still a pastor

Well, i'm down to the wire... tomorrow morning we leave Ireland, the land of some of my forefathers... It has been a wonderful trip. These free travel deals with CIEE (Judy's company) that we get for placing and supervising students, are great!!! Ten days to reflect on what I'm involved in in Cincinnati. Ten days to contemplate the goodness and difficulty of "planet life" as one of God's freshly adopted kids... Ten days to practise Johnny Cash songs on my Martin Backpacker Guitar (a lifesaver to replace TV on this trip). Ten days to consider life and direction in family and ministry...

So... I'm still a pastor. An "unemployed", "unemployable" pastor. "Street Level". "Inner City". grubbykupp... not perfect... workworn... distinguished by use... distinguished by the consumption of wear through daily, common use; especially in manual labor and "dirty work".

I haven't decided to change my life direction and "go corporate", or anything; even though I'm utterly surrounded by folks who live by the rules and have sharp portfolios to show for their days...

I haven't any plans, either. The house deal fell through clearly upon our departure... The folks selling it were 10,000 dollars behind on the mortgage and it's being processed by the bank, now. It could be a year before it comes to market (a year of that roof leaking the ceilings off). That is a mercy to me, even though it puts to death an aspect of physical measurement. I am glad that my Father is training me through small setbacks. I am sure tha t there will be more training in the future through much greater setbacks--i need discipline...

well it's 620am and i have to help some people get on the bus before we start our last day here...

Love.

Spanish Arch in Galway

The Spanish Arch, located on the banks of the river Corrib, was built in 1584. It was originally an extension of the famous city walls, designed to protect the quays. It is in fact a misnomer. There is no proven association with the Spanish in Galway and the building of the Arch. Historically it was known as The Blind Arch and it was located on the site more appropriately known as the Ceann na Bhalla (The Head of the Wall). The Arch also features a wooden sculpture, entitled Madonna of the Quay.

Galway walkabout

We went on a walk around town, here in Galway. Just walking around is a great experience here... I enjoy walking in almost every European city I've visited, because there's so much History! In America, we have what? 250 years in some places? maybe 300 some places? maybe 500 somewhere? As for the native Americans, their culture has little to do with our towns and cities, eh? But here, there are places that reach back past the days Jesus walked the earth... it's wonderful...

Here's some of the graffiti I have seen in town... notice a strange lack of profanity, here... anti-corporate head-blowout is an interesting one, too... These were found next to the Spanish Arch, whose history I haven't retained... but it's really famous...

Galway Bay and the Cliffs of Moher

Ireland, the land of many of our ancestors, fills me with an appreciation for all we have today. This is the land of the famine, the land of Cromwell's advance, the flight of three million starving people...
Here, they used to burn down your house and put you to flight if you couldn't pay your rent, back in the 1600's and after... Here, the real christians who trusted God and died like lambs were the Roman Catholics, being persecuted by Cromwell and the Crown. here is a history of blood and perseverance... Please enjoy these pictures of the rocks (the whole place is nothing but rock and thin grasses. The cliffs are awesome. You feel like you'll be swept off!
The stone edifice is a grave/tomb, in which the remains of several people were excavated. There was no where to bury people, so they used to expose or burn remains and interr the bones and ashes... they mostly exposed them, letting the birds and animals pick them thin and clean, to maximize space...

I'll be back with more highlights, so please enjoy. I've maxxed out my flickr account this month, so all i have there are some of my Dublin shots. But I'll keep posting highlights here...

And John Leyendecker, we love you and Lisa, Max and Ana... we are with you...

first days in dublin

Some photos from our Trip to Indianapolis

We went to Indy just a little while ago... i may have blogged about it, but I really want to say thank you to Micah and Marla and all the saints at Family Fellowship in Franklin for hosting those of us who needed a place to stay... You all refreshed our spirits!

And thanks to the Gurka house group from Common Grounds Church, Indy. You guys (Aaron) really loved on us. We also love you, Arsene!