City Streets

I made a video a few days ago, and now I’m sitting in a coffee shop able to enjoy internet strong enough to upload it :-)  It’s not the smartest thing to take pictures out in the street, but I couldn’t imagine going home and not having what I see everyday on video.  So I took the risk, and because of it I’m super happy.  Stupid, maybe, but happy? Yes! 

I’m in cafe sol right now with a big group of girl friends.  This place is the closest I can get to Starbucks, it’s an ex-pat haven :-)  I can actually evesdrop on conversations in English!  I can people watch and understand their language –love it :-) It’s a very needed break after

a hard last week. 

ShopRite

This is our local grocery store, ShopRite, it’s kind of like a Food Lion.  Kinda.  Last friday there was a ShopRite run in the afternoon so I took one of my boys with me.  I took Estevao (steve) who’s about 8 years old.  I went up to the dorm and told him to stay in his nice school clothes but told him I’d explain why later.  I didn’t want the entire dorm knowing I was taking him until the very last minute otherwise I’d be showered with “take me too!”  I ended up being showered in those anyway, but I like to think I stopped some of it, lol.  So anyway, we’re in the bus with two other missionaries and one visitor and I pull out my old cell phone so we can listen to music with earphones.  Estevao is not a quiet kid, not at all, it’s part of what I adore about him.  But on the ride there he was so out of his element it was adorable!  He was silent!  I kept dancing to the music trying to get him into it and he’d only give like 10% effort :-)  So when we get there I tell him the rules of ShopRite before we walk in –something I learned from babysitting.  I told him to always hold my hand or touch the cart and not to ask for anything, at all.  He did amazing!  He was my little helper, it was so cute :-)  He loved pushing the cart, something I forgot all kids love to do.  He carried things for me, and put the vegetables on the scales.  So cute!  And he did really well not asking for anything, but he did make an effort to point out every cool toy. Which up until that point I had never noticed.  Nearing the end of the trip he saw a big cool toy car and said in English, “me for car.”  I died laughing inside, but told him, “Don’t ask for anything please.”  And then he said, again in English, “I said Jesus!”   Hahaha, I died.  So once we had finished getting all of our coisas (things) I bought him a soda and chocolate.  The drive home was lovely, he almost spilled his soda a hundred times and his hands were covered in chocolate –a true kid :-)

Saying goodbye

This past week Naftal left our little world and went to Heaven, where true life begins.  It was a lot to take in, a lot to handle when I’m so far away from “normal” and my family.  But God has everything under control, and He’s given me an amazing peace about Naffy.  I miss him so much, but I only cry selfish tears when I miss him.  I don’t actually want him to be here, because who would choose earth over Heaven?  No one should. Two things I want to process about Naftal: one) the doctor over his case, and two) saying goodbye to boys.

One: Ros told all the missionaries at the Monday meeting that our doctor had explained to her how the head doctor on Naftal’s case directed the other doctors under him not to provide anything except Paracetamol and a multi-vitamin.  The doctors under this head doctor, according to our doctor, were upset about this instruction.  My first reaction to hearing this news was: oh my gosh that is disgusting and horrible, we have to pray for this doctor’s heart because no one should live like that –ever.  And I was thankful for this reaction, I was glad not to hate the doctor.  But now that I’ve thought over the millions of motives this doctor could have had, I really, really hope that God just gave him wisdom.  Even in the States, Naftal’s future would have been bleak. He probably would have lived for many more months, but I doubt he would have been happy.  I don’t think he would have been very comfortable at all.  I pray that God gave his doctor wisdom and foresight that Naftal really wasn’t going to live very long.  And once again, no one would ever choose earth over Heaven, if they were in love with the Lord.  I love to imagine what Jesus and Naftal could be doing.  That’s really special.  I also really hope (and think) he gets to hang out with my Granddad and Adam.

Two:  Simois & Daniel are moving back home next week.  For so many reasons, this breaks my heart but makes me smile.  At first I was only upset, but now I’m mixed up between being really joyful that their family is going to be a real family, and wishing we could all just go to Heaven now like Naftal.  I know this may sound odd, but I don’t like thinking about how Simois and Daniel are moving out of the center into a world where I can’t contact them.  It’s what I fear about moving away from the centre in general.. no longer will I have easy (or any?) access to these boys’ lives and hearts.  I have so much security in Naftal right now that I just so desperately wish I had with all of the boys, especially Simois who I’ve grown so close with.  I’m still processing through all of this, because like I mentioned, it’s great and completely awesome that they get to be a family. I just have to pray for the future of all our boys with a very committed heart.  I want them to grow into men of God and the centre provides a nice(r) bubble for this to happen than (possibly) the community they could live in outside of Iris.  I don’t want to worry about anything, or be discouraged, I know God’s going to work everything for His plan and purpose.  This is going to require a lot of prayer on my part so that God really has HIs time to talk me through everything.

…just thoughts..

Videos

hey guys, i've got some videos up on youtube. couldn't get it on my comp, no time -- but check out youtube: pelicanorc!

Pics from February(ish)

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24!!

My birthday is on saturday!!!!!!  BIRTHDAYS ROCK! :o)

fall into my lap

So the whole time I’ve been here I’ve really been learning how to pray and wait for God’s provision.  It’s mainly been with money, but today some pretty cool things happened.  I found out this weekend that I have to move out of my house and into a smaller room in the visitors compound.  **there is a lot of shifting around here as long term missionaries come and go, my move is making room for a couple** For a lot of reasons, this will be a very uncomfortable move, but I’m keeping my head up and very stubbornly telling myself I cannot carry about with a foul mood.  So, I checked out my room today, and in some ways I am looking forward to it :o)  I noticed two things in the room that I will need (or maybe want lol): a desk and a mirror.  I instantly decided to pray about it and let God give me what I need, knowing those are not things to worry over.  Well later on in the day, a fellow missionary told me about a desk that can go in the room!  Ha!  How awesome is that :o)  I actually laughed out loud when she told me because it was just too cool.  *I’m still praying about the mirror!*  Well this is really silly, but, I also prayed for more chocolate.  Haha, crazy I know!  But anyway, the only sweets I have here are chocolates and the bar I’ve been chipping away at in the refrigerator is getting very small.  I’m negative in money right now, so I knew I wouldn’t be buying chocolates any time soon.  Well!!  At the meeting tonight John & Sandra gave all the missionaries chocolate bars!!  Woohoo!  I’ve been learning how to see God as my Father recently, and little lavishing gifts like these make me feel like His beloved daughter. I love how God lets things fall into my lap.   


I’m trying to keep track of these answered prayers, specifically when I ask for things I can’t afford.  Today I got to #17.  That’s like one a week!