There is always one verse that stands out to me when I am reading the Christmas story. Luke 2:19 says, "But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart." There was a lot going on-- shepherds, angels, corrupt leaders, census taking, babies being born. Ok, one Baby. But still, he was no ordinary baby. And in the midst of it all the author takes a moment to insert this sweet interlude. Mary treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart. She didn't just go along for the ride. She was invested and didn't want to miss out on the meaning of one miraculous minute.
I feel like there is a lesson in there for me. Do I take that time? Do I treasure all the amazing things going on around me.
As you know, I spent this week delivering Christmas to the kids at several orphanages. It is a time that is often hectic, taking it all in can be difficult. As a way to remember the week and thank those who donate towards it we make a video. It is aMAzing! I can't get enough of it. I was there when it happened, but I can't stop watching the faces, the joy, the amazement, the miracle of it all.
Click here to watch the video for yourself, it is so much better than me trying to describe it to you.
So, as Christmas is here and we celebrate the birth of Mary's baby. The inspiration of her own treasuring and pondering, our Savior, Jesus Christ-- let's all take some time to stop, to treasure, to ponder the miracles in our own lives.
Merry Christmas!
Friday, December 24, 2010
My Christmas is a little bit different.
I think I say this every year, but it's true-- Christmas in Liberia is just not the same.
It is hot and sticky. The bombardment of advertising and media yelling at you that it is Christmas-- be happy already, is replaced by ceaseless requests for 'something small' and reminders that 'their Christmas is on me." (In fact, I've already been interrupted three times writing this blog.)
Despite the differences, this year feels more like Christmas. (What does that mean? How does it 'feel' like Christmas?) I have been trying to decide why. What's different? This is my third Christmas in Liberia, and the first time it has really 'felt' like Christmas. Is it familiarity? Tradition? I've been here long enough to say, "This is what we have done the last few years..."
For what ever reason, there are things that make this time of year seem Christmassy to me. Wrapping Christmas presents, Christmas lights and songs and cookies and decorating a tree. Most of those things have not been available to me here in years past. But, as we say here, Liberia is coming up. Wrapping paper is being sold at the supermarkets. My neighbors have Christmas lights strung on their house. I have an oven now and a plethora of baked goods have been produced. Men are selling Christmas trees on the streets in town, carrying them on their heads, I even saw someone trying to stuff one into the back of a full taxi. I bought one for five dollars.
There is a decorated tree in my living room with wrapped presents underneath it. What?
Christmas in Liberia has also become about the Children. I guess that may be obvious, I am here working with orphans. Each December we spend days, preparing, sorting, piling up, wrapping-- clothes, shoes, toys, apples (an apple means, I love you), for the kids. Christmas delivery days are the best. Well, they are a lot of hard work and some times frustrating. But, there is always a moment where it all makes sense. A moment where I remember why I am here.
It is hot and sticky. The bombardment of advertising and media yelling at you that it is Christmas-- be happy already, is replaced by ceaseless requests for 'something small' and reminders that 'their Christmas is on me." (In fact, I've already been interrupted three times writing this blog.)
Despite the differences, this year feels more like Christmas. (What does that mean? How does it 'feel' like Christmas?) I have been trying to decide why. What's different? This is my third Christmas in Liberia, and the first time it has really 'felt' like Christmas. Is it familiarity? Tradition? I've been here long enough to say, "This is what we have done the last few years..."
For what ever reason, there are things that make this time of year seem Christmassy to me. Wrapping Christmas presents, Christmas lights and songs and cookies and decorating a tree. Most of those things have not been available to me here in years past. But, as we say here, Liberia is coming up. Wrapping paper is being sold at the supermarkets. My neighbors have Christmas lights strung on their house. I have an oven now and a plethora of baked goods have been produced. Men are selling Christmas trees on the streets in town, carrying them on their heads, I even saw someone trying to stuff one into the back of a full taxi. I bought one for five dollars.
Christmas in Liberia has also become about the Children. I guess that may be obvious, I am here working with orphans. Each December we spend days, preparing, sorting, piling up, wrapping-- clothes, shoes, toys, apples (an apple means, I love you), for the kids. Christmas delivery days are the best. Well, they are a lot of hard work and some times frustrating. But, there is always a moment where it all makes sense. A moment where I remember why I am here.
 |
| This was THE moment for me this year. The moment where it all made sense. The moment that Lucky's eyes met mine, her whole face-- those amazing eyes, lit up. She felt it and so did I. CHRISTMAS! |
Whether or not those physical 'Christmassy' things are making a difference this year, I am learning more and more that things being different does not mean it is bad. And Christmas is not about where you are as much as it is about who you love. I love God, my friends, family, and the kiddos here, no matter where I am in the world. That alone brings the joy of Christmas close.
Sunday, December 19, 2010
PS
Just re-read this from a card my mom gave me a few months ago--
"The provision for the need you face will be met through His incredible resources."
Amen.
"The provision for the need you face will be met through His incredible resources."
Amen.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Provision (because I don't know another word to describe it)
I have been talking a lot about need lately. Today I want to talk about provision.
Nothing has really changed. Babies still have birth defects. Houses burn down. Parents have a hard time finding money to feed their children. I should still be overwhelmed with it all, but I am not. I was chatting with a friend the other day and he asked me what had changed. I didn't even have to think about it. Prayer. I know that people are praying for me, I can feel it. Along with that, I have been able to realize that as much as I may want to, I can not do it all. Even more, it is not my job to save them all. It is only my job to love them. My dad reminded me recently to find out what God is doing and join him it. It really takes the pressure off. God has provided me with peace and assurance that I don't have to do it all. And I don't cringe anymore when someone comes to my porch.
About a month ago I shared Oretha's story. God provided abundantly. More than enough money came in, but there is more. I was a bit uneasy about the hospital where Oretha was going to have her surgery. I kept praying about it, worrying about the care she would receive (or not receive) there. I had picked up the wire transfer and had no excuse not to tell her and her family about it, but for some reason I held back. I was praying about what to do. As far as I knew there was only one other hospital in the country that might be able to do the surgery, but it is very far away and really expensive. As I was talking with some friends about the situation, one said he had just been at another small hospital in town. While he was there he heard that they had doctors and nurses from the states here and were looking for people who needed specific surgeries-- including for goiters! First thing the next morning I went down to the clinic to check it out. It was true. Oretha went for an evaluation on Wednesday, she received a complete worked up, and is scheduled for surgery on MONDAY!
Please keep praying.
I know that God will keep providing.
Nothing has really changed. Babies still have birth defects. Houses burn down. Parents have a hard time finding money to feed their children. I should still be overwhelmed with it all, but I am not. I was chatting with a friend the other day and he asked me what had changed. I didn't even have to think about it. Prayer. I know that people are praying for me, I can feel it. Along with that, I have been able to realize that as much as I may want to, I can not do it all. Even more, it is not my job to save them all. It is only my job to love them. My dad reminded me recently to find out what God is doing and join him it. It really takes the pressure off. God has provided me with peace and assurance that I don't have to do it all. And I don't cringe anymore when someone comes to my porch.
About a month ago I shared Oretha's story. God provided abundantly. More than enough money came in, but there is more. I was a bit uneasy about the hospital where Oretha was going to have her surgery. I kept praying about it, worrying about the care she would receive (or not receive) there. I had picked up the wire transfer and had no excuse not to tell her and her family about it, but for some reason I held back. I was praying about what to do. As far as I knew there was only one other hospital in the country that might be able to do the surgery, but it is very far away and really expensive. As I was talking with some friends about the situation, one said he had just been at another small hospital in town. While he was there he heard that they had doctors and nurses from the states here and were looking for people who needed specific surgeries-- including for goiters! First thing the next morning I went down to the clinic to check it out. It was true. Oretha went for an evaluation on Wednesday, she received a complete worked up, and is scheduled for surgery on MONDAY!
Please keep praying.
I know that God will keep providing.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
An apple means "I love you."
One of my favorite things about Christmas in Liberia is delivering gift bundles to the children. After weeks of planning, collecting, sorting, and wrapping, I get to see the shining smiles of the kids as they open their presents (usually the only one they will receive), try on shoes, and model new clothes. Originally, we included an orange with the Christmas bundles. A piece of fruit seemed to be a smart addition to the other sweets that are often included in Christmas celebrating.
However, last year, that changed. Throughout the year, we noticed that, every time a child was drawing an apple, they would start with a heart shape and add a stem. If we were giving out heart shaped stickers, they would thank us for the “apple” sticker. There seemed to be a distinct connection between apples and hearts. We started to wonder if the children in Liberia see apples as a sign of love, like children in the US see hearts as a sign of love.
To put our theory to the test, we substituted apples for the oranges in the Christmas bundles. At each home, the children’s names were called and bundles distributed so all the children could open their gifts at the same time. As the bundles were opened we started hearing gasps of joy. The gasps were not over the candy, a Hot Wheel car, or new tooth brush; they were for the apples. Faces lit up as children held their apples up to show their friends.
I then asked the kids, “Do you know why we put an apple in your Christmas bundle this year?” At every orphanage, they were quick to reply, “Because an apple means love.”
They got it!
Apples are definitely being included in the Christmas bundles again this year.
Follow this link to help spread some apple-love this Christmas.
(Ok, yes, I posted this a few days ago on the ORR website, but wanted my Deb in Liberia readers to see it too.)
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