week 7 began with malaria. funny, of course, because i took the anit-malarial drugs my doctor prescribed for me... religiously i took them. every day. after breakfast.
yet
i
still
contracted
the
malaria.
and it's a strange thing, i'll tell you. (and let me please insert here that i am fully recovered at this point.) yes, but it's a strange thing to know that 3 days ago, i was dying. millions of people die from malaria each year. left untreated, within a number of days, a person who has malaria will certainly die.
okay, seriously. i'm not trying to be dramatic, but i've never had something that could kill me before. i will spare you the gorey details, but just know that it was not pleasant, and i didn't do much more than hobble from one room to another for nearly three days. throughout it, God's presence was almost tangible though, and i never felt alone. (it is through our weakness that His Strength is shown). however, what a blessing that they have access to affordable malaria medicine here. it's very common for the kids to have it, and within two days from when you take the medicine, you are good. really good though. not just okay.
i feel renewed and excited to be here. today, i was walking toward the boys' house from the girls' house, and one of the boys sees me coming and begins yelling "whit-me! whit-me! whit-me!" (which is what he calls me, which is pretty great.) and he runs up to me and gives me a hug (which is also pretty great considering he is not usually excessively affectionate) and then he asked "you feel okay?" and i told him that i felt much better, and then he yelled "thank you Jesus!" which is also pretty great, considering he is not one of the children who says what he is "supposed" to say, ever, at any time. and that made me feel great joy.
so as i'm entering my last week here, i'm excited about what i see God doing with these kids. we're really beginning to see changes and growth in them, and we're growing as a team. we've been talking a lot about how maybe it took 5 of us to just overpower them with love and affection and attention. i will be flying from beira to cape town, south africa next wednesday to spend time with sarah yates and volunteer there, before heading back to america in november.
please continue to pray for us and the kids, and lee and greg (who run the orphanage).
whitney
Monday, October 29, 2007
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Friday, October 5, 2007
more precious than gold.[than much pure gold].
"show me your face,
let me hear your voice;
for your voice is sweet
& your face is lovely."
yes.
.
i see you in all sorts of things
Jesus Sir.
even in silver dimond snakes-
witchcraft.
[You are greater].
& in messy pasts,
You bring a new kind of
pure.ness.
being here,
awakens parts of me i didn’t know
were sleeping.
His word has new meaning.
& i feel all caught up,
with this beauty.
.
"my God turns my darkness to light."
[psalm18].
.sy
let me hear your voice;
for your voice is sweet
& your face is lovely."
yes.
.
i see you in all sorts of things
Jesus Sir.
even in silver dimond snakes-
witchcraft.
[You are greater].
& in messy pasts,
You bring a new kind of
pure.ness.
being here,
awakens parts of me i didn’t know
were sleeping.
His word has new meaning.
& i feel all caught up,
with this beauty.
.
"my God turns my darkness to light."
[psalm18].
.sy
Thursday, September 27, 2007
to .him. [who rides] on clouds--
[lam. 2:13]
your wound is as deep as the
sea,
who can heal you?
.
thankyou jesus. for fixing all these things.
he takes the hurt and turns into into dancing.. .
like last night
[oh] if only you could have seen
the ridiculous dancing. and laughter.
such silly little girl.ness
.yes
Abilio is back at home.
one broken rib.
he is sore, but resting.
thankyou for prayers. they are [always] so needed.
.
we keep learning more about each of these little ones., and the hurt they have felt from the past.
but this place brings warmth and hope.,
remember [do you remember?]
a father to the fatherless, a defender of the widows,
is God in his holy dwelling,
He sets the lonely in families.
He is very .near. to you,
sy
your wound is as deep as the
sea,
who can heal you?
.
thankyou jesus. for fixing all these things.
he takes the hurt and turns into into dancing.. .
like last night
[oh] if only you could have seen
the ridiculous dancing. and laughter.
such silly little girl.ness
.yes
Abilio is back at home.
one broken rib.
he is sore, but resting.
thankyou for prayers. they are [always] so needed.
.
we keep learning more about each of these little ones., and the hurt they have felt from the past.
but this place brings warmth and hope.,
remember [do you remember?]
a father to the fatherless, a defender of the widows,
is God in his holy dwelling,
He sets the lonely in families.
He is very .near. to you,
sy
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
pray.
hello dear friends.
yesterday we were flying kites with the boys, and the kite got stuck in a mango tree. abilio, one of the boys went up to get it out--these boys really are like monkeys. the branch he was on, broke off, and he fell to the ground. after checking to make sure he had movement in his limbs, appendages, etc. abilio was taken to the hospital (laying on a mat in the back). it took a while for him to be seen, but they did some x-rays and nothing is broken. he is, however, having some internal bleeding (he's been coughing up blood), and they aren't sure where it is coming from. he is still in the hospital, and is in a lot of pain.
the children have responded in varied ways. some of the girls have been crying or very quiet. the younger boys can't really grasp the situation, and the older boys seem kind of at a loss. our team isn't sure what to do either, but we have been praying with the kids, and encouraging them to express their feelings to us and to one another.
the problem is that so many of these kids have seen death face to face (watching a mother hang herself, watching their mother/father get killed, seeing people get beaten). so when you have watched someone you know and love die, you begin to find yourself more disaffected by it. you begin to expect bad things to happen and even for death to come. for example, one of the boys gave a little speech, saying "if God wants to take abilio, he can. and if God wants to leave abilio with us, then he can." i later approached him, and said, "you have to fight-- through prayer, for those you love."
and not only have they seen death, but they have been so neglected that they don't show emotion in ways that we, as americans, see as appropriate. they automatically isolate themselves when they feel strong emotions. they do not want to be touched or to talk. they shut down. today we had them draw pictures of how they felt, and then to explain their feelings to the group, and then break up into groups of three to pray. please pray for them also, as they need to learn it is okay to feel and to care very deeply, because they are no longer alone (as orphans) but are part of a family. i also think that they are afraid to pray (as i am) that God will heal abilio, because if He doesn't, then what will become of their faith?
we will try to keep you updated as much as possible.
whit
yesterday we were flying kites with the boys, and the kite got stuck in a mango tree. abilio, one of the boys went up to get it out--these boys really are like monkeys. the branch he was on, broke off, and he fell to the ground. after checking to make sure he had movement in his limbs, appendages, etc. abilio was taken to the hospital (laying on a mat in the back). it took a while for him to be seen, but they did some x-rays and nothing is broken. he is, however, having some internal bleeding (he's been coughing up blood), and they aren't sure where it is coming from. he is still in the hospital, and is in a lot of pain.
the children have responded in varied ways. some of the girls have been crying or very quiet. the younger boys can't really grasp the situation, and the older boys seem kind of at a loss. our team isn't sure what to do either, but we have been praying with the kids, and encouraging them to express their feelings to us and to one another.
the problem is that so many of these kids have seen death face to face (watching a mother hang herself, watching their mother/father get killed, seeing people get beaten). so when you have watched someone you know and love die, you begin to find yourself more disaffected by it. you begin to expect bad things to happen and even for death to come. for example, one of the boys gave a little speech, saying "if God wants to take abilio, he can. and if God wants to leave abilio with us, then he can." i later approached him, and said, "you have to fight-- through prayer, for those you love."
and not only have they seen death, but they have been so neglected that they don't show emotion in ways that we, as americans, see as appropriate. they automatically isolate themselves when they feel strong emotions. they do not want to be touched or to talk. they shut down. today we had them draw pictures of how they felt, and then to explain their feelings to the group, and then break up into groups of three to pray. please pray for them also, as they need to learn it is okay to feel and to care very deeply, because they are no longer alone (as orphans) but are part of a family. i also think that they are afraid to pray (as i am) that God will heal abilio, because if He doesn't, then what will become of their faith?
we will try to keep you updated as much as possible.
whit
Friday, September 21, 2007
monkey trees.& swinging smiles. ..
.
i have never met such children. as these.,
each of them have felt more hurt than i could ever grasp.. .
yet,
here they are
swinging from trees,
painting with color, & dancing.
[such beauty].
thankyou
jesus.
.
i see;
makeshift homes,
greenmangos,
murky water,
tire jumping boys,
wild turkeys,
sunsets.
.love
brightpatterned cloth on clotheslines.,
smiles.
stars.[oh, such stars!]
tea.
here is what i read the other day which puts into words all that i'm feeling:
"these beautiful, laughing, running kids, were certainly not miserable. They were vibrant with life. Still, knowing what I did, I wanted to find some way to protect them: from their pasts, which I could scarcely imagine when looking at their quick smiles, & from their futures, which were so precarious. I wanted to give them more than I possibly could."
[darfur diaries, p33].
.all things go,
sy
i have never met such children. as these.,
each of them have felt more hurt than i could ever grasp.. .
yet,
here they are
swinging from trees,
painting with color, & dancing.
[such beauty].
thankyou
jesus.
.
i see;
makeshift homes,
greenmangos,
murky water,
tire jumping boys,
wild turkeys,
sunsets.
.love
brightpatterned cloth on clotheslines.,
smiles.
stars.[oh, such stars!]
tea.
here is what i read the other day which puts into words all that i'm feeling:
"these beautiful, laughing, running kids, were certainly not miserable. They were vibrant with life. Still, knowing what I did, I wanted to find some way to protect them: from their pasts, which I could scarcely imagine when looking at their quick smiles, & from their futures, which were so precarious. I wanted to give them more than I possibly could."
[darfur diaries, p33].
.all things go,
sy
Monday, September 17, 2007
we are learning... or at least learning to learn...
we are learning to practice the presence of God in the present moment, and not so much in the past or future.
we are learning that whatever we do to and for the least of these, we do to and for Jesus. and we are learning to see Jesus in their eyes, in their needy hands, and in the portuguese flowing out of their mouths.
we are seeing the Spirit's involvement in the process of redemption, through redeeming the land, our hearts, and the renewing of our imaginations.
we are learning to live day to day, hand to mouth. that our daily bread is all we need.
we are learning that my plans and my faith may not be only mine but also ours, and more importantly, His.
we are learning that whatever we do to and for the least of these, we do to and for Jesus. and we are learning to see Jesus in their eyes, in their needy hands, and in the portuguese flowing out of their mouths.
we are seeing the Spirit's involvement in the process of redemption, through redeeming the land, our hearts, and the renewing of our imaginations.
we are learning to live day to day, hand to mouth. that our daily bread is all we need.
we are learning that my plans and my faith may not be only mine but also ours, and more importantly, His.
Friday, September 14, 2007
.the.email.
where to start?where to start? i suppose the beginning, [right?]
well, i can't believe we've been in afrika for more than a week... and HERE. for exactly a week. sometimes it seems like we have been here for months. i think we have all adjusted [as much as one can].
when we got off the plane, and exited the airport... our hearts were immediately broken. each and every one of my senses were taking in things they had never experienced before.
all of us girls couldn't help but cry when we got to the orphanage and held the children. This place is full of poverty. more so than anything i was expecting.[or could have imagined] i wanted to get right back on the plane. close my eyes, and pretend it didn't exists. .. i said, i didn't know what to expect before i left, and i tried to clear my mind of pictures.. . but the truth is all of us had some sort of standard in our minds of what it "would be like" ... . but this is far worse [in regards to poverty. filth. smells. and such]. when we drive down the road "houses" made of mud and bamboo are jammed next to one another. and those are the nice houses. many are made of bamboo and rocks, or trash. tin roofs held down with cinder blocks. there are some houses made of cinder blocks and cement but a lot of times they aren't as nice or clean as the man made huts.
we stay in a cement house.[the girls house] there are 17 girls total. and 20 something boys. i think i enjoy being with the boys more because they have more fun climbing trees, and monkey swinging. silliness. they girls are a bit more dramatic and stationary. they like braiding hair and giggling inside. [plus it smells so yucky inside i would rather stay outside.]
the smells here include a variety: sewage, b.o., mold, and burnt charcoal or trees.
i'm mostly used to them by now, but on occasion [with the right amount of wind] its a bit much.
. .
my thoughts are so scattered right now.. . i want to tell you everything, but then i would write for days.
the first 24hours were.. . difficult and unreal. i couldn't sleep at all that first night. my whole body felt like crawling under a table and not coming out until my flight home. [or to south africa]. i just couldn't believe that people are ((actually)) living like this, ALL around the world, and hearing about it is oh so EXTREMELY different than being here. and living amongst it. it was overwhelming for all of us. we woke up in a daze hardly able to speak."are we really here?" .. .but this is .life. for so many people.
seeing little girls about 6 or seven, carrying and taking care of their baby sisters. pregnant bellied 12 year olds. there are hardly any old people, the life expectancy is somewhere in the early 40s. ..
no running water.
some people have electricity, some people don't. [the girls house does]!
but the thing that gets me the most, is how much joy these children have. they may not have [things] compared to .ANY. American, yet, they don't want anything else. they don't need anything else. my mom asked me what she could send... but the truth is.. . nothing. they are content here with what they have.
"i will lead you by ways you have not known,
along unfamiliar paths i will guide .you.
i will turn darkness into light before you;
and make the rough places smooth."
[isaiah42]
i'm learning so much. sorry this was such a scattered email.. i'm at an intern cafe, and only have a bit of time. plus the keyboard is .all. messed up... i keep having to retype. etc..
love and miss you all.
keep praying.
"my God here i am,
make me according to thy heart".,
sy
well, i can't believe we've been in afrika for more than a week... and HERE. for exactly a week. sometimes it seems like we have been here for months. i think we have all adjusted [as much as one can].
when we got off the plane, and exited the airport... our hearts were immediately broken. each and every one of my senses were taking in things they had never experienced before.
all of us girls couldn't help but cry when we got to the orphanage and held the children. This place is full of poverty. more so than anything i was expecting.[or could have imagined] i wanted to get right back on the plane. close my eyes, and pretend it didn't exists. .. i said, i didn't know what to expect before i left, and i tried to clear my mind of pictures.. . but the truth is all of us had some sort of standard in our minds of what it "would be like" ... . but this is far worse [in regards to poverty. filth. smells. and such]. when we drive down the road "houses" made of mud and bamboo are jammed next to one another. and those are the nice houses. many are made of bamboo and rocks, or trash. tin roofs held down with cinder blocks. there are some houses made of cinder blocks and cement but a lot of times they aren't as nice or clean as the man made huts.
we stay in a cement house.[the girls house] there are 17 girls total. and 20 something boys. i think i enjoy being with the boys more because they have more fun climbing trees, and monkey swinging. silliness. they girls are a bit more dramatic and stationary. they like braiding hair and giggling inside. [plus it smells so yucky inside i would rather stay outside.]
the smells here include a variety: sewage, b.o., mold, and burnt charcoal or trees.
i'm mostly used to them by now, but on occasion [with the right amount of wind] its a bit much.
. .
my thoughts are so scattered right now.. . i want to tell you everything, but then i would write for days.
the first 24hours were.. . difficult and unreal. i couldn't sleep at all that first night. my whole body felt like crawling under a table and not coming out until my flight home. [or to south africa]. i just couldn't believe that people are ((actually)) living like this, ALL around the world, and hearing about it is oh so EXTREMELY different than being here. and living amongst it. it was overwhelming for all of us. we woke up in a daze hardly able to speak."are we really here?" .. .but this is .life. for so many people.
seeing little girls about 6 or seven, carrying and taking care of their baby sisters. pregnant bellied 12 year olds. there are hardly any old people, the life expectancy is somewhere in the early 40s. ..
no running water.
some people have electricity, some people don't. [the girls house does]!
but the thing that gets me the most, is how much joy these children have. they may not have [things] compared to .ANY. American, yet, they don't want anything else. they don't need anything else. my mom asked me what she could send... but the truth is.. . nothing. they are content here with what they have.
it changes the whole "American dream" a hell of a lot.
i used to think that children in places like this needed to be adopted.. . but i don't know if that's a good idea anymore. yes, these kids needs mothers... . but living in the orphanage, with Lee--- she takes such good care of them. and they are together as one family, living with their own people on their own land... right where God placed them. I love that. she changes their lives, gives them hope. and love. they are all so happy here. it honestly is a "house of blessing"
its crazy how Good the Lord is here, in this place. Such protection. and peace He brings. there is no fear... but nearly every night you can hear the "witchdoctors" banging drums.. . chanting. screaming. . but we are safe. it's such a dark place here spiritually... this whole continent i think.. . yet, in the midst of all that, the Lord brings about blessings & light.
i used to think that children in places like this needed to be adopted.. . but i don't know if that's a good idea anymore. yes, these kids needs mothers... . but living in the orphanage, with Lee--- she takes such good care of them. and they are together as one family, living with their own people on their own land... right where God placed them. I love that. she changes their lives, gives them hope. and love. they are all so happy here. it honestly is a "house of blessing"
its crazy how Good the Lord is here, in this place. Such protection. and peace He brings. there is no fear... but nearly every night you can hear the "witchdoctors" banging drums.. . chanting. screaming. . but we are safe. it's such a dark place here spiritually... this whole continent i think.. . yet, in the midst of all that, the Lord brings about blessings & light.
"i will lead you by ways you have not known,
along unfamiliar paths i will guide .you.
i will turn darkness into light before you;
and make the rough places smooth."
[isaiah42]
i'm learning so much. sorry this was such a scattered email.. i'm at an intern cafe, and only have a bit of time. plus the keyboard is .all. messed up... i keep having to retype. etc..
love and miss you all.
keep praying.
"my God here i am,
make me according to thy heart".,
sy
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
a list of sorts
here are some of my favorite things thus far:
~when we leave the orphanage, we travel on a dirty dusty road that runs right in between huts on either side. the children that live in these huts sit outside and smile and wave at us. it's like a parade-- which is pretty great.
~our (the girls) room kinda smells like dirt, on the account of a little girl named jonina who creates pots out of clay that they find in sometimes strange places (mmm... like a termite hill).
~the older boys have a choir. which is totally unlike any "choir" i've ever come in contact with. imagine riverdance, the guys from 'drumline,' the jackson 5, throw in a little african flava, some rapturous joy... well. my words don't do it justice at all actually.
~these kids love to hug us all the time. they are so loving and love our attention and affection. it's great to be hugged the first thing in the morning after you wake up, and right before you go to bed.
~coconuts. a few days ago, one of the boys climbed one of the coconut trees, knocked down some coconuts, and then we were taught how to break the coconuts open. all the boys worked so hard to break them open and put holes in them. then they gave them all away to us to eat. i think they really enjoy seeing us try something for the first time.
~the stars are so amazing out here. yes, they are.
~i like that sometimes i forget that these kids have no material possessions and that i felt super sorry for them before i came. most times, they seem more joyful than our american children. they take joy in the little things: making toy trucks out of mud-clay, gathering coconuts, soccer, going for walks, singing...
~there is LIFE here, and that is good.
whitney
~when we leave the orphanage, we travel on a dirty dusty road that runs right in between huts on either side. the children that live in these huts sit outside and smile and wave at us. it's like a parade-- which is pretty great.
~our (the girls) room kinda smells like dirt, on the account of a little girl named jonina who creates pots out of clay that they find in sometimes strange places (mmm... like a termite hill).
~the older boys have a choir. which is totally unlike any "choir" i've ever come in contact with. imagine riverdance, the guys from 'drumline,' the jackson 5, throw in a little african flava, some rapturous joy... well. my words don't do it justice at all actually.
~these kids love to hug us all the time. they are so loving and love our attention and affection. it's great to be hugged the first thing in the morning after you wake up, and right before you go to bed.
~coconuts. a few days ago, one of the boys climbed one of the coconut trees, knocked down some coconuts, and then we were taught how to break the coconuts open. all the boys worked so hard to break them open and put holes in them. then they gave them all away to us to eat. i think they really enjoy seeing us try something for the first time.
~the stars are so amazing out here. yes, they are.
~i like that sometimes i forget that these kids have no material possessions and that i felt super sorry for them before i came. most times, they seem more joyful than our american children. they take joy in the little things: making toy trucks out of mud-clay, gathering coconuts, soccer, going for walks, singing...
~there is LIFE here, and that is good.
whitney
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Sunday, September 2, 2007
Tomorrow we leave for Africa.
It is a statement of terrific weight.
Please, if you remember, pray for the children we will be helping, that they would know they are loved, for Lee and the other workers at the orphanage, that they would know His Strength and His Peace, and for us, that we would be united as a group and would ardently seek after Him. Thank you. We love and miss you all.
It is a statement of terrific weight.
Please, if you remember, pray for the children we will be helping, that they would know they are loved, for Lee and the other workers at the orphanage, that they would know His Strength and His Peace, and for us, that we would be united as a group and would ardently seek after Him. Thank you. We love and miss you all.
Friday, August 24, 2007
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