How's Josh Doing?

Josh's healing is remarkable!  His face is free of the burn marks and the other areas on his shoulder and his legs are almost completely gone.  He has been caring for the open burn wounds on his head and foot.  These are the entry and exit points of the electricity.  It has been a blessing to share Josh’s story with Doctors and Nurses as they are quite amazed at his miracle.  One of Josh’s doctors was especially helpful to us by helping us get into see a neurologist quickly.  We were grateful for her help as she called in a favor for us to be seen quickly.

Josh's New Shirt-always have loved his sense of humor

I am so blown away by the love and concern for Josh.  He would have to say the same as well.  I am asking him to write his thoughts down to post here.  I want him to share his heart with those of you who have asked.  I also believe it's important to never forget what God has done for us and through us.  Josh told me today that the greatest lie Satan has ever pushed is for mankind to believe he isn't real or doesn't exist.  That's pretty profound.  We don't care that he exists, because greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world. 

I realize through all of this how I so quickly take for granted the gift of life and the blessing of kids.  Teresa Clark (Caleb’s Mom) has been a great friend to share this experience with.   To see our boys go through a challenge and be so mature and spiritually grounded was a true gift for both of us.  I will always have a special connection to their family.  They have always treated Josh like their own son.  He feels so at home with them. 

I have asked her to write her thoughts so you can see how mighty and far reaching our God is. When God moves, the ripple effect is greater than we might ever see.  It was a challenge for Teresa to let her son go to Mexico.  I am grateful that she surrendered her fears and her son to be able to be in Mexico.  

(I will publish that as soon as she can catch her breath.  School just started back and she is one of the amazing teachers at Josh's school)

More of Josh's Shocking Miracle

I am going to insert what David sent to our Pastor. When David got down there we were able to piece some of the missing information together. The severity of the accident became much more sobering after pictures and phone revealed all that Josh had suffered and miraculously survived.

Pastor D,

The Clinic In Chetumal

Just wanted to send you a quick update on Josh. It is truly amazing how God is working. This whole adventure has been a tremendous blessing. Not that I haven't been anxious, or worried, or sad, but God's Grace has truly been sufficient, and I guess I have always known that in my head, but until I was put in a situation where I had absolutely NO control (not that I ever really have any control anyway, it just seems like I do) concerning my child no less do I really know in my heart that yes, His Grace is sufficient. Thankfully I travel quite a bit in my job and therefore have frequent flyer miles that allowed me to get a flight down here to Mexico on Wednesday. Josh is in the hospital in Chetumal, which is about as far south as you can go and still be in Mexico, it is very close to Belize. I took off from Charlotte at 1:20 and got to the hospital around 9pm It is about a 5 hour drive south of Cancun.; Anyway, when I arrived and saw Josh for the first time, he was in a bit of distress. His muscles were contracting and his shoulders were all scrunched up and he was holding his neck at a strange angle. He was trying to hold his head straight but really couldn't do so. At the time they were wondering if it was just a side effect of the amount of current that went through his body. Ben, the director of the ministry where Josh is working this summer, has two very close friends that are physicians. The husband is an anesthesiologist and the wife an Internist. They happen to live here in Chetumal, which is about 2 hours away from Felipe Carrillo Puerto where Sandra's House Mayan Ministry is; they arrived here at the hospital the same time I did. They have been just one of many amazing provisions from the Lord. They have checked in on Joshua night and day. They have brought Caleb and me food, taken us out to eat and have truly been the hands and feet of Jesus. They have served as translators and comforters although very busy with their own practices
Back to the story. The entire time that Josh has been here, Caleb has been by his side. He has comforted, calmed and basically seen to all of Joshua's needs. Here is a 14 year old young man that has also been an amazing blessing from the Lord. When I came in the room, Caleb was trying to help Josh relax and encouraging him to stay calm. Joshua's cardio profile looked fine, but they were concerned about the muscle contractions that he was having. SO, they felt an CT scan was needed. They wheeled him down for a CT scan as Caleb and I and Joel and Paola (the physicians that are friends of Ben, and now us) awaited for the results. The scan would tell us if there was any brain damage from the shock etc. They wheeled Joshua back in and we waited for the results, Paola went to see if she could find any information and she came back with a big smile saying that all seemed normal on the scan. The neurologist later came to read the scan and found that the scan overall did look good but that there was a small leakage of blood from the outside part of Josh's brain near his temple. Paola said that this leakage was causing the seizures that Josh was having, it wasn't just muscle contractions but minor seizures. The neurologist said that was the only major area of concern, there did not appear to be any hemorrhage inside the brain, so that was a great relief. Anyway, I say all that just so you have the picture of what was going on when I arrived. They had medicated Josh for the seizures and he was doing much better, although very tired from the entire event.
After we visited briefly, one of the first things that he said to me was "Dad, you know I think this is like spiritual warfare on the physical side. It's like Satan trying to do all he can to harm me but no matter how hard he tries, God is much greater and he can't do anything that God doesn't allow." I was amazed at his courage and his understanding of God's provision in his life. I know this experience has really grown his faith and dependence on the Lord. ( just now, as I write this, the doctor came in and said we can leave today, so we will be heading back to Felipe in a couple of hours, with Josh returning to the US on Wednesday of next week)& Anyway, I'm not sure if you have seen Josh's Facebook status' since I got down here but God is really doing a work in his life, both physically and spiritually. As I was reading over Ephesians 6 this morning, I looked to see about the Shield of Faith, it's amazing that it says "In all circumstances, take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one". WOW, but I never thought these could be literal flaming darts…..God is teaching us a lot through this entire thing.
I'm sure by now you have most of the details of what happened but I just want to give you a couple of bullet points that show how God has truly blessed
The woman across the street witnessed the entire thing and she came to visit Josh in the hospital the next day, and she related what happened, no one else saw it. Josh was cleaning paintbrushes with the water hose and the water wasn’t draining well so he went to where the drain was, which was near the power transformer. He was kicking the water with his foot, but apparently the water then hit the power and created a circuit which slammed him backwards directly into the transformer. When that happened a huge explosion and flash occurred. Ben said that downstairs he heard a loud bang and then saw a bolt of lightning go across the room. The folks who saw it, started screaming and Caleb ran upstairs as did Ben. They saw Josh passed out inside the cage where the transformer is. Caleb then ran to get help while Ben went to get the lock off the door. Ben knew where the key was but it was on a ring of about 15 keys and knew the best thing to do would be to cut the bolt Caleb found a man walking down the street toward the hospital in a white coat and told him he needed help, amazingly the man spoke English and ran upstairs. Ben said to me that "all I know is that it took me maybe a minute to get back up there with the bolt cutters and by the time I got the bolt cut, there was a man in a white coat, pushing me out of the way to get to Josh". He said the man checked to make sure he could be moved, and then took him downstairs. I later asked Caleb who helped the man carry Josh, because the stairs up to the roof are very steep and precarious, and Caleb said the man carried him by himself. He said the guy picked Joshua up and ran down the stairs to a car that was waiting and they rushed Josh to the hospital which is about two blocks away. We don't know who the man was or who was driving the car, but they had Josh to the hospital within minutes. Ben said there were people from all over the entire neighborhood that were trying to help. It is truly amazing how God had this man right at Sandra's house as he walked to work and he was willing to take time to help someone else that he didn’t even know. (it may have even been an angel that God sent, I don’t know but I do know that God provided someone that was willing to intervene and probably saved Joshua's life) I wonder if we in America would do the same if we saw a person from Mexico in a similar situation, and we were on the way to an appointment, would we (would I) do what this guy did?
By this time Josh was conscious and very combative, he said his whole body was shaking. They gave him a sedative to calm him down and after getting him stabilized felt he should be moved to a bigger hospital in Chetumal, which is the capital of the state, so that he could be evaluated. And that is where we are now. One other part of the story that I wanted to tell you is what a blessing Caleb has been to me and Josh. He came down here on a 10 day mission trip, but God had a much different mission in mind. What a beautiful example of Christ. Caleb has not left Josh's side, has been an amazing comfort and encouragement to him, and to me. In fact, night before last Paola brought Caleb a sleeping bag to sleep on the floor since there was only one couch in Josh's room, and Caleb of course wanted me to sleep on the couch. So the next morning I went to get the nurse for Josh and she gave me a sleeping bag, I thought that Paola must have brought two, but then I asked Caleb and he said that no, he had seen some people down the hall that seemed very sad, and were cold so he gave them the sleeping bag to use. He slept on a sheet on a cold tile floor all night. I am humbled by the actions of a 14 year old that is allowing God to do great things through him.

Anyway, I’ll keep you updated. There are many more aspects to God's blessing in this adventure.
David and I want to tell you how much we appreciate and love each of you for you supportive, encouraging words and especially your prayers. You will never know how much it means to us. I cannot tell how excited I am to see my Josh tomorrow. He has some recovery but it doing so much better. He truly is my miracle son.

Josh's Shocking Miracle

Sandra's House - new addition front

Tuesday, August 10th around 5pm, David received a call from Ben Fisher.[(Founder of Sandra's House Mayan Ministry in Mexico).  Josh had returned this summer on July 12 to serve the Mayan people through this outreach ministry, Caleb Farmer had just arrived to join him on Monday.]  Ben told David that Josh had been shocked on the roof of the building he and Caleb were painting.  The boys were on a walk out roof (basically a second floor) and the two boys had been painting a new addition.
Caleb had cleaned his brushes and gone downstairs and Josh remained up to finish cleaning his brush.  A few moments later, Caleb heard a scream from a neighbor and immediately ran upstairs, knowing something was wrong.
According to the neighbor, Josh was trying to clear a gutter of leaves.  Joshua kicked the water from the hose that he had used to clean his brush must have flowed to the transformer near by and a current of electricity struck Josh's head then exited through his foot and threw him against the transformer which shorted out and left Josh passed out below it.
David tells me that the transformer was behind a fenced area (Josh had gone around it to clear the leaves).  Ben had to get bolt cutters to get to him, meanwhile a man in a white coat had appeared and helped Ben get Josh out and down the steep stairway.  Ben believed this man must be an angel sent to help him,  Actually, he happened to be on the road in front of the house and Caleb was able to ask him to come help.  Miraculously, he spoke English. ( He probably is an angel that happened to be going to work at the hospital in Felipe Carillo that day).
The man in the white coat picked up Josh, who was shaking from the shock, while the neighbors had backed a car into the driveway and rushed him to the hospital in this small town.  Thankfully, the hospital was only about 2 blocks from the house and they began to treat Josh. 
Caleb said he was very disoriented and combative.  Caleb was trying to calm him, but then had to leave the room.  Josh was sedated and they began to check his vitals.
The doctors felt it was best to transfer him to another hospital in a larger town about 2 hours away.  He was transported via ambulance with Ben and Caleb following close behind.  Ben called and let us know the ambulance was rushing, letting us know that Josh must not be doing okay.
Meanwhile, our Pastor Derwin Gray was praying for Josh with us.  Specifically, that through this trial God would be glorified through Josh as he impacted the hospital that he was going to.  By the time Josh got to the hospital, Caleb said he was a different person than when he had left the other hospital.  He was now more calm and aware of his surroundings but still not sure exactly what had happened to him.
The next morning, we spoke to Caleb.  He stayed the night by himself in Chetzemul to be with his friend.  I must comment here, that Caleb's maturity and concern for his friend comforted David and I greatly and confirmed what our Pastor always tell our youth.  That they are leaders and equipped to do great things for God now.  Caleb was truly an example of that.  I would have been a wreck if he had not been telling us everything that was happening.
Caleb told us the doctors were coming at 9am, our time, to evaluate Josh.  He said Josh was had been pretty groggy but knew he was there through the night.  We were able to talk to Josh around 10:45.  He sounded good and said that he would love for David to come down there if he was able.  David was able to book a flight with frequent flyer points at 1:20 and rushed to the airport to fly into Cancun. THANK YOU, GOD!!! 

I spoke to Caleb again around 1:30 and he relayed at that time the details I shared above about what had actually happened.  No one was really sure exactly how Josh was shocked until the woman that had seen the whole event came to the hospital to see Josh.  She was pretty shaken by it all and was crying and thankful that he was alright.  I am greatly touched by the concern that this sweet lady had shown him.  Josh was impacted by her as well.
During all of this, I had incredible peace that my son was okay.  That he would survive this and would be forever changed by what had happened.  God peace truly flooded my heart.  David faith was strong as well.  Emotionally he was struggling with his son lying in the hospital and was anxious to get there.  I was glad that God moved this way between us.  I knew that David was the one who needed to be with Josh, even though this mama bear wanted desperately to see her son.
I spoke to Josh after talking to Caleb and knew by his voice he is doing great.  He was JOSH!!  Most of you know what I mean by that.  It comforted me greatly.  Josh is blown away by God's sovereign protection of his life.  He knows that God spared him and this had forever changed his life.  I am thankful for his ability to see God's hand in all of this and be able to praise Him through it all.
I have become quite somber these past hours as I realize how quickly we can lose someone we love.  I cherish my children and have basked in the joy of being there Mom.  God prepared me over that past couple months for this.   Enjoying them had become a theme in my life lately and I know that God has blessed me greatly with these amazing kids.
Josh is my incredible son.  Letting him experience all God has for him has been nothing short of exciting and wonderful.  Hearing him love the people of Mexico and inspire his friend to come join him has been awesome.
Your responses and concerns for Josh have blessed me more than you will ever know.  I am sure when you see Josh you will see a different kid young man.
I told Ben, that Josh would be allowed to return to Mexico again next year if he desired.  I believe that safest place Josh can be is in the Center of God's Will.  This experience has proved that to be true.

Please continue to pray for Josh, all his test are miraculously coming back normal.  There is a blood vessel outside of his brain that has been causing seizures.  They want him to stay in the hospital until it heals.  They are treating the seizures and feel confident that he should be able to leave with in 3-5 days.  Josh is disappointed because is scheduled to leave Mexico with Caleb on August 18th.  Apparantly, he is missing the taco feast he had planned with the neighbors there. 
David will be keeping me up to date and I will post any other details on my page.  I am sure Josh will be wanting to post soon as well since David has his computer with him.

The miracles of God in our lives are sometimes Huge and sometime little, but always significant.

The Collision of the American Dream and The Poverty of the Liberian Culture

One might think that Liberia is one of the saddest, most desperate places on earth.  As a first time visitor, images so filled my mind that it became like a pile of pictures scattered on a table. I was trying to capture every moment, scene, smell and thought to desperately hold on to in my memory.  I didn't ever want to forget any of it.
When we arrived at the Liberian airport, the scene was like a mob.  From the primitive customs area, to the speedy baggage carousel, the humidity and the lack of AC, I knew I was no longer in the comforts of America.  Leaving the terminal building, we were greeted by many beautiful black faces, in fact I don't remember seeing one white person other than those on our team.  I immediately thought, "this must be how my kids felt when they first arrived in America".  It was mayhem and many young men were trying to assist me as I attempted to push 5 or more bags down a ramp with a rickety airport cart.  I wondered how hard it must be for these young men to come to the airport each day with hopes of making a little money, to be able to manage another day in this post war culture.
I knew immediately I would have to shift gears emotionally.  Sympathy and pity would be a luxury and would not serve the Liberian people or myself well.  They live in their struggle every day and it would be impossible for me to save or change all of their lives.  While they might see an American as their rescuer, I know that is far from possible.  So, I knew that all I could offer to them was the hope I see in them and for them.  I saw people who are dearly loved by God and people that He knows and loves and desires to be their God.  I wanted to give them dignity.  Dignity that doesn't come from what you have, but comes from the status of being a dearly loved child of the King.
In the beautiful dark skinned faces, I saw glorious light!  Smiles, joy, simpleness and focus.  The struggle of their lives was evident but not where I found my focus resting.  Not one person complained or asked to be relieved of their pain.  Instead, I saw resilience and perseverance.  Among the children in the orphanage/boarding school and deaf children's home I saw laughing, singing, praising, and worship out of joy and love for their God for everything He has done for them and that He would never fail them.  They showed me that true worship is focused on the One worshiped.
Due to a full schedule and an conviction of the experience, I needed time to allow God to examine my heart, to unpack my thoughts, emotions and experiences.  I was truly overwhelmed in an amazing way by it all.  As I returned, I would talk with God and He gently revealed to me that I have allowed many traps and snares to capture me.The bounty of what I own and mange doesn't necessarily make my life better and it is something that is slowly rotting our own American society.  Stuff never changes anyone for the better.  For me, it just drags me away from keeping my full attention on God.  My stuff and activities have become like close friends that bring me comfort. They make me feel happy and promise me happiness, entertainment for a hour or even a moment.  It's never lasting, just temporary.  Unfortunately the more I have, the more time it takes to care for it.  Really I don't own it, it owns me.
Joy has to be found in loving the things God values and hating what He hates. When I keep myself so distracted, I slowly slip and don't even realize it.  I see the evidence of it, but quickly apply a worldly bandage and move on.  All the while, God is calling out to return to sit and enjoy Him.  To taste and see that He is good.  He is all we need and really what my soul longs most for.
Because the distractions  of "stuff" is so
minimal in Liberia, the focus or even the awareness of God is greater.  I had the privilege of meeting and relating with a slice of humanity that is really living. In my observations, these are a people who possess an unabashed, undignified love for God.  A reverence that He is responsible for all there is or every will be.  That He is Lord!  He is greater than man and that He loves them.  Experiencing God through these Liberian followers of Christ, changed me forever. While I didn't see all of Liberia I saw 
enough to taste the sweetness of God's presence there that left me desiring more.  I came home knowing that God's heart is grieved over the sin of greed and pride that has so devastated this people group.  I believe more than ever that Liberia and many African nations are attacked by spiritual forces of the enemy because the people of Africa are sold out to their God.  They love Him and want Him to be glorified.  They recognize that He is God - Lord of All His Creation.  They haven't removed Him from their schools or their laws.  They haven't made Him a side note or placed Him along other gods as we have allowed here.  I saw "Lord", "God" and "Jesus" proudly displayed on buildings, taxis and businesses, not just churches.  These statements were not trendy or merchandised, they were just proclamations to what God means to them.

My heart for anyone reading this is:  please consider going to a third world country.  Don't talk about it.  Don't pat others on the back who have gone.  GO!  You don't even have to pray and ask God if it is His will.  It is!  Matt 28:¹⁸“I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. ¹⁹ Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations,^[b] baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. ²⁰ Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. "Go into all the world and make disciples".  Yes, people are broken here and America is desperate to be saved (from ourselves).  But, the influence you have as an American is a gift.  I chose to go and share the love of God.  It was a privilege and an honor.  However,  I believe God sent me to change me.  Once again, I am confronted by many areas in my life that have slipped away from making God the center of my universe.

My heart is pounding as I have written these words.  I am not a writer, I have just opened my journal to you.  I have tried to share with you a small part of what God is doing in my heart.  Hold me accountable to this.  I look forward to all that He will say.  I challenge you again, will you go?  What could possibly keep you from an experience like this?  No trip I have ever taken has brought me more fulfillment than when I experience God among the the poor.

God brought me to this today:

Deuteronomy 8:11

Beware that in your plenty you do not forget the Lord your God and disobey his commands, regulations, and decrees that I am giving you today. ¹² For when you have become full and prosperous and have built fine homes to live in, ¹³ and when your flocks and herds have become very large and your silver and gold have multiplied along with everything else, be careful! ¹⁴ Do not become proud at that time and forget the Lord your God, who rescued you from slavery in the land of Egypt. ¹⁵ Do not forget that he led you through the great and terrifying wilderness with its poisonous snakes and scorpions, where it was so hot and dry. He gave you water from the rock! ¹⁶ He fed you with manna in the wilderness, a food unknown to your ancestors. He did this to humble you and test you for your own good. ¹⁷ He did all this so you would never say to yourself, ‘I have achieved this wealth with my own strength and energy.’ ¹⁸ Remember the Lord your God. He is the one who gives you power to be successful, in order to fulfill the covenant he confirmed to your ancestors with an oath.

 ¹⁹ “But I assure you of this: If you ever forget the Lord your God and follow other gods, worshiping and bowing down to them, you will certainly be destroyed. ²⁰ Just as the Lord has destroyed other nations in your path, you also will be destroyed if you refuse to obey the Lord your God.

This was written to the Israelites, but I believe it resonates to us.  No matter what home or where you live in America, you are privileged.  Just to have running water, sewage and electricity is considered wealthy to most countries.  I pray you thank God for your shower today.  Bless Him, yes BLESS Him for the provisions He has given you.  Also, perhaps as He reminds you, lift up the country of Liberia.  Pray for them.  Specifically, pray those in authority might once again allow American parents to adopt orphaned children, as the country will no longer allow this.

My Prayer:
God, be blessed today by those who love You.  We bless you for your love, acceptance and gift of salvation.  Salvation that offers us a relationship with You, that allows us to begin life eternally today.  I praise You for you goodness, patience and ever pursing love for me.  I pray that you will gently and lovingly provide obvious opportunities for those reading this to experience you in an overwhelming way.

I Love you all and Love that God has brought you in my Life!!

Sponsor...anyone???

Okay, I could try and write a sweet, tear jerking, guilt rendering blog here. But, I won't ask you to grab your tissues and hold on. Nope, I am just going to be forth right and ask you to consider sponsoring a child in Liberia.
I think the best testimony is always from an eye witness. Therefore, I will call Myself to the stand and tell you what I saw and heard. (not all right now....you will have to check in for updates).

In my brief opening statement, I met beautiful children that radiate their creator's joy. I was filled to overflowing by their tenderness and love that they lavished on the relationally starved American.
What I also so was children that didn't have paper or pens to write letters to send home with me. That lacked all the personal items we take for granted.
I didn't go expecting to sponsor any more kids, but "Rachel" became like an appendage to me. Leaving her with no hope just didn't see possible.

I would like to let you hear what my my Daughter Dora says about having a sponsor:

My name is Dora Peed; I live In Charlotte, North Carolina with my family. I was adopted from the Daniel Hoover Children's Village run by African Christians Fellowship International (ACFI). I just wanted to say thank you for your support to the orphans of West Africa, Liberia, especially the Daniel Hoover Village. Without support, the kids that are adopted and the kids that are still at the home will not have a life in which they can build a future. You may think that the gifts you give to feed the kids are not much, but to me it meant a lot. It gave me hope that I was going to have a meal for that day and a place to re

st my head. The gifts and letters that are sent, give us support and something to hold on to. Knowing that you have family in some part of the world who is thinking of you is very special to us and we cheer every moment of it. Because some sponsors would not send letters to the kids they are sponsoring, when other kids received letters, it make them sad. A simple letter alone can really make a difference in a kid s life. Sometimes ink on a piece of paper can change the life of a kid, because he or she knew someone somewhere is thinking of them.

I just want to say how grateful I am to all the sponsors and their families for taking the time to look through the eyes and love of Jesus to help the orphans of Liberia. We can t repay you for all the things you have done for us, but God has a greater reward for you.

Because of Him,
Dora

What the kids value most in Liberia is someone knowing their name. I am attaching the link for the sponsorship page. I know many of you are so generous already. I wouldn't ask this from you unless I knew it would be a blessing to you. Also, my daughter Dora is still in Liberia until July 12th. If you hurry and let me know. I can tell you about some of the kids and possibly get a letter from the child or even a picture from Dora for you.

I am anticipating this whole village being sponsored. Oh, there are actually two "homes". The other one is a Deaf Home. More kids to love. Perhaps you have a heart for special needs children. They made such an impression on me, I am going to learn sign language so I can communicate better with them.

So, I ask you SPONSOR ANYONE???

The Link is on the sidebar....

What are you waiting for????

Is that the rain I hear...

I think I am finally on East Coast time. Yep, its tough to do but I have to move on.

I don't mind the role I play here, I just miss the roles I played there so much. I miss loving on children, spending time just hanging out with them, trying to empower them children by telling them they are loved and special, that God knows them by name and now I do too. Watching them grow before your eyes as you build them up. I miss the worship with the Liberians, the freedom that have to express their love for God and their undignified worship. I miss the freedom PERIOD that the Liberians have to just live life without so many regulations and rules or expectations of being politically correct or tolerant of things that are evil in the sight of God.
The coolest thing I noticed was that all the little things in life that I have learned along the way...were actually valuable tools that I could use to minister to the Liberians around me. i.e.. Sign Language that I think I learned in high school...experiences from the other mission trips that kept me able to operate from a practical point of view and not just an emotional one (that never helps anyone).

Many more things, I will probably blog about. Only because I never want to forget. It's not just the poverty and 3rd world conditions that challenge me. Its the people. Their joy, their faith, their belief in God isn't just one dimensional. Its so much more. It challenges me to where my own relationship to God is at. Its just priceless. Its like being in heaven early and not wanting to leave!!
Can't wait to see them again...here and in eternity!

Liberia -2010

Quick Review of My Life Changing Trip to Liberia...
Things I already miss:

• Children walking arm and arm with me, longing to be held, making sure the hair is not in my face, reminding me to zip up my fanny pack, loving that I was there and knowing somehow in God mysterious ways that He loves us and we are family because of Jesus Christ!
• Building encouragement into the lives of kids that may not always know that they are loved by God and specifically created to live out His purposes in their lives.
• The Liberian accent"o", and the joy in kids faces.
• The laid back Liberian culture.
• Laughing with our team!
• Trying to see how many people we can stuff into a mini (and I mean mini) van!!
  
• Everything!

Reasons I glad to be home:

• My Husband that is loving, supportive and encouraging...but mostly "gets" me and my craziness.
  
• Missing my family and knowing they understand the mission field and were anxious to hear all the details.
• Sweet friends and church family that I know love and support me.
  
• Cotton (my Bichon)
  
• Having A/C and not be sticky 5 minutes after you get out of the shower.
• Not a whole lot else...could repack and be gone next week.