I love Farmers

I am sooo proud to be a farmers daughter!  I love where I come from and I love farming!  Yes, I moved to the city and am currently not farming but I will always be a farmer :)

All that to say: I also love hilarious farm kids who post youtube videos - check out these farmers they will certainly make you laugh with their parodies on Gangnum style and I'm sexy and I know it:

The Peterson Farm Bros

30 Hour Famine Update!

Oh this is cool!

Do you remember the 30 Hour Famine from this year, 2012?  I did not blog about it but I certainly talked about it on Facebook and in my update emails.  For this particular fund raising event WIRED youth group raised nearly $20,000 and went to the village of Bouassa.  WIRED drilled a well, helped build a classroom, gave out grain, dug holes for bathrooms and hung out with children. 11 Adults and around 40 kids have come to know Christ from this single event - and that was just the beginning.

Susan, my lovely roommate from my time in Burkina, just sent me this message:

Just talked to Jay briefly today and he gave an update on the church we did the project in.  Apparently they did start school in the building and the church has about 40-70 people in it.  The well is having an awesome ministry in the community with the pastor's wife heading that up.  Compassion has started there as well, using both the school building and the hangar. They have a dedication service out there tomorrow.

When WIRED decided to help the Baptist church do a church plant in this area  I went out to the land to see what it was like.  There was absolutely nothing - just some brush.  It was truly a blessing to see how God used WIRED with this piece of land.  Now, its neat to see how he is continuing to use this land to help spread his name.

Here are some photos from that day last April that WIRED did their project:

Well Drilling

Using the newly found water to soak me!

Child Evangelism

WIRED :)

Garages

Weird Portland fact - people do not park their cars in the garage.  Instead they pack it full of junk and keep the cars outside to soak up the rain.  This blows my mind.  I mean, garages in definition are to house your vehicles.  Do people all over do that and I just never noticed?

Feeding the Orphans

From September 2010 to June 2012 I was literally living off the support of my friends, family, and people I dont even know so that I could serve God in Burkina Faso.  These people (maybe even you) were so generous that when I had raised enough in February 2012 to finish my time there and asked them to stop (yes, I had to ask people to stop giving me money) - they still didn't.

So, I left the money in Burkina Faso and have been handing it out since.  Much of the money went to the youth group, WIRED, that I had been running the last 2 years.  Some went to the Dorcus House and the rest has gone to different projects that the CMA has been working on in the country.  

Here is the lastest update of where that money has gone from Betty who is working with Envision in Burkina:

This past week we went up to the orphanage in Yako. Ruth Cox the directress had just had a car accident and fractured her wrist and really messed up her car. She had gone off the road and hit a road sign. Thankfully the other people were not hurt. The same week one of their bright young students, age

18, who had been involved in a serious accident this summer and survived, who was a role model for the younger students, died suddenly. They did not know if he had residual injuries from the earlier accident and died from internal bleeding, but on the way to the hospital he died. They had faced these two events at basically the same time. You can imagine how discouraged they were.

They also live super simply there, and that is putting it mildly to say the least. They eat a lot of pasta and rice and lots of very basic veggies that they can buy locally.

We went and told them we would be bringing lunch. We went to the store and bought them sliced lunch ham, sliced cheese, hamburger meat for making some hamburgers, fresh buns and pita bread, lots of in season fresh fruit and veggies, grapefruit, avocados, watermelon, potato chips, fresh potatoes, and many other items too.

When we sat down for lunch with the Yako team and pulled out the sliced ham and cheese with the fresh buns and pita bread you would not have believed how excited they were. They were grinning from ear to ear, got a camera and took a picture of them with ham and cheese and when they ate they were rolling their eyes in pleasure and talking about how great it was. Such a simple thing that made such a big impact on these people who work so hard at Yako.

All of this was done through the generosity of Hannah [and by Hannah she means Hannah's supporters] and we want her to know what happened and also that we have enough money to make another or even several more trips like this one. Our next trip to Yako will be in December and we are going to take rice and oil and some money for the orphans food, as well as another nice batch of meat, cheese, fruits and veggies for the missionaries and interns too. Hannah [again, my supporters!] , through her generosity is helping to really bless this ministry and we cannot thank her enough for this.

Let her [Hannah's supporter] know that her [their] gift has and is making a real impact in lifting spirits and improving conditions in Yako!

Betty

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.