Well, so much for writing a new blog post each week. After
40+ hours of work, campground walks, two worship services, and team meetings
each week, my ability to put pen to paper (or, rather, fingers to keys, though
that doesn’t sound nearly as nice) and form coherent thoughts is severely
hindered. This past week especially presented unique challenges, both expected
and unforeseen, that further limited my desire to write. But, finally, after a
restful Saturday spent meandering the little shops of Medora and a good pair of
worship services this morning, I’m feeling up to the task. Plus, what else is
one to do while he is waiting for laundry.
Perhaps the most exciting news we have to share is that we
now have (spotty) wifi at the RV. This is quite helpful, because it means we no
longer have to plan a trip into town to use the internet. Also exciting is the
fact that it looks like we will both have Mondays off, which will allow us to
do some exploring of some more distant places. Last Monday, we decided to take
the sixtyish mile drive to the North Unit of TRNP. It was beautiful. With
higher, greener buttes, and narrower, more constricted valleys, the smaller
North Unit offers a perspective of the North Dakota Badlands that is both the
same yet oh so different. We picnicked at picturesque panorama of the Little
Missouri River and then drove to the end of the scenic road where we had
planned to take a short hike to another overlook. Unfortunately, however, it
rained, and I’m not about hiking in the rain. Even so, it was still a
worthwhile day, for it was a day spent together. Oh, and the speed limit on two
lane roads in North Dakota is 65. Way to go North Dakota!
After two weeks of leading worship services in the park and
in town, we earned a well-deserved week off (does sarcasm come through in
print?). But seriously, we did have a week off. Last weekend, the Theodore
Roosevelt Medora Foundation (TRMF; aka our employer) held its yearly
appreciation weekend for those who have donated to the Foundation. A part of
this weekend is a worship service at the Burning Hills Amphitheater, which is
the nearly 3000 seat venue for the Medora Musical. Though we didn’t have nearly
that many (only about 300), it was still an awesome experience to be on that
stage. I told our team that it was enough to make Joel Osteen jealous.
Additionally, we got to spend some time with Spencer, the executive director of
ACMNP. I, for one, am thankful that they allow each team the freedom to do
ministry in the unique ways for which they are best suited. I love knowing that
they are behind us for support, but also that they don’t micromanage our
efforts.
Personally, and this is something of a non-sequitur, I have
been reading C.S. Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia this summer, and you
should too. I loved these books as a child, as is evidenced by the well-work
covers and dog-eared pages, but as an adult who has grown in the faith, these
books are incredible. On page after page, the images and metaphors of
Christianity burst forth. The descriptions of Aslan’s golden radiance and the
warmth of his mane make one ready to embrace the first lion he or she meets
(but don’t). I am currently in the middle of The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, and
as I read about the Dufflepuds desire to live invisibly so as not to have to
look upon their (perceived) ugliness, I was struck by a realization that was
difficult for me, a sometimes individualist, to swallow: The community of ugly
humanity is better than the loneliness of self-sanctified individualism.
Finally, and speaking of ugly humanity, we have had to deal
with a difficult and unexpected issue this week. Without going into much
detail, I can say that our whole team is struggling through issues of social
justice (or injustice?) and that we are learning to work from a new normal.
However, as we try to move forward, I cannot help but think of the metaphor of
a refiner’s fire that stretches throughout scripture. It is tough and
uncomfortable in the present, but through perseverance and continued
faithfulness, I am convinced that we will come out of this situation in a way
that will help us to serve the Kingdom more effectively. It is my prayer that
you, too, may be strengthened and refined by whatever challenge you face. May
the power of Christ help us all to live increasingly faithful lives in the face
of increasingly difficult circumstances.
May yours be the peace of Christ, who lives and reigns with
the Father and the Holy Spirit, One God forever,
Lane & Susan
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