Journey of Joy April 2016

To our family and friends!

We miss each of you! We can’t tell you thank you enough. If it weren’t for you, we would not be here.

As Tyler and I often do before we put a post up….we’ve mulled over what we can share with you.

NEW ORLEANS AND PARIS

First, our travels to Sierra Leone went great. We made a quick stop in New Orleans to visit Cam and Molly Long and their new little, Maxine. Their family is beautiful and we were moved by the hospitality of the South and especially humbled by the generosity of the Longs. From Louisiana we then ventured to Paris for a very quick trip (basically a day and a half). There we met up with the Jesse and Carissa Richards-two friends we cherish and who have largely shaped who we are today. It was a blast venturing through Paris with these two. Kindred Spirit friendships are like a glass of cold water in the desert-they refresh all of who you are. Tyler and I continue to thank God for radical friendships like these.

SIERRA LEONE: HOW IS IT?

SHORT ANSWER

Life here in Sierra Leone is great. We can say we are happy, healthy, and motivated. It is amazing to be back with dear people.

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LONG ANSWER

Let me actually start with our conclusion to this blog:

Goal: Take none of this crazy life for granted. 

A few days ago I was lying on my back, outside, doing some exercise. As I was looking up, the direct sunlight was shaded by the foliage of trees. I could gaze into the blue skies and trace the shimmering, shifting lining of these strong, aged trees as they were dancing with the African breeze.  Life was still, simple, and so beautiful to me in that moment. I almost started laughing as I was laying there, feeling overcome by thankfulness for where God has Tyler and I right now: the middle of nowhere Sierra Leone. I also laughed because of the humor of the situation...not defeat necessarily, but the notion of "what on EARTH am I doing here? And what difference am I making?"

We often feel and are aware that we are not making a difference. At first this reality is unsettling. But after the hard swallow, we're actually okay with it.  And this statement isn’t fishing for your encouragement. We feel confident in this uncertainty. We are confident God has called us to this place, for this time, and that’s enough. We continue to strive to give all of who we are. We are less concerned about the measurable change we're making and more concerned about integrity and being true to what we believe and faithful to what we feel called to. 

Life’s Lessons continue:

Tyler and I keep learning that when you pair life down, from systems, from our big families, from our  work place, down and down, that where life happens is in its moments. Moment by moment. From a place within yourself and with one relationship at a time.

People often say to us “I could never do what you guys do!” For all of you that say this, please hear us now:  You are doing this with us. We’re all in the same boat in this big planet. The sum of our lives is found in how we care for one another, and this is a stewardship of the moment. Right where you’re at right now. Whether in Portland, Oregon or Banta Mokelleh, Sierra Leone. Or at least, that’s what we’re learning.

One more thing, an important thing: these children we get to work with (which many are actually now young adults), are amazing individuals. They’re bright, innovative, compassionate, and have responded to their lives circumstances with courage and grace. I wish you could meet every one of them. They make us laugh, cry, feel proud, challenge us, and bring us joy.

 

More about Sierra Leone:

As Tyler and I continue to try to understand Sierra Leone we can’t help but feel much of what takes place here feels backwards, upside down, corrupt. We’re not talking about the Sierra Leoneans themselves which we’d describe as a resilient, charmingly stubborn, rooted in a captivatingly simplistic tradition, ultimately beautiful people.  We are talking about the health system, judicial system, education system, which often does not seem to serve it’s people (though we could give you names of incredible Sierra Leoneans within each of these systems that are devoting their lives to advocating for positive changes).

Children of the Nations is on the ground here, partnering with the locals to raise orphans of the civil war and now orphans of Ebola. COTN’s mission is to raise children to transform nations. The goal is to partner with the local people to raise these orphans to enable them to be the positive change within their own country. We love the model. By the way, we don’t call the kids orphans anymore as they’re now a part of the COTN family. Another thing we love. So while we're here, Tyler and I are pouring everything we can into these kids through: efforts in the local clinic/partnership with the local nurses to improve the health care the children receive, efforts in the local school to improve the education the children receive, relational time with the children to bring them mentorship and 

WE LOVE YOU!! THANK YOU FOR ALL THE SUPPORT, PRAYERS, AND ENCOURAGEMENT! We do have internet in the bush, so know that you can write as and we’ll respond. Tell us how you are!

 

Lastly, Scripture that has guided us and we feel is a “theme” to us at this time:

Romans 12: 9-21

“Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love on another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the  lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink, for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”