It was the last fellowship of 2008 and only a small group of people attended. Because of the small group we could tackle a more contentious issue, namely tithing. We realized, once again, that everything belongs to God and we are just the stewards. We serve an unlimited God!
More personal issues coming out of our walk this year were discussed, including hearing God's voice, our daily walk with Him and servanthood. We went home with renewed vigor to seek God and His Kingdom.
Tuesday
WHAT`S AFTER BREAKFAST? BUT FIRST A CAN OF WORMS.
The fellowship was nice and full and all had a great time, truly! It is awesome to see how the fellowship gets going with diverse discussions swinging back and forth. It is very stimulating and sometimes pretty confusing, not that anyone would admit it. That's when we stare blankly and nod our heads as if we know exactly what was said. But just when you think you understand and have your five cents worth you realise you are totally off track and open an entirely new can of worms. We somehow manage to go away thinking that we`ve gained some wisdom of missions however little it might seem.
People in the fellowship are becoming risky and are starting to step out of the boat and put their hands to the plough. On Christmas day the fellowship has arranged a party for Mama Flora`s children which was Aldi's brain child. I'm sure it will be a huge success.
So now on to the topics. The first being "Are we right in pushing Western Christianity or are we just doing religion?". Our worldviews have definitely changed in this respect over the last few months. The second topic was "What's the plan after breakfast? "
We discussed Deon's strategy and what else he could do to reach the Thai's. We realised that it is impossible to plan your strategy in fine detail before you enter the field because without having lived in the culture you really have no clue what it is all about until you are there. Visits are not enough. Once more we realised that the primary purpose of missions is to prepare God's bride. It's not about numbers but about redeeming the culture. We came to the realisation that the bride was being prepared right there in the room where we were talking as we were slowly changing our own worldviews. Thank you Deon for feeding back to us.
A couple of times points were raised (cans of worms again) which allowed us a glimpse of the yellow and red roads clashing. Exciting stuff! A big thing that came up was why God's power (signs and wonders) seem to be missing in our western churches. Perhaps this is our fault. Ooh, that is hard but so true. Anyway, that is but a small glimpse into the evening we had. Our brains are frying weekly so if you want to exercise yours please join us.
People in the fellowship are becoming risky and are starting to step out of the boat and put their hands to the plough. On Christmas day the fellowship has arranged a party for Mama Flora`s children which was Aldi's brain child. I'm sure it will be a huge success.
So now on to the topics. The first being "Are we right in pushing Western Christianity or are we just doing religion?". Our worldviews have definitely changed in this respect over the last few months. The second topic was "What's the plan after breakfast? "
We discussed Deon's strategy and what else he could do to reach the Thai's. We realised that it is impossible to plan your strategy in fine detail before you enter the field because without having lived in the culture you really have no clue what it is all about until you are there. Visits are not enough. Once more we realised that the primary purpose of missions is to prepare God's bride. It's not about numbers but about redeeming the culture. We came to the realisation that the bride was being prepared right there in the room where we were talking as we were slowly changing our own worldviews. Thank you Deon for feeding back to us.
A couple of times points were raised (cans of worms again) which allowed us a glimpse of the yellow and red roads clashing. Exciting stuff! A big thing that came up was why God's power (signs and wonders) seem to be missing in our western churches. Perhaps this is our fault. Ooh, that is hard but so true. Anyway, that is but a small glimpse into the evening we had. Our brains are frying weekly so if you want to exercise yours please join us.
Wednesday
How do we process what Swami Ji taught us?
This Saturday was great. We had a few visitors which made for a full house. Jean-Pierre facilitated. We started off with sharing the progress that we have made in the last year. This was really inspiring. It was challenging to hear each other's experiences. The great thing about the fellowship is how we all learn from each other's experiences. One thing is definite and that is that no matter how small the change in our lives, our mindsets with regard to our worldview are changing.
After that we reviewed Swami Ji's presentation of last week. This was really good as their are so many gems that can be taken out of it. We discussed the incarnational approach (giving the gospel to other cultures in their own bowl) versus the extraction approach, We also discussed denying ourselves and taking up our cross and what that really means, losing our life for the Kingdom's sake, being a devotee of Jesus versus a Christian etc.
We then went on to discuss an e-mail from Deon. In it he asks us to think about what his family is going to do after their language school studies. How can his family take the incarnational approach within the Thai culture? Wow, this is intense stuff. We only touched on this and decided to leave it as the topic for next week. So put on your thinking caps and pray about it so that we are all ready for next week.
After that we reviewed Swami Ji's presentation of last week. This was really good as their are so many gems that can be taken out of it. We discussed the incarnational approach (giving the gospel to other cultures in their own bowl) versus the extraction approach, We also discussed denying ourselves and taking up our cross and what that really means, losing our life for the Kingdom's sake, being a devotee of Jesus versus a Christian etc.
We then went on to discuss an e-mail from Deon. In it he asks us to think about what his family is going to do after their language school studies. How can his family take the incarnational approach within the Thai culture? Wow, this is intense stuff. We only touched on this and decided to leave it as the topic for next week. So put on your thinking caps and pray about it so that we are all ready for next week.
Monday
Swami Saturday....
Saturday evening was an absolute hit.
Swami Ji shared to an audience of thirty five enraptured people.
Eyes were opened and scales fell free, as the strategy was divulged.
As Paul did, so is Swami doing.
A life changing, Good News being given to the Hindus without taking away their culture, Christ is all things to all men....includes those whom we believe cannot be reached!
Thank You Swami Ji for an evening filled with knowledge, wisdom and understanding.
Next Saturday will be the follow up... so, now that we understand this, what does it mean for us? Where should our message of the Good News change? How should we be implementing this message in our lives, etc?
What next?
Swami Ji shared to an audience of thirty five enraptured people.
Eyes were opened and scales fell free, as the strategy was divulged.
As Paul did, so is Swami doing.
A life changing, Good News being given to the Hindus without taking away their culture, Christ is all things to all men....includes those whom we believe cannot be reached!
Thank You Swami Ji for an evening filled with knowledge, wisdom and understanding.
Next Saturday will be the follow up... so, now that we understand this, what does it mean for us? Where should our message of the Good News change? How should we be implementing this message in our lives, etc?
What next?
Friday
A picture tells a thousand words....yada yada yada
THE List!
The tall and the short of it!
the 'handicapped version!
Swami Ji found the roof
the boys and their toys....
CoCo got right down to it!
the boys and their toys....
CoCo got right down to it!
Sonja found a paint roller.....
Llewellyn....played in the mud
JP was supervised by Swami....
just in case, ya know...
Alison got stuck into the 'details'.....
Marlene managed to conuer the LADDER!
Mario found coffee!!!!
Everyone found Swami Ji's conversation captivating....
Marlene started pulling faces at the wall... it was a long day!
Llewellyn....played in the mud
JP was supervised by Swami....
just in case, ya know...
Alison got stuck into the 'details'.....
Marlene managed to conuer the LADDER!
Mario found coffee!!!!
Everyone found Swami Ji's conversation captivating....
Marlene started pulling faces at the wall... it was a long day!
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