Given my last blog to you, I fear I might have left you in a slight lurch or quandary: “Is Stan okay?” The answer at that writing, and to the present, is an unqualified “yes.” However, my last blog did reflect my experience on Sunday: fatigue, jetlag, bodily aches, and culture-shock: the little things, the disorientation, that cause fundamental self-doubt. For years I have marveled at those foreign among us, who seek to understand Americans, when we can and do describe others as “wet blankets,” “hot dogs,” “slime balls,” and “party-poopers.” All cultures have their nuanced idiosyncrasies, and because of my present, I continue to ponder and appreciate the Apostle Paul’s seeking to navigate among the cultural rocks and shoals of the Graeco-Roman world.
I had hoped to send this present effort to you yesterday, but blackouts are an ongoing Malawian reality: yesterday, at our retreat site, the electricity went out about 9am and had not returned upon my leaving at 9pm. To be sure, the site does have a back-up generator, but it was not in use until we were sitting in near-dark; and even then, at moments the generator faltered, lights dimmed and flickered. Such a power outage was not critical to our retreat experience; but with little thought, it becomes clear how such outages reflect the downward spiral of an impoverished country: given the global village and its economy, advancement remains difficult, when electrical power fails. (I believe the US would be in utter chaos, if we were without electricity for two weeks.)
The picture that I have attached with this blog was taken this morning, at the conclusion of our in-service retreat. From my perspective, from beginning to end and on all accounts, our experience was exceptionally positive. Many prayers were answered, for which I am exceedingly thankful. On the one hand, the twenty-five pastors were very receptive to my methodological approach to John’s Gospel (which for them included lively interaction within both small and large group settings); on the other hand, the site afforded pastors the opportunity to enjoy one another’s company, as well as time to share pastoral insights and problems – what Americans call “networking.” Last night one pastor noted: “I’ve been hungering for this: you’ve helped us to wrestle with and interpret the Bible. I hunger for more,” he said, touching his heart.
So much of our time was filled with laughter, song, and open hearts to one another and to God.
Thankfully,
Stan