CALLED BACK
Hey internet friends,
I was recently offered a position at a certain Christian school in Japan. I prayed about it for a long time. I talked to a lot of people about this as well. I’m sure the position would be very challenging. During the past two years when I have been trying to raise the funds to go overseas to West Africa to do missionary work, I have been made more aware than ever of my own weak points and where I need to grow as a leader and Christ follower. Also, my grandmother, Margaret Eaton, is right now in hospice and I am really concerned for her health. I considered saying no.
However, I also thought about the children of Japan. During the three years that I spent teaching English in a certain rural city in Mie Prefecture that I love very dearly, I taught literally thousands of children, some adults, and experienced nearly every sort of teaching environment you can imagine. I remain very compassionate towards the problems that young people face there. Some of them are shared by their counterparts here in America, some are not.
Well, I would like to do what I can to help them. I decided that despite my fears I shall accept this completely unexpected opportunity the Lord has brought into my life. I will do my best to walk the path which leads through this open door before me to return to Japan to serve the young people of the school and the wider community there at large as well as I can and as long as I can with all of the skills and talents that have been given to me by the Lord.
I made this decision sometime after church on Sunday afternoon. On that day I did not tell anyone of my decision. To my surprise, on that very same day I received an email from a teacher in that teeny-tiny rural Japanese town that feels like a second hometown to me. He saw a very spectacular rainbow on that same day and he really wanted to share this photo with me over email. Truly, all of this was more than mere coincidence. I felt like the Lord was giving me a pat on the shoulder and saying, “At least you made the first step.”
I am not sure if the school will really actually accept me for the position or anything like that. However, at least this decision is one very important way to move forward. I feel like the Lord has called me back to Japan for a while. How long? I don’t know. I love Japan and even though it is really odd for an African-American girl like me to be saying this, I’m sure that in the future as well no matter what happens Japan will be a part of my destiny.
RICK THE ROCKER
At the thrift store where I work right now, I have a wonderful opportunity to touch the lives of many people- our customers and also the volunteers. It’s definitely ministry. It’s also true that yesterday was one of the most frustrating days that I have ever spent working there. EEK~!!!
I’m so thankful that the Lord in his wisdom recognized that I needed to have a day off. Today I am off work, and so I am able to reflect a little about the positive benefits of working there.
Many of the customers at the store are either recovering alcoholics, drug addicts, borderline homeless, or have some sort of cognitive disability. There are a few people who also regularly visit our store in search of deals, however. Brother Rick is one of our neighbors who has a disability. He has a big, booming voice, likes rock and roll, wears suspenders and has a belly like Santa Claus.
When I first came to the store, Brother Rick seemed to me to be lonely. He could easily come and speak to me for an hour or more, just chatting. Well, we are short of volunteers right now, so after a few visits from him I decided to put him to work. I recognized that he seemed to have some sort of disability and didn’t know how much he could really do, so I had him first just help me clean up a table by just picking up pins and placing them in a plastic bowl.
I watched him closely. He seemed to do a good job with that, so I then asked him to hang donated clothes on hangers so they could be priced. Then he graduated to arranging books. The children’s book section looked like a whirlwind had thrown everything off the shelf one day, so I asked him to put the children’s books on the shelf and he made that whole section of the store look as perfect as a magazine picture.
Not thinking anything of it all, I mentioned all of this to one of the longtime volunteers. She couldn’t believe it. “Rick has been coming to this store for years, and we have NEVER asked him to volunteer! He talks so much, it’s annoying. Usually we listen until we get fed up, and then we tell him he needs to go home after about an hour of that or so. Can’t get any work done when he’s here.”
“Really?” I said. “One of my brothers is special needs, and I guess I didn’t think anything of asking him to help. I know my brother can do volunteer work or a job, he just needs someone to be patient with him, somebody who knows how much he can do and who won’t ask for him to do more than he can. I just assumed everything would be the same with Rick. So far… everything that I’ve asked him to do, he’s done well. I’m really glad that he was willing to help. We’re short of help and we really needed it, anyways.”
To my surprise, Brother Rick’s caseworker came by one day to shake my hand. “Thank you so much for letting him do some volunteer work around here. It helps him to get out of the house. He needs the exercise. And it really gives him a sense of purpose and lets him feel that he is doing something that matters.”
“Well, whenever he stops by, we always appreciate it,” I said with a smile.
Recently I also gave Brother Rick some of my poems to give as kind of a present to his caseworker. “Aw, what do you want to do that for?” he said. “Well, sometimes it’s nice to give a present to somebody who is doing something nice for you. I’m sure sometimes her job isn’t easy.” He looked at me very intensely, and then nodded. I hope that he will try to understand her when she tries to give him advice and listen to her more.
Brother Rick has brought his sick mother to the store two times now, insisting that she had to meet me. He keeps stopping by on a day when I am not at the store though. I told him we’ll have to plan on a day when I can meet her because I want to meet her, too. He also made me promise that after I leave the store and start working somewhere else I will call him up sometimes because he will miss me.
Well, who could have predicted beforehand that just by asking for him to do volunteer work that I could make such an impact in his life? Certainly not I.
I think we all should do a little more to help one of our neighbors… whoever they are, wherever we may find them.
BOB THE HERO
Last Saturday was another crazy day around the thrift store. It started out actually with some poor soul being beaten up outside the store around 10 AM. The high school-aged group of young punks left the older gentleman laying in the middle of the road. He was passed out.
A car with a man and a woman stopped by the man in the middle of the road. The woman got out and looked at the older man laying in the street. Then they drove off.
Thankfully, Bob was walking by when this happened. I hear he considers himself kind of like a policeman and he always tries to watch what’s going on in the street to make sure everyone is OK. I’m so grateful that God made him this way. He could very well have saved this older gentleman’s life.
Bob ran into the street. When he noticed the older gentleman was passed out, he got a lady he met on the street to call an ambulance. While he was doing that, the group of young thugs began to return… probably to try and rob the poor older guy.
Bob shouted at them. He scared them enough that they ran off, and didn’t come back.
The ambulance came and took the older gentleman to the hospital.
I talked to Bob a little while after this happened, when I opened the store around an hour later.
You know what? I think Bob is a superhero. He just doesn’t have a cape and magic or mutant powers. You might not think he looks like a superhero on TV either, because he actually looks a lot more like an ordinary person like you and me.
It is true as the proverb from our ancient ancestors says…”Whoever saves the life of one person saves the world entire.” I wish I could reward Bob for his good deed but I really don’t think I have anything whatsoever that I can do for him myself. We need more people like Bob in this world. Let’s pray that God will reward Bob and also other people who are like him- He always does.
Thank you very much Bob.
WE THREE POEMS
At my writing group recently, I printed out a list of most of the poems I wrote in 2010. I guess a few of the more popular ones I’m going to try to get published by this bilingual haiku magazine in Japan. Ooh, I’m nervous y’all. Seems like almost all my efforts to get published before have ended in failure so far. What makes me think I could be a writer, anyways? Might this day really be different than any of the ones that came before? I don’t know. Maybe I was born this way- crazy!
I selected three poems of the ones that I’ve written this year to share with you. They are all on the theme ‘Helping Others.’ I have plenty of pretty nature imagery poems that I could share and like but I hope these poems in particular can help you when you face some tough things in your life.
to be an artist
make your life a masterpiece
touch one soul each day
This is the third poem of three that I wrote partly about ArtPrize, the world’s most lucrative art contest which held here in Michigan. I also wrote it for a friend too, though. I have a friend, Mr. S who was attending art school, but had to drop out for financial reasons. He was considering giving up his dream of becoming an artist entirely, actually. Perhaps still is. I really felt bad for him and wanted to do something to encourage him. So kind of as a pre-birthday present I wrote this poem for him.
Actually, he didn’t like it. He said it wasn’t a poem at all,” just a weird mix of preaching and lecturing.” All right, maybe that is entirely true. And on top of that, maybe it’s not very good at all either. But for some reason I like it. During ArtPrize there is so much emphasis on voting and money prizes for art that I wish there was more of an emphasis on how art can impact someone’s life and also the wider community. So this is my little contribution to that issue, I suppose. My voice is small, totally not cute, and easily ignored, but I hope somebody somewhere somewhen will listen to it.
broken heart syndrome
reconstructive surgery
begins with prayer
I wrote this one the day after I explained to a lot of people that I know in the English Department of Calvin College that oh, I totally failed to raise the financial support necessary to go to West Africa to do mission work there. Yes, the past two years of my life has really been toughness beyond words. Still, great is the faithfulness of God my father… our father. I emerge from these two years of much pain with more passion and understanding of the need of prayer.
With God’s help, I prayed for like 600 people by name this morning. That’s nothing, easy peasy. You can do it too. If you pray for countries as well you can easily pray for over a million people too. Why not take an hour away from whatever else you had planned to do this weekend to get down on your knees to pray for somebody else?
poem in pocket
go somewhere new & get lost
go before snow falls
Sister Mary, one of the volunteers at the store, came to work with me one day wearing a shirt that inspired the second verse. She calls herself an ‘earth mother, poetry sister.’ Heh heh. Funny, there are many people I know that could fit that description…
I guess I should apologize for sharing this poem so late in the year, when it’s already snowing and you can’t really take the advice of the poem here, can you? Sorry! What happened is that this poem sat for a long time in my journal without any final verse. However, in the thrift store I recently noticed the title of a book by Charles Swindoll called “Come before Winter,” and I then got inspired. However, only this morning could I finally revise the poem enough where I felt satisfied with the result. Whew~ these poems are short but they do take a lot of work.
Right now we are in the season of Advent. This busy season before Christmas can truly be distracting us from the real reason for the season if we are focused on buying gifts and decorating our home and Christmas tree. Let’s all take a moment and JUST STOP~! It’s time to breathe and relax and close our eyes and remember that we are celebrating Jesus and all this other stuff is secondary. While you have your eyes closed, it would be the perfect time and you are in the right spirit to say a prayer- for yourself and how about for someone else as well?
Did you notice a theme here? Hee hee.
In sum, let’s all pray more. Merry Christmas~! My next two posts will be two heartwarming true stories, methinks…
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Saturday, November 20, 2010
**~Depressed? Little Ducklings' Top Ten Cheerful Songs~** VERY SHINee~! Mostly Godly.
**~Depressed? Little Ducklings' Top Ten Cheerful Songs~** VERY SHINee~! Mostly Godly.
My plans for the past two years to do ministry work in West Africa have not worked out. . . God shut the door, just like He did when Noah entered the ark. There is instead now an open door to go to Japan to teach English in a Christian school. So I'm praying about that. It's a wonderful opportunity. Still... I feel like an idiot for pursuing something for two years that seems to have blown up in my face and been a complete failure.
Sounds like the perfect time to turn to some cheerful songs, ey?
Recently (almost against my will) I have been writing a lot of poetry. It's really amazing when you realize there was only three books of poetry that I really read over and over in elementary school- 1) Book of Nonsense by Edward Lear (one summer I think I re-read it every two weeks) 2) Final Harvest by Emily Dickinson (no, I didn't understand any of the poems, but I liked the music of her language, also her plainness/simplicity, and quiet,still, almost Holy-Spirit-like voice... guess I was destined to attend Amherst College) 3) Black Poets edited by Dudley Randall (local poet David Cope gave me this book when I was in sixth grade and I treasured it because it seemed like for the first time I realized that African-American folk write poetry too sigh). Somewhere in there, I read “Where the Sidewalk Ends” by Shel Silverstein and kind of liked it too, on the basis of recommendation from Mr. Joshua Wells, one of my favorite teachers who also influenced me later in life to become a vegetarian.
I think what really forced me to become interested in poems was all the millions of songs I was exposed to growing up, really. My mom is a singer, and my dad is a hobbyist musician. A lot of all their natural talents passed me by... I can't sing much, and can't play an instrument either. However, I've always been fascinated by song lyrics. There are pages and pages I wrote out in elementary school, copying down song lyrics that I enjoyed and tried to memorize... while I was in Japan, one of my hobbies was also to translate some songs I enjoyed into English, not very easy I know, but it helped me to improve my Japanese skills...
Anyways, here are some of the songs that have helped to cheer me up, hope they can help someone else, too~!!!
1) Josh Groban- “You Are Loved [Don't Give Up].” In regards to lyrics, sometimes simplest is best. Wait a minute, don't I write haiku? Yes, the briefest, most condensed message can have an intensity longer works don't have.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGLSk3AVcUU
2) Chosen- “No More Pain.” Intense South African Harmonies, man. What could be calmer? And why my goodness isn't this group more widely known?!?!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyFjNORODLM
3) BeBe & CeCe Winans- “Heaven.” Ah, the dearly beloved classic. I just found out today there was actually a music video for this song, too~! Happiness~!!! I wish more contemporary gospel artists would develop more calm songs instead of focusing on party hype-type praise songs with a booming baseline...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2x_sPRnRVE
4) The Winans “Count it All Joy.” Nearly forgot about this among the so many other stellar songs of the Winans, but I'm so thankful for my mother because she played this song today and reminded me of it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6f47WfJtCA
5) Matt & Sherry McPherson- “Carry Me.” I plan on buying their whole CD after hearing this one song, no kidding.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXjT8Jz3Fqk
6) Selah- “Unredeemed.” Now this is a poetic prayer song. Very deep. Yeah~!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhOSspNj84w
7) Wayne Watson- “Friend of a Wounded Heart.” The classic. Lyrics have a lot more deep meaning than many songs nowadays. I love the version Damaris Carbaugh sings but couldn't find it online, sorry. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgq-GPRKVkg
8) Byron Cage- "I will Bless the Lord." Sneaky song. Even if you don't feel like it, he will make you sing along with him by the end of the song. And you'll be praising the Lord fer reals. Yea~!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nR1UzUhPknc
9) Damita- “No Looking Back.” It is just crazy amazing how well she and her husband can sing, yo...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IhNqocWrxk&feature=related
10) Hillsong- “Mighty to Save.” At a certain time in my life this very much spoke to me. It will always be on this list for me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-08YZF87OBQ
11) DeWayne Woods- "Let Go."This is one of those songs I heard just the last five seconds of, and then I had to search and search and listen to the radio like mad until I could finally find out WHO was that and what was the song title. Heh.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76o4xhxIKfs&NR=1&feature=fvwp
12) Deitrick Haddon- “He's Able.” I like the way he sings so confidently and matter-of-fact. That's faith.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GVZeRIaAhI
13) Seabird- “Don't You Know You're Beautiful.” I was visiting a Detroit church and staying at the pastor's house. This song came on the Christian station. It really spoke to me at the time, when I was having a string of disappointments...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZsaMplgr3c4
14) Nicol Sponberg- “Resurrection.” Together with one of the little girls that I mentor in the neighborhood, I saw a dance to this song which was so touching and inspiring, which was performed in my hometown for our Festival of the Arts downtown by special needs kids. Never forget that, a memory precious in my life.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4t8Sk6cZ-PA
15) Erykah Badu- “Didn't Cha Know.” Not Christian... but a mesmerizing beat with a meaningful message. Everybody's felt that way sometimes... like we were born to make mistakes. But God will guide us to the right path if we trust Him...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Np21rH7Ldto
16) Coldplay- “Fix You.” For the awards ceremony of ArtPrize 2010, there was a dance company out of Texas that created an lavish production to this song with costumes. It was about the frustrations and joys of one day in the life of an artist. The gentleman was at an easel, trying to pain, while there was a forest of plants behind him, inspiring him and encouraging him although he at times felt unable to express what he really wanted to. I had never heard this song before. It brought tears to my eyes for some reason, even though I felt like I didn't really understand what the song was about at first.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skUJ-B6oVDQ
Guess I can't count. Somehow I ended up with six extra songs there. Oh yeah, and this list would not be from Little Duckling without some Japanese songs thrown in:
Kyu Sakamoto- 'Sukiyaki Song' Ue wo muite Arukou This translation is maybe not so good, but at least you can kind of understand the song.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0U2nBre-JEU&feature=related
The BOOM- “Shima Uta” There is a lot of pain and the ups and downs of life inside this song. The first time I heard it, I didn't understand a word but was nearly instantly driven to tears.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7ggJquImms
Kariyushi 58-“The End, the Beginning” “Owari, Hajimari”
Thanks to my friend Yui, just found out about this Okinawa group. Like her, I really like groups from Okinawa for some reason. Sorry no English translation I could find yet...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOh6Sy7dXTo
Next post... planning to share three recent poems. Now let's see, which ones are good...
My plans for the past two years to do ministry work in West Africa have not worked out. . . God shut the door, just like He did when Noah entered the ark. There is instead now an open door to go to Japan to teach English in a Christian school. So I'm praying about that. It's a wonderful opportunity. Still... I feel like an idiot for pursuing something for two years that seems to have blown up in my face and been a complete failure.
Sounds like the perfect time to turn to some cheerful songs, ey?
Recently (almost against my will) I have been writing a lot of poetry. It's really amazing when you realize there was only three books of poetry that I really read over and over in elementary school- 1) Book of Nonsense by Edward Lear (one summer I think I re-read it every two weeks) 2) Final Harvest by Emily Dickinson (no, I didn't understand any of the poems, but I liked the music of her language, also her plainness/simplicity, and quiet,still, almost Holy-Spirit-like voice... guess I was destined to attend Amherst College) 3) Black Poets edited by Dudley Randall (local poet David Cope gave me this book when I was in sixth grade and I treasured it because it seemed like for the first time I realized that African-American folk write poetry too sigh). Somewhere in there, I read “Where the Sidewalk Ends” by Shel Silverstein and kind of liked it too, on the basis of recommendation from Mr. Joshua Wells, one of my favorite teachers who also influenced me later in life to become a vegetarian.
I think what really forced me to become interested in poems was all the millions of songs I was exposed to growing up, really. My mom is a singer, and my dad is a hobbyist musician. A lot of all their natural talents passed me by... I can't sing much, and can't play an instrument either. However, I've always been fascinated by song lyrics. There are pages and pages I wrote out in elementary school, copying down song lyrics that I enjoyed and tried to memorize... while I was in Japan, one of my hobbies was also to translate some songs I enjoyed into English, not very easy I know, but it helped me to improve my Japanese skills...
Anyways, here are some of the songs that have helped to cheer me up, hope they can help someone else, too~!!!
1) Josh Groban- “You Are Loved [Don't Give Up].” In regards to lyrics, sometimes simplest is best. Wait a minute, don't I write haiku? Yes, the briefest, most condensed message can have an intensity longer works don't have.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGLSk3AVcUU
2) Chosen- “No More Pain.” Intense South African Harmonies, man. What could be calmer? And why my goodness isn't this group more widely known?!?!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyFjNORODLM
3) BeBe & CeCe Winans- “Heaven.” Ah, the dearly beloved classic. I just found out today there was actually a music video for this song, too~! Happiness~!!! I wish more contemporary gospel artists would develop more calm songs instead of focusing on party hype-type praise songs with a booming baseline...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2x_sPRnRVE
4) The Winans “Count it All Joy.” Nearly forgot about this among the so many other stellar songs of the Winans, but I'm so thankful for my mother because she played this song today and reminded me of it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6f47WfJtCA
5) Matt & Sherry McPherson- “Carry Me.” I plan on buying their whole CD after hearing this one song, no kidding.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXjT8Jz3Fqk
6) Selah- “Unredeemed.” Now this is a poetic prayer song. Very deep. Yeah~!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhOSspNj84w
7) Wayne Watson- “Friend of a Wounded Heart.” The classic. Lyrics have a lot more deep meaning than many songs nowadays. I love the version Damaris Carbaugh sings but couldn't find it online, sorry. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgq-GPRKVkg
8) Byron Cage- "I will Bless the Lord." Sneaky song. Even if you don't feel like it, he will make you sing along with him by the end of the song. And you'll be praising the Lord fer reals. Yea~!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nR1UzUhPknc
9) Damita- “No Looking Back.” It is just crazy amazing how well she and her husband can sing, yo...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IhNqocWrxk&feature=related
10) Hillsong- “Mighty to Save.” At a certain time in my life this very much spoke to me. It will always be on this list for me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-08YZF87OBQ
11) DeWayne Woods- "Let Go."This is one of those songs I heard just the last five seconds of, and then I had to search and search and listen to the radio like mad until I could finally find out WHO was that and what was the song title. Heh.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76o4xhxIKfs&NR=1&feature=fvwp
12) Deitrick Haddon- “He's Able.” I like the way he sings so confidently and matter-of-fact. That's faith.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GVZeRIaAhI
13) Seabird- “Don't You Know You're Beautiful.” I was visiting a Detroit church and staying at the pastor's house. This song came on the Christian station. It really spoke to me at the time, when I was having a string of disappointments...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZsaMplgr3c4
14) Nicol Sponberg- “Resurrection.” Together with one of the little girls that I mentor in the neighborhood, I saw a dance to this song which was so touching and inspiring, which was performed in my hometown for our Festival of the Arts downtown by special needs kids. Never forget that, a memory precious in my life.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4t8Sk6cZ-PA
15) Erykah Badu- “Didn't Cha Know.” Not Christian... but a mesmerizing beat with a meaningful message. Everybody's felt that way sometimes... like we were born to make mistakes. But God will guide us to the right path if we trust Him...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Np21rH7Ldto
16) Coldplay- “Fix You.” For the awards ceremony of ArtPrize 2010, there was a dance company out of Texas that created an lavish production to this song with costumes. It was about the frustrations and joys of one day in the life of an artist. The gentleman was at an easel, trying to pain, while there was a forest of plants behind him, inspiring him and encouraging him although he at times felt unable to express what he really wanted to. I had never heard this song before. It brought tears to my eyes for some reason, even though I felt like I didn't really understand what the song was about at first.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skUJ-B6oVDQ
Guess I can't count. Somehow I ended up with six extra songs there. Oh yeah, and this list would not be from Little Duckling without some Japanese songs thrown in:
Kyu Sakamoto- 'Sukiyaki Song' Ue wo muite Arukou This translation is maybe not so good, but at least you can kind of understand the song.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0U2nBre-JEU&feature=related
The BOOM- “Shima Uta” There is a lot of pain and the ups and downs of life inside this song. The first time I heard it, I didn't understand a word but was nearly instantly driven to tears.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7ggJquImms
Kariyushi 58-“The End, the Beginning” “Owari, Hajimari”
Thanks to my friend Yui, just found out about this Okinawa group. Like her, I really like groups from Okinawa for some reason. Sorry no English translation I could find yet...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOh6Sy7dXTo
Next post... planning to share three recent poems. Now let's see, which ones are good...
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Update on the Missionary in a Thrift Store
At my volunteer work in a thrift store on the other end of town (whose proceeds go to fund care of orphans in Uganda as well as for a farm and clinic there), I have a lot of ministry opportunities and things that happen which make me consider my own walk with the Lord.
Last week Thursday, we had a lady come in who was in the store for nearly an hour but who was nearly ready to leave without finding anything. “Can I help you, ma'am?” I asked.
Her shoulders drooped as she spoke with me. “I really like hippos, you know. I collect them. I go to different thrift stores all the time to see if they have a T-shirt or any little figurines or anything with hippos on them. Guess I didn't find anything today.”
I was really shocked to hear that. Secretly, I thought there was no way that we might ever something with hippos in the store for a long while... we sell what people donate to us, and for the nearly month and a half or so that I had been in the store, I could not recall anything like that. “Um, as far as I know, we don't have anything in the store like that. But you could leave your name and number, and we'll call you when we do. Sorry, I just have no way of knowing when we will... it's not that common that people will donate something like that.”
Well, that's okay, I won't leave my name and number,” said the lady. “I live nearby here and come by here fairly often. I'll visit again looking for the same thing.”
I shook my head after she left, thinking that there was no way that we would have what she wanted.
The very next day however, someone donated a hippo! It was really unbelievable. It was this gigantic hippo someone bought in Kenya for decoration that is kind of painted weird colors like orange, yellow and red. It hangs on the wall with kitchen wooden spoons and a spatula hanging beneath. Each of the utensils also has a hippo at the top. Pretty cool- straight from Africa and exactly what this lady wanted!
This reminds me so much of how the Bible says that we should Ask, Seek, and Knock. We should not feel afraid to ask the Lord anything. If the Lord can the very next day give this hippo lady what she is searching for... such a minor, little thing that I don't think that she may have even bothered to pray for... then he will so much more hear and answer our own requests. Sometimes, we think the Lord may not be answering our requests, but his answer may in fact be “WAIT.”
Well, after two years of seeking to raise the financial support and having missed two deadlines set for me now by my missionary organization to raise 100% of the financial funds, it seems certain the Lord has something else in store for my future other than going to West Africa with this organization. We will find out more details about this situation in November.
Really, as Christians we are all called to be missionaries wherever we are now. Wherever you are now, God has put you there for a purpose. And wherever you are, you are to tell others about Jesus, to teach and make disciples of all as we are told in Matthew 28, where Jesus gives the Great Commission.
I know that the Lord is using me in surprising ways right here in the United States. On Tuesday of this week, I went over a friend's home for Fujinkai (Japanese Women's Bible Study). There I spoke to my friend's daughter Yoko, who has an incurable disease and spends much of her days on the couch or in the bed. I told Yoko she reminds me of the poet Emily Dickinson! She is quite smart and whenever I see her she is always so unbelievably cheerful (okay, maybe the poet Emily was not so cheerful heh heh). I enjoy speaking to her so much! Perhaps also I can bring her some sunshine (encouragement). When I saw her on in September during our Fujinkai (Japanese Women's Bible Study meeting), I told her that she should think about doing something with her free time and perhaps consider writing stories- perhaps for kids. It is something simple that she can easily do whenever she feels well and it will be a wonderful way to bring joy to the lives of others.
Yoko took a class in creative writing before, but she had not really considered that she could try to write stories outside of class. As soon as she heard what I had to say, she seemed really excited and sat up like someone had struck her by lightning. She asked many questions with great vigor, sitting up straight and speaking in a strong voice with her most radiant sunshiny smile. For a few moments she completely forgot her own illness and pain and looked like any other healthy person you might see on the street! Some of her questions were,“How do you write? Where do you get your ideas? Do you really think I could tell a story other people would be interested in?”
It was moving to be able to sit down and speak with her about writing and stories and boo, the word arts that have meant so much to me in my own life, comforting me much despite some very damaging abuse and difficult times that I experienced early in my life. When I left her home, I couldn't help wondering... if I was not in her life, who else would have shared this with her? I'm not sure. Who knows? Perhaps it was for such a time as this- precisely to encourage Yoko- that God has made me a part of that Fujinkai group from the beginning. Although Yoko is limited with her physical capabilities, she is such a precious person to me and I hope that we can find some ways (such as through her writing stories) that many other people in this world can appreciate her beautiful spirit.
There are other people too who God has placed into my life right now in Grand Rapids, using me to bless them in some surprising ways. I would like to speak about them too here in this blog, but since this post is long enough already I will save that for another time. For now, He is keeping me here to do more good work right here in my hometown. One person can make a world of difference.
DELAYED BUT NOT DENIED.
On a side note, this is a very challenging time in my life as my paternal grandmother Margaret is in and out of the hospital. We don't know how long she has to live, actually. Especially this is taking a big toll on my father, who is not a strong Christian and who does not really pray and leave things in the hands of the Lord. If you can pray for her health and his depression that would be good.
I'd like to close with this Scripture reading from the King James version of 2 Corinthians 4:8-9: “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;”
NIV version: “We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.”
Same passage (plus a little more afterwards) from the Message version of the Bible: “We’ve been surrounded and battered by troubles, but we’re not demoralized; we’re not sure what to do, but we know that God knows what to do; we’ve been spiritually terrorized, but God hasn’t left our side; we’ve been thrown down, but we haven’t broken. What they did to Jesus, they do to us in trial and torture, mockery and murder; what Jesus did among them, he does in our lives! Our lives are at constant risk for Jesus’ sake, which makes Jesus’ life all the more evident in us. While we’re going through the worst, you’re getting in on the best!”
Last week Thursday, we had a lady come in who was in the store for nearly an hour but who was nearly ready to leave without finding anything. “Can I help you, ma'am?” I asked.
Her shoulders drooped as she spoke with me. “I really like hippos, you know. I collect them. I go to different thrift stores all the time to see if they have a T-shirt or any little figurines or anything with hippos on them. Guess I didn't find anything today.”
I was really shocked to hear that. Secretly, I thought there was no way that we might ever something with hippos in the store for a long while... we sell what people donate to us, and for the nearly month and a half or so that I had been in the store, I could not recall anything like that. “Um, as far as I know, we don't have anything in the store like that. But you could leave your name and number, and we'll call you when we do. Sorry, I just have no way of knowing when we will... it's not that common that people will donate something like that.”
Well, that's okay, I won't leave my name and number,” said the lady. “I live nearby here and come by here fairly often. I'll visit again looking for the same thing.”
I shook my head after she left, thinking that there was no way that we would have what she wanted.
The very next day however, someone donated a hippo! It was really unbelievable. It was this gigantic hippo someone bought in Kenya for decoration that is kind of painted weird colors like orange, yellow and red. It hangs on the wall with kitchen wooden spoons and a spatula hanging beneath. Each of the utensils also has a hippo at the top. Pretty cool- straight from Africa and exactly what this lady wanted!
This reminds me so much of how the Bible says that we should Ask, Seek, and Knock. We should not feel afraid to ask the Lord anything. If the Lord can the very next day give this hippo lady what she is searching for... such a minor, little thing that I don't think that she may have even bothered to pray for... then he will so much more hear and answer our own requests. Sometimes, we think the Lord may not be answering our requests, but his answer may in fact be “WAIT.”
Well, after two years of seeking to raise the financial support and having missed two deadlines set for me now by my missionary organization to raise 100% of the financial funds, it seems certain the Lord has something else in store for my future other than going to West Africa with this organization. We will find out more details about this situation in November.
Really, as Christians we are all called to be missionaries wherever we are now. Wherever you are now, God has put you there for a purpose. And wherever you are, you are to tell others about Jesus, to teach and make disciples of all as we are told in Matthew 28, where Jesus gives the Great Commission.
I know that the Lord is using me in surprising ways right here in the United States. On Tuesday of this week, I went over a friend's home for Fujinkai (Japanese Women's Bible Study). There I spoke to my friend's daughter Yoko, who has an incurable disease and spends much of her days on the couch or in the bed. I told Yoko she reminds me of the poet Emily Dickinson! She is quite smart and whenever I see her she is always so unbelievably cheerful (okay, maybe the poet Emily was not so cheerful heh heh). I enjoy speaking to her so much! Perhaps also I can bring her some sunshine (encouragement). When I saw her on in September during our Fujinkai (Japanese Women's Bible Study meeting), I told her that she should think about doing something with her free time and perhaps consider writing stories- perhaps for kids. It is something simple that she can easily do whenever she feels well and it will be a wonderful way to bring joy to the lives of others.
Yoko took a class in creative writing before, but she had not really considered that she could try to write stories outside of class. As soon as she heard what I had to say, she seemed really excited and sat up like someone had struck her by lightning. She asked many questions with great vigor, sitting up straight and speaking in a strong voice with her most radiant sunshiny smile. For a few moments she completely forgot her own illness and pain and looked like any other healthy person you might see on the street! Some of her questions were,“How do you write? Where do you get your ideas? Do you really think I could tell a story other people would be interested in?”
It was moving to be able to sit down and speak with her about writing and stories and boo, the word arts that have meant so much to me in my own life, comforting me much despite some very damaging abuse and difficult times that I experienced early in my life. When I left her home, I couldn't help wondering... if I was not in her life, who else would have shared this with her? I'm not sure. Who knows? Perhaps it was for such a time as this- precisely to encourage Yoko- that God has made me a part of that Fujinkai group from the beginning. Although Yoko is limited with her physical capabilities, she is such a precious person to me and I hope that we can find some ways (such as through her writing stories) that many other people in this world can appreciate her beautiful spirit.
There are other people too who God has placed into my life right now in Grand Rapids, using me to bless them in some surprising ways. I would like to speak about them too here in this blog, but since this post is long enough already I will save that for another time. For now, He is keeping me here to do more good work right here in my hometown. One person can make a world of difference.
DELAYED BUT NOT DENIED.
On a side note, this is a very challenging time in my life as my paternal grandmother Margaret is in and out of the hospital. We don't know how long she has to live, actually. Especially this is taking a big toll on my father, who is not a strong Christian and who does not really pray and leave things in the hands of the Lord. If you can pray for her health and his depression that would be good.
I'd like to close with this Scripture reading from the King James version of 2 Corinthians 4:8-9: “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;”
NIV version: “We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.”
Same passage (plus a little more afterwards) from the Message version of the Bible: “We’ve been surrounded and battered by troubles, but we’re not demoralized; we’re not sure what to do, but we know that God knows what to do; we’ve been spiritually terrorized, but God hasn’t left our side; we’ve been thrown down, but we haven’t broken. What they did to Jesus, they do to us in trial and torture, mockery and murder; what Jesus did among them, he does in our lives! Our lives are at constant risk for Jesus’ sake, which makes Jesus’ life all the more evident in us. While we’re going through the worst, you’re getting in on the best!”
Sunday, October 17, 2010
poem of pain, song of sorrow
My friend Connie and I ran into a local poet on the street here on the last day of voting for ArtPrize... the first poet laureate of Grand Rapids, Mrs. Linda Nemec Foster. She encouraged me to share some of my poetry on my blog. I guess I will try that.
yellowing leaves
last glimpse of light before night
all things are shadows
What does our guture hold? Death lies before us all my friends. But it is not the end. There is a life to come after this one. Are you ready for eternity?
This I write in pain, too sick to be able to go to church today. Still, I seek to share what I know about my Heavenly Father (Our Father) and my Jesus (Our Jesus) with the world. That is what it means to be a missionary, indeed. . .
yellowing leaves
last glimpse of light before night
all things are shadows
What does our guture hold? Death lies before us all my friends. But it is not the end. There is a life to come after this one. Are you ready for eternity?
This I write in pain, too sick to be able to go to church today. Still, I seek to share what I know about my Heavenly Father (Our Father) and my Jesus (Our Jesus) with the world. That is what it means to be a missionary, indeed. . .
Friday, September 17, 2010
Money Matters... But Prayer Matters More! Mighty, Mighty Prayer!!!
To partners along this journey:
I have reached nearly 90% of my financial support ladies and gentlemen! That is a blessing. However, that amount is mainly just on paper, as the majority of people who have agreed to contribute a certain amount have not yet started to give anything yet. My administrators are worried about this... also, as I failed to reach my last deadline (August 31) to raise 100% of my funding, I may not be allowed to continue raising support and be asked to leave this organization. Right now, my administrators are considering whether they will grant me an additional extension until November. So right now I need extra bunches of prayer from everybody!!!
If the Lord called me to do this missions work overseas in West Africa, then He will provide. If I do not raise the funds, then He does not wish for me to go. It's in the Lord's hands. (If He wants me to stay here in Grand Rapids, Michigan I think that that may be to help foster revival in our overly legalistic church culture here...)
“Oh, it's all about the money! The money is the most important thing, isn't it?” a college friend of mine said on Monday.
Oh no, that's not the case.
It is true that there are certain people in ministry who are money-hungry, unfortunately. I met a pastor in town who told me “A church is a business, basically.” I wonder how many other pastors in America might agree with him... however I disagree with that. I think Jesus would too.
Let's remember how Jesus kicked out the money-changers who were making a lot of cash in the temple:
"It is written," he said to them, "'My house will be called a house of prayer,' but you are making it a 'den of robbers.'"
From Matthew 21:13.
The church should be a place that is concerned number one with the souls of men and women. We are called to be fishers of men. As I speak to people whom God places in my path wherever I go, I seek to help them to make one step closer to walk closely with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, if they are Christians. As a missionary, I remind myself that is the most important thing in my prayers and every morning enjoy reading through Ephesians 6:13-20 to put on the whole armor of God.
I would like to close with a wonderful classic inspirational little prayer guideline I found hanging up on the wall, almost forgotten, at my part-time work at the missionary thrift store recently. Let's all seek to pray more for this world around us. I promise you this- PRAYER WILL ALWAYS MAKE A DIFFERENCE, although the results may not be what you expect. Sometimes God may simply change your attitude about something that might at first seem to be negative which is going on in your life.
There are so many people hurting. We all must do our part to help out! Let the people of God rise up and be the worldwide change agents who we are called to be!
PRAY THROUGH THE SEVEN CONNECTIONS
-----------------------------------------PERSONAL------------------------------------
YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD
-----------------------------------------MARRIAGE------------------------------------
YOUR MARRIAGE OR THE MARRIAGE OF THOSE CLOSEST TO YOU
-------------------------------------------FAMILY------------------------------------
YOUR CONNECTION WITH THOSE YOU'RE RELATED TO
-----------------------------------SMALL GROUP/FRIENDS-------------------------------
THE CLOSE GROUP OF FRIENDS YOU CONFIDE IN
----------------------------------------------CHURCH FAMILY--------------------------
YOUR WORSHIPPING COMMUNITY
----------------------------------------------------KINGDOM--------------------------
THE NEEDS OF CHRISTIANS WORLDWIDE
------------------------------------------------WORLD--------------------------------
THOSE IN YOUR LIFE WHO LACK A SAVING RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD
I have reached nearly 90% of my financial support ladies and gentlemen! That is a blessing. However, that amount is mainly just on paper, as the majority of people who have agreed to contribute a certain amount have not yet started to give anything yet. My administrators are worried about this... also, as I failed to reach my last deadline (August 31) to raise 100% of my funding, I may not be allowed to continue raising support and be asked to leave this organization. Right now, my administrators are considering whether they will grant me an additional extension until November. So right now I need extra bunches of prayer from everybody!!!
If the Lord called me to do this missions work overseas in West Africa, then He will provide. If I do not raise the funds, then He does not wish for me to go. It's in the Lord's hands. (If He wants me to stay here in Grand Rapids, Michigan I think that that may be to help foster revival in our overly legalistic church culture here...)
“Oh, it's all about the money! The money is the most important thing, isn't it?” a college friend of mine said on Monday.
Oh no, that's not the case.
It is true that there are certain people in ministry who are money-hungry, unfortunately. I met a pastor in town who told me “A church is a business, basically.” I wonder how many other pastors in America might agree with him... however I disagree with that. I think Jesus would too.
Let's remember how Jesus kicked out the money-changers who were making a lot of cash in the temple:
"It is written," he said to them, "'My house will be called a house of prayer,' but you are making it a 'den of robbers.'"
From Matthew 21:13.
The church should be a place that is concerned number one with the souls of men and women. We are called to be fishers of men. As I speak to people whom God places in my path wherever I go, I seek to help them to make one step closer to walk closely with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, if they are Christians. As a missionary, I remind myself that is the most important thing in my prayers and every morning enjoy reading through Ephesians 6:13-20 to put on the whole armor of God.
I would like to close with a wonderful classic inspirational little prayer guideline I found hanging up on the wall, almost forgotten, at my part-time work at the missionary thrift store recently. Let's all seek to pray more for this world around us. I promise you this- PRAYER WILL ALWAYS MAKE A DIFFERENCE, although the results may not be what you expect. Sometimes God may simply change your attitude about something that might at first seem to be negative which is going on in your life.
There are so many people hurting. We all must do our part to help out! Let the people of God rise up and be the worldwide change agents who we are called to be!
PRAY THROUGH THE SEVEN CONNECTIONS
-----------------------------------------PERSONAL------------------------------------
YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD
-----------------------------------------MARRIAGE------------------------------------
YOUR MARRIAGE OR THE MARRIAGE OF THOSE CLOSEST TO YOU
-------------------------------------------FAMILY------------------------------------
YOUR CONNECTION WITH THOSE YOU'RE RELATED TO
-----------------------------------SMALL GROUP/FRIENDS-------------------------------
THE CLOSE GROUP OF FRIENDS YOU CONFIDE IN
----------------------------------------------CHURCH FAMILY--------------------------
YOUR WORSHIPPING COMMUNITY
----------------------------------------------------KINGDOM--------------------------
THE NEEDS OF CHRISTIANS WORLDWIDE
------------------------------------------------WORLD--------------------------------
THOSE IN YOUR LIFE WHO LACK A SAVING RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Summer without Ice Cream? Or, “On Food and Faith”
Usually I wake up to my chubby yet handsome kitty cat 'yowing' (as my mom calls it) for me to feed him.
Well, that just goes to show how important food is. I think much of the time 70% of our thoughts are about food. This is not based on a formal survey. No, it's based on speaking to my friends and others.
So an important question might be... hey, what do missionaries eat anyways?
They probably eat a bit different than you or anyone else you know. Last week Tuesday night, I had for dinner some Cracked Pepper and Olive Oil Triscuits (delicious whole grain crackers) and some french fries. I was meeting with a friend somewhere special on the last day of August and I did not really have money along to buy a good meal. Neither did she, actually! So we made do with what we had. Then I came home so late (although we did have good fun and talked about very important missionary stuffy) that I was far too exhausted to want to eat. All I wanted really to do was sleep, so I popped a few crackers in my mouth and jumped in the bed.
In contrast, the following day my dinner was quite different. On Wednesday, September 1st, I was very blessed as my home church Blessed Hope decided to take our youth out to Craig's Cruiser's, which is the local kid-friendly popping spot with go-karts, miniature golf, laser tag, arcade games, etc. As I was able to tag along I got free access to the pizza buffet. There to the amazement of all I quickly devoured five full plates of food, easily eating at least two times more than all of the teenage boys in my line of sight. Oh yeah, I can definitely throw down when it is time to eat something seriously.
That was the first time in three months that I had eaten pizza. Oh, the joys of cheese. Nothing quite matches the ooey gooiness of warm, greasy, cheese. I feel inspired to write a poem about it, my friends...
So don't be surprised if your local missionary eats some strange things. The missionary you know may be 1) fasting for a special time of prayer, 2) not have much time to eat because she has a deadline to try to raise financial support, so she eats whatever is in arm's length and will take no longer than five minutes to devour before she leaves out the door to her next event/appointment, or 3) just not be able to afford a good meal at that time. Things get even more complicated when you are speaking to a vegetarian, like me.
A word about fasting- I wish that more Christians in America would practice this more. The giants of the faith in the past- from the people I know like John Wesley and Mr. Whitfield (famous for his sermon, 'Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God') all made fasting part of their faith practice. Fasting can help us to forget about the flesh and our everyday cravings to concentrate more on our relationship with God and what is eternal and lasting. However, amid the decadence and slavery of modern American society to our twin idols of materialism and entertainment, there are serious, devoted Christians out there who have never heard their pastor or anyone else for that matter even discuss fasting! Ah, the shame of it all!
I spoke with a Christian near the start of summer who honestly had no idea what fasting was or why anybody would want to do it.
Jesus said his disciples would fast.
14Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not?
15And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.
Matthew 9:14,15.
There are also many Biblical examples of people who followed God and fasted: Hannah, (I Samuel 1:6-8, 17-18), Paul (Acts 9:9,17-19), Daniel (Daniel 10:3-13) and many others. I don't have the space to devote to a full study here, but here is a great site for more info: http://www.dianedew.com/fasting.htm
I also wish more Christians out there would consider doing the Daniel Fast. It can truly help you clear your thoughts and help you to clear your mind of the crap that the world around us is constantly pushing on us, so that you can focus on the still, small voice of God and what He would have you to do. God is always speaking, but are we always listening? Many times, the answer is no.
Here is a great site about the Daniel Fast: http://daniel-fast.com/about.html.
There are many good books about the Daniel Fast, you can poke around on Amazon.com or my personal favorite bookseller site www.abebooks.com and find one of those for detailed info.
Please consider making a special time to devote to fasting and prayer. Prayer changes things. Sometimes God does not answer our prayers how we want to. However, we still must trust Him. God reserves the best for those who allow Him to make the choices in our lives. God also chooses the same thing for us that we would choose for ourselves, if we knew all of the facts and circumstances of the situation. He knows what is best.
So... hope this blesses you. I'm praying for everyone who reads this. Please pray for me, too! We all need to seek to listen more to God's voice, and not our own or anyone else's.
Well, that just goes to show how important food is. I think much of the time 70% of our thoughts are about food. This is not based on a formal survey. No, it's based on speaking to my friends and others.
So an important question might be... hey, what do missionaries eat anyways?
They probably eat a bit different than you or anyone else you know. Last week Tuesday night, I had for dinner some Cracked Pepper and Olive Oil Triscuits (delicious whole grain crackers) and some french fries. I was meeting with a friend somewhere special on the last day of August and I did not really have money along to buy a good meal. Neither did she, actually! So we made do with what we had. Then I came home so late (although we did have good fun and talked about very important missionary stuffy) that I was far too exhausted to want to eat. All I wanted really to do was sleep, so I popped a few crackers in my mouth and jumped in the bed.
In contrast, the following day my dinner was quite different. On Wednesday, September 1st, I was very blessed as my home church Blessed Hope decided to take our youth out to Craig's Cruiser's, which is the local kid-friendly popping spot with go-karts, miniature golf, laser tag, arcade games, etc. As I was able to tag along I got free access to the pizza buffet. There to the amazement of all I quickly devoured five full plates of food, easily eating at least two times more than all of the teenage boys in my line of sight. Oh yeah, I can definitely throw down when it is time to eat something seriously.
That was the first time in three months that I had eaten pizza. Oh, the joys of cheese. Nothing quite matches the ooey gooiness of warm, greasy, cheese. I feel inspired to write a poem about it, my friends...
So don't be surprised if your local missionary eats some strange things. The missionary you know may be 1) fasting for a special time of prayer, 2) not have much time to eat because she has a deadline to try to raise financial support, so she eats whatever is in arm's length and will take no longer than five minutes to devour before she leaves out the door to her next event/appointment, or 3) just not be able to afford a good meal at that time. Things get even more complicated when you are speaking to a vegetarian, like me.
A word about fasting- I wish that more Christians in America would practice this more. The giants of the faith in the past- from the people I know like John Wesley and Mr. Whitfield (famous for his sermon, 'Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God') all made fasting part of their faith practice. Fasting can help us to forget about the flesh and our everyday cravings to concentrate more on our relationship with God and what is eternal and lasting. However, amid the decadence and slavery of modern American society to our twin idols of materialism and entertainment, there are serious, devoted Christians out there who have never heard their pastor or anyone else for that matter even discuss fasting! Ah, the shame of it all!
I spoke with a Christian near the start of summer who honestly had no idea what fasting was or why anybody would want to do it.
Jesus said his disciples would fast.
14Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not?
15And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.
Matthew 9:14,15.
There are also many Biblical examples of people who followed God and fasted: Hannah, (I Samuel 1:6-8, 17-18), Paul (Acts 9:9,17-19), Daniel (Daniel 10:3-13) and many others. I don't have the space to devote to a full study here, but here is a great site for more info: http://www.dianedew.com/fasting.htm
I also wish more Christians out there would consider doing the Daniel Fast. It can truly help you clear your thoughts and help you to clear your mind of the crap that the world around us is constantly pushing on us, so that you can focus on the still, small voice of God and what He would have you to do. God is always speaking, but are we always listening? Many times, the answer is no.
Here is a great site about the Daniel Fast: http://daniel-fast.com/about.html.
There are many good books about the Daniel Fast, you can poke around on Amazon.com or my personal favorite bookseller site www.abebooks.com and find one of those for detailed info.
Please consider making a special time to devote to fasting and prayer. Prayer changes things. Sometimes God does not answer our prayers how we want to. However, we still must trust Him. God reserves the best for those who allow Him to make the choices in our lives. God also chooses the same thing for us that we would choose for ourselves, if we knew all of the facts and circumstances of the situation. He knows what is best.
So... hope this blesses you. I'm praying for everyone who reads this. Please pray for me, too! We all need to seek to listen more to God's voice, and not our own or anyone else's.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Maybe it's not too late. Only you can answer that.
“You have eight days to raise $379 a month,” mom said last Sunday, August 15.
“Don't say that!” I growled, pulling my hair. “That just makes me feel even more stressed out!”
“Oh no, that means that she is going to go back to work again. You are going to overwork yourself. That's what they're going to put on your tombstone- DEAD FROM OVERWORK,” my brothers said. “That might not be too bad, though. It would be a lot quieter around here without you around.”
Etc., Etc.
So that is a little picture of me and my family around my house recently.
Yes, I have been told that August 31st is my deadline to raise 100% of my funds to do the missionary work. Or else I will not be allowed to leave. You can imagine this is a tad bit stressful. However, I have prayed to put this all in God's hands. Like one of the pastors said on the radio... “God will not say, 'Well done my successful servant. Oh no. Our success or failure is in the hands of God. Our duty is to be faithful.' ” Hopefully I will be granted another extension so I can continue to attempt to raise funds... however that has not been decided yet.
I look back over the past two years that I have spent attempting to raise funds for missionary work, and I am so thankful for my journey thus far... regardless of my ultimate success or failure.
I have been trying to help another missionary friend to help a little kid in Guyana (South America) receive some free skin grafts after a terrible burn he suffered when he was only two years old. By divine appointment I ran into a woman from Detroit here in Grand Rapids whose daughter is a nurse in a burn unit. After years of searching, we may have found success praise God as this nurse may know a doctor in Detroit willing to help! What a blessing!
I have helped to inspire at least one young lady from France that I know of to become a missionary.
I was also very thankful to speak to about 100 or 150 college students one-on-one at URBANA '09 in St. Louis about missions work. Who knows if someone I spoke to may later decide to become a missionary or do some other great work for God? That is way cool exciting.
Adventures with God may send you up, down, all around, and you may have no idea where you are heading next. Still, they are never boring! I can't wait to see what the good Lord has me to do next.
More to share later on today. Right now I have to hurry off to my part-time job/volunteer work to help a young lady from Uganda with two thrift stores...
“Don't say that!” I growled, pulling my hair. “That just makes me feel even more stressed out!”
“Oh no, that means that she is going to go back to work again. You are going to overwork yourself. That's what they're going to put on your tombstone- DEAD FROM OVERWORK,” my brothers said. “That might not be too bad, though. It would be a lot quieter around here without you around.”
Etc., Etc.
So that is a little picture of me and my family around my house recently.
Yes, I have been told that August 31st is my deadline to raise 100% of my funds to do the missionary work. Or else I will not be allowed to leave. You can imagine this is a tad bit stressful. However, I have prayed to put this all in God's hands. Like one of the pastors said on the radio... “God will not say, 'Well done my successful servant. Oh no. Our success or failure is in the hands of God. Our duty is to be faithful.' ” Hopefully I will be granted another extension so I can continue to attempt to raise funds... however that has not been decided yet.
I look back over the past two years that I have spent attempting to raise funds for missionary work, and I am so thankful for my journey thus far... regardless of my ultimate success or failure.
I have been trying to help another missionary friend to help a little kid in Guyana (South America) receive some free skin grafts after a terrible burn he suffered when he was only two years old. By divine appointment I ran into a woman from Detroit here in Grand Rapids whose daughter is a nurse in a burn unit. After years of searching, we may have found success praise God as this nurse may know a doctor in Detroit willing to help! What a blessing!
I have helped to inspire at least one young lady from France that I know of to become a missionary.
I was also very thankful to speak to about 100 or 150 college students one-on-one at URBANA '09 in St. Louis about missions work. Who knows if someone I spoke to may later decide to become a missionary or do some other great work for God? That is way cool exciting.
Adventures with God may send you up, down, all around, and you may have no idea where you are heading next. Still, they are never boring! I can't wait to see what the good Lord has me to do next.
More to share later on today. Right now I have to hurry off to my part-time job/volunteer work to help a young lady from Uganda with two thrift stores...
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Tears on Tuesday
I would still like to write about 'What this missionary eats,” however I'll have to postpone that for later.
This whole week there is an AME (African Methodist Episcopal) Conference in town, and I went to the Tuesday 7PM Missionary Society Meeting. I was so moved by the speakers that night I really want to share part of that experience with you.
Nearly everyone was dressed in white to symbolize holiness except for me. I was wearing yellow and green (my favorite suit) and felt nervous and out of place. The inspiring speakers quickly made me forget my discomfort at not color- matching everyone.
One speaker prayed over us near the beginning and said, “It is time for us to put away any negative sayings. No more 'I CAN'T.' No more 'I WON'T. Or “I DON'T HAVE ENOUGH RESOURCSE TO DO THAT.' No. We have to put all that away.” As she prayed I felt the Lord was hitting me on the head, and telling me to rest in him. To stop looking at the number of the Amalekites (the people and conditions that are against me) and to lift my eyes to the hills (where the Lord has his holy forces waiting to grant the victory).
I believe it was Sister Carolyn Graves who went up and began to speak about the book The Color Purple by Alice Walker. She said Celie talked about her father told her “You poor, you black, and you ugly.” Celie in response wrote, “It's true that I'm poor, I'm black, and I may be ugly. And I can't cook. But I'm here!”
That caused tears to come to my eyes surprisingly quickly. I tried to blink them and wipe them away, but they continued to flow.
When I walk into a church, I can tell many people reject me on sight before I say a word. I've seen a pastor jerk away from me when his eyes fell on me and he noticed that there was one African-American person in his church. I know there are people who refuse to accept that I could possibly be a missionary because they have never seen someone who is a black and who is called to be a missionary.
I even had someone I consider a friend nearly laugh in my face when I tried to speak about how I intend to go overseas and translate Bible Stories for people who do not yet have the Scriptures in their own heart language. I believe that person cannot imagine someone poor like me, plain-spoken, and from a rather modest household could possibly have rocksolid faith to do something that big for God. How could I be the chosen one?
Well, I trust God. I know I am not a big somebody. I'm just a little someone. That's OK. I don't have to be awesome. God is awesome.
Sister Graves also told a wonderful story about a mule who fell down a minister's well which was only halfway dug out. The donkey tried to climb out, but there were men up above who kept throwing shovelfuls of dirt on his back.
The mule began to speak to himself to encourage himself to keep moving: “Shake it off, and step on up.” He shook off the dirt and put one hoof in front of the other, until slowly he made his way out of that deep hole.
It's the same thing with us.
Whenever you try to do a great work for God, there will be people all around you who will tell you to quit, stop, and go back. Don't pay no mind to what those people tell you. Some of them are just jealous. Don't sit with them. Don't reflect back on what they say. Just shake it off, and step on up. Little by little, you will eventually reach your goal.
SHAKE IT OFF AND STEP ON UP!!!
Hope this encourages you, wherever you are and whatever it is that you are facing on this day.
Yours truly has almost completely raised the funds that I need to go overseas to Guinea-Bissau for 2 – 3 years to translate the Bible. Right now, I am only short $376.55 a month. Is there anyone out there who can make some financial contribution and to reach this goal? My organization is telling me that unless I raise this money by the end of the month I cannot leave. If the Lord is calling you to be part of my financial team, please contact me! Blessings to you.
This whole week there is an AME (African Methodist Episcopal) Conference in town, and I went to the Tuesday 7PM Missionary Society Meeting. I was so moved by the speakers that night I really want to share part of that experience with you.
Nearly everyone was dressed in white to symbolize holiness except for me. I was wearing yellow and green (my favorite suit) and felt nervous and out of place. The inspiring speakers quickly made me forget my discomfort at not color- matching everyone.
One speaker prayed over us near the beginning and said, “It is time for us to put away any negative sayings. No more 'I CAN'T.' No more 'I WON'T. Or “I DON'T HAVE ENOUGH RESOURCSE TO DO THAT.' No. We have to put all that away.” As she prayed I felt the Lord was hitting me on the head, and telling me to rest in him. To stop looking at the number of the Amalekites (the people and conditions that are against me) and to lift my eyes to the hills (where the Lord has his holy forces waiting to grant the victory).
I believe it was Sister Carolyn Graves who went up and began to speak about the book The Color Purple by Alice Walker. She said Celie talked about her father told her “You poor, you black, and you ugly.” Celie in response wrote, “It's true that I'm poor, I'm black, and I may be ugly. And I can't cook. But I'm here!”
That caused tears to come to my eyes surprisingly quickly. I tried to blink them and wipe them away, but they continued to flow.
When I walk into a church, I can tell many people reject me on sight before I say a word. I've seen a pastor jerk away from me when his eyes fell on me and he noticed that there was one African-American person in his church. I know there are people who refuse to accept that I could possibly be a missionary because they have never seen someone who is a black and who is called to be a missionary.
I even had someone I consider a friend nearly laugh in my face when I tried to speak about how I intend to go overseas and translate Bible Stories for people who do not yet have the Scriptures in their own heart language. I believe that person cannot imagine someone poor like me, plain-spoken, and from a rather modest household could possibly have rocksolid faith to do something that big for God. How could I be the chosen one?
Well, I trust God. I know I am not a big somebody. I'm just a little someone. That's OK. I don't have to be awesome. God is awesome.
Sister Graves also told a wonderful story about a mule who fell down a minister's well which was only halfway dug out. The donkey tried to climb out, but there were men up above who kept throwing shovelfuls of dirt on his back.
The mule began to speak to himself to encourage himself to keep moving: “Shake it off, and step on up.” He shook off the dirt and put one hoof in front of the other, until slowly he made his way out of that deep hole.
It's the same thing with us.
Whenever you try to do a great work for God, there will be people all around you who will tell you to quit, stop, and go back. Don't pay no mind to what those people tell you. Some of them are just jealous. Don't sit with them. Don't reflect back on what they say. Just shake it off, and step on up. Little by little, you will eventually reach your goal.
SHAKE IT OFF AND STEP ON UP!!!
Hope this encourages you, wherever you are and whatever it is that you are facing on this day.
Yours truly has almost completely raised the funds that I need to go overseas to Guinea-Bissau for 2 – 3 years to translate the Bible. Right now, I am only short $376.55 a month. Is there anyone out there who can make some financial contribution and to reach this goal? My organization is telling me that unless I raise this money by the end of the month I cannot leave. If the Lord is calling you to be part of my financial team, please contact me! Blessings to you.
Monday, August 16, 2010
My trip to Egypt (to do missions work, of course...)
Hello to Partners along this journey,
Every day this week I plan to have a new update! There is just so much to say about what I have been blessed to be able to do recently. I am just back from Detroit, where I helped feed about 300 families as part of a very blessed “Food 4 Families” project with a church there that I will be excited to share with you all in detail soon.
First though, I want to talk about something that happened a little earlier: I volunteered for a week at a local VBS which was run by First Community AME here in Grand Rapids (known as FAME for short).
The Bible story we learned about was Joseph: From Prison to Palace (http://egypt.group.com/). We had a virtual 'trip to Egypt' which allowed me to have fun by wearing my authentic African dresses every night. YAY~!
It really was a joy to work with the kids and also very good preparation for overseas missions work. And what is the best preparation to do missions work, you may ask. Well, the answer is simple: teaching! Sharing the gospel with others really involves all of the teaching skills at the basic level.
I originally thought I was only going to be helping the children at VBS do a craft where they wrote their name in hieroglyphics. Oh no, the church leadership challenged me instead and asked me to be a 'family leader' of about 10 kids for the entire time. I was happy that they had confidence that I could do a good job of the role, however at the same time I found myself thinking... it has been a while since I taught in a classroom, can I still do a good job of it all?
For the week, we learned about the story of Joseph. The very first day, after everyone wrote their name on a nametag and introduced themselves, I held up the Bible to show that this story of Joseph comes from the book of Genesis.
Immediately, one young boy about 6 or 7 said in a loud voice, “I don't like the Bible!”
My mouth just fell open. I never imagined that someone might say or think such a thing. Someone in in high school said to my face “The only people who believe in Christianity are unintelligent and ignorant,” and I thought at the time that was just the absolute worst thing but I had never imagined someone might dismiss the Bible simply because they thought they did not like it, or even hated it?
The boy went on. “My mom and dad don't read that book,” he said proudly. “It's too long. I don't see how anybody could read it all anyways!” He crossed his arms, as if he dared me to say something different.
While I was still thinking of something to say, the beautiful young teenage girl who was assisting my group was very offended. “Look- If you aren't going to cooperate- if you don't want to be here, then you can just go home!”
The boy scratched the back of his neck and looked down at the ground, perhaps a bit embarrassed. O felt like everyone in the group was staring at me, expecting me to say something.
First I turned to my assistant, touching her lightly on the arm. “He's just saying that because he is young and doesn't know anything about the Bible. That's why he's here. We have to help him.” I also couldn't help thinking sadly that he must have heard his mother or father say something similar about the Bible to say something bad about it with so much confidence.
There was a lot of things I could have said. It is just so ironic that the boy himself did not realize his own name (Isaiah, although it was spelled different than the standard way) came out of the Bible! I could have mentioned that. Like my mother suggested afterward, I could have said with a grin “Now come on. What did the Bible ever do to you to make you not like it?” Perhaps I could have said “Don't you realize that this is Vacation BIBLE School. What we do here is learn about the Bible?”
I decided to not make a big deal out of what he said. I knew from past experience that if I said too much to correct him in front of the other kids, they might tease him and treat him like an outsider. After all, nearly all of the other kids were both older and also attended church regularly. They understood that you should respect the Bible, although they themselves might not understand all of the reasons why. I wanted to preserve the family feeling of the group.
I turned to Isaiah. “Well, this week we'll be learning about Joseph. That is a really good story that comes out of the Bible. And there are many other very good stories in the Bible too that can teach us about all sorts of things. I like the Bible! I think you will, too, if you keep learning more about it.”
Then I simply continued with the lesson. I think my teenage helper got upset with the little boy or with me because of what happened, though. After that day, she didn't come back to help me. That's OK. I ended up getting another young man in the church to help our family group out.
As for little Isaiah... he is not from around here. Seems like his grandmother drove him and his cousins to church for this VBS. I am so thankful for her witness, because perhaps his parents are not being the witness that they should be to him, if they are Christian themselves.
Isaiah enjoyed the VBS. He walked around with the Egyptian collar, Egyptian hieroglyphic nametag, and headband he made very proudly. At the end of our first day together, I was surprised when he actually pulled out a Bible and looked at it as though it might be interesting. At the end of the third day, he went even farther. He opened it and turned the pages with a thoughtful look on his face. I'm sure he was wondering why everyone else kept telling him that it is an important book.
Unfortunately, he only came the first three days. I was planning to buy him a Children's Bible and give it to him on the last day, but since he never came back afterwards I never got a chance to do that. I was disappointed that I couldn't share more with him about God, about life, about wisdom, about hey everything! However, I have to remind myself that missions work is often like that. We simply plant the seeds, and we must move on before seeing the results. We only have to trust God that he will grant the increase.
At work today, a song came on the radio which said 'Life goes on, even though the thrill of living is long gone.' Hah. If you find yourself losing a sense of the excitement and mystery of life, then volunteer and do some quiet work to help others in the Lord's name. You will find that you too are blessed more than you could have ever imagined.
Galatians 6:9 (New International Version)
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."
Next blog: What this Missionary Eats (you WILL be surprised)
Every day this week I plan to have a new update! There is just so much to say about what I have been blessed to be able to do recently. I am just back from Detroit, where I helped feed about 300 families as part of a very blessed “Food 4 Families” project with a church there that I will be excited to share with you all in detail soon.
First though, I want to talk about something that happened a little earlier: I volunteered for a week at a local VBS which was run by First Community AME here in Grand Rapids (known as FAME for short).
The Bible story we learned about was Joseph: From Prison to Palace (http://egypt.group.com/). We had a virtual 'trip to Egypt' which allowed me to have fun by wearing my authentic African dresses every night. YAY~!
It really was a joy to work with the kids and also very good preparation for overseas missions work. And what is the best preparation to do missions work, you may ask. Well, the answer is simple: teaching! Sharing the gospel with others really involves all of the teaching skills at the basic level.
I originally thought I was only going to be helping the children at VBS do a craft where they wrote their name in hieroglyphics. Oh no, the church leadership challenged me instead and asked me to be a 'family leader' of about 10 kids for the entire time. I was happy that they had confidence that I could do a good job of the role, however at the same time I found myself thinking... it has been a while since I taught in a classroom, can I still do a good job of it all?
For the week, we learned about the story of Joseph. The very first day, after everyone wrote their name on a nametag and introduced themselves, I held up the Bible to show that this story of Joseph comes from the book of Genesis.
Immediately, one young boy about 6 or 7 said in a loud voice, “I don't like the Bible!”
My mouth just fell open. I never imagined that someone might say or think such a thing. Someone in in high school said to my face “The only people who believe in Christianity are unintelligent and ignorant,” and I thought at the time that was just the absolute worst thing but I had never imagined someone might dismiss the Bible simply because they thought they did not like it, or even hated it?
The boy went on. “My mom and dad don't read that book,” he said proudly. “It's too long. I don't see how anybody could read it all anyways!” He crossed his arms, as if he dared me to say something different.
While I was still thinking of something to say, the beautiful young teenage girl who was assisting my group was very offended. “Look- If you aren't going to cooperate- if you don't want to be here, then you can just go home!”
The boy scratched the back of his neck and looked down at the ground, perhaps a bit embarrassed. O felt like everyone in the group was staring at me, expecting me to say something.
First I turned to my assistant, touching her lightly on the arm. “He's just saying that because he is young and doesn't know anything about the Bible. That's why he's here. We have to help him.” I also couldn't help thinking sadly that he must have heard his mother or father say something similar about the Bible to say something bad about it with so much confidence.
There was a lot of things I could have said. It is just so ironic that the boy himself did not realize his own name (Isaiah, although it was spelled different than the standard way) came out of the Bible! I could have mentioned that. Like my mother suggested afterward, I could have said with a grin “Now come on. What did the Bible ever do to you to make you not like it?” Perhaps I could have said “Don't you realize that this is Vacation BIBLE School. What we do here is learn about the Bible?”
I decided to not make a big deal out of what he said. I knew from past experience that if I said too much to correct him in front of the other kids, they might tease him and treat him like an outsider. After all, nearly all of the other kids were both older and also attended church regularly. They understood that you should respect the Bible, although they themselves might not understand all of the reasons why. I wanted to preserve the family feeling of the group.
I turned to Isaiah. “Well, this week we'll be learning about Joseph. That is a really good story that comes out of the Bible. And there are many other very good stories in the Bible too that can teach us about all sorts of things. I like the Bible! I think you will, too, if you keep learning more about it.”
Then I simply continued with the lesson. I think my teenage helper got upset with the little boy or with me because of what happened, though. After that day, she didn't come back to help me. That's OK. I ended up getting another young man in the church to help our family group out.
As for little Isaiah... he is not from around here. Seems like his grandmother drove him and his cousins to church for this VBS. I am so thankful for her witness, because perhaps his parents are not being the witness that they should be to him, if they are Christian themselves.
Isaiah enjoyed the VBS. He walked around with the Egyptian collar, Egyptian hieroglyphic nametag, and headband he made very proudly. At the end of our first day together, I was surprised when he actually pulled out a Bible and looked at it as though it might be interesting. At the end of the third day, he went even farther. He opened it and turned the pages with a thoughtful look on his face. I'm sure he was wondering why everyone else kept telling him that it is an important book.
Unfortunately, he only came the first three days. I was planning to buy him a Children's Bible and give it to him on the last day, but since he never came back afterwards I never got a chance to do that. I was disappointed that I couldn't share more with him about God, about life, about wisdom, about hey everything! However, I have to remind myself that missions work is often like that. We simply plant the seeds, and we must move on before seeing the results. We only have to trust God that he will grant the increase.
At work today, a song came on the radio which said 'Life goes on, even though the thrill of living is long gone.' Hah. If you find yourself losing a sense of the excitement and mystery of life, then volunteer and do some quiet work to help others in the Lord's name. You will find that you too are blessed more than you could have ever imagined.
Galatians 6:9 (New International Version)
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."
Next blog: What this Missionary Eats (you WILL be surprised)
Monday, August 9, 2010
Missionary on a Bus
Currently I am over halfway towards raising my support! That is so exciting after two years of hard labor!!! I'm scheduled to leave January 2011 for Guinea-Bissau. However, I am under a lot of stress right now as I need to raise the rest of the financial support by the end of this month or else I cannot go. Like my mom says, leave it in the Lord's hands, though. Do your best, and let God do the rest.
Actually, I am a missionary right now. Like one of my spiritual mentors Pastor Leo (of CityFellowship Church in New York) says, “Really, all Christians are called to be missionaries, because everywhere you go you have a purpose for being there and a responsibility to share God's word with those around you, whoever they are.” He is full of nugget-sized bites of wisdom like that.
So here is a page from the 'Everyday Missionary' Handbook:
Saturday morning I was riding the bus. I had to ride the bus to complete my latest newsletter. You see, I have a computer at home, but the scanner was not working so I had to go to Fed Ex Kinko's downtown to use their scanner.
I was muttering something to myself as I was trying to edit the text of my newsletter on my lap as the bus lurched through town. I'm sure I was saying something like, “How did so many typos and spelling errors appear on this paper? I don't remember putting them there.”
Across from me two beautiful ladies sat down. They were both blonde, petite, and tall enough to be models. I noticed the young woman directly across from me with the gigantic mirror sunglasses had what looked like a Wiccan or Anarchy symbol around her neck. It was handmade, of wood and string. She had obviously spent a lot of time creating it.
I put down my missionary newsletter, and blinked very hard for a couple of minutes. I felt like I should say something to her, although at the same time I hesitated to do so. Wasn't she the type of popular girl who had been a bully to me early in life and beat me up (kicks, punches) in elementary school, wouldn't speak to me in high school, and refused to acknowledge my existence in college?
I suppose even now a part of me will always be a bit nervous to approach someone who reminds me of those unpleasant ugly duckling times in my life. I had to force myself to speak loudly enough to be heard. “Um, hello. Uh, what is that around your neck? I don't think I've ever seen that before.”
Unconsciously, I grabbed the small jade cross around my neck and held it up. I realized as I did this that I have perhaps never been so happy to wear a cross. I mean, it is yes just a symbol but it can be a very powerful one in situations like this. Silent witness.
The young lady sniffed at me as though everyone ought to know what it was. “It's a DREAMCATCHER. I made it myself.”
“Oh.” I said. “It really looks a lot like a star, for witchcraft. Or that anarchy symbol thingy. That's what I thought it was.” I kept thinking, why do I have to sound so stupid?
“NO, it's NOT,” said the young girl.
“Well, I just want you to know that a lot of people who see that would mistake it for something else.”
Not at all what I wanted to say, actually... that was a bit of a wimp-out.
“I didn't realize anybody might think that. It's not,” said the girl. “Just not,” she repeated, a little softer. Her friend stared at me with her mouth mainly open.
We rode in silence for about another ten minutes before my bus stop came up. I wondered if the young lady with the necklace was really telling me the truth. It looked like a clearly pagan symbol, not at all like the dreamcatchers I had seen before. Was she secretly playing with witchcraft or was she truly clueless about the powerful meaning of the symbol she wore so confidently? Maybe she just didn't realize the danger of toying with such things.
As I stood, I glanced over my should at the two young ladies again. “Hope you enjoy the rest of your day.” I said. I looked at the young lady with the sunglasses and the necklace again. “God bless you,” I said, slowly with calm power.
In response, she flashed a cold and fake smile, then shrugged her shoulders as if to say, 'go on, get out of here you crazy lady.' Well, maybe I am a bit crazy, but not in the way that she means. I love Jesus and I'm not afraid to be a Jesus freak.
I began to sing as I swung my arms and legs into action down the street. I really felt like our meeting was not by chance, there was a significance to it all. Why did she and her friend choose to sit near me in the front when they got on the bus? Why did I look up from my paper when I could have just kept my head buried in my notes the entire time ? I can't say whether I was successful or not, but I at least did plant a little seed in her heart. Sometimes people are not ready to receive a big truth in their lives yet. Also, sometimes people begin to walk with the dark side through small things that seem innocent at first.
I prayed for the two women as I walked to my destination. At the very least, it was an important reminder that some of the people who God places in my path – even here (in a part of the country perhaps a bit too addicted to not Christianity but empty ritualism of “Church”-ianity ) in West Michigan- do not know the Lord. We must never forget those who do not know the sweetness of our Jesus. Let's always remember those who have never had a chance to hear.
Let's Pray, send, or go to fulfill the Great Commission!!! The only other option is to be disobedient to the words of Jesus, when he told us, “Go ye therefore to EVERY NATION...”
Actually, I am a missionary right now. Like one of my spiritual mentors Pastor Leo (of CityFellowship Church in New York) says, “Really, all Christians are called to be missionaries, because everywhere you go you have a purpose for being there and a responsibility to share God's word with those around you, whoever they are.” He is full of nugget-sized bites of wisdom like that.
So here is a page from the 'Everyday Missionary' Handbook:
Saturday morning I was riding the bus. I had to ride the bus to complete my latest newsletter. You see, I have a computer at home, but the scanner was not working so I had to go to Fed Ex Kinko's downtown to use their scanner.
I was muttering something to myself as I was trying to edit the text of my newsletter on my lap as the bus lurched through town. I'm sure I was saying something like, “How did so many typos and spelling errors appear on this paper? I don't remember putting them there.”
Across from me two beautiful ladies sat down. They were both blonde, petite, and tall enough to be models. I noticed the young woman directly across from me with the gigantic mirror sunglasses had what looked like a Wiccan or Anarchy symbol around her neck. It was handmade, of wood and string. She had obviously spent a lot of time creating it.
I put down my missionary newsletter, and blinked very hard for a couple of minutes. I felt like I should say something to her, although at the same time I hesitated to do so. Wasn't she the type of popular girl who had been a bully to me early in life and beat me up (kicks, punches) in elementary school, wouldn't speak to me in high school, and refused to acknowledge my existence in college?
I suppose even now a part of me will always be a bit nervous to approach someone who reminds me of those unpleasant ugly duckling times in my life. I had to force myself to speak loudly enough to be heard. “Um, hello. Uh, what is that around your neck? I don't think I've ever seen that before.”
Unconsciously, I grabbed the small jade cross around my neck and held it up. I realized as I did this that I have perhaps never been so happy to wear a cross. I mean, it is yes just a symbol but it can be a very powerful one in situations like this. Silent witness.
The young lady sniffed at me as though everyone ought to know what it was. “It's a DREAMCATCHER. I made it myself.”
“Oh.” I said. “It really looks a lot like a star, for witchcraft. Or that anarchy symbol thingy. That's what I thought it was.” I kept thinking, why do I have to sound so stupid?
“NO, it's NOT,” said the young girl.
“Well, I just want you to know that a lot of people who see that would mistake it for something else.”
Not at all what I wanted to say, actually... that was a bit of a wimp-out.
“I didn't realize anybody might think that. It's not,” said the girl. “Just not,” she repeated, a little softer. Her friend stared at me with her mouth mainly open.
We rode in silence for about another ten minutes before my bus stop came up. I wondered if the young lady with the necklace was really telling me the truth. It looked like a clearly pagan symbol, not at all like the dreamcatchers I had seen before. Was she secretly playing with witchcraft or was she truly clueless about the powerful meaning of the symbol she wore so confidently? Maybe she just didn't realize the danger of toying with such things.
As I stood, I glanced over my should at the two young ladies again. “Hope you enjoy the rest of your day.” I said. I looked at the young lady with the sunglasses and the necklace again. “God bless you,” I said, slowly with calm power.
In response, she flashed a cold and fake smile, then shrugged her shoulders as if to say, 'go on, get out of here you crazy lady.' Well, maybe I am a bit crazy, but not in the way that she means. I love Jesus and I'm not afraid to be a Jesus freak.
I began to sing as I swung my arms and legs into action down the street. I really felt like our meeting was not by chance, there was a significance to it all. Why did she and her friend choose to sit near me in the front when they got on the bus? Why did I look up from my paper when I could have just kept my head buried in my notes the entire time ? I can't say whether I was successful or not, but I at least did plant a little seed in her heart. Sometimes people are not ready to receive a big truth in their lives yet. Also, sometimes people begin to walk with the dark side through small things that seem innocent at first.
I prayed for the two women as I walked to my destination. At the very least, it was an important reminder that some of the people who God places in my path – even here (in a part of the country perhaps a bit too addicted to not Christianity but empty ritualism of “Church”-ianity ) in West Michigan- do not know the Lord. We must never forget those who do not know the sweetness of our Jesus. Let's always remember those who have never had a chance to hear.
Let's Pray, send, or go to fulfill the Great Commission!!! The only other option is to be disobedient to the words of Jesus, when he told us, “Go ye therefore to EVERY NATION...”
Friday, July 23, 2010
Cool Down with a Missionary's (mostly godly) Top Ten+ Songs for Summer 2010!
Cool Down with a Missionary's (mostly godly) Top Ten+ Songs for Summer 2010!
You can hear most of these on YouTube, although perhaps not by the original singer:
1) “And I” Mary Mary Feat. Kirk Franklin. This is my Jam!!! Just heard it recently. Total Gospel, nice jazzy/oldschool vibe. Of course a song by Kirk Franklin will be in #1. And with Mary Mary? Ya can't lose.
2) “No Looking Back” by Damita. I have gone through a lot of pain in my past. I have come a long way, but still there is farther still to go. Do you need to chill out? This song will keep you cool!
3) “Hear my prayer” by Sandra Van Opstal. Looking at a past which is filled with sometimes so much pain and brokenness, the evil one may attempt to drag you down into depression. But pain and sorrow can be a source of strength. Whenever we face pain, we should feel an increase in our hunger for God and turn to Him. Songs from URBANA '09 are practically all solid gold. Just buy the CD!
4) It's a tie, from the same CD! Classic smooth South African medley plus a dance vibe: “Hakuna Mungu Kama Wewe.” When I am down, this song never fails to encourage me: “I Have a Hope” by Tim Rathjen & Ryan Cook. From URBANA '09. Perfect song to follow #3.
5) “Take My Life/Holiness” by Micah Stampley. Reworked instant classic of one of my favorite hymns, and the only reason it's not higher is because I have heard it so many times. Live his song “War Cry” too!
6) “Sunshine Girl” by Moumoon. OK, this one only is not really gospel, it is Japanese pop (J-pop). But I like how I feel sunshine-y and bright on the inside after I listen to it, completely optimistic and hopeful.
7) “Mighty to Save” by Hillsong. One young man that I knew here in town, who played the guitar very well, died tragically in a car accident. When he led worship in his church, he loved this song. We sang it at his funeral and everybody cried buckets and buckets. This remains a very special song for me. Sometimes we forget about the wonder-working power of the Lord.
8) “From the Inside Out” by Hillsong. I want to love God more, each time I hear this song.
9) “Resurrection” by Nicol Sponberg. Ever new, ever touching. Not many songs you can listen to twenty times a day and still have a fresh experience.
10) “The Best in Me” by (Pastor) Marvin Sapp. This song is too emotional for me, that's why I can't listen to it that often. Pastor Sapp is a local gospel artist, who also makes powerful music which goes worldwide as well.
11) “Now Behold the Lamb” by Kirk Franklin. The final scene from the film entitled “The Gospel.” There is a version I have on CD without the talking on it, that's awesome. I have played it so much I feel a bit burned-out by it now, that is why it isn't a higher number.
12) “Imagine Me” by Kirk Franklin. Actually, this is probably one of the best gospel song written during my lifetime. Why #12 here? Well, again it is probably such an emotional song for me. It can bring you to tears, also make you overflow with joy when you think of how far the Lord has brought you, brought us to unbelievable victory through his undying, unbelievable, ever amazing grace.
You can hear most of these on YouTube, although perhaps not by the original singer:
1) “And I” Mary Mary Feat. Kirk Franklin. This is my Jam!!! Just heard it recently. Total Gospel, nice jazzy/oldschool vibe. Of course a song by Kirk Franklin will be in #1. And with Mary Mary? Ya can't lose.
2) “No Looking Back” by Damita. I have gone through a lot of pain in my past. I have come a long way, but still there is farther still to go. Do you need to chill out? This song will keep you cool!
3) “Hear my prayer” by Sandra Van Opstal. Looking at a past which is filled with sometimes so much pain and brokenness, the evil one may attempt to drag you down into depression. But pain and sorrow can be a source of strength. Whenever we face pain, we should feel an increase in our hunger for God and turn to Him. Songs from URBANA '09 are practically all solid gold. Just buy the CD!
4) It's a tie, from the same CD! Classic smooth South African medley plus a dance vibe: “Hakuna Mungu Kama Wewe.” When I am down, this song never fails to encourage me: “I Have a Hope” by Tim Rathjen & Ryan Cook. From URBANA '09. Perfect song to follow #3.
5) “Take My Life/Holiness” by Micah Stampley. Reworked instant classic of one of my favorite hymns, and the only reason it's not higher is because I have heard it so many times. Live his song “War Cry” too!
6) “Sunshine Girl” by Moumoon. OK, this one only is not really gospel, it is Japanese pop (J-pop). But I like how I feel sunshine-y and bright on the inside after I listen to it, completely optimistic and hopeful.
7) “Mighty to Save” by Hillsong. One young man that I knew here in town, who played the guitar very well, died tragically in a car accident. When he led worship in his church, he loved this song. We sang it at his funeral and everybody cried buckets and buckets. This remains a very special song for me. Sometimes we forget about the wonder-working power of the Lord.
8) “From the Inside Out” by Hillsong. I want to love God more, each time I hear this song.
9) “Resurrection” by Nicol Sponberg. Ever new, ever touching. Not many songs you can listen to twenty times a day and still have a fresh experience.
10) “The Best in Me” by (Pastor) Marvin Sapp. This song is too emotional for me, that's why I can't listen to it that often. Pastor Sapp is a local gospel artist, who also makes powerful music which goes worldwide as well.
11) “Now Behold the Lamb” by Kirk Franklin. The final scene from the film entitled “The Gospel.” There is a version I have on CD without the talking on it, that's awesome. I have played it so much I feel a bit burned-out by it now, that is why it isn't a higher number.
12) “Imagine Me” by Kirk Franklin. Actually, this is probably one of the best gospel song written during my lifetime. Why #12 here? Well, again it is probably such an emotional song for me. It can bring you to tears, also make you overflow with joy when you think of how far the Lord has brought you, brought us to unbelievable victory through his undying, unbelievable, ever amazing grace.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Sadness and Surprises
Dear Prayer Warriors,
Thank you for continuing to lift me up in prayer.
July 13 is always the most sorrowful day on the calendar for me. My beloved grandmother Momma Nell died on that date 2005. Also, my cousin who died in Germany as a result of wounds he sustained in Iraq passed away on that exact date one year later.
I like to take a retreat at that time if I can. This year I went to the Franciscan Life Process Center in Lowell (http://www.lifeprocesscenter.org/) for one day. There is a wonderful nature trail there. I could relax while watching the butterflies, and I even got to see a mother turkey in the blackberry bushes! It was very funny, actually.
The momma turkey saw me and with a lot of noise and wing-flapping ran off into the trees. She anxiously looked back to see if I would follow. I just watched her though. Then to my surprise, her little chick came out of the bushes onto the path to stare at me. It wasn't really afraid, however it did decide it would be a good idea to hide. However, it was too young to know what it was doing.
It walked directly into the path, sat down with its backside showing, then buried its face in some leaves. Um, everybody can still see you there, silly little turkey! Hee hee.
The following day, the Japanese Ambassador visited town and I was able to give him a copy of my self-published poetry book. (Yes, I write haiku and sometimes longer poems every now and then).
On Friday, I had a college friend visit town all the way from Denver, Colorado because she was attending a family reunion. I suppose this has been a week of unexpected blessings. God has really managed to distract me from the normal sadness and stress of this time.
July 25 I am planning a visit to speak at a Detroit church. Also there is a prospective African-American recruit who I hope to meet there who may also be interested in becoming a missionary.
Well, I am continuing to do all I can to raise the needed support. My deadline to raise the support was supposed to be July 31, however I have been given a grace period to at least August. Please continue to pray for an increase in my monthly support. If you have any suggestions for me, let me know.
May everyone who reads this be greatly blessed!
God's peace,
Neesy E.
Thank you for continuing to lift me up in prayer.
July 13 is always the most sorrowful day on the calendar for me. My beloved grandmother Momma Nell died on that date 2005. Also, my cousin who died in Germany as a result of wounds he sustained in Iraq passed away on that exact date one year later.
I like to take a retreat at that time if I can. This year I went to the Franciscan Life Process Center in Lowell (http://www.lifeprocesscenter.org/) for one day. There is a wonderful nature trail there. I could relax while watching the butterflies, and I even got to see a mother turkey in the blackberry bushes! It was very funny, actually.
The momma turkey saw me and with a lot of noise and wing-flapping ran off into the trees. She anxiously looked back to see if I would follow. I just watched her though. Then to my surprise, her little chick came out of the bushes onto the path to stare at me. It wasn't really afraid, however it did decide it would be a good idea to hide. However, it was too young to know what it was doing.
It walked directly into the path, sat down with its backside showing, then buried its face in some leaves. Um, everybody can still see you there, silly little turkey! Hee hee.
The following day, the Japanese Ambassador visited town and I was able to give him a copy of my self-published poetry book. (Yes, I write haiku and sometimes longer poems every now and then).
On Friday, I had a college friend visit town all the way from Denver, Colorado because she was attending a family reunion. I suppose this has been a week of unexpected blessings. God has really managed to distract me from the normal sadness and stress of this time.
July 25 I am planning a visit to speak at a Detroit church. Also there is a prospective African-American recruit who I hope to meet there who may also be interested in becoming a missionary.
Well, I am continuing to do all I can to raise the needed support. My deadline to raise the support was supposed to be July 31, however I have been given a grace period to at least August. Please continue to pray for an increase in my monthly support. If you have any suggestions for me, let me know.
May everyone who reads this be greatly blessed!
God's peace,
Neesy E.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
I'm an African-American Missionary, headed Overseas Y'all
Hello out there,
You can call me Neesy. I am a Christian missionary who is preparing to go overseas for the next two and a half or three years. Right now, there are several locations we are considering. I hope to go to Guinea-Bisseau in West Africa.
You may be wondering why I would want to give up years of my life to do the hard work of translating 50 to 70 Bible Stories into the language of a people group who don't have the Scriptures yet. (And to do it all for free on top of that, too!)
Well, let me tell you my story. When I was born, my mother was only 18 years old and she had just graduated from high school a few months ago! Of course, she was a bit too young to really know how to raise a child.
I'm very thankful that I grew up in the house of her mother and father, my maternal grandparents, who helped to raise me. I am also blessed because I come from a very large family. My mother is the youngest of fourteen children, and all of my aunt and uncles (except for two) live in the same town here in Michigan. My mom and I really needed a lot of help growing up, and all of these relatives pitched in to help raise me.
All of this made a big impression on me growing up. I knew from a young age that my ability to go to school, the food I ate, and the clothes of my back all existed because many other people had sacrificed for me. I had a burning desire to help other people the same way that I had been helped.
Despite many struggles with due to money problem and a difficult home environment at times due to my alcoholic father, I studied hard and was able to go to Amherst College in Massachusetts. I spent my junior year abroad studying Japanese in the AKP Program at Doshisha University in Kyoto. I enjoyed Japan and returned to Japan for the next three years to teach English in the small city of Kumano.
I was there when the tragedy of 9/11 happened. My response to that act of terrorism was to do something for world peace. Together with about twenty other colleagues who were teaching English in Japan, I went to Vietnam in 2001 and 2002 to do volunteer work. As America had gone to war with Vietnam in the past, I wanted to be a part of the healing process for that nation.
My students got involved. They made Christmas cards and donated clothes, toys, and books, pens, and paper. In Vietnam, we gave away these items at one-day clinics we set up in the countryside, orphanages, hospitals, schools, a nursing home, and even a leprosy village. To my surprise, one of the most popular things that we gave away in Vietnam were the pens!
I got involved with this work for my students, but I discovered the one who was the most changed by this experience was me. It changed my life. I truly realized how many needs there are in so-called Third World country. Still, I felt there was a great need for someone to do even more. I wanted to do more to help people not just for a short time with material things but also for eternity... only I did not know how I could do that.
In 2003, I moved back to Michigan. My grandmother began to be very sickly. I became one of her main caretakers. For the last two years of her life, I spent a lot of time caring for her.
When she passed away, I again felt the Lord was calling me to do something worldwide to help other people in the same way that she had helped me. That's when a good friend of mine from college recommended that I consider becoming a missionary.
After spending two years praying and making sure that this was truly what God wanted me to do with my life, I decided that I would become a missionary. So that is how I came to where I am today.
However, I am very much in need of prayer and monthly financial support. Can you pray for me? Please send me a message to tell me that you can do so. Are you able to send me a financial gift? Then please contact me and I can give you more information about how you can support me. My deadline to raise 100% of my monthly support is by the end of August. Please help me to go and give God's word to those who do not understand it well because they cannot hear it in their own language.
Thank you for reading this little message. I pray that you will be blessed. God's peace to you, wherever you are.
Neesy
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