Update Number 2

The Myanmar/Thailand Team decided it would be fun to have a mascot (a small stuffed dinosaur we bought at an airport) and to give our updates through his eyes as he writes home. His name is MEBS which is the combined first letters of each of our team members (Mercedes, Emily, Brian and Sarah). NMSI seems to love acronyms.

Dear Mother,

Just writing to let you know that your favorite green and yellow dino is well and safe. Oh, yes and the rest of my little herd is fine also.

Emily is picking up the language like a pro. Sarah can hail a taxi better than a New Yorker. Brian is getting better at tying his longie ("skirts" that the men wear), and Mercedes preached a positive sermon on hope last Sunday.

Hope and encouragement is a valuable resource in this area. One of our new friends has made two trips to a village that was destroyed in the cyclone. His first trip was weeks after the storm, and the people were still too overwhelmed by fear to even bury the dead. his visit brought hope and encouragement, so they all went to work. By his second visit the survivors were starting to show life again, and this time he brought seed and tractors. The people that had lost family , friends and hope were now working day and night to restore their farms.

We would love to go and get our hands dirty as well, but because we are foreigners, we are not allowed. But there is a lot of ministry to do in the city as well. The other day we visited a faith-based, non-government agency that is helping to fund and organize trips like our friend has been taking, and today we helped a group package toiletries and food to send to the victims.

So as life happens, even among the tears, there are many things to celebrate. We were honored to be guests at a small Burmese wedding, and we were excited to be a part of five year anniversary party for a growing orphanage.

This little Summer adventure is almost half way over. I look forward to seeing you soon and telling you more.

with love,
MEBS

Update Number 1

The Myanmar/Thailand Team decided it would be fun to have a mascot (a small stuffed dinosaur we bought at an airport) and to give our updates through his eyes as he writes home. His name is MEBS which is the combined first letters of each of our team members (Mercedes, Emily, Brian and Sarah). NMSI seems to love acronyms.

Dear Mother,
I thought I should write to let you know that I'm
doing well. Regretfully, my hopes for a vacation in
Hawaii didn't pan out, but somehow I think I found
something better.
I was purchased from the airport toy-store by three
lovely and cheerful American young ladies. They
seemed to be looking for a mascot for their
adventures, and somehow they decided that a green and
yellow dinosaur fit the need. With giggles and smiles
they brought me to the ruggedly handsome male of their
herd. He was bravely guarding their belongings, as we
fearless males do so well.
We soon boarded our first plane for about 21 hours of
flying (right past Hawaii!!) ending in Yangon,
Myanmar. That's right, Myanmar, where the cyclone hit
about a month ago. Come to find out, these young
people were bringing bags of clothes and shoes and
toiletries and two water filtering systems.
We arrived in Yangon Saturday morning and spent the
remainder of the day settling into our rooms and
getting familiar with the city. We took long walks
down busy streets. One cannot help but to be taken
back by the friendliness and hospitality of these
people in this forgotten land in the heart of
Buddhism.
Sunday morning I think I was mistakenly left behind in
their room, but they won't admit it to me. Anyway, it
seems they had a wonderful time, and they met two
English speaking families that were greatly encouraged
by the visit and have invited them over for dinner and
English conversation.
The team has agreed to act as substitute teachers over
the next two weeks to classes of adult students
learning English as a second language. This will give
some of the American teachers the opportunity to go to
Thailand and renew their visas.
The team was hoping to be able to help more directly
in the cyclone relief efforts, but the rural delta is
still not open to foreigners. It has been encouraging
and interesting to visit with and learn from the
agencies who are helping send and fund nationals to go
and aide the hurting communities.
Through many conversations and stories, we have
learned that the cyclone was a terrible and
devastating tragedy upon an already hurting people.
Their suffering and unheard cries for help were not
just for one night, but have been for more than a life
time. Yet, there is a hope.
Well, my little herd sends you their love. We
treasure your prayers.

Your son,
MEBS (Mercedes, Emily, Brian, Sarah)

The Carpenter by Dorthy Clarke Wilson

Here are some of my favorite quotes from the drama we're doing this weekend.

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Jeff: It's a very [strange] sort of key. When you think you've found it, the fact is you've actually lost it.

Lisa: But how---

Jeff: And yet you can't find it unless you lose it.

Lisa: But I don't see-- That doesn't sound sensible!

Jeff: You know I told you it was a magic key.

Lisa: How will I know when I find it?

Jeff: Perhaps you won't, but other people will. They'll see the doors begin to open.

Lisa:Where can we begin? Is it here, in this house?

Jeff: It's everywhere. Anywhere. But that's another [strange] thing about it. You can't find it by looking for it.

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Homes should have room to breath and stretch and grow, like the people that live in them, like the parts of a human body. In fact, they are the body, the living cells in which dwells the life-spirit of the Beloved Community.

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Everybody in the world is looking for a magic key, Lisa. and everybody has his own secret door that he wishes to unlock, the door to his own deepest need and heart's desire...Only some people don't even know they have it. It's down so deep in their souls and buried in such a tangle of weeds and refuse that it's completely hidden. But it's there, waiting to be opened.

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Sometimes I think most people would like it better if nobody cared. They'd rather stay the way they are. The person who really cares about other human beings has the hardest job in the world, that of trying to help people who don't want to be helped.

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The church I dream about is a Beloved Community made up of millions of tiny, living, breathing cells, each dependent on and ministering to the life of every other. I don't know whether such a community exists, or could exist, but it's going to be the business of my life to find out.

Pillars of salt stop running

I'm in such a fog. I usually have a mental priority list, a plan of action, a reason to stay busy, but lately --I just feel --unmotivated. Should I pack? Should I work on the house? Should I work on homework? Should I visit with friends? Should I go to bed and hope it makes better sense in the morning?

A treasured friend asked me last night what I'm running from. I didn't expect that, and I didn't know how to answer, but nor did I dismiss it. I have some insightful friends, and they often see my shortfalls before I do.

IF I am running, perhaps it's from routine, or from pointlessness, or from materialism, or from conformity, or from temptation, or from worldly responsibilities, or from my heritage, or from the fear of regret.

On the other hand, perhaps, instead of from something, I am running to it. It could be to confront my past, or to find God's will, or to a greater purpose, or to protect my kids, or to help my parents, or to have an adventure, or to prepare for the mission God has for me.

Could it be all the above, and --is that wrong? --Maybe it will make sense in the morning.

Update

It's been a couple weeks since my last post... life's getting a little crazy, so this is going to be brief. I noticed a couple of post back I was thanking God for our many blessings; well, as life goes, it looks like I'm going to have to give most of them back, so to speak.

Yes, the rumors are true (that is, the ones I've heard). The Menefees are planning to move to KY this summer. The Lord is opening opportunities for me to attend Asbury College & Seminary.

Our biggest snags at this point (apart from leaving friends) is finding a home for our dog, Freddy, and selling the house. I thought I had a buyer last week, but that fell through. It looks like I will have a renter until the house sells, so that should help.

By the way, my summer trip to Asia is fully funded! God is so good and faithful; I'm really looking forward to the adventure, this summer and beyond.

I had better get back to the homework. TTFN

Is a portrait still a portrait if you look at it from the backside?

I came home from class yesterday, and Keen was setting at the computer in the living-room. He promptly looked up and excitedly told me about how a complete stranger came up to him after his basketball game and shook his hand. The man highly complemented him and told him that he has what it takes to be in the pros! With that, Keen turned back to the computer and stated, with a hint of remorse, "My life in the NFL is over."

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Before reading this next story, one should know that we just painted the house a few months ago.

Keen brought in the mail this evening, and as he was announcing each item, he read the bold print on the Sears envelop, "Brian Menefee, never paint your house again!" Kendra spoke up, in a voice of disgust, "How rude! What? Do they think you didn't do a good enough job?"

Perspective

I was late for work this morning, because the silly "foster dog" got loose twice (anybody want a free, golden husky? I'm not joking). Then, we spent most of the work day blowing insulation in an attic. Since I was already filthy, I decided to clean the loft of the barn when I got home. I tried to burn some of our huge brush and lumber pile, but it was too wet. Then, I worked until twilight digging 8 fence-post holes. Of course, a Home Depot trip had to be worked in to the day, so I picked up over 600 pound of concrete. Finally, I got the last load of dirty (and wet, due the the flooded basement) laundry is in the washer. I just realised; I missed supper.

Thank You, Lord, for... the low-stress job, the dirty barn, the rain, the brush pile (for hot dogs and marshmallows), the health to do manual labor, the new fence, a basement, clothes to get dirty (and the kids that dirty them), and... my ice cream :o)