Chuck the Beaver Makes a Friend

Day 16 – May 26, 2009
Wow, what an eventful couple of days. We have another great group of pastors to work with here in Warrambui. The second day focuses on developing individual coaching skills in isolation. Needless to say it’s quite interactive and quite tiring. We had a great time discussing the various questions that arise as we work on shifting how we dealing with a common situation – dealing with individuals who come to us asking us to help them as they try to cope with a conflict they are in. It always amazes me at the insights that the people we work with have into the process. I always grow just as much as they do as we work through the material.
In all the excitement of teaching into the evening, getting settled in to our rooms and doing the blog, I missed an important event from yesterday – Chuck the Beaver made a new friend. During one of our breaks yesterday, a number of kangaroos came hopping up to the area just outside the conference centre. Excited by the opportunity for cross-cultural and interspecies interaction, Chuck immediately introduced himself. Unfortunately, either due to his forward approach to things or his accent, the kangaroo was not too interested in getting acquainted and tried to avoid Chuck at all costs. Disappointed, Chuck returned to the conference centre and the kangaroos returned.
One of the kangaroos had a joey (baby kangaroo) in her pouch and Ted caught a glimpse of its head poking out at one point. Unfortunately, the joey was somewhat shy and didn’t pose for a picture. This morning, we saw a mob of kangaroos down the hill from the conference centre. They are actually quite impressive animals, with strong legs and quite nasty looking front claws. An adult kangaroo can apparently tear a person open if confronted, though the generally flee if at all possible.
Its evening now and many of our pastors are doing their prep work for tomorrows role plays or sitting around visiting. As for me, it will be a quick nightcap and then to bed.
Soli Deo Gloria
Francis.

Sunday in Fleurieu and McLaren

Day 7 – May 17, 2009

We began our day with a quick drive down the Fleurieu Peninsula with President Voigt of the South Australia and North Territory District of the LCA. It was somewhat misty, though we largely managed to avoid the rain for the entire day, often arriving at a location shortly after a rainfall or seeing the rain begin as we left. We took the long route round the peninsula Victor Harbour, stopping briefly at the south end to look out over the ocean. Despite the drought that South Australia had been suffering, the recent rain had left the area beautiful and lush, albeit not yet fully green.
We saw a number of groups of wild kangaroos on our way down the peninsula. It was quite amazing to see the kangaroos sitting in a field just like you see mountain goats and deer on the way to Lake Louise and Radium. Apparently there is a large kangaroo population, to the point that they have become something of a problem – negatively affecting the land holdings and their vegetation. This is parallel in the desert region by a large population of feral camels, not native to Australia, who move through the desert in herds, churning up the sand and negatively affecting the environment.
We had the privilege of worshiping with the members of Victor Harbor Lutheran Church in Victor Harbor, South Australia, one of President Voigt’s former congregations. Having outgrown their original worship space a number of years ago, the congregation purchased an old cheese factory, which they converted into a church. The result in an open and flexible space, with numerous offices and a number of larger flexible use spaces. The worship space itself is open and airy.
Most remarkable is the altar space. The altar itself, which is more in the tradition of a table rather than a formal altar, is made out of a enormous tree stump, turned on its side and set with a number of medium size pieces of glass forming a multi-level table. Behind the altar is a copper cross, created by an artist who is also a congregational member. Surrounding the cross at its base are a variety of rocks and plants. The back of the altar space has a facade of what looks like what we would call in Alberta “Rundle Rock” blocks about ½ way up the wall, with the balance of the wall being plaster. The overall design is simple, modern and sleek.

Victor Harbor (spelled, for some unknown reason, in the US fashion) is a former whaling station. We spent part of the afternoon exploring Granite Island. Connected to Victor Harbour by a causeway, you can take a horse-drawn tram over to the island. Chuck, Ted, Robert and I elected to walk across the causeway. Well, Chuck rode in the backpack. Chuck, as you may remember from an earlier entry, is the stuffed beaver who has been accompanying Ted and I on our journey. Part of a fundraiser at my law firm, Chuck (together with photographs of the various places he visits as he travels with a number of firm lawyers and employees) will be auctioned off to raise funds for the family we are adopting this Christmas through the Calgary Urban Project Society.
Granite Island stands out in the sea and during other times in the year is the home to some local penguins. The penguins come to the island at night to rest and have their babies. While there is not land between Granite Island and Antarctica, it is still thousands of miles away. Since the penguins breed on the island, I don’t believe they actually make it to Antarctica. The Island itself is littered with burrows where the penguins breed.
Chuck insisted we have a pub lunch, so after a pint of Coopers and some wonderful fish and chips, we wandered briefly through the town before heading off to Goolwa and the mouth of the Murray River. I was astonished by how low the river was. Perhaps the most visual, was the docks on the River. The boats were literally metres below the jetties. The tips of some of the sail boats were just sticking up beyond the dock. Many of the docks were hundreds of metres from river, with some boats that had formerly been floating on the river now being aground. The river itself was perhaps 30% of its former width, with most of the former riverbed now being dry land. It stuck home to me very deeply what poor stewards we often are of the gift of this world that God has granted us.
We returned to Adelaide via the McLaren Bale, one of the state’s many fine wine regions. Of course, Chuck insisted that we couldn’t go through McLaren without stopping at a couple of wineries, merely for educational purposes. Our first stop was at the Serafino winery. We tried their Shiraz, Cab Sauvignon, Merlot and their intriguing wild fermented Chardonnay.
Our next stop was at the Scarpantoni Winery. We tried their School Block Shiraz, Cab Sauv and Merlot blend, which was quite full bodied and flavourful. Their Block 3 Shiraz was a classic example of the wonderful Shirazes that come from the McLaren. The highlight of the afternoon, however, was their Shiraz based port. Wow! Full bodied and flavourful, it avoids that harsh edge that if often evident in the finish of many European ports. It is a remarkable value. Chuck, being a bit of a mooch, insisted we buy a bottle. I considered a case, but I didn’t think I could fit it into the small plastic bag they give you at airport security.
Snaking our way through some beautiful rural back roads, we made our way back to North Adelaide by suppertime. We enthusiastically thanked our host and called it a day. Monday is also a rest day, so after we hope to have an opportunity to explore a bit of Melbourne on foot.

Getting Close

Was just thinking today that we are only 2 1/2 weeks away from leaving. That's a bit overwhelming in some ways. It's been an interesting few months. Of course, when you're getting ready to go, work always goes crazy. Thankfully I have been blessed by the best group of associates a lawyer could hope for. It's a really nice feeling to be able to go away for six weeks and not have any worries about your files or your clients. (Thanks Ksena, Derek & Kerry Lynn)
So now I just have to get ready, get prepped and get through all the things on my to do list before I go.

One thing that won't be a problem is examples for teaching. It seems over the past few months, I have had ample opportunity to repeatedly apply the principles we will be teaching in my own life. It's ironic and humbling how much more difficult it is to apply your advice to yourself. Of course, I've always realized that, but somehow realizing it intellectually and realizing it because you are going through the grinder of conflict are really two different levels of understanding.

What becomes clear is that I can't do this reconciliation thing myself. I need help - divine intervention really. Despite the years of training, my first reaction - my "natural" reaction - is to follow the old Adam - either try to avoid conflict or else go in with both barrels blazing. It's only when I start to rely more on God and less on me that this whole reconciliation thing seems to work. Being able to lovingly stand firm without lashing out is simply not something I can do on my own. When I fail to do this - which is most of the time - the problem just gets worse. If I've folded, then the problem isn't resolved and I'm ticked with myself for not standing up. The other person takes my acquiescence as approval of their behaviour and they keep on doing the thing that is causing me grief. If I've blasted the other person, the conflict heats up and suddenly things are a lot worse.

What brings this all to mind? I'm in another conflict. (No, I'm not telling you what it is!) Yeah I know, 2 1/2 weeks to Australia, I shouldn't be in a conflict. All the reviewing I've done should have some effect. But the reality is that we are at once both saint and sinner and daily we fall short. Once again, I've failed to make the grade. But, as my friend Ted loves to say, I have good news. Jesus Christ loves me very much and he died on the cross for that sin as well. Even though it's only 2 1/2 weeks to Australia. Even though I've done it before. Even though I know better. I am forgiven. Even if the other person won't forgive me this time for blasting them.

More importantly, even though I'm at a loss as to how to try to deal with this differently, I also know He is walking along side me to help me with that too. And while I'm at a loss, He isn't. So I guess I will just do my best to walk faithfully in his Word - to follow the process - and to leave the results to Him. He is able to change hearts - both the other person's and mine. Which is good because I'm not to clear on how my heart needs to change either. Thank God I don't have to be! Soli Deo Gloria!

Hm, funny, I was going to write about my newest travelling companion for this trip. Oh well, maybe next time. God bless your week.