Math and Missions - You Knew This Was Coming

In math class today we discussed facilitating the room when students are exploring an idea in groups. My prof talked about how it was most strategic for the teacher to help just the one student so that he could, in turn, teach the whole group he was with. It was less strategic for her to stay at that one group the whole time. If she can help one student at each group, then the whole class is helped because at least one person in each group is an expert who can help the other students understand the concepts at hand.

So, how does this relate to missions? Well, if every believer evangelizes every one of their friends and family who in turn evangelizes their friends and family, etc, etc then the whole world will not be evangelized. Why? Because there are cultural bridges to be crossed that won't happen unless we bridge the gap to cultures that do not yet have Christ. It's really hard for the gospel to "jump" into other cultures until they see that it is relevant to them (which is a difficult process). See once a "vibrant, indigenous church" is planted in a people group then those believers can reach the people within their own culture much better than you or I. But the church must be started before that can happen. So, it is strategic for missions to go where no one knows of Christ so that a church can be built and then they can reach their own people. See, it's just like a classroom.

So, I guess that's not math, but it is education. I think they relate quite well and my learning has deepened.

On The Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness

I realized last fall why I like Andrew Peterson's music - imagery. You see, there are loads and loads of songs that are good and Christ-centered, but many seem to just say what they mean outright. AP has a tendency to write songs as a story is written. He doesn't just say what he means, but he shows it and so there's this depth that other songwriters simply don't show. So with that said, that is also why AP's book On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness is so enjoyable to read. He's a natural storyteller. The book is written with beautiful descriptions that carry me off into another world. I feel as though I'm immersed in Aerwiar and all I want throughout the day is to go back into that world and live, see, and feel the adventures of the Igiby children.

Before I get you too convinced about the wonderfulness of this book, I want to note one terrible point about it. Among the many footnotes (which I absolutely love) is one heart-wrenching footnote. This is what it reads:
♫

"For as long as they could remember, Nia had taught the children what she called T.H.A.G.S. 1

1. Three Honored and Great Subjects: Word, Form, and Song. Some silly people believe that there's a fourth Honored and Great Subject, but those mathematicians are woefully mistaken."

What?! Am I a "silly person" who's "woefully mistaken"? I feel cut to the heart at this comment. I sure hope Nia's beliefs aren't a reflection of Andrew's personal beliefs because I literally gasped upon reading it. Three times. In fact, I was so troubled that I didn't know if I could go on reading. But then I realized that Andrew Peterson may never have known the art of mathematics growing up. I feel sorry for him if that is the case and especially sorry for the poor Igiby children who never get even a chance to know the art of mathematics. I digress to say that too many teachers take the beauty and intricacy of mathematics and chop them up and widdle them down until math is just a set of formulas and directions to be followed where not an ounce of joy can be found in it. Even Einstein himself has said,

"It is almost a miracle that modern teaching methods have not yet entirely strangled the holy curiosity of inquiry; for what this delicate little plant needs more than anything, besides stimulation, is freedom."

After contemplating these things, I continued on with my heart broken.

If you can get past that one issue, you will find a wonderful story about three Igiby children, their mother, their one-legged grandfather, Peet the Sock Man, the terrible Fangs, toothy cows and many other people and creatures. It's an exciting book that caused me to refrain from my work or homework and there are lots of little mysteries throughout the book that keep you wondering alongside Janner (the eldest boy).

Actually, I feel that I can't go on writing more since I'm not so great with words (I am a mathematician with apparently no honorable abilities) and I encourage you to read my friend Shannon's post(more blog post here). She says everything I want to with better words (and footnotes!!!). Oh, and if you comment on this post and on hers then you are put in a drawing for winning our giveaway books.

I read her post yesterday and finished the book late last night. And even so as I turned to the last page I found tears in my eyes quite unexpectedly. A wonderful story.

Accepted!

I have been accepted for two things and I'm really excited about both!

The first one is not related to the theme of this blog, but it is due to this blog. Really soon, I hope, I will receive two copies of Andrew Peterson's new book called On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness. However, with this opportunity, I will have to actually read the book before March 17 so as to participate in the Blog Tour. I'm really excited about it, but I'll have to crunch in the time because I'm a slow reader. Who cares about time, though, right?! I know I'm going to love the book and it should be a good quick read. Look for an off-theme post between March 17-21 to see what this book is all about.

The second is related to this blog. I'm accepted to the Acts 29 Project! I'm excited about going and will leave in May and get back in July. Keep me in your prayers as I prepare to go to this secular, Muslim country. More to come on that later. Plus, I will blog on my experiences here while I'm gone.