David Ford's Blog
Grandkids Evaluate Colombia
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Seeing Colombia through the eyes of first-time visitors is interesting, but through grandchildren’s eyes, it’s fascinating. They cut straight through to what pleases or frightens.
Breakfast this morning was interjected with cries of “more mango”. They run around in vest and pants in the ever warm climate. And sing-song words, like gracias, buenos días and chao, soon enter their vocabulary.
Freed from Healthy and Safety Regulations, they ride in cars without seatbelts, clamber on brightly coloured - but not safety-protected - swings, and join in the melée of a world where people are more important than rules.
Of course, there’s a downside. The see-saw doesn’t have a moulded seat bottom, for it’s just a swinging log. Cockroaches and mosquitoes are realities; wandering peacocks ever so big. And adults loudly coo over youngsters with red hair.
But it’s a small price to pay to have your mind so expanded that it will never be the same.
I wonder what God feels like when he sees our world? Well, he only had one child and he sent him into it.
Photo: Chloe’s taken quickly to her new life.
What’s Worthwhile?
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Although most of my work is teaching, an additional enjoyable job is that of supervising final year students’ projects. This year, I’ve 4 new groups.
One is looking at the effect of the Reformation on Luther’s music; another is doing a study of Lazarus’ resurrection and comparing it with the portrayal by artists; a third group is examining the legality of Jesus’ trials before the Jews and Pilate; and the last topic is that of the grace of God in John Calvin’s life and writings.
The most worthwhile thing students can do during their time in the Seminary is detailed work on the Bible and, after that, learning from the Reformation.
This grounding should make them effective ministers, but more importantly, people who enjoy a supernatural peace.
Olwen, Rebecca and the girls - plus friend, Lynn - are to arrive in the next few days. It’s uncertain when because wee Abigail has chicken pox.
Whether life crashes or not, you need a supernatural peace.
God’s Odd Bods
Thursday, February 11, 2010
As a foreigner, you’re vulnerable and, once you leave the Seminary gates, you wonder what will happen to you. Comfortingly, the Bible says such odd bods are under God’s special protection.
On Saturday morning, I went into the carpenter’s next door, as I needed some wood. The workshop lies behind locked railings, guarded by a barking dog, and does little business. The carpenter found the right wood, cut a couple of pieces for me and refused to take any money.
In the afternoon, I decided to visit an art exhibition in the city centre. When I got there, it had already closed for the day. But the doorman said, “Just come on in”, and turned on the lights, leaving me to wander around at my leisure.
It’s what theologians call the ‘common grace of God’ or, simply put, natural human kindness. And it makes you say, “Thank you, Lord, and thank you, fellow humans”.
Photo: God’s interesting world in Medellín - peacock feathers
Guess Who was Waiting for Me
Wednesday, February 03, 2010
I’d to travel to Colombia on my own, as daughter, Liz, was soon to give birth, so Julia and Olwen had remained behind.
Such a journey forces me to talk to different people. I met a young Bogotano with a red bandana round his head, whose passion in life is street art. That’s graffiti on walls, but his was an artistic and legal version. His mother sells motorbikes and he never told me what his daytime job was. We’re hoping to meet again this weekend.
Then there was one of the lowest paid people in the Medellín airport hotel, who was digging up weeds. I soon found that his passion in life is Christ and he was listening to a sermon on a small pocket radio. He smiles a lot.
And finally, there was the man who drove me to the Seminary: a fine Christian gentleman. He’s a first generation believer, so the old ways die hard: instead of “gosh”, “really” or “wow”, he regularly comes out with “Ave Maria!”.
The Psalmist writes about going to the ends of the earth and God being there. After a 22-hour plane ride, I found him waiting for me.
Classes have started and there are 25 new students.
Recently painted street art, Medellín
