So spring has sprung in the US. I hope you are all looking forward to warmer days. You can put away the snow tires and get ready for spring cleaning. The windows will soon be open. New life will arise from the previously frozen soil. And I really don't know where I am going with this line of thought. Other than I really miss that last part. Yes there is green plant life here all year, but I miss spring. I miss the freshness and newness of flowers growing in gardens. The only greenery we see on a regular basis is large trees. Yes, the trees are tropical (lots of palm, coconut and banana trees), but there is not much change to them. I want to see and smell flowers. Earlier this month when we stopped at a resort while on Samal Island, I actually made the comment, "Wow! Grass!" I never thought that I'd miss grass so much. I don't think I'd be too surprised if I actually hug a lawn when we come home. Yeah, that's a weird mental picture.
But that's just my segue into saying that summer is arriving here in the Philippines. Most students will be finished with school by the end of the month. So April and May are summer vacation time. Technically, summer in the northern hemisphere (which we are in, around 7°N) starts in June. But when people here talk of summer, they refer to "summer vacation" for students. And that lasts until the beginning of June. I'm not sure exactly which months are hottest. Maybe I'll find out as time passes.
So that was all just supposed to be my introduction. An ice breaker. Or something like that. Here's what I really wanted to post about:
Life has gotten more interesting the past two months. I think I've mentioned before that I've been involved with Oasis Family Ministries on Sunday afternoons and a Salt team outreach on Wednesdays. Well, I've agreed to become more like an "official" leader with each, whatever that is supposed to mean. But this is what has "changed" for me. Each group of leaders has meetings about twice a month for planning and teaching/sharing/accountability. So basically I now attend these informal meetings. But it makes a huge difference in my mind. Since I have committed more time to these ministries, I know that I will now commit more time to these ministries.
Did I lose you with that? Probably. Let me attempt to explain. If I just show up to these ministries, then I will "just" show up. That didn't make it any better, did it? Well, if my involvement is somewhat removed from the ministries, then I know that I will not be as committed to prayer and preparation for them. But if I am involved in leadership discussions and I know more of the vision for the time ahead, then I will invest more of my time and self into my role. It might sound a little crazy, like trying to split hairs or something. But I know myself. And I know (from experience) that being more "officially" involved gives me enough of a kick in the pants to actually do what I should already have been doing in the first place.
So, one of the changes that has occurred at Oasis is a more organized "division of labor" amongst the leaders. The major responsibilities are now split into groups. One of the groups is a worship team. It was obvious to me, with my experiences and desires God has given to me while here, that I would be a part of that team. We are still a little disorganized now, but it's only been a few weeks. But it's been really good for me. Already I have played the guitar on three occasions at Oasis and once with Salt. The perfectionist in me is not totally pleased with how I played, but I've only seriously been practicing for three months or so. So all things considered, it went pretty well. I obviously have a lot more practicing to do, but I can tell people are appreciative of my willingness to play. And it is going well. Six months ago, if you had told me that by now I'd be playing the guitar with these kids (without any other instruments, but with someone else leading the singing), I would have said there was no way. But being kind of "pushed" into playing so quickly has been a great blessing for me. It is now forcing me to practice a lot more so that I am prepared for Sunday. If I had waited until I felt like I was ready, I'd probably still be waiting a year from now. That's just the way I am.
So I am learning a lot. And I'm learning quickly. The songs I am practicing for next Sunday will require new chords for me. I think another guy will be there to play as well (and he's pretty good; been playing for several years). So I either have to learn the "real" chords or figure out if I can use the capo and play along with him playing the original chords. In theory it will work as our ears should be hearing the same chord. I've just never done it before, so I don't actually know it will work. But I think if I practice every day this week I will be able to master the F chord. Well, not master it. But be good enough to play it in that song. So far the capo has been a great friend for me, allowing me to transpose the song into a key I can already play. But now it's time to tackle more chords. Like I said before, if I wait until I feel ready, it will never happen. But by being "pushed" into playing before I'm ready, it forces me to practice harder and stretches me, both musically and spiritually.
So that's that. The other week we "celebrated" being here in Davao for 7 months. In just 4½ months, we should be able to board a plane and travel for 24 hours or so back home. Oh the jet lag! But it will be worth it.
Blessings to you all!
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