fruit?

October 17, 2010

Merhaba! (A Turkish hello, to ya)

So let’s begin with an embarrassing moment, shall we?

My teammates are so great. One of them, in fact, offered to grab me something—anything—that I might need or want since I’m somewhat stranded at the hotel,. For some reason, my first thought in that moment was: bananas. I want bananas. So I asked her for some bananas.

The next day she comes to practice with a bundle of about seven bananas. So kind! I had failed to mention to her, however, that I like greener bananas. They last longer, and brown spots make me gag. But any banana is better than no banana, so I accepted the browning bunch quite happily.

I happened to be quite hungry that night after practice. So that fact coupled with my intense excitement for banana nourishment had me rushing to rip one out of the bunch as soon as I sat down in the car. It was a stubborn little sucker (I blame the “bruised” ego---bahaha), but I just kept pulling harder. Finally, as if laughing with vengeance, the stem released and my knuckle slammed into my bottom lip. OWW! Despite the swelling, I inhaled the yellow fruit, but was thrown when I was later greeted in the mirror by a fat red lip. Wow—really, Tracy? That darn banana made me bleed my own blood!

I did EAT it, however…so does that mean I won?

Moving on…Well, I suppose I am literally “moving on” (possibly on Monday) from the lovely Limak Ambassador Boutique Hotel to my new apartment! This is exciting, and I can’t wait to pass on some pics. When we took a look at it on Saturday, I did think it was funny that the only hot pink apartment complex in the entire ten mile radius was potentially mine. The area felt safe, though, and was really close to one of our gyms.

Speaking of gyms, on Thursday we played a scrimmage match on cement. Okay, it had some padding over it, but my knees shouted otherwise. Anyway, we won 3-1 against a local Division 2 team, and it was a good chance to work out some kinks. I welcomed my first feedback from our head coach about where he wants me lining up with the opponent middle hitter and how to defend when the setter is front row, etc. I realized that operating inside the USA system so deeply this past year made me forget how different opinions and systems can be all over the world. It is one thing to play against them, but quite another to conform to them.

Yes, coach, I will move up for tips (rotation defense) when their opposite is hitting against a double block (twitch), but I will also continue to have my palms up and my elbows straight! I am determined to keep progressing my newly developed USA techniques, and so far the coaches here haven’t tried to deter me.

Sometimes progression is painful, though—especially when it is of the heart and mind. I am being impacted in such a way by a book that was one of those “why not?” additions to my luggage. I never expected Revolution in World Missions by K.P. Yohannan to be so striking to my spirit. So much so, that I typed up the entire fourth chapter in order to share it with you all (which is not a habit of mine, by the way).

To offer some background, K.P. grew up in a small Indian village. Propelled by the prayers of his mother, he felt called at the age of 16 to join a movement of missionaries in sharing the Gospel to his native, unreached neighbors. Years later, a series of miracles made it possible for K.P. to come to Dallas, Texas, for bible school, and this is where chapter four “I Walked in a Daze” begins [see attached].

This chapter slapped me…multiple times. I’ve seen the Third World from a bus window, but it’s almost the same as seeing it on the TV screen—how most of us Americans encounter it. Do we have any clue how great we have it in the States? I think not. I think: definitely NOT.

I don’t share this chapter to guilt everyone, please hear me on that. I just beg you to consider the reality of detriment that is the norm outside of the favor you and I walk in. We are a blessed people and a blessed nation, and that fortune demands responsibility. I am in the process of seeking God about how He wants me in particular to take action in light of such responsibility, and I’m sure it may look a bit different for each of us.

I would love to hear any and all comments, thoughts, and questions as you open your hearts and begin to process this one man’s shocking confrontation with our home turf.

And speaking of confrontation, please also feel free to share any of your own bloody dealings with malicious fruits.

On with the journey….