Mission Trip - Rewind

OOPS! I forgot something. At the end of day 2 we had a surprise for some of the kids. We had given some money to the ladies that help at the orphanage to go into town and buy the kids some clothes and shoes.

At the end of the day after the medical clinic we lined up the clothes and shoes according to gender and size and the children all sat quietly and waited. When it was their turn they got to choose an outfit or a pair of shoes. It was the best thing in the world to see their faces and watch them try on the clothes to see if they fit. We even saw the girls giving their outfits to other girls that liked what they picked and getting a different one for themselves. This one of the many ways they would put each other first and show preference to one another.

Another example of this is when I offered Benjamin a granola bar. There was a handful of other boys nearby and he immediately started breaking off pieces of the bar and passing it out to the boys. He saved the last piece for himself. I was amazed at their genuine servant hood to one another...the kind that flows from Love and not obligation.

I began praying and asking the Lord to do this in my own heart and the hearts of my boys. I also asked Him to do this among believers here in America. It was beautiful to see such an accurate picture of what the body of Christ is intended to be like.

We also gave the ladies who served us while we were there money to buy themselves each a new dress. It felt so wonderful to offer them a small token of our love and appreciation of their sacrifice.

Tomorrow I will post about day 4.

Mission Trip - Day 3

At this point I was thinking of the children constantly. I would lay in bed and think about them, praying for them as I drifted off to sleep. I would wake up thinking about them FULL of excitement to go see them and be with them.

This was one of my favorite days! We rented vans and took all of the kids to the beach. They only get to go when missionaries come so it is a big treat for them. When we first started walking onto the beach with all of these beautiful African children walking in front of us I felt like I was in paradise. I loved watching them play in the sand, laughing and enjoying each other and God's beautiful creation.

I noticed that Emmanuel was sitting on the beach alone and sad. I sat beside him and asked him what was wrong. He wouldn't tell me. I thought maybe the beach triggered memories of his family. Benjamin came over and tried encouraging him but he remained sad. I asked him to walk down the beach with me. I told him that when he is sad it is OK to talk to someone he trusts, someone who he knows will pray for him. He still wouldn't tell me what was wrong, so I started telling him how much God loved him and how God wanted him to enjoy the beauty of the beach and the fellowship of his friends. Benjamin and I prayed with him and he cried. We walked back and he was still sad so I tickled him and he cheered up. Me, Jeannie, Amy, Benjamin and Emmanuel walked and laughed together down the beach looking for sea shells. You have no idea how close I hold these memories to my heart and ponder them regularly. What a gift He gave me to be with these children...to love them and be loved by them. I don't have words to describe how in that moment Benjamin and Emmanuel became my sons in my heart. God spiritually connected us and I love them deeply.

We had lobster on the beach. This was just way too cool!

The older boys raced Wade. It was so precious to watch them interact with the men on the mission team. Our boys played a game of soccer against some UN soldiers and won! We stood on the sidelines cheering them on. Again, I felt as if I were cheering my own kids on at a soccer game here in America. I was so proud of them when they won!

It was a perfect day. My heart was so full of love it could have exploded. I was in love with Jesus more than I ever knew I could be. I was also as in love with these children as much I am my boys here at home. This was all a great mystery to me and I was embracing every minute of it! I felt as if I were living and moving in Him every moment. I felt like Moses when He went up on the mountain to meet with God face to face...and I did NOT want to come down!!!

Mission Trip - Day 2

The 2nd day we did our first medical clinic. We set up the clinic in a church near the orphanage. There is a school on the top story that basically had a floor and a roof and no walls. I loved being able to watch the children sit attentively at their desks while the teacher taught from a chalk board. The children in Sierra Leone have to pay to go to school. Every child in the orphanage has their education paid for. If you attend school then you learn to speak, read and write in English...If not then the primary language is Krio. We had interpreters during the clinic because many of the Africans did not speak English.

We saw over 120 people during the clinic and all of them were very sick. The pastors took 3 car loads of adults and children to the hospital and several lives were saved as a result. The medical clinic was a spring board to offer prayer and share Christ with each person. Amy and I were part of the prayer team and saw many accept Christ of whom most claimed the muslim faith.

I became more and more amazed by Pastor Hasan. He is quiet and exudes humility. He served without drawing attention to himself. I could clearly see that the things that are most important to him are the things that are the most important to the heart of God.

I met and talked with Solomon for the first time. He was one of the interpreters. I found out that he was the first to leave the orphanage and go to college. He was on a break from school and served along side us. I quickly developed a heart for him.

An observation I wrote in my journal was the contrast between those in the orphanage and those just outside in the surrounding village. The kids and workers in the orphanage were healthy and full of joy. Those outside the orphanage looked tired and worn in their faces. I could clearly see why the Lord had saved this remnant of children to reach out to their community and offer the hope found in Christ. Because of the poverty and the after shock of the war there is a heavy feeling. I know that God is using all those in the orphanage to be a light in a dark place.

I loved touching and embracing all of the beautiful children inside and outside of the village. I see now more than ever why Jesus asks us to come to Him with the faith of a child.

One of my best friends, Amy Newberry went on the trip as well. She is also blogging about our experiences in Sierra Leone. You can visit her blog at http://www.amynewberry.blogspot.com/

Mission Trip - day 1

The first day of our trip we stayed at the orphanage all day. We sorted clothes for the kids and did some preparation tasks for the upcoming medical clinics.

A sweet boy named Abubakar took a few of us on a walk thru the surrounding village of Wellington. There were mostly huts and and make-shift houses. I was in awe at the simple way they lived. It was beautiful! There were children everywhere and they would run up to us waving and saying "Hello-Hello."

When we got to interact with all of the kids I was overwhelmed at their joy. My friend immediately brought a little boy to me that I have a video of on my myspace. His name is Benjamin and I could not wait to meet him. He was even more beautiful in person than he was on the video!

The kids were so full of joy. They loved on us and wanted to be with us as much as we wanted to be with them. They were full of questions about our families. I wanted to hug and kiss them all. I have never been in such small quarters with 80 children and had such peace and joy. Their laughing and playing was such a sweet sound.

They have 2 stories in their home. The girls are on one floor and the boys on another. They have 20 sets of bunk beds and a few cupboards that they share for their clothes on each floor. The first day we went on the girls' balcony and gave them all manicures. They were all so beautiful! In Sierra Leone you must pay to go to school. Their native language is Krio but since these children all go to school they know English very well.

Late that afternoon they gave us a welcoming ceremony. The children did cultural dances and played music and sang for us. It was the most precious sight! That evening we sat in on their evening worship service. (They have a worship/devotional time in the mornings and evenings together that is completely led by the children).

The children played African drums and instruments. They sang American worship songs. 2 of them were "How Great is our God" and "I will Overcome" by Charlie Hall. Part way through the first song I started weeping uncontrollably. Watching the children worship...really worship and sing the lyrics to those songs knowing everything they have overcome was the most humbling experience. I felt unworthy to be in their presence. I realized at that moment that He was taking me deeper than I had ever been and opening my eyes to things unseen to me before this trip.

Memories from Sierra Leone, Africa

I have been home from my mission trip to Sierra Leone, Africa for a week and I just now feel like I can even attempt to write down some of my experiences and describe the things that God has shown me. When I returned I was sick and depressed. I did not want to leave. I wanted my family to move to Africa. I am now settling back into life here in America with new passions, a different mind set and a deeper understanding of God's love and grace towards me and all He has made throughout the entire earth.

I still feel like words are a feeble attempt to express what He has done in me and the things He has opened my heart to. I will attempt over the next several posts to give you a glimpse into what I consider to be one of the greatest gifts He has given me.

To give you some background:

Before I left I thought the Lord called me to Sierra Leone so that I could share His love with orphans. I now see that He called me to go so that He could share His love with ME through orphans. I felt completely unworthy to be in their presence the entire time I was there. There was never a moment where I didn't feel like I was the one being ministered to.

It is by far the most beautiful picture of the body of Christ I have ever experienced.

The children, who are mostly teenagers at this point, glorified Him in all they did. In their playing, laughing, serving, worship...in all of it His love flowed through them.

At one point my friend Jeannie and I were looking out the window at some of the children playing a game and we marveled at how they had Jesus and a ball and were completely content and joyful. They constantly shared everything and we never saw one argument between any of them.

We did some other things outside of the orphanage. Starting in the next post I will try to share what we did each day and give you a glimpse into my journey...