2nd blog post in under a week...be happy...really im just compensating for my huge lack of blogging prior to this.
Tim Story #4: This one is short. On one occasion, Tim was called a "trekkie", what we thought was an appropriate title...if you know Tim at all. However, Tim took offence to the name and quickly responded, "Actually...its Trekker." No one will make that mistake again.
About 6 months ago, I was given the job to paint the trim on the buildings on my Uncle's farm. It was may, and that means that Manitoba can receive a wide range of different weather. I remember one day in particular where it was about 5 degrees outside, and I was high up on a ladder. I was miserable, and just counting down the days until I would leave for Africa...it was the only thing that kept me going at the time. I knew I had to work hard to make money so I could feel good about leaving...knowing that the funds would be there. So, with Africa constantly in the back of my mind...I climbed up the ladder in the freezing cold and painted for hours upon hours, weeks upon weeks, until it was done.
Fast forward 6 months from that moment, and I am in South Africa, climbing up a ladder, in the rain, so I can clean leaves out of the eaves troughs of some of buildings on the Church property. It seems i'm back where I started...except this time, I'm in Africa. Its in times like these, where the irony of the situation is so staggering, that I cant help but wonder what I could be doing if I were back home. Because, right in that moment, 20 feet in the air, in the rain, scooping goop out of the gutters, in a town where i know almost no one, in a country completely foreign to me....sitting in my room studying almost sounded tempting.
However, as I looked back at my life at home, and especially the months leading up to my departure, I realized just how comfortable my life was. I had my family and friends around me, I had a purpose for my life, I was in university and doing well...etc etc. The point is, I had a good life. Now I'm realizing that comfort is not what Christianity is about at all. Jesus said that we are to give up everything, and take up our cross and follow Him....that doesnt sound comfortable at all. So maybe thats why South Africa doesnt feel quite like a vacation. I'm really excited to be here...but its not like im just hangin out on the beach during the day and living the life of a tourist and calling it missions.
This month has required sacrifice, commitment, flexibility (insert angry face)... but above everything else, I have had to "die to the flesh" daily in order to get through the day. I have had to lose whatever earthly desires or feeling that have been present, and simply (or not so simply) become a living example of God's love to the people here in SA. Whether that means going to a boarding house to lead a bible study with 30 kids, or cleaning gutters in the rain...I have chosen to take up my cross...whatever that means.
Kyle
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Im very sorry about this blog
Its been nearly three weeks since I last posted a blog...but as life gets busier, my blog just doesnt keep up....plus i still hate it! However, this is in fact, the 4th time i have sat down to write an entry....i deleted the past 3 because they simply turned into rants. Hopefully this one will hold some structure. Firstly......
TIM STORY #3!!!!!! Oh yes...be excited.
This time, were goin WAY back....all the way back to our first week in Chicago. I had just recently met Tim and the rest of our team, and obviously the first few days a little awkward and we all differ in the way we break this awkwardness. Tims approach was....different. One of the first things he ever said to me was, "did you know I used to be a communist?" I responded appropriately, "I assumed so, as I used to be one as well" His eyes lit up. "Have you ever read the communist manifesto?" he continued. I paused for a second, choosing my words carefully. "Absolutely I have. In fact, I have most of it memorized." I have never seen someone so stunned. He continued on for the next 5 minutes telling me that Marx had it wrong and how he no longer thought he was a genius. I responded sporadically, making up quotes from the manifesto in order to counter his argument...clearly i won. The debate ended with me saying that no matter how close the gap between the rich and the poor got, communism would never work. we have not talked about this subject since.
This past week has been one of challenge, and one of great joy. I have finally felt completely at home in South Africa, but only after a weekend that consisted of a great deal of frustration. I will spare you some of the details of the weekend, as there will be a video posted on facebook quite soon...i think. There are 3 things I want to mention though: 1.) The Kids Camp 2.) The Game reserve 3.) Some thoughts on what God is doing in SA.
1.) The kids camp was....sigh....i dont even know how to start this. It feels like ive talked about it too much and reflected on it to death. But i guess i must do it again. Basically, about 80 kids showed up at the church property for a weekend intended to help them encounter God in a powerful way. However, the only powerful way that I could see them encountering God is through fear. One of the first things that they did was show the children a clip from the passion of the christ. They showed the crucifixion scene...yup...the one with all the blood, all the gore, all the weeping...etc etc. Not surpsingly, we had kids in tears and covering their eyes by the end of it. However, they stopped the clip after that, not realizing what they missed, perhaps. Talking with kids later on, we noticed something....some of the kids werent even aware that Jesus had risen from the dead! All they knew is that He died and suffered! So when we asked kids what the cross meant to them, the most common response was "guilt." I found it incredibly sad that they only knew that Jesus died, not necassarily that He died to save us at this point, and not that He lived for us too, conquering death while he was at it! Overall, a lot of the camp seemed quite forced. They made children stand up in front of everyone and repeat the sinners prayer (sure they said that everyone should close their eyes, but really? when your 10, will you follow that?), completely defeating the purpose of CHOOSING to follow God. That choice doesnt mean a thing if its forced upon you...and it has no life changing/life giving potential from then on. Its simply legalistic....saving souls and keeping score...thats where it ends. (remember what i said about ranting?...I am sorry) However, the camp did accomplish its goal. A lot of kids came to know Christ in a much deeper way, and for that it was good. But overall, quite a frustrating weekend.
2.) On monday we went to see animals! aka...all my childhood dreams came true. That is all.
3.) I feel a certain amount of guilt for the way I felt abou the camp this weekend. In truth, i have felt a large amount of discomfort with a lot of the ideologies i have encountered in South Africa. However, for everything that I have found frustrating, uncomfortable, and perhaps just wrong...this Church is certainly a Church for the people of God. The relentless pursuit of souls is something admirable, even to someone who questions the effectiveness of such evangelism. As a Christian, no one can argue against the pursuit of souls, or the holy spirit, or baptism in the holy spirt....no matter how uncomfortable it may be for us (in the north american church) at times. (watching people convulse and scream in the middle of church is something to get used to) However, i think that at times, we write it off too quickly as fake, unrealistic...and even not of God. I would say that we can learn a lot from BCI, just as BCI can probably learn a lot from us. In BCI, I have seen what it means to hunger for the presence of God in our lives, and just how importatn that presence is. Too often, we like to categorize God...make Him A PART of our life, but not let Him consume our lives and our very being. That doesnt mean that every word out of our mouth needs to recite scripture...but it does mean that we have a job as the Church to live our lives the way God intended....not just pull Him out whenever were in trouble, or we need something to make us feel better when we judge others. BCI has shown me that living for God does not end at noon on sunday....but continues all week. Its a beautiful thing to see.
This blog took on a life of its own and i apologize for you....but seeing as its unlikely that anyone has actually read this far. I am just gonna spew nonsense for a little while. I keep on chasing a stupid mouse around the house...imust look like an idiot. how can something so small make all the girls freak out (twss)? Its ridiculous. Also, connie made indian food today...yup yup yup! I make sleep now...night.
Kyle
TIM STORY #3!!!!!! Oh yes...be excited.
This time, were goin WAY back....all the way back to our first week in Chicago. I had just recently met Tim and the rest of our team, and obviously the first few days a little awkward and we all differ in the way we break this awkwardness. Tims approach was....different. One of the first things he ever said to me was, "did you know I used to be a communist?" I responded appropriately, "I assumed so, as I used to be one as well" His eyes lit up. "Have you ever read the communist manifesto?" he continued. I paused for a second, choosing my words carefully. "Absolutely I have. In fact, I have most of it memorized." I have never seen someone so stunned. He continued on for the next 5 minutes telling me that Marx had it wrong and how he no longer thought he was a genius. I responded sporadically, making up quotes from the manifesto in order to counter his argument...clearly i won. The debate ended with me saying that no matter how close the gap between the rich and the poor got, communism would never work. we have not talked about this subject since.
This past week has been one of challenge, and one of great joy. I have finally felt completely at home in South Africa, but only after a weekend that consisted of a great deal of frustration. I will spare you some of the details of the weekend, as there will be a video posted on facebook quite soon...i think. There are 3 things I want to mention though: 1.) The Kids Camp 2.) The Game reserve 3.) Some thoughts on what God is doing in SA.
1.) The kids camp was....sigh....i dont even know how to start this. It feels like ive talked about it too much and reflected on it to death. But i guess i must do it again. Basically, about 80 kids showed up at the church property for a weekend intended to help them encounter God in a powerful way. However, the only powerful way that I could see them encountering God is through fear. One of the first things that they did was show the children a clip from the passion of the christ. They showed the crucifixion scene...yup...the one with all the blood, all the gore, all the weeping...etc etc. Not surpsingly, we had kids in tears and covering their eyes by the end of it. However, they stopped the clip after that, not realizing what they missed, perhaps. Talking with kids later on, we noticed something....some of the kids werent even aware that Jesus had risen from the dead! All they knew is that He died and suffered! So when we asked kids what the cross meant to them, the most common response was "guilt." I found it incredibly sad that they only knew that Jesus died, not necassarily that He died to save us at this point, and not that He lived for us too, conquering death while he was at it! Overall, a lot of the camp seemed quite forced. They made children stand up in front of everyone and repeat the sinners prayer (sure they said that everyone should close their eyes, but really? when your 10, will you follow that?), completely defeating the purpose of CHOOSING to follow God. That choice doesnt mean a thing if its forced upon you...and it has no life changing/life giving potential from then on. Its simply legalistic....saving souls and keeping score...thats where it ends. (remember what i said about ranting?...I am sorry) However, the camp did accomplish its goal. A lot of kids came to know Christ in a much deeper way, and for that it was good. But overall, quite a frustrating weekend.
2.) On monday we went to see animals! aka...all my childhood dreams came true. That is all.
3.) I feel a certain amount of guilt for the way I felt abou the camp this weekend. In truth, i have felt a large amount of discomfort with a lot of the ideologies i have encountered in South Africa. However, for everything that I have found frustrating, uncomfortable, and perhaps just wrong...this Church is certainly a Church for the people of God. The relentless pursuit of souls is something admirable, even to someone who questions the effectiveness of such evangelism. As a Christian, no one can argue against the pursuit of souls, or the holy spirit, or baptism in the holy spirt....no matter how uncomfortable it may be for us (in the north american church) at times. (watching people convulse and scream in the middle of church is something to get used to) However, i think that at times, we write it off too quickly as fake, unrealistic...and even not of God. I would say that we can learn a lot from BCI, just as BCI can probably learn a lot from us. In BCI, I have seen what it means to hunger for the presence of God in our lives, and just how importatn that presence is. Too often, we like to categorize God...make Him A PART of our life, but not let Him consume our lives and our very being. That doesnt mean that every word out of our mouth needs to recite scripture...but it does mean that we have a job as the Church to live our lives the way God intended....not just pull Him out whenever were in trouble, or we need something to make us feel better when we judge others. BCI has shown me that living for God does not end at noon on sunday....but continues all week. Its a beautiful thing to see.
This blog took on a life of its own and i apologize for you....but seeing as its unlikely that anyone has actually read this far. I am just gonna spew nonsense for a little while. I keep on chasing a stupid mouse around the house...imust look like an idiot. how can something so small make all the girls freak out (twss)? Its ridiculous. Also, connie made indian food today...yup yup yup! I make sleep now...night.
Kyle
Monday, October 5, 2009
More thoughts
Due to the overwhelming positive response to my latest entry...I will now be starting every blog with a "Moment with Tim." Today will be the first of many
Moment with Tim #1: We live next to a garage where carpenters work. Were not quite sure what their official hours of business are...as they seem to always be there...from dawn till dusk. Regardless, we have adjusted to noises associated with their business...and are unaffected by the noise they make. However, several nights ago...at around 7:00 am, I was completely asleep...until out of nowhere, I am awoken by Tim...literally JUMPING out of his bed (the top bunk) and running out of the room and down the hall. After a few seconds...he re-enters the room, slightly out of breath and says, "Don't worry, it's only the carpenters!" and then hops back into bed. When i asked him about this later on...he explained that he had heard the carpenters, and had thought someone was breaking into our house......?
I will now continue with my blog
The book im reading (Jesus for President) takes a very unique look at how we, as Christians are called to be set apart from the rest of the world. The book looks at what the Bible says, breaks it down, and then uses that as a lens through which we are to view social justice.
Some of the stuff they talk about I had thought about before...but I had never looked at it through a Christian lens. Stuff like, becoming more environmentally aware, being aware of where we get our food from, where we get our clothes from etc etc. And then, it talks about war...which should be an unbelievable concept for us.
Basically the entire new testiment talks about how christians are supposed to live for God. We tend to only focus on how God has saved us and set us apart to be with Him in heaven later on...and this belief that we are beyond this world and simply doing our time, waiting to get to heaven, is incredibly dangerous By focusing simply on our eventual salvation, and ignoring what God's purpose for our lives actually is...we can justify just about anything from littering to genocide. But now, after looking through this book and the Bible and listening to people talk about our roll as Christians...I can only conclude that our purpose in the world is Peace.
But here is where it gets hard for me, because in order to live in peace....I have to figure out how to make peace with my friends, my family, my enemies, the environment, and God and many many other ppl and things....and just by living in North America and paying taxes and buying clothes and buying food and basically just living...I am hurtin and exploiting someone...somewhere..and thus not living out my call as a Christian.
And then theres the whole issue of war and pacifism. I could never justify killing another human being...but the fact that there is a nation in this world that kills in the name of God...my God...the God of this world....is incredibly disturbing. The fact that the Church does nothing to stop it...and in fact, in times, encourages it...should make anyone a little uncomfortable.
"Having found the atomic bomb, we have used it. We shall continue to use it. ... It is an awful responsibility which has come to us. We thank God that it has come to us instead of to our enemies and we pray that he may guide us to use it in his ways and for his purposes."
-Harry Truman, August 9, 1945
Moment with Tim #1: We live next to a garage where carpenters work. Were not quite sure what their official hours of business are...as they seem to always be there...from dawn till dusk. Regardless, we have adjusted to noises associated with their business...and are unaffected by the noise they make. However, several nights ago...at around 7:00 am, I was completely asleep...until out of nowhere, I am awoken by Tim...literally JUMPING out of his bed (the top bunk) and running out of the room and down the hall. After a few seconds...he re-enters the room, slightly out of breath and says, "Don't worry, it's only the carpenters!" and then hops back into bed. When i asked him about this later on...he explained that he had heard the carpenters, and had thought someone was breaking into our house......?
I will now continue with my blog
The book im reading (Jesus for President) takes a very unique look at how we, as Christians are called to be set apart from the rest of the world. The book looks at what the Bible says, breaks it down, and then uses that as a lens through which we are to view social justice.
Some of the stuff they talk about I had thought about before...but I had never looked at it through a Christian lens. Stuff like, becoming more environmentally aware, being aware of where we get our food from, where we get our clothes from etc etc. And then, it talks about war...which should be an unbelievable concept for us.
Basically the entire new testiment talks about how christians are supposed to live for God. We tend to only focus on how God has saved us and set us apart to be with Him in heaven later on...and this belief that we are beyond this world and simply doing our time, waiting to get to heaven, is incredibly dangerous By focusing simply on our eventual salvation, and ignoring what God's purpose for our lives actually is...we can justify just about anything from littering to genocide. But now, after looking through this book and the Bible and listening to people talk about our roll as Christians...I can only conclude that our purpose in the world is Peace.
But here is where it gets hard for me, because in order to live in peace....I have to figure out how to make peace with my friends, my family, my enemies, the environment, and God and many many other ppl and things....and just by living in North America and paying taxes and buying clothes and buying food and basically just living...I am hurtin and exploiting someone...somewhere..and thus not living out my call as a Christian.
And then theres the whole issue of war and pacifism. I could never justify killing another human being...but the fact that there is a nation in this world that kills in the name of God...my God...the God of this world....is incredibly disturbing. The fact that the Church does nothing to stop it...and in fact, in times, encourages it...should make anyone a little uncomfortable.
"Having found the atomic bomb, we have used it. We shall continue to use it. ... It is an awful responsibility which has come to us. We thank God that it has come to us instead of to our enemies and we pray that he may guide us to use it in his ways and for his purposes."
-Harry Truman, August 9, 1945
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