Evendays

The entire system was rotten, so rotten it stank unto heaven. In divine mission, Jesus had declared the temple a den of thieves and not a sanctuary of prayer. He had scattered tables and men, coins and chairs. With the same whip he had herded sellers and sheep. Jesus had also proclaimed the temple’s ruin when he spoke of the destruction of the temple of his own body. One temple would be resurrected in three days. The other would fall, never to be rebuilt. To this corrupt, sick, distracted and hypocritical structure a poor woman gave two copper coins as an offering to God. And Jesus praised her because: she gave more than any other. She gave all that she had. The message did not take root. The disciples were soon caught admiring the wonderful stones and the size of the gates. They were still unable to see. The lessons are numerous: Our inability to see through God’s eyes… The goodness in a person… The force of generosity… The example of trust… Read the Gospels carefully this week. See Jesus at work and learn from him, keeping your eyes on people and off the structures. And there’s no telling what you’ll see.

You never know how a day will turn out once it starts, even with a list and an up-to-date agenda. I imagine that’s why study and prayer should start the day and leave their imprint on all that follows. An old friend and parttime member called yesterday afternoon with news that his 80 year old mother was in emergency at the local university hospital. He needed to record her final words. Could I find a recorder and come? 25 minutes later, behind the curtain of stall labeled “I”, we prayed. Then two other family members arrived. Doctors discussed options. Surgeons were called. Nurses explained intensive care procedures. Decisions were made. Prayers were prayed. Our old friend joined us for dinner. Also present were little Luc (his mom too had just been operated on) and C. with her nephew from Chile. We prayed, asking for healing and blessing. During the meal, a call informed us that things had gone well. Our old friend went home. C. went to Luc’s mom’s to help. Luc crashed here. We later crawled into bed after and prayed about all that had happened, aware we should pray more, content to have been in God’s presence throughout the day, wondering about tomorrow.

I sometimes use public transport to Geneva, biking down to the Lausanne station, a train to Geneva, a $4.00 bus pass for the days activities, riding trams from one Bible study (catechism) to another before catching the 22:36 train home. Last night, tram 12 was only 1/3 full. The young lady in front of me was droning on in nasal tones to the young lady next to me. Yes, I want to immigrate.(Where?) Canada will often take those of us who are handicapped. You know, besides other things, I can’t see in one eye, but I get on just fine. Sometimes I even forget that I’m handicapped. Do you have any pets? (No.) I have a dog. He’s ten years old. Do you have any children? (No. I’m not married.) Oh really? Let me tell you: You are one of the kindest people I have met. I think you are an exceptional person. I stepped off the tram thinking that my fellow passengers had offered each other wonderful, yet simple, gifts: listening to and answering questions from a stranger who evidently doesn’t get much attention (and on a tram, no less!); sincere appreciation expressed to a listener: You are an exceptional person.

This past weekend, the Geneva church had their annual Winter retreat here in Lausanne. It’s great for us in that we get to participate in all the events except for sleeping in someone else’s bed. You know how it is when you share a room, or a hall, or a wing, with anywhere between 4 and 80 people. Different bedtime rhythms, different WC paces, different snoring tonalities. You get the picture. The theme this year was from John 6.60, words of some of the disciples: “This teaching is difficult. Who can accept it?” We had good lessons from three teachers on some of the obstacles to stronger faith and ways to grow in trust in Jesus. I had very little to do but lead a small group and make sure I got enough snacks during the breaks (very successful). Sunday morning we woke up to 15 centimeters of new snow and, fortunately, nearly the entire Lausanne church made it for the joint worship and lunch. Lots of good things are happening in the Geneva church. A new meeting place for next month, perhaps a new, full-time European minister in the near future. I know you’ll pray for this work.

A major task stands before Wife and me: voting in our first municipal election. A law was recently passed giving us longstanding foreigners of good reputation the possibility of influencing the local political scene. We have a parliamentary system. You vote for LISTS, be it Communist, Green, Socialist, Central, Radical, Liberal or Right/Extreme right. Special poster boards cover the town. Admire the Cathedral and you get a free glimpse of a party candidate. Look at the mountains (the snow is incredible on those dark blue ranges), there’s someone’s smiling face in the foreground staring right at you. I like looking at posters and deciding if the face matches the party. The farther left you go, no lie, the more pimples you’ve got and the longer it’s been since your last haircut. The farther right you go (here, Liberal means Right, not Left) the more Swiss-German you’ve got to look. I’m thankful that the present government gave us the vote, but it’s time we kick the bums out and change things for the better. This year, I’ll vote centrist. We’ve got a Green government and a communist or two, and I’m pretty sure they’re responsible for the ugly posters in town.