T.Y.S.Y.L. Party

Friday night was special for me here in Kansas City.  It was the evening of my going away party. Judi and Keith Schwanz hosted the event at their home.  What a gift! So many people came over.  My Kansas City "worlds" collided on one night in one place.  It was so great to see friends from different places interacting.  I'm so glad I could talk (even if brief) to so many people before I left.

I didn't want to call Friday night's gathering a "going away" party.  It was a T.Y.S.Y.L. Party or   a "Thank You and See You Later" party. Yes, I'm going away.  I'm moving to Idaho.  But I'm a Nazarene. Kansas City is "Mecca".  Besides I have family here! I'll be back to KC eventually for something--a meeting or a visit.  Yeah, maybe this gathering was a going away party but it was more.  Last night was for me a thanksgiving for what God has been up to in this year. 

God has been so particularily involved in this past year as I've leaned into life with a posture of rest, waiting, listening and connecting.  I'm so thankful for an entire year off!  Waiting has not always been easy especially when I had no clue what I was waiting for. Knowing what we wait for is a luxury! But not knowing has been an adventure with surprises.  As I've waited listening has been my life theme.  It is a life theme to hold on to!  This season has been marked specifically by listening to myself, my environment, my relationships, and my experiences.  I've had a keen sense of God incarnating himself in all these areas this year.  This year has also been one of deep connection with people. MaryAnn and Malcolm, the people I live with, became family. People from Jacob's Well, NTS and others gifted me with their time, their stories and their hearts.  Friday was so great because I got to be with so many of them one last time before I move on to a new season.  There is sadness in leaving such great people. Yet there is thanksgiving for the gift of being here in KC for a year with them.  The people of this year have inpacted me more than they'll ever know.  Thanks to all my friends in Kansas City.  You have been Christ to me this year as you've rested, waited, listened and connected with me.   Thank you and see you later!

At the end of the gathering my friends prayed for me.  It was a humbling experience and a defining moment for me.  Was I being ordained?  What a gift it was to feel like I was being sent by people who love me. Gracias! Kamsahamnida! Thank You!

Thomas Merton

Mike King shared a bit on Sunday as a part of the call to worship/announcements.  He quoted Thomas Merton.  I was going to ask him for the reference but he posted it on his blog.

Merton Quote

'What do I fear most? To forget who I am, to be lost in what I am not.'

Thomas Merton, Journal 1966

Amahoro-Africa: South Africa

This past week was the 3rd Amahoro Africa gathering.  I would have loved to have been there in person but found a way to participate from a distance.  This year's gathering was held in South Africa on the topic of the African Reformation.  Parts of the conversation were recorded and posted by Roger Saner on the website Future Church.  You can hear from Claude and Kelley Nikondeha, Brian McLaren, Moss Nthla, and others.  There are some tremendous talks and evidence that reconciliation is still happening and pain continues to be transformed.  Thanks to all of those who recorded and uploaded these sessions!

Idaho Bound

Idaho bound.... I'm moving.   And it is incredibly exciting.  I'm moving to Nampa, Idaho to work at Northwest Nazarene University as their Student Ministries Director.  Last week I visited NNU and a whole host of people for a marathon interview.  Who would have thought 3 days of interviews could be so much fun?  I had such meaningful conversations with students, faculty, staff and administration.  There are some stellar folks at NNU that I'm going to work with and for.  I'll head out of Kansas City on July 4th with a friend, my car and my stuff.  It will be a long drive but an easy move.  I don't even own a piece of furniture!  I'll start work August 1.   I'm looking forward to connecting with NNU students, staff and faculty as well as the communities surrounding NNU.  I'm looking forward to journeying with students as we learn about how our passions might involve us in local, domestic and international mission.  It will be fun to find where God is already at work so we can join what He's already in the process of doing in our community and world.