A friend of ours in Clarkston, Anna Bryant, taught piano to four girls this summer. She made this video as an introduction for the girls' first ever piano recital. The recital was held in the lobby of the leasing office in our apartment complex, complete with refreshments, programs, and about 40 audience members. There were 7 different countries represented in the audience, half of whom did not even know the girls, but have relationships with Anna, Brian or myself. It was a great time to strengthen friendships and see these girls' mother have a reason to be proud of her daughters! The girls all received a flower, high fives, hugs, and got first dibs on the cookie cake when the recital was over! Enjoy!
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Monday, July 18, 2011
New Friends
Long time no write guys, so sorry! My computer has been under the weather, but I think I got the bugs out now. In the past month, I've settled in to life here in Clarkston by making some new friends. I have also been tested in my prayer life, since new places bring new challenges and need for dependence on the Father. Several Americans live close by and we became buds almost instantly the first night I got here. I've met several guys from Eritrea that live nearby. My friend Natnael and I have been preparing for him to take the GED test in the next few months. It has been great to get to know him better over the past two weeks. I met Natnael in the parking lot of my apartments and we spend a few hours together each week. Last weekend, my parents and sister came down and got to eat with me in his home. So great for me to see my family and share a new friend with them! Thank you so much for all of you that pray for me and have supported me. I am experiencing relationships with people from all over the world, in our own backyard.
It is hard to summarize what life is like here. It is just such a unique place. There is a lot that's familiar, but also a lot that is not. It's like living in a large international airport or a place like NY City, except many of the people here have in a way "fled" here instead of volunteering to come. I heard someone say today that Clarkston is the most diverse square mile in the US. The struggles that people have as refugees here go deeper than just language difficulties. Imagine how you would feel if you were basically forced to leave your home country to stay safe, but would rather be home if it was safe to stay. That is what many feel here as they change to a whole new way of living while somewhat wishing to be home again.
Others spent most of their childhood and adolescent years in a refugee camp somewhere away from their home country. These people don't really know what it is like to live in a free society outside a fence, some with paper-thin walls that prevent privacy almost completely in the refugee camps. I am confident that Jesus came for these people: the foreigner, the stranger, the afflicted, broken, confused, and oppressed. Please pray for needed strength to serve and love them as Jesus did, despite my own sin and struggles at times.
In the difficulties and the joys of living here, I am reminded that the man who delights in God's law will be "like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither."(Ps 1:2-3) Also John records from Jesus that if we abide in Him we will bear much fruit, showing ourselves to be His disciples to the glory of God. There is life in Jesus and fruit from my time here will only be produced through my connection with Him. May that be my highest delight and desire!
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| Me and Natnael |
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| Inside the apartment of some Nepali friends |
As a team, all the workers with MTW meet once a week to pray together and some of us have had more spontaneous times of prayer as well. I am getting a better feel for the work here. My church congregation meets about 5 minutes away, but not in Clarkston. We use the building of another church in a town called Tucker. So far, most of my time has been spent "doing life" (see last blog post) with people in Clarkston. Each Sunday we worship with about 30 Americans and usually a few international neighbors.
All the workers with MTW (now 13 I think) meet once a week to pray together and some of us have had more spontaneous meetings for prayer as well. My church congregation meets about 5 minutes away, from Clarkston in a town called Tucker. So far, most of my time has been spent "doing life" (see last blog post) with people in Clarkston. Each Sunday we worship with about 30 Americans and usually a few international neighbors. |
| Brian, Anna, Amy, Natnael, and me on top of Stone Moutain (popular park and recreation area near Clarkston) |
Many people are in HUGE transitions from their old lives! It takes a massive team effort to even begin to help clear up confusion, language barriers, and just befriend people and be kind neighbors. I have found it difficult at times since I myself am new to Clarkston. I am making the adjustment from a school-day schedule to a fairly flexible and open lifestyle. I sometimes teach an English class on Thursday morning as well as just conversationally helping folks with English. I have also been helping a refugee resettlement agency, World Relief, set up apartments for incoming refugees. That has added some consistency to my schedule, but some of my favorite times have been spontaneous meals with neighbors, pickup basketball games at the courts in my apartments, and worship and fellowship with my American friends. Slowly we have had the chance to share the Good News and speak about Jesus. We have some teens from a local church come each Tuesday night to play ball and hang out with kids in the apartments. That was set up before I got here and has been a great time to connect with Clarkston teens in a relaxed setting.
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| English class scavenger hunt- Can you guess what English word, we're teaching here? |
It is hard to summarize what life is like here. It is just such a unique place. There is a lot that's familiar, but also a lot that is not. It's like living in a large international airport or a place like NY City, except many of the people here have in a way "fled" here instead of volunteering to come. I heard someone say today that Clarkston is the most diverse square mile in the US. The struggles that people have as refugees here go deeper than just language difficulties. Imagine how you would feel if you were basically forced to leave your home country to stay safe, but would rather be home if it was safe to stay. That is what many feel here as they change to a whole new way of living while somewhat wishing to be home again.
Others spent most of their childhood and adolescent years in a refugee camp somewhere away from their home country. These people don't really know what it is like to live in a free society outside a fence, some with paper-thin walls that prevent privacy almost completely in the refugee camps. I am confident that Jesus came for these people: the foreigner, the stranger, the afflicted, broken, confused, and oppressed. Please pray for needed strength to serve and love them as Jesus did, despite my own sin and struggles at times.
In the difficulties and the joys of living here, I am reminded that the man who delights in God's law will be "like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither."(Ps 1:2-3) Also John records from Jesus that if we abide in Him we will bear much fruit, showing ourselves to be His disciples to the glory of God. There is life in Jesus and fruit from my time here will only be produced through my connection with Him. May that be my highest delight and desire!
Thursday, July 7, 2011
More on Clarkston
A book called Outcasts United, by Warren St. John, that tells a lot about how Clarkston became home to international refugees. The book is mainly about a soccer league formed several years ago, but seems like a great summary of Clarkston's history too. I just got it at the library and have started reading it. Very well-written. Thought I would recommend it if you're curious about how or when our new neighbors came to Atlanta.
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| http://lawprofessors.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bfae553ef01156f3bf6cf970c-pi. Accessed 7/9/11. |
Also, many of the folks that move into Clarkston come from refugee camps such as the one in the video link below. My friend showed me this video of a camp in Ethiopia called Shimelba Camp. He lived there for 5 years before he moved to Clarkston about a year ago.
Click the link below to see a short video about Shimelba Refugee Camp
Pictures from Shimelba Camp
Monday, June 20, 2011
30 Things to do in Clarkston…
I made a list of things I have done since arriving last weekend in Clarkston. Thought this might give you a taste of what I've been up to and what you might experience if you were here. I will send some pictures and put some on the blog soon, so keep checking up! Thank you so much for praying for me and making it possible for me to be here!
30 Things to do in Clarkston…
1. Help in ESL classes2. Visit Somali, Eritrean, Congolese, and Nepali homes
3. Play soccer or basketball on an asphalt field
4. Listen to, follow the example of other believers living here
5. Praying for your task to be clear here
6. Set up your apartment
7. Pronounce foreign names
8. Eating with your hands in a Nepali home
9. Be trained in working with other cultures- learning to
“sense that we have entered into what they would consider reality”
10. Watch and listen to neighbors
11. Learn to be flexible
12. Get to know your heavenly Father better
13. Get used to your roommate
14. Feel alone in an unfamiliar place, but also feel at home enjoying the newness of the whole thing
15. Get tired from starting new relationships
16. Love it when you walk out of your apartment and see at least 20 people in 30 seconds
17. Ride a bike to Stone Mountain and back
18. Feel protected and carried along in your weakness by a loving Father
19. Be encouraged by the cooperation, love, generosity, sharing of possessions, selflessness, patience, and acceptance by Body of the Christ
20. Learn to ride a bike in an urban/suburban environment
21. Practice greetings in Nepali, Arabic, Amharic, Tigrinya, and French
22. Fend off LOTS of roaches in almost every room in your apartment
23. Lock yourself out of your apartment
24. Take your shoes off when you enter homes
25. Feel clueless sometimes
26. Watch a Bhutanese soccer game
27. Sweat a lot by just talking outside for 20 minutes
28. Eat mango
29. Pray a lot
30. Worship with your new church on Sunday nights
Saturday, June 4, 2011
New way to travel
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| My new wheels |
What a great story of how I got this bike. I went to two nice bike shops in Greenville. At both places I learned what types of bikes are available at nice places. I asked enough questions to narrow down what type of bike is good for city/suburban riding. I also wanted to be able to take the bike on a dirt or gravel trail every once in a while. Anyway, I found several really nice bikes that I liked, but the cheapest one was $390. I test drove a Giant Roam 2 (Giant is a name brand bike as I learned in the last few days) bike that I really liked, but would have to shell out $500 for it. As for other name brands in case you're interested: Cannondale, Trek, Scott.
Left those places thinking about whether it was worth it to pay that much when I wasn't buying it to become the next Lance Armstrong. I'm just trying to get a reliable, decently comfortable bike that won't fall apart if I beat on it a little bit! As a last stop I went by Play It Again Sports, a second hand store. I figured I would take a shot and see if someone had brought in a used bike that was decent. I came at just the right time! I found a used Giant bike with smooth gear shifting, a good frame, and pretty good parts. Gonna get some new tires, but will still pay about half as much for the bike, tires, and accessories as I would have for a new bike by itself at the other stores. I paid $115 for a good bike which was even a discount from the Play It Again price. Praise God for His timing in the little things. If I had not stopped by to see what they had and insisted on getting a new "fancy" bike I would have never found it. God doesn't require fancy all the time, just useful. What a blessing!
Ok, so what am I doing paying so money for two wheels when I just quit my job and have the funds to use my car, which I'll have in Clarkston? Well, for one I'm trying to save money once I get there. For another, a very generous friend gave me several hundred dollars to support the work in Clarkston. He gave it to me with the intention of me using it how I needed to. I feel like this purchase really gives me a cheap but reliable way to get around in Clarkston. I also hope it will help me relate to people who might not have a car and rely on other ways of transport in the city. So a gift has turned into what could be a great ministry tool and good exercise. I am again so thankful for how God supplies my needs and even this small want. I truly believe He is supplying this for His kingdom work!
Was humming a song this morning I thought I would share with you. "Take My Life and Let it Be" is an old hymn Chris Tomlin remade recently. It was my prayer this morning for me and others.
Take My Life and Let it Be
Take my life and let it be
consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
Take my moments and my days,
let them flow in ceaseless praise.
Take my hands and let them move
at the impulse of Thy love.
Take my feet and let them be
swift and beautiful for Thee.
Take my voice and let me sing
always, only for my King.
Take my lips and let them be
filled with messages from Thee.
Take my silver and my gold
not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect and use
every power as You choose.
Take my will and make it Thine
it shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart it is Thine own
it shall be Thy royal throne.
Take my love, my Lord I pour
at Your feet its treasure store
Take myself and I will be
ever, only, all for Thee.
Take myself and I will be
ever, only, all for Thee.
consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
Take my moments and my days,
let them flow in ceaseless praise.
Take my hands and let them move
at the impulse of Thy love.
Take my feet and let them be
swift and beautiful for Thee.
Take my voice and let me sing
always, only for my King.
Take my lips and let them be
filled with messages from Thee.
Take my silver and my gold
not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect and use
every power as You choose.
Take my will and make it Thine
it shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart it is Thine own
it shall be Thy royal throne.
Take my love, my Lord I pour
at Your feet its treasure store
Take myself and I will be
ever, only, all for Thee.
Take myself and I will be
ever, only, all for Thee.
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