My Lenten Thing-to-Give-Up

My Lenten practice involves self-denial. And while it is not terribly taxing (like fasting or giving up underwear or electricity), it has already been a challenge. I have decided to give up frivolous spending. 

I very much enjoy shopping, and if I'm completely honest, I am materialistic. Often my thoughts are consumed with what I can and might buy next, and I often find myself fabricating reasons to buy something new. My spending has not led to immense debt or personal/social/occupational trouble, but it is consuming enough that I feel it merits attention. And to counter the decrease in spending, I have decided to take opportunities to funnel my money towards more worthy ventures. 

My friend, Carlie, whom I met in Quito, Ecuador is traveling to Zambia for a mission trip; contributing to her venture is a far better use of my resources than going and buying some crap at Target.

A Bit about Parents

The existence/idea of parents has been on my mind lately. A friend of mine recently observed the 4th anniversary of her mom's passing; and unfortunately she is only one of many friends of mine who has lost a parent. I think that we expect to have lost our parents (or one of them) when we are in middle-age, but this early in life it just seems wrong.

In recent conversations with various friends and acquaintances, it has come to my attention that many of them are not close with their parents. Some of them even have bad relationships with them or no relationship at all. Even though such situations do not seem uncommon, they are beyond my frame of reference. I not only love my parents, but I genuinely like them. When I go back to Atlanta, I look forward to spending time with them. And they are more supportive of me than I deserve or could wish for.

I'm not sure why I felt the need to write this post; perhaps because these themes have so occupied my thoughts recently that "writing them down" seemed an appropriate response. In any case, I am grateful beyond measure for my dad and mom and the roles they play in my life.

A Reflection on Whitney

The current hysteria and obsessive coverage of Whitney Houston's tragic death is quite disturbing to me. We are gluttons for a train wreck, as evidenced by the unfortunate success of trashy "reality" TV shows, including Whitney's own show with Bobby Brown. And why is it that once a celebrity's life gives way to his/her addiction, record sales soar and people come out of the woodwork to declare their love for them? Where is all of that love and concern when the person in question is in the throws of gripping addiction and life-threatening mental illness?

Unfortunately, the relentless media coverage, TV specials, and articles written about Whitney Houston's decline will not have any lasting effect upon people's view of addiction and its severity- much like the death of a high schooler in a drunk driving incident will not keep his peers from engaging in the same risky behaviors. The issue at hand is one of a deeply-entrenched, culturally-constructed attitude regarding our own vulnerability- or rather, invincibility.

May we realize that we are all vulnerable.

South American Trip Recap (abridged)

After Christmas I was able to do the traveling I was supposed to have done this past summer (after Colombia).

I left Atlanta on December 27th for Quito and arrived around midnight. The next morning I headed to the old folks' home where I worked in 2010. And I managed to remember all the right buses (three in all) and arrived around 9am.

The hogar is not like a retirement community here in the States. It's pretty dilapidated and honestly a sad place, not to mention the fact that an old folks' home is an anomaly in Latin America. But everything seemed significantly more depressed, and many of the folks who were there in 2010 have since passed away, including Melida, with whom I spent most of my time. So I knew it would be difficult being there, but even so I was not prepared for what I saw. In short, it has become a borderline abusive situation for many of the residents. Having witnessed this, I was able to report what I saw to Extreme Response, the organization with which I worked 2 years ago, and for that I am grateful.

From Quito I went on to Cordoba, Argentina. (I spent a semester there in undergrad.). Having flown all night, I arrived around 6am and went on to the house; and after a little chat with Mirta, my host mom, I put myself to bed for the rest of the day. The week was spent re-familiarizing myself with the city, eating delicious Argentine food, and attempting to escape the blazing heat, as it was the middle of summer. New Years was wonderful, complete with an asado and multiple fireworks displays, and party-hopping 'til 6:30am with my host sister, Mica, and her boyfriend, Juli. I can hardly express how wonderful it is to have another family in my life with whom I am so comfortable. I truly believe it is a providential situation, down to the fact that there is a spot for me age-wise among the kids.

After the epic week in Cordoba, I was to head back to Quito; however, a week before I left, I learned that my Lima-Quito flight was pushed back 24 hours. Praise the Lord, I know someone in Lima from a mission trip I participated in during undergrad. So my sweet friend, Beto, picked me up from the airport and gave me the most wonderful tour of the city, complete with a trip to Lima's new giant Jesus statue (a gift from the Brazilian gov't), a scrumptious Peruvian lunch, and a tour of the colonial/historic center. Never mind the fact that I had not seen Beto in 6 years- his hospitality was a precious gift to me, and I am glad to call him my friend. It is one of those friendships built upon our common faith in Jesus.

Unfortunately, the following day did not go as planned (as if anything in Latin America ever does): the flight was overbooked, and I had arrived too late. I was infuriated and even dropped a few choice words, after which I felt awful and resigned myself to the situation, deciding to just roll with it. LAN got me a hotel downtown and a taxi to and from, and I spent the afternoon roaming the streets, touring a couple museums, drinking Inca Kola, and even taking myself to see "Tintin" (dubbed, of course). It was a quite enjoyable day/night.

Due to the travel changes, I was only able to be in Quito for a day and a half, so I decided to forgo visiting my host family and my friend, Carlie, due to lack of time and logistical issues. This was a bummer, but the day with Catharine, Whitney, and Michael was precious and refreshing. Even with the less-than-ideal happenings, it was a great trip; and I am once again homesick for Latin America.

If you're ever in Quito, make sure to look up los Johnson; they live across from Plaza de las Americas and have a swanky apartment.

The Deeper Meaning

The information leaking out in regards to the child abuse scandal at Penn State has quite captured my attention. I can't seem to refrain from reading articles, watching videos, reading and listening to commentary about this tragedy unfolding before us.

It is unfortunate that JoePa has been forced to leave in such a wave of disgrace that will undoubtedly mar his amazing, record-setting career as Nittany Lions' head coach. I regret that for him. With that being said, had he reported the abuse to police and dismissed Sandusky, I believe that he would not only have averted his shameful exit; but I believe that -dare I say it- he would have even looked good. Standing up to injustice and confronting those responsible is just the right thing to do!

Of course the big question is "Why didn't someone, anyone report the abuse to law enforcement?" While such questions are important and must be asked, I am stuck upon what seems to be the deeper, sinister issue lurking below: money and the image of PSU are more important to the powers-that-be than protecting the welfare of a child. Nay, of numerous children. Turning a blind eye and allowing the abuse to continue implicitly states that the lives of these victims do not matter as much as the reputation of Penn State and upholding its image of class and success. But look where that has gotten them.

That this scandal is now synonymous with the school is terribly unfortunate. It is an injustice for anyone affiliated with State College, PA. (Side note: I narrowed my undergraduate college decision to Clemson & Penn State. Perhaps that has stoked my interest in this situation.)

I cannot say whether or not shutting down Penn State's football program is the right thing to do. After all, the players are not the ones responsible, and I am never in favor of collective punishment (nor is international law for that matter). But given the NCAA's response to the improprieties at Miami and Georgia Tech, the "punishment" for Penn State should be harsh. True, recruiting violations and the like should not be overlooked. But I feel that the abuse in the Penn State case grieves the heart of the Father more than paying college athletes. (Not that Jesus will be considered in the ramifications for PSU football.)

One should, I believe, take time to consider this fact: If well-researched statistics hold true, Sandusky is extremely likely to have been a victim of sexual abuse. This is no way excuses his actions, but I feel that it is noteworthy.

Another tidbit: I very much like Jon Stewart's response: http://www.hulu.com/watch/299167/the-daily-show-with-jon-stewart-penn-state-riots. It's worth a watch!

A "Reflection" on 9/11

My "Where Were You When" story is pretty lame, so I'll save some cyber space and spare you, my reader, all of the nostalgic details. Honestly, I have not spent the day reliving 9-11-01. If I had wanted to do so it would have only entailed the following: 1) I spent the whole morning confused. 2) I finally realized what had happened and got freaked out. 3) I cried for about an hour when I got home from school.

Now that that's done...

We should, without a doubt, remember the victims of 9-11. And we should continue to comfort those they left behind. But I firmly believe that it should not stop there. The lives of the thousands of innocent civilians who have lost their lives as a result of the United States' invasions, "wars," and occupations in Iraq and Afghanistan are just as precious as those lost ten years ago in Pennsylvania, DC, and NYC- no more, no less.

Call me "unpatriotic" if you so desire, but my allegiance lies not with a country or government or set of man-made ideals but with the Lord Jesus Christ. And I firmly believe that His desire would not be for us to drop bombs and kill others in the name of "freedom" or democracy.  Violence only ever leads to more violence and can under no circumstances be justified, especially not by anyone who would seek to follow Christ. Only by loving will we extinguish the flame of evil. This Jesus calls us to love our enemies, pray for those who would seek to harm us, and to care for all men.

Shane Claiborne writes "I have pledged allegiance to a King who loved evildoers so much He died for them, teaching us that there is something worth dying for but nothing worth killing for." Amen, brother!

In All Honesty

My heart is overwhelmed with joy after the gift that was yesterday. I spent the day in Columbia, SC with former roommates from Clemson. These girls are some of my very favorite people in the world, and the laughter and conversation we shared were a gift from the Lord. How great is it to be with people who know you and challenge you without making you feel guilty?

Our precious Jennifer Miele at one point commented upon Proverbs 3:5-6, which is one of those verses that is so familiar that I often disregard it or tune out when I hear it. But how often do I "lean on my own understanding"? Honestly, in everything that I do! I believe that I am a relatively intelligent person, and I act as though I need no one else's input. This, I believe, is what He means by "lean not on your own understanding." Whether it is a conversation gone awry that I am rehashing in my head or just any old problem or situation, I get lost in my own mind and logic attempting to remedy it rather than trusting in God and His providence and control. Oh, how I wish that would change!

Miele also made another great point: "If we are friends with people for wrong reasons/motives, there is no chance for true community." I would definitely say that opportunistic friendships (that is, seeking someone's friendship because one may gain something from it) are far from cool. But I am guilty of doing so. And if my motivation for spending time with someone or desiring to be associated with him/her is to make myself look or feel better, then how in the world can it be an honest, God-honoring, communal relationship?