I Peter Bible Study

Hey all, I hope you had a great weekend. I just returned from our new staff women's bible study. We are studying the book of the Bible, I Peter. So far, it is great. We have just been beginning with studying it inductively. It is hard to initially get going with the steps to be diligent and faithful to the responsibility of being in the Word. However, I know that in the end, it is worth the fruit of obedience and what is really in each book is amazing!

Anyway, my heart is that as women we leave ourselves with no excuse to not be in the Word ourselves. We cannot blame a ministry or a church or someone else for not handling the Word of God correctly. Because, if we have the Word, we are able to dig into it. That is what I want all of us women to leave this study with. Through the Holy Spirit we are able.

I usually lead a nigerian study, but this time, it is just for the staff women. I am going to be doing a nigerian study again in February on the life of David. But, for now, I am ready to absorb as much as I can out of I Peter. I consider it an honor to study next to these women. I pray you have your own circle of friends that you can be real with as you pull apart Scripture and struggle to find the truths in each verse.

monkeying around?

I would love to say that there are monkeys everywhere here, but that would not be the truth. Which is why when I was pulling into our neighborhood yesterday and saw this man with his pet monkey (on the leash) I had to stop and "snap" it.

The kids are on fall break right now, so we are leaving in the next hour for Abuja with another family. We are going just for a couple of days, to get away a bit and enjoy some swimming and maybe a movie... have a great weekend yourselves.

staff fun

Some of us staff went to OLA a couple of days ago and we decided to bring some legos and toys with us. It was fun to have the children be creative and enjoy all the pieces.

Of course, this is little Mary to the left. When we showed up we were so surprised to see her standing up in her crib. This is new for her. Her body has in the past, been stiff and in just a couple of positions. Wednesday, she was crawling, playing and so much more flexible than ever before. We were thrilled to see her improvement.

These children are all becoming a part of our family. The ups and downs, the joys and discouragements of growing up.

update ed center

Here are some updated photos of the education center that John has been managing and working on in the Bassa area, next to the Kissayhip Village. I always feel like it takes a long time to get moving and then when it reaches a certain point, the walls go up and it looks real to me.

Do you remember the water barrel being on the ground? Well, it finally went up and the towers are in working condition!

The picture above is of the front of the center. I cannot believe it is actually happening. It has become real, the education part of this ministry, especially with Theresa here. We are so excited to see what God is going to do.

This photo is of the left hand side of the building. Well, that is it of the tour for the moment. Who knows? Maybe you will be able to come visit and see it in person someday! I have to put that in there. God Bless!

My thoughts on some africa photos....

I was going through some photos last night with my kids (Gus and Sami) and there were just some we stopped and talked about or laughed at.....

Here is that compilation and our thoughts on them:

Jesus surrounds us and protects us!

Just hanging out on a lazy, Sunday afternoon.

Obviously, I am in charge, not the other two! Just wanted to have proof :)

If I could choose to be anywhere, this is where I would want to be.

We were curious as to what is she really thinking, right now? And, we all decided that she was very beautiful in her time.

"Yes, I think I got something!!"

Have a great day reminiscing about your pictures in your own life. Be blessed.

new apartments

I just wanted to give you some quick updated photos of the two new apartments (in duplex form, kind of) being built by John on the ministry compound.

First, the photo to the right is of one place where John gets some building materials. Coincidentally enough, it is called "Building Materials". Basically it is a row of small building shops that you can purchase screws, nails, door frames, windows, lumber, etc... anything you might need to build yourself an apartment. It is about 20 minutes away from where we live.

These other two photos are just some new pictures. The inside picture is where a new living room and kitchen and dining room will be eventually. John is hoping to have these complete by the end of next month. I think both families will enjoy a new home.

cultural differences

Good morning everyone.

I just had one little funny thought today. You know how we as women, more than men it seems anyway, say "Oh, I forgot to turn off the oven." or "I left my curling iron on"......

The other day, Linda, a friend of Emilee's and mine came into Emilee's living room and said, "Oh my gosh, I think I forgot to put out the fire". You see, here, most women use fire pits to cook over for their food verses an oven..... and I kind of chuckled to myself thinking how women are the same everywhere, but what changes are just the cultural circumstances....

Linda called her neighbor and asked her to check her fire and if it was still going, to put it out. Isn't that crazy? Thank goodness for neighbors everywhere.

This photo is picture of our pastor's kitchen....