Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Halfway.

Day 69. So today marks Drew and I's halfway point. Is that crazy or what? We were talking last night/this morning about how it feels like we are way farther along. We concluded that Europe felt like an entirely separate trip (which it was), and it should've pushed us considerably farther along in time. Regardless, for those of you in anticipation of our return home, you've made it halfway, congratulations.

As I type this, I realize that I haven't posted in over a week. Sorry about that. To be honest, though, in terms of what has physically happened...not a whole lot. We went to Leweero this last weekend and met with the Anglican Bishop of Leweero and also a Catholic Priest, whose church we went to on Sunday (bomb!). Other than that, nothing crazy exciting (oh yeah, Uganda had its independence day celebration, but no one really celebrates too much, because there is still so much corruption.)

What has been going on is a truck-load (I was gonna say butt-load, but then realized my mom was probably gonna read this) of thinking/pondering/discussing with Drew/reading about poverty/simple living/protecting those we love/Jesus. The slashes indicate just how straightforward this last week has been in terms of thinking.

I read The Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne and enjoyed it so much more than the first time I read it. (I had a little bit of a pride complex the first time.) This time, I saw so much humility and love in Shane and his ideas, that it spurred me on to continue thinking what it means to follow Jesus. Specifically, how to follow him when he goes and hangs out with the poor, and still be an engineer.

I also watched The Mission with Robert De Niro, which is an incredible film, and Brian, you should get the missions class to watch it. The movie is a true story about some Spanish Jesuits in South America, who start up a mission amongst this Indian tribe, and when the Portuguese are given the territory by the Spanish, the Jesuits have to decide how to protect the Indians. It's a beautiful story that really captures my dilemma of late, aka is fighting to protect those you love ok? I poured over the Scriptures, specifically the Gospels, to find out how Jesus protects people. Guys, he doesn't talk about it much...like, hardly at all. Really the only instance I could find is in John 8, when Jesus protects the adulterous woman from being stoned by the Pharisees. So here's what he does: he draws in the dirt. Really God? That's what you got for me? I'm not even any good at drawing...Brian isn't either ;). So, this adulterous woman is about to be stoned, and Jesus distracts the guys, (probably because they were just really confused) and then he calls them out on their sins. And they walk away. I'm pretty sure God was saying to me, "Joshua, they saw Jesus. He veered their eyes away from the woman and towards him. In sight of him, they recognized their sin." Immediately I was reminded of Father Gabriel's decision in the movie. I won't spoil it for those of you who haven't seen it...but I think he was right. He presented Jesus. That's all we are told to do, when protecting those we love, show your enemies Jesus.

That's probably all the detail I'm going to get into it. But when I come home, or if you wanna pay a lot of money to call me...I'm open to more discussion.

Peace my friends, Happy Halfway Day!
Joshua "Mubiru"

3 comments:

  1. Halfway huh?! Crazy business, right as we get to halfway at ORU. Fall break is so lame without you and disc golf. Haden and I just talk. There is no talking while disc golfing. Clearly the combination is needed. :)

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  2. The Mission is a really great movie. You make me want to watch it again. On a side note, I really can't wait for you to meet one of the girls on my floor this year when you come back, because she reminds me a lot of you. You are, of course, in my prayers and on my mind. I miss you, Josh Weed!
    Love and peace :)

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  3. Thanks for an amazing post.

    Let me share a few things with you about being overseas that you probably remember from your other trips.

    1) You will never forget these people and it will help you to have these recollections to fall back on as well.

    2) Your most truthful statement is the one that says "I can't truly relate it to you." This is always true of such diverse and multiple events.

    3) Regarding being asked for money ... how much do you spend a year on coffee back in the states? For many families in a place like Uganda, that is a year's salary and you're just a "poor" college kid.

    They have no concept of cost of living or even of things that are required of us (i.e. cost of insurance which you must have if you drive a car). They only see your many clothing outfits, computer, phone, etc .. things that they can't imagine ever owning in their lifetime.

    4) My family got drug to a similar ceremony and placed at the front (I thought of the book of James) while we were in Indonesia ... no one asked us for money though.

    Take care. I will miss you at Thanksgiving ... maybe we can arrange a time to play Catan online since the rest of us will be in Dallas.

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