Dream House IV
I couldn’t understand why but my wife was emphatically in favour of accepting the invitation to lunch – perhaps it was her sense of adventure or her love of an authentic curry. I was particularly glad to see that the curries were vegetarian after I had walked past the meat seller earlier – selling meat without a fridge means that flies are your best customers.
I felt so awkward as we sat down for the meal but watching my children be so at ease must have encouraged me to forget my questions and enjoy the moment. The kids were eating new foods without any drama although the heat of the spice was starting to affect them. I realised Sanjiv was there, obviously added to the party as our trusty translator.
My wife started to ask Sanjiv about his life and his family. His story did not at all reflect the beaming smile that seemed to be a permanent fixture on his face, or maybe it did. Sanjiv’s parents had both died within a few weeks of each other, seemingly of simple sicknesses that were never diagnosed and for which they were never hospitalised. Sanjiv spent time on the streets before finding extended family in this slum.
The real turnaround in fortunes came when Sanjiv learned that he could go to school. There was a bus that came each morning to pick up children for school. The school was free and just for children of the slum. They said it was paid for by Jesus and people in other countries who love Jesus. There Sanjiv was nourished, in his body and his spirit and in his dreams. He was getting good results and hoped in the future to become an accountant and get a home outside the slum.
I started to recognise the incredible generosity that we were receiving. It wasn’t just that they were sharing all they had, but their manner in serving us the food and attending to us was remarkable. I snapped out of this reflection as I heard Sanjiv share about his sister who had not been so fortunate. I watched my wife listening intently, I could see the emotion rising in her face, what could have been tears became an incredible resolve as she asked Sanjiv, “Is there anything we can do?”
Sanjiv’s sister, now 16, had been lured in and kidnapped by a brothel almost two years earlier. I had left the lunch quickly with Sanjiv and after finding his uncle we were on our way across the city in an auto-rickshaw, through traffic that flowed in a way that I could not understand. I was getting an emergency education in such a disgusting industry. Sanjiv’s family had recently heard word about his sister, that she was now quite sick, and this was an opportunity because it meant that her value to the brothel was much lower and maybe we could buy her out.
Sanjiv and I waited in the rickshaw that we kept while his uncle negotiated. I braced myself for whatever the cost may be – this day was a whirlwind in my mind but the purpose I felt in this was solid like stone. Sanjiv’s uncle came out looking positive and asked me for the equivalent to our thirty dollars. He was desperate. I couldn’t believe that it was enough - I was staggered to think that this could be what a life is worth – and how easy it was for me.
She really was very sick. There was relief in her eyes as she saw Sanjiv but there was such pain that stopped her from expressing her joy. We rushed her to the hospital where her uncle stayed with her. Sanjiv had a plan for her to be taken in by a women’s shelter that was run by the people that also run the school.
I was glad to see my family again as they were just saying goodbye to our lunch hosts. I was shaken by the day but felt something powerful, that we had been engaged in the most important things.
Dream House V
We woke again. As we had all fallen asleep in our bed we all stirred awake together. We rushed to the windows and the result was a mix of confusion, relief and loss. We were home – back in the suburbs.
We didn’t say much but we knew that things had changed, we had changed. Our minds and experience had been expanded explosively. Our world had become much bigger and much smaller.
Even as our house was less cluttered as we had found ways to share many things, our minds too were less cluttered. We were starting to see the world clearly and our place in it. And we couldn’t wait to go back.
Showing posts with label Mark. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mark. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Back to the heart
I guess this guy was hoping for a different answer -
“Someone out of the crowd said, "Teacher, order my brother to give me a fair share of the family inheritance."
He replied, "Mister, what makes you think it's any of my business to be a judge or mediator for you?"
Speaking to the people, he went on, "Take care! Protect yourself against the least bit of greed. Life is not defined by what you have, even when you have a lot."
Then he told them this story: "The farm of a certain rich man produced a terrific crop. He talked to himself: 'What can I do? My barn isn't big enough for this harvest.' Then he said, 'Here's what I'll do: I'll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I'll gather in all my grain and goods, and I'll say to myself, Self, you've done well! You've got it made and can now retire. Take it easy and have the time of your life!'
"Just then God showed up and said, 'Fool! Tonight you die. And your barnful of goods—who gets it?'
"That's what happens when you fill your barn with Self and not with God."” Luke 12:13-21 (The Message)
Maybe the man was hoping that Jesus would agree with his fight for justice and take up his cause. Certainly Jesus is for social justice, but He is even more interested in the heart of a person.
One person may have felt for the man and fought for his rights, another may have said that he didn’t deserve it anyway. Jesus, knowing this man’s heart and indeed all hearts, warns him about greed and the dangers of prioritising possessions over having a heart that is right with God.
Your life will be defined by what you focus on most – what is your life defined by?
“Someone out of the crowd said, "Teacher, order my brother to give me a fair share of the family inheritance."
He replied, "Mister, what makes you think it's any of my business to be a judge or mediator for you?"
Speaking to the people, he went on, "Take care! Protect yourself against the least bit of greed. Life is not defined by what you have, even when you have a lot."
Then he told them this story: "The farm of a certain rich man produced a terrific crop. He talked to himself: 'What can I do? My barn isn't big enough for this harvest.' Then he said, 'Here's what I'll do: I'll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I'll gather in all my grain and goods, and I'll say to myself, Self, you've done well! You've got it made and can now retire. Take it easy and have the time of your life!'
"Just then God showed up and said, 'Fool! Tonight you die. And your barnful of goods—who gets it?'
"That's what happens when you fill your barn with Self and not with God."” Luke 12:13-21 (The Message)
Maybe the man was hoping that Jesus would agree with his fight for justice and take up his cause. Certainly Jesus is for social justice, but He is even more interested in the heart of a person.
One person may have felt for the man and fought for his rights, another may have said that he didn’t deserve it anyway. Jesus, knowing this man’s heart and indeed all hearts, warns him about greed and the dangers of prioritising possessions over having a heart that is right with God.
Your life will be defined by what you focus on most – what is your life defined by?
Monday, January 24, 2011
Need?
The advertising industry has really messed with our concept of the word need. In a very blessed country like ours often the needs we talk about are actually wants.
Looking at what others have makes us feel that we need it. Advertisers cleverly engage our desires such that we start to imagine that we would have difficulty living without that thing we’ve never had before. An ad that I particularly dislike at the moment has one young boy boasting about his family’s car over the fence to his young neighbour – yuck! Surely this is something ugly in our culture.
As a parent, my young kids regularly tell me what they ‘need’. It has made me even more suspicious of the word. I catch myself using the word quite liberally but I have started to try and flag it and ask, ‘Do I really need that?’ I don't think there’s anything essentially wrong with having things we don't need but a think it’s good for our hearts and our minds to challenge the assumption in our words.
I heard a great message at church recently by Rob De Martin, which challenged some of our culture’s assumptions about the way we think about and use our money. Rob said in the context of financial planning that, ‘Our needs tend to be exaggerated.’ Our idea of ‘need’ can really drive our hearts to selfishness, despair and even financial ruin.
Paul in the Bible said, ‘I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.’ Philippians 4:11-13
The secret is that we can choose contentment. If we imagine that it is something that will fly in the window and land on our shoulder sometime we will be waiting forever. We have the choice to question our idea of ‘need’, and decide to be content. I know that I will surely keep catching myself saying the word, and hopefully keep learning how to choose contentment.
Looking at what others have makes us feel that we need it. Advertisers cleverly engage our desires such that we start to imagine that we would have difficulty living without that thing we’ve never had before. An ad that I particularly dislike at the moment has one young boy boasting about his family’s car over the fence to his young neighbour – yuck! Surely this is something ugly in our culture.
As a parent, my young kids regularly tell me what they ‘need’. It has made me even more suspicious of the word. I catch myself using the word quite liberally but I have started to try and flag it and ask, ‘Do I really need that?’ I don't think there’s anything essentially wrong with having things we don't need but a think it’s good for our hearts and our minds to challenge the assumption in our words.
I heard a great message at church recently by Rob De Martin, which challenged some of our culture’s assumptions about the way we think about and use our money. Rob said in the context of financial planning that, ‘Our needs tend to be exaggerated.’ Our idea of ‘need’ can really drive our hearts to selfishness, despair and even financial ruin.
Paul in the Bible said, ‘I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.’ Philippians 4:11-13
The secret is that we can choose contentment. If we imagine that it is something that will fly in the window and land on our shoulder sometime we will be waiting forever. We have the choice to question our idea of ‘need’, and decide to be content. I know that I will surely keep catching myself saying the word, and hopefully keep learning how to choose contentment.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Dream House II & III
(The link to Dream House I is here
http://notwant.blogspot.com/2011/01/dream-house-i.html)
Dream House II
It was completely jarring to feel such relief at seeing my kids smiling widely and yet to feel so awkward about them being so close to these kids that I didn’t know. Sure their smiles were endearing but their clothing, their hair, and their faces were less than clean.
My kids couldn’t understand their new friends but they were playing happily together with some kind of wooden puppet. One young man, perhaps twelve or thirteen years old, was obviously a bit of an organiser. He seemed to be gathering a crowd just below the back of our deck.
My wife appeared at the back door – half asleep and half in shock. We met side-by-side as we watched our children, she restrained herself from ordering the kids back inside as she noticed the ease at which they played with the local children.
At the orders of the organiser, a few children – some with long drums, some with puppets, and girls in dress costumes came up to the deck and assembled themselves for an impromptu performance. We were treated to an amazing performance, the children were quite skilled and they were obviously enjoying themselves immensely to have such a stage and a crowd in their own community. The colours weren’t quite the same as a Bollywood movie but the life and the energy were the same.
As the performance finished some of the key performers gave puppets to our own children. My wife and I were quietly shocked at the generosity but didn’t interfere as these experiences washed over us. I was very glad that my kids were so emphatic in their thanks and even tried some makeshift bows to show their gratitude. A spark of an idea in our oldest son quickly became a request whispered into our ears. And we were more than happy to go along with it.
We were so used to our kids’ more unattractive tones complaining about hunger and whinging for snacks, now they were busy gathering lollies and biscuits and all the leftover snacks from Christmas and bringing them out to share with everyone.
Now a middle-aged woman was moving determinedly through the crowd followed closely by the young organiser. I started to wonder about all the possible things she could be angry about.
Dream House III
I was beginning to wonder what this was all about, why this was happening. The woman spoke with the authority that all mothers have. Even without translation I knew I was to follow. I surprised myself by just going along with it as I slipped on some sandals and walked down our back steps.
The young organiser identified himself as Sanjiv. He spoke simple English clearly and confidently. He explained that we were walking to the house of a man who was very sick. Sanjiv apologised that he didn’t know the words to describe the injury beyond, ‘arm’ and ‘bad’.
We walked through alleys about one and a half people wide as we dodged the open drains. Finally we stopped and stepped inside a small concrete room. We went through and into another smaller room at the back. It was almost completely dark. A man lay next to the wall, he was obviously in pain. Another young man stepped into the room carrying a light globe which he deftly attached to the makeshift wiring on the ceiling.
The light revealed a wound that covered most of the man’s right arm. The flesh could be seen, pink and red. The movement on the surface was the tiny worms that were slowly consuming him. It was entirely disgusting. I wanted to vomit. I had never even seen anything like it. I hastily and whole-heartedly started to make it clear that I wasn’t a doctor.
Sanjiv began to translate for the woman. They were very sorry but they were even more desperate. They hoped that I might have some money so that Mukesh could be treated at a hospital. I learned that without having the money up front and purchasing the medicines and bandages yourself, the hospital did not have any means to treat you.
Mukesh’s brother took what I thought was a small amount of money and took him to the closest hospital. I was still dazed. I still felt quite overwhelmed by what I was seeing.
Now the woman had another request but this time I had no idea what it was she was asking. Sanjiv smiled and explained that she would like me to bring my family back to share lunch with her family.
There was no way that I wanted to expose my family to the kind of risks that such a lack of hygiene can bring.
http://notwant.blogspot.com/2011/01/dream-house-i.html)
Dream House II
It was completely jarring to feel such relief at seeing my kids smiling widely and yet to feel so awkward about them being so close to these kids that I didn’t know. Sure their smiles were endearing but their clothing, their hair, and their faces were less than clean.
My kids couldn’t understand their new friends but they were playing happily together with some kind of wooden puppet. One young man, perhaps twelve or thirteen years old, was obviously a bit of an organiser. He seemed to be gathering a crowd just below the back of our deck.
My wife appeared at the back door – half asleep and half in shock. We met side-by-side as we watched our children, she restrained herself from ordering the kids back inside as she noticed the ease at which they played with the local children.
At the orders of the organiser, a few children – some with long drums, some with puppets, and girls in dress costumes came up to the deck and assembled themselves for an impromptu performance. We were treated to an amazing performance, the children were quite skilled and they were obviously enjoying themselves immensely to have such a stage and a crowd in their own community. The colours weren’t quite the same as a Bollywood movie but the life and the energy were the same.
As the performance finished some of the key performers gave puppets to our own children. My wife and I were quietly shocked at the generosity but didn’t interfere as these experiences washed over us. I was very glad that my kids were so emphatic in their thanks and even tried some makeshift bows to show their gratitude. A spark of an idea in our oldest son quickly became a request whispered into our ears. And we were more than happy to go along with it.
We were so used to our kids’ more unattractive tones complaining about hunger and whinging for snacks, now they were busy gathering lollies and biscuits and all the leftover snacks from Christmas and bringing them out to share with everyone.
Now a middle-aged woman was moving determinedly through the crowd followed closely by the young organiser. I started to wonder about all the possible things she could be angry about.
Dream House III
I was beginning to wonder what this was all about, why this was happening. The woman spoke with the authority that all mothers have. Even without translation I knew I was to follow. I surprised myself by just going along with it as I slipped on some sandals and walked down our back steps.
The young organiser identified himself as Sanjiv. He spoke simple English clearly and confidently. He explained that we were walking to the house of a man who was very sick. Sanjiv apologised that he didn’t know the words to describe the injury beyond, ‘arm’ and ‘bad’.
We walked through alleys about one and a half people wide as we dodged the open drains. Finally we stopped and stepped inside a small concrete room. We went through and into another smaller room at the back. It was almost completely dark. A man lay next to the wall, he was obviously in pain. Another young man stepped into the room carrying a light globe which he deftly attached to the makeshift wiring on the ceiling.
The light revealed a wound that covered most of the man’s right arm. The flesh could be seen, pink and red. The movement on the surface was the tiny worms that were slowly consuming him. It was entirely disgusting. I wanted to vomit. I had never even seen anything like it. I hastily and whole-heartedly started to make it clear that I wasn’t a doctor.
Sanjiv began to translate for the woman. They were very sorry but they were even more desperate. They hoped that I might have some money so that Mukesh could be treated at a hospital. I learned that without having the money up front and purchasing the medicines and bandages yourself, the hospital did not have any means to treat you.
Mukesh’s brother took what I thought was a small amount of money and took him to the closest hospital. I was still dazed. I still felt quite overwhelmed by what I was seeing.
Now the woman had another request but this time I had no idea what it was she was asking. Sanjiv smiled and explained that she would like me to bring my family back to share lunch with her family.
There was no way that I wanted to expose my family to the kind of risks that such a lack of hygiene can bring.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Wasted
½ container or rice from Thai, $1, Compost
¼ large tomato from Locky’s Dad’s garden, $0.50, Compost
Milk 1 litre, $1, Sink
Jam sandwich, $1, Compost
Biscuits, $0.20, Compost
Rice crackers, $1, Compost
Brown rice cooked, $1, Compost
Sweet potatoes x 2, $3, Compost
Butternut Pumpkin, $4, Compost
Hhmm… total of approximately $12.70 in value wasted, maybe about 5% of my weekly spend. Not as bad as I thought it would be but I was trying pretty hard – especially eating everyone’s leftovers!
How did you go over the past week?
¼ large tomato from Locky’s Dad’s garden, $0.50, Compost
Milk 1 litre, $1, Sink
Jam sandwich, $1, Compost
Biscuits, $0.20, Compost
Rice crackers, $1, Compost
Brown rice cooked, $1, Compost
Sweet potatoes x 2, $3, Compost
Butternut Pumpkin, $4, Compost
Hhmm… total of approximately $12.70 in value wasted, maybe about 5% of my weekly spend. Not as bad as I thought it would be but I was trying pretty hard – especially eating everyone’s leftovers!
How did you go over the past week?
Monday, January 10, 2011
Wired to share
Call me a cheapskate but I’ve always been keen to borrow wherever possible when I can avoid spending money on something – whether it’s a DVD or a wheelbarrow. I am blessed with a father and a brother who love buying new DVDs, and to have a generous neighbour whose shed puts Bunnings to shame. It has always seemed a bit silly to me that every guy wants to have a very similar set of tools and appliances sitting inside our suburban sheds unused.
I have become very optimistic and even excited about the way that the interweb has connected us, changed the way we think, and gives us opportunities to communicate and share easily. A friend posted on Facebook last weekend asking if anyone had bunk beds that they didn’t need. Within a few hours a thread of conversation appeared with promises of beds and even mattresses thrown in! We also benefited as we got to share a bed that no-one in even my extended family has a use for right now and was taking up space in my laundry.
I thought later how this could have worked twenty years ago. A request for spare furniture could have been passed around to family and a few friends as you see them over a month. If you’re fortunate someone might know someone who has something to spare. Through social networking it is possible to quite passively share a simple request that is whispered among hundreds of people.
I have been interested to get a small insight through some good friends about the way that the IT community itself has an incredible culture of sharing. Many who spend hours and years on a piece of code or software are very happy to then share it for nothing with anyone in the world. Instead of wanting control over their intellectual capital they are happy for the influence and to know that they have contributed to something greater. I have also noticed how the networks that most of us use socially are used seamlessly in their world of work to share ideas, post opinions, ask questions and receive answers in real time.
I ‘borrowed’ the title of this blog from a talk given by Rachel Botsman for TEDxSydney. Take 15 minutes to watch this video if you can, the link is below. Botsman uses many stories and examples to show how we are becoming what she calls ‘collaborative consumers’. Made possible by the internet, we are starting to use things according to their need and not simply be driven to own everything we might need at some time. A great stat she shares is that the average home power drill will be used for less than 13 minutes in its lifetime! She questions why we think we needed a drill when all we really needed was a hole. Botsman also speaks about the fascinating ‘trust mechanics’ that are being created between strangers across the world (exciting and hopeful stuff about the heart!).
What is something that you have received by this kind of sharing?
http://www.ted.com/talks/rachel_botsman_the_case_for_collaborative_consumption.html
I have become very optimistic and even excited about the way that the interweb has connected us, changed the way we think, and gives us opportunities to communicate and share easily. A friend posted on Facebook last weekend asking if anyone had bunk beds that they didn’t need. Within a few hours a thread of conversation appeared with promises of beds and even mattresses thrown in! We also benefited as we got to share a bed that no-one in even my extended family has a use for right now and was taking up space in my laundry.
I thought later how this could have worked twenty years ago. A request for spare furniture could have been passed around to family and a few friends as you see them over a month. If you’re fortunate someone might know someone who has something to spare. Through social networking it is possible to quite passively share a simple request that is whispered among hundreds of people.
I have been interested to get a small insight through some good friends about the way that the IT community itself has an incredible culture of sharing. Many who spend hours and years on a piece of code or software are very happy to then share it for nothing with anyone in the world. Instead of wanting control over their intellectual capital they are happy for the influence and to know that they have contributed to something greater. I have also noticed how the networks that most of us use socially are used seamlessly in their world of work to share ideas, post opinions, ask questions and receive answers in real time.
I ‘borrowed’ the title of this blog from a talk given by Rachel Botsman for TEDxSydney. Take 15 minutes to watch this video if you can, the link is below. Botsman uses many stories and examples to show how we are becoming what she calls ‘collaborative consumers’. Made possible by the internet, we are starting to use things according to their need and not simply be driven to own everything we might need at some time. A great stat she shares is that the average home power drill will be used for less than 13 minutes in its lifetime! She questions why we think we needed a drill when all we really needed was a hole. Botsman also speaks about the fascinating ‘trust mechanics’ that are being created between strangers across the world (exciting and hopeful stuff about the heart!).
What is something that you have received by this kind of sharing?
http://www.ted.com/talks/rachel_botsman_the_case_for_collaborative_consumption.html
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Leaving off leftovers
I was really encouraged to see ‘The 7pm Project’s’ (6/1/11) story the other night on how people are sharing unsold food with those who need it. A problem that is so important is colliding with a very simple solution – and the idea is so good it’s becoming mainstream.
The day before I read an article from the BBC releasing data that showed that world food prices are hitting a new high. They explained that for some developing nations this issue can end up in civil war. The floods in Queensland were even mentioned as a factor affecting supply which drives up the cost of food.
I learnt from the World Vision video that we Aussies waste 20% of our food. I heard for the first time from ‘The 7pm Project’ that 20% of Australians are ‘food insecure’ (that doesn’t refer to how some people go to pieces when they see vegetables on their plate) which means that they regularly have times when they cannot put three meals on the table in a day.
So here’s another potentially simple solution. What if we personally try to waste less? Or perhaps we could share the extra food or the extra cash that we’re not spending on food we don’t need?
I’m going to start by trying to account for the food that is wasted in my home over a week.
What ideas do you have?
Links:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-12119539
http://www.worldvision.com.au/40HF/Videos.aspx watch the 14min video
The day before I read an article from the BBC releasing data that showed that world food prices are hitting a new high. They explained that for some developing nations this issue can end up in civil war. The floods in Queensland were even mentioned as a factor affecting supply which drives up the cost of food.
I learnt from the World Vision video that we Aussies waste 20% of our food. I heard for the first time from ‘The 7pm Project’ that 20% of Australians are ‘food insecure’ (that doesn’t refer to how some people go to pieces when they see vegetables on their plate) which means that they regularly have times when they cannot put three meals on the table in a day.
So here’s another potentially simple solution. What if we personally try to waste less? Or perhaps we could share the extra food or the extra cash that we’re not spending on food we don’t need?
I’m going to start by trying to account for the food that is wasted in my home over a week.
What ideas do you have?
Links:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-12119539
http://www.worldvision.com.au/40HF/Videos.aspx watch the 14min video
Friday, January 7, 2011
Poor on the inside
The fact that I came back from India feeling impressed by the spirituality and that I’d received more than I’d given doesn’t make me at all original. After all I only spent a total of six days in India getting to know one city a little bit and a small group of people slightly more.
I visited Jaipur almost two years ago with two other teachers. We were going to meet, spend time with and encourage teachers in a school that we support, a school that educates children from a slum community called Kathputli. I had seen photos and corresponded with the Australian man who runs quite a few programs to support Kathputli.
We were going there to share alongside the teachers there to have a spiritual / professional retreat. I shared with my friend there a few weeks earlier that it could be worthwhile to pray and even fast as a way to prepare for the time we would share there. I think I ended up fasting a few meals or Facebook or something incredibly radical like that. I was shocked and a little embarrassed when we arrived to share a meal which would break their week-long fast. The whole staff, full of faith and looking forward to the retreat had gone without food for a whole week!
God is truly gracious and we spent a wonderful few days together. I was impressed by how quickly we could form a bond as a group and trust in each other as we pursued a common goal. I was moved often by my new friends’ dedication to their students and to God.
I came home feeling that my city is a spiritual slum, that while we are rich in material things that we certainly have a lack spiritual riches. We have so much stuff and yet we are discontent and that drives us to gather more stuff. We seem to ignore or be unaware of what we truly need. We think we're okay but we have no idea.
I came home from Jaipur, after spending time in the slum, knowing that it is possible to be content, even happy, with little; and yet to be humble enough to know that you need something more.
What do you really need?
I visited Jaipur almost two years ago with two other teachers. We were going to meet, spend time with and encourage teachers in a school that we support, a school that educates children from a slum community called Kathputli. I had seen photos and corresponded with the Australian man who runs quite a few programs to support Kathputli.
We were going there to share alongside the teachers there to have a spiritual / professional retreat. I shared with my friend there a few weeks earlier that it could be worthwhile to pray and even fast as a way to prepare for the time we would share there. I think I ended up fasting a few meals or Facebook or something incredibly radical like that. I was shocked and a little embarrassed when we arrived to share a meal which would break their week-long fast. The whole staff, full of faith and looking forward to the retreat had gone without food for a whole week!
God is truly gracious and we spent a wonderful few days together. I was impressed by how quickly we could form a bond as a group and trust in each other as we pursued a common goal. I was moved often by my new friends’ dedication to their students and to God.
I came home feeling that my city is a spiritual slum, that while we are rich in material things that we certainly have a lack spiritual riches. We have so much stuff and yet we are discontent and that drives us to gather more stuff. We seem to ignore or be unaware of what we truly need. We think we're okay but we have no idea.
I came home from Jaipur, after spending time in the slum, knowing that it is possible to be content, even happy, with little; and yet to be humble enough to know that you need something more.
What do you really need?
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Dream House I
When I awoke I knew that something was different. The air felt different. I couldn’t quite pick why. I thought that I must have left the window closed – or open. It wasn’t that I was thinking again last night about how this house could never be our dream house. It was a new kind of disorientation.
Everything looked the same but the world felt more cramped. Like the air had become more crowded-in. The feeling wasn’t subtle. It felt very real. I could hear a buzz, well actually that makes it sound somehow electrical or mechanical. It was more of a hum – a sense of people and activity.
This feeling warned me that things were different but I was still surprised when I went to the window to see the noise I could hear. The whole world had certainly come closer. Instead of the familiar sights of the fence and my neighbour’s house I could see the ramshackle tin roofs of tens of, well, some kind of dwellings. All our space was gone, replaced with small laneways and homes heaped on one another – and people moving everywhere.
Our suburban house had been picked up and dropped into the middle of a slum. The sky was hazy, the air was hot and full of the noise and sweat of ten thousand people living in a space the size of a city block. My brain was already peaking with all this new information. I could see sick looking dogs, an open sewer gutter, and everything seemed so dirty and broken.
For the people walking near I could tell that it was out of their routine to see a large white house, brick footings and all, in the middle of their community. Their faces showed bewilderment and confusion. I rushed to check on my own family. My wife was still sleeping soundly but the kids were unaccounted for.
I rushed towards the back door hoping the kids would be playing on the deck. As I got closer I could hear the sound of children, but it was that slightly hysterical sound that without seeing was hard to tell if it was crying or laughing.
Everything looked the same but the world felt more cramped. Like the air had become more crowded-in. The feeling wasn’t subtle. It felt very real. I could hear a buzz, well actually that makes it sound somehow electrical or mechanical. It was more of a hum – a sense of people and activity.
This feeling warned me that things were different but I was still surprised when I went to the window to see the noise I could hear. The whole world had certainly come closer. Instead of the familiar sights of the fence and my neighbour’s house I could see the ramshackle tin roofs of tens of, well, some kind of dwellings. All our space was gone, replaced with small laneways and homes heaped on one another – and people moving everywhere.
Our suburban house had been picked up and dropped into the middle of a slum. The sky was hazy, the air was hot and full of the noise and sweat of ten thousand people living in a space the size of a city block. My brain was already peaking with all this new information. I could see sick looking dogs, an open sewer gutter, and everything seemed so dirty and broken.
For the people walking near I could tell that it was out of their routine to see a large white house, brick footings and all, in the middle of their community. Their faces showed bewilderment and confusion. I rushed to check on my own family. My wife was still sleeping soundly but the kids were unaccounted for.
I rushed towards the back door hoping the kids would be playing on the deck. As I got closer I could hear the sound of children, but it was that slightly hysterical sound that without seeing was hard to tell if it was crying or laughing.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Simply Rich
Caitlin and Billy are part of the world of a verse novel by Australian poet Steven Herrick. He writes in a way that shares the character’s inner thoughts. The novel is called The Simple Gift and is a great read, students I teach who hate reading love this book. It’s a story that shows that generosity changes everything and anyone.
Caitlin is a girl in a posh senior high school, her world has been somewhat challenged after meeting a boy who is homeless yet happy.
“… I’m not a spoilt brat OK,
but I am spoilt,
spoilt to boredom,
and I’m smart enough
to realise that none of this
means anything
except my parents are rich
and I think I want this stuff
or need this stuff
and I know what I really need
and it’s not in my bedroom.
and it’s not able to be bought
in any damn store.” (p.88)
Billy has walked away from an abusive home and ended up in a country town living in an old train carriage. He ponders after receiving his first pay from casual work in a cannery.
“… with nothing
you’re rich.
You’ve got no decisions,
no choice, and no worry.
Here I am walking
in the sunshine of another day
buying the world
and worrying over choices
I didn't have to make a week ago.
I wanted to spend the money
Quickly
so I could go back to nothing,
go back to being rich
and penniless again.” (p.81, from The Simple Gift UQP 2000)
There’s something wonderfully simple, even satisfying, about having less.
What do you think that you would gain by giving what you have?
Caitlin is a girl in a posh senior high school, her world has been somewhat challenged after meeting a boy who is homeless yet happy.
“… I’m not a spoilt brat OK,
but I am spoilt,
spoilt to boredom,
and I’m smart enough
to realise that none of this
means anything
except my parents are rich
and I think I want this stuff
or need this stuff
and I know what I really need
and it’s not in my bedroom.
and it’s not able to be bought
in any damn store.” (p.88)
Billy has walked away from an abusive home and ended up in a country town living in an old train carriage. He ponders after receiving his first pay from casual work in a cannery.
“… with nothing
you’re rich.
You’ve got no decisions,
no choice, and no worry.
Here I am walking
in the sunshine of another day
buying the world
and worrying over choices
I didn't have to make a week ago.
I wanted to spend the money
Quickly
so I could go back to nothing,
go back to being rich
and penniless again.” (p.81, from The Simple Gift UQP 2000)
There’s something wonderfully simple, even satisfying, about having less.
What do you think that you would gain by giving what you have?
Monday, December 27, 2010
Want not, waste not - this is what got me started.
I hope that you enjoyed National Leftovers Day as much as I did, as Boxing Day has become known. We were able to share a substantial amount of desserts from Sarah’s family on Christmas Day with my family on Boxing Day, then polish off some side dishes for dinner. I have noticed more than ever at big gatherings that the host is very keen not to get left with all the leftovers.
I was surprised again on Boxing Day when I read in the Herald that the average Australian family throws away $1000 worth of food each year! As a nation we waste $78 billion a year, which has increased 50% since 2005. While it’s great to appreciate how blessed we are that we can choose the best of food, and no-one would advocate risking food-poison to try and make a point, it is a staggering statistic and something worth some serious consideration.
I was at World Vision’s Global Leadership Convention for students a few months ago when I was first shocked by the stat that households in our society waste 20% of our food. In fact out of the entire very excellent day, the facts they presented on the issue of waste hit me the hardest.
They explained clearly how waste contributes to higher demand, which leads to higher prices, which in our global economy, price the poor out of the market for basic food items. So the fact that I almost always throw away the crusts and the odd half a loaf that gets mouldy before we get to it contributes to the fact that families in the developing world struggle to buy any bread at all.
That day I started to think about how demand in the human heart, especially the ridiculous demand we have where we are rich enough, contributes to much of the world’s biggest problems from food wastage to sex trafficking. I thought about how this demand is driven by a yearning in our souls for real satisfaction. That’s actually when I started to feel hope because I believe there is an answer to that.
I believe that belief begets behaviour - that what’s in our heart will always determine what our hands will do. To try and change our habits with our food waste will only be window-dressing – we must find soul satisfaction, something real, something powerful to change us. While it is worthwhile for us to check the content of our rubbish bins, it’s way more important to consider what’s in our hearts.
How do you find satisfaction for your soul?
Take a few minutes when you have the time to check out the 14 min video at http://www.worldvision.com.au/40HF/Videos.aspx . It’s a great video and it’s quite an education about world issues.
Here’s the SMH article: Our pioneering Penrith council gets a very positive mention! http://www.smh.com.au/environment/wasteland-the-78b-of-food-aussies-throw-away-20101225-197fc.html
I was surprised again on Boxing Day when I read in the Herald that the average Australian family throws away $1000 worth of food each year! As a nation we waste $78 billion a year, which has increased 50% since 2005. While it’s great to appreciate how blessed we are that we can choose the best of food, and no-one would advocate risking food-poison to try and make a point, it is a staggering statistic and something worth some serious consideration.
I was at World Vision’s Global Leadership Convention for students a few months ago when I was first shocked by the stat that households in our society waste 20% of our food. In fact out of the entire very excellent day, the facts they presented on the issue of waste hit me the hardest.
They explained clearly how waste contributes to higher demand, which leads to higher prices, which in our global economy, price the poor out of the market for basic food items. So the fact that I almost always throw away the crusts and the odd half a loaf that gets mouldy before we get to it contributes to the fact that families in the developing world struggle to buy any bread at all.
That day I started to think about how demand in the human heart, especially the ridiculous demand we have where we are rich enough, contributes to much of the world’s biggest problems from food wastage to sex trafficking. I thought about how this demand is driven by a yearning in our souls for real satisfaction. That’s actually when I started to feel hope because I believe there is an answer to that.
I believe that belief begets behaviour - that what’s in our heart will always determine what our hands will do. To try and change our habits with our food waste will only be window-dressing – we must find soul satisfaction, something real, something powerful to change us. While it is worthwhile for us to check the content of our rubbish bins, it’s way more important to consider what’s in our hearts.
How do you find satisfaction for your soul?
Take a few minutes when you have the time to check out the 14 min video at http://www.worldvision.com.au/40HF/Videos.aspx . It’s a great video and it’s quite an education about world issues.
Here’s the SMH article: Our pioneering Penrith council gets a very positive mention! http://www.smh.com.au/environment/wasteland-the-78b-of-food-aussies-throw-away-20101225-197fc.html
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