(IJM)

i honestly can not find the words in my brain to explain what occurred this past weekend. i went with friends to International Justice Mission's GPG (go google it...). rather that feeling guilty for how i live in wealth, while others struggle, my learning was enforced and situations brightened. i got to check upon what i had learned about at the 2008 GPG, and zipped about other nations i was interested in.

out of several choices, i decided i wanted to go to all of the african options. inspired by the fact that 3 out the 4 leaders were not born in africa, i prayed the hardest in these countries. in kenya, the leader broke down into tears, explaining how tough the work was on the staff stationed there. i don't think i'm ever going to forget a 6-foot-some man breaking down, about how his passion is slipping away as he runs to catch it with all he has.

i developed what i like to call "clinical prayer shoulder," which still hurts a tad. worth it.

i found out that i (extremely) dislike folk music, female voices are not to my liking. but i also found out that liturgical dance is what i'm meant to help in with the church. while anyone was singing, or humming, i couldn't help but to tap my foot. Ten Shekel Shirt took the stage on many occaisions, and i found myself dancing about.

i like to sleep among suitcases in the back of a van.

i pray short. to the point. no need for long, dragged out cries. get to the point of what you need, what you want for others, then relax in the spirit. in a few of my prayer groups, there were older women (from the south, unless my accent detector has gone wild) who could pray for ten minutes straight. if they really are that passionate, couldn't they raise awareness, or start a foundation at their home? see now i'm off on a rant. foo.

http://www.ijm.org/
http://www.ijminstitute.org/
http://vimeo.com/3893479


listening to: "trouble" by Ray LaMontagne