Thanks for the inspiration Hi Amanda and Griff! This is Julia's sis-in-law and she said I should check out your site. I just want to say I think its truly amazing what you two are doing as you travel the world. Amanda, you should really consider using your writing to advocate help from multitudes.I'm sure many willing and able people will be willing to support you both on your journey to help others. Anyway, I'll check back again..take care!
This is Romania! I was there in Romania with you--scrubbing floors and toilets! When I look through my pictures I am constantly amazed at how nice this wonderful camp is. And you're right--to us it's "camp"--to these neglected girls it's--I can't even find the words of what I think it must mean to them. Everyday we learned from them--everyday we tried our best to be positive in our words or actions. Oh, how I wish I knew the Romanian language! This was truly an experience of a lifetime. It was an honor to work with you two and the other volunteers. Good luck to you on your travels. Thanks for keeping us informed. I thank you for your words that will make all of us catch a glimpse of the reality of the world around us.
What I could not express in words Hi Griff and Mandy! I am so glad that you are taking the time and effort to share your experience and the condition of Romania - you expressed it so well, if I wasn't in this smokey, humid internet cafe with people all around me, i would have allowed myself to cry. I am so glad that God had you both in Romania with us this summer, and I will continue to keep in contact with both of you (especially when I get home, which is in two weeks!), and I look forward to a continuous friendship!
More meaning, now After finishing your heart-wrenching account of your time "at camp" I was numb. And, for the first time (after reading it hundreds of times) I FELT what ISA 1:17 said. My heart ached at its admonishment. This is not over. Thank you, Mandy and Griff. Thank you for what you have done for us through your travels. I never imagined...
many thanks Mandy, thank you. You have brought to my mind the reason that we serve those children and the struggle it is to love without condition, only for a week. I see in you a heart for God's people and the impact you had on those precious children and me was and continues to be immense. Thank you for sharing your heart. And thank you for looking past the rough exteriors of those children and seeing theirs. You are a blessing.
Your report from the front lines Thank you for doing the hard work for us. You are sweating, crying, laboring...and all we have to do in return is awake from our slumber. It's impossible not to after reading your impassioned accounts of the Real World. A long time ago you gave me a picture of a student of yours, Myra. You were worried about her, and asked me to pray for her. I put her picture in my Bible and haven't forgotten her. I will now add Iulia's name and our Romanian children to Myra's picture and remember them before the Lord. We are indeed responsible for them. I love you guys.
A Dangerous Realization Okay, this blog tore me up. How are you putting one foot in front of another at this point? It seems that you are getting more than you bargained for--you might only have a few shirts and pants in those backpacks, but the emotional luggage you're carrying is getting heavier and heavier with each stop you make. There are hand squeezes, eye contacts, hugs and kisses--each of which weigh a thousand pounds. But how much better is it to haul the burden than to hide from the experience all together...we must all go and discover what calling we all have--we who have been given so much, much is required of. You are walking it out before us, journaling the truth on our behalf. Now, we know. You are giving us the responsibility to wake up and care for our neighbor, our fellow human. It's the core of Christianity, but how many of us GET that? What kind of human beings ar we if we fein ignorance, feed only ourselves and let the forgotten remain so? That's not the example that Jesus set for us--may all who align themselves with Faith shudder to neglect the requirements before us. This kind of awakening will change the world. I love you guys.
Now what? I am stopped in my tracks...love? Yes. We must somehow learn to love and find peace and stop hunger and thirst...where can we start--not to Love passively, but actively? not to talk peace, but to make peace? not only to provide a piece of bread and drink of water, but to fill their spirits and quench their souls? How do we begin?
Thank you for making us think. Thank you for challenging us.
me too Thanks for taking the time you did in this posting to expound on Mr. Durbin. All I want to add is I was recently in France wandering around and observing the "flying buttresses" he'd taught us about so diligently, with such fascination himself I became intriqued as well. Walking around the Cathedral of Notre Dame and understanding what I was seeing, I said "thanks again Mr. D" under my breath. It feels really, really good to know I'm not the only one muttering those words, still.
Touched! I was happily reading your blog smiling thinking this was a fairly light one. But no, suddenly you bring out Mr. Durbin. Now I'm crying and missing him and thinking what an impact he made. Then I realized, I didn't even know Mr. Durbin! I guess now I do thanks to you. He was lucky to have such a good student who can still spread his message!!!
Living vicariously Hi Guys! It has been truly awesome traveling the world with you. I even have Fernando looking over my shoulder and looking at the pictures as I give him the Cliff Note version of your blog. (Thats a start!) I don't think you two realize the power of your words. You've really sparked some self-reflection and soul searching in some of us. Thats not easy to accomplish! We miss you and hope you are doing well. Keep inspiring us! Martha and Clan
P.S. Mandy, what is your favorite music so far? Learned any new show tunes? I can soooo picture you singing Don't Cry For Me Argentina at the Casa Rosa!
Hey you two!! I've been loving your blogs--keep it up! So are the four of us going to go develop some rural African village together or what?! We only have 40 years or so left on this earth...let's make the most of it! Love you both. ps: The Nissan is doing great--thanks again!
Mr. Durbin and the coffee cup I didn't know him well, and that vicariously through my wife and kids, but I do know he was well loved. One story that I recount at times is of his seasoned coffee cup. One time when he was gone from school for a time (I think a vacation) some well-meaning soul washed his coffee cup out clean! I guess his coffee was never the same again!
The world is a poorer place without him.
Dad Peter
How does the world see us? Mandy and Griff, I can only add to others' comments that you are wonderful writers. You can tell a story in words that transports us to the place and time you experienced it. I'm sure that our experience is not the same as yours, but neither would it have been had we been there with you. You write excellent word pictures, don't let your feeling of being unable to adequately convey the moment keep you from trying. The glimpses into your daily travels are wonderful gems that keep us in touch with who you are as you change and as you reveal (maybe discover) who you really are.
My question would be: How have the different places you have traveled to differed (or been the same) in how they see Americans and the United States as a country/government? Also, I would love to see more of Griff's commentary on politics in different regions of the world!
Love you,
Dad Peter
What is the most important thing God has taught both of you these past 6 months? Were there times you truly felt His presence? Has your relationship with Him changed? I also love the idea of you writing a book. Dave said many times after reading your blog that he was surprised by your writing skill. Hmmm. Has this experience changed you and Griff in ways that amaze you? Will you come home the same?
I love reading about your travels and can't wait to see them in a childrens book soon! love you both and miss you!
Got your postcard! Your travelblog is truly free inspiration. Your words, feelings, and images make me want to get rid of all my material goods and run off to some distant corner of the earth to grow grass or something...okay, for one brief moment I thought this until I realized I can't even keep my house plants going. My question is...at the end of this long journey, what do you think will be the biggest change you'll make in terms of your daily life? Other than you guys living and teaching in a foreign country (just a prediction.) Miss you guys!
Imagination I love to read your stories and adventures. It makes my imagination run wild. The places you visit and the history involved with it is so intriguing! Your adventures are my new caffeine. Keep on posting!! Miss you both!! Liz
Not really a question... Just wanted to once again express my gratitude and admiration for your excellent descriptions, most of your blogs have brought me to tears and joyful rememberance of humility and the wonder of the wide world. Also...You comin' to Thailand???
Oh my..... G and M,
I do hope you have plans to create a book with your writings. It's been a tremendous eye opener to read of your adventures. We'll look forward to you visiting Birch Bay (remember where that is?) again......what facinating tales you tell, and quite well told too! Hugs w/safe travels. Jerilue
Letters from Mandy Mandy, your letters have inspired me so much, I wrote a song about you and your travels -- basically the theme dwells on how much you have taught me about people who are so happy with so little, and how we in the US have just too much stuff and we are so often ungrateful for our countless blessings. I am going to premiere this song at my up and coming Red Piano II concert at ArtsWest on September 10 (for anyone in Seattle reading this), and if I am REALLY organized, I will put up a slide show behind the song and tell your story -- which is really YOU telling everyone else's story.
I am so proud of you, Mandy, and Griff by your side -- the two of you forging through what I called "dangerously unbalanced Earth" -- referring to the distribution of wealth and riches. You have been more than an inspiration to me, and I find myself telling people in all walks of like about your travels. Last week my dental hygienist got a mouthful of instruments mixed up with a story about your loving hands in the role of a dentist's chair. She couldn't wait to go home and read about it. Hw sh ndrstd m, I'll nvr knw (!!!)
Stay safe and keep up the fascinating stories. You have a gift for spinning a good yarn, Mandy. You need to compile these brilliant stories into a book when you return.
Much love, WS aka Wicked Stepmother
www.bronsongs.com
Mr. Durbin, Beloved Teacher I read this blog up in the moutains of northern California. I too found tears running down my cheeks as you brought back so many lost memories of Mr. Durbin (although I didn't forget my A+ and the comment, "A teacher weeps for joy when something like this is so well done!!!" Why didn't he call me on the obvious all-nighter my mother pulled the day before it was due??) Looking back, it was a difficult year for me. My parents' divorce was in the final stages, my mom was in court often, on the phone with lawyers, hiding her tears... But I had Mr. Durbin to hold things together for me, and you as well, Mandy. I remember him teaching us about Winston Churchill as if he were a family friend, someone we would want to meet. One story in particular illuminates itself. He laid down on the heater by the window as he told a story about being sick in bed and having to let his son David drive the car--against his better judgement. He showed how well he knew us when he "graduated" us from the 6th grade, complete with a personalized award for each of us. You got the "I'm not as shy as I used to be" award (Can any of us remember mandy being shy??). I remember him singing in chapel and feeling SO proud that he was our teacher. What a friend we have in Jesus. I'll never forget sitting in the pew at his funeral, looking down the row at so many familiar faces, students from our class as well as years before an after, all irrevocably changed by the wit, love, and creativity of Mr. Durbin. Thanks for immortalizing him in this blog. Now Seth knows him a little better, too.
The Schutt Duo jouney into the unknown together, attempting to discover themselves and their world. Following their hearts, because every logical thought tells them to spend the money on a downpayment for a house!
"Turn my heart from wanting any other plan than yours." Ps 119:37
Email the Schutts directly at the following:
Mandy: mandyschutt@yahoo.com
Griff:geschutt@yahoo.com
... full info
Susanna
non-member comment
Thanks for the inspiration
Hi Amanda and Griff! This is Julia's sis-in-law and she said I should check out your site. I just want to say I think its truly amazing what you two are doing as you travel the world. Amanda, you should really consider using your writing to advocate help from multitudes.I'm sure many willing and able people will be willing to support you both on your journey to help others. Anyway, I'll check back again..take care!