The Caring Center

The Caring Center at First Baptist Church Tulsa is a place where they hand out free food and clothes to people in need. This ministry, which serves homeless and low-income families, runs completely off volunteers and prayer. Since my return from India, I have volunteered there as consistently as possible.  It has shown me that people in need are right in front of me; people who look the same, speak the same language, eat the same kind of food, and wear the same kind of clothes. They are American citizens that live in Tulsa, Oklahoma exactly like I do. For years I had fantasized about all the different countries I would visit to care for the poor and needy in Christ’s name. It hit home that I was neglecting people I could help now.

But more than anything, working at the Caring Center brought some real perspective and truth into my life.

There were many jobs I did at the Caring Center, but my favorite job, of course, was clothing shopping. When I did this job, I would take the clients through the Caring Center’s clothing section and help them choose their outfit. But it was more than just helping clients choose their clothes, it was getting to know them and hearing their stories. And since it is affiliated through the church, my favorite part was being allowed to pray with each person and family. Everyday I worked I could see God intertwined in everything around me, and I am so thankful for all that I have been able to experience.

But one day in the midst of the busyness I neglected to recognize a truth that God was trying to teach me.

When clothes-shopping that day, I was assigned to help a particular homeless woman. She was very talkative and had strong opinions about things. And not surprisingly, due to this extremely hot weather, she was very exhausted. So, it called for a lot more patience and empathy than usual.

While we went to the back and looked through clothes, I tried to ask her about her life so I would know things I could pray about with her. Once we got all the basic items I was ready to be finished, but being done was the last thing on this woman’s mind.  Everything she got didn’t satisfy her because she kept asking for more and more. While I was being very lenient and generous with our items, it got to a point where I had to end the shopping because of the many clients waiting to shop after her. About 15 minutes after she left, she came back again to ask me for even more things! On top of everything she had already received, she asked for a blanket, baby shoes for her granddaughter, a hat, a belt and many other items. And in addition to that, she was asking for these things while I was helping other people on this very busy day. So as you can imagine, my patience started to run a little more thin than usual.

And when I responded with a polite, “Ma’m I am not sure if I can give you much more” she would scrunch up her face and give me an upset response. Even though I was frustrated, I still found a way to meet some of her needs in a kind way. At that point, what I really wanted to do was throw my hands up and say, “I have made A LOT of exceptions for you! Can’t you just be satisfied?!”

Looking back now, I find it quite humorous. Not because of the lady’s need or the odd situation, but because of my attitude and thinking about the predicament.

This lady’s attitude toward the Caring Center is exactly how my attitude is toward God.

God has given me everything for free, but I still ask for more! He even gave the biggest gift of all, HIS ONLY SON! I always want to be doing or receiving something new instead of being content on what God has already provided. He continues to give me multiple blessings, but I go to him as if none are satisfying.

And on top of that, I am not at all different than the lady I helped at the Caring Center.

I am not entitled to more.

I am not loved by God more.

I am not more deserving than she is.

I am nothing more than she is, I am exactly the same.

So, why do I go to God as if I am? As if I am more deserving? 

It is my human tendency, I guess.

But it makes me thankful that God still uses me despite all the flaws that I have found (and some of the ones I haven’t!) about myself.

He is just that good; He uses the ordinary to do the extraordinary.

Thanks for reading!

Karlie

India Post #3

Hey, fellow blog readers, sorry for the delay on the 3^rd and last India post. I have just been so busy! This summer has been full with volunteering at FBC Tulsa’s Caring Center everyday (there will be a blog post about that next month!), being a sponsor at Falls Creek, going to an insane amount of wedding events, and so much more! But in the midst of this craziness, I have not forgotten to write this last post so I can conclude and summarize my thoughts about my adventure in India.

This story describes two 14 year-old girls at a particular village that I met. Their names were Gomitee and Comez and their stories will stay with me forever.

This was a day in the villages, and after my group and I performed our skit we spoke to the crowd. Fortunately, Gomitee and Comez knew a little English so I was able to talk with them and ask simple questions when they eagerly approached me. They began to teach me words in their language, which then caused a lot of giggles due to my terrible accent.  It was obvious that both were just regular teenage girls that loved to be silly. Once the conversation progressed I started to ask more questions, one being “How many family members do you have?” One answered with none and the other answered with one sister, but neither mentioned any parents. Wondering, I said, “Mother? Father?”

Both answered with a simple, “No. Both are gone.”

I already knew this was a not-so-fortunate village, but I didn’t expect two young girls with no parents at all. I then explained to them in easy English that I too had lost my father at a young age. I described how the man we spoke about in skit, Jesus, helped me through it. I told them how Jesus did even more by taking away the shame of my own mistakes. They seemed very interested so we carried the conversation about Christ as long as we could until other things distracted us. Knowing that I all I can do is plant seeds, I understood the next part was just to pray for them even after leaving India.

The craziest part is that later I was introduced to the sister of one of the girls, and it turns out that she has a mental disability. In spite of this, at 18 years of age the sister cooks, cleans, and makes enough money to put both of the 14 year-old girls in school. Incredible! What an example of selfless love! One of the girls is not even her own blood sister! I wish my heart was at a point to give of myself like that. At such a young age this sister understands Christ like humility more than most people do, myself included.

So what does this bring me to when concluding my India blogs? Only one word rings in my head, Freedom:

·      Freedom from AIDS

·      Freedom from corrupt government

·      Freedom from poverty

·      Freedom from devastation

·      Freedom from fear

·      Freedom from chains

·      Freedom from our own destructive selves

Going to India put in perspective deep oppression, but even more it brought to my attention the oppression I was blind to right in my own home country.

It is easy to say that India is a country yearning for freedom, but can’t we just as easily say that America is too? Think about the Aurora, Colorado shooting last week. Everyone needs freedom from something that holds us down in this world. It is discouraging to see the hurt around us and just wonder why it all happens.

I too, like everyone else, am yearning for freedom--freedom from insecurity, worry, hate and so much more. Ultimately, I want freedom from my own sin. 

But there is an answer and it is Jesus. Cliché I know, but that is the truth. Let’s just thank God it is as simple as calling on his name and asking for forgiveness. 

This life is short and may include some thick and heavy chains but there will be a day in heaven when we see Jesus face to face and he will say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” And we all can sing in unison “Free at last, free at last.”

Thanks for reading!

Karlie

India Post #2

Sorry I wasn‘t able to post this last night like I promised (The Thunder game was just so intense!) But, I finally put it together. This post is definitely not as emotionally stirring as the last but it is a great example of faith that I feel as Christians we should take note of.

When my team and I commuted to a different province with many villages, we were able to speak with commercial sex workers, pimps, and lower/middle-class people about Jesus. (There are many stories I will tell about these visits later on!) The village life was very different from the city life in India. And I feel like going to more rural areas of India helped me capture the essence of Indian culture. But apparently as we were visiting this province in India there was a lot of political uprising happening. And this wasn’t any typical political conflict. What had happened was the political leader in that province was a devout Christian but was assassinated in a plain crash. This naturally led his son to be the next leader rising to power. But just like his father, he as well was a strong Christian. He also did very good things for the community and so many people loved him. But due to his faith he has been persecuted with false accusations and taken to jail. Because of this, it has started riots in that very region we were ministering in. So my group and I had to stay indoors to be safe, especially since we would attract attention because of our nationality. So as we were staying indoors we tuned in on the news and the Indians housing us translated what was being said.  And at one point the mother of this Christian political leader said, “My God knows my sons heart and my God is much stronger than what is happening.” Wow! What a testament of the power of God. It just shows that the Lord is working in powerful ways in India and I was blessed enough to witness it. The man that has been persecuted was also caught on the news getting out of a car with security saying “God Bless” to all of his loving citizens. He is on public television being falsely accused because of his religion but still has not given up his faith in God and his kindness towards others. I feel like there was no way I could not come back to America and share this great example with fellow Christians.

My team and I, soon after staying indoors, took the long way back around the province to the city to insure our safety. Prolonging the trip from 2 hours to 5 hours!

All of the riots I was caught in during my time at the villages really put in perspective the fear that is in that culture. I have had a lot of people ask me if I was ever felt scared of being in danger over there and I say, “Of course I was!” But it taught me to put my trust in God and in the nationals he provided for me. Something terrible could have gone wrong but what an example of the power of God that nothing didn’t. And even if something were to have gone wrong, like the persecuted political leader, I would still put my faith in Jesus.

“Therefore, brothers, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith.” 1 Thessalonians 3:7

Thanks for Reading!

Karlie

India Post#1

“I am just following the story that the Author is writing”

This is a quote that has stuck with me ever since 2010, when I overheard a leader say it on my trip in China. I knew he meant it as God is writing this magnificent story that no human has control of. That we don’t know when, where, how, and who the spirit of Jesus will touch but we should just be his faithful followers that deliver the message.

That quote became very real to me on my India trip. It was heart breaking, uncomfortable, and tiring being over there and working with women and children whose lives have been affected by sex trafficking or HIV/Aids. But regardless, God has a story he is writing and I am just following the lines. And even if what has happened to these women is unfair and unjust, God has a plan. A BIG plan, of which I am only snippet.

There are many stories I would love to share about India but since it would take up approximately twenty pages of my blog, I am condensing it to a only a few that I will post within the next couple of days (so, I guess you could call it a series!). And due to the nature of the people my team worked with, I will not be disclosing the names of the organizations.

So we will call the first story's organization “Organization A.”

1.) Organization A is Christian based organization that works with HIV/Aids victims who are about to die, both adults and children.  Many HIV/ Aids victims in India are disowned by their families because of the honor/shame aspect in the culture. So this organization houses victims, has counselors, nurses, and cooks provided, and has services to tell about the hope found in Jesus. They even try to mend family relationships. This organization does a great job of being Christ-like. The president of the organization cleans toilets and does dirty work just as much as the next person; what amazing leadership! They also grow their own produce and have animals which the children help raise as a therapeutic outlet. It was incredible to just be on the campus. We got to see the children’s end of the summer program where they memorized scripture, danced to Christian songs, and told about what they learned. And lets just say I could not keep a single tear back. These children knew they had HIV/Aids and still sang the song  “Mighty to Save” with every ounce of their hearts. I know that song was real to them. And although young, they have a better perception of life than most adults. This is because they know this life is short, they know that Jesus saves, and they know heaven is just around the corner. These kids were the light to that organization even though the reality of death was something that faced the workers and victims everyday. They turned death around from mourning to celebrating because they would be meeting Jesus soon.

And I had the opportunity to teach these kids how to play the guitar! Mainly just a couple of simple chords (C,G,D,Em), but they soon started to learn how to play “Mighty to Save.” They were over-joyed when they combined the chords and the words of the song together. It gave me goosebumps and I wish I could worship God forever in that very moment.

Check my blog tomorrow for another story!

Thanks for reading!

Karlie

The Passion that Keeps Me Going

           Every Wednesday this school year I have been going to this organization called Spero Project. Which is this thing where OBU college students drive to the City to a refugee complex and play with and minister to the many different kids and families that live there. Yesterday was our last one this year and all I can say is how tremendous of a blessing it has been to me. I could be in tears just writing this right now.

            The beginning of the school year I just randomly heard about this organization and decided to give it shot. But the first experience of my attempt to go was not so “attractive”. This is because the co-chair got a call from the main Spero leaders and they said the complex was having problems and that we could not come. It was alarming that this would happen the first week but for some reason I was so intrigued with the idea of ministering to refugees and felt like God was tugging on my heart to go.

            So, I went the next week. And let me tell you I was sold for the rest of the year from those two very short hours. I was so ecstatic when coming back from Spero Project, I’m pretty sure I couldn’t sleep that night!(I know, I get way to excited about everything!) I just knew this was the perfect organization for me throughout college since I have such a love for cross-cultural ministry and kids.

            And if you know me, I am one those people when I get excited about something I tend to tell EVERYBODY! So, that is exactly what I did, I told every friend I have made in college throughout this year. And lets just say, Spero Project grew A LOT this year. J

But the main point of why I am telling you about my Spero experience is because, I felt like God used that organization to save me. Throughout this whole year I have had a combination of bad test grades, unexpected gossip about me, loss of relationships, stress of academics (just some of the hardships a typical college student can go through) and every time I went to Spero, God reminded me why I was enduring those tough times in college. Despite the fact that every single time I got back from Spero I was covered in mud, dirt, blisters, and occasionally nail polish, I was always refreshed when I got to see those kids. God used them to keep my passion going when I felt like it was on the verge of running dry.

So, people will say, “It is great that you would sacrifice your time like that, you are blessing those kids.”

And all I want to do is turn to them and say “No, you got it wrong; they are blessing me.”

I will miss them so dearly this summer but can’t wait to see what God reveals to me through them next year.

So, since we are on the topic of my passion, I want to now talk about my upcoming trip to India this summer; It is 12 days away!!! I am going to be working with women saved form sex-trafficking and listening to their stories and ministering to them. It is going to be tough tough work, but all I can say is I am willing to travel across the world and live below my means because talking to those women and doing cross-cultural ministry is my passion. Because I know that I will be blessed so much more by those women than vice versa.

And, praise the Lord I have all the money raised! So, now it is just spiritually preparing myself while getting excited for the adventure that is to come.

I also will be journaling over there, so be expecting a blog post after June 3rd when I get back. I am thinking it will be a pretty good one too!

So, now let me ask you this.

What is your passion and what are you doing to keep it alive?

Thanks for reading!

Karlie

P.S. Pray for me while I am India, PLEASE!!

Not Lost but Found

This entry is going to start with a story—a not-so-funny-at-the-time-but-funny-now type of story!

Every year, the OBU Campus Activities Board (CAB) puts on a show called “Spring Affair”. In this talent showcase, students perform songs and funny skits, and friends and family watch. This year’s Spring Affair theme was “Rockumentary”, included iconic songs from many decades.

For this production, my best friend, Ali, and I were responsible for costume design. We came up with creative ways to make costumes and tailor them to each person. We even had to make Mr. Potato head! During this process, we had to stay stocked up on craft items we need to produce the costumes.

And that is where the funny story comes in. We will call it the “Wal-Mart disaster/FAIL” story:

On the night right before the show, our costume committee began to run low on supplies. As a result, Ali and I were sent to Wal-Mart and the mall to get green spray paint, safety pins, black acrylic paint, and an oversized lollipop.  Since we are broke college students, we did not want this to come out of our pockets so we brought with us the CAB Wal-Mart card.

At all times when we are together, Ali and I are acting goofy and having fun. So on the way to get supplies, we are simultaneously enjoying each other’s company and trying to get the job done.  When we realize the mall doesn’t carry lollipops, we then head to Wal-Mart (the cool place to be in Shawnee) to get the rest of the items. We went all around the store to find green spray paint, safety pins, and black acrylic paint.  Once we got these items we went to check out. Everything sounds great doesn’t it? This is where it goes wrong.

When Ali and I got to the checkout line to pay, we both checked our purses to find that the Wal-Mart card had gone missing! Ali and I were sure that it was in the car, so she pulls it around to look and no card was to be found. This is when panic mode sits in. I couldn’t help but to think, “Hmmm, my first time to show responsibility to C.A.B. and I lose the card with all the money on it!” I was determined to find that card.

First, we rummage through both of our purses and her car frantically to find it...not there.

Second, we go back to the mall, where I run inside while Ali checks the parking lot… not there.

Third, we go back to Wal-Mart, where Ali runs through the parking lot looking while I look in the store…still not there.

We went on this errand at 6:00 to get these items and didn’t return to OBU until 9:30 with the supplies…but still no card.

What is so funny about this story is that I looked SO ridiculous running through these stores looking for this card. I swear it looked like I had lost a million dollars. Because of the frantic nature of my searching, some guy even stopped and asked me if I was looking for a child–how embarrassing! But like I said, in hindsight, it is reeeallly funny.

But besides it just being funny, I actually learned something that night, perhaps one of the greatest things I have gleaned this semester. When I was running through Wal-Mart I just suddenly stopped to catch my breath. And right then, I felt as though God said to me, “Child, you know how determined you are to find that card? That is how I feel about you—and so much more.”

Those words were like peace over me. 

So, the story last weekend sadly ended with Ali and me not finding the card. BUT, guess what? That is not the case with God, because in His story we are gloriously found. And if took me losing an important card to remember that, then so be it.

Few things to think about: 

Take this as a challenge to look for God even in the littlest unexpected situations because He will surely speak. 

If you are reading this and feeling lost today, go to the Lord and he will call you by name. Even if you feel far and not findable, take heart because God has found you. I know from experience, he just never lets go of his children.

Or, if you feel confident in being found by God, take time today to celebrate! Because it is something to be rejoiced daily.

For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate.- Luke 15:24

Thanks for reading!

Karlie

P.S. The Wal-Mart staff found the card in the parking lot that following Monday! 

Into the Potter's Hands

If you were to stick your arm straight out and hold a water bottle in your hand for an extended period time it would gradually cause terrible pain to the muscles. The longer you hold it, the worse the pain will become.  And if someone held the water bottle just long enough it would eventually cause permanent damage to all the muscles in the arm.

Of course, you have to be holding that water bottle for a loooong time for it to finally cause permanent damage but the point of this analogy is to exemplify what will happen if we hold on to our past hurts in our life; the longer we hold on to past hurts the more permanent damage they will cause.

I remember hearing this example at Falls Creek 2008 from my Pastor, Deron Spoo of First Baptist Church Tulsa. I was reminded of this is when I was flipping through my old “True Images Bible for Teen Girls ” a couple days ago and I saw that I wrote this Falls Creek example on my binding. (Side note: Isn’t it so great to flip through old Bibles and journals? This lets us see how God spoke to us in the past and how he has helped us mature. It encourages me to recount my life and God’s movement in it.)

When searching through my old Bible this analogy seemed to resonate with me as deeply as it did in 2008. It spoke to my heart then during one of the hardest years of my life, when I was in the midst of letting go of the past. Now after seeing this again it is speaking in a totally different way. This time it didn’t just say, “Let go of the past,” but it said, “Let go of everything--past, present, and future.”

Past, future, and present?! Really? Letting go of the present and the future would mean letting go of my dreams --dreams that have helped me become who I am today. I wouldn’t think holding on to these would cause any harm whatsoever. But, again I hear, “Let go of everything.”

And I am very good at holding on. Holding on gives me a sense of familiarity, control, and comfort. One example of this is my wardrobe. I never get rid of clothing! I think I will eventually wear that shirt or those pants someday. But guess what? I never end up wearing them. So if I can’t let go of a piece of fabric, how am I expected to let go all of my life? And how and who am I suppose to give my life?

I first had to figure out what this “everything” is and how to let go of it. I got a pretty good idea out of one scripture I read:

Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24)

My everything is all of myself. This all of myself I must deny. And these things I deny are not necessarily bad (ex: my passion for missions, my zeal for life, my diligence with academics), yet I am expected to give them up. And you ask why would I give these things up? And who will I be giving them to?

I have come to realize they were not mine to begin with--they were the Lord’s. They were put in me by God so that he could use them for the kingdom.  Lately I have manipulated theses passions and skills in a way I thought would be best for my life. But I remember that the things I think are best for me end up not really being the best at all. So, I think that is why the Lord was beating this “letting go of everything” over my head. He wanted me to know that my everything belongs to him and I am just soft clay in the potter’s hands for him to mold. I just need to trust in his design.

But letting go of everything is not the end. The last part says, “Follow me.” And those words are so simple but so complex. I don’t think any attempt I make to unpack this loaded phrase will do it justice. But I think that is the way the Lord intended it to be. The simplicity of the phrase makes it easy for believers to follow, while the underlying complexity challenges us to trust in God for the answers.  

I’m letting go and following, trusting God that my life will be enriched and faith will be produced. This is what the potter wants for my life, and this is also what he wants for yours.

Care to join me?

Thanks for reading!

Karlie