Reflections...from Guyana Pt.1

I'm going to begin a mini-series with my reflections and experiences from Guyana. I'm not sure how long it will go for but I'll keep it to Wednesday posts.

Well you know how it all started, if you don't check here. The trip in was smooth but long...more about that here.  But in any event, I spent about 6 days in a small city inside Georgetown, Guyana. I personally met with maybe 15 kids and parents, while the rest of the team interviewed the others. However, by the end of the trip, I had an opportunity to have meaningful conversation with 23 (out of 26 kids). I'm kicking myself that I missed an entire 3 boys but I guess I am only one person. ;)

The reflection for today is on giving. There were a lot of images and conversations that are etched into my brain; one of which is with a young boy-Antonio. He is by definition, an orphan.  He lives with family but his parents are dead and he takes care of himself. He is a good kid but no one wants to (or have money to) take care of him so he's been passed around. He has basically nothing.

He comes to church with us, as we invited all families to join us. Our conversation goes as follows:
Me: What you get there Antonio?
A: Mi dinner and food fa tomoro at school.
Me: What is that? (pointing to the container in his hands)
A: Roti (opens small container) that Aunty M gave me.
 he picks off a piece and begins chewing. He also has a small bag of "Famous Amos" cookies.
Me: That doesn't seem like a lot for dinner
A: shrugs and smiles. Its okay

(picture of a roti)

A couple minutes later I feel a tap on my back

A: Miss?
Me: Yes
A: here (He hands one of his cookies with me)
I stumble to find words to decline..but in barely a whisper, I reply with a soft "thanks" and a smile.
Inside my heart just melts and my eyes begin to sting.

I walk away and enjoy my cookie just shaken at the very core. This kid has nothing. He has maybe two rotis and a bag of cookies and apparently this is his meal for today and tomorrow for school. Why...why would he offer to share his bag of cookies with me?

Didn't I come here to share with him [them]?

I learned about 10 minutes later that he offered a cookie to each of the team members (3 in total). If I recall those bags of cookies probably only have 8 cookies in them...

What do you have to give today? Even in little, I'm sure we can find something to offer someone in the spirit of our Father.  It's just not enough for me [anymore] to offer out of my abundance. If I'm going to live life the way God wants me to, and for His glory...then sometimes my gifts will have to be a sacrifice. I can't help but think of David response in 2 Samuel 24:24

"No, I insist on buying it, for I will not present burnt offerings to the LORD my God that have cost me nothing."


Grace peace and love,
Gia

Timothy Project

I've failed you. I'm about 2 weeks from departure date and this is the first post about my uber exciting upcoming trip. I am going to Guyana with a team of individuals for the launching of the first cohort of the Timothy Education Project Guyana. This initiative is the baby of Schantal, my roommate. You can find out more about her here.

From the website:

"The Timothy Education Program provides a group of 25 students in a developing country with the resources and support needed to excel their studies. Each year, Timothiers in North America work diligently to gather supplies and funds to provide backpacks and supplies, uniforms and shoes, and contingency fees needed for them to attend school. Additionally, the students receive a support system featuring academic, career and emotional mentorship, and financial support to steer them along a successful path.

Why all of this? We believe that a successful student is made by a community- a group of individuals that work together to ensure that s/he excels day after day, week after week, month after month, until graduation day."

When I heard about it, it called to me. Like seriously, I felt it had my name written all over it. Partly because the larger vision is so in sync with my goals for Mercy House but also because I love traveling, have always wanted to do some type of short-term missions work and this is a an opportunity to support a friend. Essentially, I get to put my money, time and energy where my heart and prayers are at. How super cool right?

I finally purchased both legs of the trip Nassau-->Guyana and Guyana-->Canada and it was a sacrifice. I opted to not go on a girls trip (cruise)later this year to use the funds for this and there are no regrets. I only wish that I'm was employed full time so that I could have financially supported the kids and/or the project in a more substantial way. I guess I won't be a student forever so this is another missions project that I can look forward to supporting!

Yea, so I leave Nassau to fly to Georgetown, Guyana on the 28th. My role is of "helper" and because of my expertise, I get to really help. :D I'll conduct/lead most of the intake assessment interviews with the kids and their families and I'll also [hopefully] have an opportunity to conduct one or two group sessions with the kids. woot woot. It will be a jammed packed, emotionally charged, tiring trip; I know this. But I'm up for the challenge. Guyana is poor. These kids [families] are probably even poorer. But we've got the Good News. We are going as servants to provide support and HOPE. These kids have a future and it our intent to ensure that they have as many of the physical, emotional, academic and most importantly, spiritual resources to walk confidently toward that future!

Unless you are in Canada, where the account is, I don't think there is much that can be done monetarily (outside of wiring funds) but we accept prayers. I'd also be more than willing to leave a couple items of my own at home so that I can carry some clothing, shoes or school stuff for the kids. All of the volunteers are full time students (well except Schantal who just started a job on Monday- praise God) so we also are in need of a dollar here and there for the costs that may be incurred while on the trip. I'm praying that my job here gets my pay sorted out, but if it doesn't come in time, I know that God will provide....exceedingly and abundantly.

I'll maybe see if I can Schantal to write a guest post for next Thursday (if she can find the time) but if not, I'll be back with more about the Timothy Project and the countdown.

Grace peace and love,
Gia

edited on 8/23/12:

Schantal says: We do accept donations online. And if anyone in the bahamas wants to donate, we really need "non-school" shoes for the kids...We just learned that some of them don't even have that. 

WOW

Have you ever heard a story and was like "WOW"! That was me when I read this!

I like hearing stories like this because it calls to something deep DEEP within me. Something that makes my heart race and makes me feel alive. And it is those moments when I remember that I am called to make a difference. I am not called to the dull or the boring...to "things" and superficiality. I want to live a meaningful life that is filled with passion and purpose. I want to make a difference. I want the world to know that I was here...not for attention purposes, not to comment on how beautiful or rich I am/was..but for how my life impacted and facilitated a positive change in others.

The cool thing is, that I can have this impact. I don't need to be super rich to make a change, I can start with the people that God allows in my life. Simple daily obedience. Looking for the divine encounters. Loving my neighbors as myself. Recognizing that it is very likely that some of the annoying, smelly and not-so-lovely people that I pass [and often ignore] are angels (Hebrews 13:2).


I will be praying and re-surrendering my heart and mind to be used by God and creating "WOW" moments in my compassion and obedience.

...humbled by His love and compelled to give that love to others.

Grace peace and love,
Gia