Sunday, June 16, 2013

Honoring my Papa

The past few days leading up to Father’s Day, I’ve had a lot on my mind. It all started with a DJ on the radio who was talking about the holiday, and she made some very good points. It got me to thinking.
Mother’s day is all flowers, and cards, and chocolates, and Proverbs 31. “We love you, mom…thanks for all you do.” What happens when we get to father’s day? “Oh, gee, thanks Dad, we love you too. Here’s a tie.” How is that fair? How is that fair at all?
I understand that many people have had bad experiences with their fathers. Some never had a father. Some had an awful father, one who was emotionally, verbally, even physically abusive. I’m so very, very sorry. Maybe this is why the father’s day cards I read included such gems as “May the joy you experience on Father’s Day last longer than the aroma of one of your farts.” Or “I’ll always be your little girl….if you’ll always buy me stuff.” They all seemed to be about dads who only fart, drink beer, and lay on the couch like a bum; that or they were so sappy and long that they really meant nothing.
That doesn’t fit my daddy, my papa.
Do you want to know what kind of man he is? He decided to be different. In all my years of growing up, he never missed a ballet recital, play, or important event. He frequently took me on dates for ice cream, pie, coffee, or the occasional concert/event…just because he loved me.
Do you want to know what kind of man he is? He has stayed with my mom and helped her fight through 25 years of health problems. From cancer, to barrenness, to diabetes, he has been her rock, while at the same time leading her straight to Jesus. When lesser men would have left, he has stood strong. They have been victorious over so much, together.
Do you want to know what kind of man he is? He has taught me how a woman deserves to be treated. He opens the car door for my mom, no matter if they’re at the grocery store or in the church parking lot or at a fancy restaurant. And guess what? He even does the same for me.
Do you want to know what kind of man he is? He’s the kind of man who has purposed never to raise his voice in anger, never to speak hurtful words in the heat of a moment, never to make promises he may not keep. In the almost 21 years I have been alive, I have never seen my parents have a fight. And I cannot think of a single time he hurt my feelings because he was upset.
Do you want to know what kind of man he is? He serves joyfully behind the scenes, never asking for recognition or gratitude.  He doesn’t ask for attention, but chooses to be Christ-like instead. He is a man who rejoices in secret giving, blessing, loving of others.
Do you want to know what kind of man he is? A righteous one. Most men will proclaim each his own goodness, But who can find a faithful man? The righteous man walks in his integrity; His children are blessed after him.” (Proverbs 20:6-7)

Do you want to know what kind of man he is?

The kind I’m so proud to call my papa. 

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Don't Forget

Sitting at a small hotel in Dehli, in a plastic lawn chair, looking out the window at the loud and busy streets of Paharganj, I wrote this. The task assigned was to write a letter to oneself, but I found I could do better with a lyrical formed list of things I never wanted to forget. Here goes: 

Don't forget. 
Don't ever forget. 
The Tankhul people, 
Their selfless generosity, 
Their simple way of life. 

Don't forget. 
Don't ever forget. 
Avao & Apey Lolly, 
Their huge hearts, 
Their strong love. 

Don't forget
Don't ever forget
Barnabas, o, Barnabas
His chivalry 
His love for life.

Don't forget. 
Don't ever forget. 
Those families with HIV
Their joy in trials,
Their hope in Christ. 

Don't forget. 
Don't ever forget. 
The children, 
Their sticky smiles
Their shy curiosity. 

Don't forget. 
Don't ever forget. 
Avao's mom & dad, 
Their huge sacrifice, 
Their years of service. 

Don't forget. 
Don't ever forget. 
Freddy.
All he did for us
His commitment to God.

Don't forget. 
Don't ever forget
The Peniel Home
The orphans' joy, 
The children's laughs. 

Don't forget. 
Don't ever forget
What it felt like to lead
Successfully 
And unsuccessfully. 

Don't forget. 
Don't ever forget
The handicap is a gift
Embrace it as such
Let Christ take over. 

Don't forget
Don't ever forget
Leadership will let you down
They're human too. 
Accept it. 

Don't forget. 
Don't ever forget
The joy of having nothing
Of rusted tin roofs 
Bucket showers and candlelight 

Don't forget. 
Don't ever forget
To share boldly 
Through the Holy Spirit
And leave the results to God

Don't forget. 
Don't ever forget 
To serve
All the time, anywhere
Inconveniently. 

Don't forget
Don't ever forget
To pray
Fervently, without ceasing
For all who need

Don't forget. 
Don't ever forget
What it feels like to be on the missions field. 
A bit lonely
But oh so fulfilling

Don't forget. 
Don't ever forget 
To hide God's word
Deep in my heart 
To give strength in weakness. 

Don't forget. 

Sunday, October 21, 2012

A Perfect Kind of Love

I've been feeling a bit....lyrical lately. This was something I wrote, one of the first not too personal to share. Enjoy....and if you like, I'd love a comment. :) .........and yes, I did use one made up word.


Ever 
sit in a room full of friends
And feel 
completely alone?

Ever 
pick up the phone
And realize 
there's no one?

What is it about this life
So full of instant communication
That leaves us utterly, completely...
Desperate?

Desperate seems to fit
The symptoms i see in so many
In my family, friends
In myself, even.

In this stimulant filled
Luxurious, first world life
We're desperate
For something more.

What? What is it
That we need, want
Desperately deny, yet
Long for?

Money, possessions, technology
Yet nothing is enough
To satisfy the desperate ache
We try so hard to satiate.

We live in a country 
Where we have so much 
Materialisticly
Yet, we get so little

We search for it.
That thing to fill the ache
A mate, a meaning
A home.

Why else
Do we cheapen love 
To equal sex
And settle for second best?

Because....we ache. 
Created for so much more
For a perfect kind of love
We instead choose "good enough."

Why?
Why?
Why?
My heart screams to know.

Must i also choose
A poor imitation of perfection
To be whole, complete,
Happy?

Do i have to let
Second best be good enough
To stop the ache
And fill the hole?

No. I'm putting my foot down.
I will not settle, bend,
Break or bow
Not for a cheap replica.

I choose
Life
I choose
A perfect kind of love

A love no human can create
Hollywood doesn't have it
Its too big to fit their script
Too wonderful to fake.

This agape love,
Who can imagine
Abba father 
Loves with passion

Who i am is good enough
No need to impress
He sees my inside
And loves me through

Now I'm complete
A whole new me 
His love opened my eyes
Now i can really see.

There's a world out there
Full of people just like me
Desperate for a change
I gotta help them see!

There's something different to be had
Something better than their dreams
A God who's love is unconditional
For sinners, just like me.

Monday, August 13, 2012

I'm home!

Hey all! 
I've written a follow up letter about my trip.  If you would like a paper copy, let me know! 

I’ve been back in the states for a little over two weeks now. It still feels so strange to be home! I know there are some of you that I probably won’t get the chance to tell about my trip in person, so I decided the best way to talk about my trip would be to write a follow-up letter. In this way I get a chance to share some of the amazing things that God did with you, my supporters and prayer partners!

God’s fingerprints were all over this trip, from beginning to end. My brother Ian and I have had opportunities to go on missions trips before several times, but this was the first time that God has financially provided above and beyond what was needed. I felt so blessed and loved by the support from all of you! It was so obvious to me that God took care of me financially and caused all the pieces to fall into place.

It’s so funny to me how God takes our expectations about something, and then “one-ups” them, making it better than we could’ve imagined or wished for. I tried to go into this trip without expectations, knowing that having them can be a huge stumbling block for what God wants to do…but of course, I did have a few. I expected to grow spiritually, I expected to be challenged, I expected to serve God. All those things happened, and so much more!

When we got to India, I immediately fell in love. We spent a few days in Delhi before heading off to northeastern India, and I loved every minute of it! The culture, the food, the people, the crazy environment, it was all so amazing. When we arrived in Manipur (the state that we would be ministering in) I was struck by how different it was from stereotypical “India”. It actually reminded me quite a bit of home! Everything in this mountainous region was very green, and it rained quite a bit. It was so beautiful, and I fell in love yet again.

We had the opportunity to work with people group called the Tangkhul. They turned out to be some of the most hospitable and generous people I have ever had a chance to work with. Our team often felt that we were blessed more than we were a blessing! The Tangkhul are a primarily Christian people group, but oftentimes church is nothing more than a community event on Sunday. We had the opportunity to show them that God is so much more than a stale name. We ministered in a school one day, and had a teen tell us afterwards that he “never thought (he) could do anything for God, but after seeing other young people living for God maybe (he) could too.” It was an incredible feeling.

The ministry we were able to work with while we were there was called Spring of Hope. They support HIV affected families through many different services – a children’s home, for those orphaned by HIV; pre and post-natal care for HIV positive mothers and their children. They provide weaving and sewing jobs for HIV positive mothers and widows who cannot work anywhere else; they pay monthly school and uniform fees for children in families affected by HIV. Spring of Hope does so, so much for the community, and we got to work with them and really experience what they do.

People often ask me to share a memorable or life-changing moment from my trip. While there are so many that I could mention, one day in particular sticks out in my mind. Our team split up into smaller groups and, with the help of an interpreter, did home visits with some of the HIV affected families Spring of Hope works with. My group in particular had the opportunity to visit with three different families. Two out of the three families were widowed; all had more than 3 children, and anywhere from 1-3 people were affected in each family. I was struck so much by the joy that these people exuded, but their words truly blew me away. We asked them questions about their disease and how it had changed their lives, and in all three houses I heard the exact same answer: each family told us that “having HIV was a blessing, because it brought (them) closer to God.”

If you could’ve seen the honesty on their faces, and the joy in their hearts…I will never be the same. God taught me quite the lesson that day, and I won’t ever forget it. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 says “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” Those families are living that out. My prayer for them is that they will live to see their children grow up, before God takes them home.

There are so many more things I could say – I could practically write a novel about all God did in the short time I was inIndia. Above all else, I fell in love with the country, and God’s people there. I know that I will go back some day, and my heart is already anxious for when that time will come.

Thank you all so much for your love and prayers! It means more than I can say to know that you all stood behind me while I was gone. Please join me in continuing to pray for the Tangkhul people and Spring of Hope Ministries.


Friday, June 15, 2012

Here we go!

Today's the day. Today's the day that I set off on (arguably) the biggest adventure of my adult life thus far. Am I nervous? Yes, a bit. Scared? Nope. Excited? Sorta....hasn't really set in yet. In the next 2 months I will see and experience things I could only dream of. God will move. I'll work hard, and pour myself out for God - only to be refilled to overflowing, because that's the amazing God we serve. 


Pray for me! I beg you! I need to know that I'm not alone out there. Pray for the girls I will mentor, the people God will use me to touch. Send me letters, if you can. 


Love you all. 
Theresa
(Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9)

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Oh, red tape...

This visa company is giving me a serious run-around. They couldn't process my visa because my reference didn't have a street number (due to the fact that the orphanage is so rural there isn't one!) I paid over $30 to send them a letter with the needed information - no response. Called, they said I needed to fill out a whole new visa application. Talked to my team leader, she said I should just be able to email them the information! Just pray that God gives me the wisdom to get this resolved quickly, and the grace to not get stressed out about it. 


Still working on my funds, got about $1,985 to go. Continue to pray with me for God's provision! Also, working on buying the supplies for my trip. Bought some more stuff today, still got more stuff to go. 


I found online today the trip itinerary. http://reignministries.org/royal-servants/friends-family/india-mission-trip/india-mission-trip-itinerary/ That was exciting, to see exactly where we'd be when. 


Remember a while back when I was talking about writing me letters? I now have the addresses! :) 


From June 16th-July 2nd, I can receive mail and small packages at training camp. Here's the instructions: 
All students can receive care packages and letters while they are at Training Camp. It is a lot of fun for their teams because students have to sing to get their mail. Contents of care packages can include favorite candy, chips, snack, etc. Try not to send large items. Care packages are a great, low-cost way for relatives or friends from the youth group to bless and encourage your son or daughter. Make sure you send any letter or package in time! Training Camp tear down begins on early on the morning of July 1, 2012 and anything that arrives that day or afterwards will be returned by the post office. If you are sending a care package, please send it in a small, shoe-box sized box. We do not have a lot of room to store all the care packages we receive.    

Theresa Brock / India
Royal Servants
c/o Reign Ministries.
W4797 State Road 33
Pardeeville, WI 53954


Between July 7th-23rd, I can receive letters and cards (no packages, please) at the orphanage in Ukrhul. 
Print the address in all capital letters:
THERESA BROCK
C/O ROYAL SERVANTS
PENIEL HOME FOR CHILDREN
UKHURL, MANIPUR
INDIA

As it states above, I will have to sing for every letter & package....haha...but it's fun. And it's nice to know that people are thinking of you, even after you leave. So if you get a chance, just drop me a note. :) 
Keep me in your thoughts and prayers - 10 days to go! 
-Theresa

Saturday, June 2, 2012

Hello!

Marinpali! ("May the Lord be with You" in Tangkhul, native language where we're going!)


I found out more about what I'll actually be doing in India, and I wanted to give you all the low-down. This was a part of the email I got from one of the team leaders: 


"We will be sleeping at the orphanage with 20 other children. It will brighten your day to see the children's smiling faces first thing in the morning, and let me tell you, their singing brings great joy to your heart. They love to praise the Lord with their voices! Each of you will be tutoring one child every morning. They love to practice their English and play games. There is such a bond that can form over those days. We will also be teaching English at local schools in Ukhrul and other surrounding towns.  The students LOVE to play games and sing songs. The younger students are fascinated by the puppets that we bring and perform with. It is amazing how the Lord uses these opportunities in the schools to bring glory to himself as his story is shared with the students.The goal this year is to partner with the youth in the area. We hope to put on an evangelism seminar and then work with them to share the gospel. This group also has a KILLER blues band. They will get you clapping and stomping your feet as they rock out."


Oh, how this excites me! Mom already made me promise I wouldn't try to sneak a child home in my duffle bag. :D It's gonna be a fantastic summer. 


Somewhat of a side-note: I had my garage sale this weekend. Made about $530. Not too shabby! Still got a long ways to go, and we're getting to crunch time. If you haven't already, help me out! Got a little less than $2000 still to go. God can do it! We can do it! Just pray about how He might be able to use you to help me. :) 


Speaking of help....Just thought I'd give you some pictures of some items I need. Most of the photos were taken at REI. (Love that place!) Keep praying for me. Love you all!


Theresa