First United Methodist Church

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Naivasha, Kenya – Post #6 (Rev. David Miller)

Tomorrow we leave.  It has been an exhilarating and exhausting seven days (2 traveling, 5 in Kenya).  We have met hundreds of at risk young adults.  We have heard their heartbreaking stories; become friends with far too many who have had their parents die; listened to them call us their new family; and celebrated their stories of finding hope through Panua.

Before we left, our team met several times to prepare for our mission.  We were not going to Kenya to build something.  Or to bandage wounds.  Or to run a vacation Bible school.  It was to simply be present with the Panua youth.  We were going to bring the hope of Christ by investing in relationships.  We would show with our willingness to cross the ocean that we cared about them and were committed to walking with them in the coming years.   We were going bring a ministry of presence.

There were a number of reasons for this form of mission.  We didn’t want to give a hand out but a hand up.  We wanted to empower the youth to take ownership of their growth.  We recognized that a long term relationship of prayer and support was more effective than just coming in, doing a few things and leaving.  But most of all, we realized that a ministry of presence is very Biblical. 

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Enter, you who are blessed by my Father! Take what’s coming to you in this kingdom. It’s been ready for you since the world’s foundation. And here’s why:  I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me a drink, I was homeless and you gave me a room, I was shivering and you gave me clothes, I was sick and you stopped to VISIT….’   Matthew 25:34

Truthfully, it would have been easier just building something.  There is a part of me that wants to achieve something, create something, leave something tangible.  I want completion.  Been there, accomplished that.  I found myself constantly fighting the urge to get up and do.  And don’t let anyone tell you that driving over miles of rutted dusty roads, gathering with those who speak another language, opening yourself up to complete strangers, and then using all of your attention to focus on listening to a person in great need isn’t really tiring.  And we did it again and again.  But I am so glad we did.

On our last group visit today, there was a young lady who shared that she was sure we wouldn’t come.  We were running late from visiting the previous group and she thought we just wouldn’t show.  But she said, she was so thankful we HAD come.  Because our PRESENCE gave her hope!

I ask you – are you bringing the hope of Christ to another?  Are you investing in a relationship with them?  You don’t have to go to Kenya to do that (though I certainly recommend it).  There are those in our family, in our neighborhood and in our city that need your ministry of presence!

The truth is, I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this trip.  I have been blessed far more than I have given.  I am thankful for all of you who make the Panua ministry what it is.  You are blessing many through your generosity and your prayers.  Finally, I am eager to continue the ministry of presence with others who need the hope of Christ.  How about you?  How about you? 

Pastor David

Naivasha, Kenya – Post #5 (Rev. David Miller)

Today we visited Sanctuary.  It’s one of the slums alongside of Lake Navaisha.  The people who live there come from all over Kenya in hopes of securing a job at one of the flower farms that supply cut flowers to England.  Work on the flower farms does not require a lot of skill.  But it is difficult and dangerous.  And for almost everyone who works there, truly non-sustainable in terms of income.  But for those who are desperate for work, it is better than nothing. 

This particular slum is a maze of mud and rock dwellings and rutted dirt roads.  There is no vegetation – no grass and literally one or two trees.  Dust cakes everything.  And trash blows everywhere.  Donkeys, sheep, cows, chickens and dogs wander wherever they want.  Because folks come from all over, many languages are spoken there.  A local pastor in Sanctuary told me that ten different languages are spoken in his church!  And because there are 42 different tribes in Kenya, politics are a big deal in Sanctuary.  In fact, it was one of the epi-centers of the violence and destruction that accompanied the 2007 elections here. 

We went to there to meet with 60 of our Panua youth.  The site of our gathering was Sanctuary United Methodist Church.  By “church” I mean a one room corrugated tin building with a dirt floor.  Sitting in plastic chairs around the perimeter of the room we introduced ourselves one by one.  And then we spent the rest of the morning getting to know one another.  We listened to their stories.  Learned about their living situations.  Celebrated their dreams.  And took messages for their sponsors.  There was singing and dancing and even a Kenyan version of a conga line!  And there were lots and lots of pictures.  It was an incredible morning! 

Three things made the morning memorable for me.  First, the Kenyan youth were so gracious!  In this particular community, very few have talked with someone who is skin pigment challenged.  And yet, they were willing to overcome any awkwardness and embrace us as family.  They wanted to know all about us and all about their sponsors.  They expressed much gratitude for our willingness to come and be with them.  And they begged us to come and see them again soon. 

Second, they were in desperate need.  They live in crippling poverty.  Many of them are orphans.  A good number of them live alone.  A few are already parents.  They have been identified as the most at risk and most in need.  They are selected to participate in Panua because they have very little hope.  This was brought home several times this week as a youth would ask us to please take their baby with us.  Or if they could come home with us.  

And yet, they are praying for you!  While the number one message I heard was “thank you”, the second thing I heard most often is that they are praying for us!  This blew me away!  That even in their struggle they would intentionally think of us!  In James 5:16 it says that we are to confess our sins to one another and pray for one another, that we may be healed.  I must admit I was challenged.  While I frequently promise to pray for others, most of prayers center on me or on my loved ones.  And yet James seems to be saying that my spiritual wholeness and health depends on praying for others. 

I ask you – are you praying for others?  Beyond family and friends?  Are you praying for those in our church family?  Are you praying for those in our community?  Are you praying for those all the way around the world in Kenya?   They are praying for us!  So I am going to pray for them!  That we may be healed!  How about you?  How about you?

Pastor David              

Naivasha, Kenya – Post #4 (Rev. David Miller)

During our time in Kenya, we are staying at a hotel on the edge of the Rift Valley.  It surrounded by a lush canopy of green from yellow-barked Acacia trees.  In the distance is the aqua blue of Lake Naivasha with its large population of hippopotamus.  Each morning after breakfast our team gathers on the patio outside the main lodge and has devotions.  As you breathe in the fresh morning air and look over the lake you cannot help but marvel over God’s creation!  There is no doubt sitting there that God made the heavens and the earth!  It is indeed one of the most beautiful places I have been.    

However, if you were to leave the hotel and make your way down to the lake you would find yourself in one of a number of slums that have sprung up around the flower farms that supply Europe.  From a distance, you can barely make out the forms of buildings.  But up close you are greeted with rows and rows of mud and brick and tin sheds.  Here, thousands of men, women and children, many who work at the farms, seek to exist in face of abject poverty.  Many of the Panua youth we work with live in the slums around Lake Naivasha.  And their setting is a jarring contrast to the comfort of the hotel and the beauty of God’s creation seen from the top of the mountain.  In fact, much of our conversation this week has been about our struggle with the co-existence of such poverty and wealth, beauty and suffering.

All this has me thinking about a book I recently read about the nature of God.  In particular, about the immanence and transcendence of God.  God’s immanence refers to the presence of God in creation.  It points to the closeness of God.  God’s transcendence refers to the exalted nature of God.  God is infinitely above us.  His greatness is quantitatively greater than any we know.  The key is to recognize that God is BOTH transcendent and immanent. 

Take for example, the story of Moses at the burning bush in Exodus chapter 3.  As Moses approaches the bush that is burning but is not consumed, God tells him to take off his shoes for he is on holy ground.  When Moses asks God for His name, God replies I am who I am!  God’s name is beyond knowing by Moses.  This is exalted transcendence of God!  And yet God also knows who Moses is.  God calls him by name.  God has seen the suffering of His people in slavery.  God is working to deliver them.  God is immanent.  Both are important.  If God was not transcendent we could contain Him.  And we would seek to control Him (we do that anyway).  If God was not immanent, He would be indifferent.  God would know nothing of who we are.  And we would know little of Him. 

The truth is, God did create this beautiful world.  God’s handiwork is beyond imagination.  And the truth is, God does know and love the people who live in the slums around Lake Naivasha.  He is working to deliver them.  I am not always sure how both those things fit neatly together.  But I know that there is both wealth and poverty, suffering and beauty here in Naivasha.  And also at home in Winter Park.  So I am going to praise God for the gift of this beautiful earth.  And I am going to join God in His work to deliver and restore His children!  How about you?  How about you?

Pastor David 

First Full Day in Naivasha – June Trip, Post #3

Continue reading “First Full Day in Naivasha – June Trip, Post #3”

Naivasha, Kenya – Post #2 (Rev. David Miller)

Allow me to introduce you to George.  He is the driver of our mini-van.  Mario Andretti has nothing on him!  He could be Jimmy Johnson’s Kenyan twin brother.  Please don’t misunderstand.  George is incredibly competent.  And he takes our safety very seriously.  But let’s just say there were a few times when I felt very close to Jesus this afternoon.  We drove up the lower road from Nairobi to Naivasha.  It’s a two lane “highway” that runs along the lip of the Rift Valley.  It’s rutted and dusty.  And it is absolutely jammed with slow moving semi-trucks.  This is where George shines.  He weaves that minivan seamlessly in and out of those big trucks – most of the time.  There was one moment when Pastor Craig leaned over from the front passenger seat and told George he had his crucifix with him!

This afternoon’s drive made me think of just how crowded and hectic I tend to make my life.  I have a bad habit of filling the day and night up with lots and lots of tasks and appointments.  And it quickly becomes a traffic snarl that leaves me to weaving and dashing along.  Full confession:  I have even been known to transfer that frustrated weaving and dashing to my driving in Orlando traffic!  That’s one thing a mission trip does for you.  It forces you to slow down long enough to see what is going on.  Stepping of your regular routine and being living for a time in another setting has a way of giving perspective on what is urgent and what is not.

On his first missionary journey, Paul had all kinds of challenges and pressures.  Things got so hectic at one point that he was expelled from the city of Pisidian Antioch.  And yet, it says in verse 52 of chapter 13 that the disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.  This is the same guy who claims to have dotted every “I” and crossed every “T” in following the Law of Moses!  The same guy who got so riled up at Christians he literally went around the country hunting them down!  Now he is persecuted, stoned nearly to death and expelled.  And yet he is filled with the presence and joy of the Holy Spirit.

How much better would I be at handling the rush hour of tasks if I was filled with the presence and joy of the Holy Spirit?  How much better would my appointments be if I was centered on the presence and joy of the Holy Spirit?  The key question for me seems to be this.  How can I make myself available to the Holy Spirit?  How do I take my focus off the road and the rush long enough to connect with the very One who sustains me through it?  What about you?  What are you doing to open yourself to the presence and joy of the Holy Spirit today? 

It’s time for me to try and be a little less Mario Andretti and a little more Paul.  How about you?  How about you?

Pastor David 

Naivasha, Kenya – Post #1: (Rev. David Miller)

So we are off!  We gathered at the airport at 11 this morning.  Boarding a 777, we flew 14 long hours to Dubai.  Allow me summarize the flight in two words.  Screaming.  Baby.  Right.  Behind.  Me.  Okay – that’s five words.  Did I mention 14 hours of flight time?  Not that I find it easy to sleep on airplanes in the first place.  I can never get comfortable.  Just about the time I doze off someone kicks the back of the seat.  I’m glad I don’t do this kind of traveling every day.

In a few minutes, we will board our second jetliner.  This one for Nairobi.  It’s a much shorter trip.  Only 5 hours.  For some reason my teammates don’t take a lot of comfort in that.  Fortunately, we have been able to pit stop.  Even grabbed a $30 hamburger at Shake Shack in terminal A!  We should be in at our hotel around 10 – just over 24 hours after we left Orlando.  Tomorrow we will board a van and head 2 hours up to Naivasha where we will begin the first part of our mission work.

As I have been traveling thinking about Paul’s missionary journeys.  In particular, I was reading about his mission trip in Acts chapters 13 and 14.  On that trip, Paul traveled 1500 miles.  He had to take a ship three different times.  It took him 54 days.  Some scholars estimate it cost him almost a year’s worth of paychecks.  Not only that, along the way he was stoned nearly to death, expelled, and criticized.  He went a long way and suffered much to bring the love and hope of Christ to others.

In comparison, I easily fall into the trap of thinking it’s a big deal to ride an airplane for more than 5 hours.  Or that it’s sacrificial to eat a $30 hamburger from a restaurant with a menu written in a different language.  Or to spend the night in a strange hotel that is lacking some of the amenities that I am used to.  I must admit I am ashamed as I write these words.  This trip is already begging the question:  How far would I be willing to go to share the love and hope of Christ with others?

The question doesn’t just apply to miles.  It concerns my personal comfort, my daily routines and even my sense of security.  Do I really believe that Jesus Christ offers a life that is rich, eternal and abundant?  Have I truly experienced the life changing love of God?  How far would I go to share the love and hope of Christ with others?  What about you?  How far would you go? 

The truth is, I am grateful for the life in Christ that has been given to me.  I want to share it with others.  So I am going to work on going farther than ever before.  How about you?  How about you?

Pastor David 

How We Got To Where We Are: A Brief Overview of United Methodism in 2017

“Note: For those who want to dive in deeply into what is happening in United Methodism in the present moment, I recommend the abundance of statements and interpretations that are easily accessible via the web. I am speaking in reference to the Called General Conference, the Judicial Council and the Commission on a Way Forward. This is something different—a brief overview of events that have led to where we find ourselves that can be read in 5-7 minutes.”

View Article Here

Shepherd’s Hope

For this week’s fast, items are being donated to Shepherd’s Hope, a faith-based organization of volunteers that provides access to health care for the uninsured. Above is a list of suggestions. We will be collecting donations on Sunday, Apr. 9.

 

Stations of the Cross at the Polasek Museum

Gathered in His Name, the intercessory prayer group of the church has organized a special Lenten experience for our church community at the Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens on April the 9th (Palm Sunday). The Museum and Gardens will be open from 11am to 1pm for FUMCWP guests before opening to the public at 1:30pm.

The Polasek Museum contains a breath-taking array of framed artwork depicting the Stations of the Cross in its chapel. A group at a time will be taken into the chapel to be given a tour of the Stations by one of their docents, along with Rev Gary Rideout who will give a religious perspective of the work. Following viewing of the chapel’s Stations, guests can tour the sculpture garden which contains another depiction of the Stations of the Cross in bronze relief. Access to the museum in the Polasek house will also be available.

We will run a shuttle from 11am until 2:00 pm from the church to the museum and back. About 35 cars can be accommodated at the site but it is recommended that you take the shuttle. Members driving their own cars can park in front of the Capen House. The cost is $4.00 payable at the Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Gardens as you enter through the gallery.

It is hoped that our members will find that this beginning of Holy Week experience touches our hearts and brings meaning as we retrace the final steps of Jesus toward his crucifixion.

The Museum and Gardens are located at 633 Osceola Ave, Winter Park, FL

Contact: Gary Rideout at garyr@fumcwp.org

Our Lent Experiment

Beginning Sunday, February 12, we will be selling books and handing out free “How to Guides” to help prepare us for our church wide Lenten experiment beginning March 5.  As a community we will be reading The 7 Experiment: an experimental mutiny against excess by Jen Hatmaker. In addition, there will be a weekly fast focusing on seven different forms of excess (food, clothes, possessions, media, waste, spending, and stress.)  The “How to Guides” will lead us through the fast and provide discussion questions each week to help us reflect on our experience. It is our hope that this Lenten Experiment will help us draw closer to God as we reflect on our weekly experience of fasting.

A free “How to Guide” will be available starting February 12 to help explain the Lenten fast and provide discussion questions for weekly group discussion. We are encouraging everyone who is practicing the Lenten fast to find a group to meet with weekly to discuss your experience and what you have learned.  Below are some ideas and opportunities to help you find a group to journey with on this weekly fast. 

Families:

Each week discuss possible ways your family might fast together.  Be careful to not make the fast too challenging for your kids.  The idea is not to overwhelm them with the task, but rather recognize our struggle together with each week’s focus on excess.  At the end of the week, use the discussion questions to talk about your experience, why it was challenging and what did you learn from the experience.

Friends:

Invite one or two friends to join you on this Lenten fast.  Meet up once a week to talk about how you will approach the new fast each week and use the discussion questions to talk about your experience of fasting.

Groups for Everyone:

Sundays- 10:45-11:15am with “How About You” Groups

Sundays -10:45-11:45am with Annette Sneaker

Sundays – 12:00-1pm with Emmy Zumwalt and Joffa Braymer

Wednesdays- 5:30-7pm with Randy Parsons (dinner and discussion of fast)

Women’s Groups:

Mondays- 11:30-1pm with Laura-Grace Anderson

Tuesdays – 8:30am with Erin Gottschalk and Sheri Mazariegos

Wednesdays- 9:45-11:15 (Christian Yoga followed by discussion of fast)

Thursdays – 7-8am with Jayne Rideout

Thursdays- 9:30-11:30am with Sandy Franks and Kelli Martin

Men’s Groups:

Thursdays- 7-8am with Ben Howell

Young Adults:

Mondays- 6:30-8pm with Jon Tschanz (dinner and discussion of fast)

Students:

Sundays- 10:45-11:15am with “How About You” for Students

Tuesdays- 6:30-8pm with high school groups for girls and guys