Sunday, November 30, 2008
Saturday, November 29, 2008
"You can always trust the information given to you by people who are crazy; they have an access to truth not available through regular channels" - Ballantyne
This week pretty much saved training for me, made me feel that this time of language/culture/overseas preparation wasn't wasted. Learned a lot in class- challenging things about how to live out your faith and the price others pay for theirs.
Thanksgiving was good enough to be one of my top three, if not my favourite one yet. Fun times chatting or gaming with people- no agenda, no time constraints-and then just playing with the preschoolers and bouncing babies for hours and basking in the warmth of of our 'family' here. Marvelous day.
The fact that we played volleyball Fri/Sat/Sun/Mon/Wed didn't hurt either... lots of good time with friends. Wednesday I was actually an hour late for volleyball, but that was because I was talking seriously with a younger friend of mine back home who's really close to surrendering it all to God. Which of course helped me realise that, even if I wasn't excited about our D.C. trip and 'cold witnessing', I really am passionate about people finding God, becoming who they're meant to be. And today ended up great... ate at a cozy Polish cafe with my team and had some good intentional discussions with people there, at the Basilika, and at the station. Sunday we have European cultural worship, which should also be cooI...
In other words- hope renewed that I'll hit the field running with good memories *and* good preparation at my back.
Peace and grace out!
This week pretty much saved training for me, made me feel that this time of language/culture/overseas preparation wasn't wasted. Learned a lot in class- challenging things about how to live out your faith and the price others pay for theirs.
Thanksgiving was good enough to be one of my top three, if not my favourite one yet. Fun times chatting or gaming with people- no agenda, no time constraints-and then just playing with the preschoolers and bouncing babies for hours and basking in the warmth of of our 'family' here. Marvelous day.
The fact that we played volleyball Fri/Sat/Sun/Mon/Wed didn't hurt either... lots of good time with friends. Wednesday I was actually an hour late for volleyball, but that was because I was talking seriously with a younger friend of mine back home who's really close to surrendering it all to God. Which of course helped me realise that, even if I wasn't excited about our D.C. trip and 'cold witnessing', I really am passionate about people finding God, becoming who they're meant to be. And today ended up great... ate at a cozy Polish cafe with my team and had some good intentional discussions with people there, at the Basilika, and at the station. Sunday we have European cultural worship, which should also be cooI...
In other words- hope renewed that I'll hit the field running with good memories *and* good preparation at my back.
Peace and grace out!
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Today was satisfying, but very long... very long.
When i'm tired enough to want to skip volleyball, that's saying something... but right now, this is bigger than tired.
One of my friends left me a phone message saying she wanted to talk with me, so she caught me on Facebook chat a few minutes ago. And now I'm late for volleyball and late for sleep and I don't really care because we're having a talk that's what we should be about.
"yea but i have to give my whole life over to god and thats just something i am not ready to do
i can't trust him with my whole life"
"i didn't think i could either, honestly
but He's worth it
way worth it..."
And I'm leaving it at that while I'm trying to talk her through it, hear what she needs.
This is where it's at. Please be praying for my friend - I call her my adopted little sister - and that she'll realise that God's waiting for her.
When i'm tired enough to want to skip volleyball, that's saying something... but right now, this is bigger than tired.
One of my friends left me a phone message saying she wanted to talk with me, so she caught me on Facebook chat a few minutes ago. And now I'm late for volleyball and late for sleep and I don't really care because we're having a talk that's what we should be about.
"yea but i have to give my whole life over to god and thats just something i am not ready to do
i can't trust him with my whole life"
"i didn't think i could either, honestly
but He's worth it
way worth it..."
And I'm leaving it at that while I'm trying to talk her through it, hear what she needs.
This is where it's at. Please be praying for my friend - I call her my adopted little sister - and that she'll realise that God's waiting for her.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Sunday, November 09, 2008
Hello!
Third weekend arrived... so glad for it to be here :) This week was really challenging, and not in a concrete, this-is-what-you-need-to-work-on way, either. To be honest, I'm finding it increasingly hard to sit in class and listen to the theoreticals of cpm, etc., and to know that 'real' life for me starts after class when I can study language, play sports, or pick others' brains about overseas and what God's been teaching them. I did really enjoy the days of hearing stories and insights from the field, especially ones who were in support staff positions....
Polish is going well.... Exercise... mostly just walking and running around campus, but there's been some good volleyball going on, and - w00t w00t - some of the new people headed to Europe later play good volleyball too! "See you in April!" is becoming a definite watchword around here. As far as 'telling the story', that's mostly just been in good conversations with friends here, but I did share yesterday online with an Iranian friend for about half an hour. I never thought I'd get this comfortable with saying, "I hear you, and I value our friendship, but this is what I believe, no hedging." Reading through Acts and hearing how bold the 'sent ones' were is really working on me. Our small group is still amazing- so many great stories and perspectives during the discussions.
Prayer needs... mostly just that I'd be able to focus on who God is and what He has for me, here and now. Was a little rebuked by what one of the Xtreme leaders said- "This is not just preparation for the journey - this *is* part of the journey. Make the most of it."
Peace and grace out!
Lee G
Third weekend arrived... so glad for it to be here :) This week was really challenging, and not in a concrete, this-is-what-you-need-to-work-on way, either. To be honest, I'm finding it increasingly hard to sit in class and listen to the theoreticals of cpm, etc., and to know that 'real' life for me starts after class when I can study language, play sports, or pick others' brains about overseas and what God's been teaching them. I did really enjoy the days of hearing stories and insights from the field, especially ones who were in support staff positions....
Polish is going well.... Exercise... mostly just walking and running around campus, but there's been some good volleyball going on, and - w00t w00t - some of the new people headed to Europe later play good volleyball too! "See you in April!" is becoming a definite watchword around here. As far as 'telling the story', that's mostly just been in good conversations with friends here, but I did share yesterday online with an Iranian friend for about half an hour. I never thought I'd get this comfortable with saying, "I hear you, and I value our friendship, but this is what I believe, no hedging." Reading through Acts and hearing how bold the 'sent ones' were is really working on me. Our small group is still amazing- so many great stories and perspectives during the discussions.
Prayer needs... mostly just that I'd be able to focus on who God is and what He has for me, here and now. Was a little rebuked by what one of the Xtreme leaders said- "This is not just preparation for the journey - this *is* part of the journey. Make the most of it."
Peace and grace out!
Lee G
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