~Stars fell on me~

   There are only a few people who may know that I love to star gaze. I could lay down and look at stars for hours if given an opportunity. This is something that I have enjoyed since I was a kid. I did not want to be an astronomer, but somebody that did something with stars (I didn't know what exactly). Stars are one of the reasons that I like not living in a big city. I knew that when I came here I would fall in love with the sky. There is something about looking into the night sky that relaxes me. The best time to look at stars is when there is not a flicker of light within yards. I live in Bere' where more than 98.5% of the people do not have electricity, which means perfect night skies. 

     The other night I decided to do something different than what I usually do. The place that I feel like I can get away and just think are on the swings on the far corner of the compound. I decided to combine both of my favorite things to do. I went to the swings where there was not another person in sight. I swung high to the deep black sky. It was as though I was getting closer to the stars. If I swung high enough I felt I could capture one of the twinkling stars. Being out there where no one could disturb me alone in the dark with only the stars felt freeing. Tchad has to be one of the top places to look at at the sky. The land is flat here like it is in Florida. Since it is so flat and there are  not a lot of people spaced close together one is able to see the whole landscape. I can see miles out and only have a few trees or homes blocking the way. The sky seems to be larger than life out here. It as though the sky stretches further out, so one can enjoy God's canvas better. With the sky being so humungous here, one can see so many more things in the sky. Being out here has made me understand why there is the song "twinkle twinkle little star." At night the stars appear to twinkle, sparkle, and dance around the night sky.

     What I also love about the open sky here are the sunsets. When the sun sets here it seems as though the whole sky is on fire from the sun. There are so many times that I have gone on walks "running" after the sun. I am trying to get that perfect African sunset picture captured. On many occasions I will see that there are clouds that are stretched across the sky painted in various colors. I go and grab my camera and run out of the compound towards the rice fields. Some people must wonder what is wrong with me since I go out just to take pictures of the sun. I walk down one rice field path till I cannot capture the sun anymore. Than another day I try to go further down that path or down a new one. It is just me, my camera, iPod, and the sun out in the open fields. Every once in a while I will meet someone along the path that will ask what I am doing out there. I explain in my broken French that I love the sun so I am taking photos.

 One day I will get that National Geographic photo that I am wishing to get…

     Another reason why I like being out under the sky is that it reminds me of God. When I am out in nature I feel like I am a step closer to God. It is as though God is walking and talking with me. To me nature declares that there is a God who created the world, because nature is so beautiful, detailed, and complicated. When the world around me seems to be overwhelming me than I go out to where I can be alone with my thoughts and God. Nature is not a place where everyone feels like they can get away from the busyness of life, but it is for me. If you have not found a place where you can just get away from it all than I challenge you to find it. It is healthy for us to be able to clear our minds of worries, challenges, and tasks to be able to just relax in solitude. Life has a way of robbing us of our peace at times, so go out and find a place where no one can take it from you. Where do you like to go to get away? 

Update-Can you help me find my way home?

            I wish that I could tell you all that I know that the Nigerian lady that I spoke about in my last blog is safe at home. I wish I could tell you that she has been reunited with her family. But I cannot say any of those things. The next day I was anxious to find out anything about the lady. I told Tammy about the lady since she works with people in the community all of the time and would know what to do. She agreed that we should go visit her that day. Hours ticked away and no one came to tell me that we were going to visit her in the hospital. Hours later I found out why we didn't go to the hospital. The lady left. It was said that after she got the cloth and food she left the hospital. She demanded to be let out of the hospital gate. Thoughts raced through my find in lighting speed. “Where did she go” “How can she be helped?” “Will she be able to get home?” “God please protect her and bring her home.” I felt sad because I would never know her story or if she made it back.

That was what I thought would be the end of the story.

            A few days later I found out that the lady was still in Bere’. One night after Zach and I were returning from where we eat dinner I saw something that looked like a body next to the compound wall. It looked like it could have been a person rolled up with a blanket on top. I dismissed the thought because we don't see people sleeping on the streets around here, so someone probably left their blanket on the ground. That form that we saw was her sleeping. We found out because Naomi, the translator that spoke with her saw her when she was going to the hospital grounds. Naomi did not speak with her at that time. When I heard this news I was happy but confused at the same time. It also made me wonder if everything was alright with the lady upstairs. I only say that because there were so many things in her story that didn't fit and the fact she just left the hospital. If the lady had stayed at the hospital she would have been taken care of. One of the doctors was doing to contact the Medical director of the county and inform him of the lady so that she could get on a bus back to Nigeria.

            That was weeks ago when there was even a mention of the lady. I don't know if she got back home. I was determined to help this lady get home. I even considered going on the bus with her if she needed someone. I can only hope she is safe in a place where she calls home. Is this the time when its not the thought that counts? My thoughts can’t get her home… But, I can only do as much as I am able to. I am grateful that I was at least able to meet her physical needs at the time. If that is the only part that I was to play in her journey home I am glad that God choose me…

Even though I don't know the end of the story please continue to pray for the lady. Pray for all of those who are missing around the world. Pray for those displaced from their homes because of war. 

~My Definition~

            Being a missionary is something that some people dream of doing one day, but may never get the chance to achieve. I have had the privilege of doing it for short and long term (1 year). Once again I am a missionary long term. Being a missionary can mean so many different things to people. One way that people view mission work is as only for those that are really into God and church aka Jesus freaks. They think that one has to be perfect in their walk in order to do this. Some other people see it as a great thing for other people to do, but not them. They merely think it's a great concept. They like how their lives are and do not want it to interrupted. Then there are others that think mission work as something that can be done by almost everyone. There are a lot of people who have the wrong idea about mission work. When people think of missionaries its of a person in a far away country like Africa. Wait that's me! LOL. But seriously, what comes to mind is going to another country. The thing is that mission work doesn't have to be in a desolate place where they don't have electricity. When Jesus made the great commission to go throughout the world preaching, teaching, and baptizing He meant the entire world. Therefore whatever country you are from is part of the world. Unless you’re from another planet then I can’t help you there. There are so many people in our own backyards or blocks that need to be witnessed to about what it means to be a Christian. There are so many people that just need someone to talk with that they can trust.

            Mission work should not be contained in a box, but rather be outside of it. Mission work is not only teaching Bible studies, feeding starving kids in India, or teaching English. Every person has a mission to do in this life. We are not to waste our lives by just thinking of ourselves only. Make your life on earth worthwhile. Go out of your way to talk to people who look like they need a friend. Don't just talk to them and then just keep on going, because than you might as well not have done it. Genuinely talk to them to find out who they are as a person. So often we are in too much of a hurry in first world countries to spend that extra time talking to people. We think we are living the good life, but we have robed ourselves of knowing people for who they truly are rather than appear to be. This is such a simple thing to do but it’s apart of mission work. Before trying to preach people into the Christian life, why not spend the time to become their friend. Jesus taught many times through His actions, which may be the only way to reach some people.  The old saying actions speak louder than words is as true as can be. Actions speak volumes to people who have been told so many lies.

            All in all mission work encompasses meeting peoples physical, social, and spiritual needs as much as we are capable of doing. Everyone was not given the same gifts also they can change with time. Whatever gift He has given you use it for His glory, whether that means being hospitable to people or singing. Use what He has given you wherever He wants you to. To me a missionary is not only one that goes overseas, but it can be in your own city. Do not get me wrong, God does call many to go overseas to do mission work, but it must be one called by Him. I say this because it is not something that is for everyone. For this time in my life what He has called me to do is be overseas, but I don't know where He will call me next. In my short life and walk with God I have found that the more flexible that you are the more that He can use you. Therefore open your heart to what He is calling you to do and allow Him to lead you along the journey. What is He calling you to do today?

-Wherever your placed in life make that your mission work. See where God is working and join Him.-