Crossing Cultures - Diminutive
We like being given the recognition we feel we deserve. It is not uncommon for our children to start asserting their “grown-upness” at a young age, reminding us parents that they are now X years old and don’t need our help with the task or decision under discussion. This continues throughout life, when we get our hackles up should someone insinuate that we are less than we actually are, whether it refers to age (college kids coming home during the summer?), job status (fetching coffee for the boss?), or a variety of other facets of life.
A Word - Life as Mission
There are a variety of reason that the idea of mis- sion is currently undergoing renegotiation and revision in the church’s imagination. One of the most important is the fact that the nature of the world has changed. Although even a standard definition of globalization is difficult to come by, the complex processes that word refers to have undeniably produced tremendous change in the global landscape. Missions used to be about whom was sent to where from where. In order to engage in “world missions,” “global missions,” or “foreign missions,” sending a missionary was necessary, and that fact shaped the definition of missions (the church’s “mission work”) and, in turn, of mission (God’s purposes in all of creation).
Mark as Gospel: Trial and Crucifixion (14:27-15:41)
Almost, Judas gets his wish. At the moment of betrayal, one of the disciples draws a sword and lops off an enemy ear. The resistance has begun. They will fight to the end, and die if they have to. When Peter swore loyalty even unto death (14:31), this is what he meant. Good soldiers die, and he is willing to risk it for revolution. And then Jesus says the unimaginable: “Have you come out to seize me with swords and clubs, as though I were a revolutionary?” (14:48)?
Just for Kids
When I was a girl, my family would pack up our red Toyota truck, and drive across the country to go camping for weeks at a time. It was always a lot of fun for my sisters and I as children, because we got to run and play outside, explore new places, and just be kids.At the end of the two or three weeks, though, we were ready to be sleeping in our own beds, watching TV, and having a refrigerator full of food ready to be eaten. Now imagine if you had to spend your whole life on one long camping trip? The children of Israel did just that for forty years.
CUDA View: Global Missions Conference 2011
If you have been on our website (icduperu.org) recently you may have seen an ad about (and seeking help funding) an upcoming trip for ICDU in October. The Global Missions Conference is a CoC conference held every three years where missionaries and missions interested Christians gather to share ideas and network. Thanks to some connections Greg has we were able to secure an interest group meeting slot for ICDU so we can share about our holistic ministry here in Arequipa—specifically our micro-loan program. Greg and I are excited about the opportunity we have to be at the conference, see some familiar faces, and make new connections in the missional community.