Monday, November 26, 2012

"Under Construction"

Most weekends here I try to travel to different parts of this 300 mile wide city…described by one travel book as a city that “wrestles between being a cosmopolitan center and an overgrown jumble of villages." It can be madness to meander through- but fascinating.

But traveling through Addis to others parts of the city is often worth it.  A change of scenery plus in exploring various outdoor cafes over the past year- I’ve found a few favorite places where I can write and reflect and work on my book under the warm African sun.

This past weekend as I headed towards the other side of the city as I often do, I immediately noticed traffic seemed to be at a standstill.  Cars, taxis, buses, were just sitting there, many blowing their horns. “Jams” are common here in Addis- so you always need to be prepared to walk a little.  Which I usually prefer overall anyway.   I jumped out of the taxi I was in and was hoping to walk myself out of the mess.  But the problem I soon discovered was the road was UNDER CONSTRUCTION most of the way to where I was going.
 

It was amazing how construction had cut off whole roads where usual traffic thrived.  Even businesses and once bustling cafes sat empty now and some had closed entirely. As I carried my bag through the dusty roads for almost two hours to my destination on the other side of the city- I observed all the construction and its effects.

There were big pieces of equipment, odds and ends, lying around.  Even workers were sleeping under trees. This construction was effecting everything.


In some places, you could tell the design of what that part of the road would become.


But in most places it mainly looked a wreck and unfinished.

Couldn’t that often be said of our lives?

I began thinking about how messy life is and really the world is overall. It has brokenness everywhere. Even the places or lives that look nice and clean- often you find have the biggest pollution of all running just beneath the surface.  Quick fixes or cover-up doesn’t hide for long the sin or brokenness there.

The amazing thing to me about God is that when we chose to go our own way instead of His and sin came into the world, God could have put a big stamp of  forever condemned on planet earth.  Uninhabitable.  Set for demolition.  And that would have been that.  But He chose instead to offer new life, redemption!

Romans 8:1-3
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death 

Isaiah 49:8
This is what the LORD says: “In the time of my favor I will answer you, and in the day of salvation I will help you; I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people, to restore the land and to reassign its desolate inheritances…

2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:  The old has gone, the new is here!

And if we accept this undeserved gift- His work begins and continues in each of us…we’re under His “construction”-.  He’s shaping us back into our original design and for a  purpose often bigger and greater than we could ever imagine.

1 Corinthians 2:9
“What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived” — the things God has prepared for those who love him"

Galatians 4:4-6
But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to "son-ship."  Because you are His children, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father”

Sometimes we look at each other and all we see is the mess, the disorder. We see the gaps.  And wow, we’re quick to call out the speck in someone else's eye without notice the plank sticking out of our own.

Matthew 7:4
 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?

Instead of seeing the potential in others, the places where God is or can work in a life to refine, restore, renew and rebuild; we stamp out the possibility of God’s power in a person’s life.

We give up on others or even ourselves. We think...we’re too messed up...the sin is too big...too strong. The sickness, the addiction, the disease is too big to cure or remedy.  But we forget God’s bigness.

Psalm 147:2-3
He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name. Great is our Lord and mighty in power; His understanding has no limit.

I think it’s so interesting too how God works in us and through us while we’re still "under construction."  For a long time I used to and I still often struggle with making bold moves for God because I feel like I’m not “ready.” I need to get more organized or disciplined or pray more to do that God. I’m not ready. But if God says go, do, speak,…we can trust Him to back us.  In our weakness, He is strong.  We will never be fully complete and our construction finished until we leave here and return back to God. But He’s given us His mission to continue, His kingdom to help usher in. And even in our brokenness that is still under repair- He can use us in mighty ways to partner with Him to finish what needs done, to go where the gospel needs to go; to speak what truth needs spoken.

Romans 8:26

the Spirit helps us in our weakness...

2 Corinthians 12:9-10
My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong

Our lives should prepare the way, should pave the way, for people to connect with God.  Our lives should point to our King  and that we’re part of a kingdom. There is a reverence and humility that others should pick up on.

I had my students this past week share in class about three things they were grateful for and why.  I was so touched because so many of them first gave thanks to God- for sustaining them, loving them, being with them.  We also talked about various quotes on being thankful, etc.

 One quote shared was:

“On Thanksgiving Day, we acknowledge our dependence.” – Williams Jennings Bryan.

We are DEPENDENT on God. We might not realize it or like to admit it- but we are. He sustains our life, our planet, our galaxy, our universe. We need Him. We need a Savior. We need His Word, His guidance.  His Spirit with us. I’m so grateful He’s offered us the greatest gift, Himself.

For some reason, my mind also drifted to Mother Teresa when I was walking.  For many people, this little lady from Macedonia exemplified a modern day life of someone who showed the love of God and the compassion of Jesus tangibly.   But many were shocked when it was revealed later through her writing- that during most of her later years- she was in a dark season of the soul and almost a crisis of faith.  BUT- she made herself available to God and the world was changed-marked by this humble servant. Even as she was “under construction,” God used her to rebuild, restore, and touch the brokenness in others and offer healing, compassion and the love of God.


May we remember we’re works in progress. We’re buildings under design, renovation, restoration. But we able, while still under construction, to do great things because of God's Spirit living in us.

1 Peter 2:5
you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ 

2 Corinthians 4:7-8, 16
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.  Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.

May we celebrate that. And encourage God’s construction work in others as well.
 
When I see street kids here in Addis, over 100,000 are said to live on the streets, it’s easy to quickly guard your purse or bag.  You see desperation and great need and you feel the need to run.  Many stay away from these. But “these” are whom God invites to the table and who He tells us to include as well.



Matthew 22:8-10
Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come. So go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.’ So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, the bad as well as the good, and the wedding hall was filled with guests.

Matthew 25:40
Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me 
 
May we see God’s work underway in our world and in the lives of others, then pull up our sleeves and join in. And may we submit ourselves to His work in us and allow Him to use us even while we’re under construction ourselves. 

No joy is greater than being in part of His work!

Onward with you!

Prayer Requests
-Please keep my good friend and former co-worker, Debelle, and his family in prayer. His wife is still struggling to recover from surgery.

-Please keep our  students and staff here in prayer.  
-Please keep my Dad's recovery from back surgery in pryer too, he is doing great and we give thanks!
-Please continue to pray for many still seeking work, that God will open up doors and that hearts will stay encouraged.
-Please pray for the draft of my book, that I will continue to have time to write.
-Please pray for those needing work visas, visas out of Ethiopia, etc, that God will provide and His perfect will be done.
-Pray for me as I try to plan my "break time" in the USA- that I can get home for Christmas as God allows.
-Please keep Ethiopia and its leadership in prayer, as new leadership arises- that it may be blessed and favored by God.

Blessings to you!


Tuesday, November 20, 2012

The Little Boy With the Red Balloon

A few evenings ago, I was in a bajaj (a small motorized taxi). The driver had a person on each side of him while I was sandwiched in the back between a very old man who looked very poor and mom with her little boy. The little boy was holding a red balloon tied to a stick and he looked like he had just come from a birthday party. The little boy was probably four years old.

I saw the old man eyeing the little boy- when suddenly the little boy leaned over and in a very brave move...he hit the old man on the head with his balloon, then started giggling. 

My mouth fell open in shock.

I looked at the old man expecting some of kind of scolding to erupt, but I watched in amazement as the old man's eyes began to twinkle with new life and his face broke into a toothless grin. He started laughing.

Soon the little boy and the old man were deep in chatter- both talking and giggling back and forth. It was one of the cutest and most endearing things I've ever seen.

Even after the little boy and his mom left our taxi, I saw the old man still smiling.
Interesting what can be learned from a little boy with a red balloon.


We can learn so much from kiddos (kids). They are intrigued by the smallest things. They're delighted by what we so often overlook. The other day, I saw a little girl stare at her reflection in the mirror, then she kept making funny faces at herself. She kept laughing, so funny. The same day, I saw a little boy jumping off of a small step, over and over. He was thrilled with the tiny drop and delighted at his own success to master the jump. So cute.

On of my favorite kid memories here was when I saw a little girl trying to drink a cup of coffee- so cute in her trust that she would like the bunna she saw her mom drinking, even though the cup was almost as big as her.. :-)


On another day, I saw some kids leaving their school. They were probably in 2nd grade. Suddenly they started running towards me and I stopped ready to be mobbed by them- asking for candy or money. To my surprise, they ran just beyond me to some open green grass. When they reached the grass, all of them started doing somersaults, rolling over and over, delighting in the freedom from school and enjoying the beauty of play. I began to put my things down to join them, feeling excitement and the freedom to enjoy tugging at me to do the same, when I suddenly realized I was in an embassy area and I remembered my age. Reluctantly, I refrained. But regretted it later. I would have been a sight. But it would have been fun. :-)

Observing kids in their play has made me think about my own life in recent days. We often lose our wonder...our awe...of life...of God's work in us and among us, don't we? Things become ordinary, mundane. We lose our bravery to investigate when we're curious. We lose our desire to roll down a hill or turn a somersault or two or start a balloon fight with a stranger that leads to a new friendship.

And then in the midst of it all, we don't enjoy life anymore.

I think there is much God loves about children...their wonder...their curiosity...their bravery...their play...their honesty...their trust....that God doesn't want us to lose.

Luke 18:16-17
But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” 
 
One of the things I have loved about being in Ethiopia is that there are still many things here that are still not ordinary to me. Sights, sounds, smells- views of mountains, skies, big birds, big bugs, herds of various animals, little kids dancing, so much that makes me laugh or stand in awe. 

street scenes
beautiful skies
big birds flying by and pick-up futbol games

the view from my office window :-)




 
Little kids finding rhythm :-)

But sometimes I fail to embrace these wonders and thank God for them, even here. I get busy or distracted and sometimes walk right past the extraordinary hand of God holding something together or even working in my life.

I believe God wants us so much to see Him, know Him, experience Him, delight in Him, share Him.

I've also been thinking this week of God's people overall, the "Church." How would  the world describe us? 

Would they say....

They're people who live in gratitude to God. They give thanks. They live in wonder of God and marvel at His work in their lives. They are joyful, spontaneous, full of life. They live in appreciation of the big and little things God does in them and around them. They trust Him with big faith.

Or would more people describe us, God's people, this way...

They're boring people. Mundane. Too busy. Missing God. They live not in wonder of Him, but often wandering from him. They're rigid. Lifeless. Ungrateful. And they only trust in themselves.

OUCH.

Unfortunately it seems we don't learn to truly live in appreciation of something until we have to go without it. The old saying is often true- you don't know what you've got until it's gone.
May that not be true of us. May we begin to live grateful now if we haven't been. Remembering to give God thanks and the days were given.

Psalms 100
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is He who made us, and we are His. We are His people, the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.

This Thanksgiving, my prayer is that I will live more grateful to God for all He's seen me through. For all He's done, all He's doing, and for all He is to me...and that I will fully embrace the life He's given me...my remaining time on the planet. That I will trust Him like kids trust those older than them to lead them...and that I follow Him with joy.

following in TRUST

enjoying life
May each of us take time this Thanksgiving week to roll down a hill or two. Have coffee with an old friend or make a new one by instigating a balloon fight. May we take a walk in the woods or up a mountain. Marvel at God's work and tell Him how great He is. May we sit under a big sky, feel small- that's not a bad thing. Be amazed by our God. The heavens declare His glory. May we give thanks to Him and live with new gratitude.

Psalms 19: 1-4
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world 
 
1 Thessalonians 5:18
give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 
 
Onward with you in gratitude.  And know I'm sincerely grateful for each of you!!!

Have a blessed and wonderful Thanksgiving!

Prayer Requests
-Continue to keep my Dad in prayer as he recovers from back surgery. His back is continuing to heal and we give great thanks!
-Please keep my good friend and former co-worker, Debelle, and his family in prayer. His wife is very ill and remains in the hospital.
-Please keep our staff here in prayer. We've had some staff transitions this past week and freshmen have started classes. I've enjoyed my new students very much. Pray that God will give them a great first year of school and that we can serve and teach them well.
-Please continue to pray for many still seeking work, that God will open up doors and that hearts will stay encouraged.
-Please pray for the draft of my book, that I will continue to have time to write.
-Please pray for those needing work visas, visas out of Ethiopia, etc, that God will provide and His perfect will be done.
-Pray for me as I try to plan my "break time" in the USA- that I can get home for Christmas as God allows.
-Please keep Ethiopia and its leadership in prayer, as new leadership arises- that it may be blessed and favored by God.

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

The Power of a Vapor...Part 2

This past week and a half has held many great things here in Ethiopia. Beautiful sunrises and sunsets mixed in with crazy contrast that make this continent so unique. The perfect fall-like weather, sun, nice breeze, low 70's every day...I've enjoyed.  I  do love so many things about Africa.

amazing colors
the view from my office door

the contrasts...
And of course, school is in session.  I love the students.  A student-initiated "Girl's Club" kicked off this past week which I really excited about too. And freshmen started yesterday....with an orientation and our sophomores helping celebrate our one year anniversary as a school and helping give encouragement and advice to the incoming freshmen.

Love Our Students!
Girls Club, first meeting :-)
Students surprised our staff with a one year happy birthday Hope University College cake :-)
But the beginning of last week, I was feeling alot of stress. Many of you knew about my Dad's back surgery on Monday and you were praying for him. It's so hard being away from family when they need you. And our tiny immediate family of four live on three separate continents. And the distance felt HUGE. Though the doctor anticipated a two-hour surgery or less with no problems- it still was the first time any of the four of us had surgery of any kind and one that required spending overnight in the hospital. Thinking of our Mom sitting alone in the waiting room awaiting word on my Dad's procedure was almost unbearable. My sister (who lives in the Czech Republic) felt the same. My sister and I cleared our schedules that afternoon and evening and literally both sat connected to skype for four hours- talking to my Mom and each other- available and present as much as we could be from thousands of miles away. 

Finally, the word came that my Dad was in recovery and all had gone well. I literally sobbed into my hands in complete gratitude to God for taking care of our Dad.

The good news continued over the next few days. We talked to our Dad in his own room later via skype and he was already feeling so much better. Then, he actually got to go home the very next day. My Mom said he was standing up straighter than she had seen him stand in years. It was a miracle. So amazing!

My Mom also shared with us an incredible "vapor" story that touched us deeply.
Remember, the Bible describes our life as a brief "vapor" on the pages of eternity. Here today, gone tomorrow. But our "vapors" can be VERY significant. God gave His only Son to pay the death penalty for our vapors, and left His mission for us to continue, His kingdom to help usher in.  What an honor!

Well, this particular "vapor" my Mom told us about actually first appeared on the pages of our lives many many years ago....

The church I attended growing up was called Fairborn Church of God in Fairborn, Ohio. From the age of about 4 or 5 years old until our college years- this was our church home. The church averaged 300-400 people and I recall every Sunday morning, Sunday night and Wednesday night and often other nights in between were spent in the halls, classrooms, gym, and sanctuary of that church. I remember YEARS of fellowships, chili suppers, Christmas and Easter plays, revivals and youth camps. Such great memories!

The Pastor of our church was always there through these times. His name: "Ancil Carter."  He was-is a good old KY boy who loved God and served God with what seemed like tireless energy. 


 He was one of those pastors who did everything. I remember him pulling my tooth or maybe Noel's tooth when we were 8 or 9 year old. He baptized us when we were 12. I often remember seeing him in blue jean overalls – always fixing the generator or heater in our first building. Our senior year in high school- he let a group of us take his car to Myrtle Beach for our spring break. :-) He stood by us with our church lawyer when they told us we couldn't pray at our high school graduation. We still did :=)

The first several verses of an old song by Michael W. Smith- always reminds me of Pastor Carter, which most call, Brother Carter. The song: Kentucky Rose.

Kentucky Rose- Michael W. Smith
Sun comes up - Sunday morn
On the little church where I been since I was born
And there he stood - a hearty smile
You could hear his voice ringing out for a country mile

And he could place your mind at ease
With his tenderness and a heart
That aimed to please
A pauper's hands - a farmer's clothes
Just a preacher man we called Kentucky rose

He worked the soul like he worked the land
He spoke in ways that anyone could understand
Simple words of simple faith
And when it came to love
He would go out of his way
A helping hand
A soothing chat
And he practiced what he preached - imagine that
And as far as kindness goes
There was none compared to old Kentucky rose 


You can hear this song via this link:
http://www.turnbacktogod.com/kentucky-rose-song-michael-w-smith/
 
Sometime during college- our church built a new building. My sister and I began to do mission work during this time and our family through the next ten years or so would go different directions and work different places- so Pastor Carter and our home church was a nice memory in our past. The years sped by. 

I remember very vividly the next time I saw Pastor Carter....it was about 7 or 8 years later.

Our Grandpa, John Smith, was also a good old boy who loved God very much. He lived 91 years on the planet and he always had a big smile to share. He loved church and He loved His Bible. I remember in his final days at the hospital- he asked my sister and I to keep reading to him from his favorite book- God's Word.

Our Grandpa's final days, he had us read His Bible to him
When my Grandpa went home to be with God- I knew we was dancing in heaven. I knew he would be reunited with many who had gone on before him, including my Grandpa and all of his brothers and sisters. He was ready. But his passing and the temporary goodbye was very very hard. 

Our Grandpa and Mom
At his funeral- our family was passing by his casket the final time- and when it was my turn- I struggled to stand. That's when I felt a firm and big hand on my shoulder and an old familiar voice say- Holly, I'm here, I'll walk with you. It was Pastor Carter. His timing- felt like God himself was there with me. As our family stood by his casket, my aunt was also there. My Grandpa's long-standing prayer request had been for her to put her trust in Jesus. But she claimed to be an atheist. That's when Pastor Carter, who was in his mid 80's at the time, make another incredible barbaric move. He reached for my aunt's hand and shared with her the gospel. Her heart at that moment was soft- and she prayed and asked Jesus to forgive her. I was so amazed. Then I watched as Pastor Carter bent over my Grandpa's casket with tears streaming down his cheeks...and I heard him say...you can rest in peace now John, rest in peace." We were all SO MOVED.

Well, fast forward to last Monday. About five years had passed since my Grandpa's funeral. And I bet you can now guess what "vapor" appeared to sit by my Mom this past week in the waiting room of the hospital while my Dad was in surgery? Yep, you guessed it. Pastor Carter!

WHAT kind of vapor is that? How does a vapor keep that much energy, long-standing passion- service to our God for so long? I was trying to think through that this past week and a song I heard on a public taxi...God used that to share with me the answer. The song was Whitney Houston's "I Look To You"...And I thought...that's it. The first one we should "look to" each morning, each moment, each breath is to God. Then- He breaths back into us His strength, His courage, His joy, His peace to go on.  If you look to Him first and most, He will make your "vapor" significant.

"I Look To You"- Whitney Houston
As I lay me down
Heaven hear me now
I’m lost without a cause
After giving it my all

Winter storms have come
And darkened my sun
After all that I’ve been through
Who on earth can I turn to?

I look to you,
I look to you
After all my strength is gone
In you I can be strong
I look to you,
I look to you
And when melodies are gone In you I hear a song
I look to you

About to lose my breath
There's no more fighting left
Sinking to rise no more
Searching for that open door

And every road that I've taken
Led to my regret
And I don't know if I'm go'n make it
Nothing to do but lift my head

My levees are broken
My walls are coming down on me
My rain is falling
Defeat is calling
I need you to set me free
Take me far away from the battle
I need you
Shine on me!


Check out this song here:   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Pze_mdbOK8

I think all of this has helped me to remember that one huge way our vapor can count is to simply be "present" in people's lives when they need someone. Maybe you don't say anything, you're just there. Many people do not have genuine friends or family to be there for them. But God provides that presence for us so we can offer our lives to others in the same way. 

Galatians 6:2
Carry each others' burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ 
 
Ephesians 4:2
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love 
 
1 Peter 4:8
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins 
 
1 John 4: 10-11
This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

In the hustle and bustle of our world, may we take time to allow our vapor to give light, hope encouragement, presence to others.

Remembering He's with us and can help us as we help others on the journey.

John 15: 13-15
Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.

Matthew 28:20
...surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Joshua 1:5-6
No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous...

May our vapors represent God well as we remember He is with us til the end.
ONWARD!

Praises
-My Dad continues to heal from his surgery and is doing so well. Thank you so much for praying for him. We give God great thanks!
-Hunter Heck, the college student from my home church, has been transferred to a hospital in Chicago. A big fundraiser was held for his family this past weekend. We give thanks for how far he has come and how so many have surrounded him and his family in prayer.
-Freshmen are here. :-) Orientation has been the past two days, classes start tomorrow.
 
Prayer Requests
-Continue to keep my Dad in prayer as he recovers. 
-Please keep Debelle's wife, Chale, in your prayers as tonight she has emergency surgery. 
-Please keep our staff at Hope University College here in Addis in your prayers. Freshmen start classes tomorrow. Pray that God will give them a great first year of school and that we can serve and teach them well.
-Please continue to pray for many still seeking work, that God will open up doors and that hearts will stay encouraged.
-Please pray for the draft of my book, that as I continue to write and things get busy with classes again, that I will still be able to write. (I did finish a few chapters this past weekend) :-)
-Please pray for those needing work visas, visas out of Ethiopia, etc, that God will provide and His perfect will be done.
-Pray for me as I try to plan my "break time" in the USA- that I can get home for Christmas as God allows.
-Please keep Ethiopia and its leadership in prayer, as new leadership arises- that it may be blessed and favored by God.

Thank you for praying for me as I continue to pray for you.

May our "vapors' be significant this week in the lives of others and bring God glory always!


Sunday, November 4, 2012

The Power of a Vapor

There are some pretty strong "vapors" here in Ethiopia...that often catch my attention.

The smell of rain is a favorite, but I'm glad that now has largely finished. I love the smell of fresh grass, bunna (coffee) brewing; popcorn popping and being roasted on the side of the road; the smell of fresh flowers. And who doesn't love the smell of clean laundry just hung out to dry?


Some "vapors" here aren't pleasant though. Most bridges I walk over – I'm convinced that the vapors from the rivers below take years off my life...they are that bad. There are smells of cattle and burning trash and strange smells I'm not sure what they are. There are fumes and exhaust from taxis and heated smoke rising from puddles of who knows what.


There's nothing better than the smell or sight of something fresh, pure, refreshing after walking through all that.

I was reminded of something else about the "power of a vapor" in the past few weeks...
Some of my new American neighbors visited my English classes recently. They shared passionately about the ministry they're here in Ethiopia to represent...a sports ministry called Vapor (www.vaporsports.org.) They talked about the idea behind this ministry...and I loved it...

Life is a Vapor. Don't Spend Yours on the Sidelines

They shared about their life journey and how God had brought them to this point. My students asked great questions...what gives you satisfaction in your life? Why do you live this kind of life... "serving others?"

Words of wisdom were given...be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger. Make your "vapor" count. (the word written in Amharic...then the English translation...was written on the board...)


I was reminded through this again,..that life certainly is a vapor..a short breath of air, a wisp on the pages of eternity. And with a recent birthday- I was reminded my vapor is about half done already- if my targeted lifespan hits its full course. I so much want my days ahead to be lived well for God.

Psalm 39:4-5
Show me, Lord, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is. You have made my days a mere hand-breadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure

Even now...listening to "Amazing Grace" as I write this...I'm grateful for the time I've had already and so grateful that our short time here is nothing compared with the bigger time we have ahead with God.

Amazing grace how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now I'm found, was blind but now I see. Through many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come. Was grace that brought me safe thus far and grace will lead me home. When we've been there ten thousand years...bright shining as the sun...we'll know last days to sing God's praise than when we first begun....

What has my "vapor" , my life, been like so far? Each of us on planet earth has a unique design and thus a unique contribution we can make. 

Psalm 139:13-14
...you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made... 
 
John 15:16
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 
 
People have gifts of leadership, compassion, mercy, service. All vapors should point others to God. A wisp of a bigger story; of truth, wisdom, mercy, joy, peace, compassion, humility, generosity, justice. A Savior, A merciful high priest.

What are you doing with your "vapor?" 

Maybe your vapor is visible...seen as a wisp of action. People can see in your actions ...unexplained generosity or gentle, long-suffering service. Maybe your actions show genuine humility, joy, hope or forgiveness. Maybe it's a stand for justice or a stand against injustice. Maybe it's a life lived as a good steward. Actions that demonstrate unwavering obedience and trust despite the odds. Those vapors are stunning to see in a world that often just seems full of greed, mistrust and broken promises.

James 2:26
faith without deeds is dead 
 
James 3:13
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 
 
1 Peter 2:12
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us 
 
Maybe your vapor is actually heard. It could be God speaking through you to others. Your words have power to impact. Your vapor can bless or curse, build up or tear down. It can harshly judge and point people towards the adversary (accuser) of their lives....OR your vapor can speak words of forgiveness, compassion- pointing people to their adversary (their merciful high priest, Jesus Christ) who died to give them life.

James 3:5, 9-10
Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 
 
Hebrews 10:19-24
Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus...and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings....Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deed 
 
Sometimes we like our vapors to go on "stealth." To be silent and invisible. It's easier- we think.

Sometimes we get a look at our own vapor or maybe get a sniff of it and it's repulsive- so instead of getting to the root of the stench...we hide. We put on a good deodorant and act like all is okay. The thing is, if your life is stinky in any area, even if it's hidden..it still stinks. And it doesn't take long before it destroys you from the inside out. And isolation kills. That's when attacks occur.
Big churches often run into this...because "stealth vapors" like to hide in them. Those who like the bigness because they can't be seen, truly known, and held in account. Your vapor feels hidden in the masses. 

But you're not like anyone else. Your unique vapor, your life, is needed. God desires your vapor to give Him glory. Your life can bless your Creator. Amazing to think of, but it's true. And your unique testimony and gift mix can impact people- if you allow God to use your vapor to point people to Him. There's no greater satisfaction in life than letting your vapor give honor to God. It's amazing the places He will take you. 

Never dreamed I would be in East Africa
have loved teaching in Ethiopia
In this new birthday day year of mine, I've been asking God- how can I most make my vapor count, my remaining days on planet earth be the most significant for you?

God has been reminding me again and again that the key is connection to Him. Relationships take work: intentional focus, time spent together, communication. When you spend alot of time with someone...you start to sound like that someone. We are God's kids...and the more we lift ourselves to Him...pressing in without fear to seek Him, know Him, our vapor will be what He needs it to be as we reflect His glory to the world. 
 
John 15:5
I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing 
 
2 Corinthians 3:18
And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord...

May we remember the power of One life. Jesus' one vapor changed history's course for us all. He connected to the His Father and his short vapor had the impact God intended us to have.

May we stay connected and let our short vapors bring God glory and honor.

Prayer Requests
-My Dad has his surgery scheduled for tomorrow, Monday, November 5th at 7:30am in the morning on his back. Pray a successful surgery then a good and swift recovery for him. Pray for my Mom as she becomes a nurse in the next few weeks.
-Continue to pray for my sister- serving in the Czech Republic- that God will bless her relationships and opportunities to share.
-Please keep our staff at Hope University College here in Addis in your prayers. Our English team is still in transition, as well as our schedules. Classes are going well for our sophomore class. This week- testing will begin for incoming freshmen and a new freshmen class will start soon. Pray for wisdom. Also for the current students and new ones incoming.
-Please keep Francis and Pam Bukachi, former teammates of mine now serving in West Africa- in your prayers. Francis' mom recently passed away. Pray for comfort for their family.
-Please pray for Facius, my friend of over 15 years who is like a younger brother to me. As he continues to finish high school in Haiti. That God will give Him strength. Also- for all those serving in Haiti in extremely trying times yet again, that God will lift this nation out of poverty through the right empowerment.
-Please pray for the Presidential Election this coming week in my home country, the USA.
-Pray for the ministry of Vapor and for John and Julie Kirkland and their new initiatives here in Ethiopia.
-Please pray for many still seeking work, that God will open up doors and that hearts will stay encouraged.
-Please pray for the draft of my book, that as I continue to write and things get busy with classes again, that I will still be able to write.
-Please pray for those needing work visas, visas out of Ethiopia, etc, that God will provide and His perfect will be done.
-Please keep Ethiopia and its leadership in prayer.

So thankful God united our vapors. Onward with you!

Blessings from Ethiopia,
Holly