Urbana o9
10January2010
It’s always a hard thing coming back from a trip, conference or significant event and answering the question “How was [insert destination/event here]?”. Usually, I find myself caught between the one-word answer or blurting out as many details as possible. With Urbana 09, my one word answer is simply intense. I was stretched and challenged physically, emotionally and above all, spiritually. At times, it was overwhelming and defeating and at times, others light-hearted and full of laughter, and still others were peaceful, just peaceful.
My moleskine is now 20 pages fuller with notes, diagrams and musings of the like:
- Your missionfield is much smaller than you think and your missionfield is much larger than you think (Day 1)
- We plan big meetings and invite strangers to come to us, where we are comfortable. We have to go where they are comfortable and we are uncomfortable (Day 1, Ramez Atallah)
- If you want to know what it means to rely on God, start a business…overseas and use a local bank (Day 2, Business as Missions track)
- BAM is not a cop-out to please our parents or an alternative to do business first, serve God later (Day 2, BAM)
- Don’t get so caught up in the means that you forget the message (Day 2, BAM)
- God’s work, done God’s way will never lack God’s supply (Day 2, BAM)
- Our job is stewardship, not ownership (Day 3, Ramez Atallah)
- If we do business well, it creates opportunity for us to do missions (Day 3, BAM)
- You want to take ownership of your business, not have your business own you (Day 3, BAM)
- Competence does not excuse character (Day 3, BAM)
- Chains be broken, lives be healed, eyes be opened, Christ is revealed (Day 4, Quiet Time)
- We are called to obedience, not success (Day 5)
And most importantly, I learned to Pray Big, Pray Bold.
Pray Big and Pray Bold: Sunder Krishnan from Urbana 09 on Vimeo.
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“We plan big meetings and invite strangers to come to us, where we are comfortable. We have to go where they are comfortable and we are uncomfortable”
I disagree with this. To change a mind (or a heart) you need to push someone into the unknown. You need to make them a little uncomfortable. Because where there’s discomfort there’s curiousity and often the desire to learn something new. And when that ‘something new’ is something you’re comfortable with, well. Then the ball’s in your court. Then you have the power to show them what could be.
Then you have the power to create the change you seek.
i’m so glad urbana was so ‘intense’ and it seems like it was in a good way
from the very first time i met you, i knew, i was going to be inspired by you and its even true today, almost 10 years later 
im excited to go to boston 
i think that in order to change a mind, or a heart, that mind and heart need to trust you first, otherwise, they won’t be open to the change. they need to feel that they are understood before making them uncomfortable.
i love all your quotes :*) and especially:
Chains be broken, lives be healed, eyes be opened, Christ is revealed
i need to start journal-ing. i can never make it stick. i guess bc i never had a diary as a little girl
haha
loooover love,
i’ve started the book, and i couldn’t help but hear a fobby voice in the first chapter haha. but it’s been great so far. and thanks for what you wrote inside. i can’t wait to reach those other parts of the world (and w/ you, of course) but i know there is much to be done here first. after that, emma will be helping us help the world in no time. can’t wait 
yay for blogging. haha. so encouraged by the bits & pieces that you’ve posted on here… i know there’s so much more. please share the rest of the goodness w/ me someday, especially about praying big&bold
ps: what colour is your moleskine? mine is red & hidden somewhere in the depths of my journal collection. you’ve encouraged me to start using it again, if i’ve even cracked it open. you know me & journals. and giving them as gifts. you’ve my fave journal-giving recipient. haha. lovest thou!