Into the Wilderness

One Sunday last month these words were printed on the handout for the 4pm church service-

"Jesus went into the wilderness to find out who he was if he wasn't going to be a carpenter anymore."

I've been mulling over these words and they resonate with one transition experience for me.

Into the Wilderness

This is the wilderness that called.
I didn't want it. It chose me.
When all I knew is what I didn't want to be.

In the desert, time was warped.
Forty days or forty years?
Counting was wearying. So I stopped.
In the shadow, sound was silent.
Every sand-dune looked the same.
Rocks were still rocks. And I was hungry.

I died in the wilderness.
I let it suck it all out of me.
My bleached bones brittle in the sun.
But in the middle of the valley
(You know this story....) Life!
He let me live in the wilderness.

Kristen’s Book

Kristen Jack has edited a book of short stories written by people working with Servants to Asia’s Urban Poor. “The Sound of Worlds Colliding” weaves together reflections from Manila, Bangkok, Phnom Penh, Brisbane, Vancouver and Banda Aceh. It was inspiring to read of many other fools who take risks in order to love the outcast. It reminded me again that 21st century mission really is from everywhere to everywhere and especially amongst the poor.

One idea from the book that I’ve been thinking about today is the truth that whether we are doctors, nurses, or have some other trade.... all of us are wounded healers.

a wounded healer
with broken hands,

the breath of God
in flesh of man.
(K.J)

Snaps from Thailand

Busy at the Beach

I have just finished another interesting work assignment. Servants to Asia's Urban Poor had a 25-year celebration at Pattaya, Thailand around the Easter weekend. I went along to lead the program for the 5-14 year olds. Out of the 20 kids, 7 were from German speaking families. I am very thankful that a Swiss colleague from Cambodia agreed to come along as my translator/ assistant.

I enjoy running camps with Third Culture Kids/ youth. It helps their parents- freeing them to participate in meetings, join in workshops or talk over coffee with other like-minded people. It helps the children- giving them time to hang out with other kids who have similar experiences growing up in different cultures. It is cool to give smiles, time, stories, love, songs, games, stickers, snacks and other small things to show that they are celebrated. It is also a time to challenge kids- giving them some teaching about holistic ministry, talking together about what we can do about poverty and encouraging them to see that it isn't just mum or dad's work that keeps them in Bangkok/ London/ Delhi but that each member of the family can find ways to love their neighbour and share with the poor.

I can't say that 5-year-old Jasmine or 6-year-old Alex really understood all this. But I hope that they carried home a few reminders that they are great people with exciting futures ahead of them. And if 7-year-old Emma remembers her own words that one thing she can do to help the poor in her community is to "play with them"... I think the week was well worth it.

He's voted

Yesterday I was looking out for people with the obvious ink mark on the right index finger that shows they have voted. (A good idea in places where not everyone can sign their name.) Voting isn't compulsory but I found a few with "the mark"...

Dear Customer

I received a message on my mobile phone on March 30 that read:

"Dear Customer. As instructed by Cambodia government. SMS will be unavailable from 00:00 AM March, 31, 2007 to 3:00 PM April 01, 2007. Thank you "

National elections are held today, April 01. So no text messaging on or just before voting day "as instructed by Cambodia government"... Interesting...