Everything is a process...

Dictionary Word of the Day

2009-10-18T19:09:00.000-07:00

turbid: muddy; not clear; also, confused; disordered.

Sometimes words just work!

2009-09-27T22:56:00.000-07:00

Someone sent this to me, good stuff!

Help Me to Believe in Beginnings

God of history and of my heart,
so much has happened to me during these whirlwind days:
I've known death and birth;
I've been brave and scared;
I've hurt, I've helped;
I've been honest, I've lied;
I've destroyed, I've created;
I've been with people, I've been lonely;
I've been loyal, I've betrayed;
I've decided, I've waffled;
I've laughed and I've cried.
You know my frail heart and my frayed history -
and now another day begins.

O God, help me to believe in beginnings
and in my beginning again,
no matter how often I've failed before.

Help me to make beginnings:
to begin going out of my weary mind
into fresh dreams,
daring to make my own bold tracks
in the land of now;
to begin forgiving
that I may experience mercy;
to begin questioning the unquestionable
that I may know truth
to begin disciplining
that I may create beauty;
to begin sacrificing
that I may make peace;
to begin loving
that I may realize joy.

Help me to be a beginning to others,
to be a singer to the songless,
a storyteller to the aimless,
a befriender of the friendless;
to become a beginning of hope for the despairing,
of assurance for the doubting,
of reconciliation for the divided;
to become a beginning of freedom for the oppressed,
of comfort for the sorrowing,
of friendship for the forgotten;
to become a beginning of beauty for the forlorn,
of sweetness for the soured,
of gentleness for the angry,
of wholeness for the broken,
of peace for the frightened and violent of the earth.

Help me to believe in beginnings,
to make a beginning,
to be a beginning,
so that I may not just grow old,
but grow new
each day of this wild, amazing life
you call me to live
with the passion of Jesus Christ.

Random updates

2009-09-24T18:26:00.000-07:00

Nothing new and exciting going on. But I do want to give some random updates:

Rani, the girl that Scott posted about, who works downstairs as a servant, is now coming to visit us at least once or twice a day. She is so cute and her smile is infectious, she talks so fast it's hard to understand, but we get by. I look forward to seeing her and try to always have a treat ready. She knocks on the door, we open, she walks in, usually goes straight to the fridge and looks at our pictures, then she starts talking. Oh, her mom was visiting this weekend and I got to meet her, she seems nice and loves her daughter very much. So sad that they can not be together (see older post for the whole story). She stopped by today to show us her new outfit.

I want to thank all of our supporters, because of you we were able to see the need and help out one of our Bengali co-workers. Shila is a bearer in the office, she makes tea and keeps the office clean, along with many of other duties. Shila has a son (18) with epilepsy and they have never been able to get his seizures under control. We had a doctor come to the training center to check all the women and children and Shila brought her son, the doctor recommended he see a neurologist in Dhaka. With the help of some of the ex-pats and the Dhaka office manager and Joyce (who we affectionately call "the fixer"), we had her food and lodging covered, her medical bills covered and a translater to go with her to the appointment as she is illiterate in Bangla and English. It was a great team effort and so wonderful to be able pass on the love you give to us to another.

Scott returned from Nepal on Monday. He had a relaxing time and was able to get the refreshment he was seeking.

We head to Dhaka today or tomorrow for 2 weeks of meetings, that will affect the direction of what we are doing here in Bangladesh. It will be hard to be away from home and staying in a guest house for that long, but the whole ex-pat team will be there, so we hope to have some fun as well.

Thanks for your continued support!!

My visit to the brothel

2009-09-12T19:51:00.000-07:00

(from my journal - Aug 21st)

It’s been a long week of traveling with 8 survivors, one supervisor and our driver. We traveled out to the Borishal region to see Job Creation sites. Which means businesses that have been created to employ women at risk, usually widows or girls without fathers. We were surrounded at all times by lush green fields lined with trees of various sizes and shapes. Truly beautiful. It was fun, was to see the women experience travel, some for the first time. (except car sickness) They got to see part of their country they have never seen before.

One of the stops along the way was the Salvation Army in Jessore. Their office is directly across from a brothel. They provide a place for the women to come to be counseled, a store that sells discounted hygiene products and a presence in the brothel that shows they care and are there when the women decide they want out. Very spur of the moment the supervisor asked if we wanted to go into the brothel. I hesitantly said yes, I will go. But I wanted to make sure our women knew they had a choice to go. They are 5 months into our program and I didn’t know how they would feel seeing it.

It was horrible, in every sense. What I imagine Hell would be like. You walk down a small cramped, hot and humid dark hallway, I didn’t want to look down on the chance of seeing a rodent, but also needed to watch where I was stepping. At the end of a hall way sits a large women and a man, who I assume is the Madam and either a security man or a Babu (husband/owner of one of the women). He said in slurred Bangla “salam alaikum”. I nodded and said hello, he gave me the creeps and I was nervous, which of course made me respond in English. He persisted, I think wanting me to respond back in Bangla. One of the girls said Nomoshkar which told him I was a Christian. He was a big burly man, acting drunk. The supervisor said he wanted to have his picture taken with me. I said no. He was trying to talk in English, and kept asking the women around him what to say next. Finally, I was getting mad now, I didn’t like this guy or how he was acting. The rage and hatred inside me was boiling to the surface and I have a hard time hiding it on my face. This man represented to me all that was wrong with this system. Women being sold for sex, not being free to be the women God created them to be. He represents a systemic evil that pervades this country, that some people do not have value as human beings, they are objects to be used. Whether it’s the bearer in the office or the women on the street, they are ordered around, called stupid and treated as less than.

Finally, I asked if could we move on. Turning our attention from the drunk man, we kept walking farther into the brothel. The long hallway opened up into an interior open air courtyard with bedrooms lining the outside walls. The rooms themselves looked decent, there was space for a bed and a few sparse furnishings. I looked inside one room and saw a man sitting on the bed fully dressed with a women getting dressed. I decide I shouldn’t look in any more. In front of each room ran the sewer drainage, I didn’t see any bathrooms but I imagine they were there somewhere. The cooking is done over an open pit in the middle of the courtyard. Further in I see a woman washing her hair, she is only wearing her bra and her sari slip. I am shocked at the immodesty for some reason.
They way the women were painted up with layers of makeup and lots of eye make up, made them look like they were going to a celebration, but their expressionless eyes told a different story. They are stuck there, they may all have different stories of what brought them, but the reasons why are all the same. They live in a country where if you are born into a low-income family the children’s education is not priority; many are sent off to work at a young age. The children are vulnerable and there are always people ready to exploit them. The children may have been sold to a broker, who then sells them to a madam or babu and they become property. They are trapped, they have no voice and definitely no choice in the matter. Sometimes they are sold on contract and have the freedom to leave after a certain amount of time, but what are they going to do? Their families won’t take them back, they are spoiled or used goods. The only thing they know how to do is use their bodies to make money. It is evil, it is wrong and I don’t think it is supposed to be like this.

Wondering What To Feel

2009-09-04T19:39:00.000-07:00

We just had the opportunity to meet a very sweet little girl who lives in our building. Her name is Rani, she lives in the ground floor flat and we think she is about 11 years old. Rani is a bearer/aya (a housekeeper) but Rani probably doesn't have to much say in the matter. This issue is incredibly complex and because of the overwhelming poverty in Bangladesh many of the children are employed as "helpers" in peoples houses instead of going to school. They work year round doing all the menial work and they infrequently will get to visit their families in the villages. The children, especially the girls, have such a deep sense of responsibility to the family that going away means they are less burden to family and it may bring in some additional income. It is just accepted here as part of life. We knew another family that had someone working for them, the girl was treated well but when she turned 14 her family brought her back to the village to be married. She went from one oppressive situation into another without much choice in the matter.
It finally hit me how difficult the situation was when I asked our house manager about it, he was saddened but said the problem is so big that there isn't much that can be done about it. It breaks my heart that Rani has probably never gone to school, she has never known the options that are available to her. It would be great and easy to just pay for school but it is so much more difficult than that. There needs to be a shift in what people hope for. When someone is focused on survival, education seems a distant prospect. When the cow needs milking or the goats need food, having a little worker at school is a hardship.
We are going to talk to people who have experience in this field and try to learn more about it and we will pass on what we learn. Please pray for Rani that we could continue to see her smile but that somehow we could be part of seeing her hope as well.

Scott-

Probitra Learning Tour

2009-09-02T21:50:00.000-07:00

I can't believe I haven't posted on this yet. It seems like eons ago. I spent a week traveling with 9 women in the Probitra program, one driver and one woman supervisor. The trip included many many hours of travel in hot hot weather, I came home and promptly got sick.

At the Burial site.

But it was worth it because I got to see the women smile giggle and laugh like school girls. For many it was their first experience leaving Mymensingh. On the way we visited the founder of Bangladesh's grave site, they all exuded patriotic nostalgia and talked of the revolution of 1971.

We visited enterprises where other groups of women are employed and every time we arrive at a site, our women instantly fan out and sit themselves down with the other women and begin talking. I have no idea what was said, but I could see friendships being formed and bonds being made by the smiles, the touches and the hugs. When we were served food, which is typical whenever we visit anywhere, they shared their food with the others. I loved seeing their generosity with all things. At one site women were knitting jute gloves that are sold at the "Body Shop", I sat down too and took over a glove from one gal, they laughed and giggled as I showed them I could knit. Then one of our gals took the glove from me, she however could not knit, the woman who I took it from just smiled and patiently showed her how. Then after we gave it back I saw her unraveling and starting from where she left off.
It was at the same place I was trying to communicate with one woman and Romella translated for me. She is not someone who has much if any formal English school. Romella was asked how do you know English, she pointed to me and said, she is my teacher in English. then she proudly grinned from ear to ear and I smiled and gave her a hug.

Overall it was a good trip. Maybe it's good that I waited to post, the hard parts are starting to fade in my memory and only the good things are remaining.

Oh, we also visited a brothel. but that's a different post. Wow, did that not bring real life out and slap me in the face.

New Life Celebration - Part III

2009-08-12T21:30:00.000-07:00

We added 11 more gals to the Probitra Training Program this week. So Monday morning I arrived early to have the women help me put my sari on. They proceeded to sit me down in the middle of the room and also do my make up and hair. It was a surreal experience to have 10 women watching and 2 women applying and arranging.
During the ceremony the women are adorned with flower wreaths, then I was given one. I was encouraged to put it on Scott's neck, which I proceeded to do. It was followed with giggles and laughter. I guess that is part of a wedding ceremony as well. Scott was wearing his best outfit and I guess dressed like a groom.

It was great fun. This week I am heading out on a learning tour with 9 of the women to visit Job Creation sites around Bangladesh. We will be gone 4 days and I expect it to create even more comradely among them.

Advice from music

2009-08-12T21:13:00.000-07:00

What do you do when your at the end of what you think you can handle?

I listen to music, most times it is gospel of some kind, but today I put the angry white girl music playlist on.

A song topped up I hadn't listened to in awhile and I think it gave good advice.

I think there's something more, life worth's livin for
Who knows what can happen, do what you do, just keep on laughing.
One things true, there's always a brand new day.

So you go make it happen, do your best just keep on laughing.
I'm telling you there's always a brand new day.

Avril - wise beyond her years. (ha ha)

Nepal trip

2009-07-19T03:28:00.000-07:00

I posted the Album from our Nepal trip. It was AWESOME and we got much needed rest. It was a relatively cheap trip and I think everyone should meet us there next time. The whole time I was thinking of people who would love it there. So all you people who said you would visit us in Bangladesh, lets meet in Nepal instead!

We stayed 4 nights in the Thamel district of Kathmandu, tourist central. That means great restaurants to choose from, but noise from the bars at night. However, the music was good, so we didn't mind and they close the bars at 10pm, so a good nights sleep is still possible.

Then we went to the mountains in search of relaxation and cool weather, we found both. We stayed 4 nights in Nagarkot. A small town about 1.5 hours from Kathmandu. The first night was at a resort, Scott was really wanted to soak in a hot tub. We were one of the few guests, so he got his soak the next morning, after they turned it on. What was nice, the resort paid for the trip up and back, even though we moved to a cheaper guest house for the next 3 nights. Sweet!

The only hiking we did was on a paved road up to a lookout tower about 1.5 hours each way. I guess I didn't realize that meant straight up, so that was disappointing as we turned each corner to find yet another hill. I kept thinking, if my sister can run a marathan I can make it up this bleeping hill, blisters and all. I Made the mistake of wearing newer chaco's. bummer!

It was wonderful sitting and watching the clouds float by and having the mountains play peek a boo all day. I finished my only book on the first day, luckly the guest house had a small libary, the only book I found in English was pretty good and it lasted until our last morning.

You will notice in the album I took a lot of pictures of the food. It was a high point of the trip for me. We live in a town with limited restraunts and so far the food, except Veggie chowmein at Rom III, has been a disappointment. BUT I am spoiled, we have an excellent cook who prepares lunch for us each day. Roton, has worked for foreigners for 15 years and has many great recipes. He is a huge blessing to us.

I head back to Mymensingh tomorrow, Scott is actually still in Nepal visiting MCC partner enterprises. He will be home in the next week, but then off to a conference in Bogra soon after. Wish me luck as I will be home alone for the majority of the month.

We love our Fridgerator

2009-06-27T22:29:00.000-07:00

Some of our team mates give us a hard time for having a new beautiful fridge, but we love it none the less.

Please send your pictures, refrigerator art and postcards. we would love to have it covered with smiling faces.

Also small magnet appreciated.

Time Flies

2009-06-25T21:41:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it is June 26th already. Where has the time gone? This has been a month full of travel and fellowship with team mates and slowly starting our jobs (slow for Jojo anyway). Last week I started teaching English 3 days a week at the Alternative Employment Center. The women are great, so full of life and eager to learn.
Scott hit the ground running when we moved to Mymensingh, he has been working with the Organization, Sacred Mark to help them to lanch their line of soap to the US and Europe markets. Sacred Mark employs women who have left the sex industry and who are rejoining the community as respectable members. They are so proud of their jobs and the products they help create. Our church community in Portland is colaborating by helping create the website and creative idea sharing. It is awesome to see so many people want to help these wonderful women.

The first weekend of June we had our team mates come to Mymensingh and we were going non-stop sightseeing and visiting many of the MCC partner projects around town.

The next weekend we traveled to Dhaka, partly for Scott to have meetings and the rest of the time we had fun with the team. We said good bye to our teammate, Gloria and celebrated her time here by eating lots of fusca and pound cake. We did some much needed shopping to fill the cupboards and relaxed at the American Club pool.

The third weekend we traveled to Bogra for orientation. We saw the archelogy sights and a couple MCC projects. Again it was filled with fellowship with the team, playing Carcassonne on the floor of our A/C hotel room and listening and singing to Jodi's killer 80's & 90's mixed CD's (who knew Bon Jovi and Garth Brooks could sound so good on the same CD?)

Back row: Scott, me, Jodi, Sarah, Paul.
Front row: Daniel, Nate, Reeshe, Phil.

The forth weekend, we are staying HOME!!! It was nice to sleep in and not worry about where to go and who we needed to meet. We are at the office catching up on emails, Facebook and Skype phone calls. its the start of a great day.

We've Moved

2009-06-06T02:24:00.000-07:00

We have officially been here in Mymensingh a week now and are adjusting to our new town. This weekend we've had some MCC team mates visit from Bogra, so our fabulous leader Robin planned a couple days of activities.

Botanical Gardens (not quite like the ones on Vancouver Island, but great for B'desh):

Then we went on a boat ride

Our office is the 2nd building on the left and this is our favorite place to get snacks and diet pepsi.

Taize Chapel

Pray for the Resnick family

2009-05-25T06:46:00.000-07:00

Pray for our friends the Resnick family. Scott was killed on May 22nd, when a plane he was piloting crashed. Pray for Holly as she is grieving the loss of her husband and best friend. for the kids Kiel (11), Reilly Blue (10), Ireland Rae (9) and Kelton (7).

Answer me when I call to you, O my righteous God.
Give me relief from my distress,
Be merciful to me,
and hear my prayer. Ps 4:1

Our house in Mymensingh

2009-05-12T19:26:00.000-07:00

We don't move to Mymensingh until May 28th, but I got the opportunity to visit last week. Here is the video of our flat (sorry Robin, didn't warn you ahead of time). It starts at the front door, then to the master bath and bedroom, guest room, living room, another guest room/office with the Bengali flag on the wall, then dining room and kitchen. The kitchen leaves a little to be desired, but Scott says he has some ideas.... What I really like is the view into the windows are mostly covered by trees. We can walk around in cool clothes and not worry about what the neighbors can see. Except the kitchen that is, it looks out onto the roof, the previous MCC family said the neighbor lady used to stand out there and watch them.

Here are a couple pictures of my ride into the office:

Our Street, not sure if it has a name. It seemed nice and quiet the night I was there.

A field that goes with a school. Mymensingh has a few college's in town.

This picture shows the jiffy bake oven in the hallway/living room. A lot of great meals have come out of that oven, or so we've been told.

Pictures from Bangladesh

2009-05-03T04:12:00.001-07:00

The Miller's: Austin with Riley, Marita with Pruitt and Jenson host a game night once a week. Marita is a great cook and I always feel spoiled when we eat there. This weeks menu was: Pizza pockets, spicy green mango salad with fresh veggies and for dessert vanilla ice cream with oreo's. YUM! Sorry Sarah, I totally cut your head off.

Scott, Larry (our Country Rep and new flat mate) and team mate Gloria.

Then we play games: this week was "Mood", not my favorite to be honest. There is some acting involved, not my strong suit. Sorry Sarah and Daniel I totally missed getting you in the pictures, next week maybe.

Toothless - Scott and Pruitt

Riley (5) has the cutest grin. It's always a game to see who gets home first. We were on our way home from a day at "the club" which included: a pool, hamburger with cheese, diet coke, strawberry thick shake for Scott, lots of relaxing and great fellowship. Our best day yet!

see below for a video of our new living space.

May living space

2009-05-03T04:08:00.000-07:00

This month we moved into a new living space which is closer to the office (5 minute walk). We have two flat mates: Larry our Country Rep (aka boss, see previous post for picture) and pumpkin the cat.

Here the video: sorry not too much commentary, kinda self explanatory, notice the rain. which brings cooler weather, Yeah!!

We move to Mymensingh on May 27th or there abouts, but there is a possibility I may get to visit this week.

We're not so far away

2009-04-29T20:34:00.000-07:00

We got our first piece of mail!!! Yea!!

Thanks Spring Water Community

Ways to get a hold of us:

Mail: takes about 10 days, 3 stamps on a regular card sized envelope should do it.
MCC Bangladesh
Scott and Jojo Davison
G.P.O. Box 785
Dhaka 1000, BANGLADESH
If sending packages they should be small, so as not to attract attention and taxes. Our Country Reps suggest manila envelopes if possible.

Mobile phones: texting from here is relatively cheap, not sure how you would be charged on your end.
Jojo: 01741306808
Scott: 01745292365

Email:
Jolynn.davison@gmail.com
scottandjolynn@gmail.com
scott@theneighborhoodgroup.com

Voicemail:
503 515-4161
This will send us a .wav file to our email and we will be able to hear your message.

Skyppe:
Jojonscott

Ask to be my friend on Facebook – search Jolynn Engellant Davison

We are available to chat on Facebook, Skype or gmail.

Check our blog at davisonupdate.blogspot.com

Jojo's thoughts

2009-04-28T04:37:00.000-07:00

Our host family has an NGO that runs an orphanage and school about 45 minutes outside Dhaka and this past Saturday we got to visit with them. When we first arrived we were ushered into the school and brought to the head masters office where all the teachers were gathered and we had a glass of cold 7-up. We were discouraged because all the children had gone home and we thought we had drove all that way to see a building. We were excited to learn that our next stop was the orphanage next door where about 15 children live. The custom here is when you greet a person of honor or someone you respect you bend down and touch their feet and bring your hands to your mouth. The children came forward and touched all our feet and I was hit with a wave of emotion, but tried to keep it together and hold back the tears. The language barrier separated us, but every time I made eye contact with them they always gave us a smile.

We then had some time before lunch and Scott decided to let them each take our camera and take a picture of something they liked. The thought quickly went through my brain that these children don’t have toys or games, what are they going to take a picture of. It was fun to see what they chose: the first and oldest girl took a picture of our host mother (granted she is younger than me), then someone took a picture of the dog, the stove, about 2/3’s of the boys took a picture of the host family car, a few took a picture of the school building, one boy wanted a picture of a bird but there wasn’t one around at the time, the car was his second choice. We then proceeded to have lunch, the benches and tables are set up in a U shape: I sat on the side with the girls and Scott opposite on the side of the boys and as per the culture we ate with our hands.
After lunch we went into the caretakers bedroom where there was a fan, some of the children wanted to perform for us. They sang songs and recited poems in English, and couple girls danced. It was beautiful. As each child filed in our hosts gave us some of the background stories and each one broke my heart. One girl lost her mother to acid burns and she showed us her scars as some of it got on her as well. Anther girls mother is blind and lives in the slums of Dhaka and is unable to care for her daughter, so she brought her there. She visits occasionally. Another boy has no parents and was sexually abused by his caretaker and was brought there. You would never know the hurt that these children have experienced by their glowing faces.

We would have included pictures but we had an operator error and lost them all, BUMMER!

It was a great day; we wanted to take them home with us. Unfortunately, we have discovered that that is close to impossible, the Bangladesh government does not allow outside adoption. So for now we will love them while we are here.

Scott's Thought's

2009-04-21T20:25:00.000-07:00

The air is still except for the sounds of chaos in the Dhaka night. The power is shesh (finished) for probably an hour as we prepare for bed. The small red fan that has become our lifeline to rest groans into operation. I contemplate whether the battery will hold out. The words of the dokhan (shop) owner ring in the background “see” as he points to a label I have never seen,” high quality Chinese”. What if the high quality Chinese switch is adjusted to the setting showing two fans? Will it make it through the many power outages that plaque the night? Moisture gathers behind my ears combining again with sweat from my head to form a moist sleeping surface on my pillow. I reach for a small hand fan to assist with air flow within our canopy of protection. Our canopy protects us from intruding Moshi (Mosquitos) but also from air flow. The effort of the hand fan only makes me hotter. I sit up, look at the fan and slowly reach out and flip the switch to “two fans”. The motor whirls up and the air movement begins the journey to my head at the end of the bed. The tanda batash (cooling wind) makes a somewhat vain attempt to dry the sweat from my brow but the attempt is enough to help me sleep.

Travel-Bangladesh Style

2009-04-15T04:18:00.000-07:00

We had the opportunity to travel to an area south of Dhaka for the weekend. Well, travelling in Bangladesh is absolute chaos. When I say chaos I don't mean the end of the world chaos but rather, umm, the kind of absolute insanity that forces you to laugh.

Rules of the road:

1. There are no lanes, oh there are lines but they are arbitrary and not followed...at all!

2. Buses have the right of way, really I mean move off the road, grab your children and flee, buses have the right of way.

3. There are no weight or height limits other than the power lines and the guy sitting on top of the load.

There are plenty of other rules that aren't rules but we will visit those later.

Now for pictures:

Some Beautiful kids at a former MCC location as well as a token crazy load being pulled by a rototiller front end and flat bed trailer.

We stayed with an MCC administrator who has been with the organization since 1973. He was a wealth of information and had a most wonderful home with a guest room. The property has many different fruits and vegatables as well as a pond for water, washing, fishing and drinking water. He also has a 2.5 inch spider in his garden that absolutley creeped me out, so I took its picture.

We also had the opportunity to ride to an area of the country that didn't exist as of 25 years ago. The soil has been collecting in this area from the ocean and rivers now collecting almost 10kilometers of new land. It was a great ride and it gave us the opportunity to see the many years and extent of work MCC accomplished over the last

Pictures from Bangladesh

2009-04-04T20:50:00.001-07:00

.View from a bridge at the market we visited.

MCC guest house where I have been spending my mornings.
First meal cooked by Scott. Breakfast- potatoes, eggs, green peppers, onions and yummy spices. Oh and coffee of course.

Blessing and Sending- written 3-22-09

2009-04-03T01:44:00.000-07:00

Being sent is humbling and being called seems even more so. As I unpack my emotions I realize how blessed we are to have a church community who says “Yes, we affirm that God is about Justice and loving the world” The Evergreen Community is our church in Portland and I know at the core of who they are that this is true. What is harder for us to accept or rather to believe is that our community affirms Jojo and I to continue this work outside our city. Do we struggle to believe because of what others say? No, that message comes from our own heads and the fundamental disbelief we have that God is choosing us to be part of His story in Bangladesh. Last Sunday was our last week attending Evergreen for quite some time. We were blessed to be a part of conversation in both locations and were honored to covered in the blessing of our community. This blessing helps our disbelief as those around us also affirm the work of God in our lives.
-Scott

Tomorrow Will Not Be Today-written 3-30-09

2009-04-03T01:41:00.000-07:00

As I sit at a coffee shop at 7am on Monday morning, I realize this will be the last for a while. Tomorrow at this exact time we will be heading to the airport to check in for a long journey. I already feel the excitement and a bit of the loss of my morning routine descending on me. I am already wondering about finding a little chai stand to make part of my mornings. On that note we did pack 4lb of coffee to help settle us into our rhythms.
I spent the drive this morning worrying about bag weights and such, but then remember a couple quotes that I heard recently “anxiety is a mild form of atheism” & “I only obsess about things I can’t control”. I believe deeply that God has brought us to this point and to worry about the details really diminishes what has already been miraculous.

Party and Vacation Pictures

2009-03-25T10:56:00.000-07:00

Wednesday morning finds us relaxing on our 15th wedding anniversary.

We love the 90's!!

We found this lodge on the interweb on Orcas Island in the San Juan Islands. I was a bit nervous to do the $99 special price even though the reviews were great and the pictures looked spectacular.
Self Portrait from the row boat.

Well this is one of the nicest places we have stayed and the scenery is stunning.

We are still on the downswing after our extra fabulous multi-event party Saturday night.

This was a wonderful evening shared with friends and family as we plan to be on a plane to Bangladesh next week.

We are enjoying the silence and open spaces as we have been warned that it will be a while before we experience them again.

You Say Goodbye and I Say Hello

2009-03-17T13:15:00.000-07:00

It has been a while since we have updated and so much has changed since then. I am constantly reminded that “Every choice is a renunciation” and that only in saying goodbye can we enter into a new hello “nomoshkar”. Our housemate Betsy who loves pretty much all things Beatles would probably use this as one more reason to love the band. Betsy is one of the women who will be making our house her new home.

We are in the final countdown (not the bad 80’s song) to leaving Portland and many of our friends for 3 years. On March 21st we celebrate with many things but really it is a time for us to connect, grieve and celebrate a new journey. It hit me the other day that as transient as so many of us are, this may be the last time we see some of the Portlanders that have been part of our lives. It is important for us to remind ourselves and other how important so many of you are to us. We have also recognized how difficult it is to do so much planning and stay present to all of our emotions. We have spent many different hours running the whole spectrum of tears, laughter, anger, sadness only to do it again two hours later.

A note on identities: The realization that I often identify myself with what I do rather than who I am has hit home. The person I have described for the last 11 years is not who I am anymore, nor is it who I want to be. What I am now beginning to learn is that the person who I will be tomorrow will not be the same person as today, and that’s ok. We are all writing a story and some chapters are more difficult than others, but it is our story. I have to give up playing in other peoples stories and recognize that my story too can be beautiful and inspiring.
- Scott

Good Timing

2009-02-19T10:52:00.000-08:00

After a hard day yesterday with emotional ups and down. Today's reading from "Life of the Beloved" by Henri Nouwen was perfect timing.

Here is an excerpt:
One of the greatest acts of faith is to believe that the few years we live on this earth are like a seed, planted in a very rich soil. For this seed to bear fruit, it must die. We often see or feel only the dying, but the harvest will be abundant even when we ourselves are not the harvesters.

How different would our lives be were we truly able to trust that it multiplied in being given away!
How different would our life be if we could but believe that every little act of faithfulness, every gesture of love, every word of forgiveness, every little bit of joy and peace will multiply and multiply as long as there are people to receive it… and that – even then – there will be leftovers!
Imagine that in the center of your heart, you trust that your smiles and handshakes, your embraces and your kisses are only the early signs of a worldwide community of love and peace!
Imagine that your trusting that every little movement of love you make will ripple out into ever new and wider circles – just as a little stone thrown into a still pond.
Imagine, Imagine…
Could you ever be depressed, angry, resentful or vengeful?
Could you ever hate, destroy or kill?
Could you ever despair of the meaning of your short earthly existence?

More Lists

2009-02-19T10:27:00.000-08:00

I read other people's blogs and envy their eloquent writing styles, unfortunately my brain is stuck in list mode.

Joy List
-I am continually amazed at what a small world it is. Gerry B, my Theology Prof and friend from Western, put me in touch with a Campus Crusade guy in Dhaka. Who sent a nice message and we will get in touch after we arrive there.
-Then my Aunt Laura's step son put me in touch with his friend who lives in Dhaka. This guy bought a enfil in India and drove it over the border. Scott read his story on a motorcycle website months ago and hopefully we'll meet him and pick his brain.
- I just heard last night that from some friends from India will be visiting Bangladesh and may swing by to see us.
- I am reading "Life of the Beloved", by Henri Nouwen. Perfect timing!! I highly recommend this book to everyone!
-The first family to support us financially is the family that introduced me to Christ when I was 17.
-Scott's bicycle sold.
-Annabelle, our Newfoundland, has a loving home to go to with lots of friends.

These have been comforts to me as we prepare to go. Everything is progressing. We have an open house garage sale on Saturday to hopefully get ride of more "stuff". See our other blog with pictures. Davison Sale

About Mennonite Central Committe- MCC

2009-02-12T08:00:00.000-08:00

Scott and I were impressed with the training we received at Orientation. Here is an introduction of the organization we will be going with.

MCC serves people who lack basic necessities because of poverty, war and disasters. In the name of Christ, MCC works with local churches and communities to empower people, build peace and provide relief.

About 1,000 MCC workers serve in more than 50 countries, including the US and Canada. MCC workers serve in agricultural and economic development, education, public health, conflict resolution, emergency assistance, public advocacy and other types of assignments.

Since 1920, Mennonite Central Committee has provided relief to people in need in the name of Christ. MCC is a relief, development and peace agency of the Mennonite and Brethren in Christ churches of the United States and Canada.

Orientation our last two weeks...

2009-02-07T05:14:00.002-08:00

The last two weeks it seems like we have lived in a bubble. We don't watch the news or hear much from the outside world. I call the place we have been staying "the center" but it is really a great conference facility. Our days have been filled with Policy Overviews, Organizational Overviews,sexual harassment training and Cultural Training. Somehow they made it fun.

The nights were filled with laughter. We ate in a common cafeteria as we shared our meals together and we shared our lives together. We took turns in the dish room and even that was fun.

It is hard to imagine life without these people around, we will learn a new routine and experience a new normal.

Excerpt from my journal this week:
Remind me it's not about me.
In times when it is hard, remind me of your voice. The voice that led me to this place.
In times of success, remind me it is You that does all things.
In times of failure, remind me it's not about how I am perceived by others, but how I am received by You.
In times of joy, let me always point to You and rejoice.
in times of struggle, let me know that You are near and give me encouragement.
In times of sorrow, remind me that You catch my tears.
Remind me that it's not about me.

Random thoughts:
Pennsylvania is cold in January.
Our time here was similar to camp or college dorms. Except no cabin rivalries or homework.
I haven't laughed this much in a very long time.
It was great to hang with people who have made the decision to go.
MCC is a huge organization, that no one in the NW knows about (almost no one).
I am very blessed to have the opportunity to join the MCC Family.
Sending services always make me cry.
I do remember a little bit of Spanish from High School.
I am tired of overviews.
Saying goodbyes are hard!

I am blessed to call these amazing people friends!

What we've been up to...

2009-02-03T17:16:00.001-08:00

Training orientation in Akron, PA.

The last few hours on Friday afternoon, poor guy it was hard to stay engaged.

New Bangladesh Team members: Daniel, Me, Scott and Rachel.

"The Center" - where we have been living for the last 2 weeks. Occasionally we do get to leave and enter civilization.

Watching the Super Bowl with other MCC'ers

Visiting DC for 5 hours

Update from Dec

2009-01-12T12:47:00.000-08:00

I posted this on Facebook back in December and should have put it here too.

We accepted the offer to go to Bangladesh for 3 years. It has been an amazing journey up to this point and we expect it to continue. The job descriptions fit us both incredibly well and we see God's provision in many ways.
We will be going to training at the end of Jan for 2 weeks, then hopefully leave at the end of March. We hope to connect with as many people as possible before we leave.

Grace and Peace

Interviews

2008-12-09T09:46:00.000-08:00

Today at 11:30. We have a phone interview today with Jan and another MCC rep to talk about personalities and how we deal with conflict. or in my case, how I avoid conflict.

I feel like I should be preparing for the interview, but how? I thought about reviewing my personality tests, is that corny?

Dec 16th. we have a great opportunity to meet with the gal who will be in Mymensingh with us (or I should say "us with her") and who I would be directly working with. This is her 4th year with MCC and will be moving to Mymensingh to implement the HESS (Health, Education and Social Services) program there. Amazingly enough she is from Salem, Oregon and is home on family leave.

Grace and Peace

jojo

Job Descriptions

2008-12-01T19:55:00.000-08:00

As it stands now we are still in process. they have not shut the door yet, which is good.

We heard from Jan our contact at MCC today and she sent along my potential job description. While it still is very hazy and the unknown factor is huge, seeing it on paper helps.

It makes it seem more real, Scott and I started talking practicalities today. What do we do with the dog? Finances? House?

It seems like we have so much here to do, can we leave it all and go? I so want to say, Here I am send me. but I am biting my tongue. maybe it is the thought of moving again. the last one seriously wore me out, can I do it again? another culture?

We have a meeting with the MCC rep here in Portland on Dec 16th, which by awesome luck is also the gal I could be working directly with Mymensingh.

I love being in the passenger seat, watching God work out the details.

Why?

2008-10-30T09:01:00.000-07:00

The process that led up to us applying with Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) to go to Bangladesh started a couple years ago.

Here are a few things that moved us down the road:

-Realizing I was using shopping to fill a void that I felt.
-Reading Shane Claibornes book, Irresistible Revolution.
-Sitting with friends and pondering "is this what life is about?"
-Visiting Mars Hill in Michigan
-Realizing God is about creation care
-Downsizing our car
-Selling the other car and one of the motorcycle's.
-Moving to North Portland and loving our neighbors
-Getting a roommate
-Composting
-Going through the closets, then going through them again and again.
-Selling what we don't need
-Becoming vegetarians, because we think honoring all life is important
-Scott's primary mode of transportation is a bicycle. Hah you heard me right, the two wheeled, non motorized kind that we rode in middle school.
-Seeing people like Scott and Glad & Brian and Shauna & Karen and Major, leaving the comfortable and getting into the work God has for them
-Scott praying for God to show us how he can use his entrepreneurial mind for a Kingdom purpose
-Listening.....
-Pursuing opportunities that present themselves: when we read that one of the requirements for the job description, the person has to be willing to ride motorcycle independently in Bangladesh. I knew we had to be faithful to the next step.

So we are in the beginning stages of the application process. Our references have all been sent in, we have both had phone interviews and they seemed to go well. The next step is meeting with the representative that lives here in Portland. We should hear in the next couple weeks when that might be.
If we are finally approved we hope to start training in late January in Ohio, then off to Bangladesh soon after. Yikes, that seems quick. I trust God to do some amazing things to make that happen.

We will keep you updated on the process....