Trash to Treasures

Can you imagine spending your whole life since you were able to walk rummaging through trash, hoping to find a bottles, cans or anything of some value? Many of the families here are so poor and have no real way to make money. So, the mom and kids spend the whole day, from sun up from sundown collecting trash. If they are lucky they might make $1 a day.  The kids do not get to go to school and often are found on the streets by themselves. It puts them all at great jeopardy for being trafficked, hurt, or abused. It's a life that leaves little hope for the future. The missionary couple we are working with met some of these kids on the street when they first moved here and knew they had to do something to help.

Ben and Cherie decided to get to know these kids and their families. As their relationship with them built, so did their investment in the families lives. Ben and Cherie have done so much I hardly know where to begin. They started helping the families by getting them some food and speaking to the parents about the value of their children. They have helped the parents find others sources of income, run an afterschool kids club, and most of all love on these kids and their families.

The first day I met some of the kids we were moving one of the families to a new home. Their house (term used very loosely) was near the river and flooded every time it rained. The night before we arrived it rained and the river rose so quick that the kids had to stand in the windowsill not to get swept away. We moved all of their things which consisted of 3 laundry baskets full of things across the river to a brand new place away from the river. The kids were SO happy. In fact, I don't think I have ever seen anyone more excited in my life. All the kids and the mom were so full of love and life. I thought maybe it was just because they got to move. Nope, they were like that each time I saw them. The kids eyes danced with joy and they would grin ear to ear, run to give and get hugs and giggle until they couldn't breathe. I never knew them when they were picking up the trash on the streets, but I have seen countless others just like them. As you can imagine those kids aren't happy and full of joy.

I have learned so much just by watching these kids and the simple acts of love that changed their lives. I am not saying it won't cost anything because in fact it may cost a lot to truly love and give of yourself for other people, but the reward is priceless. It has made me ask myself what am I willing to give of myself and who around me needs the love I have to give. There are treasures amongst the "trash" all around us, if we just choose to really see.

Dare to Dream

Last week our team had the opportunity to "teach" English at a village school. Since we had no time to prep, it became a time of just trying to talk with the students. On the 5th class of the day, I was sitting in a row talking with a few girls when a girl named "M" came late and sat down next to me. She was so excited to be able to practice her English. She asked me a few questions and then I asked her about school and what she was going to do after she graduates this year. She looked at me with sadness in her eyes and tells me how badly she wants to go to university to become a teacher. "M" then told me a tale that is all to familiar in places like this.  University is too expensive and her family barely makes any money. Her parents are putting a lot of pressure on her to drop out of school and work. They told her she either has to get really high scores and get a scholarship or she had to go find work to help the family. She had tears in her eyes and she explained the stress and the pressure she was facing and how badly she wanted something different for her than her siblings that have gone before her. We talked about a few other things and then she quietly asked me if she could get my advice on something. She struggles in her broken English to tell me about a guy who she met on Facebook wants to meet her to give her a gift. She doesn't want to meet him, but her friends tell her she would be mean if she did not receive his gift. She said she just didn't feel right about it since she doesn't know anything about him. Now, I am here learning about sex trafficking, so the first thing I think of is this guy is trying to lure her in to be trafficked. I hope I am wrong, but regardless here is a girl who is very vulnerable and has dreams, but no real way to obtain them. Maybe this guy has good intentions, but I am leery and worried for her in this fragile place in her life.  I tried my best to speak value and hope into her life and to tell her to listen to that little voice inside when it tells you something isn't right. I then explained through a translator what prayer is and if it would be okay if I prayed that God would help her in all of these situations and to provide a way for her to go to university. She looked at me with astonishment and with tears in her eyes she said, "You would do that for me?" It was such a powerful moment for me to see the desperation of wanting good things and hoping for a better future. I gave her my email and I hope to hear from her, but I have to trust that God will make a way where there appears to be no way. I never realized before that I took dreaming for granted. How even my biggest dreams are probably more attainable then her getting to school. Yet, I was impacted by her tenacity, dedication, sacrifice, and willingness to endure hardships so go after what she wants even if she won't ever get there. That is the sign of a true dreamer. I need to be more like her!

Power of a name

First let me apologize for not utilizing this blog as I should. I have realized recently the importance of sharing what I am experiencing. If it is helpful to no one else, it will be good for me to process and reflect on the world around me.

I have been here in Cambodia for about 3 weeks. Our team is focused on working with organizations that are helping in the fight against sex trafficking. It has been a great experience to see first hand men and women who have had the courage to walk away from the atrocities that enslaved them. I will write more about that in another post, but today I wanted to share a moment that was simple, but so impactful to me.

It was the New Year here in Cambodia and everything was closed. So what is a team of six to do in a city that is basically shut down? We decided to head to the waterfront to pray. Along the way we met up with some kids about the age of 10 out on the street selling various trinkets to make money for their family. We had a great time interacting with them. It was sad to me to see these kids who were so good at manipulating and doing all they needed to do to make a sale. Kids shouldn't have to have those skills. Eventually, they all put down their stuff and just  played with us for awhile. It was so refreshing to see them just being kids. The oldest girl, who is about 12,  just sat on the side and scowled. We each tried to talk with her, but she wanted nothing to do with us. Understandable. I have had the hardest times learning names here. The sounds are so foreign to my ears and although I have them repeat it over and over I can never remember. Except this girls name...Tut. It was the first name that was a sound that I recognized. We played with the kids awhile longer and then said goodbye. I looked at Tut, called her by name and said goodbye. She barely even acknowledged my effort.

A few days later, I decided to head back down to the waterfront to walk and pray. It was really quiet and no one was out. I wandered and prayed and just enjoyed being outside. I looked up and there was Tut running in front of me with all of her goods to sell. I yelled out her name "TUT" as loud as I could. She froze and turned with a look of shock on her face. She looked my direction and then a huge smile emerged on her face as she ran to meet me. She was so energetic and started asking me questions and telling me about her day.

It was then it struck me, I bet she is hardly ever called by name. Here is a girl who basically lives on the  streets and struggles to eek out a living. She had told me she was basically abandoned by her parents to fend for herself and her little sibling. In that instant I called her name, she was known, she had an identity. I know most of the day she is overlooked and probably treated like an announce to tourists, but she is so much more than that. I was so thankful that of all the kids I met that I remembered her name and that God would bring her back into my path. God knows each of our names, how powerful that really is when I stop and think about it. We are known, maybe not by the people who pass us, but we are known by the Creator of the Universe. I looked at Tut and could see the beauty and the power of what it means to be known.

Last newsletter

Here is my last newsletter. The format didn't work on here, so it doesn't look as nice, but all the info is still here. I thought I could post it for those of you I do not have an email address. Here is an update on what I am up to. 

March 21, 2012

RAINBOWS & PROMISES

God's Promises...
I asked some of my classmates what is one of their favorite promises from God. Here is the list and it amazed me that they all said something different.

• He gives us beauty for ashes • He never leaves us • He gives us the desires of our heart • He is a voice for the voiceless • His mercies are new every day • He will provide

• When we seek Him we will find him• We are blessed to be a blessing • He is faithful • He will give us rest for our souls • He renews our strength• He will break the chains that bind us

• All things will work for good to those called according to His purpose. • He will comfort us in our troubles

I have the most amazing view from where I am staying here in New Zealand. I look out every day and I am taken by the beauty of this place. I didn’t think it could get any prettier until I looked out earlier this week and saw a rainbow. They are so breathtaking. I have seen three rainbows just this week. As I took in the beauty of the rainbows, my mind started wandering through God’s promises and I realized it was a great representation of my time here.

Just as a reminder, I am here in New Zealand (north island) attending a discipleship training school with Youth With a Mission. I needed to take this 6 month course in order to join my friend Amy, who has been working with YWAM for years now. Our team vision is to take our midwifery skills to help women in remote parts of Central Asia. Attending this school was more of a means to an end for me, but God had many other plans. This time has far exceeded every expectation I had. I have been blown away by the teaching, learning, and the abundant gifts He has given me while I have been here. He has fulfilled some of His promises to me in this time and has given me hope for the promises not yet fulfilled. He brought insight and healing to areas of my life. I came ready to join the medical team and to continue in my role as a nurse. Within the first week, I realized I had a problem understanding God, as a Just God. There was still bitterness in me from the horrors I saw during my time in Sierra Leone. I thought I had dealt with it before, but basically just decided not to think about it. Through several different circumstances I became acutely aware of my need to correct my understanding of God. So, I decided to change from the medical to the justice focused school. Here we would wrestle through the questions and look at the hard realities of injustice in the world. It has been a place where I could be honest about my thoughts, feelings, and questions. Through this time I have realized that I have always been drawn to justice issues, but shunned away from them due to my lack of trust with God. I would not have been able to make it, let alone be affective in Central Asia without having a firm and unwavering understanding of God. I am so thankful for this time and all that has happened here.

Our team’s (Amy and I) plans to go to Central Asia have been pushed back another 2 years. There has been a lot going on in the country, with the team there and our need to be prepared. The additional delay was very disappointing at first. Honestly, it just made me question if I had made the right choice to pursue this dream. I am confident that the choice is right, but the fulfillment of the dream might look different than I thought. I have been recognizing the core of that dream is to help and stand with the broken, forgotten, vulnerable women and kids in this world. At this stage, I feel like God has asked me to lay all my plans down and just wait. It is hard not having a plan (I am a total planner), but I am learning to rest and trust in Him in the not knowing. My excitement and anticipation of what might be next is growing. I know that this next season will be one of continued preparation both in skills and heart and gaining the experience needed for the next plan.

I can not tell you how much each of your love and support means to me. My life is so rich and full from having people like you in my life. I would appreciate your prayers

during this next season and I would love to talk with you more about my time in the Philippines, here in New Zealand, and about the future. I am excited for my time in Cambodia coming up in just a few days. I will send out another update once I get back.

The journey continues,

Chris

My team and I are headed to Cambodia!

My team is headed to 

Cambodia to put into practice things we have learned during the justice school. We will be supporting and helping local organizations that are working against sex trafficking and its ramifications. My heart has been broken over the thought of these girls and boys who have been forced to “work” in this area. As I was sharing with a friend of mine what we might be doing and the kids we might meet, I started to cry. My friend looked at me and asked what are you going to do with those tears? It was the reminder I needed that emotions okay, but if they don’t lead to action then I have missed what they were trying to show me. I am looking forward to putting those tears into action and seeing what else this journey has to show me.

Thank you all for your love and support. What a journey God has me on. He is challenging me to rest in Him and his provision as I await the next steps of this journey. I can not tell you how comforting it is to know that there are people like you supporting, encouraging and praying for me. I can’t do it without you!

Next steps...

• April 7 - May 24th... Cambodia

• May 24th -June 13th...New Zealand with a brief stop

over in Australia

• June 14th...back to California, with trips to see friends and

family

• August and on... ? waiting for next steps, will you pray with me for God’s direction and clarity of His purposes for me at this time.

Adoption

We have been talking about adoption in class this week. It is a subject so close to my heart. I would love to adopt a child. I wish I was in a place that I could welcome a child in to my family. It bring tears to think of these kids all around the world who do not know they were valued and loved. It makes my heart hurt and if I am not careful it starts the questions of why's.  I then went to church tonight and found out it was adoption Sunday and saw this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWHJ6-YhSYQ

I sat near a guy who was obviously mentally delayed and yet he sang loud, out of tune with joy. He was a delight and I cried more as I saw God's pleasure in his child.

Overwhelmed with kindess

The transition to life in Boise has been so easy. I have been here about 6 weeks and it feels like I have lived here for years. People are so friendly! I was welcomed into instant community and friends, thanks to my wonderful roommate Becky and my  almost roommate Kathie. Since the week I arrived, I have had offers for dinner, coffee, and outings. Every weekend as been filled with friends, fun, and new discoveries. I also was given a great gift of attending a women's conference with the women of Mission Aviation Fellowship. They were so welcoming and we had a TON of fun. Lot's of laughter, game playing and exploring the outdoors. Then the next weekend two of my friends from my last job came up for a visit. It was so great to explore together and just be with people who know me. I kept thinking how lucky I am to have such great friends. I have been overwhelmed with the kindness and generosity of those around me. It has been such a tangible representation of God's love for me.

Even though life here has been wonderful, my heart aches as I think of those I love back in home. I miss my family, friends, my job (really), church, and so much else and if I can't think about my niece and nephew without shedding a tear. I had two friends from home die in the first month that I was here. It really brought being gone into reality. If I am honest, there have been a few moments that I wanted to give up this pursuit and head back home. They were always fleeting, as my I would think on two things. The first, how rich I am to have family and friends whom I love deeply. The distance is hard, but the depth of relationship is life giving. Secondly, I think of those women who I will someday sit beside and help bring life into the world. The forgotten, scared, sad, dejected, lonely, fearful; who need more than ever to know that they are valued, loved and treasured.

It has been fun experiencing a new place, making new friends and learning new things. I forgot to mention school in the update. It has been challenging and inspiring to learn new skills and tools to broaden my capacity to help others. I find myself dreaming and imagining the places and people that I will have the honor of coming along side. I am one lucky girl!

My coworkers came for a visit. Thanks Charlene and Beth!

Hiking at the women's retreat in McCall. 

Celebrated Canadian Thanksgiving! 

A few of my classmates: Jasmine, Jen and Amy