Repost....Directions

I was telling my husband the other day that with my recent posts (Old Town pics and our wine choices) that my blog looked like a "Wino Tour of Old Town" rather than a blog about mission work.


But, I don't find this inconsistent. After my last trip to Tanzania and before this last trip to South Africa, my prayer partner had put a challenge in my heart. She (not sure how intentional it was) had begun challenging me to think about working for God in other ways than just "in the field". Is a job at an NGO not still "mission" work she asked. Or rather, that is how I interpreted one of her questions. And, it was a good question.


During this last trip to South Africa, on the weekend when all the missionaries were to go to stay with host families, I found myself in South Africa drinking Pinotage and shopping at the mall. My host priest had become ill. While going up the escalator at the mall, I caught myself trying to figure out what God had in store for me. Shopping and drinking wine? Hmmmmmm.....


Well, I am open to finding out. So for now, probably more pictures of wine and Old Town than of African AIDS orphans. But, that is fine. My life is complex and that is, in my opinion, part of the journey.


Merry Christmas!

Directions

I was telling my husband the other day that with my recent posts (Old Town pics and our wine choices) that my blog looked like a "Wino Tour of Old Town" rather than a blog about mission work.

But, I don't find this inconsistent. After my last trip to Tanzania and before this last trip to South Africa, my prayer partner had put a challenge in my heart. She (not sure how intentional it was) had begun challenging me to think about working for God in other ways than just "in the field". Is a job at an NGO not still "mission" work she asked. Or rather, that is how I interpreted one of her questions. And, it was a good question.

During this last trip to South Africa, on the weekend when all the missionaries were to go to stay with host families, I found myself in South Africa drinking Pinotage and shopping at the mall. My host priest had become ill. While going up the escalator at the mall, I caught myself trying to figure out what God had in store for me. Shopping and drinking wine? Hmmmmmm.....

Well, I am open to finding out. So for now, probably more pictures of wine and Old Town than of African AIDS orphans. But, that is fine. My life is complex and that is, in my opinion, part of the journey.

Merry Christmas!

God has a plan

Yesterday morning we were walking down King Street having just met Erasto and Rebecca at the train. Erasto asked me if I knew where a Solar Panel Store was in the area. "Well," I thought, "I know where all the shoe stores are in Old Town, Solar Panel Stores, not so much." Really, do such things even exist?

I told him to try looking on the internet back in Richmond (we had a packed itenerary for the day and had to keep moving).....that was about 11 a.m.

After touring Old Town, going to church, lunch at Il Porto's, we stopped by my house before hitting the Metro. While there I opened a piece of mail that handed me news that was shocking and distrubing. Why, on the day with my good friends from Tanzania, would this arrive? I was shacken to the core.

Still, on we went to DC. I tried to laugh and not think about what was in the letter. But, as anyone who knows me knows, I am, ummmmmm, a deeply feeling person - this had really sucked the wind from my sales.

As we continued walking and touring, I allowed my mind to become engrossed in the letter. I repeated the news over and over again in my mind. I fielded phonecalls in response to those I had placed concerning the letter. I was really not paying attention to my surroundings. The fog of evil behind this letter enveloped me.

Then, about 4 p.m. as our weaking legs propelled us down the Mall, dh said, "Amy, look." As I turned, there right in front of me, was a giant sign flashing, "Solar Decathlon".

You see, for only one week, every two year, the ENTIRE world of Solar Energy decends on Washington, DC. Teams from Germany, Spain, all the major US Universities, the who's who of Solar Supply companies, EVERY SINGLE PERSON OR COMPANY IN THE SOLAR WORLD WAS RIGHT BEFORE US.

Not missing a beat, Erasto turned to me and said, "You see, Amy, God has a plan." And, indeed he does.

....The Solar Decathlon....pictures below.

Enjoying the journey

I woke up this morning thinking about the space we inhabit and where we decide to place ourselves. Being blessed with a wonderful husband, I feel loved, safe, and completely comfortable in our home. Our “perfect puppy” demands my attention and allows me to hug and love on him to my heart’s content – though sometimes insisting my hand be used for petting and not typing.

And, I love Old Town. I love our neighbors and I deeply love our church.

Yet, somehow I managed to leave half my heart in Africa.

One of my acquaintances has challenged me as to why Africa. Why not Brazil? Or India? Had I forgotten about Tibet? And, other than the simplistic, truthful answer of it is where God has called me, I have no intellectual answer.

I do know I am relishing in, loving and so excited about the journey….the destination will take care of itself. God will get me there and in the process, I am enjoying each step of the way.