“You know how it feels when you just crossed six lanes of dangerous traffic – exhilaration, relief, & a bit of nervousness that you actually made it. Well, I feel like I’m standing in a torrent of traffic with about 50 lanes on either side. Something to dodge at every move, & at times near paralysis. The cars that dart by at seemingly reckless speeds are discomfort, fear, disease, bugs, filth, idol worship - & every few minutes a semi-truck with the power packed question of “Could you allow this to be your life if I asked it of you?”. Of course, I know the answer … I dare not have any answer but yes. I’m not going to lie, I don't want to spend my life in a developing country, but I DARE NOT prioritize the comforts of this world in exchange for the next. And so I stand in the middle of the insane traffic, willing myself to remember that yes, I may get hit by one or many cars, or even flattened by the semi, but that if I focus on that, I will indeed lose my mind. I MUST focus on the One who wants to hold my hand in the midst of the torrent. He can only have my hand if my arms aren’t wrapped snugly around myself … but ah, even then He can still hold me, can’t He?”
This was my journal of Nov. 23. Many, myself included, might look at it and say “A bit dramatic, Brooke, don’t you think? You’ve only been in a developing country for a week, you’re being spoiled with care and attention from your hosts, and SO many have faced SO much worse.” All true. India has struck my weaknesses and left me humbled. I can hardly express how much more I respect those who are dedicating their lives to foreign fields for our Father’s sake. With Him all things are possible. But not all things are easy. Please, think of those you know who are workers overseas – write them, call them, be on your knees for them, read books about their location/people group … just don’t forget them.
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Monday, November 20, 2006
Just Diu (do) It
Where South Africa was beautiful landscape everywhere you turned, India’s beauty lies within it’s people. The streets are often littered with trash. Cows, pigs, dogs, and other animals roam the streets at will. Big cities intent on modernizing the country clash with the surrounding slums and countryside. Don’t misunderstand, there is some beautiful countryside here. But the countryside is upstaged by the people. Everywhere you look the people show determination, pride, joy, and contentment. The clothes are colorful, matching the personalities that wear them. And never before have we had so many people sincerely concerned for our satisfaction and enjoyment - not just those we count as friends, but complete strangers, bus drivers, etc.
Our time with Rhishi’s family has been wonderful. There is such warmth here, they have done every thing they can to make us comfortable and at home. They have included us in their birthday celebrations and mourning rituals. They make two kinds of food each meal - one spicy and one not so Brooke can eat without sweating. They have been beyond generous with their time, money, and patience. What a joy it is to be here spending time with them.
This weekend we went to a Hindu temple in Somnath (4 hours away by bus – on the coast) and watched the morning service for waking one of their gods, Shiva. The temple was really beautiful set on the beach, with very intricate design. We have pictures of it on the link. Both Brooke and I were left with some curiosity about serving a god you have to wake up – it’s one thing to hear or read about it, but entirely another to watch it. We have talked a bit with Rhishi about his personal views. He is a good communicator and it is interesting to hear him talk about what he believes. He gave me a book that is one of the doctrines of the Hindu faith. It is very moral, and similar in essence to much of the Sermon on the Mount. We look forward to many more conversations of belief with Rhishi and his family…
From there we traveled to Diu, where you will see pictures of a few Portuguese Catholic churches and a Portuguese Fort. The churches where built in the 1600’s. It was interesting for us to look at them and all the statues of Mary and Jesus and the Apostles etc How would someone who is Hindu and prays to a Hindu idol recognize any difference when they see a “Christian” bowing and praying to a Christian idol? It opened up a place for us to discuss the difference in our personal belief from the belief shown in these churches.
You haven’t lived until you ride a state bus in India. There is no way to describe it but I will attempt. Take a 1972 church bus, rip out the suspension, then take nearly all of the paved roads in the U.S. and make them dirt roads that have been bombed for three or four days. Now while you are reading this have someone throw dirt on you and punch your kidney’s over and over. You haven’t lived until you ride a state bus in India.
Please keep praying for us. We begin the family vacation part tomorrow and Rhishi and I are both feeling ill. Head, chest cold stuff. We have had many late nights here and need some rest, but there is also much to see. Pray that Brooke will stay well. Pray for our next leg of our journey. After 5 more days traveling with Rhishi we go to Delhi to visit friends working there. On the 28th or 29th we travel to Nepal. We return to India around the 8th of December and then leave here probably on the 13th for Tanzania.
Our time with Rhishi’s family has been wonderful. There is such warmth here, they have done every thing they can to make us comfortable and at home. They have included us in their birthday celebrations and mourning rituals. They make two kinds of food each meal - one spicy and one not so Brooke can eat without sweating. They have been beyond generous with their time, money, and patience. What a joy it is to be here spending time with them.
This weekend we went to a Hindu temple in Somnath (4 hours away by bus – on the coast) and watched the morning service for waking one of their gods, Shiva. The temple was really beautiful set on the beach, with very intricate design. We have pictures of it on the link. Both Brooke and I were left with some curiosity about serving a god you have to wake up – it’s one thing to hear or read about it, but entirely another to watch it. We have talked a bit with Rhishi about his personal views. He is a good communicator and it is interesting to hear him talk about what he believes. He gave me a book that is one of the doctrines of the Hindu faith. It is very moral, and similar in essence to much of the Sermon on the Mount. We look forward to many more conversations of belief with Rhishi and his family…
From there we traveled to Diu, where you will see pictures of a few Portuguese Catholic churches and a Portuguese Fort. The churches where built in the 1600’s. It was interesting for us to look at them and all the statues of Mary and Jesus and the Apostles etc How would someone who is Hindu and prays to a Hindu idol recognize any difference when they see a “Christian” bowing and praying to a Christian idol? It opened up a place for us to discuss the difference in our personal belief from the belief shown in these churches.
You haven’t lived until you ride a state bus in India. There is no way to describe it but I will attempt. Take a 1972 church bus, rip out the suspension, then take nearly all of the paved roads in the U.S. and make them dirt roads that have been bombed for three or four days. Now while you are reading this have someone throw dirt on you and punch your kidney’s over and over. You haven’t lived until you ride a state bus in India.
Please keep praying for us. We begin the family vacation part tomorrow and Rhishi and I are both feeling ill. Head, chest cold stuff. We have had many late nights here and need some rest, but there is also much to see. Pray that Brooke will stay well. Pray for our next leg of our journey. After 5 more days traveling with Rhishi we go to Delhi to visit friends working there. On the 28th or 29th we travel to Nepal. We return to India around the 8th of December and then leave here probably on the 13th for Tanzania.
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
India
After 40 hours of travel (3 flights, several rikshaws, a motorcycle, a state bus and a private bus), we are here in Rajkot. Thankfully, Rhishi was with us to navigate within India, and we have been warmly welcomed by his family. The original plan to go immediately with them on their family holiday has been changed due to a death in the family. Rhishi's uncle passed away on Nov. 8, and for about 13 days after a death there are no travels or celebrations. We will be travelling with his family to Somnats for a service in a few days.
What have we found in our short time here? Extremely warm people, most of whom don't speak English and aren't used to white faces, but still freely offer smiles. Delicious food - sigh of relief, the "Indian" food in America doesn't come close :)! Cows everywhere. New smells and sights have assaulted our senses - some pleasant, some not so much. It will be an interesting challenge to understand our Father's extravagance in a place that is so far removed from what we've known before. A place that I can already tell will bring many lessons, whether through hardship or pleasure.
Briefly, let's introduce you to Rhishi's family: 4 year old Devsmita (who at this moment is still a bit scared of us, but likes the chocolates we brought :), his wife Hetal (an excellent cook and gracious host), brother-in-law Vishal (who gave up his room), mother Lata (with her kind smile, bits of english, and a gentleness that can be easily seen) and father Narendra have opened their home to us and we are looking forward to getting to know them as we are here. Rhishi found it strange that we would ask you all for prayer for this segment of our trip because, how did he put it, we are in for the best stay with friends we have ever had, which of course we know would be the very answer to those prayers :)!
What have we found in our short time here? Extremely warm people, most of whom don't speak English and aren't used to white faces, but still freely offer smiles. Delicious food - sigh of relief, the "Indian" food in America doesn't come close :)! Cows everywhere. New smells and sights have assaulted our senses - some pleasant, some not so much. It will be an interesting challenge to understand our Father's extravagance in a place that is so far removed from what we've known before. A place that I can already tell will bring many lessons, whether through hardship or pleasure.
Briefly, let's introduce you to Rhishi's family: 4 year old Devsmita (who at this moment is still a bit scared of us, but likes the chocolates we brought :), his wife Hetal (an excellent cook and gracious host), brother-in-law Vishal (who gave up his room), mother Lata (with her kind smile, bits of english, and a gentleness that can be easily seen) and father Narendra have opened their home to us and we are looking forward to getting to know them as we are here. Rhishi found it strange that we would ask you all for prayer for this segment of our trip because, how did he put it, we are in for the best stay with friends we have ever had, which of course we know would be the very answer to those prayers :)!
“I got worms! ... That’s what we’re going to call it.” (Dumb and Dumber, Jim Carey)
For any of you looking for a place to travel, don’t leave South Africa off the agenda. It is beautiful and the people are such gracious hosts. Take a look at the pictures on the dot photo link; I think they speak much louder than I can.
It is crazy to me that we are already on the plane to India. Our ten days in South Africa were jam packed with sightseeing (Table Mountain, Hermanus whale watching, Cape Town proper, Helderberg Reserve, Stellenbosch Wine Country), fellowship (conversations with Pieter and Maven, visiting Cotlands Children’s Hospice, going to church at NewGen, teaching the South African mates a bit of poker, getting killed by the South African mates in a bit of poker, sitting around Estelle’s house sipping coffee and talking for hours on end) and wedding preparation (making table numbers, putting together party favors, setting up tables, lighting candles, eating wedding cake, etc. …), all of which made for a lightning quick visit to our new second home. Three things deserve special attention:
Hermanus was a beautiful drive on the coast but I want to highlight it now for our Father’s glory. The point was to surprise Brooke with a Whale watching Horseback ride on the beach (riding on the beach is on her “Things to do before I die” list). When I called the place they told me nearly every ride had been cancelled that month because of the wind. But we were going to Hermanus for the drive (similar to driving Big Sur) so they said to take a shot at it. When we were driving out, the wind on the bay was probably 40 miles an hour. When we reached Hermanus it was equally as strong. The guide said she didn’t think it would calm but we could ride up on the mountainside and if it calmed then come down to the beach (the horses get real jumpy in the wind and they don’t hear her whistle well). So before leaving for the ride we prayed that the Father would do His will whatever that might be, but that we his children were hopeful to ride along the beach. 10 min. on the mountainside the wind died down. We rode the beach for an hour and a half. We watched whales breach out of the water and land with an eruption of spray and whitewash. We marveled that He would give us such a gift - seemingly insignificant in the whole of the world, but treasured by us that day as He answered. That He would choose to lavish love upon his children in such a direct way. When we returned to the stable the wind howled before we drove the 3 minutes back to the harbor to eat. It never let up the rest of the day.
Cotlands is an Aids hospice for children. They work to stabilize a child’s life, connect with the child’s family, and help the family and child be brought back together with knowledge of how to care for the little one properly as they live (or die) at home. A bleak place one would think, but the smiles remained on the children’s faces when we were allowed a visit. They seemed both aware of their situation and blissfully ignorant of the ramifications. Today was the important thing. Nothing but the balloon in their hand and the swing they were being pushed on mattered. Pieter and Maven both volunteer time there, and the moment Pieter walks through the door little giggling cling-on’s appear from nowhere and attach to his legs and arms. I am reminded of my own need to focus on today with the same enthusiasm. To take the balloon and swing my Creator has given me and enjoy it to it’s fullest. I pray that I run to Him as He walks through the door. I long to give Him the same delight and pleasure that Pieter and I experienced as these ragged little faces ran to him.
The wedding was a wonderfully ostentatious affair from top to bottom, save one thing: the people. Nestled away on a beautiful farm in De Doorns, in the heart of wine country, a garden full of pink and white roses, floating candles on the water, guests in shades of white, a cake made of chocolate truffles served in the wine cellar - it was a wedding right out of a magazine. But the show stopper was the speech given by the father of the bride at the reception. This is a quiet man, one who doesn’t show emotion, one who speaks carefully only what he means when he speaks at all. But on this occasion he apologized to his girls and wife for where he has not been fully who he should have been, told them each that he loved them, and welcomed the groom home as a son (I pray that this man is not far from Sonship himself). I wish you could have been there to understand; out of all we saw on this trip that moment was breath taking.
Leaving brings a dualism of excitement and sadness. Excitement to go to India, a place where we know so little and have few expectations. Sadness to leave His community, a band of believers who both believe and act with consistency. Excitement to know that after thirty years a flower has begun to bloom on a rock wall. Sadness to not see the flower fully open. Excitement to see a young country with so much potential. Sadness to see how many growing pains still await this place. South Africa you have won our hearts, thank you for beauty and grace.
Oh and yes, I got worms, but “I got better” (Monty Python and the Holy Grail).
It is crazy to me that we are already on the plane to India. Our ten days in South Africa were jam packed with sightseeing (Table Mountain, Hermanus whale watching, Cape Town proper, Helderberg Reserve, Stellenbosch Wine Country), fellowship (conversations with Pieter and Maven, visiting Cotlands Children’s Hospice, going to church at NewGen, teaching the South African mates a bit of poker, getting killed by the South African mates in a bit of poker, sitting around Estelle’s house sipping coffee and talking for hours on end) and wedding preparation (making table numbers, putting together party favors, setting up tables, lighting candles, eating wedding cake, etc. …), all of which made for a lightning quick visit to our new second home. Three things deserve special attention:
Hermanus was a beautiful drive on the coast but I want to highlight it now for our Father’s glory. The point was to surprise Brooke with a Whale watching Horseback ride on the beach (riding on the beach is on her “Things to do before I die” list). When I called the place they told me nearly every ride had been cancelled that month because of the wind. But we were going to Hermanus for the drive (similar to driving Big Sur) so they said to take a shot at it. When we were driving out, the wind on the bay was probably 40 miles an hour. When we reached Hermanus it was equally as strong. The guide said she didn’t think it would calm but we could ride up on the mountainside and if it calmed then come down to the beach (the horses get real jumpy in the wind and they don’t hear her whistle well). So before leaving for the ride we prayed that the Father would do His will whatever that might be, but that we his children were hopeful to ride along the beach. 10 min. on the mountainside the wind died down. We rode the beach for an hour and a half. We watched whales breach out of the water and land with an eruption of spray and whitewash. We marveled that He would give us such a gift - seemingly insignificant in the whole of the world, but treasured by us that day as He answered. That He would choose to lavish love upon his children in such a direct way. When we returned to the stable the wind howled before we drove the 3 minutes back to the harbor to eat. It never let up the rest of the day.
Cotlands is an Aids hospice for children. They work to stabilize a child’s life, connect with the child’s family, and help the family and child be brought back together with knowledge of how to care for the little one properly as they live (or die) at home. A bleak place one would think, but the smiles remained on the children’s faces when we were allowed a visit. They seemed both aware of their situation and blissfully ignorant of the ramifications. Today was the important thing. Nothing but the balloon in their hand and the swing they were being pushed on mattered. Pieter and Maven both volunteer time there, and the moment Pieter walks through the door little giggling cling-on’s appear from nowhere and attach to his legs and arms. I am reminded of my own need to focus on today with the same enthusiasm. To take the balloon and swing my Creator has given me and enjoy it to it’s fullest. I pray that I run to Him as He walks through the door. I long to give Him the same delight and pleasure that Pieter and I experienced as these ragged little faces ran to him.
The wedding was a wonderfully ostentatious affair from top to bottom, save one thing: the people. Nestled away on a beautiful farm in De Doorns, in the heart of wine country, a garden full of pink and white roses, floating candles on the water, guests in shades of white, a cake made of chocolate truffles served in the wine cellar - it was a wedding right out of a magazine. But the show stopper was the speech given by the father of the bride at the reception. This is a quiet man, one who doesn’t show emotion, one who speaks carefully only what he means when he speaks at all. But on this occasion he apologized to his girls and wife for where he has not been fully who he should have been, told them each that he loved them, and welcomed the groom home as a son (I pray that this man is not far from Sonship himself). I wish you could have been there to understand; out of all we saw on this trip that moment was breath taking.
Leaving brings a dualism of excitement and sadness. Excitement to go to India, a place where we know so little and have few expectations. Sadness to leave His community, a band of believers who both believe and act with consistency. Excitement to know that after thirty years a flower has begun to bloom on a rock wall. Sadness to not see the flower fully open. Excitement to see a young country with so much potential. Sadness to see how many growing pains still await this place. South Africa you have won our hearts, thank you for beauty and grace.
Oh and yes, I got worms, but “I got better” (Monty Python and the Holy Grail).
Sunday, November 12, 2006
Extravagance
Last night (11/11), Jono & Simone were wed in the most extravagant setting. The site, the cake, the dress ... all of it would suggest that money was no object. And in many ways, that was true - but not because of their own wealth. Friends offered their vineyard ... they won a custom-made designer dress and tuxedo (not to mention the honeymoon in the Maldeves!) ... and friends and family came together to put together a wedding that most people will only ever dream of.
For us - and I know for the bride and groom, too - it was just one more lesson of our Father's extravagance. His desire to ABUNDANTLY bless, more than we even ask or imagine.
This whole week, really, has felt like a time of receiving such richness from Him. Psalm 24:1 says "The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof; the world and all those who dwell therein." I love the phrase "fullness thereof".
Our hearts have definitely found a home here in South Africa even in this short time, both in the natural beauty and the people we've been surrounded with.
Do be on your knees for us as we head to India tomorrow ... no idea what to expect ...
For us - and I know for the bride and groom, too - it was just one more lesson of our Father's extravagance. His desire to ABUNDANTLY bless, more than we even ask or imagine.
This whole week, really, has felt like a time of receiving such richness from Him. Psalm 24:1 says "The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof; the world and all those who dwell therein." I love the phrase "fullness thereof".
Our hearts have definitely found a home here in South Africa even in this short time, both in the natural beauty and the people we've been surrounded with.
Do be on your knees for us as we head to India tomorrow ... no idea what to expect ...
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