Archive for the Uncategorized
Sunday, February 6th, 2011
Black History Month: Guest Post
Today’s guest post is by Sara Drake Salguero–a missionary, wife, mother, blogger, and mama at an orphanage in Guatemala.
My freshman year of college, I knew God was calling me to be a missionary. In His great mercy and love, he allowed me to make friendships and relationships with people different than me. They opened my eyes to see people, situations, and the Lord in a new way.
I grew up in a middle-American suburb that was probably a little more diverse than most. Of course, there still were racial boundaries tensions.
For some reason, God gave me the desire to know people different than me. Sameness, to me, equaled boring. In high school while my friends were getting their hair colored, I was getting mine braided. While they were singing in the choir, I was learning to rap and not dance “like a white girl.”
My African-American friends seemed so confident. When they were excited, they jumped and screamed. When they were mad, they just told you. One time I asked a friend about it, and I will never forget her words, “Girl, you white girls just care so much about what others think. You are always afraid of being too loud or hurting someone’s feelings. It isn’t that I want to hurt someone but if something needs to be said, well I am just going to have to say it. If I want to scream, I am going to do it. I really don’t care what someone else thinks about me.”
I learned the hard way that these dear friends of mine had to be that way. Racism and racial barriers made it impossible for them to be any other way, unless they want to live a life of insecurity.
What my friend told me was true. Many times I let others opinions dictate my actions. I want “man’s approval” too often, instead of asking what God thinks.
I look at many of my African-American sisters in Christ, and I see them living a full, satisfied life in Christ. They haven’t let Satan win the battle even though they have experienced pain due to the color of their skin. As I saw them doing one hot July morning church, they are stomping on Satan and proclaiming, “We won!”
Now that I am working in a country that is not my own and with people that are not my own and in a language that is not my own, I see that God opened my eyes so I didn’t come here thinking that I had all the answers or that my culture is always right. Through my experiences at African-American churches in the US and now in Latin churches in Guatemala, I have learned how to worship God differently. I was so closed-minded before.
(You are invited to submit a true story to be considered as a guest post during African-American History month. Details.)
Wednesday, February 2nd, 2011
Book winners
Congratulations to the winners of Reclaiming Adoption. I have emailed them with instructions. Their usernames are:
- Ann Dunlap
- Julie
- Chasity
- Katie Christian
- Alana
- Brenda Sprott
- Janice [#1]
- Kelly C
- Janice [#2]
- Teri
If you didn’t win a copy, I hope you will get one for yourself.
I’d say Reclaiming Adoption is to adoption as This Momentary Marriage is to marriage–not a how to, but a why. What did God have in mind when he created adoption? How is adoption part of the amazing big picture of God’s plan for his people.
If you’ve read some or all of it, tell us what you think.
Tuesday, February 1st, 2011
Write a guest post for me?
February is African-American History Month in the United States.
I expect to be posting some thoughts and stories during the month. But I want to hear from you too, and I might choose your story to use as a guest post.
- Please write up to 400 words–no more than 400.
- The topic can be anything that would be pertinent to and appropriate for African-American History Month. Personal experience. . . . Event you observed. . . . Family history. . . . Person you admire. . . .Historical person you wish you could have met . . .
- The only way to submit your story is by using the contact link above. Anyone may make comments directly to this post, but not a story submission.
- Deadline is February 15. But if your story is in earlier, I might use it earlier. In other words, earlier is good.
- I will edit as I see fit.
I’m eager to hear your stories and share some with your fellow readers.
Monday, January 31st, 2011
More books to give away
A couple of days ago I gave you the good news that I had 5 copies to give away of Reclaiming Adoption: Missional Living Through the Rediscovery of Abba Father, by Dan Cruver.
Well, here’s even better news. Dan is donating 5 additional copies, so now 10 of you will win a copy, not just 5.
Follow the original instructions to be eligible.
Saturday, January 29th, 2011
On a frosty day, he died
I read what my husband wrote today about Robert Frost. Today is the anniversary of his death in 1963. That inspired me to post a favorite Frost poem. Now it’s an hour later and, oh my goodness, where do I begin?
My parents gave me a fat collection of Frost’s poetry for Christmas my senior year in high school. I didn’t know yet that I liked Frost–or even poetry. But by the time I was in college Oral Intepretation classes, I think he must have been my most quoted author.
Something there is that doesn’t love a wall. . . . Good fences make good neighbors.
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood . . . I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.
“Home is the place where, when you have to go there, They have to take you in.” “I should have called it Something you somehow haven’t to deserve.”
The buzz-saw snarled and rattled in the yard . . . Little—less—nothing! and that ended it.
As I went out a Crow in a low voice said . . .
When I see birches bend to left and right . . . One could do worse than be a swinger of birches.
I’m going out to clean the pasture spring. . . I shan’t be gone long.–You come too.
When a friend calls to me from the road. . . I don’t stand still and look around on all the hills I haven’t hoed.
His poems are stories. They fit my heart and my tongue.
Thursday, January 27th, 2011
Happy birthday, Wolfgang
Today is Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s birthday. I’m celebrating by enjoying 99 Essential Mozart Masterpieces, which may be downloaded for just $5.00.
Sunday, January 23rd, 2011
She should have been dead
Yesterday was the sad anniversary of the Roe vs Wade decision to legalize abortion.
Gianna Jessen was born alive during the legal 3rd-trimester saline abortion meant to end her existence.
Watch her telling her story to the Australian Parliament in 2008. She is bold and glad as she points to God as the source of her life, both here and eternally.
There are 2 parts, but together the two videos amount to only about 12 minutes. In Part 2 she gives wholehearted glory to God for his work through suffering.
Monday, January 3rd, 2011
Do something now!
One of the deeply awesome things about the Passion movement is the challenge to do something now. Yes, most of the 26,000 here may be students, not able to go now. But going is by no means the only kind of doing.
And although each person’s budget may be stretched to the limit, all the students’ mites together are doing amazing things around the world. A couple of updates as of this morning:
- For Atlanta, towels and socks are pouring in for homeless people–enough to stock shelters for almost a year. (There are rumors of Passion people cleaning out nearby Walmarts).
- For India, 5 wells have been funded, toward the goal of 15. (In the Go Center people can carry water-filled jerry cans a few hundred yards for just a tiny taste of the daily labor of millions to get water for their families).
- For Afghanistan, 66 small business loans have been funded to help families pull out of poverty, toward a goal of 200 loans.
Here’s more information about this year’s opportunities. . . India . . . Haiti. . . Philippines . . . South Africa . . . Bolivia . . . Uganda . . . Atlanta . . . Colombia. . . Afghanistan . .
Or to look at it from another perspective, young people together here are fighting poverty, sex traficking, homelessness, hunger, slavery, and they are helping provide life-saving surgeries, clean water, and the Living Water.
Perhaps you’d want to add your mite to the students’?
Saturday, January 1st, 2011
Back again, with passion
The last day of 2010 was the last day of our leave of absence. My husband wrote a report to our church family about the months away.
It’s time to be back. Today is the restart of full-time ministry. And we’re beginning with a bang.
Around us are 20,000 young people bursting with excitement, waiting the last few moments till the first session begins at Passion 2011 in Atlanta. Shouts. Whistles. Stomping in rhythm. The wave circling and recircling the arena.
We feel new passion in ourselves for the work God has called us to. And we pray for even more. (Though I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t be able to sustain the intensity vibrating around us right now!)
May this be for you too a Happy New Year of renewed passion.
Wednesday, November 17th, 2010
Excess baggage
Debbie Woodward leaves tomorrow (Thursday 11/18) for Haiti with several hundred pounds of supplies, urgently needed by RHFH as they fight the cholera crisis there. She will pay hundreds for the excess baggage herself when she checks in at the airport.
I suggested to her that some of you might be willing to help reimburse that expense. Here’s her response.
People who don’t care about tax write-offs can send me a check directly.
Debbie Woodward
Northrup King Building – Main Office
1500 Jackson Street NE
Minneapolis, MN 55413Others should just donate to RHFH directly [top of right column at the RHFH website] because the needs are SO immense to provide IV fluids and medication to so many people. Zach is looking for supplies multiple times per week just to get through this initial outbreak which could continue to escalate.
If people sent me more than check-in money, I will forward ALL of the money to RHFH.
Hope that helps. I think it is best to leave them maximum flexibility with the funds.
THANK YOU!
She continues by asking for prayer.
We can also all use prayer. We pray that we stay healthy and that we are able to give assistance to Lori, Licia and the staff. They are tired. The staff is becoming fearful.
Please do pray. And thank you for considering a gift.
Saturday, November 13th, 2010
Giving to Haiti
When I wrote about the cholera epidemic in Haiti, I neglected to mention how you could make financial donations to Real Hope for Haiti.
You can do it directly by going to their website. At the top of the right column are options for giving through Paypal or by check.
Thank you for considering this.
Each one must give as he has decided in his heart,
not reluctantly or under compulsion,
for God loves a cheerful giver.
(2 Corinthians 9:7)
Sunday, October 31st, 2010
Songs of the children
When I wrote about our visit to the Mukhanyo Theological College, I mentioned that part of the chapel service was music from the children of the new Christian school on campus.
Mukhanyo Christian Academy is a faith-based K-12 private school serving AIDS orphans and vulnerable children in Mpumalanga, a poor region near Pretoria, South Africa. The academy offers free schooling, foster homes, daily meals, and healthcare and other services to some of South Africa’s most vulnerable children.
I wasn’t able to post videos then. So here now are the children of the Mukhanyo Christian Academy.
