Monday, October 20, 2008

Day 175

I heart adventures.

I'm always up for a challenge; I love making memories; I love serving God outside the box. So...when I was asked to chaperone a "Shack-a-Thon" event, at the college I work at, I jumped in without fully knowing what I was committing to.

The premise? Live in a hand-built shack for 3 [very cold] nights with minimal food, the clothes on your back, minus all luxuries of home. Sound Crazy? It was! All the money raised went to a local organization that helps heat low-income family homes.

I have yet to process all that I experienced, but here are the highlights...

The Hilton of all Shacks

My Shack Mate, Kara (talk about co-worker bonding....)

I endorsed the back of the shack with one of my favorite life mantras. Jesus did it, I strive to.

There's a reason so many can be found sleeping on park benches. The nights are so cold, sleep is minimal, but enjoyed in the day's warmth. (BTW "warm" becomes relative. It was 51 degrees here).

I had the privilege of spending time with our students. I love them! My life goal is to live love out-poured and multiply the Jesus in me into the next team of Elishas.

We served at a local organization, sorting hundreds [and I mean hundreds!] of winter coats. We arrived at 10:30, in the morning and the coat line was already forming (they weren't being handed out until 2:30pm). Sadly, families were turned away when the coats ran out...

We went to a down-town, Detroit park and served over 200 meals to homeless and low-income families. My job? Love on the people. I didn't preach, I didn't pray, I just loved.

About halfway through the day I found myself surrounded by a group of black women. I held one of their newborn babies, while the mama ate her meal. I told her that I, too, was going to be a mom and asked for advice. It was amazing how one small question opened the door to the hearts of an entire group of women. Women who had lived harder lives than I could ever imagine. We laughed and shared for over an hour, teasing one another over childhood nicknames and encouraging each other's future dreams. I couldn't help but thank God in my heart. There I was, whitey-McGee, holding a precious black newborn, encircled by black women, in a grafitti-filled community, surrounded by dilapidated and forgotten buildings. I couldn't have been more out of my element, yet I felt home. I dropped every ounce of love I had into that baby and smothered her little face with kisses. Her mother's story was difficult, her little life would probably be hard. I wasn't chosen to be her mom, but I was sent to whisper hope, love, and future. Her name was Nyla and I pray God continues to intercept her path with his people.


I touched and hugged as many people as I could. I went looking to make a difference and I left changed.

I could go on and on, but I'll leave you with a few more pictures and a powerful song by Casting Crowns...

It's crowded in worship today
As she slips in
Trying to fade into the faces

The girls' teasing laughter is carrying farther than they know
Farther than they know

But if we are the Body
Why aren't His arms reaching

Why aren't His hands healing

Why aren't His words teaching

And if we are the Body
Why aren't His feet going
Why is His love not showing them there is a way


A traveler is far away from home
He sheds his coat And quietly sinks into the back row
The weight of their judgmental glances tells him that his chances

Are better out on the road


But if we are the Body
Why aren't His arms reaching

Why aren't His hands healing

Why aren't His words teaching

And if we are the Body

Why aren't His feet going

Why is His love not showing them there is a way


Jesus paid much too high a price
For us to pick and choose who should come


If we are the body
Why aren't His arms reaching

Why aren't His hands healing

Why aren't His words teaching

And if we are the body

Why aren't His feet going

Why is His love not showing them there is a way

Jesus is the way


I am signing off, tonight, with a thankful heart. Thankful for my hot shower, my warm bed, my Savior's love, and an enlarged world-view.

I pray that as I search my heart, asking the Lord, what more I can do, that you'll do the same.

19 comments:

  1. I love the "Traded It All 4 Love" sign on your shack...perfect! I can't wait to hear more about your weekend...looks amazing! Enjoy your sweet slumber tonight.

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  2. Good for you...you deserve a good nights sleep. You earned it....the simple pleasures.

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  3. Wow. You are a brave woman to ditch your comforts and make such a bold statement. Amazing!! I think what you had to say about loving and not preaching was fabulous and if we all did that a little more this world would be a better place!

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  4. What a beautiful post. You are truly amazing. I love the idea of loving and not preaching. I went to India - and had similar experiences. It is amazing when you are out of your element and yet so at peace... knowing that is exactly where God wants you. Mother Teresa had this great prayer - I'm not sure if I've posted it on my blog before - but it really echos the sentiment of your post:

    Dear Jesus, help us to spread Your fragrance everywhere we go.
    Flood our souls with Your spirit and life.
    Penetrate and possess our whole being, so utterly,
    That our lives may only be a radiance of Yours.
    Shine through us, and be so in us,
    That every soul we come in contact with may feel Your presence in our soul.
    Let them look up and see no longer us, but only Jesus!
    Stay with us, and then we shall begin to shine as You shine;
    So to shine as to be a light to others.
    The light O Jesus will be all from You, none of it will be ours;
    It will be You, shining on others through us.
    Let us thus praise You without preaching, not by words but by our example,
    By the catching force, the sympathetic influence of what we do,
    The evident fullness of the love our hearts bear to You. Amen

    **HUGS**

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  5. This is a beautiful post. I am glad you got to have those experiences.

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  6. You have me in tears as I read this and looked at what you did! You were the hands, feet, hugs, of Jesus!! What an example of what we are to be, every day, to everyone!!
    What a blessing you are! I know that God has tremendous blessings in store for you!!!
    I would love to be able to do something like this with my kids!!! 'Our' children, those fortunate enough to live like most of us do, with nice computers to be able to reach into others' lives, have NO idea what it is like for a lot of people like you touched!!

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  7. You are truly amazing that you don't forget about the home less and have blessed them in so many ways. You really are beautiful inside and out! I pray and am sure that God will bless you soon with your little newborn to love and sprinkle kisses on.

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  8. Isn't it amazing how so many people with so little can offer us so much? It is forever a life changing experience. Glad you got to touch lives and have your own touched. True evidence of God's love!!

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  9. oh wow....I'm sitting here with tears streaming down my face. What an absolutely beautiful and wonderful thing to be a part of. So much we take for granted are luxuries for others....
    Thank you so much for sharing this...it has truly touched my heart.

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  10. I heart YOU!!!! And this is reason five thousand and twenty twelve that you will be an AMAZING mom!!!

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  11. Oh wow, Rebekah...just wow! You brought tears to my eyes with your words here. Some of this I really needed to hear today! You are an amazing woman and truly an inspiration to me, thank you!

    Melba

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  12. What an awesome experience! There isn't anything quite like giving yourself to a cause for awhile. You take away so much more than you put in and it is amazing. Thanks for the reminder that I need to seek stuff out like this more often. Also, love the song... it is one of my favorites to sing.

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  13. When I was in college we did the shack-a-thon but it wasn't nearly as cold outside! I love this post- thank you for reminding me about the importance of showing Jesus' love through MY actions.

    Thanks for your comment on my blog too! It is so nice to know someone understands :)

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  14. What an amazing and transformative program! I love this idea! But coming home must have felt almost surreal after your experiences... all those things you used to take for granted, like a warm bed and hot shower, surely felt like the height of luxury when you first got back.

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  15. Wow. That was really powerful. I am in awe of your ability to be so open with others about Jesus and your relationship. That is something I really struggle with. You are such an inspiration

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  16. thanks for sharing Bekah... it really makes you thank God for what we have...even when we feel like we are without.

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  17. Nah, we shouldn't be concerned. If Madders turns out like her Aunt B., I'll be thrilled beyond belief. She'll have a great job, self-confidence, and her Christmas decorations up in October...I'll be so proud :)

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  18. What a great story. I love the photos. It's amazing what we take for granted...even a hot shower. Thanks for sharing :)

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  19. Ok, first of all...THAT is awesome!!!
    Second, you work at Rochester College? I went there for a semester.
    Third, you would so fit in in DC doing that and noone would think anything of it...except for the fact that you're a better dresser than most homeless people around here and you probably smell better too. I pass by so many homeless people on my way to work all the time. It makes my heart sad that they sleep on the streets with minimal blankets and nothing else.
    Fourth, the end. :)

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