Weekend Update

All in all, it's been a good weekend...

• Friday, I spent 5 hours at the MP (public prosecutor's office) with a client. She bravely testified, and that is worth praise; however, this client has both a speech impediment and a pretty severe mental disability, and she spontaneously talked about another perpetrator during the interview (She was there to testify about one perpetrator in particular.). So we ended up having to stick around so that they could take an additional testimony and make further notes for the case. I've said it a million times, and I'll say it again: the fight for justice is messy, long, and most of the time, far from streamlined. 
• I've been able to tune into the U.S. Open via radio and video stream. (I'm old enough that this technology still blows my mind.) Friday I watched Federer and Eugenie Bouchard win their matches, and today I listened to Caroline Wozniacki knock out Sharapova. - Go Caro! 
• Yesterday, after seeing an absurd parade of middle school marching bands as I walked to the gym, I attended a co-worker's wedding. I was (and still am) so flattered to have been invited to their nuptials. Here's a photo of a few of us from the reception:

I really need a haircut. Ugh.

• Today I did some reading, ran errands, and did some work on my LinkedIn profile and job search. I admit that I had a mini-meltdown in the midst of the job searching. I have moments in which I feel totally defeated, without any reason to hope that I will ever find a job that's not totally crappy. I really do want to believe that God has something in store for me- and not just any job, but something that I will be good at and enjoy. After allowing myself to be upset and praying to Jesus that He would provide and help me to defeat my pessimism, I forged ahead and ended up finding applicable job postings at two facilities in Atlanta. Thank you, Lord, for these small reminders of provision. And for simply showing me that there are jobs out there. 

Tomorrow is not Labor Day here in Guatemala. But that's cool. I've got 17 work days left, and I want to make the most of them. (Where has this year gone?)  

Mourning, Binding, and Loosing

Over the past few days, the Lord has been teaching me how to respond better to all of the tragedy in this world. It's no secret that I am a news addict and make a concerted effort to be informed about current events. (It's not uncommon for me to spend hours on end reading the news and researching the issues at hand. I probably have a problem, if I'm honest.) It's also no secret that the world seems to be completely falling apart. No doubt anyone who is the least bit informed is feeling pessimistic about what the future holds and impotent when it comes to addressing any of the day's issues and conflicts.

The lesson that Jesus is teaching me began when I read an article on Red Letter Christians, which is an organization that provides commentary and articles about current events from a Biblical perspective- or rather, in light of Jesus' words- that is, the Bible's red letters. I have provided a link to the article at the bottom of this entry.

In short, the author tells us that as we read about and engage with the suffering in our world, that we should be intentional in sitting with the pain. Romans 12:15 reads "Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn." Of course, it's easy enough to mourn with people close to us and to sit in sadness over things in our direct circle. But in this passage, Paul does not differentiate; therefore, we may conclude that his instructions apply to all circumstances. We are to mourn over all injustice and to stand in solidarity with all who suffer.

When I read the news, I mostly get annoyed and angry. I feel hatred towards those perpetuating violence and annoyance with people who are uninformed. And then I try to get on with my day. I know that there has to be a better way to respond, and I believe that Jesus is teaching me what that is. I want to be more intentional about processing and sitting with what I read and to cultivate compassion as I do so.

Last night I listened to an awesome sermon from Trinity Anglican, and it carried me forward in this theme. In Matthew 16, Jesus takes His disciples to Ceasarea Philippi, and there in the context of pagan worship, He asks them who people say He is. After Peter says that he believes Jesus is the Messiah, Jesus gives him the "keys of heaven." That is, He entrusts Peter with the work of the Kingdom of God. And that work is to bind and loose things in Jesus' name. To bring His kingdom to earth.

I love what the Lord is teaching me here. It is not enough for me to be informed. It is my duty (and perhaps even my privilege) to mourn with those suffering around me. But it doesn't stop there. Jesus has entrusted me (and all of us who follow Him) to bring His kingdom to this sick, sad, hurting world. It's a tall order, but it sure beats sitting around and getting annoyed.

http://www.redletterchristians.org/mourn-gaza-israel-tweet/

Gratitude and other stuff

Fran here. First off, I want to share an article from IJM HQ about the pinning ceremony we had here a couple weeks ago. It is always a really special event; these kids have been so brave, and their testimony is critical to achieving justice for them and their families. This time, a few clients whom I know pretty well received their pins, so it was extra special for me!

http://news.ijm.org/ijm-president-calls-guatemalan-children-his-superheroes/

In other news, I have recently been intentional about practicing gratitude. I am so often bogged down in anger, jealousy, and arrogance, so I am making a concerted effort to be thankful for all of the good things in my life. The other day, I was even so dorky as to make a list, so here it is:

• Family
• Friends
• My parents' insane generosity
• Cool life experiences, including this season here in Guatemala
• The Lord's provision and salvation
• Health (for the most part, that is)
• Aptitudes 

That is, of course, not an exhaustive list, but it's been very helpful for me to do this; I have seen my negative emotions abate, and that is quite freeing.

As of today, I go home in 39 days. Ouch. I am not terribly eager to leave Guatemala, but I have gotten a bit more excited about being back in Atlanta for a season. I plan to get more involved with the church I attend there as well as to get in a lot of qt with family and friends. - I would appreciate prayers for discernment, provision, and patience as I search for a job and figure out these next steps.

Intense Moments, Good Reminders

It's been quite a day! A lot of stimulation and human interaction for this introvert.

This morning, I got to observe a Cámara Gessel, which is the closed-circuit interview in which children testify about the abuse they have suffered or witnessed. It's not terribly different from what one might imagine: There is a room in which the psychologist and the child sit, and then on the other side of a one-way mirror sit the defense and prosecuting attorneys, a judge, the alleged perpetrator, and in this case, me. I had previously been denied entry a number of times, so it was even more exciting to be there. The case in question was quite interesting, and while I cannot divulge any details, hearing this child's story once again reiterated the necessity of our work here.

This afternoon, we had our first monthly boys' group. We've been hosting a group for adolescent girls for some time, so it was nice to interact with the little dudes for once. They are, predictably, hilarious and a little rambunctious, which I find highly entertaining. We decided to split them into two groups: middle schoolers and the little ones, you know, for a little crowd control. I stayed with the little guys, and they were just so sweet!

Once we all came back together, I noticed that one kid had begun to cry; one of my fellow interns sat with him, while I talked with his little brother. These two are very new clients and are such sweet, well-mannered kids. As they were all leaving, the older of the two went out of his way to shake hands with the male group leader. I mean, seriously! First of all, to see a child with such a sweet spirit and great manners, and then to know what he has been through. Needless to say, I will probably have a good cry later. It probably sounds cliche, but moments like these remind me of how we are called to sow peace right where we are and to love those right around us. (I needed that reminder.)

Other Points of Interest

• I had dinner with two excellent ladies last night- Melissa, a fellow intern & Lorena, a friend from Bible study. I'm very thankful for their friendship. 
• As of yesterday, I leave Guatemala in 8 weeks. Let's not talk about it. 
• TGIF! - Looking forward to a relaxing yet productive weekend.
• My iPhone is on a trip to the U.S. right now. (It will have been Stateside more than me over the past year.)