The Nest in Drankensberg, South Africa

The Nest in Drankensberg in South Africa is a mountain resort hotel and conference center five hours south of Johannesburg. Here there is a picturesque golf course, hiking trails, river with pools, waterfalls and mountain views. Outdoor activities include: croquet, lawn bowling, tennis, horse ridin and white water rafting.

Promoting the ‘best scenery in South Africa, where you can unwind, relax and do absolutely nothing”, the Nest stands in stark contrast to what I will see and do next week in Northern Malawi. But for now, I am grateful for these four days of a retreat venue, and am luxuriating in the salt water pool, fresh African air, bright summer sunshine and cool evening breeze. Three delicious, four course meals are served in the dining room, and tea twice daily on the veranda. This is European South Africa at its best.

The spiritual direction retreat I am leading for the Nazarene missionaries in the Southern Region is going well. Though only a few have read books by Henri Nouwen, all are attracted to his contemplative spirituality, vulnerably faith-sharing and gentle wisdom. Small group sharing has been a delight, and I’ve enjoyed watching how the Spirit moves in and among us as we open more deeply to the Divine Presence.

Four days and eight sessions later, I am ready to leave behind the spiritual ‘retreat’ and embrace the ministerial ‘advance’ the awaits us in Malawi.As Henri Nouwen writes: “communion with God in solitude leads to community relationships with God’s people, and on to compassion and ministry in the world.” (Spiritual Direction, p. )

Liberation Spirituality: Henri Nouwen and Gustavo Gutierrez in Dialogue

Liberation Spirituality: Henri Nouwen and Gustavo Gutierrez in Dialogue Lecture Notes: Presented by Michael J. Christensen, Ph.D., Associate Professor in the Practice of Spirituality and Ministry, Drew University; and International Director, Communities of Shalom, The United Methodist Church Introduction “There is a little man in Peru, a man without any power, who lives in a barrio with poor people and who wrote a book. In this book he simply reclaimed the basic Christian truth that God became human to bring good news to the poor, new light to the blind, and liberty to the captives. Then years later this book and movement it started is considered a danger by [the USA, or Rome], the greatest power on earth. When I look at this little man, Gustavo, and think about [the President of the US, or the Pope], I see David standing before Goliath, again with no more weapon than a little stone, a stone called A The...

First Generation Lambs Club Reunion

Fifteen of us gathered Saturday night at the Lambs Club for a 35 th year reunion of those who helped start the Lamb’s Church in Times Square in the mid to late 1970’s, including: Rev. Paul S. Moore , Founder of the Lamb’s Church of the Nazarene, and his wife, Tamara Dr. Michael J. Christensen , charter member and former associate pastor, and his wife Dr. Rebecca Laird Fr. William (BJ) Webe r, former Associate Pastor and Director of the Lamb’s Residency, and his wife Sheila who lived at the Lamb’s Jim and Dustee Hullinger, who were on staff together and made the Lamb’s their home for over 25 years Effie Canepa , who was the church pianist under 3 pastors, and her husband Peter Shirley Close, who attended the Lamb’s in the late 1970’s while studying, performing and teaching music and voice Carl "Chappy" Valente , former associate pastor Rev. Bob DiQuatto , lead singer of the Church’s “Manhattan Project” and staff member of the Lamb’s, and his son Jason Rev. Gab...

Let the River Flow: Why WorldHope Corps digs village wells

Sunday Sermon at the The Water's Edge in OB , San Diego, CA. "Woman at the Well" (John 4:7-15) When you think about the gospel story of the Samaritan woman with Jesus at Jacob’s well, I’d like you to picture this Woman at a similar well in northern Malawi. Sitting and talking with Pastor Dennis Singini about water. Her name is Nyang'oma, which means "drum." Her Christian name is Mary Botha. She is 85 years old and lives in a village in the Kampenda area of Northern Malawi. She has cared for 11 children, two of whom have died. And her husband has died. When Dennis and I first met Mary in 2008, her village did not have a deep well or access to clean water. Nor did the six surrounding villages with over 1,500 people. Women and children had to drink with animals from shallow seasonal wells or walk about of 5km away to drink from the closest stream. Sometimes they would get sick and complain of stomach aches. Cholera and dysentery were widespread, and m...

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