As my plane is banking into its finale approach into Denver, my stomach had been sour the whole flight; Not because of my finale street-vender-taco count of 26, not cause of air sick (I don't get that). It had been that way all day. Nothing in me wanted to step foot off that plane. Yesterday I got to hang with the most amazing group of girls!!! Each one is a story of beauty from the heaviest ashes. My head and my heart are going to be unpacking this for months, perhaps years. But so you can see a shadow of what I mean...
...see me at dinner, a nice mexican restaurant (not unlike many I've been too in the States) My table is packed, 9 people in fact... and less that half of us even speak the same language, but conversation was never a problem. I'm sitting next to the most adorable 4 year old this world has ever seen. She stole my heart and held my hand most of the day, and ended our evening asleep in my arms. You'd never know her past by her sweet deposition... never know that she was the child of a slave, who's uncle sold her for sex as a teenager. Who's father falls on the indistinguishable line of possibility between her mothers pimp or a number of "John's." ... And I got to dance with her! As a mariachi band comes into our dinning room an impromptu dance party was like fire that spread through the room. before the first song was over she dawning an oversized sombrero on her tiny lil head. I don't think there was a step of our dance where she wasn't in spirit with her 4 year-old contagious gut-laugh. And although the two of us stole the show (at least in my head) the dance was annotated not by us but by a 12 year old who was rescued from a brothel house only a year ago by the Mexican Police. She also had so much life in her eyes... especially when she tried to throw me into a pool and even legitimately beat me in a water fight (after we had both climbed to the top of the fountain that is)
I could go on and on and on but I just wanted to paint a picture of the woman these girls have chosen to be. Many of whom ware bracelets that tell their story, not of their past... but of why they have so much life now after having so much stolen from them. The bracelets tell the story of the man who loved them the best. The Christ who showed them freedom and love. These girls knowing better than any, what slavery is. Having now showed me what freedom looks like. They walk in it, chasing the shadows and choosing to hope, learning to dream again, every smile showing a vibrant life that cant be fabricated, cannot be forced or painted on. I may tell a small part of their story, but I didn't write it.
"Therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I am against your magic charms with which you ensnare people like birds and I will tear them from your arms; I will set free the people that you ensnare like birds." (Ezekiel 13:20)
"Set me free from my prison, that I may praise your name. Then the righteous will gather about me because of your goodness to me." (ps 142:7)
"I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free" (Ps 119:32)
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Tuesday/Wednesday: Mexico City
You don't get a video today. most of the pics/Video I've been taking you'll never really be allowed to see due to the protection of the Kids. I could give you another monologue with my beautiful face but I just plainly don't feel like it, and your currently subjected to my blogging whim.
Today was pretty long. started early with a staff meeting as usual. And then off to wal-mart. We bought a LOT of groceries today so we could fix dinner for the whole Hovdi House and their staff, with us about 85 in all.
They currently house almost 50 kids. from age 3-22. I was working with a couple of the older kids yesterday. The Havdi House is a preventative safe house for abandoned/ abused youth. And I just have to say that these kids are the best things with skin on!!! One of the younger boys (10 years old) wanted to help me with something yesterday, I asked him to go get a bucket of water for me, but within a minute I had to run and get something out of the same room as the water. So we talked for a moment (kindof...again, I don't really speak spanish.) But both of us stopped watching the bucket as it nearly overflowed. I told him that I would take the water, but he pushed my hand away. "No Chris, yo llevo el ague." and this 80 some pound 10 year old quiveringly lifted a FULL 5 gallons of water on his shoulders and carried it across the compound for me; Not accepting a second thought and even traversing a small flight of stairs. No brake, no stop for a breath, In fact he was quit head high and fearless. Today he and I painted a part of the house. I was on the roof, and was on the ground, under stairs, and hanging 10 feet off the ground from windows brush in hand. At one point I looked over and he had placed his hand print in yellow paint square on his face. (I did something like that the day before) so I went and got a hand full and encompassed his little mug with my gargantuan digits. he tried A matching one but it looked more like I stuck my nose and lips onto a freshly painted wall. He did however get a near perfect one on the tip of my pointy lil bald head. (at this point I feel the need to mention that this roof that I was on today was the very one that earned me a nickname yesterday with a few of the kids... "spiderman." You see, I kinda fell through the roof the day before, caught myself on a beam and swung down. Before I hit ground, as I'm dangling from the beam I hear someone behind me say "spiderman"... I feel as though I earned that one)
I connected with three of the older guys yesterday; and Jeff, from the Huvdi foundation that owns the house said "wanna get teenage boys to like you, fall through a roof." and I got to hang out with all three of them all day today, Working and playing a lot of fútbol. The one I got to know the best is 18, with about a 10 year old sister. She's adorable. She kissed me on the cheek today when she said goodnight.
We received two peaces of bad news today though, the first and the reason that the older kids hung around today instead of going to school in the afternoon as their supposed to, is their van driver was in a serious accident driving back from dropping off the younger kids. This is the same driver that drove me home yesterday and many of the kids know him well obviously. He was due to have inter-cranial surgery this evening but they postponed till tomorrow. The second, and unfortunately worse news. One of our local contacts within the government, an amazing lady that I'll tell you about at a later date, Called to tell us that she had to shift around our schedule for the rest of our time here, A 13 year old girl being trafficked for sex was murdered today. Our friend, being head of the anti-trafficking reform has been involved now in the investigation. Sadly, the norm here is that the girl was an abandoned child who's family likely doesn't know, or doesn't care. I don't know if thats worse or better than for her to be one of the many children that are taken and then trafficked.
Tomorrow, (thursday) after staff meeting we will be going out to some of the kids that live on the streets still and seeing where they're living. Followed by my team setting up our trafficking exhibit at the attorney Generals Office here in the capital district. The Attorney General is the third most powerful man in the country (also third in line for El Presidente should anything happen to the two above him.) His office is also key any success with new legislation against Trafficking. And with that... I have a big day tomorrow, so I'm going to retire.
Today was pretty long. started early with a staff meeting as usual. And then off to wal-mart. We bought a LOT of groceries today so we could fix dinner for the whole Hovdi House and their staff, with us about 85 in all.
They currently house almost 50 kids. from age 3-22. I was working with a couple of the older kids yesterday. The Havdi House is a preventative safe house for abandoned/ abused youth. And I just have to say that these kids are the best things with skin on!!! One of the younger boys (10 years old) wanted to help me with something yesterday, I asked him to go get a bucket of water for me, but within a minute I had to run and get something out of the same room as the water. So we talked for a moment (kindof...again, I don't really speak spanish.) But both of us stopped watching the bucket as it nearly overflowed. I told him that I would take the water, but he pushed my hand away. "No Chris, yo llevo el ague." and this 80 some pound 10 year old quiveringly lifted a FULL 5 gallons of water on his shoulders and carried it across the compound for me; Not accepting a second thought and even traversing a small flight of stairs. No brake, no stop for a breath, In fact he was quit head high and fearless. Today he and I painted a part of the house. I was on the roof, and was on the ground, under stairs, and hanging 10 feet off the ground from windows brush in hand. At one point I looked over and he had placed his hand print in yellow paint square on his face. (I did something like that the day before) so I went and got a hand full and encompassed his little mug with my gargantuan digits. he tried A matching one but it looked more like I stuck my nose and lips onto a freshly painted wall. He did however get a near perfect one on the tip of my pointy lil bald head. (at this point I feel the need to mention that this roof that I was on today was the very one that earned me a nickname yesterday with a few of the kids... "spiderman." You see, I kinda fell through the roof the day before, caught myself on a beam and swung down. Before I hit ground, as I'm dangling from the beam I hear someone behind me say "spiderman"... I feel as though I earned that one)
I connected with three of the older guys yesterday; and Jeff, from the Huvdi foundation that owns the house said "wanna get teenage boys to like you, fall through a roof." and I got to hang out with all three of them all day today, Working and playing a lot of fútbol. The one I got to know the best is 18, with about a 10 year old sister. She's adorable. She kissed me on the cheek today when she said goodnight.
We received two peaces of bad news today though, the first and the reason that the older kids hung around today instead of going to school in the afternoon as their supposed to, is their van driver was in a serious accident driving back from dropping off the younger kids. This is the same driver that drove me home yesterday and many of the kids know him well obviously. He was due to have inter-cranial surgery this evening but they postponed till tomorrow. The second, and unfortunately worse news. One of our local contacts within the government, an amazing lady that I'll tell you about at a later date, Called to tell us that she had to shift around our schedule for the rest of our time here, A 13 year old girl being trafficked for sex was murdered today. Our friend, being head of the anti-trafficking reform has been involved now in the investigation. Sadly, the norm here is that the girl was an abandoned child who's family likely doesn't know, or doesn't care. I don't know if thats worse or better than for her to be one of the many children that are taken and then trafficked.
Tomorrow, (thursday) after staff meeting we will be going out to some of the kids that live on the streets still and seeing where they're living. Followed by my team setting up our trafficking exhibit at the attorney Generals Office here in the capital district. The Attorney General is the third most powerful man in the country (also third in line for El Presidente should anything happen to the two above him.) His office is also key any success with new legislation against Trafficking. And with that... I have a big day tomorrow, so I'm going to retire.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
So Far So Good...
Summer update...
Where to begin; even only sitting in early June it seams that so much has gone on this summer that I'm way behind on blogging. I just got back to Colorado from North Platte, Nebraska. I was doing the music for the week for a early middle school camp. And I just have to say... those kids are CrAzY!*%!! The first set, the first night and they were far from the deer in the headlights look I'm used to getting as the music guy. they were interactive, LOUD, and bouncing all over the place. I love Middle Schoolers, they will tell you when their wanting to be there or wanting to be somewhere else. There is no guessing with them and thats why I like them so much more than adults. All in all the week went well. Most camp weeks you see the end of chapel recommittals; and such. And I have no real authority to decipher what is genuine and what is hype. But especially as the music guy, I commonly get used as the emotional driver to fake or flimsy committals to God. And this week didn't really do that. Although there was opportunity for kids to do that, they seamed to be driven more to interaction. The stage time instead was joyous and fun, and I like that.
Moving on, I leave for Mexico City this saturday. I'm an odd form of excited, considering what the trip is. For those of you that don't know I'm with a group called IEmpathize going to advocate against sex and human trafficking in Mexico City. I'll be meeting with members of the Mexican Congress and touring different brothels that the Mexican Police have busted recently. CNN published a report this week about sex trafficking in Mexico City; with an estimated 10,000 sex slaves in the city alone, there were only 12 arrests last year. Anyone with a sense of justice should be shattered by these figures. and this is only one issue in one city on the Globe. The problem presents society with a mountainous traverse that no individual has the ability to climb solo. thats why the awareness of the issue is so important. But like always "its not the education we get but the empowerment we give that makes a difference to others." (-John C Maxwell) I think that best surmises the journey I get to take next week. Personally its more out of my comfort zone that I had to raise the money to go than the nature of the trip itself. The Business side of ministry is still something of work in process to me. Below I've put the shortened video from Iempathize about the work in Mexico City, I'm trying to keep this post more of a cleft note's type of update, so I'm gonna just leave you with the video and keep coming back to this site next week as I'm in Mexico City, I'll be updating here about the trip as I get opportunity too each day.
iEmpathize Mexico City Short: The Way Home (English Version) from Simon Scionka on Vimeo.
If you would still like to support the trip, were still short on funding, and you can do so on the link below. Then Click the "support me" link on the right.
Support Mexico City Expedition
Other than all of these happenings, I'm getting behind on school already, I don't know how a thing like that could happen taking 15 credits over a summer with all of this also happening. It just blows my mind.
And I've been presented with a familiar crossroads, to operate in my nature. turning down the opportunity to put down roots and do what society sees as the normal or wiser plan for the next few years. OR... in line with all my life decisions and flighty nature. To choose instead to operate even more as a drifter than I am now? Hmm perplexing choices. Roots creep me out honestly. So I'm at an impasse with wanting to be responsible but also being who I've always been and wanted to be; Active, extreme, and living a life like few have tasted seeing both the world being involved with people all over instead of an isolated few...we shall see ;)
The prospect went with an interesting conversation, one that I have with myself often, but none the less was a feature our dialogue. It was about the nature of this itinerant life style. This conversation was with a man that knows me well, and he observed how uncomfortable I am with settling in. weather that be with a normal job, a house, a girl... "its like your so used to change that your afraid to commit to anything that will keep you from the ability to be where you feel you need to be from moment to moment." I couldn't agree with him more... that is me (hence the tittle of the blog in case you were wondering)! And I mean that as a very good thing. I like writing my address in pencil (I've lived in the same place for a year and a month now... that's a record in a nine year time frame) I enjoy that I get to live a life outside of a 9-5 prison cell, looking back 10 years later and realizing you've only existed well and not actually lived. I get to experience life that few do... and what affords me this right. I pathetic gross income every year and zero stability. I can deal with that. So I guess the only thing on that list to figure out is the Girl part.... yeah... I haven't figured that one out yet obviously. (How emphatic can you make one "!" ?) Perhaps i'll post a blog when I get back from mexico with a girlfriend application section. Except I think the "need not apply" section would be depressingly limiting :/ ... Well 2/3 figured out is nice I suppose, story of my life! (lol)
Where to begin; even only sitting in early June it seams that so much has gone on this summer that I'm way behind on blogging. I just got back to Colorado from North Platte, Nebraska. I was doing the music for the week for a early middle school camp. And I just have to say... those kids are CrAzY!*%!! The first set, the first night and they were far from the deer in the headlights look I'm used to getting as the music guy. they were interactive, LOUD, and bouncing all over the place. I love Middle Schoolers, they will tell you when their wanting to be there or wanting to be somewhere else. There is no guessing with them and thats why I like them so much more than adults. All in all the week went well. Most camp weeks you see the end of chapel recommittals; and such. And I have no real authority to decipher what is genuine and what is hype. But especially as the music guy, I commonly get used as the emotional driver to fake or flimsy committals to God. And this week didn't really do that. Although there was opportunity for kids to do that, they seamed to be driven more to interaction. The stage time instead was joyous and fun, and I like that.
Moving on, I leave for Mexico City this saturday. I'm an odd form of excited, considering what the trip is. For those of you that don't know I'm with a group called IEmpathize going to advocate against sex and human trafficking in Mexico City. I'll be meeting with members of the Mexican Congress and touring different brothels that the Mexican Police have busted recently. CNN published a report this week about sex trafficking in Mexico City; with an estimated 10,000 sex slaves in the city alone, there were only 12 arrests last year. Anyone with a sense of justice should be shattered by these figures. and this is only one issue in one city on the Globe. The problem presents society with a mountainous traverse that no individual has the ability to climb solo. thats why the awareness of the issue is so important. But like always "its not the education we get but the empowerment we give that makes a difference to others." (-John C Maxwell) I think that best surmises the journey I get to take next week. Personally its more out of my comfort zone that I had to raise the money to go than the nature of the trip itself. The Business side of ministry is still something of work in process to me. Below I've put the shortened video from Iempathize about the work in Mexico City, I'm trying to keep this post more of a cleft note's type of update, so I'm gonna just leave you with the video and keep coming back to this site next week as I'm in Mexico City, I'll be updating here about the trip as I get opportunity too each day.
iEmpathize Mexico City Short: The Way Home (English Version) from Simon Scionka on Vimeo.
If you would still like to support the trip, were still short on funding, and you can do so on the link below. Then Click the "support me" link on the right.
Support Mexico City Expedition
Other than all of these happenings, I'm getting behind on school already, I don't know how a thing like that could happen taking 15 credits over a summer with all of this also happening. It just blows my mind.
And I've been presented with a familiar crossroads, to operate in my nature. turning down the opportunity to put down roots and do what society sees as the normal or wiser plan for the next few years. OR... in line with all my life decisions and flighty nature. To choose instead to operate even more as a drifter than I am now? Hmm perplexing choices. Roots creep me out honestly. So I'm at an impasse with wanting to be responsible but also being who I've always been and wanted to be; Active, extreme, and living a life like few have tasted seeing both the world being involved with people all over instead of an isolated few...we shall see ;)
The prospect went with an interesting conversation, one that I have with myself often, but none the less was a feature our dialogue. It was about the nature of this itinerant life style. This conversation was with a man that knows me well, and he observed how uncomfortable I am with settling in. weather that be with a normal job, a house, a girl... "its like your so used to change that your afraid to commit to anything that will keep you from the ability to be where you feel you need to be from moment to moment." I couldn't agree with him more... that is me (hence the tittle of the blog in case you were wondering)! And I mean that as a very good thing. I like writing my address in pencil (I've lived in the same place for a year and a month now... that's a record in a nine year time frame) I enjoy that I get to live a life outside of a 9-5 prison cell, looking back 10 years later and realizing you've only existed well and not actually lived. I get to experience life that few do... and what affords me this right. I pathetic gross income every year and zero stability. I can deal with that. So I guess the only thing on that list to figure out is the Girl part.... yeah... I haven't figured that one out yet obviously. (How emphatic can you make one "!" ?) Perhaps i'll post a blog when I get back from mexico with a girlfriend application section. Except I think the "need not apply" section would be depressingly limiting :/ ... Well 2/3 figured out is nice I suppose, story of my life! (lol)
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