Watch the Walk

I stared out at the parking lot taking it all in. Cars parked in their spaces, street lights keeping it lit up... it was just a large parking lot. But I hadn't seen one in person for over 8 months. It felt so familiar. And so strange. I'm in mainland Africa for a little over a month doing some training and getting a little time for rest and refreshment. After being here for just a day it's still a little strange. I woke up this morning and my nose was cold. But then I got to take a hot shower! There's bacon in the stores here. And ham. And sausage. And American-style cheeses. And options. On my island if you want a thermos you have 1 design option and 2 style options. You might buy it from any number of different stores, but it will be the exact same type of thermos. Today in a store I stood and stared at what felt like 200 different thermos options. After not seeing a French Press in a store anywhere on my island I found myself face to face with 10 different options in...

Men pouring cement Today's a short post as I've been wor king on my summer newsletter and put a lot of the latest stories in that. But here's an account of today! Today wasn't a normal day. I'm actually getting ready to head to mainland Africa for a few wee ks-- my first time being on a continent in over 8 months! So that means pac king and straightening in the house. Oh , and hauling water. The pump for our "lower cistern" bro ke , so if I want water in the house I have to haul it from the neighbors'.  On my way into the house after hauling a couple loads , one of the girls who lives downstairs as ked me to braid her hair. She's as ked me a few times and I've always demurred with the explanation that I don't know the African way of braiding hair. But I've had my hair done enough that this time I figured I could manage their simplest way of braiding. So , after seeing if she was really , really sure I agreed to do her hair. That only to...

Quite the waterfall, eh? The month of fasting has begun here, and every time I go anywhere I face the same question: ARE YOU FASTING? I'm sure it's an area of curiosity for everyone because they're not used to having someone different around to talk with. Everyone, and I mean everyone here, fasts. The other day I started to dread going home because I knew I'd run into a host of people who would all ask me that question. And if I was lucky my answer would spark a continued discussion. Which is a beautiful opportunity, yet sometimes feels more like an inconvenience, especially if you're exhausted and have had that conversation a dozen times already that day. I feel the pressure. Everyone wants me to fast and they don't mind guilt tripping me into doing it. (Oh "You're not able to fast?" "Just do one day!" "You're not strong enough?" "Even the children fast a little.") And I am fasting a few days-- when I'm breaki...

I'm pretty sure that everyone longs for something. People here long for wealth. They long for education. They long to be free from fear. They long for lasting change. Women ma king flower/greenery nec klaces I long for my friends and neighbors here to know the One who has changed my life. I long for them to be changed too. I long for opportunities to share truth with them. And sometimes opportunities create themselves. We're quic kly approaching the month of fasting here on the islands. Everyone's tal king about it. During that month people try to dress more carefully and portray themselves more carefully. One of my language helpers told me that everyone stops listening to pop music and only listens to re1igious music. This is all a reflection of culture and tradition... but it's also a reflection of longing. By fasting and observing the special month very carefully they believe they'll get closer to their goal of escaping "the place of fire" (as it's ...

The other night I went to a friend's daughter's birthday party. Now, I've been to a lot of parties, but all of them in my own town. This one was in another town (which in a place like this makes a difference). So I got ready at home, caught a taxi, and met a teammate at her house to walk to the event with her neighbors. But as soon as I arrived at the teammate's house I realized a problem: I was dressed differently from them. See, in my town most parties require a certain dress protocol. The other dress protocol is reserved for extremely important events. I figured that a 6 year old's birthday wasn't quite as big a deal. Me in the normal party attire (with a good friend) And I was wrong. My teammate's neighbors greeted me with, "why didn't you wear a (special matching shirt)?" "I didn't know I should wear one," I replied. "Ah. Well, I have one. Should I give it to you?" "Is it better for me to wear one?" "...

Sometimes I'm tired. I'm tired of going out and greeting 50 people just to leave my neighborhood. I'm tired of cooking everything from scratch. I'm tired of the heat. I'm tired of the heat rash. I'm tired of juggling all the different relationships I'm developing. I'm tired of being under constant scrutiny and explaining my everyday actions multiple times a day in a language I only met 6.5 months ago. But I know Someone who's never tired. In fact, Isaiah said that He neither faints nor grows weary. His understanding is unsearchable. Even young people faint and grow weary. They fall exhausted. But those who wait on this One will gain renewed strength. They'll soar like eagles. They'll run and not get weary, walk and not faint. I want that. Because on days like today it's stinking hot. My attitude needs an adjustment so my light can shine bright. 'Cause it's hard for the lantern to shine bright when its chimney is clouded. And this ...

I couldn't tell you how many times I've told my mom, "Google is your friend." Well, Google is my friend too, and a very convenient one at that. Post-technology fast, I often turn to Google when trying to figure something out here. Some things even Google can't help with... but it's amazing what you can find with a little searching. So for your entertainment here are some things I've Googled: - "how to get rid of mold on concrete" - "how to roast coffee beans" - "get rid of ants" - "earthqua kes on islands" - "average temperature in (location)" - "help me identify my tropical fish" - "cure for heat rash" - "de-worming kittens no vet" - "dengue fever" - "homemade enchilada sauce" - "is my vpn wor king? - " some letters on my keyboard don't wor k " - "my cat is psychotic" - "meals with cabbage and carrots" - "places ...