How is that on one side of the train tracks EXCESS IS ACCEPTED? And, on the other, NEED is quickly IGNORED?
--- ---- ----
AND, WITH THE LINE, COMES THE EXTREMES.
Ican't deny... the invisible line exists, one, stares at
me every week.
[Enter in : more than plenty = WEALTH & hardly enough to live = NEED]
---- ---- ----
I know... a lot of times it is all about
me, me, me... now, now, now...
and, instant gratification.
But, when do we GET OVER OURSELVES long enough to use the
resources we have to MEET THE TANGIBLE NEEDS that are STARING US directly in
the face?
Why are we so scared to take a risk for the betterment of
humanity?
In my city alone there are: 6,500 - HOMELESS NEIGHBORS...
And, 12,000 - EMPTY APARTMENTS
It baffles me!
Are we terrified that if we reach to meet another's basic
needs it will cause our life to fall apart before us?
Or, maybe we have become SO COMFORTABLE & SO SECURE we simply don't care?
The HAUNTING IDEA of, if I
am good - then, that's all that matters.... or, what I don't see isn't my mine to
deal with.
THESE ARE SCARY PLACES FOR ANYONE TO BE.
Pockets of wealth & poverty - THEY STEM from a BREAKDOWN in COMMUNITY.
Have you paid attention to the invisible linein your city,
lately?
First, focus on your own zip code.
"You don't have to travel to
a third-world country to serve the poor.
Look in your own corner of the
world, FIND YOUR OWN CALCUTTA,
And, pour yourself out into it."
- Mother Teresa
I am in a conundrum; my dreams don't align with the world's
dreams.
Constantly surrounded by, A PLETHORA CHASING SPRINT STYLE
TOWARDS THE AMERCIAN DREAM...
And honestly, I am no longer impressed by it.
The most piercing conversations I have had in the last two
months have been with the homeless.
The alarming reality is: at night they become part of a large number.
They change from a soul with a basic need, shelter, to a
figure after sunset.
Removed, forgotten, & overlooked. Each a face, just one of the many...with no abode.
One very small in stature has the smile of a confident &
mature gentleman, puts it like this:
"NEVER UNDERESTIMATE GOD OR THE HOMELESS."
Why am I absolutely convinced that the American dream is not
the final answer?
Because, I know... because, I know ... because, I know.... that it
is just not.
I can assure you, FACES WITH NO ABODE are in a wasteland in
the Philippines and without a doubt...
They are also ONLY MILES away from your
cozy house.Pockets of
wealth & poverty stretch globally, but, it's all relative. Homelessness may look
one way in the slums of Kampala or Nairobi, but it doesn't mean it doesn't
exist in the states.
These statistics, as some call them, well, they are becoming
my friends. They have a FACE, they have a NAME, & they have a PULSE.
And, believe me... they recognize when someone genuinely cares
or when someone is frightened by their appearance.Most likely, they are offended when someone gives them a
quarter just to make them go away.
Maybe you are skeptical like I was, of the cardboard signs -
but, not all of them are made up.
If you head north on College you'll find them tucked away, bothering no
one, holding no sign.
ONLY THING THEY HOLD ONTO IS THE LAST STRING OF HOPE.
The first day, I drove into the lot. I found myself eerily
at peace.
Immediately, I was asked by a rather tall fella, "How do you get to
heaven?"
Shocked by the question, I had no immediate words. I found myself at
ease around these folks that lives looked very different than my own.Moments later, I had been directed with their help to the
front door.I asked the gentleman
that unlocked the building"Are
these folks waiting for a meal?"He politely responded, "No, they just wait."
That resonated so deep in my chest.I THOUGHT, THEY JUST WAIT?
WAIT FOR WHAT?
For hope?
FOR NOTHING?
For SOMEONE - FOR ANYONE to RESCUE THEM?
For more than a few... to CARE?
Don't let your skepticism
of the cardboard keep you from responding.
Last March, I paced through the dump in Happy Land,befuddledby a squatter community in the Philippines, yet, found
myself smittenby what some would consider the filth or scum of the earth. Last
April, I took steps through the wasteland in Cambodia, where I was challenged
by the unique camaraderieof two young pals.
THESE IMAGES HAUNT MY MIND OFTEN. These were MY STEPS.
And, last Wednesday, I found myself thousands of miles away from
both of these homeless lands. Driving a mile or so down College Street, headed
north in Charlotte, where I would soon find another.
And, suddenly vivid memories from my own childhood pierced my
mind.A quick recollection from my
past bombarded me... I was ten-years old. Only a young girl, peeking out of the foggy school bus window
daily, unsure of how to accept the extremes in life. A white kid, being bused from
comfortable middle class suburbia, into a low- income urban part of town to
attend elementary school in what most would call,"the ghetto."
I felt like my two worlds were colliding right before my
eyes.
ONE WITH MORE THAN PLENTY & ONE WITH A WHOLE LOT LESS.
TRUTH IS: THE WORLD RESEMBLES THE DIVERSITY I MET IN THE
WALLS OF THAT SCHOOL BUILDING.
Is it bizarre that I don't remember being the least bit
terrified of my surroundings? An unfamiliar environment, away from comforts
struck me as different, but, it did not cripple me.
I wasn't quite sure then if I thought it was fair, and, if
I'm honest it's not fair.
Confused with why my home in the suburbs was nothing like
the homes of my classmates. I would ask myself things like, "Why does Rick's
lunch look like it came out of the trash can and mine from a restaurant?"
I still remember the nausea I felt in my stomach that day
while trying to eat my food. What do I say to my classmate? What was a fourth
grader to do?How can I make his
life better?Or, at least how can I make his food taste good.
And, the days we walked to the Discovery Place for
class field trips would not entail a detour through the swanky part of town.That is when my eyes acknowledged that
home for some looked more like a rolling cart on wheels than a roof and lots of
bricks.
-- Constantly moving with nowhere to go or no place to call
home. --
THE HARSHNESS OF THE EXTREMES IN THIS WORLD GRABBED A HOLD
OF ME.
My physical body and spirit felt afflicted from all that
emotion and uncertainty. Even at ten, I could not deny the reality before my
eyes. And, ever since then my heart has been tinted a shade darker with
compassion.
You see, back in the day, College Street was considered downtown,
parts of it were like the projects (that was before the makeover.) Ten years
and a few billion dollars later, the new coined "uptown" better suites the
cleaned up look. Don't get me
wrong, the city is well taken care of and it's nice to walk through maintained
streets.
But last week, the skyscrapers seemed to declare their
power, shouting out, "this is what is acceptable now, bigger is better and
shiny is best." This ignited a frustration & a fire inside of me. An onset
of claustrophobia was probably not far behind. My car, and me well, I'm not so
sure we stood a test against those 300 plus foot walls.
Long black trench coats lined the streets.Hurriedly, rushing through life trying
to keep up with the "to-do" list, I'd like to think of it as the time-line of
the world. The traffic light changed to green and I managed to infuriate the road
rage assassin for a simple crime. Who knew taking half a second to glance down the
street was a sin.
Since when, is there no grace for rubbernecking?
Some of the passerbys had semi-sincere smiles on their
faces.Others had no expression at
all.
I wanted to
ask, "What are you hiding?"
Further, north the concrete bridges and overpasses on the
same street are not large enough to cover the heads of those that use them as a
place to lay their head.
And, so settling in tent city, among the trees, removed & forgotten, is a more realistic option.
I ask myself, "Why can the world manage to gather funding
for multi-million dollar buildings on one street corner, and two street corners
down there are not enough resources to provide additional shelter for people
clearly in need?"
Homelessness is not a statistic, homelessness has a
face.
I simple do not get it.There is a conflict within my soul.
Where College meets 11th, something happens. In a
few short yards, one extreme, an abundance of wealth, seems prevalent. Then, a few steps later, the other
startling reality appears... the FACES WITH NO ABODE.
It sat behind the wheel in my comfortable car, stunned & baffled by this place called the world.
Sometimes, it all feels LIKE A BLUR... euphoric, in a sense.
Two hundred ninety three days have
passed since I have walked on American soil... yet, I keep MOVING ON.
I remain in motion. Traveling from continent to continent, country-to-country,
house to tent, hostel to sleeping bag. A vagabond lifestyle that I have come to love. The faces continue to change, the sights
always contrast, & the sounds in no way identical.
The feeling I continue to
get is...I AM NO LONGER NORMAL.
My NORMAL has changed.Reality to me is different than it used to be. My eyes have been opened. I am no longer satisfied with a mundane lifestyle.I find myself asking...
What do I do now
that my "normal" is different?
My normal has become radical.It doesn't really make much sense. The Lord has taught me this year that
I am an extremist.I learn best
from bold statements or ideas HE SENDS MY WAY.
This change of perspective has challenged me like never
before. I no longer view the world the same. God's creation, His heart, and His desire to love is so much superior
than I once knew.
The ways I used to know... well, my previous life, it was not
necessarily the right or the wrong way. IT WAS SIMPLY, familiar to me.
I do not seem to understand how grandiose the world is - I do
know, we all are intertwined together into a majestic creation the Lord created.
And, He is writing our story and He delights when we seek Him first.
His
children are spread out in distinctive lands, raised by countless families, and
comprised of an assortment of lifestyles, but He is undoubtedly able to take
care of all of us.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
And, He treasures how unique we all are.
And, I wonder...
Lord, why did you choose me?
More than I can fathom
ENTANGLES your heart.
Father, how many faces I have seen?
I can't begin to
count. But, you know.
Lord, how many of your children's hands I have touched?
I have no idea. You
recall these countless details.
How many smiles I have received?
So many, they were all
individually special.
How many steps have I taken?
I was tired but you never
once left my side, you gave me strength.
How many times have I wanted to give up?
You reminded me - one day at a time.
How many doors have been opened to me?
Lord, they all invited
me in. And, you already knew each of them by name.
This new normal... Well,
sometimes it is very overwhelming - but, so satisfying.
My new normal is immense joy. I don't always understand it... but, I LOVE IT!
I'm not sure I fully grasp the world's normal any longer.
MY NORMAL HAS CHANGED:
Normal is walking miles to share the gospel & pray with a family I may NEVER SEE AGAIN. Normal is eating with strangers one day and the next day THEY BECOME YOUR FAMILY.
Normal is watching CHILDREN CLIMB TREES in the countryside for
an afternoon snack.
Normal isROLLING around in the hills of the Romanian countryside.
Normal isnot knowing what to expect day to day.
Normal is SHARING EVERYTHING you have.
Normal is LIVING EVERYDAY in intense community.
Normal is ACCEPTING THAT I DO NOT REALLY KNOW WHAT I NEED.
Normal is being astounded by the visionary heart of the
Lord.
Normal is DESIRING INTIMACY with my creator, a KING.
Normal is FINDING A SOUL smiling & ALIVE in the middle of the dump.
Normal is wanting to LOVE like never before.
Normal is seeking after what He desires for my life.
Normal is embracing be the beauty of vunerability.
My old normal was overrated. I NO LONGER STRIVE TO BE NORMAL.
Vivid arrays of color & pinwheels of light, tint my
memory.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
STRIKING EYES OF A lingering child.
Whispers of cornstalks
rustle. The FALL WIND BLOWS & catches a vertical stem. We cross a lake, I gasp & in the
distance statuesque hillsmimic the patchworkof a timeless quilt.Cracking stone, generations of families within the walls of the aged ranch.The layers of His hands... they are ALL WOVEN
together, with exquisite detail.
- - - - -
All His. All brush strokes of a genius.
He speaks & LIFE happens.
His artistry is before us. How can we miss it?
Why would we ever glance over such ingenious work?
- - - - -
It is true, the LORD SPEAKS and the seeds germinate season
upon season, dust falls on gravel roads journeyed by an aged gentleman & HIS COMPANION,
a chocolate stallion. Drops of rain unhurriedly hit pebbles along a less
traveled path, a child cries & the glisten of the SUN BEAMS against a painless
and cracked window.
A paisley bonnet of mocha, cream, & caramel gathers
Anna's hair; she smirks and squints at Elizabeth and they welcome my brief visit to their
village.Sheppard's direct herds
of cotton-covered sheep passing the turf covered roadway.BRAIDED PIGTAILS of Mariana, a village girl, SING JOY. A widow peeks over her iron
gate greeting the passerby.
Tattered smocking's hang FREELY on a tightly drawn
clothesline as gusts of wind absorb droplets of the morning's moisture, and the MOONLIGHT SITS STILL on the bank of an aged lake.
Fire lingers on the veins of a wrinkled hollow piece of
lumber & HUMS OF FRIENDS ECHO in the fall air as their music fills the
night landscape.
- - - -
Turquoise meets the wood plank of
a fragile shutter.
- - - -
These are my moments, ones He created for me to fathom. HIS WORKS INSPIRE ME. He is my Father.
Have you ever really looked DEEP into the eyes of another?
What did you see? Did you see your own REFLECTION? It is FASCINATING.
Our eyes are like mirrors. They cast reflections of both what we see & who sees us.
It is extraordinary.
It is perfection. Brilliant design, fashioned by a flawless designer.
The Lord looks through A DIFFERENT LENS than we often do.I have asked God to show me more of how He looks at the
world, HIS CREATION.How does He
see?
What breaks His HEART?
What satisfies Him or stirs Him? His PALETTE, it
is immeasurable, it is TIMELESS. His strokes are
genius.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
What lens are you viewing through today, HIS LENS or yours?
Personally, I cravehearing a good love story - you know, the
ones that make your heart SKIP A BEAT because you say, that is just "too good to
be true."There is no other
explanation than they are DIVINELY created.No one other the Lord is creative enough or capable of
recreating a God ordained love story.
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
They are astoundingly, serendipitous.
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
What I am realizing is the Bible is the greatest LOVE STORY
of them all.
Nothing comes close
to the adoration Christ had for
His creation and His children.
I deceived myself for years by originally reading the text
in the Bible much like a history book rather than an epic love story of
redemption. I neglected the POWER OF SCRIPTURE &missed the heartfelt words the
Lord conveys to those He lovesthroughout the gospel. Mistakenly, I once viewed
words in the Bible as dull and lifeless.
I simply failed to acknowledge that the words in the Bible
areALIVE & ACTIVE.I thought
the Bible could be read like any other book. You start reading the book one day
and then you just finish - done. I confess, I was extremely mistaken.
The Bible is like NO other book. The words are ETERNAL, so you never get enough... you yearn
for more.
It is DIVINE TRUTH.And, the words... well, they feed your soul. You should be seeking for more
of this knowledge daily. Most importantly, it is not just text - it is a love language.
HIS LOVE LANGUAGE: intended to enlighten & empower His
children.
The words a righteous Father desires to share with those that
invite Him in. He wants all of you, not just parts of your heart - but every
bit of your being.
His words paint a picture. They are intimate &
affectionate. Give Him permission to paint the strokes on your canvas. As you
read more, you will yearn for more of the unsearchable riches of Christ.
If you LOOK into theimagery & visualization that the
Lord uses to speak to His children it is matchless.In the book of Ephesians alone, it says that God's LOVE SURPASSES KNOWLEDGE.That is out
of control - we are unable to grasp the love of Christ because we are incapable
of understanding what an immense love it is.
To think, I would have ABANDONEDhis love language for years
is outlandish.
The words in the Bible are unending.
They are UNCHANGING.They
are UNFAILING.
They PIERCE your CORE. They draw you near.
You never fully complete the Bible
because the HIDDEN WISDOM that is revealed from the Lord never runs dry.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
More than anything the Lord desires for us to be in His
presence. Just as in any healthy relationship, you only come to know intimate
details of ones you love by spending time with them. It is the same with the
Lord, in order to know Him - you must draw near to Him. INTIMACY REQUIRES MATURITY.
As God's wisdom enlightens my mind and stirs my inmost
thoughts,GOD is GUIDING ME to understand more of His character.
He reveals more of who He is & why
he is ALWAYSgood.
I am learning to REVERE a Holy Father,
a dad that loves each
of us without ceasing.
I am learning to HUMBLY approach His throne of grace.
I am in AWE of my worthy creator.
"I pray that out of HIS GLORIOUS RICHES he may strengthenyou with power through
his spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell
in your hearts through FAITH."
We are called to be "imitators of God," and love simply
because the Lord loves us FREELY. Don't let your words be empty, share His love
language with the world.Invite
Him to penetrate your heart like never before & fill you with a fire to draw
near to His love.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Enjoy this beautifully created video by another dear
friend & teammate, Katie, which captures what our eyes see day to day in
the Gypsy community.
Be enamored by this story written by my teammate, Jesse, of
a recent experience the two of us had while in a small village in Viile Tecci,
Romania.
A perfect
picturewas painted by my sweet friend, Lana, it shares how privileged we are
to love those we do life next to while on the race.
I will be honest, I have been questioning lately, how do I
finish what the Lord has already started this season.
Then I am reminded...
it is not my job to finish what He started - He is beyond capable if finishing
His work and I am privileged to be a VESSEL.
Sitting under the pressure of trying to encapsulate all that
I have seen,witnessed, heard, and experienced over the last nine months - I
simply began to silence myself.Overwhelmed
with how to express what is happening in, around, and through me - I took the
easy way out and said nothing. NOT GOOD. NOT THE ANSWER.
Then the Lord readily reminded me:
Emily,
My child, do not forget what I have promised you. I NESTLE you.
My LOVE is not only true freedom - my LOVE is perfection.
YOU HAVE OVERCOME with my help.
I AM your great I AM.
You are not alone, I am fighting for you and next to
you.
I UPHOLD YOUR HANDS when you have nothing left.
I AM THE ONE WHO CRADLES YOUR INMOST BEING.Dwell in the presence of your Almighty Father.Meet me here, daughter.
My water never runs dry - my passion for you beautiful one is a
fountain overflowing.
Do not
silence your voice - you have something to say. Lament will not defeat you.
I CHASE YOUR HEART.
I AM JEALOUS for all of your ATTENTION.
Sweet one, can I nurture your soul?
I will always love you,
Abba
His love notes are the GREATEST. The idea of trying to put
His heart for me into words seems silly.The Lord has recently reminded me to slow down - take
it all in. And, to share it - through words.
Well, it has been a WHIRLWIND.
A whirlwind mixed of emotion, love, and charming intimacy
with a Holy Father, my Lord.
Snapshots enter my mind and I there are so many questions I
still have. The LOVE of Christ - an EPIC STORY, told by the greatest visionary of all. I feel so small amidst this grandiose
creation He designed for us to enjoy.
In a season of weakness before the Lord I am reminded of His great
adoration for me.
There is something precious about drawing near to the Lord
when you have exhausted your flesh.
Capturing this race - it is hard to explain.So, instead I want to take you into
some moments. Into the details and absurdities that have made up my days.
All DIVINELY ORDAINED by Him.
Day in and out... I walk miles upon mile. Along, wide dusty roads.
Up rolling hills and back down again.Unsure of how many cups of tea I might consume in a matter of hours.
Continually, knocking on the doors of strangers.Not strangers to the Lord, the doors of the homes of His
children.I hear their stories.
WE PRAY TOGETHER.
The face of an elder, a child, a widow. Some know His voice
- others do not.
I learn the true meaning of INVITATION and HOSPITALITY.
A SOUND. Does not sound like me.I am one of the few of my color in the walls of this church.
Their sounds are like a
nation.They cry out to the Lord.Shouts of joy - assured that He is listening.My ears are full of the glory.Is this was heaven sounds like?
A triumphant battle cry, a victory
shout - in His honor?
LIGHT.I am learning the ARTISTRY of the creator.
He was INSPIRED.Their faces peek through the window. The rays of the sun glisten in and they want to see more.Full of curious spirits.Who are these people?
I love the earnest eagerness.
So, my heart can not be silenced anymore.I want to share my SOUL and what He is
doing inside of me with you.He is
meeting me Here, as I DWELL in His perfect resting place
This is the question I ponder and ask myself these days. How do I become just a soul?
- - - - - - - - -
Last fall, a man of God approached me at training camp in
Georgia and shared a few words of wisdom... he had some insight into a realm of
knowledge I new very little to nothing about.
Honestly, at the time, his words baffled my mind more than
anything else. The words he left
with me were not good luck on the World Race, in an encouraging tone and a pat
on the back, but rather, "When I
see you at the Awakening (a worship conference held by AIM in October)
I expect
you will be just a soul."
"Really?"
I thought in my mind, you expect I will be just a
soul.
"What?
Great, how the heck am I supposed to figure this one out, and who
is this guy anyways?"
Is this some prophetic statement?
It was mysterious and all slightly intriguing to me... yet, I
was completely unsure of the inside scoop this man had that I didn't have the
slightest clue about. Also, aware he would not be sharing with me insight into
attaining this "just a soul" place.So, my task sounded much like a confusing challenge rather than a "how
to" guide - book with a step-by-step instruction manual.
I realized I had less than one year to figure out what this
meant and then share how I had not failed him in my assignment.Slightly overwhelmed by what I was
getting myself into to begin with, I was not sure I wanted a lofty task to add
to my to do list. Thanks, and cheers to you teacher! I intend to have a lengthy
conversation with you about all of this in Ireland.
These words struck me upon receiving them and I have been
wrestling with this brief statement for the last seven months.I EXPECT YOU WILL BE JUST A SOUL.
A little perplexed and slightly befuddled after hearing
this...
I wondered what does this mean?
Is this just fancy Christian jargon... or a debonair statement
to throw off someone that is new to the mission field?
Just a soul?
I stood dumb founded yet still fascinated.
I've discovered. A hidden truth lies behind the words that
were shared with me that evening... I marvel at the way it is making more sense to
me daily than at first thought. If you didn't know, at the core of our inner
being lies our soul... one that can only be fully exposed when all outer layers
are stripped away and the very core is where you find, a rather complex matter,
the SOUL... the true essence of a person's character.
Every soul is distinctive, divinely extraordinary- a
treasure
you find at the hub of an internal being.
When all the layers of the flesh have been pulled back, you
are left with "just a soul."
Only the soul remains.
In my process of discovering if it is even possible to
become " just a soul," it has been all but orderly.The transformation has been messy, confusing, liberating,
and freeing... all the same - it is a journey.
And, I am in somewhere in the middle - not fully all flesh
and not yet "just a soul."
"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together
in my
mother's womb." - Psalm 139:6
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Words can't recount the reality that my eyes see each day.
Yet, my reality is far different from theirs.I am simply in the middle of it all, unable to often understand
my place or my voice.
I feel lost at times, amidst the chaos, the numbers, and
the language barrier. You can feel
crippled if you look at the startling truth surrounding you. Often, communicating
through a sweet handshake or a kind smile is the only option.
These are the things I do know - these are my cries.
They are - No longer children.
Already, grown ups.
Who is robbed of this simple innocence?
Who is this brave?
Who fights for them, Lord?
KEEP THEM CLOSE TO YOU.
In Mwanza, Tanzania - you are called to grow up much faster
than you might want to. You become a parent before you become a teen.
The eyes
of these children are far different than I have seen before.
Their eyes tell their story.
Their inner soul pierces your HEART when you glance at them.
They grab your hands and desire a warm embrace.
How can I love them like you, Lord?
Who reads their bedtime stories?
Who tucks them in and whispers, "snug as a bug in a rug?"
When did CHILDREN START RAISING CHILDREN?
These are my questions.
- - - - -
The answers are far from me. Only you can save them, Lord.
WHISPER to them about your GREAT LOVE.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
You are a father to the fatherless; shelter these sweet ones
under
Mpeketoni Lamu is peaceful, serene and FULL OF SOUL. The
moment I stepped foot onto the pathway leading to the church I felt like I was
home again.The precious sounds of
their Swahili "Welcome" rang in my ears.I knew God had something new in store.Different than the first time, but without a doubt it was
straight from His eternal notebook.I was greeted by faces I had never met, but knew they were so very
familiar.
- - - -
How does that happen, Lord?
How do you fall in love with people you have only known for
a few days?
- - -
Somehow my soul was already connected to theirs. I had been
waiting for my heart to reconnect with the land of Kenya.It happened right when I arrived to
Mpeketoni.The conversations I
have had this month have been some of my favorite yet. If you ask God's
children to share with you how He speaks to them, it's a quite treat.
Hearing about their dreams has sparked my own spirit.Their dreams are not of selfish pride,
they desire to use these dreams for His glory.God has awakened my soul again.He has allowed me to delight in spending time with His
children. Soaking in His creation. Sharing the ways God has worked in our
lives.He has provided and never
left them alone. I am delighting
in His presence and the plans He has in store for my newfound friends.
Jonah and Jecinta... a dynamic duo. Yet, a couple full of
humility. They selflessly serve Him together. Their hearts are tied at the soul.
And, they have openly invited each of us into their life.She is a provider and nurturer.He is a protector and servant.They worship God together through their
Swahili music.
Me: "Jonah, when did you start playing guitar?"
Jonah: " I taught myself and made my own guitar out of wood
and tin when I was eight years old."
Me: "You have got to be kidding me."
Jonah: "No, I
did. (He giggles as he answers me in a Swahili accent.) I played it for three
years before I ever played a real one."
I was blown away and astonished by the determination of my
Kenyan friend at such a young age.He made use of the resources he had to pursue his passion of music that
His father has blessed him with.He has got given up.
The
hand-constructed guitar was his.It was special to him.That
was all that mattered.
He shared his dreams with me of one day opening a recording
studio. I believe the Lord has put these dreams on his heart.Nineteen years after first realizing
his gift for music the Lord is still igniting that same fire inside of him.
The studio is CARVED ON HIS HEART.Music brings Him joy. It is a part of his marriage.
Jonah is not letting these dreams go without a fight. Lord,
I thank you for the way you create your children with different gifts and
passions.Most importantly, I
thank you when they use their gifts for your glory.
Lord, I pray you answer Jonah's prayers.It has been an honor to hear he an his
wife, Jecinta, worship you
together. NEVER LET THEM LET GO OF THEIR DREAMS.
"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from
the Father of heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. "- James 1:17
First off, Happy Father's Day... just one day belated.
I have my dad to thank for much of my spontaneity and adventure. Many times growing up he would wake my family up on a Saturday morning and say, "Get your stuff together we are heading to the beach for the night." We would respond with, "What, right now? Okay!"
This was a kids dream.
Holidays at the Simpson household are a little interesting as well. Mostly because of my father... we have been known to get in the car and go on scavenger hunts for our presents. Why do anything less than spectacular? Dad knows how to make life exciting and fun. Whether, he sticks his head out the car window to dry his hair while taking you to school or spends hours teaching you to lay hardwood floors.... he lives for the moments in life. He certainly never forgets to buy the South Carolina fireworks for the fourth of July on the way the lake either. He knows the North Carolina ones don't make it up in the air.
Sharing your HEART with your family ranks high in his life.
I appreciate the lessons my dad has taught me more as an adult. I realize more and more that people crave things that are outside of the box. Their faith ignites when called to use their imagination.And, well the Lord surrounds us with the things we love... so the Lord entrusted him with three inspired kids and he married quite an inventive an ingenious woman, my mom.
My dad's creativity has always been top notch. Growing up, I remember my dad was one of the most amazing Sunday school teachers. He always threw a unique twist into his teachings. So, when dad taught it was more of an interactive classroom rather than someone preaching to you. I remembered his lessons because he did not always go by the curriculum. Often times, this resulted in the Sunday school classroom looking more like an art class after the hour was over.
And, that was just fine... because whether he used food, glue, or an old Christmas tree to make the message impactful, it was a hit.
Last week, while teaching Sunday school in in Mpeketoni Lamu, Kenya - I had to think back to helpful hints when learning from my dad years ago. I acknowledged I had no supplies, no chalkboard, no nothing. Yet, I believe I can thank my dad for this Sunday school lesson. And, well - the Lord showed up and provided the idea for supplies. They came straight from His creation.
It was outside of the box and interactive. And, the kids were excited to join in the fun. They smiled because we complimented their artistic designs. The children felt VALUED and APPRECIATED.
Dad, thank you for being you.
Thanks for being unique within a crowd. I never question your integrity or your genuine heart. I know the Lord blessed you with your talents and I am thankful you shared them with me. I appreciate that the Lord provided such an amazing father in my life. You have allowed me to understand the importance of embracing the individual that God has created me to be. I respect you for always being yourself no matter the circumstance. It is an admirable quality.
I miss you and hope that your Father's Day was incredible. Thanks for being my earthly father and friend.
Confused with why my home in the suburbs was nothing like
the homes of my classmates. I would ask myself things like, "Why does Rick's
lunch look like it came out of the trash can and mine from a restaurant?"
Emily, 
I learn the true meaning of INVITATION and HOSPITALITY.
They are - No longer children. 
Jonah and Jecinta... a dynamic duo. Yet, a couple full of
humility. They selflessly serve Him together. Their hearts are tied at the soul.
And, they have openly invited each of us into their life.
