La Journée des Jeunes Filles

La Journée des Jeunes Filles (Girls Day) took place last Saturday, May 25th. Thank you for praying for the event. While it was stretching to plan and guide such an event in another culture and language, God blessed the day and it turned out great. Nearly 35 girls from Niakara participated. Most of them were Christians from the church, but there were also some unbelievers. With the help of my Journey Corps teammates, we held four stations where the girls had fun getting pedicures, creating bracelets, covering Bibles with pretty fabric, and having their picture taken. The youth girls enjoyed these activities, but considered the Bible Study the highlight of the day. Lea, an Ivorian friend who works with Journey Corps, lead us in studying the fruit of the Spirit. Her joy in the Lord was evident as she walked with us through several Bible passages. God touched the hearts of all of us girls through this study. My sister Affou told me toward the end of the day: “Emily, I’ve got to keep working on my relationship with Jesus. It’s the only thing that really matters after all.” Praise God! Please continue praying for these youth girls in Niakara.

Till Not a Spot Remains

Being here on campus longer than the rest of the team has also provided me with quiet moments to spend with the Lord. Lately God has been leading me through a wilderness of sorts. And, just as He faithfully provided daily manna for the Israelites, so He has providing for my needs, one day at a time. This morning as I was thumbing through a hymnal I stopped to read this one. My mind needs constant renewing (Rom 12:2) in light of the Gospel of Christ. I love the way this hymn puts it.

“I Lay My Sins on Jesus”

I lay my sins on Jesus, the spotless Lamb of God;

He bears them all, and free us from the accursed load.

I bring my guilt to Jesus to wash my crimson stains

White in His blood most precious, Till not a spot remains.

I lay my wants on Jesus; All fullness dwells in Him.

He heals all my diseases; He doth my soul redeem.

I lay my griefs on Jesus, my burdens, and my cares—

He from them all releases; He all my sorrow shares.

I rest my soul on Jesus, This weary soul of mine;

His right hand me embraces, I on His breast recline.

I love the name of Jesus, Emmanuel, Christ, the Lord;

Like fragrance on the breezes, His name abroad is poured.

I long to be like Jesus—meek, loving, lowly, mild;

I long to be, like Jesus, the Father’s holy child.

I long to be with Jesus amid the heavenly throng,

To sing with saints His praises, to learn the angels’ song.

Little Bugs, Big Interruptions

Who knew just how much a little tiny insect could interrupt life. Nearly three weeks ago I had two red spots appear on the back of my leg, which looked more like burns than bites. I didn’t think too much about them until a rash starting developing and then grew and grew and grew. My body was reacting to something and the itch became unbearable. By this time, I had come to Bouake with the team to say good-bye to our dear friend Tricia who left for the States. This provided me with the chance to visit the doctor. He affirmed that I had indeed been bitten by nasty little ticks, those buggers. A combination of antihistamine, cortisol cream, and oral antibiotics was prescribed. Indeed, after three days locked in a cool room and multiple oatmeal compresses, the rash began to subside. Goodness, I’m the first to admit that I’m not a happy camper when it comes to uncomfortable skin problems. So I thanked God for the relief. I had a follow-up appointment with the doctor and he was pleased to see that the medicine helped. However, he prescribed another type of antibiotic to treat Lyme’s disease that could have been transferred by the ticks. So, I’m still in Bouake this week…getting a shot every evening.

I decided to make the most of my week here. I’ve pulled several classics off the library book shelf, found a piano hymnal to stumble through, and nearly dried up two uni-ball pens writing letters, journal entries, and to-do lists. The campus is livening up again with flamboyant trees and flowering plants everywhere. If I can get over the sweatiness of it all, I love my evening runs. Mimi and I also made a couple of trips into town to the fabric market and tailor. Between my antibiotics, stash of chocolate, and outfits-in-the-making, my entire May stipend has disappeared. Oops. 

Lord-willing I'll be returning to Niakara on Saturday morning. After nearly two weeks away, I am very ready to see my family again and continue day to day life in the little Ivorian town.

Beading and Bible Study

Last weekend, the Niakara youth girls were so happy to have their friend Jessica Willman back in town. Jess and her husband Steve were two Journeyers who lived in Niakara for 9 months last year, just before I moved there. They lived on the church property with the pastor’s family and were loved by everyone around. Still to this day I can walk through Niakara and hear kids call out “Yili!” which is Jess’ Ivorian name. After their host family time ended, the Willmans moved over to Benin where they now work with a Christian Radio Station. But we were privileged to have them come back for a visit!

Since Jess was in town the weekend of our Girls Group, we asked her to share with us about her transition to Benin and what God has been teaching her. All of us could relate to her story about the struggle of serving and loving those who are hard to love. We were reminded that God has blessed us and loves us immensely; therefore we ought to love others without expecting anything in return.

Bathing Elephants

Early on in the month, we made a looooonng road trip. I was picked up in my little town, Niakaramandougou (to give you the full name) and eventually made it as far north as Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. But along the way, we (the entire Journey Corps team) stopped at an animal game park called Nazinga. We spent a couple of days there. Aside from lots of just hanging out as a team, we took a few rides out into the park in search of elephants, antelope, warthogs, and whatever else we could find. It was very humbling to see God's handiwork in His creation. West Africa has landscaping and creatures that are completely different from North America, including one of the largest animals on our planet. To see elephants up close and personal was unbelievable. There was a small lake just behind our cabins where the elephants came to bathe in the hottest time of the day. I enjoyed observing their movements, interactions, and noises as they submerged themselves in water to cool off and play.

Family, as of late.

Oh I wish I could tell you how much I am beginning to love my family. Now, I can't say that I love every aspect of my living situations, but my family, I truly adore. Here are some pictures from the past months. You'll notice how my baby brother Ebenezer is growing like a weed. Now that he's 9 months, he has gotten to the "object permanence" stage, which means he knows mom still exists when she's not in view. That makes him less interested in me and more fussy when he's not with mom. Sad. But, I'll get over it. He's still so stinkin' adorable. 

Lovin' the hammock, at least for 5 seconds.

The two other boys, Sammy and Alfonce, are also growing and are just as sweet and goofy as ever. They loved having a visit from their older girl cousin, pictured on the left.

My sisters and I have been bonding so much more, thanks to advancements in French that have widened our conversation topics, as well as opened the door for me to be a little sassy with them once in awhile. 

I finally got up the courage to have my hair braided. I really didn't want to for so long because they girls told me it would hurt so bad. Well thankfully they were wrong. I had Lina and the other Journeyer girls who came to Niakara for a visit go first. After they made it out without a major headache, I gave Affou permission to do mine too. My sister Suzanne exclaimed, "Emily, you are beautiful! You are African now!"

This disgusting creature was killed about 20 yards from the front porch of our house. I'm thankful I only saw it after it was decapitated. However, the body was still squirming around and it's muscles responded to every touch. All of my sisters wanted me to touch it so I had to prove I could be courageous. Now, even though the thing was dead, it's movement didn't make it easy to touch! We had a young guy cook it up for us. I can wholeheartedly say that viper is very tasty.

Another yummy surprise: termites. It took more mental energy to NOT think about the fact I was eating the bugs that had swarmed our porch light the night before. But all in all, I give termites a thumbs up. They taste a lot like onion chips.

One of my favorite scenes ever. Can't remember if I've already posted a picture of baby-in-a-bucket, but here you go. It's genius. Remind me to do this with my kids someday.

Grow. Be made new.

I imagine that spring is arriving and being welcomed with smiles on your side of world. May the passing winter and gradual signs of warmth and plant life and greenness reflect the beauty of our God. He is on a mission to create new life in us, too. I hope this season brings you happiness in the real, true, and lasting life that has been made possible to you through Jesus.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 

While I’m certainly not experiencing the same signs of spring in Cote d’Ivoire, I can say that my March has been marked by growth. I’ve crossed the 6-month mark and I can say that I’m beginning to love being here. The frustrations of language learning and culture stress are lessening, and I can see many authentic relationships forming. My Ivorian family is incredible; praise God for placing me with them. Having five sisters around my age is one of the sweetest gifts. They are hilarious, servant-hearted, studious, friendly, helpful, and caring. Each one of them shares faith in Jesus. It’s a huge grace to learn more about Him through their lives.

I’m finding that, now that I’m more comfortable living within the context of an Ivorian family within Niakara, God is restoring my vision for being here. So much of my time is spent learning and receiving that sometimes I wonder what difference I’m making here. But I have to remember that walking with Jesus in this context brings His light to those around me. In my small city of Niakara, very few people know Jesus and there is a lot of spiritual darkness. I really think that the next 6 months there will have a strong focus on discipling teenage girls. Last week, my teammate Lina and I led our monthly Bible study with 15 girls at church. And, through my involvement in a sports class at the high school and weekly visits to a hair salon, I’ve met many other teenage girls who have yet to know the hope of Christ.

Please pray specifically for my friendships with Odile and Awa, two girls who give themselves to man after man and search for happiness in empty pleasures. They are both interested in my life and are open to friendship. Odile is in the same sports class at school and Awa works at the hair salon with my sister. Pray that they might come to know Jesus, the One who can satisfy their hunger and thirst.

 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” - Jesus (Matthew 28:11-30)