Preparations

This morning our congregation's worship centered around the Gospel of Luke's story of the Rich Man and Lazarus. Jesus challenges us to really _see_ our neighbors, our world. And Jesus tells these sorts of stories exactly because he knows we need to step out of our world in order to see clearly. A story, especially one that makes its point in such colorful terms, catches our attention. And once we've focused in on Jesus' point, we are able to see ourselves and our context more clearly.

I'm resurrecting this ancient blog (which died once Facebook became a better way to share pictures of the little ones with family - so, 2010!) while I'm in the midst of preparations to travel with the Wabash Pastoral Leadership program to South Africa. We will have the opportunity - the tremendous privilege - to meet with and learn from some remarkable faith leaders in that country, to learn how they have led/are leading in the struggle for justice, through dramatic transitions. The entire point is to step out of our present communities and contexts so that we can re-learn to see, to see differently when we return.

So I ask you prayers as I go - prayers for traveling mercies, certainly, but mostly prayers for eyes to see and for an open heart and mind to learn and grow. Prayers that God will use this time to disturb me and challenge me, to equip me and help me to grow.