I wasn't able to update on Saturday but due to slow time at the hospital today was able to steal away for a some internet time.
Yesterday morning I received a phone call from my family. Oh, it was wonderful. Today the midwives asked me, "Have you heard from mommy and daddy?" Then I told them how I cried because I was so happy when the phone was for me. They don't really encouraging crying here, but understood, well maybe.
It was also yesterday that the death of the owl was announced. Later that day I was taking the trash to the burn pile and he was face down in rubbish. Wa wa waaaa. I think he was sick.
After our Bi*ble study on Sunday, Hollie, our leader and Connie shared that Connie will not be going to Sudan with us when we leave in March. I hardly have processed this as I share it with you. It is disappointing most of all and I don't really understand it. With time and Go*d's help, I expect to be more at rest with the idea than I am now. I can't imagine a day without one of the girls.
Anyway...bless you friends. I miss you guys. Cameroon is slowly getting colder in the mornings and warmer in the afternoon. Weird.
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
Saturday, January 24, 2009
birds and babies.
Since I have arrived here we have acquired four new pet birds. I am not so much a fan of birds. Jean really is though. For Christmas he received lovebirds, then when he returned from a speaking engagement he purchased a guinea fowl that runs rampant around the compound and yesterday Ivette bought an owl. I feel like I am in Christopher Robin’s neighborhood. Last night I was trying to fall asleep as the owl was just beginning his day. I hope that I have grown in liking birds by the time I leave. I did have a brilliant idea though as I listened to his hooting that doesn’t at all sound like hooting while trying to fall asleep; we have a mouse problem, and I am thinking one night, Mr. Owl can swoop into our room and rescue us from the noisy shuffling of our mouse/mice.
I wanted to take some time to honour all my friends and family who faithfully read, comment, email and encourage me. We all need one another’s pra*yers and I appreciate all the pra*yers you have faithfully spoken on my behalf. We have been experiencing G*od often and I know that the pra*yers around the world are saving lives and giving us strength to enter the situations we are in. Thank you.
I also wanted to tell everyone that the women I wrote about last week died on Monday. She had meningitis but also was weakened greatly due to progressing AIDS. I didn’t get to meet with her family again; I think maybe I had just missed them. I find myself in these situations wondering, was this your will G*od? How has sin intervened with what you intended? Yet knowing, she was suffering, greatly, and it is G*od’s grace that she isn’t here anymore. I still have a lot to learn about death.
Yesterday in the labour room, there was one woman who had been there for two hours by the time we had arrived. The girls began to monitor her while I went to antenatal care. She had a previous caesarean section and then miscarried twice. We call these cases “precious babies” when the family has come up against many challenges and is absolutely fighting for this baby. When I returned around lunchtime, I noticed how close the family wanted to be to her. They were by her side and didn’t want to leave and moaned when the midwives forced them out. I think they were grateful to have us staying with her. The baby’s head was not descending well, and at any moment, we were ready for her to go to Theater. At one point, Helen, a midwife, grabbed Paula and the family and Paula prayed over the situation. Although we often are praying for the baby and mom, it is rare when we are able to publicly speak out a pra*yer. After 8 hours of labouring spiritually and physically, Melisa and Helen delivered a lovely boy. The family was peeking their heads into the labour room and started singing and dancing. It was such a beautiful site. The mama was singing along until the midwives hushed her and told her to rest, “G*od knows you are grateful”. She stayed silent but raised her hands and praised the Lo*rd. They especially love babies here in Cameroon. It is so special to be a part of, the families are always saying “thank you plenty” when you come out with the baby swaddled and hand it to them.
Okay guys, just a little piece of life here…Bless you all. I am missing Washington state this week. Oh and don’t worry, I watched the presidential inauguration. Can I just say that Cameroon may love Obama more than the US? It is a common site to see Obama’s face or name on homemade shirts, hats and watches, yes watches. I was telling a Cameroonian about a doctor at a different hospital that had a picture of the “first family” on his watch, she replied by shoving her arm in my face and saying “like this?” While we were watching the TV and I was explaining who everyone was, what they did, etc. everyone on my team was wondering, “Why don’t you sound like these people? They have such a strong accent.” It’s official, I don’t sound American anymore.
I wanted to take some time to honour all my friends and family who faithfully read, comment, email and encourage me. We all need one another’s pra*yers and I appreciate all the pra*yers you have faithfully spoken on my behalf. We have been experiencing G*od often and I know that the pra*yers around the world are saving lives and giving us strength to enter the situations we are in. Thank you.
I also wanted to tell everyone that the women I wrote about last week died on Monday. She had meningitis but also was weakened greatly due to progressing AIDS. I didn’t get to meet with her family again; I think maybe I had just missed them. I find myself in these situations wondering, was this your will G*od? How has sin intervened with what you intended? Yet knowing, she was suffering, greatly, and it is G*od’s grace that she isn’t here anymore. I still have a lot to learn about death.
Yesterday in the labour room, there was one woman who had been there for two hours by the time we had arrived. The girls began to monitor her while I went to antenatal care. She had a previous caesarean section and then miscarried twice. We call these cases “precious babies” when the family has come up against many challenges and is absolutely fighting for this baby. When I returned around lunchtime, I noticed how close the family wanted to be to her. They were by her side and didn’t want to leave and moaned when the midwives forced them out. I think they were grateful to have us staying with her. The baby’s head was not descending well, and at any moment, we were ready for her to go to Theater. At one point, Helen, a midwife, grabbed Paula and the family and Paula prayed over the situation. Although we often are praying for the baby and mom, it is rare when we are able to publicly speak out a pra*yer. After 8 hours of labouring spiritually and physically, Melisa and Helen delivered a lovely boy. The family was peeking their heads into the labour room and started singing and dancing. It was such a beautiful site. The mama was singing along until the midwives hushed her and told her to rest, “G*od knows you are grateful”. She stayed silent but raised her hands and praised the Lo*rd. They especially love babies here in Cameroon. It is so special to be a part of, the families are always saying “thank you plenty” when you come out with the baby swaddled and hand it to them.
Okay guys, just a little piece of life here…Bless you all. I am missing Washington state this week. Oh and don’t worry, I watched the presidential inauguration. Can I just say that Cameroon may love Obama more than the US? It is a common site to see Obama’s face or name on homemade shirts, hats and watches, yes watches. I was telling a Cameroonian about a doctor at a different hospital that had a picture of the “first family” on his watch, she replied by shoving her arm in my face and saying “like this?” While we were watching the TV and I was explaining who everyone was, what they did, etc. everyone on my team was wondering, “Why don’t you sound like these people? They have such a strong accent.” It’s official, I don’t sound American anymore.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
this week was.
The labour room was especially slow this week. A word had been spoken about spying and taking the land and we felt to practically take that into our hands yesterday when there were no women labouring. We split into pairs and went pra*yer walking.
Anna and I wandered past the female surgical ward and noticed a ch*urch-like building. We asked a boy nearby what it was and he said “that is the mortuary ch*urch”. I had never heard of such a thing. Curious like a couple cats, we wandered down and found out it was from the Lyons Club of the USA. Hahaha. People apparently have funerals there after the bodies are embalmed. To the left and separated from the hospital was the morgue itself. We were fortunate enough to be invited in to see what was happening in the morgue. It looked a little different than “My Girl”.
Our pra*yer walking continued by meeting several hospital staff, being scared by a foot-long lizard running across our path, breaking strongholds we were sensing, trying not to interrupt people’s “private” showers and greeting the patients scattered across the property. I have learned that pra*yer walking is just as much about reaching out and loving as it is pra*ying. I think Anna and I would have missed a lot if we had kept our heads down and talked to G*od.
Towards the end of it all, a woman called out to us near the gynaecology ward. We responded and walked closer to understand her Pidgin. She was a warm woman and we did our best to communicate. My pidgin stops after “We for work here-o” but I can grab the context if someone continues to speak to me, the problem is I look like a deer in headlights when it is my turn to respond. She ended up taking me by the hand after a conversation about where we live and bringing me into the ward. Her sister was curled up and moaning under piles of covers. Anna and I offered to pr*ay after we guessed a diagnosis (which was wrong). I fully sensed the peace of G*od after we pr*ayed over Marcella. Her other sister picked up my hand after I finished praying and said something about her having a wound. I told her it was okay and that I didn’t need to see it. Before I was understood I was staring at some awful bedsores, quickly my eyes were directed to a three inch deep puddle of urine that was immersing her thigh. I had seen an order for a urinary catheter but she obvisouly didn’t have it in. We encouraged the sister to “Ask, seek and knock” to get the nurses attention. She responded, “and the door will be opened”.
After we cleaned Marcella up we regrouped and shared about this lovely family who doesn’t understand how to care for their sick sister and the medical staff isn’t helping matters. We took Paula, our leader back and prepared to insert the catheter ourselves. Before we made it to the bed, there was a Dr. whom we had connected with the day before over a patient who had miscarried. We had been able to share about compassion and felt like his heart began to soften. He was happy to see us there and invited us to come in whenever the ward was slow...open doors! He assisted Paula as she installed the catheter and invited us to see a Pulmonary Tap in the bed next to our new-found friend.
It was an incredible experience yesterday. I was so happy to see Marcella get the attention she needed and to teach the family about how to care for bedsores and how the Dr. is learning compassion extends beyond our “daily duties”…and all of it starting from a pr*ayer walk. Praise the L*ord.
Anna and I wandered past the female surgical ward and noticed a ch*urch-like building. We asked a boy nearby what it was and he said “that is the mortuary ch*urch”. I had never heard of such a thing. Curious like a couple cats, we wandered down and found out it was from the Lyons Club of the USA. Hahaha. People apparently have funerals there after the bodies are embalmed. To the left and separated from the hospital was the morgue itself. We were fortunate enough to be invited in to see what was happening in the morgue. It looked a little different than “My Girl”.
Our pra*yer walking continued by meeting several hospital staff, being scared by a foot-long lizard running across our path, breaking strongholds we were sensing, trying not to interrupt people’s “private” showers and greeting the patients scattered across the property. I have learned that pra*yer walking is just as much about reaching out and loving as it is pra*ying. I think Anna and I would have missed a lot if we had kept our heads down and talked to G*od.
Towards the end of it all, a woman called out to us near the gynaecology ward. We responded and walked closer to understand her Pidgin. She was a warm woman and we did our best to communicate. My pidgin stops after “We for work here-o” but I can grab the context if someone continues to speak to me, the problem is I look like a deer in headlights when it is my turn to respond. She ended up taking me by the hand after a conversation about where we live and bringing me into the ward. Her sister was curled up and moaning under piles of covers. Anna and I offered to pr*ay after we guessed a diagnosis (which was wrong). I fully sensed the peace of G*od after we pr*ayed over Marcella. Her other sister picked up my hand after I finished praying and said something about her having a wound. I told her it was okay and that I didn’t need to see it. Before I was understood I was staring at some awful bedsores, quickly my eyes were directed to a three inch deep puddle of urine that was immersing her thigh. I had seen an order for a urinary catheter but she obvisouly didn’t have it in. We encouraged the sister to “Ask, seek and knock” to get the nurses attention. She responded, “and the door will be opened”.
After we cleaned Marcella up we regrouped and shared about this lovely family who doesn’t understand how to care for their sick sister and the medical staff isn’t helping matters. We took Paula, our leader back and prepared to insert the catheter ourselves. Before we made it to the bed, there was a Dr. whom we had connected with the day before over a patient who had miscarried. We had been able to share about compassion and felt like his heart began to soften. He was happy to see us there and invited us to come in whenever the ward was slow...open doors! He assisted Paula as she installed the catheter and invited us to see a Pulmonary Tap in the bed next to our new-found friend.
It was an incredible experience yesterday. I was so happy to see Marcella get the attention she needed and to teach the family about how to care for bedsores and how the Dr. is learning compassion extends beyond our “daily duties”…and all of it starting from a pr*ayer walk. Praise the L*ord.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
oh blogger...
Today I was called "white woman" for the first time. Usually it is just "white man" or "white". I stopped in my tracks. I think that was what he wanted me to do anyway. He had a very lovely collection of yellow-cube soaps and non-antiperspirant deodorant, none of which I purchased.
We have been collecting data by interviewing the mothers of Cameroon and feel like slowly we are grasping one straw at a time what kind of culture we are living in. One of my favourite responses to the question "Is there anything you should know when you become pregnant?" is: "Do not stand in front of a door, a baby may come and change it's mind and then go back inside." Another one in the running is "A woman who is pregnant should not rest her head on her fist for too long (see Uncle Rico in Napoleon Dynamite during the photo shoot with Deb.) for the baby will be born that way if she does."
Jean, the base leader has given us a wealth of information as we speak with him about the experiences at the hospital. He shared yesterday about the inferiority complex that exists because of slavery. When Cameroonians see white people they feel inclined to respect and greet us but within our superiority lies their inability to trust us. This made me examine all the women we have been spending time with and how they feel towards us "truly". I have to believe that there is the possibility for us to alter this complex in at least a few women while I am here. Melisa shared "Maybe initially they feel inferior, but when the pain comes, and we are rubbing their waist and catching their projectile puke, they have to at least have a glimpse of who we truly are."
And so I have reached the conclusion that this city, this country, this continent, this world, we need the love of Je*sus. Without it we have a record of rights and wrongs and we will miss the beauty of whole groups of people.
We have been collecting data by interviewing the mothers of Cameroon and feel like slowly we are grasping one straw at a time what kind of culture we are living in. One of my favourite responses to the question "Is there anything you should know when you become pregnant?" is: "Do not stand in front of a door, a baby may come and change it's mind and then go back inside." Another one in the running is "A woman who is pregnant should not rest her head on her fist for too long (see Uncle Rico in Napoleon Dynamite during the photo shoot with Deb.) for the baby will be born that way if she does."
Jean, the base leader has given us a wealth of information as we speak with him about the experiences at the hospital. He shared yesterday about the inferiority complex that exists because of slavery. When Cameroonians see white people they feel inclined to respect and greet us but within our superiority lies their inability to trust us. This made me examine all the women we have been spending time with and how they feel towards us "truly". I have to believe that there is the possibility for us to alter this complex in at least a few women while I am here. Melisa shared "Maybe initially they feel inferior, but when the pain comes, and we are rubbing their waist and catching their projectile puke, they have to at least have a glimpse of who we truly are."
And so I have reached the conclusion that this city, this country, this continent, this world, we need the love of Je*sus. Without it we have a record of rights and wrongs and we will miss the beauty of whole groups of people.
Sunday, January 04, 2009
thimbly bimbles
Hi Everyone…
December has come to a close and January was there to open a beautiful new year. On the evening of the 31st our two new staff, Paula and Hollie arrived along with our seventh student, Sarah (we were having a shortage of Sarahs). Becca and I met them by running along their bus and greeted them with an embrace. We spent the evening reconnecting and hearing what had been apart of everyone’s lives for the past three months. Paula has been busy serving in accommodations at the base, Hollie and her boyfriend were engaged last week (!) and Sarah completed her Psychology degree in November. The rest of us shared stories of adventures in Indonesia and our joy to have completed the applied lecture phase. Most of our travelers were ready for bed for the new year came in but the troopers stayed up and brought in 2009 with “Charade”, an Audrey Hepburn movie, it might be the last time I watch that one. After the Haring family went to bed, Connie, Sarah and I anxiously awaited one last person. Connie and Sindre were engaged last December before Sindre left for Perth, where he met up with his team to go to China for two years. Connie visited him before the BAS began. In 2008 she saw him for nine days. Finally at four am, the three of us heard the gate rattle and watched as they hugged for the first time. I cried. They have been so obedient and it was a joyful night for Sarah and I to watch them hug. There have been many tearful nights of them being separated…it felt so worth it when we saw them making eye contact for the first time. On the Fourth of July they will marry in Norway, Connie is completely American at heart.
As for the weeks leading up to our night of reunion, it has been challenging. Melisa and I have been joking that the word “flexible” has never meant this much “going with the flow” in our lives. From our two weeks travel time to the adjusting here, we all have had to battle for the curtains that have been hung.
Personally, I have been completely blessed as we all sing together, reflect and joke around. Yesterday, we had a “handing over” from Becca, Rachel and Sarah to Hollie and Paula. We would hug the leaders and then were sent over to the other leaders. I was ready to be blindfolded and tossed into the new leaders arms and I was among the minority. Afterwards, the three leaders had time to pack their bags and the rest of us spent time getting to know one another’s learning styles and our hospital expectations. I loved hearing the excitement in our new leader’s voices, completely refreshing, so eager to enter the hospital. There is wisdom that lies deep in their questions and experiences that build expectation for the next five months.
The three were set to go at nine pm last night. We had our final communion together. Rachel received the word to read from Nehemiah where a new law is in place and the people weep, but Nehemiah tells them to go and enjoy, “the joy of the Lo*rd is your strength”. She shared that tonight was to be like this, “yes, it is out of context, but there are changes in place, let the joy of the Lo*rd be your strength.” We closed by praying and sobbing over our leaders and soon they left through the abyss of darkness that lies outside the compound. The quiet awaited us inside. We stood and cried in one of those awkward hugging positions that seem to comfort you the most when you need to be embraced. The silence was broken after who knows how long by, “Chris is staring at us”. Becca left a picture of her comrade lover as the gatekeeper of our room.
I remember how Steve said, “When one person enter or leaves a community, it changes the whole community”. Today is our day off; we just finished our first meal without people who have been a part of our lives for the past six months. I have felt optimistic and excited for the past week about the change and I think I still am. In the moment though as I sit on my bunk, I feel melancholy, I am grieving the changes. It is through suffering that fulfillment comes. I am hopeful for the time to come. The joy of the Lo*rd is my strength today.
December has come to a close and January was there to open a beautiful new year. On the evening of the 31st our two new staff, Paula and Hollie arrived along with our seventh student, Sarah (we were having a shortage of Sarahs). Becca and I met them by running along their bus and greeted them with an embrace. We spent the evening reconnecting and hearing what had been apart of everyone’s lives for the past three months. Paula has been busy serving in accommodations at the base, Hollie and her boyfriend were engaged last week (!) and Sarah completed her Psychology degree in November. The rest of us shared stories of adventures in Indonesia and our joy to have completed the applied lecture phase. Most of our travelers were ready for bed for the new year came in but the troopers stayed up and brought in 2009 with “Charade”, an Audrey Hepburn movie, it might be the last time I watch that one. After the Haring family went to bed, Connie, Sarah and I anxiously awaited one last person. Connie and Sindre were engaged last December before Sindre left for Perth, where he met up with his team to go to China for two years. Connie visited him before the BAS began. In 2008 she saw him for nine days. Finally at four am, the three of us heard the gate rattle and watched as they hugged for the first time. I cried. They have been so obedient and it was a joyful night for Sarah and I to watch them hug. There have been many tearful nights of them being separated…it felt so worth it when we saw them making eye contact for the first time. On the Fourth of July they will marry in Norway, Connie is completely American at heart.
As for the weeks leading up to our night of reunion, it has been challenging. Melisa and I have been joking that the word “flexible” has never meant this much “going with the flow” in our lives. From our two weeks travel time to the adjusting here, we all have had to battle for the curtains that have been hung.
Personally, I have been completely blessed as we all sing together, reflect and joke around. Yesterday, we had a “handing over” from Becca, Rachel and Sarah to Hollie and Paula. We would hug the leaders and then were sent over to the other leaders. I was ready to be blindfolded and tossed into the new leaders arms and I was among the minority. Afterwards, the three leaders had time to pack their bags and the rest of us spent time getting to know one another’s learning styles and our hospital expectations. I loved hearing the excitement in our new leader’s voices, completely refreshing, so eager to enter the hospital. There is wisdom that lies deep in their questions and experiences that build expectation for the next five months.
The three were set to go at nine pm last night. We had our final communion together. Rachel received the word to read from Nehemiah where a new law is in place and the people weep, but Nehemiah tells them to go and enjoy, “the joy of the Lo*rd is your strength”. She shared that tonight was to be like this, “yes, it is out of context, but there are changes in place, let the joy of the Lo*rd be your strength.” We closed by praying and sobbing over our leaders and soon they left through the abyss of darkness that lies outside the compound. The quiet awaited us inside. We stood and cried in one of those awkward hugging positions that seem to comfort you the most when you need to be embraced. The silence was broken after who knows how long by, “Chris is staring at us”. Becca left a picture of her comrade lover as the gatekeeper of our room.
I remember how Steve said, “When one person enter or leaves a community, it changes the whole community”. Today is our day off; we just finished our first meal without people who have been a part of our lives for the past six months. I have felt optimistic and excited for the past week about the change and I think I still am. In the moment though as I sit on my bunk, I feel melancholy, I am grieving the changes. It is through suffering that fulfillment comes. I am hopeful for the time to come. The joy of the Lo*rd is my strength today.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
update
Hello Everyone…
Week two, I think, yes, from Bamenda. We have spent the last week working in the hospital, taking assessments nearly every night and of course preparing for our nearing holidays. It has not been an easy transition here. As I shared last week, we really feel like Go*d has something incredible for us if we are facing so much difficulty.
During inter*cession this week, we spent some time “warming our engines”. We received a picture of lubricating an engine, de-icing a car, waiting before we hit the freeway for our team. As we pra*yed into this, I understood more. We cannot just begin spending full days at the hospital. I will not immediately understand how things work at the base and what I can help out with or immediately be in great relationship with the staff. Someone described this time as “plowing the fields”. This time is imperative and will play into the harvesting. I need to be flexible and working hard at observing, asking questions and observing some more. I am so anxious to dive right into it all, but I think that would be a recipe for disaster, like the Booklets Baking Boo-Boo.
A couple of the team experienced what is happening this week in the spiritual realms during birth. A woman and her baby were rushed through an augmented labour and the baby was hardly breathing when he was born. Immediately our staff lead out in resuscitating the wee-one. The hospital had no equipment except for a bulb suction. We carry stuff with us in case these things happen. After 45 minutes of fighting in pra*yer and action, the baby was taking 8 breathes per minute, not ideal, but they were able to transfer him somewhere that they could give him oxygen. I do wonder what would have happened to the child if we had not been there to fight for him. Some of the staff shared that sometimes the midwives haven’t seen someone fight for a baby in pra*yer and that is something we can bring.
This next week will include two times at the hospital and then our Christmas break. Yay! This will be our first break since we arrived in Perth . I don’t know what I will do with myself!
Bless you all. I hope you are all enjoying the snow! I can’t imagine what it looks like! Merry Christmas everyone!
Week two, I think, yes, from Bamenda. We have spent the last week working in the hospital, taking assessments nearly every night and of course preparing for our nearing holidays. It has not been an easy transition here. As I shared last week, we really feel like Go*d has something incredible for us if we are facing so much difficulty.
During inter*cession this week, we spent some time “warming our engines”. We received a picture of lubricating an engine, de-icing a car, waiting before we hit the freeway for our team. As we pra*yed into this, I understood more. We cannot just begin spending full days at the hospital. I will not immediately understand how things work at the base and what I can help out with or immediately be in great relationship with the staff. Someone described this time as “plowing the fields”. This time is imperative and will play into the harvesting. I need to be flexible and working hard at observing, asking questions and observing some more. I am so anxious to dive right into it all, but I think that would be a recipe for disaster, like the Booklets Baking Boo-Boo.
A couple of the team experienced what is happening this week in the spiritual realms during birth. A woman and her baby were rushed through an augmented labour and the baby was hardly breathing when he was born. Immediately our staff lead out in resuscitating the wee-one. The hospital had no equipment except for a bulb suction. We carry stuff with us in case these things happen. After 45 minutes of fighting in pra*yer and action, the baby was taking 8 breathes per minute, not ideal, but they were able to transfer him somewhere that they could give him oxygen. I do wonder what would have happened to the child if we had not been there to fight for him. Some of the staff shared that sometimes the midwives haven’t seen someone fight for a baby in pra*yer and that is something we can bring.
This next week will include two times at the hospital and then our Christmas break. Yay! This will be our first break since we arrived in Perth . I don’t know what I will do with myself!
Bless you all. I hope you are all enjoying the snow! I can’t imagine what it looks like! Merry Christmas everyone!
Saturday, December 13, 2008
i am in cameroon!
Hello everyone! My team is alive and together in Cameroon. I am SO happy to share this with you. After the weeks of trials and testing, we have found deep encouragement in words from family and friends praying over us. We know that the enemy would love to keep us out this place where we are going to impact the spirits of darkness.
Just yesterday, our team had our first two deliveries. What a beautiful day it was...
We are staying with a Y-base here and they are an amazing family a staff, primarily from South America, what a nice twist!
This is quite short, but it will take me about ten minutes to upload it, so I need to save time for that! Thank you for all your prayers. I am asking that you continue to lift up our team's unity and we face a staff transition in the next couple weeks. Thank you guys!
Just yesterday, our team had our first two deliveries. What a beautiful day it was...
We are staying with a Y-base here and they are an amazing family a staff, primarily from South America, what a nice twist!
This is quite short, but it will take me about ten minutes to upload it, so I need to save time for that! Thank you for all your prayers. I am asking that you continue to lift up our team's unity and we face a staff transition in the next couple weeks. Thank you guys!
Friday, December 05, 2008
from Kenya
Hi friends. The past week has not been smooth travel at all. Hahaha. I laugh at the adventure that we have had. One night in the airport here, one washed passport there, one asthma attack here, another cancelled flight there. We are almost to Cameroon and I cannot wait. We are however, separated from some people on our team. Three girls stayed back in Hong Kong because one of the students has bronchitis. It is a great need to be reunited and we know that as soon as she is healthy enough and cleared to travel she will come. A week of traveling is rapidly coming to a close and we continue to see God's provision in it and we will continue to guard ourselves with the Armour of God. Thank you for all your prayers, may they continue for the remainder of our travel time (which will end on Friday...we hope).
Friday, November 28, 2008
hrmph...
Hi Friends. Just a quick update. Today we were supposed to fly to Bangkok. Due to a little uprising and air control towers being taken over that won't be possible. Tomorrow we will fly to Kuala Lampur for a couple hour layover, then to Hong Kong for a couple of nights and then to Nairobi for a while and then to Duola for a a bumpy busride to the north.
These last couple days have been sheer pandemonium for our wise leaders. I am expectant of smooth travel. When you think of us, feel free to pray.
Happy Thanksgiving America!
These last couple days have been sheer pandemonium for our wise leaders. I am expectant of smooth travel. When you think of us, feel free to pray.
Happy Thanksgiving America!
Sunday, November 23, 2008
a hard day.
We wandered off the street and ushered ourselves down sandbag stairs until we lost sight of the road and had a clear view of the murky river carrying trash to it's next unwanted destination. I saw the bridge. I put one foot in front of the other and made my way into the "under-the-bridge-slum". Two stories. Darkness. Random light bulbs. And this is their home. A complete community whose life is embodied by the cars' safe transport over the river.
I felt overwhelmed. I was done seeing suffering. No more injustice.
And we were invited into someone's house before I soak in anymore anger.
We stared at the women sitting across from us. She began telling us about the friends they had made with a previous wave of "buleh". We inquired about who was related to who, shared about our time here and stared some more. We learned that the young woman had moved here temporarily because her house is flooded. She smiled at us meekly as she shrugged off the weather of the city, accepting that these are the conditions she lives in, and that is that.
Soon we began to ask if they knew Jesus. They shared that they had heard about him and were beginning to know him through a Bible that the mother of the young woman had. She is forboden to read it by her husband. She smiled as she shared she is reading through the book of John. Shortly a man appeared in the corner. Our local friend told us we could no longer talk about Jesus because he was a Muslim.
As we invited him into the circle we asked about his life. He is 36 and lives with his mother. He hasn't left the house lately but needs to get a job. We started to share about a Provider that we know of. Little by little we told the story of a Jesus who loves us and only has good in his heart. The man seemed puzzled and uniterested. We piped up about the vastness of his grace. "I am a sinner and you are too. He died for you. He died for me." No convincing is necessary, we could tell he was waiting for more though. When we asked him if we could stop and pray for God to open his heart to recieve he said that he wanted to know Jesus today. One prayer after the other, he met Jesus. I will not easily forget the questioning in his voice when he closed the prayer and said "I feel...free?...It is like the dark has been wiped off my eyes."
The story goes on...some of it I am still working through.
This much I wanted to share though. Earlier, I felt that the world had abandoned this corner of the city. How could we have let such a quaint city build itself up under the bridge? Surely this isn't where God has intended for people to live? And I believe that still. However, it was through this man, his release of dullness and embracing of freedom that brought forth the kingdom that day, it has brought to this lost city. Bit by bit, Jesus is breaking through.
Salvation bears hope.
I felt overwhelmed. I was done seeing suffering. No more injustice.
And we were invited into someone's house before I soak in anymore anger.
We stared at the women sitting across from us. She began telling us about the friends they had made with a previous wave of "buleh". We inquired about who was related to who, shared about our time here and stared some more. We learned that the young woman had moved here temporarily because her house is flooded. She smiled at us meekly as she shrugged off the weather of the city, accepting that these are the conditions she lives in, and that is that.
Soon we began to ask if they knew Jesus. They shared that they had heard about him and were beginning to know him through a Bible that the mother of the young woman had. She is forboden to read it by her husband. She smiled as she shared she is reading through the book of John. Shortly a man appeared in the corner. Our local friend told us we could no longer talk about Jesus because he was a Muslim.
As we invited him into the circle we asked about his life. He is 36 and lives with his mother. He hasn't left the house lately but needs to get a job. We started to share about a Provider that we know of. Little by little we told the story of a Jesus who loves us and only has good in his heart. The man seemed puzzled and uniterested. We piped up about the vastness of his grace. "I am a sinner and you are too. He died for you. He died for me." No convincing is necessary, we could tell he was waiting for more though. When we asked him if we could stop and pray for God to open his heart to recieve he said that he wanted to know Jesus today. One prayer after the other, he met Jesus. I will not easily forget the questioning in his voice when he closed the prayer and said "I feel...free?...It is like the dark has been wiped off my eyes."
The story goes on...some of it I am still working through.
This much I wanted to share though. Earlier, I felt that the world had abandoned this corner of the city. How could we have let such a quaint city build itself up under the bridge? Surely this isn't where God has intended for people to live? And I believe that still. However, it was through this man, his release of dullness and embracing of freedom that brought forth the kingdom that day, it has brought to this lost city. Bit by bit, Jesus is breaking through.
Salvation bears hope.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Hari ini, Hari ini...
On Saturday we had the chance to reconnect with a family whom had met the previous Saturday. They live in another trash sorting slum that we are new to. To find our way to the house we waded through piles plastic bottles piles and rickshaws of decomposing wood and scraps. Waiting for us was a family at the end of their rope.
The man has been sick for three months with TB. However, the pussing boils that covered his body all the way to his nearly gangrenous hands and toes made us think otherwise. The man was so weak and tired that he could hardly speak. The wincing in defiancy to the pain he had breathing was the only noise we heard out of him as the wife began to explain the situation.
Earlier in the day they had visited a witch doctor and previous to that they had spent 6 million rupiah (60 US$) on a doctor's visit. He had continued taking medication, but nothing was helping. They could not afford to return to the doctor and were getting by one day at a time. We had no advice to offer them, but they were happy to have us pray.
We spent our afternoon there, praying, singing, battling. Soon, we had an open door, we asked the man if he believed in Jesus. With his breathfilled words, he sighed "yes". Bit by bit, he recited a prayer that he believed in Jesus and it would be Jesus who healed him. We continued to pray and some felt lead to have him stand up. With a group helping him, he was able to stand up briefly.
The hours passed much quicker than anyone realized and we left in a hurry. On the way out, the man's wife was deeply moved and she herself accepted Jesus as her healer.
This family remained in our heads throughout the week.
On Saturday we rushed to see them as soon as the taxi halted. We stood in awe as reached the front door of the home and the gentleman was sitting up eating a mango. It was him, but maybe in a new body? His face looked rested and at ease, his body showed traces of healed boils, his feet had the normal colour and circulation that they should have. What could we say but "God is good!" His wife smiled endearingly as she shared that he has an appetite and eats everything that she cooks and wants more. He is able to get up to use the toilet and shower. She was happy to tell of the progress throughout the week and especially her neighbors' responses to it all.
The man said, "I just want to go to church so I can sing Hallelujah!" So we had church together, sharing stories from the Bible, testimonies and singing together. We told them that next week they can invite their friends and we can have a church all together.
I guess I am just stunned at God earnestly seeking people. He loves when we finally choose his love that has always been there, there is freedom to choose otherwise and when would do choose to embrace the love, God dances over us with excitement. I experienced a piece of fellowshiping with God's joy on Saturday.
The man has been sick for three months with TB. However, the pussing boils that covered his body all the way to his nearly gangrenous hands and toes made us think otherwise. The man was so weak and tired that he could hardly speak. The wincing in defiancy to the pain he had breathing was the only noise we heard out of him as the wife began to explain the situation.
Earlier in the day they had visited a witch doctor and previous to that they had spent 6 million rupiah (60 US$) on a doctor's visit. He had continued taking medication, but nothing was helping. They could not afford to return to the doctor and were getting by one day at a time. We had no advice to offer them, but they were happy to have us pray.
We spent our afternoon there, praying, singing, battling. Soon, we had an open door, we asked the man if he believed in Jesus. With his breathfilled words, he sighed "yes". Bit by bit, he recited a prayer that he believed in Jesus and it would be Jesus who healed him. We continued to pray and some felt lead to have him stand up. With a group helping him, he was able to stand up briefly.
The hours passed much quicker than anyone realized and we left in a hurry. On the way out, the man's wife was deeply moved and she herself accepted Jesus as her healer.
This family remained in our heads throughout the week.
On Saturday we rushed to see them as soon as the taxi halted. We stood in awe as reached the front door of the home and the gentleman was sitting up eating a mango. It was him, but maybe in a new body? His face looked rested and at ease, his body showed traces of healed boils, his feet had the normal colour and circulation that they should have. What could we say but "God is good!" His wife smiled endearingly as she shared that he has an appetite and eats everything that she cooks and wants more. He is able to get up to use the toilet and shower. She was happy to tell of the progress throughout the week and especially her neighbors' responses to it all.
The man said, "I just want to go to church so I can sing Hallelujah!" So we had church together, sharing stories from the Bible, testimonies and singing together. We told them that next week they can invite their friends and we can have a church all together.
I guess I am just stunned at God earnestly seeking people. He loves when we finally choose his love that has always been there, there is freedom to choose otherwise and when would do choose to embrace the love, God dances over us with excitement. I experienced a piece of fellowshiping with God's joy on Saturday.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
untitled no. 1002
Creator, is your heart not broken for your J*kartans?
You have pursued them and still they have hid their faces.
You hold the answers with an open palm
And your tears continue to puddle for you long to play in the streets with the barefoot, you long to sit a child in your lap to take a ride on the waterslide, you long to reroof the home that flooded.
How long will I have to wait? I am ready today.
I will continue to dream over you while I look lovingly upond you. My creations inspire me.
Come mothers, come fathers, children. You have been degraded enough.
I will sew the patches on your uniform,
I will pay your remaining school fees,
Daughter, throw off your head covering, let me see those beautiful eyelashes I crafted to compliment your dimples.
I hear your labour pains daughter, I am with you.
Do not fret, for your husband is here to hold your hand.
Yes, have more children, you will be fruitful and I will provide.
Rejoice over your newborn, wrap him tightly in your batik.
He is smiling over his redemption.
I have told him of the lies that no longer remain.
He will know fresh water from the sink
He will crave bok-choy and spinach
He will dance in the streets free from garbage and pollution.
Your curiousity will bring the answers
I am in the wind.
Hear my voice J*karta, I am speaking to you. I yearn for you.
I will be here holding your newborns until you are ready for rebirth.
You have pursued them and still they have hid their faces.
You hold the answers with an open palm
And your tears continue to puddle for you long to play in the streets with the barefoot, you long to sit a child in your lap to take a ride on the waterslide, you long to reroof the home that flooded.
How long will I have to wait? I am ready today.
I will continue to dream over you while I look lovingly upond you. My creations inspire me.
Come mothers, come fathers, children. You have been degraded enough.
I will sew the patches on your uniform,
I will pay your remaining school fees,
Daughter, throw off your head covering, let me see those beautiful eyelashes I crafted to compliment your dimples.
I hear your labour pains daughter, I am with you.
Do not fret, for your husband is here to hold your hand.
Yes, have more children, you will be fruitful and I will provide.
Rejoice over your newborn, wrap him tightly in your batik.
He is smiling over his redemption.
I have told him of the lies that no longer remain.
He will know fresh water from the sink
He will crave bok-choy and spinach
He will dance in the streets free from garbage and pollution.
Your curiousity will bring the answers
I am in the wind.
Hear my voice J*karta, I am speaking to you. I yearn for you.
I will be here holding your newborns until you are ready for rebirth.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Finally, geez wiz.
Packing up our home in Perth, in style. These are our "doctor suits" (dubbed this name by Becca's little sister Lizzy). I think you will get used to seeing us in these. :)
It looks like a lot of stuff, I agree. Considering though, 8 months, 14 people (homeschooling work included), well I am impressed.
Labok Balus is a garbage sorting slum. One of those places you don't really believe exists until the stench meets you a mile up the road. Again, not the way God intended for anyone to live. This is our family, we will start small, just by teaching, and the rest, well, it's up to us.
And for the first time ever, I would like to introduce to eggs besides the ones you use to make omelettes...what an amazing moment. These women are inquisitive and ready to learn the minute we arrive in their community.
No slum is complete without the view of a western mall.
Mowhawk child, there is no other. He is actually the chunkiest baby in the community, thank you breastmilk.
Lectures are never complete without group time, usually a time to remember. Can you tell what we are doing? Our staff are so creative.
One of our faithful mothers in the Mampang community.
"We are the crabs, your..."
This is Tenan Abang, the same slum with the view of the western mall. Don't step too far out your front door, you might get hit by a train. We are really connecting with the women of this slum, they are thirsty for teaching and love to be prayed for, they are an important and overlooked piece of their society.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
what to say...
Okay, I think it would be easier if I made more time during the week to update my blog and then it wouldn't all pile up once a week. Now if only I could get this through my head...
The past four days have been divided with lectures and ministry. In fact, in about 15 minutes we are beginning lecture on inserting cannulas and catheters. I am SO excited.
Well recapping on this week, I have had time to reflect a lot of our ministry. We currently have four women's classes, a maternal hospital visit and church/day of Compassion weekly. This week though, it seemed like I just had more time to sit and process. I am reading the book called "Irresistable Revolution". Just one thing that he has been talking about is the fact that many of us know the teachings of Jesus, but we don't live them out. We know of Jesus, but we don't know Jesus. Jesus loves the poor, but we don't even know the poor. I have been tossing these thoughts back and forth. He shares a quote from Rich Mullins, ("there is thunder in his footsteps and lightning in his fists) "You guys are all into that born again thing, which is great. We do need to be born again, since Jesus said that to a guy name Nicodemus. But if you tell me I have to be born again to enter the kingdom of God, I can tell you that you have to sell everything you have to give it to the poor because Jesus said that to one guy too, but I guess that's why God invented highlighters, so we can highlight the parts we like and ignore the rest." Now, I ultimately am still processing this. I don't know about context and studying which Hebrew word was used for which word, but I am fully enveloped by this thought. I guess I am just really entranced by the life that Jesus offers us. The richness of life comes from meeting palpating bellies in dimly lit rooms and drinking green apple jolly rancher juice while hearing about different ways to mop houses. This is what is bringing God's kingdom. There are seeds waiting to be planted, fruit waiting to grow, sweetness waiting to be tasted...
I want to know the poor, I feel really challenged. I don't want to let go of this.
This week we again taught in the railroad slum. Nearly eight feet off the tracks are where the houses begin. I know this isn't how God intended for anyone to live. Sarah was waiting for an antenatal check to finish up and she watched a boy stand in the meter wide walkway and pee all over himself onto someone's house. This week began the rainy season, the slums will begin flooding up to a meter high. We must be wreckless hopers and lovers.
I am meeting God here. He has gone before us.
I have really had to fight to write this blog. I don't know why, I guess I don't want it to sound like peaches and cream (yum), but God is bringing beauty from ashes and is meeting us in the mountains and the valleys.
What is going on in America? Election time is coming...
Miss you guys. Thanks for reading friends.
The past four days have been divided with lectures and ministry. In fact, in about 15 minutes we are beginning lecture on inserting cannulas and catheters. I am SO excited.
Well recapping on this week, I have had time to reflect a lot of our ministry. We currently have four women's classes, a maternal hospital visit and church/day of Compassion weekly. This week though, it seemed like I just had more time to sit and process. I am reading the book called "Irresistable Revolution". Just one thing that he has been talking about is the fact that many of us know the teachings of Jesus, but we don't live them out. We know of Jesus, but we don't know Jesus. Jesus loves the poor, but we don't even know the poor. I have been tossing these thoughts back and forth. He shares a quote from Rich Mullins, ("there is thunder in his footsteps and lightning in his fists) "You guys are all into that born again thing, which is great. We do need to be born again, since Jesus said that to a guy name Nicodemus. But if you tell me I have to be born again to enter the kingdom of God, I can tell you that you have to sell everything you have to give it to the poor because Jesus said that to one guy too, but I guess that's why God invented highlighters, so we can highlight the parts we like and ignore the rest." Now, I ultimately am still processing this. I don't know about context and studying which Hebrew word was used for which word, but I am fully enveloped by this thought. I guess I am just really entranced by the life that Jesus offers us. The richness of life comes from meeting palpating bellies in dimly lit rooms and drinking green apple jolly rancher juice while hearing about different ways to mop houses. This is what is bringing God's kingdom. There are seeds waiting to be planted, fruit waiting to grow, sweetness waiting to be tasted...
I want to know the poor, I feel really challenged. I don't want to let go of this.
This week we again taught in the railroad slum. Nearly eight feet off the tracks are where the houses begin. I know this isn't how God intended for anyone to live. Sarah was waiting for an antenatal check to finish up and she watched a boy stand in the meter wide walkway and pee all over himself onto someone's house. This week began the rainy season, the slums will begin flooding up to a meter high. We must be wreckless hopers and lovers.
I am meeting God here. He has gone before us.
I have really had to fight to write this blog. I don't know why, I guess I don't want it to sound like peaches and cream (yum), but God is bringing beauty from ashes and is meeting us in the mountains and the valleys.
What is going on in America? Election time is coming...
Miss you guys. Thanks for reading friends.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Teaching Time.
We have been here for 16 days now. It feels like much longer. A lot of the time we have been going into the slum communities and getting to know the women. Getting to know their education, birthing practices, schedules...Yesterday began it all.
Although we have taught one time ("Breast is best"), yesterday was one of the most mind boggling experiences of teaching yet in my life.
Before we headed into Mampang slum, we spent an hour sorting out what God was saying. We highlighted past impressions and words from God about what we felt for the women. Then we entered into a new prayer time. The final words were; "life", "anatomy" and "reproductive system". So, the plan was set, female reproductive teaching for our first lesson. We all took a piece of the teaching and planned it in a half hour.
We waited for our friends from the church and our translator Anita to come. It is our goal to connect with women from the church we have been attending and have them do outreach with us. We don't want this to just be a burst of evangelism and then die after we leave. It would be amazing if we could find two dedicated women in the church to come in with us weekly and then keep the teachings up after we leave. This is still something we are seeking out. We did however, have two men from the church who are committed to working with local slums come with us. They say that it is hard to break down the barrier between the rich and the poor. Kind of reminds me of everywhere else in the world.
Anyway, flash forward, ten Muslim women, no circulation and one dark room later...Melisa begins sharing about our bodies being fearfully and wonderfully made from the "Holy Scripture". I was the first to teach. I introduced "Anatomy of the female reproductive system" and the women nodded their heads. As I pulled out my teaching aid of a uterus and ovaries, the women zoomed in. I asked them if this was something familar, they shook their heads. I then asked them "Have you ever seen this before?" and they shook their heads. In a city where malls are bigger than Safeco and Quest put together, times four, there are still women who have never learned about their reproductive system. Unbelievable.
The time continued with the women eager to learn and open to ask questions. It was a lovely time that we will get to take part of each week.
God is using education to empower and love women. He is renewing the value that the world has stripped them of. I don't really know what to expect after that, but I am anticipating great things to come of our time spent with the women. Jesus loves His little children, all the children of the world.
Although we have taught one time ("Breast is best"), yesterday was one of the most mind boggling experiences of teaching yet in my life.
Before we headed into Mampang slum, we spent an hour sorting out what God was saying. We highlighted past impressions and words from God about what we felt for the women. Then we entered into a new prayer time. The final words were; "life", "anatomy" and "reproductive system". So, the plan was set, female reproductive teaching for our first lesson. We all took a piece of the teaching and planned it in a half hour.
We waited for our friends from the church and our translator Anita to come. It is our goal to connect with women from the church we have been attending and have them do outreach with us. We don't want this to just be a burst of evangelism and then die after we leave. It would be amazing if we could find two dedicated women in the church to come in with us weekly and then keep the teachings up after we leave. This is still something we are seeking out. We did however, have two men from the church who are committed to working with local slums come with us. They say that it is hard to break down the barrier between the rich and the poor. Kind of reminds me of everywhere else in the world.
Anyway, flash forward, ten Muslim women, no circulation and one dark room later...Melisa begins sharing about our bodies being fearfully and wonderfully made from the "Holy Scripture". I was the first to teach. I introduced "Anatomy of the female reproductive system" and the women nodded their heads. As I pulled out my teaching aid of a uterus and ovaries, the women zoomed in. I asked them if this was something familar, they shook their heads. I then asked them "Have you ever seen this before?" and they shook their heads. In a city where malls are bigger than Safeco and Quest put together, times four, there are still women who have never learned about their reproductive system. Unbelievable.
The time continued with the women eager to learn and open to ask questions. It was a lovely time that we will get to take part of each week.
God is using education to empower and love women. He is renewing the value that the world has stripped them of. I don't really know what to expect after that, but I am anticipating great things to come of our time spent with the women. Jesus loves His little children, all the children of the world.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Is once a week too infrequent? Is "infrequent" even a word?
This past week has contained several moments of wondering, "How did this all happen?", "Why am I allowed to be a part of this?". There are plenty of moments to reinforce my questions and ultimately the answers come back to God giving me the desires of my heart, more than I even understood that these were the desires of my heart, God knew and He gave them to me.
1. Yesterday while walking through the slums, I able to sit with a woman who was searching her friend's hair for lice. I was blessed by hearing her story of coming to the city. Including being married at 17, delivering her only son at 7 months and selling herbal tea to make ends meet. She wants to learn about preventing diarrhea and fever because her family gets sick during the rainy season since the slum floods during the rainy season.
2. I played hopscotch with 20 Indonesian children who were practicing their english while we waited our turns.
3. Asking a gentleman if I can hold his baby and having him light up that I would want to. She was three months old and had a rat tail.
4. Going to bed knowing that there are 7 other girls in the room who are committed to unifying themselves with me and Jesus. We remind ourselves of the disciples: Ministry together, cook together, clean together, sleep together, hehehe.
5. Each morning coming downstairs to a oatmeal and a secluded courtyard. Following, a time of spirit filled worship and then a couple hours of lecture on obstructed labour with experience filled leadership.
6. A couple of girls being able to meet a woman who was paralyzed from a stroke. She lays on her bed in a dark room because she is embarassed of what the community will think. After praying over her they asked if she would like to come to our teachings. She was fully blessed.
Our life is a gift. God wants to use us. There have been several challenging moments this week, but at this moment of typing to you all, I want you to know that we are blessed to be breathing and knowing our Saviour. When God asks us to obey, it is because He has the absolute best in mind for us. God is bringing healing to our nations.
One last story...
As Robyn, Anna and I headed to Bible reading last week, we had the chance to stop and pray for a man who had a burn on his right leg. He was belssed that we asked him. As we began to pray, heaven opened and we were asking for healing. Before our eyes, the brown skin moved into the pink skin...as we walked away, we knew we had seen God's hand.
Praise God!
1. Yesterday while walking through the slums, I able to sit with a woman who was searching her friend's hair for lice. I was blessed by hearing her story of coming to the city. Including being married at 17, delivering her only son at 7 months and selling herbal tea to make ends meet. She wants to learn about preventing diarrhea and fever because her family gets sick during the rainy season since the slum floods during the rainy season.
2. I played hopscotch with 20 Indonesian children who were practicing their english while we waited our turns.
3. Asking a gentleman if I can hold his baby and having him light up that I would want to. She was three months old and had a rat tail.
4. Going to bed knowing that there are 7 other girls in the room who are committed to unifying themselves with me and Jesus. We remind ourselves of the disciples: Ministry together, cook together, clean together, sleep together, hehehe.
5. Each morning coming downstairs to a oatmeal and a secluded courtyard. Following, a time of spirit filled worship and then a couple hours of lecture on obstructed labour with experience filled leadership.
6. A couple of girls being able to meet a woman who was paralyzed from a stroke. She lays on her bed in a dark room because she is embarassed of what the community will think. After praying over her they asked if she would like to come to our teachings. She was fully blessed.
Our life is a gift. God wants to use us. There have been several challenging moments this week, but at this moment of typing to you all, I want you to know that we are blessed to be breathing and knowing our Saviour. When God asks us to obey, it is because He has the absolute best in mind for us. God is bringing healing to our nations.
One last story...
As Robyn, Anna and I headed to Bible reading last week, we had the chance to stop and pray for a man who had a burn on his right leg. He was belssed that we asked him. As we began to pray, heaven opened and we were asking for healing. Before our eyes, the brown skin moved into the pink skin...as we walked away, we knew we had seen God's hand.
Praise God!
Friday, October 03, 2008
“Thank you God for my roommates…”
It has been a while since my roomies have heard me talk in my sleep. I am convinced it is because they are used to it. This was the muttering from my tired mouth last night as I crashed just after midnight.
We arrived in Indonesia on Wednesday afternoon after 24 hours of travel. Although Indonesia is a four-hour flight from Perth, we took the scenic route. In the midst of our stop in Bangkok we were informed that we had to actually enter Thailand and re-check our luggage for the next flight. 7 hours later, we were in line with our bags to check into our flight to Indo. Being the first in line, we seemed to be on top of things. I wasn’t worried about getting all the bags checked through since we had breezed through in Perth. As a team we were allowed 325 kgs, we had only 309! That is incredible. Everyone intentionally packed. Anyway, long story short, we were on a budget flight which only allowed 15kgs per person. As Becca later put it, “That is just too hard for our team”. She is right, although nearly everyone’s personal bags were under 15 kgs, the team bags compensate for the light weight. We have probably 70kgs of supply. All of this to say, they weren’t going to let it slide. After an hour of repacking, divvying up new carry-ons, layering our clothes the airline wasn’t budging. They informed us that we only had 30 minutes to catch our flight. Becca ended up dashing to an ATM and paying a fee and we were able to lug our way to customs. We “exited” Thailand, headed to security. In the change of carry-ons, we carried on my bag since it was only 9.8kgs. Mind you, it was packed to be a check-on. Hahaha…I didn’t have any back space, so Robyn was lugging it, along with being a mom to 4 children. I was ahead of them and as I sat down on the plane I realized, “The liquid…wait, oh, no, they are going to have to repack the whole thing…” I made my way to the check in counter and asked the gentleman to wait for my teammates, I boarded the plane, free seating. It took me back to backpacking Europe. Easy Jet/AirAsia. No food. No drink. No leg room. Absolutely exhausted from travel, running on two hours of sleeping under chairs, hauling though the airport and heaps of spiritual warfare, Melisa and I sat and waited for everyone else.
We made it. All of us made it on the flight. Praise the Lord.
Later when we recapped, we talked about any discouragement people felt, like “Where was God?” Some shared about doing spiritual warfare over themselves because they felt like we needed a miracle and God didn’t come through. As they shared the revelations they had, I think we were all encouraged. We really fought our hardest. Whether in silent or group prayers, singing, everyone took part in the battle. Becca shared that we did see miracles, like all of us making the flight, especially when they asked her to unpack my bag and she knew that she only had 5 minutes to make the flight. Or that they let one “carry-on” team bag get through with piles of medicine and syringes when they probably should’ve confiscated it all. Finally, I think the best part was we saw a new depth of unity. We were all scrambling at the ticket counter, loading carry-ons until they weighed more than our check-ins. Carry each others stuff, submitting to the leaders in whatever they needed. We did not labour in vain.
Anyway, we are now in our cozy home. The past two days have been spent in orientation, Bible reading and organization. There is a lot of settling to be done. Before we do ministry we will read the whole Bible aloud. We are in 3 hours shifts. As of yet, we are into 1 Samuel. I am up next! I think the truth is cutting through to the southern region.
I will put up some pictures soon.
Some prayer requests:
-Sarah, one of our leaders is in the U.S., she will be coming to meet us in a couple days.
-Communication, whether with our regional coordinators or Perth Coordinators, we want to be on guard of any miscommunication.
-Opportunities in mother and child healthcare would continue to open up.
Thanks Guys!
We arrived in Indonesia on Wednesday afternoon after 24 hours of travel. Although Indonesia is a four-hour flight from Perth, we took the scenic route. In the midst of our stop in Bangkok we were informed that we had to actually enter Thailand and re-check our luggage for the next flight. 7 hours later, we were in line with our bags to check into our flight to Indo. Being the first in line, we seemed to be on top of things. I wasn’t worried about getting all the bags checked through since we had breezed through in Perth. As a team we were allowed 325 kgs, we had only 309! That is incredible. Everyone intentionally packed. Anyway, long story short, we were on a budget flight which only allowed 15kgs per person. As Becca later put it, “That is just too hard for our team”. She is right, although nearly everyone’s personal bags were under 15 kgs, the team bags compensate for the light weight. We have probably 70kgs of supply. All of this to say, they weren’t going to let it slide. After an hour of repacking, divvying up new carry-ons, layering our clothes the airline wasn’t budging. They informed us that we only had 30 minutes to catch our flight. Becca ended up dashing to an ATM and paying a fee and we were able to lug our way to customs. We “exited” Thailand, headed to security. In the change of carry-ons, we carried on my bag since it was only 9.8kgs. Mind you, it was packed to be a check-on. Hahaha…I didn’t have any back space, so Robyn was lugging it, along with being a mom to 4 children. I was ahead of them and as I sat down on the plane I realized, “The liquid…wait, oh, no, they are going to have to repack the whole thing…” I made my way to the check in counter and asked the gentleman to wait for my teammates, I boarded the plane, free seating. It took me back to backpacking Europe. Easy Jet/AirAsia. No food. No drink. No leg room. Absolutely exhausted from travel, running on two hours of sleeping under chairs, hauling though the airport and heaps of spiritual warfare, Melisa and I sat and waited for everyone else.
We made it. All of us made it on the flight. Praise the Lord.
Later when we recapped, we talked about any discouragement people felt, like “Where was God?” Some shared about doing spiritual warfare over themselves because they felt like we needed a miracle and God didn’t come through. As they shared the revelations they had, I think we were all encouraged. We really fought our hardest. Whether in silent or group prayers, singing, everyone took part in the battle. Becca shared that we did see miracles, like all of us making the flight, especially when they asked her to unpack my bag and she knew that she only had 5 minutes to make the flight. Or that they let one “carry-on” team bag get through with piles of medicine and syringes when they probably should’ve confiscated it all. Finally, I think the best part was we saw a new depth of unity. We were all scrambling at the ticket counter, loading carry-ons until they weighed more than our check-ins. Carry each others stuff, submitting to the leaders in whatever they needed. We did not labour in vain.
Anyway, we are now in our cozy home. The past two days have been spent in orientation, Bible reading and organization. There is a lot of settling to be done. Before we do ministry we will read the whole Bible aloud. We are in 3 hours shifts. As of yet, we are into 1 Samuel. I am up next! I think the truth is cutting through to the southern region.
I will put up some pictures soon.
Some prayer requests:
-Sarah, one of our leaders is in the U.S., she will be coming to meet us in a couple days.
-Communication, whether with our regional coordinators or Perth Coordinators, we want to be on guard of any miscommunication.
-Opportunities in mother and child healthcare would continue to open up.
Thanks Guys!
Monday, September 29, 2008
so the room is packed, and we leave in less than 24 hours. :)
We have had a wind down time these past couple days. Grades are in, final evaluations have been done and yes, the bags have been packed. I am busting proud of all the girls and the weight of our bags. I will let you guys guess how much they weigh.
This afternoon Becca planned some team times for us. After our Indonesian lesson, we were to meet in the laneway at 1:30. The sunshine was high in the sky, summer is coming (and we are leaving)! Becca asked us to go into the front lawn and partner up. Then she proceded to blind-fold one of us and give the visionary free reign to dress the blind mouse in any outfit of Salvo clothes (salvo bin is a place for people to put their clothes in when they don't want them anymore, in other words, a treasure box). It was then our goal to lead the person down the bike path to the river, just by the leading of our voice. I dressed Connie in a yellow towel fabric dress. I think it is something that you would slip into after you had showered. Not so attractive. I then fashioned a stretchy cloth into a mini tube top. Since her sunglasses hid her blindfold, she looked pretty goofy meandering down the bike path like a lost child. After the swap, Connie saw what she was wearing and let out a shriek. We were inside a tunnel. Afterwards we swapped and Connie made sure to run me into a couple bushes, off the bike path and into the opposite traffic. Bikes much?
Tonight we are headed over to Becca's house for tea.
Our last hours at the base are slipping away...I am really excited to go!
This afternoon Becca planned some team times for us. After our Indonesian lesson, we were to meet in the laneway at 1:30. The sunshine was high in the sky, summer is coming (and we are leaving)! Becca asked us to go into the front lawn and partner up. Then she proceded to blind-fold one of us and give the visionary free reign to dress the blind mouse in any outfit of Salvo clothes (salvo bin is a place for people to put their clothes in when they don't want them anymore, in other words, a treasure box). It was then our goal to lead the person down the bike path to the river, just by the leading of our voice. I dressed Connie in a yellow towel fabric dress. I think it is something that you would slip into after you had showered. Not so attractive. I then fashioned a stretchy cloth into a mini tube top. Since her sunglasses hid her blindfold, she looked pretty goofy meandering down the bike path like a lost child. After the swap, Connie saw what she was wearing and let out a shriek. We were inside a tunnel. Afterwards we swapped and Connie made sure to run me into a couple bushes, off the bike path and into the opposite traffic. Bikes much?
Tonight we are headed over to Becca's house for tea.
Our last hours at the base are slipping away...I am really excited to go!
Saturday, September 27, 2008
it has happened.
Our room is a MESS. It is packing time. Bags sprawled amidst the dusty floor, mattresses stripped of their belongings and clothes being tossed from hand to hand. As we face this time, I can't help but feel the joy bubbling up inside me. I am leaving without the difficult good-byes, going to a place I have never seen, anticipating God's miracles.
In the meantime, as the Salvo clothes find their new owners, as old "your leaving" cards are read, Sarah is reading. Together we are listening to "A Severe Mercy". Chapter Two is beginning.
In the meantime, as the Salvo clothes find their new owners, as old "your leaving" cards are read, Sarah is reading. Together we are listening to "A Severe Mercy". Chapter Two is beginning.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
6 days.
In less than six days I will be in Indonesia. I feel ready to take off. I picked out all the clothes I am taking last night. I originally thought that everything I brought here with me had to go on outreach, but thanks to a little shed behind someone's house, I get to leave things like my winter jacket. As a team we have several suitcases that we will haul along in compensation for our 13 kg backpacks. Personally, I was assigned the job of bringing a ceramic, expensive water filter in my carry-on. No pressure. Anyway, we will be taking off at 4:30 pm on Tuesday and then staying overnight at the Bangkok airport. Yay Thailand!
Today we had a commitment time as a school. We spent time waiting on God about what we were fully commited to for outreach. I saw Him surface some stuff that I hadn't even thought of. It was a powerful time of unity as we prayed over the person on our left after they shared. Those moments of vulnerability are never easy for me. Today I was thinking about it as I was about to share and then came to, and realized, "hey, this probably isn't easy for anyone". Haaha... Self absorption. Lame.
These next days will be spent busily cleaning the base, our classroom, bedroom, etc. We had our final speaker on Tuesday, and we will have one more inspirational speaker on Friday.
It seems to be the next step to be leaving Perth. I really like Australia. It won't be the same when I return.
Today we had a commitment time as a school. We spent time waiting on God about what we were fully commited to for outreach. I saw Him surface some stuff that I hadn't even thought of. It was a powerful time of unity as we prayed over the person on our left after they shared. Those moments of vulnerability are never easy for me. Today I was thinking about it as I was about to share and then came to, and realized, "hey, this probably isn't easy for anyone". Haaha... Self absorption. Lame.
These next days will be spent busily cleaning the base, our classroom, bedroom, etc. We had our final speaker on Tuesday, and we will have one more inspirational speaker on Friday.
It seems to be the next step to be leaving Perth. I really like Australia. It won't be the same when I return.
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