Merle's World: 1/16/11

if someone would have told me a year ago that I would not be going to school, interning for a non profit and beginning my career as a dance therapist at a special needs school- i would have laughed and walked away secretly wishing it was true. and knowing i would never be bold enough to take all that on , to leave my 4 year degree plan i made when i was 12.

that is why God's timing is always perfect. It took him removing me from American ideals, placing me in a program that studied His view of justice for the world, and surrounding me with people who lived differently- unconventionally, unformulated for me to say "OK God Let's do this" when this internship presented itself, and i looked at how my life would be different if i took it- it felt perfectly natural to say yes. as if someone offered me a drink when i was thirsty.

When I returned to Palm Beach in January I still had people close to me that were confused about what exactly I was doing with my life. some even thought I wasn't returning so I thought I would clear the air. I am not currently enrolled at PBA although I still live here. the reason being- I took the internship with Redeem The Shadows which is a non profit that raises awareness for modern day slavery and funds for rehabilitation centers in India and the US. I am touring ( God willing and the creek don't rise) during March to visit schools/churches/concert venues to speak or do demonstrations raising awareness and funds. meanwhile... I am working at a spa on the island full of botox moms and the elderly trying to catch the beat. I am still heavily involved with YoungLife and going to the beach. sadly I am not dancing like I use to but do attend random classes that are offered to maintain my sanity. However I met with the Ewing School director yesterday because she wanted to implement dance in their special needs curriculum. ( dance therapy has been used with autistic children for years because it bridges the cognitive process of seeing and doing) It went well and i quickly fell in love with there methodology. I'll be working with Maria who is 6 and William who is 9. This opportunity came out of nowhere and I am so grateful for the people God has placed in my life to make it happen.

speaking of God being sweet as...I toured with the west coast team for their first week while they were visiting places in driving distance ( Miami, Homestead,FT. laudy, Palm City) and in just that week God continually revealed his faithfulness to the team. we were prayed over, prophesied over - with visions that brought us to our knees, anointed ( that was interesting ), and given so many connections with people involved in IJM and IHOP that could help us in our mission. my favorite part and the most encouraging was watching the body break for those held captive and wanting to do something about it. God is raising up a young generation that is going to be such a strong vessel to bring freedom. my prayer is that when we left their church or small group they did not forget the things said and the burden he placed on their hearts. one of our greatest enemies is apathy.

and speaking of apathy... I accompanied my two great friends to the SoFla state fair last night to see the Band Perry. now, fair people are even more entertaining than airport folk. some go for the rides- i go for the carnies. we passed a booth that said 50 cents to see the World's Smallest Horse! apparently it was real and 8 inches high. i wasn't 50 cents curious but then i passed a booth that said pay $1 to see the WORLDS SMALLEST WOMAN. all you saw was this box on stilts and i thought " there's no way a person is in there". I thought it was a robot or something- it was just dehumanizing. I watched the people's reactions as they rounded the corner to see her. some looked shocked, some laughed, some looked uncomfortable. no one stopped to talk to her they just passed by like they did not want to let her reality set in for them. and then they left and bought a fried oreo. a sign by her stand said it was a "West Indies Cultural Exhibit" i almost threw up. now something to know about Kaylee is she is worse than Curious George. she HAD to find out if it was real. Lauren is scared of little people and i only had 1 dollar so i let kaylee go in. I watched her heart break on her face as she rounded the boxes' corner and her eyes fell on Linda. she said she was just looking down at her hands playing with scissors, with a vacant expression. Kaylee asked about her life while holding back tears. "linda" is from Haiti. she probably came over after the earthquake, an american saw her as an investment. She probably will never go home, and her name probably is not Linda. I watched more people pay money and gasp. i wanted to throw up. so instead.. we walked away and bought a fried oreo
and now, writing this i feel like shit.
i want to go back and get linda out of her box and take her home.

but in Cambodia, or Amsterdam, or anywhere else in the red light district these booths exist not for people to peer into. but for men to rape the woman or child inside. and people watch. just like i did and then walk away.

and then i wonder, what if we fought for these captives as hard as Christ fought for us. what are we doing with our freedom. again. I ,and maybe even you, walk around like the creator of the universe didn't die for me. blehhhk.

His Grace is sufficient. and mercies renewed daily. PRAISE GOD. now let's go set them free

Merle's World

the aftermath and unfair fairs,

2011