One of the things I feel like God has been teaching me on this trip (among many things) is that all along, from the very first visit I made here to Kenya so many years ago and even before that, God had a plan and it is much bigger and more beautiful than anything I could have ever dreamed up on my own. He gave me the opportunity to form a bond with the people of this area, develop a love and a burden for the women in desperate situations, and play a small part in helping to bring about change, restoration, and hope in their lives.
Yesterday, I had a meeting with some key people in Masii. We were able to take part in a conversation that begins to flesh out this vision for bringing hope to the hopeless, especially the women who are most broken and desperate.
As it turns out, Mary, one of the ladies that I first met here in Masii on my first visit, has been carrying the same burden and around the same time that I felt God stirring in me to move forward, she was even experiencing the same. Mary is a very savvy business woman and she now owns and operates the newest and largest hotel and restaurant in town. I remember her as the first person to be the cook for our Vision Trip teams when we came here. At that time, she owned a very small restaurant in town. To see her now, it is clear that her good business sense has paid off handsomely. Come to find out, it is this same Mary who has been feeling broken hearted for the poorest of the poor in her community—the street kids, the outcast women, the prostitutes. She has out of her own resources been helping to feed and clothe and encourage these same people, and has been praying and looking for ways to involve others to participate and bring hope and healing to “the least of these.”
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Thursday, April 28, 2011
Relationships 101
There are many reasons why we choose to call these visits a “Vision” Trip as opposed to a “Mission” Trip; the primary difference being that while we may be on a ‘mission’ so to speak, i.e., there are tasks we hope to complete while we are here, it is more important that we form strong, healthy relationships with our ministry partners here in Kenya and help friends back home catch the vision for the work being done.
For the task-oriented, highly efficient, go-go-go Western mindset, being in Kenya can be incredibly challenging, frustrating, or even discouraging. We want to come in and fix the problems quickly, get the job done, and move on… but that just isn’t the African way. It isn’t about the programs, it isn’t about the organization, and it isn’t even about the many different things that have been accomplished. This trip- in fact, this whole ministry- is all about relationships.
How we relate to each other, to our partners here and abroad, the communities we seek to serve and even how we relate to God… all of these relationships shape and impact our effectiveness in ministry. Certainly as men and women of faith, our primary relationship must be to God—if that one is broken or in need of attention, every other relationship will suffer in varying degrees. [Side note: I do not claim to be anything but a work in progress, and certainly struggle in some areas more than others…as anyone who knows me can attest to; but I am also covered in grace, and only hope I can extend the same to those around me.]
Because our small team of 3 is here at the same time as another Vision Trip team of 5, we are splitting the work and they are taking the majority of the home visits while we provide updated information on the kids at camp. I am grateful for that opportunity and just really glad that we could serve this way. Normally, I spend much of my time here on home visits, which has always been my favorite part of the trip. Something about connecting with the families on their home turf, learning first hand of their needs, praying with them and helping in some small yet significant way is very grounding for me personally. We did get to visit each of our sponsored kids’ homes yesterday, and it was remarkable!
Spending the last few days at the camp, I have been able to spend some time reconnecting with the staff here in Masii and am constantly amazed by the amount of work they do, day in and day out. Even a relatively simple task such as getting updates from the kids that we can send to their sponsors is a monumental undertaking—and has the potential to be very frustrating. But it has also proven to be a wonderful chance to see each and every child who is here this week, greet them, love on them, play with them, and marvel at how much they have grown—sometimes marvel that they are alive, even thriving, knowing how desperate their situations were prior to Tumaini. In the process I have also had the joy of sharing tea and working alongside my Kenyan brothers and sisters, as well as the friends I traveled with from the US. I have felt less like a tour guide on this trip, and instead have felt truly like a partner. It’s awesome. I have laughed a lot, and have slept well knowing that the day was well spent.
Last night we all had the chance to join in on a local cell group (small group Bible study held in someone’s home) and it was perfect. It was truly heaven on earth! One of the ladies, Maureen, shared with us how much it means to them to have visitors from the US come and spend time here in Masii, how much they love us and pray for us. She told us how blessed they feel that we care for them, and how much it hurts when we go back home. I was deeply touched to hear this, and I know that all too soon I will have to say goodbye again, and it’s just going to suck—for me and for them. But I can also cherish the fact that we are crying because the relationships formed here are real, that hearts are being touched, and that lives are being changed. What’s not to love about that?
For the task-oriented, highly efficient, go-go-go Western mindset, being in Kenya can be incredibly challenging, frustrating, or even discouraging. We want to come in and fix the problems quickly, get the job done, and move on… but that just isn’t the African way. It isn’t about the programs, it isn’t about the organization, and it isn’t even about the many different things that have been accomplished. This trip- in fact, this whole ministry- is all about relationships.
How we relate to each other, to our partners here and abroad, the communities we seek to serve and even how we relate to God… all of these relationships shape and impact our effectiveness in ministry. Certainly as men and women of faith, our primary relationship must be to God—if that one is broken or in need of attention, every other relationship will suffer in varying degrees. [Side note: I do not claim to be anything but a work in progress, and certainly struggle in some areas more than others…as anyone who knows me can attest to; but I am also covered in grace, and only hope I can extend the same to those around me.]
Because our small team of 3 is here at the same time as another Vision Trip team of 5, we are splitting the work and they are taking the majority of the home visits while we provide updated information on the kids at camp. I am grateful for that opportunity and just really glad that we could serve this way. Normally, I spend much of my time here on home visits, which has always been my favorite part of the trip. Something about connecting with the families on their home turf, learning first hand of their needs, praying with them and helping in some small yet significant way is very grounding for me personally. We did get to visit each of our sponsored kids’ homes yesterday, and it was remarkable!
Spending the last few days at the camp, I have been able to spend some time reconnecting with the staff here in Masii and am constantly amazed by the amount of work they do, day in and day out. Even a relatively simple task such as getting updates from the kids that we can send to their sponsors is a monumental undertaking—and has the potential to be very frustrating. But it has also proven to be a wonderful chance to see each and every child who is here this week, greet them, love on them, play with them, and marvel at how much they have grown—sometimes marvel that they are alive, even thriving, knowing how desperate their situations were prior to Tumaini. In the process I have also had the joy of sharing tea and working alongside my Kenyan brothers and sisters, as well as the friends I traveled with from the US. I have felt less like a tour guide on this trip, and instead have felt truly like a partner. It’s awesome. I have laughed a lot, and have slept well knowing that the day was well spent.
Last night we all had the chance to join in on a local cell group (small group Bible study held in someone’s home) and it was perfect. It was truly heaven on earth! One of the ladies, Maureen, shared with us how much it means to them to have visitors from the US come and spend time here in Masii, how much they love us and pray for us. She told us how blessed they feel that we care for them, and how much it hurts when we go back home. I was deeply touched to hear this, and I know that all too soon I will have to say goodbye again, and it’s just going to suck—for me and for them. But I can also cherish the fact that we are crying because the relationships formed here are real, that hearts are being touched, and that lives are being changed. What’s not to love about that?
Pause: Pray: Go
It’s hard to believe it’s only Day 4 in Kenya. It’s just Monday, after all! Granted, there were two days of travel including one l-o-n-g layover in Amsterdam that make it feel like I’ve been away from home forever. The combination of jet lag, lack of sleep, and being thrust into a new group of people does have an impact on what I’ve come to know as “normal.” Add to that being unplugged from hockey (IT’S THE PLAYOFFS!), my BlackBerry, Facebook, Twitter… it’s just weird.
It feels like in many ways, life as I know it has been paused.
Maybe that’s not such a bad thing.
And so, I pause.
I pause because sometimes stepping back from “normal” is the only way to see how much I’ve been missing. I like to think of it as God’s way of inviting me to review, reevaluate, and maybe reset the trajectory of my life.
I’ve been taking this same mission trip for many years, and even though many things are the same (i.e., typical tourist days, rural church service, camp, home visits, etc.) it’s always different, always a unique experience. No matter how many times I go to camp and see hundreds of beautiful, precious, funny and amazing kids, it is always wonderful to spend even just a little bit of time with them. It reminds me to be truly grateful for all that I have and all that I have seen and done, every experience and learning opportunity. No matter how many home visits I go on, how many times I hear the same silly jokes about Idi Amin and the Queen of England, or ride together on impossible roads, or hear little kids yell out “MZUNGU!” (“WHITE PERSON!”) while giggling and waving frantically, or share a lovingly prepared meal with men and women who are built of stronger stuff and greater faith than me, I am challenged, amazed, overwhelmed and blessed. It challenges me to love people more fully and authentically, even and especially those who think differently than me. I find that the muscles of faith and humility that I have allowed to atrophy are almost instantly revived, and my prayer life receives the kick-start it has so desperately needed. I pray, and ask God to take my life and create in me a clean heart and a good spirit. I want my eyes open, my heart broken, and my life to be a pleasant offering of goodness and peace.
Tomorrow, I will get to go and see my “son” and spend some time visiting with him and his mother at their home. I am so excited, and I can’t wait to give them a little something. Until then, though, I remain on pause. I see already that there is a LOT of work yet to do in me.
It feels like in many ways, life as I know it has been paused.
Maybe that’s not such a bad thing.
And so, I pause.
I pause because sometimes stepping back from “normal” is the only way to see how much I’ve been missing. I like to think of it as God’s way of inviting me to review, reevaluate, and maybe reset the trajectory of my life.
I’ve been taking this same mission trip for many years, and even though many things are the same (i.e., typical tourist days, rural church service, camp, home visits, etc.) it’s always different, always a unique experience. No matter how many times I go to camp and see hundreds of beautiful, precious, funny and amazing kids, it is always wonderful to spend even just a little bit of time with them. It reminds me to be truly grateful for all that I have and all that I have seen and done, every experience and learning opportunity. No matter how many home visits I go on, how many times I hear the same silly jokes about Idi Amin and the Queen of England, or ride together on impossible roads, or hear little kids yell out “MZUNGU!” (“WHITE PERSON!”) while giggling and waving frantically, or share a lovingly prepared meal with men and women who are built of stronger stuff and greater faith than me, I am challenged, amazed, overwhelmed and blessed. It challenges me to love people more fully and authentically, even and especially those who think differently than me. I find that the muscles of faith and humility that I have allowed to atrophy are almost instantly revived, and my prayer life receives the kick-start it has so desperately needed. I pray, and ask God to take my life and create in me a clean heart and a good spirit. I want my eyes open, my heart broken, and my life to be a pleasant offering of goodness and peace.
Tomorrow, I will get to go and see my “son” and spend some time visiting with him and his mother at their home. I am so excited, and I can’t wait to give them a little something. Until then, though, I remain on pause. I see already that there is a LOT of work yet to do in me.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Opportunities- Missed and Otherwise
Do you ever wonder how many opportunities you are presented with throughout any given day? I suspect that there are many more than we tend to realize. I know that when I am going through my day on auto-pilot it takes something unusual, extraordinary, or annoying to catch my attention. Today it was something in the "Annoying" category that made me think twice and recalibrate.
It was just minutes before my lunch break, and I was getting really, really hungry. All I could picture was a fat, juicy, ridiculously oversized burger and a pint of cold beer (for medicinal purposes). I imagined spending an hour in a relaxed little sports bar, some funny old dudes talking crap with the bartender and a few guys in dress shirts wearing their ties over the shoulder. Maybe a couple of guys with tattoos having a smoke on the patio. You know, a little slice of heaven in the middle of a work day. That was what I pictured. My reality? A bit different...
After navigating my way through a construction zone to access the parking lot, I went to check out a little sports bar that I hadn't been to and anticipated my fat burger and cold beer. On my way in, saw a guy on the patio with tats and smoke. (Check) Inside, lots of funny old guys around the bar chatting it up. A couple of booths and tables with dress shirt guys, some ties over the shoulder, some braving the bbq sauce with wild abandon. (Check, check) I found a stool near the back and watched some hockey and waited for the server to come take my order. Mmm, burger. Mmm, beer. The waitress came to deliver a pitcher to the table of dress shirts next to me; didn't acknowledge me. OK, I thought, I'm sure she'll be right back. She came back to the shirts with a pizza, and promptly left again-- still not acknowledging my presence. The shirts, at least they noticed me. Finally little Miss Can't Be Bothered came over and said, "Did you want something?" Um, really? I would have probably opened with, "Hi, what can I get for you?" instead of assuming that my sole purpose for coming there at lunch hour was to NOT eat or drink anything. But hey, that's just me. I sucked up my growing irritation and said "Yes, I would love a burger and a beer." "Oh, we don't make burgers," she said before rattling off some lame sandwiches and closing with a vaguely insincere "Sorry." I politely excused myself and thanked her for her time (ok-- that may have been vaguely insincere) and went back on my quest, annoyed and hungry.
Battling back through safety cones and torn up streets, I headed back towards the office wondering what to eat. I obviously wasn't going to have time for a beer now, which was fine. Probably for the best. At last and after a mini-meltdown in the car prompted by hunger and raging PMS, I pulled into the In-n-Out and found a parking space (small miracle in itself). #2, no onions, Diet Coke w/lemon. A different slice of heaven, and it was just fine. As I was finishing off my burger, a very dirty, very weathered homeless man came and quietly sat at the table next to me. I watched people in the restaurant look at him with unbridled disgust, and it hurt my heart. "How're ya doin'?" I asked him. He looked at me and just shook his head. I didn't have a response for that. I nibbled some fries, two at a time (it's my thing) and sent up a silent little prayer. God, what do you want me to do? I gathered up my trash and my purse, asked the gentleman if he had ordered yet-- he just shook his head. "May I buy your lunch?" I offered, and he quietly said "Thank you, Miss." I went and placed his order, returned and gave him the receipt and a cup. "Here you go- you're order #4, so when they call your number go ahead and pick it up. I'll let you get your own drink, okay? Take care, brother." He whispered another thank you, and I went back to the office.
Seems to me the opportunity to feed a hungry old man and show a bit of kindness trumps a cold beer in the middle of my work day. I wonder how many other opportunities I have missed each day by not stopping to just look around and see? At least this one didn't slip by unnoticed.
It was just minutes before my lunch break, and I was getting really, really hungry. All I could picture was a fat, juicy, ridiculously oversized burger and a pint of cold beer (for medicinal purposes). I imagined spending an hour in a relaxed little sports bar, some funny old dudes talking crap with the bartender and a few guys in dress shirts wearing their ties over the shoulder. Maybe a couple of guys with tattoos having a smoke on the patio. You know, a little slice of heaven in the middle of a work day. That was what I pictured. My reality? A bit different...
After navigating my way through a construction zone to access the parking lot, I went to check out a little sports bar that I hadn't been to and anticipated my fat burger and cold beer. On my way in, saw a guy on the patio with tats and smoke. (Check) Inside, lots of funny old guys around the bar chatting it up. A couple of booths and tables with dress shirt guys, some ties over the shoulder, some braving the bbq sauce with wild abandon. (Check, check) I found a stool near the back and watched some hockey and waited for the server to come take my order. Mmm, burger. Mmm, beer. The waitress came to deliver a pitcher to the table of dress shirts next to me; didn't acknowledge me. OK, I thought, I'm sure she'll be right back. She came back to the shirts with a pizza, and promptly left again-- still not acknowledging my presence. The shirts, at least they noticed me. Finally little Miss Can't Be Bothered came over and said, "Did you want something?" Um, really? I would have probably opened with, "Hi, what can I get for you?" instead of assuming that my sole purpose for coming there at lunch hour was to NOT eat or drink anything. But hey, that's just me. I sucked up my growing irritation and said "Yes, I would love a burger and a beer." "Oh, we don't make burgers," she said before rattling off some lame sandwiches and closing with a vaguely insincere "Sorry." I politely excused myself and thanked her for her time (ok-- that may have been vaguely insincere) and went back on my quest, annoyed and hungry.
Battling back through safety cones and torn up streets, I headed back towards the office wondering what to eat. I obviously wasn't going to have time for a beer now, which was fine. Probably for the best. At last and after a mini-meltdown in the car prompted by hunger and raging PMS, I pulled into the In-n-Out and found a parking space (small miracle in itself). #2, no onions, Diet Coke w/lemon. A different slice of heaven, and it was just fine. As I was finishing off my burger, a very dirty, very weathered homeless man came and quietly sat at the table next to me. I watched people in the restaurant look at him with unbridled disgust, and it hurt my heart. "How're ya doin'?" I asked him. He looked at me and just shook his head. I didn't have a response for that. I nibbled some fries, two at a time (it's my thing) and sent up a silent little prayer. God, what do you want me to do? I gathered up my trash and my purse, asked the gentleman if he had ordered yet-- he just shook his head. "May I buy your lunch?" I offered, and he quietly said "Thank you, Miss." I went and placed his order, returned and gave him the receipt and a cup. "Here you go- you're order #4, so when they call your number go ahead and pick it up. I'll let you get your own drink, okay? Take care, brother." He whispered another thank you, and I went back to the office.
Seems to me the opportunity to feed a hungry old man and show a bit of kindness trumps a cold beer in the middle of my work day. I wonder how many other opportunities I have missed each day by not stopping to just look around and see? At least this one didn't slip by unnoticed.
Monday, March 7, 2011
There's No Crying in Hockey
The omens were bad before the puck ever dropped last night in Anaheim.
For starters, I mistakenly gave away my only pair of seats for the Ducks v Canucks game (I usually have 2 pairs-- I will blame this on a Blonde Moment). In an effort to save face, I purchased another pair before my buddy arrived but could not get seats in my normal section. Instead, we were about the only two Ducks fans in our new section, which wasn't hard to do in a stadium boasting a good 60-75% Vancouver fans... actual Vancouver fans, from Canada, as opposed to the typical bandwagon fans that come to town to watch a hot team. Gratefully, the majority of 'nucks around us were good natured and just being (loudly) supportive of their team. Only a few were complete tools- you could easily slip a Kings, Sharks, or Red Wings jersey on these particular ass clowns- but they were the minority, at least where I was sitting.
The next bad omen came when the starting lineup was being announced, and instead of acknowledging Dan Ellis in goal, we heard in disbelief the name of "Dan Sexton" ...Dan SEXTON... our speedy little forward, the one who gets shipped back and forth to Syracuse what seems like every other week. And there was no recovery from the announcer. No, "Haha, Just kidding! Of course Dan Sexton isn't in goal. It's DANNNNNN ELLLLLLLLIS!!!" THAT would have been a good do-over, but that didn't happen. And believe me when I tell you Dan Ellis would love to have a do-over last night, after letting in the first goal less than 20 seconds into the game. Of course, all the 'nuck-le heads in the building went nuts and began chanting, taunting our goalie and it really never let up.
Ducks could not catch a break, and even with a few insane Power Plays could not get a puck past Schneider (Vancouver backup goalie). So many close calls, so many times when it should have gone in. And though some will disagree with me, I don't think we played a bad game. Vancouver just did a better job overall of controlling the puck, lifting our sticks and protecting their goal. Still, I can only take small consolation in the fact that we ended our 3-game streak by being shut out 3-0 in our own home by the top team in the amazing Western Conference.
This was the first time I've ever left a game early. After the end of the second period, after we were now down 2 goals (the second one an eerie repeat of the first one, scored seconds after the start of the period) I found myself so mad that I was actually starting to cry. I am ashamed to admit that I had to hide out in the women's restroom to try and regain my composure. I couldn't. Every time I would try to step back out with my head up, the tears would start to flow again. It was awful! And in my humiliation, I texted my buddy that I was not going to pull it together. I was going home to sulk.
Oh, my Ducks, it's come to this. Clearly, I love you with the passion that I would put into any relationship. And girlie-girl that I am, yes, sometimes I am just a little too emotional to handle disappointment gracefully. Not to worry, I won't ever give up on you. I am loyal. But if it comes down to me losing it like that, I will quietly excuse myself rather than embarass you with my girlie tears. GO DUCKS!!!
For starters, I mistakenly gave away my only pair of seats for the Ducks v Canucks game (I usually have 2 pairs-- I will blame this on a Blonde Moment). In an effort to save face, I purchased another pair before my buddy arrived but could not get seats in my normal section. Instead, we were about the only two Ducks fans in our new section, which wasn't hard to do in a stadium boasting a good 60-75% Vancouver fans... actual Vancouver fans, from Canada, as opposed to the typical bandwagon fans that come to town to watch a hot team. Gratefully, the majority of 'nucks around us were good natured and just being (loudly) supportive of their team. Only a few were complete tools- you could easily slip a Kings, Sharks, or Red Wings jersey on these particular ass clowns- but they were the minority, at least where I was sitting.
The next bad omen came when the starting lineup was being announced, and instead of acknowledging Dan Ellis in goal, we heard in disbelief the name of "Dan Sexton" ...Dan SEXTON... our speedy little forward, the one who gets shipped back and forth to Syracuse what seems like every other week. And there was no recovery from the announcer. No, "Haha, Just kidding! Of course Dan Sexton isn't in goal. It's DANNNNNN ELLLLLLLLIS!!!" THAT would have been a good do-over, but that didn't happen. And believe me when I tell you Dan Ellis would love to have a do-over last night, after letting in the first goal less than 20 seconds into the game. Of course, all the 'nuck-le heads in the building went nuts and began chanting, taunting our goalie and it really never let up.
Ducks could not catch a break, and even with a few insane Power Plays could not get a puck past Schneider (Vancouver backup goalie). So many close calls, so many times when it should have gone in. And though some will disagree with me, I don't think we played a bad game. Vancouver just did a better job overall of controlling the puck, lifting our sticks and protecting their goal. Still, I can only take small consolation in the fact that we ended our 3-game streak by being shut out 3-0 in our own home by the top team in the amazing Western Conference.
This was the first time I've ever left a game early. After the end of the second period, after we were now down 2 goals (the second one an eerie repeat of the first one, scored seconds after the start of the period) I found myself so mad that I was actually starting to cry. I am ashamed to admit that I had to hide out in the women's restroom to try and regain my composure. I couldn't. Every time I would try to step back out with my head up, the tears would start to flow again. It was awful! And in my humiliation, I texted my buddy that I was not going to pull it together. I was going home to sulk.
Oh, my Ducks, it's come to this. Clearly, I love you with the passion that I would put into any relationship. And girlie-girl that I am, yes, sometimes I am just a little too emotional to handle disappointment gracefully. Not to worry, I won't ever give up on you. I am loyal. But if it comes down to me losing it like that, I will quietly excuse myself rather than embarass you with my girlie tears. GO DUCKS!!!
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Exhausted!
Ever notice how physically and emotionally draining it is to avoid someone whom you just don't want to deal with? Of course I will always stand up to a bully and I have no fear of getting ugly with anyone who pushes the wrong buttons, but when it's just some nice guy who is trying to push the friend envelope into dating territory, it messes me up. I'm just too nice. I am afraid to speak up and say simply, "Thanks, but no thanks." It feels so cold, so harsh, to have to redirect advances and weird-out what was a perfectly comfortable friendship. It actually makes me a little bit angry (ok a lot) because it puts me in the role of being The Bitch, and I am not a bitch. Like, at all.
What's perhaps worse is that I am seeing a bit of a trend, a strange parallel universe of avoidance that has suddenly sprung up over the last month like so many spring flowers. Here are the current contenders for Most Angst Inducing People: Mr. Wants-to-Date-Me Guy; Miss On-Again/Off-Again Trainwreck Friend; and finally, Mr. You're Not My Boss, Man.
Aside from the fact that I have no exploitable talent, protecting my personal space from unwanted attention is probably the real reason why I could never handle being a celebrity of any kind. I always wanted to be famous, but the truth of the matter is that world of stalkers and creepy crushes would eat me alive!
So here I am, avoiding phone calls and not returning voicemail. Shooting out a text to stall for time. Seriously considering skipping church just so I don't have to run into "him" and have that super-awkward conversation. Good job. Ugh! I know that the right thing to do is just suck it up and deal with each of these people one on one, try to be as gracious and honest as possible with each situation, and move on. I know it won't be easy, and just thinking about it wrecks me... so wish me luck. Prayers gratefully accepted.
What's perhaps worse is that I am seeing a bit of a trend, a strange parallel universe of avoidance that has suddenly sprung up over the last month like so many spring flowers. Here are the current contenders for Most Angst Inducing People: Mr. Wants-to-Date-Me Guy; Miss On-Again/Off-Again Trainwreck Friend; and finally, Mr. You're Not My Boss, Man.
Aside from the fact that I have no exploitable talent, protecting my personal space from unwanted attention is probably the real reason why I could never handle being a celebrity of any kind. I always wanted to be famous, but the truth of the matter is that world of stalkers and creepy crushes would eat me alive!
So here I am, avoiding phone calls and not returning voicemail. Shooting out a text to stall for time. Seriously considering skipping church just so I don't have to run into "him" and have that super-awkward conversation. Good job. Ugh! I know that the right thing to do is just suck it up and deal with each of these people one on one, try to be as gracious and honest as possible with each situation, and move on. I know it won't be easy, and just thinking about it wrecks me... so wish me luck. Prayers gratefully accepted.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
How Far Would You Go? Pt. 2: Update on Antoinette
Last week, I met a sweet woman by the name of Antoinette whose circumstances just punched me in the gut. Why did her story affect me? It hit me so hard because I know she is not alone in her plight. I know that all around us are far too many people facing similarly frightening, overwhelming circumstances as Antoinette; some are trying to cope with even greater difficulties.
Antoinette is elderly, in poor health, confined to a wheelchair, sharing an apartment with her 44-year-old, unemployed, hearing-impaired son, and unable to cover rent, pay bills, and buy food on a very small fixed income.
I had a fairly one-sided conversation with God. OK, to be honest, it was more like me ranting and complaining, wondering aloud how I could possibly help Antoinette. I had no other connection to her other than I had learned of her situation through a dear friend, and he only heard of her through her nurse who had somehow heard of my friend's work among homeless people. We just knew that coincidence had nothing to do with it; God had given us an opportunity to help another human, for no other reason than it is the right thing to do. We decided to start by collecting some food from our own pantries and stopping by Trader Joe's for some groceries to deliver to Antoinette for our first meeting and assess her situation. It was in meeting her where she was at that we were able to see firsthand her immediate needs and begin to formulate a plan to address them.
Need #1: Food
The fact that there was no food in their home except for two cans of corn, half a jar of Skippy and some instant coffee was astonishing to me. The few bags of groceries we brought on our first meeting helped to provide fresh produce, meats, dairy, frozen meals and canned goods to last a couple of weeks. A good start, but we knew that would be used up quickly. We put the word out to our friends and received donations right away (THANK YOU!). This was enough to help restock her pantry and give them some breathing room for a few more weeks. We are also in process of setting her up with an organization called The Treasure Box that provides amazing food boxes, enough to feed a family of four, for just $30. Something she can actually afford! Awesome!
Need #2: Electicity
Antoinette and her son have been living hand-to-mouth on a small, fixed income. They used up all of her cash for the month to move into their apartment, and with no savings left to tap into, she was unable to cover the cost of her electic bill. Because they had fallen behind in payments, the electricity was scheduled to be shut off on Monday. While on the phone with the electric company, we learned that she is pretty far behind-- nearly $400. Thanks to the generosity of many friends, we were able to gather enough to pay this month's bill (about $130) and get her an extension to the end of the month.
Need #3: Furnishings
The apartment is clean and in a safe-enough neighborhood. When I tell you that the apartment was sparse, I realize that even what she does have is a luxury for millions of people around the world. Still, we felt broken for her. It contains some very basic amenities such as an oven and a fridge, a few very modest pieces of furniture (i.e., dining room table with a couple of broken chairs, two of which are used to support the small TV) a mattress on the floor of her bedroom and not much else. She sleeps on the mattress, her son sleeps on the floor. She was embarassed and apologized over and over that she had no furniture for us to sit on. No big deal, we just sat on the floor with her in her wheelchair while we visited and prayed. Within a week, our friends at Kingdom Causes were able to donate a couch for the living room, Cris and Tom with the Pepper Project donated several bags of home goods, and several other friends donated paper products, clothing, towels, etc. We are still working on 2 beds/bedding and safety rails for the bathroom.
Need #4: Community
It has been incredible to see people step up, pull together and reach out to help someone in need, someone they may never know face to face. Just knowing that there are good people who care is such a comfort, not only to Antoinette-- but also to me. It restores my hope in the goodness of humankind. It reminds me that God created people to love and care for each other, and no matter how broken and ugly our world seems to be there is still a great deal of goodness in it. Antoinette is a woman with great faith, and deeply blessed us with her sweetness. The only thing she asked of us was to tell everyone who has helped her "thank you". She really wants to be connected to a church, so Geoffrey made contact with the pastor of a local church on her behalf.
So often we go through our days and never give another thought to what kind of power we have within us. It's not until something shakes us up that we are reminded of our intimate connection to people all around the world, regardless of language, skin color, gender or ideology... and it's in those tender moments that the true beauty of community shines brightest.
If you would like to check out some of the organizations mentioned here, please take a look at their websites:
Treasure Box
Kingdom Causes
Pepper Project
Antoinette is elderly, in poor health, confined to a wheelchair, sharing an apartment with her 44-year-old, unemployed, hearing-impaired son, and unable to cover rent, pay bills, and buy food on a very small fixed income.
I had a fairly one-sided conversation with God. OK, to be honest, it was more like me ranting and complaining, wondering aloud how I could possibly help Antoinette. I had no other connection to her other than I had learned of her situation through a dear friend, and he only heard of her through her nurse who had somehow heard of my friend's work among homeless people. We just knew that coincidence had nothing to do with it; God had given us an opportunity to help another human, for no other reason than it is the right thing to do. We decided to start by collecting some food from our own pantries and stopping by Trader Joe's for some groceries to deliver to Antoinette for our first meeting and assess her situation. It was in meeting her where she was at that we were able to see firsthand her immediate needs and begin to formulate a plan to address them.
Need #1: Food
The fact that there was no food in their home except for two cans of corn, half a jar of Skippy and some instant coffee was astonishing to me. The few bags of groceries we brought on our first meeting helped to provide fresh produce, meats, dairy, frozen meals and canned goods to last a couple of weeks. A good start, but we knew that would be used up quickly. We put the word out to our friends and received donations right away (THANK YOU!). This was enough to help restock her pantry and give them some breathing room for a few more weeks. We are also in process of setting her up with an organization called The Treasure Box that provides amazing food boxes, enough to feed a family of four, for just $30. Something she can actually afford! Awesome!
Need #2: Electicity
Antoinette and her son have been living hand-to-mouth on a small, fixed income. They used up all of her cash for the month to move into their apartment, and with no savings left to tap into, she was unable to cover the cost of her electic bill. Because they had fallen behind in payments, the electricity was scheduled to be shut off on Monday. While on the phone with the electric company, we learned that she is pretty far behind-- nearly $400. Thanks to the generosity of many friends, we were able to gather enough to pay this month's bill (about $130) and get her an extension to the end of the month.
Need #3: Furnishings
The apartment is clean and in a safe-enough neighborhood. When I tell you that the apartment was sparse, I realize that even what she does have is a luxury for millions of people around the world. Still, we felt broken for her. It contains some very basic amenities such as an oven and a fridge, a few very modest pieces of furniture (i.e., dining room table with a couple of broken chairs, two of which are used to support the small TV) a mattress on the floor of her bedroom and not much else. She sleeps on the mattress, her son sleeps on the floor. She was embarassed and apologized over and over that she had no furniture for us to sit on. No big deal, we just sat on the floor with her in her wheelchair while we visited and prayed. Within a week, our friends at Kingdom Causes were able to donate a couch for the living room, Cris and Tom with the Pepper Project donated several bags of home goods, and several other friends donated paper products, clothing, towels, etc. We are still working on 2 beds/bedding and safety rails for the bathroom.
Need #4: Community
It has been incredible to see people step up, pull together and reach out to help someone in need, someone they may never know face to face. Just knowing that there are good people who care is such a comfort, not only to Antoinette-- but also to me. It restores my hope in the goodness of humankind. It reminds me that God created people to love and care for each other, and no matter how broken and ugly our world seems to be there is still a great deal of goodness in it. Antoinette is a woman with great faith, and deeply blessed us with her sweetness. The only thing she asked of us was to tell everyone who has helped her "thank you". She really wants to be connected to a church, so Geoffrey made contact with the pastor of a local church on her behalf.
So often we go through our days and never give another thought to what kind of power we have within us. It's not until something shakes us up that we are reminded of our intimate connection to people all around the world, regardless of language, skin color, gender or ideology... and it's in those tender moments that the true beauty of community shines brightest.
If you would like to check out some of the organizations mentioned here, please take a look at their websites:
Treasure Box
Kingdom Causes
Pepper Project
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