Bowling

What I've learned in our few months of marriage is that my husband isn't one to complain. He left his family, friends he's had for years, a decent job, and the only city he's ever lived in - he left these things to support me in following my call to NC. What a man! You would think all this sacrifice would earn him a right to grumble every now and then, but he doesn't. I find that I am the one who complains about the weather, or the friends I left, the unfamiliarity of the area. His example challenges me to be more flexible and have a better attitude when things aren't as comfortable as they used to be.

While I was on my last trip I got an email from Kenyon, "I'm bored. There isn't anything to do here." That's the closest my husband has come to grumbling, it's more like a status report, but I got the message. When I came home, I told him that we would try out some of the things we haven't yet, we would take advantage of the opportunities that are available to us.

So, Saturday night when Kenyon got out of class we went to watch the Jayhawks play in the semi-final Big 12 game (yes, I am still a Jayhawk through and through). Then we met up with a couple I met through work - he is from the UK originally but has been living all over the world the last decade, his wife is from El Salvador and this is her first time living in the States. We decided to try out Boone Bowl. When we walked in Kenyon said, "this is the smallest bowling alley I've ever seen." What do you expect? We are in the smallest town either of us have ever lived in. We had a great evening! Flora, from El Salvador, had never bowled before. It was fun to introduce her to this American past time.

Will we go again? Who knows! But, we did make some great memories.

faith bigger than giants

I've been reading in I Samuel. Earlier this week I read the story of David and Goliath. I've heard this story since I was a little girl, but something new struck me. David's faith was astounding! Mighty, victorious soldiers coward at the sight of Goliath. The King of a great nation was at a loss of what to do. This little shepherd boy comes to deliver lunch and says, "What are you so afraid of? Our God is bigger than that!" (My paraphrase not actually in the Bible)

David's perspective is what I admire. He didn't see the greatness of the giant because it paled in comparison to the greatness of his God. I want that kind of faith, the kind of faith that defeats giants - not for glory and not from personal strength, but because in perspective the God I serve is so much bigger.

The giants I face aren't often physical. I fight the giants of generational poverty, debilitating disease, oppression, violence, and hopelessness. My battle isn't a physical one, but a spiritual one. This week David reminded me that my God is bigger. I long for faith bigger than giants.

What a week I had!

This week has been a roller coaster ride and I'm glad to be off (or that it's Friday afternoon and I've reached the end of the week). It seemed that every day at work something unexpected blew up, there were land mines under the sand everywhere. It tested my will, stamina, and faith. I would come home utterly exhausted and was asleep almost every night before 9pm. Tuesday at staff meeting I could tell my team was feeling the same way - there was a heaviness hanging in the room, frustration was written on their faces. We had staff meeting then I prayed for each of them. The weight seemed to have been lifted for them, but I was still under it. Today, one of my team did something unexpected. She pulled up a chair at my desk and told me what that meant to her. She said she was feeling down, but that she left the meeting feeling uplifted. This person has been with the department longer than just about anyone (going on two years). She worked with my predecessor and had great respect for her former boss. It is difficult to come in to a situation where you are following a popular leader. Today, this person told me she is convinced I am the right person for the job and that I have made a difference in the department and for the team. She said, she is glad I'm the team leader. It is one of the nicest compliments I've ever received. Why? not because it was flattering...I view flattery as empty praise, without merit. It was a great compliment because she is not one for flowery words. I know that what she was telling me is I've earned her respect. As her boss, that is a great honor. I also needed the encouragement, because, man oh man, what a week I've had! I have to believe next week will be better.

Liberia

Each time I go on a trip it is impossible to share everything so I choose one story to illustrate what I've seen. I spent much of my trip to Liberia visiting beneficiaries of our orphan and vulnerable children program for those infected with or affected by HIV/AIDS. It was impossible to ignore the reminders of the recent civil war, because they were everywhere - burnt out structures and cars remained, bullet riddled buildings, soldiers who survived but whose injuries were apparent. Infrastructure is still lacking - running water, consistent electricity, adequate housing, etc. Not to mention there isn't much Rule of Law. I was there six days, in that time 2 dead bodies washed up on the beach. I was told by the staff there they are usually results of "foul play." The bodies are left there for a few days, people come by and look to see if they recognize the person, if they aren't claimed and start to stink the police bury them on the beach. I doubt there is much of a murder investigation that happens. At one of the homes we visited there are two single women living there with 5 children. They had been recently raped by 8 men! It is hard to process all I've seen. The story I want to share with you illustrates that there is still hope, even the face of so much destruction and pain. As we were on our way to vist some beneficiaries we were told they aren't home, they are at church. This is the church. It is riddled with bullet holes and still spray painted with war messages. During the war it was used as a rebel base. What was happening inside was nothing short of inspiring!



Inside, the church was full of mothers. Mothers who witnessed the destruction of their communities and the hate still raging in the area. Mothers who feared for their childrens future. Rather than throw their hands up and decide there was nothing they could do in the face of such devastation, they united. Every Wednesday they get together and pray. We joined them on this day. They exhibited such faith. They set an example for me of what I can do. I don't have all the answers and I certainly don't have all the resources, but God does. I believe he cares about the individual lives of these people. In the days that remained I followed the example of these mothers and prayed because, frankly, I didn't know what else to do. Please join me and pray for the people of Liberia. They have a long journey to pull themselves out of the destruction caused by a 15 year civil war. Pray for the leadership of the country, pray for the children, pray that the church will grow in number and maturity. When all seems lost, these women taught me that we still have power through prayer. Amen!

Hazards of Travel

So, just a few weeks ago I was in Indonesia. In a few short days we were on 14 different flights and multiple types of aircraft. I had my first helicopter flight

and my first flight on a hercules.

Today I received an email from our partner in Wamena, Indonesia (the guy in the blue t-shirt on the left). The hercules that I was on recently had an accident. Here is what it looks like today...

Boy am I glad to be home! Each time I go on a trip I ask for prayer for my health and safety, here's a good reminder about the need for God's protection of my safety. Yikes!