Tag: refugee

  • God grew tired of us

    Last night I finally watched God Grew Tired of Us. It’s a beautiful film worthy of 90 minutes of your time. (And available for streaming on NetFlix.)

    Our neighborhood, like a lot of other communities in the United States, has become a place of refuge for many people relocated here because of war. I’ve heard an estimate that as many as 60 language groups live in the 92115 zip code. A drive down El Cajon Boulevard or University Avenue validates. I meet them all the time, saying hello and exchanging uncomfortable pleasantries. My Swahili, Spanish, and Arabic is far worse than their English.

    The neighborhood in which I live has become a literal refuge in the city as we have a large, open park perfect for sports. Obviously children play at the park all day. But each evening, about 50 Somali men gather to hang out and play soccer until the sun goes down. On Saturday’s, several hundred people, mostly from Mexico and Central America, come to watch youth soccer. On Sunday’s, a different group of men get together to play cricket.

    Lately, my heart has been stirring me to figure out some of these folks stories. Maybe I’m just the curious type? And maybe God is the one pushing me? The difference doesn’t seem to really matter, I suppose.

    I wonder if they are as curious about my life as I am about theirs? What circumstances lead to them arriving here? Like the movie brought out, I wonder who is explaining to them some of the things they are encountering each day of their new life in America?

    I guess I won’t know any of that until I take the first step.

  • Stress vs. Joy

    I think I’m just exhausted. It’s a feeling of over-stimulation that comes on fast and is wearing me out. The solution is really that I need to get destimulated soon. Fairly soon I will need to schedule some “off the grid” time. Either that or I may post something extra snarky for no reason and I’ll regret it.

    I have so many excellent things going on. Or is that just the exhaustion? There’s these competing things in my head. Things that bring me joy are stressing me out. And things that should be stress-filled are bringing me great joy.But very little “meh” in my life right now.

    – Our community group getting involved with a refugee family. Stress-free joy.

    – Other projects I agreed to help out with at church. Expecting joy but stressed.

    – Going to The Price is Right today. [airs February 10th] Stress-free joy.

    – Friday’s staff Christmas party. Expecting joy but stressed. 9 miles out of my comfort zone.

    – Getting our money situation under control. Stress-free joy.

    – Thinking about planned vacation time. Expecting joy but stressed.

    – Getting ready for Christmas. Stress-free joy. I’m feeling advent-astic.

    – Coming up with an age-appropriate discipline system for the kids. Just freaking stressful.

    – Working with Kristen on a new website about San Diego living, our first collaborative project. Stress-free joy.

    – Nurturing some relationships from Michigan. Expecting joy but stressed.

    I don’t really have a point to this post that’s a take-away. Life lessons, nah. Looking for sympathy. Not so much. It’s just kind of capturing some places in my life that are confusing to me. I think in all arenas of both sides of this stress/joy coin I just need to build some time to rest and wait on God. At least, that’s my plan.