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Dec 30 Collateral Growth
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Posted at 3:23 AM by Amy -
15 Comments
My reflective brain can’t get close to the New Year without first looking back. And when I do- it’s like looking into a passenger-side mirror from the driver’s seat and reading a warning: The events of this year are closer than they appear. 2009 has been intense. When I look back at what should have only produced collateral damage, I also see collateral growth- and for that, I’m thankful. At times my heart still hurts deeply and I’m left shaking my head in disbelief- but there’s also thankfulness. I need to back up and explain.
When I was 19 I went on my first mission trip to Botswana, Africa. During a training weekend in Miami, Florida, I threw my sleeping bag down on a church floor and landed right next to Alece (my Kitty). Over the course of the next month, the knot that would form the base of braided hearts and lives was formed. More than a decade later- we’ve worked side by side on the mission field, shared a wedding, a birth, miscellaneous adventures, and deep heartache. I need to explain. Again.
My 2009 is inextricably connected to my Kitty’s story. A year ago, she pulled the cord and exposed her husband’s affair. Which is devistating and complicated when it only involves the two people in the marriage. But Alece and Niel pioneered and directed Thrive Africa together. When Alece pulled the cord, she knew that a boulder would be loosed and the potential for collateral damage would be far reaching. But in her courage, she pulled, and I still thank God that when she did, I was there- and my family was already planted in South Africa.
What I thought (but God’s plan was entirely different) was our family spending 9-months in South Africa (doing life with our dear friends while my husband was also doing dissertation research and writing) has turned into me serving as Interim Director of Thrive Africa and my family living overseas indefinitely.
I don’t want to ignore the collateral damage- because there’s been plenty of it, but I want to celebrate that from its rubble is emerging something beautiful. New. Stronger. Those stories are the ones I want to share with you in the days to come. But to really celebrate the fragrance of what God is making bloom… I first needed to share what prompted the tilling of the soil.
2009 has been a year that changed my life. Forever.
15 Comments on “Collateral Growth”
Even though the reasons behind you being there weren’t the best, I am so glad that you were in South Africa this summer.
I’m thankful for meeting you and Dave and hanging out with your kiddos (give them hugs for me!). You poured more into my life this summer than you probably know. Thanks.
P.S. I just stumbled across the new blog. And I LOVE the new design and setup! I couldn’t figure out why no new posts from you were showing up in my Google Reader…now I know I had the wrong URL. Haha.
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…and *i* still thank God that when i pulled that cord, you were there.
and you’re still there. always my kitty.
i love you.
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As an “outsider” one of things I thank God for as I make hard prayers for Alece during this season is that she has you, Amy, close by her side.
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Amy Reply:
December 30th, 2009 at 6:08 pm
@ngie… thanks for your kind words and for all the prayers you’ve uttered.
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Kitty… I love you.
Mandie… thank you, your words mean a lot to me.
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What a good God we have!!! When I read this, it’s like I took a breath of fresh air. That paragraph about Alece pulling the cord and you being there to take over almost moved me to tears. I thank God for you guys. Although I didn’t get to know you as much as I would have liked to, this year has been a good indication of what I missed. *Still* praying for everyone!
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Amen. That gives me such comfort, too.
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Lisa Reply:
December 30th, 2009 at 9:03 pm
Oops. I meant that “Amen” part to be in reply to what Angie wrote above, about you being by Alece’s side.
It was no coincidence that you placed your sleeping bag next to hers on that church floor all those years ago. That was a divine set-up. The Lord knew exactly what He was doing there….. for *both* of you. And for Thrive.
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Amy,
I noticed on your FB status that you said you were glad to be headed home! How wonderful that you are excited about this next ‘indefinite” phase of your life. I am sad that we won’t be seeing you back in IC. Maybe we will have to Safari to SA to see you all.
Hugs!
Happy New Year!
Safe Travels!
-Shawna
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Amy Reply:
December 31st, 2009 at 7:28 am
Thank you Shawna… one of the things I miss most about my IC days is play dates with you!!
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It is amazing to be connected the way you are, the way we all are in ways we have no idea how we are. If that makes any sense at all. I am thankful though. I am thankful for your gifts and talents and how they are well suited for the task at hand. The task of organizing and leading. The task of being a mom and wife. The task of surrender and obeying. Of being a child and friend. You are so many of these things and more and you balance well. I am in awe of how well you balance and I am thankful for your transparent heart. You are amazing. Yay God.
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Hmmmm… balance. I strive for that- but it doesn’t come naturally… so to hear you say that you see that in me… really means a lot.
I’m ready to be in the same country again
Miss you!!
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Amy, I saw Invictus last night and thought of you. What a fascinating country and history…and what a blessing for you and your family to experience something completely different. I pray for more collateral growth in 2010.
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So glad you were there this year and for the way that you touched and changed my life immensely and walked with me through my own ugly…. “2009 has been a year that changed my life. Forever.”
“He has made everything beautiful in its time.” Eccl. 3:11
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Indefinitely…….REALLY?
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