Life in the Deep End

A day in Chichi

December 1, 2013December 7, 2013Vona Wilson

The team has arrived and the learning is in full swing. Yesterday was a day of movement. At the end we landed in Chichicastatenango. It is cold, colorful and beautiful. This is an odd place to begin our experience, but it provides a context for the visit to Pastor Sebastian’s church this afternoon. But first…the Sunday market. Sunday morning is a market day in Guatemala and while that seems so unusual for us “Tennesseans”, it is the norm of the culture here. Worship happens in the afternoon or, as in the case of the church we visited today, they worship on Monday.

The market is situated between two churches where people gather and enter for prayer. The steps of the church are filled with women selling fresh flowers and candles, people sleeping or waiting, visitors hustling about the crowd. Incense is thick and the clouds are visible…welcoming the prayers of the people as they find their way up through the crowd, in between the gatherings of trade, and to the altars of prayer.

The Mayan and Catholic traditions are visible. The faith and hope of the people stands on their faces. Light another candle, add another prayer, speak to God in this place. We are guests in this culture. I want to blend in the same way the incense hangs in the room…listening as the prayers of the saints rise.

We were welcomed with a marching band of youth from the community and church at Xepezol. They played a song and Pastor Sebastian welcomed us. Then we all marched with the band and into the sanctuary. Worship was great. Lots of music and reading of Scriptures. Many greetings and saludos. This particular church reminded me of ours in Franklin, TN. They have two music groups; need more space; and there are children everywhere!

I preached in the church today which is a very humbling experience. Chester translates with ease so the language barrier seems not to be quite as limiting as it may seem. There is something about worshipping with people of another language and culture that resets my spirit to the greatness of God. It’s hard to accept how easy it is for God to be limited to the depths of my personal experience. How do any of us ever think for even a moment that we know the fullness of all the ways God speaks and manifests the Holy?

Looking around in the sanctuary today and I see the expressions of prayer and devotion. I sense the Spirit moving through the congregation and at times being palpable. We join in. Different languages and cultures. Different expressions and rhythms. One God. One Christ. One Spirit. I do believe that the church that represents the body of Christ is strengthened when we approach the throne of God together. It is an act of faith. It says we believe in the words: all tribes, nations, languages and races will be gathered in worship and praise. (Revelation 5). Every now and then we need to practice this unity in a very tangible way because it offers us a perspective of unity in Christ that our spirits need. Wherever and however that can happen, let it be.

Tables of Thanksgiving

November 29, 2013December 7, 2013Vona Wilson

Breakfast at our table on Thanksgiving Day

The songs of birds that rise in the early morning bless me. Seeing my cousin as I venture into the kitchen where the smell of coffee beckons me causes me to praise. What happened yesterday? How did it unfold for us to be sitting at a table far above the little city of Xela, sharing a meal with friends in Guatemala?

For me, this is the movement of God simply offering tables, graces and places to show us more. We have shared many tables in the past few days. In fact, as I pause long enough to write, I realize that we have moved from one table to another…each one a gift of immeasurable grace.

We met Lucia and Irene in a little café after work (it is not a holiday in Guatemala). We drank hot chocolate and spoke again of deep things. We recalled the short time of our knowing one another (Lucia and I first met 4 months ago when the team was here on mission) and all that has unfolded. We are all pulled to something deeper. Aaron in his work in California; Irene with her work with many nations; Lucia with her work with women here in Guatemala; me with the church in all the ways and places God manifests it. We listen and watch daily to make sure we hear, see and honor that pull. And so…God speaks. Let it be.

This is a table in my home of Tennessee that Lucia and I shared with friends this summer.

With Chester and Emily earlier this week

I end with an excerpt of a poem I penned earlier this year about another table of friends. And the words echo in my ear as I type…”thou prepares a table before me…”
Holy space of love gathering
Broken yet redeemed
Aging and full of youth
Stories… life history unfolding
Assembled; present.
Still more yet there is to greet
as hope and love unexpected meet
over egg sandwiches at midnight.
Celebrations and disappointments
News and sharings of life’s ebb and flow
This Holy space
leaves faith a trace
where Love remains to grow.

I am here…drawn to your Table
Arriving by way of Grace.

The Practice of Staying Home

September 21, 2013Vona Wilson

I who love solitude
and cling to moments
of reprieve
to enter the deep wells
of grace…
find an empty
space and fight to fill
it –
even against my soul.
It is the habit of busyness
warring in the beauty
the practice of staying home.
It has become,
surprisingly
a spiritual discipline
of our time.

And Later….
Having found it possible
simply to stay
I also found it possible…
to go for a run in the sprinkling rain
grocery shop and cook supper at home
watch a 30 minute program on t.v.
read something beautiful
and fall asleep from a quiet place in my soul.
Strangely enough,
this is peace today.

Soaking up the Rain for My Soul

July 9, 2013Vona Wilson

Hebrews 6:7 Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful for those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God.

My reading this morning has caused me to consider my soul as the “soil” from which God’s grace is manifest on earth. My grandparents were farmers so I understand the need for rain. I understand that sunshine, rain, planting and harvest all take priority over plans and ideas. There were many times (still are many times) when the farmers in my family did not show up for an event because it was planting or harvest day. We all understand that; it’s the only way you can have a crop to share in the time of harvest. It’s harder to accept this with my soul.

With my soul this means accepting the days of tears with as much trust as I accept the days of celebration. I know the garden cannot grow without rain…but I have to remind myself that my tears have equal value to the moments of joy.

With my soul it means being patient in times of waiting so that everything has time to grow and mature as it needs to be. Yes, even when the waiting feels like a desert. Patience not only for myself, but for everyone else that is connected…because we’re all connected.

Harvest of flowers yesterday from The Giving Garden

With my soul it means trusting that the long days of planting, weeding and tending will actually produce something that blesses in the end. There is some work involved in those activities. I wasn’t a big fan of weeding days in our family garden…which seemed like most days! And this part is not always graceful either. We often encountered a snake or two, and occasionally injured ourselves with our careless hoeing. I used to wonder why my parents found it necessary to have such a BIG garden! Limit the size, limit the weeds…right?

With my soul it means yielding to the plans of God’s bigger picture rather than what I want to see happen in one chapter of life. Every summer we would watch T.V. while we were breaking beans, shelling peas or shucking corn. This was normal…we did it every night during times of harvest. When I went to college I had never purchased a can of vegetables because we always had vegetables straight from the garden, freezer or from our own canning. It was then that I realized what it meant that we used that T.V. time to prepare for the days beyond what we could see. It is a little like yielding to God’s bigger picture even when the view is illusive.

What’s being offered to your soul today? Whatever it is – accept it and give thanks. For in due time, there is a harvest to come.

Prayer: Lord thank you for making it easy for us to see how you work in nature and how you work in our souls too. I love you. Amen.

How Can I Keep from Singing?

June 28, 2013Vona Wilson

A night of prayer, a morning of beauty. The song that is in my head is “How can I keep from singing?” I remember the first time I heard it in a little dive in Knoxville. A memory I cherish because of the grace and ease of family. The wonderful diversity in the family never allows me to forget that each one of us is so uniquely different, yet bonded by a much greater love. The “difference” is our unity in Love no matter our diversity in life. Context, income, culture, language, education, hardship, success, failure, joyful or broken…. The bond that begs you “welcome” is the love that only comes from the one who created us. Our grandparents welcomed the Spirit of God into their lives. They built a life on their trust in God. No one knew what that would look like over time. Today…we are scattered all over the nation and even a few countries. The thread remains. The bond continues to grow and strengthen. The Love increases. Wherever we gather – more love comes. How can I keep from singing?

The Blessing of Memories

June 27, 2013Vona Wilson

Cousin Angela and her husband, Dave. Colorado today.

I have landed in a room of memories. I didn’t expect it but I’m here. I came to Colorado for a wedding but my first stop is a cousin reunion. Lester cousin reunions are unlike any other. Maybe you know the type…where words are never needed, though we will say many things. Explanations are not required, no matter the amount of laughter or tears offered in one sitting. We are simply: reunited. Love happens. Grace increases. We have so much for which we are thankful!

Uncle Bill & Aunt Margie Lester with Gary and Angela

So when I walked into my “room for the night” I walked into the memories. Pictures of cousin Angela’s wedding, the first child, the second child, the family “as I remember it” when we were very young. What I love in seeing this room full of pictures right now is this: I am seeing, first hand, the way God works over time. The dreams that started out so long ago have grown into blessings we cannot count. What was once a husband and wife we know as our grandparents, is now a fruitful vine that cannot be tamed. May it be pruned? …yes, now and many times more. Hindered from growth?…absolutely not. There are tears in these pictures. There is indescribable JOY in these pictures. There is redemption, healing, grace… more blessing than I can count. There is LIFE!

Joseph meets Bunny...each with their own stories to share. — Joseph meets Bunny…each with their own stories to share.

All I know in this moment is to be thankful beyond words. And to trust God for all the moments of “right now” that will someday be memories of seeing God’s grace come into full view in ordinary human lives. What memory are you making today that will be a blessing beyond words in the time to come? Make good memories; they count! Let it be.

It’s Not Over…

June 8, 2013June 12, 2013Vona Wilson

Antigua provides a lovely respite and transition place. We arrived hungry and eager to get off the bus and feel the breeze. We had a late lunch at the traditional location: Frida’s. It was wonderful!

Again we were blessed to have two new people join us: Oscar, who is a local Guatemalan with family connections to Pastora Myriam’s congregation; and Emily, who is Chester’s girlfriend. These reunions were happy and it was an honor for us to have new friends at our table.

Speaking of tables…we held our last reflection at the Bambu and shared communion together on Friday morning. As we set up for the group, we were humbled as we needed one more chair, then another, and another, and another… Our circle has grown! Our team of 18 was now a connected group of friends of 28. How could that be? We were joined by Ana, Rosa and her baby Kevin, – all of Guatemala. Doris and Alberto – of Guatemala. Pastor Juan Pablo – of Guatemala. Chester and Will – of Gautemala. Felipa and Aurora – of Gautemala. Ten Guatemalans in our circle! We shared our voices of thanksgiving and awe for what we have experienced over the past 8 days.

From our communion table we each took a card that had the prayer of child on it. We will take these prayers into our individual prayer lives as a way of honoring what God is teaching us about relationship in the body of Christ. The prayers of those in the USA will meet the prayers of those in Guatemala…we are united in these prayers of the children. We realized as we sat in this special circle that we are slowly but certainly experiencing the vision John wrote about in Revelation 21: “all tribes, languages nations and races….” will be worshipping together at the throne of God. We are worshipping now….why wait?

We had two “last dinners” – one at Bambu and one in Antiqua. At the Bambu Felipa and Aurora prepared a banquet for us and served us at our table. We were so blessed by their caring and hospitality. The food was awesome too! You will see a picture below.

Our last team meal was a blast! The Don Rodrigo is a place we can all recommend. Live Miramba, which is always nice. But the added treat was the traditional dance that went on and on and on! This was so special as it gave the team another encounter with this land of culture and color. Michael and Olivia joined in on the dance which added to our joy.

Last dinner at Bambu. — Last team meal at Bambu.

You can barely see Dr. Robin but he is with us! — You can barely see Dr. Robin but he is with us on the early flight!

I’m writing on the flight home. Seven of us had to fly early because we couldn’t all fit on the other flight. It was hard to split up so we are trusting God to keep us all safe and joined in prayer – just as we have for all the other days. When we land in Nashville, we will all land differently. We are changed; we are being transformed; we are being sanctified. Our hearts have opened wider; our eyes have seen a little more of our Creator. Our spirits have been stretched. We pray this will only increase in the days ahead. We will each need grace for the transition “home”.

Doris cooking our last breakfast at Bambu. Such a gift of hospitality and grace!

The Love of God is a powerful and mysterious gift. Jesus wanted us to focus on this love. He said it over and over again: “love one another as I have loved you”. I am grateful for the experience of God’s transforming love within this team and with all of the people we shared our days with in Guatemala. May it only increase with the Spirit and Love of Christ.

Morning Prayers…

June 7, 2013June 11, 2013Vona Wilson

It is early morning. We are preparing our notes of thanksgiving. We are preparing to praise. We are preparing to explore and experience the beautiful Antigua, Guatemala together. Yesterday we were joined by visitors and today we will have more. These visits are truly miracles. My writing is probably over until I arrive home. I want to say a huge thank you for all who have prayed for us and followed us. PLEASE KEEP PRAYING…there is more yet to come. I feel that we have been joined by more people on this mission than I will ever be able to count. Even the “cloud of witnesses” seem to have been with us all week.

LORD, thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Keep melting and molding and using our hearts…just like Bonnie gave us in the Thursday morning devotion. We are yours in our work, we are yours in our pleasure. We are…quite simply…yours. And we love you. Amen.

Break My Heart for What Breaks Yours…

June 6, 2013June 7, 2013Vona Wilson

We woke up early but we left our hotel with heavy hearts…knowing today was our last day in La Toma. Before we left the parking lot we were belting out the chorus of “Hosanna”…the specific line that says, “break my heart for what breaks yours”. We acknowledged before we ever arrived at the church and school this one truth: it’s OK for us to let our hearts break when God is in it. And so we went…willing for our hearts to break and knowing that somehow in the breaking, we are being molded into the image of God.

At the church Pastora Myriam finished the women’s sessions with another powerful lesson. Part of this teaching included the shattering of a clay pot and the creation of a cross from both the broken pieces and a variety of items that symbolized the week.

The teachers of La Toma gathered with us as we made presentations to them, and they to us. The friendships between the Tennessee teams and the school at La Toma are long lasting. This week they were extended further…as they will be with the next team and the next team. It is so much fun to see new people added to this connection. And isn’t this so precious? The SHARING of God’s grace…one new person after another.

Olivia shared her voice during those presentations as she spontaneously sang a solo to the teachers, “Welcome to this Place”. Michael shared his music by just picking up his guitar and adding some ambiance to the heat and squeals of children playing. Bonnie carried feathers just looking for the right moment to add them to the mix. Kristine Kline (a member of FUMC that sent a gift) added handcrafted bookmarks with Christian symbols and messages in Spanish. It goes on and on….a dance of God’s grace.

Our last moments with Pastors Felix and Manuel were so powerful I hesitate to describe it with words. I want you all to know about it, but also to know I am so limited in sharing it in a way that you can know fully what it was like in those moments. The children had crowded in on us so tight we had to make an exit. They just kept coming.

So here we are standing outside the church. Pastor Manuel was on his motorcycle about to leave and we asked him to stay. (In Guatemala when a friend stops you and asks you to stay, you stay. You would never look at your watch and say “I don’t have time”). So both pastors are standing there and the team has assembled. We are literally covered in kids…maybe 30 or 40. We said words of thanksgiving for the time and then we presented each of them with soccer balls so the churches can use them with their youth.

Michael presented a poster card to Pastor Felix from our team

We know that playing soccer and learning to be a team can be a powerful way to share the gospel with the children. And then…it was Ashley’s turn to share.

Ashley presented Pastor Felix with her guitar. She shared with him how it was given to her by her parents…her first guitar and how much it had meant to her life. Her prayer had been that it would mean even more to the life of the church in making music for God’s glory. All of our tears were flowing as we watched this 17 year old child of God present Pastor Felix with this gift.

Ansley presenting the guitar to Pastor Felix. May God bless this gift.

Ansley and Kenny...friends forever — Ansley and Kenny…friends forever

Kenny and Ansley playing tug-of-war with the kids. Kenny is a young lady that helped us every day this week...lovely lady! — Kenny and Ansley playing tug-of-war with the kids. Kenny is a young lady that helped us every day this week…lovely lady!

Bonnie receiving "thanks" from one of the teachers. We were all given expressions of thanksgiving. — Bonnie receiving “thanks” from one of the teachers. We were all given expressions of thanksgiving.

Later, when we were standing at the altar with soccer balls, guitars, posters, feathers and the cross piled on high… Pastor Manuel said he was looking forward to Pastor Felix becoming a guitar playerJ Several years ago…Jeff Blum left a guitar in the hands of Pastor Manuel and he also began to make a joyful noise in the house of the LORD. It changed his church. We lay hands on these two pastors as we gathered around this altar for prayer. We remembered the words of Jesus when he said to Peter, “ on this rock I will build my church and the gates of hades will not overcome it.”

We did not say “adios” as we drove away from La Toma today. We simply said, “hasta luego”.

Amigos Nuevos

June 6, 2013Vona Wilson

Cata, me and Letty (Cata's sister) — Cata, me and Letty (Cata’s sister)

Every day we meet new people who quickly become new friends. Wednesday morning we were blessed when our amiga nuevo, Cata, joined us for breakfast. I met Cata through a mutual friend from the United States who is in Guatemala on water projects. We met for the first time in person on Tuesday. She graciously agreed to return a share a little bit of her life with us over breakfast the next day. Cata is Mayan and her sharing of the cultural traditions of her family was such a gift. She connected to the USA through a missionary who came here when she was a young girl. A long friendship was established across cultures, languages and distance.

There is a Scripture in Revelation 21 that says there will be a day when we are all together from “all tribes, nations and languages” worshipping at the throne of God. I’m so glad we met Cata here so when we get there it will be a joyous reunion.