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Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Thoughts from team member, KC...
I traveled to the orhpanage at Banta Mokelleh to help build a playground for the children living there and to teach fire safety to the local community. I returned from it with something far more valuable and meaningful than I ever imagined. A deeper, more inspired faith... witnessing Christ’s amazing love in a way I have never seen before. A greater understanding and appreciation for the life God has blessed me with. A burning desire to help expand God’s work abroad and at home. A vivid and humbling reminder that material possessions are not a means to lasting happiness. An inner joy from the bonds formed with the children, the memories we shared and the hope that I will see them again.
Friday, December 18, 2009
Thoughts from team member, Nich...
The Sierra Leone Mission trip was a trip that will never be forgotten, as it was the greatest experience I could ever imagine! To take a 50+ hour trip over there (which was an experience by itself) and then see 100+ kids, aunties and uncles just waiting for us at the COTN village, was truly amazing! We were then welcomed officially by the staff and kids of COTN, and were given African names; to this day I still want to be called by that name haha.
Within the next two weeks, I experienced life, culture, relationships, myself and God in a whole new way! To see how everything works over there, such as putting relationships first over transactions, was truly an amazing lesson. The children also taught me how to love and see God differently by the way that they worshiped Him every day.
The biggest lessons learned through this experience are to be thankful for what we have, as well as to have a great strength in work ethic and respect for one another. My life has been flipped a whole 180 degrees, from a selfish, blind-sunday christian who was so self-centered it was disgusting, to this man who has an idea about the world, who wants to make a true difference every day domestic or abroad. A man who will always put relationships, family and friends before any materialistic goods, as well as a stronger-faith christian.
We in the states have so much more than these children which we overlook, such as electricity, running water, tv, ipods, internet and blah blah blah. Yet these children have so much more than us here in the states, such as pure happiness, respect for each other and elders, amazing discipline, gratefulness for the opportunity to go to school, unconditional love for God and just pure love and hope. It has truly been a blessing to have the opportunity to spend time with these beautiful kids and learn the true meaning of life, as well as being able to open my eyes to the world and hopefully make a bigger difference every day, where ever i am.
Within the next two weeks, I experienced life, culture, relationships, myself and God in a whole new way! To see how everything works over there, such as putting relationships first over transactions, was truly an amazing lesson. The children also taught me how to love and see God differently by the way that they worshiped Him every day.
The biggest lessons learned through this experience are to be thankful for what we have, as well as to have a great strength in work ethic and respect for one another. My life has been flipped a whole 180 degrees, from a selfish, blind-sunday christian who was so self-centered it was disgusting, to this man who has an idea about the world, who wants to make a true difference every day domestic or abroad. A man who will always put relationships, family and friends before any materialistic goods, as well as a stronger-faith christian.
We in the states have so much more than these children which we overlook, such as electricity, running water, tv, ipods, internet and blah blah blah. Yet these children have so much more than us here in the states, such as pure happiness, respect for each other and elders, amazing discipline, gratefulness for the opportunity to go to school, unconditional love for God and just pure love and hope. It has truly been a blessing to have the opportunity to spend time with these beautiful kids and learn the true meaning of life, as well as being able to open my eyes to the world and hopefully make a bigger difference every day, where ever i am.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Thoughts from team member, Dan...
I felt like I was in Hot Yoga for two weeks straight, sweating 24/7 and working hard with an awesome Eastlake Growth Group team. It was inspiring to witness COTN: what started with one couple and has affected hundreds of war torn kids in Africa – out in the bush – so far from anywhere - bringing a little heaven on earth to these kids, by providing food, clothing, protection, schooling, medical, housing, love, and hope for the future.
It was an honor and a blast to do our tiny part bringing some joy to these kids with the construction of not just any playset, but a top quality playset (thanks to Clint) that is dare I say better than most I see in the USA. And these incredible kids who have suffered unimaginably in turn gave us what money can’t buy… the true meaning of life. With just a hug, a smile, a tear they changed my world. I came away exhausted and motivated to be as successful as I can possibly be – not to add to my own comfort and security, but so I can be more generous. It’s amazing how much can be done for so little. I want to do much again and again and again.
It was an honor and a blast to do our tiny part bringing some joy to these kids with the construction of not just any playset, but a top quality playset (thanks to Clint) that is dare I say better than most I see in the USA. And these incredible kids who have suffered unimaginably in turn gave us what money can’t buy… the true meaning of life. With just a hug, a smile, a tear they changed my world. I came away exhausted and motivated to be as successful as I can possibly be – not to add to my own comfort and security, but so I can be more generous. It’s amazing how much can be done for so little. I want to do much again and again and again.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Thoughts from team member, Sheela...
Highlights for me:
- Watching the kids play on the finished play set was like watching a kids sports film - the Home Team just won the Championship Game, there's a celebration, and your trying to hold back the tears of joy. But in this case we were all playing for God's team.
- I'm not a morning person, but I loved waking up early in the morning here. We were in the middle of the "bush" of Africa, but sunrises were gorgeous from the distant forest. I found it peaceful even with the frogs rib-bit and dogs barking at night. We woke up to the roosters crowing and kids singing praise songs. Mornings were filled with kids doing their chores, heading to school, and greetings of "Auntie!"
- Dancing and learning some of the games and songs the children sing.
- Greeting the little kids during their recess time and all of them running after us just to be held and hugged. It were as if they have known us forever.
Funny moments:
- Dan's face covered in red dirt from the road trip over because he was looking out the window.
- Hearing Kelly and Tammy scream to finding large spiders and insects in the bathroom and bed, and come to find out they were fake plastic bugs planted by the boys on our team. (It was funny because it didn't happen to me.)
- Hearing about Payton trying to hug the security guard in London because he thought verbal cues of arms held out was a culture norm for a hug.
- Watching the girls braid Uncle Mahda's (Nich) hair like they braid little girls, and me - teaching the girls to call him "Auntie Mahda" instead.
Re-entry thoughts and quotes from the book Un-earth by Vidrine and Rogers:
- We have so much here in the US. The kids there were content with so little. Their hope and joy in the Lord is more apparent. I saw kids walk to school and play with no shoes and kick a rock for a toy. There is no electricity, no refrigerator to open when you are hungry, and no running water. I feel grateful for all that I have here in the US. Water will never be the same for me and I will always remember Quami's quote, "Water is life," and do not waste. The book says, "This invites us to explore our culture's struggle with materialism....There is a balance between humility of scarcity and the peace within excess." I am grateful that I was able to see both worlds as I now search for a new way to live and be a steward with what I am given.
-"My insecurities, doubts, and fears were quited as I turned my attention to others. Perspective is different here in the Western world; all I see and all I feel is me. When I was overseas, my map was larger. I could see nothing but their faces, feel nothing but their faces, feel nothing but their need. I loved it. We were made to live somewhere in between these two worlds. This glorious struggle teaches us about His grace and how to encounter more healing and wholeness." These sentences hit home to me.
- Watching the kids play on the finished play set was like watching a kids sports film - the Home Team just won the Championship Game, there's a celebration, and your trying to hold back the tears of joy. But in this case we were all playing for God's team.
- I'm not a morning person, but I loved waking up early in the morning here. We were in the middle of the "bush" of Africa, but sunrises were gorgeous from the distant forest. I found it peaceful even with the frogs rib-bit and dogs barking at night. We woke up to the roosters crowing and kids singing praise songs. Mornings were filled with kids doing their chores, heading to school, and greetings of "Auntie!"
- Dancing and learning some of the games and songs the children sing.
- Greeting the little kids during their recess time and all of them running after us just to be held and hugged. It were as if they have known us forever.
Funny moments:
- Dan's face covered in red dirt from the road trip over because he was looking out the window.
- Hearing Kelly and Tammy scream to finding large spiders and insects in the bathroom and bed, and come to find out they were fake plastic bugs planted by the boys on our team. (It was funny because it didn't happen to me.)
- Hearing about Payton trying to hug the security guard in London because he thought verbal cues of arms held out was a culture norm for a hug.
- Watching the girls braid Uncle Mahda's (Nich) hair like they braid little girls, and me - teaching the girls to call him "Auntie Mahda" instead.
Re-entry thoughts and quotes from the book Un-earth by Vidrine and Rogers:
- We have so much here in the US. The kids there were content with so little. Their hope and joy in the Lord is more apparent. I saw kids walk to school and play with no shoes and kick a rock for a toy. There is no electricity, no refrigerator to open when you are hungry, and no running water. I feel grateful for all that I have here in the US. Water will never be the same for me and I will always remember Quami's quote, "Water is life," and do not waste. The book says, "This invites us to explore our culture's struggle with materialism....There is a balance between humility of scarcity and the peace within excess." I am grateful that I was able to see both worlds as I now search for a new way to live and be a steward with what I am given.
-"My insecurities, doubts, and fears were quited as I turned my attention to others. Perspective is different here in the Western world; all I see and all I feel is me. When I was overseas, my map was larger. I could see nothing but their faces, feel nothing but their faces, feel nothing but their need. I loved it. We were made to live somewhere in between these two worlds. This glorious struggle teaches us about His grace and how to encounter more healing and wholeness." These sentences hit home to me.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Thoughts from team member, Jeff...
It was eye-opening for me to take a 6 hr plane ride to DC, an 8 hr plane ride to London, a 7 hr plane ride to Sierra Leone, spend 3 hrs taking a ferry over to Freetown, and then take a 5 hr bus ride (where we were dodging both people and potholes on dirt roads in a fashion similar to that of an amusement park ride...except one that goes 4 hrs and 50 mins longer than I had planned on) into the rural "bush" of Sierra Leone (where I felt dumped right into a scene of Jurassic Park...just without the dinosaurs) and encounter people reading about, praying to, and worshiping Jesus - the same God I read about, pray to, and worship on a different continent so many time zones away and in a society much different than the one I had now just traveled into. I gained perspective on just how big God is. He's not just the God of America and He's not just the God of Africa, but he truly is the God of ALL nations and tribes.
Another area of culture shock I experienced was in the extreme conditions of Sierra Leone. Obviously there's the poverty - clearly seen when walking into villages I'd previously only seen on TV. It's like stepping into a picture in National Geographic with the mud walls and floors, the thatched roofs, the malnourished babies with the huge stomachs, and the tribes people staring curiously, and a bit guarded, in our direction. I felt as if I had stumbled into an outdoor steam sauna there, except that it's a 24 hr steam sauna without escape. The lack of running water and electricity meant no fans...no AC...nothing to cool down from the heat and humidity except for the hope of an incoming storm bringing a cool breeze. It was also my first experience having to dump buckets of water over myself for showering purposes. I knew what I was signing up for, so I never complained about the conditions. It was odd to be surrounded by such darkness. They have no street lights or house lights on during the night. There's just moonlight, candles, or flashlights. It quickly reveals the luxuries I live in back at home.
Lastly, I was impressed and inspired by the attitudes of the people there. I woke up daily at 6am to children singing and praying and then hurrying off to do their daily chores - such as 8 and 9 yr olds fetching water from the well (in which pumping was was fun for about 2 mins, until I realized I had to fill 10+ buckets of water, and my muscles were starting to burn up barely into finishing my first bucket) for drinking or cooking, or seeing children gathering water from the swamp for laundry and then carrying these buckets on their heads back to their homes - a good 100-150 yards away (where they would scrub their clothes using a laundry board and a bucket and then hang to dry all day long), or scrubbing down their bathrooms and sweeping out their house (not with brooms like we have the luxury of using, but with a group of small 12 inch sticks banded together with twine). It wasn't just the older kids doing all the manual labor...it was everyone. The amazing thing for me was the lack of complaining. At 6:30am, I saw 7 yr olds doing more manual labor in an hour than I do all day back in the States, and yet none of them were whining or wishing they were playing XBox, or spending time on Facebook, or texting their friends, or playing with their iPhone, or any of that. I was just humbled by the amount of discipline and joy with which these kids went about their daily chores. The people there also seemed genuinely grateful for things I mostly take for granted - a bed, a meal, the opportunity to attend school, the hope of a future, a stable government, their health, etc. They thank God for things I'm not used to thanking God for - a good harvest, the wind and rain, protection from fire, or simply the fact that their village isn't in danger of being attacked by rebels and other stuff that I've never stopped to give God credit for. The drive and determination the children show in their studies is also extremely inspiring. Because there isn't "state-sponsored" education there (even elementary kids have to pay fees to attend school), those children who are able to attend school see it as a privilege and an opportunity to learn and create opportunities for their future.
Bottom line: It was an incredible experience! I was fascinated by both their history and their culture. I enjoyed building connections and relationships with the people there. Even with the extreme conditions, I would do it all over again in order to gain their perspective on God and on life. I plan on remaining involved with the people in Sierra Leone through the work being done by Children of the Nations. I definitely encourage anyone with interest to go experience it as well! It will shake things up in your world and force you to find purpose in what you're doing with your time, energy, talents, abilities, and resources. It will also help you clear the air with God and work towards having a more genuine and authentic faith. All that makes it worth it, doesn't it?
Another area of culture shock I experienced was in the extreme conditions of Sierra Leone. Obviously there's the poverty - clearly seen when walking into villages I'd previously only seen on TV. It's like stepping into a picture in National Geographic with the mud walls and floors, the thatched roofs, the malnourished babies with the huge stomachs, and the tribes people staring curiously, and a bit guarded, in our direction. I felt as if I had stumbled into an outdoor steam sauna there, except that it's a 24 hr steam sauna without escape. The lack of running water and electricity meant no fans...no AC...nothing to cool down from the heat and humidity except for the hope of an incoming storm bringing a cool breeze. It was also my first experience having to dump buckets of water over myself for showering purposes. I knew what I was signing up for, so I never complained about the conditions. It was odd to be surrounded by such darkness. They have no street lights or house lights on during the night. There's just moonlight, candles, or flashlights. It quickly reveals the luxuries I live in back at home.
Lastly, I was impressed and inspired by the attitudes of the people there. I woke up daily at 6am to children singing and praying and then hurrying off to do their daily chores - such as 8 and 9 yr olds fetching water from the well (in which pumping was was fun for about 2 mins, until I realized I had to fill 10+ buckets of water, and my muscles were starting to burn up barely into finishing my first bucket) for drinking or cooking, or seeing children gathering water from the swamp for laundry and then carrying these buckets on their heads back to their homes - a good 100-150 yards away (where they would scrub their clothes using a laundry board and a bucket and then hang to dry all day long), or scrubbing down their bathrooms and sweeping out their house (not with brooms like we have the luxury of using, but with a group of small 12 inch sticks banded together with twine). It wasn't just the older kids doing all the manual labor...it was everyone. The amazing thing for me was the lack of complaining. At 6:30am, I saw 7 yr olds doing more manual labor in an hour than I do all day back in the States, and yet none of them were whining or wishing they were playing XBox, or spending time on Facebook, or texting their friends, or playing with their iPhone, or any of that. I was just humbled by the amount of discipline and joy with which these kids went about their daily chores. The people there also seemed genuinely grateful for things I mostly take for granted - a bed, a meal, the opportunity to attend school, the hope of a future, a stable government, their health, etc. They thank God for things I'm not used to thanking God for - a good harvest, the wind and rain, protection from fire, or simply the fact that their village isn't in danger of being attacked by rebels and other stuff that I've never stopped to give God credit for. The drive and determination the children show in their studies is also extremely inspiring. Because there isn't "state-sponsored" education there (even elementary kids have to pay fees to attend school), those children who are able to attend school see it as a privilege and an opportunity to learn and create opportunities for their future.
Bottom line: It was an incredible experience! I was fascinated by both their history and their culture. I enjoyed building connections and relationships with the people there. Even with the extreme conditions, I would do it all over again in order to gain their perspective on God and on life. I plan on remaining involved with the people in Sierra Leone through the work being done by Children of the Nations. I definitely encourage anyone with interest to go experience it as well! It will shake things up in your world and force you to find purpose in what you're doing with your time, energy, talents, abilities, and resources. It will also help you clear the air with God and work towards having a more genuine and authentic faith. All that makes it worth it, doesn't it?
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Crossing the finish line...
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."
- 2 Timothy 4:7
We figuratively and literally sprinted our way to the end of this mission. Our final few days in Banta Mokelleh were work-horse type days. Our team worked into the darkness to complete the playset so that we could see the children use it before we left. What joyous chaos that was :)
We also sprinted to our gate in Washington DC after more than 24 hours of travel - boarding our plane with less than a minute before they closed the door. That was not entirely joyous, but it was chaos. I had bad thoughts in my head about the Dulles Customs department.
We arrived home Saturday night - tired and relieved, yet overwhelmed by the experience we just had. I cannot believe that it is actually over; Playset built. Eye exams completed. Fire safety taught. Sponsorship photos taken. Children hugged. Friendships formed. Memories made. Lessons learned.
Children of the Nations calls their travel program "Venture - where the journey never ends." If you travel to places like Sierra Leone, or most any culture different than your own, you understand the truth in that statement. When you experience what we did, your life is changed. Because of that change, the journey really, truly never ends.
Our perspective on life, God, love, church, family, wealth, work, opportunity and so much more has been changed. The challenge is to figure out what exactly has changed for us as individuals and how we will work that out in our everyday lives.
So, the journey continues. I'm glad...I don't want it to be over - because I love those children and because I love this team.
***
Stay tuned for more updates/stories from team members and MORE PHOTOS!! Thanks for reading :)
- 2 Timothy 4:7
We figuratively and literally sprinted our way to the end of this mission. Our final few days in Banta Mokelleh were work-horse type days. Our team worked into the darkness to complete the playset so that we could see the children use it before we left. What joyous chaos that was :)
We also sprinted to our gate in Washington DC after more than 24 hours of travel - boarding our plane with less than a minute before they closed the door. That was not entirely joyous, but it was chaos. I had bad thoughts in my head about the Dulles Customs department.
We arrived home Saturday night - tired and relieved, yet overwhelmed by the experience we just had. I cannot believe that it is actually over; Playset built. Eye exams completed. Fire safety taught. Sponsorship photos taken. Children hugged. Friendships formed. Memories made. Lessons learned.
Children of the Nations calls their travel program "Venture - where the journey never ends." If you travel to places like Sierra Leone, or most any culture different than your own, you understand the truth in that statement. When you experience what we did, your life is changed. Because of that change, the journey really, truly never ends.
Our perspective on life, God, love, church, family, wealth, work, opportunity and so much more has been changed. The challenge is to figure out what exactly has changed for us as individuals and how we will work that out in our everyday lives.
So, the journey continues. I'm glad...I don't want it to be over - because I love those children and because I love this team.
***
Stay tuned for more updates/stories from team members and MORE PHOTOS!! Thanks for reading :)
Monday, November 30, 2009
U.S.A...U.S.A!!!
We had our first (and last) soccer match on Sunday - team USA vs. team Africa. We lost. We had lots of energy and even had an exciting team cheer before we took the field, but we got "flogged" as they say here. It was very fun and the kids from the orphan homes picked sides to cheer for - either USA!! or AFRICA!! They shouted and danced around as we attempted to play against their boys and staff.
We are praising God for a storm that came through and cooled things down a bit. This morning it rained again and all of us came out of our rooms with our hands spread wide saying, "Ahhhhhh." The kids here hate the rain, but we were so thankful.
We continue to press on with our projects. As I type, Kelly and some of the team are teaching fire safety in the school, Clint and the team are on the playset, Nich is taking pictures for COTN magazine story, and Chris and I are in the office installing anti-virus software on their computers and trying to connect them to a staff network. I am so amazed a the talents and skills that God pulled together for this team. Everyone has a place and is being used.
We continue to enjoy hearing our names called as we walk through the villages and the COTN property. "Aunty!!" and "Uncle!!" are our titles, followed by our African names. We spend our evenings walking back and forth to the different children's homes - COTN has a children's village of 10 homes in a circle. The kids call to us and we bounce around to tell stories, hear theirs, dance, sing...whatever they want to do. A few of us girls were particularly inspired by a little girl in House 4 who, as Sheela says, "Can drop it like it's hot!" :) Dan's magic tricks have been a HUGE hit with the kids and staff. We just enjoy being around them...
Yesterday was the Thanksgiving church service. It was supposed to start at 9am, which in African time actually meant 11:30, then went until after 1pm, including a procession in and out (which we were lined up in order of height). It is probably as different as you can get from EastLake, so we have learned to appreciate how people worship God differently.
COTN is doing amazing things here. There are 15 churches that have been planted in a predominantly Muslim cheifdom. God is light, and you can definitely see that here - in the eyes of the children and in the progress in the communities. Hearing stories like Kappri - a boy in our home who was orphaned, who now wants to be the President of Sierra Leone - encourage us and remind us that we are serving a big God, who redeems all situations and works for the good of those who love him and are called according to his purpose.
Thanks for your prayers and thoughts. We are set to work hard these next few days before heading back to Freetown on Thursday morning....
We are praising God for a storm that came through and cooled things down a bit. This morning it rained again and all of us came out of our rooms with our hands spread wide saying, "Ahhhhhh." The kids here hate the rain, but we were so thankful.
We continue to press on with our projects. As I type, Kelly and some of the team are teaching fire safety in the school, Clint and the team are on the playset, Nich is taking pictures for COTN magazine story, and Chris and I are in the office installing anti-virus software on their computers and trying to connect them to a staff network. I am so amazed a the talents and skills that God pulled together for this team. Everyone has a place and is being used.
We continue to enjoy hearing our names called as we walk through the villages and the COTN property. "Aunty!!" and "Uncle!!" are our titles, followed by our African names. We spend our evenings walking back and forth to the different children's homes - COTN has a children's village of 10 homes in a circle. The kids call to us and we bounce around to tell stories, hear theirs, dance, sing...whatever they want to do. A few of us girls were particularly inspired by a little girl in House 4 who, as Sheela says, "Can drop it like it's hot!" :) Dan's magic tricks have been a HUGE hit with the kids and staff. We just enjoy being around them...
Yesterday was the Thanksgiving church service. It was supposed to start at 9am, which in African time actually meant 11:30, then went until after 1pm, including a procession in and out (which we were lined up in order of height). It is probably as different as you can get from EastLake, so we have learned to appreciate how people worship God differently.
COTN is doing amazing things here. There are 15 churches that have been planted in a predominantly Muslim cheifdom. God is light, and you can definitely see that here - in the eyes of the children and in the progress in the communities. Hearing stories like Kappri - a boy in our home who was orphaned, who now wants to be the President of Sierra Leone - encourage us and remind us that we are serving a big God, who redeems all situations and works for the good of those who love him and are called according to his purpose.
Thanks for your prayers and thoughts. We are set to work hard these next few days before heading back to Freetown on Thursday morning....
Friday, November 27, 2009
Update from Sierra Leone!
We are doing well here in Sierra Leone! Our time is going quickly, but every team member is excited about the work and is loving being with the COTN kids. It took us more than 50 hours to actually get here...needless to say, we were tired, but the anticipation for the work and the experience has carried us through.
I wish I would have been able to post on Thanksgiving, but I am now a day late. In honor of the day, I will tell you what we are thankful for:
- safe travel, even if it did take forever
- the opportunity to wake up to children singing praise songs and starting their day with devotions
- the chance to watch the teenage girls of house 9 giggle with glee as they braided Uncle Nich and Uncle Andrew's hair
- walking into Ngoala village and having the children RUN to us with delight. No team member was without child hanging on their arms for the entire visit
- watching Kelly share fire safety with villagers and having them understand the dangers and how to deal with them
- receiving African names and hearing the children call to us as we walk by
- most all of our playground supplies waiting for us
- the group of local villagers who are waiting for us each morning to help us build
- Aunty Christiana's food - every team member has commented about how they don't eat this well at home :)
- community - sharing life with each other, even if it does mean non flushing toilets
- bug nets
- water. a few of us have attempted to pump and carry water from the well and it is excruciatingly difficult. the kids do it with ease.
- Quami - our host. What an amazing man...I'm sure you will hear stories of him when we return.
- the chance to hear stories from these children. they have endured the worst you can imagine, and they smile and praise God everyday. if we can have faith like theirs at some point in our life, we will be blessed.
Things we are TRYING to be thankful for:
- The roosters that wake us at 4:45am. Aunty Christiana says "praise be to God for them...they let us know it is morning." I roll over and pray that they will be our dinner that night so we don't have to hear them anymore.
- No rain. Though it feels like we are sometimes building a playground in Hades, we are plugging away.
- Knowing that the bugs around us are not as dangerous as others we could run into. Waking up to a cockroach on my arm was not pleasant, nor seeing the lizard on my bed, but at least they don't bite.
- Bucket showers. Though we never feel clean, and the first cup makes us gasp, it feels great to be cool for the 5 minutes we have...before we get out, start sweating, and apply sunblock and bug spray again.
We will be eager to share photos with you when we return. Quami calls Tammy "Aunty Paparazzi", so there will be plenty to see.
I am amazed at this team. I have led others before and have not seen such hard workers. We are truly united and feel the prayers around us. We are the luckiest people from EastLake right now... Our time here is precious and I know we are appreciating every moment, every conversation and every lesson. God is good.
I wish I would have been able to post on Thanksgiving, but I am now a day late. In honor of the day, I will tell you what we are thankful for:
- safe travel, even if it did take forever
- the opportunity to wake up to children singing praise songs and starting their day with devotions
- the chance to watch the teenage girls of house 9 giggle with glee as they braided Uncle Nich and Uncle Andrew's hair
- walking into Ngoala village and having the children RUN to us with delight. No team member was without child hanging on their arms for the entire visit
- watching Kelly share fire safety with villagers and having them understand the dangers and how to deal with them
- receiving African names and hearing the children call to us as we walk by
- most all of our playground supplies waiting for us
- the group of local villagers who are waiting for us each morning to help us build
- Aunty Christiana's food - every team member has commented about how they don't eat this well at home :)
- community - sharing life with each other, even if it does mean non flushing toilets
- bug nets
- water. a few of us have attempted to pump and carry water from the well and it is excruciatingly difficult. the kids do it with ease.
- Quami - our host. What an amazing man...I'm sure you will hear stories of him when we return.
- the chance to hear stories from these children. they have endured the worst you can imagine, and they smile and praise God everyday. if we can have faith like theirs at some point in our life, we will be blessed.
Things we are TRYING to be thankful for:
- The roosters that wake us at 4:45am. Aunty Christiana says "praise be to God for them...they let us know it is morning." I roll over and pray that they will be our dinner that night so we don't have to hear them anymore.
- No rain. Though it feels like we are sometimes building a playground in Hades, we are plugging away.
- Knowing that the bugs around us are not as dangerous as others we could run into. Waking up to a cockroach on my arm was not pleasant, nor seeing the lizard on my bed, but at least they don't bite.
- Bucket showers. Though we never feel clean, and the first cup makes us gasp, it feels great to be cool for the 5 minutes we have...before we get out, start sweating, and apply sunblock and bug spray again.
We will be eager to share photos with you when we return. Quami calls Tammy "Aunty Paparazzi", so there will be plenty to see.
I am amazed at this team. I have led others before and have not seen such hard workers. We are truly united and feel the prayers around us. We are the luckiest people from EastLake right now... Our time here is precious and I know we are appreciating every moment, every conversation and every lesson. God is good.
Friday, November 20, 2009
T'was the night before...
Target is closed, which means there isn't much more we can do. We're either prepared or we're not. :)
From what I hear, the team is split about down the middle as to who is sleeping tonight and who is not. When you have to be at the airport at 4:30am, waking up can be almost harder than not sleeping at all. We shall see...
Our route is Seattle - Washington DC - London - Freetown. We arrive Sunday evening (Sierra Leone time) and will spend the evening in a hotel by the airport. The next day, we will take the ferry to Freetown, buy any additional supplies and then hit the road for Banta Mokelleh.
Preparation is an interesting thing. I can say that I believe our team is prepared...but the truth is that nothing can prepare people for an encounter like this.
So, we thank you for your prayers and look forward to hopefully updating you when we're there.
-Kristen
**NOTE** 3 people from our team were baptized tonight at the EastLake worship night. WOOHOO!
From what I hear, the team is split about down the middle as to who is sleeping tonight and who is not. When you have to be at the airport at 4:30am, waking up can be almost harder than not sleeping at all. We shall see...
Our route is Seattle - Washington DC - London - Freetown. We arrive Sunday evening (Sierra Leone time) and will spend the evening in a hotel by the airport. The next day, we will take the ferry to Freetown, buy any additional supplies and then hit the road for Banta Mokelleh.
Preparation is an interesting thing. I can say that I believe our team is prepared...but the truth is that nothing can prepare people for an encounter like this.
So, we thank you for your prayers and look forward to hopefully updating you when we're there.
-Kristen
**NOTE** 3 people from our team were baptized tonight at the EastLake worship night. WOOHOO!
Monday, November 16, 2009
Commissioning!
Last night, our team was "commissioned" by EastLake. I (Kristen) had the privilege of praying for the team as a representative of the church.
I really didn't plan my prayer because I wanted it to be authentic, even though sometimes when you're in front of that many people, it's better to have a "plan." :) I have been reading Psalm 139 about how well God knows us. I was struck when reading these verses and I know they somehow were a part of my prayer:
5: You hem me in - behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me.
7-10: Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, or settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.
We are, indeed, going to the far side of the sea. We are going to the poorest chiefdom in one of the poorest countries of the world. We are literally going to one of the POOREST PLACES ON EARTH. The best part about it is that we are not bringing God there - he has been there all along and is just waiting for us to show up!
What a privilege! We will be there serving for 2 weeks, and I think it's very fitting that we will be there over Thanksgiving. We will get to celebrate with these people the fact that we ALL have something to be thankful for...and I'm pretty sure it's not about anything we own.
I am counting down the days - cannot wait!
I really didn't plan my prayer because I wanted it to be authentic, even though sometimes when you're in front of that many people, it's better to have a "plan." :) I have been reading Psalm 139 about how well God knows us. I was struck when reading these verses and I know they somehow were a part of my prayer:
5: You hem me in - behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me.
7-10: Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, or settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.
We are, indeed, going to the far side of the sea. We are going to the poorest chiefdom in one of the poorest countries of the world. We are literally going to one of the POOREST PLACES ON EARTH. The best part about it is that we are not bringing God there - he has been there all along and is just waiting for us to show up!
What a privilege! We will be there serving for 2 weeks, and I think it's very fitting that we will be there over Thanksgiving. We will get to celebrate with these people the fact that we ALL have something to be thankful for...and I'm pretty sure it's not about anything we own.
I am counting down the days - cannot wait!
Friday, August 28, 2009
We keep on trekkin...
Our team is solidified. Our funds are coming in (hopefully!). And...
Our supplies are on their way to Freetown!
Thanks to everyone in the group who helped gather what we needed for our play equipment project. What generous donors we have as well...
Below is a picture of Clint, Tammy, me and Chris loading the shipping container.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Photos from another team
Hey Everyone!
If you're interested in seeing some pictures from where we're headed, here are some links from another group who visited Banta Mokelleh... If you want to be surprised, don't look!!
http://picasaweb.google.com/taussig58/SierraLeoneI
http://picasaweb.google.com/taussig58/SierraLeoneII
Continue to pray for logistics - airfare, projects, immunizations, fundraising, etc.
Thanks!
Kristen
If you're interested in seeing some pictures from where we're headed, here are some links from another group who visited Banta Mokelleh... If you want to be surprised, don't look!!
http://picasaweb.google.com/taussig58/SierraLeoneI
http://picasaweb.google.com/taussig58/SierraLeoneII
Continue to pray for logistics - airfare, projects, immunizations, fundraising, etc.
Thanks!
Kristen
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Thanksgiving in Sierra Leone
I'm so excited for those of you who are interested in traveling to Sierra Leone this Thanksgiving.
This EastLake Go! Group will travel to Sierra Leone, West Africa, to work with Children of the Nations – an organization working to raise orphaned and destitute children.
Our priority activity is to build play equipment outside of the recently built school. We hope to build monkey bars, a swing set, and some sort of climbing wall.
We will also participate in other projects they need help with, including taking pictures of the kids for sponsorship, teaching extra classes, doing maintenance work on their buildings, or simply just hanging out with the kids in the orphanage.
Sierra Leone is one of the poorest countries in the world and is still recovering from a brutal civil war. Members of this group should expect to have limited communication with home and to live in a more extreme environment (lack of amenities, intense humidity, rugged terrain).
Your life will be changed by these children – you have never seen such triumph and joy come out of devastation. Hearing their stories and spending time with them will challenge your view of the world and move you forward in your relationship with God.
This EastLake Go! Group will travel to Sierra Leone, West Africa, to work with Children of the Nations – an organization working to raise orphaned and destitute children.
Our priority activity is to build play equipment outside of the recently built school. We hope to build monkey bars, a swing set, and some sort of climbing wall.
We will also participate in other projects they need help with, including taking pictures of the kids for sponsorship, teaching extra classes, doing maintenance work on their buildings, or simply just hanging out with the kids in the orphanage.
Sierra Leone is one of the poorest countries in the world and is still recovering from a brutal civil war. Members of this group should expect to have limited communication with home and to live in a more extreme environment (lack of amenities, intense humidity, rugged terrain).
Your life will be changed by these children – you have never seen such triumph and joy come out of devastation. Hearing their stories and spending time with them will challenge your view of the world and move you forward in your relationship with God.
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