My Last day

First of of let me start of by apologizing for how long it has taken me to post this. Waking up that last morning in Burkina I anticipated a long day of anxiety, waiting and waiting until the plane would leave, little did I know that is not what was in store at all.

December 6,2009: I thought by this point I had reached every climax that would come during my time in Burkina but that ended up being far from the truth.

Before I came out to Burkina I had a vision of raising money to build or add onto a Compassion International site here, originally the plans were to build one on the Tanghin property but due to the slowness in which things are built out here that wans't looking like much of a reality, seeing as how a church had to first be established and at this point had yet to be built. So one day Pete came to me with a proposition to build onto a already established Compassion site because many of them were in desperate need of more classrooms in order to take in new children. I thought this idea was splendid and agreed to start investing in that instead, little did I know at that time that the Compassion site he had in mind was the same site I had visited so often, Claudine, my little girls' site. I was thrilled when I had the opportunity to go out and meet with the Pastor and the director and explain what the vision was for what we wanted to build. We ended up with building a new classroom and a new office, (since the one they had was used as a classroom); this would enable them to take in 80 more children immediately!

So just before I left I had the opportunity to go out and see the progress of what was being built.
This is to be the new classroom.
After my 'tour' of the new facilities (literally a 5 foot walk and a turn) they asked me into the office. As we sat down drinking our very cold and refreshing sprites they began to thank me for everything I had done for them, for the toothbrushes, for the visits, for the encouragement, for the pictures, and for the new buildings. They then began to bring me a brown paper bag saying that they had talked to the Compassion children who had all wanted to give me a gift and took up an offering during their church services to buy me something special to show their gratitude for all I had done.
When I opened the bag tears came to my eyes as I pulled out a beautiful white comple' (or outfit) that they had chosen just for me. I was so overwhelmed, not so much as to the outfit but more so as to how much it must have cost them and how much they cared.

After I put on the stunning outfit they wanted me to go and show all of the children, as I walked in the room a roar of applause broke out and tears began to fall. This was the end of my time, I wasn't going to see these children whom I had dearly fallen in love with for quite some time. No longer was I going to be able to drive out and see my beautiful Claudine, and yet I knew it wouldn't be forever until I saw her again just awhile. It wasn't goodbye, it was see you later, she understood.

After that I went to the Dorcas House, the other place most dear to my heart in all of Burkina, they girls had originally thought I wasn't going to be able to say goodbye so you can imagine their surprise when I showed up just before getting on the plane.

This was a bittersweet day, not only for me but also for these girls, they were leaving to go home in a week. Their year had ended and just as I was facing the realities of leaving friends who had become family and a strange land that had become home, so were they. I was able to share with them some encouraging words and let them know that no matter the distance or the circumstances I would be praying for them. Miriam stood up and asked Amy if they could pray for me because they knew the trials in store. I remember, standing in the middle of these 15 girls who had become sisters to me, feeling their hands upon my back and my arms, listening to them pray in 5 or 6 different languages the unexplainable overwhelming realization came, I began to weep. Was this what God had planned all along? Had I really missed it until just now? 2 years ago I stood in that very spot, on that very property, hand in hand casting a vision over that land and praying for God's blessing upon it. I remember praying very specifically for the girls that would one day live here and here I was surrounded by an answer to prayer. I was standing in the vision come true. It was the most humbling and joyous moment of all the moments I had experienced. Why me? Why was I so honored to see a vision come to life, to see the lost become saints, to see the love of Christ, the intercession of prayer become a reality? I realized that if there was nothing but this moment, this is why I came, to be awakened to the reality that God is always always faithful. This moment was the Climax of my time in burkina, I didn't think the last day had anything left to offer, but I was so very wrong.

My dearest friend Martine, when we hugged goodbye she began to weep (something you will never see in Burkina), but there she was weeping over my departure, it tore my heart in two...how could six months have brought 2 stranger so close? It was only by the Love of Christ!

This was my life, this is what I hope my life to be, these girls are my family and I hope that this moment will not have been our last but only just a beginning!

Home Sweet Home

I have been home now for a little over 2 months and life has been far from easy. I anticipated culture shock coming back, I mean I was told that walking into WalMart or the grocery store would be too overwhelming and I would have to leave, but to my surprise it was quite the opposite experience for me. I walked in and found myself enamored with all of the choices and options and things a place so large could offer. And I cannot even express how happy I was to drive a car again, and yet how desperately I missed (and still do) my moto. Did I mention when I came back it was like 20 degrees? Well it was, and it snowed, almost immediately...There were days I questioned why I lived in such a cold state or country for that matter and why I ever left Burkina, despite the sweltering heat.

Christmas break was such a blessing, I so dearly missed my family and friends and it was so nice to have everyone back together in one place. It was a release to be able to speak English everywhere once again, though I often found myself still thinking and responding in French. And it was nice to have a time where nothing else mattered but being with those that are closest to you. As amazing as break was it was also a huge reality check, seeing as how I was only home for a month before life had to start again and during that month I can't remember a single day that passed by where someone didn't ask "How was Africa?" This simple question drove me to insanity. I came home realizing I needed to process everything I had experienced and yet with an unwillingness to do so. I was so use to coming home from short term trips on a spiritual 'high' and expected the same after coming home from my internship, only to find myself in a deep and dark 'low.' It was a scary place of growth to be in, on the one hand I knew I had to allow myself to process and on the other I wanted very little to do with God because I knew that once I began communing with Him again I would have to process everything and face the reality that it was over. So for about 2 or 3 weeks I put my entire trip on the back burner of my mind, finding myself so angry and bitter at things I should have done and didn't do or things going on here in America, one of my dear friends even asked me after a long conversation about my time; "Did you hate everything and everyone?" WAKE UP CALL! I had been talking negatively about things because I was so lost as to what my life was about anymore, I felt like the climax was over and God had to do some huge work on my heart to get me back to the place where I could deal with the trials I faced and cherish the moments of triumph. All of this to say often I find myself wondering if the transition back was one of the harder parts about going...It has been nothing but adventure and discovery trying to figure out what is next for me. As of right now I am back a school, more sure than ever that I need adequate training before I go back over. What does the next year look like for me? Well I am hoping to start and finish Dental Hygiene school very soon, and then there is potential that a year from this summer I will be going back to Burkina to do a 2 year Health related Internship. (Something I would definitely appreciate prayer on).

Looking back I can't believe it's already done, something I spent 2 years dreaming up and making a reality passed in the blink of an eye, and yet though there is a sense of accomplishment I also know there is yet so much to do. So many more adventures lie ahead, this is only the beginning.

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.