Short independence day parade...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fl-SaMLKWfc
Panga view from the house...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sgdy02Doe5k
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Through Hannah's eyes
So one thing that I'm sure I've mentioned before (as you get older you start to repeat things), is that moving to a different country really changes your perspective on things. Changes your paradigms, etc. One of the interns Hannah (my roomie) left me all her pictures from her trip... it is really neat looking at her pictures and seeing Gabon through her eyes. I will post more in the future. 
Out of town...
We are going out of town again, yes again! This time it is to attend the Field Forum - all the C&MA missionaries here in Gabon get together for a time of refreshing. Our speaker this year actually lived in this house before Tim & Meredith did. We are leaving tomorrow morning and plan to be back next Saturday.
Scholarship
Scholarship...
I've had some interest in people wanting to help out with the English class expenditures and I've been slack about getting back to them. This morning I had an idea though... we're starting our first English class for level one on the 10th of September. One person has sent me a text that he would like to attend, but can't afford the class (for students it is ~$50 and for adults it is ~$100 for a twelve week session). If you would be interested in providing a scholarship, please let me know so that I can offer it to the students.
I've had some interest in people wanting to help out with the English class expenditures and I've been slack about getting back to them. This morning I had an idea though... we're starting our first English class for level one on the 10th of September. One person has sent me a text that he would like to attend, but can't afford the class (for students it is ~$50 and for adults it is ~$100 for a twelve week session). If you would be interested in providing a scholarship, please let me know so that I can offer it to the students.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Panga Pictures
Here's the Thompson's house that they let us stay at for a week. It's got solar power and it catches the water off the roof and stores it in a cistern.
After driving one day to get to Bongolo and then getting up the next day and driving five more hours to Panga Sam is very excited to finally get there!
The guys walking up the beach with their boogie boards. The current was pretty strong where we were so the guys would walk up the beach a little and work the waves back down. It was kind of like a lazy river. I would get in the water up the beach a little and float down past us, get out and do it all again!
After driving one day to get to Bongolo and then getting up the next day and driving five more hours to Panga Sam is very excited to finally get there!
The guys walking up the beach with their boogie boards. The current was pretty strong where we were so the guys would walk up the beach a little and work the waves back down. It was kind of like a lazy river. I would get in the water up the beach a little and float down past us, get out and do it all again!
Meredith, Megan, and Alace among the roots... lots of exposed roots there!
Hannah showed me how to adjust photos and make them look cooler... Alace and Meredith walking on the beach...
Hannah showed me how to adjust photos and make them look cooler... Alace and Meredith walking on the beach...
Meredith and I discovered this cool little pool tucked in between the jungle and the ocean... if Meredith were a monkey this is where you could find her.
We drove down a hill and then walked through the jungle to get to the beach... Meredith at the entrance to the jungle path.
Megan walking along the beach...
Our closest neighbors...
Misc pics for friends
Pictures for Kate who gave me this cool passport cover thingy. Because of the elections coming up we take our passport with us if we leave town. I was using mine to try to keep the window up until we found the rubber door stop we normally use.
Jeanne I didn't know Axel had a hair place over here.
Remember the pizza demonstration?
The ladies in my church asked me to come and show them how to make pizza... here are some pictures from that experience...
Mama Collette (my pastor's wife) is putting the toppings on. Notice the toppings for this pizza are ham and pineapple - yes I taught them how to make a Hawaiian pizza! I also taught them a few of my other favorites as well. Jeanne you would be proud, we made a mushroom and olive pizza! There is no pepperoni here so you have to figure out other toppings.
Here is one of the other Mamas showing off the basil and tomato pizza.
I love candid shots and this is the reason why, you can get the smiles and laughter you don't see in a posed picture. They don't tend to smile much in photos so I always say "sourire". I don't even know the name of this lady, but I just loved this photo and wanted to share it!
This pizza I let the ladies choose which toppings they wanted to put on. Notice the fridge in the background... in the living room where we did the demonstration. The kitchen was a much smaller room that didn't have a light, running water, or a sink - just a gas oven with a few pots and pans around. When I asked to wash my hands she poured some water in a pot and handed me a bar of soap. It's weird all the things you get used to... but there is always more than one way to do something and usually they know another way!
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Final round
How often are teams coming?
We started having teams at the end of June and they come for 10-12 days... usually we got a day or two in between teams, but not always. Teams ranged from 6 people to 20 something... we had two teams here at a time sometimes so at one time we had 43 people in the house - packed! There were also some individuals or couples that came out this summer for anywhere from 2 weeks to 7 weeks. We just finished with our last team of the summer the first week in August. We have another medical team of 2 coming for the month of October.
How often do you go to the eye clinic?
What other "teams" like the eye clinic are there?
I'm going to lump these together and just explain the Medical Clinic and Caravan.
There is a medical clinic here in Libreville that does general consultations, eye consults, and prosthetics. They also have a medical caravan (that we help with) that does general consults and eye consults. They will go to a village and talk to the chief and ask him if he (or sometimes a she) would like to have the medical caravan come to their village, usually they answer yes and set a date. The chief is then responsible for getting the word out. We show up on the agreed date - do a gospel presentation and then a health talk (sometimes about mosquitos, eyes, or health issue depending on the village). Normally when we set up we put the eye clinic in a different building just because she needs a dark room in order to see in their eyes. But we come as a package deal...
(picture of Sharla, Mama Jeanine, Meredith, and Mama Parienne sitting out in front of the building we did the caravan in)
Have you gotten sick?
Not really, oh yeah I did throw up once, but I think that was some bad mayo or a lettuce issue. I really haven't had any noteworthy digestive issues. One time I did have a sinus problem/infection but it went away in a few days. As I write this I'm also remembering the ear infection I had... that was bad, it hurt, but thankfully Mama Jeanine prescribed me some meds! It's nice having a close connection with the medical caravan!!
Would you like anything sent?
Definitely - an airplane with my friends and family on it!!!!
I would love for you to come here and share my experiences! I really want all of you to see/touch/smell/experience this adventure!
We started having teams at the end of June and they come for 10-12 days... usually we got a day or two in between teams, but not always. Teams ranged from 6 people to 20 something... we had two teams here at a time sometimes so at one time we had 43 people in the house - packed! There were also some individuals or couples that came out this summer for anywhere from 2 weeks to 7 weeks. We just finished with our last team of the summer the first week in August. We have another medical team of 2 coming for the month of October.
How often do you go to the eye clinic?
What other "teams" like the eye clinic are there?
I'm going to lump these together and just explain the Medical Clinic and Caravan.
There is a medical clinic here in Libreville that does general consultations, eye consults, and prosthetics. They also have a medical caravan (that we help with) that does general consults and eye consults. They will go to a village and talk to the chief and ask him if he (or sometimes a she) would like to have the medical caravan come to their village, usually they answer yes and set a date. The chief is then responsible for getting the word out. We show up on the agreed date - do a gospel presentation and then a health talk (sometimes about mosquitos, eyes, or health issue depending on the village). Normally when we set up we put the eye clinic in a different building just because she needs a dark room in order to see in their eyes. But we come as a package deal...(picture of Sharla, Mama Jeanine, Meredith, and Mama Parienne sitting out in front of the building we did the caravan in)
Have you gotten sick?
Not really, oh yeah I did throw up once, but I think that was some bad mayo or a lettuce issue. I really haven't had any noteworthy digestive issues. One time I did have a sinus problem/infection but it went away in a few days. As I write this I'm also remembering the ear infection I had... that was bad, it hurt, but thankfully Mama Jeanine prescribed me some meds! It's nice having a close connection with the medical caravan!!
Would you like anything sent?
Definitely - an airplane with my friends and family on it!!!!
I would love for you to come here and share my experiences! I really want all of you to see/touch/smell/experience this adventure!
More answers
What have you learned about yourself?
I think the biggest thing I've learned so far is how prideful I am - I want to be the greatest, want to be in control - think my way is the right way. But most of the time it's really not that important - it is more important for me to keep my mouth shut and not try to correct people all the time. Just ask Tim. Although he does have to admit that I know how to build a fire (thanks to my girl scout days)! Also that I'm not as good a listener as I used to be.
(Picture of yours truly... notice the great posture Christie!)
What did you think that you would miss but you don’t?
I'm definitely a people person, and I knew I would miss people - and guess what? I do... terribly. It hit me the other day that when I return things will be different, people will have changed.
Like when you refer to the worksite...what is that?
One of Tim's roles here is to connect the short term teams that come out, to what is going on here in Gabon. He connects each team with a different church, usually a church that has a work project going on. This allows each team to connect with a local church and that church to connect with ONE team. If you had all the teams going to one church - you would get more work done on that church, but that church would have a difficult time connecting with so many groups... it's hard enough to connect with people you see for only 5/7 days. Remember the goal here isn't necessarily getting the task done, but building relationships! It was really amazing how well the groups connected despite the short time period and despite the language barrier! Gabonese are warm and caring people... they give love easily and quickly. And great hospitality!!
(This is one of the worksites I went to... the one refered to in the Sam Purse shoebox letter... notice the block all around and the wood forms in the front for pouring cement on that side)
Are you hosting the short term mission teams or is your main responsibility the TESL? My main responsibility is TESL, but for a week or so I was waiting on my assistant to finish administering the BAC (like the SATs in the US) and now we are waiting till after the elections to start the course. Insert post on waiting here... So when I'm not doing TESL work, I help teams. I normally do some manually labor with them and maybe a little translation here and there, but the interns are the ones that lead the teams.
I think the biggest thing I've learned so far is how prideful I am - I want to be the greatest, want to be in control - think my way is the right way. But most of the time it's really not that important - it is more important for me to keep my mouth shut and not try to correct people all the time. Just ask Tim. Although he does have to admit that I know how to build a fire (thanks to my girl scout days)! Also that I'm not as good a listener as I used to be.(Picture of yours truly... notice the great posture Christie!)
What did you think that you would miss but you don’t?
I'm definitely a people person, and I knew I would miss people - and guess what? I do... terribly. It hit me the other day that when I return things will be different, people will have changed.
Like when you refer to the worksite...what is that?
One of Tim's roles here is to connect the short term teams that come out, to what is going on here in Gabon. He connects each team with a different church, usually a church that has a work project going on. This allows each team to connect with a local church and that church to connect with ONE team. If you had all the teams going to one church - you would get more work done on that church, but that church would have a difficult time connecting with so many groups... it's hard enough to connect with people you see for only 5/7 days. Remember the goal here isn't necessarily getting the task done, but building relationships! It was really amazing how well the groups connected despite the short time period and despite the language barrier! Gabonese are warm and caring people... they give love easily and quickly. And great hospitality!!
(This is one of the worksites I went to... the one refered to in the Sam Purse shoebox letter... notice the block all around and the wood forms in the front for pouring cement on that side)
Are you hosting the short term mission teams or is your main responsibility the TESL? My main responsibility is TESL, but for a week or so I was waiting on my assistant to finish administering the BAC (like the SATs in the US) and now we are waiting till after the elections to start the course. Insert post on waiting here... So when I'm not doing TESL work, I help teams. I normally do some manually labor with them and maybe a little translation here and there, but the interns are the ones that lead the teams.
Le Bon Reponse
Ok, these may not be the right answers, but they are the only ones I've got...
What is the best thing about Gabon so far?
Wow... just one thing... well it would definitely be the people! They are so loving, welcoming, fun, etc. The other great things about Gabon is the time away from life... time to think about God, life, purpose, time to marvel at the world around me and wonder about my place in it. I highly recommend taking time out to just ponder...
What is the most unexpected thing?
Honestly, that people actually read my blog... people that I didn't expect to...
What do I miss the most?
Family and friends - definitely! Their lives continuing on... exciting things happening, their children changing and I'm missing all that. I miss milk (can't get fresh milk here, it's either powder or highly pasteurized), fresh orange juice (also highly pasteurized - and definitely does not taste the same!), and sweet potatoes (Did the peeps at WEB see that coming?). And a good filet mignon wouldn't hurt :)
What has been the best discovery?
Learning about the world, every people group is different... they have their own strengths/ weaknesses. In Gabon they are strong (physically), fantastic prayer warriors, loving, tribe oriented, people oriented, and event oriented. Event oriented means that they are not time oriented so they tend to be late for things, but they are a patient people so it works. I love learning about different cultures - I'm reading a book about the French culture now... very different from ours despite the fact we think they are similar.
What is the best thing about Gabon so far?
Wow... just one thing... well it would definitely be the people! They are so loving, welcoming, fun, etc. The other great things about Gabon is the time away from life... time to think about God, life, purpose, time to marvel at the world around me and wonder about my place in it. I highly recommend taking time out to just ponder...
What is the most unexpected thing?
Honestly, that people actually read my blog... people that I didn't expect to...
What do I miss the most?
Family and friends - definitely! Their lives continuing on... exciting things happening, their children changing and I'm missing all that. I miss milk (can't get fresh milk here, it's either powder or highly pasteurized), fresh orange juice (also highly pasteurized - and definitely does not taste the same!), and sweet potatoes (Did the peeps at WEB see that coming?). And a good filet mignon wouldn't hurt :)
What has been the best discovery?
Learning about the world, every people group is different... they have their own strengths/ weaknesses. In Gabon they are strong (physically), fantastic prayer warriors, loving, tribe oriented, people oriented, and event oriented. Event oriented means that they are not time oriented so they tend to be late for things, but they are a patient people so it works. I love learning about different cultures - I'm reading a book about the French culture now... very different from ours despite the fact we think they are similar.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Vacation
Yeah, been here five months and I get a week's vacation! This job has some benefits! Okay so really it's Tim and Meredith's vacation, but they are letting me tag along. So I will be out of reach for the next 10 days.
Please continue to pray for the country and the elections that are coming up... the church here has been very faithful to pray for the elections! I've been praying for a peaceful transition and a new president that will be a positive impact on the country.
Also I've had some friends write with a list of questions, which I will respond to when I get back. If you have some questions you have for me, please post or email them!
What is the best thing about Gabon so far?
What is the most unexpected thing so far?
What do you miss the most?
What has been the best discovery?
What have you learned about yourself?
What did you think that you would miss but you don’t?
Like when you refer to the worksite...what is that?
Are you hosting the short term mission teams or is your main responsibility the TESL?
How often do you have teams coming?
How often do you go to the eye clinic?
What other "teams" like the eye clinic are there?
Have you gotten sick as you've been there?
Would you like anything sent to you?
Please continue to pray for the country and the elections that are coming up... the church here has been very faithful to pray for the elections! I've been praying for a peaceful transition and a new president that will be a positive impact on the country.
Also I've had some friends write with a list of questions, which I will respond to when I get back. If you have some questions you have for me, please post or email them!
What is the best thing about Gabon so far?
What is the most unexpected thing so far?
What do you miss the most?
What has been the best discovery?
What have you learned about yourself?
What did you think that you would miss but you don’t?
Like when you refer to the worksite...what is that?
Are you hosting the short term mission teams or is your main responsibility the TESL?
How often do you have teams coming?
How often do you go to the eye clinic?
What other "teams" like the eye clinic are there?
Have you gotten sick as you've been there?
Would you like anything sent to you?
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Operation Christmas Child
To all those who have put together a shoebox for a child half way around the world...
Just wanted you to see some of the results of your efforts. I tried to scan the document, but I'm not sure you will be able to read it so I will type it out below:
Some of the children from the church enjoying the jump ropes Marley (an intern) brought for them. Notice the large stump to the right of the kid in blue; when he said "a field" in the letter he must of meant land.
How many of your 4 year olds swing a pick ax? They are taught early to join in on the work and the kids really contributed to the building of their church.
Just wanted you to see some of the results of your efforts. I tried to scan the document, but I'm not sure you will be able to read it so I will type it out below:
I testify that Operation Christmas Child has brought in the missionary work that we undertake to Okolassi.
Since February 2009 the Lord directed us to start an Okolassi missionary work in this village in Gabon, lost in the tradition and initiatory practices.
In the beginning, we have encountered difficulties with people who never reply to our invitations. But perseverant in prayer, we managed to have some 5 to 7 pople and a few children who came on Sundays.
One day, the Committee Operation Christmas Child has contacted us so that we send them a list of children for gifts distribution. We addressed the children and parents to come on Sunday 10 May for this event and many came, we had so far more children than planned gifts, but we just gave to those who had been listed.
After this initial distribution, the following Sunday we had more children we have grown from 39 children to 100 children up to the second distribution May 30 and that until today.
Today we have 3 classes in the Sunday school Okolassi church, 25 to 40 children per class and we know that this operation greatly contributed to the evangelization of children and even parents come. We had a fieldthat has been offered by a parent of children who prays with us now. This land has been offered for the construction of the church because previously we had a prayer cell.
During the distribution of gifts, we also had the testimony of the Chief of the village who said that, he was initially wary when we started to pray on Sundays but now he realizes that God is doing for their children, so he will come to church.
We are very pleased that Operation Chrismas Child has done in this village, especially to small children as God gives us a young church consisting of the children, he wants to shape, transform, and grow them in his presence.
Some of the children from the church enjoying the jump ropes Marley (an intern) brought for them. Notice the large stump to the right of the kid in blue; when he said "a field" in the letter he must of meant land. 
How many of your 4 year olds swing a pick ax? They are taught early to join in on the work and the kids really contributed to the building of their church.
Seraphin, one of the kids that came everytime and helped! Please pray for him... I know God has big plans for him!
Okay thought it would be a good idea to snap a photo while swinging the jumping rope... yes their are four kids jumping! This wasn't their first rodeo!
Can you say cool?? Way neat experience to be part of the results of one of those boxes we put together!!
Saturday, August 8, 2009
A visit to the jungles of Africa
Saw the jungle/forest this morning - green and thick, lots of plants!! Our guide was awesome! He brought along nuts and fruits to show us what came from each tree! I tried to remember some of what he pointed out: One type of Ebony - out of 32, only one turns black after it is exposed to air (they are protected)
One plant that when you cut it and bang on the end with a machete it makes a loud noise... check out the video!! Watch carefully because I almost didn't get it. This is useful when you want to tell someone in the jungle where you are but you don't want to alert the elephants as to your location.
One tree that is used as an aphrodisiac
One fruit that is an energy booster and keeps you from feeling hungry
Lots of plants/trees that are used for medicinal purposes
One tree that if you get the sap in your eye it will blind you
Another tree's sap you can put in your water to give it a menthol flavor, and the sap burns easily
A photo of Hannah (my roomie) and Jacob (my grandchild - since I'm the oldest in the house he calls me his grandmere)
One tree that is impervious to bugs and termites
One tree that when you cut it down it grows another one beside it
All this from a forest in Gabon... and we don't even know the half of it I'm sure!!! Our God is amazingly creative and a wonderful provider!
Picture of Torey and Marley walking along the beach, we stopped by after the forest trip.
Ok, so some of you reading my blog I know don't believe in my God. I understand that, but how do you account for all this? So, if its not my God there must be an intelligent/creative/way above us being out there to come up with this. Someone who put together the atom and yet put together the universe... neither of which we can see with the naked eye.
No not one
Just love this song... was listening to it...
Lyrics to No Not One : Brandon Heath
No better word than from your lips
No perfect life than what you lived
No greater gift, no not one
No brighter star has ever shined
No better hope for all mankind
No higher mind, no not one
No one has ever known
This kind of love you’ve shown
There has never been a greater love
Than your son
No. Not one
And there’ll never be a name above
No, Not one
With his life you have forgiven us
Hope has come
Hope has come
And there will never be a greater love
No, Not one
No image true or sweeter frame
No simple word can match your name
No greater fame
No not one
No one has ever seen
The depth of your majesty
Chorus
No greater call
You gave us all a reason to live
No greater love
You gave us all a reason to give
No greater life
You gave us all a reason to shine
No greater love
Forever mine
[ No Not One Lyrics on http://www.lyricsmania.com/ ]
Check it out on youtube...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61GT6J01vxM&feature=related
Lyrics to No Not One : Brandon Heath
No better word than from your lips
No perfect life than what you lived
No greater gift, no not one
No brighter star has ever shined
No better hope for all mankind
No higher mind, no not one
No one has ever known
This kind of love you’ve shown
There has never been a greater love
Than your son
No. Not one
And there’ll never be a name above
No, Not one
With his life you have forgiven us
Hope has come
Hope has come
And there will never be a greater love
No, Not one
No image true or sweeter frame
No simple word can match your name
No greater fame
No not one
No one has ever seen
The depth of your majesty
Chorus
No greater call
You gave us all a reason to live
No greater love
You gave us all a reason to give
No greater life
You gave us all a reason to shine
No greater love
Forever mine
[ No Not One Lyrics on http://www.lyricsmania.com/ ]
Check it out on youtube...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61GT6J01vxM&feature=related
I love you...
My new favorite verse... or at least one that I really like and am trying to memorize.
1If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Just want to let you know that I really appreciate all the fellowship with the Spirit that I get from the other side of the ocean!! Thank you to all who comment, send me emails, fb, etc...
I love you and miss you!!
leannie
1If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Just want to let you know that I really appreciate all the fellowship with the Spirit that I get from the other side of the ocean!! Thank you to all who comment, send me emails, fb, etc...
I love you and miss you!!
leannie
TESL update
Just so you know things are starting to change in my day to day life. More people are coming to take the English exam and so some days I can't do what the others are doing - go to the beach, go to the worksite (don't feel too left out on that one:), which means I don't get to hang out with the teams as much as I would like. But I am excited to see some movement as far as the English class goes. YES, He has been teaching me PATIENCE through all this! I talked with Rachel (the Gabonese English teacher who will be assisting me), she will be the constant as new interns come to teach the course. I'm planning to get together with her this week to plan the first class! I have 16 people for level one, 11 for level two and only four for level three. We're hoping to have 10-12 people per class so we'll call all the people for level one and hopefully 10-12 people will be able to come at the scheduled time. Here's a picture of the book for level one.
Some pics from medical caravan
When we help with the medical clinic I usually help with the eye clinic. We normally set up in a different place that is darker, she needs less light so she can see into their eyes better. This is a picture with Natalie one of the nurses (acts as a doctor) with the eye clinic. She is really cool!
Just a beautiful picture - this is Gabon - green everywhere! A beautiful place! Ever thought of visiting? Now would be a great time!!
Caitlyn from the last team holding a child from the village.
Pastor Jacob playing the water jug (new instrument), so really they can make a joyful noise with anything that's around.
So while waiting for the bus to come pick us up, we had a jam/praise session! Check out this video.
Waiting...
Waiting is part of life here... waiting for a taxi, waiting for your food at a restaurant (esp. if you have a large group), waiting to see the nurse at our medical clinic, waiting for the people who said they would be here a half hour ago, waiting 2 hours for them to copy 150 pages 15 times and make them into your English class books, waiting for Leanne to finish this waiting list :)
Waiting isn't so bad though - often it gives me time to think, time to process what's going on in my life, time to thank God for this awesome experience, time to think about how He is changing me, if I'm outside... time to ponder His marvelous creation, time for prayer, etc.
Waiting isn't such a bad thing.
Waiting isn't so bad though - often it gives me time to think, time to process what's going on in my life, time to thank God for this awesome experience, time to think about how He is changing me, if I'm outside... time to ponder His marvelous creation, time for prayer, etc.
Waiting isn't such a bad thing.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
I'm still here
For my faithful followers, I'm sorry for the delay but we haven't had internet for the past few weeks. Gabon Telecom has been on strike. So that means we didn't have computer or telephone. I'm not going to type for long, but I wanted you to know that I was at least alive. Will catch up on my blogging this Friday (hopefully). Love you!
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