Northern Colorado Emmaus Community
Northern
Lights
November 2007
What did the Walk to Emmaus mean to you?
I didn't know what to expect and was beginning to regret the commitment I had made to go. But after 72 hours on the Walk to Emmaus, I was filled with the power of love. I can't imagine my life without the experience. I was deeply moved by the presentations, the agape, singing praises with a collective voice, my wonderful and loving (Sassy Sarah) sisters, the many invisible people that shared their love, but mostly, by the feeling of God's love and presence. ~Kathryn Roth, Emmaus Walk 23
It was a weekend of surprises, soul searching, serious learning, and sassy Sarah sisters. I enjoyed getting to know, to appreciate, and to love the women (the sassy Sarah’s) at my table. It was a weekend that was an uplifting of the spirit and humbling to the point of tears. The entire time I felt the love of God and fellow Christians surrounding me and engulfing me. It was an experience that has become an indelible part of my life. I am so thankful I was able to attend the Walk to Emmaus # 23. ~Linda B.
Emmaus was one of the greatest experiences I’ve had. I truly felt God’s love so intensely, and it was much better than I ever imagined. Everyone involved gave of themselves so much. The people we interacted with, as well as those behind the scenes, represented the body of Christ so amazingly. I enjoyed the 15 talks learning about God’s grace as well as the companionships made that will last a lifetime. The biggest impact on me was the candle vigil. It was so beautiful, and I would have never dreamed there could be that much support for each of us, from the Emmaus community, family, and friends from church, being there to share in such a special moment, rooting us on in our spiritual growth. I had never experienced that type of togetherness and selfless love before. At Emmaus, you learn, you bond, you worship, you laugh and cry, you give and receive love, all in the arms of our Father who cuddles us and holds us near. ~Melissa
Melissa summed it up great, for me it was all that and directional, the weekend showed me paths I can take that I didn't know were there, gave me answers to questions I've had for a long time, and much more. The candle vigil was amazing! Then another surprise was all those same people back there on Sunday to hear how it all affected each of us individually. And SUPPORT! Wow. Something I will never forget! ~Tiffany
I had the privilege of serving on Walk #23 in Laramie Wyoming. Words cannot express how blessed I am to have served with such an amazing team in such a beautiful environment. Dave and Carol Lillie opened their arms, hearts, and their beautiful church to the Emmaus community to spread that agape love to those who attended. I was graced with seven beautifully spirited women at the table of Sarah…yes, sassy they were but faithful they are to the one God we serve. Each one shared a bit of their soul that desperately needed to be released, and by the end of the weekend we walked away with a renewed love for Jesus, a new love for one another, and better observation of oneself. This was, by far, the best Emmaus weekend yet! ~Brenda Bates, Table of the Sassy Smiling Sarah’s.
Kairos Report from Randy Borden
Dear Emmaus Brothers and Sisters,
I just got home from one of the most beautiful Kairos weekends I have ever experienced, and I wanted to share some of it with you. I was blessed to be able to be part of the USA delegate to La Modelo Prison in Managua, Nicaragua.
The team was made up of 5 men from the US, 3 were bilingual and 2 of us were not. Language was not a barrier in our servanthood role, 7 men were from Costa Rica, of which 2 now reside in Nicaragua, but were part of the Costa Rica start up weekend, and the remainder of the team was from Nicaragua. From the time we arrived in Managua there was an overwhelming feeling of Christ’s Love by the local team members to those of us who traveled from the USA and Costa Rica. We had the final team bonding meeting Wednesday evening after all team members had arrived and it was a very spirit filled and a moving time together.
As we entered the prison on Thursday, I found out we had to forfeit our Passports to the officer at the gate which I was very uncomfortable with, as we all know that’s our only free pass back out off a foreign country. So, I figured, well, God got me in here he will bring me home as well if I have faith, and trust in Him to guide the officers.
We worked with a different time schedule as we only had from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM each day with the residents. Day light hours because the electric would usually go out around 8:30 AM and sometimes come back on about 3:00 PM but never sure when or if it was coming back on. We started the weekend at 10:30 AM Thursday and finished up at 4:00 PM Sunday.
The over all feel of the weekend was one of growing joy in Christ Jesus for the residents, and learning who Jesus is. To explain this a little clearer, at open mike one of the residents talked about the word Love, and explained it like this. He said he had not thought of the word, used the word, felt the Love, or heard the word in a long time. Long enough ago he could not remember when the last time was, let alone feel God’s unconditional Love the way he did on the weekend.
Another resident at closing expressed his feeling of family, and how great it was to have a family around him that he could now count on as his natural family left him long ago. He said he now had a family to communicate with, pray with, and share life with.
We are taught that we minister to officers as well as the residents in the Kairos program. Well, God showed me that this weekend. One of the officers on Saturday asked me and a couple other guys to print our names on a piece of paper and then sign our name. I thought, “What’s Up Now”! We are taught to follow the officer’s orders even if they feel wrong and ask leadership about it at the end of the day, not to question it as it happens. I found out first hand Saturday, why. After we printed and signed our names the officer thanked us and said he needed our names so he could pray for us the rest of his life that we had no idea the impact we had on his life and his future.
I would like to close with what was the most awesome thing I heard during open mike on the weekend. One of the residents said he felt the Holy Spirit moving in his heart like never before. He never thought of the spirit as being already in him, and with him. He thought he could never be good enough to deserve a friendship with God, and now he knows God has always been there, that it was he (the resident) that had moved and now is back in the grace of our Lord and Savior from the experience he had on the weekend.
In Christ
Randy Borden
2007 NCEC Calendar
Ø November 1 – 4, 2007 – EOTR Women’s Walk #129
Ø November 10, 2007 – Emmaus Gathering, First Christian Church, 2000 N Lincoln Avenue, Loveland, CO
Ø December – Happy Birthday Jesus!
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What is that all about?
DeColores means "of colors" in Spanish and is meant to reflect the many colors of Christ.
The story goes that "De Colores" was written during a Spanish Cursillo, so the song has become a kind of anthem for the retreat.
The details of the weekend are held as a loose secret, a practice that has pulled an unwarranted veil of cultism (http://www.churchoftheservant.com/subpage.asp?ID=115) over the Emmaus Movement. People who have completed their own walk are reluctant to reveal just what happens over the weekend not out of any kind of shame, but more out of a desire not to spoil any of the surprise and actual wonder of the weekend.
There is definitely a slightly disconcerting sense of secrecy around the weekend-- but this is only kept to enhance the experience for the participants. Some parts of the weekend are much more significant when they come as surprises.
De colores is something of a shibboleth (slogan; catchword; a common saying or belief with little current meaning or truth) for the various groups participating in a similar program.
De Colores is the greeting for a group of different Christian Renewal weekends - Tres Dias, Cursillo, Walk to Emmaus, to name a few. The greeting comes from the De Colores song, the traditional Spanish folk song, although in some communities it's sung in English.
http://www.albemarleemmaus.org/emmaus/decoloressong.html
(Remember there is NOTHING about the “Walk to Emmaus” that is secret. If a friend asks you about the weekend – answer them truthfully. Tell them everything if you want – it will still be very special for them when they go on their own walk. What is special to one isn’t always special to another. Remember don’t anticipate!)
Notes from an Emmaus Journey
Rev. Al Adams
Least Likely
Jesus traveled through all the cities and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And wherever he went, he healed people of every sort of disease and illness.
He felt great pity for the crowds that came, because their problems were so great and they didn't know where to go for help. They were like sheep without a shepherd.
He said to his disciples, "The harvest is so great, but the workers are so few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send out more workers for his fields."
- Matthew 9: 35-38 (New Living Translation)
Jesus went to every town and village. He taught in their meeting places and preached the good news about God's kingdom. Jesus also healed every kind of disease and sickness.
When he saw the crowds, he felt sorry for them. They were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
He said to his disciples, "A large crop is in the fields, but there are only a few workers. Ask the Lord in charge of the harvest to send out workers to bring it in."
- Matthew 9: 35-38 (Contemporary English Version)
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Sherry slowly opened her eyes. Maybe it was all a bad dream. Nope. From her place on the sofa, she could see the house was.... trashed. It had started simply enough. Her parents had gone away for the night, leaving her in charge for the first time. They'd said she could have a couple of (two) girlfriends over, so she'd invited two friends to watch TV and hang out.
What was she going to do now? They'd trusted her to stay home for the first time ever. Her dad's voice echoed in her head, "We trust you, Sherry. You've earned it. See you Saturday night!" Oh boy. She squeezed her eyes shut. Maybe.....She opened them again....nope. If anything, the mess looked even worse than before.
The clock caught Sherry's eye. Oh no! She sprang off the sofa. They'd be home in - 3 hours! How had those 2 friends become over 20? It had happened so fast!
The first hour passed way too quickly as Sherry carted all the dishes to the kitchen. Only 2 hours left! She had to pick up trash, clean the tables, vacuum, sweep, clean bathrooms......and she hadn't even checked the porch.......
She almost gave up. In her despair, she sank down in her dad's chair. Before she knew it, she was praying, "God, I'm so sorry. I just need help. I've just got to get this mess cleaned up! I'll never do it again. Just please help me!"
Nothing happened. Just as Sherry got up to continue cleaning, there was a loud knock on the front door. Before she could take two steps, the doorbell rang. Now what???
She opened the door only to see - five (she counted) five little Brownie Girl Scouts. Oh man - not now ! The one in front smiled and held out a bag of cookies. "Here's your cookies!" Big smile again. "OK, thanks." Sherry started to close the door. Then she noticed the girls' smiles had changed .... to shocked expressions as they saw her living room. Great. Just great.
"Can we help?" came the first voice. Then another - "Yeah, I can use the vacuum. My mom showed me how." A small voice piped up from the back, "I'm real good at cleaning. My dad taught me. He cleans stuff every day!"
Oh God, Sherry thought (OK, prayed), I wanted help, but.......
She started to say no, started to shut the door........then she looked at her watch. Only an hour and a half left. Well, God....wow. OK.
Sherry took a deep breath. "OK, you can help." And they zoomed (literally) in and went to work. Picking up trash, vacuuming, dusting, washing... It was amazing.
They were so busy cleaning - vacuum buzzing, dishwasher sloshing, CD player going, that they didn't notice them until her mom's voice called out, "Honey? Sherry, we're home. What's going on?" One of the girls came running up to them, excitedly calling out, "Sherry's so cool! She's helping us with our Girl Scout project!" Another voice chimed in from across the room. "Yeah, we didn't think we'd ever get our hours in!"
Her parents looked around. Wow! The house was looking good! Sherry's dad beamed with pride that his daughter was helping all these little girls. He knew he could trust her! There were more than two of them, but......wow!
As the Girl Scouts left, Sherry's mom began to tell her how wonderful she thought it was that she'd helped those little girls. Then she noticed the tears rolling down Sherry's face. Confused, she stopped talking. She waited.
"Oh, mom..." And the truth came tumbling out. How two friends doing homework and watching TV became over twenty - smoking, drinking, and, well.... How she'd prayed for help - and the amazing, least-likely way God had answered her prayer.
"Yeah, Mom, I almost shut the door on them - twice!"
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He said to his disciples, "A large crop is in the fields, but there are only a few workers. Ask the Lord in charge of the harvest to send out workers to bring it in."
Hmmm... I can just picture it. Can't you? Here's Jesus saying basically, 'We need more help here - ask God to send helpers!' And the disciples, 'Us? You mean us? You want us to get more workers? More followers?' (ever said that yourself? Hmmm...)
Have you ever been in a group and someone in charge comes along asking for 'volunteers' for some job? Not too many of us step right up and call out, "Me, me! Choose me!" No, not happening. We (sometimes) reluctantly say, "Well OK, I guess I can help." We look around to see if anyone else is stepping up. We hope enough others step forward so that (a) we don't have to, and (b) no one notices us intentionally NOT helping out.
Here's another thought. Have you ever thought maybe...well, maybe you're not good enough, strong enough, smart enough, ------ enough, .......? You tell yourself, 'Well, I'm just not the one for this'?
What if Sherry had thought like that? She almost did. They weren't exactly her idea of cleaning experts. Not her picture (or ours) of what a maid service crew would look like! And yet.......yet in her own way, Sherry prayed for 'workers for her field'. She needed help putting right, repairing damage she'd done to her relationship with her parents. Her 'field' was one of repentance - and she needed help.
What if those little Girl Scouts had thought like that? Let's see......five little girls, probably 7-10 years old. Looking at a HUGE mess. Got lots of cookies to deliver. Things to do. Places to go. And besides, what could five little girls do - in the face of ALL THAT?
The truth is, we've been in places like Sherry (you know, the 'sheep without a shepherd' place?), and we've been in places like those Girl Scouts (the God-called harvest workers).
Sometimes we're God's 'harvest field'. Sometimes God's calling us to be the workers.
Sometimes we see it. Sometimes we don't.
Sometimes we answer God's prompting and accept the workers God sends to harvest us. And sometimes, well sometimes we tell God, in effect, "God, who? what? You've got to be kidding!"
Sometimes we say yes to God's call to be harvest workers, and sometimes......well, you get the picture.
How has God loved, shepherded, and 'harvested' you today?
How has God called you to be a 'harvest worker', to be the hands, feet, and voice of Christ - today?
And the 'harvest'? Why, that's God's visible rule on earth, becoming more and more visible - the more harvest workers answer 'yes' to God's call!
How about the 'field'? That's us too! Each day, God is loving, shepherding, and 'harvesting' us! We don't always like this part, but it's true. Every day, in every circumstance, God is calling us to a closer relationship, a closer and deeper life in God's awesome.....Living Grace!
De Colores!
= Don’t forget the Emmaus gathering on November 10th – don’t forget your rainbow book,
name tag, and Emmaus cross.
= Don’t forget to get your ballots sent back by November 10th
= Don’t forget to prayerfully consider whom you would like to bless by inviting them
to attend a “Walk to Emmaus”.
= Don’t forget to get your team application in to serve on a walk in Spring of 2008.
= Don’t forget to get involved in a Reunion Group.
= Don’t forget to start thinking about table or pillow agape.
= Don’t forget there are other Emmaus walks scheduled. Visit http://www.upperroom.org/Emmaus/community/default.asp to sign up for a prayer vigil in a far away place.
= Don’t forget “Christ is counting on YOU!”
= Don’t forget to count on Christ!
Visit the Northern Colorado Emmaus Community website often.
The address is http://www.northcoloemmaus.org/index.htm.