George Martzen "georgos"

We are staying for a week in Atlanta while we get our GBGM medicals. How nice it is to stay put in one place for a few days. Last weenend we were in Nashville at Scarritt Bennett Center for the Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia Missionary Reunion. We were the only "live" missionaries present; all others are retired or teaching in the US. To be in the presence of people who served before us was quite humbling and educational. We saw pictures of Singapore in the 50s and 60s, and we heard stories from the time of Singapore's independence. I also found useful the discussions about the future of missions, particularly Robert Hunts observations about the transformation of missions, particular from the influence of entrepreneural and short-term missionaries. The era of big, centralized mission agencies is waining and the era of networking between local churches and mission field is growing. Interestingly enough, while short-term missions, with it's strengths and signific...

I use the word "sketch" because I don't have full details on everything that happened, nor do I have a handle on the long-term implications of some of the critical actions taken. First, it was wonderful just to see colleagues. The 2009 session of California-Pacific Annual Conference was one day shorter than last year, for obvious reasons. The price did not seem to be less. Oh well. My family and I caught a ride with Rev Samuel Chow, a good friend and colleague, now serving at San Gabriel UMC. After settling in at Founders Hall at the University of Redlands, we took our lunch. Walter quickly jumped into action with the other PKs waiting tables in the cafeteria. It gave him some meaningful activity with others in his age range and the potential to make some spending money. In the afternoon we joined the Orders of Ministry session where we were introduced to Dr Randy Maddox of SMU/Perkins. It was a pleasure to hear him that afternoon and for the rest of the week as he led Bi...

Actually, we have been back in the USA for a week and a half now, having flown in on Friday, June 5, from our mission assignment in Singapore. We have spoken at four churches so far - Shepherd of the Hills UMC in Monterey Park, Santa Barbara 1st UMC, El Monte UMC and El Segundo UMC. Our theme has been "A Song of Hope" which captures two significant elements of our lives and ministry in Singapore. First, there is a need for real hope in our world and second, hope often springs forth in a song. In the biblical tradition, there are tons of hopeful songs, along with some depressing ones. See who comes back after singing Psalm 137 in your praise & worship set. But the song of Moses in Exodus 15 raises the hope of settling in Zion. You will bring them in and plant them on the mountain of your inheritance— the place, O LORD, you made for your dwelling, the sanctuary, O Lord, your hands established. And what powerful hymn did Paul and Silas sing that rock...