Justice Conference

Lots been happening recently and I've had absolutely NO time to write about it. I still don't have time, but I'm going throw it all out there in a disorganized fashion because if I don't do it now I never will.

This past weekend I was in Bend, Oregon attending the "Justice Conference" hosted by World Relief. Impressively, the conference was attended by 1,050 people even though it was the first of it's kind (for World Relief anyway). And refreshingly, the topic was not just human trafficking, but the broader scope of "justice" issues... which meant that we discussed things that impact human trafficking but we didn't spend all our time talking about trafficking. Yes. That's nice. Very refreshing. I like the different angle, the different perspective... because really, everything intersects and affects everything else.

Okay, so here are a few quotes that have stuck with me or made me think.

"Injustice is all about relationships that don’t work. Justice is about relationships that do."  

Stephen Bauman

"We have to find ways to give to the vulnerable so they can also give. We have to reach out to them so they can reach out. We are not above them; they are not below us. We need to listen to what they have to teach us. And by doing so we lift their dignity."  

Stephen Bauman

"Faith can move mountains, but be careful because God may hand you a shovel."  

Shane Claiborne

"The injustices of the world are the wounds of God."  

Dr. Nicholas Wolterstorff

"We are meant to participate in the kingdom of God, not carry the kingdom of God." 

Danae Yankosky

The "Silver Rule" (as opposed to the Golden Rule):"Do not do unto others what you would not want done to you... which implies we're off the hook as long as we don't take action. Most people will define themselves as being a pretty good person, whether or not they're actually fighting for justice; as long as they're not harming anybody they're off the hook."  

Ken Wytsma

Good stuff. There's more, and I have a lot of thoughts about it all but I'll spare you for now. On to some photos!

They gave us pretty plastic loot bags at the conference... but were they made from recycled materials? What's their carbon footprint? And having dig around in your loud, crinkly, plastic loot bag in the middle of a conference sessions is a bad idea. But they're preeetty!

Here I am posing after a long day of conferencing. That painting is pretty, darn cool.

A book I would like to buy... and I think the cover is cool.  

 Toms shoes was there. I have thoughts about Toms... haven't quite figured out whether I like them or I don't like them.

 Another book I would like to buy... but I'm slightly suspicious I would never actually read it despite all my good intentions.

 The day after the conference, a few friends and I went hiking around Smith Rock to enjoy the good old outdoors of Central Oregon. Matt and Jeremiah are demonstrating the exact techniques involved in being a good tree hugger.

While we were driving back to Portland we passed this gorgeous scene and actually turned around so we could all take pictures. I love these mountains! Those peaks are the Middle and North Sister.

This little cutie gave me and everyone else in our office valentines yesterday. She's my director's granddaughter, a very sweet little girl. Her brother is behind her with his most favorite hairstyle; a mohawk.

And finishing off with a photo from EMT class last night. We learned how to hand-make tourniquets from a strip of clothe and a pen (or branch or anything stiff). Everyone was swarming the mannequin's arms and legs so I decided to stop the life-threatening bleeding on my nalgene. Good news! I save my nalgene's life. Now I just hope the same will be true when I upgrade to people....