Nga Rua Wahia #2

Today i had lunch with a good friend and mentor of mine, Michael Duncan.
He was the lecturer/facilitator of the course I attended last year Intermission.
Michael (Mick) is a brilliant man, one of great poise, understanding, patience, authority.
One string of Mick's bow is his time spent in Manila, in the slums of Manila.
Ten years with a young family in a slum, in horrible conditions living the call of Christ.
I asked him if he would meet with me to discuss my vision of the next 5-10 years of my life.
I told him about how my heart breaks for the stereotypes associated with Maori people, but more so about how Maori accept these stereotypes as truth.
I told him about my passion to change it, to firstly live a life of community, transparency, availability.
All driven by Gospel understanding, and MaoriTanga.

Mick had nothing but positive things to say about this endeavour.
He spoke about formation and destination.
That there are times for forming, collection, learning, experience.
He said that this sounds like a time for forming to him, that the next five years would be an apprenticeship in a hidden ministry (not a glamorous, sexy one); that in the end I would be better for it, and would have the authority to speak on subjects i encountered in my time there.

I love that idea, the idea of Authority, speaking with authority rather than a place of power, in a study my friend Blair and i have recently begun in Mark Chapter 1, the crowd after hearing Jesus preach in a synagogue

21They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. 22The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law.

Authority, credibility, thats an idea i fell in love with, peoples past representing why people should listen to this. Prior to this verse we see Jesus tempted in the desert for forty days, then immediately people recognise this and understand it.
Something in his voice, something in what he said, how he said it, spoke of so much more than the words he shared.

Mick was very adamant that in order for something like this to succeed, several things need to happen.
1.This must be a Gospel driven venture, prayer rhythms, scripture study, being able to trace why i do what i do to a scriptural basis.
2.Utilise the wisdom and experience of others, keep in contact with people who have done what you are trying to do, and with those close to you in order for accountability, and sustainability.
3.Relationship with Jesus, end of story my relationship with Jesus must be one of progress and purpose.

Mick was very encouraging, then we began to wander through the topics of the world, politics in the church, headlines, life, loss, drama.

I am now renewed, the flame is still lit, and im still fighting.

Trent