We are all pilgrims and strangers on earth. We know that, don't we? Sometimes I think though I forget that when I am among "my own"those who are so familiar.
But take one who has left his home few times and doesn't know all the manmade rules for entering into another's country. That has been Albert and his wife Priscilla's experience. They left Monrovia, Liberia to embark on a journey of study across their continent in Kenya. Priscilla, with a Nigerian passport got into the country. Albert didn't have his documents in correct order. He was first detained at the airport for a day or two, and now they have returned him to his home country. He will miss the first few days of class.
I am thankful for Joseph. Joseph is a Kenyan EAFC alumnus. He is MUCH more than that to me. He's the trip planner for my upcoming trip in October. He's my friend, and now he has been reaching out to Albert. It was Joseph a complete stranger that Albert called in his hour of need. This is a good example of how the EAFC family is supposed to work and how I pray it continue to develop with many, many from every tribe and tongue loving on those IN THE FAMILY of THE KING.
Join me, please, in praying for a quick solution to Albert's problem and for the unexpected funds to handle this wrinkle in their plans. Pray, too, for Priscilla, in a strange land without even her husband.
I
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Eaves dropping on important conversation
Sorry someone came to see me.
(Chat continues)
WOP means Women Od Purpose, a movement that we believe is going to catch fire emphasizing the return to dignity for women throughout the world that they were crested to have-----you will read about that below
The person just left, sorry Prof.
I want you to send me the form, the registration for and the reporting form
Prof. V, you will return to Liberia. I will be praying for that to happen and I'm available if you need any help to arrange your visit.
(Ruth Paye started the first WOP chapter in Liberia
Ruth Paye and the women that God is using you to minister to through WOP will host you
Are you there? ( I wasn't on Facebook at that point in the dialogue)
( read the rest of his comments. He is praying; Let us join him)
You know what, people here don't understand what life is in Africa Prof. And I don't think it is because you are an American that they don't want to listen. We need to continue to pray that God will move hearts here to be willing to make a difference in people's lives.
You are doing so well and EAFC is on my prayer list.
(Chat continues)
WOP means Women Od Purpose, a movement that we believe is going to catch fire emphasizing the return to dignity for women throughout the world that they were crested to have-----you will read about that below
The person just left, sorry Prof.
I want you to send me the form, the registration for and the reporting form
Prof. V, you will return to Liberia. I will be praying for that to happen and I'm available if you need any help to arrange your visit.
(Ruth Paye started the first WOP chapter in Liberia
Ruth Paye and the women that God is using you to minister to through WOP will host you
Are you there? ( I wasn't on Facebook at that point in the dialogue)
( read the rest of his comments. He is praying; Let us join him)
You know what, people here don't understand what life is in Africa Prof. And I don't think it is because you are an American that they don't want to listen. We need to continue to pray that God will move hearts here to be willing to make a difference in people's lives.
You are doing so well and EAFC is on my prayer list.
Facing Cultural Blindspots
All is not well here, but even poor people here live better one thousand times than people in Liberia
The preceding comment was copied from a "chat" I had with a dear friend visiting our country for the first time. He's been here over a month now, long enough to GET HOMESICK for his wife and daughter.
It's hard for us Americans to visualize homesickness for a world reported to have so many needs. And having lived there for two months, I attest to the fact that the perception of NEED is very accurate.
My friend visited a dentist today for the FIRST TIME IN HIS LIFE. Now, there's a real example of need, isn't it?
He told me about all the PLENTY he's seen, every kind of food one could want and yet people aren't thankful I asked him if "those people" were Christians or just "people in general". Thankfully, he told me it was "people in general."
And YET, I wonder if we Christians are blinded too having had SOOOO much our entire lives that we just take it all for granted.
I know I DID before my two months in Liberia and I have lived in another country in Africa and have made many, many trips to the continent. Before Liberia, however, I'd never faced inability to get basic vegetables that were a part of my staple diet.
Will my gratitude continue? I HOPE SO! I want to be profoundly changed by interaction with my friends who share their hearts with me.
It is SO important that we value one another, realizing that we really do have cultural blindspots that God wants to uncover.
The preceding comment was copied from a "chat" I had with a dear friend visiting our country for the first time. He's been here over a month now, long enough to GET HOMESICK for his wife and daughter.
It's hard for us Americans to visualize homesickness for a world reported to have so many needs. And having lived there for two months, I attest to the fact that the perception of NEED is very accurate.
My friend visited a dentist today for the FIRST TIME IN HIS LIFE. Now, there's a real example of need, isn't it?
He told me about all the PLENTY he's seen, every kind of food one could want and yet people aren't thankful I asked him if "those people" were Christians or just "people in general". Thankfully, he told me it was "people in general."
And YET, I wonder if we Christians are blinded too having had SOOOO much our entire lives that we just take it all for granted.
I know I DID before my two months in Liberia and I have lived in another country in Africa and have made many, many trips to the continent. Before Liberia, however, I'd never faced inability to get basic vegetables that were a part of my staple diet.
Will my gratitude continue? I HOPE SO! I want to be profoundly changed by interaction with my friends who share their hearts with me.
It is SO important that we value one another, realizing that we really do have cultural blindspots that God wants to uncover.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Livingasawomen.wordpress.com
When I taught in Liberia, Vicki was my first housemate. She's an exceptional woman, therefore I share with you the blog that she has begun. I think it is timely and well done. It will be added to bi-monthly so no one will be overloaded with updates.
I believe that what she is doing ties in nicely with what EAFC is trying to do as we establish Women of Purpose chapters (WOP) In October we'll be talking with women in Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda and see if there is interest among those we visit. Already we have a registered chapter in Liberia with talk of several more. U.S. sister chapters are really wanted.
WOP desires to be FOCUSED and yet FLEXIBLE. No two chapters will look a like. They make "their own rules." Centering life around God and His will for our lives will be the FOCUS.
Will you pray and contribute to our efforts? Hope Vicki can teach me how to make commenting on this site as easy as it was for me to comment at hers. Anyone else got any ideas how to help me?
I believe that what she is doing ties in nicely with what EAFC is trying to do as we establish Women of Purpose chapters (WOP) In October we'll be talking with women in Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda and see if there is interest among those we visit. Already we have a registered chapter in Liberia with talk of several more. U.S. sister chapters are really wanted.
WOP desires to be FOCUSED and yet FLEXIBLE. No two chapters will look a like. They make "their own rules." Centering life around God and His will for our lives will be the FOCUS.
Will you pray and contribute to our efforts? Hope Vicki can teach me how to make commenting on this site as easy as it was for me to comment at hers. Anyone else got any ideas how to help me?
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