they call me Sarita

Love One Another

2010-10-26T22:40:00.000-07:00

I teach the 3rd grade class every Sunday at South Hills and I sent this email to a parent of one of my students (names changed)...

Hi Jessica,

I have Jill in my 3rd grade class during second service every Sunday and I wanted to share something special that happened last Sunday. We were playing duck duck goose with all of the kids in the classroom. The kids started calling Billy silly names. He laughed at first then got really upset, put his head down into his hands, and began to cry. The rest of the kids in the circle scooted away from him. Joey, a high schooler who teacher the class with me, stood up from his spot in the circle and went to fill up the emptiness on one side of Ethan and patted him on the shoulder trying to comfort him. Then, Jill got up and sat on the other side of him and reprimanded the other kids in the circle for saying such surtful things and that they shouldn't do that because they wouldn't like it if someone did it to them. She remained next to him, the game went on, and he cheered up. It was a beautiful picture of standing up for the outcasts as God calls us to. You're doing something right with that girl. :) Thought you should know.

Peace

2010-05-04T11:33:00.000-07:00

As I strolled through Anthropologie with some friends, I picked up a coffee table book. It was about African art. I only looked at it for a few minutes but one piece stuck out to me.

It's by an artist named Kester.

I read that African artists have collected 600,000 weapons in nine years. People exchange them for things such as sewing machines, building materials, and tools.

This reminds me of the verse

"They will beat their swords into ploughshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore." Isaiah 2:4, Micah 4:3

It's beautiful.

Naive

2010-05-03T10:26:00.000-07:00

I am so naïve to the world around me. I was talking to Dane about this yesterday and then it was brought up again when I was looking at the news online this morning. This weekend there was crazy flooding in Tennessee. And I had no idea it was even raining there. No idea. I know it’s not possible to know what is happening constantly all over the world. And that disconnect was much worse years ago when there was no such thing as a car, phone, tv, internet. I guess God made us to focus on those around us. To love our neighbors. Love them like we love ourselves. Which is a lot. I don’t think God intended us to know what is happening across the globe each day. He knew we would one day. But He created us to live in community. Together. Close knit. Sharing life with only the people whose homes you could walk to. Technology is great and useful but it’s not a necessity. For thousands of years people have lived without the daily technologies we depend on.

In Mexico, it was more like that. They depend on their neighbors when they don’t have transportation, food, money, childcare. Almost the entire church was made up of those who could walk there. Who lived in the community. But this tight group of people can also lead to a lot of drama. A lot of stress. Disagreements. Because when we have a disagreement with a friend or co-worker, we can go home. We can get away. They live right down the street and there is no way to escape. To let things air out and get a little breathing space.

I can’t say which is better. There is not one that is better. We are just different. With different lives. And cultures. But when I hear of the famine, genocide, disease, abuse, neglect all over the world I can’t help but feel guilty. Guilty that I don’t do more. That I don’t want to do more. I say a quick prayer, maybe even shed a tear, and then I get up and go to dinner with friends and forget all about it. But it’s not that I just don’t care about people hurting across the globe. I don’t care about my neighbors. About people living a short drive from my home. Because there is disease, hunger, murder, abuse, neglect right here in Vegas. And a lot of it.

Maybe if I start loving my neighbor like I love myself, I’ll start caring about that person so far away. Step by step.

The Man of My Dreams

2010-04-28T13:22:00.000-07:00

I thought it was time for an update.

Not that there's much to update.

There's one thing I'm sure of...I don't want to live here in the States for a whole lot longer. Things are too easy here. I get too comfortable. I forget about God. Because I can pretty much do it all on my own. And that's what defines the American culture. I am strong. I am an individual. I can do it. On my own.

But when I look at the Bible...Adam was not good by himself. We were created to live in community. To be dependent on one another. And the Church...it's supposed to function like a body. My fingers can not type without the aide of my hands, arms, shoulders, eyes, brain, heart, lungs...If any part of my body fails...even my liver, which you don't consider needing just to type, but if my liver stops working, I stop working. Like the human body, we depend on one another.

This is very basic stuff and really just rambling but I forget it so easily. Because I can do so well on my own. And I don't know if that will ever change. Financially, will I ever have to depend on someone else? Physically? Spiritually? Emotionally? I'm a pretty stable person. Or at least I like to think I am. And deep down, I don't want to have to depend on someone else. Because I was raised in a place where it's important to be able to do it all on your own.

Back to an update...I don't think I'm moving away from the States until I have a husband. Because I don't think I could, or I don't want to live the rest of my life alone. There's a love and a bond that God created between a man and a woman that I want to experience. They were made for one another. And I don't think I'm strong enough to walk away from friends, family, and home without that person to walk with.

So you can pray that I find that man.

I hate planning

2010-04-21T10:57:00.000-07:00

Hello all,

It's been a while and I don't even know who might still read this. But that's ok...This is really just me thinking in my own head. I like to write things down. So lately I've been thinking a lot about what's next for me. Right now, I'm a receptionist in the construction field. And I hate it. So I'm looking to see what's next.

Some thoughts have been

Substitute teacher
Start a small business in Mexico
Work with the ministry I was with for a year in Mexico again
Waitressing
Nursing

Nursing is at the top of my list right now. It requires going back to school for two years which is the only down side. And I'm not positive that I'll like it. But I'm going to look into what kind of schooling is offered around here and if I can swing going to school full-time and working full-time. And I've heard the nursing degree is tough. But I have some money saved up which I could use if I couldn't do both school and work.

It's looking pretty good.

Duck tacos, anyone?

2009-09-23T21:26:00.000-07:00

Something silly I miss about Mexico are my ducks.

Nacho and Nacha.

I think about those ducks a lot because here at my mom's house, there are a bunch of ducks that live on the lake out back. They come up from the lake to my mom's back yard to eat whatever they eat from the grass. It makes me smile. To know someday those ducks in Mexico will look like them. If Perla doesn't kill them before they grow up. Which, if I'm honest, I wouldn't be too surprised by.

Maybe one day I'll see them again in Mexico. Or in Duck Heaven.

Amendment: Funny, but not really...Immediately after writing this, I checked my email to find this..."la nacha se murio el isai la piso solo queda nacho." Translation: "Nacha died. Isai stepped on her. It's just Nacho left." Sad news. But, like I said, I'm not surprised. Maybe they'll make duck tacos.

A Midwest Beauty

2009-09-20T19:57:00.000-07:00

It's beautiful here at my mom's in Minnesota. Fall is starting to come around and I love the crunching and shuffling of the dry leaves under my feet.

These are some pics I took around the lake. I've had run ins with all sorts of creatures. Caterpillars, snakes, raspberries, dead mice and more. But all along I've enjoyed being surrounded by God's creations. It's something you don't get much of in Vegas. So enjoy.

And let me know what you think.

An American Girl Trying to Cook Mexican Food

2009-09-17T14:52:00.000-07:00

For those who don't know, I'm staying with my mom in Rochester, Minnesota for the next few weeks. Not really sure how long. Time will tell. For now, I will share my adventure in the Land of 10,000 Lakes...

My plan was to put my cooking skills to use and make an authentic Mexican meal for Mom. I planned to find the local Mexican market (even Rochester has one. actually more than one!). I knew they'd have all the ingredients I needed.

After walking in the glass doors, immediately I saw labels and foods that are so familiar. But I had no idea where anything was. It wasn't at all like Fernando's--the little market downstairs from where we lived in Mexico. In Fernando's I know exactly where the eggs, Arizona iced tea, and tomato puree are. This store in Rochester was familiar but so different. After circling the small store a few times, it was time to check out. I thought to myself, "Do I speak English? Spanish? Does she speak Spanish?" I chose English. And walked out to the parking lot hoping never to go in there again. It was just too akward.

Well, besides burning the hot peppers for the salsa, it turned out pretty well. Like always, I made WAY too much. What can I say? I'm used to cooking for 50. Not 2. But I don't think I should ever cook Mexican food for Mexicans. My cooking is just not the same. I would need a bit more training.

Goldilocks...Just Right

2009-09-10T13:04:00.000-07:00

This was my home.

With children I love.

This is a beautiful picture.

I spent so many mornings, afternoons and evenings in this neighborhood. Got to know so many people. Who know how to give and know how to receive. There's a balance.

At the present time your plenty will supply what they need,

so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need.

Then there will be equality, as it is written:

"He who gathered much did not have too much,

and he who gathered little did not have too little."

I have always been the one with plenty ready to supply the need. Will I ever be in need? Then again, there were so many people who supplied what I needed to be in Mexico. Their plenty supplied for my need. It's true.

The church is supposed to be like Goldilocks.

No one has too much.

No one has too little.

They're all juuust riiight.

Look at the world you live in...Where do you stand?

Love Art

2009-09-09T14:46:00.000-07:00

This is Natasha Wescoat.

I think her art is beautiful.

The colors and swirls and depth.

And thought maybe you'd like it, too.

Home Again

2009-09-08T22:05:00.001-07:00

Here are some pics of my last day in Mexico. It was a Sunday. In church that day, they surprised me by calling me up front. Almost every person in the church, including my dad, came up and said a few words to me as a going away thing. It made me cry a bunch!! Then, after, they had a little party for me with lunch and a cake. My dad was there because he picked me up in Ensenada and brought me back to Vegas.

It's almost like I never left. Falling right back into the life I left a year and a half ago. Everything here is the same but I'm different. I know I'm different but I think it will take me a while to see how. I mean, how could I not be different after a year and a half in Mexico?

My beautiful friends have allowed me to stay with them this week. I'm staying in a friend's room while she's actually in Mexico! She's attending a wedding in Cabo. Then Friday, I'll be going to Minnesota to visit my mom. I'll be with her a couple weeks visiting family and just hanging out. I haven't seen them since Christmas so it will be good to be up there.

I think I need to give myself some more time to reflect on my time in Mexico. I think Minnesota will give me some good time for that. Here in Vegas, there are so many people I want to see and catch up with so I keep myself pretty busy. I just want to make sure I get time to look back.

Baby Ducks in Our House

2009-09-03T16:07:00.000-07:00

So these are our baby ducks.

Nacho and Nacha are their names.

They enjoy swimming, lettuce, and flies.

And they poop everywhere.

I love them.

Attention All Supporters

2009-09-02T18:54:00.000-07:00

As of September 1st (2 days ago), I will no longer be an intern with the Christian and Missionary Alliance.

Really, the only change this will make for me is that I no longer receive financial support from the C&MA. That means that if you are one of my monthly financial supporters, the last month I need support is August. Which is quickly coming to a close.

I will still be in Mexico for a few weeks to come. Some of that time I'll be here at the ministry base and some I'll be living with one of the pastor's families.

Thank you to all of you who have supported me financially. I reached my full fundraising goal and God gets all the glory. It's only through Him that I was able to raise over $10,000 for this year of ministry here in Ensenada.

And if you're wondering, I'll be home Monday, September 7th! This time has gone by so fast here!

My New House

2009-08-24T17:33:00.000-07:00

It looks like I spoke a little too soon. I won't be coming home next Tuesday like I thought I might need to. Which is a sigh of relief. I'm very tired from this summer but not tired of Mexico. I'm surprised I'm not tired of this place.

I translated the story for the kids today. I really enjoy translating. Especially translating Bible stories or testimonies because when I'm speaking truth--deep, loving truth--that comes from the what God has done in peoples' lives, I get this feeling from the inside. It just makes me smile. It's this good, whole feeling. It's beautiful. The Holy Spirit is absolutely right there with me as I translate in the ministries here.

The reason I was thinking I might need to come home next Tuesday is because that's the day the last two interns leave from here. And I'm not about to live in Mexico by myself. Since I came back in November, Rosi and I always joke about them adding a room to the house for me. Well, all that joking will be a reality next Tuesday night. This summer, Rosi and Ricardo were built an addition onto their home which allows them more space for bedrooms. So Perla (Rosi's 16-year-old sister) and I will be staying in one of those added rooms. This will not be all fun and games. I thought I've had it rough up to this point. At their house, there is no running water. Which makes a whole lot of things harder to do. Shower, flush the toilet, do laundry, do dishes, cook, and you could probably think of more. Before the addition was added, they were living in a 16'x25' house with two bedrooms, a bathroom, kitchen and living room. With the addition it's double the size. Perla and I will have a room that's about 10'x10' or a little more.

Here are some pics of the fam around the house. You can't see much but it gives you an idea.

This is Isaac inside the house.

This is Isai infront of the house.The whole fam in the living room.

This is Perla who I'll be sharing the room with. I love her!

Marriage Worthy Food

2009-08-23T23:13:00.000-07:00

Here, there's a common saying that if you know how to cook, you're ready to get married. I've been told I'm ready to get married a number of times!

Things I've been taught to cook since being in Mexico (get ready, this list is long!)

burritos
carne asada
enchiladas
chiles rellenos
flautas
pozole
tostadasmexican rice (here it's just called rice)
refried beans
empanadas
horchata (drink made from rice)
jamaica (drink made from dried flowers)
champurrada (drink made from corn flour, milk & chocolate)
fish tacos
lots of different salsas
homemade corn & flour tortillas
nopales (a type of cactus)

The list goes on. I just wanted to share my Mexican culinary skills with you.

Are you impressed?

So if you're in the mood for some authentic Mexican food, call me up. We can make a day of it.

A Kevinese Proverb

2009-08-22T00:29:00.000-07:00

It's not about not doing what everyone else is doing.

It's about doing what no one else is doing.

This thought is thanks to my new friend, Kevin. He interned with us for six weeks this summer. And I wanted to share that with you.

Mild? Hot? Or Spicy!?

2009-08-21T14:28:00.000-07:00

I sit here and think about how little time I have left. I haven't let myself think about that yet. But it's coming so much sooner than I thought. I think I might leave next weekend. Next weekend. I haven't even told anyone that yet because it's just so unreal. This makes me so sad. But I have to remember I am the clay. And I have a Potter who knows what He's doing. I would love it if God brought me back here in a few months. Maybe six. Because I do really want to go home to see family and friends. I miss you all so much. And to go to Jamba Juice. To be in Vegas again with the beautiful city lights. To see the new building South Hills will be moving into. To share what God has done in me the past year.

But I don't want to stay there. I get too wrapped up in myself. I can't understand what it is to depend on God.

Not that I have it all together here. And I still have it really easy. But there's nothing I can call my own. Just my clothes. And honestly, it is such a blessing to me. To not own anything and to know that all of this is just lent to me right now. The bed I sleep in. The car I drive. The room I live in. The food in the fridge. The cell phone I use. Even the money I spend. All the money I have was given to me by supporters. People like you. I didn't earn any of it. It's all a gift. And I at home, I try to think about the stuff I have like that. My paychecks. My car. My house. But I still see it as being all mine. My brain just isn't big enough to realize it's still all God's. Whether I worked for it or not. I just don't want to live my whole life here acquiring more things. I still give. A bunch. But only if it's safe and doesn't effect my standard of living.

I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.

Revelation 3:17-18

Again for the First Time

2009-08-19T13:55:00.000-07:00

I feel like I've learned so much about God over the past year. And to me, they're huge things. But when I say them outloud, it sounds lame. Because I haven't really learned anything new about God. He hasn't changed. I've learned things that I've taught in Sunday school for years. But now, it's more than words. I've seen and experienced.

God is the Great Physician. In the States, I don't need God to be my Great Physician. If I get sick, I take some meds. If it gets worse I go to the doctor. Quick and easy. And I have the money to pay for it all. Here, we have to trust that God will heal. God can do things that no doctor can do. There was a man from Princeton, New Jersey who developed a tooth abscess on Monday. The left side of his face was so swollen it looked like he had a baseball stuck in the side of his mouth. We prayed. Not just once. Everytime we prayed (before breakfast, before construction, after construction, before lunch, just for fun...) we asked God to heal him. Wednesday rolled around and he was feeling better but still not too hot. We decided he needed to see the dentist but before he went, we prayed and put it in God's hands. He got to the dentist only to be told that the abscess had drained and was started to heal itself. There was nothing more the dentist could do.

God is the potter. I'm just a piece of clay. I can't do anything on my own. That is such a relief when I think about it. To know that God is shaping me. He knows what He's doing with my life and the end result will be beautiful. There are many stages in making a clay pot when it just looks so...not like a pot. The clay gets built up then torn down only to be built up again. But the whole time, the potter has an end goal in mind. And the clay has no say in the whole deal. What right does the clay have to say, "What do you think you're doing?" It's just some balled up mud. I trust with all I am that the Potter know what He's doing.

There's more. But I haven't processed it yet. Honestly, I'm a little scared to head back to the States. Comfortable. Selfish. Prosperous. Lazy. Lukewarm. I still am all of these things. Some more than others. And it's not that I think the United States is filled with awful people who are all going to Hell. Nothing like that at all. But I think in the States we're blinded. By politics, money, media, culture, "morality". The status quo. Within the church and without.

That was not the intention of this blog. I just wanted to tell you guys that I've fallen more in love with Jesus. And it's wonderful. I'd say you should try it. But it's nothing you can do. I had to realize I'm just a piece of clay, but I have a friend who knows what's up.

Bidi Bidi Bum Bum

2009-08-09T23:01:00.000-07:00

Rosi had her baby!! Last night at 11:30. Perla (Rosi's little sister) texted me at 11 and told me she started having serious contractions. Rosi named her baby girl Viry. Pronounced BEE-dee. She says she named her after the Selena song from the 90's...Bidi Bidi Bum Bum. I don't know the real name of that song but I like it. Here are some pics. She's only about 15 hours old in these!

Having babies happens a lot different here as you'd probably guess. Yes, they have their babies in the hospital. But no one is allowed back with them when they're in there. They're in one big room while they're going through all the contractions and when one of the is finally dialated and ready to push that's when they take them away to have the baby in a separate room. And they don't hang around the hospital too long. Rosi was out of there by about 2 in the afternoon after just having the baby at midnight. She'll go back to the hospital tomorrow for a check up to make sure all is well.

Everyone is healthy, happy and tired.

Praise God for another beautiful baby girl He's made.

Mofles is Spanish for Muffler

2009-07-26T16:08:00.001-07:00

I'm sitting here enjoying a glass of ice. Yes. Ice. It's a treat here in Mexico. It is settling in my stomach on top of the mantaray soup we ate after church. Yes. Mantaray. These things...

Rafa makes a soup that is actually quite delicious. You'll have to come to Ensenada to try it!

So much has happened through this ministry over the past few weeks. Within the past month or so, we've built a boys dormitory for children with special needs, 10 houses, and the second story of Reyerio's church. We successfully survived the largest week of our summer! Last week, we hosted 81 people from Princeton, New Jersey. Through all of these teams, relationships have been formed that are so encouraging. And even if these people never see one another again, they'll have lasting memories that their change lives. Even in just a small way.

I have a new friend at the weekly Bible class (VBS) at Roca Fuerte. His name is Mofles (MOE-flays). It literally means muffler. He's a skinny, bronen-skinned boy whose amost 4 years old. Last week, he came to VBS in a pair of khaki shorts. That's it. It was another hot day so it made sense that he wouldn't want to put a shirt on. But his shoes. Where were his shoes? I jokingly asked what happened to his shirt and poked his belly just to get a glimpse of his cute little smile. But where were his shoes? When VBS ended we all went outside to play and eat snack. I could tell his feet were burning on the hot sand so we went to sit on a bench in the shade of the church. I asked, "Where are your shoes?" He told me he doesn't have any. This makes me sad. But as sad as that makes me, it makes me just as happy to just sit with him. They way he cuddles into my lap. Showing me his animal crackers (he thought it was a horse. i thought it was a rhinocerous.) His shy smile. His skinny arms. His dirty hands. He is God's. And God will take care of him. If God wants to use me to show him a little love, good. If God wants to use someone else, good. But God will take care of Mofles.

Please pray for Rosi because she's due to have her baby girl this week!!

Here are a few pictures from these past couple weeks that I like. Just imagine you're here with me!

Hot Busy Love

2009-07-15T14:05:00.000-07:00

Those are the three words I would use to describe what's going on here right now.

It's been in the high 80s I think for the past couple weeks and it's killer. I know the high 80s sounds like a perfect temperature for those of you in Vegas right now, but we're used to it being much cooler than that. Pray for our teams we go out to construction and working with kids every day. That sun beats down and can take a toll on our bodies.

We are in the middle of our 3rd week of constant group-ness. We've had groups from New Jersey, South Carolina, and Iowa with a total of about 120 people. Every day brings new adventures. Sometimes, I'm in the kitchen cooking with our beautiful chef Tomasa. Last night, we made close to 200 flautas and vats full of beans and pasta salad. Gotta love it. Sometimes I'm helping lead the groups to the beach or souveneir shopping. Hard life, right? Sometimes I'm at vacation Bible school. Rarely I'm at the construction site. Sometimes I'm food shopping. A lot of the time I'm cleaning and organizing stuff around our ministry base. And the list goes on.

Please pray for our team as we have a group of 80 from Jersey coming in on Saturday. This is double our average group size. It will be a week of streching and a week that will only work through the Spirit. As I look ahead I'm intimidated by the size of what is going to happen but then I look at our God and I just laugh. He is so good and He has good plans for this week.

Even though it's hot and busy I have a continued growing love inside me. God is showing me things about myself and about himself and it's brought me such joy. Life is hard but God is more than enough for me. As long as God is with me, anything can happen and it will be ok. Because I know who I am and where I'm going. I have been saved by the One who made this universe and I'm going to spend forever with Him. That is something to smile about.

Here are a couple pictures of one of the groups as they were building a house and after ministry at the Boys Home (boys rehab/correctional center).

Looking Forward and Looking Back

2009-06-15T23:10:00.000-07:00

This Saturday, our official summer season begins. Team after team after team. Each week brings something new. Houses, churches, Vacation Bible Schools, distributions, meals, debriefs, new faces, new relationships, more Spanish, shopping trips, church services, youth events. But at the same time each week is repetition. It's an interesting mix.

And I have a mix of feelings right now. Really, I am very excited to start up VBS (Vacation Bible School) again in full swing. At the same time, the summer hangs almost like a dark cloud on the horizon because I know how much hard work it is. Also, as I think about my time in Mexico soon coming to an end, I get that pain in my throat that precedes the tears. I love these people. I love speaking Spanish. I love this weather. It's hard for me to imagine...I don't like to imagine the day when I will no longer see these friends who are so special to me. Meanwhile, I am very excited to return to Las Vegas. Return to friends, family, and my church whom I love so much.

Transition. Something that is very hard to do. Something I need a lot of prayer about. First, transition into the summer. From doind day-to-day living in Mexico to leading teams. And second, trasition back to the States. It's rough for me to think about that right now. But that time will soon be here. And I will be forced to transition.

But no matter where I am and what I'm doing I don't want to forget the things God has shown me here. The relationships I've made. The protection He's given me. The health He's given me. The constant financial provision each month. The churches and houses I've seen built and the people blessed by them. The kids with such sweet faces as they are being loved on by teams. So good. So beautiful.

Man. I'm getting old.

2009-06-12T14:00:00.001-07:00

My birthday was on Monday!!!

On Sunday night, Rafa organized a surprise birthday party for me. I had no idea and did not expect it at all. It was my first Mexican fiesta (for me) and it was lots of fun.

They always spell my name wrong here...

Rafa...the fiesta organizer...

My first birthday pinata...

Funny Faces...

Me and Minerva with sticker earrings...Very Fashionable...

Crazy Rick...

I love cake!...

The reason the party was on Sunday was because on Monday, we went to San Diego to get sushi. You can't get quality sushi here in Mexico and I've always wanted to go to this restaurant called Todai. So that's where we went. And I got my sushi fill.

It was a mighty fine birthday here in Mexico.

Church by the shore

2009-06-10T10:56:00.000-07:00

This is Jamin...

Jamin (Ha-MEEN) is a new addition to the ministry here in Ensenada. He's a pastor in an area called Salitral which is just a five minute walk from the beach. The college group from Princeton Alliance Church from Princeton, New Jersey was able to build him a church building. There were a few crabs walking around the worksite that the group found on the beach. When I look at pictures of the finished building I smile because it is beautiful and I know it is a gift God has been getting ready for him because Jamin has been praying and hoping in this day for a long time. Jamin has such a kind and vivacious spirit. He always has a gentle smile and encouraging embrace for all who come his way.
The first service held in this new building was packed to the max with about 150 people. There were special guest speakers and a guest worship band that brought the Holy Spirit into that place. After the service, everyone shared a meal of birria (like a stew which is commonly eaten at big celebrations such a weddings and birthdays) and just enjoyed one another.

The guest speaker, Roberto, from Tijuana...

The first service...

Pray for Jamin and the church as they go through the transition with this new building. For the past five months, they have combined with Reynerio's church to get through the winter since they did not have a building. Combining the two churches has been very neat to watch and they have really bonded which will make the split difficult. Pray for wisdom in decisions that need to be made by Jamin and Reynerio and for that bond not to break but to remain strong in love.

Just for Kicks

2009-06-01T15:02:00.000-07:00

So as hard as we work, we also know how to play hard.

The Friday before last, we all headed up to the States to pick up a group to kick off the summer season. They didn't arrive in San Diego until Saturday so we caught the Padres vs. Cubs game Friday night just to have some fun together. And afterwards, we went out on the field to watch the fireworks. It was sweet!

Also, a couple months ago, Kourtney and I got the chance to tour a local wine vineyard. It's been around for over 150 years. We got pulled around in a tractor all through the vineyard. And I only understood about half of what our tour guide said because I don't understand wine lingo in Spanish. But it was a beautiful day and we really enjoyed it.

Thank you, Jesus, for friends and fun!

These Dusty Paths

2009-05-24T18:25:00.000-07:00

By Sarah

A gang of Americans roaming the streets
Of the Mexican barrios, neighborhoods
The streets are more like paths
Brown, dusty, meandering, rut-filled
No longer are these just any streets to me
I have come to love these paths

They lead us to houses
To children
Who stand in the open doorways
Two, three, four of them
Stained clothes, bare feet
Beautiful, deep brown eyes and skin

The fence keeps us at a distance
They don’t trust me
My face
My smile
My skin
My accent
My clothes
There is more than a fence that separates us

We invite them to church
To sing
To play
To listen
To create
To dance
To laugh
To eat
To be kids
It is there that they begin to trust

Their faces change
The eyes that once stared
At the strangers outside the fence
Are now crinkled with laughter
Worlds collide
If just for a day

I will continue to walk these paths
With dust-covered feet
Looking beyond the fences
To meet that unknowing look of a child
With Love

We're Growing

2009-05-20T15:50:00.000-07:00

Praise God that our team is growing!

About two weeks ago (if I remember right), Todd and Susanne and their son Austin (12 yrs. old) moved down here. They are acting as support for Rick and Tammie. Todd has came out of a construction background which will be of great use here and Susanne is helping organize meals and everthing that comes along with that...meal planning, food shopping, organinzing all receipts and putting that info into an organized and understandable format...it's very intensive. They made the move right in the middle of the swine flu "pandemic" but they were not swayed. They have Christ as their Rock and trust Him only.

Over the weekend, we had two interns join us here as well. Stephanie and Dan. They're both excited to jump right into the ministry and give their heart.

Please pray for unity in love amongst our team. And not just us as missionaries here but also unity with the nationals we are here to support. It is only through the work of the Holy Spirit that this unity can be achieved.

Also, thank you for your continued support while I'm here in Mexico. I receive letters and gifts and financial support and it always puts a smile on my face. To know you're thinking of me and care about the ministry that's happening here. I am still not fully funded. Please join me in my prayers that at the end of this year I will reach the $14,000 that is needed. God is so good. Each month I receive just enough in my account. For those of you who would like to but do not know how to support me financially, the address is located at the top of my blog by my picture. All gifts are tax-deductible. May God bless you abundantly for being a blessing to me. In ways you don't expect.

Summer is coming...

2009-05-07T13:22:00.000-07:00

So, the last few days I've been creating the VBS (Vacation Bible School) invitations for this summer. I'm pretty excited about how they turned out. Check it out!

Translation:

Summer School

Strong Rock Church

Every Monday of the summer

June, July and August

Hours 1:30-3:30

Bible Stories, Crafts, Games, Songs

All children are invited

Don't miss it!!!

This is the sickest event invitation that's ever hit Maneadero!

It's making quite a stir.

Just kidding.

But seriously.

Spanish Slip-Ups

2009-04-23T13:53:00.000-07:00

So I'm learning Spanish. And I still make plenty of mistakes that all you can do is laugh at...

One of the language blunders came in Mexicali. We were driving around (Rick was in the driver's seat). A little lost. Very dark. No street lights. Two lane, twisting and turning road. I'm in the back seat and all of a sudden I saw a speed bump. And I could tell by how fast Rick was driving he didn't see it. Even though all of us in the car spoke English, for some reason Spanish was the first thing to come out of my mouth...I yelled "Totopo!!" Now that is not the correct word for speed bump in Spanish which is "tope." What I actually yelled was "Tortilla chip!!" Everyone in the car had a good laugh.

Another Spanish slip-up came when we were at home about to go into town or something. I don't remember. I was still getting ready and said, "Necesito ponerme mantequilla." I was pretty sure when that sentence came out of my mouth something was wrong with it. I meant to say, "I need to put makeup on." Mantequilla is not the word of make up. It's actually the word for butter. So what I actually said was, "I need to put butter on." If you're wondering, the real word for makeup is maquillaje. Close. But not nearly right.

Oh, the joys of learning a language!

Mexicali Dos

2009-04-22T11:54:00.000-07:00

My time in Mexicali was a true blessing. To be surrounded by so many people from home. To feel love and encouragement from people I’ve never met before. To watch kids be loved on who you can tell have a huge lack of love at home. To watch a church building go up in less than a week.

My personal triumph of the week was interpreting for the first time. Because it was people from home I had a little more courage to make a complete fool of myself. On Wednesday, I interpreted the pastors’ testimonies from Spanish to English. With a good bit of help from Kourtney and only a couple impatient remarks from the pastors it went pretty good. Then, on Thursday and Friday I interpreted the testimonies of the team members at the Bible school from English to Spanish. I know there were a whole lot of grammatical errors but I also know that the message of God’s love and power shone through all of my mistakes.

Every day, the Bible school at Gustavo’s church (Iglesia Vida Eterna=Eternal Life Church) had about thirty kids. And a majority of the kids returned every day to learn something new. It was very unique to see how the people from South Hills bonded so tightly with the kids. Our last night in Mexicali, we went to the first service in the new building that South Hills built. When it was time to say the goodbye, people from both sides of the border were crying because they did not want to leave one another. There was a deep bond of love which I think can only by formed through Christ.

I had no idea the week my church from home was here would affect me so much. They left over a week ago and I’m still trying to get over missing them and missing home. I thought I was so happy here. I thought I could live here forever. But seeing people who I know, who I love, who love me, who get me, who act like me really made me second guess that. And it’s not that I don’t want to be here anymore. I still love it here. I will leave a lot of love here when I go home. But I’m a Vegas girl. I’m not ready to move away for good…YET!

The Bible school throughout the week...

Sunday service on the land before the construction started...

The big party at the end of the week...And the final product!

Tomasita

2009-04-14T21:04:00.000-07:00

Her name is actually Tomasa.

But I call her Tomasita because I love her dearly.

Tomasa cooks all of the dinners for the groups that come through Ensenada. And now, she not only cooks for our groups in Ensenada, but also in Mexicali! If you didn't know, South Hills Church (my church from Las Vegas that I LOVE!) came to Mexicali last week for their Mexico spring break trip. In the next week, I'll share pictures and stories of what happened there. But right now I want to focus on Tomasa.

She needs your prayer. She loves to cook for our groups but is very sick. I don't think the doctors have diagnosed her with anything but she often has a lot of pain and fatigue and lately has also had a bad cough and fever. Last thursday, on the way home from Mexicali, Tammie took her to the hospital in Ensenada to get checked out. They sent her home with an IV in her hand and some medication to help her get better. I have been able to see a difference in her and she says she's getting better and better each day. Please pray for Tomasa. Cooking for our groups is a whole lot of work and she puts all of herself into it. She often over exerts herself to make sure everything is just right. Pray that Tomasa would be healed of her sickness and that all the glory goes to God.

Vegas loves Tomasita almost as much as I do. This picture below was taken right after Tomasa said some tear-filled goodbyes to the Vegas team on her last day in Mexicali with them. Tomasa is in the yellow sweater and grey shirt on the right hand side of the picture. Her husband, Pastor Faustino, is the guy crouched in front of her.

And on a quick selfish note...while you're praying, you can pray for me. Since the South Hills team went home I've been a little sad. I didn't realize how much I miss my church and my friends. I know I'll be going home soon enough and I want to stay focused on today and living here. All of the pastors and people here have noticed how sad I've been and I don't want them to think it's because I don't like it here or I just want to go home because I don't like them anymore. I want to love with all I am and be a shining light in the darkness.

THANK YOU FOR PRAYING!!! I love you guys.

Big Bear Pics

2009-04-13T08:58:00.000-07:00

Hey!!!

So I like looking at pictures and thought you would too. Here are some pics that are from a group that came down a couple weeks ago from Big Bear, CA. They laid the concrete slab for Jamin's church which will be built this summer, built a bathroom and put a sidewalk in front of Reynerio's church, and had a whole lot of fun while they were doing all of it. And they got all of that done in just three days!! They came to do work. So here are some pictures from their group. Jim, a professional photographer, took all of them. To see more go to their BLOG.

Just a little sick

2009-03-26T11:07:00.000-07:00

We just wrapped up with two groups. One from Owen Sound, Canada and the other from Big Bear, CA. Well, really they left a few days ago but I've been completely out of it because I've been a little sick.

But today is the first day since they left that I'm feeling really good. Kourtney and I went Mexican style (all 3 of us are sick with pretty much the same thing) and we went to get shots. The people here don't take pills. They get injections. If your back hurts, you get a shot. If you have a cold, you get a shot. And it's all available over the counter. We got shots of penicillin. There are three total. One in the morning, one at night, and one the next morning. I got my last shot this morning. If you think about it, shots are just more powerful and fast acting than pills. Because they go straight into your bloodstream and the doses are kind of a lot. So I'm a fan of the injections. Pills are overrated. :)

Please be praying for our health and safety down here. I'm thankful that we got sick after the group left but it hasn't been fun laying in bed and sleeping my life away the past couple days. This little sickness has helped to remind me that I won't be able to survive this summer if I'm running on my own strength. I have to press hard into Christ and ask the Spirit to fill me and give me strength. If I try to do it on my own, I'll fall hard.

For those of you who like pictures, a professional photographer came with the Big Bear group and they have lots of pictures up on their blog. They came to lay the concrete foundation for Jamin's church. I highly recommend checking them out! Click here to see the pics.

Mexicali!

2009-02-26T21:01:00.000-08:00

So, last Wednesday we (Rick & Tammie & co., Sammie (Rick's assistant), Casey, Kourtney, and I) went to Mexicali to set a few things up for the spring break groups that will be building churches there. And to get a feel for the city so we don't get ourselves completely lost when groups come. We got there in the early afternoon on Wednesday and immediately went to meet up with the pastor, Rafa, and see where his new church is going to be built in Oaxaca which is about 30 minutes outside of Mexicali. Now when I say we do anything "immediately" that's in Mexican time. We actually stopped to get directions a few times, stopped to check out a hotel to possibly stay in, stopped to get directions again, ate tortas for lunch, THEN immediately went to meet Rafa. Who wasn't even there. Wednesday was a day full of driving and it was nice to lay down at the end of the day.

Thursday came with a big surprise. We drove to the border to check out what the crossing situation looked like and then stopped to eat lunch at a taco shop right there. We all ate and were talking when I saw someone out of the corner of my eye walk in. I quickly glanced up, looked away, then thought, "What the heck? That's Neal!" He had left LV at 5am and had driven down with Brian McQuown, Matt Hall and pastor Bret to check out Mexicali to prepare for their spring break trip with us. I was SO surprised.

So, Thursday we went to check out where South Hills will be staying, went to check where they'll be building the house, met Gustavo (the pastor they're building the church for), went to get some dinner at a Mexican restaurant, then crashed at the hotel. And Friday was another day of driving. The drive to Mexicali is about 4 hours from Ensenada.

For the few of you who don't read Neal Benson's Blog I wanted to give you a chance to see the sick video Kyle Rock made from their prep trip to Mexicali. Click HHEERREE to check it out!

For all of you lovers out there!

2009-02-10T19:38:00.000-08:00

It has been REALLY cold here. Well, cold for us. Right now the only exposed parts of my body are my face and my hands and my hands feel like icicles and my nose is runny. But it should turn around soon.

I got a cavity. Real bummer to have my first cavity in Mexico. And I don’t have dental insurance. Not that that will matter here. I think I’m going to go to a dentist here and have them fix it.

Saturday is Valentine’s Day! For all of you lovers out there! They celebrate Valentine’s Day here but it’s called El Dia del Amor y Amistad (Love and Friendship Day). We are having a “confra” for the youth here on Valentine’s Day. A confra is kind of like a youth conference but on a smaller scale than in the States. They invite a bunch of churches to bring their youth together to worship, play games, hear a message, and meet new people. Please pray for the confra coming up this Saturday. First, pray for Rafa. He’s the one organizing it and he’s pretty discouraged because the churches have not been really supportive or helpful as he’s been in the planning and preparation stages. Also, pray for lots of kids, for the word to be spoken clearly and with love, and for safety.

I’m really happy here. Besides getting a cavity. Which sucks. It’s really just begun to feel like home. It’s still hard being stared at because I tower over most of the Mexican men not to mention the women and it’s still hard to live in a culture that isn’t your own and speak a language that’s not your own but…I like it here. But I go back and forth on whether I could live in a culture that’s not my own for my life. If that’s the best way for me to do ministry. Because it’s hard for me to do ministry here. To relate to these people who have grown up so differently than I did and have seen and done so many different things. But Christ didn’t command the disciples to just do ministry within the group of people with their background. With their upbringing. Who they were comfortable with. No. He said go into all the world. The power of Christ is above all cultures, all languages, all skin or hair colors, all socio-economic statuses. And this is the power that lives in me. So yeah. I can do this. But only with his help and his guidance.

So Strong!

2009-01-29T10:17:00.000-08:00

Psalm 91
1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."
3 Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.
8 You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked.
9 If you make the Most High your dwelling— even the LORD, who is my refuge-
10 then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
14 "Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation."

This is a favorite psalm in Mexico. I would compare it to Psalm 23 in the States..."Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I shall fear no evil..."

Over the past week I've trusted in the promises of this psalm. The promises that God is strong and will never fail us. This past week, the spiritual darkness has become more real to us. People have been telling us story after story about their experiences with spirits here. Everyone has a story. And they all believe. Spiritual warfare is real here. One of the pastors we work with lives in a house where many people have seen or experienced the prescence of demons.

But I can't say it's dangerous. Because we have God on our side. And he is STRONG. And when you read this psalm you know that there's nothing to fear. Because as many demons as there are here, there are so many more angels protecting us and fighting on our side.

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

Joshua 1:9

Lots of Smiles

2009-01-20T18:10:00.000-08:00

I just told Casey how I can't believe it is only 6pm. I'm already so tired. This morning we drove out to the Boys Home like we do every Tuesday and Friday. I brought along my camera because we had plans to learn how to make corn tortillas after class so I decided to take some pictures while we were with the boys. Teaching them English is slow going and sometimes it seems like they might not even want to learn. But they do their best. Usually. And it's been really fun to get to know them and know that they see a difference in our lives and what we live for than the lives of their friends and the gangs they have been a part of. Here are some pics and a video of our time today.

From left to right: Cozmel, Daniel, Jaime, & Miguel

Please pray for Daniel and Cozmel to realize Christ's love for them and realize there's nothing better in this world. They the draw their gang signs in class and still talk about going back to their same old lives when they get out of the rehabilitation center. Please pray that their heart would be softened to hear and understand the words of God they're hearing each day.

After class, we drove to Rosi's house. Last night, she invited us over to learn how to make corn tortillas with her from a woman named Ruth who goes to Roca Fuerte (the church I go to each week). We got there an hour late which Rose actually thanked us for. This is Mexico. So I can't say I'm any expert tortilla maker but it was a lot of fun.

Ruth...She was the expert tortilla maker!

That's my tortilla Sergio's eating. Doesn't it look good!

Ricardo being silly for the camera

Funny Story of the Day...

2009-01-12T13:54:00.000-08:00

Actually, it's the funny story of yesterday...

Every Sunday I take care of the chiquititos (chee-kee-TEE-toes). That means the little little kids. About the ages of one to three or four. Usually there's between five and eight kids in my class. We play with playdough, sing songs, play musica instruments, read a story from the Bible, color or whatever. It's pretty fun. As long as I don't have a crying child. They drive me crazy. I'm not good at handling crying children. Just give me a crying child and I know immediately I don't have or currently want kids.

Anyways, the funny story doesn't have anything to do with that.

After I service ended, I went upstairs to see what everyone else was doing. We have the kids classes downstairs and church service upstairs. The worship team and pastor and his wife and all of their kids were all talking and hanging out at the front of the room. I walk up there and Rosi (Pastor Ricardo's wife) walks up to me with a pair of scissors in hand. I knew exactly what this meant. All summer she had been bothering me to give her some of my hair. Always half joking and always with a big smile on her face. I though she was just kidding at first but she was serious. Instead of saying yes or no, everytime she would ask, I would say, "Tomorrow". (I learned that little trick from Rick!) But this time there was no getting around it. So, I sat down in the the front pew of the church...and she cut it! It wasn't too much. Probably a quarter inch square. That sounds like kind of a lot, huh? After she cut it, she ran down to her house, hot glued the top end together and put it right in her hair! It was so weird to see all of them handing this long piece of my hair around and saying how pretty it looked on her. So weird!

But that got me thinking...maybe I can sell my hair! I'm thinking it's a pretty good idea...

Happy New Year!

2009-01-07T10:53:00.000-08:00

So I wanted to share some pictures of my New Year's with you guys. We invited all of the churches to the Second Floor to have dinner. It was so much fun to be mingle and laugh and joke around. And the dinner was delicious. Faustino made birria which is a popular soup here. I told some of you guys we were going to put goat in the soup but that didn't quite fit the budget. Here, a goat costs about 1,000 pesos which is about $75 and one goat only feeds 30 people or so I think. So we had birria with beef which was still great!

Inside was packed with people. Here's a picture of people eating. There was about the same amount of people eating outside.
Reynerio (waving) and Faustino (in the back). They were the chefs of the night.

After dinner we started the fireworks. Rick was the master firework lighter of the night. Here's a picture of some of the kids hanging out downstairs watching the fireworks.

And the grand finale was lighting our Christmas tree on fire. While we were in the States we left it outside to dry out and it lit right up! The flame got higher than the Second Floor. It was sweet. And hot.
Here are some of the kids watching the crazy flames of the Christmas tree.

After dinner and the fireworks and Christmas tree, we cleaned up a bit and then went to a church service. Most all Christians here go to a church service just before the new year strikes. To reflect on the blessings of God the year before and ask for his blessing in this coming year. And to surrender this coming year to him and to his plan.

Overall, it was a very good New Year's with lots of good friends.

Happy New Year to all of you guys and your families.

Blessings

I'm Back

2008-12-30T16:18:00.000-08:00

Hi!

Just wanted to let you all know I'm back in Mexico. Safe and Sound.

Right now we have a group from North Carolina with us. I already knew a couple on the team because they came over the summer and it's been fun to see them again and catch up. That's one thing I've been finding a lot of fun...seeing people again that I got to know a little bit over the summer.

This group is building a house right next to Iglesia Aposento Alto (Francisco's church). They've been doing a great job and getting it done very fast even though it's a relatively small group.

I'm very happy to be back in Mexico. When the group went to the construction site this morning us interns went to the Boys' Home to teach English. We could tell they didn't really want to have class. They never really do. So we just decided to play volleyball. They knew the rules pretty well. We all had different opinions on some calls but it was lots of fun. And a beautiful day. I have to say I am thoroughly appreciating the weather. It's been sunny and a high of 70 or 75. Just beautiful.

Well, we're off to dinner. Then to church at Aposento Alto.

Please just pray that I would continually grow more into Christ. That I can learn from His Word and apply it to my life. And the Holy Spirit would work mightily in my heart. Because I can't do it on my own. That's for sure!

Love you guys!!

ps. Thanks to all of you guys who are reading this humble little blog of mine. When I was home so many of you told me you were keeping up with my blog and praying for me when you look at my magnet. It surprised me and it means so much. So thank you! And keep it up!

Hermana Sarita

2008-12-06T23:10:00.000-08:00

In Spanish that means Sister Sarah. At church everyone calls each other brother and sister. And I freaking love it when they call me Sarita. I think it's my favorite nickname ever.

Roca Fuerte had our very first women's ministry meeting tonight. A woman there called me Hermana Sarita and it was funny because it was the first time she met me and was already calling me that but I think it's because she just heard Rosi call me Sarita and picked it up. Anyways, tonight went really well. I was really tired before I even got there and a small part of me hoped no one would show up so I could go home and go to sleep. But there were 8 women total. I'm not really a woman according to Mexican culture. Once you're married, you're an adult. That goes the same for guys. If you're 30 but not married you are still called a youth. I know. Crazy. Not a concept Americans (me included) can easily grasp.

Tonight, there was a "woman" who kind of blew my mind. She walked in with two kids in tow and sat next to me and I didn't think she could be much older than 19. Her name is Mary. We got to talking and I came to learn that she is 17 years old with a husband and two kids. A two year old and a one year old. Can you say wow! She was beautiful. But now I know why women look so much older and more mature than their actual age!

But I had a lot of fun tonight at the women's ministry meeting. We had coffee and cookies and just sat and talked. We went around and everyone shared a little and it was really cool to see a little into their lives. It's so hard for me to break down those walls at a service so this was really neat.

Pray for the women of Roca Fuerte to be bright lights for Christ in their homes and in the communtiy. That they would know their worth and power and purpose in Christ.

Micro Madness

2008-12-04T15:06:00.000-08:00

So I have to take the Micro to and from Spanish class now. That means I take a bus to school. But they're not like the public bus transportation we have in the States. Have you ever heard of the short bus? For students with special needs. Well, here, there are hundreds of short buses painted white driving around all day. My first experience was yesterday. Granted, I'd been on the micro once before but I was with four other interns and a friend who lives here and he talked to everyone and did everything for us. So, yesterday was my first time by myself. I got on fine. No problem. I happily rode it for a good twenty minutes. Then it came time to get off. I forgot to tell you that the way you get on and off is different here too. To get on the micro, you just stand anywhere on the side of the street and they'll pull over to pick you up. There are no real bus stops. That goes the same for getting off. You can get off wherever you want. When you want to get off all you do is say "Bajan" which means something like stop and they'll pull over. So I said, "Bajan aqui, por favor" and I hear a teenage boy in the back repeat me. I'm sure because he was mimicking my accent. But it was kind of funny. Anyways, I'm slowly getting used it. One of my friends offered to give me a ride on his friend's horse so I didn't have to take the micro. I think I'll stick with the micro. :)

I spent all afternoon with Rosi yesterday. I took the micro to their house after class yesterday because Casey and Kourtney went to the States. Rosi and I made fish tacos, painted a wall in her house (purple!), and talked and laughed a lot. For some reason there were tons of flies in her house yesterday afternoon. They just covered the ceiling. So we got some big sheets of paper, rolled them up, lit them on fire and held them up to the ceiling so the flies would fly away and out the door. It was pretty nasty.

This Saturday, December 6th is our first women's ministry meeting at Roca Fuerte. Please pray for Rosi. I think she's pretty nervous. She really like working with kids but she has a harder time working with women older than her. I think because she's been hurt in the past. She told me yesterday that a woman from the neighborhood came up to her at church and told her that since Rosi is so you she doesn't have the wisdom or ability to teach anyone else anything and the woman said she didn't have anything to learn from Rosi. Rosi is 26. So you can pray for her. That God would give her love and wisdom in how to lead these women. That she would have confidence in the gifts God has given her and not doubt because of her age.

Missing Home

2008-12-01T18:05:00.000-08:00

Today was hard.

It's the first day I've really been bored. Nothing to do.

We were supposed to go to the States so switched around my Spanish class schedule but it ended up that we couldn't go because the car we needed to take went into the shop on Saturday and isn't done yet.

And last night I was in a bad mood because I was just getting frustrated not being able to understand and speak Spanish. Sometimes I feel good about the level I'm at and then other times I just can't seem to get through a sentence. I spent all afternoon yesterday with Rosi, Ricardo and Perla. We went to visit a boy from Durango (the area Roca Fuerte is in) then we walked around Walmart and a little shopping mall, and got hamburgers and ate in the car infront of a convenience store. It was fun to spend so much time with them but I just got so frustrated by the end not being able to talk to them the way I want.

So that bad mood has carried over to today since I really didn't get to see anyone or do anything besides grocery shopping and studying Spanish. This whole sitting around thing has really made me miss home and friends and family.

I miss you guys and I love you. Please keep praying for me and my Spanish and just living here in another culture and new people.

Accion de Gracias

2008-11-27T14:35:00.001-08:00

Otherwise known as Thanksgiving!!!

And that's today. It's been a very chill day and I'm really liking it. I got to sleep in which was very nice. Then I took a cold shower because the pilot was put out by the rain last night. I talked to family which was very fun. Decorated and watered our Christmas tree. Made some rice. Did my Spanish homework. And that brings me here.

And it's beautiful outside. We've had a lot of rain over the past couple nights but the days are gorgeous. We woke up yesterday to find a bit of a disaster on our patio because of the rain. There was a makeshift shade thing the pastors built and gave out under the weight of all the rain gathering in the tarps.

In just a few minutes we're going over to Rick and Tammie's to peel potatoes for dinner tonight. We're having the classic Thanksgiving meal plus the tamales Laura's family (my Spanish teacher) is bringing.

I hope all of you have a fabulous Thanksgiving. I send all my love!

My Weekend

2008-11-24T12:51:00.000-08:00

This past weekend was eventful as every day is here. On Saturday, Casey, Kourtney and I went to have a late breakfast with my Spanish teacher, Laura. She is such a sweet lady who loves to talk and laugh and get to know people and she tells it how it is. We had pancakes, yogurt, eggs, bacon, tamales, juice and coffee. Much like the States. Except the tamales. We ended up staying about three and a half hours just because we were having such a good time. Laura and her family are also going to have Thanksgiving with us at Rick and Tammie's house. Please pray that we will show the love and grace of Christ to her. She grew up in the Catholic church here in Mexico but was disenchanted with the legalism and was very hurt. This relationship God has developed between Laura and her family and Rick and Tammie and us interns is really neat and exciting.

After breakfast we went to Walmart to buy a gift for a baby shower. Saturday night we hosted a baby shower here at the Second Floor for Mary (Francisco's wife). Rossy and Mini (a woman from Mary's church) decorated the Second Floor with balloons and table cloths and baby shower signs and it looked really nice. The down side was that not many people showed up. But we still had a lot of fun and blessed Mary and her baby on the way. It's a boy and his name is going to be Francisco. Just like his daddy.

Sunday was church, of course. Rossy asked if I would take the little kids (ages 2 and 3) while she took the big ones. There were five of them and we went in the downstairs of the church. We colored and played with toy instruments and I read them a story and sang a song. Kourtney said they could here me talking upstairs. I hope they didn't hear me singing! I had a fun with them.

And I would write more but I have to go to class in 25 minutes and just realized I didn't do my homework!!!

Love you guys!

Saltwater Showers and Street Parades

2008-11-20T17:09:00.000-08:00

Today was another interesting day in Mexico.

We woke up to another day of no water. I didn't take a shower yesterday or the day before so I decided that this was not going to happen again. I needed a shower. So we went to Agua Caliente (a name of one of the beaches) because I knew there was a campground there that would let us use their showers. But there's a catch. It's saltwater. And it's a little chilly. But I am now clean.

On the way home we ran into a slight problem. There was a parade blocking about a mile of the highway live on and that we need to take to get home. It was a huge parade for the Mexican Independence Day. There were thousands of people in the street. Cheerleaders, gymnasts, old ladies tossing around a volleyball, a drumline, 20 or 30 NICE classic cars and trucks, children dressed in Mexican "revolutionary" clothing, semi-trucks full of high school kids and live bands, horses, and so much more. We saw less than half of the parade go by. Before the parade started we were just walking down the street and looking at everyone in the street waiting to start. At one point, Kourtney said, "I think we're drawing more attention than the parade." We get a lot of funny looks around here and that's not going to change. But I find it pretty funny sometimes. Below are some pictures of the parade from our balcony. It started right outside the Second Floor.

After the saltwater showers and the Mexican parade, I spent the rest of my day doing my Spanish homework. I have so much more to learn. Slow and steady wins the race!

New, Fun Adventures

2008-11-18T18:40:00.001-08:00

A few things I didn't expect to experience in Mexico:

Removing the fat and skin from 80 pounds of chicken

Amost having to go dumpster diving in piles of rotten food and garbage and swarms of flies

Having a car hit the building we live in

Buying a Christmas tree

Driving a big old construction truck with children riding on the hood, roof, bed and trailor screaming "Viva Mexico!"

I want to explain a little more about number 5. Yesterday and today are the days they celbrate Mexican Independence. I thought it was sometime in September but they have so much pride here they have multiple independence days! I think this one is just celebrating a different battle. Anyways, we gussied up the truck with balloons and streamers and hauled children around Durango (the neighborhood of Roca Fuerte which is where I serve). The kids dressed up like revolutionaries back in the day with their sombreros, mustaches, guns, flowing skirts, fancy hair and all. I have to tell you I was very, very nervous to have children riding all over this car that I was driving and responsible for. But all went well. Halfway through the neighborhood the horn gives out. I scream to Rossy, "El horno esta roto!". Only to realize in my Spanish class today that I was saying the oven is broken not the horn is broken. No wonder Rossy and Perla looked at me funny! From that point on Perla and I just made beeping/screaming noises to draw all the attention. Rossy made pozole (a Mexican soup with corn, onion, lettuce an chicken) for everyone to eat after.

Rossy drawing on Isaac's beard

Perla and I in Ricardo and Rossy's house

Once again, I ask that you keep praying for me. I know your prayers are strengthening me and giving me wisdom in new situations each day. Pray for my continued growth in Spanish. Pray that I can begin to build solid and meaningful relationships in Roca Fuerte. That I would be BOLD to step out and use the little Spanish I know to meet people and get to know them and their families. Pray for health. We've had a few people sick these last few days and it really wears on your ability to function and do ministry.

Pictures with my Pops

2008-11-14T11:46:00.000-08:00

Hi friends,

I like pictures and I know you do too. So I wanted to post a few of when my dad was here. If you don't know he did the coolest thing of taking time off work to drive me all the way down to Ensenada and hung out for a couple days. The first picture is in the car in Mexico. The drive to Ensenada follows the coast all the way down and it's beautiful. We drove my dad's 1966 Skylark down there and it was great weather. A little cold at times but great. We got into Ensenada last Monday at about 4pm west coast time. The next picture was taken on the way to dinner that night. We went to the best taco stand in Meneadero...Poblano's. The picture is of Kourtney, Casey, and Rafa who rode in the back seat on the way to dinner. The Skylark wasn't too happy with the extra weight in the back and bottomed out a couple times but we made it. The last picture was taken at breakfast the next day. We went to this cuagmante (I think that's how it's spelled) stand right down the road from our apartment. Cuagmante is a seafood soup they eat for breakfast here. It has shrimp and octopus and other seafood. It tastes really good but there are a few things you have to close your eyes for before you eat them. The soup comes in a big, white styrofoam cup and with tortillas.

Tonight, I'm going to a prayer service at Roca Fuerte. I'll be working with this church very closely for the next year. Each of us interns were assigned a different church to do ministry with. I'm so excited to be working with Ricardo and Rossy. I'll go to service at Roca Fuerte three times a week usually. Sunday morning for church. Wednesday evening for midweek church. And Friday evening for prayer service.

After the prayer service tonight we are having a surprise birthday party for Perla. Rossy's little sister. She's turning 16. Kourtney and I made a cake for her this morning for her mordida! They're going to have a fire outside of their house and music and it should be lots and lots of fun. I'll try to take some pictures to show you guys.

I love you all.

Please continue praying for me.

Please pray for me as I begin doing deeper ministry with Iglesia Roca Fuerte. That I can build deep relationships with people in the church. And that I would have the wisdom in where to step in and help. I'm not here to save the church or lead any ministries for them. I'm solely a support to provide them with resources and ideas and help raise up leaders and encourage people in the church to take become involved and take ownership of ministries in their church.
Also, please pray that my spanish would improve more and more every day!

Skype

2008-11-11T12:45:00.000-08:00

Don't get used to me posting so often. I'm just doing it as often as I can and when I actually have stuff to share.

So I just downloaded Skype. If you have Skype, hit me up. My Skype name is roney.sarah. If you don't know, Skype is a program you can download for free online to make calls using your Internet. Calls are free from Skype to Skype and a couple cents a minute to call landlines or cell phones. This is what I'll mostly be using to talk to all you guys. Leave a comment or email me (skaroney@hotmail.com) your Skype names so we can chat it up.

I have my first Spanish tutoring in just an hour! I want to get this language so bad!!!!

One Group Down

2008-11-10T22:59:00.000-08:00

This has been a great weekend. It's been really fun to get my feet wet with groups again and slide back into it all. After the distribution and dinner on Saturday, we went to a soccer game between two of the churches. Iglesia Roca Fuerte beat Iglesia Rosa de Saron. Sunday we went to church at Rosa de Saron (Pastor Reynario) in the morning and Aposento Alto (Pastor Francisco) in the evening. Today, we hemmed up curtains for the apartments, went shopping in downtown Ensenada and had a final dinner and debrief together at Rick and Tammie's. The whole weekend was very fun. But I am very happy we don't have another group coming tomorrow as this group leave like we do in the summer. We have a break of about two weeks, I think.

I start Spanish classes tomorrow with Tammie. 2:00pm. I'm very excited. I want to get this language so bad. Please pray for me in that.

Also, please pray for my family. For God's direction and blessing and mercy. It's hard to be away when crazy things happen but I know He is in control.

With love.

First group!

2008-11-08T21:04:00.000-08:00

So I'm here. It almost feels like I never left. I've had so many warm welcome backs. It's so good.

My roommates for the next year are Casey and Kourtney. Casey if from a small town in NY and Kourtney is from New Jersey. Not a small town but definitely smaller than Vegas! Kourtney's birthday was a couple days ago and here are some pictures of her mordida at Rick and Tammie's. Mordida means to take a bite of the cake but it's code for get your face shoved in the cake. She looks good, huh?

We got our first couple groups this weekend. A group of 12 from Big Bear came late late on Friday night. It's a group of high school students and leaders. They're actually from the church Neal went to in Big Bear. This morning, after breakfeast they built a bathroom for Iglesia Rosa de Saron (Pastor Reynerio). They put the whole thing up in just a few hours. Painted and all. After lunch (my first sandwich of my year here. many more to come.), I took them to La Montana (The Mountain) to do a distribution of clothing, socks, and blankets to the men and women and candy, juice and animal crackers to the kids. It felt so good to be there. It was fun to start right where I left off. Leading groups on my own. For a very short period of time. Before coming to Mexico I really never thought I had much leadership skill. God has shown me here and stretched me in ways I'm not comfortable to learn about myself and grow.

The other group was from San Diego. They got into Maneadero (the city I technically work in) at 10:30 am and left at 4:00 pm. Just a quick day trip. They did a distribution at Iglesia Rosa de Saron of clothes, bags of beans and rice, juice, candy, and toys. I only spent about 45 minutes with them but their church is a great support to the ministry here and it was good to have them.

Here's a quickish breakdown of how a distribution works. Because there will be more to come. We try not to do a whole lot because we don't want the people to become dependent and cause more harm than good. We're very careful. First, we do songs. Worship songs for both kids and adults. Then, there are a couple testimonies of what God's done in the lives of people from the group. This group did a skit after that. Then, there's a short message about Christ. Finally, prayer.

It was so neat to see 20 or 30 women walk forward and ask for prayer. Tomasa (Pastor Faustino's wife) and girls from the team walked around and prayed for people in both Spanish and English. Total there were 40 or 50 women and over 70 kids. There were just a few men because most are working out working or just out. But I wanted to share some pictures of my day with you. So this was my today...

I'm reading my Spanish/English Bible and loving it! Thank you guys so much for praying for me. Please pray for unity in love among Rick and Tammie and us girls. Also pray for unity in the church here.

I love you guys!

Last Week in Vegas

2008-10-30T15:42:00.000-07:00

I've had a great last week at home.

My mom came flew in from Minnesota and we got to spend a lot of time together. My brother's 21st birthday was on Tuesday. We did our first shot of vodka as a family. I played bingo with my mom and brother. I went to Club Christ one last time. I was prayed for by the entire South Hills Church family (thank you guys!).

All that's left to do is pack and say some last goodbyes. Then I leave bright and early on Monday, November 3rd.

I want to say thank you to all of you for your love and support through all of this. Just reading my blog means a lot to me. Don't be scared to leave a comment. I like to know people are reading this stuff.

I love you all!

Here are some pics of my family and two girls from Club Christ (Mikaya & Kwestchen)

Thank Him.

2008-10-22T12:28:00.000-07:00

Wow. Less than two weeks. I get little butterflies and an uncontrollable smile when I think about it.

Thank you guys for all of your prayers for me as I prepare to go and as I get my finances in order. I've been doing a lot of praying and I have to admit I've been getting a little anxious about when all of my support is going to come in. Last night, I got a call from a friend who decided to support me quite a bit. When I thanked them they were silent for a moment. Then they said, "Don't thank me, thank God."

So a HUGE thank you to God that I am now one third of the way to my goal of $14,000. And I know He will quickly provide the rest of it before I leave. We serve one powerful, loving, knowing God.

If you think God wants to use you to help me get to my support goal, let Him use you. Use the resources He has given you to bring Him all the glory and fame. We are truly making Jesus famous! You can find the address to mail checks to in the right column of my blog in my Profile area. Be sure to put my name in the Memo.

Praise God and thank Him today for what He has given you and what He is doing in your life.

(The picture was taken in the community of Iglesia Roca Fuerte (Strong Rock Church) on a warm sunny day.)

The October Newsletter

2008-10-15T18:38:00.000-07:00

Rick and Tammie just sent out their October newsletter and I wanted to post it on here for all of you to read. This way you can get a quick look at what ministries we will be beginning this next year and the things God is doing.

Greetings,

We have two weeks left before we head back to Mexico. It has been a great time of connecting with churches and spending time with family. While we are up in the States, Rick needed to see a doctor. He thought he might have Gallstones. It turns out that it is not Gallstones, but it may be a couple of other things. This week Rick will get a blood test and a stress test to find out what is going on. Please pray for him, that the doctors will be able to figure out what's going on.

While we have been up in the States we have been blessed with a donated truck from Michael & Val Wedman and East Hills Alliance Church donated a bus. What a huge blessing, we are so grateful for the generosity of people and many still continue to give money for ministry expenses. For those of you who were with us last summer, you know how many people we crammed in each car to get youth to a beach outreach. This will also make it easier to transport groups.

We are all excited to go home and begin another year of ministry in Ensenada. When we return home we have several new projects we want to start with the ministry. We would like to open a coffee house and drop in center at the second floor (where our groups eat) to youth in the community. We would like to offer free Internet, games, and coffee for youth to drop in. The churches have started to work with the youth, so we want to have creative opportunities to share the gospel with the lost. With the children we will be working alongside the churches to build a healthy children's program, possibly with awana. 5 of the 6 churches are now officially Alliance Churches, with 5 official Alliance pastors. Pray as we are trying to come up with ways that they can make money and pastor their churches, we are looking at offering them micro finance loans. At this time we have two other pastors that are working toward becoming Alliance pastors, and hopefully by next summer we will be able to build them a church in the community they are working in.

We have been praying for a facility to house the groups. This next summer we have four weeks of at least one-hundred people each week. As the ministry has grown our needs have grown, God has been faithful and supplied our every need. We are Gods servants in Ensenada and want to make sure that we are in His will. One of the options is buying a facility that is ready to move in and house groups, or purchase land and build. Our need is for this summer to have a place large enough to accommadate the groups, and to be wise with our decisions. Our summer is just about fully booked, we continue to be amazed at churches who have sacrificially come alongside the ministry. One of the new opportunities we have is Praxis students serving with us for one year. Not only will they be a huge help for us, but they have the opportunity to actively be involved in missions work. We have three girls who are willing to come work alongside us, and help us do some of these new projects. Pray for Kourtney, Casey and Sarah that they will have an awesome experience and that they would be sensitive to Gods leading in their hearts. Fransisco is still continuing to run the Bible Institute at our second floor, the people are so hungry for spiritual growth. As we focus on this next year, our desire is to continue to seek Christ and do His perfect will in all. Finally, continue to pray for Juan and the boys home. It is open with three boys, but Juan continues to run into problems with the government. The government always looks for ways to get money, it gets pretty frustrating.

Thank you for faithfully praying for us and coming alongside the ministry in Ensenada. We are excited to start our fourth year in Mexico, and excited to see what God is going to do. We are humbled to be His servants, working with these Alliance Churches expanding His kingdom. We will continue to be creative and intentional using groups to help the churches, and build relationships between the United States/Canada and Mexico.

Blessings,
Rick & Tammie

The Count Down Begins

2008-10-13T14:07:00.000-07:00

Three weeks from today I'll be in Mexico.

Oh my goodness. I'm so excited!!

I called the two girls (Casey and Kourtney) I'll be working with a couple days ago. We are all doing the same year-long program called Global Ventures Praxis through the Christian and Missionary Alliance. They are super nice. They arrived in Maneadero just after I left. So by the time I get there they'll have been there for about two months.

Funny story: I got my teeth cleaned today. I decided I don't really want to go to a dentist in Ensenada so I better get it out of the way while I'm here. But it was really funny because the dentist and dental hygenist couldn't get over the tattoo on the inside of my lip. They kept looking at it and making comments and jokes. It made visiting the dentist a little more enjoyable!

My Home Forever

2008-09-22T10:45:00.000-07:00

Car News: The final word is that I'm not taking a car because IRS won't allow my support to cover car insurance. And I can't afford it on my own for a whole year. But it's all good. I think my dad is still going to drive me down there in his hybrid space car. So that will be fun. And cheap on gas!

This is a beautiful verse...

"For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come." Hebrews 13:14

It describes my life. I hope it always will. I don't care for what so many seek. Money, a "good" job, a big house, the best car, designer clothes. I want love, joy, hope, peace to flow from my life. I have no lasting city here, no lasting home. I love America as much as I love Mexico, China, Guinea, Iraq.

That verse reminds me of a little girl I met at Roca Fuerte (Strong Rock). A church in Maneadero. I can't remember her name for the life of me. She is about 10 years old. I first met during the Spring Break trip I took with South Hills in March. We went to Roca Fuerte's midweek evening church service. This little girl came to sit next to me. Through worship she lifted her hands high to God and shouted out the words with all she had. She was beautiful. Dark, sun-kissed skin, brown eyes and long brown hair. I wondered how this little girl had such a passion to worship God. Later in the servicea woman went up front for prayer. She looked about 55. Her name was Nieve and she had cancer. Tammie, a few girls on the trip and I surrounded her and prayed for her and her family. The little girl sitting next to me also came to pray with us. This woman was her grandmother. The next day we did a VBS at Roca Fuerte and had a bithday party for my new friend. She wore a purple Cinderella dress and was a princess for a day. She beat the crap out of the pinata and took a big bite out of the cake.

I didn't know I would see her again after that week. When I went back in May for my internship I saw her at church and VBS all the time. Always with a great big smile. But her grandma, Nieve, wasn't getting any better. She went to Tijuaa a couple times for treatment. She died in late July. I haven't mentioned yet that the little girl lived with her grandparents because her dad laft and mom died when she was young. Not that 10 isn't still so young. Now she lost her grandma and they were talking about sending her to another city to live with an aunt. Before Nieve passed away, we had been planning on building Nieve and her family a house. They postponed it a couple weeks and built them a house the week after I left. During that week, Tammie had a special conversation she had with that little girl. The little girl said, "The next house I have will be made of gold and my grandma will be there."

For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.

This is a picture of Ricardo (the pastor of Roca Fuerte) praying for the little girl on her birthday.

After she took a big bite of that cake!

Remembering the Good Old Times

2008-09-17T13:18:00.000-07:00

So, as some of you know, the car I bought from my dad has since died. One day it was fine and the next morning the transmission had given out. So at this point I'm not completely sure what do to. Do I get a new car, fix up the old one, or don't take a car at all. This decision now hangs on whether or not I will even be able to afford gas and car insurance for the year. I'm talking to the people at Praxis headquarters about how to go about this. Meanwhile, the sad, dead Isuzu is sitting in our driveway and I'm driving my dad's little hybrid car around town. (Much better on gas mileage!)

Speaking of Praxis, I haven't told you guys that this is the program I will be a part of while in Ensenada for the next year. The program is through The Christian and Missionary Alliance which is the denomonation of South Hills Church which is where I go to church here in Henderson. Here is the webiste with info if you are interested in checking it out. http://www.cmalliance.org/serve/praxis/index If you click on the "Communities" link and find Ensenada that is where I'll be working.

I talked to Tammie today and she asked me "So are you still missing Mexico?" My knee-jerk reaction is to say "Yes, of course." And I do miss living there and seeing all of my friends down there. But I don't constantly miss them and I don't constatly think about Mexico like I did when I first got home. I get so wrapped up in living and doing what I need to day-to-day. We are such a short minded people. How easily and quickly we forget the joys and love of the past. So I wanted to just put some pictures up here. Partly for you to see but also to remind myself of why I'm moving to a foreign country and why I'm raising so much money. It's all love.

The beach is only 20 minutes away! And it's so beautiful.

Of course I love and miss the kids so much. At each church I was able to get to know the kids and share life with them. One of the things my monthly support covers is language tutoring. I'm excited to go back and learn more Spanish so I can communicate much more easily.

This is Reynario (middle), his wife Ortencia (left), and Ruben (right). This picture was taken on the first Sunday and Reynario and Ortencia's newly built church. Ruben is the advisor of all of the C&MA churches in Ensenada and he was their to bless the new building.

The picture below was taken while we had a group from Princeton, NJ. They taught English for a couple days in a park in Ensenada that previous groups had helped paint and clean up.

Watching houses and churches being built from the ground up is so fun. Each group comes with such energy and excitement and the job is always done at the end of the week no matter how big the task is.

Thanks to all of you for your love and encouragement through my time back in the States. My plan right now is to head back to Ensenada in the first week of November. I'm not a big planner as most of you probably know so I haven't set a solid date. I don't like to put myself in a box. :) If you would like to support me please let me know. I would love to get to talk to you.

Please pray for boldness for me. It's not easy asking people for their money but I know God has all the money in the world and He will supply. I just need to ask. The worst someone can say is no, right?

I love you guys!

Look at my new car!

2008-08-27T15:56:00.000-07:00

A couple weeks ago I asked you guys to be on the look out for a cheap SUV. I need 4 wheel drive in Mexico because all of the streets are dirt off of the main highway. We live off the highway that runs all they way to the bottom of the Baja. It's always busy!

Anyways...I got a car. It was actually my dad's and he's selling it to me for a really good price. It's a 1993 Isuzu Rodeo. Manual locks and everything. Nothing too fancy but it's the perfect car to take with me to Mexico. And I think I'm going to be able to sell my car today for about the same price I bought it for 5 years ago. Praise God! Things are coming together.

Look at my new car!

Mexico...I'm coming back!

2008-08-24T16:55:00.001-07:00

So they said I can come back! I'm so excited. It's really sweet to be able to know that soon I'll be back in Mexico and that will be my home. Of course it's a temporary home. My forever home is in Heaven! Yeah! That's exciting too.

I'm actually exctited to start raising support. Isn't that crazy! I'm excited to talk with my family and friends and families at South Hills about what I'll be doing for the next year. And asking them to pray for me because I definitely need it. And if they want to monthly support me for the next year. It's a big commitment but it enables people to be a part of what I'm doing. Even though I won't see them for a year they will still be involved in my life and the ministry in Mexico and all of the awesome things God is doing there. The growth of the kids and pastors and families and churches and teams from the States and me. It's really really exciting.

So I'll be going at the very beginning of November. What I think my role will be and what I really want is to pretty much take over for Tammie. She has four kids (Abby and Moriah are 7, Becka is 10, and John is 14) who she homeschools and is a mom for. She has to take care of her home and it stretches her so thin to be leading teams at the same time. Of course I know she will still be involved in the ministry because she loves it and has a hard time parting with it but I want her to be able to be a mom. So some of the things this role would when groups are there include are settling them in their living areas, making sure they have what they need in their rooms, organinzing cleaning duties throughout the week, supporting them in their VBS's with the kids at each church everyday and facilitating that to make sure it all runs smooth, setting out meals, organizing distributions of clothing and things in churches and communities throughout Maneadero and Ensenada, and much more I'm sure. That is by no means an exhaustive list. When groups are not there we'll have tutoring for our language study, Bible studies, and of course we will be working with the churches and supporting them in whatever ways they need. One thing Tammie and I agreed that we are excited about doing is helping each church to build a solid Children's Ministry. Encourage them to raise up leaders from their church, give them resources and training and have meetings to help them gain confidence and skills in teaching kids. It's definitely not an easy thing to do!

So I'm really excited. I've only said that 10 times already. Please pray for me as I get ready to go. That everything would fall together. That I can get everything organized and get lots of people praying for me and that I can get people to commit to supporting me on a regular, monthly basis. Or one time gifts are good too. I know some people can't afford to give everymonth but giving once they will be just as committed and involved in what we're doing in Mexico.

That's all for now. If you want please email me whenever. skaroney@hotmail.com. I love you guys. Thanks for joining me on this journey I have ahead of me!

The return is bittersweet

2008-08-18T10:51:00.000-07:00

So I got home on Saturday. I hadn't cried about leaving until I saw Sheena (my best of friends) at the airport. I was filled with mixed emotions. So happy to see her but so sad to know that I would not see my friends in Maneadero, Mexico any more.

All I can seem to pray is "Take me back." Please, God, take me back. My heart is in Mexico.

I did a lot of crying at church yesterday. When I saw Debbie (my old boss). All through worship. I miss worship in Spanish. When our pastor Bret called me on stage. I cried through it all. My tears are because I miss it so much.

What do I miss...I miss church, I miss Rossy (one of the pastor's wives I became very close with. she is only two years older than me but is married, has a five year old and a three year old. crazy!), I actually kind of miss hosting groups, I miss having people around all the time, I miss speaking Spanish, I miss hearing Spanish, I miss the Romano family, I miss being called Sarita, I miss the kids running up and hugging me with their big, white smiles at church, I miss the small houses and modest surroundings, I miss spening so much time in the sun, I miss the ocean breeze. I'm sure I could go on but I shouldn't.

The burning question is "What are you going to do now?" To go back I have to raise $1,200 per month. That covers room, board, transportation, language study, Bible training, ministry costs and I don't even know what else. Yesterday I had to pray for strength against the criticism about this. Paying to work is not the American way. And it really doesn't make a whole lot of sense to most people. I definitely don't want to have to raise my own salary but if that's what it takes to go back that's what I'll do. I could find a good paying job here and fit right back into my old ways of living. But that's not what I want. That's not where my heart is. I don't know how I'm going to raise the support. I don't know how I'm going to pay for everything. I feel like I'm always in the middle of not knowing anything. But I trust God. I trust that He is enough and if He wants me to go back I'll be able to get all the support I need. Everything is possible for our God!

I'll be home soon!

2008-08-09T13:14:00.000-07:00

Only a week left. This summer has gone by really fast. I can't believe it's been three months.

But I'm coming back! I talked to Rick and Tammie about staying and it's worked out! There will be two other girls who will also be here for a year. They are arriving in Mexico a week after I leave. When we have groups I'll have a bigger role in leading VBS's with groups. Since Tammie needs to home school her four kids I am more than happy to take on that role and take it off her plate. When groups are not here I would really like to encourage the churches in their ministries. Like starting a teen girls Bible study at Francisco's church or helping in the Chilren's Ministries at different churches and raising up leaders there. But language is a big barrier. I'm going to have to study a lot!!

It's only a year though. Which could develop into more who knows. God knows.

Over this summer I have been very surprised by the love for this place that has grown in my heart. To be honest, the longer I'm here, the less I miss home. Which is a weird thing to think about. You would think it would be the opposite. But the more time I spend with the kids here and the pastors and their wives, the more I love them and grow closer to them. I know that this next year God is going to give me great friends and new family. Not that my current relationships could ever be replaced. One is silver and the other's gold! As the old kids song goes.

Please pray for me as I go through this transition. I'll be home August 16th through the end of October. Getting things ready and catching up with friends and family. Please pray that I'll get everything organized that I need to and that I can keep my focus on Christ through all of this. I want all that I do to be for His glory. And pray that I can stick close to Him all the time.

If you guys know of anyone selling a Jeep or a cheap SUV let me know. My little Acura will not make it down here on these Mexican roads!

I love you guys. I'll see you soon!!
Sarah

A Little Light...

2008-07-16T19:43:00.000-07:00

So last night I was looking around the Internet for job openings in Ensenada to teach English. Just for fun. I only found a couple and they were both posted in 2006. Just for fun I emailed one of the posts. But I thought there was no way they would get back to me. Well, she emailed me back today. And they're hiring in Ensenada for this school year which starts in August.

I need you all to pray for me. I am going to pursue this opportunity and wait on God to direct my steps. First I have to email a resume and a picture. Then she said she'd email me some application stuff.

Please pray with me that God would slam the doors in my face if this is not His will for me for the next 9 months.

And please, don't be scared or sad that I might not come home. Because I'll be sad enough for all of us. I miss all of you so much but I really do like it here. And it's only 9 months. I can get through that.

I love you guys!!

Two Down. One to Go.

2008-07-15T17:03:00.000-07:00

Only one month left. It's pretty nuts! I don't think I realized how long three months was when I signed up for this. I don't regret this but that's a freaking long time! That's 25% of the year!

I've been getting a little homesick. I miss your beautiful faces that cheer me up and make me smile. Things have been a bit rocky here. It's just hard because we work so much and get very little free time to go out and blow off steam. On Saturday we (the interns) thought we were going to have a day off like we normally do. Instead we are handed a long list of things to get done. We were unable to finish the list and not only did we not get any free time but we were also reprimanded for not getting everything done. It was just frustrating. I gave up my summer to come out here and I just really NEED to get out nad get a little crazy once in a while. So now it's work work work this week and we'll see what happens Saturday. The probalem is that none of us voices our struggles and problems. We just complain about it to one another and nothing good comes out of that. I should talk to Tammie about it. I just get intimidated and don't want to offend and don't like confrontation. How do you like those excuses?

Ok let me try to think of some good things that have been happening...the groupis building two houses this week in Reynario's community. I'm learning more and more Spanish. I don't have time to try to think of good things. I have to go work. I'm a bit of a Debbie Downer.

So I think you know how to pray for me.

I love you all!!
Sarah

Work Hard, Play Harder

2008-07-05T11:24:00.000-07:00

So it's been a while since I wrote last. But I wanted to catch you guys up on what's been going on. After Oregon left, we had a group of 35 people from Bainbridge, Washington. Then this past week we had a group of 56 people from New Jersey. The groups have mostly high school students but some college students.

The group of 56 was pretty nuts! I think the hardest things about it was that we never had a chance to be together as a group. We could not all eat in the same room, work on the same projects or drive in the same vehicle. It made communication this week difficult. But they did some great work. They built two houses and a church (Reynario's church)! Most groups build one house in a week. They were not able to completely finish the church but over the summer that will be completed. They also did two VBS's and had a party for the kids in Reynario's community. And they did two English lessons in Ensenada.

I really enjoyed the English lessons we did with some of the students this past week. On Tuesday and Thursday we took a group of 10 students to Ruben's church which is in a middle-class area in Ensenada. We spent a few hours at the park teaching basic Spanish to people Ruben had invited from the community. There were about 10 people who showed up to learn English each day. It was neat to look around and see groups of three and four sitting in the shade of the trees in the park learning together and helping one another.

This past week we also had two more interns join us. They are so freaking fun. It makes ministry much easier and enjoyable with them here. Because I know they can be depended on for things and we have bonded as a group really quickly. Their names are Dan and Paige. We had a lot of fun yesterday on the Fourth of July. We worked in the morning. The group left around 3:30pm. Then came party time. We went down to the beach to ride horses first. Ten bucks for an hour! It was so fun. But my butt really hurts today from bouncing up and down on the saddle. I felt like I was going to fall off the horse when he started to run but I did pretty good! Then we went to get pizza at Thrifty's ice cream. After that we went down to the beach just to hang out and there were fireworks everywhere. I was really surprised because I didn't think there would be any but people were shooting them off all over the place. They were the really good ones too that would be really really expensive in the States. I don't know how much they are here. Fireworks are supposedly illegal here but there was police on the beach and they didn't do anything so I guess it's not a big deal. After the fireworks we went back to Rick and Tammie's and hung out with them for a bit and then went home.

So I'm thinking about getting my Master's. Crazy! It's just that since I've been here I've felt a lack of preparedness spiritually. I would really like to get my Master's at a Christian college in Biblical Studies or Intercultural Studies. So far I've been looking into Simpson University which is in Redding, CA or Biola which is in LA, CA. I just can't get out of school. I think I'm just too scared to get into the real world. And I have no idea what I'm doing when I go home. Crazy crazy.

We don't have too much planned for today. The Romano's and Dan drove to the States to get the next group. Paige and I have to go grocery shopping today and do laundry. And I think we might go get Poblano's tacos. But one of the pastors has the truck and he said he would drop it off at 1pm. I don't really know when he'll show up because this is Mexico. Yesterday the Romano's went to a wedding. It was supposed to start at 3pm. They called at 4pm to see how things were going with the group so I thought the wedding must have been over but it hadn't even started! Yes, this is Mexico. So the truck probably won't show up until 2ish. At least that's what I'm expecting.

Please continue to pray for me. Pray that I would be able to focus on the now. I'm only half way through this and I'm already thinking a lot about what to do when I get home. And I don't want to stress too much about it becuase as long as I'm walking along with God and loving Him and loving others it doesn't really matter what I'm doing. I want to put all my energy into this place and not have any regrets when I go home.

I love you guys. And I miss miss miss you.

Sarah

Oregon comes to a close.

2008-06-20T22:24:00.000-07:00

I didn't tell you guys! Last week we went to a Mexican circus and it was freaking sick! There were trampeze artists, tons or horses, 5 tigers...it was nuts. It was a lot of fun. And I got to go out with this group which was fun. I hope there's cool people like that with each group. I need to escape and have my own life while I'm here. One night we went to the movies, another we went to get ice cream. Nothing too exciting but it just gets me away from the same old same old. And it makes me feel like I'm not in Mexico. But I've realized I'm very picky with my friends. I can get along and be nice to anyone but for me to actually hang out with someone takes a lot. So it's going to take special people to keep me happy! There was especially one guy Tim this week who made the week a whole lot easier. He's married so don't think anything funky about it. It was just good to have someone like me to talk to and goof around with.

This week with the first group was definitely hard but so much fun at the same time. I wouldn't call the first couple days fun but once I got in the groove and knew what to expect each day things got better. And everything looks rosier when you look back on it right? You forget the not so good things. It's just so much work here. Everyday is about 14 hours go go go and I don't get a break until I come home. I might get a morning off here or there but that's it.

But I met some cool people this week. There were quite a number of kids under 12 on this trip. But they were a big help. We did a park clean up (pulled weeds, painted the playground and curbs, painted the guard house thing, and put up swings). On the last day of the clean up everyone went to the park and we had a party with snack and two pinatas and musical chairs and a couple other games. I would guess that about 60 kids came out. It was fun to see them running around and playing in this place we worked on so hard for them. That playground is in the neighborhood of Ruben who holds his church in his house. So this was a big step in reaching out to the community. It's a middle class community in Ensenada.

The team also did 7 VBS's. We split people into multiple groups. Divide and conquer. Some would go to VBS and some would go to construction. Blah blah blah. I get tired of the talking and organizing. Who's going where and when and why. I just want to leave sometimes and if people come they come. But that wouldn't really fly. About 25 kids accepted Christ into their hearts this week. Praise God!
The team of course built a house. They painted it a very bright shade of green. I like the color a lot. The house is for a married couple at Faustino's church. They were very sweet. They cried when we gave them the keys. I think most families do. It makes sense.

Is anyone even reading this?

Come on guys. Give me some love!

My attitude has gotten a little better. I still need to pray about it and I need God's help with it a whole lot. But I've made improvements. I think my biggest problem is my struggle with starting conversation. I'm just not good at it. I try to think of things to talk about and they're all lame and not things I would want to even talk about so I just keep my mouth shut. I don't really like the small talk. So I need to work on that.

Please keep praying for me down here. I love you guys!

Personality and Culture Collide

2008-06-17T21:49:00.000-07:00

Day 3 of Week 1.

The past couple of days have been a bit of a drag. Sunday was the first full day the team was here and I felt really good. I surprised myself by how social and joyful I was the whole day. On Monday, the something clicked and my attitude changed.

I've been really tired the past couple mornings. And not social at all. Which is normal for me. If you've ever been around me before 11am I'm not a very fun person to be around. It takes a few hours for me to wake up. But that's just not ok here. One because I have to work with teams and I can't just tune them out until noon. That's been ok in positions I've had before now. People adapted to my behaviors instead of me adapting to my surrounding. It's also not ok for me to tune everyone out in the mornings because that's just not ok in Mexican culture. Here, if you're not involved in the conversation and have a smile on your face, they think your sad. I've been asked if I'm sad or tired many times by the pastors the past two days. They just can't understand that I'm tired or just don't want to talk.

Tonight, Ricardo (one of the Mexican pastors) said, "Why has your attitude changed? You weren't like this on the first day. Is it something emotional or physical?" I didn't know what to say because I didn't have a reply. This is just me. It's my personality. I like to listen more than I like to talk. I like silence. I like to tune people out. I don't mind sitting by myself. Later his wife came up to me and told me I need to be happy all the time. I told her I probably won't. (Mind the language barrier between all of this so these are pretty interesting conversations!) I told her there's nothing wrong with silence. And I don't want to be fake. I don't want to wear a smile on my face all of the time. I know people like that and they hit me in the wrong spot. I don't like people who are happy all of the time. She said if you have Christ in your heart you should be happy all the time. That I should pray more for a better attitude. Which I totally agree with and I will.

I actually did talk about my mellow personality/attitude with Rick & Tammie and the interns before Dan last Friday. It's something I've been thinking about. Because it takes a lot to rock my boat. I rarely get mad. But also, I rarely get excited. I don't really experience extremes. But I don't really have control over that. Like I said I don't want to be fake. This is what I feel and who I am. I could voice my feelings more. That's a start. But I don't want to do it just to please others. To make myself come off better. That's not what it should be about. But I do think I need to find more joy in my life. And express it. Not just hold it inside. I think where that can start is being grateful in everything. To thank God in all things at all times during the day will help me to remember His prescence and His goodness.

I guess this is just something God is going to work through with me this summer. I will be surprised if my personality changes a whole lot. But I do want it to. I do.

Please pray for me in this. I don't know exactly for what but just pray for me as I work through this. And pray that I would be sensitive to the Mexican culture. One of the pastors apologized to me tonight before he left for saying some harsh things about me always being tired or sad. One thing he said another pastor wouldn't even translate to me. But Ricardo left still seeming frustrated with my attitude. So please pray for me. And please ask me about this in a week or so if you think about it. I know I'll probably forget but I'd like to look back and see if anything changes.

Thanks guys. I love you!

Here Goes Nothing!

2008-06-11T19:48:00.001-07:00

Thank you guys for your comments. It's really good to know people care enough me to come on here and read this and are thinking about me.

We went up to San Diego yesterday morning. Ran some errands and went to this sick restaurant for dinner. It's called Rocking Baja Lobster. If you're in San Diego ever you should totally check it out. The lobster tacos are so good!

At 4am today we took Dan (one of the interns) to the airport. It was sad to see him go but I know this summer will be filled with goodbyes.

And hellos! Our first group came in today. The summer has officially started! There are actually two groups. One from Mo-something. I want to say Modesto, OR but I know that's not right. The other is from Eugene, OR. I have been put in charge of going over chore stuff during orientation and carrying that stuff out through the week and leading VBS teams this summer. I'm pretty stoked on it. At first I was nervouse because I don't feel like I have strong leadership qualities and it made me nervous that I was going to be expected to tell all these people what to do this summer. There will be about 350 people coming through here in 3 months. But with a lot of encouragement from the Romano's and the interns I feel a lot better about it. And I'm excited to work on my leadership skills and improve in that area.

Please pray for health and safety as we begin hosting groups. It takes a lot of time and energy and running around. Also pray for relationships between us interns and the Romano's and the teams. Not that there are any problems but just that we would all be one in purpose and that we would work together as a healthy, unified body of Christ.

Thank you guys for your love and support.

I love you guys!

Rehab Center & Campo Almos

2008-06-04T16:30:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I went with the boys and we started to put up a fence around a rehab center that will open sometime this summer hopefully. Freaking sick! It's in the middle of no where. The drive down there was beautiful. Winding roads through green hills/mountains. It's way more green around there than here in Maneadero (the name of the town I'm living in). The rehab center is pretty small. I would say one large room and six small rooms. But I'm sure they will have three or four people in each room at least (bunk beds!). They're also building a room where men will go who are just coming off drugs. With no windows and padded walls so they don't hurt themselves when they go through withdrawls.

Today Tammie took me to see Campo Almos (Camp Almos-Almos is the name of the guy who owns the fields) which is around the corner from their house except you have to drive through the fields on dirt roads quite a ways. It probably took about 10 minutes from the main road. Camp Almos is where the harvesters stay in the middle of tons of farming fields. They walk to the field they work at. We saw people harvesting radishes today. I've also seen asparagus and green onions growing around town. When we drove up I was surprised at how small it was and how few homes there were. I thought no more than 50 or 75 people could live there. Most of the homes were made using tarps. I asked Tammie how many people live there and she said a couple hundred during the summer! There are 10' by 10' rooms in which usually about 6 people live in. Pretty nuts what people have to do for a buck. Rick and Tammie have gotten to know a man named Beto who lived in that camp. He teaches at the school there ($100 per week). In August, one of the C&MA churches is starting a school and he is going to go over there to teach. And he's getting a raise so that's good!

It feels good to be here. I know I've only been here for a couple weeks but I could totally see myself staying for a while. But we'll see how I feel at the end of the summer. It's definitely hard to be away from people I love. I feel good right now but I'm afraid of getting really sad and homesick as the summer goes on. God is going to have to keep my heart refreshed!

I haven't gotten sick yet which is surprising because I think all of the other interns have. I definitely don't want to be in their place. Thanks to all of you guys for reading and praying for me.

Love.

Crazy fun!

2008-06-02T21:20:00.001-07:00

On Saturday we went to the Baja and a couple of us went kayaking. The Baja is an off roading race. There was all sorts of cars like bugs, hummers, pick ups and dune bugs. It was a fun and needed day off! I wanted to show you guys some pictures!

The two guys in the kayaking pictures are my Mexican homies. Dan is on the right in the bottom picture. He's an intern here from Redding, CA. He'll be here for another two weeks. In the middle is Rafael. We call him Rafi. He's the brother of a Mexican pastor here. Both of these guys are freaking hilarious so it was a blast to go kayaking with them.

We work hard and play hard!

Love.

ps. How do you like my stunner shades?

Busy Busy Busy

2008-05-27T16:56:00.000-07:00

So lately I've been doing a lot of office kind of stuff around the Romano's house. It's stuff I enjoy and I am good at so that's good. I've made them a blog, print and organized pictures of all of the teams over the past three years, created a cleaning schedule for the teams, cleaned out the team apartments, made chore signs, fixed the curtains in the apartments, made meals, cleaned dishes...the list goes on. We went to San Diego this past weekend because Rick spoke in a church. It was nice to be back in the States and in normal driving conditions for a while. I had to drive home to Ensenada. I definitely don't like to drive here but it wasn't too bad. I prayed the whole way that I wouldn't get lost or get into trouble and everything went great.

I Love you guys.
Sarah

Two Blogs!

2008-05-22T14:36:00.000-07:00

I just made a blog for Rick & Tami. Check it.

www.theensenadaproject.blogspot.com

If you want even more info about what's going on while I'm here check out what they're writing each week or so!

Love.

Numero Dos

2008-05-21T19:41:00.000-07:00

It's the second day.

The team that was here when I got here left a few hours ago. They were from Canada. Today we finished painting a church and did a VBS (Vacation Bible School). A VBS is where we go to one of the churches here and bring the kids from the surrounding houses to sing and dance with them, teach them a Bible study and do a craft.

My Spanish is coming along very well. Faustino, one of the pastors, declared himself as my maestro (teacher) for the summer. I'll be just about fluent by the time I get home!!

This summer I really want to learn to trust and understand God's love for me. I just started reading this book by Brennan Manning called "Ruthless Trust". I want to understand how overwhelming his love is. If you know God's love for you there is a new joy and freedom in your life. I want that.

Now we don't have a team until June 14th. But that doesn't mean I won't have anything to do. The projects I have so far are to set up an iPod with all Spanish music, create a blog for Rick & Tami, create a chart for the VBS's this year with each kids name on it which will keep track of how often they memorize a verse, bring a parent to church, and something else that I forget (if they get 20 stars at the end of the summer they get to go to the Chinese buffet here!), organize clean up strategies for this summer, and help Rebecca (one of the missionaries daughters) to braid 400 bracelets.

I'll try to take some pictures soon to put on here.

Some of you guys asked for a mailing address. You can send things here:

Sarah Roney
c/o Rick & Tami Romano
9050 Mira Mesa Blvd
San Diego, CA 92126

It's a church in San Diego that keeps the Romano's mail for them. We'll be able to check it one a week or so.

Ok, I have to go braid bracelts.

I love you guys.

I'm HERE!!

2008-05-20T16:48:00.000-07:00

The whole trip to Mexico went smooth. Much easier than my trip to Guinea two years ago if you remember that!

It's good to see familiar faces. I was only here for a week but it's nice to know people already. Gives me a little head start. The team I was on from South Hills left an impression here. Because of our team they now love the "I like Bananas" song. People have told me that the kids will sing that song over and over and over. Except their version is in Spanish.

I don't have too much to report. I've only been here for a day. But I just wanted to let you all know I made it safe. The missionaries have wireless internet so I'll be able to post on here pretty often.

I would love to answer any questions you guys have about my trip or about Mexico. Just let me know. Thanks for going on this journey with me.

Love.

I'm going to Mexico

2008-04-17T18:16:00.000-07:00

So I leave for Mexico in just a few weeks. May 19th to be exact. I'm excited to see what God's going to show me and do through me while I'm there.

But I'm going to miss everyone here so much. There are so many people I love and who I know love me deeply. But I have to tell myself that it's only 3 months.

Thank you guys for reading my blog and going along this journey with me!

Pictures

2006-07-19T15:40:00.000-07:00

Home Sweet Home

2006-07-16T07:19:00.000-07:00

That's right. I'm home.

The trip home was much more uneventful than the trip out. Our (Sarah and I) plane left Conakry at 6:30pm. We got to Dakar, Senegal at about 7:30pm. Once we went through customs and picked up our luggage, we had to idea what to do. We had an eight hour layover and didn't know where to go. The airport was a little scary because we are two young white girls who obviously don't have a clue what they're doing. I tried to keep a confident face on, but I'm sure people could see right through it.

We walked into an open area of the airport and tried to figure out what to do. This man in his forties walked up to us and started speaking to us in English. I did my best to ignore him and make it obvious that we had no interest in talking to him. At first, he said welcome. I said thank you and turned around and talked to Sarah. He told us that there was some safe room to put our luggage in and I said no thank you. Then he told us to come up to his shop. I said no thank you. He really didn't get the hint that we didn't want to talk to him and that we weren't going to follow him any where. After standing next to us for about ten minutes, he gave up and tried to talk to another girl.

We found a small cafe and bought a big bottle of water so they wouldn't kick us out. We talked, read, played Uno, made up other card games with the Uno cards, drank water, and watched other people come and go. This lasted for a seemingly unending six hours. At about 12:30am, we went to check in for our flight.

The bathroom was interesting in the airport. To get there, you walk down a hallway and then down a flight of stairs. At the bottom of the stairs, you can go to the right or to the left, but they are not marked for men or women. On the left, there were low sinks that we think were meant for washing. On the right were the toilets for both men and women. The toilet was African style...no toilet paper. That's what your left hand is for. Gross!! So I brought some tissue paper and chose the first stall that I saw. It wasn't really a stall. It was like a small room. The door didn't have a handle or a lock and it didn't shut to well. So I just forced it closed. I didn't think about that action very well. When I went to open it, I couldn't. Since I had pushed it closed to hard and it didn't have a handle, all I had was a small hole to put two of my fingers in to try to pull it open. When I couldn't open it, I panicked a little because I didn't know how I would get out. After about four or five tries, I eventually pulled it open and quickly walked back up to the cafe. Hand sanitizer comes in very handy here!

We went to check in at about 12:30am. That all went well. The plane left at about 4:30am which was an hour and a half late. The trip from Dakar to New York City was seven hours long. I slept a total of maybe an hour. I watched a couple movies and TV shows. We got into JFK at 7:30am (it's four hours earlier in NY than in Dakar).

When we got off the plane, we met two other girls who were also coming back from mission trips in Africa. One was in Swaziland and the other was in South Africa.

We picked up our bags, went through customs and went on our way to check in for our last flights. Her to Pittsburg and me to Las Vegas. I went into deja vu...we got lost!

We asked people where to go and followed the signs to the best of our abilities, but we still got lost. We went to the check-in area that all of the airlines are in, but of course, Delta has its own special area. So we took the Airtrain to Terminal 3 and eventually found the Delta check-in. We stood in line for about 20 to 30 minutes and realized that we were in the line for International flights not Domestic flights. So we walked across the street and finally found where we were supposed to be. I got up to the ticket counter and, finally, something good happened!

The flight I was booked on did not leave until 7:30pm. That meant about an eleven hour layover. No fun! But the ticket lady offered me a seat on the 12:30pm flight! I got so excited! There was one small catch...it costs $25. I didn't know if I had that much money. All I had was $23. So I borrowed $2 from Sarah and saved myself seven boring hours!

So now, I'm home!

Being home comes with mixed feelings. It feels so good to see family and friends, but I really miss Guinea. I used to think the scenery here was pretty with the mountains and everything. Boy, was I wrong! It's so ugly! But I will stay here until God tells me to go again...which could be sooner than I think! Septermber maybe??? We'll see!

I'm going to try to get pictures up and stuff. I have about 900 pictures so I have lots of sorting to do. I'll let you all know where I put them.

Even though I'm home, I would still really like it if you prayed for me...I really need to decide if I'm going back to school this semester. There's a possibility with Invisible Children that I could pursue instead of going to school this year. Please pray that God would show me which way to go.

The end is in sight

2006-07-06T23:19:00.000-07:00

I don't remember the last time I wrote. But I will try to recap the past couple weeks.

Last week's English camp went very well. It was a lot of fun to speak to Africans in English. I could actually hold a good conversation with them. Our prayer is that God's Word will stick in their hearts. I think I told you that after the World Cup game, we were planning on giving three of the students English Bibles. Well, the game ended, and six of the students took Bibles!!! Only one of the students that was here did not take a Bible and Dee thinks that he might already believe, but he hasn't confessed his faith yet because of the persecution that is faced after.

On Friday afternoon, we went to the barrage (that's a dam in French) with some of the students. We walked around, took some pictures, and played SkipBo under a tree next to the river. It was very fun. Boss said he saw a big cobra that reared its head when he walked by. I saw my first snake, but it was in the concrete of the dam beyond reach.

On Saturday, we went to a waterfall. It was gorgeous. We hiked around a bit and then swam. I never imagined that Africa could be this green and beautiful. One time, we got the idea to drift down part of the river with the current and I thought I was going to die. I could not stop and I got semi close to a small drop-off. I was VERY scared. But I'm ok!

On Sunday, we drove to Pita (a nearby, large village) and went to their International church. The pastor preached in Pular and it was translated into French. There were about 25 African believers there. Their choir sang a couple songs and we had communion. Communion consisted of a quarter of a loaf of bread and one bottle of Guinee (like grape soda) divided between 15 or 20 people. I got about half of a sip out of an Arabic tea cup. It was fun.

After church, we went to another dam. It was much bigger than the one near Timbi. We had a picnic with a missionary family and couple that live in Pita. We walked to a waterfall that was about 300 feel tall. We got to stand right at the top of it. Gorgeous once again!

On Monday, we celebrated the Fourth of July. We had a party with our English students. We wanted to have it on Tuesday, but many of the students would not have been able to be there because they had to take the Bach in Pita. The Bach is the test that all of the graduating students have to take in order to graduate. So we celebrated the 4th of July on the 3rd. The party was SO fun. Our memory verse was "Obey the government for God is the one who put it there." Romans something. I don't remember. But we chose that one because it was America's Independance Day. But if we didn't have the party, no one would have celebrated it. Why would they? It's Africa. Anyways, the party was a lot of fun. We had hot dogs, beans, chips, and Coke and played picnic-type games. We played tug-of-war, three legged race, egg toss, a relay race where you had to run with a ball on the end of a spoon in your mouth, and a game where you had to get a piece of gum out of a pie pan filled with flour and you could only use your face to get it out. They really liked it. But some of them didn't like the hot dogs or beans too much. About 30 students were at the party.

Monday also started our second week of English camp. This week was for beginners. They were all on different levels. Some of the students are junior highers (14, 15, 16 years old) and they know quite a bit. And some of the adults barely knew anything. They are not literate either. But they are learning! On Tuesday, I taught basic English greetings and things. On Wednesday, I taught about money and how to buy things. I set up a mini store and I was the seller and they had to come buy things from me in English. Very fun. On Thursday (today), I taught about opposites. Left, right. Weak, strong. Long, short. Cheap, expensive. Today was our last day. Only four days. Today, Dee presented the Gospel to them. Our memory verse was Romans 5:8 "But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners." We deliver the message, now it is God that works in their hearts and them that make the choice. We have faith that God's word is powerful and he will get the glory. We had about 25 students this week. It was much bigger!!

It has rained a lot this week!

Tomorrow, we are going to Labe to see a waterfall, go shopping, visit with the missionaries there and go to church. We will be back Sunday afternoon and then we leave on Monday morning to go to Conackry. Then Friday, I leave to come home! It's so soon!

Please continue praying for me and the people of Guinea!! Love you!!

I love these Africans!

2006-07-01T23:39:00.000-07:00

The people here are hilarious! Especially in the English camp that we just finished today (Friday). By the end of the week, we had two girls and two boys in their last year of high school and three men in their 40's.

Every day, we told them a Bible story and we discussed the story and put it into a sequence of events. We've done the Prodigal Son, when Paul saw Jesus on his way to Damascus, Zaccheus, Noah's Ark, and when Joseph interpreted Pharoh's dreams. We also gave them a verse that we memorized at the beginning of class. Today, a couple of them could recite every verse we memorized. All of them remembered at least one. The Bible says that when God's Word goes out, it does not come back void and that is my prayer. That these men and women would continue to think about these stories and verses and that God would use His Word to work in their hearts. I think three of the men want English Bibles. Their names are Umar, Mr. Jalo, and Ibrahima. Please pray for them. Also, pray for the rest of the students: Mr. Lum, Boss (who was our Pular tutor), Jenaboo, and Bella. None of them know Jesus as their Savior.

So I think I already told you that we taught them to play badminton. So funny! We also taught them how to play baseball and volleyball. But most of them already knew how to play volleyball. Playing baseball with them was SOOO funny! They had no idea how to play. We explained the rules and taught them how to hit the ball. The first boy up to bat, hit the ball and ran with the bat...but not to 1st base...he ran to one of the outfielders and stood next to him. By the time he figured out what he was supposed to do, he was still safe because the other team didn't understand the concept of trying to get him out. As time went on, they got better and most of them understood the rules. We acquired a crowd of about 15 little kids. They didn't cheer for us, though. They only booed a couple times. We only played three innings because it was really, really hot. The students loved it! At the beginning of our lesson today, we asked them what their favorite sport is and a couple of the guys said baseball! Volleyball was a lot of fun too. They didn't exactly follow all of the rules. At times, a couple of the guys would pretty much catch the ball and throw it to the other side. Definitely not right, but we let it go.

We sang "Old MacDonald" with them. But we sang it with the English animal sounds and then the Pular animal sounds. Hilarious! When we would sing the Pular sounds, we would say Mamadou Jalo instead of Old MacDonald because Mamadou is a very common name here and there are only about 5 or 6 last names at the most. The Pular sound for a cow is mboo. A cat says mew. Both are pretty close to ours. Their sound for a rooster is coo-koodoo-koodoo. The rest of the sounds are just imprssions of the animal. A frog does not say ribbit. They just make the noise that they hear.

We made pizza for them today. Most of them liked it. Boss hated it. He walked to Mamadou's cafe across the street to get something else to eat. Besides today, we've had rice and sauce everyday for lunch. One of the days, they told us how they make maffe tiga (peanut sauce) so I'll try to make that when I get home. I know that it won't taste anything like it does here. And I'll have to put a little gravel in the rice so you can really get the African experience!

I've laughed a lot this week! It's been a lot of fun!

I'm almost over my cold. Only a runny nose now.

It's been raining a lot more this week. We took a shower in the rain a couple days ago. Of course, we left our clothes on. And we wore shoes so we wouldn't get shocked if lightning struck. It was freezing. When we were done, I realized that a couple little African boys had been watching us. I'm sure it was funny to watch four crazy American girls giggle and scream while getting soaked by the rain. We each took a quick, hot shower when we came in. I realized that that was my first hot shower since I got to Africa!

I can't believe that I'll be home two weeks from tomorrow. I don't feel like I've been here for a month. But I miss you guys a lot and I'll be happy to come home.

Love you!
Sarah

Entering Week Four

2006-06-27T18:23:00.001-07:00

It's Monday of week four and I'm feeling it. I'm tired, a little stressed, easily frustrated, and getting homesick. But I know that now is when I have to rely on God even more. I know that He is and will continue to help me through all of this.

We started an English camp today. We have it in the courtyard of the Duecks' house because they are now on home assignment. There are supposed to be nine students, but only four showed. They are all men; one is 21 and the rest are in their 40's I think. This is the advanced camp and next week we will do a beginner's one with a new group. Dee has been working with this advanced group for about three years. It's neat because this is a cool way that we can share Christ with these men. In the beginning of class, we had them memorize Luke 15:24 "For this son of mine was dead and is alive again, he was lost and is found." Then we drew water and had them describe in English what they were doing. We interviewed each other about our families. One man whose name is Mamadou (he was our tutor for Pular), asked me if I want to marry a man from Africa. People ask us that a lot here. I just told him that I would if God wills it. "Si Alla jabi" in Pular. Then Stacy told the Prodigal Son story which is where that verse is from. We had them retell the story in their own words and then act it out. Then we sang nursery rhymes. We had regraw for lunch. It's rice with the sauce already mixed in and potatoes, fish, squash, hot pepper, and hockatu (a bitter vegetable). And we had chocolate chip cookies that I made! After lunch, we played badmitton. Oh man! It was funny! They were not very good...but then again, neither were we! Mr. Jalo and I won 20 to 18. It was fun!

Then we came home to watch the World Cup. They LOVE the World Cup here. The electricity schedule pretty much revolves around game times. When a game is on, the power is on. It's not on too much besides that. But the house is hooked up to run on 12 volt power, so we don't have to live in the dark. There's a game on right now and there are about five men in the living room watching it. I think the games are fun to watch, but most of the time I read or take a nap.

Last weekend, we spent three days in a village. Now, this is a real village. We lived in mud huts, drew water from the well, farmed (I never knew it was so much work!), pounded with those big sticks (I tried, but spilt the dried sweet potatoes that we were pounding), and helped cook (all I really did was pick the gravel out of the rice). They cook all of their meals over the fire. There is no electricity. The bathroom is called a "squattie". In a small, brick building with tin roofing, there is a hole in the ground and two spots to put your feet. And you squat. The building is divided in half and on the other side is there you take a shower. The shower is really just a bucket of water and a cup. The mud huts were interesting. They gave us two huts. One had a twin size bed and the other was about the size of a queen size. Four of us slept on the queen and two on the twin. It was a tight squeeze on the queen size bed. We layed horizontally so my feet dangled off. The beds are filled with straw so they're not the most comfortable things to sleep on. But it was a great experience. The people were so nice. Like they all are here in Guinea.

I've been thinking about all of you guys a lot lately. And praying for all of you. I trust that all is well.

Please pray that I will quickly get over this cold, that God would give us opportunities to share the gospel and that we would preach with boldness, and that God would soften these mens' hearts and give them open ears, open eyes and open minds. Also pray that I will be a continuous testimony to Christ's love.

I hope that there are people reading this. I really want you guys to know what's going on here and how things are going. If you know of anyone who would want to read this, please tell them. And leave me comments because I miss all of you! Lori is putting all of these blogs up for me because all we have is email and no Internet, but she will email me the comments you guys leave. Lori, thank you for doing this. I love you!

With lots of love,
Sarah (Your favorite girl in Guinea!)

Guinea, A Beautiful Place

2006-06-23T17:37:00.000-07:00

So I've been here for three weeks and I realized that I haven't told you guys what Guinea is really like. So I will list some things at random as they come to mind...

It is GORGEOUS! I never knew Africa could be this pretty! It's SO green. There are trees and grass everywhere on the rolling hills. There are lots of huge waterfalls which I've only seen from about three miles away. I don't know how to describe how pretty it is. I love it.

Cows, goats, chickens, ducks, and sheep roam the streets. They're everywhere. A lot of the time, cows and sheep stand right in the middle of the road and don't bother to move as you drive by.

There are no paved streets in Timbi Madina which is the village I'm staying in. The dirt roads are this reddish color with huge potholes. Driving is quite an adventure between the animals and the road conditions. Oh, and lanes don't really exist and there are some crazy drivers, so it's a little scary at times.

The people here are so friendly! And they're very funny. You can walk up to anyone and start a conversation. I don't get much past the greetings, but it's fun. Their clothing is very colorful. All of the women wear longs skirts and married women wear a head covering. The women and all of the children carry things on their heads. Their balance and strength is pretty amazing.

It is hugely Muslim. There is one Fulbhe believer in Timbi Madina. The rest of the church consists of about seven men from the forest region in southern Guinea who are here as teachers.

The staple food here is rice and sauce. That's really what it is. You get a big bowl of rice and on top there is different sauces. Suppo and hacko are the two main sauces. Suppo is like a stew and hacko is a leaf sauce with fish oil and stuff. I don't especially enjoy rice and sauce, but it's not too bad. But I definitely couldn't eat it everyday for all three meals. I would puke.

Gas is $5 a gallon.

I really like wearing skirts. That may suprise a lot of you, but they are much more comfortable than wearing pants. So if I come home and wear lots of skirts don't be surprised.

There are lots of bugs...spiders, termites (did I tell you I ate some?), ants, cockroaches, mosquitoes, beetles, crickets, grasshoppers...ok, I can't name them all. There are also snakes, but I haven't seen any yet. I've gotten bit by bugs quite a lot. As I write, I am surrounded by these gross flying bug things, but you learn to ignore it.

I was sick last Sunday. It was bad. I will save you the gross details, but I had a temp of 103 at one point and felt all around horrible. We thought I might have malaria, but it turned out to be a 24 hour bug. The next day, I was pretty much back to normal.

This past week, we were counselors at a missionary kid camp. There were about 50 junior highers and high schoolers. It was a lot of fun. Those kids amaze me. They are more spiritually mature than most college students from the states in my opinion. Being at the mk camp was almost like being back in America for a week. I'm glad to be back in the village! Is that weird? I caught a cold on Wednesday which I'm still trying to get over.

It rains quite a bit. Not as much as I expected. But when it rains, it pours. It usually rains for about 20 minutes or so.

I really like it here. But I don't know that being a missionary is my place. I think I want to focus on kids more. I've told a lot of people about Invisible Children here and I would still love to work with them.

I love all of you guys! Please continue to pray for me...

Pray for health, safe travels, the English camp that starts Monday (that we would be able to teach well and get a chance to tell them about Jesus), and pray for God to continue showing me who I am in Him and what His plan is for me.

On jaraama, nani!

Firsts

2006-06-16T16:43:00.000-07:00

This is trip is definitely full of firsts.

I ate termites for the first time. And probably the last. They weren’t too bad, but I wouldn’t say that I liked them. We dipped them in some Nutella and that made them taste much better.

I plucked a chicken for the first time. The chicken was a gift from a family that we went to visit. JD killed it by cutting the jugular and bleeding it to death. Then we put it in boiling water which makes the feathers very easy to take off. I kinda freaked out a bit before I started to pluck it, but once I got into it, it wasn’t too bad.

Me, Sarah, and Stacey were the “honored guests” at the inauguration of a café at one of our neighbors’ house. He made us the honored guests because we gave him money so he could give out free food on his first open night. We gave him $30 which bought enough food for about 100 people.

It’s weird to be stared at so much. There are only about 12 white people in Timbi Madina and all but one are CMA missionaries. So we are quite a sight. We have each gotten a few marriage proposals too. It’s very funny. We just tell them that they have to go to America and ask our father for permission.

Tomorrow, we are going to a neighboring village for the weekend. We will do an English camp and really just live like the people do. I’m very excited.

Please continue to pray for me.

I love you all!!

Update On Week One

2006-06-16T16:38:00.000-07:00

Wow!

So many things have happened since I last wrote to you all. I can’t believe it’s only been a week. I don’t think I’ll remember everything I want to tell you, but I’ll try.

My flight to Conakry, Guinea went great. I got all of my luggage at the airport. On the way home, I was in my first high speed chase!

As we were leaving Conakry, a police officer walked into the middle of the road to stop us. Now, the police here are not like the police in America. Many of them make up reasons to fine people so they get money from them. Some do this because they are unpaid by the volunteers and this is their only way to make money and some just do it to get more money. So we didn’t stop. We drove right by. The policeman jumped on a motorbike and chased us for about 10 minutes. JD drove very fast. But the speed we could go was limited because none of the roads were paved so there are very big potholes. Also, we had a huge solar refrigerator strapped in upright on the roof. I was freaking out! But he got tired of trying to catch us so he stopped.

We’ve spent time catching grasshoppers in the field behind the Duecks’ house (a missionary family). Their kids Jacoby, Ethan, and Josey are soooo much fun!! I got to tour the village hospital. It’s not like any hospital in the U.S. Nothing is like the U.S. I ate my first fried termite yesterday. They weren’t very good. The food I’ve eaten here hasn’t been too different. But that’s because the missionaries cook a lot of American food. We visited and prayed in a mosque in one of our neighboring villages. We’ve shopped in the market. We’ve tried to talk to many, many people. I don’t know much of the language, though.

The language that is spoken here is Pular. It is culturally very important to greet people here. If you don’t greet them correctly, even if you’re just walking down the street and they’re people you don’t know, they get very offended. Here is a standard greeting:

A: On jaarama! (Hello, literally I greet you)
B: On jaarama!
A: Tanna ala ton? (Is there no evil there?)
B: Jam tun. Tana ala ga? (Peace only. Is there no evil here?)
A: Jam tun. (Peace only)
B: On jaarama, nani! (Goodbye, you hear?)
A: On jaarama, nani!

When we walk down the streets, the kids yell “Porto!” which means white. None of the roads here are paved. Cows, chickens, and goats wander the streets. There is trash all over the streets. Trash cans don’t exist in Timbi Madina. The Duecks collect all of their trash and burn it every week or so. I got my hair braided today. You guys would bust up if you saw me. I don’t have any pics yet, but I will. The weather is VERY nice. Right now, it’s 5:20pm and about 75 or 80 degrees outside. It gets pretty chilly at night! It’s rained about every day. The power goes on and off. It’s been on all day today because of the World Cup. If they turned the power off during a game he people would probably revolt! But the house we’re living in is set up to run on semi truck batteries.

It’s my birthday! I’m no longer a teenager! My first birthday in Africa. Yay! We got the afternoon off from language study, they decorated the dining room with birthday decorations for dinner, they sang “Happy Birthday” in English and French, we had cupcakes for dessert, the girls on my team gave me a pina (a wrap skirt) and Josey gave me a bag she painted and a plastic gold metal that says Winner. The first time I told someone that I was 20, it was in Pular. I thought that was exciting. It was a great birthday!

I miss all of you so much! Please pray for me to have continued good health, persevere through 5 more days of language study, and that we would be able to share Christ with the people we meet every day through our words and actions. They’re a tough people.

Thank you for all of your prayers. I miss you all very much!

I love you all!

Sarah

My New Motto

2006-06-05T03:58:00.000-07:00

I decided that my motto on this trip is

"It's part of the Adventure!"

I'm still in Dakar. I should have left on a plane yesterday to go to Conakry, Guinea, but the flight was full so I got put on today's flight. I slept very well last night.

I arrived in Dakar yesterday at 5:15am. That's 9:00pm Nevada Time. You can compare that to where ever you are. It's 8 hours later here than in Las Vegas. The Walkers (a great couple who work as missionaries in the regional office here in Senegal) picked us up (Sarah D. and I) and took us to their house. We had coffee cake for breakfast (nothing African about it) and talked. We napped from 9am to 11am and then went to eat at this great restraunt right on the beach. It was GORGEOUS! I had some garlic shrimp and fries and Sprite. mmm. Then we drove up to a lighthouse where we could see the westermost point of Africa. If you look at a map, it's the little horn that stick out to the left. Then we we took Sarah D. to the airpost since she had a seat on the flight yesterday. Then we came back, the power went out, and I went to sleep. Oh we also had sloppy joes and cucumber salad for dinner. All of the food has been pretty normal!

In Senegal, it's very dirty. There is trash EVERYWHERE! Dogs, cats and goats wander the streets. And there are lots of horses. They are very skinny. People own them to pull their carriages. There are lots of cars and lots of traffic! At 10 this morning, it was 90 degrees already. Africa has rainy season and dry season. Dry season is cool and rainy season is hot. June begins rainy season. Yay!

The power is out right now too but they have a gernerator to power the computers. I'm using their wireless Internet right now from my laptop.
So my plane should leave at 4:15pm today. Hopefully all of that will go according to plan.

Thank you guys for all of your encouragement! Someone sent me this piece of Scripture and it's helped me a lot:

3Not only so, but we[a] also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.--Romans 5:3-5 (Thanks Kat!)

So I'm trying to rejoice in these stressful times. God is good. All the time! And I know that he will protect me and guide me through all of the things that don't go according to plan.

Airport Chaos

2006-06-03T08:09:00.000-07:00

June 2nd
11:05 am
I'm sitting in a hotel bed in New York City. I should be in Dakar.

Here's what happened...

I got off the plane at JFK and I knew I missed my flight to Dakar, Senegal. I had no idea how many flights go to Dakar so I was thinking I might not be able to catch another flight for a couple of days. Prepare for the worst, right?

There were about 15 or 20 of us who missed connecting flights because of the detour to Albany. They were going all over the world too. So we went with this lady to the Delta Domestic Check-In. I waited in line for 30 minutes or so and when I got to the counter I met Andrea. She will come back in the story later. She told me that I had to walk over to South African Airways to rebook my flight. Don't be deceived, this isn't some short little jog. The JFK Airport is HUGE! So I took the Airtrain (which I became very familiar with) to the right terminal and found South African Airways. I waited in line. Got to the front of the line and the people at the counter told me that they were from Virgin Airlines. The South African representatives had already left for the day.

Keep in mind, while I'm trying to find my way to the right place, I'm trying to call my parents, the travel agency, and the people in Dakar so they know that I won't be coming on time.

So I leave South African Airways and go back to the Delta Domestic Check-In. I get lost in the process. I got lost many times during the night. Luckily, I met some very nice people along the way who helped me a lot. All of the people in the airport were extremely nice! Surprising.

So I went back to talk to Andrea who felt VERY bad for me. This is probably about 45 minutes to an hour later. So she finished with her customer and started to help me. She was able to get me the same flight to Dakar the next day (that's today). Then she walked me to the hotel reservation area. Then $151 later, she pointed me in the right direction to go find my baggage. I gave her a big hug and said a huge thank you.

Oh, the baggage...more adventures.

By this time it's about 9 or 9:30 pm. So I went to go find my luggage. I looked in a pile of bags by the carousels. It wasn't there. I asked the Delta Baggage Services and they said they probably gave it to South African Airways. She told me to go see them. I asked if I was going back to the same place I went to before and she said it was different. So I go to South African Airways and what do you know, it's the same place and the South African reps are still gone.

Now, my plan was to just find the hotel shuttle and go home. On my way to find the hotel shuttle (by this time I have gotten lost and taken the Airtrain many times) I see a sign that says Baggage Services. I got excited and thought maybe they could help me. Maybe I got lost on my way to the hotel shuttle so I could pick up my bags.

So I go back there and there are just bags piled every where. It was kinda like baggage purgatory. I talked to a couple different people in there and they sent me to the Domestic Baggage Claim. The guy drew me a map because I told him I had gotten lost a lot already. I found Domestic Baggage Claim without a hitch but my bag was no where to be found. So I went back to Baggage Services and they sent someone out on "the ramp" to try to find my bags.

By now, it's about 10:30 or 10:45 and I have not eaten since the granola bar I had on the plane from Albany. So I went and got some grapes, water, and a crossaint. It felt good to eat. I realized that it had been 3 and a half hours since I had actually sat down for more than the 2 minutes on the train.

I went back to Baggage Services and waited. and waited. and waited. and waited. But the guys who worked there were my age and very nice so I had some people to talk to. And I laughed for the first time in a long time.

I am very proud of myself because through all of this, I have remained patient, calm, and I still have a sense of humor. If God made me go through all of that as a test to my patience, I passed with flying colors.

So finally a guy comes back, and he says that he couldn't find my bag. So all of that waiting was for nothing.

So I go to find the hotel shuttle and meet some people who are going to the same place as me. They missed their flight to Ireland. There were two high school girls and their parents. They were all very nice. I don't remember their names. They were going to Ireland for one of the girls graduation present.

I said good bye to them at the hotel shuttle station and waited for my shuttle. It came pretty quickly and I got to the hotel quickly. I checked in, went to my room, talked to my mom, and took a shower. I have not been that happy to take a shower in a long time. I had sweat a lot from running around the airport and it was REALLY humid since it was a rainy summer day in New York City. So the shower was very nice.

I went to sleep very frustrated and confused. I don't know why this has happened. Did I not pray enough? Did I not pray the right words? Did I do something wrong to deserve this? I cried a lot and told God that I didn't understand what was going on. But I still have faith. I know that Jesus is with me and that I'm safe and that He will take care of me in whatever situation I am in.

I think all of this has introduced me to being an adult. I definitely don't feel like a kid anymore. I'll be 20 in five days and this was kinda like my initiation into my 20's. It's been a stressful time, but I'm proud of the way I've handled it. But it's only with God's strength that I was able to get through all of it. I would have given up a long time ago if it wasn't for Him.

It's now 11:45 am and I have check out at 1pm.

Don't expect updates like this all the time. This is a rare event. Hopefully.

Please pray for me. I need it now more than ever.

Pray that...
-the rest of my flights would be safe and on time
-my baggage gets to Conakry
-God would give me strength through today and over the next 6 weeks
-I would be able to meet up with Sarah (she missed her flight last night too!)
-God would protect me spiritually and physically in everything I do

Thank you for reading all of this and supporting me through all of it. It means a lot to me that all of you are praying for me and thinking about me. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

I love you! I miss you!

June 1st - On the way!

2006-06-03T07:51:00.000-07:00

*This is taken straight from my journal (Thanks Regan!)*

7:20 am
So I'm sitting at the gate in Las Vegas on my way to New York City. I with I could have some time to see some of NYC. That would be fun.

Lori and my mom dropped me off at the airport. We had extra time so we stopped to get some breakfast at a Mexican restraunt in the airport. But I couldn't eat because my stomach was in knots! It's better now.

Lori and Mom did very well at not crying which is good because if they would have cried I would have and I get embarrassed to cry in front of strangers. I got a little teary when I walked away. And I called my dad...

8:30am
Sorry, I had to stop writing because I was starting to cry. I'm on the plane now so one can see my cry. But I called my dad when I was at the gate and he said that he was almost crying which made me want to cry. I am so lucky to be so loved by so many people. God has definitely blessed me!!

I'm happy I got a window seat on the plane.

10:15 am
This trip has already taught me something...My mom put together a care package in a manilla envelope for me. She said I coulsn't open it until I got on the plane. I thought it would be the norm like candy, food, stationery, etc. But there were pictures of my pets and family, a book about The Purpose Driven Life, and nine cards. Each card says something like "Open when you need Encouragement", "Open when you need a Smile", "Open after a trying day", "Open when you need a Hug", "Open on June 8th" (my birthday!). I can't believe she took that much time to put all of that together.

God has shown me how much I am LOVED!

1:00 pm
I couldn't figure out how to turn the light on in the bathroom just now on the plane so I went in the dark because I was to embarrassed to ask anyone. It was actually like a little adventure!

5:30 pm (NY time)
Well, the trip started out well. We got over Pennsylvania (right below NY) and had to fly in circles because of a storm near the JFK Airport. Then we had to fly to Albany (30 mins. from JFK) to refeul. I'm supposed to get on the plane to Dakar at 5:55 pm. Not gonna happen.

I went into the bathroon to call my mom because I knew I was going to cry. (I've done a lot of that already!) I'm glad I did because I cried more than I thought I would! I also called the travel agency but the didn't answer. So I'm not sure what's going to happen at JFK. We'll find out soon enough.

I don't know why this is happening. I know that God's plan is more complex than I understand, but this doesn't make sense. All I want to do is...well, all I want to do is do His will. So if this is part of His plan, then ok.

It's all part of the adventure, right?

12:24 pm
I will explain tomorow!

It Finally Set In

2006-05-30T22:25:00.000-07:00

Tonight, I said a final goodbye to some friends at Jacob's Well (college age Bible study). It finally set in tonight that I'm actually leaving. I really won't see my friends and family for a month and a half.

As I drove home, I cried but I couldn't figure out why. I was filled with mixed emotions. I thought about how I will miss so many people and got sad, but the next second thought about what I was going to do and laughed.

I hope that all of you who said you would pray for me really will. I need all of it!

Pray for:
-Safe flights
-All of my baggage to go through to Conakry, Guinea
-Me to have a teachable and moldable heart
-The health of me and my team
-Protections from dangers both physical and spiritual

If I don't see you before I leave, I love you all and I will miss you so much!

The Crazy Schedule!

2006-05-27T14:43:00.000-07:00

I'm going to Guinea for six weeks and I'm super excited! The trip is through Global Ventures which is an organization with the Christian and Missionary Alliance. I'll be going with two other girls (Sarah and Stacey) that I don't know yet, but I'm sure we'll get to know each other well by the end! I have lots to do before I leave and lots to do while I'm there.

Here's a layout of what I'll be doing in Guinea (This is straight from the missionaries in Timbi!)...

June 2- Leave Las Vegas at 8:30am. Arrive in New York City and then fly to Dakar, Senegal.

June 3- arrive in Dakar, Senegal 6am We are working on getting someone to come to the airport to meet you all and take you to a guest home for a time to sleep and then give you a little tour of the area before taking you back to the airport around 5pm. It is still up in the air yet as that is the big Jr.Sr. banquet day at the boarding school and so many will be busy with that. Then you will fly on to Conakry and J.D. & Emily Dueck will be there to meet you and get you settled into the guest house for the night.

June 4- Breakfast with Dueck's at GH then on to an African church service Lunch with one of our Conakry missionaries, rest and then to the evening international church service in English(you will meet many of the missionaries working in Conakry there),out to eat at a Lebanese restaurant

June 5- Up and on the road by 7:30 to Mamou up in the Fouta Jalon for lunch with Albright's and our field leader couple the Ibsens, after lunch time of orientation about the Guinea field and then on the road again by 3pm for Timbi Madina. Arrive Timbi and have supper around 7pm, after supper short orientation about language program for the next two weeks.

June 6- Begin Language study!! Noon walk to town and have lunch and language practice begins! Late afternoon reflection time and relaxation then help with food prep and clean-up.
June 7-10- Daily language study

June 11- Worship with local believers and then visit & shop in the big local market, perhaps late afternoon picnic at local waterfall

June 12-15 Daily language study

June 16-18 Walk to nearby local village to spend two nights and three days there(Dee & Emily will accompany) Help with a literacy clinic Dee will conduct and participate in daily village activities-drawing water, cooking over open fires, sleeping in huts.

June 18 pm- Return to Timbi and pack for travel to MK camp on Monday. Time of reflection together about language study, village experience

June 19- Leave for Tinka about 8am Arrive mid morning and get ready for camp.

June 19-23- Work at MK camp (will try and find out your actual responsibilities in a few days)

June 23pm- Back to Timbi

June 24- R&R day (Day trip to falls or some other natural view)

June 25- Worship in Timbi and visit to market again if desired.

June 26-30- Help in English day camp with Dee

July 1- Prayer walk and recharge your batteries

July 2- To Pita for am worship service and visit with local missionaries there

July 3-6- Help in another English day camp

July 4- 4th of July Picnic with English students

July 7- To Labe to visit Pioneer Bible Translators and see translation process, visit Labe market

July 8- Visit to Lelouma natural wonders site, back to Labe for supper at local restaurant

July 9- To church in Labe and then back to Timbi to pack & prepare to travel to Conakry

July 10- Leave about 10am for Conakry, lunch in Mamou, supper by the pool in Conakry

July 11- With Colette B to shop in Conakry and visit radio facilities, supper with Cathy U.

July 12- Lunch with Lizette L. talk about national church and then supper and games with the Clasons (administration couple)

July 13- Visit to eye clinic? Meet with Susu missionaries(Stombaugh's) for lunch, pm debriefing with Blackwell's (by the pool)

July 14- Lunch with Nuss's then Sarah D. & Sarah R. prepare to departure

July 15- I'm home!

While I'm gone, I don't know how much Internet access we'll get but I would love to get some comments from all of you. It will be a little piece of home for me! And I will try to write as often as I can while I'm there.