Well . . . I am NOT sure if the folks here are GLAD they chose to come w/ me on the trip or not . . . certainly if someone else was the lead on the team then there would have been greater odds of NOT getting up at 3am to go to Stumpy Point to catch an early ferry to get to Rodanthe.
However . . it is me . . . and when the Disaster Response Coordinator called today around 11am and asked if we would consider not staying long-term in Wanchese/Manteo but going on to Rodanthe - how could we say no????
"Not many are willing to go the 2 hour ferry ride so if you guys could that would be great. They only opened the road back up last week so there is much to be done. Many have lost everything."
Well - that's all I needed to hear . . .until she said "You will need to catch the ferry. Leave the church at 3:30 and hopefully you will be in line for the ferry @ 4 and should arrive @ 6."
I wondered . . .why would they send us over at 6pm? We would lose an entire day of work . . .
After a few more minutes of conversation I realized "hmmmmm, I don't think it is 6pm . . . i think she may mean 3:30 AM!" So I asked for clarification and then she said "oh no . . it's AM."
So I lamented for a few minutes internally and then whined audibly to those unfortunate folks around me (Thank you Lee & Season for listening) and then off we came.
When we arrived they offered us the option of working here instead of going to Rodanthe . . . and I KNOW what the easy decision would be . . . but we were asked to "go" and that was no hesitation. . . . it's what we will do!
The decision was confirmed as we were at dinner b/c I took a phone call and was chatting about the ferry ride, etc. w/ some folks and the hostess heard me.
She said, "Oh, you must be going to Rodanthe! Are you here to help?"
"Yes mam." I replied. "Our church was here last week and another team is here now and we are travelling over in the morning to Rodanthe after we stay at Bethany UMC."
"That's where I go to church! I am so glad you all are going over there . . my daughter and son-in-law live there . . they own a building supply company and also some cottages. They have lost everything."
We chatted for a few minutes and then right before I walked away she said, "Oh, you know one thing . . . even though many here have lost all their things no one lost their lives. No one lost what mattered. We have been blessed."
It was at that moment that the 3am alarm time didn't matter to me, nor did the 2 billion mosquitoes that were circling my entire being like I was fresh bait.
What did matter was that I am the one blessed enough to do this "for a living."
And blessed to be surrounded by a church that is supportive of trips like these . . .
And now to be blessed by a staff @ West and a team of volunteers that carry on the ministries and enable me to regain my focus on the things nearest and dearest to my heart!!!!!
No longer do I wear "all the hats" but am able to share those very freely and am so grateful for this as a reminder of who we are and who we are called to be!
Tomorrow we will encounter those who have lost all their worldly possessions . . . and for them we will have the honor and privilege of being the hands, feet, eyes, and voice of the one who said those earthly things don't matter . . . what matters is the issue of the heart.
May our hearts both here in Wanchese, NC, @ WCUMC both West & Brawley, and ALL over be full of love & selfless giving of monetary resources, time, and our personal gifts of talents. Let us Change Lives & Change the World through Christ" so that all may see and know there is SOOO much more . . . .
Grace & Peace,
Andrea
The verse
About Me
- Andrea
- So grateful for passionate people and a passionate place in which to be in ministry . . . West is ONE YEAR OLD!!!! YEAH! And looking forward to a great year ahead . . .
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Bash'11
Today I attended the WCA Leadership Summit, held as a satellite venue on the Grace Covenant Campus. While walking down the hall I ran into Jennifer, one of the amazing volunteers from last weekend's Bash!
She attends Grace Covenant. I'm not sure how she got hooked up w/ Bash but the stories she shared today were unforgettable, as have so many of your stories been!
I'll confess, I didn't have a lot of time to see the "God moments" b/c I ended up dealing w/ issues that came up . . . . but to hear the stories of those who served, those are the "goosebump" stories that remind me of the vastness and greatness of God's love!
Today Jennifer shared that after she prayed w/ the little boy she had put shoes on his feet, he grabbed her hands and said, "Let us pray . . . Dear God, thank you for ALL these people who were so kind to share their stuff with us. Thank you for all the fun things we get to do here. Thank you for the food. Thank you for the school supplies. This is just the best day ever God so thank you SO MUCH!"
NOW . . . if that wasn't the voice of Christ nudging OUR hearts . . . I don't know what was or IS! To have the one being served then take it upon himself to share prayers of gratitude and blessings on those who are serving . . . . it is a reminder that amazing things happen . . . LOVE happens, when we work together in a common purpose and mission!
2700+ Kids were served!!!!
Over 500 haircuts!!!
AND I already have at least 10 emails from folks saying, "I would LOVE to serve on the vision team for this event in 2012!" THAT is the BEST NEWS EVER to my ears!!!! What started as 4 people around a table in a restaurant in 2010 . . . . that went to a team of 20 in 2011 and transposed to over 750 volunteers . . . . will now be UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!
Last week when Leslie said in the video "I'm ready to start working on Bash'12 tomorrow!" I thought "ARE YOU CRAZY??????" But honestly, after worship on Sunday @ West . . . I was ready to get started immediately!
In fact - Bash'11 IS NOT DONE!!!!!
WC was contacted by an organization in Statesville, associated w/ the Statesville Housing Authority. They are hosting a Bash in one week and asked if we had any left over supplies!
Here are the God things in that conversation and circumstances:
- We actually had supplies left OVER for the first time ever!!!! HOW we don't know . . . short of a miracle. BUT we do. AND we will be donating those to the Statesville Kids!
-I asked what the organizational structure is for this Bash b/c I wanted to make sure that the kids actually receive the items! They are SO similar to the way we are doing it and I asked her if she would like to partner with us for next year so we could actually serve the entire county - not just one little part! SHE READILY AGREED!!!!!
You see - she attends The Cove, which is one of our partners! Her vision is the same as the Bash'10 and Bash'11 vision . . . so now we will begin working together to ensure that for Bash'12 we don't have to turn ANYONE away!!!! ALL ISS schools will hopefully be able to be served!!!!
IRONIC that happens today as I listen to leaders declare we need to have BOLD vision and we need to "DO SOMETHING!"
It is an honor and privilege to be a pastor at a church where folks are NEVER afraid to DO SOMETHING!!!!!!!!
I can't wait to see where God takes this over the next year! Thank you for YOUR support of the Bash!!!!
Grace and Peace,
Andrea
She attends Grace Covenant. I'm not sure how she got hooked up w/ Bash but the stories she shared today were unforgettable, as have so many of your stories been!
I'll confess, I didn't have a lot of time to see the "God moments" b/c I ended up dealing w/ issues that came up . . . . but to hear the stories of those who served, those are the "goosebump" stories that remind me of the vastness and greatness of God's love!
Today Jennifer shared that after she prayed w/ the little boy she had put shoes on his feet, he grabbed her hands and said, "Let us pray . . . Dear God, thank you for ALL these people who were so kind to share their stuff with us. Thank you for all the fun things we get to do here. Thank you for the food. Thank you for the school supplies. This is just the best day ever God so thank you SO MUCH!"
NOW . . . if that wasn't the voice of Christ nudging OUR hearts . . . I don't know what was or IS! To have the one being served then take it upon himself to share prayers of gratitude and blessings on those who are serving . . . . it is a reminder that amazing things happen . . . LOVE happens, when we work together in a common purpose and mission!
2700+ Kids were served!!!!
Over 500 haircuts!!!
AND I already have at least 10 emails from folks saying, "I would LOVE to serve on the vision team for this event in 2012!" THAT is the BEST NEWS EVER to my ears!!!! What started as 4 people around a table in a restaurant in 2010 . . . . that went to a team of 20 in 2011 and transposed to over 750 volunteers . . . . will now be UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!
Last week when Leslie said in the video "I'm ready to start working on Bash'12 tomorrow!" I thought "ARE YOU CRAZY??????" But honestly, after worship on Sunday @ West . . . I was ready to get started immediately!
In fact - Bash'11 IS NOT DONE!!!!!
WC was contacted by an organization in Statesville, associated w/ the Statesville Housing Authority. They are hosting a Bash in one week and asked if we had any left over supplies!
Here are the God things in that conversation and circumstances:
- We actually had supplies left OVER for the first time ever!!!! HOW we don't know . . . short of a miracle. BUT we do. AND we will be donating those to the Statesville Kids!
-I asked what the organizational structure is for this Bash b/c I wanted to make sure that the kids actually receive the items! They are SO similar to the way we are doing it and I asked her if she would like to partner with us for next year so we could actually serve the entire county - not just one little part! SHE READILY AGREED!!!!!
You see - she attends The Cove, which is one of our partners! Her vision is the same as the Bash'10 and Bash'11 vision . . . so now we will begin working together to ensure that for Bash'12 we don't have to turn ANYONE away!!!! ALL ISS schools will hopefully be able to be served!!!!
IRONIC that happens today as I listen to leaders declare we need to have BOLD vision and we need to "DO SOMETHING!"
It is an honor and privilege to be a pastor at a church where folks are NEVER afraid to DO SOMETHING!!!!!!!!
I can't wait to see where God takes this over the next year! Thank you for YOUR support of the Bash!!!!
Grace and Peace,
Andrea
Friday, August 5, 2011
Is the Thunder REALLY all that necessary?
It really did seem like things were moving a little too smoothly!
Yes there were the normal kinks . . . we needed more supplies, we needed more money, we needed more hair cut people . . and EACH time we needed something more - God provided.
In fact, it made the Charlotte Observer last Sunday (I found this out today) that one of the businesses helping with the event said, "I think they bit off more than they can chew."
Well, our human selves may have bitten off more than we can chew but what that lady did not seem to remember is that we are not in this whole "Bash'11" thing alone! God is a LOT bigger than we are and as a volunteer shared this morning as we had the first of many "crisis points" of the day . . . God never "bites off" more than God can chew!
It did seem like if it "could" go wrong - it DID go wrong this morning . . . grill issues, charcoal issues, water issues, forklift issues, generator issues (that was the biggest!!!!!) . . . and each time we turned around something else was wrong!
However, the most amazing thing was and is that at every turn where there was a problem - God was also working w/ us to provide solutions. And the solutions were far bigger and better than the original one each time!!!!!
I guess the final straw came for me when I got an email chastising us for not "qualifying the children" so we could make sure we were helping only the poor! The individual was disgusted with the way we went about it, felt we were misadvertising, etc. The email left me greatly, greatly unsettled!
Yet - there was God again! Which is why the blog is called, "Its those things again." Those things - are GOD things!!!! God really does not ever let us fall . . . .
As soon as I read the email that stung pretty badly . .. there was one from a new West family -
"I really enjoyed Sunday’s message and as I sat there thought about how incredibly lucky to have such a passionate and talented woman helping me in my faith. I hope life hasn’t hit your blind side too hard this week."
I don't know what tomorrow will bring . . . . but as I sit in my office and hear the thunder outside I am reminded of the Mercy Me song, "Bring the Rain." It's all good - b/c really - the fact that we have:
Bash’11 has collected over $15,000 from area churches and business organizations . . .
Bash’11 has over 550 DIFFERENT people being the hands and feet of Christ . . .
Bash’11 will serve over 3000 students in our local community with either school supplies, shoes, and haircuts . .. or for many – all 3!
Bash’11 has 45+ different people to come cut hair on a church property . . . .less than ideal “salon” circumstances . . .
Bash’11 will show folks in our community what it means to show love and generosity in the name of Christ.
ALL that is a God thing!!!!
So . . . go ahead . . . and let it rain!
Yes there were the normal kinks . . . we needed more supplies, we needed more money, we needed more hair cut people . . and EACH time we needed something more - God provided.
In fact, it made the Charlotte Observer last Sunday (I found this out today) that one of the businesses helping with the event said, "I think they bit off more than they can chew."
Well, our human selves may have bitten off more than we can chew but what that lady did not seem to remember is that we are not in this whole "Bash'11" thing alone! God is a LOT bigger than we are and as a volunteer shared this morning as we had the first of many "crisis points" of the day . . . God never "bites off" more than God can chew!
It did seem like if it "could" go wrong - it DID go wrong this morning . . . grill issues, charcoal issues, water issues, forklift issues, generator issues (that was the biggest!!!!!) . . . and each time we turned around something else was wrong!
However, the most amazing thing was and is that at every turn where there was a problem - God was also working w/ us to provide solutions. And the solutions were far bigger and better than the original one each time!!!!!
I guess the final straw came for me when I got an email chastising us for not "qualifying the children" so we could make sure we were helping only the poor! The individual was disgusted with the way we went about it, felt we were misadvertising, etc. The email left me greatly, greatly unsettled!
Yet - there was God again! Which is why the blog is called, "Its those things again." Those things - are GOD things!!!! God really does not ever let us fall . . . .
As soon as I read the email that stung pretty badly . .. there was one from a new West family -
"I really enjoyed Sunday’s message and as I sat there thought about how incredibly lucky to have such a passionate and talented woman helping me in my faith. I hope life hasn’t hit your blind side too hard this week."
I don't know what tomorrow will bring . . . . but as I sit in my office and hear the thunder outside I am reminded of the Mercy Me song, "Bring the Rain." It's all good - b/c really - the fact that we have:
Bash’11 has collected over $15,000 from area churches and business organizations . . .
Bash’11 has over 550 DIFFERENT people being the hands and feet of Christ . . .
Bash’11 will serve over 3000 students in our local community with either school supplies, shoes, and haircuts . .. or for many – all 3!
Bash’11 has 45+ different people to come cut hair on a church property . . . .less than ideal “salon” circumstances . . .
Bash’11 will show folks in our community what it means to show love and generosity in the name of Christ.
ALL that is a God thing!!!!
So . . . go ahead . . . and let it rain!
Monday, July 11, 2011
It Comes Full Circle
The Jamaica Mission Team is working away in the mountains of Jamaica surrounded by the Deaf Village that has become a part of the heart of WCUMC.
Look on the right of the page for the link to their blog!
One of the components of the trip is to visit the Infirmary and spend time with them on Sunday afternoon. Then return mid-week and take them a meal and continue hanging out and building relationships.
The most interesting component of this is the "Infirmary" is a cross between a nursing home and mental ward. Never in America would there be ANY place like this - conditions are abhorable and the people, for the most part, lie there waiting to die, flies, heat, and hopelessness surrounding them. Or so it seems . . .
For any American it would seem that hopelessness abounds . . . yet upon some time with the people you quickly learn they are not immersed in anything other than peace. They derive their peace from a source much bigger than themselves so it matters not that they have nothing but a bed and maybe, if they are lucky, a plastic box with a few possessions, they are at peace with who and where they are.
The most interesting thing to me, however, is that when the team arrived there yesterday (a year after the last visit w/ NO communication during the year - there's no way to communicate with them) . . the people of the infirmary, the men and women lying in their own states of helplessness called the people from WC by name.
They greeted our people by name.
They remembered.
I really, really, really try hard to remember people's names when I meet them! Unfortunately sometimes I "rename" people because I forget . . but more often than not I forget completely . . I struggle to remember, even though it is something I really want to do!
How is it that men and women in another part of the world, marked by cultural differences,distance,and failing health can remember a 1 hour visit and call the people by name?
Obviously something happens in that one hour visit that is a catalyst for changing someone's life.
I'm not sure quite yet what that means for me . . . but what I do know is that I hope every encounter I have can be a catalyst for change. Not just for who I am "encountering" . . . because frankly, that's the least of my concern . . . the change needs to happen within me.
Whereas I pray for the folks in the infirmary that they will feel God's peace, strength, encouragement, etc. I may want to revisit that prayer . . the ones who have nothing, who are presented with days lined with no hope out of a dismal situation, are the ones who are content. At peace.
I struggle a bit because my entire family is out of the country, on a trip I hold so dear to my heart, and I'm here . . . alone . . . little "pity party" can we say? And then I read their blog post - and I am reminded . . . like the Apostle Paul said,
"For me, to live is Christ. To die is gain."
Maybe my focus shouldn't be AT ALL on me! That's where the contentment comes from . . . . may God KEEP reminding me of that and may God keep on using those folks in the villages of Jamiaca to draw all people to the peace and perseverance that only God provides.
Grace and Peace, A
Look on the right of the page for the link to their blog!
One of the components of the trip is to visit the Infirmary and spend time with them on Sunday afternoon. Then return mid-week and take them a meal and continue hanging out and building relationships.
The most interesting component of this is the "Infirmary" is a cross between a nursing home and mental ward. Never in America would there be ANY place like this - conditions are abhorable and the people, for the most part, lie there waiting to die, flies, heat, and hopelessness surrounding them. Or so it seems . . .
For any American it would seem that hopelessness abounds . . . yet upon some time with the people you quickly learn they are not immersed in anything other than peace. They derive their peace from a source much bigger than themselves so it matters not that they have nothing but a bed and maybe, if they are lucky, a plastic box with a few possessions, they are at peace with who and where they are.
The most interesting thing to me, however, is that when the team arrived there yesterday (a year after the last visit w/ NO communication during the year - there's no way to communicate with them) . . the people of the infirmary, the men and women lying in their own states of helplessness called the people from WC by name.
They greeted our people by name.
They remembered.
I really, really, really try hard to remember people's names when I meet them! Unfortunately sometimes I "rename" people because I forget . . but more often than not I forget completely . . I struggle to remember, even though it is something I really want to do!
How is it that men and women in another part of the world, marked by cultural differences,distance,and failing health can remember a 1 hour visit and call the people by name?
Obviously something happens in that one hour visit that is a catalyst for changing someone's life.
I'm not sure quite yet what that means for me . . . but what I do know is that I hope every encounter I have can be a catalyst for change. Not just for who I am "encountering" . . . because frankly, that's the least of my concern . . . the change needs to happen within me.
Whereas I pray for the folks in the infirmary that they will feel God's peace, strength, encouragement, etc. I may want to revisit that prayer . . the ones who have nothing, who are presented with days lined with no hope out of a dismal situation, are the ones who are content. At peace.
I struggle a bit because my entire family is out of the country, on a trip I hold so dear to my heart, and I'm here . . . alone . . . little "pity party" can we say? And then I read their blog post - and I am reminded . . . like the Apostle Paul said,
"For me, to live is Christ. To die is gain."
Maybe my focus shouldn't be AT ALL on me! That's where the contentment comes from . . . . may God KEEP reminding me of that and may God keep on using those folks in the villages of Jamiaca to draw all people to the peace and perseverance that only God provides.
Grace and Peace, A
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