We were on our bi-weekly conference call, my short term mission group, and our leader asked how our fundraising was going for the trip. A few of my team members explained their frustrations or worries and we all listened and I really felt blessed to not necessarily have to worry about the money aspect, however, I felt an overwhelming presence of God as I sat in the dark of my bedroom and looked out the window. I tried to listen to what my team was saying on the other end, but instead I was wrestling with God. "No, God, I don't want to admit that. I don't want to confess that...it's humiliating." The phone line quieted for a moment and our leader once again asked if anyone else had any comments or concerns. Before I could stop myself, I said it, "It's really not the money for me, but the fact that God has put me in the exact same position of those I had judged. You see, anytime someone from the church or a family friend, would send something in the mail in regards to a mission or fundraising to a Christian school I judged them. It would bother me that they would think of sending us a letter when I knew they had the money or I would really wonder what they were going to do 'somewhere out there'. God has a funny way of humbling us and, for me, he taught me a lesson by putting me in the exact position of those I judged. God is a sort of a comedian, a humbling comedian."
I had said "it"...I had gotten it off my chest. I felt a huge burden lifted off my shoulders. I had admitted it...I had judged.
It's still very hard to write those words. God is teaching me a lesson through this. I continue to face situations where I could, or can, so easily judge others around me, and I continue to go back to this moment...I don't want to say that I never judge or that I don't slip up, but I am more conscious of those times that I do. What is more amazing is how much this experience draws me closer to God. How true it is, that every bad situation can bring glory to God...
I write this blog to you. I have judged you, I nitpicked, I judged your motives, and I am truly sorry. I am humbled to my soul by this experience and I ask you for forgiveness. I thank you for reading my blog, supporting me financially, supporting me spiritually, and for accepting me...wow, God truly is awe-some!
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Monday, April 21, 2008
Peace Stealers
I read once, in a magazine, about "peace stealers". In the article it discussed identifying those things that steal your peace; get you irritated, the blood boiling, the furrowed brow, etc. In the article, an example was given, by the author, on how she likes to be early/on time for all events/meetings and how her husband is always a few minutes late. Timeliness, or I should say, not being on time, is her "peace stealer".
Well, at work this weekend, I recalled this article and I thought to myself, "wow, work right now is really my peace stealer!" I tried to narrow it down during my drive home from work at 1:30am (yes, that is how late I was at work because I had to close.) I realized that it isn't the work, it's the pace. My job has a "speed is life" mentality and when you throw me into the mix (I am a fast-paced moving person in general), I can be like a tornado while I'm at work. I balance about 50 different projects at once and I have a notebook that I use to write every little thing I have to do that day and the days ahead...not a planner, a regular lined notebook that in one day, can be filled front/back with "to do" items.
In the article, it talked about making sure that you offset your peace stealers by making sure that you are proactive in ensuring that you take control of your peace stealers before they take a hold of you...for the author, it was talking to her husband about being on time and setting the clocks a few minutes ahead...sometimes they are late and sometimes they are on time...it evened out...So....As fast paced as my organization is, do I still allow it to steal my peace??? YES! If my job is making me go crazy at times, what can I do to off set it??? How can I "even it out?" Well, I'm going to Africa and I am volunteering at local organizations in Tucson. It is when I am most at peace with myself and with the world around me...I actually slow down and hear and listen to people. One of my favorite parts of the day is dusk, right before the sun sets. Usually, I'm driving home from work at that time and I get to watch the sunset. Life seems to slow down and I actually live...breathe...enjoy this life that God has planned for me and I usually reflect on the day and pray to God to help me feel a peace in my life, even when I am at work. I feel that God has lead me to this mission trip for this exact purpose (among many other reasons).
You see, this trip is, in a way, selfish in nature. I am going on this mission because I feel a real sense of peace with myself and with those around me when I think of going to Africa or volunteering here in Tucson. No one could, or can, steal this peace from me even if they tried...
James 3:17-18
"But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness."
Well, at work this weekend, I recalled this article and I thought to myself, "wow, work right now is really my peace stealer!" I tried to narrow it down during my drive home from work at 1:30am (yes, that is how late I was at work because I had to close.) I realized that it isn't the work, it's the pace. My job has a "speed is life" mentality and when you throw me into the mix (I am a fast-paced moving person in general), I can be like a tornado while I'm at work. I balance about 50 different projects at once and I have a notebook that I use to write every little thing I have to do that day and the days ahead...not a planner, a regular lined notebook that in one day, can be filled front/back with "to do" items.
In the article, it talked about making sure that you offset your peace stealers by making sure that you are proactive in ensuring that you take control of your peace stealers before they take a hold of you...for the author, it was talking to her husband about being on time and setting the clocks a few minutes ahead...sometimes they are late and sometimes they are on time...it evened out...So....As fast paced as my organization is, do I still allow it to steal my peace??? YES! If my job is making me go crazy at times, what can I do to off set it??? How can I "even it out?" Well, I'm going to Africa and I am volunteering at local organizations in Tucson. It is when I am most at peace with myself and with the world around me...I actually slow down and hear and listen to people. One of my favorite parts of the day is dusk, right before the sun sets. Usually, I'm driving home from work at that time and I get to watch the sunset. Life seems to slow down and I actually live...breathe...enjoy this life that God has planned for me and I usually reflect on the day and pray to God to help me feel a peace in my life, even when I am at work. I feel that God has lead me to this mission trip for this exact purpose (among many other reasons).
You see, this trip is, in a way, selfish in nature. I am going on this mission because I feel a real sense of peace with myself and with those around me when I think of going to Africa or volunteering here in Tucson. No one could, or can, steal this peace from me even if they tried...
James 3:17-18
"But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness."
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
The Nitty Gritty
So you may be asking a lot of questions in regards to my trip to Africa (or maybe you are not)...either way I will attempt at answering all questions. Please let me know if you have any further questions...I like to talk :)
So on with the who, what, where, when, why, and sometimes, how...
Who:
Who is going on this trip?
Me, myself, and I and 8 other team members. 2 males and 7 females...those poor men! We range in age, but the average age is mid 20's. We are from all over the US and I look forward to meeting all of them face-to-face. We have to meet via conference calls every other week and we are in contact with each other in between those meetings via phone, email, facebook, myspace, etc. to get to know one another and prepare for our trip. It is truly amazing how technology can bring people together.
What:
What am I doing in Africa?
I am a member of an organization called Mocha Club. It is a Christian based organization where you donate $7/month (cost of 2 mochas - hence the name) toward a cause of your choice (education in Africa, clean water projects, orphanages, etc). Mocha Club decided to let their members see first hand what giving up 2 mochas each month can do for Africa. I jumped at this opportunity and applied.
We, my team and I, are first and foremost going there to love the people...serve and observe...Experience lives being changed...and it will probably be my own life that will change the most from this mission.
My team will be working at local orphanages throughout Ethiopia with Mocha Club director, Barrett Ward. These orphanages are for children from tiny babies to adolescents.
Where:
Where am I going?
In case you missed it, I'm going to Africa...:) more specifically, Ethiopia. We will work at a local orphanage in the capital of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa.
Here’s a quick, general breakdown of our time once on the ground in Addis Ababa. We’ll be visiting a number of ministry sites around the city as well as the area of Ambo just outside Addis Ababa.
* Kachini Study Center – 3 days
* Hannah’s orphanage – 3 days
* AWAA Transitional home – 1 day
* Ambo – 3 days total
· Kaly Hewet Church – 3 half days
· New Hope School – 3 half days
When:
When am I going?
Less than 3 months and couting...
I leave July 1 for Dallas. My team and I will be meeting in Dallas since that is where 963 missions (who Mocha Club partnered with to handle the logistics of the mission trips) is based. My team will then leave July 2nd from Dallas to Ethiopia and we will return July 15th.
As some of you know, it is difficult to get that much time off in any job, but with Target Corp. (who I work for), it is near impossible. However, I have been blessed to have my supervisor support me and she has let me take 2 weeks off. I'm sure I only benefit from the fact that my supervisor is Ethiopian herself and she is very excited for me to go...how ironic and great!!
Why:
Why go?
Why not go? This desire only comes from God and I truly believe that we can never give up hope for Africa and the people that call Africa their home.
For the first time in world history, a genocide was proclaimed in Africa, Sudan, while it is still occurring...I can not turn away from this fact...we know and we must act, I must act! I go because I'm convicted...I must go to at least show that we have not forgotten...
I have no box to check once I go, it's not something that I will take off my list of things to do in my lifetime...I can assure you of that...
How:
How am I going?
I am arriving on plane in Ethiopia after only a few hour flight :)
I am going once I have raised enough funds and when I know that I am prepared spiritually...period.
Cost:
$3150 - includes roundtrip airfare to and from Ethiopia and all accomodations while I'm there
1) I raise support
2) I support myself
How you can help:
#1 Support me in prayer
I was talking to one of my peers from this trip a few days ago and I was asking her to pray for me to have a support team. I long to have a team that is back home that is praying for me and my team and is just as much a part of this trip as everyone that is actually going to Ethiopia. Being spiritually prepared for this trip is my #1 priority.
I ask for safety, security and health of my team. I also ask that our hearts and minds be prepared to serve.
For more information, please take a look at these websites to find out more:
http://www.mochaclub.org/
http://www.africanleadership.org/ (mocha club's parent company)
http://www.963missions.com/
#2 Support me financially
I love, love, love coffee! I also love fair trade/wage coffee. If you love coffee and supporting people that deserve it, then try out 963missions fair trade coffee that is fresh from Guatemala. 963missions has partnered with farmers in Guatemala so that they give 60% of the proceeds back to the farmers for every bag of coffee that they sell. If you buy their coffee, you support the farmers (60%) and the other 40% of your total purchase will be donated to my trip to Africa. You can click the link below and it saves a "cookie" on your computer so that your computer "knows" to make the donation to my account.
http://www.963coffee.com/c-1-963-coffee.aspx?affiliateID=10127
* My niece loves the hot cocoa *
What if you want to send a check?
Make the check out to African Leadership
Mail to:
963 Missions
10440 N. Central Expressway
Suite,122
Dallas, TX 75231
Or to me:
Jennifer Erickson
2002 E. River Rd. Apt. L-1
Tucson, AZ 85718
Please feel free to ask me any and all questions...
email: jennyerickson26@hotmail.com
cell: 616.301.5103
Thanks for finding out more about my trip and for the support that I have already received...
Much love,
Jen
So on with the who, what, where, when, why, and sometimes, how...
Who:
Who is going on this trip?
Me, myself, and I and 8 other team members. 2 males and 7 females...those poor men! We range in age, but the average age is mid 20's. We are from all over the US and I look forward to meeting all of them face-to-face. We have to meet via conference calls every other week and we are in contact with each other in between those meetings via phone, email, facebook, myspace, etc. to get to know one another and prepare for our trip. It is truly amazing how technology can bring people together.
What:
What am I doing in Africa?
I am a member of an organization called Mocha Club. It is a Christian based organization where you donate $7/month (cost of 2 mochas - hence the name) toward a cause of your choice (education in Africa, clean water projects, orphanages, etc). Mocha Club decided to let their members see first hand what giving up 2 mochas each month can do for Africa. I jumped at this opportunity and applied.
We, my team and I, are first and foremost going there to love the people...serve and observe...Experience lives being changed...and it will probably be my own life that will change the most from this mission.
My team will be working at local orphanages throughout Ethiopia with Mocha Club director, Barrett Ward. These orphanages are for children from tiny babies to adolescents.
Where:
Where am I going?
In case you missed it, I'm going to Africa...:) more specifically, Ethiopia. We will work at a local orphanage in the capital of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa.
Here’s a quick, general breakdown of our time once on the ground in Addis Ababa. We’ll be visiting a number of ministry sites around the city as well as the area of Ambo just outside Addis Ababa.
* Kachini Study Center – 3 days
* Hannah’s orphanage – 3 days
* AWAA Transitional home – 1 day
* Ambo – 3 days total
· Kaly Hewet Church – 3 half days
· New Hope School – 3 half days
When:
When am I going?
Less than 3 months and couting...
I leave July 1 for Dallas. My team and I will be meeting in Dallas since that is where 963 missions (who Mocha Club partnered with to handle the logistics of the mission trips) is based. My team will then leave July 2nd from Dallas to Ethiopia and we will return July 15th.
As some of you know, it is difficult to get that much time off in any job, but with Target Corp. (who I work for), it is near impossible. However, I have been blessed to have my supervisor support me and she has let me take 2 weeks off. I'm sure I only benefit from the fact that my supervisor is Ethiopian herself and she is very excited for me to go...how ironic and great!!
Why:
Why go?
Why not go? This desire only comes from God and I truly believe that we can never give up hope for Africa and the people that call Africa their home.
For the first time in world history, a genocide was proclaimed in Africa, Sudan, while it is still occurring...I can not turn away from this fact...we know and we must act, I must act! I go because I'm convicted...I must go to at least show that we have not forgotten...
I have no box to check once I go, it's not something that I will take off my list of things to do in my lifetime...I can assure you of that...
How:
How am I going?
I am arriving on plane in Ethiopia after only a few hour flight :)
I am going once I have raised enough funds and when I know that I am prepared spiritually...period.
Cost:
$3150 - includes roundtrip airfare to and from Ethiopia and all accomodations while I'm there
1) I raise support
2) I support myself
How you can help:
#1 Support me in prayer
I was talking to one of my peers from this trip a few days ago and I was asking her to pray for me to have a support team. I long to have a team that is back home that is praying for me and my team and is just as much a part of this trip as everyone that is actually going to Ethiopia. Being spiritually prepared for this trip is my #1 priority.
I ask for safety, security and health of my team. I also ask that our hearts and minds be prepared to serve.
For more information, please take a look at these websites to find out more:
http://www.mochaclub.org/
http://www.africanleadership.org/ (mocha club's parent company)
http://www.963missions.com/
#2 Support me financially
I love, love, love coffee! I also love fair trade/wage coffee. If you love coffee and supporting people that deserve it, then try out 963missions fair trade coffee that is fresh from Guatemala. 963missions has partnered with farmers in Guatemala so that they give 60% of the proceeds back to the farmers for every bag of coffee that they sell. If you buy their coffee, you support the farmers (60%) and the other 40% of your total purchase will be donated to my trip to Africa. You can click the link below and it saves a "cookie" on your computer so that your computer "knows" to make the donation to my account.
http://www.963coffee.com/c-1-963-coffee.aspx?affiliateID=10127
* My niece loves the hot cocoa *
What if you want to send a check?
Make the check out to African Leadership
Mail to:
963 Missions
10440 N. Central Expressway
Suite,122
Dallas, TX 75231
Or to me:
Jennifer Erickson
2002 E. River Rd. Apt. L-1
Tucson, AZ 85718
Please feel free to ask me any and all questions...
email: jennyerickson26@hotmail.com
cell: 616.301.5103
Thanks for finding out more about my trip and for the support that I have already received...
Much love,
Jen
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Going to Africa
I went for a run today with Rider (my pup). I decided to go up to Mt. Lemmon since it is typically 20 degrees cooler than scorching Tucson. We ran the trails at about mile 20 at about 6000 ft. elevation...perfect weather. Absolutely breathtaking views of Tucson to the south of the trail and to the north were more pine trees than I could count (including patches of snow between the trees). It felt like I had flown to another part of the country, even though I was still in good ol' Tucson, AZ. I love it there...I love the sweet smell of the pine needles. I love how quiet it is with just the sound of Rider's paws on the rocks along the trail and my wheezing breath as I try to run along the overgrown trailheads. I love watching the hawks soar across the sky and then dive toward the ground. I could go on and on about how nice it is to get away to my own little haven, even if it is for only an hour. My point is, Mt. Lemmon is a blessing to have when living in the desert.
After our run, Rider and I jumped back into the Rover and made our way down the winding 20 miles toward Tucson. My mood sours with each moment as I descend down the mountain. It is depressing to be leaving such a beautiful place and I try to soak in the scenery that is changing by the second. There is a paved parking area for a lookout that is usually littered with cars and people taking photographs of the picturesque Tucson (the only time that I can say that about Tucson being "picturesque"). On this particular drive home I saw an older gentleman attempting to take a picture of a boulder that is perched warily on top of another...it is quite amazing...but my thoughts did not wander toward the fact it seems impossible for this boulder to have stayed perched in that particular fashion for thousands of years. Instead my thoughts wandered toward the man taking the picture. Why would someone want to take a picture of this boulder on the side of the road, that so many people before him have seen and taken pictures of? Why not get off the well-beaten-path and find his own spot and maybe take a picture that is worth more than the one he was taking? Isn't this how life is, though? We are comfortable staying on the path, yet we don't realize that there is more to see if we were to stray from the path we are on? I believe that I saw more of Mt. Lemmon on my run with Rider than I could have ever seen at a lookout spot on the way up.
I used to be like the man by the side of the road taking pictures. I used to be a bystander to my own life. I did things that I thought were best for me, but never made me happy. Then I met Matt, my boyfriend, who has this huge zest for life! You think of an activity (outdoors preferably) and he has done it. Dating him has made me realize that I love doing those exact same things, but I never let myself do them. The second part of my "waking up" is when I moved to Tucson, I had a real difficult time deciding what I was doing out here and I wanted to find my niche. It came in a desire to volunteer, talk to the homeless on the street, and to top it all off, I wanted to go to Africa. For those of you who know me, I haven't had the desire to do these things so it came as a real shock to me when I found myself drawn to talking to John Doe on the street corner. So, long story short, I followed this desire to go to Africa. God said go and I'm going...
I have learned so much about myself from this mission, and I haven't even gone yet. I invite you to join this trip with me and I will keep you posted on the logistics of this trip, my spiritual growth, my team, and much more....
I pray for all of you that God moves you to get out of your car, hike a trail and take in your surroundings...there is more to life than meets the eye:)
Much love,
Jen
After our run, Rider and I jumped back into the Rover and made our way down the winding 20 miles toward Tucson. My mood sours with each moment as I descend down the mountain. It is depressing to be leaving such a beautiful place and I try to soak in the scenery that is changing by the second. There is a paved parking area for a lookout that is usually littered with cars and people taking photographs of the picturesque Tucson (the only time that I can say that about Tucson being "picturesque"). On this particular drive home I saw an older gentleman attempting to take a picture of a boulder that is perched warily on top of another...it is quite amazing...but my thoughts did not wander toward the fact it seems impossible for this boulder to have stayed perched in that particular fashion for thousands of years. Instead my thoughts wandered toward the man taking the picture. Why would someone want to take a picture of this boulder on the side of the road, that so many people before him have seen and taken pictures of? Why not get off the well-beaten-path and find his own spot and maybe take a picture that is worth more than the one he was taking? Isn't this how life is, though? We are comfortable staying on the path, yet we don't realize that there is more to see if we were to stray from the path we are on? I believe that I saw more of Mt. Lemmon on my run with Rider than I could have ever seen at a lookout spot on the way up.
I used to be like the man by the side of the road taking pictures. I used to be a bystander to my own life. I did things that I thought were best for me, but never made me happy. Then I met Matt, my boyfriend, who has this huge zest for life! You think of an activity (outdoors preferably) and he has done it. Dating him has made me realize that I love doing those exact same things, but I never let myself do them. The second part of my "waking up" is when I moved to Tucson, I had a real difficult time deciding what I was doing out here and I wanted to find my niche. It came in a desire to volunteer, talk to the homeless on the street, and to top it all off, I wanted to go to Africa. For those of you who know me, I haven't had the desire to do these things so it came as a real shock to me when I found myself drawn to talking to John Doe on the street corner. So, long story short, I followed this desire to go to Africa. God said go and I'm going...
I have learned so much about myself from this mission, and I haven't even gone yet. I invite you to join this trip with me and I will keep you posted on the logistics of this trip, my spiritual growth, my team, and much more....
I pray for all of you that God moves you to get out of your car, hike a trail and take in your surroundings...there is more to life than meets the eye:)
Much love,
Jen
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