Under pressure

Last weekend I was in the Philippines where I had the joy of serving our churches there alongside Miles and Kate Simmonds and Matthew [their 7 yr old son].

It was a truly fantastic trip in so many respects and a complete joy other than one feature - the trip home!

In short due to mechanical problems we ended up taking off 14 hours after our scheduled departure.

I found it interesting to note the different attitudes of different races to our situation. Rather embarrassingly I have to admit that whilst the Filipino’s remained calm and composed it was the English, the Australians and the Americans who at times became impatient, demanding and actually rude. Whilst the locals remained full of humor and layed back I was squirming as I saw one drunk Aussie start abusing a stewardess. I think all were relieved as he excited the plane with his incredibly long suffering Filipino wife.

What is it that often makes Westerners so demanding and impatient?
Is it the pace of life? Is it the demands on our time? Is it the fact that we just can’t stand the thought that we are in someone else hands and have no control of the situation?

Of course no culture is perfect. It was interesting to note that what really annoyed the westerners was the fact that Philippine airlines refused to apologise. Of course in a 'shame' culture, to admit failure is to lose face. Thus we were the subject of such announcements as “please bear with us and thank you for choosing to fly Philippine Airlines". This as you can imagine only served to wind many up.

I wonder what you are like under pressure in circumstances like this?

I think Miles and Kate and I were not a bad witness but the hero of the day was definitely Matthew. Not a complaint, not a wine [drunk or spoken] or a moan. He just considered it all part of the adventure!!!!

Jesus said “Unless you become like little children you will never enter the kingdom of heaven”
I think it’s all about simple trust and relying on God. Not getting too sophisticated - go with Gods flow!.

Praise God we got home safely and thank God The Ashes were decided when I was in Manila where 12 million people have barely heard of cricket!
What a relief!!!!

Have good week and I look forward to travelling Korean Airlines to Japan next week.

Peter