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:: The iconic motif of the Murut ethnic in Diocese of Keningau. Can be found anywhere in the church. Still wondering what does it means.. #keningaudiocese #kfsx #missionyear #baptisedandsent #vocationretreat2019 #instapost (at Dataran Keuskupan, KSFX Keningau) https://www.instagram.com/p/B318RDqlI8hOOHY-v60CBVBQMztGzQhZVGmEsc0/?igshid=e2itzp9k23rs
5 Years Later - Day Two (#write31days)
While my Mission Year journey ended just over 5 years ago, it actually began almost exactly 7 years ago.
I found the organization by clicking on the "Our Partners" link from the See You At The Pole website. I was looking for some resources for our students. That night, I applied on a whim.
By late October, I'd been accepted - and then said yes. In less than a year, I'd be in a different place (I didn't yet know where), with people I'd never met (I did not yet know who my roommates would be). I really had no idea what I'd just said yes to.
As the months went on I went from being excited to nervous, and back again quite a few times.
"Should I really go?" Was a thought I regularly had. "I've already told a lot of people about it. I'd look like a quitter. I should go."
"I can't wait to get out of here!" Was another thought I had pretty regularly. "New people, new places! It'll be great"
That early on, I didn't know that two years later, my life would look completely different. I'd think and talk about Jesus differently. I'd be living differently because of what I'd discovered that year.
Finding that link, being accepted, and saying yes? The journey hadn't even begun.
Check out our GlenCastle, Atlanta team and their neighbors as they celebrate what GlenCastle has meant in their lives. Something that naturally flows with our Mission Year teams is the natural response to share the stories of those who make our neighborhoods beautiful. So thankful to be invited into relationships and the gift of story sharing.
I had the pleasure of stoping by @missionyear headquarters to give out some hugs. Thanks guys. #igotembracedby #10000hugs #payhugsforward #lovegodlovepeople #missionyear
I had the pleasure of stoping by @missionyear headquarters to give out some hugs. Thanks guys. #igotembracedby #10000hugs #payhugsforward #lovegodlovepeople #missionyear
What happens when you share a meal with people?
Conversation.
Laughter.
Dancing.
Old Memories.
New Memories.
Life.
Come to the table. The table is anywhere you allow it to be. There is a sweet communion that happens around the table - sometimes, sweeter and more memorable than when I'm receiving it from the pew.
Big Beautiful Ward, a short documentary my Mission Year team made, needs help sharing the story of the beauty that's greeted us all year in the inner city, Houston's Third Ward.
Pacifism or Violence
So it is obvious we live in a world where these two styles of action are always being debated. As Christians we are told in the beatitudes that, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called Sons of God." and "If someone strikes you on your right cheek, turn to them the other also."
I had a dream last night and to shorten it up for any of you readers. Basically there was a mentally handicap person that three young adults were about to beat up. Somehow I knew the victim and loudly told the others to stop that and get away. They did and instead attacked me, so I defended myself. I'm not much of a fighter, so in my dream though I whipped butt. I know it would be very different in real life haha. In the end they were hurt, knocked unconscious. I woke up and thought to myself, "God what was that dream about?"
I have been thinking about it all morning. Did I do what was right, fair, and just in the eyes of God? To defend the poor in spirit, weak, meek, seems like I did. But did I return and eye for an eye? I have been playing this scenario in my head over and over to think of different ways to handle the situation. The immediate incorrect why I know would be to walk away and not help out. I thought maybe they would just walk off in real life, or maybe I would have a chance to share Jesus and soften their hearts. Or maybe my friend would have time to get away and then I could run, and so on goes the scenarios.
In the end I thought of how Jesus chased out the merchants from the temple courts. I mean he has a whip made of cords in John's account and in Matthew's it says he, "...overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves." In the sight of God he was doing what was right, fair, and just. However he was not attacking the people but the situation of there being merchants in the temple courts instead of those praying. I think I have come to say that I am a pacifist. But if a scenario like this ever happens, the one about my dream. I think that the Holy Spirit dwelling within me will lead me to do what is right, fair, and just in God's sight. Cause that's really what we should be all about.
However don't take this to far and think that it's ok to beat up people who are non-believers. That is wrong, and our Church history is stained with blood sadly. Thankfully we always have a chance for redemption :) If anyone actually reads this and has some ideas or opinions please do share I am always open to listen. Also with my moving to Philadelphia I think there will be more complex scenarios then what I am use to and how to handle them will greatly stretch me. If any of you Mission Year peeps are reading this and deal with this a lot let me know your thoughts please.
