pühapäev, oktoober 03, 2004
Risk
"Love still takes the risk of birth." -- Madeleine L'Engle
Today we went to Salem church, which we walk to because it's just down the street from our house. It's the church where most of the American missionaries (our friends!) attend, and so we try to go as often as we can, when we're not out of town in Tallinn or Narva, or visiting other churches in Tartu.
This morning there was a baby dedication. With my limited Estonian and comparatively extensive Bible knowledge, I could make out that the pastor was quoting Jesus: "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." (Matthew 19:14; Mark 10:14; Luke 18:16)
The General of The Salvation Army has declared 2005 a Year for Children and Youth. For fifteen and a half years, this has been my focus! We are anxoius to see how God will extend that focus beyond our three biological children.
Later in the meeting, his sermon was based on more words of Jesus: "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem ..., how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!" (Matthew 23:37; Luke 13:34)
This was something I thought of often when we were in in our last appointment, the third poorest city in America: "O Chester, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!"
We are taking such a risk being here in Tartu. Not physically, or financially!! But emotionally and mentally and even spiritually. It is risky to make new friends, and hard work. Today, we met an American family (not missionaries!) who moved here a few weeks after we did. Spending time with them reminded us once again of how much we miss our friends in America, where we know the rules of interaction. Every relationship has its own set of rules, and we are still navigating them here.
Love still takes the risk.
Evelyn
Today we went to Salem church, which we walk to because it's just down the street from our house. It's the church where most of the American missionaries (our friends!) attend, and so we try to go as often as we can, when we're not out of town in Tallinn or Narva, or visiting other churches in Tartu.
This morning there was a baby dedication. With my limited Estonian and comparatively extensive Bible knowledge, I could make out that the pastor was quoting Jesus: "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." (Matthew 19:14; Mark 10:14; Luke 18:16)
The General of The Salvation Army has declared 2005 a Year for Children and Youth. For fifteen and a half years, this has been my focus! We are anxoius to see how God will extend that focus beyond our three biological children.
Later in the meeting, his sermon was based on more words of Jesus: "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem ..., how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!" (Matthew 23:37; Luke 13:34)
This was something I thought of often when we were in in our last appointment, the third poorest city in America: "O Chester, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!"
We are taking such a risk being here in Tartu. Not physically, or financially!! But emotionally and mentally and even spiritually. It is risky to make new friends, and hard work. Today, we met an American family (not missionaries!) who moved here a few weeks after we did. Spending time with them reminded us once again of how much we miss our friends in America, where we know the rules of interaction. Every relationship has its own set of rules, and we are still navigating them here.
Love still takes the risk.
Evelyn
