No matter how many times I look at the images on my computer taken by my hands (and from a few friends) I can't fathom them. Images of dirt, blazing sun, wire topped buildings, trash piles larger than cars, children bathing in the midst of the trash - these are what I've been looking at tonight.
I'm speaking at Mosaic, my church's college ministry, on Thursday night. It's not something I normally would do. I don't speak. I don't even speak up in class when my grade is dependent upon it. The whole idea just freaks me out. For some reason, along with being slightly distracted, I agreed to speak about my international mission experiences this Thursday night. I believe I will be focusing on Mexico and Nicaragua.
I've been trying to get some pictures together to show. Pictures that can show what it is like, but all my pictures pale in comparison to the real heartache and situations that I have seen in these countries.
I'm good at having my mind on several different topics at once. I'm great at compartmentalizing and becoming numb to things. These pictures though, I can't become numb to. To become numb to them is to deny the reality that these situations are truly going on in other places and in a way right here at home too.
Now I can't get the pictures out of my head. Although my tears are gone, I can feel them lurking, waiting for an opportunity to escape.
I don't know what else to say. These pictures kind of cause a loss of words...
If you want to see my Nicaragua pictures from Summer 2009, click here.
If you want to see how God reminded me of La Chureca in the fall, click here.
Showing posts with label pain. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pain. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Monday, October 18, 2010
La Chureca Is Holy Ground
Tonight at Disciple, we spoke about the part in Exodus where God speaks to Moses in the burning bush. Moses takes off his sandals because he is on holy ground and hides his face in reverence. Laurinda, our pastor and leader of the study, asked us if there has ever been a time we were on holy ground. Tongue-tied is the only way I can describe that moment as I saw the faces of those that I passed by in La Chureca, the city dump in Managua, Nicaragua, the faces of those that I spoke with, tarped houses for and generally enjoyed. Our team claimed La Chureca in the name of the Lord as his holy ground. Tonight, as Laurinda spoke about holy ground and us being on it, I began to read part of Exodus as if the Lord was speaking directly about La Chureca in the passage.
The Lord is crying out for his beloved people who are living in this filth, grime and oppression as the world turns, having the knowledge of this and yet living life as if it is not a reality but just a fact of life.Wake up, for it is real and Jesus Christ desires to redeem his beloved people of La Chureca.
The LORD said, "I have indeed seen the misery of my people in [La Chureca, the city dump in Managua, Nicaragua]. I have heard them crying out because of [the situation they are in], and I am concerned about their suffering. So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the [oppressors] and to bring them up out of that land [known as La Chureca] into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey ... And now the cry of the [Churecans] has reached me, and I have seen the way the [government] are oppressing them. So now, go. I am sending you ... to bring my people the [ones I adore] out of [that filth and grime]." - Exodus 3:7-10 NIV
God said, "I've taken a good, long look at the affliction of my people in [La Chureca, the city dump in Managua, Nicaragua]. I've heard their cries for deliverance from [the situation they are in]; I know all about their pain. And now I have come down to help them, pry them loose from the grip of [those who oppress them], get them out of that [dump] and bring them to a good land with wide-open spaces, a land lush with milk and honey ... "The [Churecan] cry for help has come to me, and I've seen for myself how cruelly they're being treated by the [government]. It's time for you to go back: I'm sending you ... to bring my people, the [ones that I adore], out of [the dump]."- Exodus 3:7-10 Message
The Lord is crying out for his beloved people who are living in this filth, grime and oppression as the world turns, having the knowledge of this and yet living life as if it is not a reality but just a fact of life.Wake up, for it is real and Jesus Christ desires to redeem his beloved people of La Chureca.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Side Effect Is Death.
I have gotten four shots within the 48 hours earlier this week. I can't tell you I braved it like a true soldier. I can tell you there was no tears and much to my dismay no lollipops to ease the pain.
The shots weren't the most painful part though, although my arms still hurt and every now and then a sharp shooting pain finds it way into my lower right forearm and my left shoulder. No, this is not what has left a painful mark on me. It was something my mother said. She didn't mean it to be painful, but it was. Why? Because it held a truth that I needed to hear.
She was talking to my doctor and she told him that I wasn't very patient. I don't know what she was talking about. Me, impatient? 110%, yes. Certainly I am impatient. I want things to go my way, on my timing. When they don't, I get a little frustrated. I get a little impatient.
Jonathan Mountainstreams of Stuff Christians Like wrote a blogpost that resonated this idea for his serious Wednesday post. It focuses on how he wants things to move fast and how Jesus might have the steering wheel puttering along on the feeder road, but he's crushing Jesus' sandaled feet under his as he hits the gas pedal hoping Jesus will accidentally swerve onto the 70mph highway. This is how I feel!
Right now, I should be on the road to Houston. I should have my car loaded with an array of clothing that stretch from work clothes to Sunday morning attire, winter jackets and shorts for sitting out by the pool. (This will make sense shortly, but that day isn't today.) I should be thinking about buying a cheap computer already having printed out millions of sheets of paper so that I can do my online summer class reading from anywhere. (And I mean anywhere!)
So where am I? I'm sitting in Langford, the architecture department at Texas A&M reading about patience. About how sometimes, Jesus wants to just putter along with us in the car instead of driving off like a maniac. My sweet roommate, Zara, just got up here to try and help me out with everything. Hopefully we can figure out this whole printing mess and I can be on my way... to begin packing.
One of the side effects of one of the shots I got was death. That may be a side effect of the shot, but the likelihood of that happening wasn't very high on the sheet if I remember correctly. However, the likelihood of my impatience killing me seems to be much higher. Because when I'm impatient, I'm wrapped up in myself. I'm not paying attention to what's going on around me, or who is around me and what they are struggling with. Worse of all, I'm not trusting that Jesus really is fully in control. It's definitely time to fully be sitting in the passenger seat and not crushing Jesus' foot down on the gas pedal.
He knows what He's doing and doesn't need my help whether I like it or not.
The shots weren't the most painful part though, although my arms still hurt and every now and then a sharp shooting pain finds it way into my lower right forearm and my left shoulder. No, this is not what has left a painful mark on me. It was something my mother said. She didn't mean it to be painful, but it was. Why? Because it held a truth that I needed to hear.
She was talking to my doctor and she told him that I wasn't very patient. I don't know what she was talking about. Me, impatient? 110%, yes. Certainly I am impatient. I want things to go my way, on my timing. When they don't, I get a little frustrated. I get a little impatient.
Jonathan Mountainstreams of Stuff Christians Like wrote a blogpost that resonated this idea for his serious Wednesday post. It focuses on how he wants things to move fast and how Jesus might have the steering wheel puttering along on the feeder road, but he's crushing Jesus' sandaled feet under his as he hits the gas pedal hoping Jesus will accidentally swerve onto the 70mph highway. This is how I feel!
Right now, I should be on the road to Houston. I should have my car loaded with an array of clothing that stretch from work clothes to Sunday morning attire, winter jackets and shorts for sitting out by the pool. (This will make sense shortly, but that day isn't today.) I should be thinking about buying a cheap computer already having printed out millions of sheets of paper so that I can do my online summer class reading from anywhere. (And I mean anywhere!)
So where am I? I'm sitting in Langford, the architecture department at Texas A&M reading about patience. About how sometimes, Jesus wants to just putter along with us in the car instead of driving off like a maniac. My sweet roommate, Zara, just got up here to try and help me out with everything. Hopefully we can figure out this whole printing mess and I can be on my way... to begin packing.
One of the side effects of one of the shots I got was death. That may be a side effect of the shot, but the likelihood of that happening wasn't very high on the sheet if I remember correctly. However, the likelihood of my impatience killing me seems to be much higher. Because when I'm impatient, I'm wrapped up in myself. I'm not paying attention to what's going on around me, or who is around me and what they are struggling with. Worse of all, I'm not trusting that Jesus really is fully in control. It's definitely time to fully be sitting in the passenger seat and not crushing Jesus' foot down on the gas pedal.
He knows what He's doing and doesn't need my help whether I like it or not.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Barefoot on Cobblestones
Yesterday I participated in the TOMS movement. (I just found this video that the Today Show posted on TOMS if you would like to watch it as well.) I didn't wear shoes to raise awareness that many go shoe-less everyday, which causes all kinds of problems. I'm not saying going barefoot was easy, because if it was I would be handing out breakfast tacos with some friends and not be sitting on my couch right now. It's difficult for me to walk this morning as the soles of my feet are worn out and bruised to say the least. It's a sacrifice for the statement I made yesterday.
Early in the morning, I was thinking about everything the day would entail - walking to class, doing interviews for the yearbook, the pain of the cobblestones underneath my feet that line parts of campus and many more scenarios.
I never would have expected that around 9 in the morning, my feet would almost meet an enemy tangled in the grasses if it wasn't that I decided to wear shoes for part of my photoshoot with Jeremiah and Stephanie. We went out along the edges of a nearby highway that was covered with wildflowers in an array of splendid colors. I thought about grabbing my sandals and I thought about going barefoot for the shoot. For some reason in that moment of contemplation next to my car, I grabbed my sandals out slipping them on my feet as I began the ascent over a hill.
The flowers were beautiful, but amongst them was a deadly feet killer that is also known as blackberry bushes. The blackberry bushes are covered with prickly things that don't care whether you get hurt by stepping on them or not. I can't imagine going barefoot on top of those. As I walked past some, they jarred at my legs leaving my legs stinging for hours after the initial contact. Just think of if that had been my feet! Praise God for that split decision to grab sandals for the shoot. However, some don't have that luxury. They step on things that make them uncomfortable all the time. What I saw from that though is the Lord's protection down to finite details that we so often overlook like shoes. If I hadn't listened to Him prompting me to put them on, I would have walked right into the pain of blackberry bushes. So often I am disobedient and go headfirst into sin because I don't listen to Him.
At one point in the day, I checked out the soles of my feet and noticed there was a rock lodged in there that I simply didn't feel, but I knew that it had to have been affecting me even if I remained oblivious to it's place in my life. I feel like a lot of times that happens with sin. It'll be in our life, but we'll be so focused on something else, we won't even see it sneak up on us. We can slowly see that there is a rock in our souls that we need to take care of, something that we didn't see, overlooked or simply avoided.
I took the rock out of my sole, but what rock in my soul did I miss yesterday? Today? Tomorrow?
Early in the morning, I was thinking about everything the day would entail - walking to class, doing interviews for the yearbook, the pain of the cobblestones underneath my feet that line parts of campus and many more scenarios.
I never would have expected that around 9 in the morning, my feet would almost meet an enemy tangled in the grasses if it wasn't that I decided to wear shoes for part of my photoshoot with Jeremiah and Stephanie. We went out along the edges of a nearby highway that was covered with wildflowers in an array of splendid colors. I thought about grabbing my sandals and I thought about going barefoot for the shoot. For some reason in that moment of contemplation next to my car, I grabbed my sandals out slipping them on my feet as I began the ascent over a hill.
The flowers were beautiful, but amongst them was a deadly feet killer that is also known as blackberry bushes. The blackberry bushes are covered with prickly things that don't care whether you get hurt by stepping on them or not. I can't imagine going barefoot on top of those. As I walked past some, they jarred at my legs leaving my legs stinging for hours after the initial contact. Just think of if that had been my feet! Praise God for that split decision to grab sandals for the shoot. However, some don't have that luxury. They step on things that make them uncomfortable all the time. What I saw from that though is the Lord's protection down to finite details that we so often overlook like shoes. If I hadn't listened to Him prompting me to put them on, I would have walked right into the pain of blackberry bushes. So often I am disobedient and go headfirst into sin because I don't listen to Him.
At one point in the day, I checked out the soles of my feet and noticed there was a rock lodged in there that I simply didn't feel, but I knew that it had to have been affecting me even if I remained oblivious to it's place in my life. I feel like a lot of times that happens with sin. It'll be in our life, but we'll be so focused on something else, we won't even see it sneak up on us. We can slowly see that there is a rock in our souls that we need to take care of, something that we didn't see, overlooked or simply avoided.
I took the rock out of my sole, but what rock in my soul did I miss yesterday? Today? Tomorrow?
Friday, March 26, 2010
What's Been Bothering Me...
Something's been bothering me all week. Really, something's been bothering me since the first day that I stepped into my immigration class freshman year. What bothers me is the immigration issue in general and how God relates into it all because it seems very conflicting to me. I've been conflicted for ages and just when I forget, it seems to be brought up again. All the same old confusions and things that keep me up at night that I have known for so long are brought up, they mingle in my brain and yet still are not straightened out in a way that I feel like I can ever fathom what the correct response to immigration is, especially illegal immigration.
Don't be surprised if this isn't the last time you hear me bring up immigration. I know it's controversial, but I'm trying to figure everything out. These next three verses are ones that I perceive can see interlocking, yet seem to reject each other at the same time when they are perceived within the context of immigration.
Before letting you see the verses, because I know you can't just scroll down and see them, I want to say that I don't have the answers. There's so many shades of grey in my head over this that it is simply troublesome.
Please, read the next three verses pertaining with immigration in mind: policies, people, everything it entails, etc. and let me know what you think. How should we treat these people? Should we treat illegal and legal immigrants differently? Should we ship everyone back? Should we let them stay? Include anything you want to on the issue. Please do let me know what you're thinking though. Feel free to be anonymous if that makes you more comfortable.
Don't be surprised if this isn't the last time you hear me bring up immigration. I know it's controversial, but I'm trying to figure everything out. These next three verses are ones that I perceive can see interlocking, yet seem to reject each other at the same time when they are perceived within the context of immigration.
Before letting you see the verses, because I know you can't just scroll down and see them, I want to say that I don't have the answers. There's so many shades of grey in my head over this that it is simply troublesome.
Please, read the next three verses pertaining with immigration in mind: policies, people, everything it entails, etc. and let me know what you think. How should we treat these people? Should we treat illegal and legal immigrants differently? Should we ship everyone back? Should we let them stay? Include anything you want to on the issue. Please do let me know what you're thinking though. Feel free to be anonymous if that makes you more comfortable.
Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. - Romans 13:1-6
" 'When an alien lives with you in your land, do not mistreat him. The alien living with you must be treated as one of your native-born. Love him as yourself, for you were aliens in Egypt. I am the LORD your God. - Leviticus 19:33-34
"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' "Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.' "They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?' "He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'- Matthew 25:34-45
" 'When an alien lives with you in your land, do not mistreat him. The alien living with you must be treated as one of your native-born. Love him as yourself, for you were aliens in Egypt. I am the LORD your God. - Leviticus 19:33-34
"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' "Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.' "They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?' "He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'- Matthew 25:34-45
Comment away!
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Cries Among the Trash
I read a lot of social justice stuff in a given day. I don't always focus on it though. A lot of days I like to read, meditate for a second on whatever issue I'm reading about and then click over to a "happier" blog or to facebook or to whatever else will distract my mind from the hurts of so many in this world.
While reading Pete Wilson's blog today about a girl named Puja Ghosh, a sentence struck out at me and made me take notice of it.
"She lives with a family here in the Khalpar slum who found her in a pile of trash. Her mom literally tossed her out like you would a loaf of moldy bread."
Soak the reality of that sentence up.
That could have been me. That could have been you.
God has crazy plans that are for each of us. I don't know why I was allowed a loving, generous family while Puja, a sweet daughter of the King, is growing up with a different family than her own. I don't know why I don't have to deal with the pain of that situation and Puja does. I don't know why, but I am thankful that I got to hear her story. You should go read the rest and pray for Puja.
Pray for love. Pray for her future. Pray for her relationships. Pray for God to shine through her. Pray for her new family. Pray for her parents that tossed her into the trash. Pray.
While reading Pete Wilson's blog today about a girl named Puja Ghosh, a sentence struck out at me and made me take notice of it.
"She lives with a family here in the Khalpar slum who found her in a pile of trash. Her mom literally tossed her out like you would a loaf of moldy bread."
Soak the reality of that sentence up.
That could have been me. That could have been you.
God has crazy plans that are for each of us. I don't know why I was allowed a loving, generous family while Puja, a sweet daughter of the King, is growing up with a different family than her own. I don't know why I don't have to deal with the pain of that situation and Puja does. I don't know why, but I am thankful that I got to hear her story. You should go read the rest and pray for Puja.
Pray for love. Pray for her future. Pray for her relationships. Pray for God to shine through her. Pray for her new family. Pray for her parents that tossed her into the trash. Pray.
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