A Good Day

The lovely park and a duck.

I've had some hard days lately. I got sick, missed work and hung out with myself a lot one week. Also, hearing sad stories of deaths and troubles in the world darkened my days a little more. Then, my insufficiencies impacted me more than usual... unkindness, lack of wisdom, lack of boldness. I'm sure all this was compounded with the stress of packing and leaving all my family, friends, and comfortable known life...

Anyway, I had an opportunity to spend some time in the park by my house, presenting all my worries to my Father... in the way any child having a bad day does--with tears. God met me with a peaceful knowledge of His presence and His goodness, even when the world IS sad and I am NOT perfect. I wrote a poem... not a common activity for me. Here it is.

A Good Day

sorrow anger fear
crying
in the park
everything in me is wrong
as is in the world
yet still
Light shines on my closed eyes
and irises grow yellow
God is here
all is not good
but I offer my cares
one step around the park
at a time

friends' answered prayers
God's Spirit
on and in
an earthen vessel

TCKs/MKs

Photo of a HOPAC classroom.

What's that?!

TCKs/MKs are the kids I will teach and minister to in Tanzania. TCK stands for Third Culture Kid. A TCK is "a person who has spent a significant part of his or her developmental years outside the parents' culture." (Pollock, David, The TCK Profile) MK stands for Missionary Kid, the child of a missionary.

I don't know the specific backgrounds of my students-to-be, but TCKs/MKs generally (according to Pollock again):

• Transition frequently between cultures
• Are surrounded by others who also come and go
• Live among people who look/act/believe differently... and are often more privileged
• Expect to eventually repatriate
• Have an awareness that they represent their parents and their parents' organization

I'm excited to meet my students and hear about life through their eyes. The mix of cultures and backgrounds will be interesting to have in a classroom.

If you're praying for my students and me, two areas I have heard my students might need help with are dealing with transitions and change and having a healthy connection to their parents' work. Please pray that I would teach them well in all areas, academic and spiritual, and that I would minister to their unique needs that arise from being TCKs/MKs.

Sweet Sorrow

Last Thanksgiving with my immediate family.

Romeo and Juliet seemed overly melodramatic to me, because they had known each other for so short a time. But, as I come closer to leaving people that I've known for a long time, Shakespeare's words ring true...

It is sweet to be with my family, friends, and co-workers. It is sweet to think of our history together, the mutual support in low times and the joys we've shared. It is sweet to know that God has lovingly given me these people, and that we will continue to be joined in some way as I leave the country for the next two years.

It is sorrow to know that the normalcy and closeness will soon be dramatically altered. It is sorrow that some people do not share a relationship with Jesus, and His insurance of salvation. It is sorrow, or at least poignant, to remember all the beautiful memories we share, times never to return.

I was thinking all this during my recent spring break from school. I had a lovely time at the Oregon Coast with my immediate family and two of my favorite friend-families. Now there are a couple months left of school, and I am enjoying my kiddos and colleagues.

My departure date is set: July 18th! I have tickets, flying to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania!

Bird Weaver Family!

http://www.environmentalgraffiti.com/



I am excited to share that HOPAC has found me, and 4 other incoming female teachers, a home! It sounds quite lovely, with a view of the Indian Ocean, a 3 minute walk to school, and a family of bird weavers in the backyard bamboo! I had to research bird weavers, and found these photos and a video. Pretty neat little builders!

Also, I have been given the OK to buy plane tickets... so this new life is becoming reality... I feel the first flutters of butterflies :). 

One last thing: I'm curious about my blog audience... If you are willing, please leave a comment or send me an email osarahsarah@gmail.com to let me know you're checking my blog. Thanks!



Lovely Connections!

Hello!

I have had the opportunity to share at many churches and with many groups about Wycliffe's Bible translation, and my role teaching missionary kids.

It has been a blessing... speaking renews my vision of what I'm doing.
After sharing I get to experience the vital encouragement and support of the Body of Christ, His church.

Also, I have reconnected with many people through the sharing process, refreshing old memories. God is reminding me of all He has done in my life over the past ten years. Through His people and His Word, He drew me to Jesus, freed me from my sin and confusion, and is continually drawing me closer. I am thankful to enjoy the relationships His given. I am encouraged to see what He's done, and know I can trust Him for the future.

Psalm 73:21-28

The Tides are Rising!

Doesn't that title just sound good?! I was a little disappointed by the last entry's title... boring. This one rings, even if it doesn't make as much sense. ...So I'll unpack it: First, the "tides" of my Monthly Budget Level are rising... to somewhere near 90%! God has provided; His people have given generously. We are working together to support Bible translation for Tanzanian peoples!

Second, I am blessed by the "tides" of affection from the body of Christ...

Two Sundays ago I shared at my church in Washougal, WA: New Horizons. I shared Wycliffe's vision and my part teaching missionary kids. The church responded with interest, affection, prayers, and financial gifts. I felt so blessed and happily humbled. One of the neat parts of sharing at New Horizons is that I was translated into Spanish as I delivered my message in English. The church includes multiple heart languages. They did not want to exclude anyone from understanding the messages, so they invested in an earpiece translation system!

This Sunday I will share with my church in Sunnyside, WA: Sunnyside Grace Brethren, another dear source of support and blessing.

Update and Video Clips

Hello!

A quick update: I'm somewhere over 77% of the monthly quota I need! Teaching in Sunnyside is going well. I just resent paperwork to Tanzania, after the first attempt was lost in the Postal Triangle. I am continually thankful for the good friends, church, teaching experience, and family that God has blessed me with these past five years.

A taste of Tanzania: These two short video clips are straight from Tanzania! The first is about a translator from a first language group who shared a translation of Luke with his family... and their responses. The second is about translators near Lake Victoria, a project that I think would like to visit and perhaps teach at if I stay in Tanzania longer than two years.