Dear Friends and Family,

Well, there is a first time for everything.  I have often wept over the people at the Rainbow Gathering, but never before has someone made me cry in the midst of a conversation.  Not until this year.  We had been at our site, on a hill overlooking a small river valley in the Cranberry Mountain Nature Center of West Virginia, for almost a week.  Our camp was set up despite the challenge of digging in ground composed of more rock than soil; we were serving significant numbers of people due to the central location of our site; we had befriended a nearby kitchen called "Shut Up And Eat It" who frequently yelled at us across the valley and inadvertently humbled us by calling us not "Jesus Kitchen" but "Jesus" (example: "Hey, Jesus!  We've got onion rings!  We love you!"); and I was getting back into the swing of talking with members of the Rainbow Family. 

I had just sat down with “Joe” and “Paul,” two men from Los Angeles, and we were discussing our beliefs.  Suddenly, a man I had never met came and joined our circle and began interrupting everything I said.  Soon, Joe was behaving in the same way so that I was completely ganged up on and not able to finish a single thought.  I would listen to their ideas, but the moment I tried to respond, one of them would jump in and argue with what they thought I was going to say—though they often misjudged my train of thought.  While I felt somewhat frustrated, constant interruptions characterize many conversations at the Rainbow Gathering, so I was not surprised.  In fact, what caught my attention most—and truly touched me—was the fact that Paul tried to defend me, asking that the other two men to let me speak. 

I thought I finally had a chance to do so when one of their questions led right to an idea that I hold very dear and try to impart to every non-Christian with whom I speak.  I believe it shows something many people find offensive about Christianity to actually be an amazing revelation of God’s love.  I asked for the chance to explain my full thoughts on the topic, and they began to listen.  As always when discussing this particular idea, I found myself getting quite emotional and excited.  Then right as I got to the heart of it, the man who had joined our conversation late not only interrupted but also began a tirade about how what I was saying was typical Christian arrogance.  I was crushed.  I was holding out to them something extremely precious to me, and not only was I rejected before I could explain fully, but my desire to share this treasure was condemned as arrogance.  I sat back and tried to blink away tears.

Paul, who had been standing up for me, moved to sit next to me and asked why I was upset.  As I began to explain how much this particular idea meant to me and how I wanted to share it because I love people, I completely broke down.  At first I felt quite foolish, but as Paul and I continued to talk, I realized that allowing myself to cry was the best thing that could have happened.  He—and the other two men, who were still around—saw that I truly was speaking from my heart.  In fact, I saw again for myself just how important this revelation was to me and gained a renewed appreciation for its significance.  But the most amazing thing was that Paul and I continued to talk for quite some time.  He knew very little about what Christians really believe and had few preconceptions about our faith.  So he asked me question after question and truly listened to what I had to say.  Incredibly enough, his inquiries hit on what I believe constitute every core concept of Christianity, and I got a chance to fully share the beauty of the Gospel with him.

Paul came back to the Jesus Kitchen almost every day.  And, actually, so did Joe.  Both made significant connections with the people at our camp and were touched deeply by the things we had to share.  I never saw the guy who interrupted again.  But he went away knowing, I think, that he had judged me incorrectly and that perhaps not all Christians are motivated by prejudice and arrogance.  He saw that I wanted to share because I loved him, so much that I was brought to tears when he would not allow me to do so. 

I think that one of our main ministries at the Rainbow Gathering is breaking stereotypes about Christians.  I felt like we had more respect this year than ever before, and that over the years we have become widely accepted by the Rainbow Family.  Of course, there are those who yell at us and our presence at the Gathering, but for the most part, the people there see that we act out of love and that we value them.  It is an honor to have the chance to represent Christ to the Rainbow Family, and we are continually humbled when people—like Shut Up and Eat It—recognize Him in us.

Thank you so much for your prayers and support.  This was one of the best years for me at the Gathering, and it would not have been so if it were not for all of you.  I am so very grateful to you all.

Take hold of the life that is truly life!