The Oasis Game

Our Triple Win Network Meetings are always good, but this week? It was great!

The speakers were two young kids from Youth Initiatives Program out of Sweden, and they told us about a project that involves something called the Oasis Game.

Now these guys are committed to creating positive interaction in the world, and so they go to places where there is a need and they assemble the people.

But instead of asking them what the problem is or what they need, they ask the people what dreams they have for their community.

One project comes out of the answers. The YIP boys facilitate, so they state the rules. In completing the project, only the resources from the village can be used. Nothing can be solicited from outside the community.

The projects vary from erecting playgrounds and revamping schools to building bridges to replace those destroyed by floods. The participants have a time limit (5-7 days) to complete their project.

"The amazing thing is," said Peter, "it works every single time."

Jesus once said,(and I'm paraphrasing) "If you think something, you have already done it." The Youth Initiatives Program proves it over and over again.

Froggie in the milk barrel

Wow. Time is flying by and I feel like the frog in the milk barrel.

You know the story. He fell into a big barrel three quarters full of milk and couldn't get any purchase to climb out. All he could do was swim around and around. But he didn't give up or quit, he just kept kicking and splashing, wondering how in the world he was ever going to get out. It seemed pretty hopeless. The barrel was big and he was very small. So he just did the only thing he could think of to do, he just kept swimming.

That's me right now--just putting one foot in front of the other, feeling overwhelmed and under-prepared, just moving forward to the best of my ability which doesn't feel like much under the circumstances. Three major projects require my full attention, and then there's the house, dinner prep everyday, and the writing I'm not getting done. And commitments to family and friends.

I remember reading Marcus Aurelius years ago, and being astounded when he wrote that we should not ever say we don't have time for someone or some thing. We should simply have confidence that of course we have time. A man who ruled an empire,who had a million constraints and claims on his time. And here I am worried about writing an essay, catching up the bookkeeping, preparing a presentation, and keeping clean sox and underwear in the drawers. It kinda puts things in perspective.

So like the frog, I'll just keep swimming, just keep going through the motions, pretending I'm confident it will all turn out.

What happened to the frog? He swam around so long, he churned that milk into butter and hopped right out on top. I only hope I have a similar landing!