In this weeks Monte has spoken we look at time out in Mozambique, this weekends trip down to Wales and with Easter approaching, what does it really mean, discovering why religion is pointless.
The Globe – Mozambique Madness
As I mentioned the other week, I've had the opportunity to go out on mission to other countries on a few occasions, last time I spoke about India, this week I'm going to talk about my time in Mozambique.
One of my good friends Heather felt called to go and serve at the Zimpeto Children's Centre, in Maputo and she went out there in February 2009. For some time my heart had been on Africa and I was wanting to go over there and help out with either some projects or else with children. So with Heather being a face I would know out there, I took the plunge and sorted out going on a short term trip by myself.
Well, after a few interesting changes to my schedule I finally got to the centre and was greeted by Heather and some of the other missionaries along with a lot of the kids.
While I was out there, I really wanted to help out with the 5-9 year old boys. I help out with this age group as part of kids church and so I thought it would be cool to see both the similarities and the differences between kids at that ages, and if given the chance tell the kids at home what kids their own age.
I was introduced to Becca and Megan, who oversaw the boys for afternoon crafts, a lot of the stuff with this was sitting with them and just spending time with them, making all sorts of posters, potted plants and cards, even with the language barrier it was really cool getting to know them and their characters. Part of this bonding for me was going into the canteen and eating with them at meal time, I got a lot of attention with my white skin and as they saw “soft funny hair” they also liked the fact that I'd eat with my hands with them (I'd picked up this skill in India).
Over the next two weeks I did loads of amazing things, some broke my heart to see the poverty there, others really encouraged me to get involved with things back at home. As I've said before its good to get some perspective, and by seeing what others are going through our mountains seem like molehills.
The Gala – Party time in Wales
This past weekend saw some sixteen families join us for the Tandem weekend away at Hebron Hall, South Wales. Tandem exists to serve single parent families in our local community by offering them friendship and support. The weekend away offers the chance to build on these friendships and to have family fun as well as “mum time” while activities are arranged for the kids.One of my good friends Heather felt called to go and serve at the Zimpeto Children's Centre, in Maputo and she went out there in February 2009. For some time my heart had been on Africa and I was wanting to go over there and help out with either some projects or else with children. So with Heather being a face I would know out there, I took the plunge and sorted out going on a short term trip by myself.
Well, after a few interesting changes to my schedule I finally got to the centre and was greeted by Heather and some of the other missionaries along with a lot of the kids.
While I was out there, I really wanted to help out with the 5-9 year old boys. I help out with this age group as part of kids church and so I thought it would be cool to see both the similarities and the differences between kids at that ages, and if given the chance tell the kids at home what kids their own age.
I was introduced to Becca and Megan, who oversaw the boys for afternoon crafts, a lot of the stuff with this was sitting with them and just spending time with them, making all sorts of posters, potted plants and cards, even with the language barrier it was really cool getting to know them and their characters. Part of this bonding for me was going into the canteen and eating with them at meal time, I got a lot of attention with my white skin and as they saw “soft funny hair” they also liked the fact that I'd eat with my hands with them (I'd picked up this skill in India).
Over the next two weeks I did loads of amazing things, some broke my heart to see the poverty there, others really encouraged me to get involved with things back at home. As I've said before its good to get some perspective, and by seeing what others are going through our mountains seem like molehills.
The Gala – Party time in Wales
For many of our families this is their only holiday away, while the kids are having fun in their groups the mums have a mixture of talks, discussions and crafts. We also packed our stuff down to Barry Island for a much needed trip to the beach on Saturday afternoon. Sunday there was a gala of what the Kids had been up to with a play and some music too. It was amazing to see the growth of both the kids and the mums over the weekend and how new friendships had blossomed, roll on next year, I say.
The Gospel – Why Religion is pointless
As we approach Easter, its always at this time of year I'm reminded just how pointless being part of a religion is. Many of you may be shocked by this, given the nature of my blog and many of you will know that I am a Christian.
Now most will know of the many religions there are in the world, Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism etc. Religion usually involves following a set of rules or principles in order to be accepted by God or else to achieve enlightenment or alike. This will split opinion on the virtues of each and where there are faults, some are put off completely by what they deem as a means of control.
Being a church goer myself, I can see the faults of the Church both in the past and the present, for me its when a religious aspect controls the church, thus following the rules becomes more important than why you are following them. Jesus pointed this out when he mocked the Pharisees, where the institution became like a beating stick for others.
This leads me to my main point, Christianity shouldn't be a religion, a religion is where you follow a bunch of rules and then God will approve of you, its about what you need to do for God.
As we look at the Easter story and see the many programs that surround the subject, we see its not what we do in order to get close to God. Its what God did for us.
He came down in the person of Jesus and lived the perfect life because he knew that we couldn't and then stepped in our place to take the punishment we deserved. It's the most non-religious thing in history, God does something for us, its not us trying to do something to gain approval its Him coming to do something so we can come to him.
I'm so glad we have a God who knows our weaknesses and flaws, who knows what its like to be tempted and also knows the the burden was too much to bare for us.
I'm constantly reminded of this, I mess up every day, but I know that its not what I do that makes God love me, its what he's done to show he loves me that makes me do what I do (and change who I am).
Anyone who has seen “The Passion of Christ” will have an idea of what Jesus went through for us, its the closest thing that has been produced to give an account.
This week it would be good to also read over what happened at Easter and why we celebrate this event, stick with Marks gospel that we talked about last week why not look through chapters 14-16
So this week as we remember what Jesus did and how he suffered for us, lets remember its so that we could be close to him and its not about being religious. It's a long process of change, not to get close to Him, but because we can be close to him and so it starts to show.
Now most will know of the many religions there are in the world, Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism etc. Religion usually involves following a set of rules or principles in order to be accepted by God or else to achieve enlightenment or alike. This will split opinion on the virtues of each and where there are faults, some are put off completely by what they deem as a means of control.
Being a church goer myself, I can see the faults of the Church both in the past and the present, for me its when a religious aspect controls the church, thus following the rules becomes more important than why you are following them. Jesus pointed this out when he mocked the Pharisees, where the institution became like a beating stick for others.
This leads me to my main point, Christianity shouldn't be a religion, a religion is where you follow a bunch of rules and then God will approve of you, its about what you need to do for God.
As we look at the Easter story and see the many programs that surround the subject, we see its not what we do in order to get close to God. Its what God did for us.
He came down in the person of Jesus and lived the perfect life because he knew that we couldn't and then stepped in our place to take the punishment we deserved. It's the most non-religious thing in history, God does something for us, its not us trying to do something to gain approval its Him coming to do something so we can come to him.
I'm so glad we have a God who knows our weaknesses and flaws, who knows what its like to be tempted and also knows the the burden was too much to bare for us.
I'm constantly reminded of this, I mess up every day, but I know that its not what I do that makes God love me, its what he's done to show he loves me that makes me do what I do (and change who I am).
Anyone who has seen “The Passion of Christ” will have an idea of what Jesus went through for us, its the closest thing that has been produced to give an account.
This week it would be good to also read over what happened at Easter and why we celebrate this event, stick with Marks gospel that we talked about last week why not look through chapters 14-16
So this week as we remember what Jesus did and how he suffered for us, lets remember its so that we could be close to him and its not about being religious. It's a long process of change, not to get close to Him, but because we can be close to him and so it starts to show.
˚˚ Monte Has Spoken ˚˚
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