Familiar

At some point between the last post and this one, life in West Africa became "normal."  Looking at it now it didn't seem normal - I still had so many adventures that were certainly outside of the typical life of most Americans.  But, I suppose after living in any given location for at least a year things start to get normal.  I am now in Portland, Oregon and have only been here 2 months and its already normal.  My theory is that when you live in a different city but its still in your culture, the transition period is drastically shortened due to familiarity.  Although Portland is a tad bit different than Eastern Washington it is still the beautiful Pacific Northwest and has always been my home.  

So, all that to say, its possible that because life in Burkina Faso became my new "normal" I stopped seeing it for the truly unique place that it is.  And thus (thus? I never use that word), stopped reporting back.  I am making a new vow - although no one is really going to hold me accountable - that I will not let my eyes become clouded over with familiarity...or if I do - that it wont be for over a year. 

Random things I have been doing or experiencing

The last weekend there was a goat just chilling on the international school campus.  How bizarre is that?  He was just eating grass, watching us swim, and walking around. 

Claire, an amazing angel that is our hired help, made me a calzone – I don’t normally eat those but this – this was amazing! 

I went to get some visa photos taken this morning and successfully did it in French (which by the way, I am still miserable at).  During the process I was asked by a stranger to go out to breakfast – I declined.  Also, when I walk anywhere some stranger will call me “angel” or “princess” – I think it’s the only words in English most of the guys here know.  But, who doesn’t like being called “princess?” Hmm maybe me?! 

The tractor – or the OLD vehicle I normally drive is currently in the shop so the last few days I have been driving around a Toyota Avanza – I have been feeling super spoiled driving such a nice vehicle.  It is quiet, has all its mirrors, the AC is freezing, and it has 4 doors!  Not to mention the fact that it drives GREAT! 

In the email I sent out updating people I asked prayer for me because I have been feeling homesick.  I am feeling a lot better now.  I always miss my family and friends (so basically you who are reading this) – which is understandable, I mean – not only am I thousands of miles away but I am also more than a simple phone call away.  Thanks for your prayers!

I got my couches re-covered!  I will try and post a photo soon to show you the new furniture!  I love them!

Last Friday and Monday I substitute taught at ISO.  I had a ton of fun teaching math, science, and IT – turns out I am not as bad at math as I thought…although it was 6^th grade. But still – I could answer their questions!

Oh girls Bible study went great yesterday.  We talked about sin and I felt like we are starting to open up more with each other – I left feeling very encouraged. 

Pray for my awesome roommate – she has been getting migraines lately.  Also, every day I am reminded how great it is to have her around.  Not only is she just a great person but also I have someone who notices if I am gone or missing, asks me how I am doing, eats meals with me and helps pay the rent!  And that’s just the tip of the iceberg!  I am LOVING living with someone!

We have had a steady group of kids coming to youth group this year – we seriously have about 25 regular students.  This is so different compared to last year.  We had about 40 kids in the youth group and every week about 25 would show up and it drastically changed who came each week.  I am liking consistency! 

And my last random fact – I am sitting in my room and trying very hard to keep my eyes open…soooo GOODNIGHT!

Girls Bible Study

Girls Bible study has been great!  We have had 3 meetings so far.  We meet on Monday's after school for lunch.  Megan has graciously allowed us to meet at her house (although this week we met at mine).  The first week we only had 3 girls but since then we have steadily been growing - a little too much actually.  We are reading through Romans - maybe I was being a bit ambitious choosing that book to go through because it uses a ton of big Christian-y words and concepts - but we are surviving and so far it has been good and challenging.  Thanks for all your prayers for this.  One of my goals for this year is to get girls Bible study going and God has certainly already answered this prayer!

Good day

I have high hopes that today is going to be a good day.  First off - Hannah Kinsley in Ireland is flying home and I am so happy for her!  Also, the water leaks in my bathroom are going to be filled in - no more leaking roof!  Susan and I are also going to be getting a real covered garage type thing.  Right now covering the car is basically some bamboo mats with the main purpose of just protecting our vehicles from the sun - but no more!  We are getting a real metal or tin roof to protect our vehicles from the rain and maybe they will actually stay kind of clean.  This will also benefit the guard who currently sits right outside my window every single night - now he will have a place to sit out of the rain.  (and it makes things less awkward for me!)

But, the most exciting part of my day is that its Thursday - which means youth group is tonight.  I have been preparing a talk on the Bible as Truth.  Should be good, and hopefully leave kids excited to read about God.

Lastly, I have a praise!  I have had this desire to get all new Bibles for the youth group and its becoming a reality!  Matt emailed his church in Canada last night and they said that not only would they like to buy some but they will also bring them out in the beginning of October!  Praise God!  If you are interested in buying Bible(s) for the English teens of Ouagadougou please let me know and I can tell you which one and we can get it sent to the church in Canada who will bring them out for us.

I hope you all have a lovely day as well :)

This weekend.

This last weekend I baby-sat 5 beautiful kids.  It was a pretty crazy weekend and I walked away realizing that maybe I am not ready for instant parenthood of 5 kids.  In fact – I used to want 5 kids so I could have an entire basketball team, but now – I think max will have to be 3. 

I had to deal with the un-expected this weekend too.  Their dog was bit by a scorpion or snake or something and sadly, passed away.  Let me just tell you that telling 5 children that their pet died is one of the hardest things I have ever done – I may as well cut off their arms.  And, I am just one person – comforting 5 people who need me at the same time was nearly impossible. 

I drove home after the weekend completely exhausted – emotionally and physically.  I also drove home with some more respect for the parents who take care of their children day in and day out – I don’t know how they do it and their jobs as missionaries as well. 

Diversity

Its Friday morning and last night was the 2^nd Wired meeting of the year.  This year is going to be good – Lord willing!  It has a different feel to it than my first year.  We certainly took a hit numbers wise – with at least 10-15 people moving away there are people who are greatly missed.  But, we are all hoping and praying for a great year. 

One of our goals is to be more evangelistic and reach out more to kids who don’t normally come to youth group.  We already have maybe 5 or so new faces.  But I am finding that as we change and grow differently I am having to change and grow as well.  I was overwhelmed when I first got to Burkina a year ago by the diversity of the group – and here I am finding myself overwhelmed again with the exact same thing.  So please pray for me and the Wired team as we try and figure out how to be evangelistic, how to encourage Christian growth in MK’s who have been here for years, how to involved kids of ALL AGES (I have several 6^th grade boys) and in all that not scare away anyone in the process. 

Here we go again! Yippy!

We had our first llama meeting today (student leader meeting).  Can I just tell you how excited I am to start back up with youth group?!  I have enjoyed my summer but I am looking forward to doing work that I am here to do.  It was fun doing random things in the summer but oh how I am so happy to start working with teenagers again!

We have two new llama leaders this year.  One is Madeline – her brother was a llama last year and is this year as well.  The other is Nathan – he is from the Philippines and plays piano for the music team at youth group.  I am looking forward to getting to know both of them more this year. 

The meeting itself went great.  I was encouraged by some of the goals that the students have.  Here is a short list of their goals:

-Build faith for new Christians

-Effective ministry IN the school

-Youth group more welcoming and open to everyone.

-Being more real with people

-Investing more with their friends and people they may not be good friends with

-Having prayer as a base and praying for friends as essential

They all seem excited for this year to start; it was encouraging!

Our first youth group of the year is on Thursday.  We have moved locations to they old WIRED meeting place.  My new house is not large enough for youth group.  No one is living in the house we will be meeting in so it should be a good place.  I am going to work on getting it comfortable for the teens tomorrow!

Thanks for all your prayers!  

Group Photo

Here is our Field Forum photo - All the Burkina Faso CMA missionaries :)

My House

I moved in June and thought I would share some photos of my new house with you.

This is my room :)

Here is our living room and dinning room.  We are going to re-cover the furniture one of these days.

Here is the kitchen - its very small.

My front yard with our little patch of grass - something very rare for BF.

There is my little moto and the car.

Some nice things about this house are the screened in porch, the great internet, the location (we are in a very African community) and the spare rooms (come and stay - we have room).

Out of Routine

The problem that I am just now discovering is that I have been out of a routine since about April.  With the power cuts, our unrest situation, camp, heading home for a few weeks, the bush trip and field forum my life really hasn’t had a routine for months.  So, because of that I feel like my life is just crazy.  This blog has sadly been effected.  But, school starts next week and I am hoping to slow down just a little bit so that maybe, just maybe, I can have a routine again. 

But, reality is reminding me that life is hardly ever IN routine – especially here in Africa.