The Doldrums

Perhaps you've heard of the Intertropical Convergence Zone? It's the name for the geographic area extending five degrees north and south of the equator. Here the intense heat of the sun causes water to evaporate and form persistent showers and storms. Here the prevailing trade winds from the north and south falter and fizzle. Here wind driven sailing ships slow to a crawl and the crews are forced into a season of rest as their sails droop from the masts. Compared to their usual frenetic, strenuous lives, sailors found themselves feeling in low spirits because of their inactivity and nicknamed the area the doldrums.

In many ways Highland Hills over the summer can feel like we are in the doldrums. We have the summer heat in spades, wilting the plants and the people. Many of our normal activities take a break, whether that is choir or family night supper or Deacon and Coordinating Council meetings. Lots of members are out traveling and unable to be with us as consistently as during the school year. It is easy to believe the church is slumping during the heat just like the grass. Yet, like for most things in life, the changing of the seasons is necessary for true flourishing. Pausing much of our usual activities allows for some uniquely special weeks. Last week we welcomed nine children to Camp Wild Wonder and our halls and grounds rang with shouts and giggles of energetic boys and one girl as they learned about and experienced some of the weird and wonderful parts of creation. They listened to bird calls and dissected owl pellets. They hunted for the colors of the rainbow and examined strawberry DNA. Each day we said Psalm 104:24 together: "What a wildly wonderful world, God! You made it all, with wisdom at your side, made Earth overflow with your wonderful creations." If you didn't get to see them yet, check out some of the pictures on Facebook.

As we celebrate this week of camp, we also look forward to our Amani Sasa team leaving on Monday morning for twelve days. After a year of planning and preparation, four church members—Emily Brumley, Dianne Fuller, Sydney Spivey, and myself—are headed to Kampala, Uganda to see and serve alongside our partners at Amani Sasa. We will learn about the refugees that come to Uganda from all over Central Africa and how Amani Sasa holistically helps them learn how to heal and thrive in their new context. For the last several days of the trip, our team is privileged to be leading the staff retreat for the Amani Sasa team. Please be praying for our team. Pray for safe travels through airports and foreign streets and from infectious mosquitoes and flies. Pray that our hearts are open and we are quick to listen. Pray for us as we lead the staff retreat, that we can embody the peace, rest, and joy the Amani Sasa staff need to recharge and reengage with their good work. Pray for us all to join with God in the work that God is already doing, whether in Kampala or Macon.

This season feels a bit different. I hope you can rest and recharge and hide from the heat, but wherever the summer takes you, may God bring you home rejoicing at the wonders God has shown you. May God bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.