What's going on, What's next... Where are you?

Hey Friends!!

I'm sorry it's been so long. When I got home after graduation on March 14, my computer decided it would have issues connecting to internet, and I didn't exactly wish to publish a detailed update from my phone. But hey, I'm back, and excited to fill you in!!

The last five weeks or so, I've been living back home in Galesburg. My owners at Dairy Queen are absolutely amazing, and allowed me to continue where I left off these 7 months ago now. In addition to making ice cream and taking your order at drive-thru, I've been babysitting, attending some community activities, and volunteering at church.

I'm thankful many ministries I was a part of have welcomed me back, including the Jr High ministry with my 8th grade girls, and our Mom's ministries. Coming up, I'm looking forward to helping with Single Mom's Morning Out, an event where single mom's have the opportunity to get pampered with a massage, hair cut, car cleaning, nail painting, and much more! At this event, I will be a part of the nail painting, something I've never done. I'm excited to learn, though, and to connect with the women God wants me to pray for and bless. The other event coming up is during our bimonthly morning mom's ministry, where I will be subbing a class for the upper elementary home schoolers at the end of next month. My church has been great about providing new opportunities for me to grow and learn!

Speaking of my church, the last Sunday I am home I will be doing a children's presentation about my trip to Uganda and Kenya. We are also in communication to set up an adult event, so I will let you know when such an event is finalized!

Don't feel like you can only talk to me at an event, though. I love telling about what God did and is doing in Uganda and Kenya and how He grew and strengthened me during the last six months with YWAM, so please do not hesitate to call me or set up a coffee date before I go. Trust me, I have plenty of time to devote to you.

So.. what's next?

While I have talked about this opportunity before, I would like to share more with you. Memorial Day weekend, directly after my sister's high school graduation, I head to Rolla, Missouri to minister at Camp David.Camp David of the Ozarks is a 501c3 nonprofit Christian summer scholarship camp uniquely designed to meet the needs of children of prisoners. Their mission statement is to be a transforming agent in the lives of families of prisoners by introducing them to the love and hope in Jesus Christ, and to develop leaders who will impact our world. Here, I will be a part of their leadership team in the role of Support Staff Leader. This means I will lead a group of 10 to 14 individuals, some of whom used to be campers themselves, in the duties of dishes, janitorial, and other such tasks. The first week down in Missouri will be leadership training, followed by a week of staff training. Then, campers arrive. After about two months of week long camps, my last day will be around July 31st (details haven't quite been worked out).

And then?????

The big question. What the heck are you doing next fall. and, well....







I don't know.





Right, I don't know. For those of you who know me pretty well, that surprises you.

Because I truly don't know.



Having been accepted and soon registering for classes at the local community college, Carl Sandburg, that could very well be an option. I would continue working at DQ and volunteering at the church as I work towards an eventual bachelor's degree in business or counseling.

I have a different desire, though.
A dream, you may say.

You see, God has called me to urban ministry in Chicago. Exactly how, when, or with what organization has not come to light (prayers towards this would be appreciated...) but a lot can happen in the next five months to make that calling happen soon, especially with the relationships and contacts I could develop through the opportunities God has provided me with.

I thank God for the opportunities He has bestowed on me, and His blessings. It is such a joy to still have a bed at home in Galesburg, to have a job within days, a church community wanting to welcome me back. He continues to guide, in His timing, and as long as I have the next step, I see myself in pretty good nail pierced hands.


Love you all and blessings,
Tori

Necessities of Life

What does every human need to live?

Food.

Water.

Shelter.

Now, what does every first world country seem to need in order to live?

Internet

Electricity

Phone

Car

Running water

Well built house

For two weeks, I observed communities lacking the American view of life. For another two weeks, I lived that way myself.

These places lacked internet, electricity, cars, running water, and the houses were made out of mud. 

Guess what, though? They were LIVING. At times, more than I daresay us in America, as so many of us are glued to TV and computer screens.

You see, I question our standard of life. 

In the village of Ugunja, where I lived for two weeks, most houses weren't even accessible by car as we walked through the trees. Families lived together, generations on a plot of land, being there for each other. It was common to go visit your neighbor without warning them, or for a visitor to come without beckons. They worked hard, developed relationships with each other, and while food or water may not always be easy to get, they understood the concept of God's provision.

While there, we didn't have water or electricity. Yes, I survived. In fact... those were some of the simplest, most calming weeks of the trip. Our team grew close together, we had conversations with each other. When you don't have the distraction of a phone or TV, conversations happen! 

The lack of the "first world necessities" wasn't because the village was dirt poor. No, they weren't rich... but when a whole community lives this way, I question the need as well. Not only that, but even if they could afford running water, that means pipe lines getting laid all throughout the area, pipe lines that weren't there. This is what they grew up in, most people lived their whole lives here, so they didn't know what they were "missing out on", nor did they have the "staying connected" reasons we do. 

Don't get me wrong, I'm thankful for the amenities we have. With it, I can stay in contact with my friends in Germany, Romania, Uganda, and all over the states. I can cross the ocean in a few hours, a trip to Chicago is common. For many in the village, the area they were born may be all they know. A trip to Nairobi, an eight hour bus ride away, isn't a trip taken lightly. 

I don't tell you these things to pity the people I met.

In fact, I tell you these things so we can begin to rid ourselves of the mindset that these people are less than us because they have to travel a kilometer for water. 

I tell you these things so we can stop pitying them, and blaming them for their lives, saying they waste their money and resources, just because google isn't a click away.

I ask that we measure rich and poor by the community around them, and see what the real needs are. In my opinion, these villages don't need the means to plumbing and electricity, as much as they have a need for education. Education for a job, for care of children, proper hygiene, agriculture, and taking care of their land and community. Not for a Western education system, but an education that fits their culture and their world. 

"[The organization] gave me a cow so I could have income and a better life. But I lack the money to feed the cow. Many days, I go hungry so the cow can eat." -a Kenyan villager

I ask to redefine our standards of life, to be thankful for what we have, and to understand a village before we judge or pity the people. I ask us to see what the true needs are, needs exempt from our Western lens. 

I ask us to love them as they are, and not ask them to become like us.