Coffee time with Elvis

It is early morning as the dawn slowly drives back the darkness of a long night of fitful sleep.  It is never easy sleeping well after 15 hours of flying through 14 time changes and crossing the date line.  The calendar says it is Sunday morning, but my body still isn't so sure.

I attempt to get into normalcy quickly, that includes getting up at 6 and having my coffee while sitting in the darkness reflecting on whatever.  I woke with a terrible neck ache with all the symptoms of a caffeine deprivation.  After my 3rd mug of coffee the cobwebs begin to dissipate and I am beginning to get oriented, sort of.  It takes a few days to have a total cognitive presence again.
 
I turn on my radio to the station that plays good English music early.  It is always gospel music from 6-8.  Today is not so good, Johnny Cash is singing "Let the Lower Lights be Burning."  Next is a very slow rendition of "He, the Pearly Gates will Open" by an unknown artist.  Come on!  I am sluggish enough.  In the dark I feel tired, depressed and not in need of funeral songs.   Then, something strange happens.  It is as if "Papa" has heard my cry. Elvis comes on singing "Amazing Grace" as only he can sing.   I perk up!  Next is a jazz rendition of "Just a Closer Walk with Thee."  The rhythm is uplifting.  I am moving my body to it and helping him sing (under by breath of course, Bonnie is still in bed).   All of this creates an environment for thinking about my upcoming Philippine trip.  With only 3 days to departure I realize I have nothing prepared except a few ideas that may or may not work well, no notes, no outlines or manuscripts. Nothing!

Oh, it isn't that I have not thought much about this.  I have.  It is just that I am unsure of what directions to take.  Since it is a new culture for me, I realize that my priority is to connect with them.  I appreciate my good friend, Beverly, who has lived in the Philippines for several years telling me over the phone last week to just be real with them, no pretenses, no talking down to them, no coming in with all the answers for them to follow.  In other words, be very sensitive to them and to Sarayu (The Shack lingo for Holy Spirit).

I have spent the last 2 weeks listening to and reading from Wayne Jacobson, C. Baxter Kruger and Paul Young.  Somehow what they are all saying to me seems relevant for my trip.  I just want to share my own journey with them and be real about it all.  I want to speak about Papa's grace and love for us all.  Well, if you haven't read The Shack, I know some of this is incomprehensible to you.  If you have, you know exactly what I am talking about.   I just want to embrace my Philippine colleagues in genuine love and let what happens happen.   The last thing I want is to be "in charge" of anything!  I don't want to go in with preconceived notions.  I want to have a true relationship with them.  I think that means "vulnerability" and "realness."  Boy, are they in for a ride!  Come to think of it, I am too.  I am simply trusting "Papa" for the whole series of events.  I am willing to listen to Him for direction and wisdom.  I know I have little to offer except my own story and journey with Papa.  I will be happy if I can just connect with them in genuine relational love.  Anything less than that will be a disappointment to me, and to Papa.  Anything more than that will be unnecessary.  A good hug is worth more than a 1,000 words any day!
  
Well, so much for writing with a flight hangover.  The sun is up now.  The hot shower and a freshly shaven face feel rejuvenating.  By the way, if you want to understand me better read The Shack (Paul Young).  But beware, we all have our own shacks to visit! And, I am sure Papa will be there, somewhere.  I know he will show up in the Philippines.  I wouldn't be going if I thought otherwise.