A Day in the Life - April

Have a taste of what my weekday looks like! Keep in mind that this is a surface summary - there is so much more depth to what we do.

7:00-7:30ish AM -- Wake up because my body says so. A couple mornings (like today) I felt I must have slept in some, but when I finally convinced myself to open my eyes to check the time, there it was, right on 7:30.

8:30ish -- Go down to Nana and Poppo's house for some "porch time" - this includes good conversation, lots of "Buenos dias" as people come in and go out the gate, sometimes a cup'o'joe, and some lovin' for Bob the dog

9:30ish -- Walk down to the Children's Home (I live in team housing on the other side of property) for my morning responsibilities. Two classes meet in the mornings for the kids who do not go to the public school - I make sure classrooms are unlocked, prepare vitamins and snacks for the kids, and set out water and supplies for the teachers. Then I hang out and visit with the kids until their teachers arrive.

10:00ish -- Teachers come and kids go up - we make sure they do not have their radios, hats, etc.

Between 10ish and noon while the kids are in class, my time is flexible. I may be helping with something Melissa is doing, taking some time to do a little Spanish studying, visiting with Maicol, or other things. A couple days last week I spent the time with Nana Rhonda, teaching her some of the basics of Facebook. One day, I climbed up to the top level of our play structure and wrote in my journal. (That was so nice!)

12:00 on the dot -- kids get out of class and I go up to give them stickers for their sticker charts if they have had a good day. (Each kid gets 3 sticky notes next to their name in class. If they lose one, they do not get a sticker. If they lose 2, they lose other privileges like being able to play at the basketball court. If they lose three, they have to leave class and are either given work to do or have to be in their rooms.) Once they fill a sticker chart, they are able to redeem that full chart for a prize or privilege of some kind. Good motivation to behave well and respect teachers. After being bombarded by children declaring, "Tres papel! Yo tengo tres papel!" (I have three papers!), I clean up and lock classrooms.

12:15-12:30ish -- Kids in the public school down the street get home and change out of their uniforms. (They do half-days here.) I greet them with hugs and high fives as they come in.

12:45ish -- When lunch is ready (we have a kitchen staff to prepare our meals - more than 50

SonShine

For those of you who do not follow me on Facebook, here are a few photos from the past couple weeks... My sunglasses (mis gafas del sol) have been a hit!

As you see the names of these children with each photo, please pray for them. Even though you may not know their individual stories and needs, God does and the Spirit will intercede through you on their behalf. So many have been through so much and yet look at the smiles on their faces... :)
May they continue to shine the Son and grow in the knowledge and wisdom of Him!

Avila

I'm really Here!!!

Hola y bendiciones, amigos y familia!

It is amazing to think that I have already and only been in Jimani (HEE-mah-NEE) for a week and a half! After smooth sailing (well, flying) travel, I jumped right into crazy life here.

Right now I am sitting in my bed up in Team Housing, which is the floor above the clinic on the opposite side of campus from the Children's Home. I am finally feeling fresh and clean from a cool (well... cold) shower after not having water for 2 days. Pizza flavored Pringles are my evening snack of choice and I find that they are just as addictive here as in the states ;)
(click "read more" to ... read more... and see pictures!)

Hours!!!

This is my last post from the United States for a while! Super Mom stayed up with me to help me pack - two 50lb bags, a very full carry on and "one personal item such as a purse or laptop case" :)

Happy news from the week! My school loans are paid in full! God honored my desire to get them out of the way before I left ... within 4 days! haha

Anyway... see y'all next time from Jimani! :)

Bendiciones y mucho amor!

Count Down! - One Week!

I keep thinking that I should have flourishes of profundities in order to write a new post, but really, I am running out of words as the day of my departure draws nearer.

Last week was amazing as I was able to spend time in Massachusetts to visit and spend quality time with some dear people - former roommates and amazing ENC friends, my Scherdell family who gathered to bless me with some cash to spend on "my kids," and last but certainly not least, my best friend's wedding (I keep thinking about Julia Roberts every time I say that ^_^). We had some crazy adventures in preparing for the wedding day (snow storms, for example), but it was all SO worth it and resulted in an amazingly beautiful day and gorgeous bride. ;)

Rommates Michelle and Brittney (photo 2011)

Hadn't played with snow for a while... couldn't resist :)

The newly wed Kaeley and Sterling McNeill

My favorite picture of the day :)

Just today, Kaeley sent me a message with a link to a blog post titled "Single, Satisfied, and Sent." At first glance, a label like this makes one think of the "Jesus is my boyfriend" or "I don't need no man!" type trends that really serve as a cover-up for deeper emotional issues, but I trusted Kaeley to not share with me that kind of fluff. She said, "I hope that God has a nugget for you in it."  What I found was more than a nugget. I got a whole chicken sandwich with all the fixins! Read the whole article here. It is worth it, even if you are married.

The author writes about being in the "not-yet married" stage of life and making the most of it for the Kingdom, because even though marriage is good, the fact is that there is way less flexibility once you get to that point. 

"With the Spirit in you and the calendar clear, God has given you the means to make a lasting difference for his kingdom. You’re all dressed up, having every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places (Ephesians 1:3), with literally everywhere to go."

 Whoosh! What freedom! This does not mean that I do not long for that relationship which will make me a Mrs., but I am so much more motivated to focus so much more on Christ and make the most of this time. Please pray for me in this area. I have forever been the dreaming girly girl, but I do not want my personal (and God-given!) desires to be a distraction from my focus now.

Lord, may I use the mother-heart you have given me to pour out your unconditional love to everyone I meet from here to Jimani next week and through the year. I believe that you have a greater plan for me than I have for myself and I trust you to use me in ways I could never plan. Help me to be as clay in your skillful hands. Fill me with grace and patience, a gentle spirit, and cover me in your armor as I face each day. I love you, Father.