Bonjour!
I know some of you were worried =) But don't be! My internet went out, but I'm absolutely fine. I've been in Mahadaga for...3 weeks exactly! Wow, time flies. I've had so much fun here. Matt's cousin Sophie (my hero in the lost luggage crisis, it's all on my facebook page) and I have been minions together over the past couple of weeks. We've settled into a routine--Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings Sophie and I help Matt with whatever project he has picked out for us, So far, that has included harvesting and crushing neem seeds for insecticide, applying manure-tea to the vegetable garden (I know, that sounds like somebody just left a bag of manure steeping in water. Well, that's exactly what it is, it's really quite disgusting), measuring out lengths of rope, turning compost (a scintillating job involving moving an entire 2 meter high pile of dirt a foot to the side), planting cucumber seeds in different types of soil and recording the effects, and driving out in the Rhino to survey the new property SIM just bought. It's tiring work, but so fun! Tuesday and Thursday mornings we go volunteer at the Handicap Center, working with the kids and helping do odd jobs. Monday and Friday afternoons, we have individual French language study (since my 2 weeks of French doesn't even compare to Sophie's 5 years of classes). Tuesday afternoons, the pastor teaches Sophie, Matt and I Gourmanche, the local language. Wednesday afternoons are cultural debriefing, and Saturday afternoons Sophie and I have formal French lessons with Diabidi, a girl from the Handicap Center.
Living in Africa has its ups and downs. I really, really, really miss American goodies. It's weird, the little things that I crave so badly...Nutella, Mexican food, potato salad (ohh....potato salad...), a MICROWAVE, going to bed without having to brush the bugs off my sheets with my shoe. And there are no formal stores in the bush. All the food is local--which is actually really cool for the economy. But I have a recurring fantasy about going to Target (the A/C is blasting and there is no dust!). On the bright side, my mornings are wonderful. I actually love getting up at 6 (ok, 6:15), because that's when it's nice and cool, and I have time to make breakfast and read my Bible. The mangoes are wonderful right off the tree, and all the work I've been doing here has been directly helping others.
I think my favorite thing to do here is ride in the back of the Rhino. It's like a miniature jeep with a tiny truck bed. When you stand in the back and hold on to the rails, the wind flies in your face, you zoom down the dirt roads, and all the little African kids all wave and shriek "Ca va? Ca va?"--the only French phrase they know =) What they don't know is that I don't know much more French than they do!
It's so weird being white here...The missionaries are pretty much the only non-blacks these people have ever seen. Hispanic, asian, white...we all look the same to them. So when I tell you that I am the FIRST white person some of these people have EVER SEEN, I'm not exaggerating. As such, I've made 4 babies cry just by looking at them, and gotten 4 marriage proposals. Little kids follow Sophie and I when we go anywhere. I think this must be what celebrities feel like...simultaneously a Disney princess and a felon. It definitely makes for interesting interactions, though!
Well, I promise I will post more later--and more often!--but I'm wiped out! Today I went on my second home visit (this time I did NOT pass out!) and I was on the back of a moto for hours. So, I'm going to make myself some spaghetti and curl up with a book out of the guest house library.
I love you all SO very much. I am eternally thankful for your prayers (Know that they have a direct impact on my well-being and ministry here) and I miss you all. God is working hard in my heart, and I'll have so much to share about what I've learned when I get back.
Prayer Requests:
-Boredom/Loneliness: This is the first time I've ever lived by myself, and being in Africa obviously makes it that much crazier. Pray that I will be spending my free time with God and take pleasure in His work and company.
-Language Study: Learning one is hard enough, but 2 at the same time is turning my brain to mush!
-Continued Safety and Provision: The Lord has blessed me in so many ways, and provided so much. Pray that I will continue to rely on Him to be enough.
-Farming God's Way ministry: Matt's direction right now is an agricultural technique that integrates faith and was designed specifically for Africa. Pray that this program will be accepted here, that we can find effective ways to present and teach it, and that the people of Mahadaga can be both good stewards of God's creation, and at the same time come to know the love God has for them.
Grace and peace to you!
Au revoir!
XO Sarah
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Thursday, March 14, 2013
The Holy Spirit Turned Off Our Internet?
Bonjour!
Hey everyone! Just a quick update on where things are. I've started my malaria medication, which I've been told gives the user "strange/vivid dreams." But, as my father would say, I am my mother's daughter, and I have incredibly strange dreams already, so I haven't noticed any changes yet! There are apparently books out there that teach you how to tell when you're dreaming, so you can fly in your dreams. I'm really hoping I can get my hands on one before my medication starts working.
On a different note, and the reason I'm updating you all, my date has changed again! Oh well, fourth time's the charm, right? It's actually a really cool story...
A week or so ago, the travel coordinator at SIM sent me an itinerary for my flight before she bought the tickets to approve. However, she accidentally had me leaving out of the airport at Indy. Not exactly close. So I emailed her back, and she fixed it.
The day before she emailed me, however, for the first time ever, our internet connection randomly stopped working. So by the time I got a call from SIM to check the second itinerary and called a friend to check the email and reply to it, it was too late, and the airline cancelled the reservation. Today, I approved the third itinerary (planning is not my forte), and I am scheduled to leave March 23. (Fun side note: my return flight makes a pit stop in ROME! Mom's a little jealous.)
But Sarah, you might be thinking, you said this was a cool story...this just sounds really annoying. Well my friend, you would be correct. As the Oxiclean guy says,
But wait! There's MORE!
Our internet connection still hadn't come on by this afternoon, and I knew that I had to approve my itinerary, so I took my shiny new laptop to Panera's to get lunch and catch up on some emails. The entire time I was there, a group of three women were sitting nearby, and I could hear their conversation as they talked about their pastors, the people that they were praying for, and the ministries they were involved in. It was really refreshing to see three adults get so fired up about Christ (and not involved in the Liberty hype, where it's really easy to be on fire for God). They were laughing, and they just seemed so full of joy, and I was so encouraged by that.
I felt like I was supposed to go talk to them, so when I finished eating I went up and introduced myself, and told them how encouraged I'd been by hearing them. They immediately asked me if they could pray for me. I told them about my trip, and they told me about the ministry they are starting. As they prayed for me, and spoke truth over me, I felt like I was coming home. We sat and talked and marveled about Jesus for about 10 minutes, and then I drove home. Within a few hours, the power had come back on. It was such a blessing to just be a part of the body of Christ, even with these women I had never met. Christ in me recognized Christ in them.
Praise be to God from whom ALL blessings flow, even the blessing of being internet-less for two days.
Au revoir!
XO Sarah
Hey everyone! Just a quick update on where things are. I've started my malaria medication, which I've been told gives the user "strange/vivid dreams." But, as my father would say, I am my mother's daughter, and I have incredibly strange dreams already, so I haven't noticed any changes yet! There are apparently books out there that teach you how to tell when you're dreaming, so you can fly in your dreams. I'm really hoping I can get my hands on one before my medication starts working.
On a different note, and the reason I'm updating you all, my date has changed again! Oh well, fourth time's the charm, right? It's actually a really cool story...
A week or so ago, the travel coordinator at SIM sent me an itinerary for my flight before she bought the tickets to approve. However, she accidentally had me leaving out of the airport at Indy. Not exactly close. So I emailed her back, and she fixed it.
The day before she emailed me, however, for the first time ever, our internet connection randomly stopped working. So by the time I got a call from SIM to check the second itinerary and called a friend to check the email and reply to it, it was too late, and the airline cancelled the reservation. Today, I approved the third itinerary (planning is not my forte), and I am scheduled to leave March 23. (Fun side note: my return flight makes a pit stop in ROME! Mom's a little jealous.)
But Sarah, you might be thinking, you said this was a cool story...this just sounds really annoying. Well my friend, you would be correct. As the Oxiclean guy says,
But wait! There's MORE!
Our internet connection still hadn't come on by this afternoon, and I knew that I had to approve my itinerary, so I took my shiny new laptop to Panera's to get lunch and catch up on some emails. The entire time I was there, a group of three women were sitting nearby, and I could hear their conversation as they talked about their pastors, the people that they were praying for, and the ministries they were involved in. It was really refreshing to see three adults get so fired up about Christ (and not involved in the Liberty hype, where it's really easy to be on fire for God). They were laughing, and they just seemed so full of joy, and I was so encouraged by that.
I felt like I was supposed to go talk to them, so when I finished eating I went up and introduced myself, and told them how encouraged I'd been by hearing them. They immediately asked me if they could pray for me. I told them about my trip, and they told me about the ministry they are starting. As they prayed for me, and spoke truth over me, I felt like I was coming home. We sat and talked and marveled about Jesus for about 10 minutes, and then I drove home. Within a few hours, the power had come back on. It was such a blessing to just be a part of the body of Christ, even with these women I had never met. Christ in me recognized Christ in them.
Praise be to God from whom ALL blessings flow, even the blessing of being internet-less for two days.
Au revoir!
XO Sarah
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
There's Typhoid in the Fridge
Bonjour!
It's been a while since I've posted on here, and (to be perfectly honest) I wanted to get some more news & info about my trip before I gave anybody the link. But as of today, I'll be linking this page to my Facebook page, so everybody can have access to it. I'll try to update it with pictures once a week while I'm overseas, but we'll see how that goes!
As for all my continued supporters, I am SO grateful to you all! I haven't gotten my thank-you notes out yet (all my addresses aren't accessible on my new computer yet), but hopefully I'll be able to get them out by the end of the week!
Speaking of which, I have my new computer!! I'd been using my dad's laptop since my last one evilly and unexpectedly bit the dust around Thanksgiving, but it wasn't going to be able to brave the trip to another country. However, thanks to the help of my church family, I'm typing this post on the hardy computer that I'm taking with me--which is great, because I'll be able to email home and turn in homework while overseas.
Another important update (that apparently I've failed to mention to quite a number of people!) is the fact that my trip has been postponed! The missionaries that I'm working with have a conference in the beginning of March, so I'm going towards the middle of March now instead, the weekend of the 20-22. Not sure what the date on that is, but I'll let you know when I find out!
I've gotten all my vaccinations now. Who knew that you could get the Typhoid vaccination in a pill? It's cheaper than the shot, and only 4 pills lasts 5 years! Of course, you need to refrigerate it so the Typhoid organism doesn't die. Which led to this interesting conversation at our house:
Bekah (opens the fridge): What am I hungry for?
Me: Well, there's some typhoid in the back.
Bekah (blanches): No thanks.
Never thought we'd keep a biohazard on the top shelf! Before I go, I wanted to share this question by Francis Chan that really convicted me the other day:
“Has your relationship with God changed the way you live your life?”
I want to encourage you to think about that today. Is the way you live your life a direct result of the Holy Spirit's leading, or because you were brought up under Southern hospitality? So often we mistake friendliness for godliness. Living the Golden Rule is awesome, but at the end of the day, men aren't saved by a polite smile or a good deed. They are saved by the transformational power of the Holy Spirit.
Have you been transformed? How? What about your life looks unnatural to unbelievers? What about your life would totally fall apart if God didn't come through? Would you be able to get through your day without relying on God?
I think that's it for now...feel free to comment, message or email me with questions or advice! Also, if you're interested in committing to be a prayer partner for me, I'd really appreciate it! Let me know (my email is sahelt (at) liberty.edu)
Au revoir!
XO Sarah
It's been a while since I've posted on here, and (to be perfectly honest) I wanted to get some more news & info about my trip before I gave anybody the link. But as of today, I'll be linking this page to my Facebook page, so everybody can have access to it. I'll try to update it with pictures once a week while I'm overseas, but we'll see how that goes!
As for all my continued supporters, I am SO grateful to you all! I haven't gotten my thank-you notes out yet (all my addresses aren't accessible on my new computer yet), but hopefully I'll be able to get them out by the end of the week!
Speaking of which, I have my new computer!! I'd been using my dad's laptop since my last one evilly and unexpectedly bit the dust around Thanksgiving, but it wasn't going to be able to brave the trip to another country. However, thanks to the help of my church family, I'm typing this post on the hardy computer that I'm taking with me--which is great, because I'll be able to email home and turn in homework while overseas.
Another important update (that apparently I've failed to mention to quite a number of people!) is the fact that my trip has been postponed! The missionaries that I'm working with have a conference in the beginning of March, so I'm going towards the middle of March now instead, the weekend of the 20-22. Not sure what the date on that is, but I'll let you know when I find out!
I've gotten all my vaccinations now. Who knew that you could get the Typhoid vaccination in a pill? It's cheaper than the shot, and only 4 pills lasts 5 years! Of course, you need to refrigerate it so the Typhoid organism doesn't die. Which led to this interesting conversation at our house:
Bekah (opens the fridge): What am I hungry for?
Me: Well, there's some typhoid in the back.
Bekah (blanches): No thanks.
Never thought we'd keep a biohazard on the top shelf! Before I go, I wanted to share this question by Francis Chan that really convicted me the other day:
“Has your relationship with God changed the way you live your life?”
I want to encourage you to think about that today. Is the way you live your life a direct result of the Holy Spirit's leading, or because you were brought up under Southern hospitality? So often we mistake friendliness for godliness. Living the Golden Rule is awesome, but at the end of the day, men aren't saved by a polite smile or a good deed. They are saved by the transformational power of the Holy Spirit.
Have you been transformed? How? What about your life looks unnatural to unbelievers? What about your life would totally fall apart if God didn't come through? Would you be able to get through your day without relying on God?
I think that's it for now...feel free to comment, message or email me with questions or advice! Also, if you're interested in committing to be a prayer partner for me, I'd really appreciate it! Let me know (my email is sahelt (at) liberty.edu)
Au revoir!
XO Sarah
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
So, This Is My Blog...
Bonjour!
I've never really had a blog that people actually read, so if I ramble a lot or forget to post frequently...you have been warned.
Ok, so, as anyone who has this link knows, I'm going to Africa!! My name is Sarah, and on February 28th (A month and 12 days...but who's counting?) I'm leaving for a small, French-speaking country called Burkina Faso. Once there, I will promptly be put into a car and driven for eight hours to my destination, a tiiiiiiiiny village in the southeast called Mahadaga. This is what I know so far: "In addition to providing short-term Bible schools in each region, SIM is also committed to the task of translating the Bible into local languages, reaching youth and street children, clean water development, and developing HIV- and AIDS-related ministries." For information about the mission that I will be involved with, click here.
I guess I should probably explain the name/link of my blog. I have been working with SIM to get a placement since the spring of last year. Finally, after all the applications and stuff got finished in August, all the information came to a complete stand-still. We couldn't figure out for certain how long I was going, where I was going for certain, anything. This was the case up until Friday, Jan. 11. I hadn't had internet access for a few days, so when I was finally able to check my email, I discovered that I was going--and I needed all my funds in 17 days!
Thankfully, one of the ways God delights in revealing Himself to me is by His name Jehovah Jireh: The God who provides. The name Jehovah Jireh is first revealed in Genesis 22:14, after Abraham is given a ram to sacrifice instead of Isaac: "So Abraham called the name of that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, 'On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.'" I had gotten so wrapped up in my work that I forgot about God's miraculous provision. When I realized how little time I had to raise over $4,000, Philippians 4:19 immediately wormed its way into my head: "And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ." By that night, 3 separate people had come to me and offered to help support me. My grandmother was one of them.
"We were given a huge check from a friend for Christmas," she told me. "I don't know what to do with that much money. You take it." Within 24 hours, I had received $1,200. Sunday, I got to speak in front of my church, and God's love just shone through my church family. People were literally lining up to hand me checks. At that point, I needed $49 to cover the initial cost. Monday night, my sister came back from babysitting with a check from a church family, which more than covered the final cost.
I have been overwhelmed by the love and support that I have received, and continue to receive. I still have other costs, like buying culturally appropriate skirts, a possible mosquito net, email costs, phone calls home, certain vaccinations, getting a computer that I can take so I can do schoolwork, etc. But I know that I have the prayers and support of so many people. I am so excited, and I'll continue to post as I learn things! But for now, I'm signing off.
Au Revoir!
I've never really had a blog that people actually read, so if I ramble a lot or forget to post frequently...you have been warned.
Ok, so, as anyone who has this link knows, I'm going to Africa!! My name is Sarah, and on February 28th (A month and 12 days...but who's counting?) I'm leaving for a small, French-speaking country called Burkina Faso. Once there, I will promptly be put into a car and driven for eight hours to my destination, a tiiiiiiiiny village in the southeast called Mahadaga. This is what I know so far: "In addition to providing short-term Bible schools in each region, SIM is also committed to the task of translating the Bible into local languages, reaching youth and street children, clean water development, and developing HIV- and AIDS-related ministries." For information about the mission that I will be involved with, click here.
I guess I should probably explain the name/link of my blog. I have been working with SIM to get a placement since the spring of last year. Finally, after all the applications and stuff got finished in August, all the information came to a complete stand-still. We couldn't figure out for certain how long I was going, where I was going for certain, anything. This was the case up until Friday, Jan. 11. I hadn't had internet access for a few days, so when I was finally able to check my email, I discovered that I was going--and I needed all my funds in 17 days!
Thankfully, one of the ways God delights in revealing Himself to me is by His name Jehovah Jireh: The God who provides. The name Jehovah Jireh is first revealed in Genesis 22:14, after Abraham is given a ram to sacrifice instead of Isaac: "So Abraham called the name of that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, 'On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.'" I had gotten so wrapped up in my work that I forgot about God's miraculous provision. When I realized how little time I had to raise over $4,000, Philippians 4:19 immediately wormed its way into my head: "And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ." By that night, 3 separate people had come to me and offered to help support me. My grandmother was one of them.
"We were given a huge check from a friend for Christmas," she told me. "I don't know what to do with that much money. You take it." Within 24 hours, I had received $1,200. Sunday, I got to speak in front of my church, and God's love just shone through my church family. People were literally lining up to hand me checks. At that point, I needed $49 to cover the initial cost. Monday night, my sister came back from babysitting with a check from a church family, which more than covered the final cost.
I have been overwhelmed by the love and support that I have received, and continue to receive. I still have other costs, like buying culturally appropriate skirts, a possible mosquito net, email costs, phone calls home, certain vaccinations, getting a computer that I can take so I can do schoolwork, etc. But I know that I have the prayers and support of so many people. I am so excited, and I'll continue to post as I learn things! But for now, I'm signing off.
Au Revoir!
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