Today was a different Sunday. To begin, we had church at Ontario Beach park. Another congregation was also meeting at the pavilion right next to ours, so we combined services...it was kinda cool and so spontaneous. The pastors had met a couple of months ago and had talked about having a joint service at some point, but it was just a "coincidence" that we were at the same park on the same Sunday. Their congregation was racially diverse, just like ours. It was kinda neat.
This evening I attended the Foundation of Hope prayer service. It was amazing. I wish I could understand that words that were being sung. Heritage does interpret as much as possible, and he did preach in English. The people involved are just so loving and wonderful. I feel adopted into their family already and they don't even know me yet. They are encouraging. Both Heritage and Prudence offered to help me in any way, and if they could not help, they would pray for me and love me. One of the other members wanted to know if I would be travelling with them to Albany to minister with them next weekend!!! I just met these people and they are including me in all aspects of their lives. Prudence was excited that now that his family is moving to Greece that we will be neighbors! I think I am going to like getting to know these people. What a display of putting others first....remember, the dozen Africans are the ones reaching out to us, the Americans(or Canadians!), not the other way around...we should be the ones helping them, encouraging them. They left everything behind them when they left Africa...some of them even left their family there. Now, here they are in America, the land of opportunity, and they are encouraging us to love more, pray more, listen to God's voice more.
By the way, Heritage wants to be a missionary to Africa! I think that is so neat since I would consider him a missionary from Africa to America. But, his heart is for Africa...he is a great missionary already, so I am sure that once he returns to Africa he will do amazing work in God's name.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Time To Redirect
So, after four days trapped in my home with a sick child, it has been very hard to not become self-centered again. I kept thinking about how hard this was on me...how bored I was...and of course, how hungry I was. Not only did I make rice crispy treats(for church picnic tomorrow), I ate enough "bad" food to make me feel guilty.
I spoke with several friends last week and was surprised at the response to my original blog. Each person has a different take on making a less self-centered approach to living life. My sister-in-law suggested throwing a block party for my neighbors. Unfortunately, that is something that already happens in my neighborhood! Another friend encouraged me to just be the best listener to those who cross my path, thus allowing them the privilege to talk and be heard. My small group helped me think of things that I am passionate about, which unfortunately wasn't much, at least off the top of my head, but I has me thinking about it.
All in all, this week has been disrupted by a change of health in my household, thankfully only for the short term. I am looking forward to church tomorrow, and being out of the house for more than an hour at a time. I was to get my mind back on track and thinking about what my goal is for this season, which is discovering a way to impact my community in a positive way. I need to combine it with something that I am passionate about....I am still thinking....who knows, maybe it will come to me while I lay awaiting sleep to come....
I spoke with several friends last week and was surprised at the response to my original blog. Each person has a different take on making a less self-centered approach to living life. My sister-in-law suggested throwing a block party for my neighbors. Unfortunately, that is something that already happens in my neighborhood! Another friend encouraged me to just be the best listener to those who cross my path, thus allowing them the privilege to talk and be heard. My small group helped me think of things that I am passionate about, which unfortunately wasn't much, at least off the top of my head, but I has me thinking about it.
All in all, this week has been disrupted by a change of health in my household, thankfully only for the short term. I am looking forward to church tomorrow, and being out of the house for more than an hour at a time. I was to get my mind back on track and thinking about what my goal is for this season, which is discovering a way to impact my community in a positive way. I need to combine it with something that I am passionate about....I am still thinking....who knows, maybe it will come to me while I lay awaiting sleep to come....
Monday, August 24, 2009
Our County's Finest
Today after work, I drove my friend downtown, literally, to the Sheriff's office so she could be fingerprinted...no, not for committing crimes, but for a new job! In order to enter the building, we had to walk past the "visitors" who were shouting back and forth with the "residents" at our county jail. At first I was nervous, but I guess a safe place to be would be near the jail, right??? But, much to my surprise, I really felt very sad. I felt sad because so many men in our community have made so many bad choices. What happens next for them? Is there change? Do they care? I want them to care. This emotion startled me, because I know that usually I would primarily think about how fortunate we are to have these "bad" people locked up. I would be quick to pass judgement and forget about them.
So once again I am faced with the question of what can I do to make a difference in my community, or in a community where boys grow up too fast, trying to be men but with no role models to teach them how to be real men. Where do I begin? I don't know...I really don't know. But...I want to find my starting line and maybe begin with a brisk walk, eventually working my way to a steady jog, pacing myself, taking breaks when I need to, but willing to go the distance to help one, two, or who knows how many people in the process.
So once again I am faced with the question of what can I do to make a difference in my community, or in a community where boys grow up too fast, trying to be men but with no role models to teach them how to be real men. Where do I begin? I don't know...I really don't know. But...I want to find my starting line and maybe begin with a brisk walk, eventually working my way to a steady jog, pacing myself, taking breaks when I need to, but willing to go the distance to help one, two, or who knows how many people in the process.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
I Have to Start with Me
I will be the first to admit that I am not a writer. In fact, much of the time I struggle to put to words what goes on in my head...at least in the way I want it to be communicated. But, I think I need to document the journey that I want to embark on...I want to really make a lifestyle change, a character change...and at the same time hopefully touch other people's lives.
The inspiration for my quest began when I entered what is now my church home and found myself in the midst of families that had lost everything, but were joyfully praising God for what they had. These families are refugees from the Congo, who have witnesses genocide, had times where they had no food, lost family and friends, and homes. I listened to Heritage preach this morning, and he is so thankful for life and God's love and provision. His eyes sparkle and his smile lights up the room. He shouts for joy! He and his family dance with praise! They get it...they really get what life is about. I am ashamed when I am a part of the opposite here in the US....I take, I spend my money on useless things, I eat until my belly hurts.
Now, what am I going to do? I don't quite know yet...but this is why I want to write about my challenge to myself and hope that in a years time I will be able to show a journey of transformation from a self-serving individual to someone who gives without seeking anything in return. I know that I will need to pick the brains of my pastors, friends, and maybe even strangers that I meet along the way, but I am excited to see what might be around the corner. I am excited to see what relationships will form along the way!
The inspiration for my quest began when I entered what is now my church home and found myself in the midst of families that had lost everything, but were joyfully praising God for what they had. These families are refugees from the Congo, who have witnesses genocide, had times where they had no food, lost family and friends, and homes. I listened to Heritage preach this morning, and he is so thankful for life and God's love and provision. His eyes sparkle and his smile lights up the room. He shouts for joy! He and his family dance with praise! They get it...they really get what life is about. I am ashamed when I am a part of the opposite here in the US....I take, I spend my money on useless things, I eat until my belly hurts.
Now, what am I going to do? I don't quite know yet...but this is why I want to write about my challenge to myself and hope that in a years time I will be able to show a journey of transformation from a self-serving individual to someone who gives without seeking anything in return. I know that I will need to pick the brains of my pastors, friends, and maybe even strangers that I meet along the way, but I am excited to see what might be around the corner. I am excited to see what relationships will form along the way!
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