Fake Hair

So yesterday I spent a couple of hours putting on attachments. Yeah, for at least a few weeks I have straight hair. Just another great adventure of trying something new. Actually this is probably one of the only times I could have done this, seeing as how expensive it is in the states. The process of weaving hair is so cool. After braiding all my hair into corn rows tightly to my scalp, they sew the weave on (fake hair) onto the braids with a needle and thread. I feel like I'm wearing a wig! It's so fun though. I felt even more Nigerian afterwords and everyone seems to agree that it looks alright. haha. Who would have thought? Lindsay says I look like Bob Marley sort of without dreads. My first thought was that I look like the Adams family wife. I don't have any way of putting up a picture yet, but when I get home you'll all get to see me in my African glory! :D

Dari

I just sat there holding his hand. My metal chair was placed right next to his and we just sat, the two of us joined by the white little earphone pieces spanning from our two ears. We listened. Chris Tomlin was singing "Mighty is the Power of the Cross." I have always loved that song ever since last summer, but now it had more meaning than ever before.

Dari is blind. I don't know if he can see a little or at all. I'm drawn to him by his sweet smile everytime I greet him. We have a hard time talking to each other between my inadequate Yoruba and his trouble with my accent but I know that words aren't always needed. I love just sitting next to him and holding his hand. I delight in just that.

I began to cry as I sat there watching his one gray eye stare out longingly as we heard the words, "what can take a dying man/ raise him up to life again?/ what can heal the wounded soul/ what can make us white as snow?" It is true. The cross is so mighty. Those who cling to it are healed of their deepest wounds. They are washed and cleansed. I just kept thinking, "Jesus, if you had been here, you could have given him sight. If you say so he can see today." I waited for the Spirit to move me to faith in praying for a miracle, but it didn't come. My hearts desire in that moment was moved to remind him, "Dari, did you know that God loves you?" He didn't hear me right. "Dari, God...loves....you," I said and put my hand over his heart. He shook his head and smiled. Somehow I knew he understood.

I walked back down the dirt road to our house still with tears in my eyes, this time because of the blessings I take for granted everyday. Lord, I get to see all the things that Dari will never see. I see you at work in all of creation. I see sunsets, children, seasons, moutains, oceans, and faces. Thank you for the gift of sight. Thanksgiving continued flowing from within me.

Dari is such a special boy to me and now my once liked song by Chris is now a loved one. I won't ever be able to listen to it without vividly remembering Dari's face as he listened intently to the words "migty is the power of the cross" and understanding again that those words are true.

Sowing Generously

As stated in my last blog, the Lord has been purusing me in love to become more of a giver in many senses of the word. He used my situation I spoke on earlier, about my ring that I thought I had lost and then the Lord graciously bringing it back to me even after my selfishness earlier.

Two days ago I gave away that most prized piece of jewelry, the James Avery ring my mother had given me. If you know me intricately enough, you know I don't ever take that ring off my index finger. However, the other day my friend Alex came over and said he wanted something to remember me by and he pointed to my ring. I asked him, "Are you sure you want my ring?" and he said, "Yes, I'm very seriuos." I knew that I had to give it to him and suprisingly enough I slide it off my finger, thinking it would never fit him. He shoved it on his index finger. Even though I was given grace enough not to contend with his request, I went into my room to shed a few tears over the situation. It's hard to be like Christ to the point we start giving when it hurts, not out of over abundance, but his grace is sufficient to continue the good work he started in us. I ran to the Word for comfort and received this word from the Lord.

" Remember this: Whoever sow sparingly will also reap sparingly,
and whoever sows generoulsy will also reap generously. Each man
should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under
complusion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all
grace abound to you, so taht in all things at all times, having all that you
need, you will abound in every good work." 2 Corinthinans 9:6-9

I know that it was the Lord's divine decision for me to have to give out something precious to me as a means to transform my perspective on material possessions, about God's character in being the ultimate giver of all things and about how he wants me to be just like him. I learned a ton through the verse in James 1:5 that says the Lord gives wisdom generously without finding fault--meaning whether we appreciate it or not or say thanks or not he still is generous with us! Wow! I knew that Alex had done nothing to deserve my ring seeing as we've only known each other for 3 weeks and not very well, that he didn't understand the significance of it, that he didn't give me any thanks for it, and that he didn't cherrish it like I did. My flesh was tempted to dwell on all the reasons why he didn't deserve it but James 1:5 was the rock solid truth. God loves Alex and me and gave his life for the both of us, even when we were his enemies. We don't deserve our Saviour's love but he gives it generously; therfore as a child of God, I too must give not according to merit but because of all that I have been given. Needless to say, it has been a beautifully, hard, blessed experience. I continually repeat this quote to myself from Jim Elliott that says, "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot loose." The truth is I haven't lost anything; I've only gained a greater glimpse into the Lord's face, understanding his character and the kingdom of God more. I praise him for this. For today he's still saving me from myself, for his name's sake.