Wednesday -
I had time in the morning to read my Bible, work on my Spanish and just relax for a while. In the afternoon, Claire, a friend and translator, came around 3:00. We practiced some Spanish/English together for a while, prayed together and made a few plans for the afternoon.
The youth came around 4. The topic for the afternoon was working together as a team, as the body of Christ. We also started talking a bit about the unique and specific gifts, talents and passions (sometimes called spiritual gifts) God gives each of us to use as we work together. We talked about how each person has something significant and important to contribute. We talked about how important it is to listen to each other, and how as leaders we need to help those we are leading find the roles in which they can shine!
This is a topic we could talk about for months, but it was nice to at least start a conversation about it. I had them do a team-building exercise when we were finished talking. They had to work together to get everyone over a rope that was tied about 4' from the ground without talking and without touching the rope. If someone touched the rope, they had to start over - the entire team had to return to the "starting" side. They had fun with it, but it drove them crazy at the same time. They ran out of time before accomplishing the challenge. I told them we would continue and try it again on Monday. I get the impression that they haven't done many "team-building activities" like we often do in the states.
Thursday -
I had a lot of time to myself on Thursday as well. I used the time to work more on my Spanish, read my Bible, read from Dr. Wess Stafford's book "Too Small to Ignore" and just spent time relaxing. It's nice to slow down and breath a little. It's funny because this is exactly what I was reading about in Stafford's book. I would love to copy an entire chapter from the book for you - the chapter entitled Time: A River Runs Through It. This chapter is so good I'm reading it a third time.
Dr. Stafford grew up as a missionary kid in a remote African village. In this chapter, he tells a story about a time when the French officials came to town to ask the village chief several questions about what they expect to happen in their town in the next ten years: What will the population be? How big will the school be? Will you have a hospital? How many kilos of millet will you have harvested?, etc. The cheif was so frustrated by these questions. That day both the chief and the French officials went away upset. I am going to share part of this chapter with you. This excerpt is the chief's message to the village people that night.
"I want to talk to the children tonight," he began, looking from child to child. "the day is coming when I will be gone. One of you will be chief then. It's a time they call la venir- the coming, the future. There is much we do not and cannot know about that time. We are all curious about it, but it really cannot be known.
"The Frenchman who came to Nielle today do not understand that. They asked me many questions about the future - as if it could be known. When I told them we don't know what will be in the future, they became very angry. And so did I. I am sorry you saw me like that. It is not how we should be. It bothered and saddened me to be angry.
"They went away angry too, but I think they are often like that. Worrying about the future can do that to you."
He took another deep breath and then continued. "We are not like them. To them, time is everything. Did you see those silver circles on their wrists? Those things measure the day into very little pieces. I have seen such things on the walls in Abidjan, too.
"Frenchman think that counting time is very important. A day can be divided into twenty-four parts, and each of those parts can be divided into sixty smaller parts." He didn't tell us that those smaller parts could be divided into sixty even smaller parts. Either he didn't want to confuse us or perhaps he didn't know about seconds that tick away all the time.
Then came a profound statement. "The smaller that men can measure the day, the more angry they seem to be," he said with a shake of his head. "For the Senufo, the movement of the sun is as much measurement of the passage of time as we need. We know when to get up. We know when to work the fields and when to hunt. We know when to rest in the shade. We know when to go home. We know when to sleep. Children, it is enough!
"Time is like a river," he continued. "It flows along like water, from the future to the present and into the past. But there is a bend in the river. We know the water is coming, but we can't see it or know very much about it. All we know is that it is coming.
"The persent is now - the days we live today. This is God's gift to us. It is meant to be enjoyed and lived to the fullest. The present will flow by us, of course, and become the past. That is the way of a river, and that is the way of time.
"The Frenchman cannot wait for the future to arrive. They crane thier necks to see around the bend in the river. They cannot see it any better than we can, but they try and try. For some reason, it is very important for them to know what is coming toward them.
"They want to know it so badly that they have no respect for the river itself. They thrash their way out into the present in order to see more around the bend." At this the chief began to pantomime, hiking up his long robe to do a high-step dance around the fire. Everyone laughed as his robe flapped with each exaggerated step.
"They stand in the middle of the river, facing upstream," he continued, "and though the river swirls dangerously around their knees and nearly topples them, they don't care. To them, it seems that the present is only a vantage point to better see around the bend to the future.
"They miss so much of the joy of today all around them. Did you notice that as they stormed into our village, they didn't notice it is the best of the mango season? Though we offered them peanuts, they did not even taste them. They did not hear the birds in the trees or the laughter in the marketplace. We touched them with our hands, but they did not really see us. They miss much of the present time, because all they care about is the unknowable, the future.
"Because they strain to see around the bend in the river, the present nearly knocks them down as it swirls around their knees. It slips behind them and keeps flowing. It becomes the past without their even noticing. The past, for them, is forgotten. The memories fade, and they make the same mistakes all over again. That is why their questions made no sense today.
"Children, we are not like them!"
An excitement seemed to quicken his countenance as he looked around the fire ring. "We also see the passage of time like a river, but we respect the river! We cannot see around the bend into the future any better than they can, but that is all right. We know it is coming, and although we don't know all about it, God does. We can trust him with the future.
"We would never disrespect the river by crashing into its powerful flow. We sit quietly and respectfully on the banks of the river and watch. The future comes when it is ready. It will arrive in its own time and in its own way. Soon it will be in front of us. Oh, what a gift that is!
"The present is all we can fully know and experience, so we must. We must love each other. We must smell the hibiscus flowers. We must hear the singing of the weaverbirds and the grunts of the lions. We must taste with joy the honey and the peanut sauce on the rice. We must laugh and cry and live."
Suddenly he grew sober again, the twinkle gone from his eyes. We knew from his cadence that something very important was about to be said. "Children," he continued, with tears glistening in his eyes, "do not forget the past! It is just as much a part of the river as the future and the present. I will be there one day...and someday, a long time from now, so will you. You must remember what you have seen and heard and learned. You must tell the stories of today to the younger ones, your sons and daughters, when it becomes yesterday, the past.
"Although the future is not known to us, it is known to God and only to God. He holds it in his hands. You don't need to worry about it; it will come. God will take care of it. All we can see and feel is the present. All we can remember and honor is the past. It is enough, my children."
In the gathering darkness, there were nods of agreement all across the courtyard. We knew the chief had spoken with wisdom that night.
He was not meaning to say that forecasting and planning are bad. He himself looked ahead to the growing season and directed that crops be planted on time so there would be a future harvest. But when it came to questions about unknowable things, he refused to be anxious about them. He emphasized two main points to us all, young and old:
One, live today completely. It is important in its own right.
Two, tomorrow lies in the good hands of God. Therefore we do not need to be restless about it.
As a child in Nielle, I found this prespective reassuring. It explained why our village life was so vibrant and full. The underlying philosophy said that today was really all we had, so we should relish it to the full. People matter. Food matters. Smells matter. Stories matter. Dancing matters. Hard work matters. Now matters.
That night, even though I was just a boy, I saw the big picture more fully than at any previous time. So that's why we are they way we are, I told myself as I walked home beside my father in the darkness.
Sunday -
I've been thinking about this story a lot this week. I've learned so much from this little story. I think there's so much truth to it. In my life, I know I've spent a lot more time thinking, worrying, planning and wondering about the future than I have enjoying the present. The chief took the time to explain what he meant by the future. I wonder what it would be like to be so in the moment all day every day. I wonder what we would see, feel, hear and experience if we slowed down enough to enjoy every moment - all the gifts God gives us in one day. I wonder what it would be like to trust God completely and have no concerns about tomorrow.
While I knew I couldn't do this perfectly, I decided I would still give it a try. So, today, whenever I caught myself thinking, worrying or wondering about the future, I stopped myself and looked around to see what I was missing today. These are some of the things I noticed today.
When I got to church this morning, I got on my knees to pray as usual. I closed my eyes and instead of rushing into prayer, I just listened as the church continued to worship. I have to admit there have been times that I thought to myself that the worship music here is not beautiful. There have been times when I've thought this isn't music - they are just chanting and pounding and all the songs seem to be the same. But, this morning, I paused and really listened to praises, the heart and passion with which these people sing - it was beautiful. I thanked God for that moment.
In the middle of the service this morning, it started to rain. It rained off and on throughout the morning. There was one time that it rained hard for about 10 seconds and then stopped. I had to smile to myself. I don't know how that happens, so much rain in so little time. It's incredible.
After the service, we were waiting for the bus to return to pick us up. I was standing outside with Teresa and noticed the wind blowing in the tops of the trees. There were only a few of us around. It was so quiet. I could hear and feel the wind blowing. I saw some big black birds soaring way up high in the sky. It reminded me of the camping trips I take with my dad and brother up to Voyagers National Park - no electricity, no running water, just sky, water, rocks and trees. It's so quiet, and peaceful, and majestic. God's creation is beautiful. As my aunt reminded me recently, I don't know how someone can be in the world, see the incredible beauty all around us and still claim that there is no God. His fingerprints are EVERYWHERE!!!
After church, we went out to lunch as we usually do. As I ate today, I thought about what the chief said about tasting the honey and the peanut sauce on the rice. I thanked God for the meal and really enjoyed the chicken - it was a different kind of chicken today and had great flavor! I also enjoyed the fritos more than usual - they were still warm and fresh.
After dinner, I returned to my room and had a great nap. Later I went outside and wrote in my journal for a while. Then, we ate supper - Lasagna!! I was still full from lunch, but couldn't pass up Teresa's lasagna because it is delicious!
I got ready for church and went earlier tonight. I rode with Pastor Carlos in the first trip. This was a treat. I got to sit in the front seat. You can see so much more from that seat. Tonight I noticed so many pretty flowers and trees. I was able to see so much more of the town and where the people from Carlos' church live. It was neat to see people just hanging out and living life on a Sunday afternoon. And, it was fun to notice the energy and excitement as we picked people up for church - everybody all dressed up, excited to see their friends and eager to be together as God's family. I enjoyed the laughter and conversation. I observed the expressions on the faces of my brothers and sisters in Christ - young and old, knowing each one is special and wondering about the stories they have to tell.
It was a wonderful day. I think I'll try this again tomorrow!! Thanks God for the gift of today!!
Back To Thursday, Friday and Saturday
In the evenings on Thursday, Friday and Saturday we went to outdoor services. They have services outside every once in a while to try to draw people who do not usually attend church. They bring out the big speakers and blast into the neighborhoods. I don't know exactly where we were on Thursday night, but on Friday and Saturday we were in Guayabal. They were all great services. There's a lot more I could say about these services, but I need to go to sleep!
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These pictures are of some friends from Guayabal - Marissa and Rosa are sisters. I can't remember the man's name. These three always come to the English classes that are offered here at the compound on Mondays and Fridays. Marissa and Rosa have gotten to be good friends over the years as well. Their house is always the first I want to visit whenever I go to Guayabal!! I had the man take a few pictures of me and the girls. It was pretty funny. I could tell he hadn't used a digital camera before. It took him several tries before he got a picture that included my entire head! :) It was funny!!
I'm still praying for Guayabal and hoping for more opportunities to get to
know, to visit and to encourage the people who live there. I want to see the people in Guayabal living in freedom, in love, peace, community, hope and joy. I want to see Guayabal as a city on a hill, praising and giving glory to God together and shining brightly for all to see.
On Wednesday this week there is a team of 10 of us leaving for La Vega. We will be there for about a week doing evangilism in the community. As I've explained before, CC Shalom is planting a church there. The church is not quite finished. I think they still need electricity, septic tanks and running water. When we go this week, we will be focusing on the people in the community.
It sort of feels like we are going on a mission trip - a mission trip within a missin trip!! :) We will probably do some VBS with the kids, go door-to-door for house visits and have services in the evenings. The important thing is that we are spending time with people, that we are taking time to get to know them and allowing them to get to know us. We are building relationships. Eventually, we hope for an opportunity to talk to them about how much God loves them and wants a relationship with them, but we wait until God opens the door and they are ready to hear and receive this message. In the meantime, we love them with our actions and with our words, and we pray for them.
Please pray for us as we minister in La Vega this week. I have no idea what to expect in La Vega! It will probably be like a camping trip since there is no electricity or running water. We will be cooking over a fire, and I think we are sleeping in the church.
I'll be sure to take lots of pictures of this trip. It may be a while before I post again, but stay tuned!
God Bless You, everyone!!
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