Finding direction

7 February 2008

What about the change? A Mexican nightmare

I was on my way down our hill to do some errands. I decided to stop at the window and mirror shop on my way down.

The shop was dark and dirty, with pinups and pictures of saints on the walls. Two guys came out to look at the remains of my driver-side mirror. (I had gracefully smashed it on a lamp post in front of a very appreciative audience at a local café) One of them began picking the pieces of broken mirror off, while the other measured and cut a new mirror to glue in its place. They were done in a very few minutes, and told me it would cost MX$50 (about $4.65 in Canadian or US dollars).

Now being on my way down the hill, I had a limited amount of money and change. I had a MX$200 bill, and handed it to him, but I could see he was about to travel up and down the street searching for change for me. "Just a minute," I said quickly, and I began raiding my pockets and van for change. I found $49.50, and offered it to him apologetically. He laughed – "50 cents!" he said, and that was that. Then I headed on the rest of my errands.

Suddenly I realized what a precarious position I was in.

I had no change.

You have to understand, in Mexico, you must have coins on you at all time. Even in the house I always have coins on me. After all, I might need to tip the garbage man. If I’m out and about, I need to give tips to the man at the gas station, the kid who bags my groceries, the guy who helps me back out of the parking space.

There’s a joke here in Mexico – What’s the difference between a Canadian and a canoe? Answer: A canoe tips!

Well, I don’t want to be part of the joke. I may be more careful with my money than your average American (US), but really, I do tip.

I needed gas, that was all there was to it. As the attendant filled my tank, beads of sweat began forming on my forehead. How was I going to tip him? Suddenly, I looked at the numbers on the gas tank and called out – "That’s enough! Thanks!"

Phew – MX$395. I gave him MX$400 and told him to keep the change. Not a tip he’d tell his family about that night, but at least it was something.

I went to the bank machine next to withdraw some money (we do almost everything with cash here), but of course that didn’t solve my change problem. But finally, after paying my water bill at the water place I got a bit of change. When I got my groceries bagged at MEGA, I was actually able to casually give the "bagger" a normal tip.

Please, don’t ever let me get caught without an ample supply of coins again. Next time I’ll wait for the mirror-guy to canvas the street for change. I’m not in that much of a hurry. This is Mexico.

3 February 2008

Sunday and the week ahead

Jim Mexico, Podcasts, Prayer and Praise 0

A podcast (audioblog) about Sunday morning, pilgrims to Chalma, and (re)finding a doctor…

31 January 2008

Great Commission: What does GO mean?

Jim Devotional and Bible 0

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations
– Jesus
I’ve heard it, haven’t you? Speculation over that little word, go. What does that mean?

You might have heard – I know I have – that in the original Greek this word is actually a participle, and could be more correctly translated "as you are going…"

But Dr. Daniel B. Wallace, Executive Director of the Center for the Study of New Testament Manuscripts says it ain’t so.

In some ways, the difference isn’t apparent – after all, if we’re going to reach the nations, somehow or other we have to get where the nations are. Looking at other passages would clarify the situation too.

But then again, some people may point out that we don’t need to "go" – the point is that wherever we happen to be going, we should make disciples.

Anyway, Dr. Wallace, writing at the Parchment and Pen blog, says that this is a misunderstanding of the Greek. Sure, the word is a participle. But not a present participle, an aorist participle. An being in proximity to an aorist imperative, it communicates a command.

No, grammar isn’t my strong pont either. So I looked up some of the similar examples he cited in his article. He says that Matthew 2:13-14 is an example of this, when the angel tells Joseph to flee to Egypt. Can you imagine if the angel had said,"Well, if you happen to be getting up, be sure to take the child along and head over to Egypt…"

No way! It was get up! Move it! Take the child and run for your life!

So the Greek construction here in Matthew 28 means – Go! Skedaddle! Move it on out! It’s not the only command, of course. Go and make disciples.

The disciples took this to heart. In my 2000 Years of Missions seminar I show a map of the direction each disciple took (according to tradition) on their missionary trips. They literally scattered in all directions, and I’m sure it wasn’t by accident.

Recently I heard a children’s show saying that if everyone told a neighbour (about the Gospel), and that neighbour told another neighbour, and another – soon everyone would know. Well, it’s a great idea, and we certainly should share with our neighbours. But in the real world, it wouldn’t work that way – everyone would not know. Here’s why:

Everyone doesn’t have that kind of connection – they’re in a fairly closed community where no one knows anyone who knows anyone who knows anyone who knows the Lord. Someone must come in from the outside intentionally if they’re going to hear.
There are people dying without having heard – if the chain doesn’t reach them in time, they will never hear
Not every neighbour will believe, and so will not share the Gospel.

It’s not enough just to tell a neighbour. There has to be some intentional going. Remember Paul’s words in Romans 10.

Ok, so go means go. How does that apply to us personally? Well, that’s a whole other topic. And Dr. Wallace will be continuing his analysis of the passage next week, which should be interesting. Meanwhile, if you want the details you can read his original post on the Great Commission.

What do you think? Have you heard discussion about the word go? What do you think about the preaching you’ve heard on this passage?

via: JOLLYBLOGGER

28 January 2008

Nathanael’s feeling better.

Jim Family, Prayer and Praise 0

After a rough start to the night, Nathanael was eventually able to fall asleep. I think there was a fair amount of tossing and turning (they have a very squeaky bed – you can’t miss every toss and turn!), but he slept and most of the hives were gone this morning.

He was pretty tired, but we decided to send him to school anyway. He said his teacher let him have a little rest, and now that he’s home again he seems to be doing ok. It may be a rough day (he’s not the only one who’s tired!), but I think we’re on the upswing.

Thanks for your prayers! 🙂

27 January 2008

Nathanael’s feeling miserable.

Jim Family, Prayer and Praise 3

Poor Nathanael. He’s got hives. Over a good portion of his body. No fun.

We’re going to put him to bed pretty soon, but if you happen to be reading this in the next day or so, we’d appreciate your prayers for the itchy guy. Thanks!

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