Changes

About this time five years ago, I was preparing to leave for the Dominican Republic. It was the week before Easter, Holy Week, and I had little idea of what to expect when I arrived. At the time I was freshly graduated from college, been fired from my first "real" job after school, and living with my brother and a friend in a house that I had purchased less than one year ago.

That first week in the DR had a profound impact on me. I remember the many events we had for Easter - the footwashing service on Thursday, our sunrise service and the wonderful breakfast that followed. I remember joining the housefathers in cutting fruit for the meal as I got to know people and grow accustomed to my new surroundings.

Easter this year was quite different. There was a Thursday evening service, but completely different than the one to which I was accustomed. We had a Good Friday service in a Lutheran church that I had been in twice - once for the funeral of my beloved High School science teacher and once to give a report on missions in the DR. This morning's service was a nice sunrise service, but different than anything I was used to...it's amazing how quickly you get used to things but never fully appreciate them until they are behind you.

I can't say what I saw this morning, but it made a profound impact on my day (not a positive one though).

It's strange - feeling a stranger in the world you grew up in. As I reflect on this time and compare it to five years ago, I'm amazed at how different some things are, and how eerily similar others remain. At the moment, I'm living in a house where my friend lived growing up. I was a regular guest here from the age of 6. We got into all sorts of trouble here. Then my grandparents bought the house and lived here until some years after my grandfather passed away. In a way, this house is part of me. Once again, I am living with my brother, although he now owns the house. I now live with a lovely wife, darling daughter and a lively dog.

There is snow on the ground. Easter greets us with new promises as we celebrate Christ, who overcame death so we might live. As wretched as we are, he endured unspeakable sufferings for us. I am overwhelmed.