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Engineer, painter, entrepreneur, and author Ian Reilly joins Jan to talk about growing up on a sheep farm, building a tech startup at 52, and the two cyclones that shaped his years teaching in Samoa. 

Along the way, Ian shares what he learned about cultural Christianity, connecting across language barriers, and the quiet influence of a life lived faithfully. His memoir Encounter recently won the New York City Big Book Award.

https://uppbeat.io/t/tobias-voigt/hope-and-wonder

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Chapter Markers

00:00          Welcome and sheep farming in common

00:49          Why every pastor should visit a sheep farm

01:07          Creativity: flute, fiber arts, watercolor, and pastel

01:53          The pastel portrait of Ian’s father

02:44          Engineering as art in a different medium

03:09          Building a livestock virtual fence startup at 52

05:12          Melbourne and the pull of the farm

06:37          The smell of lanolin and home

06:53          Volunteering in Samoa

07:57          Lost passports and a sweltering arrival

09:02          The first cyclone

10:16          Crisis as normal life

11:13          Farm skills and engineering in Samoa

13:17          Heather’s gifts as a teacher

15:01          Language barriers

17:01          Samoan food: sea cucumbers, umu, and mutton flaps

19:22          Faith in Samoa and cultural Christianity

21:52          Bible studies and being an example

22:57          Connecting without a shared language

23:57          The second cyclone and leaving Samoa

25:04          What lasted: students and relationships

26:29          Mentoring and the weight of influence

27:21          Where to find Encounter

28:10          Visiting Oregon and wrap-up

Welcome to Just Talkin' About Jesus.

I'm Jan Johnson, a seasoned believer who loves relationships and, you know, just talkin' about Jesus.

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