This is it; the final stretch before I take the big leap. So, why do I feel like everything comes down to these next few weeks? Isn't my adventure supposed to begin after I arrive in the UK? But suddenly, I'm struck with a million different things, plans, events that all drain me emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Is this a test? Is this curse, devil, evil being somehow trying to get me to rethink everything, to just give up so close to the beginning? Why now? Why not 3 months ago when I could right wrongs and schedule in room for error? Whether real or imagined, I feel like something's out to get me, but worse, to make me forget the reason for this adventure; He who lay down His life for the sins of this world so that I might know Him and make Him known. I know that He knows all things and that Good always prevails, but does that mean when things go haywire in life, I'm supposed to only see the silver lining? Granted, there can often be a silver lining in terrible situations. Take my accident last Friday; no one was hurt, and in the end, everything worked itself out one way or another. But what about something bigger than that, say a serious injury or a death? How do you find God in that? How can I say to someone who's lived through tragedy that everything's ok? Maybe that's what Real Life is though, learning to deal with the big things even when we can't grasp it or find comfort in it. Maybe not being able to grasp reality is the single greatest blessing one can receive; it allows us to live our lives as innocently and as free from the oppression of sin in this world as possible. No, I don't like not knowing why things happen and for what purpose, but I guess the thing that drives me is that Someone greater than myself knows, and though dark times may fall upon me, He'll never let me down.
(Dedicated to Dave - R.I.P Dear Friend)
Friday, 18 November 2011
Tuesday, 15 November 2011
Story behind the Chai
So, some of you may be questioning why I would name my blog, a place for me to discuss the mundane routines and miraculous "Aha!" moments in my life, after a temptingly delicious beverage. True, I do make one heck of a Chai Tea, but there's more to the name than just a nod towards my great accomplishment.
Earlier this year, I took part of a missions trip down to Tanzania. While I was there, I traveled to many locations and came in contact with some of the happiest people I have ever met. For a couple of weeks, I was living with 11 others on my team in Maasai land out in the desert. The Maasai are an originally nomad tribe spread all across Eastern Africa. They live in mud huts in "boma's" or a stick-fenced in neighborhood of sorts. My group and I were able to speak to these people and experience some of their culture.
As we were their guest, they treated us with the utmost respect. No matter where we were, what the time was, or how poor our hosts were, we were always, ALWAYS greeted with a steaming cup of Chai tea. It didn't strike me till I returned home that these wonderful people had taken the time to give us something that they themselves would not have on a day to day basis. The time that went into making that Chai showed me how much they wanted to care for us and be hospitable. Hospitality was something I learned about in Tanzania and it touched my heart greatly. If only we, those who have more than enough, could learn to give of our time, effort, and possessions to one another...
We have a lot to learn from others once we humble ourselves before them.
And that is the story behind the Chai!
Earlier this year, I took part of a missions trip down to Tanzania. While I was there, I traveled to many locations and came in contact with some of the happiest people I have ever met. For a couple of weeks, I was living with 11 others on my team in Maasai land out in the desert. The Maasai are an originally nomad tribe spread all across Eastern Africa. They live in mud huts in "boma's" or a stick-fenced in neighborhood of sorts. My group and I were able to speak to these people and experience some of their culture.
As we were their guest, they treated us with the utmost respect. No matter where we were, what the time was, or how poor our hosts were, we were always, ALWAYS greeted with a steaming cup of Chai tea. It didn't strike me till I returned home that these wonderful people had taken the time to give us something that they themselves would not have on a day to day basis. The time that went into making that Chai showed me how much they wanted to care for us and be hospitable. Hospitality was something I learned about in Tanzania and it touched my heart greatly. If only we, those who have more than enough, could learn to give of our time, effort, and possessions to one another...
We have a lot to learn from others once we humble ourselves before them.
And that is the story behind the Chai!
Wednesday, 9 November 2011
Testing 1...2...Greetings!
And so this Blog begins! Think of this post as more of a christening than an update on my life and everything that entails. Perhaps I am slightly less "tech-savvy" than I allow myself to believe, because it took me over an hour to initiate this Blog (however, I blame that on writers block while trying to come up with a title). So for all you avid Bloggers out there, please forgive me as I slowly begin to learn how to use this thing. You'll be hearing from me soon enough. And, as Tigger would say, "TTFN; Ta Ta For Now!"
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