I think this week has been the hardest yet on this school, I have been very tired – mostly because I am on dinner clean up this week which means an extra 20 hours in kitchen. Due to my tiredness I have been more affected by some of the things I have been researching for homework and the things we hear in class. Looking into the details of what the human race is capable of doing to little children has left my heart sad. But do I know there is a lot of good out there and that good triumphs over evil.
This week we had three teachers, Ed and Kay Morales and Philipa who shared the topics of dominions and domains, justice and looking after staff and yourself. To be honest I wasn’t really looking forward to this week as I have heard the teaching on dominions and domains several times before during my involvement in DTS’s and I thought it would be a little boring for me. In the end I wouldn’t say it was boring nor that I learnt a lot but it was good to go over the info again.
I found the topic of justice a little more insightful and we did some more creative stuff to find out what we think justice is and what the Bible says about it. One thing I really walked away with from this was how necessary it is to have our understanding of justice based on God’s standards, Deuteronomy 32:4 says “He is the Rock, his works are prefect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.“ If we do not understand God’s ways of justice we will not be able to administer it.
This has really challenged me as I tend to view injustices and unjust people trough my own understanding on what justice is. I now feel like I could do weeks worth of study on what the Bible says about justice and how God administers it, although I am quite sure I will never be able to understand all of it as God’s ways are above our ways and His thoughts are above our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9).
I was very interested in the last part of teaching this week, staff needs. This is something that I see as essential to any job. If you do not look after your staff and yourself you will not have anything left in you to give, especially if you are working in the very demanding area of children at risk. I have already seen the effects of stress and burn out on the mission field and it is very painful for everyone involved. Spiritual refreshment, encouragement and rest are absolutely necessary for healthy staff.
The one things that I don’t feel was covered in this week’s lectures is working in another culture. We talked a lot about knowing what we need to keep healthy emotionally, spiritually and physically but we didn’t talk about how to do that in another culture. I know I need my time to myself but who do you do that in a culture that doesn’t really have a concept of time alone, how do you communicate your needs without offending your friends and co-workers.
This week’s local outreach with the kids was good; I felt I could connect more with the kids on an individual level. I was supposed to teach an English lesson but as the time went on it was evident that it wouldn’t work this week but we will starting it up next week. I can the difference in our relationships with the kids as they are getting to know us; they are more open and easier to communicate with (even if it is all in flailing arms and noises). I am looking forward to see what impact we can have on the kids over the next two months.
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To cheer you up...
Scouts are saving aluminum cans, bottles, and other items to be recycled. Proceeds will be used to cripple children.
The outreach committee has enlisted 25 visitors to make calls on people who are not afflicted with any church.
Evening massage - 6 p.m.
The Pastor would appreciate it if the ladies of the congregation would lend him their electric girdles for the pancake breakfast next Sunday morning.
The audience is asked to remain seated until the end of the recession.
Low Self-Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 to 8:30 p.m. Please use the back door.
Ushers will eat latecomers.
The third verse of Blessed Assurance will be sung without musical accomplishment.
For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs.
The Rev. Merriwether spoke briefly, much to the delight of the audience.
The pastor will preach his farewell message, after which the choir will sing, "Break Forth Into Joy."
During the absence of our pastor, we enjoyed the rare privilege of hearing a good sermon when J.F. Stubbs supplied our pulpit.
Next Sunday Mrs. Vinson will be soloist for the morning service. The pastor will then speak on "It's a Terrible Experience."
Due to the Rector's illness, Wednesday's healing services will be discontinued until further notice.
Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our church and community.
The eighth-graders will be presenting Shakespeare's Hamlet in the church basement on Friday at 7 p.m. The congregation is invited to attend this tragedy.
The concert held in Fellowship Hall was a great success. Special thanks are due to the minister's daughter, who labored the whole evening at the piano, which as usual fell upon her.
A song fest was hell at the Methodist church Wednesday.
Potluck supper: Prayer and medication to follow.
Don't let worry kill you off - let the church help.
The 1997 Spring Council Retreat will be hell May 10 and 11.
Pastor is on vacation. Massages can be given to church secretary.
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