The character of your God

Recently I heard that in some parts of Madagascar the "ancestors" who speak through some who-knows-how-appointed spokesperson demand that locals take their prime cattle and feed them to the crocodiles. I am sure this is in exchange for peace, prosperity, or some other elusive blessing.

Then I thought about all the animal sacrifices in the Old Testament, and wondered if it seemed the same to some of the Hebrews. But when I examined things more closely, I found the reason for the sacrifice was very different, and in many cases beautifully meaningful and full of symbolism pointing toward a "better sacrifice" that was to come.

Once again I am thankful for the Gospel. Truly Good News. Here is a God who made the sacrifice himself. There is none like Him.

But here in Madagascar, everywhere you turn, you see how the gods have tricked the people. No one is blessed by them. They are miserable gods robbing a happy people. Useless gods. Powerless except through manipulation and threats in the form of myths, rumors and superstition.

One culture may not be better than another, but I know one God who is.

Why I don't blog much

Because:

• Every time I click a link, or a button, or anything it takes 30 seconds before the next page loads
• I don't often have anything profound or interesting to say
• My life is not routine enough
• I am too undisciplined
• I am lazy
• I forget where I put my blog
• Mostly because when I have the motivation, the internet is too slow
• My wireless network is weak and slow
• No one reads my blog so why bother
• I forget I have a blog
• I am having too much fun in the real world
• Coffee sounds good... right now!
  

Lawbreaker

Well, it had to happen some time. The time of course is always important. I had just dropped Sue off at the airport and was on my way to teach at a conference, and came to a sudden halt. A police check. Can I see your Carte Gris (the car's registration paper) - looked, looked some more. Darn. It seems to be missing. Your insurance... ummm... Sir, it is expired. Really?! Oops. Can I see your passport? Well, it is with Customs... for tax exemption for my container goods. I can show you a photocopy? Driver's licence please? Sorry... this is not an international permit. Oops again. Lost that.

Turns out the carte gris was in the car. But oddly, at that moment, I couldn't produce one valid document. Not one. Of four the polite officer requested, I had one - an expired insurance form. I expected to be hurried to the nearest prison cell.

Well, after a phone call or two, I was released to go and speak at the conference, but would have to return immediately afterwards - which I did, together with Tanteraka, who would help plead my case.

The story ends well. I received mercy. Grace. Freedom. I didn't deserve it.

A few days later Tanteraka got a parking fine - hardly a violation at all and there was no budging... a 60000Ar fine was imposed. Life isn't fair. Salvation wasn't fair either.

Got to go now. Sue has just started her first day at the school, and school itself only starts next week, so I have the boys. Anything could have happened by now - while I have been typing for ten minutes...

This is winter

Tana and Pretoria are both at an altitude of just less than 1300m. In fact, my first check suggests Tana is 4186 feet and Pretoria is 4173 feet. Amazing - just a 9 foot difference. We have mild winters here. Mostly clear blue skies. A rich blue. With amazing clouds. I am sure my English teacher would love these verbless sentences. What's my point? I love it here. It is beautiful. People can say what they want about the dirt... Tana is beautiful.

I have been reading about the glory of God. I discovered that some translations use the word 'beauty' where others use the word 'glory'. For years I have felt that I do not have a deep enough understanding of what the bible describes as the glory of God. Why did Moses want to see it? Isn't it the scary aweful majesty of his holiness that has sin burning up - like in Raiders of the Lost Ark? Now I am beginning to glimpse a little more. It is Beauty. And the way we are drawn to beauty, captivated by it, called to a standstill just to take it in... this is what God's glory is about. When we hear a fine piece of music, or study the expression on a loved one's face, or see a child at play, and hear the giggles and laughs... when we look at the blue sky of Tana... we know there is such a thing as glory... and it all speaks of God's beauty. Beauty is from God, and whispers of him, calling our attention back to him. Now, like Moses, I would ask boldly... God, show me your glory.

Business in Madagascar

Today we had a breakfast for business people, and then an afternoon session for the young adults interested in starting a business. Most of it was an exercise in discovering who is who. About 20 folk came to the breakfast, and then in the afternoon, eight young adults.

It is a little strange looking into a new culture, and a new economy, and seeing so much in common with South Africa. The same catch-22 exists for the inexperienced entering the market place: all jobs require 2-3 years experience, but how do you get your 2-3 years to start with? I want to put out the challenge to employers / those involved in HR and recruiting everywhere: COME UP WITH A BETTER SOLUTION.

The young man or young woman starts out on the journey of life and work with closed doors. This does little to fan to flame all the potential in the next generation. We need internship programs. We need to invest into these lives that right now can give us nothing in return. (They will even cost you money!). Jesus said something about inviting someone to dinner who couldn't invite you back. The point is, we must not only do what advantages us. I am not running a business. But maybe you are. Do something!

Legal Aliens

Breaking news today... We are officially welcomed - our visas have been issued. Just six months here and in the same week we get a car and "long term" visas. Very happy :-)

Sounds fantastic

Well, we are wrestling through the challenges of upgrading the sound stuff in the church. I have ordered a couple of new mics for the lead vocals. Chose a Sennheiser e935 and e835 to experiment with. How do I explain what I need? A clean, natural sound. Slightly brighter than the Shure PG58s we have and fuller than the Behringer XM8500. Yep, I can throw model numbers around now. Comes with the new job.

Here's a tough question: how do we get the drum volume under control? The drummer IS loud, and we will encourage him to develop sensitivity, but that will take time. The other options seem to take a lot of money. Any ideas?

Soon we will take the plunge and acquire a new keyboard/piano. Was looking at the Yamaha CP33 - because it seems Yamaha is one of the few brands you can get here in Tana. Any recommendations?

OK, we are going at this challenge head on. We do what we can do, and somehow know the Lord will do the really amazing things - like bring growth.