I'm Not Your Friend...I'm Your Parent.

As I sit here alone for the moment, I know I am not the best parent. I do what I can and I know I will make mistakes, but I try very hard to do the right thing. The rules and instructions I make and enforce are often unpopular among the under-18 members of our family. However unpopular they may seem, they are necessary.

I am not cool in the eyes of my children. I am not the one they want to hang out with on a regular basis. We are not always exactly friendly.

I am not here to be their friend at this stage in their lives. They can make friends at church and school. I am here to be a parent. I am to guide them in the way they should go. We will have times where we butt heads and even fight, but I know one day, they will see the benefit in my rules and yes, even my lectures. One day, my words will come out of their mouthes to their children. It will happen despite how many times they say now "I will never do that to my kid or make my kid do that!" One day, I will not be as dumb as they think I am now and they will not be as smart as they think they are now.

This week, our community experienced a tragic event when a local teen was killed in an automobile accident. Hearing news like that makes a responsible parent even more inclined to teach her/her children proper driving skills and the importance of making good choices so that the same fate is not met.

No one intentionally chooses mean, unfair, demanding, know-it-all people as friends. I am sure my children look at me as mean, unfair, demanding, and know-it-all most of the time. However, I'm not their friend. I'm their parent.

Proverbs 22:6, New Century Version (NCV)
Train children to live the right way, and when they are old, they will not stray from it.

El Salvador Mission Trip 2013 (Day 7 of 7)

This is the last of a seven part series taken from my daily journal while in Ahuachapan, El Salvador participating in a mission trip with the LaGrange District of the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church.

Day 7: 2/22/2013

Road leading to La Gloria Metodista

Last full day in Ahuachapan, El Salvador. We leave bright and early in the morning to head to the airport I believe.
We began today going to the church to clean. I ended up with a small group going over to the conference-owned mission house. It had wi-fi! I was able to email and Facebook a little without a line waiting as with our community laptop in days prior.

La Gloria Metodista

After cleaning, we visited La Gloria Metodista in La Gloria pastored by Gloria!. This church sits in a valley near a river.

Inside La Gloria

The road leading down to the church is known to be frequented by gangs. It was not recommended we walk these roads and our bus could not safely travel the rough terrain. So, we were shuttled past the gang-infested territory to the church location. This small block building barely held our group of 32. Tin roof with daylight shining through and yet the sweetest altar set up with flowers and white tablecloth. The congregation was so thankful to have been able to purchase the building and land after 5 years of $20/mo. rent, for $3700. They took great pride in their church and feel blessed to have it though the people have no money to contribute greatly. They prayed for years and God provided. We so take often take our church facility for granted. The pastor has 50 kids in her church, and about 100 members including adults, meeting in such a small building. They go to church daily. It is a place of refuge and hope for the people of La Gloria.


Clinic at La Providencia

Next, we visited another church, more established in La Providencia. On its campus is a government clinic akin to our health department that serves about 1500 people with one doctor, one nurse, and four community assistants.
We also visited the El Salvador Methodist Church national office, clothing center, and Clinica Metodista.
(more to come after dinner and worship...)
Dinner was great! Pupusas are great! I had a very good strawberry smoothie, too. After dinner, we headed back to New Jerusalem for a farewell worship service. It was an interesting and touching experience to hear familiar praise songs sung in Spanish. We were given opportunity to share thoughts about the week and our time here. I m so thankful for the opportunity to play with the young El Salvadoran children and share love with them. They presented each team member with a token of appreciation. I received a handmade hairband of straw or wicker of some sort. I will treasure it with my many wonderful memories.
Speaking of memories...from being mistaken for Mike's (Wilson) wife early on, to Hank's (Hughes) poor spider killing skills, we had a ton of laughs, too.
Quite a few "you had to be there" moments...
Looking for Margaret.
Flushing the paper.
30 people in the bed of a truck
The Mafia bus
Clown.
"I need the key."
Hitting heads on the package rack (Except Suzie)
Kory the Pirate.
Kory the Beggar.
Kory the Soccer Player.
Evening prayer groups.
The singing.
Kicking the dog.
Misplaced underwear.

This is definitely an experience I will never forget. Friendships formed. Memories made. Moments treasured.






 

El Salvador Mission Trip 2013 (Day 6 of 7)

This is the sixth of a seven part series taken from my daily journal while in Ahuachapan, El Salvador participating in a mission trip with the LaGrange District of the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church.

Day 6: 2/21/2013

I got emails from James! I miss him and the children so much. I am truly incomplete without them. I pray one day that each of them can experience a trip like this.

We finished our third and final day of bible school today. We were greeted with big smiles and hugs once again. We helped them make stained glass/sun catchers using waxed paper and tissue paper. After ironing 34 to sel the colors, I was given a pipe cleaner bracelet by a young girl as "gracias" (thanks). I will put it with the 3 drawings and pipe cleaner "serpiente" (snake) that I was given on the other days.

Once again, as the children departed and gave hugs, I felt so fulfilled. We sent the children out of the church, carrying their crafts and hygeine kits in canvas bags they decorated, to walk the dusty, rocky road home. No car rider line. No "wait here here til your ride comes." No emergency contact numbers.

Do you know what else we didn't have? We had no complaining or whining children. We had no disrespect or misbehaving. No snacks either.
We had children who could be content with the simplest of crafts. Children who could play with pipe cleaners or color for an hour. Children who did not need to be entertained.
Last, but not least, we had "John Jacob Jingle Hiemer Schmidt" except it was "Juan Paco Pedro- something". (Note to self: Google that one later.)
 

Juan Paco Pedro de la Mar
Es mi nombre, si
Y cuando yo me voy
Me dicen que yo soy
Juan Paco Pedro de la Mar
La ,la…la, la, la, la…la…

 

El Salvador Mission Trip 2013 (Day 5 of 7)

This is the fifth of a seven part series taken from my daily journal while in Ahuachapan, El Salvador participating in a mission trip with the LaGrange District of the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church.

Day 5: 2/20/2013

Luis

The morning was slow for me. Not much to do. What's that old saying? "An idle mind is the devil's workshop"? Well, the devil was working on me today.
I spoke to James on the phone yesterday for the first time since leaving on Saturday. Hearing his voice just ruined me. The homesickness began to set in. I miss him and the children terribly. I began to doubt if I made the right decision in coming. After not sleeping extremely well, I woke up a little sad and missing my family even more. Part of me was wishing I hadn't come. Why did I spend so much money that could have helped my family? Sounds familiar, eh? Hasn't the devil already used that trick on me? Why am I still listening?!?

One of the sweet abuelas

The morning dragged on and on and I really felt useless. I couldn't paint because the fumes made me feel so sick if I were around them more than about 20 minutes. Other small groups had been farmed out so there at the church I sat. Thinking too much. Allowing Satan to invade my thoughts.

Jenny

I made my way through lunch, and then had my scheduled 30 minute prayer shift. Amazing what God can do when you lay your troubled heart before him. As I poured out my heart to God about all that was in my head, I felt lighter and more at ease. I lifted up specific prayers for each individual on our team, too. By the time my shift ended, I was in a better state of mind and heart.

Jenny, Clenda, and Riley

As I came out of our makeshift chapel, it was time to set up for bible school. Before long, the children were coming in and once again passing out hugs. It was therapeutic to say the least.
I AM supposed to be here. I have a place on this team. I do still miss my family so much it hurts, but I need to be here.
I cannot let Satan rob me of the joy coming out of this trip.
I need to be here!

I have a place on this team.

El Salvador Mission Trip 2013 (Day 4 of 7)

This is the fourth of a seven part series taken from my daily journal while in Ahuachapan, El Salvador participating in a mission trip with the LaGrange District of the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church.

Day 4: 2/19/2013

Getting our supplies in order for pipe cleaner station

Today we held our first bible school with about 30-35 children showing up. As they began coming in the doors, the children hugged us. Some children even went around the church hugging each adult. One thing startled us at first. A few came in in the front door and immediately shot out a side door as we are shouting, "No, aquí!" since I didn't know the words for "come back." As I followed them out, I noticed they were not trying to run away, but were at the outside sink, washing their hands, wiping their hair and face, and rinsing their feet. They quickly finished their task and came back in to sit and wait patiently for instructions.


Some of our youth interacting with the children

One young man had a bright green instrument of some sort, made of bamboo. The way he carried it reminded me of the way the soldiers carried their machine guns on the street corners in the area. I began to wonder if it was an instrument after all. I pointed and asked "qué?" He put it to his mouth and began to play a simple song. "Bravo!", I said, to which he bowed and said "thank you!" Mystery solved, or so I thought. A few minutes later, this same child was holding it like and machine gun and pretending to fire. I guess I was right on both accounts. I couldn't help but laugh.

Our youth acting out the creation story

We had the simplest of crafts as we talked about God creating things of nature such as light and dark, flowers and trees, sun, moon, and stars. The children colored creation pictures, made card stock frames to embellish with foam stickers, folded tissue paper flowers, and played with pipe cleaners. Even the abuelas were fascinated with making pipe cleaner "floras". We had a church member on hand to help translate the bible story and lead the children in songs.

Some of the children, and Melanie coloring

I cannot describe my emotions right now. I barely understood these children and they barely understood me. Yet, we communicated. We shared smiles and hugs. I shared English words while they shared Spanish ones with me. I even shared my name. We had a "Jenni" and a "Jeniffer" today. :)



Scott and Elizabeth with the children as they play with pipe cleaners

Such a wave of joy came over me when I asked them as they left, "Hasta mañana?" and I received big grins with an exuberant "Si! Hasta mañana!"

Hasta mañana!!

El Salvador Mission Trip 2013 (Day 3 of 7)

This is the third of a seven part series taken from my daily journal while in Ahuachapan, El Salvador participating in a mission trip with the LaGrange District of the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church.

Day 3: 2/18/2013

Sleep was interrupted by the sound of dogs barking, roosters crowing, chickens clucking, and horns blowing. As my family well knows, I am NOT a morning person under the best of circumstances so with interrupted sleep, I was a bit grumpy. I complained for a moment, but then quickly remembered my "glad" devotional I gave yesterday taken from a previous blog entry. I must be intentionally optimistic like Pollyanna. I got dressed and headed out for a cup of coffee before breakfast at seven. As I approached the coffee urn, a young Salvadoran male, in broken English said to me with a smile, "This is good coffee." If he could be this bright and cheery this early and take time to converse with me in my language, I could at least improve my attitude and enjoy the simple pleasure of coffee. And it was good! [Side note: As we visited the coffee plantation yesterday, we learned that El Salvadorans appreciate good coffee and begin drinking it as early as two years old.]
Needles to say, after a wonderful cup of coffee and another amazing feast for breakfast, we headed to the church for our assignments. It was decided that we would hold bible school on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday afternoons. We sorted our supplies and put together our game plan for the Creation Story theme. Our crafts would be geared toward celebrating God's creation.
Next, we toured a local neighborhood village, El Carmen, to invite families to participate in bible school. What an eyeopener! We saw yards of gray dirt, animals roaming free in the yards and houses, and more smiling people! We had 3 representatives from the church to lead us and translate, Fernando, Emerson, and Joanna. It was a new world to me. We saw some homes made of bamboo sticks tied together, with corrugated metal roofs held down by tires. Others were open air cinder block while some were hand-formed adobe bricks dried by the sun.
We saw a brick making operation with a large kiln in the neighborhood. Very impressive.
The streets of rock and dirt made it difficult for me to travel gracefully yet these people do it every day for miles.
This afternoon, I took a shift in our makeshift prayer chapel (a back room in the church's preschool wing ) Time in the middle of our organized chaos to quiet down, pray, meditate, and just refocus.
I am so excited to spend time with the locals tomorrow.
And looking forward to more smiles!!

 

El Salvador Mission Trip 2013 (Day 2 of 7)

This is the second of a seven part series taken from my daily journal while in Ahuachapan, El Salvador participating in a mission trip with the LaGrange District of the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church.

Day 2: 2/17/2013
Wow. What a day thus far. 6:30pm and what have we done?!
Geothermal sulfuric hotbeds. Admission fee of $.50/person.
Concepción de Ataco - colony town (and tourist market) settled in a volcano crater.
Slum village built in the side of a mountain. Raw sewage smell for a mile. (Could see village at a distance).
Lunch at an amazing restaurant on a coffee plantation. Entre Nubes Cafe (http://www.entrenubescafe.com/)
Worship at Iglesia Evangelica Metodista Nueva Jerusalen. I was a bit lost with the language, but felt so welcomed. Smiles and hugs and lots of "Hola's".
As we travel the bumpy, winding roads in a suped up old school bus, I see few homes I would consider suitable housing. Some you can smell the stench as you pass. However, I cannot say that I have seen homeless vagrants, or beggars of any sort. I see people in clean clothes and shoes, with clean faces, working. Always moving, and 99% of the time- SMILING!
As I videoed two guys struggling to keep a trailer from rolling down a busy highway, I caught the eye of one. In the midst of his struggle, he lifted a hand to wave.
As I see pickups pass our bus packed with sometimes 30 people in the bed, I see smiles.
While I can speak very little Spanish, I can smile. And they make me smile.
Why can't I smile more in my life? I have an abundance of conveniences and opportunities and resources these people do not and yet they smile.
Smile. Smile. Smile!

El Salvador Mission Trip 2013 (Day 1 of 7)

This is the first of a seven part series taken from my daily journal while in Ahuachapan, El Salvador participating in a mission trip with the LaGrange District of the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church.

Day 1: 2/16/2013
I left LaGrange with anticipation and some fear, both of the unknown and unfamiliar. I was leaving my family behind, my family I treasure to the ends of the earth. I was leaving them for 8 days. Over the course of 6 months, and with the help of some donations, I paid for this trip and of the necessary preparations ahead of time. This money was financial support that I took from our household, money that could have served my family. I took the money to fund my trip. Satan began to work a number on me. I began to ponder how that money could have benefited my family.
Then, as I landed in El Salvador, and we began to ride the streets of towns, roads of countryside, I realized GOD is using that money for HIS benefit. It was not for ME. It was for HIS kingdom.
I saw slums and shanties. I saw roadside markets and grills manned by locals who looked as they are barely surviving.
Yes, the money could have bought my family more or paid down a credit card balance. However, it enabled me to be right here, right now, with this group of God's children, to serve more of God's children.
I feel like I am being obedient to His call. Here I am, Lord. Send me.

My Uncle Barry

I awoke this morning with bittersweet emotions. As I come to the realization that I will soon be saying goodbye (for a time) to a man I have known and loved all of my life, my heart is heavy, but my mind is full of wonderful memories.
Just over a week or so ago, we received news that my beloved Uncle Barry had what appeared to be cancer. Within a few days, we learned there were no treatment options due to its rapid progression. That kind of news hits you like a truck. Emotions began to flow. First instinct was to drop everything, hop in the car, drive 700 something miles, and spend every last minute I could with him and my family. Reality tells me though that is not possible. My obligations keep me here. Here, so far away from my extended family and longing to be there with them through this difficult time.
As I sit here, I find comfort in my memories of Uncle Barry. One of the earliest and most impressionable ones has to be how he would hold me down and tickle me til I nearly wet my pants. Many of you will know that tickle. How you absolutely hate it one minute, begging for it to end at any cost...the next you are right back over for more. Oh and his hugs were like no other. They were big and strong, and like the tickle, had a little something extra. He would snort like a pig either in your ear or on your neck while scrubbing his chin stubble on you. Chills to the Nth degree shooting all over as the result. As much as you squirmed and pretended not to like it, begging to stop, you loved every minute of it.
Even though I thought he had the strangest accent (Pennsylvania Dutch/Eastern Shore of Maryland brogue), I was the one with the strange accent when on his turf. He never missed many opportunities to point out my Georgia peach way of talking. I think he secretly envied my long "I" sounds in "shyyy" and "spriiiiite".
In my adult years, I could always count on an email or two a day from him. He wanted to make sure I received the money angel and sent it to 12 or more friends, or keep me up to speed on politics even though we didn't really see eye-to-eye on those, or the ever funny growing old jokes. I could almost set my watch and knew when he was at his computer by the timing of the emails. I loved seeing his name in my inbox.
We also shared a love of motorcycle riding. As James and I took a 2500 mile road trip a few summers ago, we were able to stop in and stay with him and my Aunt Cathy for a couple of nights. We shared a love for riding and talked about his ride also.
Last night, I had a dream about Uncle Barry. Nothing profound or even strange. I was back in his living room, giving him a hug, and simply saying "I love you."
I realize I will not have the opportunity to hug him again (at least not here on earth), but I will relive each and every hug I have had until we meet again.
I love you, Uncle Barry. We will meet again one day, and I will be ready for that hug.

What I Never Got as a Kid From The Neverending Story!

When I was in elementary school, my class watched The Neverending Story. Most memorable to me was a flying dog, a wimpy boy, and a sneezing turtle. As I was perusing through our tv channel guide a few days ago, I saw that the movie would be airing soon. I quickly set a timer on the DVR, if for no other reason than nostalgia. Last night, my husband indulged me and watched it with me. The eyeopening began.
Several different themes and messages began to surface for me that I had not gotten as child. Ranging from the power of the imagination to the power of hope to the importance and worth that each of us possess.
The Nothing begins to sweep across the land, leaving nothing in its path, but destruction and despair. The Nothing seeks to rob each of us of our hope and joy. It seeks to destroy. If we allow ourselves to stop and focus on our despair or begin to doubt our worth, we fall prey to The Nothing.
We set out to combat this emptiness, but carry no weapons. However, if we open our eyes and our hearts, we soon realize we are not alone. We have allies to aid in the fight, to help, to guide, to protect.
In a world that is crumbling from lack of hope, a savior is sent in human form. Though seemingly lowly, he brings hope back and restores the world.
While it is not exactly the salvation story we read in our Bible, I was reminded of my Savior. He came to Earth in human form to bring peace and hope for eternity. He reminds us of our worth in God's eyes. We all have purpose and meaning.
Without hope, we sink in the muck of life. Without a Savior, our world is lost.
And contrary to what the muddy turtle ha to say, it DOES matter!!

Ostentatious Headstone or Lasting Imprint?

As I think about this past weekend, I can only praise God. We spent the better part of Saturday with some very good friends we have come to know in recent years. They have had tragedy and heartache in their lives, but continue to find joy in life, and give of themselves in careers that serve and protect others. They are an inspiration to me.
After attending the Atlanta Boat Show together, we shared a meal at Six Feet Under. The restaurant is located across the the street from the legendary Oakland Cemetery that serves as final resting place to quite a number of notable people like Bobby Jones and Margaret Mitchell.
While that may not appeal or interest some, I was personally fascinated by my too short visit. However, even in the short time we spent in the cemetery (due to another engagement I will elaborate on shortly) I was mesmerized. As we strolled through, I began to notice the vast differences in tombstones. They ranged from small and modest to grand and almost ostentatious. I began to think, "Wow, that person must have been important, or they must have been wealthy!" as I saw the grand monuments. Then I saw the Confederate Soldier burial section, all with very modest headstones. Were they not important also?
I realized that the size of the headstone doesn't really matter, does it? The final mark we leave on the world shouldn't be our grave marker. I care nothing for having a large headstone or even a grave for that matter, but I do want to leave a grand imprint on my world. I want to live my life such that when I leave this world, I am not honored with a large over-the-top tombstone or mausoleum, but with the words "well done, good and faithful servant."
That brings me to the second part of my Saturday. Our time at the cemetery was cut short due to attending a prayer and communion service for a family who has answered the call to missionary work. Heidi, Nick, and Gilly Griffiths on January 22 will leave their life here to enter the mission field in Kenya. I cannot begin to imagine such a life change. What an imprint they are making. After hearing their story and watching their preparations, I know the Griffiths' decision was not an easy or quick one. God began working in them some time ago. As I think about them, I stand in awe and admiration of how they have heard the call of God so strongly. I felt a need to be at that prayer service, to wish them well, and to share even if just a little in their journey. You can also share in their journey through their blog. I am including a picture of this precious family. http://griffithsonmission.blogspot.com
They will one day hear those sought after words from God.
Now, that brings me to the end of my weekend. I had a team meeting with my El Salvador mission trip group. We are scheduled to leave on February 16 for a weeklong mission trip. I have never been on a mission trip. I am both excited and fearful about my adventure. However, I am not alone. I know God has called me to do this. He opened doors and provided the resources to make this trip possible. I hope to make Him proud. I can only believe that this trip is just a small part of my mark to leave on this world.
This weekend was an enlightening one for me. God is working in my life...through all areas of my life.