Archive for October, 2008
My Dad is in Nigeria 7.22.08
My Dad is in Nigeria and he sends me messages from his phone everyday reporting on the trip. When he is in Africa the life he leads makes sense.
He talks a lot about the Children who will now go to school because of the work being done in the village. The times of prayer and celebration taking place along with simple times of meals prepared over an open fire or walks to get fresh water are moments of joy.
I enjoy how simple his messages are:
There are some simple things I take for granted and am reminded of them when I watch him live.
1. Playing is easy, it is easier to play than fight.
(I see this in the way he interacts with underprivileged children here and abroad)
For my father service is not a duty, it is a privilege. Service is something held to the highest value when it comes to how we should interact with the poor. The type of service we give must be contextually appropriate to the individual or community. For example, in Nigeria he will interact with Balloons and laughter with the children in the village who spend most of their time working or surviving. Education is what most of the children want, they will work if given the chance.
In the States my father has mentored a boy for most of this child’s life. This boy does not have a father and his mother never had the skills to nurture him. Most recently, my Dad told me of a long conversation where this teen told him he was Bi-sexual. My Dad listened with an nonjudgmental ear as this boy described the feelings of isolation and loneliness.
When I listen to my father, when I watch his life, I am so thankful to know him.
You see I used to be a youth pastor, I was going to change the world. Now I struggle to change the lightbulb, with out my wife, most things I start would never be completed.
