When helping hurts

Study suggests UN force brought cholera to Haiti

http://m.apnews.com/ap/db_6775/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=UCZhgoh4

voting with my dollars

When I was living overseas something changed in me. I became very aware of where my dollars were going. Not in a budgeting sense, but as a matter of social conscientiousness. I had heard the term "voting with dollars," but certainly didn't make conscious choices about how I spend my money to advance social endeavors. 

That has changed. 

I am much more aware of where I spend money to buy groceries or clothes, to eat out, or in any other consumer action. My consumerism has become more intentional. Kenyon and I eat out hardly ever, mostly I cook. However, when I have to set business meetings I choose local restaurants. I buy our groceries at a local grocer or the farmers market. I want my dollars to support good causes. I have even done the majority of my clothes shopping at thrift stores - it's amazing how many never worn items are available at discount prices.

This month I am officially out of the "uninsured" category and have moved to the "insured" category of individuals. Now that I have health insurance I am going to set some much needed doctors appointments. First on the list is a dentist. I haven't been to a dentist in two-years (or more). There weren't many options where we have lived recently and we weren't covered for such things when visiting the U.S. On our last home leave (in 2010) we tried to get dental appointments at the free clinic, but were unsuccessful due to the high demand for these services and our limited time frame. 

I was excited about my upcoming dentist appointment. One of the people out with us that night said, "you are excited to go to the dentist?" Yes, sir. I now realize what a luxury a dentist visit is. Such luxuries aren't available in most of the world, nor to the uninsured in our country. I am only now leaving those categories to the privileged position of an insured person living in America. You betcha I am excited to go to the dentist. Bring it on!

His wife asked me how I chose my dentist. She had recently had a bad dental experience with her current dentist and was shopping around. I told her it was simple. Having experienced the struggles of the uninsured first-hand. I chose the local Community Health Center as my dental office. Most of their clients are the uninsured and they work hard to raise money to keep this service going. They are trying to up their client mix to 25% insured to help underwrite the costs for everyone else. I am happy to take my business to their medical office so they can keep their doors open and help others. I am voting with my dollars.

just Sheri, excited to visit the Community Health dentist

new places, new friends

Meet Phim. Her name is pronounced like Kim, but with a "P" - don't say "Fim," she gets mad. I met Phim in my new job. She immigrated to Virginia when she was 11 years old. She is half Laotian, half Thai and spent her early years living on a rural rice farm and then in a refugee camp. We bonded instantly. She was our hostess for the Laotian festival at the Buddhist temple. She is also my Saturday morning exercise buddy.

Phim recently took us on an adventure. She said we were going to a birthday party for a friend. We were following her in our car. We drove in to the countryside, on windy roads. Kenyon and I wondered aloud where she was taking us. When we arrived, this is what we saw.

Railroad tracks and cars parked along the dirt path. What is this place?

Across the railroad tracks is a restaurant with electric palm trees. It is right on the river front. The building was an old house with a LARGE deck and seating added on. A dock in to the water and a man made beach (sandy area). People came from all around to eat here. What draws them?

The seafood. Crabs in particular. We ate some wonderful fresh crabs. Enjoyed the sand in our toes and the sun on our skin. It was a wonderful way to spend an evening...until the band started playing, but that is another story. Basically, the singer should only sing in his garage - not in public.

just Sheri, exploring with new friends

Nationals baseball game

Kenyon and I recently went to a "Nats" game. That is what the locals call their baseball team. It was truly a living-in-the-big-city experience. We rode the DC Metro in to the district. Walked a couple of blocks to the stadium (with the crowds from the Metro). And, experienced sticker shock at the food prices. How could a family possibly afford a night out at the ball field? Yikes!

There were a couple of differences between our previous experiences at the Royals games in KC and a Nats game in DC (besides the metro ride that eliminated a need for parking). First, I was star struck (as usual) that I could see the U.S. Capital building while living my every day life. I wonder if I will ever get used to that? Second, it was obvious by the third inning that our team would emerge victorious. The Nats were playing the Cardinals. The Cardinals never had a chance. We left at the seventh inning stretch due to it being a Thursday night, and Kenyon now working - necessitating a need to rise before the sun in order to get to work on time due to traffic. As we were leaving our team hit (another) home run. Though they are currently making headlines due to leadership instability - the Nats are a winning team and it was fun to be on the winning side. 

My biggest take-away though. I think they need a new marketing team. Why? Because someone with a brain should have realized that their iconic "W" was already taken. Every time I looked at that "W" I had one thought. Can you guess what it is? Walgreens! I now see that "W" every where. Never once do I think baseball. Nope. I always come back to the convenience store/pharmacy. 

Do you agree or disagree?

just Sheri, still exploring new surroundings

Who am I? Concluded.

I am currently reading a book titled "The Cost of Discipleship" by Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

 In case you are not familiar with his story; Bonhoeffer was a pastor who willingly chose to reside in Nazi occupied Germany because he believed that was the place he was called and he desired to make a difference - to shine light in a dark corner of the world. This decision ultimately cost him his life. He died in a concentration camp not long before prisoners were freed. He was an avid writer and I am attempting to learn from him - a man who exhibited such faith and character in the face of evil.

This book has been recommended to me MANY times over the years. When I told my brother I was reading it, he said I am surprised it is only now making it to your reading list. Perhaps I was not ready for its message before now? Perhaps.

In the introductory section there is a summary of Bonhoeffer's life and the inclusion of some of his poetry. One poem is titled "Who Am I?" I know this question well. I have been asking it repeatedly in recent months; here, here, here and here. Bonhoeffers circumstance is different than my own, but the conclusion is the same:

"Who am I? They mock me, these lonely questions of mine.  Whoever I am, Thou knowest, O God, I am thine!"

just Sheri, a child of God