In the toilet situation, which thank God worked out fine, I learned a lot about what the African believes about their rights. They see Africa as the suffering nation, that they have the right to be helped. I can’t blame them, they do genuinely suffer much, and we blessed with wealth should be more willing to share, but gifts are never earned and sometimes there needs to be less gifts and more work. I try to help children understand this. When they say to me, you need to give me this or that. I kindly remind them that it is not their right to receive that, that they should say, if possible could please get me this, or I’d really appreciate receiving this or that. I am glad for parents that taught the difference between “I want” and “I would like”. It seems that kids that grow up demanding, become demanders of their children too. Bring this, do that, and not a word of love.
And here it seems that riches don’t help the situation. My neighbors here are a diverse bunch. One is a painter from the Gambia who has lived in 23 different African nations, the is a man from Togo, a woman from Togo and Ghana, a student from Benin (not sure which tribe), and the main family who are Muslim Dendi from Benin and me the Swiss-Canadian! The family in the large house, is well off, okay filthy rich for Africa, the husband works with surrounding villages helping them promote their local trades. With the riches kindness is not also imparted. There are now words of love. Many people in Nati have asked me why there children are so head strong and disobedient, yet they spend no time with them, never say I love you, thank them and the TV is usually the only place they “get together”. Sounds like a global issue to me! Because they are rich they also have the right to two motorcycles, many clothes, a servant (a.k.a. slave girl), and other “necessities”. The motorcycle is a real good one, the woman of the house drives her children to school everyday. She goes out on the motorcycle. She doesn’t go to the market herself, and when at home, finds time to sit in front of the TV and sleep. I can hear here arteries clogging from here. And her husband is growing a spare tire for future use if you know what I mean. They feel if they are rich, they get the right to in reality kill themselves! How sad. And despite their faults the Bible tells me to love them. That’s the tough part. They may be messed up, but God loves them!
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
A time to break down, a time to build up...
This text in Ecclesiastes 3 is very meaningful to me. I have always to appreciate time. Time is money, as the saying goes. Even more than that, time is a gift from a God, a talent. Ellen White has some really great things to say on time in Christ’s Object Lessons pages 342-346. “Of no talent” she writes “He has given will He require a more strict account than of our time.” (342) and a favorite of mine; “Now is the time to labor for the salvation of our fellow men.” (343)
Ecc. 3 is meaningful because it really challenges me to remember balance. I enjoyed getting a task done, but as Sister White mentioned, time is to work with God in saving our fellow men, that means time is about people, and not tasks. It’s that balance in all aspects of life that is tough. Now time really is not even built in seconds but in moments, a moment can be a split second or a whole day, I suppose. What has really been challenging me is when to know the right time to help build people up, say nothing, or to, so to speak, tear someone down. I don’t mean tear them as in criticism or mocking, but tearing down a bad behavior, confronting someone on something that bothers me. Actually the saying is not quite right for the situation because I can never rebuild anybody, that’s God’s job. But a spiritual leader with the youth, and a friend to others, when are times when I should confront someone about a behavior that they could work on. I certainly do not want to a spiritual policeman!
And yes for strangers too. The longer I am here, the more behaviors bug me. I do have to realize that I have been around a lot of caring, godly people, and maybe that has made me take too high a standard for others around me here, who have not been raised like I have. Maybe! It certainly is true. For the white people treatment, that I left behind a while ago, although there are times when I have to really pray to keep the temper down. The other day at the market, some young guys were walking by as I was eating mashed yams for lunch at a food vendor. They were saying “Hey look the white (literally “le blanc”) is eating.” They tried to get my attention by say “The White”. I finally turned to them, and said as calmly as I could that white is a color not a person, and continued eating. The people around me chuckled, and the boys laughed embarrassingly and moved on. I felt a tinge of satisfaction. Good thing those guys are the exception to the rule, and if they weren’t I would probably have not said anything, but the fact is most people do treat me nice, as not “the white”, but a visitor or a friend.
But what really irks me is when the defenseless are preyed upon, or when a harsh word is spoken. I have learned that people here never spare the rod (Proverbs 13:24), without knowing the verse, but nonetheless they certainly don’t spoil the child, unless they are rich. So though I may not feel comfortable with their many occasions to hit a child, I know that’s not my business. But when people make fun of others, chastise them wrongly, exploit, me ‘ole blood boils. I recently read “Anne Frank Remembered” by Miep Gies, the lady who hid the Frank and Van Daan families along with Dr. Dussel (I read it twice, it was highly captivating). Miep talks about how hard it was for the Dutch to hold back when so much injustice was happening, they had boiling blood and not way to pour it out, so to speak. Now I am interesting in lashing out, but some kind correction could be useful? In Pathfinders it is certainly a rule, no mean words, and in that domain, I certainly have authority to make sure that takes place. But otherwise what can I do? The other day I was a little fed up. I went and bought some sweetbread for breakfast and then stop a vendor selling corn porridge and sat down to eat my bread and porridge. Two students where eating there (I could tell because they wore their Khaki uniforms). One left and was replaced by an older gentlemen (here that means 40’s). I was happily eating and just finishing, when the student to my right asked the young girl who was helping there, to get him some water. I have also learned to ignore manners, as I found last year that in Ditimarri there is no word for please, so I let things slide (except with Pathfinders of course, those poor children, well I do try to be nice about it). Well she headed for the fried dough cakes instead, in French water and cake are end in an “o” sound, so they could be confused, especially for girl who isn’t going to school and who should be I might add (wish the dude would have thought about that). He corrected in a harsh tone that he said water. The man beside me then felt he needed to comment, and wondered out loud about the girl mixed the order up, can she not hear properly? Good thing I am a Christian! I kindly as possible said as I stood to leave, “why did you say that? We all make mistakes. Have you never gotten something mixed up?” The timing was perfect, he answered just as I leave to get on my bicycle, “Well yes, but…” I left them in the silence of their thoughts. “Well yes, but…” That statement carried so much. The man said it a tone of deep thought, like it clicked, that is was true, he had done those things. Now I have to be careful, because though I want to stand for the right, I don’t to be disrespectful of those more elderly than I, especially in the African culture. But like in this case I had the opportunity to help someone think about their actions. I also have to cautios to walk the talk! How often do I have major faults and yet seek to point out others weaknesses! Sounds familiar, the greatest teacher ever, Jesus, said it this way…
“So why do you see the piece of sawdust in another believer's eye and not notice the wooden beam in your own eye?” (Matthew 7:3 GW)
And that’s all I have to say about that.
3:1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
Ecc 3:2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
Ecc 3:3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
Ecc 3:4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
Ecc 3:5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
Ecc 3:6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
Ecc 3:7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
Ecc 3:8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
Ecc 3:9 What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?
Ecc 3:10 I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it.
Ecc 3:11 He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.
Ecc 3:12 I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.
Ecc 3:13 And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.
Ecc 3:14 I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.
Ecc. 3 is meaningful because it really challenges me to remember balance. I enjoyed getting a task done, but as Sister White mentioned, time is to work with God in saving our fellow men, that means time is about people, and not tasks. It’s that balance in all aspects of life that is tough. Now time really is not even built in seconds but in moments, a moment can be a split second or a whole day, I suppose. What has really been challenging me is when to know the right time to help build people up, say nothing, or to, so to speak, tear someone down. I don’t mean tear them as in criticism or mocking, but tearing down a bad behavior, confronting someone on something that bothers me. Actually the saying is not quite right for the situation because I can never rebuild anybody, that’s God’s job. But a spiritual leader with the youth, and a friend to others, when are times when I should confront someone about a behavior that they could work on. I certainly do not want to a spiritual policeman!
And yes for strangers too. The longer I am here, the more behaviors bug me. I do have to realize that I have been around a lot of caring, godly people, and maybe that has made me take too high a standard for others around me here, who have not been raised like I have. Maybe! It certainly is true. For the white people treatment, that I left behind a while ago, although there are times when I have to really pray to keep the temper down. The other day at the market, some young guys were walking by as I was eating mashed yams for lunch at a food vendor. They were saying “Hey look the white (literally “le blanc”) is eating.” They tried to get my attention by say “The White”. I finally turned to them, and said as calmly as I could that white is a color not a person, and continued eating. The people around me chuckled, and the boys laughed embarrassingly and moved on. I felt a tinge of satisfaction. Good thing those guys are the exception to the rule, and if they weren’t I would probably have not said anything, but the fact is most people do treat me nice, as not “the white”, but a visitor or a friend.
But what really irks me is when the defenseless are preyed upon, or when a harsh word is spoken. I have learned that people here never spare the rod (Proverbs 13:24), without knowing the verse, but nonetheless they certainly don’t spoil the child, unless they are rich. So though I may not feel comfortable with their many occasions to hit a child, I know that’s not my business. But when people make fun of others, chastise them wrongly, exploit, me ‘ole blood boils. I recently read “Anne Frank Remembered” by Miep Gies, the lady who hid the Frank and Van Daan families along with Dr. Dussel (I read it twice, it was highly captivating). Miep talks about how hard it was for the Dutch to hold back when so much injustice was happening, they had boiling blood and not way to pour it out, so to speak. Now I am interesting in lashing out, but some kind correction could be useful? In Pathfinders it is certainly a rule, no mean words, and in that domain, I certainly have authority to make sure that takes place. But otherwise what can I do? The other day I was a little fed up. I went and bought some sweetbread for breakfast and then stop a vendor selling corn porridge and sat down to eat my bread and porridge. Two students where eating there (I could tell because they wore their Khaki uniforms). One left and was replaced by an older gentlemen (here that means 40’s). I was happily eating and just finishing, when the student to my right asked the young girl who was helping there, to get him some water. I have also learned to ignore manners, as I found last year that in Ditimarri there is no word for please, so I let things slide (except with Pathfinders of course, those poor children, well I do try to be nice about it). Well she headed for the fried dough cakes instead, in French water and cake are end in an “o” sound, so they could be confused, especially for girl who isn’t going to school and who should be I might add (wish the dude would have thought about that). He corrected in a harsh tone that he said water. The man beside me then felt he needed to comment, and wondered out loud about the girl mixed the order up, can she not hear properly? Good thing I am a Christian! I kindly as possible said as I stood to leave, “why did you say that? We all make mistakes. Have you never gotten something mixed up?” The timing was perfect, he answered just as I leave to get on my bicycle, “Well yes, but…” I left them in the silence of their thoughts. “Well yes, but…” That statement carried so much. The man said it a tone of deep thought, like it clicked, that is was true, he had done those things. Now I have to be careful, because though I want to stand for the right, I don’t to be disrespectful of those more elderly than I, especially in the African culture. But like in this case I had the opportunity to help someone think about their actions. I also have to cautios to walk the talk! How often do I have major faults and yet seek to point out others weaknesses! Sounds familiar, the greatest teacher ever, Jesus, said it this way…
“So why do you see the piece of sawdust in another believer's eye and not notice the wooden beam in your own eye?” (Matthew 7:3 GW)
And that’s all I have to say about that.
3:1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
Ecc 3:2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
Ecc 3:3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
Ecc 3:4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
Ecc 3:5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
Ecc 3:6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
Ecc 3:7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
Ecc 3:8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
Ecc 3:9 What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?
Ecc 3:10 I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it.
Ecc 3:11 He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.
Ecc 3:12 I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.
Ecc 3:13 And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.
Ecc 3:14 I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Using "Talents"
This little lesson helped me learn lots. In June I gave each member of our Sabbath School, which were five at the time, 300 francs, or about 75 cents Canadian. When you consider that the average pay for a full eight hours of work for a mason’s assistant is 1000 francs, it is a nice little sum having 300. I told them to do something with the money to help someone else. Of course the idea came from Jesus’ parable of the talents, and also from an Adventures in Odyssey adaptation of the parable called “The Buck Starts Here”.
I kept forgetting to ask them about their assignment, and with preparations to visit home, I completely forget, until last Sabbath. I had some varied responses, quite similar to the original story! Two boys had collaborated and given 100 francs to three different people to help them out with daily food. One boy still had his money as he really didn’t think of what he could do with only 300 francs. I encouraged him to not think too big, but simple, and we’ll see what he does in the future. Another of them gave the money also to some different friends to help them. Then the fifth was a little embarrassed. He had the money a long time, and after a while went to buy pants at the market, he only had two hundred francs and the pants cost five, so he used the 300 to complete the deal. I was disappointed, everyone snickered at his mess-up. I chided him and told him I was disappointed in what he did, but told everyone that it was a good lesson to use money we put aside for God or to help others quickly or we will be tempted to quickly spend it! I am still not sure if there is a punishment for the one delinquent.
The illustration was great and rewarding, maybe I’ll have opportunity to do a repeat in the future with new class members.
I kept forgetting to ask them about their assignment, and with preparations to visit home, I completely forget, until last Sabbath. I had some varied responses, quite similar to the original story! Two boys had collaborated and given 100 francs to three different people to help them out with daily food. One boy still had his money as he really didn’t think of what he could do with only 300 francs. I encouraged him to not think too big, but simple, and we’ll see what he does in the future. Another of them gave the money also to some different friends to help them. Then the fifth was a little embarrassed. He had the money a long time, and after a while went to buy pants at the market, he only had two hundred francs and the pants cost five, so he used the 300 to complete the deal. I was disappointed, everyone snickered at his mess-up. I chided him and told him I was disappointed in what he did, but told everyone that it was a good lesson to use money we put aside for God or to help others quickly or we will be tempted to quickly spend it! I am still not sure if there is a punishment for the one delinquent.
The illustration was great and rewarding, maybe I’ll have opportunity to do a repeat in the future with new class members.
The End of the World
There is a Christian Rock band,called “Hawk Nelson”; a few years ago they came out who a CD called, “Smile, It’s the End of the World” Not many people smile when thinking of the end of the world. It’s a paradox, the end of the world means the coming of Jesus, the end of suffering and sin! All this great controversy a matter for the history books, so to speak. But it also means a time of trouble beyond imagination, the loss of many souls to Satan’s lies, the destruction of people who’ve rejected their only hope in Jesus.
Here in Natitingou, a lot of people don’t think about the end of the world. It is a sobering thought whenever I remember that most of the people around me are lost people. I can’t judge people and I do not their heart, but I can know that many people do not Jesus as their personal Savior, and that means lost. This has been in my mind lately because a sure-fire sign of His coming is upon us, rain. Rain is not in the Bible as a sign, but nasty and weird weather is. The sky is still raining down buckets on regularly occasions here. People in their 50’s and 60’s around here cannot remember any time when rains went passed the month of October. It seems it has forever been rain until the middle of October, no rain for about two weeks, then a final downpour, and then the Heavens are closed until late March. But now it is middle November and still the rains are not letting go. Already crops of sorghum, millet, and beans, are gone, molded and water-soaked. Not a good sign for the coming year, these are staples in our area. People are bewildered, rain go away, come again in March, like you’re supposed to. With my perspective I can be confident because God’s in control, but many others don’t see it so. How does a Muslim see the disasters, what does an animist have to look forward too, how does a Catholic picture Heaven? Questions that make me want more time before the end of the world, to help these people figure it out (and me too at times, for that matter).
P.S. The day after writing this, the winds started, so that means rains are stopped. So the weather still messed us up, but at least this year it may not be too bad.
And about the toilet, it all worked out, the money is enought to cover the cost of a larger choice. I started digging the pit, and low and behold the kids continued to one meter! Great news.
Here in Natitingou, a lot of people don’t think about the end of the world. It is a sobering thought whenever I remember that most of the people around me are lost people. I can’t judge people and I do not their heart, but I can know that many people do not Jesus as their personal Savior, and that means lost. This has been in my mind lately because a sure-fire sign of His coming is upon us, rain. Rain is not in the Bible as a sign, but nasty and weird weather is. The sky is still raining down buckets on regularly occasions here. People in their 50’s and 60’s around here cannot remember any time when rains went passed the month of October. It seems it has forever been rain until the middle of October, no rain for about two weeks, then a final downpour, and then the Heavens are closed until late March. But now it is middle November and still the rains are not letting go. Already crops of sorghum, millet, and beans, are gone, molded and water-soaked. Not a good sign for the coming year, these are staples in our area. People are bewildered, rain go away, come again in March, like you’re supposed to. With my perspective I can be confident because God’s in control, but many others don’t see it so. How does a Muslim see the disasters, what does an animist have to look forward too, how does a Catholic picture Heaven? Questions that make me want more time before the end of the world, to help these people figure it out (and me too at times, for that matter).
P.S. The day after writing this, the winds started, so that means rains are stopped. So the weather still messed us up, but at least this year it may not be too bad.
And about the toilet, it all worked out, the money is enought to cover the cost of a larger choice. I started digging the pit, and low and behold the kids continued to one meter! Great news.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Going Forth: Perspectives
Went to a village on November 10. A friend of mine took me, I was grateful for his help. The particular
village is his mother's home village, and he has an old great-uncle there. I went to do some research.
It is really amazing the timing of our culture study. We have noticed that if we did this even a few years
later we would miss the last generation it seems that really knows the culture in its entirity. With
modernization, urbanization, and the advancement of travel, no one is staying put, families are
no longer together as they used to be, the old traditions are fading away. If the old ways of life
were being replaced by good solid Biblical living, that'd be great, but that is why we are doing
the culture study. The old ways of Satan are just being replaced by new tricks from the same
evil power, but now it is masked in media, shallow love, money, material goods, the disintegration
of every society it seems. Well back to the village, the old man agreed to show all we wanted
but at a price, so I had to pay for it, but I really want the information. Unfortunately other foreign
folk have used photos to sell, and such, so now my reputation also is that I am an exploiter, if
only the people new what the result of their sharing would be. But my friend told me that his uncle
shared much top secret info, so that was good, despite the price tag.
All this study really makes think of people's perspective, to this man, the old secrets are not to
be shared, but if he only knew of He who is more powerful and keeps no spiritual secrets to happiness.
I just finished a meaningful book called "When I Relax I Feel Guilty" The title makes its content
pretty clear. It is from a Christian perspective, there are some good quotes I thought I'd share.
"A real Christian is an odd number, anyway. He feels supreme love for One whom he has never seen; talks familiarly
every day to Someone he cannot see; expects to go to heaven on the virtue of Another; empties
himselof in order to be full; admits he is wrong so he can be declared right; goes down in order to get up;
is strongest when he is weakes; riches when he is poorest and happiest when he feels the worst. He dies so he can live;
forsakes in order to have; gives away so hea can keep; sees the invisible; hears the inaudible; and knows that
which passeth knowledge." A.W. Tozer (pg 47)
"I would like to buy $3 worth of God, please, not enough to explode my soul or disturb my sleep, but just
enough to equal a cup of warm milk or a snooze in the sunshine. I don't want enough of Him to make love
a black man or pick beets with a migrant. I want ecstasy, not transformation; I want the warmth of the womb,
not a new birth. I want a pound of the Eternal in a paper sack. I would like to buy $3 worth of God, please."
Wiblur Rees "$3.00 Worth of God" (pg 49)
village is his mother's home village, and he has an old great-uncle there. I went to do some research.
It is really amazing the timing of our culture study. We have noticed that if we did this even a few years
later we would miss the last generation it seems that really knows the culture in its entirity. With
modernization, urbanization, and the advancement of travel, no one is staying put, families are
no longer together as they used to be, the old traditions are fading away. If the old ways of life
were being replaced by good solid Biblical living, that'd be great, but that is why we are doing
the culture study. The old ways of Satan are just being replaced by new tricks from the same
evil power, but now it is masked in media, shallow love, money, material goods, the disintegration
of every society it seems. Well back to the village, the old man agreed to show all we wanted
but at a price, so I had to pay for it, but I really want the information. Unfortunately other foreign
folk have used photos to sell, and such, so now my reputation also is that I am an exploiter, if
only the people new what the result of their sharing would be. But my friend told me that his uncle
shared much top secret info, so that was good, despite the price tag.
All this study really makes think of people's perspective, to this man, the old secrets are not to
be shared, but if he only knew of He who is more powerful and keeps no spiritual secrets to happiness.
I just finished a meaningful book called "When I Relax I Feel Guilty" The title makes its content
pretty clear. It is from a Christian perspective, there are some good quotes I thought I'd share.
"A real Christian is an odd number, anyway. He feels supreme love for One whom he has never seen; talks familiarly
every day to Someone he cannot see; expects to go to heaven on the virtue of Another; empties
himselof in order to be full; admits he is wrong so he can be declared right; goes down in order to get up;
is strongest when he is weakes; riches when he is poorest and happiest when he feels the worst. He dies so he can live;
forsakes in order to have; gives away so hea can keep; sees the invisible; hears the inaudible; and knows that
which passeth knowledge." A.W. Tozer (pg 47)
"I would like to buy $3 worth of God, please, not enough to explode my soul or disturb my sleep, but just
enough to equal a cup of warm milk or a snooze in the sunshine. I don't want enough of Him to make love
a black man or pick beets with a migrant. I want ecstasy, not transformation; I want the warmth of the womb,
not a new birth. I want a pound of the Eternal in a paper sack. I would like to buy $3 worth of God, please."
Wiblur Rees "$3.00 Worth of God" (pg 49)
Natitingou X-Games
The X-games are the Olympics of man-powered extreme
sports, so to speak. Skateboarding, bmx biking, rollerblading, and the lot, all things that I have
tried once or twice and decided to do cross-country skiing instead, which
can be extreme when going doing a hill! Here in Natitingou, I have been working
on some new extreme sports to add to the list, some African specialities. Enjoy!
Storm Racing
Usually people talk of Storm Chasing, which was made really popular after the
release of the movie "Twister". But here in Nati I have developed storm racing,
that is trying to get away from story. Given the location of Nati in a valley,
any storm rolls over the hills from any direction and gives me the cyclist enough time
to race home or to the nearest friends house. The bigger the storm,
the bigger the challenge. Only once has rain started as I went home, but I was just coming
up the gate, so escaped in time. And yes all traffic codes are followed, as much as
possible, that is when others don't you have to bend the rules to avoid, well, collisions.
But breakneck speed on a bicycle is not too hazardous, especially when its a blue
city bike.
Mouse Trap
Yes this game, though it may not appear extreme, is a push to the limits of mind
especially. How do catch the confounded mice that live inbetween the beams and
roof of my house. At night I wake up to their gnawing on my exposed potatoes, and
I find their droppings in the most unconvienent places. So there was the small
North American mousetrap, no good. So I upgraded to the African Mouse Catcher
2000, more power, ugh, ugh. But even this smaller version of a bear trap, with teeth
and all is not match for the light mice, who eat off it and leave it unsprung. Next I tried a truce,
loosing points in the game for sure. If you eat only what I put out on a plate for you
and do not climb on my table, you'll be safe, but no go there either. So
unfortunately poison is the next bet, for the mice of course. It is sold on the market,
and is tasteless, and deadly for mice populations, so be it.
Not Mountain Biking
Here is latest in extreme biking, avoiding potholes and large bumps and rivets. While
the traditional mountain biker will try to go into holes, and fly through the air off
of large bumps, with my three speed British Bluester, that can handle holes the size
of a bottlecap (okay I exagerrate), all bumps are avoiding at great cost. It beats
many a video game, navigating the boulder and pothole ridden roads of Nati.
Growing
Recently somone asked me if this experience was a growing one. I replied with a strong yes and the
added comment that sometimes too much growing seems to be happening in my life! My spiritual
skin is being stretched and old stuff is constantly being shedded. And it is extreme, sometimes
hurts like a falling from a bmx at ten feet!
God Trusting
Unfortunately it is more popular today to think that Christianity is a boring experience, but the adventure
is always just beginning. Any normal day never remains that way. The hard part, is putting the package
of each day all in God's hands. My aunt sent me a poignant quote on this recently.
"If you have given yourself to God, to do his work, you have no need to be anxious for tomorrow. He whose
servant you are, knows the end from the beginning." Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing pg 100
That's extreme, giving your life into the hands of someone you've never seen, a leap worth taking.
sports, so to speak. Skateboarding, bmx biking, rollerblading, and the lot, all things that I have
tried once or twice and decided to do cross-country skiing instead, which
can be extreme when going doing a hill! Here in Natitingou, I have been working
on some new extreme sports to add to the list, some African specialities. Enjoy!
Storm Racing
Usually people talk of Storm Chasing, which was made really popular after the
release of the movie "Twister". But here in Nati I have developed storm racing,
that is trying to get away from story. Given the location of Nati in a valley,
any storm rolls over the hills from any direction and gives me the cyclist enough time
to race home or to the nearest friends house. The bigger the storm,
the bigger the challenge. Only once has rain started as I went home, but I was just coming
up the gate, so escaped in time. And yes all traffic codes are followed, as much as
possible, that is when others don't you have to bend the rules to avoid, well, collisions.
But breakneck speed on a bicycle is not too hazardous, especially when its a blue
city bike.
Mouse Trap
Yes this game, though it may not appear extreme, is a push to the limits of mind
especially. How do catch the confounded mice that live inbetween the beams and
roof of my house. At night I wake up to their gnawing on my exposed potatoes, and
I find their droppings in the most unconvienent places. So there was the small
North American mousetrap, no good. So I upgraded to the African Mouse Catcher
2000, more power, ugh, ugh. But even this smaller version of a bear trap, with teeth
and all is not match for the light mice, who eat off it and leave it unsprung. Next I tried a truce,
loosing points in the game for sure. If you eat only what I put out on a plate for you
and do not climb on my table, you'll be safe, but no go there either. So
unfortunately poison is the next bet, for the mice of course. It is sold on the market,
and is tasteless, and deadly for mice populations, so be it.
Not Mountain Biking
Here is latest in extreme biking, avoiding potholes and large bumps and rivets. While
the traditional mountain biker will try to go into holes, and fly through the air off
of large bumps, with my three speed British Bluester, that can handle holes the size
of a bottlecap (okay I exagerrate), all bumps are avoiding at great cost. It beats
many a video game, navigating the boulder and pothole ridden roads of Nati.
Growing
Recently somone asked me if this experience was a growing one. I replied with a strong yes and the
added comment that sometimes too much growing seems to be happening in my life! My spiritual
skin is being stretched and old stuff is constantly being shedded. And it is extreme, sometimes
hurts like a falling from a bmx at ten feet!
God Trusting
Unfortunately it is more popular today to think that Christianity is a boring experience, but the adventure
is always just beginning. Any normal day never remains that way. The hard part, is putting the package
of each day all in God's hands. My aunt sent me a poignant quote on this recently.
"If you have given yourself to God, to do his work, you have no need to be anxious for tomorrow. He whose
servant you are, knows the end from the beginning." Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing pg 100
That's extreme, giving your life into the hands of someone you've never seen, a leap worth taking.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
He Wants Me
Okay my bad, the poem for this entry is on the other computer, so I will add it later. But Praise the Lord our office computer is now working. Here Suzy and I are trying to work step by step blind on our computer because of the screen using her computer as a template, tab then down nine times, then etc, etc. She prayed and somehow we were able to extend the computer screen onto the old monitor!
This first month here, has gone by quickly, full of finding a new house, moving, getting settled in, starting a routine, changing the routine, researching for the project, learning as always, starting pathfinders again! Much excitement. But it has been one of the hardest month since I have been here in Africa. I just felt very discouraged, stressers that had been in place last year, just seem worse, and I just thought I couldn’t handle it all. It has been a struggle to transition to living on my own without my comrade Manny. Though I am very grateful for my church family here and the support of the two missionaries, Uli and Suzy, I am certainly not alone! So I was really questioning, as we all do sometimes, about the decision I made to come back another term and miss another year of college study (who would have thought I could miss study!). Last week on Friday, I found time in the evening to just fall before God. Really pour out, I am learning this all. For most of my life, I have been an intellectual pray-er. Thinking to God, but not talking to Him. And at that moment, I almost didn’t have the words, but I felt the strong desire just to pray. As I knelt for a few minutes, I really felt God speak to my heart. He told me that He really just wanted me. It was simple but what I needed. I have been wanting to give all my work, my activities, offer so much to Him. But what He wants first is me, my life, my heart, all those other things He’ll put into place. It’s not easy to overcome my selfish tendencies, and discouraged attitude, but I can always know the victory was won on Calvary, and He’ll me take part in that victory today! After this praying I wrote this poem. I think it describes best what I have been trying to get across. I hope it blesses you.
"God Wants"
He wants me,
Not my time,
Not my money,
Nor my good deeds,
He wants me.
He doesn't need a missionary,
He doesn't need a pastor,
He doesn't need a one man show,
All He's ever dreamed of having,
Is me, my life, my all.
When in His loving arms I fall,
He's happy to let me know the rest,
What I can give of my time,
What I can sacrifices of my money,
What I do in His loving service.
Once my heart is to Him given,
He's ready to use me fully,
On the high seas of missions,
Into the adventures of pastoring,
Becoming a man reflecting God's glory.
It's so much clearer,
Life and all its challenges,
When I understand how it's me He wants,
Then so much more easily I can see,
That God wants me and you and everyone!
This first month here, has gone by quickly, full of finding a new house, moving, getting settled in, starting a routine, changing the routine, researching for the project, learning as always, starting pathfinders again! Much excitement. But it has been one of the hardest month since I have been here in Africa. I just felt very discouraged, stressers that had been in place last year, just seem worse, and I just thought I couldn’t handle it all. It has been a struggle to transition to living on my own without my comrade Manny. Though I am very grateful for my church family here and the support of the two missionaries, Uli and Suzy, I am certainly not alone! So I was really questioning, as we all do sometimes, about the decision I made to come back another term and miss another year of college study (who would have thought I could miss study!). Last week on Friday, I found time in the evening to just fall before God. Really pour out, I am learning this all. For most of my life, I have been an intellectual pray-er. Thinking to God, but not talking to Him. And at that moment, I almost didn’t have the words, but I felt the strong desire just to pray. As I knelt for a few minutes, I really felt God speak to my heart. He told me that He really just wanted me. It was simple but what I needed. I have been wanting to give all my work, my activities, offer so much to Him. But what He wants first is me, my life, my heart, all those other things He’ll put into place. It’s not easy to overcome my selfish tendencies, and discouraged attitude, but I can always know the victory was won on Calvary, and He’ll me take part in that victory today! After this praying I wrote this poem. I think it describes best what I have been trying to get across. I hope it blesses you.
"God Wants"
He wants me,
Not my time,
Not my money,
Nor my good deeds,
He wants me.
He doesn't need a missionary,
He doesn't need a pastor,
He doesn't need a one man show,
All He's ever dreamed of having,
Is me, my life, my all.
When in His loving arms I fall,
He's happy to let me know the rest,
What I can give of my time,
What I can sacrifices of my money,
What I do in His loving service.
Once my heart is to Him given,
He's ready to use me fully,
On the high seas of missions,
Into the adventures of pastoring,
Becoming a man reflecting God's glory.
It's so much clearer,
Life and all its challenges,
When I understand how it's me He wants,
Then so much more easily I can see,
That God wants me and you and everyone!
Affluence and the missionary
Affluence and Mission
Recently read an article in a mission’s journal Suzy gets once in a while, about the affluence ethic among missionaries, the article actually wasn’t very useful, but it did help me to know that others were dealing with the same issues I am regarding funds. The author mentioned that it was a struggle for him to go to a foreign country expecting to bring spiritual food, and he found himself half the time dealing with physical problems and issues of others. While helping others is something I like to do, I did not really anticipate the amount of stress and time I would be piling into wondering whether to help people out or not.
I had nice lesson in giving at church this past Sabbath. I recently asked a church member who is a single mom with two children to help me on Monday mornings by coming and doing laundry and some cleaning for me. She is out of work and agreed to do so. I pay a little more than the going rate because I know of her need. At church I happening to sit in the same row as her, but across the aisle. I had my tithe for three months stipend in an evenlope to put in the offering plate. I glanced across the aisle and saw the lady wrapping up some coins in paper for tithe too. I didn’t see how much but I was sure it was tithe for what I had given her that week. That small sum was all she received yet she faithfully tithed it. It was a widow with two mites experiences, and although I am glad that I did feel bad because I was showing off my wealth, it did humble me to understand and realize her sacrifice, and how blessed I am to bless others with what I have.
It was good to have that experience because what awaited me would challenge my giving compassion! In the afternoon, I stopped by the house of some friends. They had asked before I left on “furlough” to see if I could find them some money for a building project they wanted to do, a toilet to be exact. I said I would try, and in the end, my grandma gave me some money and I offered them a portion of that upon my return. Well unfortunately, I did communicate properly the exact amount, and they expected more than I had said. Well that misunderstanding aside they still had some a problem with the dimensions of the outhouse I and a friend had proposed. Since I know nothing about toilets I asked a friend to help me with the details, apparently the friends for whom the project was destined did not appreciate this leak of information, they wanted it to be between us, well a lesson learned for the future. In any case, they thought the toilet proposed was too small, they wanted a larger hole, and deeper one too. Now I and my friend had planned a toilet that would use up the money I had to give, and thus be usable, but my friends wanted a bigger toilet, which the money would not be nearly enough to finish the job. I tried to persuade them that it would be better to just build a small one (big enough already for them all), and have it done. No they wanted the big one and even if the money ran out, they’d find a way to get it done. Well it was there toilet, but it was frustrating. It’s hard when beggars become choosers. Surely these friends are not beggars, but still they asked for this, I gave them a gift and they are telling me how I should give it. Some other friends advised that I should be a bit more firm and I went back to tell them, that this was not acceptable to dictate how a gift is given. Then felt that everyone was being unfair, and was against them. They lost their mother a few years ago and thus have had a rough time added with their father who is not very healthy. But now this is growing into a martyr’s complex, they are being persecuted they believe, when I am saying that no one is perfect we all have faults and this is one for them. No one is saying they are bad people.
But the whole situation has definitely brought to me some great lessons. Mainly that it is good to have people participate, my friends have gotten used to getting and not working for what they get. Many foreigners come and feel bad and give handouts, and thus locals think that all white people will do the same. So I am learning to not allow my affluence to get in the way of God’s ministry. I am blessed with much, where I can I help, but I also want to help people be responsible and participate with what they ask for. Harmless as doves and wise as serpents, that’s the theme!
Recently read an article in a mission’s journal Suzy gets once in a while, about the affluence ethic among missionaries, the article actually wasn’t very useful, but it did help me to know that others were dealing with the same issues I am regarding funds. The author mentioned that it was a struggle for him to go to a foreign country expecting to bring spiritual food, and he found himself half the time dealing with physical problems and issues of others. While helping others is something I like to do, I did not really anticipate the amount of stress and time I would be piling into wondering whether to help people out or not.
I had nice lesson in giving at church this past Sabbath. I recently asked a church member who is a single mom with two children to help me on Monday mornings by coming and doing laundry and some cleaning for me. She is out of work and agreed to do so. I pay a little more than the going rate because I know of her need. At church I happening to sit in the same row as her, but across the aisle. I had my tithe for three months stipend in an evenlope to put in the offering plate. I glanced across the aisle and saw the lady wrapping up some coins in paper for tithe too. I didn’t see how much but I was sure it was tithe for what I had given her that week. That small sum was all she received yet she faithfully tithed it. It was a widow with two mites experiences, and although I am glad that I did feel bad because I was showing off my wealth, it did humble me to understand and realize her sacrifice, and how blessed I am to bless others with what I have.
It was good to have that experience because what awaited me would challenge my giving compassion! In the afternoon, I stopped by the house of some friends. They had asked before I left on “furlough” to see if I could find them some money for a building project they wanted to do, a toilet to be exact. I said I would try, and in the end, my grandma gave me some money and I offered them a portion of that upon my return. Well unfortunately, I did communicate properly the exact amount, and they expected more than I had said. Well that misunderstanding aside they still had some a problem with the dimensions of the outhouse I and a friend had proposed. Since I know nothing about toilets I asked a friend to help me with the details, apparently the friends for whom the project was destined did not appreciate this leak of information, they wanted it to be between us, well a lesson learned for the future. In any case, they thought the toilet proposed was too small, they wanted a larger hole, and deeper one too. Now I and my friend had planned a toilet that would use up the money I had to give, and thus be usable, but my friends wanted a bigger toilet, which the money would not be nearly enough to finish the job. I tried to persuade them that it would be better to just build a small one (big enough already for them all), and have it done. No they wanted the big one and even if the money ran out, they’d find a way to get it done. Well it was there toilet, but it was frustrating. It’s hard when beggars become choosers. Surely these friends are not beggars, but still they asked for this, I gave them a gift and they are telling me how I should give it. Some other friends advised that I should be a bit more firm and I went back to tell them, that this was not acceptable to dictate how a gift is given. Then felt that everyone was being unfair, and was against them. They lost their mother a few years ago and thus have had a rough time added with their father who is not very healthy. But now this is growing into a martyr’s complex, they are being persecuted they believe, when I am saying that no one is perfect we all have faults and this is one for them. No one is saying they are bad people.
But the whole situation has definitely brought to me some great lessons. Mainly that it is good to have people participate, my friends have gotten used to getting and not working for what they get. Many foreigners come and feel bad and give handouts, and thus locals think that all white people will do the same. So I am learning to not allow my affluence to get in the way of God’s ministry. I am blessed with much, where I can I help, but I also want to help people be responsible and participate with what they ask for. Harmless as doves and wise as serpents, that’s the theme!
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Photos on Flickr
I had some nice entries for this week but the laptop has malfunctioned (pray for it, it is a vital part of the culture study!) and thus did not get the posts off of it. But I was able to put a few more photos on Flickr, here is the link http://www.flickr.com/photos/31454511@N08/
God bless.
God bless.
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