When I say I'll be back to the States in three weeks I'm serious this time. I hope you haven't boxed me in with the flaky friends, you know the ones you can't invite to the party 'cause you never know when they'll show. This time I'm fairly certain I'm coming! The Lord works in mysterious ways.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Please, I beg
As we walked through the market today, well passed by it really, on our
way to meet some friends we were met by some children begging in the
midst of the crowd. It's painful really that sometimes it's so normal we
forget, like me forgetting to remind Michelle to expect it. I should
have know she too has had her share of begging children experiences but
even though we both weren't surprised that doesn't make it easier. What
about the least of these? I wish I could make it better, I wish I had an
answer that would feed their belly and move them out of this situation.
I wish they didn't have to beg me. It was sad and frustrating and leaves
us feeling somehow helpless.
way to meet some friends we were met by some children begging in the
midst of the crowd. It's painful really that sometimes it's so normal we
forget, like me forgetting to remind Michelle to expect it. I should
have know she too has had her share of begging children experiences but
even though we both weren't surprised that doesn't make it easier. What
about the least of these? I wish I could make it better, I wish I had an
answer that would feed their belly and move them out of this situation.
I wish they didn't have to beg me. It was sad and frustrating and leaves
us feeling somehow helpless.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Burundi Update
Back in Burundi, feels good to be back. But I think the thing I was
trying to avoid has actually happened. I was trying to avoid going home,
feeling like I still wanted to stay and after a month of praying about
this next transition I believe the Lord has prepared me to return to the
states, well mostly prepared me :) I still have some weeks left in
Burundi and am looking forward to those weeks ahead but knowing its at
the end of the trip and not the beginning makes it strangely different.
I feel ready for something different. I wonder what it will feel like to
unpack and know I'm not leaving the country in just a few months. I'm
thankful today for my friends who really understand the motivation to
follow the spirit from one place to the next and who appreciate the
difficulty it is to leave each place.
trying to avoid has actually happened. I was trying to avoid going home,
feeling like I still wanted to stay and after a month of praying about
this next transition I believe the Lord has prepared me to return to the
states, well mostly prepared me :) I still have some weeks left in
Burundi and am looking forward to those weeks ahead but knowing its at
the end of the trip and not the beginning makes it strangely different.
I feel ready for something different. I wonder what it will feel like to
unpack and know I'm not leaving the country in just a few months. I'm
thankful today for my friends who really understand the motivation to
follow the spirit from one place to the next and who appreciate the
difficulty it is to leave each place.
Thank you for praying for my friends in Nigeria, they arrived this last
weekend and are thankful to be back.
Thank you for praying for Rachel she is now safe in the states and loves it!
Thank you for your prayers for my last week of classes. It was sad to
leave my students but we will see each other again. They did a great job
and all transitioned from English to Bible Classes.
Pray for our time of ministry here these next few weeks, working with
Burundian staff, visiting widows from across the country and being
sensitive to what the Lord is calling us to.
I appreciate you!
Friday, February 4, 2011
Graduation Party
Some students repeat the English class up to 4 times so it is no small
thing that after one month these ones are ready to move on. When I asked
how they felt they said, "madame, we were so surprised." I love it! They
are going to be great pastors for the church in Malawi.
Graduation Party
students have to repeat English up to 4 times so this is no small thing.
They gave me a nervous laugh and said "oh madame, we were surprised". I
love it! They are going to make great pastors as they lead the church in
Malawi.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
On to the next
Today is a day of lasts. My last morning in chapel, my last test for the
English students, my last time to celebrate at the party, and my last
time with the Willsons as a family of four (they are adopting a child
tomorrow). It's been a really great module. A small class size allowed
me to teach to specific needs and see a great amount of progress in my
students. It's been good once again to hear from our students who are
continually growing as they move forward in ministry. And of course it's
been lovely to be with my friends the Willsons, to be part of their
family, to serve alongside them and learn from them. Tonight I will say
goodbye to Malawi and hello to Burundi. The 4th of February is a special
day. Last year I arrived in Burundi on the 4th to begin a year of
ministry in Africa and now on my one year anniversary I will again
arrive in Burundi to close a season of ministry in Africa. Kinda cool
right? And I didn't even plan it that way :)
English students, my last time to celebrate at the party, and my last
time with the Willsons as a family of four (they are adopting a child
tomorrow). It's been a really great module. A small class size allowed
me to teach to specific needs and see a great amount of progress in my
students. It's been good once again to hear from our students who are
continually growing as they move forward in ministry. And of course it's
been lovely to be with my friends the Willsons, to be part of their
family, to serve alongside them and learn from them. Tonight I will say
goodbye to Malawi and hello to Burundi. The 4th of February is a special
day. Last year I arrived in Burundi on the 4th to begin a year of
ministry in Africa and now on my one year anniversary I will again
arrive in Burundi to close a season of ministry in Africa. Kinda cool
right? And I didn't even plan it that way :)
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