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....