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.

Journey to Carolina

Two weeks ago, right about this time, I was boarding a plane headed from my city to China, then to New York, and finally to North Carolina. I got to the airport super early to check in so I could try to avoid the dreaded middle seat in the back of the plane (and, for any flights to China, you have to arrive super early to beat the long lines of Chinese tour groups). As it turned out, this particular airline wouldn't check me in all the way through, so I couldn't get my seat assignment for the fun-filled 15-hour journey from China to America.

When the woman sitting on my row (open middle seat, yes!) boarded I noticed her American passport and asked if she was headed home. She said yes, and she'd actually just been visiting her son in a country I'd traveled to several times. She was also headed to New York, on her way to Virginia. We talked most of the flight and then navigated the transfer desk together. And then something happened that's never happened to me before and may never again: FREE upgrade to business class for the 15-hour flight! Merry Christmas to me!!

We arrived in New York about an hour early, which was great because I was a little nervous about doing immigration, customs, re-checking in, etc. in the time allotted. The porter who helped me with my four huge bags not only got them all for me on the cart, but took me through customs, to the bag re-check and then checked me in for my next flight. He went beyond what he was "required" in order to help me.

The woman I'd met on the first flight was assigned a boarding gate right next to mine, so we got breakfast and she let me use her phone to call home since there was no wifi, at all, in the terminal. When my flight was delayed she came over from where she was about to board and told me to call home and let them know.

While waiting for my last flight I met a woman who grew up really close to the town where I went to college. Another friend to chat with and help pass the time.

With every leg of every flight, God provided more than what I could have thought to ask. Friendly passengers, people willing to go the extra mile to help, early flights, FREE upgrades.

So thankful for His grace in every moment!

Last leg of an amazing journey!

Oh Holy Night

Last week was a big week for outreach among the S People. Christmas parties were celebrated on three different nights in three different villages. Believers in my city, locals and foreigners, came together to host the parties. We sang, played games, shared gifts and snacks, and of course, told the Christmas story. A fourth party was held in another village this week, as well as a small party for children at the S People school.  

A believer from a S People village shared her testimony every night at the parties. She told how in recent years God had changed her life. For a long time she was the only one in her village to believe. Her husband often beat her or locked her outside because she believed in God. After sharing her testimony all week, others in her village had finally had enough. They've threatened her and her husband to the point that they're soon moving out of the village. Pray that this woman's husband will turn from Buddhism and trust in God. Pray for the woman to continue steadfast in her faith, and pray that the many villagers who heard her testimony will also believe.

I was only in town for one village party because I moved back to the States that same week. It's hard to believe my time living overseas has already ended.

But, what a great way to spend my last night in Asia:

You can't really tell, but I'm squatting down over
on the left and acting as one of the sheep.

Students at the S People school hearing the
Christmas story. Most had never heard about
the birth of Jesus.