Not literally nor geographically. But, we have moved "virtually." We are no longer going to be posting to this blog as we have found a blog-provider that better suits our needs and wants. We're also on Facebook now...and our Mission Society web-page continues as always. To keep in contact with us, please note the following links...click on 'em...bookmark 'em...and we'll stay in touch!!
Our FaceBook Page (or search "Mexico Mission")--we'll gladly add you, and please suggest us to others!
http://en-gb.facebook.com/people/Mexico-Mission/100001069374361
Our New Blog... (it's more photo-friendly!):
http://herrinmission.typepad.com/blog/
Our official page at The Mission Society...where you can find our newsletters and other information:
http://www.themissionsociety.org/people/herrin/
We hope you are doing well...that you are enjoying the goodness of God. May the Lord bless you all...in every way!
Jon, Jeanne and the J.A.M.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Sunday, March 28, 2010
A Saturday Night...
Now it's Saturday night, I am taking the opportunity to sit in front of our house and just watch life happen on our street...and it is beautiful. The moon has just passed full, but still shines brightly. In fact, the moon illuminates the mountains of the Sierra Madre range...just to the south of our city. I can see the white stone that makes up much of the range, the sharp edges of the mountains silhouetted against the sky. The breeze blows lightly, just enough to rustle the leaves of the ficus trees that are on our street.
After a long while, a time of rest has come--Holy Week. So, since Friday, we've been slowly unwinding, allowing all the stresses and tensions of life roll off.
Mr. Garcia, who lives just across the street in front of our house, has his grill fired up. He is meticulously attending to the meats cooking over the fire, and the smell is wonderful! He has the front door of his house open, and I hear the sounds of a soccer game on the radio. Every once in a while, I hear the tell-tale yell of the announcer, "GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL!" Someone has scored on one team or the other. Mr. Garcia fans the fire, turns the meat and enjoys the quiet of the night after a long week of work.
From just up the street, I hear "norteño" music...the popular sort of balladsy (is that a word?) music that tells stories of lost love, of loved ones crossing the border in search of something more, or of dreams deferred. It's not quite loud enough for me to understand the words of the song, but I hear the rhythmic bass that confirms that it's norteño...
Children are running about...in groups of two's, three's...or more. They are laughing and playing in the street. There are few cars...and because of the many speed bumps, no one really drives fast. The children pass me, waving and joking, seemingly intent upon some important task. Two girls pass by, hand-in-hand, walking slowly, talking in whispered voices. They see three young fellows talking, so they soon turn around to walk back past them, hoping--it seems--for the boys to take notice of their passing.
The family that lives to the right of our house, the Martinez family, enjoys the coming and going of all their children and grandchildren. As I sit, one couple comes out, sleeping daughter in arms, piles in their car and leaves off with waves and last words exchanged through open windows. As they drive away, another car arrives and yet another couple with three children pile out and amble into the house, greeting each other with hugs and kisses...laughter and smiles all around.
As I sit, a young couple walks buy, holding hands. The look in each others eyes, talking, smiling. Just as the get in front of me, she says something to him and laughs. He stops and feigns a hurt look on his face. She releases his hand and runs...and he follows, running, both of them laughing, disappearing up the street.
Two cats meander by, paying little attention to me. One follows the other. They may live on the street...or they may belong to someone. They aren't skinny or fat...just cats on the prowl at night.
Across the street and two houses up, the door opens. A teen-aged girl comes out with a basketball under her arm. In her other hand she has the lease to her small dog--not a chihuahua, probably some mix. Little brother and sister follow her. They are chattering happily and excitedly as the head up the dark road toward the Catholic church. The Catholics have a basketball court...and it's lighted!
A few cars are moving slowly along our street. Most of the drivers or passengers look over and greet me with a wave or a kind "Buenas noches!" Dogs bark--some close by, some farther away. The breeze blows gently, the moon bathes the world in a soft glow. I feel the tensions and stresses of the classrooms sliding off my shoulders, swallowed up in the cool of the night.
As I look around this world in which we live, I see what I always see...but often forget to see: people--regular people who laugh, love, live. I see people who want peace, who dream dreams. And, I see people that God loves so dearly...and who He has called us to love. How often we go so hard and so fast that we fail to see the world that God has put around...both the beauty of nature and the deep beauty of the people that are all around us.
May another Saturday night come soon...to be reminded of all the richness that surrounds us in this life.
After a long while, a time of rest has come--Holy Week. So, since Friday, we've been slowly unwinding, allowing all the stresses and tensions of life roll off.
Mr. Garcia, who lives just across the street in front of our house, has his grill fired up. He is meticulously attending to the meats cooking over the fire, and the smell is wonderful! He has the front door of his house open, and I hear the sounds of a soccer game on the radio. Every once in a while, I hear the tell-tale yell of the announcer, "GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL!" Someone has scored on one team or the other. Mr. Garcia fans the fire, turns the meat and enjoys the quiet of the night after a long week of work.
From just up the street, I hear "norteño" music...the popular sort of balladsy (is that a word?) music that tells stories of lost love, of loved ones crossing the border in search of something more, or of dreams deferred. It's not quite loud enough for me to understand the words of the song, but I hear the rhythmic bass that confirms that it's norteño...
Children are running about...in groups of two's, three's...or more. They are laughing and playing in the street. There are few cars...and because of the many speed bumps, no one really drives fast. The children pass me, waving and joking, seemingly intent upon some important task. Two girls pass by, hand-in-hand, walking slowly, talking in whispered voices. They see three young fellows talking, so they soon turn around to walk back past them, hoping--it seems--for the boys to take notice of their passing.
The family that lives to the right of our house, the Martinez family, enjoys the coming and going of all their children and grandchildren. As I sit, one couple comes out, sleeping daughter in arms, piles in their car and leaves off with waves and last words exchanged through open windows. As they drive away, another car arrives and yet another couple with three children pile out and amble into the house, greeting each other with hugs and kisses...laughter and smiles all around.
As I sit, a young couple walks buy, holding hands. The look in each others eyes, talking, smiling. Just as the get in front of me, she says something to him and laughs. He stops and feigns a hurt look on his face. She releases his hand and runs...and he follows, running, both of them laughing, disappearing up the street.
Two cats meander by, paying little attention to me. One follows the other. They may live on the street...or they may belong to someone. They aren't skinny or fat...just cats on the prowl at night.
Across the street and two houses up, the door opens. A teen-aged girl comes out with a basketball under her arm. In her other hand she has the lease to her small dog--not a chihuahua, probably some mix. Little brother and sister follow her. They are chattering happily and excitedly as the head up the dark road toward the Catholic church. The Catholics have a basketball court...and it's lighted!
A few cars are moving slowly along our street. Most of the drivers or passengers look over and greet me with a wave or a kind "Buenas noches!" Dogs bark--some close by, some farther away. The breeze blows gently, the moon bathes the world in a soft glow. I feel the tensions and stresses of the classrooms sliding off my shoulders, swallowed up in the cool of the night.
As I look around this world in which we live, I see what I always see...but often forget to see: people--regular people who laugh, love, live. I see people who want peace, who dream dreams. And, I see people that God loves so dearly...and who He has called us to love. How often we go so hard and so fast that we fail to see the world that God has put around...both the beauty of nature and the deep beauty of the people that are all around us.
May another Saturday night come soon...to be reminded of all the richness that surrounds us in this life.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
We're Doing Okay...!
Well, if you've been watching the news, you have seen that the violence that was mainly in western Mexico has now moved to our part of the world. Competing drug-cartels engage in an almost-all-out battle for control of the trade routes that bring drugs to the U.S. Towns and cities in our area that were for the most part tranquil have seen a rise in violence.
Last night (Friday, March 19), we had our weekly small-group gathering from church in the San Jerónimo area. During our Bible study and share time, we received news that just five blocks from where we were, the federal troops were in a gun battle with suspected drug-traffickers. At the same time we were meeting, the church youth were gathered in another house some blocks away from us...perhaps a little closer to the fire-fight.
This is the closest we have been to the upsurge in violence. Living in a city of some 6,000,000 people, a city with some of the greatest wealth in the western hemisphere (if not the world) and some the most abject poverty, a city of limited natural resources and limited job opportunities, we expect violence to be a part of the mix. However, this is a new violence that has drug-cartels and federal troops fighting it out on the streets and highways of the city. Thankfully, in most of the clashes, the federales (as they are known here) come out on top. If there are casualties, the narcotraffickers are the once who suffer most. (Not that we're happy when anyone suffers or dies!) However, there are those times when innocent by-standers, or passers-by, take fire and end up wounded or dead. This tragedy of violence has us praying and hoping like we haven't before.
People have often said in the US, "Well, when I take drugs, it only hurts me." Or, "Hey, man...I'm not into the hard stuff--I just use a little pot...and it's cheap...just a few dollars a joint." I have news for all of those people--when Americans buy drugs, no matter which ones, it's hurting a LOT of people and it's costing a whole lot more than a few dollars. It costs lives and futures and sons and daughters. We don't have a "Mexican problem"--we have an intricate, international issue that is fueled by an American appetite for drugs. I don't know the answer, but I know that the violence we are seeing is all about getting marijuana, cocaine and heroin across the border into the US.
Our prayer is three-fold--one, first and foremost, that the narcos would see a better way, a life that is constructive rather than destructive, that they would find the One who can fill the emptiness in their lives. Two, we pray for peace...whether it come by the success of federal forces or a divine act. And, three, we pray that Americans who use drugs or involved in the drug trade would see the incredible path of death and destruction that their addiction or "recreational drugs" leaves behind them...and that they, too, would find that perfect Thing that will address their cravings and needs--the person of Jesus.
Please pray for us. Pray that we know best how to live, that we live with prudence. Pray that we can be voices of hope and calm and peace in this part of God's world.
Last night (Friday, March 19), we had our weekly small-group gathering from church in the San Jerónimo area. During our Bible study and share time, we received news that just five blocks from where we were, the federal troops were in a gun battle with suspected drug-traffickers. At the same time we were meeting, the church youth were gathered in another house some blocks away from us...perhaps a little closer to the fire-fight.
This is the closest we have been to the upsurge in violence. Living in a city of some 6,000,000 people, a city with some of the greatest wealth in the western hemisphere (if not the world) and some the most abject poverty, a city of limited natural resources and limited job opportunities, we expect violence to be a part of the mix. However, this is a new violence that has drug-cartels and federal troops fighting it out on the streets and highways of the city. Thankfully, in most of the clashes, the federales (as they are known here) come out on top. If there are casualties, the narcotraffickers are the once who suffer most. (Not that we're happy when anyone suffers or dies!) However, there are those times when innocent by-standers, or passers-by, take fire and end up wounded or dead. This tragedy of violence has us praying and hoping like we haven't before.
People have often said in the US, "Well, when I take drugs, it only hurts me." Or, "Hey, man...I'm not into the hard stuff--I just use a little pot...and it's cheap...just a few dollars a joint." I have news for all of those people--when Americans buy drugs, no matter which ones, it's hurting a LOT of people and it's costing a whole lot more than a few dollars. It costs lives and futures and sons and daughters. We don't have a "Mexican problem"--we have an intricate, international issue that is fueled by an American appetite for drugs. I don't know the answer, but I know that the violence we are seeing is all about getting marijuana, cocaine and heroin across the border into the US.
Our prayer is three-fold--one, first and foremost, that the narcos would see a better way, a life that is constructive rather than destructive, that they would find the One who can fill the emptiness in their lives. Two, we pray for peace...whether it come by the success of federal forces or a divine act. And, three, we pray that Americans who use drugs or involved in the drug trade would see the incredible path of death and destruction that their addiction or "recreational drugs" leaves behind them...and that they, too, would find that perfect Thing that will address their cravings and needs--the person of Jesus.
Please pray for us. Pray that we know best how to live, that we live with prudence. Pray that we can be voices of hope and calm and peace in this part of God's world.
Friday, January 1, 2010
Happy New Year - 2010
Yes, it has been far too long since we've posted anything, so let's get this New Year started off just right!!
Of course, today is New Year's Day...and it is a beautiful day in Monterrey, México. We have 42º this morning and we're looking for a high of 62º. That doesn't sound too bad, but taking into account that the houses here don't have heat or insulation...well, we'll just keep our jackets on today--inside and out! ha, ha.
Last night, we continued our Herrin tradition of an intensive movie night! We made goodies all afternoon--merengítas, magic-bars, mallow-cups, dips for chips, and the like. Then, around 6:30pm, we filled-up our plates with goodies and settled in front of the tele for an evening of DVD action--a couple of movies, some TV series. We enjoy doing this because it allows us to stay awake until midnight, to welcome the New Year. And, it was a good thing we did, because it all broke loose at midnight!!
Last year, we spent a quiet and uneventful night in San Jemo...and this year it seems that Santa Catarina was definitely the place to be! The fireworks began in earnest around 11:45pm...and it sounded like a war zone for the next 30-40 minutes. I'm not talking about "officially sanctioned" fireworks displays--I'm talking about everyone, in every house for miles around with their own bottle rockets and firecrackers! It was amazing! We settled for some sparklers...but here the sparklers are about 2ft. long...and burn bright and big! ha,ha. But, the fireworks weren't even the best part of the New Year celebration.
Best of all, everyone in all the houses poured out into the streets to greet the New Year...and all their neighbors. We weren't sure how it was going to be since this was our first New Year in Sta. Catarina...but just after we left our front door, our neighbors started coming over with hugs and kisses for all, wishing us "¡Feliz Año!" (Happy New Year!) After greeting our immediate neighbors, we decided to take a walk around the block to see what was happening on the streets around us...and we found even MORE fireworks, but also happy people wishing any and all a Happy New Year. We were hugged and kissed all along the way as we welcomed 2010.
Around 12:50am we finally got back to our house, and happily crawled into our beds to sleep. As I was falling asleep, I couldn't help but think about the joy and hope we saw in the people around us. Here are folks who work so hard just to make the barest ends meet. Here are people who are facing such an uncertain future--with economic difficulties, illnesses, and all the "normal" problems of human life. Yet, as the New Year arrived, they face it with all the hope, all the confidence. That is a very Christian way to enter the New Year...and we who are Christians have every reason to enter the New Year this way--we have a faith and a hope, bound up in a love from God and for God.
The New Year is a time of new possibilities. It's a time of "second chances"--a time to do things differently, better. Year 2009 was a good year--with good times and hard times. And, now we have 2010--and I believe it's going to be the best year yet!! May God bless you in every way, may you dream big and hope with all fullness as we move into this New Year!
Of course, today is New Year's Day...and it is a beautiful day in Monterrey, México. We have 42º this morning and we're looking for a high of 62º. That doesn't sound too bad, but taking into account that the houses here don't have heat or insulation...well, we'll just keep our jackets on today--inside and out! ha, ha.
Last night, we continued our Herrin tradition of an intensive movie night! We made goodies all afternoon--merengítas, magic-bars, mallow-cups, dips for chips, and the like. Then, around 6:30pm, we filled-up our plates with goodies and settled in front of the tele for an evening of DVD action--a couple of movies, some TV series. We enjoy doing this because it allows us to stay awake until midnight, to welcome the New Year. And, it was a good thing we did, because it all broke loose at midnight!!
Last year, we spent a quiet and uneventful night in San Jemo...and this year it seems that Santa Catarina was definitely the place to be! The fireworks began in earnest around 11:45pm...and it sounded like a war zone for the next 30-40 minutes. I'm not talking about "officially sanctioned" fireworks displays--I'm talking about everyone, in every house for miles around with their own bottle rockets and firecrackers! It was amazing! We settled for some sparklers...but here the sparklers are about 2ft. long...and burn bright and big! ha,ha. But, the fireworks weren't even the best part of the New Year celebration.
Best of all, everyone in all the houses poured out into the streets to greet the New Year...and all their neighbors. We weren't sure how it was going to be since this was our first New Year in Sta. Catarina...but just after we left our front door, our neighbors started coming over with hugs and kisses for all, wishing us "¡Feliz Año!" (Happy New Year!) After greeting our immediate neighbors, we decided to take a walk around the block to see what was happening on the streets around us...and we found even MORE fireworks, but also happy people wishing any and all a Happy New Year. We were hugged and kissed all along the way as we welcomed 2010.
Around 12:50am we finally got back to our house, and happily crawled into our beds to sleep. As I was falling asleep, I couldn't help but think about the joy and hope we saw in the people around us. Here are folks who work so hard just to make the barest ends meet. Here are people who are facing such an uncertain future--with economic difficulties, illnesses, and all the "normal" problems of human life. Yet, as the New Year arrived, they face it with all the hope, all the confidence. That is a very Christian way to enter the New Year...and we who are Christians have every reason to enter the New Year this way--we have a faith and a hope, bound up in a love from God and for God.
The New Year is a time of new possibilities. It's a time of "second chances"--a time to do things differently, better. Year 2009 was a good year--with good times and hard times. And, now we have 2010--and I believe it's going to be the best year yet!! May God bless you in every way, may you dream big and hope with all fullness as we move into this New Year!
Thursday, August 6, 2009
After a Long While....
Well, it has been a while since I've written...and that with good reason! Life has been pretty crazy, but things are finally calming down a bit.
We managed to finish up the school year--all of us--after making it through the Swine Flu and the resulting extended school year. But, the end of school did not bring rest! My brother, Jeph, and his family arrived the weekend we finished up school and graduations (Megan graduated from secondary school, Andrew graduated from primary school, and I preached the graduation sermon for the seminary!). That weekend before my brother arrived, we moved over to our new house...and not everything was moved! Still, we thoroughly enjoyed my brother and his family--even got to visit some places we'd never been in our area of México: Saltillo and Santiago de Nuevo Leon. The cousins had a great time together--first time in two years! Then, all the Virginia Herrins left....
We put the rest of the house together, got the rest of the painting done, and finally settled into some "do nothing" mode. Of course, that lasted about a week...and here we go again! Jesse started classes this past Monday (Aug. 3) and so did Jeanne. Jeanne has moved from the primary program at the Misiones campus to the high-school (Prepa) program at the Insurgentes campus...so, her classes began Monday, after they hired her last Friday! So, life is going again.
Megan and Andrew and I all start schooling on August 24th...and we'll be happy to see that day come. We'll fall in a rhythm again, and that somehow always makes life a little easier....
Meanwhile, we are thoroughly enjoying our new community. The children gather most evening in front of our house (and did so long before we moved here!) to play in the street and just hang out. Brandon, Francisco, Gregorio, Susanna, Evelin, Eric and others are often there and love to talk to the "gringos." We are also getting to know their parents, brothers and sisters, cousins...and anyone else who might be around! ha, ha. It is wonderful to be in a place where we can know people like this, where we can begin to share our lives in more and more meaningful ways.
We are confirmed in our move here...learning more and more each day about how God is working around us...and striving to live life one day at a time, sharing God's love and grace however we can.
We managed to finish up the school year--all of us--after making it through the Swine Flu and the resulting extended school year. But, the end of school did not bring rest! My brother, Jeph, and his family arrived the weekend we finished up school and graduations (Megan graduated from secondary school, Andrew graduated from primary school, and I preached the graduation sermon for the seminary!). That weekend before my brother arrived, we moved over to our new house...and not everything was moved! Still, we thoroughly enjoyed my brother and his family--even got to visit some places we'd never been in our area of México: Saltillo and Santiago de Nuevo Leon. The cousins had a great time together--first time in two years! Then, all the Virginia Herrins left....
We put the rest of the house together, got the rest of the painting done, and finally settled into some "do nothing" mode. Of course, that lasted about a week...and here we go again! Jesse started classes this past Monday (Aug. 3) and so did Jeanne. Jeanne has moved from the primary program at the Misiones campus to the high-school (Prepa) program at the Insurgentes campus...so, her classes began Monday, after they hired her last Friday! So, life is going again.
Megan and Andrew and I all start schooling on August 24th...and we'll be happy to see that day come. We'll fall in a rhythm again, and that somehow always makes life a little easier....
Meanwhile, we are thoroughly enjoying our new community. The children gather most evening in front of our house (and did so long before we moved here!) to play in the street and just hang out. Brandon, Francisco, Gregorio, Susanna, Evelin, Eric and others are often there and love to talk to the "gringos." We are also getting to know their parents, brothers and sisters, cousins...and anyone else who might be around! ha, ha. It is wonderful to be in a place where we can know people like this, where we can begin to share our lives in more and more meaningful ways.
We are confirmed in our move here...learning more and more each day about how God is working around us...and striving to live life one day at a time, sharing God's love and grace however we can.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Wise as Serpents...Innocent as Doves
In a technical sense, I am a missionary. I am one of those set aside by the Church and commissioned to serve outside the immediate community of my local church, in a cross-cultural setting. I know this. However, I almost NEVER introduce myself as a missionary. Why is that?
In October this past year, I had the wonderful honor and opportunity of attending an international conference that our sending-agency held in Prague, Czech Republic. I boarded the plane here in Monterrey for the first jump to Atlanta, GA. The plane was almost full, and I was seated in the last row...with a woman from Monterrey. She was probably in her mid-to-late 40's. We exchanged greetings...and began to chat. She, I learned, was on her way to Italy for the vacation of a life-time, was going to meet her boyfriend there for a two-week stay at a luxury villa. We talked about Monterrey...the changes she has seen...the education system...our families...and a bunch of other things.
At the beginning of the conversation, when she asked, I introduced myself as "a professor." After all, that is what I DO...I'm a missionary serving as a professor at the John Wesley Seminary. Throughout the conversation that happily (for me) filled the 2-hour flight to Atlanta, I gradually revealed my connection to the Church...and some more aspects of our work and ministry.
As we touched down in Atlanta and were standing to gather our stuff, she turned to me and asked, "So...are you like a pastor or something???"
I responded, "Yes, I'm a Methodist minister teaching at the seminary."
If I could have captured the look on her face! She said, "I can't believe I talked with an evangelical pastor all the way from Monterrey to Atlanta!!" She then turned to the fellow who had been seated in front of us and said to him, "I can't believe it--I talked to a pastor all the way!!!"
If I had sat down from the beginning and introduced myself as a pastor and missionary, I am certain that it would have been a very quiet and uneventful flight from MTY to ATL.
Of course, I'm not "ashamed" of who I am or what I do--far from it. I love what I do. However, I also know how people react to what I do. For me, it is much more important that I keep doors of communication open. Announcing my religious vocation tends not to be a great door opener!!
As a minister and pastor, I have no problem introducing myself as an educator, community development worker, or leadership consultant. These all fall under what I do as a pastor/minister/missionary...and most important of all, in our culture here that generally holds Protestant/evangelicals in suspicion and at arms-length, presenting myself in one of these innocuous roles keeps the doors of communication wide-open so that relationships can develop...and discipleship can begin.
This way of living, I believe, is what Jesus meant when he said we are to "be wise as serpents and innocent as doves (Mat.10:16). I hope that the lady on the flight to Atlanta is still telling that story, of how she talked for almost two hours with some "evangelical pastor." Our gentle, non-confrontational interaction just may have laid the groundwork for someone else, for another passionate Christian to come along and now find an open door to evangelicals in her life.
"I am sending you out as sheep among wolves; therefore, be as wise as serpents and as gentle as doves" Matthew 10:16
In October this past year, I had the wonderful honor and opportunity of attending an international conference that our sending-agency held in Prague, Czech Republic. I boarded the plane here in Monterrey for the first jump to Atlanta, GA. The plane was almost full, and I was seated in the last row...with a woman from Monterrey. She was probably in her mid-to-late 40's. We exchanged greetings...and began to chat. She, I learned, was on her way to Italy for the vacation of a life-time, was going to meet her boyfriend there for a two-week stay at a luxury villa. We talked about Monterrey...the changes she has seen...the education system...our families...and a bunch of other things.
At the beginning of the conversation, when she asked, I introduced myself as "a professor." After all, that is what I DO...I'm a missionary serving as a professor at the John Wesley Seminary. Throughout the conversation that happily (for me) filled the 2-hour flight to Atlanta, I gradually revealed my connection to the Church...and some more aspects of our work and ministry.
As we touched down in Atlanta and were standing to gather our stuff, she turned to me and asked, "So...are you like a pastor or something???"
I responded, "Yes, I'm a Methodist minister teaching at the seminary."
If I could have captured the look on her face! She said, "I can't believe I talked with an evangelical pastor all the way from Monterrey to Atlanta!!" She then turned to the fellow who had been seated in front of us and said to him, "I can't believe it--I talked to a pastor all the way!!!"
If I had sat down from the beginning and introduced myself as a pastor and missionary, I am certain that it would have been a very quiet and uneventful flight from MTY to ATL.
Of course, I'm not "ashamed" of who I am or what I do--far from it. I love what I do. However, I also know how people react to what I do. For me, it is much more important that I keep doors of communication open. Announcing my religious vocation tends not to be a great door opener!!
As a minister and pastor, I have no problem introducing myself as an educator, community development worker, or leadership consultant. These all fall under what I do as a pastor/minister/missionary...and most important of all, in our culture here that generally holds Protestant/evangelicals in suspicion and at arms-length, presenting myself in one of these innocuous roles keeps the doors of communication wide-open so that relationships can develop...and discipleship can begin.
This way of living, I believe, is what Jesus meant when he said we are to "be wise as serpents and innocent as doves (Mat.10:16). I hope that the lady on the flight to Atlanta is still telling that story, of how she talked for almost two hours with some "evangelical pastor." Our gentle, non-confrontational interaction just may have laid the groundwork for someone else, for another passionate Christian to come along and now find an open door to evangelicals in her life.
"I am sending you out as sheep among wolves; therefore, be as wise as serpents and as gentle as doves" Matthew 10:16
The JAM...and She Did it AGAIN!
Well, looks like the Megan is really going for it all this year!
This past trimester, Megan participated in the annual speech competition. And, she took 2ND PLACE! Her topic was "Understanding the difference between needs and wants." Go, Meg, go!
Then, when the academic reports came out this past week, she also learned that she is 2ND in her class academically!! What next will this girl do!! We are so proud of her.
Of course, the rest of the JAM are doing great as well--Jesse holds 1ST PLACE in her class...and Andrew is sporting all A's!!! Not that I'm a proud father or anything, but these Herrin kids are doing great!!
This past trimester, Megan participated in the annual speech competition. And, she took 2ND PLACE! Her topic was "Understanding the difference between needs and wants." Go, Meg, go!
Then, when the academic reports came out this past week, she also learned that she is 2ND in her class academically!! What next will this girl do!! We are so proud of her.
Of course, the rest of the JAM are doing great as well--Jesse holds 1ST PLACE in her class...and Andrew is sporting all A's!!! Not that I'm a proud father or anything, but these Herrin kids are doing great!!
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