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Europeans have watches, African’s have Time.

Oct 14, 2010   //   by Jennifer Bridges   //   Blog, Uncategorized  //  No Comments
Our tour guide in Ethiopia must have sensed me being schedule sensitive. Maybe it was the unnerving feeling in my stomach when we were kicking back for our coffee ceremony and he casually mentioned some new adoptive family was waiting for him at the airport. This may have been the first time he used this line on me “Europeans have watches, Africans have Time. All the while a relaxed demeanor and a big smile.
Yikes!
I am so thankful for the books I have begun reading. ( When Helping Hurts as well as African Friends and Money Matters)I believe they will help me appreciate the differences in culture from here to there. I really want to lesson the gap in my mind. How can I be more like an African? How can I appreciate a more relaxed schedule?
Experiencing God is also a fantastic read.
While I am still here in Tualatin, Oregon which could be 6 months or forever, I am watching for what God is doing. Instead of just wishing for when I will be somewhere else, why not watch for what is going on around me? There are three precious little girls who I am becoming quite fond of. They love to peak in my sliding door to see what I am doing. I am really deliberately trying to make time. Time to listen, to play marbles, to look in their faces and give them my attention. They just want love. Not much different than my Ethiopian friends. It seems to be a valuable international commodity. Time and love going hand in hand. Instead of looking at the gaping differences between the cultures maybe I should try to see similarities.

the Garage Sale

Sep 9, 2010   //   by Jennifer Bridges   //   Blog, Uncategorized  //  2 Comments

Really a whole house sale. What isn’t bolted down has been listed on Craig’s List is going. Shane told me yesterday that it feels like a cleanse. It is refreshing in someway to purge our earthly treasures.
I am keeping my eye on the prize, the children and specifically the young entrepreneurs. Those who want to work. This little boy is carrying his water and box for shoe shinning. He was one of my favorites. For about 40 cents he will clean your shoes like no one has ever cleaned them before. I just like him! Maybe he could be a future business partner?

Ethiopian Mansion

Sep 8, 2010   //   by Jennifer Bridges   //   Blog, Uncategorized  //  2 Comments

Well, it is official. We have moved into our Tualatin “Ethiopian Mansion” as Harrison calls it. Moving into an apartment by choice, is an interesting adventure. We already see that we are being taught about our own social prejudices about apartment living and the people that live there. We have been delighted by our new neighbors, although nothing could shadow the neighbors we have had in the past, as they will be our forever friends. Our new neighbors have brought us gifts, helped carry stuff, showed us the ropes around the community, and have been delightful. Most of them are 11 and under.
Shane isn’t sleeping well yet as the toilet doesn’t stop running, the dishwasher sounds like it is going to “take off”, and hearing the neighbors using the bathroom in the middle of the night wakes him up but he is delighted by our choice. The long term implications are good. We have much to learn.

Letting Go…the rich young ruler

Aug 30, 2010   //   by Jennifer Bridges   //   Blog, Uncategorized  //  No Comments

As we begin to purge our house of the extra stuff, some recycle, some trash some Craig’s List treasures we just don’t need anymore, it feels very exciting and liberating. The thought of using our leftovers to leverage into a meaningful help for Africa comes at very little cost.

It wasn’t until some of my favorites possessions came into question, like my Anthropologie kitchen table, a tea pot from my grandma or a Crate n Barrel side table that just makes me warm inside to look at it. It was as if I could hear Jesus saying to the rich young ruler, “sell all of your possessions and give them to poor and follow me”. But Lord, I don’t want them to be wasted. The investments I have made on these treasures will not be restored to me. I don’t think the idea of being without my treasures bothers me as much as the idea of the lack of return on my investment. How much have I spent to create the wonderful encumbering web?

Looking forward I want to be able to just say “yes”. I will follow you Lord. I will walk away from my earthy accumulations without hesitation. I will give you the little I have to mix with your endless supply. Use me as you will and let eternal investments be sewn.

One For One Movement – A Pair Of New Shoes Is Given To A Child In Need With Every Pair Purchased – TOMS.com

Aug 28, 2010   //   by Jennifer Bridges   //   Blog, Uncategorized  //  No Comments

One For One Movement – A Pair Of New Shoes Is Given To A Child In Need With Every Pair Purchased – TOMS.com

A fresh look…

Aug 28, 2010   //   by Jennifer Bridges   //   Blog, Uncategorized  //  No Comments
Ethiopia is on my mind. I can’t shake it. Everything I see and interact with is anchored on the hue of children eating from the piles and piles of trash. I don’t want to just be disgusted. I want to contribute to betterment. Not to have pride that I am the answer but to genuinely be moved with compassion that stirs me so deeply I am willing to step aside from my selfishness.
Life to the fullest is about living life with my family in my community with a world wide mindset. Compassion is met with contributions toward betterment.
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