David Ford's Blog
Sugar Spoon
Thursday, July 29, 2010
This week, a circular was sent out to the Seminary’s employees about the sugar bowl and related matters. Colombians take their coffee seriously, strong and sweet. There is a communal coffee machine and it appears some rascal has been taking the sugar spoon off to his office, causing a crisis.
The Seminary is now in a time of forced austerity: don’t use too many disposable cups and no photocopying of syllabuses. In June, it received a £40,000 loan from the OMS Missionary Society, which would have lasted a couple of weeks. There is now talk of employing a Fundraiser.
The 1st Years are a super bunch; all sit near the front and have loads of questions. The 4th Years, more knowledgeable, sit near the back, but the questions still keep coming. Financial crisis or not, people want to be taught and the Seminary cannot shut. Even if you had a blackboard in the middle of a field, people would turn up.
There is a sense in which an inter-denominational Seminary is an unnatural thing. It is not the kind of institution the national Church starts, but is a product of missionary vision. However, it serves the Church well and fulfils the Great Commission Jesus spoke about and promised to support: so, the future is sweet.
Photo: Denis, the office cleaning lady, and her tinto (Columbian-style coffee)
Pentecostal Economics
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Going bankrupt in a Latin American Bible college is different. After meetings and investigations, an email went out today announcing a reduction in discounts for staff accommodation. Taking drastic action just doesn’t seem to fit into a world where it’s sunny all day and, from your office, you hear the birds, and someone singing to a guitar. I guess mañana something will be done.
What has been remarkable has been the time given to prayer. Mornings have been spent in it. The Board of Directors divided its time to include chunks of intercession. Students have met during the 10-minute slots between classes. Belief in miracles is strong and so, everyone makes plans for the coming semester.
As an unbeliever in Pentecostal economics, I shake my head, struggle to sleep at nights…but maybe the day of conversion is coming.
Have a look at the latest YouTube on Medellín and see what a different world we live in. One of our Columbian lecturers is singing in the background: his theme - the greatness of God.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnnxrwSvQ6E
(If the link doesn’t work, copy and paste it into your browser.)
We leave next week for a short break in the UK.
Photo: A child-like trust in God is what Jesus talked about and many ‘latinos’ practice.
Executioner’s Steps
Wednesday, June 02, 2010
Sunday’s presidential elections were the most peaceful for 40 years. However, it’s still been a memorable week: we heard that the Seminary needs to be closed down or substantially downgraded. Today, I saw a vulture strutting along the Seminary roof, its wings like black sackcloth.
We have bills of £40,000 to pay, with only £2,000 in the bank. The 30 staff are without salaries and reserves have evaporated. Last Christmas, something similar happened, but to say it’s a financial crisis is misleading: the Seminary’s just not sustainable in its present form. Generous donations this month will simply waylay the executioner. The Seminary Board has emergency meetings.
Yet, an email arrived from the Dean about exam arrangements in 12 months’ time, written as if all were normal. Olwen’s off this weekend to speak at a pastors’ wives’ retreat. And God is, so things can change in unthought-of ways.
But it all leaves me shaken, nervous and in a fog. Jesus’ “of little faith” disciples perhaps felt the same.
Photo: Juan David - happy graduate and now a pastor.
Riders in the Skies
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Closure of the Seminary was hoped for last week, at least in the dreams of the lecturers. It was three weeks before the end of the semester and you felt you couldn’t produce another class. Today, it’s 10 days to go, the end is coming and life’s lighter.
Along with the 3rd Years, we’ve worked through the Greek of John and now, as a spiritual adventure, I’ve set out on the Apocalypse in Greek. Yale academic, Dale Martin, says it’s lousy Greek. He may be right, but, as literature, it’s unputdownable. Forget white water rafting and bungee jumping, encounter brilliant white and red horses, mysterious scrolls, sky riders, secret seals, a terrifying lamb and “the one who sits on the throne”.
Olwen’s life is in another orbit: dyeing strips, making aprons and bag fashions. Yet ‘Zero Stress’ and Apocalypse have their same origin: the spirit of the Artist of the universe.
A YouTube was produced for the WfM Annual Meeting: how such a collection of diverse individuals, over two continents, can be so productive is beyond human manipulation.
http://www.youtube.com/user/0stresscolombia
Photo: For the wife/girlfriend who has everything - latest in Noah’s Ark waistcoats.
Freshly Painted Message
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Late yesterday afternoon, Olwen and I strolled down the street for a coffee. We passed a young lady who’d just got off a long-distance bus with various bags. She called out to Olwen, “Senora”, and explained she was frightened she might be robbed, and would Olwen mind staying until transport arrived? Now, I’m not convinced Olwen has the kind of face that frightens off armed men, but whatever.
On the same day, Mark Wittig’s news from his sports ministry was the arrival of artificial grass, and the murder of one of his enthusiastic youngsters. He had started to walk through an area he wasn’t known in.
Yet, cyclists go down the street singing away, people smile plenty and the children laugh. And I don’t go out without praying for protection. Many in the city have to pay for it: to the barrio gang.
On a wall near where we met the lady is a freshly painted message: “Revolution in Christ: Revolution in you!” And you could add, “And hope for Colombia”.
Photo: The only hope for Colombia.
