"Seesta, Seesta, peecha!". These were the first words that I heard one day as I raised my camera to take a picture. If my camera hung untouched around my neck, then it was a different story. But,the minute my hands clutched on, all heads made a swift turn and all eyes gazed with anticipation. "Pleeze Seesta, peecha" Translation: Please Sister, take a picture! I wish that I could rally that same eagerness at Christmas time for picture taking. It's usually a sigh that I hear. I even catch myself avoiding the lens. Why? Maybe its the preoccupation that we can have with how we look, or don't look. Looking tired, feeling tired, older, big nose, small chin, grey hair, pudgey profile, skinny legs....whatever it is that we see in ourselves that we don't like, or like too much, that's what becomes our anxiety. Really, that's not what a picture is meant to be or the effect its meant to have. It's a memory, a reflection of our life, a snapshot of special moments, of memories imprinted for future reflection and appreciation. It's a view to who we were, what we did, what we hoped to become, and most importantly, who we loved. " Seesta, pleeze" says the little boy as he tugs at my shirt. "Yes, yes...a picture, of course!" The picture starts out with two friends embracing and is quickly filled with a multitude of eager participants. They all jump in pushing their way to the front. Smiles widen, embraces tighten and a few quickly adjust positions to offer their best poses. Then, a few more squeeze in. My LCD screen is full. Wow! The enthusiasm is riveting! I can't say that I've ever rushed in to be in a picture in this way. "Click" The smiles now take over and within moments, a rush to my side ensues to catch a first glimpse of the final product on my screen. As the picture comes up, it is obvious that this is a magical moment. With eyes wide open, the children are mesmerized by the image of themselves. "Kongo", I say to the girls. This means beautiful. They all burst into giggles as girls do. Then, an unexpected moment. A boy comes up to my side and captures my gaze. "Seesta, me Kongo?" "Yes, you are very Kongo", I say. He gives me a hug and puts his tiny hand in mine. My heart begins to swell, filled with a deep sense of his desire and need for affirmation and love. The girls want to know that they are beautiful and so do boys. We all do, no matter where we live and who we are. Then, as though I had walked among the group afresh, another wave of requests, " Seesta,Seesta, peecha, my friend is Kongo too." In those moments, many thoughts came to my mind and poured over my heart. This picture that I had taken was more than likely the very first time that these children had seen themselves. In this forgotten, poverty-stricken slum there were no mirrors. Even new rains did not bring clear reflections to the muddied puddles. There was no where for them to look and to say, "This is me, this is who I am. Imagine for a moment having lived your entire life, young or old, with no reflection of yourself, your identity misplaced or lost altogether. I thank God that it is His identity that He gives to these people and that no mirror is a substitute for His perfect image of love within us. At the same time, my heart grieves for the reflections of self that are sought after. I guess that's why God gives us the opportunity and gift of being His embassadors...for hope, for love and to convey His identity to others.
"A peecha" became a gift. I had no idea when I pulled out my camera that there was a gift to be given. At the time, I was thinking of how many images I wanted to capture on film, and even worried about whether I would have enough memory on my SD card to do it. I was humbly reminded that the gift was not mine to receive. It was to be given away.It was the gift of capturing self, beauty,friendship, community, love, and family....for those whose pictures I had taken. There would be more than enough memory....in just one picture for just one child at a time to feel filled with joy.
Vanity, insecurity, wondering who we are and whether we are enough, hiding from the lens...there is no room for that in a world that never gets to see itself and wishes that it could. And so now, I look at my pictures with a genuine affection and renewed understanding. I know that they will speak a thousand words and convey many sentiments. They will be a voice for the people that asked me to be theirs. They have given to those children that I spent time with and loved a reflection of who they are and how much God truly loves them. Oh how I wish I could hear those words again, "Seesta, Seesta, peecha pleeze!"
How do we start making a difference?
Every single life matters. There is no "us" and "them" and we shouldn't live as though there is.
Every person is entitled to have nutritious food, medical care, shelter and clean water.
Every person deserves to have freedom,opportunity,dignity and hope.
Everyone needs to be loved. We all have the ability to influence our world and to make a difference.
It begins with a heart-felt desire to do something. That's followed by a commitment to finding ways to gaining awareness, becoming more educated, and using our resources, both within ourselves and amongst each other.
It begins with a heart-felt desire to do something. That's followed by a commitment to finding ways to gaining awareness, becoming more educated, and using our resources, both within ourselves and amongst each other.
The hardest part might be taking that step....or a plunge, and getting out of our comfort zone. It might feel as though it's just a tiny step, not worth much.
But every effort is like small pebble thrown in the water, creating a spreading ripple that moves, grows and changes into something magnificent and beyond borders.
A COLLECTION OF STORIES OF MY TRIPS TO ETHIOPIA AND IN THE JOURNEY THAT CONTINUES IN MY HEART...
May 4, 2010
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Sululta 2010 - What's it all about?
It's about working together for HOPE. A team of medical professionals as well others with a passion for Ethiopia and the betterment of its people will travel in April 2010 to the rural community of Sululta, Ethiopia. This village is located about 25 km from the capital city of Addis Ababa.
The aim of this trip will be to provide not only medical assistance to the rural community, but also additional medical supplies and training for the staff at the clinic. As well, building community awareness of health issues, creating a nutritional program, implementing health promotion and prevention, and collecting data for future implementation are key aspects of the trip.
The team will seek to establish a stronger partnership between a teaching university and the clinic while looking for sustainable ways to assist the Sululta clinic in its long term functioning. I am privileged to be part of this team and look forward to being with the beautiful people of Ethiopia once again. I am excited for what God has planned in the days that we work together as a team to share our hearts, our talents and our passion for making a difference.
The aim of this trip will be to provide not only medical assistance to the rural community, but also additional medical supplies and training for the staff at the clinic. As well, building community awareness of health issues, creating a nutritional program, implementing health promotion and prevention, and collecting data for future implementation are key aspects of the trip.
The team will seek to establish a stronger partnership between a teaching university and the clinic while looking for sustainable ways to assist the Sululta clinic in its long term functioning. I am privileged to be part of this team and look forward to being with the beautiful people of Ethiopia once again. I am excited for what God has planned in the days that we work together as a team to share our hearts, our talents and our passion for making a difference.
Sululta 2010 - Working Together for HOPE
How to "upgrade" your Christmas....watch this and read below
August 26, 2009
So, how did I get to Ethiopia? I have often thought of my desire to make more of a difference. But how? While I am already involved in the adoption of children, I felt that adding an "out of my comfortable world" experience was what I needed to take me to the next step in my journey. One day, I decided to share that with God in the quietness of my heart. At the time, I remember feeling that the desire to reach out across the globe to Ethiopia seemed very far out of reach. Too far for Whose reach? Literally a day later, I received an invitation from our partnering adoption agency to participate in a trip that involved adoption as well as a medical clinic. I was utterly shocked and thrilled all at the same time that an opportunity was right before me. Not only had God attentively heard the desires of my heart, He had opened a door as well. I knew at that moment that there was purpose ahead. My desires mattered and they would be put into action.
On March 26 of this year, I travelled on 22 hours worth of airplane rides (one way). It gave a whole new meaning to my kids saying, "Are we there yet?" I was privileged to visit rural villages, orphanages, adoption homes, the government adoption offices, and offer my help as a pediatrician's assistant at the medical clinic in Salulta, a town of 30,000. What I experienced left me a different person. There were times when I questioned whether I had anything to offer. "Who am I to help these poor people...the need is so great. I'm just an ordinary person" Funny thing is...the doctors and nurses felt the same way...do we have what it takes? Well, its not about our professions or skill sets, although they contribute greatly to the need. It is more about our heart to make a change and our willingness to get past that fear of being inadequate. Eleanor Roosevelt once said, " You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop and look fear in the face. You must do the very thing which you think you cannot do."
So, I took my fear of inadequacy, looked it in the face, and replaced it with my desire to reach out and love people - one person at a time. We would see over 1,000 that week. While sitting on my wooden bench in that concrete room, I might only share a smile, hand out a toothbrush or some vitamins, hand out stickers, or perhaps ease the anxiety of a mother holding her sick child. I could do that...just love people.
You'll see in the days to come, as I share my stories, that deciding to love was all that was ever needed and the outcome was unbelievable - far beyond what I ever imagined.
On March 26 of this year, I travelled on 22 hours worth of airplane rides (one way). It gave a whole new meaning to my kids saying, "Are we there yet?" I was privileged to visit rural villages, orphanages, adoption homes, the government adoption offices, and offer my help as a pediatrician's assistant at the medical clinic in Salulta, a town of 30,000. What I experienced left me a different person. There were times when I questioned whether I had anything to offer. "Who am I to help these poor people...the need is so great. I'm just an ordinary person" Funny thing is...the doctors and nurses felt the same way...do we have what it takes? Well, its not about our professions or skill sets, although they contribute greatly to the need. It is more about our heart to make a change and our willingness to get past that fear of being inadequate. Eleanor Roosevelt once said, " You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop and look fear in the face. You must do the very thing which you think you cannot do."
So, I took my fear of inadequacy, looked it in the face, and replaced it with my desire to reach out and love people - one person at a time. We would see over 1,000 that week. While sitting on my wooden bench in that concrete room, I might only share a smile, hand out a toothbrush or some vitamins, hand out stickers, or perhaps ease the anxiety of a mother holding her sick child. I could do that...just love people.
You'll see in the days to come, as I share my stories, that deciding to love was all that was ever needed and the outcome was unbelievable - far beyond what I ever imagined.
"You must do the thing which you think you cannot do."
August 24, 2009
There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about the people that I met in Ethiopia. Every single one touched me in a very unique way. Some hold stories in my heart of incredible heartache and destitution, while others have brought me great joy and a profound understanding of how connected we all are in this world. Regardless of where we live - we are the same people. We have hopes and dreams...we laugh and cry...we gain some days and suffer losses others. Color is only skin deep. Language doesn't have to separate us. We can learn it or get a translator. So, what does separate us? Our views, attitudes or preconceptions perhaps? That is a question worth asking ourselves. We become what we think.
In addition to offering medical help at the Salulta clinic, we also had 2 opticians who conducted eye exams and gave people eye glasses. It was surprising to see how many were in need of eye care. Countless numbers lined up with eye infections and cataracts. One woman had walked 450 km, from the border of Kenya for eye drops. I don't think that I'll ever complain about driving across town to my doctor for a wait of an hour in his waiting room.
As I worked with the pediatrician in my little area, a commotion started up to the side. A woman stood there, waving her arms around, speaking out to familiar faces in the crowd. What she had in her hands was a pair of glasses. I looked over at her and immediately caught her glance. With great triumph and glee, she yelled out at me, " I am beautiful" "Yes", I agreed, giving her a thumbs up and replying, "Kongo". This means beautiful in Amharic. She burst out in a full-bellied laughter. It was quite contagious. She could not contain her joy and I could barely contain my tears. That beautiful moment I will never forget. It made me think that every single girl and woman deeply desires to feel beautiful, no matter where they live or what their circumstances. Why shouldn't they have the opportunity to feel that way? The beauty that I encountered in Ethiopia transcended outward appearances or the flowery eye glasses held in this lady's hand. This was the beauty of the heart and soul and it captivated not only my heart, but closely connected me with the many people there. What a gift.
In addition to offering medical help at the Salulta clinic, we also had 2 opticians who conducted eye exams and gave people eye glasses. It was surprising to see how many were in need of eye care. Countless numbers lined up with eye infections and cataracts. One woman had walked 450 km, from the border of Kenya for eye drops. I don't think that I'll ever complain about driving across town to my doctor for a wait of an hour in his waiting room.
As I worked with the pediatrician in my little area, a commotion started up to the side. A woman stood there, waving her arms around, speaking out to familiar faces in the crowd. What she had in her hands was a pair of glasses. I looked over at her and immediately caught her glance. With great triumph and glee, she yelled out at me, " I am beautiful" "Yes", I agreed, giving her a thumbs up and replying, "Kongo". This means beautiful in Amharic. She burst out in a full-bellied laughter. It was quite contagious. She could not contain her joy and I could barely contain my tears. That beautiful moment I will never forget. It made me think that every single girl and woman deeply desires to feel beautiful, no matter where they live or what their circumstances. Why shouldn't they have the opportunity to feel that way? The beauty that I encountered in Ethiopia transcended outward appearances or the flowery eye glasses held in this lady's hand. This was the beauty of the heart and soul and it captivated not only my heart, but closely connected me with the many people there. What a gift.
August 19, 2009
So what do I do when I'm not at home with my family?
I have the joy and privilege of working as an intercountry worker at Hope Pregnancy and Adoption Services in Abbotsford. I love that name, "Hope", fitting for where my heart desires to dwell. I have the honor of walking alongside people as they journey through international adoption. I handle the Ethiopia and Haiti program as well as all new international inquiries. I am blessed to work with a magnificent group of caring and loving individuals. What a great team we are! Together, we help those in need of love and support during difficult times, while also sharing in the dream of building families with adoptive parents. We also desire and to provide hope and opportunity of a better life to the many children, both here and around the world without families. Every single child deserves to be loved and well-cared for. I'd have to say that I consider my job one of the most awesome opportunities ever given to me. In fact, I don't consider it a job at all - I consider it a joy and a blessing in my life. It also gives me a chance to put my talents, abilities and desires into effective action. My heart is to support, encourage, and inspire others and I am given that window of opportunity to care for others every day. Adoption is a journey of the heart, filled with many up and down moments and I'm so glad that I can be there if someone needs a hand or a shoulder to lean on. Then of course, there are the really sweet moments. One such moment is when I get share in the joy of presenting a child proposal to a family. I get so excited that I don't sleep either that night..just immersed in the beauty and blessing of it all. I love getting excited with a family over travel plans to pick up their long-awaited child. In those moments I think, " God, you are so, so good!"
I have the joy and privilege of working as an intercountry worker at Hope Pregnancy and Adoption Services in Abbotsford. I love that name, "Hope", fitting for where my heart desires to dwell. I have the honor of walking alongside people as they journey through international adoption. I handle the Ethiopia and Haiti program as well as all new international inquiries. I am blessed to work with a magnificent group of caring and loving individuals. What a great team we are! Together, we help those in need of love and support during difficult times, while also sharing in the dream of building families with adoptive parents. We also desire and to provide hope and opportunity of a better life to the many children, both here and around the world without families. Every single child deserves to be loved and well-cared for. I'd have to say that I consider my job one of the most awesome opportunities ever given to me. In fact, I don't consider it a job at all - I consider it a joy and a blessing in my life. It also gives me a chance to put my talents, abilities and desires into effective action. My heart is to support, encourage, and inspire others and I am given that window of opportunity to care for others every day. Adoption is a journey of the heart, filled with many up and down moments and I'm so glad that I can be there if someone needs a hand or a shoulder to lean on. Then of course, there are the really sweet moments. One such moment is when I get share in the joy of presenting a child proposal to a family. I get so excited that I don't sleep either that night..just immersed in the beauty and blessing of it all. I love getting excited with a family over travel plans to pick up their long-awaited child. In those moments I think, " God, you are so, so good!"
A treasured moment at an Ethiopian Orphanage
August 18, 2009 - A Step...
Every journey begins with one step. This blog is an expressive step to sharing my heart with you. I really believe that our hearts are meant to be shared.....deeply. That's what relationships are about - and living in relationship is what we're all meant to do. We weren't meant to be "me" oriented, but rather "we" oriented. Opening up our hearts and sharing our hopes, dreams and trials can be really difficult. But, the benefit far outweighs the risk. At times, we have to step out of our comfort zone and move into unchartered territory. Stepping out, we can accomplish great things. We can inspire, teach, motivate, encourage, hold up and build up. It starts in the heart. That's where God does His best work. We may feel nudged to do something or reach out to someone - that's a step. Kind of like starting this blog. Both our words and our actions have the power to reach out to people and to influence their lives for the better. In fact, we have the power to change the world. I know that's become very cliche...and that's sad, because it's entirely true.
So why don't more people step out to influence the world? Why have so many people become complacent? Well, its scary to put yourself out there. What will others think? What will we think of ourselves? Do we have what it takes to make a difference? Absolutely! Is even a small effort one worth making? Absolutely! What if we fail or get ridiculed? Expect it, but don't let it take you down. No one can get up without falling first. I believe that its better to fail while daring greatly than to not try at all. Are failures really failures? Sometimes, steps that look like failures to us are just ways of showing us where we need to make adjustments...where to begin again, with renewed vision. Remember the old saying, " if you fail, try and try again." So, where do we start? There are just SO many needs and potential areas of improvement in this world. Ask God to show you. Be attentive to what He shows and then move on it. Do a little something in that direction. Give yourself credit for your talents, abilities and interests. Acknowledging your gifts and talents is not self-centred, it puts value on who you are and what you were meant to do. Follow your passions...everyone has them. If you don't feel that you have one...then start looking deep inside. You'll find it. Don't underestimate what God can do through you. Write your thoughts down. You'll see things begin to unfold.
I've got a myriad of journals and little pieces of paper in my purse that all have thoughts that have gone through my mind and heart at one time or another. When did the thoughts come? Well, sometimes in the shower...a great place to be "washed over" with brilliant ideas. Sitting in the van going somewhere...reading bulletin boards, watching people, talking to my boys, listening to a friend, a song, reading a book...lots of places.
So, I've got a little notebook in my purse now that I can pull out and write down those thoughts. They allow me to re-visit my thinking. Then, the next question might be, "Where exactly do these thoughts come from?" Well, I know that they're God given, infused with His plan for my life and colored by my experiences and desires of my heart. I'm not one of those people that think that things just happen. Things happen for a reason. I don't even like to call them "things". They are more like assigned moments, allowable circumstances, or unforeseeable blessings. They can be entire seasons of our life or just a defined moment. Most times, we don't see the relevance of these moments or events in our life. We may never see that. But often times, we do, and as we look back, we clearly see the hidden purposes of these "things" that happen in our life. I believe that God is the master architect of our lives. He's drawn up our plans very carefully, with a precision plan and long term benefits. Every person has a plan for their life; a purpose. Everything about us fits into that purpose if we'll let it.
The real exercise is to be fully attentive to where God is leading our steps. Yes, it's a journey, not a destination. But, all it requires is a first step....sometimes a baby step, but it's a start!
So why don't more people step out to influence the world? Why have so many people become complacent? Well, its scary to put yourself out there. What will others think? What will we think of ourselves? Do we have what it takes to make a difference? Absolutely! Is even a small effort one worth making? Absolutely! What if we fail or get ridiculed? Expect it, but don't let it take you down. No one can get up without falling first. I believe that its better to fail while daring greatly than to not try at all. Are failures really failures? Sometimes, steps that look like failures to us are just ways of showing us where we need to make adjustments...where to begin again, with renewed vision. Remember the old saying, " if you fail, try and try again." So, where do we start? There are just SO many needs and potential areas of improvement in this world. Ask God to show you. Be attentive to what He shows and then move on it. Do a little something in that direction. Give yourself credit for your talents, abilities and interests. Acknowledging your gifts and talents is not self-centred, it puts value on who you are and what you were meant to do. Follow your passions...everyone has them. If you don't feel that you have one...then start looking deep inside. You'll find it. Don't underestimate what God can do through you. Write your thoughts down. You'll see things begin to unfold.
I've got a myriad of journals and little pieces of paper in my purse that all have thoughts that have gone through my mind and heart at one time or another. When did the thoughts come? Well, sometimes in the shower...a great place to be "washed over" with brilliant ideas. Sitting in the van going somewhere...reading bulletin boards, watching people, talking to my boys, listening to a friend, a song, reading a book...lots of places.
So, I've got a little notebook in my purse now that I can pull out and write down those thoughts. They allow me to re-visit my thinking. Then, the next question might be, "Where exactly do these thoughts come from?" Well, I know that they're God given, infused with His plan for my life and colored by my experiences and desires of my heart. I'm not one of those people that think that things just happen. Things happen for a reason. I don't even like to call them "things". They are more like assigned moments, allowable circumstances, or unforeseeable blessings. They can be entire seasons of our life or just a defined moment. Most times, we don't see the relevance of these moments or events in our life. We may never see that. But often times, we do, and as we look back, we clearly see the hidden purposes of these "things" that happen in our life. I believe that God is the master architect of our lives. He's drawn up our plans very carefully, with a precision plan and long term benefits. Every person has a plan for their life; a purpose. Everything about us fits into that purpose if we'll let it.
The real exercise is to be fully attentive to where God is leading our steps. Yes, it's a journey, not a destination. But, all it requires is a first step....sometimes a baby step, but it's a start!
Join in the journey...
I hope that you will enjoy reading the stories that I have shared. I also hope that you will take the opportunity to immerse yourself in the experiences which changed my life. Not only do I value the gift of life and relationships more deeply, but also the reality that I am able to have an active part in making the life of others better. Knowledge and good intentions do not take the place of purposeful actions. Without choosing to act - the world remains unchanged. I believe that we can all " Be the change we want to see in the world".
Once upon a time, there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. One day, as he was walking along the shore, he looked down the beach and saw a human figure moving like a dancer. As he got closer, he noticed that the figure was that of a young man, and that he was reaching down to the shore, picking up small objects, and throwing them into the ocean.
"Good Morning" he called out. May I ask what you are doing? the young man paused, looked up, and replied, "Throwing starfish into the ocean...the sun is up and the tide is going. If I don't throw them in, they'll die." Upon hearing this the wise man commented, "But young man, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can't possibly make a difference." At this, the young man bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it in the ocean. As it met the water, he said, " It matters to that one." (Adapted from The Starfish Thrower, by Lauren Eiseley)
Every person matters...every one can make a difference. I hope that you will be inspired to be that person.
"Good Morning" he called out. May I ask what you are doing? the young man paused, looked up, and replied, "Throwing starfish into the ocean...the sun is up and the tide is going. If I don't throw them in, they'll die." Upon hearing this the wise man commented, "But young man, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can't possibly make a difference." At this, the young man bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it in the ocean. As it met the water, he said, " It matters to that one." (Adapted from The Starfish Thrower, by Lauren Eiseley)
Every person matters...every one can make a difference. I hope that you will be inspired to be that person.
Great post Angie.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Connie
Thank you for the reminder of how we reflect (or not!) God's love toward others. Your posts are so insightful. Please let me know if they are ever compiled into a book!
ReplyDeleteYour sister in Christ<
Janie