Random Thought Thursday: Edmond-centric Me

What time is it: 1013A

Where am I: in the living room with the backdoor open, enjoying the cool, crisp, fall weather

Listening to: The clock tick beside the computer reminding me that I still have work to catch up on- still have things waiting to be accomplished today.

Last ate: Oh dear, well, to be honest I think it was cold, leftover, Chick-fil-a nuggets ISH didn't want to eat last night. I'm sure three days from now he will remember them and want them and I will (again) have to admit that I ate them instead. I'm sure this is in some way giving my children a complex we will have to deal with in therapy later on, but then, I mean really, would the chicken still be good when he comes around to remembering it?

Thoughts: I've never considered myself to be Edmond-centric, or Oklahoma-centric, or even USA-centric.

I've traveled enough to know there are other people out there. Other people who do things differently than I do, other people who matter just as much as I do.

And yet, when I was at the Continent Care Connection, I found myself face to face with my own Edmond-centric thoughts.

Maybe it was because the first time I heard "God of This City" it was when my church was preparing for a work down in my city and so the words were clearly being applied to my life here. Or maybe it's because I had never been in another city and heard this song sung.

But on the opening day of our time with the ladies in South American, when they sang God of This City, I realized they weren't singing about Edmond, or Oklahoma. They were singing about the places they lived. They were singing about the work they are doing and the ways they are witnessing God move in their cities. And like that I felt a deep connection with the women there.

We may not all live in the same city- even the 17 women from the Connection Team don't live in the same city let alone the 41 participants. But we all witness the same God move in amazing ways where we are.

So when I came back I knew this song needed to be added to the way I now see not only Brazil, but also the way I see the numerous other places these women came from. Their mission is now deeply within my heart- the same mission I have here in my city- to show others how great the love of God is- how much he wants to be in our lives. To show them that no matter the city, He is God.

CCC Day 9/10

Well you know what they say, when the participants are away, the team heads into the city ...

Eats mounds of yummy food ...

Drinks loads of fancy coffee ...

Uses the restaurant-provided dental floss...

and restaurant provided Listerine ...

Shops (too busy shopping to take photos) ...

And has a post-conference good time.

CCC Day 8

Our final day with the women.  Before they left we wanted to remind them that, as one participant said, sometimes they need to be washing feet, but sometimes they need to have their feet washed.

And we wanted to have one final time of worship together.

But after all that calm and quiet wrap up was finished- my fellow photographer and myself took on the mountain of a task of downloading the pictures and videos from the week onto the participants computers.

And burning CDs for the ones without computers.  All with only 1 1/2 hours before the bus arrived to take the ladies to the airport.

By the time the bus arrived we were short only two CDS, so we advised two ladies with computers how to initiate a burn CD while sent them all on their way, 3 hours north to the airport.

So far, we've only learned of one CD and one computer that had only 1 file on them (instead of the almost 1000 pictures and roughly 13 videos it should have had!)  I figure 2 out of 41 isn't too bad.  But here's to hoping they are the only ones.

When the bus arrived to take the women back to the Sao Paulo airport, it was time for final goodbyes.

It was truly a blessing to spend time with such amazing women.

CCC Day 7

Today was the wrap up day

and the farewell party

Complete with all things junk-food that the ladies don't get very often while living in South America

But don't worry, we had some healthy snacks too

And for the talent the ladies put on different skits.  In one of the skits a participant put on a bang up impersonation of me.  This girl nailed me! I told her I was changing my facebook profile to a picture of her from that night and everyone would just think I got a good tan in Brazil!  She studied me right down to the spikey hair and nose stud.

It was definitely good to share many many many laughs with the ladies before they headed back to their work.

CCC Day 6

Another amazing day!  I'm guessing it's because we finally sang "There is Sunshine in my Soul" that begged the sun to come out.  We all flocked outside during the break to soak it in.

Let's just say they weren't too happy with me when it was time to ring the bowl and have them all come inside.  Did I mention I have the job of time guru?  I guess someone filled them in on the secret that my life is run by my phone timer and they thought I would be well suited for the job.  Plus I really like to clang the singing bowl- it makes me feel all Eastern-like :)

In the evening we had a prayer walk on the beach with the women 

and had the most amazing sunset.

In case you're wondering, this is exactly how these women see me

I'm pretty sure they think I don't have a face.

And in the evening the women from Brazil sang a song for us in Portuguese that they sing in church.  When they were done the women who live in Spanish speaking countries shouted out we sing that too!  And then they sang it for us in Spanish.  I think MRCC should learn how to lead this I've always wanted to "ooooyuo!" in church.

Oh- and my friend's babies continue to do well.  If you want to see their faces while you pray for them you can watch this video.  Their mama is the one singing at the end.  Beautiful!

CCC Day 5

Things are going well at the Connection.  This was our first full day with the ladies and it was a day full of connecting with God through worship

and through taking time to process moments of definition in our lives- times when the world has seemed upside down.  But we are working through these moments to see how the hand of God did (or in some cases is) moving to bring us into closer communion with him.

And we also connected with each other through Connection groups and fellowship

and through times of prayer with one another

And it has been amazing to what these women come together and support one another.

I read a blog a while back that talks about how they put on a Brave Girl Camp.  And I think the concept behind what they do is pretty cool.  However, I'd say I'm at my own kind of Brave Girl Camp right now full of women who have left all they know- their families, their friends, their country of origin- all for the love of a Savior.  All because they deeply believe in the message of hope He has to offer and they are willing to give it all up for Him.  I am deeply honored to be here.

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But for all of you who feel this may be getting a little too touchy-feely (I'm at a retreat full of spiritual women, what else do you expect!).  Here are a few shots from around town that I took with one of my teammates, Christy.  We borrowed bikes from the hotel workers (see how fabulous mine is!)

and had fun watching for cars whose drivers have no regard for human life and catching a few pictures here and there.

Oh! And we had the most amazing sunset!

A beautiful gift at the end of a beautiful day.

CCC Day 4

While yesterday was a day of full hearts for our friends (which by the way, things continue well.  24 hours down, 48 to go before we all breathe a little deeper on it though), it was our final morning of preparation before the ladies arrived.

We had a wonderful prayer walk on the beach to pray blessings over the women as they were coming and pray for wisdom for ourselves to know what to say and how to give them what they need.

But after the tables were arranged and the final preparations done, we still had time to squeeze in a walk to town to catch some surfers

And eat some Acai dessert (the best way I can describe it is a mix between a smoothy and sorbet. But the sound the machines make as the man is making it sounds like a chainsaw on a cow.  So I was a bit skeptical).

But then ... THE LADIES ARRIVED!!!!

And it was time to get this party started!!!

It is such a blessing to have the women here and it's only been 24 hours!  They are full of life and joy and I can already tell you now it will be a toss up between who walks away more blessed by the end of this week.

We ended the evening with a wonderful time of prayer over the women as we sang "Let Your Spirit Come".  And I can feel it here already.

So close and yet...

I am in Brazil. I am three hours south of Sao Paulo. I have been praying for this time with these women for almost 1 year. I am excited to be here and see the amazing ways God is moving. I feel peace here and know this is where I am suppose to be.

But five hours to the other side of Sao Paulo a friend of mine is sleeping in a Brazilian hospitial with his wife. She delivered twins last night very prematurely. From what I heard this morning the she is doing well and will be doing so much better tomorrow when her parents arrive.

The babies are in NICU (thankfully they are at the best one in their town) and while they are crying and breathing, the first 72 hours are the most vital.

It's hard to be so close (compared to myraids of people in Oklahoma who wish they were as close as I am right now), and yet to be so far away. One of their fellow team members and many other women who love them are here with me feeling the same way -- knowing we are where we need to be, but sending part of our hearts to be with them.

And I've been repeating to myself the lyrics from Mighty to Save. Reminding myself that my God is the Savior who can move the mountains. He is the one who conquered the grave. And he is forever and ever the one who can save.

And I'm struck-- this too is part of mission work. This is part of "leaving your father and mother" for the call of the Lord.

It is truly amazing the sacrific the missionaries make for the cause of Christ. But what I see with my friend and with the stories of many women here, it is equally amazing the sacrifice those they leave behind when the missionaries go make as well.

CCC Day 3

Today was a day of preparation where we finished up some last minute training and readied the hotel for the participants arrival tomorrow.

But lest you think all work and no play, we also took this day as a day of Sabbath rest.  We worshipped while watching the waves pound the beach- praising God for his mighty powers

and watched the fog roll back in

We had some more amazing Brazilian food

And I spent time getting to know some of the team members better

The time with these women has already been such an amazing blessing to my life and is challenging me to dive deeper into God, to discover the joy of spiritual discipline and to enjoy the unique creation he has made me to be-- all this before the participants even arrive!  

I'm looking forward to stepping out of the way to see how God will continue to move as the ladies arrive tomorrow.