As I continue to get messages and replies, I have been released from On High to share my sentiments on Israel, Palestine and beyond.
An open letter to those who say,
“NO! DON’T GO THERE!”
Shalom,
Thank you so much for your comment. I am incredibly pleased to hear from you. The gift of this educational tour is to see the conglomeration of the bitter and beautiful. The goal of Passages Israel and COGIC World Missions is to provide an authentic experience of Israel.
Although much that I’ve experienced has been magnificently overwhelming because of the Biblical historical context while visiting, I’ve also witnessed heart wrenching facts right before my eyes and observed the misery that many endure. I’ve touched these people and walked on their grounds in their community.
👵🏾 On the #WashingtonDeluxe 🚌 #bus from #NYC to #DC and I’m grateful for the last rest stop. I just took one of the #bracelets that my 103 year-old Great-Grandma Brown left behind after transitioning in February (She departed on #Superbowl Sunday and during Black History Month. She did nothing small even in her departure! 😂) and moved it closer to my #heart. ❤️
And while you’re celebrating, someone somewhere is suffering.
There’s very little grace that accompanies mourning, I’d say. Plenty of grit with it, paired with sorrow. That’s the natural bit.
But Grace. She’s enviable in my opinion. How she holds her head high while most hold theirs low. I envy her. She grabs tissue for others while tears simultaneously stream down her face. Oh, Grace.
💋
And then there’s Grit. Courageous enough to cry–wail even, openly. Falling in laps continuously to exhale, moan, and weep. Flailing arms high in question and bowing at reality. You’re so over the top, Grit. I know you well.
My time in Saudi Arabia was sweetened by the people. Both the students and staff from the universities and the members of my church home in Riyadh added sweetness to each day.
Below you’ll find one of the treasures of my trek. This song, until this very hour, held lyrics that I never understood, but always enjoyed hearing members of my church sing at various points in the service. Asking invites answers. It’s just that simple. Google invites answers too. But it’s always fresher to get it straight from the source.
This Zulu song and is truly music to my ears. Now the lyrics ring even louder in my soul.
(Jesus is gracious towards me)
Have you ever heard a song in a foreign language that spoke to you although you didn’t know the meaning? How long did it take you to find the meaning? I hope I’ll never wait this long to dig into the meaning of a song.
(The video is NOT from Grace Outreach Global Church in Riyadh. All details are on the link to the Youtube channel.)
It’s nearly been five years since I scooted off to a summer camp with English First in Hangzhou, China. Below is the video and the initial text from my 2012 video post:
I had a blast teaching English to this group of students this past week at summer camp. I taught them this story which is a version of a paper bow story my 3rd/4th grade teacher Mrs. Gaggiano taught my class almost 20 years ago. I reworked it and added my own flavor. When I acted out the story, the kids ate it up and wanted to perform it as a class. This was their unrehearsed performance based off of watching me two times. I think they did a great job and we all had a lot fun!
Today I decided to steal away and visit my home church to write, listen, rest and pray. I was at the altar jotting a few thoughts down and in walked the pastor of our Spanish speaking church, Fey Esperanza.
I was unaware of the church’s schedule and asked if they were meeting tonight. They were planning to pray in about an hour and I let him know that I would plan to join them.
The pastor’s young daughter looked at my things at the altar and said, “Is that a ladybug pillow?” I laughed and said, “Yes.” I quickly gathered my things and snuck away to the library to catch up with my sisters on Whatsapp.
About an hour later, I made my way back into the sanctuary. I kneeled down to pray with the dozen or so that were there. After about 30 minutes of corporate prayer, the pastor began to share with the congregants. I ran back into the library to grab my journal to take notes. I knew I wouldn’t catch everything, but I was sure I would catch something. Five minutes into his message, he gave an instruction to one of the children present.
adjective of, relating to, or characteristic of the culture of computers, information technology, and virtual reality. “the cyber age”
synonyms: electronic, digital, wired, virtual, web, Internet, Net, online “our relationship was more cyber than face-to-face”
noun complete absence of sound.
“sirens pierce the silence of the night”
synonyms: quietness, quiet, quietude, still, stillness, hush, tranquility, noiselessness, soundlessness, peacefulness, peace (and quiet) “the silence of the night”
She sat to the right of me on the couch that night. I was in Hangzhou, China (circa July 2013) and Emma was my roommate.
“We haven’t quite figured this thing out, you know?” Emma said.
Minutes before that statement, I was talking to her about how I accidentally left my phone in a cab. I was frustrated not just about losing my phone, but that I had nearly hit 500 followers on Instagram and I wouldn’t be able to see when I hit that number.
Scary.
Insert pyschological syringe. I was on drugs. Addicted to say the least.
sevenby30 