|
| Everyone keeps asking me how Africa was..and that frusterates me. Not the fact that they want to know, because I love when people take the time to ask me how it was-but just the challenge of remembering 3 of the most amazing weeks of quite possibly my entire life...and putting them into words.
In Africa I saw poverty like I have never seen poverty before. I walked into tin shacks and talked with people who said they went days without food. I held children whose biological parents literally threw them away, and if someone never heard their screaming cries, they would have died there.
But I also saw some of the strongest women I have ever met. Women who have to spend each day looking for clean water and fire wood. I met women who had taken in 8 children, because no one else would.
We are so blessed. I really saw that all good things are sent from God. I used to have the perspective that the way to fix poverty is simply getting a job. But I have learned its not that simple. Its just not.
I also saw AIDS. Or more so, the results of it. I saw a grave yard that was built one year ago and was already full. Every grave yard was full. Full of fresh graves. Full of young men and woman, and children.
1 out of 3 people in South Africa have AIDS. Many women get it because there husbands had many affairs, and they got it. Many children get it through nursing.
I realize that the AIDS crisis is not something that everyone is passionate about, and thats just the way life works. There are some things that some people have such a drive to fight, and I just dont. However if youd like to help, here are some ways you can do so.
Bethesda Outreach- The ministry I worked for
www.worldvision.org/
www.africaguide.com/charity.htm
These are some of the beautiful children I was blessed to work with.
If you have any questions, just ask. I feel like I really didnt share that much at all..but its a start. | | |
| I GO HOME Tomorrow!!
I'm so excited for spending Easter with my family, have a great time at Liz's wedding with everyone, and to have some time simply to relax! Its going to be so so so fun!
Right now I'm reading a book called Mission:Africa, to prepare me for my trip. I have found I can not read a lot at once, because it is so emotionally tiring to hear so many sad stories. I read a story yesterday about a woman who runs an orphanage. She was asked if there was any difference emotionally between orphans who are HIV positive and those that are negative. She said that when the children are young, there is no difference, because every child thinks that eventually they will be adopted. When they are older, however, she explained that the HIV positive kids tend to become more somber, becasue they realize that since they have AIDS, they will never be adopted.
That makes me sick.
Last night I was able to talk to a visitor from the Invisible Children Tour. He said that there is one country in Africa that only has 3 doctors. People walk for two days, just to get medicine. I dont think I have ever in my life walked for two days straight, let alone when I was sick.
We are so blessed to live in a country where food, water, and shelter are plentiful for so many of us. We have a responsiblity to help those that dont. We have no excuse.
| | |
| I Y College. To say differently would be a blatent lie. But for now, for the sake of rememberance...I want to list the things I miss about last year and being home..since Ill be there pretty quick!
My bed.
Saturday Mornings.
Late nights with my girls!
High school work.
High School Tests. I felt proud of myself after studying for 2 hours!
Youth Group...oh youth group.
Football Games.
Dance Parties in preperation for Prom.
Prom.
Homecoming.
Seeing people in FH.
Drama.
Godspell.
Anything Goes.
The Cast of Bye Bye Birdie.
Spirit Days!
Talking in the parking lot.
Talking in the halls!
ARMENELLI!!
BASKETBALL GAMES!
Summers outside in the grass.
Visiting people already in college.
Eating Lunch Outside!
Being a senior :)
One Tree Hill Nights!!
Talking to Kayla and Kelly after school at one of our houses and eating...and eating...and eating.
My moms dinners.
OOOprah.
Raime's smile.
Stuart Miller.
Coffee Fridays in English.
Jordan and TJ
Having money.
Alright...things I DONT miss AT ALL. (I was getting too sad)
WAKING UP SUPER EARLY.
CLICKS.
MEAN PEOPLE.
POLITICS IN DRAMA.
DRAMA. (the girl kind)
HAVING TO GO TO CLASS ALWAYS (even though I still dont rally skip)
DETENTION.
BEING TOLD WHAT TO DO
SCHOOL NIGHTS.
MEAN GIRLS.
THE PARKING LOT ITSELF.
STUPID BOYS.
haha..sorry I became such a pessamist..but life has never been perfect, so lets not pretend it ever was.
I am content.
| | |
| Recently in chapel someone said something that really has made an impact on me, and the more often I think about it, the more I see evidence.
Everyone is worships and is addicted to something. It can be anything music, doing good works, clothes, famous people, the love of your life, God, gods, memories, dreams, lusts, perfection, movies, alcohol, popularity, their body, drugs...
its so funny that in our culture that praises individualismand shuns Christians for saying Christ is the only way to find true satisfaction and fufillment, people are so unhappy and say their life is empty.
Im not in any way saying that Christians are perfect, or have everything figured out, and dont make a mistakes. If this were true the Church wouldnt have made the many mistakes it has over human history, and still struggle with such a pompous attitude.
I am saying however, that we will only find fufillment when we worship and become addicted to Christ. This sounds sooo crazy if you havent experienced this, but its SO true!
"Do not look to people to tell you more about Me. Look to Me directly, for I will reveal Myself to you in a personal way, in ways no one could tell you. I will be as personal to you as I was John, the Beloved. I would take you aside as I did Peter and talk to you of the things that concern yourself alone. I am not only the God of congregations, but the God of the indidvidual.
You are never one of many to Me. You are precious and dear to My heart, yes, even as a very special treasure, For I love you more than you can comprehend and I long to gather you in my embrace and hold you close to my heart. Do not hold me at an arms length because you have a sense of unworthiness. Have you not read that the redeemed are brough by the blood of Christ? Your sins are not covered: They are washed away! They are not only forgiven, they are forgotten! Don't hold back My Love"
~Come Away My Beloved
Frances J. Roberts
Blessings!
| | |
| Every morning
I have a chance to rise
and give my all but
Every afternoon I find
I have only wasted time
in light of Your awe
Isn't love amazing
I forgot how to speak
Knowing You are near and
I am finally free
Oh say won't You say
Say that You love me
with love ever, love, love everlasting
All my devotion put into motion by You
My eyes fear to close
This reckless letting go is hard to bear
On the edge of all I need
Still I cling to what I see
And what have I there?
Bred my own disaster
Who have I to blame?
All I need is waiting
to be fanned to flame
Oh say won't You say
Say that You love me
with love ever, love, love everlasting
All my devotion put into motion by You
I open up my eyes to see You standing there
Oh, I can barely breathe
I can hardly bear all the love that I feel for You inside
I hope You feel it now
some, somehow
| | |
|
