Chapel was at 8:00 this morning. Sarah told the story of the woman at the well. After that, I talked to Miss Phyllis for a long time about the mission in general. The rest of the morning was spent making a quick run into town with Kerri and organizing the donated clothes that are in storage. We ate lunch with the school kids -- peanut/collard soup with a boiled potato.
The afternoon was spent organizing the clothes some more. Church was at 5:00. I wish you could hear these people sing. The only instrument besides their voices is an African drum. Kerri and I worked out after a dinner of hamburgers and then we had a little water fight through the dining room. Way too much fun going on over here! Haha!
Safari early tomorrow! Goodnight!
Saturday, June 28, 2014
Uganda: June 24, 2014
Well, it's my birthday, and once again I am in Africa -- Uganda, in fact, and as soon as I woke up, I saw a big card under my door signed by all the orphans.
Today has been relaxing. Woke up at 8:30, made Keurig coffee and banana/coconut smoothies for breakfast, got ready for the day, had tea with the school kids at 10:30, went to town with Kerri and Sarah to get some things from the market. Kerri treated me to lunch at a cute little cafe' in town. Best chicken shish-ka-bobs I've ever had.
Played with the orphans some this afternoon and talked for at least an hour with Jeremy Pittman, the missionary in charge here. He asked me what my goals are for this trip and asked me what he could be praying for me about. He was so encouraging and down-to-earth.
For dinner, we had pizza of all things, and Kerri surprised me by making a birthday cake complete with candles that were really fireworks (about gave me a heart attack!) The cake was already more than enough, but the missionaries all put in some money to send me on a safari on Thursday and Friday! I was shocked and humbled. What an act of selflessness!
Today has been relaxing. Woke up at 8:30, made Keurig coffee and banana/coconut smoothies for breakfast, got ready for the day, had tea with the school kids at 10:30, went to town with Kerri and Sarah to get some things from the market. Kerri treated me to lunch at a cute little cafe' in town. Best chicken shish-ka-bobs I've ever had.
Played with the orphans some this afternoon and talked for at least an hour with Jeremy Pittman, the missionary in charge here. He asked me what my goals are for this trip and asked me what he could be praying for me about. He was so encouraging and down-to-earth.
For dinner, we had pizza of all things, and Kerri surprised me by making a birthday cake complete with candles that were really fireworks (about gave me a heart attack!) The cake was already more than enough, but the missionaries all put in some money to send me on a safari on Thursday and Friday! I was shocked and humbled. What an act of selflessness!
Uganda: June 23, 2014
We spent all day today driving from Entebbe to Soroti -- making several tourist stops along the way. I even got to see Katie Davis's office in Jinja (she is the author of Kisses from Katie.) I got a few souvenirs and had many laughs. These missionary ladies are a BLAST!!!
Had dinner with Miss Pamela Wieler, Miss Phyllis, Miss Kerri, Sarah Hess, and Mr. Jeremy Pittman. After that, I took a shower, unpacked, donned my new super comfy African pants, pulled down my mosquito net, and went to bed.
Had dinner with Miss Pamela Wieler, Miss Phyllis, Miss Kerri, Sarah Hess, and Mr. Jeremy Pittman. After that, I took a shower, unpacked, donned my new super comfy African pants, pulled down my mosquito net, and went to bed.
Friday, June 27, 2014
Uganda: June 22, 2014
Sunday the 22nd came, and with it, more bitter goodbyes. I was already under deep emotional stress, and the Cameroon airport didn't help my stress with the way they run things. When I finally got to the correct gate, I grabbed my Bible and started reading it. After waiting well well past the time we were supposed to board, I leaned to the man next to me and asked, "Has our flight been delayed or something?" He said, "Yes, for one hour." I said something to the effect of, "Well, I hope it doesn't make me miss my connection. I guess all we can do is trust God to get us where we need to go." He smiled and pointed to my Bible and said, "I can tell that you are a Christian and that you love God." Well, as you can imagine, my little comment about trusting God opened the door for me to witness to him. He did not accept Christ, but he was definitely deep in thought about everything I told him. Pray that someone will be able to harvest the fruit from the seed that has been sown.
I arrived in Entebbe past midnight. Kerri Phillips and a missionary in Entebbe named Mr. Joiner took me to his house. Sarah, another visitor, was also staying there and will be traveling up to Soroti with us. We (Kerri, Sarah, and I) stayed up until 3:00 watching USA play Portugal in the World Cup. I was only awake for the first half.
I arrived in Entebbe past midnight. Kerri Phillips and a missionary in Entebbe named Mr. Joiner took me to his house. Sarah, another visitor, was also staying there and will be traveling up to Soroti with us. We (Kerri, Sarah, and I) stayed up until 3:00 watching USA play Portugal in the World Cup. I was only awake for the first half.
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
Cameroon: June 21, 2014
The past few days are a blur. I spent June 21 getting the Chamberlins' website up and running. I also had 3 sessions with the lock-in girls. After the evening session, I said my goodbyes to my new lady friends. My heart hurt -- it hurt badly. And then my heart was virtually ripped in two when I had to say goodbye to the children. So many tears -- shed by me and the children. I read them their last bedtime story and gave them the little gifts I brought for them. I've never been so sad to leave a place. If God does not choose to lead me a different direction, I cannot see myself anywhere but in Cameroon. Even here in Uganda, I find myself comparing it to Cameroon. I can't explain it. My heart is being tugged back to those Cameroonians.
Saturday, June 21, 2014
Cameroon: June 20, 2014
Today was spent helping Mrs. C with the website and preparing things for the girls lock-in which began this evening and will last until Sunday afternoon.
Some of the kids have brought me letters and gifts. One of the cards had holes in the thin paper. The girl had indicated that that was where she had been crying as she wrote it. I can hardly bear to leave my little "pikins" (children) on Sunday.
After the lock-in girls ate their dinner, Elizabeth asked me if I would share a story with them. I wracked my brain trying to think of something, when the story "Stay in the Castle" popped into my head. It is a story about waiting for the right man and not settling for someone God did not intend for them to have. I recounted it from memory as best as I could. The girls were so intently listening. At the sad parts, their eyes grew sullen as they furrowed their brows. At the end of the story, I encouraged them to look at themselves as children of the King of Kings and to realize that He has a perfect mate for them. All they need to do is grow close to God and practice patience and discretion. Then I taught them the song "Sanctuary," which they picked up very quickly. When I left, one of the African ladies had them sing "Sanctuary" one more time. I could hear their sweet voices echo through the night air as I walked back to the house. What a way to end a day!
Some of the kids have brought me letters and gifts. One of the cards had holes in the thin paper. The girl had indicated that that was where she had been crying as she wrote it. I can hardly bear to leave my little "pikins" (children) on Sunday.
After the lock-in girls ate their dinner, Elizabeth asked me if I would share a story with them. I wracked my brain trying to think of something, when the story "Stay in the Castle" popped into my head. It is a story about waiting for the right man and not settling for someone God did not intend for them to have. I recounted it from memory as best as I could. The girls were so intently listening. At the sad parts, their eyes grew sullen as they furrowed their brows. At the end of the story, I encouraged them to look at themselves as children of the King of Kings and to realize that He has a perfect mate for them. All they need to do is grow close to God and practice patience and discretion. Then I taught them the song "Sanctuary," which they picked up very quickly. When I left, one of the African ladies had them sing "Sanctuary" one more time. I could hear their sweet voices echo through the night air as I walked back to the house. What a way to end a day!
Cameroon: June 18-19, 2014
It's been a few days since I've written, I know. On the 18th, we left early in the morning for Kotto. All I packed was a change of clothes, some bug spray, my toothbrush and toothpaste, my camera, my Bible, my umbrella, and my Joseph flashcards series. Space was so limited in the vehicle (a 9-seater 4-wheel drive which we packed with 13 people and LOTS of supplies) that I only brought with me what was necessary (journal excluded.)
We actually ended up getting a very late start because it had rained that morning, and the steep hill in front of the mission compound was too slick to drive down with all those people and all that luggage. The kids and I trekked down the hill (Cynthia and Emillienne held my hands to steady me the whole way down) and began praying together as the vehicle made its way slowly down, sliding in several places.
The road to Kotto is inexplicably long and bumpy, and it didn't help that the sleeping child Mrs. Chamberlin was holding wet herself -- and Mrs. C -- and me!!! Needless to say, my only change of clothes was donned immediately upon our arrival at Kotto.
I really didn't know what to expect when we arrived -- scratch that. I had really expected there to be a working toilet, a gas stove, and a pole shelter for us to host the VBS in; sadly, none of those expectations were met. It had even started raining. I was starting to lose faith that this is really what God wanted us to do that day -- either that, or the devil was REALLY trying to keep something good from happening. The latter was definitely the case. God had a special plan. Some of the men set up makeshift benches beneath the roof of the Chamberlins' new house, and Liberman went into the village to tell the children to come. After a meager lunch of a piece of bread and a banana, the Chamberlins, the kids, Aunt Paula, and I went out to greet the children who were beginning to trickle in. About 50 showed up. We sang songs at the beginning. They seemed really timid until I taught them the song "I'm In, Right Out, Right Up, Right Down." To my surprise, Mrs. Chamberlin leaned over to me and whispered, "I think that since there are so few children, and that this is the only adequate shelter, you should teach the Joseph story. She retreated back into the small (partially finished) house to rest (It's about time!) She has typhoid, and I have been begging her to rest for weeks!
The children were so engrossed in the Joseph story that I hated to stop, but at the end of the story, when Joseph forgave his brothers, the Spirit led me to talk about how Jesus forgave us despite all the wicked things we do. It was the perfect invitation opportunity. Seven young men (12-14 years old probably) raised their hands wanting to accept Christ, and my Aunt Paula got to talk to them about salvation and lead them in the sinner's prayer. After I started the other children on a coloring page, I talked with the boys about living a righteous life and forming a relationship with their Savior. We gave them New Testaments the next day. Praise God He used us despite my lack of faith!
Supper was a Slim Jim, some old cheese, a slice of bread, and some pineapple and papaya. When the sun went down, we went down, too, nestling into our "beds" by candlelight. The kids slept at the chief's house, Dad Chamberlin slept in the vehicle, and the other men slept outside beneath the roof of the newer house where we held VBS. In the little house, Aunt Paula got the bed, I got a torn army cot, and Mrs. C got a recliner.
The night was very long. Mrs. C coughed the whole night with her typhoid. I got up once to help her find something, and whenever I woke up to her coughing, I prayed for her. Often I heard her muttering prayers and whispering hymns in the darkness. It was a rough night; I was glad to see the sun again.
No gas stove means no hot water. No hot water means no coffee. No coffee means a very disgruntled auntie and niece. I got Stephen to build a little fire for me to heat water over in a skillet, and everyone seemed to perk up nicely when the steaming life-juice kissed our weary lips.
VBS started at 9:00. Mom Chamberlin stayed inside again while I conducted the whole thing -- songs, story of Daniel, coloring, and tug-of-war. *Frances Eller, the kids loved the candy and prizes you sent -- especially the helicopters. You should have seen their eyes when I showed them how they work!*
I was finished by 11:00, and we were packed and back in Limbe by mid-afternoon. Not bad! We were so tired by the time we got back that we almost forgot about Bible study that night! The people rejoiced when they heard about the Lord's work in Kotto.
We actually ended up getting a very late start because it had rained that morning, and the steep hill in front of the mission compound was too slick to drive down with all those people and all that luggage. The kids and I trekked down the hill (Cynthia and Emillienne held my hands to steady me the whole way down) and began praying together as the vehicle made its way slowly down, sliding in several places.
The road to Kotto is inexplicably long and bumpy, and it didn't help that the sleeping child Mrs. Chamberlin was holding wet herself -- and Mrs. C -- and me!!! Needless to say, my only change of clothes was donned immediately upon our arrival at Kotto.
I really didn't know what to expect when we arrived -- scratch that. I had really expected there to be a working toilet, a gas stove, and a pole shelter for us to host the VBS in; sadly, none of those expectations were met. It had even started raining. I was starting to lose faith that this is really what God wanted us to do that day -- either that, or the devil was REALLY trying to keep something good from happening. The latter was definitely the case. God had a special plan. Some of the men set up makeshift benches beneath the roof of the Chamberlins' new house, and Liberman went into the village to tell the children to come. After a meager lunch of a piece of bread and a banana, the Chamberlins, the kids, Aunt Paula, and I went out to greet the children who were beginning to trickle in. About 50 showed up. We sang songs at the beginning. They seemed really timid until I taught them the song "I'm In, Right Out, Right Up, Right Down." To my surprise, Mrs. Chamberlin leaned over to me and whispered, "I think that since there are so few children, and that this is the only adequate shelter, you should teach the Joseph story. She retreated back into the small (partially finished) house to rest (It's about time!) She has typhoid, and I have been begging her to rest for weeks!
The children were so engrossed in the Joseph story that I hated to stop, but at the end of the story, when Joseph forgave his brothers, the Spirit led me to talk about how Jesus forgave us despite all the wicked things we do. It was the perfect invitation opportunity. Seven young men (12-14 years old probably) raised their hands wanting to accept Christ, and my Aunt Paula got to talk to them about salvation and lead them in the sinner's prayer. After I started the other children on a coloring page, I talked with the boys about living a righteous life and forming a relationship with their Savior. We gave them New Testaments the next day. Praise God He used us despite my lack of faith!
Supper was a Slim Jim, some old cheese, a slice of bread, and some pineapple and papaya. When the sun went down, we went down, too, nestling into our "beds" by candlelight. The kids slept at the chief's house, Dad Chamberlin slept in the vehicle, and the other men slept outside beneath the roof of the newer house where we held VBS. In the little house, Aunt Paula got the bed, I got a torn army cot, and Mrs. C got a recliner.
The night was very long. Mrs. C coughed the whole night with her typhoid. I got up once to help her find something, and whenever I woke up to her coughing, I prayed for her. Often I heard her muttering prayers and whispering hymns in the darkness. It was a rough night; I was glad to see the sun again.
No gas stove means no hot water. No hot water means no coffee. No coffee means a very disgruntled auntie and niece. I got Stephen to build a little fire for me to heat water over in a skillet, and everyone seemed to perk up nicely when the steaming life-juice kissed our weary lips.
VBS started at 9:00. Mom Chamberlin stayed inside again while I conducted the whole thing -- songs, story of Daniel, coloring, and tug-of-war. *Frances Eller, the kids loved the candy and prizes you sent -- especially the helicopters. You should have seen their eyes when I showed them how they work!*
I was finished by 11:00, and we were packed and back in Limbe by mid-afternoon. Not bad! We were so tired by the time we got back that we almost forgot about Bible study that night! The people rejoiced when they heard about the Lord's work in Kotto.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)