All Are Welcome...

This week we made the difficult decision to kick an individual out of our house.  He has been very connected to our Catholic Worker community for much longer than most of us and has created deep friendships with the community members.  He has found a home away from home within the walls of our house, Olive Branch (a house of hospitality for women and families experiencing homelessness).  For the last few months he has spent a significant amount of his days chatting, sipping coffee, and napping in our living room.  It has been a joy to get to know him and hear stories of his days with the New York Catholic Workers and Dorothy Day herself.  The difficult part of this situation is that there is another side to him, a side that is often inappropriate.  Because of mental illness this gentlemen requires much attention and his presence in the family house was becoming concerning for community members and guests.  After many reminders of appropriate conduct and hours attempting to organize meds and doctors appointments it was decided that it would be in the houses best interest if he only come to Olive Branch for our weekly muffin Sunday and special holiday meals.  So we sat him down, and we told him that he is no longer welcome here on a daily basis.  This entire situation has got me thinking about hospitality and some of the limitations that we have here. Daily we turn people away on the phone or at our front door because our house is full but it has been very difficult to turn a way a person who we have developed a friendship with. 

Recently, this gentleman has been very focused on Christ's return.  While talking with him he will interrupt, no matter what the topic is, and ask questions like "Do you think Christ is ever going to come back?" "When?" "Where?" "Will we recognize him?" and "Do you think that I am Christ incarnate?"  As strange and abrupt as these questions may be, they have been an incredible and difficult reminder that "whatever we do for the least of these, you do for me" (Matthew 25:45).  This is a biblical theme that I focus on a lot and yet I have forgotten again.  Thankfully, due to the strange conversation topics that this gentleman presents, I have been reminded, yet again, that I need to identify Christ in all people.  The Gospel reading this Sunday at church was very fitting for this situation.  We read about the disciples arguing about who is greater.  Jesus sits them down to say "whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all."  Then Jesus takes up a child and shares that "Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me."  The pastor went on to share that the Gospel reading reminds us that we are all worthy of God's love,  When we welcome those who society recognizes as lonely we are welcoming Jesus' presence. When we are able to recognize Christ in others we will be able to stop seeking status and begin God's hospitality.  The opening hymn also helped to get this point across.  We sang the song All Are Welcome. I needed to hear this song and the third verse (I think) seemed to relate perfectly to our current situation.

Let us build a house where hands will reach beyond the wood and stone to heal and strengthen, serve and teach and live the word they've known.  Here the outcasts and the stranger bear the image of God's face...All are welcome.

So, how do we welcome all?  How can we reach out to help this man and other outcasts?  What does God's hospitality truly look like?  Will we ever be able to identify that this man's face truly bears the image of Christ?

“Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place.

Mark 6:31b-32

Another WCB Summer

I couldn’t imagine a better way to conclude this year of adventures then another summer at Wilderness Canoe Base.  I am very excited about summer number two of guiding trips in the Boundary Waters.  I have a deep love for this place and I cannot wait to share it with even more people this summer.  Last week we broke our staff up into three different groups and went on a four night staff trip.  My trip started off with a 515 rod portage to Paulson Lake and we spent our first night on Tuscarora lake.  We then paddled on to Cherokee Lake where we spent nights two and three.  We all enjoyed having a quiet layover day full of napping, swimming, paddling, and laughing.  The following day we ventured along the Frost River and made our way up to Little Sag.  Our final day we woke up at four in the morning and paddled all the way back to Camp on Seagull Lake.  I had a blast on our trip and loved seeing some lakes that I had never been to.  We did 56 portages in all.  Staff training has come to an end and our first group of campers arrive tomorrow!

Our theme for the summer is the upside down story.  We will be doing daily Bible studies with our campers focusing on some parables.  While working on my programming I have fallen in love with the parable of leaven bread.

“What shall I compare the kingdom of God to?  It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough.”       –Luke 13:20 & 21

As I planned this Bible study I began to think about what I know about the kingdom of God.  One of the first things that I thought of was the line in the Lord’s Prayer that says “thy kingdom come…” Martin Luther explains this line in the Small Catechism by saying that “God’s kingdom comes indeed without our praying for it, but we ask in this prayer that it may come also to us.  God’s kingdom comes when our heavenly Father gives us his Holy Spirit, so that by his grace we believe his holy Word and live a godly life on earth now and in heaven forever.”  I love this description of God’s kingdom simply because it reminds us that God’s kingdom always has and always will surround us.  God’s kingdom exists without our participation, the baker has already mixed it thoroughly into the dough (and how great is it that Jesus uses a female baker as a surrogate for God in this parable!?).  This parable suggests that the kingdom enters the world as its creation.  The kingdom of God is forever with us, it is mixed in with everything that we do, and similar to yeast mixed into dough it can never be removed.

I hope that you experience the Kingdom of God this summer, no matter where you are.

“For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.  He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” –Colossians 1:16 & 17
 

Compassion

I just finished reading a book called Compassion: A Reflection on the Christian Life by Henri Nouwen, Donald McNeill, and Douglas Morrison.  This book has quickly become a new favorite and I would like to encourage you all to check it out!

This book challenged me and left me feeling inspired to continue to explore what it means to live a life of compassion.  I learned a lot from Nowen, McNeill, and Morrison's writings but the funny thing was that as I read their book I almost missed the perfect examples of compassion that have surronded me here in Swaziland. 

"The word compassion is derived from the Latin words pati and cum, which together mean "to suffer with." Compassion asks us to go where it hurts, to enter into places of pain, to share in brokenness, fear, confusion, and anguish. Compassion challenges us to cry out with those in misery, to mourn with those who are lonely, to weep with those in tears. Compassion requires us to be weak with the weak, vulnerable with the vulnerable, and powerless with the powerless. Compassion means full immersion in the condition of being human. When we look at compassion this way, it becomes clear that something more is involved than a general kindness or tenderheartedness." (Page 4)

This week one of my friends here in Swaziland had a still birth.  Over the last few days I have witnessed their family and friends gather around this young couple to mourn the death of their unborn child.  Last night a dozen or so people gathered at the father's homestead to mourn.  This may be a cultural tradition but it is also provides us with a glimpse of the fellowship of believers that we read about in Acts 2.

Yesterday, one of the gogos from Timbali saw Titi (the father's sister and mother's best friend) crying about the situation.  I don't know if this gogo knew what Titi was crying about but upon seeing Titi's saddness the gogo instantly engulfed Titi in a hug and starting whispering a prayer into Titi's ear.  This is compassion. 

"Many people tend to associate prayer with separation from others, but real prayer brings us closer to our fellow human beings. Prayer is the first and indispensible discipline of compassion precisely because prayer is also the first expression of human solidarity. Why is this so? Because the Spirit who prays in us is the Spirit by whom all human beings are brought together in unity and community. The Holy Spirit, the Spirit of peace, unity, and reconciliation, constantly reveals himself to us as the power through whom people from the most diverse social, political, economic, racial, and ethnic backgrounds are brought together as sisters and brothers of the same Christ and daughters and sons of the same Father.

To prevent ourselves from slipping into spiritual romanticism or pious sentimentality, we must pay careful attention to the compassionate presence of the Holy Spirit. The intimacy of prayer is the intimacy created by the Holy Spirit who, as the bearer of the new mind and the new time, does not exclude but rather includes our fellow human beings. In the intimacy of prayer, God reveals himself to us as the God who loves all the members of the human family just as personally and uniquely as he loves us. Therefore, a growing intimacy with God deepens our sense of responsibility for others. It evokes in us an always increasing desire to bring the whole world with all its suffering and pains around the divine fire in our heart and to share the revitalizing heat with all who want to come. But it is precisely this desire that requires such deep and strong patience." (Pages 108-109)

Death is very common in Swaziland, in fact this is a nation with one of the lowest life expectancy rates.  A third example of compassion I saw yesterday was seeing another friends response to hearing about the recent death.  He knows a few of the family members but does not directly know the Mother or the Father of the baby.  Despite not knowing them or even knowing much about the situation he was moved to tears as we arrived at the homestead and saw the mourning family members.  His response to death, especially in a place where death is so common, was compassion.  Once again on this trip I found myself reminded of 1st Corinthians 12:26.  "If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it."

"The great news we have recieved is that God is a compassionate God.  In Jesus Christ the obedient servant, who did not cling to his divinity buy emptied himself and became as we are, God has revealed the fullness of his compassion.  He is Immanuel, God-with-us.  The great call we have heard is to live a compassionate life.  In the community formed in displacement and leading to a new way of being together, we can become disciples-living manifestations of God's presence in this world.  The great task we have been given is to walk the compassionate way.Through the discipline of patience, practiced in prayer, and action, the life of discipleship becomes real and fruitful." (page 130)

Sala kahle. Hamba Kahle.

It is hard to believe that my time here in Swaziland is quickly coming to an end.  How can it be that I have already been here for almost four month?  Words can not describe all that I have seen, experienced, learned, and felt.  I have had the opportunity to work beside some incredible Swazis, Americans, and South Africans.  These people inspired me daily and they will forever be role models in my life.  It is sad knowing that my time in Swaziland will be over in four days but I am also excited to be returning to Minnesota.  I can not wait to be reunited with friends and family.  I have been thinking a lot about the Great Commision as I prepare to leave Swaziland and start life back up in Minnesota.

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."  (Matthew 28:19 & 20)

We are all called to live the Great Commision daily.  I am realizing that you don't actually have to "go" anywhere to fulfill this calling.  Rather, we must "go" with our lives.  I love Swaziland and I am thankful that I had the opportunity to be a part of God's ministry here.  It would be great if I could come back and continue working here but this isn't the only place that God is calling me to live out the Great Commision.  We must learn what it means to "go" in our everyday life.  Thankfully, we don't have to travel across the world to follow God's calling.

I have attempted to learn a little bit of SiSwati while I have been here.  Two common phrases used for good bye are "sala kahle" and "hamba kahle" (the "k" is pronounced with a "g" sound).  Sala kahle means stay well and hamba kahle means go well.  I think that these two phrases are beautiful little reminders of the Great Commision.  Some of us will follow Jesus' words by going and some of us live them out by staying.  So, whether you are going or staying, I pray that together we may live out Jesus' words of commison daily.

"Go" with your lives, wherever you are.

Sala Kahle.  Hamba kahle.

And remember Jesus is with us always, to the very end of the age.

Current Happenings.

It’s been a while.  My time here has been incredible but as life falls into rhythm in Swaziland my day to day life seems less and less blog worthy.  Here is little update on some of the joys and struggles of the last few weeks. 

1. This last week I have had a pretty nasty cold.  It makes me laugh.  I survived the transition from a Minnesota summer to winter without the sniffles but as Swaziland ever so slightly cools off I find myself with a never ending runny nose and a very sore throat.  I am very disappointed in my immune system but I am not going to complain too much because despite my cold I am loving this cooler weather.

2.  Our Swaziland Easters was really great.  The Swazis celebrate Easter all week long so they simply added an “s” to the end of Easter.   Yesterday (Easter Sunday, not to be confused with today which is Easter Monday) all of the AIM families gathered for a really fun Easters celebration.  The thirty of us spent the day worshipping, eating, playing games, eating, and laughing.  Easter is my favorite holiday.  My family and friends gather every year to celebrate and remember Jesus’ resurrection.  I was feeling pretty homesick Sunday morning thinking of all that I would be missing at home but I am so thankful to have had a very similar celebration with my new friends here in Swaziland. 

3. Two weeks ago Bailey and I helped lead a week long spring break trip.  I enjoyed getting to know the group and serving alongside of them.  One of our projects for the week was painting Gogo Grace’s house.  Grace Nkambule is a 73 year old who participates in the Timbali project and cooks at the Bhobokazi care point.  Grace has experienced a lot of loss in her life.  Her husband passed away in 1978 and only one of her five children is still living.  Despite these losses, Grace still finds joy daily by caring for the people around her.  Grace serves at the care point because she sees that it is her part to care for her community and to serve the Lord.  Grace is a very genuine women and it is apparent that every moment of her day is an act of worship and service to our Lord.  Last spring a team built Grace a house after she spent a number of years homeless.  Normally, when a Swazi wants to buy land they must pay the chief with a cow.  The Chief knew about Graces situation so instead he requested that she pay him with a Coke.  Talk about a great Coke commercial.  Our team had the great blessing of adding the finishing touches to Grace’s small two room house.  With the extra money we were also able to pay for a toilet for her squatty.  Words cannot describe the joy that Grace expressed after receiving her new toilet.  My time with Grace was a great reminder to continue my mission of living simply, to be joyful, and to thank God daily for his great love

4. Okay, this doesn’t really have anything to do with me but it is an incredible story…so I am including it!  Amy and Alison, two of the AIM staff, spend a lot of time at the hospital with the babies who have been abandoned.  They have put forth a great effort to build rapport with the Swazi social workers in hope of creating a house of hope (foster care) for the children at the hospital.  Often babies, who are perfectly healthy, are left at hospitals by parents who cannot care for them.  Amy and Alison want to provide a home for these children while they search out Swazi families who can provide the needed care for children in this situation.   After about a year of praying and trying to work with the social workers the hospital finally called Amy and asked if she would bring sweet little Mukelo home.  I have chatted with some other missionaries here in Swaziland and they are all truly amazed that the hospital has not only allowed this but that they made this request.  Mukelo was left at the hospital four months ago with an anonymous note from her mother.  Mukelo has cerebral palsy.  She will be two in June but is still wearing 6-9 month sized clothes.  It is a challenge to feed her because of inability to suck.  All of her liquids are given through a syringe.  She received some care at the hospital but since she didn’t have a care giver with her 24/7 she was often neglected.  I am brought to tears as I think about Mukelo’s mother.  I picture a mother who loves her daughter so much but just didn’t have the resources or the knowledge to care for her sweet baby.  The letter said that no one else would help her care for her baby and so she could not work.  I picture a mom you had no other choice but to leave her baby at the hospital.  Thankfully, God has opened other doors to ensure that Mukelo is loved and cared for.  In fact, it would appear that God started preparing the Mcadam family long before they moved to Swaziland.  Amy has previous medical experience and actually worked at a camp for children with Cerebral Palsy when she was in college.  This passionate and loving family has created the perfect home for Mukelo and I am thankful that they will continue to care for her until they find a Swazi family that is willing and able to provide the love and care that Mukelo needs.

5. I love exploring.  I have enjoyed traveling a little bit around Swaziland and enjoying God's beautiful creation here.  Our most recent explorations have included a 2nd trip to Mlilwane Game Park, a day at the Swazi cultural village, and a short hike to the Mantenga Waterfall.  I am also looking forward to a short trip to the Indian ocean soon.  I have loved discovering Swaziland these past few months and I am realizing that I need to do a better job of enjoying creation once I get back home.  There are endless amounts of things for me to see in this world and those discoveries should start in my backyard.  

6. Bailey and I have continued our work with Timbali.  We still spend every week interviewing the ladies, helping Titi with inventory and quality control, the head band project with the teen girls, helping at a preschool, and much more.  I enjoy all of our responsibilities, especially now that we know the ladies better.   

7. Trying to keep up on current trends.  haha.  I have read the hunger games and I have a pintrest account.  You all should be proud!   

8.  I am doing my best to make the best out of each and every day.  This has been quite the experience so far and I know that a lot more will be happening in my last month here.  Despite all of this I can’t help but be a little homesick.  I will be leaving for home in a little over a month and I am pretty excited to get back to the land of 10,000 lakes.

This is the way, walk in it.

If you have ever spent time in the BWCA or on other hiking trails you may be familiar with rock cairns.  A rock  cairn is simply a pile of rocks.  In places like the Boundary Waters they are used to mark a trail.  There is a portage in the Boundary Waters that connects Seagull lake and Paulson lake.  At times this portage crosses some large rocks.  Without the rock cairns left by others, my campers and I surely would have lost our way.  These  cairns point you in the right direction and ensure a safe passage to the next lake.

In Genesis we read about God testing Abraham.  An altar is built in preparation for the sacrifice of his son Isaac.  As we all know, an angel appeared telling Abraham not to lay a hand on the boy.  Abraham sacrifices a ram instead and recognizes that that is a place where the Lord provides.  That place became a sacred place and when I think of the altar that Abraham built I imagine a rock  cairn.

Last year I went through Strength Finders for the second time.  Both times one of my signature strengths was titled futuristic.  I am energized by the possibility of the future for myself and for those around me.  I love to dream about what is to come and make goals for the coming years.  At times, this strength can also be a great weakness.  It can be easy for me to get caught in the future.  I am always working towards balancing my excitement about the future with a joy for the present.  I am extremely thankful for this opportunity to live and learn in Swaziland for four months but I often find myself getting a little too antsy about what is next.  These past few weeks I have had to put a significant amount of thought towards being present.  The combination of homesickness and an uncertainty about summer and fall plans have made this difficult. 

This week Bailey and I spent some time the Mkhombokati care point doing interviews with the cooks who participate in Timbali.  Nearby a small group of children were playing, stacking rocks on top of each other.  To them it may have just been a pile of rocks, but to me this was a beautiful rock cairn, an altar.  I believe that there is never one path that God intends us to take.  Sure, we may be called to do some specific things but in general I think that, because of our free will, we can go anywhere and do anything with our lives.  What’s important is that along the way we praise and serve God with all of our heart.  Upon seeing this rock  cairn I was reminded that I am on the right path.  I am not saying that at that moment God wanted me to be at Mkombokati, or in Swaziland, or even in Africa.  Rather, this rock cairn showed me is that I am on the right path in terms of how I am living my life.  This stack of rocks reminded me that God is with me and that God will provide.  This is the encouragement that I needed to be present here.  Today, I am in Swaziland.  I am serving God.  This is what I God has intended for my                                                                                  life.  I am on the right path.

And when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left, your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it.”   -Isaiah 30:21