After spending the morning finishing off the painting of the exterior of one building at Rajagiriya we had the privilege of leading the boys (23 of them from 6-18) in a fun programme. The opening act of "balloon stomp" proved to be an event that would match any gladiatorial event, Ian and Major Shelton starred as the final combatants.
Ian presented his 'wordless book' in chemical form by turning water black, red and then back to white. The boys were enthralled by the 'chemical magic' and then loved the opportunity to turn socks into their own personal puppet creations. It was a great day.
Yesterday it was another early start as we headed back up the Kandy-Colombo road to Rambukkana and The Salvation Army's Camp and Conference Centre. We were going to conduct the afternoons activities at the Territorial Teenagers Camp - 84 young people, plus leaders. After a worship time we had some fun running around the hall together and then the amazing drama of Joseph and his amazing coat was presented.
For its first outing it proved to be an amazing comedic hit (although it wasn't supposed to be as funny as it turned out). Gael, playing the part of Joseph delivered a passionate and energetic performance, Gay threw three amazing tantrums as Pharaoh, Gill kept the drama together and tried to keep the others on track whilst Ian's portrayal of Jacob, the Baker, and a Slave Trader left the audience pleading for more.
This excitement however came no where near the total chaos of the games session that followed. With young people spitting water into glasses, throwing balls and limes at each other and picking on Ian, whose Sinhala has increased three fold, the afternoon declined into total anarchy very quickly.
It was a great day and one that we, and probably they, will not soon forget.
Sunday, 13 July 2008
Thursday, 10 July 2008
Training College
We spent the day at The Salvation Army's Training College today facilitating a workshop on Children's Ministries. There are 9 cadets in two sessions at the moment and they are quite a creative group of people.
As you'll see from the photos they took to the puppets (thanks to the donors in NZ) and presented some very good displays - a lot better than we do. We experimented with making sock puppets and paper fold puppets - there were some interesting creations - it was fun.
We have also been able to teach how to make and use flannel graph boards and stories and leave each cadet with a board, made by themselves. (Getting the 4'x8' sheets of hard board from the shops, 2km away, back to the College was a job left to Daryl and Captain Christopher and is a story for another day - let's just say it felt like a long walk and carrying a board that size and dodging vehicles and pedestrians could be an interesting extreme sport.)
The Cadets leave on Saturday for a 10 day campaign so the workshop was a timely event and appreciated. We all had a fun and educational day!
As you'll see from the photos they took to the puppets (thanks to the donors in NZ) and presented some very good displays - a lot better than we do. We experimented with making sock puppets and paper fold puppets - there were some interesting creations - it was fun.
We have also been able to teach how to make and use flannel graph boards and stories and leave each cadet with a board, made by themselves. (Getting the 4'x8' sheets of hard board from the shops, 2km away, back to the College was a job left to Daryl and Captain Christopher and is a story for another day - let's just say it felt like a long walk and carrying a board that size and dodging vehicles and pedestrians could be an interesting extreme sport.)
The Cadets leave on Saturday for a 10 day campaign so the workshop was a timely event and appreciated. We all had a fun and educational day!
Gay Roberts Says...
Four hot, sticky Kiwi’s (and one equally hot, sticky Aussie) have just negotiated the pot-holes, traffic and people that constituted our walk back after a wonderful but exhausting day at the “Haven”, a home that encompasses, mothers & babies, toddlers and girls on remand all under one roof. However, I’ll tell you about that later because you want to hear about the entire past week! How are we supposed to condense the frenzied and varied activity of the past seven days on to one tiny page?
This time last week we were down in Hikkaduwa – Tsunami territory but also Sri Lanka’s sunshine coast. We experienced a little of both worlds - ask us about the resorts when we get home! We visited housing projects and villages, participated in community activities, observed a mobile health clinic with an amazing Doctor, and bumped along countless kilometres of dirt track in the back of indescribably uncomfortable vans! Every bone in our somewhat aging bodies has been realigned but it was worth every excruciating pot-hole! We saw the realization of hope and renewal. We experienced something of the resilience and determination that is enabling people to stand on their feet and enjoy life again and something of the organisation and teamwork that goes into helping that process – a real privilege!
We visited Dixon and Indrani, a couple that lost all three of their children and I particularly remember the grandmother who was distraught and guilty because the water had forced her to let go of one of the children. As a grandmother myself I could not imagine recovering from such a trauma. When we called on them Dixon was away fishing (he has only been able to return to it fairly recently) and Indrani was out with the new baby (great news!) She cried again as she told us how she still felt responsible for the little one she had to let go but now they have their new home (last time Daryl was here they were still living in a tent) and the new baby has given them purpose again. We climbed back into the van, disappointed not to have met Indrani and Dixon, but with a sense of awe and gratitude to God for answered prayer.
We arrived home very exhausted on Saturday evening then left at 5.30 next morning for the three and a half hour drive to Hewadiwella Corps (we can all pronounce it really well now!) The corps people appear out of nowhere from the surrounding countryside and disappear into it again just as quickly afterward (the officer walks through paddy-fields and mountain tracks for up to 2 hours to visit them!). We shared their meeting and had fun with their lovely children but it was over far too quickly!
We hope you’ve seen the elephant-riding photo’s on the web-site and recognise the progression from sheer terror to ‘I think I’ll be OK if I just hang on tight enough’ on the faced of those involved.
The school, Sunday School and prayer meeting on the tea plantation were the high-lights for the following day. The simple joy on the faces of the children and the gentleness of these poor people in such a remote mountainside village is something we will not easily forget.
A day off in Kandy brings us back to today, the ‘Haven’ and our current satisfied exhaustion. Today we have cuddled babies, created chaos (Ian and Daryl are real experts at that) and saw some very impressive card-making. It was a very rewarding day and we were relieved to find a much more organized and happier home than we had been prepared for. We were surprised to be shown into a cute little Montessori pre-school where the little ones go for a daily programme. The pre-schoolers spent all afternoon playing with the play-dough Ian had made for them and their teacher was delighted by the resources we were able to leave with her.
Our minds are so overwhelmed by all we’ve seen, heard and experienced and it is very frustrating to try and share it with you in this way. We wish you were all here experiencing it with us. Thank you so much for you support. We are so aware that it is your generosity that we are sharing with others in all sorts of ways here.
God is very Good.
This time last week we were down in Hikkaduwa – Tsunami territory but also Sri Lanka’s sunshine coast. We experienced a little of both worlds - ask us about the resorts when we get home! We visited housing projects and villages, participated in community activities, observed a mobile health clinic with an amazing Doctor, and bumped along countless kilometres of dirt track in the back of indescribably uncomfortable vans! Every bone in our somewhat aging bodies has been realigned but it was worth every excruciating pot-hole! We saw the realization of hope and renewal. We experienced something of the resilience and determination that is enabling people to stand on their feet and enjoy life again and something of the organisation and teamwork that goes into helping that process – a real privilege!
We visited Dixon and Indrani, a couple that lost all three of their children and I particularly remember the grandmother who was distraught and guilty because the water had forced her to let go of one of the children. As a grandmother myself I could not imagine recovering from such a trauma. When we called on them Dixon was away fishing (he has only been able to return to it fairly recently) and Indrani was out with the new baby (great news!) She cried again as she told us how she still felt responsible for the little one she had to let go but now they have their new home (last time Daryl was here they were still living in a tent) and the new baby has given them purpose again. We climbed back into the van, disappointed not to have met Indrani and Dixon, but with a sense of awe and gratitude to God for answered prayer.
We arrived home very exhausted on Saturday evening then left at 5.30 next morning for the three and a half hour drive to Hewadiwella Corps (we can all pronounce it really well now!) The corps people appear out of nowhere from the surrounding countryside and disappear into it again just as quickly afterward (the officer walks through paddy-fields and mountain tracks for up to 2 hours to visit them!). We shared their meeting and had fun with their lovely children but it was over far too quickly!
We hope you’ve seen the elephant-riding photo’s on the web-site and recognise the progression from sheer terror to ‘I think I’ll be OK if I just hang on tight enough’ on the faced of those involved.
The school, Sunday School and prayer meeting on the tea plantation were the high-lights for the following day. The simple joy on the faces of the children and the gentleness of these poor people in such a remote mountainside village is something we will not easily forget.
A day off in Kandy brings us back to today, the ‘Haven’ and our current satisfied exhaustion. Today we have cuddled babies, created chaos (Ian and Daryl are real experts at that) and saw some very impressive card-making. It was a very rewarding day and we were relieved to find a much more organized and happier home than we had been prepared for. We were surprised to be shown into a cute little Montessori pre-school where the little ones go for a daily programme. The pre-schoolers spent all afternoon playing with the play-dough Ian had made for them and their teacher was delighted by the resources we were able to leave with her.
Our minds are so overwhelmed by all we’ve seen, heard and experienced and it is very frustrating to try and share it with you in this way. We wish you were all here experiencing it with us. Thank you so much for you support. We are so aware that it is your generosity that we are sharing with others in all sorts of ways here.
God is very Good.
Wednesday, 9 July 2008
From Elephants to Tea Estates
This week, and our second in Sri Lanka, began at 4:30am (Sunday) as we boarded the Van for the three hour trip to Hewadiwela Corps. Located in the hill country this corps is one of the oldest (of 42) in the Island.
It was our privilege to share in worship, and mine to dedicate a baby and preach. The hall, situated amongst the trees and built on a rock, was filled to capacity – the timbrels played and the people sang and greeted each other with the Maori, KiaOra.
After lunch we headed out to Pinnawela, the sight of the world famous Elephant Orphanage which is home to about 120 elephants at the moment. Gael and Gay bottle feed a calf before we joined the throng and headed down to the river to watch the elephants parade down the road to have a bath. All before Gill, Gael and Ian rode elephants and Ian shared a shower with an elephant.
Monday we travelled up through the hill and cultural capital of Sri Lanka, Kandy, to the Hunnasgiriya Tea Estate where The Army has begun a ministry amongst the children of the workers. 150 children, all Tamil – some Hindu and some Christian - were waiting to greet us and we didn't keep them waiting for long before we had them singing “From my head to my toes, I’m special” and chasing all black balloons around the room. The puppets made a well received entrance and Gael used the Kiwi to talk to the children about being special.
After removing the leeches from Gael and Gay, we headed off to conduct a Sunday School (on Monday) and to lead a short meeting and prayer meeting in one of the village houses. Hunnasgiriya is located about 800m above sea level, 30 minutes from the nearest town and is home to about 300 families and a tourist hotel, complete with golf course - all surrounded by beautiful rugged rock mountains, covered in mist and tea shrubs.
Today we had the opportunity to visit the Temple of the Tooth and the Kandy markets before heading back to Colombo to resume our program at the Institutions in the city.
It was our privilege to share in worship, and mine to dedicate a baby and preach. The hall, situated amongst the trees and built on a rock, was filled to capacity – the timbrels played and the people sang and greeted each other with the Maori, KiaOra.
After lunch we headed out to Pinnawela, the sight of the world famous Elephant Orphanage which is home to about 120 elephants at the moment. Gael and Gay bottle feed a calf before we joined the throng and headed down to the river to watch the elephants parade down the road to have a bath. All before Gill, Gael and Ian rode elephants and Ian shared a shower with an elephant.
Monday we travelled up through the hill and cultural capital of Sri Lanka, Kandy, to the Hunnasgiriya Tea Estate where The Army has begun a ministry amongst the children of the workers. 150 children, all Tamil – some Hindu and some Christian - were waiting to greet us and we didn't keep them waiting for long before we had them singing “From my head to my toes, I’m special” and chasing all black balloons around the room. The puppets made a well received entrance and Gael used the Kiwi to talk to the children about being special.
After removing the leeches from Gael and Gay, we headed off to conduct a Sunday School (on Monday) and to lead a short meeting and prayer meeting in one of the village houses. Hunnasgiriya is located about 800m above sea level, 30 minutes from the nearest town and is home to about 300 families and a tourist hotel, complete with golf course - all surrounded by beautiful rugged rock mountains, covered in mist and tea shrubs.
Today we had the opportunity to visit the Temple of the Tooth and the Kandy markets before heading back to Colombo to resume our program at the Institutions in the city.
Saturday, 5 July 2008
Women's and Children's Societies
We conducted our first program yesterday afternoon.
About 7km in land from the coast there is a new village inhabited by Tsunami survivors: amongst these families there is one Christian lady who invited The Salvation Army's Community Capacity Development (CCD) team to visit and assist her in building community amongst the people in the new village. (A "Society" in this context is just a group who gather for fellowship, encouragement and learning.)
Since this invitation a Women's Society has commenced with 40-50 women attending weekly and a Children's Society, with 27 in attendance yesterday.
We arrived to find all these women and children waiting for us: seated on wooden benches and on the ground in an open field surrounded by cinnamon bushes on two sides, coconut plantation on another and houses on the fourth - a water buffalo and a couple of dogs joined the back of the group.
We were greeted by three beautiful young girls doing a cultural dance for us, before we entertained them with a puppet show, and attempted to teach them an action song before splitting the children away into their own group. Gill, Gael and Gay introduced the ladies to the delights of card making, whilst Ian and I played "under-over", "cat and mouse" and poison ball with the children.
The program came to a climax with the presentation of prizes, by the team, for a Vesak Lantern competition that had been organised by the CCD team.
And that brings to an end our visit to the tsunami affected community work that is being done in the South East. On Sunday we head in land for a few days, up toward Kandy, the Elephant Orphanage at Pinnawela and programs at schools in Kandy and Rambukkana and meetings at Hewadiwela.
About 7km in land from the coast there is a new village inhabited by Tsunami survivors: amongst these families there is one Christian lady who invited The Salvation Army's Community Capacity Development (CCD) team to visit and assist her in building community amongst the people in the new village. (A "Society" in this context is just a group who gather for fellowship, encouragement and learning.)
Since this invitation a Women's Society has commenced with 40-50 women attending weekly and a Children's Society, with 27 in attendance yesterday.
We arrived to find all these women and children waiting for us: seated on wooden benches and on the ground in an open field surrounded by cinnamon bushes on two sides, coconut plantation on another and houses on the fourth - a water buffalo and a couple of dogs joined the back of the group.
We were greeted by three beautiful young girls doing a cultural dance for us, before we entertained them with a puppet show, and attempted to teach them an action song before splitting the children away into their own group. Gill, Gael and Gay introduced the ladies to the delights of card making, whilst Ian and I played "under-over", "cat and mouse" and poison ball with the children.
The program came to a climax with the presentation of prizes, by the team, for a Vesak Lantern competition that had been organised by the CCD team.
And that brings to an end our visit to the tsunami affected community work that is being done in the South East. On Sunday we head in land for a few days, up toward Kandy, the Elephant Orphanage at Pinnawela and programs at schools in Kandy and Rambukkana and meetings at Hewadiwela.
Thursday, 3 July 2008
About Photos
Thank you to those that have made comments, and are following our progress. The team are grateful for them.
To those who have asked: If you are wanting to see photos better, you can click on the photo on the right (at any time) and follow the link to "look at photos in new window" and then click on the "darylcrowden's photostream" link on the right. Here you can download photos and make comments on them.
Today we are off to do a children's program and a women's craft class in a Tsunami affected community. The Puppets will make their debut, Ian will be playing his guitar and Gill, Gay and Gael teaching the women to make cards. The we are leading a prayer meeting in the community at the request of the people.
We will also be observing the work of the mobile clinic in Galagoda, the village where the Army has built 101 houses, a Community Centre and a Vocational Training Centre.
It's about 32degress, 75% humidity and blue skies. The ocean looks rough but inviting and the sand is golden.
To those who have asked: If you are wanting to see photos better, you can click on the photo on the right (at any time) and follow the link to "look at photos in new window" and then click on the "darylcrowden's photostream" link on the right. Here you can download photos and make comments on them.
Today we are off to do a children's program and a women's craft class in a Tsunami affected community. The Puppets will make their debut, Ian will be playing his guitar and Gill, Gay and Gael teaching the women to make cards. The we are leading a prayer meeting in the community at the request of the people.
We will also be observing the work of the mobile clinic in Galagoda, the village where the Army has built 101 houses, a Community Centre and a Vocational Training Centre.
It's about 32degress, 75% humidity and blue skies. The ocean looks rough but inviting and the sand is golden.
Wednesday, 2 July 2008
First Impressions
Having lived and worked in Sri Lanka, and in some ways coming back to my ‘second home’ it is always interesting to travel with people that are seeing the country for the first time. So here’s the first impressions of two of the team, Gill and Ian Scoltock:
The contrast between Singapore and Sri Lanka was striking. Singapore- huge concrete jungle , Sri Lanka – roads full of crazy drivers, honking horns, overloaded tuk tuks, Mum, Dad and kids all on one moped, cows on the road side, street stalls, shops in crumbling buildings, soldiers with guns, stifling heat. We love it.
Everyone smiles and makes you welcome, and can’t do enough for you even though they have so little. Today, our first day at Hikkaduwa/Galle was very special. The devastation caused by the tsunami is still obvious, but there is a lot of reconstruction going on.
We visited the homes of some people who had received help though the Salvation Army’s Livelihood Programme to establish or re-establish small businesses. One lady makes beautiful bags from a certain part of the coconut palm. The process involves boiling fibres for three hours, dying them, then sewing them into intricate designs and finally constructing the hand bags. On the day of the tsunami she was out and came home to find water right through the house and all of her possessions gone. The Salvation Army provided big pots for the boiling process and cupboards for storage. She now has a thriving business, which provides for herself, her daughter and grand child. We heard many similar stories about personal losses of the local people. Nine hundred small projects have been helped so far.
This afternoon we were “honoured guests” at a volley ball tournament between teams of school children, all of which had been affected in some way by the tsunami. It was great to see the kids having fun on the very beach which had caused them so much pain.
We value your continued prayer support as we are finding it hard to sleep in the heat and suffering from information overload.
The contrast between Singapore and Sri Lanka was striking. Singapore- huge concrete jungle , Sri Lanka – roads full of crazy drivers, honking horns, overloaded tuk tuks, Mum, Dad and kids all on one moped, cows on the road side, street stalls, shops in crumbling buildings, soldiers with guns, stifling heat. We love it.
Everyone smiles and makes you welcome, and can’t do enough for you even though they have so little. Today, our first day at Hikkaduwa/Galle was very special. The devastation caused by the tsunami is still obvious, but there is a lot of reconstruction going on.
We visited the homes of some people who had received help though the Salvation Army’s Livelihood Programme to establish or re-establish small businesses. One lady makes beautiful bags from a certain part of the coconut palm. The process involves boiling fibres for three hours, dying them, then sewing them into intricate designs and finally constructing the hand bags. On the day of the tsunami she was out and came home to find water right through the house and all of her possessions gone. The Salvation Army provided big pots for the boiling process and cupboards for storage. She now has a thriving business, which provides for herself, her daughter and grand child. We heard many similar stories about personal losses of the local people. Nine hundred small projects have been helped so far.
This afternoon we were “honoured guests” at a volley ball tournament between teams of school children, all of which had been affected in some way by the tsunami. It was great to see the kids having fun on the very beach which had caused them so much pain.
We value your continued prayer support as we are finding it hard to sleep in the heat and suffering from information overload.
Tuesday, 1 July 2008
Introductions
Today started early for most of us - although it didn't have to. Our minds were still operating on NZ time so early in the morning Gay and Gael were up drinking tea on the balcony and listening to the sounds of the rest of the area waking up.
We began the day with the Leaders of The Salvation Army in Sri Lanka: they shared their dreams and challenges and introduced us to the work of The Army here. It was fantastic to hear that despite the political and other challenges of the country at the moment there is a very positive optimism about the people and the ministry. "It is a good time to be the Leaders in Sri Lanka", said Colonel Lalzamlova the Territorial Leader.
After a tour of the Army's headquarters and a briefing on the program with our in country liaison, Major Nihal Hettiararchchi, we shared lunch with the leaders, (see photo) before the keys to the vehicle were handed to Daryl and we ventured out to but the materials and supplies we need to fulfil events in the expanding program. (Gill, Gay and Gael already have an extra days activity on Saturday when they will attend a District Women's Rally and conduct the Craft session.)
Its been a good day and all are well and happy - not even driving on Colombo roads with Daryl driving has dampened the spirits so far. But tomorrow is an early start and a three hour drive (80km) down to Hikkaduwa, the centre of the Army's Tsunami Recovery work in the South West.
We began the day with the Leaders of The Salvation Army in Sri Lanka: they shared their dreams and challenges and introduced us to the work of The Army here. It was fantastic to hear that despite the political and other challenges of the country at the moment there is a very positive optimism about the people and the ministry. "It is a good time to be the Leaders in Sri Lanka", said Colonel Lalzamlova the Territorial Leader.
After a tour of the Army's headquarters and a briefing on the program with our in country liaison, Major Nihal Hettiararchchi, we shared lunch with the leaders, (see photo) before the keys to the vehicle were handed to Daryl and we ventured out to but the materials and supplies we need to fulfil events in the expanding program. (Gill, Gay and Gael already have an extra days activity on Saturday when they will attend a District Women's Rally and conduct the Craft session.)
Its been a good day and all are well and happy - not even driving on Colombo roads with Daryl driving has dampened the spirits so far. But tomorrow is an early start and a three hour drive (80km) down to Hikkaduwa, the centre of the Army's Tsunami Recovery work in the South West.
Sunday, 29 June 2008
Arrived and Well!
We have arrived! After a trip that seemed to take much longer than it should have, the team has been united at The Salvation Army's Training College in Colombo.
Gay Roberts arrived without too many hitches: she got caught in a checkpoint for "a while" on her way in from the airport - one wonders if they knew who was in the vehicle. She had a great time in Hong Kong, even if she got a little lost a one stage - thanks to a map she received before her departure. The rest of us arrived this morning after a night in Singapore - and we were not stopped once by security.
So after a light lunch we ventured out to the shop (Arpico Supercentre) to buy a few supplies, and are now having a break before heading out for some dinner.
It was 26degrees (C) and about 80% humidity when we arrived at 8:00am this morning, so the Kiwis are noticing it at the moment.
I hope to get some photos up soon, so keep watching and thanks for your interest. If there is anything you want to ask any member of the team please feel free to leave a comment and I'll get them to respond to you - as long as we have a connection.
Gay Roberts arrived without too many hitches: she got caught in a checkpoint for "a while" on her way in from the airport - one wonders if they knew who was in the vehicle. She had a great time in Hong Kong, even if she got a little lost a one stage - thanks to a map she received before her departure. The rest of us arrived this morning after a night in Singapore - and we were not stopped once by security.
So after a light lunch we ventured out to the shop (Arpico Supercentre) to buy a few supplies, and are now having a break before heading out for some dinner.
It was 26degrees (C) and about 80% humidity when we arrived at 8:00am this morning, so the Kiwis are noticing it at the moment.
I hope to get some photos up soon, so keep watching and thanks for your interest. If there is anything you want to ask any member of the team please feel free to leave a comment and I'll get them to respond to you - as long as we have a connection.
Friday, 27 June 2008
We're Off
Saturday morning, 9:30am we'll be at Auckland airport and hopefully there will be no hicthes as we board our Singapore Airlines flight. We'll be travelling through Singapore, and after an overnight stop, courtesy of the Airline, we'll head out of Singapore and arrive in Colombo about 8:15am local time. (For those following us from New Zealand, Sri Lanka is 6.5 hours behind you.)
Our first scehduled event is on Monday morning when we'll meet The Salvation Army's leadership and have lunch together.
Hopefully soon after that we'll begin letting you know what we've done, and how the team are reacting to all the new sights, smells and sounds - watch this space!
Our first scehduled event is on Monday morning when we'll meet The Salvation Army's leadership and have lunch together.
Hopefully soon after that we'll begin letting you know what we've done, and how the team are reacting to all the new sights, smells and sounds - watch this space!
Thursday, 19 June 2008
The Schedule
The Team's schedule can be found by following this link. (Click on the Map of Sri Lanka)We'll keep you up to date as best we can via this site. We leave Saturday morning from Auckland...
Mission Priorities
An email this morning caused me to again question what the priority of my life and ministry is! I am, and have been a minister of religion for over 20 years and I love what I do, (most of the time).
But sometimes, (only sometimes), I think that my ministry priorities and those of my church are diametrically opposed. 20+ years ago I made a covenenant with God "to live to win souls and make their salvation the first purpose of my life". You see my priority, and my passion, is the total transformation of lives - not the perpetuation of a membership group.
For me that means running 'the amazing race' of their lives with individuals. It means coming alongside a person at the place they call 'home' and, with their invitation, becoming a partner in their race - eating, arguing, crying, laughing and playing with them. As we race together I hope that they see in me a Source of energy that is exciting, risky and empowering - and as a result I am able to introduce them to the Source of life and their Creator.
I want to introduce people to Jesus and walk them through the citizenship process of the Kingdom: if in that process they choose to become members of my church - that's fantastic, I will encourage and celebrate it - but that's not my ministry priority!
The "first purpose of my life" is inviting people to be members of God's family!
But sometimes, (only sometimes), I think that my ministry priorities and those of my church are diametrically opposed. 20+ years ago I made a covenenant with God "to live to win souls and make their salvation the first purpose of my life". You see my priority, and my passion, is the total transformation of lives - not the perpetuation of a membership group.
For me that means running 'the amazing race' of their lives with individuals. It means coming alongside a person at the place they call 'home' and, with their invitation, becoming a partner in their race - eating, arguing, crying, laughing and playing with them. As we race together I hope that they see in me a Source of energy that is exciting, risky and empowering - and as a result I am able to introduce them to the Source of life and their Creator.
I want to introduce people to Jesus and walk them through the citizenship process of the Kingdom: if in that process they choose to become members of my church - that's fantastic, I will encourage and celebrate it - but that's not my ministry priority!
The "first purpose of my life" is inviting people to be members of God's family!
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