This slideshow requires JavaScript.
“The Power of the Tongue”
By Joanna Cheng
“A soft answer turns away wrath
but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
“Pleasant words are a honeycomb,
sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”
Words are a powerful weapon.
They can easily build up a person
or shatter dreams in an instant.
Why are we so quick to judge and criticize,
tearing one another down with our words?
I hate you.
You’re ugly.
You can’t do it.
You’re worthless.
But what if we chose to empower each other with our words
to love, encourage, and even inspire?
I love you.
You are beautiful.
You can.
You are worthy.
What words will you say next?
The Birth of a Body
By: Matt Barrios
And we parted ways feeling a bit more deeply known than when we arrived, understanding a bit more that even from birth our portraits are being drawn by a steady hand. This is the end and beginning of the story.
The night of January 28th was a night for babies being born, one in particular. Our very own Arianna Caligiuri was among the first to witness that newborn’s first breaths that night in San Diego. But that process was long and detailed and began with a handful of phone calls Arianna received on her drive up to Fullerton, CA—the site of that January 28th Edge House Party.
I live in an apartment in downtown Fullerton. I’m a 4 minute walk from my coffee shop, a two minute walk from a band-mate’s place, and a 30 second sprint from another set of friends. At least I imagine it would take 30 seconds, but this is a theory that will remain untested.
I love this town, and I love my apartment. I was so happy to invite my friends and soon-to-be-friends alike to my place for a party themed “Biography: Remembering how art interacts with our life stories.”
Arianna and I met a couple hours before the party began. We talked over our hopes for the night, praying God’s blessing on the people who’d grace my living room, praying that this precious newborn would hold its horses and realize how comfortable the womb is for just one more night.
No such luck. Arianna had to leave just half an hour before our guests arrived.
I put out the artichoke dip, arranged the crackers next to the sliced cheeses, and uncorked the cabernet—waiting for my first guests.
Rosie came first, followed by Lauren, Havila, and Xara, then Chelsea, Tracy, and Jordan, and in a matter of minutes we were as snug in my living room as a quintuplets in a mom’s womb.
At 8:08pm Arianna sent me a text, “I made it to San Diego now…I even stopped for gas. No traffic and I was speeding a little bit. 
”
Back at the party, we took some time to get to know each other. The Biola University contingent met the Azusa Pacific University contingent, and inwardly we wondered why our schools were rivals with such friendly people coming from each institution. Sets of friends who hadn’t seen each other for a while caught up on the times. People who would otherwise never be connected were.
Arianna texted, “Well I am on my way to help give birth to a baby tonight. Thanks for being a great host in the name of love! I will miss you and the house party, so sorry. But you are gonna have a blast.”
After having our fill of dips, cheeses, and tapas of all sorts, we sat in the living room and began sharing the artwork we brought to share. With each piece we displayed before the group, we told anecdotes from our lives—giving one another glimpses into our biographies through the art we hold dear.
We heard songs about spiritual journeys and romantic memories. We learned about time spent studying abroad, about the challenge of creating a college capstone art installation, about designing websites. We viewed the art of a child and heard about its effects on a mother’s heart.
These same moments, a baby was about to jump out of his mom 80 miles south of us, and years later that baby’s going to draw his mom pictures that will touch her heart.
As the night came to a close, Cara told us about her portraiture project. She would ask to draw the portrait of strangers, and this process was intimate and disarming. To sit with an acquaintance on an airplane and draw her portrait forged a speedy bond.
That’s sort of what we did. In our moments of sharing about our art and stories from our lives, we painted a picture of ourselves for one another. We let ourselves be found out.
And we parted ways feeling a bit more deeply known than when we arrived, understanding a bit more that even from birth our portraits are being drawn by a steady hand. This is the end and beginning of the story.
Valentine’s Day
By Lauryn Pena
Today marks a day that a lot of people have been anxiously awaiting: Valentine’s Day. But ironically, to millions of people this day represents love that has let them down. Why does a holiday dedicated to love have a heightened sense of hostility associated with it?
This ancient holiday was originally celebrated honoring the martyr Saint Valentine, for defying the roman emperor and marrying Christian soldiers at a time when soldiers weren’t allowed to have wives (history.com). The holiday didn’t become synonymous with romantic love until the 14th century. The first known valentine card is still located in London, England. It was written in 1415 by a Duke who was imprisoned in the tower of London to his wife. The valentine card tradition still lives on. Approximately 150 million valentine cards are exchanged annually alongside jewelry, chocolate, teddy bears, and flowers. But the same rules of love also apply to the holiday dedicated to its name, opposites attract.
For a lot of people, Valentine’s Day is awesome if you have a valentine. But it’s even more awesome if you’re a people watcher. When the big day comes there’s a little bit of a cold war between those with valentines and those without. When I was in high school, girls who did not have valentines wore black to school, and the girls who did have valentines proudly displayed their gifts. In college there were stoplight parties: wear green for single, yellow for single but not interested, and red for taken. Our society today is obsessed with the duality of love. Recently, English singer- songwriter Adele cleaned house at the 54th annual Grammy awards, going 6 for 6 for her Album “21”. The most notable songs are, “Rolling in the Deep” and “Someone Like You”, two songs the heartbroken can relate to. Also Belgian- Australian singer songwriter Gotye’s song “Somebody That I Used to Know”, is gaining more mainstream play on American radio stations, media outlets, and Spotify and ITunes playlists. Even the Museum of Broken Relationships located in Zagreb, Croatia sees its museum visits climb to almost double on Valentine’s Day, where the heartbroken or curious can come and see donated relics of failed relationships. The mementos are donated anonymously from all over the world, and range from an ax, to a wedding dress, to a prosthetic leg. Each accompanied by written testimonies of passion, heartbreak, dates, and locations. Museum co- founder Drazen Grubisic calls it a “Love museum, just upside down” (Associated Press). But the saddest part of heartbreak is that it causes us to focus on love that isn’t real, and gives less attention to the love that we are all guaranteed, the love from God.
One thing that we do know is that God keeps his promises. Even though at times life feels out of control, there is physical pain in your heart, and the feeling of rejection just won’t go away. God wants us to be happy, and all the pain and confusion is meant to protect us from possibly greater harm and for our well being. God promises us that we are meant to prosper, and we are meant for greatness (Jeremiah 29:11 paraphrased). In the words of the Avett Brothers, “if you’re loved by someone you’re never rejected.” Never give up on love and never forget that you always have been, and you always will be loved. So, for the people out there who were thinking about wearing black on Valentine’s Day, or look at people receiving gifts with a jealous eye, focus on the love that you don’t necessarily choose. Like the love of your family, and your friends. But most importantly focus on the love of God.
From My Heart to Yours
Arianna Speaks about Her Journey of Healing~
This journey of pain and suffering has been one of the most difficult seasons in my life!
And yet, as I pass through these critical times I have found my journey to be more revealing of truth and healing. Not just the words, “I am healed”, but the depths of what that really is. The raw has become rawer, and the pain deep within my heart has become the mirror where I see God. I found myself alone with my God more than ever before this past year and this has been the best medicine for my soul. As I have wept, sought counsel, taken many prayer walks on the beach, and cried out to Jesus, I have found Him holding me in His Arms of Love…
It is here that I write about the sufferings from my heart and my body toxins. Sometimes I have been totally confused as to what is going on yet I had to continue on with what the doctors have guided me in my healing. The interesting thing is that the emotions, the physical, and the spiritual are all intertwined through my illness.
I am still in the healing process, and need to take the time to relax and choose the path of less stress.
When I left for Spain in July 2011 the reports were good and the Cardiologist was very pleased with my progress. She said my heart was healing and becoming strong again. And today I am about 70% healed from the Takosubo Cardiomyopathy, but I still need to be mindful. The swelling has gone down and the size of my heart is almost completely back to its original size. There are few concerns that we are monitoring from the affects of the bloating heart, so I still need your prayers and support for the continual healing that I need.
I have been under the care of an incredible Cardiologist, Dr. Mimi Guenari. She cares for the total person in her practice, and this blesses my heart! The Dr. wants to look at one of my arteries that may have been affected from the Takosubo Cardiomyopathy. Please pray for my tests.
The summer in Spain with Edge Mission was excellent! The people God brought together to accomplish His work was a unique group hungry for life, God, and community! It has been awesome for me to see how God can use an illness to increase His Kingdom through this mission. I learned that less is more! We were less as a team but the Lord moved in more people than ever before! The gallery was filled with diversity of people longing for love and this we brought in a creative way.
Some dear pastors and the Tlc Board of Directors have been there to support me and encourage me through this. Plus the mission work has also begun to take a new look as the team of interns and volunteer staff has stepped up to move things forward here Stateside and in Spain.
I still need your financial support through this time with the medical costs. If you want to donate, I am grateful to receive your gifts through Tlc International.
Thank you for joining me on my journey of pain and suffering. Because through it all, I am healing and the God of Restoration is in each and every moment of the process. He does make all things new and is making me more complete as a woman.
If you want to support me with any of the medical costs or for my mission work, please go to our website @
http://www.tlc-international.org/www.tlc-international.org/TLC.html
and click on the Give link to send an online donation.
Your prayers and love are such a blessing for me!
Arianna
Unity by Mosaic
Written by: Emily Prosser
Photo Above: A small corner of the entire mosaic
Warm bodies and collaborative minds danced around in an atmosphere of classic tunes such as “L.O.V.E.” and good ol’ Sinatra. Plates of tapas and similarly adored hors d’oeuvres were passed around to initiate community and serve as brain food for the power of creativity. There is nothing more invigorating than a group of like-minded artists, of all different mediums, coming together to simply create. The greatest artist himself chose to create, and in that process, he made us in his own image. This is encouragement to us that we can find that very characteristic of creation within our own self, and can further share it with the unity of others…
Last summer, I moved into a gorgeous two-story home only a few miles from my entire community of college and my workplace. I was so excited to finally have my own room and a sacred place to call home. Upon the beginnings of my living there, the house was mainly being used for the college party scene whenever guests were invited in by my fellow housemates. Naturally, I was becoming eager to open up the house to others in a different light and rather as a place of fellowship. Upon asking Arianna if I could host an Edge night, she began to brainstorm with the team. It seemed appropriate timing to host another night filled with art and creation, so we began to plan the Edge “Creative Night”.
As described previously, this night was a beautiful collaboration of a family of artists enjoying the company of each other in kinship. After brainstorming ideas of how to establish an atmosphere for the evening, we hung an old large sheet to the wall in the garage of my home and spread paints and markers around encouraging everyone to contribute. The beauty of creating a piece together made everyone’s presence that much more meaningful. The sheet slowly transformed into a huge mosaic masterpiece in which we were able to come together by way of art. Those who had experience with a brush began their own trails of color. It seemed that almost simultaneously and with ease, those who had only had vague previous notions toward painting were able to pick up a brush and release in the same way. There was original music played and shared with the group, as well as poetry and lyric readings by several different artists.
The encouragement and the reassurance were insurmountable in the room, as everyone welcomed one art form, and then the next. Ultimately, in my opinion, the most beautiful art forms of the night were love and conversation. What a beautiful thing to be able to release every sort of emotion, burden, or stress at the end of the week with simple conversation and 1:1 time with other people who share your same passions in life and also enlighten you to new ones. It truly was a night filled with beauty and innovation.
A Key to Living a Life on the Edge
Written by: Colleen Van Houwe
I’m sitting at a small table in Starbucks sipping a Gingerbread Latte, my favorite drink around this time of year, and wondering how I am going to explain all that happened this year while I was in Spain. I wish you could sit in the chair across from me, enjoy your own coffee and an hour of conversation, but that doesn’t always work out. So, I will do my best not to just skim the surface of all that God did in my life, in the ministry of Tlc International, and in the community of Altea, Spain.
First, I want to thank you for faithfully supporting me prayerfully, financially, and through your friendship. This whole experience has been a whirlwind of events and lessons learned and I could not have grown as much nor seen such an impact without your support.
I returned to the States at the end of October and have been on a fast track to acclimate to America culture and lifestyle while processing this past year. God never ceases to amaze me and He will always show up when you leave doors open; well, the door to the gallery. El Diseno, was always open and the presence of God rocked the community of Altea. I had the privilege of living in Altea since February, learning the language, building and deepening relationships, and creating opportunities for people to discover God through creativity and spiritual conversations.
Because of the culture and the nature of my ministry, my greatest memories and the moments that made me stop and say, “This is why I’m here. It’s so worth it,” were the simple conversations! I was able to see the power of God in the mundane, everyday Spanish life. From meeting people in the local bar to having dinner nights with my neighbors to spending the day with someone who needed a friend, God was working in the normal life moments. Simple moments become opportunities to speak truth into people’s lives. A conversation becomes the basis for real relationship. With a mission’s mindset, everyday is intentional and orchestrated by God, which is why this kind of work is hard to show. My investments are in people and their stories.
Cross-cultural missions are not always an explosion of people giving their hearts to God; sometimes it’s a slow process of simply being a light in the darkness and watching God soften hearts. It looks like my neighbor saying that my faith is silly in the first month we met and then knocking on my door every night to have spiritual conversations with me the week before I left. It looks like a girl I just enjoyed cooking meals with last year ask me to pray before every meal now and call me to pray with her when she’s in a crisis. It’s having a guy share his story about how hip hop dancing healed him of a break-up and sharing with him how God uses creativity and love to heal broken hearts. It’s a girl rediscovering her love of art, and through creativity, renewing her faith and trust in God. There are so many more stories like these that I could share with you that truly are a testament to God’s love, faithfulness and power.
Anyone can be mission-minded regardless of whether they live in another country or not. It just takes filling the need and being available to go, or stay behind and be intentional. Allow your everyday lives to be altered. So, that’s what this key is for. Print this article. Cut out the key and put it somewhere you will see daily. I believe that we have the keys to the Kingdom of God through prayer. I hope that every time you see this key it reminds you to pray for your community, that God would give you opportunities to see Him work within your own relationships.
If anything, this year has reminded me of the simplicity of a life abandoned to Christ, loving God, loving others, and the power of prayer to affect change. And, because of Jesus, we have the key to doing just that!
Tapas, Truffles, and other Tastes of Life on the Edge
Written By: Brett McCracken
When I think about my time in Altea, I think about good eating and good drinking in good company. I can still taste, see, and hear it all: 
Eating Serrano ham, Iberico cheese, bread with olive oil and a glass of red wine at a cafe on the top of the hill that is Altea. Drinking cool mojitos on a humid August night. Enjoying paella on the beach after taking a brief dip in the Mediterranean. Eating an afternoon feast on Arianna’s patio: garlic and feta and tapas of all sorts, as hours of conversation serenade the sunset.
Or wine-tasting out in the country at Enrique Mendoza vineyard. “We are artisans; not industry,” said Pepe Mendoza, a 2nd-generation winemaker who regaled us with beautiful stories about Shiraz and Monastrell grapes.
Then there’s the experience of an art night at El Diseno: Strangers stopping to dance; impromptu tours of a neighbor artist’s home; conversation and art and of course, good food: Brittany’s coconut creations and chocolate truffles with fig and balsamic reduction. Oh so good!
Such is life in Spain. Or, at least the dreamy life of three summer days spent in Altea “on the edge.” People here see time differently, losing track of it on a regular basis as dinners linger on and on into the night, siestas sleep away the afternoon and midday heat slows everything to an eerie standstill. But at night, things are so alive.
In Altea, everything is an art. Food is an art. Wine is an art. Jazz and dance and conversation are art. Talking about life and God and dreams is also an art. Everything is appreciated, savored, sought out, discussed. It’s a place where love of “the finer things” is palpable. And in this context, the Edge Mission fits in perfectly.
The Edge cares about the finer things too; cultivating spaces to showcase beauty, establishing networks and friendships around aesthetic appreciation. Here, in the conversations and holy moments, over tapas and Shiraz, the mission is not to beat people over the head with the Gospel. The mission is to meet people in the mystery of life and share the journey with them, seeking truth together and living out the Gospel in love—sharing Jesus the way he so often shared himself: at the dinner table in conversation, sometimes with good wine.
I Can
By: Joanna Cheng
I can jump from mountain top to mountain top.
I can fly high and touch the clouds.
I can swim with the fishes at the bottom of the sea.
I can run with the cheetahs on the plains of Africa.
I can sing.
I can dance.
I can laugh when there seems no reason to.
I can speak in front of a crowd.
Puedo hablar a vosotros en castellano.
Puedo escribir un poema en castellano.
El mundo me dice que no puedo.
A veces me digo que no puedo.
Pero Tu me dices que si yo puedo.
Todo es posible contigo…solamente necesito dejarlo.
After getting back from Europe and performing improv….
Written by: Sean Hancock
While traveling through Europe, I was reminded of how wonderfully accessible of an art form Improvisation is to an audience. I performed in large theaters, small community gatherings, and even a laundry mat! However, being in countries like Germany and Spain, where English isn’t a primary language, made things very interesting.
I have been pursuing this art form for over a decade, and I love branching out and trying new things that challenged me. Last year, I developed a solo improv show because there were many times when I would be alone, but still wanted to perform and do a show for an audience. I had heard of another person doing one somewhere in Los Angeles, but I had never seen anyone do it. After sitting in a friend’s apartment in North Hollywood and theorizing with some others, the possibility began to take shape.
I feel as though improv is so simple and hands-on, yet clever and inventive all at the same time (well, when done right). The art form is almost still discovering itself. I’d like to say I get to take part in this discovery. I sometimes feel like a new pioneer pressing westward and this place before me is my land. I can pass through it, or I can build on it. It’s as if I have some sort of ownership of this art form as if it where my very own. Being in this mental state of discovery and willingness to venture, can allow one to develop a show that few have ever done, invent games that have never been performed, and play in a way that transcends language barriers. To an improviser, this is all possible.
I have been practicing with my best efforts to produce a show that is upright and reputable. It’s not about tripping up on perfection, but rather aiming for excellence. Most people have seen comedians perform and can often see a bit of their own character oozing out of their performance. This brings me to an awareness of my own character, perhaps the core of it all. I believe the more I know myself, the more the audiences will get to see my character. I hear people talking about doing shows that change the way people think, but if I don’t want to be anything like them, why should I listen? Now, if there is something about them that I, myself, want to imitate, than I love the idea of changing the way people think. That’s part of the reason why my group’s name is Recycled Minds and our motto is, “Do not conform. Be transformed.” But, I think I have to first ask myself if I am a man worthy of imitating. To do that, I have to see myself with objective, honest judgment. The more you are aware of your own identity, the more you are aware of your abilities, what you can expect from the world around you, and what you can expect to give because of all you have to offer. This is aiming for excellence. This is being who you are designed to be. This is a higher form of comedy.
Since I have been back in the United States, I have been performing in Boise and the Nampa-Caldwell area. While there may not be any comedy clubs, there’s still an abundance of laughter to be had, a space to perform in for audiences to enjoy, and I’m glad I’m here to help out!
Interested in seeing quality improv in the Treasure Valley? Check out my new improv group Recycled Minds at recycledmindsimprov.com.
We are now offering classes in improvisation and stand- up comedy. Sign up and start your adventure!
Letters Home Part 4: A look at life in Spain through messages sent to family and friends
Written by: Matt Barrios
Hey Family!
First and foremost, I love you so so so much. Distance has made the heart grow fonder, for sure. I’m definitely not ready to be done here, but I’m also anxious to see you all! Just a few more weeks!
So I’m writing to tell you a little bit about the trip, like how I hiked to a lighthouse today, and I got to swim in the Mediterranean for the first time, and you know where I swam? Right next to Roman ruins! Come on!
I also climbed through a little sea cave that was really scary and dark and wet and jagged, and then I climbed through it again in reverse to see how quickly I could get through it. And unlike most days, I brought my camera along with, so you’ll get a few photos of where I swam and stuff when I return. It’ll be quite the site for you, I hope.
I also tried Sangria for the first time just after the hike. Having an alcoholic beverage after sweating out all my water reserves was probably not the best idea. I felt fine, but I was definitely feeling a little happier than usual. It was hilarious, and sangria is totally gross, in my opinion. But I also tried this drink called La Casera, which is the single best soda I’ve ever had in my life.
It’s so light and refreshing, like drinking some sparkling water with lemon. Like an ultra toned down 7up, yum! Apparently it’s one of the staples of Spanish life. It’s so ubiquitous in Spain that any drink with a lemony, carbonated flavor is referred to as a “casera.” We need to track it down in the U.S. and drink it all the time.
That’s my update for the day, basically, but I also wanted to tell you that I sent in my official resignation from the RC job today. My old boss had given me a deadline for the 1st of July, and I just was thinking about it, and now my mind is in the mode of imagining my future not in ResLife that thinking about returning just seems totally weird and totally wrong. I didn’t really think three days was going to change that, so I went ahead and sent it in. So it looks like living out of my car is in my near future. Who knows? I’ll figure it all out. The stars will align in some new fashion like they always do.
That’s about it! I might be getting in with some Spanish friends this weekend. I think I’m actually going dancing with them Saturday night, so just pray that’s an awesome time for me to connect with them and begin building some friendships that will last a long, long time. Also maybe pray for some lyrics for me. I’ve got the melodies and structures down, but the words just don’t seem to come; fresh inspiration would be nice.
Peace,
Matt
