tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-678821484261111412024-03-13T01:51:24.391-07:00Letters from Lizetathtebazilehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01750027857783414274noreply@blogger.comBlogger116125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67882148426111141.post-10400957783114993752018-10-09T19:05:00.001-07:002018-10-09T19:05:12.714-07:00hometown visitToday I got to speak about my trip to Israel with my mom's class.<br />
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It started out as a request to share with her class and the next thing I knew, I was speaking in front of the entire lower school at Greenville Classical Academy.<br />
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I feel as if I'm still processing through my time in Israel, and may be for years to come as new passages are brought to light.<br />
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How can I describe the wonders of the trip. The brand new experiences and yet a familiarity that almost makes you feel as if you've been there before. I like to describe it this way;<br />
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My college roommate was from New Jersey and she would often tell me stories of her hometown, how it was a small town, but population-wise it was big. I felt like I knew it, just from the stories she would tell. Most of the people in her town lived close enough to walk to school. Parents often commuted into NYC and if you go on this one hill in town, you can get a panoramic of the New York skyline.<br />
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I heard the stories, but it wasn't until I went home to visit her family over fall break that all the stories came together. I got to see firsthand what she'd been telling me. The proximity of her house to her local high school and the Seven Eleven down the street that she used to visit after school.<br />
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My time in Israel felt like visiting a friend's hometown. I knew the familiar stories and the familiar settings, that until now were nothing more than a name. Suddenly they came together and were a place. An actual location. A tangible reality. We would drive down the road and see a sign for "Mt. Carmel," which was crazy to see, but so normal at the same time.<br />
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Maybe it's because I need the visual and kinesthetic to make sense of things, but standing in locations that I'd read about my whole life, was indescribable.<br />
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God is still teaching me things about the trip every day. Today's aha moment came when I was reading Acts 10 in preparation for the chapel presentation. Caesarea was a city right on the edge of the Mediterranean and a booming Roman port. We really don't hear much about the city until after the death of Christ. Paul is imprisoned for a time in Caesarea, Herod's death takes place in the city, but more importantly, it's one of the first locations where the gospel crossed the border of the Jewish people to be brought to gentiles. Peter is in Joppa, a Jewish port town when the Centurion seeks him out and God reveals his will to Peter in a dream. The beauty of Caesarea begins with the gospel's intention for both Jews and Gentiles alike!<br />
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God chose a booming port city. A direct link to Rome. A place where large ships come and go and travelers frequent. A city that worshipped other gods. He chose for a high official, a Centurion, to hunger after the gospel and seek out the truth. Truth that would spread quickly from a sleepy Galilean countryside to the ends of the Earth.<br />
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I thank God that he's opened the doors for a gentile like myself to be part of His kingdom. When I often feel like a foreigner in my own hometown, somehow this trip felt like going home. Home to a place I'd never visited before, but one that I knew so well.<br />
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etathtebazilehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01750027857783414274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67882148426111141.post-27655324181180350042017-03-27T19:56:00.000-07:002018-10-09T18:25:49.278-07:00light in dark placesI'm sitting on the rooftop balcony in Alajuelita, Costa Rica as the last light of the day fades away and the city lights start to appear over the city.<br />
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Human voices call out to one another, babies crying, dogs barking, and the puttering of motorcycles blend in to make a symphony in he background. It tells the story of real life being lived, not the quiet life of being shit behind closed doors and thick insulation. Out in this open air, everyday life is out there for all to hear.<br />
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We got in to Costa Rica this afternoon and after dropping off bags at the ministry house, our whole group went out on a prayer walk around Alajuelita. The town square looks so different in just the span of a year. The changes are good and point towards revival in the city. A light entering a dark place.<br />
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Last year I remember sitting in the square as I watched the trees getting pruned. I was disappointed that the long branches where getting butcher to nubby stumps. AI didn't understand why they were doing it until now, an entire year later.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Year 1 with the large trees overhead and unused fountain</td></tr>
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The park used to be very dark even in the middle of the day. There were so many trees that the sun never seemed to be able to shine through. The darkness seemed to create a covering for shady business, trash to be dumped and overall squalor.<br />
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As the trees were cut the light drove away the darkness and the dark acts below.<br />
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New park benches were brought in, tire swings were added and a brand new playground stands in a place that was once covered in filth.<br />
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The light of Christ comes to drive away darkness, opening the doors wide to change and new life.<br />
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The cacophony of sounds below because a beautiful melody, sounds of hope, bringing forth light in a dark place. <br />
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<img src="webkit-fake-url://1cd8113c-66e9-4421-8b1a-048b13cfacb6/imagejpeg" />etathtebazilehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01750027857783414274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67882148426111141.post-37073328423376120592017-03-16T10:08:00.000-07:002017-03-16T10:39:29.665-07:00in the wilderness<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Here's a prime example of life getting in the way of being able to reflect on the goodness God's placed in your life. This was supposed to be posted in February, but here it is mid-March!<br />
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I've been in a place recently where God is teaching me to wait with expectancy, but he hasn't shown me what or when that will be. Because I know him to be a good father, I know that all of his plans will be better than my own, but sometimes the waiting can be hard. My heart's longing want to be fulfilled now. I want immediate action, but the only answer I get from God is, "Wait. Trust me. Allow me to take over the plans of your life."<br />
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My own plans never turn out that great, so for now, I stand before the Lord, knowing that he will give me what I can handle in HIS timing.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Devil's Garden, Arches National Park</td></tr>
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Several weeks ago, our group had the privilege of going out west. While in Moab, Utah, we studied the Israelites, from their exodus from Egypt, to waiting in the wilderness, and then the time of the judges. Each time God provided for his people, they quickly forgot and turned from him to "do what was right in their own eyes."<br />
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First off, it baffles me that after all the plagues they witnessed, water coming out of a rock in the middle of a dry DESERT, manna coming from heaving every. single. day without fail, and yet, they still forgot to trust him.<br />
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Instead of seeing his provisions and the goodness of the promised land, all they could see were the hardships and hurdles they'd have to climb over. They quake at the very thought of what they face. Fear crept in and invaded their very beings. How would they be able to overcome these terrible giants? The answer is that they alone couldn't. They so quickly forgot God's strength. The Israelites imagined their own pathetic, journey worn, weary bodies against a vast army and thought, there's no way. Their own strength was no match against these people, they needed a strength outside of their own. Which is exactly the spot were God wants to take us, so that in our own weakness, his own strength is displayed.<br />
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The second thing this that makes me pause is the thought, "If it was that easy for the Israelites, who saw the cloud by day and pillar of fire, to forget God's faithfulness, how often do I forget? When am I trying to turn to my own strength and not God's? My own plans rather than resting on his?" The answer is probably a whole lot more often that I would like to admit. How easily I trust him one instant, then forget his goodness the next.<br />
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The Israelites waited for 40 years in the desert lands. Forty years of seeing the same sights, trusting God because their own faithlessness kept them from the promised that God had prepared before them. Their children would receive the blessings instead of them.<br />
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Can you imagine how Joshua and Caleb must have felt, to have stepped foot into this land that they knew would some day be theirs, only for God to tell them, that they were going to have to wait. not a week, month or year, but for 40 LONG years. Waiting for answers from God can seems like an eternity, but when viewed in light of the Israelites my own waiting looks like nothing.<br />
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In this wilderness time, God is shaping me, teaching me to trust him, and gently (and sometimes not so gently) prying away the plans I've so carefully crafted.<br />
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God's blessings on you, and enjoy some of the snapshots from my time in Moab!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Delicate Arch, Arches National Park, Moab, Utah</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6YVb9V38ezRmrbQKEDb1EM9DR9mPaC1U19BARBsZLQfYcnY7PhvvVBT00YsWxWgOKeeo_4ciCNUhzk57wIy4dHpfhhUark8LuSKNSe7khl6TMwbTKVf9JAoUVdttUMVV2o-3VLPPgZMU/s1600/GoldBar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="359" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6YVb9V38ezRmrbQKEDb1EM9DR9mPaC1U19BARBsZLQfYcnY7PhvvVBT00YsWxWgOKeeo_4ciCNUhzk57wIy4dHpfhhUark8LuSKNSe7khl6TMwbTKVf9JAoUVdttUMVV2o-3VLPPgZMU/s640/GoldBar.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Gold Bar</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSNXVYpjeMRaM9FQ4J7vnl8bYvwOzd8KIQLzIJjxVw9shtLUGpM_ghBuZZ_rGP9vEDObBse3jOAIoglkyTP7F_9z-dFfyVN06oKvCe4RP-PNonkNFpFIfZGcceVPYNtu5sxNukY4j35mY/s1600/Horseshoe3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSNXVYpjeMRaM9FQ4J7vnl8bYvwOzd8KIQLzIJjxVw9shtLUGpM_ghBuZZ_rGP9vEDObBse3jOAIoglkyTP7F_9z-dFfyVN06oKvCe4RP-PNonkNFpFIfZGcceVPYNtu5sxNukY4j35mY/s640/Horseshoe3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Dead Horse Point State Park</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFeoJXBWGyRaYjSqu5smLQDWLpI1jzlJOBjy83ps4kJBi3jahLopNKXvNDglbJdYnY_vvEwAmELMiu2NA97rjVghw4z5GrW7DIYziJBsi0OVoXN-0Wdh9vGgNa_Iy47zGC9MyHO1pJhwI/s1600/JeepArch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFeoJXBWGyRaYjSqu5smLQDWLpI1jzlJOBjy83ps4kJBi3jahLopNKXvNDglbJdYnY_vvEwAmELMiu2NA97rjVghw4z5GrW7DIYziJBsi0OVoXN-0Wdh9vGgNa_Iy47zGC9MyHO1pJhwI/s640/JeepArch.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Jeep Arch, Moab Utah</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBtjVutJI1HqLvuzcHL5KLCfvEmXpxHEf3D0skej-9a2nCm2tte6c32t2fCmm-gvLnw8sgLZzwo_fBjVc0pFksUtcpTxgawC9_jqUYdb0wXEDsQLhqRXD2FnYNaXXsQrQamYLMbQyBhcc/s1600/JesseTree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBtjVutJI1HqLvuzcHL5KLCfvEmXpxHEf3D0skej-9a2nCm2tte6c32t2fCmm-gvLnw8sgLZzwo_fBjVc0pFksUtcpTxgawC9_jqUYdb0wXEDsQLhqRXD2FnYNaXXsQrQamYLMbQyBhcc/s640/JesseTree.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Utah Juniper</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkg6QwYL0QxvGzIhJb3ogPFJ4tmco1-VFxUL2O6f_4ibwFKhO11uMFCYx5txOwjuH5cHFqOwT_0Yy57Z7L9VzW89GfxuKIFUl4Fo2cVNJ5tjL8BN-48LT2JjWUEd7HDPrbXNDDK6DaKWA/s1600/SandDuneArch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkg6QwYL0QxvGzIhJb3ogPFJ4tmco1-VFxUL2O6f_4ibwFKhO11uMFCYx5txOwjuH5cHFqOwT_0Yy57Z7L9VzW89GfxuKIFUl4Fo2cVNJ5tjL8BN-48LT2JjWUEd7HDPrbXNDDK6DaKWA/s640/SandDuneArch.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Sand Dune Arch, Arches National Park</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1fvlN4OWaw1opbDbtVILLdV28nfr6b3nf98jtE9-c8O1uPrksk30qa6SQ7xsd0D0YSLc_moQ7kCRhTnpbPqYw0HpcHJ1Mnl3QAPFK6xrj2zVDqjugJb7-GEsWRbWxwBcNqchsGxJTjr8/s1600/Utah2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1fvlN4OWaw1opbDbtVILLdV28nfr6b3nf98jtE9-c8O1uPrksk30qa6SQ7xsd0D0YSLc_moQ7kCRhTnpbPqYw0HpcHJ1Mnl3QAPFK6xrj2zVDqjugJb7-GEsWRbWxwBcNqchsGxJTjr8/s640/Utah2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Dead Horse Point State Park</td></tr>
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etathtebazilehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01750027857783414274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67882148426111141.post-56765116823002509072017-01-17T16:51:00.003-08:002017-01-17T16:54:00.655-08:00from the ashes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL-MwdYY16SYqGCOUJ0dQzu6Mongmt8lDlJbQBEpz3CGuzjb24LvdApMqlLQE-I28WBEnkyykiGsBVhNU8NLVpKgnBh6fFyPpfnVViDe2ZNvw55OwyHmiVgpF1FQnehz4OM_7j45Kvysg/s1600/IMG_4171-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL-MwdYY16SYqGCOUJ0dQzu6Mongmt8lDlJbQBEpz3CGuzjb24LvdApMqlLQE-I28WBEnkyykiGsBVhNU8NLVpKgnBh6fFyPpfnVViDe2ZNvw55OwyHmiVgpF1FQnehz4OM_7j45Kvysg/s640/IMG_4171-1.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Sometimes all I can see is devastation. Black charred branches that once held life. Soot underfoot. Ashes and brittle remains of a once vibrant mountain.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhimTi0S61zsv-dCzz9Ao0k2NZQd5v7jP_sY9Jq3sufasY4SVklPR5ixa5-Oorab6X8KwVNLScsJBltwvu3JBBTpJQSqObeZ-f2lSaplVQp2rd77ebYEUepvDp-JrWgpqhmdvGDLgzh1ws/s1600/IMG_4175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhimTi0S61zsv-dCzz9Ao0k2NZQd5v7jP_sY9Jq3sufasY4SVklPR5ixa5-Oorab6X8KwVNLScsJBltwvu3JBBTpJQSqObeZ-f2lSaplVQp2rd77ebYEUepvDp-JrWgpqhmdvGDLgzh1ws/s640/IMG_4175.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">And yet, all hope is not lost. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">“I lift my eyes to the mountains, where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” - Psalm 121</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Metaphorically, I’ve been looking at the mountains, and all I can see are the charred remains of something that used to be wonderful. I can’t see past the ashes to see the hope that lies beneath, because lately, I’ve been placing my hope in the things that will burn away. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC-Q7FVZwPbG49nG25rKEf6Ioi51rPys_GKotStO1Xyxa7-l8iGVHZyLs_j3rHvbhfLyD6M2fwoUOeD13ndj4PsDJ3sezfLEU9Dj2xND2e6Qwrw7ToHmYN35bSlzxyvaZb05pqGCMFM6k/s1600/IMG_4174-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC-Q7FVZwPbG49nG25rKEf6Ioi51rPys_GKotStO1Xyxa7-l8iGVHZyLs_j3rHvbhfLyD6M2fwoUOeD13ndj4PsDJ3sezfLEU9Dj2xND2e6Qwrw7ToHmYN35bSlzxyvaZb05pqGCMFM6k/s640/IMG_4174-1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Over and over throughout the Bible, we see evidence of Christ taking us through the refining fires. Just as the impurities are burned away from the silver at high temperatures, he also tempers our lives with fire. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Although the fires may hurt us, what he burns away are the thorns and thistles that have grown up in our lives. “For our God is a consuming fire.“ (Hebrews 12:29) The fires will be painful, but they destroy the things that keep us from coming fully to him. He takes away to the bad.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLFiGE4C5PwHlqNlGANWs1OcQFKXO_okXDGN0DVA2OgCdwZrSx09-5YIAhyBXvaxyyqJNwMMV7nSQ7ogwcWzrfyt8QbfQVBQZJlzbZnklWVcZgCqePhwQicc0yp7L9mMRcV9k3Od8qMrg/s1600/IMG_4179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLFiGE4C5PwHlqNlGANWs1OcQFKXO_okXDGN0DVA2OgCdwZrSx09-5YIAhyBXvaxyyqJNwMMV7nSQ7ogwcWzrfyt8QbfQVBQZJlzbZnklWVcZgCqePhwQicc0yp7L9mMRcV9k3Od8qMrg/s640/IMG_4179.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">“For you, O God, have tested us; you have tried us as silver is tried. You brought us into the net; you laid a crushing burden on our backs; …we went through fire and through water; yet you have brought us out to a place of abundance.” -Psalm 66:10-12</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm6W8jAIf6Vf5VC3IEOj8isc4gcWK9GVuuk6LfnYBQDxcYdZhyaMZoQBYsdEPs4IhT1hyliBhrWFwxM1ecpV5mHWadbS2O87Fkbu4apZwNCKGLYCHFuUKVyB_-P5YBtDXuQReq0PhKCrg/s1600/IMG_4173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm6W8jAIf6Vf5VC3IEOj8isc4gcWK9GVuuk6LfnYBQDxcYdZhyaMZoQBYsdEPs4IhT1hyliBhrWFwxM1ecpV5mHWadbS2O87Fkbu4apZwNCKGLYCHFuUKVyB_-P5YBtDXuQReq0PhKCrg/s640/IMG_4173.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">After hiking through the charred ruins for several miles, I found out that what I was seeing wasn’t a result of the devastating forest fires in our area, but they were the result of a control fire, meant to keep the larger fire at bay. Yet even control fires cannot always be contained.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The Lord is the control fire, keeps us from being consumed by much greater fires.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTHHwfkw1DDgEO2Mu5VzyLVlDaW-x-1Eh9jhTEmP1giMx1wibZYWawpCJ_80QbkDeRNfZ626nYA5cPvQAIf5GhTLy5DyI8nMhZZDyvK3gYoO_AGzZW1mJV_jl7YlrkOTXUeocT3U4_kOI/s1600/IMG_4185-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTHHwfkw1DDgEO2Mu5VzyLVlDaW-x-1Eh9jhTEmP1giMx1wibZYWawpCJ_80QbkDeRNfZ626nYA5cPvQAIf5GhTLy5DyI8nMhZZDyvK3gYoO_AGzZW1mJV_jl7YlrkOTXUeocT3U4_kOI/s640/IMG_4185-1.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Eventually, new life will spring from the charred remains. With the underbrush gone, new plants will have a chance to grow. Old dead branches are gone and new life will burst forth. Redemption may not be evident in the ground today, but one day, before we even realize what’s happening, LIFE will push past the ashes. Hope never fails.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">“And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.” - Romans 5:5</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">“Safe? said Mr. Beaver; “don’t you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells you? Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King I tell you.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">-C.S.Lewis, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe</span></span></div>
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etathtebazilehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01750027857783414274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67882148426111141.post-374179154342026832017-01-10T19:44:00.001-08:002017-01-10T19:45:18.790-08:00walking through the woods on a snowy afternoon<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">On Sunday I had been cooped up indoors all day, so I decided to go for a walk around camp. Curiosity got the best of me when I saw a pair of footsteps heading down a path into the woods. Not knowing where it would lead me, I continued along the path already set by another person.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I could tell that they weren't brand new, because the bottoms of the prints had already iced over, but they couldn't be too old either, since it had just snowed the day before.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I followed, not knowing what I would find, but ready for the adventure.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The quest lead me on a several mile walk over multiple ridges and valleys though camp property few ever get to see. It was beautiful. There was a quite and stillness about the woods, other than the crunch of my boots stepping into the powdery snow. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">If it hadn't been for those footsteps, I would have been completely lost. I take that back, I <i>was</i> completely and utterly lost in the woods, but thanks to the footprints in the snow, I had a lifeline back to reality if I needed to turn around.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Not all of it was easy. Certain sections went through briars and through bushes, but the footsteps kept on going.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">At times, I almost did turn around and go back to the comfort of familiar sights. There were moments when I was utterly terrified. What would I do if I ran into a bear that's not hibernating (do all bears hibernate?) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">As I walked I saw a great many new and strong things, old animal shelters in an overgrown part of the woods. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I came across a cabin deep in the woods with a swirl of smoke coming from the chimney and my heart may have started racing, just a tiny bit. What if I ran into someone not so friendly? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">What did I learn from the walk? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">God calls us along a path. It's the path that is often less followed and takes us into the deepest woods, completely out of our comfort zone. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">But he's paved the path before us. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">He directs every step.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">"<span class="text Ps-23-4" id="en-NIV-14240" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">Even though I walk</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-23-4" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">through the darkest valley,</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Ps-23-4" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">I will fear no evil,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-14240I" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-14240I" title="See cross-reference I">I</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-23-4" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">for you are with me.</span></span>" -Ps, 23:4</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">When I put my own agenda aside in following his footsteps, he takes me to places I would never have dreamed of going on my own. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">There is joy in letting go and following him!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; text-align: justify;">"Trust in the L</span><span style="color: #001320; text-align: justify;">ORD</span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; text-align: justify;"> with all your heart</span><br style="color: #001320; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; text-align: justify;"> And do not lean on your own understanding. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">In all your ways acknowledge Him,<br /> And He will make your paths straight." -Prov 3:5-6</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">(As it turns out that several of the camp guys followed the trail trying to spot a male buck they'd seen on their hunting camera.)</span>etathtebazilehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01750027857783414274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67882148426111141.post-40351433805644922752017-01-08T16:23:00.002-08:002017-01-08T18:17:42.962-08:00fresh snow<div style="text-align: right;">
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There is something so wonderful about firsts. When we see things on a daily basis, we forget about the wonder and awe of seeing it for the first time or with new eyes. For some of my students, seeing snow this weekend was a brand new experience. For one of my students, this is only the second time she's ever seen snow, and the last time she was it, there was nothing more than a light dusting covering the ground. So waking up yesterday morning, to see the transformation from the dead, brown grass and dirt patches, to see the world magically covered with a blanket of millions of tiny ice crystals, was truly breathtaking.<br />
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We appreciate that first snow. It transforms what we know so well into something completely new. We might enjoy it at first, but like my friends who live in places, it becomes old when that is all you see, day in and day out. The commute to work becomes so much more difficult and it loses its magic.<br />
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One my my reoccurring prayers is that God would give me eyes to see the world as something new every day. When I lived in Nigeria, the pollution and smog were so bad, that I never saw the blue sky. The city of nearly two million where I lived, had its fair share of dirt and trash everywhere. I never really noticed how much it bothered me, until I got home and couldn't stop gulping in big breaths of air as I stood in awe of the beauty around me. The very things I'd grown up seeing on a daily basis, suddenly looked brand new.<br />
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For the first several months in the US, I founds spots where I could watch the sunset, because it was all so new and beautiful. (click <a href="http://lettersfromliztate.blogspot.com/2015/02/like-sea-star.html" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://lettersfromliztate.blogspot.com/2015/03/perspective-changes-everything.html" target="_blank">here</a> for the blog posts)<br />
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Lamentations 3:22-23 says:<br />
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"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;<br />
his mercies never come to an end;<br />
they are new every morning;<br />
great is your faithfulness."<br />
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One writer for Desiring God, Jon Bloom, says <a href="http://www.desiringgod.org/articles/new-every-morning-new-every-moment" target="_blank">this</a>:<br />
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"The real illusion is not that old things appear new to us (like God's mercies or a sunrise), but that new things never appear old."<br />
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May the newly fallen, fresh snow never get old.<br />
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Praise God that every single moment I live in is a new experience and I pray that he would always give me the eyes to see it that way!<br />
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<b>All Things New</b></div>
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Your love's making all things new<br />
You're working in all for good<br />
For the things of this world<br />
There is hope renewed<br />
In the life that is found in You<br />
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You make all things new<br />
You make all things new<br />
Yesterday and forever<br />
Your love never changing<br />
This hope never fading<br />
Hallelujah</div>
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<b>-Hillsong</b></div>
etathtebazilehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01750027857783414274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67882148426111141.post-4977415921327325202017-01-03T19:49:00.002-08:002017-03-16T10:12:51.166-07:0030 before 30Its a new year and guess what? Today's my birthday!<br />
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I've been working on a list of 30 things I want to accomplish before turning 30. Technically, I started 30 months before my birthday, but now that I have exactly 365 days until my 30th, I want to write out the list so that it's actually in writing.<br />
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<ul>
<li>Visit 30 countries by 30</li>
<li>Read 30 books</li>
<li>Bake/Cook 30 new recipes</li>
<li>Learn to drive a manual</li>
<li>Finish "THE PAINTING"</li>
<li>Become conversational in Spanish</li>
<li>Catch up with 15 old friends that I've lost touch with</li>
<li>Visit 10 new beaches</li>
<li>Get back into running and run a race</li>
<li>Hike 5 new trails</li>
<li>Go on a cruise</li>
<li>Skydive</li>
<li>Zip line canopy tour</li>
<li>Visit 5 UNESCO sites</li>
<li>Blog at least once a month</li>
<li>Go on a spontaneous trip</li>
<li>Complete 5 paintings</li>
<li>Go on a blind date</li>
<li>Workout Consistently (at least 3x a week)</li>
<li>Complete Whole 30</li>
<li>Lose 10 lbs</li>
<li>Visit 3 new states </li>
<li>Learn the names of all the presidents</li>
<li>Drive a motorcycle (or dirt bike)</li>
<li>Reach and maintain goal weight</li>
<li>Roadtrip through another country</li>
<li>Watch 5 classic movies</li>
<li>Go to a live performance or play</li>
<li>Do a pull-up</li>
<li>See the Northern Lights</li>
<li>Ski a black diamond slope</li>
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These may change as the year goes on, but it's a fun way to start out the last year of my 20's. If any of these sounds like fun, than please join me!</div>
etathtebazilehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01750027857783414274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67882148426111141.post-46883667052120204102017-01-01T19:41:00.000-08:002017-01-03T19:41:50.879-08:00a year in review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
What better way to celebrate the past year than a photo collage. I've been incredibly blessed and I thank each person who had a part in making it wonderful!</div>
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To all who made this past year wonderful, thank you!</div>
<br />etathtebazilehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01750027857783414274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67882148426111141.post-9232631158303836242016-05-10T11:01:00.000-07:002016-07-06T07:42:03.242-07:00the unexpected on mars hill <span style="color: #454545; font-family: uictfonttextstylebody; font-size: 17px;">We arrived safely in Greece, if somewhat lacking sleep, but we could pass up walking around the city on a beautiful evening. With camera in hand, I had one goal, get a good photo of the Acropolis during that photographer's, "magic hour" of lighting right before dark. Not knowing exactly where we were going, we just kept walking straight ahead with the Acropolis looming before us. We passed by quaint alleys and small restaurants packed with people.</span><br />
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I thought finding a good spot would be hopeless and wished that I had looked up rooftop restaurants for our perfect view. As we kept climbing higher, we stumbled upon picturesque snapshots for the city and finally found a set of rough hewn steps leading up to a rock. I kept praising Jesus for this chance encounter with this tall rock that loomed over the city with 360 views and the perfect spot to see the Acropolis.<br />
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After taking a few photos, Bonnie and I sat on the rocks and took some time to pray for our trip, for the safe travels there, for grace towards one another in the long hours we would be traveling together, praise for the beauty he had brought is to, but also for intentional conversations with the people we would and had already encountered. We prayed that our plans would come second to the plans that God was preparing for our trip and that we could use our time here as his hands and feet. That we would shine with his light here. After praying, we sat in awe of our surroundings and I told Bonnie that I thought the people sitting beside us might be fellow believers.<br />
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We couldn't figure out a way to start conversation, so we sat watching the sun setting, listening the some guys playing the guitar close by and our own conversations turned to trying to figure out where we were and also trying to figure out where the apostle Paul had spoken to the Athenians about the "unknown God" in Acts 17. "Wouldn't it be cold if Paul stood on these very same rocks" I said.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVgEhHc83vEeAODww0ui7MomsXY5_kxP7mD-Wo6HZkkqDqe9VGqjcL29bUkUNRWb2n0A3KVcb2ZSTyjfcw4VruvjEowx9pmpxEhyphenhyphenohLp7YQsRAS-7lcWTOuZWYID5lEFAE_gSveOWMCvA/s1600/IMG_6410.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVgEhHc83vEeAODww0ui7MomsXY5_kxP7mD-Wo6HZkkqDqe9VGqjcL29bUkUNRWb2n0A3KVcb2ZSTyjfcw4VruvjEowx9pmpxEhyphenhyphenohLp7YQsRAS-7lcWTOuZWYID5lEFAE_gSveOWMCvA/s320/IMG_6410.JPG" width="320" /></a>Then Bonnie, turning to the people beside us, asked if they knew where we were. It turns out that we were sitting on Mars Hill, also commonly called the Areopagus, the exact spot that Paul stood! When they saw our Bible open, we discovered that they were in fact Chrisitians and are here with YWAM. We sat together for hours as the sun faded and the city lights started to glow.<br />
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After sharing a meal together and much encouragement, we felt like we were on an adrenaline rush and spiritual high. What a blessing to run into fellow believers whose hearts are so wrapped around the Lord and where he is leading them. It was such an immediate response to the prayers we had been praying right before meeting them and can see God's hand already at work on this trip. </div>
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In addition to James, Rose and Danny, we've gotten to me several other people who have also gotten the groupon deal, so we pray for intentional conversations with them over the next few days. </div>
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For now, I'm sitting on a ferry in the Mediterranean headed toward Mykonos Island. </div>
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Please join me in praying for our time away and for the people that God is bringing into our lives here. </div>
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Blessings, </div>
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Liz</div>
etathtebazilehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01750027857783414274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67882148426111141.post-69161468957759607392016-04-12T20:49:00.002-07:002016-07-06T08:48:04.370-07:00washed clean<br />
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Today we went to one of the barrios in Alajuelita - one of the poorest counties in Costa Rica. The neighborhood consisted primarily of Nicaraugians who had transplanted to Costa Rica for a better life. If the poor corrugated metal shacks where a better life for them, I can't imagine what life looked like before.<br />
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We had so much fun playing with the kids, but it was extremely dirty. We played in a dung filled, dust bowl with sewage water streaming down in rivers through the makeshift concrete gutters beside the houses. When we got there, children appeared from many of the rusty doorways and quickly ran out to join us in playing with the jump rope, coloring pages and games of tag over piles of abandoned rubbish.<br />
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I've been dirty before, but today I felt filthy, from the snuggles with snotty children, to the superfine dust that filled every crevice, I looked and felt utterly disgusting.<br />
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It's amazing how I shower ever single day and never appreciate it as much as I do on days like today. I feel like a person transformed. I've come away clean, no longer covered in the stench of this world, but have been made into something fresh, good smelling and sparkling clean.<br />
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What a picture of Christ's transformative work in our lives.<br />
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"We are all infected and impute with sun. When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags." Isaiah 64:7<br />
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I once sat, covered in the mire of my own sins. My identity was wrapped in this barrio of the world when Jesus came and plucked me out of my own filth to cleanse me from my sins.<br />
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"Jesus answered, 'unless I wash you, you have no part with me.'" John 13:8<br />
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"How lovely are the feet of those who bring good news." Isaiah 52:7etathtebazilehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01750027857783414274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67882148426111141.post-32372594857787462082016-04-08T08:44:00.004-07:002016-04-08T08:45:31.251-07:00expectancyRecently I've been looking at the difference of living a life of expectancy and living with expectations. Although they may sound similar they're not quite the same thing.<br />
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My life has been filled with a list of expectations, but unfortunately expectations don't fly solo. They always come with an equally big list of disappointments and broken dreams. We dream about how events will be, we want to look forward to certain things, but when life doesn't bring you the list you expected, it very quickly goes from something exciting, to dejection and disappointment. Eventually, I tend to turn to complaining, because things just didn't happen the way I expected.<br />
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Expectations are are all about me and the outcome that I want.<br />
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I wrap layers of expectations around events, life experiences, and future hopes, but when the wrapping paper is stripped away, I'm faced with the ugliness of the events.<br />
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Expectancy comes through looking towards God and the plan that he has for my life. It rests in the hope that I have in a plan that is infinitely more detailed the my own. <br />
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God doesn't doesn't cover up the gifts he has for us. Our loving father gives us life experiences in their raw form. Just as they are, good, bad, scary, beautiful, and joyful. Sometimes these gifts come through hardships, and sometimes through the beautiful interchange of another person who culturally is so completely different than you.<br />
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Life experiences can color your own expectations. What I look forward to and what my friends expect may look completely different.<br />
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As I prepare to go to a new country, I've tried to set aside my expectations to be open with expectancy to the experiences that God wants me to have. I want to experience each gift that he has prepared beforehand for me. I know there will be challenges and joys to experience, but I am fully expecting that God will use each experience to teach me and grow me.<br />
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In order to experience this, I have to be open and adaptable to God's plan. I must die to my own plan, and in humility consider myself a tool and instrument in God's greater plan.<br />
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So as I pack my bags and prepare to leave to visit a new culture, I want a fresh expectancy for what God wants to do in and through me. I desire a heart filled with compassion and eyes open to ways to serve others. I expect that God will give me the right words to say to the people that I meet and boldness to say the words he gives.<br />
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<i>"Do not say, 'I am only a youth;' for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the Lord."</i><br />
<i>-Jeremiah 1:7-8</i><br />
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I want to be open to be used in any way that God wants me to be used. Open for activities not going as I planned and adaptable to those surprise, unexpected moments. With arms outstretched in expectancy, I look towards the cross and <br />
the real work that Christ may be doing.<br />
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Blessings,<br />
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Liz<br />
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<em style="font-family: aktiv-grotesk-std; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.5px;">"Be a learner not a knower. Be a server not a master. Be a listener not a speaker. Go with only the expectations that you are open to God’s plan and you want to be used in any way he wants to use you. Go with the heart that you have been sent by God. Act like a diplomat of God’s kingdom, because you are."</em><br />
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<em style="font-family: aktiv-grotesk-std; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.5px;">-Mike Pettengill</em>etathtebazilehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01750027857783414274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67882148426111141.post-10554469337307320912016-03-25T07:00:00.002-07:002016-04-07T20:46:13.644-07:00in a blinkAs I begin to welcome in the new year, I fully realize that it's late -March and has been months since I've last written. This past season went in the blink of an eye. One moment, there was snow dusting the ground I closed my eyes and when I opened them again, I realized that the dusting had changed to pollen and the daffodils were blooming beside the house.<br />
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What has happened to the time? At the beginning of the year, I like to start with a one word resolution, and this year's word was <i>engaged</i>. My desire for this year is to be so fully involved in the world, the people, my job and other things that are around me. I want those "blinks" in my life to be so full of life that it wasn't a wasted span of time where I sat on a couch doing mindless activies, but a moment that sped past because it was so packed with <i>life</i>.<br />
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Though time seems to speed by, I've been able to slow time down through the lenses of my camera as I relive those moments.<br />
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With my job, my brain has attempted to make some sort of order of the somewhat haphazard schedule I've been in. My brain has categorized the previous weeks by the trips I've gone on and the span of time spent in-between.<br />
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In January, we took our group to the farm for a few restful days filled with skeet shooting, sitting in front of the fire and playing card games together.<br />
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A week later, we had a heavy snow at camp, so we had a few fun days of playing in it and welcoming several new lambs here at camp.<br />
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On January 23 at 4:56 (1.23,4:56) in the afternoon, a group at camp got together for a polar bear plunge.<br />
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We went on our biggest trip in February to Colorado and Utah. Part of the trip was academic as we got to learn about the feasts of Israel under Wayne Weissman, a Messianic Jewish man. We spend several days skiing at Winterpark before heading to Utah for an adventure packed week of canyoneering, rappeling, hiking and mountain biking.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing Broom Ball at Timberline Lodge</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On top of Winterpark with Kristiana</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSqcB33sbVcdxo226eoh06UfRHq8Zo11LGUblmK9FpiIyi0KXQi6tacQYFTDQQBpy_GHDcpyk_oXzaNPa4v2Spz5JsyrUSZsPvtw14liRkVUe45ugfyhLGhd_pHJvtR_SkPO_OISSlByw/s1600/IMG_0238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSqcB33sbVcdxo226eoh06UfRHq8Zo11LGUblmK9FpiIyi0KXQi6tacQYFTDQQBpy_GHDcpyk_oXzaNPa4v2Spz5JsyrUSZsPvtw14liRkVUe45ugfyhLGhd_pHJvtR_SkPO_OISSlByw/s640/IMG_0238.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At Broken Arch in Arches National Park, Utah</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Each night we had incredible sunsets </td></tr>
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We returned for a couple of weeks of class, then headed to Camp Canaan in Rock Hill, SC.<br />
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And in the in between weeks, we've gotten to do a lot of volunteering, the entire group went through wilderness first aid training and have gotten a few other adventures in the mix.<br />
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Today is the last day of class before our spring break, then we have a week and our entire group will head to Costa Rica.<br />
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: "trebuchet" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: justify;">How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog--it's here a little while, then it's gone.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: "trebuchet" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: justify;">-James 4:14</span>etathtebazilehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01750027857783414274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67882148426111141.post-78520620703193809282015-12-08T11:10:00.001-08:002016-03-24T06:20:06.622-07:00Several months behind...I often find that in life's busiest moments, when I have the most that I could write about, that I lack the time to sit down even for a moment to reflect. I've had limited internet the past four months and haven't kept up to date.<br />
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The last four months have been a whirlwind of activities. While I had no intentions of returning to Australia after being in Fiji, that's exactly where I found myself. My bookend Australia trips were much different from each other.<br />
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When I travel, I often think that as much as you can plan for a place, it's hard to know exactly what to expect without actually being in the place. I always wish that I could return to the same spot with the knowledge of what it's already like. That's exactly what I got to do.<br />
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My life was just as crazy on arrive back in the states. I had a week to catch up with friends, get over jet-lag and pack up all of my belongings before moving back to my hometown, Greenville, to start a new job.<br />
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Catching up with my sweet nieces was one of the best things about about returning home.<br />
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I'm going to have to write a post just about my experiences at my new job, but I cannot express how much I love it. For the first time in years, I feel like I'm EXACTLY where I need to be. A place where my gifts and talents are truly being used, while getting to experience adventures with other people.<br />
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My crew at Max Patch, the beginning of our weeklong hike of the Appalachian Trail.</div>
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These are such amazing ladies! L-R: Candler, Me, Rheannan, Abbie K, Bonnie, Abby T., Kristiana, Abby M.(yes, there are 3 Abby's!)etathtebazilehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01750027857783414274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67882148426111141.post-91286770417830490152015-07-15T03:45:00.000-07:002015-07-15T03:45:08.024-07:00The Harvest is White<div style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Open Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.714285714; margin-bottom: 1.714285714rem;">
This morning I woke up right at 6:00 am to the sound of a honking truck and barking dogs. I'm sure that I was not the only person at the training center to wake up to the sound the sugar cane farmers starting their day before the sun had fully risen.</div>
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<dt class="wp-caption-dt" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px;"><a data-mce-href="https://eepacificinternship2015.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/1_harvest.jpg" href="https://eepacificinternship2015.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/1_harvest.jpg" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; color: #21759b; outline: none;"><img alt="3_harvest" class="wp-image-217" data-mce-src="https://eepacificinternship2015.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/3_harvest.jpg?w=300" height="359" src="https://eepacificinternship2015.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/3_harvest.jpg?w=300" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; border-radius: 3px; border: 0px none; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 1px 4px; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" width="539" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; color: #757575; font-size: 0.857142857rem; font-style: italic; line-height: 2; margin: 0px 0px 1.71429rem; padding: 0px 4px 5px;">Taken from my bedroom window bright and early this morning</dd></dl>
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I was able to slowly drift off to sleep for just a little bit longer, but somehow the slow, methodical whacking of the machete against the sugar canes made it into my dreams and I thought there was a loud clock ticking beside me.</div>
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I come from the American south where crops are abundant, so seeing a harvest is nothing new, but I've never witnessed a sugar cane harvest. Sugar cane is able to grow in a dry climate with relativly little rain. When it's ready to be harvested, the tops of the canes get a white fluffy top.</div>
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Lift up your eyes and see that the fields are white for the harvest.</div>
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- John 4:35</div>
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<dt class="wp-caption-dt" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px;"><img alt="4_harvest" class="wp-image-218" data-mce-src="https://eepacificinternship2015.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/4_harvest.jpg?w=300" height="393" src="https://eepacificinternship2015.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/4_harvest.jpg?w=300" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; border-radius: 3px; border: 0px none; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 1px 4px; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" width="590" /></dt>
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In Fiji, there is no big production for cutting the canes. The land is often owned by a village and the fields are planted, tended and then finally harvested by individual men. There is no fancy machinery to help in the process, just manpower and a machete.</div>
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We've been privileged to have the author, Norman Blackaby here with us these past few days. As we sat listening to him teach us how to better study the Bible and get the most out of reading the word, I started thinking about how warm it was inside. As soon as the thought crossed my mind, I heard activity in the field beside our training center. The same two men who had been at work since the morning were still out in the field in the middle of the afternoon heat.</div>
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<a data-mce-href="https://eepacificinternship2015.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/1_harvest.jpg" href="https://eepacificinternship2015.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/1_harvest.jpg" style="color: #21759b; outline: none;"></a></div>
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<dt class="wp-caption-dt" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px;"><a data-mce-href="https://eepacificinternship2015.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/1_harvest.jpg" href="https://eepacificinternship2015.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/1_harvest.jpg" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; color: #21759b; outline: none;"><img alt="1_harvest" class="wp-image-215" data-mce-src="https://eepacificinternship2015.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/1_harvest.jpg?w=300" height="369" src="https://eepacificinternship2015.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/1_harvest.jpg?w=300" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; border-radius: 3px; border: 0px none; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 1px 4px; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" width="554" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; color: #757575; font-size: 0.857142857rem; font-style: italic; line-height: 2; margin: 0px 0px 1.71429rem; padding: 0px 4px 5px;">I tried to get a couple of sneaky little shots of the process</dd></dl>
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A couple of weeks back I spoke with a cane farmer and asked him about the process of turning the sugar canes into cane sugar. He could tell me everything about the planting and harvesting, but as soon as the sugar canes were cut and loaded onto the cane train, he had no idea.</div>
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From where I stand at the Kennedy Training Center in Malolo, Fiji, sugar canes can be seen in every direction. With all of the fields, there are only a handful of people out in them each day. There were two working the field beside the center all day.</div>
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As I've been reflecting on this and the implement in our own lives I'm reminded of the verse, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few." -Luke 10:2</div>
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As we headed out for another OJT this afternoon, I saw direct ties between our work and the work of the cane farmers. For months, they prepare their fields, plant them and tend them, ready for the day when the harvest is ready. In the same way, as Christians we have prep work to do before we can go out into the harvest. Our preparation looks a little different, but it must be started before the harvest can be brought in.</div>
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In our lives we have to cultivate a relationship with the Lord. Just like a field that's been planted, it can't be done one time then returned to months later and expect an abundant crop. We have to actually<em> know <strong data-mce-bogus="1"></strong></em>God and this can only come through a relationship with prayer, studying the world and listening to his words spoken to us.</div>
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Sometimes we want immediate results, but don't realize that it takes time for seeds planted in our own lives to have an effect. </div>
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Sometimes doing OJT in town can be frustrating when we make connections with people and make plans to follow through, but aren't able to. Our time here is short and we may never see many of the people that we've been able to impact. It's like the cane farmers who see one side of the process, but never see the canes actually turned into sugar.</div>
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I want to know the whole process. I want to see lives radically changed wherever I go, but sometimes it's only a seed that will get planted,</div>
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I thank God for the work he is doing in my life and the lives of those I have met. As we've gotten to see a harvest, I pray for those who will come behind me and help finish the process. I am so thankful !</div>
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God Bless,</div>
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Liz</div>
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<a data-mce-href="https://eepacificinternship2015.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/2_harvest.jpg" href="https://eepacificinternship2015.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/2_harvest.jpg" style="color: #21759b; outline: none;"><img alt="2_harvest" class=" wp-image-216 aligncenter" data-mce-src="https://eepacificinternship2015.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/2_harvest.jpg?w=300" height="367" src="https://eepacificinternship2015.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/2_harvest.jpg?w=300" style="border-radius: 3px; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 1px 4px; clear: both; display: block; height: auto; margin: 0.857142857rem auto; max-width: 100%;" width="551" /></a></div>
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<span data-mce-style="text-decoration: underline;" style="text-decoration: underline;">You Said</span></div>
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You said, "Ask and you will receive<br />Whatever you need"<br />You said, "Pray and I'll hear from Heaven<br />And I'll heal your land"<br /><br />You said, Your glory will fill the earth<br />Like water, the sea<br />You said, "Lift up your eyes<br />The harvest is here, yes the Kingdom is near"<br /><br />You said, "Ask and I'll give the nations to you"<br />Oh, Lord, that's the cry of my heart<br />Distant shores and the islands will see<br />Your light, as it rises on us<br /><br />You said, Your glory will fill the earth<br />Like water the sea<br />You said, "Lift up your eyes<br />The harvest is here, the Kingdom is near"<br /><br />You said, "Ask and I'll give the nations to you"<br />Oh, Lord, that's the cry of my heart<br />Distant shores and the islands will see<br />Your light, as it rises on us<br /><br />Oh, Lord, I ask for the nations<br /></div>
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<a data-mce-href="https://eepacificinternship2015.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/2_harvest.jpg" href="https://eepacificinternship2015.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/2_harvest.jpg" style="color: #21759b; outline: none;"></a> -Hillsong</div>
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etathtebazilehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01750027857783414274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67882148426111141.post-69230925805166983652015-07-13T02:46:00.001-07:002015-07-15T03:48:36.335-07:00CatchupBula to all,<div><br></div><div>I'm now back in Nadi after a week spent in the capital, Suva. </div><div><br></div><div>The past two weeks have been packed. We started off the first week with an EE clinic in Nadi. It went really well, but unfortunately several of us got sick that week and had to stay back at the center. </div><div><br></div><div>The second week we piled in a bus and drove four hours along the most beautiful coastline to Fiji's capital, Suva. On the way, we stopped at a resort for lunch and a swim, it wasn't quite the most exciting Fourth of July, but at least we got to celebrate a week later. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr6c9aojScQ4PtORUcndsQhf_hMSLPDR7hA_8b2SB8r9MsgwhU0L6RbInYJ3EfttfGbfrVeQc3gmIOMAug4pHkJrS6qSlm4wJHjgMB68ehYNFqQfFEffLH2ctx2dKIBrX_zdkZ4L46QqI/s640/blogger-image-1239098810.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr6c9aojScQ4PtORUcndsQhf_hMSLPDR7hA_8b2SB8r9MsgwhU0L6RbInYJ3EfttfGbfrVeQc3gmIOMAug4pHkJrS6qSlm4wJHjgMB68ehYNFqQfFEffLH2ctx2dKIBrX_zdkZ4L46QqI/s640/blogger-image-1239098810.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxSDswTJ8X5lx0E4dNw6DA83w04C49UPnZ7TI515SIQB33oJgN3EftgfaZBHAhuy3ureDNHpPGY9JBeUId4T44vJmfSUd0vMtKmoC4kS7iGZcO5VRXbB-jHHv9SlMW0l0z0ZgP6hVq2Z8/s640/blogger-image--396850899.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxSDswTJ8X5lx0E4dNw6DA83w04C49UPnZ7TI515SIQB33oJgN3EftgfaZBHAhuy3ureDNHpPGY9JBeUId4T44vJmfSUd0vMtKmoC4kS7iGZcO5VRXbB-jHHv9SlMW0l0z0ZgP6hVq2Z8/s640/blogger-image--396850899.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>As we drove to Suva, we noticed a subtle change in our surroundings. The dry, dusty roads gave way to lush, green coastal hills. The sugar canes got replaced by papaya trees. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuSZdm3tpo4UJVOXM3VgKQ0V_Wl4IElZPqwHGdQVKmVRlCHJULgwCqpYuj5zjeo-nTnIipu7jdWLrY4_NjmdgUtf_eeqzs5HVojOKl0hlVrKVkM2CBaiwfiKDp-CSU_nDBpDX8Kkw0mhc/s640/blogger-image-974969361.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuSZdm3tpo4UJVOXM3VgKQ0V_Wl4IElZPqwHGdQVKmVRlCHJULgwCqpYuj5zjeo-nTnIipu7jdWLrY4_NjmdgUtf_eeqzs5HVojOKl0hlVrKVkM2CBaiwfiKDp-CSU_nDBpDX8Kkw0mhc/s640/blogger-image-974969361.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>But the biggest noticable difference was the humidity. Several people had warned us that Suva was colder than Nadi, but with the intense humidity and daily rains, we were constantly sweaty and sticky. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvnMbad7v9jLEBlA6IAPvuhfWCLHwKRTaZqFglolD-1n9buGJri54kX1DOj87hXepwXGHPBElTnRxjhGXlwKA4kt6DC7bNL7kDgMY5XrQsuQmVHciaHjx86ikrNBTnGJ7ocRIOyjX4r7A/s640/blogger-image-570873626.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvnMbad7v9jLEBlA6IAPvuhfWCLHwKRTaZqFglolD-1n9buGJri54kX1DOj87hXepwXGHPBElTnRxjhGXlwKA4kt6DC7bNL7kDgMY5XrQsuQmVHciaHjx86ikrNBTnGJ7ocRIOyjX4r7A/s640/blogger-image-570873626.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>We made our home for the week at the Suva credit union in dormitory style rooms. It wasn't the most pleasant of experiences, but we survived the bed bugs and can now laugh at our adventures. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1rLiL_0qdLndBp9MjgDlnq9CrsevDq4Z9Fa_EJjj3QBk_5nDAlIsgM4h7bo2uBdMHoQnUMW76zyFaYPokv3d2gRWNHUGyvqZetAcaVnXhbfvVEL2qC2cceFNmXYKwU9fNSxHK0LsXvmM/s640/blogger-image-1570415457.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1rLiL_0qdLndBp9MjgDlnq9CrsevDq4Z9Fa_EJjj3QBk_5nDAlIsgM4h7bo2uBdMHoQnUMW76zyFaYPokv3d2gRWNHUGyvqZetAcaVnXhbfvVEL2qC2cceFNmXYKwU9fNSxHK0LsXvmM/s640/blogger-image-1570415457.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>It does make the little nursery rhyme, "goodnight, sleep tight and don't let the bed bugs bite," a whole lot more funny when you know you'll actually end up with bites in the morning. </div><div><br></div><div>We met so many lovely people in Suva, on of which shared my name. Elizabeth told me that when you cave the same name as someone else, you can call them "Yaca" (in Fijian the "c" is pronounced as a "th" so it sounds like "Yatha." The same is true for the Fijian word for goodbye, "Moce", which is pronounced as "mothey")</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhFk0IeT_puX5PBANiqTObPgllw4jpq4fAfpdJgAg95mf4m_LnHnCYJo8_ulQXB_qgWgWUNytWu7kfkrOmYQycUH0l_xZx98q1WdDL95xtL6504yknRsSQCUFPL2TmP6P0bZnxPRCdGME/s640/blogger-image--102998420.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhFk0IeT_puX5PBANiqTObPgllw4jpq4fAfpdJgAg95mf4m_LnHnCYJo8_ulQXB_qgWgWUNytWu7kfkrOmYQycUH0l_xZx98q1WdDL95xtL6504yknRsSQCUFPL2TmP6P0bZnxPRCdGME/s640/blogger-image--102998420.jpg"></a></div>(Liz, Elizabeth, and Breezy, all 3 different variations of the same name!)</div><div><br></div><div>We arrived back in Nadi late Thursday night happy for our home sweet home. </div><div><br></div><div>On Saturday night we said goodbye to around 20 people from Figtree Anglican Church in Australia. They'd been with us for the past 2 weeks as they helped lead EE clinics in Nadi and then Suva. It was bittersweet saying goodbye. They are such amazing people and I'm blessed by so many new friendships, but I'm glad that we'll be able to step back and go at a little slower and quieter pace for the next couple of weeks. </div><div><br></div><div>The best part is I'm going to get to see them all in two weeks! They've all done a wonderful job at convincing me to return to Australia. It's such a beautiful country and I can't wait to spend more time with all of my new friends!</div><div><br></div><div>We been able to persuade one of the girls from Figtree to stay for the remaining two weeks of the internship, which I'm thrilled about! </div><div><br></div><div>So after the group left, we decided we needed to celebrate the 4th of July. On Saturday night (a week late) two other American girls and I made a southern meal for all of our friends. For some, it was new and the only thing they could compare it to was KFC, but for others it was great to have a taste of comfort food. We made fried chicken, green beans, mashed taters, cole slaw, biscuits(which everyone here calls small tea crackers or cookies, so they were heaps confused). </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifJ73Uj76v5NZJld5G8o4aR3_kCJ8Hl69H8h3vWdedAliveSn10BWmgoGj5HWVl4Y8yJ4lPZkg4BpyaXtny8OS_ZiuPaNyQYcAa_ttVGy3WG2bg0u0bgGIWZP0F9CF7qqodiDzqMdC_h8/s640/blogger-image--1193652422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifJ73Uj76v5NZJld5G8o4aR3_kCJ8Hl69H8h3vWdedAliveSn10BWmgoGj5HWVl4Y8yJ4lPZkg4BpyaXtny8OS_ZiuPaNyQYcAa_ttVGy3WG2bg0u0bgGIWZP0F9CF7qqodiDzqMdC_h8/s640/blogger-image--1193652422.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYTVCw05hjCfLXI7-RPbW7-zt8NPfQPHwtUHp7tTtiHj9d1uosY4kNDmtbTfWpLu31lHw4A_4tJc7qR49XlnFZm4pXVF5fwQOGjISnhX8Wo24Ufw_8xe66-p7ySGN9l1urhlSmk5GM5Us/s640/blogger-image--434902428.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYTVCw05hjCfLXI7-RPbW7-zt8NPfQPHwtUHp7tTtiHj9d1uosY4kNDmtbTfWpLu31lHw4A_4tJc7qR49XlnFZm4pXVF5fwQOGjISnhX8Wo24Ufw_8xe66-p7ySGN9l1urhlSmk5GM5Us/s640/blogger-image--434902428.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>After the dinner, we had an evening talent show and fireworks. It was the best belated Independence Day celebration.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjat412cs3VDCnIj_qVbMjcf6bXzRGPmCQ-fbrHX6XWQhsfHco8M7ULCEgjcjDXC2-UcoHPTweEO9aIkMESVxO3bZ2IW_of-y3ac7pVuhqnrnx0xlD1D1RFnWr_ZNqs2wlVKUFvOVlpyQ0/s640/blogger-image-235055731.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjat412cs3VDCnIj_qVbMjcf6bXzRGPmCQ-fbrHX6XWQhsfHco8M7ULCEgjcjDXC2-UcoHPTweEO9aIkMESVxO3bZ2IW_of-y3ac7pVuhqnrnx0xlD1D1RFnWr_ZNqs2wlVKUFvOVlpyQ0/s640/blogger-image-235055731.jpg"></a></div> </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIX2O1xwazdH2iCsiK5tVPNuGmGRFkVCKtyjKX3iKRQRRO20ZFzNoreubsS6ZtVivQi0ie8IV2giqsUTI9r96KaqUYO1q7201_0cMGlns9cmnTvI6Y8TMYg6fjwbXtxwAzuUXJ4OjBi3g/s640/blogger-image--2097500740.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIX2O1xwazdH2iCsiK5tVPNuGmGRFkVCKtyjKX3iKRQRRO20ZFzNoreubsS6ZtVivQi0ie8IV2giqsUTI9r96KaqUYO1q7201_0cMGlns9cmnTvI6Y8TMYg6fjwbXtxwAzuUXJ4OjBi3g/s640/blogger-image--2097500740.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Moce,</div><div><br></div><div>Liz</div>etathtebazilehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01750027857783414274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67882148426111141.post-31064771283868355722015-07-03T04:00:00.000-07:002015-07-03T04:00:57.928-07:00From the Heart<div style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Open Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.714285714; margin-bottom: 1.714285714rem;">
We began the day with a loving example of a generous and selfless heart. Even after having little sleep for the past few days, Rod Story, the vice president of EE, woke up early to fix a delicious breakfast, something he's been talking about doing for the past week.</div>
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After we were given our breakfast, a group of us got into a small bus and drove to Nabila school. A school in Australia has been raising support to buy the Nabila school several laptops, as well as a printer and stacks of books to add to their library. Both the teachers and students will be able to benefit from more resources.</div>
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While we were presenting the students with their gifts, I was again blown away by the selfless generosity shown by others. The students were thrilled with their new books. They couldn't wait to start reading them and poured over the pictures in the book.</div>
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For people that have so little, they have so much to give back.</div>
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<img alt="IMG_6086" class=" wp-image-158 aligncenter" data-mce-src="https://eepacificinternship2015.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/img_6086.jpg?w=200" height="437" src="https://eepacificinternship2015.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/img_6086.jpg?w=200" style="border-radius: 3px; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 1px 4px; clear: both; display: block; height: auto; margin: 0.857142857rem auto; max-width: 100%;" width="291" /></div>
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I have a lesson to learn from today. When I'm tired, I think I owe it to myself to save the last scraps of my energy. I don't want to turn around and give back to others. In fact, when I get tired, I become selfish and it doesn't cross my mind to look out for those around me. </div>
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<a data-mce-href="https://eepacificinternship2015.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/1.jpg" href="https://eepacificinternship2015.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/1.jpg" style="color: #21759b; outline: none;"><img alt="1" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-139" data-mce-src="https://eepacificinternship2015.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/1.jpg?w=300" height="200" src="https://eepacificinternship2015.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/1.jpg?w=300" style="border-radius: 3px; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 1px 4px; height: auto; max-width: 100%;" width="300" /></a> <a data-mce-href="https://eepacificinternship2015.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/2.jpg" href="https://eepacificinternship2015.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/2.jpg" style="color: #21759b; outline: none;"><img alt="2" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-140" data-mce-src="https://eepacificinternship2015.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/2.jpg?w=300" height="200" src="https://eepacificinternship2015.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/2.jpg?w=300" style="border-radius: 3px; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 1px 4px; height: auto; max-width: 100%;" width="300" /></a> <a data-mce-href="https://eepacificinternship2015.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/3.jpg" href="https://eepacificinternship2015.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/3.jpg" style="color: #21759b; outline: none;"><img alt="3" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-141" data-mce-src="https://eepacificinternship2015.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/3.jpg?w=300" height="200" src="https://eepacificinternship2015.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/3.jpg?w=300" style="border-radius: 3px; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 1px 4px; height: auto; max-width: 100%;" width="300" /></a> <a data-mce-href="https://eepacificinternship2015.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/4.jpg" href="https://eepacificinternship2015.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/4.jpg" style="color: #21759b; outline: none;"><img alt="4" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-142" data-mce-src="https://eepacificinternship2015.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/4.jpg?w=300" height="200" src="https://eepacificinternship2015.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/4.jpg?w=300" style="border-radius: 3px; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 1px 4px; height: auto; max-width: 100%;" width="300" /></a> <a data-mce-href="https://eepacificinternship2015.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/7.jpg" href="https://eepacificinternship2015.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/7.jpg" style="color: #21759b; outline: none;"><img alt="7" class="alignnone wp-image-145" data-mce-src="https://eepacificinternship2015.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/7.jpg?w=300" height="384" src="https://eepacificinternship2015.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/7.jpg?w=300" style="border-radius: 3px; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 1px 4px; height: auto; max-width: 100%;" width="577" /></a></div>
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I want to give from my overflow, but when I'm running low, I begin to hoard. It's not just my time or willingness to help others. I do the same with my money. I'm generous when I have plenty, but when the coffers get low, I tend to keep what I have for myself.</div>
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<a data-mce-href="https://eepacificinternship2015.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/8.jpg" href="https://eepacificinternship2015.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/8.jpg" style="color: #21759b; outline: none;"><img alt="8" class="alignnone wp-image-146" data-mce-src="https://eepacificinternship2015.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/8.jpg?w=200" height="291" src="https://eepacificinternship2015.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/8.jpg?w=200" style="border-radius: 3px; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 1px 4px; height: auto; max-width: 100%;" width="194" /></a> <a data-mce-href="https://eepacificinternship2015.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/9.jpg" href="https://eepacificinternship2015.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/9.jpg" style="color: #21759b; outline: none;"><img alt="9" class="alignnone wp-image-147" data-mce-src="https://eepacificinternship2015.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/9.jpg?w=300" height="270" src="https://eepacificinternship2015.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/9.jpg?w=300" style="border-radius: 3px; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 1px 4px; height: auto; max-width: 100%;" width="405" /></a> <a data-mce-href="https://eepacificinternship2015.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/11.jpg" href="https://eepacificinternship2015.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/11.jpg" style="color: #21759b; outline: none;"><img alt="11" class="alignnone wp-image-149" data-mce-src="https://eepacificinternship2015.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/11.jpg?w=300" height="269" src="https://eepacificinternship2015.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/11.jpg?w=300" style="border-radius: 3px; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 1px 4px; height: auto; max-width: 100%;" width="404" /></a> <img alt="10" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-148" data-mce-src="https://eepacificinternship2015.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/10.jpg?w=200" height="300" src="https://eepacificinternship2015.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/10.jpg?w=200" style="border-radius: 3px; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 1px 4px; height: auto; max-width: 100%;" width="200" /><a data-mce-href="https://eepacificinternship2015.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/12.jpg" href="https://eepacificinternship2015.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/12.jpg" style="color: #21759b; outline: none;"><img alt="12" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-150" data-mce-src="https://eepacificinternship2015.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/12.jpg?w=300" height="200" src="https://eepacificinternship2015.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/12.jpg?w=300" style="border-radius: 3px; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 1px 4px; height: auto; max-width: 100%;" width="300" /></a> <a data-mce-href="https://eepacificinternship2015.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/13.jpg" href="https://eepacificinternship2015.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/13.jpg" style="color: #21759b; outline: none;"><img alt="13" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-151" data-mce-src="https://eepacificinternship2015.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/13.jpg?w=300" height="200" src="https://eepacificinternship2015.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/13.jpg?w=300" style="border-radius: 3px; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 1px 4px; height: auto; max-width: 100%;" width="300" /></a></div>
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I'm reminded of the story in Luke 21:1-4 where the widow puts the last two coins that she has into the offering.</div>
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Jesus told his disciples that she gave more than anyone else, because "they all contriuted out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on."</div>
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For a school that has so little, they were able to put together a snack for all of us. Again, I was blown away by their generosity. Here we are to love them and help them in any way we can and what do we get in return? They're putting everything they have together to give back to us.</div>
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Today I am blessed by the giving hearts of those around me and encouraged to act likewise.</div>
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Blessings,</div>
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Liz</div>
etathtebazilehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01750027857783414274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67882148426111141.post-58075965248511189422015-06-30T20:12:00.001-07:002016-01-15T21:14:12.422-08:00OJT-orange juice time<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
Several weeks ago OJT was nothing more than a mysterious acronym to me. I couldn't figure out what it meant and several of us decided to call it, Orange Juice Time. I know we're in Fiji with a wealth of tropical fruit at our fingertips, but what does Orange Juice have to do with missions? </div>
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I have come to learn that OJT stands for On the Job Training. Which at first seemed unclear. What does it mean? </div>
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On the job training is the EE term to describe going out into the community and sharing the gospel. We can only learn so many techniques for sharing while sitting in the classroom. The real training happens out on the field. Usually we go out in groups of three or four with one person who's been trained in EE in the past. </div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Last week we were the ones training in the classroom and this past week, we got to help host an evangelism workshop in Nadi. We've gotten to share the training that we've been learning for the past two weeks with those who have never learned how to share. The group is a mix between local pastors, people from local churches as well as several people that we met on the s tweets last week who have turned their lives around. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In some ways, Fiji reminds me of the south, or the "Bible Belt." People are friendly and give you a big smile with "Bula!" When you meet them. and for the most part, they've grown up in a church, so they know any bible stories, but their relationship with God is not one that have become personal to them. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The predominant "religion" on the islands is Methodist. Although the Methodist church is one denomination under the banner of the church, here it is its own religion. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The word is preached in church, but not encouraged at home. Many people involved with the Methodist church still practice pagan traditions, such as drinking Kava, that have been part of the islands' history for hundreds of years.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I have to say, the early missionaries did a fantastic job with bringing the church, but somewhere along the line, things changed. Just about every village has a Methodist church in the center of their village. Today, it is mostly the old who attend. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The early missionaries did not have instruments to bring with them, so now it has become part of the tradition of their church. They sing a capella in church and would kick you out if you dated bring a musical instrument in. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">There is a legistic emphasis on good deeds. Because of this, many people don't realize that God is personal and wants a relationship. In fact, many are excommunicated from the church if they begin having a personal relationship with God. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">When we go out to do OJT in town and share this with people, most of the time they light up when they hear that God loves them and wants a relationship. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In the past two weeks, I've gotten to speak with many people from a Methodist background, as well as seventh day Adventists, Jehovah witness and several people from Hindu descent. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Most are completely overjoyed to hear the gospel. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">My new friend Judah changed completely from when we first met him and at the end of our talk. He couldn't wait to bring his wife back so she could hear about Jesus as well!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">He was beaming and had tears in his eyes at the end. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">L-R, ashley, William, me, Mitch, and one of the trainees at the clinic. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Several men on their lunch break who all said they wanted to follow Jesus. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Sharing with some school boys. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Two beautiful girls I got to share with. Vaciti and vitinia. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Most have been receptive in wanting to hear more about Christ. There is a hunger to know him! Pray as we continue to follow up that there would be a heart change and a hunger to know Christ more. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Blessings,</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Liz</span></div>
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etathtebazilehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01750027857783414274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67882148426111141.post-46477689662588044092015-06-25T16:44:00.001-07:002015-06-25T16:44:40.357-07:00Pictures from Nabila<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhse5wT-mT5FKhcYgU7eiwmHlIP4CFP9WimDRlYffgCLgcjKeAnMG8f2843KILnWzLK-CeVNbWUP43cFKI4tXC5RE-1cGoYaF7H575M2ONgdNqtJk-F3RNB908n__XG0QrWYYXRtPuzNk4/s640/blogger-image--1637317811.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I wanted to share some more photos from our visit to the village last weekend. For church, all are required to dress up, which means long sarongs for the women and sulus(man skirts) for the guys. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhse5wT-mT5FKhcYgU7eiwmHlIP4CFP9WimDRlYffgCLgcjKeAnMG8f2843KILnWzLK-CeVNbWUP43cFKI4tXC5RE-1cGoYaF7H575M2ONgdNqtJk-F3RNB908n__XG0QrWYYXRtPuzNk4/s640/blogger-image--1637317811.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisXhDFVFCVDnL2Gf326jaxHqeWbom6aFFzsRK7JKdsSOzWR-caZy48dGGGL5fWjUIjPA94IaDbiXL1MUf9_QoL3HZdB44-tUC_Strd8YHHsIm_8mkA7LQRVAwGNtWiw1j0x2JrPnFDvvI/s640/blogger-image-179958911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisXhDFVFCVDnL2Gf326jaxHqeWbom6aFFzsRK7JKdsSOzWR-caZy48dGGGL5fWjUIjPA94IaDbiXL1MUf9_QoL3HZdB44-tUC_Strd8YHHsIm_8mkA7LQRVAwGNtWiw1j0x2JrPnFDvvI/s640/blogger-image-179958911.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The crew of interns after church. <br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisXhDFVFCVDnL2Gf326jaxHqeWbom6aFFzsRK7JKdsSOzWR-caZy48dGGGL5fWjUIjPA94IaDbiXL1MUf9_QoL3HZdB44-tUC_Strd8YHHsIm_8mkA7LQRVAwGNtWiw1j0x2JrPnFDvvI/s640/blogger-image-179958911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCXVZTyoff827v48UrKegQO6lhqE39tNanFGm7ZSppNM4ahdcyPk9WV8xTPZG-flBElu9ua7BoIhq59i1N17hC_5Js2z5DZgiBz-vNYIX-cvVnj4e1wkDjTOildcTYQT3Ox7k1Hp60Btg/s640/blogger-image-2012467591.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCXVZTyoff827v48UrKegQO6lhqE39tNanFGm7ZSppNM4ahdcyPk9WV8xTPZG-flBElu9ua7BoIhq59i1N17hC_5Js2z5DZgiBz-vNYIX-cvVnj4e1wkDjTOildcTYQT3Ox7k1Hp60Btg/s640/blogger-image-2012467591.jpg"></a></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Several villagers cut some fresh coconuts for us. Hmm, best coconut water ever!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEietKg16iKmZEMEKHb4HiJdxMDPFQHAhi5NYIZH7rw78UL15oeugsC6vI3gFNwjyS2pyhyqKbZsSYXXBLMi7qYXPLhSxF6p7EOS-y7kTx1az2VCYVRHRMh0dEGXKZ6eAWFOZyH5PeO1dGc/s640/blogger-image--600768517.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEietKg16iKmZEMEKHb4HiJdxMDPFQHAhi5NYIZH7rw78UL15oeugsC6vI3gFNwjyS2pyhyqKbZsSYXXBLMi7qYXPLhSxF6p7EOS-y7kTx1az2VCYVRHRMh0dEGXKZ6eAWFOZyH5PeO1dGc/s640/blogger-image--600768517.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">God's given me a sister that I never even knew several weeks ago. She's pretty awesome! Ashley and I went snorkeling together on Saturday. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnS5sfwpChM9RT1_BssbUzNiVxOEFvR2sMmGfMtr5ZrlJcy_LfivOiUXr9SizRIHj90R8Gpcz1yipJo8-MFMsRwCf-WzkrmtsXFgJIW4CJ1Ks5cBIUUk3i9jXVtRTp0AZTdfcLcJLStAA/s640/blogger-image-1838440099.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnS5sfwpChM9RT1_BssbUzNiVxOEFvR2sMmGfMtr5ZrlJcy_LfivOiUXr9SizRIHj90R8Gpcz1yipJo8-MFMsRwCf-WzkrmtsXFgJIW4CJ1Ks5cBIUUk3i9jXVtRTp0AZTdfcLcJLStAA/s640/blogger-image-1838440099.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHFI0O-Jmys9mvUxcwvqTlDTdEQkMpV-bUY4K4rLZQg98ktrKBqguo3wV9QmVQIbjuE896cJNjDiCtI1prHdJrq8tjzb-3AxW8dPxYl1nJ7rdgK_MhSGFxKdWbc2aUG5OI-D4ihLvHLpA/s640/blogger-image--654332227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHFI0O-Jmys9mvUxcwvqTlDTdEQkMpV-bUY4K4rLZQg98ktrKBqguo3wV9QmVQIbjuE896cJNjDiCtI1prHdJrq8tjzb-3AxW8dPxYl1nJ7rdgK_MhSGFxKdWbc2aUG5OI-D4ihLvHLpA/s640/blogger-image--654332227.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Some of the adorable girls from Nabila village. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj302AnVZoac-N3VbQm_IU21lN2QJUKr4_pYvUFhixA8gsy-6syXR7cZ7Gv1GxvHk2NJCiuZZrFwYXZdNdU5bauRMmIdH6y8MsGB5zolJ86siCjlJQbFI2C7iY4_zzQ1ImDFr39MGNOgJA/s640/blogger-image-455993247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj302AnVZoac-N3VbQm_IU21lN2QJUKr4_pYvUFhixA8gsy-6syXR7cZ7Gv1GxvHk2NJCiuZZrFwYXZdNdU5bauRMmIdH6y8MsGB5zolJ86siCjlJQbFI2C7iY4_zzQ1ImDFr39MGNOgJA/s640/blogger-image-455993247.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3rlJrXhEyX81Dt3_A23ieLU-VzBytFE3nruEHjh1CjbLG-1_o7sqVomyYN-NMEdE4ykodd_i3qS3p1CtmqCQizaX7pdcPQC5xh5Txg9hwPpnHHgQyqhZVvMn2ipeD4i4vIdb9_QfNhRk/s640/blogger-image-1946156983.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3rlJrXhEyX81Dt3_A23ieLU-VzBytFE3nruEHjh1CjbLG-1_o7sqVomyYN-NMEdE4ykodd_i3qS3p1CtmqCQizaX7pdcPQC5xh5Txg9hwPpnHHgQyqhZVvMn2ipeD4i4vIdb9_QfNhRk/s640/blogger-image-1946156983.jpg"></a></div>My new little friend, Junior. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2P6TMu-QBW__ehY1M216hgX26CPxNirEGavsq_Oh_Lqr_dNOhO1Rtxj6QjE8LQK8fDNz4jgpLRhw7gvRBnCK_h4g_MszniBluhttUWB8xzf_EzsgFcLLDC7uJs7WwLcKwMncJg1tF1rw/s640/blogger-image-1465904226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2P6TMu-QBW__ehY1M216hgX26CPxNirEGavsq_Oh_Lqr_dNOhO1Rtxj6QjE8LQK8fDNz4jgpLRhw7gvRBnCK_h4g_MszniBluhttUWB8xzf_EzsgFcLLDC7uJs7WwLcKwMncJg1tF1rw/s640/blogger-image-1465904226.jpg"></a></div>Charlie's angels(including helicopter or small dot in the background)</div>etathtebazilehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01750027857783414274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67882148426111141.post-48626590058694857072015-06-24T04:25:00.001-07:002015-06-24T04:28:01.753-07:00Nadi TownWe've been learning tools for sharing the gospel for the last several days, and today we got the chance to go out into the town and put them to use.<br>
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We were told to try to connect with people, and if there was an opening, then we could share with them. I've been a Christian as long as I can remember and have done multiple mission trips, but in all my 27 years, I've never actually gone out to talk about Jesus. I don't know why not. It was never encouraged. In youth group years ago, we were told to "lead by example" or the Augustine quote was thrown about. </div>
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"Preach the gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words."</div>
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These are great things to do, but as a Christian, they should not be a way to fall behind actually sharing the gospel with others.</div>
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The first person I got to talk with today was a girl by the name of Shoshon. Like 80% of Fijians, she goes to a methodist church every week, but she didn't know who Christ is in her life. After sharing with her, we asked if she would really like to make him real and have a relationship with him and she said yes!</div>
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My prayer is that she has a complete heart change and that it changes the way she interacts with her family and friends! </div>
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Afterwards, I stepped into a shop that I've been in several times and started talking with some of the Indian women working there. </div>
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(Side note: There is a large population of Indians in Fiji due to the British colonizing the islands and bringing them over to work the sugar cane fields)</div>
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So as I talked with these women I didn't get to share the gospel much, but I got to ask them questions about themselves and their religion. I feel like it is the building blocks for some good discussions in the future.</div>
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Well, it's late and I've got a busy day ahead. Please continue to keep me and my team in your prayers.</div>
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Blessings,</div>
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Liz</div>
etathtebazilehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01750027857783414274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67882148426111141.post-40385690534271360982015-06-24T03:54:00.000-07:002015-06-24T03:54:34.826-07:00Nabila VillageThe brevity of life is not one that I tend to dwell on often, but every once in a while I do. Why am I? well, this morning I went to check on the puppies to find that one was dead and the other had disappeared.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifrUPNSmlC8vwb5Bx-YhgxMcySXnmL8pOZK5t22OpGdkpbUT7acxR8gh0NH0YA3e1d09KcuLt4MCnZxZRPKCE2u9EwCJHMl_iOYtW8FDlvKPL39hbYspx9SkPEnWrNTKtCvFSHLyo3XKc/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifrUPNSmlC8vwb5Bx-YhgxMcySXnmL8pOZK5t22OpGdkpbUT7acxR8gh0NH0YA3e1d09KcuLt4MCnZxZRPKCE2u9EwCJHMl_iOYtW8FDlvKPL39hbYspx9SkPEnWrNTKtCvFSHLyo3XKc/s640/1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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While a bit sad this morning, I just started reflecting on the fact that in our Western culture, we try to shield ourselves from natural life events, but in the village I visited this weekend, the hand of death and suffereing is part of daily life.<br />
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When I get a scratch, I have clean water to wash it out or antibacterial cream to clean it off. If it gets really bad, then we have clean hospitals to visit. For the friends I've made this weekend in the village, that's not the case.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXXT7jH3DB9eRLfmAk1rFcdtLcLUalVI8xwxiyatxcapS9jLIT8WnIBL4DrF1JsEpXcfnJzypjxe7uf7nzF0JsibA0qY-uMDOkIk1PXLxLnc5s89m0Li-RQJRlNuU7lMf8jPaPePa5UZY/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXXT7jH3DB9eRLfmAk1rFcdtLcLUalVI8xwxiyatxcapS9jLIT8WnIBL4DrF1JsEpXcfnJzypjxe7uf7nzF0JsibA0qY-uMDOkIk1PXLxLnc5s89m0Li-RQJRlNuU7lMf8jPaPePa5UZY/s640/7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I have so many new friends, and unfortunately, they know my name a lot better than I know theirs. They gather around in crowds. Smiling. Holding my hand and laughing with one another. They are some of the happiest kids I've ever met, but if you looked at them, they're dirty, their teath are rotten and their bodies are covered in scabs.<br />
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All of the children, even the smallest toddlers had scars and scratches. They climb the palm trees for coconuts and scratch their hands, but without the proper care, the scratch turns into something bigger. But... you don't hear any complaining. It's just daily life.<br />
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There are no computers, tvs, video games, or really any "children's toys" but they are so happy.<br />
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In a place so deprived of the "essentials" or basic Western necessities for survival, there is life. A fulle, more complete, well-lived life. In the slice of one day, there is fullness.<br />
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Some joke about living on "island time" and the inconvenience it provides when activities don't start when they're supposed to, but there's something nice about living with no rush.<br />
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They don't look at their clocks, impatiently waiting for the next activity, rushing from one thing to another.<br />
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After 3 days in the village, I'm happy to get back to the comfort of a bed and no bedbugs. I relished in the delights of a shower and electricity.<br />
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Breakfast with one of the village families.</div>
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Mitch with some of the kids.</div>
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Blessings,<br />
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Lizetathtebazilehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01750027857783414274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67882148426111141.post-91658004815104533792015-06-22T04:29:00.001-07:002015-06-24T03:54:46.776-07:00Wash DayI want to blog more about my weekend in Nambila Village, but when you spend a weekend away, then things start to get pretty smelly and when what happens, it's time to do wash.<br />
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Thankfully we don't have to do wash by hand here, but it is a learning curve figuring out the washer. </div>
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Step one includes putting the clothes in the washer and filling it with the nearby hose and some washing powder. </div>
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After the clothes are washed have been agitated for 15 minutes, you can turn the cycle in again for extra dirty clothes, or drain the water. Add clean water with the house and run the cycle again in the ran water the drain it. </div>
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After that, you take some of the clothes and add them to the spinner. </div>
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After a good spin, they're ready to hang on the line. </div>
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And that's how it's done. </div>
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etathtebazilehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01750027857783414274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67882148426111141.post-64772442809559512082015-06-18T23:10:00.001-07:002015-06-18T23:50:31.611-07:00Puppy LoveTwo of the training center dogs recently had litters, but unfortunately we don't know what happened to one of the litters. <div><br></div><div>The poor mamma dog was full of milk, but had no puppies to give it to. She looked so sad and would try to go check on the other mamma dog and her puppies, but would be growled away. </div><div><br></div><div>With 6 pups to feed and very little food, the mamma was nothing but skin and bones. She barely had enough to feed all of her babies. </div><div><br></div><div>So we decided to take two of the puppies and give them to the other dog. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6XTJwHyMYQLuO59pha2_kZllMEGLsuJ2S6vQcSS2qw9boy-AgSwC2XzQ9VG3PPuPUpuMr8ehQFJUNlzJnEdJjRlZG2-l0juH8rGKPz26UeVW82y93JqWpnuNaus13wQqzN0xJzUp0owk/s640/blogger-image--1056582825.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6XTJwHyMYQLuO59pha2_kZllMEGLsuJ2S6vQcSS2qw9boy-AgSwC2XzQ9VG3PPuPUpuMr8ehQFJUNlzJnEdJjRlZG2-l0juH8rGKPz26UeVW82y93JqWpnuNaus13wQqzN0xJzUp0owk/s640/blogger-image--1056582825.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>It was amazing to see the change in this dog. She went from looking forlorn to being a protective mama as she immediately accepted them as her own. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq7jSQT7me8mShnvT4osvaih5dNa8-yPJdi-fcZc_9EG-4CFbQJYEXSp4h-APhTzGdtQWzJ6_aXbgFYHshgDUZ_rqOiagpcr9P3JCgpQ25vOpwmcdM7kGMdJDlOVtcxZUAY4_lopDlnlk/s640/blogger-image--13779442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq7jSQT7me8mShnvT4osvaih5dNa8-yPJdi-fcZc_9EG-4CFbQJYEXSp4h-APhTzGdtQWzJ6_aXbgFYHshgDUZ_rqOiagpcr9P3JCgpQ25vOpwmcdM7kGMdJDlOVtcxZUAY4_lopDlnlk/s640/blogger-image--13779442.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>She won't let any of the dogs get close to them and gets anxious if one of us holds the puppies for too long. She's the most protective mama ever, even more protective of these two foster babies than the birth mom. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVVqJuazyC8oJB6xCAc2PDOLpQQlxpceAbLkEFiD1uvlD0-MmWgmXP2MGz45cW-uTRgSG3n9Ep6Xd8eiOyUS20zOT5s913flXa-46UcAEyzbI9HbTBJvAVH61tKFO5FaHdp0lZso7D0aE/s640/blogger-image-1492845175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVVqJuazyC8oJB6xCAc2PDOLpQQlxpceAbLkEFiD1uvlD0-MmWgmXP2MGz45cW-uTRgSG3n9Ep6Xd8eiOyUS20zOT5s913flXa-46UcAEyzbI9HbTBJvAVH61tKFO5FaHdp0lZso7D0aE/s640/blogger-image-1492845175.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It's beautiful to see. </div><br></div><div>Blessings,</div><div><br></div><div>Liz</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAmoD2neCaKwoQ_rSMWp4SHMFLc8YZzLeJU1Yu4JK9jJ5iDxiKx64wtdQGZRb2tq69t-Nzj-J6VlCcOARu2LFWtZBAn3t2e3-G6MSRCtNzL-pgZLH9El534ikPJfjaPlfZL0j783u3cy0/s640/blogger-image-139707295.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAmoD2neCaKwoQ_rSMWp4SHMFLc8YZzLeJU1Yu4JK9jJ5iDxiKx64wtdQGZRb2tq69t-Nzj-J6VlCcOARu2LFWtZBAn3t2e3-G6MSRCtNzL-pgZLH9El534ikPJfjaPlfZL0j783u3cy0/s640/blogger-image-139707295.jpg"></a></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> (As the Australians would say, I was looking a bit "haggy" this morning) </span></div></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>etathtebazilehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01750027857783414274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67882148426111141.post-85754049059005371292015-06-18T02:39:00.001-07:002015-07-28T23:55:57.201-07:00Jagged edges no moreI<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> am so amazed at how creative God is and how very similar and yet vastly different each of the beaches are. Over the past 8 weeks, I've walked on multiple beaches around the world. Before I left my lovy hometown of Charleston, I took one last walk on the beach. Then in both Australia and Fiji, I've gotten the chance to walk on numerous beautiful beaches. Each one has a unique touch that the other one does not have. </span><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The beachfront in Australia has sandy beaches, but also sections of rocks. As you walk along the beach, you can see different pieces of sea glass. I've always been facinated with sea glass. The first time I saw it was years ago when I was little. My dad had a business trip close to the beach and brought a shell back for each of us, but for me, he had a small rounded piece of sea glass. </span></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">Sometimes we are like these pieces of glass. We have sharp, jagged edges that cuts those around us. God is like the waves of the ocean and over time he rounds out those edges that slice. It doesn't happen overnight, but it takes time. It takes years of being warn down by the sand and waves. We aren't beaten down, but instead being refined. </font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">In the end, that piece of glass that was nothing but rubbish, has become beautiful, almost like a small gem. </font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4RESr197XSEY4NKeXRrv4gM4WD_24zyrIEQTzaUlZ6JLZhW69qUXSK5vu2iXM1G433quKK9me2-VkPeL28hpIGXpjX8KPpqqaxWRqetC_Ea_j2YwRRu4Yhg2WjgOowh8-m3k0IwSkglc/s640/blogger-image-1030843198.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4RESr197XSEY4NKeXRrv4gM4WD_24zyrIEQTzaUlZ6JLZhW69qUXSK5vu2iXM1G433quKK9me2-VkPeL28hpIGXpjX8KPpqqaxWRqetC_Ea_j2YwRRu4Yhg2WjgOowh8-m3k0IwSkglc/s640/blogger-image-1030843198.jpg"></a></div><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">"Mightier than the thunder of many waters, </font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">mightier than the waves of the sea,</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">The Lord on high is mighty!"</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">-psalm 91:4<br></font><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div></div>etathtebazilehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01750027857783414274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67882148426111141.post-44968619135918788322015-06-18T02:20:00.001-07:002015-06-18T02:20:56.872-07:00We are one in the spirit<span style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJLc8j-7XyrOZeFdM_FgkzqmxVVBjyfYEdsOfr0oyoXR4ikwyEbhg-mm7F9aVfYNqf5hNFi6JlYO5bNbQFITvs9JaTAZj6aPqRfMwkGeOXh9jd0tsz4jgBdMGHgVUgx3mPHjwSeaVouRo/s640/blogger-image--1486189738.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJLc8j-7XyrOZeFdM_FgkzqmxVVBjyfYEdsOfr0oyoXR4ikwyEbhg-mm7F9aVfYNqf5hNFi6JlYO5bNbQFITvs9JaTAZj6aPqRfMwkGeOXh9jd0tsz4jgBdMGHgVUgx3mPHjwSeaVouRo/s640/blogger-image--1486189738.jpg"></a></div>For the months leading up to the internship, we prayed for unity with the interns. Whenever multiple people come together, there's always the potential for dissensions within the group. </span><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">So far we've only been together for three days, so I really can't say how the remainder of our time will be, but already I feel like I've known everyone for years. It's amazing how a bond can be created with a complete stranger because of the unification we have in Christ. On top of that, each of us are gathered for a similar purpose and common goal. </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5M8mjWLlW7mO3kFzANW8Idtd4okmCDdu8vsXFzDXTT1xljuSY410phffFV6UAFq0ugIGPjaVjrGTTWbKkY7O2sRtiCV1WChxRJ7FdYfSdjsjFWLYPRo5gvUz4T4GgQkvQ3SsVT1ZxiTk/s640/blogger-image-160573251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5M8mjWLlW7mO3kFzANW8Idtd4okmCDdu8vsXFzDXTT1xljuSY410phffFV6UAFq0ugIGPjaVjrGTTWbKkY7O2sRtiCV1WChxRJ7FdYfSdjsjFWLYPRo5gvUz4T4GgQkvQ3SsVT1ZxiTk/s640/blogger-image-160573251.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">It's as if overnight, I've been blessed with 18 new siblings!</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSVQ_zVrAUUf_XZo_DvRMsstjKj8RzVv1qJFk_TkafCVSry97HrETFhdeNed8vQEFRFjQVslVgQnaAF4DFZk5L65urdq4v97VQzy-V-HYWUARjiHCsTkwQSOnBdvGHQMTer0ws9Tsglm4/s640/blogger-image--1061826019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSVQ_zVrAUUf_XZo_DvRMsstjKj8RzVv1qJFk_TkafCVSry97HrETFhdeNed8vQEFRFjQVslVgQnaAF4DFZk5L65urdq4v97VQzy-V-HYWUARjiHCsTkwQSOnBdvGHQMTer0ws9Tsglm4/s640/blogger-image--1061826019.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">That's not to say that we are all the same and live in perfect harmony. As we get to know each other we've been learning to celebrate those differences. For the past three days we've been taking personality tests to discover what strengths God has given us. Instead of just being intrinsically helpful, the tests have also been a way to quickly get to know each other's personalities. This has also been the perfect foundation for seeking God's call on our lives. </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVKqnDx05_b13un5O81K2zJHXROsqLEtOOb3sjuuAS9vgW76wBovh7vgnLNAdi32qxpvtLhF_ZVHDmGA5zp0djxT5TisXCJ2QO7CxTRnN8dQJdfIub2SQ-rTGNnxrpGjikV97yApae-xo/s640/blogger-image--1288838622.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVKqnDx05_b13un5O81K2zJHXROsqLEtOOb3sjuuAS9vgW76wBovh7vgnLNAdi32qxpvtLhF_ZVHDmGA5zp0djxT5TisXCJ2QO7CxTRnN8dQJdfIub2SQ-rTGNnxrpGjikV97yApae-xo/s640/blogger-image--1288838622.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">I'<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">m </span>personally beginning to understand how God has wired me so that I can use my strengths to be an impact for the world. </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">For instance, I just learned that one of my top qualities is enjoying the challenge of meeting new people and trying to win them over. I'm drawn to strangers and want to get to know them. </div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGsJZLBCNYlqChLTbjq6T0o-gsW_Z3SG_VbyzvUatnXeSmNOG-2NomLk1Gzo8-fm2fQCexznfMuLqZ77DeBn1zaK9diIzzI6S771Jsq6mJxVdIfDYmDLMslJigkcBYJs_jJtIs2CmbfUk/s640/blogger-image-629500993.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGsJZLBCNYlqChLTbjq6T0o-gsW_Z3SG_VbyzvUatnXeSmNOG-2NomLk1Gzo8-fm2fQCexznfMuLqZ77DeBn1zaK9diIzzI6S771Jsq6mJxVdIfDYmDLMslJigkcBYJs_jJtIs2CmbfUk/s640/blogger-image-629500993.jpg"></font></a></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">On my first day in Fiji, I passed by a house with multiple children in the front yard. I told Langdon that I wanted to get to know those kids, and sure enough, I've already had the chance to meet them. Today, I asked several of the other interns to join me and we spent the afternoon kicking a soccer ball around and playing frisbee. </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGHO8xNuE-ZSY6RUPxbC5gwnYwbNNXnkS-F06GnfBCCxwZoew_U3jp9eTLOLMON-M9JFRP0sTGSSWuNdjyRzGwxyKkZkLJUBTKlCid4gq1kyMyYb1oEhKS-PwXYD_2YtTpva6BUHajfTQ/s640/blogger-image-192074657.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGHO8xNuE-ZSY6RUPxbC5gwnYwbNNXnkS-F06GnfBCCxwZoew_U3jp9eTLOLMON-M9JFRP0sTGSSWuNdjyRzGwxyKkZkLJUBTKlCid4gq1kyMyYb1oEhKS-PwXYD_2YtTpva6BUHajfTQ/s640/blogger-image-192074657.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">My prayer is that as the weeks progress our relationship with these kids would grow and we can develop a relationship with them as we share the gospel. </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjknuC4xSG8ho7EZN0qT27Hr4n82SkFXHOT7vfUx4kGYpbyB4TSZarem2jeIj8iEzhPvD8fKrFzRdgDfSuVGCBOIDb-e19Yx9EE0nKUPK9h-M8dpN4nDV604plXpxX9dfGNJtV3AE4GIZM/s640/blogger-image--624719608.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjknuC4xSG8ho7EZN0qT27Hr4n82SkFXHOT7vfUx4kGYpbyB4TSZarem2jeIj8iEzhPvD8fKrFzRdgDfSuVGCBOIDb-e19Yx9EE0nKUPK9h-M8dpN4nDV604plXpxX9dfGNJtV3AE4GIZM/s640/blogger-image--624719608.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Pray also that God would develop those strengths and that we can encourage each other in them. </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Blessings,</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Liz </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcOUNSkquDC_C2Lf8lzi_YGbflivn9PBj_gR476Ruk9v2blfnqSsp9uRer-AQaWFvo1Qc__GLjXKj7LTtbLwsduidIz4V1ZTICzGCiP60KgURA420xHSscQHCEme8z3-M-fgo0JJT1Y_Q/s640/blogger-image-1806136560.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcOUNSkquDC_C2Lf8lzi_YGbflivn9PBj_gR476Ruk9v2blfnqSsp9uRer-AQaWFvo1Qc__GLjXKj7LTtbLwsduidIz4V1ZTICzGCiP60KgURA420xHSscQHCEme8z3-M-fgo0JJT1Y_Q/s640/blogger-image-1806136560.jpg"></a></div><br></div>etathtebazilehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01750027857783414274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67882148426111141.post-18410889367986810972015-06-15T01:41:00.000-07:002015-06-15T01:41:03.365-07:00EE Internship: Day #1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
With staggered arrival times, all of the interns are finally together!</div>
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Five of the Americans came in early this morning and we've been spending the day picking up supplies in town, beginning our training, getting settled in, and getting to know each other a little better.</div>
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<img alt="Displaying Day1Pac Interns2015.jpg" height="199" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=124f63110a&view=fimg&th=14df5fd5e145c51c&attid=0.1.2&disp=inline&safe=1&attbid=ANGjdJ_ynB-7WyT7YMFzhmpqPozH3VxhqH-_hgukfYh0GMYKyvPY10cot5l-k3D_YiYfKNPiz4hI-BRMLNpWrmOvyHbzHSOayyBysTNwPotUAlghnWt59oQYsESf63E&ats=1434355962317&rm=14df5fd5e145c51c&zw&sz=w1342-h503" width="640" /></div>
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From left to right: Alex(Australia), Mitch(Australia), Panapasi(Fiji), William (SC, USA), Deanna(MD, USA), Emoni (Fiji) Lagi (Samoa), Breezy(SC, USA), Anne(SC, USA), Ashley(FL, USA), Buna (Fiji), ME!, Caitlin(SC, USA), Rusila(Fiji), Takape (Fiji), Walter(CA, USA), Pete (UK), Ashnil(Fiji)</div>
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As we went around the room sharing the things we most wanted to learn and grow from in the next six weeks, we were fairly unified in the response. #1 we want to learn how to share the gospel and reach the people around us for Christ and #2 we want to use this time to seek where God is calling us in the future.</div>
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Please be praying for my team and I as we take the next six weeks to serve the Lord together.<br />
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Pray for unity for the team.<br />
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Pray for our influence in the community.<br />
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And to end with a little story. Several of us went into town this afternoon to have a look around and pick up supplies. A few of us walked by a shop and the owner welcomed us with "Bula, come in and have a look."<br />
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Trying not to be rude, we walked in to his shop which was filled with carved masks and other ceremonial carvings. We were ushered to a mat where we were asked to take off our shoes and have a seat. While one person spoke about his village and the people who make the jewelry and ceremonial carvings, another man brought a large wooden bowl and set it on the mat.<br />
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He added water, then took a small fabric back and started filling it with a powder. The bag was then stirred around the bowl with the man's fingers, then he dipped a half coconut shell in the bowl and offered the concoction of kava for us to drink.<br />
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Kava is often associated with pagan practices around the island and is sort of a mix between an acoholic/drug for the people of the island. As soon as we refused, the man in the shop asked us if we were a church group.<br />
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I share this story to show how these spiritualistic traditions have filled the island and the need they have for Christ in their lives. As I left the shop, I got really excited about what I will be learning in the next few weeks and the ability that I'll have to share them with these people. I cannot wait!<br />
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Blessings,<br />
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Lizetathtebazilehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01750027857783414274noreply@blogger.com0