The Meldrum Fam: October 2014

Look closely...those boxes say Always. That's right! Pads!

This is our front balcony.

Nope. I did not win a lifetime supply of pads.

Tim and Ben bought these pads. Over 2,000 of them.

Here's how the story goes...

A few people sent some money for the refugee crisis here and we tried to think creatively and effectively to put this money to good use. We decided to buy truckloads of food and supplies and send them to a more remote city that is not getting international aid but still flooded with refugees. We have some friends that live there and they receive the trucks and take care of distribution. It's exciting because no one ever sees us. Our friends deliver everything under the name of Jesus. There is no confusion about America being the Savior! Some days I wish I could go in and work all day with them, but my one self wouldn't make much of an impact, especially since I don't even speak Arabic. The most important thing I can do is to stay at home. Let me explain.

Our friends are letting us know what is most needed and we are getting it to them. By we, I mean Tim and Ben, but it's more of a royal "we" so I include the home front as well. That would be me. I am fairly content with my lot in life most days, which consists of home school, a lot of that, home affairs, home work and things around HOME. Do you get the picture? I am at HOME a lot. I do wonder sometimes what impact I am having. I do get out, but I am having the biggest impact at home and I am okay with that. (most days)

Our friends let us know that pads were needed. This is men communicating with men. Even talking about pads is very shameful in this culture. I know it's embarrassing for you guys if you have to go buy a box of tampons for your wife/sister/mom/girlfriend. But really in the States no one thinks twice about this. It's just a bit of a bothersome time of the month, but nothing else. In this culture, it's gross. You definitely do NOT talk about in mixed company.

So, now imagine that you got kicked out of your home, you ran away with very little. What little you did bring did NOT include pads and if you have any money, pads are the last thing you can afford to buy. Unfortunately, Aunt Flo comes every month regardless of this fact. Think of the shame involved in that. You no longer have anything to keep you clean. Many of the women have resorted to rags. They have to wash them out and reuse them. This is even deeper shame.

Fortunately, these women were able to communicate with the wives of our friends in that city. They explained their situation. Ben and Tim, being unafraid to be counter cultural when need be, went to the bazaar and came out carrying 22 boxes of pads! So now, really you can never complain again when you have to go buy a box of tampons. Try 22 giant boxes of pads. I just think that is amazing and hilarious!

I thought this was great. I was proud of the guys for doing this. I was relieved to know that the women would have pads again. But here's the real kicker.

I was working out on my elliptical this week and the 22 boxes were stacked up in our office right in front of my machine. I have a great view out the window over the city and I usually use my 20 minutes on the elliptical to worship, pray, and sweat a lot. The kids know it's my time to shout and pant and cry and do all sorts of weird stuff. Watch out for Mom!

On this particular day, I turned on the music and got going. I was snickering over the 22 boxes of pads in my office, with wings, extra long! It all struck me as very funny. Then I started to pray. To be honest, most days I have to conjure up my faith. Most days I have to cling to FAITH that what we want to see happen will really happen here. Most days I say, "I BELIEVE." Because if I don't, I might not. Because all the evidence around me points to fruitless, meaningless work. So I say it to keep going. I say it because I KNOW it's true and I WANT it to be TRUE. So I say it. I remind the Lord. I remind him of his promises. I remind myself. I remind anyone nearby that may hear me shouting on my elliptical.

Occasionally though, I SEE it! On this particular day as I was snickering over the 2,000 pads in my office, I saw it! It hit me like a brick wall. These pads were going to change the world! These pads were going to COVER shame! These pads were the lowly conduit that God was going to use to completely change women's lives! Pads?! YES!

So I started praying over those pads! Praying for God to use them. Praying for him to touch them with his grace and his blood. Blood that will cleanse and pardon. Blood that will REMOVE shame. I mean, I could see it. Just for those few minutes. I will never know these women. I will never meet them. I will never see with my natural eyes the impact these pads had in their lives. But I saw in that moment that some would be changed. Probably not all. But a few will hear him. A few will see him.

Think about it. This horrible shameful thing that happens to their bodies has become even more shameful. They are without home, without money, with too many losses to count. These are desperate and broken women. Now they are receiving pads. These pads that have been prayed over! These pads that I got to be a part of praying over. I got to actually touch the boxes and intercede for these women! Some will hear his voice. Some will know that they are clean! Some will allow him to remove their shame forever!

So you see, praying over pads is possibly the most important thing I will do all week, maybe even all month or all year. That is why I am content to stay at HOME. (most days.) If I wasn't at home doing my thing, I would have missed out praying over pads!

It's not too late to join in praying over those pads and over the other things sent into that city. It might be the most important thing you do all week!

We also sent heaters and stove top cookers.

A big truck came and loaded up all the stuff. That's it. That's all we did. It doesn't even begin to meet the whole need. But it's still exciting to know that for some it will be all difference. If only they will SEE it.

After it all shipped off, the heavens opened up! Come on people! I can't make this stuff up! It's not a glamorous life I live. But it's exciting if you can SEE it.

I read this by my favorite author, Louisa May Alcott: "Do the duty that lies nearest, and the faithful performance of that, no matter how humble it is, will be the best help for whatever talent may lie hidden in us, ready to bloom when the time comes." I have never really known what my one talent is, but recently the Father has been speaking to me about serving those in front of me and not worrying about trying to go out and find a grand project. It wasn't working anyway. I love how this quote just says, BE and not DO.

Do you want to make a difference?

This is your chance to take a few minutes and pray over the things you see in these pictures. That is what will bring about change! What is the duty that lies nearest you?

Here is one more beautiful quote: "Then [she] gave herself to teaching--a noble task, for which she was well fitted, and in which she found both profit and pleasure, as she led her flock along the paths from which she removed the stumbling-blocks for their feet, as well as for her own. She put her poetry into her life, and made of it 'a grand sweet song' in which beauty and duty rhymed so well that the country girl became a more useful, beloved, and honored woman than if she had tried to sing for fame which never satisfies." ~Louis May Alcott from A Garland For Girls

Marlon and the boys

Emely and Annie

Livosa and I in her beautiful home with the beams from 1896 still intact as their walls.

Our last dinner was a beautiful time on the back porch with a fire going and blankets on each seat. We had such a beautiful time. After dinner the kids ran around playing tag until it was too dark to see. As soon as we said it was time to go in, the rain began. The rain had held off for the most part except a few nice sprinkles for the entire 2 weeks we were there. We are so thankful!

Our final day was spent in Oslo with the entire Asprusten family. What a lovely bunch they are!

Andreas delighted us with his bubbling talk that no one could understand.

Mari captured everyone's hearts!

We left Norway with heavy bags full of trinkets from IKEA, pressed leaves, rocks, even some drift wood from Norway, but moreover our hearts were FULL with all that God gave us during our time there. We will be unpacking for a long time all the memories he gave us and the new friendships that were formed. Truly this time was tailor-made for us. We are refreshed and ready to continue on in our journey, even though we would love to stay in Norway forever. Thank you Asprusten Family for ALL you gave us. We look forward to our paths crossing again! May our Father fill you to overflowing!