Thursday, October 30, 2008

The Politics of Poverty

This kind of stuff frustrates me to no end...

Mbabane

The irony is not lost on Swazis: the population is among the world's poorest, and yet the kingdom is classified as a "middle-income country". How come?

According to Musinga Timothy Bandora, resident coordinator of the UN Development Programme (UNDP), "A nation's wealth is measured by several factors; this includes gross national product." In the case of Swaziland, ruled by sub-Saharan Africa's last absolute monarch, if the nation's wealth were equally distributed, each Swazi would receive US$100,000.

In per capita income terms, Swaziland ranks somewhere between Armenia and Paraguay, with export earnings based on agriculture and textiles; but, in terms of the share of the national wealth, the richest 10 percent of Swazis control over 50 percent of the country's income, a level of inequality worse than in Brazil or South Africa, and beaten only by Namibia.

"Swaziland isn't a poor nation when you measure its gross domestic product; the problem is that the wealth is being siphoned off by a few people, with the king and the royal family top of the tree. What's left, and it isn't much, goes to the people," said Richard Rooney, associate professor of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Swaziland.

UNDP figures show that about 70 percent of Swazis live in chronic poverty. A record 60 percent of the population relied on food assistance from the World Food Programme and other aid groups in the past year due to drought, and the country has the world's highest HIV prevalence rate.

The Coordinating Assembly of Non-Governmental Organisations (CANGO), has expressed concern that Swaziland's classification as a middle-income country - despite the desperate need of its people - hinders fund raising for development projects.

"It is not fair that poor people be denied aid because Swaziland is so small that a handful of super-rich skew the income demographics to make the country look richer than it is."

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Timbali Crafts


When I traveled to Swaziland in November of 2006, I was blessed to stay with missionary Julie Anderson and see her ministry first-hand. She has launched a website to promote the craft co-op that she runs; anyone can now order the fabric purses that Swazi women make to support themselves. The co-op is a great group that is making a real difference in the lives of women and children in Swaziland. For more info about the country and this ministry, read below or click the link here.

(fyi, Swaziland is the country Molly will be ministering in on her nine-month mission trip)

Swaziland is a small country in Southern Africa.
Over 40% of the population is HIV positive, there
are more than 120,000 orphans, and the life
expectancy for women is the lowest in the world, at
only 33 years.

Around the country, feeding centers have been
created to help provide regular meals for the many
orphans who lack proper care. The majority of
these care points are run by women, who
themselves are also facing many hardships as the
result of the HIV/AIDS crisis.

Timbali Crafts was started in 2006 to help
generate an income for the 45+ women who work
as volunteer cooks at the eight feeding centers in
the rural area of Engculwini. Crafts sales allow the
women to earn an income for their families, and
also continue on with their volunteer work, which is
vital to their community.

Timbali Crafts also seeks to reach out to the
spiritual needs of the women, through regular
Bible studies, retreats and special events.

As Timbali Crafts continues to grow, even more
women in Swaziland will be able to become
involved in this income generating opportunity,
and further outreach to underprivileged women will
be funded.

Timbali Crafts is directed by Julie Anderson,
missionary with Adventures In Missions.

Monday, October 27, 2008

You Know You Grew up in Simi Valley When...

I think we've all seen those e-mail forwards titled "You know you grew up in the 80's when..."; well, thanks to Facebook I've stumbled upon "You know you grew up in Simi Valley when...", an ode to my childhood hometown. Awesome!

I've highlighted the ones that particularly stand out to me. I'll probably be thinking of things to add to this list all the rest of this week! But, for now:

1. You remember when Sycamore Plaza was the "cool" place to hang out.

2. You remember when The Regal replaced Sycamore Plaza as the cool place to hang out.


3. You can go anywhere in Simi and run into at least five people you know.


4. You have friends or you yourself live in a gated community.

5. Going to the beach is considered a local trip.

6. You remember complaining about having to go all the way to Northridge to shop at the mall.

7. It was a very exciting day when Simi Opened it's own mall.

8. You have had a pass to Oakridge Health Club at one point in your life.

9. At least one of your friends or you yourself live in Indian Hills


10. Each of the 20 Starbucks is one of the local hot spots (nah, I was part of the Denny's crowd...)

11. Your friends or bf/gf has hung a banner over the side of the 118 to wish you a happy birthday.

12. When you were a teenager your idea of a good night of partying was going to LA and using your fake I.D

13.You know about the monster rivalry between simi high and royal..... (yep, I almost didn't consider applying to USC because they had Simi colors...)


14. And you affectionately refer to santa susana magnet school as "the Fagnet school" (what? I never heard this. But Hollow Hills Fundamental was definitely "Hollow Heads Fun for the Mental")

15. All of your ex bf/gf know each other and are probably friends.

16.The people you were in kindergarten with were in your graduating class in high school.


17. Most people's idea of going to college means enrolling at moorpark.

18. you know that nicknames for moorpark include "harvard on the hill" and "Kraproom"

19. Going to "the arena" is like a high school reunion.


20. When you visit other cities and you see homes for sale "starting in the low 600's" you find yourself saying "whoa that's a great deal!"

21. You remember what a big deal it was back in the 80's when it snowed in simi. (Oh my gosh. It's still a big deal!)


22. You have a season pass to magic mountain and sometimes go Friday nights after the football game. (if there are no good parties going on)

23. In elementary school you went to the Ronald Regan Library for a class field trip cause the Reagan library is in our backyard.

24. Most people go to 24 hour fitness to check each other out and NOT actually workout.


25. When you remember the pumpkin patch on the corner of tapo canyon and alamo where borders bookstore is now.

26. And then you'd look across the street and see a huge field of orange trees instead of that police station.

27. When your childhood memories include attending the RINGling brother's circus where the regal plaza is now.

28. when you've been to easy street arena at least once to ice skate.

29. You remember getting all your friends together to go see a movie at the MANNS theatre for $2.

30. When you run into your teachers at restaurants, banks, markets, etc.

31. You thought PHAT FRIDAY(now Mayhem) was awesome.

32. You question why Santa Susana High School is a magnet school.

33. You remember the Drive in theater where the mobile home park is now by the run down K-mart, which used to be cool too.

34. You remember when more then just Simi and Royal marched the Simi Days Parade, and it was actually judged! (Oh, I loved performing in parades! Until I sprained my ankle in the Simi Days Parade my senior year...)

35. Ralphs was THE grocery store in Simi

36. Rancho Park was a GREAT place to play at.

37. Tapo Car Wash was the ONLY place you could sit inside your car while getting it washed.

38. Watching 4th of July Fireworks was only available on the side of the road or sitting on your parents' roof because the Santa Susanna Park hadn't been built yet.


39. Steer and Stein was a classy place to eat steaks at. (Haven't heard of it. But Tony Roma's, that was the place!)

40. You shopped at Gemco and Alpha Beta.

41. You've gotten really fast at packing up your car when fires approach.


Sunday, October 26, 2008

Happy Halloween!

As Halloween is just around the corner, here is a little inspiration to get those pooches ready for the big night:









ht: Simi Valley Jean

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Cartoon of the Day

This one had the whole fam-bam cracking up, thus, I must share it with you:

Mother Goose & Grimm

Friday, October 24, 2008

Congratulations, Pastor Antonio!

I just got the word from Pastor Antonio in Guatemala that he and Cata have a new role: abuelos (grandparents)!!!

Their daughter Anita and her husband Aurelio have welcomed a new little girl into the world.

Please take a moment to speak a blessing over this family!

Thursday, October 23, 2008

It's Not Theirs

Excerpted from this post by Kim Daniels, a World Racer currently on the field in Thailand:

~She sells her body to make money to feed her child.
~4 people in the church of 100 own a Bible.
~She's sick and dying of AIDS. She has been sexually abused more times than she can count. She is 7. And cares for 4 younger siblings.
~He sleeps in the train station. Starving. While there are hundreds of very edible cows wandering on the streets. But he won't dare touch one... because he believes that cow might just be his uncle, father, or friend.
~Her husband was martyred last year, leaving 40 orphans in her care. Somehow, all 41 of them survive on $10 a day.

I've seen their faces.
I've looked into their eyes.
I heard the unique tones of each voice.
I've smelled their homes.
I've slept in their rat infested rooms.
I've held them as they've wept.
I've tasted the sourness of their food.
I've laid on the dirt under the stars, holding sick, dying orphans who don't speak a word of English, falling in love with them as their bright eyes smile up at me through dark skin.

So its real to me.

And over and over again, I try to innovate new ways to help them. Because over and over again, it reverberates in me: "This is not just THEIR problem."

When a part of my body isn't functioning right, it manifests itself, sometimes through a cough, a sneeze, or weakness. When something isn't in sync with the rest of my parts, we'd say that I'm sick, and begin to do what needs to be done to get me healthy. If my lungs, stomach, or head suffer, the rest of me suffers, too....

When a part of the Body of Christ isn't functioning right, the rest of the Body suffers. When we who CAN do something do nothing, it affects everyone, even though you might not see it externally... eventually, what's going on internally will manifest on the surface.

Their conditions are not just their problem. And I'm not just talking about physical conditions. I'm talking about emotional and spiritual as well. Far too often we all walk around in a cloud of self-consumption, saturated in our present level of depression or happiness, the price of gas and the economy, our relationship issues, or any other situation we can keep our minds busy with.

And we miss the big picture. Starving children in Mozambique aren't actors in a Compassion International infomercial. They really do exist. I've held their boney frames. Women enslaved by the sex trade aren't statics. I've seen the emptiness in their eyes, and heard their unspoken cries for a Friend.

You know you're awake because you want to wake everyone else up, too.
If you don't want to, then maybe you're still sleeping.
Maybe you need to walk straight into something uncomfortable. Something you don't understand. Something that even frightens you a bit.
Until you do, the real world keeps passing you by, while you live in the Matrix.
True, waking up requires much more effort. But I promise you, its worth every tear, drop of sweat, and question that keeps you up at night.

Feeding starving orphans is not just the orphan's problem. Loving the love-starved is not just the love-starved's problem.

And waking sleeping people up is not just the sleeping people's problem.
I've decided its mine, too.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

What's a Follower?

A couple of days ago, I added a new gadget to the bar on the right side of this page, called "Followers".

According to Blogger, "The feature lets readers publicly subscribe to your blog (so you know who's reading) and adds a Reading List to your Blogger Dashboard so readers can stay updated with the blogs they follow."

This is a convenient way to keep up with the blogs that I follow as they are updated.

Also, this feature allows myself and other readers to connect to other bloggers who follow Feed My Sheep (and yes, I'd really like to know who you are!).

So, Youth-Leader-Lady, welcome! You're my first official follower. And to you other bloggers out there, join up so I can be connected to you as well!

Thanks!

Monday, October 20, 2008

Let me pose a question...


When it comes to serving in your church or your community, what factors make it easier or harder for you to get involved?

What specific things is your church doing (or do you think they should be doing) to facilitate your involvement in ministry?

Friday, October 17, 2008

Bringing it All Home

What I'm taking home with me from this year's National Youth Worker's Convention:

Starfield song: Reign in Us

Starfield led worship for two days at the convention, and I was greatly blessed by a new song called Reign in Us. I had to buy their cd I Will Go at the convention, and have been playing it nonstop. Not only that, but Gary looked online and found lyrics and chords. So... we're learning to play it! Yay!

Oh great and mighty one, with one desire we come,
That you would reign, that you would reign in us,
We're offering up our lives, a living sacrifice,
That you would reign, that you would reign in us


Mark Yaconelli: Slow Club

During one of the general sessions, Mark talked about how his (four year old) son had invented, and was thereby president of, a 'slow club'. This club has two rules: No hurrying, and no running.

Though Mark was endlessly aggravated by the amount of time it took to get his son to pre-school in the morning, he was convicted when his son finally convinced him to join the slow club for a day. Mark was amazed at how much he was able to notice and respond to once he had slowed down his ingrained busyness.

Well, you don't need to twist my arm. I'm all about the slow club! And I often wonder what life would be like if our friends and family and neighbors joined the slow club too... I think we would be a lot less stressed out, and a lot friendlier. Any other slow clubbers out there?

Shane Claiborne: Are you a Christian?

I was blessed to have the opportunity to hear Shane speak twice over the weekend. Both times he challenged us with the passage of scripture where John the Baptist's disciples go to Jesus to ask if he is indeed the awaited Messiah. It would have been very easy for Jesus, at that time, to answer with a straightforward "Yup".

But, he didn't. He instructs them, rather, to go back to JtB and 'report what you have seen and heard'. Meaning, Jesus' actions were sufficient to define his identity.

Shane put the question to us then, "If someone asks if you are a Christian, are you able to turn the question back to them and say, 'tell me what you see'? Can we confidently say, 'Ask the poor if I'm a Christian. Ask my enemies.'"? Will our identity be confirmed by our actions? Ooh, this question gives me goosebumps.

Genesis Diez: Possible Mission Trip Opportunity


During my sojourn through the endless exhibit hall (I never made it all the way through), I encountered a friendly couple who live in Mexico and facilitate short-term teams to come work with needy kids. I've been keeping my eyes open for a good opportunity for the families in our church to serve together, and I found that this may be the perfect kind of project for us.

During the summer, the Genesis ranch in Ensenada invites orphanages to bring their kids for a one-week summer camp. Volunteers come in to help run the camp, and each volunteer is assigned one or two 'amigos' that they bond with over the course of the week. It sounds like a very relational ministry, with opportunities for all ages to participate. I hope that this, or something like this, will work out for our church for next summer.

Stone and Water: Releasing the Burden of Personal Responsibility


Probably the most important time for me during this convention was my stop in the prayer room. On the first day, I was making the mad dash to my session when I ended up in a quiet, darkened room full of prayer stations. I had the wrong room number in mind - I think God was just trying to get my attention before I went running into another session. So of course, I had to stop and pray before I moved on.

I went to a prayer station that involved a table covered with stones and a large bucket of water. The instructions stated to pick up a stone, and pray about a burden you've been carrying. When you're ready, release the stone into the water, and prayerfully release your burden unto the Lord.

Though I was feeling a significant amount of emotional weight, it took me quite a while to identify the burden that I was carrying. Finally, as I prayed, I began to see how much pressure I've been putting on myself. Pressure to do good, get it right, be a good example, save the world. I love the Lord so much, but serving Him should not bring this much stress!

I realized that I need to release the burden of my sense of personal responsibility. Not give up being responsible, but to relax and enjoy the freedom and joy available in this life. Ugh, that just feels so unspiritual to me! But being spiritual sometimes means trusting God to direct your steps. And perfect trust means no anxiety.

So, I took a breath, and let the stone slip from my hand. It sank quickly to the bottom of the water, and I stared at it for a few moments. Then, I turned around, and peacefully strolled out of the room with a smile on my face and lightness in my heart.

My Closure to the World Race


Friday afternoon, immediately after the general session at the NYWC in Sacramento, we headed to our separate 'break out' classes. I was thrilled to see that Seth Barnes of Adventures in Missions was in town to share about how "Your Students Can Start Changing the World... Now!".

I'd been looking forward to this session since I'd heard Seth was presenting: for the past three years, he's been a major influence in my life.

In 2005, Gary and I took our youth group to Tijuana for a week-long mission trip with AIM. As part of our preparation, we got a copy of Seth's devotional: "The Art of Listening Prayer". This was the first I'd even considered that prayer could include God speaking to me, and reading that book was nothing short of revolutionary for my spiritual life.

Towards the end of 2005, Adventures in Missions offered a new program called the World Race, and Gary and I felt called to participate in this year-long mission trip. During our team orientation, I finally got to meet Seth (the World Race was his vision and project), and was touched by his ability to listen and connect, even while responding to numerous demands.

When we began our trip, we encountered the various twists and turns that accompany any first time venture. I was eager to debrief and process the experience with Seth first-hand, especially the more difficult and confusing times. Unfortunately, we were not able to reunite throughout the course of the trip, and though we've had some contact over the internet, I've been hopeful to someday sit down with him and just talk.

Well, my chance finally came. Seth noticed me in the middle of his session (I think I threw him for a bit of a loop when he was trying to present!), and took the opportunity to come check in with me during a discussion section. We ended up hanging out talking after everyone left, and Gary and I were able to join Seth and his wife Karen for dinner.

It was great to catch up with him, get to know his wife, and compare stories about what God has done over the past couple years. We talked about the craziness that was the first year of the World Race, what things have evolved over the past couple years as the program has developed, what life is like for us now as well as for other racers.

I had always imagined that this conversation would bring a huge sensation of closure to my World Race experiences. And reflecting back on it now, I think it did and it didn't.

We've been home from the mission field for almost two years now, and probably the whole first year was a journey of forgiveness for the many interpersonal hurts and betrayals we experienced. The second year has been much easier, less of trying to forget the bad, more of remembering the good. We've started to see the fruit of dreams that were born during our time on the Race. I have come to a point of feeling settled in my soul about the whole experience.

So now, in God's timing, we were finally able to sit down and just talk, without any expectations on my end of having to say anything to, or hear anything in particular from Seth. We could just meet each other where we were at and appreciate God's goodness throughout some wild times. And that's a pretty good way to wrap it all up.


Gary and I leaving on the World Race in 2006

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Our New Small Group

This past Monday, we wrapped up two weeks worth of traveling just in time for the kickoff of one of our church's brand new small groups.

I love the concept of small group - it provides a context for relationships and discipling not possible in 'big church'. Through the first adult small group that Gary and I ever participated in came our calling to youth ministry (a story I really need to blog on someday!). Unfortunately, due to scheduling issues we've had trouble getting plugged into one at Fair Oaks up to this point.


So, we were pretty stoked to get together Monday along with four other (OUR AGE!!!!!) couples. All groups will be kicking off this fall by going through Peter Scazzero's Emotionally Healthy Church Workbook.

The workbook is based on the book by the same name, which Gary and I read one year ago as part of the Retool Kit process. It proposes that emotional and spiritual maturity are linked, and that by evaluating and growing in our emotional maturity we will be able to overcome roadblocks to growing spiritually.

What struck me about our meeting this past Monday was an unusually high level of openness and authenticity, especially for a first meeting. (It helps that certain couples are friends with other couples in the group, but this is the first time we've all hung out together) This is a group of people who want to build good relationships and true community. I'm really excited for the potential of this group and to see where God leads us throughout the coming year.

Are you in a small group at your church? Why / why not? I invite you to leave a comment and share what factors have helped to build community within your group.

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Pics by Katherine


I'm trying out a new website created by Shutterfly to share my pictures in various albums.

They've given me a site at http://picsbykatherine.shutterfly.com/ where you can view or even order prints of pictures I've taken.

So far, I've loaded the albums:

-Berry Wedding Ceremony
-Lake Tahoe Vacation
-Guatemala Mission Trip

Hawaii pics, are unfortunately not yet loaded, but hopefully will be soon!

Come check it out and leave a comment if you like!

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Portrait of a Disciple


Discipleship is a huge passion of mine - I believe it's what our role in the Christian life is all about. About a year ago (to the day!), I posted this while imagining what modern discipleship could look like. I think y'all are due for an update.

I'll start with an excerpt from my post: "Late-night ramblings of a would-be disciple-maker"
Imagine…

if we chose to share a home with a disciple, intentionally sharing all aspects of our life with them? It would be costly… maybe we couldn't spend so much time at work, pouring into a career. Less time to spend on self-fulfilling hobbies. We’d have to develop our own faith, make it worthy of sharing. Maybe get a little flexible with the definitions of “mine” and “yours”.

What if...

over dinner, we dreamed together of what could happen in our church, our community? What if we shared our God-given passions and encouraged one another to follow them shamelessly? What if, over breakfast, we prayed and devoted ourselves to living out His call?

...The question is, are there people out there that would be interested in being the disciplee in such an intense relationship? If I (or anybody) actually offered this up, would there be any takers? I do believe there would be. Not everyone, sure, but a few. And those are the ones I want to pour into.

One year later, I'm proud to say that I took my own challenge. And every day I marvel at how God has blessed our family because of our openness.

Molly graduated from high school last June, and moved into our home immediately following our Guatemala mission trip in July (she was one of the partcipants). So, how's it been going?

Molly and I meet regularly to read God's word and pray together. No, we're not perfect at this, but we've seen great blessings come out of these times. And that's not it!

We sing praise songs together. We laugh (a lot). We challenge one another. We help her with her math homework (ok, that one's all Gary!). We discuss ministry, church, what Christian community could be. We make up silly songs. We dream about Africa, about caring for orphans in Swaziland. In essence, we're living shared life. "Doing life together", as I've heard some say.

Would this work for everyone? I think it depends. What makes it so successful here, I think, is Molly's desire to grow and to contribute. She is pursuing her relationship with God wholeheartedly, which is a beautiful thing to see in anyone.

God has placed in her a heart for missions, and has given her the incredible opportunity to serve as a First Year Missionary in Swaziland. She'll be leaving next September to serve a nine-month internship.

She will be a light in a dark place, ministering to the poor, caring for AIDS orphans, truly caring for the least of these. I am honored to be her prayer/accountability partner, supporting her from back home while she's on the field. I know that God will work through her in a mighty way, and I am humbled to be a part of it.


"The Fam-Bam"

Sunday, October 12, 2008

NYWC Day #2

This is gonna be a short one, but it's all I can manage before I fall asleep tonight:

Highlights of the day:

Sleeping in

Breakout with Shane Claiborne

Talking with missionaries to Mexico in the Exhibitor Hall

General Session with Mike Pilavachi

Comedy session with Nazareth and Ron McGehee

Friday, October 10, 2008

NYWC Day #1

I'm sitting in my hotel room, ready for bed and settled in after a great first day at the National Youth Workers Convention in Sacramento.

This is the 6th time Gary and I have attended this convention, and it's always surprisingly refreshing to me how safe and free I feel alongside thousands of other youth workers. So, I come here seeking not just practical training, but spiritual refreshment in the arms of Jesus. Seriously, our joint times of worship are so sweet, I can't help but look forward to heaven.

A major highlight of the day was the exhortational teaching from Bishop Sherwood Carthen on the importance of a wilderness experience in the life of a leader. He referred to Matthew 4:1, which describes Jesus being led by the Spirit into the desert. Jesus' experience there in the desert was not easy: he was extremely hungry while fasting, and the devil showed up to tempt him mercilessly.


How many times do we ourselves experience times of need or frustration, and immediately look to place blame on God or feel sorry for ourselves? Perhaps, like in the life of Jesus, God wants to allow us to experience hard things to prepare us for the ministry he has in store for us ahead. Perhaps God is saying 'wait, I have better things waiting for you, trust me'.

Those of you who know me or have been following this blog are aware that I've been struggling with these feelings of frustration - I really felt challenged during Bishop Sherwood's teaching to obey that still, small voice saying "wait", to embrace brokenness, to trust God, that He has me right where I need to be right now. Only God can work through such a provocative challenge to bring peace.

Thank you, Lord.

Sacramento, Here We Come!

After a wonderful week-long vacation with friends in Hawaii, we're doing a quick turnaround and heading back out to spend the weekend in Sacramento for the National Youth Workers Convention.

I'll be blogging from the convention, than plan to post about the Hawaii trip once we're back home, complete with pictures.

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Kauai, here we come!

In just a few short hours Matt, Bethany, Gary, and I are going to be here, a beautiful resort in Kauai!

For Matt & Bethany, this will be their belated honeymoon following last weekend's church ceremony. Gary and I will be trading our photo/videographer role for that of nanny, helping with baby Berry so our friends can fully enjoy their time in Hawaii. I have to say, it's easily the best babysitting job I've ever gotten!

This will be our first time visiting Hawaii, so I am very much looking forward to all that the islands have to offer. I don't know if I'll have access to or time for internet, so no promises on regular blogging for the next couple of weeks. I'm pretty sure that when I do, though, I'll return with plenty of breathtaking photos like these:






(these bottom two pics are of the resort we'll be staying at)