Welcome to our summer Resident Host Family

We have been SO blessed to have Stephen & Mary Lou along with their four kids on campus this summer as our very first edition of our envisioned “resident program”. They have occupied the “dome” temporarily as we get our feet under us and get infrastructure in place in the Village portion of the campus.

When Elizabeth and I met the Lou family a couple of months ago, we were quickly struck by how well they fit into the vision of Iona House. They are hospitable, thoughtful, prayerful, contemplative, creative, adaptable, and a lot of fun. They have a wonderful ministry of presence. We invited them to consider a residency and to our great joy, they said “yes”. They began in early July.

We only have the Lou family with us for 3 months (through September), but we’re treasuring each day they’re here. They’re headed overseas to do some extended mission work that the Lord had previously put on their hearts before coming to Iona House; so Iona House is but a way-station to this calling. Previous to coming to Iona House, they lived and worked with YWAM in one of the most challenging places I’m aware of: the Tenderloin neighborhood of downtown San Francisco.

The Lou’s have quickly jumped into the mix handling animal feedings, cleaning, cultivating in the garden, security, garbage duty, goat milking (and production of milk related products - cheese, yogurt, etc.), and most importantly inhabiting and leading many of our times of prayer (Morning, Midday, and Evening prayer). They have pioneered a family-friendly approach to the Daily Office (fixed hour prayer). What a joy it is to see a Christ-centered family living out a journey of faith to the glory of God!

Hopefully you will get the chance to meet the Lou family.