Leanne's Africa Adventure

Forgiveness

2012-02-03T04:28:00.000-08:00

The other night Hannah and I had finished the book we were reading and some how got on the topic of "Les Miserables". I have read the abridged version of the book (original is LONG) and I have also seen the play. But somehow I had missed a main point of the story.
She had caught the main point through the musical which she performed in in high school. She noticed that the melody for the song of Jean Valjean was the same melody as for Javert's solo.

Both men received forgiveness and grace.
Jean Valjean became a new man full of love and mercy.
Javert could not understand it or accept it and ultimately killed himself.

Addiction

2012-01-31T04:10:00.000-08:00

Hannah and I are addicts - admittedly.
We love television.
Admittance is the first step to recovery.
We don't have satellite and we don't have an antenna, so it is just movies/tv shows we own or have borrowed.
We typically fight the urge to watch TV every night.
On Wednesday nights we do a Bible Study with the Straws and other English speakers.
Some weekends we hang out with the Straws as well.
Some nights we do yoga or zumba.
Some nights we play games.
Some nights we work.
Some nights we read separately.
Some nights we read a book together. I have been reading a book to Hannah. I am a visual learner and she is an auditory learner so it just works better that way. The funny thing is that she retains more of it than I do!
Christie recommended the book "A Whole Nother Story" by Dr. Cuthbert Soup, the president of the National Center for Unsolicited Advice. For those of you who have kids it is a good "chapter" book that teaches kids words. Admittedly it taught me some too!
Other ideas?

times change

2012-01-28T07:32:00.000-08:00

This is an old picture. The stadium is already completed. The CAN (African Cup) is already started.

There are new over passes. They are improving the roads. Things are really changing here.

They have trash bins now across the street from our gate! No more trash pile. Well... it may take awhile for people to adjust. But I smile at the paintings downtown that support throwing trash in the receptacles and frown on throwing it on the ground!

news at 6... which is actually 12noon for you

2012-01-24T08:55:00.000-08:00

The Bongolo Airplane arrived on January 3rd!!
See more at...
http://gabonpilot.blogspot.com/

There were over twenty of us who went to "Turtle Camp" this year. We went over to Pointe Denis. It was a great time! Lisa (on the left) moved to Mali the day after we got back, so it was great to spend relaxing time with her before she moved. We miss her greatly!! They got to see a turtle, our second and last night there!! It was about 3am in the morning. They got to see the whole process of the mama coming up and laying her eggs... about 1h45m.

There were two families that had kids about the same ages... they had a blast!

We did a campfire on the beach! And smores!!! A treat since they don't sell graham crackers here... or marshmellows. I believe a Grandma brought the marshmellows and Joanna had graham crackers from her food order, we just had to toast them a little (humidity).

Rachael did Arabic tea... she watered it down a little for us. It is a ceremony, although we sort of did as we sat around the campfire. See more at... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moroccan_tea_culture

Notice the leaf as a hot pad??!!

Cold soup

2012-01-21T07:17:00.000-08:00

Gazpacho soup
Made from ingredients I bought on the street.
Mom would be so proud.
I was so proud.
I love being able to walk down the street and buy groceries.
Not everything I need, nor the same stuff every time.
Found cucumbers the week I made this.
This week no cucumbers, but limes!
Stuff you can buy all the time... plaintains, onions, tomatoes, green peppers, and other stuff I have no idea what to do with.

Christmas

2011-12-26T08:59:00.000-08:00

Christmas is difficult when you miss your family and friends.
But hanging with the Straw family helped to ease the pain.
I did get to talk to my family over Christmas... which was GREAT! The skype connection on Christmas day was fantastic - no delay!!

I like giving gifts when I know that it is going to make that person smile.

Megan is a gift giver... she loves to give. I loved watching her give... she's showing her dad the backpack she gave him.

Hannah and I gave Joe a wallet with our picture in it! We had the picture taken down the street and the guy took a toilet paper roll and took our picture through that to give it an effect... the effect it had on us was laughter!

Sam got a tattoo sleeve!

2011-12-06T07:48:00.001-08:00

What our weeks have looked like lately...
More pictures...

Ok so you will hardly ever see pictures of us busy at a medical clinic... cause when I'm busy working I don't have time to take pictures! We did a couple eye clinics at two schools the past two weeks.

We (mostly Hannah) helped Alace hang her Christmas decorations!

I know this is a fuzzy picture, but the lighting is more realistic... her tree (albeit fake) is beautiful!

Hannah is learning to drive stick! And she was actually driving around Libreville until we were stopped by the military the other night and he told her that she needed a Gabonese license.

We were driving home from the Straws the other night, when we got stopped at a military checkpoint. He asked to see our papers and Hannah's driving license. The fire extinguisher had expired about a year ago, the vehicle inspection had expired that day!!, and he claimed that after being in the country for six months you needed a Gabonese driver's license (though she had just started learning standard shift a couple weeks before!). So he told us it would be 36,000cfa (~$72). He left and we sat there waiting. I don't remember how many times he came back to the car, only one or two times, but the last time he asked for the money. I told him that we needed a receipt, so he said we would have to go to the police station back across town. We asked for directions, he explained, we sort of understood. But then when we asked if he would be coming with us... because he had the papers and we couldn't go to the police station without them... he offered us 10,000cfa. [For those of you unfamiliar with how things sometimes work here - that would be known as a bribe.] We acknowledged that that was a better deal, but insisted that we needed paperwork. Hannah got into the back seat, I got in to drive (after showing my Gabonese driver's license), and we motioned for him to get in the front seat. He gave us our papers and told us to get them corrected.

Moral of the story... wait them out!!

Thank you Father for the motivation, courage, and freedom to do what is right.

Praying before a building committee meeting

Building committee meeting... great minds! I am very thankful for this group of people... Pastor Hippolyte (on right), Pastor Pilot Steve (middle), and Hannah (left). They are awesome!

2011-11-29T14:29:00.001-08:00

So Hannah suggested we better document our lives...

Me doing an ear candle... have you ever done one? It is amazing how much stuff is in your ear!!

For you bird lovers out there... this guy was eating the termites on our mango tree... he actually went into the hole that is right behind his bright red head.

Living here you see knock offs of almost every brand there is... but of trucks, that's taking it a bit far... and they didn't even spell it right!

An urchin (i think) on a reef.

We went out close to a beach called Santa Clara the other day and I walked aways out on a reef.
Mom, aren't you proud of me wearing my sunproof shirt?
Jeanne... does this look familiar? My beach attire hasn't changed much!

Hannah and I both love pumpkin pie... so we made some for her English class and made the extra into this cute little heart shaped pies... with made from scratch whipped cream! Yummy!!

2011-11-16T04:58:00.000-08:00

I’ve never been a type A personality… never had any troubleleaving my work at work… until now.

I live at my office... at any time of the day there are emails to answer and work that is waiting for me.

Where do you draw lines? Where are the boundaries?

At a loss for words...

2011-11-10T03:35:00.000-08:00

Just thought I would post a few pictures...

Walter and me "debrussing" (weed eating with a machete). We took 4 boys from the Hope House out to PK 27 which is the land that they will building a permanent house for the Hope House. They loved it and Wilson asked Saturday when we would be going again!

OSPAC truck... they recently put a lot of money into revamping their truck! It really needed it... there were steel bars sticking out of the front seat - so it was dangerous for the passengers in the back!!

Papy Joe posing next to his "new" vehicle!

This is Rich's third time in Gabon. He is a Physician's Assistant from NY. Here he is at a mobile medical clinic in Mitzic (northern part of the country). We were in the Mitzic area for about 5 days! Most of the time we spent on dirt road. Rich was my 4x4 driving instructor!

Candles

2011-11-07T03:43:00.000-08:00

From my favorite artist Gerhard Richter
http://www.gerhard-richter.com/art/

Things you discover when the power goes off...
You are so thankful that you have a gas stove and can still cook!
You are thankful for the stash of candles that is around!
Everyone usually congregates in one room... where most of the candles are.
People actually talk to each other... there is no tv, no computer, and even books are a little hard to read.
You actually go to bed a little earlier, and sometimes even sleep better.

That's why we've decided to do a power outage on a more regular basis.

6th sense?

2011-10-11T08:48:00.000-07:00

2009 birthday... no I did not wear that shirt with the skirt

My fashion sense is not my strongest sense… probably morelike taste or touch. I would describemyself as more of a lands end, ll bean fashion type. When I lived in Whiteville I had people thatwould help me with my wardrobe choices. One night before I was heading to a wedding in California Meg, Alice,and Kate did a “what not to wear” for me in my living room!

2011 birthday... new shoes and new haircut too!

They will be happy to know that I now have people that helpme with my wardrobe here in Gabon. Hannah has the most influence since she lives with me and can always say…“is that what you are wearing?”. ButMama Jeanine will also make her opinion known… usually by saying how nice Ilook – whenever I wear a nice outfit or skirt!

The other ladies that help me with my wardrobe choices areAlace and her daughter Megan. Hannah,Alace, and Megan all have that design/creative/artistic sense that I greatlyappreciate!

So this year Alace and Megan gave me a skirt and a matchingclutch… (which was actually perfect because the zipper had just busted a fewdays before on the clutch I used to use!)

But looking through some pictures I realizedthat in 2009 when I was here they also gave me a skirt and purse for mybirthday!

Thank you guys for my gifts and thanks to Joanna for my new haircut!

Eat your vegetables

2011-10-10T02:01:00.000-07:00

Did your parents ever tell you... "You better eat those vegetables! There are starving kids in Africa who would gladly eat them?". Well they were wrong. See the story on Alace's blog... A life less comfortable

Mitzic

2011-10-09T16:10:00.000-07:00

We went to Mitzic a few weeks ago for a mobile clinic with OSPAC. We did a medical clinic for two days. Found this heard of cows walking down the street with their shepherd.

This is rubber coming out of the tree!! Just like maple syrup!

Here is Hannah amazed at the rubber plantation she is standing at the edge of... they cut the tree at an angle and the rubber flows out of it... cool huh?

We passed through this town... "more late"

Fruits

2011-10-02T09:53:00.000-07:00

We've got 5 of these little guys

Just thought I would share some pictures of the things growing in our yard!!! And some recent thoughts...

For those of you, like me, who have never seen a pineapple plant!

Our mango tree is full of mangoes! They'll be hitting the metal roof soon... and making it sound like someone just got shot!

Lately I've had a bad attitude... just a bit stressed out with all the things that need to be accomplished. Will talk more about that later when we get the ball rolling (suspense is killing you isn't it?).
Anyway... I've been wishing for more fruits of the Spirit (kindness, gentleness, patience, etc.). But they are not fruits of Leanne... things that I can work up and make happen... they are fruits of the Spirit living within me.
Please pray that I would let the Spirit grow inside me... water it with the Word, sit before the Son, etc.

Pictures

2011-09-29T13:02:00.001-07:00

Heard that my link to my safari pictures didn't work... so I'm trying it again.

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150290737668704.356525.520513703&l=f2ac8ecf1e&type=1

Notes

2011-09-28T04:34:00.000-07:00

It's been a long time and I just wanted to give you some idea of things going on here...
I am still alive.
We went down to the jungle last week (Bongolo) to attend a child safety seminar down there. While I was down there I had my teeth cleaned by Nennie at Bongolo Hospital! I did zoomba for the first time - what a workout!! And I had my hair cut... will post pictures when I remember to! Also took a canoe ride down the river - fun!

Week before that we went to a medical clinic with OSPAC in Mitzic... which is about 6/7 hours northeast of Libreville. There was one lady at the clinic who I couldn't get a blood pressure on... she was very thin. Last week when I was headed to the dental clinic at Bongolo I saw the same lady. As I passed her I turned around and did a double take... was that the same lady??? So I went back and asked if she was in Mitzic... she said yes and I told her I was glad she had come to the hospital to get additional help! Mitzic is in the north of Gabon and Bongolo is in the south so she travelled quite a ways!

Will write more when I think of it or when I look through the pictures that remind me of what I have actually done!

Mail

2011-09-06T09:31:00.000-07:00

So recently received two letters from people that came to Gabon…

One glowing with all the things that God has blessed him with… relationships with people on the team that he came with, a calling to be more involved with God’s ministry, experiencing a love and kindness that he wants to give to others… amazing things that he has learned and experienced during and since his time here.

One expressing frustration as she struggles to hear from God; dealing with the regret of feeling like she didn’t fully experience her time here in Gabon.

To be honest I was encouraged by both letters…

The second writer did learn that missions is hard (I second that!) and that she needed God – two huge lessons for those who want to serve Him.

But I think the thing I like about both letters is that they were both learning and growing from their experience here. Sometimes that growth can be a struggle or something that we have to wrestle with.

Have you ever sat back and watched your child struggle through something? A math problem, a puzzle, a video game… you know that the child can do it so instead of helping them you just stand back and watch?

How much wisdom, character, strength, and perseverance are gained through just having to struggle?

Traveling Chucks

2011-09-04T14:22:00.000-07:00

Want to know more... Hannah and Alace wrote wonderful tales of our trip! Times like these I wish I was a writer... but I'm glad that I went on vacation with two women who are writers! Next year we should probably take a photographer along and I won't have to do anything!!

http://alacecatherine.blogspot.com/

http://iheartgabon.wordpress.com/

Safari 2011

2011-08-23T04:29:00.000-07:00

Wanna see pictures from our traveling chucks adventure?

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150290737668704.356525.520513703&l=f2ac8ecf1e&type=1

Field Forum

2011-08-03T14:06:00.000-07:00

Field Forum is where the missionaries in Gabon get together, we…

Get to worship in English!

Hear the word of God (again in English!); Pastor Blaine was awesome! Had really great messages on being great in the sight of the LORD

Share what has gone on in the past year – each missionary gives a 10/15 minute report

Talk about our goals as a field for the next year

Play volleyball (personally my favorite!) and swim!

I consider it a retreat with a little bit of preaching and field business thrown in.

It is really great to hang out with and get to know the other missionaries on the field! You can learn so much from them… for example I learned how to fill a bathtub when you don’t have a stopper! One of the perks to this hotel was bathtubs (very rare in Gabon), but ours didn’t have a stopper. Our Field Director told us to use a plastic bag – a thin one… thick ones don’t work well.

Third from the left standing

Busy season

2011-07-16T11:59:00.000-07:00

Do you always feel like I'm always apologizing for not having written in a long time... or is that just me??
Well my excuse is going to be the amount of people we have in Gabon right now... when everyone returns back to the Envision center here in Libreville this Tuesday it will be 42 people in one house!! But only for one night. Right now those 42 are split up between here, Bongolo, and a village called Abel Abanga (sp?).
As you can imagine things are kind of crazy right now... but please continue to pray for our sanity!

Parts of the body

2011-06-09T03:43:00.000-07:00

Romans 12
³ For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. ⁴ For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, ⁵ so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. ⁶ We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your^[a] faith; ⁷ if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; ⁸ if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,^[b] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

I'm reading through Romans right now, and I came across this verse today. I am continually being challenged to grow in my role here. I'm learning to let go of the control that I think I have! To let the other parts of the body do what they are good at!!! This week I am down in Bongolo with a small team while Hannah and Eric are in Libreville with a team of 12. It is actually a great way for us to start out the summer, me having to trust and let go and them having to take charge! I'm really excited by what God will do in and through each of us!

Please continue to pray for our team...
Dan and Alicia, Hannah, Jean Romain, Eric, Vicki, and me. (Eric & Vicki came out for the summer to lead teams)

Butterflies on my ankle

news update...

2011-05-24T11:58:00.000-07:00

Olivia left me... ok us, and she was scheduled to go, but she did spend three months with us... so we were a little attached to her! I have added her blog on my list to the right.

Rose... a friend from Whiteville is moving to Uganda for a year!! So excited for her... I added her blog on my list as well.

We received a care package! From our first team... do you remember me telling you about that group of guys? Well they sent us a package with muffin mixes, a drill!!, a digital photo frame!! w/ a 16GB card!!, and a bunch of other things... can you say Christmas?? They also sent a devotional book with their picture taped to the inside covers! Great idea! We love it - Thank you FAC!!!

Other's blogs

2011-05-16T02:15:00.000-07:00

So I opened my blog this morning... not so much to write on it, sorry. But to look at the blogs that I follow (see list on the right, scroll down a bit). I found that everybody, or almost everybody - but I'm not mentioning any names... Jeanne, has updated their blog!
I am very proud of all of them... but I am especially proud of Alace because she has started writing again, and she is a fabulous writer! I keep encouraging her to write a book... I'm waiting. Anyway, on her blog she writes about dancing, but she didn't include any pictures - what was she thinking??!!! So I decided to post a picture of her (on the right) dancing with the birthday girl - Hannah! You can thank me later Alace!!

Relationships

2011-05-03T08:06:00.000-07:00

Have I mentioned that one of the big things here is relationships?

With Christ – challenging people to grow in their understanding, knowledge, and relationship with Him.

With the people in the house – learning to live with people in community.

With the Gabonese – to develop relationships with people from a different culture.

Well let me just tell you that you can only lead a horse to water – encourage him to drink, tell him how healthy it is, have him read a book on water, etc… but that does not mean that he will drink!

So when we have people that “drink” in the relationships here it is neat to sit back and watch.

This past weekend we had two new interns come in.

Hannah and I were quietly working upstairs when we hear this commotion in the yard last night. I sneak out onto the terrace to spy on them and I found Cirque de Soleil performing in our yard. I don’t know if they were doing trust exercises or what, but they seemed to be having fun!

And then the other night we had Hannah’s third and last birthday party for this year. It was with our ministry partners… I should have known it was going to get wild when Joseph came early and left a case of CDs and a good size amplifier! The fun really started when Mama Jeanine pulled out church flags and everyone stuck them to their head!! Congo line anyone? Is it really a Congo line – as in the country next to us?

2011-04-27T03:02:00.000-07:00

Ok, I got a comment on a post that just reminded me of all the other things I wanted to share about the Men’s team…

For my first year in Gabon I attended a church. Every Sunday they give the statistics of how many men, women, youth, and children were present. “Men” were always the lowest number.

So when a group of twelve men come on a missions trip to Gabon it was a huge encouragement to me. Yes! There are still men of God who want to serve Him and grow in their relationship with Him! And to top that - two of the men were 72 years young! Proof that you never stop growing in your relationship with Christ!

So the team of twelve was split into two different teams: a medical team and a construction team.

The medical team was highly praised by the people that worked with them and those who had the benefit of their consultation (including me – sinus problem). But more than just being good at their job, they were also teachers. They were fantastic at training our medical ministry partners in medical stuff* (*- highly technical term). Sorry for my lack of knowledge as to what they taught, but the more important thing to me was that they were taught! Even if we don’t have a formal continuing education system, we need to continue in educating!

The construction team actually had some guys who were in the construction business! It was impressive to see how well they operated as a team during their work on the guesthouse at CFTAC (Bible School). I was very proud that these guys understood that it is not all about the task here but more about the relationships they build – they took a minute to play some football with a youngster that showed up.

The entire team also went to the Hope House (abandoned children’s home) and gave each kid a comprehensive physical exam… eyes, teeth, ears, height, weight, range of motion, checked for scoliosis, etc. They also played football with them and did those cool balloons that you can make into shapes! They made us a bouquet of balloon flowers!

We also trekked into the jungle as a team to put up four concrete posts at the PK27 property.

I'm going to become a sailor

2011-04-26T03:08:00.000-07:00

Since I was a kid we've always had a boat... 22ft Catalina - it had a small cabin; but we only spent the night in it once. The next boat was a 19ft Flying Scott, which my dad still has. So I have some experience sailing… I know what a jib is, and I know how to yell “coming about! hardalee” (although I’m not sure how to spell it). I think I’m ready!

About now you are thinking... "Where is Leanne going with this?"

I have a decision to make... my boss has asked Hannah and me if we wanted to apply for the position that we now occupy. Apparently our status cannot remain "temporary" forever. Now please understand that it is an application process and just because we apply does not mean we will get the job. Nevertheless we are approaching it as if we would and how that affects our futures.

I tell you this to let you know what is going on in my heart and to ask for your prayers!

Please pray for guidance in making this difficult decision.

If you've heard this before plug your ears... I love seeing things/people grow! This past team reminded me why I love this ministry so much! To witness how the Holy Spirit works through another culture and people to touch hearts and lives is amazing!
But it is difficult living 6000 miles from dearly loved family and friends.
Torn is the word that comes to mind.

So I'm thinking a happy medium would be to become a sailor and travel from the US to Gabon. Dad, do you mind if I borrow your boat?

It's raining men!!

2011-04-14T13:43:00.000-07:00

Last week we had a team of 12 men here from NJ.

Twelve men who understood that their time here was limited.
Twelve men who were focused on how they could serve the church here - through construction projects and through the medical ministry.
Twelve men who were focused on how God would move in their hearts and lives to make them more like Christ.

It was amazing to watch the Holy Spirit guide and use these twelve men!

One felt the LORD guiding him to reprioritze his life and to really take a look at what matters the most to him!

Two other men who did not know each other before the trip decided to form an accountability partnership!

Our best silly poses! This was a fun team!

Mixing the dry cement mix on the side of the road... then hauled it into the jungle to mix it with water.

Mark and John (behind the grass) hauling the form into the jungle

We divided up into 4 teams to mark corners of a new plot of land. Here is the finished post!

We had our ministry partners over for dinner one night! After this picture the singing and dancing started!

It was a priviledge to serve these men and to be a witness of how the Spirit moved in their hearts during their time here.

An encouragement to parents...

2011-04-14T12:21:00.000-07:00

We have our first team here!!! They have been awesome – for numerous reasons which we will get into in another blog. For their first day here, Sunday, we split them up and I went with three of them to a small village church called Okolasi. They shared their testimonies while Tim translated. Normally Okolasi's church services are pretty short - not this time! After the guys finished their testimony a lady got up to give “an encouragement” – which lasted an hour!

Despite its length it was still a good story, and I wanted to share it with some of you parents. Now I’m going to just give you the gist, because in reality that is all I got! She had a son who was bad, in and out of jail, and had people that wanted to kill him. She prayed and fasted for her son for three days and begged God to change him. Somehow he got the opportunity to move to another city here, Port Gentil. Before the flight his mom met him at the airport and he told her that he knew that she loved him and that God loves him. When she talked to a cousin of hers in Port Gentil, he remarked that her son was a changed man. Now if I understood correctly this story happened awhile ago and now that son is in the ministry, either a pastor or an evangelist.

Now comes the brutally honest part… as she was telling this story my thoughts immediately turned to wondering how she and her husband had raised him. Had they disciplined him like they should have? Shown him love? Etc… This would be the point where God gently reminded me of two things. One - I had no idea how he was raised, especially since they raise their children much differently here. And two - am I the one to say that the parents did a good job or a bad job - God reassured me that I was NOT the judge!

As each parent can testify… you only have so much control… which eventually dwindles to little more than an influence. You can hope that you have given them a good base of values and character, but at some point they start making their own decisions.

Well this whole episode just reminded me of God’s redeeming capability. He is a powerful God that can make dramatic changes in someone’s life, no matter what their upbringing or poor decisions!

They melt in your heart, not in your hand!

2011-03-22T02:36:00.000-07:00

We had a request from a church in the states for handprints from all the kids at the Hope House, the abandoned children’s home that we visit. So, took a few markers and a bunch of crayons over there last Saturday and traced their hands. After that we had them write their names and color their artwork! It was really hard giving them away so I ended up scanning them all into my computer. As I was going through them I found this one… the translation for the words inside the heart: Liliane (they call me Mama Liliane) and Emi (a boy about 12 years old) are friends! Yes they do melt in your heart!

About me & News

2011-03-13T13:18:00.000-07:00

So I added a little blurb about me... for those of you who don't actually know me - but I'm pretty sure most of you do. Oh well.

Check out the Ben & Jerry’s! A little bit of Vermont here – don’t mind the fact that it is a single serving size and it is roughly $4.00!

Things have been a bit overwhelming here… this time is definitely a lot different that the first! So much responsibility! But I’m learning and eventually hope to settle into my role here.

News…

The first team that was scheduled to come out had problems with their visas and didn’t end up coming! Not cool… we’re still trying to figure out the why on this issue.

We’ve been in Francais (French) for most of the month of February. It has been really neat because our teacher is teaching us some of the common sayings that the Gabonese use:

“On est ensemble” – we’re together, keep in touch

“Ah, bon” – oh really?

“Revenons a nos moutons” – back to the subject (literally back to our sheep!)

When we use these with our Gabonese friends they are so excited and are so proud of us!

Joe and Megan have been at school (over in Cameroon) for the past two months! I hadn’t seen them since I left last year! Joe’s grown two inches since Christmas! Megan is beautiful and growing up – so wish they could be kids forever! This is a picture of the three Straw kids from our plane flight together last year (Megan, Sam, & Joe). I have really missed them so it is great to see them again, even if it is only for a week!

Dissatisfied with this blog...

2011-03-06T11:50:00.000-08:00

So you like to know what Leanne's up to, but she is horrible at writing on her blog!
Well for the low, low price of free you can also check out the blogs of the people that live with her! Not only will you get a different perspective on life here, but you will probably get it more often and it may even have some juicy details!! Check out the blogs listed on the right hand side...
So things are pretty busy here, we're getting ready for our first team to arrive which was supposed to be tomorrow (Monday the 7th). They had some issues with their visas and they will hopefully be arriving later on this week.

Meetings

2011-02-21T12:10:00.000-08:00

So Mondays have turned into our meeting days... our meetings as a Libreville team - Business Agent for Bongolo Hospital, Air Calvary, Hospital Guesthouse, and Envision. These are all the people that live in Libreville and we often have to work as a team to get things done here. It really helps at the beginning of the week to go over what is happening that week to make sure we get it all covered and that everybody is on the same page.

We have also started doing our Envision meetings on Mondays as well... get the meetings over with at the beginning of the week!

I'm famous!

2011-02-21T11:58:00.000-08:00

How many of you can say that you've had a shoe named after you??? I just got an email from my mom announcing the news! UGG has named one of their shoes "Leanne" - yep that's me! Pretty stylish too, don't you think?

Airport Stats

2011-02-11T12:51:00.000-08:00

Here stand Alicia, Dan, and Hannah waiting for a team to come in… so far our airport statistics have not been so good. Both of the teams we’ve had were delayed coming into the country. The first was almost put on the plane to leave that night! And because of that episode they had trouble getting out of the country – they thought they had already left. So thus far we are only 25% for a successful airport visit.

Newest Fashion

2011-02-11T12:00:00.000-08:00

Glasses made by Joseph, I’m sure they will be the next thing to hit New York and Paris so I would advise coming to Libreville and get yours at a discount price – while there is still time! It is really amazing how he makes these out of a few plastic lenses, a piece of wire, and small wooden jig.

I apologize

2011-02-10T14:04:00.000-08:00

Really though... did you expect me to keep up with my blog? Now that you really think about it... did you really think I would write every week? Ok, so I'm not the greatest and I think I have figured out that maybe I'll do a picture and a little tagline or something. But if you want more details and someone who can actually write - check out Hannah's blog. It is the iheartgabon blog listed over on the right hand side.
Just as an intro Hannah is my partner in crime over here in Libreville for the next year!

Hope House

2011-02-10T13:15:00.001-08:00

Picture taken by the CMA film crew that was here to take pictures and video at Bongolo and here in Libreville at the Hope House. The picture is me explaining why I’m not wearing the bracelet that they made for me. In the background Sabrina is doing the laundry and to the right one of the new fellas is doing the dishes. The film crew wanted to get some pictures of them in "everyday life" circumstances.
Hannah and I were thanking God the other day for our modern conveniences - and the time that it frees up for us to spend ministering.

I'm back

2011-01-23T13:44:00.000-08:00

(Deicing our plane at Chicago)

I hit the Gabonese soil running and I'm finally getting to catch my breath... whew! Meetings, grocery store run (you'd be surprised how long it actually takes!), training, and then dinner parties. I got to meet the president of the National Church here, whose first name is Bernard - he picked up on our similar names! That was kind of cool! There is such formality in those meetings... I'm getting to see another side of the culture.

So how many dinner parties do you go to that turn into dance parties? What none??? You need to come to Gabon! We definitely had a great time, but I was also glad to have Mama Jeanine intiate a monthly get together with our groups to eat, pray, and love! Sorry just couldn't resist. But the Gabonese are a very loving and gracious people and whenever we are together love is definitely evident!

Come fly with me...

2011-01-18T06:03:00.000-08:00

Yes today is the day... headed back to Gabon. With mixed feelings - it seems harder to leave this time, a lot more tears than last time. But I am excited about going at the same time. I will miss yawl (I am from the south!). But why not "come fly with me"? As Frank would say!

Please continue to pray for me! Will post something soon - hopefully! love lcb

Vermont (part deux)

2010-12-31T13:01:00.001-08:00

In Vermont you hike a lot! Here we are hiking and it got pretty cold so we passed around Leanne's jacket.

We are also learning about hiding behind trees that are wider than you are! Had some good laughs during that lesson :)

Grilling hamburgers and having fun with friends - you can tell we're having a good time just look at Michelle (far left)!

Fall was definitely beautiful in Vermont, but the best part was the fallen leaves. We raked them into a pile almost as tall as Charlie and then they jumped! We never lost a kid in the pile, but we did lose a few shoes :)

I should say at this point that these pictures are not in order!

When Erron & Joy moved to Vermont I assured them I would visit, especially since they moved to a town 10 minutes away from a huge ski resort! Well it was getting down to the last few weeks I was going to be there and I still hadn't gone skiing - no snow!! I was so excited when I got to ski twice the week before I returned to NC! And so thankful that I got discounted tickets - a big THANK YOU to those who are responsible!

Emmy and I enjoying the sunshine and a picnic in the backyard!

Vermont (part 1)

2010-12-31T12:33:00.000-08:00

I spent the last four months in Vermont with some friends of mine. I had so many cool and cute pictures that I just wanted to share them with you!

I am so much cooler than Fonzie!

Awesome kick Charlie! Notice Noah kicking from the sidelines!

This kid's name is Caleb and he looks like a younger Caleb that I know! Maybe it's just the blond hair and the name??

I love this picture of Joy & Emmy!

This is probably the best picture I have! Can you tell that he is winking and giving me a thumbs up while waiting in line at the fair? Hilarious!! He actually rode the Himalayan twice - way braver than I am!

Weekend

2010-11-23T17:09:00.000-08:00

So this past weekend, I went to a town a little bit outside Atlanta to meet up with the team going to Gabon. We had a fabulous weekend!

We prayed, planned, and got to know each other. Here we are doing some team building exercises - blindfolding trying to form a square.

Julia

2010-11-16T15:30:00.000-08:00

Have you seen the movie "Julie and Julia"? Well I will not be making every recipe in Julia Child's "Mastering the Art of French Cooking", but I did make the Boeuf Bourguignon tonight and it was delicious!! It takes a little work and prep time, but I like cooking so it wasn't a big deal.

Back to Africa

2010-11-06T07:32:00.000-07:00

The rumors are true... I'm heading back to Gabon in mid-January. I'm going with a team of four other people. One is my roommate from my summer in Libreville, one is a guy I don't know, and the other two is a couple that came out the summer I was there. All of us are meeting as a team in GA later this month. It sounds like it will be a prayer and planning (throwback to the old Awana days) meeting with someone from Envision (what they are now calling the Short Term Missions Office).
For now the plan is for my roommate (Hannah), the couple (Dan & Alicia), and me to start with 8 wks of an intense French course (what the Peace Corps uses). After that Dan & Alicia will be heading up the Envision center in Bongolo and Hannah and I will work at the one in Libreville. In the summer the guy who I don't know (Eric) will come out and help with teams.
I'm very excited about this opportunity, but know that I will miss you all - yawl!
Will write more after the meeting.

Fall Colors

2010-09-24T17:57:00.001-07:00

As I kid I didn't really like fall... everything was dying. The weather starts getting colder. I'm not a big cold fan except for the snow. I like snow, it's fun and I can ski!!!
As an adult I have grown to like fall, mostly for all the colors. I love colors!
Vermont is absolutely beautiful in the summer, but fall is looking very promising as well! Now don't get nervous I am still loyal to NC!

Symphonies

2010-09-06T17:57:00.000-07:00

Have you ever seen the movie "August Rush"? One of the lines in the movie is "the music is all around us... all you have to do is listen". Have you listened to the music around you?

In North Carolina the background of the symphony is bugs - crickets and other amazingly loud creatures. Then you'll hear birds put their two cents in.

In Vermont it's different, the base music is usually the wind. Then a babbling brook will come in and out, and if you're lucky there is the occasional bird. It's interesting to me the different sounds of places.

What does your backyard sound like? What music does it make?

Adventures in Vermont

2010-08-27T16:05:00.000-07:00

Today I took a half day off and went exploring. As I set out it was a beautiful day! A crisp blue sky with just the right amount of clouds - perfect for laying on your back and watching them roll by. Do you ever play that game where you say what a cloud looks like? Today was the perfect day for that!

The trees reminded me of Gabon... they look like broccoli covering the mountains. The clouds gave the mountains different shades of green as they floated over.

So I went hiking a little south of here.

Here a few pictures...

Found a few neat mushrooms...

What? Not a mushroom fan? Maybe you'd be more interested in seeing the animal I saw. When I encountered this animal I tried to talk soothingly and not alarm him. "I have eaten your kind once, but the meat tasted a little like olives - and though I like olives I never really enjoyed your meat. So you just meander on and don't worry about me."

Those of you that know me well - know that I talk to myself. So is it really surprising that I talked to a porcupine?

As I am writing this blog a four year girl notices a bandaid I have on my finger. I tell her that it is from a blister that popped. She asks if the porcupine popped it?

Children

2010-08-22T16:41:00.000-07:00

Do you have children? Me neither, but if you do...
Want do you want your children to grow up to be? Choose 3 -
Loving
Responsible
Lawyer
Hard worker
Law abiding
Compassionate
Dentist
Teacher
Kind
Paramedic
Godly
Honest
Policemen
Persevering

Did you find yourself choosing characteristics or occupations?

I definitely believe that some people are called by God to specific occupations... David was called to king, Paul called to be a missionary, etc. But for the rest of us who don't hear from a burning bush - what does he want us to be/do?
Most New England towns have what they call a "green" - a beautiful green (hence the name) lawn with some benches and maybe a gazebo. So I was hanging out on one of these benches the other day pondering God and who he wants me to be, and it made me think of most parents - what do they want their kids to grow up to be? Now don't try to deny that you want your kids to be millionaires so they can support you later on! :)
Maybe it is more important to God who we are instead of what we do or where we live... just a thought.

Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12

Another Adventure

2010-08-17T06:36:00.000-07:00

So for those of you who still check this site...

Since Africa I've been wandering the countryside staying with friends and family (usually for less than a week - trying not to outstay my welcome). A huge thank you to those who have housed and fed me!!! I helped a friend of mine with her business for the month of July, but have not obtained a permanent full-time job as of yet. This has turned out to be a blessing!

Because of this blessing I have the freedom to pretty much go wherever I can afford to - last weekend it was to DC to visit a college friend of mine. This week I'm up in Vermont, and I might like it so much I stay for awhile.

A dear friend of mine has recently been been diagnosed with ovarian cancer. So I am going to crash with her family for awhile till I wear out my welcome here. Please pray for her and her family! If you would like more information you can visit...

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/joyhubbell/journal

Here's a picture of her climbing a hemlock tree a few years ago... now she's doing a different form of climbing - please be praying for her strength and endurance!

Moving Target

2010-05-15T13:34:00.001-07:00

So I did my presentation at my church a couple of Sunday's ago... sorry for the delay. Kate & Bess did their best to capture me on film, but when I speak I tend to move around a lot and use my hands. They did a great job and got a few shots of me standing still!

Notice my hands on the shots... always moving. In this picture they are touching the mike I had on - not a good thing!

Things went pretty well, until the end. I just ended with "That's it." Later I thought of what I wanted to say. Joseph, who was a driver for me while Tim & Meredith were in the US, used to say "Ton travaille c'est obliger" - Your work is to forget. Which is very true!!

So what I wanted to say was a huge THANK YOU to my Whiteville family that prayfully and financially supported me on this adventure!!

Also part of the "moving target" title is where I am living now... today I am at my dad's house. Next week I will be at a friend's house. The week after that I will go down to Whiteville. Life is a little crazy right now.

Here's a picture of where I normally stay in Whiteville - yes, it's a barn. But actually a well equipped barn that is actually better than most hotels I've stayed at!!

Presentation

2010-04-22T12:41:00.000-07:00

For those of you close to Whiteville and interested in hearing about my African adventure; I will be speaking at my church the first Sunday in May.

Eyelashes

2010-04-15T07:21:00.001-07:00

I love the rainbows that your eyelashes make when you squint into the sun.

Birds

2010-04-10T17:40:00.000-07:00

Amy likes the birds at her work because they give her hope... a reminder of God's presence in her life. Last night Alace was commenting on how loud the crickets were - she was right, they were so loud we had to turn up the TV to hear it! It is so amazing to me that such a tiny creature - bug or bird - can make such a loud noise! Today I sit listening to the birds chirp, the cars drive by, and the saw cutting wood next door. What's amazing to me is that with all the other noises you can still hear the birds - but only if you are paying attention to the birds.

So I'm back!! Safe and sound...

2010-04-10T17:08:00.000-07:00

So I'm back and on the wifi again! I have quite a few weeks to catch up. Lots of stuff to write about but having difficulty knowing where to start...

Anyway here we are getting ready to leave... sniff, sniff - actually it was more like sob, sob. It was definitely hard, and I miss them already!

I was very thankful though that I got to fly from Libreville to Frankfurt with the Straw family and the Montana team that was there! So the ten of us hung out in Frankfurt for a few hours waiting for our connecting flights.

One week

2010-03-29T03:20:00.000-07:00

Only one week left here... sniff, sniff.
Sorry about the post rates... haven't had wireless this year (2010) so it's harder to get on the internet and post stuff. I have a feeling when I get home I'll be able to write all about Africa - what I remember at least.
Love you and can't wait to see you!

Well I'm coming home...

2010-03-08T08:18:00.000-08:00

It's official... I've bought a ticket and everything. I will arrive in NC on the 5th of April. To warn you all, I have mixed feelings about it. I am oh so excited to see friends and family!! To relax and hang out with them, to talk about their lives for the past year, share pictures and stories of Gabon, etc.. But I am also sad to leave this place, the many friends I've made here. Below are two girls at church who hang out and wait with me after the service.
And I wonder... will I ever come back here? Mama Jeanine thinks it will be in two months... and it might be - just to warn you guys! Honestly though I have no idea what I'm going to do with the rest of my life. And although that question sits in the back of my mind I'm trying not worry about it.

Awhile back I read this book called "A Million Miles" by Donald Miller - definitely recommend it! Mostly it talks about leading an adventurous life, but it also had some interesting words relating to the meaning of life... here are a few quotes I liked:

"For instance, Marcos said, 'The human body essentially recreates itself every six months... You are not who you were in February.'"

How have you changed in the last six months? How have I changed? Just to warn you guys now... I'm not the same person! Oh I may look the same and act the same, but I have been genetically engineered into the 6 billion... okay just kidding... they do a lot of stuff at Bongolo Hospital, but genetic engineering is not one of them!

"I thought about Marcos's conclusions... that we were designed to live through something rather than to attain something, and the thing we were meant to live through was designed to change us. The point of a story is the character arc, the change." (70)

My latest resistance to change (haven't changed yet) has been selfishness... have I talked about living with people who are more familial and socialist? Let me give an example and then you can give me the rights words to describe the society/culture... I'm not sure those are good words. For example, a guy in Libreville is getting ready to get married. To get married here the guy has to give the family of the girl a dowry of sorts. He has a good job here, but is also working on the side to earn more money. If his family asks him for money he is pretty much obligated to give it to them, and there goes the dowry. In the villages if someone in the village needs money and you (a fellow villager) have it, you give it to them. (Which is one of the reasons there are so many unfinished houses - when people get money they put it into building.) Now don't get me wrong, I actually don't think this is a bad idea as far as the community is concerned. But the "I work hard for my money" side of me kicks in. The attitude of those in need plays a big role in this as well. All this just to say that my character is changing - I hope for the better.

Ok so I think I have sufficiently wandered off of the subject. Now to return to our regularly scheduled program.

"Contrary to Freud's posit that man's greatest pursuit is of pleasure, Frankl (an Austrain psychologist who in 1942 was deported to a Nazi concentration camp) argued that life is a pursuit of meaning itself, and that search for meaning provides the basis for a person's motivation. Pain then, if one could have faith in something greater than himself, might be a path to experiencing a meaning beyond the false gratification of personal comfort." (196)

What is the meaning of your life? Have you ever thought about it? What motivates you?

Check me out

2010-03-04T04:33:00.000-08:00

I'm the last girl on the right holding up the sign!

http://www.alliancelife.org/article.php?id=499

And you might be interested in the article as well :)
The Straw family has been a huge blessing to me here in Gabon!

Get A Life

2010-02-26T07:07:00.000-08:00

Actually I think it's "ALife" - the magazine for the CMA. I think Alace Straw, the wife of the pilot for the Bongolo hospital, has an article in the March issue!! It tells a little about their journey to Gabon, Africa. Just thought it was cool she had a published article!

Christmas is here!

2010-02-20T08:04:00.000-08:00

You actually might think this, since the city still has the Christmas decorations up - on the 20th of February!!! Actually we did see them taking down some of it today. But actually I'm referring to the Christmas Shoeboxes... they just came into Gabon recently and yesterday Joseph worked at getting them in storage. Joseph works with Pastor Jean Marc who is the director of the Shoebox project here in Gabon. They are very excited to have five containers coming in this year! Two that will be distributed here in Libreville, while the other three will go to Port Gentil, Lambarene, and another place I forget.

I was excited to see reminders of my home state! Actually Jean Marc deals a lot with Boone, NC since I think that's where Samaritan's Purse headquarters are located.

Unity in the body

2010-02-17T04:15:00.000-08:00

It really makes you expand your view of the body of Christ (the church) when you are standing on another continent talking to women who believe in Jesus in another language.

Mama Jeanine is the wife of Pasteur Jean Marc (wrote an earlier blog on them) who used to be the president of the CMA church here in Gabon. So she often is asked to speak at women's retreats. Well this past Saturday she asked me to give a short message before her message. The theme that day was something along the lines of "looking in the same direction for a victory". The words that hit me were "meme direction" (same direction). So I ended up talking about John 17 - where he prays for the people in the future that will believe and prays for their unity. I also talked a little about the body of Christ and how difficult it is if the hand wants to go in one direction and the foot wants to go in another direction (it is difficult to do this move in a skirt!).

Although I have been called "preachy" before, my goal is always to teach. In my case I love interaction and so I tend to ask questions (so I know the students are paying attention and getting it). This took them off guard at first since they are used to listening to a preacher and not necessarily having to respond to them. Even in school, their teaching method is by lecture. But when I started talking to my feet, they started giggling and opened up a little more.

Are you really surprised that I talk to my feet? I mean I talk to myself all the time!! Where have you been? Ok so I was trying to explain that the body has to listen to the head, because the parts of the body don't necessarily know all that goes on. For example, in order to walk there is the movement of the feet, but there is also the breathing and the blood pumping... so I was asking my feet if they knew that the heart was pumping the blood or if the lungs were breathing. I think they were a little nervous in front of an audience, because they didn't respond.

After that I gave my testimony and then Mama Jeanine spoke. We hung out with the women for the rest of the day as they discussed things, sang, and prayed.

Misc random

2010-02-10T04:29:00.000-08:00

Mom do you remember giving me that Compay Secundo CD - yes the Latino one... well here is a night club that has a memorial to him. In downtown Libreville, Gabon... go figure.

I just thought this was interesting... no heat in the vehicle. Not that I am surprised. Admittedly in the dry season I have put a light blanket over me at night and I have worn a jacket, but also remember I get cold easily - poor circulation.

En bruce encore

2010-02-10T00:35:00.000-08:00

Again what it sounds like when they are talking about going to their plantations. This time I did end up doing a little work, but they were more concerned with me seeing the whole plantation and experiencing it, than my work.

Mama Jeanine taught me what leaves to use as a dinner plate and also as a glass for water... here she is with her "glass" of water.

Here is a picture of me with one of the baskets they use. This one just had bread in it for lunch so it was fairly light.

Also for all those sweet potato fans out there (WEB) - here's a picture of some hills of "potates". I'm convinced they are white sweet potatoes.

This was a neighbor's potato patch so I don't know if the hills were formed individually or if the rains eroded them - just one of the great mysteries of Gabon.

Here is a Jean Marc sitting on a neat little bench that they made.

Mama Josephine is cleaning the peanuts in the stream in these cool baskets they make (they being somebody else - we bought them). She was definitely the hard working one in the group, the rest of us did work, but you could definitely tell we weren't on the clock or getting paid. ps. I love the lighting in this picture... sprinkling through the trees.

Cool picture of a grasshopper... and you thought they were all green! I'm thinking He had just finished creating the yellow jacket when He came up with this one. Any other guesses?

Sorry about the long pause

2010-02-10T00:17:00.000-08:00

Internet connection issues... still not all resolved, but I do have at least internet at the house now... sometimes.

Torture

2010-01-18T10:37:00.000-08:00

That's what the word for turtle sounds like in French. But that is what we saw this past weekend at Pointe Denis (just across the estuaire from Libreville). We hired and guide and we walked quite a ways to see this mama lay her eggs in the sand.

It was definitely worth it though!! She was huge 3-4 ft long and probably 2.5 ft wide! Apparently Gabon has the largest concentration of this kind of turtle in the world. We couldn't take pictures until the very end because they follow light and she did! They had to guide her back to the ocean a couple times.

Gabon’s Species: Leatherbacks

In the Pacific Ocean, leatherbacks have declined by 95% in the last twenty years, so have been classified as critically endangered worldwide. We are lucky that Gabon has the biggest nesting population in the world. Leatherbacks are the largest of the sea turtle species and also the most unique-looking. They have a soft leathery carapace with seven longitudinal ridges and numerous white spots. A large adult can have a carapace of 180 cm in length, a flipper-span of 270 cm and a weight of 500 kg. The biggest recorded leatherback measured 2.91 m and weighed 916 kg!

They feed on jellyfish and other oceanic invertebrates, which they trap in their oesophagus with special spiny structures. Floating plastic bags in the sea can be mistaken for jellyfish and kill leatherbacks who eat them. Leatherbacks can dive for as long as one hour to depths as much as 1000 m! In addition, they are known to feed even in cold Arctic waters, since they are unique among reptiles in their ability to thermoregulate. Several leatherbacks which nested in Gabon and were marked with metal flipper tags were later recaptured in feeding grounds as far away as South America and South Africa.

(After our mama finished her nesting they tagged her with one of these metal tags, and she quickly decided she wanted to go back to the sea!)

Got this info from here: http://www.seaturtle.org/groups/gabon/turtles.html

Internet down

2010-01-13T02:06:00.001-08:00

So our telephone line at home is not working... therefore our internet is down and has been for the last week. I am at the Straw's (Pilot) house using their internet. Trying to call the phone company to see if I can get them to repair it, but the line is busy - does that sound familiar??

Straight and narrow... not quite

2010-01-02T04:21:00.001-08:00

A road...

A river...

Notice any similarities??
It really makes me ponder...
why are the roads so curvy and not straight?
Do they follow the rivers?
No compass?
Terrain issues?
Not in a hurry?

Any other ideas?

15 minutes of fame

2010-01-02T03:41:00.000-08:00

Check me out on Steve's website! I got to be part of the first flight to Bongolo!

http://gabonpilot.blogspot.com/

I was excited, but I did feel a little bad... here I am the new girl, and there are people like Dave & Becky Thompson, Tim & Meredith, etc. who have been waiting for this plane for years!!

But despite this feeling I was able to enjoy myself on the short flight! I recover quickly :)

Apparently you have to push the plane out of the hanger a little before you start the propeller... this is Alace (Steve on the other side) pushing the plane - she is really strong!!

One good thing about flying private planes is the security isn't quite as tight :)

When we arrived at Bongolo a crowd was watching the skies, and ready to welcome us!!

Maybe, might, may...

2010-01-02T03:18:00.000-08:00

It was the same day that we were learning "maybe, might, and may" in English class... Mama Jeanine asked me if I would a bug and I replied with "I might eat a worm.". She apparently digs them up at her plantation. Planting here is not in the US - surprise, surprise!! Ok sometimes I see plots of land that resemble rectangles and have rows to them, but most of the "plantations" are plots of land with things randomly planted on them.

In her plantation Mama Jeanine has planted maize (corn), manioc (a root but they also eat the leaves), peanuts, and bananas. The corn is not the sweet corn that we have in the US, someone said it's more like the corn we give the pigs.

They are following me...

2009-12-26T02:59:00.001-08:00

Just opened Google this morning, and for a while it has been in french - I thought b/c sometimes Gabonese use my computer and need it in french, but this morning it said Google Gabon! My old boss used to say that "it's not paranoia if they are really after you"!

Medical Caravan

2009-12-26T02:39:00.001-08:00

Thought I would post a few pics of one of our recent medical clinics. It is near here, take a right at IAI (pronounced E ... short A.. and E again, kind of like in the song "Old McDonald had a farm...").

Here is a picture of Mama Edith giving an eye exam before the patient gets their consultation.

This is Mama Josephine who does the consultation. She is a nurse specializing in the eyes. She only uses one of those handheld light things. All the consulting we do is pretty basic stuff... if they need more attention we forward them to a hospital.

Mama Christine (standing) and Mama Perrine, both are here at the "prescription counter"... sorry the picture is a little fuzzy but I liked their smiles in this one! For some reason Christine reminds me of Nicole C. Mullins.

Here is Erican, one of the nurses, that does consulting... in his makeshift office. You do with what you have.

So I was with Joseph when he went to this cartier (sp?) to give them a letter about the medical clinic. I stayed in the truck while he went to see the chief (chef). Before he left he told this 16 year old girl to be my security... and she took him seriously (she doesn't know Joseph very well :). I soon got out of the truck - too hot - to go check out this monkey in a cage about 30 feet away from the truck. (I was not in a dangerous area, it was during the day, and a lot of people were around.) Well she decided to start following me - she is very good at this security thing and I think she might have a future in it! It just made me giggle so when we went back for the medical clinic I got a picture with her. Her name is Monet... or at least it sounds like that.

Not ready yet

2009-12-15T12:25:00.001-08:00

Apparently this little guy is not ready to come out yet... one of my many mango worms! Mama Jeanine tried squeezing him out today, but he isn't ready - phewy! He's kind of getting on my nerves! There is a pinching sensation every now and then, like now... give me a minute... and they itch! Can you see his little black head? I was hoping today was going to be the day, but I guess not... oh well. Maybe tomorrow...

Anna's last week

2009-12-14T07:32:00.001-08:00

Just a few things I wanted to mention about Anna's last week...

Ok, first a short snipit about Anna in general... my one word to describe her is FUN! She got me into watching the Misadventures of Flapjack... a strange show at first but somehow it pulls you in. She and I had a few good conversations, but wishing we had had more...

One of the ladies who works at the Eye clinic (where Anna worked when she was here), had us over to dinner last Friday. Anna had made hints about having Monkey, but it turned out we had crocodile instead - actually a good meat once you pull off the 1/4 of fat. Also we had worms that Mama Jeanine normally eats when she works on her plantation. They look like the grub worms that infest sweet potatoes back home! Those were not as good and it turned out both of us had to choke them down! After dinner there was a little dancing - always a good time with that group!!

We went to Point Denis for her last beach day on Saturday! She and the kids jumped off the pier about 15 times!!! It's quite a swim from the end of the pier to the beach so I think it was a good workout! Ok this has nothing to do with Anna, but while we were in the water... which as you can see is pretty clear... there was this fish that kept circling me - we named him Jared (another great fish name - just like Reggie). Now I should explain that Jared was only about 2 inches long, so we were not exactly afraid of him - but he was a daring fish... but not a loyal one, he soon left me for others in the group! It turned out to be beautiful day (thought of you Meredith and how much you would have liked it!) and Anna got a good sun burn to take home with her to snowy NY.

Francais from here on out...

2009-12-14T05:12:00.000-08:00

Anna has left me now (the last of the Americans). So from here on out it will be French in the house... I will be teaching them English when I can work it in, but since there are three of them, I think I will be speaking French. Mama Jeanine and Pastor Jean Marc (pictured here as the cutest Gabonese couple!) thought it best if a few people stayed with me, so now there are two guys living downstairs and a woman staying with me upstairs.
Side story on them: Mama Jeanine is the woman who runs the clinic that we work with here - have I told you about mobile clinics before? We go to villages in and around Libreville and do basic medical consultations for general health and eyes. She looks like she is - cute! She makes me laugh, she's sweet, thoughtful, and giving... but she can also be a fireball! She is not afraid to take charge and straighten out rough situations!
Pastor Jean Marc is shy when you first meet him, and doesn't say much... to be honest I didn't warm up to him as fast. Well it turns out that he is a great guy - more of the strong silent type, but can be just as silly and cute as Mama Jeanine! What a cute couple! He is the Director of the Samaritan's Purse Shoebox for Gabon so I may have mentioned him in previous blogs on that subject. He also runs an organization that helps handicapped children (so you know that endears him to me!). He knows somebody everywhere he goes - definitely a people person! Give him some time you'll warm up to him too!

Meredith Update (but you might enjoy it too!)

2009-12-04T08:59:00.000-08:00

Okay Meredith here's an update... thought others might be curious on day to day as well so here it is! This won't be in any particular order, but just as I remember it. Gave Titus a bath today and put him in his kennel for a little while to dry. (see photo) Of course when he got out he got back dirty again, but his fur does feel softer! I gave Gentile her Frontline treatment today, still waiting for Bandit to show up for his... I'll get him tonight when he comes for supper! Here's also a picture of Gentile eating, she's actually been really good except for seeming a little clingy. Titus prefers to eat in the afternoon now... don't know if it is the heat or what??!! But he is eating!

We went to the Kings the other night for supper! Had fun but forgot to take Sequence so they are coming over here for dinner Monday night.

I actually forgot to take pictures Thanksgiving, but I think Anna took a couple, I'll get some from her and pass them on!

Life is tres calme here, but we are slowly filling up the schedule so it's not just Anna and I staring at each other. Monday night a girl Sangoye knows came over and we spoke English. She told me a quick version of her life story and how she has many questions about God... we are supposed to meet again next week - please pray for our time (her name is Chanie). A few of the girls from Nzong were supposed to come over today, but we had French and they didn't want to come after 3pm, so they are supposed to come Tuesday.

Next week is my last week of English class for level 1!!! We talked about them continuing on to level 2, but I think they are a little hesitant... so we decided that the Tuesday after next they should take the test (didn't take it in the first place) and that would be able to tell me if they are really ready for level 2... I think they are! The printer guy is supposed to come tomorrow and take a look at our yard sale one... called him today just to confirm.

Mama Jeanine came to English class Thursday and I think she is feeling better! She has invited Anna and I to work out in the bush, but it won't be this Saturday, maybe next. She also talked about eating what sounded like grub worms. I was able to work it into the lesson on "might/may/maybe" by saying "I might eat insects." It was funny... they loved it!!!

I had called the salad guy earlier in the week and he said he would have some stuff Friday... so he came by this morning with his wheelbarrow. I bought a few heads of lettuce (which reminds me I need to wash them!), some tomatoes, and some green leafs that start with an "F". Mama Justine showed me how to prepare them today!!! They were good... think I might have to do that again!

That's about all I can think of right now... we all miss you and hope you are doing well!!

Shout out!

2009-12-04T08:47:00.001-08:00

Just wanted to give a shout out to all the people that follow my blog! Just saw that I had 14 followers! I like the number 14, mostly because it is my birthday, but also because it is 2x7... 7 is really my favorite number. Anyway... I also want to give a shoutout to those who may not officially follow my blog but I suspect do anyway... like my mom... pretty sure since I am in Africa she is following it!! And one of my other "mothers" Meg who has made comments from time to time! To all who follow my blog whether "officially" or not... I love you! And I miss you! Just wanted you to know that!

leanne

Samaritan's Purse Okalasi, Gabon

2009-11-27T13:29:00.001-08:00

Do you remember my blog on the Okalasi church? It's the one that started small, but then has grown due to the Samaritan's Purse Christmas Shoeboxes. We took some teams out there this past summer and helped them start on the foundation for the church. There were a few kids that came everyday and helped us... Seraphin and Oliver are two of those kids. We went there this past Sunday for church with Pastor Jean Marc (the man who is in charge of the Samaritan's Purse program for Gabon - yeah we know all the important people :) Well it turns out he was going to give some kids in the church certificates for participating in the Mailbox Club.
The Mailbox club is ""through-the-mail" Bible lessons, stories, and games as a tool for spiritual teaching and encouragement". I had never heard of them but apparently they are partnering with "Sam's Purse". Well as I found out these kids have done 100 lessons to be able to get these certificates - WOW you say... well that's not even the impressive part! The two children who I mentioned before can't read so they would take their lessons home and have their parents help them with them!!! I was so impressed and proud of my boys!! Please continue to pray for these two! That God would continue to grow in them and give them a desire to know Him! To me this is one of the true success stories of the Shoebox program, not just giving kids gifts, but teaching them about a God who loves them!!

A thief

2009-11-23T13:12:00.000-08:00

So tonight we went to Mama Jeanine's house for dinner, but we had to park around the corner because the bus wouldn't make it down their hill. When we came back out to the bus there was a small crowd gathered around the back of the bus. We soon found out that there was a teenager who was trying to break into the vehicle to get our soccer ball. Apparently he was not successful and was caught in the act. When we got there the people told us what he was trying to do and handed him over to Yoann (Pastor Jean Marc's son) for him to take him back to the house. I don't know what happened to him back at the house, but the social justice system was really neat to see in action. You can't call 911 here and expect police to show up. Tim has told us before that if a thief tries to run people will give him the beat down, so I'm guessing that's why the kid hung around. Don't worry Tim, the vehicle is good. It was that back window that doesn't shut well.

Times they are a changin'

2009-11-20T04:45:00.000-08:00

(Old picture of Paul - our guard and Titus - our dog who is now too big to pick up)

So I've realized that I'm posting news from over a month ago and you might want to hear what is going on now, sorry. But I will be continuing with Dad's trip later.

Just so you know my schedule... and what I/we do in a normal week:

Sunday - Church (usually get back around 1pm or 2pm), then rest the rest of the day

Monday - Prep for my English class

Tuesday - usually shopping in the morning and English class in the afternoon

Wednesday - Mobile clinic in the morning, French class at 1pm, Hope House at 3pm, then to the Straws for dinner, expatriate youth group/adult bible study

Thursday - English class in the afternoon

Friday - Mobile clinic in the morning, French class at 1pm

Saturday - JPC (Youth group at my church) in the afternoon

So things have been normal lately, with some slight modifications... We had the Kellys up from Bongolo for a couple weeks hanging out with us. We just got a small team in last night. It is a PA who has been here before and his daughter and one of her friends.

But the really big news is that Tim & Meredith are leaving to go home for 3 months this Sunday! It will be so wierd living here without T&M! Life will definitely change, I don't think I really realize how much I depend on them, but I have a scary feeling I'm about to find out!

Future plans: I also am working on starting level 2 English class, hopefully in December. And there is some talk about starting up a English club where people can come and just talk.

Part trois (3)

2009-11-14T06:14:00.000-08:00

Wednesday: Leanne’s Birthday. Meredith had made some cinnamon bread! And had a bunch of presents sitting on the breakfast table. Leanne got sung to that morning as she opened presents, a few of which came from home, Christie, Angie, and Dad.
It was great to be with her for her birthday. Not saying which one!! (Thank you Dad!!) That morning we all went to work at a traveling health clinic that the church sponsors. Leanne told me that I was going to take blood pressure measurements. I was all ready to use the stethoscope and everything, but luckily for the patients it was an automated commercial cuff!! Saw about 30 patients in a make shift clinic setting where the head of the village let us set up in a central meeting building. Here I met Mama Jeanine for the second time. She had been one of Leanne’s students, but was really the person in charge of the health clinic. I met a few others with the clinic and another “character”, Joseph. (See a picture of the best buds in "Dad's trip (first two days)") Leanne was introducing me as “papa” so when I reached to shake Joseph’s hand he just grabbed mine and gave me a big hug. [by the way Dad - they said to say "bonjour" yesterday] From that point on he and I were cutting up quite a bit even though I couldn’t understand a word of his French. Later I found him in Leanne’s English class, and at about every event that I went to!
Tim had dropped us off at the clinic and came back later to pick us up to go back to the house for lunch. Later that afternoon we went to the “orphanage” to work with the kids for a couple of hours. Leanne had brought plenty of paper and crayons so most of them did some amazing drawings. (This was the first time we had done this and I was amazed at how engrossed they were, but they really don't get to color much - if at all, so they loved it!) Josh went with some of the older boys and played soccer in the front yard.
Leanne had chosen (I think with a little help from me) to go to the Lebanese restaurant in town for her birthday dinner. After dinner we all went back to Steve and Elise Straw’s place for birthday cake, that Meredith had made late the previous night. Steve is the missionary pilot awaiting a newly refurbished plane to carry patients to and from the Bongolo hospital. It costs about $120 to get cataracts taken off both eyes at Bongolo hospital, but in Libreville, the capital of the country, it costs about $1500 per eye.

Part deux (2)

2009-11-14T06:02:00.000-08:00

Monday evening: Saw Leanne for the first time since March 23 when we said our goodbyes at the RDU airport. Some young fellow that I thought was with Leanne’s group of about 10 there at the airport came up and started to give me a hard time. I poked him in the tummy playfully and as it turns out he and Leanne did know each other, but he was a Marine guard at the US Embassy. Not the right guy to poke in the stomach!! Met Tim and Meredith Brokopp, the folks in charge of the mission’s office in Libreville where I was going to be staying. Really nice young couple. Afterwards I am still amazed at the efforts that these two put in each day, especially Meredith, who was putting together meals for 6 people everyday and making Leanne’s goodies for her birthday and later feeding the 10 people that were there after our trip out and back to the Bongolo Hospital!! And then in the summer months feeding up to 40 people!!
Also met Anna, a college student who is in Libreville for a semester, and Josh who is planning on staying at least a year.
Flew to Gabon on commercial airlines, Air Canada and Lufthansa, both serve free drinks which include beer and wine. Military space-a did not work out at all. I tried sitting in the Charleston AFB airport for a few hours on the Tuesday before I really left, but the flight was not carrying any passangers, as we were told after 4 hours of waiting. Space-A is good if you have time to sit around in airports not doing anything. As one gets older time becomes much more precious, so I don’t like the idea of sitting...not that I ever did!
Tuesday: Breakfast as with all meals had French bread. That and manioc were the staples of the country, at least it seemed that way today!

Watched and participated in Leanne's English class to 6 Gabonese women. Leanne is teaching by showing objects, not with textbook per se, but with text and everyday objects that one would be encountered.
Her French seems to be pretty good. During the course it was pouring rain for about 4 hours at about 2 inches per hour. The house has tin roofs on the front and back porch so it is REALLY noisy!!! I’m sure her voice went up a few decibels.

His side of the story

2009-11-14T05:43:00.001-08:00

What you all have been waiting for... ok maybe just me. But it really is neat to hear about his experience from his point of view...
(This will be put into short chunks b/c of internet issues)

Prologue:
I went to Gabon to see how Daddy’s “little girl” was doing. I needed to see that she was OK in her new adventure. I can’t remember missing one of her birthdays and I wanted to be there for that even though I was missing Sandy’s surprise birthday party that I found out about on the day (Sandy’s Birthday), I was leaving. It is really amazing what experiences one can have traveling to a far away birthday party. But the most moving experience, for me at least, was the realization that I love Leanne very much and miss her and that I love Sandy very much and missed her if just for 17 days. And in return I realized that I was loved by both these wonderful women. I told Meredith this, during my stay there, that I have been blessed! I guess you don’t realize what is happening until you venture out of your own little cocoon and take that “Road Less Traveled”. And boy was this road less traveled! I think that these trips/ventures are really necessary as you travel though life to get to know what you have (and appreciate that) and what you may not have and especially what many others do not have. I don’t just mean material things, but the love, health, time, and friendships to enjoy this trip (life) we are all involved in.

I felt that the Gabonese people had the love, the time, and especially the friendships to enjoy their lives, but lacked many of the material things that may or may not really enrich their lives.

Internet Issues

2009-11-12T23:10:00.000-08:00

Ok so I think we have finally figured out a pattern, the internet is off during the day but comes on around 11pm and goes off sometime in the morning. One of these days I will wake up early and finish some blogging. Well I'm going to post this quick since it is already 8:10am and I'm not sure what time it quits. Love you!!

Patience

2009-11-05T04:47:00.001-08:00

Do you ever feel like you are just waiting and waiting for something? Welcome to Africa!
So I'm working on the rest of my dad's trip blog, but the pictures won't load! Sorry, will try another day, please be patient!
Thank you!

Dad's trip (2nd installment)

2009-11-05T04:32:00.001-08:00

So on dad's second day here we headed down to Bongolo (an 8-10hr drive). He did well for being couped up in a van for most of that time (we had a few stops). One of the stops was at the Equator for pictures... here is Dad and I in front of the sign.

This is a picture we snapped on the way down. You can get some great sky pictures here in Gabon... there is always a cloud somewhere and usually there is a spectacular picture along with them.

We had a good time in Bongolo just hanging out mostly. We took a walk down to the river. The river is where Bongolo hospital gets their water and their power. Actually the power plant there gives power to a few "cities" in southern Gabon.

Lisa graciously gave us a tour of the hospital.

Dad's trip (first two days)

2009-10-20T01:59:00.000-07:00

So my Daddy came for 10 whole days! Yeah!

His first day here I had English class so I had the class greet him and ask him a few questions. At the end of class they brought in some brownies and had the class sing happy birthday to me!

He came for my birthday! That morning when I came down for breakfast they had the table all decorated and Meredith had made her awesome cinnamon bread! I opened gifts from here and home! Thank you! Definitely one of my best birthdays ever!

After breakfast we went on a medical caravan to a fishing village here in Libreville. Dad and I did the blood pressure and weight.

We also went for a short hike with Joseph down to the shore and saw where they smoked the fish. Dad really bonded with Joseph. Here's a picture of them at the smokehouses on the shore.

It started raining when we were down there so one of the locals picked up a piece of "tull" (roofing that they use to cover the fish when they are smoking them) and we walked part of the way back under that... the local soon found three umbrellas that they lent to us. Love this photo!

The blogs on dad's trip will be coming in installments... some of which will have some verbage from him as well. So you can get this Gabonese thing from a different perspective! Still to come... Did my dad survive the 14 hour rainy trip back from Bongolo?? What was it like to be on the other end of Operation Christmas Child?? Tune in next time to hear the rest of the story...

Ensemble

2009-10-11T07:41:00.000-07:00

Some girls at a church we worked at this summer, gave me this fabric and I finally got it made into an ensemble!

Hope House

2009-10-05T00:56:00.000-07:00

For those of you not on facebook, check out the pictures the Hope House kids took the other day...
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=111723&id=520513703&l=8f594ffa4f
Also check out Tim & Meredith's site "Our side of the ocean" for pics from their new house! It is a HUGE house that they will be staying in temporarily till they can build one on the land they have been given.

Don't worry Leanne

2009-10-01T16:15:00.001-07:00

So lately God has been hitting me up in a couple different ways with that Matthew 6 verses I wrote about a few weeks ago. The latest is through this book "Through Painted Deserts" by Donald Miller.

Instead of typing two pages into the computer I'm going to try to steal a few quotes to hopefully give you the jist...

"He (his friend Paul) doesn't worry about much of anything, which strikes me as a kind of miracle. ... When with Paul, one is confronted with the notion that life may be much easier than the rest of us believe it is, that most of the things we worry about are not worth worrying about, that a low bank account or unfashionable clothes won't give you cancer."

"I tend to think life is about security, that when you have a full year's rent, you can rest."

"Nobody stops to question whether they actually need the house and the car and the better job. And because of this there doesn't seem to be any peace; there isn't any serenity. We can't see the stars in Houston anymore, we can't go to the beach without stepping on a Coke bottle, we can't hike in the woods, because there aren't any more woods. We can only panic about the clothes we wear, panic about the car we drive, sit stuck in traffic and panic about whether or not the guy who cut us off respects us. ... We drive around in a trance, salivating for Starbucks while that great heaven sits above us, and that beautiful sunrise is happening in the desert, and all those mountains out West are collecting snow on the limbs of their pines, and all those leaves are changing colors out East. God, it is so beautiful, it is so quiet, it is so perfect. It makes you feel, perhaps for a second, that Paul gets it and we don't"

"And maybe when a person doesn't buy the lies anymore, when a human stops long enough to realize the stuff people say to get us to part with our money often isn't true, we can finally see the sunrise, smell the wetness in a Gulf breeze, stand in awe at a downpour no less magnificent than a twenty-thousand-foot waterfall, ten squares miles wide, wonder at the physics of a duck paddling itself across the surface of a pond, enjoy the reflection of the sun on the face of the moon, and know This is what I was made to do. This is who I was made to be, that life is being given to me as a gift, that light is a metaphor, and God is doing these things to dazzle us."

(picture by Hannah)

The other side...

2009-10-01T04:29:00.000-07:00

If you would like to see how Leanne Night went in Whiteville, they made a video of it as well! Thank you guys it was a great night!!! Thank Sam and David and others for making it happen!

http://whitevillemac.com/index.php?s=au&nid=70247&blog_id=6534

Up late but sooo worth it!

2009-09-30T16:24:00.000-07:00

So it is 12:30am and I'm up, and probably will be for at least another hour until my heartbeat slows down. I'm pretty pumped! It used to be that my favorite Awana night was pajama night, but I think I might have to change. Yep - tonight was "Leanne night", and now that I think of it I was actually in my pajamas for Leanne night so it definitely is my new favorite night! Kate had made a sticker from this photo for all the kids to wear - how cute is that! The only thing that stinks about Leanne night is that I'm not physically at Awana. But they did a great job of making me feel like I was! When we were saying the pledges she moved the computer a couple times so that I would be facing the correct flag (so cute! made me giggle!). I got to see all the kids, say hi, speak a little French, answer a few questions, and see how they have changed! Oh how I love and miss them! It was also great to speak to the rest of my church family!! I miss my Whiteville family!!

Third English Class

2009-09-26T02:16:00.001-07:00

Not that it is all about numbers, but my English class has gotten a bit bigger since the first one. The class is great! The two on the left are students, the guy to my right is a Gabonese entrepreneur, and the rest are from the medical caravan we work with. A great group of people with varing levels of English experience. One of the students started helping some of the other students in the class last week!

Equator

2009-09-26T02:03:00.000-07:00

I have passed over the equator at least four times now, but I didn't get a picture until this past time when we went to field forum. If we are going to Bongolo it can be anywhere from an 8hr to a 12hr drive so we don't have a lot of time for stops. Tim told me the first time we passed the equator that I would get to get pictures during the summer when the interns when down with the teams. Well I didn't end up going down with the teams, so no picture. Well our new interns are here... Josh on the left and Anna under the sign. So on our way to field forum (only a 4 hr drive) we stopped to get pictures at the sign. Yeah!

First English Class

2009-09-18T10:36:00.000-07:00

So the first English class wasn't a big one, but it was a good one! I had three students: two students and a local businessman. The students are pictured here, the businessman came in after these pictures were taken. I tell them the class starts at 15:00 (3pm), most people arrive between 3-3:30 (but not all), but I start at 3:30 anyway and go till about 5:30 - so they have a chance to catch a taxi before it gets dark. This past Thursday (our second class) the businessman did not come, but Mama Jeanine, Joseph, Josephine, and Edith from the medical caravan came - doubled the class in one week!!

Honesty

2009-09-11T14:22:00.000-07:00

Had a friend of mine from the US write the other day. I really appreciated the raw honesty of it and wanted to share it and give a short response

"why does everyone feel they need to leave their ministries HERE for bigger and better ministries. Yes, I finally got ticked at you. I know that it was a God thing - you know that - that became quite clear to me - and I am sure this is too - but the abandonment issues are still real feelings . when others leave - it really stinks."

I love it when you have a friend who is close enough to be angry with you and tell you. My momma once told me "I love you... I am mad at you right now, but I still love you"... telling me there was a difference between love and a short term feeling like anger. The more I read about love, the less I think it is a feeling and the more I believe it is a decision (insert sermon on love here...)

It also reminds me of that verse in Proverbs 27:6...

Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.

I also love the fact that she feels secure enough in our relationship to be able to express her true feelings; that she can put them out there and we can deal with them.

So to those of you who might be a tad mad at me (it's ok if you are), I'm sorry. But I do feel that God has led me here, not necessarily for bigger and better things but for different things. God knows that I need to grow and I believe that we grow the most through struggles and challenges. Actually this experience has been a humbling one for me... I'm not the big dog at Awana, in fact the greatest thing I've done for the church is to show them how to make pizzas - not quite the same.

But also know that I miss you guys too, and regret not getting to hear the details of your life, how you and your kids continue to grow, being there when you are going through rough times, etc...

I love you,

leannie

Closet treasures

2009-09-07T06:21:00.001-07:00

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. Matthew 6:19

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:21

It wasn't even wool! I didn't bring any wool... not like I would need it. But there are little moths or bugs that eat away at your clothes here. Discovered this one morning getting ready for church. I have to admit it did sadden me a little, but it also reminded me of the above verse. The cool thing is what happened when I went to church that morning... a girl came up to me and gave me a gift... a bag of clothes! That reminded me of the verses below... a little later in chapter 6.

25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Field Forum

2009-09-07T05:30:00.000-07:00

Thought I'd show some glimpses of our week...

This is our group photo... the silly one

This is the hotel where we had the conference.

They didn't have a meeting room, so we came up with our own... we affectionately called it the tabernacle

Each missionary gave their "short story" - kind of a report of the last year and what is going on in their life and ministry. I got the chance to give my short story and give them a little background... notice Joanna on the left with her hands up, I think she was identifying with me at this point ... I mentioned that I was an organized person and liked planning... she is a civil engineer.

Lisa Nicky praying for me after my short story.

Melody taught us line dancing!!!

A great time was had by all... it was a really great field forum... Dave Thompson (Field Director) said that in the past these have been more like business meetings. This year's did have business, but it was well mixed with each person's short story, Ralph Trainer's messages, and fun!

Deserted...

2009-09-05T10:38:00.000-07:00

Back from Field Forum
Things are a little quiet here, people are still keeping a low profile. But there isn't really any danger other than Cameroon beat Gabon today in football.

Videos

2009-08-30T09:45:00.000-07:00

Short independence day parade...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fl-SaMLKWfc

Panga view from the house...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sgdy02Doe5k