FH Bloggers

I Said Yes!

fhbloggers — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 19:59:17 +0000

In the fall of 2011, I felt God asking me to begin peeling away from some things that I needed to step down from. That I needed to become raw to Him. That He wanted the core of my being. No layers, just less of me and more of Him.

In 2012, I began a journey that I had no control over but only knew that I needed to walk in obedience. I resigned from MOPS International as the Coordinator for Middle Tennessee after 7 years. I finished up previous speaking engagements and asked some of my speaker-friends to fill in the gaps. I stopped leading Bible Studies at our church and offering my help to any outside ministries.

A Season of Rest

fhbloggers — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 19:57:39 +0000

You may have noticed it’s been quiet around here lately.

It’s going to continue to be that way, at least a little while longer, and I’m going to try to explain why.

The hardest question I faced over the last few weeks of interviews, book promotions and press was, “What’s next for you?” I’d be talking a million miles a minute, gesturing and smiling, words and answers flowing freely to question after question, and then the “what’s next” question would inevitably come.

This Is Life In…

fhbloggers — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 17:42:18 +0000

Below is some of the [LIFE] that I had the honor of capturing when in Bangladesh with the FH Bloggers last week. Come journey with me to experience …….

LIFE IN BANGLADESH

The Best Gift

fhbloggers — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 17:39:38 +0000

I thought nothing could be more incredible than meeting the kids I sponsor through Food for the Hungry.

In July, I had the incredible privilege of traveling to Ethiopia with FH to see firsthand the work they are doing there. The whole trip was amazing and insightful — truly mind-blowing to see the depth and breadth of thetransformative work FH is engaged in.

That’s What She Said

fhbloggers — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 19:48:10 +0000

Readjusting to Small…

fhbloggers — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 19:45:37 +0000

Four days ago, I waved goodbye to Bangladesh.

I’ve been back for a couple of blurry-eyed days now. Glad to be home, I fell into bed and hardly emerged for honestly almost 2 days. The jet-lag is still kicking my butt today as I get back to my normal life routine of early-morning carpools, fixing lunches, menu planning, and laundry.

Best of…Bangladesh

fhbloggers — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 08:50:12 +0000

It’s 5:10 AM on Friday (Istanbul Standard Time) and the FH Bloggers are all cozied up in the Istanbul airport, enjoying our 9 hour layover in this place that is a bridge between where we have been and where we are going. Surfing the internet, sipping on lattes, indulging in crossaints and hazelnut spread. {Did you know that Turkey is the world’s biggest exporters of hazelnuts? Well, now you do.}

Mustard Seeds and Revelations

fhbloggers — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 08:48:13 +0000

Sitting in a small 10 x 10 room in a remote community outside of Dhaka, Bangladesh with the FH Bloggers. We sit and read through the bible with some of the sweet leaders of the community and FH staff. We read in their native language Bangladesh, and then finish in my native tongue of English. Then we break into small groups and discuss what we just read. There was a part of the 10 verses that I just had to read again. It was Matthew 8:23-25 that really stuck out to me. Read below….

Sanjay

fhbloggers — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 03:07:34 +0000

“You are American? I speak English. Will you speak to me? My name is Sanjay.” He sticks his hand through the crowd of children surrounding my camera.

I take Sanjay’s hand. His grip is firm. The sun is hot today, blasting through the perpetual haze of dust and smog hanging low in the air. You can’t open your mouth without tasting it on your tongue. Sanjay wears a hat with a flat brim that looks fresh from the store. He’s also in shorts. Something men in his culture never do. He looks different than the others I’ve met today. Perhaps there is more life in his eyes than most.

Community and My Disenchantment With It

fhbloggers — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 03:05:17 +0000

I have a little confession. I’ve had beef with the word “community” for a few years now. I always kinda squirm when people ask me, “So do you have community?” I never know exactly what they’re asking. I sometimes feel that it is a sneaky way to say, “So… do you have people in your life that hold you accountable to not sinning?” But I can’t blame anyone for asking it. I’ve asked it too.

The Eyes of Our Hearts

fhbloggers — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 03:38:57 +0000

It’s 4 in the morning here in Dhaka, Bangladesh and I’m wide awake on the one day that we actually have time to sleep in. Isn’t that the way that it goes?! We’ve heard about the tornado-forming storms crossing the east coast of the United States, and I can’t help but wish that despite my hatred of bad storms, I want to be home with my family to weather it.

This is Dignity

fhbloggers — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 03:37:36 +0000

Today I visited a community that Food For the Hungry had a presence in for about ten years. In keeping with the development model FH works towards, they were able to leave this muslim and hindu community when their trainings allowed many of the members roles of leadership and entrepreneurship.

A Mother’s Heart

fhbloggers — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 17:15:59 +0000

I’ve been away from my family now for almost 6 days. I miss them. Not in a falling apart, totally pitiful sort of way so much as a my-son-got-sick-and-I-wanted-to-help-cuddle-him-myself sort of way. That’s just how moms are you know. I want the best for my kids, and I want to be there to see it myself.

On Sunday when we visited the slum community, we had an opportunity to meet with a group of young women who talked to us about early marriage and how FH has been able to educate the community on the benefits of waiting a bit longer to get married.

Bangladesh Day 4

fhbloggers — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 16:53:28 +0000

Marriage, Baby Tinkles, and Mutual Love of Gold

fhbloggers — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 16:49:29 +0000

So much of this country is in heart wrenching poverty from over population, caste system discrimination, health and economic ignorance. Pictures alone can make those of us who grew up with running water and more than three meals of rice a day- weep. But what is blowing me away and why I want you all to listen closely is because over the last few days I’ve heard so many stories of entire communities that are pushing against social norms and deciding to do life differently. For themselves, but mostly for their children and children’s children.

Meeting My Sponsored Child

fhbloggers — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 16:48:06 +0000

Yesterday morning I woke up at 5 a.m. Dhaka time with an hour and a half drive ahead of us. Today was the day. I was going to meet the child I sponsor.

When I learned I’d be going on this trip to Bangladesh with Food for the Hungry, Max & I decided to sponsor a little girl named Kajol through their program. Max already sponsored a little boy through Watoto, and I a little girl through WorldVision, but I knew somehow that this was necessary. Although always a skeptic about where my money is going, and if non profit organizations actually give what they say they give, I’ve learned that generosity and trust are two beautiful things I want to possess. And so I am practicing.

3 GREAT REASONS TO WRITE YOUR SPONSOR CHILD

fhbloggers — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 02:21:32 +0000

[#1] A few weeks ago, my oldest son Nolan decided that he wanted to write a letter and draw a picture to our sponsor child Kemal. He then disappeared for well over 30 minutes, and then came back with this….Needless to say, I couldn’t have written a more heartfelt and sweet letter myself. There are so many things we can learn from our own kids about serving and loving well. So if you’re not sure where to start when writing your sponsor child a letter…..well….start with your kids!

Bangladesh and Savings

fhbloggers — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 02:19:39 +0000

One of the things that I’ve been so impressed by during our time in Bangladesh is our savings group model. It is obvious that these savings groups are the bedrock of our work in Bangladesh. They allow us to impact a community wholistically. Not only do the groups allow women to save for a future together, also they give the women the rare opportunity to learn to read and write, develop small businesses, raise healthy families, strengthen their communities, learn leadership skills, discover their rights, and prevent childhood marriages.

The Legend of Fulmoti and Joy

fhbloggers — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 19:24:50 +0000

I really can’t put into words how my soul was moved today. As we piled into the van at 6:30am to drive two hours to our destination, I had a few things heavy on my mind and heart. I felt down and distracted and the Bangali landscape of polution and poverty deepened it all.

Meeting Ritu

fhbloggers — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 18:44:05 +0000

I love meeting new people. It’s kinda just a thing I really enjoy. And today I met a new person who I think may have changed me forever. Her name is Ritu and she lives in a tiny village in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh Day 3

fhbloggers — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 18:34:06 +0000

Bangladesh in Pictures

fhbloggers — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 17:59:37 +0000

We had a great day today in Bangladesh. A long, great day.

We drove out to a rural Hindu community that Food for the Hungry has worked in since 2011.

Dhaka

fhbloggers — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 17:55:07 +0000

“You’re going to Dhaka?” the Bengali man asks. We stepped up to board our flight. He stops his conversation to inquire about the six white Americans at gate 109 cramming onto a seven hour flight from Istanbul to Dhaka, Bangladesh. I tell him we are, indeed, headed to Dhaka. He puts his hands on his hips and laughs. “Good luck. You’re going to need it.”

Bloggers in Bangladesh, Me on Twitter

fhbloggers — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 14:35:40 +0000

This summer, my bud Alli went to Ethiopia with the non-profit organization Food for the Hungry. The same month, I headed to Honduras with ONE. When we came home, we gushed to each other. Then, she got me invited on Food for the Hungry’s next trip.

Bangladesh Day 2

fhbloggers — Sun, 27 Jan 2013 18:32:56 +0000

I Am Your Neighbor: Debi and Joti

fhbloggers — Sun, 27 Jan 2013 15:48:39 +0000

Walking into their house is like stepping down into a basement. I leave my shoes behind outside. Cold feet on colder concrete. The neighborhood is a cement compound of alleyways and narrow walls. The interior of the house is no different. Outside chickens peck at our toes. Dinner is cooked over fires on the front steps. Stray dogs slathered in mud and fleas sleep on piles of wet trash. Flies follow us everywhere.

Power of Language

fhbloggers — Sun, 27 Jan 2013 15:35:42 +0000

Nomo Shkar! (Hindu/Christian/Buddhist Greeting)

Here is a little bit of my story so far. Hopefully over the course of the next few days I will do justice at telling theirs…

Day 2 In Dhaka, Bangladesh

fhbloggers — Sun, 27 Jan 2013 15:33:17 +0000

When Lindsey asked me if I would consider going to Bangladesh with Food for the Hungry, I googled the location as I fumbled for some sort of reply that was neither yes or no. I thought it was a city. And I couldn’t remember if it was Asian or an island in the Mediterranean. It must be tiny, I thought.

Just Love

fhbloggers — Sun, 27 Jan 2013 15:15:58 +0000

Today in Dhaka, we went into a slum. I’ve never been anywhere quite like it. We got out of the van and immediately the children started to look at us with such curiosity. I decided to quit trying to fit into this place and just be myself. As I was praying this morning before we left, I was reminded that carrying the Kingdom of God and the love of Jesus with me breaks all of the chains that bind. I heard the Lord say to just be the hands and feet of Jesus the way that I know how, so I smiled at them the only way that I know how…ear to ear. Then, they gave this heart of mine a gift and smiled back. Huge smiles…heart smiles…smiles with their mouths and smiles with their eyes.

An Expedition in Faith, Hope, and Love

fhbloggers — Sun, 27 Jan 2013 15:13:27 +0000

We started our morning tucked in the back office of a school in a community in Dhaka to spend some time together in devotions. We read 1 Corinthians 13, the ”love chapter.” A passage that is read so often it is tempting to tune it out.

Our First Day in Bangladesh

fhbloggers — Sun, 27 Jan 2013 00:26:43 +0000

We landed this morning in Bangladesh and already feel like we’ve been here three days. I’m pretty sure that’s because it took us close to 30 hours just to fly here. We had an uneventful flight, thank goodness, which is always great on a trip to far away. The team is definitely tired but inspired and ready to go tomorrow. Here are a few pics from the days adventures that my new friend Esther and I took as we rested from the travel and explored the city of Dhaka before we head out to spend quality time in the FH communities tomorrow.

Bangladesh Day 1

fhbloggers — Sat, 26 Jan 2013 18:30:41 +0000

Adventure…Is An Uncomfortable Thing

fhbloggers — Sat, 26 Jan 2013 15:17:54 +0000

We made it to Bangladesh. I traveled almost 40 hours to get here from Greenville, SC to Dhaka. I am very tired. Very. Tired.

We Made It!

fhbloggers — Sat, 26 Jan 2013 14:29:50 +0000

Thursday morning we {my buddy Daniel C White and I} got on my first plane in Nashville. After not so quick stops in Los Angeles and Istanbul, and not so short flights over North America {twice}, the Atlantic Ocean, Europe, and the Middle East, on Saturday morning the FH Bloggers got off our last plane in Dhaka.

With Love, From Istanbul

fhbloggers — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 14:27:27 +0000

I write to you from a corner of the Istanbul International Airport, up against a wall plastered in DUTY FREE signs and advertisements by Gucci, Boss, and of course, Starbucks.

It’s a little surreal to know that you’ve just flown to the other side of the planet and yet as an English speaking person, even Istanbul feels like just another airport. My language is on nearly everything. I am privileged, and keenly aware that I did not choose this life for myself. The American dream lives, sleeps, and breathes all over the world – even though, as our Romanian neighbor told us Tuesday, “This is no better than where I come from. This dream seems glorious, but no. Now that I am here, I see it is the same. And the hardships are even greater. My home is better than all of this.”

The Adventure

fhbloggers — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 14:25:53 +0000

Sitting on a flight to LA, I can’t help but notice that the man sitting next to me doesn’t appear to speak any English. He talks on his phone, I assume he’s saying a last few goodbyes and I’m on the plane nows, but I don’t really know. I wasn’t listening

In Transit -> Bangladesh

fhbloggers — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 14:19:58 +0000

Woke up this morning in Bangladesh. Excited to be a part of http://www.fhbloggers.com – so I figured I better start this trip out right by blogging something

Hoping they all rub off on me and I make me want to blog more. Excited to see the work that Food for the Hungry does here.

You can follow all the bloggers at their links below as we post about this journey throughout the week!

Bangladesh Here I GO!

fhbloggers — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 18:27:17 +0000

Oh my words…today is January 23rd. Which means that tomorrow is January 24th. And in case you happened to miss the emboldened text on the picture above, that means that my tootsie is about to head to the other side of the world for a heart-changing adventure of a lifetime.

Counting Down The Days Til Bangladesh

fhbloggers — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 00:07:29 +0000

In 8 short days, the #fhbloggers will meet in Los Angeles to begin our LONG trip across the world to Bangladesh where we will spend a handful of days visiting Food for the Hungry’s staff and work there.

{We had a Skype call with the team yesterday and covered all the details. You know…to dos and not to dos, packing essentials, travel tips, making fun of Daniel C. White, etc.}

The Pretty Paints

fhbloggers — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 21:04:38 +0000

I just have to tell you that my littlest did the sweetest thing today.

I went yesterday to Target to pick up a few things for my upcoming trip to Bangladesh. You know, stuff that’s really important to have with me….Immodium, Pepto, Propel packets, and a new pair of yoga pants for an eternally long 30+ hours of airline travel.

A Quick Story of Leta

fhbloggers — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 20:22:10 +0000

I had the amazing honor of meeting Leta and one of her little girls in the Dominican Republic last year, as you’ll see in the picture. They were once bound by fear and lack of hope since they were being abused by the man in their house at the time. They didn’t have anyone they could trust to tell. They feared for their lives if they told anyone what was going on. It wasn’t until one of Leta’s children were sponsored by a family in the United States through Food for the Hungry that their lives and circumstances began to change.

Goody Goody Slum Days

fhbloggers — Sat, 05 Jan 2013 20:16:34 +0000

I know that I’m supposed to tell you some great trick about how to get yourself prettily put together today, but let me be perfectly honest and tell you that the past 2 days, I’ve worn the same sweatshirt. Yes…I said SWEATSHIRT!

Announcing My Trip to Bangladesh!

fhbloggers — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 20:24:52 +0000

A few months ago, Lindsey messaged me on Twitter in the middle of my work day and said, “Hey I have a quick question! Can I call you?” I messaged her back my new cell phone number, and a few moments later we were chatting. “So, do you wanna go to Bangladesh in January?” Dude, Lindsey. That is not a quick question.

What I Like: Muslims

fhbloggers — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 16:53:56 +0000

Hey Friendlings,

I haven’t done a “Stuff I Like” post in a long time and thought we were due for one. I know many of you have been laying awake at night thinking, “WHAT IN THE WORLD DOES THAT WOMAN LIKE?!?!??” Because I care about you getting some good REM and waking up refreshed, I thought I would share about something I like.

Muslims.

Bangladesh!

fhbloggers — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 20:22:36 +0000

Through a series of crazy, God-sized events and introductions a few weeks ago, I met this really fantastic gal named Lindsey who works with Food For the Hungry. We had a beer and talked real life. We connected.

Then, a week or so later, I got an email from my fun new friend asking if I’d ever be interested in going on a blogging trip with Food for the Hungry. My answer….”Um….YES!”

WHO DO YOU SURROUND YOURSELF WITH?

fhbloggers — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 17:01:40 +0000

Experiencing Africa with FH gave me a new perspective about so much in my life.

One of the realizations I have had is that for too long I have forgotten that life is more than what habits I have let in and what day to day routines I am in.

Without an occasional, “Do I really like what life looks like right now?” session, we can go years in a rut.

4 THINGS I APPRECIATE ABOUT THE WAY FH WORKS

fhbloggers — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 16:59:05 +0000

Last summer I heard Brian Fikkert, one of the authors of When Helping Hurts: Alleviating Poverty Without Hurting the Poor…And Yourself, speak {his co-author Steve Corbett is a former regional director for FH}. During the session, Fikkert touched on the differences between relief and development. Here are a few notes I took from his talk:

{ETHIOPIA DAY 5!}

fhbloggers — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 16:56:48 +0000

On our second to last day in Ethiopia we visited a few more of FH’s Child-Headed Households.

THE STORY OF ENTESH

fhbloggers — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 16:55:07 +0000

Yesterday was our first full day in Ethiopia. In the morning, we hopped on a bus that took us away from the bustling capital city of Addis Ababa and into the valley region near the river of Zeway. In this rural area, plagued by difficulty with soil and lack of crops, Food for the Hungry has identified over 1500 at-risk children to be in their program. These children are chosen by local community leaders, and some are placed in the Child-Headed Household program, which offers even more support than the typical child sponsorships.

THE REALITY OF CHILD-HEADED HOUSEHOLDS IN AFRICA

fhbloggers — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 16:53:03 +0000

Last week I went on a trip to Ethiopia with Food for the Hungry. I knew that a portion of our trip would be spent visiting the homes of sponsored children, so that we could see the way child sponsorship was transforming their lives. When I saw the schedule for our time in the village of Zeway, there was one description that gave me a catch in my throat upon reading: Child-Headed Household. I’ve heard this term before, and understood that it refers to a house in which there are no parents. As an adoptive parent and orphan advocate, the idea of children living without an adult, left to fend for themselves and care for young siblings, has always evoked a profound sadness in me.