I talked with some of my boys today. I just had to call them, I missed
them so badly. They are following cows, swimming in the river and even
having parties. We got to talk about Jesus' birthday and how much we
wish we were back together in Emi-Woro. It was grand.

After sitting in a go slow (traffic jam) for three hours today I think
Nigeria should consider making a second access point to their capital
city. Ughhh Abuja!

Goodbye Nigeria

Goodbye Nigeria, hello Malawi. Travel begins tomorrow. Prayers
appreciated. Beginning the last leg of my journeys this year.
Also pray for our Boarding Master Chuckwuma, his wife just had twins
(boy and girl) last week and the babies are now having some bleeding and
trouble bleeding. Thanks for caring about our friends here!

Awal

Standing in agreement with the Myers Family and asking you to pray with
us. Bridget writes:

This is our boarding student Awal. He has a wound on his shin that
we've been battling for long. It keeps clearing up almost all the way and
coming back and getting infected. The second doctor said if we were to
x-ray it, we would see that he has an area of bone underneath that is dead,
and it will keep opening up until surgery is done to cut out the dead bone.
We are achingly sending him home to his camp in the bush about 4 hours away
this weekend because it's Christmas break, and since the doctor said more
time won't cause further harm. We can keep him clean and cared for here
when he returns in January if his family doesn't elect surgery before then.
Of course it is difficult to keep things clean when you live in the bush,
but the doctor told him a local remedy (honey!) to dress it with, and gave
him ten days of antibiotics, some vitamin C, and some ibuprofen. He has
been so tough through the whole thing, but you can see he has some fear
after this last visit. We ask that you join us in praying life into the
dead zone. God knows more than any doctor, and with Him all things are
possible!

My Fine Boys

Our Boarding Students on their last day of school. It was so exciting
watching them receive their results, many of our boarders placed top in
their class. Growth happened for many of them as they moved from the
28th, to 14th to 4th position in their class. I was so proud of them and
their hard work. And now they are going home. Home to follow cows and be
with family and take a much deserved holiday. I will miss them!

Thanks for your care

It had been a difficult day. The morning began doing tasks I thought
were others responsibilities, boy was I wrong. Grandma thank you for
your Christmas card. It came at the perfect time. The boarding students
and I were sitting together when it arrived. I got to explain Jesus'
birthday. They were excited for you- celebrating 50 years of marriage is
a big deal here too. Salihu told me today 'marriage is a difficult
thing', he appreciates your effort. They were also amazed that the woman
who gave birth to you has lived to be 101 years! Very special. They too
were happy to see pictures of family and asked lots of questions about
how such a letter arrives from America, 'you mean by computer' they
asked. It was perfect! Thank you for your effort.

WFMC, a big thank you for your care package that arrived today. Lots of
goodies and treats were enjoyed by our team. Nothing says I love you
like my favorite peanut butter M & Ms , orbit gum, brownie mix and chap
stick. What a treat! I'm trying really hard to tap into the Christmas
spirit but somehow the fact that it's 110 degrees,outside just isn't the
same. Thanks for spreading a little Christmas cheer our way. We
appreciate you!

He shall have music wherever he goes?

Salihu

Pray for my dear friend Salihu today, it's hard work being a leader.

Wildlife Park

There are a lot of differences between a Nigerian zoo and one back
home. Still so much fun!

Kids from Primary One

Getting some one on one time, reading books, counting, playdough, who
wouldn't want to come to school?

Feelings

Have you seen the movie 'What About Bob?' I love it, a little weird,
like a one hit wonder, a little too much early 90s, a little quirky but
still great. I love the line when Bob has fear, of well everything, and
in order to get through the next moment of life he says over and over to
himself 'I feel good, I feel great, I feel wonderful, I feel good, I
feel great, I feel wonderful.' I like it because it's so true about
life. Sometimes we don't always FEEL good, we don't always feel ready
for the next moment but if you can turn to the positive maybe you can
gear yourself up for what is to come, maybe if you pretend for just a
bit you will actually start to believe it. Bridget has been reminding me
to foucs on what IS happening, not on what isn't. So in order to keep
you in the loop, I'll share about my morning, trying to think on the
positive, willing myself to feel good, great, even wonderful! I spent
recess with friends, I know they're my friends cause they smile when I
greet them. I made letters and shapes out of playdough-finding extra joy
in the word cow, I drew on the cement floor trying to teach the
difference between G J and Z, I read story books, I watched a student
get promoted from Primary One to Primary Three, I watched a rain storm,
and enjoyed a cool morning. Okay I really do feel wonderful now.

Waiting for their turn on the zip line

Aren't they handsome?

small man can jump big man?

I knew it would be new and exciting but not addictive.

Small Victories

I'm sitting here listening to a rain storm. It's a lovely Sunday
afternoon, some rain to bring a break from the heat but not the
humidity. 10 Boarding Students will arrive today. Reading a book and
thanking God for all the great things that happened this week.
Barwa read a whole book, he is growing in confidence and skill.
Lawal came back.
Yusuf said "Thank You God" after an intense scene in 'Swiss Family
Robinson' using English and giving Praise to God!
Salihu continues to grow in leadership as he talked in length with our
security staff about proper behavior.
Umar gains courage each day to speak what he knows.
Ado learns with a fierce desire, eating up any knowledge you give him.
Ishaka has manners to beat any other 9 year old I know.
Mohammadu can beat almost everyone at a game of checkers.
Today 10 more friends will join us as we celebrate the small victories.
Some days ministry is a struggle but we cling to the good and find our
answers in Jesus.

Changes

During my travels this weekend I stayed in Ethiopia for a night, along
with some other Malawians. I was so glad they also found it strange to
figure the time difference and laughed as we drove on the right side of
the road and were confused about this strange new country just as I am.
I found myself smiling, so thankful that I am not the only one who has
to relearn everything as I jump from place to place.

My Thoughts are Here....

This morning as I woke up, preparing for another busy week, my last week
in Malawi, my thoughts turned to next week. The laid back pace of
building relationships through play, to finding joy in the small things,
to my boys in Nigeria. I can't wait! This time next week I'll be in
Emi-Woro hearing all about 'maths' and spelling and cows.

Today Ryan and Jen are taking the Abbots on Safari. Weekend with the
kiddos! Kid food, sleepovers, playing outside, Birthday Parties,
Movies-Saturday!

It Is What It Is

It has been a while since I've posted anything and while I feel like I
should have some great stories to share with you sometimes it's just
life. I've been in Malawi for 16 days. There is a Bible School module
happening-26 students studying English, Pentateuch, Wesleyan Theology
and Church History. There are three families living on the campus,
totaling 8 missionary children. They built a fort yesterday, having
exhausted hide and seek and tag. I took the tribe to school this
morning-5 out of 8 of the children attend ABC here in Lilongwe, a 20
minute drive across town. I learned to drive here in Malawi two weeks
ago, shifting with the opposite hand is not difficult at all compared to
dodging cars, bikes, pedestrians, goats, and dogs and remembering what
side of the street to drive on. Life moves at a furious pace here in
Lilongwe, especially during a Bible School Module. The three families
divided themselves up yesterday, attending three different churches
throughout the city. Today the kiddos begin swim lessons after school,
it was the hot topic of conversation on the ride to school this
morning-who is in what level, at what time, who can swim the fastest,
etc. Although we move in 100 different directions throughout the week I
am glad there are moments when we get to be together; like Saturday when
we all piled into two cars to enjoy a day at the lake or like tonight
when we will all go to Chapel with the students-singing worship songs in
Chichewa and taking a moment to pause and be in the presence of the
Lord. Somehow it was like I never left, it seems like I've been here for
more than two weeks. It was nice not to have to relearn everything
again, I've done a lot of hopping around this year, each country coming
with their own set of rules. But here in Malawi I felt like the learning
curve is over, I can just be. In two weeks time I'll travel back to
Nigeria to again work in Emi-Woro but for now I'm enjoying being in a
place that is familiar, sure the pace might be a lot faster than I
remember but as we have come to say in the last few weeks "It is what it
is."

Surprises

There is a lot to be said for this stage in life, a lot of chances for
adventure and new experiences and flexibility and surprises! Surprise,
I'm going to Malawi for a few weeks. Yesterday I arrived in Lilongwe,
Malawi to work with the Willson, Bartlett and Babcock families as they
enter into their next season of ministry. You may have heard Katie
Bartlett was in a car accident two weeks ago and is recovering from
surgery-she comes home today! The FM Bible School module begins tomorrow
and new missionaries arrived last week. It's a whirlwind of activity
here on the campus. It feels really great to be back, to a place that
feels like 'home'. You can be praying for us as we prepare for the Bible
School, for Katie as she continues to heal and as all families enter
into their next season of ministry.

Could it be?

Could it be that after all this time, after months of comparing the
stench of the burn pile to our sin to the Lord that we are finally
getting a compost pile? I hope so. I documented this monumental event so
you could share in my joy. Goodbye smoke, hello mulch!

WooHoo

Today I bought a green pepper from the market as well as a couple of
bananas. The green pepper is what got me, after paying for it the lady
let out a big 'woohoo'-literally. Inside I was thinking woohoo too,
100FBU for a green pepper score! I guess I paid a bit much, but for me
.10 for a pepper is a steal, I love Burundi.

Teachers

Pray for Hope Academy in Emi-Woro today as Interviews begin for our
teaching staff. Remember we need 7 more teachers, preferably before
school begins in three weeks. We believe God has good things for His
children at His school in Emi-Woro, we're believing He will supply our need!

Catching up

Today I enjoyed a long awaited event: Aroma. My favorite coffee for a
dollar, greeting two of my favorite baristas, who asked where I had been
for the last two months, yes they noticed and cared and even asked after
Rachel. They have expanded their building making it even more beautiful
than before. I feel like I'm viewing Burundi through rose colored
glasses but I'm enjoying it while it lasts.

To Market to Market to buy...

My friend Javier says he likes Burundi 'cause things happen at a slower
pace than other places. I would say I totally agree, today the highlight
and climax of my day was walking to market with Fredian-a gal who helps
keep our apartment looking fabulous. I started the walk down the stairs
when I heard her voice. It's been two and a half months since seeing my
friends so it's been a time for lots of hugs and catching up. I stopped
where she could see me and what followed was priceless- a squeal,
greeting and big hug, not just the Burundian you tap my shoulder, I tap
yours but a full body embrace. I asked her to come with me to market-we
usually buy our eggs nearby (we learned our lesson trying to bring them
home on the bus) and I also needed to see a tailor, which I really
needed her for as I have forgotten all my broken Kirundi and French-so
much for bartering for vegetables :( So we set out, catching up on life.
As we crossed through the church yard I met another friend, or rather a
friends of my mother's. She also gave me a giant hug, no words exchanged
but then that's not really necessary when your just thankful to see one
another. We continued on our way, stopping for eggs, drawing the
attention of plenty of people at the market, and stopped to get some
shirts taken in. I'm so thankful for Fredian, she works with diligence
and is always willing to help, even if that means taking a mzungu to market!

Blessed again

I was overwhelmed with blessings this morning. Seeing friends at church,
friends that welcomed me back and smiled and said they were glad to see
me. Blessed by worship in French and English. Blessed to no longer be a
visitor but feel at home. And blessed by a sermon that asked us to
change our attitude so that we walk in the victory Christ has for us,
walking in the authority He has given us. I kept waiting to hear Bridget
yell out AMEN! It never came but my heart kept saying amen and amen, we
have the victory!

Never too late to apologize

For all these things I complained about, I'm sorry. All the things I
didn't realize were so great and took for granted, again I apologize. It
truly is all about perspective. I never thought I would be happy to be
called Mzungu but yesterday it was as if my entry into East Africa had
been made official, so thank you to the Kenyan gal on the side of the
road who welcomed me back. It really was like coming home today, the
nervous excitement was there. I'm no longer a rookie so I filled out all
the correct visa paperwork and walked right through the airport. It was
all familiar, a little dustier than and hazier than when I left but
still good ol' Buja. We even drove by the lake, how could I forget how
beautiful it is. And then walking into my apartment with my pictures all
up-why didn't I take them with me? Surrounded by familiarity was so
comforting. There are big changes like paved roads and new power sources
but it's still HAU. Somehow all that was not very good before has become
new and exciting again. I would recommend a two month vacation to anyone
feeling down, shake things up, enter a new culture, a new country and
upon return what you thought was kinda plain is instead really beautiful.

Joy

What is with the unspoken rule that comes with flying in an airplane?
You would never dream of leaving your things unattended anywhere else
but suddenly you walk into this germ capsule and all the rules change,
you leave your laptop and all other belongings stored somewhere above,
not exactly in your line of sight and yet it's all there when you leave.
In fact you can even walk to the bathroom and still no one touches your
stuff. I kinda like it. Yesterday was a long but uneventful jouney. So
many things could have gone wrong but they didn't, just the way I like
it. My baggage came through, the driver was there to meet me, all visas
and paperwork went so smoothly. I can only credit it to your prayers!
This morning I went to the Nigerian Embassy first thing, praying for a
breakthrough, usually it takes three days to process a visa for Nigeria,
I needed it 'now, now' as we say in Nigeria. Thankfully I was backed by
fasting and prayer in Kenya and US and Nigeria, praying that I would be
a good steward of the Lord's finances, that the visa would be issued so
I wouldn't have to cancel a plane ticket, and also so I could return to
the work in Emi-Woro. And it worked! 5 minues later I walked out with
what I felt like was a huge reward but really it was just a sticker in
my passport. The best part was as I 'trekked' -walked-home I felt so
happy. I have been praying and seeking the Lord about this for a month
and perhaps at times I made the decision a little more dramatic and
intense than it really was but the satisfaction of knowing I am just
where the Lord would have me and in a place that I have really come to
love just brought this intense amount of relief and joy! Deep, deep down
joy. Glory be to God! I treated myself to some snacks to break the fast
and as I relished in them on the walk home it was as if the sunny day
and birds were singing just for this time, to rejoice with me.Thank you
for walking with me. Now I am soaking up the changes that Nairobi
offers. It's no bush life here, there are coffee shops and big grocery
stores and even if all I do is look at the clothes it feels like a
little taste of home.Friday I will fly to Bujumbura, with each mile I
get more and more excited. Excited to see friends, to be 'home' for a
short while, to have a time of closure and relaxation- I never thought
I'd be vacationing in Bujumbura but it's all about perspective I guess.
In September I will return to Nigeria! I think what I'm most looking
forward to, apart from being back with the Myers is the reunion with the
boarding students, they don't yet know I'm returning, and I wouldn't
want to brag but I'm pretty sure we'll all be glad to see each other.

The Birds Have Been Talking

As they say in Burundi "The birds have been talking" I guess that's like
"A little birdie told me", now I haven't been told anything new but I
wonder if you have. I wonder if word has gotten around and you've been
let in on the secret. Not that it was intended to be kept secret but
sometimes good news is better saved until the right moment, maybe the
moment when things are definite and set in stone. This is not that
moment. You may have heard I won't be returning to teach at Hope Africa
University, that would be correct. You may have heard I hope to continue
here in Nigeria, that would also be correct. Maybe you also know that on
Wednesday I fly to Nairobi, where I will apply for yet another visa, one
that can't be issued here in Nigeria but will allow me to come back to
Nigeria-you may thing 'hmmm that's odd'- I would agree with you-take it
up with my friends in immigration. You can be praying that the kind
folks at the embassy in Nairobi would grant me my visa so that I can
come back to Hope Academy. I can't say I'm a fan of being stretched by
the Lord, taking it on faith that the necessary paperwork, finances and
logistics will fall into place. Whatever happened to the missionary who
just stayed in one place? I have been back and forth on this decision.
Where is the Lord calling me? Approaching it with a divided heart;
loving the people of Burundi and the life that I began there and yet
drawn to the school here in Emi-Woro, to our boarding students and the
cause for better education. I'm thankful for the season of ministry in
Burundi, for the lessons learned and relationships made, I am also
thankful for the time spent here in Emi-Woro, for the work the Lord is
doing and the ways I can participate. I look forward to this new season
with anticipation. I'm thankful that even though I didn't know, my
church didn't know and my supporters didn't know what this year would
hold they have remained faithful to support me in whatever the Lord
calls me to; Burundi, Nigeria, Malawi or.... Please join me in prayer as
I travel on Wednesday from Nigeria to Kenya and on Thursday as I speak
with Immigration about Visas. All this change brings extra flights,
visas, living expenses, ministry expenses, etc. if you would like to
make a donation you can send checks to Wenatchee Free Methodist Church.

Teachers

Be praying for Hope Academy here in Emi-Woro, we are in need of 7 new
teachers! That is half our teaching staff, we are sure the Lord can
provide we just need to ask. Would you join us as we ask for teachers
that love children and teachers that want to pass on good education. We
have 10 days before interviews begin, pray that the applications would
be flowing in. Photo from Yesterday: Hurerra and Baby Phyllis

Teachers

Be praying for Hope Academy here in Emi-Woro, we are in need of 7 new
teachers! That is half our teaching staff, we are sure the Lord can
provide we just need to ask. Would you join us as we ask for teachers
that love children and teachers that want to pass on good education. We
have 10 days before interviews begin, pray that the applications would
be flowing in. Photo from Yesterday: Hurerra and Baby Phyllis

Type Away

Priscilla, a secondary student, a great help to us here at the mission
and our FM pastor's daughter was watching me type away on the computer
last week and asked if she could try. After playing around for awhile
she asked if she could come each day and practice. I thought "now that
is a great idea". So after her second lesson today she can keep her eyes
off her hands, keep her fingers on home row and type 6 WPM. Way better
than I was after my second lesson!

Call Me

Okay Friends, it works, I promise and it's such a blessing. If you want to chat here's how. Install Skype if you have not already.
You have to open a Skype account then use your Credit or Debit card to put money on it. It is about 25 cents a minute to call me on my cell phone in Nigeria :)
On the bottom of the left hand column in the Skype screen select call phones.
Enter the number 234807971584 in the phone to dial. Under the number pad is a save button for the next time you call me!
When I get back to Burundi you will have to use a different number that I can give you. But for now this is our best way to stay in touch :) Miss you!

Expecting to be a blessing

We walked to the village today, expecting to be a blessing. To greet, to
visit, to take advantage of a great cloud cover that offered us a not so
hot and not rainy afternoon. But what we got instead was a chance to be
blessed. We were happy to see friends along the way as we set out for a
regular Sunday afternoon. At our first stop we talked with Aishat (the
team from WFMC may remember her as the mama who helped with our
laundry), she gave us the grand tour of her compound, showing us all the
lovely trees, and greens she has growing. God is so creative, each green
(they somehow look very similar to me) has its own purpose, to ward off
mosquitos, to make soup taste better, to bring down a fever or to help
with digestion; all of it created for our good. She even let us sample
some limes she had growing from her citrus tree. As we continued along
we saw some members of our church and children from our school. It was
good to see familiar faces as they've been away on school holiday for a
couple of weeks now. They kept coming, more and more friends as we
walked down the road, people calling us out by name, greeting us, so
friendly. What we didn't expect is the generosity. The boys and I have
been dreaming about Costco lately, you know the Sample Ladies who make
your Saturday extra special. Our mouth waters each time we think about
it. Today the Lord gave us our very own version of Costco. We first got
to sample limes at the citrus tree, then we were offered a gift of corn
and ground nuts, our friend Halima later bought us a bag of groundnuts
and then someone gave us some sweeties. Bridget looked at me and said
"Didn't you think it would have been us to give them something?" But
today when we expected to give the blessing we received it instead. A
lesson on God's provision in greens, in generosity of others, in
friendship, in community.
Photo: Some of our very hard working friends in Emi-Woro.

Esther

Africa called
She went for the first time, it grew in her heart
All of her children, so many children
Now Esther has 2.4 million children
She writes us and asks us to pray for them all
She's compelled, she's compelled by what she's seen
And she tells us, she tells us do anything you can
to help, oh please help, there's so much to do
And I'm just Esther
She visits her homeland, she fights with her words
She comes to the courts of the kings of the earth
Who don't understand their inherited power
To answer her question
Now Esther has 2.4 million children
She writes us and asks us to pray for them all
She's compelled, she's compelled by what she's seen
And she tells us, she tells us do anything you can
to help, oh please help, there's so much to do
And I'm just Esther
Sara Groves

Thursday

We don't usually drive THRU the market but after 30 min stuck in Traffic
we were willing to take the detour.
We don't usually drive 3 hours, have a flat tire along the way, spend an
hour at our location and then turn around and drive 3 hours back but
today we did.
We don't usually get to visit our boarding students on summer vacation
but we got to spend time with Lawal, Isiaka, and Aisha today.
I don't usually get to talk with a good friend from America but first
she woke me up to chat at 2am and then kindly called back at 7am, a much
happier hour.
I usually experience great, immeasurable amounts of God's goodness,
mercy, provision and grace and today was usual!

Return

In just two and a half weeks I'll go back to Burundi. Where did they
time go?
There have been some days when I've missed some things about Burundi,
certainly not the burn pile of course,
or the dog barking in the middle of the night. But today I was ready,
ready for the beach, ready
for my friends and my apartment and coffee shops, grocery stores,
market, all of it, I am so ready
for a little taste of Buja. I'm hoping for a time of sweet reunion. And
yet I'm a little bit anxious
about how it will all be. I hate change, even if I am the one to
initiate it. Even if I chose to
spend the summer in a different country and have my life again take on a
nomadic style I still
don't like it. So I'll do my best to embrace the change that August will
bring, change of locations and
environments and relationships.

Malaria

Let me tell you about Malaria. It's awful, it swings like a pendulum or
a roller coaster if you will, some moments (few moments) you feel fine,
like maybe your body is going to kick this thing and then the next your
down, sacked, flat on your bed in misery. There is fever 'hot body' as
they say here, headache, achy body, more headache and no energy. I
watched a lot of movies during the last five days, thankful that my
supply was replenished when my father came a few weeks ago. I had a lot
of time to think and wish I was better. Too bad many of the movies
displayed food-food that I can't have 'cause Safeway is no longer down
the street. Yesterday, my final day of sickness, my mom called, sad and
concerned. They did the correct parental things, wondering if I needed
to come home, alerting all family and friends, posting facebook notices
and praying with me. The Myers Family and our friend Bassey, or as we
call him Papa, came in to pray last night, asking for healing. And no
suprise I woke up so much better this morning, healed in Jesus Name.
When I went online today I can see so many people had been praying for
me, it's really humbling and also so exciting so see how God answers
prayer when we ask.

Buba Milking School Cows

Learning from the Fulani

School has finished and now are boarding students will go home tomorrow.
My boys are leaving. Yesterday as we climbed the hill behind the house
out into the bush they tried to instuct me on what makes a good piece of
firewood, clearly I choose pieces that are too big or too small or too
green but I'm trying. Just one of the many lessons I've picked up in my
time with them. In Burundi I am always forgetting to shake hands so I'm
thankful that the Fulani, as a whole are not as formal, shaking hands
doesn't seem to be first nature for them either. They always run to
greet visitors though, all 23 of them sprinting across the field to
greet arrivals, old and new. They are so hungry to learn. They value
time and touch and community. Yesterday we gave them each a folder, you
know the kind you buy at Wal-Mart for 10 cents. They were over the moon,
"Yes!" they said as they ran the the assemley hall to decorate them in
Ben's Star Wars stickers with pictures of the "Old Man" we know as Yoda.
They broke out the markers and began to write their name and their
school location and their A B C D's. All the things they have learned
since starting at Hope Academy. It is like magic to watch them, to see
them take something so little and make it so important. Now they will
report to their fathers not only their impressive exam scores but in a
folder that is all their own. Three of our boarders took 1st, 2nd and
3rd place in their Primary Two class. They are so proud, of course we
are too, to have our boarding students, our friends, Fulani ranking high
in their class. They are eager to begin Primary Three. On Holiday our
boarding students will spend time with family and follow cows, an event
they speak of with much joy and expertise. I will miss seeing life
through their eyes, where everything is new and exciting because not
only are you still a child but your world grows with each book you read
and each conversation you have and in all the ways you are learning
without even knowing it. I wonder if that's how it is with the Lord,
that he finds joy in the things we enjoy. That even though I've played
Candy Land 100 times in my childhood, the 101st is somehow exciting
again, because going all the way back to Candy Cane Forrest really is a
dramatic event.

Spell it

Quiet

There was a rare moment this morning when all I could hear were the
birds outside. The power was out, the fan was off, the boys weren't up
and around yet, no one was in the breezeway, it was grand. And yet
really odd. There is a main road parallel to our compound, not so near
where traffic is an issue but near enough you can hear the hoot of large
trucks passing by. Living on a compound which serves as a school for
300+ kids and a clinic and a church can often be a place of organized
chaos but for a few moments this morning there was calm, there was a
stillness I didn't know I had been missing. A hush had fallen over us.
Sometimes things are so busy that I don't remember to be quiet or there
aren't many opportunities to find it but this morning it was there.

Wenatchee Free Methodist Church

WFMC left the first week in July after two great weeks of intensive
ministry. Health clinics, teacher trainings, pastor training, classroom
visits, AC repair, Fulani camp visits, trips to down, 12 hour drive
cross-country, visits to the beach and more! No wonder they left tired.
But we praise the Lord for his provision, we can look back and clearly
see how he designed the team, 4 families and MY FATHER! There were times
when things could have gone sour or when the enemy tried to intervene
but God is always faithful to take care of his children. We (I mean
someone on our team) knew how to fix our car, we pushed thieves out the
door when they tried to gain control of the truck, we kept our cool in
stressful, new, awkward, intense times and I praise the Lord! Thank you
WFMC for your support, for caring about the broken and lost and for
coming such a long way to show the love of Jesus.

Math

Math was never one of my favorite subjects. I remember many nights being
up late crying as my dad would walk me through my math homework. So it
seems so odd to me that many of the boarders love math, or as their
teachers call it 'maths' (we are working on that one). They love it,
they cheer when it's time to study it in class, they are content if you
simply sit with them and give them problems to work through. I'm not
sure if it's the challenge or the enjoyment of being good at the subject
but they find joy in it nonetheless. Today I was sitting in the assembly
hall with some of the boarders and we went from playing tic-tac-toe to
math facts- not sure how that change came about but I rolled with it.
Soon it was me against them, they used my phone to come up with
outrageous equations for me. One boy in paticular is very intelligent,
loves his numbers and has a contagious laugh. Each time he gets an
equation right he laughs, this full heart, giggle cackle mixture. I'm
not sure who he laughing at, me or himself but I love it! Even if I have
to be quizzed on my math skills I would do it just to enjoy his
happiness. These boys, and Aisha, are so anxious to learn, I'm not sure
that as children they can fully grasp how education is going to change
their lives but their families must. When we visit Fulani camps across
Nigeria there are hardly any boys around, they are all off following
cows, an important job that ensures the camp's livelihood and
well-being. So when we see our 22 boys and Aisha here as boarders we
know their family must value education, and value the change that can
happen because of this school; their sacrifice speaks volumes to us.
These are the warm fuzzies, the things that God is bringing about for
his glory, the positive change, the justice for this tribe, the
opportunity and future. Knowing this I will gladly sit in the hot sun,
with 22 bodies packed around me, practicing math equations.

News from Nigeria

Now that I'm here in Nigeria, instead of so far away planning about what
will happen, I have a better picture of what the next few months will
look like. What I will be doing, what will occupy my days, who I will
work with. I think it's going to be better than I imagined. I have
started this week to observe the primary school classrooms. The goal is
that I can then offer the teacher advice about classes, listen to their
struggles and see for myself what would best serve the students and
teachers. I might even get to aid in the actual teaching, which I'm
finding very hard not to do already. As I'm observing everything within
me wants to take over but who would that help? The students when I leave
in two months and they have to adjust again? The teacher who wouldn't
learn by someone else doing their work for them? No, so I'm trying
really hard to practice self-control and watch, wait, listen and then
react. The school session will end in 5 weeks, I'm confident that change
can happen in that time, even if it's small, even if it just reinforces
what they already know. I also get to enjoy some time with the kids who
are boarding here at Hope Academy. 22 boys, 1 girl- full of energy and
curiosity. I'm looking forward to sharing life with them.

Nigeria

I'm off to Nigeria, trusting that the Lord will provide the needed VISA.
My stomping grounds for the next few months:

c/o Hope Academy
PO Box 146
Ajaokuta LGA, Kogi
Nigeria

It started with a book

Several weeks ago a man from church asked if I had a book of English
songs that I could give to the choir, it just so happened that I did.
African culture is very opportunistic, if you don't ask you might not
receive. So I gave him the book, what I didn't realize is that this gift
came or rather went with strings attached. The next week the choir came
to me saying that a book of English songs was only so good if they
didn't know how to sing them properly, they asked if sometime in the
future I would be willing to help them learn a new song. Not knowing
that meant soon, I said sure, I would love to teach them a new song. A
few Sundays later Rachel and I were recruited to teach them a new song
from 'the book'. They were very gracious and maybe a little timid about
taking initiative, they let us lead and even had us pick the song, it
was nothing like their past songs, it didn't have a unique African beat,
it didn't have quick tempo or a special flair, it was very old and plain
and so..... American, at least to my ears. They seemed to enjoy it
because we were invited back the following week. I was again asked to
choose the song. After selecting one and teaching them the basics of the
song I let them loose, its my hope that they will get the idea, that
they will take the song and run with it, choosing to make it theirs and
not just something straight from the book, there seems to be this
awkward balance between respecting us and letting us lead and taking the
initiative themselves and making it their own. When asked if I would
return for a third week to teach, I tried my best to convey to them that
I don't have my week planned, that I wasn't sure of the 'program' for
the next weekend but that I would try to be there. Tuesday morning
arrived with a knock on our door and a written invitation to choir
practice which would include a coca and a group photo. I thought this
was a bit odd and a little formal but that's how cultral can be
sometimes, a little different. When we arrived tonight for choir
practice the room was decorated with special fabric on every wall, the
floor had been mopped and the Christmas Lights hung. I was still hoping
that it would be just a choir practice but when they went to get the FM
Superintendent I knew I was only fooling myself. They had gone through
so much trouble to honor us, as they brought out the spread of African
dishes I had to ask myself 'Where are you?' that this group would go
through so much trouble for you? They would express their love is such a
real way, all because of some songs. This was definitely not America,
here they surprise me with dinner and ask me to give words and want to
have their picture taken with me, like I'm Mickey Mouse at Disneyland. I
was honored, I was blessed. A student and I were discussing the
difference in cultural and how nothing that formal has happened to me in
the US, he said it was because they want to honor me as their guest, I
said I have been here for 4 months, how long until I am no long a guest?
He just laughed. Next time I'll think about what can happen, all because
of a book.

Calling America

Today I had to call America, well not all of America just a credit card
company. I've decided next time they should call me. Do they have any
idea I have to load units on my phone off a scrap of paper that looks
like a scratch ticket? Do they know that if I run out of units I have to
walk down the road to a little shop that may or may not have more units
to charge my account? I tried to tell them I was in Africa but clearly
they have never been here, they had little sympathy for my current
situation. People here don't even bother to say goodbye, they just hang
up after business is over, on and off, lickity split-why? 'Cause it
costs money to talk on the phone, its not like I just wanted to chat
with an America so I thought I'd give the credit card company a call,
give me a break! I felt like they were being very unreasonable, putting
me on hold! After using the units from two phones I walked down the the
road to make a third phone call to finally solve the situation. I am one
step closer to ending my Nigeria saga, I purchased two plane tickets
today, finally! I'd like for my friends in the fraud department to come
to Africa, oh the lessons to be learned.

25 Ways to make a bad day great in Bujumbura

1. Go to the Beach
2. Go to your favorite coffee shop, greet your favorite Barista
3. Enjoy some Burundi Tea
4. Invite your friends over
5. Bake!
6. Walk around the market
7. Discover a new bus route
8. Have a great conversation with students
9. Discover that Buja has soft serve ice cream
10. Go swimming
11. Buy a whole bunch of fruit and veggies for less than $3.00
12. Get a package from America
13. Master a new recipe
14. Have guests over to your apartment
15. Take a walk
16. Break into the chocolate stash that was supposed to last until
December but may not make it to next week :)
17. Practice Kirundi with street kids
18. Grade papers in the sunshine
19. Wear jeans for the first time in months, finally it has rained
20. Have fries and a coca, you know you've been craving them all week
21. Surprise the Burundians on the bus by paying the correct bus fare
22. Talk with friends from home
23. Be comfortable enough to not feel like a tourist
24. Go upcountry
25. Sit in church and actually know what's happening

Proud Mama

A student told me today that I spoke English well.  I tried to have my best teacher face on and to not laugh in his face. In my most sincere voice I said "Thank you; I've had lots of practice". I love students!  He then proceeded to ask me precisely where I lived. Well if were gonna get technical and if I can learn new words like Urakoze (Thank You), Mbabarira (sorry), and Ntakinto, then he is fully qualified to learn Wenatchee. So I put little Wenatchee, Washington on the map for this guy, I made him pronounce it correctly and everything, he passed the test well, and it made me smile to think about my little town so far away.

On my way back to my apartment last night after teaching I ran into some students and during our great conversation I hear behind me, "Hey, What's Up?" I just taught my students that phrase last week and low and behold it was my student greeting me as he walked by. I had a proud mamma moment. Good for him for having the courage to try his new and odd vocabulary J

---

The New Busy is not the old busy. Search, chat and e-mail from your inbox. Get started.

You'll need one sheet of paper

My students groan each time they have a test or a quiz or I make them write a little something in class. It's a big 'ohhhh' times 50 people, I laugh each time they moan, did they forget they were in University? They know what's coming now 'cause each time I announce 'You'll need one sheet of paper'. And then the 'ohhhhh' comes. They threatened this week to give me an exam instead. I'm sure that if there not sick of quizzes already they will be by the time they leave my class. I choose to think of it as character building, they would probably call it torture.

This week in class we talked about: The instructions Luke, Paul and Mark have given to the Church and how we are to follow their teachings. We talked about so much, too much, should, must, desert, dessert, synonyms, antonyms, analogies and definitions. We talked about dictations and pronunciation. We discussed how a country recovers from war and the role of a leader within that recovery process. Is the BEST plan to rely on foreign aid? We talked about how a leader must help a nation with hungry people, how to teach others and how to pray for wisdom.  We talked about 'What's Up', 'Hanging Out' and being 'Busy as a Bee'.  We talked about cheating in University-should it be allowed?  We wrote papers on the characteristics of a good leader and practiced pronunciation of our L and R sounds. Do leaders always have honor, does honor follow leadership or does leadership follow honor, what is honor? How do we serve and love and help?  Why has God given me a mind and a heart and talents? We talked about their role as University Students with an education and how it makes them a leader in their community whether they like it or not.  I'm hoping most of them like it. Whew, I'm tired.

---

The New Busy is not the too busy. Combine all your e-mail accounts with Hotmail. Get busy.

The beginning again

We have been many times TO the market. To buy vegetables or transfer buses but never before have we actually been INSIDE. Yesterday we went in. I don't think I have been fearful since I arrived but yesterday there was definitely a little apprehension. We have heard so many negative comments about the market, how crazy it is, how you can't walk anywhere without a crowd of followers or pick pockets around every corner. So you can see why I had a little apprehension. But a very wise woman encouraged us to go. 'Now is the time' she said, 'leave everything at home, take only the money in your pockets and go'. And so we went. I'm not sure if it's a girl thing or just a Stephanie thing but I really enjoy the hunt that comes along with shopping. It probably should have stressed me out and caused me to panic and to be alert but I actually really enjoyed it.
It was like a mega-warehouse full of goods. A hardware section, baby clothes isle, men's clothes, women's clothes, school supplies, groceries, anything and everything was there. We used our broken Kirundi and French to navigate around, weaving in and out of isles on the hunt for a hidden treasure. At last we made it do our destination, women's clothes; it was well worth the effort. There were isles and isles and racks and shelves full of clothing, I even found a dress from Wal-Mart. There were endless possibilities of shoes. I was so impressed and surprised that I had been missing out on this experience, right here in downtown Bujumbura. The best part was I walked away with a super cute black skirt and had only one attempted pick pocket!
You may have heard we recently got unlimited internet at our house. I think we've only mentioned it to maybe 100 people; we're not excited at all. This means that we haven't been to our favorite coffee shop to visit our favorite Baristas. We had a few hours to kill this morning so we went into town, simply to visit with them. It was really special to have them ask after us, 'Are you okay?' 'We haven't seen you for so many days' they asked. Maybe we were going too much? I don't know, but I did miss my barista friends, we have good conversation, they care about us, they are our community. I love that we have been here long enough where our presence is missed. And long enough to make friends in the community. Like a man who sings in the choir at church, we discovered he works downtown as a tailor, by chance we ran into him on 'fabric lane'. We have labeled it this 'cause the whole street is filled with tailors and seamstresses and shops full of fabric. Maybe he will be my tailor now.
It seems like we go through cycles. We learn and discover and meet new places and faces and then settle in, get familiar, create a routine. Then after awhile we are ready to meet, and discover and learn again. So friends, be ready. I think we are on the verge of the 'beginning again'. I'm excited, are you?

---

The New Busy is not the too busy. Combine all your e-mail accounts with Hotmail. Get busy.