Goingmissionary

What I need to remember for living in Congo

2010-04-23T05:43:00.000-07:00

Thought you might like to read some notes to myself for when we return after coming home for a bit.

1. Bread dough only takes about 20 minutes to rise (never let it sit for a hour before checking on it, impossible to clean up)

2. Always add double the amount of water you think you need to cook dried beans in a pressure cooker. (again impossible to clean)

3. Always carry a safety pin when riding in a skirt, it can get windy at a moments notice (good thing I always wear boxer shorts under my skirts)

4. Always bring a water bottle with you when you leave the house, you never know what sort of sticky situations you may encounter (there is a fruit here that is called mock mango that is like super glue inside)

5. Always pay attention to how much water is in your purifier (cause if someone else fills it you will be mopping your floor again) This happens on a weekly basis (not always my fault)

6. Always pay attention to the water bottles filling at the purifier (the good news is my kitchen floor gets mopped often)

7. When moving said purifier remember to see if someone has filled it when it is supposed to remain empty for cleaning (sigh you get the picture)

8. Always carry French/English dictionary with you. You never know when you want to ask what it is you are trying to buy, that you think you know what it is and find out once you cut it open that you have no idea what it is you bought.

9. Always safety pin your panya or you may be showing off the basketball boxers you are wearing to people you would prefer didn’t see them.

10. Always keep a bucket full of water next to the shower so that when the water runs out you will be able to rinse the soap off of you and out of your hair, so that you don’t have to get dressed, and go outside with shampoo in your hair and pump one at the cistern.

11. ALWAYS know where your fly swatter is!

12. Keep roach biscuits fresh and on hand at all times!

13. Know where your matches are, and the candles and the flashlight at all times!

14. Write down and memorize how to tell the housekeeper that toilet paper is not for cleaning the bathroom

15. Write down and tape to the back door how to tell the people trying to sell smoked money heads that you don’t buy smoked meat (should have taken a picture cause it is creepy looks like a shrunken head)

16. Tape to door instructions on telling people no snakes!!!!!!!

17. Keep kerosene burners full at all times, somewhat hard to make dinner when they are dry and there is no husband around to refill said burners, and once you do fill them you also are once again cleaning your kitchen floor this time cause of something you only wish was water.

18. Don’t buy regimes of Bananas or Plantains that are fluorescent green (they never get ripe and then attract really really big black biting ants).

19. A dead ant is just extra protein, especially when dead on a sucker or piece of chocolate (you might not get another one for months)

20. Always wear clothes that won’t fall off when they get wet, just because it is sunny out now doesn’t mean it will not be a torrential rain storm in about 5 minutes.

21. If you are on your bike and it starts to get windy and black out, don’t kill yourself trying to get home before getting wet, it’s a lost cause.

22. Remember to flame your bread when you get it, need to get all the ants to come out so you can burn them off before eating.

23. If there are less then 50 live ants on/in your food it is fine any more then that you might want to rethink eating it, before picking them out, then it is fair game.

24. Always keep mosquito net down on your bed, praying mantises, geckos and other various creatures can get in if you leave it up and fall on you during the night.

25. Big brown flat spiders are your friend no matter how big and ugly they are.

Crazy Busy

2010-01-22T06:09:00.000-08:00

I really do try and keep up with this blog, but life has a way, of getting in the way.

Things are going well here, though it has been really crazy with all the arrivals of short-term missionaries over the last 2 weeks. We now have a pediatrician, a ultra-sound tech, a Physicians Assistant, a ER Nurse and a second set of hands for Art. In 2 weeks we will be getting another Dr then 2 weeks after that yet another Dr. It is amazing to see the team growing so quickly. We got a couple of AWESOME answers to prayer this week too. Rachel is leaving in April and her position really needed to be filled. The woman we were hoping to have come has been praying for a long time about it and made the step in faith to come here as soon as her support is raised. Her name is Monique so please pray that she will raise her support quickly and arrive here in time to be trained by Rachel before she leaves. The Marsh family has also been given the go ahead to come!!! We can't wait to have more of our LaGrange family here in Congo with us. Of course that means we need to finish their house ASAP.

The new PA is now part of our family. As most of you know we have an apartment that is attached to the end of our house. Rachel lives there now and Joan has also moved in. It is fun to have people around all the time and helping her to settle into life here is rewarding as well as entertaining. It is also nice to be the ones helping instead of needing help. I think I have finally figured out most of the cooking here. I don't have as many hmmm well that doesn't work with the ingredients here moments. I have to admit though I will enjoy not having to make bread everyday when we are home in June. I will love going to the store to buy things rather than making them. I will have to be careful not to gain back all the weight I have lost. Ok so you want to know how much I lost. I am grossed out to think when I got here I weighed 220 and a size 18/20 I am now down to 155 and a size 10/12, I can't believe I have lost 65 lbs!!!! I am continuing to loose weight, so pray that I will be down to a very healthy size when I get home even if not too skinny so I have room to enjoy food while I am there.

We are starting to try and get some speaking dates while we are back. We fly home from here on June 20th and will arrive at Dullas International in Va on June 21st at 7:15 am. We are not sure if we will get in a car (after getting a shower somewhere) and head to NY or if we will stay with our supporters at Mt. Hope in Va for a bit then head home. We will just have to wait and see what the Lord works out for us. Why are we heading home you ask? Well as most everyone knows we are not fully supported, we were given the go ahead to come here based on what was in our account divided up over a year. We were hopping to stay for 2 years our first term but the Lord had other plans. When we arrive home our account will be all but empty. So we will try and not live on anything (other than the kindness of our friends and family) while in the states so that we can build our account up as quickly as we can and come back here. We hope to be back in Congo by October. We are in need of $950 more per month to cover our expenses but we are praying for a $1250 increase so that we can help cover some more of the expenses that will come with living in and hosting the guest house that will be built this year. Our team is growing here so much that we need to build a guest house and we will be the hosting family.

We are doing great as a family. Michael is still really enjoying school and flying through it. Art is as busy as every fixing everything and anything that comes his way. I am working with Dr. Joe coordinating short term and long term missionaries and all the communications that go along with that, being a host/cook/tour guide for short-termers staying at the mission housing complex and trying to help out in any other way I can as well as homeschooling with Claire and Isabelle for a couple of classes a day.

Please continue to pray for us as a family and as a team. There is still fighting going on across the river and while we are safe that could change at a moments notice. We continue to pray for all of you back in the states and look forward to hearing from you. Please send me emails to let me know how you are doing, dralston@laborersfortheharvest.com

2009-12-23T04:43:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends~

Please referr to www.laborersfortheharvest.com for a full update of what is going on.

Know that we are safe for now, but require your prayers to stay so.

Been Awhile and Busy now

2009-11-20T04:02:00.000-08:00

I know that it's been awhile but I actually have something to write about now. The V's are back, Rachel is back the Harvey's are back and the Wegners have arrived. Now I have things to do!!!!! I started to help homeschool the 2 middle Harvey girls last week and it is going really well I can't wait to really get into some of the projects we will be doing this year. I started helping Joe with communications which gives me something to do after I am done with schooling each day. So now I am not a bored Danielle!

Things I have learned over the last month:
1. Never loan money to hired help that you like, because then you wont like them anymore, cause the quit working.
2. Never put dried beans in a pressure cooker with only one cup of water, makes the house stink
3. Never let bread rise all the way in the jungle, before putting it in the oven, cause it grows about 3 more times it's normal size.
4. Remember to fill water buckets before trying to take a shower, cause if they are empty you will run out of water and have to yell to your child to go get some more so you can get the soap out of your hair
5. Enjoy the quiet times cause they don't last (not possible with little boys around)
6. Give thanks for wonderful friends back home each day, for the clothes, spices and candy they send you
7. Give thanks every day for the wieght that keeps falling off even though you are enjoying said candy
8. PRAISE GOD for friends on their way to the mission field, even though they wont be there when we go on furlough next summer

Well that is all for now. I will try and write a little more often now that there is something to write about.

God Bless and thank you for your continued prayers!
Your stumbling Congo Missionary

June 26, 2009

2009-09-22T04:15:00.001-07:00

Well I really don’t have a lot to write about each day. Things are pretty much the same each day. Art heads to the hospital about 6:45 and then Michael and I are on our own till around 4. We have started riding our bikes to the hospital to do internet stuff, but only a couple of days a week. The rest of the time we watch a lot of movies from the Harvey’s and just sit around. Michael is doing a subject each day for school just for something to do. I am trying not to go crazy. Suzy has asked me to come help her at the hospital once a week. They have asked me to organize Mbote Botique but the building isn’t finished yet so there is nothing to do there.

The V’s headed home today. I am sad to see them go but they will be back in 2 months. Ginny is going to be a huge part in helping me settle here. She has been here before and been a missionary a couple of other places so her advice and support are going to be invaluable to me.

June 13, 2009

2009-09-22T04:14:00.005-07:00

The Harvey’s left this morning. It was really sad to see them go but exciting too I know they need the time of relaxation and renewal that goes with being home. Now we are all alone here, Rachel is here and will be eating with us but we really don’t know her that well so we will see how this goes.

June 9, 2009

2009-09-22T04:14:00.003-07:00

I made my first trip to the Market with Ginny today to buy some food. I want to start learning how to shop here ASAP. Michael ended up being a big help he is picking up French pretty quickly. It is going to take me forever to learn either French or Lingala.

June 8, 2009

2009-09-22T04:14:00.001-07:00

Our first full week in IMP. Art is working everyday at the hospital this week. Joe wants him to get settled in there and spend as much time doing orientation with him as possible. I am not sure how much time that will really be as Joe is still the administrator and a Dr so who knows how much extra time he really has. They leave Friday so we will see. I can’t believe they are leaving already, we just got here, but we knew that we were coming so that they and the V’s could go on furlow this summer and still have someone taking care of maintenance.

June 7, 2009

2009-09-22T04:13:00.003-07:00

Our first church service in Impfondo! Rachel translated for Michael and I which was really nice. Then Joe took us on a tour of the hospital before we went to the V’s for lunch. It was cool to see all the places I had seen a million pics of over the last few years.

We then went to the V’s for lunch it was nice to talk with them and have a little more orientation to living here. We played some cards after lunch and just talked with them for a bit.

June 6, 2009

2009-09-22T04:13:00.001-07:00

June 6, 2009

Art was back home with us once again. We were able to just hang out with Rachel and the kids today we really didn’t do a whole lot just talked.

June 5, 2009

2009-09-22T04:12:00.004-07:00

Art went to the hospital again today and actually began doing a little work. Most of it is just getting to know where everything is but it was nice for him to get settled into his position.

Michael and I are still doing much of the same getting settled in here. Olivia took me to the hospital today so I could do a little email and then to the Market. That is going to be fun to learn how to shop here, NOT!!! It isn’t as bad as the market in Brazzaville but I still am going to have a major adjustment period.

June 4, 2009

2009-09-22T04:12:00.003-07:00

Art went to the hospital with Joe today to start learning his way around. I am on my own today. I really don’t have a lot of moving things around to do today, just lots of dishes. Everything that was in the container is filthy. Michael and I had lunch over at the Harvey’s and just hung out with them a bit today. Michael and Noah are really enjoying playing together.

June 3, 2009

2009-09-22T04:12:00.001-07:00

Today was all about unpacking. There is a team meeting down here at the Fuka’s today at 4:30 but other than that we are free to get organized and find all the things that we have forgotten we own or wishing we had for the last year.

Well it is now 1 and we are done unpacking (or at least finding everything) we now just have to find places for it all there really isn’t that much storage space here so we will have to be creative with it all. Becky is mad at me I think for being done, lol. It has been raining a little here all afternoon. I wonder if this is what it will be like during rainy season? Guess we will learn, from what we are told we are at the beginning of rainy season right now.

The meeting went well today, everyone went around and told us what they do and who they are. We know some of the people but not everyone. We also got to meet the Fuka girls. It is nice to be settled in.

June 2, 2009

2009-09-22T04:11:00.003-07:00

IT IS HERE! We got up at 5 got “showers” well used water from a bucket to wash up hotel Bravo is out of water. Then waited around for Mr. Mbossa to get here. Our luggage has to go to the air port at 6 then we will have to head over at 8. Mr. Mbossa didn’t even get there till 8 though. Talk about a let down. I was getting a little anxious we have heard about them canceling flights at the last minute because of not enough people flying. I was really praying that we were leaving. We have been waiting so long to get to Impfondo that I was sure something would happen to delay it even more.

When we finally got to the air port we waited for over 2 hours to get on the plane. But then we were off on the FINAL leg of this 2 year long journey. It was so exciting to be on the plane this time I wanted to look at everything! There really wasn’t much to see till we got just about into Impfondo.

As we desended we were able to see the jungle and the river it was so cool to start seeing the place we had dreamed of for so long. As we flew over Impfondo Art was able to pick out where the mission housing was from seeing it on Google maps. We flew over the river over DRC and turned to land in at the IMP air port, this is what we were waiting for.
As we got off the plane the first faces we saw were Joe, Clair and Noah! And Rachel Maurais. As we got inside we were enveloped in HUGE hugs from all! We had to wait around for a bit for our luggage but we headed out into the reception area and were able to see Olivia. Isabelle and Becky, Susan and Sara. We were FINALLY HERE!!!

After getting the luggage we headed out got into the truck and finally got to see where we will be living here in Congo. Becky and the girls had done a great job trying to make us feel more at home. They painted the living room/dining room all white with black trim and the kitchen yellow and green. Everything that had come with the Loudenville team back in January of 2008 was all unpacked and they had made our beds with the sheets etc we had sent on the container last May. They had even stocked us up with some food supplies.

Michael was really excited to see all of his legos for the first time in a year all in one place. We were given the tour and then headed over to the Harvey’s for the spaghetti lunch we had been hearing that we would be given upon our arrival.

Lunch was nice to jus sit and talk with the Harvey’s and really get to reconnect with them. We really have so little time as they leave in 10 days for the States for 4 months. Joe wasted no time in starting to give Art a list of things that needed to be fixed. We will be eating with the Harvey’s until they leave so that we can spend as much as time as possible with them.

After lunch we had a few hours on our own to settle in and unpack. Tomorrow Art will spend the day helping us get things done here then he starts his long list of projects with Joe.

Ginny stopped by to welcome us she was teach English when our plane arrived so is just coming down now. She brought us a loaf of fresh bread, and some pickles. We will really enjoy those. It was nice to reconnect, I am really going to enjoy her she is a wonderful woman.

June 1, 2009

2009-09-22T04:11:00.001-07:00

A day of total alone time and relaxing. Just what we need after all the confusion of the last week. I am so happy to just stay here where it is quiet, well relatively, and just the 3 of us. Michael is kind of bored by it but tomorrow we have to get up early and head to the air port and then to Impfondo. I am so excited I can’t wait to see the Harvey’s and Sue Lardner and the Vandervoord’s. We have been waiting so long to get there I can’t believe we are this close.

We just spent the day trying to email family as it may take a little bit once we get to IMP to be “hooked” up. We also wrote an update and sent it out and took a few pictures of Hotel Bravo and posted them on Facebook.

We got everything out that we wanted to send out on the internet. We have heard that the internet here is much more reliable than in Impfondo. That is really going to be an adjustment, after living in the states with DSL in our house for years it is going to be hard to not have constant internet connection all hours of the day.

We are going to head to bed early as we have to be up at 5am to get showers and be ready for 6 when we are supposed to head to the Air port.

May 31, 2009

2009-09-22T04:10:00.003-07:00

Hmm, church in Congo is not something I can explain at all. I have no idea what was going on for the whole 2 hours of the service. I understood one song (only cause I recognized the tune the words however were in French). The rest of the service was just plain confusing not only was it in French but it was translated into Lingala too. Sigh what a confusing day. Not only was the service confusing but afterwards there was a dinner for the LaBlancs leaving for Cameroon this week. Yuck our first exposure to African food, in a public setting so we have to eat it. Michael was smart and just ran around with the kids and never actually ate anything. We had ska ska and fufu. EWWW. I am not sure I can ever adjust to this. After we just headed back to Bravo and relaxed to later in the evening when we headed to SIL for a Sunday Sing-a-long service. We shared how God came to lead us to Congo and our personal testimonies. It was nice the whole thing was in English. Other than between the 3 of us there has been very little English for the last week. Tomorrow is a national holiday here so we will just be relaxing and getting ready to leave on Tuesday for Impfondo.

May 30, 2009

2009-09-22T04:10:00.001-07:00

Art was able to get his money exchanged today finally. It was nice to have everything in place that is needed for us to be a little more independent (kinda I hate the idea of being left alone right now). Once that was done he was able to get another cell phone which will be our email one once we get to Impfondo.

I went to the Market this morning with Elizabeth. This is not an experience I was prepared for in any way. I knew it was outside. But I don’t think I could ever be prepared for the smells or mud or slime everywhere. It is going to take me a long time to come to grips with the fact of no refiridegeration where you buy your meat. YUCK!

After the dentist appointment, which we got to all on our own, we walked to SIL. It was easy to get to. I feel a little less scared of everything now that Art is doing better with his French. At least he can get us back to Bravo on his own.

Lunch with Brenda and Simon was wonderful. They have only been here a year and remember what it was like to first be here and were able to offer us a lot of advice and help in adjusting here. I am so glad that they had the time to sit with us for almost a whole entire afternoon. They are getting ready to move to Camaroon as all of their boys are attending boarding school there and it would be easier for them to be closer to their children.

After a long afternoon with the LeBlanc’s we headed back to Bravo. Where Elizabeth had made dinner for us. We enjoyed sitting and talking with them and we also played a few games before heading to bed for the night. Tomorrow is our first church service in Congo, this should be interesting.

May 29, 2009

2009-09-22T04:09:00.003-07:00

Paul came back again today to help us get to the Dentist once again. He also showed us where to buy a few groceries for the next few days. Art was able to get his tooth pulled and is feeling a lot better now. He will be going back tomorrow for one final appointment to get a filling in another tooth. This is going to be a very expensive dentist trip I think. Paul left us at the dentist to get back on our own as he was heading back to the States today to be with his wife. I am not sure he will ever understand how greatful we are for his help and advice the first few hours here. Tonight we are having dinner with Trista Vanderwall at SIL. Her husband is also traveling. It seems like there are no men around right now. Elizabeth’s husband is with Trista’s husband. Dinner was very nice we were introduced to Brenda and Simon LeBlanc and their son Nickolas. We made plans with come back to SIL tomorrow afternoon after the dentist appointment and sit and talk with the LaBlanc’s. Michael is looking forward to hanging out with another boy his age.

Trista took us to the Manderine for Ice Cream which is a real treat here, though our memories of how things taste in the states are way too fresh. It didn’t really taste like ice cream but more like ice milk. But it was a nice treat and we enjoyed seeing some more of Brazzaville.

May 28, 2009

2009-09-22T04:09:00.001-07:00

We got up this morning got showers again (we took them before we went to sleep too) and ventured out of our room to hopefully talk to with someone about our day. There wasn’t anyone there that spoke English so Art got to start practicing his French in a hurry. There was a note from Elizabeth a bag with cereal in it and some yogurt for us to eat for breakfast. Mr. Mbossa is Global’s agent in Brazzaville and he was able to talk with Art a little, Joe called Mr. Mbossa’s phone and Art was able to talk to him and ask him what to do about his mouth. I think Joe must have called Paul Ohlin because a little while later he showed up and was able to take us on a tour of SIL and to the Dentist so that Art could get some relief. He also helped us get a phone so we could talk with Joe and anyone else we may need to. If it wasn’t for him we would have been left totally alone and unprepared for doing anything here.

When we got back to Bravo after the dentist appointment, there was another friendly face that we recognized Leticia!!! It was so nice to see her again and greatful for another face and voice in English. We were able to have dinner at the Julian’s house and meet Ruth but not her husband unfortunately as he was traveling. We got a little encouragement form Ruth on settling in here and how to deal with the shock of just getting here. After Chantal (Elizabeth’s daughter) and Leticia rode back with us to Bravo so we weren’t left alone in a taxi.

May 27, 2009

2009-09-22T04:08:00.004-07:00

Now that I have had some sleep and a shower I feel a bit more put together. The flight was fairly uneventful, but not comfortable. I ended up being the one who got motion sick, not fun. The flight from JFK to Marco was loud, the plane was filled with Arabic speakers and they are not quiet yelling across the plain to each other. The kids just ran around the whole time. I had a little girl behind me that kept kicking the back of my seat for almost the whole 8 hours, a little girl next to mean who screamed from about 9 till about 4 am and a little boy in front of us that kept standing on his seat and talking to us (he was missing his front teeth so there was a gross shower involved each time). We were very happy to get off the plane in Morocco. This was our first steps into Africa. Here we were getting off the plane in the dessert at 7 am it was really bright and sunny we were really unprepared for how cool it was. We were expecting heat to hit us but it was nice a cool. We walked from the plane into the building and followed directions to go directly to transfer. Opps, shouldn’t have done that Art had his guitar taken from him before we got on the plane in NY and he needed to stay behind and get it before going to transfer. After we went though security we found what we thought was our gate, it ended up being the gate for a flight later in the morning from Morocco to NY (no the direction I wanted to be going in). He left us there and headed out to try and figure out how to get his guitar. All in all it took him about 2 hours to get it and then get back to us. We then figured out this was not where we were supposed to be and found a comfy spot to sit and wait till our flight would be posted on the board. We had a 5 ½ hour layer over here so it was a long boring afternoon. We were able to doze on and off for a bit though and that helped not be so incredibly tired. Through all of this, Art’s face was getting more and more swollen and painful.

We got on the plane from Maraca to Brazzaville with no problems and the flight was very quiet. It was nice to have a quiet flight. Art was able to talk with a gentleman from Cameroon for a little bit.

We were not at all prepared physically for getting off the plane in Brazzaville. Joe explained to us how it may be but the heat and humidity was not something you can be ready for without ever actually being here. We got inside and Michael and I just stood by while Art tried to figure out how to fill out the immigration cards for us. Thankfully Adolph was there just like Joe said he would be and able to help get us all situated. We got through immigration and the health check with no problems. Security however was another story. Joe said if you say M’Bote they will leave you alone. NOPE! There was a female guard that was not happy with our 14 pieces of luggage and with all the clothes that we had. We were blessed however and able to get through. It is really scary though to have someone screaming at you in (I think it was French) and not understand a bit of it. Throw on top of it exhaustion, heat and needing a shower and you feel very very lost.

We got out to the truck and who’s there but Paul Ohlin!! Talk about a blessing someone who not only speak English but who we know. He was really helpful in getting everything loaded and then unloaded and getting us to Hotel Bravo. He said he would be back in the morning sometime to talk with us and visit for a little bit. He showed us to our room and left us on our own in the really strange place. There was a note from the family that lives here welcoming us to Congo, along with your Doxy that we needed to start taking immediately.

May 26, 2009

2009-09-22T04:08:00.003-07:00

WE ARE HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We are safe and have all 14 pieces of luggage!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That is all I have the energy to type so that’s all for now more on the trip here later. Art is not doing well at all his mouth is very very swollen and very painful.

May 25, 2009

2009-09-22T04:08:00.001-07:00

Left Scott and Min’s in a cargo van full of luggage for JFK. Trip was very scary with Scott driving and not being in a seat with a seat belt on. Scott drives like a maniac (love you Scott) and NYC driving is nuts too, so the combination was stomach turning. The whole time I was looking at the 14 pieces of luggage wondering are they going to allow us on the plane with all of this? We arrived at JFK an hour before the counter opened and were the first ones in line to wait with this huge stack of luggage for them to open. When they opened we were directed right to the counter and the woman wasn’t sure we could take everything, but after chatting with her for a few minutes she was gracious and took it all!!! She should have only taken 12 total but the extra 2 went on with no problems (well except for cost). She said because we were early and the first in line she would do it for us. The Lord was certainly guiding her decisions as this would have been hard to repack everything while standing in JFK. The total cost was a bit higher then expected at $175 for each extra piece and $50 for each piece over 50 lbs. The total cost for luggage ended up being $1,300 but everything got on the plane. The best news is that we would not have to pay this cost again through Royal Air Maroc. They would just move everything to the next connecting flight with no additional charge, again PRAISE THE LORD!!

Scott was able to hang out with us and help Art to move all the baggage to the security area and then take a few pictures before we went through security ourselves. Scott and Min have been such a huge part of all of our Mission Decisions. It has been very cool to become closer to them and I hope for them to have a part in our lives as missionaries. It is also nice leaving with someone who is truly excited for us. Most everyone else, while they tried to be excited, they were just sad that we were leaving. Scott and Min hope to meet us somewhere and visit with us for a bit sometime over the next year or two. Having friends that are world travelers makes leaving them much easier as they don’t see us being in Africa as the end of the world.

Once we were through security for our carry on stuff, (this was not fun they don’t really explain what to do and hurry you through). We were able to sit down for a little bit and just relax. Art at this point was too nervous to eat dinner but Michael and I ate with no problem to the tune of $25 for a small sandwich, a hot dog and 3 pops. Ouch!! I should have been the one who didn’t eat. All along I had told Art to take Dramamine before the flight as he gets motion sick easily. Ha! The joke was on me. I am the one who got sick, though not sure if Art didn’t because he did take it or was just fine all on his own. His mouth however is really bothering him. He is taking Advil every 4 hours to just dull the pain. I am really praying now that it doesn’t get worse I can only imagine the pressure in a plane will make it worse.

May 24, 2009

2009-09-22T04:07:00.003-07:00

Today we slept in a bit. Min was even awake before us! We planned on spending a bit of today just trying to get any computer stuff finished as we both just got new computers over the last few weeks. And rule out any issues with any electronics before we go.

Min treated me to a pedicure, manicure and massage today. It was wonderful. Everything has been so stressful lately it was a much needed day of pampering! Once we were done we headed out to Walmart Min wanted to get a couple of plants and I wanted to get a memory card for Michael’s new video camera. We also looked around for a couple of baby things for the little one before we headed back. Once we got back I did some cooking and we just relaxed for the rest of the day. We really needed this last couple of days to be this relaxing and not stressful and full of sad goodbyes. Scott and Min are so excited for us and are not sad that we are leaving (well they are but they don’t feel like Africa is another world). They have been so supportive and I am so glad they have been able to share in all of this chaos of the last month with us.

Tomorrow we will be getting up, doing any last minute organizing and getting ready to leave. We should be leaving at about 2 to get to the air port by 3:30ish. My stomach is now full of knots and I am starting to feel terrified of what is to come. I know in my head that the Lord will take care of us but this is the last huge step that we need to take to follow God’s calling on our lives and I wonder what is in store for us, satan will not be happy tomorrow.

Art’s mouth is really hurting him. This is not good.

May 23, 2009

2009-09-22T04:07:00.001-07:00

We up talking with Scott and Min till 2 in the morning. I am so tired from not sleeping very well for the last few days. The plan is that Art and Scott are running out to get the Van today and going straight to the hotel to unload everything from Mom’s van to the uhaul. Then we will go out for a late breakfast early lunch at Mama’s dinner. We loved the food last time we were there so look forward to eating there again. The pies there are AWESOME. If you ever get to Peekskill NY Mama’s famous pies is a must eat at place.

Today is my baby sisters wedding. I can’t believe I had to miss it by only a day. There is so much we had to do that I couldn’t go to the wedding too. I am going to miss both Missy’s and Adam’s wedding this summer. Why the Lord decided that we are to leave now I will never understand. I am sure I will be blacklisted by my family forever for missing 2 weddings.

We had lunch at about 12:30 and hung out there for a bit. My mom and Lisa were going to head right home from there or at least back to Binghamton. It was really hard to say goodbye to her. We have gotten close over the last couple of years. She and Michael really enjoy their time together. I really am not sure what we would have done the last few years without her and Lisa and all their support and encouragement. They are the only ones on either side of our families that has supported us from the beginning. Mary now is very supportive but it took a long time for her to get to that point. We got a few pics with mom and Lisa before they left and then Scott, Min, Lesiel, and all of us together too. It will be cool to see how Lesiel and Michael change till the next time we get a pic together.
Once they left we headed back to the house to just relax for the rest of the afternoon. It was nice to just do nothing. Later in the evening we headed out to Wal-mart to do some more last minute shopping, and then got some Cold Stone Creamery Ice Cream yummy. Wish we would have eaten there the last time we were here it is so good. I was able to do some cooking tonight balsamic vinegar tilapia and mashed potatoes with steamed veggies. Tomorrow we will be having buffalo shrimp and well not really sure yet. Then it was back to the house to just sit, talk and get some much needed sleep.
Art started getting a toothache today. I really hope it gets better and not worse. Here we are in Peekskill on a holiday weekend with no medical insurance, not a good time to have any dental work done.

May 22, 2009

2009-09-22T04:06:00.001-07:00

We got up early so we could hang out with Mary when she got home form work. It’s nice to spend every last second we can with everyone. Then we were off to see the movie with the Case’s. It is cool that the last thing we are going to do here at home is with the Case’s. Normally this is what we do on Christmas day is go see a movie but since we won’t be here… Brenda rode up with us and then back home. On the way back home we stopped at Wal-mart for a filter for Michael’s new camera the one they got him was too big.

Then it was back home. We had lunch then my mom and Lisa came down at 2 so we could head to Peekskill and get there at a decent time. Saying goodbye to Mary was really hard for all of us. Not to mention saying goodbye to Obie. Then it was off to Dunkin Donuts, in Dansville, our car trip tradition. Michael rode with my mom and Lisa as they will be making more pit stops and there is more room for him in the van. Not to mention a little more spoiling time with Grandma and Lisa. This is the last alone time for Art and I for the foreseeable future. We may not get any time alone in Africa.

I drove till Tioga NY while Art wrote our final update from the US. The ride was nice and quiet we left at the perfect time to have most of our ride be nice and sunny and not hit any major traffic. We stopped a couple of times for snacks, I am so sick of fast food that I just couldn’t stand eating out again. This one place we stopped was a HICK gas station. It is so weird to stop somewhere off a major highway in NYS and have it seem like you are in the back woods of Tennessee.

We got to Scott and Min’s at about 8 which is a bit earlier than we had planned on. Mom and Lisa were about an hour behind us and the got lost once in Peekskill so we had to run back out and help them get to their hotel. Lisa was in a total panic because of the twisty windy road down into Peekskill. But all in all their trip went well and there weren’t any major problems. I think they fed Michael a bit too much though, though I guess its ok it’s the last time she can really spoil him for a year or 2.

May 21, 2009

2009-09-22T04:05:00.000-07:00

A little last minute packing to do today. Mom, Peter and Chris came down to pick up all of our luggage so there will be less to do tomorrow before we leave. I can’t believe tomorrow is our last day at home. We got everything in the Van with a little room to spare! This evening we will be having dinner at Letchworth with my dad, grandma, and ALL of my siblings. Even Tim, Liza and the kids are in town because Missy’s wedding is Saturday. I really wish that the timing was better for leaving. I can’t believe I have to leave the day before my little sister gets married. I know my family really doesn’t understand why we are leaving in the first place but leaving now will have me on the bad person list for the rest of my life. When the Lord says it is time to do something you don’t tell him hold on I have some more important to do. Mary and Pete are going to come for dinner to we didn’t want to leave them home for our last evening here.

Dinner was nice my dad got Dibella’s subs, and made a couple of salads. I am going to miss subs let me tell you. It was nice and relaxing. I can’t believe it though. My siblings spent a ridicules amount of money on Michael. They got him a DSLR Canon camera, with 2 lenses, 2 memory cards, and a really nice camera bag. While this is a really cool gift and will be nice to have in Africa I can’t believe they spent so much on him. Having both Missy and Liza with AWESOME cameras was kinda cool too! Liza took a few pics of all of us kids together then the grandkids then all of us as a family. It is nice to have a few last pics of everyone together before we leave the next time we get together Michael will be a teenager and the little ones won’t be so little anymore.

After dinner we headed back home and just hung out with Mary and Pete for the last few hours with Pete. We recorded a video of Michael talking about what he thought Africa will be like. It will be interesting to see how far off or correct he is when we come home in a year or 2. It was really hard to say goodbye to Pete tonight. He is so special to Michael and is such a wonderful father-in-law. We could never be going this far away if Pete wasn’t here for Mary. Tomorrow morning we will be going to see the new One Night at the Museum with the Case’s and Brenda. Can’t wait to see it, it looks really funny.

Brenda came over tonight to hang out. She got here about 9 and didn’t leave till Midnight. I was trying to get a ton of last minute computer things done and things downloaded onto disks for her.

May 20, 2009

2009-09-22T04:04:00.000-07:00

Today was a beautiful day. Nice and warm. Brenda and I left at 8 and headed to LaGrange to drop Michael off for the day with Danny then we headed to Dansville. We really enjoyed our hike; Brenda got a few more pics of us together. We spent a lot of time talking about what her plans for the next few years are. I really hope she is able to decide what she wants to do with her life. We went to Java Jungle for lunch then walked down to Dogwood Trading company afterwards to just look around. I found a Scotty dog to give Mary when I was there. A Gund one on clearance for 75% off!! What a cool thing to find as a gift for her just before we leave. We have given her a good portion of the other scotty’s she has around the house.

We went back to the church for a little while this afternoon to pick up Michael and to just spend a little more time with the Case’s. It has been really enjoyable to just hang out for the last few days.

May 19, 2009

2009-09-02T06:59:00.001-07:00

May 19, 2009

Last night we got a call from the Lowrey’s they wanted to know if we had time tonight to hang out for even just a little bit. So they will be meeting us here at the church as we will still be here packing I am sure.

UPDATE: I ran down to Wal-Mart in Warsaw today and then stopped at Lantz’s again to grab some lunch, got 1 more trunk and 1 more Rubbermaid bin. We are done packing. YAHOOOOOOOOO!! We finished up at about 2 today. I called the Lowrey’s and we are going to meet at the Livingston County Park up on Murray Hill. It will be nice to let the kids all run around instead of hanging out here at the church.

Because we got done today I get the day off tomorrow for a little while at least and Brenda and I are going to head to Stony Brook Park together for a couple of hours. I am looking forward to a little more alone time with someone who has become part of our family. We have spent more time with her than pretty much anyone else we know for the last year and a half. I will really miss her when we leave; she has become my little sister.

Time with the Lowrey’s was a lot of fun tonight. We parked up at the top and walked down into the park. It was a caterpillar’s night that is for sure. Katlyn and Emma kept picking them up and they had them all over their arms and hands. We were able to run around, play tag and just sit and enjoy our last little bit with them. We got a couple of good pictures of the kids together this may be the last time that they are all little that we see them. When we walked back up to the car we stood around and talked for a long time trying to draw out our time together. We finally prayed and all packed up and headed out. It is sad to leave our friends behind especially when we are unsure of our next meeting. Maybe we will have to make a trip to Bosnia someday to see them. Ah pipe dreams.

We headed back home and just hung out with Mary and Pete for the rest of the evening.
And just plain relax. It was really nice to not have to do anything for the next day or so. Art and Michael plan to just hangout tomorrow and maybe go to Charcoal Corral.

May 18, 2009

2009-09-02T06:58:00.002-07:00

This is the last week for packing, shopping and just plain getting everything done before we leave on Friday!! There are so many people that want to spend time with us “one last time” and so many things that we were hoping to do before we left that just aren’t going to happen. We took everything over to the church today to start our packing. We figure it will take about 3 days to get everything organized and packed, but by the end of the day we were about 75% done with everything. I am sure there are a few more things that we have yet to think of that we need to get before we leave so there will be more to pack I am sure. Sydney, Abby and Jenny helped us get all the clothes in ziplock bags and vacuum bags today. All the clothes (well except what we are wearing this week), are in bags, vacuumed and in the duffle bags. All the batteries are now wrapped and ready to be packed. The girls were a HUGE help to us today. I really am going to miss them and am enjoying these last few days of hanging out.

I made a run to Lantz’s today to grab lunch for us all. It was nice to get one last salad in before we leave. Tonight we are going out to dinner at Pizza Hut with Mary and Pete for a special treat for them before we head out. I can’t wait I am going to have pizza too even though I will have to take like 10 food enzymes it will be worth it.

Tomorrow it is back to the church for more packing. We have decided to take 2 more trunks with us, there is just so much and it won’t be easy to have others bring things to us later.

May 17, 2009

2009-09-02T06:58:00.001-07:00

Wow our going away dinner/prayer service was really hard. I didn’t think it would be that hard. The food was really good Patty did a great job making sure I could eat things. It is so hard to feed a gluten free person. The Fasoldt’s came down early brought lunch with them and we hung out at Mary’s. It was really nice to say good bye to them. They have been very encouraging and helpful through all of this deputation stuff. It was sad but exciting all at the same time to say goodbye to them. They are so excited for us that it made it easy to say goodbye.

Then it was off to church. My mom and Lisa were already there when we got there. Most of our church family came. There were very few missing. The Lowrey’s were able to come and it was nice to have a little more time with them. It is amazing that 2 kids that were in our Youth group years ago are now adults and the most encouraging people in our lives right now. They are also the only ones that have right there with us spiritually, emotionally and physically on the mission journey to get to Congo.

When the church prayed over us it was really difficult. I cried (well a lot of people did). Tom Miller prayed for us and it broke my heart. I am thrilled to be going but sorry to be leaving everyone. Pricilla Popp gave us a verse that made me cry I am really going to miss her quiet prayers and help in our lives. I don’t think she can ever understand how much of an impact of just simply shaking Michael’s hand at church has had on our lives. Most people have just avoided physical contact with him since they know he doesn’t like it. She forced him to make real contact with her not only touching but looking her in the eye. When she started doing that is when we started seeing a difference in his ability to deal with people and them touching him. He has not had one melt down since she started that. This simple act has changed our lives and Michael’s in a huge way. I now get hugs with out asking for them!!! Mark and Rhonda were there quietly in the back round just give moral support and keeping our emotions on an even keel.

After the party we headed back the house, Pete had left early to get some mowing down at Celebrate. Mary decided she really wanted to go see Star Trek with us so we headed to the 9:00 show. Pete ended up deciding to meet us there. So we all got to see Star Trek. Everyone really liked it. It was worth seeing again no doubt.

May 16, 2009

2009-09-02T06:57:00.002-07:00

Art and I were able to just relax alone today. I did a ton of laundry this morning then we went to see Wolverine. The weather has been cool and rainy so we decided to just go to the theater in Geneseo to see Wolverine and the new Star Trek movie today. We saw Wolverine at 2 then did a little shopping, once again for more things for Congo. Then stopped and bought some things for a nice lunch, steak and rice and cheese I am so happy to get to cook and not eat out. When we got home we sat folded the HUGE mound of laundry that has accumulated over the last 2 weeks along with everything we have purchased and watched Madagascar. It was nice to just have a quiet day of doing mindless things. We really needed that. Tomorrow is speaking at Union Presby. In Leciester and then dinner with Tom and Kelly and clan then off to LaGrange for our dinner and send off. So a day of nothing to stress about or really think about was needed to build us up for all the goodbyes that we will be doing tomorrow. I am not really looking forward to all the goodbyes we will be saying over the next week or so. I think the hardest one is going to be saying goodbye to the Lowrey’s with them leaving for Bosnia we really aren’t sure that we will be even on the same continent ever again.

Star Trek was AWESOME. We have already planned on taking Michael tomorrow night as a nice treat after all the sad goodbyes. He will really like it. It is what the TV show could have been with good actors.

May 11, 2009

2009-09-02T06:57:00.001-07:00

We got home at about 4 am we stayed out in the car till we knew Pete was up so we didn’t wake him. We slept till Mary got home and then were up for the rest of the day. There are so many things to do. Tomorrow we have to be at Global at 9 then back here to do some more packing/shopping. Then I am going out dinner at the Corral with Brenda for one last dinner.

Wednesday is out to lunch with my sister and grandma one last time and helping my sister do some honeymoon clothes shopping. I have a little of shopping to do myself. Art is going to have lunch one last time at P Tool. Then on Thursday we are having dinner at the Lowrey’s in Dansville, that is going to be really hard. This may be the last time we get any real time with them. Once we leave they will be heading to Bosnia sometime in the next year. So our times together in the same country may be few and far between. Friday is the morning with the Popp’s then dinner with the Whaley’s. Michael will be going camping with Mary and Pete one last time. Saturday Art and I are going to spend some time alone together maybe go to the drive in, if the weather is nice. We hope to see Wolverine and the new Star Trek movie. Sunday we are speaking at Union Presbyterian in Leciester. Then that afternoon/evening is our send off dinner at LaGrange. Mary and Pete will be back for that. Tom, Kelly all the kids, the Lowrey’s and my mom, Lisa and the boys should all be there. It will be a really busy week or two so I doubt I will write much. I hope to so I don’t forget everything that happens over the chaotic few weeks that we have left of our First time leaving for the field.

May 10, 2009

2009-09-02T06:56:00.003-07:00

I love going to Mt. Hope!!!! Every time we visit it is like we have never gone anywhere. It just feels like home. We spent a lot of time after church talking with everyone and saying our goodbyes. It was also mother’s day today and John took all of “us” mothers out for lunch at a pizza place, John’s mom, Alice and I. It was very nice and Michael loved the brick oven pizza he had. After lunch we just went back to their house and relaxed till it was time to go. We had steak for dinner they made enough to feed an army. Of course it was so we could take leftovers home and not have to cook for a few days. It was hard to say goodbye to them. We will really miss them and their emotional support. They will always have a special place in our hearts there. Michael keeps asking if we can move to VA when we come back. We are only 6 hours away form family and they can come visit us!

I know that now we have left, that we only have 11 days left to shop and pack and finish getting ready to leave. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!

May 9, 2009

2009-09-02T06:56:00.001-07:00

Today we were able to just spend the day relaxing again. They have internet here so we did a bit of updates and emails to friends and supporters.

May 8, 2009

2009-09-02T06:55:00.002-07:00

We were able to sleep in and just go at our own pace this morning. John was writing his sermon for Sunday so we wanted to get out of his way and leave the house quiet for him. When we got up this morning there was a card for us on the counter with a gift card Visa in it to buy some of the things we need. John and Alice really do take care of us very well and make us feel so loved. We did the shopping we needed to do and were able to get a few things easily. Then off to the museum. We ate lunch at the McCafe in the museum before starting our tour. It was nice there were a few school groups there but they were all getting ready to leave as we got there. Talk about good timing.

Dinner was quiet once again tonight. AHHHHH. Art and John played a bit of ping pong then worked on a jig saw puzzle for a bit.

May 7, 2009

2009-09-02T06:55:00.001-07:00

We left the hotel around 10 then we were on the road. Our ride here was very easy and there wasn’t too much traffic till we got right into VA. We got here a bit early and did some exploring in a shopping center, ate an ice cream cone and then headed to the Zoller’s. We found out we will be staying with them! That is very cool. We will get to spend even more time just relaxing and enjoying their company. Dinner was just a nice home cooked meal and lots of conversation. Tomorrow we are going to once again head out to do some shopping and then hopefully go to the Air and Space Museum again. Michael really wanted to see that before we left for Congo.

May 6, 2009

2009-09-02T06:54:00.002-07:00

Today was all about shopping. We went to a few stores and were able to get Michael a few more pairs of pants for Congo and I even found a big floppy hat that I have been looking for forever. We slept in this morning, had a late breakfast of pop tarts for the boys and yogurt for me. Then off shopping stopped at Hardy’s had lunch then back for swimming and naps. We plan on leaving early tomorrow morning so we can take the ride to VA slowly. We hope to arrive there around 4ish and have dinner with the Zoller’s not sure what is going to happen beyond that but that is our plans for now at least.

May 5, 2009

2009-09-02T06:54:00.001-07:00

We got to the hotel about 3 today. We had a few little rain showers here and there today but mostly nice and sunny. It was a nice trip. We stopped at a Walmart on the way here to get some food. We plan on just eating in our room for dinner tonight and breakfast tomorrow. We are really getting sick of fast food. When we arrived we found out that about 5 tornados had touched down here today and that the storms were still coming. We just checked in and prayed for the best. We got another really bad rain/thunderstorm but no more tornadoes. When we got to our room we turned on the weather channel and learned that our entire route through GA, SC & NC was surrounded by tornadoes. The Lord has been protecting us all day and we didn’t even realize what disasters we were going right through the middle of. We were able to enjoy the pool again today and get lots of rest this evening. Shanghi knights is on tonight so we are going to enjoy just laying here and watching that.

May 4, 2009

2009-09-02T06:53:00.000-07:00

Friday we spent the day at Fort Lauderdale Beach. It was really pretty but the waves were really big and strong all day so being in the water was very tiring just to stay on your feet. We got there about 11 and stayed till 4 then headed back home for dinner and time to relax with Bart.

Saturday was a lot of fun at the Seaquarium. They trained Flipper there and have a cool dolphin show as well as a killer whale show. The killer whale show was my favorite by far. Before the show even started we were able to get right down up against the tank. I could have reached out and touched the whale!!! I got some really awesome pictures and can’t wait to show everyone at home. We went out to dinner in Miami at a Nicaraguan steak place. It was so good. They bring out your steak on a plate with nothing else on it then bring you out rice and beans and plantains. It was really good we all like it a lot and then were able to go out on the dock and watch all the boats coming in for dinner. We walked around a bit got some pictures and even got some pictures of the Bongo’s owned by Gloria Estephan, Michael asked who she was, sigh I think I am getting old.

Sunday was not what we were expecting. We were under the mistaken impression that the Jones’s church was a small one. Boy were we wrong, it is huge. We were able to share with Bart’s Sunday school class about what we will be doing. They seemed really interested and asked tons of questions. After church they had invited some friends back to their house to meet us and see our presentation. The Blanco’s are a lot of fun. They were very interested and everyone asked so many questions. I hope that we have made some new friends and gained more supporters. I know it isn’t right to hope that everyone we meet with support us financially but we are leaving in like 3 weeks and are still about $1,300 a month short for our full support amount. I am trying to leave it all up to the Lord but my own worries get in the way sometimes.

Today is Monday and Anne and the boys went to a home school picnic we were invited to come but we really wanted to get a bit of rest before we left and take care of emails etc. I did some laundry today which was nice to start out the next part of our trip with clean clothes. I will be able to do laundry once again at the hotel on the way to VA to keep the dirty stuff to a minimum. We will be leaving at about 6 am tomorrow morning to get out the Fort Lauderdale/Miami area before rush hour starts. We plan on driving back to North Carolina and staying a couple of nights to get lots of rest and then head to VA where we will be till Sunday night. We were able to get out and do some more shopping today we are hoping that being in FL where it is always warm we will be able to find lots of clothes for all of us for Congo. We were able to get sandals for Art and Michael and I was able to find a new skirt.

I can’t wait to get to the Zoller’s I am not sure if we are staying there or with the Feeney’s again but I know that we will be relaxed and stress free while there. I miss them just like I would family. They really have become really close to us over the last year.

May 1, 2009

2009-09-02T06:52:00.000-07:00

May 1, 2009

Well we made it Fl without anymore problems. We decided that we will be staying at the Comfort Inn and Suites in NC again. The beds are really comfortable and the pool was nice. There are really close to shopping and lots of food choices. So it will be a great place to stop on our way back up. The Jones’s home is very nice and we have a room to ourselves, well the 3 of us do. Art is enjoying catching up with them; he hasn’t seen them in about 18 years! It is nice to put a face to all the crazy stories I have heard about Barton and am enjoying resting. We will be going to the beach tomorrow and just spending the day in the sun and the water. Bart has to work tomorrow so no better way to spend the day. On Saturday we are going to go to the Miami Seaquarium. That sounds like it will be fun.

April 30, 2009

2009-09-02T06:51:00.000-07:00

April 30, 2009

I am so tired, but still so keyed up to think that we are in our last few weeks here in the states. Not to mention we are headed to Southern Florida where I have never been so it is cool to watch everything as we drive. Art stopped at a rest stop somewhere in NJ last night about 5 am to get a little rest. I won’t drive in the city so he is stuck and we are all just way too tired to drive anymore. It was really cold out we had to keep starting the car to de-frost the windows and warm up a little. About 7 we were back on the road. Michael has slept since we left Scott and Min’s and never even knew we stopped. Must be nice to be a kid and be able to sleep anywhere. We hope to drive to North or South Carolina today should be about a 12 or so hour drive. Well battery is dying so that’s all for now.

I am back. We made it to North Carolina! We are staying at a hotel that has a pool and is really comfortable. We took showers went across the street to a Cracker Barrel to eat some lunch/dinner, and then went back for a nap. We got up about 7 and went for a swim. Michael and Art are still down there now enjoying the pool. I am just so tired at this point from all the pack and driving and everything else in the last few days that I have no energy. The drive wasn’t too bad today. Art drove for a few hours then I took over. I drove through VA we went right by Leesburg and Sterling. I really wanted to stop but we will be back by there in a week to see the Zoller’s. The traffic in VA was nuts! It took us about 2 hours to go about 70 miles. But it was just stop and go so nothing horrible I guess.

We are staying here till around 2 am then it is back up and on the road so we can make it to Pembroke Pines Fl by around 4 in the afternoon. But after some rest, food and showers we should be ready to go the rest of the way.

More of my journal entries

2009-08-17T06:46:00.000-07:00

April 29, 2009

Up early and off to Buffalo this morning. We got on the road about 7:45 and got to Buffalo about 9. We got everything filled out, it was exciting to stop there and hear how excited they are for us. We will be taking one more trip out there to pic up our visa’s and talk with Al about any final travel and financial information we may need before we leave.

After we were done at the office I gave Scott a call to see if he can find an online deal for a rental car that is cheaper than the one we have. He told us to drive down there and get their PR5 we were welcome to use that for the next few weeks and just drive it back down when we were ready to leave or even just leave it at Tom’s. So back home we went to hurry and pack, Art had a little running around to do. We were hopping to get on the road by 7 or 8. I had to really bust my you know what to get us all packed, organized and ready to go by 7 tonight. We are going to drop off the rental in Peekskill, they say there is no charge for dropping off in a different location. I am not convinced but even if there is it is still cheaper then driving it for 2 weeks.

We left at about 7:30 and headed out. I told Art I would do the first part of the driving so he could relax a little and try and write an update. The trip was raining almost the whole time. I ended up driving almost ¾ of the trip. Art never lets me drive that long. However this was a 5 ½ hour trip out of our way, to get to Florida. So we knew we would be in the car for a very long time. So I drove to almost Goshen, NY and then Art took over from there. I am NOT driving down that hill into Peekskill!! Praise the Lord the trip to Scott and Min’s was uneventful and we made it there by 1:30 in the morning. Not horrible. Scott and Min had the PR5 all cleaned out for us so Art and Scott moved everything over from the Rental then headed out to take the rental back and fill the PR5 with gas. I was able to just sit and talk with Min for a little while. Once they got back it was bathroom for everyone and then back on the road. All in all the transfer, drop off and pit stop only took about an hour. Not too bad considering our current level of exhaustion. Well I am so tired now it’s time to shut this off as Art drives, I think we are just about in NJ now.

Monday April 28, 2009

Art was off to Mark Popp’s first thing this morning. I headed up to P Tool around 8 to go get the 401K check. When I first got in the car it was fine, by the time I reached the rail road tracks outside of Caledonia it was really acting up. It would shudder between 50 and 55 mph. But it still was working so I kept going. It got a little worse as the trip to Chili went on but nothing too horrible. We were able to get the check and say one last goodbye, for Michael and I at least to all the guys. Art plans on heading up just before we leave to say goodbye and have lunch with everyone.

We got back on the road from there at about 9:30 and headed back to Perry to get Art to sign the check so I can get it deposited. My mom is supposed to meet us at Charcoal Corral for lunch around 12:30ish. I am hopping to get a bit of shopping done in Warsaw while I am there. We got back to Perry and my mom called wondered if we wanted to check out the book store on main street. So we headed there first before seeing Art, I didn’t want to carry around that big of a signed check all day. The trip home didn’t go as well as the trip to the city. The car hated shifting at all now. But we pressed on and it seemed to work. We did a bit of shopping at the book store in Perry, Michael got a cool book of useless information for the car trip to FL, and some card games things. My mom had to go pick up Lisa at some point soon, so we headed over to the Popp’s to get the check signed.

When we got to the Popp’s it was around 11:30 and boy were we surprised to see half the driveway done! Jenny, Danny, Art, Mark and Ron worked really hard to get that much done. Priscilla was there documenting the whole thing in photographs. Rhonda was busy fixing food and drinks for everyone. They were really enjoying the cookies! I let Art know about the car, this is a problem I think. We plan on leaving on Tuesday evening and the car is being a problem. We have to go to Buffalo tomorrow to do our Visa applications at Global. The Lord will provide something I am sure but this is not going to be fun. I headed to Warsaw to get some shopping done and to deposit the check. Everything was quick and easy and we headed back to Perry to have lunch with mom and Lisa. We hung out at the corral for about 2 ½ hours, Michael ate, played video games and then got to spend all the tickets. He got enough tickets to get us all free ice cream.

Once done there I headed back to the Popp’s to see where they were on the drive way. They are just about done! Should only be another hour or so till they are just on cleanup duty. I said my hi’s and goodbye’s and headed home. I really wanted to get some laundry done, we had to get our visa pics done tonight at some point too. I had a hard time getting the car in gear when I was leaving, but Art said I was just being paranoid.
As we headed home on Rt. 39, just outside of Perry I lost the breaks on the car. I had a little bit of stopping power but barely any! So here I am driving the car down a huge hill, the transmission not working well and my breaks are just about gone!!!!!!! AHHHHHHHH!!!! The Lord protected Michael and I though and only by the grace of God did we get home safe. It took my a little while to stop shaking when we got home and do anything my nerves were shot. Art got home and I told him what happened. He immediately got on the phone with the guy we bought it from. We were supposed to take it over to him this evening and he would repair it, not sure how much good that will really do us we are leaving tomorrow night for 2 weeks, and then leaving for Congo 11 days after we return. To top it off we had to drive this car over there, no breaks and bad transmission!!! I called Walmart to see when it would be good to come get our pics done, 5:15 was the only opening, it was 4:50 now and it takes 15 minutes to get there. So I got on the phone trying to find a rental car, that was our only option for the trip to Buffalo and FL & VA. I couldn’t find anything except at the Airport in Rochester. So I called my mom and she was willing to meet us in Avon to take us to the Air port so that we could get a car.

After all the running around, we were able to get our pics done, take the car over and Art was able to make a deal on the car we are getting half the cost back as soon as the title comes rather than having the car dealer fix this old car will a million problems. Better deal for both of us. So off we went to the Airport. When we got to Enterprise we realized that they charge mileage over 450 miles per day! Again, Oh boy! This is going to cost us a fortune but I don’t know what else to do. We got the car and went to Target to get a few things we needed then headed home. My mom has been awesome through all of this she has really helped us out with anything we needed. Both of our mothers have been so huge in helping us get to Congo I don’t think we can ever repay them. They have been so helpful with helping us pack, giving us a place to stay, running us around when our car dies and the prayers are amazing. The rest of my family at least could really care less it seems most of the time. I know they love us but still I wonder…….

When we finally got home tonight we spent a bit of time on the internet trying to see if it would be cheaper to fly, but it really isn’t we would still have to rent a car when we are in each place so it would be like triple the price of just renting this stupid car. It is going to cost us over $1,500 at least to rent the car for 2 weeks!

Well off to bed. I am so physically and mentally exhausted.

Sunday: April 27, 2009

Well yesterday was a great day. We stopped at McDonalds got those milkshakes then had to stop at an auto store. We started having trouble with the car on the way home Friday something with the transmission was what the code said. Art is thinking it was just driving through the mountains on a hot day. We will see.

After stopping at the auto parts place we went to Salvation Army in Bath, boy did we do well there; the Lord blessed our shopping trip and huge amount. We were able to get a few pairs of pants for Art, Michael and rain coats for us all. I also was able to get a nice skirt. While we were shopping there we ran into Karla of all people. Her mom and sisters and her were out doing a Thrift store day and had come all the way down here to come to Bath. On the way home we also stopped at the Salvation Army in Dansville and were able to get me a few cool shirts and another skirt. We ran into Julie Harnish and were able to pass on our news. This is so exciting to share with everyone who has praying through this, what seems like never ending wait.

We still had a little bit of car trouble on the way home, but not horrible and it was only a little bit of a problem on the way to church today. Art spoke this morning, with almost no preparation. But did very well. It was just an update pretty much; I couldn’t believe how upset everyone was that we are going. I know they will miss us but please be excited for us! We had lunch with the Case’s after church which was nice.

Then we were finally able to go home and just relax. HA! As if we really had time to do that. We are trying to get a little bit of relax time in as tomorrow Art will be helping Mark Popp along with a few others to get his concrete driveway poured and leveled. I will be running to P Tool to pick up the 401K check, then down to Perry to have Art sign it, then off to Warsaw to deposit it. Then have lunch at the Corrale with my mom and Lisa (which I am sure will include video games for Michael). Then off to get some more shopping done for the trip to Florida and VA. Then back home to start packing we hope to leave sometime Tuesday evening. We want to have a nice relaxed trip driving down to Florida so we are giving ourselves extra time. We plan on staying in a hotel somewhere around the half way point, something with a pool we hope so we can really relax.

Well off to bed I am tired just thinking about all the running around I need to do tomorrow. I pray the car is fine and that we don’t have any more problems with it, we just got it!

2009-06-24T08:15:00.001-07:00

Here is my personal journal of our trip to and life in Congo. Most of the entries here will be just to give you an idea of our life here and some are letters for a sister back in the states others are parts of my personal journal entries. To read more about our mission journey, prayer letters and God’s blessings in our life check us out at www.laborersfortheharvest.com.

These are posted in reverse order the oldest first and the newest last. However it will be in better order from now on. Sorry just have a ton to back date.

April 22, 2009

Off to visit Scott and Dominica!! Yeah I get to see Liesle again, it is so fun to watch her grow up I love babies. This trip is for no other reason than to spend some more time with friends, we really do hope to be in Congo by the end of the year and know our time is short for seeing everyone so we are trying to get all the trips in we can. Art is done working and we now have the time to travel. We continue to pray that the Lord will send us to Congo before the end of May but it is almost May and we have heard nothing so it will hopefully be in October when the Harvey’s head back from the US to Congo in October. It is so weird to think we could be leaving soon. It seems like it has been a very long and drawn out process but it really has only been 2 years since the Lord placed this burden on our hearts.

We will be traveling to Peekskill this week, come home Saturday night the 26th, then be traveling to Pembroke Pines, FL to visit the Jones’s Tuesday night the 28th through May 5th then head right to Leesburg VA from there to visit with everyone at Mount Hope then back home. Well off to pack and go have fun!!

April 24, 2009

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! We got the call yesterday we have our clearance to purchase our plane tickets for May 25th!!! What was I just saying about leaving before the end of the year!! Al contacted us yesterday morning around 10 to talk with Art about our financies and that we had 100% of our support for 1 year, 85% support for 2 years and only 60% for 4 years. We are cleared for 1 year definetly, and 2 years possibly. I can’t believe it we are officially leaving for Congo on May 25th from JFK at 8:20pm. If it wouldn’t have been for Scott and Dominica, Art and I may have just sat in a corner with a dazed look on our faces for a few hours. They kept us centered and on task, ok lets look for the best price on tickets, lets eat, what kind of things do you need to get before you go. Oh yeah shoot we are going to be traveling for the next 2 weeks, AHHHHHH that means that we will only have 10 days to pack for Congo when we get back!!!!!!

Needless to say they kept us sane. Michael didn’t travel here with us this weekend he is back home with Art’s mom, so we had to call home and give Mary the news and have her pass it on to Michael. It was probably better this way then for us to tell him. She has a much better way of breaking things to Michael. He always reacts better no matter how we do it. When Art talked to his mom we were thinking we would get tears but she was so excited for us. It has been a blessing to us to be living and spending time with her for the last month. We have gotten time with her and she has been able to adjust to us leaving, I think.

After we got off the phone with Mary we realized that this coming Sunday will be our last Sunday morning service at La Grange. We will be traveling for the next 2 Sundays after this and then speaking at Union Presbyterian Church on May 17th and we leave for Peekskill to get ready to leave on May 22nd. It seems so weird that we will be leaving in a month. Art and I had already planned to stop half way home from Scott and Min’s get a hotel room so that we could just spend some time alone (for the first time in a couple of months), now we realize it will be our last bit of privacy for a couple of years! God certainly has planned every last aspect of our leaving without us even having a clue. When Art called home to let Dan Case, our pastor, know that this will be our last Sunday morning service he quickly asked if Art would share what has been happening in our lives and get a chance to really let everyone know we are leaving. They will be having a going away party for us on May 17th in the evening. And a prayer send off service too.

We were able to get a nice long walk in this afternoon, we needed that to clear our heads and use up some of our nervous energy. The property here while very packed in with town homes is very pretty.

Oh yeah we got another call today, P Tool and Die called Art’s 401K check is in so we can go pick it up on Monday!! PRAISE THE LORD!! This will allow us to purchase everything else we need!!!!

Art and Scott are off to buy a new laptop for me as this one is over heating pretty consistently, not a good thing to have happen in the jungles of Africa where I can’t replace it, we found a Compaq on sale at Best Buy for $479 just a little more than what Art’s was a couple of weeks ago.

April 25, 2009

Dominica and I sat down today and came up with a list of things that Art and I need to purchase before we leave clothes, personal items, spices, etc. She has been such a blessing to me the last couple of days. Allowing me to be super excited and terrified all at the same time. She is also letting me cook dinner tonight, tilapia with garlic and dill in balsamic vinegar with smashed potato’s and steamed veggies. I love cooking and really haven’t had a whole lot of time to do so since we moved in with Mary and Pete, meals are rather simple and quick with all the different diets and eating schedules. I feel a little bit more settled today and able to function. We have our timetable set for traveling and due to arrangement of luggage we will be leaving home on May 22nd late in the afternoon to come back down here. We think we will rent a van or truck to come back down with all of the stuff we will be bringing.

We will be leaving around 3 or so today so that we can head half way home and still get to relax a bit this evening and go out for dinner. We are staying in Painted Post for the night. We found a room at a decent price with a jucuzzi tub, ahhhhhhhhhh stress relief.

April 26 2009

Well we got to the hotel around 4 and took a nap and nice relaxing bath. Then with our heads still spinning with all that needs to be done we went across the street to the super Walmart here and started our shopping. That was a very expensive trip, we got a bit of things though. We have decided we will stop at a couple of Salvation Army’s on the way home so that we can get some clothes, buying them new is just not in our budget.

We got up around 8 and got going we decided to just stop in Bath at McDonalds, we just barley made it for breakfast but we did and I got a milkshake, gotta stock up on these not getting them in Congo.

Occupying

2009-02-02T15:59:00.000-08:00

Here we are once again. Another week, oops, well couple of months have passed, and there’s not a whole lot new to say. One thing that we do have to say is thank you for your prayers through this past holiday season. We are still here and waiting on the Lord. We have been learning to occupy while still here. While we don’t understand why we are moving so slowly toward our departure to Africa, we know that He has the master plan. There is no better place to be than the center of God’s will, and we will be content to be there, wherever that is today.

Art and I have both been struggling with what we should be doing while we occupy here in a house that has been pretty empty, with many of our things in Congo, and with our hearts and minds there as well. We spent one day from like 8 in the morning till 11 at night trying to decide to buy a video game system or wood working tools just so Art would have something to “occupy” his time with other than sitting... sitting and feeling lost. Now keep in mind a good portion of Art's tools are in Congo or have been sold in preparation for leaving for Congo. Please do not feel that we do not appreciate the blessings which we receive each day from the Lord or from each of you in your prayers and concern for us. We cannot express what that means to us as we are waiting on our next step.

So, we prayed and purchased some games and things to do as a family. The following Monday at work Art was talking to a couple of guys about his struggle and decision process over the weekend. A couple of them offered to let him borrow some things (tools) indefinitely. This was awesome! Art was also able to get a free surface to make a routing table out of from work that was sitting around. Over the next week or so Art was able to not only get a router, and material to build a router table but also a table saw. All of this was done without much of any cash out of our pockets. Part of this was through being able to borrow things, others through working for my mom and her wanting things built for her home so she paid him ahead of time in a table saw. This has been an incredible blessing and proof of God's hands guiding every step. Art is now happily building many things for other people (and me, but more on that in a minute) and enjoying the time spent working with his hands and keeping “sharp” while waiting on the Lord.

As time creeps on Michael is growing up in front of our eyes. He is beginning to act like a teenager. Don't take that as a negative. He is becoming a young man. He has been doing some pretty in-depth studies in 1 & 2 Thessalonians, Joel and now in Acts. It is really cool to be able to hear his insight on the word of God. He is also now spending time in the basement wood shop with Art, building and learning at the hands of his father. There has been a neat layer that is developing between them as of late. Art is becoming more and more Michael's teacher and friend. Michael is starting to rely on me less and less. I am beginning to be here only for guidance and less as a mommy. While I know many moms understand the catch in my throat as I write this, you also understand how wonderful it is to watch a little boy want to be more like his father. Michael now can’t wait to do maintenance in Congo with Art. I think he feels like he will have something to contribute while we are there.

While I sit here and try and occupy and stay sane I have been doing some sewing for other people as well as myself. Most of my projects till recently have been just for something to do. I had gotten some jobs but was seriously lacking in space that actually worked as a sewing area. Through Art receiving all sorts of free materials, he and Michael were able to build a sewing table and cutting area, all attached. What once was our living room is now a fully functioning sewing room. All of these items were free, remember. This is, has been, and will be such a blessing to me. I now am doing more than sitting at my computer and IM’ing people. For me being able to occupy in a way that I don’t feel lost has brought me closer to the Lord each day. I feel a little more established in our current season. While we have acquired many things over the past few weeks, please don’t take that as us settling back in. I know that both of us would much rather be in Congo. We are more than willing to pack up and move at a moment's notice. People have already graciously offered to store some of these items for us so that Art and I will have a way to help support ourselves while on home assignments. We have been struggling with feeling like we are settling back in but strive to be where we are called to each and every day.

In 3 weeks time we will, Lord-willing, be able to take a trip to Leesburg, VA to visit with Mt. Hope church and our wonderful friends and supporters there. This trip is just purely for the opportunity to get to know everyone a little better and enjoy the fellowship with new and old friends. While we are there we hope to be able to spend a day in DC (this was part of Michael’s Christmas present as we didn’t want to purchase useless things). The memories of time spent together checking out Washington DC will last much longer than some silly toy or similar thing.

We have not gained any more support since the last time we wrote, nor have we sold the house (if we had you probably would have heard about it immediately). We are praying that we will be able to leave for Congo in September of this year. Why then you ask? Well, the Harvey family will be returning for their furlough in June(ish) this year and we hope to be able to return with them in September. We have been praying and hoping that we would be there long before they returned for home assignment. They left in August of 2007, and here we are still waiting on the Lord. So we are once again asking you to send up fervent prayers on our behalf that we are able to get there soon. Please also pray and share the Lord’s leading in our lives with your friends and family. We have another almost 50% of our budget to raise in order to go. So not only do we need to sell our house, but we need to gather the rest of the financial support before we can leave. This can only be done with the Lord’s guidance as there is certainly no human way possible.

This is also another reminder: don’t hesitate to send your prayer requests to us. And if you just feel like making a comment in reply to our updates, we would love to hear from you! We hope that you are enjoying the beginning of the new year. Lord-willing, I’ll be back next week umm .. ish. Until then, God bless!

Getting Ready for Christmas and SNOW

2008-12-20T11:23:00.000-08:00

We have been hit with one snow storm so far this weekend and another is on it's way tonight. Watching the snow fall yesterday was something else, we got about foot in about 4 hours!

We finished shopping (well we had just one more gift to get Michael), this morning. This is the year for Nerf guns, 2 weeks ago Art bought 2 big 20 shot guns and had to give Michael his early. Then had to buy a small one (easier to chase the kid and dog with). We got home and the boys had to modify it. Now it really stings when you get hit with these dart thingys. So this morning we had to get another small one, (cause Michael needs a gun with modifications on it dont ya know).

Needless to say my house is crazy for the last couple of weeks! But the sounds I hear are wonderful. Michael can't wait till Art gets home each day. They run around laughing and shouting and generally being crazy boys. They have taken them apart made them shoot farther, and harder. Just general male bonding time. It is so neat to see Michael care about what Art is doing and wanting to take part and learn from him. There hasn't even been any fighting over school these last couple of weeks. I am enjoying the peace that we have right now, and praying it continues.

Monday I will be baking all day! I really have missed baking this year, we have been trying to save money on propane so I haven't done any yet. I haven't even made pumpkin bread yet this year! But Monday I have a Apple, Carmel, Cheese Cake to make for a friend from Art's work, chocolate chip cookies, egg nog cookies, snicker doodles, pumpkin muffins, and some gluten free cookies of some sort for me (yuck but I am desperate). I really miss real flour!

Wednesday evening we will be doing our normal dinner with Mary and Pete, linguine with either clam or Alfredo sauce, and angel food cake with strawberries and whipped cream YUMMMMMMMMMMMMMMY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Christmas day will be relaxing for once we only have to go to my dad's at 11 and will be back here by 2 or so . Then we are having games and food for any friends who show up. We have about 7 coming definitely but more may trickle in and out. What a wonderful way to spend Christmas evening fellowshipping with friends and enjoying food!!

I hope and pray everyone's Christmas is wonderful!!

Life in Congo

2008-12-09T08:47:00.000-08:00

Below is a video I thought you might like to check out. Our partners in Congo Dr. Joe Harvey has posted a video about a day in his life. Believe me this doesn't even begin to cover what he does every day. Please keep them and the government of Congo in your prayers, Dr. Joe had a meeting this morning with the Health person and a Governor and they told him they don't need any help in Kindamba (this is the 2nd hospital that GOM opened but had to close due to issues with the local government.) Please keep this in prayer as they could decide they don't want any help in Impfondo too. Keep in mind that Pioneer Hospital is a fully operational hospital that is funded by others not the government. I will never understand the need to get rid of free help in 3rd world countries.

Anyway here it is check it out! Well until I can figure out how to post the video here is the link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mxVajs-Fik

PTL!!

2008-12-01T12:57:00.000-08:00

Praise the Lord!! Scott and Min's baby is home and healthy!! She checked out fine for any signs of infection and came home yesterday to be with mommy and daddy. She however didn't allow any sleeping her first night home. :)

Hope everyone has now survived the begining of the shopping year. Now can we all get back to the reason why we celebrate?

Friends have a Baby

2008-11-29T05:58:00.000-08:00

Our close friends Scott and Dominica just had their first child. Please be praying for her as she has a strep infection and has already had to have a spinal tap. They are worried about meningits. Please keep her in your prayers. Dominica was in labor for 26 hoursish and then had to have a c-section. Last time I checked she hadn't slept in 4 days (welcome to being a new mom).

Please just keep them in prayers.

We hope that all had a wonderful Thanksgiving with your faimlies, and were able to get some good deals on Black Friday. Our Walmart had fist fights in the parking lot before the store even opened. People started lineing up at 2:30 am. It is amazing to see how materialistic people have become. There was even someone killd in Long Island at a Walmart because people trampled him. It is so sad to see the deterioration of the world today.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone

2008-11-27T02:25:00.000-08:00

In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1Thessalonians 5:18

I pray that everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving full of blessings to our Lord and prayers for those that do without daily.

A weekend in Virginia

2008-11-19T03:11:00.000-08:00

This pas weekend we got to visit our supporting church and dear friends in VA. It was a lot of fun for a last minute trip. I really didn't take any pics cause it was just a rainy dark weekend.

Even though it was last minute we were able to eat both breakfast and lunch on Saturday with different parts of the Zoller/Sauder families. After lunch we took some time to check out main street in Leesburg. It was kinda cool old antique shops, little museum's and gift shops.

Please be praying for a couple at the Mt. Hope church he just found out he has bone cancer and is just beginning to learn what the prognosis and treatment plan will be. While he seems very positive and is looking for the Lord's direction in his life his family is very worried. Even though you don't know them please keep them in your prayers. They are a family with a servant's heart and love to provide a home for travelers and friends whenever possible.

This Saturday we will be celebrating Thanksgiving with Art's mom and step-dad. It will be nice to spend time with family, especially since we are not sure if we will be here next year to celebrate. I think for some reason everyone feels that this may be our "last" (I say that meaning our last for 4 years or so). While we were hoping to be gone before now I think it is really beginning to sink in that we could be on the field soon.

Have a great week.

Traveling

2008-11-13T07:27:00.000-08:00

This weekend we have the wonderful opportunity to go and visit Mt. Hope Church in VA. They are currently supporting us as well as their VBS this last summer raised support for us also.
This church and the pastor's family has been such a blessing to us. The children have sent us cards and pictures as well as just the ocasional note to let us know they continue to pray for us. We are very excited to go and fellowship with them once again. I hope to have some pics to post when we get back to stay tuned.

Keep us in prayer as we travel through PA and NY this weekend it is supposed to be snow/sleeting on our trip home on Sunday evening.

PRAISE THE LORD

2008-10-23T17:52:00.000-07:00

We just received our monthly statement from our mission organization . It was shocking we have been hovering at between 45 - 50% over the last 3 or so months. We are now........ drum roll please........ at 54% !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We have passed the half way mark on our support. That is a blessing to us in so many ways. We at times over the last few months feel very discouraged that we aren't ready to leave for Congo yet. However the last 2 weeks have been filled with encouragement. Last week I got a call from Mrs. H she just wanted to check on us and to let us know she and her prayer group at her church are still praying for us. That same day Mt. Hope church in VA, sent us some pictures form some of the kids as well as some personal notes letting us know of their continued prayers and support. That same day I received emails from all over the world from missionary friends in the field updating us on their lives and letting us know they are praying! That many encouragements in one day was amazing. It was nice to hear that people still remember we are trying to follow God's path in our lives.

This week we have received many phone calls from dear friends and have spent much time in the bible encouraging others as well as getting encouragement. Now we have our financial update. It is just what we needed to feel like we are moving and not in limbo.

So again thank you for all your prayers and support. If you have any prayer requests please remember to let us know, we love to pray for those that do so for us. We want to be a part of your lives as we are in a small part of yours.

Enjoy some pics of fall around here:

Niagara Falls

2008-09-04T10:44:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we (Michael, Brenda and I) spent the day in Niagara Falls NY and Canada. We took lots of pics (about 140 each). So here they are well mine at least check out Michael's at http://congoboy.blogspot.com/. Leave comments on His blog. This is actually a class for school this year so YOU will be grading him!!!!!

Labor Day weekend and Fun To come!!

2008-09-02T16:12:00.000-07:00

Well this Labor Day weekend was lots of fun. Art and I spent Friday doing or normal playing settlers with Brenda. Saturday we worked at my moms till around 4 then headed home. We relaxed for a little bit then took a long bike ride. It was beautiful out!!! I really am enjoying the new bike.

Sunday we had church then a dinner at the Whaley's then had a gig at Wadsworth grill. Art was nice enough to fill in for his old bands drummer. While he hasn't played in a long time we both talked about it and really dislike being out in a bar now. We don't drink or party but played in bars for years in different bands, but we now feel just out of place there. Not a bad thing I know, but weird to feel out of place where you were once comfortable. Everyday is a growing experience for us. We are learning to rely on the Lord for our comfort and strength in everything. We no longer feel part of where we are now, yet not a part of where we are heading either. The Lord is the only constant in our lives, while I know our friends hope to keep us here as long as they can and they make us feel part of their lives, we still feel lost most days.

Cast your burden on the Lord, and he shall sustain you. Psalm 55:22

This verse is my daily reminder that my burdens should be on his shoulders not my own.

Oh here is a pic of the new bike!! We are going to get rid of the graphics on the tank it says Big Dog and has a Dale Ernhardt "3" on it. EWWW stupid!!!!! But nice bike other than that.

Feeling like Fall

2008-08-27T12:06:00.000-07:00

As you can see I have decided it is fall. And as I have no fall decorations for the house (they were either sold or are in a shipping container somewhere in Congo), I had to change my blog.

The last week or so there is the slight feeling of fall in the air!! Since I never got to enjoy fall in NY last year I can't wait to enjoy it this year. I am trying to find positive things in my day to be content in. Most of my life is just stalled right now (or at least feels that way) as my heart is in Congo, my head is all about getting prepared physically and spiritually for Congo but my body and my life is still here.

We have started school, this is the second week, it is still going well. Michael hates math still but other than that he really seems to like the curriculum that we picked. Next week we get a day off. We always celebrate being Homeschoolers when the public school kids go back to school here. I am praying that I can afford to take him to Niagara Falls but we will see how the finances go. We are going to still "do" school that day but make it a photography day. We are going to do a scavenger hunt with our cameras and see who can take the most pics.

This last Sunday we were able to have a going away party for the Marsh family, they will be eventually going to Congo too. They are going to be attending 9 months of language training in Canada to prepare for Congo. While I am very excited for them to see them taking a step forward, this has been a long haul for them they have had many obstacles to over come but they are on their way. I am also a little jealous of them, I know I shouldn't be , but I just feel stuck.

Contentment is what I am praying for on a daily basis. Contentment in being a mom and homeschooling, yeah I know I only have one but some days that feels like to many. Contentment on being a wife, good there most of the time, but I have my days. Contentment on being here and not where God is sending us. Waiting on his timing is not always pleasant. I keep feeling like there must be something he wants from me while I am here but can't figure it out.

Please be praying for my path to be clear to me and to not feel so loaded down with worldly worries.

Danielle the stalled missionary wanna be

We Homeschoolers are werid!!!!

2008-08-20T08:28:00.000-07:00

I saw this on my group today and laughed thought you might all get a kick out of it.

Originally written and produced by Freddie Perren and Dino FekarisOriginally
performed by Gloria Gaynor
Mercilessly altered with apologies by Natalie Criss

First I was afraid I was petrified.
Kept thinking I could never teach’Cause I’m not certified.
But we spent so many nights
Reteaching homework that was wrong.
I grew strong,so now I teach my kids at home!
We study mathand outer space.I
just kept on despite the fearwith a big smile across my face
.I bought a set of Base Ten blocks.
I bought books with answer keys.
My parents think we’re nuts,but they don’t even bother me
Come on, let’s go walk out the door.
We’re on the road now,'cause we’re not home much anymore
My friends would laugh and say we’d be unsocialized.
I heard one mumblethat I’d give up by July.
Oh no, not I!I will survive!

As long as I know how to read
I know we’ll be alright.
I've got all my life to learn.
I've got energy to burn.and I'll survive.I will survive.
It took all the strength I had not to fall apart
Decided to attenda play date at the local park,
and I met oh so many momswho offered eagerly to help.
They used to cry.
Now they hold their heads up high,and so do we!
My kids are cool!
They’re not those chained up little peoplestuck inside at school.
So if you feel like dropping byand just expect us to be free
you’d better call ahead first’cause we’re probably busy!

Sisterly Fun

2008-08-20T06:01:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I got to spend some time with my little sister. I don't get to do that often but do enjoy it. She is a photographer and spent some time (well tried to at least) giving Michael some tips on taking pictures. He is taking a photogarphy class as part of school this year and will be posting pics often so check out his blog at http://congoboy.blogspot.com/.

Michael has started school and Mircles upon Miracles it is going GREAT!!!!! For those of you that know us well you know that last year was a nightmare. So far this week he has had a great attitude and is getting things done early each day. I know I know it has only been 3 days but hey I will take what I can get.

I am praying and hoping that I will be able to afford tickets to see Michael W. Smith and Steven Curtis Chapman on October 30 in Rochester. Missy is going and I would love to go with her.

Please be praying that things continue to go well for homeschooling after last year I could sure use more of what I have gotten so far this week!!!

Some Pics that I took.

Warner Castle in Highland Park

Original Chapel in Mt. Hope Cemetery

Make me a servant

humble and meek

Lord let me lift up

those who are week

and may the prayer

of my heart always be

make me a servant

today!!!

Day of work and play

2008-08-15T21:00:00.000-07:00

Today we spent the day at my mom's, Art finished up a walk way he put in. He also put the finishing touches on the deck he built last summer. Everything looks very nice ( I will post a pic next week).

I spent the day helping mom get ready for a job interview this week. This is her first interview since graduating from college. So be praying for her, she is nervous.

Michael is spending the weekend with Art's mom and step-dad camping. He is in heaven. He loves to camp and the summer is coming to an end so he knows time is short.

Our Homeschooling Year officially starts this Monday. I am still deciding weather or not this will be a good year. Last year was horrible!!! Michael hated every thing he did and fought me the whole way through. I am praying that this year will be different.

Well that is all for now. Art and I plan on spending the day on the bike tomorrow and I hope to get some really good pics of our ride.

Hiking and God's Beauty in Daily Life

2008-08-14T08:57:00.001-07:00

Well I have decided to use this blog as a journal of sorts. As we have yet to leave for the field you might as well get to see everything we are doing in the mean time.

Yesterday a friend took Michael and I on a hike, in Waraw. She told me about this place where you could hike along a creek and see a very pretty waterfall. I was envisioning a nice trail to hike on, boy was I wrong. It was a wet hike through the creek, and slime and scrambling over fallen trees. It was a whole lot of fun though. Here are some of the pics hope you enjoy!!

Trying not to fall on slippery rocks

God's Beauty

He just loves having his picture taken, can't you tell?

What we spent an hour hiking for, WORTH IT!! Michael is in there can you see him. This waterfall was huge!

How beautiful upon the mountains Are the feet of him who brings good news, Who proclaims peace, Who brings glad tidings of good things, Who proclaims salvation, Who says to Zion, “Your God reigns!” Isaiah 52:7

You Tube Find of Impfondo!!!

2008-06-20T06:05:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IeYha-cCcWs

Our official Prayer Card Pic

2008-05-06T04:08:00.000-07:00

This great picture of us was taken by Karla a wonderful Mennonite friend of ours. She is spending this summer working to raise money for Bald Eagle Boys Camp in PA. Check them out @ http://www.baldeagleboyscamp.org/

Just for Pics

2008-04-20T17:33:00.000-07:00

This blog is just an easy way for us to upload pics of our lives here in USA and road to the mission field in Congo.