AWIP: Learning has different meaning

"A Week In Pictures" (AWIP) captures the ups, downs, ins, and outs of my journey here with the Refugees and World Relief. Pictures may not be of best quality, due to sporadic and sometimes unexpected moments, but you'll get picture (pun intended). 

* * * * * * *

This week its been all about learning and somehow, 

that's taken on a different meaning.

  

DAY 1

Decorating for instance adds

hospitality and warmth.

A young Nepali child entered in

and said, 

"I think I will live here."

My grin was from ear to ear. 

DAY 2

Orientation in Ministry can mean

- thorough observation of ongoing activities

- reading through a "new kid" binder

- learning a few words in a different language

- finding new friends from afar

DAY 2

And here, at La Dera and World Relief

 Ministry looks a lot like relationship.

Relationship comes from love.

Love comes from Christ.

I think I like learning about
 Ministry here at La Dera.

 DAY 3

Reunion is a beautiful thing,

especially with Refugees.

I haven't seen my family in 3 days. 

They haven't seen their family in years.

* * * 

Learning a Second Language
takes patience from both sides.
Patience is also a learning process...

::Here's a shout out to all my teacher friends,
ESL classes, and those who know more than
one language. YOU ROCK:: 

Sometimes, if a refugee only learns the words:

apple

pineapple

nose 

lip

and eye

(and can point to them),

I get REALLY happy. 

 

 DAY 4


College Registration and FAFSA. 
What more can I say?
If you're a student, were a student, want to be a student
you know what I mean.
 

I thought I'd escaped that,
...but for some reason
I was MORE than happy
to assist my friend in this process.
 

* * * 

And for all families...
they must be welcomed in
with a good ol' fashioned orientation.
 

(Couldn't escape that one either.)
 

However,
so grateful to sit in on this part...
learning what they have to learn
helps me understand how far
they have to come, and how much
they have to do...
so I know where I can help them.

 

 DAY 5

Hospitality continues to bewilder me.

No matter what, 

you always get the best stuff...

Despite Ramadan

and a much more limited budget

I've never felt so welcomed.

 

 

DAY 5

Orange juice is a regular drink
'round these parts.
Milk, cookies and a book
can still happen on a Friday night
and rationing sweet tart chewy's through
out the week makes me appreciate
my sister so much...

 * * *
 
I love learning new things and I firmly believe 
we have a very Good Teacher. 


Even if learning takes you away from home,
to an impoverished area of a great big city,
in the home of a different nationality, religion or ethnicity 
I am right where I need to be.

What are some learning experiences that
have pulled you away from the 'comforts of home'?