by Angie Washington on April 22, 2013
We sat in the booth at a sandwich shop. By divine serendipity our paths crossed on “home” soil. She was back from Africa and I was up from South America. As we picked at our oversize, overpriced deliciousness stories poured out. “Things are so rough in the village. The ladies tell me I need to [...]
by Angie Washington on March 20, 2013
Why are you a missionary? What motivated you to live a life of challenge, adventure, and sacrifice? How did you make the decision to serve in such an intense capacity? We have lived in Bolivia for over 11 years. From the time I was seven I knew I would live outside the U.S. for most [...]
by Angie Washington on March 9, 2013
I arrived at the restaurant way too early and waited in the foyer Wednesday morning. Part of me still expected her to show up with an entourage. A driver and bodyguard at least! She is that much of a rock star to me. Over a decade ago Gracia Burnham, author of ‘In the Presence of [...]
by Angie Washington on February 19, 2013
You can win one of 3 hardcover books sent to ANYWHERE in the world! How far does your forgiveness reach? That was the question pulsating in my heart as I read the harrowing true story of Gracia and Martin Burnham, ‘In the Presence of My Enemies’. During my first year in Bolivia, Gracia became a [...]
by Angie Washington on January 18, 2013
This is a get-to-know-you post! In the comment box leave the answers to one or more of the following. Questions: 1. Where do you currently reside? 2. What languages do you speak? 3. What is the proper greeting ritual in the nation where you are currently living? 4. What’s the craziest thing you have eaten? [...]
by Angie Washington on December 26, 2012
A missionary friend shared this little video with me. Maybe us mission minded folk here at A Life Overseas can talk about it too. Take a walk in our town and you will pass by large green trash bins, usually overflowing. If you see the lid of the dumpster propped open with an empty [...]
by Angie Washington on December 12, 2012
You can find verses about stringed instruments. There’s stuff about joyful noises and music. But you go ahead and try to find mention of a piano in your bible. Not gonna happen, my friend. Water purification systems aren’t in the bible either. Neither are AIDS prevention programs. Not a mention of slave trafficking awareness. You’re [...]
by Angie Washington on November 15, 2012
Alternate title: “Missionaries are like Manure” Musicians love music. They make their own music but they revel in the music others make, too. Artists love art. They create their own pieces but they thrive on experiencing the creations of others. Technicians love techie stuff. A game designer plays hundreds of hours of games on [...]
by Angie Washington on October 18, 2012
When missionaries gather we console each other. We encourage each other. We laugh together. We gripe together. We solve problems together. A particular consolation comes up frequently in my corner of the world. When things get hard or lonely we say, “At least we didn’t have to pack our stuff in a coffin.” Some missionaries [...]
by Angie Washington on October 13, 2012
They started telling me their stories. We call the orphans of our orphanage the Dreamers. It caught me at the throat when the children decided to speak about their mothers. Pure fantasy spewed from their lips. “My mother brought me a huge cake,” he said with arms extended indicating the enormous dimensions. “My mother is [...]
by Angie Washington on October 13, 2012
The coach of our swim team during my younger years had this saying. But it really wasn’t a saying, it was a yelling. He had to make himself heard over the splashes and we were all wearing those flattering plastic caps that squeezed our ears making it almost impossible to hear anything. I guess it [...]
by Angie Washington on October 13, 2012
My jaw dropped as I watched a triangle of interaction take place. Having befriended a gal in our office I felt compelled to give her a little gift. The gift bag with froo-froo tissue paper hid two cute shirts. I practically skipped into the office. Seeing she was alone at her desk I sidled up [...]