Posted in General Posts by Alicia Hodges on 5/31/2011
I made it home safely a few days ago. It's hard to believe I'm back in MN. I can't really describe how it felt to walk out of the airport and breathe in the crisp morning air. I sat there waiting for my mother and brother to pick me up. There were so many thoughts running through my mind. What was this going to be like? How would I feel? How would I respond to questions? I had to remind myself to relax and take it as it comes. Although it feels like it, this isn't a dream.
One day I was in Malaysia and two days later I wasn't. I bought a water in the airport and stared in my wallet for a minute trying to figure out which currency to use. It was funny, at least to me it was.
What's next? I'm not really sure. All I know is God told me to be faithful and loyal where He places me and everything will fall in line.
Thank you for EVERYTHING!! The prayers, financial support, comments on blogs, encouraging emails, Skype messages & conversations. Thank you telling me to keep going and not to quit. There were times where I wondered if it was worth it for me to finish. This has been a great but rough year.
I realized it was worth it.
It was worth it for me to be plucked out of my comfort zone.
It was worth it for me to be thrust into a group of people knowing that there was more to life than trying to achieve the American Dream.
It was worth it for me to be homesick.
It was worth it for to allow people into my life that I'm sure I will keep in touch with for a very long time.
It was worth it for God to show me time and time again areas in my life that needed to change.
It was worth it for my family to let go temporarily.
It was worth it to travel from country to country, sometimes exhausted in order for God to show me that I absolutely cannot rely on my own strength or I will fail ever time.
It was worth it to struggle month after month in order for God to show me how His love covers all things.
Thank you again.
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Momma,
Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you
For all you have done. You have taken such good care of me my entire life. Loving, patient, oh so very patient, kind, observant, funny, gracious and so much more. You have supported and corrected me with love and turned me around when I was headed in the wrong direction. You have allowed me to struggle in order to learn much needed life lessons. I have no idea how this trip has been for you and I'm pretty sure I never will. Thank you for taking care of everything I needed done back home, for your prayers and support. Thank you for knowing leaving home was something I needed to do and for supporting me the entire time I've been away. This would have been much more difficult had you not been as supportive as you are.
I loves you. That's right, loves.
I get to see you soon!
Happy Mom's Day!!
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Posted in General Posts by Alicia Hodges on 5/7/2011
Check out Colby's blog to watch videos of our time in Mozambique and Malawi.
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Posted in Manila, Philippines by Alicia Hodges on 5/5/2011
What do you think?
A question Reah asked us one day. The founders of the magazine, Bill and Deb Shaw had presented her with the idea of going to the states to raise awareness for The Jeepney by speaking in churches and different events and to raise money for the magazine. I told her I thought she should go. She seemed to be perplexed about my answer. I told her, in my opinion, since she is is Filipina she knows more about her culture, the Jeepney and what a day is like for them and she can explain their needs best.
I told her I could never explain better than she can what she does or what supporting the Jeepney means to the homeless vendors who sell the magazine. I told her I felt she is the best person to talk about her life, not me. She told me it is very hard for Filipinos to get visas to the States, but if it is The Lord's will she will pray and apply for a visa. We told her we would be praying also.
The Jeepney is truly more than a magazine. You may read an artilcle about a vendor or a HWC player or you may see a photo shoot where the models are homeless Filipinos that have been chosen to be pampered for a day. You may read an article about a mother who has been struggling to sell the magazine but will not give up because she knows that if she doesn't attempt to sell the magazine she may find herself back in the life of prostitution she is trying to escape for the sake of her family. You may read an article about a family whose home was destroyed by Typhoon Ondoy that hit the Philippines and they are still displaced.
I learned so much about what they do by reading the magazine. I recognized people from the covers of the magazine walking down the streets headed to their squatter homes. They are not famous, they are ordinary people trying to survive and the magazine is a tool being used to help our Filipino brothers and sisters.
Reah emailed me about a week ago to tell me she has been approved for a visa and she is coming to the States! Michigan to be exact. She has various speaking engagements at churches and other events.
God provided again!
I knew He would!
That's not all.
Her sponsors are buying a multi-city ticket and she will also be coming to MN!
So, I need your help. If you want to be a part of what God is doing in the lives of the homeless and marginalized in Manila, interested in supporting The Jeepney or hearing her speak please contact:
Reah: reah@thejeepney.com
She'll be in Michigan, May 17-June 9, 2011 and in MN from June 9-13 2011.
If you are Filipino or involved in the Filipino community in MN please let us know, she is interested in meeting other Filipinos while in MN.
Jeepney Part 1
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Posted in Manila, Philippines by Alicia Hodges on 5/5/2011
Working in the Jeepney office feels like you have been invited to family gathering. Reah seems like the mother, Cecill seems like the older sister/aunt and Sel seems like the father/older brother and Nathaniel is the son/little brother to everyone in the office and they do their best to take care of him.
Nathaniel does whatever he can to earn money to help his mother who is unable to work because she's sick. The players bring in food/ice cream. They laugh and crack jokes in Tagalog and English (sometimes) and it's very evident that they love each other. Being around them reminds me of my family so much. Their door is always open and they are willing to serve whoever walks in, in any way they can. Sel, Reah and Cecill are constantly giving and loving. I had some really good conversations with them, the Homeless World Cup Players and Nathaniel.
Click here for info about the Homeless World Cup Team
I had been thinking about ways to generate income for them. They have Jerseys, Polo shirts and patches with their logo, and the upcoming logo for the Homeless World Cup team.
I noticed they had all of this merchandise but only a handful of people knew about it. The board members have been very supportive and we needed to get the word out. We had a brainstorming session on the spot. She asked us what we thought about their current website. I told her I thought they needed a new site; which would cost money. I knew their needs so I told her I would do some research and meet with her again.
I remembered a web design company I had checked out before I left home and now I couldn't stop thinking about it.
"It may suit their needs", I thought. I gave Reah all the info I had and we asked her if they would be interested in a new site if we could get the money raised. She said, "Of course!" We let her know that she didn't have to go with the company we suggested it was just a suggestion and we would help them regardless of what they chose.
Alexandra and I met again and we had a plan. We had already been praying for them so we decided to talk to our squad, family and friends to begin blogging to get the money raised. A couple days later Alexandra and I met and she told me God had provided, the money had been raised. No blogging needed!
Thanks Jesus!!
After their staff and the board met they decided to go ahead with the new site! The money was in place and the site was purchased. Thank You Lord!! Now they will able to move forward.
thejeepney.com
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Posted in Mafambisse, Mozambique by Alicia Hodges on 5/2/2011
Peter and Sheila
Our time in Africa had come to an end. We had been on the continent for three months. We had a rough intro but I wouldn't change any of it. It was all necessary. We lived in Malawi, Mozambique and South Africa. It was hard to believe it was time for us to go to Asia. I loved being in Africa and not entirely because of my brown skin. Mozambique was a rough month for a number of reasons. Waking up dripping in sweat, loss of appetite, leaving people that loved us as if we had known them for years and learning a little Portuguese. Peter and Sheila loved us as if were theirs.
We had been in Manila for a couple weeks, maybe. During one of our team meetings, Lucas told us he had to tell us something.
Sheila had recently died of malaria. I thought my breakfast would come up. I suddenly had a loss of appetite.
This couldn't be true.
It had been less than two months since I'd seen her.
What?
What about Peter and their daughter, Clara? Who's going to help Peter? They had only been married three years.
Clara
What?
I just sat there. I didn't know what to say so I didn't say anything.
Malaria?
She fed us, she made sure we didn't get ripped off in the markets, she made sure we were taken care of. She loved us. She took us to the pharmacy to get malaria pills. She had gone in for a check up because she had a fever while we were there. It's still hard to believe that she died from the same thing she helped some of us get treated for.
I remembered me a morning I would never forget.
Each year, for two the weeks leading up to Christmas, Peter, Sheila, the widows and the children living at the orphanage meet at 7am daily to pray for the upcoming year. He asked our two teams to join them each morning.
He began by singing worship songs in Chichewa and Portuguese he would then ask the widows for their prayer requests. One of us would be asked to pray for their needs and in turn they would pray for us. The women wanted prayer for; continued strength to serve the children, wisdom in their daily activities, protection as they traveled, their children's health, opportunity for their children to be educated and continued faith. They never asked for possessions or money. He also told us his prayer needs, which was always centered around the children and support for the widows.
This particular morning, he worshiped and prayed and cried out to God over and over in Portuguese and English. He kept saying, "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus" and with each cry his voice got louder and louder until he could no longer speak. There was a time when I had no idea what he was saying.
Peter fell to his knees groaning and weeping. The Presence of God was so evident in the room it felt like He had thrown a blanket over us and the weight from His Presence had caused us to end up in worship or on our knees.
Those of us in the room were all at a loss for words.
I've been delaying posting this blog because I was hoping there was some type of misunderstanding and maybe Sheila was still alive. Colby spoke to him recently and it is true. Sheila has passed away.
I recently read "Ruthless Trust" by Brennan Manning and I thought about Peter. He writes,
"How do men and women "Clap their hands and shout with a voice of joy to God?" (Ps 47:2) in the midst of pain, suffering, heartache and throbbing despair? Is it possible to endure and eventually move beyond the bleak and melancholy landscape of evil and destruction?"
Pray for them. Peter uses every dime he has to support the children and the widows.
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Posted in General Posts by Alicia Hodges on 4/30/2011
For not keeping you updated on what's been going on. Sometimes, it was due to laziness or lack of internet access. Laziness primarily. When we arrived in China we were asked not to get online for the safety of our contacts. No problem. I wouldn't get online but I would journal with the thoughts of posting blogs in Thailand.
Thailand has come and gone.
I figured people could read other peoples blogs to get an idea of what we were doing.
Wrong.
I know that no one else can speak the words God has given me.
I thought I would've grasped this by now. You see, for five months (starting in Malawi) I had not been sleeping at night. One night I woke up looking at the stars and the moon from my hammock and from that night forward until about two weeks ago I would sleep maybe 2-3 hrs a night.
I never realized how lack of sleep would affect me. I always felt drained. I had stopped talking and writing. I was in a bad way. I was beginning to check out and I didn't want to but I wanted to so that was another struggle. I would watch the sunrise and set . I heard the crows in the morning. I'd hear the kids nearby getting ready for school. I heard Mama Rose and Miriam starting the day early in Malawi. I would see and hear all of these things because I couldn't sleep. Sometimes I used those mornings to get to know them better. I prayed most times out of frustration asking God to allow me to sleep or tell me why I couldn't sleep.
God told me I needed to start speaking.
But, God, I don't have anything to say.
"I'm not telling you to preach to a crowd or spill your guts to everyone you come in contact with. Just say something because you aren't saying anything and I've given you words to speak. So speak. You have words and emotions bottled up and they need to be released properly."
During worship one night, a few people asked me how I was. I briefly told them what had been going on. Not too much detail. That night I slept, knocked out. The next night I tried the talking thing again and it worked!
This lack of sleep continued for five months.
So all that to say, I've had some struggles and triumphs that I will absolutely write about. I was selfish and inconsiderate. I know what's going on here but you don't unless I tell you
So, this is my "get back on track' blog.
With more to come.
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Posted in Mafambisse, Mozambique by Alicia Hodges on 4/10/2011
This isn't about those hard shelled tasty chocolate candies.
This is about Malaria and Mango Fleas.
While in Mozambique I began having stomach cramps and I wasn't sure why. It couldn't be Malaria because I had been taking the anti-malaria pills as I was supposed to. Then I began losing my appetite and I thought it was because it was so hot. There were times where my stomach would hurt after meals and the pain would go away, I figured this was the same.
After a while the cramps got worse but I still thought I was ok. When are cramps ever ok? We were told many times,"If you feel sick get checked out. Healthcare is cheap, don't wait."
I waited.
My team was concerned and wanted me to get tested. I kept telling them I didn't need to get tested. I didn't have malaria, they were concerned for no reason. I was STUBBORN! All of them offered to get tested with me in case I was concerned about going. I kept thinking to myself, "I would love it if they left me alone."
By this time Peter (our contact) had been told by the women who prepared our meals that I had been missing meals and he didn't like it. He told me if I wanted to get checked to let him know and he would take me. He came to the house one day and said,
"Alecia I would very much like it if you would get checked for malaria. I can take you to a free clinic where I know the nurse very well. It is clean and safe. I would not like it if you became ill here and we didn't know. I do not want your family to think you came to Africa and we did not take care of you."
"Ok Peter, I'll go."
"Ohhhhhh! You have made me very happy!"
Peter, his wife Sheila and my team headed to the clinic. When we arrived there were a few buildings and houseson the property. There was a man cutting the grass with a machete. Peter told us one of the buildings used to be an orphanage but due to funding and other reasons it had been shut down. The nurse who was about to prick my finger had taken in a few of the kids and lived on the property.
She was a woman about my height with high cheek bones and a beautiful smile. They spoke in Portuguese and the pricking began. It would take about 20mins for the results to come back so we waited. I laid on the ground. My stomach was hurting.
The results were in:
Peter asked me to step into the office and closed the door. The nurse began speaking and he translated. I had malaria. As long as I took the meds I should be fine.
My team just stared at me shaking their heads. We headed to the pharmacy, I bought the pills I needed for about $9 and the Dr. gave me directions and we were headed back.
As if this wasn't enough fun I had a mango flea in my foot. Peter told us if our feet itch to let him know asap.
"When the mango leaves are growing they produce small bugs we call them mango fleas. They get into your feet and you may think it's dirt. The flea will create a hard protective sack around itself and it will itch terribly. It you do not get it quick enough it will begin to lay eggs in the sack."
I know, gross!
Sure enough I though that black spot on my foot was dirt until it started to itch. I went to Peter and told him I thought I had a mango flea in my foot. He said, "Place my finger on your foot". Peter is blind.
"Yes you have a mango flea."
Sucks to be me.
He told me to get Stella (one of the little girls) and she could get it out in no time. She grabbed a piece of tree bark, grabbed my foot and picked and picked until it was out. She was a pro. She checked my foot thoroughly to make sure there were no more. Washed her hands and ran off to play.
Stella
Take your health seriously. Don't be foolish like I was.
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