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Charis Around
the World
Tidbits
from Ebony
by Elizabeth Carmichael
Staying with A
Pushpin Family
While staying with a Pushpin family, my friend decorated my hands
with henna.
I really wanted to thank those of you who covered me so faithfully
in prayer during my language sprint time with a Glory Land Pushpin
family. It was a really, really special time for me there and the
Father was near the whole time! It was one of those experiences in
life where what I thought was going to be really hard, was actually
very easy and what I thought would be easy brought some hard things
to the experience. I thought it would be easy to leave and that I
would be really sick of them, but I wasn't. It was such a blessing
to spend time with them! I didn't expect some hard things that
happened that week, but I am so glad they happened while I was with
this family and not while I was at home alone. I expected to get a
little sick, but not even a hint of sickness came. I expected to be
completely drained, but it was not even close to what I thought it
would be. Instead, I was greatly encouraged and motivated after
being with them.
A couple of little glimpses into life with this family include:
--Spending time all together in one room of the house every night. There was no electricity, so we would
gather in the same room where dinner had been cooked (inside the
house) around a little gas lantern. The ones who had homework or
wanted to work on their writing, would gather closest to the light. The older boys (about 15 yrs or 16 yrs) would play games on the
mobile phones. The mother and older sisters and I would all sit with
one blanket covering all our legs and we would just talk and laugh
and stare into the light for hours. Intermittently, family members
would get up and do their ritual prayers right in front of everyone
and I would just pray over them while they did it.
--I am so thankful that the family did not make me sleep alone in
the "nice" room like they had talked about before. When it came down
to it, they were fine with me just sleeping on the floor with some
of the other sisters. I didn't want to sleep alone and I so enjoyed
the company and normalcy of what night time is like for them. We
slept with all our clothes on AND our head scarves on every night.
They thought I was hilarious when I acted so surprised about that. They said, "It's not a sin for you to sleep with it off, but it is a
sin for us." I just sighed and said, "Well, I will sleep with it on,
but if it strangles me in the night you should know I'm in heaven
with God so don't worry about me." Dark humor accompanies me whether
at home or abroad! :-)
--Morning times would be a somewhat similar story. The women would
huddle under the same blanket and drink milk tea while the boys got
ready for school. To me, those times of cuddling and just hanging
out with the whole family were really sweet and filled with normal
life, wonderful Pushpin language opportunities, and beautiful
friendship. I treasure those moments in my heart.
--After I had only been there a few hours, several of the sisters,
especially the youngest, were acting quite different towards me. It
was like it meant so much to them that I would come and want to stay
with them. They were so warm and also much more casual with me than
every before. I could see the change in the youngest girl the most. She started leaning on me more, and wiggling herself against my body
like kids do -- especially to squishy aunties! She had her head on my
leg at one point and then just grabbed my hand and kissed it and
held on to it. It was such a precious moment!
--One really cool thing I witnessed was one night when we were are
cramped in that little room with the one light. Two of the teenage
boys started arguing and it really escalated quickly. The family had
argued and bickered before, so I don't really think it was
embarrassing for me to be there for this. It was just that the boys
were getting really out of control. I found out later that it all
started with one brother (who was playing games on his mobile phone)
told another brother to shut up because he talked too much! The
talking brother exclaimed, "Why would you say that to me?! You have
a phone to play with! I have nothing! So, I talk!" And it went on
from there. As soon as the tension in the room reached a critical
mass, it was the most amazing thing -- the mother and two of the older
sisters rose up from the floor at the same time and stood over the
boys. I really don't know how to describe it in words. They took the
boys by the hands and talked to them in firm, but calm tones. They
walked them right out of the room and put them right to bed. Teenage
boys!!!! It was the darndest thing! I'm telling you. I exclaimed to
the other sisters, "The women put an end to the war!" They totally
understood and laughed at my joke. (So, at least I made a successful
joke as part of my language sprint!)
--I didn't have any huge, significant (or what seemed significant to
me) times of sharing with this family. But, I tried to consistently
be who I am and share openly about what I believe and how I practice
that belief. Every morning I would wash my face and my hands right
alongside the other sisters and then sit and read my Bible quietly
while they did their ritual prayers or read little leaflets from the
Book they follow. I hope something about the things I talked about
and the way I walked exposed the emptiness of what they follow. Keep
praying for them.
Well, those are just a few things that stood out to me from my time
with this family. It was such a joy to have this opportunity and I
am so thankful you were a part of this with me. Please keep lifting
up Bossie and Angel and this whole family they belong to!!
In the upcoming month, there are a lot of changes ahead of me. I am
deeply grieved by some things and find myself battling anxiety about
others things that haven't even occurred yet. I really ask you to
please lift me up as I follow the Lord wherever He may lead in the
coming month.
SO thankful for you all! Happy birthing!
His,
Elizabeth Carmichael |
