A Dwelling Place

Tears streamed from her eyes. Eyes that had seen humiliation and heartache again that very morning. Eyes that had seen humiliation time and time again. She felt exposed. Out of control. Out of place. Being in a place that is not your home will do that to you. In one sense, you feel completely enclosed, "encerrada" as my Latino friends in the States have referred to it. You are imprisoned in your own world because you don't have unrestricted access to theirs. But not enclosed in a safe, hiding place sort of way. No, rather, while feeling cut off, you're at the very same time shamefully exposed. I could identify with her tears in a way that I wouldn't have been able to 10 days ago.

But being in a place that is not your home is so much closer to reality. For those that are born into a new family, this world is not our home. We are sojourners. Foreigners. Not able to keep the rules of this culture because they collide so much with the place we call home. The place we have not come to. Yet.

So, for now, here are pictures of the place I will reside in for 3 months. My flat is on the 3rd floor (though technically the 4th). My gracious host is Britta, who I have yet to meet. It is cozy and quaint. My favorite feature of the apartment building is the courtyard, which is nestled in the middle of 4 windowed-walls. So, when I look out my windows I can see right into the windows of the other apartments, provided that the lighting is cooperative - very Rear Window-esque (see: Alfred Hitcock). Unfortunately, no suspicious murder scenes yet. But, I will keep my binoculars near by. Stay tuned.

All I Need

Soaking in the lyrics of this song by J.J. Heller this morning. Making copies in the church office and reveling in the great mercy of my Savior.

I don't need a thing
My good shepherd brings me all
You are all I need
You let me catch my breath
Even in the valley of death
You are all I need

All I need to be complete is your love
Your blood that covers me

You lift up my head
You provide the wine and bread
You are all I need
There's no need to fear
Even with my enemies here
You are all I need

Goodness and mercy are following me
You are all that I need
You make a home for me
With pastures of green as far as I see
You are all I need

So, if this is truth, that means: I don't need comfort. I don't need beauty. I don't need to know the language or understand the rules of the culture. I don't need to be more creative or more independent. I don't need relational security or to know my purpose. I need Christ.

Fighting hard to rest in the sufficiency of Christ.

Crossing the Atlantic

How did this happen? Three short months ago Europe was not on my immediate horizon. I thought I would be getting engaged, planning a wedding, becoming much more "adult" and settled. I can only describe the past months as a divine jostling. A holy unsettling. God's gracious discipline and re-direction.

But I am here. Here to live in Berlin. Here to serve the church. Here to explore God's purposes.

Two overarching images that come to mind as I've prayed into this trip, both from the book of John. First, John 15: Abide. Apart from Christ, I can do nothing. And second, John 13: Wash feet. There ya go. May it be so.