Watch Out!
 You are probably wondering why the weird face. Well what you really can't read is the sign in the reeds. Here it is blown up:
 That's right. It says, "DANGER HIPPOS." Although Hippos eat plants, they are one of the most dangerous animals in Africa. They are very territorial. I don't know what the little fence is supposed to do behind me, because it definitely won't keep out a charging hippo. But hey, I guess you have to hang the sign somewhere!Labels: Humor, Life, Vacation
Easter Break
 This last month, my department of the ministry has been pretty slow. The schools had break and so most of the ministry work I normal do was put on hold. This gave me some free time, which was very welcomed! Since minstry related work was fairly light I took a vacation. My housemate, Kelly, and I headed to the beach. We spent four days in the sun or at the movie theater. Even though the weather wasn't hot enough to swim and most of the time we had to leave our clothes on, it was so great to just nap in the sand. It was a much needed and refreshing break.
One of my favorite moments was having the opportunity to go to an English speaking church service. It felt like I was back in the States. We had worship with about 200 other people all singing English songs that I knew. It refreshed my soul. You don't know how lucky you are to have a great home church until you leave.Labels: Fun, Life, Vacation
Perks of Missionary Work
When mission teams come to minister they almost always want to go on a safari before heading back home. Most teams need someone to drive them to the safari lodge and then to the airport. Because of this, one of the perks of being the missionary and driving them to the lodge is that we usually receive a nights stay in a nice lodge and dinner. Although I have to do some catch up work, or prepare ahead of time, it is nice to have a short break. These last few days are spent helping the mission team members develop a deeper desire for what God is doing in Africa and leaving them with a lasting image of the vision of the ministry. This next week I am participating in helping one such team and then picking up another from the airport. It should be a good time of connecting team members with God's heart. Labels: Fun, Leadership, Life, Vacation
A Family's Love
 I have the best family ever. Honestly. I am so grateful for the blessing that God has given me. Who has the chance to say that they have grown up in a Godly household with extended family also being Godly role models? I can honestly see the blessings that God pours out on those that follow Him. Yes, we’ve had our share of heartbreak, but He has never left us and has blessed us with family unity and love that I hope to one day replicate.
The passage that says, “I am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments” is certainly true (Deut. 5:9-10; also in the Bible six more times, by the way). My grandparents and most likely before them started it and spread the love for God all the way down to me. What an influence my grandparents have been. If they turned from God, it not only would have affected their relationship with God, but mine as well. I love God with all my heart and it is because of them. Thank you guys!
I would rather receive the blessing of a God-fearing family over money, power, or fame any day.Labels: Family, Memories, Spiritual, Vacation
No Dry Eyes
 Over Christmas I stock up on all the valuable American goodies I can. At the end of my collecting I had an eye doctor's appointment and was explaining to him about what I do in Africa. Like a concerned doctor he asked me what kinds of contact solution I can buy and by the end of our conversation he donated 24 boxes of his trial solutions! I was not expecting him to do that at all, but I thank God for his generosity. As I was packing with Corrie I just could not help but make a tower of the boxes. I made a couple towers that day, but this was by far the one with the most boxes. Labels: Fun, Humor, Vacation
Closet of Memories
 My Great grandmother is a wealth of knowledge and memories. "I never thought I would live this long," she said yesterday as she began to tell stories of when she was growing up. Greatma, as we call her, was born in 1913. She recalls spending nights by the oven to stay warm, riding one horse sleighs to funerals and buggies in warm weather, and taking baths in a laundry tub behind the big stove. Since Christmas is tomorrow she began to tell Christmas stories from long ago. Her favorite memory was of her and her uncle going into the woods and cutting down the family Christmas tree to put up in the parlor. For ornaments, they made cones out of paper and filled them with candy and put lit candles on the tree for Christmas Eve. I always love being able to visit Greatma and I am counting my blessing as I do not know if I will be able to again. She has seen so much and her only complaint is that she cannot see well enough to read the Bible. She is an inspiration to me and has touched so many lives in the past 95 years.
Enjoy your time with family and make memories that will last a lifetime!Labels: Family, Memories, Vacation
Same Ole, Same Ole
This past weekend I had the chance to spend time with Ashley, April and Amy, three friends that I became very close to during my internship my first year in Africa. April (from California) flew into one of the largest snowstorm Detroit has seen in awhile and drove down to Cincinnati with Ashley. That started off our exciting weekend of doing nothing together. Even though we didn’t do anything special or go anywhere exciting, we had a great time together.
The entire weekend felt like we just picked up where we left off. Each person although different, was exactly the same as she was a year ago. You can always count on Ashley to make you time anywhere entertaining, April to sing off key to Bob Marley, and for Amy to make you laugh so hard you cry. That is what I absolutely love about good friendships, the ability to be the same no matter now long you have been apart. I value this so much more since I've been away. Now all alone at my grandpa’s I’m thinking about all that I will probably miss in the next two years, but looking forward to the next time when we can do the same ole, same ole together again.Labels: Friendship, Fun, Vacation
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