Worth More Than 10 Cows?!

Friday night I had an opportunity to do something I had been anticipating since my first week here!  I was able to join some friends go eat dinner at one of the local “housing areas.”  You see, as you enter into this housing area it is as if you have just entered into Africa. 

One of the most beautiful things that I have begun to love passionately about this City is the fact that there are so many different people groups, ethnicity's, cultural groups, religious groups, etc here in this city…And although I know deep down that racism definitely lives here, it is so amazing to walk down the street and just see people thriving in being who they are!  And in saying that, there are few things that I appreciate more than walking down the road and seeing my people group adorned in their ethical clothing, sharing life together as family in the same housing environment, and the best part….continuing to eat food from their homelands! 

…So, Friday night we decided to go out to one of the housing areas and eat dinner from their “cafeteria.”  I, of course, was beyond excited – who does not want to eat authentic African food?!!  Let me tell y'all – this was the most food, for a super cheap price, and it was DELICIOUS.  Amazing.  I cannot wait to go back and eat it again soon!

But, that is not the point of this blog…I just thought I would let you all know how great African food is! 

My point is this….

As we left the building from dinner on Friday night, the older gentleman on my team was stopped by one of the men in the building.  The African man was asking my teammate about me, and my teammate (who is very wise) proceeded by asking the man, “How many cows do you have to give for her?!”  The African’s response was:  “I have ten cows.”  My teammate followed up by telling him that was not enough! ;)  I am glad that my teammate told the African that I was worth more than 10 cows, but I told him my parents would probably trade me for ten cows – maybe even less! :)

There are a few things that I learned within this humorous experience-

First, it never ceases to amaze me how different life truly is in Africa.  Their way of life is one in which we Americans can never understand or comprehend…at least not until we spend years and years with them, living day to day life with them, getting on their level…and still, at that time, we probably will never be able to fully understand/comprehend the mindset that they have….. 

Why?!  Because we are born in two completely separate environments, with two completely separate ways of living life, two completely separate ways of surviving and thriving, two completely separate reasons for living, two completely separate religions….

And within these two separate ways of life, the value of life is completely different.  Although it humors me that I am worth more than ten cows, it also breaks my heart to realize that this is truly a life tradition that occurs – women are “bought” by their husbands, from their families.  Why does this occur?  Because the husband must show that he is capable of providing for his future wife to be.  Potentially a good concept I guess one could say…But, as I learned today, in most families, the women marry very, very young in Africa.  Why?  Because the quicker they are to get married off, the quicker the father has to stop providing for them…..And this is the part that saddens me. 

As my interest has been peaked into the cultural traditions that take place within a marriage in Africa, I have learned a lot.  And through it all, there is one thing that I just simply want to share out and tell these precious women, and women all across the globe….

There is no amount of cows, there is no amount of money, there is no amount of food, there is no amount of drugs, there is no house large enough, there is no closet wide, deep, and full of clothes enough, there is nothing, absolutely nothingggggggg that anyone could pay, bribe, or give you that is greater and more costly than our Father sending His one and only Son, JC, to live on this Earth, setting an example for how we should live, living a sinless life; yet, ultimately dying on the cross ALL for our sins.  There is no greater, no freer love for us, than the love that the Father had for us when He sent His Son to hang upon the cross to die so that we may be free from our sins and have eternal life! And this love, it will never be taken away, removed, or changed.  His love is never failing, never ending.  

So, during my time here in the City, I will continue to seek out the women that the Father has called me to share this beautiful news with…Although this may be a bit of a tricky task, I cannot wait to see who He lays before me.  And, I ask that these sweet women are able to realize that they too, are beyond worth more than cows!

There is no field full of cows that could ever compare to His love! 

Easter. True Easter. No bunny. No Eggs. No family. Only Him.

Growing up as a C in America, Easter, like most holidays, has a deep meaning behind it…However, the meaning tends to get lost and left behind; due to the all of the secular traditions that we seem to cover them with. 

Let me preface this blog by saying that American traditions are by no means bad – I’ll be the first to admit that I love the celebration of traditions – But, there comes a point and time where traditions take over the true meaning, and that is when it becomes a problem…..

….Growing up, I use to be scared of the Easter bunny…well really, if I was to be honest, I was scared of most anything – including my own shadow. 

….But, I remember this one Easter where I actually made my mom put the Easter baskets outside on our front porch, because I did not want the bunny to come into our home….I was scared he would get me or something ridiculous like that… 

But, I also remember the thrill of waking up each Easter morning, running into the living room to see what the Easter Bunny had left me.  And I remember that thrill of suspense, the glow of happiness that shown through my eyes, and the smile that radiated the love for this day from my inside out.  Then, I remember the beauty found within a little girls heart as she was able to prepare for “meeting” that Sunday – wearing my new Easter dress!  And with the dress, came new shoes.  Going to meeting and showing off my fabulous new outfit was of course my absolute favorite thing ever!  And then, the excitement in exchanging with my friends what the Easter Bunny had left for each of us….After that came the actual service.  But it was during the service that I sat so very eagerly awaiting to get to my family festivity for the day!  The excitement of seeing my whole family, and having an egg hunt with my cousins – figuring out the best way to spot the most eggs to win – what joy that was!!  It seriously was enough to cause me to daydream through the entire service….missing the true meaning of this Easter morning…….

The sad thing is that for the most part, although the tables turned a bit with age, these same concepts have continued to be the true celebration of Easter for me personally.  Yes, most definitely I understand the significance of this beautiful morning – a morning in which we are promised to serve a RISEN ONE, our ONE conquered death, and He did that all for me and you – so that through Him we can have a relationship with our Heavenly Father.  What a beautiful morning this is…Perhaps the most important morning of the entire year, and I somehow have managed to cover up the true significance with other traditions – traditions that will in no way, shape, form, or fashion give me a gift this beautiful.  There is no egg, no bunny, no basket, no dress, no pair of shoes, no family member that is going to offer me something more beautiful than a risen Savi0r! 

And so why, why is this the American culture?  Why is the norm for every holiday?  Is it wrong?  Is it right? 

For the first time in 24 years, all of these traditions were stripped away from me.  There was no Easter bunny presents, no egg hunts to watch, no new dress or clothes (you know that was big for me), no family gatherings….No there was nothing.  There was nothing, except me waking up to a beautiful crisp morning, knowing that on this very day so many years ago there was an empty tomb that could no longer contain Him – I serve a RISEN ONE.  A ONE that defeated death!!!  And that alone, is why we should be celebrating this beautiful Easter morning! 

So this year, I went to my “home meeting” here in the City.  There was nothing better than seeing new six beautiful brothers and sisters b@pt*zed!  There is/was no amount of Cadbury Eggs and Lifesaver Gummies that could ever possibly be as great as six b@pt*sms on this Easter morning! 

And then, if one service wasn’t enough, we went to service at Notre Dame.  Sure, yes, I am B@pt*st…But, I have always been intrigued to know and learn more about other denominations, religions, and cultures.  And who is to say that we can’t pull together to worship a Risen ONE?! ….Although the language was not English, and I sometimes was a bit lost on what was going on because of that, I will have to say that this was one of the most beautiful Easter services that I have ever been to.  Not only did it reiterate the service, and the Word that I had read during the first service just a few hours earlier, but there was something more than just this….

As I left Notre Dame that evening, I was one of the first ones out the door.  This gave me a chance to have such a moment with the Father.  As I stood there for a solid fifteen minutes there continued to be people who poured out of the building….I have no official number of how many people attended this third service at Notre Dame for the day, but there were thousands inside – and I have no idea how many people stood outside the doors watching on the big screens. 

But, as these thousands of people exited this building I could not help but think WHAT IF…

WHAT IF all of the people who sat in that service, and the service at the meeting earlier that morning, what if they all removed the secular Easter traditions from their lives, and truly celebrated the real meaning behind this important day.  Because although the secular traditions are different here than in the States, there are still other traditions that veil the true meaning of this day.  (Just a side note that I learned:  The bells –like the ringing of the bells, not the Easter bunny, bring all of the children chocolate eggs here for Easter morning.)

What if each of those people were lit on the inside with a burning, fiery passion to tell everyone around them that years and years ago, their Heavenly Father sent His one and only Son to die on the cr0ss on a Friday, only to defeat death and haven risen three days later, on Easter morning years and years ago!  What if all of those people shared that their Father did this in order to have a relationship with His people here on Earth – that He sent His Son to die so that our sins could be forgiven….

Can you imagine the vast number of people who would now know about Him?!  Can you imagine the number of people who would be shocked at the true meaning of Easter?  Can you imagine if everyone in the church body ACROSS THE GLOBE had this passion, how others would be interested in knowing more about Him?!

....This whole concept just blew my mind…..

….Am I saying that American traditions are a bad thing?  Am I saying that we should do away with all secular holiday traditions? 

Absolutely not! I think those things create beautiful memories for children – memories that I know for me personally will never be forgotten.  But, am I saying that perhaps we need to pull back to the real meaning?  Am I saying that we do not need to let traditions win over the actual meaning of the holiday/special day itself?  Yes! 

There is beauty to be found in the historical meaning of traditions.  For example, Friday night we were preparing to share with some friends about the meaning of Easter and American traditions.  So I was asked to share about the meaning behind the Easter bunny and eggs…..Have you ever took a moment to think about the association and meaning behind these popular Easter objects?!  I sure had not ever thought one thing about it honestly.  So, I had to look it up.

Long ago, well much like today, Bunnies were known for their quick reproduction – meaning new life.  So Bunnies on Easter represent the new life that we can have through acceptance of salvation of a risen One. 

Furthermore, children use to think that eggs were laid by the Bunnies for some reason, but they too represent new life - through the cracking of the egg, there comes a new chick. 

So here you have two American Easter icons that you can quickly use to share the real meaning of Easter with, and bring them back to the true celebration of this glorious day! 

….By all means, I am not saying we must get rid of traditions, but perhaps refocus in on the real meaning of holidays and celebrate the actual religious meaning more than we do the secular traditions.….Just my food for thought.  Just something that really hit me personally this Easter Sunday!!  Brought me back to reality.  

First Week Lessons....

Hey everyone, I am sorry to just now be blogging about life in the new city, BUT honestly I am not sure where time goes here!  Although things are off to a fantastic start, things definitely are different than America – and time is one of those things.  Life is so much more different, and days just seem to pass by with the blink of an eye. 

…Since arriving last Monday, we have hit the ground running.  We were greeted at the airport by our wonderful team – who has truly welcomed us with wide open arms and loving hearts.  I could not ask to have joined a more welcoming team.  But, in part of our team leaving soon after our arrival, we spent the next couple days doing logistical things to get us acquainted to life here, the start of language school, and being a part of the team.

We also had a US team come in for a few days to “walk” the city.  This was a wonderful way to kick start life here!  There is nothing better than seeing your city for the first time, as you walk through lifting up the people, buildings, and places around you, to the Father.  The places that we were able to see during this time were truly eye opening and made me realize why the Father has called me to this city.

Sunday morning service was another highlight of the week.  Although I have no idea what announcements were made, and what was spoken to us, it was great to be in a building surrounded by like-minded friends!  I just smiled the whole way through, and read the passages in my English version.  But, after the service was most definitely my favorite part!  We were greeted with beautiful smiling faces, who were eager to know us and share life with us for the next two years – AND the best part, most of these friends know how to speak English (although it may be a little limited)!!  Once they asked me if I could dance, I instantly knew we would become best friends for my stay here in the city!  I proceeded by showing them my famous white girl skills. 

….Other than that, we have spent our first week just getting use to life here.  Trying to get phones and a bank account (which we are still working on), visiting our language school, getting train passes (PRAISE!), sightseeing, and so forth.  It has truly been an awesome start and I could not be more thankful to Him for that!        

Here are just a fewwww…okay 40 things, that I have learned during this first week….I hope you enjoy them! J 

1.        Forget the “push to start button.”  I now literally find myself running to jump on a train!

2.       Apparently in order for the train/metro doors to open you have to push a button!  AKA, they won’t just open if you stare at them.

3.       You “pay” to borrow a grocery cart, and then you get your coin back once you return it to the proper place.

4.       There is no sense of space – especially on trains.

5.       Trains are letters and metros are numbers.

6.       Friendliness totally occurs!!  If you are willing to smile and be friendly, it is amazing how people will respond – I have found most will smile and try to speak English back!

7.       Crepes, Boulangeries, and Pastry places are LEGIT. 

8.       The Eiffel Tower sparkles for five minutes at the top of each hour every night!  BEAUTIFUL.

9.       Coffee is a whole new level here – expensive, teacup size, and sooo not American style.  (Unless you pay like $10 for Starbucks)

10.   Credit cards only work ½ of the time.

11.   Time does not exist at all.

12.   We wash clothes on a prearranged schedule.

13.   Markets are CRAZY.

14.   Chipotle, McDonalds, KFC, Pizza Hut, IKEA, football, etc….American life is present here!

15.   The parks here are nooooo joke – insanely breathtaking!

16.   The phrase “our daily bread” is seriously taken here.  Bread is a constant at every meal and snack.

17.   PDA does not exist – this takes some getting used to….awkwardness.

18.   Being under 26 is beneficial.

19.   Coins are totally worth something here!

20.   Dinner happens at like 9pm.

21.   Being a grandma is impossible – learning to thrive with little sleep is an adjustment!

22.   When one hears thunder here you should probably run – getting caught in a hail storm makes for funny memories though.

23.   Things are smaller, yet double the price?!  

24.   Pandora doesn’t work. L  Depressing.

25.   Graffiti is everywhereeeee!

26.   Air conditioning does not exist here…hello fresh air!

27.   Dog poo apparently doesn’t need to be picked up off the sidewalks.

28.   “Sortie” means exit….You could walk around for a long time in the metro stations if you don’t know that…..

29.   Navigo passes make life so much better!

30.   The chocolate is amazing.

31.   I miss grills….I need a steak…seriously.

32.   Peanut butter is a prized possession.

33.   Haircuts are INSANELY expensive.  My boss, who is a man, told me I needed a haircut!!  Yep.  But, who pays 50euros for a haircut?!  Nope.  J

34.   Songs are not edited here at all and are played in any store.  AND, American artists are idolized.

35.   The public restrooms, like port-a-johns here, they wash themselves after each use.  Pretty cool. 

36.   The bike lane is for bike riders and not standing tourists.

37.   Prepare for the breaks on the trains/metros….worse than any chalkboard scratch everrr and it is never ending.

38.   People are free to completely be themselves here…it is amazing to see the different culture and people groups.

39.   Movies are played in different languages!  YES.

40.   ...LIFE IS FABULOUS!  

Doorways...

Have you ever taken time to just look at the different doors that you perhaps walk through or by every day? 

Some doors are bold in color; while others are dull.  Some doors are open wide open; while some doors are squeezed closed so very tightly.  Some open towards you; while others you must push in, to go through.  

Some doors turn constantly in motion; while others doors are rarely ever touched.  Some are very wide; while others are fairly narrow.  Some doors are wooden; some doors are clear.  Some doors are beautiful from the outside; while the building is a hot mess on the inside.  Some doors are ugly on the outside; while the building is beautiful on the inside.  Some doors open to a dead end; while other doors lead to more connecting doors. 

….You get my drift here. 

The doorways that we cross through on this Earth vary in so many ways.  But, just as these Earthly doorways vary, so do the doorways that the Father calls us to enter into. 

I would love to say that every door that He gives to us is painted with a bold beautiful hue of pink (my personal favorite color of choice), and leads to nothing but perfection once entering in.  But, sometimes, He calls us to enter into those darker doors that are perhaps in an alley way – trusting in Him to get us there safely…..Only because He has something amazing to offer us if we put our full trust in Him.  And sometimes, we have to walk through the alley way trusting fully in Him, only to find one door that leads to another dark room, which leads to another door entering into a dark room, which leads to another dark room – which requires us to grow in our trust in Him, growing in our dependence upon Him and Him only – which eventually leads to something we cannot even fathom, something only He could do, only He could make possible. 

And this is the exact doorway that my family has entered into. 

These past few months have felt like nothing but one big dark alley way.  To be up front with you, there has not been one doctor’s appointment where we were given good news – and after a while that begins to take a toll on one.  But, I will say that through it all, we – especially Eddie and Mom - have NOT once given up.  They have not thrown in the towel.  No, through it all they have continued to seek Him.  And He has been faithful!

The doorway that was last open for Eddie was to start a new chemo treatment through Wake Forest – not exactly the doorway that we wanted to have to walk through, but the only one seemed to even be slightly cracked open. 

So we trusted in Him to walk Eddie through this door, hold His hand, and provide what he needed during it.  This is a chemo treatment that was explained to be one of the worst for people to go through – meaning that he could become sick during the actual treatment and a couple of days after.  BUT, He was not.  Nope.  And during this treatment, he also began radiation – for the spot on his head.  That did not knock him down either. 

And we cannot give the credit to anyone for this, but the Father!!  He knew this was the doorway we would take, but He also knew that if we trusted in Him during this, He was going to hold Eddie in the palm of His hand and lead Him into yet again another doorway…..

A doorway which leads to Texas!!  (A HUGE DOORWAY)

As you all know, we have been told that MD Anderson in Houston is the place to go, for Eddie right now.  The trouble was that the doctor we wanted to see was full, and not accepting new patients.  But, PRAISE HIM – Eddie now has an appointment on Monday morning!! 

This is a doorway in which my family could not be more excited and overjoyed to go through.  This is a doorway that we have been seeking to be opened.

So, Eddie and Mom are heading out Friday, and are doing a little road trip to Houston – a very much deserved road trip. J They are going blindsided into Houston, with the hopes of hearing positive news and outcomes.  But, they are unsure of what this first appointment could lead to.  It may be that they get there and the doctors say what we don’t want to hear – that they cannot help Eddie.  OR, it may be that they say they have a medicine/opportunity that they feel confident will help cure Eddie.  And if this happens, then they will be staying out in Houston for an unknown amount of time. 

As I emailed with Mom today, it brought tears to my eyes to see the confidence, peace, and joy that she has in going to Houston.  As she told me today – it just seems as though God has divinely opened this door in such a way that He is also now providing ways for them to be able to stay out there for a while.   And that alone is beautiful.

….As I left on the plane a week ago, there was only one thing I was seeking from the Father - PEACE.  Peace in leaving my family during this time.  And peace He has given me this whole time, and peace He has given to them as well.  He is faithful!!!!  Nothing beats skyping your family from miles and miles away, and seeing them grin the whole time!  We are blessed.

SO, as Eddie and Mom run wide open through this open doorway to Texas, starting Friday afternoon, I ask that you lift them up!!  They are going fully trusting in Him – knowing that this door could swing open in many different ways. 

I ask that you go the Father asking for His Spirit to just fill their hearts like it never has before - That Friday as they drive, Saturday and Sunday as they do a little sightseeing and traveling, and Monday at the doctors, that they are just overwhelmed with His presence. 

I believe in going to the Father BOLDLY – And so each day, I do that.  I go to the Father asking that He lays His healing hands upon Eddie and performs a task that can never be done by human hands, but only by His healing powers.  And there is nothing more that I could ask of Him right now, than for Eddie to get to MD Anderson and hear the doctors say - we see nothing wrong with you.  Because we know HE is able!!

But, I also realize that that may not be His will for this situation.  Sooooo I ask for Eddie and Mom to seek Him no matter the results, and know that He is greater than anything else out there.  Ask for the doctors to be filled with the knowledge and wisdom to know how to help and to provide us with the best possibilities and options out there.  I believe in going to the Father seeking BOLDLY – and so that is exactly what I am doing, and am asking for you to help me do as well.  Let’s go BOLDLY, FERVENTLY, AUDACIOUSLY before HIM on Eddie’s behalf. 

I cannot stop smiling when I think about this door that the Father has opened.  I could not be more excited to see what He is about to do – because I can’t help but believe that He is telling me this is going to be okay!  He is faithful always.  He is good.  He is a healer.  My family and I put our full faith in Him and are anxious about the opportunity to enter into this door He has called us into! 

…..Again, I cannot write a blog without saying THANK YOU.  As I left in a hot mess last week, I left seeking peace, and peace He has provided.  This is a peace that I know is only possible through Him.  So thank you to each and every single one of you who is lifting my family and I up to Him during this time.  Your words are felt more than you will ever know. Thank you for helping in making this trip a bit easier and smoother for everyone.  Thank you for supporting and loving us.  We are blessed beyond measure to have the support that has been given to us.  He knew we could not get through this without you all, and we couldn’t.  From across the ocean, I know my family is being taken care of and I could not be more thankful.  From the bottom of my heart, thank you all.  I love you. We love you.  

...I will blog on life here hopefully tomorrow!  This update was more important to me.  Just know things are going WONDERFUL here!