A Walk in Their Shoes

The phrase "spring break" typically brings to mind beaches, sun, freedom from stress, and hanging out with friends. When I think back on Spring Break 2013, my memories will be quite different from those images--and I wouldn't ever trade them.

Twelve of us from Covenant had the privilege and blessing of going through World Relief and Mission to the World's program called "Walk in My Shoes". The coordinators use a variety of teaching techniques that rely on surprises and the unexpected, so I cannot share many details or pictures. What I can do is strongly encourage you to PARTICIPATE in this program yourself!! The week challenged all of us in many ways, but taught us so much about refugees, cultures from around the world, our culture, and ourselves. 

Here are some of the lessons and memories I will treasure from this week:

- Political refugees come from all backgrounds (poor and rich, educated and illiterate), from around the world (depending on where conflicts are) and go through an extremely difficult process (leaving everything to live in the awful conditions of camps, pleading their case, learning different languages, adjusting to a complicated culture, and sooooo much more)

- We got to help a number of existing programs that serve the Clarkston community

Kristopher Woods After School Program, Friends of Refugees, Mommy and Me ESL classes, Refugee Sewing Society, etc

- Everyone has a story. Be willing to ask questions and listen rather than stereotyping them.

- God is a God of diversity. Here in the US we have so many cultures around us that we often overlook or disregard.

- Getting involved means doing the next thing God has in front of you. Again, listen to His call--whatever it is!

(There's a branch of World Relief in Modesto http://worldreliefmodesto.org/--you can help by grocery shopping, picking up people at the airport, etc. It's not hard and it's right in our backyard)

- God provides EXACTLY what we need when we need it. HE IS FAITHFUL!!

- Getting to know members of the Covenant community I do not normally interact with.

Thank you so, so much for your prayers and support. I would LOVE to share more stories and thoughts if you're interested. Please let me know :)

We climbed Stone Mountain

Break between soccer and the after school program

Counting Down to Spring Break

I'm not going to lie. I'm pumped about Spring Break this year! It'll be a great time to do something different that will take me out of my comfort zone and make great memories with fellow Covenant students. So, I've decided to go to Clarkston, GA!

Not your typical Spring Break destination, I know. I'll be partnering with Mission to the World and World Relief in their work there with refugees. We'll be put through some simulations (they're surprises, so I have no idea what they'll involve), learn about the numerous cultures there, and serve wherever possible. You can find out a bit more about the community at http://outcastsunited.com/content/outcasts-united-team-town-coach.

The trip is March 2-10, so about a month away!! I wish I could let you know more so you could pray specifically, but honestly that's all I know and I'm okay with just following God. I know He's at work and that He delights in using and shaping those who are willing to follow His lead. As it approaches, I covet your thoughts, encouragement, and mostly prayers.

Prayer Requests:

-Praise the Lord for the funding to go on this trip. Thank you specifically to those who donated towards my internship this summer--the extra funding covered the cost of the trip.

-Pray for our team as we get to know each other so that we might serve and learn well together. There are 12 of us going, including my roommate Joannne--I'm so excited to be doing this with her!!

-I would really appreciate prayer for energy throughout the semester. Most days I don't feel like I have time to breathe, and definitely not to rest. So please pray that I will make resting in God a priority and serve joyfully even when I'm worn down.

Life's a Learning Process

So much has happened in the last year that it was sort of hard to process when I finally had a break. Over Christmas, I found that going month by month and reviewing what happened helped tremendously. Being fond of lists, organizing my thoughts by month came naturally. So here's the list of lessons God saw fit to teach me.

Some of them were familiar lessons that I needed review of; some were new insights into God, life and myself. Some were obvious and spoken into my life by people God placed in my path, and others weren't clear until I was looking back on them. I hope in posting them here my lessons will be constantly before me as a reminder of God's grace and continued work in my life. I do not have these down pat, but that's why God has been working on these areas of my life.

January: I am capable of inflicting a great deal of pain and hurt others deeply more often than I realize.

February: Life is not meant to be lived alone. I need God and community.

March: I need to be "more assertive" and to "stop trying so hard to hide [my] God-given talents."

April: God's plan is much better than my idealized dreams.

May: I love Ripon more than I often let on.

June: Home can be anywhere around the world.

July: My heart is not mine to give away.

August: Our God gives us passions for a reason, and stewarding them well involves "cultivation".

September: All relationships must be firmly rooted in Christ.

October: Forgiveness comes from God. Forgiving those who deeply hurt or humiliate you is a lot harder than I tend to think.

November: Mentors come in many forms. Wisdom is meant to be shared and can be spread in a variety of ways.

December: "Lord, what a journey you've taken me on so far" and "Behold, I am the Lord's servant. Let it be unto me as You say."