Ash Wednesday

Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. Lent is the 40-day period plus six-Sundays leading up to Easter. This year I am looking forward to using two resources to be my guide through Lent. I will be praying with the church using a The Divine Hours by Phyllis Tickle (Eastertide: Prayers for Lent through Easter from the Divine Hours). This prayer book includes both Morning and Evening Offices. Many of the scripture readings and prayers are taken from the Book of Common Prayer, as well as other ancient prayer books and hymns. Here is one church’s web site that posts The Divine Hours offices throughout the day: www.annarborvineyard.org/tdh/tdh.cfm

I will also be journeying through Christine Sine’s 2009 Lenten Guide, A Journey Into Wholeness. Our community here in Buenos Aires plans to make space each week to observe the liturgies that Sine has written and shared in the Guide for each week of Lent. The GodSpace blog is a great place to visit if you are looking for other resources for Lent this year. GodSpace will also include a “syncroblog” which will link many Lent reflections and meditations from other blog writers. In addition GodSpace includes some meaningful liturgy videos for Lent. Check it out: www.godspace.wordpress.com

I will close with the prayer for Ash Wednesday from The Divine Hours (taken from the BCP)…

Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing you have made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wickedness, may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Happy Birthday, MOM!!!

2009 is a year of big decade birthdays in our family! Today my mom starts us off with celebrating 60 years of life! My grandma is next with 80. Then my bro-in law with 40. Then I turn the big 4-0 in June. Finally, my niece hits her first decade with 10 years. I will miss celebrating these milestone birthdays together!

Today I am sending lots of birthday love to California from Buenos Aires! Happy Birthday, Mom! Today I celebrate you and give thanks to God for all you are to me! Have fun at Disneyland!

not too early to prepare for lent...

The season of Lent begins in just about two weeks on Ash Wednesday, February 25. If you are considering ways to observe and journey through Lent this year, Christine Sine has written a super helpful Lenten Reflection Guide that is posted on Mustard Seed Associates website for download. It focuses on different themes of brokenness for each of the five weeks of Lent and includes reflections, litanies, and suggested activities for each week.

To check it out, click here....
A Journey Into Wholeness: Lenten Reflection Guide

She also plans to follow up the Lenten Guide with a similar guide for the celebration of Easter and the resurrection, leading up to Penetcost Sunday in May. Good stuff!

wha'sup with me?

I have been a little quiet on updates from life here in Buenos Aires since returning over a month ago. January was a great month getting back into the summer rhythm of life and ministry here. Summertime is a different pace around here. Lots of people are coming and going on vacation, while others staying in city take it a little slower, enjoying summertime sun and fun. Thankfully, the summer has not been too hot and humid (Yet! Summer isn’t over.). Here are just a few updates on the latest happenings.

• I begin my intensive four-week Spanish course on Monday. I took a placement test this past week and tested at an intermediate level (which seems a little generous, but I’ll take it). I am hopeful this course will be just what I need in language acquisition. I go 5 mornings a week for 3 hours and I plan to spend a few hours studying each day, as well. There are 14 students in each class from all over the world with different first languages. I’ll let you know the make-up of my class.
  

• Due to travel schedules, vacations, and other factors, I have been going to the train station (Retiro) to spend time with the youth by myself a lot these past several weeks. While this is not ideal and not something for the long-term, I think these times have solidified some of my relationships with our friends. At first they would always greet me and ask with some surprise, “solo?” And they still always ask, “Walter?” The groups have been a little smaller and low key, which has provided a more “tranquilo” environment to be with the kids and youth. One day a group of kids went through the list of about 7-8 of our staff and partners who regularly spend time with them, asking where they have been. I responded with explanations on who was where, etc.
  
  Please pray for the kids and youth, as our presence with them will be even less in February. Several staff and partners are still out of town, while Jeremiah and I will be focusing on more intensive language study. I plan to go to the station at least once a week to connect with the kids. In March we will start back up “Encuentros,” our twice a month overnight and full-day at the church with 4-6 of the youth.

• I’m excited! Visitors are coming, visitors are coming! Thanks to frequent flyer miles. My mom and sister will come in May for a visit. And some good friends from Omaha will visit in August. We also have some a few South American WMF friends coming to visit after Easter. It will be fun to share my life here with family and friends!
  

Well, that seems like enough for now. It is Saturday morning and the rest of the day is calling! Thanks for checking in! (If there is still anyone out there on my blogsphere?)

Collect of the day: Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany

This week's prayer from The Book of Common Prayer:

Almighty and everlasting God, you govern all things both in heaven and on earth: Mercifully hear the supplications of your people, and in our time grant us your peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.