Categories: uncategorized
Date: 14 February 2005 23:17:14
Gotek: no vineyard anymore: salt got to it. A vineyard up the road makes the wine and port for the monks.
Miss Lisa: if I gave the impression I am never distracted and never consider:
One of the unexpected joys of the stay at the monastery was meeting and talking to the various other guests who were staying at the guesthouse. Guests from as near (relatively) as Perth and northern WA, and as far away as England, Denmark and Germany, stopped by for a night or four. They also came from all manner of religious affiliation: none, Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, Gideon, Church of Christ, independent...
There was also a fellow from Singapore who was considering joining the monastery. He was staying for a month to enable him and the Abbot to determine if this was for him. Please pray for Paul.
While I had dinner and tea with the monks, breakfast and various cups of tea during the day and evening were taken in the guesthouse dining room and sitting room. As well as the guests, the chefs, the baker, a guy doing painting around the town and other locals dropped in and were welcomed. It was a great blessing to meet and speak to them -- I always enjoy meeting new people -- and learn about their lives and what had brought them here. Most were passing through, but several -- like me -- had decided upon staying at the monastery for several nights to take some time out and participate in the services.
I will remember the sheer joy and sense of community that existed between us. It may sound odd, given that I only spent a day or so with some of these people, but we were there with a common purpose. It was a blessing.