Deep Deposits

As a part of a study plan I started a year ago, I'm now plowing through J.L. Dagg's Manual of Theology- a Reformed systematic theology. I am so encouraged by the very first paragraph of the text, as it has reminded and refocused my heart on why I'm doing this and how I should be doing it...

"The study of religious truth ought to be undertaken and prosecuted from a sense of duty, and with a view to the improvement of the heart. When learned, it ought not be laid on the shelf, as an object of speculation; but it should be deposited deep in the heart, where its sanctifying power ought to be felt. To study theology, for the purpose of gratifying curiosity, or preparing for a profession, is an abuse and profanation of what ought to be regarded as most holy. To learn things pertaining to God, merely for the sake of amusement, or secular advantage, or to gratify the mere love of knowledge, is to treat the Most High with contempt."

I pray that this would indeed be the end of my study, that God would use it to teach me more and more how to obey His Word, and that I would love Him all the more as He does according to His will.

Are you reading anything that is encouraging and challenging your mind lately?

You Should See It!

I know that I am way behind the curve on this one, but if you have not seen this movie- you really should! It tells the (true) story of Temple's life with Autism, and the incredible accomplishments she has made as an animal scientist. The film is bioptic- it shows the world from two perspectives- as a typical mind would understand it, and how an Autistic mind might see it. Besides being a good story, this film so deserved all the awards it won (hands down, the best role Claire Danes has ever played)- so seriously, you should see it!

Titles

Officially, my role in Special Hope Network is to serve as Director of Operations Africa. Now I have to admit, I think that sounds pretty legit. I am then reminded, however, that we are not the major international NGO we hope one day to be, and that really we are just four adults + four kids on the ground here in Zambia doing what we can to affect change for people who have disabilities. In reality, right now that title doesn't mean a whole lot.

The title I prefer is the one that carries much more significance; the one I received on the night of our commissioning as missionaries back in early 2010- "Defender of the Rights of the Afflicted and the Needy." It comes straight from our verse, Proverbs 31:8-9, and to me, carries an incredible amount of weight. So much more than some fancy director of an organization, this is who I want to be. This is what I want to define my life. I want this to be what people say about me.

And so, to the best of my ability and according to the grace and power given me by God- this is what I will strive to be and do. Specifically, right now, I will work to see that Special Hope reaches kids earlier. With the deaths of Francis and Gabriel (another of our kids died while I was away), we have realized that we need to be there sooner. Before the malnutrition and/or disease warps their bodies beyond repair, we need to be able to step in.

With this in mind, Special Hope is now working to create Care Centers in each compound of Lusaka, and eventually in the rural areas outside Lusaka. Our goal will be different according to the specific needs of each community, but our hope is that we establish a presence in each area of the city so that we may be accessible to those who need us. We want to be there when a mom realizes her child is developing differently; or when a parent dies and a child has nowhere to go; or when a dad finds out his child, despite what everyone has always told him, can actually learn and grow- we want to be there.

So, that is what I will be doing for a while- finding places, talking with parents, assessing kids. All of which I hope will live up to my name...pray with me, will you?

Back At It

Well friends, after a five-week hiatus, Joab and I are back in Zambia. We had such a great time visiting family and friends, and got so much helpful advice from therapists (including and especially my sweet cousin Mary)- but we are glad to be back! There is so much work to do, and we are excited to get back at it. I will write more over the weekend and next week about everything we are up to- but before that, here are some fav moments from the trip...


Ohana (plus Christina!) showers its first baby- Joanna's sweet Galilee is clearly next in line! We can't wait to meet her.





The fam celebrates Dad's retirement from the Navy- we are so proud of him and his 30 years!







Joab and his cousins pose for an upcoming United Colors of Benetton commercial. So dang cute.






Emily graduates! Go Hokies! (the only time that phrase will ever find itself on this blog...WA-HOO-WA!)








Another of the fam (welcome Allen!) celebrating Em's admission into grad-town.

Refreshing

Can I just tell you all- I am feeling so encouraged after these two speaking engagements. They were so different from each other, and the combination of the two so nurtured my heart for this ministry, and especially for the kids I am called to serve.

First, at JMU- a small group of college-aged girls. I don't know if there is a group I would rather talk to more. I just loved the chance to tune their radar to what is going on with orphans and vulnerable children who have special needs, though that was not a difficult thing to do with a group of mostly pre-Occupational Therapists and pre-Special Educators. It was so fun to challenge them to think outside of the box and to dream big for the kingdom of God on this earth. It was also just so refreshing for me to think back to when I was a college-aged girl (not very long ago) and how much this particular dream meant to me, and how so many pieces have already been fleshed out. Praise the Lord for what He has done and continues to do.

Then, in Cville- with Special Hope family and friends. An incredibly close, and maybe not even, second to the group at JMU. As I stood on that stage and remembered back to a year ago, I absolutely could not believe how far God had led us. Before, we were just starry-eyed talkers, and now that we have been knocked down a couple times, I got to stand there as someone who knew the reality of the difficulty before us, but one still eager to take it on. I guarantee that I would not have felt that way except for the fact that the faces in that audience were people I knew were doing it with us. They might not ever step foot in Africa, but oh, we know that God is using you. To open your mouths, to defend, to act for these kids- thank you for the way you do it everyday. Again, I am so refreshed by talking with you all. Thank you for being excited and with us as Special Hope molds and grows.

Thank you to all who were involved with the planning (Christine and Kate) and to all who came!!! Joab and I loved getting to meet/see you!