Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Power of Presence

"Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God." Luke 6:20

Since I haven't shared a story from Jamaica yet, and it's been a slow week at the office, I would like to write up the craziest thing that happened to me on my most recent excursion to that magically green island.

The Clarendon infirmary is a government run facility in Maypen, Jamaica which cares for the mentally and physically handicapped. Although I have only been to the infirmary four times, I know that place has changed my life in very tangible ways.

Not only is the infirmary different from any other place I've ever been-- it's probably different from any place in America. When you first get out of the safety of the van, the first thing you will notice is the smell. Understaffed and poorly supplied, there is little hope of even keeping the patients clean-- let alone keeping the flies away. Once you adjust to the smell, you look around and take in the seeming hopelessness of people who have nothing. Bodies have betrayed those who live in the infirmary in ways that most acquainted with western medicine never imagined possible.

The first time I went to the infirmary in 2006, I was a 17 year old on a team of adults. So when I met Karen, possibly the most able person at the infirmary, and found out that we were the same age, I couldn't be pulled away. I spent my whole time there with Karen, listening to her talk about how much she loved helping the nurses take care of her fellow residents. I sat there with my whole life ahead of me-- she had been in the same place she lived now since she was five years old with little hope of change. Meeting Karen really changed me.

Scott, Karen, and Me in 2006

So when I came back in 2008, Karen was the person I looked forward to seeing again the most. Again, I spent my whole time with her.  When I asked Karen if she remembered me, she said yes-- but I was unsure if that was true. But then she asked me if Scott was with me again. I was so humbled and amazed in that moment. One of my teammates brought a polaroid camera-- so I left her with a small instant picture.

I didn't get a chance to go back to Jamaica again until a few weeks ago. It was now almost 5 years since I met Karen and 3 and a half since the last time I saw her. When the entire team went to the infirmary I did not see her but spent my time with a couple of the other residents without much thought. Luckily, I got another chance to go to the infirmary, this time for a full day. 

I was back with the residents I had spent time with just two days earlier and was headed to grab some lotion out of the office where we had put our stuff. As I was walking down one of my students said, "Hey, Veronica-- someone is looking for you!" I thought it had to be a mistake, I had just been with the only people who I had seen that week. But Courtney was insistent, "Get over here!"

When I walked over, there was Karen. Apparently, Courtney had asked her if she remembered her, to which Karen replied, "Are you Veronica?" Courtney said no, but told her that I was there. Karen said, "Veronica is here? Will you go get her?" Courtney, thinking that I had seen her just last Tuesday thought nothing of it.

When I went with Karen to her bed, she showed me the polaroid picture from 3 years ago that she kept on her nightstand. I asked, "How did you know I would be here?" She said simply, "I didn't."

The truth is this-- taking the time to love someone will change their life. Never underestimate the impact God allows you to have. I had only spent about two hours with this girl, but she remembered me as her friend-- and even asked for me more than 3 years later! 

Iron sharpens iron,   and one man sharpens another.
Proverbs 27:17

Knowing Karen changed my life. Little did I know that I was changing her life as well. There is unbelievable power in simply being present. Giving value to those whom the world overlooks is an act with eternal value. Let us not forget.

Here's to serving a God who blows my mind without a second thought.
Cheers.

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

The Unlikely Disciple

I recently finished reading this:

For anyone who doesn't know, the premise of The Unlikely Disciple is simple. A journalism major at Brown University decided to do a "study abroad" at Liberty University in order to explore the cultural gap created in America by the "God divide." No big deal. In this book, he chronicles stories from his life at Liberty, the people he met, the things he learned, and the ways his ideas were shaped.

The book is really very good and thought provoking-- but probably my biggest take away is the way that Kevin Roose's open-mindedness puts me to shame.

Let me explain. It would be easy to go into a place like Liberty ready to mock and be cynical and right all the time-- even (or maybe especially) for someone like me who already accepts the ludicrous idea that the Son of God was raised from the dead, loves me, and is leading my life. But Kevin goes into it looking to understand and bridge the divide. Really, that is to be commended.

He doesn't come away from the experience a conservative evangelical-- or really an evangelical at all-- but he does bring good insight to light on things he learned from his semester at "Bible boot camp."

At one point during his semester, Kevin scored an interview with Jerry Falwell and writes about how, political ideology aside, the man is actually quite likable. He reveals the other side of Falwell, the smiling man who brags on his grandkids and drinks a diet peach snapple everyday.

This scene gave me pause. How could this man be likable?? This man who used his influence to spread hate, homophobia, and a really terrible political agenda in the name of Jesus? How could there be anything to redeem this despicable man?!

But that's when I realized that if Jerry Falwell is a human, it is much harder to vilify him. It is easy for me to look at a man's sermons and political actions and allow hate to brew in my heart. But what about the fact that that man has a family? Or when he's not spewing anti-gay paranoia, he's playing practical jokes? That man is much harder to hate.

My problem, often, with the Christian Right is their refusal to see that God loves every person. People are valuable because God created them so. And probably, when people see that they will be more likely to turn to their creator than if they are simply scared of Hell.

But this scene made me realize that if God loves every person, then that includes Jerry Falwell. And as much as I disagree with everything he stands for, hating him will only lead to hard-hearted bitterness in my own life.

So here I am, someone who claims to worship a God who loves and values all, being put to shame by this author who looks only to have an open mind. Humility is sometimes hard to swallow.

Father, forgive me my inability to love. Allow me to see the places of my heart where my flesh takes over and continue to work them out. Give me the wisdom to discern between righteous anger and personal hate. Remind me again and again that I do not have everything figured out-- and give me an eternally teachable and discerning spirit. And above all, allow me to pray for those with whom I disagree, trusting that only you can change their hearts. Amen.

Here's to good, thought-provoking reads and an open mind.
Cheers.

Monday, June 20, 2011

Living Alone

This post will concern lessons I've garnered thus far in my first real adult experience.

My host left for Colorado last Friday in order to explore the peace of the mountains for 6 weeks. This, of course, leaves me with a whole house to myself and freedom from most responsibilities.

There are some definite bonuses to being roommate-less. I can listen to whatever music I want to while I get ready, I do everything on my own schedule, I never have to worry about being interrupted or being rude. I always get the remote and if I want quiet it's mine. Above all, there's no one to judge me when I decide to get a pizza and watch "Dating in the Dark" reruns (guilty!).

While I am enjoying all of this freedom, today I hit my first drawback. I can deal with the loneliness and I have enough deadbolts to make me feel safe.

But this morning, there was a giant beetle in my shower and it took me a good 15 minutes to kill it.

GIANT. BEETLE. DISGUSTING.

It may sound stupid, but that's my real life. I don't want to kill bugs; I just don't want them to touch me. And that desire is so strong it really takes a lot for me to get close enough to squish it. I even prayed for courage, but then I felt ridiculous praying for help killing something. Call me a gentle soul-- or something like that.

Well, 15 minutes and a plaid ked later, the bug was taken care of and I got in the shower. Bugs be warned. But I really hope that whoever I live with next is more capable than I am. Of course, I probably should've figured out that this was not going to be my strong suit when I was rendered completely incapable by the cockroaches we found in our room the last day in Jamaica. There's something about insects that turn me into approximately a seven year old girl thinking nothing but, "Oh my goodness someone make this safe again IamnotmovingfromthisspotuntilthatthingisGONE!!"

Well, adventures in adulthood. We all have to grow up some time.
Cheers.

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Vacation Time, Brothers!

Dearest fans, I apologize for the delay, but I've been on vacation. I'll explain my life to you with a little list.

Since you last saw me I've...

  • Been to 3 weddings (and bridesmaided one)
  • Spent an excellent week with the boyfriend in my hometown
  • Went to the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha
    • And the BEST used book store ever-- Jackson Street Book Sellers (also in Omaha)
  • Led a high school mission to Jamaica
  • Started VBS back in Dallas
It's been a little crazy. I'll spice things up with a story or two, but I'm looking forward to getting back to life as normal... or at least as normal as it gets these days.

Cheers.
VP