burning plows.

Well. It’s been awhile, hasn’t it?

I made a trip back to Benin in July. I will post a blog post about that visit to Arbre de Vie next week sometime. It was a great, great time and I only wish we’d been able to stay longer! I loved having my niece, Claire, with me and also Courtney, Betsy and Molly. It was so neat to experience life in Benin together. It was truly a joy to watch my niece fall in love with the kids at the orphanage…as my sister would say, “she’s hooked”.

I keep this blog for a variety of reasons. When I started the blog before my first trip to Benin in March 2012 it was mainly a means of keeping family and close friends involved in my journey. I quickly realized that I loved the therapy that came along with blogging during my 3-month stay in Africa. It was just what I needed, honestly. Since then, this site has been the place I’ve come to to pour my heart out on occasion and to again keep family and friends involved in the journey that has become much more than I ever dreamed.

This past week has been rather crazy. And if not for anyone else’s sake but my own, I want to write down the events so that I can always come back to this post to remind myself of the God I serve. 

As most of you know, my house in Broken Arrow is currently being rented out. I packed up and moved out in April and a sweet family moved in. They were friends of friends and needed some temporary housing in transit from Tulsa to Denver. I loved them from the moment I met them and felt such a peace about having them as my first “tenants”. Their contract was signed in April and was a 6-month lease that pushed us out to mid-October.

Last Wednesday (July 31^st) I was at work on my lunch break finishing up some charting at the nurse’s station and my cell phone rang. It was my tenant and in the course of our 3 minute conversation he told me that they were moving to Denver sooner than expected because he had gotten a great job offer that they couldn’t resist. They were packing up and moving out on Friday, August 16^th. Two weeks. I thought I had 2 months to find some other tenants for my house and now my current tenants dropped a bombshell by surprising me with a 2 week notice. (Sidenote: They have been VERY gracious; I honestly want what’s best for BOTH parties involved but also didn’t want my house sitting vacant for who knows how long trying to find renters and also having to pay monthly on the house when I’ve been planning on saving all that money.) I scrambled and threw together a little photo advertisement for Facebook and posted it online…

Over this past weekend, I was not feeling like myself and feeling pretty down, if truth be told. I think it was just honestly everything crashing down at once…re-entry into Stateside living (even being there for only 2 weeks can be a difficult adjustment I'm finding), being heartsick and longing for an African village half a world away, working 80+ hours in an 8 day period, wondering if my house would rent, debating whether I was making the right decision to move across a really big ocean, questioning just about everything. Sunday morning my alarm went off for church and I came up with every excuse in the book NOT to go but I went anyway…and it was exactly where I needed to be.

Pastor Craig (Life Church) started a new series this week on the prophet Elisha, from the Old Testament. Before this Sunday, I could never remember who was Elijah and who was Elisha. Pretty pathetic for having taken so many Biblically based classes at Southern Nazarene University (SNU). It's my own fault, really. Bible history was never one of my strong points…thankful for January mini-terms!

What Pastor Craig preached on Sunday morning was EXACTLY what my heart needed to hear. Just an hour before I had been in the shower wondering if I needed to just call it all quits and stay in Tulsa and only visit Benin often. What if this is a terrible decision? What if I have no funding and run out of money 4 months in? What if I never, ever, ever have a job as a nurse practitioner that I love as much as the incredible job I have now? What if I never get good at driving a moto and always almost die everytime I’m on the red dirt road? WHAT IF? (These were serious fears racing through my mind Sunday morning. Pathetic. I know.)

Elisha was just an ordinary man. In fact, he was a farmer who was plowing a field when Elijah came to him. He was extremely ordinary but God raised up this ordinary man and did something extraordinary THROUGH him. And the first point that Pastor Craig taught on literally penetrated deep into my soul and spoke so clearly to my doubting heart…a lesson we can learn from Elisha is this:

You don’t have to understand fully

to obey immediately.

When Elijah came to Elisha, he found Elisha simply plowing his father’s land. Elisha knew he was to go WITH Elijah. What did this farmer do in that moment? He left his oxen and ran after Elijah. He didn’t have to know all the details to obey immediately.. Something that Pastor Craig said resonated so deeply in me that I believe someone who’s reading this needs to hear these same words today: God will rarely give you details, especially all the details, because if we knew all the details we may not go. We can’t handle all the details! I am sure if the Lord had made fully known to Jon and Ashley (Barchus Family) ALL that the past 3.5 years of their life in Benin would entail they would have been extremely hesitant to jump on that plane and move half a world away. Why? Because some of what they have experienced over these past years has been excruciatingly difficult, painful and overwhelming. But they have been and continue to be faithful to the Lord's call on their lives. They didn’t know all the details and the Lord has been glorified SO much through their lives and their commitment to serving Him. In the good times. In the bad times. In the heartache. In the struggle. He has been glorified through their journey through the details.

That’s just what life is, right? A journey. And we don’t know much about this journey we’re on…at least I don’t know much about the journey I’m on but I know ONE thing. I want to ALWAYS say yes to Him. When He says GO, I want to go without hesitation. When He says COME, I want to come without hesitation. When He says TRUST, I want to trust without hesitation. When He says START, I want to begin without hesitation. And that’s just what Elisha did…he didn’t understand all the details but he took the first step.

The second point of Pastor Craig’s sermon was equally as convicting for me and really spoke to the fears and worries and plans I was trying to lay out for myself to take care of the “what ifs”.

Those that God uses the most

are the ones who hold on to the least.

Elisha left his oxen and followed Elijah. If you read the scripture (1 Kings 19:19-21), Elisha found himself back on the farm but knew that he was to GO with Elijah. So what did he do? He killed the oxen. Which is pretty crazy enough in its own right. These oxen were obviously strong and used to pull the plow on the farm and he killed them. Dead. As a sacrifice? I’m not sure but what he did next is even crazier. He burned the plow. His plow. The tool used to prepare the land…let’s be honest, I’m sure his dad didn’t have a handful of other plows lying around to be used. Why did he do this? Why did he kill the oxen AND burn his plow and then leave to follow Elijah? Because for him there was NO OTHER OPTION! He didn’t need the oxen. He didn’t need the plow. He wouldn’t need to come back to them. There didn’t need to be a Plan B "in case this whole following Elijah thing" didn’t work out for him…Elisha was 100% committed to what God had in front of him.

This hit me like a TON of bricks. I have obviously given up some things over the past several months but I have also been holding tightly to SO much more. What I needed to hear on Sunday morning was this: I need to let go of everything that spells security in my life…I must “kill the cows and burn the plows”. I WILL be 100% committed to what God has in front of me. Do I know all the details? NO. But when God is calling me to leave where I’m at, I can’t go back because HE is the one calling me forward. I want to have a “plow burning faith”. I want to encourage other loved ones and even strangers to do the same.

Does it make a whole lot of sense? No.

But my faith is IN God.

I believe in who HE is.

And He is faithful.

And I am finding more and more that in order to step toward my destiny I HAVE to step away from my security! There is no other option. I mean, I guess there is…but who really wants that? Not me. I want to burn my plows: my plan B’s, C’s, D’s and F’s, to do what God has called me to do.

What is something you need to abandon?

What plow do you need to burn?

Are you 100% committed to what God has in front of you?

What is holding you back?

Who cares if you don’t have all the details,

take the step anyway!

I’m not too far into this ridiculous journey but the past several years of my life have been an insanely wild ride and I am so grateful for moments, like Sunday at church, where the Lord boldly speaks to my heart and reminds me just Who it is I serve. I am thankful that He cares about the details…even though He doesn't give me all the details ahead of time, He cares so much about the details. In fact, just yesterday, Tuesday, August 6^th,I signed a one-year lease on my house with brand new tenants who just so happen to need to move into the house on Sunday, August 18^th. The same weekend my current tenants need to move out…

Summer 2013 Video!

Well, two weeks flew by and here I am back in Oklahoma sitting on GG's couch.
My time in Benin with the children was fantastic, as always. I LOVED having Claire and Courtney there with me and it was such a JOY to have Betsy and Molly there during our stay as well.
We laughed and laughed. Loved on the kids. Kissed sweet baby cheeks. Played games. Painted playground equipment. Completely cleaned out the old dorm. Watched movies. Ate popcorn. Lived life at Arbre de Vie and it was GREAT!
Here is a video that I hope you all love.
More blogposts to come, promise!

strong & courageous.

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong & courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9)

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When I open my laptop, the first thing I see are their faces...

Alice grinning from ear to ear. Dossou positioning our dog, Bop, for the picture. Jeanine peeking around the corner with her sweet smile. Eric in the center, stealing the show.

When I open my laptop, I also see fingerprints and debris all over the screen. I am not too great about keeping my screen clean and honestly, I love having all my Africa memories plastered on the screen, literally.

But their picture is not just on my laptop and their fingerprints are not just on my laptop screen. They are in my heart. I am honestly wrapped around their precious little black fingers.

I try not to live my life only thinking about them. I think about them often and life there often, but life here often interferes with my thoughts. I am busy at work. I am busy at home. I am busy with life. But the moments like now, when I’m sitting at the airport waiting to board the plane to get there…they are all that occupy my heart and my thoughts.

The past week has been crazy. Over 30 family members were in town for a party that we had Saturday for my parent’s 50^th wedding anniversary and my grandma’s 90^th birthday. It was nuts and fun and stressful and lovely all at the same time. Immediately after everyone left, it was time to pack and get ready for Benin. (My least favorite part, ever.) And right now I am just tired, honestly. I want to sleep and I’m thankful I can snooze away on the long flights.

But my heart is already leaping thinking about exiting the plane and walking down the stairs into the muggy Cotonou air. My heart is leaping thinking of the moment when I finally walk out of the airport and I spot Jon’s head above the crowd and Ashley’s sweet little self bouncing up and down. My heart is leaping just imagining wrapping the kids in my arms on Wednesday morning and introducing them to Claire and Courtney and having them wrap their arms around them. My heart is about to burst. And until last year, I never knew what that meant. But now, now I do! And these are honestly the moments I live for.

I am thankful for this opportunity, as always. I am grateful that the Lord has chosen me to minister to and love these amazing people and children. May He always be glorified through my life.

Please pray for myself, Claire and Courtney as we travel to Benin and our time there. Please pray for on time flights and an easy 30+ hours of traveling.

It’s going to be fun, that’s a guarantee. But I am praying that this time will change and impact their lives just like my first time at Arbre de Vie changed and impacted my life. I am praying that I will be changed and challenged. 

Your love and support mean so much to me! To all of us. 

Keep checking the blog regularly, will try to update often.

Take every chance & drop every fear,

-tats

when.

It sure has been quite awhile since I’ve blogged, hasn’t it?

Let’s see. Where to start?

I moved out of my house. A sweet couple who are expecting their first baby are leasing the house and I moved in with my Grandma.

How is living with GG you ask? Well, it’s pretty swell, actually. I’m wondering why in the world I didn’t think of this sooner!! Seriously. My sweet Grandma is honestly the definition of a “caregiver” and being here at her house with her is such a special treat. I know I will always look back at this time in my life with great fondness. These will be memories and moments I will cherish the rest of my life. None of her other grandchildren have had this fantastic opportunity yet and let’s be real, there’s nothing better than life at GG’s! J

My work schedule at Milestones also changed. Dr. Henley opened a “sister office” in Collinsville, OK and the other nurse practitioner who was at our Tulsa office is now at that office. With her transitioning to Collinsville, it left some evenings in our Urgent Care open and Dr. Henley asked if I would be willing to change from Monday-Friday 8-4 to working 3 twelve-hour shifts per week. This is the same sort of schedule I worked as a nurse and I was more than willing to transition back to twelve-hour days (9a-9p). I have loved this change and it has definitely made work much, much busier for me when I’m there but it is a welcomed crazy! I sure do love my patients and their sweet families and my Milestones friends are some of my favorite people in the entire world. So this change has been very nice!

With all these changes some things have remained the same. I am still here, in Broken Arrow, in Oklahoma, in the United States. I am still not THERE. Not in Africa. Not in Benin. Not in Sakete. Not with the children of Arbre de Vie. And there are not many minutes of most days that go by that I do not wish I could be there, but I am honestly enjoying this beautiful time of transition from being HERE to being THERE.

The question I am asked constantly is, “So, when are you going?” Well, that is not the easiest thing to answer. Or hasn’t been until recently, when during a phone conversation with Ashley a really neat plan worked itself out and now I have a much better ballpark time frame of when I will be leaving HERE to be THERE on a more permanent basis.

I am leaving the States in 39 days with my niece, Claire, and one of my best friend’s youngest sisters, Courtney. We will be at Arbre de Vie in Benin for 2 weeks in July and I am so looking forward to this time with not only the kids, Jon, Ashley and all the others in Benin but also with other team members from a group that will be there from Ohio. It will be a whirlwind of a trip, I’m sure (much like my time there for Christmas was) but it will be filled with amazing memories!!

The night before I left in January, one of the oldest boys at the orphanage, Augustin, was talking to me about my impending departure. My time to leave snuck up on the kids just as much as it snuck up on me and all of us were not looking forward to being away from each other again. Augustin asked me why I couldn’t just stay. I said I would love to stay but I have commitments to people in the States and affairs to take care of so I couldn’t just not get on the plane and stay (although I wanted to do just that!). I had to go back to the States. In his broken English he reassured me that he understood but he asked when the next time I would come to see them would be. At the time of this conversation, I did not know. I was honest with him and promised it would be sooner rather than later, but that I did not know exactly when that would be…

He smiled and made me promise to return as soon as possible. He quickly followed that comment with this statement: “Tata, when you come next, can you stay eternal? Can you stay eternal like Papa Jon and Maman Ashley? I want you to stay eternal.” As I was fighting back the tears in my eyes, I told him that I could not promise him that…because at that time I didn’t know if or when I would be coming to Benin to “stay eternal”.

I can now answer his question a little more clearly. And I can answer everyone else’s question a little more clearly as well. As of right now, it is looking like Ashley will be coming into the States sometime right after Christmas for a wedding she will be part of on New Year’s Eve in Ohio. She will come down to Oklahoma during part of her time in the States following the wedding to meet some of her Oklahoma family for the first time and then return to Ohio to spend some more time with her family there. We will then both travel back to Benin together in mid-to-late January 2014 and, as Augustin would say, this is the time that this Tata will “stay eternal”. (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

There are many things left to do. And many details that need to be figured out. And much money that needs to be saved and raised for all of this to happen. BUT, there are a few Bible verses I am clinging to during this time and I find great comfort and great reassurance in these words:

1 Thessalonians 5:24

“He who calls you is faithful. He will surely do it.”

Psalm 29:11

“The Lord will give unyielding and impenetrable strength to His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace.”

1 Corinthians 15:58

“So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.”

This story is honestly just beginning. And God IS faithful. And although, right now, a lot of things seem impossible, I am daily clinging to the promise that He will provide every answer and every need in just the right timing. I am happy to be HERE, and I will continue to daily strive to be the BEST person I can be HERE! I hope to always say that no matter where I may find myself. In Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. In Sakete, Benin. Or who knows where else…I will serve Him the best I can no matter where I am. I hope each and every one of you can always say the same.

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In the end,

we only regret the chances we didn’t take.

Mike's Perspective: Last Day & Tree of Life Takeover

Here are some of Mike's thoughts about his last day in Sakete with Arbre de Vie...for now!

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"Abundance is at the very heart of who HE is. Come to Him with open hands and heart, ready to receive all I have for you." Well HE had something in store for me today, especially after eating "Mystery Meat" last night one more time. Let's just say without getting into too much detail, it gave me "Bubble Guts." The day has come and it's the last afternoon I am getting to spend here. Starting the day out with a morning run with Ashley which turned out to be interesting due to the fact of the "Bubble Guts." Ashley was fortunate to be the one to give me "THE HARDEST RUN EVER." I was so dehydrated starting out the run and as we kept going it got worse. I couldn't stop though, had a woman running next to me who takes on the challenge daily of having to provide for 30 kids under conditions that most would fold under. Her strength, drive, and willpower became my drive in order to finish the run with her. Although we did make a pit stop as she went up to a complete stranger and asked for water for me... Without hesitation the man provided, and I truly believe that God was in his heart for doing that.

(the kids in the shirts Papa Blackie made for them!)

Once we got back to Ashley and Jon's and I finally rehyrdated myself somewhat we went to the orpahange so I could spend time with the kids a little more before heading to the airport. Today the kids spent the afternoon coloring and writing letters to their TATA Jill and others. One of the boys (David), got a surprise when his biological mom and brother showed up to pay a visit. To see the joy on his face when they arrived was priceless. I personally lost sight at a point in my life knowing how important family is. I have since found that again, but being here has made me want to take it to an even greater level. I say, "Don't be average, be different"! Well, I need to apply that to my life when it comes to my family. Don't do enough just to get by, but do something different that sets us apart.

(Mariano coloring a picture for his sponsors, the Janes family from Texas!)

As the time came to start saying goodbye, I made sure those words didn't come out of my mouth. I made sure I said, "I'll See You Soon" because I will, that's a promise. We loaded up and took off for the airport. Jon and Ashley brought Emmanuel and Dossou with us to see me off. On the way I decided to take a picture of the toll as we were crossing thinking nothing of it. Well apparently the military officer standing guard with his M-16 thought something of it. As he pounded on the car window wanting my camera, and Ashley and Jon telling me not to give it or just take the sim card out. I popped the camera open while Jon and Ashley are going back and forth with the officer the sim card pops out flying down to the floor. I am about to hand the camera over when another officer comes by and says don't do it again and they let us go. For a brief moment there was a sense of panic, me not understanding the words exchanged and not me mention an m-16 right beside me...put a little fear in me!

(Augustin, TonTon Mike, Adolphe, Dossou, & Femi)

We made it though and got a chance to stop at the art market before going to the airport. Grabbed some souviners for family back in the States. We also stopped at a supermarket in Cotonou. The boys walked in all wide eyed, never seeing anything like it before. To us its nothing special, but to them it was like a kid in the candy store. As Ashley, Jon, and the boys dropped me off at the airport I couldn't help but to think back to this mornings devotional, "Abundance is at the very heart of who HE is. Come to him with open hands and heart, ready to recieve all I have for you."

"See you later, Louis!"

How true that statement is! It started with me just bringing up how I wanted to go help in Africa, to Jill's dad. He told me Jill was on her way back from Africa and when she got back we could meet and discuss it. Well that's what happened, in a Starbucks in Broken Arrow my hands and heart were open...and I received the gift of "TREE OF LIFE".

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Mike, whom I lovingly call "The Wojster", has become a great friend to me and my family. Since he's been home from Benin, he has reignited a spark to "DO WORK" in the States for my family in Benin! Day to day life kind of gets in the way, and I have a job that I try to always give 100% of myself to on a daily basis, so some ideas and plans I've had for Arbre de Vie have taken the backburner while getting things in order with the craziness of life over the past few months. But, I am settled here at GG's house and you better believe, I'm ready for our "Tree of Life Takeover", as we call it!! Since Mike is so well known in the community because of his work with our athletic department in Broken Arrow, he contacted a writer for our newspaper and they wrote a great article last week about his time in Benin with Arbre de Vie. The article can be viewed here: Broken Arrow Ledger Link 

It is crazy how life works out...I mean, I LOVE it but you never know what will happen. I mean, a guy I'd never met until October went over to Benin on his spring break and has become part of my family here in Broken Arrow and part of my family in Benin. It's a crazy thing and amazing to think about how everyone's journey can be changed by one little meeting at a Starbucks. I know Mike's life will never be the same because of his time in Benin and I know he will continue to work effortlessly to change the lives of our kids in Benin and because of that, THEIR lives will never be the same. Love it.

You are the One who set us all in motion, 

Yours is the glory!!

surrender.

Well, here I am.

Sitting in my house. My room is entirely empty except for my mattress. My closet is empty. The bathroom drawers are empty. My kitchen is bare. There is a small pile of items to be taken to storage in my living room. The front half of the house is spotlessly clean thanks to my mom and GG.

It is just me here.

Here alone and my mind is wandering…

What will my life look like the next time I spend the night in this room? For all I know it could be later this year. It could also very well be years from now…

What will my life look like then? The next time I unpack these boxes that are stored away. I have no idea. Honestly. I have NO idea if I’ll ever live in this house again. I have no idea where my next “home” in the United States may be. Or IF I'll ever have a home in the United States again. As my mind has wandered, I have found my heart getting a little sad and anxious, all at the same time. Which is really quite silly but in these moments I have thought:

Am I doing the right thing?

Is this all going to be worth it?

What if I have to move back in here in January and I have hardly any furniture?

What if I get to Benin on a long-term commitment and drive Jon and Ashley bananas and they ask me to leave 2 months in?

What if I NEVER learn to speak French?

What if I never have an amazing job again like the one I have at Milestones?

What if I have to eat African food every single day for an indefinite amount of time?

What if someone I love dies while I’m overseas and I don’t get to say a final goodbye?

What if I decide I want to live with GG forever because she’ll make me dinner and I can watch “wheel of Fortune” with her every night?

My mind could wander with all the “what ifs” right now but I am choosing to not let my heart be overwhelmed with those questions. And some of the questions are ridiculous, I know. But I can't help but be a little more honest than usual tonight. Trust me, it would be easy to allow myself to get lost in this anxiety and this fear and just stop all this madness and tell my renters, “Sorry, I don’t really like Wheel of Fortune so I can’t move in with GG and I’m worrying about things that may never happen so you can’t move in, I’ll just stay here in my empty house forever because heaven KNOWS I don’t want to move all my crap back in here anytime soon.” Instead of saying all that (or a variation of that) I am choosing to continually remind myself Who it is I’m listening to. And Who it is that is paving the way for me to be on this journey…and Who is with me EACH and EVERY step of the way. Even though the way may be filled with self-doubt at times, He is STILL with me. And I will STILL surrender to Him.

My sister sent me an email a few weeks ago. It really knocked me in the gut and I wanted to share some words of wisdom from Rick warren with you all. Are you living a life of surrender? It looks different for everyone…but it definitely goes against what our culture says is right and what our world considers sane…

        “Give yourselves to God…surrender your whole being to Him 

to be used for righteous purposes.” 

(Roman 6:13b TEV)

“surrender” is an unpopular word, disliked almost as much as the word “submission”. It implies losing, and no one wants to be a loser. But the heart of worship is surrender. Surrender evokes the unpleasant images of admitting defeat in battle, forfeiting a game, or yielding to a stronger opponent. The word is almost always used in a negative context.

In our competitive world, we’re taught to never quit trying, never give up, and never give in, so we don’t hear much about surrendering. If winning is everything, surrendering is unthinkable.

Yet, the Bible teaches us that rather than trying to win, succeed, overcome, and conquer, we should instead yield, submit, obey, and surrender.

This is true worship: bringing pleasure to God as we give ourselves completely to him. Surrendering is best demonstrated in obedience. You say, "Yes, Lord" to whatever He asks of you. Surrendered people obey God’s Word, even when it doesn’t make sense.

“Surrendered people obey God’s Word, even when it doesn’t make sense…” I love that. And for me, tonight, part of that surrender looks like sitting in my empty room on my bed because it’s the only object in my entire house to sit on because I’ve packed up, sold, given away, moved and donated everything else as I find out each step of the way what this surrendering looks like for me. And it probably doesn't make a lot of sense to many people, but for me there is no other option. I could choose to not obey but I can guarantee you I would be miserable in the process...

Yield. Submit. Obey. Surrender. Living this way may be filled with “What ifs” and thousands of other questions, but it sure is an amazing way to live this only life I’ve been given.

Mike's Perspective: Day 5 & 6

You can go to Arbre de Vie Album: March 2013 to see pictures from Mike's time in Benin!!

Day 5
Woke up to read the words, "Trust in me and don't be afraid, for I am your strength and song." "Sing his song by sharing the awareness of him and rejoice on journey together with him." The night before I made mention of what I got from the visit so far. After a night of sleeping on it and reading those words this morning, I realized what I am really taking from this visit. I have come to realize what it takes to be in a true relationship/team.

I see these kids working together and loving each other up. Whether it be manual labor, school work, or even something simple as playing. They have each others backs, they communicate, trust, and most importantly love one another. They are in every sense of the word a "FAMILY".

This morning instead of doing a workout video with Ashley, she gave me the opportunity to put her through a "Body By Wojo" workout routine. Using weights made from cement, foot stool, bands, and canned food for a little extra weight. The workout was great and fun to be able to use imagination to be able to accomplish what I wanted. Once done with the workout we headed of to the orphanage. Today though Jon went to Porto Nova for some meetings with people and to grab some things. While Ashley and I went into the village to do some home visits of kids who are sponsered, but can't get into the orphange due to lack of space. Once getting into the village, I thought that the orphanage living conditions would be hard on anybody, only to come to see it could be even harder in the village. One of the kids we visited was a little girl who has a brother in the orpahange and what's sad is they are separated by miles and yet hardly get to see each other.

After finishing all the visits we got back to the orphange right around supper time. Instead of putting in some work Jon & Ashley allowed some of the kids to go cut down some coconuts for the family. It was a site to see Augustin climb this tree and cut them down, but even more impressed on how he slid down. I tell you what, nothing like cracking up a coconut and drinking the juice right away.

 

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Day 6

The days are flying by it seems, but the mornings never start without a good word, "Rejoice and be thankful. Thankfulness lifts you above your circumstances." Those words are never more apparent when I see the kids here at the orphanage or like this morning getting to run with Seraphin and Ashley. Especially seeing him run in a pair of shoes that somebody sent him, not in flip flops or barefoot. On our run this morning we had a little "Rocky" moment as we passed an elementary school and the kids started to run with us down the dirt road. Of course yelling A-E-Bo. We got back from our run and Femi and Louie were watching a Batman DVD at Ashley & Jon's because they didn't have school today and got to stay the night last night. Once the DVD was over Louie played a song, in which I had no idea what the words were (Si ce n'est que mon Dieu), but you could see it meant something to him and Femi.

On our way to orpahange, we stopped at the market to grab some things for some family back in the States. I got a traditional baby carrier I guess you can say for Michelle Dunn who is due here in May, and made some wallets/purses for others. Once we got back to the orphanage it was time to finally finish the varnish up on the new orphanage. While I was working I was surprised by Dossou with a picture that he drew for me. It brought a huge smile to my face that he drew a picture of things that I have done since I have been here. The varnish is finished and it was time to celebrate by taking some time to play with the kids. We played soccer and I was the goalie which was a mistake by my team. I let through 3 goals before you could blink...

As the night was coming to an end the kids performed some skits of my time here, as well as performed some traditional African songs and dance. It's amazing to see in person these things and how passionate they are about them. Of course Ashley, Jon, and myself got involved showing off our "Footloose" dance skills as well. Before we were going to head back to Ashley and Jon's the kids circled around me to say prayer as tomorrow night I will head back to the States.

Mike's Perspective: Day 4

I have heard of a rooster crowing to wake people up, but it happened in real life this morning! "Cock-a-doodle-doo!" The wake up call got me going and right into my morning devotional: "Be thankful for the glorious gift of HIS spirit." Went out for my morning run with Ashley and got to see more of the countryside and learned more about Ashley through some of the wisdom she had shared. "The world isn't a step ladder. You dont just check off a list and that's life. You have to grow through life through experiences." On the run we also discussed the plan for today, which consisted of her taking me to the hospital.

After the run we headed out to the hospital. When getting there Ashley explained how thigs were run or lack there of. In order to see a physican you have to pay. Once you have money for that they will see what's wrong with you and then tell you the supplies you need to go buy in order for the Dr. to do anything for you. If you have to stay over night in the hospital it's the families responsibility to take care of the patient (food, water, clothes) not the hospitals. She showed me around each section of the hospital, with the pediatrics section hurting my heart the most. There were little kids in there being held hostage from care because their family can't afford to do something immediately to help them. One baby in general broke my heart. Ashley took the time to say a prayer for this child before it was to go into surgery.

After the hospital we headed back to the orphanage, in which we went to work on the windows putting varnish on and finished those at 6 or once. Or so I thought, again! We were in the field playing Handball with the kids before dinner when Jon spoke up and said, "So you think we are done with all the windows?" His head turned to the side of the structure of the new orphanage and low and behold 2 more windows were left. Instead of eating dinner at the orphanage tonight with the kids; Jon, Ashley, and I were invited to eat with their neighbors who wanted to cook a meal for us. After dinner, we had some time to sit down with Ashley in the kitchen as she asked what I thought about everything so far and what have I taken from the trip. Told her that of course the feeling of gratefulness is going to be there. I knew that coming in. Where my head is at right now is that this is making me more aware of what I have, and what I truly need to be happy.

 

 Time for me to lay it down, but not after taking my Malaria preventive medicine. Can't wait for tonights dreams! See you all in the morning, God Bless!!!!

Mike's Perspective: Day 3

"Let the spirit take charge or your mind, combing out tangles of deception. Be transformed by the truth that I live within you." Today instead of a morning run, Ashley and I went through a workout video to change it up. I have to say, this is the first time I have ever done one of these. The video required the use of some weights and of course there is no gym anywhere to be found. So one has to use their imagination on how they will put weight in their hands. Jon had that covered before I arrived. He had DBs made out of concrete and a steal rod, along with a barbell.

After the workout I had some time to reflect about yesterday while Jon went to grab somethings for breakfast (eggs, bread, and peanut butter). I thought about these two people (Jon and Ashley) and about their quality of kindness, understanding, communication, and heart. How these things have helped them be able to build a great relationship with the kids. Once Jon returned and breakfast was done we packed up and headed to the orphanage.

I had the mindset that we are going to get this varnish finished today and move on to the next project. Once again while working, kids would start showing up from school for lunch, and before dropping anything they would come greet us and say, "Good job!" Lunch today was one of my favorites, red beans and rice. One of the older boys, Emmanuel, didn't have to go back to school after lunch. School in Benin is structured more as a college system where you have class on certain days and times. He decided to come help with painting the varnish. It is amazing to me to see the work ethic in these kids and how eager they are to help and be part of something. Jon, Emmanuel, and I finished the varnish on the new building at 6, or so I THOUGHT...more on that later...

After that Jon and I went into town to grab a steak sandwich, which really isn't steak just kinda told myself that. It is affectionately known as "Mystery Meat." You pull up on the side of the road to a man that has meat lying out and a little fire grill. He cooks it for you right there and throws it on a piece of bread and off you go...just like Subway ;) When we got back there was still some light out and we had about 30-45min until study time. So I decided to throw the football around with two boys, Femi and Florent. It started out as a game of catch and then I decided to let them go one on one (offense vs defense) against each other. Whoever scored had to give me a touchdown dance and spike the football. It was hilarious and the boys loved it!!

 

It was then time for studying, and time to find out that we weren't actually done with the varnish. Jon and Ashley broke the news to me. Since I couldn't help with homework because of it being in French, I decided to go to the back of the building and get my Karate Kid on and start painting. I worked for a couple hours and when I was done Jon asked if I wanted to try what the kids had for dinnner. Of course I did, and the name of dinner was "Pate", one of their main staples for nutrition. My translation of "Pate" is that it should be called "Fear Factor". Jon had set me up, I now know why he had me go try "Mystery Meat." The day ended with a good laugh!!

Mike's Perspective: Day 2

Hi friends! I hope you all are having a great week. I wasn't going to say anything today, just post Mike's blogpost for his second day in Sakete and I had to stop and share some things. Things are moving along quite quickly with the rental process and I am signing a lease agreement this weekend for a couple to start renting my house beginning April 12th. Only 2 short weeks ago. My house is a DISASTER and I just don't really know how it's all going to come together. Add all of that mess on top of trying to figure out when I'd be heading over to Benin on my long-term commitment, meeting with missions boards at various churches, putting together speaking engagements to raise awareness of Arbre de Vie and trying to get our Stateside non-profit's website up and running by helping Ashley fill it with content and I just have found myself really tired this week. And my mind has been racing. Literally filling up with what needs to be done and when it needs to get done by and before some friends came over to help me pack tonight I decided to sit down and post Mike's journal entry he had sent me and the words from his devotional spoke directly to my heart. It's as if the Lord is just looking down, smiling, wondering once again when I'll stop trying to worry about every single detail that lies ahead and continue trusting Him daily. "Tomorrow is busy worrying about itself; don't get tangled up in its worry webs. Trust ME one day at a time." Okay God. You've got my full attention and that's exactly what I'll continue to do...

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Good morning! Or should I say Bonjour! This morning's devotional states, "Tomorrow is busy worrying about itself; don't get tangled up in its worry webs. Trust ME one day at a time."

This morning started off with a run with Ashley through Sakete (dirt trail, goats, chickens, and little kids yelling). The little kids kept yelling out "A-E-bo", which means white person, as we ran by. Ashley and I held some good conversation on the run, in which I took something from. Some words of wisdom, "You will never see the true affirmation from people until you are in heaven and see the mark you left."

After the run we headed to the orphanage and started to get some work done. We painted varnish on the window panes front and backside of them for the new dorm the children are preparing to move into. While doing that kids started to arrive back at the orphanage after walking back from school 1.5mi for lunch. Before they even sat down their bags or grabbed lunch they came up to the adults and greeted them. Upon finishing their lunch, instead of taking a nap before going back to school at 3pm the kids came and helped paint or just stayed closed and asked questions. It's amazing to see how involved the kids want to be helping with the process of getting the new building finished.

Jon and I worked till dinner and then we ate with the kids. After dinner it was study time in the gazebo. As the sun started to go down and it started getting dark out, it was time to start the gas generator to get some electricity so homework could get done. One problem about that was that one of the boys that was helping paint at lunch, it was his job to grab gas for the generator today and he forget. That didn't stop homework from being done, the kids grabbed battery flashlights that were purchased for them and they studied outside that way.

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Mike's First Day in Benin: March 17, 2013

I thought it may be fun for my faithful blog readers and supporters to experience Arbre de Vie and life in Benin through a different set of eyes. Wojo came back from Benin this past weekend and I think it's safe to say he had an incredible time getting to know the children and spending time with Jon and Ashley. He said it well, "They're part of my family now and I'll do everything I can to help them." I know the feeling well and asked him to share some of his journey with you here. Enjoy his perspective and some pictures from his first full day in Sakete.

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Woke up and kept with my routine of reading my morning devotional and then saying a prayer after. God seems to know what to say at the right time, because His word this morning was, "Come to me for understanding, since I know you far better than you know yourself." Well God, here I am in Africa for Day 1 and it happens to be on the day where we seem to give thanks the most...Sunday!

Heading to Church in Sakete which starts at 8 and goes for 4 hrs, but we got in at about 10:30 and from the drive to the church it's my first real visual of the time and I'm just in amazement. Homes made from trees, mud, and homemade cement. The church surely won't look like that, would it? Well it did! Instead had beat up wood benches, the Pastor was behind a wood podium speaking into a microphone that blared over a megahorn. He was speaking in French and a woman next to him was translating in their native language to the others that couldn't understand French. The main message was in 3 points: When you are in front of a problem choose to engage the problem; don't run from it, Declaration of Christ, and Domination of Christians.

Once church ended all the kids came up to me and started to greet me. They were very welcoming with huge smiles on their faces. Jon and Ashley decided on bringing one person with us as a treat to lunch. The young boys name was Louis. He had such joy and wanted to ask a bunch of questions. With him knowing very little English it was a struggle for him to get questions out. So Jon and Ashley would help with translating, so he could work on speaking in English. 

After lunch we went to change out of church clothes and headed to the orphanage to see the rest of the kids. As we pull up, the kids stop what they are doing and come up to the car to make sure they greet everyone in the car, even Louis. The smiles on all their faces were priceless. Jon and Ashley showed me around the orphanage and one of the boys, Augustin, showed around what's up at the new dorm now. Once done with that, everyone gathered in the gazebo and they started out with some welcoming songs for me. The 3rd song they decided on was "This Little Light of Mine", in French of course. Once they were done with their presentation they all introduced themselves, followed by me, and then questions asked to me from them (siblings, married, girlfriend, age, how much can I lift).

 

Once we were done with that, let the games begin...Time for ultimate frisbee. Most would play the game on a flat surface with grass and with shoes on. Well they dont have that, but it didnt stop them one bit. They were running full speed, communicating with each other, and having fun on their bumpy, red dirt field with bare feet. When the games ended the kids had Sunday School with the pastor for a couple hours before dinner. After dinner Ashley broke out the gifts I got for the kids. First the "Tigerade shirts", followed by the sporting goods. The kids were in such amazement and it showed. As I was leaving Augustin was folding his shirt neatly, and Ashley asked him what he thought? His response, "Truly Great!"