the unexpected on mars hill

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.

 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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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. 

For now, I'm sitting on a ferry in the Mediterranean headed toward Mykonos Island. 

Please join me in praying for our time away and for the people that God is bringing into our lives here. 

Blessings, 

Liz

washed clean

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.

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.

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.

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.

What a picture of Christ's transformative work in our lives.

"We are all infected and impute with sun. When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags." Isaiah 64:7

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.

"Jesus answered, 'unless I wash you, you have no part with me.'" John 13:8

"How lovely are the feet of those who bring good news." Isaiah 52:7

expectancy

Recently 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.

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.

Expectations are are all about me and the outcome that I want.

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.

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.

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.

Life experiences can color your own expectations. What I look forward to and what my friends expect may look completely different.

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.

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.

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.

"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."
-Jeremiah 1:7-8

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
the real work that Christ may be doing.

Blessings,

Liz

"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."

-Mike Pettengill

Prayers for Fiji

When most people consider Fiji they think of it as being a resort destination, but did you know that it is actually a third world country? That means that the majority of the population lives in poverty according to American standards of living.

In just 7 weeks from now, I will be heading off for this country to become part of a team of interns with Evangelism Explosion. While there, I will learn how to reach people of different cultures and ages for Christ while building relationships with the locals. In addition, I'll have the chance to visit local villages and do service projects.

Here's a bit of my journey towards praying about going to Fiji...

In the past few months, there have been a couple of prophetic prayers from my church that have been directed for me.

The first one was "for a girl with long hair who recently lost a piece of jewelry. God wants her to place her trust in Him." with the reference to Proverbs 3:5-6

"Trust in the Lord with all of your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your paths."

The crazy part was, I had just lost a favorite earring the day before and couldn't stop thinking about it.

Several weeks later, there was another prophetic word directed to me, it said,

"For someone who knows they are facing a huge change in their lives this summer and feels burdened because of it. The Lord invites you to come to Him and is saying I am always there for you. Find rest in my steadfast love for you."

I felt my heart tugged when I heard those words, because I knew they were for me. I had been praying for several weeks about my summer plans, but felt the constant financial burden wearing me down. 

It was through prayer and words of confirmation from friends and family that I realized God was calling me to go to Fiji for the summer. As I was praying about God's leading, it seemed as if everyone and his sister decided to start drinking Fiji water en mas. I kept seeing "Fiji" everywhere. I even found a bottle mysteriously  in the backseat of my car! (Was that a sign or what?)

So it is with excitement that I prepare for this next adventure that the Lord has for me. 

If I have learned anything in the past week from my eye injury, it is this: God works through prayer.

I want to thank each and every person who prayed for healing for me. As I write, my eye is almost completely healed, but I will find out for sure on Tuesday. In two days, the tear in my cornea went from being 8mm to 3mm and I know it's even better than that now.

So, as I look towards heading out of the country, out of my comfort zone and to a new nation and people group, I want to ask for prayer.

1. Pray that God would work in me to teach and grow me in new ways.
2. Pray that he would use me as his witness to the people I come in contact with.
3. For the team of people that I will be living and working with.
4. Pray that I would be able to get the financial means necessary for this trip(and be able to relinquish my control to God's plan for me)

I need a strong group of supporters and prayer warriors backing me up in order for this trip to be a success. So in advance, I thank all of you.

Questions or comments, feel free to leave a line or send an email! I'd love to hear from you!

Blessings,

Liz

Home 7.19.14

I'm posting this 7 months late, but here it is...

Today I arrived home after 7 months and 13 days of being away and 11 months since I first embarked for Nigeria.

This past year has given me the opportunity of living overseas, getting immersed in new cultures and making some amazing new friends.

I haven't added the exact minutes, but approximately 10 full days out of the last 365 have been spent on an airplane. 

The travels started a year ago today when one of my college roommate's and I visited another roommate in Colorado. After returning, I had just weeks to prepare for my journey to Nigeria. 

In the past year, I've been in 19 different airports in 12 separate countries and in 4 different continents. (And some airports multiple times) I've flown with numerous airlines.  I've stepped foot in 6 new countries.  

This marks the end of one chapter and the beginning of a new one. 

All Heaven and Earth Sing

The past several weeks have been filled with constant busy-ness. From writing and grading exams, packing, then saying goodbyes to an amazing trip to South Africa with my brother Brian(more on that later).

This past weekend Briand and I went to an Afrikaans church in Wellington, SA. Although I couldn't understand the songs or sermon, there is a sort of joy that comes with worshipping with believers in other tongues and nations. Although we speak different languages, we worship the same God. Our same Lord is praised from one end of the earth to another. 

As I was thinking about this today, a thought came to me. We don't just worship God with fellow believers accross the world, we are also joining in a heavenly chorus. I guess I've thought about it before, but it never really registered with me. We sing and join in the chorus with the angels and with those who have gone before us to heaven. All of heaven and earth sing his praises in one giant chorus!

Revelation Song

"Worthy is the Lamb who was slain

Holy, holy is He

Sing a new song to Him who sits on

Heaven's mercy seat

Worthy is the Lamb who was slain

Holy, holy is He

Sing a new song to Him who sits on

Heaven's mercy seat

Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty

Who was and is and is to come

With all creation I sing praise to the King of kings

You are my everything and I will adore You

Clothed in rainbows of living color

Flashes of lighting rolls of thunder

Blessing and honor strength and glory and power be

To You the only wise King

Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty

Who was and is and is to come

With all creation I sing praise to the King of kings

You are my everything and I will adore You

Filled with wonder awestruck wonder

At the mention of Your name

Jesus Your name is power, breath and living water

Such a marvelous mystery

Oh, You're worthy, mystery

You are worthy

Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty

Who was and is and is to come

With all creation I sing praise to the King of kings

You are my everything and I will adore You, I will adore You"

Spring Break

As I am just recovering from my 17th flight across the Atlantic, I thought it would be a good time to post some pictures from the last couple of weeks. I had full intentions of blogging throughout my spring break, but was on the go for most of my break and didn't get the chance to.

Originally I had no intention of heading back to the U.S. until the end of June, but when one of my best friends, also Liz, announced her engagement, I couldn't fathom not being with her for on her big day. I am so blessed by the friends that I have, and was reminded once again of this amazing friendship when Liz planned her wedding on the day that I told her would work best for me. 

I flew into Boston to spend a couple of days wedding planning with Liz before we packed up and drove with her fiance to his hometown of Kitchener, Ontario. The next several days were spent with last minute wedding details and running errands.

Several other close friends flew in from different states and we had a blast catching up. I've known both Liz and Sarah for years and I no longer think of them as "best friends" but as sisters. In fact, when Liz was coming up with the list of wedding attendants for the photographers, she listed us as her "pseudo-sisters."

I think this is my favorite photo from the wedding as I say one last goodbye and the groom waits impatiently in the car. 

After the wedding Sarah, Courtney and I headed down to the Buffalo airport and got to see Niagara Falls along the way.

It was a slight letdown due to the mist that obstructed the view and we were only able to see the corner of the falls.

At the Buffalo Airport, I dropped off Sarah and Courtney, while picking up a rental car and my Aunt Cathy. Cathy and I drove to a relative's house for the night where we shared pictures and stories and caught up with them.

They live right beside a river in the beautiful countryside of Eden, NY.

Evidence that spring is around the corner in upstate New York.

We had a great time vising Art and June while touring Buffalo and the surrounding areas.

 I was once again in awe of the amazing sunset, which was a stark contrast from the hazy, polluted sky in Nigeria.

Chunks of ice left floating on Lake Erie.

The next day, Cathy and I had a long drive up to Montreal. The weather changed drastically, from a nice warm 80 degree temperature on Sunday, to somewhere in the low 30's on Tuesday. The cold temperature, combined with wind and rain caused us the spend the day in an art gallery, rather than touring the city. 

Later that day, we drove up to Quebec and immediately fell in love with the city. It's old, full of character and has so much history. French Canada is so much different from the rest of the country. You feel as if you stepped into a completely different country.

That night, Cathy and I had a fondue dinner while the snow started outside. For someone who's been in 90+ heat for the past several months, it was a winter-wonderland. (to the people of Quebec, I'm sure it wasn't as they have been waiting impatiently for spring to come).

The next day we walked around the city in sub freezing temperatures, but coming from Nigeria, it was great!

Watch out for the falling ice!

Aunt Cathy and I had a blast together and ended our trip with a drive down to Boston.

My last stop before reaching Nigeria was a long layover in Dubai. I was able to do a little bit of site-seeing in the short time that I had. I was able to put my feet in the Arabian Gulf, travel on the man-made palm island, watch an assortment
 fish swimming by in the massive aquarium in Atlantis and strain my neck to see the top of the Burj Khalif, the tallest building in the world. From a city that was nothing but a few buildings and a dirt road 20 years ago, to this massive city the can claim ownership of all the biggest and best that the world has to offer.

She said I think I'll go to Boston...

I think I'll start a new life,

I think I'll start it over, where no one knows my name,

I'll get out of (Nigeria), I'm tired of the weather,

Oh yeah and I think I'll go to Boston,

I think that I'm just tired

I think I need a new town, to leave this all behind...

I think I need a sunrise, I'm tired of the sunset,

I hear it's nice in the Summer, some snow would be nice... oh yeah,

A Weekend Respite

I've been going gung-ho for over two months straight, and was so thankful for the chance to take a break. My boss, Karen, treated both new teachers, Sam and myself to a night away. Although I only went away for 24 hours it was still quite wonderful. We stayed at IITA, which is a research center for tropical agriculture here in Ibadan. New  species of rice, yams, and cassava are developed and bred at IITA, to withstand some of the heartier climates and regions. Although they do a lot of research the Nigerian government is so disorganized that it can't process the research, so seeds are often sent to Antarctica to a seed bank.

This place was sort of an oasis in the middle of a crowded and dirty city. With its sprawling lawns, green trees, lake and hiking trails, it really feels like you've stepped out into another world.

I found myself breathing in deeper, just to get clean air that wasn't polluted with petrol fumes.

Our afternoon was spent reading by the pool and later went to get pampered with a pedicure and massage at the salon.

We got to walk around and explore, and just enjoyed the fact that it was the first time walking around anywhere after dark since arriving in Nigeria.

There are so many different trees an animals than I am used to, so it's always fun to just sit back and observe. Outside of our bedrooms, we noticed a large flock(or herd, colony, cloud???) of bats around the pine trees outside of our room. We probably watched them for a half of an hour, fascinated by the creatures. It was better than watching an episode of Planet Earth  because we were seeing them firsthand. These bats were nothing like the little things we have back home, they were much bigger. When they were in flight, their wingspan looked like it was around 12 -15 inches long!

As fascinating as the bats were at 9:00pm, they lost some of the appeal when at 1:00, 3:00, 5:00, they were still outside screeching as loudly as ever. In fact, the didn't leave until dawn.

Sunday morning we rented bikes and explored the grounds for an hour.

We rode around the lake, fascinated by some of the trees, birds and insects that we saw. 

(Giant ant hill) 

Our running joke when we saw anything different from the norm, was to just put the adjective, African before it. "Wow, look at that giant African ant hill!" Or "Check out the size of this African millepede!" And, " that tree looks so African."

Rice paddy

We saw several trees by the lake that were inhabited by beautifully bright colored yellow weaver birds. The nests were so incredibly detailed.