Les Femmes has officially begun! We had our first small group session this past Monday night and had 11 women total. There is a wide range of ages and artistic talents-from a well practiced painter to several women who would claim NO creativity whatsoever (although that's very untrue!) But it is an atmosphere of ease and encouragement, and the level of skill has nothing to do with the intention of the group. Les Femmes (French for "the women") has the mission to aide the journey of a woman's heart awakening to their unique walk with God. To think outside the box, if you will, as each woman explores new and creative ways of connecting with God and understanding His purpose for them.
The night started out as Heather read a parable she wrote, titled The Bracelet. Afterwards, instead of discussing the story amongst each other, each woman individually responded through their journals. Many collaged with cutouts of magazine pictures, some wrote their thoughts or interpretations of the parable, some created a drawing. After a period of time alone, we gathered together to share in small groups what we had created. It was a truly inspiring time, as each person had a very unique and different response. No woman created the same journal, which is such a reflection of the heart of this ministry. Before our next meeting, we will start going through a book of the Bible and respond to it creatively so that we may share with each other when we meet again.
Heather and I met up the next day to share thoughts, and we both agreed the group went amazingly well. The most encouraging part to me is how obviously God is leading this ministry. I've felt as though such little effort has been put in for this all to start up so quickly. I've enjoyed each small thing I've done in preparation and can't believe I get to be a part of this...I feel like I'm hardly doing a thing, simply sitting back and watching God work in His perfection. I love it.
The other thing I'm looking forward to is that I'm leaving for Costa Rica this Wednesday! I get to go visit for a week, and reconnect with several people from my mission trip that I haven't seen in several months. A couple of my DTS-mates are living there and going to Spanish school. Several others are in different YWAM schools at the San Jose base. I'm so thankful I get to make this trip out there...it'll be great to see everyone.
Enjoy the week, and I'll keep you updated on Les Femmes :)
Saturday, February 28, 2009
New Adventures
Friday, February 6, 2009
Settling back in....
It's been over two months since I've left Costa Rica and my DTS family. After such a return culture shock it's difficult to feel adjusted and back to “normal.” But honestly, I hope and pray that I will never feel “normal” again. As life passes by, we gain more experience and perspective, and it should be a priority to never let those things fade. I never want to be complacent and say I'm exactly the same as I was a year ago. Because that would mean I didn't take risks, face challenges, or let God stretch my character...which DEFINITELY happened every day during my DTS. And even though the memories will fade, they will never go away. In fact, many are captured-either in my journals, through pictures, or resonating strongly in my heart.
Seeing my mom, dad, and brother waiting for me at the airport was an incredible feeling. A mixture of excitement, relief, emotion, and familiarity. Within a few days, it felt as though I had never left them, and I realized how precious those relationships are-the ones where you can pick up EXACTLY where you left off, without skipping a beat. I'm very fortunate to have several of those relationships in my life, and I cherish them even more after my trip.
One experience I remember vividly is the day after I returned home. I went to Trader Joe's with my mom and when we walked inside I kind of went numb. I felt like I was in a movie, when everyone is hustling by and you're frozen, standing in the middle of a blur. I wasn't sure whether I felt nauseous, breathless, exhausted, or all three. But coming from living in a thatched hut without electricity and bathing in the river to a wealthy society during the peak season of consumerism was overwhelming, to put it mildly. I'm much more adapted now, obviously you adjust to your surroundings over time, but it's still a concept that blows me away. I was living in such “limited” conditions, according to many views, but I was FINE. In fact, I was happy. More relaxed and alive than I've ever felt. Since returning, a lot of people have asked me if I saw a lot of poverty. But the truth is, it's all relative. Yes, I saw and lived with communities without electricity, a flushing toilet, cell phones, cars, etc...but who's to say that makes them poor? They were doing just fine. It made me think of all the things I claim to “need.”
Having said all that, I am glad to be home. I understand how blessed America is, and how much I have to be grateful for here. It's just difficult to live such a contrasting life and not feel conflicted. But that's another one of those things I'm glad to have-conflicted feelings. I don't want to get so comfortable that I never strive to better myself or my surroundings. I never want to feel like I understand life, or God, because that's a scary place to be. I always want to be growing and be challenged and be conflicted. Because amidst all of those emotions is a person who is truly living. I always want to be that person.
As far as next steps have gone, I'm back in Roseville and working part time at Original Pete's-a restaurant I've worked at for 8 years now. I moved out with my dear friend Nicole, into an apartment near the mall. Recently, I've gotten connected with a woman, Heather Penny, who is starting a women's group/ministry called Les Femmes. It is a community for women to discover their unique giftings and creativeness. Through many mediums like art, poetry, discussion, and whatever else comes us, we will learn to grow closer to God and support each other during the process. Heather has asked me to be her partner in this whole thing, and we are in the process of launching this vision of hers. My tasks at the moment are to create a website, design the “face” of Les Femmes, start brainstorming ideas of opportunities, and help begin a small group. I'm SO excited and thrilled that I have this opportunity which combines several of my passions into one position. It's a volunteer position and so I will still keep my job at the restaurant, to sustain my income. Prayers would be very appreciated for this new and different ministry!
I miss Costa Rica. I miss the friends I made, the family we created, and the beauty I saw. But I know that God is continuing to bring beauty and excitement into my life in all sorts of ways, that's just the kind of God He is. I'm looking forward to what's ahead and where He takes me. I will keep you updated on Les Femmes and where it's headed, but until then...
Blessings,
Melissa
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Last night was a fiesta to celebrate the end of outreach and graduation from classes...how crazy that five months are over! We got dressed up, which was fun after no makeup, dresses, or wearing my hair down since June :) Our leaders brought us to a really nice Peruvian restaurant and then afterwards to the base for dessert and graduation. Here are some pics:
Lucy and me
enjoying our cake
I got the award for "Most likely to have a hospital ministry"...haha....
Some of the girls
The students and staffSunday, November 16, 2008
Our days of living in the jungle are over…we’re back at the San Jose base and packing up our bug nets and sleeping bags for good. It’s been an eventful outreach and the last two weeks continued in the same pattern. (No more injuries though, don’t worry.)
We had planned to go to Nicaragua, but things changed at the last minute and we ended up going to Talamanca-the same location of our NIKO camp. Our first week was spent in Margarita at a small church.
The pastor let us take over for four different church services while we were there, had some physical work for us, and in addition, we did a couple different programs at a school nearby. The services went well and we had a variety of messages, dramas, and activities for them- in fact, I even preached one night!
A tarantula we found while cleaning around the school
Another special find while cleaning
One of the nights was really memorable for me…we were praying for individuals during worship and I saw a woman by herself that I wanted to pray for. So I stood by her side with my hand on her shoulder and began to pray for her family, her relationship with God, and other general yet important prayers that I would pray for anyone who I don’t know. But as I was praying, I began to feel something different in my heart for this woman. It felt like God was showing me how incredible she was, how precious and unique she was, how deeply God loved her. And how she doubted all of this and felt alone often. I actually got goosebumps while praying for her, because of how strongly God was putting these things in my heart. At this point, I turned around to find a translator, and one was right behind me. With his help, I told the woman all these things that I had just been praying for her, and she began to cry. She listened as I told her how valuable she is to God, and that He’s always with her, and she just continued to weep and nod her head. After I was finished telling her, she didn’t say a word but just embraced me tightly and began to cry even harder. We stood there for a few minutes, just hugging and crying and praying together. God was doing something in her heart at that moment, I have no doubt…and I felt so blessed to be able to share that with her. It’s incredible what God can do, even between two people who have never met, and who don’t even speak each others’ languages. I’m tucking that special memory away in my heart forever.
After our week in Margarita, we went to the NIKO base for one night. The next morning we led the church service there and then packed up for our next destination: Sibodi. From Bambu we took a 30 minute bus trip, a 30 minute canoe ride, and then another 30 minute us trip to a school where we stayed for three nights. This village had no electricity, showers, and very inconsistent running water…a common theme in our outreach :) Oh- and an abundance of scorpions, 3 inch crickets lined up in front of the toilets, spiders, and bats.
The gigantic crickets
Our main job here was to mix and pour concrete for a foundation of a house, cook lunch for about 50 students each day and work on some other miscellaneous projects around the school.
Working on the cement
We returned back to the NIKO base for two nights and some more physical work/projects. I think Talamanca was the most beautiful place we went during the five months.
The YWAM base
So now we’re helping out at a big YWAM conference until Friday and our graduation ceremony is on Saturday. It’s coming to an end very quickly…
One more photo....
My first attempt at putting my hair up with the cast...it's especially stylish, yeah?
Thursday, October 30, 2008
The last week was all ministry within the city, with the exception of one day where we went to another tribe. City ministry days usually meant traveling into the busy parks, streets, and sidewalks and performing dramas, giving testimonies, etc. A lot of passer-bys stopped to watch and listen, and after each program we would talk with anyone who wanted to hang around. Sometimes we did up to three or four programs a day, with four dramas per program and explanations of dramas/ testimonies after each one. Each day was jam packed, for sure.
One day we went into a slum/ghetto to meet up with a children’s ministry. They are a really small Christian organization that has a place for kids to come and hang out if they don’t attend school and their parents aren’t with them during the day. They provide meals, education, games, music, and love and attention for each child. It’s a really great place, and I’m glad we got to spend a day there. We put on a program in the morning and afternoon and then just played with the kids in between. Our kids programs usually include dramas, songs, games, and small teachings.
Another day we went to a neighborhood close to the base and invited the community to their soccer court for a program. We had intended to do a presentation for adults, but found ourselves with an audience of young kids…so we changed our plans and had a great time with the children instead. (Games, dramas, playing soccer) Change during outreach happens often but it’s kinda fun- a very effective way to build flexibility and creativity.
The day with the tribe was awesome as well…it was the same Embera tribe as before, but a different village closer to the city. We put on a presentation for them and then had a time of learning about their culture, getting a tour of the village, and buying artisans.
There are a ton of specific stories, incredible moments, and awesome people that wouldn’t be possible to write out in a short time…especially one handed. But I will share a little more of the month with you in another way (photos) and I can’t wait to catch up in detail when I come home. So here are some (of many) pictures from the time we spent in Panama:
The Embera Tribe 
this was about 7ft long head to tail
Jovonka
Me and Jovonka
the girls' hut
dinner!
some of the guys bathing
the artisans
Working on the roof
kids program
Oajaca (2nd village)
the girls' room (behind me)
that doesn't look right....
speaking at the Oajaca church 
look how many things we can put in the cast
Performing dramas in Panama city
the slum we visited 
singing songs with the kids 
precious....
praying after the teaching
me and Mitza
other tribe village
performing dramas at a church in Panama city
the city
