Aaron lives by faith.
He’s preached in Birch Tree, Missouri and planted a church in Hawaii and now serves as a chaplain at Ozarks Correctional Center. Aaron’s written books in which he courageously shares his struggles with depression and Kallmann’s Syndrome. He has a deep knowledge of music and Mystery Science Theater 3000 and can quote a vast array of stand-up comics with epic timing. Aaron is also a good friend from church.
Today is the first Sunday Hope & Anchor Church met in the new building. I helped with the packing and unpacking for a short while yesterday morning. It was long enough, however, to exhaust biceps and shoulders and hamstrings and calves. I knew today’s game of catch wouldn’t be easy. After worship in a building with air conditioning and without a see-through roof, Harper scouted a new catch-playing location: the parking lot of empty Route 66 hotels.
Harper helped stretch out some of my muscles and Aaron joined us. Months ago, I played catch with Aaron’s oldest son Caleb (Day #74). Since Caleb’s not playing on a summer team, Aaron hasn’t played much catch recently.
Aaron’s faith has literally taken him around the world. Besides planting the church in Hawaii, he and his wife went to Kazakhstan to adopt Caleb. Such travel can lead to wisdom.
“The most important thing I’ve learned is showing radical love to others. Radical love is more important than knowing and teaching exactly the right things.”
I know those he serves at OCC need to see what radical love looks like in person. Partnered with his sense of humor, Aaron makes quite an impression I’m positive.
Aaron also knows what it looks like to walk through the darkest valleys. Faith is not some magic protection against depression. Jesus promised to be with us through all of life. Aaron now uses his platform as a writer and speaker to help let others know that it’s okay to talk about struggles and weaknesses.
His story of eating at Outback with his growing family is one everyone needs to hear in person.
And if you get the chance to hear Aaron’s Outback story, then you should also ask to hear his how-cold-is-Kazakhstan-story, as well as some of his Hawaii stories and preaching in Birch Tree. You can contact Aaron here.
To be perfectly honest, the first throw hurt today — so, so many sore muscles. Thankfully, they limbered up relatively quickly. As the three of us played catch in the empty hotel parking lot, Aaron’s youngest son Kerry joined us with glove in hand. A growing game of catch helped make the new location feel like home.
Fun side note: Due to space limitations, Kaylea did not pack a baseball or baseball glove for her trip. I would have left clothes home in order to make space for my glove. But, she did find a way to play catch with an Eiffel Tower keychain in Paris today.
Catch 365 around the world!
