This week we have been going to different churches in the mornings to do a VBS full of singing, bible verse memorization, and health basics. It's been fun to see different churches and have a chance to interact with the kids. Then in the afternoons we have been meeting with youth at a different church and experience what a "youth meeting" is like here. They all have endless questions of what it's like to be in America. They all seem to have dreams of getting to America one day... they're all so sweet. Also, at lunch time we have been going to KFC with Adimi. It has been wonderful!! True American food for the first time in a long time. It's the only American food place here... I can't believe we didn't go sooner!
Yesterday, the VBS time was cancelled by the church for some reason, so Adimi took us souvenir shopping! It was lots of fun. We got to experience the "market" where people were selling fresh veggies, fruits, and fish. On the other side of the market there were venders selling homemade goods and souvenirs. It was a lot of fun to be able to watch people carving and making things by hand and to pick out those things for family and friends. It's amazing how hard the people work at making things and how talented they are.
Today we are leading a big youth meeting, consisting of two districts, and the topic is "A Day in the Life of a Nazarene Youth in America." Just as we had many stereotypes in our heads of what Mozambique would be like when coming here, the people here have a "perfect idea" of America. The way our churches (Nazarene) run are very similar and we hope to break those stereotypes for them today. It will be fun to show them how similar we all are. Their youth meetings last much longer though... so we will be learning how to stretch it out as we talk!! I think we are expected to talk for two hours, that's after they shortened our time slot. (it was four hours!)
Tomorrow will be back to VBS and then we are supposed to show the Jesus film in the evening. Keep the prayers coming as we finish out our last week here :) I'm excited to see all of you.
Love Always, Allyson
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Monday, July 13, 2009
BIRTHDAY PARTY!!!
We spent the evening last night (after VBS in other districts) decorating and preparing for our BIRTHDAY PARTY!!
These are some of the dresses that Kristin finished last night as well! Each girl has one, and each of us do too, so she made a total of 14!! She did such a beautiful job.
This was my Pin the Tail on the Donkey project :) I will never take those pre-made ones you buy from the store for granted after this! But it was lots of fun. The kids enjoyed this new game.
All the girls in their dresses!! Their mom's were SO excited when they saw them in the dresses. They kissed their girls as if they were congratulating them. It was so sweet. We all had the same dress pattern, so we all matched. We also bought each boy a t-shirt; they were all excited too.
We ate cupcakes that Kaylee made!! This is Ada, who LOVED her cupcake. I think it lasted her a good thirty minutes. She is adorable. The kids all enjoyed these treats!
MERRELLI. The hunk of love I wish I could take home :)
As I have written this, and looked through so many pictures, it's hard to believe that we'll be kissing these beautiful faces goodbye in one week. I'm so torn because I miss my loved ones and all my family more than anything. But at some point in the past seven weeks, these people have become our family too. They are so unbelievable. We love each one of them. We are finished with the after school program now, but will continue outside 'play time' whenever we can! The rest of this week will be full of VBS in different districts, and then we will be with the Restrick's for the weekend. Keep the kids in your prayers and all the churches that we will be visiting too.
Love Always, Allyson
Additional Prayer Request: There is a team from different churches in Tennessee that left for Guatemala early, early this morning. One of my best friends Emily is on the trip, keep her and her team in your prayers as they show the Jesus Film and evangelize to those people. They will be gone from 14th-21st. Thanks!!
This was my Pin the Tail on the Donkey project :) I will never take those pre-made ones you buy from the store for granted after this! But it was lots of fun. The kids enjoyed this new game.
All the girls in their dresses!! Their mom's were SO excited when they saw them in the dresses. They kissed their girls as if they were congratulating them. It was so sweet. We all had the same dress pattern, so we all matched. We also bought each boy a t-shirt; they were all excited too.
We ate cupcakes that Kaylee made!! This is Ada, who LOVED her cupcake. I think it lasted her a good thirty minutes. She is adorable. The kids all enjoyed these treats!
MERRELLI. The hunk of love I wish I could take home :)As I have written this, and looked through so many pictures, it's hard to believe that we'll be kissing these beautiful faces goodbye in one week. I'm so torn because I miss my loved ones and all my family more than anything. But at some point in the past seven weeks, these people have become our family too. They are so unbelievable. We love each one of them. We are finished with the after school program now, but will continue outside 'play time' whenever we can! The rest of this week will be full of VBS in different districts, and then we will be with the Restrick's for the weekend. Keep the kids in your prayers and all the churches that we will be visiting too.
Love Always, Allyson
Additional Prayer Request: There is a team from different churches in Tennessee that left for Guatemala early, early this morning. One of my best friends Emily is on the trip, keep her and her team in your prayers as they show the Jesus Film and evangelize to those people. They will be gone from 14th-21st. Thanks!!
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Sunday :)
Today was such a great day!
I woke up this morning, feeling completely refreshed and renewed. It was a true answer to prayer as the past few days have been difficult ones for me. We went to church this morning and it was an amazing service. It was such a small church, more like a hut, but the Holy Spirit was so evident and it was truly a beautiful service. The people were so happy to have us there and were so incredibly welcoming. It was probably my favorite Sunday of the trip. There were also so many children there! It was probably the most overwhelmed we have been by the children, as they pinched our skin and tugged viciously at our hair. It was funny and I also found it kind of sweet. I think one of the little girls was determined that she could scratch the "white" off my arms, and pick the tattoo out of my skin. Of course it was humorous, but a little painful too :)
We were also fed before we left, as always. This was my most memorable "food experience" as well. After we prayed, they told us to dig in! There was a bowl of chicken pieces in front of me. I was a little relieved to see that I at least recognized this meat, so I was quick to just scoop a piece onto my plate without much thought. As I placed the spoon back into the dish I quickly realized what I had actually put on my plate. Yes, it was chicken, but it was the chicken's head. I knew I had to face my fear and do my best to scrape what meat there off of it's head and eat. Oh what an experience. At least I didn't have to eat any bones or anything. Mom, aren't you proud?
Adimi and his family had us over for dinner tonight. It was so much fun! We got to know his children and they made us pizza, chicken (minus the head), and potatoes. We ate more than I ever thought possible, due to loads of encouragement. We had a great night of looking at pictures and dancing together to African music. It was great to spend time with a family and get to know them more. Their children, Noel and Shirley, were so much fun. Adimi and Celeste have been such a blessing to us, they are such beautiful people, inside and out.
Thank you all so much for your prayers. Your encouragement has been such an answer to prayer!! The past few days have made us stronger as a team and have definitely tested our trust and patience. I am looking forward to this upcoming week, even as it will be a busy one. We will be doing VBS with the youth in different districts. Our responsibility is to teach common health to the kids here, brushing their teeth, combing hair, etc. We are also going to be able to leave VBS early on Monday and Tuesday to finish the after school program we have been doing with our Seminary kids. Tuesday will be our great big Birthday Party with our kids. I could not be more excited about that! Keep our team in prayer as we take on our last full week here in MOZ.
Love Always, Allyson
We were also fed before we left, as always. This was my most memorable "food experience" as well. After we prayed, they told us to dig in! There was a bowl of chicken pieces in front of me. I was a little relieved to see that I at least recognized this meat, so I was quick to just scoop a piece onto my plate without much thought. As I placed the spoon back into the dish I quickly realized what I had actually put on my plate. Yes, it was chicken, but it was the chicken's head. I knew I had to face my fear and do my best to scrape what meat there off of it's head and eat. Oh what an experience. At least I didn't have to eat any bones or anything. Mom, aren't you proud?
Adimi and his family had us over for dinner tonight. It was so much fun! We got to know his children and they made us pizza, chicken (minus the head), and potatoes. We ate more than I ever thought possible, due to loads of encouragement. We had a great night of looking at pictures and dancing together to African music. It was great to spend time with a family and get to know them more. Their children, Noel and Shirley, were so much fun. Adimi and Celeste have been such a blessing to us, they are such beautiful people, inside and out.
Thank you all so much for your prayers. Your encouragement has been such an answer to prayer!! The past few days have made us stronger as a team and have definitely tested our trust and patience. I am looking forward to this upcoming week, even as it will be a busy one. We will be doing VBS with the youth in different districts. Our responsibility is to teach common health to the kids here, brushing their teeth, combing hair, etc. We are also going to be able to leave VBS early on Monday and Tuesday to finish the after school program we have been doing with our Seminary kids. Tuesday will be our great big Birthday Party with our kids. I could not be more excited about that! Keep our team in prayer as we take on our last full week here in MOZ.
Love Always, Allyson
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Hello everyone!
I'm sorry that I haven't posted in several days, I've fallen behind!
Well this past week we were able to get our sewing machine fixed, and are almost done with all of the dresses. And we continued the after school program through this past week and we hope to end it next Tuesday with our big Birthday Party.
The last couple of days have been a real struggle for me, as we have had some frustrations and a few difficulties. Just please pray for our team as this next week approaches and our schedule may be changing a little bit.
We are all healthy and completely safe, so no worries, but please keep us in your prayers.
Love Always, Allyson
"No temptation [trial] has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted [tested] beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted[tested], he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."
- 1 Corinthians 10:13
I'm sorry that I haven't posted in several days, I've fallen behind!
Well this past week we were able to get our sewing machine fixed, and are almost done with all of the dresses. And we continued the after school program through this past week and we hope to end it next Tuesday with our big Birthday Party.
The last couple of days have been a real struggle for me, as we have had some frustrations and a few difficulties. Just please pray for our team as this next week approaches and our schedule may be changing a little bit.
We are all healthy and completely safe, so no worries, but please keep us in your prayers.
Love Always, Allyson
"No temptation [trial] has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted [tested] beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted[tested], he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."
- 1 Corinthians 10:13
Monday, July 6, 2009
Sardines on the 4th of July
The past few days consisted of 4th of July and church on Sunday.
To be entirely honest, I was dreading 4th of July. It is that one 'family & friends' holiday that is always so much fun and memorable, but I would be spending away. Nevertheless, Saturday turned out to be quite the cultural experience. Our schedule said "Prey and Fasting" Service on July 4th. Yes, P-R-E-Y. We were very unsure of what to expect, but sure enough at 2:00 Tomas picked us up for the service. It turned out to be an hour long ride to a small "hut church." It had already begun, but we found our place and tried our best to sing along. The service turned into a worship service and at the end there were different areas to pray for different topics, so everyone prayed aloud and lifted up different people and situations in prayer. It was about 4:00 when the service was over and we walked outside with some of the Nazarene youth that we knew from the Seminary. The youth told us that they were taking us home instead of Tomas, so we needed to walk to the bus stop! An adventure was coming, we were all sure of it as soon as we heard those words. So along with everyone that was in the service, we walked through the mud and dirt to the bus stop. It was actually just a corner of the dirt road, crowded with people selling things, and some others waiting for a bus just like we were. After about 15 minutes the crowd starting running towards a bus up ahead, so we did too! It was a normal sized city bus and it looked to me like we would have a pretty "normal" ride home. That thought didn't last long as we all began to cram in the bus like sardines. Each set of seats (made to seat two) sat about four and the isle wide enough to hold one person standing up, held about three. I am serious when I say sardines. I sat on Kaylee's lap, next to a lady with her child on her lap. I couldn't help but laugh at this situation - Kaylee and I found it surprisingly humorous. I don't think there was another option. All I could think of was how thankful I was that it is winter here, because it was hot on that thing! Through all the excitement, we made it home safely and managed to keep the cookouts and fireworks off our minds for the evening. We made a great dinner of homemade mac n' cheese, thank you Google, and ended up enjoying our cultural 4th of July experience!
Sunday was a pretty low key day. Church was surprisingly shorter than most days and we didn't even have to eat anything there when it was over. It was a nice break and a relaxing day. The slow pace of the day made me a little homesick. I began feeling a little overwhelmed as I thought about the things we still want to do here and our sometimes unreliable transportation situation. Thankfully the Lord hears all and is our true source of comfort. He definitely has the perfect timing and is with us in these times. Through the past weeks, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 has been an incredible source of comfort:
"But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.""
I know that Christ is strongest in me when I am weak... I have learned to cherish these times as hard as it may be, and let him work. We all know that he has plans for the remainder of our time here as things wrap us. Please continue to pray that we will all stay driven and determined to finish out these last few weeks strong. Today was a great day and thankfully, Tomas took us grocery shopping! (See, why do I even start to worry?) :) Tomorrow we will continue with our scheduled After School Program and begin preparing for our giant birthday party on Friday... I am so excited for that! Thank you for all your love and prayers... I am truly blessed to have all of you.
Love Always, Allyson
To be entirely honest, I was dreading 4th of July. It is that one 'family & friends' holiday that is always so much fun and memorable, but I would be spending away. Nevertheless, Saturday turned out to be quite the cultural experience. Our schedule said "Prey and Fasting" Service on July 4th. Yes, P-R-E-Y. We were very unsure of what to expect, but sure enough at 2:00 Tomas picked us up for the service. It turned out to be an hour long ride to a small "hut church." It had already begun, but we found our place and tried our best to sing along. The service turned into a worship service and at the end there were different areas to pray for different topics, so everyone prayed aloud and lifted up different people and situations in prayer. It was about 4:00 when the service was over and we walked outside with some of the Nazarene youth that we knew from the Seminary. The youth told us that they were taking us home instead of Tomas, so we needed to walk to the bus stop! An adventure was coming, we were all sure of it as soon as we heard those words. So along with everyone that was in the service, we walked through the mud and dirt to the bus stop. It was actually just a corner of the dirt road, crowded with people selling things, and some others waiting for a bus just like we were. After about 15 minutes the crowd starting running towards a bus up ahead, so we did too! It was a normal sized city bus and it looked to me like we would have a pretty "normal" ride home. That thought didn't last long as we all began to cram in the bus like sardines. Each set of seats (made to seat two) sat about four and the isle wide enough to hold one person standing up, held about three. I am serious when I say sardines. I sat on Kaylee's lap, next to a lady with her child on her lap. I couldn't help but laugh at this situation - Kaylee and I found it surprisingly humorous. I don't think there was another option. All I could think of was how thankful I was that it is winter here, because it was hot on that thing! Through all the excitement, we made it home safely and managed to keep the cookouts and fireworks off our minds for the evening. We made a great dinner of homemade mac n' cheese, thank you Google, and ended up enjoying our cultural 4th of July experience!
Sunday was a pretty low key day. Church was surprisingly shorter than most days and we didn't even have to eat anything there when it was over. It was a nice break and a relaxing day. The slow pace of the day made me a little homesick. I began feeling a little overwhelmed as I thought about the things we still want to do here and our sometimes unreliable transportation situation. Thankfully the Lord hears all and is our true source of comfort. He definitely has the perfect timing and is with us in these times. Through the past weeks, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 has been an incredible source of comfort:
"But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.""
I know that Christ is strongest in me when I am weak... I have learned to cherish these times as hard as it may be, and let him work. We all know that he has plans for the remainder of our time here as things wrap us. Please continue to pray that we will all stay driven and determined to finish out these last few weeks strong. Today was a great day and thankfully, Tomas took us grocery shopping! (See, why do I even start to worry?) :) Tomorrow we will continue with our scheduled After School Program and begin preparing for our giant birthday party on Friday... I am so excited for that! Thank you for all your love and prayers... I am truly blessed to have all of you.
Love Always, Allyson
Friday, July 3, 2009
1st week of After School Program is done.. already!!
It went by fast, but we had tons of fun. We always began with worship.. then games, a craft, and snacks! As you can see, paper bag puppets were one of our crafts!
= = =
We flew kites today for our "game time." Merrelli LOVED flying his Winnie the Pooh Kite! All the kids had a great time with this. Kites are a big thing around here, and they are all experts at making them out of trash... so this whole 'premade' thing was a new experience.
Meet our favorite little chub Terrezinya! She's a doll.. and she's so funny- full of personality! She enjoyed chasing the kites as they would fall to the ground.
We painted fingernails this week!!! They loved this. Everyone wanted their nails painted, but we had to explain that this was for girls only :) It seriously brought me back to painting Julia & Sarah's (my cousins) nails every time we were together. I loved it.
The dum dum's to pass out to the neighborhood kids. "Jesus ama tu! - Jesus loves you!"
These are the friendship bracelets that we made for everyone. We made lots and lots of bracelets, 'boys ones' and 'girls ones'. They are also wearing their "noodle necklaces" in this picture, which were a craft one day. We had 16 kids in the beginning and 19 at the end.. that's a big deal considering we're on such an enclosed campus. So pray that God sends more kids our way. We're looking forward to this next week!
Love Always, Allyson
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
he matters.
The last two days we started our 'after school program.' It has gone really well so far. We have been singing various songs, (hip hip hip hippopotamus, pharaoh pharaoh, waves of mercy, and trading my sorrows), making picture frames and pictures, and eating many snacks. It was so fun and they are so well behaved, so it runs very smoothly. There are a total of 16 of them, with their ages ranging from infant to fifteen. At the end of our time together, they all line up at the door as they prepare themselves for a hug and they each tilt their heads up in anticipation of a kiss on the forehead. It's so sweet. I have grown to love them all and appreciate all their differences. Today we were scheduled to go to a youth meeting, but plans were canceled so we had a laid back day with them. It was nice to play a little frisbee and some more hand games. They all also love climbing the Restrick's tangerine tree and picking unripe tangerines. We all sat in the grass, peeled endless amounts of fruit, and enjoyed each others 'sour faces.'
I got to thinking about the kids today and about what it will be like when the time comes to say goodbye. It will be difficult to tell them all goodbye, but I feel like they all have abilities and will have opportunities to grow up and have a chance in this society. Except for one of them. Merrelli has stolen my heart and I can't bear to think of what things will be like for him in the future. To have parents that don't have hope for you, and that don't have the money to afford the resources you need to make it in the future makes me feel ill. Even if his parents did have the money to afford the resources that Merrelli desperately needs, this area is so underdeveloped that I don't think those places even exist. Most parents here are so busy and distracted with every day life that they don't take the time to invest in their children, especially those that need more care and attention than the others. Merrelli is not disciplined because his parents don't see a need to work with him, because to them, it's not worth it, he is unlike the others. In the beginning of this journey, I never thought that I would ever want to take any of these kids back to America. Yes, of course we would love to have them all, but deep down, I don't really think America isn't the answer for all of the world's problems, or think that it would be ideal to take every kid there. However, in this case, I feel that Merrelli is such an exception. I wish more than anything that I had a second plane ticket back to the States. I wish I had the ability to place him into a special education preschool and take him to a speech pathologist. I want him to know that I believe in him, I believe he can succeed and I know he will talk one day. I want to work with him one on one and teach him right from wrong. I want place him on a little boys soccer team because he loves soccer so much and is so active. I want love him, each and every day, despite his differences and individual struggles. I want to be able to give him a bath and put him in a new pair of clothes. I want to care about his likes and dislikes and invest in him, because he does matter. I cannot say I have all the answers, in fact I most definitely do not. But when we live in a country that is filled with so many resources that seem to just be at our fingertips, how do I not feel like I can help? I am not saying that things would be easy for him in America either, I definitely know the struggles we have had with Ben and understand things would take a lot of work. Still, I do not understand this situation. How can there be no help for these people in this country? But even if there was help and aid for the disabled, I am not sure if their parents or care givers would take advantage of the help. Families work together here, but Merrelli, along with other disabled people, is not seen as a "help" to his family, but rather a burden. This makes me so sad, and it is so difficult when it seems like there is no hope. I can't blame anyone in this situation. The family is not to blame because they are apart of a society that is striving for survival. It's just an ugly continuous cycle. This will be my biggest struggle coming home. What now? Do I just think, well it's one boy, and surely he will be fine. No. I can't bring myself to do that. This precious four year old boy that has taken over a huge piece of my heart. He has so much potential. He has the potential to be a blessing to so many and to be smothered with so much love. He has the potential to be educated and worked with one-on-one, but not here. I do not know how to stop my heart from hurting for him, or how to stop asking why he was brought into my life. I feel that his life is intended to be so much bigger this. I can't help but believe things could be better for him.. that things are meant to be better for him. In fact, I know they could be. I pray that God shows me what he has intended me to learn/do/bring/make from this. I can't help but believe there is more for Merrelli than this.
I got to thinking about the kids today and about what it will be like when the time comes to say goodbye. It will be difficult to tell them all goodbye, but I feel like they all have abilities and will have opportunities to grow up and have a chance in this society. Except for one of them. Merrelli has stolen my heart and I can't bear to think of what things will be like for him in the future. To have parents that don't have hope for you, and that don't have the money to afford the resources you need to make it in the future makes me feel ill. Even if his parents did have the money to afford the resources that Merrelli desperately needs, this area is so underdeveloped that I don't think those places even exist. Most parents here are so busy and distracted with every day life that they don't take the time to invest in their children, especially those that need more care and attention than the others. Merrelli is not disciplined because his parents don't see a need to work with him, because to them, it's not worth it, he is unlike the others. In the beginning of this journey, I never thought that I would ever want to take any of these kids back to America. Yes, of course we would love to have them all, but deep down, I don't really think America isn't the answer for all of the world's problems, or think that it would be ideal to take every kid there. However, in this case, I feel that Merrelli is such an exception. I wish more than anything that I had a second plane ticket back to the States. I wish I had the ability to place him into a special education preschool and take him to a speech pathologist. I want him to know that I believe in him, I believe he can succeed and I know he will talk one day. I want to work with him one on one and teach him right from wrong. I want place him on a little boys soccer team because he loves soccer so much and is so active. I want love him, each and every day, despite his differences and individual struggles. I want to be able to give him a bath and put him in a new pair of clothes. I want to care about his likes and dislikes and invest in him, because he does matter. I cannot say I have all the answers, in fact I most definitely do not. But when we live in a country that is filled with so many resources that seem to just be at our fingertips, how do I not feel like I can help? I am not saying that things would be easy for him in America either, I definitely know the struggles we have had with Ben and understand things would take a lot of work. Still, I do not understand this situation. How can there be no help for these people in this country? But even if there was help and aid for the disabled, I am not sure if their parents or care givers would take advantage of the help. Families work together here, but Merrelli, along with other disabled people, is not seen as a "help" to his family, but rather a burden. This makes me so sad, and it is so difficult when it seems like there is no hope. I can't blame anyone in this situation. The family is not to blame because they are apart of a society that is striving for survival. It's just an ugly continuous cycle. This will be my biggest struggle coming home. What now? Do I just think, well it's one boy, and surely he will be fine. No. I can't bring myself to do that. This precious four year old boy that has taken over a huge piece of my heart. He has so much potential. He has the potential to be a blessing to so many and to be smothered with so much love. He has the potential to be educated and worked with one-on-one, but not here. I do not know how to stop my heart from hurting for him, or how to stop asking why he was brought into my life. I feel that his life is intended to be so much bigger this. I can't help but believe things could be better for him.. that things are meant to be better for him. In fact, I know they could be. I pray that God shows me what he has intended me to learn/do/bring/make from this. I can't help but believe there is more for Merrelli than this.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
