Slum Tourism

While driving I typically listen to KLOVE and Air 1. Not because I refuse to listen to secular music, but those stations do not have as many commercials. I don't like people trying to sell me things. (But that's another blog post.) This morning on my way, the hosts were talking about "poverty tourism". People paying big dollars to walk through poor communities in other countries. I am fully aware and understand that this has been going for much longer than my span of experience and expertise. When I hear about poverty tourism or "tours of poverty," as I have been calling them since 2005, I feel sick. How can you look at a individual in a situation and simply feel bad for them? Or worse, just grateful that you are not in that situation?? 

**Side note: In 2005, I went to Honduras for the first time. We stay in a small village in the mountains. The translator and trip leader showed us around the town. I remember becoming greatly annoyed by feeling like I was touring poverty while others took pictures to ?? . I honestly don't know why they took pictures. Perhaps to remember the experience? I was angered by this behavior. I would take pictures of them taking pictures with people whom they do not even know. After this experience in Honduras, I became jaded towards, one-two week trips. - This was my second one week trip to Latin America. I have since been on two additional one week trips.**

I shall not sit here self-righteously claiming that I have never been guilty of very thing that breaks my heart. Nor throw a stone at someone who doesn't understand. Over the past seven years I have determined that I am pro-short term mission trips and maybe even a little okay with just "touring" poverty. New is scary and intimidating. I want to use an analogy of swimming in a pool with cold water. It takes time to be comfortable in the colder temperature - even if you dive in. There is a shock to the system. 

I forget what else I wanted to say so  . . . TO BE CONTINUED

The Fire Hydrant Speaks

As I drove to the coffee shop today, I was delighted to see synchronized driving of two garbage trucks. The child in me greatly enjoys the simple pleasures like cars moving perfectly together like the a marching band during the halftime show at a football game. Today, I am humbled by the sight of God gently orchestrating creation - the trees fluttering in the Oklahoma breeze, the birds gliding like ballet dancers across the plainly decorated stage, the sun's understanding warmth on this brisk spring day, and the sweet taste of cafe sua da that warms my heart with placidity. How I am reminded of God's love for His creation as I am able to just be still and enjoy basking in His goodness.

I asked last night after two major changes in my life, "Lord, what do you have in store for me?" There was a great peace than came upon me before, during, and after changes became known that provoked me in a sweet calmness to ask this of my Lord. I felt as if I should have wanted cry and wimper notes of fear. Though I had no need to fear as the peace of the Holy Spirit came upon my innermost being. The weight on my soul had been lifted. The load I felt I must bear - gone. The freedom in Christ renewed my heart, soul, mind, and strength.

Romans 12:1-2, "Therefore I urge you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your Spiritual act of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect."

I shall continue to ask, "Lord, what do you have in store for me? For I know it is beautiful." I love that song that says, "You make beautiful things out of us (or dust)." ((I am terrible with remembering lyrics.))

Lessons from Mr. Strickland

It's all in the way that you think about peoples that often determines their behavior.

on "the poor" - Give them expectations, enthusiasm, flowers, and music. - Because they are worth it.

You must be prepared to act on your dreams just in case they do come true.

You must see his slides. They are changing America's inner cities.

When the Saints . . .

I have to share the burden that is upon my soul. Friday was difficult. I was at work way too late. I was annoyed with may trivial things. On Saturday, I slept until 12. Mildly thankful, I was embittered because I wanted to spend more time a wake with myself. I don't not get much time to do be. Saturday morning from the time I wake up until about 3:00pm is mine. If I schedule something for a Saturday, feel privileged. When it was all said and done, I had two hours. Two precious hours to sit, eat a cupcake, drink coffee, go shopping, and be. I chose to enjoy every moment of mine time. 

Then Saturday night came. Fail! The credit cards were messed up at the restaurant. We did 3x times as much from 5:30-10:00 as they did from 11:00-5:30. Please note those times. It was crazy. And I saved over $140 in labor for the evening. I got out an hour later that I usually do. Ridiculous. 

Then came Sunday. I love Sundays. I went to pick up a dear friend at the airport and go to hear stories and see pictures of the adventures from the past month. I was honored to hear about her dreams and goals for the next stage in her life. We decided to go to church at LifeChurch.TV. The sermon was dead on to what I needed. If you remember what I mentioned at the beginning of the post, Friday I was a jerk. Well, Sunday was the slap in the face that I needed to rid myself of the selfishness that was quickly settling into my heart. 

Monday morning I got a text that read, "Pray for Austin. He is in critical surgery at OU Medical." WHAT! Emergency surgery at OU is never a good thing. Long story, short - Austin lost his life that day after a series of bad choices, freak incidents, and 8 hours of surgery. I spend several hours with people who were affected by this tragedy and more time processing this for myself. How quickly life can change. 

Which is where is song comes into play. See, on my way to work I had listened to this song. As the song played, my heart began to pour out anguish. This song speaks straight from my heart. I have a blessed life. My life was good. (Please don't lecture me on comparisons.) The hurts in my life are so trivial compared to the things that millions of people have battled and still battle today. I have nothing to complain about. (Sure, I don't have butt fans in my car.) "Lord, I have a heavy burden of all I've seen and know . . ." Every day I see and hear stories of heartache and tragedy. I don't know how people make it without Jesus as their center. 

I cannot begin to fathom the pain of losing a child, much less two. I cannot begin to fathom having a relationship end with regrets or open plans to spend time together. 

I implore you to search your heart. How does this change you and your life? Are you spending time whining about all "sewage" in your life? Our decisions, our actions have a greater effect that we can ever possibly know while on this temporal earth. My prayer for my life, is that I live to a life pleasing to the Lord, sharing the message of His love to "all who will hear" (Luke 6:27a). Even in the worst of time, I shall praise the Lord. "When sorrow like sea billows roll

I still want those new shoes and coffee. But my life is still blessed without 'em. Read this song, buy it on itunes, listen to it - It is pretty good. 

When The Saints

By Sara Groves

lord i have a heavy burden of all i've seen and know it's more than i can handle but your word is burning like a fire shut up in my bones and i can’t let it go and when i'm weary and overwrought with so many battles left unfought i think of paul and silas in the prison yard i hear their song of freedom rising to the stars and when the Saints go marching in i want to be one of them lord it's all that i can't carry and cannot leave behind it all can overwhelm me but when i think of all who've gone before and lived a faithful life their courage compels me and when i'm weary and overwrought with so many battles left unfought i think of paul and silas in the prison yard i hear their song of freedom rising to the stars i see the shepherd moses in the pharaohs court i hear his call for freedom for the people of the Lord chorus x2 i see the long quiet walk along the underground railroad i see the slave awakening to the value of her soul i see the young missionary and the angry spear i see his family returning with no trace of fear i see the long hard shadows of calcutta nights i see the sister standing by the dying man’s side i see the young girl huddled on the brothel floor i see the man with a passion come kicking down that door i see the man of sorrow and his long troubled road i see the world on his shoulders and my easy load

"Lunch Break"

I need to be honest with you, the web wide web (not that my blog is by any means popular) . . . I have been a terrible sport this week. Monday was amazing. I got to spend time with my adopted family and church family peeps. I decided at 9:30 Monday evening that I don't want to go to "work" this week. I wanted time to freeze time to sulk in the moment. The fireworks burst while I laid in the hammock with my friend's adorable 5 year old, I begged God to let it last. (The fireworks did seem longer that Independence Day.) But, alas, Tuesday morning came.

Do not get me wrong, I love my job. I love the children. It is incredible that I get to do this (and get paid to do it).

Time is going too fast. I want to just rest. I want to be able to chill in a hammock. I want to have hours of conversation with friends. So I began whining, in my own in head, "I have to do this and do that . . . and have energy to, of course, do that." I was not being very obedient to my Lord this week.

I have been half-heartedly trying to psyche myself in to being excited about the next two weeks. (For real, I have the opportunity to share with 100+ children the love of God and make incredible memories.) My volunteers the next two week "don't care" how tired I am or why I am tired. Because it is not about me! The beginning to one of the Bible Stories I will be sharing next week is, "I am so glad you are here today. I am so excited to share with about the amazing God I love and follow. I am want to share with you about God and all things He has done and about how much Jesus loves you." (Something like that.) I pretty much failed that one when I went to present my presentation for feedback this morning. She asked me, "Do you really want the kids to get it?"  

"Well, of course."

Basically, she replied, "Then prove it to me. Because what I am seeing now is not going to work." Later she said to me, "Today is going to be fun."

My mental response was, "Liar!" (all dramatic like) "Do you know what I have to do this day? And it is Friday! I did not finish my to do list . . . Are you trying to hypnotize me?" Verbal response, "What?"

"Today is going to be fun."

Dude. Valid. My attitude had made my week dreadful. In 2 Corinthians 10:3-7, it states:

³ For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. ⁴ For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, ⁵ casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, ⁶ and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.⁷ Do you look at things according to the outward appearance? If anyone is convinced in himself that he is Christ’s, let him again consider this in himself, that just as he is Christ’s, even so weare Christ’s.


Therefore this weekend I shall "die to myself (to my selfish desires)" and be transformed by the renewing of my mind. For this life is not mine, I chose to give it up. "To live is Christ and to die is gain." - Wish me luck. :)

i love you . . .

i won't pimp you for my own personal gain.

(pause)

Last night I was able to spend some much needed time with two of my dearest friends. We laughed. It was beautiful. Over the last seven years, our lives have intertwined in an intricate tapestry more valuable than any one person could afford (two, maybe). The buds of our lives have flourished into individual blossoms of life. Family, ministry, service - has drawn us out of the comfort of the familiar into the vast world around us. The journeys would not have been the same without these friendships.

I love how the Lord bring people into my life, each one providing unique blossoms into the great garden that is my life.  Some may look similar - but don't be fooled, take a closer look, each has his/her own intricacies. The people are the vibrancy of life. Individually, I may be alright - like a daisy. Add in some black-eyed susan, native violets, and some greenery - that's when things start to become interesting.

I wonder how God comes up with so many variations. I want someone to try to prove God did not create creativity.

Now - more coffee.

6 YEARS!

Restore to me the joy of Your salvation
Restore to me the wonders of Your love


It has been six years since June 19, 2005, just in case you didn't know.

I also just really like that song (above) that we sang in church this morning. It is fitting.