Jesus and the GOP, and mission stuff

Today we did a 2 hour program about economics, specifically about globalization/the IMF/ and 3rd world debt. It pulled everything together rather well. On some level most of the problems Latin America has go back to a rejection of free trade in the 50's, at least that's what the Libertarian in me is saying. Still it seems the IMF is forcing Latin American leaders to make desisions that do nothing more than pay the interest on their debt.
Economics is such a big issue, I'm not informed enough about it.
Peace,
Chris

Post-Colonial Christianity

The mission event has been good so far. I'm feeling that a lot of the talks are more geared toward 3rd world/non-english speaking missionaries, not folk like me who are going to Europe. We are reading "Whose Religion Is Christianity" a book about Christianity beyond the west. One of the biggest things I learned was that Christianity flourished in Asia and Africa only after both the colonialists and the Western Missionaries left. In countries where the tribal gods were still around Christianity became the dominant religion, where the local god names were not kept Islam took control. Interesting that! I don't really know what to do with that, perhaps Christianity is more adaptable, whereas Islam is more hegomonic and Uniform (though I know there are many syncratic forms of Islam and truly man Islams).
Peace,
Chris

The Journey Begins

Often times I think of Abraham leaving his family for the Promised Land, I think of Moses leading his people out of Egypt, I think of the Israelites going to exile in Babylon, I think of Paul spreading the Good News all the way to the heart of Rome. Those words, Promised Land, Exile, Exodus, are big powerful words, filled with a strangely mystical quality that exudes adventure, journey, questing, and faithful perseverance. It conjures up images of a bearded Charlton Heston, noble people suffering and defying tyrants. These are the motifs, images, and role models I think of when I think of journeying.
Leaving Eugene I now have some new images set away in my memory banks. Bowling with my parents the night before they drove my car, bike, and other miscellaneous stuff back to Cheyenne. Emptying my room into my suitcase and bequeathing anything that didn’t fit into it to various friends. The blue and yellow banner my housemates made me wishing me good tidings. The pat down by airport security when the staples in my chest set off the metal detector. Staying awake to cling to the last few hours and minutes in my home until I was on the plane headed from Eugene to Denver. The heartache, yet satisfaction, I felt as I hugged the two Kylas and Kevin, some of the closest friend I have, goodbye when they dropped me off at the airport.
I am beginning on a journey, and I have now taken the first step. I am in Chicago for Young Adult Orientation where the seminary here is hosting sixty plus Lutherans and Presbyterians. We’ve supped at the refectory, done a little meeting and greeting, and worshipped. In a week I’ll be on another plane headed for England.
Thus begins the adventure, not with big epic words or ideas, but with little flashes of change.
Peace,
Chris