Once upon a time there was a girl who wanted to do a zipline. Her senior year of high school she went went on a leadership retreat where there was to be a "high ropes course." With much excitement she waited in line for the zipline... only to have time run out 2 people before her turn. In her first grown up year she worked in student ministry. What better place to take our high schoolers in the spring than a high ropes adventure course at a Christian camp (read: zipline). Silly girl... high schoolers are much to busy in the spring time to go on a Saturday day trip. Cancelled. It appeared that ziplining was not in the cards for this young lady. However, God had her desires in His mind since the beginning of creation. As she was traveling around the world God brought her to Costa Rica and provided an opportunity for her to zip to her hearts content with her good friend Jennifer M. Fancypants. This was even better than the high ropes experiences she had missed out on. This was Costa Rica! Over and through the trees and mountains they went with breathtaking views reaching all the way out to the ocean. Thank you God for happy endings!
At some point in my life I realized that I will never be able to understand the entirety of a God bigger than the universe. However, I continue to try to understand pieces of Him… to sum Him up, to define His character. What continues to awe me about my God is when He says "Yes Sarah, that's part of who I am but did you ever consider this?" It happens for than I would like to admit. I settle into a routine and become comfortable. Then God finds a way to make me say, "wow."
This is a story that starts in Nsoko, Swaziland while Jackie and were at our homestead.
He answers the prayers we don't even remember praying
For two nights in a row I was having really vivid dreams.Sometimes I remember dreams but not frequently.So I went back to my journal and as it turns out, the last words I wrote on the night I started having dreams was "God, I'm too tired to journal… please speak to me through dreams and I promise to be a good steward of whatever you want to tell me."
He speaks through dreams
One such dream was this:
I was back at the physical therapy office i worked at last year.Everything was the same.I walked in past the secretary, Susana and said hello, turned left at the end of the hall and headed into the office.When I turned in there was a girl from one of my college classes at one computer and on my right was a guy that was at a missions conference I attended last year.He was slouched in his chair kind of mindlessly clicking on the computer.One of the therapists turned to me and asked me how my Christian missions thing was last year.As I started to explain the World Race Nate sprang to life, spun around, and started asking me a ton of questions, saying that he was really interested in that kind of thing.
To be honest, I'm amazed I could even place him.I decided very last minute to go to this missions conference.I think I had met Nate a few times before (sorry if I'm missing some times, Nate!) but my only time really with him was for those 4 days of the conference. Plus, in my mind, there are no connections between Nate and physical therapy!
His timing is perfect
Normally I would just pray for Nate and move on.But since I had apparently journal promised God that I would do something with what he told me… I figured I should send an email.So being the obedient procrastinator that I am… maybe two weeks later I found Nate on the world's greatest address book, facebook, and I sent him an email.I chose not to include the obvious interpretations but just to tell him the dream and encourage him.
Nate responded almost immediately to tell me that it was great that I emailed and that he would get back to me with the specifics.So apparently Nate and I are cut from the same procrastinating cloth… but yesterday I received this email…
Our God is this intricate
"To make a long story short, I graduated in May, and my plan was to eventually go to Seminary.I ended up coming back to Newark and living with Jeff, Zach, and Patrick.I got engaged in November, and then started a job in February.I am still working there right now.The plan was to work there for a year and a half until Lauren graduated school and then I would go to seminary.I really was feeling discontent with working there (I am a computer programmer), even if I had a good day at work.I just felt God calling me somewhere else.Some days at work I wouldn't have anything to do so I would sit slumped at my chair playing Spider Solitaire (like how I was playing a game in your dream).On one such day I talked to my fiancé Lauren for about an hour about how I really felt God calling me to be somewhere else.I was at the job because I decided that it was the responsible thing to do being that I am getting married.So then I come home and get your email.
I think God was using this to let me know that I needed to trust him and not stick with the "practical and responsible" thing to do.I was really excited about the email, and since then I have been trying to figure out how to transition from my job to being more involved with ministry.I am working on getting a part time computer job while also being an IV staff worker for next year." (IV=Intervasity= college campus ministry)
Wow
My God answered a prayer I journaled in my sleep, inserted Nate into a dream, reminded me to email him on the exact day he needed to hear it, and is stretching Nate to push into something new.
God is intricately involved in every detail of our lives. He defines "detail oriented" even in the lives of those of us who tend to live a little more... chaotically, to put it nicely. He cares about the details we don't know that we should care about… and the details we don't even know exist!
There a blogs containing my thoughts coming soon... but until then a few more light hearted ones are on the way. These were posted by Colleen Foley yesterday. One our way to Costa Rica we had a 36 hour Spain extravaganza! We got to spend the night in a cool hostel, tour the city, meet awesome people, and eat amazing food. Here is a glimpse into our excursion:
Our first (very short) layover was in Switzerland....it still counts as a visit...look, there is 1 Swiss Alp in the background!
Danny excited to be in Switzerland...and Kyle in the background giving him a funny look...
Once we arrived in Madrid, we were able to visit the Picasso Museum (amazing)...
Hung out....got Starbuck's...
Aarron and Kyle chillin' on the street...
Some adorable elderly people we got to talk to... (I think the man third in from the left really was the King of Spain... they've been friends for a long time and love to come to Madrid to sit on this bench together)
Music and fun...
...and we got to meet Danny's cool friend James...and he introduced us to Choco Churros (yum!)...
We also got to visit/eat at the Museum of Ham...yes, that's right...the Museum of HAM...
When we flew from Madrid to Costa Rica, we had an overnight layover in Columbia....
Yes, we slept overnight in the Columbia airport (Colleen's Grammie, don't be mad!)...
Some great friends hanging out in the park!
Costa Rica is really amazing so far... but more on that later!
We've arrived! After 55+ Hours of transit we arrived in Costa Rica. We are in San Jose, the capital city, for a few days before we head out to somewhere to do something.
I've been trying to think about how to wrap up Africa in words. After much consideration I don't really think it can be summed up at this point. So, here is a really powerful video Danny put together about our time in Africa. The video covers our time in Mozambique, Swaziland, South Africa, and Mozambique. The music from this is mostly recorded from the churches we worked with... beware, it is amazing and it will get stuck in your head! I hope it captures for you a taste of what we experienced!
Posted in Team Blogs
by Sarah Burrows
on 4/16/2008
We wanted to make a really special photo blog that would capture the really amazing, powerful, meaningful couple of weeks we experienced in Botswana. Seriously, it was amazing... but upon scanning our photos... it seems that it is more appropriate to do this photo blog. Here's a glimpse into another part of our world.
Before we went to Botswana we spent some time in Pretoria and Johannesburg:
Normal Things: passing the time on a street corner, waiting for our ride
Multitasking: we cleaned our pores and practiced driming to share the love of Jesus all at the same time. Please note what a Holy experience Lindsey is having.
Several mornings in a row we practiced packing our bags and the car... only to unpack them and return to our cabins later in the morning. However, when the big day came we were ready... and we were on our way to Botswana.
Upon arriving in Botswana we were surprised to discover that we weren't living in the bush, but rather in a gorgeous guest house...
And we got to drive a Benz... once. But it was really awesome. Danny even found a pair of bling bling Grandma glasses.
The rest of the time we rode in the back of a pickup truck. It was really windy. We always looked exactly like this. Always.
Except when we got bored... and started to pick on each other. Don't be worried, Sarah only had minor wounds from her beating by the loaf... Colleen kissed it and made it all better
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The pickup took us to lots of interesting places... and got us in touch with our inner selves...
Everywhere we went we met some really amazing people from Botswana:
Meet Felix.
There was always something to laugh about.
We met some people with common interests... like the little mermaid... and head hugs.
Some of us even found love...
Looking Back... in Botswana we really got in touch with our African roots:
After a rigourous tryout... Sarah made the South African rugby team... and then went into the past and won the world cup. She's really good at rugby.
Kyle did his best to blend in. He sprung for a precision haircut. Please observe the perfect 90 degree angle at his hairline... as the stlyist is applying Hair food... before he brushed the hair for no less than 10 minutes. Kyle makes this look goooooood.
Kyle did his best but Lindsey actually became African... note the puffy sleeves and the sweet tambourine skills.
We spent some time reflecting on the last 8 months of our lives, what the World race has meant to us, and how dreamy that George Clooney is.
We're back in South Africa for debrief now. We'll be flying to Latin America on the 20th to start the last leg of our Journey. Don't worry... we have plenty of memories to share... and even a few souvenirs for you lucky folks back home.
Posted in Adventures
by Sarah Burrows
on 4/16/2008
well, sort of... I told Danny "we" should make a video... and that it would only take a few hours. So after a month of Danny working really hard for many hours and me making suggestions that make more work... "Our" video is done!
I guess these are the thoughts of an infinite number of people after a break up; a million or more unsent letters; a rehashing of the ins and out of our relationship.I bet you never expected a letter like this from me, but I hope it finds you well.
We started off great, didn't we?Born on Sycamore St and an early move to the burbs.We even stuck it out during four years of college.I almost left you then. But, I decided to wait it out.You are home to my church, my school, and my family.You were my world.Where did we go our separate ways?
Our relationship became very one sided.You gave me lots and I took with no plans of repayment.I'm sorry for all the needs I couldn't meet: your homeless, drug addicts, abused children, and the lonely and aching.For sure I saw them.Oh, I was well aware of all your weaknesses.If I really loved you I could have done something... I could have prayed.But days became weeks became months... and I focused on myself.The circles of people I prayed for became smaller and smaller until there was just me.
I really treated you poorly.Did you ever suspect that I attended the wedding of Christ and his Bride, the church, nearly every week and never invited you as my "plus one?"I knew some really great, life changing news that I rarely shared with your people.I knew about a Savior, but I lived like I was oblivious.Confessions paint us in an ugly light, huh?
Now I sit on the other side of the world, in Botswana, surrounded by Africans who are on their faces crying, screaming out to God for their country... and in me it confirms that I let you down. They are winning battles against principalities and powers.They are covenanting to pray for their leaders and to uphold them in prayer.But me?By the end of our relationship I could barely remember to pray for myself, much less your spiritual strongholds or your legislators.
I can't say right now if we'll ever get back together. Either way I wish you all the best and now I pray for your often.I pray that Christ's bride will remember you often.I pray that warriors will spring up, even in unexpected places.I hope all the failed relationships with Christians over the years haven't left you too scarred.I want you to be happy and free.Don't lose hope.Things can change for you.Things will change when some finally honors you passionate prayer and really cries out on your behalf. You deserve that.
Posted in Team Blogs
by Sarah Burrows
on 3/28/2008
Team LESS returned to Manzini, Swaziland on Monday for a night of rest in the care of Lisa Black's incredible hospitality. That night at our team debrief we were discussing with Gary what's next. To super paraphrase, he taught us that, "God will open doors and He will shut them. Following God is pretty easy if you're willing to go where He sends you… you just "fall forward" and let him guide you along the way."
So forward we fell to Alabanza, a missionary retreat center outside of Pretoria in South Africa. After our planned day of fast internet we headed to the embassy to get new pages added to Michael's passport. Then, we were to head to the bus station towards our next open door… The wonderful people from Danny's church at home (K2 in Salt Lake) who are in Lesotho doing missions with an orphanage there.
Snag 1: We were missing a signed parental form for our younger buddy Michael. Door closed to leave that day. So back to Alabanza we went.
Snag 2: We woke up this morning to do our new daily routine… pack up, pray, and head to the embassy in Johannesburg, head to the busses. With the car loaded we received a call from Danny's friends that there was a disagreement with their hosts and it probably wouldn't work for us to be there.
Door Closed. If it weren't for bureaucracy we would have been in Lesotho last night and leaving again today. Amazing.
Standing in the driveway we were invited to coffee by the head of Alabanza and she marched in all the missionaries she could find to start giving us contacts from all over the region. Someone on the panel mentioned "Mama Elizabeth," a local legendary super powerful Grandmother who has been doing ministry in Botswana forever.
Botswana is a country we have talked about many times but had yet to find our open door. Contact after contact didn't work out.
However, after one phone call, we were told that Mama Elizabeth was at her house 40 minutes from us with her son who is still in full time ministry in Botswana. Extra confirmation? Mama Elizabeth would be thrilled to escort us herself up into Botswana. Our panel of missionaries gasped with excitement for us at this proposal.
Powerful experienced woman of God. Botswana with transportation. Sounds like our open door…
We're going to fall forward into Botswana on Sunday.
We won't know about communication until we get there… so until then…
Following God is a whole lot easier when you listen to the doors He opens and shuts.
Pastor Gift started our week with an interesting statement to our team. He felt like our theme for our time in Nsoco needed to be "No Excuses." He went through the parable of the wedding banquet and all of the excuses people had to not attend. One of the statements he said has been tying up some loose ends in my brain. "There is no excuse to not touch a life today."
In the bible and in Christian culture I have heard about "the one." It's one of those phrases I thought I understood… just like so many other things in the bible. In a nutshell it God going after "the one" refers to God's love for the individual. He cares about each one of us so deeply. But, I'm in a phase of life where I am beginning to understand that the more I learn the less I know…. about pretty much everything. This is a topic that God keeps putting in my path in a variety of ways. Here are a few of them:
*In Who I am in Christ by Neil T Anderson he shares this poem:
I saw no likeness to Him in you today
and since I shall not pass your way again
it matters not that yesterday His light shown in you
or that tomorrow you may want to make amends
I passed your way today.
There is no excuse not to touch a life today. It matters what I do and how I act towards everyone I meet. It's not about feeling like being a Christian… or feeling like being loving… it's about living like Christ.*
*Being a roaming short term missionary this year… there are so many times that we meet someone who has met a previous world race team, or knows a missionary, or wants to tell us all about the pastor who told them about Jesus.
It happens all the time… walking by a fruit stand in Mozambique we met some young men who knew English remarkably well. When Danny asked where they learned English they replied "Our friend, Ryan Stewart taught us… do you know him?" Well, Ryan is a world race alumni who helped set up ministry in Vilanculos when his team was there… many months ago.
Just last week this happened… Jackie and I were talking to one of our favorite Grandmas, Elizabeth. She's funny because she knows a little bit of English…but will talk at us 95% of the time in Siswati. This was one of those times. We were pretending to understand when all of a sudden she made a motion at her face and the word "Casey" comes through clear as a bell… Jackie and I exchanged a curious look wondering if she could possibly be referring to the famous beard of Casey Barefield. Then she switched to English and asked for our addresses to write us a letter. When she pulled out her address book, our suspicions were confirmed when we glanced at her list and saw that the two name before us were Sarah Dager and Lauren Morris.
There is no excuse to not touch a life today. In our culture of instant results, stories like these are hard to grasp. We want people to "get it." We get frustrated by time constraints thinking "if only I had longer in each country to build relationships." In God's counter-culture we may never see the harvest but we can confidently know that we are planting and watering seeds with our lives every day.*
*"Suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house and search until she finds it?" Luke 15:8
There is no excuse not to touch a life. If this is how God feels about every "coin," what's my excuse to not join in hunt? How can I walk by lost coins every day and not help God polish them up with a smile, a helping hand, and the truth about the Almighty One who has been searching for them their whole life?"*
*I just finished an amazing book called Under The Overpass by Mike Yankoski. Mike decided to become homeless for 5 months to see what it was like and to put his faith into action. This book is amazing… you should read it.
From one city he shares a story about his friend and him playing worship music late one night in the courtyard they were sleeping in. The next day a woman they were acquainted with came up to them and thanked them for her lullaby. She normally has nightmares but the past night she fell right asleep and had none. She requested another song session that night. Mike then goes on to share this: "I wondered that night if God hadn't brought us across the continent just to sing Pamela to sleep on His behalf. The apostle Paul said in Ephesians that God works that way- that we've been created to keep certain appoinmetments for Him, to complete certain excuses."*
There is no excuse not to touch a life today. I am learning to not only believe, but to know that God will send us around the world, or to the coffee shop around the corner for one person. He cares that much. *
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