God at work

I am so excited for the things God has been doing at WIRED the last few weeks.  Worship has been an amazing time and here is a quote from a girl who has been coming to youth group for a few weeks now: "I know that God is the thing missing from my life."

Its pretty awesome to see God moving.

electricity and water

Yesterday we had a power cut and a water cut!  The water came back on around 10:00 at night - praise Jesus because I needed a shower desperately because of how hot it is!  I am up to taking 2 showers a day.  Its interesting living without things like power and water - it makes me appreciate it so much more when it is on.  So many people live without water and power everyday.  In this country alone the majority have no electricity and have to walk several kilometers for water.  Its hard to even kind of know what thats like until you experience it.  And even the little bit I have experience is nothing compared to what its really like to live life day in and day out without.  All that to say - I am so grateful for what I do have - even though I get so hot and bothered and want to complain.

ThE aDveNtuRes oF 30 hOuRs of FaStiNg!

Last night was the 30 hour famine lock in!  And I survived!  I have never fasted for 30 hours before and I have never put on an entire lock in before either.  But I am happy to say that it all went well.  My fasting was not as difficult as I thought it would be because I was running around like a chicken with my head cut off all day!  Let me explain:

We had our kick off on Thursday, which turned out great!  The power went off RIGHT before youth group so we changed around the whole schedule.  I had huge faith that the power was going to stay on – which is why we decided to keep it at my house and not move it to the international school.  But when it went off my heart sank.  We lit candles, played the games in the dark, and I moved my talk to the beginning of the night and we set up chairs in the yard.  The funny thing that happened though was that the power never actually went off!  The lights at my neighbor’s house were still on and I did not think that was weird at all because I am surrounded by people with generators.  What actually happened was that I was running far too many ACs and fans and lights at the same time causing the breaker thing to turn off (or however that works).  Matt figured it out and fixed the problem – I laughed so hard.  It was interesting to experience that though because it was exactly like my first time speaking in Ouaga all the way back in September.  My reaction compared to 6 months ago was completely different.  Instead of being overwhelmed and upset, I was calm and made do with what we had – God has already brought me so far! 

Once we figured the power issue we moved inside for a time of worship.  It was simply amazing.  We sang longer and it just felt like God was in the room.  His presence was thick and when we sang songs like “How He Loves Us” and “Hungry” and “I am Free” I could tell that I was not alone in worshiping God.  This youth group is amazing!  God is so good.  I also stretched many of the teens by having a time of prayer.  I had them silently ask God what he wanted them to get out of the fast, confess their sins, and ask God to do mighty things through the next 30 hours.  Then I had them get into partners and pray for each other.  It was so neat to see them scattered around the yard praying together.  Also, there was one girl who prayed for the very first time.  I don’t know if she believes in God but she talked to him for the first time.  It brought me to tears because I know God heard her and is just waiting for her to run into his arms.  

Yesterday, Friday, was quite an interesting day in preparing for the lock-in.  I slept in as long as I could without being too anxious (so 8:00) and started getting things ready.  I had to go to the school to pay for the auditorium and ran into some seriously heightened security.  The school was not too thrilled that we were going to have possibly 50 kids come to the international school and stay the entire night (even though they gave me permission last week).  The university students were rioting.  They were burning tires, huge crowds, setting up road blocks and who knows what else – I didn’t actually see them but we heard gunshots and saw a ton of smoke.  I left the school on my moto not knowing all this and when I stopped at the stop sign right outside of the school 2 huge trucks full of police officers with huge rifles of some sort driving slowly in front of me.  I quickly drove my moto to my house through crowds of people.  When I got there my phone rang – Matt called to tell me not to leave my house for the next few hours and got slightly mad at me for driving my moto right before that.  I spent a majority of the afternoon gathering stuff, making muffins (for the breaking of the fast) and getting phone calls from nearly everyone I know here.  At 3 I had to get some things so I ventured out of the house – I took the car though.  I had to get a cake mix from Lorinda and as I was taking the back roads from her house I decided to stop by the Shafto’s.  It was at this moment that I realized I was completely frazzled because I walked into their house and Robbie said – why don’t you just sit down here and ill make your cake.  Apparently I looked like I had been running around trying to solve everything.  Which I was because there was a lot to solve!  All the stores were closed because of the rioting and we needed to buy and prepare food for the lock-in.  Also, some of the parents were not able to help because of the rioting.  Robbie and the Lyon boys came with me to my house after we baked some cakes and basically saved the day.  They helped me so much!  They made Kool Aid and frosting, packed my car, and helped me get everything set up for the Lock-In. 

I had to meet with security at the school at 5 – they had to know who was coming, when, and for how long.  My llama leaders showed up and helped set up as well.  Kari made some simply amazing posters to put on the wall and people started to show up and bring food.  Matt and Megan spent the whole day making over 100 pancakes.

The Lock-In itself was great – not all the people who said they were coming came, which was fine because of the food shortage issue and the fact that some of my adult leader chaperones fell through – I think we had around 34 kids.  There was a time period there where I was the only adult leader (lets not tell the parents that though…haha).  We played some great outdoor hide and seek type games and then we moved inside.  We played human foosball, telephone pictionary, human tick tac toe (which is an awesome game by the way) and a giant game of musical chairs.  Then we watched the cartoon Tangled.  We stopped the movie right before 1:00 in the morning.  Matt shared about his recent well drilling success this week; we shared some scripture, prayed and then ate!  We had plenty of food and it was all amazing!  It was just a neat experience to have with all those kids.  After that we finished the movie, played some card games, some people went to sleep and played the wii.  Then we watched another movie around 4 in the morning – which put most everyone else to sleep – me included. 

I woke everyone up around 6:45, we cleaned up, packed up, and headed out!  There were no major issues, no really big problems – everything just turned out great.  And on top of that it was fun!  The kids had big smiles on their faces most of the night. 

I started the morning so unsure how everything was going to work out:  Were we going to even have the lock-in?  Would parents still let their kids come because of the rioting?  Would there be enough food?  Would I have any adults leaders?  How is this going to work?  But friends – God was in it.  And he ironed out all the issues – and I think that’s because I feel like I actually gave them to him.  I let him be in charge because I couldn’t be – and it was a good decision. 

I just want to say a big thank you to all of you who were praying for this.  Please keep praying because we still are having money come in and are still seeing what God is going to bring about from this amazing experience.  There are a few youth groups in the states who are partnering with us and have not yet had their 30 hours of fasting – so keep them in mind too.  Thanks again for donating and praying.  You all are so amazing – MAN I AM SO BLESSED!

Now I am spending the day sleeping, writing thank you cards, and maybe playing some video games with some of the llama leaders.  I will post pictures very soon.  

Adjusting

So I know I complained about the power cuts, and I am certain that I will never get use to them or the heat but I am feeling more confident about it today.  I am not sure if its because of Amy's inspiring conversation of how we will survive together and her offer for me to stay at her house when my power is off and hers is on or if its just that I made it through a whole week of it so far.  But either way I have to face it and I will!

I went to the school this week to see if I could move our 30 Hour Famine Lock-In to the auditorium there and they gave us permission!  What school gives a youth group permission to stay the night on campus?  We do have to pay but I think I can barter them down a few hundred bucks.  ISO has a generator and so they run it when the power goes out so we will have AC and lights for our all nighter next Friday.  I also got permission to use one of the classrooms for WIRED youth group on Thursdays.  I heard some complaining though from some of the kids so if I can get my generator fixed then hopefully we will not move youth group there.  I am all for it though because they wont charge me, we will have VERY good AC and it wont be using my electricity here at the house (which is very expensive in this country).  But we shall see.

Today there is Edge - which is a worship service for the ex-pat community in English.  One of the girls in the youth group suggested that we have a bake sale for the 30 Hour Famine at Edge and since I am all about using their ideas I said yes!  Even though this bake sale will not really make a ton of money I am finding that its a great way to get some kids involved who have not been interested in gaining pledges for the fast.  So today, I am going to make some cookies (if the power stays on) and sacrifice some of my precious chocolate chips! :)

Also a team came in last night from the States!  I love it when teams come in - its fun to meet some new people and I love how they look at Burkina with brand new eyes.  Its good for me to see that every once in awhile and remember that this totally is Africa.  Its so easy to forget sometimes!  Anyways this team just happens to be bringing some things for me!  So I am so excited to see what my mom sent me for my Birthday! :) Yippy!

Power Cuts.

Power cuts are looking like my future here in Burkina.  We were given an actual power cut schedule yesterday!  Although, the power cuts have not been on schedule yet - I am not sure what the point is of the schedule.  But what it says is that everyday there will be at least 8 hours without power!  Can you believe it?  That means 8 hours a day my fridge doesnt work, the lights dont come on, the internet is non existent.  And not to mention the difficulties power cuts bring to youth group - we had one during youth group last week and its so miserable.  The kids are distracted, I am distracted, and its way too hot to not have a fan on!  Anyways I just complained for an entire blog...sorry!  But as you pray for me please pray that the power will stay on more than expected and that the political unrest in Ivory Coast will resolve because most of our power comes from there apparently.

Africa Night

The International school had an Africa Night. I accidently showed up at rehearsal earlier this week and so I assumed that it was going to be similar to a school assembly or presentation.  I saw some of the younger kids playing drums and dancing with their parents and teachers helping them.  What I actually encountered on Friday was so much more.  First off it was HUGE.  They had venders selling things and an outside stage put up.  There were not just elementary students there to perform but several intense musicians and dancers brought in to show what dance and song sounded like in the focus country: Senegal.  Also there was an African fashion show and a skit and food from all over Africa!  I had a great time trying some food from Senegal, seeing a ton of the youth, and watching some pretty awesome African dance.

Sorry that the pictures are not so great, it was dark, dusty, and I was using my little camera.  :)

Softball Tournament!

This weekend ISO (the international school) hosted a softball tournament.  I spent all weekend watching the youth and some parents play softball!  It was so much fun.  

The softball field as ISO - with grass and everything!

Some of the youth at the tournament

Me and Robbie

Oh to be a teenager

I love teenagers so much – which is good since my job is working with them.  Its just, that sometimes I feel like I was so lucky.  Or maybe I think I am lucky now because I survived middle school and high school.  But I don’t remember it being that hard.  I know that in middle school it started out pretty rough but I honestly feel that once I got past that stage…oh wait – I just entered into another one after that.  Okay – maybe I wasn’t so lucky after all.  But I do know that through it all I KNEW what I needed to be and who I was – I knew that I needed God and I knew that I was his child.  That was the easy part for me.  What makes me so sad is how it’s not so easy for most teens to remember that.  In all of my experiences God came out the victor and I knew he would be.  Even when things were hard – I knew God was in control.  Why?  Why was it so easy for me and is so difficult for them?  I dont know why but I do know that I am here now and God has called me to these particular teenagers and so I will try to do what I can with what I have been given.  

Everyday I have been reading My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers.  For the most part it has been very good.  Sometimes I am not entirely in agreement with him but usually he says something that challenges me all day long.  This morning was interesting. 

“The process of being made broken bread and poured-out wine means that you have to be the nourishment for other peoples souls until they learn to feed on God.  They must drain you completely – to the very last drop.  But be careful to replenish your supply, or you will quickly be utterly exhausted.  Until others learn to draw on the life of the Lord Jesus directly, they will have to draw on His life through you.  You must literally be their source of supply, until they learn to take their nourishment from God.  We owe it to God to be our best for His lambs and sheep, as well as for him.” 

Whoa.  This was huge for me this morning because it brought so much more to why I myself must be grounded in the Lord.  I mean, most of these teens don’t know what they are doing every single day.  I am a leader to the student leaders and to the rest of the youth group – and some of these students do not know how to draw on the life of Christ, they do that through me.  Which is scary and overwhelming and is a huge responsibility.  That is why it is so important that I am continually being filled with the Spirit and letting the overflow from that pour out on those who are not quite there yet. 

Oh pray for me and them!

life is still happening

The past week has been a blur, I'm not sure how things go so fast.  For example – every 2 weeks I change my contacts for new ones (I know so random) but today is the day for new contacts and I honestly feel like I just changed them yesterday.  Not to mention how fast 5 months has flown by.  Seriously how is this happening?

The SFR is over and our visitors have returned home, or on to the next field – they left us with some encouragement and ideas for the future.  For me, my job has changed slightly – but really its God answering more prayers.  Crazy.  Envision is still developing so much and I am some what of a trial run because I am the first intern to come here under that role.  Praise the Lord I always have the youth as the job I cannot take my eyes off – but there are some exciting things that I will be picking up.  They have asked me to help more with teams that come in and Envision is hoping to send more interns out and would like me to be a host and to help them transition into being here.  So if you are interesting in coming to Burkina for any amount of time – 2 weeks or 2 months…or longer – come!  Ill help you (and I could sure use you in the youth group – especially some guys). J  Our field is going to shrink drastically this summer because 3 missionaries will be going home for their year in the States.  The Ouaga team will literally be 5 missionaries – it will be a huge transition but I am excited for the responsibility. 

This week has been quieter for me because several of the youth headed to Ghana for MUN (model United Nations).  Three of my llamas – Kari, Robbie, and Micah all headed down so that changed youth group quite a bit.  I had to pray about the jealousy I felt for them going – they all got to go to the beach and play in the ocean!  And Kari told me she went to a real MALL!  Okay so I am still a little jealous.  I am certainly going to see if they will need a chaperone for next year!

Youth group went well last night though – I separated the boys and girls and we looked at verses of who God is and compared that to who we think God is.  I ended with bringing everyone together for a few minutes and said that how we perceive God is not reality because he is SO much more than we can understand.  But how God perceives us is reality, even if we don’t see ourselves like it – we are still children of God.  I know there are a few in the youth group that don’t know Jesus so after I read John 1:12 – I invited anyone to talk to me at any time if they want to see themselves as a child of Jesus and just invited them to believe.  No one talked to me afterwards but I'm praying that what they got from small groups and my little invitation well stick with them for a while. 

This week I also subbed for third grade – oh man was that hard.  I have a new appreciation for all the elementary teachers out there.  I also know why I am not one J I just couldn’t get them to be quiet.  It was so hard!  I also have no idea if they learned anything from me.  After school the elementary principle asked if they scared me off – I told her no (for some stupid reason) but really I don’t know if I can do it again.  I think Ill stick to the teenagers. 

Last Sunday I went – for the first time – to church by myself!  I drove all the way out to Ouaga 2000 where the Clousers lead a small church.  Steve Clouser gave the sermon in French and I understood more than I have yet!  It was so exciting!  I still cant speak French but man I am starting to understand so much. 

Lastly – Brandon Heath came out with a new cd last month called Leaving Eden – I would highly recommend it.  

Oh also - its starting to get hot...

A post for Kandice

She graciously pointed out I haven’t blogged in a week – ish.

Speaking of ish – I read a children’s book called Ish when I subbed for third grade this week.  It was actually a very cute book and I feel like I could relate to it.  It just talked about how this little boy whos brother made fun of his drawings but his sister loved his drawings and said that they were kind of like what he had hoped they would be.  She said that his picture of a vase was vase-ish.  I feel like often times I am in the ish category.  I'm learning as a go and things turn out kind of like they should be (although I'm not entirely sure anyone knows how they should be).  Youth group is youth group – ish, my French is French – ish J and so on…  things look different here for many reasons.  I'm the only leader, I am new, its hard balancing middle school and high school, French is sooo HARD, really I could go on an on.  But the book ended with the boy continuing to draw and paint and write and appreciating the beauty of ish.  And for me, really I just need to keep going, keep learning, keep following and listening to the Lord, because its his opinion that matters and what the world says things should look like – God sees differently.