Can You Believe It?

Was in my first 5k today with some people from work. You may be asking the question that I've asked myself for weeks...

You did what?!?!

Yeah.  I didn't run the whole thing, but I think I did maybe half of it, and finished it in around 42 minutes. That's pretty good for this girl who couldn't run at all as a kid without running out of breath in about a minute.  Don't get me wrong, I still huff and puff a lot, but I guess that's ok when you're 40-something. I'm not sure how many participated overall, and I wanted to write this while it was fresh in my mind so I'm not waiting until the results show up on the website. 

One interesting thing happened shortly after the race started. I was moving along, and people were everywhere. It was a little overwhelming, but I made it through that part (I really didn't know what to expect at the start of a race. It can be a bit chaotic if you've never done it before). I was listening to music, which not only motivates but also helps drown out the aforementioned huffing and puffing. I was probably about 1/4 mile in, and I heard the lyrics in my ears....

With my feet off the ground I'm gonna praise You
With this love I have found, I'm gonna tell the world
The reason I dance is 'cause You saved me
Yes You saved me, yes You saved me

And here's where it got odd. I mean, interesting is what I said before so let's go with that.  I started to cry. Not just a few tears, but I was trying with all my might to not sob out loud.

At first glance, they don't seem like words that would make a person cry, do they? Not to me either. I've listened to that song a whole bunch of times and I'm pretty sure I never cried before. Have you ever tried to run while you're crying? It is NOT easy.

Then, it hit me. One year ago I was in Romania (can you believe it?). I was holding babies. I was walking up hill at some point that day (that's just a given - everything is up hill) and I know I couldn't keep up, and I'm sure I was doing a lot of that huffing and puffing I mentioned before. I'm pretty sure that it was one year ago today (or tomorrow) that we walked up to the Hollywood, I mean Brasov sign and the man I passed told me I was "last in line". Then I wrote this.

Today, I realized that I'm not last in line any more. Not physically, not emotionally, not spiritually. Oh I know I wasn't really last then, but my perception at the time was just that. Last. I also know that I'm certainly not first now.

As I pulled myself together, I found myself running and praising God and thanking him for how far he has brought me in the last year. He did save me. Once many years ago he saved me from me, and last year, he saved me from Meningitis (whether you believe I was saved by the healing hand of God or the miracle of modern medicine, He did save me). And of course, that made me cry more, and a few of those sobs I was trying to hold in escaped. If you're new here or have forgotten what happened, check out this post. I did eventually manage to pull myself together for the majority of the run though.

Toward the end of the race - maybe 1/2 mile from the end of the race, I passed a man on the side of the road. Unlike the man who saw my defeat in Romania, this man spoke to my potential. He said,

"You're almost there. You can make it."

It's amazing what that little bit of encouragement did for my drive to finish. I'd like to say I sprinted the rest of the way, but I didn't, but I did have a little more spring in my step.  (This is a a great place to pause and remind you that death and life are in the power of the tongue, and something so powerful should be used with extreme care - there's your less for today).

As I turned the corner to cross the finish line, I scanned quickly the crowd for the rest of our team from work. I didn't see them, but I decided to sprint to the finish line and then look for them. Right before I crossed the finish line, I heard someone call my name. Once again, I knew I wasn't alone. My team was waiting for me, once again - just like the team waited at the top of the hill in Romania. But this time, I celebrated and, once again, fought back the tears.

Oh, that song up there is "Let it Out" by Worth Dying For, in case you were curious.
Update: Looks like just over 700 participants in the race, and I was #423 - official time 41:37.7. I'll take it!

The "Perfect Storm"

As promised, here are some answers to some frequently asked questions.

What exactly did I have?

Pneumococcal Bacterial Meningitis - a very resistant strain, I'm told.

How did I get it?

There really isn't a definitive answer to this question, but almost everyone carries this bacteria in their nose/throat. If you are in situations where there are a lot of people in a confined space and your immune system is compromised by something like an ear infection, sinus infection, or you are overly tired, your body doesn't fight the bacteria like it normally would. It is very common in college students. Most likely, I was worn out from all the walking and lack of sleep, and also coming down with something. Most likely I contracted it in the hospital in Romania. Basically, it was the "perfect storm".

What do I remember?

I was not feeling well the night before we left. My right ear was plugged and I was praying for it to clear up because having any part of your head plugged on a plane is not fun. I didn't get much sleep that night (none of us did) and it was still bothering me as we loaded to go to the airport. I had a slight headache which I figured had to do with the lack of sleep - which is a common symptom for me.

When we got to the airport Tuesday morning, the headache was worse, and my neck was hurting, which I thought had to do with sleeping on the way to the airport. I tried some caffeine and some ibuprofen, but neither seemed to work. Tried some peppermint oil once we were at the gate waiting to board, but that also didn't work.

I remember getting on the plane and being in a row by myself. When the seat belt light went off, I slid over and put my feet up on the seats and went to sleep. I remember food being served and being asked to sit up for landing. Things start to get blurry here. I remember one of the team talking to me and me trying to answer but I couldn't. I remember finally being able to get across the aisle to her, and not being able to move very well. I remember the flight crew NOT helping at all, but wanting us off the plane. I remember getting off the plane to the outside (not in the terminal). I know people were asking me questions and I knew the answers but I couldn't form the words.

Then, I remember nothing until what I think was the next day in the hospital, although time was a bit off for me for the first 48 hours or so.

Did anyone else get sick?

Thankfully, no. This isn't the kind of disease you can just get from each other. The conditions have to be exact. Once they knew which strain I had (from a lumbar puncture), the rest of the team knew they didn't have it if they didn't have a fever.

Was I scared?

No. Not that I remember anyway. I could have been scared that first day, but I really don't remember. I knew that I wasn't alone - that God was with me and that He didn't send me to Romania to change the world just so I could be lost in some hospital in France.

What else do you remember?

I remember seeing Chad and Ali come to see me and wanting to talk to them so badly, but unable to speak the words I wanted to. I remember sleeping and waking up so many times, that by the time I was able to talk to them I asked them what day it was, thinking I had been there for about a week, when it had only been a couple of days. Time moved so slowly.

I remember being tied down, and being so frustrated with that. I remember at one point just crying and the nurse looking at me, and just turning out the light and leaving me alone in the room.

One of the doctors asked if I knew where I was and I said hospital. They asked was country and I knew I was in Paris, but I couldn't remember if it was France or French. I think I said French. I think he laughed.

I don't remember the first lumbar puncture, but the second one was quite memorable. They had me sitting up (even though I wasn't strong enough to do so). I was leaning on a pillow and they realized that wasn't enough so they had me hold on to a nurse. All was going well until the nurse passed out! I think I squeezed her too hard.

I remember a severe headache and neck ache.

By Thursday, Ali and Chad brought me my Bible and a book and a notepad. I was feeling so much better and able to answer and ask questions. I was so thankful they were there with me. I don't know what I would have done without them.

What was God teaching me?

This one I'm still working on. I kept holding on to certain promises and going back to them in the Bible and reading and re-reading.

God calls all of us to the same thing: The Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. ~ Micah 6:8

He promises to be with us:

Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.
I have called you by name; you are mine.
When you go through deep waters,
I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty,
you will not drown.
When you walk through the fire of oppression,
you will not be burned up;
the flames will not consume you.
For I am the Lord, your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. ~ Isaiah 43:1-3

He promises to hear us when we are obedient:

Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?
Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter-when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.
Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. ~ Isaiah 58:6-9

He works everything out:
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. ~ Romans 8:28

During my third lumbar puncture, I remember just thanking God for sending Jesus to die for me. I was in the hospital for 2 weeks, and I was in a lot of pain for much of that time, but it was nothing compared to what Jesus suffered for me, for you, for the world. A couple of times they hit a nerve or something and my legs kicked out involuntarily. I wondered how many times that happened to Him as he was being beaten and crucified. I am so thankful.

Why did this happen?

A great question to which there may not be an answer for a long time. I kept thinking about Paul, and all that he went through for the Kingdom: shipwrecks, snake bites, beatings, stonings, imprisonment - but nothing would stop him. He knew what he was called to do and he just kept doing it, despite the opposition. I want to live my life like that.

Some of the doctors have told me I was just "lucky". Not a word I would use to describe it, but I get what they are saying. I really was just part of the perfect storm - the conditions were "right".

Will I go again?

This is a tough question to answer. I don't specifically feel called to Romania, but not because I got sick there. The experience there was amazing, and it really opened my eyes to the needs of orphans in the world. I don't know what it looks like yet, but I know God is leading me to serve in this area in some way.

How am I now?

I went to the doctor the day after I got back. She sent me to an Infectious Disease doctor the following morning. He said I was treated properly and that I don't need any more treatment for the Meningitis and didn't need to see him again at all. The next morning, I woke up with a rash all over my body - and it was itchy. Went back to my doctor first thing and while I was there got really weak and my blood pressure was very low. She sent me to the ER. By the time I got there, my BP was normal and I was feeling much better. They gave me IV fluids and steroids and Benedryl for the rash. I was there for a few hours and went home with a prescription for steroids and Benedryl. I took the last of the steroid today but I still have the rash so I'll be contacting the doctor again tomorrow to see what's up with that.

I still have some hearing loss in my right ear, but it's a lot better than it was when I left France. I see a specialist on May 2 to see if there is any permanent damage. I believe that I will be completely healed of that too.

That's a lot of information for one post - sorry about that. Feel free to ask any other questions I may have missed. I'm getting stronger every day. God really is the God of miracles.

Bonjour, Paris! Au revoir Paris!

We made it to Paris - an uneventful flight. However, I've lost my camera so there will not be many photos posted from me. God is faithful, and I trust he will take care of the situation. We did have an adventure in the airport trying to get it back though. So thankful for traveling with grace-filled people.

We're about to board our flight to Bucharest but I wanted to let you know we're safe so far. More updates will follow.

Au revoir!

Michigan today, Romania tomorrow!

Today is the day. I'll be boarding a plane that will take me to Paris, then another plane that will take me to Bucharest. From there, I will travel to Brasov where I will spend the next week(ish) working with Firm Foundations at Children's Hospital in Brasov.

People keep asking me if I'm nervous. I can honestly say there isn't shed of nervousness in me right now. Why?

• I'm traveling with an amazing group of people.
• I get to go love on babies and the people who serve them every day.
• I get to be Jesus to every person I come in contact with, in Romania and all along the way (though this is true every day).
• I know God planned every detail and He's got it all figured out.
• We're taking the Baby Closet international!
• I'm traveling with an amazing group of people! I know, I know... I already said that, but it's so true.

We leave late tonight, and arrive tomorrow evening at our final destination. The journey to where God is taking us is long, but as with every charge from him, the journey is part of the adventure. I can't wait to see what he has in store for us!

Saying Goodbye

As far as I can tell, goodbyes are never easy. They may be good sometimes but they are never easy.

This morning I said goodbye to an old friend. We depended on each other for a long time. There were very few days we didn't spend time together - only when one of us was sick or I was out of town for work. We planned to spend our next vacation together. We traveled together. We took kids to and from church. We helped friends and family move, and even moved together once.

It's funny how we get attached to our stuff. I'm amazed at how quickly and easily it can be replaced, many times with very little thought of it again.

You may have been beat up a bit, but maybe that's why we got along. I'll miss your sun roof, your hatchback with lots of cargo space, your roof rack (even though I never used it), and I'll miss your missing mirror. Rest well, wherever you go. Goodbye old friend.

A Franciscan Benediction

May God bless you with discomfort
At easy answers, half truths, and superficial relationships

So that you may live deep within your heart

May God bless you with anger
At injustice, oppression and exploitation of people
So that you may work for justice, freedom and peace

May God bless you with tears
To shed for those who suffer pain, rejection, hunger and war
So that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and
To turn their pain into joy

And may God bless you with enough foolishness
To believe that you can make a difference in the world
So that you can do what others claim cannot be done
To bring justice and kindness to all our children and the poor.

Something To Look Forward To

Sometimes, our circumstances lead us into a place of hurt, anger, frustration, depression, sin. It's in those times we need to remember that our circumstances are temporary. This life isn't all there is - we have something to look forward to. Been thinking of that since this song came on my iPod tonight. Wish I had a link to the whole song for you to listen to.

When I See Jesus

This life I lead is good

And I know that I am blessed

At times I grow weary; I need a little rest

When the world tries to lead me further away

My faith turns me back 'cause I know one day

That when I see Jesus and He calls my name

He reaches for me - I'll never be the same

I know that my Savior is waiting for me

And I'll fall in His arms when my journey's complete

-Lisa Chan

Journey to Africa and Beyond Part 10

Part 1   Part 2   Part 3   Part 4   Part 5   Part 6   Part 7   Part 8   Part 9

Back at the university, I continued scraping glue with Isaac. One of the funny-now-but-scary-at-the-time stories happened in the shop. I was working diligently with my turpentine (which, by the way, is flammable - you'll need that bit of information in a minute) when I heard what sounded like a giant bug getting zapped in a bug zapper, and a lot of yelling and scuffling. I looked around and I was completely alone. I looked behind me and the fuse box was on FIRE. The old adage "women and children first" definitely did not apply here. I left the shop and asked about the guy that was actually working on the fuse box. He ran out of the shop, and just kept running. We didn't see him for hours. After we were sure it was safe, we went back to work. The manager came in and was talking to us and he decided it would be a good idea next time if they turned off the electricity before working on the fuse box. Great idea.

Eventually, things got back to normal and I went back to scraping glue again. I noticed as I would finish with one piece and set it aside to begin working on the next piece, I would look back at the last one and see another spot. So I'd go back to it and scrape a little more. Then I'd go on to the next one and continue to find more spots on the ones I had thought were complete. I kept trying to get them perfect, fully knowing that I would never see the end product. I wouldn't know what the plaque would look like, or who would receive it, or what they thought of it. I began to think about the student center that was being built and how we would never see the finished product other than in photos, maybe, someday. And I kept going back to the last frame I worked on trying to finish it. Eventually, I had to just say, "It's good enough."

As soon as I surrendered that it was never going to be perfect, that I couldn't make it perfect, I knew in my spirit that God was speaking to me. Even though I gave up on perfecting those frames, God never stops refining me. He never gives up on me. He never sets me aside and says "that's good enough". He is always scraping away the glue that allows the world to stick to me. He never stops. He never gives up. He has all the time in the world to perfect me... I only had 2 weeks in Africa.

In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:4-5

Many students will attend that university in Nairobi. Many will spend time in the student center eating, talking with friends, praying, in chapel, and whatever else they decide to do with that building. It's true that our hands didn't build it, but we were a small part of making it happen. The students that flow through there will go out into Africa, the Africa we didn't see, and they will spread the Good News. And I'm good with that.

Soon we would leave, but not before visiting a few other places. The Giraffe Sanctuary (ever kiss a giraffe? I have. One of the best quotes of the whole trip was "Sure. Don't drink the water but go ahead and swap spit with a wild animal.") We went into the city of Nairobi. If I didn't know I was in Africa, I never would have guessed. The traffic was like home, except they don't really have traffic lights or stop signs, but just about every intersection is a round-a-bout that is 3 or 4 lanes wide. You better hope you're in the right lane at the right time. That was actually the scariest part of the whole trip!

We went to the mall (yes, the mall). It was much like any shopping mall, except for the roof. This was where the market place was. It was all the same stuff we saw at the Maasai village, only in greater abundance and with a lot more bartering opportunity. Let's just say I bought some souvenirs for the church back home and some gifts for my family and got out of there!

We soon packed our things and headed back to the U.S. We had an 8 hour layover this time in London, but it was early Sunday morning and the weather wasn't great so I stayed at the airport while a few from our group went to do a little sight seeing. As I sat there, at one time I looked at my ticket and noticed it said "Karen Byrne - World Traveler". I wondered what that would mean for me for the future.

Had I really seen Africa?

I learned a lot about myself, and God did show up and speak to me, but I couldn't help wondering if I had missed out on something amazing. Every place we went was safe or run by Christians or had been thoroughly inspected before we arrived. Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful for that. I didn't want to sleep on the ground or dig under rocks for bugs to eat for dinner or fight off wild animals with a stick, but I know that the people of Africa are different than those we saw at the mall. While we were shopping, I wanted to walk along the road that leads to the university and talk to the people who live in shacks there and hear their stories and encourage them. Love them. Let God love them through me. But this was not my experience.

I've heard of people coming home from a mission trip and getting depressed after seeing how others in the world live. I came home and got depressed because of what I didn't see. Again, don't get me wrong, waking up in the morning and seeing a giraffe out your window is super cool. But I think God made me for more than that. What that is, I'm still trying to figure out.

Thanks for indulging me as I worked through this series. Now I feel like I can get back to some regular posts.

Journey to Africa and Beyond Part 9

Part 1   Part 2   Part 3   Part 4   Part 5   Part 6   Part 7   Part 8

On our way back from our safari (which, by the way, is Swahili for journey) we drove through a couple of dust storms. It was pretty wild. I tried to take a picture but it really didn't turn out that great. We closed the windows in the vans as best we could (think old school bus windows), but the dust kept coming in.

When we got back to the university, one of the ladies was standing outside our van when I got of and she took one look at me and said "Oh honey", and I could tell from her look and her tone I was a mess. I looked around and no one else was dirty. Just me.

It took me a while, like a few months, to figure this out. I should have known, but I wasn't thinking right at the time. I'm going to tell you something you really don't want to know about me, but my face sweats. I know, I'm a lady and I should say "perspires" but the moisture that accumulates on my face when I'm hot is way more disgusting than perspiration... it's sweat. So, when we went through that dust storm, all of the dust settled on my face. Paints a lovely picture, doesn't it? (No, I didn't have a picture taken.)

I went inside and stood next to the bathtub and looked at my face in the mirror. I really was a mess. I looked at my clothes and my face and said a little prayer that went something like this: "Please God, send us a little rain so I can go out and get this dirt off me so I don't get the bathtub all dirty and no one has to wash the filth off my clothes.

In that moment, I realized that's how so many of us approach God. It's why so many never approach God. They think they have to get cleaned up before they can come to God. What they don't realize is that God is in the dirt and the mire with us. He comes into our mess and he is the one who washes us. We don't have anything to do with it, other than just showing up and allowing him access to clean up our mess. He's just waiting for us to ask.

I don't remember if it was during the trip or shortly after that this song really hit me. The lyrics are included, so I won't repeat them but there is one part that really sticks out to me as I write this.

I wanna come home but the sands of time surround me and the dirt's finally covered my shame.

Sometimes, we press down so hard on the sin in our lives that it gets buried under all the other junk in our lives and we can't even see it anymore. It's in those times that God has to scrape away at the outer level of dirt to get down to the heart of the matter. It's not a fun process, but it's worth it.

to be continued...

Journey to Africa and Beyond Part 8

Part 1   Part 2   Part 3   Part 4   Part 5   Part 6   Part 7

We also had planned a trip to the Masai Mara Game Reserve for a few days. This was going to be a 3 or 4 hour trip. We would be stopping by a Maasai village on the way. Finally... we were going to see Africa.

The village (pictures below) was interesting. When we arrived they danced for us, and then they jumped; they are known for how high they can jump. We learned that the ones wearing the head dress made of a lion's mane earned them by killing a lion that came into the village. They don't hunt the lions, but they do kill them if they intrude, and this gives them a celebrity-like status in the village. Their homes are built by the women out of mud and manure (and other "natural" products), and most of them 3 or 4 rooms... many of which are home to chickens, goats, and other animals they keep inside to protect. The homes do not last long as the Maasai tend to move around a lot. In this particular village, which is visited frequently (I think by appointment only) some of the young men go to school, and everyone in the village is a Christian. We had a demonstration of how they start a fire (was anyone a boyscout?). Then, we walked through a small entryway to the marketplace. This was where they all started hounding us to buy their products. Jewelry, carvings, etc. Things they made themselves and really, really, REALLY want you to buy them. Many tables had the same items on them, and each "seller" was trying to convince you that theirs was the best. This was the day I decided I would never, ever, EVER barter. It was overwhelming to me. I never wanted to escape a place so quickly in my life (for those who don't know, I really hate shopping - it used to be my least favorite thing to do; now it's bartering). You can learn more about the Maasai here.




Once we finally left the village we continued on and arrived at the Masai Mara Game Reserve. Could tell we were getting closer because we saw more and more zebras and giraffes. We checked in and went to our "tents", which were actually nicer than the rooms we had at the university.
Yes, that's my tent.

I posted a few of my pictures on Flickr.

The last day we were there we went out early in the morning. The only animals you see are vultures eating the left overs from the night before. I'll spare you those pictures.

As we were heading back in the vans, I kept asking that same question I'd been asking all along... is this Africa?

to be continued... (almost done, I promise)

Journey to Africa and Beyond Part 7

Part 1   Part 2   Part 3   Part 4   Part 5   Part 6

My understanding was that we had set aside a day to visit an orphanage where all of the children's parents were victims of AIDS. When we arrived, the children were so excited to see us (they were expecting us). They were all eager to have their pictures taken and view them on the screens of our digital cameras. Their ages ranged from just a few months old to 17. Once they turn 18 they must leave the orphanage.

The woman who runs the orphanage is a follower of Jesus. She loves the children there as if they were her own. She depends on the generosity of others to keep them fed and clothed, but she also teaches them to make jewelry and other items that can be sold. For the most part, they are well taken care of and are happy. They performed a few songs for us, all about the devastation that AIDS has brought to their lives, and also about Jesus. Many of the children have AIDS themselves, but it's not clear which ones. They all have responsibilities, with the older taking care of the younger. We only stayed for an hour or so.

Below are some of the amazing children from the orphanage. There are stories in their faces that we didn't get to hear. There is something in their eyes the draws you into a place where you don't want to go but you know you have to - yet there wasn't enough time.

Again, I ask myself, "Is this Africa?"

to be continued...

Journey to Africa and Beyond Part 6

Part 1   Part 2   Part 3   Part 4   Part 5

My first assignment was in the chapel. There was dry wall to hang (HA!) Ceiling to be painted (HA!) and various other things I was not qualified for. They convinced me I'd be able to do it. So there I was with a hammer and nails (used, many crooked) ready to work. A few short minutes later they were finding me something else to do. They had me climbing up on this scaffolding that was not safe at all. I don't remember what I was going to be doing up there... painting, I think. I finally was able to climb to the top and was laying down holding on for my life! A few short minutes later they were finding me a new location to work in. Yes, I was fired. But I was not alone. One other person was asked to leave as well. They were nice about it for sure, but they said I might be better suited for some other work.

Part of the team was replacing some windows in one of the buildings, and another part were working in the office, and another part was painting some dorm rooms. They seemed to be pretty well covered, so I was sent to the wood shop. Immediately, memories of Junior High shop class flashed in my head... they were not pretty thoughts.

This is where I met Isaac. He and I spent many hours together over the many days I was there. He lived far away and traveled a couple of hours to and from work each day. The university only hires Christians. And Isaac had Jesus all over him. He was kind, gentle and extremely patient. Don't worry, I didn't use any power tools.

One of the tools they do use there for just about everything is turpentine. They use it to remove paint (of course), to clean, to soften glue on the windows they were removing...everything. If there was something that needed to be done, you can pretty much bet there would be turpentine nearby.

So in the wood shop, they brought out a bunch of picture frames. Just like the ladders and scaffolding, they made their own picture frames. So they needed a little sanding. So I sanded. For many days, I sanded. There must have been a hundred of them, though I probably only saw 20 at a time.

Then they brought what looked like black boxes. A closer look revealed they were wood boxes covered in felt. Someone had already glued the felt to the boxes, which it turned out were actually inserts for the picture frames. One thing about glue on black felt... it makes a mess, and whoever did the gluing didn't really try to make sure there wasn't glue everywhere.

That's where I came in. Armed with a scrub brush and a bottle of turpentine, I went to work... pouring turpentine on the brush, and scrubbing to get rid of the excess glue and residue. They were making awards for their 10 year anniversary celebration happening a few weeks after we would leave. So for the next several days, I scraped glue off of picture frames in Africa.

As I worked, I got to know Isaac and his friends. We talked about our lives and how different they were. We sang a few songs now and then, and I sanded, and poured, and brushed, and scraped. And I just kept thinking, "Is this Africa?"

to be continued...   Part 7

Journey to Africa and Beyond Part 5

Part 1   Part 2   Part 3   Part 4

On our first day, we would be taking a tour of the university and getting to know some of the people we would be working with there. We got all of our instructions about what would be safe to eat or drink, and what we should stay away from. We met Mike and Julie, the missionaries that were living at ANU during at the time, and our hosts while we were there.

Our first stop was breakfast. We met our personal chef for the week. Yes, you read that right. We were in Africa, and we had a personal chef. This is where I start to get uncomfortable. I don't have a personal chef here, so why would I have one there? Anyway, I don't remember his name, but this picture is him.

We toured ANU and saw some of the places we would be working. Remember the $5000 we needed to raise (the other church also raised $5000)? It went toward the student center they were building at the time. You might need to click on the picture to see it, but notice the ladder leaning against the house in the background? That is the type of equipment they use all the time. They don't buy things like ladders and scaffolding - they make it themselves. We really thought we were going to be helping to build the student center. But the reason we raised the money was so they could hire local labor. Which is good, but we really wanted to be more hands on.

So what was our mission while we were there? We were about to find out.

to be continued...   Part 6

Journey to Africa and Beyond Part 4

Part 1   Part 2   Part 3

Needless to say, there were a lot of emotions running around in my head during the few days before we left. We were leaving October 1, 2005. A few days before, someone on the team had to back out so we had a last minute replacement.

Finally, it was time to leave. We met at the airport, some of us meeting for the first time. Nineteen of us boarded our first plane for the 8 hour flight to London. Our flight left on Saturday at 630PM and we finally arrived in Nairobi, Kenya at 845PM Sunday. This included two 8 hours flights, a 4 hour layover in London, and a 7 hour time difference. Truthfully, I don't remember anything about getting to Nairobi except standing in line at London Heathrow airport for what felt like forever, and then turning a corner and standing in line again.

The airport in Nairobi was complete chaos. Getting through customs and searching for all of our luggage was quite an experience. One of the missionaries, Mike, was picking us up at the airport. Fortunately, we were travelling with some folks who had been there before and told us exactly what to do... and not do (Like do NOT let anyone help you with your bags; they will expect to be paid). All of the luggage arrived safely, except for one container full of medical equipment for the clinic at the university where we were staying (this never arrived. It was held up in London - never to be seen again). Once we finally arrived at the house, it was late and we all just wanted to get some sleep.

Africa Nazarene University is located just outside of Nairobi, Kenya. It's really a beautiful campus and highly secure. This is where we would spend a better part of the next two weeks.

To tell you the truth, I don't remember the order of the rest of the events that happened, which I will share in the next few posts. I'm sorry this is taking so many posts to tell, but I am sharing as I remember, and the thoughts don't come as quickly as I would like.

to be continued...   Part 5

Journey to Africa and Beyond Part 3

Part 1   Part 2

I wrestled with God a little bit on that one. I had enough money in the bank to cover it, but I also had rent and bills to pay so I really didn't want to pay for the whole trip right away. What if something came up and I needed that money? I was making excuses, and God was asking me to trust him. So I did. I wrote the check and mailed it to the church (the other church was collecting and tracking the funds). And I prayed. I knew God was going to provide for whatever needs I had. And I had no worries.

On Tuesday of the following week, I checked my mailbox at the office and found my paycheck from the previous week (it's direct deposited and I don't get much mail so I hadn't checked it). I started crying as I opened it, because there was a bonus included that I wasn't expecting that covered the entire trip, plus a couple hundred dollars - and this was net, not gross. I checked my bank account right away to make sure it wasn't a joke. It's amazing what God does when we obey him.

That check had already been written when I was having that "discussion" with God. He knew. As much as I thought I was trusting him, I really wasn't. Here's what really strikes me about this, and I actually just thought of it. I didn't even ask God to provide the money. It was His idea. All I did was listen and obey (after a while). One day, I hope to live in immediate obedience, even though I think we grow stronger in the wrestling.

So things were really in motion. I was locked in. Money was coming in from other fund raisers. We were getting passports and visas, shots and prescriptions, and figuring out how to pack for 2 weeks across the globe.

In the mean time, things were changing at work. My boss was leaving the company and I was transitioning into a new position. I hired someone who already worked for the company, but she was new to the department and just over a month after she started, I was about to leave her for 2 weeks.

Then, a couple of weeks before I left, my step-mom died. Everything came to a screeching halt. All the planning, preparation, excitement was put on hold to mourn the loss of a woman who was like a second mom to me.

to be continued...   Part 4

Journey to Africa and Beyond Part 2

Part 1

Once I regained my composure and the meeting was over, I followed my Pastor to his office.) I don't know why, but it always felt like going to the principal's office.)

We talked about what was involved in being Missions President. It sounded exciting but terrifying all at the same time. There was already a good team of people involved so it was basically some facilitating of meetings, educating the congregation and getting them excited about the world, and raising a boat-load of money.

After much prayer and discussion with the exiting president, I decided I would accept the challenge. There were several logistical tasks I had to complete, but after a while I was thrust into a side of the church that I was not prepared to handle, but that's a completely different story for another time.

One of the projects that was already in process was a mission trip to Nairobi, Kenya. The first time I heard about it, something inside me said "I'm going". Had an awesome friend working with another church to plan the trip. I couldn't have done it without her.

As the details of the trip were coming together and we started fund raising efforts. Each person was responsible for raising money for their own portion (around $2000 each), but the church needed to provide $5000 to go toward the project in Africa.

When we started fund raising (which actually turned out to be a lot of fun), I had been reading 2 Samuel. At the very end in chapter 24, David goes to buy the threshing floor so he can present and offering to the Lord. Araunah tried to give it to David, along with everything he needed for the sacrifice. But David did something amazing. He said he wouldn't sacrifice anything to the Lord that cost him nothing. He refused the gift because he knew that it isn't really a sacrifice if it doesn't cost you something.

God really spoke to me as I read that. I really felt he was telling me I needed to pay for my trip on my own. I thought that was a crazy idea. I even tried to change it by telling God I was sacrificing my time to go, so it was OK to raise the money. But you know God, he was persistent. Finally, I said something like "OK, God. I know you want me to do this and I don't know how I'm going to pay for it, but I'm going to trust you." We had our first payment due that week - I think it was $500. As I was writing the check I heard that still small voice again... "Pay the full amount".

WHAT?!?!

Was He kidding?

to be continued...   Part 3

Journey to Africa and Beyond Part 1

I've been thinking a lot lately about my trip to Africa in 2005. I'm not sure why it's so prevalent in my mind these days, but since it is, I'm going to write about it while the memories are still there.

It started years before when I heard my first "missionary" speak. I put that in quotes because we are all on a mission.

I remember something stirring in me. I don't remember where he was from, what his name was, or what he said, but I know something in me changed that day. I think it was the first time I realized there was a great big world out there and we could be a part of changing it. Sad that I didn't learn that until I was in my late 20s, which really speaks to the selfish me-focused part of the world I live in. That's another post for another time, though.

Fast forward several years... I think it was 2004 and I was sitting in a meeting of the missions council at church, listening to all of the different areas that are available to serve. Many of them sounded interesting, but every time I would get the nerve to volunteer, someone else would take it. (This was just a few years ago, but back then I was so quiet and wouldn't hardly say a word to anyone.) I was sitting next to my pastor, and he leaned over and said something like "you didn't sign up for anything". My response was something like "I'll do whatever is needed. If there's a hole I'll fill it." He replied, "I have the perfect job for you." Then he scribbled something on a piece of paper and slid it over to me.

It said "President".

I laughed.

to be continued...   Part 2