2008 and I - a very miniature reflection

Because it is the last day of 2008, I figured today was my last chance to blog for the year.

The BBC has a great collection of pictures from the year. If you click on the link, you need to click on the link on the right hand side to see what I am talking about.

It's crazy to think about how much has happened within this year. 

Personally, it is fascinating watching how my perspective and understanding of everything has changed since last January. 

My view of the world has changed - literally. Visiting London, Prague and India are memories with people that I hope to never forget. Frankly, I don't think it's possible to forget because they have shaped a part of who I am. I have a ring on my nose to remind me of India - of the reality that goes on there and the ways the eyes of my heart were opened by its people.

My appreciation of my family and friends has changed - Having Nick and Sophie in London made me understand how much I value their friendship. Their engagement is a reminder that we are growing up - and I am more than excited to be able to be a part of their lives as they get ready to start this new stage.

New Stage. It's crazy that I will be graduating in a year. That this is going to be my last spring in college. That my brother is going to be starting junior high, jojo and chris are getting married on saturday, tia and craig in july or august, jason and stephanie in june....

I don't feel that grown up at times.

Like when I sleep in until 11:30 just because I can. But I guess I am. College is insane - it's transition 24/7.

I have no idea what will happen this next year, and what changes 2009 will hold.

I am going to start a the features editor for the banner (CBU's newspaper), continue to be an RA of some incredible girls that have become friends, take classes that are more challenging than previous ones, be a part of planning sophie's wedding and continue the daily surrender to glorify God through it all. 

Thanks for being a part of my life in this past year :)

Finals: A new perspective

Tonight Rachel, Amy, Molly, Teresa and I went to the Mission Inn and walked around looking at lights while enjoying kettle corn- fresh from the kettle. On our journey we saw a man singing on the walk by the Mission Inn. His soundtrack was very similar to a certain musician I have heard. It reminded me of this video that I saw on American Idol gives back a few years ago...

I think I have been on a video track lately... so let me add another also from the same season.

I cried the first time I watched it :)

Tonight was also the late night breakfast.

I have come to the conclusion that I love finals week. No regular class, lots of fun activities, great food and excuses to splurge on the sweets.

Okay, so maybe I don't love this week.

But it's not as bad as I previously thought.

Sure there is stress and I am realizing I should not have procrastinated as much as I have. But with the year winding down, it reminds me that I really do love the opportunity I have to study here. And I really love the friends I have made.

Maybe I have a skewed perspective, but I think I am okay with that for now.

It will be very different on Thursday morning when I wake up for an 8 a.m. final, but for now I am going to bask in the afterglow of a wonderful evening

Created for International Human RIghts day

Go where others will not

For the past year I have had a part time job working in the faculty workroom of the College of Arts and Sciences.

Besides having a quiet place to work on homework in between tasks, I have learned interesting bits of information from conversations with professors.

Today, Professor Biermann was talking about a website he had worked on of a group called International Crisis Aid.

It sounded like another non-profit that works with international issues such as human rights and poverty... right up my alley :)

So I looked at the website, and their locations caught my eye.

Afghanistan, Cambodia, Ethiopia, Indonesia, North Korea, Pakistan and Sudan.

Not the typical locations.

One of their vision statements is "Go where others will not."

It kind of inspired me - I want that to be part of my mission statement.

The kind of work they do is unglamorous. Dangerous. Kind of like the cross.

Hmmm...

Is it any surprise their vision verse is from Isaiah 58

"And if you give yourself to the hungry, And satisfy the desire of the afflicted, Then your light will rise in darkness, And your gloom will become like mid-day. And the Lord will continually guide you, And satisfy your needs in sun scorched land, and give strength to your bones; And you will be like a watered garden. And like a spring of water whose waters do not fail."

It's the most wonderful time of the year???

It's that time again.
Christmas Spirit and Final Papers combine to make a motivation for anything else than school...
Which brings me here to blog... avoiding a ten page paper that has been assigned all semester and is due on Monday.

There is something in me that loses motivation to do something once it has become mandatory. Unfortunately this semester blogging has had to suffer the consequences. HOWEVER now that semester is winding down, my fingers are free once again to type (or not) as they please.

A recent discovery of this week:

Organizations I would love to work for

1.BRAC: Alleviation of poverty and empowerment of the poor

2. Foundation for sustainable development

This is a very uneventful blog. But at least the silence is broken.

I need Africa more than Africa needs me

I realized after I posted this that I needed to be a little clearer in my description :)

I was asked by an organization called Mocha Club to write about the statement "I need Africa more than Africa needs me." They are a community-based website where visitors can give $7 a month (the cost of 2 mochas) to support a project in Africa. Journalism students at CBU are using this opportunity to spread the word about their organization: 

At this very moment, the Africa I experienced over a year and a half ago still exists. While I sit in class, Eveline and Sofia do as well. In the middle of Mathare surrounded by the world of shanties and AIDS, their smiles are etched in my mind forever, as I stress in my cottage over unwritten papers.

I become numb to a greater reality, that life in Africa awakened me to.

Is there something in the air, or in the soil that changes my perception? Or is it simply the reality of life around me. The suffering of life, and joy of spirit, that makes me aware of life beyond the task list of the day.

It is the hard things of life that awaken me to that reality. Death, sickness, hurt and struggles. These things touch emotions that otherwise go unturned. But there are opposites of these as well that serve the same effect. Life, health, joy and peace. In Kenya I saw glimpses of these as well, which brought a brighter sense of reality. A sense of purpose and belonging.

There are so many situations going on in Africa at this moment.

President Carter recently commented on the intense state of Zimbabwe. The Violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo is multiplying, and the crisis in Darfur continues. Change is needed. The nations are crying out for hope and for true change. The answer to the call lies in Jesus Christ alone.

So do I need Africa more than Africa needs me?

I think the answer is that we both need Christ.

Neither of us will answer the problems of the other.

While I may not be the cure to poverty, the kingdom of God is the cure for desperation of Africa, and my own desperation to truly live.

So now i pose the question to you: Africa is more than faces of pity and hopelessness,

The conspiracy

Okay.

So I may not necessarily like the title, because the word has been used continuously in an attempt o be "different."

Linguistics aside, this is onto something.

We watched this video last week in chapel. Along with several others,

as we were invited by Brian Zuniga to be a part of:

The Advent Conspiracy.

This is more than just the "reason for the season."

It's a crazy thought.

To really value giving more than receiving - so much so that we may never see the results or appreciation of the gift we have given.

We wonder and talk - How can we be a part of the "Christmas Spirit" while not participating in the consumerism that it entails?

As you figure out what that looks like for you during this season, there are some options that the website offers that are interesting.

If you really enjoy gift giving, make sure that your gifts are fair trade!

Some options are:

Ten Thousand Villages in Pasadena.

Trade as One (on online store)

Give a goat through (or many other survival necessities) through World Vision.

Provide a micro-enterprise loan through Kiva.

Buy freedom and support lawyers through International Justice Mission.

Donate and help build a well through blood:water mission.

Also, let your favorite brand names know that you don't support products that are slave-made.

I feel like this conversation is just beginning...

SoCal Fires

Just walked outside with Merrick... we can see flames off in the distance of the chino fire.

Stay updated at these sites:

Map of Wildfires

Blog of Wildfires

Keep in prayer...

Venting: Online Airline Services.

Comment for today:

Virgin airlines are wonderful and the website is amazingly easy to navigate.

Lufthansa on the other hand...

Well here's my story.

I have been trying to redeem miles from flying to New Delhi this past summer.

So I created a "miles and more" membership when I got back.

The website gave me a temporary membership number, and said I would receive my PIN number in the mail after the first "mile" was earned. 

Unfortunately, this was after my miles were taken...

All to say it has left me in a fix.

Yes, this was back in May - over six months ago.

I lose patience with the website and tell myself I will go back and try again later, somehow thinking things will be different.

...

Well, I guess I will try again later.

When you vote, remember

The world is watching.

Equal Exchange

There is one thing lately that has fascinated me and drove my crazy at the same time about the human race.

Opinions.

Everybody seems to have one, some with more validity than others based on their source of information and thought process.

The world of blogging has allowed every “Joe the plumber” to have a venue to have their opinions spread out for the literal world to see.

Rather than a simple speech there is an opportunity for people to comment, for ideas to be discussed. Sure, chat rooms may do the same thing – but the networking capability of blogging has ushered its induction as a new favorite pastime of the international society.

 

In a random search for other blogs interested in social justice issues I happened across the following four blogs;

 

http://matthewryanward.blogspot.com/

http://trevinwax.com/

http://chrisblattman.blogspot.com/

http://www.refugeesinternational.org/blog/

 

They are just four ordinary people, sharing what they have found, and inviting discussion about their conclusions.

 

And now for today’s topic.

Coffee, food and clothes seem to be the three things that college students consume the most of. Typically we are unaware of where there these resources have come from. Whether slavery or abuse was involved in producing them does not often seem to cross our minds as we order our pumpkin spice latte celebrating the autumn season.

A few weekends ago, CBU went to APU for a Speech and Debate tournament. After leaving at seven in the morning on a Saturday, the on campus coffee shop was a welcome sight about halfway through the day. Although the rivalry between University sports can get intense, I was inspired by something that I saw when walking inside cornerstone café.

http://www.equalexchange.coop/

Four organizations have gotten together to define Fair trade as

 “a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency and respect, that seeks greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalized producers and workers - especially in the South. Fair Trade organisations (backed by consumers) are engaged actively in supporting producers, awareness raising, and in campaigning for changes in the rules and practice of conventional international trade.”

I have blogged about this before, but after finding how APU has made a decision to change companies to a fair trade company, I began to wonder where the coffee, tea and sugar that CBU uses finds its origin.

Equal Exchange offers everything from coffee, to chocolate bars, cocoa, teas and snacks such as almonds, cranberries and pecas. Brochures feature pictures and reflections from farmers, producers and consumers that are part of its change.

The following image puts into perspective how different their process if from the conventional coffee chain.

 

With many of the problems in the trade world today, it is easy to feel overwhelmed. When confronted with the facts that fairly traded products are more expensive, we often choose the cheaper of the options out of “necessity.”

Equal Exchange works to connect the consumer with the farmer.

Diego Perez Lopez, President of CIRSA Cooperative in Chiapas, Mexico said, “Consumers and farmers must continue to walk together. We are all working together in this cooperative effort for the good of all… we are all in the same struggle for a life of peace.”

Aside from workers being treated with fairness, they pride themselves in over 90% of their products as organic.

Dona Ana Lucia Banol, part of the cooperative in Colombia said, “Everything I grow is organic. Why? You see my hands; they’re covered in dirt But they’re no longer burnt from using chemicals. And my land? Well, it’s time to give back to the land a part of what the land has given to me.”

As college students and as followers of Jesus we need to be aware how our decisions affect others – in more drastic ways than we can imagine. With the upcoming election many of us can feel powerless, as if our voice is so small in the presidential campaign of California that it will not matter.

And we vote anyways.

By emailing our food service and other places we shop, we do have a voice in the market of the future and the market of today. So send a few emails... let me know what you find out :)

A very happy ending to a perfect beginning

Most people say that fairy tales don’t really happen.

That the heroic stories of princesses falling out of trees onto the white horse of their prince will forever remain alive only in the animated world.

My experience of the past week however, tells a different story. 

 

If you read here, you will meet two of my closest friends,

Sophia Christine Van Geloof

And

Nicholas Robert Sykes

 

The first is a ridiculously romantic, and the second a fantastic dreamer.

And so, when Nick decided that he wanted to marry Sophie, he could do it in a way that is no less than extravagant. Considering the fact that they are currently studying in London, and he was taking he to Prague for the weekend as a birthday present, the stage was set for an incredible story.

 

Which is where my story gets to join in on theirs.

 

Nick knew that Sophie would want her family around when he would propose, so after countless late nights on the phone and emailing her dad Arty, his dad Kip, a fireworks guy in Prague, and myself, the stage was set for her family (Dad, Mom, Sister) along with myself to fly out and be there when he proposed. His dad and step mom were visiting them in London prior to the weekend, so they would meet us there as well!

 

Date: Saturday, October 25, 2008

Time: 20:30 (Otherwise known as 8:30 PM)

Location: Charles Bridge, Prague, Czech Republic

After leaving LAX Thursday night, we arrived in Heathrow for an 8 ½ hour layover on Friday, to arrive in Prague by midnight that night. We awoke the next morning to scope out the spot where the events would take place.

 

From the first view outside of our hotel, the city literally my breath away with its cold and its beauty. Prague is the one place in Europe that was not destroyed during WWII – every building appeared to tell a story. With autumn leaves decorating the streets, there is no doubt that it is one of the most beautiful places in the world.

 

We ventured through the metro and by foot to finally arrive at Charles Bride around 3 P.M.  With the proposal set for 8:30 that night we had plenty of time to walk around and plan out where we could be to hide in the shadows so that we could see when he would propose.

 

As far as Sophie knew, the plans for the day included going to a Ballet at the Theatre, walking to Kampa Park for a beautiful dinner, and going back to her room in the hotel to watch Harry Potter and order room service ice cream.

 

The ballet ended early, and rather than walk to the bridge that they were supposed to walk on, Sophie insisted on walking down to Charles Bridge as the most direct way to get to the restaurant by their 6:30 reservation.

 

Here, a close escape was avoided by quick thinking on Nick’s part, when we nearly ran into them on the bridge that was filled with tourists, artisans, musicians and merchants.

 

They walked on to the restaurant… and we waited.

 

And waited.

 

And waited.

 

And spied on them using binoculars (the restaurant was visible from the bridge)

 

And waited.

 

And finally the moment came.

 

We were in pretty frequent communication with Nick via text messaging as to where they were and what was going on, and around 9:00 PM, we finally saw their faces emerge from the crowd on the bridge as they walked to “the spot.”

 

Nick had every detail planned to perfection, but Sophie wanted to get a picture of the other side of the bridge, where there was a beautiful view of the Prague Castle.

 

As we waited and watched, they took pictures and talked, and he reached to hold her hand…

And her face melted.

 

They had joked in the past about how her favorite thing to do is hold his hand, and all he needed to do to propose was to slip the ring box into her hand and she would know what was happening.

 

Which was what had just happened.

 

They talked more, and he got down on his knee...

 

She cried and smiled, (said yes) and they kissed.

 

By this time, the families and I were bursting to run up and hug her (we had seen them in two months!), but we held back.

 

As he stood up, Nick’s dad called the fireworks guy who had set up a two minute show on the other side of the bridge.

 

As they started going off, Nick pulled her over and told her “These are for you.”

 

They turned to watch, and we ran to sneak up behind them.

The anticipation was so intense, Allie and I were literally jumping up and down waiting for her to know we were there!

 

As the show ended with a heart exploding in the sky, Nick turned to her and said,

“I have one more surprise for you.”

“What else could there possibly be?” She asked…

and she turned around…

There aren’t lots of pictures from this moment, but in the words of Allie, “It was probably the happiest moment of my life.”

 

We all hugged and cried, and laughed and took thousands of pictures.

 

They are now engaged, and the proposal of a lifetime has been written in their history.

 

We spent the next two days together in Prague, and went back to London to visit their school on Monday Night. We explored London on Tuesday (from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey, Big Ben and St. James Park) ended by a “London shower” which sent us to our hotel to watch Harry Potter and enjoy room service.

 

The “see you laters” at the airport the next day were difficult, but the memories made were worth far more than words can describe.

 

I hope you have enjoyed the real life tale of an unbelievably perfect proposal.

I certainly have :)

Wednesday's Debate: A recap

This is a place where I can vent my feelings. Frustrations. Desires. Dreams.

A totally personal place of freedom and privacy (that the world can see…)

So here goes.

I don’t want to vote.

Tonight I joined the speech and debate team (and about 60 others) in Yeager A111 for a smashing discussion and viewing of tonights Presidential debate.

We decided several things.

If John McCain was an animal he would be a teddy bear.

If he was a planet, he would be mars. If Barack Obama was a planet, he would be mercury.

(Think back to the classics and their characteristics of the planets)

 

These were some thoughts that my friend (and resident!) Molly and I contrived while attempting to find relief from the nights events. Although humor was in plentiful supply in the form of McCain’s jokes/comments/jousts at Obama.

 

The issues themselves never actually got solved. There were a few things I noticed for sure that jumped out to me.

 

1. McCain repeatedly wanted to be sure that Obama understood that he was not George Bush
2. Obama is a fabulous speaker, resulting in the appearance of having the upper hand

 

The questions from the moderator were fascinating, including a question that pointed out that the plans of both candidates to lessen the deficit actually would increase it as a result.

 

While he could have been a little more involved in the conversation, the questions were definitely challenging and pointed towards relevant domestic issues, though they may have gone unanswered.

 

So the conclusion of this debate, and conversations held afterwards is this:

 

No matter who our country falls into the hands of, we will have “change” whether we like it or not.

Working through the cringe

Politics.

For some reason, the very mention of it makes me cringe. Thinking about who to vote for, and which issues take precedence over the other. Wondering not how Jesus would vote, but what it looks like for us to pledge our allegiance to Christ, while appreciating and valuing the position we are given in this country to be a member of society.

So why the cringe?

I get intimidated: I don't really know what's going on.

Decisions scare me, even though my vote is only one, I do not want to put my voice behind something or someone that I do not believe in fully. Hmm... I guess that would be anyone other than Jesus Christ...

What scares me more than the decision?

The blur between our identity as "Americans" and "Christians."

Want some varied opinions?

Check out:
Jesus for President by Shane Claiborne

The politics of Jesus by John H. Yoder

Jesus wants to save christians by Rob Bell

Democracy Matters by Cornell West (whom I just discovered from Call and Response. "Justice is what love looks like in action.")

SO, as the election comes nearer there are a few questions I would like to ask :)

As a part of the kingdom of God, unattached to any political party...

Are we to vote on the candidate based on character or issues?

How are we to determine which issues take precedence over another (For example, legalizing current immigrants, or bringing an end to violence in Iraq)

What does the slogan "change we need" really mean?

A phrase that was used in the speech on the website of barack obama disturbed me in its context.

At the end he closes his incredibly well delivered speech with "hold firmly without waver to the hope that we confess"

Sound familiar? Yes, it is from Hebrews 10. Hope?

Not that McCain's slogans are much better, (although i did not hear scripture twisted in this one!)

"fight for justice and opportunity for all... stand up and fight, america is worth fighting for...we never give up, we never quit."

To be continued...

But for now imagine a room full of people whisteling and clapping in excitement)

God Bless the poor and the oppressed.

God Bless the broken and the weak.

God Bless the Nations.

"Missions" and myself part 1

Do you ever get to the point where your mind is focusing on so many different things that it is difficult to express any one of them in detail?

That is the mindset behind today's blog. 

And so I begin... not really knowing what will come out.

"Missionary" "Field Worker" "The Field"

Words most often used when referring to those serving overseas.

We know in our hearts that we have the same task "here" that we do "there"... so why do the terms still go on? What is it that makes the two places different, in our mindset, our words, our awareness and our dependence on the Lord?

In chapel yesterday, Dr. Mooney talked about the "decentralization" that happens when we become followers of Jesus Christ.

There are times when I get into a "rut." I find it difficult to be genuine with the people I love most. My head spins in circles until I become paralyzed at my current situation or circumstance.

When I accepted Christ and began to grow in the knowledge of and in relationship with him, the biggest desire of my heart was to know him deeper in a real way. 

When the cross is in view, I have found it impossible to think much of myself in the context of anything other than immense gratitude.

When I lose sight of it...

Everything becomes overwhelming. Suddenly life is "me" centered again, and the process of being overwhelmed begins all over again.

And yet I have found this to be ONE of the reasons I lose confidence and intentionality "here" that I had "there."

Quote for today:

"Discipleship means adherence to Christ...

Discipleship without Jesus Christ is a way of our own choosing. It may be the ideal way. It may even lead to martyrdom, but it is devoid of all promise. Jesus will certainly reject it."

(The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer)

Oh India

This is the mosque that I visited in Delhi this summer.

This is muslims praying at the end of Ramadan...Eid al-fitr

(BBC Photo)

Second post of the day

I know I already posted today, but I had to say that I love children.
From the BBC, can you guess who they are dressing up as?

The curtain has been torn

Matthew 27 tells the story of the final hours of the life of Jesus.

The few chapters before narrate the story of the time leading up to it.

Why is it that our minds, when suffering and sad, seem so detached from the real person of Jesus that lived and walked this earth?

In reading this last week I am overwhelmed with the sorrow and agony that Jesus went through.

In his silence when he was mocked.

In the words of rebellion against this world that he said, and was mocked for.

In his prayers of deep emotion, for the sake of the Glory of God... so that we may be saved. 

I am going to be writing a paper for a class on CS Lewis, entitled, 

"Eternity, Justice and the Cross" in which I am going to be researching two of Lewis' works (and several other texts) to explore how our desire to have purpose and for social justice, is inspired by and hinges on the truth found in the cross. 

I will share my findings along the way.

This is what has been on my heart lately. The desire for social justice in itself is not what makes us good, or even what inspires change. BUT when it is a natural response and desire of our hearts because of the view of grace that we see in the glory of the cross, we find eternal meaning in each orphan defended, child rescued, and broken comforted. 

The curtain has been torn. We do not need to work for peace with God. He has given it freely to those who believe :) 

Quote for the day:

"All history comes down to Jesus, and all history flows out from Jesus"

~Dr. Thom Wolf

Thought for the day

"Justice means much more than the sort of thing that goes on in law courts. It is the old name for everything we should now call 'fairness'; it includes honesty, give and take, truthfulness, keeping promises, and all that side of life. And Fortitude includes both kinds of courage - the kind that faces danger as well as the kind that 'sticks it' under pain. 'Guts' is perhaps the nearest modern English. You will notice, of course, that you cannot practise any of the other virtues very long without bringing this one into play." 

from Mere Christianity CS Lewis

Not related pictures:

My Best Friends are studying in London for semester. 

Bust first, they took a trip across Europe... here are some photos from their journey :)

Individualism, Take This!

Some Thoughts on Community.... in regards to Faith... By people wiser than myself.

"But God has put this Word into the mouth of men in order than it may be communicated to other men. When one person is struck by the Word, he speaks it to others. God has willed it that we should seek and find His living Word in the witness of a brother, in the mouth of man. Therefore, the Christian needs another Christian who speaks God's word to him. He needs him again and again when he becomes uncertain and discouraged, for by himself he cannot help himself without belying the truth. He needs his brother man as a bearer and proclaimer of the divine word of salvation. He needs his brother solely because of Jesus Christ. The Christ in his own heart is weaker than the Christ in the word of his brother; his own heart is uncertain, his brother's is sure." From Life Together by Bonhoeffer

"Now Faith, in the sense in which I am here using the word, is the art of holding on to things your reason has once accepted, in spite of your changing moods. For moods will change, whatever your reason takes. I know that by experience. Now that I am a Christian I do have moods in which the whole thing looks very improbable: But when I was an atheist I had moods in which Christianity looked terribly probable. The rebellion of your moods against your real self is going to come anyways. That is why Faith is such a necessary virtue: unless you teach your moods 'where they get off', you can never be either a sound Christian or even a sound atheist, but just a creature dithering to and fro, with its beliefs really dependent on the weather and the state of its digestion. Consequently one must train the habit of faith.

The first step is to recognise the fact that your moods change. The next is to make sure that, if you have once accepted Christianity, then some of its main doctrines shall be deliberately held before our mind for some time every day. That is why daily prayers and religious readins and church-going are necessary parts of the Christian life. We have to be continually reminded of what we believe. Neither this belief nor any other will automatically remain alive in the mind. It must be fed. And as a matter of fact, if you examined a hundred people who had lost their faith in Christianity, I wonder how many of them would turn out to have been reasoned out of it by honest argument? Do not most people simply drift away?" From Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis

I am incredibly blessed by the Body of Christ as I have yet experienced it.

From elementary and growing up and the family I was placed in...

From junior high and high school, and friends that I don't contact as much now, but who were a part of the journey...

From the church family at Eastside and Rose Drive, and the genuine relationships...

From friends met here at CBU, and their willingness to walk together as we search for God's heart and direction for our lives...

From the girls in my cottage this year and their random conversations but genuine desire for community and Jesus.

Just very blessed. Thank you to all of my brothers and sisters who have been and continue to be such an encouragement and challenge in this journey of faith :)

That's all for tonight. 

All men are created... equal?

The effects of flooding in Northern India.

BBC News reports that those who the flood is hitting hardest are the Dalit people of Bihar, India.

After being breifly dipped in the culture of India for several weeks, my perspective on this article is different than it would have been before. Not only from a deeper compassion for its people, but from a widened understanding of how deep the roots of Hinduism go into the culture - including the impact and roots of the caste system. NOTE: I am not an expert by any means!!!

BUT, this section of the article stood out to me. This is an exact quote from the author in a worldwide news publication.

"We have to challenge the system. I know the problem is gigantic. But efforts need to be made. Each one of us has to make a step forward.

Another aid agency working in this area assured me that they tried to treat displaced people equally.

The critical point is that while equality may be an accepted philosophy it can only happen once people also agree in practice to be equals.

Equality means that all people should get food and their rights and dignity are respected.
But flooding and discrimination seem to have taken those rights away."


There is the assumption that all people are equal. If my understanding of Indian history is correct... there is no basis off of which to gather this conclusion. Other than what CS Lewis calls in Mere Christianity, "The Law of Human Nature" which "tells you what human beings ought to do and do not."


Where does this sense of equality come from? For those that have no belief in a God at all, or those that do not believe in the God of Abraham... what is the basis for equality among man?





Photo Credit: BBC

Blind Sighted

A reminder that spiritual warfare is real... it can even make the news.

Reading the news before the Word is not a pattern I would suggest as a morning routine.

Beginning work today at 7 am meant rushing what has turned into a relaxed routine for waking up every morning.

And so, as i check the BBC for the day the first article that caught my attention was "The white priestess of black magic."

It's focus is an Austrian woman who left her home and divorced her husband to restore the ancient spirits beliefs in Osogbo, Nigeria. The claims are that Christian and Muslim missionaries destroyed the cultural practices. 

 "Followers say she has channelled the river-god Osun into her body, learning the knowledge of pre-Christian deities like no other European has ever done."

Her near death of TB before she received this "possession" was described as part of this ideal of their culture:

"The Yoruba beliefs all depend on sacrifice, that you must give something of value to get something of value, you must suffer pain to gain knowledge."

(I don't want to stretch the connections here, but there seems to be an eerie connection to the tree of the knowledge of good and evil)

There are photos of the statues she has had erected towards the nature spirits alongside of a river, to which people offer sacrifices. 

"Mrs. Wenger believes that the spirit world has long been neglected by Western culture, and spirits can appear to anyone as long as they are willing to accept them. "You need special eyes to see them," she says."

As I am reading in Matthew I can't help but find a contrasting yet parallel truth in scripture.

1 Not to us, O LORD, not to us 
       but to your name be the glory, 
       because of your love and faithfulness.

 2 Why do the nations say, 
       "Where is their God?"

 3 Our God is in heaven; 
       he does whatever pleases him.

 4 But their idols are silver and gold, 
       made by the hands of men.

 5 They have mouths, but cannot speak, 
       eyes, but they cannot see;

 6 they have ears, but cannot hear, 
       noses, but they cannot smell;

 7 they have hands, but cannot feel, 
       feet, but they cannot walk; 
       nor can they utter a sound with their throats.

 8 Those who make them will be like them, 
       and so will all who trust in them.

In "When I don't desire God" By John Piper he discusses the different between the eyes of our heart and the eyes of our head, and how only God can open the eyes within our hearts to see truth. The means of doing this is through the message of Jesus Christ. It is only in hearing this that men's eyes can be truly opened. 

The Spiritual World is all too real. I don't understand most of it, but am reminded through this article that evil will continue to grab hold wherever it can - and disguise itself as truth. How are these people to know that what she claims is "an opening of eyes" to this world, is not the side that will win in the end? 

Courage and Concern

To any girl who has ever had long hair, and experienced the loss after the short cut... I commend you.

After going with Rachel, one of my amazing residents :), to get 15 inches cut off her hair today, I was reminded of the rush of courage it takes to simply get it done, and the weird feeling afterwards... when you realize it doesn't go back on!

I was honored to be a part of this event (and the encouragement sessions which followed).

Partially because it seriously is a CHANGE.

Something that the average person is afraid of. Perhaps not on the surface. But deep down... when something familiar is suddenly whisked away, or a decision is made which large impact, there is a sense of fear of the unknown. From traveling to another country, to transitions in life, to funerals or graduations... change is hard. 

As a believer in Christ, we have faith that the Lord truly will work all things for the good of those who love and fear Him - because we (are beginning to) understand that things are truly "good" when God is most glorified (which is when we are most satisfied in Him!)

So this is my tribute to Rachel and my mini thoughts on change.

I will try and keep my thoughts shorter than the last post from now on.

Three more updates for the night.

1. My blog will (for the next four months) be serving the purposes for a class as well. Interesting, not sure how I feel about this yet.

2. Here is an article about changes that President Bush is making involving Iraq...

8,000 troops are finally leaving. But where are they going? Afghanistan.

3. An update on what is going on in Uganda, involving the search for justice in northern Uganda with the lord's Resistance Army. It is more complicated than a simple war crime punishment...

Slippin and a Slidin

So did you know...

I was just sitting here in the box... and i stumbled upon this headlining news on the BBC. "UN says wealthy failing the poor"

Immediately i thought of a few things.

1. Who are the wealthy? The wealthy of the United States or Europe as an International power? Or the wealthy within the specific countries themselves?

2. Wow that's a depressing headline... but why is it not shocking... 

3. It sort of seemed like the bad news that no one wants to hear but everyone is expecting. OR (to the average human rights aspiring activist currently enrolled in a number of Universities across the world...) simply discouraging. 

What exactly can be done, if the UN, the gathering of multiple nations, has not had success in making a grand dent in the issue of poverty?

The article ends with this quotation:

"Against a backdrop of gloomy economic news, food shortages and high fuel prices, the UN's argument that more should be done to help the world's poorest could be difficult to sell."

Many have heard about The One Campaign and the way that it has affected the effort to end world poverty. But when one has seen the deep rooted causations for poverty... the corruption of government, the misallocation of resources, the boundaries of the world of the wealthy, and the spiritual darkness and bondage... this article comes as no surprise.

Reading this article led to a link entitled "Can aid bring an end to poverty" which has a pretty good summary for people who would like a brief introduction to the main current problems in the world poverty and aid efforts.

It talks a little bit about two specific books which I have not attempted yet... but definitely recommend reading if you are interesting at all in economics, business, international politics etc.

"White mans burden" by William Easterly, and "The end of poverty" by Jeffrey Sachs. (He also has a new book new book out entitled "Rich Christians in an age of hunger: moving from affluence to generosity")

If any of you have read any of these books, I would love to hear your thoughts on these articles... even if you haven't, this is a discussion that needs to happen.

Interesting how these are not new problems. "Life has never been normal." CS Lewis uses this phrase in his discussion on war in "The Weight of Glory." I can't say that I have read the entire book, but in this section his message is that war simply brings to the surface the unrest that is continually going on within humanity.

In the article I first mentioned, one of the reasons attributed to the lack of effort and aid to the poverty crises was the growing economic struggles.

But I guess, that's the way it goes, right? 

We are all about humanitarian efforts - when we are in the green zone of safety...

Fortunately (or unfortunately - whatever you take is) as followers of Christ, there is a different way of life we are called to.

Where the "caring for our neighbor" and "suffering with those who suffer" will not always come at a convenient time. In fact, it may come at a time when we are weak, hurting, confused, or feel inadequate. The God of Creation knew it would be so. 1 Corinthians 1:20-31...

The thought that has been on my mind for the past few months, is that every gift of peace, every encouraging relationship, even every "lightbulb moment" or "realization" that "I" come to, is because of the grace of Jesus Christ to reveal it.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (Paul tells about the response of the Lord to the thorn in his flesh)

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

What a contrast to everything that is said to us by everyone around. Tired? Stressed? Overwhelmed with people (Amen)? Discouraged? Unmotivated? Waiting? I have found myself at pretty much all of these places over the past few weeks...

It is not for us to be strong but the Lord. In articles like these, it is easy to lose hope. Hope in man's efforts. Our purpose in social justice, and in caring for the poor is for the sake of the Glory of the Most High God. It is his compassion and his guidance that will bring progress, hope, and change to the developing world.

THERE IS A TANGIBLE WAY TO LIVE THIS TRUTH!!!

Nope, I have not even nearly figured it all out yet. But friends, we are in this together :)

SO, will the UN solve world poverty in the next decade or so? I cannot say I have a prediction that is even somewhat educated in its guess. 

So let's get educated. Lets meet the rising leaders studying in our country that are from those nations. Let's lift up our passion, dreams, and desires to be a part of something greater up to the Father who gifted us with them. He WILL accomplish his purposes. We won't always see how we are supposed to get to where we or going, or even where that will take us. What an adventure....

Kind of like the rush of a slip n slide, when you let yourself fall and slide. Which, I was unsuccessful in today. I couldn't seem to keep my knees from landing first. It was like a safety mechanism - my body would not let me fall. Oh that we may learn to keep our knees back, and let go of control!

Much Love my friends <3