tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50650445690777506382024-03-13T12:39:13.717-07:00Jason in JavaUnknownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00731442910056344347noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065044569077750638.post-23654073749447228622012-07-24T17:12:00.002-07:002012-07-24T17:12:11.213-07:00Story: Letters, Lessons and Love<link href="file://localhost/Users/Jason/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/msoclip/0clip_filelist.xml" rel="File-List" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></link>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>1713</o:Words>
<o:Characters>9767</o:Characters>
<o:Company>The King's University College</o:Company>
<o:Lines>81</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>19</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>11994</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Arial;
panose-1:2 11 6 4 2 2 2 2 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin-top:0cm;
margin-right:0cm;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;
margin-left:0cm;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Arial;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Arial;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page Section1
{size:612.0pt 792.0pt;
margin:72.0pt 90.0pt 72.0pt 90.0pt;
mso-header-margin:36.0pt;
mso-footer-margin:36.0pt;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
-->
</style>
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0cm;
mso-para-margin-right:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0cm;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>11 months in Indonesia.<span> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>It is about how my story was woven into the
Indonesian story.<span> </span>How Indonesians
became apart of my story.<span> </span>It was
woven so intricately that my story is insistent that they are apart of it.<span> </span>In fact, my story can never be thought
apart from their story.<span> </span>The
stories tangled and now they will seemingly part, but that is just an
illusion.<span> </span>The stories are bound
together forever, because they are the seeds and fruit within the Story the
binds everything together.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>The fruits of peace and justice flowed as
God built up a community between Indonesians and myself.<span> </span>This community also has many fruits
that have yet to be revealed—that are still hidden.<span> </span>And some fruits have not even become ripe—maybe they have
not even started sprouting. While so much of the story has been revealed, the
fruits of how Indonesia and myself tangled for a year are not yet fully
harvested—maybe the harvest has only begun.<span> </span>That is why the story is so captivating. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>My story is lost within His Story of a
Kingdom of justice and peace.<span> </span>It’s
lost within that story because my story can’t be separated from the Kingdom
story—or any of the other smaller stories going on it. The Story resonates to
the depths of my being as I danced in the joy of peace and justice blossoming
and wept when shalom appeared crushed.<span>
</span>I spent a year learning how the Church dances to peace and cries at
injustice.<span> </span>And how it itself
forges shalom.<span> </span>And how it itself
violates shalom.<span> </span>The Church was
the ugliest and most beautiful thing I have ever seen.<span> </span>Even though the ugliness and tragic
missteps could have turned me away, there was a tremendous and irresistible
vocational calling towards being apart of the Story through the Church.<span> </span>Specifically, towards educating,
equipping and practicing diaconal and peace work with the Church.<span> </span>I imagine this future for my story
because I look back at my story and it points me in that direction.<span> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>The story is important to remember.<span> </span>For the memory of a story gives
possibility.<span> </span>So here are the
stories of how some Indonesian brothers and sisters had their stories
intertwine with mine.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><o:p> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span>Dear Debora,</span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1iVDbp8DJkglywwA-x0ouBz4lbhshXNTzulB1CCxMz9YEfa3X64hpd04__EIyvJUjQJCF21E0EFv-Ziyj1QnRgmLru3MKhHP5_zcefb6ryDY9PZVZKGDeR29GHa8HToCrYAVa0VrWz8EI/s1600/PC030228_1072x804.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1iVDbp8DJkglywwA-x0ouBz4lbhshXNTzulB1CCxMz9YEfa3X64hpd04__EIyvJUjQJCF21E0EFv-Ziyj1QnRgmLru3MKhHP5_zcefb6ryDY9PZVZKGDeR29GHa8HToCrYAVa0VrWz8EI/s400/PC030228_1072x804.shkl.JPG" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span> </span></b><span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>It may have been difficult to use words to
communicate between your deaf ears and my novice Indonesian, but my time in
your presence on that musty green chair next to your bed where you sat or lay,
was powerful because it was beauty amidst brokenness. Your frail bones,
wrinkle ridden face and grey hair along with your surprisingly talkative
nature, your welcoming open door and your faithfulness to God, brought so much
texture and color to my life. You often shared your home with a drunk and
died with nothing more than a pile of clothes next to your bed in a filthy
house. But it is exactly in that house and on your bed where God met us,
and changed me. It's because having Holy Communion on your bed next to
the mice that scurried the floors while we sang hymns is a powerful practice of
breaking the body and pouring the blood. That is the place where you,
Deborah and I, Jason come <b>to a cross where all the mire of your ugly
material poverty meets the tragically stubborn poverty of my affluence.</b>
Deborah, I told this story, about you, me and God at your funeral a
couple weeks ago. I'll see you again, one day.
</span><span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span>Dear Erik ,</span></b><span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEganGFsgTXKLO8HmrXUlbrlmOMPEzH9hQuYLvqoWFSHdWrW3bwiBNqyt8pjVZJQuYmZpIqvQGrjGjYuZ9bICI1wF8xxt_UG45xttdmlWIRiPF2wFhUqB-iBsESeo2k_pNvAsQNk_jIA9IG7/s1600/P4300071_912x684.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEganGFsgTXKLO8HmrXUlbrlmOMPEzH9hQuYLvqoWFSHdWrW3bwiBNqyt8pjVZJQuYmZpIqvQGrjGjYuZ9bICI1wF8xxt_UG45xttdmlWIRiPF2wFhUqB-iBsESeo2k_pNvAsQNk_jIA9IG7/s400/P4300071_912x684.shkl.JPG" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span><o:p> </o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>As co-pastor and friend, your persistent
heart of justice has been a tremendous gift and consistent refuge for me in a
place where a heart like that has been hard to come by. Your fearless
conviction of a just God amidst great forces of an eagerly embraced capitalism,
the formation of a domesticated God and grave inequality in Indonesia, has been
life-giving. To preach so explicitly and terrificly about God's love for
the poor in a church where loving the poor has been largely forgotten.
However, you do not give up the prophetic struggle and decide that
troublesome churches are just that--to troublesome. Neither do you stop
the fight for justice when its progress crawls, stalls and falls. So
often I just want to either end up some place where justice is further along
and where progress is quick. <b>But you have taught me one of the
greatest lessons of this year, that it is the places where justice is furthest
behind and where the progress is frail and fraught, that a Disciple of Jesus is
incessantly drawn.</b> That's been a tough lesson. Your steadfast
practice of discipleship as the way of ministry has formed the way I understand
not just ministry, but a way of life and my future. Knowing, being and
walking along side people in discipleship is what the world so desperately
needs. </span><span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span>Dear Endang, Febi, and Ike, </span></b><span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><o:p> </o:p></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQAk29s38CsOs2zcs7sdfMmlmOAm1N9AibKocRTgbPogoPrbs3-YKIPxBjWCCj8VnxLUeAKaG33JOSwzGBr4pBPxPXIaYSr8njRVYBUGm0PEg-OjdvNc266_Jvu9qXmeKUjnkjezOwmB5W/s1600/P7090016_988x741.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQAk29s38CsOs2zcs7sdfMmlmOAm1N9AibKocRTgbPogoPrbs3-YKIPxBjWCCj8VnxLUeAKaG33JOSwzGBr4pBPxPXIaYSr8njRVYBUGm0PEg-OjdvNc266_Jvu9qXmeKUjnkjezOwmB5W/s400/P7090016_988x741.shkl.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>I play scenes like this over and over in my
head as I go to sleep. </span><span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>Bike down the wide street until a 1-meter
wide path appears to the left between concrete walls. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>Roll down the path for 50 meters then turn
abruptly right and go along side a dusty volley ball court and kids screaming
at me for another 50 meters. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>Turn a sudden left where people hang-out,
and chickens roam, only to turn right again. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>But I always miss this corner. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>Always. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>But it is fine, because the lady who lives
on that corner shouts "turn." It's because she knows where I am
going, because your house is my goal every time I enter that jungle of homes, chickens
and paths. The final 30 meters to your house I pass about 10 homes.
The last time I came over your weren't even home, but sitting on the
neighbors porch chatting. And that's the norm. And we have spend
hours and hours doing just that. The rhythm of life between you and your
neighbors, was a tremendous pulse that entered my life, that was repeated in
countless other neighborhoods, where I was blessed enough to be welcomed and
made as one of you. No fences or walls, just the Indonesian flow of life
between you and your neighbors, whom despite your differences of faith, live
loving your neighbors as if that is all that matters. <b>And when you
become enriched by this rhythm, you begin to beat to it too. And when
your in synch with it, your life begins to reverberate with the same pulse.
It's that pulse, the way you and your neighbors love so well, so much
better than I do, that makes me wonder. </b>Maybe you are right.<span> </span>Loving your neighbors is what matters
most. Loving those close to you. Loving closely. Loving like
Jesus in other words. That's what matters. Then the label Christian
or Muslim just doesn't seem to matter that much anymore. That's probably
why I never think once whether you and all our friends that we sat with are
Muslim or Christian. I look upon those women as the most spectacular
examples of neighborly love. I look up to them as people whom grasp the
way of Jesus far better than I. I look up to them as teachers. I
saw myself as their student. </span><span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span>Dear Sunardi, Mundiah, Istiqomah, Amin
Wahyudi, Zahrotul Umami, Ainur Rohmah, Alifaidah</span></b><span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzFnxG-vLmhVFoq8GbXGMMxiiqnXM5-_Lu7odvA0CWHDhiZgoKEjiUy-FVN-mnsUPbPwcBG_sVu8jhNXqSOelyZ2uMG3R6eVi-o0vrWm6xLa8Ct_lUy05p-StMdFaUKs7SJew2zdTEKKGp/s1600/P7070086_1016x762.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzFnxG-vLmhVFoq8GbXGMMxiiqnXM5-_Lu7odvA0CWHDhiZgoKEjiUy-FVN-mnsUPbPwcBG_sVu8jhNXqSOelyZ2uMG3R6eVi-o0vrWm6xLa8Ct_lUy05p-StMdFaUKs7SJew2zdTEKKGp/s400/P7070086_1016x762.shkl.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><o:p> </o:p></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQAk29s38CsOs2zcs7sdfMmlmOAm1N9AibKocRTgbPogoPrbs3-YKIPxBjWCCj8VnxLUeAKaG33JOSwzGBr4pBPxPXIaYSr8njRVYBUGm0PEg-OjdvNc266_Jvu9qXmeKUjnkjezOwmB5W/s1600/P7090016_988x741.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>Remember that first time we met? Back
in October, I wandered through the streets close to my home, and you started to
talk to me on that crumbly road and we have not stopped talking after that.
The kids and I would scamper off to the river and the neighborhood kids
would run down the streets to kick a ball around.<span> </span>I dreamed of meeting people like you, and God graciously
gave you into my live.<span> </span>The clarity
of your Indonesian, mutual eagerness to learn and the way we would laugh and
talk all afternoon are unforgettable.<span>
</span>When we played in the grass and ate on the floor, it was as if there was
nothing else in the world except your family and I.<span> </span>When we split ways, I never felt that I needed to give you
money to help with your child who has hydrocephalus or school fees; nor did you
ask for anything other than one last visit.<span> </span><b>The $$ signs and
“poverty” that so often mar the names of people like us were replaced.<span> </span>My name was Jason.<span> </span>Your names were Sunardi, Mundiah,
Istiqomah, Amin, Umami, Ainur Rohmah and Alifaidah.</b><span> </span>Those are the names that will stay in
my heart.</span><span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span>Dear Nindyo, </span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4kuZWl94FBjcXOcIZGbqVnfXk0xcjlXJVY1_CWkl1wwCaxROJW4T3BvB5MB9DNgQ4GoAntEl1mETxoplsXukDm3ggNSAyK9LsYmthLUMKvyz-TP8Cm8pHCx4nELKEDCndNAqYRE1hAa1t/s1600/P7110020_904x678.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4kuZWl94FBjcXOcIZGbqVnfXk0xcjlXJVY1_CWkl1wwCaxROJW4T3BvB5MB9DNgQ4GoAntEl1mETxoplsXukDm3ggNSAyK9LsYmthLUMKvyz-TP8Cm8pHCx4nELKEDCndNAqYRE1hAa1t/s400/P7110020_904x678.shkl.JPG" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span> </span></b><span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>Meals.<span> </span>I will never experience it the same again.<span> </span>From cobra to horse, to the dog meat we
ate for lunch (two days in a row!) or that entire goat head we ate that last
week--we ate lots and we ate often.<span>
</span>And it was a lot of fun.<span>
</span>But it was more than fun or necessity.<span> </span><b>It was the very place
and time where stories were shared.<span>
</span>Where joys were shared.<span> </span>Struggles
were shared.<span> </span>Dreams where
shared.<span> </span>Faith was shared.<span> </span>Actually, it was where faith was lived.</b><span> </span>Eating meals is how we loved each other
not as a pastor looking down on a young adult, nor a supervisor on his
employee, but as best friends.<span>
</span>Where ever and whenever we will meet again I know one thing.<span> </span>There will be a meal.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span>Dear Mammi, Mamma, Pappa, Daniel, Irene,
Gladys and Geraldy </span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7xRIAFSKHO-2m6FY5UgU1xmWgCzbTGQ1s2gJp8JdftY8nP_wEmj3NWdve8fDxKkJHpXoGHXtNMg7dIZ4phC-zOoMuzAzbv1OJ-svu1-di_KBJ65T1sUSsXDkUWhbohePCSksU5v1uLsSb/s1600/P7110024_1016x762.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7xRIAFSKHO-2m6FY5UgU1xmWgCzbTGQ1s2gJp8JdftY8nP_wEmj3NWdve8fDxKkJHpXoGHXtNMg7dIZ4phC-zOoMuzAzbv1OJ-svu1-di_KBJ65T1sUSsXDkUWhbohePCSksU5v1uLsSb/s400/P7110024_1016x762.shkl.JPG" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span> </span></b><span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>You were a host family that gave
up so much.<span> </span>From eating,
travelling to sleeping, the love received was bountiful.<span> </span>That is why all I can say is
“terima kasih.”<span> </span>It is thank-you in
Indonesian and literally means, “to receive love.”<span> </span>And that is what happened indeed.<span> </span>You accepted me into the family and I will never remember in
more clarity than the way we would sit around at night talking, laughing and
teasing one another.<span> </span>You feed me
extraordinarily well. <span> </span>And knowing
that offering someone food is the greatest act of love in your culture, you
loved incredibly well.<span> </span>Your
intentional love is something I will never be able to pay back to you.<span> </span>There is one thing I can do.<span> </span>That is to extend that love towards the
foreigner and stranger like you did this year, to the foreigners and strangers
that I will meet for the rest of my life.<span>
</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span> </span></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7xRIAFSKHO-2m6FY5UgU1xmWgCzbTGQ1s2gJp8JdftY8nP_wEmj3NWdve8fDxKkJHpXoGHXtNMg7dIZ4phC-zOoMuzAzbv1OJ-svu1-di_KBJ65T1sUSsXDkUWhbohePCSksU5v1uLsSb/s1600/P7110024_1016x762.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzFnxG-vLmhVFoq8GbXGMMxiiqnXM5-_Lu7odvA0CWHDhiZgoKEjiUy-FVN-mnsUPbPwcBG_sVu8jhNXqSOelyZ2uMG3R6eVi-o0vrWm6xLa8Ct_lUy05p-StMdFaUKs7SJew2zdTEKKGp/s1600/P7070086_1016x762.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><b>Dear Ibu Suprih and Eva,</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjfzCDE5tskMbhz8ccLw7rcXtH5nDZ3Ox9iRMZrpkSlG_TdHcWeNSWU6Nr1NR4yhUUBfJKqZdQKQv444C9KkDttRhJTPrBQXuPgfMb3_voPEFepKdWDZHwAE6hL57COmlF5E4A0ElT-hKC/s1600/P6140344_930x1240.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjfzCDE5tskMbhz8ccLw7rcXtH5nDZ3Ox9iRMZrpkSlG_TdHcWeNSWU6Nr1NR4yhUUBfJKqZdQKQv444C9KkDttRhJTPrBQXuPgfMb3_voPEFepKdWDZHwAE6hL57COmlF5E4A0ElT-hKC/s400/P6140344_930x1240.shkl.JPG" width="300" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span><o:p> </o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>I thought I said good-bye to you
a few weeks ago.<span> </span>Then one day I
was sitting still on some steps by a friend’s house just watching life.<span> </span>The chickens roamed and the kids ran
naked from the bathroom to the house interrupting the chickens patrolling their
apparent kingdoms.<span> </span>Then I looked
down along a concrete path between a string of homes and suddenly you were
there with your beaming grin.<span> </span>I am
pretty sure my face was just as radiant. It was as if we both stumbled upon
something great and words couldn’t describe it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>Eventually words came out.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>A couple other times this year
you would spend all your days wages on lunch for me.<span> </span>So this time I took you out to lunch.<span> </span>We walked 20 meters down the path to a
buy some vegetable with peanut sauce on rice.<span> </span><span> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>Then that grin smacked across
your face again and before words could come out, laughter did.<span> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>You chuckled and asked a
question in a way that best friends only do.<span> </span>“Jason, guess what Eva (her daughter) and I did yesterday?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>With burgeoning curiosity I
asked “what?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>You paused your eating and just
laughed some more and then found the composure to articulate words.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>“Eva and I biked for 4 hours and
got 6 watermelons for free and then biked home with them for another 4
hours.”<span> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>In simultaneous joy we both had
one of those laughs were tears come out.<span>
</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>I then asked, “how many did you
already eat?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>With proud embarrassment you
broke down into laughter again.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>“We ate two of them already.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>We must have finished our rice.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>I don’t remember.<span> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>All I remember is the radiance
of our faces.<span> </span>The faces of a
50-year-old Muslim widow earning a $1.50 a day and myself with faces glowing as
if we found something worth telling the world. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span>It
is as if we found the pearl and were ready to give up everything to keep it.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span>It
is as if all we wanted to do was tell the world about it. <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span>It
is as if we knew that the words we spoke and the laughter exchanged would last
a lifetime time.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span>But
what was shared was eternity. <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>This story captures so much of my Indonesian
story.<span> </span>I want this story do
capture my life.<span> </span>But I know my
life is already captured in the Story. Now to go and be everything that was
caught up in these stories.<span> </span>But to
do so in Canada once again. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Unknownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00731442910056344347noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065044569077750638.post-23494763309785316832012-07-04T06:30:00.002-07:002012-07-04T06:30:55.913-07:00A Wonder of Diversity<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Hey, so what's Indonesia culture like?"</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The answer to that question became much more difficult to succinctly answer after a recent trip. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuGmvBi_3_OrWkZ2ZBTCziZpFhaT23d0wOrFZiSXmvAMbQGMHiLaIb70nFjV7vCyZ5I3xIBTbHVtjYHRmM2G4WvjCwvEVq4OgBLjNv8N4-TmxbvsNON_ceqE4r0Fq2pXZtZowM071A_7eP/s1600/for+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuGmvBi_3_OrWkZ2ZBTCziZpFhaT23d0wOrFZiSXmvAMbQGMHiLaIb70nFjV7vCyZ5I3xIBTbHVtjYHRmM2G4WvjCwvEVq4OgBLjNv8N4-TmxbvsNON_ceqE4r0Fq2pXZtZowM071A_7eP/s640/for+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I went to the island of Sulawesi. The funky looking island in the center of the map.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I visited an area called Toraja (where the yellow marker is on that island). </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Famous for its cultural/religious practices in regards to the dead, National Geographic has filled there and it is one of those "must-see" places in Indonesia. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Luckily, I spent my week off the tourist trail. It ended being an incredible experience of community unparalleled as I just lived alongside the people of Toraja.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You know, I was going to write about the communal ways people life in Java (my part of Indonesia) and then I was told in Toraja that, "you have not seen anything yet!" In fact I was told that in Java people are individualistic. Not sure what that makes Westerners then... <br /><br />I experienced spectacular communal ways of living. People's entire lives are directed to help each other. The funeral event is the climax of family loyalty, community care and mutual loving. It's hard to describe what it looks like and how it influences me. That's why I mostly just sat still and in awe the entire week.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here is a go at words and pictures...</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCFhcZo4tP3kMTW7iRhHW7S0PmKnCaSZ8wztNWKPbdnvUTl9Vzi8h1lYZRKwEqYEsmK1rLzG-nhO8I2A-a2d4REGn1lFh48i_VPoz7TdJM6ssGCj_hmFDpqcDK0In1yFQ7JhcHscQ_CcKW/s1600/P6300313_1096x822.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCFhcZo4tP3kMTW7iRhHW7S0PmKnCaSZ8wztNWKPbdnvUTl9Vzi8h1lYZRKwEqYEsmK1rLzG-nhO8I2A-a2d4REGn1lFh48i_VPoz7TdJM6ssGCj_hmFDpqcDK0In1yFQ7JhcHscQ_CcKW/s640/P6300313_1096x822.shkl.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">This was my front yard for a week. Traditional homes and traditional rice storage buildings with the massive roofs and intricate wood carving loomed above all of life. <br /> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsWqEgxrQZXk2qV09siAsAQPhgtqbbsMHEObvbdQnWoKTBNQtiLkRO0r5A0r9CIryzHUp2pWPgBIidOZ2TTGO5S1yVsFqfeGE5TgVTfeaxLs45qRpUH65a6Pw1KvgEG1ejQuOhJggN0Jmy/s1600/P6240014_1072x804.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsWqEgxrQZXk2qV09siAsAQPhgtqbbsMHEObvbdQnWoKTBNQtiLkRO0r5A0r9CIryzHUp2pWPgBIidOZ2TTGO5S1yVsFqfeGE5TgVTfeaxLs45qRpUH65a6Pw1KvgEG1ejQuOhJggN0Jmy/s640/P6240014_1072x804.shkl.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">See my eyes...that's me and the buffalo communicating. This beast stayed in good terms with me. The next day, as I walked towards one on a road, communication deteriorated so badly and quickly with a buffalo that I leaped into the ditch escaping imminent impaling from a delinquent buffalo. <br />Try to picture it, it will be worth it. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDSGNbtP51kZnHfJAhLfNjjHjt_D34E5xHs0gSkzXLFSnps8kjZF4VP0q_rXdp5w16YuKSmMYvg_3QBoY7KdzCFeVZHd4lrkn-ctodVYStBnZpIYEDCSVi2e4X-buv9kt9LKgczng0y3NJ/s1600/P6240035_1072x804.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDSGNbtP51kZnHfJAhLfNjjHjt_D34E5xHs0gSkzXLFSnps8kjZF4VP0q_rXdp5w16YuKSmMYvg_3QBoY7KdzCFeVZHd4lrkn-ctodVYStBnZpIYEDCSVi2e4X-buv9kt9LKgczng0y3NJ/s640/P6240035_1072x804.shkl.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">With almost fairy-tale quality, I strolled through the hills. And over every hill was a church and not a single mosque. The people here are uniformly Christian, but historically animist. The fields of rice, next to traditional homes and storing rooms with roads winding up and down valleys were lovingly shared by the Torajan people. <br /><br />So loving were they, with such emphasis on inclusion that I was accepted as a family member after the 3rd day. They told me to tell my mom/dad at home that I have family in Sulawesi. Amazing! </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEqp6LGI0aWNLpVfJ790Q6Z2_fi1aTV4fgY8wai7RmhbUEaBqPC_GjXfWRNFJHmDHVMS7yHv23kj5i_zt1EUOPaNpEqmnb5ZwTFHxyfu-LzJjAVDcvaD4tbsfOGv1WKb5FZPtWMNUFgzx8/s1600/P6260130_801x1068.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEqp6LGI0aWNLpVfJ790Q6Z2_fi1aTV4fgY8wai7RmhbUEaBqPC_GjXfWRNFJHmDHVMS7yHv23kj5i_zt1EUOPaNpEqmnb5ZwTFHxyfu-LzJjAVDcvaD4tbsfOGv1WKb5FZPtWMNUFgzx8/s640/P6260130_801x1068.shkl.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Stacked up on the traditional homes are buffalo horns. The more you have, the wealthier. The bigger they are, the wealthier you are. This collection would be the result of one funeral event. Yes, they killed 28 buffalo at one funeral for one person. These are mounted on a home that is loyally passed on to each generation. In the past, the more buffalo meant better chances going to heaven, since they met Jesus, that has changed. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc8HksPP_UXm8lzb7JTlu7yfkjh7yKUPbm5iUCmRqynDTy4RnbeJvKK1hGj1zwRu8c1DJpS4qMVS3JVPBULMl52ye6sEbcqgzPHFbMWQ9jAPdAucKCEpChyCGziYzCjsOHQZLVi9CVb2VK/s1600/P6270161_822x1096.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc8HksPP_UXm8lzb7JTlu7yfkjh7yKUPbm5iUCmRqynDTy4RnbeJvKK1hGj1zwRu8c1DJpS4qMVS3JVPBULMl52ye6sEbcqgzPHFbMWQ9jAPdAucKCEpChyCGziYzCjsOHQZLVi9CVb2VK/s640/P6270161_822x1096.shkl.JPG" width="478" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">For the funeral event that I attended, over 20 buffalo were slaughtered 'center stage' with everyone from 3 years old to 93 years old watching keenly. An all black buffalo costs about $3000 and a white faced one about $9000. Then put those numbers into Indonesian buying power and its even more ridiculous to the foreign onlooker. An good income for a rice farmer, like many people living in Toraja, is $100-150 a month. <br />Think about that. People lives, their work, money and time, are completely orientated and dedicated to those whom have passed away. Wild!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKzzeqx1lKa2YKiIn7grYgcrg8Bq34-y2BAuzISkSXbWedO_PrZUGbtzdvZ_yt1mU49kMWCNtcQnVvajSygA66gwhATLGfoz5v5hpeVAoN4VW7QGO7m7tbLeEGt5TPj3OTQLjZzkr3W3s-/s1600/P6270178_885x1180.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKzzeqx1lKa2YKiIn7grYgcrg8Bq34-y2BAuzISkSXbWedO_PrZUGbtzdvZ_yt1mU49kMWCNtcQnVvajSygA66gwhATLGfoz5v5hpeVAoN4VW7QGO7m7tbLeEGt5TPj3OTQLjZzkr3W3s-/s640/P6270178_885x1180.shkl.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I became gravely concerned when I realized that the only body part not being cooked in the buffalo meat stew was the horns. Here you can see the bowels are being emptied into the wheel barrow, then given a nice rinse and then cooked up. The 30-odd pigs killed for the event also were dissected and prepared in a similar way. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCKyGbRPRarXPQfBCkbak6xcQQPC1gJpwjsVuxo4oOX9MwgUlLOwA4qM10HnSHcVsnNciut59sexzE9wX-0RrjsXo_v1xTMdXYl4D-JPzU1_TOXqnfxLQDna6SlX_lCC3FxdEjuqe2ew2I/s1600/P6300294_1104x828.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCKyGbRPRarXPQfBCkbak6xcQQPC1gJpwjsVuxo4oOX9MwgUlLOwA4qM10HnSHcVsnNciut59sexzE9wX-0RrjsXo_v1xTMdXYl4D-JPzU1_TOXqnfxLQDna6SlX_lCC3FxdEjuqe2ew2I/s640/P6300294_1104x828.shkl.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Among the pools of buffalo blood and screeching pigs, I led many a procession of 300 + guests to the buffalo/pig meat feast. The funeral was for a women who passed away 4 years ago. They wait so that all preparations can be made, while the cloth coffin has been waiting in the attic of a home for the entire time. Dressed up in Torajan fashion, I walked a snail's pace solemnly. It was an incredible privilege to have such a central role in pinnacle event of the week long funeral activities. A Canadian tourist snapping photos asked me, "so, you got married into the family here?" Nope, but got adopted into the family after 3 days. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7lctbK8i14LL3cdOExtIN96qSqE1cjWYjOx50yqUB_Ftgus1kNot1OiDFiwh6leMhN6n5tdeehrfWzKLz8bnWkZwIw__v0n37vsZTLJisdiabRuV5TTg8r7FTVwvoX5JeTW4HCnRwFcBR/s1600/P6290234_927x1236.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7lctbK8i14LL3cdOExtIN96qSqE1cjWYjOx50yqUB_Ftgus1kNot1OiDFiwh6leMhN6n5tdeehrfWzKLz8bnWkZwIw__v0n37vsZTLJisdiabRuV5TTg8r7FTVwvoX5JeTW4HCnRwFcBR/s640/P6290234_927x1236.shkl.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="478" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I was blessed by not being a tourist. By living with the community, I understood there hearts and lives intimately. I would just sit in the river bank watching people wash their buffalo faithfully every day. We would watched when the buffalos were slaughtered. We would sit next to their buffalo and watch them eat. We all got some buffalo meat to take home that attended the event. This will may sound funny, but the way that the people lived with the buffalo was quite spiritual. Anything you spend so much time and money one ends up being very spiritual. Just like shopping, due to the time and money put into it, can be very spiritual. Just that they are putting all their time and money into a great act of love for each other and the one whom has passed away. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHu1eLstpwCccJ0Kla7y5npIp4J17T2PVVwHtUjkMyXrCwXCpCzVfNqPxVhMRhr-bcui3Vlhn5QACfHQT-6eMdg0J3lyqaTFQO_1NwUFayM5XcgSn9LhsB55Vwn8d7lMcJrUvQX-C0Ho91/s1600/P6280198_1088x816.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHu1eLstpwCccJ0Kla7y5npIp4J17T2PVVwHtUjkMyXrCwXCpCzVfNqPxVhMRhr-bcui3Vlhn5QACfHQT-6eMdg0J3lyqaTFQO_1NwUFayM5XcgSn9LhsB55Vwn8d7lMcJrUvQX-C0Ho91/s640/P6280198_1088x816.shkl.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Buffalo fighting was another traditional funeral activity in a week full of rich tradition. And where would that happen? Right in the rice paddy.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitjXVbbmwNCdiZbXjyniXkT7-Efuw33sJqHgcZOX-Vh7solt7bB9MzmAe0hpr6UsKCxJ_FyyitIL7_ySw42mQv3sJaFJy9OxMSAmpUYKSsFC6WiZN6xplK9Z58S-y5j3Pa5-JI1mZR8QQH/s1600/P6300326_1164x873.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitjXVbbmwNCdiZbXjyniXkT7-Efuw33sJqHgcZOX-Vh7solt7bB9MzmAe0hpr6UsKCxJ_FyyitIL7_ySw42mQv3sJaFJy9OxMSAmpUYKSsFC6WiZN6xplK9Z58S-y5j3Pa5-JI1mZR8QQH/s640/P6300326_1164x873.shkl.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I don't want to brag at all, but ummm......I got a raw half of a pigs head as a good bye gift.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhscmIuTUionGurWHaGG704rFqUI2UVM-sDTDTGHkM43J0O_Dj3sYyNmXZUPV62vV02dIqp_4t4grAoxUWykQbxyr5dyduI_n0cW2WEp76RRaeF1fYZSnXvX85iW2BJTZu9sa3LuBw1zXNH/s1600/P6300242_864x1152.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhscmIuTUionGurWHaGG704rFqUI2UVM-sDTDTGHkM43J0O_Dj3sYyNmXZUPV62vV02dIqp_4t4grAoxUWykQbxyr5dyduI_n0cW2WEp76RRaeF1fYZSnXvX85iW2BJTZu9sa3LuBw1zXNH/s640/P6300242_864x1152.shkl.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Beautiful Torajan fashion!</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpu1133BVN3v-KGFpuKUC5N0aE__22A-ife38homKkq7dhHI6N4B21YmIScXVdz8PBDLu6QBd2j7-qRw-VAvg55ui8N0JRPM3WJipPCE82OI7Yqf3Q2dbBDRDaE0EsGiS-z5l7nhNmjseH/s1600/P6290240_988x741.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpu1133BVN3v-KGFpuKUC5N0aE__22A-ife38homKkq7dhHI6N4B21YmIScXVdz8PBDLu6QBd2j7-qRw-VAvg55ui8N0JRPM3WJipPCE82OI7Yqf3Q2dbBDRDaE0EsGiS-z5l7nhNmjseH/s640/P6290240_988x741.shkl.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Dear mom. Every rule you told me growing up about how to eat, I know break every day. Some may say its uncivil, but I prefer to say its fun. I eat like a cave-man, but (still!) without a beard. When I am back home, excuse when I eat noodles and rice with my fingers or when I prefer to chew things off of large bones. Love, Jason. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So when you come up to me and ask, "hey, so what's Indonesian culture like?" </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And then I pause and think for a bit. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The above experience is one reason why.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Indonesia is huge and diverse!</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just look at the map at the top. The five major islands of Indonesia dominate the screen. I have now been to three of the big 5. And those are only 5 of the more than 17,000 islands in Indonesia covering 5,300 km west to east. 6000 of those islands have people on them that come from over 300 ethic groups and speak over 700 languages. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For the above pictures, just remember I didn't live there for the year and that this is one ethnic group speaking speaking one language in one mountain range within the mosaic that is Indonesia. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And for all the rest of the pictures from the past months, nearly all are from one part of one island native to a few languages and ethnicity. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anyone want to come back to Indonesia with me to see the rest of the 17,000 islands? </span></div>
Unknownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00731442910056344347noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065044569077750638.post-7799829401964513392012-06-22T03:32:00.003-07:002012-06-22T03:38:18.290-07:00Ordinary, Extraordinary.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A magnificent land. A beautiful people. And someone who finds great joy in both of those. From the usual to the peculiar, the mundane to the spectacular, its been mine to enjoy these past months. And still for a few weeks. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Besides some work and vacation related travels, I have kept up relationship building with a wide variety of people. When not visiting people, I have been going to the regular church events. When not doing that, I have been working on 3 final projects. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>1. </b>Writing a 15-page report on the diaconal work of the church and my recommendations for it. I will present this to the elders and the pastors soon.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>2.</b> Preparing for a 1 hour session on Creation Care at a youth retreat.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>3</b>. Preparing a inspirational and reflective message for the final youth/young adults night.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigV-mD1QfPOuFTGHOUDViEHQk2Ubpbpi-dXr0XNuuVZTAZNCmiLIxXZNvHyZqWiGSHKT50b81q9OcuJzdMphoKkoPWxhhtcaGdczC8uOUQsNRPKgAnYYKmhRL2YhRVA-JyoybdHUjAJdKd/s1600/P6120334_864x1152.shkl_864x1152.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigV-mD1QfPOuFTGHOUDViEHQk2Ubpbpi-dXr0XNuuVZTAZNCmiLIxXZNvHyZqWiGSHKT50b81q9OcuJzdMphoKkoPWxhhtcaGdczC8uOUQsNRPKgAnYYKmhRL2YhRVA-JyoybdHUjAJdKd/s640/P6120334_864x1152.shkl_864x1152.shkl.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I got out to some tropical islands to take some deep breaths of clean air.....you forget what that is like over here. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnF7BiQ6HQGZ7-MDS7xel1h6ikWVXGF1VxO-qzFFV93YL4GSeQCAAjM3yaYGM1Ll2kcLz5GpQqiL9yP6FhJdJgdC0fqlZpw-kMzWmip3vdnG1exDfO9EvD_-5eq9cZxxNzzyhBsxsIidxH/s1600/P6120340_1184x888.shkl_1044x783.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnF7BiQ6HQGZ7-MDS7xel1h6ikWVXGF1VxO-qzFFV93YL4GSeQCAAjM3yaYGM1Ll2kcLz5GpQqiL9yP6FhJdJgdC0fqlZpw-kMzWmip3vdnG1exDfO9EvD_-5eq9cZxxNzzyhBsxsIidxH/s640/P6120340_1184x888.shkl_1044x783.shkl.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">2 men going home after a day at sea...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO82e-D-GA6LsPEXt1Mr6FisNscy9wF-9fwHtDskHqVWDdgzlRKa2GwIuvvApbjCv1O5yjmxyMseuRemKUatZ4kPs3IBTcluLwO6y_TMOyxGBmqLtuCWUyrBCpIyKNoMMVE41TjvmmlV5M/s1600/DSC_0495_1011x674.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO82e-D-GA6LsPEXt1Mr6FisNscy9wF-9fwHtDskHqVWDdgzlRKa2GwIuvvApbjCv1O5yjmxyMseuRemKUatZ4kPs3IBTcluLwO6y_TMOyxGBmqLtuCWUyrBCpIyKNoMMVE41TjvmmlV5M/s640/DSC_0495_1011x674.shkl.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">There is a few perks to being on a pastoral team. One of them was a rafting trip. Pastors here are a lot less formal and mellow, and a lot more of teasing and just general craziness.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZklMl8dk70R8zY_NLtGKV6Cx32hgTvRZEFoTZZRj3Yb1B51OLAOWawB5ynp-gfBU4ErU82FnxEtiwvqLaNkEl719bMIo12UDM7tdMWu8rJ-RBKK8wmcoMIYPH6NP4WlIFx9wnKBnl11OH/s1600/P4290034_936x702.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZklMl8dk70R8zY_NLtGKV6Cx32hgTvRZEFoTZZRj3Yb1B51OLAOWawB5ynp-gfBU4ErU82FnxEtiwvqLaNkEl719bMIo12UDM7tdMWu8rJ-RBKK8wmcoMIYPH6NP4WlIFx9wnKBnl11OH/s640/P4290034_936x702.shkl.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Ah, one of the most active volcanoes on earth and it was all mine for a day. Well, along with about 120 other photo demanding Indonesians. By the end of this adventure to the craters rim and down its sandy banks, nearly every Indonesian on this mountain got a souvenir with me in it. My souvenir from this trip was a wicked sun burn that was a great conversation starter for about 2 weeks afterwards as it obnoxiously peeled away.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYV3v8yXrRDHA1UyoZm90WwQCeiJhZhG8zPP7usPCAhUvahh5Ph-SWUfzh6VTebzPvL1eECP6RQQfGISlKlWmy4ePLMP1UM_CAuj6lxQBc7GDcU1biBgqwi0lYYL_OhuD9VIZWVCvYQ-dj/s1600/P6110202_1080x810.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYV3v8yXrRDHA1UyoZm90WwQCeiJhZhG8zPP7usPCAhUvahh5Ph-SWUfzh6VTebzPvL1eECP6RQQfGISlKlWmy4ePLMP1UM_CAuj6lxQBc7GDcU1biBgqwi0lYYL_OhuD9VIZWVCvYQ-dj/s640/P6110202_1080x810.shkl.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">In grade 10, my dream job was marine biologist. I dreamed that without peering into the ocean's wonder, now that I have been stunned by under water beauty.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJC6_WeVvCacYbXfNfCp0b7GFlnjs_Y7zfg57sdE36NUte_GiEu2ONM3-XboOx3tUNpTWGkDw776mdS0PTDholgWlOp_DvqXMKyuqk6x4mgYj1OSj1jBhUj6wvAh-xVmvc35077v5ddCyw/s1600/IMG_6144_1156x867.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJC6_WeVvCacYbXfNfCp0b7GFlnjs_Y7zfg57sdE36NUte_GiEu2ONM3-XboOx3tUNpTWGkDw776mdS0PTDholgWlOp_DvqXMKyuqk6x4mgYj1OSj1jBhUj6wvAh-xVmvc35077v5ddCyw/s640/IMG_6144_1156x867.shkl.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I found Nemo. (photo thanks to the snorkel camera man)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHxSL4EB3sSpo8tUPUzIVCGcFg6jlhH81wBE80DOoWjENF1pPufXVBiPpqz45lmX4A7NToblz0j9qZn6DFGumrxprzHSoAzTPMhRsM__rf0iEVf-wFXKvA0XAJRljWUD4K5hPt-gIriZAN/s1600/P6020110_927x1236.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHxSL4EB3sSpo8tUPUzIVCGcFg6jlhH81wBE80DOoWjENF1pPufXVBiPpqz45lmX4A7NToblz0j9qZn6DFGumrxprzHSoAzTPMhRsM__rf0iEVf-wFXKvA0XAJRljWUD4K5hPt-gIriZAN/s640/P6020110_927x1236.shkl.JPG" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">3 men practicing the fine Javanese art of sitting and people watching. Possible talking to one another, but mostly likely just silence and a few smokes. This fine art is not my finest art. Smoking being one obstacle. And secondly, the silence part....just not a strong suit. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHBSe7B5RFJHwSb4Gi8GPr2Vsx4KW3FCixDrwKljEmukS8_SGEwpxu3Ffp1zHUangaoJLMyloDzLwDp6lNF9pE_K3ijm2u0Pqpo3lTuPmTXrX-TMMbPjdaBaJVX9YkI2inAMHveVe4bnNr/s1600/P6020111_885x1180.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHBSe7B5RFJHwSb4Gi8GPr2Vsx4KW3FCixDrwKljEmukS8_SGEwpxu3Ffp1zHUangaoJLMyloDzLwDp6lNF9pE_K3ijm2u0Pqpo3lTuPmTXrX-TMMbPjdaBaJVX9YkI2inAMHveVe4bnNr/s640/P6020111_885x1180.shkl.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A traditional Javanese home. Inside, the majority of the space is a big gathering and work area with small rooms for sleeping in the corners and then the kitchen and the bathroom at the very back out of sight to any visitor. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglC5AoKZzmHLp4f326_4I4Y_Z-4ieowFFRqzb2OUzF1haGVCRrpJjvsW6O5PccqJ04Y52MhApzSsgeU_EQXTMe4Jm2-lRfHZ_HMItUwHPOYdhXG6K-aYKAAW_rjIEP3QVLW9Ea3ScFy5l8/s1600/P6020114_759x1012.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglC5AoKZzmHLp4f326_4I4Y_Z-4ieowFFRqzb2OUzF1haGVCRrpJjvsW6O5PccqJ04Y52MhApzSsgeU_EQXTMe4Jm2-lRfHZ_HMItUwHPOYdhXG6K-aYKAAW_rjIEP3QVLW9Ea3ScFy5l8/s640/P6020114_759x1012.shkl.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Here is another crop that those who farm or process it never eat--Cashews. They were grown in small eastern Indonesian islands, trucked for one week up into the mountains of Java, peeled and then trucked another day to Jakarta where they are then exported. I joined in on the cashew peeling and I can tell you, the amount of time each cashew takes to peel is one reason you pay more when you buy them in the store. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2odkHjwljQf_AKDmDrOg3rrg3HIx5XfE6-w4H2mMazZAoYFLo-Dn_syEpZQnE13le_yo6skMLspvVXLjmwr0MZQCyJpZAm5zw1C3t5yhIZb0cu5ilOgdL-Np-xIBU8VLrLB0UXpPnwiqu/s1600/P6030127_960x720.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2odkHjwljQf_AKDmDrOg3rrg3HIx5XfE6-w4H2mMazZAoYFLo-Dn_syEpZQnE13le_yo6skMLspvVXLjmwr0MZQCyJpZAm5zw1C3t5yhIZb0cu5ilOgdL-Np-xIBU8VLrLB0UXpPnwiqu/s640/P6030127_960x720.shkl.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Every Politics-Economics major's dream was realized when I bumped into this. What would that be? A IMF(International Monetary Fund)-World Bank project. Of course, I had a litany of questions to ask about this. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-qSK-JaA9fC93uheIrALQzD9ZFSUYWUspl4CGPYWuuOofsuKbBMbPmMoFykvus4nFYdNsvip0dsl2q8RZL5eoBJnDxrEVNv8-WtaJxLrVyOecV_1otScUHLYGMvg4D8F8NIN94imm-9bm/s1600/P6190408_1016x762.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-qSK-JaA9fC93uheIrALQzD9ZFSUYWUspl4CGPYWuuOofsuKbBMbPmMoFykvus4nFYdNsvip0dsl2q8RZL5eoBJnDxrEVNv8-WtaJxLrVyOecV_1otScUHLYGMvg4D8F8NIN94imm-9bm/s640/P6190408_1016x762.shkl.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Not all Indonesian pools look like this, but the one closest to my home does. <br />A few house rules: 1. Chickens have the right to roam anywhere--including poolside. <br />2. Have garbage? No problem, that is what pool side gutters are for. <br />3. Don't try to make out the unidentifiable objects in the pool. It will wreck your experience. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS28_2XNUwKjdl3AqYtwTw5foyRvsioR4IazI7x8DrkRIJwVYcDWvYLGKhj-notXnlTAeAlXrJlTbltHAZ2I4gIwIJeac6z_npsszUdfQgDNU7fmqKHKohQs7Z9c1xTdgSt2sfbRIQ_Q8M/s1600/P6190469_1004x753.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS28_2XNUwKjdl3AqYtwTw5foyRvsioR4IazI7x8DrkRIJwVYcDWvYLGKhj-notXnlTAeAlXrJlTbltHAZ2I4gIwIJeac6z_npsszUdfQgDNU7fmqKHKohQs7Z9c1xTdgSt2sfbRIQ_Q8M/s640/P6190469_1004x753.shkl.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Just look at the sheer density of homes. Then imagine biking between that all. And then hearing that mosque belt out the call to prayer. I'll miss that! </span> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Unknownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00731442910056344347noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065044569077750638.post-41728187473299701412012-05-31T08:27:00.003-07:002012-05-31T08:27:41.619-07:00Sumatra<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Question: </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Where is the only place on earth where elephants, tigers, rhinos and orangutans live together still? </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Answer: </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sumatra. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As advertised on my previous post, I went to Sumatra. I hoped to see one of the four above beasts before all the trees are cut down and the animals vanish--a feat that Indonesia (or foreign companies?!) are doing quite well these days. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Seriously, I had had other motives for going. You'll find out..... </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguNfALvlUOFM7ealZxG5boLBfuNjk82B5hZ0Jq7JOp35L2_OKP3eEaiOeOub-jr1mLWrfLLy8qZSStKpgNkPfxib_e-scVnprBoa2a1Kc1d7Y3dnI8i_PBDMlmEnlAltEmE5Oz9P4AmXXx/s1600/mission+trip+good+version.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguNfALvlUOFM7ealZxG5boLBfuNjk82B5hZ0Jq7JOp35L2_OKP3eEaiOeOub-jr1mLWrfLLy8qZSStKpgNkPfxib_e-scVnprBoa2a1Kc1d7Y3dnI8i_PBDMlmEnlAltEmE5Oz9P4AmXXx/s640/mission+trip+good+version.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">First, a map for those directionally challenged. The green marker is where I call "home" here in Indonesia, on the island of Java. The red marker is where I went in Sumatra. Between the two markers is 800 km of road and ferry crossing. Which should mean about 8 hours of driving, right? Wrong! Try 28 hours of driving, including some of the better road of Indonesia--in a bus. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDwuRUln51yz5RkCMwzMcxedoHZcqT-evRK0U5SQB9WlirM9w92017NO-8rh6N6H8vlAi944E7Vn4NM5DfuMF6p4yVUzWiG3lEsGTSAsqK3I7ckaDouaABx59HVkoPtYp_V2L1uNdMs0yN/s1600/P5250031_1044x783.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDwuRUln51yz5RkCMwzMcxedoHZcqT-evRK0U5SQB9WlirM9w92017NO-8rh6N6H8vlAi944E7Vn4NM5DfuMF6p4yVUzWiG3lEsGTSAsqK3I7ckaDouaABx59HVkoPtYp_V2L1uNdMs0yN/s640/P5250031_1044x783.shkl.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Eventually, the bus ended up in a chocolate (cocoa) forest. And in that chocolate forest was a church. We, which is a group of 25 people from my church denomination, went to visit churches in Sumatra, encourage them and help with medical care.</span> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFT8BUKhyTn4aTiKYzpeSxA9guITNOgJ8qZhu-G9ZhhP0VbXuFg0RXZflXReyhi1dNkACAdMJbP48M-SThBvqALiRcecK-zOKviuRbZFVzg9tDq67X8s94sTkgujKxDVWvP9BRMVJELOta/s1600/P5270130_1100x825.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFT8BUKhyTn4aTiKYzpeSxA9guITNOgJ8qZhu-G9ZhhP0VbXuFg0RXZflXReyhi1dNkACAdMJbP48M-SThBvqALiRcecK-zOKviuRbZFVzg9tDq67X8s94sTkgujKxDVWvP9BRMVJELOta/s640/P5270130_1100x825.shkl.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">We visited 3 villages and their churches. In Tto of the villages the way of life was chocolate farming. Inside the fruit on the trees are dozens of pits that are then dried out in the front of homes. Eventually, a powder/paste inside is fermented and, tada--cocoa powder.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG4yZbzf08WBZNi-xgR4XajdN_pFxZDicK2KBbFheo-5fn7B1O2x22WrK3Pcq4EBUWiS_bwcPjpUIwYQ279KpTpdMFHEbZYaPYq0wmxku90ZQtQilZv_ZrYXg0FQIbIi-14nS_eACw0uZ7/s1600/P5250060_1072x804.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG4yZbzf08WBZNi-xgR4XajdN_pFxZDicK2KBbFheo-5fn7B1O2x22WrK3Pcq4EBUWiS_bwcPjpUIwYQ279KpTpdMFHEbZYaPYq0wmxku90ZQtQilZv_ZrYXg0FQIbIi-14nS_eACw0uZ7/s640/P5250060_1072x804.shkl.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Mayang and Gabe, two beautiful rambunctious girls. </span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmIW2vqUvD6JBZTolKHdcm9mjV195PwbsanGH-hLHfzQF4o0nxOwAki2xtch1xJbSA6Rg-1ZozJ1AuqT3Kk74Xx43ol1FMIyRTDNy7QSAxeurnoGKtcx62NQYKYs_BOSpZblnokH78FLDQ/s1600/P5250072_1044x783.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmIW2vqUvD6JBZTolKHdcm9mjV195PwbsanGH-hLHfzQF4o0nxOwAki2xtch1xJbSA6Rg-1ZozJ1AuqT3Kk74Xx43ol1FMIyRTDNy7QSAxeurnoGKtcx62NQYKYs_BOSpZblnokH78FLDQ/s640/P5250072_1044x783.shkl.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Yes, what you think is happening actually is. I am giving instructions in Indonesian on how to use a syrup for the child. Over 200 people came through our team and received medicine. The teeth were wrecked in most people along with many children being itchy. Those were symptoms of bad water in all three villages. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLIKYwlsltew78xJK1ZL_BC22sNbDIQkBSYJsBrkW0Msq9wBCldODBuqUrvRM188yHu7E7SOeAeDdFItgcgvM2W1Lrhsw49JjAAwdpQDr_3Xw4_VgOFJKM-K-FhZqQwblomn99X1XuC0v6/s1600/P5260095_1016x762.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLIKYwlsltew78xJK1ZL_BC22sNbDIQkBSYJsBrkW0Msq9wBCldODBuqUrvRM188yHu7E7SOeAeDdFItgcgvM2W1Lrhsw49JjAAwdpQDr_3Xw4_VgOFJKM-K-FhZqQwblomn99X1XuC0v6/s640/P5260095_1016x762.shkl.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">These were women that we met and I took some time to sit down and chat. The women to my right is pregnant and in predictable fashion she asked me to touch her pregnant stomach. I declined. But the reason she asked is because of a Javanese superstition that believes that doing that will influence the looks of the child. And of all the possible physical attributes I could offer someone, what do Indonesians chose? My nose. My long pronounced nose. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPCaPzO0mTVQYuTxHWPgacStlft8-z2Y__8jCuuqeWjI3rdGgMkdYYtlxzkLId6wPEHi6OlyEyeFmxNeQ4Tq_uvIu5YS1hxp5CgP6g9vTKjL02T-6SZp8Swb8e4kHsFylosYSuQLaw5vJj/s1600/P5260113_1184x888.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPCaPzO0mTVQYuTxHWPgacStlft8-z2Y__8jCuuqeWjI3rdGgMkdYYtlxzkLId6wPEHi6OlyEyeFmxNeQ4Tq_uvIu5YS1hxp5CgP6g9vTKjL02T-6SZp8Swb8e4kHsFylosYSuQLaw5vJj/s640/P5260113_1184x888.shkl.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the course of my wandering around the village. I bumped into a great little shop that would be the dream location for anyone desiring this trifecta of things. Playing some FIFA video games (back), buying some smokes (front counter) and swapping for a new motor bike (right). </span> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn6BzYlVFhrdDvDWzDYRomh6g6eAqNYZjlA5bhDgdRuqfJ7bvH4681gx37kdDTc-TO-XqcYZfWX5TNDbUyAEOecoRV-4v1M4YJTpN3b4WkE51sEWpZVLBvNIJ1AtT9kDVObSRwebYLcxKx/s1600/P5250035_1100x825.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn6BzYlVFhrdDvDWzDYRomh6g6eAqNYZjlA5bhDgdRuqfJ7bvH4681gx37kdDTc-TO-XqcYZfWX5TNDbUyAEOecoRV-4v1M4YJTpN3b4WkE51sEWpZVLBvNIJ1AtT9kDVObSRwebYLcxKx/s640/P5250035_1100x825.shkl.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Morning fog among the palms and rice paddies. I find the agriculture situation in Indonesia, probably like many places on earth, quite confusing and frustrating. Those whom farm, weather rice, chocolate or corn, seem stuck in material poverty. When I say that I mean, for example, the it is rare that farming families have the ability to pay for schooling for their children through elementary to high-school. And when children get a high school education they flee to the big cities. It is very clear that I eat off the 'back's' of the poor. The political scientist in me, smells something unjust with political-economic policy. Frustrating, uncomfortable and unjust. </span> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqkhP27CYx5ZKlIfGTMyRzLi3fkvq7bHSnlhESMNn5sxRef-FVOcXmF4qC9EGIG0y4bJnehYflWmihGx9obI_Yj4kVRRUKyGK60z5stqYoNYjm6SYZXPyXp82vLbwW1YwOSv3KX91Wkr2x/s1600/P5250048_1072x804.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqkhP27CYx5ZKlIfGTMyRzLi3fkvq7bHSnlhESMNn5sxRef-FVOcXmF4qC9EGIG0y4bJnehYflWmihGx9obI_Yj4kVRRUKyGK60z5stqYoNYjm6SYZXPyXp82vLbwW1YwOSv3KX91Wkr2x/s640/P5250048_1072x804.shkl.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Despite asking a embarrassingly large amount of Indonesian's in Sumatra if they live close to elephants, I never saw one. Instead, my only find was a a praying mantis--and it was not even bright green, but brown. Lame.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I received news on the last day I have with my host family, community and church. It is July 12th. I leave for de-briefing in the USA on July 18th. I am back home in Canada on July 24th. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
But reading news that July 12th is the day I leave for Indonesian de-briefing gave me a real gut wrenching feeling. There is still much to do, enjoy and learn. Still much time to be, reflect and change. At the same time, it will go by incredibly fast. For me, something I feel strongly mixed about. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
However, right now its like, "really, July 12th, does it have to be that soon?" </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Thank-you for continued encouragement, prayers and interest in my experience here. Hopefully will see many of you in 2-3 months from now! </div>
</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>Unknownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00731442910056344347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065044569077750638.post-37484699693707946162012-05-23T02:05:00.001-07:002012-05-23T02:08:29.097-07:00Lovely Little Things<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A Love List:</span></div>
<div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. A periodic herd of goats that roams the front of the house. </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. The sheer density of living here. It is an endless maze of small paths and streets between homes where I can bike and walk through with endless curiosity. </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. Walking down the street and a pedi-cab driver I may have met once, if ever, yells out my name.</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4. Little kids will, like all Indonesians, shake your hand when you met and when you depart. For little kids, they bring your hand to their lips and give it a little kiss. I'm not the kind of person to say this, but that most be one of the cutest things.</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5. Teaching kids to play kick the can in a dense maze like village. Hands down, I had more fun then the kids. </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6. The conversations I have at stop lights on my bike. Sometimes people know my name and things about my life like where I am usually going, and I have no idea who they are. </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">7. Sometimes things here can look a lot like home...for example a mall or KFC. However, driving one night and seeing people doing construction by candle light made me realize things are still a lot different.</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">8. Seeing 3 guys on the top of 25 ft high scaffolding rolling down a busy road. </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">9. My habitual task of buying juice sirsat (soursop in English). All I do is show up at the juice stand and say the amount of juice I want, they already know the type. The going rate is 25 cents for a big glass of bliss.</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">10. Just a warning my sense of socially acceptable space between myself and you when I get back is going to be awful. If there is a line of people, you have some body part in contact with the person in front and behind you. Nearly the same thing goes for traffic. </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">11. Within the first 5 questions, it is guaranteed that I will be asked by a stranger if I have a girlfriend and if I am looking for one here. </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">12. Cockroach killing time in the bathroom. Best time: 10-11pm. </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">13. Dropping words from the Javanese language (as opposed to Indonesian) in conversation to make instant friends.</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">14. Laughing. My supervising pastor has one of those contagious laughs. </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">15. Three favorite foods. </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rice/Tofu and Peanut Sauce </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rice/ Buffalo kebabs and Peanut Sauce </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rice/ Vegetables/Tofu/ and Peanut Sauce.</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Get the theme?</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">16. Having lots of friends here from families to elderly people, to kids, to pastors to youth. Then being able to text them and make a plan to meet, talk or play together.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">17. The beach is an hour from my home. </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghz6cq9pKNhAfzdmSbHNrnD0N36aOi88MQLQCMadBBqjYT3WoFR42tfO3-uEq2CElln4PPqaJpSTvP7Sln1YbTpKpp3B9zT9HbQWNv4r01_SCpeSrDERzglFTO3Ztx3CCYIesiNOGVfxKb/s1600/P5090015_927x1236.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghz6cq9pKNhAfzdmSbHNrnD0N36aOi88MQLQCMadBBqjYT3WoFR42tfO3-uEq2CElln4PPqaJpSTvP7Sln1YbTpKpp3B9zT9HbQWNv4r01_SCpeSrDERzglFTO3Ztx3CCYIesiNOGVfxKb/s400/P5090015_927x1236.shkl.JPG" width="297" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">18. I took the drivers seat of the pedi-cab and drove around a bunch a kids. No damages....at least physically. The kids possibly were damaged as they have declined every offer since the first pedi-cab adventure.</span> </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxccP0YFsNafe6HBVcSsZ2Daiopw_emwpqm5Pe89yn47PNq2yMPzqIFjHxiyYtCEVXqs_PYgjez-tSYC-NSgPfRD_r98dhSTHFEhjFMAKx9twJlvRSQWmgBE_b_usRtklXhYYzvxqEMsD_/s1600/P3310027_1156x867.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxccP0YFsNafe6HBVcSsZ2Daiopw_emwpqm5Pe89yn47PNq2yMPzqIFjHxiyYtCEVXqs_PYgjez-tSYC-NSgPfRD_r98dhSTHFEhjFMAKx9twJlvRSQWmgBE_b_usRtklXhYYzvxqEMsD_/s640/P3310027_1156x867.shkl.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> 19. I found a chameleon! And some kids taught me that the tail functions as a leash when you play with it. The game is: avoid it's sporadic lunges. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCK2PhZbBDGTlvzETJUoY2wGNBQ8w4KrwVHBCRiAzG6cBK2yBHnrCRNqqs5CLQ35TzcAmZl244Ylu3d9x3256rBqNnwtuxpnQI7QjHvAHi-EeLmVzWsn6jACZFsZMbcRqKkl4JjfPYi4fc/s1600/P5220009_1184x888.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCK2PhZbBDGTlvzETJUoY2wGNBQ8w4KrwVHBCRiAzG6cBK2yBHnrCRNqqs5CLQ35TzcAmZl244Ylu3d9x3256rBqNnwtuxpnQI7QjHvAHi-EeLmVzWsn6jACZFsZMbcRqKkl4JjfPYi4fc/s640/P5220009_1184x888.shkl.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">20. Going to the Indonesian island of.......Sumatra. Right now. Bye! </span>Unknownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00731442910056344347noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065044569077750638.post-74353131841416619462012-05-23T01:01:00.001-07:002012-05-23T01:01:33.433-07:00Introspection: Anger and Humility<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Six kids and me acting like one around a bowl with a fish and a mirror. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One thing that the kids would do was to put a mirror in front of the Beta fish.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Beta would become irritated, annoyed, frazzled and eventually angry.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> It is angry at what it perceives as another.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In some ways its so difficult to watch the Beta fish.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You wish to just tell it, “hey, that is you, stop being angry at the face thinking its another one. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Your angry at yourself."</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For the fish to realize this….it would be awkward, awakening and agonizing. Now hold onto this story. I will come back to it. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have had a hard time describing my experience with church and faith. Like I told my mom the other day, the key to read my blog is to “read” what is not written. You may have noticed a void. The void is the specifics about my actual church itself. It’s a rather complex and, at times, difficult topic that is more suited to a conversation over tea.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of the closest analogies I can come to about my experience with general life and church here is this. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For those of you who know the East Hastings area of Vancouver, this will be at lot easier. Basically, in downtown Vancouver you find posh, affluent life of the downtown. Then you can walk a couple blocks and enter a world of poverty, drugs, and prostitution. In a matter of blocks this happens. It’s a shocking, scary and alarming walk—a walk that you rather forget--but really it is rather unforgettable. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now imagine, having a church right in between the posh part and the destitute part of Vancouver. Say, a church in that block right before Hastings. And this church draws people from both parts of Vancouver--the rich and the poor. It has the very very richest people of Vancouver along with those whom are poorest. They all gather in the same place for singing, hearing God's Word and fellowship. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of the choices of the rich looks like this. You could come to church, do your thing, and leave or you could come to church and be changed and change both Hastings and your world. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The rich have made this church a massive building filled with the latest technology and finest furnishings.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Going to church here could be the most comfortable thing ever. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In this church, sitting next to the poor, against all assumptions that it would change the rich, shows little signs that it does. The poor are expected to be there, it just the way things are. Sure, some food and money is given to them. In fact, some people far away are paying lots to help the poor here. The poor mothers, stay poor, there is no way out for them. In short, helping the poor is nothing more than an expected task of the church—it is just protocol. Some people can not feed there kids well.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some people have no toilets.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some people can not send there kids to school.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But y</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ou can ignore this all, just show up in your SUV, hang out with your cliché, and then head home and live life behind your gated home or your strolling in the mall. It actually is very possible for you to not be change even if you share the same pew or street with those whom hope to met life's needs, but struggle greatly to do so. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is of course another reaction to attending a church like this--suspended between the rich and poor. The reaction is one of working towards empowering lives and seeing the call to bring justice as a central act of worship. There are glimpses of this in certain people and at certain times, but as for the church community as a whole, this course of action seems to be the path much less taken. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A then there is me. Being apart of </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">this church like I have this year, could also be something that—well, let’s see—wrecks and changes you. It inflicts damage on your faith. At times, you doubt the church. You are troubled by the people that fill it with disregard for empowering the poor and lack of intentional interactions with Muslims to know each other more deeply. You lose trust in passionate sermons preaching shalom when the actions that follow are faint. It looks to you like a race to the top of the economic ladder. A flight to capitalism and all that it can bring. It looks like a big jack-pot, some win and other lose—it’s the game. There is no real way out for the losers, the winners work hard and it some sense have earned it—the losers just need to follow course.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not a day goes by that I do not stare into this abyss between rich and poor and the abyss between God's Kingdom call and what happens. Staring into tears me apart. It’s ugly, lonely and damaging to the soul. When the church looks like this it makes me not want to be a pastor. Something is deeply not the way its supposed to be.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is an awful sight. It can feel devoid of a God of compassion and intimacy.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The church feels like an institution, concerned with money and power. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now remember that story about the kids, me and the Beta fish. Remember what the fish is actually angry at?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I think the part that hurts the most is how I have realized that the "face" that I get angry at, is actually me. It's actually myself. The names, attitudes, hearts, priorities, actions and words of those whom fill the church and make me want to leave it are, when it comes down do it, a lot like me. It's an awful and awesome discovery all at the same time. It's being angry and then realizing that the one you are angry at is actually your reflection. It's realizing that I am the Pharisee in in the Parable in Luke 18:9-14 who boasts and is angered by the tax collector, only to realize that the tax collector was a reflection of himself. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is one thing to go a place where all live relatively the same economically. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Live in the affluent part of your city, that makes faith easier. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Live in a place where poverty is ubiquitous, it will often make faith harder.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Live in a place where affluence and poverty tangle, it makes you angry, then introspective. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Like the Pharisee, I also find the path to humbly look introspectively at the "face" that is the end of pride and condemnation one of struggle and denial. Denial that at the end of my frustration is really myself. F</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">aith is humility. Faith then becomes anguish. I am moving past denial and trying to bear the cross of humility in terms of my experience in Indonesia. It is process. And it is slow. But Jesus has me convinced that it is worth it. </span></div>Unknownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00731442910056344347noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065044569077750638.post-53634934872050968162012-04-28T00:15:00.001-07:002012-04-28T00:17:40.925-07:00Missions as "one beggar telling another beggar..."<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>One beggar telling another beggar where to find food.</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have you ever thought of that as describing missions or evangelism or interfaith dialogue?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Probably not. I never did.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But now I do a little bit more.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here is why? </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Before coming to Indonesia, I had never meaningfully meet and conversed with a Muslim. How that has changed!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One such occasion was earlier this month when I had the honor of joining an interfaith dialogue. An interfaith dialogue is basically where 2 or more religious groups come and understand what makes each other "tick". <b>By understanding each so much happens. </b>Stereotypes end. Common ground is found. Friendships are formed. Action on poverty and peace is taken together.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This time around, dialoguing with a group of Muslims took a different direction. The place that this dialogue ended up is not the goal of dialogue, neither is it a common occurrence. But it can happen when the Spirit moves and <b>doors are opened</b>. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The group that I, along with some others, engaged with, was not your ordinary group of Muslims. They were ordinary Muslims in the sense that they were caring and warm people. But they were not ordinary in what they believed and in how they practiced it.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They described themselves as <b>"followers of Isa."</b> Isa is the Arabic word for Jesus. They no longer attend a mosque, nor do the Muslim daily prayers. Rather they gather on Friday night for worship. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They believe that Jesus as God and Savior. However, they do not know about the crucifixion and resurrection. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They only read the Koran and the Jesus they depict is entirely from the Koran. They have not read the Bible, but claim that the Jesus of the Bible and the Koran are the same--so there is no need to read the Bible. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Why are they doing this?</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. Most likely they would become followers of the Biblical Jesus and go to church if it was not for the alienation that they would experience from their community if they did this. There is a huge gap between a mosque/muslim culture and the church. There needs to be a gap in belief and some practice, but the gap between the is often unnecessarily large. I really do not blame them for not wanting to join church in Indonesia, its forms of worship are just so different than a Muslim's forms of worship. <b>The Gospel is concerned about content and meaning, not the forms of worship.</b> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. Every person, culture and religion have some of Light's shining in them, none of them are complete darkness. <b> </b></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God's Light shines everywhere on earth, nothing is left untouched by it.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is the same for the Koran. I have learned so much from Muslims about this, especially this group I meet with recently. There is so much to talk about with Muslims because there is so much in common with Christians.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Take this for example, Muslims and Christians share the Torah. Both Muslims and Christians therefore agree on two central things: "Love God" and "love your neighbor." A few years ago over 100 muslims leaders wrote this to you and me.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They wrote this to us "<span class="Apple-style-span">rather than engaging in polemic, the signatories [ global muslim leaders] have adopted the traditional and mainstream Islamic position of respecting the Christian scripture and <b>calling Christians to be more, not less, faithful to it." </b>That is amazing!</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Signs abound within the Koran that provoke questions to which the Gospel is the answer. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What the Muslims I met taught me was this:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I do not posses the Truth. I can never claim that. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>What I can claim is to know where the Truth is. </b> I can point to Jesus and say "there." </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Muslims do not point to Jesus and say "there", that is Truth. They point to a book and say "there", that is Truth. But their book, the Koran, gives clues that Jesus is Lord and could lead a Muslim to embrace Jesus as Truth, at which they would deny the Koran as the Truth. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Muslims taught me the Truth that is shown in God's Light or His Presence shining in and through the world is beyond something I will every understand fully. Beyond something that I can posses. Beyond something I can claim. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rather I am pointed by my Muslims friends to find God's Light shining in all the world. Not limited to one religion, or a certain people. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>It is like a am a beggar alongside my Muslim friends who are beggars, and we are telling each other where to find food. </b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Therefore, I have learned that evangelism, missions and interfaith dialogue, done right, is <b>as much witness as it is discovery. </b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I discovered that God was revealing himself to these Muslims and pointing them towards Jesus, I along with a few other Christians were also able to witness by pointing to Jesus. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have a video of that. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I took a video of a prayer and then the Bibles that we offered this group. Please remember while watching this that this is not a "day in the life of Jason", neither is the way we are going about it imposing or coercive. Rather the hours that preceded this footage were respectful discovery and witness for both the Muslims and Christians. The man who is praying is David Shenk an author, professor and practitioner of interfaith dialogue that was visiting Indonesia.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/aMe_9sBHIC4?rel=0" width="560"></iframe>
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div style="mso-element: footnote-list;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And a picture for those still using dial-up internet. This picture is with a number of Muslims we meet along with some of the Christians.</span></div>
<div style="mso-element: footnote-list;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="mso-element: footnote-list;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid8qWdzb4OjwxbjMJYBoEZeBrnzY3n51xTSEhaAc-zIB9Ehx-VKjGwLoPniH37oFPHHaQvv5PLkbYUj53JNQl4HGTFQCzdbFU4H5jGQ9iPAWX83RMw5A0-04p5gVlcrkATS8l_0X-KX6gN/s1600/P4100066_1072x804.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid8qWdzb4OjwxbjMJYBoEZeBrnzY3n51xTSEhaAc-zIB9Ehx-VKjGwLoPniH37oFPHHaQvv5PLkbYUj53JNQl4HGTFQCzdbFU4H5jGQ9iPAWX83RMw5A0-04p5gVlcrkATS8l_0X-KX6gN/s640/P4100066_1072x804.shkl.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">
</span><br />
<div style="mso-element: footnote-list;">
<div id="ftn" style="mso-element: footnote;">
</div>
</div>
</div>Unknownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00731442910056344347noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065044569077750638.post-91643331691715845782012-04-07T00:02:00.000-07:002012-04-07T00:02:41.543-07:00What a peculiar sight!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:DocumentProperties> <o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template> <o:Revision>0</o:Revision> <o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime> <o:Pages>1</o:Pages> <o:Words>952</o:Words> <o:Characters>5432</o:Characters> <o:Company>The King's University College</o:Company> <o:Lines>45</o:Lines> <o:Paragraphs>10</o:Paragraphs> <o:CharactersWithSpaces>6670</o:CharactersWithSpaces> <o:Version>12.0</o:Version> </o:DocumentProperties> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing> <w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing> <w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0cm;
mso-para-margin-right:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0cm;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style> <![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pedaling her vintage rusty red bicycle she eyes looked ahead down the street, the street she bikes to and fro every day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She biked ahead of me, sometimes beside me, but never behind me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t know where I was going, what I was doing or how I was going to get there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was once again, like every day here, an invitation to open my clenched fist—clenching control. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">This was another invitation to release—to relinquish</b>.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I always wonder <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">what a peculiar sight</b> this must be for others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I, a white North American Christian biking along a busy commuter route 5 kilometers to a village.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Beside me, Ibu Supri, who works making cigarettes at one of the many prolific cigarette factories here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is the type of job that makes a couple dollars a day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her husband passed away a few years ago in a vehicle accident.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She has a daughter, Eva, who is 10 years old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unlike most Indonesian’s, she doesn’t have a motorbike, so she bikes everywhere including back and forth to school, work and the mosque with here daughter. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We enter the village and stop by for something to eat at a “restaurant”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She orders cooked vegetables with rice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I order chicken with rice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Often for me, eating the food in villages and those whom are materially poor is not easy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This “restaurant” was no different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While eating my chicken, a cat jumped off the dirt floor, hopped up onto the counter and starting snacking on the food in the frying pan, which was in the kitchen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many things do not faze me any more. An ant in my orange juice is normal and sand in my rice is to be expected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But this—yes—it fazed me all right!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">However, I calmly mentioned to the cook, “hey, there is a cat eating there.”</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To which the cook, glanced over and waved her hand at the cat. The cat left and the women did <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">nothing</i> to the frying pan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The chicken became a little harder to get down after that!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We paid for the food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, Ibu Supri paid for both of us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But wait, why didn’t I pay?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could have at least paid for myself, and surely for her as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isn’t that what we always do when we are among the poor?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whether it is in the inner city ministry or in our support for relief and development around the world, we give and they, the poor, receive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are the recipients of our love. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">But how often are you the recipient of the love of the poor?</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By her choosing where we would eat and allowing her to pay for me, she was able to enact her dignity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A relationship between the “white rich guy” and the “poor”, so often described as “superior” was overturned to allow the blossoming of her dignity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although the poor paying for my food has happened so many times already, there is still something uncomfortable about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A discomfort because losing my control and superiority in the lives of the poor means that my fear of what may happen not just physically, but spiritually to myself is unknown.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As Henri Nouwen writes, <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria;">“when you dare to let go and surrender one of those many fears, your hand relaxes and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">your palms spread out in a gesture of receiving.”</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only then, am I able to receive love.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria;">To open my arms in a gesture of receiving it requires that I confess that I am limited, dependent and sinful—that my attempts to love the poor sometimes snuff out their humanity. And those actions themselves also hurt me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As Nouwen put it “a person only becomes a person when he is capable of standing open to all the gifts which are prepared for him.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I play god in the lives of the poor—that becomes my poverty—a far more stubborn poverty than those who are materially poor. I remember </span>Luke 21 when Jesus said <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">“this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria;">My poverty was exposed, and her riches shone, when I accepted the gift of Ibu Supri—her presence, food, her decision making.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">“when someone accepts a gift, he admits another one into his world and is ready to give him a place in his own being.”</b> It gets uncomfortable.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ibu Supri and I continued to her home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was one of the most basic homes I have seen—the floor was dirt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We sat with some neighbors, talk for a while.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then like most conversations I have here, conversation topics run out and there is silence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In this case, I was silent while others spoke.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The discomfort that I often feel vanished among the palm trees swaying in the wind and ducks waddling around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Somewhere in some village in Central Java, I was still.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“The promise of silence is that new life can be born. It is this silence, which is the silence of peace and prayer, because you are brought back to the other who is leading you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In this silence you lose the feeling of being compulsive and you find yourself a person who can be himself along with other things and other people. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Then you realize that you can do many things, but it isn’t necessary.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is the silence of the “poor in spirit”, when you learn to see your life in its proper perspectives.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Nouwen)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For me, that perspective that is formed is staggering and beautiful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is that,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“the corporate nature of the salvation that God purposes is necessary part of the divine purpose of salvation according to the biblical view that no one could receive it as a direct revelation from above, but only through the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">neighbor opening</b>, only as part of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">an action in which one open’s door and invites one’s neighbor to come on in</b>.” Therefore, “I am never permitted to think of my own salvation apart from that of God’s whole family and God’s whole world.” (Newbigin)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This has changed the way I live.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t quite fully understand it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I never will.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But moments where I am sitting with Ibu Supri, I begin to understand it a little bit more.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That to <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">release</b> my clenched fist means to relinquish power and pride.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That to <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">receive</b> with my palms open means that I am the bruised and naked man, not the Good Samaritan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That to <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">accept </b>with my arms wide open means that I realize that I need the ‘other’—for without them I am not whole.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When my hands release, palms open and arms accept Ibu Supri, I am <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">reminded of the cross.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where Jesus had his palms open and arms out knowing that I could not love like that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">What a peculiar sight.</b> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That enables me to be able to release my fist, open my palms and spread my arms wide open so that <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">peculiar sights</b> like Ibu Supri biking along side happen more often.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seems that it is <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">a way of life</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And when I live life releasing, receiving and accepting, then it seems a lot like praying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">And then I suspect that to pray is to live.</b></span></div><!--EndFragment-->Unknownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00731442910056344347noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065044569077750638.post-12299863161967795152012-03-29T23:31:00.000-07:002012-03-29T23:31:37.328-07:00A March Montage<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A few days ago the 2/3 mark of my time away from home occurred amid a week of mixed emotions. On Sunday, a bored and frustrated Jason missed home--the family and the friends. However, the rest of the week was awesome! I love this place, and I am continuing to learn to love it more, however, once in a while there are hiccups. I've been gone a lot from my host church and home for the past 1.5 months, so I look forward to being more settled in the coming month.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The average day means I spend some time at my office with my pastor Pak Nindyo, who is also my best friend. We talk a bit and laugh a lot. I write a fair bit, especially with 3 university papers to write this month and then we often eat together. Nearly ever day I visit someone's home--either the neighbor kids, or someone in the Compassion child sponsorship at my church. There are church events sprinkled through out the week nights and if there is not an event I often hang-out with the young adults. Rarely a day goes by without some sort of unique event, like today I went with a pastor from Burma and visited a branch church. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Speaking of things routine and unique, here is a look at both. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitp1wQtS7l8OY5BGWp0pvklmpQlGLFlu-FYvMXHvcT1XdSN3dUcvMVDwg1xYB7xKUynUbfPa4J88CjXQ_OYlabvoN_8744a4ZyQTd55YXdOcxdq-FkOkqiq7R5ITaEqL8HOV20EUuuvMOc/s1600/P3020366_1144x858.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitp1wQtS7l8OY5BGWp0pvklmpQlGLFlu-FYvMXHvcT1XdSN3dUcvMVDwg1xYB7xKUynUbfPa4J88CjXQ_OYlabvoN_8744a4ZyQTd55YXdOcxdq-FkOkqiq7R5ITaEqL8HOV20EUuuvMOc/s640/P3020366_1144x858.shkl.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Buddhist people are some of the most fluid and open people I have met in terms of sharing and acceptance of other faiths. This picture says it all. In Buddhist temples in Indonesia, often Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism are worshipped in the same place along side each other.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2lvPPI82t8LAf_6HZQv-TjiYsMAm5RA3HqWpC0JOihZBKJUirG8tBUe7bni4nx13muW33pBPALGFvCGnuRJkv33KSVIf1RDokNBYqdpaH4PiUJ2uYWR0zotqeybgGpBMlRMq4uagaabR-/s1600/P3040399_759x1012.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2lvPPI82t8LAf_6HZQv-TjiYsMAm5RA3HqWpC0JOihZBKJUirG8tBUe7bni4nx13muW33pBPALGFvCGnuRJkv33KSVIf1RDokNBYqdpaH4PiUJ2uYWR0zotqeybgGpBMlRMq4uagaabR-/s640/P3040399_759x1012.shkl.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Besides watching me surfing, er trying to surf, looking at a cow's 3rd stomach lining is possibly the coolest thing to look at it.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGbEXTF4FzERCYVz3ROqbdmKG5alqieQAUECVkU7X6NcHtoJnOCf_08TQ0HbiOyfyFa-CsXSQHwPAduK0mYCMTRLsnadQ5Bop_-7i4T_4OVcRE6vyVU9YF8wDkej_4Bl4d_rVZ9Sfegohg/s1600/P3040411_1136x852.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGbEXTF4FzERCYVz3ROqbdmKG5alqieQAUECVkU7X6NcHtoJnOCf_08TQ0HbiOyfyFa-CsXSQHwPAduK0mYCMTRLsnadQ5Bop_-7i4T_4OVcRE6vyVU9YF8wDkej_4Bl4d_rVZ9Sfegohg/s640/P3040411_1136x852.shkl.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I had the privilege to join a neighborhood in Solo (the city I visited for a week) launching their declaration of peace, in a community with a conflicted past. You will also notice the word "declarasi" in the background. Often in Indonesian, you can just drop the "tion" of an english word and replace it with "i". Bam.....your Indonesian vocab just skyrocketed. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBg3YUpD8-LKEmF8TQHgr2UJ8jtSsLA6L-g0-VCCgN2zUA9MvVBn_gLERPHCIQEFLimGuffsPLwEbPQgNoXZB_DL27kGkRYP_WFCdQJwB09_Ipu0wk3xn1rmJlqxOY3zF6o7x0gb8acNzM/s1600/P3050419_1044x783.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBg3YUpD8-LKEmF8TQHgr2UJ8jtSsLA6L-g0-VCCgN2zUA9MvVBn_gLERPHCIQEFLimGuffsPLwEbPQgNoXZB_DL27kGkRYP_WFCdQJwB09_Ipu0wk3xn1rmJlqxOY3zF6o7x0gb8acNzM/s640/P3050419_1044x783.shkl.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I visited a community of Muslims, no they were Christians. Or wait, followers of Jesus or maybe it was followers of Isa. Wait, which one was it? I visited a community that follows Isa (Arabic for Jesus) who believed Jesus as their Savior. Nothing was fitting into those nice neat boxes I have created in life. Like, what is salvation and who is Jesus? In this photo, I am reading a verse from the Koran trying to figure to understand where these people fit on the map I have created about religion/grace/salvation. I know that my map was not big enough, or gracious enough. I will return soon to join for Saturday morning worship in hopes that know God and His people better.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOqLQRDhDFYl6mFLhvBdOYmJv0Ae3aKOunQdWUJ9EiicFUEX0opjH83rEu_vqis8SxlSKxahPElh83vFZAJ70dtMHTSoVH4xz2Pvb6iBDNGNfWs67bFer9lUv_Ler_qVDX9oFkM76HUeC-/s1600/P3070002_1156x867.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOqLQRDhDFYl6mFLhvBdOYmJv0Ae3aKOunQdWUJ9EiicFUEX0opjH83rEu_vqis8SxlSKxahPElh83vFZAJ70dtMHTSoVH4xz2Pvb6iBDNGNfWs67bFer9lUv_Ler_qVDX9oFkM76HUeC-/s640/P3070002_1156x867.shkl.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:DocumentProperties> <o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template> <o:Revision>0</o:Revision> <o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime> <o:Pages>1</o:Pages> <o:Words>66</o:Words> <o:Characters>381</o:Characters> <o:Company>The King's University College</o:Company> <o:Lines>3</o:Lines> <o:Paragraphs>1</o:Paragraphs> <o:CharactersWithSpaces>467</o:CharactersWithSpaces> <o:Version>12.0</o:Version> </o:DocumentProperties> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing> <w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing> <w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0cm;
mso-para-margin-right:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0cm;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style> <![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%;">I went to visit a base camp for a radical Islamic group with a pastor. Posters saying they were ready for war and the guns lying around on the self made me realize that I was doing no ordinary "bridge building". A part of it was a TV station. They wanted me to say a greeting for their channel. In a moment of slight excitement and sheer anxiety, I agreed to a 10 second clip. Just imagine you’re an Indonesian and a guy with blonde curly hair suddenly introduces your daily news. All that went through my head while reciting the lines was “is this the kind of thing that gets you home earlier than you want to?” Never imagined building that kind of bridge! </span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU4V5E3JJpSGNGn_ZFUZbrYvMR82TRSAysgFKGMRIcN1B5UuEFg6yu1DIiWBtOf5j2Rl696-8JpNJf6XR_WaTUbGGspVYcPDDd87vLsWxKlip8LJJ_KO1WEAj000C90ehTmjIzZXKrwlkC/s1600/P3080016_1100x825.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU4V5E3JJpSGNGn_ZFUZbrYvMR82TRSAysgFKGMRIcN1B5UuEFg6yu1DIiWBtOf5j2Rl696-8JpNJf6XR_WaTUbGGspVYcPDDd87vLsWxKlip8LJJ_KO1WEAj000C90ehTmjIzZXKrwlkC/s640/P3080016_1100x825.shkl.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">In Canada, I usually have the problem where halfway through a buffet food starts falling off my plate. In Indonesia, I walk through the buffet, realize that I still have rice on my plate and then have to walk through again.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQmXsWNNNF2vIdWGw9UlMYqSAaERwuyA0GyPKvV9DTAUvjc0PoofxP-X625Z57VOy8GM42pI27B5uzcLf4gDSgwRf1IWZxGpwX_zCXscSrjF_qvw6SkvwmCayIHfUca-6v3ZViuiwqo0ML/s1600/P3140039_864x1152.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQmXsWNNNF2vIdWGw9UlMYqSAaERwuyA0GyPKvV9DTAUvjc0PoofxP-X625Z57VOy8GM42pI27B5uzcLf4gDSgwRf1IWZxGpwX_zCXscSrjF_qvw6SkvwmCayIHfUca-6v3ZViuiwqo0ML/s640/P3140039_864x1152.shkl.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> On MCC retreat, being the naive beach goer that I am, I was thrilled that monkeys wanted to come over and hang out with me. Growing up watching animal shows where the host would sit around on the Savannah with baboons and cheetahs, I thought that I met my childhood dream on this beach. That got turned up side down when a wieldy monkey climbed the tree next to me and lunged. At me. Unprovoked. However, my reflexes, a strong suit of mine, kicked in and I flung the monkey off of my water bottle. Feeling self-esteem for the the way I showed the monkey who is boss and feeling that my childhood dream failed in my first close encounter with a monkey made me dash into the ocean, which was full of coral. Which hurt. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5tuf80RUbdjdSoWTwtglTeJlHExMC-htwJQBibgPfn5jzhyphenhyphengZ5KonfKP-37xxWLJM1sTWxeqJp33lWe8mfmR1l6RvGGwMrAch7t-2dzgs5oYbnxsXkI6Ti1zlM4LjPcOlQ6Q2RHfmCwWD/s1600/P3180097_1080x810.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5tuf80RUbdjdSoWTwtglTeJlHExMC-htwJQBibgPfn5jzhyphenhyphengZ5KonfKP-37xxWLJM1sTWxeqJp33lWe8mfmR1l6RvGGwMrAch7t-2dzgs5oYbnxsXkI6Ti1zlM4LjPcOlQ6Q2RHfmCwWD/s640/P3180097_1080x810.shkl.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The most stunning terrace farming I have seen so far. There are no homes on this slope except for the very bottom. So imagine that stroll to work?</span> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihHwrPGkWtO3_E9LWMm313FkobC7rcktDiaMxKNCt-ExPavMBbdTr_7Ivx9BzONcH5whyphenhyphenSG4Jy8zNoIGAoaCCU2fdVZu0c5kN6rh2BHKLfvYTVNZKQ9BZ9Th3LJzxkqzCtBRAUxyRVw1PA/s1600/P3180114_1128x846.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihHwrPGkWtO3_E9LWMm313FkobC7rcktDiaMxKNCt-ExPavMBbdTr_7Ivx9BzONcH5whyphenhyphenSG4Jy8zNoIGAoaCCU2fdVZu0c5kN6rh2BHKLfvYTVNZKQ9BZ9Th3LJzxkqzCtBRAUxyRVw1PA/s640/P3180114_1128x846.shkl.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Dazzling.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs3U3TN0jgB_y1aaQqRosOaIlatZ1IsaUuzfkunDjefIdWuiIG9zSAz3_jlq-suPUCCQMJEEiTCBx4b2tdDSeijsRfAm_Y6lsj2y251reS21rIhI5O6mzwhiWyhVMbCKejP1OZ6OHvvJMH/s1600/P3220030_1044x783.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs3U3TN0jgB_y1aaQqRosOaIlatZ1IsaUuzfkunDjefIdWuiIG9zSAz3_jlq-suPUCCQMJEEiTCBx4b2tdDSeijsRfAm_Y6lsj2y251reS21rIhI5O6mzwhiWyhVMbCKejP1OZ6OHvvJMH/s640/P3220030_1044x783.shkl.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">IKEA's home delivery takes terribly long, has higher incidences of shipping damage but is awfully eco-friendly. </span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihWvw32jd5p9zJIRdxibDhPFD_wc95M9MHN6bRPq_QeLSX9-SZn5lTSijvLGRBzFmD9Ahhk_UvTkbRefgME44UJDM5san1VMpbN2mKbnXGQF1SBeWvQOB-bf-q5PhTyX2mJndjjnv9OQQ7/s1600/P3230040_807x1076.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihWvw32jd5p9zJIRdxibDhPFD_wc95M9MHN6bRPq_QeLSX9-SZn5lTSijvLGRBzFmD9Ahhk_UvTkbRefgME44UJDM5san1VMpbN2mKbnXGQF1SBeWvQOB-bf-q5PhTyX2mJndjjnv9OQQ7/s640/P3230040_807x1076.shkl.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I asked for a coconut, so someone went to fetch one. No ropes. Just a man and a machete. And then I drank it like this....</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPD4OUR5URGjkPvhkpxFstWzGQfP9w6NvDfFnqkF8qRsANa1Di3IxhivIvi7cszxB8Pf9k6mkq-SGf2dFBw49MMHbLNEk8VT2Y1YEZfyLi-g0ORIRSiUCszixjh8dPtUW-619X06adevAU/s1600/P3230043_1108x831.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPD4OUR5URGjkPvhkpxFstWzGQfP9w6NvDfFnqkF8qRsANa1Di3IxhivIvi7cszxB8Pf9k6mkq-SGf2dFBw49MMHbLNEk8VT2Y1YEZfyLi-g0ORIRSiUCszixjh8dPtUW-619X06adevAU/s640/P3230043_1108x831.shkl.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Haha....</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOMfboqURcNP73bf7YKIGjnqpsmZMRtBeagnctTTEfOpMwq1n_pwjQwdmUt1PAQr2yv96UzmJ_s0_rZixfNT-EeRMHNBkMa94TeHyINGJq7uWqe7u8zZPPBSkdcgF1N_9l6iCEMnZPazeq/s1600/P3230044_1052x789.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOMfboqURcNP73bf7YKIGjnqpsmZMRtBeagnctTTEfOpMwq1n_pwjQwdmUt1PAQr2yv96UzmJ_s0_rZixfNT-EeRMHNBkMa94TeHyINGJq7uWqe7u8zZPPBSkdcgF1N_9l6iCEMnZPazeq/s640/P3230044_1052x789.shkl.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I joined some kids to go plant trees for earth day. But in great irony we were so tired planting trees in the heat that we all drank water. From small one-use plastic cups. Which we disposed anywhere we felt like. Which will be gathered to be burned. Which means we may have been carbon-neutral that day.</span> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqoKCQcrL1R7nS4s0Mu-MVTtfsfAC5NJkveTUMH7y5aaB84479YMpQX6w8KZe-Eq3n161vb1_omCF6xEUzknkXy1Kad_ASuZd3WMSiUFzRBUA9Mft2yY4vPHYFgHL61wvk38XG6ax9B36j/s1600/P3250069_1100x825.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqoKCQcrL1R7nS4s0Mu-MVTtfsfAC5NJkveTUMH7y5aaB84479YMpQX6w8KZe-Eq3n161vb1_omCF6xEUzknkXy1Kad_ASuZd3WMSiUFzRBUA9Mft2yY4vPHYFgHL61wvk38XG6ax9B36j/s640/P3250069_1100x825.shkl.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A Muslim cemetery with a big awesome tree.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi47i3R1uXAnNRLtGLllDiufgs9Wix4d_nqx-mwIcu9Y_GzkMyn0H_7Mli7nE-Fv34ccnn5jYMEobUGBI4WvwhWcXjSOSj1vnd_jYl3RDr64Ri5cVnEJ57LrsbtrSuSJq-ZH3QE3eTnwg-e/s1600/393149_10150615544118015_500053014_9412985_1166788889_n_1016x762.shkl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi47i3R1uXAnNRLtGLllDiufgs9Wix4d_nqx-mwIcu9Y_GzkMyn0H_7Mli7nE-Fv34ccnn5jYMEobUGBI4WvwhWcXjSOSj1vnd_jYl3RDr64Ri5cVnEJ57LrsbtrSuSJq-ZH3QE3eTnwg-e/s640/393149_10150615544118015_500053014_9412985_1166788889_n_1016x762.shkl.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">There is something I love about this photo. (credited to an MCC service worker) </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghN-NE54E9g0vaH5pov12jUKqjrxwSthbHn20q-rYJAj713XxmPY4OXFD9D2HBYDzg2Bmk46g7nGOZFCjxXuVTFVBJd3Hd7nn1AXVQi_4wZXqeSekwCxK5zGdc_FOV0CYVM8nqL6UORLyU/s1600/P3180117_1016x762.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghN-NE54E9g0vaH5pov12jUKqjrxwSthbHn20q-rYJAj713XxmPY4OXFD9D2HBYDzg2Bmk46g7nGOZFCjxXuVTFVBJd3Hd7nn1AXVQi_4wZXqeSekwCxK5zGdc_FOV0CYVM8nqL6UORLyU/s640/P3180117_1016x762.shkl.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A volcano.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoWYurEkCPGaNoAYL28czeEIodmNHyTvmJ6gUuFYaMuubVY_9Xm9l1QxVmmzQ16XeLmx2d7q6O5kU2S8MCMEVY57YVD_a6q_aZn6cEn2IFEDtIUWT3XM9XovBuH2KzLXfBDjY506o_cRfT/s1600/P3060422_1016x762.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoWYurEkCPGaNoAYL28czeEIodmNHyTvmJ6gUuFYaMuubVY_9Xm9l1QxVmmzQ16XeLmx2d7q6O5kU2S8MCMEVY57YVD_a6q_aZn6cEn2IFEDtIUWT3XM9XovBuH2KzLXfBDjY506o_cRfT/s640/P3060422_1016x762.shkl.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">We drank Sprite and Coke. We sat on a mat. We talked about politics. We talked about Christians, Buddhists, Muslims. We talked about corruption, gambling and alcohol. We talked about peace. The man on the right is from India and is a service worker for MCC and stayed with him for a week. The man in the middle is a carpenter. He is also the leader of a radical islamic group. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Unknownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00731442910056344347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065044569077750638.post-13104570103963588842012-03-16T21:35:00.002-07:002012-03-17T07:03:59.327-07:00Transformation<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Remember those pictures I posted where I was speckled in mud, where I was "farming". This a story from my time there. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I presented this story at the MCC retreat and since not all of you could be there, I thought I would post it. It's long. It's about transformation--in me and in others. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have you ever met someone who is—well, the only word you can think of is—is down-right charming. Someone with that smile that could lift any bad day out of its pits. Someone who can always give an enthusiastic “Sukun Dalu” (Javanesse for “good evening”). Someone who is always ready a laugh over that smallest joke, especially when you know it doesn’t deserve a laugh. People you remember and cherish the time you spent with them. People that you rather not leave. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I met someone just like this. His name was fittingly, Pak Selamat! Something else about these type of charming people, is that I never imagine them driving an Indonesian bus, a school bus yes, but Indonesian communter bus…I don’t think so—but he does—everyday from Kudus to Jepara. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But I did not meet him on the bus, rather I met him while I was in the terrific village of Kali Rejo, 30 minutes outside of Kudus. He is a faithful member of the church. On his evenings, I would meet him around the church. Always with that goofy massive smile on his face. Always ready to laugh and to make a normal “Selamat malam” and Apa Kabar?” into a joke. But when your name is Pak Selamat, there are a lot of jokes you can do. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He was one person amongst, a community where I was transformed. But there is a further transformation that is highlighted within him, which is representative of the church communities transformation. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I know that I am transformed being in Indonesia, and more specifically that community transformed me. I am aware of how much receiving the Kingdom has changed me. I find this easier than knowing how I am an ambassador for bringing forward God’s Kingdom here. I know it happens. Sometimes you hear after people doing mission trips. “wow, you were such a blessing to them, you guys are doing amazing work.” I usually do not feel that way, and neither do I think that is a problem—rather, a good sign that Indonesians are blessing me and that God is doing the work. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ever once in a while, I notice how God uses my presence in all its cultural linguistic weakness, to move human life toward His Kingdom as it is in heaven. Mostly, this Kingdom cause that God has called me to goes on without my knowledge and ability to point and say “there.” When I visit people, I want that to be a kingdom visit—but really, what transformation is taking place—is for the Spirit to know and maybe one day reveal. But this visit to Pak Selamat’s home was a kingdom visit where I can say “there” –transformation happened, or better-said transformation is traced within a conversation. I’ll explain.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The church in Kali Rejo has a long history, 40 years. The founders of the church were former Communists, that converted after the September Movement in 1965. The church was formed in 1973, and it membership grew to 200 members within 10 years—amazing. Within a few more years, membership nose-dived to 100 members. Today, there are 125 members. But why this drastic membership fluctuation? In the 70’s and 80’s, GKMI Kudus gave a lot of stuff to the people of the village……therefore, lots of people joined the church. When the taps on the rice where mostly turned off, people became turned off of church. Some people call this, “rice Christians.” This dependency, wrong use of diakonia and troublesome relationship between the city and the village has not only left its mark on the church, but the larger community. This is how they tell their history. This is the church of Pak Selamat.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Back to visiting Pak Selamat’s home where a transformational conversation took place. After declining the boiled blood patties offered by his wife, a boiled blood patty chef, we talked about….well, what I always talk about. Fav food. Siblings. Canada. Javanese ability, or lack of. Relationship status. Then the conversation turned towards his son, Thomas. Thomas wasn’t there at the time, but I met him later on and he also carries the same kind of charm of his father. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thomas is one of the children in the church’s child sponsorship program, where North Americans sponsor children. I realize that some of us here are involved with child sponsorship in some form….so I respect that. However, I don’t support this type of development/poverty work and see other methods as better ways of enacting Kingdom transformation. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We talked at length about the child sponsorship program…the letters received from N.A., the way that funding works and what changes between elementary and high school for a sponsored child. Then I mentally realized, “oh no, what if they ask me if I will sponsor a child?”</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“To give an honest answer or not”……is what I thought. And this must be how God talks because 10 seconds later the question was asked by Pak Selamat. “So will you sponsor and child and tell people in Canada to sponsor a child?”</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thinking, “well here goes this conversation and the hopes and expectations they have in me.” “umm…maybe.” “well, probably not”</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It’s a moment where you are waiting for a reaction, sending a prayer that God’s directs this conversation into a constructive and beautiful thing. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Before despair set in, I spoke up.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> “You know your saweh (a rice paddy). That is awesome. You guys bought the land, plant rice, onions and watermelons and then sell it in the market. Then the money from the sales goes towards the church—including diaconal tasks.”</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The response was “yes, yes, your right.”</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I kept going, “You have skills, talents and abilities which you can use. Some of you are farmers, others of you are cooks. Within your church you are capable of helping each other. “</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They kept nodding their heads.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“You do not need the money from people in North America. You don’t even need the money from GKMI Kudus. Doing the saweh is a better way to deal with poverty.”</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And in a response that sums up the transformation mapped out in this conversation that is an echo of a slow but sure transformation in the church, an eruption of excitement occurred. They were proud. They owned their Kingdom story, not someone else. That is a big transformation in the history of that church. Or in the words of the pastor, this is “radical change.” </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And it is this experience that transformed me. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First, through their community life in the village. I recently wrote while reflecting on that expierence, “In many ways, <span style="color: black; line-height: 150%;">these Indonesians live better than me, for they understand more fully what it is to live in a community of love and care—I aspire to this.”<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 150%;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: -72.0pt -54.0pt 0cm 54.0pt 90.0pt 126.0pt 162.0pt 198.0pt 234.0pt 270.0pt 306.0pt 342.0pt 378.0pt 414.0pt 450.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Secondly, through hope. The methods and attention that poverty and the church’s call to diakonia sometimes “wears” in my church experience in Indonesia. That experience has had a completely unexpected effect on me. It has lit a passionate fire underneath for the very stuff that Pak Selamat and the church in Kali Rejo are doing out there in the saweh. Well, no, not referring to a farming life for me…but referring to the empowering way the church is answering its call to be the Kingdom community. I just love it. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: -72.0pt -54.0pt 0cm 54.0pt 90.0pt 126.0pt 162.0pt 198.0pt 234.0pt 270.0pt 306.0pt 342.0pt 378.0pt 414.0pt 450.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: -72.0pt -54.0pt 0cm 54.0pt 90.0pt 126.0pt 162.0pt 198.0pt 234.0pt 270.0pt 306.0pt 342.0pt 378.0pt 414.0pt 450.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Reflecting on this I wrote: “I am <span style="color: black; line-height: 150%;">learning to live between the long awaited fullness of the Kingdom and the present reality where we are a messed up bunch trying to be the Kingdom community. I am called into that Kingdom community not to despair, but as a privilege to enact the life of the very one whom fulfilled expectations—once and for all.” </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: -72.0pt -54.0pt 0cm 54.0pt 90.0pt 126.0pt 162.0pt 198.0pt 234.0pt 270.0pt 306.0pt 342.0pt 378.0pt 414.0pt 450.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is through the unexpectness of the Kingdom, the up-side down world, where I met an Indonesian bus driver who, together with his church, is salt and light. It’s his smile. It’s his charm that hints to something that is beyond himself or of his community—that of God’s Kingdom at work. I ended that memorable conversation, mutually transformed, with the words from Pak Selamat who emphatically said, “Go tell people in Kudus and Canada about this!! They need to know!”</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And now I have told you the story. </span></div>Unknownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00731442910056344347noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065044569077750638.post-82486901673600368292012-02-29T00:37:00.000-08:002012-02-29T00:37:01.467-08:00Put the cellphone down, talk less, and listen up<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last week, someone told me:</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Jason, the world needs people that can sit down and listen. That can sit down and talk. The world needs people that can care intentionally for each other. We need to create space for each other without distractions like cellphones." I then sat down and listened to this man speak to me about his faith and the church for a few hours.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the same week, I heard about "Coffee for Peace." A place in the island of Mindanao, Philippines where Muslims and Christians could put down arms and sit down and listen. This happened at the MCC Asia Diakonia Conference where 8 Asian countries and their Anabaptist church leaders came together. Their was lots and talking and listening among each other. Rather than talking, I listen a lot.....although I had plenty to say, I listened.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then there is my "job" with the church. I listen a lot. I listen a lot with little understanding during worship services. I listen a lot with little understanding during the pastor's meeting. I listen a lot with little understanding on young adult road trips. There is no other way around that. And that is fine. It teaches you. It teaches you how to care, to be humble and to hear God's voice. I've learned that listening, being still, and just sitting with people, is the business of pastoral care. </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That is where I have found my groove here. </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's the best witness I have. </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I could preach sermons, but there is already a dozen pastors that are doing that. </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I could attend more meetings, but there is already enough people at those. </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But preaching, more meetings and more time in the office, well.....that doesn't make me come alive and that is not what the people of Kudus need more of. I come alive sitting still on the floor sharing stories and sharing a meal. The world needs people that can do that. That is Jesus' life. That was and still is His ministry. That is the life I strive to imitate, it is the ministry I embrace </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So as a wise man said earlier this week: put the cellphone down, talk less and listen up. </span></div>Unknownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00731442910056344347noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065044569077750638.post-8973410875240607972012-02-10T03:42:00.000-08:002012-02-10T03:45:04.131-08:00"Jason's Rice Paddy services, how can I help you?"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here is mental image for you: </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last week, this tall lanky kid ran around a rice paddy. He thought that he deep deep down had an inner “farm boy.” But he was terrible at digging in the mud and any step he made into the mud the situation looked….ummm….precarious. At one point he was tilling the earth with a hoe while wearing a traditional rice-farming hat. It lasted only minutes before the kid found it rather fun to get his arms muddy up to his armpits.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> While playing in the mud, a crab was found.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> The kid was elated.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> He played with it, trying to get it to pick things up with his “snappers”. Then suddenly, more were found. The kid became an act of comedy to the farmers. The farmers became to throw crabs towards the kid. Sometimes, the crabs would not land close to the bucket, so the kid had to go out into the rice paddy uncover the crab and then attempt to jostle the crab until its “pincers” were closed. This usually was a fail. Instead, the kid juggled the crab back to the bucket were its friends awaited. This method was largely effective, although some bite marks from a wieldy crab still exist. Eventually 5 crabs were together—he thought—a perfect family. In fact, the kid cared for these crabs like his children. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To the complete shock of the kid, one crab decided to violently amputate another crab. The terrified kid watched three limbs dismember. The dismembered crab died within a period of 20 minutes while the kid baby-sat the others, keeping discipline. In the end, 20 crabs were tossed from farmers to the kid. Many crabs tried to escape their new parenthood. The crabs became unruly together, using a teamwork strategy to pile on top of each other to make an escape. These beloved crabs, were too much of a commitment for the kid.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Breakfast the next morning was crab. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The talk of the village was the kid. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A this was a day in a life.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnawP9XNwP_5XlGJkpLlICEZAdt_9_SvkfuLgoWzcJqOjkTpay4sEXoAspOf65RxcexDnJVOQa44aEFw4F7LFhgI_1sMt1B_52QoVqWANxgL_EC4iEgL5tn50swa49Vdas6BWvwkMgT465/s1600/P2020128_1156x867.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnawP9XNwP_5XlGJkpLlICEZAdt_9_SvkfuLgoWzcJqOjkTpay4sEXoAspOf65RxcexDnJVOQa44aEFw4F7LFhgI_1sMt1B_52QoVqWANxgL_EC4iEgL5tn50swa49Vdas6BWvwkMgT465/s400/P2020128_1156x867.shkl.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">If you want to get aquatinted, read the above story.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"></span></span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkQBtI0pPxud8iTe-8VmBEpwO331DG_ckBDyF3kSnOXyjDJ5dIqSxSoOWL3kflrsPJWmrpUdY3D_78SbkFRnWU3If8bkVgWIOsd_avQOD6Ejzbi9ELNXbR3M_UDKH0p2Pk4qNnqAa2ixNG/s1600/P2020101_1112x834.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkQBtI0pPxud8iTe-8VmBEpwO331DG_ckBDyF3kSnOXyjDJ5dIqSxSoOWL3kflrsPJWmrpUdY3D_78SbkFRnWU3If8bkVgWIOsd_avQOD6Ejzbi9ELNXbR3M_UDKH0p2Pk4qNnqAa2ixNG/s640/P2020101_1112x834.shkl.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Hacking....wait that's not the right word. Okay, "Hoeing" the the church's plot of land. This lasted a few minutes and then.......</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Bi0njkK_0QdUespe6s85hBy5KDm2O-DB43gisYA6wQ0WuS_bzISZHWgLFH0gCHtRS-QHGH3kR9pIrT80qFGHJ0w56aVQsm_1hWuhmv-lqPayvclWF-LfqSIuPxQFdGw2DS18OinBYTI5/s1600/P2020104_1052x789.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Bi0njkK_0QdUespe6s85hBy5KDm2O-DB43gisYA6wQ0WuS_bzISZHWgLFH0gCHtRS-QHGH3kR9pIrT80qFGHJ0w56aVQsm_1hWuhmv-lqPayvclWF-LfqSIuPxQFdGw2DS18OinBYTI5/s640/P2020104_1052x789.shkl.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">My hoe was confiscated by the farmers.So I used my hands......which lasted until I......</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5V5QExoYkGOsrVtfhub1kVJIqk7Io75PFibussLnmUFOuJGutCryqfjJRAma5csndxwnVthJDTYPSe7y5vtMtIPsr-4FzpA6N4aocxoG00Xz8O31JFHW5dI5zoQglsGlxisHHHi7BNCiC/s1600/P2020139_1024x768.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5V5QExoYkGOsrVtfhub1kVJIqk7Io75PFibussLnmUFOuJGutCryqfjJRAma5csndxwnVthJDTYPSe7y5vtMtIPsr-4FzpA6N4aocxoG00Xz8O31JFHW5dI5zoQglsGlxisHHHi7BNCiC/s640/P2020139_1024x768.shkl.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Realized I have very little agricultural skills. Nothing spells "foreigner" like the contrast between the muddy farmer behind me and the specks of mud on my face.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMpKZNLM2UhQ5pbb3gEMbn0HmlF8-NX_uCnmGzwuyXpUr2KEU0Ui0lC2aetgJgiKXTxudT73UShwh4vir4UuW67JIVzjT8f_asvIj4VmMP6wL0IcURvwIgTFPm1chVLiOSgEjp0NOw8trZ/s1600/P2020119_1184x888.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMpKZNLM2UhQ5pbb3gEMbn0HmlF8-NX_uCnmGzwuyXpUr2KEU0Ui0lC2aetgJgiKXTxudT73UShwh4vir4UuW67JIVzjT8f_asvIj4VmMP6wL0IcURvwIgTFPm1chVLiOSgEjp0NOw8trZ/s640/P2020119_1184x888.shkl.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhts4pMUJ_vVOgrwiTfLEY-Z8sZyvFa_qjcwfUnm-hFDIQgPeh1yySnzvKJCd-kv5lnYedYYDo7-A6PWoG_sLR2vYkcf2HdeLLPzyw4DI3D1sQXaW258-XIKrgT7iXkQkGSyUM0CBoxGsyc/s1600/P2090270_1144x858.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhts4pMUJ_vVOgrwiTfLEY-Z8sZyvFa_qjcwfUnm-hFDIQgPeh1yySnzvKJCd-kv5lnYedYYDo7-A6PWoG_sLR2vYkcf2HdeLLPzyw4DI3D1sQXaW258-XIKrgT7iXkQkGSyUM0CBoxGsyc/s640/P2090270_1144x858.shkl.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I trusty farmer risked a lot and allowed me to drive his rice paddy tilling tractor. A crowd watched, and nearby farmers guarded their paddies as I had the time of my life driving around a rice paddy chasing snakes. I got raves reviews for my work. So if some other career plans fall through, I have a new option to fall back on. </span> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>Unknownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00731442910056344347noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065044569077750638.post-60688423458153207882012-02-10T03:27:00.000-08:002012-02-10T03:27:52.817-08:00Faces<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:DocumentProperties> <o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template> <o:Revision>0</o:Revision> <o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime> <o:Pages>1</o:Pages> <o:Words>395</o:Words> <o:Characters>2257</o:Characters> <o:Company>The King's University College</o:Company> <o:Lines>18</o:Lines> <o:Paragraphs>4</o:Paragraphs> <o:CharactersWithSpaces>2771</o:CharactersWithSpaces> <o:Version>12.0</o:Version> </o:DocumentProperties> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing> <w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing> <w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0cm;
mso-para-margin-right:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0cm;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style> <![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The past 3 weeks have been exceptional.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It gives me some of the deepest joy to sit, talk and just be with people here.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Who are these people?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkE9wU7RotiiE82kYm0TYM6qcO9PqA1eWHscEr1pAxpVsSrIdOIgywEspwENOc1t_r7LvTLv2-vJhIKQd1-HxeBKDnYgp16T59NUJ0bUNlpLNeeOc4nNdrHV-q15or5OFMJ5J6sv-5izLd/s1600/P2010049_1052x789.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkE9wU7RotiiE82kYm0TYM6qcO9PqA1eWHscEr1pAxpVsSrIdOIgywEspwENOc1t_r7LvTLv2-vJhIKQd1-HxeBKDnYgp16T59NUJ0bUNlpLNeeOc4nNdrHV-q15or5OFMJ5J6sv-5izLd/s400/P2010049_1052x789.shkl.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pak Jono.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Captured by the Indonesian military in 1965 for being the local Communist leader, he was put in prison.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> A w</span>ide-spread violent crackdown on those whom the government suspected as Communist occurred after the “September Movement”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was supposed to be executed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was not yet a Christian, but he did hear of Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If Jesus saved him from an imminent death, he was going to live the rest of his life for Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A miracle happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The day of execution came, and his name was not called.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Along with 4 other ex-Communists, Pak Jono began GKMI Kali Rejo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Communists had to either become Muslim, Buddhist, Christian or Hindu, or they would be arrested.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Therefore, many other ex-Communists came to Christ and the church rapidly grew.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Later this year, the church will celebrate 40 years.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzUmteE0XEMqana_wl0MfmhZsG2nI5gq0-FkxMsd8p-VVs1jDfUCjO6XOrD6j8d05iBzl5PjKNR322LZXEFpZ33imMHmNiLTHUSUPNMJ9F_RgfPh8N-5qBwXoySeucPAxJIT5Qt2mw7WSR/s1600/P2030136_1192x894.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzUmteE0XEMqana_wl0MfmhZsG2nI5gq0-FkxMsd8p-VVs1jDfUCjO6XOrD6j8d05iBzl5PjKNR322LZXEFpZ33imMHmNiLTHUSUPNMJ9F_RgfPh8N-5qBwXoySeucPAxJIT5Qt2mw7WSR/s640/P2030136_1192x894.shkl.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mba Sarna.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She wore beautiful traditional Javanese clothes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She lived alone in a leaning bamboo home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She walked upon the soft mud, which was her floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was angry with her neighbors and her chronic pain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She just got back from the market, where she spent her only money to buy medicine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She wanted to go to heaven. She could not speak Indonesian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was okay. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I will never forget how hard it was too look her in the face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her breath smelt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was weary. She was annoyed and upset.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I eventually looked her in the face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I held her hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We prayed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And in the face I looked into, I saw Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unforgettable. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOC18JnciE9FgO2lcu3Yb50hOlEHpAotnbECzj0PPx6NFEyUc-nrWn9A5oDy8WKxvvxfBPad9GAv5TpaDDj8hFwUlawaxsbJLgU5RVC_MIDJt1weElDWXQkhjSYlLPP2nCbQMYPjHzSdle/s1600/P2090279_864x1152.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOC18JnciE9FgO2lcu3Yb50hOlEHpAotnbECzj0PPx6NFEyUc-nrWn9A5oDy8WKxvvxfBPad9GAv5TpaDDj8hFwUlawaxsbJLgU5RVC_MIDJt1weElDWXQkhjSYlLPP2nCbQMYPjHzSdle/s400/P2090279_864x1152.shkl.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pak Heru.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The pastor of the GKMI Kali Rejo church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His heart for the village community was tangible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One time this week, a Muslim, him and Buddhist sat beside each other at a Muslim event. His vision for the church was inspiring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Empowerment--spiritually, socially and economically--are top priorities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The intention and care that he put into relationships was invigorating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His life ebbed and flowed around the contours of needs, schedules, and the Holy Spirit’s leading each day among people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In short, he made me want to become a pastor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or at least, live a life like this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXKmYMuXE-rsTTdR7I2FQNCJCplfPUbSXcy1rFK2gRyEYPll9z5dcZYRJYKKnAXUWbG64XDZ8fT6OktzIvFk4owrjkRiw_QLPsG-dssUYkrYihh3OtAsGcnUFyNXhdcPwQ3f8tX-CVmALb/s1600/P2020093_1044x783.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXKmYMuXE-rsTTdR7I2FQNCJCplfPUbSXcy1rFK2gRyEYPll9z5dcZYRJYKKnAXUWbG64XDZ8fT6OktzIvFk4owrjkRiw_QLPsG-dssUYkrYihh3OtAsGcnUFyNXhdcPwQ3f8tX-CVmALb/s640/P2020093_1044x783.shkl.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pak Trimo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I met him gathering red onions in a field.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The red onions were then moved to his home, dried, cleaned and the sold at the local market.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The land and the onions are the churches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The profit goes towards the ministries and operating costs of the church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a leader in the church, he has big dreams for it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Those may some day become true because his three sons are all active and taking on leadership roles in the church, and they are still teenagers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><b>And here are some more faces that color my life.</b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbN_DZMDpRQKan1PI0MYMcygsOYFzvarQkXRqSQmpu9X7Mdqd4TXJxraupkLyaHZBoGBBPp20QCusJq6OU2cTJnBNJORB3G0fJb20WRgc-jugjc60YtwkcCxtjuZVlcDosZbwPxix32Rdk/s1600/P1260062_864x1152.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbN_DZMDpRQKan1PI0MYMcygsOYFzvarQkXRqSQmpu9X7Mdqd4TXJxraupkLyaHZBoGBBPp20QCusJq6OU2cTJnBNJORB3G0fJb20WRgc-jugjc60YtwkcCxtjuZVlcDosZbwPxix32Rdk/s640/P1260062_864x1152.shkl.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPOop-aa71HlNBVZVASeWPIVDMeRDnyaskqR2fALvL2oy28bCy-TVIsTJ9qmk9vBBn-jZRKs9SVs5CYsvEflAPTAGZgz9sx_TMwIgmx3MQlCmGbmS634z33ezqLt2QvZdzACWO98OfosU5/s1600/P1270007_2_1164x873.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPOop-aa71HlNBVZVASeWPIVDMeRDnyaskqR2fALvL2oy28bCy-TVIsTJ9qmk9vBBn-jZRKs9SVs5CYsvEflAPTAGZgz9sx_TMwIgmx3MQlCmGbmS634z33ezqLt2QvZdzACWO98OfosU5/s640/P1270007_2_1164x873.shkl.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZAbojPdX_8jQvNhDLYht_RtKELmIsM8YCjgy_vGx8EKdjaoXkm-kmT9pVxcjYObHjag9UXK6TsWq1RS3ZZuCzS76kqzkhGIZph5raZHTRs1FYyuu0Rg8DVROQBS1bdXQ7NgjbNJriwmo3/s1600/P1290110_1044x783.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZAbojPdX_8jQvNhDLYht_RtKELmIsM8YCjgy_vGx8EKdjaoXkm-kmT9pVxcjYObHjag9UXK6TsWq1RS3ZZuCzS76kqzkhGIZph5raZHTRs1FYyuu0Rg8DVROQBS1bdXQ7NgjbNJriwmo3/s640/P1290110_1044x783.shkl.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNT3Bv54A3EM7mO2haY7MXL1Aj4gSRZ8zyb2ijfsu8QZKV5AeWT4A5tjpP2OQcU_Z6BMtR6drFWUbPTJhyphenhyphenXuycAvxnD8rOglqvE_Hj-ocdAUt2AyV0fR2l94_wFW4T9o_R2GkVSf-kCxqu/s1600/P1310010_1088x816.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNT3Bv54A3EM7mO2haY7MXL1Aj4gSRZ8zyb2ijfsu8QZKV5AeWT4A5tjpP2OQcU_Z6BMtR6drFWUbPTJhyphenhyphenXuycAvxnD8rOglqvE_Hj-ocdAUt2AyV0fR2l94_wFW4T9o_R2GkVSf-kCxqu/s640/P1310010_1088x816.shkl.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5NA5xJvcf5GbF3WCEQDgLOAFRJ18rVOpJ8dHFbcuuhl5mYr191O0t3bNfW9qvsyPTZH6LTgP93r-6M-VsFQk-ZPiER2Du1iwYZ-vxnF9p0TWAWlSS2TPhQiIme6xNtZgJdKWrm6PeNSDy/s1600/P2010082_1052x789.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5NA5xJvcf5GbF3WCEQDgLOAFRJ18rVOpJ8dHFbcuuhl5mYr191O0t3bNfW9qvsyPTZH6LTgP93r-6M-VsFQk-ZPiER2Du1iwYZ-vxnF9p0TWAWlSS2TPhQiIme6xNtZgJdKWrm6PeNSDy/s640/P2010082_1052x789.shkl.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRTHKxojv1XM1PBYOeC1kNTr5rb0N7t5aammBAobl9z3UwhW4RXsA3Vali-RGi6HrZq_lvaRNPYZt_QDCHI_AZdKmDFpA3E0RjxrJUAmx7gqIVxPwY9_37xmxO1PLIat2dxYfr063vcPLN/s1600/P2010086_1128x846.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRTHKxojv1XM1PBYOeC1kNTr5rb0N7t5aammBAobl9z3UwhW4RXsA3Vali-RGi6HrZq_lvaRNPYZt_QDCHI_AZdKmDFpA3E0RjxrJUAmx7gqIVxPwY9_37xmxO1PLIat2dxYfr063vcPLN/s640/P2010086_1128x846.shkl.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfGhBCFMhNKrY4UVAtRu4K_E_ebWlcpYntII3yr_2El7EYGDrr31JE2dGbHosY7o-FhF_91003f52NS9aw_rEzQNiIUHTzQZdUaCM7fXGxfsy81dv11-D0ik2Mik65JaDjHE1MEg1KAoGA/s1600/P2020097_1024x768.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfGhBCFMhNKrY4UVAtRu4K_E_ebWlcpYntII3yr_2El7EYGDrr31JE2dGbHosY7o-FhF_91003f52NS9aw_rEzQNiIUHTzQZdUaCM7fXGxfsy81dv11-D0ik2Mik65JaDjHE1MEg1KAoGA/s640/P2020097_1024x768.shkl.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4czANov2_U46JTzBTmgBtwYuZfcTjYRACbaIIBw0jFPG9IkYED8RU03u4CG8XyadDRsH-o8ka080ItLPpJaf1_kGyP9uuehedaXGduPErJuN5pnDeUOBvfO3Pcoqf4GiVtSj8xm8eFnw2/s1600/P2020130_1108x831.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4czANov2_U46JTzBTmgBtwYuZfcTjYRACbaIIBw0jFPG9IkYED8RU03u4CG8XyadDRsH-o8ka080ItLPpJaf1_kGyP9uuehedaXGduPErJuN5pnDeUOBvfO3Pcoqf4GiVtSj8xm8eFnw2/s640/P2020130_1108x831.shkl.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfrFbNkE-xN3dxBK4tEtMMjR0giuQ12MhqMI8Zzs7ubyThbWoVvmxFiln7kPR06BUohdZiBJJz9h_l3ozq6j_PnUdxeMRsU5ZdA0mV8yM-zEsjtsCnX6y_4xB53ZZOhrL7CWlzOuPl7R3c/s1600/P2050196_1100x825.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfrFbNkE-xN3dxBK4tEtMMjR0giuQ12MhqMI8Zzs7ubyThbWoVvmxFiln7kPR06BUohdZiBJJz9h_l3ozq6j_PnUdxeMRsU5ZdA0mV8yM-zEsjtsCnX6y_4xB53ZZOhrL7CWlzOuPl7R3c/s640/P2050196_1100x825.shkl.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFeEgMFYVKevYoWzK43xdNE2UizINf1dUD875UP5o6CYI5U1g_qV-Tissqds2vEopWQ4CIYh7HcqTQHBSnMb8n2F7MzYEO6D8HDbYP-eLrUCs6R5H9CzItIfMiX4ldYkzqaMD3PkJgpYlX/s1600/P2080244_1072x804.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFeEgMFYVKevYoWzK43xdNE2UizINf1dUD875UP5o6CYI5U1g_qV-Tissqds2vEopWQ4CIYh7HcqTQHBSnMb8n2F7MzYEO6D8HDbYP-eLrUCs6R5H9CzItIfMiX4ldYkzqaMD3PkJgpYlX/s640/P2080244_1072x804.shkl.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><!--EndFragment-->Unknownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00731442910056344347noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065044569077750638.post-53884682991049212152012-01-19T07:22:00.000-08:002012-01-19T07:24:44.837-08:00Wells of Life<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> “Maybe the wells that give life and love are drying out? Maybe I need to find new wells? Why do I need to stay at a dry well, what’s the point? Where are wells of flowing love?”</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These are questions I asked a few weeks ago. It was a time of confusion and disorientation </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">for me. Feeling directionless. Feeling that relationships were stagnating. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In trying to surrender to God, I have lived out the question, and have come upon some wells that are changing my faith and me.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here are 3 stories.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are words in life that never leave us. There are moments in life that forever shape us.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On the bare concrete floor of a neighbor’s home, we shared stories. I go and visit once a week, she says I am like a son. This time, I clearly remember thinking, “Is this relationship at stagnation, what else do we have to offer each other?”</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This time, our faith became a central topic, we asked questions back and forth about the Muslim and Christian faith. This came up naturally and shocked me. I did not expect this conversation with her. Furthermore, we understood each other extraordinary well for using Indonesian. Questions like: “how often do you have to pray each day?” are very common when I meet Muslims. However, this neighbor went a big step further and shared this: </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“My neighbor who was thinking of becoming a Christian is receiving lots of stuff from a Christian. Also, when I was begging, some Christians told me that they would help me if I became a Christian. Jason, I’m confused. Why do I need to become a Christian for me to get help from Christians?” </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In some ways it’s a question that I have always wanted asked. In other ways, it’s a question I dread.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It’s a question I long to hear because, I echo the same question in my mind when I look around the world of missions and social service. Furthermore, I have encountered this reality in the church here. This issue is vastly complex, layers of theological, development, historical and contextual issues intertwine so that I daily stare lost into Indonesian landscape and religion and poverty. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I cried trying to answer this question. There are few questions that hit closer to my heart. I asked for forgiveness. And said that was not the way things are supposed to be. The Christian life follows Jesus and Jesus did not do that.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But, the answer to the question isn’t the point right now—although that makes for a lively discussion. What is important is that my concern for having a productive relationship where I am learning, growing and doing at a desirable speed. Generally, that means faster than the way relationships form and blossom here. Just being there on the floor of my neighbor’s home is all the matters. That speaks far more about Jesus than any Indonesian phrase I can muster. And the very fact that she could ask that question, speaks volumes of what slow patient relationship building leads to. Deep wells of mutual blessing. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is an excerpt from a reflection I wrote: </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The night that the youth leadership planned the upcoming years was a remarkable experience. That is what happens over and over again here, I debate joining a certain event and then I attend and my assumptions for it are completely overturned. The role of the youth pastor was fascinating at this meeting. The youth lead there way through the issues of planning, while the pastor at times offered guidance, and some alternatives to their thoughts. In the end, it was up to the youth. When specific planning had to be done for the special youth events of the upcoming year, the pastor did not tell the youth how this could be best done. Rather, the pastor asked for various perspectives on decision-making and why each youth leader thought their model of decision-making was better. This process of empowering the youth was not rushed, but took as long as all voices were heard and consensus could be reached. An unexpected learning opportunity for me. I am learning lots from observing and not forcing my way of leading and acting upon the youth. The youth are teaching me more than I am teaching them—a cross-cultural success! </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This illustrates a somewhat expected reality here. I learn more from Indonesians, than I can teach and give to them. It is how cross-cultural mission trips should go. I knew this before coming here, I pray over this, and often feel much freedom and joy in my role as a foreigner coming to a church and culture so different then my own. However, it is not easy to always accept this role of observer and follower. However, I am uncomfortable trying to explain my time in Indonesia to my home church and to those whom have sponsored me. I feel like they expect that I accomplish specific tasks and “get things done.” In short, they expect and I am tempted to at times to make sure that I am effective in the North American sense of the word. There is pride in accomplishing things and doing more than listening and allowing others to decide and lead. I guess that this is what being a pastor is about.” </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Host family. Before coming this year in Indonesia, I do not know if I ever gave my future host family more than 5 seconds of thought. That has proved to be a massive underestimation of the impact of a host family upon my experience in Indonesia, and certainly for every other SALT position. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My host family has been a place of great highs and some lows. The way of life for my whole family is radically different then my family at home. However, it is the huge differences between the way I see life and live it compared to my host mothers where great joy and frustration lie. Indonesia’s recent acceleration into increased modernization and industrialization means that the current youth/young adult’s generation is growing up in a very different world than their parents. You may think that in Canada, a gap like that exists, but it is tiny compared to Indonesia. I just accentuate this gap even more. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Among many things in this gap, is a difference having to do with love. The way I know family love at home is so different here than at home. This is also true for friendships. The best way I can pinpoint it is to use this example.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The following questions are ways that we love people at home:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“What did you do today?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“What did you think about your experience…?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“What will you do later or tomorrow?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“How was this event…?”</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is through these questions that can take different levels of intimacy that we show we care and are interested in the lives of each other.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well, all of those questions are rarely asked to me here. I miss those questions and the conversation that comes from it. I try to ask those questions here, a range of confused faces to short quick answers is the average response. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So back to my host mothers, they ask very few questions in general. If a question is asked it is either “already showered?” or “already eat?” Not the kind of questions that beckon a lengthy conversation. Life is about work. Getting up at 5am and going to bed at 10pm, with a mix of work, sitting around and eating. If there is an important church event, that interrupts the rhythm of life. So my free-spirited, adventurous and talkative self has run into a few walls in the process of relationship building with my host mothers. So I asked me self a few weeks ago, “is the well that gives life in my host family drying up?” </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have learned and been saturated in an environment of love at home and in university. However, what I experience there is one way of loving. Rarely do people asks questions that signal to me there interest in my life or rarely do I hear compliments and encouragement, but that is just not the culture here. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The love given by people here is not less full, but it feels that way sometimes. The love of the people here is different and it takes a long time to know it, taste and embrace it. God created a plethora of cultures and these cultures each have unique and truly beautiful ways of loving each other. Indonesian love is very full. I can see it filling in gaps in my love. How wide, deep and high Jesus’ love is has been marvelously revealed in my host mothers whom truly to care and want the best for me. They make sure I leave the home wearing good tidy clothes, make sure I am never hungry, make sure to praise God for all things, make sure that I get a trim my shaggy hair (true story…haha). These are the ways that they love fully and the ways that they live out Christ’s love within them. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God's love has always been the same; however I am finding a new part of that giant heart of Love. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Around Christmas I really felt that the wells of love and life that could be given to me were drying up. I did not know where these wells of love could come from. I couldn't see how my family could be life giving, and relationships felt stagnant. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have been seeing the water from these wells all along--I just didn't know that it was waters of love and life. I just didn't recognize it. Now I taste it and know that this is God's love. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">People here are also learning how God's love works through me.....in ways that they have never seen before. It's mutual--the way cross-cultural experience should be. It's just so so easy to run around thinking that I know what love is and I call point and name it when I see it. God's love is NEVER that simple.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” ~~Ephesians 3:16-19</span></div>Unknownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00731442910056344347noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065044569077750638.post-62545350114247793432012-01-04T01:42:00.001-08:002012-01-04T03:20:49.478-08:00a video and some pictures...what is this? Christmas.....<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy New Year and Merry Christmas!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The belatedness of this comes because of a combination of business, sickness and technical glitches.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But, I come bearing gifts.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is like having to wait until ALL the food is ready at home until you can begin eating…</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is like waiting for the 3 hour Indonesian church service to finish…..to find the bakso buffet at the end. (haha, rubbery meatballs that Salters have a minor dislike to deep distain for)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is like waiting until after Christmas to then be able to delve into an audial visual wonder….</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Behold….</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Christmas video that is imperfect like its producer, whom forgets to show where his room is in his home…..silly me. Well, one morning I took a few video clips.....and this is the end result.</span><br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ajotOVObYWc" width="420"></iframe><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photo time......</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uhkpbiqamxQ/TwQgf7qb4AI/AAAAAAAAAKk/k8IJ07XoROE/s1600/PC060015_822x1096.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uhkpbiqamxQ/TwQgf7qb4AI/AAAAAAAAAKk/k8IJ07XoROE/s400/PC060015_822x1096.shkl.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I went to the market with the cook of my favorite small buffalo meat restaurant, while browsing the tantalizing produce, I payed 50 cents for a live catfish. Needless to say, the catfish was rather restless. The first attempt of the catfish to escape my back pack caused me to swerve and freak-out as unexpectedly my meal tried to get away on me. In the end it mets its fate as a delicious supper.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TfG2TLMdTtc/TwQgi1epHrI/AAAAAAAAAKs/fMqox6Psse0/s1600/PC080022_801x1068.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TfG2TLMdTtc/TwQgi1epHrI/AAAAAAAAAKs/fMqox6Psse0/s400/PC080022_801x1068.shkl.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A fine specimen of </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">Artocarpus heterophyllus, or jack fruit.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BKn5af4ovUk/TwQglbT9PdI/AAAAAAAAAK0/idPWbITVOx8/s1600/PC100062_777x1036.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BKn5af4ovUk/TwQglbT9PdI/AAAAAAAAAK0/idPWbITVOx8/s400/PC100062_777x1036.shkl.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A friend, me and a stranger having a communal shower together under a waterfall.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TYwJDbIE7Qs/TwQgrY0Gv2I/AAAAAAAAAK8/YtA6kJnXgts/s1600/PC100082_855x1140.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TYwJDbIE7Qs/TwQgrY0Gv2I/AAAAAAAAAK8/YtA6kJnXgts/s640/PC100082_855x1140.shkl.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Hw6hA9JDiI/TwQguYcoumI/AAAAAAAAALE/4iQyy0sI7Ys/s1600/PC100118_1068x801.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Hw6hA9JDiI/TwQguYcoumI/AAAAAAAAALE/4iQyy0sI7Ys/s400/PC100118_1068x801.shkl.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Na7iG-Zffv0/TwQgvuHWHgI/AAAAAAAAALM/fDioJytYvjU/s1600/PC110018_400x300.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Na7iG-Zffv0/TwQgvuHWHgI/AAAAAAAAALM/fDioJytYvjU/s400/PC110018_400x300.shkl.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I visited a Buddhist temple with my host family and was able to talk about the meaning of the various candles, signs etc. Chinese New Year is January 23rd, i hope to stop by at the festivities at the local temple.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UNhOEpvGTLI/TwQgw62fweI/AAAAAAAAALU/XhQJ8ZCqa6k/s1600/PC160063_400x300.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UNhOEpvGTLI/TwQgw62fweI/AAAAAAAAALU/XhQJ8ZCqa6k/s400/PC160063_400x300.shkl.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dpl9tjM-d1I/TwQgzxkG6iI/AAAAAAAAALc/DlyXOFhUmeY/s1600/PC260022_933x1244.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dpl9tjM-d1I/TwQgzxkG6iI/AAAAAAAAALc/DlyXOFhUmeY/s640/PC260022_933x1244.shkl.JPG" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The highly anticipated angklung performance occurred for the massive special Christmas program at my church. 1500 sets of eyes and ears awaited melodious rattling. This also represents the 1500 people in my church. That also means that my church is more than 2x the population size of King's University! </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4SDoCJGY46E/TwQsyijuENI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/FDmRGOPPXLk/s1600/PC280134_906x1208.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4SDoCJGY46E/TwQsyijuENI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/FDmRGOPPXLk/s640/PC280134_906x1208.shkl.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> Jason + The world's largest Hindu temples (Prambanan) = one happy guy</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x-BmPe1vdMs/TwQs12G6iKI/AAAAAAAAAMY/RRma4OjVf90/s1600/PC280238_1192x894.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x-BmPe1vdMs/TwQs12G6iKI/AAAAAAAAAMY/RRma4OjVf90/s640/PC280238_1192x894.shkl.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A family road trip to Borobudur, the world's largest Buddhist temple. Home to every Indonesian teenager who wants a photo with me and overpriced souvenirs.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R0ywZ_QohvI/TwQg7S8ttAI/AAAAAAAAAL0/MiTBLfxuEnE/s1600/PC290015_1084x813.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R0ywZ_QohvI/TwQg7S8ttAI/AAAAAAAAAL0/MiTBLfxuEnE/s640/PC290015_1084x813.shkl.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Traditional Javanese art painting depicting the birth of Jesus. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q8lykcbmFF4/TwQg-IU66gI/AAAAAAAAAL8/OX-qRjy0QFM/s1600/PC290043_1036x777.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q8lykcbmFF4/TwQg-IU66gI/AAAAAAAAAL8/OX-qRjy0QFM/s640/PC290043_1036x777.shkl.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Jason practices stoicism and mediation while confusion reigns over the church's youth group.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0al9NGfWRe4/TwQhBAr5I0I/AAAAAAAAAME/aVE3ddP_YjE/s1600/PC310042_1172x879.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0al9NGfWRe4/TwQhBAr5I0I/AAAAAAAAAME/aVE3ddP_YjE/s640/PC310042_1172x879.shkl.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Host family photo minus one older brother.....plus a Christmas tree. How festive.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Life has been crazy for the past month. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lots of Christmas services and events for weeks before Christmas.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Christmas with MCC for a few days.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Christmas two day road trip with my family.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Speaking at the Youth Leadership Camp I mentioned in the last post, which was difficult to do and I learned lots, and I hope the youth did as well.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Visiting neighbors.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Going to temples and markets.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">New Years eve sleeping over with the young adults.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Being sick.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Misunderstandings with my host family and the ensuing attempts for resolution.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Reflecting on my experience here so far.</span></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Planning the coming months.</span></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, the gathering with people whom have HIV/AIDS was cancelled in December, so it will hopefully go ahead tomorrow. </span></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This weekend is an interfaith forum, I will talk at it about pluralism and hope to connect with those from other faiths.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I miss family and friends more at Christmas time than any other time. Take care, Jason.</span></div>Unknownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00731442910056344347noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065044569077750638.post-82647767966016318412011-12-14T21:23:00.000-08:002011-12-14T21:23:02.140-08:002 Prayer Requests<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wow! Life is going by at an astonishing pace right now. Just just over a week until Christmas. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Christmas in the Indonesian church, at least the church I am serving at, is very different than Christmas at home.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are 2 upcoming events that will stretch me. Sometimes, I can't predict what will stretch me, but in this case, I know beforehand. The built up has already stretched me.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>First,</b> I can't think of the last time I was so terrified and so excited for something as I am for tomorrow. I will visit a <b>gathering of people with HIV/AIDS</b>. This is a dream come true for me. I have always wanted to sit and talk with people whom have AIDS. At the same time, I am uneasy and uncertain going into this. There will be children and adults. Prostitutes and homosexuals. Gathered together in one home. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Prayers that I may be able to see and hear Jesus within and among the people I will sit beside. Prayers that I may have the right words and actions that does not reflect any superiority, cheap charity or pride. Pray that it may be clear that although I am a white North American, I do not come to bring medicine or money. I come to receive the stories and lives of those whom are highly stigmatized. I pray that I can discover not their poverty and the chains that bind them, but the poverty and chains in my life that limit the full life that Jesus gives.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Secondly, </b>I am leading a 1.5 hour session at the <b>Youth Leadership Camp</b> for middle-high school youth. It is about living lives of worship--lives that seek justice. Like everything I do, it will be in Indonesian, which is the first challenge. The second, is that I have used words like justice so much through university, that it is a challenge for me know how to communicate that to high school youth. The third, is that I want to be creative, which always runs the risk of not working well. But with the other possibility that it is awesome. So I have created different creative ways of communicating what I could say in a speech. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pray that I may communicate well and that my time will help create church leaders whom seek lives that love their neighbor--lives of worship. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pray that the youth may engage the material and be inspired to become leaders that will worship fully--which will lead other to worship fully as well. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanks for prayers. I had to deal with an intense morning of homesickness that other day. But I take that emotion as a good and beautiful thing. Miss you all!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span>Unknownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00731442910056344347noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065044569077750638.post-42375529579897413682011-12-11T23:16:00.000-08:002011-12-11T23:50:40.296-08:00Where will you be next year?<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is from my article to the King's University College Newspaper......</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Take chances. Make mistakes. Get messy. Be challenged. Learn some things. Teach some things. Spend a year living somewhere that you never dreamed you'd go.”</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is the tag-line for the SALT program.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Most definitely, all of the above mentioned promises for the SALT program have come true.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They could come true to you as well.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now is the time for YOU to consider going on SALT program for 2012-2013. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I never imagined I would be eating exotic fruit and harvesting onions between some rice paddies (like I did today) a year ago. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Life is not always a picnic here eating some fruit and pulling a few onions.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is no 2 week missions trip.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is no vacation.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is no polished poverty alleviation program.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is no what you will imagine it will be like.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is not predictable.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is not polished.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is not comfortable.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is not being effective in the Western sense of that word.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is not failure free. It’s failure ridden.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are positions for those interested and gifted with teaching, pasturing, engineering, farming. There are positions in the deserts of Jordan, the rice paddies of Indonesia and the Savannah of Kenya. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">No one has the same experience within this same program. So there are no guarantees for what will happen or how you will change. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But you will change.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Your world will change.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Your relationship to God will change.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Your relationship to others will change.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But God will not change. </span><o:p></o:p><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oh yah...did I mention your food will change? Just finished up a plate of fluffy rice and with a sprinkle of small fish heads. With the coaching of my fellow pastors. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Want to go? Have questions.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">check out: salt.mcc.org</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">email me: <a href="mailto:Jason_k_horlings@hotmail.com">Jason_k_horlings@hotmail.com</a></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span>Unknownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00731442910056344347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065044569077750638.post-70087869759321497292011-12-04T23:19:00.000-08:002011-12-05T00:20:49.812-08:00Picture this.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRFaHK97n0h7yiuc8kPx_p5i62KglyeX0OaQxbukWEk8UUPHgGYxe0n_Tsrddrr6UY-L0Wnf9nECw6uHhyphenhyphengrO-qSWQKVxps0d3J4OlduL87J-wTcZQJ07hRFdlUAFXfMzAO3PShWOqqpWb/s1600/PA280044_1016x762.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRFaHK97n0h7yiuc8kPx_p5i62KglyeX0OaQxbukWEk8UUPHgGYxe0n_Tsrddrr6UY-L0Wnf9nECw6uHhyphenhyphengrO-qSWQKVxps0d3J4OlduL87J-wTcZQJ07hRFdlUAFXfMzAO3PShWOqqpWb/s640/PA280044_1016x762.shkl.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Outside her home, I am with the mother of the sick child (that child is not in the photo) which I referred to in the previous post. The mother earns $8 a day rolling cigarettes for a cigarette company. The co-owners of the company have $11 billion. We talked about that. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAsr1pjbHBwv0ajT5IEiFKRGbfrygUtTx2yfgxCQ8zA5OtzJ8JnoHLkCx2CbrXmlhR_-3bJoeTwsZZXZ85PvFPm_zdBJ55BkcgOAtoNX8S1GBHCaDlN8F9IeYBQc7959NudPpdnezpbCYo/s1600/PB080087_988x741.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAsr1pjbHBwv0ajT5IEiFKRGbfrygUtTx2yfgxCQ8zA5OtzJ8JnoHLkCx2CbrXmlhR_-3bJoeTwsZZXZ85PvFPm_zdBJ55BkcgOAtoNX8S1GBHCaDlN8F9IeYBQc7959NudPpdnezpbCYo/s640/PB080087_988x741.shkl.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">After breaking it down for a while.....I looked around.....and there were people pulled over on the road behind me watching. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhff7msy3cOAqTrSK85VTzhOSuvTX2ZBtPSFa1EnybMOL7-erhKT7ogAWDIkD1-PNPnNnBPG3Xx0_WghVsrmwJrFQhPdzvwFdwlroIA5kpTmz8XtW2pQcsVOw4hnZGGilApaEOV2qd1SUBa/s1600/PB140155_780x1040.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhff7msy3cOAqTrSK85VTzhOSuvTX2ZBtPSFa1EnybMOL7-erhKT7ogAWDIkD1-PNPnNnBPG3Xx0_WghVsrmwJrFQhPdzvwFdwlroIA5kpTmz8XtW2pQcsVOw4hnZGGilApaEOV2qd1SUBa/s640/PB140155_780x1040.shkl.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Jason's first encounter with cobra went like this.....while the cobra handler looks on unphased. I guess, it was only hissing and lunging so why not just sit back and have a smoke. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEsJnHNqEDth4mf8ZhrCBnOzLQBOmc13gOXFFPkwhcuSeM-t_kIJhmiwPaOYS28bj6O3ssqrL4_JzPpX9hd3ZNkZOg4e8sApCriorQBVokifW-rQdzquENhnJIsERXK6mhVempuzMgXr1w/s1600/PB140164_400x533.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEsJnHNqEDth4mf8ZhrCBnOzLQBOmc13gOXFFPkwhcuSeM-t_kIJhmiwPaOYS28bj6O3ssqrL4_JzPpX9hd3ZNkZOg4e8sApCriorQBVokifW-rQdzquENhnJIsERXK6mhVempuzMgXr1w/s640/PB140164_400x533.shkl.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">And then why not kill and then eat the cobra.....i took a pass on the cobra blood mixed with the gall bladder and spinal cartilage.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJYQmH7LWjzwuJeMsIgg_tghUawtF86-qeZW7ubq-CGWLLdMoRZtLdF-on3RQJUKs-nhQNVp3yzOF_R5iVI8HzF6YxYeTbep9MOJsjhra1kAYFypGJUqe1A6g_hzSK33ShXe1daF5YVsba/s1600/PB220024_400x300.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJYQmH7LWjzwuJeMsIgg_tghUawtF86-qeZW7ubq-CGWLLdMoRZtLdF-on3RQJUKs-nhQNVp3yzOF_R5iVI8HzF6YxYeTbep9MOJsjhra1kAYFypGJUqe1A6g_hzSK33ShXe1daF5YVsba/s400/PB220024_400x300.shkl.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> Rambutan (a fruit).....how I love you.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsYt_thnyBeDTWTXZ_kYx7_L_kMuhR2oj-GUaCeCy9S_sGaNMdyKTNjma2Um8TZkB9VuRR06NzPxK5t1nrjpdk_LGWDQzuhEM_UFaXXuL2k8zicP21Gb62TPs9199DWSnOn5R9hyFdsaOE/s1600/PB220058_400x533.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsYt_thnyBeDTWTXZ_kYx7_L_kMuhR2oj-GUaCeCy9S_sGaNMdyKTNjma2Um8TZkB9VuRR06NzPxK5t1nrjpdk_LGWDQzuhEM_UFaXXuL2k8zicP21Gb62TPs9199DWSnOn5R9hyFdsaOE/s640/PB220058_400x533.shkl.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Picking some duku fruit with my koran/Arabic teacher. Forever grateful that I had to learn Indonesian and not Arabic.....and not sure why I would attempt to learn a new language from a man who knows no English. But it's been a blessing already. A</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 30px;">ssalamu alaikum....</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKCWDn1G-WdpLSWQajpNumAnvY_9JObcObDX2RsIBoKZrVxAmrxl90LHhRxDpTCFsiu2ogej407BTikVxqpI6Hy2Ln5cBFEkjdmdRoPkzanynnCDj9lBeKMHaLPHZROLRCTBwmJiz6CTfG/s1600/PB220087_400x533.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKCWDn1G-WdpLSWQajpNumAnvY_9JObcObDX2RsIBoKZrVxAmrxl90LHhRxDpTCFsiu2ogej407BTikVxqpI6Hy2Ln5cBFEkjdmdRoPkzanynnCDj9lBeKMHaLPHZROLRCTBwmJiz6CTfG/s640/PB220087_400x533.shkl.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I spent a good 10 minutes in pursuit of this lizard....so you better enjoy it!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVGoDvpRijCJB0raagQgjqPMK710fJU-wiDKVyV58At0DbGxGMaMIO-zdzJLgfsiipgPjRiQ82hMmzdrt-dfwR6Vaft5dR4ZnAs2IWwPrPIQrm4AaZYACDRAMwcUyHRNDolE6kDO4jy7lr/s1600/PB220108_400x533.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVGoDvpRijCJB0raagQgjqPMK710fJU-wiDKVyV58At0DbGxGMaMIO-zdzJLgfsiipgPjRiQ82hMmzdrt-dfwR6Vaft5dR4ZnAs2IWwPrPIQrm4AaZYACDRAMwcUyHRNDolE6kDO4jy7lr/s640/PB220108_400x533.shkl.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">While this bug, was much more photo friendly. Guess what plant it is on? Hint: I eat it three times a day.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPj6A4EavwVi02S2jkHnOgFE3bLAE3-dfve9ybCF58JDVJO3UHc2BvhTYrTfO4AKVBjqWGeDJBCldC74AT-w1tE5zmaOG3k2M6AtQHNzdyF60aGlFS88NyGQeshaf60d9C3JdIoyzFLha2/s1600/PC030228_1020x765.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPj6A4EavwVi02S2jkHnOgFE3bLAE3-dfve9ybCF58JDVJO3UHc2BvhTYrTfO4AKVBjqWGeDJBCldC74AT-w1tE5zmaOG3k2M6AtQHNzdyF60aGlFS88NyGQeshaf60d9C3JdIoyzFLha2/s640/PC030228_1020x765.shkl.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Door-to-door communion with a pastor and a few other church members was powerful. It is for those unable to come to church because of health issues. I have never been in such a small dirty house, maybe 3 meters wide with her bed in front of you when you step through the front door. We did communion with her on her bed--there is something amazing about doing communion with someone right in the messiness and reality of life.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe1Rywz6Kd-dp-dmYAQ39nuD-xSOQkU0vALeDNHSmkaPi98N7TcPjwUGsQkFtIgKL5a7UDHKGWhSeHdWR73yxlJMsCej2wkO1c9_DgK8W395rsnzbJVIdg9CEXX7UZMm3tu3Npcz6yzwHS/s1600/PC030230_944x708.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe1Rywz6Kd-dp-dmYAQ39nuD-xSOQkU0vALeDNHSmkaPi98N7TcPjwUGsQkFtIgKL5a7UDHKGWhSeHdWR73yxlJMsCej2wkO1c9_DgK8W395rsnzbJVIdg9CEXX7UZMm3tu3Npcz6yzwHS/s640/PC030230_944x708.shkl.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Walking to another home to do communion, and a fan club started with these school kids.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCL3bQvzLuoIo4uAHrUMmU0KshHWj5yi14Y9Nngq5ft2I_hw5SeMdA8zXOIVGejoHTpdw6hK2qlUexxRGpQ5EiBd71o17V1VgC3-DqFpEFdxQ1qfm4EIWaNvR8Kw6HrnroWcWOXnGQD-hF/s1600/PB220013_988x741.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCL3bQvzLuoIo4uAHrUMmU0KshHWj5yi14Y9Nngq5ft2I_hw5SeMdA8zXOIVGejoHTpdw6hK2qlUexxRGpQ5EiBd71o17V1VgC3-DqFpEFdxQ1qfm4EIWaNvR8Kw6HrnroWcWOXnGQD-hF/s640/PB220013_988x741.shkl.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">50 meters from my home, this is the street market. I declined the attempted sale of a live catfish today.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh80ZAkhmNWUP73cuyj215OLXOcn02e546qDrGF7wL-gWfipJbzPrX4Ibio0XhvD875cG8svuV6p-UE2yNDBjrDn_2mQKfXFGmqX9CiGWXzxdt0isJcW7vXMoZ84rqCY4JKYP00y_gIziYa/s1600/PB130114_996x747.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh80ZAkhmNWUP73cuyj215OLXOcn02e546qDrGF7wL-gWfipJbzPrX4Ibio0XhvD875cG8svuV6p-UE2yNDBjrDn_2mQKfXFGmqX9CiGWXzxdt0isJcW7vXMoZ84rqCY4JKYP00y_gIziYa/s640/PB130114_996x747.shkl.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I journey with the Evangelism group at church ( led by one of my mothers) to a city 5 hours away. We had a church service with this recently baptized Chinese traditional fortune teller/healer. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOlywhBuFWT497v4J0bv2uZvL_Zr6i_0T_stbcq5RalXTL03x8SzWn53WaFvqaP-UVoskiJ6xc6qSgS8nJzFOcZw9d4P1w_YZvViozDa8uGDX1uMnnTS6iJ__GV3jOhiKp6drKRIveG36O/s1600/323745_2184156529899_1426560587_31745696_856481268_o_400x267.shkl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOlywhBuFWT497v4J0bv2uZvL_Zr6i_0T_stbcq5RalXTL03x8SzWn53WaFvqaP-UVoskiJ6xc6qSgS8nJzFOcZw9d4P1w_YZvViozDa8uGDX1uMnnTS6iJ__GV3jOhiKp6drKRIveG36O/s400/323745_2184156529899_1426560587_31745696_856481268_o_400x267.shkl.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I guess I need a blue shirt, the plaid red shirt just doesn't help me cause in Indonesia. Here are many of the young adults, celebrating 6 years of there program "Vox Reformata" ( Voice of Reformation). Mennonite or Christian Reformed? The lined is very blurred here. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Unknownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00731442910056344347noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065044569077750638.post-77107213675553335682011-11-20T07:52:00.000-08:002011-11-20T07:52:15.845-08:00"May God bless you with a restless discomfort"<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:DocumentProperties> <o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template> <o:Revision>0</o:Revision> <o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime> <o:Pages>1</o:Pages> <o:Words>892</o:Words> <o:Characters>5085</o:Characters> <o:Company>The King's University College</o:Company> <o:Lines>42</o:Lines> <o:Paragraphs>10</o:Paragraphs> <o:CharactersWithSpaces>6244</o:CharactersWithSpaces> <o:Version>12.0</o:Version> </o:DocumentProperties> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing> <w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing> <w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0cm;
mso-para-margin-right:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0cm;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style> <![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To use the analogy of an airplane taking off, beginning to soar, but hitting a little bit of turbulence, would not be far off to how the past 2 weeks have gone.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Every single day over these 2 weeks I can point to a unique and amazing experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The previous blog post is about one of those.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here is another.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have made visiting a specific neighbor’s home a spiritual discipline for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sometimes, maybe often, when we practice spiritual disciples they become predictable and comfortable.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was my 4<sup>th</sup> time to visit the family and the surrounding homes; it seemed that nothing was going to make it different from the rest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I showed up with kids running circles around me, but this time with my bike—so there was added excitement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh, and when I say kids, I mean 30 of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The mother of the home, immediately asked me to come into the home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is quite unusual. Those who don’t have homes like the middle and high-income Indonesians, they are very hesitant to allow you in to see inside the house.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I entered the home in some apprehension since it was odd.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was dark, the floor was concrete and the walls were a brick with a few simple pieces of furniture sprinkled through out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By far the most materially poor home I have been too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The mother brought me to a bedroom and there was a baby lying on it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It didn’t look normal or healthy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In a terrible moment, I actually thought it was dead.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I looked for breathing and found it—and was relieved.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The 3-year-old child’s head was grossly large and its eyes seemed completely lost. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At one point, the mother turned the baby over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She pulled back the shirt allowing me to see the child’s back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I braced for what was to come, but it was worse than I imagined.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My eyes came upon a bulging tumor-like mass of red raw looking fleshes the size of my fist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It completely shocked me.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It distressed me. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In painful words the mother explained the sickness and here inability to pay for the cure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The burden of working and having 5 children.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The burden having to give special care for the child.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She was distressed and angry at the situation.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Understanding most, but not all of what the mother was saying.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I played with the child’s toes and touched its soft skin. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Than she asked me my most feared question. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Can you give money to us?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What do you say to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">that</i>?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I didn’t have money to give at that moment.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I also didn’t want to promise money.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But God gave me some words.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He said that you have something even greater to offer her, weather you eventually do or don’t offer money.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I told her in discomfort.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“I want to come at least once a week.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I want to visit the child every time I come.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I want to know if things are getting better or worse for you and the child.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I didn’t know what else to say.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Relationship is the best gift I can offer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sharing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Listening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being in agony with her. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Something more happen there as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Often, I feel deeply disconnected here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel like there are different worlds which I enter in and out of.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Church is one world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The mosque and Islam was another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The poor is another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The affluent is another world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This relationship with this family has defied all the boundaries between religion and wealth. There is a sense that we are on a journey together not marked by the categories that mar so much of life. Walking not ahead or behind each other, but along side each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The next day I collapsed into tears of frustration, agony and disappointment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was angry at the situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Frustration</span> at the disconnect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Disappointed</span> at the church—not just here, everywhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I struggled to reconcile that experience with my faith and the church. And I still struggle to.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0cm 0cm 1.0pt 0cm;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 1.0pt 0cm; mso-pagination: none; padding: 0cm; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Praises: <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">--For meeting neighbors like my above story<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">--The relationship between myself and my mothers is strengthen a lot this past week<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">--I am able to contribute to the pastor’s meeting far more than before.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">--God’s teaching me cultural understanding, forgiveness and demanding more intimacy<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">--I am very comfortable around the 2 pastors I work with the most.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We generally laugh at each other lots.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">--Far more relaxed about my pastoral position here and what my time each day looks like<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">--For tough questions from little Muslim kids “Why are you a Christian?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had no idea how to answer that question in a way that made sense to a 10-year-old Muslim.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sure made me think lots. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">--For joy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had plenty of it this week. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Concerns:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-- Getting so busy that I lose what God is saying and doing here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not rushing my experience here is important and will be hard. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-- Hitting a language plateau because I can get around just fine with the words I know<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-- For my doubt, frustration and questions with church to lead me to have visions about transformation, that I can act of God's voice in this regard and that these struggles lead me to realize my own shortcomings and assumptions. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">--I have stomach flu as I sit here and write this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But this has been shockingly rare for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Praise God!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have had these great intentions to write letters and stay in touch with more of you than I have so far.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will strive to make these intentions more of a reality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So thank-you for constant emails, face book messages, and mail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yesterday I got mail from someone I would never imagine getting mail from.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Completely amazed and humbled by those who think and pray for me.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here is a Franscian blessing that I put next to my bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I read it every day. Truly relevant in regards to my story.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Palatino; mso-bidi-font-size: 18.0pt;">"M</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Palatino; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">ay God bless you with a restless discomfort</span></b><span style="line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Palatino; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"> about easy answers, half-truths and superficial relationships, so that you may seek truth boldly and love deep within your heart. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Palatino; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">May God bless you with holy anger at injustice</span></b><span style="line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Palatino; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that you may tirelessly work for justice, freedom, and peace among all people. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Palatino; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">May God bless you with the gift of tears</span></b><span style="line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Palatino; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"> to shed with those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation, or the loss of all that they cherish, so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and transform their pain into joy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Palatino; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">May God bless you with enough foolishness</span></b><span style="line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Palatino; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"> to believe that you really CAN make a difference in this world, so that you are able, with God's grace, to do what others claim cannot be done."</span></span></div><!--EndFragment-->Unknownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00731442910056344347noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065044569077750638.post-75027565966938982752011-11-18T23:15:00.000-08:002011-11-20T06:57:03.831-08:00Idul Adha (with photos)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I woke up Sunday morning and headed off to the neighborhood mosque. I had no idea what I was getting myself into...</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I wandered through pools of blood,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">on the spectacular white floors.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Awkwardly of course<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I then try to sit cross-legged like an Indonesian, but the result is nothing pretty.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I smell….whatever that mixture of blood, meat and guts smell like.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I nervously pick up a knife.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am told to grab a chunk of freshly slaughter meat.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then a helpful man cracks a smile.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I nearly amputate his fingers before he corrects my horrible butchering skills.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Two other men try to understand why with them on such an important day.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Everyone else takes a glance, then they need to take a second glance, and then they continue on chopping, sawing, pulling the buffalo.</span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Continuing sitting, I tear, cut and well…..<o:p></o:p></span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just love to put my fingers in the rich red meat.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I move up and go over to talk to a man whom seems to know a lot.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We talk over hot tea and some rice wrapped in a newspaper.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Religion, culture and weather were some of our favorite topics.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A crowd of children, women storm the entrance.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hands reached out in desperation.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bodies squished against each other.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Security has to push back against the surge of beggars.</span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is Idul Adha<o:p></o:p></span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Celebrated by the Muslims to remember the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice Ishmael</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At a mosque</span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With an imam</span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In Indonesia<o:p></o:p></span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On a Sunday Morning<o:p></o:p></span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Unforgettable. </span></span></div></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ7w1az3mtGeHfdX4-fMVzwDY2pHNCX8fEusmrgQKQc6syvgBlVpIuYfo6yTwkjJt6ijvpx-4xxVu2TKJ3ZwklAuWtM5PuMBcq6lJ1xGuQ0JuxqbOP46Ho7_m6KkMfua4FU38Rbh9Ctqai/s1600/PB060009_400x300.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ7w1az3mtGeHfdX4-fMVzwDY2pHNCX8fEusmrgQKQc6syvgBlVpIuYfo6yTwkjJt6ijvpx-4xxVu2TKJ3ZwklAuWtM5PuMBcq6lJ1xGuQ0JuxqbOP46Ho7_m6KkMfua4FU38Rbh9Ctqai/s400/PB060009_400x300.shkl.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jason in complete confusion.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5cj81fjl2dflO0NKN1DkoMWyRvuB4RFU_uJcZmui6ClmLzOf-kn2VfKPCScPBfSdS4Mt0Kd6FdmJ7EDRT8o4AnK4fayjYIbabQz1rfgX1Z9m43O8BYinLqsilXi_jnqaHy3TwOMlSuFQV/s1600/PB060006_400x300.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5cj81fjl2dflO0NKN1DkoMWyRvuB4RFU_uJcZmui6ClmLzOf-kn2VfKPCScPBfSdS4Mt0Kd6FdmJ7EDRT8o4AnK4fayjYIbabQz1rfgX1Z9m43O8BYinLqsilXi_jnqaHy3TwOMlSuFQV/s400/PB060006_400x300.shkl.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am not sure who was more scared. Me or the poor guy holding the other half of meat?</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitmeIPd9TS8Yk49kYuKCJnVhNLGpvzxb35Ud5NM6BLQrBaYQVJeCz65ToU-bKfV7ra7CN7B3SIuEyJZMLXssVgh1iNZlHSxGQJ8zLmM_Srznm-TtCBP_Proo9-bB6zXa8HIlzIQPaHVxsX/s1600/PB060013_400x300.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitmeIPd9TS8Yk49kYuKCJnVhNLGpvzxb35Ud5NM6BLQrBaYQVJeCz65ToU-bKfV7ra7CN7B3SIuEyJZMLXssVgh1iNZlHSxGQJ8zLmM_Srznm-TtCBP_Proo9-bB6zXa8HIlzIQPaHVxsX/s400/PB060013_400x300.shkl.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A little stack of buffalo meat with some intestines on top....ready for distribution in the surrounding community.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSmJTYLA31UEe3uVTZhIV5D13x3VVN9Xn8-gZL9zkzNS1OIOKvwCZDINP75CA0XTb9VI81GJQCrdf7vys05wLiIwlyiaBPAFWmi490Ob78VCRkgJzo1zehf5tsRieSW_V_HMxXgbkDwibN/s1600/PB060021_400x300.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSmJTYLA31UEe3uVTZhIV5D13x3VVN9Xn8-gZL9zkzNS1OIOKvwCZDINP75CA0XTb9VI81GJQCrdf7vys05wLiIwlyiaBPAFWmi490Ob78VCRkgJzo1zehf5tsRieSW_V_HMxXgbkDwibN/s320/PB060021_400x300.shkl.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You understand what I mean that my legs are a little of the awkward side. The Imam and I enjoying rice.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div>Unknownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00731442910056344347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065044569077750638.post-63795342732686864242011-11-17T07:53:00.000-08:002011-11-20T07:56:02.191-08:00The Rhythm of Life<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:DocumentProperties> <o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template> <o:Revision>0</o:Revision> <o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime> <o:Pages>1</o:Pages> <o:Words>548</o:Words> <o:Characters>3128</o:Characters> <o:Company>The King's University College</o:Company> <o:Lines>26</o:Lines> <o:Paragraphs>6</o:Paragraphs> <o:CharactersWithSpaces>3841</o:CharactersWithSpaces> <o:Version>12.0</o:Version> </o:DocumentProperties> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing> <w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing> <w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0cm;
mso-para-margin-right:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0cm;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style> <![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 100.65pt center 249.3pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It happened in one of my most hated places—big box stores.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After fumbling my way through a conversation with someone in customer service, I completed my small, but highly necessary purchase.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then came the wait.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A long wait.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Boredom set in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wandering the isles of the store increased with my rise of restlessness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I know of few things that trigger grumpiness more than having to wait for someone to select weather than want 1-inch heels or 3-inch heels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fuchsia or teal?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With poka-dots or Barbie print?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To take 1 hour or to take 2 hours?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It irritates me for a number of reasons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But one of them was quite revealing to me—and I hope you as well. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My frustration with a lack of doing overcame me.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I came across an ocean to get here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The last thing I want to do is wait for someone to choose weather glitter on high heels is hot fashion right now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The last thing I want to do was stop being productive; stop being effective, stop talking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But I had no other choice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was bound to my shopping captors for a way out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I nearly ran outside and danced in the rain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I asked a question that I don’t ask enough, “How age appropriate would that be?” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I resisted the urge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sat down.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I sat and thought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sat and read.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On a bench between the Puma shoes and the Nevada jeans.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I want to do stuff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Be apart of a club.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Join a program.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Plan an event.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Feed a meal to the poor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hear the life of a Muslim.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Be taught about the socio-economic dynamics of Asia’s economic rise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yah, I’m that nerdy. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I want to wake up go none-stop all day and then do it all over again the next—that has not been the case here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although it can be tiring, it is satisfy also to go non-stop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel good to be apart of so much. I can tell someone else about all the things I do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It also feels like I am living God’s call in Micah 6:8 “to act justly, and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When life is like this, the last thing you can call me is apathetic.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Doing justice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Doing all the wonderful things that you can do at King’s cannot be sustained by a day-after-day pursuit of endless action. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Doing justice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Doing ministry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Loving others starts with, is sustained by and ends with rest—Sabbath keeping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The book, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Dangerous Act of Worship </i>by Mark Labberton, has helped me see this the clearest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I opened this book in the middle of the store that afternoon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Doing Sabbath means that life is centered back to God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our pursuits during the week are set aside to renew the freeing reality that our lives, our activities, this world does not belong to us, but to God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Doing justice is God’s work, we are simply invited to join what God is already doing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here in Indonesia, the slow pace to life and the lack of immediate activities for me to fill my schedule can irritate me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it does.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think, “I want tell someone that I did many things today, then if I didn’t to much and then this day was not worth that much.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, that is the point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Keeping Sabbath means not doing anything except remembering and practicing trust in God who is God over all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Keeping Sabbath can mean doing it on Sunday or another day, or making it something that is intertwined throughout your week. Israel had a year of Sabbath—maybe this year will that for me.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I feel unsettled right now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yesterday, I had a day full of activities that I could report to you about. But, I wasn’t even able to talk with my host family yesterday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That led to a healthy conversation on my priorities. I like doing more than resting.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The afternoon among those racks of shirts and piles of shoes, I learned something about my appetite for doing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also learned something my appetite for being in the Lord’s presence and resting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got a wake-up call.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I needed it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><!--EndFragment-->Unknownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00731442910056344347noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065044569077750638.post-74746384373038227542011-11-05T09:13:00.000-07:002011-11-05T09:17:57.590-07:00Dancing, Culture, Crabs.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Jason finally found his soul.”</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The words of my host sister this afternoon when I found out more of what I will do this year. That is not always the case here, but at times yes…that is true.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Like right now!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A quick survey of my “work”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The "what is an average day like" question I can’t really answer yet, no day has really been the same. Which in the long run will be great, in the short term, a little confusing.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have realized that the ball is my court. I will have to take the initiative for things this year, that is the way my supervisor is doing things. I like it. If you allow to take initiative I will run with it. I have lots of freedom to do what I want. Except that <b>freedom</b> is only good when you know what to do with it. I am searching for a rhythm to life here, it will take a while since I have such an open schedule. That is something I am offering to God in prayer.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The way pastoral work is by nature, means that I don’t have any set work times. I work in the morning or evening. I work lots one day or barely for a few days. Well, let me change that. I am always working here—24/7. My “work” here is to live here really. And pastor work can be very broad…..its hard to say that “here is pastoral work, here that isn’t happening.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hold on. I am becoming inundated with water on the “porch”. It was drizzling. Now it’s pouring. This is irresistible. I need to dance in it. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh__2h_kNRv7VK6xnJJIyXwhs4VwHb__mPmsYsJKRikUf93OthMegyTVJNckBLBRbs-bSX1VTyLlddAESwlb0lswVXGUQu_g49LqVx3yknpiAslLfEBHOvXSrai2r0mFNlyNzVTOw_cAb8b/s1600/PB010063_400x533.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh__2h_kNRv7VK6xnJJIyXwhs4VwHb__mPmsYsJKRikUf93OthMegyTVJNckBLBRbs-bSX1VTyLlddAESwlb0lswVXGUQu_g49LqVx3yknpiAslLfEBHOvXSrai2r0mFNlyNzVTOw_cAb8b/s400/PB010063_400x533.shkl.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can't see this, but a bakery employee is giving me a lecture on the health risks of rain while I pose for a picture. You also can't see that a crowd has formed to watch me. I guess watching me dance is a spectator sport.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Here is sample of what work looks like so far.</b></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>Weekly <o:p></o:p></u></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 72.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New';">o<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span>join and sometimes lead high-school/middle school youth worship, bible study and fellowship</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 72.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New';">o<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span>join and sometimes lead young adults (age 20-30) worship and bible study/fellowship</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 72.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New';">o<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span>visit people in the church, neighbors and hospital patients</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 72.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New';">o<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span>pastor’s meeting. What I previously referred to as “captivity.”</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 72.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New';">o<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span>soccer, basketball and biking with youth and young adults</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 72.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New';">o<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span>instrument practice. I am playing a traditional Javanese instrument for the Christmas program. With my music skills, I am not sure who is more doomed, me or the Christmas program.</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 72.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New';">o<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span>Attend church service.</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 72.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New';">o<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span>Quran study with a man who recently came to Christ from Islam.</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 72.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New';">o<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span>Time to reflect and plan with my supervisor—the youth pastor.</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 72.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New';">o<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span>Read books</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 72.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New';">o<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span>Writing for church magazine, Youth for Peace newsletter, university newspaper or blog</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>Other:<o:p></o:p></u></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 72.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New';">o<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span>Monthly deacon church service for the poor</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 72.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New';">o<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span>From now until February, working along with a couple others on a book to train young adults/youth to be peacemakers here in Indonesia</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 72.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New';">o<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span>Plan and lead sessions on leadership training for youth in December</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 72.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New';">o<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span>Think of ideas, and join events for Youth For Peace….a denomination wide young adults/youth movement</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 72.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New';">o<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span>Visiting other SALTers in there places</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 72.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New';">o<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span>Write and preach at least one sermon.</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 72.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New';">o<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span>Spend a month in a branch church in an agricultural village of the central church here.</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 5.65pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u><b>A collection of short stories.</b></u></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. “Hey Justin Bieber!” I heard this while biking the other day from a man on the side of the road. That man was really in for a disappointment if I opened my mouth.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. I was in this awfully crowded clothing market. I finally veer a corner into a more open area and the "awkward-events of Jason’s life" were taken to a new level. A man who was horribly bored and brainstorming new sales tactics all day decided to implement some of his sales tactics on me. He entered the must unique sales pitch of my life. Verbally, it was the sound you make when you try to scare someone in the dark. You know that dreadful sound. Physically, it was rather intimate. He lunged out and<b> tickled</b> me. Stunned, I entered “herd mentality” and clutched the nearest SALTer. I then advised the man that he may want to change his business sales tactics for the for the well-being of his business.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. My host father took me to a store to buy some shirts. While trying on a piece from his not-so refined taste for clothing, he asked me how it was fitting. Before I could even utter a response he ripped back the curtain the separates my shocking pale body from the rest of the store. I scrambled<b> “Dad, shut the curtain!”</b> From then on he simply handed me every florescent shirt in the store. Warning: If you thought I had some bad fashion before Indonesia….your in for a treat when I get back.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4. A common theme wherever I go is being teased over girlfriends. I return to my church here 3 weeks ago. The first time I go to church, and the first person I met there is my pastor who is fondly remember as the girl-friend praying pastor. His unashamed first question is, “<b>So, you find a girl-friend?”</b><b> </b> My response was that he should probably pray harder. Okay, not quite. He is the same pastor that announced in front of the whole church that many people comment on how handsome I am. He is the same pastor the loves long bike rides. We we'll get along great.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5. The other night I was in charge of leading a young adults fellowship/worship/bible study type of thing. I planned a song, game and was ready to tell them about my life with pictures. And also share a few things I have learned about my faith. I get there, and I have only one slot assigned to me—the sermon slot. I had to explain that although I have spoken Indonesian for 2 months, I am not to good at the<b> improv sermon</b> thing yet. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6. I have never seen a water buffalo before. I was playing with some kids, they decided it would be fun to go and <b>chill out with some buffalos</b>. I had other thoughts, but I was tentatively complicit. Deciding that I would try to work on my rugged farm boy appearance I joined. Then they wanted me to be in a photo with it. That was going a bit far. So I settled for photographer. I learned that this beast was actually quite loving so I decided to go in for a photo with it. My inner feelings of bravery were quickly doused when I got completely out done by a kid who thought standing by a buffalo was not enough. He set the bar at sitting precariously on the buffaloes head. Check it out...</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrE_8B03EupvLel8Ex-hEpfW2sSPdYXyiNWyhb_c3Qy8U3Fi5uERiHaGfUD888WTjNVhBV8VYU7WBCP6gvfBaa5xGq-3A0du2v78JwbYjAWvHPQV7BZM69nYin0nJqLk8YCTQjLMqWD9jW/s1600/PA260032_400x300.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrE_8B03EupvLel8Ex-hEpfW2sSPdYXyiNWyhb_c3Qy8U3Fi5uERiHaGfUD888WTjNVhBV8VYU7WBCP6gvfBaa5xGq-3A0du2v78JwbYjAWvHPQV7BZM69nYin0nJqLk8YCTQjLMqWD9jW/s320/PA260032_400x300.shkl.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">7. Do you ever go to an event and think “<b>oh no, oh no, I didn’t know this was going to be serious?”</b> Thinking I could just kick the ball around for a bit and have some good laughs, I joined the young adults playing soccer. Not so. Evertime I play soccer I start the game receiving every other pass because I am the visitor and hey, he might just be good at soccer. In takes around 30 seconds for my first shot to go wide of the net and into a rice paddy and then I only touch the ball accidently after that. So I thought playing with grade 1 kids would change this. The good thing is that I can pick them up and move them out of my way. The bad news is that they just feel a lot more free to make fun of you. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">8. Sometimes I am here and I think…..I am such a <b>rookie</b> at this whole thing. Not only am I a cross-cultural rookie, and I also a cellphone rookie. I thought about my rookie status significantly when giving my cell number to a neighbor who has become a friend. After doing some quick cost-benefit analysis of that move, I figured the worst would be being phoned and texted all day. Yup, that is what has happened. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">9. There is a huge range in income at the church here. I visited a home with a 6 car-garage, pool and everything looked like it had gold trim. You get the picture. After swimming I was invited in for meal. I looked at my plate and there was an <b>entire crab</b> sitting there. After starring at it for a few minutes make sure it wasn’t moving still, I had to ask a question to the hosts: “Now what? How do you get at the goodness inside?” They tried to train me, but I struggled to pry apart the crab numerous times so eventually the hosts came over and stood by me picking it apart. I played with the joints. I know, so mature. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Questions<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My mind runs with questions all day. Sometimes it irritates me that I can’t get answers from others. Sometimes I can’t get answers from God. Sometimes I write down all my questions. Sometimes I just love living in the <b>mystery of those questions</b>. I need to release my haste to have definitive answers. I have been striving for this. Maybe you are too? </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I received this from MCC. So I’ll pass along it, it is from a German poet.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart. Try to love the questions themselves like locked rooms and like books written in a very foreign tongue. Do not now seek the answers, which cannot be given you because you would not be able to live them. And the point is to live everything. <b>Live the questions now... Perhaps you will then gradually, without noticing it, live along some distant day into the answers</b>." --Rainer Maria Rilke<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">More to come soon.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank-you for your prayers, support and encouragement. I receive it often from you. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have an exciting week ahead. Starting with Sunday morning visiting my Muslim neighbors and the mosque where they will slaughter animals for <b>Idul Adha</b>. It is a celebration to remember Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice Ishmael. I’ll take some pictures for you.</span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div>Unknownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00731442910056344347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065044569077750638.post-25276047903316557102011-10-22T09:20:00.000-07:002011-10-22T09:25:30.900-07:00Sometimes its.....<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Sometimes its just funny. What is some Canadian doing here in this city in Indonesia, basically floundering around. I just laugh with God. I think God laughs along me and sometimes at me. Ones in a while I try to get perspective of myself here, and its just really funny. Basically, a man trying to figure out this thing called life in Indonesia. It is hard to put into words. </b></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This experience is unlike anything else in life. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Although, if I go abroad again after this year there would be some similarities to this, the combination occurring here is quite unique. The combination of this being my first time abroad since I was 5, a new language, new culture, new job, new people and new home, new climate. Few other times in my life will I ever being completely surrounded by people who are not from another country. Many times when people go abroad there is at least one person who is in also a foreigner.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Sometimes its frustrating.</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is one gnawing question that has pursued me this week. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How can I form deep relationships with Indonesians when asking about what they do for work is a massive undertaking? Being able to talk about things like, worship, poverty, politics, faith, dreams, struggles seems like an eternity away.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is to be expected. But still frustrating. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I asked my dad: </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“So what was your experience like with language in your time abroad in being able to communicate in depth?”</span></div><div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0cm 0cm 1.0pt 0cm;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 1.0pt 0cm; padding: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Oh, it takes years!”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 1.0pt 0cm; padding: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well, at least that is honest. I guess I will have to return.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Sometimes I am completely covered in sweaty stickiness.</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">More like always.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Finally, I have arrived in my host community where I will stay until July. I was here 1.5 months ago. I am loving being back here in Kudus, not necessarily for all of the characteristics I outline below. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kudus is:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">--Industrial. Home to massive cigarette factories.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">--Hot and Humid—feels like 40 degrees right now.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">--800,000 people live in Kudus and the surrounding area.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">--Muslim. Even more Islamic than most of Indonesia.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">--By a mountain. But I usually can’t see it because of…..clouds or smog.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0cm 0cm 1.0pt 0cm;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 1.0pt 0cm; padding: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">--Mennonite. Significant Mennonite community here.</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Sometimes it is confusing.</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Basically I am half way through a 2 week orientation of life here in Kudus. Trying to figure out family life. Trying to understand what the church is about and where I will fit into it. I am going to focus my time here in the church. There was widespread confusion about my role her in Kudus with the community. Rumors in the public school system that I was helping them. Rumors in the Christian school system that I was going to help them. Rumors in another city that I was going to work with their organization. Everyone wants me. I feel so loved. But it is also a bit confusing and overwhelming. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Sometimes its incredibly fascinating.</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had an absolutely fascinating encounter with corruption.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was invited to join a meeting for pastors in Kudus to better understand marriage law. I can think of more riveting topics, but I thought I would join. That turned out to be a great choice.</span></div><div style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; padding-bottom: 1pt; padding-left: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; padding-top: 0cm;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0cm; padding-left: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; padding-top: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There were 2 government employees who sat in front of a group pastors explaining how one can get the paperwork done for marriage. Then halfway through the meeting the topic turned towards payment methods for such services. One was advised to give a “gift” to the employees if one wanted to have their marriage papers completed. There was an amount established that was reiterated many times. The “gift” was not only for the employees, but also for those higher up on the ladder. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0cm; padding-left: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; padding-top: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0cm; padding-left: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; padding-top: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Why? </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0cm; padding-left: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; padding-top: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was paying them for overtime that they were not payed for. The employees went on to describe that one was allowed to pay more as a “gift” in return for better service or could barter for a lower price. Importantly, those whom were getting the papers done were told not to talk about this when the came to the office. I was laughing out loud during the meeting with the youth pastor. They set this meeting up not because they wanted to inform the pastors how to apply for marriage, but the “gifts” lately were not up to par. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Sometimes its lonely.</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This week I felt like a first-year university student in Canada who doesn’t speak English well. Now I know what my first year roommate felt like. I meet so many people with names that don’t stick in my mind at all. Ari, Aris, Andi, Andis are among favorite names here. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Probably I feel the loneliest when there are jokes and laughter going on around me which I have no idea what they are about. This happens a lot. Indonesians love to laugh. I do to, sometimes I just laugh along with them. Until I realize that it is about me.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At the same time there is a sense of exhilaration in these new places and with these people, in the same way that a new university student feels when they arrive for the first time. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you imagine a university student with little English going to class. That is me here at meetings and gatherings. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Sometimes its boring.</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here is an example:</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Indonesians love meetings. I’m serious. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The first meeting I was invited I figured would go for an 1-2 hours. Nope. 2 days.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The second meeting I was invited to I figured 1-2 hours. Nope. 9:30am-3:30pm with 5 minutes to run out and bring back a lunch. During my ummmmm.......captivity, I read 120pgs about Muslim-Christian spirituality. I have never read that many pages in one sitting. I have never read that many pages in one day before. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The meetings I went to this week were full of laughter even on mundane topics. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They never started on time. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They were never any sense of urgency to complete the meeting. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0cm 0cm 1.0pt 0cm;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 1.0pt 0cm; padding: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They was never a shortage of food.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 1.0pt 0cm; padding: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And sometimes there is a shortage of patience and focus for Jason. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Sometimes it is a ridiculously fun.</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is a major “hangout” culture here.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> They call it to “nongkrong.” There tends to be less “things” to do as compared to at home so lots of sitting around talking and laughing…….and texting. Oh my, a cell phone is an added appendage to many Indonesians. </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0cm 0cm 1.0pt 0cm;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 1.0pt 0cm; padding: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I feel quite free to be my self here. Some remarkably similar ways of joking around. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The young adults are a great source of joy for me. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 1.0pt 0cm; padding: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 1.0pt 0cm; padding: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Sometimes its energizing.</b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Like being on the back of a motor bike weaving your way through the streets of Indonesia. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Like playing telephone dictionary with the youth.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Like eating mangoes. My daily quota of 2.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Like knowing that I will study the Koran and the Muslim faith with a recent convert.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Like realizing the how much change that has already occurred in me.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Like getting mail from a friend from Canada.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Like not knowing what your day will be like when you wake up.</span></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 1.0pt 0cm; padding: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Like eating something different every day. Intestines was a recent favorite.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 1.0pt 0cm; padding: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Like having 2 cold bucket showers a day. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 1.0pt 0cm; padding: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 1.0pt 0cm; padding: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Sometimes there is not enough time to write. </b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 1.0pt 0cm; padding: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I will cover home life and church life soon.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 1.0pt 0cm; padding: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hope to reflect about the over turning of assumptions, identity thoughts and culture thoughts.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 1.0pt 0cm; padding: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pictures will come soon.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 1.0pt 0cm; padding: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hope to put a video up of my home.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 1.0pt 0cm; padding: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 1.0pt 0cm; padding: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What is up this week? Leading games, preparing reflections, visiting peoples homes, reading, continuing to study language, visiting more church ministries.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another week of orientation.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 1.0pt 0cm; padding: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 1.0pt 0cm; padding: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is something gripping about being here, I would never want to go home now.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 1.0pt 0cm; padding: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 1.0pt 0cm; padding: 0cm;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I always miss home and the life lived with family and friends. But not so much that it is taking anything away from this experience. </b></span></div></div>Unknownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00731442910056344347noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065044569077750638.post-44666689122474866552011-10-12T08:37:00.000-07:002011-10-12T08:43:07.847-07:00Absolute Beauty.<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdV1n_7SnTUn7e2ryWHtF_0n-48GDoedQa1WqbI1FiZv5vHpKNB5GvYTedb4TOc4QmvdiopGY4Z4OWZE0QeuSrli9kPYSnNXlndBYwLrJGrvRYKevWrxnFms9lzwmAb1MqBcYaeBac-PqX/s1600/PA080077_400x300.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdV1n_7SnTUn7e2ryWHtF_0n-48GDoedQa1WqbI1FiZv5vHpKNB5GvYTedb4TOc4QmvdiopGY4Z4OWZE0QeuSrli9kPYSnNXlndBYwLrJGrvRYKevWrxnFms9lzwmAb1MqBcYaeBac-PqX/s640/PA080077_400x300.shkl.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">We woke up at 3:30AM from our tents which were half way up the Merbabu mountain. Then hiked to see this wonder at 3,100 meters. The highest I have ever been.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjftado8CRxod8J0cB0cyQqnjJ4dW5-3cg15PyJSnu0l64Rg0mI9hUMI84bHwwIUJg9H4mY_iU4_hIvagJWh1mchGoRuvHEpELsMvmB7a373nAQXT3yLQ0G4AVlKUyt-XwU2FeQwRfkTRUe/s1600/IMG_1229_400x267.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjftado8CRxod8J0cB0cyQqnjJ4dW5-3cg15PyJSnu0l64Rg0mI9hUMI84bHwwIUJg9H4mY_iU4_hIvagJWh1mchGoRuvHEpELsMvmB7a373nAQXT3yLQ0G4AVlKUyt-XwU2FeQwRfkTRUe/s640/IMG_1229_400x267.shkl.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Jumping off of Mount Merbabu. Epic.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN0IO56EJtPDDnooVeOCZ43ain6Ni0YnsGp1x4TNOoFXAcztmtUUChsfXkaZ6gYvHfG4AwocRdMzr17i8S_6XkmvO-Cje2SqQogqPu7kcnkeuJP7-epMHxZZK05cdaIjqI4KkvcNKC3Ztn/s1600/PA080101_400x300.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN0IO56EJtPDDnooVeOCZ43ain6Ni0YnsGp1x4TNOoFXAcztmtUUChsfXkaZ6gYvHfG4AwocRdMzr17i8S_6XkmvO-Cje2SqQogqPu7kcnkeuJP7-epMHxZZK05cdaIjqI4KkvcNKC3Ztn/s640/PA080101_400x300.shkl.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Standing at the edge of the world.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp3X5HWLzImuWYmAsosYqgouZKRLG33lN7Lsw-GtWTiY6qw7ahJYe-6dRFtGsi0r-B0Yzc_RsB9KCZC0PdkeaMHafYg1OkUZNj0Glg5vmQU-xUap4T-sIUHOek6aTAaM0g58JQcAbuF558/s1600/PA080083_400x300.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp3X5HWLzImuWYmAsosYqgouZKRLG33lN7Lsw-GtWTiY6qw7ahJYe-6dRFtGsi0r-B0Yzc_RsB9KCZC0PdkeaMHafYg1OkUZNj0Glg5vmQU-xUap4T-sIUHOek6aTAaM0g58JQcAbuF558/s400/PA080083_400x300.shkl.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Two more volcanoes in the distance. Not called the Ring of Fire for nothing.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"></span></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYZZ75sANBlhjV6QcD_rf38cfWl-PV-sXmoyPb0qCetKS3IZsDIpNmyfyMskOrAXEE10F7_dOeOBpdfKZBdAT_7tgQ69QXrJJv_misBYCbtGlbAoHGYSma45fvm9c8LHC0dnQSt1k4Xpnk/s1600/036+%25283%2529_400x300.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYZZ75sANBlhjV6QcD_rf38cfWl-PV-sXmoyPb0qCetKS3IZsDIpNmyfyMskOrAXEE10F7_dOeOBpdfKZBdAT_7tgQ69QXrJJv_misBYCbtGlbAoHGYSma45fvm9c8LHC0dnQSt1k4Xpnk/s400/036+%25283%2529_400x300.shkl.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">With hot steam blowing from the bowels of the earth, Mike and I are pretty happy to be headed for some hot springs. A separate adventure from the hike.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ePyx2fCwksyomDcV-Vld8X1rZqqAv03KyOz9mvyDRvbaJwunwb064XDYL8i5VKmii6XpkT304-1MmEzlcyStHFj7H0FD3t9e242h1AW-guQy6uoHPF7pukOS4XQgAmNaQU9XwQu2ElYP/s1600/PA010037_400x300.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ePyx2fCwksyomDcV-Vld8X1rZqqAv03KyOz9mvyDRvbaJwunwb064XDYL8i5VKmii6XpkT304-1MmEzlcyStHFj7H0FD3t9e242h1AW-guQy6uoHPF7pukOS4XQgAmNaQU9XwQu2ElYP/s640/PA010037_400x300.shkl.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A walk through a mountainside.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdV1n_7SnTUn7e2ryWHtF_0n-48GDoedQa1WqbI1FiZv5vHpKNB5GvYTedb4TOc4QmvdiopGY4Z4OWZE0QeuSrli9kPYSnNXlndBYwLrJGrvRYKevWrxnFms9lzwmAb1MqBcYaeBac-PqX/s1600/PA080077_400x300.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"> </a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVGmK4cc1tqH_ImsLrW5GyXJ2ZppzoxnPwd22XZN1-xXu3-fixubnqqzCRoIpYa-ha5Xq4sWN-uFst9nGqROwvHjHfSjZ1K4JSUQtR1kx7rGr4aGsi5dRKlkIrnL4DNxjG-xO-2mizEv2E/s1600/PA030006_400x300.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVGmK4cc1tqH_ImsLrW5GyXJ2ZppzoxnPwd22XZN1-xXu3-fixubnqqzCRoIpYa-ha5Xq4sWN-uFst9nGqROwvHjHfSjZ1K4JSUQtR1kx7rGr4aGsi5dRKlkIrnL4DNxjG-xO-2mizEv2E/s640/PA030006_400x300.shkl.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A 40km solo bike ride into some villages surrounding a lake. I constantly had to ask where I was and how I could get back home.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKRQCh8JT_YJYsKn2j_T5_N2u2CkfarZoNXOdjRFN2LUeMLmVeoiyuTAvltdVns2InbdAiFrLG8Z5kg-VcGipsh0uM3Sih-DAZx0ugQxmFR7-7om6FKGPDlBdD-DI2oqmJaR6mt93N3gKb/s1600/PA030015_400x533.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKRQCh8JT_YJYsKn2j_T5_N2u2CkfarZoNXOdjRFN2LUeMLmVeoiyuTAvltdVns2InbdAiFrLG8Z5kg-VcGipsh0uM3Sih-DAZx0ugQxmFR7-7om6FKGPDlBdD-DI2oqmJaR6mt93N3gKb/s400/PA030015_400x533.shkl.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Last photo gallery featured some boats filled with mud that is used for mushrooms. This is how the mud goes from the boat unto land. I thought about joining the mud delivery and then I saw this. Than I changed my mind.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht76wExt3PbtOMMLXxaJHpdVEmIMyjgRB5lqES2Pg0bp4liNMEOA5Q9unYWmgqLjasBpl4IFyaQpFPFx1-A_7TDwbQvh0qSX4_pE5avQ-UqwgSzC12IXuGcB5xhuGsG4oVbCQ_temNnnNj/s1600/PA030018_400x300.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht76wExt3PbtOMMLXxaJHpdVEmIMyjgRB5lqES2Pg0bp4liNMEOA5Q9unYWmgqLjasBpl4IFyaQpFPFx1-A_7TDwbQvh0qSX4_pE5avQ-UqwgSzC12IXuGcB5xhuGsG4oVbCQ_temNnnNj/s400/PA030018_400x300.shkl.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Rice as far as the eye can see. With over 130 million people on the island of Java, over 800 people per square kilometer, if there isn't people on it, then it is a rice padi......or a volcano, rumor has it that those aren't the best to live on.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3VKr7yOSeFihlXbujgIN1PSwlAbbXc7NCum4Ca09Uth8xW3lUoJEZlGubCW4ibO8L78KUksNGThUnPla4PrJjXve30Wbo9rtlWkgTaxmCJLqeIYp7JxAGIT8fLy5T4nf-BTrpsfdfCYTr/s1600/PA030032_400x300.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3VKr7yOSeFihlXbujgIN1PSwlAbbXc7NCum4Ca09Uth8xW3lUoJEZlGubCW4ibO8L78KUksNGThUnPla4PrJjXve30Wbo9rtlWkgTaxmCJLqeIYp7JxAGIT8fLy5T4nf-BTrpsfdfCYTr/s640/PA030032_400x300.shkl.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I was biking along and then there was an acre of land with over 30 people harvesting rice on it. I think I said something like "God, you make a good earth!"</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi09N3BmZRjivOHDd2CIj0GnfbSd4jq2GFBB5dO0s-JzToCGWCJZ4WkfUzn0cTkrnaAbfPWdJkfSR9qQViouTEq-9OdZOMih9OfWo9gtYttRD32PGu2OjaERqerhKFBI830g3C23zQAk2Lr/s1600/PA030044_400x533.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi09N3BmZRjivOHDd2CIj0GnfbSd4jq2GFBB5dO0s-JzToCGWCJZ4WkfUzn0cTkrnaAbfPWdJkfSR9qQViouTEq-9OdZOMih9OfWo9gtYttRD32PGu2OjaERqerhKFBI830g3C23zQAk2Lr/s640/PA030044_400x533.shkl.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">He breaks off football sized chunks of rocks all day. He has done it for a year. He loves his work. Why? He makes lots of money. That would be $3 a day. I will never complain about boring or low paying work in my life again.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0uIclnNV0lo3_y6SGz9wLIGlI0HVCAeUQ15NwW0UhO5mjcZLEJ91qnWsALdAyGJmyw4ZS4FSPHZkUZ92CflzBMKqnx1nDUIxKOt6abcejv1aKHn0-V-U4BZ5k38E-Sgwy8I2A8R-PgWOP/s1600/PA060056_400x300.shkl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0uIclnNV0lo3_y6SGz9wLIGlI0HVCAeUQ15NwW0UhO5mjcZLEJ91qnWsALdAyGJmyw4ZS4FSPHZkUZ92CflzBMKqnx1nDUIxKOt6abcejv1aKHn0-V-U4BZ5k38E-Sgwy8I2A8R-PgWOP/s640/PA060056_400x300.shkl.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">This is a 'warung"--a style of Indonesian restaurant. This is the kind of place I eat at a lot. In this picture, chicken with peanut sauce is on the menu.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Unknownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00731442910056344347noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5065044569077750638.post-86107661570042974052011-10-12T07:29:00.001-07:002011-10-12T07:29:56.957-07:00reflections two months on<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:DocumentProperties> <o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template> <o:Revision>0</o:Revision> <o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime> <o:Pages>1</o:Pages> <o:Words>1247</o:Words> <o:Characters>7112</o:Characters> <o:Company>The King's University College</o:Company> <o:Lines>59</o:Lines> <o:Paragraphs>14</o:Paragraphs> <o:CharactersWithSpaces>8734</o:CharactersWithSpaces> <o:Version>12.0</o:Version> </o:DocumentProperties> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing> <w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing> <w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0cm;
mso-para-margin-right:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0cm;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style> <![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just over two months ago I left Smithers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It feels like a long time ago, yet I can’t believe I have been in Indonesia for a month and a half.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Life is about to change greatly in the coming days. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tomorrow is my last day at language school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Friday I leave for my community of Kudus to spend the next 9.5 months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Saturday I begin my role as Pastoral Intern.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And the rest….haha…..I have no idea.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Since the future is unknown, why not talk about the past.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here I go…</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Before hoping on a plane to Indonesia, I barely thought about the first 2 months of my time away. I only thought about my time in Kudus, joining the church there, and becoming apart of my host family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, these first 2 months have been extraordinary from Orientation in Akron, being in my Kudus home for a week and language training.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There has been plenty of preparation, anticipation, some nervousness and a plethora of excitement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I never quite realized my degree of excitement and interest in living life before coming here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My fellow SALTers ask me sometimes when I want to tell or show them something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Is this Jason interesting or everybody interesting?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The end of these two months also means that all of the SALT/YAMEN participates each goes their own way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For group of 8 people from all over the earth to come together and share a lot of life together for 6 week and bond like we did, is amazing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One relationship that I am particularly thankful for is my friend Nicole from Paraguay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is also entering a pastoral intern role in an Indonesian church and we have been able to share with each our worries and excitement about our positions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has been a real blessing.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So how fluent is my Indonesian?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Besides having constant trouble with the word “tahu” which is pronounced differently depending if you want to say “know” or “tofu.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Honestly, Indonesian is a very easy language and I have learned it far easy than I ever imagined learning it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My tumultuous experience with French is the opposite from my experience with learning Indonesian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am at the stage where I am learning the words for “boil”, “worship” and “realize.” Of course I know important words like “cool”, “fart” and “cookies.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It has been a joy to be apart of a second family here in Indonesia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being in two homes has allowed me to expand my views of Indonesian family life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gentle and patient—my host parents have had to put up with me for 6 weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My dad going on a desperately shopping for boxers due to my horrible laundry planning ability. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My mom cutting up mangoes as fast I can could eat them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My sister pulling on my thick beard and being proud of her older brother.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Okay, it wasn’t thick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And she laughed all night about it.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5. If you care to see how I think about my university studies in politics and economics relate to my work here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Read this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is my preliminary thoughts over that connection that I submitted for the King’s University College Website.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">I have been in the PHE program for 3 years and have been enriched by the students and staff of that program greatly. The program has continued to foster in me a strong passion to see the political and economic systems of the world transformed so that they seek to glorify God. A strong interest of mine is to understand how the churches can actively work towards public justice. It is imperative that Christians realize the ideologies (idols) in the political and economic systems of the world and work towards seeking the justice and peace that God has called His church to pursue. So with that desire and three years of the PHE program completed, I am currently participating in a year long internship with the a faith-based NGO called the Mennonite Central Committee in Indonesia.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I will be doing pastoral work in an Indonesian church. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So my most common question is: "So, you have studied theology or gone to seminary?" <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My answer, is "No, I am actually studying politics and economics." <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Generally, a confused face is the response of whomever I am talking to. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have yet to entered my position here in Indonesia. My initial thoughts are that politics and economics are the context to which the church exists, therefore the public life that the church is in is crucial to understanding it's mission. I hope to listen and learn from Indonesians on how they live out their faith in the Indonesian political context. Even more interesting to me, is how the church is to respond to rapid globalization in Indonesia. I am especially keen to learn about the church's reaction to this political/economic phenomena. Maybe even share my perspective from the North American experience. Issues such as environmental degradation, cultural/religious pluralism, growing income disparity are some of the other issues I look forward to learning about in the context of the church engaging in public life. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">In the first 2 weeks here I heard 3 out of 4 sermons explicitly discuss a specific political event during the sermon, something that I am not used to in Canada. That really sparked my curiosity, as the church that I will work with is not shy from engaging in public life. I hope to come back to finish the PHE program invigorated from my year in Indonesia and ready to share with others about the Indonesian experience.” </span> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hmmm…I wondered how to write some of my personal emotions and personal transformation so far.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I found this excerpt from theologian Henri Nouwen, thanks to another SALTer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is worth reading.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 15.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From Henri Nouwen’s <i>Gracias!: A Latin American Journal</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 15.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After talking about negative reactions to new culture Nouwen writes……<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 15.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“ But we can also use the new opportunity for our own healing. When we walk around in a strange milieu, speaking the language haltingly, and feeling out of control and like fools, we can come in touch with a part of ourselves that usually remains hidden behind the thick walls of our defenses. We can come to experience our basic vulnerability, our need for others, our deep-seated feelings of ignorance and inadequacy, and our fundamental dependency. Instead of running away from these scary feelings, we can live through them together and learn that our true value as human beings has its seat far beyond our competence and accomplishments.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 15.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of the most rewarding aspects of living in a strange land is the experience of being loved not for what we can do, but for who we are. When we become aware that our stuttering, failing, vulnerable selves are loved even when we hardly progress, we can let go of our compulsion to prove ourselves and be free to live with others in a fellowship of the weak. That is true healing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 15.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This psychological perspective on culture shock can open up for us a new understanding of God`s grace and our vocation to live graceful lives. In the presence of God, we are totally naked, broken, sinful, and dependent, and we realize that we can do nothing, absolutely nothing, without him. When we are willing to confess our true condition, God will embrace us with his love, a love so deep, intimate, and strong that it enables us to make all things new. I am convinced that, for Christians, culture shock can be an opportunity not only for psychological healing but also for conversion.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 15.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What moves me most in reflecting on these opportunities is that they lead us to the heart of ministry and mission. The more I think about the meaning of living and acting in the name of Christ, the more I realize that what I have to offer to others is not my intelligence, skill, power, influence, or connections, but my own human brokenness, but my own human brokenness through which the love of God can manifest itself. The celebrant in Leonard Bernstein`s Mass says: “Glass shines brighter when its broken…I never noticed that.” This, to me, is what ministry and mission are all about. Ministry is entering with our human brokenness into communion with others and speaking a word of hope. This hope is not based on any power to solve the problems of those with whom we live, but on the love of God, which becomes visible when we let go of our fears of being out of control and enter into his presence in a shared confession of weakness.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 15.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is a hard vocation. It goes against the grain of our need for self-affirmation, self-fulfillment, and self-realization. It is a call to true humility. I, therefore, think that for those who are pulled away from their familiar surroundings and brought into a strange land where they feel again like babies, the Lord offers a unique chance not only for a personal conversion but also for an authentic ministry.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></div><!--EndFragment-->Unknownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00731442910056344347noreply@blogger.com0