1-23-2005, Thoughts on the Gospel

As to the travels, it is painfully apparent to me it is easier to write meaningful poetry and papers when situations in a person's life or in a nation are difficult, unusual or tragic. On the contrary, what compelling things can be said about what seems like a contemporary paradise, such as in the South Pacific, in the French Polynesian islands? (which we enjoyed so much). I was so reminded while in the kinder environments, that the gospel of Christ is adequate and compelling for every people in every place. Thus, a gospel that only tells people they should dream about heaven as a means to escape this evil world of suffering would ring no bells in Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora, etc. These places appear so satisfying that such a message would leave a hearer wondering who would want to go to heaven when you can live in Tahiti. The gospel is not that minimal. The gospel is so much more than a matter of escaping that which is difficult in order to pine for a better life on a distant shore in the next life. Rather, the gospel is compelling in its urgency that every person in every place needs the redeeming blood, the redemptive life in order to be gradually replaced in our circumstances by the Life that knows how to pass through all circumstances, whatever they be, by a Life that is divine, eternal and preparatory for a collective experience of His endowment to us for eternity with Him as our Love, our Lover, our eternal Lamb, and our eternal River in the eternal city in the renewed heavens and earth. We are not saved today out of a bad situation merely hoping for a good one in the future. Rather, His redemptive and imparted Spirit of Life into those who believer is the infusion progressively in our daily lives of Another Life, a Different Life, an Eternal Life, not just an improved human life that enables a believer to behave better than he did previously. In India, Laos and Thailand, Christ is our Refuge, our Redemption and Satisfaction, and our personal Completion in and for His Body, which is the Church. In Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, etc He is no less needed and equally the Delightful one. What a Christ He is. May we be enabled to experience that He be such a Christ to us. Today, each day personally, and with one another as those who believe in Him for the experience and unveling of His purpose in our days, in our time. Such a view and practice now is the best preparation for a future we can't yet see. Thanks again, my dear sister, Richard, with Christine, hoping to see you and so many before too long.

January 6th, 2005, from New Zealand

We are currently at the Hyatt Regency in Auckland. The hotel at our next stop is Sofitel Maeva Beach Tahiti in Papeete. Then, on to Christine's mother and family in California until at least January 26.
As to our time in New Zealand thus far, I am surprised at the distinctive differences between Australia and here. From people to politics to religion to appearances to tours and nearly every imaginable thing. For some reason, I had them more equated in my concept. As to climate, this month here is summer, equivalent to our July. However, it is one of the coolest on record, with high temperatures not much more than we sometimes have in January in Tennessee. A hot day here is about 65-70 degrees. Those there who are waiting for pictures of "Ricky, the Surfer Dude" (that is, me, according to Melissa Pirtle, in her wildest imagination and speculation) will have to wait, apparently. It has been mostly dreary and raining. That makes good for short walks with umbrellas likely needed and restful in the hotel room. The area we had wished to visit was yesterday flooded with 100 year rains and today are forecast to proceed in Auckland and to the north, both either where we are or planned to visit. It is quite a blessing to navigate each day, laying down our preferences, renewing each day where and who and why we are here all along the way, and just being satisfied and so blessed to rest and be in Him in the middle of all things. Whether there or here, we are all so blessed beyond measure. This is made even more evident in the contrasts that continue to roll in from the disasters in Asia. I find it interesting that December 26 of last year, 30,000 were killed in earthquakes in Iran, and now this disaster of December 25 earthquake and tsunamis on December 26 this year. Banda Aceh in Sri Lanka is the most devasted center, and it is the oldest and most entrenched center of Islam, and Indonesia itself has the largest Muslim population in the world. Currently, the pledges of the entire Arab world to assist their "brothers" in the Asia tragedy amounts to some $20 million dollars, hardly a small fraction of the total pledged by countries not controlled by Muslim religion/politics, in spite of their incoming record-high oil prices receipts. Although I find such circumstances curious, it is equally important that we remember and maintain the view that Christ died for all, and that our love for all men be seen and practiced from His point of view, not from a political or nationalist perspective of any country, whether in the East or in the West. Our hope and our prayer and our practice is, and must be, that we care for all people everywhere without preference, and that we yield ourselves to the Lord Jesus Christ to prepare for Himself a people from every nation, who in the union of the one Spirit express the oneness of the triune God through His people in their mystical, yet practical oneness all over the earth.
Here in Auckland, we did have a wonderful day which included getting to both sides of the island, and walking deep into a semi-tropical rain forest. We got into the water (at least I waded in above my ankles) in the ponding below a cascading waterfall, surrounded by he most colorful blend of trees in bloom, and ferns and palms of so many varieties. It was quite breath-taking. There were so many trees with Maori (native tribal) names and difficult to pronounce or remember. One was described to us by our excellent, knowledgeable guide as a tree that produced both death and life. I took photos showing how a tree that had been attacked by predatory organisms fell over (typical of this variety) when overcome by the death, was nearly totally rotted out and bio-degraded, yet it was giving live to other branches at its very end, which in turn had grown into beautiful, healthy trees, appearing the same but strong and had sunk their own new roots into the soil which was maintaining them when their original source would eventually be completed alleviated. Another beautiful palm-looking tree, so beautiful and slender and tall, was attractive to a very small-leafed vine that gradually encompassed the first tree and choked its life-supply out of existence. The vine (typical of this variety, and we saw the beginning and end results of this process in the forest, with photos I took) proceeds to grow, be prominent until it replaces the first tree. It becomes the second tree that is absolutely huge and breathtaking, a diameter of over eight feet, if you can imagine. The first tree is so first-man/second man (Gen 3, trees of knowledge and of life, and I Cor. 15); the next tree reminds me of Daniel 2 positively like the stone that grew into a mountain and filled the earth (Christ and the church), or Daniel 4 negatively like Nebuchadnezzar who grew like a great tree took over all and grew to the heavens and then was cut down, leaving only the stump for the Lord's purpose to use in another way.
Well, enough for now. Thanks, Richard, with Christine

Note from Christine (though she'll probably kill me for posting this :)

Hi Andrea In all the pictures we have sent to you it looks like I have the same shirt on . Believe I do not. When I packed I did not realize I put in the same kind. Also in our bathroom were we are staying there is a thing to see how much you have gained .I will not say its name than It will not hurt so much Richard just went down to the Hot tub. It is raining here today So I guess We will stay in. We had a very good day yesterday I will sign off for now. I love you so very much We are Praying for you all christine

January 2nd, 2005

Greetings to you and to all this beautiful Monday morning in Sydney, our last full day here. This morning as I went into the lobby early, the fire alarm was going off and both desk clerks were on the telephone, conspicuously occuppied. I interrupted the one, and he said there was a fire on the fourth floor, the floor where our apartment is. I returned upstairs to inform Christine of the potential problem, but nothing materialized, fortunately. All is well. Thereafter, Christine went down to the large and beautiful deep blue swimming pool, surrounded by a myriad of forested hills and a valley. There were eight huge white cockatoos high in a distant, very tall eucalyptus tree. When Christine got into the pool (the lone swimmer) they all descended to the top of the apartment building overlooking the pool. All eight excitedly peeked over the edge of the roof at her and squawked raucuously, as though they had never seen such a sight in all their generations. I guess she really made their day. I can only imagine what they would have done if I had shared the same attire.

January 1st, 2005

... I will try to attach a picture and a poem about the little one at the Daycare center in the slums of Mumbai, India, begun as the result of a Hindu woman who was given up for dead within two days by the hospital doctors, as she was in the final tuberculosis stage of vomiting blood. When through another she found the Christian man, Chacko, he testified to her of the living Christ he knows. She believed and wanted to meet the Lord for herself. He told her he was just a common man, but if she believed in Christ, He would meet her need. When she believed and received then the Lord, she stopped vomiting blood immediately, and after two weeks vomited only once or twice more. Her strength was fully restored and her husband and family also believed. She was so overjoyed she insisted that her home be used for the good news, in spite of great opposition from those outside her immediate believing family. A few years have passed, and with great blessing to the community many little ones have been helped as a result, and their families are benefiting in every way from seeing wonderful things happen to their children. It is a great delight to see the emphasis was not on the healing, but on the Healer, the Person who has become life not only to her, but to her family and so many others. This is of significant blessing to the church there. This little one of whom I wrote is one of dozens continuing to receive care on every level in the midst of the most difficult human circumstances. Chacko's daughter, Blessy, is one of several dear believers who serve these children with food, with education, with love and with God.

Dec. 31st, Safe in Sydney!

This is the first email I've retrieved since before leaving Thailand on schedule, Tuesday. I had sent other lengthy emails, including pictures before leaving Chansamone's at Nonprasert, Thailand. Unless you mentioned this in another email in this set of unretrieved, you must not have received them. Hopefully, I can try again, perhaps later. At this moment Christine and I are in the harbour at Sydney, here on New Years Eve, heading back in the dusk for our apartment at the edge of the city. The downtown is filling with thousands of people this day and droves are pouring in this evening to seek excitement. What a remarkable city this place is. Hopefully, the numerous photos we have taken will add dimension for sharing with you and others later. Yesterday was our 37th anniversary and we had a long but restful day into the Blue Mountains on a tour that took us to many scenic places and finally to wildlife up and close situations. It was absolutely delightful, and it seems this must be our first anniversary, such mutual appreciation and enjoyment throughout the day.

As to the tragedy in the East, the effects continue to accumulate, as of this morning with over 100,000 confirmed dead. Thousands or tens of thousands from every place we have been are dead or missing. The horror is unimaginable, and people seem to think of it in terms of "Biblical proportions". It seems the first wave of extremes care here in Australia about ten days ago, an 8.2 on the earthquake Richter scale, near Tasmania, an island state off the southern coast here of Australia. Although the pursuant earthquake struck Thailand, Christine and I were in transit with Jay towards Laos at that early morning moment. Since we were on rubber tires, we felt nothing, as the effect was not significant where we were, and the brothers at Nonprasert said the tremor created only small waves on the fish ponds. We are among those blessed both by safety in the Lord's leading, inwardly with peace, outwardly with care of the saints and connection with the two aspects in the fellowship of His life. As a result, Christine and I were quite oblivious and safe on this journey. We had left India before the earthquake and were distant in Thailand to the NE. Through fellowship with brothers at Lighthouse, especially brother Al, we had scheduled twelve days in Thailand in case the week extra was needful to be helpful there. When we arrived, due to my need of recovery and rest, it seemed to not matter what we did, and I felt it would be better after a few days of rest to go to the south beach area to rest further on our own, since we didn't want to be a burden to the saints there for so many extra days. Had not Chansamone so clearly and graciously asked me to stay there and rest the duration of the time in his home, Christine and I would undoubtedly have headed to the south, as others and we had realized that was the most beautiful and recommended restful area where people go. Had I followed my inclination alone, we would almost certainly have been in PhuKet where the total destruction came, the advertised "Paradise of Thailand. Once again, the working together of the inward peace of the Spirit matching the fellowship of the church provided God's delightful way of safety, trust, love and enjoyment of His Son. Thanks be to the Lord.

The trip to Australia has been wonderful, so much more than ever we needed but so deeply valued and enjoyed. I am so stirred by the Lord on numerous matters, and feel it may be important and helpful to write more useable literature in coming days and months.

Hoping all is well and in His grace there. Signing off for now in His grace and trust, Richard, with Christine

Dec. 31st, Re: Experience in Thailand

So glad you got some photos, though I can't tell from your response whether you got the group of three or of six I sent, also if they were too large to copy and be useful, although I hope to check Mstar before I log off this internet cafe. I tried Ipass everywhere but here, so far. The internet cafe here and India seem to be much less expensive than Ipass and other means, even if they work.
I'm still thinking you may not have received at least one other lengthy email I sent to you (with copies to many) before I left Thailand. I have not succeeded in accessing my Poetry file on this computer, but when am able hope to send you at least two poems, one of which is about the little girl in the white dress. I think what I wrote will be a match for the photo, and I had many tears to the Lord as I finished modifying it enroute here from Thailand.

One more thing regarding the tsunami and their effects...the great Mekong River is not far from Chansamone and Pon's house, and we had enjoyed it one beautiful morning walk before the earthquake came. After the earthquake and tsunami's came to Thailand, the Mekong river rose considerably in our area. The people in this village roused the Buddhist monks and they all went to the River to deal with the frightening problem. The monks all worked hard to deal with the problem through their incantations and chants. The people had all been frightened by the monster in the River and beseeched their leaders to cast out the problematic evil River monster. This report made me feel sad for their misunderstanding of nature, of God and the blindness in which their situation finds them. It seemed to further reinforce how "the god of this age has blinded the minds of them that believe not..." Blessings and grace to all, to you and yours with His, Richard, with Christine