Pastor John Wright

This week has been another grueling week. We are filling two positions in the School of Theology at PLNU and the intellectual and relational work has been incredibly intense in interviewing candidates and mulling things over as a department. Last night we didn't get out of meetings until after 6:00 pm -- and when academics go that late on Friday night, you know that people are working hard!

So I haven't had time nor energy to blog. I still hope to get caught up. But Pastor Kathy, my wife, typed some wonderful things out this week that I'd like to share with you. Enjoy what she has learned this week. Names have been changed to protect the "guilty"!

Things I've Learned This Week ~

1) It's still harder to be the person being "left" than to be the one leaving. Brian Becker has filled many roles without asking for recognition....and we will miss him more than we know. And we can look forward to witnessing God's work through him from afar as he moves to Congo.

2) That one of our friends who lives without permanent shelter has a terrible cough and I really hope he sleeps inside the shelter tonight and tomorrow night.

3) That our friends on the street teach us many things that we can't learn elsewhere. That the story of being given a lottery ticket to put in the offering plate will forever bring me pain now along with a smile as I remember and mourn the loss of Crazy Mike. And that I need to pause more and reflect upon the things he showed me....along with what I've been taught by our other friends.

4) That people come and go so quickly......and our opportunities with them are relatively short......and each moment counts. That Jesus also had limited time with each person we read about.....and he handled each with wisdom and care.

5) That I still miss Eddie Spaghetti (a homeless friend who was in a wheelchair with no legs who was run over by a truck in the street while begging) and I am thankful for the lessons about drugs and their severe consequences which he taught my children one day when they came to help me work at the church ~ back in our homeschooling days. I'm certain he was part of the reason they committed to never tamper with those evils.

6) That we have another new life coming ~ Sarah (Bol's wife) is with child. That although she is overwhelmed and even saddened, this child is a gift from God.....and has a purpose for being. I hope to surround her, with the help of others, and be a true friend and sister in Christ more closely these days.

7) That amongst our congregation we stumble upon persons who are profound gifts to us ~ that they can say the most understanding and supportive things, at just the right time....and I'm certain that this is also a gift from God.

8) That "Betty" and "Ben" are really growing as a couple and that I am excited to see the depth of their bond and also the deepening of their commitment to this congregation because of their commitment to God.

9) That "Harry" and "Betsy" are also a really neat couple, who love to laugh, and to serve....and are really going to be strong supporters of the music ministry as we go through transitions.

10) That "Jeremy" has a new job and that he won't have to miss Sundays for work anymore! (after this Sunday).

11) That the staff at our Health Promotion Center are trying to find new ways to connect with our congregations ~ and I am profoundly grateful for that.

12) That I have learned how to use a website that has worship music (with chords and lyrics) to many songs we use - and the ability to have translations of them provided in French AND Spanish! The bulletin for this Sunday has been an enormous task -- ...and that I love and anticipate the opportunity to worship together as a multicongregation ~ and truly just want to do my best for Him by providing these little bits of paper, that are inclusive, and draw us all together, and make it possible to worship Him.

And...one more....that "potluck" really means just that to some of our sister/brother congregations. We Anglos are a curious culture that only brings pretty decorative dishes ~ and call them potluck.....
In some other cultures, they take the words seriously and bring big pots of food!

So, I'm in a reflective mood and had so many things to share, that this seemed to be the way to communicate.....particularly that I am thankful to be a part of a team in these experiences and to know that we are not alone. Thank you to each of you for your encouragements and your faithfulness, for not letting fatigue and illness stop you ~ but that I sense your longing to return when those things slow or stop you for a time.....we have much to share, and to do together for Him......and we never know how much time we get to share with each of His children......but we are blessed.

May His love and strength continue to fill each of us,
Kathy