A Few Takeaways From Fiji

My first night in Fiji was a bit surreal as I walked to the cottage where I’m staying under the starlit sky.  What am I doing here?  In Fiji for the third time in 3 years?!  Among these amazing leaders from all over the world? Who two different speakers praised their positions and influence for such important, eternal matters.  It’s extremely humbling and such an honor, not just to be in their presence and a part of their team, but to glean knowledge and wisdom with them and from them.

The night we arrived, we were served a delicious Fijian meal as we met some of the board members for EE in Fiji.  They had some of the youth put on a phenomenal drama that acted out the history of Christianity in Fiji.

Delicious Fijian Food!

A skit the Fijian youth performed

Each weekday was filled with lots and lots of meetings and discussions in how to equip the national leaders better, work as a team, and review different policies.

My favorite session was when we looked at Exodus 18 to learn about leadership, priorities, focus, and delegation.  The first nugget I’ll share was very practical: basically, the later in the day (when we have less mental energy remaining), our decision-making abilities decline; so, better to make decisions before 4 PM.  (That finding was from scientific research, not the passage).

Second, first and foremost, we’re the Lord’s servant. This speaks to me because my very role is one of a servant.  I serve a person, a team, and an organization.  I also serve those who are sending me.  While that’s so true, I must remember that above anyone else, I serve the Lord.  It’s all too easy to get caught up in our responsibilities and get our priorities off kilter.  May we keep Him at the highest place in our hearts.

Saturday was a free day where I rested, walking the beach and marina in the morning and relaxing at the center in the afternoon.  Sunday, I was asked to share my testimony at a local Anglican church where Bishop G. is a convert from a different religion.  E. from Russia gave a strong sermon, using personal examples to exhort us to take every opportunity we have to share the Gospel with those who God puts in our lives.  I think we always need this push.

With E, Bishop G, and an Aussie after the service

Many people left Thursday bright and early, giving me all of Thursday to pack and get to visit a Fijian-Indian couple I met last year at a clinic we held.  Their kindness is humbling as they don't have electricity or much at all, but they had me over for a meal and showered me with gifts.  We were all so grateful to see each other despite the short time I had in Fiji.  As I left, the Fijians predicted it won't be the last time they see me.  With this unplanned track record, I'm starting to wonder myself! 

Quick visit/meal before my plane left!

Third Time's a Charm

Well, I guess it all depends on how you define charm.  I love this place, I must say.  There have been a few differences this time around, other than the people I’m here with.  Fiji has had a terrible drought, leaving the normally green spaces brown and causing some wildfires.  Ima, who takes care of the center, was thanking God that at least we have water.  Me too!  

I still take my early morning walks, but found a new path after the first day’s dogs barking from afar.  At least they aren’t muddy walks like last year. 

Sunrise on my morning walk in the sugar cane fields

This time, there are pigs, bees, goats, and roosters.  The little baby goats are so cute and apparently know to come back to the center after roaming and mixing with other goats in the sugar cane fields during the day.  The roosters are not as loved and have been threatened by at least one participant for their disrespect of choosing to make so much noise during sleeping hours.  :)

Speaking of goats, we had the option of goat or beef curry for supper. I decided on the goat since that’s not something I eat at home.  Then later as I gazed upon the field and watched the cute little kid goats frolicking, I started feeling a little guilty about my choice of meat. 

Then there’s Felix.  That’s the rat who graces us with his presence every night.  At first, I didn’t actually see him and comforted myself with the possibility that maybe he was a mongoose, squirrel, or even mouse.  But finally one night, my eyes beheld him and had to accept the disturbing truth.

It's also been very hot, and some in the group are used to A/C, which we don't have other than a unit in the meeting room.   And the limited data and signal for Internet, which makes it feel like we're living in a different era for some.  But there's just something about Fiji with its natural beauty and slow pace which helps you to enjoy life as it is.  So thankful for my time here...once again.

More Than Meets The Eye

Well, it's been a while.  I've had much to write, but haven't had a free minute!  This past week was filled with online meetings, lots of emails to our workers to remember deadlines, preparing for upcoming VP meetings, and last-minute prep for traveling.  The time has finally arrived, and I'm en route as I type!

I often am asked what a typical day looks like.  That's hard to answer because every day is different, and quite honestly, I'm afraid if I start explaining, it would make you sorry you ever asked.  Or maybe that could be due more to my detailed personality that explains things to the tee. ;). The reality is that a lot of what I do is behind-the-scenes work.

I am learning that many things--whether decisions, projects, or even newsletters--require a lot more time and process than expected.  And when you work with others, which we all do, the collaboration of schedules and lives requires even more time.  And as I consider the nature of my own role which is more "backstage," it has me thinking about how God also works behind the scenes sometimes.

While He's shown Himself in my own and others' lives to be a very present God and sometimes reveals Himself in amazing ways on-the-spot; there are also examples in scripture where people have asked for help, and it takes quite a while before the human eye will see evidence of Him responding.  Like a man named Daniel who prayed and had to wait 3 weeks before any sign of God hearing that prayer (Daniel 10).  Come to find out, what he and others didn't see was a battle in the heavens waging war on behalf of this man and those around him.  It tells us that a holy angel who was connected to getting Daniel's prayer answered was opposed by an evil force, and they were fighting 21 days.  Now that is behind the scenes!  On the one hand, it is encouraging to know that silence and passing time does not equal disinterest or neglect on God's part.  On the other, it reminds us that there's usually more than meets the eye to a situation.

Getting back to the work I do, I don't meant to imply that it is nearly as significant as that of angelic beings, but I find it comforting to know that it takes unseen action to accomplish the goals of a much larger operative.

That said, the next couple of weeks are going to be packed.  I hope to get a post in, but if not, I'm probably making a to-do list or tracking people down to get it done. :)  Stay tuned!

Storms of Life

Last Monday morning, I was meeting online with my boss in Europe  as the winds were starting to pick up.  Later that morning, I sent a mass email out asking for some information, and several workers throughout Europe asked how I was and were praying as Hurricane Irma was making news worldwide.  I had to break early afternoon when we finally lost Internet, just in time for the tornado warnings, something we thankfully don't get very often where I'm from.  

As you probably know, despite some record-setting flooding that did devastate areas of downtown and some beaches as well as the expected power outages and loss of trees, we actually escaped the path of the hurricane itself, experiencing "only" tropical storm conditions.  In other words, we were spared much wrath.

Battery Downtown
Not a personal photo, taken from Time Magazine ;)

Personal Photo this time :)
One of many boardwalks that didn't make the storm :(

As the next few days have been characterized by checking on others, cleaning up, and catching up, there has been a strong sense of gratitude in many a local heart especially considering those in the islands and Florida as well as Texas and Louisiana.  I think it's a combination of our last two years of flooding, Harvey, memories of Hugo, and the uncharacteristic nature of this storm, but this hurricane had our attention.  And I think anything to that degree should cause us to look to One who has power over nature for help. 

As we get back to life as normal, I can't but help think of the storms of life that many of us or around us face, but also the fruit of these storms.  They shake things up.  This results in the trees and branches that are rotting, weaker, or are not firmly rooted to end up with piles of debris on the side of the road.  And I think it's the same in our own lives: when the storms of life come, they also shake us until that which is firmly rooted remains.  How crucial it is that we root ourselves in the Lord who is a sure foundation, the One who is the Author and Finisher of our faith.  

Jesus taught those who follow Him that "...everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.  The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock."  In light of the havoc and ruin we've witnessed from physical storms, I hope we'll take Jesus' words seriously for the metaphorical ones as well.  

People weren't the only ones who were ready to get back out Tuesday.
Lots and lots of butterflies!

And while the Lord is so kind and good to instruct us on how to survive the trials of life, may we also acknowledge when He, in His mercy and kindness, spares us from the "storms" that are headed our way, like we literally experienced here in South Carolina.  

That's...communication!

Speaking of communication, sorry for the lack of mine with you!  Ever since I started full-time, there's been a lot to do!  I've been preparing for my upcoming travels, working a lot for the organization, and several doors that were closed or not even there have opened recently to meet with churches and individuals who want to know more!   

I was thankful when a family asked me to dog-sit last weekend.  Sometimes it helps to "get away" to be able to pray more intently about issues on our hearts and minds.  It was also a chance to be creative and even try new things like painting!  Okay, so this was a mini canvas with a stencil for ages 6+ that only required minimal painting, even following a pattern they gave.  It was still a thrill for me, and hats off to any 6-year old who can stay in those lines!

My masterpiece.   Don't look too closely. ;)

At one point during the weekend, as I was doing some creative writing, I was dwelling on Psalm 119:105, specifically the word "word," wanting to know more about what the Lord was referring to.  It's a very common term after all.  So I delved into the Hebrew, not surprised that it refers to speech and utterances; but one definition stood out: commune(-ication).  And it opened my eyes to the genius of the word and how God designed us.  Words/speech are a form of communication, but the fruit and I suppose goal, in this case, is to commune with the one we're communicating with.  I may just be a language nerd, but isn't that amazing, the connection between words and relationship?  And it matches God's heart and what He says elsewhere that the purpose of the Scriptures is so that we can know Him personally.  How beautiful and amazing is that?

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." Psalm 119:105

I should add that "word" has many definitions, including but not limited to news, counsel, commandments, promise; so, it's relaying different types of information to others.  In that regard, one of my largest roles and responsibilities is communication as a liaison between EE EuroMENA and the international headquarters as well as between the leadership team and the different nations we represent.  And I must say that it makes me so thankful for the intercultural communication class I took in grad school, which I now apply on a weekly, if not daily basis!   

Finally, you may have noticed some changes in the ways I'm communicating, like how this blog is now private. :).  I'm re-thinking how I'm going to communicate with those who are interested in what the Lord is doing.  While I do want to inform and even "commune" through words with those who desire, it's important to me to protect the privacy of those I serve with as well as preserve the value of personal communication.  So I'll be praying through what and how to share with others in this "communication age" where the norm is to gain real-time access to all the information and photos we want with just a click.  Don't get me wrong, I'm not anti-technology; just wanting to be wise and restrained, keeping the big picture in mind. Hope you'll keep reading!

At last!

Long time, no blog!  But the good part of letting some time pass is that I have some news to share with you!  After months of waiting, we are in the process as I type for me to officially begin my post as assistant to EE EuroMENA!  

There have been many behind-the-scenes prayers and God-stories that I won't share in this particular blog.  To be honest, I don't think I'm even aware of all of them!  But one thing I am aware of is how the Lord uses our circumstances to make us into who He wants us to be.  It seems like the delays have had many purposes.  For one, they remind me that I'm not in charge, keeping me in a place of trust and openness to do things differently than expected or planned.  

And this is a very good thing because the plan has changed!  I'll share more details in my next newsletter; but rather than being based in Switzerland, I'll now be based in the US and traveling within Europe and other locations at key points throughout the year.  This will allow me to be more efficient and cost-effective and seems to be the way that God is leading and opening doors.

I'm thankful for a God who guides our prayers, speaks through His Word, and uses a body of others to provide counsel.  I'm also thankful to be joining a team who exemplify the strength of unity and grace to me.  You can be praying for wisdom and understanding as I tackle a few new projects which I'll be working on till I meet with the team in early October.  

And if you're in a season of waiting, may the Everlasting God guide your prayers and give you counsel in whichever ways He chooses.  

Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba and called there on the name of the LORD, the Everlasting God.  Genesis 21:33

Facing a Task Unfinished

Last week, I attended the ACNA (Anglican Church in North America) Provincial Assembly in Wheaton, IL along with several other SAMS missionaries and 1400 Anglicans!  While it made for some very long days, I have to say that I was so encouraged in so many ways.  The theme of "Mission on our Doorstep" addressed needs and opportunities both locally and globally.

That's a lot of Anglicans!

I'm not sure about you, but sometimes I find the state of the world--and even the church--to be demoralizing.  There are so many people with so many real needs--addicted, broken (relationships/families), persecuted, refugees, hungry, poor, marginalized/outcast, forgotten, sick, dying, confused, foreigner...the list goes on.  Sometimes the needs are so overwhelming, the temptation is to throw up our hands and do nothing because will our small efforts really make a difference?

But what is so beautiful and ingenious about God's design of His Church is that it is a Body, made of many members.  I was reminded of that and the strength that we have when we are surrounded by and connected to a body of believers under Christ's lordship.  As I sat in on workshops and plenary sessions and met people at meals, I was so encouraged to see different ministries that are addressing these needs and making a difference.  So, maybe I can't meet every need that exists, but I'm a part of a larger Body who is!

One of my favorite hymn re-makes: "Facing A Task Unfinished"

http://www.gettymusic.com/facing-a-task-unfinished/

This takes some pressure off, but equally begs the questions, "What's my role?"  Until Jesus returns, there will always be unfinished tasks and unmet needs.  May we seek Him to know how we can join what He is doing through the Church to meet these needs.  May we always share His heart to know Him and make Him known, for Him to be exalted in the nations and on the earth.  

Archbishop Foley invited longtime friend Louie Giglio who exhorted us  from Psalm 46:

 God will be exalted in the nations and on the earth.