"While there are immense benefits to putting down roots in a particular place among a particular people (contrary to, and perhaps because of my immensely poor example, I highly recommend it) there are also some potential liabilities -- namely, the narrowing, blinding effect of never being exposed to cultures, peoples, places, skin colors, economic brackets, dialects, philosophies, experiences, and perspectives that those are other can offer us.  

For it is only in drawing near to the other that we gain a fuller appreciation of the imago Dei.  For the imago Dei (image of God) is not contained in any single people group or place, but rather in the faces and stories and triumphs and sorrows of every nation, tribe, tongue, and generation.  Rather than lock us down into a single place and perspective, the nomadic way increases our exposure and broadens our horizons."  ~Scott Sauls  

We're grateful for the many places we've put down roots.  SITAG truly feels like family and home.  I can't imagine working with more dedicated, godly, funny, kind people.  Roxanne and I walked together early this morning and God gifted us with a lovely view as we sweated and chatted together.

But it looks like we're getting ready to be nomads again.  Our translation committee chairman, Belza, called this morning to inform us that the copra ship Lavusi is planning to leave Friday night.  We're holding this agenda very loosely, but preparing full speed ahead to leave for the village on this wooden tub of a boat.  And we're hopefully looking forward to seeing the "faces and stories and triumphs and sorrows" of our Marulaon neighbors this weekend!