Stamina Needed

We are back in the US in Colorado. Our final days in South Asia were fruitful. The last group we worked with were excited to get started planning for the training, but were obviously taken aback a bit by our announcement that we would not pay for everything. Unfortunately, we are rather unique in that but because we desire for the training to be replicated at several levels we cannot pay for the first or they will not learn how to pay for the other levels. This is always a difficult discussion because most Americans just pay for everything. As we worked through it, they began to see the reasoning and the biblical basis for our policy and I think it will work out.

Our trip home was brutal with both of us catching a 24-hour bug on the way. We arrived quite worn out and then had to start the next day wiring our house here in Colorado. The builder was so late in getting started that it has really messed things up for us. We are working as hard as we can, jet lag and all, but I am not sure we will get everything done before having to leave for Iowa for a training and then I will go on to Africa. Please pray for our stamina and that the Lord will enable us to get what we need to done.

Al

Adventures with the Lord

It has been nonstop for the last couple of days from early morning to late at night so there has been no time for blogging. The organization we are working with this week is amazing. About 1500 people were gathered when we arrived, and Edie and I were immediately invited up to the stage to hand out certificates to newly ordained pastors. Later I gave a plaque to a man who had served the organization for 20 years. It was strange in that no one there had ever seen us before. Stuart and Jill Brisco were there so we were able to meet them. They were very kind and gracious. The leaders here are outstanding and their organizational skill is tremendous. They are very receptive to our program and enjoyed our teaching. Today we work on how to organize to train as many of their 1500 pastors as possible. We will need the Lord’s wisdom.  

The hotel here has been “interesting”; no hot water, bugs, dirt, etc. We call this part of the adventure. On the lighter side, we try to include in our blogs the good, the bad and the funny. We returned from training late and then the three of us men had a debrief session about the day. At the end, I got up to go get my computer and do some emailing if possible with the intermittent internet. We were meeting down the hall from our rooms. I walked to my room, entered and saw a bottle of water on the desk and because I knew I needed to be drinking I had a good drink. Then I went to the closet to get my computer that I hide in our clothing while we are gone. When I opened the door there was nothing at all in the closet. I was shocked, momentarily thinking someone had stolen everything. I glanced into the room to see if our other luggage was there and suddenly realized I was in the wrong room. By God’s grace, it was the other trainer's room not someone else's. We had a good laugh about that. I was able to provide the evening entertainment for all.

I have to run; we are off for another day, another adventure with the Lord.

Al

Smog & Beautiful Strange Worship

Friday, November 13:  We just finished two great days here in this massive city. The smog/fog was really bad today. You could only see about a half mile this morning, and this afternoon when we came back to the hotel around 5pm you could look straight into the sun it was so hazy. We hit a massive traffic jam on the way back. There is a large political convention with tents stretching for acres and people arriving in trucks filled to the brim. Arlene and I both got a bit carsick from all the starting and stopping. It took almost an extra hour to get home.

The group of shepherds we met with were great. They were very educated and grasped our teaching quickly. The leader we are working with was a part time translator in the last group we taught. We had no idea how significant a man he is. He seems to run in the highest circles of both religious and political arenas. He recently organized a large “petition” meeting of believers that had 10,000 in attendance. Leaders of a couple of large “organizations” and some high up military and political men attended our meetings. The three of us teaching wondered why in the world we were included in such a prestigious group. The potential for organizing and teaching a large number in the city is great. 

As I sat in the morning taking in the atmosphere as the men worshipped, I was able more than usual to just close my eyes and enjoy the event. The music is odd to my ears and I don’t understand a word, but with my eyes closed, I just enjoyed the sound that I presumed God was enjoying. It makes me sad about all the worship wars in the US. Worship can really be strange to our ears and cultural sensitivities and still be beautiful to God. 

Edie and Arlene, our daughter, had a great time with the ladies. They were so serious and eager to learn and fun to be with. One mentioned that she had never heard anyone teach like Edie and hoped she could teach that way, too. We all had a good laugh as one of the men said he had heard many Americans and had never heard anyone teach like me. The problem was that I didn’t really teach much at all, just led a discussion about observation, the highlight of which was my helping them see the word “but” in the passage. I think in the end they see that we respect them and count them as equals and engage them with more than lectures, something it seems is rare for Americans.

On to a new city with new adventures tomorrow. One thing we can say, we do not lead a boring life. 

 

Al

Onward from Nepal

We finished our pre-conference in Nepal yesterday and today flew to a large South Asian country to do more pre-conferences (due to the increased scrutiny of emails from the authorities here, I will be careful in my wording). We had such a good time in Nepal with our friends there. They became quite excited when we finally were able to get them to understand exactly what we do and why. I really believe this may turn out to help the assembly as it grows across the nation. Edie and Arlene had a great time with the ladies. It was a struggle at first to get them to understand observation as Edie and Arlene tried to get them started on the path to better comprehension of the word. But they finally caught on. The men likewise struggled but finally got it.  

It was cool there and we walked about a mile or mile and a half each way to our training site. I am so glad I got my heart issues resolved before this. The altitude and strenuous nature of the up and down pathway taxed us a bit. But we were sustained and thankful. My back continues to aggravate but not preclude what I have to do. Most of the time I am fine but at times it locks up for bit and it pains me mildly most of the time. Thanks for coming alongside me in prayer for this.  

The flight out was magnificent with the Himalayas shining all across the horizon. They are so tall pointing to the glory above.  

The very large city we are in is in the midst of a large festival with lots of very loud fireworks. Should be good sleeping tonight. Tomorrow we start early with a new group here. Come alongside us about this since we know almost no one here. We are not sure what we will face but we know who does.

Al