This picture was taken on the Nile river in the middle of a rain storm. Our boat guide thought it would help the boat stay balanced(because the higher the weight the better the center of gravity…right?) if we remained on top. So naturely, he shut the door on us. I have to admit, I thoroughly enjoyed getting soaked to my core and feeling truly cold for the first time in Africa. Kudos to Pat for shipping me the water proof iphone case.
That night the plan was to camp, I was in a tent with a wet sleep sack, which for some reason wasn’t the best combination for good sleep. At about 245am, I gave up on the sleep thing and went outside to look across the Nile at a night that turned out to be clear and starry. Sitting out all night listening to baboons call out, hippos swim, and a couple violent splashes that might have been crocodiles, was a perfect place to think, reflect and pray. To my surprise, giving up on sleep was possibly the most restful thing I’ve done here in Africa, who would have thought.
The following morning began with everyone else waking up at 5:30 to hit the road for a long game drive. We sat on the top metal rack of our safari vehicle looking at Elephants, Giraffes, and pretty much everything, but the lions. My bruised seat muscles, wet clothes, and sun burn, all combined to create a pretty substatial badge of existential honor. I wore this badge proudly and will continue to look for similar trophies to experience and remember.
First off, I realize I am poor at updates and to all of you looking for the best word to describe my blog…sporadic, that’s it.
Now on the topic of Africa, some friends and I went on a pretty fun trip to the nearby safari park, but I’m going to separate that blog from this one.
Work with the ladies has been regular, but both of my group leaders have difficult circumstances at home. Pray for Cindrella, who’s grandmother just died this week. Death is treated with such familiarity here that she is doing ok, but she can use the prayer still. The other leader Dorine is struggling to show grace to her younger sister who will not be able to continue school after Dorine has paid her school fees for years. This sister will have to stay at home instead of help the family get by because some mistakes she made. It is sad to see the disappointment on Dorine’s face, but she is an incredible woman who will get through in God’s grace.
The picture above is a at a carnival that came to town. We were able to help some of our friends take the girls they support for a couple hours of fun. Some of these girls have been through more than you could ever imagine. It was really cool to see how much fun they had riding one ride and seeing the animals.
Eifel tower.
Long strands of grass are sticking to my feet as I look at a site I have wanted to experience for as long as I can remember. Why is it that this city, so overcrowded with street stands, foreign tourists, fancy little pooches, and terribly long walks, could have had my heart since before I even knew its most simple characteristics? There probably isn’t a short answer to that question, if there is even an answer at all. I find it difficult not to consider some type of divine provocation or a certain destiny here in the city of lights, but each of these seem a little absurd, or at the very least way over my head. Nevertheless, here I sit, thinking of the streets we just walked and hoping for a time I can make this language, these lights and even this sticky grass my regular acquaintances.
Switzerland
We made a quick, but difficult decision last Friday to leave Munich before the champion’s game sat. This decision definitely carried some initial regret that moment the train began pulling out of the station, but I believe i remember that feeling starting to go away as our train rocked past the first of the two lakes that encase Interlaken. If the first impression the majestic white tipped peaks, enormous rock faces and turquoise water wasn’t enough to forget leaving, maybe it was the delicious Gelato consumed underneath them. Any lingering regret that made it through that first day had no chance once we hopped on our ‘hogs’ with two new friends spontaneous enough to come along, as we took in some of the prettiest sites I’ve ever seen and enjoyed a picnic on a mountain side in Gimmewald.
Some might say the regret was forfeited because Munich lost, but I think it was the spill Patrick took while trying to video drive. Nevertheless, Switzerland was beautiful and I enjoyed the place, people, adventure.
Christmas Truth
“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed His people and raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David….Because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” -Luke 1
Job’s Perspective
Job has always been one of my main heroes in Scripture, even though he is such a picture of depression. Some friends and family might suggest this reflects my cynical personality…but I want to paint different picture.
Job endured more pain than I ever will, but he never took his face from God. Yes, he complained and questioned God…but always with an air of hope. He called for a Mediator, an Interpreter, a Redeemer, a Judge, and and Advocate to stand between him and God to reconcile the injustice he knew all too well. I think Job gets it more than the rest of us….he knows that what he had experienced was absolutely miserable and broken, but yet in the midst of it all he looks to his Redeemer who lives….”and after my skin has thus been destroyed…I shall see God.” He knows the Hope that is in “the true Mediator between God and man.” So in my opinion…the character of Job is that of an optimistic realist…that’s really not cynical at all.
Some more reading
“How happy would you be if your hearts were but persuaded to close with Jesus Christ! Then you would be out of all danger: whatever storms and tempests were without, you might rest securely within; you might hear the rushing of the wind, and the thunder roar abroad, while you are safe in this hiding-place. O be persuaded to hide yourself in Christ Jesus! He has undertaken to defend and save you…if you will but make your flight there, his life shall be for yours…you shall have nothing to do but rest quietly in Him”
-Jonathan Edwards
Our Need
I have been considering how I can keep up my blog in a more frequent manner, and I think I have decided to at least share a quote or two per week from something I’ve read, some might be deep, and others could be shallow… I’m hoping this will encourage me to write something of my own more often, since I would very much like to do that someday.
Thomas Vincent shared these wonderful words about our need for Jesus, words I really need to hear…it helps remind me that I am and always will exist in desperate dependance on Him, whether I face it, or not..
“They(the true christian) have need of Christ when they are dark—to enlighten them; when they are dead—to quicken them; when they are straitened—to enlarge them; when they are weak—to strengthen them; when they are sad—to comfort them; when they are tempted—to support them; when they are fallen—to raise them; when they are in doubts—to resolve them; when they are under fears—to encourage them; when they stagger—to establish them; when they wander—to restore them! None but Christ can do all this, and more than this for them.”
Mystery
There is definitely a mood of reflection in my reading and thinking tonight. I just looked at some past pictures of road trips, beach days, Indonesia, family trip the most eclectic and romantic metropolis in this young country…NYC of course. All these pictures confirm this reflective idea that I am blessed beyond measure. There is simply no doubt that I have seen and experienced more grace and beauty from my friends and family, than many people do in their entire lives. It truly is a sobering reflection. This sobriety carries thoughts of remorse, responsibility…and much more, but one simple mystery I cannot step away from. The very reason those near to me are so loving, the true immeasurable greatness of all blessing, and why greater things are in store for all wrapped within: the mystery of Christ in us, the hope of glory.
Thoughts from the sky
Do you ever feel as though you’re stepping to someone else’s drum? Constantly parading though the cattle rungs of life’s airport security, willfully and quietly submitting to these entrapping rules meant to make one feel safe…why do I have to take my shoes off, what difference does it make if my toothpast is 3.5ml instead of 3.3?
I suddenly have the urge to pick up my dull black roller bag and heave it straight through this bureaucraticly smudged window standing in front of me. I dream deep emotional…even spiritual fulfilment in that specific moment…smelling the distant ocean air, as I sprint down the gusty runway. Would these hopeful thoughts reach true fruition or would my granite skull go crashing into Trumen’s painted wall, corralling me back down this giant container, until I find myself awake in this very line, obeying each arbitrary command, as I wait for my chance to beat out that same rhythm, recite that same rhyme…….
