As is typically the case when I'm here in the Philippines, time flies. Sometimes this is a blessing, other times it seems like a bit of a hassle; but it is nice to know that somethings don't really change. As usual, it is hard to believe that I've been here a month. I was curious what year two would be like here. Year one was an experience that required a lot of patience and faith. The very nature of year two however, is that I now know more about what to expect and what is expected of me. I knew more about how much money I would need to be here again and I knew if I had raised enough before I left.
When I think about this abstractly, I feel like year two should be a time when faith gets even stronger because of the evidence of year one, namely that said faith was not misplaced. But there is something about knowledge, no matter how trivial, that can work against faith if left unchecked. Having some perspective here helps. Even though I know infinity percent more now than I did when I first got here, I still don't know that much. Thus, I'm in that awkward phase of transition into a different culture where I know enough to know how much I don't know. I think that this is an apt description for that process that is commonly called sanctification. That process where the christian (hopefully) becomes less self-centered and more Christ-centered; less like Adam and more like Christ. What was once faith has become knowledge and there is now new things that require faith. To complete the comparison I feel like I can say that I know enough about faith to know what I don't know.
Recently I had the opportunity to read The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis. Every time I read Lewis I am in awe of the way he is able to describe complicated things with such clarity. In the particular case of this work, one of the many things that he mentioned that struck me was the idea that even the things we think are good and pure can keep us from God. Especially things like love. As people, our love is imperfect, imperfect to such a degree that perhaps when we see true love we will shake our heads and wonder at our childishness. The point Lewis makes about this is that if someone's sin is anger or sensuality, it is very difficult for them to turn that into a religion. Something like love however, sounds pious enough that when twisted it is truly dangerous; dangerous enough to pave the road to hell. Is there anything we humans are unable to ruin? Thus love becomes a way to possess people, or an excuse to abuse others who are not loved; in essence it becomes selfish. Lewis always makes me think, and laugh; that's why I like to read him.
Regarding other matters, my basketball game has been picking back up. I played a game of one-on-one today that was absolutely exhausting. If I ever learn how to hit a lefty layup consistently I'll be unstoppable.
Last night I was the guest speaker at the officer induction ceremonies of the Forensic Literary Society of the Aparri Bible Seminary. So we talked about leadership a little bit, and then because this is the Philippines, we ate. It was a good time and there are pictures on Facebook. Feel free to check them out.
Getting to know a new bunch of first year students has been enjoyable, they're still getting used to my English and to me; I'm still getting used to them.
I hope everyone is well; thank you for your support. Please continue to pray for me.
Nick
P.S. Learn some Ilokano - natayag (nah-tie-ahg) Adjective - "tall." Believe it or not I hear this one fairly often.
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