Monday, September 30, 2013

Lost in translation

I visited my doctor last Thursday for some issues, and while chatting something that was lost in translation was no drinks. I was greatly disturbed for a moment, and asked to clarify what he meant. It made my translator a little upset cause the doc didn't know what was going on, when i asked the clarifying question. So, no coffee for breakfast?  it took a moment for her to figure out what I was saying, she actually called the doc again to clarify. He said no coffee with sugar. Ah...

I however, had already decided it was time to give up caffeine for the many side effects I had been seeing. I wasn't abusing it, more I really enjoy the taste of it, and love the experience with friends.
This made me think: What else in my life gets lost in translation?

In relationships, do we lose what people are trying to communicate with us, and assume they said what we think we heard?   While we were support raising we learned a phrase that has helped us in so many ways over the years.
"This is what you said, this is what I heard, now, what did you mean?

Do we get wounded from words that were never intended, or wounded from thoughts that never should have been?

In our walk with the Lord, do we twist what the Lord has said to make it sound better. Do we water down the truth, so we don't get offended, or uncomfortable? is the Gospel comfort? or does the Lord require us to sacrifice our comfort in order that His name would be glorified?

What in your life is lost in translation?

Saturday, September 14, 2013

Surreal

GO HUMPHREY'S!!!! 












This is what we were chanting as we cheered on our students for the first ever Camp Humphrey's High school football team.  The students have only been practicing for 3 weeks, and the team (OSAN) they were playing was the school up until this year they had attended. For everyone it was a big game, and a big moment knowing we were a small part of history. 

See photos below:
We went with some of our staff who had to sign us on. (humbling)














As I sat and cheered I couldn't help but be overwhelmed and struck with the workings of the Lord over the past year. You see, it was May 2012 (a little over a year ago) on our Asia taste and see trip we had been on this very base (OSAN) and the five of us prayed around this school and this field. I had not been back to the field since that day.
Here we were now. living here and in a community we couldn't even get into, and now here I was watching a football team that has its first year. I was struck with the provision of the Lord over the year. 

Remembering the emotions of leaving, and being still and going. I was recalling the uncertainty that we felt many times, and the transition we muddled through to get to this point. I was recalling faces of students we left, and families and friends. Sitting here at the game I had emotions of the greatness of God, sadness of leaving a home we knew for 5 years, and gratefulness of where the Lord brought us. 

Maybe this was some of the grief leaving and being replaced with more excitement of what God is going to do. Regardless of what you call it, it was a moment with my Saviour that I savoured and cherished. It all culminated into an expression of "Here I am Lord, your servant, ready to do your will"