Rubbish
Greetings from Grand Rapids, MN. I fly home to the Czech Republic in 1 1/2 days. It's been weird being here for the past 2 1/2 months. Good, but weird. This is the first time I've come to the US for only a visit. Now I go back home to a foreign land. I'm looking forward to getting back to where ministry and life are, but have been regretting the goodbyes. Lately, I've felt that my life is one big goodbye. I long for permanence, but I won't find it on either side of the ocean. My home is with my Lord, Jesus. As much as that sounds like a Sunday school answer, it is absolutely true.
Even with my unfulfilled longing for permanence, I hesitate to complain. I was sharing about God's call on my life and my wrestling with Him at Rosemount UMC's Jr High group this week. God has given me a pretty cool life. A few weeks ago I was hauling block and bending re-bar in Jamaica (and lying on the beach). This week I was snow-shoeing across a lake in Northern Minnesota. In 3 weeks I'll be photographing a global youth ministry conference in Israel. And my home is in the Czech Republic. Yet, as Paul said in Philippians 3:7-10, I consider all this crap (The NIV says 'rubbish', but the Greek actually says 'crap') that I may know Christ. I will gladly say all the goodbyes that I have said in the last few weeks if that means knowing Christ more. I will leave all this traveling behind if that means walking closer with Jesus. Nothing is better than walking humbly with my God.
Some prayer requests as I go back to Czech this week:
- School: I am trying to finish my Master's degree via distance education by June. Suddenly I am remembering what it was like to be a high schooler who hates homework.
- Israel: I am photographing a youth ministry conference in Jerusalem March 5th - 17th. I'll write more about it later.
- Summer Ministry: Right when I get back I begin youth group visits and planning in preaparation for the summer ministry. Pray for my team of interns (they are completing applications for the internship right now), Pray for the CZ churches who will host the camps and the US churches who will travel to Czech.
- Language: An ever-present request, pray for my sanity as I plunge back in to the humble process of learning to function and thrive in my second language.
We're glad you're coming back! I will be praying for your transition back home here, as well as the other things you mentioned. Bless you for remaining committed to life and people here in Czech.
Connie
Posted by: Connie | February 18, 2008 at 02:42 PM
Was just wondering tonight when you get back because I saw the Exit 316 rerun on TV that has the REM video of "Everybody hurts" and I said to Petr and Katka (who came for supper), "Doesn't that kinda look like Greg?....When does he get back anyway?" So I checked your blog to find out! Give us a ring when you get over jetlag and let us know when you can swing by the Bozon place again!
~Lauren
Posted by: Lauren | February 18, 2008 at 11:46 PM
We miss you terribly already, but are so glad that you are home safe and sound. Your long visit was such a blessing to us. We look forward to being with you again in a couple of months.
Love you - Mom and Dad
Posted by: Mom and Dad | February 20, 2008 at 10:07 PM
When you get back from Israel I'll cook a nice meal and we'll have our last bottle of French wine and hear all your stories. You've had quite a trip and tons of experiences. Can't wait to hear about all of them
Andrea Pitcher
Posted by: Andrea Pitcher | February 27, 2008 at 02:37 PM
Hey Greg!!
Well, I'm keeping up with you ... a little!
It would have been awesome to see you when you were here in the States ... but maybe we'll catch you on that side this summer!!??
I totally understand your feelings of "home" ... and "un-real-ness" of doing what we do ... and the true reason why we do it!
Keep in touch ... I'll be praying you through finishing your MATL. What courses are you taking now?
Blessings,
Dave Johnson
Posted by: Dave Johnson | March 10, 2008 at 03:33 PM