Keeping Up With This Jones

Where my heart is

2012-02-12T12:29:00.001-08:00

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
-Matthew 6:21

Does this look like treasure?

Just 1 month ago, I would not have said “no” but “hell no!” I like things clean. I like things organized. I don’t keep “stuff.” I already envision trashing the magazine before I’ve even finished reading it. I love purging—I spring clean at least 3 times a year.You will never see me on Hoarder's.

The above pictures show me now. Now, I’m not annoyed. I don’t see junk, I see the future. I see inconvenience on a lot of fronts. I hear laughter. I feel the whisper of a reminder of provision from above. I feel the pride radiating from the Heavens that a child is being obedient and following in His son's footsteps in caring for the orphan. I feel the weight of carrying around a kid that’s too tired from fun or carrying the child in a football hold because there’s a tantrum and I’ve abandoned my shopping cart because I’m too embarrassed to stay in the store. I feel the satisfaction (though not ease) of a dream come true for one big girl and one small girl. I feel the sense of completion, already.

I’m now addicted to other people's junk. I no longer see it as junk, a nuisance, or inconvenience…or just not worth the time. It now hinges a community on a foundation of support and preparation. Thank you to all of my “recycle crew” that is finding, keeping, and giving me recyclables—especially to those of you, who like “my former self,” find it hard to hang on to them when a dumpster is oh-so-nearby-and-calling. I’m excited for this to see how bringing it all together adds up. I’m really hoping for a miraculous fishes & loaves turnout this year (I’ve got the theme of provision filtering through life these days). For my friends who don’t attend church, I’m going to post the story at the bottom of the post for reference. For more info on this project (the “what” and the “why”), see here.

Intentional.

Expectant.

Love,

Danielle

The story of the fishes & loaves (Matthew 14: 13-21, the Message)

When Jesus got the news, he slipped away by boat to an out-of-the-way place by himself. But unsuccessfully—someone saw him and the word got around. Soon a lot of people from the nearby villages walked around the lake to where he was. When he saw them coming, he was overcome with pity and healed their sick. Toward evening the disciples approached him. "We're out in the country and it's getting late. Dismiss the people so they can go to the villages and get some supper." But Jesus said, "There is no need to dismiss them. You give them supper." "All we have are five loaves of bread and two fish," they said. Jesus said, "Bring them here." Then he had the people sit on the grass. He took the five loaves and two fish, lifted his face to heaven in prayer, blessed, broke, and gave the bread to the disciples. The disciples then gave the food to the congregation. They all ate their fill. They gathered twelve baskets of leftovers. About five thousand were fed.

confirmation....

2012-02-08T07:28:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, I sent out a very personal blog post. I feel like I always have the angel and devil situated on my shoulders like you see in the cartoons. One whispers truths and one whispers lies, and unfortunately the lies are easier to attend to because you’ve already told them to yourself over and over in the past. As soon as I woke up, my first thought was “What the hell were you thinking by spilling your innermost thoughts, blasting them all over the internet to the whoevers in whereever-land?!” This came to me a few times as I was writing it yesterday too since I’m an introvert who gets grumpy when someone gets in my business when its not my idea or within my time frame to share that information.

On the way to work this morning, I was thinking about one of my loves at work and something that happened last week when I saw him. We played a game while working on our language skills to make it more enticing. Often games backfire as kids start to become competitive. I never let kids win since that is not “real life” for them so its all up to chance with the spinner as it would be with their friends. Well, “G” went first , counted spaces, and then made his way with his pawn to his designated spot. Then I went and scored a higher number and moved ahead of him. His face dropped. All he could see was what was immediately ahead and the fact that I passed him and he began to negotiate. I knew this was going to be a looooooong game! Then something I wasn’t expecting happened. When he took his turn, passed me, and put his pawn on his spot, he took mine and put it next to him. I asked why he did that because I hadn’t yet spun and he was ahead. He batted his long eyelashes and looked at me with his beautiful eyes, and he said “Because I love you and I want you to be right next to me.” He did this for every turn. He had no way of knowing that day how much I appreciated someone swooping me up and taking me alongside--even if during a silly game. Okay not a big deal in the grand scheme of things other than it melts your heart? Not for me. I spend a lot of time looking ahead at the obstacles in the immediate future, not considering the vastness ahead of those or even the finish line, and I’ve subsequently forfeited a few dreams. This was a loving reminder that I needed to spend more time “looking back” to appreciate how far I’ve come, provisions have always been made, and how I’ve been prepped for where I am now.

I was thinking of that this morning as I drove down the 22 headed for work while staring into a dismal horizon. The sky was an ugly blue, still sleepy with rain in the forecast. I glanced back in the rearview and my breath was taken away by the sun waking up and reaching over the mountains. The sky was all shades of orange and utterly amazing to see. Then, when I looked ahead, I began to notice that the back of the signs reflected the orange color as did the windows of tall office buildings. The light trickled ahead allowing me to see it in places that I would not have thought to look had I not seen the sunrise behind me. Yet another timely beautiful reminder.

I knew then that this was my confirmation for posting yesterday. The exposure and transparency of my story will help others check their “rearview” and look back in order to gain encouragement to look ahead again and continue pursuing their dreams, whatever they may be.

It is time....

2012-02-06T09:19:00.000-08:00

So many of you have asked…What are your plans? What is this glow that you have about? What’s the latest with your adoption dream? Well, this post should answer those questions and more importantly let you know how you can be a part of it.

For a background, please click here for the post that explains why I didn’t move to Austin and about the beginning of actively praying for a child in need.

Why adoption?

I’ve walked around with a heavily weighted heart for orphans for years and stayed within the “one day” state of mind. On November 6, 2011 at NewSong, we had Orphan Sunday. Several adoptive families went up on stage to dedicate their children who have “come home.” It was a beautiful celebration with tears of joy but also with tears of sadness. These families are truly my heroes. So many already have “the perfect” biological family but have chosen to further open their hearts to love the orphaned through foster or adoption. On that Sunday, I prayed for a child that needs/will need a home and would be mine. I’m not sure if he/she is born yet or what his/her current circumstances are but I prayed that God would prepare our lives to one day meet. This was step one of the process.

I’ve always wanted to adopt, from a young age, and I’m not sure how I came to want that because I knew no one that had adopted. I was also not accustomed to seeing multiracial families. It was when I went to Guatemala and South Africa and visited orphanages that it solidified in my heart and made sense. This is just who I am and the seed was planted from early on.

I want the family I dreamed of with a as-close-to-perfect-as-you-can-get-and-still-be-normal husband, me, and kids of our own along with adopted children. Until now, that hasn’t been in the cards for me. In a perfect world, I’d have that prior to initiating this whole process but we don’t live in a perfect world, do we? If we did, this post would be unnecessary and adoption would not even exist. I never wanted to settle down early because I wanted to be successful and independent as a woman first and have some dreams put to rest before having children. Unfortunately, this leaves me, along with many other women in their 30s, with limited options in the man department. Having been single and “in waiting” and still holding out hope for the one that God intends me to have, I know the loneliness of being alone and feeling like the one last chosen to be on the kickball team in elementary school. I feel like in a similar but different and very very small way, I feel the same as many children out there in need of a home. We both ache for different reasons but both long for a family and someone to be on “our team” for good. More on that can be found on this blog post.

Since that time, I’ve been busy researching blogs of women who’ve charted the path of adoption as a single, interviewed single moms on their juggling and budgeting skills, started a specific savings account for adoption, and have attended adoption meetings through international agencies and Orange County Social Services. There was a lot of “safe” action going on in the name of preparation for that “one day.”

In the past few weeks, I feel this urging and voice that says “it’s time.”

It feels that the dialogue is continually this:

God: It’s time

Me: “One day”

God: It’s time

Me: I’m prepping

God: Put feet on it. It’s time. Create a space and I’ll fill it.

This moves me out of my comfort zone and prompts me to action. It feels like when you are a kid and you go on the high dive for the first time. You stand at the edge that moves with your weight and stare down at the water. I’ve been standing there a long time.

The themes that come to mind are:

Be intentional.

Be expectant.

I’ve been fortunate to have such a supportive community and thank those of you who have offered countless words of encouragement or who have attended meetings with me so I’m not sitting alone among couples.

I appreciate any words of encouragement or advice in planning. Please do refrain from saying things like the following—phrases which I’m more than capable of telling myself:

Having a child is hard.
Raising a child is expensive.
It's hard without a husband/I fall apart when my husband is on a business trip.
Are you sure you want to do this?
That’s a big responsibility.
You’ll have to change your lifestyle.

I get it. It will be hard, I know. I know that I can’t even fathom how hard it will be until the time comes. I know that it'll be even harder because I'm loving children who no longer trust adults. I know that I’m taking the road less taken. I know I’m putting the “cart before the horse.” I know that I will raise a huge question mark.

But I also love this: It further creates my story—the story that was written for me long ago and it being fulfilled. It opens doors for conversation. It opens doors for healing. It puts me in alignment to being me.

Here are some other things I do know:

I’m strong and I persevere-always.

With being single and having family on the other side of the nation, I haven’t had the luxury of depending on others for help with big-decision making, doing mundane tasks, or just making life easier in the simplest of ways. I know what is like to drive yourself to the ER with a pain level of 10 on the 1-10 scale because no one is available when you need to go. I think this long journey of inconvenience has been great prep for this moment. I’ve learned so much through even the small tasks. One day before a wedding, I tried to get dressed and the dress was new and impossible to button by one’s self because the button holes (2 of the #$%@ things) were cloth and not worn in yet as well as dang hard to reach without rubber arms. The inability to simply get dressed for yet another person’s wedding caused a mini-meltdown. I was determined to do this and after 30-45 minutes of sweating off my make-up, shouting expletives at the top of my lungs, and cursing singleness for this one day, I buttoned those 2 buttons. I know that it’s a menial task but it was just the tip of the iceberg of bigger things. Besides, this dress made my womanly parts look even womanlier so it was going to this wedding.

I know who I am.

Much to my dismay, I followed friends’ prompts and tried online dating. As I filled out the profile and was forced to think about who I am, I wondered how many married or dating couples are able to describe themselves (in “I” not “we”) at the drop of a hat. It was good practice to remind myself of all that I am. I’ve had many near misses in my past and have had more than 9 lives at this point. I know I’m here for a reason. I’ve always known I’m meant to be a mother—even if not in the most conventional way.

I have a village.

I have the support of family and friends. I’m also walking the journey with others who have adopted at NewSong. I’m surrounding myself with amazing women and mothers through Mom’s group on Friday mornings at NewSong. I have a supportive work environment. I’m great with networking for common denominators.

I am obedient and that obedience will be honored.

I’ve had quite the list of “I’ll never” in my past and each one has come to pass. I think God must have written each one on a post-it note and dropped it down in my timeline at random times while he sat back to enjoy the show. With each one that has come to pass, I feel like he reminds me “My plan is so much better than your plan.” This has been tried and true so I know it’ll continue. One “I’ll never,” has been to never adopt domestically because of the fear and reality of reunification of the child with the birth family. I said I’d only adopt internationally which has been my heart’s desire for as long as I can remember. Now, I’m open to both and am obedient. I know the right situation will present itself and it will work out.

I know that God will provide.

God’ heart is adoption. God has a special place for children and he not asks but demands that we care for the orphans. I have no doubt that with some adjustments on my part, we will be okay.

So, big breath. That’s where I’m at.

Now, how can you be involved?

An African proverb (supposedly African) says “It takes a village to raise a child.” It also takes a village to bring one home.

Want to know some tangible ways you can be the Village right now?

Here are a few easy ones I’ve thought of:

Recycle: If you'll save your bottles and pass them on to me, then I'll recycle and put that money into the savings account. I've found that when I save up for months, I barely make enough to buy a latte. I just feel better about taking care of the environment and doing my part. If we think like a village, and put all of the recycling together, so much more can go toward bringing a child home or providing a safe home from abuse. If you are willing to donate recyclables (bottles, juice and water jugs, ink cartridges, beer and wine bottles), then I could pick them up from you when you need or get them at work/church. Free money! You could also watch the village grow by asking your co-workers or students (for teachers) to put recyclables aside for this. If you are willing to do this, please send me an email.
Hire a babysitter-me!: I've decided to practice giving up some fun weekend nights to care for children. Should you need a babysitter, let me know! You can message me for rates and specifics. All money will go to the adoption savings fund.
Pray: you can email me for a list of specifics

This blog was long. This process will be long. I've designated 2012 as the year to pay off as much debt as humanly possible and to prepare. I'll start the application process in early 2013. Thank you for reading, hoping, praying, dreaming with me, and for possibly becoming involved. Please remember to be expectant and be intentional along with me.

Much much love,

Danielle

Observing MLK day...

2012-01-16T16:32:00.000-08:00

This weekend, I’ve been thinking a lot about Dr. Martin Luther King as the holiday brought his speech to the forefront of my mind. Last week, I read a thread online from a small Southern town (link to town gossip) that brought such anger and sadness. Posts basically in a not-so-nice way stated that people should stick to their own kind and not mix races (even using God’s name in there as it being his intent…WTH?). I know, it’s always the 1% of stupid of any group/race/region that make the other 99% of normal ones shake their heads and wonder why. It made me process through a lot of feelings and at what perfect timing!

I’ve never paid as much mind to MLK day as I have this year. Growing up, I always got fed up with the obligatory Black History month and all the work that went behind it (I know, it has taken years to appreciate the effort of our school system to expose us, I’m a slow learner in some ways). While I valued the efforts of the Civil Rights movers and shakers, I never appreciated focusing in on one individual or race. It was kind of like church to me—force me do it and I’m not interested. But, like church, as an adult when allowed to freely encounter, embrace, and explore it, it became more personal and I began to own it, appreciate it, and apply it. On this day of observance, I sit at the table researching agencies and countries through which to adopt (don’t worry, in the future). Who knows what will happen, but I highly doubt that my future adopted child will have the same lovely transparent pink skin color that I have. I’m also not sure what skin color my future husband will have (God willing and Dear God, you can send him soon please and thanks). This year, the MLK holiday means so much. We’ve come a long way since that movement, but as I sit back and think about the gossip link’s comments, I realize how far we still have to go.

When thinking about my future family who will no doubt blur the lines and may even look like a United Colors of Benetton ad, I share the same dreams that were so eloquently described on that day in 1963.

I say to you today, my friends, that in spite of the difficulties and frustrations of the moment, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal."

I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

I have a dream today.

Dr. Martin Luther King

Merriest Christmas!

2011-12-19T10:39:00.001-08:00

Before signing off for 2011 and heading home to Mississippi, I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas!

This is my favorite time of the year!

I love the holidays in that they remind us of how we should live daily and provides opportunities to spend more time with friends and family. While Christmas is a joyous time as many of us celebrate the birth of Jesus, it is also a reminder of the brevity of life. While we celebrate His birth, we all know the rest of the story. While many of us celebrate the joy in the season, others mourn. This could be the first holiday without a loved one, a reminder of a desire for family for many orphans and foster children across the globe, and bittersweet opportunities to make memories for sick loved ones.

If you know me I live life as if there’s no tomorrow because frankly, we aren’t promised it—I drink my special wine with special friends in lieu of “saving it,” I give items away, and I am constantly seizing the moments that others may save for a future date. Some have looked appalled when I say “I may be dead this time next year.” Okay, not the best wording for some but evidence that I’m living life to the fullest. For those that know me (and not even that well), you know I focus on the details more than the big picture. For me, love lies in the details and when it comes together the big picture is beautiful, even if messy in the process. With the ever-increasing chaos of the American Christmas, I’ve been trying to focus on the small blessings and details in life that make the days special.

Here are a few that have come to mind:

Enjoying laughter with girlfriends over for one of my home-cooked meals
Long hot bubble baths with a gossip magazine
Saying things because you mean them, not worrying about what others think or social expectancies
Snuggling with my babies at work especially when the one I call “Roo” wants to just hold hands (with interlocking fingers, the best kind)
Impromptu lunch/dinner dates
Drinking coffee and blogging with nowhere to be
Turning on the faucet whenever I need/want while knowing many friends around the world don’t have clean water to sustain health and daily activities
Sleeping in
An unexpected smile or comment from a stranger
Good wine and moments wine tasting
Getting air mail from my sponsored child in Malawi--is she as excited to get mail and packages from me as I am from her?

I’ll leave you with a few faces that make this season all the more joyous.

Remember to keep a mental count of the little things all year round and give, give, give!

All the best for this holiday season and looking forward to 2012,

Danielle

Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. –James 4:14

Remembering the Best Christmas Gift...

2011-12-18T12:29:00.000-08:00

What has been your best Christmas gift so far?

To date, mine has been a hope chest that an old boyfriend made for me. It is a beautiful chest made of cedar and holds remnants of my past and manifestations of hope for what will be fulfilled in the future. I am a softie on the inside (I know, the exterior can be gruff) and treasure tokens of sentiment—hand written cards, unexpected or hand-made gifts, kind words, etc. I loved that he spent the time and energy to plan and build this gift. He probably has no idea how much that meant and still means to me. Well, he will when this post goes public….

Today, an appreciation for another gift came to mind as I sat in church service trying to find healing for a week of wounds. This gift should have always been in the forefront of my mind having had 34 Christmases thus far but it hasn’t struck me as much until this year. I’m most thankful for the gift of salvation which allows me my personal relationship with God.

A couple weeks ago, the verse Exodus 14:14 came to mind which says: The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still. I thought it was in relation to something that had happened that week, not realizing it would be something I needed to hear in the week to come.

I know you know this kind of week that I had last week. It wasn’t just one thing or person that caused devastation but it was the daily disappointments that confounded thoughts that swirled in my mind about not being good enough, not deserving specific things, or feeling that when things are too good to be true they are. Every day made me grow more and more disheartened. Disappointment quickly turned into anger and I began to just “lose my religion” (remember that phrase?!) and just start asking a million and one WHYs and a few “Where are you Gods?”

I was reminded that I cannot “lose my religion” and saw the gift of salvation through different eyes. When I was younger, I saw God as something to fear—hence my weekly reciting the sinner’s prayer “just in case” and avoiding questioning the way things are out loud. The God I’ve met during adulthood when I came into my own faith is one who allows me to question and reminds me that I will not lose that gift of salvation. I know that even though I shook my fist in the air and questioned, God never left my side during that week and won’t in any other week. In fact, I’m sure he chuckled at my spiking levels of immaturity and nearsightedness. Although I see it as still being written, my story was written long ago. Because he made me a Type-A worrier oh-so-impatient control freak, he knows I constantly want to read ahead into the next chapter or peek toward the end—so of course he understands my humanness and would never punish me for it. My visual representation tends to be me walking alongside a father figure—sometimes I’m walking next to him and happily chatting, sometimes I’m mad and sullen and refuse to talk but still see him quietly walking beside me giving me my space to feel various emotions, and sometimes I see myself running ahead (we know how that story ends—usually a trip or two).

There’s a song by Audrey Assad that fits the mood quite nicely. She beautifully illustrates redemptive suffering and pain and how sometimes you have to just be in the pain because it has a purpose and that you just want God to be with you. Here’s a link to Youtube for the song and lyrics. It’s worth hearing for sure so go on ahead right now and click here to listen!

Back to Exodus 14:14, here’s how one commentary (Matthew Henry) describes it: “It is always our duty and interest, when we cannot get out of troubles, yet to get above our fears; let them quicken our prayers and endeavors, but not silence our faith and hope. Stand still, think not to save yourselves either by fighting or flying; wait God's orders, and observe them. Compose yourselves, by confidence in God, into peaceful thoughts of the great salvation God is about to work for you. If God brings his people into straits, he will find a way to bring them out.”

And so I wait, but with a greater appreciation of a very special gift this holiday season.

A side note:

Of course, I was reminded of the gift of friendship and community throughout the entire time as close friends listened to me complain, say really stupid and asinine things, and question things that seem really insignificant (but thankfully didn’t remind me of that). A huge shout-out to this 4-some:

1) Amanda who never looked irritated each time to on her door at work to ask yet another “Do you think x, y, z?” and checked in often during the day
2) Xuyen who agreed to eat or Shik Do Rak however many times I needed comfort food and as always indulged me some very candid discussions about the stupid things I’ve done in the most laughable way
3) Jenn L. who was always available on G-chat for my rambling and eager to make a plan to kick some ass
4) Brittany, who responded to all my frantic emails from Alabama (Wella Warthog loves Brinny Bear). I thank God that she is on the other side of the nation and is time zones ahead of CA so that I had messages of cheer or encouragement when I woke up.

Because I love pictures, here are some pictures of people who represent blessings & gifts God has given me. Friends make the holiday special.

Am I moving to Austin?? Find out here!

2011-12-07T08:37:00.001-08:00

Where does God meet you?

For me, it tends to be in the most random of places. Like this one recent meeting place..check it out....

It was in the exercise room in my hotel in Austin. Maybe it was because I summoned him so many times while on the elliptical at a level past where I had any business being? At any rate, it was the unlikeliest of places but perfect. But, isn’t that how it always is?

Some of you know that I have been interviewing some in Austin, considering a relocation. (For those of you who didn’t know, sorry! I didn’t want everyone all up in arms until it was necessary) I was in Austin for my second interview at a place that seemed promising. I was excited about the possibility of living closer to home where my parents could easily drive and visit and being back on Southern ground (while in a more liberal spot). I had become very excited about the possibilities even though I dreaded change. Austin for some reason crept up around the time I went to Idaho and there were several strange coincidences that led me to believe I should research. For a while, I had felt that was some sort of urging taking place for a change though I wasn’t quite sure what it was. I just knew I’d be ready and obedient. My first interview fell through, which in hindsight was for the best. I flew out Friday (um, wake-up call 2:45am to be out of LAX by 6:20am!!) to meet with this new clinic after having had some phone interviews already. The clinic was very comfortable and nice and I knew I could easily fit in there. As much as I loved it, something didn’t “sit right” with me.

I was exhausted that night and slept longer than I’ve slept in a while! I woke up emotional from a dream that was very interesting. Many of you know how crazy my “Dream World” is. I have been struggling emotionally with a difficult situation for a while and in my dream, things went the way I’d hoped but they were not for the best. More emotions and pain surfaced and I actually woke up crying. When I realized it was a dream, I knew it wasn’t just a dream. I had this sense of healing and renewal that I’ve been searching for for a long time. But, my day wasn’t over yet....more goodness was to come.

It was raining out, and I love the rain, so I stayed in all day resting, watching TV, and napping. I felt guilty so I grabbed the iPod and headed to the hotel exercise room. I hurt myself on the elliptical and then decided to do a quickie cool-down on the treadmill. I put on some of my low-key music and hopped on, and then the most beautiful silent conversation began. I realized my 5-minute intention had lasted 40 minutes at which time I began to feel my legs again.

On Orphan Sunday (November 6) at our church, adoption moved from the back burner of my mind to the front. I’m not sure how I’d been given this desire at a young age growing up in a small town knowing no one who had been involved in international adoption, but it has always been there. The seed has been nourished and has blossomed since attending NewSong and visiting Africa. I’ve seen the need of orphaned children and have been surrounded by a community of people who love them as much as I do. On that day, I took a personal bold step and began to pray for the child that would someday call my home “home.”

I’ve been talking to my parents and weighing the options of going versus staying. They are very supportive either way. My dad always encourages and supports, simply saying “you will make the right decision.” Will I? I told them I had started to think more seriously about adoption in the next couple years so I need to start laying the foundation for that now--paying off the rest of my school loans as much as I can and stashing money, researching, supporting other adoptive families, further building community, etc.

I was reminded of this on the treadmill. If God + I could have a convo, the script would have looked like this:

Me: high-5 for the dream last night. I’ve needed that. So, whats up with Austin? Why am I not feeling it? I’m obedient.

God: I appreciate it but its not time to go. I love that you follow and are willing to act.

Me: Does this have anything to do with November 6?

God: I can’t tell you specifics but follow what you are feeling.

Me: I am willing to adopt as a single but I’m still hoping for a man.

God: Trust me on that one.

Me: I’ve trusted for years but no one has showed up, but okay...

God: I appreciate your willingness to move but the time has passed and you should stay. Think not about what you don’t like, but focus for a minute on what you have. What is in your hand?

Suddenly, I looked past the things I didn’t like about Orange County. I’ve always loved my job but I haven’t enjoyed living in OC as much as LA. People’s faces kept flashing up in my mind and I could see all the community I’ve built at NewSong, with friends, online (adoptive families + single moms) and at work. These are people, that no matter how long I’ve known them or how well I know them, they have a similar heart and would walk the adoption journey with me, no matter single or married.

I loved this clarity and peace so much that Sunday I returned for another “date” on the treadmill. At that point, I felt like God said “Remember reading The Alchemist? Well, you are Santiago” in regard to work and seeing why I put you there in 2004. You’ve been building your foundation for a while and can continue to do so. I never forget this but I thought over again how much I love my workplace, especially my employer. Where else would I find someone that would support me not just professionally but spiritually and personally? I love the ability to ask her to take off her “boss hat” and put on the “mom hat.”

In summary, what a weekend! It was not in the least how I expected. I came home with a new peace and excitement and was thrilled to be touching down in LAX to continue this adventure. What will unfold? I keep feeling like I’m on the cusp of something great.

A few of my favorite quotes from the Alchemist:

“What you still need to know is this: before a dream is realized, the Soul of the World tests everything that was learned along the way. It does this not because it is evil, but so that we can, in addition to realizing our dreams, master the lessons we’ve learned as we’ve moved toward that dream. That’s the point at which, as we say in the language of the desert, one ‘dies of thirst just when the palm trees have appeared on the horizon.’

“Every search begins with beginner’s luck. And every search ends with the victor’s being severely tested.”

"We are afraid of losing what we have, whether it's our life or our possessions and property. But this fear evaporates when we understand that our life stories and the history of the world were written by the same hand."

"And, when you want something, all the universe conspires to help you achieve it."

Afterthoughts from Idaho

2011-11-20T18:36:00.001-08:00

Last Sunday, we had our report day for Idaho. This is a time of sharing with supporters and others interested in the organization, Create Common Good. We presented a slideshow on Bhutanese refugees and highlighted one of the men we met in Idaho, defined "refugees," then all shared special moments or afterthoughts. Lastly, we served the food that we prepared the night before -- food we had learned to make after harvesting and what we ate in Idaho.

Here is what I shared that impacted me the most during/after the trip:

One of the activities I enjoyed most was harvesting the vegetables that would go toward crop sales and preparing food for the harvest festival.

When you stepped into the garden, there were so many types of plants with herbs and vegetables—each beautiful in its own way, each containing a different purpose or unique flavor to enhance a dish. One had to look through and choose carefully because some weren’t mature enough yet to be picked. It was fun to watch the vegetables/herbs come straight from the garden and then watch them go through the process of being cleaned, having the invaluable parts cut away, shaped, and then transformed into a masterpiece along with other ingredients.

As I sat back and watched, I thought “this must be how God feels as he looks upon his garden of people (all types and at all stages, each with his or her own uniqueness).” We all know Matthew 9:37 where Jesus says “The harvest is plenty but the workers are few.” I looked at the “harvest” a little differently. I knew that like people, some needed a little more time to grow and just be “loved on” before being “picked or uprooted”. The gardener, like God with his careful and all-knowing eye, knows which ones are ready to be yielded, which ones need some painful clipping or pruning to clear the bad parts, which ones just needed to be in the soil a few more days with extra sunlight, and which ones may need to be uprooted and transplanted elsewhere in order to reach their full growth potential.

This made me look at my own life and spiritual growth process after seeing this tangible representation. It also reminded to give grace to others that are at a different place in their growth process. While it’s hard to go through the pruning and waiting, I was able to see how beautiful and delicious the end result is and how proud our Father, our gardener, must be as he stands aside and sees his handiwork.

A verse that came to mind as I was organizing my thoughts was this from James 1:21:

In simple humility, let our gardener, God, landscape you with the Word, making a salvation-garden of your life.

Here are a few of the dishes we prepared:

penne with homemade arugula pesto

farfalle with homemade arugula pesto and sausage

fresh tomatoes and cucumbers

Last Day in Boise

2011-09-24T12:08:00.000-07:00

After a physically and spiritually challenging week, day 7 brought departure from Boise. Departures are always bittersweet, and good-byes never feel right.

We packed and headed to the church for a pancake breakfast. Tyler & Angie made pumpkin pancakes with the pumpkins from the garden. Most of the staff was there to spend those last few minutes together.

At the same time we ate, we were able to watch Brent in action as he taught the refugees in the culinary portion of the training program. I learned a lot as well about eggs of all things. I've been cooking for years since childhood and never knew the little tidbits I overheard.

Ian clowning around

lesson for refugees

Departure was hard for me in a different way as well.....as usual, I bought a LOT of things without thinking of how to get them home. Retail therapy for a good cause always gets me. I bought several things that support sustainable living for those in poverty or in impoverished countries, many in the form of turning junk and trash into beautiful objects for use and to display the artist's handiwork. Isn't God like that? He uses the junk in us to transforms the brokenness to display the beauty. Here's what I'm most proud of:

A perfect gift for your favorite wino(s)!!
Apparently, glass accounts for a lot of junk in Boise so this organization turns junk into treasure. Here's info:

Sustainable Futures is an IRS 501(c)(3) organization operating in Boise, Idaho. Our mission is to address social, environmental and economic needs in our community, helping the underserved to build work maturity while making recycled glass products. We achieve this mission by recycling and repurposing empty glass wine, beer and spirit bottles into other usable glassware—from drinking glasses to wind chimes and other products—that are sold to restaurants, retail outlets and the general public.

Through recycling and repurposing, Sustainable Futures reduces the amount of glass in landfills, provides jobs and vocational training and creates a new revenue stream that helps support the organization’s mission.

Visit their ever-so-cool site (and buy some Christmas gifts) here!

I love easy (mostly already prepped) eats! These are assembled by women part of the Women's Bean Project. Each one is stamped with the name of who handmade the item. I love it--eat for a cause!

Here's info about them:
Since 1989 we have been helping women break the cycle of poverty and unemployment. We are a nonprofit organization that teaches job readiness and life skills for entry-level jobs through employment in our gourmet food production and handmade jewelry manufacturing businesses. Women come with the goal of transforming their lives and moving toward self sufficiency.

To visit their website (more great gift ideas) visit here. BTW, it's not just food either.

soaps made by Palam Rural Centre (India)
About Palam:

Palam Rural Centre (“People’s Association for Leather and Allied Manufacturing”) offers employment opportunities to people of the marginalized Harijan community in a village in Tamil Nadu region, southeastern India. In the Tamil language, Palam also means “bridge”; Palam Rural Centre seeks to build a “bridge” to the markets of the rest of the world. With money from product sales, Palam has purchased land and homes for artisans (ownership traditionally unavailable to lower castes) and built a school for artisans’ children. Other artisan benefits include health care and retirement pensions. Palam artisans see education of their children as the key to hope and change. Through this work, Palam Rural Centre is providing dignity and security to artisans and helping to break down caste walls in society.

Started in 1978 by David Edmunds, Palam Rural Centre was founded to improve the lives of people of the Harijan community in Tamil Nadu. Traditionally leather workers, they found little market for their products. Very poor and often exploited, they did not own land, suffered from illiteracy and ill health, and were underpaid working as seasonal agricultural laborers for large landowners. In the 1980s, the leather market declined with the rise in synthetic materials and with multinational corporations moving into Indian markets. After several years of experimenting with soap making, Palam Rural Centre diversified into vegetable oil-based soap production. It also continues to develop new designs of leather items.

To order: visit here.

Onward to my favorite:

such detail..

My prized possession -- I stared at this for days...I wasn't sure if I should splurge. I couldn't get it off my mind so I finally made the purchase. Then, I had almost had a panic attack when it wouldn't fit in my suitcase making me explore a million ways to get this baby home in one piece!
As you can see, "we" made it. I envision it in my office or at some point, in the bedroom of my adopted child.

It was an old oil drum (who knows, we Americans may have left that trash) in Haiti. It is cut and painted by local artists. Here's some info regarding the organization:

Haitian handcrafts are a reflection of the vibrancy and creativity of its people, and for over 30 years, Comite Artisanal Haitien (CAH) has been committed to working with Haitian artisans to find markets for their products to help them earn a dignified living.

CAH represents more than 170 individual Haitian artisans and groups, including the artisans from Cite Soleil and other poor areas in and around Port-au-Prince, who create beautiful works of art from recycled metal drums which have become hallmarks of Haitian craftsmanship.

In Haiti, one of the poorest countries in the western hemisphere, jobs are scarce and the money earned from craftmaking is not just supplemental, it is often the sole source of income for most artisans and their families.

Harvest Festival--Idaho Sunday 9/18/11

2011-09-18T21:13:00.000-07:00

Again, I'm pooped in the most wonderful way. Really.

Today started with church at Eastwind Community Church. The farm actually sits on the grounds of this church so the church family is very connected in serving with CCG. Church was beautiful as we listened while seeing the hills through open glass windows. A beautiful day like today puts you in the perfect space for the service/message.

After church, we went to the farmer's market where the CCG truck was set up. We walked around and had lunch.

Then, the whirlwind began. We headed back to the church to set up for the harvest festival. At 5pm, the festival began. There were booths for create (ready to purchase items with the farm vegetables such as Thai pumpkin soup, strawberry & thyme vinegarette, salsa verde), stir (the food prepared tonight for dinner), and grow (garden vegetables for sale). I worked the stir booth and, wow, did I have a reminder lesson in counting back change. I manned the cash box. We had 2 options for dinner: an Eritrean plate with injera and a sauce as well as Bhutanese momos with a chicken skewer and salsa. Both were unbelievable! There was a children's area with face painting, bounce houses, and a petting zoo. The event had a great turnout and we actually ran out of food.

Now we are all nestled into our host families' homes and either resting or packing for departure tomorrow.

I. love. Boise.

However, I'm not quite ready to trade in my Honda Accord for a John Deere. I have a new respect for farmers!

Here are some highlights from the day:

Me + Awot (from Eritrea)

sunset at the farm

Brent, Heftom + Awot cutting injera

Awot cooking--don't you love his smile?

the fabulous menu...ALL good!

Christy at the CREATE booth

farm stand

the GROW booth

This cute candy shop in Boise--maybe the cutest candy store I've ever seen. Check it out here!!

the stand at the farmer's market

Ian + Sammy

the farm stand is open after church...Wouldn't that be great to get your fresh veggies (for a great cause) before leaving the church parking lot?!?!

Idaho, Day 5, Saturday

2011-09-18T08:44:00.000-07:00

Can I use "What a day!" again?

We started out at the farm doing all the "last minute" to do items before the big harvest festival happening today (Sunday). We had a few other teams of volunteers helping which made ticking off the list go quickly. That never ending wood chip pile we worked on the other day is now gone as is many other daunting tasks. It felt good to see these things happen as CCG is always so busy and this would have been overwhelming for them to get done alone.

I love seeing the kids in action. We learn so much from them seeing the world through their eyes--the "fun" in chores and the beauty of the farm. Sammy, age 6, sometimes speaks with the wisdom of a man. He is an old soul. I heard him in a store that sells fair trade items and sustainable goods say, "There are so many beautiful things here. It's so hard to pick." I love hearing what comes from him. While it is simple, it can take an adult on a path of profound thinking and realization.

After the farm work, we had lunch and had an easy afternoon off. Well, a little easy. We went to a street fair. We just felt a feeling of repression and darkness throughout and said a prayer for the people. We ended the night with pizza and a good night's rest to prep for the long day prepping for and working at the festival today.

Here are some highlights from the day:

R & R

Sammy helping replant the sunflowers

carrying brush and weeds to the compost pile

raking up weeds and brush (we did this for hours)

Ian in action

Ian and Sammy vs. the wood chips pile

Idaho trip, Friday, 9/16/11

2011-09-17T06:49:00.000-07:00

Whew! Now THIS was a day!!

The group was separated for the day and Claudia, Christy + I went to the kitchen to help Brent prep food for the harvest festival on Sunday. How fun but kitchen work is no joke!

We started out making "momos" which is a Bhutanese potsticker. For more info, click here. We had some of the refugee women from Bhutan come alongside us and help for an hour or so. That was fun to just work on the same project in the same space--no words needed. They gently showed us how to make them differently, more like their country. I kept thinking as we were side by side how we are just alike but born in different countries and circumstances. How lucky was I to have been born in Providence Hospital in Mobile Alabama, knowing it could have been anywhere in the world. Are you ready for this?.....we made 800 momos!

Then, we used the leftover meat to make skewers for the festival. Then, we helped in other ways to get things ready. We were also lucky enough to pick up tidbits and tips from Brent here and there in the kitchen. To see Brent and his apprentice Awot from Eritrea, click here.

The night ended at Tara's (who started CCG) for a dinner with the staff and the team. I was also able to invite and spend time with Tom and Patti Gay who started Monte Christo Ministries, the organization I've served over the past 4 years in South Africa. I had not seen them since 2007 when we had dinner together in Paarl, South Africa. Funny how paths cross. (For info regarding Monte Christo Ministries and how you can help, visit here.)

Here are some highlights from the day:

with Tom & Patti Gay

Devi and Amy

finished oh so delicious products!

Claudia finishing the meringues

making meringues

Brent making meringues

of course we sampled our work...momos for lunch!

Claudia working alongside Awot (from Eritrea)

cross cultural momo makers!

Idaho Day 3 (Thurs, 9/15/11)

2011-09-16T07:03:00.000-07:00

Today, I learned that farmers do not need a gym membership. ever.

This morning started with work on the farm. The kids and parents went over and picked more tomatoes. We thought we had picked them all yesterday, but it's amazing how much you overlook when you aren't "looking." They came back with more for the share holders and to sell on the farm truck.

Claudia, Christy + I worked on moving a HUGE pile of dirt/wood chips over to spread among the rows of planted vegetables. We shoveled in loads into the wheelbarrow, then took it to the garden, and unloaded and spread. I felt every muscle in my shoulder and arms. I asked for muscles right?!

Then, Christy and I went out on the farm truck with Tyler. Fun! It is like the ice cream truck in that it plays loud world music from a 1950s Ford truck and stops in neighborhoods so people can come out and buy from the impromptu farm stand. How grand. We went around town and then set up in a downtown-like area called Hyde Park so that share holders could come pick up their shares and locals could stop in for whatever caught their eyes. (the others had gone to help with job training that day with the refugees)

We ended the night with $1 taco night with us and some of the CCG staff.

Here are some highlights from the day:

the farm stand in the neighborhood

the farm truck -- how cool?!?

we got some tastes of the watermelon before heading out -- delish!

working out..moving wood chips

Idaho, Day 2, Wednesday (9/14/11)

2011-09-14T19:08:00.000-07:00

What. A. Day!

I have gone back to my Southern roots and have loved it!! I am indeed a country mouse.

For the sake of time (my bedtime that is), I'll describe what we did then post pictures at the bottom (and they will probably be backwards/out of chronological order).

Today, we started out at the farm harvesting vegetables (for you city people, that basically means "picking" the vegetables from the garden and putting them in the wheelbarrow). The fresh veggies were beautiful! We tasted many right from the plant including raspberries, tomatoes, basil, and mustard greens. We picked mustard greens, tomatoes, and basil for use and sale. We washed the vegetables and packaged them to take with us to the kitchen.

The kitchen was a whirlwind! We were prepping for a Wednesday night dinner called Wonderful Wednesday. On these nights, the community is invited to come have dinner prepared by the refugees who are in the culinary training for a small cost. It also provides an opportunity to share about CCG (Create Common Good). We also prepped food to sell at the farm stand and for the harvest festival on Sunday.

In the kitchen, we:

chopped vegetables
made mustard green pesto
canned salsa to sell

We got there in time to see Brent (chef) teaching some of the refugees to prepare food. It was beautiful to watch how patient he is and and depth of his love, dedication, and giftedness for teaching.

For lunch, we had some of the mustard green pesto we made with pasta, fresh vegetables from the garden (red tomatoes and yellow zebra tomatoes) as well as this to-die-for potato bread that Brent makes. It was so fun to eat what we saw growing and harvested earlier the same morning!! No Ralph's or Albertsons needed!

We stayed for Wonderful Wednesday dinner. Several of the refugees were there to assist in serving. The taste was simply unbelievable. The pictures won't do it justice.

The meringue....soooooooooooooo delish!

our dinner for Wonderful Wednesday: vegetables, pork (apricot and fig, braised) + the "to die for" potato bread topped with onion con fit

Christy & Angie (who picked us up from the airport)

the church set-up for Wonderful Wednesday

staff with the just-finished meringues

finished mustard green pesto

canned salsa verde (before the canning process) to sale

canning

the potato bread

fresh tomatoes

pasta with fresh mustard greens pesto (made by us!)

making meringues

chopped mustard greens before going into the blender for processing/pesto

the tomatoes we picked.
Aren't they beautiful?!

freshly picked basil

staff bundling herbs

tomatillos

nerd.

Sammy washed vegetables from the garden

harvesting...

Idaho Tuesday, Day 1 (9/13/11)

2011-09-14T18:48:00.001-07:00

We arrived in Boise around noon after an EARLY but easy morning of travelling. We were picked up at the airport by Angie, CCG staff, and the whirlwind began.

We first stopped by to take a look at the farm and be introduced to some of the refugee staff. The farm is located outside a church and is not your stereotypical farm that is surrounded by greenery for miles around. Here's the farm:

After the farm, we went to the kitchen and then off see the offices. We went out to dinner downtown at a spot that buys locally (including vegetables from CCG).

We passed the state capitol while walking to the restaurant.

Our team & those who love us and Create Common Good!

2011-09-12T19:36:00.000-07:00

Our team (minus the 2 children, Ian & Sammy)
from left to right: Claudia, Christy, Danielle, Amy, Yoonjin

The rest of the pictures include Create Common Good's fan club:

Looking back to 9/11 and forward to Idaho

2011-09-12T19:27:00.000-07:00

With the passing of the anniversary of September 2011, I have been reminded of how lucky I am to have been born in the United States. On that day 10 years ago, we were introduced to terrorism and had our first glimpse of what daily life can be like in war-torn countries. It is crippling to consider how man-made racial, religious, and political boundaries spark such intense hatred and war. It has forever changed the way we live our daily lives and shifted our perspectives. We have redefined ideas such as “community,” “hope,” “heroism,” and “security.”

Can you imagine living the fear knowing that 9/11-like activities WILL occur daily or weekly or monthly? My thoughts drifted to the many refugees from countries whose lives are defined by these events and those that have to flee their countries with nothing just because they aren’t the right religion or race. To see my post that defines a refugee and the process of becoming a refugee, click here.

I didn’t realize the timeliness of our Idaho trip. We would be leaving 2 days after 9/11. On Sunday the 11th, I was a mixed bag of tricks feeling emotions of despair, hope, sadness, pride, and anger as I remembered that day in 2001. I realized that the timeliness put me in the best posture for learning, listening, and being a better servant to the organization (Create Common Good) and refugees we will serve this week. Our team has been focusing on knowing God as our refuge and how we are all foreigners here, just passing through.

We depart on September 13 (Tuesday) at 6:45 AM (ouch! yawn!) and return on Monday the 19th. Please remember us in your thoughts and prayers.

Specific prayer requests include:

Refugees
● strength and encouragement as they struggle to learn enough English and skills to secure an entry level job in 8 months all the while assimilating to a very different culture
● almost weekly, someone’s 8 months of government assistance is up and families face eviction if jobs aren’t secured (not as easy as it used to be with the current state of the economy)
● Refugees wish they were able to return to their countries but are unable. Pray for peace with their state of affairs as they face loneliness in a different culture. Imagine moving to a country you were assigned to JUST because they agreed to take you and it is safe

Create Common Good
● renewal of spirit and energy as they live out their daily lives but also emotionally carry the burden of the refugees’ stories and needs
● financial needs be met to sustain
● partnership with the community (we will be working with them to provide a festival to bring awareness to the community on Sunday 9/18)

Team
● safe travels
● no missed opportunities to show love and encouragement to CCG and refugees and anyone else along the way
● renewal of spirit and mind and purpose -- what does this trip have in store for us? what will it mean AFTER the trip?

Personal
● rest & focus--I’m TIRED and I want to be able to give 100%

I'm not sure if I'll be posting from the road...I'll take my laptop just in case!

With a cup overflowing with love and gratitude,
Danielle

In this season

2011-09-12T19:21:00.000-07:00

Here’s a loooooooong overdue update!

First of all, thank you so much for your generous support and donations! Of my personal goal of $765, I’ve raised $640. The team as a whole has surpassed our goal of $4865 so we are set!! We are humbled by your generosity.

As the date draws near to leave (tomorrow!), I reflect on how much “missions” has personally changed my life and that makes me excited for what this trip has in store!

I think the best change has been the many lessons on being transparent and vulnerable to others -- not only to my supporter community, teammates, family, and friends but also to everyone whose paths cross mine. The hardest part, however, is not being vulnerable to others but to myself. In that capacity, I’ve learned how to maintain a more obedient posture and to listen to that quiet voice that seems to come only when on one’s knees--the voice that encourages us to expose what has been so intricately hidden and disguised so that we can connect with others in a way beyond our imagination and sometimes comfort level -- a connection through pain that ultimately creates beauty and activates love.

I’ve learned to use whatever time/phase with which God has entrusted me. For now, it is a season of singleness. I never imagined to be in this season for so long and there’s a lot I could say but that’d take up too many blog posts. I’m happy I’ve always clung to that voice that has reminded me on so many occasions during dating, “Yes, you could have this but if you wait, I have so much more to give yo beyond what you can imagine.” For the past year, I’ve been waiting for the right opportunity to use this time. Over that same amount of time, my attention kept being drawn to the Village at NewSong. [Click here for more information about the Village] The purpose of the village is to provide a space to connect families who have a heart for orphaned or vulnerable children.

I decided to follow that continual prompt and attend a planning meeting to find out more about how I could get involved as a single woman (having known for years that I want to adopt internationally in the future). I thought at the very least I could find out information about the process for future reference. For those that know me, you know my skills are organizing, leading, and being a catalyst to set ideas into motion. For the first time, I sat dumbfounded and completely useless in the meeting. I wondered if that meant that I was there by mistake. I uncomfortably stayed through the meeting, feeling misplaced. During the closing prayer, my thoughts drifted (I’ve recently diagnosed myself with “prayer-induced ADD”) to a stream of my own.

I love the freedom of being single, but no matter what stage of life we are in at the time, I think dark thoughts seep in from time to time. These are a few thoughts that ran through my mind at that moment:

I’ve been so patient with waiting for the “right” men and do my best to serve others, how come so many other women who settle and/or who are selfish have beautiful families and seem to have everything?

Why doesn’t the right person pick me--am I getting too old?

Once again, passed over for the “cuter more outgoing one” or “the one that puts on a better show”

As these thoughts grew and circled through my mind, I clearly felt God say, “Danielle, you ARE in the exact place I want you to be even though you can’t see it right now. These thoughts that you have circling and the pain they induce are what brought you here. These words (lies) and pain are felt by thousands of orphaned children every day as they also watch and wait. The pain in wait bind your hearts.” The strength and clarity of that message moved me to tears.

As I said, I love being single but with every “season” there is pain that is meant to bring awareness and spring love into action.

With what season has God entrusted you?
How will you use your pain and experiences?

Create Common Good

2011-08-21T08:54:00.000-07:00

As many of you know, I’m heading to Idaho in September (13-19) to serve alongside an organization that serves refugees. What you may not know is much information on the organization itself. In a previous post (http://backtosa2010.blogspot.com/2011/08/what-is-refugee.html), I described the process of refugees and how they get here in the United States. I want to give you information about this particular organization, Create Common Good (CCG), which is helping refugees help themselves be better members of our society. I think these two videos best show what CCG is all about.

About Create Common Good: http://www.createcommongood.org/video.html and http://www.vimeo.com/24451207 (shown at NewSong)

Please take a few minutes and watch the couple videos and think about ways you can become involved. Some tangible ways were included in that previous post and are as follows:

Ways you can partner:

Help raise awareness. Repost this link on your FB or other social media when there are updates.
Donate financially. We each have a goal of $765 each. Instructions for giving are on the right side of the blog in a column.
Pray for our team, refugees in the US and in camps throughout the world, and for our partner Create Common Good.
Donate needed items. [see list below]

Items (farm supplies) needed by Create Common Good for adults:

socks
gloves
good work boots
warm coats
farm hats

This is a story from Fox 12 Idaho news featuring the organization, CCG:

Vegetable Delivery Man Helps Refugees

Posted: Jun 09, 2011 6:35 PM PDT Updated: Jun 27, 2011 9:49 AM PDT

Boise, Idaho -- He's not your average neighborhood delivery man.

Boise's Tyler Smith is on a mission to bring fresh food to the City of Trees. He blasts reggae through a loud-speaker and parks on street corners with a handwritten sign advertising organic produce.

This is his first day on the job.

Smith's vintage 1965 Ford pickup truck is loaded with fresh, organically-grown radishes, mustard greens, dill, and Swiss chard.

Later in the summer it will include corn and watermelons.

"People don't know quite what to make of it yet," Smith says candidly, as he grips the steering wheel of his delivery pickup and turns a corner in the Warm Springs neighborhood.

During Smith's four-hour delivery route, plenty of people stop to ask him questions, and more than a few buy fresh food from the truck.

Boise's Stacy Beeson is among them.

Beeson is a registered dietician at St. Lukes' Hospital in Boise. She's familiar with Tyler's organization called "Create Common Good." She says she recognizes Tyler from the local farmer's markets.

"I didn't know what vegetable to have for dinner tonight, and I knew that Tyler was in the neighborhood," Beeson explains as she loads a bag full of radishes and salad mix into her backpack.

And that's the goal of Smith's organization -- to spread awareness of locally grown vegetables throughout Boise.

"People are busy these days. They've got kids at home and it's hard to get out and it's hard to get to the grocery store," Smith says. "We're just bringing it to 'em."

The whole idea, Smith explains, is to give people an alternative to corporate grocery chains while helping the unique individuals who grow the organic vegetables on a farm in Southeast Boise.

Individuals like Devi Khalel, a former political refugee from a country called Bhutan, are among them.

After emigrating from Bhutan, Khalel found work in Boise on an organic farm and how helps to train other refugees who journey to Boise.

Muyengya Kamulete also lived in a refuge camp for 13 years in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and now works with Khalel on the organic farm.

Kamulete has eight children who now live in Boise, and once worked as a principal in the camp school.

Guru Adikhari and his friend Khada Nanda Timsina are also political refugees. The men are from a country called Bhutan and are used to growing rice, millet, and buckwheat. However, thanks to the organization "Create Common Good," they're now learning different methods to produce different foods.

The men tend the organization's large garden for much of the day and take great pride in what they produce.

Devi Khalel takes even more pride in how it's grown.

"This is organic," Khalel explains. "Totally organic. We don't spray anything else on it, and it's very good for the health."

For more information, or to find out how you can participate in their program, visit http://www.createcommongood.org/

And, of course, if you aren’t following me…what are you waiting for? Go to the right side of the page and there should be a place for you to enter your email. You won’t get spam—only my updates as they are posted. I’ll be sending updates before, during, and after the trip.

What is a refugee?

2011-08-05T13:43:00.000-07:00

My apologies for the long delay since the last blog post. Life has been busy finishing up a class I’ve been taking and preparing for Idaho and trying to have fun among all the responsibilities.

So, you know I’ll be going in September to Idaho to work with refugees, in partnership with Create Common Good [ www.createcommongood.org ]. In so many instances lately, coincidentally, my eyes have been further opened up to the plight of refugees. I happened to pick up the fiction book “Little Bee” not knowing what it was about which ended up being about a Nigerian refugee. Although it is fiction, I know it represents so many stories, many of which are more horrific than the one detailed in the book. On the news, we are bombarded with the tragic news of various countries at civil war forcing thousands of innocent people to flee their countries on foot for hundreds of miles, many of which meet death along the way. I also recently watched one of the best documentaries, “God Grew Tired of Us.” I believe that every American should watch this. Find out more about it here: http://www.godgrewtiredofus.com/about.html. It educates us on refugees, NOT immigrants into this country—people who would love to trade this autonomous and fast-paced lifestyle to go back to their country but cannot due to civil unrest and danger. It creates (or should) create in us that drive to reach out and offer a hand to those who have sought refuge here.

Since I didn’t know so much about refugees before beginning this adventure, I assume many of you have limited knowledge as well. We often assume the group of people are actually refugees have willingly immigrated here or have had the dream of coming here.

Here is how the process works (Per US Department of State website):

Refugee Resettlement in the United States

Fact Sheet

Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration

September 16, 2010

The United States is proud of its history of welcoming immigrants and refugees. The U.S. refugee resettlement program reflects the United States’ highest values and aspirations to compassion, generosity and leadership. Since 1975, Americans have welcomed almost 3 million refugees from all over the world. Refugees have built new lives, homes and communities in towns and cities in all 50 states.

Resettlement: The Solution for Only a Few

A refugee is someone who has fled from his or her home country and cannot return because he or she has a well-founded fear of persecution based on religion, race, nationality, political opinion or membership in a particular social group. The first step for most refugees is to register with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in the country to which s/he has fled. UNHCR has the mandate to provide international protection to refugees. UNHCR determines if an individual qualifies as a refugee and, if so, works toward the best possible durable solution for each refugee: safe return to the home country, local integration, or third-country resettlement.

According to UNHCR’s latest statistics, there are approximately 10.5 million refugees in the world. The vast majority of these refugees will receive support in the country to which they fled until they can voluntarily and safely return to their home country. A small number of refugees will be allowed to become citizens in the country to which they fled, and an even smaller number — primarily those who are at the highest risk — will be resettled in a third country. While UNHCR reports that less than 1 percent of all refugees are eventually resettled in third countries, the United States welcomes more than half of these refugees, more than all other resettlement countries combined.

U.S. Refugee Admissions Program: Application and Case Processing

When UNHCR — or, rarely, a U.S. Embassy or a specially trained nongovernmental organization — refers a refugee applicant to the United States for resettlement, the case is first received and processed by an Overseas Processing Entity (OPE) (now called “Resettlement Support Center (RSC)”). The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (PRM) works with international and nongovernmental organizations to run eight regional RSCs around the world. Under PRM’s guidance, the RSCs process eligible refugee applications for resettlement in the United States.

Some refugees can start the application process with the RSC without a referral from UNHCR or other entity. This includes close relatives of refugees already resettled in the United States and refugees who belong to specific groups set forth in statute or identified by the Department of State as being eligible for direct access to the program.

The RSCs collect biographic and other information from the applicants for security screening. The security screening ensures that terrorists and/or criminals do not enter the United States through the refugee program. Officers from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) review all the information that the RSC has collected and also have a face-to-face interview with each refugee applicant before deciding whether to approve him or her for resettlement in the United States.

When a USCIS officer approves a refugee for admission, the next step is a medical screening to identify medical needs and to ensure that people with a contagious disease, such as tuberculosis, do not enter the United States. Finally, the RSC requests a “sponsorship assurance” from a U.S.-based resettlement agency that is experienced in providing assistance to newly arrived refugees. All refugees are offered a brief U.S. cultural orientation course prior to departure for the United States.

Those refugees who receive USCIS approval to resettle in the United States enter the Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP). USRAP is a cooperative public-private program made up of a number of participants. The support of millions of Americans is fundamental to the program’s success. Though Congress mandated the program, it is local communities that have ensured the success of the resettlement program by welcoming and helping refugees from around the world.

United States Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) is comprised of:

• The Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (PRM) of the U.S. Department of State.

• The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

• The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. • Ten domestic nongovernmental organizations with a total of more than 350 affiliated offices across the United States.

• Thousands of private citizens who volunteer their time and skills to help refugees resettle in the United States.

The total processing time varies depending on an applicant’s location and other circumstances, but the average time from the initial UNHCR referral to arrival as a refugee in the United States is generally from eight months to one year.

Planning for Refugees’ Arrival in the United States

The Department of State works with 10 domestic resettlement agencies that have proven knowledge and resources to resettle refugees. Every week, representatives of each of these 10 agencies meet near Washington to review the biographic information and other case records sent by the RSCs to determine where a refugee will be resettled in the United States. During this meeting, the resettlement agencies match the particular needs of each incoming refugee with the specific resources available. If a refugee has relatives in the United States, he or she is likely to be resettled near or with them. Otherwise, the resettlement agency that agrees to “sponsor” the case decides on the best match between a community’s resources and the refugee’s needs.

The information about the location and the name of the sponsoring agency is communicated back to the originating RSC, which then works with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to bring the refugee to his or her new home. The cost of refugee transportation is provided as a loan, which refugees are required to begin repaying after they are established in the United States.

Once in the United States

As stated before, the Department of State has cooperative agreements with 10 domestic resettlement agencies to resettle refugees. While some of the agencies have religious affiliations, they are not allowed to proselytize. The standard cooperative agreement between the Department of State and each of the domestic resettlement agencies specifies the goods and services that the agency must provide to each refugee. All together, the 10 domestic resettlement agencies have about 350 affiliates throughout the United States. Each agency headquarters stays in touch with the affiliates to monitor the resources (e.g., interpreters who speak various languages, the size and special features of available housing, the availability of schools with special services, medical care, English classes, counseling, etc.) that each affiliate’s community can offer.

As the cooperative agreement requires, all refugees are met at the airport upon arrival in the United States by someone from the sponsoring resettlement affiliate and/or a family member or friend. They are taken to their apartment, which has furnishings, appliances, climate-appropriate clothing and some of the food typical of the refugee’s culture. Shortly after arrival, refugees are helped to start their lives in the United States. This includes applying for a Social Security card, registering children in school, learning how to reach and use shopping facilities, arranging medical appointments and connecting with needed social or language services.

The Department of State’s Reception and Placement program provides assistance for refugees to settle in the United States. It supplies resettlement agencies a one-time sum of $1,800 per refugee to defray a refugee’s costs during the first few weeks. Most of these funds go toward the refugees’ rent, furniture, food, and clothing, as well as to pay the costs of agency staff salaries, office space and other resettlement-related expenses that are not donated or provided by volunteers.

Though the Department of State’s Reception and Placement program is limited to the first weeks after arrival, the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Refugee Resettlement works through the states and nongovernmental organizations to provide longer-term cash and medical assistance, as well as language and social services.

Refugees receive work authorization cards and are encouraged to become employed as soon as possible. Based on years of experience, the U.S. refugee resettlement program has found that people learn English and begin to function comfortably much faster if they start work soon after arrival. Most refugees begin in entry-level jobs, even if they have high-level skills or education. With time, many if not most refugees move ahead professionally and find both success and satisfaction in the United States.

After one year, refugees are expected to apply for permanent residence (commonly referred to as a green card) and, after five years in the United States, a refugee is eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship.

Can you imagine living a life of fear due to civil unrest and then fleeing that only sense of comfort despite the fear it evokes to resettle in a refugee camp in another country? Then, to relocate to a country so different than anything you’ve known with little time to adjust to culture shock, learn the language (many who are pre-literate and may never have held a pencil), learn cultural rules, apply for jobs, and then pay bills (some have never had electricity or other utilities now part of daily life)? I can’t. I can only thank God I don’t have to, and I also thank Him for this opportunity with which He has entrusted me to care for refugees and promote awareness as best I can.

Want to join me?

There are several ways you can partner:

Help raise awareness. Repost this link on your FB or other social media when there are updates.
Donate financially. We each have a goal of $765 each. Instructions for giving are on the right side of the blog in a column.
Pray for our team, refugees in the US and in camps throughout the world, and for our partner Create Common Good.
Donate needed items. [see list below]

Go out and rent “God Grew Tired of Us” [Netflix] to find out from perspectives of Sudanese refugees who relocated to the US. This documentary chronicles their journey from Somalia, to camp, and then to the US. You will be inspired and uplifted. Have a box of tissues handy and make sure to watch after the kids are in bed.

Items (farm supplies) needed by Create Common Good for adults:

socks
gloves
good work boots
warm coats
farm hats

With much love and thankfulness for you,

Danielle

First team meeting!

2011-07-09T12:16:00.000-07:00

Last night, we had our first official Idaho team meeting! I hope to post pictures soon of our team and what we are up to. For now, here's the team:

Josh and Claudia Vazquez along with their son Moises
Christy Egbert
Amy Getchel (Leader) along with her son Ian
Yoonjin Stovall along with her son Sammy
Me!

I have never been on a mission trip with kids on my actual team, but I'm excited to experience service through their eyes and learn as I watch them openly love the refugees with such childlike innocence. It reminds me of Jesus' love for the children in Matthew 19:14, "Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.'"

We have not yet set the budget as we are waiting on feedback from the organization. It will be between $500-1000.

As usual, specifics of the trip are up in the air, in "true missions style," but I know we will be providing for (financially) and assisting with a Community Festival in Boise on September 18th. The purpose of the event is 4-fold: to connect with the community, introduce the organization (Create Common Good), build partnerships, and allow the community to meet and hear from the refugees.

Can I tell you how excited I am!?!?!

Some of you have asked how to donate (Thank you!!) so I included a bar on the side with instructions. For some reason, it cut off the first letter of every word on the left side so it'll be a little like a puzzle to solve but I trust you all can conquer the challenge!

I also added a place (on the right side) where you can subscribe. That way, you'll get an email every time I post a new entry so please please follow so you won't miss a thing!

More Than Potatoes.....

2011-07-01T09:14:00.000-07:00

It has been a while since last posting. I feel like I’ve been on a roller coaster ride for the past 8 months. I’m glad to be off and have my equilibrium back (somewhat).

Many have already asked me “Are you going back to South Africa this year?” as that has been my summer plans for the past 4 years. Overseas did not feel right this year, no matter the location. I have been thinking about and have been questioned about my missions experiences lately. What have I learned? What has God been teaching me in South Africa through so many visits? I think the answers have started to form the past few months.

Overseas missions has taught me invaluable lessons for serving my neighbors state side. I believe that we often have to travel around the world to figure out how to see needs and serve here. We have to put ourselves in a state of discomfort and remove ourselves from our ethnocentric worlds to truly see the value in other opinions, cultures, and views on relationships. We have to be reliant on others “on their turf” to look deep within ourselves to be ready to serve on ours.

The biggest lessons I’ve learned that still permeate my daily routines and are ever present in my thoughts and habits have been these:

· Do not waste food – it’s scarce for so many. For me as a “foodie,” it is a fun past time and is always in plenty. For so many others, it is a necessity that doesn’t come often enough.

· Appreciate the little things. When I go to the gas station and see the fresh water in the bin for us to use for our dirty windshields, I think of so many in the world who don’t have clean water. Even the water that has been dirtied by the windshield cleaner is cleaner than a majority of the water people in other countries are relying upon for health. My heart aches a bit every time I pass a sprinkler, free flowing, just to make our grass greener and lawn prettier. I’m thankful that this still hurts and reminds me of how blessed we are here to be able to use water as needed for a variety of reasons.

· Live in the moment. One of my favorite memories in South Africa was in 2007 when we served soup at an elementary school on a cold and rainy day. By the end of the day, I was starving and freezing (I was getting the hungry “angries”—Ladies, you know this feeling), when one of the last boys came through the line. I gave him his 1 slice of white bread (which they lay on top of their cups and head out to eat). He was beaming and said enthusiastically “Can you imagine anything better than this?” At that moment as my own hunger rumbled, I couldn’t. Appreciate each moment for what it is and dwell in it. His image always comes to mind when I nestle in with a bowl of soup on a cold or rainy day.

· Invest in people and take time for relationship. This is the hardest one to put into practice. We are busy. Others are busy. How do we make this happen? It’s a daily struggle but one I’m committed to.

While investing in neighbors is an ongoing project, another area had taken root in my heart. Since I have overseas experience learning about others and because I’ve been the “outsider” and have so appreciated the kindness and hospitality of those who assisted me, I wanted to return the favor to international students or immigrants in this country. International students are not really in my line of path but I did have a connection that I could pursue for this opportunity. I can’t just approach immigrants to see if they need a happy smiley face welcoming them or a listening compassionate ear. I wasn’t sure what would happen but I had the feeling….I have pretty good intuition (well, really good) so I knew something was coming....

AND THEN IT DID!!

Recently, I went to a short term missions meeting at NewSong because I was helping, not going. I was sitting there listening to the list of usual countries we would be visiting when I heard “Boise” come up on the list. My attention was gained immediately. Seriously, Idaho? What’s there other than potatoes? Well, I found out that it one of the largest resettlement cities for refugees and that in 2010, the US authorized up to 80,000 refugees relocation. Once here, they receive assistance for less than a year and then are expected to be self sufficient. For someone who has never held a pencil and isn't literate, this must be scary. I can't imagine what one must have to process and learn.

Before this moment, I had never given much thought to refugees. I realized that this was my opportunity to return the favor to serve and show kindness to those displaced and struggling to find themselves in a new country. So, in September (13th-19th), in partnership with NewSong Church, a team of us will travel to Boise to partner with Create Common Good – www.createcommongood.org.

Create Common Good provides training and unemployment to refugees to others in need. More specific information regarding this organization will be provided in an upcoming post but you can click the link to take a look for yourselves. I had the honor of meeting the team and hearing their stories a few weeks ago, and I knew this was indeed my opportunity to serve “overseas” on this side in my own backyard.

Details will be coming soon regarding specific prayer requests and donation information should you decide to partner with us. In the meantime, think about and/or pray about how you may join this journey with me?

Afterthoughts...

2010-11-20T13:58:00.000-08:00

Now that I have been back 2.5 months, a few experiences and affirmations are constantly in the forefront of my mind and are continually processed on a daily basis. Some are very tangible while others are intangible or being processed or testing my ability to really take leaps of faith. It has been an interesting and exciting and frustrating return all combined into one.

One experience I won't forget is the day we ordered fish & chips for lunch and took it back to our guest house to eat. I always fear not having enough food so we ordered a little more than what we actually ate and we had no way to store the food so we reluctantly took it to dispose of it. The worker in the kitchen told us to just put it on the counter. We did so and went on about our day expecting that this was in her job description to clean up after us. A team member went back in to the kitchen to ask a question and saw the worker going through all the parcels taking out what was left to take home to her family. I don't think I have ever been leveled as much as I was on that day. I still think of that story on a daily basis. I like to think I'm a conscientious person but I can be wasteful when it comes to food. If you know me well, you know I always have tons of food left over at parties because I always fear "running out." I've definitely been better and I'm constantly trying to "reduce" and "reuse" as much as possible.

Another resounding theme was finding hope in despair. I went in to a few seemingly dark places--serving alongside the homeless, serving the prostitutes at night, going into the prison. While the circumstances were "dark," there was light in people's eyes that I didn't expect, a sign of hope--hope that their situation is temporary and will improve, a hope that someone sees them, a hope that God will redeem.

I think one of the best places I saw this faith in action was in the prison. I've always wanted to visit the prison but it was always something the guys did on the trips (if it was part of the schedule) because some prisons won't allow women in at all. Mqokeleli (pastor at Harvester, http://backtosa2010.blogspot.com/2010/11/where-did-we-attend-church.html) offered to take me to the prison with him so I jumped on the opportunity. I was scared at first as I had to lock up all my belongings and go in to such an unfamiliar environment, one that can easily invoke fear among women. This is not really "my cup of tea" so to speak even though I have wanted to go. The barrier was quickly dissolved as the men were very friendly. I was worried that the men would be silent since I was an outsider, a woman, and an American. The opposite occurred, and they opened up and shared many of their testimonies and how they wound up in prison and how they believed their lives were being transformed through Christ. I left with a better idea of how much I need to shift my perspective despite my circumstances.

As for as South Africa goes, I keep getting my annual questions "When will you go back?" or "When are you going back for good?" It has definitely brought me to a place to fully embrace God's plan for my life even if it sets me apart from others from a lifestyle or financial standpoint. I'm slowly trading the dreams I have/had for my life for His dreams as mine are surely limited. Who knows where this will take place, and I don't think I have to know right now.

One thread keeps weaving in and out of my life at opportune moments though. When I was at a Christian women's conference this summer, the one question that I took home was: I have been placed in this place, at this time, in this moment in history. Why? For what purpose? I often reflect on that. During one of my quiet times in SA, I was thinking about that and then opened a devotional book that I brought and decided to skip ahead breaking the intended order. These bullet points were in the side margin of the lesson which was titled "Submissive to the Lord's assignment:"

My life means more than the temporary
I live at this point in history for a reason
My existence is no mistake
I'm here for a purpose -- to fulfill my God-given role

I hadn't given this too much concentrated thought until this past week when it came back up during a morning conversation with my mom. We discussed this based on some personal things I'm working through. She doesn't know the history of this "thread." The next day, I received a card in the mail from her with this on the front (which had already been mailed from Mississippi and en route when we had our conversation about this topic):

You are not here by chance, but by God's choosing. His hand formed you and made you the person you are. He compares you to no one else-- you are one of a kind. He has allowed you to be here at this time in history to fulfull His special purpose for this generation.

The inside read:

You are God's servant in God's place at God's perfect time.

I'm a little scattered all over the place since my return as I'm processing next steps. However, I'm comforted by that affirmed message as it has recurred in the best of the worst of times. 'Nuf said.

That's it for now, folks. Thanks for keeping up with all my posts and random thoughts before, during and after the trip. We're all in this together.

With much love and gratitude.

solo week 3

2010-11-20T13:00:00.000-08:00

Every year that I go to South Africa, I think how I would love to stay longer and spend some time alone. I never end up making it happen. This year, I wasn't sure what would happen in the future with me regarding teams so I knew I had to make it happen this year--no excuses. After a little back and forth with staying, not staying, staying, not staying, I paid the price to extend my trip by one week and return the following Saturday from the time the team left.

This was the best decision I've made for many reasons--some to share and some to keep to myself for now.

What did I do?

spent a lot of time in quiet and reflection alone or at the MCM coffee shop
spent more 1:1 time with friends there
rode the train from Paarl to Cape Town for the day (no, this is not a train like Amtrak...)
celebrated Blom's birthday
served at Butterfly House
visited the men's prison with Mqokeleli & Portia

Where did I stay?
I stayed in the home of Andre & Ameaka Visser. I stayed in their flat below their house. They were the most gracious hospitable hosts. I felt like part of the Visser family by the time I left. Ameaka works for MCM and manages the coffee shop. She is also part of the group that goes out and serves the street women (http://backtosa2010.blogspot.com/2010/09/bringing-hope-to-streets.html). I can't say enough wonderful things about this family!

Pictures from the week:

breakfast at Proviant with Blom on my last morning in Paarl

Proviant

A Dream, respect for a language and culture, an Englishman who met, fell in love and married a local girl, and the crossing of pathways with a very special Mason family, is the story behind the story of Proviant.

Signature dishes are Bobotie Springrolls, Curried Tripe and trotters, Venison pie, Beef oxtail served with samp and beans, Masala crusted beef fillet, Deep fried Ice Cream and Cape Malay Milk tart.

On the menu you will find old friends like the farm breakfast, mixed grill, vetkoek, malva pudding and of course rusks and boeretroos.

calilillies that grew along the roads and ironically were a sign of renewal and beauty among some places of despair

Blom -- one of my favorite lady peeps

Luba -- one of my favorite man peeps

cappuccino

my blogging and emailing station with my favorite breakfast at the MCM coffee shop

Danielle and Luba
At Under Oaks pizzeria for Blom's birthday

Devona + Margeurite (Ameaka & Andre's daughter and my little sister for the week)

Marnelle (MCM host) and Margeurite

Ameaka & Andre Visser

Blom + Gary (MCM CEO/host)

Rayleen and Danielle

Lions, giraffes, zebras & buffalo, oh my!

2010-11-20T11:53:00.000-08:00

Every year, MCM plans for us to go on a safari toward the end of our trip. This is a nice time and beautiful opportunity in which to rest and debrief as well as sort through emotions and experiences before heading home. A couple staff members usually accompany us. This year, Blom & Rayleen, went with us. It was Rayleen's first safari so we had a lot of fun with her!

The safari is something we are all excited for and greatly anticipate for months until we are on site..when things change. Team members often feel guilty about going especially after spending days among immense poverty and with people who live there but have not been able to afford going themselves. Feelings of guilt arise because we are using time and money for ourselves that we could be giving to a ministry. [Remember, all sightseeing expenses are personally funded...no supporter money is used].

Because I have gone to SA with new people each year, I have been on a safari 4 times. It's hard to complain about that, right?! Poor me, I have been dragged on 4 safaris. I've come to see the safari as something very different than the first year. I, too, felt twinges of guilt that first year.

However, I have come to realize that the safari is an important part of the spiritual journey that we embark upon well before we step on/off the plane in South Africa. This is the time we can be swept away and marvel at God's creation. Seeing the sun rise and set over vast expanse filled with incredible free roaming animals is indescribable.

It's also a time for God to be able to reward a faithful servant with rest and quiet messages whispering "well done" and "enjoy this time I've given you for I have put you in this place at this time."

This year, our team closed out our trip with a debrief before leaving the safari site for the airport. Want to see where we went? Visit: www.aquilasafari.com.

"For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse." Romans 1:20

dusk

pool with the elephants and a drive in close view

Aquila game reserve + our ride

where Susan + I bunked

Danielle + Rayleen

Danielle + Janet on a "pit stop"

Blom and Danielle

baboons we saw on the way to the safari

the part that scares me

ready to go!

"Are we out of the lion's den yet?"

Susan & I were scared to be parked among all the lions, with the vehicle turned OFF

Where did we attend church?

2010-11-20T11:31:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite parts of each year is attending church in the communities we serve. We sometimes attend different churches, sometimes 2 per day, but we always attend Harvester in Mbekweni.

Because of my frequent visits and continued relationship with several church members, this church has become my 2nd church home and an extended family. The pastor, Mquokeleli and his wife Nosipho, are very dear and lead this church along with several up and coming youth leaders who I have had the pleasure to see grow over the past few years. [To further make the connections, their son is Luba who is in a recent post.."Finding my niche in South Africa" from a Sept. post regarding our project at Boland School for Autism].

We usually attend church on both Sundays during our 2 week stay but due to arriving a day later than usual on Sunday morning, we only had one available Sunday.

Portia

Andisiwe + Yonda

Nosipho + Mqokeleli

Butterfly House 8/12, 8/19, 8/24

2010-11-20T09:23:00.000-08:00

One of the best projects in which to be involved yearly is spending time at Butterfly House. Butterfly House is a community center working to care for families with HIV/AIDS and other long term illness. More information about Butterfly House will be at the bottom of the post after pictures.

The team and I went on 8/12 and 8/19. We divided into groups so half could work with the adults while the other half played with the children with plans to switch the following week.

On the first day, I worked with the adults. I think the word that summed up the experience for us was "awkward." We felt like more of a nuisance because we couldn't speak the languages of the women we were working with. We were all a bit out of our comfort zones for sure and kept giving each other that "What do we do now?" look.

On the other day we played with the children and helped them with their school activities and eating lunch. A few experiences stick out the most when remembering our time at Butterfly House.

The first was a story of a precious child whose mother sold her for R400 for alcohol for the weekend. That is about $57 for us. When you meet her, your heart breaks more. She has the most outgoing personality and is one that everyone immediately gravitates to when they enter the room....a parent's dream for a child.

During my 3rd week, I spent one morning at Butterfly House. At lunch, the kids were given a different meal than they usually eat, as evidenced by the disgusted looks on their faces. I think most of them ate enough to kill the hunger but left some food on the plates. One child, however, ate his meal so quickly which really grabbed my attention compared to the other kids' paces. When he finished, he began eating what was left in other kids' bowls. With the "after lunch chaos" that ensued, some of the bowls were knocked over littering "samp & beans" all over the floor. Forget about the "5 second rule" we have, the "hungry boy" began eating what fell on the floor as well. At that moment, I almost lost it. I turned to the teacher and commented on the situation. She said that earlier when he got to school, he told her he was hungry and that they didn't have any food at home.

I couldn't shake that experience for a while and it still is fresh in my mind. Sometimes at work when I get hungry for a morning snack, I try to let the hunger go a little longer to really feel the hunger pangs as a reminder to think of and pray for all those people in the world who feel this the majority of the day or week. It is hard to relate because I know that I have a snack or meal within arm's distance or in the near future.

I used to think hunger sucked but didn't really realize the global ramifications from hunger beyond the nutritional standpoint. For me, I have low blood sugar so if I don't have snacks, you'll hear "timber!" I've got a few scars to show it. Think of how hard it is to concentrate when we are "starving" by middle class American standards. If I had been born in a different part of the world with little access to food and snacks at my disposal, I would not have been able to concentrate or make it through school thus reducing my ability to learn and later my earning potential.

Malnutrition compromises the body in so many ways. In an attempt to converse energy, the body compensates by slowing down physical and mental processes. A hungry mind cannot focus. A starving person does not have the strength to work. A child who hungers loses the ability to learn and the desire to play. Mothers who survive childbirth do not produce enough milk to sustain infants. Brain development in children is stunted, leaving mental impairments. The immune system becomes compromised leaving both children and adults vulnerable to a host of illnesses and diseases. (The Hole in Our Gospel, Richard Stearns)

A few statistics:

1 in 4 children in developing countries is underweight
~350-400 million children are hungry
1 in 7 people worldwide do not have enough food to sustain them
a child dies every 4 seconds from hunger-related causes
~25000 people die yearly from hunger or hunger-related causes

The cycle is viscous -- the poor are hungry, and their hunger keeps them poor.
What is worse? The world can and does produce enough food to feed everyone.

What is something easy you can do that doesn't require money and requires very little time??

www.thehungersite.com

Open the link and click on "click here to give" and with each one click, you give 1.1 cup of food to the hungry. You can also shop here for Christmas gifts.

For those of you that donated Barbies and books, they went here. The books went in to the classroom to fill many empty shelves, and they got immediate use! The kids loved them and brought them to use to read. The Barbies and accessories went in the play room where they do therapy with the children.

Here are some pictures from Butterfly House:

he picked a book mid way through putting them on the shelves

filling up the bookshelves with your donations

sorting supplies

the smallest of helpers putting away the new books

Me + a volunteer's grandchild

A little more information about Butterfly House:

BUTTERFLY HOUSE MISSION STATEMENT
To manage a palliative community resource of mutual care and support, which focuses on ‘living’ with life-threatening and life-limiting illnesses.

VISION
Quality holistic care; for the community, in the community, with the community.

Butterfly House is the venue for the Drakenstein Palliative Hospice Day Care Programmes. It is situated in Fairyland, an informal (now becoming more formal) settlement between Paarl and Wellington.

Butterfly House was established in partnership with Ivar Koteng & Nina Glad from Trondheim in Norway (supported by friends, family & staff), Familievernkontoret i Sǿr-trǿndelag, Paarl Round Table, Drakenstein Palliative Hospice, Monte Christo Ministries, Dianna Princess of Wales Memorial Fund, HPCA, Pepfar and many other Private Individuals and Community Members and Businesses (see list under Funders).

Butterfly House aims to provide services, often in partnership with other organisations, which will add to the quality of life of patients, their families (infected and affected) and others made vulnerable through neglect, abuse, malnutrition, substance abuse, extreme poverty and illness.

Participation with the Butterfly House activities is guided by the following beneficiary priorities:
a) patients
b) family of patients and then
c) vulnerable community members

The groups are restricted to 20 in order to promote quality care

Butterfly House provides the following services:

Adult & Young Adult Care

a) Adult Day care programmes
Mondays: Craft Job Creation Group
Tuesdays: Carers Support Group
Wednesday: Medical Day Care
Thursday: Psycho-social Day Care

b) Young Adult Programmes
5 days a week: Young Men: The programme includes daily psycho-social support group, food provision, gardening and cleaning the community project, Butterfly United Soccer Team, Drama, A Healthy Living Education programme, including highlighting appropriate gender, ethics and justice attitudes and values. Job creation activities are attended by some of the group members.
1 day a week: Young Women: This programme is focussed of Healthy Living, Life Skills and empowerment of women through highlighting appropriate gender, ethics and justice attitudes and values.
Youth Day Care Programmes

a) After School Home-work club supervised by a teacher and Youth Workers
b) Individual Tuition: Teacher, maths teacher and other teacher volunteers
c) Life-skills programme: Presented by staff, peer educators and other partners
d) Job skills: Crafting, catering and computer skills
e) Recreational activities: Ballroom dancing, street dancing, drama, choir, poetry and youth clubs
f) Individual sessions: Provided by a psychologist, play therapist, play aunties, social worker & teachers
Pre-school (up to 9 years) Programmes
3 morning groups: School readiness, life skill and healthy living activities for infected and affected as well as other vulnerable children
3 afternoon groups: School readiness activities for infected and affected as well as other vulnerable children
Individual play sessions with play auntie
Individual play therapy sessions on referral
Recreational activities: choir, drama, games, crafts

Each week runs according to a holistic theme emphasizing either physical, social, emotional, cultural, spiritual and education aspects of care. Each programme aims to be conducted in a holistic manner with particular value attributed to gender, ethics and justice issues.

Time at the TB hospital 8/16/2010

2010-10-22T13:58:00.000-07:00

On Monday August 16, we spent the morning at Sonstraal, the TB hospital. Upon arrival, the guys and girls divided into separate groups to serve the men and women.

The women helped the volunteers, who already go their weekly, with a craft project for the women. The women made necklaces with beads and crosses. While they were making their jewelry, Jennifer (from our team) did a devotional. Marnelle (our host) took all the babies that were currently in the hospital outside for some fresh air and we took turns assisting her.

A portion of your financial donations assisted this facility directly. The nice new table that you will see in pictures being used by the women was purchased as a donation from Rotary in Paarl. However, the facility did not have transportation available to bring the tables to the hospital. From our donation, MCM donated the money to cover the fuel for transporting the tables.

For those of you who donated yarn & needles, some of those items will be given to the women in this facility so that they can knit. The rest of the yarn will be kept by MCM and rationed out among the various ministries.

I have been to Sonstraal before, but I don't remember ever seeing as many "frail" women as this year. A couple women appeared to be very weak but were luckily assisted with coming outside on the patio so that they could participate in the craft activity.

Below are some pictures of the women crafting and us with the women and children.

Dianne with Pam, one of the weekly volunteers

Fun in Cape Town

2010-10-17T20:49:00.000-07:00

On Sunday after attending Harvester Church, we headed out to Cape Town. We began at Greenmarket Square for some lunch and souvenier shopping. We then took the cable car up to the top of Table Mountain (at that time, now being voted on to be one of the 7 wonders of the world). We finished the day off with dinner at Gold Restaurant (www.goldrestaurant.co.za). At Gold, you get to try a sample of several dishes. Afterward, you can order more of what you like.

Below are pictures of the dishes we tried and a description of food and the country from which it is known.

entertainment

South African malva pudding with custard (one of my favorite things to eat each year!)

cote d'ivoire fruit platter

Gharnaian groundnut chicken (Ghana)

South African rooibos nectarines: a mix of savory & sweet, sun-dried nectarines poached in a light syrup made with rooibos

Nigerian mixed salad

Cameroon morogo: morogo is the collective term given to a group of edible plants in Africa, including spinach and it is a distinguishing feature of rural African diets. In Cameroon, it is made with red and yellow peppers, tomatoes, and a hint of chillies.

Algerian saffron couscous with fresh mint and raisins

Nigerian corn & beans

Bobotie--spiced, minced meat baked with savory custard topping. This restaurant used ostrich meat. *thumbs down on this dish*

Cameroon baked fish: fresh fish marinated in parsley, coriander, and limes then baked and served with a green herb mayonnaise.

Algerian briouats: phylo pastries filled with meat
Briouats mean "small letter" in Arabic

Algerian kefta kebabs: complimented by yogurt dahl

Cote D'Ivoire oven baked yams with edible gold crust and Eastern spices

South African spiced tomato soup (flavored with pounded green chillies, garlic & ginger) with Xhosa corn pot bread

the menu

street view of restaurant

Cleaning the sports field 8/14/10

2010-10-17T15:34:00.000-07:00

One Saturday, we teamed up with the homeless ministry to clean the sports field. The MCM sports park is an avenue to reach the surrounding communities and provide an alternative to gangs, etc.

We picked up trash on the premises and then hung out with some of the children of various ages who were playing on teams that day.

At one break, we handed out the muffins provided by the MCM food center (see previous post regarding muffins--one muffin provides all the nutrients a child needs in one day).

we made the local newspaper

the kids thought Peter looked like Bruce Lee so why not have fun with it? He taught them some moves...

Me + Jacques, who is in charge of this ministry

with Cathy and Gary + Marnelle (MCM hosts)

Working at the food center 8/11/10

2010-10-17T15:10:00.000-07:00

One afternoon, we went to the MCM food center to help bag and package rusks. Rusks are similar to our biscotti--hard, dry biscuits that are typically eaten after being dunked into tea or coffee.

The food center serves many purposes within the community. The food center makes and sells the soup that we usually serve while there, bread, rusks, and meals for schools.

We alternated "duties." Some of us put the rusks in a bag while others sat at a sealant machine and sealed the individual packages. Others packed the rusks in a box (100 packages per box) and the rest sealed the boxes for shipping. These particular orders of rusks were going to a hospital for the patients.

We all scored a bag of rusks for our work. We also got to try a muffin that was recently developed to help provide nutrition for the children in the community. Each muffin has all the nutrients a child needs in one day. If the child only gets that muffin to eat in a day, at least he/she has the needed nutrients to stay healthy/healthier.

at the coffee shop with Aletia, the manager of the food center

teamwork

packing boxes

rusks to be packaged

sealing the packages

empty cans of sardines

sardines cooking for a meal for the schools

Nantes: our home away from home

2010-10-17T13:21:00.000-07:00

So, every year we stay in the house bought by MCM to house short term teams. This year, we were unable to stay there as another volunteer organization had rented out the house for the entire summer--a financial benefit for MCM. Blom searched around for us and found some options, and we settled on Nantes-Vue Guest House. Johan & Sarina Human own this lovely lovely lovely B & B, and we are so glad we wound up here.

We loved staying here. Johan & Sarina, along with their children, were so hospitable. We felt like part of the family instead of guests. They made us traditional South African dishes, including throwing a braai for us one night (SA version of our BBQ). A few nights, we stayed up late chatting in the kitchen comparing stories and cultures. We learned so much about culture from them. As you can see from the pictures, they put so much love and time into the dishes. These were the most photographed dishes one has ever eaten--the presentation was too lovely to just be eaten.

I can't wait to go back and stay here. If you are in the area on vacation (which you should because it is wine country after all), then you should consider staying here a night or two, or longer.

Visit www.nantes-paarl.co.za for more information.

the pup taking a look out from the window

the braai

kitchen area where we had all of our meals

John Lee & Melissa Human

lamb & braai sandwiches

traditional side dishes for the braai

Visiting the creche

2010-09-25T09:25:00.000-07:00

One of my most favorite days was on Monday August 16. We had on the schedule to do a “soup kitchen” at the crèche in Mbekweni. I was so excited about this because I love this community (Black/Xhosa). Providing soup kitchens, or serving soup and bread, is always so fun and a favorite part of each trip for me. This particular crèche was etched in my recent memory as a group of us just organized a fundraiser/project for Cargo of dreams, the organization that provided this building [in response to reactions from reading The Hole in Our Gospel].

Little did I know, I would be surprised as well on this day! (Thanks Blom & Nancy) When we got there, the kids were outside playing. We joined in, and after they sang to us for a while, we taught them to play “Duck Duck Goose.” When it was time to eat, we went in but I didn’t see any soup. Marnelle, our host, told me that we weren’t serving soup. In fact, the money we donated as a project (thanks to YOU supporters!!) went to provide a better meal for them and we too would be eating with them. Nancy prepared traditional Xhosa dishes for us to try and explained each to us before we served ourselves. Another surprise was around the corner as a mother of one of the children came in wearing traditional clothing, and Nancy explained the clothing and how marriage works/difference in dress. If you know me, you know I love this kind of thing! I love knowing the “local” customs and being in the mix.

I thought my ears weren’t processing well when someone mentioned beer. Behold, there was another surprise around the corner. Nancy walked us through the community and we went over to learn about the beer made and drank in the community. Also, if you know me, you know how I feel about beer too! The mom who came in her traditional dress went with us and demonstrated how this beer drinking is done when you visit a family (What a cool mom, right?!?!). When you visit a family, beer is offered to you. She kneeled down on both knees and sipped from the bucket. Yep, bucket….community bucket. Well, some of you know how I feel about drinking after people…..None of us actually tried the beer. I think we were all waiting on another to initiate, and then we lost our chance (next time...). We moved on to the shack behind this house. In this shack, the beer is made so we watched a woman go through some of the steps.

Unfortunately our time was up when we left the shack as we had other places to be next. This event will go down as one of my all time favorite South Africa memories from all the years.

The kids at this place are all so adorable! One of my friends had donated a couple bags of toddler sized t-shirts from her company. This wasn’t initially on the list of items needed so it was wonderful that she thought of this because we donated them to the crèche. The sizes were perfect for these kids. Thanks Heather! You can support her by shopping for fun kids’ gifts online at http://www.nurseryrhymetease.com/nursery_rhyme_tease_books.html.

For more information on Cargo of Dreams and to watch a video on how they convert containers into schools and medical clinics, please visit www.cargoofdreams.org.

Here are pictures from the day -- again, they are out of order and I'm too tired to rearrange. =)

pumpkin

tripe stew

samp

outside the beer shack. I like this picture because you can see the train going by in the background. My friend Luba and I rode the train to Cape Town during my 3rd week, something I always wanted to do. It wasn't Amtrak but I loved it more.

The shack where the beer is made

the "brewmaster" making beer

what men do best....(j/k guys)

the beer -- I prefer mine in a bottle

nap time

I loved this boy in the Ghana shirt...soooo cute!

lining up to wash hands before lunch

games & songs

Nancy + our team

serving lunch

the preschool, or "creche," made from converted containers. See www.cargoofdreams.org

a few of the cute t-shirts donated by Heather--get on her website and buy some!

My niche in South Africa

2010-09-19T18:34:00.000-07:00

On Friday August 13, we took part in a project that is very close to my heart. I learned about Boland School for Autism when I returned from South Africa in November 2009. I always joked that if an Autism school opened, I’d be back immediately…for good. The school needed some assistance and reached out to Monte Christo as I was already asking if there was something we could do for them while I was there so a divine appointment was soon made and they wound up on our agenda.

From the US side, I collected so many donations through parents at work. Every year, the parents from my work, Cornerstone Therapies, are generous enough to bring anything I’m taking that year for donation. This year was the same as always, with many parents soliciting information about donations, before I even posted the needs. It has become a “yearly” project for many—including parents who no longer come to Cornerstone. Plus, this year it was close to their hearts as well. The majority of my clients fall somewhere on the Autism Spectrum Disorder and in CA we are lucky enough to have therapy services funded through Regional Center at no charge to the parents. This year, parents brought school and art supplies for Boland including paint, crayons, construction paper, scissors, play-do, and wind-up toys (+ a lot of other things).

Boland School is new so government funding does not yet exist. The school, including the teacher’s salary, runs on donations. They now meet in rooms in a church in Paarl. I met the teacher, Alicia, a few days before the team went to the school. The greatest need was for the 2 classrooms to be painted so we met at a local paint store to pick out the colors together.

When we drove up to the school, I was filled with excitement. This was my “niche.” Three of the four enrolled children were on site (one was out sick) and greeted us at the gate. One of the boys, the “social butterfly and ham,” took me to the first room. My eyes immediately filled with tears at the size and look of the rooms. We had our work cut out for us! Two of the church’s rooms are used as classrooms– the “blue” class and the “orange” class which were a drab neutral shade with run down wood furniture in the rooms serving as dividers which divided each class into 2 sections. Each section was for a different purpose—work, exercise, eating, etc.

The team quickly began working on the blue room. I recalled how Alicia really wanted some bulletin boards for teaching and posting visual schedules so a couple of us headed to a local office store in search of those. We found the perfect boards in differing sizes, and the store gave us a discount on them. When we returned, the blue room was finished and we began the orange room. We finished about 5pm and headed out tired but satisfied.

We were lucky enough to have Luba serving with us on this day. Many of you know Luba from previous trips. For those who don’t, Luba is a former MCM staff member that I initially met in 2007 and look forward to catching up with every year I’m back. He has an amazing heart and unbelievable insights to share.

On a final note: The school has a website with a wish list of items, including those we took with us. They also need funding for another teacher. Please visit: http://www.bolandautism.org.za/wishlist for more information on how you may be able to help.

Here are some pictures from the day: (sorry, the pix got all out of order during the upload)

lunch break -- we tried McDonald's -- its the same grease all the way over there!

painting the orange room

painting the blue room

the orange room BEFORE

the blue room BEFORE

the teachers, kids + us

orange class AFTER

blue class AFTER

some of the donations from the parents at Cornerstone

We replaced the worn out backpack hooks with this cute ones

Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) in Afrikaans. I teach this system to some of my kids at work!

Luba