We've been serving BIC for one year ... today. It's been a quick year, work-wise. Lots of changes, just like when any new person steps into an organization. Today, I think about what's been accomplished ... and wonder what the next person will see, find good or missing, and how the temperament of BIC will change after we're gone. What legacy do we want to leave? What health, renewal, or well-being can we foster? What stories of grace will be planted into the people?
I'm very GRATEFUL for BIC's past. We inherited a wonderful group of people who were served with heart. We found systems we could work with - an ethical leadership team, joyful service and worship teams, and generally adventurous people who let us experiment until things work.
Fairly often, someone comes to us with an idea: "May we try new music, way of speaking, art?" Sure, we say. "Let's give it 3 weeks or 3 months and evaluate." (We remind people that we can always switch it back if it's not a good fit.)
The local culture doesn't mind so much when things start. That's a mixed blessing - a relaxed entry but often a last-minute scramble. I've spoken at universities where people are still setting up media 15-20 minutes after an event is supposed to start. So everyone feels fine if they arrive late.
Today, our speaker is Caitlan. She's a powerhouse and good communicator. Her husband is the pastor of a church plant, which means they can invent whatever they like. With an international gathering made of many backgrounds and cultures, it's easy to say, "Well, we know that's not your tradition, but why don't we enjoy something new and fresh - another way?" Usually people will at least sit and watch.
If anyone can manage to speak over such a wiggly group (see the kids in front?), it's probably Caitlan. She's the mom of 3 toddlers.
All the children stay with us on Family Sunday. It's a noisy and bouncy group but few people mind. We love having all ages together - the little ones sprawl and color their kid-pages on pillows on the old (side) stage; some older kids drag pillows to the front and sit on a kid-friendly rug. They're comfy and so are we.
Monday
We run errands and eat dim sum after the morning gathering. The tea and mango juice is good, too.
Tuesday
It's our 42nd Wedding Anniversary. After a morning team meeting, we have lunch together on the way up to the hotel. I've asked if we can get away - most of our life is centered in this neighborhood.
There's good food at Meizon. We eat in a courtyard dripping with plastic flowers.
What catches my eye is the laser-cut metal screen. I'd love one or two for our entry (hang it near the door so we're not walking into a big room) or our porch. Only one neighbor overlooks the yard and a screen would block that view.
W has chosen the Swiss-Bel hotel on the next hill over. The staff gives us the honeymoon suite, complete with swan-folded towels on the bed.
There's no tub overlooking the view in the second room. And no swans. But we've already shifted so we stay and sleep in a comfy bed with bright light streaming in over the neighborhoods.
After checking out, we drive down to town. On the way, we drop by Good Buy, where we bought most of our furniture when we arrived. Their prices have gone up - but they still have some interesting items, like this big sofa/daybed. (Pass)
Our next stop is an art show. The national watercolor society is hosting a week of art - there are lots of people at the morning workshop (which we miss) -
but they invite us to next week's workshop. I admire one man's painting of a Sunda dancer. W asks if if the artist is willing sell it to us, but he gives it to us instead. What a wonderful anniversary gift.
Another artist shows us a stunning painting that caught my eye the first time I got to that wall. "It took 3 weeks, at least 2 hours every day," he explains.
He uses our hometown Daniel Smith paints: #danielsmithwatercolors. "You can't buy them in Indonesia," he says. "I import them from Barcelona." I tell him if he's running low, he can buy a few tubes; I'll bring them back from Seattle.
One more stop: the china reject shop Sandy introduced me to. The driver worked for Terry and her before us, so he knows just where to go. I'm looking for tall mugs for big cups of tea. They have a few.
Our last stop is SushiDen for a late lunch. The teriyaki is fine but the fish in the sushi tastes old. I eat some anyway - and have "the runs" for a few days. Ugh. It was pretty, but I should trust my tastebuds, God's warning signal.
W heads into the hills with the dogs while I stay home to write. My hand's not 100% yet - but getting better all the time. By the time he comes back, I've cleared out emails, listened to an online class, and finished the edits for 2 books. W has promised to publish them for me. It's time: this project has been sitting on my desk for 3 years.
W complains that Scrivener (the program used to compile the draft into a book) is impossible to use. But if anyone can figure it out, it's him. The complicated "do this, don't forget that, and don't do that" is the reason the books have been sitting in front of me forever. I start and get lost in the tech instructions: if it's more than 1-2-3, I lose interest and drift off. He'll get it done.
There's one more book in the series. I have a few edits to finish on that one. I choose a free stock cover for all 3, customizing the text.
The last piece before publication is the Foreword. There's one for each volume by three people I admire and respect. They know more about the topic than I do. "Coming in a week," they say. Great!
Friday
It's an early walk and a few hours at the office before brunch with a friend. We have lunch with another group, celebrating a student's gradutation from a master program. Before we know it, the weekend is here again.
Read more:
*He who forms the mountains, who creates the wind, and who reveals his thoughts to mankind, who turns dawn to darkness, and treads on the heights of the earth—the Lord God Almighty is his name. Amos 4:13 NIV
*He is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6
*Jesus asked the disciples, “But who do you say that I am?” Matthew 16:15
*So we are always confident; even though we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord—for we walk by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:6-7*In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.
After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs. Hebrews1:1-4 NIV
Moravian Prayer: Dear Lord, you have called us by name to go and serve your people. May we seek to give voice to the voiceless, and join spirits with no regard for color, class, or language. Help us to remember your promise to be with us always, so that we can walk this earthly path with faith and confidence. May our eyes be fixed firmly on the treasure that is ours, when we see you face to face. Amen.
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