It's been 8 months... I feel unworthy to write the following given
families that have been here for 25 years.
When you pick up your life and move it out of the country for awhile,
you know the two biggest things you are leaving.... family and
friends. You have prepared your mind that when you get off the plane
to wherever it is you're going, that familiar faces are probably not
going to be there. So, as I miss these things the most out of
everything (even though I have acquired friends here and a sense of
family here), it's the smallest of things that seem to start adding
up... these luxuries I once had before that start to wear on you a
little bit. Sometimes, I want to drive my own car to a gas station
just so I can go inside and get a bunch of junk food from the aisle
and go on a road trip... or go pick up a friend and go to a restaurant
like Chili's... Taco Bell... Jimmy John's. I don't want people
yelling at me, "Hey Baby, take me to America" any longer. I don't want
to walk into my house another day after seeing hundreds of people
sleeping on the street. Sometimes, you want your culture... your car,
your own kind of food, your own wireless internet, your rights and
culture as an American that you have forfeited when you got on the
plane. In your mind, living overseas is this wild fantasy that
becomes an adventure. And I will tell you, living here is a daily
adventure... but it's not always pretty, it's not always fun, and it's
definitely not how you always pictured it in your head. It's a
different world, though, that allows my mind and heart to completely
transform given this experience... and when you look at it that way...
when you have the right mindset and heart, you remember that it's not
at all about what you miss or "gave up" or what you have and don't
have... none of that matters. Nothing matters except the day you have
been given to love God by daily submitting your heart to His and
loving people the way Jesus loved people, wherever you live. And when
you view that one day in the realm of all eternity... anything that
you have remotely missed ceases to matter and you find yourself freed
and satisfied by God.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Monday, March 23, 2009
Long Time Gone
Things that I have been up to the past month:
1) I went on vacation with my family! It was wonderful.
2) My entire class took my rommate Erin and I out to eat one Saturday.
They wouldn't tell me where we were going, just to show up where I work. The place was awesome. This class has become like a family to me and it really affirmed some things in my own life in relationship building. There are 2 pictures. One is a picture of a "gorsha". It's a sign of friendship when someone feeds you.
3) My roommate Jenn celebrated her 30th birthday!
4) I ran a 5K with my roommate and neighbor in The Great Ethiopian Women's Run.
5) A couple of my great friends are coming for the summer!
6) My brother is coming to visit in May!
7) I had a talk with an Mu woman who asked, "Lauren, if Gd is everything, why would He need a Son?" She asked me with beautiful sincerity and it made something inside of me turn over... so I asked back gently, "How else would He redeem the people? If there is no J, then there is no hope for us." We continued on the topic for another 5-10 minutes.
8) Dagi and I still hang out 2-3 times a week. Please be in pr for her family right now... specifically her older sisters Selam and Emabait who live in Bahrain.
9) My roommates and I have started a d-ship group with 6 Ethio girls.
Please be in pr over this. We are going through Romans on Sundays.
1) I went on vacation with my family! It was wonderful.
2) My entire class took my rommate Erin and I out to eat one Saturday.
They wouldn't tell me where we were going, just to show up where I work. The place was awesome. This class has become like a family to me and it really affirmed some things in my own life in relationship building. There are 2 pictures. One is a picture of a "gorsha". It's a sign of friendship when someone feeds you.
3) My roommate Jenn celebrated her 30th birthday!
4) I ran a 5K with my roommate and neighbor in The Great Ethiopian Women's Run.
5) A couple of my great friends are coming for the summer!
6) My brother is coming to visit in May!
7) I had a talk with an Mu woman who asked, "Lauren, if Gd is everything, why would He need a Son?" She asked me with beautiful sincerity and it made something inside of me turn over... so I asked back gently, "How else would He redeem the people? If there is no J, then there is no hope for us." We continued on the topic for another 5-10 minutes.
8) Dagi and I still hang out 2-3 times a week. Please be in pr for her family right now... specifically her older sisters Selam and Emabait who live in Bahrain.
9) My roommates and I have started a d-ship group with 6 Ethio girls.
Please be in pr over this. We are going through Romans on Sundays.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Medicine of the world
“Medicine of the world”
I went on a run tonight. It was still light outside but the sun was quickly trading places with the moon and I was racing to beat it. The plan was to run around for a little while and get to the market before the sun was down. That way, I could get home before dark (No worries, Mom and Dad, it’s safe). I had been running for about 15 minutes when I saw 4 kids under the age of 10 huddled in the dirt with their mother. I stopped, greeted them, and asked if they wanted bread. The eldest (9) told me “no” which was the strangest answer. He pointed to his head and then to his mother. I asked, “Inatish?” “Your mother?” I looked at a little girl. She nodded her head. I asked her, “Edmish sentino?” “How old are you?” “Suhment”. “Eight” she answered. “Edmish sentino?” I looked at the youngest. “Sost.” “Three” said the 8 year old, answering for her little sister. I looked at the oldest brother and pointed to my head. “Chigger Alla?” “Is there a problem?” “Ou”. “Yes.”
The mother had pulled the blanket down and looked at me. I was kneeling with the family and waddled over to the mother. I’m not a doctor. I barely speak Amharic. I had no idea what I could do and I knew the reason the boy didn’t want bread was because he’d have come with me to get it and he wasn’t about to leave his mother. I put my hand out and prayed. I prayed for healing and blessings… in English. “Amen.” I looked up and the children smiled. “Medahalialam.” “Medicine of the world” I whispered (Medicine is their word for Savior). They nodded. This family broke me. They sat in a pile of dirt. Their clothes were ripped shirts and shorts. They were each malnourished. Yet, they smiled.
I cannot count the number of times these sorts of interactions happen. On my walk home I thought about all of the support I had to raise to get here. It was hard work, and strategically mapping out all of the details was difficult. Asking for money isn’t something I’m comfortable doing either. But, from the moment I stood at the airport gate with shaking legs, a reliable backpack, and my parents behind me, people like you have prayerfully and financially accompanied this journey. When I give to people, it’s you who’s giving. When I receive, it’s you receiving as well. I am grateful to have been sent by you and I thank you for being apart of it. P.S. I saw Berano (the “give us our daily bread” man). It was about 3 days ago and I gave him a big piece of cake and water. He had the exact same reaction as before. He kissed my hands. I kissed his hands. He cried, and I did too
I went on a run tonight. It was still light outside but the sun was quickly trading places with the moon and I was racing to beat it. The plan was to run around for a little while and get to the market before the sun was down. That way, I could get home before dark (No worries, Mom and Dad, it’s safe). I had been running for about 15 minutes when I saw 4 kids under the age of 10 huddled in the dirt with their mother. I stopped, greeted them, and asked if they wanted bread. The eldest (9) told me “no” which was the strangest answer. He pointed to his head and then to his mother. I asked, “Inatish?” “Your mother?” I looked at a little girl. She nodded her head. I asked her, “Edmish sentino?” “How old are you?” “Suhment”. “Eight” she answered. “Edmish sentino?” I looked at the youngest. “Sost.” “Three” said the 8 year old, answering for her little sister. I looked at the oldest brother and pointed to my head. “Chigger Alla?” “Is there a problem?” “Ou”. “Yes.”
The mother had pulled the blanket down and looked at me. I was kneeling with the family and waddled over to the mother. I’m not a doctor. I barely speak Amharic. I had no idea what I could do and I knew the reason the boy didn’t want bread was because he’d have come with me to get it and he wasn’t about to leave his mother. I put my hand out and prayed. I prayed for healing and blessings… in English. “Amen.” I looked up and the children smiled. “Medahalialam.” “Medicine of the world” I whispered (Medicine is their word for Savior). They nodded. This family broke me. They sat in a pile of dirt. Their clothes were ripped shirts and shorts. They were each malnourished. Yet, they smiled.
I cannot count the number of times these sorts of interactions happen. On my walk home I thought about all of the support I had to raise to get here. It was hard work, and strategically mapping out all of the details was difficult. Asking for money isn’t something I’m comfortable doing either. But, from the moment I stood at the airport gate with shaking legs, a reliable backpack, and my parents behind me, people like you have prayerfully and financially accompanied this journey. When I give to people, it’s you who’s giving. When I receive, it’s you receiving as well. I am grateful to have been sent by you and I thank you for being apart of it. P.S. I saw Berano (the “give us our daily bread” man). It was about 3 days ago and I gave him a big piece of cake and water. He had the exact same reaction as before. He kissed my hands. I kissed his hands. He cried, and I did too
Monday, February 2, 2009
“And let me tell you the greatest way... Love.”
“And let me tell you the greatest way... Love.”
I struggle in the things I want to say. How do you paraphrase your
life to fit in a readable manner so that other people will know the
things you see, the things you feel, and the things that matter? Life
is overwhelming and burdensome a lot of days…overwhelming in the sense
of darkness, and burdensome in that I feel heavy nearly everyday of my
life. I think of a drop of food coloring being placed in a glass of
water. In comparison, the drop is nothing in volume to the cup. Yet,
somehow it changes the appearance of the water. I pray my life
resembles a drop similar… gradually sifting through these people’s
hearts to turn their eyes upon God… to color the things we’ve turned
black.
A child ran into my arms last week. She was filthy. Her
filth began to rub off as she embraced her, what seemed to be, 5-year-
old body around my waist. A co-worker of mine pointed out that the
more she hugs her, the less filthy she will be… the filth will
eventually rub off and she will look into the eyes of a child who
ached to be loved. It was kind of a remarkable observation for me to
hear.
If I exist in my own strength, in my own love, and in my own
potential, nothing will be accomplished. I will be but a life that
was born, existed, and died… most likely forgotten by generations to
come. But, if the smallest seed from God dwells in my soul, I have
the capacity to move mountains… the ability to display Love as a
masterpiece that extends far beyond death.
I zoom out from my life and look upon the world and it appears that
nothing else matters besides the love and grace the Savior of the
world left us with over 2000 years ago.
I struggle in the things I want to say. How do you paraphrase your
life to fit in a readable manner so that other people will know the
things you see, the things you feel, and the things that matter? Life
is overwhelming and burdensome a lot of days…overwhelming in the sense
of darkness, and burdensome in that I feel heavy nearly everyday of my
life. I think of a drop of food coloring being placed in a glass of
water. In comparison, the drop is nothing in volume to the cup. Yet,
somehow it changes the appearance of the water. I pray my life
resembles a drop similar… gradually sifting through these people’s
hearts to turn their eyes upon God… to color the things we’ve turned
black.
A child ran into my arms last week. She was filthy. Her
filth began to rub off as she embraced her, what seemed to be, 5-year-
old body around my waist. A co-worker of mine pointed out that the
more she hugs her, the less filthy she will be… the filth will
eventually rub off and she will look into the eyes of a child who
ached to be loved. It was kind of a remarkable observation for me to
hear.
If I exist in my own strength, in my own love, and in my own
potential, nothing will be accomplished. I will be but a life that
was born, existed, and died… most likely forgotten by generations to
come. But, if the smallest seed from God dwells in my soul, I have
the capacity to move mountains… the ability to display Love as a
masterpiece that extends far beyond death.
I zoom out from my life and look upon the world and it appears that
nothing else matters besides the love and grace the Savior of the
world left us with over 2000 years ago.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Ethiopian survival 101:
If you are in a traffic accident as a foreigner, it is always your fault.
You will get a ticket if you attempt a Chinese fire drill.
Single file lines are simply a figment of the imagination.
When you attend a soccer game, it is imperative you understand you will be sharing your seat with three other people.
If someone asks to touch your "eye bush" do not be concerned. They merely want to feel your eyelashes.
It is common for a 12-passenger-city transportation-van to hold 20.
It is common for a beggar to practice auctioneering skills with foreigners… "10 birr… Okay, 5 birr… Okay, 1 birr… Okay, coins." This continues until you invest.
It is common for foreigners to have mental and emotional breakdowns in the post office.
Copyright laws do not exist here. So do not fill yourself with false hope when you see "Sally Beauty Supply", "Home Depot", or "Burger Queen". Yes, Burger Queen.
Lanes and street signs are only small suggestions.
If you expect to receive e-mails in a timely manner, you are an idiot.
If you spend your time trying to make sense of things here, you will die ignorant. Therefore, it is crucial you avoid the question "why?"
at all times.
You will get a ticket if you attempt a Chinese fire drill.
Single file lines are simply a figment of the imagination.
When you attend a soccer game, it is imperative you understand you will be sharing your seat with three other people.
If someone asks to touch your "eye bush" do not be concerned. They merely want to feel your eyelashes.
It is common for a 12-passenger-city transportation-van to hold 20.
It is common for a beggar to practice auctioneering skills with foreigners… "10 birr… Okay, 5 birr… Okay, 1 birr… Okay, coins." This continues until you invest.
It is common for foreigners to have mental and emotional breakdowns in the post office.
Copyright laws do not exist here. So do not fill yourself with false hope when you see "Sally Beauty Supply", "Home Depot", or "Burger Queen". Yes, Burger Queen.
Lanes and street signs are only small suggestions.
If you expect to receive e-mails in a timely manner, you are an idiot.
If you spend your time trying to make sense of things here, you will die ignorant. Therefore, it is crucial you avoid the question "why?"
at all times.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
THANK YOU!
Yesterday I went to the post office and had 3 slips of paper for packages. I had to go back this morning and get them. So I walked up to the post office near my house, handed the clerk the 3 slips along with my ID (which I had to go make another copy of because of the whole "Sierra, Lauren"/"Lauren Sierra" fiasco last time). After I paid the women, she had me come around the corner to get my packages. They were huge. I looked like an idiot carrying them but felt like a kid at Christmas. I got to my house, laid the boxes out and tore into them. The first two were packages from my mom... she sent me some clothes and shoes. I planted my face into the clothes and inhaled deep. It smelled of home and that just made everything that was homesick in me disappear.
The 3rd package was from the Brown Family. Wow. 3 books, cheez-its, trail mix, 2 packs of twizzlers, an outrageous amount of koolaid, skittles, pasta sides (6 of them... cheddar broccoli with the small noodles are my favorite), a CD, and a singing card... when I opened the card it still worked!! I couldn't believe it! The words were so kind. I keep every card taped to the inside of my closet door and every morning look at them. So, Brown Family, your card is taped up and I think of you often.
I just wanted to say thank you to anyone who has sent me mail. It takes time, I know. Writing a letter to me from this far away or sending me a package means more to me than I can possibly explain. It's tangible. I can smell things and taste things and put cloth between my hands and read your handwriting with a card between my thumbs and pointer fingers.... it makes everything hard go away for a time and it's like I'm carrying you through the streets I live in. SO THANK YOU!
The 3rd package was from the Brown Family. Wow. 3 books, cheez-its, trail mix, 2 packs of twizzlers, an outrageous amount of koolaid, skittles, pasta sides (6 of them... cheddar broccoli with the small noodles are my favorite), a CD, and a singing card... when I opened the card it still worked!! I couldn't believe it! The words were so kind. I keep every card taped to the inside of my closet door and every morning look at them. So, Brown Family, your card is taped up and I think of you often.
I just wanted to say thank you to anyone who has sent me mail. It takes time, I know. Writing a letter to me from this far away or sending me a package means more to me than I can possibly explain. It's tangible. I can smell things and taste things and put cloth between my hands and read your handwriting with a card between my thumbs and pointer fingers.... it makes everything hard go away for a time and it's like I'm carrying you through the streets I live in. SO THANK YOU!
Monday, November 17, 2008
Ten things about my life in Ethio...
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1) I went to a local soccer game and it was, by far, the craziest sporting event I have ever been to.
2) One of my students wrote a paper about her family. The last sentences say, "we have no father and mother. both are died. we love each other"... I keep it in my journal.
3) One of my co-workers has satellite and we watch "So You Think You Can Dance" every Tuesday night after cooking dinner with one another
(okay... I might not cook, but I bring stuff... I'm like my momma).
The season is from last year but it's new to all of us. It's our time as a team to really get away for a little bit. This Tuesday night is the season finale. Who will it be? Katie, Joshua, Kourtney, or Twitch??
4) I have an Ethio family here who takes very good care of me... and longs to someday meet my family.
5) My Ethio family is Dagi's family. Dagi is doing great and can't wait to meet some of my friends who might get to visit. She turned 18!
See picture.
6) I went to get a package the other day and they wouldn't give it to me because my drivers license says, "Sierra, Lauren" and my package said, "Lauren Sierra". They said the package wasn't addressed to me.
15 minutes of explanation and a photo copy later, I got my package.
7) My internet connection is awesome. See picture.
8) KIDS! See picture. One of my roommates guaranteed I could fit a couple in my check in for under 50 pounds... I know that's terrible but sometimes you just have to joke to get past the reality of it all some days.
9) Everything is done in community. You eat off the same plate and to do so is to commit to friendship. The food is so dang good, too...
despite its appearance. See picture.
10) One time, I accidently took money from a beggar. My roommates like to hold it against me.
2) One of my students wrote a paper about her family. The last sentences say, "we have no father and mother. both are died. we love each other"... I keep it in my journal.
3) One of my co-workers has satellite and we watch "So You Think You Can Dance" every Tuesday night after cooking dinner with one another
(okay... I might not cook, but I bring stuff... I'm like my momma).
The season is from last year but it's new to all of us. It's our time as a team to really get away for a little bit. This Tuesday night is the season finale. Who will it be? Katie, Joshua, Kourtney, or Twitch??
4) I have an Ethio family here who takes very good care of me... and longs to someday meet my family.
5) My Ethio family is Dagi's family. Dagi is doing great and can't wait to meet some of my friends who might get to visit. She turned 18!
See picture.
6) I went to get a package the other day and they wouldn't give it to me because my drivers license says, "Sierra, Lauren" and my package said, "Lauren Sierra". They said the package wasn't addressed to me.
15 minutes of explanation and a photo copy later, I got my package.
7) My internet connection is awesome. See picture.
8) KIDS! See picture. One of my roommates guaranteed I could fit a couple in my check in for under 50 pounds... I know that's terrible but sometimes you just have to joke to get past the reality of it all some days.
9) Everything is done in community. You eat off the same plate and to do so is to commit to friendship. The food is so dang good, too...
despite its appearance. See picture.
10) One time, I accidently took money from a beggar. My roommates like to hold it against me.
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