McLobster?

Does anyone think this is a good idea?  This is what gets marketed to us when we think we can enjoy a gourmet meal in the 9 minutes between work and the meeting we're already late for.  McLobster.  One of my TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) themes in Rome was about the Slow Food Movement which began in Italy.  It began as a reaction to fast food, not only the American variety, but also against the Italian fast foods such as frozen pizzas and deep fried rice balls.  A lot of fast food tastes really good, but what happens to it over the next couple of hours, days,...or years?  Or is it worth it to wait for what is in season, buy local ingredients, set aside the evening to prepare and enjoy good food with friends, giving time to cook and talk together, enjoying the moment?  I think you can guess which approach contributes more to health in the long run.

We're interested in contributing to spiritual health in the long run.  We believe it's worth investing in a long term approach to health and growth in the Church of Jesus Christ.  How long does that take?  It's hard to say.  Thank God there are genuine, Spirit led and fed results that do occur in the short term.  We praise God for these, and remember that He is the One at work.  However, when our goal becomes quick results, or bang for buck, we apply marketing ideas to ourselves and each other that end up looking like the McDisaster at the top.

"Joseph" is someone worth investing in.  He's pictured here giving testimony on the day of his baptism in June.  He experienced what most of us only hear about on the news, a childhood of uncertainty and fear in a civil war-torn Albania where neighbor turned against neighbor.  His family had clung to some kind of belief in God despite the confusion and constant pressure of living under anarchy.  When he had the chance to play soccer in Italy, he took it. We met Joseph through the home group we started with Joe and Mary some six years ago in our neighborhood of Rome.  Outside of the weekly studies, both Joe and I tried to spend time with Joseph. By now he was working and studying.  I lost touch with him after a couple of years. He went to Canada and tried working there, but that didn't pan out.  By the time he came back to Rome two years later, the Lord had prepared us both for more. Joseph responded enthusiastically when I invited him for coffee after hearing he was back in Rome. Also, by this time Sarah and I were working with a church that would be a good fit for him. Since that time he has been part of the San Lorenzo church plant, a home group, and has been studying in a de-centralized lay ministry course with me.  How many years have gone by and what were the steps necessary for Joseph to come to follow Christ in baptism...and in ministry?

Our old friend in Brussels, Leila, and the woman pictured here, Saya (not their real names) both come from musl*m families. Together they lead evangelistic Bible studies among (mostly) musl*m women in Brussels.  They are reaching out in a more effective way than we ever could have in our former city.  How long does it take to see this kind of engagement in ministry? Is it worth the wait?  It is worth trusting the Lord with our timelines.  We met Leila fifteen years ago.  She responded to the

Good News in a relatively short amount of time. She has grown steadily since then, developing true Christian character, standing firm despite the challenges of her musl*m family, growing as a loving wife and mother with her own little family in Christ.  She has been a bold witness as opportunities have come her way over the years.  But it is just in the past eighteen months that Leila heard of another North African believer and had the boldness to visit her church one Sunday morning, march up to her, and challenge her to lead a Discovery Bible study for musl*m women.  They are now serving together in a ministry that is opening doors and hearts among numerous women of musl*m background.

Just today, Sarah and I sat down with new friends to discuss life and ministry in Rome.  We enjoyed some excellent slow food in the center of the city. I'm glad we didn't just grab something as we passed a counter on the sidewalk.  It's worth the time, money, and effort when we don't insist on instant results.