storying

Who doesn't love a good story? We enjoy sitting and listening to stories. We enjoy sharing stories (I mean, isn't that what blogging is about?!). We enjoy watching TV and movies, both which tell a story. We enjoy reading a good book. Stories shape the world around us. Many of us grew up going to church and hearing stories from the Bible. Those stories stick with us throughout the years.

Being in Africa we've learned more about stories. Here many cultures are oral cultures. They did not have a writing system for many many years (and some still don't), so the way to share about their culture & history is through stories. In Ghana at our home stay, we were without power one night and sitting outside looking up at the stars. The husband of the house said that he remembers when he was a child sitting outside listening to his grandfather share stories. He looked forward to that every night.

One of our focuses while there was to share stories. We would learn a new Bible story everyday and then look for an opportunity to share it. I had the privilege of sharing the story of the Woman at the Well to a group of women in the market (John 4:1-30). At the end of the story they told me they had heard it before, since they go to the Catholic church. However, even though they knew the story, they said it blessed them that day. They sat and listened so attentively to what I had to share because it came from God's Word.

I wish I was like that. So often I hear a story from the Bible or even a sermon that I think I've "heard" before and I tune it out. If only I learned to listen more to those stories. I know God would use it to teach me every time.

Another thing I learned was something I already knew... but it really sunk it. I learned how relevant God's Word is to our lives. Often we'd ask women how we could pray for them and they would share with us a difficulty in their lives. I cannot tell you how many times God brought a story to my mind through their sharing and how many times I wanted to kick myself for not knowing the story well enough to share.

I left there challenged to learn more stories. I want to be able to encourage those around me through stories from the Bible. And I want to learn to do this while we're in the states as well. Because, like I said, we all love a good story.

Romans 8:28

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."

edit: First, let me say everything over here is fine! Our health is fine, the baby is fine. Nothing to worry about. This post is more about realizing where He is working in our lives and how that will all be pulled together for good and His glory.

We all have Bible verses that speak to our hearts. I have different verses that the Lord reminds me of at different times. Today, He reminded me of Romans 8:28. The first time this verse really encouraged me was when I was a sophomore in high school and my last living grandparent had a stroke. My Papa meant so much to me and not knowing if he would make it through the next few days was heartbreaking. I committed that verse to memory knowing I would need encouragement from it again one day. That day came when the guy I thought I would marry broke up with me. And again when I thought I was following His direction by transferring to FSU and suddenly I come down with mono and have to take time off from school. And again, when my Papa finally passed away. And yet again, when I moved to Birmingham to take a job, knowing that's where I was supposed to be even though it wouldn't be easy. And again, when that job was going to be taken away from me. And again, when my mom got sick and eventually passed away.

And again, He reminded me of that verse today. This last year has not been easy on us. We've been through a lot of transition. We've moved across the world to a living situation that is not the easiest. We're away from our family and friends and have made new friends. Only one thing in our lives hasn't changed and that's the faithfulness of God. Today, as we sat and faced a new reality in our lives, God reminded me of this verse. He is working all of these things together for good. I may not understand the good. I may never see the good. But none of that matters. All that matters is that He is in control and His purpose will reign.

Today has been a difficult day for us. And periodically we have those really difficult, "I'm not sure I can live here", "I want to go back to the states" days. But He is faithful to remind me of this verse. I'm so thankful for that reminder today.

opening my mouth

It's amazing what happens when we open our mouths. And it's sad that the Lord has to constantly remind me of what He will do will I'm obedient in opening my mouth. In scripture, He has called us to go and tell the world what He has done in our lives. He didn't tell us to go and make friendships with the people you'll meet. He knows that will happen. He didn't tell us to go and give them suggestions on how they can have a better life here on earth, teaching them "American ways." He didn't tell us to go and learn the language so that you can buy veggies in the market. He told us to go and tell, because there are people who have never heard the truth about Me.

While in Ghana in November during our training, we had a night time assignment. Part of the assignment was to see what the village was like during the evening hours... who was out and about, what you could buy, who you could talk to, etc. We were also challenged to share our testimony or Bible stories with people we met along the way. I went out that night with 2 other ladies and a translator. We first went to a house and another lady shared her testimony with the women in the compound. They were all very encouraged by her testimony and shared how they have chosen to follow the Lord. We asked how we could pray for them and did just that. And I enjoyed listening to Trisha share her testimony and learned ways to share mine more clearly.

We left and walked to a busy part of town, the "car park." This is where people can catch a taxi or bus to other parts of the country. They come in and rest for the night. There are women out cooking and selling food to the passer-throughs. We found a group of ladies and I asked if I could share a story with them. I began to share my testimony and shared how because of Christ I can be connected with God again. There were several women around, but I noticed 3 that were listening very intently. Now, let me just say I've shared my testimony a lot in my life. I've been a follower of Jesus for almost 20 years now and He's given me lots of opportunities to share. The next thing that happened should NOT have taken me by surprise, but it did. At the end of sharing my personal story, I asked if they had any questions. One of the three ladies asked, "How do I follow Jesus?" And here again, I'm amazed by Him. Along with the translator we walked through what it means to be a follower of Jesus. They asked some more questions and said they wanted to follow Him that night. We talked about it being a lifetime commitment and a change of their heart. At this point, one woman got upset and said she wanted nothing to do with this and left. That night I led them in a prayer to follow Christ. Only the Lord knows who made a true commitment to Him in that moment. I think about those women often, praying for the the ones who just listened to my story that the Lord will continue to bring it up in their minds. And I think about those 3 women who were listening so intently and had questions. I pray that the commitment they made that night was genuine and that one day I will see their faces in Heaven.

Like I said earlier, I've opened my mouth and shared my testimony many times before. And most of those times no one has responded, but He reminded me that evening that it's only my responsibility to speak. He'll do the rest. What a burden lifted. I cannot save anyone. I can only share about what He's done in my life.

seriously, a different culture

I love to play board games. Card games, too. Really any kind of game with a group of friends hanging out having a good time is a game for me (except hide-n-seek in the dark, not a fan). Playing games in the states we always talk about luck. "The luck of the draw" or say things about the dealer not dealing us a good hand. It's about pointing the blame for a good hand or a bad hand on luck or another person in the room. And it can be about strategy. Making a conscience effort to play the game a specific way so that we win. I'm not good a strategy games because I just like to enjoy myself. Anyway, that's how we play games in our culture.

The other night we played a board game here. It's one we've played many times here, Ticket to Ride. It's a strategy game. We played it with a 2 other Americans and a national from here. He's a believer and a really great guy. As we began to play the game, he picked up another player's destination cards and began to whisper over them. We asked what he was doing and he said he was calling on his ancestors to put a curse on the cards. He was saying it jokingly and doing it to make us laugh. The rest of the game he would bring up his ancestors when he wanted something to go his way. I had to leave to use the restroom and I told Trey not to touch my cards or he would put a curse on Trey. Trey laughed and said that's not possible, I have the Holy Spirit. So I said ok, he'll put a curse on your cards. Everyone laughed.

Now, while this was a joke for us the whole night, it's a reality. It's something that we come into contact with often. The mindset here is just different than what we're used to. If something bad happens to a person, they began to think who could've put a curse on them to make it happen. I heard a story about a little girl who was very sick. She got to the point of her death bed and began to cry out for her mother. In my mind, that's a very natural thing. I still want my mom when I'm just sick with a cold! In the culture here, the father saw that as the mother was the one who put the curse on the girl. The mother was outcast from the community because of this.

It's difficult to know how to approach this mindset. We don't understand it because we haven't grown up with it ingrained in us. How do we talk about God allowing all things to happen and it's not because someone else has called their ancestors on you? If you'd like to learn more about this mindset I encourage you to read Quest for Power by Robert C. Blaschke. It will really open your eyes to life in a culture that is controlled by the spiritual world.

feliz navidad - Christmas in SPAIN!

We decided to take a little vacation & break from West Africa and meet some friends in Spain to celebrate Christmas. We absolutely loved Spain. It was very different from where we've been living for the last few months - a little more like America. Plus this was our last trip without a child! We had plans to travel around to a couple of different cities and see different parts of the country.

We flew into Madrid, arriving at 5 am, and had big plans to hit up Starbucks, Burger King, and TGIFriday's on our first day :) We spent the next few days in Madrid, sightseeing and spending time as a Spaniard. Spanish culture was a little different than anything we're used to. They're on a different time schedule. Everything happens much later. And they close businesses during a siesta time, typically 2-4 pm and everyone goes to enjoy an afternoon snack! So we had to adjust our eating schedule appropriately. Also, they don't really do breakfast. Their idea of breakfast is toast.

While in Madrid, we took a day trip via the awesome high speed train to Segovia. This city was incredible. The coolest part was an ancient aqueduct that provided water to the castle. And the castle that we saw was the one that inspired Walt Disney in his design for Sleeping Beauty's castle at Disneyland! Both of us have never experienced an ancient city like this before and we just fell in love. Also, to get to the castle we had to walk on Cervantes Street, which for all of you Pensacolian's that just made me laugh. I tried to find a street sign to take a picture, but no such luck.

We ended our time in Madrid by going to a mall... a real live mall! It had mall Chinese food, Taco Bell,  McDonald's, and everything we could have dreamed of. Not to mention it had an indoor ski slope! We really hit the jack pot hanging out at this mall.

After Madrid, we boarded another train to Granada. We decided to take it easy in Granada and enjoy some shopping, Netflix, and treated ourselves to an Arab bath & massage. If you ever get to hit up an Arab bath, it's worth it. Basically there are 7 pools of a warm-hot temperature and 1 freezing cold pool. You hang out in the warmer pools working your way to the cold one. In the middle of it we both got massages. It was a great way to spend a day relaxing.

After Granada, we headed to Sevilla (or in Pensacola we would say Seville). This is where we spent Christmas Eve, Christmas day, and a few days after. We bought groceries at the store to cook Christmas Eve dinner and stayed in that night since most places were closed. Christmas morning we woke up and exchanged gifts with the names we had drawn earlier in the week. Trey got a cool handmade cup & I got some homemade soap & oils. We made plans to head out for a nice Christmas dinner. Some of the girls we were traveling with let me borrow their straightener and I straightened my hair for the first time since we were in Canada! It's the little things that get me excited now :) Also in Sevilla we visited a huge Cathedral. And when I mean huge, it holds some record, like the 3rd largest in the world or something. The coolest part about this Cathedral was they had Christopher Columbus' tomb! (Walking around the church we kept saying, "Columbus sailed the ocean blue in 1492.") We were also able to climb the bell tower - 35 flights! (don't tell my doctor!) It was gorgeous up at the top.

Christopher Columbus' tomb

From Sevilla, we took a day trip to the coastal town of Cadiz. We enjoyed walking around in the warmer weather and seeing the sights. It's on the Atlantic coast, but this coastline is prettier than Atlantic coast we've been to in the states. Could have just been the surroundings :) We had the chance to go to the top of a watch tower and see all around the city. This watch tower has a cool camera on the top. One the second floor that have a showing using the camera where you can see the whole city and have things explained. Also, there is a beach surrounded by 2 castles... one was technically used for prisoners & has been refinished while the other is not yet open to the public. I finished the night off with some froyo!

Our last day in Sevilla we made our way out to some Roman ruins. They weren't anything spectacular, but they were free & the first Roman ruins we've ever seen. It looked like there was still an active dig going on as well.

We finally boarded our last train and headed back to Madrid on Trey's 25th birthday! His one request for dinner was more TGIFriday's! I was definitely a-ok with that. We really enjoyed our time in Spain. We would definitely love to go back and visit some different cities. And if you ever get the chance to go, I highly suggest it!

2012: a look back

I cannot believe we are already in 2013! It’s been almost 8 years since I’ve graduated high school. If you asked me 8 years ago what I’d be doing with my life, I would have probably said married with children, but living in Africa would have not been on my radar. This last year has been a roller coaster to say the least. We have lived in 6 different cities, spent time in 8 different countries, Trey ran a marathon, got the surprise of a baby on the way, turned a quarter of a century, spent 6 months in training, and began to learn a new language. When I look back on 2012, I cannot believe all that we did in 1 year.

We started the year headed to Disney World for Trey to run the Disney Marathon. The best memory from that day: I saw Trey at mile 13 and he was doing great. He was still smiling and had energy. He waved and talked to me as he ran by, all with excitement. I saw him again at mile 23 and things were a little different. When he came by I asked him if he needed anything, since I had Gatorade & power bars in my backpack, and all he said was, “Do you have a gun?” Needless to say he completed it!

We then headed to a short vacay in Jamaica. There are so many things I love about Jamaica, but the best part of being there was relaxing by the pool :)

We returned home to spend time with family & friends and say some goodbyes before we headed to Virginia for 2 months.

While we were in Virginia, we spent time in classes & with others who have the same passions we do. It was a challenging time, but also an encouraging time. No doubt about it, the best part about being in Virginia is the friends we made. They have been lifesavers during difficult times, both during training and since we’ve arrived here.

We went back home for a week or so before heading to Vancouver, Canada. Neither of us had ever been to the West Coast or Canada. Vancouver has so much to offer. We continued to have class every day, but were able to put into practice what we were learning. We continued to grow closer to some of those friends from Virginia and make new ones. Being there was good since we were able to still feel like we were in America, but begin to spend time away from home. The best part about Canada was all that the city had to offer. We loved sight-seeing and spending time out & about in the city.

While in Canada, we welcomed a nephew to our family! We met sweet Owen via Skype and cannot wait to get home and actually play with him!

Finally, at the end of June we boarded a plane for Africa. We had a layover in London and decided to get another stamp in our passport :) The UK became our fourth country for the year. I would definitely love to go back and spend more time there!

We then landed in our now home country. Shortly after arriving, I celebrated my 25th birthday! Here we have had incredible times - like finding out we’re having a baby only 2 weeks after landing - and some difficult times - like living in 3 different cities out of suitcases while waiting for our house to be completed. It has been a learning experience. We have learned so much about ourselves, our relationship, and about another culture. We have had incredible support from our family, friends, and churches back in the US. The days that have been the hardest, we know they are praying for us and helping us stay here. We have learned to be completely dependent on the Lord. We know that He has sustained us through all of the good times and bad times.

28 weeks

23 weeks

26 weeks

In October & November, we spent time in Burkina Faso & Ghana for West Africa training. We spent time every day out in the community, meeting the people, learning about their culture, their struggles, and how we could encourage them. We also made some great friends here!

We returned home and moved into our HOME! We were thrilled to move and get settled. We began to make connections in our city, get our house set up, and find our way around town. After about a month in our home we boarded a flight to our final country of the year: Spain! We decided to take a Christmas vacation. Spain is beautiful! We stayed in 3 different cities and make day trips to yet more cities. Not only did we celebrate Christmas here, but we also celebrated Trey’s 25th birthday. We are so thankful to be able to get away for a bit.

We returned home on New Year’s day and began 2013 - another year full of changes.