Three friends from Mozambique are visiting us.  It’s their first time in South Africa and we’re having a lot of fun.  Third world meets first world big time!  We had a full day with them visiting our community and receiving from them one of the most amazing exhortations I’ve ever heard.  I asked Mister Man to type up the words he spoke, I think it will be relevant to all reading this blog.  (In the emerging church conversation we need to listen to the voices of our poor brothers from Africa, otherwise our movement will morph into a devilish intellectual sect.)

Earlier tonight we had our small group meeting in Mugg&Bean and we had a very interesting discussion about identity and success.  How are we shaped by our culture’s expectations and pressures and in what way is it shaping our definition of success?  I must say that I felt shame while we were processing with our friends from Mozambique.  Most of our definitions touched subjects of self-actualization, theirs touched survival – I can learn so many things from my brothers who are poor materially but so rich in spirit!

I love the fact that we’re part of a global movement, a revolution crossing borders of all kind – including race.  Tonight we’re watching some soccer, Real Madrid is playing and we’re admiring the skills of awesome athletes.  We truly live in a global village.

a celtic rune of hospitality:

I saw a stranger yesterday;
I put food in the eating place,
drink in the drinking place,
music in the listening place;
and in the sacred name of the Triune God
he blessed myself and my house,
my cattle and my dear ones,
and the lark said in her song:
Often, Often, Often,
goes the Christ in a stranger’s guise.