An Island Emerging

Generations.  That one word embodies a wealth of power.  One generation can change the way the world thinks, operates and advances forward into the future.  One generation can hold the key to a better life for all.  Some generations have been nearly swept away by disease and war – the civil war in America claimed almost an entire generation, leaving us with a void, taking with it any ideas, creations and leaders that it may have offered.  When I think about Ebeye, I think mostly about its children.  Half of the island population is comprised of children.  Precious generational changers.

I remember reading about Ebeye when I first decided to commit to a year of teaching there.  I  remember thinking that so many good things were happening in the way of communications and technology for a small island that was struggling under the weight of many economic, social and political problems.  But of all that I was reading, I wondered…what do the Marshallese people want? While so many technological advances were being made, what weighed on their hearts in importance?

Well, I didn’t take a formal poll or interview anyone, though it was something I had hoped to do.  It just didn’t materialize.  But through the course of two years, I learned a lot about a culture that is straining to break free of the past outdated traditions while holding onto their heritage as a people.  And where you have 17,000 people, you have just as many opinions, perspectives and solutions to the problems.  There are those who would not change, and those who desperately strain for it.  There is an old mindset and a new one – each with their own advantages and failures.  It is an island of people emerging.  And along with the people spring forth the ideas and….ideologies.

There are many on Ebeye who are left without hope.  And there are those who hold tightly to it.  Hope for a better future than the past has offered.  There are those who dream of being a self-sustaining island again, which is novel but by all practical purposes now impossible.  Developing small islands into towns is too expensive and time consuming to warrant the effort, much less maintain the upkeep of such developments.  And economically speaking there is not much in the way of exports to support the society.  You might think fishing, but there are no commercial seafaring vessels that belong to the Marshalls.  They instead lease out their waters to foreign fisheries who cultivate the profits instead.

Many put hope in their upcoming generation to exact a change and begin to turn things for good. I found that there is an energy among the youth that could set many good things into motion for the small island.  I hope to see it. I hope to see some of my own children rise up and be leaders, changing the scope of the future.  But they would have to decide if they want to advance or stay rooted in tradition.  Are they going to look backwards or forwards?  To new ideas or only historical redundancy? It is a delicate line to walk, but the course of time changes many things including turning over generations and their ideologies, allowing for the next generation to step up and be counted.

Practically speaking, the island is very fragile, in many aspects. There is no one answer that will solve all the difficulties they are now facing.  But the people are not as active or engaged politically as we are here – they have a history of King-People mentality which is only natural to them.  The forces that be are quite confusing, even for me to sort out how things should be done: there are kings, queens, governments, land owners (who have much power), national governments and many other rules and regulations.  But I believe this course will change as the children learn and grow into this mile-long world they call Ebeye. I believe in my heart change is coming. I have to believe it…

I believe in God and the plan He has for all the Marshallese and their islands.  I pray the very best for the Marshallese, my families in the islands and my friends. I will see you again by the grace of God.  And I will be watching to see what good things are happening in your part of the world, praying earnestly for you all.

God’s Tapestry

It’s been a lazy Saturday with the rain drizzling softly on the roof.  I’ve been in a reflective mood concerning God’s hand moving in this season of my life.

It’s amazing how things accelerate in our lives when God steps in.  It’s been a time of seeing the end results on matters I have been seeking God for and it’s been a time of Him birthing whole new areas in my life, bringing them full-circle in just weeks.  It’s been a time of struggle and deep sorrow, as God worked out areas in my character that were of no use to Him or myself.  A time of letting go and learning new ways of approaching problems and relying on Him to offer support when I needed it most.

When we seek first the Kingdom of God, all things are added to us.  Like gifts that we’ve been waiting for and suddenly, we’re living in them.  It’s a wonderful and beautiful thing.

I’ve found that being open to the leading of the Holy Spirit has allowed Him to birth new avenues in my life that never existed beforehand.  One minute I’m single with no children – then next I’m part of a team with nearly 200 kids I can call my own.  One minute I’m working a typical office job –  the next I’m on a tiny island helping other people in this world.

An awakening is occurring.  I wish it had taken place in my twenties.  But thank God it’s taking place in my thirties.  Some people drudge through their entire life thinking one thing about themselves, only to realize their life hasn’t been all that fruitful afterall and they don’t really know who they are anymore, much less what might make them happy.  That would be me today had it not been for Jesus.

I told a friend once that our lives were like tapestries being created by God which represented the people, experiences and changes coming and going over a lifetime.  Various yarns and fabrics, colors and shapes He works together seamlessly to broaden, enhance and embellish our lives.  As God chooses the colors to weave in, it’s up to us to yield to His will for our lives; which at times can be scary, uncertain and possibly disappointing to us.  But God knows what is best for us.  He knows what colors to choose, where they should go and where they should end.  Some colors are weaved throughout the entire piece of work; with us from the beginning to the end.  Others are just accents, meant to leave a positive impression, a new hope or comfort when we need it most.  And still others may be worked in and out of our lives consistently.  Sometimes I can get in God’s way by weaving in things that I shouldn’t.  Gently, God will begin to take those threads out – that Ashley thought were so important but were beginning to take their toll on her well-being – and lovingly He replaces them with threads of joy, peace and blessings.

Life is change and we need to embrace it.  I’ll be closing a chapter that has defined a pivotal change of course in my own life shortly.  The people here have been some of the most beautiful colors that God has worked into my tapestry.  My experiences are likely to be shared by few others in this world.  I am thankful.  He has shown Himself to be faithful and merciful.  And I’m happy to let Him create the tapestry of my life as He so chooses.  I’m looking forward to these last few months here on what seems like the edge of the earth.  And I’m also looking forward to what lies ahead – what new colors, shapes and designs God will be working into my tapestry next.

Search.Love.Rescue.

I want to take a moment to share with everyone a cause that is very close to my heart.  My friends are organizing a Colombian dinner at the W.T Young campus center on Transylvania’s campus in Lexington Ky.  This dinner is in honor of a boys orphanage  setup to rescue children off the crime-infested streets of Cali’s inner city.  Many of their parents are either dead, on drugs or selling themselves (and the children) into prostitution for money.

The children, once rescued and taken to the orphanage, receive nutritious meals  (as most of them are starving on the streets),  access to education including school supplies and uniforms, clean beds, and shelter for as long as they are with the orphanage.  Many of these things are donated or supplied by Search.Love.Rescue.

The dinner is in hopes of raising money to secure a safe place for the orphanage to protect and shelter the children.  When I was in the states I attended the first dinner and had a wonderful time.  There will be a silent auction with many unique gifts to bid upon for yourself or for someone you want to bless for Christmas.

The food is delicious, authentic Colombian cuisine and the company is always great.  So please consider bringing some friends along and enjoy an evening of good food, good conversation and a good cause.

Please click the following link for more information about my friends’ organization Search.Love.Rescue.

Click Info with Map for directions to the Colombian Dinner Fundraiser.

To simply donate to the cause, if you are willing to help but unable to attend, you may click the ‘Donate’ button on the Search.Love.Rescue site given above.

PLEASE NOTE: THE FIRST TWO PEOPLE TO RESPOND TO THIS POST WILL RECEIVE 2 FREE ADMISSION TICKETS FOR YOU AND A FRIEND TO ATTEND THE FUNDRAISER.  JUST LEAVE A COMMENT THAT YOU ARE INTERESTED AND I WILL EMAIL YOU WITH DETAILS.

Thank you for your consideration and we so appreciate your support!  Many blessings to all.

The Twelve Hour Year: 9 O’clock AM

It’s the third hour…already 9 a.m.  It’s early still, the mist is only now lifting from the surface of the path I walk upon, the sun peeking over the mountains and warming this sometimes chilled body.  The crisp morning air in my lungs gives me strength for the next stretch…and then it will be High Noon.

He’s calling to me…“And the foundation of the thresholds shook at the voice of Him who called…”

I feel a reorganization; a subtle slowdown, if only to wait on Him to show me what’s next.  Meanwhile, as my soul rests the world whizzes by me in notes, school papers, broken pencils, chalk dust, salty ocean winds, sticky fingers and blue, blue everywhere.  He is all I’ve got.  Everything I might have is because He has brought it to me, made room for me, or shared it with me.  My Friend, how you have my heart…

I have seen many wonderful things these past few hours but the price has not been cheap.  Only in losing my life do I find His…even if only for the moment.  The sun is up on this clear day and it looks to be a beautiful one at that.  There is much to do in preparation of the coming hours…not the least of which is to pray.  Pray. Pray.

Reaching Out

Earlier this year a friend of mine, Ashley Waddell had it on her heart to start a small ministry for the kids in her neighborhood.  So she, along with several other friends, began inviting the kids on her street to her house every Sunday afternoon and sharing the love of God with them.  I got in on it when I returned this summer from the islands and it has truly been a blessing.  We usually have ice cream or food to share, along with games and a ministry time.  The main goal is just to show the kids we love them and let them know that God loves them too.

This past Sunday was special because we were preparing backpacks full of school supplies to give out free  to the kids before the start of school.  We handed out over 40 supply packs to the children.

Ashley located the district’s supply lists for each grade and God supplied EVERYTHING!  We just made sure the word got out and people started to donate: UK Healthcare backpacks for each of the children, paper, folders, binders, glue, pencils, sharpeners, candy(extra!), rulers, erasers, etc.  Due to the response from people like YOU we were able to supply their need.

Everyone eating pizza, donated from Pizza Hut.

The kids gathered around to hear PJ as she talked about a special friend, Jesus, who is always with them and ready to help them with everything, including school :)

Taking a peek…

Thank you so much to everyone who donated and/or came by to help in the fun; we really can make a difference in people’s lives by  shining the light of Jesus and just Reaching Out.  As Marie put  it so simply, “Today we’re being the church”.

Ashley and Jeremiah.

It’s all about His love flowing through us and into the lives of others.  Whether people are in need, or are well-off…we are called to walk in love towards them, regardless of where they are in life.

When we reach out, God’s grace is there to meet us.  He works the desire in our hearts then He gives us the ability to complete that vision.  And this vision travels through our neighborhoods, far and wide, rooted in consistency and dedication, spanning continents and oceans.  We as individuals can do our part, but we can’t do it alone.

We need the five-fold ministry to raise up the body of Christ.  But in this hour, it won’t be enough to just have pastors, prophets, evangelists, apostles and teachers doing all the work. It’s going to take more than just a few men and women to get the job done that God has for us.  It’s going to take the whole body flowing together with one heart and one mind…

And that takes unity.

Awards, Activities Day and Beach Park

Yesterday and today we  wrapped up Awards, Activities Day and the Third grade party at Beach Park.  It was good to hang out with all the kids (who make it all worth it) and to be able to bless those who have worked hard throughout the year.  After lunch on Monday we had the first ever Activities Day (thanks to Trecie’s admin anointing) and the kids played Freeze Dance, 3 Legged Racing, Sprinting, Water Balloon Toss, B-ball, Tug-O-War and the list goes on.  Simultaneously, there were fair-type booths under the tent where they were throwing balls into baskets, trivia games, and ring toss to name a few.  I don’t think there has ever been anything like it on the island.  People were coming out of their homes and sitting on their rooftops to watch the competitions of the students.  They are all very athletic and competitive!

(Below: The Green Team.  A great pic of Mrs. Grace, our principal, on the far left.)

(Below: Robby’s Tin-Can Sailboat. He made it by snapping off the tab to cut both ends of the can and construct something that sails off…into the ocean somewhere to sink and well, you know…we continue to inform the kids of pollution and contamination of the sea so hopefully one day, things will turn around.)

Then on Tuesday my ‘children’ went to Beach Park and we all hung out for the entire day.  I got burned (again!) and that was with 50 proof…what gives??  Ms. Cherold grilled chicken with potato salad and we had cookies, cookies and more cookies ;)  Yum!  Some fun in the sun with my kiddos. (Below: Miko eating a cookie in the lagoon.)

Some of my girls came over afterward  to the house and we had more fun taking pictures, brushing hair, giving away lotions and ribbons and all that fun girlie stuff :)

(Below: from left, Therizo, Faith, Harvest)

It was back to school on Wednesday where we played games, drew pictures (which hopefully I will be able to post the kids’ art on the blog for everyone to see – they are really cute!)  We had a birthday for Anna with pizza and prizes.  Then some of my kids came over to the house and we watched a movie.

Once my skin turns to a normal shade of ‘tan’, maybe we’ll head back to the beach again!  Taking advantage of the fringe benefits is a necessity:)

(Left: from top, Anna, Therizo, Harvest, Faith)