Comments
Utterly appalled by that final sentence. Such an ignorant, cruel thing to say. Most families of those "brown babies" don't get to enjoy Coke and lounge around. In fact, many missionaries don't get such luxuries either.

I don't care if it was in good humour. And as for this being your private space, I think that sentence totally undermined the lovely writing I had come to read of a regular basis.

Others may praise your for your honesty. I just found the post insincere and disgusting. I don't expect you'll post this but I was compelled to say something about the sick notion of maintaining suffering the Western good.
#1 Lorna on 2010-02-28 18:46
Lorna - I'm so sorry to have offended you. Our tongue-in-cheek way of trying to reconcile the luxury we live in with what goes on around us on a daily basis maybe doesn't translate so well across the miles. We're all fully aware of what a strange life we lead here; it's the first world, parked in a third world port, and I struggle with it on a daily basis. Personally, sometimes there's nothing to do but throw up my hands and make fun of myself, and I'm truly sorry that that came across as insensitive. Thank you for making me take a closer look at what I write; sometimes I don't give enough thought to how it might be received on the other side.
#1.1 Ali C. (Homepage) on 2010-03-01 01:39
Ali, I know you and your heart as does The Father. Thank you for caring, loving and giving. That cannot be misunderstood.
#1.2 Lisa on 2010-03-03 16:27
Hi Ali, I don't usually comment on here - I usually just soak it up, smile, pray and leave it at that - but I just want to say thank you for posting Lorna's comment and replying to it humbly and graciously.

When I read the original "suffering for Jesus" post, I could sort of see where Lorna was coming from - even if her thoughts were phrased in a slightly harsh manner.

But it took courage to post that comment even it also means that Lorna's annoyance is on public display (hopefully people will see the understandable passion of a misunderstanding rather than an attack for the sake of it).

I'm sure that if you'd said what you'd written, the tongue-in-cheek humour would have been clear. The trouble with text is that no matter how many exclaimation marks and smileys we use, only our voices and faces can convey the true meaning.

Have a lovely day - and please continue writing!
#2 Naomi on 2010-03-01 06:19
I have to agree with you about the glass bottle coke. I grew up in Grenada and Trinidad. Glass bottles rock!
#3 krystina on 2010-03-01 11:00
I just wanted to say that I thought your final sentence was cute .... obviously your heart breaks for those in need, but you also need rest. Even Jesus took respite and snuck away from the hungry, crying, needy masses... Even Jesus reclined with his disciples, and caught up with friends, and drank and ate and relaxed.

Many missionaries turn to humor to handle the heart break and irony that they face on a daily basis! And I'm glad that you got a respite, glad you got to catch up with a friend and feel the sun on your face. God is in the good moments, and the blessings as much as he is in the moments where you minister to the suffering!
#4 Elle (Homepage) on 2010-03-01 11:45
Good for you getting some lovely well earned down time. Your post was clear and NOT cruel. Nice of you to respond but not necessary. As a follower of your blog. only good comes from your heart and this is clear on every one of your posts. Ali, thank you for all you do. Thank you for touching my heart and reminding me of how lucky I am to have my faith.
#5 Steph on 2010-03-01 17:51
I truly enjoy reading you blog and don't think you should ever feel guilty for taking advantage of life's simple luxurious.
#6 Elisabeth (Homepage) on 2010-03-01 19:18
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