a mama's perspective
(Blog update by Abbe Schilperoort)
we are on day three in dodoma, and, as it always goes with new experiences and short term trips, so much can stir in you over the course of such a short time. there is no exception to this new mama.
what a privilege to have asher along for this journey. he provides such an open exchange for interaction, an instant connection to touch and communicate and invite i cannot offer. he provides an easy means of communication that requires no words and has no language barrier. and, as encouraged this morning, even though he will be too young to remember, this experience will shape him as well. it will hopefully instill in him a yearning for africa.
and, in being honest, the privilege has bore with it its share of difficulties, lack of sleep to name one. as i have processed through these difficult times, i continue to see God walking me through this journey of humility - humility in having a child that is irritable and sometimes hard to manage, humility in living in a completely different culture that parents differently, humility in having things play out in a way that is unexpected or short of the things i had hoped.
the two questions raised in my mind have been "do i believe that God can do it," and, in those moments of difficulty, "do i consider it privilege?" do i believe God can stir and form in us that flexibility, the stamina, the transformation of attitudes and temperments and schedules to be present, fully present, in a different culture? do i believe? do i count those moments of sleeplessness, those times i feel out of control and spent, those moments of feeling embarrassed or insecure, do i count those as privilege?
i believe He, and He alone, can do it. i believe He can raise our family entirely above our norm to move and exist and be in a different culture. i believe he can sustain and fill and form a flexibility and presence attained only through Him. and, i consider it privilege. asher, you provide so much joy to your mama and dad. thank you for coming with us and journeying through the things we do not do well. thank you for sacrificing those things that are known to gain so much more.
may i daily walk in this perspective.
what a privilege to have asher along for this journey. he provides such an open exchange for interaction, an instant connection to touch and communicate and invite i cannot offer. he provides an easy means of communication that requires no words and has no language barrier. and, as encouraged this morning, even though he will be too young to remember, this experience will shape him as well. it will hopefully instill in him a yearning for africa.
and, in being honest, the privilege has bore with it its share of difficulties, lack of sleep to name one. as i have processed through these difficult times, i continue to see God walking me through this journey of humility - humility in having a child that is irritable and sometimes hard to manage, humility in living in a completely different culture that parents differently, humility in having things play out in a way that is unexpected or short of the things i had hoped.
the two questions raised in my mind have been "do i believe that God can do it," and, in those moments of difficulty, "do i consider it privilege?" do i believe God can stir and form in us that flexibility, the stamina, the transformation of attitudes and temperments and schedules to be present, fully present, in a different culture? do i believe? do i count those moments of sleeplessness, those times i feel out of control and spent, those moments of feeling embarrassed or insecure, do i count those as privilege?
i believe He, and He alone, can do it. i believe He can raise our family entirely above our norm to move and exist and be in a different culture. i believe he can sustain and fill and form a flexibility and presence attained only through Him. and, i consider it privilege. asher, you provide so much joy to your mama and dad. thank you for coming with us and journeying through the things we do not do well. thank you for sacrificing those things that are known to gain so much more.
may i daily walk in this perspective.
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| From TZ09 Trip |
posted by the schilps at 1:00 AM
3 Comments:
Abbe,
This is such a beautiful sentiment. I'm so excited to hear all the things that God is teaching through this experience, and I'm very glad to get to share my family with your family.
P.S. Make sure Asher meets the twins. Ask Mama Esther who Mama Twins is. They were terrified of white people last June, but I bet they'd love Asher.
Love seeing your post here and getting a glimpse into how the trip is going, Abbe!
Great post, Abbe.
I am asking God for the same things right now - "Can He do it?" and "Do I count it a privilege?"
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, they have encouraged me.
Love from Germany.
annie
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