LOOKING FOR A ZEBRA

One of my favorite words I learned in Kenya several years ago was the word for “crosswalk”- the white lines on a street where you’re supposed to cross to the other side.  In Kenya, this is called a “zebra crossing.”  This seemed quite appropriate for the area and made me smile.

a "zebra crossing" in Nairobi

I’ve learned crossing the street needs a different strategy in different cultures to be successful.  I’m not sure how much zebra crossings are actually used in Kenya.  And I definitely remember in Ethiopia- I quickly learned that for me to get anywhere, I couldn’t wait for a zebra crossing- I learned to move quickly across the street, dodging screeching mini-buses and cattle, or I’d be there all day.''

Well, here in the Czech Republic, there are “zebra crossings” too- here called Prechods.  I’ve learned the hard way that people actually expect you to cross the street inside of these lines- which gives you the right away and safety.  The times I’ve forgotten, I’ve been quickly reminded or lightly scolded in Czech that I need to use these for my safety.

All of this crossing the street and using the “zebra crossings”- has had me thinking this past week about the moments in life when you need or want to change positions or move.  How have I responded in the past during these times? What God has taught me? And how I can apply those lessons to my current time, when I’m starting to look for another zebra crossing ahead?

How much involvement does God want, how much leadership does He give or can He give at those times?

God’s timing of course is not our own. Where He calls us to go or where He calls us to stay- is often not where we would pick.  When He opens doors or when He closes them- also tends to not be when we would want those times to be.  I’ve learned some of the greatest times of building my trust in God has been at these times of when I’m “looking for a zebra.”

To move or not move…now or later or never? Where do I go from here? Can I go there?

Some good questions I think to ask when you are “looking for a zebra crossing”- are:

-Where did this move or desire to move come from?

-Why do I want to go?

Sometimes motives can reveal if the move will honor God or not. 

Also what has to be considered is the “world’s created zebra crossings” vs. “God’s zebra crossings.” The world’s changes or moves often lead to a promotion of your own comfort, safety and status.  It often makes sense and seems easy.  God’s zebra crossings often look and feel very different. He often calls you to travel to a place of discomfort, maybe danger, and what could look like a demotion. It often involves serving others and the timing and call often won’t make sense. These I’ve learned are huge things to evaluate.

Sometimes natural crossings come in life and I think God gives us the freedom and wisdom to choose. He can be honored in whatever path we take. Other times though, He can be very specific about either where to go or how to get there, but might not provide those revelations at the same time.

I think of Abraham.  He was told to just “go.” He didn’t get the destination. God just told him to move and He was obedient.  He trusted God. Do we? Do I?

Genesis 12:1

The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.

I think of the Israelites- they were told their destination- the promised land. But early in their travels, they were backed up against a very big sea. No bridge. No way across. And an enemy advancing.   But at the last moment, God opened the way and they passed through.

Exodus 14:29

But the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left…

I remember in 2008, when God called me from youth ministry- He clearly showed me that Africa was where He wanted me to go next, but for months I saw no door, no bridge, no path to get there.  But God told me to pack my bags and get ready.  And literally as I was walking out of the door, the way opened up. 

my first weeks in Kenya, 2008

Those are crazy times. When God actually asks you to step out without a clear plan. You either see no bridge or have no destination in sight, or both. You just know you’re supposed to move.

Thankfully- God has not left us alone at these times of crossing.

We have His Spirit to guide us. We have His Word where He is literally ONLINE- where He can specifically and day by day give us the next and necessary steps- or directing us to stillness for a time.  He gives us wisdom and accountability in other brothers and sisters in Christ who can encourage us and help us ask the right questions and pray.  God is with us!

I was reminded the other day that others too are watching our lives.  Our obedience, our trust, our barbaric leaps of faith, our times of stillness when asked to be still- all speak of a reverence, of a King we trust and have given our lives too. This is salt in a world that says anything goes, any crossing is permissible if YOU want it. 

May our zebra crossings build the faith and trust in us that God can use them too! And may others be blessed by our obedience and trust in our God!

I’m holding to these promises for my way ahead…as I look for my next zebra…

Isaiah 41:10

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand

Psalm 73:24-24

Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.

Psalm 139:9-10

If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast

Isaiah 42:16

I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.

Isaiah 49:10

They will neither hunger nor thirst, nor will the desert heat or the sun beat down on them. He who has compassion on them will guide them and lead them beside springs of water.

Isaiah 30:21

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”

Psalm 23:1-4

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for His name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Revelation 3:7

What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.

Isaiah 55:8

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.

Praying for you as you pray for me. Onward in Great Trust of our God.

Prayer Requests

- Please continue to pray for my time here in Prague, that I can make the most of opportunities to learn and serve.

-Please keep my family in prayer, that my parents and sister will keep healthy and strong. They are all doing great!

-I will be taking an intensive TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) course beginning this coming week. This one month course will give an additional certification to teach internationally. Pray for that time of learning. 

-Pray for my other volunteer opportunities- in teaching and tutoring, that God will be honored in all.

-Please pray for my next “zebra”- that I will know it’s the right way to go from here as I look back to opportunities to serve in Africa.

Thank you for your prayers!

VALIDATION...Reflections from Prague

My early February jump back into Africa was brief. I barely had time take a few walks, visit a few schools and organizations, and enjoy the sights, sounds, and beauty of this continent I’ve grown to love- before I jumped again…this time landing in the middle of Europe. The Czech Republic would be my home for the next few months.

The Czech has been my sister’s home for the past eight years. She now lives in Prague, one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

How can I best describe this city? Well, there is BREATHTAKING architecture- old castles and churches on cobblestone streets.

There’s “Old Town”- a very famous old part of the city where time seems to have stood still.

But even in the oldest parts of Prague, you often come around a corner and find a KFC, McDonalds or Starbucks. It’s jaw-dropping- the contrasts- of old versus new.

Like most big cities, many people are out walking and moving from place to place. There are many people walking dogs and women pushing baby carriages. Many of the children can be seen eating what looks like a bread stick. I’m told these are called “rohliks.” So interesting!

Many people in Prague live in huge apartment complexes. There are small stores in the bottom of many of these apartment buildings where you can buy basic things. There are expressions of freedom and art everywhere.

It’s “winter” here, but I’m told this winter weather has not been normal for this part of the world, it’s more like spring. There have been flowers blooming, birds chirping, and some nice sunny days- though to me it still feels cold. Even spring “farmers’ markets” have been out, hinting that winter is on its way out. That works for me! :-)

I’ve enjoyed meeting the friends, teammates, and students who my sister has been with through the years. I've so much enjoyed already the fellowship of an International Church, where we have met people from all over the world, even Ethiopians! What a big diverse global family God has given us. Amazing!

My sister with her long time friend Petra and Petra's beautiful new baby girl

 International Church in Prague

And of course, I've enjoyed time with my sis. :-)

Another big thing to adjust to in the city is the public transportation system. Most people ride public because of the traffic, the high price of fuel, and limited parking. So on most days, we ride several buses and often the metro (like the underground subway in New York City or tube in London). There are also trams.

on the bus

trams

the metro

There are also trains that take you out of Prague to beautiful villages that look like they’re still in the 1800 or 1900’s. You often smell coal burning. There are also beautiful forests and “nature.” The Czech Republic is truly beautiful!!!

a train leaving  Prague

Back in the city, I continue to be amazed by the public transportation. It’s a great place to observe people. Though most people here don’t catch your eye or look your way. I have also been intrigued that all public transportation seems to arrive and depart ON TIME. Very shocking and not usual in most of the places I have lived. 

Something I learned the hard way is you also have to make sure you have a ticket to be on any of the public transport- or you could get fined if you’re caught. So every day, I have had to go buy a ticket and then validate it in a machine- located on buses or outside of the metro stations.

It’s hard to remember.  I find myself asking myself several times a day- am I validated?

The other day, after asking myself that, I started thinking more about that question. Am I validated?

Webster’s dictionary says to validate is to authenticate- to declare or make something legally valid, to make acceptable according to law.

Do I feel validated? What validation matters to me? Whose validation (acceptance) am I seeking?

People often seek acceptance (validation) into various relationships or groups. Maybe even into local churches. Often we feel how we look or dress; how much money we make; maybe our education or experience validates us…gives us acceptance into somewhere.

What do you want to be part of? Who do you want to be with? Why?

I believe God made us to belong, to be with Him, to be with others. So we desire that.

Many times in my life, I remember seeking validation and acceptance from people or places. I worked hard to win entry or acceptance- and sometimes these dominated my time and heart.

But so many times, God usually had to lead me into a desert or solitary place to make me realize the ultimate acceptance that matters is His- God's acceptance of me into right relationship with Him. For, it’s in this identity and acceptance where I find lasting satisfaction and purpose.

How do I get this validation? Can it be earned?

No, you can’t buy God's acceptance or earn it. But thankfully, someone paid for our validation, giving us an eternal acceptance, a ticket we can choose to go through life and into eternity with or not.

I’m so grateful that in all parts of the world, this is truth. We can have acceptance and validation in God! We can walk through life in relationship with Him. That still amazes me! That in our messiness, He sees what we can become. He continues to believe in us and want us to be with Him!  Through every field, through every season, He is with us!

And this is good news that we can embrace and share. God wants us in His family and part of His global work! What an honor and privilege! He wants to restore us to Himself, to cover our sin, and give us abundant life in Him.  And nothing can separate us from the love and covering of our Redeemer, the One who gave us Himself. I'm grateful for my Savior and friend, Jesus! Nothing can now separate me from him!

Romans 8:1-4; 33-39
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. For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin the the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flew but according to the Spirit. It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died- more than that, who was raised to life- is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?... No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither present or the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

May we not get distracted from the validation that matters most! May we seek God first and walk in the confidence that He gives us as His family, wherever He leads us on the journey home to Him!

Prayer Requests
-I will be in Prague through mid-May. During this time I will be getting another TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) training while also getting some other cross cultural training. Please pray for these learning opportunities.
-I have volunteered to help at an International School and will begin that this coming week. Please pray as I speak to classes about various topics and tutor high school students- that God will use me to speak into lives on His behalf.
-I've connected with an African center here and also some Ethiopian families. Please pray God will make these new relationships fruitful.
-Please pray for what's next for me after this time in Prague- that God will open up His perfect place for me to serve or teach back in Africa.
-Please continue to keep my family in prayer. They're doing great overall. Time with my sister has been a huge blessing. Please keep her in prayer as she continues to build relationships here.
-Please keep my former students in Ethiopia in prayer as they now enjoy a break between semesters.

Thank you for your partnership on the journey!