Friday, June 15, 2007

"No one looks at me?!" (Email to Friends!)

Hey Herd,

Guess what….I’m home! Yup!

I came home on Wednesday night- as a surprise for my family. They’ve known for maybe a month, or so? But I’ve been planning the trip for maybe 5 months!! :) It’s a surprise for the rest of my family- only a few people know so far!!

I’m home for about 2 weeks. Next week, it’s my big family reunion in NC- there are now more than 100 people on my mom’s side of the family! There were less than 100 when I left!!! The week after that, I’ll probably go visit my brother in New Jersey- he is working at a summer camp there. I go back to South Asia on June 29th, or 30th I think. Things there are going really well. I’m so encouraged by all that’s happening there. I still have 2 months left on my project in South Asia and then hope to travel a bit for about a month after that, so I’ll be home again in about 3 months - October.

I can’t tell you how good, sad, strange, weird, and comfortable it feels to be back home after 2 years. My bed must be the softest bed ever made…really! I asked my mom, “was this a different bed than I had before?” She was like, “um, no.” I’m shocked- wow, the softness is unbelievable.

I asked Natalie, “why don’t you go check the tanks…” meaning- go up to the roof and see how much water came today, since where we are, that’s a daily routine- and recently, the water’s been really low. I asked my mom, “Do you guys just drink this water, right from the tap?”

Yesterday my mom and Natalie had planned to go to WalMart and out to lunch- I told them I was scared to go out…all those white people!! Honestly, I’ve not been around more than about 20 white people the whole time I’ve been away from home- and certainly not more than 20 white people who ALL SPEAK THE SAME LANGUAGE, ENGLISH!! Ahh!

Needless to say, I went with them. In the WalMart, Natalie and I needed to ask the price on something, and the first words that came to my mind were, “yuh katuk duble chu?” (or yek kitna kya hai- for those hindi speakers, "how much is this" for English speakers!). I haven’t dealt with an English speaking shopkeeper for a really long time. I told my dad, “slow down!” on the way home from Philadelphia airport- that must be to the fastest I’ve ever gone. For the first time in two years, I wore a seat belt. It isn't that I don't feel like I need one in South Asia, but it's because generally the people are so close together, it holds you in tighter than any seat belt!! Oh yeah, and while I feel like I’m way out of place here, NO ONE LOOKS AT ME! But I feel like I know everyone! All the Americans look alike!

Anyway, I just wanted to let you know I’m back in town!!!!! However…..I must also say that my family has demanded my full attention during these two short week!!! Thus, I’m not sure how much roaming around I’ll be able to do in Newark…I’m not sure how if I’ll get to see any of you, it could be that our reunion might have to wait til I really get home in October….

~ Liz

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Workshop Update (Email Update)

Short Version – see quotes below: (See also pictures at the bottom!)

I don’t even know where to begin. Maybe a few quotes from the workshop will help…

“I learned that we shouldn’t go into villages and say, ‘I’m here to preach to you in the name of Jesus,’ we should say, ‘I have a story to tell you, do you want to hear it?’” (comment by a village woman who hasn’t ever been to the city before, or attended any kind of ‘religious/formal’ meeting)

“When she leaves, what will we do? How will we keep this going?” (comment made by a local leader, in reference to continuing the storying workshops, in spite of the fact that Robin and I are leaving). The discussion led into them deciding to have more storying workshops among themselves in the four main areas where they live.

“I don’t want to, but I feel like I can leave Kahan now. You are here to carry on the work.” (me- sharing with the participants the joy and encouragement that they are to me- to see them excited to carry on the work even after we leave…wow).



Overall, the workshop was a huge success. Even saying that, I feel like I’m containing all that God did in just a few words that don’t really do it justice. He really blew me away with how well everything went- from logistics, to communicating with the participants, to their overall energetic attitude about stories.

I walked home from the workshop on the second day watching the beautiful sunset behind the mountains, and tears came to my eyes. I realized that while there is still a ton of work to be done among the Kahani people, perhaps the work I came here to do over the past two years is really starting to pay off. That is, getting the tool of storying into the hands of those who will use it, not just this month- but for the rest of their lives. I realized how strangely wonderful it felt to realize I might not be needed anymore, or perhaps not in the same capacity.

I kept wondering how it was that things went so smoothly and even better than planned. Another quote can help me out here:

“Right now there are probably about 100 people praying for you, and this workshop!” (me- sharing with the participants that people all the way in America are praying for them specifically!)

I can’t tell you how much I felt your prayers. The past few weeks have been physically, emotionally and sometimes spiritually draining and I knew that even though I had a lot of excitement for the workshop, I was going to need some extra strength to get through it. I have to say that at the end of both days I felt energized just by watching Him do His stuff. And the power behind that was YOUR PRAYERS. Wow. How can I thank you enough?

To Him be the Glory,

~ Elizabeth

45 minutes from HOME! (Journal Entry)

I'm about about 45 minutes from re-entering the states, after 2 years. I can see the Atlantic beneath the clouds, the white caps sparkling.

What to think, how to feel- I’m still not sure. In the past three days of travel, I didn’t figure it out yet. I spent 5 hours in Frankfort airport- realizing that it cost me $10.00 to eat at McDonalds. Whoa. I might starve if it costs me that much…my goodness!

I slept a lot on the first plane, and slept probably half on this plane. Part of me feels like I’ll have a good handle on jet lag. But we’ll see. I can’t wait to see Natalie, Mommy and Daddy- I assume they will all be at the airport.

I don’t even know what awaits me, what changes the house and my room have undergone. At least we have the same house. Mark won’t be there…since he is at camp. I can’t believe that potentially I might not have to think about work at all for 2 weeks. I also won’t speak Kahani at all...

Lord, you know what changes my mind, heart and soul will go through over the next few weeks. Please guide me. Help me to seek you. Help me to really ‘be all here’ in America. It might be one of the easiest times in my life for me to really be all in one place- since I know in the back of my mind I’m returning to India shortly…I have nothing to lose by giving myself fully to where I am. Help me to do that. Help me to continue to shine for you wherever I go.

I love you Jesus.

Returning home

I am on my way home for a two week break, mainly for my mom's family reunion....

I'm sitting in the Frankfort Airport right now on a lay-over...Here are some of the things I'm seeing....
- African Americans…like 5 or 6 of them…first black people I think I’ve seen in 2 years.
- More white people, less Indians.
- Sleeveless shirts
- A double stroller – why doesn’t she carry those kids? Better yet, why don’t they walk- and carry their bags on their heads, they’re old enough.
- Everyone’s a little fatter…

I could go on, but need to get on the plane...

Saturday, June 9, 2007

Going Home Lyrics by Chris Daughtry

I'm going to the place where love and feeling good don’t ever cost a thing
And the pain you feel is a different kind of pain

Chorus:
I’m going home, back to the place where I belong.
Where your love has always been enough for me.
I’m running from, No,I think you’ve got me all wrong.
I don’t regret this life you’ve chose for me.
But these faces and these places are getting old.
So I’m going home. I’m going home.

Friday, June 8, 2007

Wanting to be away from somewhere... (Letter to Mark)

Hand written letter to my 16 year old brother, Mark (who just got to the camp where he is working this summer):

“Hey Mark. Welcome to New Jersey! I guess you’ve just arrived to Harvey Cedars? How is it so far? Exciting? Scary? Lonely? Crowded? Hot, dirty? I hope you are adjusting well. One thing to remember – it’s only 2 (or 3?) months! You might as well make the most of it! What I mean is – there will be times I’m sure that you’ll wish you were home. Or maybe even just wish to be anywhere else but where you are. But – you are supposed to be there right now – so be there! Don’t wish to be anywhere else! When you find yourself wishing to get away, look for opportunities to serve him. Yes, even if that means washing the pots and pans!

Now, wanting to be away from somewhere is not the same as wanting to be home. Many times (most times) I wanted to be home really bad, but I also wanted to be here. And I think that is ok. Of course you’ll miss home and family. You’re allowed to miss them. It’s natural. If you don’t miss them, it’s not because you’re just tough and macho and can handle it. That’s what I first thought. I thought if I can withstand getting homesick, then that means I’m strong and such. But no – what it means is that you’re prideful and trying to fight a losing battle. Missing home is good and fine. As long as it doesn’t then lead you too far – so that you end up disliking the place where you are. That’s when you have to be careful. Be content where you are, but don’t dismiss your longing for home. And remember that Mommy (And Daddy!) want to know that you miss them!!

Alright, I’ll stop now. Perhaps you’re like, ‘uh, I just got here, I’m loving it and I don’t miss home at all! If that’s the case, just save this card for later! :)

Love you,

Lizzie

Tuesday, June 5, 2007

After all that.... (Email to Parents)

After spending most of the day making beds, finding blankets, pillows, sheets, and rearranging the rooms to fit 6-7 ladies…(coming for the storying workshop)

After figuring out with Anju and Panna how many kilos of flour to get, how many tomatoes, potatoes, etc…

After trying to fill up a big bucket to store water in- just in case….

After receiving a phone call from theie leader saying that only 6 people were coming (3 men, 3 women)…then, spending several other phone calls trying to see if they might all be able to stay in leprosy mission….

After deciding that ‘no they would still stay with me,’ going to leprosy mission, meeting the women- who were all agreeing to come stay with me…

After they saw the accommodations in leprosy mission, and after one hurt her foot (not badly or anything), they asked if they might stay there…

After the women asked, “Will you be angry” and me saying, “no, it is really up to you- whatever you want to stay, is fine with me…” them saying they wanted to stay there.

After going back to the office and asking if they could stay there, it was settled- The women are staying there…for now….after all that!!

I could see myself in America several years ago being very frustrated about the whole thing- all the indecisiveness, and going back and forth- and the numbers growing, then shrinking…talk about up to the last minute. But, really, all in all- I wasn’t too disturbed by any of the events of the day….if I was upset, then I probably haven’t lived in this country long enough to know to just expect all that!!!! Of course if I was truly Indian, I probably wouldn’t have spent most of the day preparing for them since I should have expected it to change five times before they got here anyhow!!! All well, I still have time to learn! :)

Anyway, just thought I’d update you! I'm excited about the workshop tomorrow!!

Thanks for praying…..

~ Elizabeth

Friday, June 1, 2007

Two weeks ago, this week, next week (Email Update)

Update- June 1, 2007

Update- Short Version
· Two weeks ago: Our training in Thailand went well- learning how to make professional recordings of our stories, and how to possibly put the stories on the radio. It was also encouraging to reconnect with other teams and hear what He is doing in different countries.

· This week: Testing the whole set (29 stories) – with people who haven’t heard them.

· Next week: Conducting our Second Storying workshop- June 6-7th.

Longer Version
THIS WEEK (Testing the whole story set!)
I have already tested the whole set (our 29 stories combined are 2 hours and 3 minutes long!) with some friends from the highest caste and today, I finished testing the set with a friend of our house helper’s who is part of the lowest caste. This 45 year old woman has a third grade education and can’t read or write.

After hearing all the stories, the following conversations took place:

Me- “Do you think Moses, David, and Peter have a special relationship with God?
Friend- “Yes, because they listened to God, and did what he said…”
Me- “Do you think Kahani people would want this relationship with God?”
Friend- “yes…”
Me- How could they have that?
Friend- following God, trusting in Yishu, listening to what he says…
Me- But this God says to not worship other gods, so if you follow Him, what would that mean?
Friend- it means you can’t follow other gods.
Me- When I go to Kahani people’s homes, I see many pictures of gods and staues (idols), so I think for Kahani people this would be hard, or make them angry- what do you think?
Friend- yes, maybe…
Me- What is the benefit of following Yishu?
Friend- he can help you, he can do good things, you can also become good, etc.

In whom, or what is your confidence?
On a positive note, it seems that the idea that one can’t follow Yishu in addition to other gods seems to be getting across. But, it would also be nice if the answer to “what is the benefit of following Yishu” was, “to forgive my sins and help me have a right relationship with God!”

We realized several months ago that Kahani people don’t practice forgiveness, so because of that, we added phrases in our stories and additional stories that illustrated forgiveness to try and emphasize that point. However, I’m starting to wonder if most of the Kahani people do not see themselves as sinners- or at least not really bad sinners. So, even though now they might understand the concept of forgiveness from the stories, they don’t see a need for it themselves, and so they don’t mention this in their answers.

Realizing that the part of the message of the stories is perhaps still not getting through, I became discouraged. Thinking back over the two years that we’ve been here, I started to wonder what could have been done differently, or what other stories could have been told to make the message clearer. I felt hopeless, feeling like the stories are only that- just stories, and nothing more. Then, this morning I read:


“Blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by heat or worried by long months of doubt. Their leaves stay green and they go right on producing delicious fruit.”
~ Jeremiah 17:7-8 NLT


God showed me that I had made the stories my confidence and hope. I started realizing that the stories are actually just stories. Yes, they are God’s Word, but without God’s holy spirit working through them, ‘ke ni hoon’ (‘nothing will happen’- a popular phrase among Kahani people). I thanked God for the reminder that my hope should be in Him. I also realized that I need to earnestly ask Him to fill in the gaps in the stories and for Him to reveal the truth to people.

NEXT WEEK- (STORYING WORKSHOP- June 6-7!!!)
I am so excited about what He will do at this workshop. There are more people planning to come to this one, and hopefully more women this time too! I can’t wait to share with them some of what we’ve done, but more importantly, model how they can craft stories and use them to reach the Kahani people.

While my main focus during the past years has been these stories, being able to pass on the tool of storying to nationals seems to make our work more worthwhile. It also feels like such a high privilege! I can’t wait to take it on!

Since Robin is away, I will be conducting the workshop, by myself. Pray for perseverance!

P&P
Praise for a refreshing time in Thailand.
Praise for reconnecting with neighbors, and them saying they missed me, and also missed the stories!!
Pray for Robin, as she has been in another country visiting a good friend for two weeks. Pray for a refreshing time for her.
Pray for Robin, as she travels to help with some consultant checks.
Pray for the storying workshop- Pray that I would be able to effectively and practically communicate the idea of storying. And pray that the participants catch the vision of how to use stories to reach their own Kahani people!
Pray also for adjustment to the idea of leaving my “home” here in less than 3 months.

Til All Have Heard,

~ Elizabeth

“It is in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for.”
~ Ephesians 11a