5 Years Ago

"And when I passed by I saw that you were old enough for love. So I wrapped my cloak around you to cover your nakedness and declared my marriage vows. I made a covenant with you, says the Sovereign Lord, and you became MINE."
~Ezekiel 16:8

"Love is a great thing, a great good indeed, which alone makes light all that is burdensome, and bears with even mind all that is uneven. For it carries a burden without being burdened; and it makes all that which is bittersweet and savoury. The love of Jesus is noble, and spurs us to do great things, and excites us to desire always things more perfect.

5 Years ago I walked into a closet alone, afraid, unsure, and ready to give up, only to answer a call that would change the course of my life forever. I walked out of that closet a new person, clothed in righteousness , crowned by glory, never to walk alone again, every fear wiped away, certain that He would always be in control and ready to embrace what would be the adventure of my lifetime.

Nothing is sweeter than love; nothing stronger, nothing higher, nothing broader, nothing more pleasant, nothing fuller, or better in Heaven and in earth; for love is born of God, and can rest only in God above all things created.


Never before have I been more in love than I am right now, at this very moment, I sit in awe of all that He, Jesus Christ, has done in me and through me. The places He has brought me, the people he has used to speak His love into my life, the things He has taught me, I have never been more in love than I am now.


The lover flies, runs, and rejoices; he is free and not held. He gives all for all and has all in all, because he rests in one supreme above all, from whom all good flows and proceeds.

Never before have I felt so free, so safe, so certain.


Love knows no measure, but warmly glows above measure.

Never would I have guessed that I would be here right now, all of my wildest dreams coming true. On my own, but never alone, weak but made strong, empty but made full, filthy but cleansed.

Love feels no burden, regards not labours, would willingly do more than it is able, pleads not impossibility, because it feels sure that it can and may do all things. It is able, therefore, to do all things; and it makes good many deficiencies.

No matter the distance, the pressures, the burdens, the strife, the uncertanties, the unncessaries, the things unknown, the things undone, the dark valleys, the dry streams that may come I will stand. Because I know, "it will become a place of refreshing springs." "Each day the Lord pours His unfailing love upon me." "Though I may stumble, I will never fall, for the Lord holds me up by the hand." and that "The Lord's plans stand firm forever, his intentions can never be shaken."

Love watches, and sleeping slumbers not; weary, is not tired; straitened, is not constrained; frightened, is not disturbed; but, living like a flame and a burning torch, it burts forth upwards and safely over-passes all.

5 Years ago I took His hand and have not left His arms since.

Love is the answer to all things: love ends all questions.

When all is said and done, whether I am to spend 6 years or 60 years with the Love of my Life, I know each day will be spent falling more in love with Him.


italics: Amy Carmichael

Yako

Welcome to Yako!
(yes that is what they are spelling with their bodies)

During our trip the youth did 3 VBS programs, a youth night, and a food distribution. This was taken during the first day, I think we were singing Il n'y a vraiment Personne comme Jesus (there is truly no person like Jesus), one of my favorite songs I might add.

Friday we ventured out to Gobila, a village just outside of Yako to do the same VBS program.

This picture describes perfectly what Olivia and I did all week, took pictures. I witnessed the entire trip trough a differnt lens than everyone else, never have I been on a mission trip that I was semi-leading, stepping back to observe, and trying to catch those precious moments on camera. It was strangely bizare to realize that I was on a mission trip in a foreign country to which I came as a missionary. I learned so much from this experience and had such a blast being involved.

Even though I was a leader (as was matt as well) we still found time to join in the games, but not without my most recent growth, aka the camera).

The only (horrid) picture that we have of the 3 of us, this is Oliva and Sarah, 2 interns in Yako, they are INCREDILBE! We got to stay the whole week at their house, sleeping on their terrace under the stars and bathing with buckets!

One night we had "Team Night" where we built a bonfire and had such an incredible time of worship and prayer, no smores mind you...and we had to sit literally 25 feet away from th fire because it was sooooo hot. (ps. props goes to my girl scouting past for this one, I built this entire fire by myself, minus the guys lighting it was bug spray, oh the ways of africa).

One of our attempts at a team photo.

At the end of saturday this is exactly how I felt. We did a food distribution to some sponsored children in Lynn Peters, a missionary in Yako, program called Burkina Faso Outreach. We were literally there past dark, my station, you guessed it, pictures! We took over 150 pictures of the children so that they could be sent to their sponsors back home, and after it all I don't know a single person who wasn't exhausted.

The message that the youth chose to present on the trip was that of David and Goliath, they did a fantastic job and picking songs, dances, games, skits, and crafts that related. This was the skit of david and goliath, always performed once with goliath, aka Kevin, on a unicycle and then another time with kids involved.

This is the unicycle time,he make the fall seem more than real.

A thursday group picture at the site with all of the sponsored children.

This was taken at Gobila, this games is similar to duck, duck goose, but in french goes; le rena passe passe, chacun a son tour, chez le coiffure, mamadou, aisa. Translated means: the fox passes, everytime is your turn at the hair dressers, mamadou (a mans name) aisa (a womens name). No one quite understands it but ALL the kids know it, no matter where you go, they also play it with a flip-flop, setting it down behind the person who will chase them.

Henry blew me away with his ability to get on the kids level, always doing something to make them laugh, entertain them, and make them feel loved.

Kari did such a great job of leading, she lead songs, games, and always kept the children entertained.


Matt loving on the children!

They also played a game similar to skip-it, where they spin a bottle tied to string around and the kids jump over, there were some massive wipe outs during this game but it was a favorite.

These next pictures are just some of my favorites from the trip:

Overall the trip was incredible, I have never been so impressed by a group of youth then I was during these days. They gave their all and then some more, to pour out their lives for these children, even in the moments of complete chaos and stress they were pushing through, encouraging each other, and making the kids feel cherished. I loved being on this side of the spectrum for the first time, seeing things through the eyes of a leader, helping where help was needed but mostly watching as they took control, met the needs of the children, and showed the love of Christ through their words and actions.

How Quickly it Comes!

Wow! I literally sit here almost appalled at the realization that today is October 27, 2009, I cannot believe how quickly the time has passed.

We have a calender haning on our wall and everyday that passes I mark out, counting down to the day I leave (hint the big circle) and everyday I realize once again how close the end is. As of today the countdown is 41 days. I cannot even begin to explain how fast this time has gone.


So what do these next 41 days have in store:
-a mission trip to Yako with the Youth
-Faso Parc (a 'theme' park) with Claudine, my compassion child
-a home visit with Claudine
-A couple visits to some other Compassion sites
-A anniversary party for the Clousers
-A couple thanksgiving celebrations
-A special youth group dinner
-A few Christmas Parties
-A little progress on the hangar that I am helping put up at the LAC
-and many surprises everyday between!



Prayer Requests:
~The mission trip to Yako
~Time managment ( I am having a difficult time finding time to do school work, surprised?)
~Re-Entry, and departure, already stressing about this.
~Family back home, and the family I will be leaving here.
~Wisdom in planning and arranging everything for school from here.



I also just wanted to share this little picture with you, a month ago(ish) we started a women's Bible study on the book of Esther, by Beth Moore, this is some of the women here in Ouaga who are taking part, hosted by the wonderful Amy Nehlsen!

WIRED

Not all time in Burkina is spent, on the streets, with the poor, under the blazing sun, shaking dirty hands and hugging African children, in fact that is not a very typical day for any of us, although you do find it happening often.

This past weekend was the farthest thing from the 'typical African life', and was all about being 'Girls.'

We have a 30-50 person English speaking youth group, which meets at our house, the HUB, every Thursday night. And this past weekend I hosted a SLUMBER PARTY for all of the girls in the youth. It was a blast!

We had enough food, 'snacks' to feed an army!

Plenty of games; this one here is what I call 'wet t-shirt contest' aka try to unfreeze your team's t-shirt and then put it on before the other teams.

Some teams got really creative and used the microwave (and still lost)

Then we played Quelf, a very intriguing and funny board game.

And of course every sleepover needs facials, homemade facials at that...let's just say they weren't the best smelling things ever, especially when your supplies are limited to what you can find in Africa.

Group photo, before the movies!

The next morning.....

Boy, I sure had forgotten how much fun it was just to be with girls, to pamper yourselves, to eat a bunch of junk food, and to watch movies that melt your heart. It was such an incredible time to spend getting to know these dear, precious, and hysterical girls just a little more and to realize once again how thankful I am to be who I am, where I am!

Tent Camps

After the flood, and the loss of countless homes the government put in place a few tent camps to house those who had lost all. I had the privileged of traveling to quite a few of them to witness the giving of food, medicine, and encouragement.

Here are just a few quick pictures of a typical
Tent camp:

Anywhere between 3-5 families lives in a single tent.

"Beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news" to a place where bondage resides and captives are longing to be set free.

I ka donkili ka di an ye

I Ka donkili ka di an ye:
"Lord I long to sing your praises."

Two days ago I was sitting once again in Patte d'Oie church, unable to understand a word of the sermon, more or less hear a single thing anyone was saying. I came prepared to tune out and dive into a little reading I needed to catch up on.

But when it started, it was all I could do to hold back tears, the sound of the guy banging on the make-shift djembe, the smiles of the women as they danced around in circles, hands lifted to the Lord, indistinguishable yet perfectly in rhythm they clapped, and sang, and danced. I was surrounded in diverse languages, engulfed in praise, and drowning in joy. It was a worship service I had so easily forgotten, so quickly become accustomed to and was completely blown away by. If ever there was a glimpse of heaven, this was it.

I was once again, powerfully, reminded of the diversity of our God, the beauty of praise, and the freedom that is found in Him. There was no restraint when it came to praise, no hesitation in belting out the depths of their souls, and no fear of a on-lookers pressure. It was pure, holy, alive, and unrestrained.

I needed this moment, one the Lord knew all too well, to once again cherish the place I am in, to wake up to the reality of this dream and to re-capture my heart in a moment that it had felt so far gone. We serve an almighty, all knowing, all powerful, and all loving God, who is worshipped by the nations, in every language, and tonuge, by every means; dance, song, and the clapping of hands. Oh and what an honor it is to be caught in the middle of it all.

A dream called Life

October has been a month full of surprises, laughs, trials, heat, and joy. As I was riding the bus from Bobo to Ouaga I was thinking to myself, is this life that I am living even real? It so often feels like a dream, and in reality so much of what I am doing really is. Thinking back to 2 years ago I never would have imagined that I would be doing the things I am and when that reality hits I and humbly overwhelmed with the great and divine providential hand of God. Everyday I am realizing that apart from Him this would only be another day, but because of Him it's another adventure.

This month has not quite concluded but up to this point has held so many moments that will forever be engraved upon my heart and so many encounters that will forever leave me changed. I recently had the honor of watching the girl who works at our house, my very dear friend Virginie offically be married

After 10 years of living with this Muslim man whose mother said he would never ever legally marry her I saw satan be defeated, and watched overwhelming joy pour of Virginie as something she never dreamed would happen came true. (Continue to pray for his salvation)

This is her and her beautiful family!

Sarah and I at the Groom's reception, here in Africa matching fabric is a traditional custom for weddings, this is the fabric Virginie had chosen.

On top of my very first African Wedding this month has been filled to the max with other activities.

Every other friday we host something we call "English Cafe" at our house. It's a time for the students to come and practice their english while playing games, drinking coffee, tea, and eating cake.

And of course I have still been up to distributing toothbrushes, I have become known as the 'toothbrush girl,' I even told one girl, "well my name is Jess" and her response was, "Well I will only know you as toothbrush girl." This was taken at my dear friend Debora's church in Sector 30.

And this is my very dear friend Debora, she has been so incredilbe to take me places, show me things, and to lean African wisdom from. This is her and a little girl she helps support to go to school. We visited her house and what a shock it was to her when she walked in and saw a Nasara, white person, sitting in her court yard.

Visiting with some of the neighboorhood children in the area.

Now don't think that I haven't had some very much needed down times. This is what I like to call the Best Vacation in Ouaga weekend. Steve and Amy Nehlsen, missionaries here went to Bobo and I stayed with their WONDERFUL daughter Kari, who has become one of my ver closest friends. This is us all packed up and ready to moto on over.

It was a wonderful weekend where we literally had no plans, we made american cookies, watched movie after movie, and got massages! Yes Burkina does have some very nice perks! An hours worth of a massage for about $12, you literally can't go wrong! Let's just say this weekend was desperately needed and greatly appreciated.

There have also been many nights spent with close friends, playing games, eating dinner, and fellowshipping. (Wonder why sarah is wearing a bib? It's a little, new favorite game, called Quelf, if only the camera could have caught Matt snorting like a pig everytime he laughed).

More Quelf action at Matt's house with tyler and Michael.

I also have had the amazing adventure of going to Bobo. Bobo is the second largest city in Burkina and is located east of the capital. The bus hour is roughly 4-5 hours, depending on the driver but thankfully it was on an air conditioned bus! (What a luxury, it is most definatly worth the 6,000 cfa, $12). The plan for my visit was to see my compassion child, Suzane, who lives there. So though my trip was short it was life changing.

The first thing we did when I arrived there was visit an orphanage that is run by a french lady. This orphange is a refuge for the children until they reach the age of 2, where their parents have the chance to come back and get them and if not they are put up for adoption. In february Sue, a missionary working in Bobo was at the hospital when she was informed a woman had gone into labor and had twins but could not take care of them because she had seizures. This is one of the little girls, her name is Fati. She is 8 months old and this tiny. She also has alot of heart problems and they are weary as to how long she has to live. But our God has perfect timing and divinely appointed that we visit on this morning when whe had just come down with something that was making her horribly sick. She had tubes attatched to her head and looked oh so very pale. It ripped my heart out to see her little heart racing and her beautiful little eyes hardly strong enough to stay open. We were there to pray over her and God honored those prayers by healing her little body that evening.

Then we went to the Compassion site, they were very excited to have a sponosor visit. The director there wanted me to have my picture taken with all of the children at the site, so what better time to distribue toothbrushes!

Suzane and I then had some time to play on the swings before heading to her house.

This is her little home, which she shares with some other families.

Her family and I. Her father is blind.

In Africa gifts are a high priority. The highest gift you can give someone is to give them something living, as you can see I recieved a very plump chicken. It is a humbling moment when you realize someone who has nothing is giving you the best of what they can afford to give.

My precious little girl!

Overall Octoer has been a very full month, with moments that will forever leave me changed, and yet how exciting it is to think it's not over yet. As the end draws near I feel both anxious to be with the ones I love and heartbroken to leave those who have come to mean the world to me.