Category: anecdotes

not to us, but to Your name

So, the past two days have been a blur of blessing – absolutely none of which can be attributed to my own hand. I can truly say that God has orchestrated these events to reflect His glory alone. I don’t know how to keep the story short, but I also don’t know how to keep my eyes open right now, so I have a bit of a dilemma.

I will do my best at a summary version and add some photos to help you visualize. Okay, so there’s this group from a Christian high school in Dallas, Texas that has been praying for seven years that they would have a connection with our students at Pinares. They come here every year on a mission trip to work at the orphanages and do service projects in the area outside of Tegucigalpa. One of their teachers/leaders is a former Pinares student and has a strong passion to reach the most apathetic of our students by getting them out and doing service.
Well, on Friday I received a note in my box and started fielding questions from students who received a letter saying they were going to translate this week and I was the advisor/sponsor for the trips. I had no idea. I mean I really knew nothing about any of it until Monday mid-morning. Random doesn’t even quite describe how absurd and persistent the events were.
After much chaos, I packed 12 tenth graders into a van with myself and a driver and off we went. And praise the LORD for the way HE works, prepares, coordinates, guides, reflects, and moves! The same story today with eleventh graders. They got back on the bus and said, “Miss, I’ve never been in a public school before. All my years in Honduras and I’ve never been in a public school. We should do this more often!” (And I’m going HELLO! yes!) We talked all the way home about visions for really capturing the fire they felt on the streets today.
One part of the ‘translating’ that my students did was for street evangelism… and that’s a whole other story for other days. But, wow. God is so so good!
Okay, here are some pictures!

Posted on by Caroline 0

What I’ve been up to

Maybe I should name the post “When I’ve been up ’till” instead, but that’s pretty big news!

Bedtime since moving down here (actually since graduating from college) has been on a steady downhill roll until this week. We have the student retreat coming up this weekend and we are really feeling the opposition pressing in heavy. It’s been hard to recruit students and convince them it’s something worthwhile.

It’s so rough trying to make things cool, you know? High schoolers are just obsessed with making sure things are ‘cool,’ even down here. But, we are praying and hoping that the Lord will bless us with a group that wants to be real. Forget cool. That’s what I say.

And that’s how we ended up with this outrageous video to promote the weekend.

http://www.facebook.com/v/524193470035

Posted on by Caroline 2

orfanato

Some things about this random life I lead give me inexplicable joy.

This trip to Amigos de Niños on Saturday was one of those things. Here are some pictures – I hope you share in my joy as well! This week, when I have more time, I’ll have to give greater detail to the craziest Honduran day yet!

Don’t worry – there are more pictures to come!

Posted on by Caroline 0

photo scavenger hunt!

If you haven’t participated in an unruly competition of ‘photo scavenger hunt’ I sincerely suggest it. Last night, I was chilling with a few amazing students for dinner when the plan hatched. For the next 15 minutes we hastily made the rules:

45 minutes
take a picture of each thing on the list
meet back at Quizno’s
winner gets the glory

I know, not exactly complicated, but A LOT of fun! We split up into teams of two and captured these moments on camera (not mine because I was silly and left it at home):
-chewing 5 pieces of BIG RED gum
-posing with a street vendor
-doing a handstand on the sidewalk
-inside a fountain
-holding a menu to a restaurant
-with a banana
-lifting weights

We frantically rushed the city and returned to the Quizno’s quite out of breath… I am proud to say Alexandra and I beat the other team handily (although we didn’t figure in that one of them is currently wearing an ankle brace, but hey, it’s a competition!). We took a few victory poses and compared our ridiculous pictures. My least favorite was me with an uncomfortable amount of Big Red chewing gum sitting on my tongue.

GOOD TIMES! We have a re-match scheduled for Monday and I’m definitely bringing my camera this time!

Well, this morning I am off to the teacher’s retreat. I’m hoping to find some rest, relaxation, and possibly some sweet outreach ideas.

I hope you all have a splendid weekend!

Posted on by Caroline 0

did I mention I now teach PE

Okay, so the blogs had a couple rough weeks. Sorry. But, did I mention I now teach Physical Education to 10th and 12th grade?

That’s right folks. Not only am I slightly less than qualified to teach students sitting in desks, now I’m also trying to teach students who wander around with no anchor, forget their gym clothes, and constantly complain about the heat.

When I told my siblings (on the most ridiculous conference call ever made), they couldn’t stop laughing! I can’t really blame them. During my first class, with the 12th grade girls, it was raining so we were forced inside with no lesson plan. Within five minutes, someone was straightening her hair, another girl pulled out an evening dress to show off, and two other girls whipped out cell phones to take pictures of the 12th grade boys PE class (dutifully on task within eyeshot!!). How did I get into this mess?

I have to admit the humor. Without laughter I might have given up alltogether. I’m teaching three PE classes a week so that our PE teacher can take a college class at the nearby university where she is finishing her degree. I know it sounds crazy, but I’m doing my best to not appear as desperate as I feel to make this arrangement work out without too terribly impairing these girls’ physical education.

I’m holding on to Psalm 94

Psalm 91

1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. a]”>[a]

2 I will say b]”>[b] of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”

3 Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare
and from the deadly pestilence.

4 He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

.

.

14 “Because he loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

15 He will call upon me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.

16 With long life will I satisfy him
and show him my salvation.”

I’m just going to keep on delighting in His promises and know that HE alone sustains, protects, defends, comforts, and guides.

But… just out of curiosity… how would you teach a high school girls PE class? The next sport in the lineup: badminton. That ought to be interesting… real interesting.

Posted on by Caroline 0

Sweet Dinner 09

So, before we started one of the craziest days of our Honduran lives, Heather and I decided that we were not going to expect any return on our investment. We knew that this sweet dinner was first an expression of our first Love and second an expression of our love for these girls – neither of which required something in return. This is a heart investment…

But, the Lord is so gracious! After the careful thought, planning, and YES even a creatively-spun parody to the tune “all you single ladies” by Beyonce, we were so blessed by the night!

Here are some pictures of the preparations… of which there were many! And, yes, I almost started crying when I randomly found heart-shaped tins at a local grocery (one of my mom’s dear traditions!).

We played games … one of them was a challenge to write a valentine’s poem with the words we gave them in an envelope. Then we had a poetry reading:)

Then, the girls took over – or rather their fondness for the microphone – and we had KARAOKE time! It definitely gave me some great ideas for the future!

Then came the (cheaply) candlelit meal of vegetable and beef lasagna, baguettes, and a plush salad. Oh, don’t worry mom, we started out with sparkling grape juice and made a little toast:)

Then, toward the end of the night Heather and I performed our adapted version of Beyonce’s ridiculous song, single ladies (I would attach the video, but it would take all night to load). We dedicated it to our 10th grade girls and then we had a Bible study where we talked about How Much God Loves Us and How Should We Respond?

After all the Bible study we split up into groups and tried to open things up to let the girls share their hearts. We love them so much… I almost think they are bored of us saying it, but it’s so true!

God provided an amazing way to bless the girls while blessing another ministry as well… We gave the girls all earrings that we purchased from our dear friend Macayla, who has recently started a jewelry ministry for the teen girls at the feeding center (see her blog). Because she has only met with them three times, she is still trying to get the right materials she needs. But, in the mean time the girls have done a wonderful job already making many things. So, we decided to buy the jewelry she had, which happened to be pretty close to what we needed, and bless our girls. Isn’t God amazing??

PS. I wholeheartedly recommend your own version of a sweet dinner. Make it your tradition to celebrate the Love of Christ – the first and best love!

Posted on by Caroline 3

setting up for sweet dinner

Okay, some of you may know about the family tradition that vies for first place in my book (and one I’ve tried to pass on). It comes around this time of year, the color scheme is inevitably pink and red, and the theme is horribly predictable: LOVE.

Yep, that’s right. Our Valentine’s Day family tradition every year growing up consisted of a much anticipated home-baked dinner around our big, wooden table. But, don’t worry, it doesn’t stop there. Oh, no. Each child (5 of us) received an original poem, written by the hostess extraordinaire (mother, dearest). The table set with pink, red, and white decorations (from last year’s clearance of course!) and beside each plate sat our pink tapioca and a heart-shaped cake with special pink frosting and our name spelled out on the inside.

Throughout the evening, the fam would laugh, share stories, and just let some serious love happen. When I was younger, I’m not sure I thought it was super cool, but I think I appreciated it deep down. Now, boy do I ever love it. I repeated it in college with my roommates junior year. I sent letters to parents, raided the local Dollar Tree, and kept it a surprise until the night when I served roast on our coffee table covered with reds, pinks, and whites. It’s one of my favorite memories from college.

And now we’re going to try to give a shot here, on Tuesday with our 20 girls from the 10th grade. I’ll let you know how it goes. The idea is to get our minds off of what the world makes of love and back on to the real meaning. It’s a GREAT idea to celebrate love… we just have to make sure we do it the right way.

Thanks, mom. You’re the best!

Posted on by Caroline 0

Thank Goodness It’s Friday

First of all WELCOME BACK Christina – you were greatly missed here at foreignheart (I can tell by the page hits!) and even more so just in conversation. We’ll have to change that soon!

Today, parents came to pick up report cards, ask all sorts of questions, and some to seek advice. Though I encouraged and counseled and advised with a clear voice of confidence, inwardly I wondered how the parents were listening to someone who could be their child too. I guess it struck me as more humorous than anything else.

I am exhausted after a full day and a trip into the city to watch the end of the girls’ soccer game. After the game, some of the students went out to eat with my roommates and me at TGIFridays (I know – of all places, they choose American!). We had so much fun and I kept thinking of ways I could make this happen more often.

It seems like so many obstacles frustrate plans and then we’re convinced the complications aren’t worth the trouble. I’m the kind of person who throws out crazy ideas until I find a winner… and I just haven’t found one that will solve the problem of seeing my students more. We have SUCH an amazing opportunity to support, challenge, and disciple these young people, and all it takes is a little coordination. Unfortunately, I live on a mountain and a lot of my students live up to an hour away and can not drive (nor do I have a car:).

But, aren’t these the kinds of things we believe God for… you know, the little things? I have been so blessed and encouraged this week by the staff community here at ALP. A conversation here and there reminds me that we must be faithful with every blessing we are given and God will bless us beyond our imaginations.

Praise the Lord for His provision. In the midst of whatever you are doing right now – give God praise for who He is and you will be blessed!

Posted on by Caroline 0

A week of tears

Hello long-lost friends! Christina here, your long lost other half of the foreign heart team. At least, I hope Caroline still considers me part of the team. I started a new journey about 4 1/2 months ago (quitting my job and getting a new one in youth ministry- ahh!) and it has changed my whole world. My life has turned upside down, and I wouldn’t want it to go back. But I do miss you all, and having time to talk to my dear sister every once and awhile…

Anyway- it’s been quite a week… kind of not in a good way. I’ve cried this week more times than I can count. Big, fat crocodile tears in the shower, in a meeting, and driving down the road. It’s just been one of those weeks. Started Sat. with some car troubles, but has continued into something that’s taken on a life of its own.

Honestly- I can’t remember a time that I have felt like this- so hopeless, so despondent, so free of true joy. I was trying to explain it to Tina on Tues. night and after awhile she just said- Christina, nothing you are saying is making sense. Are you sure you’re not being attacked? After trying to talk her out of this insane and frankly, offensive accusation for awhile, I realized she was right.

And why not? Why wouldn’t satan attack me with accusations of worthlessness, alone-ness, and sadness? Why wouldn’t satan whisper to me lies of discontentment, uneasiness, and distrust? Why wouldn’t he try and make me ineffective for God’s gospel and glory? When things at Valley Church are MOVING, when things are SHAKING up, when EXCITING things are happening, WHY WOULDN’T HE ATTACK THAT?

So I fight. For joy- for time with the Lord- for unity in our team.

Will you fight with me? Will you pray that God would continue to move mightily in Valley Church Student Ministries? Will you pray that satan’s attacks on our team would be useless? Would you pray that our staff retreat this weekend will sustain us and give us communication we desperately need? Would you pray that we would come back ready to fight for his kingdom?

Thank you, friends. I love you all.

Christina

Posted on by Caroline 2

God Chose You

There’s a little book by A.W. Tozer called the Pursuit of God. Just today, one of my dear Austin friends sent this prayer that refreshed and re-focused my day and I thought it might bless you as well,

O God, I have tasted Thy goodness, and it has both satisfied me and made me thirsty for more. I am painfully conscious of my need of further grace. I am ashamed of my lack of desire. O God, the Triune God, I want to want Thee; I long to be filled with longing; I thirst to be made more thirsty still. Show me Thy glory, I pray Thee, that I may know Thee indeed. Begin in mercy a new work of love within me. Say to my soul, “Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.” Then give me grace to rise and follow Thee up from this misty lowland where I have wandered so long. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Tonight a few of us from the ALP staff gathered in the youth room for prayer, praise, and worship. This prayer (though more eloquent) sounds so much like our heart’s desire to just want more God. As we come before His throne humbled and broken, my tendency is to feel frustrated by my failure… to be ashamed of my sorry attempts at goodness.

One of my new roommates shares in her testimony about a time when she was on the other side of the world, in a country resistant (if not hostile) to the Gospel, with a mission team. Somehow she found herself deeply bonding with a native speaker with lots of questions. As my friend looked around, she saw every single person on her team more qualified to be in her place – talking, loving, and answering questions. But, she said, God didn’t choose them. He chose me.

That part of her story speaks so powerfully to the ministry God has called me (and you) to live out. Though there are those people absolutely suited for a certain task, though you may feel the least equipped, and though you may doubt God’s wisdom in placing you there… He never makes mistakes. For such a time as this, God chooses the weak to show His strength.

I’m reminded of the story of Esther, where God didn’t choose the most powerful to save the Jewish nation from ruin at the hands of an ignorant king. God chose Esther.

And may God receive all the glory for the times He chooses the weakest, most feeble and miserable creatures to carry out His kingdom work.

Posted on by Caroline 0