Saturday, August 16, 2008

Thursday

Thursday was worldview workshop day. Everyone went to a different session that covered the worldview of their particular people-group. Colby and I attended the session on Roman Catholicism. It was so interesting; We read through the Catechism and compared and contrasted Catholic doctrine with the Bible. As our group talked, it became more and more clear that a denominational label is not what is important. It doesn't matter if you call yourself a Baptist, a Lutheran, or a Catholic, but Who you are trusting in for salvation. Near the end of the session, Colby made a comment that made so much sense: "A lot of people are confused as to why we are going as missionaries to a country that is "Christian/Lutheran." Do they really need to hear about Jesus? I'm starting to realize that a lot of people in Iceland are really just secular humanists covered by a thin veneer of Lutheranism." It really begs the question, what does it mean to be a Christian? Just because someone calls themselves a Christian does not mean they are.

For lunch, we had a special,cultural meal that we were required to partake in. A lot of people were nervous about it, but it was the best food we have had so far. It was a Middle Eastern dish that we had to eat only with our right hand (Apparently, in this culture the left hand is used to wipe one's buttocks and is considered unclean). I had to sit on my left hand because I kept forgetting.

Some specific requests for the week:
*That we will be disciplined to make time for focused, uninterrupted prayer in our schedule.
*Our marriage: open communication, understanding, and selflessness.
* That we will get the sleep we need with this full schedule
*Health for all family members :)

2 comments:

beckers said...

on staff this past summer, we (my staff) encountered this whole, "i go to church, i must be a christian i dont have to do anything more then say i am one." thing with an entire camp one of the weeks. it was hard to get through to them cause they already had their guards up thinking that they knew it all. when you could just see that their world was crashing. i will be praying for the people you will meet that have this mindset. love you guys and am continually encouraged with every update i hear from you on what you are learning, ive always admired both of you for the sponges of knowledge that you are and your desire to continue to learn.

MelissaSnider said...

I will pray for you. I love the commitment to prayer that you guys are taking up. Annie, as you know, I am doing pretty much the same thing and you guys are always on my list. Love ya.