Sunday, January 31, 2010
How high can you pack a truck??
I feel like I am learning to walk...
So for as far back as I can remember, I have never bleached fruits and vegetables, boiled water to wash dishes, or hung clothes on a wire to dry. We will hire someone very soon who will help me in these things, but for today... I did them all by myself. I came in and really was waiting for Chris to start clapping, praising me, etc... much like I did my children as they learned to walk. I wanted him to notice my accomplishments!
As much as this sounds like such a pain, I have actually found myself slowing down and enjoying the time I have spent doing these things. I cannot say that enjoying these chores will last, but for now, I am grateful. I hate that I have not mentioned sooner the team that was here to greet us. West Ridge has partnered with the CMA and they have been tremendous. For the first three days all my meals were cooked, I have received welcome gifts, people have dropped in to check on me, and one night I returned home to a Diet Coke in my fridge that said, "For Connie!" If you know me at all, you know this was like winning the lotto!
We also had the privilege of flying over with a group of pastors. The help with carrying bags was amazing. Dave Cole is a hero in our book with his continuous and constant serving heart. My children already love these men and have already asked when they are coming back. Gabriella has been smitten with Pastor Brian and Pastor Dave. She has told us several times just how much they love HER and she is serious! The boys have enjoyed the rough housing and boy talk with Mr. Kevin and Mr. John as well. They have been a blessing!
Right now the pastors have been away in the Bush and to several other cities as well. They have had the tremendous opportunity to see what God is doing here and then continue to pray about how they and their churches are to be involved. We will move to our home on Tuesday and hope to start settling in to begin some crash language study that will better facilitate the ministry we are to do.
Please keep praying for us as our home and the team center are finished. Please pray that we will stay healthy. Please pray that our crate with all of our belongings will arrive here asap and make it through customs without even the slightest glitch. Please pray that God will continue to stir the hearts of the Burkina Bay people and that they come to know Him!
As much as this sounds like such a pain, I have actually found myself slowing down and enjoying the time I have spent doing these things. I cannot say that enjoying these chores will last, but for now, I am grateful. I hate that I have not mentioned sooner the team that was here to greet us. West Ridge has partnered with the CMA and they have been tremendous. For the first three days all my meals were cooked, I have received welcome gifts, people have dropped in to check on me, and one night I returned home to a Diet Coke in my fridge that said, "For Connie!" If you know me at all, you know this was like winning the lotto!
We also had the privilege of flying over with a group of pastors. The help with carrying bags was amazing. Dave Cole is a hero in our book with his continuous and constant serving heart. My children already love these men and have already asked when they are coming back. Gabriella has been smitten with Pastor Brian and Pastor Dave. She has told us several times just how much they love HER and she is serious! The boys have enjoyed the rough housing and boy talk with Mr. Kevin and Mr. John as well. They have been a blessing!
Right now the pastors have been away in the Bush and to several other cities as well. They have had the tremendous opportunity to see what God is doing here and then continue to pray about how they and their churches are to be involved. We will move to our home on Tuesday and hope to start settling in to begin some crash language study that will better facilitate the ministry we are to do.
Please keep praying for us as our home and the team center are finished. Please pray that we will stay healthy. Please pray that our crate with all of our belongings will arrive here asap and make it through customs without even the slightest glitch. Please pray that God will continue to stir the hearts of the Burkina Bay people and that they come to know Him!
Saturday, January 30, 2010
A Fresh Hope
Last night we had dinner with a family that has been serving as missionaries in Africa for 20 years. They have 3 beautiful children. Kari who is 17 and Peter who is 12 are here and their oldest is in college in NY. My kids had the best time visiting and playing with them. The food was so good that Noah even asked if he could lick the plate. I was embarrassed, but at the same time thankful that my children ate and enjoyed their meal so much!
For me, it was a re-assurance of God’s unexplainable love for me. Amy, their mother who is an amazing woman was sharing this story about a man who came to her home several years back and wanted to do some gardening for her. She agreed and found herself to soon be devastated. This little guy cut her plants back to nubs. She knew that they were destroyed. He promised her that they would come back even better… just wait. As she is telling us this story I immediately reflected to the Word and the story of pruning that takes place in times of growth. Instantly, I saw this very vivid picture of myself…. I knew that she had told this story for me. I have been so cut back to a nub that I am not even recognizable. At that moment, I had such a tremendous fresh hope. Just wait Connie, you as well are going to grow back more beautiful than ever. I then began to pray, please tell me that she is going to say that they grew back, please say they grew back!!! My whole intimate moment with the Lord would have been ruined if she said that they died. She continued to say that one morning she was out on her porch and looked over to notice that not only had they grown back, but they did not even look like the same plant. Everything about them was better. The color, form, and shape were a fresh more healthy, beautiful plant.
I know I have heard this story in the Bible many times, but as she talked about her personal experience I felt like God recalled that to her memory to paint a very clear picture of what He was doing in my own life. I know there are many growing pains to come, but I know I can trust Him and I went to bed with a FRESH HOPE!
For me, it was a re-assurance of God’s unexplainable love for me. Amy, their mother who is an amazing woman was sharing this story about a man who came to her home several years back and wanted to do some gardening for her. She agreed and found herself to soon be devastated. This little guy cut her plants back to nubs. She knew that they were destroyed. He promised her that they would come back even better… just wait. As she is telling us this story I immediately reflected to the Word and the story of pruning that takes place in times of growth. Instantly, I saw this very vivid picture of myself…. I knew that she had told this story for me. I have been so cut back to a nub that I am not even recognizable. At that moment, I had such a tremendous fresh hope. Just wait Connie, you as well are going to grow back more beautiful than ever. I then began to pray, please tell me that she is going to say that they grew back, please say they grew back!!! My whole intimate moment with the Lord would have been ruined if she said that they died. She continued to say that one morning she was out on her porch and looked over to notice that not only had they grown back, but they did not even look like the same plant. Everything about them was better. The color, form, and shape were a fresh more healthy, beautiful plant.
I know I have heard this story in the Bible many times, but as she talked about her personal experience I felt like God recalled that to her memory to paint a very clear picture of what He was doing in my own life. I know there are many growing pains to come, but I know I can trust Him and I went to bed with a FRESH HOPE!
Friday, January 29, 2010
Culture Shock Hit Me Today!!
Today the children had a great day and loved school. We rated their day with 10 being amazing and 1 being terrible. Sam and Noah both gave a huge 10 and Silas said 6. He was just mad that he did not ride a moto to school.
I on the other hand went shopping for the first time. In the middle of the market, I honestly thought I could fall to the floor, curl up like a baby, and cry my eyeballs out. I love to cook, but do not make much from scratch. There are many choices here but the cost of groceries is unbelievable. I did find Diet Coke but could not bring myself to pay $8.00 for a 2 liter. The toilet paper is almost see through and is like paying for toilet paper that you would find in the White House. Needless to say, I can be confident in knowing that this will get easier but the culture shock has hit me like a ton of bricks.
Chris has been amazing and loves being here. He has begun driving and is doing a great job. We have both hesitated to post pictures, because we really want you all to come!
Please keep praying for us!
I on the other hand went shopping for the first time. In the middle of the market, I honestly thought I could fall to the floor, curl up like a baby, and cry my eyeballs out. I love to cook, but do not make much from scratch. There are many choices here but the cost of groceries is unbelievable. I did find Diet Coke but could not bring myself to pay $8.00 for a 2 liter. The toilet paper is almost see through and is like paying for toilet paper that you would find in the White House. Needless to say, I can be confident in knowing that this will get easier but the culture shock has hit me like a ton of bricks.
Chris has been amazing and loves being here. He has begun driving and is doing a great job. We have both hesitated to post pictures, because we really want you all to come!
Please keep praying for us!
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Hello Day Number 2 in Africa
This morning it took quite some time to wake the children up. Silas opened his eyes and with a voice of a talk show host said, "Hello day #2 in Africa!"
It has been a good day. The children got to see where they will live and all were excited about their rooms. They have done much better than we expected and know that prayer continues to make a difference... please don't stop! They have all been so tired today and now that it is time to lie down and sleep, they are wound up.
Today, the children have asked many questions about the poverty. It has been something that has been good for them to see. They have seen kids with torn cloths, people using the bathroom outside, and they do not like that air condition is not a common use.
Chris and I will have to start driving soon. As much as I love to drive, I am not ready to get on the roads here. The kids will go tomorrow around 10:00 to meet their teachers and then start school Friday. They are all very excited!
Oh, Grammy… Gabriella would like to know if you are packing your stuff to move here? She said that she will put your bed in her room!
It has been a good day. The children got to see where they will live and all were excited about their rooms. They have done much better than we expected and know that prayer continues to make a difference... please don't stop! They have all been so tired today and now that it is time to lie down and sleep, they are wound up.
Today, the children have asked many questions about the poverty. It has been something that has been good for them to see. They have seen kids with torn cloths, people using the bathroom outside, and they do not like that air condition is not a common use.
Chris and I will have to start driving soon. As much as I love to drive, I am not ready to get on the roads here. The kids will go tomorrow around 10:00 to meet their teachers and then start school Friday. They are all very excited!
Oh, Grammy… Gabriella would like to know if you are packing your stuff to move here? She said that she will put your bed in her room!
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
We Made It!
Samuel- This is not what I expected. The people ride their motorcycles in between the cars and people are just going to die.
Noah- The streets are crazy here since they do not really have regular streets. I can not believe that school starts at 7:00 in the morning.
Silas- I cannot wait to catch some animals and maybe I could put them on untamed and uncut.
Isabella- I like it here good. When do we get to go swimming?
Gabriella- I am ready to take a bath because I already am dirty.
Connie- I already terribly miss my family and dear friends. We were blessed to have such a great group of pastors to travel over with.... I am so tired and need to sleep.
Chris- I am super excited and extremely honored to be here!
Sunday, January 24, 2010
One Last Sleep
Our children count down by sleeps. We have been counting down sleeps for the last month and my gut sunk when this morning I heard the words, "One more sleep, Mommy!"
My sister asked our 4 year old what she was going to see when she got to Africa.... Her first response with a smile on her face was a swimming pool. In following God's will, we want to look at things the way our children have... An adventure! We are all very excited; yet, today held some very hard goodbyes and tomorrow will be beyond difficult to say the least. Please pray for not only us but for our families as we say our goodbyes!
My sister asked our 4 year old what she was going to see when she got to Africa.... Her first response with a smile on her face was a swimming pool. In following God's will, we want to look at things the way our children have... An adventure! We are all very excited; yet, today held some very hard goodbyes and tomorrow will be beyond difficult to say the least. Please pray for not only us but for our families as we say our goodbyes!
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