Hello everyone!
Again, I apologize for it being so long since I wrote. Life is just crazy out here in the DRC.
For the past 2 weeks we had a team from South Africa come stay with us. It was absolutely amazing, and they definitely brought some needed fun and excitement. Kyle and I have new words and phrases we are trying to incorporate into our everyday conversation... and we will be bringing it back to the States. Lekker.
Easter here was so much fun! The amazing S.A's brough over 300 chocolate eggs! Again... you can see why I loved them so much. Pastor here has never experienced an Easter egg hunt... so naturally... we had to have one for his entire family. It was so fun to see them running around. A very great moment.
He is Risen!
We have done a couple more Heal Africa trips complete with healings, singing, dancing, all good fun. As well as more lessons with our Ndosho school children! They were out on holiday for a few weeks, so it was wonderful being able to return and see our beautiful kiddies! Plus, we cemented the second floor! No more sketchy wood planks, but solid concrete! The school is really coming together. Before we leave we would like to decorate and continue to beautify the dreary walls. Thanks to the Bethel team that came, as well as Cassandra's parents bringing school supplies we are able to add to the scenery. I even drew out the alphabet on colored paper to hang up on the walls. Little by little we are getting things done.
Unfortunately, Kyle and I were not able to make it out to Kalembe when S.A was here; I was sick for a little bit. Good thing one of the S.A's is a doctor, (again, they were just incredible) and gave me some medicine. I am feeling much better now, and will be going out to Kalembe this Monday. I cannot wait to see my favorite people again! They are so incredible!
Not too much exciting news to report, but the time the team was here was one of fun and fellowship. I loved meeting all of them, and Kyle and I now have new life long friends! We are already planning our S.A trip! haha. Plus, almost every night I dominated in the game MAFIA. ahahaha. unstoppable.
We are currently in Rwanda, celebrating Cass's 24th birthday!!! (complete with real chocolate cake, and a movie theatre trip! HUUURAHHH! It was probably the most "normal" day we've had since coming to Africa.) It was great. Plus, Kyle and I were able to finally change our flight and secure a date home. Unfortunately, the only day we could leave that wouldn't cost us 2000 extra dollars was the 19th. So, we're cutting our trip a bit shorter than we had wanted... but we are most excited about returning home!
So yes... Kyle and I will be arriving back in the ATL on May 19th. We want to say thank you to all of our supporters, both prayerfully and financially. We definitely COULD NOT have gone on such an amazing trip without you guys. We appreciate and love all of you so much.
Thank you.
Friday, May 6, 2011
Saturday, April 23, 2011
weiner fingers
...the nickname we have dubbed for one very cute Kalembe boy who seems to always have his hands down his pants...
but we'll get to Kalembe later...
Sorry it's been so long since I've posted... seems like we have been EXTREMELY busy the past few weeks.
We put on a conference for the youth... ages 13 to 24ish. They are on break from school for 2 weeks so we had them for 3 days. It was super fun, they even spent the night the whole time so it was a for real retreat!
We did lessons all day and then had fun the rest of the night. But it was incredible! Kyle taught on grace and how we are all righteous; we are no longer sinners. and it was such a BREAKTHROUGH for them! they were blown away and so excited! They said, "This good news really is GOOOD NEWS!" haha. The mindsets here are that God wants to punish us, that we are sinners, and that we have to be literally perfect to get into heaven. Even pastors tell their congregation that they are unsure if they themselves will get into heaven. So for them to hear such mindbreaking information and really receive it is such a blessing. I taught on God's character and how he is a LOVING God. He does not want to punish you, He is your father and just wants to lavish and love on his children. This too is so huge for them to really understand. We also did lessons on hearing the voice of God, and bringing heaven to earth. We even sent them out on a treasure hunt which is completely new for them... and we had such amazing results! So overall... the retreat was a SUCCESS. We want to try to meet with this group weekly to really be able to disciple and pour into them. Hearing God's voice is something that is so new to them, that they really need to practice as often as they can.
Plus we played the game Ultimate Ninja with them... which is pretty much the best thing ever. And so hilarious to watch them play.
We also went to Kalembe (the bush)! It was our first time and so AMAZING. The ride getting there is another story... 6 hours of being jerked and bumped around. It was awful. haha. But completely worth it. Kalembe is stereotypical Africa. Mud huts, naked babies everywhere, trees and vegetation, rolling hills, it was beautiful! It was a completely new experience for us... going to the bathroom in the latrine the whole time, sleeping on the ground with rats, getting bit by an insane amount of bugs... if I told you how many bug bites I now have I would frighten you. But still the most incredible trip. I absolutely fell in love with all of the children and the people. They have absolutely so little, but are the sweetest most joyful people around. Seeing Mama Louiza jump for joy and shout SANDRA SANDRA SANDRA when our car pulled up was amazing. They literally LOVE that we come out there and love on them.
We got to see the new school that Cassandra and Daniel built out there. It's almost finished and will be open for students this September! Keeping the children in school gives them the option of another life other than joining the rebel soldiers. Which obviously... is huge. All you hear from the kids there is, "I want to go to school. I want to go to school." And we have now provided them with an opportunity to do so!
We held a 2 day conference at our school for anyone who wanted to attend. It was again... AMAZING. haha. (sorry for lack of adjectives). We taught again on grace, God's heart, and the Kingdom. What was amazing was hearing that they really understood and received it. A few people got saved, and a few other people got healed! Which we empowered them to do.... we had them praying over eachother's illnesses to let them know that it is within them not just us. The mamas and babas (women and men) are the most precious, sweet, honoring people ever!
Always in Africa, you will see mamas hunched over carrying HUGE loads on their back. One day when we were walking the 2 kilometer walk back home from our school, Kyle asked a mama if he could carry her bag. She was completely shocked but agreed. Kyle carried this woman's 70 pound bag all the way to the mama's house... so probably a kilometer total. He was completely exhausted. He was sweating profusely, had to stop multiple times, it was HARD. But what is amazing is EVERY SINGLE person we passed by stopped and stared at him. They were in disbelief that a muzungu, and a MAN, would carry a mama's load. This is unheard of. Our pastor said that the mama would never forget this for as long as she lived. She would tell this story forever. Other people told us that, "it was true love. Him carrying her bag." So WOW what an incredible way to show love. We didn't have to say a word.... they experienced love. What's crazy is that the mama was carrying the load of casava root for many many miles before we saw her, and she does this every single day. The mama was probably 50 years old, and this is her life. It is injustice.
Kalembe is a village in an area, where every single war or conflict that has ever occurred in Congo has originated from. This is insane. Currently, rebel soldiers often raid villages stealing belongings, raping women, taking children, and killing innocent people. While we were there we were completely safe; however, the last night was a little scary. That day the government troops who "protect" the village left for Kitchanga and replacements were supossed to come. However, no replacement soldiers arrived. This put the village in a frenzy; they were all frightened that because there was no protection, the rebels would come. The chief we were staying with was particulary afraid for our safety. So we got in our car and drove up to the UN base in the village that night and asked them what we should do. Should we stay in their camp for the night, or have one of their soldiers come to our house? But their leader assured us we were fine, and if anything should happen they would send people to come get us. So we went back home and went to sleep. We woke up the next day, everything was fine. No problems. However; the village only 7 kilometers away from us was raided that night. It is hard to thank God that we were protected that night, but know that other people were not so fortunate. It is even harder to be able to leave the village, knowing people you love cannot. That this is their reality every single night. That every single night they sleep in fear that the rebels could come at any moment. After meeting Moese (Weiner Fingers) haha, the most precious, sweetest, 9 year old boy ever, and then leaving him to this fear that he could be captured and taken as a soldier is not ok. This is injustice. It needs to end. I tell you this story not to frighten you, but to inform you of what is hapenning in the world. Pray for these people!! Pray for peace to invade the land, the village, the people. Pray for the soldiers to encounter the love of God. Pray for the war to end! Pray for restoration!!!
but we'll get to Kalembe later...
Sorry it's been so long since I've posted... seems like we have been EXTREMELY busy the past few weeks.
We put on a conference for the youth... ages 13 to 24ish. They are on break from school for 2 weeks so we had them for 3 days. It was super fun, they even spent the night the whole time so it was a for real retreat!
We did lessons all day and then had fun the rest of the night. But it was incredible! Kyle taught on grace and how we are all righteous; we are no longer sinners. and it was such a BREAKTHROUGH for them! they were blown away and so excited! They said, "This good news really is GOOOD NEWS!" haha. The mindsets here are that God wants to punish us, that we are sinners, and that we have to be literally perfect to get into heaven. Even pastors tell their congregation that they are unsure if they themselves will get into heaven. So for them to hear such mindbreaking information and really receive it is such a blessing. I taught on God's character and how he is a LOVING God. He does not want to punish you, He is your father and just wants to lavish and love on his children. This too is so huge for them to really understand. We also did lessons on hearing the voice of God, and bringing heaven to earth. We even sent them out on a treasure hunt which is completely new for them... and we had such amazing results! So overall... the retreat was a SUCCESS. We want to try to meet with this group weekly to really be able to disciple and pour into them. Hearing God's voice is something that is so new to them, that they really need to practice as often as they can.
Plus we played the game Ultimate Ninja with them... which is pretty much the best thing ever. And so hilarious to watch them play.
We also went to Kalembe (the bush)! It was our first time and so AMAZING. The ride getting there is another story... 6 hours of being jerked and bumped around. It was awful. haha. But completely worth it. Kalembe is stereotypical Africa. Mud huts, naked babies everywhere, trees and vegetation, rolling hills, it was beautiful! It was a completely new experience for us... going to the bathroom in the latrine the whole time, sleeping on the ground with rats, getting bit by an insane amount of bugs... if I told you how many bug bites I now have I would frighten you. But still the most incredible trip. I absolutely fell in love with all of the children and the people. They have absolutely so little, but are the sweetest most joyful people around. Seeing Mama Louiza jump for joy and shout SANDRA SANDRA SANDRA when our car pulled up was amazing. They literally LOVE that we come out there and love on them.
We got to see the new school that Cassandra and Daniel built out there. It's almost finished and will be open for students this September! Keeping the children in school gives them the option of another life other than joining the rebel soldiers. Which obviously... is huge. All you hear from the kids there is, "I want to go to school. I want to go to school." And we have now provided them with an opportunity to do so!
We held a 2 day conference at our school for anyone who wanted to attend. It was again... AMAZING. haha. (sorry for lack of adjectives). We taught again on grace, God's heart, and the Kingdom. What was amazing was hearing that they really understood and received it. A few people got saved, and a few other people got healed! Which we empowered them to do.... we had them praying over eachother's illnesses to let them know that it is within them not just us. The mamas and babas (women and men) are the most precious, sweet, honoring people ever!
Always in Africa, you will see mamas hunched over carrying HUGE loads on their back. One day when we were walking the 2 kilometer walk back home from our school, Kyle asked a mama if he could carry her bag. She was completely shocked but agreed. Kyle carried this woman's 70 pound bag all the way to the mama's house... so probably a kilometer total. He was completely exhausted. He was sweating profusely, had to stop multiple times, it was HARD. But what is amazing is EVERY SINGLE person we passed by stopped and stared at him. They were in disbelief that a muzungu, and a MAN, would carry a mama's load. This is unheard of. Our pastor said that the mama would never forget this for as long as she lived. She would tell this story forever. Other people told us that, "it was true love. Him carrying her bag." So WOW what an incredible way to show love. We didn't have to say a word.... they experienced love. What's crazy is that the mama was carrying the load of casava root for many many miles before we saw her, and she does this every single day. The mama was probably 50 years old, and this is her life. It is injustice.
Kalembe is a village in an area, where every single war or conflict that has ever occurred in Congo has originated from. This is insane. Currently, rebel soldiers often raid villages stealing belongings, raping women, taking children, and killing innocent people. While we were there we were completely safe; however, the last night was a little scary. That day the government troops who "protect" the village left for Kitchanga and replacements were supossed to come. However, no replacement soldiers arrived. This put the village in a frenzy; they were all frightened that because there was no protection, the rebels would come. The chief we were staying with was particulary afraid for our safety. So we got in our car and drove up to the UN base in the village that night and asked them what we should do. Should we stay in their camp for the night, or have one of their soldiers come to our house? But their leader assured us we were fine, and if anything should happen they would send people to come get us. So we went back home and went to sleep. We woke up the next day, everything was fine. No problems. However; the village only 7 kilometers away from us was raided that night. It is hard to thank God that we were protected that night, but know that other people were not so fortunate. It is even harder to be able to leave the village, knowing people you love cannot. That this is their reality every single night. That every single night they sleep in fear that the rebels could come at any moment. After meeting Moese (Weiner Fingers) haha, the most precious, sweetest, 9 year old boy ever, and then leaving him to this fear that he could be captured and taken as a soldier is not ok. This is injustice. It needs to end. I tell you this story not to frighten you, but to inform you of what is hapenning in the world. Pray for these people!! Pray for peace to invade the land, the village, the people. Pray for the soldiers to encounter the love of God. Pray for the war to end! Pray for restoration!!!
Friday, April 1, 2011
Abraham, Matilda, and Wade
3 stories:
Abraham.
Last night Kyle, Daniel, and I were getting motos to ride over to our new rafiki's house to hang out. It was almost dark so it was hard finding motos. We had two already, but could not find a third. Therefore, Kyle and I jumped on the back of the same one. I had a scarf covering my face to 1. cover up from the dirt that loves to cling to my face when we ride and 2. to mask the odor coming from our motodriver.... I was VERY close to his face. Anyways, we were off. Right away he started speaking to us in a wonderful mixture of Swahili, French, and English! yay he knew English quite well. He asked us our names, after saying that his was Abraham. Kyle answered with, "Pastor Kyle and Pastor Katarina." His response, " OHHH you are pastors!! I need to talk to you Pastors!" He excitedly explained to us, that his wife was Christian and also pregnant. His dad though was Islam, and therefore he was Islam. But his dad just died, so he did not need to be Islam anymore. He "wanted truth. to be a Christian." His words. We talked the whole ride. When we arrived at our destination, he continued to press that he needed to talk to us. Kyle asked if he wanted Jesus right then, and he shouted YES. So right there with our other moto driver watching, Kyle led him in a prayer. It was amazing watching him translate and respond, with the biggest smile on his face. At the end he hugged Kyle, and started SOBBING. SOBBING. He was crying sooo much. It was quite the moment. And one of my favorite moments of our whole trip so far. Abraham just said 'thank you thank you' over and over again. He was sooo happy. He and Kyle exchanged phone numbers and we are going to all hang out soon. We'll probably go to church with him and his wife this Sunday. Yay for the moto drivers of Congo... they're incredible.
Matilda.
Yesterday, Daniel, Kyle, and I went to Heal Africa again with our pastors. We wanted to continue praying for the people there. It is literally my favorite thing to do here in Congo. Without our Bethel team present, Kyle and I were able to go around and pray together. Fun! Things started out more slowly, until we reached a wonderful girl named Bertie. She had two casts on her legs and she was in considerable pain. She was squirmy and so uncomfortable when we met her. We prayed for her legs, and after several different times ALL of her pain went away. She was so joyful and happy, smiling from ear to ear. We loved on her a bit, and then told her to tell the two women next to her what just hapenned to her. Spreading testimonies is the best way to build your faith! What God did for someone else he can do for you. What God did for you once he can do for you again. Which brought us to Matilda. Matilda was a beautiful mama who was stuck in her bed. When we asked her what was wrong with her she said, "paralyzed." She could not feel her legs when we were touching them, and she could definitely not get up. She had considerable back pain as well. We prayed for her once, and she said she could feel something moving in her legs! Plus, she started wiggling her purple painted toes! We got very excited and started praying again. After that round, she bent her legs all the way to her chest and said she could not do that before! yayyyy. Kyle then told her that she was going to walk. She moved into a sitting position with her legs dangling off the bed, and we prayed again. Her back pain was gone and she got up! She walked up and down the hospital aisle. INCREDIBLE. She said her hips still hurt though, so we prayed again. haha. She then was doing laps up and down the aisle with Kyle. Coolest thing I've seen. For sure. What's funny is Pastor Mboto later told us that Matilda was talking to him while we had moved on to her daughter. She was saying, "they won't leave until we're healed will they? haha." Pastor said, "nope." She said that we were different from the other people who come to the hospital to pray. Amazing.
Wade.
Last week at Heal Africa, Kyle met a mzungu named Heidi. Heidi was here in Congo with an organization called Discover the Journey. They are based out in LA, but have been following 3 child soldiers since 2007. They just finished filming their documentary. Kyle exchanged contact info with her, and that was it. Then a few days later, while we were staying with our friends in Rwanda, in walks a man named Wade. Wade just flew in from New York, and was staying in the same place as us for a night. He is a lawyer to be, and happenns to be a part of Discover the Journey as well. He is meeting up with Heidi and the rest of the team tomorrow. Crazy. The next day we then leave for Goma, and before we get on our bus we stop at a coffee shop. In walks Heidi. Crazy. We run into her again, and talk with her. Exchange more info and say goodbye. We then our on moto's in Goma riding to our house, when Wade, and the team see us. Crazy. Anyways... Kyle and Daniel say that it's no coincidence we ran into them so many times. haha. We contact Wade in Goma, and met up with the team last night. They are incredible! They are Christians, but DTJ is not a Christian organization. They basically make films to raise awareness about injustices hapenning to children. They're documentary on 3 child soldiers is going to be released in summer or fall. Which by the way, the clips we got to see are INCREDIBLE. The stories of the team are amazing, and so inspiring. One of the boys they were following got recaptured, and the team spent years tracking him. They finally found him and paid for his release from the army this fall. Wow. Anyways, this group is absolutely incredible. Look up their website, http://www.discoverthejourney.org/.
It's amazing creating new friendships out here, as well as meeting young people who are out here doing amazing things with their lives. Dedicating so much of themselves to others.
Quick Praise Reports:
Cassandra received an incredible donation for a car! So we are currently car shopping. This will be a huge blessing, meaning we can get to and from the bush quicker, cheaper, and safer.
My allergies the past couple days have been much better! yayyyy so thank you to everyone who's been praying! GREATLY appreciated.
Abraham.
Last night Kyle, Daniel, and I were getting motos to ride over to our new rafiki's house to hang out. It was almost dark so it was hard finding motos. We had two already, but could not find a third. Therefore, Kyle and I jumped on the back of the same one. I had a scarf covering my face to 1. cover up from the dirt that loves to cling to my face when we ride and 2. to mask the odor coming from our motodriver.... I was VERY close to his face. Anyways, we were off. Right away he started speaking to us in a wonderful mixture of Swahili, French, and English! yay he knew English quite well. He asked us our names, after saying that his was Abraham. Kyle answered with, "Pastor Kyle and Pastor Katarina." His response, " OHHH you are pastors!! I need to talk to you Pastors!" He excitedly explained to us, that his wife was Christian and also pregnant. His dad though was Islam, and therefore he was Islam. But his dad just died, so he did not need to be Islam anymore. He "wanted truth. to be a Christian." His words. We talked the whole ride. When we arrived at our destination, he continued to press that he needed to talk to us. Kyle asked if he wanted Jesus right then, and he shouted YES. So right there with our other moto driver watching, Kyle led him in a prayer. It was amazing watching him translate and respond, with the biggest smile on his face. At the end he hugged Kyle, and started SOBBING. SOBBING. He was crying sooo much. It was quite the moment. And one of my favorite moments of our whole trip so far. Abraham just said 'thank you thank you' over and over again. He was sooo happy. He and Kyle exchanged phone numbers and we are going to all hang out soon. We'll probably go to church with him and his wife this Sunday. Yay for the moto drivers of Congo... they're incredible.
Matilda.
Yesterday, Daniel, Kyle, and I went to Heal Africa again with our pastors. We wanted to continue praying for the people there. It is literally my favorite thing to do here in Congo. Without our Bethel team present, Kyle and I were able to go around and pray together. Fun! Things started out more slowly, until we reached a wonderful girl named Bertie. She had two casts on her legs and she was in considerable pain. She was squirmy and so uncomfortable when we met her. We prayed for her legs, and after several different times ALL of her pain went away. She was so joyful and happy, smiling from ear to ear. We loved on her a bit, and then told her to tell the two women next to her what just hapenned to her. Spreading testimonies is the best way to build your faith! What God did for someone else he can do for you. What God did for you once he can do for you again. Which brought us to Matilda. Matilda was a beautiful mama who was stuck in her bed. When we asked her what was wrong with her she said, "paralyzed." She could not feel her legs when we were touching them, and she could definitely not get up. She had considerable back pain as well. We prayed for her once, and she said she could feel something moving in her legs! Plus, she started wiggling her purple painted toes! We got very excited and started praying again. After that round, she bent her legs all the way to her chest and said she could not do that before! yayyyy. Kyle then told her that she was going to walk. She moved into a sitting position with her legs dangling off the bed, and we prayed again. Her back pain was gone and she got up! She walked up and down the hospital aisle. INCREDIBLE. She said her hips still hurt though, so we prayed again. haha. She then was doing laps up and down the aisle with Kyle. Coolest thing I've seen. For sure. What's funny is Pastor Mboto later told us that Matilda was talking to him while we had moved on to her daughter. She was saying, "they won't leave until we're healed will they? haha." Pastor said, "nope." She said that we were different from the other people who come to the hospital to pray. Amazing.
Wade.
Last week at Heal Africa, Kyle met a mzungu named Heidi. Heidi was here in Congo with an organization called Discover the Journey. They are based out in LA, but have been following 3 child soldiers since 2007. They just finished filming their documentary. Kyle exchanged contact info with her, and that was it. Then a few days later, while we were staying with our friends in Rwanda, in walks a man named Wade. Wade just flew in from New York, and was staying in the same place as us for a night. He is a lawyer to be, and happenns to be a part of Discover the Journey as well. He is meeting up with Heidi and the rest of the team tomorrow. Crazy. The next day we then leave for Goma, and before we get on our bus we stop at a coffee shop. In walks Heidi. Crazy. We run into her again, and talk with her. Exchange more info and say goodbye. We then our on moto's in Goma riding to our house, when Wade, and the team see us. Crazy. Anyways... Kyle and Daniel say that it's no coincidence we ran into them so many times. haha. We contact Wade in Goma, and met up with the team last night. They are incredible! They are Christians, but DTJ is not a Christian organization. They basically make films to raise awareness about injustices hapenning to children. They're documentary on 3 child soldiers is going to be released in summer or fall. Which by the way, the clips we got to see are INCREDIBLE. The stories of the team are amazing, and so inspiring. One of the boys they were following got recaptured, and the team spent years tracking him. They finally found him and paid for his release from the army this fall. Wow. Anyways, this group is absolutely incredible. Look up their website, http://www.discoverthejourney.org/.
It's amazing creating new friendships out here, as well as meeting young people who are out here doing amazing things with their lives. Dedicating so much of themselves to others.
Quick Praise Reports:
Cassandra received an incredible donation for a car! So we are currently car shopping. This will be a huge blessing, meaning we can get to and from the bush quicker, cheaper, and safer.
My allergies the past couple days have been much better! yayyyy so thank you to everyone who's been praying! GREATLY appreciated.
Monday, March 28, 2011
i wanna be cute
i have been inspired by a certain someone's ridiculously cute baby blog to write some random, cute going-on's that are in my head. 1. currently, Kyle is drawing out on graph paper our future home that he is going to build for us. He has become consumed with his thoughts and dreams. I love it. He is pacing back and forth, counting square feet, trying to get me to picture what's going on inside his brain, and then saying "nevermind, I can't give you a good enough picture," pausing for maybe 2 seconds, and then attempting again. Standing up, sitting down, drawing, erasing... all wonderful 2. i had a few seconds of feeling proud of myself earlier this afternoon... I sat down with a newly made cheese and avocado sandwich in my hand, and remembered "I used to not like avocado!" And now... oh I adore it. Avocado, cheese, tomato sandwiches are my delight out here in Congo. And then I thought of all the different foods I used to not like before I came here. Wow, my tastebuds are doing so good. Plus... I have actually learned way more cooking skills out here. Kyle and I are actually going to bring back recipes we're making here back home! The team jokes because every night I say, "This is my new favorite meal!" haha. So easy to please. It's a wonderful gift really. food is the way to my heart... 3. I've realized out here how desperately I need to create. I have no sewing machine, no paints, no colored pencils, no silly craft things (buttons, modgepodge, magazines...) that I LOVE to play with. i am such a crafter. One of my main love languages is crafts. And it's severely lacking. Yesterday, I tried sketching in my journal with a pen and surprisingly a somewhat beautiful mama with a baby on her back came out. I am actually very proud. By the end of the 6 months here, I'm going to be a master sketcher yet... just wait. I have been enjoying brainstorming tshirt ideas with the team... we're coming up with GCM Congo wear... YESSS that's right! If you have any ideas feel free to give your input! 4. i want to do something radical with my hair (without removing it's length) and remembering that I am in Congo... practicality is a good thing. I have been reading the magazines friends have sent me and my inward desire to express myself through fashion is coming out... haha. I'm getting a little tired of the pants and tshirt look not gonna lie. I can't wait to get home and look oh so cute again haha. 5. not getting too ahead of ourselves here... but I CANNOT wait to decorate our nursery in all things Africa. They have the CUTEST giant stuffed elephants and giraffes in amazing Africa prints. Check. hanging thing over the crib that I don't know what it's called with different animals in Africa prints. Check. banana leaves artwork. check. yes... dream with me here people. imagine it.... it's gonna be PRESH. our little River will be sleeping in a safari... 6. I have fully mastered the art of moto riding. I can ride through Kigali, Goma, anywhere with No HANDS. With backpack on back, luggage or groceries in hands, and I am fine. Comfortable. I literally almost fell asleep on one earlier today I was so tired. Bomb. I had to write something rugged about myself just now because i realized how girly I was sounding haha.... okdok... well I think I'm good. Got some things off my chest. feel good. Kyle, Daniel, and I are off to Goma again tomorrow morning, which means... goodbye Kigali, goodbye lounging and relaxing, goodbye hamburger, goodbye internet and connection to the world. haha. We'll meet again soon.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
yes we are still alive... and kickin
Sorry for the long delay... For the past 2 weeks we have been hosting a mission team from Bethel. We had 11 students from the school and it was sooo much fun!!! While they were here we had an overloaded schedule, so it was pretty impossible for me to get a minute to get online. But I am so excited to get to share about all the amazingness that hapenned while they were here!
The first few days they were here we took them to our Ndosho School and had them teach the children. They brought all sorts of fun props, costumes, activities, and games that it was so fun to see the children react to all of it. They are definitely not used to things that are staples in the US (colored paper, wall decorations, simple teaching tools) that they were having a blast.
Then they prophesied and encouraged the teachers. The culture in Congo is one that nobody says anything nice about another person unless they're dead. Not even a "You look nice today." It was such a beautiful moment to see some of these teachers crying when the team was loving on them. They had never heard some of these truths about themselves before. It was a great breakthrough moment.
We also went to Heal Africa a couple of times to pray for the sick. It was our group's first time going there as well... and it was AWESOME. The first day we split up into groups of two and went to different wards. I was in the Fistula Ward. There are about 150 women in this ward currently, and they all have broken fistulas. A lot of women get this from bad childbirthing, however, a lot also get this from really severe rapes. It was absolutely heart wrenching going from woman to woman hearing their stories of rape. What was even worse was seeing 12 to 15 year olds in this ward for rapes. The first two women we approached I was just sobbing listening to them. We went around with Pastor Euclide who translated for us, and prayed. It was amazing hearing them say that their pain went away, and seeing their countenance change as before we talked to them they were stone faced and cold, to after we prayed for them and they were smiling and joyful.
The second time we went to the hospital I was in a ward for random injuries. A group of 4 of us went around to pray. We saw a man who was in a full body cast have all of his pain go away, a woman with a bandaged head had been in a car accident, and she couldn't move her neck at all. But after we prayed she was moving her head and neck like crazy! A woman with a tumor on her neck could not breath well, but then she said she felt air coming in clearly! A woman in the fistula ward had heart and stomach problems as well. Her name was Rosetta. The first time she prayed she said she felt no difference, so we prayed again and she just started smiling and screamed that all the pain left. We told all of them not to tell us the pain left just to be nice, and she said "I don't lie!" It was hilarious, and so we had her come with us and she prayed over all the other women in the ward. We saw almost every woman's pain leave. We also saw a woman with malaria healed, plus a lady could not straighten her leg at all. After we prayed she said her leg felt really cold, so we continued to pray, and after a few times she could straighten her leg all the way. It was awesome. These are just a few stories of the amazing things that hapenned in the hospital. Every group had tons of healings. It was fun riding the mutatu home sharing the stories. A man in the hospital even told one of our pastors that they have tons of groups come to pray, but our group was different. Kyle, Cass, Daniel and I are going to continue going to Heal Africa at least once a week.
The Sunday the group was here, we split them up and took them to four different churches. I took a group to Pator Euclide's church. A kid Jeremy preached about healing, and then the last 45 minutes we prayed and healed about 20 or so people. It was super fun. I gave a word of knowledge about shoulders and two men stood up with shoulder pain. We had the church pray for them and their mobility returned to their shoulders! Another girl prayed for people's teeth that were hurting. We then heard that one man could no longer eat meat because it was too painful to chew, but that night he went home and told his wife to cook meat because all the pain was gone. haha.
Basically the whole trip was like that... just fun, miraculous things occurring all the time.
The team also really loved on the four of us... one girl gave me a pedicure and a massage, and brought us candy and slippers. It was so wonderful haha to get so much love! Plus, Kathryn sent me a bunch of PEOPLE magazines through her friend Richelle who was on the trip... so thank you thank you Kathryn, you know me well. Not only did they spoil us, but they brought such a refreshing perspective on Congo. I didn't even realize how just in one month I was starting to get down and have such a low viewpoint on the people here. Nothing major, but still not having God's perspective on this place. So hearing their joyful perspectives really allowed me to refresh my viewpoint. Ahhhh.... so to sum their trip up in one word, it would be... REFRESHING!!!!
The first few days they were here we took them to our Ndosho School and had them teach the children. They brought all sorts of fun props, costumes, activities, and games that it was so fun to see the children react to all of it. They are definitely not used to things that are staples in the US (colored paper, wall decorations, simple teaching tools) that they were having a blast.
Then they prophesied and encouraged the teachers. The culture in Congo is one that nobody says anything nice about another person unless they're dead. Not even a "You look nice today." It was such a beautiful moment to see some of these teachers crying when the team was loving on them. They had never heard some of these truths about themselves before. It was a great breakthrough moment.
We also went to Heal Africa a couple of times to pray for the sick. It was our group's first time going there as well... and it was AWESOME. The first day we split up into groups of two and went to different wards. I was in the Fistula Ward. There are about 150 women in this ward currently, and they all have broken fistulas. A lot of women get this from bad childbirthing, however, a lot also get this from really severe rapes. It was absolutely heart wrenching going from woman to woman hearing their stories of rape. What was even worse was seeing 12 to 15 year olds in this ward for rapes. The first two women we approached I was just sobbing listening to them. We went around with Pastor Euclide who translated for us, and prayed. It was amazing hearing them say that their pain went away, and seeing their countenance change as before we talked to them they were stone faced and cold, to after we prayed for them and they were smiling and joyful.
The second time we went to the hospital I was in a ward for random injuries. A group of 4 of us went around to pray. We saw a man who was in a full body cast have all of his pain go away, a woman with a bandaged head had been in a car accident, and she couldn't move her neck at all. But after we prayed she was moving her head and neck like crazy! A woman with a tumor on her neck could not breath well, but then she said she felt air coming in clearly! A woman in the fistula ward had heart and stomach problems as well. Her name was Rosetta. The first time she prayed she said she felt no difference, so we prayed again and she just started smiling and screamed that all the pain left. We told all of them not to tell us the pain left just to be nice, and she said "I don't lie!" It was hilarious, and so we had her come with us and she prayed over all the other women in the ward. We saw almost every woman's pain leave. We also saw a woman with malaria healed, plus a lady could not straighten her leg at all. After we prayed she said her leg felt really cold, so we continued to pray, and after a few times she could straighten her leg all the way. It was awesome. These are just a few stories of the amazing things that hapenned in the hospital. Every group had tons of healings. It was fun riding the mutatu home sharing the stories. A man in the hospital even told one of our pastors that they have tons of groups come to pray, but our group was different. Kyle, Cass, Daniel and I are going to continue going to Heal Africa at least once a week.
The Sunday the group was here, we split them up and took them to four different churches. I took a group to Pator Euclide's church. A kid Jeremy preached about healing, and then the last 45 minutes we prayed and healed about 20 or so people. It was super fun. I gave a word of knowledge about shoulders and two men stood up with shoulder pain. We had the church pray for them and their mobility returned to their shoulders! Another girl prayed for people's teeth that were hurting. We then heard that one man could no longer eat meat because it was too painful to chew, but that night he went home and told his wife to cook meat because all the pain was gone. haha.
Basically the whole trip was like that... just fun, miraculous things occurring all the time.
The team also really loved on the four of us... one girl gave me a pedicure and a massage, and brought us candy and slippers. It was so wonderful haha to get so much love! Plus, Kathryn sent me a bunch of PEOPLE magazines through her friend Richelle who was on the trip... so thank you thank you Kathryn, you know me well. Not only did they spoil us, but they brought such a refreshing perspective on Congo. I didn't even realize how just in one month I was starting to get down and have such a low viewpoint on the people here. Nothing major, but still not having God's perspective on this place. So hearing their joyful perspectives really allowed me to refresh my viewpoint. Ahhhh.... so to sum their trip up in one word, it would be... REFRESHING!!!!
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
3 cups of tea
Not the book...
but it is 11:20 am here currently, and I'm on my 3rd cup of tea. I've always wanted to be a tea drinker, and now I am. Chai is what gets us through the days haha. We don't always have good drinking water, so we boil water and drink it in tea to keep us hydrated. pretty fancy.
Things are going well here in Goma. Yesterday was National Women's Day in Congo!!! Wahooo. A whole day dedicated to the ladies. Pretty shocking coming from the rape capital of the world. But we celebrated by attending our Ndosho schools first ever assembly! It was a lot of fun. We watched traditional dances, as well as some not so traditional dances; there were skits, dramas, poems, singing, games, and a fashion show. Over all, very successful. And all the children were dressed up in their nicest outfits. One little boy had a 3 piece suit on; all of us were commenting on how wonderful he looked... until he bent over, and a HUGE rip revealed a little too much backside. haha. That kind of describes how a lot of the children looked. None the less, they all were beautiful.
Today is the first day we're not going to Ndosho to teach the children and teachers; with Bethel coming this week (hooray) we have a lot of preparations to take care of. However, today will be Kyle and I's first trip to the military barracks. So that's very exciting, and we'll let everyone know how that goes.
Sunday we went to Pastor Euclede's church. He is one of the pastor's our team works with a lot, he is a wonderful man; so welcoming and encouraging, and great at english. wahooo. The church was AMAZING. So different from the church we went to last week, and much more traditionally African. The dance and worship was incredible! We were all working up a sweat dancing to the drums and singing. Kyle and I introduced ourselves to the church, and Kyle was Pastor Kyle for the day and gave the sermon! He spoke wonderfully and really encouraged the people. It was great.
Funny story: After church we were all starving, (church was over 3 hours long) so we went to our favorite restaurant for lunch. (All the restaurants in Goma serve the exact same thing... beans and rice, beans and potatoes, beans and bananas, beans and chipati. Those are your choices.) So we sit down and order what we want, and after much confusion with the language he brings out not what we ordered. And not at all what the food normally looks like. Again, it always looks exactly the same no matter where you order it from. But we didn't bother trying to explain the wrong order so we ate the food. Tried to at least... it was BAD. We joked that it looked like somebody ate the real food, spit it back out, and then let it sit for a day. hahaha (nice I know). So we poked at our food for a bit, swallowed as much as we could, and then decided we were going to have to eat again back home. We got up to leave, and our server said, "Sorry, I could tell you weren't satisfied with the food. It's only because it is Sunday. The cooks didn't want to work today, and I didn't want to turn you away, so I gave you yesterday's food." hahah. so we DID eat yesterday's food. (mind you, there are no fridges) haha. I thought it was hilarious. Only in Goma.
We have quickly learned here... don't think about it too much, just eat it. haha.
So... overall life is good. We have to start out each day in prayer and worship because ... it's hard. haha. We have to constantly see the good in things and in people, and we enjoy the little things. For example, we recently bought a family size bottle of Nutella. Which drastically increased the quality of our breakfasts. haha. Plus, it's about hope. Whenever we leave Ndosho after a lesson, we feel good. Whether it's because of an answer a student gave showing that he understood what we were sharing with them, or if we see a teacher use one of the tactics we taught them, we know we are making a difference. It's small things, but they matter.
Thank you for your prayers and your encouragement! Kyle and I sure do need and appreciate them!
Prayer requests:
health for me... my allergies have gone haywire. haha. I have never had so much snot flow from my nose before. (Too Much Info i'm sure)
Complete peace and trust with protection.
but it is 11:20 am here currently, and I'm on my 3rd cup of tea. I've always wanted to be a tea drinker, and now I am. Chai is what gets us through the days haha. We don't always have good drinking water, so we boil water and drink it in tea to keep us hydrated. pretty fancy.
Things are going well here in Goma. Yesterday was National Women's Day in Congo!!! Wahooo. A whole day dedicated to the ladies. Pretty shocking coming from the rape capital of the world. But we celebrated by attending our Ndosho schools first ever assembly! It was a lot of fun. We watched traditional dances, as well as some not so traditional dances; there were skits, dramas, poems, singing, games, and a fashion show. Over all, very successful. And all the children were dressed up in their nicest outfits. One little boy had a 3 piece suit on; all of us were commenting on how wonderful he looked... until he bent over, and a HUGE rip revealed a little too much backside. haha. That kind of describes how a lot of the children looked. None the less, they all were beautiful.
Today is the first day we're not going to Ndosho to teach the children and teachers; with Bethel coming this week (hooray) we have a lot of preparations to take care of. However, today will be Kyle and I's first trip to the military barracks. So that's very exciting, and we'll let everyone know how that goes.
Sunday we went to Pastor Euclede's church. He is one of the pastor's our team works with a lot, he is a wonderful man; so welcoming and encouraging, and great at english. wahooo. The church was AMAZING. So different from the church we went to last week, and much more traditionally African. The dance and worship was incredible! We were all working up a sweat dancing to the drums and singing. Kyle and I introduced ourselves to the church, and Kyle was Pastor Kyle for the day and gave the sermon! He spoke wonderfully and really encouraged the people. It was great.
Funny story: After church we were all starving, (church was over 3 hours long) so we went to our favorite restaurant for lunch. (All the restaurants in Goma serve the exact same thing... beans and rice, beans and potatoes, beans and bananas, beans and chipati. Those are your choices.) So we sit down and order what we want, and after much confusion with the language he brings out not what we ordered. And not at all what the food normally looks like. Again, it always looks exactly the same no matter where you order it from. But we didn't bother trying to explain the wrong order so we ate the food. Tried to at least... it was BAD. We joked that it looked like somebody ate the real food, spit it back out, and then let it sit for a day. hahaha (nice I know). So we poked at our food for a bit, swallowed as much as we could, and then decided we were going to have to eat again back home. We got up to leave, and our server said, "Sorry, I could tell you weren't satisfied with the food. It's only because it is Sunday. The cooks didn't want to work today, and I didn't want to turn you away, so I gave you yesterday's food." hahah. so we DID eat yesterday's food. (mind you, there are no fridges) haha. I thought it was hilarious. Only in Goma.
We have quickly learned here... don't think about it too much, just eat it. haha.
So... overall life is good. We have to start out each day in prayer and worship because ... it's hard. haha. We have to constantly see the good in things and in people, and we enjoy the little things. For example, we recently bought a family size bottle of Nutella. Which drastically increased the quality of our breakfasts. haha. Plus, it's about hope. Whenever we leave Ndosho after a lesson, we feel good. Whether it's because of an answer a student gave showing that he understood what we were sharing with them, or if we see a teacher use one of the tactics we taught them, we know we are making a difference. It's small things, but they matter.
Thank you for your prayers and your encouragement! Kyle and I sure do need and appreciate them!
Prayer requests:
health for me... my allergies have gone haywire. haha. I have never had so much snot flow from my nose before. (Too Much Info i'm sure)
Complete peace and trust with protection.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
habari gani?
How's it going!? (habari gani)
Kyle and I have made it to GOMA!!! Rejoice!
Cassandra and Daniel warned us many times that Goma looked nothing like Rwanda. They told us it was ugly, ashy, and dirty dirty dirty. But no matter what they said, it didn't prepare us for when we actually crossed the DRC border. I have been to many poverty stricken, 3rd world countries, but I have never seen a place like this. In the natural, it is UGLY haha. There is a volcano in the city... but we're talking a volcano from the dinosaur age. Your stereotypical volcano with smoke constantly puffing out of it. The road is lava rock. The most uneven, bumpy, potholey roads I've ever experienced. Riding around on the motos (pikipikis) and mutatas (buses) are quite an experience haha. I'll video tape a ride so everyone can understand. And again... volcano.... so theres ash and dust everywhere.
However, despite the ugliness of Goma, Kyle and I are loving it here! It took a couple days to feel this way... but it's true. We have been riding motos everyday into Ndosho, where we have a school. We teach simple but meaty lessons to the children ranging from age 3 to 13. Plus, we meet with the teachers of the school, and give them lessons on how to develop their teaching methods. I absolutely LOVE these people. The first day we arrived, the kids saw us coming on our motos, and all 300 of them flooded the street screaming, yelling and jumping on us. It was the funniest most joyful event. They didn't know us yet, but that didn't matter. Cassandra is known as Sandra to the Africans, and sometimes the kids still get confused and think that Sandra means white person. So when any white person goes by they'll yell jambo Sandra! haha it's cute.
our living situation is actually super nice. The four of us rent out a house that is actually quite large, and very safe. It's comfortable, and has already become home to us. Unfortunately, we're moving again tomorrow into an even bigger house to prepare for the mission team from Bethel who arrives in about 2 weeks. We're excited about them coming!!!! Kyle and I are just ready to be in one place for a bit. ha.
Anyways, I have to go. We're off to Ndosho soon. I will continue to update whenever I can.
love you all
Katrina and Kyle
Kyle and I have made it to GOMA!!! Rejoice!
Cassandra and Daniel warned us many times that Goma looked nothing like Rwanda. They told us it was ugly, ashy, and dirty dirty dirty. But no matter what they said, it didn't prepare us for when we actually crossed the DRC border. I have been to many poverty stricken, 3rd world countries, but I have never seen a place like this. In the natural, it is UGLY haha. There is a volcano in the city... but we're talking a volcano from the dinosaur age. Your stereotypical volcano with smoke constantly puffing out of it. The road is lava rock. The most uneven, bumpy, potholey roads I've ever experienced. Riding around on the motos (pikipikis) and mutatas (buses) are quite an experience haha. I'll video tape a ride so everyone can understand. And again... volcano.... so theres ash and dust everywhere.
However, despite the ugliness of Goma, Kyle and I are loving it here! It took a couple days to feel this way... but it's true. We have been riding motos everyday into Ndosho, where we have a school. We teach simple but meaty lessons to the children ranging from age 3 to 13. Plus, we meet with the teachers of the school, and give them lessons on how to develop their teaching methods. I absolutely LOVE these people. The first day we arrived, the kids saw us coming on our motos, and all 300 of them flooded the street screaming, yelling and jumping on us. It was the funniest most joyful event. They didn't know us yet, but that didn't matter. Cassandra is known as Sandra to the Africans, and sometimes the kids still get confused and think that Sandra means white person. So when any white person goes by they'll yell jambo Sandra! haha it's cute.
our living situation is actually super nice. The four of us rent out a house that is actually quite large, and very safe. It's comfortable, and has already become home to us. Unfortunately, we're moving again tomorrow into an even bigger house to prepare for the mission team from Bethel who arrives in about 2 weeks. We're excited about them coming!!!! Kyle and I are just ready to be in one place for a bit. ha.
Anyways, I have to go. We're off to Ndosho soon. I will continue to update whenever I can.
love you all
Katrina and Kyle
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