God, Free Will, Predestination all in a Pub

Last night turned into a great night - but definitely not one I was anticipating. After the church bible study I'm a part of, a bunch of us from the church went out for drinks at a local pub called The Empire. A really good time with some really good discussion on:

*What would it take for American Christians to let go of the American dream and live fully in/for the Kingdom?
*Do we doom our sons to struggles with pornography/lust because while growing up we tell them that they will struggle with it?
*and others...(those were just the two big topics)

Around 10:30pm, we wrapped up and all headed home - for which I was very grateful since I had not slept the night before due to drinking coffee too late in the day and really sore muscles from working out.

As I was sending some emails in my room, two friends call to invite me out to join them. Now, granted, I really wanted to say "no" because my bed was looking really comfy, but one of them had said earlier in the week that he had a religious question for me and then again last night said "I have a religious question/idea that will blow your mind." So, not one to turn down time with friends I enjoy and good, intriguing discussion I headed back out to join up with them at Bar 12 around the corner (first time I'd been there, nice, swanky pub).

Over the following three hours (until the pub kicked us out at 1:30pm) we talked about everything from dissertation topics to seeing the new James Bond movie tomorrow to relationships....and then, for the last couple of hours we talked about Christianity, God, free will, predestination, the problem of evil, different theories on God and the universe, etc. Really, really good conversation and really, really interesting. I have a lot of respect both for the minds of these two friends as well as just the people they are. While I'd love to share all of it with you, here's a view on God and history that they align more with that I had never heard:

God created the world as we know, without humans, initially. Now, because none of the world had free will, it was also predictable. God got bored with this and wanted something more exciting and more interesting, so he decides to make humans. Like the rock God makes that he can't lift, God creates humans with free will and he can't control them or know what they're going to do. [a theme for the night had been that if God knows what we're going to do, that defeats free will; I shared with them the idea of God being outside of time, but they felt like that was a satisfactory explanation]. God creates humans, not knowing what they're going to do, so the entire Old Testament is God figuring out these humans that he's created and that's why he's upset and this really angry God throughout the Old Testament, because he's trying to figure them out and can't. Eventually God decides to send himself (in the form of Jesus, both fully divine and fully human) to experience this humanity that he's created that he doesn't understand. It's through that experience that God realizes how tough it is for man and how difficult this life is - thus why Christ calls out "My God, My God why have you forsaken me" on the cross - because he's identifying with that very human feeling of "where's God". So, Christ dies for us and from that point on, God's this loving, understanding God because he now understands humanity (from having been human), so he's now, in his understanding way, said "Okay, now I get it. You all go on living and, at the end, I'll be here for you."

Mixed in with this is the idea that God does not know the future. At any given moment in time he also knows all the information one can possibly know up that point and at that point (but not the future) - so his all knowingness is limited by time. Now, it's from that point of knowing everything that he makes the best decision he can, but he doesn't know the outcome and can't guarantee it. Their idea was that, because God understands the way the world works, his best decision is all but perfect - but that, somehow, this makes God more understandable because he can make mistakes and mess up. Thus, the problem of pain isn't God's fault, because he did make the best choice he knew how.

This is already a long post so I can't get into telling you the interaction back and forth about the response, but it was a really good conversation and helped me understand where they're coming from. The problem of evil/pain/suffering is a huge deal for them, as is human's having free will - and with free will, God not being able to know everything, because if he does then he's just playing games with us.

At the end of the night, I got to share with them my view that I'd rather have a God who is all-powerful, all-knowing who gave man free will as a choice - but in so doing, God self-limited himself from taking away that free will and forcing someone into something. As a result, evil isn't God's work - but rather man exhibiting his free will. As well, that God, because of free will, has given everyman the chance to except a relationship with Him (this was a foundation that we set early in the night, that we all agreed that people have a relationship with God). And, because of free will, many will say "No", but that's their choice, not God's. I don't think it was a convincing argument for them b/c of how big the problem of pain and the seeming dichotomoy of Angry God/Loving God in the OT and NT, but hopefully we'll continue to have conversations where we can interact on those and other issues.

They're forcing me to stretch my mind and think in new ways, which is great and I love it. Not that the way I understand God and the world is completely right, but I do think there's something powerful about a God that's in control (of past, present, future) and yet give's man free will that allows one to live life so much more boldly, and yet at peace because God is in control.

[Side note: another really interesting view on the universe was something they read in the NY Times last year. In the future, we'll be able to create an artificial intelligence world within a computer that is exactly like the world as we know it. Now, with that one world created, it makes sense that 10 of those can be created and 100, 1000, 10000, etc. and up to an infinite number. Against infinity the chances of us being one of those AI created worlds is really good. (my response at this point was that this was a load of crap because computer's are built on logic and decisions, therefore you can't place free will into a computer, logic world. Also, the fact that just because something "could" happen infinite # of times doesn't make something compared to it likely to happen within one of those times). So, in this AI experiment that we are living in - we're like a peetri (sp?) dish in a lab experiment and maybe whatever created us is doing a study on "ethnic conflict" or something - the creator imposed religions into the experiment to watch the conflict and therefore the religious are all true - in the sense that they were all given. So, irregardless of the fact that the religions conflict with one another - the goal of the experiment is ethnic conflict and since religion has led to ethnic conflict, then it's true to the end of the experiment. ]

Research Update

Quick update on research. I spent this week looking through files at Kew, the National Archive in London, through their online database for files pertaining to Kenya from 1937-1947 - there doesn't appear to be much written on Kenya during the war period. In doing that I came across a set of 39 MI5 documents that were wire taps, communication intercepts, and reports on two men in Kenya. One, which you likely could have guessed, was Jomo Kenyatta with 21 of the reports. The second is a man named Peter Koinange with 18 reports. Evidently, he was a communist sympathizer, educated in the US through scholarships, and was connected to a very significant family in Kenya.

Interestingly enough, while there's plenty written on Kenyatta, there's nothing written on Koinange - just one book from 2000 about his father. The files that MI5 released on Peter Koinange weren't released to the public until 2007. So, it looks like a good field where there hasn't been a lot done - which would be great! As well, if there is enough to his story, it may lead into needing to do research in Nairobi at the National Archives there - which might mean it could turn into a further PhD topic or a book.

I'm excited! :-)

American Football, Hanson, Rowing, and Cold Weather

I finally broke down and went and bought a 9-month membership to the gym today. It seemed like a good time with the exchange rate still being low. When I went to work out I got two really weird experiences:

1. I got to watch Monday night's NFL game of the Tennessee Titans vs. the Indianapolis Colts while I biked (thank you Sky Sports 2). What a last quarter! Never would have guessed that the Titans would end up winning by as much as they did! (oh wait, just saw a news article - looks like the Colts scored in the last 3 minutes that I missed - oh my gosh!! Still lost, but I'm impressed.)

(Associated Press. Saw this touchdown while I was on the stationary bike. Beautiful run!)

2. I got to use a rowing machine - for the first time since Parklands in Nairobi, Kenya - but while I was in pain from a machine that I was totally out of shape for - you guessed it, Hanson's "Mmmbop" came on. It was incredible! I felt like I was in Junior High again back in Kenya. :-)

(Boston.com blog picture. What more can you ask for then a Hanson soundtrack to your workout?)

Then, lastly in this update, it's getting really cold here! Northeastern Scotland got snow the last two days and we were slated for the possibility. Walking back from class tonight, the city had trucks out spraying the roads with sand/salt. It's already gloves, scarf, beanie, jacket weather - YIKES! For those of you in warmer weather, enjoy it for me. :-)

(Fun in the snow back in March 2004. This was in Bratislava, Slovakia with the Meyerdirk family - great time! They made this really cool "igloo" in the front yard. Oh, and no, we don't get snow like this in Belfast - just the cold weather, none of the fun. :-)

P.S. In case you hadn't seen it, JBU's "Toilet Paper" game has been named one of the top Basketball traditions in the US - right there alongside Duke and others - crazy, huh? Here's a story about it.

Does Not Getting to Vote in This Election Mean I Can Pass the Blame?

Well folks, it doesn't look like I'm going to get to vote in this election. It's a sad day. Everyone else I know has recieved their ballot already for the election and mine still hasn't come (stopped by the post office again today to check). While it may be the result of some mistake in Siloam Springs, I don't necessarily want to blame it on them. I could have filled out the form wrong or perhaps the ballot came before I ever arrived and was returned when I wasn't here to pick it up (mail is returned after 2-4 weeks). So, if we could figure out what actually happened, it may very well be my fault or simply one of those awkward kinks in the system.

With that being said, for any of you who have voted overseas and absentee before, any suggestions? Should I call the voter office in Siloam? Should I call the US embassy? What do you think? Is there anything that I can do other than just wait for the excitement of Nov 4th?

I think the most discouraging thing about this is the realization that all over the world there are people who desperately desire the chance to vote, but don't have it. Here I have the opportunity to vote and I don't think I'm going to get to.

Snippets from my Research

In spite of the slump in the middle of the week, it turned out to be a good week. I spent a couple of hours in the library on Friday looking at Parliamentary Debates in the House of Lords and the House of Commons in 44-45.I also looked at "Command Papers" from 44-46 - these are official military reports and documents on movements and strategies. I thought I'd share some of the more interesting exerts with you for your reading pleasure :-):

"...the abolition of forced labour in Kenya, in view of the statement of the Attorney-General in the Legislative Council on 18th April last that there were in Kenya some thousands of unemployed male persons.

[Response:] The Attorney General's statement related to unemployment among Asians [...] compulsory labour is kept under constant review and will be discontinued as soon as circumstances permit." (6 Dec. '44, House of Commons, Written Answers)

Compulsory labour was kept in place for quite a while in Kenya and was always focused on native African's, who were underrepresented in the Legislative Council in Kenya. They had little voice - other than a few in the Parliament in London - who called for just action.

"...the revision of service conditions for European and African civil servants [...Response:] the investigation will not cover the employes of local Native Councils in Kenya except those who are seconded Government servants.

[Mr. Sorenenson:...] say why they are not so included and what is the reason for this discrimination? [...] Is it not true that many of the native authority staffs want to be included?

[Response:] I could not answer that question." (House of Commons, Oral Answers, '44)

Additional notes point out that a member of the Asian Elected Members of Legislative Council (mind you, Asians were able to elect a couple representatives, African's 4 reps were appointed) requested "a unified Civil Service of all races" and the Kenya African Civil Service Association said "That there should be a unified non-European service."

Mr. Sorenson once again brings up questions about Kenya in April of 1945 when he asks the Secretary of State for the Colonies about forced labour in Africa - how many are being conscripted and for how long it is planned to continue? (Mind you, this came up 5 months earlier in the above discussion). The response is very telling, but then a follow-up question from Colonel Sir Arthur Evans is pitch perfect.

"[Response:...] unskilled manual labour conscripted for work in Government civil undertakings or private undertakings. Such conscription is permitted only for the purposes essential for the conduct of the war or the maintenance of the life of the community, and is in operation only in Kenya, Tanganyika and Northern Rhodesia. The latest figures available show that at the end of November, 1944 [6 month old figures], the number of conscripts in Kenya was 26,032 [...]

[Mr. Sorenson's response:] Does the minister appreciate that [...] this continuation of forced labour may have some unfortunate effects upon the activity of the whole industry and of the men themselves?

[...Colonel Sir Arthur Evans:] In order to put this matter in its proper perspective, will my hon. Friend [referring to the Under-Secretary of State for the Dominions who has been responding to Sorenson] also furnish the total number of people conscripted in this country?" (House of Commons, 25 Apr 1945, Oral Answers)

It's at the end of this question that the discussion ends. A couple things to note. First of all, at this point, in a country with millions of Kenyans, there were roughly only 30,000 white settlers. Of these, 3 thousand owned 12,000 square miles of cultivable land while one million Kikuyu only had 2,000 square miles (Piers Brendon, 545). I still have more research to do, but I'm curious if this conscription of labour for "private undertakings [...and] the maintenance of the community" continued for quite a while - simply because the settlers needed help farming the vast stretches of land they owned. (Note: 26,000 Kenyans conscripted, 30,000 White settlers)

Well I should stop there. I need to get ready for church and this is a lengthy installment. I also found some really interesting reports on Israel/Palestine during this period and 24+ terrorist acts/crimes carried out by militant Jewish sects in Jerusalem, Haifa, and Tel Aviv during this period. Really interesting! So, until next time...

Christian Right & This Year's Election

For those of you who are interested, I just posted on my other blog about the Christian right's recent propaganda moves in this year's elections. If you're interested, here's the link:

"Christian's Shooting Themselves in the Foot"

My "Jump This Ship" Day

In transition theory, there's typically a four step process. In a crude description, the four stages are (1) honeymoon, (2) depression, (3) adjustment, and (4) settlement. The basic idea is of course that no matter how big a transition we go through (across town or across the world), that we go through these four distinguishable phases.

Today was my realization that I'm clearly in the 2nd stage - the bottom of the pit, a bit of depression, a "I want to jump out off the plane with a parachute, jump off this ship and head back home" day. For me, I usually know I'm at this stage when things have been going pretty well, I feel acclimated, then I begin to get frustrated, discouraged and feel as though I'll never figure out the new systems/norms/etc.

Most noticeably, I've seen this stress in my dissertation and studies. For example, in a discussion today they were talking about "calendars" and "finding aids" - while I could figure out the second one simply enough, I had no clue on the first (evidently, it's a list of sources in some way related to a topic..I think).

I'm really feeling it in the sense of figuring out my MA thesis topic. Because I'm trying to learn about Kenya and at the same time figure out a topic, it's proving quite difficult when I talk to faculty and they want me to know more then my general areas of "religion's role in nationalist movements" or "explanations for why Kenya's independence came so late, comparatively". There's this sense that I'm missing the boat on something because the responses are rarely positive...or at least seem that way.

Things will no doubt get better - they always do - but it is wearing. Most importantly, though, I really feel like this year is going to be the year I can't get through without the Spirit's strength and wisdom. Previously, I've naturally done well at my studies - but in that, definitely recognized the blessings of the Spirit in clarity of thought and achievement. This year's a completely different challenge. This year it's more like "I don't know anything about this. I don't understand it. I can't keep it all straight. That's due next week and I'm afraid that I won't turn in what they're looking for...." and so the stress and anxiety continues in these same strains of thought.

But truly, the question becomes, how will I deal with it? On my own or resting in His strength and assured guidance? Indeed, as much as I'd love to be a university professor - whether I end up there or somewhere else - the story should be written by Him, rather than me. For one, it'll be a better story that way - and likely full of all kinds of unforeseen adventures. And so, I'll keep my seat on this plane and stay on the boat, trusting Him to carry me through or, in His time, to hand me the parachute or life-jacket. So, I sit and buckle in for this ride - sometimes, like getting on a roller coaster, thinking that I was crazy for ever having sat in this chair, but trusting the "maker" that the ride will hold together and I'll make it through.*

*Note: For those of you that don't know, I have an incredible fear of roller coasters. If God had wanted us to go up and down and all around like that, he would have given us wings. He didn't.

Financial Troubles & Painfully Slow Process a Help?

While the world's in financial chaos, you may be wondering how that might help me out? At the same time, once I let you know that I still haven't gotten my funds for the year - that they're stalled in Queen's accounting office - you might wonder even more how it could be a good thing.

Well, let me tell you how I think God might be turning a slow, frustrating process and an economic downturn into a blessing for at least this little, freckled student. Jude just let me know that the exchange rate (which was at 1.73+ over the last month) just dropped to 1.67 today. While it doesn't seem signficant when you're exchanging $10,000+, it adds up. Everyday it seems like another report about Britain's failing economy comes out (today was a report that their manufacturing sector had the lowest sales in the last 10 years, or something like that).

So, perhaps, while I'm waiting on my money to be processed by Queen's, living on credit card debt, a blessing - in the form of a better exchange rate for my money - might be the outcome. We'll just have to see.

In the World: It's a Whole Different Ballgame

It would be an understatement to say that my life this year is different then any other year I've experienced. By far, living in and among students at a secular university is much different then JBU. From what people have told me (and I believe them), JBU had it's own problems with drugs, alcohol, and sex. In six years of working/living there, I never came across it. This year is so much different.

The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.”
(Matthew 11:19)

Over the last several years, this passage has been one that has weighed upon my heart. The life I've lived, up to this point, would be one in which no one would ever say "He's the friend of sinners." I lived a pretty cautious, careful life. While I'm thankful for that and I think it saved me some heartached in my youth, now, as I'm older and more mature, I don't feel as though it's an okay place to remain. As Christ said, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners." (Mark 2:17) Indeed, the testimony I bare of a God who came to redeem and rescue his children is one that is most readibly accessible to the sick.

As a result of all this, one of my goals this year is to develop good, strong friendships with non-Christians that I might learn from them and be stretched by their perspective, but also, that through our friendship, they might see something of Christ and a life lived differently because of Christ. So I have built relationships with a group of non-Christians that I really enjoy, but almost every time with them, there's another shock to my system. Things that make me think, "Really? You actually do that? It's not just the stereotype of non-Christians?" For example, we've all sat in a kitchen talking while one roled a cigarette and added marijauna to it. The other night we were sitting around dinner and one of the group told us that she'd been dating this guy for 3 weeks - and while she'd called another in the group to find out how long to wait to have sex with him - she decided to go ahead and so they're having sex. Another friend is planning on living with his girlfriend when he returns to the states this next year for a year to a year and a half to see if the relationships going to work before getting married.

Needless to say, God's constantly putting me in situations where I'm trying to learn discernment and wisdom when and to what I should speak. Many of them have pasts scarred by "religious" people - so I'm working against that roadblock as well. If you think of it, join me in praying that God would give me opportunities.

One such opportunity has already happened. I've always kept my mouth shut when it comes to politics because they're so strongly Democratic and anti-McCain/Palin. I knew that by jumping in to defend McCain/Palin I'd simply feed into their stereotypes of Christian religious conservatism. It was neat, then, that a couple nights ago at dinner they intentionally stopped and asked me for my religous-political views. So, I had the opportunity to share my take on the Democratic vs. Republican party, on aboration, etc. in a really healthy way and one in which they were interested. Thus, I was able to be honest, because they were the ones that initiated.

In a similar way, two of the people in the group have asked to have coffee with me - so I'm hoping that opens up opportunities for speaking into their lives as well.

I'm on this journey of learning to be in the world, but not of the world. It's a road on which, at times, the path seems unclear. It's a journey that brings another surprise around every corner. Yet, I walk this way, knowing that my Savior walks with me, His Holy Spirit is my seal and guide, and the sovereignty of the Father watches over it all. That is the peace, the strength, and the encouragement of this Triune God in the midst of a world that doesn't know him.

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world.
(1 John 2:15-16)

Mom & Dad's Visit!!

Mom and Dad were here this last week. It was a marvelous, wonderful four days! It's so great being able to hang out with your parents and do fun (and sometimes silly things). We were able to do Belfast (Titanic Quarter, St. George's market, Shankill Rd, Queen's University, Botanic Gardens), the North Coast (Giant's Causeway, Whitepark Bay, Bushmill's), and the Southern part (Newcastle, Toleymoore Forest, Downpatrick Cathedral, St. Patrick Center)...and in the midst of it we got 6 games of Settler's in and Maud's icecream, so all is right in the world of Ostendorff vacations. :-)

It was really a great time and I'm so thankful for the gift that they gave me in spending the money and the time to come. (I'm also thankful for their graciousness when I drove on the wrong side of the road several times throughout the 4 days. :-)

It's back!

I'm posting this from my Mac that - while working, is currently half-taken apart. But hey, it's working!!!

After turning it upside down yesterday afternoon, going at it with Miriam's hair dryer, and putting it in the fridge overnight to dry it out - we're back up and running...sorta.

In the midst of taking it apart to dry it out, I kind of broke the power button connector to the motherboard - so I've got to figure that piece out...maybe super glue...I don't know, but the computer's still good, which is encouraging. :-)

Water + Computer = Bad Day

As the title suggests, my computer's out of commission for a while. I was cramming this afternoon for some reading that I hadn't finsihed and spilled half a mug of water all over my computer. YIKES!!

Needless to say, after trying to dry it out this afternoon, it wouldn't turn on. I'm going to take it apart tomorrow and dry it piece by piece, and we'll see if that helps. Chances are (esp. since I tried turning it back on and it didn't work) that it's fried.

Blog posts will be scarce for a while, as will email, and facebook (although recently, it has been really scarce and I'm way behind on it. Sorry!).

I'm trying to figure out what to do. Here's my options, let me know what you think:

1. Dry it out tomorrow, turn it on, it works, and we're back to normal. Of course, this is the best scenario, but the one that I can't really make a decision to change (other than try to dry it out).

2. Go without a computer. Jack doesn't have a laptop and just does everything he needs to in the computer labs. This is appealing in the sense that I would not be in my room so much...but not very appealing in the sense that it means Skype and IM are pretty much out of the question - and it effects storing pictures and music as well.

3. If it's shot, buy a new computer with money I don't have. Either I'd be paying for it on my student loans (that haven't quite come through yet) or putting it on a credit card and paying it off with student loans over the year (I get them in three installments). While the idea of going into debt for a computer (again) isn't exciting, I did have my last Mac for 4 years (this month, actually). Which leads me ot another question - do I buy something cheap that will work (say $500) or do I buy another Mac that I know I'll use for years (for closer to $1000)....I don't know!

Thoughts? Opinions? Similar stories of woe from your computer getting fried?

I Love It!

I just got back from the Christian Union not too long ago. I can't tell you how much I love being with other believers. I know that sounds like a cheesy, Christian card, but I really do. I get excited on Saturdays about church on Sunday. I had a great time at Communion Sunday morning, hanging out with believers at the Carson's house for lunch, and going to Sunday night service at Fisherwick. Then, on top of that, the CU tonight. Really, I think I'm a Church junkie...

On a more serious vein of thought with all of this though, I've been reflecting on the family of God around the world. I often find myself wondering why it is that God's given me the opportunity to travel to over two dozen countries, as young as I am. I still don't know all the reasons - but I know for me it has become a huge piece in the foundation of my faith and my understanding of it. Whether I've been at a church service in Zagreb, Prague, Fortaleza (Brazil), Bangkok, Paris or elsewhere, being with the family of God, worshiping has been similar in all corners of the world. At times the language, style, and form is different, but the heart, passion, and presence of God is always evident wherever I've been.

Having seen the people of God passionate for Him the world over, I don't worry about God's Kingdom advancing. The reality of "His Kingdom come, His will be done" is taking place each day, changing lives, changing communities, and bringing glory to the Father in every part of the globe.

In the same vein, no matter what country I've been in, I've always felt as though I was with family. Spending the afternoon at Robert & Diana Carson's on Sunday with Naomi (N. Irish), Nialls (Irish), Edwin (Dutch), Spencer (US), Vasco (Italian), Jack (US), and Robyn (US) was incredible. None of us had known each other for more than a couple of weeks - most for only a couple of hours - yet we came together (Anglican, Presbyterian, Catholic, Bible church, etc) and simply enjoyed each other's company. It's been the same experience for me wherever I've gone.

I've come to believe that this is unique to the body of Christ. My non-Christian friends here simply don't have any other similar structure to which they can fit in - so, no matter where they're going, they begin their relationships from scratch. I hope and trust that they'll see something different, something appealing in the family of God and Christ in and through them this year.

The First Week: Giant's Causeway, Vineyard, Class, The Tropics, a Socialist shindig, a birthday, and St. George

As you might guess from the fact that I haven't posted this week (and therefore, haven't been sitting in front of my computer), it's been a really busy first week of classes. So, here's the rundown:

Saturday - North Coast (with 150 people!)

The International Friendship Association, of which Fisherwick Presbyterian (my church here) is a part, organized a trip for internationals to the North Coast. So, after three touring buses, nearly 150 students, and the great part of a day - we'd been to the Giant's Causeway, Dunluce Castle, and hung out in Port Stewart for a while.

Here are a few pictures:

Giant's Causeway Trip

Sunday - Vineyard, Belfast Style

Checked out the local Vineyard church on Sunday with John Lenschow. A really good time with contemporary worship and a deep commitment to the city of Belfast and making an impact for Jesus here. This will become John's "home" church while he's here and likely one that I will revisit throughout the year.

Here are just a few pictures from that morning. They meet at a special needs school in their auditorium.

Vineyard Church in Belfast

Monday - A Huge Group at CU!

Monday night was the first meeting of the Christian Union - a student led, evangelical/protestant group in Europe. Queen's University plays host to the largest Christian Union in Europe with nearly 400 people typically attending (although this first week was somewhere between 500-600). N. Ireland is very much like the American south. Christianity here is a cultural thing, so many of these students come because it's the thing to do - but the CU preaches Christ crucified and resurrected boldly - so I trust that God's doing things through it even in the lives of cultural Christians. The focus this semester is going to be the book of Philippians.

Ironically enough, as the 500+ students were dispersing after the CU meeting, several hundred students were waiting outside the CU to get into the dance club/bar/pub that is in the CU (there's a picture of the line below).

Here's a video and then a couple of pictures (sorry, I was in the very back of the room).

Christian Union (CU)

Tuesday - An Hour in the Tropics

In my last post I mentioned the Botanic Gardens. Well, I stumbled across a new piece of it this last week that I really enjoy - "The Tropics House". It plays host to a whole slew of tropical plants, so, in order to share that with you, here are some pictures:

Botanic Garden

Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday - Classes

I began classes this week. Intimidating, yet exciting. The general focus here is that courses in a Master's program help develop skills in the student - but don't provide general information. This is different from my understanding of how the US works. In other words, I have to do all the reading and legwork to learn about British History and the British Empire, but the School of History will equip me with theories and skills to handle that information and represent it in writing and presentation.

Tuesday - A research methods course that is tought by 5 different professors (different one every night). Mostly straight lecture with 40 of us in the course.

Wednesday - a free undergraduate, final year course on the end of the British Empire from 1930 to 1997. I'm hoping this may provide a really good way to get into the material that is both pertinent to the British Empire in Kenya, as well as in general. We meet for an hour in the morning for lecture, then there's a "tutorial" in the afternoon for 1 1/2 hours where the students (us) come having read and studied a bunch of primary sources and the teacher facilitates discussion in a smaller group (my group at 1:30p on Wed. was 4! :-) I'm also likely going to take a French languge for non-spcialist course Wed. afternoons - it's $30 and seems like an opportunity that would be a shame to waste.

Thursday - This is the theory course (Historiography) and breaks up the 40 from Tuesday. So, my group is about 12 and it's what I think is similar to a US master's program - students come prepared, a few do a presentation each week and, with the help of a lecture, facilitate discussion on the core topics for that day. It's in this course that we will cover memory, marxism, postmodernism, etc. and how those theories and perspectives effect the study of history.

Thursday - Alpha Course vs. Social Society

Ever so briefly, I had to share about the irony that was Thursday. I attended a meeting on "Barack Obama: Hope or Hype?" Thursday after lunch. Interestingly enough, it was hosted by the Socialist Society and basically was looking at the question of whether or not Obama would bring about the change Socialists look for. It ended with the conclusion that Socialists have to come together to make their voices heard through protest and Barack's isn't the change they're looking for.

In contrast to that, I attended the leaders meeting for an Alpha Group that I'm helping with this semester Thur evening. It's a bible study that is for those who don't know about Christianity or are curious. You have dinner together, watch a video, and then it's an open discussion where people can ask questions, disagree, or agree with what they saw in the video.

Where the Socialists are trying to bring change through protest and their voices, the Church is bringing change through relationships in an environment of discussion and freedom to disagree.

Friday - Slavery & Irish Music

Last night I went to a lecture by Thomas Holt, distinguished professor of African-American Slavery at the University of Chicago, who was in town. A really interesting comparison of 19th century slavery to modern slavery in sweat shops and other situations where labor is abused for the manufacturing of goods.

After the lecture, Jack and I met up with the gang and headed to Kelly's Cellar for a pint and to celebrate Christine's birthday. Kelly's has live Celtic/Irish music on Friday nights - which is fun in of itself. On top of that, it's a very openly Republican/Catholic pub so that brings it's own unique character to it as well. Megan took pictures, so I'll try to get some up this next week. In the meantime, here's a picture from last summer at Kelly's:

From Photos for Blog

Saturday - St. George, You're My Hero

Lastly, Jude, Megan and I checked out St. George's open air market this morning. Rated as one of the best (if not the best) open air market in the UK/Europe, it was a great place with a lot of incredible food, fresh sea food, fruits & vegetables, as well as live music. I picked up, of all things, 4 passion fruit!! Yeah! It's a fruit that my family used to LOVE in Kenya - so I was excited to see it! It will probably be one of our first stops next week when I pick mom and dad up from the airport (they'll be here a week from now!! woohoo!) Here's a picture and a video from this morning:

From St. George's Market