26 September 2009
missions
I was recently asked to make a video promoting missions as a core value of God's kingdom for InterVarsity at South Dakota State University. They have a program for freshmen called "Life on the Road" that I helped start a couple years ago. If you want to watch this video you'll get a little of my story, a little bit of Scripture, and a view of Gent. A few of you lucky IV alums will see yourself in a couple of classic photos.
13 September 2009
the waiting isnt' over...still
A few weeks ago we had our final appointment at the city administrative building. Of course final is only a word we hoped to be able to use. And as it turned out our hope was in vain.
On our arrival at the administrative building I felt a sense of power. The room was full of people from many cultures and places who all held a piece of paper with a number. When I took a number some months back I was treated to a 2 1/2 hour wait. But not today. 8:30 would see me on my way to holding my identity card. We were called into an office and heard these soul-deflating words, "First, I have some bad news."
It turns out that the day we waited 2 1/2 hours the lady who began processing our family made a pretty big mistake. She didn't keep any of the paperwork (for which we had labored a great deal--medical forms, FBI check, birth certificates complete with apostilles, etc.) for Trina and the kids. And in addition we needed to have someone come to our house (again) and this time see if our house is big enough and safe enough for a family of 6. I was sent to another building in the administrative complex. Remarkably, it would only take about 2 weeks to complete the appointment at our house. And, yes, our house is big enough and safe enough for a family of six. They tell us it shouldn't, but it could take up to six months to process the rest of that paperwork.
Well I received the letter in the mail that says I can go pick up my card (haven't done it yet, maybe Monday). And when we get a letter officially saying our house is big enough and safe enough for a family of six Trina will go back in with all the other forms that should have been kept almost four months ago. And then perhaps that will be our final visit of the year. You see, we have to go through a renewal process every year.
Life lesson: If you are an American missionary there is no final appointment at the Stad Huis.
On our arrival at the administrative building I felt a sense of power. The room was full of people from many cultures and places who all held a piece of paper with a number. When I took a number some months back I was treated to a 2 1/2 hour wait. But not today. 8:30 would see me on my way to holding my identity card. We were called into an office and heard these soul-deflating words, "First, I have some bad news."
It turns out that the day we waited 2 1/2 hours the lady who began processing our family made a pretty big mistake. She didn't keep any of the paperwork (for which we had labored a great deal--medical forms, FBI check, birth certificates complete with apostilles, etc.) for Trina and the kids. And in addition we needed to have someone come to our house (again) and this time see if our house is big enough and safe enough for a family of 6. I was sent to another building in the administrative complex. Remarkably, it would only take about 2 weeks to complete the appointment at our house. And, yes, our house is big enough and safe enough for a family of six. They tell us it shouldn't, but it could take up to six months to process the rest of that paperwork.
Well I received the letter in the mail that says I can go pick up my card (haven't done it yet, maybe Monday). And when we get a letter officially saying our house is big enough and safe enough for a family of six Trina will go back in with all the other forms that should have been kept almost four months ago. And then perhaps that will be our final visit of the year. You see, we have to go through a renewal process every year.
Life lesson: If you are an American missionary there is no final appointment at the Stad Huis.
07 September 2009
why fight it?
My seven month old daughter is sweet. She smiles at our friends (who think she never fusses). She has a wonderful laugh (which you may have heard on Facebook). But her behavior I want to tell you about today is fighting sleep. If you're a parent you've probably seen similar behavior.
Here's what she does. We lay her down for a nap. She might be quiet for a moment, but sometimes she immediately rolls to her stomach, does a push up and reaches for the crib (or is it prison?) bars. She will stand up and yell at us. We can lay her back down, but she may perform this maneuver repeatedly. The most interesting moments are when she has completely worn herself out and stands there crying (sometimes with pacifier in place and eyes closed). Sleep is the enemy and she wants the world to know it will not defeat her. She fights against the very thing she needs most.
When she gets a little older (like my 3 year old daughter) she will understand that a nap, though not the most exciting part of the afternoon, is sometimes necessary. And when she gets to be the age of her parents she may wish for napping opportunities.
It occurred to me that sometimes I behave toward God's will the way my daughter behaves toward naps. Perhaps you do as well. We as humans fight against the very thing we need most. As we get a little more mature we begin to understand that God's will is sometimes necessary. And I hope we reach the point where our deep wish is to embrace God's will. Rich Mullins wrote, "I'd rather fight you for something I don't really want than take what you give that I need." Let's be people who love God's will (and take naps when we need them, too).
Here's what she does. We lay her down for a nap. She might be quiet for a moment, but sometimes she immediately rolls to her stomach, does a push up and reaches for the crib (or is it prison?) bars. She will stand up and yell at us. We can lay her back down, but she may perform this maneuver repeatedly. The most interesting moments are when she has completely worn herself out and stands there crying (sometimes with pacifier in place and eyes closed). Sleep is the enemy and she wants the world to know it will not defeat her. She fights against the very thing she needs most.
When she gets a little older (like my 3 year old daughter) she will understand that a nap, though not the most exciting part of the afternoon, is sometimes necessary. And when she gets to be the age of her parents she may wish for napping opportunities.
It occurred to me that sometimes I behave toward God's will the way my daughter behaves toward naps. Perhaps you do as well. We as humans fight against the very thing we need most. As we get a little more mature we begin to understand that God's will is sometimes necessary. And I hope we reach the point where our deep wish is to embrace God's will. Rich Mullins wrote, "I'd rather fight you for something I don't really want than take what you give that I need." Let's be people who love God's will (and take naps when we need them, too).
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