G'night Yeppoon, G'day Rockhampton

June 5, 2009
Wow, the third day is over and we're in Rockhampton, about 40 minutes away from Yeppoon. It's amazing how quickly time seems to fly when the role plays are going. And I'm just observing and providing help where needed. I can't imagine how quickly time must pass for the participants. Actually, I can still remember being quite shocked when the time was over years ago when I did the role plays. The experience is just so intense, between the nature of the simluation and the fact you are applying new skills to a fact situation, that the time dilates pretty significantly.
We were again really impressed with the ability of these pastors to combine what we teach with their existing skill sets. Even those pastors who are less skilled in counselling are bold to apply these new skills in conjunction to their teaching and human care skills. While some struggle from time to time, they are willing to jump into this new perspective on ministry with a certain amount of abandon.
The next couple of days we'll be Rockhampton. Ted's is one of the speakers at the Queensland District Convention, so he will have an opportunity to share some of his experiences in peacemaking with the delegates. Monday, we transfer to Melbourne, Victoria, where we will lead another three day conflict coaching program with the Victorian pastors. We'll be staying in Templestowe at a Pauline monastary.
Well, it's 28C and sunny this morning, so I will take my leave. Today's picture is of Kinko Beach, just south of Yeppoon. Hopefully we'll have a chance to walk it at some point this weekend. God bless your weekend.
Sola Deo Gloria.

Warrambui Training

Day 15 – May 25, 2009
We drove from Sydney to Warrambui, a Lutheran camp about 40 km outside of Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. The drive was took us about 3 hours, giving Ted and I an opportunity to get an up close view of the landscape we had flown over on Friday. The terrain varied as we travelled, though it generally was quite hilly. The first part of the trip was through more heavily forested portions of the State, which were thick with gum trees (eucalyptus trees to those of us from North America). The trees themselves are majestic, forming a high canopy over the forest floor. With gum trees, the bark tends to strip off the trees, leaving a very smooth and often light coloured surface. As our host noted “In North America, your trees lose their leaves but keep their bark. In Australia, our trees lose their bark but keep their leaves.”
The latter part of our drive was through rolling hills, filled with sheep and cattle. We also saw what appeared to be alpacas. Having had some recent rain, much of the land was green and somewhat lush, though at times more thinly grassed.
We arrived at Warrumbui about 11:30 am and began setting up for our 3 day Conflict Coaching Practicum with the New South Wales and New Zealand District Pastors. The conference facility was quite modern, with good multimedia equipment. We quickly set up and were able to enjoy a delicious lunch prepared by the camp staff.
The first day of the practicum we teach the basic of biblical peacemaking. Each group is quite different in its spirit and nature. The NSW/NZ group seemed to very quickly connect to the theme of the gospel that underlies all of the work we do. Indeed, it is the distinctive that sets our work apart from secular mediation and gives it much of its power to restore relationships.
The class continued up to dinner, which was served in the dining hall of the conference hall. Being adjacent to the conference room, we were able to quickly reassemble after dinner for the last part of the day’s teaching. While Ted and my day ended with a devotion about 8:00pm, the pastors of the NSW District met afterwards to conduct some District business. The dedicated pastors of the District worked for over an hour while Ted and I had an opportunity to chat over a drink with the New Zealand pastors. After a bit over an hour, our NSW bretheran joined us for a nightcap and some Stohlen.
Tomorrow we will start the skill development portion of the training. Wednesday will focus on two extended role plays to allow the pastors to apply these skills in a more realistic context. The idea of the longer role plays is to provide them with an opportunity to take some risks in experimenting with the skills and materials we have taught in a safe environment. This will hopefully give them a greater familiarity when they are called to coach individuals in their ministries.
Soli Deo Gloria
Francis.

Second Round of Conflict Coaching Begins

Day 10 – May 20, 2009
So we started round two of our conflict coaching training with the West Australia, South Australia and North Territory at St. Michaels, Hahndorf. It is quite amazing how each group you teach has its own personality. Our group today is quite engaging and somewhat more vocal than our earlier groups. It has made keeping on schedule more challenging as they love to engage the materials and engage us during question and answer. But they are a great group and we are looking forward to wrestling with this material together with them!
The first day is largely lecture, covering the basic material that the students will be applying as conflict coaches. The concept of conflict coaching is quite straight forward and lines up quite well with pastoral ministry. The conflict coach assists the person they are working with in applying biblical principles and practical strategies to help them resolve a conflict they have with a third party. Day two deals with more discrete skills and involves lecture, demonstration and guided practice with each skill set. The final day involves two ½ day role plays which allows the participants to have an extended opportunity to apply the principles and skills sets in a less structured environment that better simulates real life.
The ladies of St. Michaels again provided a wonderful supper for participants. We were also blessed by Paul Schmidt, congregational member, who again helped us with sound and AV. Notwithstanding the fact that his farm will be receiving 100,000 chicks tomorrow (yes, that is not a typo!), he came out today to ensure everything was running property. He also trained someone to assist us tomorrow and Friday. Thanks Paul for all you’ve done for us – it is always a privilege to work with a great sound/AV guy!
“And so to bed”, as we start early tomorrow.

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.

It Must Be Tuesday - I've never got the hang of Tuesday

Day 2 in Oz. Tuesday, May 12, 2009. Sorry about last night’s blog. Somewhat incoherent. I guess when you’ve only had 4 hours sleep over 2 days, you’re not at your sharpest. On the upside, between staying up until I was punch drunk and taking melatonin (thanks Talitha), I think I’m turned around. Woke up at 3 am, but got back to sleep until 5:00 am local, which is my usual time up.
Adelaide is a beautiful city. Wandering around yesterday, it reminded me a bit of Victoria, British Columbia. Old stone buildings are everywhere. Instead of fences, there are walls surrounding most of the houses we say. The most interesting walls appeared to be made out of slender willow twigs woven together to form a fence. They have a very rustic, Welsh feel and oddly enough don’t look inconsistent with some of these grand old houses. I'd post a picture, but we have limited uploading capacity at this site. I'll try to post some pictures in Sydney or Canberra.
The area has been suffering from drought the past little while, however we were lucky enough to arrive shortly after they received about 4 inches of rain (after a number of weeks with only traces of moisture). Everything has greened up quite beautifully. Since the rest of the week is supposed to be rainy, so it should stay quite green while we’re here. Hopefully, there will also be some sunshine on our days off.
Found a municipal golf course, so we’re going to try to get in 18 holes today. Then it’s prepping some more for me as we start teaching tomorrow. If things go well, and I can stay awake longer today, I’ll try to catch up with my girls on MSN or Skype.
Day 2 – PM
Another beautiful day. 20C and a light breeze. We played the municipal course today. Two locals John and Dennis were nice enough (naive enough) to invite us to join them for the round. Little did they know how badly I golf. They were very gracious and we had a great time. And I must say, on a per stroke basis, I really got my money’s worth.
It was interesting to see the variety of trees and birds that people take for granted here. The gum trees (eucalyptus trees to us) are interesting. They are huge and most of the ones on the Muni have been around for hundreds of years. The outer bark appears to strip off over time (from time to time?), which I found fascinating. It is really quite cool to walk down the street and see a pomegranate growing on a tree in someone’s yard.
Well, it’s off to bed and then up early to work out and then prep some more. God bless your week.
Soli Deo Gloria
Francis

We're Not In Kansas Anymore, Toto

Wow. We're finally here. Well, all of us but Ted's luggage. Apparently they couldn't get the door to the luggage compartment open on the airplane. It's been 12 hours but there is still no sign of the luggage.
Anyways, my plane landed early so I had to wait for Ted to arrive. While I was out with the rest of the people, I got a chance to observe the joyous reunions that take place. Children jumping into their parents arms, lovers kissing, families embracing. There was even one fellow who tackled he buddy as he was coming off the plane. Either they missed each other or it was a Aussie Rules Football game.
Spent the rest of the day meeting with the South Australia District President and his staff. Great bunch of people who have worked diligently to put these events together. Of course, Ted has some of the materials in his luggage, so we need to get his lugaage. Then wondered around and had dinner. Now I'm exhausted and having a tough time keeping my eyes open.
Enough for tonight. To my family and friends: I miss you tons.
Soli Deo Gloria.

'Frisco Blog

Made it to San Francisco. Note to self – there is no place lonelier than an airport to spend a Saturday night by yourself. I’d like to say it’s no worse than my teenage years, but quite honestly my life was far more exciting back over than this.
Anyways, flying into ‘Frisco was interesting. From 10,000 feet, it was far flatter than I expected. (No Russ, I didn’t see Karl Mauldin) Of course, when you get lower, you get a better perspective of the topography. You see the hills and the streets, but even as you land, it’s difficult to see the hills that you’ve seen on TV and in movies.
It struck me that is a lot like helping others resolve their dispute. When you first get involved in walking along side them, you really have a superficial understanding of what is really going on. It is only by digging deeper – by using open ended questions and trying to get an understanding of where the individuals in conflict are at that you begin to see the topography of the conflict. But even that perspect remains limited. You are not walking in their shoes and you cannot possibly understand all the dynamics of their situation.
That is why the idea of helping them solve their own conflict is so powerful. Putting aside personal autonomy and the empowerment in their lives that you are creating by allowing them to solve their own problems, the reality is that you cannot truly understand their conflict better than they do. Certainly you may have a better perspective on it – you may be more detached and can see the topography with sufficient detachment to give them direction. But at the end of the day, they are the ones who are closest to what’s going on and your understanding as a mediator or conflict coach is going to be, at best, imperfect.
In a way, that’s the beauty of the dynamic. You provide the distance to be able to recognize the overall topography of the land while they see the ground up close. They’re driving the car but you are able to help them see some of the roadblocks they may face.

And They're Off

So an interesting start to the trip. Having been hung up at US Customs at the Calgary Airport a number of times, I arrived 2 hours early. Figured if no one was around, I’d check in and spend some time with the girls before I went through security. News flash, once you check in your luggage, you aren’t allowed to leave the immediate area around the entrance to US Customs. Great – would have been good to know prior to doing the luggage check in thing. So here I am, 2 hours early and there is 5 other people in the entire wing of the airport. The United Chicago flight has 1 passenger. And I’m having the most attentive service at the bar (the only place with tables in the security area) that I’ve ever had. So I have single handedly added an extra hour to my layover time. Ah well.
It’s been kinda odd. Usually I’m pretty wound prior to going to do something like this. This time around, it all seems a bit unreal. Everyone around me is way more pumped that I am. Somehow it hasn’t gotten through to my brain that I am on my way to Australia for 6 weeks.
So from Calgary, I fly to ‘Frisco. Six hour layover there and then the 14 hours to Sydney. I meet up with Ted Kober there and then fly from Sydney to Adelaide. We have one day to turn around and then we start teaching Tuesday. Oh yeah, and I lose a day from my life as I cross the international date line. Thankfully, I get it back once I come home.
I have a new travelling companion on this trip - Chuck the Beaver. Chuck is part of my office's fundraising efforts. We are raising funds to help a family in Calgary have a memorable Christmas. The idea is that Chuck will accompany a number of us on our travels around the world and we will document those travels using photographs. At the end of his travels, Chuck will be auctioned off and the proceeds will helps us give this family the best Christmas possible. So far Chuck has been to Costa Rica with Ksena and Shawn Court. I haven't seen the pictures, but the stories I've heard make me a bit nervous to have him for a roommate for 6 weeks. Apparently, he's a bit of a wildman. Hopefully he's not as messy as Derek.
Well, we'll see how this goes. I'll try to sign in again in 'Frisco.

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.

Logistics, logistics, logistics

This whole trip thing is a lot of work! Between booking flights and figuring out how to blog the trip, arranging for child care and trying to get my work life arranged to permit this trip to fly, I'm exhausted! I still don't have any idea about laundry, internet and luggage on transfers. And I have nothing on Ted and Melissa who also have to deal with getting materials there!
Pretty exciting, though. Makes you sit back and think - wow, we have the chance to work with an entire church body. What an opportunity for all of us to grow together in Christ! I feel blessed as I always seem to learn so much when I am teaching.
Please keep us in your prayers as we continue our preparation for the trip.

Background to our Trip

From Ted Kober, March 10, 2009: Cultivating lifestyles of reconciliation in the great down-under! Ambassadors of Reconciliation has an incredible opportunity to train some 600 people in biblical peacemaking in May and June 2009. Over the course of five weeks, leaders from nearly all the Lutheran churches in two countries will be equipped for biblical peacemaking!

Unlike the US and Canada with multiple Lutheran groups, there is only one Lutheran church body in Australia and New Zealand called the Lutheran Church of Australia (LCA). The LCA is well known for producing excellent worship and educational resources used by countries around the world.

The Lutheran Church of Australia (LCA) has invited Ambassadors of Reconciliation to provide training though nine different events in 5 cities. A team of four conciliators from two countries will provide the instruction: Ted Kober (USA) and Francis Taman (Canada) will lead 5 three-day training events and 2 one-day seminars. Rev. Bruce Zagel and his wife Kathy will join Ted in teaching a five-day course called Church Reconciler Training. Ted will also speak at the LCA Queensland District Convention.

The entire Ambassadors family is excited about this great opportunity, and we'll share more about the LCA and the training in future blogs. We hope you'll enjoy joining us on this exciting journey through this blog.