This week has been designated for all the youth in the district to put on the activities in the church, so our team has been working with them all week! On Wednesday we spent time staining pews, painting, and cleaning a Nazarene church with the youth. The process of cleaning the concrete floor was really different from the U.S. We started by using a palm branch handheld broom to sweep out all the sand and trash, then spread soapy water all over the floor. Next we used the handheld broom to "mop" the floor and scrub up all the dirt. The dirt is slowly pushed toward the front door and down the stairs, then two buckets of clean water are added to continue pushing the dirt and suds out the door. Finally, damp cloths are used to get the suds, and then towels to dry the floor... and all this is done by bending over and doing it by hand! It was quite a process!
On Thursday we attended a youth service and soccer game. Sarah and I got to giggling in the service when the little girls on our laps fell asleep... Her's started snoring, then my little girl twitched and her hand landed on Jordan's thigh! It was pretty hard to get ourselves back under control after that.
This morning I'm writing after an all night service!! We got to the church we cleaned around 3 yesterday and waited around for 5 hours without really anything to do... We tried our hand at singing, practiced some of our dance moves, and made friends with some of the children. Around 8 we joined the hoards of people walking along the highway and made our way to a restaurant to share dinner with the NYI council! We had chicken with tomatos and onions and aticca (similar to rice)! The service began at 9:30 and the church was packed! It was mostly youth, but several adults attended, too. The routine was - pray, sing & dance, worship, listen to a preacher, pray... repeat three times! That's right, it was a 9 hour long service!! The singing and dancing was definitely my favorite part, especially since I'm starting to recognize some of the songs, even if I don't know what they say! The sermons were difficult to stay attentive to, between listening thru an interpreter, it being the wee hours of the morning, and each sermon going over an hour... The first preacher, however, completely stopped a song to walk to the back of the church and tap a sleeping couple to wake up, then the song started back up! The last preacher had a tough audience, there were only about 5 people awake!! By the time the sun came up and the service ended around 6:30 this morning, I felt pretty accomplished!
We spent two hours walking around downtown Abidjan after the service this morning, then got to see the President's quarters here - the equivalent of the White House. Tonight we eat with Pastor Djédjé's family! Please pray for safe travels as we finish our program tomorrow, come back to the U.S. on Wednesday, debrief at El Paso, then come home on Sunday!!!
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Only a Week Left!!
Again, I can't believe how quickly time is flying by!! We finished our last weekend in Yamoussoukro and are now back in Abidjan for the remainder of our trip. Logan was pretty sick on Saturday this past weekend, so we all laid low for the day. The Sellers had us over one more time to say goodbye and we enjoyed dessert and watched A Knight's Tale! To finish the night, we all joined hands and Mr. Sellers prayed over everyone. On Sunday we headed to church where Jordan preached an awesome message! God truly spoke through him.
After the sermon, Pastor Prowell told the congregation that we were an example of sacrifice for coming this summer... But to me, the way Ivoirians give to the church, share meals with us, and even give us gifts is a much better picture of sacrifice. On Saturday one of our favorite church members Betty gave us dresses and dress shirts she'd made for us, so we wore those to the church service! Then after the message, they gave us Baule scarves, another set of dresses/dress shirts with the traditional African print, and the fabric they tie around their waists to make a skirt! At the end of the service, the congregation filed past us again to say goodbye. Keeping with Cote d'Ivoire tradition, the women gave us three kisses on the cheek, and the men gave us three head bumps to show love and respect. Later in the afternoon, another of our favorite women Josie gave Sarah & I jewelry and the boys little vases, as well.
Aside from the gifts on Sunday, we had a few other adventures as well. We went to watch the feeding of the alligators at the President's old palace area. First we watched a man tease them with a live, tethered chicken that they snapped at, then Logan paid six dollars to launch a live chicken into the center of the alligators... It zigzagged a few steps and avoided about 5 alligators before being eaten. As we waited for the men to bring meat to feed the rest of the alligators, a big military vehicle pulled up. Logan got to talking with the men, and found out that they were Bangladesh men from the UN army. Since the alligators weren't being fed, we quickly became the main attraction; The men lined up to take pictures with the Americans... especially Sarah and I! We just giggled and held on to each other in the middle of all those guys! Eventually they brought back a giant leg of an ox, hacked it to pieces, and threw it into the alligators! We ended the night at a restaurant with Pastor Prowell, Pastor and Mrs. Gomez, and our friend Rubin, watching the World Cup finals!! Sarah and I were happy to say we supported Spain for a couple weeks now, and they won :)
Yesterday we spent the day traveling back to Abidjan, settling into our verrry spacious guest house again, doing laundry, getting groceries, and resting! Please pray for physial wellness and energy for our bodies during this final week of service in Africa!!
After the sermon, Pastor Prowell told the congregation that we were an example of sacrifice for coming this summer... But to me, the way Ivoirians give to the church, share meals with us, and even give us gifts is a much better picture of sacrifice. On Saturday one of our favorite church members Betty gave us dresses and dress shirts she'd made for us, so we wore those to the church service! Then after the message, they gave us Baule scarves, another set of dresses/dress shirts with the traditional African print, and the fabric they tie around their waists to make a skirt! At the end of the service, the congregation filed past us again to say goodbye. Keeping with Cote d'Ivoire tradition, the women gave us three kisses on the cheek, and the men gave us three head bumps to show love and respect. Later in the afternoon, another of our favorite women Josie gave Sarah & I jewelry and the boys little vases, as well.
Aside from the gifts on Sunday, we had a few other adventures as well. We went to watch the feeding of the alligators at the President's old palace area. First we watched a man tease them with a live, tethered chicken that they snapped at, then Logan paid six dollars to launch a live chicken into the center of the alligators... It zigzagged a few steps and avoided about 5 alligators before being eaten. As we waited for the men to bring meat to feed the rest of the alligators, a big military vehicle pulled up. Logan got to talking with the men, and found out that they were Bangladesh men from the UN army. Since the alligators weren't being fed, we quickly became the main attraction; The men lined up to take pictures with the Americans... especially Sarah and I! We just giggled and held on to each other in the middle of all those guys! Eventually they brought back a giant leg of an ox, hacked it to pieces, and threw it into the alligators! We ended the night at a restaurant with Pastor Prowell, Pastor and Mrs. Gomez, and our friend Rubin, watching the World Cup finals!! Sarah and I were happy to say we supported Spain for a couple weeks now, and they won :)
Yesterday we spent the day traveling back to Abidjan, settling into our verrry spacious guest house again, doing laundry, getting groceries, and resting! Please pray for physial wellness and energy for our bodies during this final week of service in Africa!!
Friday, July 9, 2010
"Black People are Weller"
It's hard to believe how fast the time is flying by here! Our friends here often ask us to stay for another month! We began this week as last week, spending time with people in the neighborhood. Pastor Gomez usually asks if anyone knows English and has them come practice with us. We met a young man leaving school one day who said he had his English oral exam the following day. We were talking with him for a while when he said, "White people are well.... But black people are weller!" The communication never ceases to be a form of entertainment both for us and the people we're trying to speak with! Through our time here, I've also grown accustomed to the importance of greeting people. In a conversation similar to many we have, we shook hands as we approached, when we were introduced, when we were introduced by our new Baule names, as we left, and when we finally said goodbye! I now understand why Professor Swanepoel, my professor from South Africa, was so offended when she entered saying, "Good afternoon!" and only one or two replied!
On Wednesday this week, we traveled to the village of Zimbakro. In the "backa" (the 15-passenger van with 20 plus people) I sat shoulder to shoulder with a man carrying a briefcase on his lap and an alive, bound chicken hanging between his legs! That put a new spin on the chicken I've been ordering every night! I loved all the sweet children who followed us around, eventually two or three taking each of our hands! It is not unusual to see village children wearing threadbare clothes and having a protruding stomach from malnutrition.
Yesterday we enjoyed a day of rest. Some of us ventured to the market here, and we've discovered a city block's worth of hidden stalls of merchandise behind the storefronts. The paths between stores create a maze between the clothing stores, salons, and a fresh food market (with LOTS of fish), all hidden from the streets and covered with various tarps, umbrellas, and tin roofing. A family from the church had us over for lunch and made all of the things we order in the restaurants - french fries, salad, and charbroiled chicken! Their hospitality was so meaningful to us.
Today we spent time with over 100 children from the neighborhood again! Leigh and Joe joined us, and made the perfect Goliath for our story once Leigh was on Joe's shoulders! Another highlight of the morning was playing leap frog. Once the guys realized it was too difficult for the smallest children, Jordan and Joe began taking the arms of the last child and carrying him or her above the rest of the kids to the front of the line! You can imagine how much fun they had.
The next update will be from Abidjan... We will be very sad when the time comes to leave our friends here in Yamoussoukro on Monday!
On Wednesday this week, we traveled to the village of Zimbakro. In the "backa" (the 15-passenger van with 20 plus people) I sat shoulder to shoulder with a man carrying a briefcase on his lap and an alive, bound chicken hanging between his legs! That put a new spin on the chicken I've been ordering every night! I loved all the sweet children who followed us around, eventually two or three taking each of our hands! It is not unusual to see village children wearing threadbare clothes and having a protruding stomach from malnutrition.
Yesterday we enjoyed a day of rest. Some of us ventured to the market here, and we've discovered a city block's worth of hidden stalls of merchandise behind the storefronts. The paths between stores create a maze between the clothing stores, salons, and a fresh food market (with LOTS of fish), all hidden from the streets and covered with various tarps, umbrellas, and tin roofing. A family from the church had us over for lunch and made all of the things we order in the restaurants - french fries, salad, and charbroiled chicken! Their hospitality was so meaningful to us.
Today we spent time with over 100 children from the neighborhood again! Leigh and Joe joined us, and made the perfect Goliath for our story once Leigh was on Joe's shoulders! Another highlight of the morning was playing leap frog. Once the guys realized it was too difficult for the smallest children, Jordan and Joe began taking the arms of the last child and carrying him or her above the rest of the kids to the front of the line! You can imagine how much fun they had.
The next update will be from Abidjan... We will be very sad when the time comes to leave our friends here in Yamoussoukro on Monday!
Monday, July 5, 2010
A Busy Week in Yamoussoukro!
We have had a busy and fulfilling week of work for the kingdom here in Yamoussoukro! Each day we've been in the neighborhoods surrounding the school where the Nazarene church meets. A typical neighborhood has dozens of small compounds, where one compound may have three or four concrete buildings that make up the sides and surround a central area. The small buildings then have three or four rooms each, representing the homes of three or four families. After spending time in these areas this week, it seems that all of the activity takes place outside the rooms, aside from sleeping. Women cook, people come and go to the outhouses, laundry is done by hand and dries on lines hung between trees, and mothers bathe their children in buckets of soapy water. We spent three days in these homes inviting people to church on Sunday and telling them about Jesus. Pastor Gomez and 3-7 laypeople came with us each time to translate. There are 60 different tribal languages in Cote d'Ivoire, with Baule being most common here. Many times we speak in English to Pastor Gomez, who translates it to French, and a woman from the church translates it to Baule. Through the language barriers, the message was evident and it was incredible to see several lives led to the Lord, and many more seeds planted. At each stop we made, we prayed for the people of that household. Many times we prayed for the sick, and at one home, a women told us that we'd been an answer to a dream she had. In her dream three nights before, people had circled her and prayed she would be healed... exactly what we'd done. Talk about getting goosebumps!
We were also able to minister to the children of the neighborhood two days this week, and had around 100 children each day! Again, it is incredible to have the opportunity to explain the salvation colors from a soccer ball to 100 kids who might otherwise never hear about Jesus. On the second day, Pastor Gomez prayed the sinner's prayer, and dozens of children followed along. I'm hunbled at the ways God moves. Our team believes we've already been able to work with over 1,000 different children this summer!! The boys got to play soccer and share the gospel with the youth on Saturday night, while Sarah and I were occupied with all the neighborhood children watching.
Sunday morning we attended the Nazarene church. We were slightly confused when we asked Pastor Gomez what time service started (8:30) and what time he'd pick us up (8:30). It quickly became evident that the first hour is for church members to trickle in, while we prayed and sang. Pastor Gomez did a Sunday School lesson, then we moved directly into the celebratory worship - aka sing, dance, and sweat! After we finished, they brought us up front, where we stood awkwardly until they handed us the microphones and explained that we were singing for the congregation. We pulled off He Will Make a Way, Amazing Grace, and He's God the Whole World in His Hands! During the time of testimony, several said that they had come for the first time based on the invitations given during the week. Logan got to preach the message and Pastor Gomez translated for the congregation. Based on the number of "Hallelujahs!" I think they were blessed :)
Because Sunday was the 4th of July, the Sellers invited us over to relax! We appreciated their hospitality, especially on a day we were all missing home so much! They grilled hamburgers, and we had french fries, plantain, and apple cobbler!! Who knew how much better American food and American company could make you feel? We are truly blessed by their generosity. We finished the night with a movie, lots of talking, and laughter. We have a day off today, so we went to the market this morning, then met Joe and Leigh at the pool of a nice hotel in town. It's been warm and sunny here, and we really enjoyed a day to relax!
The rest of our week will be similar to this past week. We typically wake up at 7:30 and eat omlettes at the hotel restaurant at 8. They use different ingredients every day! From 9-11 we do whatever is on the program for the day, then eat salads back at the hotel. From about 1-4 we rest - read, nap, make bracelets, watch soccer - then 4-6 we do the program again. We finish with dinner at another restaurant within walking distance. We only have 3 weeks until we're back at home - please pray that we finish strong for His kingdom!!
We were also able to minister to the children of the neighborhood two days this week, and had around 100 children each day! Again, it is incredible to have the opportunity to explain the salvation colors from a soccer ball to 100 kids who might otherwise never hear about Jesus. On the second day, Pastor Gomez prayed the sinner's prayer, and dozens of children followed along. I'm hunbled at the ways God moves. Our team believes we've already been able to work with over 1,000 different children this summer!! The boys got to play soccer and share the gospel with the youth on Saturday night, while Sarah and I were occupied with all the neighborhood children watching.
Sunday morning we attended the Nazarene church. We were slightly confused when we asked Pastor Gomez what time service started (8:30) and what time he'd pick us up (8:30). It quickly became evident that the first hour is for church members to trickle in, while we prayed and sang. Pastor Gomez did a Sunday School lesson, then we moved directly into the celebratory worship - aka sing, dance, and sweat! After we finished, they brought us up front, where we stood awkwardly until they handed us the microphones and explained that we were singing for the congregation. We pulled off He Will Make a Way, Amazing Grace, and He's God the Whole World in His Hands! During the time of testimony, several said that they had come for the first time based on the invitations given during the week. Logan got to preach the message and Pastor Gomez translated for the congregation. Based on the number of "Hallelujahs!" I think they were blessed :)
Because Sunday was the 4th of July, the Sellers invited us over to relax! We appreciated their hospitality, especially on a day we were all missing home so much! They grilled hamburgers, and we had french fries, plantain, and apple cobbler!! Who knew how much better American food and American company could make you feel? We are truly blessed by their generosity. We finished the night with a movie, lots of talking, and laughter. We have a day off today, so we went to the market this morning, then met Joe and Leigh at the pool of a nice hotel in town. It's been warm and sunny here, and we really enjoyed a day to relax!
The rest of our week will be similar to this past week. We typically wake up at 7:30 and eat omlettes at the hotel restaurant at 8. They use different ingredients every day! From 9-11 we do whatever is on the program for the day, then eat salads back at the hotel. From about 1-4 we rest - read, nap, make bracelets, watch soccer - then 4-6 we do the program again. We finish with dinner at another restaurant within walking distance. We only have 3 weeks until we're back at home - please pray that we finish strong for His kingdom!!
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