I wander as I wonder

Getting ready for a new adventure: three weeks in Africa with a broken foot. I broke it last week, so am still in the pain and swelling stage, but hoping that passes before getting on the long plane ride. I'm looking forward, actually, to being forced to be less active, and spend more time in fellowship. One of my greatest fears is how to use the bathroom on the plane with crutches...

Thanks Christina for the inspiration. It has been way too long since I actually wrote on this blog. I am no longer working specifically for the church and now am trying to start an organization. It's called R3I and is geared towards training, supporting, and facilitating involvement in international responses and disasters. We do have a website, www.r3international.org Otherwise Hellen and I are well, blessed in so many ways. She is continuing to excel at Covenant and we are looking forward to what comes next. We spent New Years with some dearly loved friends from days gone bye. A wonderful time.

I watch what is happening in Kenya with a growing sense of unease. First of course for my family and friends there, and the continued growing threat to their safety and well being, and we beg you to pray for peace and reconciliation. Beyond that though I see great warnings for the US - the situation is not that different and what is happening there can and might happen here. I am not an alarmist. Let me lay out the situation: You have a group of people who are in the minority and have a long history of feeling oppressed by the majority. Some of their brightest and best leaders were killed in the tumultuous days of the 60's and 70's. Within the country are large groups of poor, and among those a significant number of angry young men who already live life on the brink of violence. There are fringe groups throughout the country, fanatics, zealots with their strange beliefs - beliefs they are prepared to die for. And many people have weapons available. Throughout the countr...

I have heard quite a bit lately about dependency, and how the worst thing that can happen in missions is creating a dependent church. I wonder where this comes from? Is it Biblical? I see the scriptures about the body of Christ, and understand that to be universal. The foot needs the eye and so on. Is it possible that this applies to the church universal? Maybe the church in poor areas needs the church in wealthier areas to function. Why is this a bad thing?? Especially when you think in terms of missions - the very people going oversees to develop these churches and then telling them they need to be independent are themselves dependent on wealthier churches for their survival!

Can't believe it but I really am getting married. Not settling either - she's amazing. When she smiles she just lights up the world. Wedding info - hellenandbrian.blogspot.com