Stewart 5

Tonight, we worshiped with people from South Africa, Zimbabwe, Unites States, and Canada. Our focus was on God’s Kingdom - sharing pictures, scripture, and song. In a very real sense, our time together was indeed a manifestation of God’s ways in action. It was beautiful.

One of the women from Zimbabwe prayed thanking God that we could gather in safety tonight - something that most of us take for granted.

I am reminded of how Jesus is the one who died to make us all free. May we remember him today as we celebrate our freedom.

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This past weekend, our NCSA leadership team took our annual retreat. This time away, we did something quite different from past retreats…. we did pottery. We all went to the home/studio of a married couple who are local pottery artists. Basically, we ate, did pottery, and rested. It was a great weekend - being together, having fun, relaxing.

Of course, God seems to have taught me several things at the same time. This morning during a reflection time, I realized that one of the things God is speaking to me was captured so well in a picture from our weekend.

When you do pottery using a wheel, the first and most important thing to do is center the clay. If you don’t do this properly, you can not make a piece. Period. Because the clay is spinning on a wheel, any unevenness or off-centered-ness results in either a lopsided piece, or it will simply fly off the wheel because of uneven weight. Literally. I’ve seen it happen

To center clay, there is only one thing you must do - push with the heel of your left hand. You push diagonally: away from you and left to right. This works with the spinning of the wheel to put the piece in the center.

All weekend, I struggled with this one step. Why? Because I never wanted to push too hard. So, I continually had to ask the instructor to come and help. He patiently put his hands on mine, and reminded me to push - hard. And of course, with his hands there on mine, the clay went right to center. And when it is there, you can feel it - it’s just right. Then, the fun of creating pottery begins.

Why don’t i push hard enough? Ironically, this is question God and I are discussing. Why don’t I ask hard questions more often? Why don’t I express my feelings, particularly when I am upset? My general approach is to do/say/give as little as possible to get the job done. I suppose I don’t want to overdo it. The problem is, 8 times out of 10, I UNDER do it instead. And then things aren’t centered.

You have to push…hard. of course, I don’t take this to mean I should be rude or overbearing. I still must be listening to God and loving. But I am learning - slowly - that you can do these AND push hard. And when you do it right, when things are centered, beautiful things can be created. Apparently, God really wants me to learn this lesson, because He is giving me ample opportunity to practice.

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not going to bother sounding pretty, just wanted to pass along an update on how NCSA has been corporately addressing the needs of the refugees here in SA. Many of our people are taking personal action as well:

Much prayer. Together and individually, we give this to God and demand that He respond. He is…

We have invited a friend and his wife (refugees from Zim) to live in one of the rooms at Pangani, at least for a few weeks. Considering how we can make space for others.

Money given to NCSA to help with refugees has been directed to some people building houses for refugees

Several of us are talking to others who are helping refugees - looking for ways to partner & help.

We have money which we are giving to others who are working with refugees to provide food, shelter, etc.

If you would like to contribute financially, we can receive your money and forward to appropriate services and people working to make a difference. If you are interested in helping, email me.

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hi dr. nick…

we’re hosting our NieuCommunities conference, which officially starts tomorrow.  Which pretty much means we’re officially welcoming loads of guests since last night.  so glad we have that extended worship time yesterday!

as such, not sure how much i will post in the next few days.  HOWEVER, wanted to give the teaser that I got a tattoo this past Wednesday.  Colour and shading will be done this Tuesday.  Only my friend Andrew has pics of the ink so far (outline, which btw looks great by itself), so if I can’t get to them in the next few days, I promise to post some pics after it is done.

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For the past little while, I have been faced with a strange dynamic - too many good things in my life!  I hope this doesn’t sound trite, and I definitely say this with an awareness that many/most people wish for ANYTHING good in their life.  But for a plethora of reasons, God has given me a full, abundant, joyful life.

And with so many things being well, I find myself most often needing to choose which good things I can receive, and which I have to say no to.  Example: I am currently working out my responsibilities and personal covenant commitments with my team here.  In making my list of things I want to do, I am realizing that there is too much.  Too many good things.  So, I am going to have to choose some and not others.  That’s a hard decision for me.

It would be easy if there were things I like, things I don’t enjoy, things I have to do.  But I am faced with a list of fantastic opportunities, and I can’t possibly do them all.  And so, I must sit with God and ask my friends for counsel.  I trust God has amazing things in store for me - His beloved - this year.  Can’t wait to see which pieces He is giving me to work with now.  I will keep you informed.

May He bless you with too many good things as well.  He wants to

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“Spiritual formation” is one of those oft’ used, but generally undefined terms. I can think about several different ways we in NieuCommunities use the idea. In the end, though people may differ on describing the process & goal, but wouldn’t you say the idea is, by definition “the process of being formed spiritually“?

So, yeah, I have lots on both the process and goal, but those are for another time. I really wanted to share a quote from Spiritual Direction, a book of Henri Nouwen’s thoughts and works published after his death. We are using it connected to our community’s Listening posture.

“Spiritual formation is the ever increasing capacity to live a spiritual life from the heart.”

What do you think? I know this isn’t a technical definition, but more of a picture. But isn’t it a great picture? Who wouldn’t want to grow in their capacity to live a spiritual life from the heart? I also like that it centers the idea in our heart, rather than the mind. Not to be dualistic, but rather to recognize that this is about inner transformatio

n, not just more info to make us better.

btw, I HIGHLY recommend this book

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yes, i know, strange…

but isn’t it great when people come together and minds and hearts connect, often producing something amazing?  throw God’s Spirit into the mix and you’ve got a recipe for the miraculous.

some people don’t like meetings - doesn’t matter who is there or what it’s about.  shame.

btw, i have a staff meeting tonight.

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During our NieuCommunities year, one of the things we do is read books together (and with locals) that inform and integrate our leadership Postures.  We are at the point of deciding books for next year and wanted to see if any of you have recommendations.  So as not to bias your thinking, I will NOT tell you what we currently read.  Below are the postures and brief descriptions.  What books would you suggest?  Also, are there any books that you find to be “essential” to understanding and living the Christian life that would be good for the year as a whole?

Pre-reading: getting apprentices ready for the year and experience ahead

Orientation: a book that we read as we are starting, sets the tone for the year and how we will live

Listening: how to hear God, culture, and our own hearts better

Submerging: incarnating after the model of Jesus in the neighborhoods and lives around us

Inviting: receiving and extending God’s invitation to life as it was meant to be lived

Contending: Fighting for what God wants in our lives and the lives of others

Imagining: Seeing and embracing what God has ahead for us - both individually and together

Entrusting: releasing control of what God is doing in our life to Him and the others He wants to lead

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ok, i have a lot to write on this subject, for a couple of reasons

1. this was one of the major subjects of the Amahoro conference I attended in Uganda
2. i was supposed to lead a workshop on this subject at the Amahoro conference, things changed, and I have lots of thoughts I still want to get out
3. In NieuCommuities South Africa we are now entering the Contending Posture, focusing on joining God in working toward making His Kingdom a reality
4. this is what it’s all about… there is no Gospel (good news) without transformation

So, since this is the first of several posts, just some initial thoughts:

Anyone who is following Jesus does so because their life is being changed. Richard Foster, in Celebration of Discipline, appropriately says “to encounter God is to change.”

God’s deep love for me has changed me from the inside out. Hearing God’s voice has opened me up to an unseen world. Deciding to follow Jesus has absolutely altered the trajectory of my life. I have been transformed by the Good News.

So, I hope to explore a couple of things, including…

• what is this good news?
• what makes it so transformational?
• what does transformation look like?
• why is this so important?
• why do we so often miss the point?

Stay tuned!

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As you may recall, at the end of last year I put out a request for donations for a group of guys Jostina and I have been serving dinner to one night a week. I call them “MaGents.” I quickly received over $400 to sponsor HIV/AIDS testing and counselling for these young men. I am grateful that we were able to help 10 guys (and gift the nurses and counsellors as well) with $30 gift certificates for a local department store. Please pray with me that the knowledge of their individual status and education they received will prevent future infection of HIV and VIMBELA IGCIWANE ELISHA (”Stop the Virus,” in Zulu)!

The day after the 10 guys were tested and given their “gift,” the other 17 guys wanted in on the deal. So, I am asking again, please prayerfully consider how you can partner with us to serve this often neglected population of young men through a financial contribution and/or by spreading the word among those in your network. I need to raise $560 to reach 17 more young men! If you would like information on how to send $$, please email me!

The testing and counselling has been possible through a connection with a local HIV/AIDS resource center called Vimbela Igciwane Elisha. A truly amazing and sacrificial woman, Maria Sekaja, directs this underfunded non profit, grassroots organization based in Pretoria North. Vimbela exists to provide home based care to frail, sick and HIV/AIDS patients, initiate awareness campaigns and various support services to HIV/AIDS infected and affected persons. Vimbela was formed in 2002 by Maria and a group of women from the community concerned about the lack of care and support services available to those infected or affected by HIV/AIDS in the Northern subburbs of Pretoria, South Africa. As a registered non profit organization the staff of Vimbela, currently totalling 8, is responsible for securing funding for the services they provide. They currently offer all services free of charge as the people they serve are impoverished and cannot even afford a minimal fee.

Vimbela Igciwane Elisha operates from an office adjacent to the government run Pretoria North Health Clinic and a sub-office in the nearby township of Soshanguve. Vimbela is the only HIV/AIDS community support organization currently operating in the Northern subburbs of Pretoria. There are three local government health clinics who regularly refer patients to Vimbela. After the initial HIV counselling, testing and post counselling, patients infected by HIV receive no further support from the local clinic outside of health related visits. Daily the staff of Vimbela dedicate themselves to serving this neglected population with little recognition from the larger community as they strive to meet overwhelming needs. Vimbela struggles financially every month just to cover basic operating costs like phone, electricity, and office supplies. These costs must be covered and Maria regularly pays her staff before herself which means that she, and the other staff, often subsidize Vimbela personally each month. Maria, the two counsellors and two nurses who made MaGents testing possible were also given gift vouchers as a small expression of appreciation for their sacrificial dedication to the people they serve. A consistent and generous monthly donation could lessen the burden on Maria and her staff tremendously. Currently, Vimbela’s primary one time need is for a vehicle to transport patients to and from medical appointments. They need approximately $17,000 to purchase a 7 passenger vehicle.

Any help you could give either financially, by spreading the word of these needs to those who might be interested in donating, and even help with researching and requesting grants and donations from companies/organizations in the US would be greatly appreciated. You are welcome to pass along this information to anyone who may be interested. Please ask if you have any further questions or need more information concerning Vimbela and its needs.

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