Day 20: Hey, Turn It Up! (September 23, 2008)

            Uncle Thomas took center stage this morning and gave a devotion based on how the Pharisees, a sect of religious rulers during Jesus’ ministry, were such hypocrites when they should have been godly men. He spoke on how we, as Christians, find ourselves so many times being individuals who can say wonderfully profound things but can’t find the passion within us to live out our convictions. Offering is a big deal in churches here so everyone in the congregation dances down to the plates on Sunday mornings. Thomas said that we like to do the dancing to the front of the church but many times only pretend to give a gift back to God. He does a great job of making things culturally relevant here.

            I started my new assignment today in the Monitoring and Evaluation section of the Clinic. It is the data processing group so my first job was to take the patients already put into the computer system and write them into a government directory which they will take in a few weeks. It is a bit tedious and, because of my attitude towards handwriting, really makes my hand hurt. Though my current task isn’t the most fun I really enjoy the atmosphere. The ten other M&E staff are my age, there is constant American and Nigerian hip-hop blaring from speakers, and all the girls wear heels. Basically I feel like I am back in my classes at Edison. I think I am going to have a more difficult time remembering everyone’s names since we don’t get to look at each other as much as other departments! This takes up my morning and afternoon shifts at Faith Alive so I will have to get used to writing hundreds of dates and names every day. If I wasn’t helping them out so much I would probably ask for a job that would allow me to step outside...

            Adrie started her task of calculating all ARV drugs given out over the past six months in the pharmacy so we were both really out of it by the end of the day. We ate dinner (Mac and cheese plus fresh papaya) and I started my first of several hundred loads of hand-washed laundry. It is pretty fun to try and wring out your jeans over a bucket in the bathtub. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that everything will be dry by next week! We decided there was not much we could do besides stare at the wall so we chose the next best thing and watched Across the Universe on my laptop. There is something very bizarre about finishing a movie and coming back to reality in Nigeria. Sometimes I forget that I am really here.

Six Months

After multiple Google searches I have discovered there is no symbol or gift that represents six months of a relationship. Which makes sense because, honestly, in the grand scheme of things, that isn't a very long time to be a part of someone's life.

Unless you have spent six months at North Fresno Church.

People who have worked in a setting that forces you to create a culture quickly--camp staff, fire crews, team teachers--understand there are some areas where you must discover your role and agenda almost immediately. You live in close quarters, do everything together on your work and social calendars, and maybe even split the cost of utilities/groceries/Redbox rentals. (I miss you, Wabern!)

This isn't quite like that.

This is more than setting routine with coworkers or accomplishing big tasks through team initiative.
This is more than creating goals, making lists, and following through with plans.
This is more than sitting on the couch every night and watching (or not) The Walking Dead together.

This is six months of making a community PART of your life. Not ALL of it.

And it is the best.

So in honor of this non-anniversary, I want to share six things I love about being a part of NFC:

1. The airport is a normal hangout spot. Whether a team is being sent on a trip, an out-of-town guest is arriving, or an individual is heading off into a new chapter of life you will find a large group standing in the terminal. Even before breakfast.

2. There is ALWAYS something going on. On any given day you will encounter someone in the office, a person fixing something outside, preschoolers and chalk drawings, a basketball game, arias from a practicing choir, and people having conversation in the parking lot.

3. Our kids understand who God is better than most professors of theology. From our preschoolers to our teenagers, it seems the best person to seek out with a Big Question around here is someone younger than you. These kids love being part of the Kingdom and will tell you about it. They will also tell you about the best dance moves and coolest superheroes.

4. People spend time together. Outside of church. On days other than Sunday. "Plancake" breakfasts, pool parties, and game nights are happening all over the place and it is the best way to turn your see-them-once-a-week friends into real family.

5a. Questions are encouraged. Everyone in this community is given the freedom to ask questions--without anyone rolling their eyes. There is no stigma to "question your faith" and individuals are able to think about the bigger facets of life with someone by their side. They are open to thinking through radical and sometimes contraversial thoughts...

5b. And no one pretends to have all the answers. But if you do want some clarity talk to a child. (See #3 above)

6. They love well. This is a community that is ushering in the Kingdom and strives to love God and each other in all they do. People don't see volunteering their time as an obligation, giving their resources as a charity, or serving others as work. Everything is done because of love. And I feel that love for me.

And I love them, too.

Happy Six Months, NFC Family!