Learning to listen

I squatted at the end of the jetty this morning - water lapping at the wood - an open mussel shell like a butterfly, resting on the pylon - a little patch of grass bursting from the rotting wood - the criss crossing, wind swept water, stretching all grey and murky toward the distant hills; the hills with no city lights - just bush and freedom - the rain seeping through my jeans, and freezing like liquid-ice to my legs - frosty air filling my warm sleepy lungs, and shocking them to life again...ahhh...a beautiful German morning!

Chatted with a beautiful old man today. He told me amazing stories of uprisings and crazy people and wars and awesome transformations in the history of his church - the Methodists. What a rich story! John Wesley and the Maravians...very cool.





Also had the opportunity to go out for coffee with a Maltese Ship Inspector, and hear about his interesting religion, and the cool things he's learnt studying to be a diplomat.



Then, some young hippy girls I met on the street came for a visit last night. We sat in my cabin and had a jam on the floor, then chatted about life and pain and people who hurt you. We talked about "healing energies" and "astrological" stuff, and the way they hate Christians portraying the devil as "having a hold" on the world, and that we are "unable to escape his evil grip". They are offended to be lumped in this categorey.



Lately, all the people I've been talking too have been sharing their ideas of God and religion with me, but I have felt so unable to come back with good pat answers...everything I believe is based on the Bible, and unless people first think of the Bible as truth, then I'm lost on what to say...so I've been practicing my listening. I feel a bit helpless. Mostly, I don't have a clue how to answer. I'd be silly to try when I'm so out of my depth...



I wouldn't want to sound like I'm trying to defend my God. I know He is quite capable of revealing Himself. I don't feel threatened by their questions. But I feel bad because I don't have the answers...why isn't God telling me what to say? Or am I just not listening?



Life on board is crazy as usual. Exhausting, inspiring, exhillerating, depressing, constricting and freeing...normal life squeezed into a smaller amount of space and time. I love it. Please pray for us. We need it! I've written your names on my ceiling. In bed at night I see you all and lay back thinking about you with God, and I try to think of specifics to ask Him for each of you...love you guys