I found this post from a Good Friday post that I wrote on my old blog in 2009....Thought it was good enough to re-post. Happy Easter everyone.
it's Good Friday. isn't it supposed to be like the day to blog and think deep thoughts about what this day represents? probably. just to preface, mine probably won't be that deep.
today, I remember what my Saviour, Jesus Christ did for me although i should remember every day sometimes it's one of those, "thanks God. You know I appreciate You. You know i wouldn't be here without You". but sometimes, it's good to really sit and remember that the God who made the entire universe is in love with me. He's in love with you too. c.s. lewis is my favourite and he wrote, "Christ died for men precisely because men are not worth dying for; to make them worth it". gosh that blows my mind. it blows my mind that the God who created things i can't even fathom cheers for me when i'm happy and when i'm confused or sad He puts His arms around me because He is concerned for me. wow.
In reading the Easter story, I came across Matthew 26:50. Matthew's account is probably my favourite because even when Judas betrays Jesus, Jesus still calls him Friend.
i'm usually anti-cliche' statements, and i think it's sad that it has almost become a statement that doesn't mean anything anymore when we say, "oh yeah God, thanks for sending Jesus to die for me and for raising Him from the dead" and we really don't think of everything that really meant. of everything that really means.
today, i am once again reminded that Amazing Grace is more than just a song because i'm the wretch that song talks about. i really was that miserable, despicable person who was saved by the overwhelming Love of an incredible God.
so,
i reflect on today...the day that made Sunday Good.
~Patty
Friday, April 22, 2011
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Durban and Swaziland
I don't think that there is anything better to make one happy after going through a tough transition than coming back to Africa. Oh, just boarding the plane to Jo Burg, I was overcome with happiness. It had been 2 years since I had stepped foot on African soil and almost 4 since I had taken that long flight from Atlanta to Johannesbug to start my first job overseas in Botswana. Africa is good for the soul. So, I went on South African Airways, they are SO much better than American and United. Landed in Jo burg- tried to get through as quickly as possible, because....well, I hate Jo burg. I hate everything about it. Need more information? Read my Masters degree thesis entitled, "Impacts of Democratic Consolidation in South Africa".
What? you may ask? You wrote your thesis for your Master's Degree over South Africa?? Yep. I SURE DID. Because I'm freakishly obsessed with the country. In 2007, I lived like 3 km away from the border. So, I would go to Rustenburg, Pilansburg. Fell in LOVE with the country that is....because let's remember that I fall in love with countries more than men. Started picking up Afrikaans. Thus, wrote my thesis over this country that had such a grasp on me.
But then, I went to Liberia and loved West Africa- which then stole my heart- but if you're looking for the amenities,+beauty+Africans- that would be the one and only South Africa.
So i arrived in Durban WITHOUT my luggage- the only bad thing about the entire trip! So I found Amanda and her friend Megan and we waited around and shopped a bit in the airport until the next flight showed up AGAIN without my baggage. So we went to our bed and breakfast. The next day- we went to Mugg and Bean- yummm, and then I of course bought some biltong. Got my luggage- yay!!! Then we went to the Indian Ocean! So, even though it was dreary, I had to stick my feet in. So I could officially check off the Indian Ocean along with the Pacific Ocean and Atlantic. Only the Arctic remains!!
Then we made it to Swaziland. Poor Amanda was rushing to get back because I had a job interview on Skype at a certain time that got moved up- but we made it! We also found Debonairs- my favourite pizza that I love- mostly because there isn't sauce on it. Had it when I was working in Botswana. oh, sooooo good. Today was kind of a lazy day- since I think jet lag finally went away and I could sleep and boy...did i sleep. So, that's the update from Durban to Swazi- I'll try to blog one more time before I leave at the end of next week- practicing to become better at blogging....but we all know how that might go.
Til next time,
Patty
What? you may ask? You wrote your thesis for your Master's Degree over South Africa?? Yep. I SURE DID. Because I'm freakishly obsessed with the country. In 2007, I lived like 3 km away from the border. So, I would go to Rustenburg, Pilansburg. Fell in LOVE with the country that is....because let's remember that I fall in love with countries more than men. Started picking up Afrikaans. Thus, wrote my thesis over this country that had such a grasp on me.
But then, I went to Liberia and loved West Africa- which then stole my heart- but if you're looking for the amenities,+beauty+Africans- that would be the one and only South Africa.
So i arrived in Durban WITHOUT my luggage- the only bad thing about the entire trip! So I found Amanda and her friend Megan and we waited around and shopped a bit in the airport until the next flight showed up AGAIN without my baggage. So we went to our bed and breakfast. The next day- we went to Mugg and Bean- yummm, and then I of course bought some biltong. Got my luggage- yay!!! Then we went to the Indian Ocean! So, even though it was dreary, I had to stick my feet in. So I could officially check off the Indian Ocean along with the Pacific Ocean and Atlantic. Only the Arctic remains!!
Then we made it to Swaziland. Poor Amanda was rushing to get back because I had a job interview on Skype at a certain time that got moved up- but we made it! We also found Debonairs- my favourite pizza that I love- mostly because there isn't sauce on it. Had it when I was working in Botswana. oh, sooooo good. Today was kind of a lazy day- since I think jet lag finally went away and I could sleep and boy...did i sleep. So, that's the update from Durban to Swazi- I'll try to blog one more time before I leave at the end of next week- practicing to become better at blogging....but we all know how that might go.
Til next time,
Patty
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Adieu Haiti
Wow. How come no one told me that time flies by? Well, maybe it wasn't until now that I finally understood. My time in Haiti has finished. 14 months. Wow. I can't believe I made it. Coming back has been difficult, but I knew that would be the case.
The day I left, I woke up to the guards shedding a tear or two- which made me sad. I got in the truck with Conor and Justin- two friends that had to go towards PaP anyway. I mentioned in the car how I thought I would cry- and I was told to go ahead, but prideful me decided, no, I'm not going to cry. We drive the 2 hours to Port au Prince. We talk as normal, and I go into moments of deep thought.
As we pass Leogane- what has been dubbed as "Patty's town" it's hard to fully comprehend that there's a chance I'll never come back, or at the very least, I don't know when I will. We would go eat in Leogane, and people would stop me. Depending on the time of day- hundreds of people in Leogane would stop me close to different sites, yelling "Patty! we haven't seen you in a long time!". Yep. This was MY place, MY people.
So, we get to the airport and I'm surprised by 3 friends from our other base that I wasn't expecting- I guess that's the meaning of surprise. We were being rushed by airport police- but it was so nice to see them again. I take my two huge bags and check them in- there wasn't a line in the check -in, to join the everlong line to security.
Since the line was so long- I just started thinking- of my friends that came to tell me bye. Of good times I've had. How just the week before after dinner, 6 of us just stayed, talking about life and worries and concerns. And then we just prayed for each other. And I thought of how much I was going to miss that. Being with people my age- who I don't have to explain myself to, and I don't have to explain why I like being in the field and who aren't awkward with me, who know just as much as I do about pop culture (which isn't much) and it's okay, because we talk about things that actually matter. Other people who also believe that maybe Jesus meant what He said when He said what true religion is in James 1:27. People with whom I don't even have to explain why I'm upset- because they know how I feel. People with whom I don't have to put a fake smile on while thinking on the inside, "Gosh, you're stupid". Thinking that everything that I grew to love and adore was leaving me, all in the same day, and I was about to leave this country and go into everything that is completely opposite.
So, upon realising this, I did what anybody would do....I cried. Uncontrollably. In the line for security. I put my face in my shirt and kept saying, "oh, get a grip Patty". As the lady in front of me- wasn't exactly sure what she was supposed to do. Not like she could help much- she had just gotten back from spending a week in Haiti and had her hair braided. What could she tell me spending 60x longer in Haiti than she did?
Well, after much crying, I'm back in the States. Reconnecting with my family- I've changed a lot- so have they. I'm off to Swaziland to visit one of my oldest friends from high school and old housemates- Amanda- on Friday- should prove to be a grand old time. Til then- praying about what to do next- and learning to have grace with those who may not have been where I have, who may not think like I do.
Til next time,
Patty
The day I left, I woke up to the guards shedding a tear or two- which made me sad. I got in the truck with Conor and Justin- two friends that had to go towards PaP anyway. I mentioned in the car how I thought I would cry- and I was told to go ahead, but prideful me decided, no, I'm not going to cry. We drive the 2 hours to Port au Prince. We talk as normal, and I go into moments of deep thought.
As we pass Leogane- what has been dubbed as "Patty's town" it's hard to fully comprehend that there's a chance I'll never come back, or at the very least, I don't know when I will. We would go eat in Leogane, and people would stop me. Depending on the time of day- hundreds of people in Leogane would stop me close to different sites, yelling "Patty! we haven't seen you in a long time!". Yep. This was MY place, MY people.
So, we get to the airport and I'm surprised by 3 friends from our other base that I wasn't expecting- I guess that's the meaning of surprise. We were being rushed by airport police- but it was so nice to see them again. I take my two huge bags and check them in- there wasn't a line in the check -in, to join the everlong line to security.
Since the line was so long- I just started thinking- of my friends that came to tell me bye. Of good times I've had. How just the week before after dinner, 6 of us just stayed, talking about life and worries and concerns. And then we just prayed for each other. And I thought of how much I was going to miss that. Being with people my age- who I don't have to explain myself to, and I don't have to explain why I like being in the field and who aren't awkward with me, who know just as much as I do about pop culture (which isn't much) and it's okay, because we talk about things that actually matter. Other people who also believe that maybe Jesus meant what He said when He said what true religion is in James 1:27. People with whom I don't even have to explain why I'm upset- because they know how I feel. People with whom I don't have to put a fake smile on while thinking on the inside, "Gosh, you're stupid". Thinking that everything that I grew to love and adore was leaving me, all in the same day, and I was about to leave this country and go into everything that is completely opposite.
So, upon realising this, I did what anybody would do....I cried. Uncontrollably. In the line for security. I put my face in my shirt and kept saying, "oh, get a grip Patty". As the lady in front of me- wasn't exactly sure what she was supposed to do. Not like she could help much- she had just gotten back from spending a week in Haiti and had her hair braided. What could she tell me spending 60x longer in Haiti than she did?
Well, after much crying, I'm back in the States. Reconnecting with my family- I've changed a lot- so have they. I'm off to Swaziland to visit one of my oldest friends from high school and old housemates- Amanda- on Friday- should prove to be a grand old time. Til then- praying about what to do next- and learning to have grace with those who may not have been where I have, who may not think like I do.
Til next time,
Patty
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)