Picture this:
What do 50 local church members, 20 orphans, 30 teenage students, and a handful of Americans have in common?
We were all stooped over pulling out the weeds in a grass field together this afternoon.
It was a pretty sweet picture of a whole community working together, everyone on the same level, all for a common goal.
Next shot a few days back:
200 kids crammed into a classroom, Singing songs and dancing. This was the Nigerian Sunday School class I had the opportunity to be a part of last weekend. Great fun, and it was exciting to be immersed in their joy and childlike faith.
Highs...
and lows...
Next snapshot of the week:
One of the teenage boys at the school/center I work at was kicked out for stealing about a dollar's worth of powdered milk.
Really liked the kid, so did all of the other guys.
Always cheerful, smiling, but caught in a bad habit.
We had been missing a few things lately and the boys had been warned that anyone caught stealing would be dismissed. Up till this week, there had been no problems. Really a terrible way to leave.
Speaking of leaving, Brian left today. Felt weird saying goodbye to someone I hung out with every day for the last two months. Looking back, I am incredibly thankful that God provided such a great friend and example for me.
This guy had such a servant heart.
When the boy's center director left over a month ago, Brian volunteered 'us' to turn off center's lights every morning - at 6AM!
needless to say, 'us' ended up being 'him' for the rest of the summer, as I decided that extra hour of sleep was just too much to part with.
some things I will miss: moving from a very low stress environment, being surrounded by dozens of happy kids everyday callig me "uncle," Nigerian friendliness and hospitality, playing football, Kefas' (a boy at the center) numerous questions about anything and everything under the sun, putting fractions to work, going to bed at "missionary midnight" (9:00pm), the randomness
It's been a great summer.
Not much like I expected, Much Better.
Great opportunities to enjoy, think, serve, love.
Thanks for reading my posts and keeping me in your prayers.
Look forward to seeing some of you in the fall.
peace. hope. love.
LUKEowsley
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Sunday, July 16, 2006
Mosquitoes: a result of the fall?
All around the Mosquito net,
my hands they chase mosquitoes,
and just when they thought that it was safe
Pop! Goes the Mosquito...
BzzzzzZZ...
Probably the most annoying sound known to man, especially if you happen to be attempting to get some sleep.
I try to rest in the knowledge that my mosquito netting has done it's job...
statistically speaking there's only a .5% chance separating me from malaria and a host of other less than comfortable ailments right?... but could this be the one?
Part of me was hoping for malaria, at least the macho, less wiser half - I mean how sweet would it be to say that I got malaria in Africa! and survived unscathed
But then when I was infomed that it's actually something you get and never really get rid of...
Needless to say, I was glad to find out that my headache, stomach pain and constant tiredness even with 9hr of rest a night, that I had been experiencing for the last two weeks was not due to malaria, nor worms, nor any other "major sickness" but merely some other Africa bug that decided to tag along for the ride.
The doctor jokingly remarked that he had been experiencing the same symptoms too before he met his wife.
His prognosis: get a girlfriend.
We'll see about that last bit of advice, but I did switch my Malaria medicine (the other thing he recommended), and now I feel much better, minus its new side effect: sun sensitivity (of all things... who makes a malaria medicine that cant be used in sunny climates??) Well I've never had a sun burn on my fingers before...until now
One more experience to add to an ever expanding list that this summer has brought me
And like I mentioned earlier, I'd been meditating on Psalm 46:10 this summer, Be still and know that I am God
It's a verse I've been thinking about because it runs so contrary to my nature, I am always constantly on go, always wanting to be doing something, and it makes me rather uncomfortable having nothing to do
I suppose being in bed and exhausted for two weeks kind of forced me to "be still."
Thanks God
So I just realized how fast time flies; I've got less than two weeks left here in Africa. And I've resolved to enjoy every minute of it, whether it's teaching elementary math to a bunch of high school aged boys who just dont seem to get it, helping to build a wall that is embarressingly far from perfect, throwing in the air and hugging the occationally less than disciplined little orphans until my arms fall off, I will count it all joy.
phil 4:4-13
May God continue to bless and teach you throughout the rest of your summers
I've appreciated your prayers and support.
my hands they chase mosquitoes,
and just when they thought that it was safe
Pop! Goes the Mosquito...
BzzzzzZZ...
Probably the most annoying sound known to man, especially if you happen to be attempting to get some sleep.
I try to rest in the knowledge that my mosquito netting has done it's job...
statistically speaking there's only a .5% chance separating me from malaria and a host of other less than comfortable ailments right?... but could this be the one?
Part of me was hoping for malaria, at least the macho, less wiser half - I mean how sweet would it be to say that I got malaria in Africa! and survived unscathed
But then when I was infomed that it's actually something you get and never really get rid of...
Needless to say, I was glad to find out that my headache, stomach pain and constant tiredness even with 9hr of rest a night, that I had been experiencing for the last two weeks was not due to malaria, nor worms, nor any other "major sickness" but merely some other Africa bug that decided to tag along for the ride.
The doctor jokingly remarked that he had been experiencing the same symptoms too before he met his wife.
His prognosis: get a girlfriend.
We'll see about that last bit of advice, but I did switch my Malaria medicine (the other thing he recommended), and now I feel much better, minus its new side effect: sun sensitivity (of all things... who makes a malaria medicine that cant be used in sunny climates??) Well I've never had a sun burn on my fingers before...until now
One more experience to add to an ever expanding list that this summer has brought me
And like I mentioned earlier, I'd been meditating on Psalm 46:10 this summer, Be still and know that I am God
It's a verse I've been thinking about because it runs so contrary to my nature, I am always constantly on go, always wanting to be doing something, and it makes me rather uncomfortable having nothing to do
I suppose being in bed and exhausted for two weeks kind of forced me to "be still."
Thanks God
So I just realized how fast time flies; I've got less than two weeks left here in Africa. And I've resolved to enjoy every minute of it, whether it's teaching elementary math to a bunch of high school aged boys who just dont seem to get it, helping to build a wall that is embarressingly far from perfect, throwing in the air and hugging the occationally less than disciplined little orphans until my arms fall off, I will count it all joy.
phil 4:4-13
May God continue to bless and teach you throughout the rest of your summers
I've appreciated your prayers and support.
Saturday, July 01, 2006
Medical Clinic 1
Sa Kai Ge Ke! (relax)
na go de (thank you)
These particular Hausa phrases have come in quite handy for me this past week, as I had the wonderful opportunity of helping out at a medical clinic, checking vitals like blood pressure, temp, and writing down paitent's complaints before they see the doctor. It's been encouraging to see all of the hundreds of people that have been able to see a doctor, and how much general patience and calmness they have, despite their predicament and sickness.
With all those exillerating highs come some rock bottom lows. For example, for the first three days, all of those we had tested for HIV had been negative (which is great), except for the last woman on each of those consecutive days, who all tested positive. My heart just breaks for them, I cant imagine what must be going through their heads: dispair of life, fear of being ostricised by society, anger at their husband (who was probably the one who gave it to them in the first place).
After a week of 10+ hr days, and all of the varrying emotions throughout, I am really feeling burnt out right now. But all of this exhaustion has brought all the more opportunity to recognize my need and cling to God as my strength and to rest in him. Advice: Dont be like me and wait till your totally worn out before you see a need and turn to him.
How have you seen God working in your life recently, what has he shown you? I've been reflecting lately on how much I worry about and seek other's approval, and what that says about my belief as being a child of God. Am I content with what I have and who he's made me to be? What does it look like to be living a life whole heartedly seeking God's approval?
well, a yini lafiya (have a nice day)
Look forward to hearing how your summers are going and what all you are learning as well.
Thank you those of you who have written me so far and/or are praying for me
na go de (thank you)
These particular Hausa phrases have come in quite handy for me this past week, as I had the wonderful opportunity of helping out at a medical clinic, checking vitals like blood pressure, temp, and writing down paitent's complaints before they see the doctor. It's been encouraging to see all of the hundreds of people that have been able to see a doctor, and how much general patience and calmness they have, despite their predicament and sickness.
With all those exillerating highs come some rock bottom lows. For example, for the first three days, all of those we had tested for HIV had been negative (which is great), except for the last woman on each of those consecutive days, who all tested positive. My heart just breaks for them, I cant imagine what must be going through their heads: dispair of life, fear of being ostricised by society, anger at their husband (who was probably the one who gave it to them in the first place).
After a week of 10+ hr days, and all of the varrying emotions throughout, I am really feeling burnt out right now. But all of this exhaustion has brought all the more opportunity to recognize my need and cling to God as my strength and to rest in him. Advice: Dont be like me and wait till your totally worn out before you see a need and turn to him.
How have you seen God working in your life recently, what has he shown you? I've been reflecting lately on how much I worry about and seek other's approval, and what that says about my belief as being a child of God. Am I content with what I have and who he's made me to be? What does it look like to be living a life whole heartedly seeking God's approval?
well, a yini lafiya (have a nice day)
Look forward to hearing how your summers are going and what all you are learning as well.
Thank you those of you who have written me so far and/or are praying for me
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