Just to make my life easier, I'm going to plan to post on the Kenya website while I'm gone and if I get extra time I'll post a copy here. But if you want to see updates or info:
http://kenyahelpusgo.blogspot.com.
Keep it real. Go in peace.
Love, Tiff
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Friday, May 11, 2007
UPdates...
Hi Friends!
A couple housekeeping items... here is my travel itinerary for Kenya:
Travel Itinerary (for you to know and pray):
OK, please pray as you feel the Lord prompt you!! He knows even better than I know how much I need it.
Well, here's the rest of the news! The semester is complete and tonight a few of the members of my cohort of students attended the "hooding ceremony" of the graduating students. It was pretty neat - and the Vice President of Student Life (Dub Oliver) says that we are officially "Second Year" students now. Wow. that is pretty cool. My semester ended well. After really struggling with getting my 25-page case study completed, I was really proud of the document I turned in and received an A for my work.
Most of my students are gone now for the summer - but there are still a few ADPi women and Chaplains who I will have the chance to talk with this summer. I'm especially excited to spend time this summer with Celina - who I've met weekly-ish this year. She is a neat, gifted women with a passion for Jesus!!
Many of my former students at Greenville are graduating this year. Annie, Kristina, TJ, Jared, among others. Its pretty crazy to think of these students walking across the stage - and bittersweet to think I won't be there. And Travis and Ashley are getting married - and again, sad that I won't get to see it - though I'm excited to hear about it and see the pics afterward!
I wish I had more to offer in this update, but my life has been full of Kenya and finishing school and so that is all I can think about.
I'm 60% done. And I'm starting to look at the places that I might end up next year. California is the likely state, with a bunch of schools in consideration. I'll keep you posted.
OH - and neat news: I receieved a scholarship from the Alpha Delta Pi Foundation for next year's school - The "Stafford National Officer" scholarship. I was also awarded one of two "Outstanding Graduate Student" Awards from the Division of Student Life, for 2006-2007. What an honor! There are some amazing students working in our division, so that award meant a lot to me.
Blessings to you - and if I can, I'll post some pics while I'm gone.
Love, Tiff
A couple housekeeping items... here is my travel itinerary for Kenya:
Travel Itinerary (for you to know and pray):
Sun 5/13 - travel to Dallas, fly to Chicago, fly to London
Mon 5/14 - layover (tourist time in London), fly to Nairobi
Tues 5/15 - travel to Masai Mara Safari Park and stay there
Wed 5/16 - safari at Masai Mara
Thurs 5/17 - safari at Masai Mara and travel back to Nairobi
Fri 5/18 - work at Railia Kids Club in Kibera Slum (crafts, sports, tutoring)
Sat 5/19 - work at Railia AM, painting/landscaping at "Karen Project" in PM
Sun 5/20 - Church at City Harvest Ministries, sabbath rest/team time/shopping
Mon 5/21 - work with City Harvest Ministries - visit AIDS testing clinic, meet HIV+ microcommunities
Tues 5/22 - work with City Harvest again - more HIV+ communities, help renovate hairdressing school
Wed 5/23 - tour of Kibera, learn more about life of men and women in the slums
Thurs 5/24 - TBD - either Railia or work with CHM in Kibera, plus team time in afternoon
Fri 5/25 - work at Mitumba Kids Club in Mitumba Slum (a poorer part of Kibera
slum)
Sat 5/26 - return to Railia Kids Club in AM, work at Karen Project in PM
Sun 5/27 - church at City Harvest, sabbath/team time/shopping/pack -
fly to London
Mon 5/28 - fly to Chicago, fly to DFW - arrive DFW at 10:30pm, travel to Waco
Tues 5/29 - start summer classes (me and a few others)
OK, please pray as you feel the Lord prompt you!! He knows even better than I know how much I need it.
Well, here's the rest of the news! The semester is complete and tonight a few of the members of my cohort of students attended the "hooding ceremony" of the graduating students. It was pretty neat - and the Vice President of Student Life (Dub Oliver) says that we are officially "Second Year" students now. Wow. that is pretty cool. My semester ended well. After really struggling with getting my 25-page case study completed, I was really proud of the document I turned in and received an A for my work.
Most of my students are gone now for the summer - but there are still a few ADPi women and Chaplains who I will have the chance to talk with this summer. I'm especially excited to spend time this summer with Celina - who I've met weekly-ish this year. She is a neat, gifted women with a passion for Jesus!!
Many of my former students at Greenville are graduating this year. Annie, Kristina, TJ, Jared, among others. Its pretty crazy to think of these students walking across the stage - and bittersweet to think I won't be there. And Travis and Ashley are getting married - and again, sad that I won't get to see it - though I'm excited to hear about it and see the pics afterward!
I wish I had more to offer in this update, but my life has been full of Kenya and finishing school and so that is all I can think about.
I'm 60% done. And I'm starting to look at the places that I might end up next year. California is the likely state, with a bunch of schools in consideration. I'll keep you posted.
OH - and neat news: I receieved a scholarship from the Alpha Delta Pi Foundation for next year's school - The "Stafford National Officer" scholarship. I was also awarded one of two "Outstanding Graduate Student" Awards from the Division of Student Life, for 2006-2007. What an honor! There are some amazing students working in our division, so that award meant a lot to me.
Blessings to you - and if I can, I'll post some pics while I'm gone.
Love, Tiff
Thursday, May 03, 2007
Life, Frailty and the Importance of Community
There is so much to talk about today, friends.
I have good news: I am the proud recipient of a scholarship from the Alpha Delta Pi Foundation - $1,000 toward my graduate studies next year; and I'm also the proud recipient of the "James Huckins Award for Outstanding Graduate Assistant" for 2007.
I have sad news: We had a student die in a car accident on Monday night, as she traveled to her grandmother's house to study for finals. Her name is Caitlin Creed.
As I sit here at my desk, I can look out the window and watch the happenings of Collins Hall. Collins Hall is a women's residence hall, housing almost 600 women - mostly first-year students. It was Caitlin's hall. Last night Caitlin's best friends packed up her room.
As I look out into the parking lot today, Caitlin's friends and a few of my friends on the Hall staff are loading up her possessions into a car to be taken to her family today.
And now I watch as one of the moms of her friends drives the truck away.... and I think about how frail life is, and how valuable.
This week has brought with it grieving weather. Ever since Tuesday morning it has been grey and raining off and on. It makes me think of Psalm 18 and how when David was being opposed he called out to God and God responded immediately, he was angry for David - on his behalf, and he stormed down from heaven. David says that the Lord rode bolts of lightning and his shouts were like thunder. And this week every time I hear the thunder and see the lightning I think of how God is grieving this loss with us. When the rain comes down in torrents, then back to drizzle, and then takes a break - I think of the cycle of crying that some of these students and adults are experiencing - weeping, worn out and unable to cry any longer, resting, then weeping again.
We are frail and vulnerable. But lives aren't supposed to end like this. And so we grieve, because we miss Cailin. We grieve, because we don't understand "why". We grieve, because we know that it could have been anyone.
This week I was priviledged to see community spring into action - it was Caitlin's friends that packed her room, the hall staff and residence life community that stepped in the night we heard the news, the university ministry staff who helped out wherever there might be need to talk or pray. Caitlin was a Tri-Delta sister, and it was amazing when I recieved an email from another sorority's chaplain letting me know that she was organizing a time of prayer for Caitlin's family, friends and sorority sisters - and it was more amazing to see the variety of people that attended the prayer time.
I am blessed to be a part of this community. And this tragedy reminds me of how important my friends and coworkers are to me. It reminds me of the value of life - and living my life in every moment for God's glory.
May we all experience the awesome power of God today - in deliverance, in comfort, in peace.
Love, Tiff
I have good news: I am the proud recipient of a scholarship from the Alpha Delta Pi Foundation - $1,000 toward my graduate studies next year; and I'm also the proud recipient of the "James Huckins Award for Outstanding Graduate Assistant" for 2007.
I have sad news: We had a student die in a car accident on Monday night, as she traveled to her grandmother's house to study for finals. Her name is Caitlin Creed.
As I sit here at my desk, I can look out the window and watch the happenings of Collins Hall. Collins Hall is a women's residence hall, housing almost 600 women - mostly first-year students. It was Caitlin's hall. Last night Caitlin's best friends packed up her room.
As I look out into the parking lot today, Caitlin's friends and a few of my friends on the Hall staff are loading up her possessions into a car to be taken to her family today.
And now I watch as one of the moms of her friends drives the truck away.... and I think about how frail life is, and how valuable.
This week has brought with it grieving weather. Ever since Tuesday morning it has been grey and raining off and on. It makes me think of Psalm 18 and how when David was being opposed he called out to God and God responded immediately, he was angry for David - on his behalf, and he stormed down from heaven. David says that the Lord rode bolts of lightning and his shouts were like thunder. And this week every time I hear the thunder and see the lightning I think of how God is grieving this loss with us. When the rain comes down in torrents, then back to drizzle, and then takes a break - I think of the cycle of crying that some of these students and adults are experiencing - weeping, worn out and unable to cry any longer, resting, then weeping again.
We are frail and vulnerable. But lives aren't supposed to end like this. And so we grieve, because we miss Cailin. We grieve, because we don't understand "why". We grieve, because we know that it could have been anyone.
This week I was priviledged to see community spring into action - it was Caitlin's friends that packed her room, the hall staff and residence life community that stepped in the night we heard the news, the university ministry staff who helped out wherever there might be need to talk or pray. Caitlin was a Tri-Delta sister, and it was amazing when I recieved an email from another sorority's chaplain letting me know that she was organizing a time of prayer for Caitlin's family, friends and sorority sisters - and it was more amazing to see the variety of people that attended the prayer time.
I am blessed to be a part of this community. And this tragedy reminds me of how important my friends and coworkers are to me. It reminds me of the value of life - and living my life in every moment for God's glory.
May we all experience the awesome power of God today - in deliverance, in comfort, in peace.
Love, Tiff
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
sin.
"I don't think it bothers the world that we sin. I think it bothers the world that we act like we don't. There are times that instead of being myself and exposing my own weakness and hurt, I portray a character of the person that I know I should be. But when I expose myself as weak and frail at times, it frees the Body of Christ to restore me as it should and invites others to unmask as well." Mark Hall, Casting Crowns
I think this is a great quote. He's right. If we were honest about our own sins, instead of simply judging the world for its sins, perhaps we would establish new transparency with those around us and they would offer us the freedom to tell them about the ONE who has helped us all to overcome the guilt and punishment of our sins.
I think this is a great quote. He's right. If we were honest about our own sins, instead of simply judging the world for its sins, perhaps we would establish new transparency with those around us and they would offer us the freedom to tell them about the ONE who has helped us all to overcome the guilt and punishment of our sins.
Sunday, April 22, 2007
The Fruits of the Holy Spirit and Moldy Vegies.
My only consolation about not writing as often as I'd like (and maybe you'd like) is that you're used to this, faithful friends. I'm not always a good, consistent writer. And I'm sorry about it.
Today, I was working on a bible study regarding the Holy Spirit that we will discuss at tonight's Kenya meeting.
The last question made me think. "In light of other scripture read today, how do you think we receive the fruit of the Spirit?"
I was thinking about how when we receive the Spirit of God, we also receive the fruit. The bible says we put off the sinful nature, that we are no longer controlled by it, but instead are controlled by the Spirit. And that if we live by the spirit we will no longer gratify the desires of the sinful nature (Gal 5).
A couple things about this.
FIRST: A couple years ago I gave a workshop at a women's retreat about "moldy vegetables." Some of you, friends, may remember this. I spoke about the things in our lives that we don't want to talk about or acknowledge, and how our lives can be like refrigerators - full of vegetables - some fresh and some not so fresh, and how hard it is to force yourself to open the vegetable drawer and take out those moldy smelly vegies. But that if we don't remove them and clean out that drawer, the mold will spread and infect even the fresh vegies until our entire fridge reeks and we are afraid to open it when we have people over. People go to open the door and we're like - "OH, we just drink tap water around here - nothing for you to see in that appliance!" Because we are ashamed that we can't even keep our own house clean.
What a glorious thing, that with Jesus we can clean out that fridge at any time without embarassment - and even better, Jesus sticks his hands into that drawer (without gloves, even!) and just pulls out those vegies, throws them in the trash, ties it up and even takes it to the dumpster for us. Then he sends in his assistant to clean that fridge until it shines. Its like he says to us, "I know you can't do this job. But I can, and I love you and will do it for you, if you really want it to be cleaned." Well, the assistant is the Holy Spirit, who purifies our impurities and cleanses us through. And then he works like "Arm and Hammer" to keep out the stench and to help us stay clean.
But the thing is that we keep buying vegies - because we like them and want to be healthy - but sometimes we leave them in too long again and anyway.... you get what I'm saying.
In fact, recently a gal who I know approached me and said, "I have to show my room to a campus tour and I don't have time to clean it and its REALLY, REALLY messy" (that was my paraphrase). I encouraged her to ask a friend for help and that it wouldn't take as long as she feared. But get this - when she got home, some friends of hers had gotten her extra key and were in the process of cleaning her room for her. Pretty amazing. That is Holy Spirit work to me. God knows our needs and will find a way, if we are seeking him. These friends exemplified what it means to be a Christian, and to live according to the Spirit.
SECOND. So I was thinking about the refrigerator and the moldy vegies, because of the question above. I was thinking about how the Holy Spirit is like a grandmother who comes to visit and she brings all this great stuff with her - baked goods, homemade presents, etc. She offers all of it to you, but in order for you to really have it, in order for it to be part of you, you have to reach out and take it from her, and then put it to use - either eating it, or sitting under it (if its a blanket) or whatever.
And I was thinking the Holy Spirit is like a friend who stocked your refrigerator with good things - apples, pears, strawberries, peaches, etc. Well, that friend can sit with you at your kitchen table all day long and you can never reach into the icebox for an apple. In fact, you might reach past the apple and grab the Coke or pull ice cream out of the freezer instead. Your friend isn't going to force you to eat the apple or peaches - even though those are better for you.
The Holy Spirit is like that. By receiving him into our home (our body) we have access to all these good things: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, but if we don't reach for them and use it - or eat of it - we will not necessarily be living by the Spirit and shutting down the desires of the sinful nature.
I'll admit it - I like ice cream. Frankly, broccoli (though good) is not an adequate subsitute to my brain, my heart, my stomach - I like ice cream better. But when I stop eating ice cream for a while and eat other things (broccoli included) instead, I feel better. My body feels better. Now, I don't necessarily realize this when I'm eating the better things, but I do realize it when I go back to ice cream and I feel tired, lethargic, sick to my stomach and when my pulse changes. Then I realize how much better I feel eating things that are good for me.
I realize that by eating good (better) things I am starving my desire for sweets, which makes it die (slowly, but truly) and I am stoking my desire for good things. When I eat better, I want to work out more, read more, pray more. When I eat less well, well.... I want to eat more and sit more.
I have to be proactive to eat healthy. I have to be proactive to live the fruits of the spirit. I can't say, "Hey, I guess I'll just be loving today because the holy spirit dropped a big bushel of love apples in my fridge" - I have to grab the apple and take a bite - which will make me want to offer apples to those around me and then I'll BE loving. I have to make a choice to BE peaceful in the face of frustration, to BE joyful in the face of grief, to BE gentle when I want to be harsh.
I don't always do this stuff very well. But I'm going to try to be more proactive now.
And to eat more fruits.
Blessings to you today! Love, Tiff
Today, I was working on a bible study regarding the Holy Spirit that we will discuss at tonight's Kenya meeting.
The last question made me think. "In light of other scripture read today, how do you think we receive the fruit of the Spirit?"
I was thinking about how when we receive the Spirit of God, we also receive the fruit. The bible says we put off the sinful nature, that we are no longer controlled by it, but instead are controlled by the Spirit. And that if we live by the spirit we will no longer gratify the desires of the sinful nature (Gal 5).
A couple things about this.
FIRST: A couple years ago I gave a workshop at a women's retreat about "moldy vegetables." Some of you, friends, may remember this. I spoke about the things in our lives that we don't want to talk about or acknowledge, and how our lives can be like refrigerators - full of vegetables - some fresh and some not so fresh, and how hard it is to force yourself to open the vegetable drawer and take out those moldy smelly vegies. But that if we don't remove them and clean out that drawer, the mold will spread and infect even the fresh vegies until our entire fridge reeks and we are afraid to open it when we have people over. People go to open the door and we're like - "OH, we just drink tap water around here - nothing for you to see in that appliance!" Because we are ashamed that we can't even keep our own house clean.
What a glorious thing, that with Jesus we can clean out that fridge at any time without embarassment - and even better, Jesus sticks his hands into that drawer (without gloves, even!) and just pulls out those vegies, throws them in the trash, ties it up and even takes it to the dumpster for us. Then he sends in his assistant to clean that fridge until it shines. Its like he says to us, "I know you can't do this job. But I can, and I love you and will do it for you, if you really want it to be cleaned." Well, the assistant is the Holy Spirit, who purifies our impurities and cleanses us through. And then he works like "Arm and Hammer" to keep out the stench and to help us stay clean.
But the thing is that we keep buying vegies - because we like them and want to be healthy - but sometimes we leave them in too long again and anyway.... you get what I'm saying.
In fact, recently a gal who I know approached me and said, "I have to show my room to a campus tour and I don't have time to clean it and its REALLY, REALLY messy" (that was my paraphrase). I encouraged her to ask a friend for help and that it wouldn't take as long as she feared. But get this - when she got home, some friends of hers had gotten her extra key and were in the process of cleaning her room for her. Pretty amazing. That is Holy Spirit work to me. God knows our needs and will find a way, if we are seeking him. These friends exemplified what it means to be a Christian, and to live according to the Spirit.
SECOND. So I was thinking about the refrigerator and the moldy vegies, because of the question above. I was thinking about how the Holy Spirit is like a grandmother who comes to visit and she brings all this great stuff with her - baked goods, homemade presents, etc. She offers all of it to you, but in order for you to really have it, in order for it to be part of you, you have to reach out and take it from her, and then put it to use - either eating it, or sitting under it (if its a blanket) or whatever.
And I was thinking the Holy Spirit is like a friend who stocked your refrigerator with good things - apples, pears, strawberries, peaches, etc. Well, that friend can sit with you at your kitchen table all day long and you can never reach into the icebox for an apple. In fact, you might reach past the apple and grab the Coke or pull ice cream out of the freezer instead. Your friend isn't going to force you to eat the apple or peaches - even though those are better for you.
The Holy Spirit is like that. By receiving him into our home (our body) we have access to all these good things: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, but if we don't reach for them and use it - or eat of it - we will not necessarily be living by the Spirit and shutting down the desires of the sinful nature.
I'll admit it - I like ice cream. Frankly, broccoli (though good) is not an adequate subsitute to my brain, my heart, my stomach - I like ice cream better. But when I stop eating ice cream for a while and eat other things (broccoli included) instead, I feel better. My body feels better. Now, I don't necessarily realize this when I'm eating the better things, but I do realize it when I go back to ice cream and I feel tired, lethargic, sick to my stomach and when my pulse changes. Then I realize how much better I feel eating things that are good for me.
I realize that by eating good (better) things I am starving my desire for sweets, which makes it die (slowly, but truly) and I am stoking my desire for good things. When I eat better, I want to work out more, read more, pray more. When I eat less well, well.... I want to eat more and sit more.
I have to be proactive to eat healthy. I have to be proactive to live the fruits of the spirit. I can't say, "Hey, I guess I'll just be loving today because the holy spirit dropped a big bushel of love apples in my fridge" - I have to grab the apple and take a bite - which will make me want to offer apples to those around me and then I'll BE loving. I have to make a choice to BE peaceful in the face of frustration, to BE joyful in the face of grief, to BE gentle when I want to be harsh.
I don't always do this stuff very well. But I'm going to try to be more proactive now.
And to eat more fruits.
Blessings to you today! Love, Tiff
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