I think yesterday got the best of us. We all had quite a nights sleep last night... except for Joe and Tommy because I snored so loud. I think maybe it was the seemingly never ending plane flight to Armenia the night before followed by the walking around all day in Armenia for our first day. I was out like a light.
We're sitting down in the "hang out area" and, in the most literal sense of the phrase, we are hanging out doing nothing but sleeping (Tommy) working on a video (Joe) and typing away (yours truly). Overall, I would say it was a good day.
NLI is quite the institute. Standing for the National Leadership Institution, it enables young adults to become more devout and knowledgeable disciples of Jesus Christ. This was clear yesterday and more today as we sat in on ESL (English as second language) classes. The folks in here were so eager to learn, and the teachers were eager to teach, allowing no questions in Armenian, but only in English. The people are fascinating! Each one listened intently as Dani, Anne and I told our stories of how we became Christians, are lives back home and what Christ means to us. If you have never had to explain something to someone of a different culture, you ought to try it. We had to form our words just right and stay away from colloquialisms that we so often use without even thinking what they mean. We then discussed terms of endearment for close friends which sadly, we cold Americans do not have many. The ESL students gladly told us some of theirs. "I want to eat your heart," was one which meant basically, "you are so wonderful, I could just eat you and your kind heart." Odd, definitely. But the way the one friend looks and treats another is astounding.
Thus far, I feel the one being more ministered to as opposed to vice versa.
Speaking of the way one treats another, we went to the Armenian Genocide Museum today also. Barbaric. This is the only word in our large dictionary that can explain what atrocities were done from the Turks to the Armenian people. 1.5 million Armenians were massacred over a period of (don't quote me on this) 4 years. It's always difficult to put things like that in perspective. I have never been in the midst of a genocide. Nor have I ever seen 1.5 million people die. How, then, can I wrap my brain around such heinous acts?
As I walked through the museum, I could think of only one thing. How could one group of persons do such wretched acts to another? This dilemma has been on the minds of the greatest thinkers, yet still remains without answer. As Christians, we are told to have faith that all things that happen are because God wanted it to happen. As reasonable human beings, though, we have to question whether or not such things as the Armenian Genocide or the Holocaust are really in God's will.
But, I digress. I know that God is a loving God. Thankfully, He is also a God that knows that true growth is done while struggling with such questions. I am reminded of a time when I was able to speak with Brennan Manning (yes, I am name dropping). He looked at me and said that true Christian growth is never done on top of the mountains where the sun is always shining bright. Rather, this growth, or perhaps, this augmentation of a relationship with Christ is done while we trudge through the dark valleys of life. When life seems at it's lowest, only then are we able to look up and see truly the graciousness and goodness of Christ.
On that note, here are some funny things that happened today:
1) Tommy recieved yet more funny looks from the locals.
2) We were put on the spot to sing a song during worship with the NLI students. We were told to prepare songs for young children... quite embarassing.
3) There are literally no driving rules over here. Joe was able to film some of the driving mayhem we were able to experience. He'll try to put it up tonight.
4) I tried to learn Armenian... that should be enough explanation for humor.
Again, thank you all for your prayers and support. These past few days, I feel that we have been ministered more than we have been ministering. I am hoping that these next few days will change, as we head into some local villages to paint and spend time with the needy. Pray that we become less so that Christ may become more.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
In a nutshell...
I think yesterday got the best of us. We all had quite a nights sleep last night... except for Joe and Tommy because I snored so loud. I think maybe it was the seemingly never ending plane flight to Armenia the night before followed by the walking around all day in Armenia for our first day. I was out like a light.
We're sitting down in the "hang out area" and, in the most literal sense of the phrase, we are hanging out doing nothing but sleeping (Tommy) working on a video (Joe) and typing away (yours truly). Overall, I would say it was a good day.
NLI is quite the institute. Standing for the National Leadership Institution, it enables young adults to become more devout and knowledgeable disciples of Jesus Christ. This was clear yesterday and more today as we sat in on ESL (English as second language) classes. The folks in here were so eager to learn, and the teachers were eager to teach, allowing no questions in Armenian, but only in English. The people are fascinating! Each one listened intently as Dani, Anne and I told our stories of how we became Christians, are lives back home and what Christ means to us. If you have never had to explain something to someone of a different culture, you ought to try it. We had to form our words just right and stay away from colloquialisms that we so often use without even thinking what they mean. We then discussed terms of endearment for close friends which sadly, we cold Americans do not have many. The ESL students gladly told us some of theirs. "I want to eat your heart," was one which meant basically, "you are so wonderful, I could just eat you and your kind heart." Odd, definitely. But the way the one friend looks and treats another is astounding.
Thus far, I feel the one being more ministered to as opposed to vice versa.
Speaking of the way one treats another, we went to the Armenian Genocide Museum today also. Barbaric. This is the only word in our large dictionary that can explain what atrocities were done from the Turks to the Armenian people. 1.5 million Armenians were massacred over a period of (don't quote me on this) 4 years. It's always difficult to put things like that in perspective. I have never been in the midst of a genocide. Nor have I ever seen 1.5 million people die. How, then, can I wrap my brain around such heinous acts?
As I walked through the museum, I could think of only one thing. How could one group of persons do such wretched acts to another? This dilemma has been on the minds of the greatest thinkers, yet still remains without answer. As Christians, we are told to have faith that all things that happen are because God wanted it to happen. As reasonable human beings, though, we have to question whether or not such things as the Armenian Genocide or the Holocaust are really in God's will.
But, I digress. I know that God is a loving God. Thankfully, He is also a God that knows that true growth is done while struggling with such questions. I am reminded of a time when I was able to speak with Brennan Manning (yes, I am name dropping). He looked at me and said that true Christian growth is never done on top of the mountains where the sun is always shining bright. Rather, this growth, or perhaps, this augmentation of a relationship with Christ is done while we trudge through the dark valleys of life. When life seems at it's lowest, only then are we able to look up and see truly the graciousness and goodness of Christ.
On that note, here are some funny things that happened today:
1) Tommy recieved yet more funny looks from the locals.
2) We were put on the spot to sing a song during worship with the NLI students. We were told to prepare songs for young children... quite embarassing.
3) There are literally no driving rules over here. Joe was able to film some of the driving mayhem we were able to experience. He'll try to put it up tonight.
4) I tried to learn Armenian... that should be enough explanation for humor.
Again, thank you all for your prayers and support. These past few days, I feel that we have been ministered more than we have been ministering. I am hoping that these next few days will change, as we head into some local villages to paint and spend time with the needy. Pray that we become less so that Christ may become more.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
3 comments:
Awesome! The blog wasn't too long... I think everyone enjoys reading these.
Jon, thanks for sharing your thoughts, experiences, and heartfelt perspectives. Excellent blog.
I always love reading anything you write. It is so deep and filled with wisdom. You have such a special relationship with God and it's a blessing to be able to read about it.
Post a Comment