Leaving Normal Behind

So … I have found myself as a pseudo-covergirl for the Creative Arts Center’s Spring catalog. (And I am enjoying my 15 seconds of fame!) If I had only known my photo would be published … I might have made myself a little more photo-ready! My mom’s first reaction after seeing the cover was, “What were you doing with your hair?!” My only response was, “when you’re playing with wet clay you don’t want to be pushing hair out of your face every ten seconds.” Or at least I didn’t want to!

Anyway, it’s been a great fun place to take a pottery class this fall. I was inspired after visiting my brother in October (Prague, CZ) and seeing some of his clay projects. Within a week of returning I had registered for this class. I found myself making a mess and laughing a lot! It’s been a great way to meet new friends and attempting to let go of my “perfectionist” expectations. There are no “control z” or “undo” functions with ceramics!

Today I received an email from a friend with the subject line, “NO WAY!”. She had taken my advice to look at the center as a way to let her creative juices find an outlet. When she opened the catalog for the spring semester, “Voila!” … there was my smiling face! My reaction was similar to her subject line. The photo is from the very first class, the very first lump of clay. I had no idea what I was doing and could only laugh at myself and whatever it was that I might be making.

I’ve attached the photo for your enjoyment but also to encourage all of us to find ways to explore creativity. Not simply for the sake of something to “do” but as a way to enjoy beauty and God’s general revelation of Himself through that beauty. And, as a way to find beauty in all things!! I know I am trying to do that with some of my pieces of work (every pun intended).

oh, and please don’t forget to notice the logo on my t-shirt. whooooo pig sooie!

We leave in five and a half weeks! Wow … I can’t believe it is so close. The team is sending emails back and forth regarding supplies and other things to purchase or pack. We’re also preparing to teach our different workshops.

I will be teaching on Trauma and Healing … this isn’t an area of expertise for me so I am relying heavily on material that Bernadette Musekura has written. Bernadette is the wife of Celestin, founder of A.L.A.R.M. They know personally the pain and after-effects of the Rwandan genocide in the mid-90’s. Bernadette is completing her degree in counseling at Dallas Theological Seminary. I am grateful for the perspective she will provide on this topic. Although I know that we cannot minimize our personal stories and “traumas”, I am also very sensitive to the realities that the Sudanese women have lived through and with … things that I do not know and cannot understand. I am grateful for the Word of God that speaks truth to each one of our personal stories.

“The LORD is near to those who are discouraged;
he saves those who have lost all hope.”
~Psalm 34:18

I’m working with some folks on a new initiative to care and empower refugees and other marginalized groups of people in the metroplex. All of us are involved, in some aspect, with these communities. We met for breakfast this morning and spent the first hour laughing. It would be too hard to try to explain the fun, but suffice it to say we questioned whether we need a chaperone or supervisor to keep us on task in our meetings!

Kyle forwarded us a verse today that sums up the hope and desire for us all:

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute
Speak up and judge fairly, defend the rights of the poor and needy.
~ Proverbs 31:8-9

These verses are spoken by a mother to a king regarding his responsibility to care for the defenseless. Large numbers of people in our cities have no voice: the refugee, the immigrant, the abused, the poor. As members of “the majority” we feel the burden to care and empower our friends. From advocacy to “re-neighboring” to changing corrupt systems to education and employment training, the list is long on “how” to care. We are working now through the “whys” and the many practical elements on creating a formal organization that can manage the endeavor.

Our desire is that those who do not have a voice … that don’t even know they have a voice … will be given an opportunity to live in safety and peace while receiving the training and skills to become self-sufficient leaders in their community. Our dreams are big. Very big. However, we have all dreamed individually about these things and have been brought together for this time. Pray with us for the ability to create the plan, find advisors, and the many more “groundwork” elements.

Exciting times!

from The Ongoing Adventures of ASBO Jesus

Thought this was rather appropriate and somewhat profound for today.

Today was an interesting day. “Interesting” being a broad word that has become my descriptor of choice for just about everything! There may be a day to share but suffice it to say that this is a good illustration for this day.

I think of the often used verse to speak of life and hope, Jeremiah 29:11-15.

“For I know what I have planned for you,’ says the Lord.‘I have plans to prosper you, not to harm you. I have plans to give you a future filled with hope. 29:12 When you call out to me and come to me in prayer, I will hear your prayers. 29:13 When you seek me in prayer and worship, you will find me available to you. If you seek me with all your heart and soul, …”

The verse is spoken to a country in exile, full of fear and an unknown future. An end was in sight (70 years), however, it is a bit unnerving to think that some of those hearing these words would not know peace but others would. But … regardless, the exile, the judgment that they were experiencing would result in a new pursuit of God.

May the pain of my life, or yours, result in a pursuit of Christ that renews our hope … in the purpose of today, in the future of tomorrow and eternity.

Christy

Blogged with Flock

I was able to spend some fun time with Donna and Mchde-wa today in the refugee ministry apartment. What a great time of refreshment … planning the future ESL class and simply sitting on the floor these two people (and I can’t possibly forget Theresa, Mchde-wa’s four month old daughter)! It was a reminder of why I do what I do. The ability to see men and women learn, struggle, and grow in their honor of one another and of God. It really is a breath of fresh air to just sit and be with people who are living out love and compassion for others. There is little I can or need to do … but watch and encourage!

It was also interesting, and humbling, because Mchde-wa often referred to me as their “mother”. I can only assume this is because of my role at the church and our (the church’s) ability to help/care for them when they arrived in the US from Congo three years ago. I’m not sure I deserve that designation but it, too, was motivation to continue.

Thank you Lord for this bit of encouragement and a glimpse of the work YOU are doing!

Now I need to go find some dinner! ….

This date will be tinged with sadness for a long time. It’s not an overwhelming sadness but an acknowledgement of a great loss. For thirty years this was the day that my parents celebrated their wedding anniversary. It was a day of great joy and even pride for me and my brothers. We were well aware of the uniqueness of an intact family and the bond we all held. This abruptly changed four years ago when Dad left Mom.

Divorce was (and is) never a word we thought would describe our family. I am still surprised at times because it continues to be surreal. Because I was an adult when the divorce happened I am faced with its reality very differently than a child.

I remember at strange (and not so strange) moments: planning holiday travel and realizing it’s not so simple anymore, needing to fix something on my car and not having Dad as the first phone call, imagining a wedding day and not knowing the dynamics of that day anymore … the list goes on. I rarely have an emotional “breakdown” … just moments of sadness and a new realization of loss.

Mom has remarried a wonderful man named Michael. He has great children and our family has grown bigger. I don’t always know how to navigate the new relationships … not because of “want to” but because distance and age make it all so much slower.

I have much to be thankful for. I have some to be sad about. I am grateful for friends and family that have been the hands and feet of Christ over the last several years. I can’t say I accept it well … it’s much more fun for me to give. But I am learning to receive. To rest in the care of others.

Thank you to my friends.
Thank you to my family.
I love you all!

Today is the 10th anniversary of this day of prayer for persecuted Christians. The American church speaks often of the need for prayer but I sincerely wonder at our dedication to the endeavor. Do we believe prayer is powerful? Do we truly believe that God hears our prayers? Are we willing to step into the unknown … the how’s and when’s of God’s answers to our prayers?

A young man participated in our church services today. His father was imprisoned in China because of his Christian faith. He knows well the sacrifice and pain of faith.

Real faith. Costly faith.

May we be so faithful to intercede for our brothers and sisters who do not have the freedom, and may not have the strength, to pray. May we find ourselves so faithful and strengthened when we are challenged.

For more information visit the website of Voice of the Martyrs at http://www.persecution.com/

Last night I got to go to the Meyerson and hear a couple of Beethoven’s works performed by the Dallas Symphony.  It was awesome.  During intermission Brian and I were talking about a couple of football clips and their inspiration for the Christian life.  We were sitting so close to the stage that we could hear the conductor as he led the orchestra, watch his facial and body instruction, and see the intensity of the performers.  It was great!  I could only think that the intensity, passion, and full-on involvement of most of the players was inspiring.  The cellist and bassist I could see most clearly were not distracted … eyes focused on their music and the conductor.  They knew their responsibility and under the instruction of the conductor played some amazing music.

May I be so focused … eyes on God … giving all … so that in partnership with other Christians we can bring great glory and honor to Christ.  That others would be moved and inspired to seek Him for the first time or more fully.

Read this today on a CT blog regarding women in ministry.  Thought is was pretty great … and convicting.  I haven’t really sat with the words and what it means to me personally.  I need to!

As women in ministry, the demand will always exceed the supply. There will always be far more ministry than we can accomplish personally. But even more importantly, we model the faith life, the trust life, for other women. When I read Jeremiah 50:6, addressed to the Israelites in captivity in Babylon, my heart sank to realize my own responsibility.

“My people have been lost sheep;
Their shepherds have led them astray
And caused them to roam on the mountains.
They wandered over mountain and hill
And forgot their resting place.”

Who leads them astray, away from their Resting Place? Their sheperds.“

Who knew that you can sprain your neck?  Not I!!!!  After three weeks of pretty significant pain I decided to visit the doc.  Well, I wasn’t exactly a willing patient (I rarely am in fact) … it took the persuasions of the team to Sudan.   The words, “This could potentially keep you from going to Sudan”, were enough to get this gal into gear.  Of course, it’s lovely to wait three days for the “next available” doctor’s appointment and find when the day finally arrives that things hurt less.  ugh!!!   Anyway, it would appear that I have mysteriously sprained my neck.  Leave it to me!  Wish I had a vague idea of how that happened.

oh … recommendation for a group if you are fond of folk’ish type musak, The Autumn Films.  Enjoy someday