diverse food spread for a hundred people – Thai, Mexican, and Puerto Rican; Susan Post gave a tour of the newly opened Esperanza Health Center next door; and half a dozen ministry partners shared their excitement and vision for the legal clinic’s work. You can hear what the speakers had to share, here.

So I didn't really need to worry - just trust. Ted and the team did such great, hard work to pull this off. Thank God for a great event! And for an opportunity to share and celebrate with so many the work  CLCP is doing. 

The theme for the year at CLCP. Ted helped design this
concept, and a graphic designer from church prepared it.

A great crowd of folks.

Yummy spread with Ayuda artwork in the background.

Ted sharing his story of why he works at CLCP.

Dinners, the Finale

Well now I can wrap up this saga by sharing a third encounter we had, one which also happened to be centered around food, but with a much different outcome than what happened in part 1.

As you read there, our first attempts to invite some neighbors into our home did not quite pan out as expected... they simply didn't pan out! A few days after our lovely dinner with the legal clinic folks, Ted and I decided to try again, but with a much simpler approach.

Tostones, the sweet version.

I had made some yummy loaves of pumpkin bread the night before and saved one for some neighbors of ours, a Puerto Rican family with whom we had exchanged many "hellos" and "how are yous" in the past. Knocking on their front door, with pumpkin bread in hand, we were greeted by the mother with warmth and invited into their home.  Over the next half hour we sat and talked with the mother and father, heard stories of his father's farm in Puerto Rico, saw some great pictures, and then... were invited into the kitchen for an impromptu cooking lesson!  Tostones were on the menu - one of my and Ted's favorite tropical snacks :)  Being Puerto Rican, they had tons of plantains on hand, and the mother just kept smashing them and frying them up, sending us home with a heap of them! (And this after eating several while standing in their kitchen.)  Plus, they also sent us with some delicious vegetable soup that the father had just made.  It was so much fun to be invited into their home, to sit and talk, and to be invited back again.  "Our home is your home!" said the father before we left.  What nice people, what a sweet gift.

There ends our three-part "dinners" saga from the month of November! ha.  What saga will there be next?  :)