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Thursday, September 30, 2004
TRAINING TROUBLES
My train is now about 1 hour from Kiev, but there was a time last night I thought I might not be on it. We pulled into a station at 11pm and I asked the guard how long we would be at this station. "30 minutes" he told me. Great, I'll find something to eat. I first found a toilet, then went out on the street and spotted a couple of fast food mobile carts. I ordered a hamburger and a lemon fanta, paid my 3.60 gr, spoke a few words to a nearby customer who knew English and then headed back to the train station. 15 minutes max, no worries, I tell myself. I walk through the station onto the platform and my train has vanished!! I asked a guy where the train to Kiev is and he said it was gone. Another train is on a different track. My carriage was the end one so I went and checked the end carriage of this train. No such luck. I'm not so concerned about missing a train as I am about my luggage - including my laptop, being on the missing train.
Well after trying to sound urgent and pleasant to an official lady to make her want to help me, she shows me that they merely put the train on another track, added more carriages and put the engine at the opposite end. Purely logical - why didn't I think of that!?! As I hurriedly made my way to my carriage I had to chastise myself - what were you so worried about matey? It's all part of the adventure!
Well after trying to sound urgent and pleasant to an official lady to make her want to help me, she shows me that they merely put the train on another track, added more carriages and put the engine at the opposite end. Purely logical - why didn't I think of that!?! As I hurriedly made my way to my carriage I had to chastise myself - what were you so worried about matey? It's all part of the adventure!
Wednesday, September 29, 2004
RPD 30 September 2004
Read Pray Delete (RPD) for 30 September 2004 is now available.
EVERYTHING THAT CREEPETH UPON THE FACE OF THE EARTH!
I'm sitting in a train slowly making its way westward to Romania. The view outside is mainly trees and fields, the odd little station and sometimes a worker or two not exerting too much energy. As I type it has begun to rain outside.
I'm sharing my 4 bed cubicle with two older ladies and who are sitting chattering away to each other and a middle-aged man who drunk his bottle of beer and is asleep on a top bunk.
I've wandered the length of the train in both directions. There is no restaurant car, maybe I should have brought some food for this 20+ hour trip!! I met a few students travelling to a 30km canoe race they are entering.
I've just read the first three chapters of Fyodor Dostoyevsky's "Crime and Punishment". What an amazing book. There are many little nuances that I would not appreciate had I not lived in this culture but his descriptions are amazing.
I haven't entered into the plot fully yet but so far I am overwhelmed by Fyodor's drunk characters. Living here I have seen first-hand the devastating effects alcoholism has on people (not just the ones who drink).
It seems different in the west and lately many Christian circles seem to live with a 'how much can I drink and still be ok' attitude, or a 'look I'm a free Christian'. Now I'm not a tee-totaller and don't mind a cold beer on a hot day after a hard day's work or a game of rugby (who am I kidding about a hard day's work).
But people, if this is you, get back to the real issue. All things are permissible but not all things are helpful. See the people around you. Feel their feelings, joys, pains, hurts and sorrows. Live life from a broad perspective.
The relatively young first world nations of NZ and Australia I believe are truly blessed in the area of opportunity. I look at people here in Europe and just see so many limitations that these two countries don't have. But let's not be insular. See a bigger picture, have a world-wide perspective.
Wow, I wasn't planning on preaching, I was just going to write about my train trip. It's going - slowly.
I'm sharing my 4 bed cubicle with two older ladies and who are sitting chattering away to each other and a middle-aged man who drunk his bottle of beer and is asleep on a top bunk.
I've wandered the length of the train in both directions. There is no restaurant car, maybe I should have brought some food for this 20+ hour trip!! I met a few students travelling to a 30km canoe race they are entering.
I've just read the first three chapters of Fyodor Dostoyevsky's "Crime and Punishment". What an amazing book. There are many little nuances that I would not appreciate had I not lived in this culture but his descriptions are amazing.
I haven't entered into the plot fully yet but so far I am overwhelmed by Fyodor's drunk characters. Living here I have seen first-hand the devastating effects alcoholism has on people (not just the ones who drink).
It seems different in the west and lately many Christian circles seem to live with a 'how much can I drink and still be ok' attitude, or a 'look I'm a free Christian'. Now I'm not a tee-totaller and don't mind a cold beer on a hot day after a hard day's work or a game of rugby (who am I kidding about a hard day's work).
But people, if this is you, get back to the real issue. All things are permissible but not all things are helpful. See the people around you. Feel their feelings, joys, pains, hurts and sorrows. Live life from a broad perspective.
The relatively young first world nations of NZ and Australia I believe are truly blessed in the area of opportunity. I look at people here in Europe and just see so many limitations that these two countries don't have. But let's not be insular. See a bigger picture, have a world-wide perspective.
Wow, I wasn't planning on preaching, I was just going to write about my train trip. It's going - slowly.
Wednesday, September 22, 2004
The Cat's In The Cradle
Last week I watched 'Matchstick Men'. Nicholas Cage does a good job of playing a con-man with some interesting neurotic tendencies. Now I'm not like him. Home should be clean enough to be healthy, yet dirty enough to be happy.
Here I am in Kiev and this apartment is dirty. Yet I'm here to study Ukrainian. I'm not setting up a house here. It's just a place for now, a means to an end.
And then there is the cat. Just a wee little kitten called Lisa. She doesn't stop meowing, she jumps all over me, tears my shoe laces and has already mauled 3 bananas. And on top of that my flat mate asked me not to kill the cat!!
I keep my eyes on the goal and I guess I should be thankful that I have a cat to kick (softly for you cat lovers) if I need a stress relief.
By the way, the language lesson was great. The 3 hour trip all over the city trying to get to this apartment was something I'll be happy to forget soon. Bring on tomorrow I say!
Here I am in Kiev and this apartment is dirty. Yet I'm here to study Ukrainian. I'm not setting up a house here. It's just a place for now, a means to an end.
And then there is the cat. Just a wee little kitten called Lisa. She doesn't stop meowing, she jumps all over me, tears my shoe laces and has already mauled 3 bananas. And on top of that my flat mate asked me not to kill the cat!!
I keep my eyes on the goal and I guess I should be thankful that I have a cat to kick (softly for you cat lovers) if I need a stress relief.
By the way, the language lesson was great. The 3 hour trip all over the city trying to get to this apartment was something I'll be happy to forget soon. Bring on tomorrow I say!
Monday, September 20, 2004
RPD 20 September 2004
Read Pray Delete (RPD) for 20 September 2004 is now available.
Tuesday, September 14, 2004
RPD 13 September 2004
Read Pray Delete (RPD) for 13 September 2004 is now available.
Wednesday, September 08, 2004
Just Do It!!
I've just read chapter 38 in "The Purpose Driven Life" by Rick Warren. Even if you haven't also read it then the following might interest you. I agree that one of the best, life-changing things you can do is just get up and do a short term mission trip.
Consider Ukraine in 2005. Here is what I can offer you. There is lots of flexibility.
You could come on your own, or in a group.
You could come for 1, 2, 3 or 4 weeks any time from June til August.
It would be more of a 'being' and 'experiencing' mission trip rather than a 'doing' one.
I could have you live with a Ukrainian young person (or someone your age).
You get to eat their food.
You get to speak limited English and use gestures to communicate.
You make a friend (this is more important, rewarding and lasting than you can imagine).
You will spend time doing what they do. This is summer time and students are on holidays. You may go shopping with them, help them cook, help them work in their garden (everyone grows food for winter). You will go to the beach with them.
There may be times that it doesn't suit to be with them. I can provide small work projects. These could be at one of the missionaries' houses, at our Ministry Centre, or a community project like cleaning up the local park or painting a mural in town. We will use your gifts, passions and abilities.
You will have time to talk to me and other missionaries, share what you are learning and journal your thoughts.
We will take you for a cruise on the Dnepr River.
We will show you the sights of Kiev - including the Orthodox Monastery and souvenir shopping.
You will most probably play soccer and beach volleyball.
If you come while a camp is on, you can accompany me on a Ukrainian camp, tenting out, sharing, learning and growing together (and fighting off mosquitoes).
You will have the chance to share your testimony using a translator.
You will learn to rely on God. You will grow closer to Him.
You will return to Australia (or your home) with a totally different perspective and priority for the rest of your life.
Don't ask how much will it cost. Ask how much will I miss out on if I don't do something like this?
Practically speaking, you need a letter of invitation to come to Ukraine, so let me know of your interest in advance. I will be in Australia from January to May. I would love to help you organise something.
If this is sparking an interest then do the following:
Pray about it
Talk to your church, and trusted Christian friends
Email me
Start saving your money
And then JUST DO IT!!
Consider Ukraine in 2005. Here is what I can offer you. There is lots of flexibility.
You could come on your own, or in a group.
You could come for 1, 2, 3 or 4 weeks any time from June til August.
It would be more of a 'being' and 'experiencing' mission trip rather than a 'doing' one.
I could have you live with a Ukrainian young person (or someone your age).
You get to eat their food.
You get to speak limited English and use gestures to communicate.
You make a friend (this is more important, rewarding and lasting than you can imagine).
You will spend time doing what they do. This is summer time and students are on holidays. You may go shopping with them, help them cook, help them work in their garden (everyone grows food for winter). You will go to the beach with them.
There may be times that it doesn't suit to be with them. I can provide small work projects. These could be at one of the missionaries' houses, at our Ministry Centre, or a community project like cleaning up the local park or painting a mural in town. We will use your gifts, passions and abilities.
You will have time to talk to me and other missionaries, share what you are learning and journal your thoughts.
We will take you for a cruise on the Dnepr River.
We will show you the sights of Kiev - including the Orthodox Monastery and souvenir shopping.
You will most probably play soccer and beach volleyball.
If you come while a camp is on, you can accompany me on a Ukrainian camp, tenting out, sharing, learning and growing together (and fighting off mosquitoes).
You will have the chance to share your testimony using a translator.
You will learn to rely on God. You will grow closer to Him.
You will return to Australia (or your home) with a totally different perspective and priority for the rest of your life.
Don't ask how much will it cost. Ask how much will I miss out on if I don't do something like this?
Practically speaking, you need a letter of invitation to come to Ukraine, so let me know of your interest in advance. I will be in Australia from January to May. I would love to help you organise something.
If this is sparking an interest then do the following:
Pray about it
Talk to your church, and trusted Christian friends
Email me
Start saving your money
And then JUST DO IT!!
Tuesday, September 07, 2004
September Monthly Update
The September Monthly Update can be viewed by left clicking the link or downloaded by right clicking and choosing "Save Target As".
Also available in the archived section on the right sidebar.
Also available in the archived section on the right sidebar.
