Surprise Embrace

I was once called a "planet."  A planet is a person that looks ahead, makes plans and has every detail accounted for prior to any endeavor. 

The Guatemala trip this year is no different; extra zip lock baggies in case, extra glasses in case...oops we will be going to Ocumbla, socks in case we see Brenda from last year. 

Brenda is a small girl with Juvenile Arthritis and going bare foot or wearing the cheap rubber shoes year up her feet. I looked forward to seeing Brenda. Last year she touched my heart. 

Another girl that touched my heart was Evelyn. I met her in Oquen. She was tiny, round faced and smiling. The day we pulled out of Guatemala, heading for Antigua, I chose Evelyn to sponsor in the Embrace Program. Brenda's nutritional health was not poor enough to qualify which should tell you how starved Evelyn was. 

Being a "planet" I looked at the itinerary and thought ok, "Friday, new village, Saturday, LaPuente (need a jacket)... Wednesday, Ocumbla and Brenda. The planet's planner was set. 

Imagine my dismay when Tuesday I realized I had read and remembered incorrectly! We were going to Ocumbla but to Oquen. Oh, well. (I got to the "oh well" place after a bit of stewing.) And then it hit me early Wednesday morning Oquen meant Evelyn. When serving for Servant ministries, if you have a child you sponsor through Embrace you can arrange to meet that child ahead of time. In my confusion and mis-planning, I missed the ahead of time window. In fact, I bag an to second guess if Evelyn really lived in Oquen or not. 

Serving in triage we watch for names for other sponsors' children. As I carefully scanned for names, Robin's child comes through. I give up on seeing Evelyn, chastising myself for not planning better. <sigh>

Then, a small child walks in. Round face, tiny... It looks like Evelyn. But her name is Vidalia. She was only 2. She was not Evelyn. Then I hear the mother chattering say, "Padrina, Padrina!" (Patron) I have no clue until I retrieve the paperwork of the next child! It was Evelyn  her face no longer moon-shaped. But her eyes still the same. Her smile lit up the room and I grabbed her, hugged her and probably sacred her to death!!!

I felt so much joy meeting her, seeing her village and her family. I was please to see her health was much better. She is still battling worms but will always. She has a latrine and a water filter so life can be better. Her weight is much better. Her smile was huge. You will not see the smile in these pictures. Most all Ch' orti children either become solomn or cover their mouths when you take pictures.

But this girl will thrive. She is spunky. Later, several hours after her clinic appointment she charmed her way past the seasoned Pastor Armando, and a few others claiming she wished to meet her Padrina!! Once she got to me, she batted her eyes, looked at me sweetly and said, "dulce?" Ahh a girl after my own heart she had managed to use her beautiful smile, big brown eyes and hug to snag another handful of candy!

That's my girl!!

Now for sure I left a piece of my heart back in Oquen. 

Church Questions I Ponder #1

So today I did have a post I feel compelled to share. I feel it will start a new trend about church questions I just need answers to. Please feel free to post comments or answers. It would help so I don't lose sleep over these conundrums. 

This chandelier is is hanging in the Narthex of the church in Jocaton, Guatemala. Jocaton is a small town near Chiquimula, Guatemala. (Southeast Guatemala)

So the "Church Question I Ponder" today is...

Why is it the goal of every church to have a chandelier?

I have nothing against chandeliers, really. But even when they don't seem to match the style of the church, it seems as though there is some contingent of folks pushing to get or keep the chandelier. 

The current church I serve is case in point. This church was an old military chapel that was dismantled and reconstructed where it presently sits. It is rustic, beautiful and simple...except for the chandelier in the Narthex. No one ever mentions it. It almost seems as though it has been forgotten. 

The light fixtures in the sanctuary are wood and rough and quite beautiful. Not at all like the brass and crystal shiney piece that hangs overhead as people enter. 

This chandelier in the church today was in a concrete room, painted purple. With wooden, backless benches for seating. While it looked beautiful, it didn't seem to fit. It is as though to be a church you must have a chandelier. 

These aren't the only two churches I know. Does your church have a chandelier? Anyone have any answers?

Cumbria de la Arada Clinic Day 3

Today was good - today was weird; weird beyond the standard weird you get going to a foreign country as a non-medical person to work a medical mission on a team with a few people you know and many you don't. Weird in a way I can only describe this way: 

The ride was different. It was more vertically challenging than usual. (Imagine that!) We experienced a short period of a paved road and the rest was deep, scary ruts; at least a foot deep. 

We had to walk part way because the truck could carry us and make it up the hillside with out us tumbling back. 

Today way weird because the clinic was in a home, not a church or school. This clinic was in the village that inspired Brandon Mullins and Becky Whitney to get Homestead United Methodist Church to move for pencils. The children were sitting on rocks and doing their work by scratching into stone with sewing needles. Multiple folks sent I pencils to this school and many others in addition to Homestead UMC's collection of 22,000. The school was in such a precarious place down a steep narrow trail a man offered his home for the clinic. 

The weirdness continued with triage and dental being set up in open air. To add to the fun we had a tarp with no instructuons. Suffice it to say, if tent poles need stability, bamboo and packing tape work. No walls make it hard to move people when the people speak Chorti and no one on the team speaks Chorti. We had a few "runners"!

And hiders.

We had the usual bugs (or something like that) were removed from ears, bloody stools, (sorry TMI) and surgery. Sorry. No pictures. I would lose my G rating. 

But let me end by sharing the two top weird experiences of the day!

A Guatemalan Bee Hive!

And an ice cream truck. And yes, they play the same song everywhere!!! And no we didn't eat the ice cream. 

Check out Facebook Monica Beal Mowdy for more pictures of the day. 

Above the Clouds

Today - following a 90 minute (or more) truck ride straight up a mountin (hence the name above the clouds) we arrived at LaPuente. (Give or take a flat tire) 

There were folks waiting for us ready to be seen by the doctor. Today went as expected. Lots of people - lots of faces - lots of sickness and bad teeth. 

High notes of the day where babies and kids and connections. Today I got to see sweet tiny babies leave with a brand new hat made by Miss Mertie at church. Nothing better than some Tennessee grandma knitting to warm up a cold baby.  It was cold up on top of that mountain. 

Our new friend and interpreter, Ferdy, took the time to read the notes our Sunday school children and youth wrote for them. When Ferdy read a note from one of our kids that said, "I am praying for you," his mother sent Ferdy to find me and make sure I came home and told that child, "Thank you!" Thank you, Haley.  The little boy you are praying for may be facing cataract surgery if we can find a way to fund it. 

As usual the Cracker Jack medical staff made differences in many lives! From pulling teeth that were so bad they were causing other health problems, to making sure all the health based were covered they always shared God's holy love with big smiles. Even when it was hard. FYI bugs in ears, left unattended will create hard, immovable barriers to hearing. 

This village was more open to us tall, strange looking Americans. Some of them even made friends. 

But as usual...the day always ended with dulce. Candy! 

Day Two from the Chiquimula Internet Cafe

Day Two. Actual Mission work begins. 

Many of you may wonder how it is that I am blogging and posting on social media; tenacity...sheer tenacity. Last year we were told no internet would be available. But leave it to me, I found the only 10 foot by 10 foot area that cat tap into the ministry internet. Sooooo after asking for the password , voila, we are connected many, many likes apart. 

Woke up this Friday morning in the clothes I put on Wednesday evening. The first blessing of the day is my shower and clean scrubs and new underwear courtesy of my friend Robin from Chicago that had luggage.

Our morning began with breakfast and devotional time. Then the sorting begins which can only be described as organized chaos. To make this mission happen, medicine and supplies are shipped down many months before. The boxes are not much smaller than a Guatemalan home. Everything is lumped together so sorting between the six clinic days and also into work stations like triage, nursing, doctor, pharmacy and dental takes time but time is short. We finish, pray, eat and load the truck and go. 

This clinic is in a new spot, in a school house. Even with that we see old friends that came down the mountain. 

This little lady is 80 years old. She has never worn shoes. She walks everywhere. She always hugs each of us and thanks us. Her face is worn but not as much as her clothing but her spirit is fresh and bright. 

We only saw about 138 patients today which is less than half of a typical day here in Chiquimula. Enjoy some pictures of today. Tomorrow I will try to do better. 

This little guys is a month old. His mama is 16. 

I couldn't quit watching this sweety. She was so tiny. 

It is a precious blessing to hold each person's hand as they come through triage. 

Tonight I get tondream dreams of clean clothes that are mine and wake up tomorrow to head to La Puente. It is a sweet village where we may see some old friends again.

Go Thereforing

I have been asked this question again this year. Why do I do this? Sitting and waiting in Miami after 8 hours looking towards the next 10 hours of travel I admit. The question comes to mind. We have a 3-4 hour lay over in Miami so I have plenty of time to ponder the answer. 

Of course, the Sinday school answere is found in Matthew 28:19..."Go therefor and make disciples, all the nations baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I am "go the refor-ing."

But really, this is why I go...

For the Brenda's in Guatemala. The hungry, hurting and those in need of healing. I feel called to be among these people to recalibrate my internal compass that calls me into caring relationships with others. I am a better pastor when reminded that there are people in need; truly in need. It hurts my heart and a wounded heart is more fertile for God to send me to serve the hurting. 

Look here and I will post as often and as much as I can. Let me take you with me in this journey. 

Mattering in All Things

Often what I write comes from what I read. I am inspired by the blending of my thoughts and ideas with the inspirations of others; theologians, scripture, even the wisdom of a near two year-old, sassy girl. It is almost like a latte. You know those lattes you get in the hipster coffee houses in Nashville? They are dark with a beautiful creamy swirl painting a picture that goes beyond a cup of coffee. I think like espresso; strong, deep and often with a dark tone that could sometimes be like a wake-up slap in the face. BAM Espresso! But with a lovely, creamy, well crafted layer the picture and flavor profile is much more palatable and enjoyable.

This morning, following my usual scripture reading, devotional time and prayer time, I felt led to check in with my friend JD Walt. JD was the Dean of the Chapel at Asbury Theological Seminary when I attended. JD now is the chief sower for Seedbed, a resourcing endeavor for leaders, teachers, pastors and others in the business of discipleship (shouldn't we all be) in the Wesleyan Tradition. JD's blog, Seedbed Daily Text became the influential reading of the day. 

My latest passion I wanted to write about is that we so often ignore important aspects of our life as change agents in God's Kingdom. We too often put mundane minutia before what we are truly called, as followers of Christ, to do. We pick up the cleaning, we watch an "important" ball game...we blog. We do this all before we take care of what matters. Wait?!?!? What does matter? My in-your-face style wants to scream, get off your butts, quit worrying about your comfort and interest and do something for someone else that needs you to be Christ in their life! BAM! Espresso!

Enter JD! Well actually his daughter Lily. JD writes, based on Proverbs 12:10 about his daughter discovering that everything matters. In this particular blog, the everything that mattered for little Lily was God's creation, in this case a turtle. A lowly turtle. But Lily discovered that this small creature matters to God; in her words, "everything matters"! Why yes it does Lily! Everything of God matters to God and therefor should matter to us.  There are so many areas of life that I just pass by, not caring as if it isn't my concern But it is God's concern. So I should care. Because everything matters. There is nothing too small or insignificant for God to care. 

There is wisdom in Proverbs, in wise pastor/preacher/writer friends but more importantly, those with fresh eyes and fewer of life's important distractions in their lives. Those people that can do small things for a big God and realize that small cares are as important as big cares are impactful. Why? Because to God all things great and small are of equal and profound importance and those less encumbered by the world can see that. 

I am headed to get coffee to begin my day - then looking for something to care for. I plan to not wait for something to fall in my lap. Mattering is all about intentionality. I won't have to look hard, because as Lily said, "everything matters."

It Wasn't Stalking Really

I was looking through social media this morning after doing my Bible study and prayer time. I have recently switched my schedule and wait to check social media until I spend time with God (duh!) Since the switch up I find myself looking upon what I see with different eyes. Before, I would get caught up in the blogs, memes and the statuses that people post. Now, I find myself truly looking at the individual person and wondering what is going on in their lives; are they happy, healthy and doing well?


In my near 10 years in ministry I have been blessed to be the officiant for at least a dozen weddings of wither of my daughters friends from high school or college. I have also been able to attend another two dozen weddings from the same group. First of all it is hard to believe that I am old enough to sit in the weddings of girls who had sleepovers at my home that included nail polishing, dress up, giggling and toilet papering boys yards. The fact remains that each one of them have grown up to be beautiful young women. Some of them have stayed close to home in our small town and others have moved far away. Over the years I have become connected through social media with the girls themselves, or their parents and other people they went to school with that may not have been those that were "besties." Today I saw a girl that I had, although I hadn't attended her wedding, and she wasn't one of the girls that hung out at our house, I knew her and her family through town and school connections. I remembered looking at her beautiful wedding pictures a few years ago. she was a beautiful bride in a beautiful setting. She looked happy. But now I saw the same smiles but no evidence of her husband. The next thing I knew I was looking into her profile, checking pictures, even looking to see if her relationship status had changed. It was as if I had turned into a private investigator or worse yet, a stalker. 

Simultaneously I felt guilty for stalking and sad if she was having a rough time. It troubled me so much I caught myself wondering if I should call her friends or family to find out or even reach out to her. What should I do?? How would I know how to care for her, pray for her?

Then smack! God doesn't need me to know what is wrong. I don't need to know if she is sad or if her life is fine to pray for her. If anyone has come to my mind then that is God's cue to lift them up. Love can be sent with out any contact at all. 

Breaking that sort of news to people that aren't really in your inner circle of your life is hard. Having gone through a divorce (thank goodness, BSM - before social media) is tough. You almost feel as though you are expected to put an ad on a billboard. People almost seem offended you didn't call. I guess the discomfort of another is more important that your as that point, right? 

God's conviction freed me from having to know what's going on in everyone's life to hold them in prayer; to lift them up. I can now pray without trying to micromanage God.

Ouch! Thanks God!

Sassifrass: Enter with Boldness

Sassi is just shy of her second birthday. Most of you that have raised children know that the label "Terrible Twos" carries great weight. It is terrible but only for those trying to tame the two year. old. Sassi being who she is a always ahead of the curve; embracing her twoness already. Granted she has always been one to exert her independence but of late she is pushing slightly on the boundaries to see that point where they will budge no further. She likes to look at the world around her as her world and all the people are her people. She struts confidently through life boldly going where no one will go for fear of people pointing and staring.



Church is a case in point. Her church boldness started this way. Standing in the pew, "dancing" with the big girls. She may always be a step behind but her arms would go where there arms had just gone, flowing and swaying with determination. 


But pew dancing transformed into a more full body experience; boldly moving into the aisle. She began to stand and follow their movements, still a step behind, occasionally rendered frozen in awe of the liturgical dancers ability to move so freely. 

But then this happened. She went from boldly dancing and watching in the aisle to joining in worship standing, in the aisle, with her full body! As the doxology began and those in the chancel area raised arms to indicate worship and praise to the Holy One from whom all blessing flow - so did Sassi. Although I absolutely adore this picture that her Papa took from the balcony, I wish everyone could see what I saw from the pulpit; her face. She wasn't just mimicking other people's movements. I know this because I saw the glorious, open mouthed, in awe grin. As she boldly entered the presence of the Lord throwing caution to the wind she enjoyed something that many of us may miss in worship - feeling, seeing knowing God.

In fairness, Sassi approaches everything with confidence and abandon. Her first ride on hr Christmas trike. Although Dad is close enough for safety, she has no clue nor no care where he is. She is ready to go!




Here she is telling Papa how to make sausage balls trying to run the mixer, handle the scoop and with her eyes keep him in line.

Sassi helping preach the sermon.

There are no limits to her boldness for approaching life but in church, during worship, she has a freedom to engage in the fullness of worship, dancing, singing, praising, even helping with preaching. She is blessed to be in a church family that not only tolerates her freedom but encourages it. I am sure someone has a problem, but they are intuitive enough to keep it to themselves. There are too many people that encourage her bold engagement in church and worship. Fortunately, her ever diligent parents are there to reign her in when boldness moves into precociousness. Although, in fairness, she is encouraged in that too by those who love her. 

What if we were so bold, in worship, in praise? Hebrews 4:16 says, "So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most." Most of us have reasons for coming to church and many more have reasons for not going to church. But the reason we are to go to is stated plainly and emphatically in this scripture passage. We go because we need His grace; His mercy. We are urged to go boldly and eagerly to receive His great gifts and blessings. 

What is your attitude/approach when you go? Are you boldly embracing what is available to you or are you passively waiting for God to deliver like a Domino's pizza carrier? Or do strut into that church as if you own the place (you do) and boldly go straight to that altar of God and engage in worship? Just asking...

And why do we? Because..Hebrews 1:3

"He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,"