The Community Garden

In my head I saw many different possibilities like how I speak, I will think about what to say and sometimes play out a person's response as well. In the same aspect I saw different ways October 27th from 9:00am to 4:00pm may have gone from the best result to the worst result. 

The worst result was one I was familiar with from my experience in Cleveland, Ohio when I was put in charge of painting two homes for single mothers who were ill. I was given a due date of two weeks and no resources as the leader Pastor expected me to fail (a different story for another time). I called twelve Churches for helping me paint the second home and I had all the supplies and the paint. The first day no one showed up and I worked on the house myself scraping the exterior from top to bottom and sometimes on ladders as high as 75 feet. I finished the day and prayed for assistance to come and help me do this. The next day a co-workers friend showed up saw the project helped me move one ladder and told me he could sweep a broom and get paid the same amount from the city and walked away. I prayed again and an hour later a man past by and asked me if I was pastor he heard about trying to paint homes. I answered yes. He smiled and told me he is also a Pastor but Baptist and has many homeless around his Church. As we talked we created a homeless ministry, they were sent to me to work and what hours they did they got paid by him. I became the lead project manger and got the chance to know each of them well.

However, that Saturday of the 27th I arrived early and pulled the carpet from the section I designed to be the best area for the garden and got everything prepped. I waited...

Then the first vehicle showed up with some of my youth but no tools, then Dave pulled up in his van with tools and a mind to teach us what we need to do. As the hour passed we had eight vehicles and over 10 youth and four adults working on the site. I was happy not to the only one this time. But what really mattered was seeing the youth doing work that they were not getting anything for and the Pastor of the Church excited to see step one of the garden being done and realizing the potential. With Dave's help and teaching dialogue each of us learned from him and his years of experience. I was burned again over the course of time on my face, around my neck, and forearms. My mentor's wife saw me and told me I looked like a lobster and I am sure she was right. It has been three days and my face is still red in parts.

Praise God for the timing and the help of those who see the potential of what a community garden can do for Takanini. Step one complete.

Samoan Youth Camp

Before I begin to tell you of the experience I have had from being invited to be with the Samoan youth camp and be the Saturday night guest speaker. I will tell you, if you have not figured out from my previous posts, I walk a different path then most people and think deeply about many things people simply walk past and never see. When people look straight and see nothing else I see past the tunnel vision and look around and walk else where. I am no one special nor am I normal in any sense of the word. In all reality, the definition of normal does not even apply to the last three generations. I am who God has molded me to be.
Saturday, October 20th I arrived at the Marae in Otara where Samoans have gathered for to teach and open their children's minds to God's purpose. There were around 60 to 80 youth there from the ages of 10 to their early 20's. Because the location is a Marae it is a scared location by the Maori people and when entering the big house all shoes must be kept outside. The youth were accompanied by elders of the Church, as is their culture applies to keeping their language and their high respect with in their families. They are a proud people group. So, being the only person that knew English and no Samoan language I sometimes found translators or I watch body language to tell me the story. I got the chance to sit down with each Pastor and know him and his thoughts in theology. I sat down with several youth I knew from other services and talked with them and their thoughts. When entering the congregation I was given the honor to sit with the Pastors ahead of everyone. Unfortunately that was near the music of drums, guitar, piano, and chorus and my headaches did not love me one bit. Soon the service was over and my ears were ringing but I loved the rhythm and loved the harmony, we all took a break for tea. I assumed tea meant tea. Tea means in New Zealand another meal with tea. I observed others and watched their body language and learned that Pastors enter and sit down and other people bring food and rinks to them. I was taken back by this and tried to show my respect to both sides the Pastors and those who gave me my food. Once I was done with one plate I pushed it away another plate was being offered and they take it as an insult if you do not accept it.

 To say the least I have never eaten so much since I have been in New Zealand. New and different foods but each had its flavor and tasted good in its designed context.  The committee host found me and we discussed my experience with youth and soon I helped create games. However, my face got really burned I guess having Irish in me does not help my skin against the sun...lol
My turn to speak and I started with an ice-breaker the game called, 'I have never'. I made all the youth come forward and create a large circle pushing everyone else back. In this game one person tells one thing they have never done and if anyone who is sitting down has done that thing they need to change their seat. The person with no chair will speak about something they have never done. I was working fine but many of the youth I believe did not understand the idea or did not want to show what they have done. After the ice-breaker I asked the youth to bring their chairs closer in and tighten the circle. Now I had all the youth surrounding me and everyone else behind us. I asked two questions...
1) What is one thing you are scared of?
Many said it was snakes and spiders while 4 or so men said they fear nothing. I added to it a fear of mine was to lose my senses.
2) What is your idea of heaven?
Happiness, no pain, white clothes, angels, etc..
I changed the motion as I communicated with them that my fear became my reality and gave them my testimony about my headaches. Asking them to imagine unable to speak or move because both cause vibrations that cause headaches to worsen. Imagine wanting to scream from the constant drilling inside your mind but know you can not because it will only hurt you more so you are trapped in your body like a prison cell and the only way to communicate your pain is through tears. How do you think you would feel when no one can help you? (I choose at this moment to spare the rest of my testimony, if you want to know please ask)
My testimony changed into Christian living and how scripture teaches us to be gentle, humble, patient, unity in spirit, seeking the will of God, and be not conformed to the world but transform it as we are each ambassadors of Christ.
After I finished my sermon a few Pastors told me they liked my style and my words and one wants me to preach at his Church later some time. I was allowed to sleep in the Marae with all the youth and some adults I was placed on the ladies side but sleep did not come to me. The youth did not find slumber till 12:00am but the heavy breathing was like being on a safari. I believe in it all I had a hour of sleep. The next day brought Sunday service and a Baptism service scheduled for 4 people. God's presence was there and He flowed into that room and soon 4 became 26. Praise be to God where all boasting belongs and glory is deserved. 
Sunday night I slept in the vehicle I was given by my mentor and I got a few hours of sleep in there but when I past by the Marae I could still hear the echos of the heavy breathing (aka snoring).
Monday brought with it exhaustion and the youth were sad their time was over with new friends. I stayed until the last ceremony and left for sleep but found Sarah (365m student). We discussed our different experiences over the weekend and soon we separated like two passing cars. I took a shower to keep me wake and headed back out to teach English to two Vietnamese families. I arrived and no one was there but I was lead across the other side and started a conversation with Ben and his wife and we talked for 2 hours. God leads me to many places.

Engage Magazine

http://engagemagazine.com/content/missionary-profile-adam-barton

Missionary profile: Adam Barton | engagemagazine.com

engagemagazine.com

Editor's note: Missionary profiles are an ongoing feature in Engagemagazine in which we spend a little time with a Nazarene missionary individual or family each week to 

 

 I could copy and paste everything but it is better to see the magazine as it is in its whole instead of me tearing a piece for my collection. I hope you like what I wrote.

White Sunday

I had the honor of being invited to the Samoan 'white' Sunday service. Where the children do the entire service. It was good to see and hear the children singing, saying their memory verses, praising, and loving our Father. I enjoyed my time there and I am glad I came because it was a blessing. I love children they always teaching me.

A Journey in God's direction

I arrived at the Takanini Church. Observed the people who walk past the Church in their routine and established my direction. But in beginning my prayer walk that day I was lead in a different direction. I ended up visiting the police station and talking to the gentleman there as he knew me as, "The Pastor down the road". I acknowledged any references to the title and to the location of the Church. Soon, I was walking again and as I turned the corner I saw organized chaos. A flood of children on the sidewalks coming at me, like a comedy of someone who can not get out of the way of a steamroller. I felt like the one fish that refused to swim with the others down stream. I have my direction and yet in this flood of innocence it was interesting to see the bonds. Certain children connected as they ran towards the playground while others found snacks to fill their mouths from the over crowding of the Dairy store. Some yelled for their friends to wait for them and some walked hand to hand. As I swam through the flood of children I finally got to the corner and I was free. I was walking again and suddenly I heard, "Yeah Pastor!"
I turned to see Dave, whom I have not seen for a few weeks now, as he stood at his front door. I walked over and greeted him and welcomed me inside his home. There I met his cousin and we began to discuss many things as they played a video game. The questions of why I am here, the events planned by the Church, the future events for the next year, and then it came to my faith. "Which god do you worship?" I answered, "I worship God the Father, creator of heaven and the earth. I worship His son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit...the Trinity". Dave retorts, "The Trinity?". Dave's cousin asked, "who is Jesus?...oh is he the guy who was like..." As he extends his arms as if on the cross to show me what he can not say in words. I acknowledge it but a great pause comes. The silence of three thinking minds and little ventilation could have caused the house to become inflamed. Dave gets close in his couch to me maybe a few inches from my face and asks, "Are you on a mission from God?" I paused to think of rewording his question and looked from his expression to see he was serious. I answered, "Yes".
We talked for 2 hours and soon I saw it was time for me to leave when the question was asked, "What kind of Pastor are you? Are you the kind that smokes weed?" I smirked. "No, I do not smoke weed, I do not drink, nor do I do any drugs". I realized the smell I could not identify was the smell I knew from walking past drug houses in Cleveland, Ohio. I stood and told them it is time I continue my walk and shook their hands in my departing and walked back into the light of the sun.
Tonight, was my first night of teaching English to two Vietnamese families. The first home the woman is to sick to learn so I ask my readers to keep her in your prayers. The second a young single mother of three. I sit on her couch waiting to start the class as her adorable 6 year old climbs all over me. She tells me, "I want a new daddy". I answered without breaking up laughing "well that is good to know".  As the night progressed the little girl stayed all over me and ended up falling asleep in my lap. It gave me a feeling of how it will be with my own kids. After the class was done I was welcomed to eat with them, an honor I took in a humble manner.
I left their home and walked to the Church to jump into my vehicle and head back to my mentor's home. But the lights were on in the Church. I open the door and the Samoan leaders welcome me in with food and soda. A time of good discussion and filled laughter I found 3 hours went by and I was still talking about my experiences in ministry. As the women started turning the lights off we understood it was time to finish our conversation. I walk back outside and it was dark out and the temperature had changed. I have been gone for over 8 hours and each direction I wanted to take lead me in another location where I was needed.That day was a long day but that day was a blessing to be used in God's ministry. Amen.   

Reflection #3

Today is filled with rain and strong winds that would make me feel like a kite with the hope that the string I am attached will not break. But the other day, a few days back I went for a walk through the park. I observed and watched people's interactions. I entered the walk with a heavy coat on because here spring was close to ending but till it does the weather springs up differently all the time. The meaning of having four seasons in one day. I have adapted to the weather by wearing layers of clothing. On my walk I could hear water falling, you can hear the rushing water the distance from the gap of the top to the bottom. I finally caught a glimpse of it and watched. I soon continued on as my eyes caught the same stream flowing through the park. I walked through a playground and found a trail leading me to the stream once more. I came to a small bridge and saw a boy throwing rocks in the stream to watch them splash.
I watched the water and it came to me today in my time to reflection of that symbolism.
Take the example of your life being a mess and no clarity can be found. It feels like the world is against you and chaos has been your new best friend. I saw into that stream an answer into my own clarity. I saw how the water was clear and focused but when the mud was stirred the water can not be seen through any longer. The bad things of the world are creating the mess. But by separating or allowing the mud to settle can the water be clear. A concept of a mediating moment, water can not be clear unless the mud settles on the bottom. Therefore, in our own lives the mess needs to be put down so one can see the clarity in their direction.
I thought about this concept for a little longer as many times water has been a gateway into the insights of my mind. I thought about a person's spiritual life not being clear and then I thought about water. I watched the boy drop the rock into the flowing waters and still saw chaos. A pebble can cause a ripple effect on the surface of the water. The surface of the water representing one's spiritual life can be active and going going going but never stopping to see where God wants you. But if the person stops, waits, and listens they will see the ripple calm and the water begin to reflect the world. The clarity is restored.
Both thoughts one of chaos and one of activities that can cause a person's life to be crazy. However, with patience comes focus and we can see better the action's of God. Letting the mud settle or the ripple calm comes with patience and prayer and the affect is maturity in knowing God is in control.
My friend Dave and I years ago spoke of 'the pool theory' I formulated as he cultivated the idea of writing a book on the subject of God's guidance in Christian relationships. One of these days I will talk about it but for now. Take a deep breath and learn patience (remember to exhale).

Samoan Youth

It was a long day yesterday. A Pastor's prayer meeting and then prayer walking the streets of Takanini. I was walking through the little playground and heard, "Yeah you a Pastor right?" I turn around and see three young boys as they asked me about the possibilities of starting a rugby team for the community. I responded back, "its in the works". We talked for about 15 minutes and I continued on my walk. I came across Doug, a 85 year old, man in a wheelchair. He stays at the local retirement home, where in his words people love breathing each others fumes. He likes being outside and finding good conversation, it was the reason I was walking too. We talked for an hour as He told me about his current life and what he does on a routine because he likes his tea time. I enjoyed his conversation.
Soon it was time for me to preach to a Samoan Church service. I started off with telling them about family and God's promise to humanity. I told them the first time I went to Cleveland, Ohio I worked for a Urban Resource center and after having me meet everyone they pointed out on the sidewalk and told me just yesterday a 17 year old lost his life there. A gang member was shot there. 17 years old teenager, had so much potential and so much possibilities in life. He must have sought for a family, for a father to be with him. A father to give him attention and be the one that helps him up after he makes mistakes. But he lost his life because he sought the wrong family to invest his worth into.
I never met that young man but I stood there on that spot where he fell and I wondered if anyone missed him. A day after his living existence ended he still had an affect on the living... with me. I wish I could say he was the last but through meeting the youth often one day would be a good conversation and maybe a smile as we laughed. But the next day that face would fade from existence like so many others I met over the years. Instead of Greek mythology of the river of faces, my mind's eye saw a wall of faces with no names. People I knew, kids I laughed with and played basketball with (horribly because of my height)  but faces lost in our reality. The friend I knew and the next day gone, it was often the case as shots rang out in usually at 4:00am all the time. But there is hope. There is God's promise all are welcome into the kingdom but through Jesus Christ. After my sermon was translated each family got on their knees and we prayed over them. and soon the last person was myself as I felt hands upon my shoulders and words I did not understand but knew God's prayer. At the same time a 1 maybe 2 year old felt it was his challenge to climb over the kneeling bench and kept knocking into me as I was being prayed over. It reminded me as I spoke about the 17 year old and his influence on me, here before me was life and all its potential in the eyes of a child.
Praise and Glory to God for the insights he continuously gives to me.
Life is fragile and filled with love and we can not have tunnel vision on the job, on the next paycheck, on the next fix, but with family. The family we have been born into and the family we have in Church. Living life each day is a blessing when you understand good moments are treasures if your eyes are open.

Reflection #2

How are you?

A simple question that can open up an intentional relationship connection. A simple question to answer honestly and truthfully for the person who is asking to be allowed to enter into our world. Our worries, thoughts, complaints, issues, and heart aches.

How are you?

A simple question to ask someone walking past us. But do we give them time? How often is the question asked but the person who is asking is not listening for the answer. We have a class to get too. We need to make that appointment. We need to get home to watch my favorite show. How often are those simple words used for greeting as a hallow reply is given, so both people may continue on. I am well. I am good. I can not complain.

How are you?

A simple question to ask a stranger walking by. How often is the question asked and we do not stop walking to wait but to continue walking hoping the reply will find us a few feet away because we are in a hurry. Thus, we are telling people we do not have time for you. You are not important enough for me to stop. You hold no value to me. You are someone I don't even know and I can not remember your name but I will greet you and keep walking on my path.

How are you?

A simple question to ask anyone who walks past you. How often is the question asked and no eye contact is given. we are telling that person I am here but my eyes are facing the direction I want to go. We are given off non-verbally that we have no time for you. If my eyes can not connect with yours and focus on you I have better things to do.

How are you?

A simple question to ask a person who can become a friend. How often do we ask the question but our feet are pointed in another direction. A non-verbal signal that I have no time for you. My feet are pointed where my focus is and you are not my focus. Not to seem publicly pious to everyone or anyone we meet, nor to publicly display the fact we are moving our feet to point at you as if I have size 15 shoes on.

How are you?

A simple question to make the point you are important to me. You are valued by me. As my eyes connect and my feet point in your direction. I am waiting for your reply to know you better and all you need to do is answer honestly. How often are these words spoken from your lips and your direction is not on that person you have come across. The conversation could take time to create a friendship, have a good bond, or even save that person's soul or even body. Take the thought that because you stopped your day and your focus and turned to a person and non-verbal said, "You are image of God, you are a treasure and you are valued by me". You may have stopped that person from having a car accident if they would have continued on their path.

I am remember my days at Harford Community College going for my AA degree and I was tired and I just finished a class. I got to my vehicle and heard, "Adam....Adam....Yeah can you help me?" There before me was my best friend Dave. H e was rushed to find anyone and find me in the parking lot about to head home. Before I replied he told me the reason, "I need a ride home and I can not get a taxi and everyone else can not pick me up". Dave is limited in ability to drive due to his wheelchair but make no mistake he can anything he puts his mind too and most times better then me. I retorted back, "Dave, I am heading home. I am bushed". But through His charm and pleading I accepted the honor of driving the opposite direction. After laughing about our day and getting his wheelchair set up I realized my right front tire. We both were looking in disbelief. Three of the four bolts holding the tire to my vehicle were gone and the fourth one was about to break. If I would have drove 30 minutes to get home I would have had an accident and maybe lost my life depending on how fast I would be driving. But instead I stopped and focused on Dave and drove 2 minutes to his house it may have saved a life or two. Thanks Dave (as I jokingly think you sawed my bolts off)

My question to you....How are you?

Youth Group

I sat down with my youth group and asked four questions.
1) Your Name
2) Your favorite dessert
3)Your favorite video game
4) Any two super-powers what would they be?

I answered because I came up with the questions so it was only fair.
Pastor Adam
Peanut Butter Milkshake
Skyrim
The ability to heal people with a touch and the ability to read people's minds.

My youth group answered me in many different ways but a common theme was found. On a psychological level there were three common cores. Sugary goodness, shooting games, and invisibility; these elements revealed a group that needs to acknowledge the power within themselves. They can transform a community. They can show a servant's action. They can speak openly with no fear of action. They can be work and see results of God's gifts He has bestowed upon them.

The Bible lesson was simple understanding in our confusion God has a direction but even if we do not follow He will still love deeply His children.
Confusion
Direction
God's love

Last night was a good night to see into my youth group's eyes and see their potential for greatness.

Children experience

Since I have been here I have had many experiences with the kids. One i was interested by was when I was sitting down to eat after Church. I had my food and I had a soda (which is called a soft drink). I was sitting next to a little boy. 3 or 4 year old Maori short black hair with blue jeans and a button down blue shirt, he was quiet as I sat down next to him. I took a drink of my soda and sat it down and then heard, like a whisper, "Can I try?"
I responded hesitantly, "Suuuuurrrrreee" and gave him my drink. He sipped the bottle and gave it back to me. I was OK. Well its time to continue with my meal. Then suddenly a little hand flies through the air connected to an arm then a shoulder then the upper half of the boy. He leaped towards the drink for the taste of the soda must have been like ambrosia from the Greek gods. He grabbed the soda bottle and hugged it as if it were a treasure he just found. His lips began to change colors to the flavored soda and soon by the novice of his ability in understanding to sip had left his mind he would put the whole mouth of the bottle in his and tipped back. The soda seemed like it was sprinkling on a cool spring day watching a shower from the porch while enjoying the nice breezes. The soda rained down on the boy  and changed the blue shirt to a wet dark blue. He pulled the bottle away from himself and looked down at the shirt and back to me as I had did it to him. I smiled, laughing on the inside. But his mind now knew the taste of ambrosia on his lips and soon the bottle continued to be at his lips until it was empty. I wanted more and I had no more to give. He decided to sit by his buddies and left my acquaintance for a better environment.
My 365M buddy Jenna got me a soda, the boy saw a new soda in my hand and charged over running underneath the table and looking up at me with his hands reached out. I held my index finger up and told him hold on as I drink the soda under. Jenna told me the boy's eyes widened and his mouth jawed open in disbelief of the soda disappearing. He turned and ran back to his food as if the last few seconds did not happen... I love children.
Yesterday I was working on my term paper and kids came in with their mothers for a ladies bible study. They kids were bored and lego's sat next to them. I said, "Play with the Lego's, you can make anything with them".
The kids were in disbelief telling they can not make anything out of Lego's. I replied back to them, "where is your imagination?" I stopped my paperwork and got down on the floor and started to show them and suddenly they were enjoying themselves. They loved playing with Lego's and building a house. I was called out from kid's play to help chainsaw. There I met a young man a sophomore in high school and we talked while gathered the wood. Video games was the relational point in the conversation. I worked with him chainsawing until we had no more (2 hours). They kids would come out to watch and were excited to see such a machine....I love children.
I have been doing children ministries since 2000 from rural, to suburban, to urban environments and I learned how to teach is different for understanding their life. The three ways of teaching children, visible, engaging, and hearing. The lesson maybe the same but the way one teaches it is always different to the life they are living......I love children. (I have hundreds of stories from the kids I have learned from)

Someday i may have children of my own with the hope of being a great father to them.      

Reflection #1

Today I woke and my conscious thought was to breath in. Was i not breathing while sleeping, of course I was or else I would be here. I realized I was breathing in that moment I woke. A breath that is not mine but the very breath of God resting inside me, in everyone. In my routine of life I saw someone in the corner of my eye. Was I about wake up in a defense of who this is as he stood there staring back at me? I turned to see him and he said nothing. I walked closer as he drew closer to me. I did not raise my arm up to attack or defend for it was a man I have seen before. His eyes glared at me as if he sought to understand why I was there as I stared back at him wondering if I should ask him why he was here. Past the hair on his body, the skin covering his muscles and bones I saw deeper through his eyes like a tunnel I have known before. The tunnel lead me through a hall way dark but lined with multicolored flooring. It did not interest me to much as the light at the end was bright and warm. I could feel the warmth like sitting next to a fireplace and roasting my clothes as I sit near it. It was warm and inviting but also familiar. The light was behind a door, the door was simple all wood bu the metal nob. The door nob looked of gold but tarnished, which was odd to me as the brilliance behind the door hurt my eyes. I began to twist the nob and I was thrown backwards through the tunnel and out of this ma's eyes to realize I was staring at me and he was staring at himself. Time has past by as the flesh has aged and the shape of the body has followed but inside through the eyes was the same.
What a day to see one's self and build upon the concept of the body being an encasement of the soul. Such a thing that can not be seen or measured by science but created by God, each one of us designed differently and rare.
God loves diversity.