...i am learning, as always, learning. and in this process of learning, i am constantly remembering that i am not a perfect communicator. so, the time has come when i need to clarify. a few blog posts ago, i wrote about the Lord making it clear to me that i am "meant to live in another culture." i was definitely excited when i wrote this and seemed to have not communicated exactly what i was thinking and what is true.
God has made it clear to me that and i have come to accept that i am WILLING to live in another culture. i have no idea the plans God has for me in the future...although I know that I will be serving Him with all my heart! i do however know that God has asked me to be willing to go anywhere an do anything for Him. He made this clear to me several years ago, but i am finally at the place to embrace it.
more than all of this, i pray that each of you will have the opportunity to truly tell the Lord that you are "willing" to do what He wants you to do (i know i have already seen this in so many of your lives!). this isn't moving countries for everyone, of course...but whatever it is...I pray that God puts you in a place, spiritually, where you are ready to say this and really know in your heart that you can follow Him wherever He takes you!
so...i hope i am a bit clearer now. please...this is where comments are invaluable!! please please comment. i love to hear from all of you.
Friday, March 23, 2007
Saturday, March 17, 2007
a photo update...
Celebrating Chinese New Year...
My new friend and co-worker, Singapore Sharon!
A quick walk through the streets of "Chinatown"
A view from the waterfront
I finally got trained on MLM--Notebook 1! I'll be training in another country in May...whahoo!
A rooster in the middle of the city?...this is why I carry a camera around ALL the time!
city, country, island...3 weeks and counting...
…I’ve hit the 3-week mark now. 3 weeks in Singapore…the city and the country. What can I say about this place? Its hot, hot, hot. The rain is not coming as frequently and man do we feel the heat! And its not just the weather. The Singaporeans…they love their spicy food. Whenever I order something, its always followed by the question, “You want chili sauce?” One time I said yes and then removed most of it when I got back to the office (its more like a paste, than a sauce and its always a bit on the side of the dish) and it was still too hot for me…so now the answer is always “no.” I don’t even have to think about it any more.
But the weather is definitely bearable with the island breeze blowing some of the time and the clouds covering the sun a bit as well. There’s “aircon” as they call it, in almost every restaurant, store, and even buses…so I’ve adjusted to the weather quite easily.
Unfortunately, with working 5-6 days a week, I haven’t gotten to see many tourist areas of the island. But I’m making plans! I have made it to the big shopping area on Orchard Road…and its definitely the place to be on the weekend nights. Walking the street is like walking the streets of NYC in Times Square. There’s a huge tv screen advertising in the midst of the busy night life of eating, shopping, and running into people you know (that’s what happens when you are on an island!). The population is about 4.5 million, but its not that densely populated surprisingly. There are “suburbs” and the main area of town is in the south. Whenever anyone is giving me directions or anything like that, they always draw the whole country/island and they always draw it as a diamond. So, if you picture the diamond sideways, the dense city part is in the south, I live almost right in the dead center (near McRitchie Reservoir, if you want to google it), the airport is in the east (as well as the very small man-made beach), and there are a lot of residences in the west. So…I’m starting to understand life in a city/country/island and the uniqueness that comes with that! Singapore is so unique that their whole marketing visitors campaign is “Uniquely Singapore”…they’ve hit the nail right on the head!
I’ve moved into my “permanent” residence here with a wonderful lady, Pauline. She has welcomed me in and is making me so at home. She likes to stay up late like me and we have amazing conversations…just today we went out for lunch (finally I have a day off!) and sat and talked for hours. She has a live-in maid (which is fairly common here) and her name is Florence. She is amazing as well and I love talking with her about the Philippines and her life here and she loves to feed me and feed me and feed me. I keep joking with her that she is going to spoil me and send me home fat and wanting my mom to do everything for me!! She laughs a lot with me! There is also a cute dog, named Dexter, and I’m loving getting to have a dog around again. Its in a great location…I walk to work, can take a bus anywhere, and can walk to the Reservoir (which is like a big huge park—you all know how I love nature!) So, life is good and God has been blessing me so much!
I am continuing to be stretched through work and learning more and more about what I like to do and what I don’t and how to deal with a very large workload—complete and desperate dependence on the Lord!! My co-workers are great and I’m having a wonderful time getting to know them and working in a small office. It is looking like I’ll be traveling a bit around Asia…so I will look forward to growing in my knowledge and appreciation of East Asia! Asia is a wonderful place and I hope you all will get to visit here some day. The more you travel, the more you can appreciate God’s love of uniqueness and how creative He is!!
Thank you all for praying for me. Keep it up!! Missing you all and learning and growing a lot!!
But the weather is definitely bearable with the island breeze blowing some of the time and the clouds covering the sun a bit as well. There’s “aircon” as they call it, in almost every restaurant, store, and even buses…so I’ve adjusted to the weather quite easily.
Unfortunately, with working 5-6 days a week, I haven’t gotten to see many tourist areas of the island. But I’m making plans! I have made it to the big shopping area on Orchard Road…and its definitely the place to be on the weekend nights. Walking the street is like walking the streets of NYC in Times Square. There’s a huge tv screen advertising in the midst of the busy night life of eating, shopping, and running into people you know (that’s what happens when you are on an island!). The population is about 4.5 million, but its not that densely populated surprisingly. There are “suburbs” and the main area of town is in the south. Whenever anyone is giving me directions or anything like that, they always draw the whole country/island and they always draw it as a diamond. So, if you picture the diamond sideways, the dense city part is in the south, I live almost right in the dead center (near McRitchie Reservoir, if you want to google it), the airport is in the east (as well as the very small man-made beach), and there are a lot of residences in the west. So…I’m starting to understand life in a city/country/island and the uniqueness that comes with that! Singapore is so unique that their whole marketing visitors campaign is “Uniquely Singapore”…they’ve hit the nail right on the head!
I’ve moved into my “permanent” residence here with a wonderful lady, Pauline. She has welcomed me in and is making me so at home. She likes to stay up late like me and we have amazing conversations…just today we went out for lunch (finally I have a day off!) and sat and talked for hours. She has a live-in maid (which is fairly common here) and her name is Florence. She is amazing as well and I love talking with her about the Philippines and her life here and she loves to feed me and feed me and feed me. I keep joking with her that she is going to spoil me and send me home fat and wanting my mom to do everything for me!! She laughs a lot with me! There is also a cute dog, named Dexter, and I’m loving getting to have a dog around again. Its in a great location…I walk to work, can take a bus anywhere, and can walk to the Reservoir (which is like a big huge park—you all know how I love nature!) So, life is good and God has been blessing me so much!
I am continuing to be stretched through work and learning more and more about what I like to do and what I don’t and how to deal with a very large workload—complete and desperate dependence on the Lord!! My co-workers are great and I’m having a wonderful time getting to know them and working in a small office. It is looking like I’ll be traveling a bit around Asia…so I will look forward to growing in my knowledge and appreciation of East Asia! Asia is a wonderful place and I hope you all will get to visit here some day. The more you travel, the more you can appreciate God’s love of uniqueness and how creative He is!!
Thank you all for praying for me. Keep it up!! Missing you all and learning and growing a lot!!
Thursday, March 15, 2007
sign of the week #2...
...the much awaited
Umm...I'm just going to wait for your comments on this one ;-)
Umm...I'm just going to wait for your comments on this one ;-)
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Week 1: people, food, stretch--life abroad is for me!
…What a whirlwind! How do I even begin to sum-up the last week and a half that I have experienced? Most people are inundated with so many new things when they move to another country where everything is different from their previous surroundings…so much “stimuli,” as I have been referring to it this week. And I am definitely no exception to this. I have been overwhelmed in so many ways, but I can thankfully say that almost all of these have been positive and memorable experiences. I have met the most incredible people, tried exotic new foods, been given the opportunity to be stretched through my work, and had the realization that life abroad is the life for me!
Incredible People: Without a doubt, the last week has been a privilege. I have sat in on meetings and meals with people that I would have never imagined I would meet. Although none of them were “famous” by worldly standards, I can guarantee that their names and handprints are on the sidewalk stars of heaven. Not because of all of the work for the Lord they have done (although that in itself is challenging to say the least), but because their hearts for Jesus and people are overwhelmed with love and a commitment to give their entire lives (and risk it for some) to bring others to greater heights and depths with the Lord. For some, it has meant meeting secretly in their countries to sing and pray together as brothers and sisters…for others it has meant to devote all of their time and resources to traveling all around Asia building relationships to get ministries partnering together…and still for others it has meant going beyond the normality of teaching to tell his students about Christ and begin a church made up of college students. The list goes on and on and on. These are the Heaven Hall of Famers of our time—and God gave me the honor of getting to shake their hands, hug their necks, and take a picture with them. I can hardly begin thanking Him enough for that.
Exotic Foods: My all-time favorite thing to do when I first arrive in any country is EAT! You all know me…I love food. No doubt about that. And what I love about moving abroad is knowing that I will have the chance to try things I never knew existed. After just a week and a half, I am realizing that I am going to have to try several new things each and every day to even scratch the surface of Asian food. Just today, I went to a mall “eatery” where the different booths were labeled according to region/type (like Chicken Rice, Fish Balls, and chinese words I can't remember) and every single thing looked great to me. Its hard to believe that in our eateries at home we usually have just 1-2 staple Asian restaurants (which we most often refer to as “Japanese” or “Chinese”—although I am beginning to doubt if I ever understood the difference. Just to give you an idea, here are some of the new things I’ve tried: Jelly Drink, Chicken Rice (the local special), real Lo Mein, Pau (pronounced “Pow” and translated “steamed buns”), really crazy Squid, lots of things with coconut milk or flavoring (yummy!!), amazing Rice Noodle dishes, tons of different Dumplings (my all-time favorite Chinese food), Yam ice cream (that’s purple!), great Chinese New Year’s cookies, and so so so much more! As you can see, I don’t really know the names for most of it, but I know how to point and whatever I end up with I will eat (although its usually more of a surprise than a known). So…taste buds get ready, because this is just the beginning!
Stretching like an 80s Jane Fonda Workout Video: Well…I wish it were more like physical stretching. That I could handle a lot easier than the mental, emotional, and spiritual stretching that is happening right now…in these very moments…inside of my very being. Coming out here, I knew that I would be working with an incredible leader for a boss. I had heard amazing things and could tell even over the phone that this guy (Mike) was going to take me to new heights through my job. But man…I don’t know if I could have ever guessed that it would be anything like this. It has been a thrill being given so much responsibility for an impacting event that is less than 3 months away. And also a rollercoaster. One minute I am drowning in a sea of tasks and meetings that I feel I can’t handle and then next (usually after I talk to the Lord) I am relaxed, confident, and ready to take on even more that needs to be done. One minute I’m scared, the next minute I’m excited. One minute I doubt my abilities, the next minute I’m boasting in God giving me talents and wisdom. And this ride is exhausting! But I wouldn’t trade in my ticket for anything else in the world right now. This is the place for me and I know God is using this job to prepare me for even bigger adventures in the future—and every piece of knowledge and experience I am receiving right now will play an important role in whatever is next. That’s why I don’t run away when I feel the urge…and I don’t shy away when my flesh says to keep silent…and I don’t let anything stop me from striving for excellence for my God. Every day is important. Every task is meaningful. Every moment is the beginning of yet another. Let’s just pray I can bounce back from the stretch and be stronger for it!
And beyond all of this, God has given me the gift of a huge revelation. You know those moments I’m talking about. Those times when something is made so clear to you that it not only excites you but it puts your heart at peace more than you ever thought possible. God has made this clear to me: I am meant to live in another country. He has designed me for it, given me the desires, and now given me many opportunities. It couldn’t be clearer to me. I love being the minority, embracing new things, and learning other cultures and languages. Its easy and fun for me and the change is a thrill. And more than that…a part of me comes alive when I am living out of my geographical comfort zone…and I like that part of me. (You would too!) So, I am now fully embracing the idea of living abroad for long amounts of time in my life…and peace is what reigns in me. What a gift!
Until next week…enjoy the pics that will be coming soon!
Incredible People: Without a doubt, the last week has been a privilege. I have sat in on meetings and meals with people that I would have never imagined I would meet. Although none of them were “famous” by worldly standards, I can guarantee that their names and handprints are on the sidewalk stars of heaven. Not because of all of the work for the Lord they have done (although that in itself is challenging to say the least), but because their hearts for Jesus and people are overwhelmed with love and a commitment to give their entire lives (and risk it for some) to bring others to greater heights and depths with the Lord. For some, it has meant meeting secretly in their countries to sing and pray together as brothers and sisters…for others it has meant to devote all of their time and resources to traveling all around Asia building relationships to get ministries partnering together…and still for others it has meant going beyond the normality of teaching to tell his students about Christ and begin a church made up of college students. The list goes on and on and on. These are the Heaven Hall of Famers of our time—and God gave me the honor of getting to shake their hands, hug their necks, and take a picture with them. I can hardly begin thanking Him enough for that.
Exotic Foods: My all-time favorite thing to do when I first arrive in any country is EAT! You all know me…I love food. No doubt about that. And what I love about moving abroad is knowing that I will have the chance to try things I never knew existed. After just a week and a half, I am realizing that I am going to have to try several new things each and every day to even scratch the surface of Asian food. Just today, I went to a mall “eatery” where the different booths were labeled according to region/type (like Chicken Rice, Fish Balls, and chinese words I can't remember) and every single thing looked great to me. Its hard to believe that in our eateries at home we usually have just 1-2 staple Asian restaurants (which we most often refer to as “Japanese” or “Chinese”—although I am beginning to doubt if I ever understood the difference. Just to give you an idea, here are some of the new things I’ve tried: Jelly Drink, Chicken Rice (the local special), real Lo Mein, Pau (pronounced “Pow” and translated “steamed buns”), really crazy Squid, lots of things with coconut milk or flavoring (yummy!!), amazing Rice Noodle dishes, tons of different Dumplings (my all-time favorite Chinese food), Yam ice cream (that’s purple!), great Chinese New Year’s cookies, and so so so much more! As you can see, I don’t really know the names for most of it, but I know how to point and whatever I end up with I will eat (although its usually more of a surprise than a known). So…taste buds get ready, because this is just the beginning!
Stretching like an 80s Jane Fonda Workout Video: Well…I wish it were more like physical stretching. That I could handle a lot easier than the mental, emotional, and spiritual stretching that is happening right now…in these very moments…inside of my very being. Coming out here, I knew that I would be working with an incredible leader for a boss. I had heard amazing things and could tell even over the phone that this guy (Mike) was going to take me to new heights through my job. But man…I don’t know if I could have ever guessed that it would be anything like this. It has been a thrill being given so much responsibility for an impacting event that is less than 3 months away. And also a rollercoaster. One minute I am drowning in a sea of tasks and meetings that I feel I can’t handle and then next (usually after I talk to the Lord) I am relaxed, confident, and ready to take on even more that needs to be done. One minute I’m scared, the next minute I’m excited. One minute I doubt my abilities, the next minute I’m boasting in God giving me talents and wisdom. And this ride is exhausting! But I wouldn’t trade in my ticket for anything else in the world right now. This is the place for me and I know God is using this job to prepare me for even bigger adventures in the future—and every piece of knowledge and experience I am receiving right now will play an important role in whatever is next. That’s why I don’t run away when I feel the urge…and I don’t shy away when my flesh says to keep silent…and I don’t let anything stop me from striving for excellence for my God. Every day is important. Every task is meaningful. Every moment is the beginning of yet another. Let’s just pray I can bounce back from the stretch and be stronger for it!
And beyond all of this, God has given me the gift of a huge revelation. You know those moments I’m talking about. Those times when something is made so clear to you that it not only excites you but it puts your heart at peace more than you ever thought possible. God has made this clear to me: I am meant to live in another country. He has designed me for it, given me the desires, and now given me many opportunities. It couldn’t be clearer to me. I love being the minority, embracing new things, and learning other cultures and languages. Its easy and fun for me and the change is a thrill. And more than that…a part of me comes alive when I am living out of my geographical comfort zone…and I like that part of me. (You would too!) So, I am now fully embracing the idea of living abroad for long amounts of time in my life…and peace is what reigns in me. What a gift!
Until next week…enjoy the pics that will be coming soon!
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
sign of the week #1...
...I've decided that I am finding way too many signs here to be funny to not be sharing them with all of you. So, every Wednesday I will be posting a "Sign of the Week." I hope they its brings a smile to your face for the middle of the week blues!
I have been spoiled with taking taxis with the couple I'm staying with right now. This was inside of a taxi and made me giggle! I love British English :)
I have been spoiled with taking taxis with the couple I'm staying with right now. This was inside of a taxi and made me giggle! I love British English :)
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
the easiest adjustment in asia...
...I was talking with Mrs. Winnie about Singapore and adjusting to life here. She has been here for almost 2 months with her husband, Doug. We both came to the conclusion that out of all the Asian countries, Singapore is definitely the way to ease into this side of the world. I can only imagine the culture shock from someone who moves from the suburbs of Atlanta to the slums of Cambodia--who knows if anyone could survive that! But Singapore is another story.
Located right smack dab in the middle of Southern Asia, you might miss Singapore unless you make a point to both see it on a map or stop over when hopping around the islands. With a prime central location and a drive for economy, Singapore has become the hub of Asian businessmen..and international businessmen as well. Beyond its location, Singapore provides a gentle transition from western to easter cultures. Being a British colony, it resembles a European city much more than I thought it would (and that's probably why i'm adjusting more easily).
Here are some ways it marries the two cultures:
~Mostly asian foods but with enough European and American restaurants to escape to as well.
~Clothing looks more European than anything (with my favorite stores: Celio, Zara, Bata,etc) but with the Asian touch (shoes are a bit wider and clothes sized for super petite!)
~Signs in both English and Mandarin Chinese
~At least a 90% asian population all driving on the left-hand side of the road! (those brits!!!)
~Bathrooms! - in almost all places you are given the choice of a "squatty potty" or a reg. seat toilet :)
So, if you are willing to take a long flight over to Asia, I reccomend stopping in Singapore first, adjusting a bit to the easter culture and then making your way to Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and many more amazing countries!! Singapore is definitely the place to visit!!
Located right smack dab in the middle of Southern Asia, you might miss Singapore unless you make a point to both see it on a map or stop over when hopping around the islands. With a prime central location and a drive for economy, Singapore has become the hub of Asian businessmen..and international businessmen as well. Beyond its location, Singapore provides a gentle transition from western to easter cultures. Being a British colony, it resembles a European city much more than I thought it would (and that's probably why i'm adjusting more easily).
Here are some ways it marries the two cultures:
~Mostly asian foods but with enough European and American restaurants to escape to as well.
~Clothing looks more European than anything (with my favorite stores: Celio, Zara, Bata,etc) but with the Asian touch (shoes are a bit wider and clothes sized for super petite!)
~Signs in both English and Mandarin Chinese
~At least a 90% asian population all driving on the left-hand side of the road! (those brits!!!)
~Bathrooms! - in almost all places you are given the choice of a "squatty potty" or a reg. seat toilet :)
So, if you are willing to take a long flight over to Asia, I reccomend stopping in Singapore first, adjusting a bit to the easter culture and then making your way to Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and many more amazing countries!! Singapore is definitely the place to visit!!
snail mail me...
...due to popular demand, i will now leave you with how to reach me via snail mail. the best way will be just to mail things to the ELA office:
Pamela Simpson
Equipping Leaders for Asia
39A Jalan Pemimpin #05-03
Halcyon Building
Singapore 577183
(Singapore is both the city and the country!)
Pamela Simpson
Equipping Leaders for Asia
39A Jalan Pemimpin #05-03
Halcyon Building
Singapore 577183
(Singapore is both the city and the country!)
Saturday, February 24, 2007
just like mastercard...
Looking through singapore money = S$2.00
Gazing at the "dancing ladies" flowers (can you see them?) = Free
Experiencing a moment in the spotlight, feeding and eating fire at the Night Safari Singapore Show on my very first night in Singpore, making an incredible memorable moment and day and more = PRICELESS!
in one piece...
...Hey everyone! I made it to Singapore in one piece!!!! So, after about 27 hours of travel time and basically 2 days of my life (with the time change), I arrived in Singapore at about 1am in the morning here. The time difference is 13 hours...just so you know. Since I will be so far ahead, I'll let you all know what the day will hold;o)
My flights were good. Main memories: very rough landing in Detroit (they were having 40-50 mph wind gusts!!), old old old 747 (35 yrs old to be exact--at least that's what a man told me) on the way to Tokyo and therefore no tvs in individual seats but I slept about 4 hours regardless (which is pretty good), and had a very talkative neighbor who loved to tell me the history of Singapore, cars (he works for GM), and talk politics on the way to Singapore (but the plane was stinkin' nice and I watched at least 3 movies and an episode of The Office (so pumped that was a choice!!). The connections were easy and I didn't have any porblems at security or customs the whole way...and my bags came quickly...so, praise the Lord b/c He made this one easy on me!!!
Thank you for your prayers...I know He heard them and He covered my travels with grace.
Its about 7:50am here (so I got about 5.5 hrs of sleep...also pretty good for jet lag) and I will be getting ready for a work meeting in just a bit. Yes, its a Saturday...but I'm so glad they have me jumping into things so quickly...that's going to help with adjusting. I have wireless in the apt I'm staying in for the next week--yea! I hope I'm busy...I think they have a lot of sightseeing and working planned for me already:)
Yes, its hot and humid...but they have some beautiful flowers and monkeys! What more could a girl ask for?? I think I'm going to like this place.
My flights were good. Main memories: very rough landing in Detroit (they were having 40-50 mph wind gusts!!), old old old 747 (35 yrs old to be exact--at least that's what a man told me) on the way to Tokyo and therefore no tvs in individual seats but I slept about 4 hours regardless (which is pretty good), and had a very talkative neighbor who loved to tell me the history of Singapore, cars (he works for GM), and talk politics on the way to Singapore (but the plane was stinkin' nice and I watched at least 3 movies and an episode of The Office (so pumped that was a choice!!). The connections were easy and I didn't have any porblems at security or customs the whole way...and my bags came quickly...so, praise the Lord b/c He made this one easy on me!!!
Thank you for your prayers...I know He heard them and He covered my travels with grace.
Its about 7:50am here (so I got about 5.5 hrs of sleep...also pretty good for jet lag) and I will be getting ready for a work meeting in just a bit. Yes, its a Saturday...but I'm so glad they have me jumping into things so quickly...that's going to help with adjusting. I have wireless in the apt I'm staying in for the next week--yea! I hope I'm busy...I think they have a lot of sightseeing and working planned for me already:)
Yes, its hot and humid...but they have some beautiful flowers and monkeys! What more could a girl ask for?? I think I'm going to like this place.
Thursday, February 22, 2007
soon and very soon...
...I am off to Singapore! In less than 9 hours I will be on a plane making my way westward from Atlanta to Detroit (2 hrs) to Tokyo (13 hrs) to Singapore (8 hours)...yep, that's a lot of travel time. So, pray I don't go crazy on the plane and that I will have some cool people to sit by and get to know :o)
Thank you all for you love and support over the past 3 weeks of me getting ready to leave. I will miss all of you so much over the next 4 months, but know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Next blog post...from Singapore!!!
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Off to Singapore...
...Just in time! God is so faithful. After losing my job at EQUIP quite suddenly (and due to some unfortunately uncontrollable financial circumstances), God has shown me so much favor once again.
I've been offered a 4 month internship in SINGAPORE!
Crazy, I know. Within one week of hearing about this distant possibility, I had talked with the head of Equipping Leaders for Asia (ELA) over the phone twice and made the decision to move to Singapore on February 22. It truly is perfect timing and an amazing and unparalleled opportunity. Not only will I be going what I love, marketing & communications, but I will be doing it emersed in another culture and with the possibility of traveling! What a huge answer to prayer.
So, here are the details: Gone from Feb 22 to June 28. Living in host homes that will probably change monthly. Its paid!
One of the best parts about this is that ELA is a partner company of EQUIP--so I'll will also be working with EQUIP and another organization I love: Growing Leaders! God's plans are so much bigger than our own. Thanks for all of your prayers and let's all praise the Lord for His faithfulness in our lives.
Check out facts about my future new home: https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/sn.html
Check out who I'll be working for: http://www.equippingleadersasia.org
I've been offered a 4 month internship in SINGAPORE!
Crazy, I know. Within one week of hearing about this distant possibility, I had talked with the head of Equipping Leaders for Asia (ELA) over the phone twice and made the decision to move to Singapore on February 22. It truly is perfect timing and an amazing and unparalleled opportunity. Not only will I be going what I love, marketing & communications, but I will be doing it emersed in another culture and with the possibility of traveling! What a huge answer to prayer.
So, here are the details: Gone from Feb 22 to June 28. Living in host homes that will probably change monthly. Its paid!
One of the best parts about this is that ELA is a partner company of EQUIP--so I'll will also be working with EQUIP and another organization I love: Growing Leaders! God's plans are so much bigger than our own. Thanks for all of your prayers and let's all praise the Lord for His faithfulness in our lives.
Check out facts about my future new home: https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/sn.html
Check out who I'll be working for: http://www.equippingleadersasia.org
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
an answer in the question...
...Why do I not share my faith more often--or really ever? My question already begins to answer my question. Just look at it--it is covered in Christianese (the language of the every day, subcultured, bubble-living Georgian Christian). I might as well ask myself why I don't blah blah blah more often because that's what people who aren't in my subculture Christian bibble are hearing. And this leads me to yet another answer...We all live in the same culture (sort of). Why do I attempt to separate myself and be in a subculture that only makes me unrelateable to the world around me? Maybe it was years of protection by others and myself...trying to protect myself from the world...instead of infiltrating it. That's what Jesus did. He infiltrated the world, the Jewish culture...not turning from it, but completing it--finishing the story and giving the whole answer. This in turn permeated hearts...and hearts are where I should be looking. People are people and my feable attempt to draw some kind of line between the "good ones" and "bad ones" is ridiculous! Hearts are hearts and the line of truth is the line that reveals our need for Jesus (which is a the bottom of all of our hearts and souls hoping to be discovered). And then I find myself at another answer as my heart swells with pride...and inward self-righteousness that I despise. Pride--the beginning of the end, the root of the soured fruit...looking oh so good on the outside but not able to be swallowed by anyone. Not that I have time to even taste the own fruit I'm dishing out. My days are so full of organizing my life, watching my tv shows, even daydreaming my future that all the time I have for is for me and me and me. Oh how selfish I can be! Why can I not stop focusing on me...and look to others? And another answer surfaces--guilt. The age-old false motivator that sneaks up on me from behind every time. The Gospel is not guilt, its hope. Its freedom. Its sacrifice and selflessness. It reveals the gap and even the playing field. Its complete truth. Its sweet juicy perfectly Holy Spirit ripened fruit. This is the Gospel tha saved me every day and the Gospel that offers salvation to my neighbor, my barista, every heart and person I ever interact with in the world. This is Jesus.
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
an infamous (and unwanted) scratching sound...
Fear. Its amazing how this can grip you....really, me. I woke up early this morning to the sounds of scratching. After attempting to make sense of what was happening, I came to the conclusion that there was a mouse moving around in my bedside table--it had to be. As my heart began to heat faster, my body moved slowly over to the other side of the bed. I layed there in shock...trying to figure out what to do. First thing I decided I needed to do was find out what time it really was...and this meant I need to pick up my cell phone off the bedside table (the same one the mouse was in)...Ugh! No Way!!
After working up the nerve for about 10 mins, I grabbed my phone. 6:25am...not too early (but definitely earlier than I usually get up). I decided that I would go back to sleep for about 30 mins. Then, 5 seconds later, and a few more scratching sounds later, I realized that was the craziest thing that had ever crossed my mind. I couldn't possibly sleep next to a mouse!
So, I got up and decided I would get ready early and get out of my apartment as fast as possible. At that point I realized that my entire morning was going to be dictated by a mouse. And really, fear of a mouse. How stupid! But it was real.
I took a shower in my roommate's bathroom, got ready in her bedroom, and could barely brush my teeth in my bathroom. If someone had been a fly on the wall, it would have been quite entertaining. I'm not one for being scared of most bugs, spiders, etc...but there is something about a mouse! I was tip-toeing around my room and then suddenly I would stop in my tracks as I heard more of the infamous mouse scratching. I really think that sound is going to haunt me for a while.
And...to top all of this off, as I glanced at the corner where the mouse seemed to be having his fun, I saw a roach! It gave me the willies. And this wasn't just once...but twice. Ehat was so sad was the mouse had scared me so much that I couldn't even go kill a roach.
All I know is the first people I will be talking to at work are Julio and Daniel to figure out how to get the supposed mouse (I think it was one...I never got up enough courage to look in the drawer) out of my house!
"The Lord is for me; I will not fear; What can (mice) do to me?" (Psalm 118:6)
"Though a host (of mice and roaches) encamp against me, My heart will not fear." (Psalm 27:3)
After working up the nerve for about 10 mins, I grabbed my phone. 6:25am...not too early (but definitely earlier than I usually get up). I decided that I would go back to sleep for about 30 mins. Then, 5 seconds later, and a few more scratching sounds later, I realized that was the craziest thing that had ever crossed my mind. I couldn't possibly sleep next to a mouse!
So, I got up and decided I would get ready early and get out of my apartment as fast as possible. At that point I realized that my entire morning was going to be dictated by a mouse. And really, fear of a mouse. How stupid! But it was real.
I took a shower in my roommate's bathroom, got ready in her bedroom, and could barely brush my teeth in my bathroom. If someone had been a fly on the wall, it would have been quite entertaining. I'm not one for being scared of most bugs, spiders, etc...but there is something about a mouse! I was tip-toeing around my room and then suddenly I would stop in my tracks as I heard more of the infamous mouse scratching. I really think that sound is going to haunt me for a while.
And...to top all of this off, as I glanced at the corner where the mouse seemed to be having his fun, I saw a roach! It gave me the willies. And this wasn't just once...but twice. Ehat was so sad was the mouse had scared me so much that I couldn't even go kill a roach.
All I know is the first people I will be talking to at work are Julio and Daniel to figure out how to get the supposed mouse (I think it was one...I never got up enough courage to look in the drawer) out of my house!
"The Lord is for me; I will not fear; What can (mice) do to me?" (Psalm 118:6)
"Though a host (of mice and roaches) encamp against me, My heart will not fear." (Psalm 27:3)
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Off to Africa...
Prepare the way, O Holy Spirit
Make Your paths known.
To all those we encounter,
Let Your Glory be shown.
Let not my own weakness
Get in Thine own way.
For under Your guidance
Is where I will stay.
This was my prayer before leaving for Africa and I am so excited to tell you that God proved Himself a faithful listener once again in my life!
Stepping onto a plane has never been hard for me. Thanks to my mom’s side of the family, I have traveling blood running through my veins. So, on flight after flight to Africa, through Paris, I was full of excitement. That is…until about 15 minutes before we landed in Niamey, Niger. It was at that point that I experienced my “moment” of the trip. I found myself looking out the window at the most orange landscape I had ever known…looking for any signs of life and not finding a single one. It was in this moment that I turned to my best friend Valerie and said, “We are in the middle of nowhere! What are we doing here? We must be crazy!” And for the next 2 hours I hardly spoke a word, and for those of you who know me you know how crazy that is. That’s what we like to call “culture shock.”
I am pleased to tell you that my “moment” passed and never returned. I looked straight ahead at the next 2 weeks ready to take on whatever the Lord had for us and oh did He have some amazing things planned! I’m going to attempt to give you a brief overview of all the amazing ways God showed me what a HUGE God He is…so please hang on while we zoom through 2 of the most significant weeks I have experienced.
Make Your paths known.
To all those we encounter,
Let Your Glory be shown.
Let not my own weakness
Get in Thine own way.
For under Your guidance
Is where I will stay.
This was my prayer before leaving for Africa and I am so excited to tell you that God proved Himself a faithful listener once again in my life!
Stepping onto a plane has never been hard for me. Thanks to my mom’s side of the family, I have traveling blood running through my veins. So, on flight after flight to Africa, through Paris, I was full of excitement. That is…until about 15 minutes before we landed in Niamey, Niger. It was at that point that I experienced my “moment” of the trip. I found myself looking out the window at the most orange landscape I had ever known…looking for any signs of life and not finding a single one. It was in this moment that I turned to my best friend Valerie and said, “We are in the middle of nowhere! What are we doing here? We must be crazy!” And for the next 2 hours I hardly spoke a word, and for those of you who know me you know how crazy that is. That’s what we like to call “culture shock.”
I am pleased to tell you that my “moment” passed and never returned. I looked straight ahead at the next 2 weeks ready to take on whatever the Lord had for us and oh did He have some amazing things planned! I’m going to attempt to give you a brief overview of all the amazing ways God showed me what a HUGE God He is…so please hang on while we zoom through 2 of the most significant weeks I have experienced.
blasts from the past in Paris...
The first leg of my trip was a “bonus” from God. I was able to stop through Paris for a couple of days and visit with my friends and old teammates and roommate. It was such a special time for my heart and spirit. Revisiting my apartment and favorite places around the city took me straight back to last year. I was able to show Valerie around and give her the most Parisian experiences I could in such a short amount of time. But the best part of those two days was the two hours I spent with 3 special friends. Nam, a Vietnamese-Parisian who became a Christian last year, and I had coffee and caught up on the hard times she’s been experiencing with her mother being diagnosed with cancer. God used me to encourage her in her dependence on Him and reiterate the importance of Christian fellowship. It was a great time for our spirits to reconnect and fellowship with one another. Please be praying for Nam as she looks for opportunities to share Christ with her parents and 3 sisters!! For the remainder of the two hours, we joined my two friends, Assia (from Algeria) and Elie (from Lebanon). The most amazing thing was when we opened up the French Bible to read about the Pentecost and Assia began reading the chapter out loud in the middle of the courtyard of Notre Dame. I believe the Lord was crying tears of joy as He listened to a beautiful Muslim 20-year-old reading His Holy Word in the middle of one of the darkest cities in the world, Paris.
one bush village we stopped by...
Our time in Africa was a total of 10 days. We spent 2 days in the capital, then 7 in the village, and our last day back in the capital. Our first couple of days in Niamey (pronounced “Knee-uh-may”) were spent with a wonderful missionary family, the Cain’s. They toured us around the city, we drilled them about the culture and Zarma people, and they opened up to us about the life of a missionary family in West Africa. This was a wonderful time of transition for us, as is depicted by the normal description of Niamey, “not really a city, but a bunch of villages put together in a small area.” Let me just say that there are only 2 paved roads in the whole capital, only 1-2 flights per day, and they don’t even have a sewer system!
Don and Teresa Williams - the missionary couple of the year
The bulk of our trip was spent with a missionary couple, Teresa and Don Williams, in a village called Ouallam (pronounced “Wall-um”). Each day we spent the mornings visiting different bush villages, which required long trips in the truck on very bumpy dirt roads. It was at this point that Valerie and I developed a love for these people. Overlooking the brown hair (sign of malnutrition) and yellow eyes (usually an indicator of Hepatitis) was easy once you saw their bright smiles and beautiful expressions.
But we didn’t want to overlook their health completely, so we put on skits to teach them about health and safety and, in some cases, salvation. We felt fortunate to see those “a-ha” moments when they realized they should clean a wound and bandage it so it won’t get infected…or drink clean water when they are sick so they will be re-hydrated. We couldn’t have chose a more perfect couple to team with—after 21 years in Niger, they were an incredible example to observe and learn from both in mission-work, their marriage and their personal relationships with the Lord. We praise God for His incredible insight in teaming us with Don and Teresa and showing us that a life of service for the Lord is the most fulfilling life—no matter what city, country, or continent on which your feet may stand!
Having a month to think over all that God revealed to me through this experience gave me several thoughts I want to leave with you. Obedience to the Holy Spirit’s call to a place is all you need—He’ll take care of the rest. Africa is huge, the needs are huge, and God is huge…and He is asking us to be a part of something huge—changing Africa as the world knows it, one life at a time. Take a chance for Jesus and go someplace where you might say “We are in the middle of nowhere! What are we doing here? We must be crazy!”
Me and Val at the Niger River
Me and Valerie at the Niger River in Niamey, Niger...our last night before leaving Africa to come back home.
bend or amend....
"We know that innovators bend the world, but it’s the spiritual innovators who amend the world." (Bryan Davidson, my boss' husband)
I read this on Bryan's blog (Conversoulogy) and it made me think. I love when I run across a clever line that makes me stop and think and chew on it a bit. Larry Trammel had a lot of points/quotes that had this affect on me (although I have only heard his voice and teachings on cd). So...what does this really mean? What are the implications of this?
I think I've always wanted the first...to be an innovator that bent the world...that changed it a bit in some way. I think that's why I majored in business and have always liked business...for this kind of purpose.
The second part...though...that's the part that begins to hit home and challenge me. Is this a desire of mine? Truthfully, I don't think I've really been thinking this way, so it couldn't possibly be a desire. Amend, like bending, is a way of changing. But a bend is such a small change...When I think of bend...I think of taking a metal pipe or something like that and bending it. The consequences are that it does change a bit...it looks a little different and may not be able to be used for the same purposes, but the main substance of it doesn't change. Its still made of the same material and feels the same and can still be identified as a metal pipe.
But when I think of "amend"...I think of an ammendment to the Constitution. One simple ammendment contains so much power. It changes the interpretation of the entire document...it defines what is truth in a better way...what is acceptable and inacceptable...and eventually it can decide the fate of a person...life or death. Hmm...oh, that I would have that goal...that vision....to amend the world...it may be a small change...but it will be a change that impacts the main substance of a person, it will change the material of that being, and it will change the person to where they are barely recognizable as the same as they were before...
Thanks for the challenge Bryan! May the Holy Spirit amend me and amend the world through me.
I read this on Bryan's blog (Conversoulogy) and it made me think. I love when I run across a clever line that makes me stop and think and chew on it a bit. Larry Trammel had a lot of points/quotes that had this affect on me (although I have only heard his voice and teachings on cd). So...what does this really mean? What are the implications of this?
I think I've always wanted the first...to be an innovator that bent the world...that changed it a bit in some way. I think that's why I majored in business and have always liked business...for this kind of purpose.
The second part...though...that's the part that begins to hit home and challenge me. Is this a desire of mine? Truthfully, I don't think I've really been thinking this way, so it couldn't possibly be a desire. Amend, like bending, is a way of changing. But a bend is such a small change...When I think of bend...I think of taking a metal pipe or something like that and bending it. The consequences are that it does change a bit...it looks a little different and may not be able to be used for the same purposes, but the main substance of it doesn't change. Its still made of the same material and feels the same and can still be identified as a metal pipe.
But when I think of "amend"...I think of an ammendment to the Constitution. One simple ammendment contains so much power. It changes the interpretation of the entire document...it defines what is truth in a better way...what is acceptable and inacceptable...and eventually it can decide the fate of a person...life or death. Hmm...oh, that I would have that goal...that vision....to amend the world...it may be a small change...but it will be a change that impacts the main substance of a person, it will change the material of that being, and it will change the person to where they are barely recognizable as the same as they were before...
Thanks for the challenge Bryan! May the Holy Spirit amend me and amend the world through me.
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