tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11640437622507629982024-03-05T03:34:03.142-05:00Life As A Clay JarSharla M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06248810823104947450noreply@blogger.comBlogger318125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1164043762250762998.post-2965833485935392712015-01-13T08:33:00.000-05:002015-01-13T08:40:42.320-05:00The Power of the TinyI am small... by myself, I am insignificant, unnoticeable, powerless... but when you put me with others like, or similar to me, I can hold the power of life and death.<br />
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Think for a minute about the power of the tiny... a small seed grows into a giant oak tree... a raindrop by itself cannot water a flower, but trillions of raindrops can flood and destroy the very things that need it for life... A snowflake is harmless, but billions of snowflakes can become an avalanche and cause massive destruction... I could go on an on, all around us the tiny, the insignificant have great power and the tremendous potential for destruction when combined with each other.<br />
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So now, think about a letter... by itself, harmless (except for maybe the letter I, it has plenty of destructive power on its own)... but back to my thought... letters form words, words form sentences and sentences can change lives.
Proverbs 18:21 says, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits."<br />
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Words have power... think of the gossip, the bully, the words most of us have probably spoken in anger and wished we could somehow stuff back into our mouths. Words can be like a sword, when thrust into the heart of another, they can cause tremendous damage. Healing can come, but rarely is the scar completely wiped away.<br />
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Recently I have watched the destruction of gossip and my heart is deeply convicted of the times when I know I have gossiped or listened to gossip. My wise friend said, "Gossip is power." Funny, but it made me think of the candy Pop Rocks.<br />
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Pop rocks are tiny pieces of sugar and corn syrup infused with carbon dioxide and when you put them in your mouth, they explode. They're fun for a minute, you might even think they taste good, but to continue the enjoyment, you have to keep putting them in your mouth.<br />
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Gossip (and bullying) are like Pop Rocks... it's fun, it's powerful because the gossiper knows something that others don't, but it only lasts for a moment and to feed the enjoyment and power of it, you have to keep doing it. (Thankfully Pop Rocks can't hurt us or our kids, I ate a ton of them growing up!)<br />
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But gossip can hurt.
It betrays trust. It can bring pain to another who is probably already hurting. There is nothing... NOTHING... beneficial about gossip. I don't think all gossip is malicious, I do think sometimes we share something out of concern, but no matter what the motivation, gossip can cause great harm.<br />
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In 2015, I resolve to be careful of my words. If it's not my story to share, then I won't talk about it unless I have permission. That's the easier part (Keeping my mouth closed)... but I also resolve to not listen to gossip (that's where I'll need the courage to stand up and call it what it is). And if you hear me starting to gossip, please call me on it! The satisfaction those few moments might bring are just not worth the sour taste that gets left in my mouth and it's DEFINITELY not worth the pain I have seen it cause another.<br />
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And just so I could be sure I understood what gossip is, here is a definition from Merriam-Webster online, "Information about the behavior and personal lives of other people." Pretty simple and it's definitely things I have NO business talking about.<br />
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Proverbs 16:24, "Gracious words are like honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body." May my words be seasoned with grace this year.Sharla M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06248810823104947450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1164043762250762998.post-47984110767570719142013-08-09T10:12:00.001-04:002013-08-09T10:15:16.646-04:00Out Of My "Comfort" ZoneI hesitated to tell this story because I was afraid anyone considering a trip to Africa might be 'scared' off if you thought you had to do this, but let me just say, you are free to say 'no' to anything you just can't stand the idea of doing... So I could have said 'no'... But...<br />
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It was the day we were out in the community around Project Canaan (PC), serving the families of the people who work at PC, and others in their community who were in need. We had planted the garden of the sister I told you about earlier, <a href="http://thehandsofthepotter.blogspot.com/2013/07/a-hug-from-heaven.html" target="_blank">A Hug From Heaven</a>, and now we were going to work at the home of a single mom.<br />
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Her home was in a pretty remote location, so we reached a point in our journey when we had to get out of our nice comfortable Quantam, it's a van, and all pile into the back of a pick-up truck to go off-roading! I think a vehicle had passed that way before, but it was the bumpiest ride I've ever taken... and the most fun too! (There is a country girl just bustin' to get out of this southern city girl!)<br />
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So we arrived at the home to find we had a lot of prep work to finish before we could plant the garden. We grabbed our rakes and the guys grabbed the pick axes (I think that's what you call them) and we got to work. At one point I stopped to rest for a minute (big mistake) and A. from PC, one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet said, "You need to go into the manure pen and get some cow dung." <br />
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Now I have a history of misunderstanding what people say to me whose first language is not English (I am NOT good with language), so I smiled, pretended to misunderstand him, and got back to work... ASAP!! I was really hoping he'd mysteriously forget (or find someone else) and I'd be off the hook.<br />
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But no... a little bit later my friend S and I took a break and we were chatting (silly girls)... A. came over to us and said, "Take the seedlings out of the tub and go into the manure pen and fill it with cow dung." I said, "A., is there a shovel?" He said, "No, use your arms, scoop it, scoop it!" S. and I looked at each other, our eyes big as wagon wheels, shrugged and said 'ok'. I think we were in shock... surely we had entered another dimension... two southern city girls were going to scoop cow dung?! And then we started laughing... and we couldn't stop!<br />
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Thankfully A. must have realized he had asked the wrong girls and he sent another one of the PC guys to help us. We raked (ok, I raked and S. who had gloves, scooped with something we found laying on the ground) and the PC guy scooped it into the tub with his hands! For those who will know to ask the question, "Was it dried or fresh?" It was both!<br />
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Of course I yelled for my mom to come get a picture... I needed proof for Scott, and for myself too, for when I emerged through the rabbit hole... or the wardrobe... or whatever would take me back to my comforts I've become far too accustomed to... <br />
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We filled the tub and even managed to spread it in the garden, but I have to admit, I was a little ashamed a few minutes later... A. didn't send us back to refill the tub, instead a child, probably not more than 10-12, came walking up with a big flour sack that they had filled with cow dung, and emptied it into our tub for us. <br />
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I am such a soft woman... I know it's 'city life'... the culture I live in... but I can't stand that doing things their way... is such a novelty to me... I hate that bugs scare me... I hate that the thought of a snake freaks me out... and I hate that standing in a manure pen (with all of its smells) grosses me out.<br />
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A friend of mine (another S.) wrote last year that his comforts are an idol to him... I have thought about that all year... and it was so real to me on this trip. I did my best to 'suck it up' and experience everything, but I really did feel like a visitor from another dimension. And there were things I couldn't let myself fully enjoy because of the things I was afraid of... <br />
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I am thankful for my comforts and I am blessed to have them... But I need to find a way to stop letting the absence of them limit me (like what to do when you're in a country that has no Orkin man)... I have no idea how to make that happen, so I'll just start with praying about it... (Ugh... I wonder if that will turn out to be like praying for patience?!) <br />
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I guess we'll just have to see what happens... Who knows, maybe I'll find that country girl in me yet and learn to be a little more like the women who are quickly becoming my heroes... some of the women of Swaziland who are fearlessly, hard workers. Women who don't complain, but just do... Women whose joy overflows, and their trust in God is unshakeable, no matter what the circumstances are... Maybe in part because comfort is not an idol to them! Sharla M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06248810823104947450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1164043762250762998.post-83807577263861078352013-08-07T00:05:00.000-04:002013-08-07T01:36:22.001-04:00Still Pondering...My dad called me yesterday and wondered what happened to the rest of my stories (yes, I love that he was still looking for them!)... I didn't mean to drop off the face of the planet, but I got really sick when I got home. I thought I was getting better, but then fever and a nasty respiratory infection hit me like a truck and I just haven't felt like doing much of anything...<br />
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That... And, for some reason, this trip is sitting really close to my heart... I've always loved Luke 2:19... It's after Jesus is born, the shepherds have come and Mary must be caught in a whirlwind of emotions, it says, "But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart." Everyone is talking about what has happened, but Mary is keeping everything close. I wonder if she was turning the events over and over in her mind, letting the fullness of them touch the deep places of her soul? When I let things touch me that deeply, those are the things that change me...<br />
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And that was this trip for me... There are memories... pictures that are permanently etched in my mind... on my heart... To some they might not seem like a big deal, but for me, it was God in the whispers... I still want to tell some stories... but I think I still need a few more days to ponder them...<br />
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I'll say this, there is one word that characterized this trip for me... Relationship... It was one of the sweetest trips I've ever made there... I love the people there more than ever and I can't wait for next year... If you're still waiting for more stories, like my dad, thank you! It's a gift when people want to know your stories!<br />
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<br />Sharla M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06248810823104947450noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1164043762250762998.post-22886876290698078802013-07-20T11:57:00.001-04:002013-07-20T11:57:33.739-04:00Even When We Think It's Wrong, Part 2I have to say, God had a lesson for me on this trip, one that I won't soon forget! Yesterday, I was so disappointed with how it seemed things were turning out... And not completely out of selfishness, Zack's really close friend and a sweet friend of mine from church and her son came on this trip and I just wanted it to be perfect... granted, my idea of perfect... And as usual, God's plan is FAR better than we ever imagine!<br />
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Today was one of the sweetest, most incredible days I've ever spent in Swaziland. It started with a great devotion to look for God in the small moments... the whispers... And that's where I found Him all day long!!<br />
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Since we couldn't do the TOMS shoe distribution today, and we finished our planting yesterday, all we could do was play and talk to the men and women in the community all day! Wow... WOw... WOW!!<br />
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Here are just some of the highlights of the day... Zack's friend, C., playing guitar and singing How Great Is Our God... Oh Happy Day... And so much more! And them singing with us!! Children running to hold your hand or giving you a great big smile because you stopped to 'see' them! Sweet conversations with the women in the community, spending special time with my Swazi sister, M.J. and getting to know the other women even better too... Watching the young people on our team love on the children and youth of the community... literally pouring themselves out and shining the love of Jesus! A visit to a woman who has become very dear to me over the last 3 trips and who is very ill...<br />
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That story deserves some special attention... I have grown to love this gogo SO much... Her hugs engulf you, she dances with me when we worship, and during church, she pulls me onto the bench right among the other women of the church... I just love her!<br />
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But today, as I watched and watched for her, she never came... So I asked MJ about her and found out she is very sick. And then we learned she is home from the hospital and we went to visit her... Words will never express the sweetness of what we experienced... The Swazi women walking in the door singing to her, beautiful praises to Jesus... And then praying for her... Praying like I don't hear at home... Pouring themselves out on behalf of their sweet sister... And then getting to wrap my arms around her and pray for her also... If we had done the TOMS shoes today, that never would have happened. Even when we think it's wrong, it may be PERFECT!! And it was!! But please, if you think of E., say a prayer for her healing. <br />
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I can't believe this trip is coming to an end... The time here just grows sweeter each time, their love is so tangible, Jesus is so evident in them... They are just so special. Tomorrow is our last day here, we leave on Monday... I am not ready! Sharla M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06248810823104947450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1164043762250762998.post-1732913825045014552013-07-19T12:20:00.002-04:002013-07-20T11:28:11.819-04:00Even When We Think It's Wrong...Just yesterday, our VERY wise friend, E., said, "Even when we think it's wrong, it may be right." It's almost like God left those words ringing in my heart to prepare me for today. It's not that today was bad, it was actually a really sweet day, but it just didn't go as planned.<br />
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When we arrived, we received some sad news, the pastor's sister-in-law passed away and Pastor and his wife had to leave to go to the funeral. They had to leave early today and they won't be there tomorrow at all. I love spending time with them and now it will be such a short time. But more than that, I had an idea of what this trip would look like...</div>
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I thought today we would get to go into the community and meet some families... I thought tomorrow we would do the TOMS shoes distribution... And I thought Sunday would just be a sweet day of worship and feeding many of the children from the community... I... I... I... thought... Many are the plans of a man's heart BUT God directs our paths! </div>
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Today one of the women from the church brought her young son who was so sick. He's been throwing up and diarrhea for over a week. But she didn't have the money to take him to the hospital. Do you know how much she needed for the bus ride and the hospital? 70 Rand... that's a little over $10!! $10!! Yes, she's at the hospital tonight with her son! Do you know if we had followed my plan, we would have been out in the community at a home? We would not have been where God needed S, one of our team members, to see this sick child.</div>
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I have no idea what these next two days hold... Tomorrow we will play with the children all day! And Sunday we will worship, put shoes on possibly more than 400 children and feed them. I have no idea how ALL of that will happen in the few hours that we have, but God is the author of time, so He can stretch the minutes! </div>
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I am thankful that God sees so much more of the picture than I do and that even when I think it's wrong, it's really just perfect!</div>
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Sharla M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06248810823104947450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1164043762250762998.post-6831718367009406862013-07-18T16:44:00.000-04:002013-07-18T16:44:22.931-04:00Speechless!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm not even sure how to describe today... In many ways I was a spectator, in the right place at the right time to see the hand of God... But I was a participant too and it's one of those days I never want to forget...<br />
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The morning began with a devotion and time of prayer. As we circled up for prayer, I wrestled with the idea of asking that God would put someone in our path that needed to be seen by Him. I wrestled because those are the things I read about in books, or on other blogs, but I honestly didn't think God would answer a prayer like that for me... But I stepped out in faith and that was my prayer request for the day.</div>
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Backtrack... 8 years ago, mom and another member of our team, Stan, made their first trip to Swaziland. On that trip, they met a lady, I'll call her B... my mom has never forgotten her. Every time we visit her village, my mom asks about her. She even has our friend E. call and ask about her from time to time. But she has never seen her again.</div>
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Fast forward... today we were so blessed to pick up the son and daughter of the family we were visiting so they could go with us. And as we neared their home, mom and Stan saw a woman who had fallen by the side of the road. As Stan was about to ask the driver to back up to help her, my mom asked the son about B and he said, "that was her."</div>
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After 8 years, God literally put her in our path! I never imagined that God's answer to my prayer and heaven's bear hug for my mom would be one and the same! He truly does work in wonderful ways! The coolest part, when mom got out of the van, she squinted up at my mom and said, "I remember you!" She is 100 years old!</div>
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My faith is so small far too often! I am so thankful for days like today when God leaves me speechless with wonder!</div>
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Sharla M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06248810823104947450noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1164043762250762998.post-79804249823937640062013-07-17T15:28:00.001-04:002013-07-17T15:45:41.974-04:00A Hug From Heaven!The God who sees... The God who provides... The God who loves... The God who laughs... I have experienced so many facets of God's character today and what a GRAND adventure it was!!<br />
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This is my favorite story though... Today we visited two homesteads in the community surrounding Heart For Africa's Project Canaan. When we do the visits, one of the many things we do is to take a couple of items of clothing for each family member. You'd think I'd learn by now, but I'm always concerned that we'll have the right size items for the children there, we never want one to leave empty handed, and they never do.<br />
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But today was really special... Our list said that one of the children was a 7 year old girl, but in reality, the child was a 7 year old boy instead. Most of the children's clothing our team had brought was for babies and toddlers, so we were really short on school children's clothing. But last night, a member of another team gave us a couple of extra items (just in case)... Yep, you guessed it, the items were shirts that perfectly fit a 7 year old boy!<br />
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But the moment that just made my heart sing was when I realized that we had the greatest jacket and t-shirt for the young woman who was caring for her mentally disabled brother and the children in the home. She had the most beautiful heart. She was such a GREAT caretaker for him and it was one of those times when you just wish you could give someone the moon because they are so special... That was this young woman. She didn't ask for anything for herself, but when I handed her an aqua blue jacket and coral t-shirt, you would have thought she won the lottery! She was SO excited and SO grateful! And it hit me... my mom brought that jacket and when she packed it, she had no idea what joy it would bring to a young woman, but God did!<br />
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He saw... He loved... He gave her a hug from heaven! And we just got to stand by and watch it all unfold!<br />
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<br />Sharla M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06248810823104947450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1164043762250762998.post-77689787442343810022013-07-17T01:34:00.001-04:002013-07-17T15:29:41.236-04:00Sawubona!In the story of Hagar in Genesis 16, we find where God met Hagar in the desert of her suffering and this was her response, "So she called the name of the LORD who spoke to her, 'You are a God of seeing,' for she said, 'Truly I have seen Him who looks after me.'"<br />
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Hagar found the courage to persevere because she was confident and strengthened that God saw her. Today, we are going to visit and spend time with two families whose situations are very dire. As I think about this day, I can't help but consider the traditional Swazi greeting, how we will greet each family... Sawubona... it means 'I see you.'<br />
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At the heart of all of us is a desire to be seen, to be recognized. We will not change situations today, we may offer a small comfort with a new pair of shoes, or a jacket. We may help provide some food by planting a garden with them, but we will not be able to take them out of their desert of suffering and dramatically change their situation. But we can follow the example of our Abba Father, and assure them that they are seen. Not by us, but by Him... The one that truly matters... the one who gives each of us value!<br />
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I pray that today each member of the family will feel the love of Jesus and know for certain that the God of the Universe has not forgotten them, that He sees them and loves them beyond their wildest imagination!<br />
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I am so thankful that I love my God who sees!<br />
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<br />Sharla M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06248810823104947450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1164043762250762998.post-50400594577833565852013-07-15T16:04:00.000-04:002013-07-15T16:05:01.202-04:00An Unexpected Convergence...Converge: v. to come together from different directions... That perfectly describes this trip for me, so far... When I think about the events in my life that led to the last three days, it was definitely an unexpected convergence! <br />
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My life in the US, 50 weeks of every year and my 2 weeks in Swaziland each year, have often felt like two very different lives. But for the last three days, there have been many times I've forgotten where I was. For the most part, it's been like a normal day at home... The creative process... I sit down, start a jewelry piece... see another bead that grabs my attention and sparks an idea... chase that squirrel for a while and eventually find my way back to the original project (or find it in the state I left it in, sometimes days later!).<br />
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And that's exactly how I would characterize my last few days in Swaziland. Beading from sun up to well past sun down... A mess every where I worked... For hours at a time, I would zone out in the creative process, but every once in a while, I would look up, look around and remember where I am...<br />
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AFRICA... sleeping in a room with a thatched grass roof... smashing unwelcome critters in my room (thankfully small ones by Africa standards)... listening to noises of creatures I can't even begin to identify and a warning sign about a crocodile in my room (the sign was in my room, not the crocodile!)... Definitely not the usual beading day in the suburbs.<br />
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But wow... never in a millions would I have even thought to imagine these last few days! It has been wonderful. I love how God is always working and weaving events together in our lives and we just never know where the paths will converge. The journey of faith is definitely a GIANT adventure! Sharla M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06248810823104947450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1164043762250762998.post-71776943575693659022013-07-11T14:27:00.000-04:002013-07-11T14:28:03.861-04:00Before I Was Formed...As I'm hanging out in Johannesburg, waiting for tomorrow (SWAZILAND!!!!), I am reflecting back on the words that Pastor Maseko said to our team when we were there last year. They were profound and it seems the perfect lens to put on as I start another trip...<br />
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He quoted from Jeremiah 1:5, "before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born, I set you apart..." He went on to tell us that before we were formed, God had set us apart for THAT day in his community... that while we were still in our mother's womb, God had a purpose and a plan for us in Swaziland! I had chills as he spoke to us that day. That truth brings so much peace! I don't have to fret and worry about anything, God has a plan and a purpose for me and He will accomplish it!</div>
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And as I look to tomorrow and my time back in Swaziland, I am blessed to know that before I was born, God had a plan and a purpose for these days too... that each experience in my life has been a building block to prepare me for the people that I will meet and serve for these next 10 days! My only responsibility is to wait, watch and obey (under an umbrella of prayer of course!) I CAN'T wait to see what God has in store for this trip! </div>
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Next stop Swaziland!! </div>
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Sharla M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06248810823104947450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1164043762250762998.post-62442218071613875512013-06-26T12:40:00.001-04:002013-07-11T14:28:17.862-04:00All In God's Time...2 weeks from today, I leave for Swaziland! I'm always excited to go, but this time I am just over the moon! Let me back up a little... I first went to Swaziland in 2007, I fell in love with the country, but a very special organization grabbed my heart too... <a href="http://www.heartforafrica.org/" target="_blank">Heart For Africa</a>! I loved Janine, the director (with her husband Ian). WOW... the stories I heard her tell on that first (scary) bus ride, in the rain and fog, in a mad race to cross the border before it closed! She was fearless... She was inspiring... And her love for the people of Swaziland poured out of her (All of that is still true)! I loved the people who worked for them and I loved their vision. And as I've watched them grow and change over the years, walking by faith, I continue to love, admire and respect what they do and how well they love the people of Swaziland.<br />
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But something has caused me tremendous stress over the years too... What is my part? I SO wanted to make a difference, but I'm not a connector, I'm not a fund raiser, and with 4 children (about to have 2 in college), we don't have a lot of extra to give. I've examined and re-examined my motivations... Do I want something for myself out of this? Is there pride mixed up in it? But I keep coming to the same conclusion... I just love them, there is great need and the bottom line is, I just want to help... <br />
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A million times I have wrestled with the question, "Instead of going, should I just give them the money?" But every time I go to the little community I've fallen in love with, I see what an encouragement it is that we show up each year... And I can't forget the words of our friend Enoch who said, "We know you love us because you keep coming back." So every summer, I board a plane and go visit the piece of my heart that I leave behind each year. If loving them is all I'm supposed to do, then I had to be content with that... Maybe my part was just to encourage.<br />
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But now, I'm starting to see a bigger picture, one that has been 10 years in the making... It started in a boutique in Gulf Shores, Alabama. They were selling crystals on sheer ribbon for $36! I wanted one, but I thought, "That's crazy, I could make that for about $3." And so my jewelry design business was born, the first time. But after a short 6 months, a consuming success and 3 small children, I sold it!<br />
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Fast forward to the summer of 2010... I cried most of the bus ride out of Swaziland... I crossed the border from Swaziland to South Africa, begging God (I know we don't have to beg but I was desperate) "Please, please assure me I can come back next year." And in the search to figure out how to raise the money to do that, my jewelry design business was 're-born'!<br />
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Then, on my trip in 2011, Janine mentioned her vision for a women's center where they could come and learn skills to earn an income, sewing, jewelry making, etc. JEWELRY MAKING... maybe someday I could come and teach them, or just sit and make jewelry with them!<br />
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And in 2 weeks, THAT'S exactly what I'm going to do!! And I've learned something important... You never know what God is doing behind the scenes! If you are at peace with the path you're on, keep walking by faith, be content with where He has you and trust Him to work out His purposes!<br />
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Do I wish I knew lots of people with lots of money to give to Heart For Africa? ABSOLUTELY! But I don't... But I do know how to make a piece of jewelry... And if God can use that to help even one woman earn some money to feed herself and her family and give her a sense of dignity and accomplishment in the process, then I am THRILLED with what He's gifted me to do!! <br />
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We all have a part in this life and I'm thankful that I'm (FINALLY) learning to love who He's created me to be! Stay tuned... I'll be blogging from Africa!Sharla M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06248810823104947450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1164043762250762998.post-9690770452674617452012-11-28T00:41:00.000-05:002012-11-28T06:35:31.491-05:00Might Need Some Steel Toed Boots...So I realize that I'm probably about to step on some toes, thus the warning in my title. But there is something on my heart and my husband, after I talked to him about it, said, "Now there's a blog you need to write."<br />
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So here goes... I was raised in church. There were some wonderful people at our church (and especially in my family) who exemplified the love and acceptance of Jesus through and through. If I could find Lloyd Parrish, I owe him a huge debt of gratitude because he was one of those people. But for some reason, even with some amazing people in my life, I came away from those early church years, terrified of God.<br />
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In my mind, He was a BIG, ANGRY God who carried a really big stick and beat you up for every little wrong doing. So when I committed what I defined as a really BIG sin, I walked away from the church because I was convinced that if He was that angry over the small stuff, He would NEVER forgive the BIG stuff.<br />
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I will never forget, years later, how shocked I was to read Romans 2:4, that it is God's kindness that is meant to lead us to repentance. Seriously, not judgment and condemnation? I was utterly stunned to learn that faith, specifically the Christian faith, is about a relationship, not a set a rules! The God of the Universe wants to have a relationship with me!! And He paid the highest price imaginable by anyone to have that relationship, His very own Son.<br />
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Somehow, in all those years of church I missed it. Again, I'm not blaming anyone, but it makes me stop and take a serious look at some of what I see coming out of the Church in today's society. Now let me say, not every one is this way... For all I know, it may only be a very small percentage of the church that ruins the fragrance of Christ, but the fact is, it only takes one bad apple to spoil a bunch and sadly, the clanging symbols are getting far more notice than the ones who are like Mr. Parrish. <br />
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And I've been thinking about this alot in the context of my children... What are my children learning from me and the people we surround them with, about God?<br />
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Sadly, I know what it's like to wallow in sin... I was the prodigal daughter... the details don't matter, but I made some terribly wrong choices for a period of time. And I had a lot... A LOT... of shame and guilt to unravel after I became a Christian.<br />
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I can remember sitting on our porch in the early days of my blossoming relationship with my Heavenly Father, reading my Bible and weeping. I would read verse after verse about His love and forgiveness... His unfathomable grace... I would be utterly overwhelmed that in spite of it all, He loved me.<br />
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During those early days, He immersed me in the truth of His love and I experienced the reality of Isaiah 61:1-3... How He could turn mourning into joy, bring beauty from the ashes, give a crown of beauty instead of despair. He surrounded me with the often 'unnoticed' side of the church, the ones who welcome you in and love you, just because. It wasn't easy to unravel the effects of some of the paths I chose, but in His great mercy, God worked restoration in my soul. Yes, some times there is sadness... moments of regret... memories that I wish I could wipe off the screen of my mind... But I know where to run in those moments...<br />
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But do you know what has been harder to unravel than the effects of those wretched choices I made?<br />
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Lace up your boots...<br />
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It was the wrong view of God that I had... Again, I'm not blaming anyone... For whatever reason, more of the yuck stuck than the overwhelming amounts of good that was poured into my life... But wow, has it been a journey of unraveling the tendrils of wrong thinking.<br />
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What you believe about God impacts how you live... It affects your joy, your freedom, your love, your generosity, your compassion, your grace for others... Even if you say you don't believe in God, that impacts how you live... With a wrong view of who God is, you will never live the abundant life that Jesus gave His very own life for! Eternal life... joy... peace... satisfaction... love... compassion... grace... those aren't characteristics of a life we're waiting for someday... It's what is promised to us right now... But I'll say it again... What we believe about God directly impacts what we experience of that life!<br />
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If you think that God is all about performance, then you'll spend your life worried and anxious if you're doing enough... And you'll measure everyone else's performance... If you think He's all about the rules, you'll never know relationship with Him... You'll build almost impenetrable walls around your heart... If you think His justice is greater than His grace, when you make wrong choices, forgiveness will be hard to grasp... And what you can't receive for yourself... You'll find impossible to offer to others... I speak with the authority of experience...<br />
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I'll say it simply... healing from the pit of sin I wallowed in was easier than unraveling my wrong thinking about God. I think I would rather risk the bad influence of a friend on my children, than the bad influence of a legalist who wrongly represents the truth of who God is... Shocking? Don't get me wrong, neither are <u>remotely</u> good... And I don't think God is soft on sin and I don't think Jesus was soft on sin during His time on earth... But His harshest words were reserved for the religious people who had the greatest potential to misrepresent the image of God...<br />
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Parents... teachers... Sunday School teachers... pastors... youth leaders... grandparents... family members... friends... if you call yourself a Christian, what we say and do matters in all of those roles... Maybe it's time to stop and ask ourselves, what wrong view of God is someone going to have to unravel, because of their experience with me?<br />
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God's KINDNESS leads to repentance... Jesus did not come into this world to condemn the world, but to save the world... Jesus invites us to bring Him our mess... He's not afraid to put His hands in the muck of people's lives and just love them and serve them... And not surprisingly, repentance always seemed to follow His acts of kindness in the gospels (except of course, from the religious people) I wonder... is that what the world knows of Jesus from how we live our lives today? Do we welcome people and their messes or send them running for cover?<br />
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Please, please let's consider if we are rightly representing THE ONE who loves us so well during this glorious Christmas season!Sharla M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06248810823104947450noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1164043762250762998.post-39075434634655547682012-10-27T16:09:00.000-04:002012-10-27T16:09:00.991-04:00A Sign That Made Me Sad...On my way home today, I drove past a billboard in front of a small church that said, "Stop Abortion... Cast Your Vote For Life."<br />
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And I was profoundly sad... don't get me wrong, I am Pro-Life... and not just for the unborn child, but for the mother too. If you've never read the statistics, if you've never heard of Post Abortion Stress Syndrome, google it and do some reading... Abortion doesn't just take the life of an unborn child, it takes the life (emotionally and spiritually) of the mother too. So I am definitely against abortion.<br />
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But sometimes the church sounds so angry... It rails against abortion, homosexuality... Ok, I'm stuck, I'm sure there are other things... but what really seems to stir up trouble are those two topics... Not gossip... or adultery... or addictions... or greed... or materialism... or pornography... or, or, or... They're kind of the two pet issues of the traditionally conservative church (I can say that because I consider myself a part of the traditionally conservative church)... I just don't like the way we behave sometimes... ALOT of times...<br />
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When I read the gospels, Jesus didn't rail at the same people as we (the church) does today... He railed at the religious people (Don't believe me? Just read Matthew 23, starting around verse 23... He called them hypocrites... blind guides... hypocrites again... and again... whitewashed tombs... and hypocrites still again.) <br />
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And what did He do for everyone else? He healed them... He fed them... He had compassion on them... He wept over them... He forgave them... He loved them... He gave His very life for them! In essence, He earned the right to speak into their lives.<br />
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Something that a lot of years of parenting finally taught me, you can't change a person's behavior with anger... by yelling at them... by putting them down... by bullying them... And rules without relationship is like a clanging symbol.... it does nothing but annoy... breed resentment... foster rebellion... ultimately it stirs up disdain and hatred.<br />
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Scott and I went with some friends to see Second City, the comedy group. Not a great experience by any stretch of the imagination... wouldn't recommend it... but since we were there, I decided to see what I could learn from it, about the way the world views Christians... Not a pretty picture!<br />
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Now you might be thinking... Sharla, what would you expect? And I realize that it's not all us... But we have to step up and take responsibility for some of it... Because too often we are trying to force 'rules' on people without loving them and building relationships with them.<br />
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Jesus said to the Pharisees (the religious people), "You tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: <u>justice and mercy and faithfulness</u>." (Matthew 23:23) I wonder if Jesus would have the same words to say to us... Probably so!<br />
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How do we change this culture... Not by pictures of dead fetuses on signs outside of high schools or on the side of panel trucks or maybe even words on billboards outside of churches. We change it by loving our neighbor... by friending our children's friends so when they get in trouble, maybe we'll be a safe place for them to come.<br />
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My friend Janine who (with her husband) runs Heart For Africa in Swaziland set a beautiful example of how to stop abortion... A young woman was violently raped at knife point and she became pregnant. In our country, even if abortion was illegal, some would say it's ok in that circumstance. I probably would have too, until Janine taught me something different.<br />
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She came alongside this woman... She loved her... She didn't preach to her about the sin of abortion or murdering a new born... She offered her an option... She became friends with her... She walked a hard path with her... she was there for the birth of the child... She took the baby in... That's the kind of love that will change a nation... Not screaming and yelling and hating people who don't agree with our pet issues. (Yes, I'm preaching to myself too!)<br />
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Janine gave that precious girl an option... Just curious... How pro-life are you, really? It's easy to sit on the sidelines and yell at people... But would you step in and do what Janine did... any part of it... would you walk along side her... help her financially... be there at any time to go through the birth with her? Are we as committed to changing a nation as we say we are? We've tried signs, yelling, self-righteousness, etc for a really long time and the problems are only getting worse... Maybe it's time to try something different! Sharla M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06248810823104947450noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1164043762250762998.post-5428789545846803112012-10-20T11:41:00.000-04:002012-10-20T11:44:03.805-04:00Had to Share a Link (With a Few of My Own Thoughts)I'm going to share a link this morning to a post that will break your heart and fill you with hope at the same time... But before I do, I want to share a thought...<br />
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It is such a touching story. I love how it demonstrates that God is
watching and He cares. I have to acknowledge though, that I have no
doubt some will read her blog and use it as an excuse to bash God... I
can just imagine thoughts like, "Well, if He were such a good God, then
why did He allow the girl to be raped in the first place?" Or "Why did
He allow her to become pregnant?"<br />
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But before you even
go there, let me remind you of something... Man (and woman) made their
choice to live their own way thousands of years ago. They wanted
control... they thought they new better... they wanted choices... So
God gave it to them and along with that supposed freedom and choice, we
got consequences too!<br />
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And my guess is, every single one of us would have
made the same choice... Know how I know? Because we do it every single
day! We choose our way over God's way... We think we know better and
we have this crazy notion that God is holding something back from us
(maybe because too often people make 'religion' more about rules than
relationship... but that's a rabbit trail).<br />
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And that's where the mess starts... when we try and
do things our own way! So let me offer you a different perspective on
Janine's blog... It shows how God can take man's messes and REDEEM
them!! Yes, He allows evil because WE CHOSE it... He doesn't have to
do anything... But He does! He sends men and women (like Janine and
her family and all of the amazing staff of Project Canaan) right into
the depths of our stuff and uses them to work His redemption and
restoration!!<br />
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I pray that when you read Janine's
blog... Hope is what you'll leave with... and if you shed a few tears
for the mother and her pain, or the nation of Swaziland and their pain,
that's good too because that's just reflecting the heart of God who
weeps at the consequences of our choices!<br />
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<b style="background-color: #ea9999;"><a href="http://janinemaxwell.blogspot.com/2012/10/its-girl.html?spref=tw" target="_blank">Live from Swaziland... It's Saturday Morning</a></b><br />
<br />Sharla M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06248810823104947450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1164043762250762998.post-76786833882049844192012-10-17T08:01:00.000-04:002012-10-17T08:06:02.380-04:00I Wish...(Author's note... If you're one of the 9 who caught my tirade in the wee hours of the morning, this first paragraph is the same, but all of the rest is different!) So I'm a woman... it's my prerogative to change my mind and I've decided I'm not going to desert my personal blog after all!! Here's the thing, my heart has been overflowing lately with things I want to write about, but a business blog just doesn't seem to be the right fit for them. So I've just done nothing... blogger's block...And as a result, I've decided that from time to time I still want to write here (I'll probably change the look soon) because I still want a place to just say what's on my heart. My business blog will just have to be for fun stuff, like colors, fashion, quotes, etc., that I'll eventually get to!<br />
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I wrote an entirely different post in the wee hours of the morning, but when I woke up, I realized I didn't sound any different than the people I was frustrated with, so I thought I should say it in a different way... That it might be better to express my feelings as a wish...<br />
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I have a friend (a very wise friend) who made the point a while back that Facebook really isn't the place for political comments because there's no way to have a dialogue about it. I liked her comparison to the street corner evangelist who shouts at you, but you really can't shout back. <br />
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But as the political season has worn on, I've found it harder and harder to keep all of my thoughts to myself! There are just some things I'm intensely passionate about, I guess you might say they're my "non-negotiables" and when a line gets crossed sometimes, I speak up.<br />
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So here's what I wish...<br />
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I wish there were a Facebook kind of place where it was safe to open a dialogue about something. It could be religion, politics, things happening in the world, the news or just something that's been on your mind that you'd love to toss around in discussion for a bit. I would want it to be a place where you could do this among friends, I'm not really interested in open forums where people swear at you or call you ugly names... It would be a place where we take the time to really be friends and get to know and understand each other. I have many friends on Facebook that I wish I could spend more time with, but we're limited by distance and/or time.<br />
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Maybe you're thinking, start a small group or something, but I enjoy the variety of friends I have on Facebook... I want to know and understand different views and opinions, not just the ones that are similar to mine... <br />
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I wish there were a place where I could be passionate about the things that are important to me and not have people just assume that I'm not trusting God... or that I'm just holding to some line of ultra conservative values... I read a blog last night that I would have to say in general, I agree with... but I felt like there were some huge judgments made about people on both sides of the aisle, that are passionate about their beliefs. Passion about a topic is not synonymous with lack of faith...<br />
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I wish there were a place where, before judgments are made, we would have to take the time to know the story behind the passion... A place where if someone starts out emotional or passionate about a topic we wouldn't hide them or snap back at them (I'm guilty of all of these things) but we would take the time to acknowledge their thoughts... It might go something like this... "Hey, this is obviously really important to you, would you tell me more?" <br />
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Sadly we live in a world of 'sound bites' and we think we know people, and more importantly, we think we know their hearts, because of a few words... Maybe it's time to open a real dialogue where we listen to each other... And I mean really listen... No assumptions... no agendas... A place where it is safe to express views and explore the things that puzzle us... A place where it's acceptable to challenge beliefs with respect and grace... A place where we don't have to feel defensive or that we'll offend because we say what's on our hearts... A place where we agree to assume the best about others instead of arrogantly assuming we know others based on a few words...<br />
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I guess this place will never exist... But I can wish!Sharla M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06248810823104947450noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1164043762250762998.post-77209267942803945172012-09-14T07:03:00.000-04:002012-09-14T07:06:54.278-04:00New Blog!!I've decided to start a new blog... I've blogged here for about 4 years now and I had a pretty specific purpose when I started this blog. I was a new adoptive mom and I wanted, maybe really needed, a place to tell our stories... I guess it was my way of processing.<br />
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But the cool thing about this process of adoption and attachment is that I no longer think of myself as an 'adoptive mom,' I'm just mom! And as the kids are getting older it somehow seems like I should let them tell their own stories, if they choose.<br />
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Of course I'll NEVER stop being mom (thank goodness), but as the kids get older, I have more time to focus on other passions of my heart, like my Designing For Hope jewelry business and Swaziland.<br />
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I don't know what that will look like over time, but it just seems appropriate to start a new blog to chronicle a new journey. I admit, I'm kind of sad at the thought of not posting to this blog again (weird the things I get attached to) but I know in my heart that this is the right thing. If you'd like to keep following, you can find me at <br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://designingforhope.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Designing For Hope</a></span></b></div>
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And in case you're wondering, it won't be a blog that's all about promoting my business! In fact, that's just a small part of it, but I want it to be a blog that's about hope! Life is full of hope... If you think about it, it's what moves us from one moment to the next, so I want to write about the things that give me hope...things that make me smile...things that make me want to get up and do a happy dance! <br />
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So thank you for being my 'cyber' friend these last few years... I hope you'll join me on the next part of this journey! Many blessings to you!!<br />
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Sharla M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06248810823104947450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1164043762250762998.post-91199807045565350462012-08-14T07:48:00.001-04:002012-08-14T07:48:27.695-04:00Africa: Gratitude
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I love what Africa does to my heart... I'm finally learning not to take so much for granted... </div>
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Last night I hugged Mackenzie good night…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>she jumped back in pain and tears came to her
eyes…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>she was in terrible pain from her
ear, it was radiating down into her jaw, but she had been trying to wait and
see if it got better…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I looked at the
clock and realized there was still time to take her to Urgent Care…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(In Swaziland, a mother in a similar
circumstance, in a rural area, like the one I go to each year, would have had
to wait till morning…most likely with nothing to help relieve her child’s pain…or
her own concern about why the pain was so bad)</div>
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I got my keys to my car…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I knew I had plenty of gas, I had just used a wonderful plastic card
yesterday afternoon to stop at a pump to fill it full, I didn’t even have to
think about how I would get to the Urgent Care… It was a little warm outside,
so I turned on the air conditioning to be sure Mackenzie was comfortable for
the short 5 mile ride to Urgent Care… (In Swaziland, the mom would have to
figure out a way to get to the clinic…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>5 mile ride would most likely
be a 5 mile walk (one way) for her and her sick child…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the area we serve in, not only would there
be the walk, but the fear of walking the road through the sugar cane field
where dangerous men sometimes hide…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If
she knew the kind pastor who could give her a ride, there would be no guarantee
that he had petrol (gas) to fill his truck to take her)…</div>
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We went into a nice clean clinic, we were seen quickly by
the doctor…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sure enough, red, swollen,
infected enough to have bubbles of pus…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>No wonder her ear hurt so badly…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Again, I used a great little plastic card to pay and left relieved that
my daughter would soon have some relief!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
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We went across the parking lot to the 24 hour pharmacy and
waited inside while the doctor emailed the prescription.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While we waited the oh so long (sarcasm) 15
minutes…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We distracted ourselves with
looking at shades of tinted chapstick and we giggled at fun colors of polish
for our toenails…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(What little I know
about medical clinics in Swaziland, the mom might have waited a good portion of
a day to be seen…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have no idea if
there would have been medicine, I assume so, but I know there’s no 24 hour
pharmacy with chap stick and nail polish!)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
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Mackenzie just got up and her ear still hurts really bad,
but I know that with a few more doses of medicine, she’ll feel better
soon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What about the child whose mother
can’t get him to the medical clinic?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Where does his relief come from?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What happens to his ear?) </div>
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I’ve thought before about the privilege of living in the US,
but what hit me last night are all the little things I take so for granted…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Urgent Care, gas in my car, air conditioning,
24 hour pharmacies where you can giggle while you wait…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Safety getting to the clinic…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Easy access to medications for most of
whatever ails us…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could go on and on…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is SO much we have to be thankful for
in this country…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think when I feel
like complaining about anything…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m
going to look for a blessing instead, something that I normally would take for
granted…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m certain I won’t have to
look very far!</div>
Sharla M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06248810823104947450noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1164043762250762998.post-11537928290723144322012-07-31T10:56:00.000-04:002012-07-31T13:44:53.283-04:00Africa: Simple Math!<br />
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(Add some maize flour, sugar beans and 18 bags of frozen chicken and you have the ingredients to feed 600+ people!!)</div>
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(Before I write anything, I want to promise you… I am not on
a guilt trip and I am NOT trying to send anyone else on one either. If I could talk to you face to face, what you
would find is a broken heart… Not
judgment, self-righteousness or self-condemnation. But here’s the thing… Hebrews 4:12 says that “The Word of God is
living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division
of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and
intentions of the heart.” Sometimes, I
just have to let the Word of God do its work in my heart… Even if it hurts… So here goes!)</div>
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This morning I was reading Psalm 72… I’m sorry to say that I wasn’t familiar with
Psalm 72… WOW, how have I missed this
one?</div>
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Some believe that King Solomon wrote this Psalm, others
believe that it was King David’s prayer for his son, Solomon… But ultimately, it is a look at what a
kingdom would look like ruled by a righteous and just king… And only Jesus fully fits that description.</div>
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As I hung out with the Psalm a while, it struck me that a
repeated characterization of a kingdom ruled by a righteous king is
characterized by care for the poor and needy…</div>
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Well, Jesus made it clear when He came that He was ushering
in that kingdom… It is a kingdom that
begins in the heart of a Christian, who claims Jesus as their King, and it is
our calling to make that kingdom visible in the world…</div>
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And here’s something that really struck me, vs. 15 says, “Long
may he live; may gold of Sheba be given to him!” Charles Spurgeon writes, “How gladly would we
give him all that we have and are, and count the tribute far too small.” The gold that we give to our King are the
blessings He’s entrusted to us!</div>
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So how are we doing (as the church)? Even harder to ask, how am I doing?</div>
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All I have to do is sit in my chair and look around and I
can tell you, I’m not doing so well. I
see waste and extravagance everywhere I look…
I don’t even want to think about what I can’t see from where I sit…our
pantry…our closet…there’s not a place in this house to escape it!</div>
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Using Heart For Africa’s Gift Catalog (<a href="http://www.heartforafrica.org/">www.heartforafrica.org</a>) and Samaritan’s
Purse Catalog (<a href="http://www.samaritanspurse.org/">www.samaritanspurse.org</a>)
I decided to walk around our house and do some simple math… I’m only using extras… things we don’t use… I don’t think it’s wrong to enjoy God’s
blessings… What is breaking my heart though is how I’ve wasted God’s blessings
on extravagance… THAT’S what HAS to
change in my life… So let’s go for a
walk…</div>
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$350 for 2 of 4 lamps that are rarely used would provide
care for an orphan for 10 months (at $35/month)</div>
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$100 for my running/walking shoes that are RARELY used for
their intended purpose would buy 2 bags of maize flour, feeding 500 people!</div>
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2 of 5 Gap black t-shirts at $12 each… (A Gap black t-shirt is my uniform, I wear one
most days but I have a washing machine for crying out loud!) Those 2 extra t-shirts would buy 4 blankets
for a child who is cold. (I don’t even
want to think about how much has been wasted on clothes in general… There are only so many days in a week…)</div>
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The $48.95 sandals that I just HAD to have for a party… 10 weeks worth of milk for a child… OUCH<br />
<br />
There's SO many 'little' things I could list... Too many lipsticks... Nail polishes... Eye shadows... Hair products... Brushes... If I start opening drawers there is $3 - $5 - $10 wasted all around me... And as you can see from the photo above... A 'little' goes a LONG way in some countries! </div>
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And then here’s one that really hurts… The community I love so much desperately
needs a well… the $10,000 it cost to
increase the size of our family room and second floor playroom (a room to play in... REALLY?! That just sounds SO absurd to me right now). That would have built that
well, or an entire house for a family...
Add $5,000 to it and it would have built a classroom, a soup kitchen to
feed hungry children… Now I’m a little
sick to my stomach. Do I love our family
room? Yes… Was it wrong to do it? Honestly, right at this moment, I don’t know
how to answer that... I want to say no,
but is that really the right answer? Do
we need all that extra space? Nope! Could we have had better reflected God’s
kingdom by making a different decision?
ABSOLUTELY… </div>
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And isn’t that REALLY what it comes down to? As a Christian, it’s all about how I reflect
the kingdom of heaven! If someone who
knew nothing about God, walked into my house today, they might think that God’s
kingdom is all about stuff… indulgence… extravagance …waste… </div>
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And that is a POOR reflection of my King whom I love! HE’S all about caring for the poor and needy… Redemption and restoration…</div>
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Let me leave you with this…
If I say I have a heart for others to know Jesus, this Psalm tells me how!</div>
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Vs 11 says this… “May all kings fall down before him, all
nations serve him!” And vs. 12-14 tell
us how that happens… “For he delivers
the needy when he calls, the poor, and him who has no helper. He has pity on the weak and the needy, and
saves the lives of the needy. From
oppression and violence he redeems their life, and precious is their blood in
his sight.”</div>
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If I really want to make Jesus known to the nations (the US
included) I need to put some serious feet on my faith… My life needs to better reflect the reality
of the kingdom of God, including in my home and in my buying decisions… To borrow from Josh Wilson, “Something’s
gotta change!”</div>
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“Blessed be His glorious name forever, may the whole earth
be filled with His glory! Amen and Amen!” (vs. 19)
</div>Sharla M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06248810823104947450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1164043762250762998.post-80345613598707859802012-07-27T09:48:00.000-04:002012-07-31T13:44:53.291-04:00Africa: The Power of Praise<br />
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(I usually like to keep my posts shorter, but this one
needed to be a little longer to be able to tell the story…)</div>
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So for a while, I’ve been reading through the Psalms… It’s taken me a while because sadly, I am not
the most consistent person in the world, but I love how by God’s grace, when I
find my way back to where I left off, it’s always EXACTLY what I need to be
reading!</div>
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Over the last two days, I’ve read Psalms 68 & 69, and
the thing that has struck me is the consistent message to praise… In the face of enemies, trials, struggles,
suffering… Praise Him!!</div>
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In Psalm 69, David is lamenting about his enemies and in
verses 30-31 he writes, “I will praise the name of God with song. I will magnify Him with thanksgiving. This will please the LORD more than an ox or
a bull with horns and hoofs.”</div>
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Why does God desire our praise more than our
sacrifices? I am CERTAIN that He doesn’t
need them to affirm who He is… He is
perfectly humble, so it’s not rooted in pride…
There must be something about praise that is best for His children!</div>
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The thing that hits me over and over in Scripture, a
principle if you will, is that praise seems to call the presence and power of
God… My favorite story related to this
is in 2 Chronicles 20 when King Jehoshaphat puts the singing men in front of
the army to lead Israel into battle and they routed the enemy! But it’s in other places too…</div>
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Praise calls us to remember who God is and in the face of
trials, it helps us remember that our God is WAY bigger than our circumstances… Ultimately, praise chases away worry and fear
and fixes our eyes on God… the only ONE
with whom NOTHING is impossible!!</div>
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On Sunday morning, as we set off to distribute TOMS shoes,
we learned that we were missing 105 pairs of the smallest sizes of shoes. It wasn’t anyone’s fault. It’s just that there was really no way anyone
could have guessed how many children would show up to receive shoes… Across 11 churches, there were about 6000
children who came. It was the first time
Heart For Africa had done this shoe distribution, so there was no way to know
what sizes would be needed… Sadly, there
are FAR more younger children than anyone ever imagined.</div>
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So I was worried… a
little sick to my stomach… As the team
leader, I needed to put on a brave face, but I wasn’t feeling very brave. How would we tell 500 children they could
have their shoes, but 100+ they couldn’t?
How would we explain this to our sweet pastor who trusted us to do what
we said we would do when he invited his entire community? This had the potential to be a very bad situation… I wasn’t fearful from a physical standpoint,
I was heartbroken over how once again, people who had been let down so many
times, might view this as more of the same old same ol’…</div>
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So as I got into the van, the story of when Lazarus died came to mind (John 11)… Jesus delayed so that God might be glorified… God often is most visible and glorified
through hard times! I was reminded of 2
Chronicles 20, that I just mentioned… So
I asked M., the incredible young man with the guitar to lead us in a time of
praise, after he gave his devotion.</div>
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For 30-45 minutes he played and led us in praise… Worry, fear, anxiety disappeared… In its place a certainty that God was going
to do great things! </div>
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And that’s exactly what happened! We watched as God ‘loafed and fished’ shoes… We didn’t turn away a single child! One young girl came to me because her shoes
were too tight… It was the end of the
day, we had given away almost all we had so we didn’t have her size, and we had
gone one size smaller… I started
frantically pulling shoes out of boxes, heartbroken that I would have to send
her away… But then someone put a pair of
shoes in my hand, and they fit her perfectly!
I don’t know where they came from…
We had already searched all the boxes for her size… But there they were!! Oh happy Day!</div>
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I watched as the teenagers in our group had their faith
increased… experiencing similar stories…
shoes that should have never have fit…
FIT!! Who but God!</div>
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For the younger children, who had had no shoes for, we were
able to give them clothes! On all my
trips, we have never had so many smaller clothing sizes… But between the dresses that Dress A Girl
Around the World sent with me and the clothes that the students had brought, no
one went away empty handed! No one was
upset… there was a sweet, sweet spirit
all day… </div>
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And one other sweet blessing came out of our situation… I’ve learned over the years that what a
friend of mine says is true… “People are
like toothpaste tubes, you don’t really know what’s in the tube until it gets
squeezed!” And we put our pastor in a
potentially really BAD situation. He
trusted us and invited all of the community…
It was his name and reputation on the line, as much as TOMS and Heart
For Africa and Pastor was amazing! He was wasn’t angry with us, he was just heartbroken
for the children. God used this
situation to give us a sweet glimpse of pastor’s heart and how much he loves
those children! </div>
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We could have walked into that situation wringing our hands
in fear and worry… But with praise, we
were reminded that God is WAY bigger than the circumstances… I don’t understand how it works, I only know
that it does… There really is power in
praise!</div>Sharla M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06248810823104947450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1164043762250762998.post-54142195632029027122012-07-26T08:18:00.002-04:002012-07-31T13:44:53.286-04:00Africa: Home... Kind Of!I didn't mean to drop off the map and not post about our last day in the community, but as I typed the other night, I kept falling asleep... I was SO tired!<br />
<br />
We worked so hard that last day... We put shoes on SO many feet! What a blessing!! Every one of them had a hot meal and we worshiped!! It was an amazing day...<br />
<br />
But my experience this time was profound... I need time to process it... I'll keep writing about it... I still want to post photos... But it may take me a few days. A part of me wants to run from my experience...<br />
<br />
What do you do with the reality of 600+ children in a small rural area who are hungry and thirsty? What do I do with the fact that no matter how many gardens we plant with them, they don't have water to make them grow in a drought?<br />
<br />
Where in my heart and mind do I reconcile that some children walked 15+ miles for a pair of shoes? Some of them on a road that is surrounded by sugar cane on either side... Criminals will hide there and I can't even imagine the horrors they inflict... Pastor just said they do evil things... I would imagine that's an understatement... He smiled when I said I just wished the black mambas would get the bad guys!<br />
<br />
But seriously, what do I do with the reality of that? Would you walk 15+ miles, and risk your life, for a pair of shoes and a hot meal? What do I do with that kind of desperation?<br />
<br />
We are home... but a piece of my heart is still in Swaziland... So if home is where the heart is, I guess I'm just home, kind of... <br />
<br />Sharla M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06248810823104947450noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1164043762250762998.post-15327292168326056322012-07-21T16:23:00.003-04:002012-07-21T16:23:50.090-04:00Africa: 569<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
I want to start by saying, Mackenzie was so incredible
today!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was so fun to watch her with
the children…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She played, danced, sang
with them and let them braid her hair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
loved watching her sit and talk to them, she slipped into it so easily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is no doubt she made some children feel
very special and loved today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> (I'll have to wait until I get home to post pictures because the internet is pretty slow here.)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So today was a hard day…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today 569 children came to be fitted for TOMS shoes…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Today I saw 569 children who have only one,
or no parents…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today I saw 569 children
who are hungry…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thirsty…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Need lip balm because they are in the middle
of one of the worst droughts in 10 years and their lips are parched…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They desperately need new clothes and new
shoes… <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today I saw 569 of whom I’m sure
Jesus was talking about when He said the ‘least of these…’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not because they are less in His eyes, but
because the world treats them as less.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today I saw 569 children who are starving not only for food,
but also attention…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of them are
caring for younger siblings because their parents have died…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But who looks after them?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today a little girl literally fought off other children
trying to hold my hand…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She didn’t push
or fight for her chance for shoes, but she sure did for a touch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had my hand on her back for a few minutes
and put it down, she turned around, picked up my hand and put it back.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today I met a young woman with Downs Syndrome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve never seen anyone with Downs in Africa,
but in her face, I saw the face of Jesus.</div>
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<br /></div>
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She stood off to the side of the rest of the children…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was always nearby, but she never pushed
her way in…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She waited to be invited to
do anything…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The least little bit of
attention would bring a grin that lit up her face…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At the end of the day, we were blessed with an hour to just
hang out with the children…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A few of us
sat down on the ground and played with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I noticed she sat down just a little behind me, so I scooted back to sit
next to her…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>she dropped her eyes and
smiled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every once in a while, I would
pat her on her back…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>she would drop her
eyes and smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I helped her shoo the
flies away…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>she dropped her head and
smiled…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I asked her if I could have a
picture with her…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>she dropped her head
and smiled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> We couldn't communicate with each other using words, but I guess sometimes all love needs is a touch.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today, somehow Jesus got me out of His way and used me to love a
young woman…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was an incredible
privilege and blessing…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will never
forget her face, because I’m convinced that today, I saw the face of Jesus…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not just once though…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>569 times!</div>Sharla M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06248810823104947450noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1164043762250762998.post-56716845632398586202012-07-20T16:47:00.007-04:002012-07-31T13:44:53.289-04:00Africa: Humbled<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
There’s so much I could tell you about today, but to add too
many details would cloud one experience that will highlight this trip for me…<br />
<br />
Today was our first day back out at our church communities...Our project for today was to plant fruit trees and seedlings
in their garden… They always come out to
help us so we finished pretty quickly.
Since we had so much extra time, I decided that for the third year
running I would ask Pastor to take us into the community to get a better
understanding of what it’s like. I’ve
asked him each year, but he has been very reluctant. I guess it just took some time to build some
trust.</div>
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While we were out, he asked if we could stop and pray for a
man in his church who had recently lost his wife. Of course…
We all piled out of the van and as we walked towards the homestead, I
noticed an older gentleman out under the tree.
There were grass mats on the ground and pastor started to have us sit
down, but the man asked if we would bless him by coming into his house. l</div>
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So let me give you a little context... In Swaziland, it is considered bad luck when
your spouse dies. In fact, in the rural
areas the people almost shun the person who has lost their spouse.</div>
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So back to my story…
his grandchildren laid out grass mats for us to sit on. It was a very humble home… Concrete block walls, a couple of plastic
chairs, maybe 3, and just some basic tools to survive.</div>
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After a word from Pastor, he invited the gentleman to say a
few words… I was humbled to the core at
what he said… “Now I feel like a human being because you have blessed me by
coming into my house.”</div>
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God used our simple little visit to help restore his dignity… Stunning!
We just have no idea how God can use the smallest things! </div>
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But then, I was completely overwhelmed… Pastor asked us if we would gather around the
gentleman, lay hands on him and pray a blessing for him. And the gentleman took off his sandals! In Exodus 3, when Moses was before the
burning bush, God instructed Moses to take off his sandals because he was on
holy ground. When we finished praying, the
gentleman put them back on. His simple,
subtle gesture gave a glimpse into his heart…
He felt like he was on holy ground!</div>
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I am awed by how the simplest things mean so much to the
people here… Sometimes I struggle with
feeling like what I do where is woefully inadequate. I often wonder, wouldn’t it just be better to
take the money it cost to come here and just give it to them. But it’s coming home to me over and over on
this trip that someone showing up is as important for their spirit as water and
food is to their bodies.</div>
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I have a lot more to tell about today, but I’ll probably save
it for when we get home. Tomorrow is
measuring for TOM’S shoes… Pastor says
there could be as many as 500 children!
Can’t wait to see what tomorrow holds!</div>Sharla M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06248810823104947450noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1164043762250762998.post-89792457857168622972012-07-18T17:57:00.000-04:002012-07-31T13:44:53.296-04:00Africa: Oh Happy Day!<br />
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So I’m not even sure to where to begin to tell about today… There really just aren’t words to do it
justice... And yet, I think I could sum
it up in one word… JOY!!! Pure, utter, JOY!!! The pictures will show you what I mean! (I have so many awesome photos of our team, but I need to ask their permission first, before I post them, because most of them are under 18... But there's still A LOT I could post!)</div>
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I can’t possibly hit every detail, so I’ll just try and give
you some highlights… We went to 2
homesteads. One was the grandparents and
12 (yep, TWELVE!) children! The second
one was 2 grandparents and 3 children.</div>
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At the first home (the larger one), we sat down and talked
with them for a few minutes (we had a translator with us all day.) We learned that the children are basically
getting one meal a day. Growing children… One meal a day! </div>
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So we planted them a garden!
I started with my gloves, but then I noticed that the gogo (grandmother)
wasn’t wearing any gloves, so I took mine off.
If they can dig in the dirt with their bare hands, so can I! I am so stinkin’ spoiled by my luxuries! </div>
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After we finished planting, we played (for a long
time!)!! Bubbles, beach ball, we just
hung out with them… And then we started
to fit them with their new TOM’S shoes!!
How fun to watch 12 children get new shoes… How AMAZING to watch high school kids,
Mackenzie included, get down in the dirt and just love these children. And they loved the gogo and the makulu
(grandfather) just as well!<br />
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After new shoes, new t-shirts, new socks and beanies, M,
one of the high school students got out his guitar… What a moment to sit on grass mats and
worship with this family! Most of the
family didn’t speak English but the grandfather did. As M sat playing and singing, I heard a
sound off to the side… The grandfather
was quietly singing along… “Oh happy day… happy day…he washed my sins away… oh happy day…
happy day… I will never be the
same.”<br />
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But the blessings didn’t end there… We went to the next homestead and met another
amazing family! But it was the little
girl there that stole our hearts! She
was the ultimate expression of joy!
Mackenzie was completely taken with her!<br />
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Two
groups of people from thousands of miles apart brought together in Africa… Our greatest bond, we share a love for Jesus
and a deep gratitude for what He did for us…
Oh Happy Day!<br />
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</div>Sharla M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06248810823104947450noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1164043762250762998.post-22958167469827050382012-07-17T17:07:00.000-04:002012-07-17T17:08:33.577-04:00Africa: Just Plain Tired!!Today was a sweet day... It was our day on Project Canaan and I was surprised by the impact it made on me being back there. We started our work day with a tour. I was amazed once again at the progress they continue to make...<br />
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As we drove around the property, I was hit over and over with memories... The soap stone cross hanging in the chapel, I was there when Janine picked it up, I was there for the dedication of the chapel... The hill where I stood last year to photograph the arrival of 3500 children for a of worship... The cross with the baby handprints, now hanging on the completed El Roi Baby Home. That cross once stood on a hill, the home just a God given vision. So much has been accomplished in such a short period of time and now 9 babies call Project Canaan their home... Babies who had been discarded in a pit latrine, a ditch... One little girl, less than a year old, left by her mother for a week at the time... But now they have a home and someone to love them! El Roi... The God who sees...<br />
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Today was a work day for us... And all of the teams worked hard! Our team painted the roof of the baby home and Mackenzie climbed right up there and painted most of the day! You go girl!!<br />
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Tomorrow we're off to spend the day with 2 families... I think we need to be prepared to have our hearts touched in a way like maybe never before.<br />
<br />Sharla M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06248810823104947450noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1164043762250762998.post-80061972551528102352012-07-16T16:43:00.001-04:002012-07-17T01:09:03.288-04:00Africa: Over The Moon!<br />
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We are finally in Swaziland!! That moment, when I step across the border is
one I always look forward to and it never disappoints… Just as much as it tears at my heart when I step
across it the other way to leave… But
that is a week away, so I don’t have to think about that right now!</div>
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Tonight, we found out what we’re going to be doing for the
week and I am over the moon with excitement!
Tomorrow is a work day at Project Canaan (Heart For Africa’s 2500 acre
development). We get to meet the babies
at the El Roi Baby Home and each team has a special work project.</div>
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And as excited as I am for Friday, to get back to the rural
church I always serve at, I am SO excited for Wednesday! Wednesday we get to spend the day with 2
different families in the community surrounding Project Canaan. We will plant a garden with each family, give
their children TOM’S shoes and also take them clothing and food packs. WOW, a half day with each family just to love
on them, play with them and work alongside them! </div>
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Thursday is an ‘off’ day…
We get to go on a safari and to a very special market. And then Friday! Friday we spend our first day in our community! We garden with them, play with them and if I
know Pastor M… we’ll be doing some
really awesome worship (with dancing!)!!
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Saturday we spend the entire day fitting the children in the
community with TOM’S shoes! THAT is
going to be an AMAZING experience! So
far one church had over 300+ children show up and another had 500+
children… We’ll fit them, play with
them, sing with them, just love on them!
This is also the day that we will get to give out the dresses I have
from Dress A Girl Around the World!</div>
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Then Sunday… Sunday we actually give the children their
shoes, a food pack and it’s an entire day of worship with our church! </div>
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I can’t even begin to tell you how God is already answering
prayer! Here’s a fun one… I’ve always wanted someone on my team who
could play guitar. Today a young man got
on the bus with his guitar and I thought, “I am so jealous of the team that
will have him.” Well, he’s on my team
and I hear he’s quite talented!!</div>
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But the icing on the cake is that the whole team is amazing…
Of course there’s Mackenzie, her sweet gentle spirit, her smile will be a
blessing to everyone and God has also blessed us with 4 other clearly amazing
young people from a private school in Georgia.
Just from dinner I can already tell they are a special group of young
people! And then the icing on the icing
is we also have their Bible teacher and their economics teacher! They are funny, you can see their love for
Jesus shining right through and I have no doubt they are going to immerse
themselves in this week! It’s clear from
the way their students interact with them, they really are special!</div>
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God is up to something and I can’t wait to see all that He
has in store for us this week! And
here’s one to close with… If you read my
post last night, I was left wondering, is it enough to come each year just for the
purpose of loving and encouraging…
Tonight, as orientation opened, Jimmie (who is the stateside director of
HFA) said, “We are not here to fix anything, we are just here to bring
hope.” Maybe that really is enough… Maybe that’s all the why I need! But I’ll keep praying and watching!</div>Sharla M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06248810823104947450noreply@blogger.com3