African Joy

About a month ago I visited Africa for the first time. While I certainly don't have Asia figured out, it is an area of the world that has become familiar and comfortable. I enjoyed experiencing a new culture for the first time and learning along the way.

For example, when I saw a bunch of trucks with people crammed into the back, I asked where they were going to work. Because in Cambodia, where I was earlier this year, women pile into trucks and head to work at garment factories. But in Africa, those trucks mean a funeral procession...

My favorite thing about Africa was being so close to uninhibited joy all the time. Of course, I don't think you have to raise your arms or dance to worship (because I certainly can't dance. At all, as I learned in Africa). But there's just something about seeing people worship so freely and expressing their joy so visibly that made me smile. And I smiled a lot.

The children came to churches hours before the outreach event and waited patiently for us to arrive. They sang nearly the whole time-while they waited, during the event and after the event. They sang and shouted for joy. The villages we visited were poor and the people have very little material possessions. Yet, their joy for the Lord didn't waver.

I'm excited to share these two videos with you. You may have to click on the arrow, and then click again for it to play (I don't think they will play on mobile devices). The quality isn't great and it's shaky because I did it on my phone. The first video is children singing a popular song about how He is our Number One. The second video is in the local language, and it means "All things are given by God."

Amazed

For all the places He allowed me to travel in the past two years, some of the most incredible things I've seen have been in my own backyard. I still can't believe He allows me to live in a place of such beauty.

This weekend I explored some of the sights on and off the Blue Ridge Parkway. Amazed at His creation:

Sunlight bursting through blue skies.

Our reward at the end of a hike. The top of this old
 fire tower gave incredible 360 views. 

You know you live in the mountains when swimming and
ice skating are listed on the same sign.

Minutes from my house. 

Lush and green views on a hike.

Parks and trails off the Parkway. 

After the Boxes

Earlier this month I returned from three weeks in Southeast Asia and participated in a number of shoebox gift distributions. I packed these boxes as a child and continued to do so as I grew up, never imagining I'd one day see what happens on the other side. 

Attending these distributions and meeting the children was a tremendous blessing, but one village and one distribution in particular grabbed ahold of my heart. 

I met 11-year-old Peter the morning of the distribution. Peter lives in a poor village on the outskirts of the capital city. The village has no electricity or clean water. Peter has to ride his bicycle more than an hour along bumpy, dirt roads to school. 

When we met he was very polite and even tried to practice English. When I asked, “How old are you?” he responded, “I’m fine, thank you.” Blame it more on my southern accent than his English. When he received his gift he called me over so I could see what was in his box. 

I was so glad we returned to his village later in the week. All afternoon we played games with the children. Peter taught me his country's version of Rock, Paper, Scissors and we jumped rope and played catch with a soccer ball. 

Peter and the children made us feel so welcomed it was hard to believe we'd only met them a few days ago. 

Peter is one of the sweetest kids I’ve ever met, but at age 11 he’s got a tough road ahead. He told me he’s lonely a lot because his parents leave early and return late from work. They work long hours and still earn little income. 

The shoeboxes helped introduce us to Peter and the other children, and showed them that people really did care about them. 

After all the excitement of opening gifts I saw what comes after the shoeboxes. It’s love. Love that crosses language barriers and cultures. 

Love from children who let me play tug-of-war and try to teach them about basketball by dribbling a soccer ball in the dirt. 

I'm asking that these children will never forget that afternoon and that we love them. And I'm asking that they will come to know Him. 

A few scenes and faces from our trip: 

Three Months

Living overseas I learned the importance of recognizing and celebrating small victories. In the spirit of continuing that tradition, here's to three months living in North Carolina's mountains! In three months I've moved to a new town, moved into a new home, started a new job and even made a three-week trip back to Southeast Asia.

I'm grateful to Him for providing and I don't want to forget that He is the one who has provided every step of the way.

Sometimes people still ask how I'm re-adjusting to life in America. My adjustment is nothing compared to my friends who have recently moved back after living more of their life in another country than in America. They've really got a "re-entry" phase awaiting.

Having said that, it is interesting to see how quickly you can adjust to living somewhere completely different and how quickly the newness of that culture just becomes normal. Sometimes it's still weird to wear my shoes inside, especially at work or in someone's home-it feels rude. I can't go to 7-Eleven and pay my bills and I certainly can't pay in cash. In the mountains you can have four seasons in ONE day. Southeast Asia has one season: Hot.

I enjoy having a dryer and consistent hot water in the shower. But I miss fresh smoothies on every corner and fun markets to buy gifts.

They say once you've lived overseas you'll never be the same. That experience humbled and challenged me in ways that can't be forgotten because those experiences are part of me. They're still helping shape who I am and who I want to be.

As I give thanks for His provision over the past few months, I also give thanks for my time in Asia and its continued impact on my heart.

A Timely Reminder

Tomorrow I'm leaving on a long trip to Asia. I had no idea when I moved back to North Carolina I would head back to that part of the world so soon.

I think I've been more anxious than excited about the trip because it's so long and it's my first one with a new organization.

But God in His kindness gave me a timely reminder one day last week during staff devotions. The message was brief and the point was that we shouldn't worry. We should trust Him. If He gave up everything for us, do we really think He isn't for us now? God knows what we need before we even ask.

"The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Blowing Rock Legend

At 4,000 feet in elevation and overlooking the Johns River Gorge the "Blowing Rock" was declared by Ripley's Believe-it-or-Not to be the "only place in the world where snow falls upside down." That's because the gorge creates a flume through which winds sweep with such power that if you toss an object over the Blowing Rock the object is swept upward over the gorge. I'll have to wait a few months to try it out for myself-too cold today!

The Native American legend has it that a young maiden sitting on the Blowing Rock spied a Cherokee brave wandering in the forest below. She shot an arrow down below to get his attention. The two fell in love, and one day an omen brought the couple back to the Blowing Rock. The brave decided the omen meant he must return to his own tribe, yet the maiden begged him to stay with her. The brave, so conflicted and torn between his sense of duty and his love, jumped from the Blowing Rock. Then, one evening, a great gust of wind blew the brave back onto the Blowing Rock and into the arms of his grief-stricken maiden. From that day onward, mysterious winds blow up onto the Blowing Rock from the gorge below. 

Can't wait to see this view in the spring and fall!

 

Tropics to the mountains

Just a few weeks ago I was getting ready for "winter" in the tropics and temps of about 70, maybe 60 in the morning or evening. Now, I'm stocking up on real winter gear and preparing to move to the mountains.

It's been a whirlwind since my term finished in Asia and I moved back to the States. It's still a little surreal, but God has so faithfully paved the way and provided a job in North Carolina.

I'm grateful for His continued grace!

My new home.
Beautiful, even in January.