A Wedding Day

One of our AUNTIES got married today! 24 children, 7 staff, and I traveled in the poda pod (OH MY!) all the way to the East End of town to enjoy the day. We started out at 8 and returned home 11 hours later  but every hour spent stuffed in that van with 30 other people was worth it.

I was excited to see if a SL wedding was different from an "American" wedding. It's not that different. A bit more relaxed; you are free to yell and use silly string and confetti throughout the whole ceremony! There were 2 offering during the service, which I was NOT prepared for but thankfully I had a couple thousand in my purse. I think that at least 25 people signed the wedding license and there was a pledge time where people stood and pledged what they would give the couple in the future...they will be receiving LOTS of diapers if they ever are blessed with a little one:) And different groups and families wore matching clothes...you'll see our beautiful style below.

I have a few pictures of the day but none of the bride:(

The children sang a song about marriage for the couple.

Waiting for the reception to begin...HOT and TIRED and HUNGRY is the look on their faces!

The TRS staff sang LOUDLY and ENTHUSIASTICALLY and slightly out of tune.

But they DANCED well and they ENJOYED the party!

The flower girls and the page boy...this is at the end of the day when we arrived back at the center...they could barely stand up straight they were so tired.

I've been having a lot of Elijah moments lately. I wish it were the BIG moments when he fed people or showed God's glory to hundreds of false god worshippers. It would be nice if it were similar to his prayers that stopped rain for 3 years and then got God to send rain again just at the right time. I'd like a dose of his confidence, his faithfulness, and his courage. But those aren't where I'm at right now. It would even be okay if they were the silent moments of Elijah...I'm sure there were many good things that he did that aren't recorded in history!

In 1 Kings 19 Elijah runs away...

He's just defeated a worship system that has enslaved people for years. 

He's won ground for the Lord by showing that God's power is greater than any other.

He's killed hundreds of his enemies.

He ran a race and beat a king in a chariot.

He's prayed for rain and seen an immediate answer. 

BUT he is threatened by a woman--yes she's the queen but he's faced her before--and he RUNS AWAY.

He goes and sits under a broom tree and asks God to finish him off. 

He's tired.

crabby. 

hungry.

thirsty.

He's wondering where God is. 

Where's his reward.

protection.

success.

friends.

And I LOVE what God does next he sends an Angel with water, food, sleep and REST. Because God knows that we are whole people...that's how he made us...and we cannot function without enough food, water, and sleep...EVEN if we are doing good things for him, eventually we all come to the point where we have to sit down under the broom tree and get fed. And I don't think we are supposed to spiritualize this and say God gave him the spiritual food he needed to go on...that comes later...in this moment Elijah gets EXACTLY what he needs--real, physical food and water and sleep.

Then God addresses his crabbiness and his wonder with a question, "“What are you doing here, Elijah?” 

And Elijah is not afraid to give his real, honest answer filled with all his wonders and self-righteousness...“I have zealously served the Lord God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.” OR "I've done all that you asked. Why have you left me alone! Hello, I am following you and this is NOT the way the story is supposed to be!" 

God's answer is beautiful.

a storm. 

an earthquake. 

a fire.  

a whisper. (my translation says a thin silence)

Elijah goes to stand with God. WOW! and repeats the same thing...God asks, "why are you here?" Elijah responds, "It's not fair and I am all alone but I follow you!"

And God answers with EXACTLY what Elijah needs...Hope for the future! 

New kings to anoint.

7,000 other followers who never bowed to false gods.

An apprentice to take his place when the time came for him to die.

Elijah goes away from this time with God refreshed physically. He's heard by a compassionate Father who reminds him gently that he is not alone and all is not lost. He steps back into life/ministry with a new plan. God gives him a companion and reminds him that the work of the Lord will go on through others long after he is gone. His plan is bigger.

than one event.

one moment.

one prayer.

one king.

one defeat.

one earthquake.

one prophet.

one nation.

There is so much we can learn from this account from Elijah. I shared the story at staff devotions and one staff member said he loved this story because it showed God's Word is inspired. If it wasn't the writer would have left out this part that makes Elijah look like anything but a hero. We like our heros to be strong always, unwavering in faith, and sure. But maybe that's why I love Elijah so much...he, like so many of the Bible's characters, was flawed and human! 

I think that no matter where we serve or how we serve, if we are serving the Lord we all face Elijah moments...we face the ones where everything is good and God's hand on us is evident to all; we face the ones where we run away, get stuck under a broom tree, and have to have the Lord rescue us. He lovingly changes feeds us, listens to us, speaks to us in silence, and changes our focus. Maybe he gives us a new ministry or like Elijah shows us how to turn it over to someone next. I don't know where you are at...I know where I am.

I'm at the end of a season.

tired. 

crabby.

hungry for home.

thirsty for diet coke.

Wondering what's next.

how do I finish well.

where do I go from here.

looking for a broom tree...not to die under! just to get some rest!

And God is gently reminding me his plan is bigger. 

than one year.

one opportunity.

one dream. 

one prayer.

one defeat.

one nation.

one idea.

He is always good, 

His grace is sufficient

and I am always loved....and so are you.

A Birthday Celebration: July-September

The CAKE...chocolate. YUMMY!

Our Grandpa lead the singing.

The celebrants!

Happy Birthday!

Always ready to pose for the camera.

JUICE!

POPCORN!

Favorite Big Sister

Not a fan of silly hats.

The girls.

Over the last year I've gotten pretty good at ignoring the poverty around me. It's a terrible thing, perhaps, but it is also coping. Our Social Worker keeps telling me, "Cari if you try to help everyone you'll help no one and you'll have nothing left." I often find comfort in knowing that when Jesus walked this messy earth HE didn't heal everyone, talk to everyone, or rescue everyone. In fact, I don't know if he lifted a single person out of poverty. He fed a few, prayed with and for them but mostly he lived with them...as a poor man...and reminded them that there is more to life than what you do or don't have. He denounced the systems that held them captive and oppressed them and HE declared that rich or poor...the KINGDOM OF HEAVEN is yours if you choose it. 

But this ignoring only goes so far, and there are days when I am so overwhelmed by what I see and what I have and many don't have that I can barely function. In living color I see the contrast between the house that I live in here with it's running water and electricity and the shack next door build out of tarps and tin. When I am driving, ALONE in my car I see the LOOOOOOONG lines of people waiting for a ride on a bus that should seat 10 but will seat 25+, or the new city buses that can hold hundreds if you pack them in tight enough. I drive by the market where people buy barely enough food--that's been sitting out in the hot sun covered with flies--for one meal; I am on my way to the supermarket where I have been known to complain when they don't have the kind of ice cream bar I like. 

I had one of those days last week. I was out to get my weekly supply of groceries and on the way back all I could see was children. EVERYWHERE! Walking on the side of the road, shopping in the markets, selling cookies and fruit, and toting 5 gallon buckets of water. And my heart cried...Jesus, why?!? It's a school day! They look hungry! They should be playing and learning! WHY!?! and then I started to think...which one is mine to care for? I know I can only take one or maybe two, which one is mine? And the LORD who knows and understand me and loves me said this to my heart...."That one is mine! The one in the pink frilly dress, SHE IS MINE!" And I began to see the smiles on their faces. The adults around them who were holding their hands; the strangers who were helping them to cross the street. 

There is a richness in followers of Christ here that I wonder if many who grew up in the US can truly understand or obtain. Pastor Daniel says often that riches come from a content heart...in knowing that God provides and trusting that provision however big or small is from HIM and is for a purpose. 

My eyes have been opened to the world around me...but there is blessed and sweet rest for my soul in this...the God of the Universe, who created each one of these dear little ones, knows each by name. He watches over them. He might call me or you to care for a few; to be a part of HIS hand in their lives and we should listen when HE does and be ready. They are ALWAYS HIS. 

He is mine! See the one who holds his hand, that is me. 

She is mine! See that smile, I put it there.

 That one's mine!

AND 

You are mine! 

A Queen

Today we had a special visitor...Miss West Africa Sierra Leone!

She read to the children and talked to them about doing well in school and working to become someone someday. They told her they want to be lawyers, doctors, presidents, teachers, nurses, bankers, dolphins and sharks when they grow up:) Our girls all want to be African Queens now...me I was just amazed again at our children! They were warm and welcoming, they gave speeches and sang songs, and they impressed that Queen to tears!

Here is our own Miss TRS African Queen!

Here's some pictures of our last few weeks at The Covering.

The Ruth girls came over for dinner. We ate chicken (including the bones), pizza, rice, and salad. YUM! We also told jokes and learned to eat with a fork and knife.

Sam's school doesn't start for a few weeks, I have been giving him assignments each morning...here he is writing a letter to a man in Spain who collects letters from all over the world. I'm not sure if he'll ever receive this one from Sierra Leone but the field trip to the post office was great fun. 

We are still getting a bit of rain. See the clouds? But recess is back! 

The library is open!

It's hot and we are sweating all the time...mostly it's me that is sweating:)

Baby Cari came to visit. She ate more rice than I did:)

The babies room got new bowls and spoons.

They also got new potties compliments of the Babies Room Staff. Amazing that they would donate to this ministry too.

This a daily occurrence. I get stuck under a pile of kids. Love it!

Water Wasted.

I notice different things now when I read the Bible. Stuff I never saw before or thought of as important.

Maybe because before this time in Sierra Leone I've always known that when you flip a light switch the lights come on...and if not it's on the news and everyone is talking about an outage. Here there is no pattern and no way to predict if there will be light or not. Everyday is a whole new adventure.

The water works that way too...sometimes you turn on a tap and NOTHING comes out. And it seems that everyday we have a discussion about the lack of water. I've never thought so much about water in my life.

So this week, when I was reading through 1 Kings, I read the familiar story of Elijah on Mnt. Carmel and was struck by something new...IT HADN'T RAINED FOR 3 YEARS! Imagine the water crisis! No wonder the king was crabby...he was also known as one who did more to anger the Lord than any king before him, not a great guy at all. Elijah calls the priests of Baal to call upon their god to consume their offering with fire and Baal doesn't show up; then he sets an offering out for YHWH. He has his servant gather 4 jars of water 3 times and pour it over the alter, in other words--Elijah WASTES water in the middle of a drought! I also feel compassion for that unnamed servant while reading this, to find that much water, in a drought, and haul it up the mountain was not an easy task! I've watched people carry 5 gallon buckets of water up a hill that I can barely climb without breathing like I just ran a marathon!

But back to the water...12 BIG jars full! GONE! This story is about so many things but I caught a glimpse...a picture, like the picture in the New Testament of a woman pouring perfume on the feet of Jesus...of faith that wastes what is most precious on earth to worship and express trust in a God who provides. Elijah had faith; he knew that when the people turned back to God because of this sacrifice and God's appearance on the mount, God would send rain. That which was "wasted" and consumed would be returned. Maybe Elijah wasn't sure of the results or the timing but he was simply sure that God would show up. Somehow, someway. He'd be there.

And after the confrontation is over, and Elijah has destroyed the priests of Baal (that's the edited for children's ministry version in the real version he slaughters them, but that's the stuff of nightmares and horror movies!) he prays for rain...and sends his servant 7 times to check to see if the rain clouds are gathering (again poor servant, he's go to be tired) and on the seventh time there is a cloud! The rain comes! Fast and furious! I imagine it to be like some of the rains we have here; not gentle and cleansing but FEIRCE and DRENCHING. 

I used to think the water was only necessary so that everyone would know this is not a trick...now I wonder if it was something else entirely. Something to ponder anyway. I'm going to take some HUGE leaps here and share some things that I think might be for me in this new reading of the story...

God uses all kinds of things to get out attention...things that are good like miracles and rainbows and things that are hard like droughts and famines. 

God cares about water...it's all over the place in the scriptures; must be important.

Sometimes it feels like I am wasting things that are precious on earth; it is not waste if it is done to bring glory to God. 

Often when we waste things that are precious on earth, the God who provides often gives it back multiplied. 

Got this song stuck in my head today...it's been a long time (I was a small girl) since I've had this one playing in my head:) but it's just what I need today.


He's Still Working on Me
CHORUS:
He's still working on me to make me what I ought to be.
It took Him just a week to make the moon and stars,
The sun and the earth and Jupiter and Mars.
How loving and patient He must be, He's still working on me.
1. There really ought to be a sign upon the heart,
Don't judge her yet, there's an unfinished part.
But I'll be perfect just according to His plan
Fashioned by the Master's loving hands.
CHORUS:
2. In the mirror of His Word reflections that I see
Make me wonder why He never gave up on me.
He loves me as I am and helps me when I pray
Remember He's the Potter, I'm the clay.
CHORUS:
by Joel Hemphill

Day 35

September 28, 2011     

THE BEACH!

I have a serious love for the beach...WAVES, SUN, SAND, SHOPPING, FRESH SEAFOOD, DANCING (we had a sound system this time) and the SQUEALS and LAUGHTER of 90+ children and staff. It's my favorite day. I played "lifeguard" most of the time today...standing in the deep, watching to make sure no one got in over their head or swept up by a way...it's where I love to be, observing the joy and fun of others. I also took time to play; to dig my hands and toes into the sand and soak in the grace of God.  He gives us all things to enjoy...good, perfect gifts...

Day 30

September 23rd, 2011

Today I've felt a gentle easing--a realization that there is life and joy in the ordinary. Not every day will be spectacular or filled with extraordinary things. Most days will be filled with the ordinary...small things like sitting at a table and sharing a meal with a child, smiles, emails, a few pictures, quick connections--that's all. 

We had a welcome ceremony today for the new team that arrived. They always wonder when they come what their purpose here is and God has a way of revealing His purpose...for them this place, these children will transform their thinking about who God is and what He is calling all of us to do...but mostly they are here for the simple, the ordinary...

to give a plastic bag of water

a piece of cheese

a piece of bread

to look a child in the eyes

say "I love you"

to pray and be prayed for

to be a "jungle gym" for a few days

paint a wall 

HUG.

that's all but the ordinary will bring such joy to all of us and it will become extraordinary!

Day 28

September 21, 2011

Anna Logan...my sister-in-love! How I love you!

Your encouragement, your prayers, and your love remind me that there is joy and life everyday. It's your birthday today and I am so grateful for you. Happy Birthday!

If you didn't get the email...here's my newsletter for September!