Volume #5 Issue# 3 February 2009 - Sonshine

Living in a creative access country can wear on your nerves in ways that are hard to explain.  We are unable to openly worship, share, or meet together.  We have to watch what we say on the street, in emails and over the phone… all of this can stifle a person.  Not to mention that winter here is dark, cold, and covered in coal dust.  The pollution is so thick that the sun’s rays cannot shine through.  Therefore, every year, Pioneers hosts a retreat for its workers.  Our speaker this year spoke on the \psalms of ascent, which is fitting since they are Israel’s hymnal as they made their yearly pilgrimage for worship.  The first one (Psalm 120) says “too long I have lived among those who hate peace,” very much a summary of life here.  But Psalm 121 reminds us that even in times like this “our home comes from the LORD, the maker of heaven and earth”.  Conference is a time of refreshment; this year I enjoyed the warmth of the breach and felt the Son shine upon me.