tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53391008002803895202024-03-05T14:37:03.566-08:00stories from the steppeCarriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06786859880721485098noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5339100800280389520.post-59839407675895455352014-02-21T00:07:00.002-08:002014-02-21T23:28:32.650-08:00Of Bread and Ham and Joy<div class="MsoNormal">
I am too happy to be productive!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So here is a blog post!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There is some endorphin, I am sure of it, that is released
into a teacher when she nails a lesson and the lights go on in her students’
eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is something about that
moment of ‘ah-ha’!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And when they laugh
and enjoy the moment along with you, oh it makes me giddy!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are playing together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because the best learning happens when we
play!<o:p></o:p></div>
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This semester I am teaching three classes: Rocks & Mineralogy, English Conversation, and English Writing for ET (a technical writing class). At the end of our first English Writing class I gave my students a simple assignment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Write me directions for making a ham
sandwich.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Today, they handed in their assignments, some hand written at the
last minute on a strip of paper, others neatly printed with steps, and one
written in flowing handwriting with a photograph showing each step.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This last one I put at the bottom of the
pile. It would be a grand example of exactly what I would look for in their writing in the future.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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They were not expecting what happened next.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Bread, ham, mayo, mustard, tomatoes, onions, pickles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A knife and cutting board.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And paper towels for plates. The students 'oh-ed- and giggled as the 'materials' for today's demonstration were placed on the desk.<br />
<br />
I picked up the first student's directions, placed a paper towel in front of me, and got to work. I read each student’s recipe aloud, and
painstakingly followed every step that they had prepared for me. Exactly the way that they wrote them. I did not add any extra interpretation of my own. I just followed their directions.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The results were hilarious!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Some sandwiches ended up with pieces of bread covered in
mayo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, both sides of each piece.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is what they had specified in the
instructions: “cover both pieces of bread in mayonnaise.” So I did it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some said to just put the ham on the
bread.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They didn’t tell me to slice
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I didn’t think it would be fair
for them to have all of the ham, so after I put the whole block of processed
meat on the bread I took it off and gave them a slice.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Many told me to just put the parts of the sandwich there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Hmm, I could see no specific instructions about where the parts were to
go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So the ‘plate’ had every ingredient
of the sandwich nicely laid out side by side.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Laughter filled the room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>By the end of the class the point had sunk down deep into a happy place
in our hearts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Writing, especially
technical writing, must be clear and complete.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If
not, you end up with sandwich pieces all over the plate or mayonnaise-drenched
bread.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or something worse!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I love my job!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
cannot tell you how grand this is!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What is this source of joy?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Could it be the Spirit of God?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Could it be that He enjoys watching us learn?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knows everything, but when the lights go
on in our eyes regarding the truth He speaks over us, does His heart leap with
joy like mine did today?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
I think it must be so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We are, after all, made in His image.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
(I SO wish I had pictures of today - as you can imagine, the work was a bit too messy for me to handle a camera. But if any students took photos, I'll pass those along!)</div>
Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06786859880721485098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5339100800280389520.post-25866638687580512742014-02-17T05:52:00.000-08:002014-02-17T06:22:22.045-08:00Handcrafted Answer to a Prayer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
When did I first start praying for this young woman? I
do not remember. Long before I was introduced to Uka, I knew I would need to meet her.
I would need her friendship and camaraderie. I would cherish her
insight into her culture. I would learn from her as I passed along my own
experiences. And together we would birth a bilingual kids ministry.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Because that is not something you should try doing solo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p>When did I start to ask God for a person to fill this role? It must be about two years ago...</o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p>God is funny and mysterious. He lives outside of time. So He had been working on an answer to my new prayer for over two decades.</o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p><br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p>Meet Uka.</o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqwb5x5-2V0n0A0mITpDIsaEfKcrMYBkvV36NELzA0kd5PZA421re7ocxtku3hxI86hTtu-Olr1OAflDslTXBVqjExjNhnPLcc5v6nXBZsnEKngUPojhHVbD_ONknek_92y6taGQmKAewU/s1600/Uka.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqwb5x5-2V0n0A0mITpDIsaEfKcrMYBkvV36NELzA0kd5PZA421re7ocxtku3hxI86hTtu-Olr1OAflDslTXBVqjExjNhnPLcc5v6nXBZsnEKngUPojhHVbD_ONknek_92y6taGQmKAewU/s1600/Uka.png" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Uka!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"I was praying, and think we need to communicate with
our children's parents about what we are doing in class so they can talk about
it at home," Uka mentioned to me as we got together to pray for our Antioch Mongolia's kids. Seriously, I had the same idea two weeks ago, chica.
But got overwhelmed with the idea of how to do it in our bilingual setting.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This scenario is recurrent with the two of us. God
drops His ideas into both of our heads. And where I hit the 'but how do
we do that in Mongolia?!?' wall, Uka has an idea of how to get us there.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I'm not telling you much about the inside of this
fascinating, faithful woman of God, yet. I'm looking for words.
Genuine. Sold out. Child-hearted. Wise. Quirky.
Creative. Humble. Talented. Multifaceted.
Beautiful.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIO4L2Tc7vmovas9Y-wb4voCyIce05K9_k6rNGhGh_ckjS_Vk8kWKTVFogItntDL-w1clTGQ-hN98P1tFa_cbKIFGpaNEwsPTOiLESAuXGys7MUQibmIgO88KYYA3tWSd8NCHHUlppx0lF/s1600/Baptism.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIO4L2Tc7vmovas9Y-wb4voCyIce05K9_k6rNGhGh_ckjS_Vk8kWKTVFogItntDL-w1clTGQ-hN98P1tFa_cbKIFGpaNEwsPTOiLESAuXGys7MUQibmIgO88KYYA3tWSd8NCHHUlppx0lF/s1600/Baptism.png" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Uka moments after her baptism - summer 2013</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I wish you could see her for a Sunday with our children.
There is a genuine smile of joy blazing from her eyes as much as between
her cheeks. When anyone talks to her, from the littlest to the oldest,
they have her full attention - she is down at their level, listening with her
ears and her eyes, actively loving. When she translates she matches my
energy, like a harmony being sung by my side, and fills in the gaps that my cultural bent creates. When she prays, she is in
her Daddy's lap and demonstrates invitingly how close anyone can be to Abba.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguPTis8GmkRnzKqlFE0Awa3Q4MbMAMBDItWdnusmTartnEToAoVn5RoXJiJagN2F8SYSwjpWUUUjlxYZMPllwAR95agPLzWUplxsLFZx8MmdPTouaIa4WB47A7Dd-WlcLx1EpqVSGb9DaX/s1600/Dance.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguPTis8GmkRnzKqlFE0Awa3Q4MbMAMBDItWdnusmTartnEToAoVn5RoXJiJagN2F8SYSwjpWUUUjlxYZMPllwAR95agPLzWUplxsLFZx8MmdPTouaIa4WB47A7Dd-WlcLx1EpqVSGb9DaX/s1600/Dance.png" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dance party at kids' church! Uka is the tall 'kid' in back.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is the one God prepared as an answer to my prayer of
two years ago. This is Uka.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
pause - insight into my life<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You might say I'm a bit of a control freak. A perfectionist.
Hmm. Many have said the latter. I know I am also the former.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Giving over a project, a plan, a class, a lesson.
Knowingly or subconsciously, I grip my little kingdom. I do not like to
let go. I do not share well. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I need to grow here.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A lot.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But I trust Uka. Entirely. With kids, with
teaching, with translation. Easily. Freely. Joyfully!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And in January I had the joy of sitting in the nest and
watching this young woman take her first flight. She ran our children's department for
two weeks while I was away for a conference in Thailand. The photos and stories she sent while I was away made my heart sing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You should know something else about Uka. She doesn't have my
control-freak hang-ups. As soon as she was released to lead she immediately set others
among our volunteers, and even our kids, free to fly in their own ways.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I'm glad I am only planting this sapling. If I were to
hold onto it, I'd limit its root space out of fear of it not growing 'just
right'. Uka will free this ministry to grow into much more than I could.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-xcbjlq7wkb8eVwPE9TyB5OGlVfjc7bhF_LcFa9AshDq0_1ZVTeIoB3zkfokRlvXY1PHLs_cBFma2bPK5W2-buXOrPzAR2_6Fdq3Lp5aNIZ_eLwmPK2-m2LTPRH65Gwo4ZqmIztykgh78/s1600/Class.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-xcbjlq7wkb8eVwPE9TyB5OGlVfjc7bhF_LcFa9AshDq0_1ZVTeIoB3zkfokRlvXY1PHLs_cBFma2bPK5W2-buXOrPzAR2_6Fdq3Lp5aNIZ_eLwmPK2-m2LTPRH65Gwo4ZqmIztykgh78/s1600/Class.png" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Uka on right - faithfully translating for me.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Reminds me of a song I listened to again today.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"What you have done, others will do,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
bigger and better and faster than you,"<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
(Rick Pino's "Pioneer")<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I do not mind that. At all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Uka and others will grow this children’s
ministry and release it to flourish. I am just happy to fulfill another
line of the same song.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"But the Father in heaven, He is glad you can go,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For those who come after you will need the road."<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Jxhyphenhyphenf16hv4sI4aWLTVEfpsOUlWJA2s-Snrn7106RtThmHwxVUC_nsweR99w3qE3I63uiz-xs2P9E9POV_GoDG_cgug6TL_uXKILVM1wLt1QpOmksuYUhM_AaVbf1mukBXiN-trsHGpyQ/s1600/Teach.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Jxhyphenhyphenf16hv4sI4aWLTVEfpsOUlWJA2s-Snrn7106RtThmHwxVUC_nsweR99w3qE3I63uiz-xs2P9E9POV_GoDG_cgug6TL_uXKILVM1wLt1QpOmksuYUhM_AaVbf1mukBXiN-trsHGpyQ/s1600/Teach.png" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Uka teaching our kids</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It turns out that I was not the only one praying about this
ministry to children long ahead of its birth. Uka let me know months
after she joined me that she had asked God to give her an opportunity to learn
how to minister to children. When she discovered what we were planning
for the children of this then church-to-be, she knew that she wanted to be a
part. But she wasn't sure if I would want her help.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Oh, girl. If she hadn't jumped in. Oh. I'm
glad I do not have to think about what that would have looked like.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am thankful, instead, that this will be beautiful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And that Uka’s prayers were answered along
with mine.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMpTXnCvzgRJnST1UPfPG5h7MTLoqVhZMGG9ZE4WeIJFDvrCPmWoHfEgsE9PBS1rtEdIlDw5uCu0H32rUiXtaeKlkboqbDwv4AeQ5jBuZL4v3nXC9f9OYmqwqUPIRrc5fHIhSOJwFM4pZW/s1600/Friend.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMpTXnCvzgRJnST1UPfPG5h7MTLoqVhZMGG9ZE4WeIJFDvrCPmWoHfEgsE9PBS1rtEdIlDw5uCu0H32rUiXtaeKlkboqbDwv4AeQ5jBuZL4v3nXC9f9OYmqwqUPIRrc5fHIhSOJwFM4pZW/s1600/Friend.png" height="296" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beauty of answered prayers.</td></tr>
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Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06786859880721485098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5339100800280389520.post-4733631333867307232014-02-10T08:08:00.000-08:002014-02-10T08:08:14.702-08:00One Year in MongoliaI have now lived in Mongolia for one adventure-filled year. A church has been birthed. Along with a children's ministry. I've learned a lot about mutton and yogurt. And teaching English and geology. I've made some beautiful friends. And I've seen many of them discover the love of God.<br />
<br />
It has been a good year. And I am looking forward to the next!<br />
<br />
Just in case it was hard to see the photos from my email update, I am posting them here. Along with some fresh prayer requests below!<br />
<br />
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<br />
<b>Piping Fresh Prayer Requests</b><br />
Here are some up-to-date (as of this post, ya know) prayer points for fuel. Thank you for lifting us up!<br />
<br />
- a young man to disciple our 10 to 15 year old boys - we want them to know that following Jesus is totally worth everything!<br />
<br />
- comfort for a family in our body who lost their 12-month old daughter two weeks ago, and for another family who teaches at my university who lost their 18-month old son one week ago.<br />
<br />
- grace in this next semester to teach well, and let go of extraneous details that could swamp me (I am a bit of a perfectionist!)<br />
<br />
- excellent connections during discipleship times with girls from school and church<br />
<br />
- wisdom for us as a church to know how to reach the young men of Ulaanbaatar<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06786859880721485098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5339100800280389520.post-25374267270379823832013-03-17T09:35:00.002-07:002013-03-17T09:35:40.527-07:00Antioch - Finding Myself at Home<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The dorms emptied out as students traveled home for
the weekend. Silence strung from the
halls like pendants forgotten by the wind.
It was an average Saturday morning in Kokernot Hall.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Gathering my laundry, a small pan, bread and an egg, I
expertly balanced the load on my way to the basement. Laundry sorted and deposited in quarter-fed
machines, I popped the bread in the toaster and went about making myself an egg
sandwich.<o:p></o:p></div>
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About the time I had placed egg between toast, a familiar
face appeared around the corner. Heather, the RA from the third floor, was also on a breakfast mission. When she had prepared her meal she invited me
up to her room to hang out.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Being an introvert and a bookworm, I didn’t get out of my
dorm much freshman year. The RA on my hall
didn’t seem to stick around many weekends, so Heather took me in as one of her
hall kids. I often found myself drinking
tea and chatting away a Saturday morning with this outgoing junior in her
beautiful loft room.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Conversations with Heather ranged from processing the oddities of southern culture (we were both Yankees) to my search for a good church. </div>
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"What do you want to be when you 'grow up'?" she asked. To answer her question I shared about my experience two years prior in
Russia, and my hopes of serving there in the future.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“You need to meet my friend, <a href="http://fromtheunpavedroad.com/" target="_blank">Michele Perry</a>,” Heather
encouraged me. “She is serving as a
missionary in Bangladesh right now, but will be back this spring.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Heather shared stories of this passionate young woman who
loved God and would go anywhere to make Him known, regardless of being born
without her left leg. The more I heard
about this awe-inspiring woman, the more I wanted to meet her.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Christmas vacation eventually came and passed. A week into my second semester I went
upstairs to Heather’s room to catch up.
Oh, how disappointed I was to discover that Heather had not returned for
the spring semester! I would dearly miss
this precious young woman and our Saturday talks. And now how was I to find her friend? The young missionary’s name had slipped from
my memory over Christmas vacation. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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God is good at working out those kinds of details.<o:p></o:p></div>
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My spring semester schedule included an environmental
studies class that met twice a week on the opposite end of campus, a good 20-minute
walk from Kokernot Hall. The first day my
class gathered at the environmental studies building, I noticed a girl come
into the room walking with the aid of crutches, missing her left leg. Could this be the missionary Heather had told
me about?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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Winters in Waco are not what I would have called ‘cold’, at
least not my first year out of the north.
They are, however, often wet, with a mist-like rain that cuts through
every layer you are wearing. A few weeks
into the semester the weather was especially foul. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I had just recently introduced myself to Michele, and she
was, in fact, Heather’s friend. Michele
drove to class and that day watching my futile attempts to dodge the miniscule
raindrops she offered me a ride home. I
readily took her up on the offer, both thankful for a warm ride back to campus
and for an opportunity to get to hear <a href="http://fromtheunpavedroad.com/" target="_blank">Michele’s</a> stories from southeast Asia.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“You see, Carrie, God knew He was going to planning to take me to places like India and Bangladesh.” Michele explained as she blasted
the heater in an attempt to dry the icy moisture out of our clothing. “That is why He chose for me to be born in
Florida.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Michele’s personality certainly was sunny enough to be from
Florida! Her joy warmed both the car and her
passenger, defying the gray mist falling outside.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m from Minnesota,” I replied, “so I don’t really mind the
cold too much.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Well, God must have made you for Siberia!” she declared.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I burst into astonished giggles. This girl didn’t know me from Adam, but she
jokingly had declared that God must be planning to send me to the one place on
earth I most hoped He would.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Michele offered to take me to another part of campus to get
coffee and to share stories. Not having
another class until much later that day I eagerly accepted her offer.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sipping on something warm, Michele shared stories about her
time in Bangladesh. In the middle of her
tales, she asked if I was doing anything the next weekend, and would I like to
join her for a missions conference.
Absolutely!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A week later, Michele drove me half an hour north to Latham
Springs Campground for World Mandate 1998.
I had never been surrounded by so many people my own age who wanted nothing
less than to make Jesus famous around the world. There had to be nearly 200 of us! The weekend flew by as missionary after
missionary shared stories from around the globe, and as Highland Baptist’s
young college minister, Jimmy Seibert, filled us with vision to join these
sold-out laborers in unreached corners of our planet.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I felt at home and wished the weekend could stretch into
weeks. Soon, I discovered that the
college ministry that put on World Mandate also ran a mission trip to
<a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?q=juarez,+mexico&hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=31.746854,-106.45752&spn=9.465745,15.754395&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=35.273162,63.017578&t=m&hnear=Ciudad+Ju%C3%A1rez,+Chihuahua,+Mexico&z=6" target="_blank">Juarez, Mexico</a> every spring. I had not
yet made plans for spring break and already knew I liked mission trips so I
didn’t need any convincing. I showed up
at the first training for the trip a couple weeks later, and soon found myself
a part of this beautiful college ministry with a strong heart for the
nations. A couple years later Highland
Baptist Church birthed Antioch Community Church. This church home has become for me a precious
family of like-minded lovers of God who are making Jesus famous as He is worthy
of all over the planet.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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{I don't seem to have pics of Michele or any of the early Mandates, but here are some Juarez photos for any who want to reminisce. Enjoy!}</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn7a-wKIfiZ3ldKC2dtUZtLW9PykzLo0UB1alvrUZt8KOGqZ4BTOezJpwWj7TDPz8o0yDkSIRD5qaX3zYLuCYGB2Aa7uUd9D9fDQ9KrFlt0CxVR-RXXQc-iC1vX_9CQki090EPQ8Hn0k77/s1600/Mountain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn7a-wKIfiZ3ldKC2dtUZtLW9PykzLo0UB1alvrUZt8KOGqZ4BTOezJpwWj7TDPz8o0yDkSIRD5qaX3zYLuCYGB2Aa7uUd9D9fDQ9KrFlt0CxVR-RXXQc-iC1vX_9CQki090EPQ8Hn0k77/s320/Mountain.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juarez, Mexico</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd6-oBO_n-VId9OwhJFzCXMLyqbsiKSTABJVgDNTECNgDXByK7c3jXf8YlmOLuJ5u-CBnUPsLoZoj8VRgBPsaqu4RFPKTPJcGA0Kly1JAqZXMWDj93JZPyMMzL8p9E8nxU_lmgVYnO0frM/s1600/Team.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd6-oBO_n-VId9OwhJFzCXMLyqbsiKSTABJVgDNTECNgDXByK7c3jXf8YlmOLuJ5u-CBnUPsLoZoj8VRgBPsaqu4RFPKTPJcGA0Kly1JAqZXMWDj93JZPyMMzL8p9E8nxU_lmgVYnO0frM/s320/Team.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you see me? Juarez Team - 1999</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTG1LvoexY_lq6Y9-pNbvdoHCm1Ecqa-kmEMkNse6z2nJfIZfccTwZzaO_jY5l86_pet191KMpVbc51vQ8otmrslBrV4gI3CZIhOxezu_15OSuewGljEhVt_lBw2MUug6vou5K8v_gpStc/s1600/Juarez+04+-+Dancing+with+the+Girls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTG1LvoexY_lq6Y9-pNbvdoHCm1Ecqa-kmEMkNse6z2nJfIZfccTwZzaO_jY5l86_pet191KMpVbc51vQ8otmrslBrV4gI3CZIhOxezu_15OSuewGljEhVt_lBw2MUug6vou5K8v_gpStc/s320/Juarez+04+-+Dancing+with+the+Girls.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dance team - Juarez, Mexico - 2004</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibA76bOyFBSbfOlfEcY7LK7j-8y7Fxzsxy8DufKfv5Z921XSbaHegZtuH6chVhbFiay_dbxXIXQgJkVtjqjfNeiiqOMjTyxXEB0vVK22yJzqSdAxG3446e4IPFQKil850rBMqJ0kuqjCMC/s1600/Juarez+04+-+Worshiping+at+the+Cathedral.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibA76bOyFBSbfOlfEcY7LK7j-8y7Fxzsxy8DufKfv5Z921XSbaHegZtuH6chVhbFiay_dbxXIXQgJkVtjqjfNeiiqOMjTyxXEB0vVK22yJzqSdAxG3446e4IPFQKil850rBMqJ0kuqjCMC/s320/Juarez+04+-+Worshiping+at+the+Cathedral.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Worship at the Cathedral - Juarez, Mexico - 2004</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiHHbAafsz0jE_YF18tSstndYrq2T5_Y2l1vkApQy3x_h_M_6HkCpw_3oy4qN3KZMsHqgo6eIKY_OlGlzQUChFXM4FsXXiCn3Rhpkv2SepNsyJbFmhLbWOOhsPEoevbITBpK_UNpEh0URi/s1600/Juarez+04+-+Grad+LG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiHHbAafsz0jE_YF18tSstndYrq2T5_Y2l1vkApQy3x_h_M_6HkCpw_3oy4qN3KZMsHqgo6eIKY_OlGlzQUChFXM4FsXXiCn3Rhpkv2SepNsyJbFmhLbWOOhsPEoevbITBpK_UNpEh0URi/s320/Juarez+04+-+Grad+LG.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grad school Lifegroup - Juarez, Mexico - 2004</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFlwc7xEYuIDMU625-6FaybhE1IhbfLD4T4sgj3IMSJtuXgXU3jU_I0yNIS9K9snRls3ys-6Y1tZaoPI7_XZ9VEDngmXn2NBsF8NpJnJioUP_Dw4TdJwPF-wLqEmcg8s3xWaCjfhukmy7S/s1600/Worship+-+Old+School.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFlwc7xEYuIDMU625-6FaybhE1IhbfLD4T4sgj3IMSJtuXgXU3jU_I0yNIS9K9snRls3ys-6Y1tZaoPI7_XZ9VEDngmXn2NBsF8NpJnJioUP_Dw4TdJwPF-wLqEmcg8s3xWaCjfhukmy7S/s320/Worship+-+Old+School.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juarez, Mexico - 2005</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<!--EndFragment-->Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06786859880721485098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5339100800280389520.post-51991341026793688842013-03-17T07:57:00.000-07:002013-03-17T07:57:02.214-07:00Tsagaan Sar and the Beginning of the Adventure<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Monday afternoon, February 11, 2013.
Mountain peaks waved at us through an undercast sky as I strained to
look past the shy, Korean teen seated next to me. As we broke through the clouds I hoped to catch a glimpse of my new
home. Occasionally she would pull away
and allow me a glance as rectangular buildings and white dots of gers filled
the edges of the valley.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ten minutes later I pulled backpack over thick, Russian
coat, and dragged an overly-stuffed carry-on behind me as stewardesses wished
me a good day in Korean. Cold leaked
around the edge of the jetway. After my
passport had been stamped and two bags and a box were loaded onto a cart, I
found my way to the lobby of the tiny international airport.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My teammates, Josh and Sagana, and their 4-year old daughter
appeared through the doorway just as I was extracting my winter boots from one
of my suitcases. They helped me grab my luggage
and we cut through the near zero (F) winter air and loaded into their car. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Happy <i>Tsagaan Sar</i>!” I was reminded again by my teammates
that I had arrived on the first day of the Mongolian New Year. “Are you up for an adventure?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Absolutely! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rather than driving east into town, we headed northwest to a
‘suburb’ of Ulaanbaatar. And less than
an hour after arriving in Mongolia I found myself stepping through the colorful doorway of a
precious elderly woman’s <i>ger</i> – the traditional Mongolian felt home, complete
with wood-burning stove. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJnu3Es3xpBbqIqZQvzkAy9GREcwUQUzkPbGAX_hs4JDBeDLmruhO5P6Iou_NxZPxkvPPChk6USaw9XnGpf-4IsH-at1G0uC5n4oiGIC4E8uuOhEjvJ3_HCGTutccHvvtmI49fTWxSGHXX/s1600/IMGP0006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJnu3Es3xpBbqIqZQvzkAy9GREcwUQUzkPbGAX_hs4JDBeDLmruhO5P6Iou_NxZPxkvPPChk6USaw9XnGpf-4IsH-at1G0uC5n4oiGIC4E8uuOhEjvJ3_HCGTutccHvvtmI49fTWxSGHXX/s320/IMGP0006.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Visiting a <i>ger - </i>Mongolian home.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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“Be sure not to step on the lentil. Try not to point your feet at the fire,” Josh
instructed. “And do not walk between the two support beams in the center of the
ger.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was then taught the traditional greeting for <i>Tsaagan Sar</i>: <i>Ahmar ban oh?</i> (<span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><i>Амар байна уу?) </i></span>- meaning 'Are you peaceful?' Placing my arms under the
arms of the head of the home, the precious wrinkled face bent in to sniff me,
first on my left and then on my right.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After the formal greetings we were instructed to sit down
around a table. The feast laying before
us consisted of an entire steamed sheep’s back, a tower of cookies, and various
bowls and plates of side dishes and candy.
I was handed a bowl of some type of yogurt or buttery milk and drank a
sip before passing it along to the others.
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpuwHZtKEiZjJACsVLPXDKMszTijahsmBJN-D99CsXg5Ihe7loc2c6mEB7FMrooYBVr_Ffq5t25u17z7Bl36eW81jIsLXWjtRH9E6DskzkxPLTZESb6hzApVNA0VZzIKOZfGr4RqjqvbcE/s1600/IMGP0008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpuwHZtKEiZjJACsVLPXDKMszTijahsmBJN-D99CsXg5Ihe7loc2c6mEB7FMrooYBVr_Ffq5t25u17z7Bl36eW81jIsLXWjtRH9E6DskzkxPLTZESb6hzApVNA0VZzIKOZfGr4RqjqvbcE/s320/IMGP0008.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My first <i>Tsagaan Sar</i> feast.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Soon we were joined by another couple who also greeted the
owner of the home, and then each of us.
These two sat at the head of the table as honored guests, because of
their advanced years. Thankfully, these visitors had lived in the States for a
number of years and both spoke English fluently. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The homeowner, all this while, was busy adding wood to the
fire, placing a giant pot on the stove, and then loading a sieve of some kind
with frozen <i>buuz</i>, the traditional
meat-filled dumpling of Mongolia. As I
watched her work, Sagana informed me that many families will prepare and freeze
around 1,000 <i>buuz</i> in preparation for
<i>Tsagaan Sar</i>. After loading the steaming
basket into the giant pot and placing the cover on top, our hostess set a large
rock and a solid iron axe on top of the whole assembly. The weight of these two objects would press
the lid down, trapping steam to cook the <i>buuz</i>. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWSsnwP1h6IWoL0wOAJSBg5oPGxE09iPrPuU7ofzrC5nPPezA9QxDbtNyZ8ziX89hEg3cQwMe6JyiJS4eEtF6zTBTgrd6nPvZtOxfEFYg765oaNVwH7yizNQAB0_9XWLNQegkY1qW_6qxl/s1600/IMGP0015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWSsnwP1h6IWoL0wOAJSBg5oPGxE09iPrPuU7ofzrC5nPPezA9QxDbtNyZ8ziX89hEg3cQwMe6JyiJS4eEtF6zTBTgrd6nPvZtOxfEFYg765oaNVwH7yizNQAB0_9XWLNQegkY1qW_6qxl/s320/IMGP0015.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cooking <i>buuz</i> - delicious Mongolian dumplings.</td></tr>
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</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Mt4lJxlrPqDnc3qvXhcn-dMDqfFs_WrALqLDC2FuRLSSmZk0bIVCuhl62ZcVw80F_2UGl801q4kb0UuzNO0PTehR7WIaP5ognWeYjbIMR0l3JlPT3QPeLUKS7_F-HphtPC3j7dlVKQTm/s1600/IMGP0013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Mt4lJxlrPqDnc3qvXhcn-dMDqfFs_WrALqLDC2FuRLSSmZk0bIVCuhl62ZcVw80F_2UGl801q4kb0UuzNO0PTehR7WIaP5ognWeYjbIMR0l3JlPT3QPeLUKS7_F-HphtPC3j7dlVKQTm/s320/IMGP0013.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, that is an axe on the lid of the pot.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Perhaps 20 or 30 minutes later, off came the axe, the stone,
and the lid. Dishes were heaped with
steaming-hot dumplings and the plates passed around the table. After her guests seemed sated on <i>buuz</i>, our hostess sat down on the edge
of her bed and dug around for a few moments in a pile next to her. Then she was up on her feet again to present
a gift to each one of her guests. With
surprise and joy I received a brightly colored pair of socks and a bar of
chocolate, while Hope showed off her new mittens – the kind that has a string
that hold them together through the arms of your coat.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV85srjpiRhW3cPUWvPQ2QWZC1qiBN4xzlmMOZ7_QD7lZ8E2cI_O3ILazxryasFf0oannDO7dbGcUY5TLzDVKB8jZqmdQWAz_CKZ3yQnHdA_JLFxuPZ08jTDMBRt2QwmRSG1owGqSrFnen/s1600/IMGP0019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV85srjpiRhW3cPUWvPQ2QWZC1qiBN4xzlmMOZ7_QD7lZ8E2cI_O3ILazxryasFf0oannDO7dbGcUY5TLzDVKB8jZqmdQWAz_CKZ3yQnHdA_JLFxuPZ08jTDMBRt2QwmRSG1owGqSrFnen/s320/IMGP0019.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Buuz.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvspXpREaUB0hBzJ9f-9VzVFIdC35K18a_HK5F3v4vGCrpn8duMm_QI2zTNjhmjNo0f1OF2rM2fUdbzJyqX6WNRDPE6CHryn8-9LEhxDFhxcbTtetXmFF8nc-5p83GDjSS5yXw5yURsRH0/s1600/IMGP0020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvspXpREaUB0hBzJ9f-9VzVFIdC35K18a_HK5F3v4vGCrpn8duMm_QI2zTNjhmjNo0f1OF2rM2fUdbzJyqX6WNRDPE6CHryn8-9LEhxDFhxcbTtetXmFF8nc-5p83GDjSS5yXw5yURsRH0/s320/IMGP0020.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New mittens!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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After saying goodbye in no particularly formal way, we piled
back into the car in the now starry evening.
We would visit two more homes, both in town, to repeat the same
traditional greetings, the tasting of yogurt, milk tea, mutton and <i>buuz.</i>
At the final home I was even treated to my first taste of <i>airag</i> – traditional Mongolian fermented
mare’s milk. I actually liked it! Each visit ended the same way. Eat <i>buuz</i>,
receive a gift from the host (one should always show delight and surprise by
the gift!), and then bundle up in scarf, hat, gloves, boots and winter coat,
thank the host and out into the chill of -20 degrees Fahrenheit night.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p>By the third and final day of Tsagaan Sar I had visited seven homes, had my left and right ear sniffed by many friendly faces, eaten more <i>buuz</i> than I could have imagined, and received everything from a cute shopping bag to gloves to about the equivalent of 5 dollars in Turigs (the local currency). What a welcome!</o:p></div>
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<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><i style="text-align: left;">Ahmar ban oh? </i><span style="text-align: left;">Are you peaceful?</span><span style="text-align: left;"> I pray you know the presence of the One who came to restore peace between the Father and His children. And that the people of the steppe will soon know His peace as well.</span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><span style="text-align: left;">Enjoy the long awaited photos!</span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqZ557v7sZA5X2tQKRcQ3C3LRYVB9G0vuADDwHaoc6B8zXHv2M7iUyQcrirckqtXx25cZDvW5MRZMTlTYRPBwRCh9WhHTqClh8y6cePb5j7PABQg_GUX8wPhChNQ8pEtf2JJYnx6uLPnUq/s1600/IMGP0024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqZ557v7sZA5X2tQKRcQ3C3LRYVB9G0vuADDwHaoc6B8zXHv2M7iUyQcrirckqtXx25cZDvW5MRZMTlTYRPBwRCh9WhHTqClh8y6cePb5j7PABQg_GUX8wPhChNQ8pEtf2JJYnx6uLPnUq/s320/IMGP0024.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet little one who let me hold him for most of my visit.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxiXTomcqzcLYSjO2VyjHwkbbEjGt8wfBtjQQhsBO0JBpKxfTb6azZjQ7M6TOoYzJ4sYiRhfQCv-mD5vrujeAoL4kMGX5iWQsJFgYVVEMa-fseh11-5eNhMPNLUaGa3z2TnHRxz_Q4CdxL/s1600/IMGP0028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxiXTomcqzcLYSjO2VyjHwkbbEjGt8wfBtjQQhsBO0JBpKxfTb6azZjQ7M6TOoYzJ4sYiRhfQCv-mD5vrujeAoL4kMGX5iWQsJFgYVVEMa-fseh11-5eNhMPNLUaGa3z2TnHRxz_Q4CdxL/s320/IMGP0028.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Serving the fat-tailed sheep.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvv7AgvY77K4xoHHvRU5eYkQqHaJ1CMqE3XeEztEfZTNkkYCZTQcu6O40vb7uVCp_4kWSb-mUryyojNHKKq-_q57wf919mUWYZvL5zatVH_dpTXk84TBka_4XvrZf-TWESfIeOhlOWWY3R/s1600/IMGP0048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvv7AgvY77K4xoHHvRU5eYkQqHaJ1CMqE3XeEztEfZTNkkYCZTQcu6O40vb7uVCp_4kWSb-mUryyojNHKKq-_q57wf919mUWYZvL5zatVH_dpTXk84TBka_4XvrZf-TWESfIeOhlOWWY3R/s320/IMGP0048.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trying on a <i>deel</i> - traditional Mongolian outfit.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHMY4aekHh3y8DfaXlrdbO-2DcepiHcizzpHA9PhzglGNDd3ToR283ES7Gt3gVqwRRegqwpsr-8ygJpaNuJH8rqE2_meJngnPmD6GA8fqB3w_Qr4H0eYk8pMBrKmXYvZbWUivxHnjOu_aW/s1600/IMGP0056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHMY4aekHh3y8DfaXlrdbO-2DcepiHcizzpHA9PhzglGNDd3ToR283ES7Gt3gVqwRRegqwpsr-8ygJpaNuJH8rqE2_meJngnPmD6GA8fqB3w_Qr4H0eYk8pMBrKmXYvZbWUivxHnjOu_aW/s320/IMGP0056.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With neighbor friends visiting Sagana's beautiful mother.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmmSobtqY6AIQCHzDIMRTh6wTTiD9OFI5BnD5IlJw1KcE9uTYqRWAsIXTAjJIvjoBYG90ML4MsLtAMcplPJTipJKfhXhhfxUSWnL8Vt9oF6xaooZ2nKpPytddcCLH7GHqpZLNmoa3gvxI-/s1600/IMGP0044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmmSobtqY6AIQCHzDIMRTh6wTTiD9OFI5BnD5IlJw1KcE9uTYqRWAsIXTAjJIvjoBYG90ML4MsLtAMcplPJTipJKfhXhhfxUSWnL8Vt9oF6xaooZ2nKpPytddcCLH7GHqpZLNmoa3gvxI-/s320/IMGP0044.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another feast!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06786859880721485098noreply@blogger.com2Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia47.921378 106.9055399999999747.7510225 106.58281649999998 48.0917335 107.22826349999997tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5339100800280389520.post-69901612317461734392013-02-09T10:36:00.002-08:002013-02-09T10:40:29.384-08:00When Dreams take Flight<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today feels like a dream to me. One moment I am in awe that I am about to
board a one-way flight to Asia. The next
I am convinced this may just be a short-term trip and that I’ll return to
Dallas in a few weeks. Mostly, I am just tired. Four hours of sleep in the past
forty-eight makes for a sleepy Carrie who is looking forward to boarding this
jet and curling up for a long in-flight nap.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My take away from this past few weeks of final preparations
is simple and beautiful. We are never
launched into God’s dreams alone. Our
Lord is far too relational to just make His dreams about Him and me. He is excited about making His Son famous
both in the nations and in our own hearts.
And He does that through His own body.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hands & Feet – a number of times this past couple weeks,
a handful of friends have come by my home to help me finish packing and going
through all of my belongings. I could not have gotten out the door without each
of their joyful, willing help.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Words – from teachings to encouragements to notes, I have
been built up by my friends and family, near and far away. The Love of God and His beautiful truth are
flooding my soul via the conduit of His Bride!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Covering – I KNOW I am being prayed for. I heard it in my Oaks’ children’s prayers for
me last Sunday. I can tell by the peace
that surrounds me. Encouragement has
seeped into my soul and I am confident I am going to be remembered by my
friends and family State-side.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Finances – From pennies and nickels collected by our Antioch
children to generous gifts from those I know are living on a ‘creative’ budget,
to the ones who are joyfully sharing from the place of abundance, every one of
my financial supporters reflect God’s love and care for me and for the ones He
is calling us to serve. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It feels to me that everyone who is giving and-or praying
for me is going with me. I do not feel
alone! We are all going out the door
this afternoon – into an adventure of making Jesus famous across Asia.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thank you, all, for being part of Abba’s beautiful
dream! You are my partners in the Gospel. Students will know Him and make
Him known. Children will call Him
Daddy. Families will find hope in Him. Villages will be transformed. Nations will be changed. And Jesus will be famous, just like He is
worthy of!<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
In 48 hours I will be home in a new land. You are my neighbor and friend, my brother and sister on this journey. Who will we meet? Who will we love together? Who will we serve? What will we learn? I cannot wait to find out!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For His glory! For
their joy and ours!<o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06786859880721485098noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5339100800280389520.post-52286882295016412412013-01-12T18:12:00.000-08:002013-01-12T18:12:09.946-08:00Yield Signs - Part 2
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Large snowflakes floated sleepily outside the library window
as I wrote away in a new journal. Each
page captured memories and ideas in ink as I reminisced on the previous four
years and dreamed about the future. My
bachelor's program had stretched into a fifth year as I combined degrees in
geology and Slavic studies. My college
experience had been marvelous, and I had loved every bit, that was until the
spring of 2001. An upper level math
course and a graduate level geology course pushed me to the brink of my
capabilities, and though I exerted a commendable effort in both, I barely
scraped by with two passing grades.
Thankfully, the following semester offered a reprieve. As part of the Slavic studies degree I was
now attending a university in <a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Russia,+Voronezhskaya+oblast,+Voronezh&hl=en&ll=52.308479,39.221191&spn=8.44184,19.753418&sll=31.168934,-100.076842&sspn=11.794022,19.753418&oq=vorone&hnear=Voronezh,+gorod+Voronezh,+Voronezh+Oblast,+Russia&t=m&z=6">Voronezh, Russia</a> through an exchange program.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Christmas break found me visiting friends in <a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Berlin,+Germany&hl=en&ll=52.522906,13.414307&spn=4.198566,9.876709&sll=52.308479,39.221191&sspn=8.44184,19.753418&oq=Berli&hnear=Berlin,+Germany&t=m&z=7">Berlin</a>, and I
spent a couple days of my vacation asking Abba about His plans for me for the
next year. Well, asking wouldn't be
exactly the right word. I was actually
telling the Lord what I planned to do following graduation in May. I intended to attend a missions training
school with my church, and then go... um... somewhere. Probably somewhere in the former Soviet
Union. I wanted to join Lifewater, a
water relief group and apply my two degrees simultaneously, helping villages
obtain a safe drinking water source while sharing the good news of Jesus and
starting churches across the Central Asian steppe. I was ready!
It was time! I was burnt out with
school and had waited 'long enough'. And
my little, weary soul wished to discuss no alternatives.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Lord's beautiful, familiar voice sounded crest-fallen as
He responded to my declaration. He
didn't tell me 'no', I suppose because I wasn't looking for His permission to
embark on this adventure. Instead, He
simply shared with me some of the wonderful things and some of the harder
things that lay ahead of me on the road I was choosing. That is, choosing without Him. Since the early days when I had first learned
to hear God's voice, I had grown accustomed to running all of my plans by
Him. I never purposefully avoided asking
the Lord what He wanted me to do, especially when it came to important life
decisions. Now I discovered what
happened in our relationship when I cut Him out of the decision making
process. I broke His heart.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My worn out soul flinched, but then regrouped and grew
harder. I didn't care what He had to say
about it or how He felt. I already had
an idea of what Abba really wanted for me, and it was the last thing I wanted
to consider. So I dug in my heels and
intended not to budge.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Returning to the States in January I eventually found myself
in conversation with my hydrogeology professor, Dr. Joe Yelderman. We were discussing my plans following graduation. I shared with Dr. Joe how I hoped to join a
water relief organization as a missionary.
This particular professor is a true lover of Jesus and was immediately
supportive of my direction. He shared
with me that two of his former students had gone overseas to do the same type
of work, supplying villages with safe drinking water. Then the question I had been internally
dodging was posed. Had I considered
obtaining a master's degree in hydrogeology?
Both of these former students discovered that effectively helping people
obtain access to clean water meant they needed more of a knowledge base than
they had obtained in their bachelor courses.
I cringed inside. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Politely I replied that I had not yet considered this path
and that I hoped to get to the mission field within the next year or two. Dr. Joe then wisely advised me to contact the
organization that I wished to join to ask them what kind of course work I would
need to best help them, and concluded by encouraging me to pray about it before
making any decisions.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ugh. I had
purposefully been avoiding praying about this subject. But Dr. Yelderman's words rang with
wisdom. What could it hurt to contact
Lifewater and ask them if my current course work gave me enough background to
help them with their mission overseas?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The next day I sent an email to Lifewater
International. Lifewater specializes in
training teams in developing nations how to provide clean water for villages
coupled with training in hygiene and sanitation. Proudly, I listed out geology course work
that I thought applicable and shared with them my heart to join their
work. The very next day I had received a
reply. They were thankful for my
interest: did I know how to choose a location for a well to be drilled? If not, would I please consider continuing
with my studies and obtaining a master's degree?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wow. Nope. I had no idea how to set a well. I actually had never drilled one before. My arrogance and pride dissolved with the
realization that I really didn't know all that much, even after 5 years of
college.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Abba, I guess I'm ready to talk about grad school. I am sorry I have refused to talk with You
about it up till now."<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Oh, our God is so good!
He truly is kind, compassionate and quick to forgive! Suddenly the Lord was washing me with the
truth that He wanted to help me get through grad school and that He would teach
me wonderful things during my master's program.
He was excited for me! It wasn't
going to be as hard as the previous year.
And I was actually going to enjoy it!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Truly, my three years of graduate studies far surpassed my
undergraduate experience! And God used
the time to also draw me into the sweetest season I had experienced with Him up
to that point. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The eight years God had spoken to me about so clearly
freshman year turned out to be eight years of school to the month! My dreams, though resting on God’s shelf that
whole time, had grown into a beautiful future filled with more possibilities
than I could have imagined coming into Baylor.
And my relationship with the Lord was far deeper and sweeter than when I
had begun. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Would He now send me to the nations? Or did He have another
plan in mind? Either way, the lesson had
been learned and my soul knew that it could rest secure in the truth: His ways
are so good and obedience is always worth it!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06786859880721485098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5339100800280389520.post-21007232926386708302012-12-23T21:35:00.000-08:002012-12-23T21:38:09.401-08:00Yield Signs - part 1<div>
<i style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px;">"In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps." Proverbs 16:9</i></div>
<div style="font-size: 15px;">
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Has God ever told you to do something that you didn't want to do? Generally, I think this kind of direction comes to us in small ways: a nudge to show a stranger an act of kindness at your own expense, conviction to own up to a fault, His gentle whisper leading you to stop rushing around and focus on the ones you love. These little places of obedience that cut against the grain of our flesh can be relatively common. But sometimes God will lead you in a life direction that you would not have chosen for yourself. Surprised, you find God's plans for your life unexpectedly diverging from the path you had intended to follow. You know you are hearing His voice, you are confident of His direction, but yielding requires picking up your cross.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">These are the testing points in our journey. Who will I trust more: God or myself? The first time I remember pushing back against the direction of the Lord came shortly after beginning college.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Freshman year at Baylor surpassed my expectations. My classes were enjoyably challenging. New friends with interests and beliefs complementing my own made for an exciting social life. And Texas! I felt so at home here and more free to be my bouncy and bubbly self than I had in my home state up north. All of these aspects of my new life were thrilling! But despite such a great start, I found my soul impatiently tapping its invisible foot. Hadn't God called me into missions? College looked like it was going to take far too long.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">That Christmas I visited with a friend attending a Bible school. She, like I, had been led toward missions by God when we were in high school. She would be finished with school in two years and be released into ministry soon after. Perhaps I had missed God on His direction. I started making new plans, if only subconsciously. Perhaps I could drop out of college, attend a 2-year Bible school to get focused training to be a missionary, and be out the door to Russia by summer of 2001. Perfect!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The following month, back at Baylor, I attended a missions conference and the questions stirring inside broke out in a frustrated cry. "Lord, am I following You the right way? Did You really plan for me to go to school for four more years? It feels like such a waste of time. I could attend a 2-year Bible school and be on the mission field in a few years. Wouldn't that be better?" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Instead of redirecting me as I had hoped, the Lord lovingly and firmly spoke His answer into my soul: "It will not be four years, Carrie. It will be eight." The words sank deep into my soul. I had never heard God speak so clearly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Eight years?! I couldn't fathom waiting that long. Wasn't the need for laborers pressing? And what was I going to do that whole time, anyway? Four years of college, I assumed, and then what? I didn't like what I heard, but along with the word about His timing Abba gave me grace to believe this really was His voice.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Sometimes God is crystal clear, but our muddy minds immediately misinterpret what He has told us. Such would be the case for me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Interestingly, moments before my bold exchange with Heaven's King, a missionary shared with the conference attendees stories about the follies of running to the mission field too early. She painted a picture of men and women unprepared for the difficulties of life overseas and the challenges of cross-cultural ministry. Anxious to do great works for God, or perhaps seeking an international adventure, these believers who ran heedless of the Lord's direction fell into difficulties that swallowed them up. They often broke to pieces emotionally or gave in to temptations that ruined not only themselves but the ones for whom they had left all to reach. Perhaps it was to save me form this disastrous outcome that God was choosing to hold me back? I was not certain of the why, but I was fully convinced that He was saying 'wait'.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">So I began the process of learning to trust God with my heart and my dreams. For the most part, I learned that my heart could rest in His during this time. But five years later I would again find myself at odds with the Lord's direction for my life, and once more the subject would be my education. </span></div>
Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06786859880721485098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5339100800280389520.post-50136681681106701452012-11-16T19:23:00.001-08:002013-03-17T07:57:37.476-07:00Awake, oh sleeper! - part 2University! Remember the excitement of moving away from home and starting up life as your own person? Perhaps the random bits of culture shock from those days still bring a smile to your face. Or the dread of having to decipher the dials on the ancient coin-fed laundry machines as you washed your clothes in an unfamiliar laundromat. Or the sudden wonder at meeting an old acquaintance on campus where you thought you didn't know a soul.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Becoming a Bear!</td></tr>
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For me, most of those new experiences centered on the marching field. Three months following my graduation from Brooklyn Center High School in Minnesota, I could be found with 100 other students rehearsing formations under the merciless August heat of Central Texas. New friendships formed and sweat poured off freshmen and seniors alike as the 1997 Baylor University Golden Wave Marching Band prepared for football season.<br />
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The dreams of 1995 were still marching around in my heart. I dove into my class work with passion, knowing that the Russian language, Slavic history, and science courses each played a vital role in preparing me to join the work of proclaiming Jesus in the former Soviet Union. With the same zeal I sought out a church where I could continue to grow in my newly blossoming faith. High school had shown me the importance of community, and I knew that if God brought me across the country to give me an education, He certainly had a fellowship in mind with whom I would grow spiritually.</div>
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It would be another five months before I found my church home. Highland Baptist Church, which started Antioch Community Church two years later, reminded me of the people I had worked alongside on my trip to Tyumen, Russia. This fellowship worshiped 'in Spirit and in truth' and carried a brilliant passion for the nations to know Jesus. I was honored that Abba had shuffled me their way.<br />
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Life beyond classwork filled up with fellowship, discipleship, and outreach as older believers challenged my friends and I to live out our faith. Waco provided ample opportunities for learning to love, if one was willing to pop outside of the "Baylor Bubble". Ministry to inner-city kids. Half-night prayer meetings. Joyful times of spontaneous worship This was a beautiful season! Antioch soon became my home away from home.</div>
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It would be with this new family that I again stepped into Siberia. In July of 1999 a small contingency from the new Antioch worship team opened up their mission trip to Russia to any who wanted to love and serve alongside them. With flute in hand I returned to the nation that had filled me with wonder, this time to eastern Siberia.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Team at Red Square in Moscow, Russia</td></tr>
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Again I found myself immediately at home, building friendships that would last for years, and rediscovering the overwhelming love of God for those who do not yet know Him. We began our journey in <a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Russia,+Irkutskaya+oblast,+Irkutsk&hl=en&ll=51.774638,106.33667&spn=3.922537,10.821533&sll=31.168934,-100.076842&sspn=10.837059,21.643066&oq=irkutsk+&hnear=Irkutsk,+gorod+Irkutsk,+Irkutsk+Oblast,+Russia&t=m&z=7">Irkutsk</a>, on the western shore of breathtaking Lake Baikal. At a picnic with Put k Istinye, the local Russian church, a girl joined us out of curiosity and a desire to practice English. By the end of the day she had surrendered her life to the Lover of her soul. And the rest of the week my friend and I spoke truth to her and began to teach her what it meant to be a disciple of Jesus. This was why I was here!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picnic with Путь к Истине, "Way to the Truth" church</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ladies from Путь к Истине, "Way to the Truth"</td></tr>
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After ministering and making friends in Irkutsk for a week, we boarded a sleeper car on the Trans Siberian Railway bound for Ulan Ude. This was my first train ride outside the United States, and I enjoyed soaking up every moment of it. Laying down on the top bunk I watched the Taiga fly past our window in shadows and sunbeam-lit shades of green. Soon we passed a village of perhaps 50 homes; wooden cottages with intricate, brightly colored shutters gave a break to the verdant display. Soon the forest resumed its place. Some time later another village emerged from behind the foliage, only to be swallowed up by the next stand of trees. Again and again the same scene repeated. And by the time the sun was slipping below the horizon a question rose up in my heart.</div>
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"Abba, who is going to these small places? Is anyone remembering the villages?" I could tell you of many believers making Jesus known in cities around the world, but did not personally know who was working among the 'least of these' when it came to remote locations.<br />
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As the dome lights inside our sleeper car overpowered the dwindling sunlight, I could no longer make out the forest beyond our window. But my heart had been forever marked. <br />
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Quiet tears ran down my face and desperate pleadings for laborers filled my heart as the rhythm of the rocking train lulled me to sleep. "If you don't have anyone, Abba, please send me."<br />
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And Abba drew near, caught my tears, and listened.</div>
Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06786859880721485098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5339100800280389520.post-62733896225587236432012-11-15T15:00:00.001-08:002013-01-14T19:24:01.093-08:00Awake, oh sleeper! - part 1Dreams. I hope you have one or two. I hope they are bigger than you. And I hope you have not given up on them.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dreams ~ Photo take at St. Basil's<br />
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What did you want to be when you were 5? When you were 12 what did you imagine yourself becoming? At 18, with your first steps into adulthood, in which direction had your dreams pointed you?<br />
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May I share my dreams with you? It is my joy to do so - for this is a story of dreams coming true. And the amazing thing is, more of them keep being added to my "about to check off the bucket list" list. <br />
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The road to these realizations has been long. Many dreams were added along the way, like pretty pebbles picked up along the beach. I wasn't always certain what would become of them. Sometimes pebbles stay in your pocket. Later they fall out in the wash. Then they get picked up and put on a shelf. They look pretty, but are they useful? Will they ever become something more than a hoped for destiny?<br />
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My dreams probably began earlier than I can remember. According to my grandmother I wanted to be a missionary when I was 6 years old. Sometimes we forget our dreams. God is good at remembering what we forget.<br />
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My earliest memory of my dreams began on a lazy summer day in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota in 1995. One month past my sophomore year found me busy reading the books I loved and delving into various artistic expressions. As I worked away on some new craft while sitting on my bedroom floor, stories poured from my radio to fill up the silence. A doctor was sharing about his experiences on his recent medical mission trip to Russia. My ears perked up. The Soviet Union had collapsed three short years before this, producing a sudden interest in all things Russian across our nation. The change in the political climate of Moscow also provided me the opportunity to study Russian as my foreign language the previous 2 years.<br />
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I caught only a few more words as the doctor shared his story. Now pictures were flooding my mind. Faces of men, women, and children. Faces that I had never seen with my own eyes burned their way into my soul. I could identify them as being from the former Soviet Union. And I found myself weeping. They didn't know Jesus yet - they probably had rarely if ever heard His name.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Central Asian girls in Moscow</td></tr>
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My own journey with Jesus was only a couple years old. Although I had prayed to accept Him when I was six, it wasn't until I was 14 that I learned to talk with Him and discovered what it truly meant to follow Him.<br />
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My own recent beginnings with Jesus made me keenly aware of the dichotomy between life with and without Him. And I found myself weeping over faces and hearts that had not yet had the chance to know this Lord who gave me Life.<br />
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Shaken and shocked by the experience, I sat on my pink and green rug hugging my knees. "Jesus, they don't know You, do they? Do You want me to go tell them?" I had to get to Russia and find out what this was all about.<br />
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One year later I landed with a group of passionate teenagers in <a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Tyumen,+Tyumen+Oblast,+Russia&hl=en&ll=56.740674,64.885254&spn=6.957624,21.643066&sll=31.168934,-100.076842&sspn=10.837059,21.643066&oq=tyumen&hnear=Tyumen,+Tyumensky+District,+Tyumen+Oblast,+Russia&t=m&z=6">Tyumen, Russia</a>, the 'gateway to Siberia'. And I fell in love! The taiga forest, the lakes and rivers all reminded me of Minnesota. And the people! God again filled me with love for these people I did not know but whom He had loved since the creation of the planet.<br />
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And what a joy to tell them about this life that I had found in Him, inviting them into joy and peace and relationship with the Father. Little time-worn babushkas, rough construction workers, ladies who served us tea in their homes, farmers tending their potato fields, children playing on dilapidated jungle gyms. All listened as we shared this good news of life in Jesus. And although only a handful responded, they all got to hear!<br />
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Leaving Tyumen nearly broke my heart in two. What do you do when you dive into a dream bigger than yourself, but have to leave before it is completed? I was learning what it meant to put my dreams into the hands of the One who calls Himself the Beginning and the End. But I also asked to come back. Three summers would pass before I walked in Siberia again.Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06786859880721485098noreply@blogger.com1