5/23/13
It is amazing how God works and makes things happen just as they should. One of the current churches I pastor, has been approached with the opportunity to become a multi-lingual congregation. It would be the combination of an existing older Anglo congregation with a new and growing Hispanic house church. I have no idea how to pastor/lead a multi-lingual congregation. It occurred to me that this trip to Venezuela may be a big help in learning how to do this. It makes me even more excited about the possibilities of all the things we will learn and be exposed to on this trip. I am continuing to pray about all the possibilities and prepare for what to expect on this trip. It is amazing how God is already in this trip, working and preparing the way for this trip, the after effects of all that will be learned and experienced, and used in the furthering of God's kingdom and learning how to share the love of Christ that crosses cultural, racial, nationalities, and language barriers.
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Friday, May 3, 2013
Prepairing for the journey
5.3.13
As a seminary student at Emory University, Candler School of Theology I am excited to go on my first international experience for hands on learning about missions and evangelism. I am going to Barquisimeto, Venezuela for with the World Methodist Evangelism Institute. We will do a pre- conference tour in Aruba to learn more about Evangelistic worship then to Venezuela for the conference.
We had the first meeting of our group this week and I am excited about going. I think we have a good group of people and since I already know at least one person it is reassuring that while I will be getting to know lots of new people there will also be at least one person around that I am already familiar.
We found out this week that We will have the opportunity to lead worship, devotions, and even preach during our trip. Even though I preach every week, for some reason I am reluctant to do so in this situation. I am sure part of it is that I don't fully know what to expect from the experience. It has been interesting to me realize what is intimidating to me and what is not. I am not normally one to turn away from being in charge but this is different.
My prayer for this trip will be to be open to new experiences and to learn what God has prepared for me and for this part of my journey of faith. I am trying to not have preconceived notions of what that may be.
The things that seem to be my questions right now are more about how to prepare- travel vaccines, how to pack, will we have access to laundry, can you put arrosol bug spray in a suitcase, and do I need to bring linens... seemingly silly questions I know but it is what I am thinking about. I think we will be staying in a dorm at a small theology school and I wonder how comparable that is to American dorm rooms. Also, I have downloaded an app to brush up on my Spanish- one would think that after 5 semesters in undergrad, 2 years in High School and 8 years working with latino children I would know more than I do- I am really rusty!
I know that this is going to be a great experience. I am really looking forward to participating in a new culture, new forms of worship and the international cross cultural sharing of faith. The Holy Spirit knows no language barriers- it will be amazing to see in person I know.
As a seminary student at Emory University, Candler School of Theology I am excited to go on my first international experience for hands on learning about missions and evangelism. I am going to Barquisimeto, Venezuela for with the World Methodist Evangelism Institute. We will do a pre- conference tour in Aruba to learn more about Evangelistic worship then to Venezuela for the conference.
We had the first meeting of our group this week and I am excited about going. I think we have a good group of people and since I already know at least one person it is reassuring that while I will be getting to know lots of new people there will also be at least one person around that I am already familiar.
We found out this week that We will have the opportunity to lead worship, devotions, and even preach during our trip. Even though I preach every week, for some reason I am reluctant to do so in this situation. I am sure part of it is that I don't fully know what to expect from the experience. It has been interesting to me realize what is intimidating to me and what is not. I am not normally one to turn away from being in charge but this is different.
My prayer for this trip will be to be open to new experiences and to learn what God has prepared for me and for this part of my journey of faith. I am trying to not have preconceived notions of what that may be.
The things that seem to be my questions right now are more about how to prepare- travel vaccines, how to pack, will we have access to laundry, can you put arrosol bug spray in a suitcase, and do I need to bring linens... seemingly silly questions I know but it is what I am thinking about. I think we will be staying in a dorm at a small theology school and I wonder how comparable that is to American dorm rooms. Also, I have downloaded an app to brush up on my Spanish- one would think that after 5 semesters in undergrad, 2 years in High School and 8 years working with latino children I would know more than I do- I am really rusty!
I know that this is going to be a great experience. I am really looking forward to participating in a new culture, new forms of worship and the international cross cultural sharing of faith. The Holy Spirit knows no language barriers- it will be amazing to see in person I know.
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