my journey contines

Around this time of year a lot of people get sucked up in the whole Christmas-shopaholic-max the cards-buy me stuff mode. I hope I’m not one of them, although I must admit I love the looks on my family’s faces when they open the gifts I get them each year. And I’m totally not opposed to being on the receiving end.

But this holiday is about so much more.

Noel, I love the post you wrote today and I remember going to my grandpa’s church in Ottawa when I was about 5 years old. In the Sunday School, we learned about what true joy is, and Noel you hit it right on the head, the same saying.
J - Jesus
O - others
Y - you

That’s how it should be. That’s true joy right there.
In case any of you haven’t seen it, check out Noel’s blog and read the post for December 24, 2006.
Click here: Noel’s blog, Dec. 24/06 http://thejourneywetake.blogspot.com/2006/12/click.html

Praise You in This Storm
words by Mark Hall/music by Mark Hall and Bernie Herms

I was sure by now, God You would have reached down
and wiped our tears away,
stepped in and saved the day.
But once again, I say amen
and it’s still raining
as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain,
“I’m with you”
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away.

Chorus:
And I’ll praise you in this storm
and I will lift my hands
for You are who You are
no matter where I am
and every tear I’ve cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to You
and raised me up again
my strength is almost gone how can I carry on
if I can’t find You
and as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
“I’m with you”
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away

Chorus

I lift my eyes unto the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
the maker of heaven and earth
I lift my eyes unto the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
the maker of heaven and earth

Chorus

and i’m going to miss it. a lot.

i’m glad that i am able to spend Christmas with my family… i really enjoy Christmas. i’m a sucker for the carols (my radio IS tuned to 97.3 and/or 98.1 for the tunes), i love the decorations, and i love spending time with family.

i was telling a regulay customer at the bank today about my schooling today and how i am going to be in the states for 8 months and then in the developing world for 4… the first thing she commented on is how there is no tax in PA and i should go shopping. hmmm… not quite the response i was expecting!

one thing you cannot escape living in our society is the overwhelming materialistic attitude and reality of our culture. i mean it’s hard to avoid… but i think of so many people that have nothing, and look at the tremendous excess that the other people enjoy. it makes me want to share. not as though i have a lot… but share what i can. then some of those people who are needy will accept an outstretched hand and others won’t. regardless of their response, we certainly can pray! and i think it’s important to do. it’s important to pray for the many who are alone for Christmas, have divisions/strife within their families, those who are experiencing financial hardships, and just that the real meaning of Christmas is not forgotten…

i officially finished my bachelor degree on friday - my last exam! hard work has paid off as well. so far, out of 4 courses, the 2 of which I got my marks back, i got A- on both!! =)

i am waiting on my student visa to come. please pray that everything goes smoothly when i cross the border. there are still a few things that need to come together but God has been good. He’s opened the doors and I believe He’ll continue to do that…

also wanted to share with you 2 of my course descriptions (i don’t yet have the other 2):

Biblical Faith & Economics
An examination of diverse methodologies, hermeneutics, and conclusions about the meaning of Biblical principles for economic life today. Special attention will be given to careful exegetical analysis of relevant Biblical material. Students will be expected to understand economic concepts relevant to developing countries, to apply these concepts to disparate development issues, and to evaluate alternative applications from the perspective of Christian ethics.

Books:
- The Cost of Discipleship
- The White Man’s Burden: Why the West’s Efforts to Aid the Rest Have Done So Much Ill and So Little Good
- The World is Flat: A Brief History of the 21st Century
- Walking with the Poor: Principles and Practices of Transformational Development
- Christ and Culture
- The Soul of Development: Biblical Christianity and Economic Transformation in Guatemala
- Economics and Ethics: An Introduction to Theory, Institutions, and Policy.
- Naked Economics: Undressing the Dismal Science

Economic Development of Developing Countries
This course reviews the evolution of international economic development theory and practice. While it draws most heavily on development economics, it adopts an interdisciplinary approach to understanding the multiple actors, ideologies, and practices that make up the field of development, and the relationships between them. In particular, it looks at the history of policies designed and implemented by multilateral and governmental aid agencies; the rise and praxis of the non-governmental sector and its relationship with the official sector; and critical insights from academia that help shape the debates and practice, especially on issues of power, race, gender, class, and North/South relationships. This course is underpinned and shaped by a constant reflection on theology of development, looking at the problems of the inherent sinfulness of human beings, the limits of knowledge, and ways that Christians and Christian organizations can and have contributed to engaging in international development in a way that is obedient to the two main commandments laid out in Scripture (Matthew 22:37-40).

Books:
- Pedagogy of the Oppressed
- Gender, Development, and Globalization: Economics as if All People Mattered
- The Spirit of Development: Protestant NGOs, Morality, and Economics in Zimbabwe
- The White Man’s Burden: Why the West’s Efforts to Aid the Rest Have Done So Much Ill and So Little Good

… at the end of the tunnel. it’s really not that bad. just the pressure of exams and papers. i’m almost finished my 15 page paper (woo hoo!!) and then 2 short ones to do. some good studying hours put in, and then i’ll be finished! What a feeling that will be. I really stuck to it, and will have completed my bachelor degree.

This man got a loan with Opportunity International a few years ago. Instead of buying enough for a short time, he was then able to buy in bulk. The money enabled him to purchase baking trays and he makes delicious cookies, kaiser buns, and baked goods. The government in Honduras publishes a list of prices informing the people how much they are “allowed” to charge; however, at the same time, the cost of living keeps going up and the items he needs to buy for his business get more expensive. He sells a bag of 6 kaiser buns for 12cents USD. He’s truly happy And so proud about his business (which he should be!)

These pictures are some of the villages we visited. The hill on the left looks out onto a beautiful, glamourous church. The house below belongs to one of the OI clients and is where they hold their weekly meetings. They generously made lunch for the 8 of us and it was delicious!

Then I do have a favourite picture… Hehe I call it my Kodak moment. These children had never seen a digital camera before…. They loved it and kept posing, wanting to see more and more pictures.

Furniture Provided:
- single bed
- desk
- folding desk chair
- bookshelf
- dresser
- nighstand

Any suggestions on good things I should bring to this new dorm student? Haha, having lived at home I’ve been fortunate to be super comfortable all throughout my studies. This will be an adventure for sure!

Some of the other things I will have:
- internet connectivity in the dorm
- onsite coin-operated laundry facilities
- reserved cupboard/refrigerator space

Input and suggestions are welcome. I’m sure I’ll be sitting there thinking “oops! I should have remembered to bring that!” hehe…

It’s hard to believe that I will be in USA in just a little over one month now… Moving in on the 11th, orientation on the 12th, classes beginning on the 16th…

8 months in the USA.
4 months in the developing/third world (unknown).
1 year = MA degree
future = unknown