Ship of Fools: O God, don't choose me!

Thread: O God, don't choose me! Board: Oblivion / Ship of Fools.

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Posted by Felafool (# 270) on :

So, the decision on the new ABC will be made imminently.

According to the BBC website , one of the shortlisted prospects, the Bishop of Norwich, Graham James "told the BBC he was praying that he was not chosen for the post.

"Anyone who really longs to be the Archbishop of Canterbury is probably not terribly well-equipped to do the job.

Nonetheless I am fairly sure the whole process will lead, I hope and pray, to God choosing someone other than me," he said

In one sense +Graham has declared how suitable he is for the post (because he really doesn't want it). However, he has specifically prayed that it is offered to someone else.

My question is, what if God has other ideas, and actually has his finger on Graham James? How might +Graham need to rethink his prayers, and how might others respond to an ABC who seems to pray against the will of God?

Posted by Karl: Liberal Backslider (# 76) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Felafool:
So, the decision on the new ABC will be made imminently.

According to the BBC website , one of the shortlisted prospects, the Bishop of Norwich, Graham James "told the BBC he was praying that he was not chosen for the post.

"Anyone who really longs to be the Archbishop of Canterbury is probably not terribly well-equipped to do the job.

Nonetheless I am fairly sure the whole process will lead, I hope and pray, to God choosing someone other than me," he said

In one sense +Graham has declared how suitable he is for the post (because he really doesn't want it). However, he has specifically prayed that it is offered to someone else.

My question is, what if God has other ideas, and actually has his finger on Graham James? How might +Graham need to rethink his prayers, and how might others respond to an ABC who seems to pray against the will of God?

Doesn't seem terribly different to a well-known episode in a 1st century garden in Palestine to me.

Posted by tclune (# 7959) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Karl: Liberal Backslider:
Doesn't seem terribly different to a well-known episode in a 1st century garden in Palestine to me.

Struck me more like Gideon...

--Tom Clune

Posted by Higgs Bosun (# 16582) on :

I was confirmed by Leonard Wilson, Bishop of Birmingham. He related how, when newly ordained, he had prayed that he was willing to go anywhere in the world apart from the north pole, the equator and Birmingham.

During WWII he was bishop in Singapore, where he suffered under the Japanese (it is said that the reason he had a beard was to hide the scars). When Bishop of Birmingham he said that he was now waiting for the call to the north pole.

Posted by Felafool (# 270) on :

Karl.LB wrote

quote:
Doesn't seem terribly different to a well-known episode in a 1st century garden in Palestine to me.

good point, well made.

Now let's up the ante. Is +Graham actually maneouvering himself into position by praying as he did, and publicly saying that what his prayer?

Posted by Karl: Liberal Backslider (# 76) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Felafool:
Karl.LB wrote
quote:
Doesn't seem terribly different to a well-known episode in a 1st century garden in Palestine to me.

good point, well made.

Now let's up the ante. Is +Graham actually maneouvering himself into position by praying as he did, and publicly saying that what his prayer?

I dunno. It looks like the sort of statement anyone in the running for this sort of appointment might be inclined to make, TBH.

Posted by Lamb Chopped (# 5528) on :

I've known seminarians awaiting their first call who tried reverse psych on God that way. They tell me ( with a laugh) that in those cases they got their asked-for-but-not-wanted prayer request.

Posted by Anselmina (# 3032) on :

If Bishop Graham James doesn't want to be chosen can't he withdraw himself from the running? Or refuse the post?

Posted by Raptor Eye (# 16649) on :

Moses comes to mind. He tried telling God how ill-equipped he was, and in the end said 'Please send someone else!'

We can say 'no' to God, but we can expect God to be persuasive. Look at Jonah!

Posted by earrings (# 13306) on :

I remember telling God very clearly that "anywhere but the South-West" would be great as my husband and I began our search for curacies. (family reasons, not a real prejudice against it) A curacy in Plymouth followed then a further 13 years in Exeter diocese!!!! God has a sense of humour!

In relation to Graham James I can imagine someone praying desperately that the finger would not point at them, but being prepared to take it on should they be called, that just seems like human reality.

Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Karl: Liberal Backslider:

quote:
Originally posted by Felafool:
Karl.LB wrote
quote:
Doesn't seem terribly different to a well-known episode in a 1st century garden in Palestine to me.

good point, well made.

Now let's up the ante. Is +Graham actually maneouvering himself into position by praying as he did, and publicly saying that what his prayer?
I dunno. It looks like the sort of statement anyone in the running for this sort of appointment might be inclined to make, TBH.

It looks like the kind of statement that anyone involved in choosing the next ABC would look at very carefully indeed. I doubt they would look on it favourably unless it was from a very strong candidate "Heck" they might think "If he says things like that now, what will he say as ABC?".

Posted by LeRoc (# 3216) on :

I'm praying that God won't choose me as the ABC. If He doesn't, at least I'll have the irrefutable proof that He exists [Biased]

Posted by EtymologicalEvangelical (# 15091) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Karl: Liberal Backslider
Doesn't seem terribly different to a well-known episode in a 1st century garden in Palestine to me.

The prayer of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane has, in my view, often been misunderstood. Jesus was not giving any impression that he didn't want to do his Father's will - quite the reverse ("not what I will but what you will") - but rather expressing his hope that if there were a way to save mankind without all the pain, then that is what he would prefer (which is what any sane person would prefer). In other words, the prayer is a revelation that God does not glorify pain and suffering, but only allows it as an unavoidable necessity. There is nothing in this prayer that indicates any kind of conflict between God the Father and God the Son, just an expression of the undesirability of pain.

A better example would be the prayer of Moses in Exodus 4:13, when he asked to be released from the task of public speaking. Interestingly it says that God was angry with him, but actually complied with his request, hence the role of Aaron (see verses 14-15). Eventually, however, Moses did find the confidence to speak.

So, from a biblical point of view, I don't think it's right to suggest that God ruthlessly overrules people's fears by forcing them to face up to them and grin and bear them.

Another example is Joseph, the husband of Mary. On the return from Egypt, he was afraid to go via Judea, because Herod's son was in power. But God had specifically told him in a dream that "those who sought the young child's life are dead" - therefore there was no one to fear. However, because of his fear, he was commanded (often translated "warned", but can mean "advised") to go to Nazareth by another route. This looks like a concession.

Posted by Zacchaeus (# 14454) on :

I suppose it depends on how the statement was made. If for instance he was replying to a direct question by a BBC reporter, then that might be one thing, however if he was just issuing a statement then I would be concerned that he was angling for the position.

Posted by Mr. Rob (# 5823) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Felafool:

... I hope and pray, to God choosing someone other than me ...

... what if God has other ideas ..?

Well +Graham, if nominated or selected or appointed, or whatever you want to call it these days, does not have to accept the Canterbury job. That's as simple as saying, "no thanks." So it is Graham James himself who controls the final selection if the fickle finger of fate is pointed at him.

However, I do think what you are hearing from James is standard humility boilerplate that all clerics produce singled out for high ecclesiastical office. The Lord I am not worthy bit is expected, nearly required rhetoric, so one can't place much weight on such words.
*

Posted by Karl: Liberal Backslider (# 76) on :

EE - I see what the bishop is saying as being very much the same "I pray I don't have to be ABC" - he doesn't pray that God's will not be done, but that God's will not be that he get the job.

Which seems to parallel Jesus praying that God's will be that there be another way quite closely.

Is that a record for use of subjunctives in a short piece of English?

Posted by Chorister (# 473) on :

One of our former vicars said 'Whatever the future holds, I definitely don't want to be an Archdecon'. No prizes for guessing what he is now.

Probably safer not to say anything....

Posted by Barnabas62 (# 9110) on :

Don't the Mennonites choose the least willing on the grounds that they pass the humility test? (Or is that folklore?).

I like + Graham. So I hope his prayer is granted. ++ Rowan is sounding increasingly demob-happy and who could blame him.

Such reflections reminds me an alleged conversation between Kennedy and Johnson (during the Cuba crisis, I think). Started with "So you want this ****** job?"

Posted by Doc Tor (# 9748) on :

If I heard the radio correctly, the leader of the Coptic church is chosen by:

a) putting the names of qualified candidates in a hat
b) praying that the Holy Spirit guides the hand that will choose
c) a small child picks a name from the hat

That's pretty much it. Would that we had the same system here.

Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :

Ah, but you've got to make sure you're using the right kind of hat.

Posted by SvitlanaV2 (# 16967) on :

So, if you don't know what direction God wants you to take, you should face up to a few of the least attractive options and pick one of them? (Or perhaps this only works for religious professionals, i.e. the ordained or those likely to be ordained.)

Hmmm....

Posted by mousethief (# 953) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Baptist Trainfan:
Ah, but you've got to make sure you're using the right kind of hat.

I think you mean the right sort of hat.

Posted by Mark Betts (# 17074) on :

Bishop Graham James isn't the only one who hopes it isn't him - I do too! He seems far too wishy-washy, we need a charismatic character like John Sentamu to make the C of E attractive to people again.

[ 26. September 2012, 15:08: Message edited by: Mark Betts ]

Posted by Ricardus (# 8757) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Mr. Rob:
However, I do think what you are hearing from James is standard humility boilerplate that all clerics produce singled out for high ecclesiastical office. The Lord I am not worthy bit is expected, nearly required rhetoric, so one can't place much weight on such words.

Weren't you traditionally supposed to say nolo episcopari ('I don't want to be bishoped') when you got called to the episcopacy?

Posted by daronmedway (# 3012) on :

quote:
Originally posted by mousethief:

quote:
Originally posted by Baptist Trainfan:
Ah, but you've got to make sure you're using the right kind of hat.
I think you mean the right sort of hat.

I think you mean the right type of hat.

Posted by Lyda*Rose (# 4544) on :

I seem to recall that Andrew Greeley in The Making of the Popes 1978 reported that Karol Józef Wojtyła said something very similar in a certain locked wing of the Vatican when he saw the writing on the wall.

Eta: to fix code

[ 26. September 2012, 15:19: Message edited by: Lyda*Rose ]

Posted by mousethief (# 953) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Mark Betts:
Bishop Graham James isn't the only one who hopes it isn't him - I do too! He seems far too wishy-washy, we need a charismatic character like John Sentamu to make the C of E attractive to people again.

Maybe it's just me but it seems unlikely that what keeps people from being attracted to the C of E is who is ABC.

quote:
Originally posted by daronmedway:
I think you mean the right type of hat.

He missed it. [Frown]

[ 26. September 2012, 15:20: Message edited by: mousethief ]

Posted by daronmedway (# 3012) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Mark Betts:
Bishop Graham James isn't the only one who hopes it isn't him - I do too! He seems far too wishy-washy, we need a charismatic character like John Sentamu to make the C of E attractive to people again.

Only Jesus can make the C of E attractive again and he stopped being in charge a long time ago.

Posted by Doc Tor (# 9748) on :

quote:
Originally posted by mousethief:

quote:
Originally posted by daronmedway:
I think you mean the right type of hat.
He missed it.

Well, I got it. [Big Grin]

Posted by Felafool (# 270) on :

Doc Tor wrote:

quote:
If I heard the radio correctly, the leader of the Coptic church is chosen by:

..... [Lottery basically]

Sounds scriptural to me. Acts 1vv23-26, choosing a replacement for Judas. Indeed, why DON'T we do this more often?

Posted by Karl: Liberal Backslider (# 76) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Felafool:
Doc Tor wrote:

quote:
If I heard the radio correctly, the leader of the Coptic church is chosen by:
..... [Lottery basically]

Sounds scriptural to me. Acts 1vv23-26, choosing a replacement for Judas. Indeed, why DON'T we do this more often?

I seem to recall that Sir Humphrey took the view that no-one was sure that the Holy Spirit was fully aware of what made a good CofE bishop.

Posted by daronmedway (# 3012) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Doc Tor:

quote:
Originally posted by mousethief:

quote:
Originally posted by daronmedway:
I think you mean the right type of hat.
He missed it.
Well, I got it.

Is it Harry Potter? Possibly? [Confused]

Posted by daronmedway (# 3012) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Felafool:
So, the decision on the new ABC will be made imminently.

How soon is imminently?

Posted by Felafool (# 270) on :

ISTM that a lot of people struggle with guidance and God's will for them, thinking that if they put their trust in God, they will have to do the things they most want to avoid.

For me personally, I always had a negative view of people from a certain part of the world, as a result of a childhood experience. I always feared being sent to work alongside those people.

The funny and wonderful thing is that God changed my heart, removed the fear and replaced it with love to the extent that I willing went to work amongst those I had previously wanted to avoid.

Posted by Higgs Bosun (# 16582) on :

quote:
Originally posted by daronmedway:

quote:
Originally posted by Felafool:
So, the decision on the new ABC will be made imminently.
How soon is imminently?

I gather that the committee is meeting at a secret location from today for three days. I don't know if the length of time has any theological significance.

Posted by The Great Gumby (# 10989) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Karl: Liberal Backslider:

quote:
Originally posted by Felafool:
Doc Tor wrote:

quote:
If I heard the radio correctly, the leader of the Coptic church is chosen by:
..... [Lottery basically]

Sounds scriptural to me. Acts 1vv23-26, choosing a replacement for Judas. Indeed, why DON'T we do this more often?
I seem to recall that Sir Humphrey took the view that no-one was sure that the Holy Spirit was fully aware of what made a good CofE bishop.

Indeed. Pre-cambrian still has that as his sig, I believe.

But the "official" answer from charismatic evangelical days long past is that casting lots was unnecessary after that because the Holy Spirit had been poured out on all people, so such pagan practices were heretical and blasphemous.

ETA: I make no statement about the sense and logic of this position, but it doesn't seem instantly ridiculous.

[ 26. September 2012, 15:49: Message edited by: The Great Gumby ]

Posted by the long ranger (# 17109) on :

I clicked on a link from these boards the other day which talked of the Moravian church deciding all kinds of things by lot - including whether to allow marriage partners, church membership and leadership by lots in centuries past.

They had a plate with bits of paper with 'yes' and 'no' and a blank, I'm not sure what happened if they drew a blank (maybe that was just God saying 'I don't care either way').

Posted by Zacchaeus (# 14454) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Doc Tor:
If I heard the radio correctly, the leader of the Coptic church is chosen by:

a) putting the names of qualified candidates in a hat
b) praying that the Holy Spirit guides the hand that will choose
c) a small child picks a name from the hat

That's pretty much it. Would that we had the same system here.

But then you'd have to have a 3 day secret committee, to decide which was the right child to do the picking..

Posted by cheesymarzipan (# 9442) on :

you could use the mitre of the previous bishop/archbishop to pick the names out of. It's only logical.

Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :

I thought you bound the candidates hand and foot and threw them into a river, and whichever one floated - or is that something else?

Posted by dv (# 15714) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Mark Betts:
...we need a charismatic character like John Sentamu to make the C of E attractive to people again.

Sentamu is a deeply unattractive option to some of us.

Posted by Chorister (# 473) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Firenze:
I thought you bound the candidates hand and foot and threw them into a river, and whichever one floated - or is that something else?

Apparently they are killing themselves off quite happily on their own. [Big Grin]

Posted by no prophet (# 15560) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Karl: Liberal Backslider:
Doesn't seem terribly different to a well-known episode in a 1st century garden in Palestine to me.

Was he born in a manger? Is execution involved? The guy who is leaving, does he feel like he's been killed?

God of course doesn't get involved with such petty human decisions, at least insofar as Anglicans have cast reality. The 39 articles, #XXVI., would seem to suggest that God will use anyone selected as an appropriate vessel for His Mission In Earth, and quite probably enjoys the wicked ones more, given how many chosen people have been pretty rough material, whether written about in the bible or seen in our daily lives.

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :

Anyone who publicly says 'Oh God don't choose me' or words to that effect has my suspicion - instantly.

They want it really, for sure. If they were genuinely praying not to be chosen they'd keep it very quiet, then politely turn the job down if chosen.

Simples.

Posted by Stejjie (# 13941) on :

I thought that when I first saw the quote, Boogie. But I suppose it depends whether he volunteered the quote apropos of nothing, or if he was asked. If the former, then yes, that would make me wonder whether he had an ulterior motive.

But if he'd been asked by the BBC "You're one of the names linked to the post; how do you feel about the process" or something similar, then his words seem a good way of answering that. So I suppose it depends upon the context in which he said what he said.

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Stejjie:

But if he'd been asked by the BBC "You're one of the names linked to the post; how do you feel about the process" or something similar, then his words seem a good way of answering that.

I don't think so. If he honestly doesn't want the job he can simply say so. "I don't want the job and will turn it down if offered."

Posted by Earwig (# 12057) on :

quote:
Originally posted by daronmedway:

quote:
Originally posted by Felafool:
So, the decision on the new ABC will be made imminently.
How soon is imminently?

I suspect not as immenently as all that - certainly not this week. Althought the CNC is meeting this week, any decision would have to be ratified by Downing Street and HMQ. I'm guessing we'll hear mid-October.

[ 27. September 2012, 08:35: Message edited by: Earwig ]

Posted by Enoch (# 14322) on :

quote:
Originally posted by dv:

Sentamu is a deeply unattractive option to some of us. [/QUOTE]

Why?

Posted by Stejjie (# 13941) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Boogie:
I don't think so. If he honestly doesn't want the job he can simply say so. "I don't want the job and will turn it down if offered."

But what if he sees the decision, whoever it comes to, as an expression of God's will and, therefore, not one that can be refused? It may simply be an expression of that (see, for example, pretty much every OT prophet who's call is described; most, if not all of them, desperately didn't want to do it but did it, because they felt God was somehow calling them in a way they couldn't refuse).

Posted by Galloping Granny (# 13814) on :

I keep thinking of that lovely parody:

Someone else, Lord
Please not me, Lord
I am hiding underneath my bed
I won't go, Lord
I'm too scared, Lord
Won't you please send someone else instead?

If a candidate is found hiding underneath his bed you can be sure he really means "Not me"

GG

Posted by Moo (# 107) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Galloping Granny:
I keep thinking of that lovely parody:

Someone else, Lord
Please not me, Lord
I am hiding underneath my bed
I won't go, Lord
I'm too scared, Lord
Won't you please send someone else instead?

Our own Gill H is the author of that.

Moo

Posted by Jengie Jon (# 273) on :

From the Guardian which some might find a slight antidote to boredom.

Jengie

Posted by Anselmina (# 3032) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Stejjie:

quote:
Originally posted by Boogie:
I don't think so. If he honestly doesn't want the job he can simply say so. "I don't want the job and will turn it down if offered."
But what if he sees the decision, whoever it comes to, as an expression of God's will and, therefore, not one that can be refused? It may simply be an expression of that (see, for example, pretty much every OT prophet who's call is described; most, if not all of them, desperately didn't want to do it but did it, because they felt God was somehow calling them in a way they couldn't refuse).

I'm afraid the cynic in me would say 'how convenient'! It's as if the person is saying 'I have no sense of personal calling to this post, because if I did it would be falsly humble of me to say I didn't want to do - as a priest - what I think God wants me to; I must think I am the wrong person for the post. But if someone is going to tell me I'm God's choice for it, I guess my discernment and self-understanding must be fairly poor.'

Which isn't a great start for the next ABofC!

However, I wouldn't say this applies to the Bishop in the OP because I don't know him from Adam and it sounds like a common-or-garden soundbite in the report, he's given, maybe in response, as someone said, to reporters' questions. I expect there'd have been no other answer to make under the circumstances.

Posted by SvitlanaV2 (# 16967) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Boogie:
Anyone who publicly says 'Oh God don't choose me' or words to that effect has my suspicion - instantly.

They want it really, for sure. If they were genuinely praying not to be chosen they'd keep it very quiet, then politely turn the job down if chosen.

Simples.

And even if this person doesn't want it, an intelligent man would realise that people who are in the know would be reading between the lines. It's almost as if he wanted to send out one message to the secular BBC and another to the CofE hierarchy. Very strange.

Posted by Felafool (# 270) on :

Jengie John wrote:

quote:
From the Guardian which some might find a slight antidote to boredom.

Nice link. [Smile]

Posted by Felafool (# 270) on :

Now we can see what is going on with the selection process behind closed doors! See Exclusive Video Footage!

Posted by leo (# 1458) on :

Brilliant video - thank you - have forwarded the link to quite a few friends

Posted by leo (# 1458) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Enoch:

quote:
Originally posted by dv:
Sentamu is a deeply unattractive option to some of us.

Why? [/QUOTE]
I don't know what dv will say but i have heard conflicting opinions of him from people in Stepney and Birmingham, where he was formerly bishop:

He bullies his clergy, doesn't listen and insists on getting his own way

or

He's a lovely, kind pastor

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Stejjie:

quote:
Originally posted by Boogie:
I don't think so. If he honestly doesn't want the job he can simply say so. "I don't want the job and will turn it down if offered."
But what if he sees the decision, whoever it comes to, as an expression of God's will and, therefore, not one that can be refused?

He wouldn't be a great choice if he desperately didn't want to do it. It will be a hard enough job for someone deeply committed and keen.

Posted by Anselmina (# 3032) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Felafool:
Now we can see what is going on with the selection process behind closed doors! See Exclusive Video Footage!

Posted by Barnabas62 (# 9110) on :

And there was me thinking "It's bound to be 'Yes Prime Minister'"! What a hoot!

Posted by Mark Betts (# 17074) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Enoch:

quote:
Originally posted by dv:
Sentamu is a deeply unattractive option to some of us.
Why?

I think I can answer that - because of some of the things he opposes.

But re. the original post, the "O God, don't choose me" all sounds a bit like inverted snobbery. I suspect that it isn't what he's really thinking.

Posted by ExclamationMark (# 14715) on :

If he DID say that, then he's definitaely in the race, if not past the finishing post and on the gold medal winners rostrum.

Is he the only denominational leader in the UK to have said that and then got the job? methinks not.

Posted by Leaf (# 14169) on :

Graham James is the name of Canada's most infamous pedophile, who was convicted earlier this year of sexually abusing young hockey players. If you Google "Graham James ice hockey" you will see what I mean. I can't provide the link because URL won't allow brackets.

I cannot think of worse publicity than for the average Canadian to hear that the name they know as that of a pedophile was chosen to be Archbishop of Canterbury. [Frown]

Does the good bishop have a middle name, a nickname, or some other identifier? That might help his cross-pond image, just in case.

Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Lyda*Rose:
I seem to recall that Andrew Greeley in The Making of the Popes 1978 reported that Karol Józef Wojtyła said something very similar in a certain locked wing of the Vatican when he saw the writing on the wall.

Eta: to fix code

IIRC, it was his predecessor, and Karol said something along the lines that the Holy Spirit chooses, and he should not fear.

Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :

Dammit, Leaf, I knew that name was familiar!

Perhaps if the guy is chosen, after all, he could take an Archiepiscopal name?

Rowan II, Archbishop to the English?

It's a thought!

Posted by Gramps49 (# 16378) on :

I know you are talking about the election of the new Bishop of Canteberry. But, to turn the question just slightly, has there ever been a time when you have said the same thing when circumstances put you in an uncomfortable situation and you find you are being called. It can be as little as at a school dance when the nerdiest boy (I admit, I was one) or ugliest girl asks you to dance--Oh God, don't choose me. Or at an athletic event and coach is looking for someone to take on Goliath on the opposite team--Oh, God, don't choose me. It can be at work when the boss has a project that needs to be fixed on time and under budget--Oh, God, don't choose me. Or when the parish is looking for a new council member--Oh God, don't choose me.

I found when I have been placed in such situations and I am praying "Oh, God, don't choose me," low and behold God does choose me! But the thing of it is whenever that happens I usually am blessed.

To give you an example: this past few months I have been encouraging members of my congregation to invite some international students to a family dinner, to make them feel welcome to the USA. All of the sudden, pastor sends me a note about a foreign student who will be in town for just a few months who cannot find a place to stay. "Oh God, don't choose me." After three days of wrestling with this, my wife and I agreed to do it. To say the least, we have been blessed by it. We have learned much about her family and her country (Spain) and my wife has found she has gained a great friend. They do a lot of things together.

Lou (not real name) will only be here until the end of November. We are thinking of doing it again next semester already.

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