Secret Love Notes

The lyrics to a song I've never heard race through my mind. But they don't stop there.

I feel the words run through my body, their meaning saturating my life. Here I sit, cup in hand, behind the snack shop at my school. Students finally in class, the campus quiets. Winter brings chilled halls and freezing offices making usual chit-chat with the teachers a bit difficult in the cold, early mornings.

Out here, the sunshine brings an escape from the cold, generously giving my body a break.

Here I sit, cup in hand, behind the snack shop. The lyrics to a song I've never heard race through my mind.

More than words, they come to life -- my life.

As the sunshine warms my face, my world -- the one I live in, the one I left at home, the one I've created in my dreams, all of it -- comes to life. I am unimaginably blessed. With my eyes closed, I hear the world around me: I hear birds, wind, friends, voices of family in Hawaii, friends in Seattle, the beach, the lake, I hear laughter. I hear.

To know no other sunshine, than the sunshine
of your face...

Content to let the world go by,

To know no gain or loss.

My sinful self my only shame

My glory all the Cross.

-Beneath the Cross of Christ

I don't live on the moon and let the world pass by in front of me. I live here and now. I live.

As I look around (in front of me is a barren field, behind me is an unpaved road, to my right is an unfinished building, and to my left is a dusty courtyard) I see life. In this barren field? Unpaved road? Where?

There are times when His words seem to find their grave in the Bible. As if it doesn't exist or take life until we read, meditate, and reflect. His Word existed before the Book was compiled and will continue to exist long after the pages wither. This in no way is meant to depreciate the Bible. We live in the world created by His Word -- His words surround us. His words dwell within us -- written on our hearts.

Open your eyes.

I love these moments when I realize that He's always here, always revealing His love like secrets...secret love notes waiting to be found.

Except, NOT so secretive at all!

Are we looking?

Let's open our eyes to more fully see what He's already revealed.

The lyrics to a song I still haven't heard become more than words, they become life -- my life.

Not always an easy place to be......but I can't tell you anywhere else I'd rather find myself:

"beneath the Cross of Christ."

Playing in the Sandbox

Recently, I re-discovered that I am still very young and have many, many opportunities ahead of me. I said, "The world is my playground, and I haven't even left the swings." However, taking a quick glance around, I have obviously left the swings and found the sandbox!

"The world is my playground: I've left the swings and found the sandbox"

During my recent travels home, I met quite a few random people, which is inevitable for a person too curious not to talk to the person next to me. I will introduce you to two.

Person #1:

I can't remember her name (I wrote it down along with her email but am too lazy to get it at this moment), but after walking around Amsterdam Central for awhile, I returned to the airport and met Person #1. Five of us began chit-chatting -- all of us returning to the states from East and North Africa. However, person #1 and I talked for quite a while as she told me that she was visiting her friend in Uganda who recently started "Wrap Up Africa," an organization teaching moms of children in-patients at local hospitals to sew skirts, which are to be sold in the states, in order to provide funding to feed the in-patients (especially cancer patients) who are fed only when their families can afford to buy food (along with hospital bills) and bring it to their child. I bought a skirt. In fact, I am the first to buy a skirt from Wrap Up Africa. If anything, I will remember these children and this lady. As I find out more information, I will be sure to post it -- causes led by women who are helping other women are such an inspiration!

Person #2:

Hand out the window, fingers tapping to the beat on the steering wheel, and yes, the wind blowing my hair. I began my last day at home running errands. Instead of braving the traffic on the freeway, I decided to enjoy the backroads. Starting in Kalihi going up the ridges, into the valleys, and down into Nuuanu valley, the beauty of the island and culture left me enjoying the simplicity of the moment -- not trying to soak it all in, not trying to make the most of it, not trying....just being.

The night before, I planned to sneak out to one of my favorite spots after everyone went to sleep. However, as the time neared, I fell asleep. Now on the road, I realized that I don't have to fit in all of my favorite places, foods, people, etc, during my few days in paradise. I will return. This week gave me something to look forward to when I return. I will return. In the meanwhile, I have an adventure to continue abroad.

Anyway, I bought what I needed at Walmart (I enjoyed my moments of being THAT consumer who loves strolling down the aisles of Walmart -- love me, hate me, judge me! :), and Macys is next on my list. What? I don't need anything from Macys! Sure, they have sweet sales on clothes, but I don't need anymore clothes. These thoughts continued to run through my mind as I pulled out of the Walmart parking lot, down Keeamoku St. and into Ala Moana Shopping center. Due to construction, I parked on the opposite end of Macys and so, I began my trek across the mall to Macys, still wondering why I'm going there.

You need to know something about me: I really am not a fan of malls. My senses become overloaded way too fast. But here I am, my last day at home, in a mall, on my way to Macys for no apparent reason. Glancing around at the different kiosks, I get a whif of glue, craft glue. I keep on walking until I do a double-take on the kiosk I just walked past where, of course, the smell of modge podge gluey stuff is coming from. Ok, I'm not going to describe these bags, just check it out: http://encorebags.homestead.com/products.html

Essentially, Kelly (Person #2) and I started talking about the cooperative that she's partnering with (you can read the article written in the Honolulu Star Bulletin: http://starbulletin.com/2007/10/25/features/story02.html). For those living in Hawaii, you know what I mean when I say that when you're home in the islands, we really live a world apart from everything. Although I'm interested in global affairs, when I'm home, I have everyone and everything I love. So, although I was excited to return to Egypt, it's difficult to remember WHY. Kelly's aspirations to make a difference and help women a world away from her (in Philippines) reminded me why I'm here, which I'll save for later. Mutually encouraged, we hug. THEN she GAVE me one of the bags she was selling! It was a beautiful moment. I continued my trek to Macys until I repeated, aloud, "I DON'T NEED ANNNYYYTHING!" Thank the Lord. I will remember Kelly. I will remember these women she's helping. With my newest-eco friendly-recycled-let's-help-women addition to my bag collection, much needed inspiration, and a friendly hug from a stranger, I was ready to begin my 38 hours of travel back to my sandbox.

Well, go get some coffee, maybe a snack, and when you return I might just tell you about my 10 hour layover in Los Angelas or my 9 hour layover in Amsterdam, which resulted in four hours of train travel to and from Belgium.....or maybe I'll tell you some highlights about my trip.......or not. Either way, I'm learning a lot and have a lot to look forward to. My goal for my last five months here is to have FUN, FUN, FUUUUUN! I'll try to include you in on some of the ensuing excitement!

keeps going, going, going....and going.

Chad Rebels Surrounding Presidential Palace

Egypt reseals Gaza border breach

Seven killed in suicide blast on Lanka train

Kenya opposition urges peacekeepers

5 Shot Dead at Suburban Chicago Store

Iraqi Officials Say as Many as 100 Killed in Bombings at City Markets

fishy hands

2 Scissors, 2 sticks of glue, lots of paper, and even more smiles. A typical morning in the "Green Room" at the 57 3 57 Children's Hospital where I started volunteering this past Monday. Arriving around 10am, I spend the morning cutting, folding, drawing, and today, I got to be Aya's left hand (here left hand was too brusied from needles).

I work with the in-patients who have cancer. I hang out until 1:30ish teaching the children and their Mom's different crafts. These aren't complicated, technical crafts, just simple, easy, fold here, cut there, glue this types of crafts I learned growing up.

Every two weeks, the hospital has a party for the children, so this week, I made crowns for the boys and girls on the 6th floor where I've been working. The excitement of the Mom's seeing their children receive this is reward enough! The Mom's are the nurses. They are at the hospital, dressed in grubs, rolling the IV machines around, pushing buttons, and doing whatever else they can to keep their children comfortable and happy (which isn't always easy).

To get to the hospital, I catch a taxi to the Metro Station, take a 30min metro ride, and walk about 15 minutes through a part of Old Cairo. Old buildings lining streets full of goats, sheep, and blood from the local butcher shop; the clanging of ironsmiths, tin buckets full of coal, and old wooden stands full of delicious looking fruit whose vibrancy contrasts the dark hues of the old buildings.

Walking through these steets brings a smile to my face. And yesterday, brought me fishy hands. As I began my little hike up the stairs to the metro, a few older ladies grasped to the railing with grocery bags full of fish. Relieving them of their load, I waited at the top, returned their fish, and went on my way.......with fishy hands.

While being squished by smelly men in the metro (I couldn't find the women's car again), the fishy hands served as a good reminder of why I'm here -- standing far too close to a pit full of un-deodarized arm..........

Brief Glimpse

On 5th January, Lianne and I left Egypt to travel with like-minded friends in order to experience another part of the Arab world. Our journey begins:



3 hour flight, 1 hour drive through, 1 windy road through backroads, we arrive at our orientation destination. Still recovering from a week sick in bed, the last thing on my mind was making friends. Boy, was I in for a surprise...a few surprises!



Orientation included information about the countries we were going to visit (our group of 15 split into 3 groups), places to visit, culture-appropriate behavior, and other travelling need-to-knows. I and three others comprised "Team Bahrain:" a fun-loving couple from Southern California, a Swiss-German-Jordanian, and myself the Half-Japanese from Hawaii.



The four of us became a little family and really enjoyed our time together. The following is the first entry into our team journal, which I wrote each day. To read the others, please visit http://thepowellpeople.blogspot.com/
11 January 2008Home: Hospital mazes and hyper-markets - Welcome to Bahrain!

And so, Team Bahrain begins: Aaron, Allison, Sarah, and Janean. Here we are, sitting at Gate 6 amused by our honorary 5th member, 20 Questions entertaining us with random questions such as, “Is it bigger than a pound of butter?” or “Does it bring joy to people?” Minding our own business, ignoring the awkward stares of others, our team bonding continues interrupted by a giggly toddler who decides to attack innocent Allison. It was more of a hit-and-run, minus the run. A waddle is more like it, and accompanied with a child’s rendition of the evil laugh, this little tyke succeeded in his endeavors, and his memory will forever be recorded in the happenings of Team Bahrain.

20 Questions in pocket, luggage in tow, we finally land in Bahrain. Minus passport control’s suspicion of Janean’s identity, everyone made it through just fine. Hungry, tired, and full of eager anticipation, we load our cart –

Seven pieces of luggage, check
Five team members, checkPassports, check
Hungry stomachs, double check

Stepping out of the airport, we are quickly greeted as the “three Americans and one Swiss-German-Jordanian.” I suppose no one had difficulties identifying us, obviously. Loading our luggage into two vehicles, we begin our journey through the extensive city of Bahrain toward the American Mission Hospital, which will be home for the next two weeks.

Parking across the street, we strap on our backpacks, roll our suitcases, and trek our way across the street, open the door to the hospital, and breath in the warm air in relief – we’re finally home! Elhamdulallah, right?

Or not. Little did we know what lay ahead: too many corners, a few elevator rides, one bridge, various doors until, at last, room 505 – Home sweet home! Following sighs of relief as we sink into the living room couches, quick introductions, we make our way to Bahrain Mall – food our goal. Nothing will stop us now.

One hour later, here we sit, Allison and Aaron, the Cali couple, enjoy Japanese grill; Janean, the half-Jap from Hawaii and Sarah, the Swiss-German-Jordanian indulge in tasty Persian Grill. Diversity is an understatement. Finally fed, we begin our journey through the hyper-market.

Yes, hyper-market, not to be confused with supermarket. Just imagine the excitement, or lack thereof, as four of us tired and fed, stroll, or lag rather, through too many aisles, filled with too many options, thinking of one thing: bed! With a common goal in mind, we persevere, pay, load up, and head home -- not so hyper. Day one, done.

i'm baaaack!

i've returned from my adventures abroad. well, i'm still abroad...but now i'm not abroad abroad.

instead of giving you a play by play of the past three weeks, i will highlight a few events, lessons, and thoughts. this will be best for you and for me. as the team journalist, i kept a faithful account of daily occurances and as a consistent journaler, recalling my thoughts and lessons will not be difficult.

however, i am going to bed right now. in the meanwhile, prepare yourself for what's to come. i'll try to make it worth your wait :) i hope all of you are well (i'm not sure who "all" entails).......but anyway. before i start (or continue) rambling, i'm going to stop.

goodnight, good morning, good afternoon....good bye.

o man. oman. ba rain. bahrain. gulf. golf...what more do you want?

i was in oman.

am in bahrain.

will be in united arab emirates.

and you will be updated, of course. lucky you!