Today is hot. H-O-T. So I waited until tonight to go running. I was very much in the mood to run, so though it was still quite warm at 8:30 I strapped on my running shoes, carefully on my bandaged left foot. I have a recovering blister on my left foot so I was prepared to deal with a little sting while I ran. However, not long into the run the pain became uncomfortable but I was not prepared to stop. I felt compelled to continue. I had to come up with an improvisation if I did not want to cause myself too much pain. I ran to a nearby park, took off my shoes, and ran in the grassy areas around the park barefoot. My bandage came undone during the course of my run and occasionally blades of grass would brush the raw skin, but nonetheless my foot felt little pain. Even while running barefoot isn't the best on your feet or muscles, which I will be feeling tomorrow, it was liberating and satisfying, which I will also feel tomorrow. While I ran I listened to the music from the Elizabethtown soundtrack. One of my favorite songs from the soundtrack is "Same in Any Language" by I Nine. "It's the same in any language wherever you go."
Language. Language will present itself to be a barrier in Argentina. While English is a widely spoken language in most countries, we will be working with many uneducated who have not had the opportunity to learn English. And my Spanish-speaking skills are much less than fluent or even conversational. But I was reminded while running free listening to this song that love has the capability to be expressed beyond the confines of language. Love is the same in any language, wherever you go because love does not need language to be expressed. Love is action; feeling put into action or choice put into action. Actions vary whether by word or deed. And this I do think about love, too; love breaks through barriers.
And it was not too long ago that God seemed to be telling me that love would break through my own barriers with this experience. And I anticipate that I will have to open myself up to be broken. I will be honest that a lot of times I feel that my expressions of love fall short from what I intend or what God intends. I am constantly yearning for a love that is more a reflection of His, longing that He would break through me with His love.
I was driving around town about 2 months ago, thinking about this next journey, when I had a God moment. Very vividly I felt God saying to me that He was going to use this experience to teach me a new idea of love, a new way to love. This may seem simple to you, but it was profound in that moment and is something that God keeps bringing to my heart.
As I was running I felt the intensity of this idea reiterated.
Running isn't easy. The hard part is when you hit the wall in the run- physically or mentally. But I've learned in my running that if I push myself and keep running I can break through the wall and in fact in doing this I regain my energy and a boost of confidence. And it only take a couple minutes after a good run to feel the adrenaline rushing through me, the endorphins energizing me- the runner high. No matter how hard or light the run, I typically always feel good and motivated afterward. I am able to appreciate the run and its challenges.
This growing experience will be hard. Letting go and letting God go and break me, break my ideas in order to replenish His will be challenging, I know that full well. But I know, too, that it will give me a new spirit and strength that more resembles His. Argentina will be a beautiful and challenging run that I will be able to look back and appreciate with all the God taught me. I believe that. And I think that's what I got out of my run tonight.
Oh that His love may be more evident; that His love might speak in any language wherever you go, breaking through the barriers.
Corredora de Dios
Friday, July 23, 2010
Thursday, July 15, 2010
1/2 check for support
Today I got my physical done. Since I don't have insurance right now it was a hefty amount of dollars out of my pocket. And for what? To have the doctor poke and prod at me and challenge me to arm wrestling. I feel stolen from! The nerve.
But at least it's one other thing to check off my list.
So going down the list (in my head, I've never been a list taker-- hence the non-planner aspect in my life):
vaccines- check. ow, it cost me two arms... literally and figuratively.
Insurance- 1/2 check. I've made contact and started filling out forms.
Readings- 1/2 check. I'm making headway, but I can't rush the mind-blowing info I'm taking in.
Plane tickets- check, thanks to Word Made Flesh organizing that one.
Contact with team members- check.
Support Letters- check
Support Raised- 1/2 check. A good two thousand dollars is hanging over my head, lingering. It's somewhere out there beyond the pale moonlight.
I've sent out a handful of support letters. Into the first month or so of support raising I would get so excited to see my support funds rising steadily. And while support has continued to come in as I've continued to send support letters, my account has lingered in the 2,000 area at what seems like a comatose rate.
It wasn't until recently that I made a list in my head of contacts outside of church family, family friends, family members, etc. that may in fact be interested in supporting me. My list reached about 40 people, friends-friends from college, friends from my experiences after college, friends from the early days, that I would like to think would show interest in my upcoming experience. If 40 of these people gave 10 dollars that's 400 dollars. But, wait, my math gets better. If 40 people gave 20 dollars, that's..... 800 dollars! That's fantastic!
So if you're reading this and have not received a support letter from me know that it's not because I don't think you're important or I think you're poor as dirt, but most likely because I don't have your address (snail mail is the thing of the past). But if you close down your computer or wake up in the morning and feel Jesus prodding you to give for my support I encourage you to do so. Pass on by chipotle and put aside the 8 dollars from the could-have-been burrito bowl and know that I understand the sacrifice you're making! I crave the luscious mexican style grille often!
Even if you just want to go down as a prayer supporter that is awesome.
You can send the funds directly to Word Made Flesh- Make the check out to Word Made Flesh and then pull out an index card write your name, address, email and indicate if you would like to be a prayer supporter and/or how much you are giving. Write my name as the Servant Team Member. Then toss them in an enveloped addressed "Word Made Flesh P.O Box 70, Omaha, NE 68101".
If you feel so led to send me money directly know that it will be used toward my preparation funds that unfortunately are not covered by my funding through Word Made Flesh. My address at my parent's is 30200 Wyndtree Blvd. Elkhart, IN 46516.
Money is always a touchy issue but at the same time it is a frequent issue in life. I do not want to sound like a beggar or sound like I'm making a plug, but I have a need and I also have a network of wonderful people that can help me fill that need. I am so grateful for those that have given. And even if someone feels like they can't give but wants to be a prayer supporter I am grateful for their support, in however they feel they can best give.
maybe I can turn that 1/2 check into a big boy check mark.
God bless you as you give of yourself,
La una que Dios ve (or something like that)
But at least it's one other thing to check off my list.
So going down the list (in my head, I've never been a list taker-- hence the non-planner aspect in my life):
vaccines- check. ow, it cost me two arms... literally and figuratively.
Insurance- 1/2 check. I've made contact and started filling out forms.
Readings- 1/2 check. I'm making headway, but I can't rush the mind-blowing info I'm taking in.
Plane tickets- check, thanks to Word Made Flesh organizing that one.
Contact with team members- check.
Support Letters- check
Support Raised- 1/2 check. A good two thousand dollars is hanging over my head, lingering. It's somewhere out there beyond the pale moonlight.
I've sent out a handful of support letters. Into the first month or so of support raising I would get so excited to see my support funds rising steadily. And while support has continued to come in as I've continued to send support letters, my account has lingered in the 2,000 area at what seems like a comatose rate.
It wasn't until recently that I made a list in my head of contacts outside of church family, family friends, family members, etc. that may in fact be interested in supporting me. My list reached about 40 people, friends-friends from college, friends from my experiences after college, friends from the early days, that I would like to think would show interest in my upcoming experience. If 40 of these people gave 10 dollars that's 400 dollars. But, wait, my math gets better. If 40 people gave 20 dollars, that's..... 800 dollars! That's fantastic!
So if you're reading this and have not received a support letter from me know that it's not because I don't think you're important or I think you're poor as dirt, but most likely because I don't have your address (snail mail is the thing of the past). But if you close down your computer or wake up in the morning and feel Jesus prodding you to give for my support I encourage you to do so. Pass on by chipotle and put aside the 8 dollars from the could-have-been burrito bowl and know that I understand the sacrifice you're making! I crave the luscious mexican style grille often!
Even if you just want to go down as a prayer supporter that is awesome.
You can send the funds directly to Word Made Flesh- Make the check out to Word Made Flesh and then pull out an index card write your name, address, email and indicate if you would like to be a prayer supporter and/or how much you are giving. Write my name as the Servant Team Member. Then toss them in an enveloped addressed "Word Made Flesh P.O Box 70, Omaha, NE 68101".
If you feel so led to send me money directly know that it will be used toward my preparation funds that unfortunately are not covered by my funding through Word Made Flesh. My address at my parent's is 30200 Wyndtree Blvd. Elkhart, IN 46516.
Money is always a touchy issue but at the same time it is a frequent issue in life. I do not want to sound like a beggar or sound like I'm making a plug, but I have a need and I also have a network of wonderful people that can help me fill that need. I am so grateful for those that have given. And even if someone feels like they can't give but wants to be a prayer supporter I am grateful for their support, in however they feel they can best give.
maybe I can turn that 1/2 check into a big boy check mark.
God bless you as you give of yourself,
La una que Dios ve (or something like that)
Friday, July 2, 2010
preparar
I actually set this up a month ago but am just now taking the first step as a blogger. I've been putting this off because 1) my computer is deadly slow; I feel as if sometimes it and I are having a staring match and 2) I have no idea how to take the first step as a blogger with writing the first blog. So skipping the whole process of writing a captivating intro I want to lay out my purpose for this blog, plain and simple.
I am going to Buenos Aires, Argentina. About 8 months ago I felt a very strong desire to seek out an overseas experience. In a very real way I experienced the Lord placing this desire on my heart as a way to challenge my complacent world view and challenge me with a growing experience. Thus I applied to go as a participant on a Servant Team with the organization Word Made Flesh (wordmadeflesh.org). Word Made Flesh is an organization that seeks to take the love of Jesus to the poorest areas around the world. A Servant Team is one means by which they do that. For 4 months I, along with 3 other servant team participants and a team of 5 staff permanently stationed in the city, will be ministering to street youth in the city of Buenos Aires.
No doubt this will be an experience that will make a mark on the map of my life... I feel that confirmed almost daily as I make my preparations for this journey. These past couple months I have spent, not only moving and adjusting from living with my sister's family in Indiana to living with friends in the Cincinnati area but also, embarking on the journey of prepartaion. I am, by nature, not a planner so all these preparations tend to be overwhelming. But even now I am learning through this process; learning how to manage my time and resources and most importantly learning the reoccuring lesson of trusting God. My purpose in beginning this blog now, before I arrive in Buenos Aires, is to highlight the trek I am on in preparing for the big step ahead of me. I intend to focus the next month's blog entries on what I am experiencing as I prepare for my trip.
So, more to come.
El una que Dios ve
I am going to Buenos Aires, Argentina. About 8 months ago I felt a very strong desire to seek out an overseas experience. In a very real way I experienced the Lord placing this desire on my heart as a way to challenge my complacent world view and challenge me with a growing experience. Thus I applied to go as a participant on a Servant Team with the organization Word Made Flesh (wordmadeflesh.org). Word Made Flesh is an organization that seeks to take the love of Jesus to the poorest areas around the world. A Servant Team is one means by which they do that. For 4 months I, along with 3 other servant team participants and a team of 5 staff permanently stationed in the city, will be ministering to street youth in the city of Buenos Aires.
No doubt this will be an experience that will make a mark on the map of my life... I feel that confirmed almost daily as I make my preparations for this journey. These past couple months I have spent, not only moving and adjusting from living with my sister's family in Indiana to living with friends in the Cincinnati area but also, embarking on the journey of prepartaion. I am, by nature, not a planner so all these preparations tend to be overwhelming. But even now I am learning through this process; learning how to manage my time and resources and most importantly learning the reoccuring lesson of trusting God. My purpose in beginning this blog now, before I arrive in Buenos Aires, is to highlight the trek I am on in preparing for the big step ahead of me. I intend to focus the next month's blog entries on what I am experiencing as I prepare for my trip.
So, more to come.
El una que Dios ve
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