10 January 2010, Sunday
Logan, Utah
The sun was late in rising, or so it seemed to my more southern sensibilities when I awoke to darkness at 7:00 AM. After reading the Word and praying privately, I joined the family for a cup of tea before attending service at Valley Christian Church. The little community of Baptist believers convened in a smallish one-story bungalow. Music had already begun, and parishioners sat or stood in loose rows of folding chairs.
View from Taylor's home.
Though most attendees were Caucasian, a number appeared to be of the Karin people, first evangelized in the 1800's by the legendary Adoniram Judson. During the past decade, ethnic cleansing in Burma has sent them fleeing as refugees worldwide, and of all places, to Utah. Their plight is especially sad in Cache valley, where LDS missionaries seize upon indigent people, such as the Karin, offering appliances, food, and help if so long as they submit to baptism and induction into the Mormon Church. "Converts" are then heralded in newspaper figures as evidence of stellar growth in the advancing kingdom of Joseph Smith.
Valley Church
In an effort to combat such mercenary activity, Protestant Christians in Logan and throughout the State have stepped up to aid the Karin without requiring anything in return. When appropriate, Christians share the gospel and invite them to fellowship, but make no demands of the Karin. Valley Christian Church has gone so far as to perform scripture readings in the Karin tongue, and provide Sunday school services in their own language.
Following the service, I met Michelle, a woman in her twenties. She was kind enough to inform me that she has read and appreciated some of my articles from The Open Life. I am always surprised and humbled to discover persons profiting from the portions I am sometimes able to set out.
Eli speaks with friend.
In the afternoon a number of believers gathered to help a family move into their new home. It was here that I met Brad Scheelke, though only briefly.
Eli helps another pastor move furniture.
Brad Scheelke [center] and Alan [lright] with Brad's son.
After dinner, Eli, Alan, and I played the rather complicated game of Diplomacy, a favorite of John F. Kennedy. Reading the rules itself required two hours. We never did finish the game, but I project that defeat was headed my way.
Playing Diplomacy.
Logan, Utah
The sun was late in rising, or so it seemed to my more southern sensibilities when I awoke to darkness at 7:00 AM. After reading the Word and praying privately, I joined the family for a cup of tea before attending service at Valley Christian Church. The little community of Baptist believers convened in a smallish one-story bungalow. Music had already begun, and parishioners sat or stood in loose rows of folding chairs.
View from Taylor's home.
Though most attendees were Caucasian, a number appeared to be of the Karin people, first evangelized in the 1800's by the legendary Adoniram Judson. During the past decade, ethnic cleansing in Burma has sent them fleeing as refugees worldwide, and of all places, to Utah. Their plight is especially sad in Cache valley, where LDS missionaries seize upon indigent people, such as the Karin, offering appliances, food, and help if so long as they submit to baptism and induction into the Mormon Church. "Converts" are then heralded in newspaper figures as evidence of stellar growth in the advancing kingdom of Joseph Smith.
Valley Church
In an effort to combat such mercenary activity, Protestant Christians in Logan and throughout the State have stepped up to aid the Karin without requiring anything in return. When appropriate, Christians share the gospel and invite them to fellowship, but make no demands of the Karin. Valley Christian Church has gone so far as to perform scripture readings in the Karin tongue, and provide Sunday school services in their own language.
Following the service, I met Michelle, a woman in her twenties. She was kind enough to inform me that she has read and appreciated some of my articles from The Open Life. I am always surprised and humbled to discover persons profiting from the portions I am sometimes able to set out.
Eli speaks with friend.
In the afternoon a number of believers gathered to help a family move into their new home. It was here that I met Brad Scheelke, though only briefly.
Eli helps another pastor move furniture.
Brad Scheelke [center] and Alan [lright] with Brad's son.
After dinner, Eli, Alan, and I played the rather complicated game of Diplomacy, a favorite of John F. Kennedy. Reading the rules itself required two hours. We never did finish the game, but I project that defeat was headed my way.
Playing Diplomacy.
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Hi, you didn't meet me, but my kids at the Friday bible study and thought you might like to correct one of the caption's, it is not Brad's GRANDson, but one of his sons. Feel free to delete this comment, but I thought you might like to know. Great blog - very well written.