Thursday, December 6, 2012

November Newsletter




Of Cows and Considerations...

Once upon a time there was a man who had 10 cows and 100 children.
All his children needed cows.
“Give me a cow so I can feed my many children”, said one.
“Give me, for I am your newest child and I have nothing”.
Another said - “Give me a cow for I have lost my house and crops to flooding”
“My friends are leaving me for others who are richer”, said another.
There were school fees, hospital bills, repairs;  - many needs. Few cows.
What to do?
The man thought.
I could take all my cows and prepare a big feast for my children - but they would be hungry again tomorrow.
If I say “yes” to one, then I must say “no” to another, for there is not enough to go around.
Then he had an idea!
Instead of taking from the cows, his children could give to them.
Some had grass they could give. One had wood, another had rope- they could build an enclosure to protect them at night.
Some had knowledge of how to help the sick and the weak ones.
Some could be with them to watch over them.
At first his children were unhappy.
But little as they had, they gave what they could, and the herd began to grow.
The cows became healthy and sleek. Their milk was good and nourishing.
Before long, their cows became the ones that everyone wanted to buy.
They kept some and sold some, and the herd kept increasing.
Now I can be in peace, thought the old man - if my children learn how to give what little they can, and to share what they have, and to take care of what they have, then there will always be enough.

This parable came to mind as we prayed for wisdom in the sweltering heat of the night in Niniyang. “We are poor and powerless - You must give to us a church building, a clinic, a preschool, teachers, supplies. Then we will be a church that will attract people.”
“What are your strengths? Your gifts? Your ministries?”, we ask. “We need money - then our ministry will be to have a church that can give education, health care and worship,” was the reply. How to bless and empower without discouragement and without continuing to foster an unhealthy dependency? How to build a fully African church in its support, propagation, liturgy and government?

The Confirmation service the next morning was held under a tree - the church had been destroyed by recent flooding (not the only one to have been lost to the floods in Gambella this rainy season). Grant preached on Matthew 28:16-20, the so-called Great Commission: a story about eleven disciples, some of them doubting, sent to change the world.  They had no church buildings (or clinics, or schools) - nothing but the power and the Presence of Jesus - with them always: the same Jesus who had died on the cross at the hands of the religious and political authorities of his day, now claims to have all authority. Grant then laid hands on about forty Confirmands (most of them named Martha, it seemed) and commissioned them to go into the world with the message of God’s love in the power of the Spirit.

The first weeks in Gambella have been intense. After a beautiful service of Installation in Addis, with Ethiopian church leaders, international visitors and members of the diplomatic community as witnesses, we then headed to Part II. At the Gambella Installation there were a few more religious and political leaders - but mostly members of the churches from all around the Gambella region - some had travelled for two days to get there. Grant spoke to them about his hopes for this Diocesan Area - that they would be self-expanding (well, they do this already), self-governing (their next bishop should be an African!), self-supporting (they need to move away on depending on outsiders for everything) and self-theologizing (they need to be able to discern God’s will for God’s mission in this place). Not everyone liked these ideas, Grant soon discovered - especially the self-governing part: a small ethnic group worried that this would mean that the next bishop would be from a different ethnic group. Their fears may or may not be well-founded, but they are fears nonetheless. So they must be taken seriously - but they must also be healed by the perfect love of Jesus who casts out all fear. The self-supporting bit, well it just seemed to them to be impossible.

In the meantime, we will continue with the self-expanding part (they can plant churches, these folks), and begin work on the self-theologizing - every month when they come to be paid, they will receive two days of theological education, something they have had little of, but which they yearn for. 

Come Holy Spirit - guide and empower us!

Wendy & Grant LeMarquand

Addis Installation Oct 27, 2012



Gambella installation

Gambella kids




September newsletter



Amharic for beginners

Language learning is about sharing and relationship. Our Amharic class, is self- dubbed, ‘The Ferenge Show’ because of the particular giftedness we Ferenge (‘foreigners’) seem to have for causing our Ethiopian friends to weep with laughter. In fact, we love nothing better than to share stories of our latest spectacular failures in communication. One classmate left her egg seller bewildered when she asked for, “One dozen frogs, please”, and gave the man who grabbed her arm on the street a totally wrong impression when she responded, “Ow!” - which is the Amharic word for “Yes!”  Together we are discovering, in language, an interwoven tapestry of communication and culture, meaning and relationship. 
It was the story of the Afar that brought this home most vividly to me. Imagine with me that you are in the tribal court of the Afar, listening with the elders gathered to hear a case. Arguments and counter arguments are put forth. Then everyone is quiet. In poetry, the elder designate stands and sings the two sides of the case. Only now is it legitimate. Only now the arguments, presented in song, poetry and metaphor, are ready to be decided upon. 
The Afar dictionary is a fraction of the thickness of those of other languages. But one sentence in metaphor, conveys the essence of an entire story, culturally nuanced to convey much more than the spoken word. Leaders must undergo years of training in eloquence before being given the honour and responsibility of judging the words of another. When we learn a language, we get to learn a people.

Wendy
Meskel

Imagine an event which has elements of the Rose Bowl Parade, followed by a victory celebration on the street after your team has won the Stanley Cup or the Super Bowl, combined with elements of Good Friday and Ash Wednesday all rolled into one. It may be hard to imagine, but such is the annual celebration of ‘Meskel’ (Amharic for ‘cross’), the feast of the finding of the true cross. 
The feast is a public holiday. In the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, close to 300,000 people gather at Meskel Square every Sept 27 to watch marching bands, mass choirs and floats on which the story of the conversion of the Roman Emperor Constantine (his vision of a glowing cross in the sky and a voice declaring “in this sign is victory”) is portrayed. His mother, Queen Helena searching through Jerusalem for the true cross, is directed by the smoke from incense offered with her prayers, to the correct place to dig for the relic. The climax of the festivities comes as the sun sets. As thousands of candles are lit, the Patriarch lights the Meskel fire - a huge Christmas tree-looking pyre called a “Demera.” As the night goes on thousands of smaller Demera bonfires are lit all over the city (and all over the rest of the country for that matter).

But events in the square are not over. Just as it was believed that the wood of the cross had miraculous healing power, so the Orthodox believe that the ashes of the Demera, blessed and lit by the Patriarch, will bring a blessing. And so, as the fire of the Demera dies down, thousands of people run to gather the ashes and mark their foreheads. We escaped the crush, but only just.
Meskel is a fascinating combination of religious, cultural and political ideas. The church in this country is ancient (at least 1,600 years) and it has shaped many cultural realities. The church and the state have also been closely linked (perhaps, at times, too closely linked). A confusion between the cross as a sign of victory (over evil) and the cross as an imperial weapon for victory betrays this close, and not always healthy, connection. I worry about the message of the cross as a weapon, and the obvious connections between political and religious power also worry me.
At the same time, the devotion and piety of the ordinary people cannot be denied or ignored. They know that the cross has some kind of power. The desire to retrieve the Demera ashes and just the sheer numbers of people at this event reveal a love for the story of the cross. 
And, thankfully, another reading of the message of the cross was delivered on this day by Abune Nathaniel, the acting Patriarch (Abune Paulos died just before we arrived in Ethiopia). His short message was that the cross brings peace. Jesus’ death for us achieved reconciliation with God and pointed to reconciliation between people and people groups. It was a message much needed in a country still recovering from years of totalitarian rule under the Marxist Derg which only came to an end in 1991, as well as massive poverty, and recurrent famine. Ethiopia is an island surrounded by unstable and often war-torn neighbours. Internal issues and external pressures seem to conspire against the poor. In a country with 80 distinct ethnic groups each with their own languages and cultures, it is tempting to blame the people down the road or the people in the capital city, or the people in the next district, or country. But the cross, said the Patriarch, brings peace, a peace not yet fully realized, but promised none the less, and seen in many and various ways as God works in this amazing place. 

He is the head of his body the church. 
He is the beginning,the firstborn from the dead, 
that in everything he might be preeminent. 
For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 
and through him to reconcile to himself all things, 
whether on earth or in heaven, 
making peace by the blood of his cross.
(Colossians 1:18-20)

Grant
Images of Meskel
 








Monday, October 22, 2012

September 2012


Gentle Giants....Past and Present

...introducing our boss

It’s funny how past memories can “ backlight” present perceptions. The Great Pyrenees is a huge dog, bred to guard and protect the sheep under his care. The memory of our “gentle giant”, Caleb - a lean 175 lb Great ‘Pyr’ - keeps coming to mind lately. “Don’t get this dog if you beat your children”, our breeder warned us. We laughed and thought nothing of it. Then one day, while wrestling with a stubborn winter boot that had become stuck on our daughter’s foot - with Chara lying on the floor squealing with laughter and Grant tugging valiantly at the recalcitrant boot - Caleb got up from where he had been quietly watching, and, smiling graciously, placed his huge doggy self between Grant and Chara, gently but emphatically separating the two. Grant was not allowed to come near her for the rest of the day. Chara’s amusement at this was surpassed several years later when once again, Caleb intervened - this time in a mock wrestling match between our son, David, and Grant. David’s laughter turned to sheer delight as, in one fluid motion, Caleb rose and effortlessly, in a split second, pinned Grant to the floor, and held him there with his huge, heavy paw, while serenely smiling down at his beloved Grant.

This memory kept coming to mind as we met today with Bishop Mouneer, a gentle giant of another sort - and also a guardian of beloved “sheep”. This holy and humble shepherd manages to combine a wicked sense of humour with a depth of compassion and wisdom that few possess. In times of crisis he is able to go to Muslim leaders and ask, “How can we work together for peace?” He is able, with a twinkle in his eye and genuine friendship in his heart, to speak the truth in love without compromise, because of the relationships he has built by grace with care and respect. Pray that we too will have the gift of building ‘relationships of honour’ in Ethiopia and elsewhere in the Horn of Africa.

Bishop Mouneer Anis is the diocesan bishop of the Diocese of Egypt with North Africa and the Horn of Africa; the Primate of the Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East; and our boss, our friend, and our mentor.

Pray for him as the Diocese continues to grow as a place of Anglican teaching and discipleship throughout the region.



Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Twinkle Toes...


Twinkle-toes...

and beautiful feet!!!
My father, Michael, who could neither carry a tune, nor dance, none the less would happily prance and leap about our childhood home, regaling us with stories of how Michael the Mag-snif-icant, aka ‘Twinkle Toes’, would sing and dance before the crowned heads of Europe - much to their (and frankly our) amazement.
As we get ready to leave with full hearts and full suitcases, and perhaps not exactly twinkling toes,  the scripture, “ How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news” comes to mind. I feel as if Jesus is kneeling and washing my feet with your prayers and with your love mingling with His.
We are truly blessed to be sent out with your ongoing prayers and support, and we will carry you in our hearts and prayers as we journey. 
Special thanks to our partners who have pledged financial support - we are now at 80% of goal!  What a joy to partner with each other and with Jesus in His love for Africa!
Please pray 
  • for peace in the midst of all the myriad details of moving
  • for full financial support
  • for listening and loving hearts
  • and for feet shining and prepared with the gospel of peace!  

with our love and prayer xx Wendy + Grant

What's been done?

House sold
furniture gone
arms vaccinated
suitcases  packed
friendships  celebrated
mission partnerships formed
Jobs completed
and
Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal,
Albany,Vermont, Buffalo,
Nashville, Florida, 
Calgary 
North and South Carolina
and Pittsburgh
have all become
 a part of our hearts.

 

What's next?

Language Aquisition training
(Toronto)
Family goodbyes
(Edmonton & Montreal)
South Carolina visit
(partners with Egypt & Africa)
Arrival in Addis
Language school
(Amharic)
Installation
(Oct 27, 2012)
and then.....




Thursday, May 10, 2012

Miracle in Cairo


Anglicans from Australia, US, England, Canada, and Africa, joined by representatives of the Coptic Orthodox, Greek Orthodox, Coptic Catholic (and the Papal Nuncio), representatives of Missionary organizations, NGO’s and The Bible Society of Egypt, together with government officials and ambassadors, muslims, Christians and secular, all gathered in the Anglican Cathedral of the Diocese of Egypt with North Africa and the Horn of Africa on Aug 25th, 2012.In the welcome and the witness of this company,  Grant was ordained assistant bishop for the Diocese and area bishop for the Horn of Africa. It was 7 o’clock at night ( 1 pm North American time), and the Holy Spirit overshadowed us all. The Presence of God infused the prayers of friends present and overseas. It was as if we could feel the very pleasure of God in the unity of His people. “How good it is when brothers dwell in unity... for there God has ordained the blessing”.

I had awakened the day before,  with these words clearly and inexplicably in my mind, “Operation Ruin”. I figured maybe this could be a nudge, a warning to pray for protection! You think?!!!

Later that day Anna, our David’s dear girlfriend, suffered a dangerous fall from which, miraculously, she was unhurt apart from being both bruised and shaken up. Shortly after that, Grant suffered the excruciating pain of a torn leg muscle. As the Presence of God came upon Grant at his consecration, all pain disappeared, and he was completely healed.   

Miracle in Gambela


In the pressing heat of the pre-rain season, land is cleared by setting fire to the dry grass. Running fires sweep here and there throughout the region, leaving charred and cleared ground ready for planting. We were getting ready for supper, when we realized that one of these fires was headed straight towards us. The man “tending” the fire, perhaps realizing impending disaster, ran away!
The Anglican Center in Gambela

Grant and Iri decided to do battle with buckets of water. They gained nothing but a happy tick who decided Grant was a good escape from the burning brush. Gusting winds fanned the flames to 3 feet in height as they reached our inadequate 3 strings of wire fence. Our precious banana tree seedlings looked doomed, not to mention the buildings of the Anglican Center. There was nothing we could do! 

Bowing our heads, we prayed, “ God, send Your servants the angels, as wind to blow away the fire".




Instantly, like the flipping of a switch, the fire went from 3 feet down to 3 inches and then quickly fizzled out, just at the border of our fence!

It was a peaceful and thankful night, sitting in the now welcome breeze of the wind. Thank you God! And thank you, our friends, for the unity of your prayers for and with us, in which dwells God’s ordained blessing (Psalm 133:1-3).
Our house in Gambela

Saturday, February 18, 2012

Mission Partners - An Invitation to Relationship

Mission is not characterized by the Western Church sending help to the developing world, but by Christians sent from all parts of the globe to all areas and peoples. We are communities in partnership, mutually blessing and growing together.

Missionaries are the 'tip of the iceberg' - the hands and feet of the body of Christ in corporate ministry.
Jesus asks His church to share His love throughout the world. Come and walk with us as we share the love of Jesus in the horn of Africa.