It's early in Sierra Leone, which makes it late in the US. I'm up too early again. Probably because I have so many thoughts that race through my head every moment I am awake here. In about two hours I will be sitting in front of the kids as they have a good bye ceremony for me. Yep, 6 weeks have come and gone. Some days it seems like time has just flown by and others it seems like I have been here forever. People in the states keep asking me if I'm sad. I take offense to that question most days. Yes, I am sad. A couple of years ago I realized that living in America was not my favorite thing. Each day there I am faced with stuff that angers me and what I believe God wants FROM his people. Each day in Sierra Leone angers me too, but it's because I don't think this is what God wants FOR his people. I know that when I get back people will not understand. They don't want to. No one likes to be convicted. We all would prefer to think we are doing our part to help the world.
This week as I have been preparing to leave I have had the opportunity to sit down and have long discussions about life with some of the staff and some of the kids. I feel like I am apologizing for what America is. Their view of America is so inflated. If they just knew how selfish we are, including myself. I found myself having to go back to a staff member and apologize because I said I wasn't rich. We want to be rich but not called it because it kind of makes you a snob. Here I was telling someone who will make less this month than I will make this day that I am not rich. Maybe I am a snob.
Well, off of that and on to better things, leaving! No I am not happy to go, but I am OK with it because I know "I de cum back." I smile each day when the things I have taught them are repeated to me. Even when It means I have to share my flavor-ice with all the guys because Sorie remembers "Uncle you said, God says if we have two we should give the other away." as he smiles and opens his mouth waiting for me to pour so "sweet" in. Well it may not be a direct quote from Jesus or even from me but they get it and they laugh. I will miss the laughs from a bunch of orphans filled with the joy of the Lord. I am ready to come home and start something new. My life is different of course, but it's more than that. God has allowed me to glimpse the difference than can be made. Now my job as his mouth piece is really just beginning. Today I hope to finish emptying out the stuff I don't want and allowing God's spirit to fill me with what I need to start over. It is the same message I will give the kids today as I leave. Remove the stuff that is stopping the spirit of God from filling your life and using you. It's time to go now. I leave with a smile knowing Jesus left his friends and he promised to return. He did it because he knew things were just beginning. I leave knowing I will be back and that my new life is just beginning too.
I pray today you choose2B the beginning of something great, something new, something Holy, something that changes the world. I tell my youth you don't have to change "the" world, just "a" world to make a difference. I am happy that mine has been changed :)
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Monday, October 11, 2010
It's Monday
Today started like many of my days here, awaking at an early time. I don't know why my sleeping is so out of whack, but it is. So anyway, I was up early. No power for the last three days, (and we ran out of fuel for the generator) so my cold shower was in the dark. Since it is my last week, I headed over to the center early. The mornings are always a calm time there. The kids move like zombies and are really well behaved when they wake up. Well most people move like zombies at 7am. I waited on the out of center school kids and walked them to school. Walking with them may be one of my favorite things to do. I have gotten over the fact that it is uphill. Most days they want to hold my hand and talk about, well you never know what they want to talk about, but I always enjoy the conversations.
When I got back to the center I started trying to work on fund raising. No luck as the internet just would not cooperate. I gave up after an hour. Next it was time for the staff meeting. I thought our staff meetings were long, but this one was 3 hours. Don't worry I'm not complaining. I loved it, well most of it. I knew it would be the last time I would have a chance to talk to the whole staff all together before I left. I like listening to their ideas and what they believe the problems are. You don't have to be here long to realize how important food is. It is always the main theme of discussion. Today I was humbled in 3 ways during the meeting. First, it is awesome to worship with the staff. Singing with them and lifting praises to God was great. I was thinking about how the whole neighborhood could hear us, but more importantly the kids. They can hear their aunties and uncles singing and praising God. Second, was during prayer time. I love hearing the passion behind their prayers. Hearing them cry out for the children, the organizations, each other, more of God, and then for me. Yeah after I came and spoke to them for a second about being servant leaders they chose to pray for me. Again, I was humbled. Third, was watching them give sacrificially. There is a need in the center that all of the staff felt was important so they each brought money forward to pay for a solution. It wasn't much, but when you think about how little money each one of them has this is huge. I was reminded of Jesus poking the disciples in the ribs when he was watching the old women stick money in the plate at the temple. I had a since of gratitude and thankfulness as I watched them give out of their poverty. Humbled is a good word here too.
After the meeting it was back to solving the worlds problems, well at least if the center is your world. Trying to make the budget balance, figure out what happened to the money, deciding where money is going to come from, figure out who is going to fix the shelves, and a host of other things were on the afternoon schedule. While all this is going on Cari and Jessie are def having a Monday. Jessie is suffering from a headache and Cari's computer is crashing. The kids invade the office and that is not a good thing. So by 3:30 the ladies look as though they are going to pull their hair out. Wait, oh both of them are promising to scream. I decided to take a break and head back to the guesthouse for a little bit of a break. (apologies for changing verb tenses throughout the post today, I am well aware but dont care it makes my writing more fun for me) I was looking forward to having the master power back on and getting a flavor ice from the freezer. Wait no MP and no fuel which still equals nothing and only a little battery life to do work. Blahhhh! It's all good though, I discovered money to nail down October expenses and then it was back to the center. Andrew asks smiling,"Everything better now? Ya'll look happier!"
"No, still the same," they grumble as I head into to Quammi's office to have a discussion about staff. Soon the kids are waking up from their naps and its time to pull them out of our office again. A little soccer and jump rope help you forget all the days troubles.
When I got back to the guesthouse the ladies were stuffing their faces with dinner. "You gotta try this. It's pretty awesome!" And it was. I convinced them to sit the rest of the evening on the porch since it was quite cool tonight as we had a nice breeze. Jessie even had to put on her jacket. Our evening ended as many of them do, with laughter. Thanks to cockroaches, goats, emails, and Jessie's quotes we end the day smiling. It's just the ups and downs of a Monday. Can't wait for tomorrow. :)
When I got back to the center I started trying to work on fund raising. No luck as the internet just would not cooperate. I gave up after an hour. Next it was time for the staff meeting. I thought our staff meetings were long, but this one was 3 hours. Don't worry I'm not complaining. I loved it, well most of it. I knew it would be the last time I would have a chance to talk to the whole staff all together before I left. I like listening to their ideas and what they believe the problems are. You don't have to be here long to realize how important food is. It is always the main theme of discussion. Today I was humbled in 3 ways during the meeting. First, it is awesome to worship with the staff. Singing with them and lifting praises to God was great. I was thinking about how the whole neighborhood could hear us, but more importantly the kids. They can hear their aunties and uncles singing and praising God. Second, was during prayer time. I love hearing the passion behind their prayers. Hearing them cry out for the children, the organizations, each other, more of God, and then for me. Yeah after I came and spoke to them for a second about being servant leaders they chose to pray for me. Again, I was humbled. Third, was watching them give sacrificially. There is a need in the center that all of the staff felt was important so they each brought money forward to pay for a solution. It wasn't much, but when you think about how little money each one of them has this is huge. I was reminded of Jesus poking the disciples in the ribs when he was watching the old women stick money in the plate at the temple. I had a since of gratitude and thankfulness as I watched them give out of their poverty. Humbled is a good word here too.
After the meeting it was back to solving the worlds problems, well at least if the center is your world. Trying to make the budget balance, figure out what happened to the money, deciding where money is going to come from, figure out who is going to fix the shelves, and a host of other things were on the afternoon schedule. While all this is going on Cari and Jessie are def having a Monday. Jessie is suffering from a headache and Cari's computer is crashing. The kids invade the office and that is not a good thing. So by 3:30 the ladies look as though they are going to pull their hair out. Wait, oh both of them are promising to scream. I decided to take a break and head back to the guesthouse for a little bit of a break. (apologies for changing verb tenses throughout the post today, I am well aware but dont care it makes my writing more fun for me) I was looking forward to having the master power back on and getting a flavor ice from the freezer. Wait no MP and no fuel which still equals nothing and only a little battery life to do work. Blahhhh! It's all good though, I discovered money to nail down October expenses and then it was back to the center. Andrew asks smiling,"Everything better now? Ya'll look happier!"
"No, still the same," they grumble as I head into to Quammi's office to have a discussion about staff. Soon the kids are waking up from their naps and its time to pull them out of our office again. A little soccer and jump rope help you forget all the days troubles.
When I got back to the guesthouse the ladies were stuffing their faces with dinner. "You gotta try this. It's pretty awesome!" And it was. I convinced them to sit the rest of the evening on the porch since it was quite cool tonight as we had a nice breeze. Jessie even had to put on her jacket. Our evening ended as many of them do, with laughter. Thanks to cockroaches, goats, emails, and Jessie's quotes we end the day smiling. It's just the ups and downs of a Monday. Can't wait for tomorrow. :)
Sunday, October 10, 2010
This Stinks
No I'm not going to talk about how I smell after sweating all day. No I'm not going to talk about how deodorant is a luxury. No I'm not going to talk about how an orphanage can smell on a hot day. I'm going to talk about this being my last week.
Since, Saturday almost everything is my last. It's my last Saturday. Today was my last Sunday. It was my last church service. It was probably my last football game with the kids playing to watch. It was the last hair day. It was the last time to get the kids together after worship. Well this list could go on but it is depressing.
So today I had the opportunity to speak for worship. Of course the youth minister is using object lessons. This morning was about how God doesn't look at the outside, but at the heart. The object lessons and the skit went over really well. At least, the kids who stayed around to talk could all tell us what the story was and what the point was. It was a pleasure to have my last opportunity to do it. The rest of my day was spent trying to just spend time with the kids. I don't get to hang out as much as I want with some because they are in school all day and then they take a nap. It hurts when I hear from those I am close to "Uncle Andrew, we do not get to see you anymore. Do you really have to go back. Please stay" That stinks!
I don't really know what all my last week holds. There are projects I need to finish, budget discussions that need to take place, videos that still need to be shot, and goodbyes that will have to be said. Each day I get on Facebook people are reminding me it is my last week. That stinks! Each time I go to the center the kids and staff remind me I am leaving. That stinks! But mainly it is leaving a country that still needs us. It still needs you. There are so many others in need of saving and I'm not just in this for the short haul. This place needs us to keep working to find ways to save the orphan. If we give up, as they say here "Is foul!" That Stinks!
Since, Saturday almost everything is my last. It's my last Saturday. Today was my last Sunday. It was my last church service. It was probably my last football game with the kids playing to watch. It was the last hair day. It was the last time to get the kids together after worship. Well this list could go on but it is depressing.
So today I had the opportunity to speak for worship. Of course the youth minister is using object lessons. This morning was about how God doesn't look at the outside, but at the heart. The object lessons and the skit went over really well. At least, the kids who stayed around to talk could all tell us what the story was and what the point was. It was a pleasure to have my last opportunity to do it. The rest of my day was spent trying to just spend time with the kids. I don't get to hang out as much as I want with some because they are in school all day and then they take a nap. It hurts when I hear from those I am close to "Uncle Andrew, we do not get to see you anymore. Do you really have to go back. Please stay" That stinks!
I don't really know what all my last week holds. There are projects I need to finish, budget discussions that need to take place, videos that still need to be shot, and goodbyes that will have to be said. Each day I get on Facebook people are reminding me it is my last week. That stinks! Each time I go to the center the kids and staff remind me I am leaving. That stinks! But mainly it is leaving a country that still needs us. It still needs you. There are so many others in need of saving and I'm not just in this for the short haul. This place needs us to keep working to find ways to save the orphan. If we give up, as they say here "Is foul!" That Stinks!
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Touch
Four summers ago I was leading our Road Rules mission trip to Houston for the night. We stayed at St John’s United Methodist Church. St John’s is right in the middle of town and is lead by Pastor Rudy Rasmus. Maybe you have seen Pastor Rudy’s Power Hour on TV. St John’s has made a commitment to the homeless population and boy they are doing a great job. Pastor Rudy, who himself was once homeless, has written a book titled Touch. I see the book sitting in my office but have yet to read it. Some others who were on that trip have. The book is about the importance of physical touch and how Jesus used this in His ministry.
Even though I have never read the book, I live inside the pages of it every day. I carried the concept into my ministry. I usually touch every youth that comes on a Sunday night. It’s my way of saying I value them. I do it with my kids in Sierra Leone too. Each day begins with me walking into class or the nursery to just touch them. Maybe it’s a tap on the head, a reaching out and squeeze of their hand, a pat on the shoulder, or, what has become the Uncle Andrew trademarks, the 5 and the tickly finger to the ribs. I see the impact just a touch has. Their faces light up. They know they are valued by me. I really like going to the nursery and just pulling the finger out with the threat of a tickle and the little ones scream with joy and run around.
Each day also brings a new form of touch from me in my words. I don’t think time spent talking with me is worth a whole lot. Maybe a few laughs and an “Oh, I can’t believe he said that,” but that’s about it. However, I have discovered that the conversations on the back porch with the cooks, the housekeepers, and the laundresses have been very meaningful to all of us. The times I spend saying hello to all the teachers when the kids walk out, and the arrival “How de sleep?” questions for the staff, and the Krio lessons from the former presidents security have developed a bond. I remember that before I came I thought it was funny to have me be the person who would relate to the staff. God knows best, I guess! It has been a blessing for me to learn from them, to laugh with them, to laugh at them, and share in their life. I hear each day, as they count down the number of days I have left, that I have touched them and they do not want me to leave. But they have touched me too! It’s the rye smiles, the making sure I have eaten, the questions of why I am not married (I ask that one myself), and the harassment for my return. I feel safe to say that the staff and I have ministered to each other.
Then there are the kids. They touch me, all the time. It is hard to play football with the boys while a girl has each arm and another is hugging you around the waist to keep you from running. However, I’m not half bad at it. My back has gotten stronger and it’s not from just carrying my bag every day, but rather it’s the boys who climb on me like I’m a jungle gym. I like feeling my knees get hugged by the little ones when I am not watching, or the constant playing with my hair that amazes them because it grows all over my body. Most of all I like the hugs from the older ones who go to school outside the center each day, when I walk to meet them or when they arrive back. I like the little hands that wrap around my fingers and the smaller hands that fit just right inside mine. I feel God ministering to me. I feel his love in their touch. I hear Him saying “I am with you. I haven’t given up on them and I haven’t given up on you.”
There are so many stories in the Bible of Jesus touching people, but I will end with the one about the woman who touched Him. In Mark 5:24-34 a woman who has been suffering for 12 years touches Jesus and is healed. I have had the opportunity to touch Him while I have been here too. Am I healed? I don’t know. I am not even sure what all my life was sick with. I can say that I have been made more whole, and I hope God has touched others through me in the same way. Today, I pray you choose2B the touch that changes someone’s day.
Even though I have never read the book, I live inside the pages of it every day. I carried the concept into my ministry. I usually touch every youth that comes on a Sunday night. It’s my way of saying I value them. I do it with my kids in Sierra Leone too. Each day begins with me walking into class or the nursery to just touch them. Maybe it’s a tap on the head, a reaching out and squeeze of their hand, a pat on the shoulder, or, what has become the Uncle Andrew trademarks, the 5 and the tickly finger to the ribs. I see the impact just a touch has. Their faces light up. They know they are valued by me. I really like going to the nursery and just pulling the finger out with the threat of a tickle and the little ones scream with joy and run around.
Each day also brings a new form of touch from me in my words. I don’t think time spent talking with me is worth a whole lot. Maybe a few laughs and an “Oh, I can’t believe he said that,” but that’s about it. However, I have discovered that the conversations on the back porch with the cooks, the housekeepers, and the laundresses have been very meaningful to all of us. The times I spend saying hello to all the teachers when the kids walk out, and the arrival “How de sleep?” questions for the staff, and the Krio lessons from the former presidents security have developed a bond. I remember that before I came I thought it was funny to have me be the person who would relate to the staff. God knows best, I guess! It has been a blessing for me to learn from them, to laugh with them, to laugh at them, and share in their life. I hear each day, as they count down the number of days I have left, that I have touched them and they do not want me to leave. But they have touched me too! It’s the rye smiles, the making sure I have eaten, the questions of why I am not married (I ask that one myself), and the harassment for my return. I feel safe to say that the staff and I have ministered to each other.
Then there are the kids. They touch me, all the time. It is hard to play football with the boys while a girl has each arm and another is hugging you around the waist to keep you from running. However, I’m not half bad at it. My back has gotten stronger and it’s not from just carrying my bag every day, but rather it’s the boys who climb on me like I’m a jungle gym. I like feeling my knees get hugged by the little ones when I am not watching, or the constant playing with my hair that amazes them because it grows all over my body. Most of all I like the hugs from the older ones who go to school outside the center each day, when I walk to meet them or when they arrive back. I like the little hands that wrap around my fingers and the smaller hands that fit just right inside mine. I feel God ministering to me. I feel his love in their touch. I hear Him saying “I am with you. I haven’t given up on them and I haven’t given up on you.”
There are so many stories in the Bible of Jesus touching people, but I will end with the one about the woman who touched Him. In Mark 5:24-34 a woman who has been suffering for 12 years touches Jesus and is healed. I have had the opportunity to touch Him while I have been here too. Am I healed? I don’t know. I am not even sure what all my life was sick with. I can say that I have been made more whole, and I hope God has touched others through me in the same way. Today, I pray you choose2B the touch that changes someone’s day.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Storyteller
Jesus loved to tell stories. He knew people liked to hear them too. His parables were like TV in ancient times. I like to tell stories, also. Mine tend to be very long and drawn out though. Jesus used His to tell about the Kingdom of God, the place where God’s love, mercy, forgiveness, finances, and thoughts reign.
Today, I want to tell you a story about what I think the Kingdom of God is like, when I read Jesus stories. It is a story of coming home. It is the story of my day. I pray you will find God in the midst of it and see how he reigns today. Apologies for being long and drawn out.
It is mid morning before Osseh, Mohammed, Cari, Jessie, and I loaded up in the Pathfinder to go and pick up the newest addition to The Covering. All of us were really excited to go. However, riding through Freetown can always zap some excitement from you. The length of time it takes to get anywhere can be taxing on the fast paced American soul. After a brief stop in downtown, a stop for gas that included Red Bulls for Osseh and Jessie, Cokes for Mohammed and Cari, and fake Montain Dew for me, and a stop to air up the tires, we were headed out of Freetown. Things move much quicker on this side of Freetown, quicker means paved roads that allow you to go 40mph, if you can talk Osseh into it. We stopped by the offices of St George to pick up the social worker who had been working the case with Mohammed. Add one more full sized adult to the mix in the Pathfinder. Side note – *At this point I am happy to be comfortably riding with three in the back seat. Comfortably is a relative term considering what the front seat looks like at this moment. * Before you can blink an eye – well, if you were asleep that is – we were leaving the busy paved roads behind for the slower, unpaved, bumpy road to Grafton. Many people have a picture that is completely wrong of what much of Africa looks like. This is tropical Africa, during the rainy season I might add. Lush green hillsides are all around us. I was in Hawaii this January, but I think Sierra Leone has more of a tropical feel to it. After bounding our way through the first 1000 bumps on the country road we reached the center.
After finishing some paper work with Mohammed, the social worker disappeared into one of the building. As he emerged, he came out holding our new pride and joy, Mary. As Cari and Jessie held her in their arms, she gently cried and sucked her fingers. I looked at Mohammed and said, “Thanks!” I think a tear may have crept into his eye. He knew deep inside that this is why he does what he does as our social worker. Mary is believed to be about 4 ½. She probably weighs 10 pounds, if that. She has special needs. She is very malnourished. But boy, is she beautiful! I imagine the angels and God sit around and have these little moments all the time. Here is my son or daughter. They have special needs God says. They are malnourished. They are not much to behold. But, as he and the angles look at us, they proclaim, WOW, look how beautiful they are! Carri and Jessie took turns holding her on either side of me, as we bumped our way through the back road into Freetown. Funny quote of the day – after hitting each other after bump 2347 Jessie says, “Sorry.” Well, I thought it was funny. The whole way back, Cari and Jessie were each taking their turn, whispering things into Mary’s ears as she cried. Our attempt to get food in her was a complete bust, but hey we gave it a try. 5 hours after we left, we were pulling back into The Covering. Daniel, the house father, was out to meet us. So we introduced him to his newest child. As I walked ahead of the group to get to the nursery to film her entrance there, I told the kids who were not asleep, “Go meet your new sister.” They quickly jumped up and headed down the stairs. As Mary was brought into the nursery, word had spread, even at nap time, and there was now quite a following. Each mother and brother and sister was wanting a glimpse of their newest family member. As the kids passed her around and smiled with excitement, I began to cry. I love to see the love in the room. I just picture God smiling on these scenes of community. These glimpses of heaven that he allows us to have. I hear him in the laughter and see him in their looks.
Tonight during prayer time, Mary was brought to the center. They danced and sang welcome songs to her. They prayed for her and touched her. They loved on her soul. Mary, not knowing what all the noise was about, simply cried. I am sure she was a little confused. I believe we act the same way when we are adopted in God’s family. Why all the hoopla over a special needs child like me? God, why the party? The Answer is always LOVE! Jesus says this one who was lost is now found and there will be great rejoicing back home in Heaven. Mary is home and there is great rejoicing! I pray she grows up and experiences another homecoming, one far greater and filled with even more love. However on a day like today it’s good to get this glimpse. Thank you God!
May you choose2B a storyteller today through your actions and your life!
Today, I want to tell you a story about what I think the Kingdom of God is like, when I read Jesus stories. It is a story of coming home. It is the story of my day. I pray you will find God in the midst of it and see how he reigns today. Apologies for being long and drawn out.
It is mid morning before Osseh, Mohammed, Cari, Jessie, and I loaded up in the Pathfinder to go and pick up the newest addition to The Covering. All of us were really excited to go. However, riding through Freetown can always zap some excitement from you. The length of time it takes to get anywhere can be taxing on the fast paced American soul. After a brief stop in downtown, a stop for gas that included Red Bulls for Osseh and Jessie, Cokes for Mohammed and Cari, and fake Montain Dew for me, and a stop to air up the tires, we were headed out of Freetown. Things move much quicker on this side of Freetown, quicker means paved roads that allow you to go 40mph, if you can talk Osseh into it. We stopped by the offices of St George to pick up the social worker who had been working the case with Mohammed. Add one more full sized adult to the mix in the Pathfinder. Side note – *At this point I am happy to be comfortably riding with three in the back seat. Comfortably is a relative term considering what the front seat looks like at this moment. * Before you can blink an eye – well, if you were asleep that is – we were leaving the busy paved roads behind for the slower, unpaved, bumpy road to Grafton. Many people have a picture that is completely wrong of what much of Africa looks like. This is tropical Africa, during the rainy season I might add. Lush green hillsides are all around us. I was in Hawaii this January, but I think Sierra Leone has more of a tropical feel to it. After bounding our way through the first 1000 bumps on the country road we reached the center.
After finishing some paper work with Mohammed, the social worker disappeared into one of the building. As he emerged, he came out holding our new pride and joy, Mary. As Cari and Jessie held her in their arms, she gently cried and sucked her fingers. I looked at Mohammed and said, “Thanks!” I think a tear may have crept into his eye. He knew deep inside that this is why he does what he does as our social worker. Mary is believed to be about 4 ½. She probably weighs 10 pounds, if that. She has special needs. She is very malnourished. But boy, is she beautiful! I imagine the angels and God sit around and have these little moments all the time. Here is my son or daughter. They have special needs God says. They are malnourished. They are not much to behold. But, as he and the angles look at us, they proclaim, WOW, look how beautiful they are! Carri and Jessie took turns holding her on either side of me, as we bumped our way through the back road into Freetown. Funny quote of the day – after hitting each other after bump 2347 Jessie says, “Sorry.” Well, I thought it was funny. The whole way back, Cari and Jessie were each taking their turn, whispering things into Mary’s ears as she cried. Our attempt to get food in her was a complete bust, but hey we gave it a try. 5 hours after we left, we were pulling back into The Covering. Daniel, the house father, was out to meet us. So we introduced him to his newest child. As I walked ahead of the group to get to the nursery to film her entrance there, I told the kids who were not asleep, “Go meet your new sister.” They quickly jumped up and headed down the stairs. As Mary was brought into the nursery, word had spread, even at nap time, and there was now quite a following. Each mother and brother and sister was wanting a glimpse of their newest family member. As the kids passed her around and smiled with excitement, I began to cry. I love to see the love in the room. I just picture God smiling on these scenes of community. These glimpses of heaven that he allows us to have. I hear him in the laughter and see him in their looks.
Tonight during prayer time, Mary was brought to the center. They danced and sang welcome songs to her. They prayed for her and touched her. They loved on her soul. Mary, not knowing what all the noise was about, simply cried. I am sure she was a little confused. I believe we act the same way when we are adopted in God’s family. Why all the hoopla over a special needs child like me? God, why the party? The Answer is always LOVE! Jesus says this one who was lost is now found and there will be great rejoicing back home in Heaven. Mary is home and there is great rejoicing! I pray she grows up and experiences another homecoming, one far greater and filled with even more love. However on a day like today it’s good to get this glimpse. Thank you God!
May you choose2B a storyteller today through your actions and your life!
Saturday, October 2, 2010
God's math
I have always liked math. It was my favorite subject in school. I like to do it in my head and was never one for writing it down. Truthfully, that is probably true with most things in my life. Anyway, The Covering seems to be full of math.
Last night, we picked up Jessie as she arrived for a 6 month stay here. So we have added to the number of people staying and the number of women living here has multiplied by two. Needless to say things have been fine staying in the house with Cari. We have gotten along great and I think the biggest argument we have had while being alone for 3 weeks has been whose turn it was to pray at dinner or who would lead worship on Sunday morning. I already know Jessie and I have been excited to have her arrive. Since, we are all pretty laid back I am not worried about the living arrangements, and don’t worry I have been keeping my room clean. Well, at least Abdul lays my clothes in order after he washes them. I can only hope that carries over when I arrive back home – right Mom? Two things are for sure with Jessie being here and being a talker, the amount of sleep I get will be subtracted from since I will stay up and talk, and the amount of love the kids receive will multiply.
When I arrived here a month ago we had just moved into the new center. Many of you know that when you make a move it means repairs have to be made. The number of projects to complete before the center becomes fully set continues to decrease. Some of those projects are waiting on money, but we continue to be able to subtract them from our list. Even today I hope to subtract storage for the cooks, shelves for the teachers, storage for Daniel, and lighting to the kitchen.
Addition is my favorite thing though. Adding to the smiles on the kids faces, adding new krio phrases to my vocabulary, adding stories of God’s provision in our times of need, and adding dreams to formerly dreamless lives. Most of all, I like watching the number of Christ followers increase. I think back to the early church in Acts where it says that numbers were added daily. As I watch these children I am excited to know that same type of spirit dwells here. To see those who, until earlier this year, were raised Muslim sing song after song of praise to God.
Another thing that pleases me is that you cannot find any division here, only the multiplication of dreams, hopes, love, and joy. May you choose2B apart of God’s eternal math problem today, may you choose2 add to someone’s life, and may you choose2 subtract their pain.
Last night, we picked up Jessie as she arrived for a 6 month stay here. So we have added to the number of people staying and the number of women living here has multiplied by two. Needless to say things have been fine staying in the house with Cari. We have gotten along great and I think the biggest argument we have had while being alone for 3 weeks has been whose turn it was to pray at dinner or who would lead worship on Sunday morning. I already know Jessie and I have been excited to have her arrive. Since, we are all pretty laid back I am not worried about the living arrangements, and don’t worry I have been keeping my room clean. Well, at least Abdul lays my clothes in order after he washes them. I can only hope that carries over when I arrive back home – right Mom? Two things are for sure with Jessie being here and being a talker, the amount of sleep I get will be subtracted from since I will stay up and talk, and the amount of love the kids receive will multiply.
When I arrived here a month ago we had just moved into the new center. Many of you know that when you make a move it means repairs have to be made. The number of projects to complete before the center becomes fully set continues to decrease. Some of those projects are waiting on money, but we continue to be able to subtract them from our list. Even today I hope to subtract storage for the cooks, shelves for the teachers, storage for Daniel, and lighting to the kitchen.
Addition is my favorite thing though. Adding to the smiles on the kids faces, adding new krio phrases to my vocabulary, adding stories of God’s provision in our times of need, and adding dreams to formerly dreamless lives. Most of all, I like watching the number of Christ followers increase. I think back to the early church in Acts where it says that numbers were added daily. As I watch these children I am excited to know that same type of spirit dwells here. To see those who, until earlier this year, were raised Muslim sing song after song of praise to God.
Another thing that pleases me is that you cannot find any division here, only the multiplication of dreams, hopes, love, and joy. May you choose2B apart of God’s eternal math problem today, may you choose2 add to someone’s life, and may you choose2 subtract their pain.
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