Advent - A “Political” Event and So Much More

  Fairy Godmother at Ashland Santa Parade

The day after Thanksgiving our family was watching the annual Festival of Light and Santa Parade in Ashland, Oregon.  Of course the usual suspects for Ashland participated:  the Camelot theater company, Southern Oregon University, the local animal shelter, a dance studio company, a few local churches, and Santa and all his helpers.  Sandwiched between these traditional participants were two groups which piqued our curiosity.  First was a group supporting the Occupy Wallstreet Movement.  Second was a group protesting the local ski resort’s plan to expand into the national forest.  One member of our group was troubled by these two groups participating in the parade.  After all, their agenda was strictly “political” in nature, and had nothing to do with Christmas cheer and the season of Advent, or so he reasoned.  Probably others felt the same way.      

Yet, the entry of the savior into the world was nothing less than a political event.  Matthew tells that that Kind Herod, upon hearing that three wise men had come from the East to worship the king of the Jews, was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him (Matthew 2: 2 – 3).  King Herod feared the prospect of a challenger to His throne.  Later, he would sentence all boys in Bethlehem two years and under to death.  For this reason, Joseph and Mary took Jesus too Egypt where they would live as refugees for some time.  As a preacher in Yreka, CA, would proclaim from the pulpit the following Sunday, “Too often we sanitize our faith.  We put Jesus in the manger and we follow our traditions.  We don’t talk about them being refugees in Africa, or the genocide of Herod.”  There is nothing apolitical about the coming of the King of kings and Lord of lords into this broken world.  There is nothing sanitary about this monolithic event.  This Christmas story is infused with all the rawness of human life and tragedy: pride, fear, jealousy, sadness, loss, mourning, uncertainty, searching, worship, the unexpected, relocation, survival, and ultimately hope. 

Today we live in an unsanitary world which is no different from the world of Joseph and Mary, and the infant Christ child of two thousand years ago. However one feels about the Occupy Wallstreet Movement, one cannot avoid the message that things are not as they should be.  As we think about the ecology of our world, we cannot avoid the sad truth that we have destroyed more trees than necessary for our pleasures and purposes, and done significant damage to a world which has been bequeathed to us for stewardship.  These reminders which walked down the main street of Ashland, OR, are perhaps more appropriate than a mythical Santa and his fairytale reindeer.  These “political” reminders remind us that we live in an imperfect world which cries out for healing, restoration, and ultimate redemption. 

For members of God’s covenant community, Advent is a time to reflect upon the entry into the world of the Christ child.  It is also a time to proclaim that He will come again.    It is a time to ponder with Mary what God will do:  He will come to bring down the rulers from their thrones, He will scatter the proud in their inmost thoughts, He will lift up the humble, He will fill the hungry with good things, He will send the rich away empty, His mercy will be extended to those who fear him, and He will remain faithful to His covenant forever (Luke 2: 50 – 55).  God’s kingdom is an everlasting kingdom.  The birth of Jesus was not only a political event, but also the advent of God’s glorious work of salvation in Christ.  May our hearts be pricked this season by the reality of a God who cannot allow our world to remain the same, a God who yearns for justice and equality, and a God who will humble the proud and exalt the lowly. 

Thank you Ashland, OR, for a good parade…                    

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. 
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 
Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. 
He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. 
The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.  (Isaiah 9: 6 – 7)

The joy of cooking

When we moved to Congo, we brought only 1 cookbook: More with Less. This cookbook had already become a friend, both for its philosophy and for its recipes with simple, natural ingredients. I did not know exactly what foods would be available in Kananga, and I must admit that I did not expect the complete dearth of familiar spices, which made cooking comfort food a real challenge! Fortunately, Inge Sthreshley bequeathed a copy of The Babula Cookbook to us, which gave hints of how to use local vegetables in familiar ways.

There were many days when I poured over More With Less, looking for the recipes that would work for us. Imagine—excluding all recipes that require an oven or the common American ingredients like cheese, green peppers, cream of mushroom soup, or boneless chicken breasts. Fortunately, More with Less is written by Mennonites living in all kinds of remote areas – perfect for “from-scratch” cooking, with lots of meatless options. So, I worked my way through the cookbook, marking the date and ranking how well we liked it. I imagined myself reenacting the movie Julie & Julia, with the stark contrast of our settings and the resulting meals.

We learned, gradually, that okra is a very flexible vegetable, and substitutes well for other vegetables like green peppers, broccoli, and carrots, that we don’t have in Congo. Gwenda Fletcher introduced me to the vegetable sellers that have “foreign” vegetables, like spinach, eggplant, and occasionally green beans. I also learned, through trial and lots of error, to cook rice on charcoal, where there is no “simmer” option. On our vacation to Morocco last year, we stocked up on several spices and bags of lentils, and some friends brought us some soy sauce from Kinshasa. So—now we really did have options! Some of our favorite recipes have been Egyptian rice and lentils, huevos rancheros, sweet and sour soybeans, and potato soup. We have also come to enjoy homemade macaroni and cheese and corned beef sloppy joes (as long as you are not expecting the same flavor as you would in the U.S.!).

Bob makes pancakes on the babula – a Saturday morning tradition!

We enjoy local cuisine in Kasai, but we come from a culture that practices culinary variety. So, while we appreciate local food and even eat it at home in Kananga, if we tried to eat it every day we would quickly lose our appreciation for it. So, we continue to explore ways to cook healthy, tasty meals that don’t take too many hours to prepare! One new acquisition during this visit to the US has been a very sturdy kerosene stove –hopefully easier to start and regulate the temperature on than charcoal! We got the stove from Lehmans, who is a major supplier for the Amish – perfect match for our environment in Kananga!

During these months in the U.S., I have been thrilled to get the chance to cook with all the ‘modern conveniences’ like an oven, a refrigerator, and an American grocery store down the street. We have perhaps enjoyed cooking and eating a bit too much here, since we have gained back all the weight we lost in our lean Congo lifestyle. Ah well…at least it is one sign of returning health!

Whispers from God

Bill Hybels, pastor of Willow Creek Church in South Barrington IL, writes “Without a hint of exaggeration, the ability to discern direction has saved me from a life of sure boredom and self-destruction.  God’s well timed words have redirected my path, rescued me from temptation and re-energized me during some of my deepest moments of despair.”  In his book The Power of a Whisper (Hybels, 2010), Hybels gives powerful witness and testimony that God continues to speak to His children today. 

 

Since August, I have visited several doctors and had more tests done on my body than any other period in my life.  At times, this process has felt quite helpful and hopeful; at other times I have felt exasperated and hopeless.  The biggest challenge, medically speaking, has been hearing a diametrically different message from a few select doctors we have seen.  These mixed messages have led to consternation and confusion. 

 

In the midst of this confusion and befuddlement, I have found solace in a God who continues to speak to His children.  Almost everyday over the last several weeks I have taken a walk along the Belmont Slough in Foster City, CA.  The Belmont Slough is a narrow, winding channel of water creating one of many marshlands next to the San Francisco Bay.  Along this particular slough is a wonderful trail for walking, running, and bicycling.  There are also many benches from which one can watch egrets, ducks, seagulls, and once in a while a lost seal. 

 

 

 

Most days, between noon and two in the afternoon, when few others are out, I will take a meditative stroll.  Recently I have been stopping and resting on a bench where I simply asked God to “whisper” to me.  As I enjoy the sunshine and a gentle breeze, God, in His faithfulness, has given me messages of encouragement.  One time I believe I heard God say to me, “I will never leave you.  I will never fail you.  Take me at my word.  I am yours.  I will never let you go.”  Another time I believe I heard God say to me, “My loving-kindness is for you.  You are my son, with whom I am well pleased.”  Still a third time I believe I heard God say, “I am your King.  I am your Father.  Follow me and know my ways.  Serve me and be blessed.”  Upon hearing these messages (in my spirit), I meditate upon them as I continue walking along the slough.  Always, I have felt uplifted, remembered by God, and more fully loved.  The angst and worry of doctors’ appointments and mixed messages evaporates as God reminds me of His constant love. 

 

This last week was particularly trying.  After meeting on Tuesday with a specialist who seemed at odds with what I have read and what I believe my body is telling me, I felt wholly perplexed and unsure of myself and what to do.  Thursday morning I took a long walk along the slough where I again found solace and peace.  Though I didn’t feel any specific message in my spirit, God’s goodness and love flooded over me as I enjoyed His wonderful creation.  I had the sense that things would work out, that God would give me the wisdom I need, and that ultimately God would bring healing to my body.     

 

As God spoke to His servants Abraham, Moses, David, Jesus (His Son), and so many others, God is faithful to speak to His children today.  There are many ways which God continues to speak.  May our hearts be open to the message God has for us.  God is so good! 

 

The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving kindness” (Jeremiah 31: 3).                 

Psalm 40

In early August, we were in a whirlwind of deciding to return to the US for medical help, making short-notice plans to leave and facing the uncertainty of health and future. In the midst of that whirlwind, Psalm 40 became especially meaningful to me, and it seemed to jump out at me as a fitting description of my hopes and feelings for this time of medical leave. I’ll just share a few of the verses that stand out.

“I waited patiently for the Lord;
he turned to me and heard my cry.” (v1)

Bob had been sick several times in the span of a few months, and we were getting really frustrated, wondering “why??”. In addition, my (Kristi) bouts with depression and hopelessness continued (a side-effect of our malaria medicine). We had cried out to God for each of these things, and in the decision to come back for medical testing, we felt that was part of God’s answer.

“He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock,
and gave me a firm place to stand.
He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.” (v2-3a)

Sometimes, we can’t see the forest for the trees. We were frustrated by each new bout of sickness Bob faced, but saw them as isolated incidences. We needed others to help give us the ‘forest’ perspective –perhaps all these sicknesses are related, and are not what they appear in isolation. We felt like God was taking us out of the ‘mud’ and the ‘pit’ of our frustration and hopelessness, and giving us renewed perspective. With our trust in God, we have a firm place to stand. We pray that we will return to Congo with a "new song in our mouths”, really rejuvenated in body, mind, and spirit!

“I do not hide your righteousness in my heart;
I speak of your faithfulness and salvation.
I do not conceal your love and your truth
from the great assembly.” (v10)

In response to the miracle of God’s salvation and faithfulness to us, we don’t want to sit silent. I love the “full-circle” way that David describes what God has done and his response – to share it, and perhaps help others be “lifted out of the mud”.

“Yet I am poor and needy;
may the Lord think of me.
You are my help and my deliverer,
O my God, do not delay.” (v17)

There is not much we can do on our own. This has become more real to us after a year in Congo. In the face of unknown sickness, or the overwhelming challenges the church faces in Congo, we see our “neediness” and “smallness” in living color. We cry out to our Deliverer, grateful that he is able to surmount the obstacles we can’t.

Half Moon Bay

We just returned from 4 wonderful relaxing days in Half Moon Bay. When we decided it would be best to cancel the vacation to Spain that we had been anticipating with Bob’s parents, we opted for a shorter, “closer-to-home” vacation that would be less taxing. So, for 4 days, we did our best to relax: we made a fire in the fire-place every morning and sat there to read, we had lunches on the beach (and read some more), we took strolls on nearby trails, and enjoyed some great seafood!

And, since we spent hours and hours reading a rather eclectic stack of books, we thought we might share the titles that we were working on:

1. The Feeling Good Handbook, by David Burns, M.D.

2. Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption, by Laura Hillenbrand

3. Thyroid Power, by Richard Shames, M.D. and Karilee Halo Shames, R.N., PhD

4. A Thousand Gifts, by Ann Voskamp

5. Between Sundays, by Karen Kingsbury

6. A Shelter in the Time of Storm, by Paul David Tripp

7. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, by C.S. Lewis