I've been noticing a quietness as the new began these last few days. It seems that it is not a peaceful or restful quiet, however. It seems that it is a "waiting to exhale", fear of breathing, hoping the new year starts better than the last one ended.
What are you hearing or not in your city?
I'm in Greenville, SC, USA - how about you?
I am in Nicholasville, KY, finally breathing after finishing all but one class at Asbury! I have to go back in June for my final course, but until then, I get to focus on teaching saxophone in Lexington, and fundraising for our future full-time ministry work in Thailand! Yes, Dora and I will be leaving for Thailand once we are fully funded (hopefully this fall some time) for Northeast Thailand to teach English to village children and youth. We will be living in the city of Roi Et (the capital of the province by the same name) and working alongside to local Thai believers, Drs. Nantachai and Ubolwan Mejudhon. This opportunity is a huge blessing, and I look forward to growing with you all and discussing urban dynamics both in the states and on the opposite side of the world!
ReplyDeleteChris,great to hear from you and to know that you and Dora are getting closer to going to Thailand. Let us know how we can be praying for you along the way. I can't wait to hear the stories as you settle into your new home.
ReplyDeleteNew noises in my city...what a great question. I am struck by a discontent quietness coupled with overt excitement. There is a tremendous amount of covert (and still too much overt) racial tension here in Greensboro, NC. Yet at the same time, there is a general excitement about President Obama, our mayor (Greensboro's first African-American mayor), and our new governor (NC's first female governor). There is change abounding, yet many are comfortable in the way things have always been. My role, I believe, is to challenge the comfortable - the status quo. By God's grace, I continue to teach third and fourth grade in inner-city Greensboro and am blessed and challenged daily by this work. Looking forward to future conversation...
ReplyDeleteKevin,
ReplyDeleteYour words "covert" and "overt" bring such interesting images to mind. I'm remembering the racial tensions over the many years that I lived in Los Angeles and how the conversations have changed over the years. So many unspoken words, hurts, pain and frustration still fill the air of that city and others. How can we be instruments of God's peace and healing in the areas of unspokenness - where the noise is so loud yet we do not hear each other?