from Elliott
We finished our training at MTI on a Friday. We were especially awaiting that day because Emily and Ryan were flying to Colorado to meet up with the three of us and begin a week touring the beautiful mountains. The five of us had not been together in the US since the first of the year - a long time!
We left Colorado Springs and headed south and then west. The gently rolling foothills quickly became jagged mountain peaks with a wide range of vegetation as we climbed in altitude. Valleys were filled with cold mountain streams and scurrying chipmunks and deer. In one spot there was a curious sight-the tallest sand dunes in North America.
Everywhere we turned there was something of beauty to gaze upon in wonder and in awe. God's fingerprint was everywhere!
While it all left an imprint on my mind, I wonder if any of it was as powerful as seeing God at work through the interaction of our three children; back together again after seven months apart. Their laughter, play and and love for one another are clearly evidence of God's plan for our lives together.
As I pondered that thought, I quickly realized how blessed I am to have been called by their heavenly father to be their earthly father.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Hear My Cry, O Lord
from Elliott
Today we focused on grief and losses. We noted that as God severs our roots and brings our story in our home country to a close, that we will feel an unfolding loss and enter into a period of grieving. We will feel a loss of identity, stable home or nest, friendships, family relationships and others. In order to better understand the feeling of loss that we have and to learn productive ways to deal with that loss we were encouraged to ‘cry out to God ‘by writing a lament on one of a number of sheets identified by a particular type of loss.
As we prepare to move, I find myself without a job to explain my value to society, soon(very soon I hope!) to be without a home and venturing into unknown territory. Yes, I am finding myself without an identity or at least certainly not anywhere near the one I have enjoyed previously. So my crying out to God involved my growing loss of identity. I wrote…
“Who am I? I know that I am yours but what does that mean? How does that express itself in your plan for our life in South Africa? Allow me to be a blank sheet that you will write upon. Use bold strokes and vibrant colors. May I reflect fully your creation in me.”
Today we focused on grief and losses. We noted that as God severs our roots and brings our story in our home country to a close, that we will feel an unfolding loss and enter into a period of grieving. We will feel a loss of identity, stable home or nest, friendships, family relationships and others. In order to better understand the feeling of loss that we have and to learn productive ways to deal with that loss we were encouraged to ‘cry out to God ‘by writing a lament on one of a number of sheets identified by a particular type of loss.
As we prepare to move, I find myself without a job to explain my value to society, soon(very soon I hope!) to be without a home and venturing into unknown territory. Yes, I am finding myself without an identity or at least certainly not anywhere near the one I have enjoyed previously. So my crying out to God involved my growing loss of identity. I wrote…
“Who am I? I know that I am yours but what does that mean? How does that express itself in your plan for our life in South Africa? Allow me to be a blank sheet that you will write upon. Use bold strokes and vibrant colors. May I reflect fully your creation in me.”
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Hitting the Road with Jesus
from Elliott
We spent the day studying and discussing Sabbath rest. I have been a part of previous discussions about the concept but have always had difficulty in this culture and with my personality practicing it fully. We mediated today on the familiar Matthew 11:28-30 Scripture. This time though we used the Message version which spoke to me in a very different way.
It reads, “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."
I immediately focused in on ‘Come to me. Get away with me and you will recover your life.’ What an invitation! When I read it though ‘Get away with me’ became ‘Make a Getaway with me’ and what a vision that was. Jumping in the car with Jesus and hitting the open road, maybe even in a red convertible on a sunny day!
It sounds like an adventure or a journey of discovery. Perhaps it would be like exploring unknown destinations with an expert guide – Jesus no less. What would He show and teach me? I can feel the pressures of the day quickly lift away; those things that have sucked the life out of me or those distractions that have kept me from a divine appointment with God and alignment with His plan. The destination… 'recover your life'. Not just any life but the one that a gracious God has planned for you – nothing less!
Wow! Is it possible to turn down that invitation? Katherine and I now know the crucial nature of this blessing, especially to the missionary in a new land.
We spent the day studying and discussing Sabbath rest. I have been a part of previous discussions about the concept but have always had difficulty in this culture and with my personality practicing it fully. We mediated today on the familiar Matthew 11:28-30 Scripture. This time though we used the Message version which spoke to me in a very different way.
It reads, “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."
I immediately focused in on ‘Come to me. Get away with me and you will recover your life.’ What an invitation! When I read it though ‘Get away with me’ became ‘Make a Getaway with me’ and what a vision that was. Jumping in the car with Jesus and hitting the open road, maybe even in a red convertible on a sunny day!
It sounds like an adventure or a journey of discovery. Perhaps it would be like exploring unknown destinations with an expert guide – Jesus no less. What would He show and teach me? I can feel the pressures of the day quickly lift away; those things that have sucked the life out of me or those distractions that have kept me from a divine appointment with God and alignment with His plan. The destination… 'recover your life'. Not just any life but the one that a gracious God has planned for you – nothing less!
Wow! Is it possible to turn down that invitation? Katherine and I now know the crucial nature of this blessing, especially to the missionary in a new land.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
"As Is"
from Katherine
Greetings from Colorado Springs and Missionary Training International. We have finished the first week of cross cultural training. Our group has 30 adults and 37 children. We have come from all over the US and will head to 4 continents!
As we wrapped up class yesterday our instructor directed us to add the words, 'As Is' next to our names on our name tags. The purpose is to remind us that we are God's work still in progress. This was very freeing to me.
For years I tried to be what my mom and dad wanted me to be. Then as I grew older, I let society tell me what I should be. Now I can just hear God saying, "I can see my fingerprints on her and I like what I see."
God will continue to mold and shape me and while I will grow in Christ likeness, I can be content being who I am today - As Is.
Greetings from Colorado Springs and Missionary Training International. We have finished the first week of cross cultural training. Our group has 30 adults and 37 children. We have come from all over the US and will head to 4 continents!
As we wrapped up class yesterday our instructor directed us to add the words, 'As Is' next to our names on our name tags. The purpose is to remind us that we are God's work still in progress. This was very freeing to me.
For years I tried to be what my mom and dad wanted me to be. Then as I grew older, I let society tell me what I should be. Now I can just hear God saying, "I can see my fingerprints on her and I like what I see."
God will continue to mold and shape me and while I will grow in Christ likeness, I can be content being who I am today - As Is.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Stops Along the Way
from Elliott
When we were planning our trip to Colorado for additional cross cultural training we mapped the route on Google. When we examined the route we knew we had been presented an opportunity. The route went through St. Louis and Lawrence, KS both locations of friends and family.
The St. Louis stop offered us a mini-family reunion with one of the branches of my family, the Metzenthin’s. We were grateful for the enthusiastic response. A picnic was planned and an invitation went out and four generations responded! All graciously received ‘our story’ and it was fun to catch up on each one of their lives. We left encouraged and with a sense of increased connectedness as we prepare to leave the US.
The next stop was Lawrence, KS. I had heard what a great town it was but my interest was one of its residents. I had not seen George Thompson, a Davidson College roommate, in many years. In our time together, as we traced each others stories, we realized that much had changed in our lives since Davidson. The surprise was that in some ways, despite starting out in different places after graduation, our paths had converged. Many of his areas of interest and professional focus bear a strong similarity to the journey of discovery that we have been on.
Amazing how God places people in our path and uses others to encourage us along the way!
When we were planning our trip to Colorado for additional cross cultural training we mapped the route on Google. When we examined the route we knew we had been presented an opportunity. The route went through St. Louis and Lawrence, KS both locations of friends and family.
The St. Louis stop offered us a mini-family reunion with one of the branches of my family, the Metzenthin’s. We were grateful for the enthusiastic response. A picnic was planned and an invitation went out and four generations responded! All graciously received ‘our story’ and it was fun to catch up on each one of their lives. We left encouraged and with a sense of increased connectedness as we prepare to leave the US.
The next stop was Lawrence, KS. I had heard what a great town it was but my interest was one of its residents. I had not seen George Thompson, a Davidson College roommate, in many years. In our time together, as we traced each others stories, we realized that much had changed in our lives since Davidson. The surprise was that in some ways, despite starting out in different places after graduation, our paths had converged. Many of his areas of interest and professional focus bear a strong similarity to the journey of discovery that we have been on.
Amazing how God places people in our path and uses others to encourage us along the way!
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Cason Visits Port Edward Primary
from Cason
I visited the Port Edward Primary School with my friend Jonathon who is in grade four. It is the school where I will attend when we move. School starts at 7:30am and they wear uniforms like at my former school, Landmark. The uniform is brown shorts and white button up shirts. They also have brown sweaters.
There were about 15 people in the class I visited. The first thing that we did was say the Lord’s Prayer. The teacher asked me to stand and tell the class my name, where I was from and what it is like back home. The classes I attended were math, science, Zulu and Afrikaans. I think I will do fine in math and science but learning two new languages freaks me out.
They have breaks in between classes and for lunch I had something like chicken pot pie. We ate on the soccer field and you can see the ocean from there. During lunch the boys talked about rugby and the girls next to me talked about horses and ponies. Some things are the same as America.
After school I went to rugby practice with Jonathon. I don’t know anything about rugby but I better learn since it is so popular here.
I would really like to spend the day at the tide pools and the beach but I don’t think mom and dad will let me skip school!
I visited the Port Edward Primary School with my friend Jonathon who is in grade four. It is the school where I will attend when we move. School starts at 7:30am and they wear uniforms like at my former school, Landmark. The uniform is brown shorts and white button up shirts. They also have brown sweaters.
There were about 15 people in the class I visited. The first thing that we did was say the Lord’s Prayer. The teacher asked me to stand and tell the class my name, where I was from and what it is like back home. The classes I attended were math, science, Zulu and Afrikaans. I think I will do fine in math and science but learning two new languages freaks me out.
They have breaks in between classes and for lunch I had something like chicken pot pie. We ate on the soccer field and you can see the ocean from there. During lunch the boys talked about rugby and the girls next to me talked about horses and ponies. Some things are the same as America.
After school I went to rugby practice with Jonathon. I don’t know anything about rugby but I better learn since it is so popular here.
I would really like to spend the day at the tide pools and the beach but I don’t think mom and dad will let me skip school!
Another Experience
from Elliott
We often wonder when we are in South Africa who God will place in our path - those people that will become a part of our story. Sometimes it is an experience not a person that informs our understanding. Well as we headed away from Johannesburg a couple of days ago on our way to KwaZulu Natal we met a man name Reginald; a tall man speaking quite proper English with authority. Not just any man though he wore a well pressed uniform of the South African Police.
You don’t often see many police in South Africa although that is not a statement of demand for more are needed. Our friend Reginald was manning a radar post well hidden under some trees and I had been caught going 79 in a 60 zone. Before you make a judgement, that is Km per hour not miles! The procedure was very similar to the US – license, papers, etc. But it became a bit more complex when he wanted to hear the story of our situation. What were we doing here, where had we been and what was my employment?
After reviewing my passport and license, he asked where I worked. I told him Atlanta First United Methodist wondering at first whether that would be bad PR for other local churches for me to be pulled over for speeding. He wondered where Atlanta was in South Africa but was perhaps more confused when I said it was in the US. He then said he would write down that I was a Pastor. I did not argue in hopes that it may be to my benefit.
When he looked at my driver’s license he noted with a smile that it had been my birthday earlier in the week. He said, “You are now 40” Not certain whether this was a test, I corrected him, gently of course. “No, 50” “No, you were born in 1960, which makes you 40” I felt it best not argue at this point but instead accept the compliment. It did make me wonder if math was not his strong suit, how fast was I really going and how would he calculate the fine.
When he came back to the car and handed me the paperwork, he commented, ‘Don’t worry Pastor the fine won’t be much. 250 Rand” I hope I did not look too excited – that is only about $32.00!
Well at least I can check that off the list of authentic South African experiences! But what was God trying to say with that one?
We often wonder when we are in South Africa who God will place in our path - those people that will become a part of our story. Sometimes it is an experience not a person that informs our understanding. Well as we headed away from Johannesburg a couple of days ago on our way to KwaZulu Natal we met a man name Reginald; a tall man speaking quite proper English with authority. Not just any man though he wore a well pressed uniform of the South African Police.
You don’t often see many police in South Africa although that is not a statement of demand for more are needed. Our friend Reginald was manning a radar post well hidden under some trees and I had been caught going 79 in a 60 zone. Before you make a judgement, that is Km per hour not miles! The procedure was very similar to the US – license, papers, etc. But it became a bit more complex when he wanted to hear the story of our situation. What were we doing here, where had we been and what was my employment?
After reviewing my passport and license, he asked where I worked. I told him Atlanta First United Methodist wondering at first whether that would be bad PR for other local churches for me to be pulled over for speeding. He wondered where Atlanta was in South Africa but was perhaps more confused when I said it was in the US. He then said he would write down that I was a Pastor. I did not argue in hopes that it may be to my benefit.
When he looked at my driver’s license he noted with a smile that it had been my birthday earlier in the week. He said, “You are now 40” Not certain whether this was a test, I corrected him, gently of course. “No, 50” “No, you were born in 1960, which makes you 40” I felt it best not argue at this point but instead accept the compliment. It did make me wonder if math was not his strong suit, how fast was I really going and how would he calculate the fine.
When he came back to the car and handed me the paperwork, he commented, ‘Don’t worry Pastor the fine won’t be much. 250 Rand” I hope I did not look too excited – that is only about $32.00!
Well at least I can check that off the list of authentic South African experiences! But what was God trying to say with that one?
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