So it's been a strange and meaningful day of different interactions around the Congo. After hearing the second amazing statement of the day, I started keeping track of some quotes.
Here ya go, they speak for themselves:
"Congo matters... but it is hard to explain why." - A conversation between Ann Mara and Don Golden about how hard it is to communicate to other people the depth of the need in Congo.
"If the world is Satan's playground, then Congo is his circus." - Ben Edwards
"I've never seen such a web of destruction laid over such beauty. It's unmatched in both aspects." - Ben Edwards
Found this old blog post that I like:
Have you ever been frustrated at something that seems to be all around you that you can't do anything about?
That's how I feel about fear. You see, I keep running into so many people who are owned by fear. What dictates their decisions or course of action is fear. Fear of enemies, fear of the future, fear of health, fear of culture, fear caused by insecurities and fear of not being in control. They are simply held captive.
Jesus spent so much of his time teaching us to not be afraid. He implored people to do the things that would vanquish fear -- such as blessing our enemies, forgiving people, asking forgiveness, praying to God about worries and concerns, ordering our priorities and much more. Salvation and redemption, if nothing else, speak to God's heart for setting captives free!
The funny thing about fear is that it is a weak bully. When it is confronted it will usually disappear. If only we would value freedom and peace of mind enough to confront our fears, admit our faults, make peace with our enemies and trust that God actually is in control!
That's how I feel about fear. You see, I keep running into so many people who are owned by fear. What dictates their decisions or course of action is fear. Fear of enemies, fear of the future, fear of health, fear of culture, fear caused by insecurities and fear of not being in control. They are simply held captive.
Jesus spent so much of his time teaching us to not be afraid. He implored people to do the things that would vanquish fear -- such as blessing our enemies, forgiving people, asking forgiveness, praying to God about worries and concerns, ordering our priorities and much more. Salvation and redemption, if nothing else, speak to God's heart for setting captives free!
The funny thing about fear is that it is a weak bully. When it is confronted it will usually disappear. If only we would value freedom and peace of mind enough to confront our fears, admit our faults, make peace with our enemies and trust that God actually is in control!
I love what Augustine says in the 22nd book of The City of God about heaven:
"... but in that city all the citizens shall be immortal, men now for the first time enjoying what the holy angels never lost."
We just went live this week with a Missions Blog to help communicate the heart of missions at Antioch as well as provide information, helpful links and ways for people to serve locally.
Check it out and stop back regularly as we have a missions intern coming for the summer who will be expanding the site significantly.
Go rent "Boy with the Striped Pajamas."
It's sad and super emotional, but it makes you think long and hard about justice and compassion and is well worth it.
1 comments
Published by Ken Wytsma on Tuesday, April 21, 2009
at
11:35 AM
We hit up the park last night with a bucket of KFC to celebrate Ashlin's "half birthday."
Half birthday's are kind of a family tradition with us (waiting a whole year is too long!). Not quite sure that at 6 months Ashlin knew what was going on, but Bend is at its best right now with 80 degree weather so we figured we'd celebrate!
Here are some pics that Tamara took - the girls with their Grandma and baby Ashlin.
This morning Sara came in and said, "What I love about Dora is watching Dora!"
In philosophy we used to call that a "tautology" - saying the same thing over again.
One thing I love about kids is their enthusiasm and sense of wonder. Since Sara doesn't know grammar yet, it makes all the sense in the world to add emphasis by needless repetition.
Don't you wish that adults could sometimes let enthusiasm and wonder show without fear of breaking silly rules or looking stupid?
What I love about 24 is watching 24!
What I love about my family is my family!
What I love about life is loving life!
Click here to visit Ben Edward's blog and his post about the Antioch team's Congo experience.
I've been really focused for the last couple of years on Africa - its history and the many ongoing problems such as HIV/Aids, poverty, water, gender violence, political abuse, child soldiers and rebel violence etc.
Lately, Antioch has really gotten involved in the Africa Great Lakes region - specifically the Democratic Republic of Congo.
In all of it, I've started to run across something pretty strange... the question, "Why Africa?"
At first, the question really caught me off guard. How could we not care about or be involved with our brothers and sisters in Africa? How can we not labor to help the vulnerable - the orphans and the widows?
I've begun to realize, however, that the question is a fair one. There are hurting people around the world - why Africa? There are hurting people in our own backyard - why Africa? Can we really make a difference in a place so big with problems so deep - why Africa? It is so far away and not everyone in the congregation will be able to go or really wrap their arms around it - why Africa?
My own answers are pretty simple:
- when you come up on an accident you should naturally help the neediest cases first - likewise, when trying to get involved in the messiness of this world, we should seek the neediest people first - that's why Africa.
- the Congo is arguably the worst place in the world to be a woman or a child. More people have died there unnecessarily than any other place in the world since WWII - that's why Africa.
- we have great connections and opportunities in the Africa Great Lakes region to help make sure our energy and passion is a good investment - that's why Africa.
- many of the key leaders at the core of Antioch have felt a calling to Africa since the very beginning of the church - that's why Africa.
- and, most importantly, it is not an either / or situation - either Africa or our backyard. We can and should be involved both in our backyard and in the world beyond. Africa is an opportunity, not a liability - that's why Africa.
I'm sure that more could be said, but the real answer is itself a set of questions:
"Why would we not?"
"How could we not?"
I just answered an e-mail asking for book recommendations on "peace."
I thought I'd post my response in case there are any readers out there
Books on peace..... Hmmmmm. I really like This Beautiful Mess by Rick McKinley, Experiencing God Through Prayer by Madam Guyon, The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment (a Puritan book that reads funny), The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer, any book by Eugene Peterson (he’s the man on contentment and true spirituality), most works by Henri Nouwen (especially “Reaching Out”) and any book that deals with the subject of Sabbath or Solitude.
Sorry I can’t narrow it down more, but you’ll probably get a sense of which one(s) are right for you :)
Antioch 2009 Summer Interns
3 comments Published by Ken Wytsma on Saturday, April 11, 2009 at 5:50 PMThis past Monday, Brandon Reynolds finalized the Antioch Summer Intern roster.
There are 17 college and grad students coming from all over the country - and even one intern from Kenya.
What's amazing is that we turned away over 15 applicants and still wound up with 5 more than we expected!!
We're pretty stoked about playing, connecting and doing ministry with the crew starting June 1.
Here's a little pic of the interns and where they're coming from.
I was watching this video that Justin Lavik and Conor Miller made again last night.
It's still funny after 8 months!!
One of the coolest things that has happened over the last 2 1/2 years since we planted Antioch is the caliber of people that God has brought our way.
Seriously, I get to be a part of the most amazing team and think about it almost daily.
Along those lines, Ann Mara has to be one of the coolest stories - she's Irish, has a Master's in International Development, lived and worked in Tanzania for a few years, speaks three languages, happens to have amazing leadership and communication gifts, is a remarkable Christian and just so happens to live in Bend and head up the World Relief NEXT project.
I thought about it again today when Ann copied me on an e-mail she sent to a Kenyan student at George Fox who will be interning at Antioch this summer.
She wrote a bunch of it in Kiswahili and I couldn't read a lick of it...
Napenda kuongea kwa kiswahili - na wewe pia?
Nafuraha sana kufanya kazi nawe :)
Mungu akubariki na karibu sana Antioch!
Who else in Bend would bang out a little kiswahili in an email?
Pretty remarkable!!
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