Second Collapse of the Mayan Culture...

   The Mayan Culture, at one time, was complex with its economy, government, etc. It's collapse before the Colonial  Period was said to be caused by many things...natural disasters, disease, peasant revolt, etc. There's been a lot of talk lately about the "end of the world" because the Mayan calendar ends this year. My calendar ends every year, but the world doesn't end. A  friend pointed out, even if it does end, if you're ready (you're sure of eternity) why worry?
   So even though historians can't agree on what caused the first collapse of the Mayan Culture, I'm pretty sure the second collapse can be traced to a girl from Oklahoma on her first mission trip to Belize who didn't know a thing about their culture. Guess I should explain.
   On my first mission trip to Belize I was in charge of games for the afternoons we spent in the villages doing Everyday Sunday School. I was okay with that; I had lots of experience.  I planned games and the kids, although shy at first, really got into the games and had a great time. We played girls against the boys and the competitions were lively. I thought things were going well.
   The second day our mission director pulled me aside and said the Village Chairman (like our mayor) had said he'd never seen the children so competitive.  I asked what he meant.  According to the Village Chairman, the children were not usually so competitive...especially the girls.  The girls never competed with the boys.  I was horrified! In just two days I felt like I had totally destroyed the culture. I was assured that all was not lost and the Chairman thought it was okay for a little competition.
   I made it a point to do research and find out more about the culture before my next trip to Belize. I've come to realize that know the culture of a people and respecting that culture goes a long way to effectively sharing the gospel.
   A few days ago I heard a Casting Crowns song called "While You Were Sleeping." It talks about how Bethlehem was sleeping during Christ's birth and Jerusalem was sleeping during His resurrection. It goes on to talk about America and Christ's return.  The song is what got me thinking about that first mission trip and how the American culture is eroding day by day. Yes, we have international "clout" and remain the land of the free and the home of the brave, but, especially this time of year, I'm more aware of commercialism, selfishness and the need to have more, have bigger, have better.
   What happened to putting others first? What happened to servant leadership? What happened to the difference between needs and wants? How did dollars become an expression of love?
   There are still those who do selfless acts...random acts of kindness, angel trees, helping neighbors, etc.  Recently in our community a child asked those attending his birthday party to bring gifts to donate for Toys for Tots. He invited the whole town and donated over 500 toys.
   All is not lost. Prayer Warriors are still on their knees for friends, family, our nation and our world. God's kingdom is still being tended to today. I pray I don't forget Whose I am and just because our culture says something is permissible doesn't mean it's okay. I don't want to be caught sleeping.

Echoes of the Kingdom

     Okay, most people who know me are aware that sometimes I tend to overcommit. (I can’t actually hear you, but know some of you are saying that may be the understatement of the century.) This past year I’ve used the word “no” more often without feeling guilt. I’ve tried to organize better and stay on schedule in order to make the most of my time.  Overall, most would agree that organizing and sticking to a schedule are admirable traits.  I think this is true, if we are careful not to be so organized and scheduled to miss out on the opportunities to share God’s love.     
     The other day I heard a quote on the radio that made me stop and think.  The DJ was sharing about a band member of The Fray visiting Rwanda and talking with a woman who survived the genocide and was sharing her story.  The band member made the comment that when he was holding her hand, he couldn’t distinguish between her heartbeat and his.  Brent Hansen, the DJ, commented, “When you take time to hear people’s stories, you might hear echoes of the Kingdom of God in places you don’t expect.” Wow…something as simple as listening to someone’s story can put you in a Kingdom perspective and let you live out being the hands and feet of God.
     Since I heard that quote, I’ve seen it in action a couple of times.  A friend shared how busy her day was and how excited she was to be running “on schedule” but actually dumped her schedule to invite someone to sit down and chat during a lunch break.  Those few minutes turned out to be a precious time of fellowship.  I had the opportunity to get a little “off schedule” and chat with an elderly lady whose husband has been ill.  I didn’t know her, but I believe our encounter was ordained to encourage us both with the mercies of God.
   Yes, I will continue to exercise my use of the word “no.” Now, however, I will be watching for the chance to hear echoes.

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Last Day of Spring Break

   So, today is the last day of my Spring Break.  I really enjoyed going with my nephews and visiting the Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum and Science Museum this week.  I think my favorite part, however, was this afternoon.  I went with M and his youth group on a local mission.  We met at the church and made over a hundred peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.  After instructions and a prayer, we loaded the bus and met up with another church.  In downtown, we added the sandwiches to the sacks containing chips and cookies.  The sacks, along with bottles of water and all of the extra sandwiches were quickly distributed.  I must say, I was so impressed with M's service.  He was quite proficient at putting the pb&j sandwiches in zipper bags.  I watched in awe as, instead of hanging back, he passed out the sacks and water to the homeless.  He didn't just stand and pass out the food; he grabbed a bag and water and walked to meet the people.  On the bus ride back to the church we had a chance to chat.  I shared some of my inner-city mission experiences with M.  He said he wants to do this again next month.  I'll be joining him. 

Mission Memories: Critters

     I just finished filing my fingernails.  That reminded me of my first mission trip to Belize. You'll see why as the story unfolds.
     It was very late when we arrived at our destination for the night.  To get to the cabanas where we stayed was an adventure in itself.  We drove from Belize City for quite a while. On this trip not all of the three main highways were paved...only about a stretch of about 50 miles was paved.  We left the "highway" and drove down a dirt road to a clearing.  I remember being amazed at the giant Bird of Paradise plants that grew wild along the road. Once we got to a clearing, we had to hit a gong to let the people know we had arrived so they could come across the river to get us.  We carried our luggage down a gazillion steps (Well, actually it was 32...I counted later) to get to the river and the boat that would take us across to go up more steps to our lodging .  Wow, I was going to be spending the night in the jungle! I was so tired, I could hardly walk. On my way to bed I saw a brown and white mouse scamper around the thatched roof of our room.  I shared a two room cabana with three other girls.  I had just closed my eyes when I heard R, my roommate scream.  I didn't open my eyes, but asked her what was wrong. She said, "There's a snake!"  I told her to leave it alone and she'd be fine...my eyes still closed.  "Quit talking like a teacher and do something," she demanded.  I got up and told her I would get it and put it out.  She reminded me that we were in the middle of a jungle and I didn't know what kind of snake it could be.  She had an excellent point.  By this time, I was wide awake and the two girls from the other room came in.  The chase began.  I'm not sure what we thought we were going to do once we got the snake cornered, but we chased it all over the room and finally got it cornered in the small area just outside the bathroom door. Now what were we suppose to do with it?   One of the girls got a plunger from the bathroom and captured its head.  We were going to end its life, but didn't really have anything to work with, until someone remembered having a metal fingernail file. (See my thinking, now?) How many girls does it take to kill a snake in the jungle in the middle of the night?  Apparently four if they're taking turns holding a toilet plunger on its head and trying to cut its head off with a fingernail file.  This was not a quick, nor pleasant endeavor.  The next day, at breakfast, I relayed the story to one of the men that worked there.  When I described the snake to him, he said, "Oh, you no need to worry about de smol snakes. Iz da big ones dat are bad!" Okay, after that experience, showering with tree frogs was not that big of a deal.

The Advent of Amazing Adventures

   If you're around me very long, you'll discover one of my favorite things to do is tell stories about missions.  Yes, a little more than ten years ago, you would have heard me utter, "I will never set foot on foreign soil.  There are plenty of people here I can tell about Jesus." Well, God is always up for a challenge and since I do try to listen every now and again to what He's trying to tell me, you probably aren't surprised that I have since then set foot on foreign soil...a few times.  Here's the story (I have to set the stage, so you can see how God truly provides.) :

   When my sister married and moved a few states away, it was hard on us both. We had always been close and this was going to be a rough separation.  God provided.  That year the principal at the school where I teach hired a new teacher who became (and still is) a wonderful friend.  She reminded me a lot of my sister.  I knew God had brought her to our school when I was at her house for dinner and I was going to help with dishes.  I started to run water and she exclaimed, "Don't put your hands in there, there are floaty things!"  I just stared at her...that's exactly the expression my sister uses.  She hates doing dishes by hand because of the "floaty things," too.  That night, I called my sister to tell her about my experience.  She told me that God must have know we would miss each other because there was a girl in their church that reminded her a lot of me and they were friends.
     A few months later, I went to visit my sister and her husband.  While I was at their church, I was introduced to the girl who reminded my sister of me, Cat.  Just after meeting her and visiting with her for a few minutes, I knew we were destined to be friends.  After the service was over, I chatted with Cat.  As she was leaving she said, "Oh, by the way, I signed you up for a mission trip to Belize.  Your first payment is due in three weeks."  It never occurred to me to say "no."  My next thought was, "I need to do some fund raising." (You may be reading this and thinking, "Yes, I get your fundraising letters!")
     Well, I went on that trip to Belize, which started my involvement with a group called Caribbean Resource Ministries.  I have been to Belize several times over the past 10+ years.  I have also worked on inner city missions in Houston, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C. I've been on foreign missions in Guatemala and Estonia.  This summer I'm looking in to possibly teaching English in China or the Ukraine. I have lots of stories to tell that, hopefully, will keep you entertained as well as bring glory to God through my attempts to be His hands and feet.
    Yes, Cat and I are still friends.  She is definitely a kindred spirit and a forever kind of friend.  She is also a a part of many of my adventures, so you will see her name from time to time.  Through working with Caribbean Resource Ministries, I've met and keep in touch with lots of incredible people.  Hmm...I may have to do posts on "Incredible People." For more information on Caribbean Resource Ministries and to see some of the mission pics, go to caribbeanonline.org .