I used this quote by Dr. Winter in last Sunday's sermon:
“Don’t ever think that. . .the Bible is simply a bundle of divergent, unrelated stories as taught in Sunday school. Rather, the Bible consists of a single drama: the entrance of the Kingdom, the power and the glory of the living God in this enemy-occupied territory. From Genesis 12 to the end of the Bible, and indeed until the end of time, there unfolds the single, coherent drama of ‘The Kingdom strikes back.’
Showing posts with label Mission. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mission. Show all posts
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Mission Story #7
This one had slipped my mind. . .
It was Monday afternoon, and we'd finished serving lunch at St. Anthony's. Our team of seven was sent into the Mission District for a project entitled "Meet A Need." The team is given $20 and told to wander around, find somebody with a need, and use the $20 to meet it. Hence the name. (Oh: and you couldn't meet a need simply by giving somebody the money. That's a bad way to help people.)
So we wandered down the streets, trying to discern where God might be leading us. Diane, being Diane, chatted with a few ne'er-do-wells we passed; the teens, being teens, sort of clumped up and followed along.
At one point a lady passed us in a wheelchair, headed in the opposite direction. Diane, bringing up the rear, offered her an emphatic "How you doing today?" The woman seemed shocked and confused, staring at Diane like she was off her rocker. Diane made several more attempts at holding a conversation, but finally, deciding the woman was stoned out of her gourd, walked back toward our group. "Something fishy's going on there," she commented to me.
And she was right. At the same time she was attempting to talk to the woman, I noticed a young man decked out in full gang paraphernalia, yelling at somebody over his cell phone. I didn't catch the whole conversation, but caught such brief snatches as "What corner? You said you'd be at the corner!" and "We need to get this finished!" and "Where can I find you?" Then I watched him as he noticed Diane talking to the wheelchair lady, and let's just say you could tell he wasn't happy with what he saw. So he began walking swiftly toward them, just as Diane walked away.
So, the scenario, as I surmise it: he was attempting a drug deal, and using the wheelchair lady as his mule (I think that's the right word for it. . .). He was having a hard time connecting with his buyer, and was attempting to work out the deal over the phone, and suddenly noticed a strange woman talking to his drug-carrier. He was nervous already. I'm sure we unnerved him more.
Now, you might be saying "Dan, you're reading way too much into this." And I might have agreed, except for the fact that he stalked us for the next four blocks. Every time I turned around, he was on the other side of the street, pacing us exactly. When we stopped and I looked that way, he stopped and acted nonchalant. When we moved, he moved. And any number of times I caught him looking directly at us, only to look away when we made eye contact.
Eventually, I saw him yell something into his cell phone, whirl around, and run away. It was about the same time we found our need and met it (buying a tamale from a Honduran lady). And we didn't see him again.
I will say he looked dangerous. He had the look of a seasoned gang member who "knew his business." And he looked agitated. And the whole situation was just too weird for my taste. Who knows what he was thinking - that we were upsetting his deal? That maybe we were customers? Or maybe he couldn't figure us out, either, a bunch of tourists wandering the Mission District?
Anyway, it turned out well, God watched over us, and we all had a powerful time with the Honduran lady, with the Brazilian pastor we met 20 minutes later, and with Harrold, who we met in another hour.
Still, it's not always fun and games on the city streets.
It was Monday afternoon, and we'd finished serving lunch at St. Anthony's. Our team of seven was sent into the Mission District for a project entitled "Meet A Need." The team is given $20 and told to wander around, find somebody with a need, and use the $20 to meet it. Hence the name. (Oh: and you couldn't meet a need simply by giving somebody the money. That's a bad way to help people.)
So we wandered down the streets, trying to discern where God might be leading us. Diane, being Diane, chatted with a few ne'er-do-wells we passed; the teens, being teens, sort of clumped up and followed along.
At one point a lady passed us in a wheelchair, headed in the opposite direction. Diane, bringing up the rear, offered her an emphatic "How you doing today?" The woman seemed shocked and confused, staring at Diane like she was off her rocker. Diane made several more attempts at holding a conversation, but finally, deciding the woman was stoned out of her gourd, walked back toward our group. "Something fishy's going on there," she commented to me.
And she was right. At the same time she was attempting to talk to the woman, I noticed a young man decked out in full gang paraphernalia, yelling at somebody over his cell phone. I didn't catch the whole conversation, but caught such brief snatches as "What corner? You said you'd be at the corner!" and "We need to get this finished!" and "Where can I find you?" Then I watched him as he noticed Diane talking to the wheelchair lady, and let's just say you could tell he wasn't happy with what he saw. So he began walking swiftly toward them, just as Diane walked away.
So, the scenario, as I surmise it: he was attempting a drug deal, and using the wheelchair lady as his mule (I think that's the right word for it. . .). He was having a hard time connecting with his buyer, and was attempting to work out the deal over the phone, and suddenly noticed a strange woman talking to his drug-carrier. He was nervous already. I'm sure we unnerved him more.
Now, you might be saying "Dan, you're reading way too much into this." And I might have agreed, except for the fact that he stalked us for the next four blocks. Every time I turned around, he was on the other side of the street, pacing us exactly. When we stopped and I looked that way, he stopped and acted nonchalant. When we moved, he moved. And any number of times I caught him looking directly at us, only to look away when we made eye contact.
Eventually, I saw him yell something into his cell phone, whirl around, and run away. It was about the same time we found our need and met it (buying a tamale from a Honduran lady). And we didn't see him again.
I will say he looked dangerous. He had the look of a seasoned gang member who "knew his business." And he looked agitated. And the whole situation was just too weird for my taste. Who knows what he was thinking - that we were upsetting his deal? That maybe we were customers? Or maybe he couldn't figure us out, either, a bunch of tourists wandering the Mission District?
Anyway, it turned out well, God watched over us, and we all had a powerful time with the Honduran lady, with the Brazilian pastor we met 20 minutes later, and with Harrold, who we met in another hour.
Still, it's not always fun and games on the city streets.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Mission Story #6
On the last day of our journey, following our worship experience at Vally Covenant, we headed off to the Hometown Buffet for brunch.
(btw - how do you say the word 'buffet'? My whole life I've heard it and spoken it with a hard "u", as in "lunch" or "bucket." But that weekend, and yesterday once again, I've heard people pronounce it with a soft "u", as in "duke" or "rule." So it sounded like "boofet." Why have I never ever heard it pronounced that way, and then 3 times in 2 weeks somebody uses that pronunciation?)
In Eugene, the Hometown Buffet is inside a shopping mall. So we had to walk through the mall to get to the restaurant. And we had to walk through the mall to leave the restaurant.
So get this: we're on our ninth day of travel, we've just finished a hard but wonderful week of ministry in and around San Francisco, we're happy to be heading home but missing San Francisco, our hearts are broken by all we've seen and experienced, we're still processing the lessons we learned, and wondering if we ought to go back sometime soon. . .
and as we leave the Hometown Buffet, as we walk through the mall and then exit through a promenade back toward the parking lot and our final push home. . .
over the overhead loudspeakers, the background music is playing, and it slowly dawns on us that they're playing Tony Bennett, singing "I Left My Heart in San Francisco."
That's too much of a coincidence to purely be random. I have to think God was giving us a final "well done" for a good job accomplished on our week away, and perhaps a reminder to keep SF in our thoughts and prayers. . .and to quickly consider what comes next.
(btw - how do you say the word 'buffet'? My whole life I've heard it and spoken it with a hard "u", as in "lunch" or "bucket." But that weekend, and yesterday once again, I've heard people pronounce it with a soft "u", as in "duke" or "rule." So it sounded like "boofet." Why have I never ever heard it pronounced that way, and then 3 times in 2 weeks somebody uses that pronunciation?)
In Eugene, the Hometown Buffet is inside a shopping mall. So we had to walk through the mall to get to the restaurant. And we had to walk through the mall to leave the restaurant.
So get this: we're on our ninth day of travel, we've just finished a hard but wonderful week of ministry in and around San Francisco, we're happy to be heading home but missing San Francisco, our hearts are broken by all we've seen and experienced, we're still processing the lessons we learned, and wondering if we ought to go back sometime soon. . .
and as we leave the Hometown Buffet, as we walk through the mall and then exit through a promenade back toward the parking lot and our final push home. . .
over the overhead loudspeakers, the background music is playing, and it slowly dawns on us that they're playing Tony Bennett, singing "I Left My Heart in San Francisco."
That's too much of a coincidence to purely be random. I have to think God was giving us a final "well done" for a good job accomplished on our week away, and perhaps a reminder to keep SF in our thoughts and prayers. . .and to quickly consider what comes next.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Mission Story #5
The SF 2008 Video is now up on the Lakebay Community Church website.
http://www.lakebaycovenant.net/Media
On the LCC Video player, choose "2008 San Francisco Mission Trip," and then press "play." It's that simple.
http://www.lakebaycovenant.net/Media
On the LCC Video player, choose "2008 San Francisco Mission Trip," and then press "play." It's that simple.
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
Mission Story, #1
It all begins, I suppose, with the drive from Lakebay to the Bay Area.
We left the church parking lot Friday morning at 6:05 a.m., with excitement and anticipation. The plan was to reach Antioch by 8:00 p.m. that night, getting in a good night's sleep before spending Saturday doing touristy things.
After picking up the Fishers in Gig Harbor, we drove off onto the interstate, heading south through the morning traffic.
Somewhere around Kelso, the speedometer in the van stopped working. Not a huge deal, I think to myself. We have two vehicles, so the other can pace us. We can get it fixed when we reach the Bay Area.
Then the "Check Engine" light comes on. Probably related to the speedometer, I think, but worth checking out. So off at Kalama to pop the hood. Looking at the engine, I see nothing that would cause a speedometer to stop working. But. . .I see coolant dripping off the engine to he ground below. Just overflow, I wonder?
Back on the road, we decide to stop at the final rest stop before the Oregon border. Kids need to pee, drivers need more coffee. Now we notice a growing puddle of coolant below the van. We pop the hood, Duncan and I poke around. Finally he figures it out - a steady spray coming from the top corner of the radiator.
Probably nothing fatal, but not a condition in which I want to drive over the Siskiyous. I begin to get just a little worried.
But I know people in a lot of places. So I make a phone call to my uncle Ralph in Portland, who calls his mechanic, who agrees to see us right away. And just like that, we're back on the road, heading south to Tigard.
We meet my uncle at the mechanic's shop. One quick look and we get the bad news. "Your radiator's shot. You'll need a new one." I'm thinking this means we leave the van and pay for a rental. But no, he says. "Should take 2-3 hours." And they can check the speedometer while they're at it. And. . .since we're a church group, and his dad was a minister and his brother is a minister, he's knocking $150 off the cost.
We decide to wait it out at my aunt and uncle's house. Most head over there, while Ralph and I and three guys go order Papa John's pizza for lunch. After we've ordered the Papa John's guys asks "and can I ask what kind of group this is for?" I tell him a youth group on a mission trip. He says "Okay, since it's a church group I'll knock 30% off the total price."
So we had an early break, a nice pizza lunch, the kids took a walk on the trail behind my uncle's house, Karina had a good talk with my Aunt Diane. . .and finally, three hours later, the van was up and running with a new radiator and a fixed speedometer.
That was the last trouble we had with the vehicles on the entire trip.
The rest of the drive was long, but uneventful. The mountains through northern California were smoky with fires, so we couldn't see Mt. Shasta, but when the moon came up to the east it shone a bloody red through the haze (at that time, "Hotel California" was playing on the radio. seemed like it must signify something, but I didn't know what). And, unfortunately, due to losing 3 hours with the radiator, and another 30 minutes with the first speedometer check, and losing time to road construction, we didn't actually arrive at our destination in Antioch until sometime after 2:00 a.m. Saturday. That was a long, long, long drive, I tell you what.
But we made it. And God showed he was with us throughout.
We left the church parking lot Friday morning at 6:05 a.m., with excitement and anticipation. The plan was to reach Antioch by 8:00 p.m. that night, getting in a good night's sleep before spending Saturday doing touristy things.
After picking up the Fishers in Gig Harbor, we drove off onto the interstate, heading south through the morning traffic.
Somewhere around Kelso, the speedometer in the van stopped working. Not a huge deal, I think to myself. We have two vehicles, so the other can pace us. We can get it fixed when we reach the Bay Area.
Then the "Check Engine" light comes on. Probably related to the speedometer, I think, but worth checking out. So off at Kalama to pop the hood. Looking at the engine, I see nothing that would cause a speedometer to stop working. But. . .I see coolant dripping off the engine to he ground below. Just overflow, I wonder?
Back on the road, we decide to stop at the final rest stop before the Oregon border. Kids need to pee, drivers need more coffee. Now we notice a growing puddle of coolant below the van. We pop the hood, Duncan and I poke around. Finally he figures it out - a steady spray coming from the top corner of the radiator.
Probably nothing fatal, but not a condition in which I want to drive over the Siskiyous. I begin to get just a little worried.
But I know people in a lot of places. So I make a phone call to my uncle Ralph in Portland, who calls his mechanic, who agrees to see us right away. And just like that, we're back on the road, heading south to Tigard.
We meet my uncle at the mechanic's shop. One quick look and we get the bad news. "Your radiator's shot. You'll need a new one." I'm thinking this means we leave the van and pay for a rental. But no, he says. "Should take 2-3 hours." And they can check the speedometer while they're at it. And. . .since we're a church group, and his dad was a minister and his brother is a minister, he's knocking $150 off the cost.
We decide to wait it out at my aunt and uncle's house. Most head over there, while Ralph and I and three guys go order Papa John's pizza for lunch. After we've ordered the Papa John's guys asks "and can I ask what kind of group this is for?" I tell him a youth group on a mission trip. He says "Okay, since it's a church group I'll knock 30% off the total price."
So we had an early break, a nice pizza lunch, the kids took a walk on the trail behind my uncle's house, Karina had a good talk with my Aunt Diane. . .and finally, three hours later, the van was up and running with a new radiator and a fixed speedometer.
That was the last trouble we had with the vehicles on the entire trip.
The rest of the drive was long, but uneventful. The mountains through northern California were smoky with fires, so we couldn't see Mt. Shasta, but when the moon came up to the east it shone a bloody red through the haze (at that time, "Hotel California" was playing on the radio. seemed like it must signify something, but I didn't know what). And, unfortunately, due to losing 3 hours with the radiator, and another 30 minutes with the first speedometer check, and losing time to road construction, we didn't actually arrive at our destination in Antioch until sometime after 2:00 a.m. Saturday. That was a long, long, long drive, I tell you what.
But we made it. And God showed he was with us throughout.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Life's getting away
We leave Friday morning for our inner-city Urban Plunge/ministry trip to San Francisco, so I think this space will be silent for the next two weeks or so. Too many details to take care of in the next 40 hours. If you think of it over the next few weeks, say a prayer for our team as we travel to, and minister in the Bay Area (and as we travel home, as well).
God be with you 'til we meet again.
God be with you 'til we meet again.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Yes, I'm Glad
I am rejoicing that all remaining Korean hostages have been freed. This is a moment to celebrate. It is an answer to prayer. This could have turned out much worse. At moments, I expected to turn on the news and hear they had all been killed. I am sure the relief felt by them and their families is overwhelming. Praise the Lord.
However,
what troubles me is this line:
"Seoul also said it would prevent South Korean Christian missionaries from working in the staunchly Muslim country, something it had already promised to do."
I'm wondering how the Korean Church feels about this pledge. On the one hand, it got their friends and family home. On the other hand, it effectively removes any possibility of being God's ambassador in that land that so desperately needs God. Could the Church ever agree to a deal that stands in the way of doing Kingdom work anywhere in the world?
Gospel work is never safe. When God calls, he doesn't promise health and freedom from harm. Sometimes God calls Christians to very dangerous places. Many Christians pay the ultimate price. I'm sure the Korean missionaries and their families are thrilled that this incident is over. But will the price paid for their freedom be worth it?
We'll have to wait and see.
However,
what troubles me is this line:
"Seoul also said it would prevent South Korean Christian missionaries from working in the staunchly Muslim country, something it had already promised to do."
I'm wondering how the Korean Church feels about this pledge. On the one hand, it got their friends and family home. On the other hand, it effectively removes any possibility of being God's ambassador in that land that so desperately needs God. Could the Church ever agree to a deal that stands in the way of doing Kingdom work anywhere in the world?
Gospel work is never safe. When God calls, he doesn't promise health and freedom from harm. Sometimes God calls Christians to very dangerous places. Many Christians pay the ultimate price. I'm sure the Korean missionaries and their families are thrilled that this incident is over. But will the price paid for their freedom be worth it?
We'll have to wait and see.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Sermon Response to a Call to Mission
We believe that God’s desire is the redemption of the whole earth.
We believe Christ came to make the offer of redemption to every person on this earth.
We believe that, through his Holy Spirit, Christ is still at work, undermining the kingdom of darkness and replacing it with the
We believe there are still many in darkness, who desperately need to see the love of Christ displayed in their lives.
We believe that we are the primary visible source of God’s love today.
We believe that God wants to use us, his children, to call the lost home, to proclaim freedom to those in bondage, healing to those living in the shadow of death, hope to the hopeless, love to the broken, the way home to all who are lost in sin.
God wants to use me. God wants to use us all.
We go, then, into the world, offering our very selves in service to the King, that they may know the life in abundance we already possess. Amen.
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