Thoughts

When in Rome....dress as the Romans.

Sun, 21 Feb 2010 12:59:54 +0500

Hope this video helps you understand a little more what my life is like here! Just click on the “read more” link to view.

Transformation

Mon, 1 Feb 2010 12:24:44 +0500

When I think about all the work that was done on my home, I’m exhausted, thankful and overwhelmed.

Exhausted because it was a lot of work (most of which I did not do myself), but mentally adjusting to the way a single woman must communicate did exhaust me. It’s not appropriate for me to call the plumber, carpenter or mason, or even to talk to them alone. So one of the men that works in our NGO office helped me manage all the work. Needless to say working through a middle man (although i’m very thankful for him) is a big adjustment.

Thankful because there was a time in my first few months here that I and others were not sure that I would be able to find a home in the neighborhood were I work. Everyone’s pretty sure I’m the only single foreign lady in a six mile radius that lives alone. It’s no small thing to have a place of my own, close to my office, and enough space to hold large gatherings of friends!

Overwhelmed because when i think of all the work that was done to my home, it makes me realize that there were at least 10 people living in the home before me that didn’t have a kitchen or a gas line, or reliable water supply or good wiring for electricity...And i wonder where they live now.

Praying that this place would be a home of peace and retreat not only for me but for other ladies in my community.

A Christmas Story

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 11:57:36 +0500

Yes, Christmas is over, but celebrating in my new home was quite different, as you would expect, and thought you might find this experience of interest.

You might find it surprising that there are some Christians here in Pakistan. They are most definitely a minority (2% of population), but they are here. Most of them are "born" Christian, or born into Christian families.

On sundays I have been attending a church here that is part of the Anglican church (so quite different from what i am used to, but still the Body). I invited a friend from my neighborhood to come with me to the Christmas day service and she accepted. I've been told by other foreign friends that this is quite unusual for this lady since she's not accustomed to leaving her neighborhood or trying new things of this nature.

In my neighborhood, it is customary to wear the burka (big black coat and head scarf), so when traveling to church it was no different. Both my friend and i were in our burkas. Because of neighborhood gossip, she asked that the rickshaw drop us off a block away from church so that he wouldn't know where we were going (for fear news would get back to the rest of the family).

When we arrived at church, the man handing out the order of service asked "can i help you?". I told him we were here to attend the service. He was stunned and speechless for a min, then asked why we had come in burka. I told him plainly we were from Lyari (my neighborhood), and he reluctantly gave us a program.

It felt very strange. Although as a foreigner i am stared at quite a lot, this time I was not being stared at because I was a foreigner, but because i was assumed to be Muslim. When the time for communion came, I abstained because I felt like it might cause trouble.

After the service people were friendly to me and my friend, but the experience was altogether enlightening. Makes me want to pray for more unity here...as in my view the Church should be a place that ANYONE can come. I think it also might show how isolated the church has become, and from what i've heard fearful (this is not without good cause).

Yes, Christmas is over, but celebrating in my new home was quite different, as you would expect, and thought you might find this experience of interest.

You might find it surprising that there are some Christians here in Pakistan. They are most definitely a minority (2% of population), but they are here. Most of them are "born" Christian, or born into Christian families.

On sundays I have been attending a church here that is part of the Anglican church (so quite different from what i am used to, but still the Body). I invited a friend from my neighborhood to come with me to the Christmas day service and she accepted. I've been told by other foreign friends that this is quite unusual for this lady since she's not accustomed to leaving her neighborhood or trying new things of this nature.

In my neighborhood, it is customary to wear the burka (big black coat and head scarf), so when traveling to church it was no different. Both my friend and i were in our burkas. Because of neighborhood gossip, she asked that the rickshaw drop us off a block away from church so that he wouldn't know where we were going (for fear news would get back to the rest of the family).

When we arrived at church, the man handing out the order of service asked "can i help you?". I told him we were here to attend the service. He was stunned and speechless for a min, then asked why we had come in burka. I told him plainly we were from Lyari (my neighborhood), and he reluctantly gave us a program.

It felt very strange. Although as a foreigner i am stared at quite a lot, this time I was not being stared at because I was a foreigner, but because i was assumed to be Muslim. When the time for communion came, I abstained because I felt like it might cause trouble.

After the service people were friendly to me and my friend, but the experience was altogether enlightening. Makes me want to pray for more unity here...as in my view the Church should be a place that ANYONE can come. I think it also might show how isolated the church has become, and from what i've heard fearful (this is not without good cause).

I wonder how this story might be different in the American church. What kind of people would we be hesitant to accept into our fellowship?

Freedom in unexpected ways

Tue, 3 Nov 2009 12:00:58 +0500

One of my thoughts/predictions before coming here was that I would struggle with a severe decrease in freedom. In the U.S. I call the shots, I decide when and where I will go. Here it’s different, because of my “situation”, being a single woman, I am limited on where I can go, when I can go, and whether I can go alone.

Freedom is being redefined for me. Maybe ultimate freedom is not calling the shots. Maybe freedom comes from within no matter what restrictions are placed on you. I didn’t expect to see things this way, but over the past month I have experienced freedom in ways I haven’t before.

My singleness has opened doors for me to experience this new culture in ways that others cannot. I have the freedom to connect with women on many levels. Most of all I am free from the inside out. Free to honor the family I live with by dressing in a burka and not staying out late. Free to tell them where my freedom originates.

Oh that Jesus would grant me the grace to experience more of His freedom...more of His presence, and Oh that this freedom would spread.

Week One: Settling in

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 12:08:44 +0600

I’ve spent about a week here in my new city and things have not gone as i thought they would. I wanted to come without expectations...go with the flow, just let things be as they are, but i found that i did have expectations. Namely that i would be staying with a local family after a few days. I may have to wait a few more days before that happens. It’s good to practice being flexible.

Been reading the sermon on the mount and am struck by Jesus’ words concerning the eyes. The eye’s are the window to the soul, when you allow light in, light shines out. In adjusting my expectations, I need to grow in allowing light and truth in. My gut reaction is disappointment that things are not going my way, but after reflection the Truth in this situation is that I cannot see everything and that this time of rest and preparation is for my good.