Flipper Beach

Sunsets, 'Gunshots', and Changed Lives

There was a beautiful sunset two nights ago. Pink and gentle. My friend Dave came up to our apartment and inspired us by pulling our wooden bench out onto the balcony. We sat there and watched the pink fade into twilight. One still moment in the middle of this crazy life. Let me try to give a picture:

Last weekend, a loud firecracker went off outside our window. It sounded like a gunshot, and knowing our neighbors, and the company they keep, we had pretty good reason to believe that it was. I wanted to check outside, and make sure it wasn't a firecracker, but my roommates rushed me into the back room where we started praying, and then called one of the men on staff, just to let them know. My two roommates were legitimately scared, not only for us, but for the children who live next door and we've been trying to minister to. One of our men downstairs (also Dave, incidentally) ended up checking it out for us, confirming it was a firecracker, and coming to our door to let us know it was safe. The incident didn't startle me much, but it made me remember where we live--although I am quite comfortable here, it isn't the safest of places. At the beginning of the term our neighbor got raided by the police for drugs and is currently in prison. As a rule we keep our door locked at all times, and the men keep reminding us to wait to hear who's at the door before opening it.

The Center is also located right next to a Rasta camp. They don't always cause trouble, but they do occasionally break in and try to steal from us. Recently, they left an ethernet chord in a wooden box in our back property...I think it was supposed to be some sort of curse. God really does protect us down here, and I am grateful for that.

Also, I recently gave in and went to the doctor, after my friends have been urging me to for two weeks. I have bronchitis. It's been keeping me up for nights. But two days on the antibiotics, and I sleep better already.

Last week we went to Flipper Beach, a gorgeous place with a thirty five foot cliff in an ideal location to jump off of. We snorkeled, we swam, we enjoyed God's creation. It was a beautiful break.

I held out in faith that God would provide for my plane ticket to Brazil if he wanted me to go, and then Pastor Chet told me flat out "You're going, we'll pay for you. Still raise support. But you're going."

I see hundreds of children every day who hear the gospel. I serve twenty one students whose lives are changing radically. One student recently did a monologue that had us all in tears. It was her testimony: raped at six, doing drugs by twelve, homeless, drug lord with a baby at sixteen...slowly the Lord has been pursuing her life and leading her here. She came here angry and mean...we were literally concerned that she might hurt people. Now she is a beautiful woman who is learning to be gentle. And I am honored to know her.

I love you all. God is really growing me and showing that He is sufficient. Continue to lift Patmos up in prayer!!

Twenty-four Hours from God

My expectations for this weekend: to be sick no more...at best.
This weekend in reality? Well, let me describe it to you.

It all started with a whim for Chinese food...probably born in the midst of marathon office meetings. Allison and I decided: when the weekend came we would go to the Double Dragon: what she claimed was a more than decent Chinese restaurant. It became an outing...with eight of us. It was good food and good company. Think Papaya Bay with a little more Chinese influence. It was delicious!!!! Such a refresher after a never ending week of sniffles.

Allison and I went home and watched Funny Face with Audrey Hepburn. :D
This morning I went and prayed with the girls, did laundry, and had a good conversation with a student. Then Kim took Allison, Sue, and I to what she called "an amazing place with coffee and muffins." We passed the airport and entered a part of the island I had never seen. It looked like we had entered Southern California from the style of the architecture. It was similar to that feeling we got when we landed and started driving through Timika. Same island...different culture. We went down a rough road into the bushes...or so it seemed. And came out in this little magic farmland. Surprise!

There were pastures with large clydesdales. We entered this little wooden building. Oldies and country music was playing softly in the background. The structures were reminiscent of Oak Glenn. And what did we find inside? Fresh herbs like Cilantro (Allison was incandescently happy), coconut oil, glass rice noodles, cinnamon sugar pita chips, and many many other rarities. It was like Trader Joes in the Bahamas!!! They also served the coveted coffee and muffins. We ended up getting a quiesche as well. Spinache and feta cheese. Amazing. We sat out on a little covered boardwalk veranda thing with a pleasant view of the grounds and had good, good fellowship.

The day proceeded to lunch, relaxing time with Jesus, a warm day at the beach, pizza and movie night at the Lowes!
Suffice it to say: I was overwhelming blessed by today. It was beautiful in so many ways. Honestly I've been so caught up in the grind the last couple weeks that I haven't had much relaxing time to myself to recoup. I am prepared as a soldier to keep ploughing through and fighting for these students...but Christ is gracious and I truly believe that he sent yesterday and today to me as a present!

Keep us in prayer. This next week could be extremely hard for the students...and for us--seeing we always walk through their journey with them.

New Month

Three days ago I really wanted to right another blog. Right now I don't really have that urge. But I want to communicate where I am at. It was a busy, very full week with some unique experiences in it.

I got to serve at a party for the Logos Boat Leadership. I was one of those people who walks around with a tray and asks if you'd like an hors'douvres. :) It was quite a bit of fun, even though I was sure I would trip and fall in the pool! All the servers were Patmos people and we got our share of the good food in the kitchen in between outings! The best part was serving our leadership, who got invited as guests. They always looked a bit uncomfortable being served by us (they are used to doing the serving) but we were glad they were there to be served for once. Highlight: this one English chap who couldn't get over our strawberries, "There's a word for this....decadence!!" He made me laugh. I saw him later when we got a tour of the ship and that's all I wanted to say "Decadent strawberries!"

I've seen a glimpse of the Lord's provision as well as I was given a pair of pants, a Starbucks gift card, and payment for a volunteer job. They are small blessings that remind me the Lord knows my needs.

We hosted an Easter Sunrise Service at the beach and yesterday we opened our gates at the ALC to the community with our Easter Monday Funday! It included music, food, a train ride and skit, Easter Egg Hunts, open playground and petting farm, crafts, skits, and carnival games. It is a huge event we do every year and minister to thousands of people. I, unfortunately, heard it only from my bedroom window where I was sick in bed.
Cars lined both the streets as people filed in to buy tickets. It seemed to go very well from what I heard, so we praise God for that!

But yes I am sick. It came on very suddenly Sunday night and even though I stayed in bed all Monday, I still feel pretty terrible. Your prayers would be appreciated.

This week the students learned about joy in the midst of the chains of the Gospel as they read through Philippians. Our newest student had a particularly tough time and we are praying earnestly for her. This upcoming week they will be learning how Love Endures All.