The body of Christ - das is gut!!

The body of Christ is a living fellowship which transcends language, culture.

Attended mass in Cologne cathedral today - I sensed a connection with other believers, we "passed the peace", I heard hymns, lovely children's choir.

I didn't understand a lot however. There is a lesson here, sometimes we don't communicate well, no excuses, we must speak clearly, plainly in a heart and head language which speaks to the heart.

I had entered the service, a little rattled, disoriented, waiting for a train to take me back to Nuremberg, alone in a big city - when I emerged I was at peace. I guess it makes sense to gather together for worship.

Upon returning to Nuremberg, I was told that some of the residents missed me, "the older David" - that's community as well.

The body of Christ is a wonderful thing.

Smoke gets in your eyes.....

Think globally, act locally.

Being in this world soccer environment opens the mind, being in a land where you cannot speak the language is humbling.

Different ways of doing things, ingrained lifestyles. There is a lot of smoke in Germany, a lot of smokers, in all public places, all ages. It's everywhere, in my nose, my clothes, my lungs.

Being away from home, one is vulnerable as one is exposed to various influences.

I marvel at missionaries, church planters, apostle Paul and so many who respond obediently. There's some glamour, but there's a lot of hard work, putting one foot in front of the other, picking yourself up when you fall down, keeping connected.

So we keep the vision, even when smoke gets in your eyes!

We think big kingdom picture, but we keep doing simple things with great love, right where we are. Now is the time, this is the place, we are the people.

Voluntary Displacement

Here I sit in Germany reflecting on a week lived in a new country, new language, with new friends, serving in a shelter, with many who have lost everything.

Tonight I had tea with a blind woman, who battles depression. We prayed together. This morning in the workshop I joined men in putting bolts into bags, and then prayed with their supervisor who many years ago had to flee Ethiopia as a refugee, we talked of hope, and grace, and voluntary displacement.

Victims of the tragedy of war, passing on their pain to offspring who now have so little.

I'm doing the incarnation thing and it makes sense. Jesus did it, it has to make sense.

He humbled himself, was obedient, became poor so that weight know the riches of his love, and hope of heaven, and the mystery of establishing of his kingdom on earth.

And then there's the whole world cup thing - hmmm. Check out www.heilsarmee-wm2006.blogspot.com and then click on Nuremberg.

Helen Keller: "It's not having no sight I fear, it's having sight, but no vision"

Most times we need a different view, one option is voluntary displacement.

Open our eyes Lord, we want to see Jesus.

On the road again....

I Head off with six others - Leon Bosse (BC), Curtis Robinson, Candace Cryderman, Louise Wareham, (SASK), David Cole (NFLD), Angela Stewart (Bermuda) to Nurenberg Germany for 2.5 weeks Mission Team for World Cup Soccer, on Wednesday.

Will connect with this team in community here in Toronto for a couple of days, and then we will hang out at an Army Shelter, living in community with residents in their shelter, watching soccer with them, inviting others to their cafe to watch soccer, engaging youth in spontaneous soccer games, being part of welcoming community to those who have come from other parts of the world.

Our eyes, ears, hearts will be open to all whom we meet, and as even as we do it to the others, we will be open to God as well.

We do this at home, but we are going to help the Salvation Army in Germany incarnate the love of Jesus. Pray for us. Miracles may happen.

After the team is finished, I will solo it to Prague, Czech republic for a day, and Budapest, Hungary to be hosted by the youth officer there for a wee holiday before coming back to SARoots.

Open our eyes Lord we want, (we need) to see Jesus, not only us, but the world, as it gathers in Germany.

David Ivany, Major
Territorial Youth Secretary

"Leading people to follow Jesus...
Celebrating the existing - championing the emerging"