A Little, Dead Cat

I am not sure how … but I learned a lesson from a dead cat today. I remember I even posted recently how God can use everything to teach, encourage, or rebuke us. I guess I literally did not think He would use everything.

I was driving to work, and I saw a wet, dead cat in the middle of the road. I was surprised that I felt bad for that little cat. I’m not a cat person – at all. After a childhood trauma with cats – and severe allergies – I tend to really not like them.

But today, I was thinking about that cat … and I realized it was sad. That cat probably belonged to someone. It probably had a name … a personality … it maybe even did funny tricks. Someone is probably looking for it … or knows what happened and has to explain it to their kids. Some kid this morning might have found out their beloved Fluffy is no more.

And that’s sad.

I think about if it was Giselle that people were driving by … and tears begin to well up.

It made me realize that everyone matters to someone. People I don’t like, people I don’t agree with, murderers, terrorists – when things happen to them, they still had someone who loved them. It is always a tragedy for someone. Maybe not me, maybe not even the majority of people – but for one person, it could still be a tragedy.

I pray that little cat’s family find healing and maybe even a new cat to love.

Release of Rights

We live in a world full of rights. Our particular culture is one in which we take pride in our rights. As a matter of fact, the rights of individuals are in our Constitution. As we see the demand for individual rights increase, we see much of the moral fiber of our society decrease. Jesus laid down His right to comfort, His right to authority, His right to be recognized as good and wise and all-knowing. He became a man so that He could serve, not be served. For this trip, I want to lay down many of the privileges to which I have grown accustomed. These rights may seem entirely reasonable, but on a mission trip, insistence on them can cause dissension.

So while in Africa, I give up my right to ...

A comfortable bed.
Having three meals a day.
Having familiar food.
Dressing fashionably.
Try to control others.
Try to control my circumstances.
Having pleasant circumstances circumstances.
Taking up offense.
Being successful.
Being understood.
Being heard.
Being right.

I give God permission to do anything He wishes in me, with me, through me, by me, or to me for the purpose of glorifying Him.

Journey to Africa - Part II

God has been working on my heart preparing for this trip. It’s already May, and I can’t believe it!

People have been very generous in offering support, both prayer and financial provision! So thank you for that!

Two exciting doors have opened. First, my church is sponsoring me on the trip (again, both financially and in prayer). I was very excited to hear that. It feels great having your home church behind you when taking on this mission. They have been wonderful. I have logistical training available and debriefing when I return – both of which I fully intend to take up on.

For logistical training, we talk about passports, health insurance, shots, what to pack, what to wear, how much luggage is allowed, emergency phone numbers to take, copies of all important documents, a few politeness words in Swahili, and being prepared a little ahead so I’m not up half the night (right) before a long trip and can spend quality time with Brent.

For debriefing, we talk about what it is, how the team should do it a little every day on the trip, doing it at the end both as a team and with national partners and then debriefing with people at home (which I struggled with the most after my trip to Mexico in college).

Second, our first deadline for payment was pushed back. I felt like that was God give me a little nudge of encouragement – because I seriously had nothing. I was talking with Brent one night, and I was so sad. I honestly felt like maybe God was closing the door (by not allowing me to have the means to pay for the first deposit), but Brent encouraged me to push through. Then I found out the date had been pushed back. What a blessing an encouraging husband is!

So – thank you for your prayers, and keep them up!

A Day of Denim

Peace Over Violence has announced the Annual 2010 Denim Day to be TOMORROW, April 21st, 2010! This is a campaign to raise awareness and educate the public about rape and sexual assault ...

Want the back story?

In 1998, an Italian Supreme Court decision overturned a rape conviction because the victim wore jeans, reasoning she must have helped her attacker remove them. People all over the world were outraged. Wearing jeans became an international symbol of protest against erroneous and destructive attitudes about sexual assault.

Unfortunately, I know first hand that there are many destructive attitudes about sexual assault. You've probably heard them before: it was their fault, they asked for it, they wanted it, they could have stopped it ... the list goes on and on.

Tomorrow, wear denim and show the world that sexual assault has many victims - every age, race, gender, and background.

Someone you might not expect could very well have been a victim ... or an aggressor.

Thanks for your support!

Journey to Africa - Part I

"Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature." Mark 16:15

So, we can officially share the news: I will be going on a mission trip this summer to Kenya, Africa. We have been praying about this for ... what seems like forever ... and God has given us both peace AND JOY with this decision. We are excited for the opportunity I have - and I am getting to do something I've always dreamed about.

As for what we're doing ... we will be: visiting the school in Turkwel, spending some time with the kids, meeting sponsored children, and hosting a celebration rally; visiting a former peace rally site, maybe even a new one; breaking ground and beginning to build the 2 dormitories for the orphans in Kapenguria - each will hold 25-30 children (we hope to build one for the boys, and one for the girls); scouting out a place for a clinic, as well as educating pregnant moms & children; looking for some new cottage businesses, like sewing to create some sustaining income; and of course, passing out Bibles!

I will personally be lugging over a lot of dresses my Bible study has been making to deliver to the orphanage ... so we are all really excited for the hand-delivery.

Thank you for all your prayers. God is faithful, and we cannot wait to see what He will do on this journey.

I would love continued prayer as I begin making all the necessary plans (which unfortunately includes a-heck-of-a-lot of shots), and I will update as I progress in the upcoming steps!

"How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of Jesus!" Isaiah 52:7

My Last Words

I was reading through 2 Timothy, and I read this passage:

"For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day — and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing." 2 Timothy 4:6-8

When I read those words, my heart skipped a beat. I want those to be my last words, my final breath, my closing argument. To have lived a life fighting the good fight and keeping the faith - nothing seems more encouraging. To know that you will soon be getting your crown of righteousness - from the LORD Himself - seems exhilarating, a dream come true. But more than that - leaving the legacy of hope in Christ to those that follow after me - seems more important that anything else.

This world is cruel. I don't see it getting any more pleasant as time passes. I want my children and my children's children to have the same hope I do - even in their trying times. Just like my parents have passed down their love, hope, and faith - I am responsible to continue it on.

It has to be me who leaves the legacy of hope and faith.

So I surely hope that I do.

A Great Testimony

I often hear about people who are ashamed of their testimony. For some reason, they hate to share it because they feel like it's 'too bad,' or they desperately wish that they had come to know Christ sooner in their life - so as to avoid said 'bad' events.

However, while I was reading my Bible today, I stumbled across this encouraging passage:

"Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners - of whom I am the worst. But FOR THAT VERY REASON I was shown mercy so that IN ME, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display His IMMENSE patience as an example for those who would believe in Him and receive an eternal life." 1 Timothy 1:15-16

God uses our lives, however imperfect they are, for His glory. Paul is one of the most well-known conversion stories in the Bible ... if God can use his life (AND his past), He can certainly use ours. I don't know of many people in my community who are persecuting, murdering, and imprisoning Christians. Paul considered himself the worst of sinners ... and yet he understood his life's and past's purpose: to bring glory to God and to bring others to know Him.

Look back at your past with awe ... and reverence. The God of the universe sees our worst mistakes and forgives them. He's cast them as far as the east is from the west.

So share on ...