Yesterday I was at University to give an orientation class to Finnish exchange students who are heading to Africa during next academic year. They were not that many, Africa seems to require some special guts from people and it is not everyone´s piece of cake I suppose. However I was glad for those few who have chosen some African country instead of some other, more familiar or more likely option.
The least pleasant experience lately has been a dentist: I seem to have some malocclusion (check the dictionary!) which needs to be paid some attention to. Finally, since it may explain the muscle tension and I have at mornings. One of the nicest events this week has been the academic dinner which was arranged by theology students. Some of the jokes kept making me laugh even the next day.
This week has also witnessed some exciting and a bit stressful moments in terms of working permits. Lost papers, delays, wrong telephone numbers, and absent people all give their own special taste to events. But we are optimistic now – we must be, since we are supposed to be out of our house by the beginning of July.
perjantai 27. huhtikuuta 2007
maanantai 23. huhtikuuta 2007
Dollhouse News (23.4.2007)
As many of my friends know, I have developed a new hobby in the past year: dollhouses and miniatures. It is a natural continuation of my life-long handicrafts addiction. Not long time ago when I was sitting in a train, an acquaintance happened to walk past and noticed me stitching a detailed dollhouse carpet – and he commented: “Didn´t know you do this “old womens” stuff…” That was a good opportunity to educate him that miniatures are actually a serious hobby called tripitism!
So, yesterday night I did some internet shopping and bought the following: a grand piano, cutlery and crocery, saucepans, a full bathroom set etc. My principle is to make everything by myself – furniture, food, textiles, lampshades and so – however I have also learnt that certain things you just have to buy. If you are interested in seeing some photos, check http://www.freewebs.com/matinlahti
So, yesterday night I did some internet shopping and bought the following: a grand piano, cutlery and crocery, saucepans, a full bathroom set etc. My principle is to make everything by myself – furniture, food, textiles, lampshades and so – however I have also learnt that certain things you just have to buy. If you are interested in seeing some photos, check http://www.freewebs.com/matinlahti
sunnuntai 22. huhtikuuta 2007
Wordplays (22.4.07)
People often complain that church/pastors don´t preach about important things. Why don´t you hear words such as sin, grace, salvation, redemption from the pulpit? Why don´t pastors´ say “Jesus is Lord” often enough? Vice versa, if you find someone who drops these key words once a while in a sermon, people seem content and pleased: finally someone, who is truly a spiritual person.
I am deeply bothered by this kind of wordplays. This is mostly because these words are meant, without exemption, for the insiders, the churchgoers themselves. They are meant for people who have grown into certain phraseology, which functions as a code language: this is my people talking, my world, my faith. Psychologically, it is about affirmation, I suppose: search for certainty and safety. However, it definitely sets the boundaries to the outer world, sharpens the contrast to “those outside us”. Even if “out there” were someone who would be vaguely interested in what people are teaching in churches, this kind of inside language almost certainly turns one off. You must be extremely persistent to be able to break through this code language.
Of course, we can not manage without words, if we want to explain something. Although I sometimes doubt whether “explanations” are the right method to convey information about something that can not be put into words. I am thinking of e.g. an experience of sacredness, that short moment when suddenly and totally unexpectedly the “other world” becomes intertwined into “this world”, when two realities are merged together for a second. That kind of experience reveals the limitations of language – and shows, how especially we Westerners are too bound by our intellect and rationalism when we try to understand spirituality. Our approach most often is dominated by “the head”, which is the place of intellect, explanations, doctrine, knowledge, words and so on.
In a spiritual journey, we are given hints towards other “places” (or faculties) than “head” only, namely “heart” and “stomach”. Heart would be a place of emotions, feeling, charisma, and even extacy. I am, however, more drawn towards “stomach”, though, than “heart” – because I have learnt that if “head” has its limitations, also “heart” can become a problem – because it can turn out to be quite unreliable!
What is “stomach”, then? It is the dwelling place of soul, instinct, mystery, the “unexplainable”. It is the way of “watching with the third eye” (concept of Asian theology), by which you can see the invisible. It is the place of silence, solitude, place where you are invited to spend time in seeing the mysteries of God. It is the way of contemplation and meditation, prayer without words. It is a place rather than “method” – a place where to step into, like you would step into garden in the expectation of meeting someone very important there.
I am deeply bothered by this kind of wordplays. This is mostly because these words are meant, without exemption, for the insiders, the churchgoers themselves. They are meant for people who have grown into certain phraseology, which functions as a code language: this is my people talking, my world, my faith. Psychologically, it is about affirmation, I suppose: search for certainty and safety. However, it definitely sets the boundaries to the outer world, sharpens the contrast to “those outside us”. Even if “out there” were someone who would be vaguely interested in what people are teaching in churches, this kind of inside language almost certainly turns one off. You must be extremely persistent to be able to break through this code language.
Of course, we can not manage without words, if we want to explain something. Although I sometimes doubt whether “explanations” are the right method to convey information about something that can not be put into words. I am thinking of e.g. an experience of sacredness, that short moment when suddenly and totally unexpectedly the “other world” becomes intertwined into “this world”, when two realities are merged together for a second. That kind of experience reveals the limitations of language – and shows, how especially we Westerners are too bound by our intellect and rationalism when we try to understand spirituality. Our approach most often is dominated by “the head”, which is the place of intellect, explanations, doctrine, knowledge, words and so on.
In a spiritual journey, we are given hints towards other “places” (or faculties) than “head” only, namely “heart” and “stomach”. Heart would be a place of emotions, feeling, charisma, and even extacy. I am, however, more drawn towards “stomach”, though, than “heart” – because I have learnt that if “head” has its limitations, also “heart” can become a problem – because it can turn out to be quite unreliable!
What is “stomach”, then? It is the dwelling place of soul, instinct, mystery, the “unexplainable”. It is the way of “watching with the third eye” (concept of Asian theology), by which you can see the invisible. It is the place of silence, solitude, place where you are invited to spend time in seeing the mysteries of God. It is the way of contemplation and meditation, prayer without words. It is a place rather than “method” – a place where to step into, like you would step into garden in the expectation of meeting someone very important there.
perjantai 20. huhtikuuta 2007
Routines (20.4.07)
"Last time" is always rather hard: knowing that something is happening for the last time - especially if that "something" has had positive quality. I again have that feeling about various things, and mostly about things that have become daily/weekly routine. They are nothing very special, only my every-friday circuit training, or Pihla´s violin classes, or sorting out winter clothes. It is all about dismantling something that you have managed to put nicely together.
Routines are an interesting thing. You need them: routines can support life in a positive way, they can spare your energy, they make life safe for children. And same time, they can petrify life, they can become such a barrier that nothing new can break in. Our routines are about to fall apart again, which definitely means that something new is waiting at the doorstep. It is a fascinating, same time rather tiring thought. I am more and more aware of the fact that years have passed by since we first moved to Africa. I have lost the illusion of immortality ("what on earth could happen to us?!") - because anything can happen to anyone. Especially in Africa, where people generally seem to go through much harder, also much more joyful events than here.
Routines are an interesting thing. You need them: routines can support life in a positive way, they can spare your energy, they make life safe for children. And same time, they can petrify life, they can become such a barrier that nothing new can break in. Our routines are about to fall apart again, which definitely means that something new is waiting at the doorstep. It is a fascinating, same time rather tiring thought. I am more and more aware of the fact that years have passed by since we first moved to Africa. I have lost the illusion of immortality ("what on earth could happen to us?!") - because anything can happen to anyone. Especially in Africa, where people generally seem to go through much harder, also much more joyful events than here.
torstai 19. huhtikuuta 2007
Karibu! (19.4.2007)
Dear friends all over the world. This is an official opening of my blog - something I have planned to do for quite some time now. After a long and painful consideration, this will be in English only - sorry all my Finnish-only speaking friends and relatives.
As June is drawing near, our preparations for returning to Tanzania are getting more and more acute. Yesterday we agreed over renting out our house, vaccinations and medical check ups are on the way, Jyri is preparing for the last exams - and there is a pile of stuff in the bedroom conrner (such as materials for handicrafts, collection of nice Marimekko napkins, new handbag, camping gear etc) that is supposed to find its way to Tanzania at some point. Plus a collection of most needed books on hiv/aids, Africa, counseling at hospitals and schools, relationship counseling, gender and development issues, research methodology and so.
I also got involved in a minor car crash today... My fault, completely, I was reversing from a parking lot in town and so it happened, I hit another car which I just could not see crawling slowly behind and totally out of my sight, must have been that famous "dead corner" (second time in my entire life). It was not that bad, the other car was even older than mine and the driver, a nice old grandpa did not seem to be very upset.
Garden looks inviting today: even if we got some nasty cold rain earlier, sun is shining now and there is so much dead leaves from last autumn to be raked up - can´t wait to get out. Pihla seems unwell today, took a lengthy nap after school, did not have appetite and feels hot. And refuses to skip the schoolday tomorrow. Kaisli had a science exam today.
As June is drawing near, our preparations for returning to Tanzania are getting more and more acute. Yesterday we agreed over renting out our house, vaccinations and medical check ups are on the way, Jyri is preparing for the last exams - and there is a pile of stuff in the bedroom conrner (such as materials for handicrafts, collection of nice Marimekko napkins, new handbag, camping gear etc) that is supposed to find its way to Tanzania at some point. Plus a collection of most needed books on hiv/aids, Africa, counseling at hospitals and schools, relationship counseling, gender and development issues, research methodology and so.
I also got involved in a minor car crash today... My fault, completely, I was reversing from a parking lot in town and so it happened, I hit another car which I just could not see crawling slowly behind and totally out of my sight, must have been that famous "dead corner" (second time in my entire life). It was not that bad, the other car was even older than mine and the driver, a nice old grandpa did not seem to be very upset.
Garden looks inviting today: even if we got some nasty cold rain earlier, sun is shining now and there is so much dead leaves from last autumn to be raked up - can´t wait to get out. Pihla seems unwell today, took a lengthy nap after school, did not have appetite and feels hot. And refuses to skip the schoolday tomorrow. Kaisli had a science exam today.
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