Archive for June, 2010

  • 23 Jun

    Posted by
    emily


    Category

    Disenchantment

    0

    It had taken me years to get back into a holy-spirit filled church movement after alot of stuff happened in high school. And I was back into it from 2008, up until now. And I am getting back out.

    I am so disenchanted with it. Not with Holy Spirit, no, I still love Holy Spirit. But I am disenchanted with the way things tend to work in the more “out-there” Holy Spirit ministries. I am not including Iris in this at all. Iris has issues, yes, but thats more because Mozambican culture has issues, and Mozambicans make up the majority of Iris. I love Iris.

    That said, the other big organizations are so concerned about numbers, that they take shortcuts legally, they run over “little” people who arent working for them. They threaten others to shut up so their own numbers can grow.

    They count how many headaches were healed, and forget to hug the person who wasn’t healed, rolling themselves out of the meeting in their wheelchair. I am not saying that a headache healed is nothing, but the numbers don’t tell the whole story.

    I am done with it. No more. I should’ve learned my lesson back in high school. I should’ve stayed out of it. But, no, I decided to go back in. And I’m out again.

    Maybe it was my knowledge that Holy Spirit is real, and can heal, and is a great partner in God’s work that made me go back in. I loved going to The Call, and Iris, and YPI. But then finding out the backstory to these places, makes me want out, and out now.

    But I still am not giving up on Iris. I know Mama Aida. I know her missionaries. They are real, humble ppl. Not concerned about numbers. They just love ppl. Simple. Thats all I want. And Holy Spirit. I don’t want big-ness or fame or all the pride that goes with that. I want Africa.

  • 18 Jun

    Posted by
    emily


    Category

    I am witness to a Lie

    0

    I am witness to a lie.

    The lie that claims their photos as my own. The lie that profits from my loss. The lie that refuses to acknowledge the artist. The lie that is puffed up by pride.

    I am saddened to see the cd that has my stolen photos on it was released without any further resolution. The prideful producer refused to acknowledge me, refused to talk to me.

    The pride that puffs up is the pride that will destroy. Pride comes before a fall.

    All I wanted was some resolution. For the Pride to say “Ok, I was wrong, they are YOUR photos, and I didnt take them myself”.

    I am further and further disappointed and disenchanted with the Large. The Large is powerful and its power fuels the lies. Power intimidates and threatens the small to shut up.

    I cannot lose any more than I have already lost. I cannot be at peace with the release of the cd without even giving me any acknowledgment or thanks for the beautiful photos. I say beautiful, not because I think my photos are the best, but because, if they were used, then someone who used them must have thought they were worth taking and using. Someone must have thought they were worth stealing.

    Those who own nothing of value never get things stolen. Those who posses expensive gadgets can have their possessions stolen. Those who are creative can have their very heart stolen.

    I am seeking to take back what is mine. I am guarding my heart, my artwork, I am trying to let things go, to let things be.

    But I cannot see how Pride can say they are so holy. I cannot see how Pride can still make things work.

    I can only pray that the antithesis of Pride, Love Himself, would come and break Pride down so that the Lie will not pervade my life anymore. So that the Lie cannot live anymore.

    That Love Himself would make Himself known. All credit goes to Love Himself. The keeper of my heart. The keeper of my artwork.

  • 15 Jun

    Posted by
    emily


    Category

    The Journey Project- June 2010

    2

    The Journey Project- June 2010

    Happy Endings
    Upon my arrival back at Orfanato Cristo Vivo in May, after having been back in the states for a month, I was a little disappointed to hear that some of my favorite kids had left. Sometimes, when kids leave the children’s home, they go back with parents who still neglect them, and the kids are unhappy. Or they go to another institution that is not necessarily Christian. Or they go with a family member who can’t provide for them. I was concerned for their well-being.

    Surprisingly, little Raquel and her 4 brothers, all went back with their parents! Their mother came back to their father, and they are living with both parents again. The older kids are still at the same school and see the kids from Cristo Vivo there everyday. The kids are really happy to be back with their parents. The kids are doing really well, and we are so happy their story had a happy ending for this chapter!

    Water Filter
    We have purchased and installed a water filter in the cafeteria at Cristo Vivo! The filter is directly hooked up to the pipes, so there is no re-filling of containers to do. The old re-fillable water filters were broken and moldy. We decided that clean water for the kids was worth investing in, and a local church in Brasilia gave us money to buy the filter. Now the kids can drink clean water and not have to worry about getting sick from their water!

    Summer Outreach Team
    We have 3 Americans from Connecticut joining The Journey Project in Brasilia during the month of July! We are excited for the ways that they are going to be able to help, as well as for the things that God is going to teach us. We will be helping at Cristo Vivo, visiting another children’s home, helping at a daycare for children from a poor community, and doing some other creative outreaches around Brasilia.

    Ways you can help!
    Even if you can’t come to Brazil this summer, you can still help us make the summer successful!

    Please, pray for us! Pray that all of the details get worked out and pray for safety for everyone as they are traveling to Brazil. Pray that all flight connections get made on time! Pray that the kids are receptive to us coming and that their lives will be changed.

    Consider supporting us financially! While the volunteers who are coming are paying their own way, we do need some additional funding to help us get to Cristo Vivo and the other outreach locations, as well as covering some living expenses. If you are able to financially support us this summer, please make checks payable to “Harvest Christian Center” and write “Brazil” on the memo line. Send tax-deductible checks to: 302 Soundview Ave, Shelton, CT, 06484. Or visit our website at http://thejourneyproject.org/1/donate.html to donate online. Any amount is greatly appreciated.

    Tell your friends! Join our group on facebook, follow our blogs, pass along our newsletters, and spread the word! We are starting a Love Revolution with the forgotten and rejected in Brazil and we want the world to come along on our Journey!

    Thank you for your continued support! God bless you all and have a wonderful summer!

    -Emily Bair
    contact@thejourneyproject.org