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Sunday, December 20, 2009

"Through the years We all will be together, If the Fates allow."

Apparently the "Fates" aren't "allowing" this one... So I figured I need to document this story before I forget about it and it just become another one of those "remember the time" stories...

Twas the week before Christmas and all through House...one creature was packing, packing like a mouse. (Dont know what that means but I needed it to rhyme.)

The presents were packed in the luggage with care. In hopes in America, it would all arrive there.

Passengers were all nestled snug in the plane. While visions of snow danced in my brain.

And feet in their flip flops and I in my t-shirts, had just settled down to listen to Matt Wertz.

When in Amsterdam arose such a clatter, I sprang to the departure board to see what was a matter.

"Canceled," blinked on the screen so bright , And a scream I muffled with all my might.

Away to the Customer service bar I flew like a flash. Tore through the lines offering bling bling or cash.

"No flights today, I'll have you know." "Good grief" I thought of the new-fallen snow.

I rang a call to my home far from here, Awoke my father did in wonder and fear.

I shared the news of my canceled flight, and tears fell quickly hindering my sight.

When what to my wandering eyes should appear, The store H&M was ever near.

Off went the flip flops from my frozen toes, on went the boots and warm winter clothes.

Out of the airport I busted a move, zipped and buttoned my coat, I behooved.

Below zero the crazy temp read, my body was frozen...pinky toe to head.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick, I knew in a moment it must be Hotel Valk.

Our shuttle drove us to a large hotel, I scampered inside to see it so well.

Back in the cold I shivered and froze, while Amsterdam awaited, I wrinkled my nose.

Hussle and Bussle went the shoppers around. I walked and saw what was all this town.

As nighttime fell on the streets so dark, my train wouldn't budge and stayed in park.

A man on the tracks caused many delays. "Of course" I thought and headed back in the maze.

Finally a bus came out of the street, but many a stops did he need to meet.

After 50 or so stops the bus needed to make, ours was the last and oh my head ached.

Three hours till 'home' or hotel I should say, into bed I plopped...oh what a day!

The next morning I rose thinking "Today is the day", but all flights were cancelled... again I would stay.

A day in the city didn't seem all that bad, till delays on the train irritated me a tad.

Back to the hotel the bus tried to crawl, for into the snow it was luck of the draw.

Tomorrow means home... it IS the day. Almost Christmas....Please Pray Pray Pray !

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

T-minus 3 days.


Nerves. Phew. I’ve got them.

Those silly little butterflies. They get me every time.

I’m spending my last few days in Kenya packing and finishing up some projects for my team, all the while these nerves keep surfacing, forcing me to face the nerves caused by one question: “What’s it going to be like?” The last time I faced this question; I was all packed and stepping one foot on a plane while one foot still on American soil.

The last time I was in America was almost a year ago. Whats it going to be like? Whats it going to be like to be back in America? To be around friends? To be around family.?

To be..out of Africa?

Of course its only for 3 weeks, but I still wonder.

I’m already praying for my expectations. That they would not exist. Expectations get me every time. I anticipate and dream up a perfect scene, a perfect life and yet it rarely ever is perfect. But even though it’s not perfect, that doesn’t mean that it is bad. It’s my own expectations that cause me to sometimes overlook the good and wish for my expectations to be fulfilled.

I was talking with a co-worker the other day about how Africa truly changes you. He put it in i n t e r e s t i n g words. “You’re ruined” he said. What a way to put it and yet it sounds like a perfect word to use. Not as in ruined physically, socially, or even spiritually. Ruined in the sense that things I once valued now have a whole new meaning in my life… or none at all. The way I view the world is different then when I first arrived.

I never knew when I first arrived that my eyes would see so much pain…and redemption. Never knew that my feet would walk in the footsteps of so many incredible men and woman of God. Never knew that I would rub shoulders with witch doctors and warriors. Never knew how many people were so eager and in need to hear the Good News.

Just wonder how its changed me and what it will be like to suddenly collide with the life I lived before I came out here. Guess I’ll find out in 4 days! :)

Please be praying with me for my preparations for leaving, safe travels, and a loss of expectations! Thank you.

I can’t wait to see many of you soon!

Thursday, December 10, 2009

One life

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

This season... Choose Joy.

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

We 3 Kings...

Monday, December 7, 2009

I made a big mistake...

...in assuming that Kenya doesn't 'Deck the Halls' like America....



Some great friends and I were walking through some stores and we found Santa! There were Elves, and Christmas Carolers...who knew???

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

AIDS

Tuesday, December 1st was World Aids Day. Its a day dedicated to remembering those who suffer with AIDS, who have died because of AIDS, lost a loved one because of Aids or who have been orphaned by AIDS.


AIDS is all over the world, and especially rampant in Africa.

When I was in college I had the privilege to help start a campaign at our school to raise awareness and have a week dedicated to opening student's eyes about AIDS in Africa and it's effects on people. We focused on children who have lost their parents because of AIDS:

AIDS Orphans.

We worked side by side with World Vision and their Acting On AIDS department. We made tshirts which were simple but impactful. All it said was "ORPHAN" Each shirt came with a fact about AIDS Orphans in Africa...

And finally on World AIDS day we asked everyone to wear the tshirt. Each tshirt representing an AIDS Orphan. It gave me goosebumps to step foot on my campus that day and see hundreds and hundreds of red tshirts which doned the word, ORPHAN.

Click {HERE} for World Vision's AIDS site. I would encourage you to research more for yourself about AIDS and its impact on this continent... and if you dare, watch this video:



Imagine...
In the time it takes to watch that video...
10 children were orphaned by AIDS.


The facts and the video above will make you feel uncomfortable and break your heart. Let it. These are real people going through this. Allow yourself to hurt with these mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, sons, and daughters. Pray for them.

Remember the least of these...

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Matthew Twenty Five: Forty