Engage the World…In America!

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

I've noticed that Americans tend to live in a bubble. We are not always aware of what goes on in the world we live in. Sure we might watch CNN or Fox News, but is that really an un-biased view of current events?
Anyway, my point is not to discuss the media, but to point out that it is truly difficult to experience the world around us unless we step into that culture.

Without physically stepping into another country, Mitch and I have recently gotten the opportunity to  experience the Kurdish culture.
Sunday evening we met 5 Kurdish men who recently moved to Nashville (Kurdish people come from Iraq, Iran, Syria, and Turkey). Just by talking to them it seemed as if we immediately became their friends. Now before meeting them I knew nothing about their culture. I hate to say it, but I did have pre-concieved notions about middle easterners and middle east countries- whether it be from the media, what I was taught, or simply how our society views them. But I am beginning to learn things about them and their culture that the media would never tell you. It's amazing how different a culture can be, but how similar we all really are.

I wish everyone could have the opportunity to serve overseas on a mission trip, it truly does open your eyes to so much. But I know not everyone can physically go. The great thing about the U.S. is that the nations have been brought to us! Let's face it, us white folks will be the minority one day. We live in a land where English is not the official language and hispanics are rapidly increasing (good thing I know Spanish!).

Needless to say, there is no excuse for us, especially us Christians, to engage in other cultures and in internationals. It has opened my eyes a lot just by getting to know our new Kurdish friends. I am challenging you to do what Christ commands:

"Therefore go and make disciples of ALL nations…"  Matthew 28:19


Our week through pictures

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

We are finally getting settled into our little Nashville apartment and boy does it feel good to settle. But as nice as it is to have a home, we are missing our summer days in Guatemala. 

This year we are living in an apartment complex that house refugees (people from war-torn or hostile countries that are brought to the U.S by the government). We are truly living amongst the nations here! 

This is our new group of Trek-X missionaries! We are all excited-it's going to be a great year! 

Something fun :) Our apartment is white and we can't really paint the walls so why not paint my furniture? Lime green + coral 

This will probably be a weekly place of eating :) Gotta support our fav fast food joint. Even as a vegetarian, I love Chick-fil-A! It almost makes me want to eat chicken again ;) 

I've been reading over this verse a lot lately. Praying and expecting God to demonstrate his power to these refugee's and that many would be saved! 

Have a great week!
-Amanda 


State side

Monday, August 13, 2012

We returned from our summer in Guatemala on July 30th. We have been non stop busy ever since (hence the lack of blogging).
After traveling from Houston, Austin, and Dallas, we are now in Pensacola….but only for 3 days!
Our life is like a whirlwind right in front of our own eyes. Does life ever slow down? I've been waiting for it to, but it still hasn't!

Our last week in Guatemala was bittersweet. We made so many new friends, saw many children come to know the Lord, and fell in love with the country and people of Guatemala. It was starting to feel like home. But I have a feeling we'll be back :)

If you've been following along with our journey this summer, you may remember us talking about the village The 46. Our main project in this village was a retaining wall. Below is a picture of the wall-the completed wall! We are so excited to have finished their retaining wall and to have done the first ever VBS in their village. God is radically at work in that village & Mitch and I feel blessed to have been apart of it.

The Wall-Before & After 

August 5th, 2011 was a wonderful, beautiful day. I will never forget the day I married my best friend. I cherish my husband and our marriage deeply. I am so thankful that the Lord has given us a year of marriage. We hope for many more.

Celebrating our 1 year anniversary in Houston, TX


Thursday we will head back to Nashville! We are looking forward to being back in Music City where we will be living and working amongst refugees from all over the world.
Updates to come!
-Amanda

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