Much of our ministry time is spent in Clarkston, a small community about 20 minutes from downtown Atlanta. The New York Times has called Clarkston "the most diverse square mile in America" because of the number of refugees that live there. Walking around apartment complexes in the area you can find people from Iran, Myanmar, Bhutan, Ethiopia, Afghanistan, Somalia, Sudan, and many other countries. I was told 74% of the high school students in Clarkston come from 50 different countries! Visiting the neighborhood is like stepping into another world. Women wearing colorful cloth wrapped around their heads and long robes covering their bodies hang laundry on the bushes and stair rails. Kids in mismatched clothes and flimsy sandals run from apartment to apartment and play on the swing set in the middle of the complex.
Over the past two weeks my roommates and I took a couple of afternoons to help World Relief* set up apartments for incoming refugees in Clarkston. We began by loading a van and truck full of beds, bedding and pillows, kitchen supplies, a table and chairs, toothbrushes, toothpaste, toilet paper, towels, a couch, and a few other necessities. Then we drove to an empty apartment and began setting everything up. During a small break in the moving commotion, all was quiet, and we stood in the dining area. We had the opportunity to pray over the home, praying that the Lord would put influential Christians in the life of the family moving in and unveil their eyes to the truth of our Savior.
Please continue praying for the refugee families moving to America. This past Tuesday nine more families came, and it is very likely they are all in need of a relationship with Christ.
*World Relief is an evangelical refugee resettlement agency. Every year, thousands of refugees, usually victims of war and persecution, are helped to replant their lives in the United States. World Relief staff and volunteers come alongside America's newcomers, helping them adjust to the culture, find employment, learn English, take steps towards citizenship, and build a future for themselves and their children.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
IHOP
This week we are reading Crazy Love by Francis Chan and Bondage Breaker by Neil Anderson. Our focus is seeking God and inner healing. One amazing experience today was visiting IHOP. No, not the pancake house, the International House of Prayer. Atlanta IHOP was started with 40 hours of prayer each week in 2004, and since 2006 people have been faithful in 24/7 intercession and worship. Every day, every hour.
As we drove to the “house” I expected a home, something somewhat small and cozy with a handful of people taking turns praying and worshiping. To my surprise we arrived at a building the size of regular public library with 30 or 40 cars parked in the parking lot. Inside, there wasn’t a small circle of people praying, but 6 people leading worship in front of a large but modest sanctuary, with people spread out through the entire room interceding for the lost and worshiping our Savior. Smaller, private rooms lined the side of the sanctuary for individual or group prayer. A book store and café were in the back. People were meeting with God throughout the entire building all day long.
What a challenge this is to my prayer life and an encouragement to know people are constantly interceding for the lost in our country as well as overseas!
As we drove to the “house” I expected a home, something somewhat small and cozy with a handful of people taking turns praying and worshiping. To my surprise we arrived at a building the size of regular public library with 30 or 40 cars parked in the parking lot. Inside, there wasn’t a small circle of people praying, but 6 people leading worship in front of a large but modest sanctuary, with people spread out through the entire room interceding for the lost and worshiping our Savior. Smaller, private rooms lined the side of the sanctuary for individual or group prayer. A book store and café were in the back. People were meeting with God throughout the entire building all day long.
What a challenge this is to my prayer life and an encouragement to know people are constantly interceding for the lost in our country as well as overseas!
Friday, January 22, 2010
Multicultural Living
As I sit here writing, an invisible cloud of smells swirl around me. It all started 20 minutes ago when John, one of our missionary friends who lives across the hall, knocked on our door. He walked in followed by two Latino ladies, a Latino man carrying a box about the size of a microwave, and two young girls. They gathered in the living room and began taking bottles and jars out of the white box. John waved as he left us to work out communicating with our new visitors, who only spoke Spanish. Enriqueta came up to me, tilted my chin up, and sprayed a few squirts of something on my neck. Soon the sent of Vick’s Vapor Rub reached my nose. She explained it is good for a cold, helping to clear the nose and throat. Flora picked up a taller pink bottle of cream and squirted some in my hand. The peppermint lotion is extra moisturizing for cracked feet. Still rubbing the lotion in, my arm was gently turned, wrist out to receive a spray of “Floral Fresh,” while the other wrist got misted with “Sweet Sugar.” Enriqueta mixed a few drops from a small container with a dab of menthol scented cream from a blue jar then demonstrated rubbing the balm on both temples and the back of the neck. My roommates and I followed suit as she explained the ointment is for soothing muscle pains. Jill picked one bottle to buy as I began to play with the little girls. We found out they will be meeting John and his wife every Thursday afternoon for English classes, and they invited us to come practice our Spanish. Before leaving Flora wrote down their phone numbers and apartment numbers so we can stop by if we run out of lotion. The transaction made, all the bottles and jars went back into the box, and we said “Adios.” When the door shut the only thing left was the mingling scents floating through the air.
This is a given part of living in another culture. Things don't happen "the way they would back home." In our suburban, middle class culture, if someone wanted to sell something in your living room, they would set up a "Tupperware party." In our multicultural apartment complex, it is completely normal to drop in, selling whatever, spraying this and dabbing that on your prospective customers.
This is a given part of living in another culture. Things don't happen "the way they would back home." In our suburban, middle class culture, if someone wanted to sell something in your living room, they would set up a "Tupperware party." In our multicultural apartment complex, it is completely normal to drop in, selling whatever, spraying this and dabbing that on your prospective customers.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Unexpected Opportunity
Trusan dropped off her two children at the upstairs room of the apartment leasing office, also known as the after school tutoring program. As the kids began getting their homework out of their backpacks, Trusan lingered. My roommates began helping the kids, and I looked toward their mom. She hesitated, then said, “I need to fill out a job application.” “I would love to help you.” I responded, and it was the truth. This was the first time Trusan and I met, but what better way to get to know someone than by learning about their life?
We sat down at one of the computers along the side of the tutoring room. Trusan’s bronze skin and dark wavy hair glowed in front of the screen. For the next 3 hours I had the privilege of learning about Trusan’s life. Learning she came to Atlanta as a refugee from Afghanistan, although she was born in Iran. Learning she has lived in the United States about two years and recently got laid off from her first job here. Trusan went to a university in Turkmenistan. (She graciously had to show me on a globe where that is located.) With a masters degree in biology and an emphasis in anatomy, we were filling out an application to a clothing store. Her daughter is in third grade and her son in first grade. She is very grateful they can come to the tutoring program and wants them to excel in school.
It is amazing how easily the Lord expands our heart to love someone. It is incredible how much you can learn about someone in a few hours if you just take the time to ask and listen. This week I am looking forward to getting to know Trusan and her children even more and sharing the love of Christ with them.
We sat down at one of the computers along the side of the tutoring room. Trusan’s bronze skin and dark wavy hair glowed in front of the screen. For the next 3 hours I had the privilege of learning about Trusan’s life. Learning she came to Atlanta as a refugee from Afghanistan, although she was born in Iran. Learning she has lived in the United States about two years and recently got laid off from her first job here. Trusan went to a university in Turkmenistan. (She graciously had to show me on a globe where that is located.) With a masters degree in biology and an emphasis in anatomy, we were filling out an application to a clothing store. Her daughter is in third grade and her son in first grade. She is very grateful they can come to the tutoring program and wants them to excel in school.
It is amazing how easily the Lord expands our heart to love someone. It is incredible how much you can learn about someone in a few hours if you just take the time to ask and listen. This week I am looking forward to getting to know Trusan and her children even more and sharing the love of Christ with them.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Wisdom from Above
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. James 3:17-18
This is the type of wisdom I want to gain at Missionary Training School. Not only academic knowledge but wisdom in God’s truths, wisdom that is God glorifying, wisdom that makes me more Christ-like. I want to learn how to apply it in intercultural ways so that “a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace,” so that the gospel will go forth and the Lord will be glorified.
Last week we learned about the 3 Hs—head, heart, hand. We don’t want to be only learning head knowledge, the stuff that sits up in your brain but is not applicable and makes you feel like you are better than everyone because you know more than them. We don’t want to be only learning to feel and follow our hearts because without the foundation of scripture, we know “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9) We don’t want to be only learning how to do work with our hands because without the gospel behind those actions, they are futile. Our goal is to be combining all three to glorify our Lord and Savior through learning the Scriptures, spreading the gospel, and blessing the community.
This is what it looked like in Atlanta this week:
*Making friends with international students through playing games together and cooking traditional food. We expand our hearts and minds for them by learning about their culture, language, and religion, then we share about our culture, language, and religion.
*After school tutoring with refugee kids. We become a person of influence in their lives through helping with homework and working on English. When we walk the kids home we often get to meet their parents. Wednesday I met Sarah, from Ethiopia, a mom of four, going to school to be a nurse. She invited us into her home, and we had an opportunity to talk with her, show we care and are interested in her life. She invited us to come back to visit anytime.
Please pray for the people the Lord causes us to meet. Pray that he would be glorified and the name of Christ would be proclaimed.
This is the type of wisdom I want to gain at Missionary Training School. Not only academic knowledge but wisdom in God’s truths, wisdom that is God glorifying, wisdom that makes me more Christ-like. I want to learn how to apply it in intercultural ways so that “a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace,” so that the gospel will go forth and the Lord will be glorified.
Last week we learned about the 3 Hs—head, heart, hand. We don’t want to be only learning head knowledge, the stuff that sits up in your brain but is not applicable and makes you feel like you are better than everyone because you know more than them. We don’t want to be only learning to feel and follow our hearts because without the foundation of scripture, we know “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9) We don’t want to be only learning how to do work with our hands because without the gospel behind those actions, they are futile. Our goal is to be combining all three to glorify our Lord and Savior through learning the Scriptures, spreading the gospel, and blessing the community.
This is what it looked like in Atlanta this week:
*Making friends with international students through playing games together and cooking traditional food. We expand our hearts and minds for them by learning about their culture, language, and religion, then we share about our culture, language, and religion.
*After school tutoring with refugee kids. We become a person of influence in their lives through helping with homework and working on English. When we walk the kids home we often get to meet their parents. Wednesday I met Sarah, from Ethiopia, a mom of four, going to school to be a nurse. She invited us into her home, and we had an opportunity to talk with her, show we care and are interested in her life. She invited us to come back to visit anytime.
Please pray for the people the Lord causes us to meet. Pray that he would be glorified and the name of Christ would be proclaimed.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Cookies and Neighbors
The comforting smell of fresh baked cookies fills the air and somehow gives us a little boost of encouragement for the task at hand.
Seven plates of cookies sit on the table.
We pick up the first one and head to our neighbors right next door. Knock, Knock, Knock. The door opens. A Latino man talking on his cell phone stands in the entrance. He raises an eyebrow and walks away, leaving us standing on the doormat. Another Latino man comes to the door, we introduce ourselves saying we live next door and wanted to give them some cookies. “No las comprendo.” (I don’t understand them.) He chuckles uncomfortably. Using my limited Spanish, I introduce myself again and hand him the cookies. A small smile breaks his confused expression, “Gracias, me llamo Raul.” His name is Raul, and the door closes.
Maybe this is going to be harder than we thought.
Plate number two, the neighbors across the hall. I toss up a little prayer as we walk between our door and theirs, Lord bless this meeting, help us communicate your love and grace. Knock, Knock, Knock. We hear some kids running and laughing though the house. This sounds better already; kids love cookies. A dad opens the door, two kids peeking around his legs. When the kids learn the cookies are for them, and that they are free, their eyes light up excitedly. Mr. Gregorio leaves us to meet Dennis and his little sister while he puts the cookies on his own dish and brings us back the empty green plastic plate. I guess we’ll be using that again.
Before we leave our living room we pray over the third plate of cookies. We walk down stairs to the apartment right beneath us. Excited and hopeful of another positive chance to meet more neighbors, we knock at the door, a bold sign hanging on it, “Take shoes off before entering.” Kids are talking and giggling inside, but at the knock everything goes silent. Out of the corner of my eye I see a face peek through the blinds by the front door. No one answers. We knock again, but the door stays shut. Maybe they were home alone and not supposed to answer the door, maybe they thought we were selling the cookies and were told not to open the door. Hopefully we will get to meet them another time soon, and maybe bring over some cookies.
Plate number three goes to apartment number four. The door is answered by “Shorty.” We soon learn we can call her that too. She lives with the Fernandez family. Shorty thanks us for the cookies after confirming they are free and invites us to stop by if we ever need anything, “And we all speak English,” she adds. I comment on the happy Christmas tree in the living room, the kids smile, and the door is shut.
The next plate of cookies is supposed to go to the door with a big pine branch wreath on it, but when no one answers, we take it to the next family. There we meet Martina and her two kids. The cookies are gratefully accepted and bring a smile to the kids’ faces. “Come back soon,” she calls out as we walk away.
The last plate of cookies is ready to be taken to the last family. Knock, Knock, Knock. The door opens wide and a welcoming smile invites us in. We sit on the floor and play with the kids while we make small talk with the parents. Laughter and “yumms” are exchanged as the cookies are enjoyed. As we wave goodbye, “See you soon!” follows us out the door. Jon and Jenna are on our missions team. But it’s always nice to visit with a friendly face.
Seven plates of cookies sit on the table.
We pick up the first one and head to our neighbors right next door. Knock, Knock, Knock. The door opens. A Latino man talking on his cell phone stands in the entrance. He raises an eyebrow and walks away, leaving us standing on the doormat. Another Latino man comes to the door, we introduce ourselves saying we live next door and wanted to give them some cookies. “No las comprendo.” (I don’t understand them.) He chuckles uncomfortably. Using my limited Spanish, I introduce myself again and hand him the cookies. A small smile breaks his confused expression, “Gracias, me llamo Raul.” His name is Raul, and the door closes.
Maybe this is going to be harder than we thought.
Plate number two, the neighbors across the hall. I toss up a little prayer as we walk between our door and theirs, Lord bless this meeting, help us communicate your love and grace. Knock, Knock, Knock. We hear some kids running and laughing though the house. This sounds better already; kids love cookies. A dad opens the door, two kids peeking around his legs. When the kids learn the cookies are for them, and that they are free, their eyes light up excitedly. Mr. Gregorio leaves us to meet Dennis and his little sister while he puts the cookies on his own dish and brings us back the empty green plastic plate. I guess we’ll be using that again.
Before we leave our living room we pray over the third plate of cookies. We walk down stairs to the apartment right beneath us. Excited and hopeful of another positive chance to meet more neighbors, we knock at the door, a bold sign hanging on it, “Take shoes off before entering.” Kids are talking and giggling inside, but at the knock everything goes silent. Out of the corner of my eye I see a face peek through the blinds by the front door. No one answers. We knock again, but the door stays shut. Maybe they were home alone and not supposed to answer the door, maybe they thought we were selling the cookies and were told not to open the door. Hopefully we will get to meet them another time soon, and maybe bring over some cookies.
Plate number three goes to apartment number four. The door is answered by “Shorty.” We soon learn we can call her that too. She lives with the Fernandez family. Shorty thanks us for the cookies after confirming they are free and invites us to stop by if we ever need anything, “And we all speak English,” she adds. I comment on the happy Christmas tree in the living room, the kids smile, and the door is shut.
The next plate of cookies is supposed to go to the door with a big pine branch wreath on it, but when no one answers, we take it to the next family. There we meet Martina and her two kids. The cookies are gratefully accepted and bring a smile to the kids’ faces. “Come back soon,” she calls out as we walk away.
The last plate of cookies is ready to be taken to the last family. Knock, Knock, Knock. The door opens wide and a welcoming smile invites us in. We sit on the floor and play with the kids while we make small talk with the parents. Laughter and “yumms” are exchanged as the cookies are enjoyed. As we wave goodbye, “See you soon!” follows us out the door. Jon and Jenna are on our missions team. But it’s always nice to visit with a friendly face.
Friday, January 8, 2010
Prayer Requests and Praises
Prayer Requests:
*Please pray for wisdom as we all decide what areas to focus our ministry time. Some options include working with refugees, international students, after school tutoring programs, English classes, internet cafe, and international families.
*Pray for unity of our group and that the Lord would keep our focus on him without any distractions.
*Ask the Lord to provide good relationships with our neighbors and other people we meet so that the gospel may be spread even in the short 5 months we are here.
*One special prayer request, on Sunday there was a fire in one of the apartment buildings in our complex. Eight families' homes were destroyed, and they lost everything. Pray for the families, that they would turn to Christ through these trials. We have gathered some donations and are looking for more ways to help.
Praises:
*The Lord protected all of us while traveling to Atlanta.
*Everyone is settling in quickly and a blanket of openness and honesty is already within our classroom.
*Christ arranged a positive chance to meet our neighbors by bringing them plates of cookies yesterday.
Thank you for your prayers and words of encouragement this week!
*Please pray for wisdom as we all decide what areas to focus our ministry time. Some options include working with refugees, international students, after school tutoring programs, English classes, internet cafe, and international families.
*Pray for unity of our group and that the Lord would keep our focus on him without any distractions.
*Ask the Lord to provide good relationships with our neighbors and other people we meet so that the gospel may be spread even in the short 5 months we are here.
*One special prayer request, on Sunday there was a fire in one of the apartment buildings in our complex. Eight families' homes were destroyed, and they lost everything. Pray for the families, that they would turn to Christ through these trials. We have gathered some donations and are looking for more ways to help.
Praises:
*The Lord protected all of us while traveling to Atlanta.
*Everyone is settling in quickly and a blanket of openness and honesty is already within our classroom.
*Christ arranged a positive chance to meet our neighbors by bringing them plates of cookies yesterday.
Thank you for your prayers and words of encouragement this week!
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Welcome to the Journey
Welcome to the journey of life.
Welcome to the journey of following Christ.
Welcome to the journey to bring God Glory.
Welcome to my journey.
I praise the Lord for bringing me to this point in life. Hopefully this blog allows you to take some of the journey with me. My goal is to share with you how Christ is working through my journey, wherever he sends me. Sometimes it will be what the Lord has been teaching me recently, sometimes it will just be a funny story, sometimes a praise or prayer request, sometimes there will be no update for a long time, and sometimes they will be frequent. Above all, may the Lord be glorified through my journey as well as yours.
Julia
Welcome to the journey of following Christ.
Welcome to the journey to bring God Glory.
Welcome to my journey.
I praise the Lord for bringing me to this point in life. Hopefully this blog allows you to take some of the journey with me. My goal is to share with you how Christ is working through my journey, wherever he sends me. Sometimes it will be what the Lord has been teaching me recently, sometimes it will just be a funny story, sometimes a praise or prayer request, sometimes there will be no update for a long time, and sometimes they will be frequent. Above all, may the Lord be glorified through my journey as well as yours.
Julia
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