You see one of my Lao teachers taught me that there are four basic resources food/water (these were one), shelter, clothing and medicine. I knew my friend had all of these. She has an air conditioner she can sit under and not worry in ((Lao weather)70-120 degree heat) that it will rack up the bill if she dare turns it on or heat in this cold (shelter), a television and movies that work(shelter), food in her fridge or the resources to go buy what she needs(food), access to a bed to sleep in where karaoking neighbors don't deafen your ears(medicine), a shower with clean water and her own bathroom. I have all of these too. If we need to we can go to clean hospitals, doctors no matter the time day or night, etc. In America we are also given the luxury of privacy. It's not a bad thing just as long as we sometimes let people in. You see when I went to drop off the food I was secretly pleased that she didn't invite me in. I like to be alone most of the time when I am sick, unless it is a migraine (some people don't some people do). I don't mind taking care of others but sometimes it is nice just to help from a far, way less stress. Besides I have an irrational fear of getting infected and infecting someone else who then in turn dies. Being responsible for something, blaming myself when it is not my burden to carry. Anyways, I like my privacy and that is one part of Laos I don't miss.
I miss Laos so much but I don't miss the ever present reminder of death. A team member once talked about how he wanted to put a little piece of heaven inside of others. It reminded me that life is short. You see in Lao culture if someone is sick you bungyang (watch everything about them) or hacksa(slowly love them). So many people from many walks of life and varying degrees of friendship I sat with while they were sick and they sat with me. Why? Because there if someone is sick they might not be here tomorrow. Some of the most gentle souls I have known have been a heart beat away from death and others didn't make it. It broke my heart, still does. Yet we are not meant to carry the pain only the faith. While I love my privacy I also love this sense of community, loving others and just being the being and not just the human. Was it worth the embarrassing awkwardness? Yes! Would I do it if it didn't mean so much to others? No. However, there understanding of faith, hope and love blows me away. Father you bless us all in different ways.
You don't ask us to do or be anything but your children yet sin was/is our sickness. It's the virus all human beings carry, yet we all gave you all our different strains to bear and you took them willingly. You knew death was inevitable. You died so we might have life.Your power cleansed us yet we run back to each other infected for more infection only for you to heal us once more. How does this connect? We have resources and we need to share them. I'm not meaning letting people in when you are sick instead of resting either. You follow? Slowing loving others to faith, taking the time out for one another no matter how busy our schedule, doing the things that make others have a little taste of heaven in them. It's not just about doing but being, being yours Father, being completely present wherever we are. Trusting you and not carrying burdens we are not meant to.
Thank you for the gift of life after death. You know it is hard for me sometimes because of the greed people seem to have here, they have so much and they still aren't content. We'll one of my Lao friends told me there are greedy people everywhere I just might not see it as much there. Anyways, Father please teach people how to remember it's about giving because we have been given so much(not because we think it will get us in better standing or feel entitled) and receiving because we love one another despite our viruses and were loved first(not because we are worthy ourselves but because you make us worthy.) Thanks for being the reason for my season!
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