Milk, Please!

While I was in Belize as an "other" (you know, the one with the different color skin and other culture) way back in 1981, I was stretching, growing, learning, and living sans milk. Mmmmmmm... I love a glass of cold milk with my chocolate cake, apple pie, chocolate chip cookies, yep, even bowls of popcorn. (plurals are intentional) I was on village study in a tiny little town called Calcutta in the northern part of the country near Corozal where I slept in a windowless, closet-type room with cement walls and floor, bathed from a bucket, and used another bucket to... well, anyway.... 

"Would you like water with lime or a glass of milk?" the kind and generous mama asked me.   

"MILK! I would love a glass of milk!I haven't had any milk for 6 weeks!"  I blurted out without considering things like "there are no cows," and "there is no refrigeration."

My host family beamed at my excitement and brought me a giant Bloomberg-bannable size of something whitish, something liquidy, something that tasted absolutely nothing like milk.  They watched with smeyes (I confess: I learned that term from America's Next Top Model although I'm not sure I'm using it quite right--smiling eyes, for those of you in the dark.) as I sipped from the plastic tumbler. With each gulp, I outwardly smiled and nodded, while inwardly I gagged and cringed, definitely not smeyesing. Goat's milk? Powdered milk? Something else entirely? To this day, I do not know, and perhaps that is as it should be. 

I feigned enjoyment of the drink, but my delight and gratitude at being in their humble home was genuine.  I was a stranger being welcomed with incredible kindness and hospitality. In community and communion, we shared together, limeades for them and something totally foreign for me; I drank every abominable drop. Oh, that I would behave so politely and be so appreciative no matter where I am or who I am with!  After all, aren't we merely strangers and guests on this earth until we return home? 

Brother Mick's message title this week is "On the Road Again" with the sermon text from Hebrews 11:1-3; 8-16. Additional texts are Psalm 33:12-22 and Genesis 15:1-6. In his presermon notes Mick says, "it is helpful at times to remind ourselves that we share this world with billions of others, and that we are all interconnected in ways we may never realize.  Holding such a broad view of my 'at home-ness' in the world also reminds me that ultimately this place is not the end of all that has been promised us by God through Christ."  Please join us for fellowship at 9 a m and worship at 9:30 a m. 

As we think about "at homeness," we lift the Paul and Reba Hershey family in prayer as last week Paul passed from this life to the next. May peace and comfort cover the family.

A prayer for today: With you, O Lord, is the fountain of life; in your light we see light. Ps 36:9  
Lord, the cacophony of our lives often swirls and confuses. Let us stop and listen to your voice as you sing to us a song of joy, unity, and love; chords of beauty, goodness, and peace. Grant us courage to join your choir, to match our voices with yours. Let the healing and hope that comes from you flow through us to our neighbors and enemies today. Come Kingdom of God. Be done will of God on earth as it is in heaven.  In Jesus Name. Amen. 

Without question or doubt, you are loved by God, and I love you too!
Love and Light,
Carol

http://www.ridgeviewmennonite.net/

"Always remember who you are, whose you are, where you are going, and what you believe, because it does make a difference! Oh, and don't forget to attend a church of your choice this weekend." jd

Mopan Clinic, Benque Viejo del Carmen, Belize c1981 (Yes, I know, many of you weren't even born!)

The supper dishes clattered as I washed up cups and plates in the Belizean nurses' quarters after a relaxing Saturday of soaking up some Vitamin D in the bright Central American sunshine and washing clothes in the old agitator washer sans ringer. The local nurses had gone to Belize City for the weekend, and the English nurses were in the adjoining flat, so I was alone for the moment... or was I? 

"Thump! Thump thump!" 




Jan, Jo, and I in Illinois, 1982

Forget the dishes! I skedaddled next door hollering for Nurse Jan who came rapidly to my aid.  We listened carefully, and within moments heard the telltale heart, I mean the thump, thump thumping, thump, thump thumping. 

"It's coming from behind the box of grapefruit next to the frig, " I whispered. Jan began aggressively bashing the box with her foot.  Add kickboxing to the abilities of this woman!

BRRRING! Now I was sure I heard the uncommon ringing of the telephone at the clinic, so I abandoned the valiant Britisher to face the frightening unknown alone. Shrieks and squeaks filled my ears as I returned to find Jan in full battle mode. Armed with a bottle of dettol and a can of roach spray, a hideous dark brown winged creature like a miniature "fell beast" of Tolkien was flopping around on the floor, no doubt feeling as if it'd just met Cobra Woman. A force of energy must have filled the monster, because it suddenly started gaining height. RETREAT!

What to do? We reconnoitered and prepared to advance.  Creeping back into the kitchen armed with an empty box, we captured the vile (and injured) chiroptera and swept it outside. There I slew the beast with a mighty thwack of my trusty staff aka bristle broom. (I think it remains the only mammal I've ever killed, poor little bat!)

Ahhhh sweet memories!
Next week I'll have the opportunity to reminisce in person with my cohort, as Jan will be visiting from England. I would never have guessed that during my time of formal education at Goshen College http://www.goshen.edu/, one of the most enduring, endearing, and edifying gifts of my cross-cultural experience would be a lifelong friendship with this amazing woman. 

We are blessed and honored to have a guest pastor from Germany who will preach on Sunday.  Liesa Unger who is leading the planning for 2015 Mennonite World Conference will be using Acts 3:1-11 for her sermon text and will include some stories as she shares.  Please join us! 

Our friend Craig died on Sept. 25. Craig's mother has chronicled his journey on Caring Bridge http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/craigstoltzfus/journal . I was truly blessed by this wise young man, and I will miss him.  Please pray for his family and friends as we grieve.

This Sunday I hope to be in the Upper Room with you unless I can't find a teacher for junior high! 

You can now listen to sermons. :) http://www.ridgeviewmennonite.net/

How is married life for all of you newlyweds? :)  Call me if you have any newlywed crises!

Prayer for today:  Great Divine, in your presence we find healing and hope, authenticity and purpose, compassion and grace. "Thank you" seems trite. Grant us courage to truly live our moments as a sacrifice to you, opening ourselves to the flowing breath of your Spirit that love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control exude from our very pores. As you are comfort to Craig's family, let us be your vessels. Some of us are struggling with school and work issues, and we seek your wisdom.  Some of us are struggling in relationships or with loneliness, and we seek your healing and hope. Some of us have physical or mental ailments that need your touch.  Come Kingdom of God. Be done will of God on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus' name. AMEN.

Without question or doubt, you are loved by God, and I love you too!  Call/Text me! :)

Love and Light,
carol

Always remember who you are, whose you are, where you are going, and what you believe, because it does make a difference!  Oh, and don't forget to attend a church of your choice this weekend. "  jd

We have peace because of Christ. He has made the Jews and those who are not Jews one people. He broke down the wall that divided them. Ephesians 2:14
      There was more than one adjustment to make my freshman year at Goshen College http://www.goshen.edu/.  My roommate Julie who was from Salt Lake City and I tiptoed around each other with exaggerated politeness the first few weeks; I struggled to find the balance between studies and fun; and Alice, the girl whose room was next to mine played LOUD reggae music ALL THE TIME!

Boomachicka, Boomachicka, Boomachicka.

     The music was probably the most aggravating adaptation for me, and it certainly affected my feelings toward Alice, a sophomore from Belize. Rather than talk to Alice about the music, I was just all annoyed and prickly about it.  


Alice and Miss Ruth

      Shock of shocks when during my sophomore year of study/service in Belize, my host family turned out to be Alice and her mom.  As I settled into my room with Nelda the very first hot, humid evening in Belize City, guess what I heard?  You got it! Boomachicka, Boomachicka, Boomachicka!  On the street next to their home was "Music World" which played loud music all the time.
    Hmmm... had I taken time to talk with and get to know Alice my freshman year and learn about her home


Alice Enjoying a Backrub :)



and her culture and asked about her home in Central America,  I might have discovered that this music was a way for Alice to feel at home and help alleviate homesickness.  I might have discovered that she and I actually had a lot in common;  I might have realized I had a wonderful neighbor and friend in Alice.

     The wall that I built within myself when Alice didn't conform to my way and my expectations needed to come down.  Sadly, I've had other walls that needed to be demolished, and I expect that there will be others in the future.  Open my eyes, Jesus, to see the walls I've built that keep your peace from filling me so that I can be a vessel of peace and reconciliation.


Brother Nelson will be sharing the message this week, "Shocking Hospitality" expounding on passages from Ephesians 2:11-22 and Mark 9:38-41.  Christ offers an invitation to all people to come to the table, yet we continue to build walls that keep out people instead of building bridges of reconciliation.  Back in the day,
Dr. Martin Luther King said something to the effect that Sunday morning  is the most segregated time in America. Come and be challenged to tear down one of those walls that is keeping you from being filled with the peace of Christ which opens us to extend the shocking hospitality of the Divine to others.

In the Upper Room at 9am we will gather to read the scriptures for the morning and discuss them together. Where are the places you've been welcomed?  Where are the places you've been excluded?  Where does the church fit in this? Please join us! (Ask me about an idea I have for Sunday morning service.)


My prayer for you today: Creator God, your peace transcends all understanding. Show us the walls that we've built that keep us from being vessels of your peace and reconciliation.  Our lives are often so busy with our own stuff and ideas that we fail to open ourselves to the wall-breaking work of your love.  Remind each of us of your gentle presence today; that even though we don't always "feel" you, you promise never to leave us nor forsake us, and that is good news in our journeys.  Come Kingdom of God.  Be done will of God, here on earth as it is in heaven.  In Jesus name-- AMEN.


Without question or doubt, you are loved by God, and I love you too! If you have a prayer concern or need someone to listen, don't hesitate to contact me! 


Love and Light,
carol
PS  If I have time, I will add photos later today. 

http://www.ridgeviewmennonite.net/

cmw4g@aol.com

"Always remember who you are, whose you are, where you are going, and what you believe, because it does make a difference!  Oh, and don't forget to attend a church of your choice this weekend. "  jd


 

Journeys

(1981)I stood by the edge of the dusty road and waved my arm up and down hoping that someone would stop.  I thought the bus was going to come by at 8am, but it was well past that time, and no bus.   After a weekend with the other "Goshens" at Listowel Boys School in Cayo District of Belize, I needed to return to the medical clinic in Benque Viejo del Carmen, a beautiful little village near the Guatemalan border where I would be serving for the next 5 weeks. So, here I stood on the side of this dusty road and waved my arm up and down, and almost immediately a rusty old pick up stopped.  The 5 men already in the back of the truck smiled and nodded hellos, and one of the men gave up his seat on the spare tire for me.  We continued the drive, the free taxi stopping and starting for pick ups and drop offs.  When we arrived in San Ignacio, I hopped out of the truck waving my thanks, and headed up the big hill toward Benque Viejo.

 

Xunantunich

 Hola!  said a young pregnant woman with a big smile.  Ahh, one of the women from the clinic! It's amazing how a smile and a familiar face can warm the soul. We chatted about her pregnancy and her community as we walked  and then bid one another farewell as our ways diverged. I continued my journey receiving greetings and various, ummm, interesting invitations from the men at the Scottish (I think--I'll have to check with my friend Jan!)  army post which I politely refused and continued to walk until a great big road truck driven by a Jamaican man stopped and offered me a lift.  He was not as enamoured with Belize as I was and was planning to return to Jamaica after Christmas.  When his path turned away from the road to Benque, I climbed out of the big truck and continued to hike along this road that basically cut through the rain forest.  Just a few miles away were the incredible Mayan Ruins called Xunantunich http://belizex.com/xunantunich.htm.  This time it was a driver with a jeep full of young boys that stopped to offer me a ride. We chatted, and I told him about Goshen College's Study Service Program which brought me to this beautiful and friendly country.  http://www.goshen.edu/sst/  He dropped me off about a mile from my destination, and I prepared to walk only to have the postman stop to take me the rest of the way.

When I reflect on those 2 short hours of my life, I'm reminded of the beauty and vibrancy in the ordinary journeys of life.  For me, the experience was extraordinary, but had I lived in Belize, it may have been mundane and tedious.  What am I not noticing and appreciating in my everyday tasks and trips today?  George Fox founder of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) said, "Walk joyfully on the earth and respond to that of God in every human being."  I like that.
From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way. 2 Cor. 5:16 

I hope you can join us at Ridgeview this Sunday as the senior high youth will be implementing the entire service. Using their experience from the Mennonite Convention in Pittsburgh, the youth will sing and tell about "Bridges to the Cross," sharing scripture, songs, seminar learnings, and photos from this inspiring week. I'm not sure what will be happening in the Upper Room on Sunday.  I know that those who were there last week were blessed by Eric's time with them. Sunday School begins at 9am--Worship Service at 10:15am.   Check out the Ridgeview Mennonite Young Adult fb page for a homemade icecream event next week at Rick and Gwen's!
https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/groups/158265147558908

My prayer for you today:  Creator God, as many of us are sweltering in this intense heat, we know that there are streams of living water in you.  Cool and refresh our hearts and minds even as our bodies labor and sweat.  Guide our feet as we journey in life. Hold our hands as we walk along the road.  Grant us shade as we wilt in the intensity of life.  Open our eyes to see you in the people we meet along the road.  For those suffering loss and experiencing pain, be a healing balm.  For those struggling with anxieties and relationship problems, reveal yourself in new ways. Help us to bridge the gaps between us; to be reconcilers to one another as you have been to us. Come Kingdom of God. Be done will of God, here on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus name.  Amen

Without question or doubt, you are loved by God, and I love you too!  Contact me anytime!
love and light, carol

http://www.ridgeviewmennonite.net/

"Always remember who you are, whose you are, what you believe, and where you are going, because it does make a difference.  Oh, and don't forget to attend the church of your choosing this week."   jd