My EPOCH Attempt at a Smokey Eye

While laying in my sweat on a mat in India…our makeshift curtain of scarves blowing in the breeze – I switch the airport mode on my iphone to off. Time to check in with Adventures in Missions. I first look to see if there are any texts that need my attention, second I check my email, and then before turning the airport mode back on…I open up facebook. There it was! My brother, Kevin Lengkeek, who I had nominated for Innovative Start-Up was one of the finalists in this category for Epoch 2013!

 

I came home and shot out a few emails seeing if my Thailand trip dates could be moved back by a few days so I could attend the Epoch Awards. I kept my fingers crossed hoping it would work with the few participants that had already signed up. It was soon after that I heard back. “Go support your brother and Love Transfusion!”

Mom and I began talking details. Who else would be able to attend? Could Kevin’s wife and business partner in Love Transfusion come? Mom and Dad wanted to be there, but they were in the process of moving….and then reality set in. Julie needed to hold down the fort as the website that been in the works for years was finally revealed. And as all – there was a need for troubleshooting. I had a surprise back surgery leaving me to wonder if I could last thru an evening sitting. But nothing was going to stop this celebration. We were determined. A party it was going to be…even Don who was representing from the couch at home.

Dress-Check. Shoes-Check. Jewelry-Check. Smokey eye-if it resembles anything to a black eye…I think I’ve mastered it. *Side note. I’d like to thank Rachel Ward…Mixology Makeup…YouTube tutorials for giving me tips. The folks that bought my crap at my garage sale so I had money to buy a dress. The folks at Adventures (Karis) for the extra emails from the Lengkeeks. Tara for insisting I needed to be there. Mom for zipping my dress and helping me with my shoes when I couldn’t bend, Kristen for taking the below pictures…and Jesus! (Ok, Sorry…the night hasn’t worn off yet. For the bunch of us who sometimes walk around the office barefoot or sleep on floors in other countries, talk about bouts with the runs during lunch …. it’s a once in a lifetime event.)

There was a red carpet…and rooms filled with people dressed in rented tuxes and the prettiest dresses we could afford. No offense folks – but I didn’t recognize half of my co-workers! Like I said earlier…we aren’t the ones you typically see with pedicures and long dresses. But it happened, and to prove it, there were spots in every corner for pictures. I mingled. I checked out the Market Place on the roof. (Purchase Effect was represented!) And just when I thought I couldn’t stand any longer, doors opened and we entered a large room where tables were set up for hundreds. Up on the screen they were counting down the clock while the drummers/dancers – Burrundi Refugees in Atlanta came out and kept our attention while others made their way to their tables.

Kevin filled us in on the other two great causes in his category. It was going to be tough. How does one pick a “winner”? We dug through our Plywood People bags and read thru the program. Food came and left, over and over throughout the night. And somewhere in there – I see Kevin’s face on the big screen. It was his clip sharing about Love Transfusion. Next followed were the other two finalist – Sharon Gersava from Children’s Garden of the Philippines and Kristin Keen from Rethreaded.

Before I was ready, they announced “and the winner is Sharon Gersava with Children’s Garden!” I worked hard not to show the disappointment but really, how can you be upset when a women who works with children in the Philippines wins! All was well….I did not boo or throw myself on the ground like a 2-year-old. Nope. My dress stayed in place and I was at peace. Partly because I knew my brother had already shared that he felt honored just being nominated.

I was introduced that night to the music of All Sons & Daughters. Learned about some amazing organizations. Heard Bob Goff speak…and took away a few things to ponder.

After a quick drop in to the after party across the street…where I had a moment and the thought crossed my mind. Since Love Transfusion didn’t win the $5,000 – I’ll just eat and drink $5,000 worth of food and beverages. I’m kidding. I mean, I thought it – didn’t mean it and didn’t do it. (By the way, Epoch was at the FOX in Atlanta). So – keep an eye open for the next Epoch event – nominate a ministry/someone! You never know!

So here I sit with 3 pillows on a Delta flight Thailand. Does my back hurt? Pain, no. Discomfort, yes. Am I getting up and walking around? Some, not enough. I look forward to seeing the people I have come to love in the city of Bangkok. I’ve brought them gifts, treats, pictures. We will arrive late, late Thailand time – night there and day back in the US. My body will once again go thru jetlag. When the sun rises…I will head out to meet with contacts making sure all details for the next 10 days are squared away. This takes time – but I push through hoping I can have an hour to get a foot massage by one of my favorite people in the world: Noy. This is my 7^th team to Thailand and through the years, we’ve built a great relationship. We tease one another and I’ve prayed over her. Please join me in asking that this time – she will say “yes” to the one and only God.

And now…I search for a movie to watch. If nothing is found, I will once again watch Don’t Stop Believing – Everyman’s Journey.

It is now days later – and I realize I never posted this. The team has arrived, and once again feeling so blessed with a group of amazing women. To follow our journey, go to http://thailand.myadventures.org. A couple blogs have already been posted.