"The Whole Day"

So I greeted my new friend in the middle of town. Abdu* welcomed me and began with a big smile “I hope you have given us the whole day….”

Well, of course, I hadn’t. I thought this was a 2 hour meeting of sorts. You see this is the thing: I never quite know what I am getting myself into here. What I think is a meeting to discuss a project ends up being something quite miraculous.

I was meeting with refugees from the areas in the country where there has been war nonstop even during times of ‘peace.’ They are all young: 16-25. Their families are not here; no parents, no sisters, no brothers. They had never welcomed a white person to their area before… and the girls were quite shy at the beginning. The men started to share with me a little bit about their lives in their state and what they were doing here.

And their next words were so genuine: “We want our sisters (by sisters they mean any girls from their state) to know you and for you to encourage them. We want them to have someone to look up to and help them.” Now, I know I am not the answer, but I sure can point them to the One who is.

I started to speak to the girls in my broken Arabic and found out that they are in fact students at the primary school where I am hoping to work with a Girls Mentoring Program. Isn’t God funny?? Already opening doors from within. These young girls had prepared a fabulous lunch and blew my socks off.  One of them asked me “Ita bi rija ini miteen??”  When will you come back here?

I was so incredibly humbled. I must confess that I think my heart breaks a little more every day. I know I cannot do justice to all that the Lord shows me here and allows me to do, but He is on the move friends....

Enter into the Joy......Part 2

So, the adventures from the capitol city continue! I left off with the lawyer promising me that he could get everything done in 2 days. I was, of course, skeptical at best. The next day I heard from the lawyer that one government office was complete! Whew! Later that day I get a call from the lawyer telling me that there are some 'issues' with the other office and could I please just come over and speak with them.

These 'issues' were actually not a huge surprise, as I had noticed a theme in the requirements that we weren't quite up to par with. I quickly emailed and called some supervisors and colleagues asking for feedback. Of course, no one is available or answering. That meant that I just had to whip up a document that would make them happy and was actually accurate....and ask for the Lord's favor and make the official like me ;)

I had just been connected with a friend of a friend here who has a vehicle and we went to the offices and waited and waited. And then the official arrives and gives me a mouthful.

But I smile and speak some Arabic to him. He was quite pleased that I knew some Arabic. I talked my way in and out and all around as he did the same. It was an interesting round robin and I will spare you the details. But I closed with another smile and some more Arabic and left it up to the Lord. Upon leaving, I did not really know if he would give us the certificate....

Later that night I am contacted by the lawyer letting me know tomorrow we will be finished. No problems- and would I like to go see the city with him (it was 9pm)?? He was eager that I know his city. Hah! At 9 at night in a crazy city the young savvy lawyer wants to show the young female American around, no thank you ;)

So the next day, true to his word (or should I say the Lord's faithfulness!) we have both of the certificates in hand!! Woohoo! It only took 2 days and more miracles than I can count. These are just a few of the events that transpired... there are oh, so many more. He will never fail.

The journey ended with another UN flight (that I had to rearrange because my work in Kenya got canceled) where I was followed around by and Ethiopian and a man from Butan carrying my luggage and inviting me to live in their countries. Never a dull moment I tell you. It is a good thing that I can make up policies like "I am not permitted to give my number out" whenever needed....

As I was there, the Lord directed me to the passage where he talks about 'entering into the joy of the Master.' The entire time I have been here, I am acutely aware that this is exactly what I am doing. If you read the parable, you will see that risk is involved. You will notice that the 3rd man took no risk- But why?

He did not know His Master. We are given a description of his perception, which is sadly quite inaccurate.

As we come to know our Master, in Spirit and in Truth, our lives reflect that trust and assurance in Him. We can take the risks and taste the Joy. Praise His Great Name!

Enter into the Joy of your Master: Part 1 of 2

The task was clear:  Go to the capitol and renew the registration for my organization with multiple governmental offices. In a newly formed country. By myself in a crazy city. The legitimacy of the organization was on my shoulders!

You know at this point I can't help but notice a theme; call me crazy, but it seems as though the Lord delights in giving me tasks that are just 'out there.'

About a month leading up to my trip we began an extensive email round robin of acquiring documents with our office in the States, getting reports from teammates, coordinating with contacts here for whatever crazy requirements the country was going to decide it wanted. The hope had been that I would meet up with the individual that helped us last year.

Well, less than a week before leaving we are told he will be out of town. Of course ;)
And our other contact will not be available either. So I begin hunting for different people, and everyone I was put into contact with was going to be out of town. I swear it was a conspiracy!

A few days before leaving I am promised the world by several people. I figured if I had 4 different people do that, maybe- just maybe 1 would pull through. One of the people that was going to be out of town put me in contact with a lawyer he had worked with before. I was trying not to get my hopes up too much....

I arrived on Wednesday (on a UN helicopter, free RT- gotta love my UN buddies!). It was all up in the air once I got to the city. Would anything work out?? The odds were not with me. Oh- let's add something else to the mix - right before leaving I was informed that MAF (who is my bank, emergency evacuation, postal address and general transport) had suspended all activity in country. So all of the money I had transferred to do the registration - I am not able to get it.

Upon arrival I called a friend of a friend at the UN because he was going to take me to the lawyer's office (at this point I didn't know if the lawyer would even agree to work with me). Miracle: the contact answered his phone and was actually able to come and get me! AND the lawyer answered his phone! He was actually in his office, and yes he would meet with me!!! Let's just say that the relief was great- honestly if this hadn't worked out I don't know what I would've done.

I rode on a motorcycle with my 3 bags to the lawyer's office. I came fully prepared with any and every document you can imagine stamped and signed. He says nonchalantly that he can take care of everything. I ask him for a time frame: 2 days tops he says.

Pah! Yeah right! It takes 2 days to even make a phone call here sometimes! And, not to mention last year it took 10 days....

After changing money to pay him I end up waiting a few hours for him to be available again, and in that time I became BFF with his entire staff: Mery, Freidah, Cliff, Reech, and Simeon. The power of a few Arabic phrases really is amazing ;)

During this time I was informed from the locals that they have heard of how dangerous Texas is. Hmm interesting - they have been through 50 years of civil war and they think Texas is dangerous ;) God Bless old movies.

After about 4 hours there I was escorted in the lawyer's luxury SUV (in this country?? what??!) to the compound where I was staying. In the next post I will tell you how it went....