Dan and I, along with the rest of our small group from church, participated in Sharefest Waco yesterday. It's an event that happens once a year where a bunch of different churches get together and serve the Waco community. People were divided up into lots of projects, including carpentry, landscaping, painting, serving food, and plenty more! The whole day was focused on sharing Jesus' love throughout the Waco community, and coming together with unity as Christians rather than being split up according to our church.
We got to paint railings on an apartment complex in East Waco. We were actually really close to Rapoport Elementary School, so we were serving some of the same community that Dan works with at school on a daily basis.
I didn't take any pictures but our friend Jenna did, and you are lucky that she is an amazing photographer and has a blog! So go here if you want to see Sharefest pictures. There's a great picture of our entire small group, as well as one where you get to see me in all my painting glory - hot pink pants, frizzy hair, and old tennis shoes! Also, if you look closely, you can see Dan's man-pris. He was quite proud of his fashion statement.
Showing posts with label Spirituality. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Spirituality. Show all posts
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Church Under the Bridge
We came across this church the first weekend we were in Waco. My mom, Dan, and I were driving to the store to buy more move-in supplies and saw dozens of people congregated under a freeway. It's sort of an odd underpass, and the unique structure of the roads somehow leaves a much bigger concrete space than normal - yes, underneath I-35 and in the middle of downtown!
There were lots of people, and we heard worship music, so we figured it must be a church. Gradually, I've learned more about it, as we've met friends who are intimately involved in the mission. Basically, this church meets outside and caters to the homeless people of Waco. It is maybe the neatest church I've experienced, and to be honest, it's probably what Jesus' own ministry looked like!
Anyway, there is a great article that explains Church Under the Bridge more fully on Relevant Magazine's website. I highly recommend checking out this article and learning more about this great ministry in Waco.
Relevant Magazine - Church Under the Bridge
There were lots of people, and we heard worship music, so we figured it must be a church. Gradually, I've learned more about it, as we've met friends who are intimately involved in the mission. Basically, this church meets outside and caters to the homeless people of Waco. It is maybe the neatest church I've experienced, and to be honest, it's probably what Jesus' own ministry looked like!
Anyway, there is a great article that explains Church Under the Bridge more fully on Relevant Magazine's website. I highly recommend checking out this article and learning more about this great ministry in Waco.
Relevant Magazine - Church Under the Bridge
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Emails from Mexico...
Dan is doing well on his mission trip in Galeana, Mexico, as far as I know - his phone doesn't work and the Internet is spotty at best down there. However, he actually only has two days left until he comes home! He asked me to post excerpts from his emails on the blog to update everyone on how he's doing. Hopefully when he comes back, he can either write a post about it (thanks for the idea, Andrea!) or at least put up some of his pictures.
Day 2 (First email):
today was fun, we literally went to a village in the middle in the mountains. its like going back 100 years in time. except they do have electricity. i did a whole lot of stuff today, it was kinda like whoever needed help i helped out. Grant [the pastor of Fellowship Bible Church] and i shared some resources with a pastor, i babysat the little kiddoes, and i also helped out in the pharmacy. being in these tiny villages in the middle of nowhere really gives you a new perspective on how much we have.
Day 4:
yesterday was good, we went to a different rancho, still in the middle of nowhere, i helped out a little in the pharmacy and the dentist again, but mostly was helping grant talk to some pastors. the hotel is pretty bare bones but after spending all day in a rancho its more than enough. my neck got super sun burnt yesterday even though i put on sunblock, so today i think im wearing my rain jacket all day regardless of the weather. it has been really neat to cultivate relationships with new people. obviously grant is probably the person ive connected most with. i'm starting to get pretty worn out, outside all day in the elements really takes it out of you, i think translating also drains me mentally. grant is really appreciative of my help and i think is pretty impressed, but in these situations i get a little frustrated becuase i realize how much spanish i dont know.
Day 5 (today):
yesterday was a pretty cool day. once again we drove about 2 hours into the mountains on dirt roads in the middle of nowhere. its amazing that there are these communities that you would never know they were there. i really think we are serving some of the poorest people in mexico. yesterday grant and i were looking forward to meeting with a pastor in this community that grant had met last year. when we got there we learned that this pastor's son had died in an accident at work, he fell from like 50 feet. the accident was on wednesday and he died friday evening. grant and i and another translator were able to meet with his family and express our condolences and also give this pastor some resources. it was quite an emotional experience to meet with him and his family in their home, which was basically a two room shack with dirt floors and have the opportunity to pray for him in his family. the most amazing part was when this pastor prayed and the focus of his prayer was thanking god for bringing us there during this time of need and asking the lord to bless us and our church. i couldnt believe that at this time of intense pain for him and his family the focus of his prayers was on us, and not on his own needs. this type of selflessness is not seen very often. so combining that with the extremely humble surrounding was quite an experience.
I'm excited for Dan to come home but it sounds like he's doing great things down there, and helping out a lot. :-)
Day 2 (First email):
today was fun, we literally went to a village in the middle in the mountains. its like going back 100 years in time. except they do have electricity. i did a whole lot of stuff today, it was kinda like whoever needed help i helped out. Grant [the pastor of Fellowship Bible Church] and i shared some resources with a pastor, i babysat the little kiddoes, and i also helped out in the pharmacy. being in these tiny villages in the middle of nowhere really gives you a new perspective on how much we have.
Day 4:
yesterday was good, we went to a different rancho, still in the middle of nowhere, i helped out a little in the pharmacy and the dentist again, but mostly was helping grant talk to some pastors. the hotel is pretty bare bones but after spending all day in a rancho its more than enough. my neck got super sun burnt yesterday even though i put on sunblock, so today i think im wearing my rain jacket all day regardless of the weather. it has been really neat to cultivate relationships with new people. obviously grant is probably the person ive connected most with. i'm starting to get pretty worn out, outside all day in the elements really takes it out of you, i think translating also drains me mentally. grant is really appreciative of my help and i think is pretty impressed, but in these situations i get a little frustrated becuase i realize how much spanish i dont know.
Day 5 (today):
yesterday was a pretty cool day. once again we drove about 2 hours into the mountains on dirt roads in the middle of nowhere. its amazing that there are these communities that you would never know they were there. i really think we are serving some of the poorest people in mexico. yesterday grant and i were looking forward to meeting with a pastor in this community that grant had met last year. when we got there we learned that this pastor's son had died in an accident at work, he fell from like 50 feet. the accident was on wednesday and he died friday evening. grant and i and another translator were able to meet with his family and express our condolences and also give this pastor some resources. it was quite an emotional experience to meet with him and his family in their home, which was basically a two room shack with dirt floors and have the opportunity to pray for him in his family. the most amazing part was when this pastor prayed and the focus of his prayer was thanking god for bringing us there during this time of need and asking the lord to bless us and our church. i couldnt believe that at this time of intense pain for him and his family the focus of his prayers was on us, and not on his own needs. this type of selflessness is not seen very often. so combining that with the extremely humble surrounding was quite an experience.
I'm excited for Dan to come home but it sounds like he's doing great things down there, and helping out a lot. :-)
Friday, June 13, 2008
Summer Craziness
We have a crazy month coming up, so I figured I'd share our plans so everyone is in the loop about where we'll be and when. :-)
First of all, my aunts are coming to visit next week! They're going to San Antonio first, then we are all going to spend some time in Waco and Austin together. I'm so excited for them to see where we live and of course, to get to meet Sammie. Dan is going to make use of the golf clubs he brought down here, but up until now have just been sitting in our closet. So they will be here next Wednesday-Sunday, although we'll only be with them Friday and Saturday.
Then on Wednesday, June 25th, Dan will be leaving (at 5:45 am) to drive to Galeana, Mexico with our church for a medical mission trip.
http://www.fellowshipbcwaco.org/index.htm
That's our church's website, although I couldn't find any pictures or details about the trip. Basically, he will be translating for our head pastor - they picked him especially for the role because of his Spanish skills! (And maybe they somehow knew he's not exactly the type of person who enjoys watching others get shots...) Dan has been working hard since school got out on his curriculum and things for his classroom. He's made tons of slideshows, word searches, crossword puzzles, and Jeopardy games for each class. He's still got a lot more to do, and that's what he's mainly going to be doing this summer. This trip will be a great opportunity for him to take a break from that, as well as brush up on his advanced Spanish while really making a difference in a community.
I would have loved to go along as well, but there were two reasons that I'm not. First, I get extremely car sick, and it's about a 15 hour drive ....over mountains...in a 15 passenger van. Okay, I know, I know, it's a mission trip, I need to suck it up. But the second reason I'm not going is because I can't miss class and work, because the next week we're going home for Matt and Leah's wedding!!!
Dan will get back on Monday, June 30th (our 6 month anniversary). The next day is my birthday, and then the next day we drive to Dallas and fly home for the wedding! The trip will be packed. Dan and I are both throwing the respective bachelor/ bachelorette parties on Thursday night, and then attending the rehearsal dinner on Friday, and then the wedding is on Saturday. We can't wait and I'll be sure to take lots of pictures (with Dan's camera - still no battery charger for mine). This will all be in Cincinnati, by the way.
We come back on July 6th. I start my new job at the Speech Clinic the 7th, and will continue with classes, etc. That's when life will go back to normal, somewhat. However, I will be coming home to Columbus August 14th - 19th. Dan will be back to work by then, but I have a short break between semesters, so I'm coming home for a visit! I will definitely want to see everyone.
I can't wait!! The next few weeks are going to be great.
First of all, my aunts are coming to visit next week! They're going to San Antonio first, then we are all going to spend some time in Waco and Austin together. I'm so excited for them to see where we live and of course, to get to meet Sammie. Dan is going to make use of the golf clubs he brought down here, but up until now have just been sitting in our closet. So they will be here next Wednesday-Sunday, although we'll only be with them Friday and Saturday.
Then on Wednesday, June 25th, Dan will be leaving (at 5:45 am) to drive to Galeana, Mexico with our church for a medical mission trip.
http://www.fellowshipbcwaco.org/index.htm
That's our church's website, although I couldn't find any pictures or details about the trip. Basically, he will be translating for our head pastor - they picked him especially for the role because of his Spanish skills! (And maybe they somehow knew he's not exactly the type of person who enjoys watching others get shots...) Dan has been working hard since school got out on his curriculum and things for his classroom. He's made tons of slideshows, word searches, crossword puzzles, and Jeopardy games for each class. He's still got a lot more to do, and that's what he's mainly going to be doing this summer. This trip will be a great opportunity for him to take a break from that, as well as brush up on his advanced Spanish while really making a difference in a community.
I would have loved to go along as well, but there were two reasons that I'm not. First, I get extremely car sick, and it's about a 15 hour drive ....over mountains...in a 15 passenger van. Okay, I know, I know, it's a mission trip, I need to suck it up. But the second reason I'm not going is because I can't miss class and work, because the next week we're going home for Matt and Leah's wedding!!!
Dan will get back on Monday, June 30th (our 6 month anniversary). The next day is my birthday, and then the next day we drive to Dallas and fly home for the wedding! The trip will be packed. Dan and I are both throwing the respective bachelor/ bachelorette parties on Thursday night, and then attending the rehearsal dinner on Friday, and then the wedding is on Saturday. We can't wait and I'll be sure to take lots of pictures (with Dan's camera - still no battery charger for mine). This will all be in Cincinnati, by the way.
We come back on July 6th. I start my new job at the Speech Clinic the 7th, and will continue with classes, etc. That's when life will go back to normal, somewhat. However, I will be coming home to Columbus August 14th - 19th. Dan will be back to work by then, but I have a short break between semesters, so I'm coming home for a visit! I will definitely want to see everyone.
I can't wait!! The next few weeks are going to be great.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Eye Scars and S'More Pie
Well, it's been kind of a rough week for me in random ways. I scratched my cornea the weekend before last, and have been to the eye doctor twice and am still taking steroid drops six times a day. I went to the doctor again yesterday and he said it's healing, but there is a small scar on the middle of my cornea. He doesn't think it will affect my vision - but still, how weird to have a scar on my eye? I've been wearing my glasses for two weeks and will be in them another week, which is really not my favorite. :-) Then yesterday, my computer, which has been acting funny for a few weeks, decided to just completely give out and start flashing orange lights at me everywhere. I called Dell, fully confident that because my computer was under warranty, it would be fine. Well, apparently the problem is the battery, which actually is not under warranty anymore. Oh, cool. And right now my internet still isn't working and no one is quite sure why... (I'm on Dan's computer).
Luckily, though, at church on Sunday the entire sermon was about Phillipians 4:4: Rejoice in the Lord always; I will say it again - Rejoice!" The sermon was about that we should be joyful no matter what our circumstances because of who God is. So I was feeling sorry for myself yesterday and this morning, and I kept thinking about this verse. The more I thought about it, the more I realized how lucky I am that a small scratch to the cornea and a sore throat (yeah, I have that too) are the biggest physical problems I have...and thank the Lord I have a computer, and I can afford to buy a new battery if I need to. For some reason, I dreamed about the helicopter crash in Sandusky and woke up sad about that as well. I can't imagine what that felt like for all the other people there, and all the family members of those in the helicopter. I don't know, I guess I just sometimes get into these traps of feeling sorry for myself and forget to be grateful for everything I have.
So, on that note, we had a wonderful weekend where we got to hang out with friends quite a bit. On Saturday night, we went over to Matthew's house, and ate dinner and played Guesstures with Matthew, Camden, Sean, and Faith. Here are Dan and I fully involved in the game:
It was a hard fought battle but the guys ended up winning in the end. (Yes, Dan made me write that!)
The other highlight of the night was the S'more Pie I made. It was seriously such a fun and delicious dessert - perfect for summertime! I'm proud to say that both Sean and Matthew said it overtook their previous favorite dessert and has become the new title-holder.
Here's the link to the recipe and pictures from the website I got it from:
http://smittenkitchen.com/2008/06/smore-pie/#more-506
Okay, time for class....enough of this procrastination!
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
My Child, Get Up!
http://www.crosstieswaco.org/
">Talitha Koum
Okay, I'm not sure if this link works or not, but here is a link to Talitha Koum, which I do a lot of work at. It's a therapeutic nursery that serves the most disadvantaged people in Waco. They work with kids who are infants to age 6 and the goal is to get them ready to succeed in school and in life through what they've learned at Talitha Koum. I do play therapy with one child, and I also lead a stress management group for the teachers there. I also do testing on the kids to see where they're at with their cognitive, language, and motor abilities. It's a great place and it makes me so thankful for the childhood I have. You should hear the words that come out of these kids' mouths (I'll give you a hint - I didn't know them until I was WAY older than 6!) and the ideas they have about how life works. However, it's so neat that we are at least able to help out some kids and hopefully make a difference in their lives. Anyway, I'm actually going over there right now but I just wanted to show you all where I spend my Wednesdays.
By the way, Talitha Koum is an aramaic phrase in the Bible that Jesus uses when he is raising a young girl from death to life. It means, "My Child, Get up!"
">Talitha Koum
Okay, I'm not sure if this link works or not, but here is a link to Talitha Koum, which I do a lot of work at. It's a therapeutic nursery that serves the most disadvantaged people in Waco. They work with kids who are infants to age 6 and the goal is to get them ready to succeed in school and in life through what they've learned at Talitha Koum. I do play therapy with one child, and I also lead a stress management group for the teachers there. I also do testing on the kids to see where they're at with their cognitive, language, and motor abilities. It's a great place and it makes me so thankful for the childhood I have. You should hear the words that come out of these kids' mouths (I'll give you a hint - I didn't know them until I was WAY older than 6!) and the ideas they have about how life works. However, it's so neat that we are at least able to help out some kids and hopefully make a difference in their lives. Anyway, I'm actually going over there right now but I just wanted to show you all where I spend my Wednesdays.
By the way, Talitha Koum is an aramaic phrase in the Bible that Jesus uses when he is raising a young girl from death to life. It means, "My Child, Get up!"
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