We spent the weekend in Huntsville, Ontario. It's the Muskoka Region, near Algonquin Park. Les Stroud (Survivorman) lives there. Shania Twain has a place there. Who knows WHO else...
Muskoka Community Church is doing well. Multiple stories of significant life change is an indication that God is at work there.
It's a tough place to plant a church, but a perfect one for a guy like Jeremy McClung, a church like GCC, and the Brethren Denomination.
Folks in Muskoka are tired of tradition. They're tired of ritual and legalism. They're longing for something real, fresh, and life-giving.
That's why MCC is doing well. As hard as it's been to gain critical mass, that's just the thing Jeremy and his wife April are really good at...being real, presenting Jesus without religion.
It's a mission work for sure. For many in his church, they've never read the Bible...at ALL.
It was wonderful to get to speak to them on Sunday. They are quite interested in knowing more of God. Who knew...up there in the Great White North God would lead a guy named Jeremy to introduce so many to the REAL Jesus. Very cool!
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Blogger Nation
I haven't blogged in a while. In a long time actually. Mostly because I've been busy. How's that for an excuse. And because there are thoughts we have as Christian men and women that wouldn't be tolerated if they were shared publicly. So the filter goes on and we either filter them out or we don't write at all. Guess you know the direction I went.
I also have begun to question the value we place on sharing every little thought we have for all the world to see...as if every thought is worth sharing with anyone with a browser.
Truthfully, a lot of what we call online community these days is more a cry for attention. Take Twitter for example. Perhaps I'm following the wrong 'tweeters' but most of them are simply a day by day account of the big names with whom they are having coffee. Frankly...so what?
Facebook is perhaps better in the sense that you get a sense of digital connectedness with your 'FB friends', what they're doing, what cause they want you to sign up for, etc.
The truth is, most of us lead lives filled with largely insignificant details. Details that don't NEED to be shared. It's true. And that's not bad. It's life.
Most of the time we don't find meaning in the details of our lives...well, not unless we can see God in those details. Like the other day when I was out practicing stall recovery in my airplane and inadvertently wound up in a spin. Actually, I spun it three times just to try to figure out what was going wrong (revealing my learning impairment). The fact that the airplane actually recovered from the spins is the significant detail...as its supposed to be VERY difficult to bring them out of the spin. And its actually forbidden (didn't find that out til later).
So sometimes, details are significant. Like the fact that God had his hand on me and the old bird. But mostly they're just that...insignificant.
So...all that to say this...
I'll be a bit like Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens). He once was scheduled to speak at a gathering. But when he got there, he stood after he was introduced and said these words: I have nothing to say. And when I DO have something to say, I will be back!
So...when I actually HAVE something to say...I'll write.
I also have begun to question the value we place on sharing every little thought we have for all the world to see...as if every thought is worth sharing with anyone with a browser.
Truthfully, a lot of what we call online community these days is more a cry for attention. Take Twitter for example. Perhaps I'm following the wrong 'tweeters' but most of them are simply a day by day account of the big names with whom they are having coffee. Frankly...so what?
Facebook is perhaps better in the sense that you get a sense of digital connectedness with your 'FB friends', what they're doing, what cause they want you to sign up for, etc.
The truth is, most of us lead lives filled with largely insignificant details. Details that don't NEED to be shared. It's true. And that's not bad. It's life.
Most of the time we don't find meaning in the details of our lives...well, not unless we can see God in those details. Like the other day when I was out practicing stall recovery in my airplane and inadvertently wound up in a spin. Actually, I spun it three times just to try to figure out what was going wrong (revealing my learning impairment). The fact that the airplane actually recovered from the spins is the significant detail...as its supposed to be VERY difficult to bring them out of the spin. And its actually forbidden (didn't find that out til later).
So sometimes, details are significant. Like the fact that God had his hand on me and the old bird. But mostly they're just that...insignificant.
So...all that to say this...
I'll be a bit like Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens). He once was scheduled to speak at a gathering. But when he got there, he stood after he was introduced and said these words: I have nothing to say. And when I DO have something to say, I will be back!
So...when I actually HAVE something to say...I'll write.
Friday, May 22, 2009
He Maketh Me to Lie Down
Almost midnight Monday night an old nemesis returned...kidney stones. I've had more than 30 in my life time. They're not fatal but sometimes I wish they were. The pain is excruciating. And there's not a lot you can do but head to the nearest ER and get medicated...heavily medicated.
WMC did a great job Tuesday morning...as in just after midnight til 6:00am. Great staff. Attentive. Responsive. When you're in a lot of pain that great care matters more.
I wonder when it happens why it happens. Why does God allow suffering? It's an age-old question. C.S. Lewis said suffering poses the single greatest challenge to Christianity.
Here's what I know...Jesus is closer in my pain than almost any other place in my life. It might seem strange. But it's true.
So...maybe it doesn't matter WHY. Maybe it's simply that He IS present in our suffering. Comforting. Speaking peace. And thats enough.
WMC did a great job Tuesday morning...as in just after midnight til 6:00am. Great staff. Attentive. Responsive. When you're in a lot of pain that great care matters more.
I wonder when it happens why it happens. Why does God allow suffering? It's an age-old question. C.S. Lewis said suffering poses the single greatest challenge to Christianity.
Here's what I know...Jesus is closer in my pain than almost any other place in my life. It might seem strange. But it's true.
So...maybe it doesn't matter WHY. Maybe it's simply that He IS present in our suffering. Comforting. Speaking peace. And thats enough.
Monday, April 27, 2009
The Noticer
Ok...right from the start let me say...I DO NOT read fiction. I don't know why. Perhaps it's just time I don't have or don't choose to use that way. Maybe it's that I spend most of my time reading ministry related/God related books....you know, like the BIBLE.
But when I had the opportunity to read the new Andy Andrews book, The Noticer, I thought, what the heck? I stuck in my carry-on for the flight to Houston and thought...who knows, maybe I'll get bored enough to read it and break my 'no-fiction' rule.
I was surprised. It was REALLY good. Readable. Relevant. INTERESTING! Well written, evoking lots of images, as good writing should. And the main character kept bringing to mind Morgan Freeman(when they do the movie, he's a shoe-in!).
The truth is the book makes some great points...about perspective, about love languages, about life and the influence we can have on others.
This would be THE book to take to the beach this summer. Its a quick read. And it gets inside your head. I'll be thinking about it for a long time. It's the the kind of book that feels like a comfy old pair of boat shoes that carry with them lots of great memories...
It's time well spent. Nice job Mr. Andrews!
But when I had the opportunity to read the new Andy Andrews book, The Noticer, I thought, what the heck? I stuck in my carry-on for the flight to Houston and thought...who knows, maybe I'll get bored enough to read it and break my 'no-fiction' rule.
I was surprised. It was REALLY good. Readable. Relevant. INTERESTING! Well written, evoking lots of images, as good writing should. And the main character kept bringing to mind Morgan Freeman(when they do the movie, he's a shoe-in!).
The truth is the book makes some great points...about perspective, about love languages, about life and the influence we can have on others.
This would be THE book to take to the beach this summer. Its a quick read. And it gets inside your head. I'll be thinking about it for a long time. It's the the kind of book that feels like a comfy old pair of boat shoes that carry with them lots of great memories...
It's time well spent. Nice job Mr. Andrews!
Friday, April 17, 2009
Life...
As I write this, I'm sitting in a hotel in Houston mentally preparing for doing the wedding for my nephew. He's a lawyer here in Houston, about to marry a lady with a PhD in Chemistry. (how DO these people FIND each other) They're a cute couple, young and full of life. They are deeply in love and are so excited about their new life together.
Interestingly enough, they MET as he was coming out of a very tenuous period in his life...a brush with cancer. That brush with mortality changed him. I think that kind of experience always has an effect on us. Perhaps more so when it happens when we're young.
Young people tend to live as if they're bulletproof. Impervious to life's gravest onslaughts. But then it happens...the C-word shows up and all bets are off. For him it's caused him to slow down and enjoy the simple things. Like camping...for their wedding they registered at REI, the outdoors store. Could have been Nieman Marcus or Macy's. But no...REI.
Another thought-provoking thing about all this...as I stand to lead them through the service tomorrow, I'll be flashing back to the day when HE was the ring-bearer at MY wedding...and slowly began to undress right there in the wedding party in the MIDDLE of the wedding. Only the stern look from a groomsman caused him to stop with his shirt and pants still in place. So funny.
As a family we've lost some folks since that wedding years ago. My in-laws both passed away 5 years ago. My maternal grandmother passed away 2 years ago. At the same time, my granddaughter was born a little over 2 years ago.
I guess all this just stands to remind me that life passes...quickly. ON the plan yesterday I read a book all the way through. The book was called The Noticer. It caused me to think...if we're smart...we spend our lifes not just doing...but noticing. Noticing others. Noticing God's goodness. Noticing the ebb and flow of life.
So...over the next 36 hours as Jeremy and Marcelle say "I do" I'll be noticing...and marveling at life.
Interestingly enough, they MET as he was coming out of a very tenuous period in his life...a brush with cancer. That brush with mortality changed him. I think that kind of experience always has an effect on us. Perhaps more so when it happens when we're young.
Young people tend to live as if they're bulletproof. Impervious to life's gravest onslaughts. But then it happens...the C-word shows up and all bets are off. For him it's caused him to slow down and enjoy the simple things. Like camping...for their wedding they registered at REI, the outdoors store. Could have been Nieman Marcus or Macy's. But no...REI.
Another thought-provoking thing about all this...as I stand to lead them through the service tomorrow, I'll be flashing back to the day when HE was the ring-bearer at MY wedding...and slowly began to undress right there in the wedding party in the MIDDLE of the wedding. Only the stern look from a groomsman caused him to stop with his shirt and pants still in place. So funny.
As a family we've lost some folks since that wedding years ago. My in-laws both passed away 5 years ago. My maternal grandmother passed away 2 years ago. At the same time, my granddaughter was born a little over 2 years ago.
I guess all this just stands to remind me that life passes...quickly. ON the plan yesterday I read a book all the way through. The book was called The Noticer. It caused me to think...if we're smart...we spend our lifes not just doing...but noticing. Noticing others. Noticing God's goodness. Noticing the ebb and flow of life.
So...over the next 36 hours as Jeremy and Marcelle say "I do" I'll be noticing...and marveling at life.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Time Away
Years ago as I was being trained to be a church planter (I doubt planting ONE church really makes me a planter), I was given a very sage piece of advice: once a month get away and be with the Lord.
It seemed simple enough. Just go away and be with the Lord. So that's what I did...I intentionally blocked off 24 hours in my schedule each month to get away.
It was a time of listening..a time of waiting on the Lord. I'd take my Bible and a legal pad and go. Typically, the first few hours were an exercise in turning down the background news. It's amazing how much noise we live with.
When we owned a boat, it made a perfect place to retreat to. When we didn't, I'd rent a cabin or a hotel room.
Somewhere along the way I got busy. And I stopped getting away. Too many important things to do. So much to attend to.
I never realized how much perspective God can provide in just 24 hours away...until I stopped getting away. Unhealthy habits like workaholism returned. Margins disappeared. Vision, both for my personal life and the church began to get really fuzzy.
Enough is enough. It's time to get back to doing what worked...what will still work if I'll engage.
Jesus made a habit of retreating from his very fruitful ministry on a regular basis. If it worked for him, it'll work for us.
Let the retreating begin!!!
It seemed simple enough. Just go away and be with the Lord. So that's what I did...I intentionally blocked off 24 hours in my schedule each month to get away.
It was a time of listening..a time of waiting on the Lord. I'd take my Bible and a legal pad and go. Typically, the first few hours were an exercise in turning down the background news. It's amazing how much noise we live with.
When we owned a boat, it made a perfect place to retreat to. When we didn't, I'd rent a cabin or a hotel room.
Somewhere along the way I got busy. And I stopped getting away. Too many important things to do. So much to attend to.
I never realized how much perspective God can provide in just 24 hours away...until I stopped getting away. Unhealthy habits like workaholism returned. Margins disappeared. Vision, both for my personal life and the church began to get really fuzzy.
Enough is enough. It's time to get back to doing what worked...what will still work if I'll engage.
Jesus made a habit of retreating from his very fruitful ministry on a regular basis. If it worked for him, it'll work for us.
Let the retreating begin!!!
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Denominations, Movements, and Other Things
I'm in not-so-sunny Ashland, Ohio for denominational executive council. It's here where we wrestle, on behalf of the Brethren Church, with things political, financial, and strategic.
One big question this week: are we a national church with international partners or an international church. The implications are enormous either way.
If we ARE an international church, then our funds get dispersed around the world. If, on the other hand, we simply have international partners, then our funds largely get spent at home.
Given the current economic climate (I know one church where 25 families are now unemployed), it would be tempting to keep the funds at home.
But then I read the book of Acts and I see desperately poor churches giving to other churches simply because there was a need and the Spirit said give!
GCC is an international church. We have chosen to form close supportive relationships with like-minded church leaders around the world, starting in Kenya, then Malawi and Mozambique, and who knows...maybe Mexico.
These relationships, like the Acts relationships are a mutual blessing. We share our resources, they share the ministry opportunity. They get help. We get a cross-cultural experience for our folks at home.
And it does something else...it reminds us as Americans that there is a bigger world our there and that it's not just about OUR needs.
Our position as an international church allows us to experience the Acts story for ourselves...and really, how does it get any better than living in the pages of the book of Acts?!
One big question this week: are we a national church with international partners or an international church. The implications are enormous either way.
If we ARE an international church, then our funds get dispersed around the world. If, on the other hand, we simply have international partners, then our funds largely get spent at home.
Given the current economic climate (I know one church where 25 families are now unemployed), it would be tempting to keep the funds at home.
But then I read the book of Acts and I see desperately poor churches giving to other churches simply because there was a need and the Spirit said give!
GCC is an international church. We have chosen to form close supportive relationships with like-minded church leaders around the world, starting in Kenya, then Malawi and Mozambique, and who knows...maybe Mexico.
These relationships, like the Acts relationships are a mutual blessing. We share our resources, they share the ministry opportunity. They get help. We get a cross-cultural experience for our folks at home.
And it does something else...it reminds us as Americans that there is a bigger world our there and that it's not just about OUR needs.
Our position as an international church allows us to experience the Acts story for ourselves...and really, how does it get any better than living in the pages of the book of Acts?!
Friday, March 20, 2009
GCC Mens Retreat Begins!
Canaan Valley Resort in West Virginia will never be the same...the men of GCC are here! Matt and Todd led us in some awesome worship, Don, the men's ministry director told his story and shared his health challenge of this week. Don recieved healing this week...a genuine miracle!
I shared out of Philippians 1.
These guys are in for a great weekend!
I shared out of Philippians 1.
These guys are in for a great weekend!
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Chilling in Joburg
We're relaxing in Johannesburg, bags checked for Dulles, hanging out near our gate. Reentry is difficult. From mud huts to the 'City of Gold' as they call it here. We're rested and ready for the two longer legs...8 hours to London, 6 hours from there to Dulles. We're anxious to get home and begin planning the 2010 trip. So...who's up for the NEXT trip???
Chileka Airport is a miniature study in inconsistency and chaos theory. Procedures change from trip to trip. This time around we were required to exchange our money and take less than 3000 mk's (Malawan kwacha's). Going through a random pat down the young man asked me how much I had on me and tried to get me to exchange the rest (I had to show him my wallet and count the kwacha's I was exiting with). You never know if he really wants me to exchange it or surrender the rest to him to avoid the hassle. We finally made it through. Hey Rick, guess what? No exit charge this time! The gate lounge is a curious mix of languages. It's hot!
Friday, March 13, 2009
It's Saturday morning. It's a mix of excitement and sadness. We all miss our family and friends and consistent hot showers, but we feel like we have friends and family here too. Rogers and his team as well as friends in the villiage. There is such a love for God in these people. Perhaps fueled by ongoing need for the essentials like food, shelter, and health care. Or perhaps it's just that they peed simpler lives out of necessity.
It is an inexplicable thing that these villages in Malawi would be connected with a village in Virginia named Winchester.
We'll head to the airport at 9:00 'American time' (close to 9:00). Chileka Airport isn't a study in efficiency. So we get there very early and then haveca cold coke in the upstairs bar and grill that looks like something out of Casablanca.
We're making our way back to Blantyre from Magaleta. Our visit was well recieved. The chiefs of four different villages came to welcome us as well as pastors six or eight of our churches. Mike Mountain is still there and apparently stll bears my name. Amazing.
We spent time with the orphans. Almost 100 of them now. They speak some english and are very well behaved. We are still providing them a meal a day. Not enough. But better than starvation.
We worshipped under a tree as we did in Dowa, Masenjere, and Monkey Bay. One of the pastors in Magaleta proposed that if we can buy corrugated roofing, they'll make the bricks. Sounds like a job for Pastor Rick and Scott!
As a whole the village is barely getting by. They will consume the corn crop long before the next growing season. Then they will all go hungry. One pastor said that without help, soon all that will be left will be the mountain...everyone will starve.
It is very hard to look in the eyes of men and woman desperate to feed themselves and their families.
1 John 3:17....James 2:17
"now that I have seen, I am responsible..." Brooke Fraser
We're on the road to Magaleta in the Mwanza region. Funny, it didn't seem this far last time! We're travel weary. Calculating at breakfast, we have traveled almost 2000 kilometers this week.
Byron stayed at the lodge today: he caught a cold and feeling pretty rough. Pray for him-head colds and air travel don't mix well.
We have an orphanage here, housed in two different buildings.We're just 11 kilometers out now, but the last 11 are rough. And now Rogers is driving!
Thursday, March 12, 2009
This is it...our last full day in Malawi. It's a cool clear sunny morning as we head down for breakfast. Our thoughts are a mix of travel preparation and how we can help GCC Malawi develop a self-sustaining model. As the church here grows by serving the poorest if the poor, we together must help them discover the means to feed the poor. GCC America will never have enough. Father, meet us in this profound sense of need. Amen.
We're safe and sound back in Blantyre. We left at 7 this morning, it's 8:30 now. We're bone weary, but a very good day. Dinner at a little place nearby called Blue Savannah(somtimes we call it Al Jazeera...we'll explain later). Even Rogers is worn out. Tomorrow we visit Roger's home village...Magaleta, 100 kilometers from here.
Just had another police stop. THIS guy asked for our passports...very unusual. There was a few minutes of tense silence as he looked through each passport. When he finally returned them and we started moving, one of our Malawan friends Charles remarked, "he was only flipping papers!" I love Charles!
We're driving the 4 hours back to Blantyre. We stopped at Lake Malawi long enough for a quick swim and to shoot some interview footage. We're driving from one small town to the next, the smell of woodsmoke in the air - dinner's on. Many people beside the road, many goats IN the road. Driving further south along Lake Malombe, the minibus driver blowing his horn to get people to move aside. Then there's the occasional police stop. They are rather emposing, pausing to ask 'where are you going? What are you going there for?
Returning from Masenjere the other night, a policeman/military officer singled me out to ask where we'd been. I answered Masenjere. He asked what for? I answered 'church'! 'What church?' He asked. 'Grace Community' I replied. 'Church' he said, 'then where are your texts (Bibles)?' Jon and I both pulled ours from our pockets. 'Oh...ok' he said. Move along! Byron made the mistake of shooting a photo of a policeman. He warned Byron sternly...NO PHOTOS!! Do you understand!
The sun is going down as we drive. I much prefer NOT to travel at night here due to potential for breakdowns or accidents. This is where faith comes into play. It'll be a late dinner.
We just left GCC-Monkey Bay. We were greeted and welcomed by the chief of the village, an elderly man with kind eyes and a gentle spirit...he is a Christ-follower. He told us we are welcome to do ministry as we wish in his village...a huge gesture on his part in a heavily Muslim area.
We worshipped, most danced (except for the 'azoongo'- us). I preached from Collosians 1:15, the uniqueness of Christ compared to Mohammed. I hope in the next year they will build a building and launch other churches.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
We're our early this morning for the 4+ hour ride to Monkey Bay on the southern coast or Lake Malawi, a large lake that borders much of eastern Malawi. Monkey Bay is a new work by GCC - Malawi. It is being established in a predominately Muslim area. The roads aren't dirt, but they're not interstate highways either!
We're settling in for the night after enjoying dinner at an Indian restaurant nearby. Indian in Africa...who knew?
We're all wrestling with the effects of visiting Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, where nearly 100 people due each day. It is without a doubt the most hopeless place I have ever visited. Patients lie in beds or on the floor for days unattended. When someone dies, the next patient takes their bed without even changing the linen.
The facility holds as many as 2000 patients at a time, men and women in wards together, children in separate wards.
It is purely tragic.
Pray for little Miguel, likely suffering from maleria, little Moses, suffering from pneumonia, and back in the states, long time GCC member Aubrey Smith, recovering from surgery at WMC.
We just visited Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital. It's a public hospital...we visited the TB ward. Some wards have as many as 80 patients with one doctor. Pastor Bosco was here three days for maleria recently...never got to see a doctor. GCC helped him move to a private hospital where he was successfully treated. Famlies were bringing food for the patients here...the public hospital provides little on the way of food. Their standard treatment for all is an aspirin at every meal.
We've spent this morning exploring the city...we needed coffee and Byron is looking foe a soccer jersey. After 3 days of hard travel, its a day of rest.
Pastor Rogers and I met this morning to review operations. 46 GCC locations in Malawi and Mozambique, and three orphanages where we feed a total of 170 children. Our investment? $.117 per child per day! Less than $.12 a child a day!
GCC you are doing an amazing thing here! Thank you.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
We're safely back in Blantyre. But what a trip! The road was easily as bad as the road to Mozambique or worse. Crossing 14 rivers, deep ruts and ravines. Masenjere is a village of wonderful people, and seriously undernourished children. Rogers is using some of the money from the other orphanages to provide one meal a day for the orphans in Masenjere...not much to live on, but more than they'd get otherwise.
Tomorrow we visit hospitals in Blantyre.
I'm writing this time from Masenjere, 60 kilometers and 14 river passages from the main road and 200 kilometers from Blantyre. There are many orphans here. This region was recently ravaged by floods and the resulting maleria and cholera. We have a church here but have not begun to feed the children. Pastor Rogers has been using money from the other orphanages to help. Many children here evidence the bloated stomach of malnutrition. It is very hard to see and not act. We must act!
Africa time being what it is, our 9:00 o'clock ride isn't here yet. We had breakfast (veggie omelet, chicken nuggets, potatoes, and a tomato slice) and headed to a small outdoor market Jon and Byron found to buy African crafts (yeah...souvenirs). Friendly, persistent and open to much negotiation, the vendors are fun to deal with(if you like swimming with sharks in a feeding frenzy). Still, it's how they live. I don't feel bad about the few kwacha's they wind up with...it's not an easy life. We're headed to a new village this morning...Masenjere. I wonder if they got the van repaired over night...
Monday, March 9, 2009
We're back in Blantyre..water's back on, but cold! Tomorrow another village on the other side of the mountain from Blantyre. Today the Philippians 1:5 passage came to life for me. This IS a partnership. Amazing. We are partners with dozens of pastors and thousands of Christians in Grace Community Churches in Malawi and Mozambique. We serve a BIG God. This is what happens when we're willing to take a risk or two for Him!
We're on the road home from Mozambique, visited another GCC church, Dawa, Mozambique. Beautiful people. Commissioned two new GCC pastors and another asked to join our team. Had 23 people in a minibus built for 15. Bottomed out on the path back through the jungle. Knocked a hole in the tranny sump. These guys patched it with chewing gum I brought along. Amazing. Thank you God. We left the village close to sunset. If it hadn't been fixed we'd have either stayed in the village or walked to the main road. God is good. And these guys are so used to working with nothing that it was no big challenge! It's dark as we travel back, still 100+ kilometers from Blantyre. I sure hope the water system is back up.
We've stopped at the Malawan equivalent to our DMV to get a permit to drive to Mozambique. Guess what?DMV's are the same around the world...slow, inflexible, and SLOW! We went by the bank and exchanged money. Those of us with traveler's checks took a 30 kwacha per dollar hit! An exchange rate of 140 per dollar versus 170 per dollar for American currency. Imagine 5 white people standing together outside the bank, a perfect target for street vendors and beggars. We have yet to leave Blantyre. It's going to be a long day.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
It's Monday morning here. We had a safe trip to Nchalo yesterday. It was very hot there in the valley. Blantyre sits on a mountain so it's cooler. The children were amazing yesterday...approximately 200 there, 50 of which we care for in a makeshift orphange. The needs remain enormous, but we re making a difference. Orphans from other villages are beginning to find their way to Nchalo for food and shelter.
The time with the leaders went well as I shared from my heart about the realities of leading no matter where you lead. They were very receptive. We presented Pastor William, the Nchalo zone pastor, his certificate from GCC. He's a leader of excellence.
Sandy and Claire did crafts with the kids, and spoke with the women. Byron gave the kids their soccer ball. It disappeared quickly. Jon's shooting pictures like crazy.
All in all, a very good day. We're headed to Mazambique later this morning. A long drive on roads that get smaller and smaller. Pray for us.
We just had worship at Nchalo...LOTS of dancing. Lots of singing. We feed 50 kids here...beautiful children. Children who matter to God. They're not starving any more thanks to GCC USA. Sandy and Claire are doing stories and crafts with the kids. I will be doing leadership training with the local pastors this afternoon. Jon and Byron are recording events with video and digital camera. Our partnership with GCC - East Africa is makng a difference!
Saturday, March 7, 2009
We're up early today for the journey to Nchalo. Our friend James, the cook at the lodge, made us, eggs, French fries, and sausage for breakfast. Rogers was to be here at 7:00am 'American time' meaning 7:00 am sharp. We'll be sharing at the worship service, sharpening our dance steps, and then in the afternoon, we'll do some teaching. Byron will deliver a soccer ball for the kids of the village. It's warm already, mid-70's already at 7:00 am. Sunny, beautiful.
So here we are in Blantyre...it's definitely the rainy season! We met with Pastor Rogers, his wife, and Some of the Blantyre pastors. Headed to one of our orphanage villages tomorrow, Nchalo. 100+ kilometers on some interesting roads. Pastor Williams is the zone leader for that area. GCC has 46 churches in Malawi and Mozambique.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Hello Joburg!
We're in Johannesburg, South Africa after a 10 hour flight from London. I hope everyone got more sleep than I did!
We've had some baggage issues...as in the weight limit per person is reduced. Jon had to pay extra. Oh well, one more reason to leave it all in Malawi!
After going round and round with South African Air over the baggage, we are relaxing with some cold Cokes (thanks Claire!).
We load for Blantyre in an hour. We're really done flying for a while!
We've had some baggage issues...as in the weight limit per person is reduced. Jon had to pay extra. Oh well, one more reason to leave it all in Malawi!
After going round and round with South African Air over the baggage, we are relaxing with some cold Cokes (thanks Claire!).
We load for Blantyre in an hour. We're really done flying for a while!
Plan B
Technology is great. Technology is frustrating. It often calls for a plan B.
Exhibit A...my plan was simple...reactivate the Treo...which I 'knew' worked in texting to blog.
Oh the best laid plans of mice and men...
That's not quite working out. SO, new plan. Blog wherever we are and then SEND it when and if I can find wifi in Blantyre (it COULD happen!).
Backup to the backup is to locate an Internet cafe in Blantyre (more likely in Blantyre).
Either way, it'd mean a once a day update which, due to time zones will seem a day behind.
We'll see how it plays out.
We're all a bit bleary-eyed...sleepless nght, up early, and sitting around at the airport. Oh well, we'll board in 45 minutes.
Thanks for your prayers!
Exhibit A...my plan was simple...reactivate the Treo...which I 'knew' worked in texting to blog.
Oh the best laid plans of mice and men...
That's not quite working out. SO, new plan. Blog wherever we are and then SEND it when and if I can find wifi in Blantyre (it COULD happen!).
Backup to the backup is to locate an Internet cafe in Blantyre (more likely in Blantyre).
Either way, it'd mean a once a day update which, due to time zones will seem a day behind.
We'll see how it plays out.
We're all a bit bleary-eyed...sleepless nght, up early, and sitting around at the airport. Oh well, we'll board in 45 minutes.
Thanks for your prayers!
hello heathrow!
We're here at Hearhrow in London. Uneventful flight. Having our second cup of coffee. Not enough time to get into the city so we'll hang out here.
Interesting conversation at brunch about what we expect from the trip.
Awareness. A bigger God. Bigger hearts. A wife for Byron. We'll see.
Interesting conversation at brunch about what we expect from the trip.
Awareness. A bigger God. Bigger hearts. A wife for Byron. We'll see.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
a small world...
Guess what? We ran into GCC'er Todd Breem(that's CAPTAIN Todd). He showed us his 'office'. WOW! That cockpit's a bit bigger that the Mooney. And a LOT more knobs and lights!!
Thanks Captain!!!
Boarding for London now.
Thanks Captain!!!
Boarding for London now.
We cleared security!
We're at Dulles and Byron has already proved helpful! He knew the TSA guy and got us moved to a SHORTER line! Now...if be can do that at Heathrow, we'll all be really impressed!!!
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
My iPhone Won't Text to Blogspot
So...a few days to go before we leave for Africa and I discover my iPhone won't talk to Blogspot thru texts!!! Am I gonna have to do this the old-fashioned way and go to an Internet cafe? Rats!!! Ideas, anyone? Tick, tick, tick, tick....
Monday, March 2, 2009
Goodbye My Friend
I hate saying goodbye to friends. Especially when they've been around for years.
Today we said goodbye to our family our cat Jack. Jack was 17 years old. He lived with us in three different houses. Untiil the last few months, he was a feisty animal.
He used to pick a fight with me every morning.I think it was his way of getting attention. When he was quicker than me, he'd bite me. I guess that's why he and I were never close. Still, I can't count the number of times he'd be watching through the living room window waiting for us to come home.
I've never been a cat lover...but I'm really going to miss that guy. He was alright...for a cat.
Today we said goodbye to our family our cat Jack. Jack was 17 years old. He lived with us in three different houses. Untiil the last few months, he was a feisty animal.
He used to pick a fight with me every morning.I think it was his way of getting attention. When he was quicker than me, he'd bite me. I guess that's why he and I were never close. Still, I can't count the number of times he'd be watching through the living room window waiting for us to come home.
I've never been a cat lover...but I'm really going to miss that guy. He was alright...for a cat.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Marriage for the Long Haul
It was palpable in the room today. Clearly, people WANT to work on their marriages. They WANT to believe that their marriage has the potential to be fulfilling and enduring. What would happen if couples began to dialogue about their hopes and expectations? What would happen if we really began to pray for other married couples?
For the next 30 days GCC will focus on The Marriage Benefit by Mark O'Connell. Let's see how this lines up with God's Word!
For the next 30 days GCC will focus on The Marriage Benefit by Mark O'Connell. Let's see how this lines up with God's Word!
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Are Pastors Christians?
I admit it...for a long time I have struggled with an addiction to people pleasing. Granted...those who know me today would probably say I am better at NOT pleasing people. My response is simply this: everybody's got to be good at SOMETHING!
Actually...I started thinking about this the other day at breakfast with a retired pastor friend of mine from Windsor, Ontario. Chuck's a wonderful guy....35 years in ONE church...one that prospered under his leadership.
He retired a couple of years ago. At breakfast the other day I asked him what he has looked most forward to in retirement. His response shocked me. He said the thing he looked forward to most was NOT DISAPPOINTING PEOPLE EVERYDAY. To tell you the truth...I stopped in mid-bite of my breakfast to ask him to repeat himself. I was incredulous. He had just articulated what I had long felt.
One of the hard parts of pastoral ministry is the constant sense that somewhere, someone is pointing their finger at you and asking WHY you're doing something a certain way or why you are NOT doing something a certain way. In a very real sense...that you're always disappointing someone.
I awoke the other morning with this on my mind. As is often the case, the Holy Spirit uses early morning to speak to my heart before the background noise of the day gets too loud. What He said was surprising. 'Disappointment is the difference between performance and expectation.' What He said next was healing to my soul. 'I can't really control the expectations of others. What I CAN control is HOW I live. And How CLOSE I live to Jesus.' I love how the Spirit speaks to our broken places.
Then a question began to occur to me: when people are disappointed and they express that disappointment hurtfully...are they expressing that hurt to me as a pastor or to me as a brother in Christ. Honestly, I suspect it's more the former...as a pastor.
As pastors, we are open targets for unhappy consumer-Christians. Our sermons are commodities that are compared to other sermons like items in the produce section of Food Lion. Our programs are all compared to other programs at other churches larger and smaller. And if we come up short, we're reminded of the deficiency.
What I've come to is this: unless someone is willing to relate to me as a fellow Christ-follower first, I will no longer be the recipient of their disappointment. To quote St. Mick of the order of the Rolling Stones... 'you can't always get what you want'. From here on out, I will first ask...are you speaking to me as a pastor or a brother? If we can establish the brotherhood first, then the rest will be a conversation of one heart to the other. In THAT we will BOTH find Jesus.
Actually...I started thinking about this the other day at breakfast with a retired pastor friend of mine from Windsor, Ontario. Chuck's a wonderful guy....35 years in ONE church...one that prospered under his leadership.
He retired a couple of years ago. At breakfast the other day I asked him what he has looked most forward to in retirement. His response shocked me. He said the thing he looked forward to most was NOT DISAPPOINTING PEOPLE EVERYDAY. To tell you the truth...I stopped in mid-bite of my breakfast to ask him to repeat himself. I was incredulous. He had just articulated what I had long felt.
One of the hard parts of pastoral ministry is the constant sense that somewhere, someone is pointing their finger at you and asking WHY you're doing something a certain way or why you are NOT doing something a certain way. In a very real sense...that you're always disappointing someone.
I awoke the other morning with this on my mind. As is often the case, the Holy Spirit uses early morning to speak to my heart before the background noise of the day gets too loud. What He said was surprising. 'Disappointment is the difference between performance and expectation.' What He said next was healing to my soul. 'I can't really control the expectations of others. What I CAN control is HOW I live. And How CLOSE I live to Jesus.' I love how the Spirit speaks to our broken places.
Then a question began to occur to me: when people are disappointed and they express that disappointment hurtfully...are they expressing that hurt to me as a pastor or to me as a brother in Christ. Honestly, I suspect it's more the former...as a pastor.
As pastors, we are open targets for unhappy consumer-Christians. Our sermons are commodities that are compared to other sermons like items in the produce section of Food Lion. Our programs are all compared to other programs at other churches larger and smaller. And if we come up short, we're reminded of the deficiency.
What I've come to is this: unless someone is willing to relate to me as a fellow Christ-follower first, I will no longer be the recipient of their disappointment. To quote St. Mick of the order of the Rolling Stones... 'you can't always get what you want'. From here on out, I will first ask...are you speaking to me as a pastor or a brother? If we can establish the brotherhood first, then the rest will be a conversation of one heart to the other. In THAT we will BOTH find Jesus.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Sadness and it's spiritual clues
Thinking through this series called Signs(what our emotions say about our walk with God), I came to sadness. Naturally, we think of depression...the poster child of sadness.
But sadness can be less clinical, less chronic, more in the moment. It can be pervasive and persistent, but not true depression.
Sadness is not an emotion we like to hang onto. We typically do whatever we can to rid ourselves of this nasty little cloud that seems to hang over our lives from time to time.
Some people shop to lose it. Other people work to lose it. Some worship. others pray.
In it's essence, sadness says we've been disappointed. Perhaps its been a loss. Or maybe an unkind word hurled our way.
But what does it SAY about our experience with God?
For me...it is a clarion call to go to my Father, to crawl up on His lap, to rest in His arms, and tell Him where it hurts.
We SHOULD have this kind of opportunity with our friends or our spouses, but there's nothing like sharing it with our Father. It's a lot like when we were a child and we skinned our knee. We'd go crying to our mom or dad and they'd pick us up and maybe stick a band-aid on it. But it wasn't the band-aid that made it better...it was their loving attention.
Sadness calls us to that same experience....to run to our Father and climb up in His arms, and feel Him lavish us in loving attention. In those precious moments we tell Him about our sadness and walk through it with Him. He shares it with us. And walks with us til we feel it no more.
Bottom line...it doesn't matter where the sadness is coming from. The very best response is to find our Heavenly Father and draw close to Him...and to rest in His arms...to tell Him where it hurts...and experience His loving comfort.
Try it the next time you're sad. You'll be amazed.
But sadness can be less clinical, less chronic, more in the moment. It can be pervasive and persistent, but not true depression.
Sadness is not an emotion we like to hang onto. We typically do whatever we can to rid ourselves of this nasty little cloud that seems to hang over our lives from time to time.
Some people shop to lose it. Other people work to lose it. Some worship. others pray.
In it's essence, sadness says we've been disappointed. Perhaps its been a loss. Or maybe an unkind word hurled our way.
But what does it SAY about our experience with God?
For me...it is a clarion call to go to my Father, to crawl up on His lap, to rest in His arms, and tell Him where it hurts.
We SHOULD have this kind of opportunity with our friends or our spouses, but there's nothing like sharing it with our Father. It's a lot like when we were a child and we skinned our knee. We'd go crying to our mom or dad and they'd pick us up and maybe stick a band-aid on it. But it wasn't the band-aid that made it better...it was their loving attention.
Sadness calls us to that same experience....to run to our Father and climb up in His arms, and feel Him lavish us in loving attention. In those precious moments we tell Him about our sadness and walk through it with Him. He shares it with us. And walks with us til we feel it no more.
Bottom line...it doesn't matter where the sadness is coming from. The very best response is to find our Heavenly Father and draw close to Him...and to rest in His arms...to tell Him where it hurts...and experience His loving comfort.
Try it the next time you're sad. You'll be amazed.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
What's Age Got to Do with It?
Ok...I admit it...I'm a book addict. I read...a LOT. Books are amazing...no batteries, no software, and totally portable.
So when I got the chance to get a free book here in there, I thought...why not?
So...I signed on the Thomas Nelson's book review blogger program. Sweet.
And then I noticed this book...What's Age Got to Do with It?
Having had a birthday recently, I am a bit more mindful of my age. In fact, I just got off of the treadmill after 3 miles. I'm not going down without a fight!
Anyway...the book I chose to review was, in fact, written by a woman FOR women. Yeah, I know...no such thing as free!
Anyhow, I'll have a woman's perspective on aging and h0w to avoid it.
The author is Robin McGraw...name sound familiar? McGraw...as in Dr. PHIL? Yep, she's his wife. Which also means her celeb life is a BIT different than yours and mine. Example...I didn't have a personal trainer to stand by me as I sweated on the treadmill a few minutes ago.
The book was actually interesting. But as Solomon once pointed out, there's nothing new under the sun...OR in this book as it turns out.
That said, there are some transferable principles. Like the idea that fitness DOES help us remain young. And nutrition (specifically no more sugar, dairy products, and peanut butter) was helpful for her. I sorta moved through the whole skin care chapter pretty quick...not exactly a huge concern of mine. neither was the makeup chapter.
The faith chapter, though left to the end and rather brief, was helpful in that it raises the idea that faith really DOES contribute to health and longevity by helping us remain healthy.
Ok...so there it is...a review.
One other thing guys...as incredible as it may seem...a read like this now and then MIGHT even help us understand our wives...and for that I'm grateful!
So when I got the chance to get a free book here in there, I thought...why not?
So...I signed on the Thomas Nelson's book review blogger program. Sweet.
And then I noticed this book...What's Age Got to Do with It?
Having had a birthday recently, I am a bit more mindful of my age. In fact, I just got off of the treadmill after 3 miles. I'm not going down without a fight!
Anyway...the book I chose to review was, in fact, written by a woman FOR women. Yeah, I know...no such thing as free!
Anyhow, I'll have a woman's perspective on aging and h0w to avoid it.
The author is Robin McGraw...name sound familiar? McGraw...as in Dr. PHIL? Yep, she's his wife. Which also means her celeb life is a BIT different than yours and mine. Example...I didn't have a personal trainer to stand by me as I sweated on the treadmill a few minutes ago.
The book was actually interesting. But as Solomon once pointed out, there's nothing new under the sun...OR in this book as it turns out.
That said, there are some transferable principles. Like the idea that fitness DOES help us remain young. And nutrition (specifically no more sugar, dairy products, and peanut butter) was helpful for her. I sorta moved through the whole skin care chapter pretty quick...not exactly a huge concern of mine. neither was the makeup chapter.
The faith chapter, though left to the end and rather brief, was helpful in that it raises the idea that faith really DOES contribute to health and longevity by helping us remain healthy.
Ok...so there it is...a review.
One other thing guys...as incredible as it may seem...a read like this now and then MIGHT even help us understand our wives...and for that I'm grateful!
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Me...Vers 5.3
Yep, it happened. I had a birthday...ANOTHER birthday.
All my Facebook friends seemed to mount a campaign to remind me...one email after another saying happy birthday. Ok...I got it. And thanks. IT's nice to have others think of you...if only it were not as 'gee, he really IS getting old'.
Version 5.3...I wonder if the update got rid of some of the glitches from the 5.2 version...like staying too busy, neglecting God more than I care to admit...trying to do too much. Being involved in too much.
Still, moving into vers. 5.3 feels WAY better than moving to vers 5.2. The future didn't look so good then. In fact, truth be told, I didn't WANT a future then. Everything was dark. Being near people was a challenge, even painful.
I moved the new version while in Philadelphia. I spent that first day of the new version staring in awe at the Liberty Bell and in the hushed silence of the Assembly hall at Independence Hall. The last one to leave the room after the tour.
That visit fueled the visionary in me. I reflected on the risks those leaders took to form a new nation 'under God'. I inwardly wondered...am I still willing to take risks? One of the downsides of vers. 5.3 is that its easier to just let things be as they are.
Fortunately, God continues to birth new dreams in me...uh oh, that's Joel 2:28 '...old men will dream dreams, young men will see visions.
The thing I love about life in the Kingdom is that we don't become obsolete as we age, we gather the wisdom born of LOTS of earlier versions and we offer it up to God...and He uses it as HE sees fit.
That said, I'm excited about seeing how God will use vers. 5.3 for his purposes. It's His call. I'm good with that.
All my Facebook friends seemed to mount a campaign to remind me...one email after another saying happy birthday. Ok...I got it. And thanks. IT's nice to have others think of you...if only it were not as 'gee, he really IS getting old'.
Version 5.3...I wonder if the update got rid of some of the glitches from the 5.2 version...like staying too busy, neglecting God more than I care to admit...trying to do too much. Being involved in too much.
Still, moving into vers. 5.3 feels WAY better than moving to vers 5.2. The future didn't look so good then. In fact, truth be told, I didn't WANT a future then. Everything was dark. Being near people was a challenge, even painful.
I moved the new version while in Philadelphia. I spent that first day of the new version staring in awe at the Liberty Bell and in the hushed silence of the Assembly hall at Independence Hall. The last one to leave the room after the tour.
That visit fueled the visionary in me. I reflected on the risks those leaders took to form a new nation 'under God'. I inwardly wondered...am I still willing to take risks? One of the downsides of vers. 5.3 is that its easier to just let things be as they are.
Fortunately, God continues to birth new dreams in me...uh oh, that's Joel 2:28 '...old men will dream dreams, young men will see visions.
The thing I love about life in the Kingdom is that we don't become obsolete as we age, we gather the wisdom born of LOTS of earlier versions and we offer it up to God...and He uses it as HE sees fit.
That said, I'm excited about seeing how God will use vers. 5.3 for his purposes. It's His call. I'm good with that.
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