Hello Blogosphere!
I've had this blog set up for quite a while now, but until now, I just haven't been inspired to start it. There are so many blogs out there. I really want mine to somehow make a difference - even if it's just to one person. So I've decided to only write when I feel God nudging me to say something.
Tonight I felt that nudge. I would even go so far as to say it was a PUSH. I attended an Emmaus closing this evening. It's been quite a while since I was involved in the Emmaus community. I attended Chrysalis, which is Emmaus for teens and those in their early 20s, when I was 15. Holy cow that was 16 years ago! It was a phenomenal experience, and this experience was even the connection that led me to marry my husband. Tim has also been involved in the Emmaus community and in Kairos (a prison ministry)- serving on many teams, as Lay Director, and now as a Clergy team member.
My nudge tonight came from a very unexpected place. At the closing, there were several South Koreans. Tim had explained to me beforehand that they were shadowing the Lay Director and Board Rep on this particular walk in order to learn more and take their experiences back to South Korea. Even before they spoke you could just see the joy pouring out of these wonderful people. At one point in the closing, several of them got up to speak at the podium. They expressed their sincere gratitude for the love and hospitality shown to them by the people of this Emmaus community. They wanted us to know that the Emmaus community is very much alive in South Korea. They even extended an invitation to all of us to come to South Korea where our stay in the country would be free and they would take us on a tour! How generous is that?! And what a wonderful opportunity to see how God is working outside of our little bubble. So many of us, myself included, have such a small world view. I am not well travelled - it is hard for me to imagine life in other countries. You hear so many stories about "the ugly American" because we live in our palace on the hill and don't often respect, or take the time to understand other people's way of life.
I was so proud tonight to have witnessed an occasion where we, as American's, were given the opportunity to broaden our world view and show love and hospitality to people from another country, and we came through with flying colors! People are people - no matter what race or nationality - we are linked to these people through our love of Christ. How wonderful that we can join hands and spread the Good News.
De Colores!
