Well, the last two weeks have been kind of wierd. You know those sweet and sour candies? They are covered on the outside with sugar that's been flavored so that its really really bitter. But once you get past the bitterness (which is still oddly sweet because its sugar) you discover a burst of sweetness that still has an edge of bitterness/sourness. I know a lot of people hate these kinds of candies, but I like them every once and a while. At first they are shocking and my tongue screams,
"what the flippin' freakin' ding dang heck did you DO this to me for?!?!?!?!" But after a few seconds it really grows on you and I find myself wanting another piece.
Well, thats what my life has been like for the last two weeks.
Part of me is just awed by God's goodness, His faithfulness, His vividly blatant presence in my life right now. He has been so near to me I can almost touch Him and hear His Holy Spirit telling me how much He loves me and how He wants the best for me and has a perfect plan for me.
The other part of me has felt rather confused, frustrated, and stressed by a few different situations that have to do with fellow brothers and sisters in the body of Christ, or my future, or God's provision.
Its frustrating that I still struggle with these doubts because God has proven Himself over and over to me, and I know that He is faithful and has a plan. I guess what I get frustrated with is my continuous doubts, mistakes, blindness, sin, etc.
Which is normal, I just wish I could hit the "Saint" status and forgoe all the pesky side effects of being human before I reach Heaven.
:-)
Anyway God brought a song to me yesterday when I was trying to pray about all of this and sort it out. A bit melodramatic, but then I'm of Gaelic and German heritage, so it's in my blood. :-)
Peace
Alone in the valley
I cry for you
To fill me with your peace
So when the lightening strikes
The thunder roars around me
Still I live in peace
You ask that I
Be still and know you are God
Be still and know you are God
When the fires rage
When the storms surround me
Still I live in peace
Though the mountains fall
Crashing to the ocean
Still I live in peace
You ask that I
Be still and know you are God
Be still and know you are God
Be still and know you are God
Be still and know you are God
Lead me through the valley
lead me by the streams
Restore me and draw me to you, God
To you I lift my soul
To you who makes me whole
Gently you hold me close to you
Close to you
Be still and know you are God
Be still and know you are God
Be still and know you are God
Be still and know you are God
You're near me
You love me
You hold me
You reach me
You still me
You move me
You draw me to you, God
(repeat)
You are God!
By Rebecca St. James and Tedd T.
Anyway, I'm excited about what the future is going to bring, God is good, and this semester is ALMOST DONE!!! Woot woot!
God bless,
~Princess Ouch~
Living day to day trying to keep Christ as the focus
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Meditations of a Missionary
This are from my Cross-cultural Evangelism reading for the week. I thought it was pretty convicting. Hope you enjoy, are challenged, emboldened, enabled, and then proactive with it.
"Though I speak in the dialect of the people I serve and can preach with the eloquent power of a fiery evangelist; though as a surgeon I can operate with skill; though as an agriculturist I can raise high-grade river rice; though as a teacher I can deliver learned lectures, but do not have love, my message is empty.
And though I have the talent of a diplomatic organizer and administrator in councils and meetings; though I have all the confidence that I need to raise large funds, but do not have love, I am good for nothing.
And though I share my possessions and give money to the poor, but do not help my brother and sister to become strong, independent followers of Christ, I achieve absolutely nothing.
Love, if it is genuine in the life and work of a missionary, is patient and constructive; it does not seek for position and prestige. Love is glad to see a competent national in charge, and envies not. Love seeks to train an indigenous leadership; it does not cherish inflated ideas of its own importance; it is never anxious to impress. Love tries to identify itself with people and is never arrogant and ethnocentric.
Love thatis genuine does not belittle. It does not compile statistics of another's mistakes. Love seeks to bear joy an dsorrow, failure and success, in helpful ways. Love is not easily provoked when there is a difference of opinion or cultural differences arise; and when rumors are spread, love believes the very best.
Love that is genuine is a partnership. It is better to fail with a national in charge than to succeed without him. Love is not touchy; it never hides hurt feelings. Love never barricades understanding; it rejoices in sharing the truth.
Love keeps an open mind; is willing to attempt new methods and ways of doing things. Love does not consider the past so precious that it limits new vision. Love gives courage to change old ways when necessary; is flexible in cultural context of the national's society. Unless we are prepared to adapt and cahnge, we shall have defenders of an old system but no new voice; institutional caretakers but no truth seekers; we shall have preachers but no prophets. We shall keep the bush primly pruned by hired gardeners using expensive equipment, but within the bush there will be no burning fire.
Love that trusts like little children never fails. Large institutions may cease; even heavily subsidized schools and colleges that impart knowledge may close. If wisdom gained there fails to lead students to Christ the Savior, it would be better to entrust such education to the government; for our knowledge is always incomplete without Him who is "the Way, the Truth and the Life." Love that has no other desire but to trust, never fails.
We are in a period of change and transition. The post colonial era is upon us. And where is the person who konws where we are going or what will happen in the world of mission and evangelization? Here on earth, we can only vaguely comprehend.
When Christian missions were yet at the stage of childhood, the methods of proclaiming Christ's gospel were simple and sometimes naive. Authority was in the hands of a few. But now that missions have grown for over a century twoard maturity, they must put away childish dependence. There must be planted deep within the soil of every people, a new, vibrant, indigenous church of the Master; one that is not only self-supporting, self-governing and self-propogating, but one that is also self-theologizing.
But whatever happens, whatever direction the winds of change may take, there is this certainty: Our Lord has not, and will not leave Himself without a witness. Through His creation and redemption He is perfecting His plan in and through history, even though everything now looks confused, baffling and sometimes hopeless.
Be sure of this: institutions will pass away, but labor wrought by hands which have shared with those in need, and proclaimed the message of the saving love of Christ, who died and rose again and lives as Lord of life, will never, never pass away. IN this life there are only three enduring qualities: Faith, Hope and Love; these three. But the greatest of these is Love."
~Heibert, Paul G. Anthropological Insights for Missionaries. (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic Publishing, 1985) pp 297-98
"We need to hear anew Christ's Great Commission: "As the Father has sent me, so I send you." And we must respond in a life of discipleship that is willing to bear the cost and suffering demanded by obedience to God's call. We dare not be sidetracked from that responsibility.
Canon Theodore Wedel told a parable of a dangerous seacoast where many sailing ships were wrecked and many lives were lost (Sweazey 1968:12-13). Volunteers from a nearby fishing village again and again braved the storm and rescued many from drowning, and those who were saved often joined the rescue corps.
One day a volunteer suggested that with practice they could do an even better job. So in summer the rescue crews practiced rowing and throwing life preservers and were later able to save more lives. Another volunteer thought they should build a boat house near the coast to keep the rescue boats. That way they would not waste time bringing their boats from the village. After a time, a third volunteer suggested that they build a shelter for the people they rescued, for they oftehn died of the cold. And another recommended adding a kitchen to make soup to warm the storm victims. All these innovations added to the effectivenes sof their work.
Later a rescuer suggested that they wait in the boat house during the storms so that they would be ready when a ship was wrecked. Another proposed adding a game room s othat they would not be bored, and a third that they expand the kitchen so that they would have hot drinks and food while they waited in the boat house. The members took great pleasure in their building projects and added a lounge and a fine restauraunt. The rescue station grew in prestige, and many more joined it on that account.
As time passed, one member observed that rescuing was a highly specialized task and that only those highly trained for it should be allowed to do the job. So they hired young men to go out in the storm while the rest cheered them on from the rescue complex. Finally the members had a meeting and decided to discontinue the lifesaving feature of the "club" altogether. It was too costly, and they all were too busy with related committee meetings and other activities.
A number protested that this abandoned their primary purpose, so they resigned and started a real lifesaving station down the coast. Once again they went out into the storm and waves to rescue those who were drowning.
One day a volunteer suggested that with some practice they could do an even better job. So in the summer the rescue crews practiced rowing and throwing life preservers, and they rescued more people. Soon the crews from the club up the coast challenged them to a contest, for although the group had given up actual lifesaving, it retained "rescuing" as a summer sport. And when a rescue station won, its members were given a trophy to take home.
Later someone in the newer group suggested that they build a boat house near the coast to keep their boats, and another added that they needed a kitchen and shelter for those who were rescued. After a time, they added a game room and restaurant for those wating on the coast during the storms.
Eventually, rescuing became a highly trained skill and specialists were hired to do the job. And one day the members decided to discontinue the lifesaving because it was costly and they were all busy. A number protested and moved down the coast to start a true rescue station.
We know the rest of the story.
It is said that if we visit that seacoast today, we will find a whole series of exclusive clubs, up and down the coast. None of them is much interested in lifesaving anymore, although there are still many shipwrecks in those waters, and many people are drowning."
Hiebert, Pages 295-297
"Though I speak in the dialect of the people I serve and can preach with the eloquent power of a fiery evangelist; though as a surgeon I can operate with skill; though as an agriculturist I can raise high-grade river rice; though as a teacher I can deliver learned lectures, but do not have love, my message is empty.
And though I have the talent of a diplomatic organizer and administrator in councils and meetings; though I have all the confidence that I need to raise large funds, but do not have love, I am good for nothing.
And though I share my possessions and give money to the poor, but do not help my brother and sister to become strong, independent followers of Christ, I achieve absolutely nothing.
Love, if it is genuine in the life and work of a missionary, is patient and constructive; it does not seek for position and prestige. Love is glad to see a competent national in charge, and envies not. Love seeks to train an indigenous leadership; it does not cherish inflated ideas of its own importance; it is never anxious to impress. Love tries to identify itself with people and is never arrogant and ethnocentric.
Love thatis genuine does not belittle. It does not compile statistics of another's mistakes. Love seeks to bear joy an dsorrow, failure and success, in helpful ways. Love is not easily provoked when there is a difference of opinion or cultural differences arise; and when rumors are spread, love believes the very best.
Love that is genuine is a partnership. It is better to fail with a national in charge than to succeed without him. Love is not touchy; it never hides hurt feelings. Love never barricades understanding; it rejoices in sharing the truth.
Love keeps an open mind; is willing to attempt new methods and ways of doing things. Love does not consider the past so precious that it limits new vision. Love gives courage to change old ways when necessary; is flexible in cultural context of the national's society. Unless we are prepared to adapt and cahnge, we shall have defenders of an old system but no new voice; institutional caretakers but no truth seekers; we shall have preachers but no prophets. We shall keep the bush primly pruned by hired gardeners using expensive equipment, but within the bush there will be no burning fire.
Love that trusts like little children never fails. Large institutions may cease; even heavily subsidized schools and colleges that impart knowledge may close. If wisdom gained there fails to lead students to Christ the Savior, it would be better to entrust such education to the government; for our knowledge is always incomplete without Him who is "the Way, the Truth and the Life." Love that has no other desire but to trust, never fails.
We are in a period of change and transition. The post colonial era is upon us. And where is the person who konws where we are going or what will happen in the world of mission and evangelization? Here on earth, we can only vaguely comprehend.
When Christian missions were yet at the stage of childhood, the methods of proclaiming Christ's gospel were simple and sometimes naive. Authority was in the hands of a few. But now that missions have grown for over a century twoard maturity, they must put away childish dependence. There must be planted deep within the soil of every people, a new, vibrant, indigenous church of the Master; one that is not only self-supporting, self-governing and self-propogating, but one that is also self-theologizing.
But whatever happens, whatever direction the winds of change may take, there is this certainty: Our Lord has not, and will not leave Himself without a witness. Through His creation and redemption He is perfecting His plan in and through history, even though everything now looks confused, baffling and sometimes hopeless.
Be sure of this: institutions will pass away, but labor wrought by hands which have shared with those in need, and proclaimed the message of the saving love of Christ, who died and rose again and lives as Lord of life, will never, never pass away. IN this life there are only three enduring qualities: Faith, Hope and Love; these three. But the greatest of these is Love."
~Heibert, Paul G. Anthropological Insights for Missionaries. (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic Publishing, 1985) pp 297-98
"We need to hear anew Christ's Great Commission: "As the Father has sent me, so I send you." And we must respond in a life of discipleship that is willing to bear the cost and suffering demanded by obedience to God's call. We dare not be sidetracked from that responsibility.
Canon Theodore Wedel told a parable of a dangerous seacoast where many sailing ships were wrecked and many lives were lost (Sweazey 1968:12-13). Volunteers from a nearby fishing village again and again braved the storm and rescued many from drowning, and those who were saved often joined the rescue corps.
One day a volunteer suggested that with practice they could do an even better job. So in summer the rescue crews practiced rowing and throwing life preservers and were later able to save more lives. Another volunteer thought they should build a boat house near the coast to keep the rescue boats. That way they would not waste time bringing their boats from the village. After a time, a third volunteer suggested that they build a shelter for the people they rescued, for they oftehn died of the cold. And another recommended adding a kitchen to make soup to warm the storm victims. All these innovations added to the effectivenes sof their work.
Later a rescuer suggested that they wait in the boat house during the storms so that they would be ready when a ship was wrecked. Another proposed adding a game room s othat they would not be bored, and a third that they expand the kitchen so that they would have hot drinks and food while they waited in the boat house. The members took great pleasure in their building projects and added a lounge and a fine restauraunt. The rescue station grew in prestige, and many more joined it on that account.
As time passed, one member observed that rescuing was a highly specialized task and that only those highly trained for it should be allowed to do the job. So they hired young men to go out in the storm while the rest cheered them on from the rescue complex. Finally the members had a meeting and decided to discontinue the lifesaving feature of the "club" altogether. It was too costly, and they all were too busy with related committee meetings and other activities.
A number protested that this abandoned their primary purpose, so they resigned and started a real lifesaving station down the coast. Once again they went out into the storm and waves to rescue those who were drowning.
One day a volunteer suggested that with some practice they could do an even better job. So in the summer the rescue crews practiced rowing and throwing life preservers, and they rescued more people. Soon the crews from the club up the coast challenged them to a contest, for although the group had given up actual lifesaving, it retained "rescuing" as a summer sport. And when a rescue station won, its members were given a trophy to take home.
Later someone in the newer group suggested that they build a boat house near the coast to keep their boats, and another added that they needed a kitchen and shelter for those who were rescued. After a time, they added a game room and restaurant for those wating on the coast during the storms.
Eventually, rescuing became a highly trained skill and specialists were hired to do the job. And one day the members decided to discontinue the lifesaving because it was costly and they were all busy. A number protested and moved down the coast to start a true rescue station.
We know the rest of the story.
It is said that if we visit that seacoast today, we will find a whole series of exclusive clubs, up and down the coast. None of them is much interested in lifesaving anymore, although there are still many shipwrecks in those waters, and many people are drowning."
Hiebert, Pages 295-297
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Update
Thought I'd just kill two birds with one stone and get my blog updated as well as my 'college life newsletter' sent out for this.... time frame. ;-D Have lamed out as far as updating people regularly via email. Woops. Anyway, hope you enjoy reading about the crazy adventures we have in Bible College. Hehehe.
Dear Friends,
Well, the Semester is about over. Sorry for my lame-ing out on "ya'll" as far as this newsletter goes. My apologies.
Today we went "surveying" for a class and also to help out the church my pastor goes to. It was pretty interesting, going to "inner city" Louisville. Micah, Kristi and I were on a team and walked down a street that was surrounded by about three to five bars. Woot. I have done door-to-door stuff for as long as I can remember. Selling Girl Scout cookies or some sort of pocket-change/fundraiser catalog thingy, collecting canned foods for the local food pantry, etc. was all part of the normal growing up activities in Eastern New Mexico and Ohio. Micah's parents are missionaries in South America, so he was pretty cool with whatever as well. Poor Kristi, however, is from a good homeschooling family from Minnesota where one simply DOES NOT DO THIS. One does NOT go into rough-er neighborhoods and one does NOT knock on doors unless selling something or one is Jehovah's witness or Mormon. She wasn't wierd about it, just extreemely nervous as only her sweet-hearted self can be. And she had just gotten over the flu, which didn't help anything.
We started off by her saying something about how the weather was perfect for someone who had just gotten over the flu, and Micah took off his huge neon-yellow coat and put it on her while she argued with me about putting it on. It was rather reminicent of me trying to boss my younger sister Kendra and reason her into doing something she was determined NOT to do. Kristi humphed almost exactly like Kendra does and good naturedly snarled, "oh you big sister you!" At the end of the day she was glad she listened to me as we all got chilled and damp and she would most definately have gotten sick again if she hadn't taken the jacket (I restrained from telling her "I told-you-so" when I was with her, so that's why I did it here. Forgive me for bragging over my sagacity and wisdom
) Kristi has eight younger brothers and sisters so wasn't used to being 'big-sistered'.
We then drove to our assigned street. The first house reminded me very much of a Gypsy house, as the living room was about the same size, smelled almost the same way, and had almost the same decor. It was very messy with a new TV blaring in the corner and stuff tossed hither and thither in no apparent order. Every surface was covered in clutter and the windows were covered in plastic wrap or cheap plastic sheets serving as glass. The lady we talked with looked like she was still in her teens but had a very cute golden haired two year old running around.
We asked her what she thought the community struggled with, what problems it had, what she thought Jesus would do if He were to go to that neighborhood to fix it, what she would look for in a church were she to go to one, what the local church could do to help the community.
She wasn't really sure on any of the answers, but she said she guessed they could help the gangs to stop shooting people as there was a lot of shooting going on in that neighborhood.
We didn't write the survey, so it was a little akward when we said, "what are the needs of this community" and then said "what do you think Jesus would do to fix the problems?" We got the same reaction from just about everyone. Their eyebrows raised, they sort of blinked, gupled, thought for a minute, then said, "Well, I don't know exactly. Fix the problems I guess."
The main problems voiced were bad housing (which we agreed with), bad drug problem (which we didn't see blatant evidence of, but thought very likely) too much shooting (which we thankfully had no experience with while we were there) and programs for children that parents could participate in and learn how to interact with their children were needed.
I thought it was interesting they all said they really wanted programs to teach their kids and to teach them how to teach their kids.
They all also said that the reason the local churches weren't being attended was due to laziness on the community's part. They didn't think the church was too much to blame, they were just too lazy to get up and go on Sunday morning.
There was one point where two guys in a pickup truck slowed down and stopped the truck at the corner and checked us out for about five minutes. I was knocking on a door when Kristi said rather nervously,
"We're being watched."
"Yup." Micah said and knocked on the door again. "Welcome to Portland!" He said. Portland is the name of a road that runs through that community. Portland is also the by-word for 'inner city, disfunctional' for this part of the world.
But they eventually drove away and didn't say or do anything.
In all it was a good experience, I think the church got some good feed back, and the community was made aware of the fact that there is a church in the area that is trying to start ministries. There were a few points where I was like,
"Oooooohkaaaaay... Lord, protect us!" Nothing blatantly dangerous, just the guys watching us which made Kristi and me nervous.
In other news, the Church planting praxis that I'm a part of has officially decided that we are going to target the Bosnian-Herzegovnian and Ukrainian people groups that are by the church I'm becoming a member of. There are over 300 Bosnians in the area and over 100 Ukranians. We found out that the church used to have an English as a Second Language program/ministry a while ago, but since it has ended the church has recieved a lot of calls about when they are going to start it up again. So David, one of the two other guys on my team, has thought about becoming a certified ESL teacher over the summer and re-opening the program. Jordan, the other guy, wants to integrate ESL and a sports ministry. Bosnians are usually either Muslim or Orthodox, so apparently I will be taking charge of teaching and interacting with the women. David is engaged, so when his fiance-soon-to-be-wife moves here, she'll be working with me. We want to do some sort of women's fellowship, as we know a lot of the women are stay at home moms and don't get out much due to lifestyle and language/culture barriers. So if you could please be praying for the doors to open for that, we'd really appreciate it!
Academically, classes are going well. I'm taking Intro to Psychology, Ancient and Near Eastern History, Cross-cultural Evangelism, Spiritual Warfare, and English Comp 2. I'm loving all of them except for English - which is at 8 in the morning, and is soooo basic but I can't test out of it - and Psychology, as the professor and I have had rather different experiences with Psych in the Christian and Secular world. But that's okay, we've talked during and after class and have agreed to disagree. Although there have been a few times when I think I've bitten my tongue so bad it's almost bled. :-D
Alrighty well speaking of PSych class I have to go read for that class. :-S
And I need to make potatoe soup, because I and a few other girls have officially decided that we do n't care HOW much better our cafeteria is compared to other schools, WE WANT REAL, HOMECOOKED FOOD!!! That does NOT include fried chicken!
According to Kentuckians, Fried Chicken is a food group. I like fried chicken, just not EVERY SINGLE PICKING MEAL!!!!
*ahem*
Anyway, I hope your spring is going well!
God bless you all!
Dear Friends,
Well, the Semester is about over. Sorry for my lame-ing out on "ya'll" as far as this newsletter goes. My apologies.
Today we went "surveying" for a class and also to help out the church my pastor goes to. It was pretty interesting, going to "inner city" Louisville. Micah, Kristi and I were on a team and walked down a street that was surrounded by about three to five bars. Woot. I have done door-to-door stuff for as long as I can remember. Selling Girl Scout cookies or some sort of pocket-change/fundraiser catalog thingy, collecting canned foods for the local food pantry, etc. was all part of the normal growing up activities in Eastern New Mexico and Ohio. Micah's parents are missionaries in South America, so he was pretty cool with whatever as well. Poor Kristi, however, is from a good homeschooling family from Minnesota where one simply DOES NOT DO THIS. One does NOT go into rough-er neighborhoods and one does NOT knock on doors unless selling something or one is Jehovah's witness or Mormon. She wasn't wierd about it, just extreemely nervous as only her sweet-hearted self can be. And she had just gotten over the flu, which didn't help anything.
We started off by her saying something about how the weather was perfect for someone who had just gotten over the flu, and Micah took off his huge neon-yellow coat and put it on her while she argued with me about putting it on. It was rather reminicent of me trying to boss my younger sister Kendra and reason her into doing something she was determined NOT to do. Kristi humphed almost exactly like Kendra does and good naturedly snarled, "oh you big sister you!" At the end of the day she was glad she listened to me as we all got chilled and damp and she would most definately have gotten sick again if she hadn't taken the jacket (I restrained from telling her "I told-you-so" when I was with her, so that's why I did it here. Forgive me for bragging over my sagacity and wisdom
) Kristi has eight younger brothers and sisters so wasn't used to being 'big-sistered'.We then drove to our assigned street. The first house reminded me very much of a Gypsy house, as the living room was about the same size, smelled almost the same way, and had almost the same decor. It was very messy with a new TV blaring in the corner and stuff tossed hither and thither in no apparent order. Every surface was covered in clutter and the windows were covered in plastic wrap or cheap plastic sheets serving as glass. The lady we talked with looked like she was still in her teens but had a very cute golden haired two year old running around.
We asked her what she thought the community struggled with, what problems it had, what she thought Jesus would do if He were to go to that neighborhood to fix it, what she would look for in a church were she to go to one, what the local church could do to help the community.
She wasn't really sure on any of the answers, but she said she guessed they could help the gangs to stop shooting people as there was a lot of shooting going on in that neighborhood.
We didn't write the survey, so it was a little akward when we said, "what are the needs of this community" and then said "what do you think Jesus would do to fix the problems?" We got the same reaction from just about everyone. Their eyebrows raised, they sort of blinked, gupled, thought for a minute, then said, "Well, I don't know exactly. Fix the problems I guess."
The main problems voiced were bad housing (which we agreed with), bad drug problem (which we didn't see blatant evidence of, but thought very likely) too much shooting (which we thankfully had no experience with while we were there) and programs for children that parents could participate in and learn how to interact with their children were needed.
I thought it was interesting they all said they really wanted programs to teach their kids and to teach them how to teach their kids.
They all also said that the reason the local churches weren't being attended was due to laziness on the community's part. They didn't think the church was too much to blame, they were just too lazy to get up and go on Sunday morning.
There was one point where two guys in a pickup truck slowed down and stopped the truck at the corner and checked us out for about five minutes. I was knocking on a door when Kristi said rather nervously,
"We're being watched."
"Yup." Micah said and knocked on the door again. "Welcome to Portland!" He said. Portland is the name of a road that runs through that community. Portland is also the by-word for 'inner city, disfunctional' for this part of the world.
But they eventually drove away and didn't say or do anything.
In all it was a good experience, I think the church got some good feed back, and the community was made aware of the fact that there is a church in the area that is trying to start ministries. There were a few points where I was like,
"Oooooohkaaaaay... Lord, protect us!" Nothing blatantly dangerous, just the guys watching us which made Kristi and me nervous.
In other news, the Church planting praxis that I'm a part of has officially decided that we are going to target the Bosnian-Herzegovnian and Ukrainian people groups that are by the church I'm becoming a member of. There are over 300 Bosnians in the area and over 100 Ukranians. We found out that the church used to have an English as a Second Language program/ministry a while ago, but since it has ended the church has recieved a lot of calls about when they are going to start it up again. So David, one of the two other guys on my team, has thought about becoming a certified ESL teacher over the summer and re-opening the program. Jordan, the other guy, wants to integrate ESL and a sports ministry. Bosnians are usually either Muslim or Orthodox, so apparently I will be taking charge of teaching and interacting with the women. David is engaged, so when his fiance-soon-to-be-wife moves here, she'll be working with me. We want to do some sort of women's fellowship, as we know a lot of the women are stay at home moms and don't get out much due to lifestyle and language/culture barriers. So if you could please be praying for the doors to open for that, we'd really appreciate it!
Academically, classes are going well. I'm taking Intro to Psychology, Ancient and Near Eastern History, Cross-cultural Evangelism, Spiritual Warfare, and English Comp 2. I'm loving all of them except for English - which is at 8 in the morning, and is soooo basic but I can't test out of it - and Psychology, as the professor and I have had rather different experiences with Psych in the Christian and Secular world. But that's okay, we've talked during and after class and have agreed to disagree. Although there have been a few times when I think I've bitten my tongue so bad it's almost bled. :-D
Alrighty well speaking of PSych class I have to go read for that class. :-S
And I need to make potatoe soup, because I and a few other girls have officially decided that we do n't care HOW much better our cafeteria is compared to other schools, WE WANT REAL, HOMECOOKED FOOD!!! That does NOT include fried chicken!
According to Kentuckians, Fried Chicken is a food group. I like fried chicken, just not EVERY SINGLE PICKING MEAL!!!!
*ahem*
Anyway, I hope your spring is going well!
God bless you all!
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