Today

Today, well my today, maybe their tomorrow, my friends the Myers Family
will go to the Nigerian Embassy in Atlanta in hopes of getting the
proper visas so they can return to ministry in Emi-Woro. We are praying
for favor with the ambassador; that they will be given what they need
hassle free. Today my cousin and friend Rachel will fly out of Cairo
back to the States, pray for her as she transitions from the third world
to our world after a one year absence. Today my friends from Sister
Connection and WFMC will travel around Burundi hearing the stories of
many widows and will have their hearts broken for what breaks the heart
of God. Today my friends the Willsons will continue to run the Bible
School Module that has been happening all month while caring for their
two children one of whom is sick-praying that the Lord will heal Kara.
And today I will begin my final week of teaching English, pray for
continued focus, clarity and joy in the classroom.

You're breaking my heart

Some of our students did a drama as part of Saturday's evangelism, they
were so happy to have another idea that they can use at home in their
villages.Oone that doesn't require all the equipment that goes along
with the Jesus Film.

English Class

Meet my students Blessings, Hawa and Maltino.

Extension

Well, you should know I've officially canceled my return ticket back to
the U.S. and am extending my time in Africa. I know your not surprised
but you can pretend. I'm going to Burundi next month and have so much
joy about it!

Last Year

One year ago today I spoke to a group at WFMC about the desire I had to serve in Africa in 2010. What a long time ago that now seems. I should have known it was going to be a year that would amaze me when in just one night that small group was able to meet my entire budget for the year! The Lord is definitely for my good and for yours and for all those I’ve worked with this year. He is for our good! Faithful to comfort me when I was overwhelmed with a class size of 50 students, faithful when I wasn’t sure if I would get the visa’s needed to travel to Kenya and Nigeria x2. He was constantly providing for my needs in the form of friends on public transport and roommates who understood life here and in mentors in lovely women like Bridget and Jen. He was my friend during lonely times travelling to Ethiopia, Kenya, Burundi, Rwanda, Nigeria and Malawi.  He is the one who always makes sense, whose yes means yes and whose no means no. He even fuels my passion for teaching English and for the Hope Academy boarding students. He is the one who gives me courage to teach, to speak and to defend, to swim in less than ok water and to drive on less than safe roads. He supplies the patience I so desperately need and when I ask “are you kidding me?” he says no this is really how it is. Love doesn’t always look the same in the places I’ve been this year, but Christ’s love does. I’m really grateful for how inconsistent my time has looked this year because it causes me to lean on the consistency of Christ. Thank you WFMC for being obedient to the Lord for being an extension of the church in Burundi and Nigeria and Malawi, for amazing me with your generosity and for faithfully partnering with me this year, I could not have done it without you.

refugee

Today was really special. I prayed (had church services) at Dzaleka refugee camp today. Our brothers and sisters there have every reason to be hopeless. They have lost all control, they had no control over the situations in their countries that forced them to leave, they had no control over where they would be placed and many of them have no control over their current lifestyle-somehow trapped in this camp. They can apply to leave to another country, apply to be integrated into Malawi or to travel home but still they have no control. But we know who does. And you can feel it in the room, from the moment the worship begins you can feel it. The energy is different. These true followers of Christ are committed to following the one who is in control. Who sees them even though they are displaced from their country, who sees them as someone who has endured much as someone longing to be filled by the God of all nations He sees them. I loved everything about today's service, I loved the joy, the fact that I recognized worship songs from my time at HAU, I loved that they sang a song in French, I loved that we can identify with one another-this world is not my home, we are all strangers. I even loved the smell in the room as we began to dance and dance and dance, this scent brings memories and feelings that only Africa can conjure up. I loved walking away refreshed by the spirit in the room, knowing these people really love the Lord. I felt at home with these Free Methodist brothers and sisters representing Burundi, Rwanda, and DRC, a little like my year began at HAU with students from Burundi, Rwanda, and DRC. Today was really special.

Malawi is so beautiful

I have 29 days left in Africa, Yikes! I'm feeling lots of things, a
little sad to be finished with 2010 but also very excited to see what
will come next. And before you ask what that might be, I'll just tell
you. I don't know. You can be praying that the Lord would make his plan
know, I'm sure he has something good up his sleeve. You can also be
praying for our team here in Malawi as we prepare for another Bible
School Module. Students arrive next week. I'm very excited to teach
again, ready to use the ideas that have been formulating in my mind for
months. We're going to have an awesome three weeks of English.