God

Just two weeks ago, it seems like a lot longer ago than just two weeks, I led a group through material titled, "The Story of God." There was an interesting mix of people who interacted, for some like me the story was old and familiar; for some it was the first time they heard the story; some new little of the story but felt the story was not for them; and some had heard the stories before but the stories had little effect on their lives.

Almost everyone had the same response as we walked through the stories: Who is this God/god? Is He good or is he just on a power trip? How do we know God's character and how can we trust this God that sometimes seems hard to understand.

It really challenged me to examine again what I believe about the character of God. Can a God who drowned everyone except Noah and his family be good? Could God have handled Eve's apple bite differently? I usually see these stories through the lens of grace - God working to restore his relationship with me and you. But as I shared them with students who were not familiar with them, they often asked questions not related to grace but judgment. Questions that are uncomfortable because simple and packaged answers really do not feel very satisfying.

As I have thought about this the past two weeks, especially as I have continued to dialogue with some of the students, I have been reminded again that God does not fit into a neat and clean packaging. Sharing God's story raises questions for me as the sharer just as much as for the hearer. I am glad God has pushed these questions up and that I have been able to wrestle with some of the questions along side of friends who are wrestling with how their story and God's story may intersect.

Traveling Home

We are sitting in the Estonian airport waiting for our flight to head back to the USA. It is hard to believe that 2 years has passed since we moved back from Estonia to the US. It was easy to jump back into life in Estonia and often felt like we could have walked back into the house we owned and settled back into life here. Life was familiar but a lot more expensive!

It is a bit scary to head back to the US. Our house in Indiana still has not sold and summer is quickly passing. We are excited about engaging into life at Hope but not quite sure how to do it being home owners 7 hours away from the church. Well, we are excited that God has something exciting for us in the upcoming weeks.

Risto's Blog

Our time in Estonia has been full, fun and flying by! Here is a link from one of the students blogs who attended English Camp. http://www.ristoveeb.pri.ee/blog/index.php?page=blog&id=25 You will see his English is great and see from an attender what it is like to experience English Camp.

English Camp Day One

English camp started this afternoon. It had a strange start, one camper had a seizure in the main meeting area just before everyone was suppose to gather. It was just a strange feeling for a first impression of camp. The rest of the night went okay, we have a small team for this camp and we come from different areas so we are getting to know each other as well as the students. We also jumped into the Story of God on the first night and students were quiet and slow to respond. Every camp has its own personality and this camp has not quite discovered its yet.

You can pray for energy for the leaders and that as a group we would quickly connect with the students from Kohila. It is important that these relationships develop quickly since camp is short. I have really enjoyed the students I have had time to connect with so far.

Then and now

Then and now. The picture below was taken our first summer in Estonia. The picture on our right is from just a couple of weeks ago on our vacation to Disney. Where does time go?

Already that first summer, both kids were a part of camps. This summer both will have more important roles during the English Camp the first week. Both will actively participate during the small group times and their input will be very valuable. The second week both kids hope to connect with friends. Zach's Estonian still seems pretty good but Abigail has lost much of her language skills. It will be an interesting journey for both of them as they realize how much they have changed since they last visited Estonia.

Stories

I have the honor of leading the dialoge at the English Camp that we will participate in next week. The material we will be working through is simple and beautiful, it is the story of God from Creation through the beginning of the church. Caesar, an elder from Soma and a part of Acts 29, has taken key passages and placed them into short stories. The goal is to create conversations - this allows students to practice their English and build their speaking skills. Through these conversations, I anticipate students will be challenged to consider how God's story intersects with their story. As I have been reading through the stories, I am asking myself the same questions. How do these promises, truths, and this God intersect with my life daily.

I love stories - they are fun to tell and to hear. If I want to share God at work in my life, what better way than sharing stories of what he has done today, yesterday or the last week.

When was the last time your story intersected with His story?

Some days stink

Ever had a bad day. Today was one of them. Today was one of those days, a day where if it could go wrong it seemed like it did. A day you wish you could start over and hope for different outcomes. I feel deflated and tired and Jen looks twice as tired as I do.

How do you respond on days like this? Last night Jen and I were talking about trusting God in uncertain times. Maybe it was preparation for today? My mind says, "God is in control - I can trust him!" But I feel so different, I'd really like to retreat, withdraw, do something desperate or crazy.

Is it the full moon? Spiritual warfare? Crazy decisions the past few months? I'm not sure but I pray that tomorrow is a better day than today!