A quote from Aiden Wilson Tozer (excuse the all-masculine pronouns):

A real Christian is an odd number. He feels supreme love for One whom he has never seen; talks familiarly every day to Someone he cannot see; expects to go to heaven on the virtue of Another; empties himself in order to be filled; admits he is wrong so he can be declared right; goes down in order to get up; is strongest when he is weakest; richest when he is poorest and happiest when he feels the worst. He dies so he can live; forsakes in order to have; gives away so he can keep; sees the invisible; hears the inaudible; and knows that which passes knowledge.

Just thought this might go with my musings on UFOs just below and why the story of Jesus is sometimes rather perplexing. I do think the line "happiest when he feels the worst" might be a bit of an exaggeration. I don't know if I would say it like that... I also don't know if I would say that only "real Christians" do many of these things. I don't think the lines are that clean. Many people who might not call themselves "Christians" could perhaps relate to some or all of these oddities. Guess I have some issues with this quote even though I like the thought behind it. I just find that we can be rather arrogant in thinking that "we get it" when all of us can learn from those who think differently about things. What do you think?

Got the photos to work!

President Sanguma (President of the Covenant Church in Congo) and his son, Precieux. Precieux was found abandoned in a cemetary and so Sanguma and his wife (whom I haven't met yet) adopted him.



Kristin and Jodi

The traveling sleeping mat and its users.

And the yoke of Christ, which is supposed to be easy as the burden is light, is placed symbolically upon my shoulders. At that moment, I was thinking, "This is incredible. This is scary. I cannot carry this responsibility. What am I doing? Who am I to be called to this? I know how messed up I am. God, help me be true to this calling."

Rarely all four in the same city: Andrew, Tanya, me, Lara

UFOs

Okay - What do you all think about UFOs? I have seen about three Larry King Lives in the last couple weeks that have been about UFOs. Today was the most in-depth. I should be writing a sermon, but instead, I am contemplating whether or not pictures of unidentified flying objects can somehow lead to the conclusion that there are aliens who have come to visit, never having landed, and who are thought to be more scientifically advanced than the most technologically sophisticated societies on earth. I learned that many people think that UFOs disarmed some U.S. missiles, that over 100 citings have been made by Air Force personnel and that supposedly the U.S. Air Force has tried to keep the photos and "evidence" under wraps. I'm not saying I don't believe most of what was said (I mean, at the very least, I believe the person talking believes what they are saying), but I agree with Bill Nye the Science Guy when he said that to see some strange objects in the air and then to conclude that they must be extra-terrestriel beings is QUITE A JUMP. I think scientists should be studying these pictures and sightings and go from there, not begin with a hypothesis and work backwards. (And thinking about this makes me understand a little more about why some who are sceptics of global warming being caused by humans do not want us to begin with this conclusion, but rather think we should keep studying global warming and conclude the causes of it later. And the contraversial topic of UFOs on tv lately has helped me understand why the latest Indiana Jones movie ended so strangely. :) )

Which reminds me of my sermon. When writing a sermon, I try to start with the text and go from there, instead of starting with what God may be teaching me or what I think people need to hear and then forming the text to fit my agenda. This is not easy to do - it is not easy to be faithful to the text. And I wouldn't even say that I do it that well most of the time. It takes more study and more work, more neutrality, more intentional distance and reflection.

I also like to use the UFO example to think about so many people who look on at those who believe that Jesus was born of a virgin and that he was God who took on flesh, performed amazing miracles causing the blind to see and the lame to walk and then was killed, dead for three days, and actually brought back to life. Why is it easier for me to believe the crazy claims Jesus made than it is for me to think we have had multiple invasions by aliens in the last 60 years? I think the answer has something to do with my experience, the historical and scientific credibility of Scripture (and I'm not necessarily talking about every detail - but I mean the over-arching picture), and the implications of whether it is true or not. What are the implications if the story of Jesus is true? What are the implications if UFOs are really aliens? Both alter how we see the world, but the former alters how we see our role in this world and actually alters everything past, present and future. The former gives us an identity, a way to live, how to treat others - it offers peace, joy, wholeness. The latter adds something that we have not considered to an otherwise unaltered way of looking at the world. I'm sure I'm missing a lot of other differences that you might see. I'm just barely getting started thinking about this.

But, how does this story that has lasted for 2000 years sound to those who do not find themselves in it? It sounds insane. Which is why I'm convinced it needs to be lived, experienced, tangible, wrestled with, questioned, even doubted at times. And why don't we do this together around the book we're so afraid to open? Just thoughts... okay, back to my sermon.

Hmmm... I'm slightly annoyed that I cannot post more pictures today. I'm doing exactly what I always do and at the end, there are no pictures!

DOCTORS ARE RIGHT!!!

5 years ago, I found out I had two herneated discs. Since then, with running and proper exercise, I've been fine and hardly know they exist. But I've heard all along that it's important to do sit-ups to strengthen my back muscles. Well, upon returning to Belgium, I've decided to do 100 sit-ups every other day. Within 4 days, I could already feel a huge difference. WHY did I not try this before???!!! I'm also trying to do push-ups. I'd like to get up to 30, but not quite there yet. Anyone wanna join me in this?

RECFLECTIONS ON BELGIUM:

I've been wanting to write about what I've been learning from Belgians and Congolese-Belgians since I moved here a year and a half ago.

From Congolese-Belgians: The group of people here at church are so good at "being". They are amazing at hospitality. Whenever I stop by someone's house, they are ready to serve me an entire meal. (Or at least start cooking one which we'll eat two hours later.) I've also learned how to pray with more faith. When Pastor Passy prays, it's like he KNOWS that God is going to answer. I have never prayed with this much confidence before. Sometimes it almost feels arrogant to think that I know that God will answer what I pray for. But it's not that God will answer in the way I want God to - it's more about trusting that God is God and will answer in the way that God thinks is best. And in trusting the love of a Good and Perfect Father, it makes praying a different experience. We also tend to thank God for the responses to our prayers before we even see them take place. (For example, at the end of a prayer meeting, we'll spend a few minutes thanking God for hearing what we just prayed for.)

From Belgians: Belgians continue to surprise me in how private they are. Today when I was running, I saw a boy working in the park that I know. When I went up to talk to him, there was another boy working with him. I spoke to the boy I know the entire time and he never introduced me to his co-worker. Therefore, in this culture, I don't really recognize that the other guy is even there. As I walked away, I cringed at how unnatural this feels. In the States, I would say hello to the stranger and maybe ask him a few questions about where he lives or what grade he's in, etc. But here, when I've tried that approach in the past, it is extremely awkward. It feels "wrong" to speak to someone unless they've been introduced to me. And asking too many quesitons seems to be considered rude or "too curious". The question, "So, what do you do?" is NOT a normal question here when meeting someone for the first time. It's so hard NOT to ask this because as an American, finding out what a person does is a way to find out what to talk about.

But on the other side of this, once you are friends with a Belgian, the loyalty is unbelievable. I've heard it said that Belgians don't really need new friends. They hang out with their families, their friends from high school and maybe univeristy, their neighbors (because they don't seem to move very often) and then MAYBE they might become friends with a co-worker. This makes it hard to become friends with them as an American, but I have noticed that once a person gets into one of these circles, there is a bond that is hard to break. When a woman in our neighborhood passed away, I found out that four neighbors in our culdesac had been sharing her grocery-shopping and financial accounting for years. They take care of one another. This is a great example to me of community, care, support and loyalty.

EDUCATION:
A theme in the last month or so (ever since I read "Deep Ministry in a Shallow World") has been the importance of education. I've realized that in an immigrant community, education is KEY to survival and advancement in this country. I think it is also important in whole-life discipleship. If people cannot read God's Word, how can they teach it and share the fruit of what they learn? The students with whom I work are coming in several steps behind the other Belgians in the school system because they do not always speak French at home. Also, this culture is not as interested in reading as some Western cultures tend to be. (Congolese culture seems to be very much more of an oral culture.) So, how can I make the desire to learn and read contagious? There are extremely intelligent youth here who do not work to their potential in school for reasons I do not understand yet. I'd like to develop some kind of incentive program for students who do well in school. And this summer, I'm praying about implementing a reading program similar to Book-It (for those of you who remember!). I spent an hour with the pastor of Oakdale Covenant when I was in the States picking his brain about their highly successful education program on the south side of Chicago. Please pray with me in this endeavor. And if you have ideas, send me an email. I will be talking with Passy about this on Friday.

BOOKS:
So, this is an easy segue into what I've been reading lately. I recently finished Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. It's her account of living in Italy, India and Indonesia for several months each. It was funny and let us in on her spiritual journey. I found that many people were reading this same book. Three people on my bus to MN were reading it, my sister had read it, two of my friends from college had read it, and on the plane, the stuartess said, "Hey what page are you on? Oh, I'm about 20 pages ahead of you." It was a nice, light read, which brought up questions of identity and the search for happiness, etc. It's not written from a biblical perspective, nor is it full of what some may call "Christian conservative values," so it might not be up your alley... but it does raise universal questions and discuss virtues such as love and faithfulness.

I'm still reading King Leopold's Sword. It's a hard read - emotionally and historically. I know I need to read it to understand Congo better, but it is like wading through mud. That and a French book, Odette Toulemonde, I read in short stints. Just began The Shack by William P. Young which I think will be excellent!!! I've heard a lot of good things about it.

I've begun For the Inward Journey by Howard Thurman (first written in 1947), a book from my stack of "to-be-read-books". I'm using it like a devotional - one paragraph at a time. I will post a section of it below.

The Conscientious Demand:
"...So the story goes; as man {sic} developed - extending his arm through club, bow and arrow, gun powder, gasoline engine, through various kinds of vehicles and machines up to and including the jet-propelled plane and the atomic bomb - he required a complete adjustment of his mind and spirit to his new power. He has been forced to fit his new powers, with each development, into a scheme of life that would keep him from destroying himself. Difficult as this adjustment has been for man's mind, it has been infinitely more difficult for his spirit and conscience.... The dilemma of modern man is to match spiritual and moral maturity with the amazing power created by his mastery over nature. He has learned a part of the sector of energy by unlocking the door of the atom, and yet he continues to be moved by prejudice, greed and lust. He has devised a machine that can keep pace with the speed of the earth through the heavens, and yet he has not learned how to walk the earth in the midst of his fellows with simple reverence and grace. Today we stand on the verge of a brave, startling era which can yield the end of poverty, of war, and of all the breeds of hate that have made the earth a hell for countless millions. Oh, for how many years, by our deeds, shall we curse God and die, when we could reflect Him and live?

Saturday: Planning on watching Amazing Grace with my students during youth group.

TODAY:
And now I see I've procrastinated enough. Sally is here visiting from Cov Offices in Chicago, but she's off in Brugge on a day-trip by herself. I stayed back to write a sermon. And to spend a brief moment with you. Thanks for reading!

Arbor Covenant, Madison, WI


Cathy and Jim Stanley-Erickson

At the zoo for Anja's birthday! Jessica's a friend from high school. We spent the day at the pool and then a 15-min trip to the zoo before I was off to Minnesota. Anton looks scared of the photographer.

At the Annual Meeting, I got to connect with lots of friends, including the Millises. Thanks for all your prayers and support!!!

Some HIGHLIGHTS from my time in the U.S.


My nephew, Duncan, and niece, Brenna, at their pool in Tampa.


Me and Brenny.

My brother-in-law recorded my sisters and I singing "Lift Every Voice and Sing." It was so fun to sing with them again! Too bad our brother wasn't there...

Wayne and Marissa's wedding. Wayne's a friend from high school. Congrats Wayno!

I'm back at full voice! Many of you know I lost my voice after about 3 days in the States for about 2 weeks and then got it back for a few days only to lose it again for the rest of my 3.5 week stay. It took about 3 nights of more than 7 hours of sleep (meaning more than 7 full hours with my mouth SHUT!!) I find it weird that I lose my voice every time I come back to the U.S. But it makes sense - I've been up for 7 hours and have only talked for about 15 minutes. Wow, these worlds are COMPLETELY different.

I got to be so active in the States - swimming, tennis, running, biking, tubing, weight-lifting, walks, even shooting golf balls. All of this was either super cheap or free!! (Thanks for paying, Bill and Lara!) Anyway, I am not super athletic, but I love to move!!! Gonna try to get some of my youth to "teach" me soccer. (Football!!!)

WHAT??!!! How did I not know that Jim Wallis (author of God's Politics among other works) is married to an Episcopalian priest???!!! For any of you who read Sojourners, where have I been???!!! She was one of the first women to be ordained to the priesthood in England in 1994.

One of my favorite pictures from after the Ordination service. I think only Andrew and Tanya are there but didn't make the picture... THANKS FOR COMING, ALL OF YOU!!!! Even Dan and Aina Hitchcock drove up from Rockford - I was surprised!! I really was moved that so many wanted to be a part of the celebration. One could say it took 6 years to get here... and now this is just the beginning. (Thanks, Becky, for taking the picture! :) )

TIRED MUCH???!!!

It is 5:40 pm here in Belgium and I've only been awake for about 2 hours. I went to sleep before midnight last night and woke up around 7:30 am to drink some water and take some allergy meds. Then, I fell back asleep right away and woke up a little later. Thinking it would be 10 or 11 am, I looked at my cell phone which read, 15:17!!! That's 3:17 pm. That's over 15 hours of sleep!! I guess I was tired. Now I'm heading to prayer meeting at the Passys like we have every Wed night. I just hope I can sleep when I get back, but I think I will be able to, because I honestly could've gone back to sleep at 3.

So, here I am eating breakfast...

I had an AMAZING trip in the States and hope to write more about it soon with pictures and all. I ended with an incredible reunion with college friends in Decorah, Iowa (we all went to Luther) and was reconvinced that no school has as much school pride as Luther. You would not believe how sappy we were about our memories at our alma mater. Imagine 20 adults and 13 kids walking around a town of 5,000 or 8,000 or so, from the campus to the famous ice cream store (The Whippy Dip), talking about how much we loved going to school there. This reunion also lent itself to late nights as the young parents would put on their baby monitors and then stay up talking until the wee hours of the morning. So, I was up until 6 am one morning and 4 am the next. That plus the emotional exhaustion of changing cultures and switching time zones and not sleeping super long on the plane all adds up to = VERY TIRED. But in spite of all this, the transition has been a good one. I stopped by the Passys yesterday and we ate together and it is good to be back in Waterloo.

More soon,

Johnna