Doing things hard today...
My gifted and caring pastor had to resign due to a church conflict in late November...
I got word in the past day or so, that a very dear Malagasy friend and pastor - has been kicked out of his church where he has pastored for 12 years... with much resistance from the power brokers, because he wouldn't play their game... and they have won now.
My australian pastor still has somewhere to live... my Malagasy pastor and his family (youngest 4 months old) have had to move from the manse and I expect will be crowded into one room in the home of family members...
My Australian pastor has received his entitlements.... my Malagasy pastor has had to leave with about 7000 dollars owing from the 12 years he has been there, when he has been underpaid... and no entitlements...
It sounds like I'm comparing the situations... just that I'm so grateful that our freedoms and unions and culture allow for people who have been 'moved on' to be cared for sometimes... not like in Madagascar... were there is no care...
Both situations break my heart - and I am feeling very sad today, and distressed... I wish there was something I could do to help both of these men and their families ... and I have nothing to offer - except my care and prayers... and it just hurts...
Really badly...
Really, really badly....
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Monday, January 2, 2012
Revisiting 2011
Where have you met Christ in 2011?
in friends, in events, in the environment, in provision, in reconciliation, in quietness, in our minister
thankfulness - What did God unwrap for you in 2011? & What are you thankful for?
new place to live, some good connections with those I care about, a new psychiatrist, no problems with my car or computer, enough to live on, through the thoughtful generosity of people, some things about myself that I actually like... as hard as they are to remember...
sorrow – What have you lost in 2011 & What are you leaving behind?
ongoing sorrow for many things... so many that I haven't left behind yet... I have lost a level of fitness and am disappointed about that, left my old home of 5 years, moved further away from my support and friendship base...,
gift – What gifts from the past year can you carry into the next?
my gifted and insightful counsellor, a measure of physical health, new meds that seem to be helping a bit better, deeper connections with my family, fledgling friendships to be developed, a small group to lead...
fear – What are your fears and worries for the year ahead
so many unnamed and undefined anxieties.... that some how... I will stuff it all up....
hope – What are your hopes for the coming year?
a hint of more contentment, and maybe a moment or two of joy, increasing confidence in the things I used to do well before, deeper friendships, a new friend or two... stability in my living situation for the time being...
That's enough for now and for this venue...
in friends, in events, in the environment, in provision, in reconciliation, in quietness, in our minister
thankfulness - What did God unwrap for you in 2011? & What are you thankful for?
new place to live, some good connections with those I care about, a new psychiatrist, no problems with my car or computer, enough to live on, through the thoughtful generosity of people, some things about myself that I actually like... as hard as they are to remember...
sorrow – What have you lost in 2011 & What are you leaving behind?
ongoing sorrow for many things... so many that I haven't left behind yet... I have lost a level of fitness and am disappointed about that, left my old home of 5 years, moved further away from my support and friendship base...,
gift – What gifts from the past year can you carry into the next?
my gifted and insightful counsellor, a measure of physical health, new meds that seem to be helping a bit better, deeper connections with my family, fledgling friendships to be developed, a small group to lead...
fear – What are your fears and worries for the year ahead
so many unnamed and undefined anxieties.... that some how... I will stuff it all up....
hope – What are your hopes for the coming year?
a hint of more contentment, and maybe a moment or two of joy, increasing confidence in the things I used to do well before, deeper friendships, a new friend or two... stability in my living situation for the time being...
That's enough for now and for this venue...
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