Here in Kenya we're ten hours ahead of everyone at Point Loma. What I've been trying to figure out is, did that mean that I traveled into the future? I mean, I'm writing this at about 9:30 p.m. on Thursday night...and "right now" in California you all are getting ready to eat lunch pretty soon. I already ate lunch and dinner, so I guess I am living in your future! Hmmmm, my part of planet Earth has finished its daily pass by the sun, so we're ahead of you. So there. You people are so ten hours ago! :-)
 
Back in my past and yours, my South African Airlines plane landed at the Nairobi Airport last Saturday afternoon, August 7. (None of you was even out of bed yet . . . more proof for my time-travel theory.) My luggage, however, did not land with me. On Monday, still threadbare, I met one of my MA students, a 40ish and large (I know, I know, it's the whole pot and kettle thing) man from Nigeria named Samuel. In his rich baritone he boomed, "We have been praying for your safe arrival, and you have finally come!" To which I replied, "Well, apparently you were not praying the same for my suitcases! Please now amend your prayers!" He said he would - and thanks be to God I had some new clothes to wear on Tuesday morning, for my luggage had arrived. (I almost said "in one piece," but of course there were very many more pieces than that!) I'd worn the same pants for five days. We won't delve into other details of garb.
 
Though most of the undergrad students have now left for a three-week break between trimesters, I still was able to meet three more fine young undergrads this evening: Gift (he seems to be living up to his name), Claire and Caroline. They are only three of a great many delightful young people I've been privileged to converse with a little, and it has been a joy. I have been reminded repeatedly that this marvelous vocation of being a theologian in the service of Christ's Church is a life of great joy and deep satisfactions. It's kind of like the way I often feel, in fact, at good ol' Point Loma.
 
Blessings to you all,
Michael Lodahl