School of Christian Mission

School of Christian Mission - day one (well, day 1/2)

This was a great day so far. I was assigned to the Faith and Food class

which I really wasn't too sure about (but its really quite fun so far!). My teacher, Jim, really hates the text that was required reading and he said we can find the information of suffering, famine rich country stats on the internet so why pound it in our heads. Instead the focus of this class is as a Bible study.

Opening with Genesis 18 we learned about extravagent hospitality afforded by Abraham and the blessing that he and Sarah gained as God created life - created Isaac - to make Abraham the father of many. Then we moved to a Lectio Divina on John 15. It was quite interesting. What I got from the passage was how extravagent God was and is and will ever be from the Garden of Eden through the sacrifice of His son through to our heavenly homes. Wow. I've never thought of hospitality in such a way.

We also talked about three disciplines that we each should be practicing everyday (because disciples need discipline):

• intentional listening
• lectio
• journalling

This evening we heard from Angelo Maker, a Sudanese "lost" boy who was brought to America by Wellspring UMC. He told us a brief history of Sudan and a hugely shortened bio up to when he arrived in America. He's still fascinating to listen to. I thought that his English had improved until he began speaking more rapidly and then I could barely understand him. I liked the three things his dying mother told him to always remember:

• remember God
• respect all others
• do not steal somebody else's things

Powerful words from a woman who had been shot by Islamic fundamentalists because she professed Christianity.