So last week brought on the crazy realization that it has now been over a year since I left for Africa. I can't believe it. I can't believe over 3 months have gone by since I've been back either. I'm really not sure where all the time has gone.
I got to visit Pittsburgh last week and see some family, which was awesome. I've been able to see a decent amount of people since I've been back, which has been great, but I'm ready to settle down into a home. The fact that it's been a year since I left for Africa also means that it's been a year since I've had a solid home base. Even though I was in Africa for 9 months, I always knew it was going to be for a limited amount of time, so it never truly felt like home. And now I've really been running around for the last 3 months. I'm just burnt out I guess. As for today, I'm back in Nashville again looking for a job. Job hunting has been a struggle. I was hoping to be a little further along in my job search at this point, thinking I'd be moving out here by now. I haven't even gotten an interview at this point, which is really frustrating. With this job market there isn't a whole lot out there, and jobs that used to be in my range are now asking for 5+ years experience, because they can. The jobs that I've applied for so far have pretty much all come back as being filled internally. I'm not sure what to do, but I need to continue to network and push on, which is why I'm back in Nashville. I've made some good contacts so far, just waiting for that one opening that fits...
On the other side, it has been a very exciting year, filled with some great ups and downs and some big life changes. Thanks again to everyone who has supported me and prayed for me in that time. All the best.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Saturday, August 1, 2009
One body
Geez, I can't believe how much time has gone by since the last post, sorry. Still, as promised I'm going to try to write about some things I learned or am pondering more from my mission trip. I imagine it's not going to be easy to effectively write about some of this as I have trouble even just sorting out my thoughts most of the time. But here goes...
One of the most important things I noticed during my time at Lily is the need to be a united body. In a business environment it is important to get everyone on the same page so that you are properly using every person's talents and perspectives to maximize results. Also, it is important for parents to present a united front when dealing with their kids. You cannot effectively teach kids right and wrong and proper behavior if parents offer conflicting opinions and don't back each other up, just think about one parent telling a kid they can't do something and then the kid going behind their back to the other parent who let's them do it; kids learn quickly how to get their way. If this idea of being on the same "team" is so important in business and family, how much more important is it in ministry where our message is so important and emotions run high. How unfortunate is it that this problem so often comes between the church's message because of our in-house bickering over denominational things. Combining all these areas, how great is the need to be one body when working at a ministry that is supposed to be a big family raising young children? It is also unfortunate that it looks like South Africa has an even more uphill battle due to still significant race tensions, open or not (not to say we don't have our issues still in the US).
It is so easy to set up barriers, there are so many ways to divide people, so many characteristics we can use to segregate. But unless we can overcome our differences internally and focus on the one common goal, then we can never move forward, in business or in faith.
"There is one body and one Spirit - just as you were called to one hope when you were called - one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." Ephesians 4:4
One of the most important things I noticed during my time at Lily is the need to be a united body. In a business environment it is important to get everyone on the same page so that you are properly using every person's talents and perspectives to maximize results. Also, it is important for parents to present a united front when dealing with their kids. You cannot effectively teach kids right and wrong and proper behavior if parents offer conflicting opinions and don't back each other up, just think about one parent telling a kid they can't do something and then the kid going behind their back to the other parent who let's them do it; kids learn quickly how to get their way. If this idea of being on the same "team" is so important in business and family, how much more important is it in ministry where our message is so important and emotions run high. How unfortunate is it that this problem so often comes between the church's message because of our in-house bickering over denominational things. Combining all these areas, how great is the need to be one body when working at a ministry that is supposed to be a big family raising young children? It is also unfortunate that it looks like South Africa has an even more uphill battle due to still significant race tensions, open or not (not to say we don't have our issues still in the US).
It is so easy to set up barriers, there are so many ways to divide people, so many characteristics we can use to segregate. But unless we can overcome our differences internally and focus on the one common goal, then we can never move forward, in business or in faith.
"There is one body and one Spirit - just as you were called to one hope when you were called - one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." Ephesians 4:4
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Aren't they cute?
In my last couple weeks at Lily I took about 1,000 pictures...well, actually, most of the time I gave my camera to older kids who took a majority of the pictures... regardless, I've gone through and narrowed that down to about 180 pictures which I've posted online. I know it's still a lot of pictures, but the kids are just so cute and funny! Here they are: http://good-times.webshots.com/album/573686228HyCdqo
As I mentioned in my last post, things didn't end like I would have wanted them to at Lily and future reflections will probably dwell on some of that again, but when I look at the pictures of the kids I remember all the good parts about the place. I think about all the times the kids made me laugh and all the good times hanging out on the trampoline, in the houses and running around the grounds. I also look at these beautiful, healthy kids and am amazed to think about some of their background stories...kids abused, kids neglected, kids abandoned, kids in and out of the hospital for TB or HIV related diseases battling for their lives, kids literally on their death bed, all having found a home at Lily, now healthy and growing and thriving. One kid was apparently brought to Lily at 11 years old, weighing 22 pounds, everyone expecting him to die within a couple weeks and surely never walk again; now at 13 he is a healthy, good sized boy running around, smiling, playing with the other kids. Other children who had shut down emotionally and socially from past horrors have gained confidence and opened up while at Lily. Yes, there are many great stories to be told. I thank the Lord for those stories, for his goodness, for those kids and for granting me 9 months to live with them. I pray that Lily can grow and continue to meet the often very difficult physical and emotional needs of these kids, building on what has already been done so that these kids have a chance to live happy lives when they grow up. Enjoy the photos!
As I mentioned in my last post, things didn't end like I would have wanted them to at Lily and future reflections will probably dwell on some of that again, but when I look at the pictures of the kids I remember all the good parts about the place. I think about all the times the kids made me laugh and all the good times hanging out on the trampoline, in the houses and running around the grounds. I also look at these beautiful, healthy kids and am amazed to think about some of their background stories...kids abused, kids neglected, kids abandoned, kids in and out of the hospital for TB or HIV related diseases battling for their lives, kids literally on their death bed, all having found a home at Lily, now healthy and growing and thriving. One kid was apparently brought to Lily at 11 years old, weighing 22 pounds, everyone expecting him to die within a couple weeks and surely never walk again; now at 13 he is a healthy, good sized boy running around, smiling, playing with the other kids. Other children who had shut down emotionally and socially from past horrors have gained confidence and opened up while at Lily. Yes, there are many great stories to be told. I thank the Lord for those stories, for his goodness, for those kids and for granting me 9 months to live with them. I pray that Lily can grow and continue to meet the often very difficult physical and emotional needs of these kids, building on what has already been done so that these kids have a chance to live happy lives when they grow up. Enjoy the photos!
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Blog??
Yeah, I've been bad, I don't know what to tell you (but i'll attempt). It's been a combination of things (begin excuses...):
1. I've been recovering (I know it's been a month already! take it easy on a guy)
2. I've been busy with family, friends and Sarah. Having a girlfriend across the country is not easy. And if I haven't seen or talked to you yet I'm sorry.
3. Lily didn't end all that well and I haven't really wanted to post on it. I figured the post would be depressing, and well, i've had a few people tell me to keep blogging and keep it funny, which it would not be right now... although i don't consider myself that funny in general.
4. Since my mom has gotten the chance to see me she has been far less nagging about my blogging... although she's picked back up more recently.
So why am I blogging now? Because I'm trying to look for a job and that's just depressing, blogging is a much better option. So is sleep... I think I'll do that soon too. As for the job hunt, I'm now looking for a job in Nashville, TN, which I am visiting at this moment. So if you have any contacts out here, please please make my life easier. Yep, Nashville... it'll be interesting to see how the South and I get along... I just had my first use of "fixin'" in a sentence today, that was weird. The occasional y'all usage has also been increasing. Unfortunately one thing I didn't leave behind in LA was guys wearing girl jeans...that happens too much in Nashville as well.
Seriously though, I think I owe it to all of you who have supported me to fill you in on how the trip has affected me. So back to wrapping up my South Africa trip before moving on to other things... As I said, my time at Lily didn't end all that well. Basically, as I blogged about once before, some sexual abuse between kids was brought to light during the end of my time there and a few more things happened before I left. It was just tough to see that stuff and also see the way it was handled. There are still some things going on there that are hard for me to swallow and some unhealthy relationships. These things have caused me a lot of pain for the past few months and have also forced me to reevaluate and question things a lot. I think I'll be processing this stuff for a long long time, but I will try to get down some thoughts in forthcoming blogs on what I've learned from my time there and what I'm still working on. As for Lily, that place and its management need a LOT of prayer. Unfortunately, I think my time with them is coming to an end soon once I wrap up some loose ends, but I continue to search for guidance there. I still love those kids. I'll try to post some pics soon along with the additional blog posts.
1. I've been recovering (I know it's been a month already! take it easy on a guy)
2. I've been busy with family, friends and Sarah. Having a girlfriend across the country is not easy. And if I haven't seen or talked to you yet I'm sorry.
3. Lily didn't end all that well and I haven't really wanted to post on it. I figured the post would be depressing, and well, i've had a few people tell me to keep blogging and keep it funny, which it would not be right now... although i don't consider myself that funny in general.
4. Since my mom has gotten the chance to see me she has been far less nagging about my blogging... although she's picked back up more recently.
So why am I blogging now? Because I'm trying to look for a job and that's just depressing, blogging is a much better option. So is sleep... I think I'll do that soon too. As for the job hunt, I'm now looking for a job in Nashville, TN, which I am visiting at this moment. So if you have any contacts out here, please please make my life easier. Yep, Nashville... it'll be interesting to see how the South and I get along... I just had my first use of "fixin'" in a sentence today, that was weird. The occasional y'all usage has also been increasing. Unfortunately one thing I didn't leave behind in LA was guys wearing girl jeans...that happens too much in Nashville as well.
Seriously though, I think I owe it to all of you who have supported me to fill you in on how the trip has affected me. So back to wrapping up my South Africa trip before moving on to other things... As I said, my time at Lily didn't end all that well. Basically, as I blogged about once before, some sexual abuse between kids was brought to light during the end of my time there and a few more things happened before I left. It was just tough to see that stuff and also see the way it was handled. There are still some things going on there that are hard for me to swallow and some unhealthy relationships. These things have caused me a lot of pain for the past few months and have also forced me to reevaluate and question things a lot. I think I'll be processing this stuff for a long long time, but I will try to get down some thoughts in forthcoming blogs on what I've learned from my time there and what I'm still working on. As for Lily, that place and its management need a LOT of prayer. Unfortunately, I think my time with them is coming to an end soon once I wrap up some loose ends, but I continue to search for guidance there. I still love those kids. I'll try to post some pics soon along with the additional blog posts.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
I'm back!
Friday, June 5, 2009
Nearly over
I know I've been slacking on the posts as of late, but its just hard to come up with the right words now. I'll be leaving Lily and heading back to the USA in just 9 days, and what a mix of emotions it is right now. For one, I'm worn out, just tired... hopefully that means I gave all I had to this place. Of course there were some tough times at the end here and I can't say it's been the same since... I mean when you lose such a big awesome family as the Christensens you're going to notice it, on top of everything else. At the same time we're working through some things and I hope this place will grow and get better as a result instead of going the other way; I'm optimistic. I know I've grown a lot. I also dislocated my left shoulder (not the surgery one thankfully) last sunday wakeboarding (the spot in Port Edward was awesome) and that has been a bummer. I feel a bit useless in my last few weeks with my lame arm, and just frustrated that I hurt myself again, but at the same time maybe it's a bit of a blessing as it has forced me to slow down, relax and spend more time just hanging out with the kids. No matter how many headaches these kids have given me (way too many), I'm still gonna miss them like crazy, I love them all. I hate having my camera out, but its been in my hand nonstop these last few days as I try to savor the last moments.
So yeah, there are things I'm definitely ready to get away from here, but there are a lot of things I'm going to miss, especially the people. I'm also excited to get home and see family and friends and my girlfriend, its been way too long. At the same time I've been warned that the transition home is a rough one. It hasn't been easy for most volunteers who've left before as its easy to get let down that home isn't all you built it up to be in your head and people don't understand your experience. But I'm lucky to have a great support group of old volunteers and close friends that I think will help with that. Just don't ask me 2 questions please:
1. How was the food? I don't really care in the scheme of things
2. How was Africa? I don't have the slightest idea how to start responding to that general question. All you'll get is, "it was good."
Add in being thrown back into a bad job market though and it is a bit overwhelming. Oh well, for now I'll just focus on enjoying my last days here and look forward to seeing loved ones.
Blessings to all. Thanks for following the blog and supporting me throughout my time in SA, knowing so many people are behind me made this all much easier. I guess i'm making this sound like the end, but I'll definitely post a few more times, the experience isn't over yet... heck, i'm still in South Africa.
So yeah, there are things I'm definitely ready to get away from here, but there are a lot of things I'm going to miss, especially the people. I'm also excited to get home and see family and friends and my girlfriend, its been way too long. At the same time I've been warned that the transition home is a rough one. It hasn't been easy for most volunteers who've left before as its easy to get let down that home isn't all you built it up to be in your head and people don't understand your experience. But I'm lucky to have a great support group of old volunteers and close friends that I think will help with that. Just don't ask me 2 questions please:
1. How was the food? I don't really care in the scheme of things
2. How was Africa? I don't have the slightest idea how to start responding to that general question. All you'll get is, "it was good."
Add in being thrown back into a bad job market though and it is a bit overwhelming. Oh well, for now I'll just focus on enjoying my last days here and look forward to seeing loved ones.
Blessings to all. Thanks for following the blog and supporting me throughout my time in SA, knowing so many people are behind me made this all much easier. I guess i'm making this sound like the end, but I'll definitely post a few more times, the experience isn't over yet... heck, i'm still in South Africa.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Love
Thanks to everyone for your prayers after my last post. Things are still getting worked out; it’s a very very frustrating process. Continued prayers would be much appreciated.
It’s been a really hard couple of weeks, and really, a trying 8 months… I’m tired. Yeah, it’s been that long already, crazy, less than a month to go now. In my time here I’ve been forced to learn a lot about myself, others, and God, and I’m still learning. For now I’ll leave you with this scripture I’ve been meditating on recently, Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians…
"For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how WIDE and LONG and HIGH and DEEP is the LOVE of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." – Ephesians 3:14-21
I’m just trying to wrap my head around a little bit of that “love that surpasses knowledge.”
It’s been a really hard couple of weeks, and really, a trying 8 months… I’m tired. Yeah, it’s been that long already, crazy, less than a month to go now. In my time here I’ve been forced to learn a lot about myself, others, and God, and I’m still learning. For now I’ll leave you with this scripture I’ve been meditating on recently, Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians…
"For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how WIDE and LONG and HIGH and DEEP is the LOVE of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." – Ephesians 3:14-21
I’m just trying to wrap my head around a little bit of that “love that surpasses knowledge.”
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