more reminiscing photos

Again, just going through all the photos we have collected in our time here and here are some thoughts.

I wonder where these two boys will be in ten years?

Cool tree amidst the rocks, huh?

At the end of a day!

Kids just joyfully waiting their turn for oranges!

"Aren't our hands so pretty!!"

"Do it again, Joe, do it again!!"

Follow the leader done pretty well, probably the best I have ever seen it done with this many kids.

Well, just some of our thoughts of our memories.

Not many words today, just some pictures with brief descriptions.

This is what we call bature music. Last Sunday when we went to the village church it was pouring so the service started later to let people get there (95% walk to church obviously). My mom and Gus wanted to see what it felt like to play, "nigerian style". They were not near as good as the women fellowship, but they tried. :)

He is so cute! This is Lucky, he is getting so big, isn't he? My mom and I saw a new baby that was just brought to the children's home. His name is Joseph and he is about 4 weeks old. His momma died right after child birth. Please pray for him.

Little Mary is supporting her KY roots!! The last group that just left gave this outfit as a donation. They are from KY of course!! She could not look more cute in this little sweat outfit.

And then you have big Mary. She reminded me of our Mexican roots as she was dressed in such traditional mexican wear. I had to snap a ton of little photos of her. Gosh, I love seeing these children.

we're back

that didn't take long, did it? I was ready for a couple of weeks, but my husband is fast and is a quick responder to our family. I am grateful.

Let's begin with how big our kids are getting. I am having a nostalgic moment. We, as a family, have always enjoyed hiking. We love it, really. So, this is just showing time and places for our kids. They have hiked in OH, KY, NC and other USA locations, and they have also had the privilege to hike in MX and Nigeria. I pray they realize how blessed they have been. I love God's creation and I love them and I love that they enjoy hiking as much as John and I do (or at least we have never given them an option, hee hee :))

no more internet

One of the signs that you live in a foreign country is that for whatever reason they can choose to turn off your internet whenever they want. It can be hard at times living in a third world country for various reasons, but there are also so many good things, like spending time ministering with my children to those whom the Lord loves. Going to bed at the end of the day exhausted because I physically and emotionally and mentally and spiritually gave all that I have to that day, and knowing God worked through me and in me.

I am sending this blog to let people know that we will for a little bit (we have no idea) have no internet service. So, if you don't hear from us or we don't respond to your emails it is because we have no way to get onto the internet. We will try next week to go to an internet cafe service.

Have a blessed week.

Yesterday was a great "corrie" day.... I am guessing it was the last full day of rain for the season. I could be wrong and I am sure we will still see some brief moments of scattered showers; however, it was an amazing pour.

Th kids were able to get on their rain boots and rain coats and play in the street (yes, good parenting, I know :)). They had fun and I just enjoyed the sound, the feel and the smell of the whole day.

To top it off, we spent some time at OLA in the later afternoon. It is always good to see Kenny run up to sit on my lap.

"For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants."

Isaiah 44:3

have a nice day

On our way running this morning, we found this sign in the road. Theresa and I just chuckled since it is telling us to have a nice day. However, this is very typical here. I was driving once and someone cut an electrical line but gave no warning to the passersby and so it flew and got caught in one of the motorcycle drivers tires. So dangerous!!

Theresa's birthday was on Tuesday. Her first one in Africa so we took her out to lunch to one of my favorite restaurants. It has great atmosphere and I enjoyed celebrating with her and the other staff women.

the Word is living and active

The other day, Theresa, Will and I went to the Oasis Community Center. Theresa and I went up on the rocks and we each had our own quiet times.

As I was on top of the rocks, I saw some of the villagers drying corn on top of their rooftops. They do this so they can then grind it to make cornmeal. I thought it was kind of cool to see.

I think the thing that struck me the most about this day was that a lot of the Fulani children followed us up the rocks and were just kind of hanging out with us, holding our hands, going where we were going, etc... As Theresa and I separated to do our own thing, the kids all proceeded to follow her (no surprise, kids just know other people who LOVE kids, and Theresa LOVES kids). Anyway, as I started reading the Word out loud (Isaiah 43 and then I Peter, chapter One), some of the children finally found their way back to me.

The older boy, picked up my Bible, realizing what it was, put it down but got all of the kids to leave me. You see, the Fulani are Muslim and it would not be in good standing for these children to be hanging out with me, listening to the Bible being read. They all left me with the older boys persistence. Except for one little girl. She is the last photo on this blog.

I don't know what all transpired. I am not sure if the little boy was scattering everyone to get out of there for fear of getting in trouble from his parents. I don't know if he recognized my book as the Bible. I don't know if the little girl was aware of what I was reading out loud to her. But what I DO know is that for about ten minutes, this little girl did not leave my side. She heard the Word of God, that is Living and Active, being read to her soul. With a Holy Spirit that knows no language boundaries.....

I don't know what happened that afternoon, but I loved each and every moment of reading to her. I also loved that she heard the Word of God and it will not return void!! Amen and Amen. She is cute, isn't she? Please pray for more of these moments with her and pray that the Holy Spirit draws her in....