Preparing to Worship - April 1, 2007

The readings for this coming Sunday, April 1 are:
Old Testament: Isaiah 50:4-9a
Psalm: Psalm 31:9-16
Gospel: Luke 22:14-23
Epistle: Philippians 2:5-11
Click here to read them.

Cruciformity
This is one of those weeks when there's too much in the lectionary scripture readings...or perhaps the problem is really that we don't have enough time set aside to talk about them. Our gospel passage we have selected this week is actually a portion of what's really listed in the lectionary.


This Lenten Season, we've really been looking at the scripture passages - Christ's walk to the cross - as an example to us. We've asked ourselves what in the cross is exemplary for the one who follows Christ. We've considered Christ's life as one of cruciformity. Cruciformity refers to the life that conforms to the pattern of the cross.


It's most common that we look at the events of Holy Week as a haunting yet beautiful reminder of what God in Christ has done for us, and this is appropriate. But if we heard the story, if we truly hear the events of Holy Week, we would be challenged by the example of Christ. On Good Friday, when we read and reflect upon the death of Christ - that is the death of God - we must be left wondering why it happened. We're left wondering the age-old question, "Why did Jesus die?"


I talked to several different individuals this week about this question. It is one that scholars, theologians, pastors, and all followers of Christ have pondered since Golgatha. It's one that I imagine the priests manning the Holy of Holies in the Temple that evening asked - "Whoa! What was that?" You can probably imagine the demeanor of the few "faithful" onlookers who were there by Christ when he died, when all that they hoped for, all they invested in, was seemingly squelched when their Christ breathed his last. More than one gospel writer tells us that at least some were impacted by the mystery of what had happened right when Christ died - the local centurion exclaimed almost immediately, "Surely this was the son of God."


One pastor who responded to my question this week had some great insight. Scott Daniels pastors Pasadena First Church of the Nazarene in California. Here's part of what he said:


"Because we (humankind - His creation) rejected him and killed him (and his embodied message of the Kingdom). But rather than responding with the violence that we used to destroy him, Christ embodied the very nature and character of God by forgiving us and allowing us to put him to death. In this ironic way (that is foolishness to every worldly power) Christ revealed the nature of the Kingdom and won the victory over our cycles of sin and death by overcoming evil with good. And now he calls his followers to the same life - to take up their cross daily and follow him."

I look forward to worshiping with you all tomorrow as we reflect on our lives of cruciformity.

Correction...

This is just a note to correct a minor detail in the recent NSCC Update that was sent out. The Facilities Committee (Trustees) was the committee that oversaw the option to lease agreement with OCI.

Sorry!

NSCC Update

Here's what's happening...

...in Worship
This coming Sunday, April 1, is the last Sunday in Lent and is Palm/Passion Sunday. The readings for Sunday are:
Old Testament: Isaiah 50:4-9a
Psalm: Psalm 31:9-16
Gospel: Luke 22:14-23
Epistle: Philippians 2:5-11
Click here to read them.

...in Discipleship - the 40 days of lent
This coming week will be our last on the journey through the 40 days of lent. An opportunity for Corporate Prayer is on Monday in Quincy (ENC - Angell Chapel) and Individual Prayer time is on Wednesday at the church building in Hingham. We will gather at the church building on Good Friday at 7:00 PM for a meaningful Tenebrae service. Then on Easter Sunday morning we will gather at the church building at 6:30 AM for an Easter "sunrise" service, a community breakfast after, and then regular Sunday gatherings. For more information or a whole schedule, use these links:
The 40 Days of Lent - Explanation
Schedule of Readings and Activities

...in Prayer - Neal Estey
Neal is back at home after a couple of days in the hospital through this mid-week. Please continue in prayer for him as he recovers over the next several days and weeks.

...in Prayer - Everett Pleyer & Family
(from Tim Eyring) - Everett's sister Eleanor passed away yesterday, March 29th, in Medford, Oregon at 9:00 AM Pacific time. This was not unexpected, as she has suffered the dibilitating effects of MS for many years. In fact, for the last two months they have expected her to go at any moment, and she has had hospice care during that time.

This is the first of Everette's siblings to pass away. Everette is the eldest, and Eleanor was the next in birth order. We haven't heard any funeral plans as yet, but Everette's first reaction is that he will not plan to go.

Eleanor was a good Christian, so there are no concerns there. She leaves a husband, Edwin, who has serious heart problems himself, as well as three married daughters.

...in Prayer - Tom Thorton
(from Karen Bennett) - Matt Moore called me this evening and asked if I would contact you about praying for Jamie's dad. Tom Thorton had hip replacement surgery this week, and due to loss of blood and his vitals dropping he is now in the ICU. He is asking for the church to pray for The Thortons.

...in Iraq
Jonathan Kulak is serving in Iraq right now. Two Sundays ago Toni Kulak read a letter from him in our worship gathering. It is below. If you would like to write to Jonathan, you can at:
438 AEG/EAMXS
Unit #73430
APO, AE 09333-3430

Here is the letter:
God is great...only good news to report from the war front! My deployment has been a great experience mentally, physically, and spiritually. I have seen and experienced things over the last two months that I never imagined I'd ever be a part of. It is an honor to serve my country and the Iraqi people as they battle for the basic principles of life which we are blessed to enjoy every day in the US. I can not imagine a better purpose for my life. I thank God every day that He's blessed me with the privilege to serve in the forces of freedom! It keeps me motivated and helps to sustain me mentally & physically every day I put my uniform on. Spiritually, the Lord has been using this time for immense personal growth. Even though I am separated from everything I love, the grace, goodness, and the love of the Lord gives me perfect peace and I never feel alone. It is truly a remarkable feeling! I've also been able to spend a lot of quality time with the Lord in prayer and in His word. I know that he is using this time to refine my character and prepare me for his purpose. It is humbling to be called by the Lord into the desert, the same desert as he called Abraham into. Though I am surrounded by the enemy, I walk in the peace that only the Lord can provide! I miss and love everyone back home, but I also know that this is my calling. So many of us miss our callings in life that it is truly a blessing to know that I am here in the Lord's hands.

Thank you for all the prayers and encouragement! I really believe that this has not only been an important time in my life, but also for the whole family.

In humble service to my God, family, and country...

Jonathan (Kulak)

...in Africa
The Austin Family made it to Kenya, but not without some minor concern. Here is the latestan e-mail from Angela, written on Sunday:

Hi All -
We apologize that it's been a bit of time since we last updated. E-mail is fairly slow here and it’s been hard to know whether to read emails or send emails. So, now is my chance to send.

Praise God - today is the fourth day since we've been here that we've all been healthy. It was a crazy time with Johnny having to go to the hospital and then Caleb having to go back, and even me for my eyes - I had conjunctivitis in both eyes - yuck! We have learned so much through this trying time, and know that God is on our side and he is bigger and better than any evil influence we have and will ever encounter. We can't thank you enough for all of your prayers - they truly have been answered.

This weekend we have been at ANU - Africa Nazarene University - spending time with my cousin Beth and some friends for Jon's birthday which was on Friday. One of the professors here even made a cake for him and everything - it's been a fun, relaxing and refreshing weekend!

Kenya - especially where we are in Naivasha – is the most beautiful place I have ever seen. Out all of our windows we just have the most incredible view of the Rift Valley. We see many mountains, a volcano, Lake Naivasha and just beautiful expanse of land. God has created a beautiful world, to be sure! Just down the road is a pack (or whatever you call it) of 5 or 6 zebras that we see each time we drive up to the school. We saw our first baboons today in Nairobi, and we’ve seen a number of giraffes in the distance. It makes us excited to go on safari at some point.

We're just now getting into the work at the school, now that we are all healthy. Jon's going to be starting to direct the choir next week, and in two weeks will be teaching some Microsoft Word computer courses to the staff and faculty. The kids will be leaving in about a week and a half for their April break for the month. Things will be quiet and different. but relaxing, I'm sure. Everyone has been so kind and gracious, and we are making great friends here with Simon and Purity (the directors), Francis (the headmaster) and Kennedy (the cook). Most have such interesting and some very sad life stories, yet praise God through it all. We are learning so much through the people here.

I could go on and on, but there are crying children and a daddy waiting to be rescued waiting for me outside the internet cafe. Know that we love you and are praying for life back home for you. Thanks to those who have called and written - we can't tell you how great it is to hear from home.

May God continue to bless you! Please continue praying - Caleb is quite scared of the Kenyan people and has become a shy boy - for those who know him that is very out of character, so we need prayer for him. Also, Johnny’s suffering from some nasty diaper rash that could use some healing.

Much love,
Jon, Ang, Caleb and Johnny :)

...in Stewardship
Spring Cleaning Day - Saturday, April 7, at 8:30 AM. Paul Goodwin has offered to organize a Spring Cleaning Day at the church building. Come and help us as we give the interior of the church building a good cleaning.

As always, you can keep up-to-date with NSCC happenings by using our on-line calendar:


...in Administration
The Facilities Committee (Trustees) of the Church Board has moved us into an option to lease agreement with OCI (known to the public as T-Mobile) to research and install personal wireless communications antennae in our steeple. The committee worked hard to ensure the best agreement with OCI to ensure that nothing will interfere with what we do as a Christian community. We are hopeful and thankful for this possible opportunity and the benefits it could bring to NSCC. Over the next several months, OCI will be putting together the means to complete this project. If you have any questions, feel free to talk to Jeremy or someone on the committee.

...Benediction
As you continue to seek the face of God,
May the example of Christ move you,
His love compel you,
And his sacrifice remind you.

Prayer: Neal Estey

After coming home a couple of days ago, Neal Estey returned to Brigham & Women's Hospital last night with a persisting fever and a concern over the healing of his incision. Please pray for him as the doctors work to solve these two problems.

Preparing to Worship - March 25, 2007

The readings for tomorrow, March 25 are:
Old Testament: Isaiah 43:16-21
Psalm: Psalm 126
Gospel: John 12:1-8
Epistle: Philippians 3:4b-14
Click here to read them.

Wasteful for Christ
Our epistle text is well-known and has Paul listing his various inherited titles and positions as well as his life-long accomplishments. His purpose in listing his pedigree is to contrast it against the sacrificial humility called for in the life that follows Christ. After taking the time to list his "attainments", Paul calls it all skubala, most often translated in English as "trash". This being the only time this specific word appears anywhere in scripture, it's meaning is variously defined. Other possible descriptions could be rubbish, refuse, or even as strongly as Paul meant when writing it, crap...or worse. (Interestingly, the translation that I least often use translates it best - the KJV calls it "dung.")

Part of Paul's point here is to demonstrate what happens with our lives when we take up the cross of Christ. Accomplishments and titles just get in the way. They hold us up, they slow us down, and they make the Christian life messy. If you've ever been out for a nice walk on a sunny day and stepped where a dog had been, you might be able to understand Paul's use of the word skubala here. Everything outside of Christ holds us up from "attaining" what Christ has attained.

Part of what Paul is reminding his readers here is that life in Christ inherently implies sacrifice. Sacrifice implies the riddance of something - the killing off of something, indeed, the casting away or throwing out (like trash) the things in life that are a hindrance to "all things Christ." Paul says, "in order to gain Christ"...[I have to lose all else that I think makes me...me].

Paul concludes the first part of our epistle text by explaining that this riddance - this sacrifice - is so that we can identify with Christ and his sacrifice.

So we go through times like Lent, fasting, and the ascetics of life to identify with Christ and the cross. This is a huge part of why we "go through" Good Friday. Contrary to popular opinion, Christianity's claim of the cross is not an identification with power (as humanity understands power), but is primarily an identification with sacrifice, servanthood, and the giving up of one's life. If Christ is our example, his act on the cross is exemplary for us.

We don't mean to sidestep the Christus Victor aspect of Jesus' death on the cross and the subsequent empty cross. Christ indeed died for us. But his act on the cross is exemplary for salvation before it is excusatory for salvation. What I mean is that Christ's death on the cross gives us the ultimate example of how God wants us to live - as people of sacrifice who would lay down our lives to bring reconciliation to the world, and not just what Dallas Willard calls "vampire Christianity" - a religion that seeks Christ for the sacrifice of his blood only.

...but it doesn't stop there, and neither does Paul. Why would we "go to the point of death" like Christ? What's on the other side? Paul says, "I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death, if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead. What can be resurrected but only something that has died? We must give up our all (and all is life) to be resurrected by God the Father.

Speaking of giving our all, Paul's words here are great when coupled with our Gospel passage - Mary giving out all that she had in the bottle of perfume as an act of worship before Jesus. It's here that we'll pick up tomorrow.

I look forward to worshiping with you all tomorrow.

Preparing to Worship - March 18, 2007

The readings for tomorrow, March 18 are:
Old Testament: Joshua 5:9-12
Psalm: Psalm 32
Gospel: Luke 15:1-3,11b-32
Epistle: II Corinthians 5:16-21
Click here to read them.

Reconciliation
I was in discussion this week with some elders in the Church of the Nazarene, mulling over the scripture for tomorrow, particularly the parable of the loving father (most often referred to as the parable of the prodigal son). We were talking about how most of us don't call it that today ("the prodigal son") as it really is a story of three people - a father and his love for two sons. The parable really focuses on what the father does in response to both of his sons, not just what happens to the younger son.

Anyway, as we discussed this, one of the elders proposed that we call it "the prodigal father," at which right away, I was confused. I corrected her, thinking that she mean the loving father, and she said, "No, I mean the prodigal father." We talked about the meaning of the word 'prodigal' at this point.

The word 'prodigal' actually isn't even in the parable. It's a word that has been used to identify the parable over the years. Since the two parables right before this one are "the lost sheep" and "the lost coin," many think of 'prodigal' as meaning 'lost,' but it actually has a meaning of 'wastefully extravagant.'

So when the elder had suggested this, I reacted defensively with my "great knowledge" of the word. We can't call God wasteful, right?

The parable (along with the two preceding it) is best told when we keep in mind to whom and when Jesus told it. Some people were apparently upset with Jesus, as a religious leader and rabbi, for hanging out and eating with sinners and tax collectors. So while they are whining about this, Jesus approaches them and tells them the three parables. He tells the parables of "lost and found" - indeed of reconciliation - in response to their disapproval of his union with sinners.

So when we get to the the parable of the loving father, Jesus demonstrates to us the love of God the Father for all his "sons", and indeed we know, for all his children.

This love has no limit or boundary - at what point did the Father ever stop loving either of his sons?

This love goes beyond the mistakes of the loved - did the Father's love stop or even decrease at the sin of his sons?

This love is indeed extravagant - to what lengths did the Father demonstrate to his younger son how much he loved him when he returned?

And this love appears to many to be wasteful - how did those accusing Jesus think of his time spent with sinners and how did the the older son feel about the Father's response to the younger son?

God's love for us is indeed extravagant, and to those who haven't yet chosen to truly accept his love, what he does for the sinful (which actually includes all of us, despite how some of us think of ourselves sometimes) seems wasteful - a waste of time, effort, and resources.

When I really stop to think about it, I'm thankful God's extravagant with his love.

Rembrandt's "Return of the Prodigal Son" is a well-known painting. Henri Nouwen wrote a whole book drawn from his experience with the painting. One-third of the results of a Google image search of "the prodigal son" show Rembrandt's painting. Take a look at it for a while (click on it to see a larger version).

As you prepare to worship tomorrow, focusing on the love of God the Father as the means to reconciliation, see what you notice in the passage itself and in this painting.

Personally - what does it take to comprehend the love of God? Or, what do we do to experience God's love?
In relationships - what do we need to do to bring about reconciliation - either as the offended or the offender?
As a community - what do we need to do to bring about reconciliation in the world?

I look forward to worshiping with you all tomorrow.

NSCC Update

Here's what's happening...
This week in the worship gathering we focused on our trust in the Lord. Neal Estey got through his surgery just fine (read about it here). We look forward to this coming Sunday in worship and fellowship (it's potluck week!).

...in Worship
This coming Sunday, March 18, is the fourth Sunday in Lent. We'll be focusing on the parable of the loving father, as it demonstrates to us how the reconciliation of God occurs. The readings for Sunday are:
Old Testament: Joshua 5:9-12
Psalm: Psalm 32
Gospel: Luke 15:1-3,11b-32
Epistle: II Corinthians 5:16-21
Click here to read them.

...in Discipleship - Adult Sunday School
We continue this week on our journey through Hebrews. Click here to read the preview.

...in Fellowship
Next Sunday is the third Sunday of the month and that means potluck. Bring your favorite dish, dessert, etc., and we'll gather to fellowship after the worship gathering.

...in Discipleship - the 40 days of lent
We continue this week on our journey through the 40 days of lent. For more information or a whole schedule, use these links:
The 40 Days of Lent - Explanation
Schedule of Readings and Activities

...in Africa
Here is the latest e-mail from The Austin Family:

Hi All -

I have to make this kind of quick because we are in a cyber-cafe and the computer is acting up quite a bit. Hopefully I will be able to get this out to all of you.

An update from our last email...we are not in the hospital anymore, of course, and Caleb is 100% better. We've had issues with Johnny being sick, however, this past week. He's had on and off fevers and vomiting, and a very persistent cough. It's very sad to see our normally very happy baby barely able to crack a smile in a day. But, we've seen God heal him this past week, and it was such an amazing thing.

God is teaching us so much here already. We've been having a great time getting out and getting to know the kids. Yesterday we were out playing volleyball and basketball with them. The boys and I were surrounded by the Primary School kids and they all were wanting to touch our hair and our skin. It was a great time of interaction. I was playing a fun little staring contest game with them, which sounds silly, but it was such a great time. It was the first time we've really had the opportunity to connect with the kids.

We've really just been getting into the swing of life this past week. It's been a slow process since the boys have been sick, and I too have been sick. Also, my grandmother passed away (which I was expecting to happen at some point during my trip here) last Sunday, so that took a bit of a toll on my emotions for awhile.

But...all in all, it's been a great trip so far, and we are looking forward to being here for another 3 and a half months. We haven't always felt this way, because it's been a tough transition, but we are on the up and up and are doing well.

We have some contact information now - we know there are some people who were interested in it. Our address is as follows:

Jon and Angela Austin

c/o Evelyn Memorial Christian High School

P.O. Box 1036

Naivasha, Kenya

Well, that's it for now - I need to figure out how to send this to everyone! We are praying for you in your situations, and think about each of you often.

We LOVE reading your emails that you send, but please don't be offended if it tales us a long time to reply, or if we end up not being able to reply at all. Keep writing and know that we love being updated.

Keep us in your prayers as we continue to adjust and continue to heal from all our sicknesses.

Serving HIM,

Jon, Ang, Caleb and Johnny :)

...in Fellowship & Prayer
Ladies' Craft Night

Saturday, March 17th, 6:30 at 235 North Street

Gathering to Fellowship (Potluck)

This Sunday, March 18th after the worship gathering

40 days of lent: Corporate Prayer (Quincy)

Monday, March 19th, 12:30-1:00 PM

40 days of lent: Individual Prayer (Hingham)

Wednesday, March 21st, 7:00-8:00 PM

Men's Breakfast

Saturday, March 24th, 8:00 AM (meet at 235 North Street)

You can also check out all up-coming gatherings and events at our
Google Calendar - North Street Community Chapel

UPDATE: Neal Estey

This is an update to let you know that Neal Estey emerged from surgery just fine. The doctor completely removed the mass from his stomach. It now appears that the mass had emerged from his stomach. Thankfully, and contrary to previous concern, Neal was able to retain his spleen and diaphragm. The mass was twice the size it was two weeks ago - timing was everything! Since the tumor was rare and cancer-type unknown, Neal will be closely monitored from here on in the coming months and years. They expect he might be in the hospital for recovery for about a week. We can be thankful and relieved at this point, but pray on in the coming weeks and months throughout the healing process and as Neal is watched for further developments.

Praise be to God our creator for his careful watch over the Neal, John, Sandy, and Julie to this point, and thanks be to God our sustainer for his help in the future.

Prayer: Neal Estey & the Parkers

A reminder for us all: that Neal Estey's surgery is this morning to remove the mass. Please be in prayer as you can throughout the morning.

Dana Parker has requested prayer for his brother and wife, Jeremy & Emily Parker, who recently miscarried.

...and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.
- James 5:16b

Preparing to Worship - March 11, 2007

The readings for this coming Sunday, March 11 are:
Old Testament: Isaiah 55:1-9
Psalm: Psalm 63:1-8
Gospel: Luke 13:1-9
Epistle: I Corinthians 10:1-13
Click here to read them.

Discipleship & Complacency
The International Church of the Nazarene has a new mission:
"To make Christlike disciples in the nations."

It's short. It's simple. And yet it's loaded with meaning. We'll look at this tomorrow and it's implications, one of which is a dedication to discipleship.

Discipleship implies growth. It is subsequent to salvation ("it follows salvation") . It is not a destination or a goal. It is a journey, a road, or a life-long process. In fact, for the one who has decided to follow Christ, we can look at it as life itself. It's just what we who follow Christ do.

Discipleship implies learning. And since it's life-long, there's really no degree to hang on the wall at the end. The results of discipleship-learning are shown in our lives every day.

Discipleship implies obedience. But this obedience goes beyond mimicking the teacher. It goes beyond just doing what the teacher says to actually owning what he asks of us.

Below are two of Saint Paul's prayers. One is at the beginning of a letter to the church in Philippi and the other is about halfway through a letter to another church in Ephesus. In each case, the recipients are people who have already committed themselves to Christ and his Church. Paul is not proselytizing here - he's writing to and praying for Christians. Here are his prayers...let's make them ours for tomorrow:

And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight to help you to determine what is best, so that on the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless, having produced the harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God.
- Philippians 1:9-11

I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name. I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
- Ephesians 3:14-19

NSCC Update

Here's what's happening...
This week in the worship gathering we focused on our trust in the Lord.

...in Worship
This coming Sunday, March 11, is the third Sunday in Lent. The readings for Sunday are:
Old Testament: Isaiah 55:1-9
Psalm: Psalm 63:1-8
Gospel: Luke 13:1-9
Epistle: I Corinthians 10:1-13
Click here to read them.

...in Prayer - Neal Estey
The results of the PET scan from last week showed that the cancer is contained to the stomach area. When it comes to cancer, this is good news! More specifics on treatment and type of cancer are still to come. Neal's doctor is intent that he get into Dana Farber as early as possible. Keep praying for John, Sandy, and Neal Estey and Julie White.

...in Discipleship - the 40 days of lent
We continue this week on our journey through the 40 days of lent. Individual Prayer time is on Wednesday at the church building in Hingham. For more information or a whole schedule, use these links:
The 40 Days of Lent - Explanation
Schedule of Readings and Activities

...in Africa
The Austin Family made it to Kenya, but not without some minor concern. Here is an e-mail from Angela, written on Sunday:

Hello All -

Well, we have arrived safely in Kenya, and while the trip itself was fairly uneventful, these firsts days have been quite an adventure. In fact, I am emailing you from the Children's Hospital in Nairobi. Caleb had a bit of a cold when we left to come here, and it has gotten much worse. Two days ago he had a fever all day - it got as high as 104.3. The doctor we spoke with on the phone was not all that concerned, but the next day - yesterday - he began vomiting up everything (mostly just water) that we put in his system. So, we made arrangements, which is difficult enough in itself since we do not have our own cell phone, or transportation to come to Nairobi to this hospital. The hospital is great. Last night Jon and Caleb spent the night here, and it was an extremely difficult and emotional night for them. It was very tough for Jon to watch Caleb's temperature get even higher, for him to continue vomiting, and for him to have the shakes, and to talk non-sense. BUT, praise the Lord, our prayers are being answered and today he is feeling so much better...we say he is back to his old whiny self! Johnny and I stayed at a guest house at the Nazarene Missionary complex. It was wonderful accommodations, but this morning at about 5, Johnny woke up crying and had a fever, also. I fed him and he threw it all up minutes later. I was quite concerned, but actually at this point he seems much better. Yikes! Please just pray that the boys would feel strong and healthy, and that we can get this all behind us so that we can begin our work at the school.

On the brighter side of life, we've been in a lot of prayer about our relationships with Simon and Purity Kiruri - the Directors of the Evelyn Schools. Our prayers have been answered with that, as well. Purity and I were instant friends, and the four of us have been able to be very open and honest about a lot of things, which are all very important to the life of the Schools. Thins are going to be great - we just know it! And, of course, God is with us and He is in control.

Also, when we first arrived in Kenya, the first day and night we stayed at ANU - Africa Nazarene University in Nairobi, and were able to spend a lot of time with my cousin Beth, her new fiancee Drew, and a couple of their friends. It was such a refreshing time for them, and we couldn't have asked for a nicer transition into this new culture.

I have gone on long enough. That's our update for now. Oh, our apartment is wonderful, and it's fine adjusting to life with no electricity - no fridge or TV or microwave. We've really grown SO MUCH as a family already. We are feeling so grateful and blessed for just the few days that we;ve had here.

Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers. By the time we email again, we trust that we will have a healthy family!

We love each of you.

Serving HIM,

Jon, Ang, Caleb and Johnny :)

In addition, Angela's grandmother passed away Sunday morning here in the States. So please keep them all in prayer.

...in Fellowship
Ladies' Craft Night - Saturday, March 17th, 6:30 at 235 North Street.
Men's Breakfast - Saturday, March 24th, 8:00 AM (meet at 235 North Street).

...Benediction
As you continue to seek the face of God,
May the example of Christ move you,
His love compel you,
And his sacrifice remind you.

We'll see you throughout the week!