Undivided Devotion

new beginnings

2012-02-02T09:24:00.000-08:00

I'm leaving again! =)

So, this is kind of funny -- When I left for Africa, I left on 8 Oct. When I got home from Africa, it was 8 July. Now, I leave for Asia on 8 Feb. No, this was not intentional, but apparently I have something going on with the number 8. Ha!

I've written a good many blog posts in my head this past week, but none that I've actually been able to change into coherent, linear, rational English. However, I think I can finally summarize my whirlwind of thoughts into this one equation:
what I gain - what I lose = no comparison
And, the end results, are always far beyond my silly little dreams.
That's just how my King works.

Though, some days, obedience still feels an awful lot like cliff-jumping. ;)

are we caught in the middle?

2012-01-27T20:31:00.000-08:00

Just how close can I get, Lord, to my surrender... without losing all control?

Fearless warriors in a picket fence,
Reckless abandon wrapped in common sense,
Deep water faith in the shallow end,
And we are caught in the middle.
With eyes wides open to the differences:
The God we want and the God who is,
But will we trade our dreams for His?
Or are we caught in the middle?
Are we caught in the middle?

~Casting Crowns, "Somewhere in the Middle"

simply put

2012-01-19T10:41:00.000-08:00

The Truth sets free.
and Love never fails.

i used to want to be someone else...

2012-01-14T12:43:00.000-08:00

corrie ten boom. betty stam.
amy carmichael. mary slessor.
jackie pullinger. mother teresa.
elisabeth elliot. gladys aylward.
women who've blessed & convicted me.

but then, He whispered, "But I didn't make you them.
I made you to be you. Wholly Mine. For My glory."

know what? He was right. (surprise, surprise)
and there is nobody i'd rather be...

incredible relationships. international adventure.
new experiences. stretching moments.
overwhelming challenges. eternal victories.
squeezing heart-ache coupled with intense love.
knowing exactly why i'm alive... purposed.
indescribable, divine joy in the journey.

nope. i wouldn't trade my life for anyone's.

"'cause i'm not who i was when i took my first step
and i'm clinging to the promise: You're not through with me yet...'"
(Ginny Owens, "If You Want Me To")

surrender + obedience = the adventure of a lifetime.
i dare you to try it... with this one warning:
you will never be the same again.

He never makes mistakes

2012-01-12T10:29:00.000-08:00

"God never makes mistakes. But He often deals differently with His disciples. He lets them grope their way in the dark until they fully learn how blind they are, how helpless, how absolutely in need of Him. What His methods will be with you I cannot foretell. But you may be sure that He has a reason for everything He does. You may not understand why He leads you now in this way and now in that, but you may, nay, you must believe that perfection is stamped on His every act." ~E. Prentiss, Stepping Heavnward

Today, I really, really miss...

2012-01-09T18:01:00.000-08:00

~My little Gracie hugs... now I have to make do with a long-distance Skype "ILY" wave...
~The camaraderie of African handshakes...
~Signing 24/7 -- like breathing in and out...
~Eating with my hands... while elbow deep in conversation...
~Living, thinking, be-ing Deaf...
~Deaf fellowship & worship... the real, solid deal... like the heaven-kind...
~My international Deaf family members and precious, beautiful friends...

When Love sees you...

2011-12-29T08:59:00.000-08:00

"Tell me your story, show me your wounds...
and I'll show you what Love sees, when Love sees you.

I see your story, I see My name,
Written on every beautiful page;
You see the struggle, you see the shame,
I see the reason I came.

I came for your story, I came for your wounds...
To show you what Love sees when I see you."

(Mac Powell, "When Love Sees You")

a Love that laughs at limits

2011-12-21T10:53:00.000-08:00

Lord God, "give me a Love that laughs at limits -- rather, does not see them, and would not heed them if it did." (Amy Carmichael). Amen.

Old Testament trivia - just for fun :)

2011-12-21T09:21:00.000-08:00

Answers should include the Bible passage they were found in:

(1) Where did the LORD grant Solomon unsurpassed wisdom and why?

(2) Who did Caleb's daughter Acsah marry and what were the conditions of their marriage?

(3) What did Jephthat vow to sacrifice to God if the LORD delivered the Ammonites into his hands? Did he keep his vow?

(4) Where is the prophecy of the valley of dry bones being raised to life

(5) Trace the lineage of Haman the Agagite back to Esau.

(6) What Israelite gave his daughter in marriage to his Egyptian slave to bear an heir because he had no sons?

(7) Which prophet did God command to go about naked and barefoot for 3 years?

(8) How were the tribes of Israel commanded to camp around the tabernacle? Which tribes were to camp on which sides (North, South, East, West)?

finishing

2011-12-16T08:11:00.000-08:00

There's just something about that feeling of accomplishment in finishing something you started. At 9am this morning, I successfully completed GIAL's Multicultural Teamwork Graduate Certificate. And, I'm the first ever to do so. Done. True? Rather, I think this was only the beginning... just one more piece in an unfinished puzzle. But, actually, I'm ok with that... even though that feeling of finishing seems more and more elusive these years. :-p

one week...

2011-12-11T07:03:00.000-08:00

Our central heating is fixed. Thursday was the glorious day. We celebrated with a meal out at Chili's as roommates. :-) I've happily shed all the layers of long sleeves, multiple socks, and carrying a blanket around the house.

Friday was also a celebratory day, as my classmate and I submitted a paper we co-authored for publication. It won't come out until next spring, but this was a big step... and a first time for both of us. :-)

One week left. One week from now, I'll be on an airplane heading towards home, my family, and rest. But! In the meantime, I've two term projects to finish up -- one in a group, and one on my own. Ahhhhhhh!!! The Lord is my strength... it is in Him I live, and breathe, and move. Pray I finish well.

I'll end with some fun. Because sometimes things are just that simple... ;-)

The adventure continues...

2011-12-06T18:51:00.000-08:00

Day 2 of the broken central heating. Fortunately, our window unit is running alright again. Our trusty maintenance men tried in vain to obtain a replacement part -- but, alas -- the sun has set, the part is still not in hand, and we will be utilizing space heaters tonight. :-) To save on electricity, one of my roommates and I came to Panera Bread to study and eat dinner.

Here's my "cold" picture. Weather.com is saying it's 30*F (-1*C), but feels like 20*F (-6*C). I feel like a wimp... but in my defense, I went from summer in North Dakota --> summer in Kenya --> summer in Texas. My body is having to re-adjust to what cold weather really is all over again.

Chicken stew for dinner at Panera... which leads me to ask: Where in the world do round carrots come from?????

Oh! And! [insert shameless commercial] Yesterday, I got 12 passport photos for $0.87 -- ask me how! ask me how! epassportphoto.com -- how did I not hear about this sooner!?

C'est la vie!

2011-12-05T18:52:00.000-08:00

So... it's 36 degrees outside (2C). And our heater has been sputtering off from time to time. Ironic because we had the same problem with our air conditioner when it was 108 degrees back in August (42C). So back then, they put in a different window A/C unit which also has a heater option. When our central heating went out, we were using the backup A/C unit heater option. Well... tonight, we're about to get a cold snap and have been told to let our faucets drip overnight. Aaaaaaaaand... our central heating went out again, and our backup unit as well. :-) This even after we had maintenance guys in here this afternoon tweaking and fixing. Ah well.... I guess that's Murphy's law. So! Since I'm here in 3 layers & a blanket, walking around, and shivering... We're going to have another roommate adventure and trek over to the guesthouse for a "sleepover" tonight. :-p But first, homeade cookies... which I went ahead and baked while I was warming myself by the last remaining heat source in the house: our oven. Hah! At least my life is never boring... ;-)

when "us vs. them" becomes "we"

2011-12-01T05:30:00.000-08:00

"Only as we love people in another culture can we begin to identify with them and see the truth they understand. As we make their truth our own, we become new people, formed from the synthesis of two cultures."

Adeney, Bernard T. 1995. Strange Virtues: Ethics in a Multicultural World. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, p 73.

literate vs. __________

2011-12-01T05:14:00.000-08:00

The other side of the coin...

"Increasingly it is understood that the opposite of literate is not illiterate but oral. The considerable skills, amazing abilities and cultural richness of oral cultures are inevitably lost when the people become literate."

Adeney, Bernard T. 1995. Strange Virtues: Ethics in a Multicultural World. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, p 23.

I can relate!

2011-11-21T09:13:00.000-08:00

"I really don't know what happens next--one so seldom does."
~E.M. Forster

so simple. so true.

2011-11-08T18:51:00.000-08:00

"Unless you spend leisure time with people, you've not spent time with them." (Dr. Robert Douglas)

BLESS THE LORD, O MY SOUL!!!

2011-11-06T05:34:00.000-08:00

TODAY is the day the LORD has made!! I will REJOICE and be glad in it!!!!

But as it is written: "They who had no news of Him shall SEE, and they who have not heard shall UNDERSTAND." (Romans 15:21, NASB)

Did you add up those population numbers??? Yes, my friends, there are 2.4 MILLION Deaf in Ghana, Uganda, and Ethiopia... every single one of whom our God loves deeply, passionately, and personally.

And TODAY, the first portions of Scripture in their language were dedicated.

BLESS THE LORD, O MY SOUL. BLESS HIS HOLY NAME!

"Come."

2011-10-24T12:38:00.000-07:00

"If you abandon to Jesus, and come when He says, 'Come,' He will continue to say 'Come' through you; you will go out into life reproducing the echo of Christ's 'Come.' That is the result in every soul who has abandoned to Jesus." (June 13)

excerpt from My Utmost for His Highest Classic Edition by Oswald Chambers.

Amen!

2011-10-23T05:09:00.000-07:00

"Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They’re not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can’t do is ignore them. Because they change things." ~Steve Jobs (I saw the quote, and said 'Amen!', before I saw who said it. Either way, it was worth sharing.)

Come to the Well...

2011-10-21T15:32:00.000-07:00

Three years ago, as the Lord re-directed my steps in this new direction, He gave me these verses in Isaiah 41:17-18 as a promise: "The afflicted and needy are seeking water, but there is none, and their tongue is parched with thirst; I, the LORD, will answer them Myself. As the God of Israel I will not forsake them. I will open rivers on the bare heights and springs in the midst of the valleys; I will make the wilderness a pool of water and the dry land fountains of water." (NASB)

This year, we will celebrate the dedication of the FIRST 32 Bible stories in 5 more African sign languages & the second 45 stories (and first set of sign language Bible commentaries) in one African sign language and one Asian sign language.

Praise, praise, praise His glorious Name. I keep finding myself in tears of awe... The song below is by Casting Crowns and just came out this week. Rejoicing that we serve a God who fulfills His promises. With Him, there are no forgotten ones.

Verse 2:
So bring me your heart
No matter how broken,
Just come as you are,
When your last prayer is spoken,
Just rest in My arms a while,
You'll feel the change My child,
When you come to the well

CHORUS:
And all who thirst will thirst no more,
And all who search will find what their souls long for,
The world will try, but it can never fill,
So leave it all behind, and come to the well

And now that you're full,
Of love beyond measure,
Your joy's gonna flow,
Like a stream in the desert,
Soon all the world will see that living water is found in Me,
'Cause you came to the well

CHORUS:
And all who thirst will thirst no more,
And all who search will find what their souls long for,
The world will try, but it can never fill,
So leave it all behind, and come to the well

~Casting Crowns, "The Well"

Jesus answered and said to her, "Everyone who drinks of this water will never thirst again; but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life." (John 4:13-14, NASB)

...Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, 'From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.'" (John 7:37b-38, NASB)

To God be the glory!!!!

2011-10-21T09:21:00.000-07:00

You are looking at the first ever portions of Scripture in Burundi, Ethiopia, Ghana, Uganda, and Tanzania Sign Languages!!!! PRAISE GOD!! PRAISE HIS MIGHTY NAME!! PRAY for these teams and the upcoming dedications of these Scripture DVDs!! To be held the first and second weeks of November in their home countries. PRAY for ready hearts. PRAY for smooth preparations and customs processes.

Watch a picture slideshow here:
http://albums.phanfare.com/isolated/nXX0rKPT/1/5318794_6009400

new favorite thing: footnotes

2011-10-13T21:27:00.000-07:00

Cram sessions spent elbow deep in research data with a clock mercilessly ticking down the minutes to paper deadlines do strange things to a person. Somewhere between hour -16 and hour -14 (in the countdown to the finish line: paper presentation) I developed a very strong affinity for footnotes. I have never used footnotes before. But now, they're my new favorite thing. I have them on every page... and it's a long paper. Dear footnotes, where have you been all my academic life?

Praise God for my awesome research buddy/partner and my amazing friends in Kenya who helped out by letting us interview them via Skype, at all sorts of odd hours. Tomorrow, we will present a paper contrasting the use of kinship terms by Deaf and Hearing individuals from two different Kenyan ethnic groups. I like to think this is cutting edge... never. done. before. But who can know. Either way, our preliminary study is almost done... and we have more questions now than we had before or than we have answers. This is a good sign.

A roommate bonding experience...

2011-10-11T05:10:00.000-07:00

The Tarantula Relocation Project

living between worlds

2011-10-08T12:31:00.000-07:00

"You live a new life for every new language you know. If you know only one language, you live only once." ~ancient Czech proverb

I'm realizing...

2011-10-04T17:20:00.000-07:00

The antidote for ignorance is not knowledge, but experience.
Because sometimes we know just enough to be dangerous, but not enough to truly understand.

"Why is prayer necessary?"

2011-09-28T15:01:00.000-07:00

"I think it's interesting that in the church today so many of us ask:
'Why is prayer necessary?'
You know why I think we ask that question?
Because you don't need prayer when you're watching TV...
We don't need prayer when we're mindlessly surfing the internet...
When there's nothing at stake in your walk with Christ...
When there's no risk in Christianity...
When Christianity consists of monotonous motions of routine day in and day out...
You don't need prayer for that. You can do that on your own.

But when you risk everything to glorify Jesus Christ... You need prayer.
When you sacrifice your possessions and your dreams,
And your hopes and your career,
And you lay it all on the line,
And you stake your reputation down on your allegiance to Christ... You need prayer.

When your longing day-in and day-out is to lead people to faith in Christ...
You need prayer.
You rely on prayer.
You are desperate for prayer...
because you are devoted to His mission.
And when the aim of your life is to affect as many people as possible
with the gospel of Christ,
for the glory of Christ,
you will find yourself given over to prayer."

(Pastor David Platt, http://www.brookhills.org)

And today, my few but faithful blog readers... I'm preaching to myself. This message is for me.

Far from the home I love...

2011-09-24T08:14:00.000-07:00

How can I hope to make you understand
Why I do what I do,
Why I must travel to a distant land,
Far from the home I love.

Once I was happily content to be
As I was, where I was,
Close to the people who are close to me,
Here in the home I love.

Who could see that a Man would come
Who would change the shape of my dreams?
Helpless now I stand with Him,
Watching older dreams grow dim.

Oh, what a melancholy choice this is,
Wanting home, wanting Him,
Closing my heart to ev'ry hope but His,
Leaving the home I love.

There where my heart has settled long ago
I must go, I... must... go,
Who could imagine I'd be wand'ring so
Far from the home I love.

Yet, there with my Love, I'm home.

(Fiddler on the Roof, Hodel's song)

a strange, disoriented kind of homesickness...

2011-09-19T15:45:00.000-07:00

remembering. laughing. missing. yearning. aching. sighing. smiling. wanting. wishing. loving. rejoicing. dreaming. hoping. praying. trusting. life is good.

Love never fails

2011-09-13T14:23:00.000-07:00

...love covers all transgressions. (proverbs 10.12)
...many waters cannot quench love, nor will rivers overflow it. (song of solomon 8.7)
...love is the fulfillment of the law. (romans 13.10)
...love edifies. (1 corinthians 8.1)
...owe nothing to anyone except love. (romans 13.8)

"The incarnational witness across cultural barriers... demands... love motivated by love. Nothing less will suffice." (Bashir Massih, 1979)

what I could not dream...

2011-09-05T16:36:00.000-07:00

"To dream and want and pray savagely; then to commit and wait and see Him quietly pile all dreams aside and replace them with what we could not dream..." -Jim Elliot-

it's just a happy kind of day...

2011-08-26T13:58:00.000-07:00

-- I'm officially a legal "resident alien" of Kenya. =) I got my official Kenyan alien I.D. card just today... which makes me chuckle since I think it technically expired in July when my visa expired. Ha ha!! I can always renew it.
-- I got three new Kenyan shirts also which a colleague carried over for me. =)
-- I had no early morning class this morning and got to sleep in. =) Ahhhh. =)
-- Our air conditioner is fixed!!!! Praise the Lord. It was only out for 24 hours, but in this heat... that matters!! God bless maintenance guys.
-- One of my roomies is unintentionally, but successfully pulling off the tobymac look today, and every time I see her, it makes me smile. =)
-- We're going out tonight with another house of girls for mediterranean food! yay!
-- I have a Tamil film to watch tonight about adoption and Sri Lanka. =)
-- Jesus loves me. And, just for that alone, I love him too!!!

be. here.

2011-08-24T20:27:00.000-07:00

As I stared at my voice of the martyrs prayer calendar this afternoon, at the difficult countries highlighted for prayer this month... "where, Lord? where do you want me?" came tumbling out of my heart. Before I could finish breathing those words, He answers..."Here" (Dallas). Laughter was my immediate reaction to His instant & unexpected re-alignment of my mind to the present tense. And He smiled in His gentle, loving, knowing, way. Man, I love this God of ours--so trustworthy, so patient, so personal and engaged in His love for us!!! I love that He is Almighty, Sovereign, and Holy ... and yet He delights in having intimate, tangible, even amusing conversations with me, His child. He's up to something... and it's beautiful. Not because I can see or know it, but because everything He does is beautiful. Purposed for His glory... every tiny little piece.

give

2011-08-23T16:32:00.000-07:00

"Intense love does not measure it just gives."
"Everything that is not given is lost."
(mother teresa)

You're beautiful

2011-08-21T16:54:00.000-07:00

We sang "Beautiful" by Phil Wickham this morning at the church I visited here in the Dallas area. There are two lines that are repeated/emphasized... and as we sang this morning, He drove them home into my heart as He brought visions of His face to my mind...

I see Your face ...
(in the mu$l!m deaf girl who sat beside to me, holding my hand, as we said goodbye)
You're beautiful.

I see Your face ...
(in the face of my deaf brother who you brought from destructive, violent past... who now reflects Your joy, peace, compassion)
You're beautiful.

I see Your face ...
(in my two year old kenyan neighbor who so completely stole my heart)
You're beautiful.

I see Your face ...
(in the face of a 3 year old boy with cerebral palsy, and the daily, sacrificial love of his deaf parents in their tender care of him as their gift from You)
You're beautiful.

I see Your face ...
(in the sweet face of an elderly telugu woman who praises Jesus)
You're beautiful.

I see Your face ...
(in the joyful dance of a old, crippled soma!1an brother's worship, as his cane is abandoned and arms raised)
You're beautiful.

I see Your face ...
(in the silent morning dance and spontaneous praise, of a deaf kenyan brother, for his audience of One)
You're beautiful.

I see Your face ...
(in the humble servanthood and bold dreams of deaf brothers and sisters in tanzania)
You're beautiful.

I see Your face ...
(in the radiant smile of a deaf ind!an sister whose family scorns her love for our Lord)
You're beautiful.

I see Your face ...
(in the confident, fearless faces of deaf fellowship leaders who are opposed and threatened)
You're beautiful.

I see Your face ...
(in the crossed-eyes of a five-year-old kenyan girl, who never misses an opportunity to remind us in a deaf worship song that "God loves you. Jesus loves you.")
You're beautiful.

I see Your face ...
(in the faithfulness, devotion, integrity, passion, and poured out lives of my deaf brothers and sisters who work day in and out to ensure their friends and family will be able to finally KNOW YOU, truly, fully, unhindered, and set free through the Truth of Your Word in their OWN sign languages)
You're beautiful.

You're beautiful.
You're beautiful.
You're beautiful.

I see Your face.
You're beautiful.

not dreams, but wonders

2011-08-21T16:34:00.000-07:00

"Dreams are tawdry when compared with the leading of God, and not worthy of the aura of wonder we usually surround them with. God only doeth wonders. He does nothing else. His hand can work nothing less. Praise to the Guiding God of Israel, and that Great Shepherd of the wayward sheep. When He directs a path, no way can seem bleak, no instance dull."~Jim Elliot (taken from Shadow of the Almighty: The Life and Testament of Jim Elliot written by Elisabeth Elliot)

marriage is cross-cultural: an anecdote

2011-08-20T17:05:00.000-07:00

Loved this anecdote in a current Elisabeth Elliot book I'm reading... especially in light of my classes on cross-cultural case studies and how to apply Biblical truth to the multicultural messiness that is life 'on the field' (which, by the way, is pretty sweet... raw, honest, REAL life... where the beautiful is sometimes ugly and the ugly is made beautiful. I love how God loves us). Anywho... so this made me chuckle aloud this morning. Proof marriage is an exercise in cross-cultural servanthood. ;) hee hee.

A couple I know had been married only a week of two when the wife went out shopping. The husband wondered what he might do for her and show her how much he loved her. A brilliant plan came to mind. He got down on hands and knees and scrubbed the kitchen floor. It was a demeaning task in his opinion, and he felt exceedingly humble while performing it. How amazed [his wife] would be! He waited in eager anticipation of her return, thinking how blessed it is to give.

She drove in the driveway, breezed into the kitchen, set the grocery bags on the counter, and glanced at the floor. "Oh--the floor's clean. Thank you, honey!" was all she said and went about putting things away.

...He went into a three-day funk. He was hurt; he was insulted; he was not properly appreciated; and the blessing of giving drained out in an instant because he had not received the kind of thanks he had expected.

[She] had no idea what the trouble was. What she did not know was that her husband had never heard of a man's doing such a thing as scrubbing the floor for his wife, especially voluntarily, having thought of it all by himself. What he did not know was that in his wife's family, no woman ever did the job. Her father considered it a man's job and did it as a matter of course.

That young husband took the lesson to heart. He now believes that it would be wise for every Christian to post as his motto the lesson Jesus taught: "We are servants and deserve no credit; we have only done our duty."

(in Discipline: The Glad Surrender, p. 31 by Elisabeth Elliot. 1982. Revell: Grand Rapids, Michigan.)

Disclaimer: Now, don't be too hard on the husband (if that's your tendency)... this actually reminds me to blog later on the whole concept of dealing with unmet expectations, which I realized is a bigger deal than I thought in the context of living and working on the field. =)

not a feeling

2011-08-20T06:57:00.001-07:00

"...Faith is neither a mood nor a feeling, but practical obedience..." (Elisabeth Elliot, Disciple: A Glad Surrender)

texas g.i.a.l.

2011-08-19T12:08:00.000-07:00

I'm in Dallas. Enjoying my new roommates. Surviving the heat (thank God for A/C!!!!). Starting graduate classes. Gulping as I stare down these academic papers/readings... I think my brain must officially switch back into graduate level reading/writing after enjoying the bliss of an International blend of Deaf English... aaaaaand, reality hits.

I'm the ONLY student in my morning "Christianity Across Cultures" class. I'm one of two students (in a 2 teacher class) for "Social & Political Organization." I guess that means our student:faculty ratio is pretty good here. ;) ;) ;)

I have a good feeling about this fall. Such a sense of peace, assurance, and rest. Praying over time management, relationship-building, intentionality & purposefulness. Priorities. Future work/location/training. But wanting most of all to be present and open to what His Spirit has to teach/say in this season. Pray with me over all this. I want to be found faithful in this "little"...

And with that... homework awaits me.
Ready... Set... *inhale* Go...

"the finish line... it drives me on" (Bethany Dillon, "Revolutionaries")

ardent love

2011-08-15T08:02:00.000-07:00

"Only a very ardent love will face things being made uncomfortable, and is ardent love found everywhere?" (amy carmichael)

I have decided

2011-08-12T00:07:00.000-07:00

to follow Jesus.
no turning back.

though none go with me.
still I will follow.
no turning back.

the world behind me.
the cross before me.
no turning back.

though I may wonder.
still will I follow.
no turning back.

But Jesus said to him, "No one, after putting his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." (Luke 9:62, NASB)

God's Word brings FREEDOM

2011-08-11T11:57:00.001-07:00

Do you have a minute and 40 seconds to hear how? ... Freedom.Wycliffe.org

"There is no one else for me
None but Jesus
Crucified, He set me free
Now I live to bring Him praise"
(brooke fraser)

grrrr...

2011-08-08T12:02:00.000-07:00

I. do. not. like. packing.
never have. never will.
doesn't matter the destination.
or who I will get to see there.
or the excitement I have in going.
packing makes my list of "not cool activities."
there's something about trying to make a huge pile of stuff fit into one or two little bags that... stresses. me. out.

now... unpacking... I'm all over that. Taking one or two little bags and spreading it all out into a larger space... no problem. Thankfully, that's what lies on the other end of these two, empty, ominous duffel bags I'm staring down.

obedience sets others free

2011-08-05T17:37:00.000-07:00

This precious sister-in-Christ, though we've never met, never ceases to challenge, convict, inspire, and BLESS me through her poured-out-life to our Jesus... http://kissesfromkatie.blogspot.com/

Her life is a continual reminder to me... when a person chooses to believe His Truth, trust, and step out in obedience... that simple act of faith has a dynamite affect... and releases, encourages, and enables others to do the same. Live boldly.

But we never can prove the delights of His love
Until all on the altar we lay
For the favor He shows and the joy He bestows
Are for them who will trust and obey
~John H. Sammis~

STILL picking up the pieces...

2011-07-28T14:54:00.000-07:00

This may not mean much to any of you, but for those who are in the whole correspondence or communication loop of whatever you're doing... you might sympathize.

Most know my computer crashed 4 months ago aaaaaand... my whole partner list organization files went with it. The good news is, we were able to salvage that up to last December (whew!). The bad news is, my new laptop is a Mac and my partner organizer program Donor Manager only runs on PC. The good news is, I have parallels on my Mac. The other good news is I was able to import my names/addresses into Donor Manager on my Mac parallels. The bad news is, nothing but names, addresses, and phone numbers imported.

So... my today and tomorrow will consist of fixing, correcting, importing, and updating 520+ partner records. The bad news is, this is time intensive (and is straining my already bad memory =p). The good news is... it's making me feel productive and organized. The best news is that when it's all said and done, I'll be more updated and organized than ever before!!

Which reminds me... it's time to backup my laptop... ;-)

So, if you are a *very important, appreciated, and loved* prayer supporter or partner of mine, and are wondering why you've not received a personal note or email from me in 4 months... thank you for your patience. It's coming.

HIS very own

2011-07-25T16:36:00.000-07:00

I've been home for two and a half weeks now... and the emotions have been up and down, but not too tumultuous... praise Jesus. I'm thankful. Very thankful. For so many things... so many people... so many precious lessons and life experiences that He's given me.

It's become very clear to me in the last couple weeks, that my heart is stubbornly rebellious and very fickle/two-sided. That's the bad news. But it's nothing new, and the good news is that it doesn't come as a surprise to my God. He knew all along, which is why He sent my Jesus down to pour out His blood and claim it as His own. This is the other thing He's made very clear, just today, as the words poured out of my mouth to a precious prayer partner: this messed up, rebellious, fickle heart of mine is HIS. And He tells me He doesn't see it the same way I do... because He looks through the lens of His Son. He calls me blameless, righteous, consecrated... and He calls my messy heart HIS OWN. With this simple reminder came much relief.

In this season of transition, He's saying, "Open your hands. Trust Me... open your hands..." You see, I did fall in love with the people of Africa. (I didn't expect to, but He knew I would before I went, and He sent me there.) Yet He has made it beyond clear that He has ordered my steps in this next season... in this other direction... and knows the path He has appointed for me to walk in. And He's reminding me if I stand here, looking back at what was a good gift, hands closed tightly around these people, these relationships... then I am not trusting Him in this next step or open to receiving with open hands the good gifts He has for me in this new season, this next step. He gives and He takes away, and He is worthy of my praise. He knows the loss. He knows the heartache. He knows the withdrawals we are all feeling. And, in a realm beyond our ability to see, He continues weaving together the strands of our lives... some to cross again and some to go in different directions and not to meet again till heaven. And He smiles... because He sees the finished picture, and it is gloriously beautiful.

Today, He reminds me... He has accepted my messy heart, so up and down, so desperately wanting to obey instantly in whatever He asks in one moment yet so rebellious in wanting to cling to what I want in the next. But the beautiful reality is this: He owns my heart. It is not mine... to keep or to give away. It is HIS. And I have the blessed assurance that the decision was already made long ago... that I would follow, no matter what He asked, no matter what it cost. My heart doesn't have a say... but the One who formed and created it, the One who knows its inner workings even better than I... He is the same One who ransomed and redeemed it... and I can say with Paul, "... I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day" (2 Timothy 1:12b, NASB).

Worthy, worthy, worthy. He is WORTHY.

.amy carmichael.

2011-07-23T09:10:00.001-07:00

Oh Jesus, give me a "love that laughs at limits--rather, does not see them, and would not heed them if it did."

oh, and there's more...

2011-07-22T20:19:00.000-07:00

More sign confusion... ;-) From lunch today while out touring colleges with my kid bro in Salem/Corvallis/Monmouth area.

"i'm innocent!"

2011-07-18T21:36:00.000-07:00

After all, this is southern Oregon... so is it really any wonder I'm confused? ;-) Behold, our street signs. Yes, they are located within a half mile of each other. The question is... which one is the accurate one?

"i'm a linguist..." ???

2011-07-16T13:52:00.000-07:00

Went for a run down our road this morning (there's no place I'd rather run than here in the evergreen trees and mountains of southern Oregon... truly...) when I passed a street sign... and had the terrible realization that--for the last 5 years of living here--I've been spelling the name of our street WRONG!!!! It's not McMullen... it's McMullin! Um... that's embarrassing. 5 years and about 2,000 mailing address labels later... sheesh! Strike 1 against a self-proclaimed linguist... who can't spell her own permanent address. :-\

But this self-proclaimed linguist did finally figure out how to get my virtual Amharic keyboard to work on my laptop. ... I know I'm a nerd. No comments necessary.

Psalms 117:1
አሕዛብ ሁላችሁ፥ እግዚአብሔርን አመስግኑት፥ ወገኖችም ሁሉ ያመስግኑት፤
(መዝሙረ ዳዊት 117፥1)

it's the unexpected things

2011-07-14T17:17:00.000-07:00

Whew. I'm done jeans shopping. Not a fan. But it's done. I have new jeans. And I'm set for the next two years.

I've decided that the US medical system asks too many personal questions. I seriously doubt they need to know many of the questions they ask you. It's overwhelming.

Four more things that have surprised me upon coming home...
-- air conditioning everywhere indoors. Something we didn't have in Africa. and I'm perpetually freezing.
-- ok, sorry, but super-honest moment: the amount of fat people in the States.
-- women in shorts & spaghetti strap tank tops... I've seen a lot of skin this last week, and it's not even that hot.
-- how talkative random strangers are in public, at least here in Oregon. I don't care what people say, Americans are genuinely friendly.

Four things I've loving about being home...
-- my family
-- soaking up being in the trees & mountains of southern Oregon... it's such a peaceful haven where my soul can rest
-- running each morning
-- having access to a piano =)

ahhhh... man

2011-07-12T16:40:00.000-07:00

So... I've already driven, gone out by myself, eaten a Papa Murphy's Gourmet Vegetarian Pizza (best on the planet, btw -- yes, I dare you to challenge me on this), played the piano (joy!), and gone for a blissful run down our road. I'm also loving being with my parents and youngest sibs -- and thoroughly appreciating my kid brother's hilarious sense of humor. =) It's unique, and I've missed it.

Speaking of missing... it's beginning to sink in that I'm home and not going back anytime soon. The first wave hit today, as each time I'm at a store, I think, "Oh! The guys need/could totally use/enjoy that." Then I realize, I can't just buy it and drive it back to DOOR... nor is there any present way of getting it to them... so I put it back and walk away. And my heart constricts.

Oh... and as I suspected, living in a community with Indians for 9 months HAS completely ruined my sense of "spicy." I ordered Kung Pao chicken for lunch on the way home and got halfway through it wondering if they forgot to add the chilies because I couldn't taste a hint of spicy-ness... then I found three at the bottom of the plate. And, I've also been horrified to find that NONE of the grocery stores, supermarkets, or even the local farmer's market sell the little green chilies that we used almost everyday in Nairobi! *gasp* Now what?

Finally, can I just say... I know we're pretty international in our food varieties here in the US... but please, please US food joints not run by international staff... please don't slap the title "Thai" on a menu item just because you made it with peanut sauce. It's a disgrace. If it includes coconut milk, lemongrass, red curry, or shallots, etc... ok, you may use the title... but peanut sauce doesn't make it Thai. =p

arriving back on US soil

2011-07-08T13:17:00.000-07:00

Shock #1 -- U.S. Customer Service. My friends, you have NOTHING to complain about. It's stellar!

Shock #2 -- Standing one of many security lines coming back through immigrations, customs, etc. in Dallas, TX and being surrounded by hispanics speaking spanish. In the last 9 months, I've seen 1 hispanic who spoke spanish. What!?!?

Shock #3 -- hearing American idioms and phrases in passing conversations. I feel a little out-of-the-loop!

[Edit: Shock #4 -- the music plays for me on my blog again!!! Music doesn't stream on playlist in Africa!!!!]

Praise #1 -- a VERY nice, friendly, welcoming immigrations officer coming back into the US. I've heard horror stories... so I was relieved and grateful. =)

Praise #2 -- His grace is sufficient. For peace and His very near presence holding my heart together in all the goodbyes and missing precious faces.

[Edit: Praise #3 -- Thank you, Seattle-Tacoma airport for your generosity in the form of free wireless access!!! London & Dallas... you've some catching up to do.]

Another 10 hours and 2 flights, and I'll greet my family in Oregon. =)

T-minus 49 hours

2011-07-05T08:05:00.000-07:00

At T-minus 58 hours, my precious little 2 and a half year old Gracie came running into my arms with a card in hand. It simply said: "Hope you will be back soon." She wrapped her arms tight around me and buried her face in my chest... and I almost lost it. She seemed to know I needed the hug, and stayed to snuggle for 30 minutes.

Right now, my life consists of cherishing the little, insignificant moments doing normal, everyday things... treasuring each moment with these people who have somehow become so tangled up inside my heart. And praising, rejoicing, and thanking God for the blessing of having had them to love.

with God's grace... future world-changers

Things I never did before coming to Kenya...

2011-07-02T01:03:00.000-07:00

Preach. Not what I'd consider preaching in an "American Christianity" I'm-a-trained-pastor context... but my Deaf colleagues call it preaching. And, they tell me it's legit. I'm baffled.

Super-infuse my cooking with spice. Example: using close to 3 dozen hot green chiles in one dish, or using a whole garlic cluster in a dish for two people. Um... Either I always buy "duds" or I'm becoming desensitized. Hey, at least the garlic is a natural mosquito repellant, eh? ;)

Wash all my fruits and vegetables with soap before eating them.

Pay $1.66 (grand total) for transport on an all-day outing. This included a motorbike taxi, two city buses, and two mini 14-passenger van "taxis'. Oh, and another $1.09 for a camel ride. ;)

Play darts. And Wii.

Watch movies and television on mute.

Shake hands like it's going out of style. Quite frankly, this is something I'm going to really miss.

Battle with such maladies as mumps, acid-burning flies, bed bugs, amoeba, and intestinal worms. I know that's probably TMI... but it's 100% real life here.

When in doubt...

2011-06-29T13:57:00.000-07:00

If you come to the Nairobi, Kenya area and you meet a man but cannot remember his name, there's probably a 60% chance it's either "Simon" or "Paul." Further still, there's closer to a 94% chance his last name ends in an "M", "N", or "W." Nope, no John Smiths here, but plenty of Paul M's and Simon N's!

memory-making

2011-06-26T12:47:00.000-07:00

I went with the Uganda, Ghana, and Tanzania teams to Tumutumu Deaf School for church today out in ... well, Tumutumu. =) It was a 3 hour drive one-way, full of eventfulness. First, we were all exhausted and sore from a two-day sports competition and games weekend of celebration on almost completing the current story sets among all 7 translation teams (Praise the Lord!). So, none of us were too excited about 6 hours in the car... but, by the grace of God, we're none the worse for wear!

On the way to Tumutumu, we seemed to have a car problem, so the driver jumped out with a bottle of coke which he proceeded to dump on the battery. The result was a minor fire about 5 minutes later--in which we all quickly vacated the van!! Soon, we were on our way again (yes, in the same van -- Hey, this is Africa). Good conversations on the way. Good fellowship at the school with about 150 Deaf kids. =) Beautiful faces and precious lives. I had more names spelled to me today in one stretch of time than ever before, I think -- and I'm pretty sure every last name began with "M" or "W".

On the way home, anyone who slept immediately began the victim of blackmail photos. ;) So, naturally, I decided to stay awake. We had a 20-minute conversation about my hair as I got asked the questions everyone apparently had wanted to know but nobody had wanted to ask about my "mzungu hair". We got bananas for a steal at a roadside market -- about 30 bananas for $1! I broke out carrot-raisin bread I'd made the night before and, as a result, received a half-serious marriage proposal over my cooking. Then we got caught in flash flooding and I felt like I was in a theme park water ride... as we drove through water deeper than we'd consider driving through back home! My feet got a bit wet as some water splashed up through the floorboard! Yes, true. But we did all arrive home in one piece without any additional troubles -- praise the Lord!

The evening ended as one of the campus guard dogs got out while the guard was cleaning their pen, right as one of the students was walking back to the dorm. I heard him yell and the responding bark from inside the cafeteria... and running to the door, found him racing towards me waving me back inside. Thankfully, he was carrying a DVD with him, which he was able to throw to distract the dog while he got away! Whew! Close call... the guard collected the dog and assured us the coast was clear. Yikes! I couldn't stop laughing as he shared the story with others, out of sheer relief nobody was attacked!

And, thus ended my Sunday. Another beautiful day in Kenya. Another ordinary day of extraordinary experiences that has become my "normal" here... and will soon become simply "sweet memories". How I will miss these faces, these people, this place.

See the pictures from our trip here: http://s1126.photobucket.com/albums/l603/undivideddevotion/Tumutumu%20Deaf%20School/

The Tumutumu Deaf student body sends their greetings and love! =)

(mother teresa)

2011-06-25T11:54:00.000-07:00

‎"I have found that if I love until it hurts, then
there is no hurt, but only more love."

Draw me, oh, draw me, my Jesus

2011-06-25T11:46:00.000-07:00

Draw me, oh, draw me
Please draw me, my Jesus
Into your presence
Where I cannot lie
My soul is so thirsty
I cannot endure it
And if I can't get closer
I surely will die

Take me, oh take me
Please take me, my Jesus
Quickly, before I forget that I'm lost
For so many times, my mind has deceived me
That I really don't have to carry the cross

I just need to know how to pray
My wicked desires block the way
Sometimes I have grieved you away
I don't wanna do that today

Help me, oh help me
Please help me my Jesus
Save me from sins that I thought were all gone
Kill me with kindness
And break through my blindness
I know till I'm dead, I can never live on
I know till I'm dead, I can never live on

I just need to know how to pray
My wicked desires block the way
Sometimes I have grieved you away
I don't wanna do that today

Draw me, oh draw me
Please draw me, my Jesus

Sarah Sadler, "Draw me" lyrics

I concur!

2011-06-15T07:24:00.000-07:00

“I cannot explain or understand how a language like Sign Language- the richest in expression, the most energetic...is still neglected and that only the Deaf speak it. This is ... one of the irrationalities of the human mind I cannot explain.” (Pierre Desloge)

no turning back...

2011-06-10T09:48:00.000-07:00

"Beware of harking back to what you were once when God wants you to be something you have never been." (Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest Devotional)

this crazy beautiful life

2011-06-06T10:43:00.000-07:00

Today was an eventful day.

I drove in Kenya. No... no... you don't understand. This is a BIG deal. And, go figure... the electrical in the car completely went out on me as I was going around a curve. After coasting to the side of the road, shutting it off and on again, and saying a quick prayer, we were back on our way again.

I was charged by a baby elephant. Yes. It's true. No, I didn't get it on video -- I was too surprised to think of filming in the moment. But I did get lots of other pictures of our visit to the Elephant Orphanage.

Back at work, I split my time between Uganda and Kenya for the afternoon. And, once again, realized how blessed, privileged, and grateful I am that God allows me to be involved in this process... and how much I love working with these teams. It's that incredible sensation of knowing you're walking in the center of what He has planned for you.

I was peed on by a two-year-old. Yep. And that my thanks after washing her sticky hands, rescuing her shoes, and determining the whereabouts of her mother.... It's amazing how love simply doesn't care.

Now, I sit with a cup of green tea, chocolate chip cookies baking in the oven, and an unwritten newsletter in front of me... wondering how I could ever possibly have deserved this life He's given me... the opportunity to be where I am, see what I've seen, do what I do, love the people I love, and play a part in His sovereign plan. How can it be?

"He is your praise and He is your God, who has done these great and awesome things for you which your eyes have seen." (Deut. 10:21, NASB)

more transitioning thoughts...

2011-06-01T10:15:00.000-07:00

Well, so far this week... I've gone to the mall, gotten "take out" pizza, ate chips & salsa, and have driven a car. Getting myself in gear for re-entry to the States. ;)

Oh a humorous note... my roommate and I had a new expat (American) family over for dinner the other night. I picked up their 18 month old daughter after dinner, and immediately had this strange sense of something being "off." It's hard to explain. I shrugged it off, but the back of my mind was reeling to understand what was different... then it hit me: she is the first white child I've held in 8 months!!

A few other things I expect will be a bit jarring when I return?
-the LACK of gates, fences, and barbed wire around every business, home, shop, office, etc.
-the LACK of security guards at every location I go
-not greeting everyone, everyday with a firm handshake
-not using sign language 24/7
-having wide, paved, smooth, painted roads -- and having other cars stay in their own lanes
-the lack of pedestrian traffic and free-range livestock
-modern kitchen appliances, excess furniture, and just a lot more "stuff"
-the (much) faster "pace of life"
-seeing white people everywhere
-oh, and the conspicuous lack of dhania (aka: cilantro/coriander) in every dish

transitioning

2011-05-31T14:24:00.000-07:00

having a really hard time tonight with the reality of leaving very soon.
pray for me these next 6 weeks.
no matter how you slice it, goodbyes are just. plain. rough.
loving and leaving.
holding on and letting go.
clinging to His word tonight, through many tears,
Deut. 12:9, NASB --

...for you have not as yet come to the resting place and the inheritance which the LORD your God is giving you...

this is fleeting. temporary.
the best is still to come.
where there will be no more goodbyes.
no more separation or distance between His people.

oh, africa...

2011-05-28T22:31:00.000-07:00

i came praying for the courage to love you.
as Jesus loves you.
because my heart belongs to another,
and wasn't mine to give to you.

but i never expected...
that i'd come to love you as i have,
nor the way my heart would become entwined
with the lives of your precious, beautiful people.

when i go, a piece of me will remain behind,
knowing, there is coming a day
when we will all be together again as one body
not here on your soil
but on the eternal soil of souls
belonging to the King of all kings

i only pray, in my going, that i'll have
loved. given. spent.
as He has wanted
in HIS love for you

i know i've not attained this
but rejoice that He's a King that still uses
cracked. broken. earthen. vessels
so the glory will always, ever, only point to HIM.

Video on the El Salvador SL Project

2011-05-04T23:20:00.001-07:00

Reaching the Deaf with His Word

wanderlust

2011-05-03T10:54:00.000-07:00

in 2 months... I'm going home.
in 3 months... I'm going back to school.
in 6 months... I'm spending Thanksgiving at my second home.
in 9 months... I'm heading back overseas.
All these make me kinda happy! =D There's something about holding plane tickets that makes me smile. =)

Oh, and the news of the day: Heard this morning that my scholarship application for my fall courses at GIAL has been approved! Hooray! Thank you, Jesus.

think about this...

2011-04-29T06:57:00.000-07:00

Pick up your Bible.

Flip to Luke 22:43-44.

Interesting, huh?

What you might be surprised to know is that this is not recorded in any of the other three gospels.

Even more, these two verses are not included in many of the ancient manuscripts. Your Bible probably even has a footnote stating this.

Regardless, let's focus on this phrase in verse 44b...

NIV - "...and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground."

NASB - "...and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground."

NLT - "...his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood."

KJV - "...and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground."

NKJV & ESV - "...and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground."

CEV - "...his sweat fell to the ground like drops of blood."

TEV & NCV - "His sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground."
The Message - "Sweat, wrung from him like drops of blood, poured off his face."

Growing up, I've heard more than two or three sermons on how Jesus actually sweated blood while he prayed in the garden, complete with in depth scientific explanations on how you can be so distressed that your blood vessels can break and you can literally sweat blood. Now, scientifically, that very well may be true! But, as we're translating through this passage with the Kenyan SL team, I had to ask if that's really what it's saying or not. And, quite frankly, I'm leaning towards not. In the Greek, it's in the form of a metaphor. But, the question is, what is the point of comparison??

There are a few possibilities as to what this meant...

a) it was a rhetorical expression -- similar to 'tears of blood'
b) his sweat was falling like blood (the flow of blood vs. the drip of sweat)
c) his sweat was like the colour of blood

If we were translating into a spoken language, this may not pose such a big issue. We would have to find out how that language uses metaphors. However, we actually have to know what it looks like. So, with that in mind... how would you have me answer our Deaf artist team whose responsibility is to illustrate each Bible story in pictures that are exegetically sound?

for the record...

2011-04-28T06:55:00.000-07:00

I'll take a squatty potty over a western toilet that has no seat any day. It's just. plain. easier.

"if you can't beat 'em... join 'em?"

2011-04-21T10:46:00.000-07:00

Referring back to this post, I was on my way home from the office today, when one of the guards greeted me: "Ahhhh... Betty! Hallo!" with a hearty Kenyan handshake.

Hope... what a beautiful feeling

2011-04-15T10:58:00.000-07:00

So... been kinda (really) stressed lately. And have been praying through how to change that, as well as talking with supervisors about boundaries ... both inside and outside of the office. Plus kinda having God drill into my cranium my responsibility before Him to rest. Not easy lessons, but He is intervening... and providing people to stand in the gap in little ways here and there. And... today... like a ray of sunlight in the midst of the fog: hope. Things can change. Praising Him for the little moments of victory. He is in the midst of each breath, each moment... but are my eyes open to see Him at work or blinded by the temporary, fleeting, albeit urgent needs always around me. I want to see Him. Not people. Not provision. Not progress. Jesus.

The LORD himself will fight for you. Just stay calm. (Exodus 14:14, NLT)

a few of my favorite things...

2011-04-09T22:38:00.000-07:00

Artcaffe with friends!

this precocious 2-year-old

little indian girlies

being "bethany auntie"

my kitchen were i cook my stress away

volleyball!!!!!!

standing out from the crowd... ;) where's bethany?

Cameroon vs. Egypt

friends =)

...and precious sisters! =D

homeade pizza

dutch blitz at chai time

chillin'

the "no internet for 6 days" face

goofing off with my roomie to de-stress ;)

a delicious new twist on pancakes

2011-04-09T21:55:00.001-07:00

Ok... you've gotta try this!! It was a spontaneous idea one morning, since my roommate can't have milk products. Next time you make pancakes, try substituting the milk with coconut milk, and substitute your white sugar with half powdered sugar and half brown sugar. Add a half teaspoon of vanilla and a dash of cinnamon, and voila! So, so, so yummy. I find canned coconut milk in the baking section -- works like a charm.

name-calling

2011-04-06T06:09:00.000-07:00

Yesterday afternoon, as a colleague called me to his office to ask a question...
Kenyan colleague: "Be-the-ny... *pauses* Can I just call you 'Betty'?"
Me: "Absolutely not!"
Kenyan colleague: "Why not?"
Me: "Because practically nobody in my country under the age of 70 goes by 'Betty'. Plus, that's not even my name!"
Kenyan colleague: "Oh! Well we know you're young."
Indian colleague: "Yeah, and "Bethany" is long -- it's three syllables!"
Kenyan colleague: "And 'Betty' is only two."
Fortunately, they settled on using 'Beth' instead at my request, which I knew would turn to 'Bet' since the "th" is not a normal sound for Kenyans or Indians.

One thing's for sure around here, and it's that I never know what to expect next!

I had this strange feeling today...

2011-04-05T11:44:00.000-07:00

...that my life will never really be the "typical normal" again. But then, was my life ever "typical normal" before? Living with the Deaf -- I recommend it. Living overseas -- I highly recommend it. Living with the Deaf overseas -- best. thing. ever.

"Hence"

2011-04-04T21:54:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, as I was working through checking passages in the gospels with one of the Kenyan SL translators, I was trying to determine the subtle difference between two signs -- which looked and moved exactly the same, in the same location, in the same sentence order, but with a different handshape. One of them I knew meant "continue." So when I asked what the other one meant, I laughed heartily at what my Kenyan Deaf colleague fingerspelled back to me: "hence." =D And people ask me if sign languages are really dynamic enough to communicate complex ideas. ;-) Teheehee.

.presentness. .eternity.

2011-03-20T07:07:00.000-07:00

For what feels like the first time in my life, I've been living in the present. Not just living for the next trip, the next appointment, the next job, the next meeting. Today. Like today is all there is. Not in a sentimental, super-spiritual sense. But in a daily life sense. When it comes to communicating in the Deaf-world, there is no multi-tasking. When we are communicating, that's all we're doing. There's no, I'm-talking-with-you-but-thinking-about-something-else-and-washing-dishes-at-the-same-time. It's just me, them, and conversation. In a way, it's beautiful. It's attention and focus. It's present-ness.

However, at the same time, the Lord opened my eyes with fresh perspective last night. While it's good to be present, it's also vital to maintain a "big picture" perspective. One mustn't exist without the other.

"Wherever you are, be all there. Live to the hilt of every situation you believe to be the will of God." --Jim Elliot

What feels like forever ago, I worked as a high school interpreter. And the thing that struck me most about the younger high school kids was their tunnel-vision. Their entire worlds caved in over little things like not being asked by a certain person to homecoming, or not making the audition for a school play. Minor, minor issues in the grand scheme of life. Yet, it was everything to them. For many of them, it was as if high school was all that existed in their world -- they couldn't seem to see beyond the 12th grade. Their whole world was here & now: high school.

I've realized I've become very much like those high-school students the last month or so. While I love being here at DOOR, living in the present, and this new life that has become so everyday normal and familiar to me... I have found myself being so emotionally overwhelmed and exhausted over the littlest of things. While I have a "big picture" vision, I find it easy to lose in the midst of pouring my energy and heart into being present. To begin to live like this is all there is... these people, this place, this task. He's reminding there is much more... beyond this. So while I feel Him calling me to be present, to pour out, and to invest... this is not the place to put down roots, no matter how much I've grown to love the people in this place. No matter how comfortable and familiar it is. No matter how much I fear the pain of saying goodbye.

Holding my hand, my Jesus again pulls me to the edge of the unknown, and points beyond the familiar... "See there, my beloved... come with me further. Don't pitch your tent. This is not the end. In fact, the journey has still only just begun."

Presentness.
Eternity.
Perspective.
Jesus. My Jesus.
He is the beginning of all things, and HE is the end.

Meet my new nephew... =D

2011-03-19T10:06:00.000-07:00

8 days old

heart-strings

2011-03-10T10:29:00.000-08:00

The DOOR staff meets before work on Wednesday mornings for worship together. This Wednesday, as I sat there, surrounded by these people I've come to know and grown to love, I realized that I've already been here for 5 months! My internship is more than halfway over! I suddenly realized that there IS a day coming in another 4 months where I will have to say goodbye. My heart aches at the thought. How can I do it? You cannot come, grow to love, invest, share laughter & tears, and then not feel like you're tearing off a limb when you leave. And yet, at the same time, I miss home... long to hug my family... feel the pull of my heart towards still another place, another people. This life is such a beautiful, tangled, intricate web of the people, places, and experiences that make up our lives -- and HE is the common thread. HE is the familiar face, the familiar voice, and familiar weight on my heart. HE is the One who makes it all worthwhile -- no matter the ache, no matter the cost, no matter the distance. Because His LOVE transcends it all. Always.

I am becoming quite used to...

2011-03-05T04:28:00.000-08:00

... everything measured in grams or kilograms
... the second set of directions being given in Arabic instead of Spanish
... "military time" or 24-hour time rather than 12-hour A.M. and P.M.
... seeing everything in Celsius rather than Farenheit
... driving/walking on the left side of the road
... roundabouts instead of intersections
... referring to distance and speed in kilometers
... recognizing and writing the date in the European order of day/month/year. Thus, 7/3/2011 is actually March 7, 2011and not July 3, 2011

the need is never the call

2011-03-04T20:18:00.000-08:00

"If you have received a ministry from the Lord Jesus, you will know that the need is never the call: the need is the opportunity. The call is loyalty to the ministry you received when you were in real touch with Him. This does not imply that there is a campaign for service marked out for you, but it does mean that you will have to ignore the demands for service along other lines." ~Oswald Chambers, excerpt from My Utmost For His Highest Devotional (March 5)

things I miss, but not too much :)

2011-03-03T11:08:00.000-08:00

So... I definitely miss my morning runs. down our road. and by the lake.
The mountains all around me, 360 degrees. =) And snow.
And, much to my surprise, I also miss playing the piano more than I could've thought.
Oh, and driving ... I miss driving. Particularly, driving in a non-treacherous, non-chaotic, non-mixed-traffic environment.

Recent pics

2011-02-18T21:10:00.000-08:00

With my new roomie

Group photo after a Sunday morning Deaf worship service

With some new friends from Tanzania and Ghana

Out to Ethiopian food with Ethiopian friends

Deaf team members from Tanzania, Ethiopia, Ghana, and Uganda

going for a walk

2011-02-13T10:30:00.000-08:00

Even something as simple as a walk can be an adventure here. =) Ever heard of Acacia trees? Well, they look something like this...

So, last Tuesday, a dear friend and I went on our evening walk (normally, about 3km). When, much to my surprise and dismay...
THIS...

went through this...

and into this...

Which led to my THIRD trip to the hospital in only four months here. Ai yi yi. Turns out those beautiful African acacia trees, up close, look like this...

And, now that you know what acacia thorns look like... here's the kicker. This is the tree whose thorns were used to make the crown of thorns Jesus wore for his trial. They weren't no rosebush pricklies, my friends. They were the real--vicious--deal.

God or Bigfoot?

2011-02-05T01:17:00.000-08:00

While working through exegetical checking with one of our translation teams, we spent some time cleaning up the spatial-visual clarity of their translation. They asked me to watch a real-time draft as they practiced rehearsing it for filming. The signer got to the part where God is walking in the garden in the cool of the evening, and calling, "Man, where are you?" when I burst out laughing. God, as portrayed through the signing, was walking, "Boom. Boom. Boom. Boom." with heavy, monstrous steps through the garden.

Let me back up... Genesis 3:8 in the NASB reads: "They heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden."

Issue? "They heard ... God walking in the garden..." From a Deaf perspective, they way you hear sound is by feeling it. So, intuitively, it made perfect sense that God's footsteps would have been heavy enough for Adam & Eve to feel the vibration and thus "hear" God walking in the garden.

Problem? God is Spirit. And, I'm more than 99.99% sure that He doesn't walk like Bigfoot. ;)

When I pointed out the issue, we all had a good laugh. Shaking their heads, with big grins, they quickly modified the sign to something more accurate. But it provided good comic relief in the midst of a heavy day of work. =)

I love this all-consuming, challenge, yet positively wonderful learning process. Pray for the translation teams, for the artists, for the consultants, and for our office staff. We feel the weight of "accurately handling the Word of Truth," and feel the enemy's opposition. But, wow, to be in this part of the process... it is incredible. He will upload the integrity of His Word... and it will go forth to bring LIFE. Amen!

"have" vs. "have"

2011-02-04T06:59:00.001-08:00

I spent all of yesterday in the filming studio with what I currently refer to as "my translation team" (ie: Uganda). (On Monday, my colleagues return and will take over, allowing me to go back to my previous teammates.) One of the challenges of having so many different sign languages on campus is the influence of the local sign language on their translations. All the teams have learned Kenyan Sign Language, which we use for communication across the teams, despite the fact they each have their own sign language they are translating into.

As we filmed re-take after re-take, I kept seeing one of my translators using the Kenyan sign for "have" rather then the Ugandan one. We stopped the camera and they signed the whole passage again. I thought it was a simply a code-switching error, which are fairly common with the overlap of languages. But, when we finished for the day, the team leader told me it was actually a bigger issue than I had realized.

In Ugandan sign language, there are two signs for "have." One is what I had been seeing them use for the last three weeks, and the other resembles the Kenyan sign for "have." Both can be used, but the connotations of each are completely different! The Kenyan-looking "have" is only used by a person or in the context of being prideful, boastful, or arrogant. Considering the context of our Bible passage, only the first Ugandan sign for "have" would have been appropriate -- it is used generally, but also (purely in contrast to the second) conveys humility and graciousness. The closest equivalent explanation to spoken English could be the tone of voice you would use when speaking (which is normally conveyed through facial expression in sign languages, but in this instance, is actually also packaged in the choice of sign vocabulary).

Welcome to the nerdiness of the things that I find very interesting! ;-) And, obviously... worth writing about...

fleeting moments, eternal weight

2011-01-31T22:02:00.000-08:00

I love living in community with so many Deaf brothers and sisters from Africa & Asia. This morning, I looked out my kitchen window to see our Deaf guard standing in the patch of sunlight peeking over the office building. He was looking down in contemplation and was stepping back and forth with a slow rhythym. I couldn't help but smile as his solo, quiet dance to an internal music only he could hear. But then, he looked up, lifted his hands, and started signing in spontaneous worship, his feet keeping time! My heart burst with praise. How beautiful and inspiring it is to see my Deaf family members pouring out their hearts to our King. This is the whole reason we are here... that more and more of these precious ones might know, love, and worship HIM!

not exactly "Bible Trivia"

2011-01-30T11:19:00.000-08:00

Creating a VISUAL Bible through a visual language and including hand-drawn pictures is inherent with it's own unique challenges! There are many things in the Bible we can read without putting much thought into what it looked like, but for a Sign Language Bible, that is not an option! Here's a taste of the questions I get asked during an average workday here at DOOR...

What was the Ark of the Covenant made of?
What were the items kept in the Ark of the Covenant?
How do you draw Leah with weak eyes?
How do you draw the concept of forgiveness?
What did Miriam's leprosy look like?
What is the meaning of Daniel's dream in Daniel 4?
Are the Wilderness of Sin & the Wilderness of Zin the same place?
What did manna look like?
How did it spoil in only a day?
How much would one measure of manna have weighed?
What is "curd"?
What is the significance of the ram's horn in 1 Sam. 16:1?
What did the Israelites carry Joseph's bones in when they left Egypt?
Did Moses really carry Joseph's bones himself or did others help?
Were the tax collector's tables that Jesus overturned in the temple made of wood or metal? (Because it matters how you sign it -- and there is no generic word for "table" without saying "wood-table" or "metal-table" in one of the sign languages we're working with).

And did you know...
There is no garden named Eden in the Bible? Eden was the name of the place where the garden was planted, not the name of the garden itself.
Eve is not named until after the fall.
There's no account in Scripture of Adam ever being "named."
Man is the first thing God makes without simply speaking it into existence.
That the Hebrew word for Eve's pain in childbirth and Adam's pain in tilling the soil (Genesis 3:15-17) is the same word!?

a dead man raising a dead man!?!

2011-01-30T11:01:00.000-08:00

"Elisha died, and they buried him. Now the bands of the Moabites would invade the land in the spring of the year. As they were burying a man, behold, they saw a marauding band; and they cast the man into the grave of Elisha. And when the man touched the bones of Elisha he revived and stood up on his feet." --2 Kings 13:20-21, NASB

...says the Savior...

2011-01-26T10:14:00.000-08:00

Fear not, says the Savior to His penitent, heartbroken disciple. Fear not, trembling, desponding soul. My glory, My perfections need not alarm thee, for they are all engaged on thy side, all pledged to secure thy salvation. Tell Me not of thy sins. I will take them away. Tell Me not of thy weakness, thy folly and ignorance. I have treasures of wisdom and knowledge, and strength for thee. Tell Me not of the weakness of thy graces. My grace is sufficient for thee, for its riches are unsearchable. Tell Me not of the difficulties which oppose thy salvation. Is any thing too hard for Me? Tell Me not that the favors thou art receiving are too great for thee. I know they are too great for thee to merit, but they are not too great for Me to give. Nay, more, I will give thee greater things than these. I will not only continue to pardon thy sins, bear with thine infirmities, and heal thy backslidings; but give thee larger and larger measures of My grace, make thee more and more useful in the world, render thee more than a conqueror over all thine enemies, and at death wipe away forever all thy tears; receive thee to the mansions which My Father has prepared for thee in heaven, and cause thee to sit down with Me on My throne forever and ever.

Thus does Christ comfort those that mourn; thus He encourages the desponding, thus exalts those that humble themselves at His feet; and constrains them to cry, in admiring transports of gratitude and love, “Who, O who is a God like unto Thee, forgiving iniquity, transgression and sin?”

-From Legacy of a Legend: Spiritual Treasure
from the Heart of Edward Payson(The father of Elizabeth Prentiss)

going abroad

2010-12-29T05:55:00.000-08:00

This comes with my love from South Asia! I think I'm in love. =) Coconut trees everywhere I look, a myriad of bright colors, exotic music, delicious smells, beautiful people... and precious Deaf family who are hungry and eager to soak up every lesson, every life-giving word, with joy and anticipation.

On a humorous note... (in list format, since I like lists)

a) I have internet at my hotel, but not hot water. ;)
b) Today, whilst chowing down the remainder of a large bag of dried mangoes, I looked down to find that some sugar ants had been enjoying it long before I started eating them. I salvaged a few more pieces before disposing of the rest... I guess that just means I had extra protein for my supper!
c) I never cease to be amused by my bathroom experiences abroad. We all have such different cultural norms from country to country! A fellow expat recommended this book, and it's officially made my wish-list. ;)

heart-melting

2010-12-22T22:00:00.000-08:00

I had been in Africa for four days, when I was invited to a women's fellowship group with the Deaf wives of our translators. One of the Kenyan women, who is now a dear friend, brought her two-year-old daughter, Grace. A fellow expat warned me that Grace was terrified of "wazungu" (white foreigners) so wouldn't talk to me. Yet, when it came time for study, my Kenyan friend came in and sat down next to me on the bench, plopping little Grace right in between us.

By the end of the evening, Grace was playing with my capris, twirling my watch around my wrist, and talking in a mixture of Kiswahili and little person gibberish. I quickly found, as I whispered with her, that we had no common spoken language! Even though we are both hearing, our only common language is Kenyan Sign Language! Before she went home, she let me put her socks and shoes on. A friendship had begun.

The next few weeks, I noted that when all the other wazungu, particularly the hearing ones, run up to her with loud voices and try to pick her up, they are met with wide-eyed fear and clinging to her mom. Instead, I would sign with her, use my voice only rarely, and let her decide when I get to hold her. And, with two months now gone, we've become good friends. =) She greets me when I come up during lunch each day and often follows me inside. We drink juice or share a mango, speaking gibberish while pointing at everything in sight and asking, "Why?" or "What is it?"

When I came down with a virus last week, one of the toughest consequences was the inability to spend time with Grace since I didn't want to get her sick. And, naturally, at two, she couldn't understand why I wouldn't pick her up, come over to play, or let her in my house. She would come over and plop down on my welcome mat outside my screen door, playing and carrying on a monologue more to herself than to me, but including me when I looked her way. *melt*

After a week in more or less isolation, the virus is practically over and I'm able to interact more with others. Last night, I had two fellow expats over for dinner. We'd just finished when I heard the pattering of little feet running towards my door and heard little person knocking. Opening the door, little Gracie looked up at me with wide eyes and a huge smile, flinging her arms open for me to pick her up. *melt* I did, and she wrapped her little arms around me in a hug and squeezed. *melt* Her papa was standing across the hall on their porch and said she'd been wanting to see me and he'd given her permission.

She stayed for a little while, snuggling on my lap while my company and I played a card game. Half hour later, she let me scoop her up and take her home, content with finally having some visit time. Ahh... she just melts my heart.

ups. downs. and all.

2010-12-17T13:00:00.000-08:00

"The pathway to holiness is located right where you are. In those circumstances, those relationships, in that tiredness, in that challenge. The grace of God to make you holy is right there." Amen.

simply because He is WORTHY

2010-12-15T20:38:00.000-08:00

I will bless the LORD at all times;
His praise shall continually be on my mouth.
My soul will make its boast in the LORD;
The humble will hear it and rejoice.
O magnify the LORD with me,
And let us exalt His name together.

Psalm 34:1-3, NASB

Lord...turn me all into love, and all my love into obedience, and may my obedience be without interruption. (Jeremy Taylor)

this is my life...

2010-12-14T09:00:00.000-08:00

Thursday -- wake up to my light still on because I fell asleep in my book the night before! Crazy day at the office where I manage to get a lot done, but none of what I had planned to get done!

Friday -- wake up to hot water coming out of my shower which NEVER happens in the morning! a beautiful start. spend the day in town running errands and meeting up with a friend from the States who happens to be in town. then get stuck in Nairobi traffic for the ENTIRE afternoon/evening... make a few wrong turns... wind up home 6 hours later with a headache and none of the items I was supposed to pick up during my errands.

Saturday -- wake up early to get help in donning an Indian saree for a Kenyan colleague's sister's wedding. It takes a good 35 minutes to get it "just so" with lots of tying, tucking, pinning, and smoothing. Whew! Arrive an hour early at the wedding because of practically no traffic! Enjoy a beautiful ceremony and make new friends. Get home in time to cook the evening away with my Indian friends for our safari trip the following day.

Sunday -- wake up at 5 and leave at 6 for Nakuru National Park -- a team safari trip today!!! With a 3+ hour drive, we pray, worship, have a Bible story, eat breakfast, take pictures, and visit -- all in sign language, mind you. ;) Get to see the Rift Valley, which runs from Egypt to South Africa. At the National Park, we drive through and saw rhino, buffalo, flamingos, pelicans, impala, gazelle, cranes, giraffe, baboons, monkeys, and a lion!!! The safari is a blast, and we find joy in teasing one another with, "Look! Look! Over THERE! ... just kidding! Made you look!" Fun.

Monday -- wake up late because... it's Jamhuri Day! Which means a holiday! Spent the morning cleaning my apartment, doing laundry, and catching up from a fun, full weekend. Make a store run with a fellow expat and we decide on the way to stop and see the new Rapunzel movie "Tangled," which is cute. We shop and arrive back in time for me to catch dinner with the team. It's Indian food... and delicious, as always.

Tuesday -- wake up at 5:30 and reluctantly roll out of bed to heat water for a bucket bath. Thankful for the quiet hours of this morning to regroup. Thankful for the crazy, fun, full last few days and buckle down to finish up all my projects this week. The office closes on Friday for the holidays and there is much to do!!! Already planning next weekend and a "Stone soup" dinner. I'll keep you posted. ;)

Bagels

2010-12-06T11:01:00.000-08:00

Just attempted these for the very first time... So good, so EASY!

And yes... one is partially eaten, because I had to make sure it was really good enough to post the recipe for you all. ;) Don't worry... it is!!! =p

Randi’s Bagels: Makes about 6.

Measure 3 cups high gluten flour (or 2 ½ cups flour and ½ cup gluten -- OR just use regular flour)

1 ½ tsp salt

A little less than ¼ cup sugar

1 level tsp plus 1 heaping tsp yeast

1 ¼ cup luke warm water

Add 2 cups of the flour to a bowl (set the 3^rd heaping cup aside), add salt, sugar, and yeast to bowl. Add your variations now *See below* Add 1 ¼ cup luke warm water. Mix in a mixer with a bread hook – dough will be moist. Add the 3^rd cup of flour now. Add more flour if needed until the dough is not sticky. It should pull of the side of the bowl. (Note: When you add wet variations like apples or jalapeños you will have to add more flour.) The dough should be a small ball. Spray or oil a bowl and place dough in bowl, cover with plastic wrap or a towel. Let rise for approx 20-40 min.

Put water on to heat in a large pan – it does not need to boil, just get it heating up. Remove dough from bowl and flatten dough long wise just a little into a log like shape. Cut dough into 6 pieces. Form into balls with the edges pinched on the bottom, flatten the balls a bit and form a hole in the middle. Put your middle and ring fingers of both hands through the hole and pull it round and round. Drop the bagels in a pan of hot water. Pull the holds open again as you place each one in the water. Leave them about 30-60 seconds on one side and turn them over for another 30-60 seconds. Remove from pan with a slotted spoon or spatula. Place on a paper towel to drain or let drip through the slotted spoon. Move bagels to baking pan. Add a sprinkle of cheese on top if you are making cheesy bagels. Bake 16 min at 445 degrees F. You might want to turn the tray around after 8 min. Bagels without the cheese may not need to bake the full 16 min.

Variations for bagels –

Jalapeño Cheese Bagels:

1 handful grated Swiss cheese (or other cheese)

1 heaping tsp crushed red peppers

¼ cup heaping jalapeños, chopped

Jalapeño/Sundried tomatoes Herb Bagels:

½ of a ¼ cup heaping jalapeños, chopped

½ of a ¼ cup heaping sun dried tomatoes

½ to 1 tsp herbs such as basil, sage and or thyme

Cinnamon & Raisin:

½ cup raisins

1 ½ tsp cinnamon, or more

½ tsp nutmeg, or more

Some extra sugar

Sundried Herb:

¼ cup heaping sun dried tomatoes

½ to 1 tsp herbs such as basil, sage and or thyme

Cranberry Orange:

½ cup dried cranberries

2 Tbsp orange peel mixture (Chop ½ of an orange peel and a little sugar)

Apple & Cheddar:

1 large handful of cheddar cheese

½ an apple chopped

Uno!! The card game of choice...

2010-12-05T05:26:00.000-08:00

We like to pass our "downtime" in a variety of ways here at the DOOR Centre. =) Some of these activities include chess, cricket, badminton, football (soccer), or volleyball. But, when we discovered a couple boxes of Uno in the stash of games last week, we decided it was time to try something new. After a couple "quick 'n' dirty" trial runs with explanations, this game has caught on like wildfire!! My colleagues love it! I never realized how visual this game is, making it the perfect Deaf card game. =) What a great, competitive way to pass the evening. When's the last time you played Uno?

They need Coffee!?

2010-12-02T19:22:00.000-08:00

Check out the latest newsletter from DOOR here: http://www.doorinternational.com/news/coffee and read stories from our Tanzania community checking trip! I know many of you were covering this trip in prayer. Here are just a small handful of the results.

The Best Refrigerator Bread Dough

2010-11-25T23:39:00.000-08:00

1 Package Active Dry Yeast (about 2 1/4 teaspoons)

1 1/2 Cups warm water (105 - 115 degrees)

2/3 cups sugar

1 1/2 tsp salt

2/3 cup shortening

2 eggs

1 cup lukewarm mashed potatoes (or mashed sweet potatoes)

7 - 7 1/2 cups flour, or enough to make a smooth dough

Knead 5 minutes, refrigerate 8 hours, use within 10 days. To use - take out of refrigerator and shape into whatever you're wanting to make. Let rise in a warm place for an hour or until doubled. Bake. Enjoy!

One recipe worth of dough can be used to make any of the following:

3 batches of crescent rolls (400 degrees for 10-12 minutes)

2 loaves of bread (375 degrees for 25-30 minutes)

2-3 dozen dinner rolls (375 degrees for 15 minutes)

2 - 9x13 pans of monkey bread (350 degrees for 25 minutes)

3 pizza crusts (400 degrees for 12-15 minutes)

or whatever else you desire!

snapshots of my (new) life

2010-11-21T11:58:00.000-08:00

I no longer find it strange or unusual to...

see warthogs or baboons alongside the road on the way to the store
live without a hot water heater, microwave, or coffee-maker
sleep under a mosquito net
have the electricity go out at least once a day
pray with my eyes open
drink shelf-safe milk from a box
answer to "Auntie Bethany," "Bethany Auntie," "Sister B," or "Miss B"
worship God in another language
always carry my own toilet paper with me
be the only white face in the group
eat with my hands. or a spoon. but almost never a fork and knife.
have every meal end with toothpicks
have someone walk right into my house after knocking once
take my shoes off before going into the house (makes it easy to figure out which apartment fellowship is at each night, though! ;))
drink chai 3-5 times a day
spend most of the day without using my voice, yet still having many good, deep conversations

I'm still getting used to...

shaking hands with my friends in greeting, rather than hugging them
every trip anywhere feeling like the Indiana Jones ride at Disneyland
ugali & instant Nescafe coffee
plugging something into the electrical socket and then remembering to turn the socket on
preparing for "the holidays" when there's nothing around me signifying it and the weather is more like summer
roads being "tarmacked," wearing "trousers," using "serviettes," and "topping up" my cell phone
not having the freedom to go anywhere, anytime, by myself
seeing another white person and thinking they are either a European, Aussie, or Kiwi, and not automatically assuming they're American
being asked, "Do you know _____?" Saying I don't. And then getting, "But s/he lives in America!?!"
constantly having absolute strangers vie for my attention and a greeting
having an audience gather whenever I want to cook something, because everyone wants to watch and learn

I love...

seeing Jesus in men and women from completely different backgrounds and places, and finding the fruit of the Spirit in their lives
that worship automatically means drums (and, often, dancing)
being surrounded with family in every shade of brown and tan
eating Kenyan and Indian food
watching my Deaf brothers and sisters pour out their hearts in prayer and praise to the Lord
seeing the sincerity in their faces when they share their burden for the Deaf who don't know Christ
being invited and welcomed into their lives
being absolutely confident and peacefully content, knowing I'm exactly where He wants me
that He allows us to join Him in His eternal purposes

And I love that I could take this picture on my way home from a Masai Church a few weeks ago