Aunt Pansy

Some folks have that special gift of making everyone feel special. I am sure that all the nieces and nephews, and hosts more, would testify to that godly characteristic of Aunt Pansy. Last June we were making a quick trip past Moose Jaw and, very fortunately, interrupted it for a delightful little visit with the Biens. And how grateful we are, since she won't be there to bless us this June when we plan to make that same trip. Thank God for up-lifters like Aunt Pansy and thank him too for opportunities to connect and journey with these spiritual encouragers.

Religion ... who needs it?

History, sociology, economics, and real state seem to strongly suggest that everybody does, in one form or another. Consider the wealth of our world that is tied up in religious land and buildings! Consider the employment provided by mega religious organizations! Consider the multitudes of temple, mosque, and pagoda goers! I doubt that many of us share Thomas Edison's blatant agnosticism, but we surely must ponder his notorious quip: "Humans are incurably religious".

Sure we can point to hospitals, schools, clinics, water-wells, famine relief, Livingstone, Carey, Brandt, and Mother Theresa. Certainly stars in often very dark nights. But then we are confronted with irritating, frustrating, intrusive, obnoxious, loud religiosity. Loud is "in".

How many travellers in the East have bedded down in an economy hotel, thinking that a peaceful night of rest would be worth the price only to realize that a religious festival is blaring its music into your room through every key hole and crack? Most Asian travellers have experienced the disturbance of a before-dawn un-welcomed loudspeaker transmitting the reading of the Scriptures or prayers in an incomprehensible language.

My picture of Jesus is that of one best described as "meek and gentle". The old movie popularized "have gun will travel". For would-be preachers it is often "have microphone will preach"---LOUD and l o n g.

I find it difficult to be grateful for the youngster in his Corvette who bounces up beside me at a red light and the decibels cause my little car to tremble as though it were the target of 7.7 earthquake. I experience the same challenge when religious folks share loudly what they seem to have too much of!

Religion, who needs it? Especially the "yelling-and-telling" variety.

Oh well, likely just another grumpy day! But, if you have something spiritual that you believe is worth sharing, please don't yell it at me!

IN THE GRANDSTAND

IN THE GRANDSTAND
Most of us have discovered a few hindrances as we run the race of life. Some of us seem to have such great stamina that nothing slows us down. The rest of us need all the encouragement available. Sometimes our journey-fellows provide enough incentives to keep us on plodding onwards. My foot-racing days were never spectacular and, of course, are now so far in the distant past that even with embellishment they don’t make much of a story. However, I do remember the cheers from the sidelines which caused me to stay on track and to dig deep and put a little more pressure on the accelerator.
One week ago, a precious couple were snatched from this life via a tragic accident in Moose Jaw Saskatchewan. Uncle Ed and Aunt Helen are now in the grandstand, doing just what they have specialized in doing as a couple for 65 years, cheering us all on to run with perseverance the race marked out for us (Hebrews 12:1).
And if you don’t buy that picture, then be spurred on by their memory: hospitable, faithful, focused, honest, friendly …
Last June, Ellen and I enjoyed our last cup of tea with them and fortunately took this picture.

ROAD SIGNS

ROAD SIGNS

Roads in this part of the world (Asia) are often rough and long. Some people’s road of life is also rough and long; others have rough, but short, roads. Few of us have entirely smooth, long and straight roads. Some folks just have very tough “rows to hoe”. If that’s your trail, I pray that there will be plenty of roses to compensate for the painful thorns. And, may encouraging folks be available to cheer you on your journey. Some travel hints might also help.

While travelling these winding Mizoram roads, I have often wished I had time to photograph the numerous advice-loaded signs which (at least) entertain weary travellers. I recently made the tiresome (17-hour) summon(jeep)-journey from Guwahati to Aizawl and jotted down the quips along the way.

Blind curve ahead, drive slow … Cats have nine lives, you have only one … Check your nerve on curves … Drink and drive, you won’t survive … Driving faster can cause disaster … Expect the unexpected … Fast drive, last drive … Keep your nerve on curves … Life is precious, don’t waste it … Safe drive, no liquor … Safety first, speed next … Slow and steady wins the race … Slow drive, safe drive … Someone is waiting for you, don’t disappoint them … Speed thrills but kills … Start early, reach safely … This is hiway, not runway … Wish you a happy and safe journey!

Then, I guess this one is intended to be the ultimate maxim—not only for the winding Guwahati-Aizawl trail, but also for the twists and turn and surprise curves of life:
Travel enemies: alcohol and speed.
Speed. A poem from public school often reappears in my memory: “What is life if, full of care, we have no time to stand and stare.” (Davies). Or, the classic lyrics: “You got to stop and smell the roses.” (Davis).

Alcohol. What can we say in its defence? Ruin. Waste. Sickness. Poverty. Dysfunction. Malfunction. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Brokenness. Death. No better source can be found for guidance on life’s journey than that of the biblical Scriptures which allow for drinking of wine to quench thirst but totally condemns drinking to alter ones mood.

The road signs are clear: less speed and less drink and the journey will be less rough and, likely, much longer.

HOW TRUE

HOW TRUE
Today’s “Daily Bread” inspiration is written by David McCasland.

A story in our local newspaper reported that a $1.73 billion highway and mass transit project in Denver, Colorado, was nearing completion on schedule and within the budget. But the story was not on the front page. In face, it was tucked into a sidebar of brief summaries in small type on page 3 of the local news section. If the project had been plagued by fraud, delays, and cost overruns, no doubt it would have been headline news.

He then goes on to urge us not to try to “make news”, but to “aspire to life a quiet life, to mind our own business, and to work with our hands” (1 Thessalonians 4:11).

How true! And, I am sure you have noticed how long it takes to establish a credible reputation and how suddenly it can be forfeited. Secondly, you have also likely noticed how eager human beings are to initiate that (almost) irreversible event. I almost called it a “process”! Accusations, allegations, gossip …. And thirdly, have you noticed how much greater the temptation is to defame than it is to build up Of course, any dummy can tear down, but takes a craftsman to construct.

HEADING HOME

Heading home …
Karin Giger, under the auspices of InterServe, has been nursing at the local Durtlang Hospital since March. Shortly after her arrive we connected with her and adopted her into our family. Autumn and Andrew bonded immediately with her. She was much like a replacement for Auntie Harmony who had just been with us for the month of January. Karin and Harmony share many similar interests and personality traits.

In July, Karin referred her friend, Tabea Laslo, to us with a request that she come and teach at Silver Oak School for September and October. Each of them has strong Christian convictions and has had several international experiences (in Egypt and Israel, respectively). They have both engaged actively with the local culture. On Friday (Nov 4), they left Aizawl to visit other points in northern India before heading home to Schorndorf, Germany.

Service opportunities, like these, abound through out the world. Perhaps one of them is calling you!

THE JOY OF GIVING AND LIVING

THE JOY OF GIVING AND LIVING
My first memorable experience of Lallawmawma (Lawmtea) occurred just about one year ago. There is a huge cement reservoir on the path that extends from the main buildings to the upper, terraced and jungley portion of Silver Oak School’s 10-acre compound. The grades I-IV and I were taking a break from classes and enjoying an excursion to higher ground. As we trudged past the reservoir, one minute Lawmtea was by my side, the next he was on top of the cemented reservoir lid, and the next he had somersaulted head-first into a cave-in beside the reservoir. I retrieved him feet first, and no lasting damage seemed to have taken place.
Yesterday, I had the grades VIII’s doing a little art work so provided them with water-colouring pens. Lawmtea caught wind of this followed me around the rest of the day begging for “colours.” At one point I accused him of being a “big beggar.” His response was, “No, I am just a little boy … and I want colours!”
So, I found 45-cent packages of “colours” in the market, bought four and left them on the grade I-II desks after dark. Lawmtea spied on me and soon all four students were jumping up and down with delight. For English classes, I had previously given each of the older students a mini-dictionary. It is rather difficult to learn English without a dictionary. Lawmtea complained bitterly that his class had been left out … so I gave in. The next day Lawmtea’s friend, Tlanga informed me that he had read his new book “from A to Z”.
According to his teachers, Lawmtea has yet to learn any of the three R’s but like many of those of us on “slow side” he makes up for that slowness with the fastest, winningest smile in history!

TO THE TOP

TO THE TOP
Wednesday, October 12 was a school holiday, so our family took to the hills! We rented a vehicle and, at 10 AM, the seven of us--Ellen, Autumn, Andrew, Becky (our helper), Tabea (teacher-in-training from Germany, Karin (nurse from Switzerland), and I—climbed into a (jeep-like) Summo, and headed for Reiek (Ray-ek), a quiet village on the northern slopes of Reiek Mountain. It is an hour’s drive from our village of Durtlang through to the southern side of the city of Aizawl. From that point Reiek is visible off to the south west even though it is another hour and a half down into the river valley and up the twisting road to Rei-ek. From the village it is another hour—or two depending on your endurance—walk to the top of Reiek Tlang (mountain).
Reiek is not nearly the tallest mountain in the state of Mizoram. Phawngpui (Blue) Mountain in the southern corner of the state reaches up to 2157 m (7,075 ft.). However, Reiek does give one a majestic view at 1,465 m. (4,800 ft.). From that stony perch, I hesitated to peer down the steep cliff to thousands of metres below. It didn’t seem to affect the younger generation the same way! In the picture: Becky, Autumn, Karin, Tabea, and our driver. Andrew had already been to the top and headed back down by the time I arrived at the summit.
After that climb and that view, I determined to leave Mount Everest entirely to Sir Hillary and his Sherpa guide! However, there is something thrilling about making it to the top… no matter how (in)significant it might seem to others. A delightful adventure. Weary hikers arrived home after dark.

BEANS ARE UP

BEANS ARE UP!
Planting a garden in October is a new –delightful—experience for me! And, after just seven days the beans are six inches high! We had a small plot, actually three small terraces, dug up just west and up the hill from our apartment. The top one was much too rocky but the bottom two yielded choice soil. Ellen brought several varieties of seeds from Canada. She was especially hopeful about the lettuce. I think a couple short rows might make something but of the rest of the seeds—carrots, cauliflower, cabbage—it seems that the beans are the only ones that are really happy to be here, even though these vegetables do grow here.
We experience heavy rains from May to September (254 cm.; 8 ft. 4 in). The second week of October hosts a Hindu festival (puja) which usually heralds the end of the rains. However, fortunately for our little garden, we are still experiencing drenching rains.
I remember growing a bean plant back in grade 3—I think it was. It is still fascinating to observe what life there is in a seed. I am reminded again for what Jesus said: “A man scattered seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed spsrouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head.” Marvelous!

WATCH FOR THE MISTAKE

Watch for the Mistakes!
Yesterday our students participated in an all-day cultural dance competition here in the village of Durtlang. There were seven other schools – hundreds, perhaps a thousand kids. Mizo people as melodious and agile as any people on earth! Just a prejudiced opinion since I haven’t seen all the rest! These cultural dances have their roots in their agricultural heritage and battles of long ago. They are especially renowned for their illustrious Cheraw (bamboo) dances.
The same two dances were performed by each of the schools. So, it was bamboo banging from 10 AM till 3 PM with an hour’s break for lunch.
Two judges sat on opposite sides of the dances—with a pretty young lady holding an umbrella over each of them to shield him from the sun, and ultimately from the rain before the program moved indoors. Maybe judging isn’t such a bad job after all!
This was our school’s first appearance in this kind of competition. The roof was lifted when the judges concluded at the day’s end that we were number one! Number one is most often easy to take!
However, I pondered as to how the judges could place one performance ahead of any of the others. Admittedly, they know a lot more about bamboo dancing than I ever will. However, I inquired as to what the selection process might be. I should have guessed it on my own. You and I have seen (and done it often enough)—“count the mistakes”.
And I thought of other competitions: figure skating, ballet, musical recitals, concerts, speech making, and on and on. Some of us, in our “professionalism” find it difficult to enjoy entertainment, church, ballgames, … because we are entrenched in a mind-set opposite to (1 Corinthians 13) love which “keeps no record of wrongs.” Everything “could be done better”, at least from my lofty perspective!
Back to the dance! Perhaps I was at an ignorant advantage … not knowing where to look for mistakes and being absolutely positive that I could never improve on the performance of the most novice bamboo dancer.
So, may I carry that ignorance (or grace) to the many other imperfect performances of my fellow pilgrimagers.

BREAD OF LIFE STUDY CENTRE

The temporary home for the Centre is a makeshift room on the roof! Before the end of the year, it is hoped that the Centre will inhabit the entire second floor - some 2,000 square feet of space.
The Bread of Life Study Centre is the brainchld of Shyam Salam (in both pictures above). Samuel Salam (left) has a full time job taking care of the office work.

Its aim is to present the story of The Gospels to not-believers, giving them the information and opportunity to choose. To that end, 10,000 copies of The Book of Life have been printed in English. half of those have already been distributed. Each booklet contains survey questions which are returned to the Centre for correcting. A second level of more indepth studies is then sent to the participants. Then, in the second week of January approximately 50 of the graduates will be invited to a 5-day camp in Guwahati.

Translation has been completed and printing is in progress for 10,000 copies of the same in the Assamese language spoken by more than half of the 43 millions people of NE India. Other languages - Bengali and Manipuri - are a part of future plans.

GUWAHATI

GUWAHATI
I spent last week end in Guwahati (population 1 M+), the hub of NE India (43 M +) as well as the capital of the state of Assam (26 M+).
In July, Shyam Salam initiated the Bread of Life Study Centre. Its basic aim is to provide not-yet believers with the information and opportunity to choose faith.
To that end 10,000 copies of a correspondence-like study of the Life of Christ was printed and distributed. To date more than 5,000 have enrolled. The first level of questions is of the simply, survey type. We have prepared a second level set of in-depth study questions which are being offered to those completing the first set.
From the graduates of the second course, 50 will be selected to attend a camp in Guwahati, January 9-15.
In the picture at left, Samuel, Salam, Shyam’s son, is busy working the mail.
Silver Oak School
We arrived back in Aizawl on September 2. Looking back on the last three weeks, Ellen commented, “It seems like we never left (for 4 months), we just slid right back into the school routine.” Enrollment is still about 70 students, much lower than desirable. Staff changes have been multiple. The school has great potential, but has suffered from inadequate management the last couple years. There are rumours of new management in December.
Ellen and I are busy teaching three Bible-English classes each week to each grade. I am also teaching grade XII English and Education (an introduction to teaching). Tabea Laslo, a teacher-in-training from Germany, is staying with us for a couple months and also helping at the school. Our kids enjoy her.
Autumn and Andrew celebrated their birthdays (Sept. 4, 20) in grand style and are back in their respective classes (grades). Andrew enjoys life here immensely! Autumn would enjoy it more if she weren’t the only girl in her class.
It is good to be back. We appreciate the opportunity to share our lives with these special people in this gorgeous corner of God’s world. ~ Ray & Ellen McMillan, Aizawl, Mizoram, India

NEW IS BETTER

NEW IS BETTER

 

“East is East and west is west and ne’er the twain shall meet.” This proverb comes from the refrain of The Ballad of East and West, a poem by Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936). Unfortunately (I believe), the last 75 (especially the last 20) years of history have proved that they are indeed meeting in a multiplicity of ways. Many are not, in my opinion, for the better, especially for the East. Via television and internet, the beautiful people of the East are exposed to, and often adopting, the worst of the West.

 

However, there are some cherished values that persist.

 

The Indian auditorium is full to capacity. The program is underway. A white haired gentleman hesitantly makes his way through the entrance. There is a scurry of activity to provide him a space in a comfortable front seat.

 

Along with an older couple, a Canadian woman in her thirties recently visited various points in NE India. She relished the experience except for one thing: the women persistently requested that the more senior woman do the speaking. However, she acquiesced when it was pointed out to her that in Canada the value system is reversed.

 

Scanning the “pastors wanted” columns often reveals requirements such as “looking for a person with experience between the ages of 30 and 45”. Perhaps this value should not surprise one when we consider the high price the West is willing to pay for athletes, most in their twenties.

 

“New” is unquestionable better; “old” might be interesting, but rarely exciting. Contemporary music (especially in churches) leaves little space for the traditional. “Today” can be so with us that we may ignore the learnings of yesterday.

 

Perhaps there is no “newness” in our pursuit of the NEW. In Acts 17:21, we read an aside: “All the (first century) Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time do nothing but talking about and listening to the latest.”

 

Vulnerability & Negativity

I wonder if you can resonate with the transparency of Harold Kushner on page 131 of his commentary on the Twenty-Third Psalm. I’m a long ways from being a “nationally known author” but, re the reaction, I’ve “been there, done that!”

His admission and discovery goes like this…
“When I first became a nationally know author, in 1981, with the publication of When Bad Things happen to Good People, I began to receive letters by the carload from the readers. Ninety-five percent of them were complimentary, and I was deeply gratified by them. A few were efforts to convert me to the faith of the letter writer. And one or two a week would be critical, accusing me of blasphemy and of undermining people’s faith. To my distress, I found that one nasty letter bothered me more than fifty nice ones pleased me. I would brood about it for days. If some obscure newspaper ran a negative review of my book, I would be tempted to write an angry letter in response, refuting the criticism point by point. I didn’t enjoy feeling that way, and, on an intellectual level, I knew it was foolish of me to let one critical letter bother me that much, but the feelings continued. Finally I realized that instead of asking myself, What’s the matter with those people that they don’t appreciate me?, I would be better off asking, why am I so bothered by their criticism?”

Perhaps this is excellent counsel for either (both) the receiving or (and) giving of criticism.

One-another-ness

In his refreshing commentary on the 23rd Psalm (p. 150), Rabbi Harold Kushner relates this insightful result of an experiment by a psychology profesor at a major university. He was exploring "pain tolerance." So, he invited several dozen students to measure how long they could keep a bare foot in a bucket of ice water. One of the things he learned was that if there was someone else in the room, a person could keep his/her foot in the bucket nearly twice as long.

Kushner's conlcusion is that "the presence of another caring person doubles the amount of pain someone can endure. Guilt feels less deserved, pain is less painful, misfortune is less oppressive, when someone is there with you." Perhaps, the lesson is obvioous.

Kushner's claim-to-fame is usually associated with his previous book, When Bad Things Happen to Good People. Much of that book is brought forward in a refreshing way in this book, published in 2003. His caring insights are a potiential blessing to both care-giver and care-receiver.

Beyond that, for Bible students, it is delightful to get a glance of the Shepherd's Psalm from a Jewish perspective. But, be careful, he might just challenge some your perceptions re God's involvement in our world!

Make Poverty History

"Make Poverty History" -- sounds exciting! And very gratiifying. Most everyone would be delighted if that aspiration were realized. "Most"; not "everyone". Do we assume that the elimination of poverty is compatible with the retention of luxury?

And, dare we suppose that there exists some simplistic solution? Gifts are delightful and refreshing, but handouts are often debilitating, and loans are down right enslaving.

Again, let’s remember that it is a lengthy, dwindling journey from the coffers of government to the hovels of the homeless of the massive mega cities of third world countries.

Perhaps this task parallels that of deposing a dictating and supposing that peace will be the direct result. Liberty—maybe; peace—far from it. If you need a current example, consider Iraq or just about any country which has “gained” or been “granted” its independence in the last 50 years.

Perhaps this whole endeavour is related to the follower-ship call of Jesus. If you want to be my follower you must put something down (SELF) and then pick something up (CROSS) – the burdens and misfortunes of others (Mark 8:34).

As long as we have sumptuous-ness, poverty will remain. As long as greed and avariciousness abound, oppression and hopelessness is a surety.

Blame the (our) government? Perhaps. Reform our own lifestyles? Change our value systems? Ouch.

THINGS TO CONSIDER

My father-in-law, Walter Elvin McCutcheon (1912-1983) did not write many letters after his name but that did not mean that he was not well-read and well-spoken. He loved to cultivate both qualities. For several years he hosted a short radio program on CFRY (Portage la Prairie, MB) entitled "Things to Consider". Not a presumptuous title, but it does invite one to explore -- options, values, priorities, directions, relationships, destinations -- as we navigate our pilgrimage.Meditation is in short demand among evangelicals these days. Celebration is in; contemplation is out! Our recent Good Friday service (involving most evangelical denominations in Regina) was more of party-time than cross-examination. This quest for hype may well explain the scarcity of repentance and confession.So, that all sounds (no, is) negative. On the other hand after a lengthy winter, consider the greenness of spring--leaves bursting forth, dead grass coming joyfully to life. Consider Canada. I've been around this globe several times. Threaded my way through various immigration queues. No passport is more welcome the world over. I did not earn it or ask for it. I am a Canadian. Gratefully proud of it.And, consider Christ. And, much more!

More Sunshine than we need

My daughter, Heather, and I arrived in Yellowknife a week ago. Except for a few dim hours between midnight and about 2 AM, there is more sunshine than we can use... at least at my age! If only we could "freeze" some for releasing in December-January!
But that seems to be the way of our world. Too much or too little: energy, education, money, possessions, relationships ...

Playing

I am studying at Silver Oak School in Aizawl, Durtlung, Vengthar. School starts at 8:40 A.M. and ends at 4:00 PM. My best friend is Anjali and she is 8 years old. Every day after school I go down to Anjali's house. She has to change out of her school uniform. We go up to the football field and run around the field. I like to climb trees and play house. I like to play at the school with the hostelers and play on the swings with Anjali. I like to play games and racing at Silver Oak School. Autumn

Autumn in black salwar