Thanks Ed

I was sitting at my desk looking up the past and imperative tense of the 40 most common German verbs, and as you can probably imagine, my mind was wandering. I drifted to Twitter for the tenth time and I noticed Ed Stezer's twitter asking why "missional" Christians are not into missions. From the context that Ed is traveling through Europe right now, I'm assuming that he meant that they are not into cross-cultural communication of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Thinking about his Twitters and blogs, I got to thinking:

A little background to catch you up:

"Missional" Christians believe that Jesus is who he said he is. The Bible is a perfect gift from God that reveals the Truth to us and, together with the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, we are changed into the likeness of Christ - and this is where life gets interesting. We recognize people who haven't converted think that we live strangely.

Christians throughout history have responded in different ways, but missional Christians live their lives in community that intentionally strip off the "Christidom" stuff. We live like our non-believing neighbors in every way except that our lives are focused on Christ and the community He builds. We are activist citizens believing that people can change their own culture for the better. And, we make friends with the hope that they will see our hearts and after conversations, looking through the Bible, working with us, and that mystery of the Holy Spirit working in their lives, they will choose for themselves to follow Jesus.

But, our brothers in faith are concerned that we are not crossing cultures and therefore are not obeying the Great Commission that is Jesus' last command to His disciples recorded in the Bible.

MY POINT IS:

Christians who are really "missional" are focused on their own people group. And, a person can only focus on one culture at a time and have a chance of actually be part of it or have a positive impact. I also believe that cultures can only be changed by those who are from within. No social justice can be created or preserved without those who are within the community to demand it.

Starting with worldview, the complexities of life within a culture are enthralling. So, if you are paying attention to what your neighbors think about life, how that effects their opinions. If you are looking deeper at what is important and how you can change the world, meaning you're ten block radius starting in your own circle of friends - well starting with you. Those who are doing this are glorifying God and changing people's minds about God. Maybe it's because God wants to use His people to be the changes and the miracles that everyone in the world is starving for.

Obviously, I have personal reasons to pull out and go some where completely different and become a child again - so that people who would not otherwise understand will have a chance to see and hear the Gospel in my life. But, I've been called and equipped to leave and become a perpetual catalyst/learner outsider, rather than an activist insider. (There are many reasons why I pro missions, but that's not they point of this entry.)

It's hard when you're already deeply invested in people's lives to pull away and focus somewhere else where you know that the object of focus will never become completely clear. It's hard to learn a new language knowing you will never get the subtle jokes. I love it, was made for it, and I thank God every day for it. But, I do not expect every believer to cross cultures just because most English translations of the Bible says "go" instead of the Greek's "as you are going."

Looking to the future:

So I say to those who are still in your home networks: If you will focus on loving God and loving people in your own community, it will change the world more than if everyone went on "mission."

I hope, that's what missional churches are doing. As they mature and get to know their communities, they will see that their community is already connected to communities all over the world. And, I pray that they will act on those relationships, rather manufacture activity out of obligation. Networks are already in place all over the world, and if they are activated, who knows what could happen.

Ciao, Bella!

Yep, I actually had this said to me to day, in context, by an Italian tourist who asked me directions. I was walking from Deutsch classes, so needless to say when a beautiful man pulled up in an Italian luxury car and said, "'Scusi! Eh, como stai? Lie Parla Italiano?" I had no idea what was going to come out of my mouth.

Some how, "Bene, Ja, Ein poco," came out while pinching my thumb and forefinger together. He smiled really big. "Un poco, bene."

He then said, slow and beautifully of couse, "C'è un ristorante nelle vicinanze?" and fortunately he gestured to jog my memory, "Ach, ja! Ja, muuuulti multi RistoRante am der Ringstrasse." with the most flurished rolled R's I've ever done, pointing to the major intersection up ahead of us and making a circular motion.
"Eh, Certemente, grazie. Ciao, Bella!" And he drove off.
And I thought, what language am I even speaking!?
Could "si" not comeout of my mouth once?
All well.

I wanted to call Ambre to let her know one of her people came to see me, but I'm still dont' have her number (hint, hint).

Alighting

My apartment is getting settled. There are still many things to do, but they list is shrinking almost every day. This weekend has been the first time it's really sunk in that I'm here for years. Years of important moments and days that will be so very different from what I'm known before.

I can't really say that I missed my cousin's wedding yesterday because my parents took pictures of every moment from hair appointments to the last dance and many of them are already posted. When I couldn't sleep last night because I knew that T&R were "gettin' hitched," as my niece put it, at 2am my time, Paul gave the play by play with some commentary thanks to his cool phone and Skype. (He usually does something similar for Pred hockey games, so I'm glad he was well practiced.) But, I still missed so much. I missed my family's side whispers and hugs.

And, today I'm missing getting to spend time with one of my favorite people in the world. I don't get snuggle up to her and nuzzle her hair - so much like mine but white at the temples - and tell her how much I love her and why I think she's so beautiful. I can't tell her how much I brag about her; how I can't seem to let many hours go by without thinking of or doing something she taught me. I love to share the history and culture of Vienna with her because she's the one that taught me to love and learn about places and people.

At the same time, as she and I have talked about many times before it was, in part, her teaching and our relationship of shared passions that gave me the courage to come here in the first place. It is her passion for the nations that taught me to long to go to another culture. But even that would not be that meaningful if she hadn't shared with me the one person we are the most passionate about: our Lord and God, Jesus. She really taught me through her actions as well as stories that all people have cultures that enable them to uniquely experience and praise Him. And, over the years she showed me that the best teachers empower her students to become the their best selves. They teach people how to learn for the selves - what no person can give. I pray that one day I can say that I have released half the people she has from the labels and habits that people pass on to each other.

I am not saying that my mother is the only reason why I'm here by any means; however, I cannot overstate how God used her to equip me to be here. So, today I am reflecting on the life I've had with my mother and I look forward to many more years of her wisdom and grace in my life - despite the necessary distance to be able to fulfill the purpose of my work.

Love you, Momma.

Today so Far

I know that those of you in the States are just starting their day, but I thought I've sahre a little of my day. (For those of you who are curious about my life.)

So, I woke at 7:30 this morning from a dream that I was a Kaiserin washing dishes. And my mother Kaiserin was completely appauled but explained that it was soothing.

I talked to God for a while but then God - or just my brain finally kicked in - gently reminded me that I had fallen asleep while watching "When We Were Kaiser" excepts and forgot to actually DO my Deutsch hausubung (homework).

So, I hurried my morning ritual - except for breakfast because muesli yogurt cannot be hurried - and walked to my U-bahn station in the flow of about twenty neighbors. I walked to the middle of the train so as to not get lost in the maze of the Karlsplatz station. I was a little disappointed because in my rush I didn't think through that the station is only two stops away so I wouldn't have time to do my Hausubung, but I might have been able to figure out the weather forecast from "Heute" (Today) the daily free paper that is half tabloid but it's free so I stare at the pictures and try to find words I know.

I was successful at passing both bakeries in that part of the station and surfaced at the right place so I could walk along B.gasse along with many classical musicians. This is about the point in time that I usually pretend that I'm going to rehearsal rather than German class. But, evetually, they all walk into the Musikakademie and I continue a few more feet to my Schole.

Class was good today, though we all seemed tired and under prepared. So, I was in good company. We learned enough today that I found out that Tob. is 19 years Old from Turkey. Tian. is from the Ukraine and she and J, aus den USA, are both divorced. They are all planning on returning home. Only the Ell's and I are staying on.

I also learned that if I say "mein freund" I mean my boyfriend, but if I say, "ein freund" we're friends. My instructor lives with Ihre Freund, so that word clearly means much more to them than "someone I know that I get along with."

But, the real test of my Deutsch was that right after class my phone rang. I'm glad I just checked my calender and was expecting a call from the inspector from Wien Engerie. I had to say in front of my teacher, "Entschuldigung, Ich spreche ein Bisschen Deatsch. Bitte, sprechen Sie Englisch?" She smiled encouragement. (Yay!) Unfortunately he only spoke a little English so we had this half and half conversation and then I high tailed it to the U-bahn not knowing if he really meant twenty minutes to my apartment or not!

I ran and caught the back of the train so as to not get lost in my train station then ran/walked up both escalators to the surface. I arrived as some of myneighbors were leaving so we all said our "Guss Gott"s. I beat the inspector but three minutes. He looked around, poked at some things, tried to explain the situation to me in technical Deutsch with the occational English to clarify that he was going to punch holes in the ceiling outside my apartment to add ventalation for my water heater, and then talked to the architect who did the renovations of the building and decided it wasn't necessary after all. I tried to act like I had something to do other than stare at him - especially sense he is my age, cute, and single.

He eventually explained that, "Alles gut blah blah blah" Deutsch. Pointed to an x that I signed next to. He asked if, "blah blah Ihre handy nummer Ok on de form?" And he headed out the door. He said, "Tut mir leid, blah blah blah alles OK."

So I said, "Kein problem, guten Tag!" because that's what you say when some says tut mir leid and they're walking away.

And now I am contemplating rye crackers with butter and jam and some hot rooibus tea for lunch.
And a nap maybe.