 |
| First-year students (Freshmen) - missing a few latecomers |
 |
| Second-year students (Sophomores) |
 |
| Third-year students (Juniors) |
 |
| Fourth-year students (Seniors) |
NETS Students
The 2015 school year started up at NETS this week. During orientation we took a few class pics which I thought I'd share to give you a look at this year's student body (Note: this is only the full-time, on-campus students).
Gaub River, Part 2
Read "Gaub River, Part 1"
As we approached the first fork in the trail, our leader was a bit confused with this new path that she hadn't seen before. Thinking it was a shortcut to the river bed, we turned right. After an hour or so this path appeared to curve back toward the base camp. Instead we decided to set our trajectory toward the canyon and blaze our own trail. But very soon the rocks became too steep and we had to turn back. Our leaders decided our best bet was to walk all the way back and take the other fork in the road.
By that time my 100ish pound backpack was carving grooves in my shoulders and hips and my legs weren't used to walking this much. I was a bit upset about expending all that energy on a lengthy detour that got us no closer to our destination. But that's when I had to reflect back on my own wilderness training. Hiking is not about the destination; it's about the journey. Truth is, we were just going to walk all day anyway, then find a place to camp just before dark. So why did it matter if it was a detour through the mountains, or through the sand of the dry river bed?
Back on the main trail, we finally came to the river bed where we found pools of water to refill our bottles. The looming gray clouds made clear that it would soon rain, but we were glad for the protection from the sun and extreme heat. We had some showers that afternoon and finally camped for the night on a wide ledge in the cliff just above the river, covered by large overhanging rocks which kept us dry as we slept.
That night's rain had made fresh pools in the large rocks and boulders of the river bed. A few of us went for a swim to stave off the ripe scent of our sweaty clothes and bodies. At one point along the day's hike the canyon curved sharply and narrowed to an impassible collection of huge boulders and high cliffs. To see that section with water actually flowing through it would have been impressive. Rather than risk it, we carefully made our way up the side of the steep canyon wall.
Once at the top, before descending the other side past the dangerous portion of the river bed, the view from the peak was unparalleled. From high above you could see the canyon path from which we had just come, then on the other side, deep below, stretched the path on which we would continue. This is a beauty that would never be beheld by those who fear to venture from the familiar safety of the paved roads.
That night, our last in the wild, was solo night. We set up a meeting point, then as we hiked along we gradually left one person at a time to find their evening's camp out of sight from anyone else. When we had dwindled to 5 people, the leader turned to me and said, "Shall we leave you here?" And with that they continued on out of sight. There I was, in the African wilderness, alone, for the rest of the night.
Knowing it would rain again, I looked toward the cliff above me to scout out a dry shelter. Far up the cliff I found my cave which, as I said before, I was able to prepare just in time, before the rain began. The ceiling was too low to sit up, so I laid on my sleeping bag listening to the sound of the rain and watching the darkness of night slowly descend on the surrounding mountains. Alone, in a cave, on a mountainside, life seems so simple. Food, shelter, and a place to do your business--that's all that matters. The busy-ness of life and the rush of passing time slowly faded away as I drifted off to sleep.
The next morning I was awake before the sunrise, packed up my stuff, said goodbye to my little cave, and climbed back down the cliff to rejoin the others. Some had managed to find a dry shelter, others spent the night cold and wet. After breakfast and a short debrief, we made the long hike back to base camp with mixed emotions, excited to go home but lamenting a bit about losing the simplicity and calm of the natural wilderness.
Back at base camp, people turned their phones back on and started calling home. When I first looked at mine, I was startled when I saw 1:39pm. Not because of what time it was, but because I was confronted by time itself, for the first time in 3 days. In the bush time didn't matter. You ate when you got hungry. You slept when it got dark. We weren't bound to a schedule, and thus free to enjoy the time that we had.
In the end, Wilderness Therapy Facilitators Training was a great experience. I learned a lot about their program and will certainly recommend it and use it as an example in my youth work training. But I also benefited from the experience myself. It reminded me to slow down and look at the beauty around me, to enjoy the journey rather than simply rushing to the destination, and to make the most of the short precious time that I have.
As we approached the first fork in the trail, our leader was a bit confused with this new path that she hadn't seen before. Thinking it was a shortcut to the river bed, we turned right. After an hour or so this path appeared to curve back toward the base camp. Instead we decided to set our trajectory toward the canyon and blaze our own trail. But very soon the rocks became too steep and we had to turn back. Our leaders decided our best bet was to walk all the way back and take the other fork in the road.By that time my 100ish pound backpack was carving grooves in my shoulders and hips and my legs weren't used to walking this much. I was a bit upset about expending all that energy on a lengthy detour that got us no closer to our destination. But that's when I had to reflect back on my own wilderness training. Hiking is not about the destination; it's about the journey. Truth is, we were just going to walk all day anyway, then find a place to camp just before dark. So why did it matter if it was a detour through the mountains, or through the sand of the dry river bed?
Back on the main trail, we finally came to the river bed where we found pools of water to refill our bottles. The looming gray clouds made clear that it would soon rain, but we were glad for the protection from the sun and extreme heat. We had some showers that afternoon and finally camped for the night on a wide ledge in the cliff just above the river, covered by large overhanging rocks which kept us dry as we slept.
That night's rain had made fresh pools in the large rocks and boulders of the river bed. A few of us went for a swim to stave off the ripe scent of our sweaty clothes and bodies. At one point along the day's hike the canyon curved sharply and narrowed to an impassible collection of huge boulders and high cliffs. To see that section with water actually flowing through it would have been impressive. Rather than risk it, we carefully made our way up the side of the steep canyon wall.
Once at the top, before descending the other side past the dangerous portion of the river bed, the view from the peak was unparalleled. From high above you could see the canyon path from which we had just come, then on the other side, deep below, stretched the path on which we would continue. This is a beauty that would never be beheld by those who fear to venture from the familiar safety of the paved roads.That night, our last in the wild, was solo night. We set up a meeting point, then as we hiked along we gradually left one person at a time to find their evening's camp out of sight from anyone else. When we had dwindled to 5 people, the leader turned to me and said, "Shall we leave you here?" And with that they continued on out of sight. There I was, in the African wilderness, alone, for the rest of the night.
Knowing it would rain again, I looked toward the cliff above me to scout out a dry shelter. Far up the cliff I found my cave which, as I said before, I was able to prepare just in time, before the rain began. The ceiling was too low to sit up, so I laid on my sleeping bag listening to the sound of the rain and watching the darkness of night slowly descend on the surrounding mountains. Alone, in a cave, on a mountainside, life seems so simple. Food, shelter, and a place to do your business--that's all that matters. The busy-ness of life and the rush of passing time slowly faded away as I drifted off to sleep.
The next morning I was awake before the sunrise, packed up my stuff, said goodbye to my little cave, and climbed back down the cliff to rejoin the others. Some had managed to find a dry shelter, others spent the night cold and wet. After breakfast and a short debrief, we made the long hike back to base camp with mixed emotions, excited to go home but lamenting a bit about losing the simplicity and calm of the natural wilderness.Back at base camp, people turned their phones back on and started calling home. When I first looked at mine, I was startled when I saw 1:39pm. Not because of what time it was, but because I was confronted by time itself, for the first time in 3 days. In the bush time didn't matter. You ate when you got hungry. You slept when it got dark. We weren't bound to a schedule, and thus free to enjoy the time that we had.
In the end, Wilderness Therapy Facilitators Training was a great experience. I learned a lot about their program and will certainly recommend it and use it as an example in my youth work training. But I also benefited from the experience myself. It reminded me to slow down and look at the beauty around me, to enjoy the journey rather than simply rushing to the destination, and to make the most of the short precious time that I have.
Gaub River, Part 1
Twenty-four hours ago my greatest concern was finding a dry shelter from the approaching rain, maybe a cave or a thick tree under which I could rig up a makeshift tent. Needing to get to higher ground, I climbed out of the sandy river bed up the side of the rocky cliff that formed one side of the canyon wall. Quite a ways up the steep mountainside I spotted an overhanging rock forming a small cave underneath, no more than a few feet high, but just enough to keep me dry for the night. I poked my walking stick all the way to the back to make sure it wasn't already occupied. 
The cave floor was a mixture of sand and rocks so it took my last precious hour of daylight to make a flat enough space to sleep. Just at the mouth of my cave was a large flat rock forming a little "porch" which had an incredible view of the canyon mountains and the dry river bed below. Satisfied with my shelter, I finally settled down to enjoy a dinner of cold oatmeal and crackers on my "front porch" when I felt the first few drops of rain. . . .
But perhaps I should go back to the beginning.
I had heard about the Wilderness Therapy Program from a friend, so when he told me there would be a facilitators training hike I was excited to join and see firsthand what this was all about. The program is run by a Christian psychologist who used to work as a school counselor. She found that troubled students weren't that interested in opening up to a counselor sitting in an office, but by altering the environment she could have dramatically different results. So now the schools send her 8 of their most troubled youth who join with 3 other facilitators for an 8 day backpacking hike through the Namibian wilderness. During the trip they work through different exercises and initiatives designed to help the students confront their internal issues and deal with the root of their troublemaking.
The facilitators training, however, was only a 3 day hike just to give us a feel for the program and prepare those interested in getting involved. On Friday afternoon, the 9 of us involved piled into two 4x4 trucks for our adventure. We drove for about 3 hours on dirt roads that got progressively smaller and less well maintained with each turnoff. The last road was simply two tire tracks through the bush, winding through rivers and around rocks and trees.
The further we went, the more beautiful the mountain views. Finally, we came around a corner and saw our base camp, a small, stone, one-room cabin and an old broken down bus.
With only 2 beds in the cabin and 4 cots in the bus, I spent the first night with a few others out under the stars. Or at least there would have been stars if it weren't for the thick cloud cover. The ground was a hard bed so I spent most of the night tossing and turning, trying to get comfortable. With no phone or watch, the first dim glow on the eastern horizon was my alarm clock. I laid in my sleeping bag watching the sky slowly turn from black to pale blue. The approaching dawn painted the clouds in brilliant shades of red, yellow and orange. Finally the deep red sun peeked up over the mountains, but by then our day had already begun.
After a quick breakfast we packed all the gear and food we would need for the next 3 days into a backpack, pulled the straps tight, and started off with great anticipation on our wilderness adventure.
To be continued . . .
The cave floor was a mixture of sand and rocks so it took my last precious hour of daylight to make a flat enough space to sleep. Just at the mouth of my cave was a large flat rock forming a little "porch" which had an incredible view of the canyon mountains and the dry river bed below. Satisfied with my shelter, I finally settled down to enjoy a dinner of cold oatmeal and crackers on my "front porch" when I felt the first few drops of rain. . . .But perhaps I should go back to the beginning.
I had heard about the Wilderness Therapy Program from a friend, so when he told me there would be a facilitators training hike I was excited to join and see firsthand what this was all about. The program is run by a Christian psychologist who used to work as a school counselor. She found that troubled students weren't that interested in opening up to a counselor sitting in an office, but by altering the environment she could have dramatically different results. So now the schools send her 8 of their most troubled youth who join with 3 other facilitators for an 8 day backpacking hike through the Namibian wilderness. During the trip they work through different exercises and initiatives designed to help the students confront their internal issues and deal with the root of their troublemaking.
The facilitators training, however, was only a 3 day hike just to give us a feel for the program and prepare those interested in getting involved. On Friday afternoon, the 9 of us involved piled into two 4x4 trucks for our adventure. We drove for about 3 hours on dirt roads that got progressively smaller and less well maintained with each turnoff. The last road was simply two tire tracks through the bush, winding through rivers and around rocks and trees.
The further we went, the more beautiful the mountain views. Finally, we came around a corner and saw our base camp, a small, stone, one-room cabin and an old broken down bus.With only 2 beds in the cabin and 4 cots in the bus, I spent the first night with a few others out under the stars. Or at least there would have been stars if it weren't for the thick cloud cover. The ground was a hard bed so I spent most of the night tossing and turning, trying to get comfortable. With no phone or watch, the first dim glow on the eastern horizon was my alarm clock. I laid in my sleeping bag watching the sky slowly turn from black to pale blue. The approaching dawn painted the clouds in brilliant shades of red, yellow and orange. Finally the deep red sun peeked up over the mountains, but by then our day had already begun.
After a quick breakfast we packed all the gear and food we would need for the next 3 days into a backpack, pulled the straps tight, and started off with great anticipation on our wilderness adventure.
To be continued . . .
Knowing God
“How can we turn our knowledge about God into knowledge of God? The rule for doing this is simple but demanding. It is that we turn each truth that we learn about God into a matter for meditation before God, leading to prayer and praise to God.” (J.I. Packer, Knowing God, p.23)
I could do some research and tell you all kinds of information about President Abraham Lincoln, where he was from, how he rose to power, when he was married, inaugurated, and died. I could quote for you from some of his speeches and legislation. I could tell you a lot about him, but that doesn't mean that I actually know him. There's a big difference between head knowledge and experiential knowledge. The same is true regarding knowing God.
One of the great risks of theological education is that we fill our heads with knowledge about God, but we never actually come to know God Himself. This idea has come to the forefront as I prepare to teach a course this semester on the theology of God. We could read lots of theology books and study the details of God's attributes and perfections, His character and His work, and never actually have a true encounter with the living God. We could read our Bibles all day, but if it remains only a piece of historic literature then we will never experience God through it.
The study of God is simply the means through which we encounter Him. Our aim and ultimate purpose is not the knowledge in itself, for "knowledge puffs up" (1 Cor 8:1), but our goal is the God whom that knowledge is about. This is, as Packer notes above, where disciplines like meditation, prayer, and praise come in. So the question is, am I seeking knowledge about God for its own sake, or am I seeking to dive deep into the infinite depths of the God whom I'm studying, to let wave after wave of His greatness crash over me and overwhelm me, and to love Him deeper for the knowing?
I could do some research and tell you all kinds of information about President Abraham Lincoln, where he was from, how he rose to power, when he was married, inaugurated, and died. I could quote for you from some of his speeches and legislation. I could tell you a lot about him, but that doesn't mean that I actually know him. There's a big difference between head knowledge and experiential knowledge. The same is true regarding knowing God.
One of the great risks of theological education is that we fill our heads with knowledge about God, but we never actually come to know God Himself. This idea has come to the forefront as I prepare to teach a course this semester on the theology of God. We could read lots of theology books and study the details of God's attributes and perfections, His character and His work, and never actually have a true encounter with the living God. We could read our Bibles all day, but if it remains only a piece of historic literature then we will never experience God through it.
The study of God is simply the means through which we encounter Him. Our aim and ultimate purpose is not the knowledge in itself, for "knowledge puffs up" (1 Cor 8:1), but our goal is the God whom that knowledge is about. This is, as Packer notes above, where disciplines like meditation, prayer, and praise come in. So the question is, am I seeking knowledge about God for its own sake, or am I seeking to dive deep into the infinite depths of the God whom I'm studying, to let wave after wave of His greatness crash over me and overwhelm me, and to love Him deeper for the knowing?
Me and My Green Thumb
While I was in Katima I picked up a few local mangos. While enjoying their deliciousness, I had an epiphany. If I grow a mango tree then I could enjoy these mangos all the time! Thus began my career in gardening. I did a little research on germinating the seed and learned that it actually takes very little care to grow mango trees. So here's to hoping that even I can't mess it up! The one on the left is the day I potted it. After a month it's still going strong and even sprouted two more little seedlings.
New Year's Eve
"A Spectacle to the World"
One of the most popular false teachings here in Africa is that God’s primary goal is to give you material blessings and a comfortable, easy life. Pastor’s often become the spectacle of this philosophy. They convince their poor congregations to give every last cent as “seed” money, while they are living the high life as a demonstration of their godliness and faith evidenced by their material blessing.
Lately I’ve been reading through 1 Corinthians in preparation for my class on the theology of the Church. In chapter 4:8ff, I couldn’t help but resonate with Paul’s rebuke of the Corinthian church in light of my current context.
“Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! Without us [apostles] you have become kings!"
They were boasting of their spiritual maturity. They were arrogant about what they considered wisdom. They were puffed up and proud, as if they had earned for themselves anything they were given.
“And would that you did reign, so that we might share the rule with you!”
Paul takes a sarcastic stab turning on his use of the word ‘kings.’ For one day we all will be ‘kings and queens’ reigning with Christ. So if they had actually been ruling as kings, then it would mean Christ had returned and Paul and the apostles would also be reigning with them.
“For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men.”
But true leaders shouldn’t put themselves first, but last. Paul, the apostles, his missionary partners, they have been put on display as an example of what leadership should look like.
“We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute.”
The example of the apostles is exactly the opposite of what the world would hold up as exemplary, and what the Corinthians exhibited. It’s not arrogant and boastful, trying to prop oneself up. Rather it’s humility, recognizing weakness, through which God gets all the glory.
“To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless, and we labor, working with our own hands.”
They certainly weren’t in the business to get rich and fat, have big houses and fancy clothes. But none of these hardships where cause for them to give up, cash it in and choose another profession. These are simply the accepted occupational hazards. It comes with the job.
“When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we entreat."
And resistance doesn’t mean that you don’t have enough faith or that God is punishing you. It usually means you’re doing something right! We should expect slander, persecution, cursing, hatred. The world and the devil don't like our message so they’re gonna put up a fight. Jesus said if the world hated Him then it’ll hate His followers too. But neither is this reason to give up. Rather it should encourage us to continue, to press on even more so.
"We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things.”
Wow, what does this say of our own culture of celebrity pastors and Christian pop icons?
Christianity is not about propping ourselves up. It’s not about seeming wise or getting rich, famous, and powerful--even if it's in the name of Jesus. The apostles have set for us an example of humble servanthood, following Christ with abandon above all else, making His name famous. But how busy do we often get decorating our reputations, coddling our comfortable lifestyles, or lining our retirement accounts? Thanks for the reality check, Paul.
Lately I’ve been reading through 1 Corinthians in preparation for my class on the theology of the Church. In chapter 4:8ff, I couldn’t help but resonate with Paul’s rebuke of the Corinthian church in light of my current context.
“Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! Without us [apostles] you have become kings!"
They were boasting of their spiritual maturity. They were arrogant about what they considered wisdom. They were puffed up and proud, as if they had earned for themselves anything they were given.
“And would that you did reign, so that we might share the rule with you!”
Paul takes a sarcastic stab turning on his use of the word ‘kings.’ For one day we all will be ‘kings and queens’ reigning with Christ. So if they had actually been ruling as kings, then it would mean Christ had returned and Paul and the apostles would also be reigning with them.
“For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men.”
But true leaders shouldn’t put themselves first, but last. Paul, the apostles, his missionary partners, they have been put on display as an example of what leadership should look like.
“We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute.”
The example of the apostles is exactly the opposite of what the world would hold up as exemplary, and what the Corinthians exhibited. It’s not arrogant and boastful, trying to prop oneself up. Rather it’s humility, recognizing weakness, through which God gets all the glory.
“To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless, and we labor, working with our own hands.”
They certainly weren’t in the business to get rich and fat, have big houses and fancy clothes. But none of these hardships where cause for them to give up, cash it in and choose another profession. These are simply the accepted occupational hazards. It comes with the job.
“When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we entreat."
And resistance doesn’t mean that you don’t have enough faith or that God is punishing you. It usually means you’re doing something right! We should expect slander, persecution, cursing, hatred. The world and the devil don't like our message so they’re gonna put up a fight. Jesus said if the world hated Him then it’ll hate His followers too. But neither is this reason to give up. Rather it should encourage us to continue, to press on even more so.
"We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things.”
Wow, what does this say of our own culture of celebrity pastors and Christian pop icons?
Christianity is not about propping ourselves up. It’s not about seeming wise or getting rich, famous, and powerful--even if it's in the name of Jesus. The apostles have set for us an example of humble servanthood, following Christ with abandon above all else, making His name famous. But how busy do we often get decorating our reputations, coddling our comfortable lifestyles, or lining our retirement accounts? Thanks for the reality check, Paul.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
