Oh my stars!
I am in Zambia with some of the most amazing people. 26 hours of traveling and now 24 hours in-country... with no luggage.
Get this... no whining yet.
I have never seen people display such high flexibility and low maintenance!!
We left OKC as scheduled... but that is where the predictability stopped.
We hovered over DC for about an hour waiting for a storm to clear so we could land.
We had to refuel in Harrisburg, PA and then go back to DC to land. We agreed, fuel is good, so this was a good plan.
By the time we landed we had already missed our flight to Johannesburg. Well... we thought we had missed our flight. There were 50 planes backed up to take off, and ours was one of them. There was an airline person that met us at the gate and literally ran us through Dullas airport to our gate... we walked on our connecting flight and sat down. UN-BE-LIEVABLE!
We flew all night, stopped in Dakar for fuel and headed on to Joburg. Once again, we knew we were going to miss our connecting flight in Joburg. Once again... our speedy airport guide, sent by God, was waiting for us as we walked off the plane. We were escorted , again, to our connecting flight, and somehow landed pretty close to on-time in Lusaka a few hours later.
Unfortunately, our luggage did not get the same speedy guide service in Joburg and has been there ever since. We are hopeful, but not convinced that it has left SA. We are however, extremely thankful to be laying our head on a pillow in Africa tonight.... even if some of us have had the same clothes on since Thursday.
Church tomorrow at Mapepe. A church we have visited before. Affectionately known as 'the pipe church'... because the pews are made from surplus pipe. Can't wait!!
How did I get this life and such wonderful people all around me? I sure do not know, but I am so humbly thankful to be in the middle of it.
Good night. weet peas. (ask one of my kids)
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Home again... or not
We are home now about 30 hours from trip two into PaP Haiti.
As always, re-entry is challenging.
Not for the same reasons each time, but nonetheless challenging.
Too soon to speak specifics, but for sure... it has messed me up.
I am restless again.
Restless with what I thought, and now wonder if I really know anything.
Fellow Americans, my biggest question:
Why do we have so much opportunity and why do we get to choose how, when and where our life can change? Why do we have so much RESOURCE to squander? WHY?
Ok, more questions...
How do we live without regard to the struggles that exist to survive around the world as though we know nothing? HOW?
When will be be sure that we have done all we can in this life to share the grace and forgiveness that has been shown to us. What does that look like? How much of ourselves can we yet give away? How can we make that happen, how can we make sure that happens?
How can we get our neighbors to care for others and hurt for others when we, as a people, are so distracted by stuff that does not even matter?
How do I fit back into my life and work as though I have not seen what I have seen, and know what I know. How do I fit, when I am different?
Not sure yet.
But know that God is stirring something up in me, and as unpleasant as it is to figure it out, I like it when God does something transformational in me. It always turns out nice.
Things that have not changed:
I love God more than ever.
I love my family more than I can express.
I love this life that I have given God, and he has given back to me.
I do not know what is next, but know that God is already there.
I miss Haiti.
As always, re-entry is challenging.
Not for the same reasons each time, but nonetheless challenging.
Too soon to speak specifics, but for sure... it has messed me up.
I am restless again.
Restless with what I thought, and now wonder if I really know anything.
Fellow Americans, my biggest question:
Why do we have so much opportunity and why do we get to choose how, when and where our life can change? Why do we have so much RESOURCE to squander? WHY?
Ok, more questions...
How do we live without regard to the struggles that exist to survive around the world as though we know nothing? HOW?
When will be be sure that we have done all we can in this life to share the grace and forgiveness that has been shown to us. What does that look like? How much of ourselves can we yet give away? How can we make that happen, how can we make sure that happens?
How can we get our neighbors to care for others and hurt for others when we, as a people, are so distracted by stuff that does not even matter?
How do I fit back into my life and work as though I have not seen what I have seen, and know what I know. How do I fit, when I am different?
Not sure yet.
But know that God is stirring something up in me, and as unpleasant as it is to figure it out, I like it when God does something transformational in me. It always turns out nice.
Things that have not changed:
I love God more than ever.
I love my family more than I can express.
I love this life that I have given God, and he has given back to me.
I do not know what is next, but know that God is already there.
I miss Haiti.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
The New Normal
O Happy Day! The internet is working today and I am glad to finally blog about our week.
Haiti is working hard to survive the earthquake and busily finding the new normal. You cannot miss the resiliency of the Haitian people that is evident all around the city. Although the city looks nearly the same as it did 3 weeks after the earthquake, the people seem to be looking for ways to begin again.
Not much has changed in regard to the rubble or the rebuilding. Some areas look exactly the same as it was in January. No large equipment has been rushed in to clean up and begin rebuilding. Hand excavation is still the main method of clean up and Haitians working with Haitians still seems to be the way things are getting done. Some commerce has returned to the streets and some of the city appears to be what I imagined pre-earthquake PaP was like, with street vendors and all types of produce for sale, among the seas of people, mud and a rubbish on the street.
There are still vivid reminders that much of the city 'fell down'. There is no denying that there was deep loss and death here. I am not sure it is evident to those that were not here immediately after the quake, but that is right where my thoughts go when I see a downed building. I think of those that I met that suffered the deep personal loss of family and my heart aches for them again.
We have spent our week working on the Seminary grounds helping Curt and Franz organize the workshop and finishing additional space in the workshop. We hope to put a new roof on the building tomorrow. This is work that they have needed to finish for a long time and we are honored to help them in this way. We hope that our time here has been good for them. We have commented that we feel we are here to serve the servants, so they can continue to do the work the Lord has put before them. We have enjoyed being a little part of the big picture and just spending time working busily for the betterment of the church in Haiti and supporting our church here. The work we have done this week will equip many to continue ministry in Haiti... what an honor to be a part of the big picture.
On Wednesday we visited the BelAire Church and clinic. Mark, JonWeiss and Calixt were there and had big hugs waiting for me. It was so awesome to see them and the growth of the Heart to Heart clinic since we were here. What a blessing to have been a part of this work and to have these Haitian friends.
Mark and Calixt walked down to Sandy's house with me. She was not there! How awesome is that? She was out and about (on crutches) with her external fixator and all :) She is to have another surgery to remove the hardware from her femur on July 16th, and her mom reports that she is doing well. I left her a years worth of vitamins and calcium to help with her recovery and Mark promised me that he takes someone from the clinic down to her house about once a week to check on her.
Curt, Beth, Grayson, Jennifer, Franz and Alise are our team in Haiti. They face many challenges today and in the months to come. Please pray for them.
Today... we will attend church in PaP and then a short visit to the beach. What a great Sunday.
What an honor it is to have a front row seat to so many awesome things that the Lord is doing. How did I get this life... I sure do not know.
I miss my family like crazy today.
From Haiti with love...
Haiti is working hard to survive the earthquake and busily finding the new normal. You cannot miss the resiliency of the Haitian people that is evident all around the city. Although the city looks nearly the same as it did 3 weeks after the earthquake, the people seem to be looking for ways to begin again.
Not much has changed in regard to the rubble or the rebuilding. Some areas look exactly the same as it was in January. No large equipment has been rushed in to clean up and begin rebuilding. Hand excavation is still the main method of clean up and Haitians working with Haitians still seems to be the way things are getting done. Some commerce has returned to the streets and some of the city appears to be what I imagined pre-earthquake PaP was like, with street vendors and all types of produce for sale, among the seas of people, mud and a rubbish on the street.
There are still vivid reminders that much of the city 'fell down'. There is no denying that there was deep loss and death here. I am not sure it is evident to those that were not here immediately after the quake, but that is right where my thoughts go when I see a downed building. I think of those that I met that suffered the deep personal loss of family and my heart aches for them again.
We have spent our week working on the Seminary grounds helping Curt and Franz organize the workshop and finishing additional space in the workshop. We hope to put a new roof on the building tomorrow. This is work that they have needed to finish for a long time and we are honored to help them in this way. We hope that our time here has been good for them. We have commented that we feel we are here to serve the servants, so they can continue to do the work the Lord has put before them. We have enjoyed being a little part of the big picture and just spending time working busily for the betterment of the church in Haiti and supporting our church here. The work we have done this week will equip many to continue ministry in Haiti... what an honor to be a part of the big picture.
On Wednesday we visited the BelAire Church and clinic. Mark, JonWeiss and Calixt were there and had big hugs waiting for me. It was so awesome to see them and the growth of the Heart to Heart clinic since we were here. What a blessing to have been a part of this work and to have these Haitian friends.
Mark and Calixt walked down to Sandy's house with me. She was not there! How awesome is that? She was out and about (on crutches) with her external fixator and all :) She is to have another surgery to remove the hardware from her femur on July 16th, and her mom reports that she is doing well. I left her a years worth of vitamins and calcium to help with her recovery and Mark promised me that he takes someone from the clinic down to her house about once a week to check on her.
Curt, Beth, Grayson, Jennifer, Franz and Alise are our team in Haiti. They face many challenges today and in the months to come. Please pray for them.
Today... we will attend church in PaP and then a short visit to the beach. What a great Sunday.
What an honor it is to have a front row seat to so many awesome things that the Lord is doing. How did I get this life... I sure do not know.
I miss my family like crazy today.
From Haiti with love...
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Extreme Home Workshop Makeover
Today was the real day 1. We worked, got super dirty, oh yeah, and it was HOT.
We spent the day working here on the Seminary grounds. There is much to do here, and we are here to help in any way we are needed.
Poor Franz, I organized his workshop for him today. I am sure it will make sense to him, eventually. The Josh, Mike, Jeff and Matt finished pew boards all day, until the rain shut them down, and Judy worked in the house cleaning and packing linens for the next team to travel.
Spending time with Curt, Graysen and Alise today reminds me why I love Haiti... because God is here and is evident in those that serve here.
Looking forward to a trip downtown tomorrow to see BelAire clinic and how the city is recovering. God loves Haiti and it seems, from this view, that life is moving forward... with or without buildings.
We spent the day working here on the Seminary grounds. There is much to do here, and we are here to help in any way we are needed.
Poor Franz, I organized his workshop for him today. I am sure it will make sense to him, eventually. The Josh, Mike, Jeff and Matt finished pew boards all day, until the rain shut them down, and Judy worked in the house cleaning and packing linens for the next team to travel.
Spending time with Curt, Graysen and Alise today reminds me why I love Haiti... because God is here and is evident in those that serve here.
Looking forward to a trip downtown tomorrow to see BelAire clinic and how the city is recovering. God loves Haiti and it seems, from this view, that life is moving forward... with or without buildings.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Packing for trip #2
We are preparing to head back to Haiti. I am anxious to see the church and the city. I am anxious to talk with Haitians and hear how life is for them. I am anxious to see what has happened in the 3 months since I was first there.
I am expecting to see miracles in the form of spiritual restoration and HOPE.
I will let you know what I find.
I am expecting to see miracles in the form of spiritual restoration and HOPE.
I will let you know what I find.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Be hungry.
This Lenten season is bearing down on me like never before.
I think I was close enough to God is Haiti to gain some clarity that I did not know I needed.
God is telling me to 'be hungry'.
I am.
I want to see more, do more, and know more about what this life is for and what it means to have lived for Christ.
More than ever before I want to see God moving around me daily and be in the middle of something He is doing. Not by my hand, but his.
I cried out to God in Haiti and asked him to do something.
I understand, he is and will continue.
How did I get here? I do not have a clue... but so glad I did.
I love this life.
I think I was close enough to God is Haiti to gain some clarity that I did not know I needed.
God is telling me to 'be hungry'.
I am.
I want to see more, do more, and know more about what this life is for and what it means to have lived for Christ.
More than ever before I want to see God moving around me daily and be in the middle of something He is doing. Not by my hand, but his.
I cried out to God in Haiti and asked him to do something.
I understand, he is and will continue.
How did I get here? I do not have a clue... but so glad I did.
I love this life.
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