I am always exhausted by the time Sunday afternoon comes around. The good kind of tired that radiates out through your body while gifting you with lovely memories. On Sunday mornings I get to do church. My experience of "church" over the past few years, I'm sure, has seriously screwed me up for life.

Church to me has become very messy oh so much fun. Especially since most of my experience of "church" does not happen on Sundays at 11.00 but all throughout the week with people who ask fabulous questions, say things that I promptly run how to write down, and who are ultimately seeking truth.

Yet Sunday mornings are pretty fun in and of themselves! Today I woke, took artwork off my walls, a plate out of the cupboard, tulips, and fabric and cycled 10 minutes to the building we rent twice a month. It's owned by a sweet Christian charity. The first part of set up involves taking down all the nice but slightly intimidating large print paintings of Moses or Abraham or white Jesus. Then out come the artwork, masses of tea and coffee, cookies, flowers, and music equipment. We have a stand up sign that is put out on the sidewalk (chained to a pole with a bike lock). Soon afterward, John entered with a large rolling suitcase full of kids toys that he's brought with him on the tram, and the musicians come in with guitars and drums they've balanced on their bike handle bars. Today even Manuel came with his keyboard. By 10.45 the kids area is set up, the coffee is hot, "Brown Feathered Sparrow" is playing through the speakers, and friendly people are welcoming at the doors.

We worship in Dutch and English while sipping coffee and tea (yes this plays a significant role throughout the service!). Today Julia taught on Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman and how we are called to help others encounter Jesus. It was excellent as usual but today's message was especially poignant for me. She spoke on how Jesus was a boundary crosser. He was always going where no one else would (a Samaritan village.. talking to a woman! Insane at that time period). And Julia, said .. "God is not afraid of people who don't believe in him... he's not afraid to go to them and engage them." That really hit me. Who is it that I'm afraid to go to, that I'm afraid to look straight in the eye? Who is Jesus calling me to cross over to?

And she spoke about how Jesus was a bridge builder.. how he was rooted deep in the Kingdom of God on one side but then he walks over a long bridge to love and engage winsomely with people who don't know him and then walks with them back over the bridge to his Kingdom. She concluded by saying that in the midst of following Jesus' example and doing the hard work of crossing borders, we are then asked to wait patiently. Wait patiently for God to reveal himself, for God to save. We get to take part but only God can be the cherry on the top which transforms the whole ice cream sunday.

The service is concluded with a mass "clean up" which is just as fun because as the music plays in the background, I'm sweeping floors and washing cups with people who are family. Finally as I lock the door and cycle away, I squeeze my eyes shut and try to remember it all. Remember it forever. Then I head home for a nap!