Pictures!

Here are some random pictures of the daily happenings that go on around here! I hope they make you all feel more like you're here with me!

#1- My bed

#2- English class

#3- Let the corn rows begin!

#4- Almost done!

#5- Finished project! (Yellow shirt: Jizella, Blue shirt: Lanorda, Blue shirt: Cloudia)

#6- Close up of the sweet corn rows

#7- The after effects of corn rows: BIG HAIR

#8- Cloudia: The skilled braider!

#9- Nolita holding up her pottery

#10- A few of the girls playing

#11- Kinito (Maybe 7 or 8 yrs old..they are unsure)

#12- Mina (4 yrs Old)

#13- If only they knew..

#14- The boys infront of their temporary homes until the new dorm is finished! (They love it!)

#15- Elder (White shirt) posing for the camera. He was one of the children from the orphanage and now he helps out with the kitchen work. He is such a young man who loves the Lord and loves to serve! He also is dedicated to doing morning and evening devotions with the children during the week, and teaching sunday school.

#16- In need

#17- In plenty

Well this is it for now. I will post more later! Enjoy!!!

I am so blessed!

10.19.08-Sunday
As I sit and type, the air is filled with an amazing breeze and joyful songs of praise as the Evanjafrica band is practicing! They are such a gifted group of young kids and their voices and styles of music are great and unique to my American ears, considering they are not the kind of sounds you hear often in the states! Their practices are like a group affair, too. It starts out with just the band and maybe a few other people listening, then before you know it over half the orphanage is standing around listening and dancing! They keep asking me to teach them new things and… right! The more I listen to them the more I’m like “Teach me!!” I will actually be teaching voice lessons on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, starting tomorrow, and then going through until I leave. My main focus for what I will be working on them with is 1) To gain a deeper understanding of our motives and purpose for making music and singing and 2) To teach them a few voice techniques to enhance the skills they most definitely already have. It will be things like breathing properly so that when they are up and dancing around they can keep a controlled sound to their voice, etc. I was thinking I would only be teaching the kids from the orphanage but I was informed the other day that it will be kids from one of the best choirs in this area as well. Oh man...! I have never taught voice lessons; therefore this will be a growing time in that area and a growing time in relying on the wisdom and grace of God all the way! Oh…! Little Isaac just brought over a little clay set he made for me to see! It’s a computer with a keyboard and mouse. It’s supposed to be like the ones me and Christina use…How precious!!!

Ok, story time! So the other day as I was looking out the window, I saw the kids throwing tiny mangos at the dog, Simba. (The orphanage pet) I quickly went out and yelled “Now! Shayga!” This in English means “No! That’s enough!” So they stopped for a little while. Then next thing I know their throwing more again. All I thought was “this poor dog and the abuse he puts up with!” Well, a few moments ago (in the present time) I was distracted by this same event, only this time it was with one of the little girls and little boys. The little boy was attacking the little girl with the same tiny mangos, then vice versa. It looked painful to me but they were definitely enjoying it! Hmm…I understand their different kind of…entertainment…more each day. J
Another new thing that has been added to the days is doing work outs and exercises with a few of the older girls. Right now I am only doing them with Clara, but soon it will be more girls. I didn’t think this would be something of interest to them but they were actually the ones to come to me!

So yeah, for the curious minds, now that I have one I will give a layout of what my schedule will look like until I leave (events are subject to change quickly):
Mondays Wednesdays and Fridays:
-8am-9am-Helping Christina teach the older kids English
-9:30-10:30-Helping Christina teach the younger kids English
-11:45-Lunch
-1pm-2pm-Helping Christina teach another English class to the choir group
-2pm-4 pm-Teaching music classes to the Evanjafrica kids as well as the choir group
-4:30pm-6pm-Work outs with a few of the older girls
-6:30pm-Dinner
-Evenings are free, but since their days start at 4:30am sleep is ready to be started at like 8 or 9!
Tuesdays and Thursdays:
-8-9-English class for older kids
-9:30-10:30-English class for younger kids
-11:45-Lunch
-Free time until 4:30-6pm-Work outs
-6pm-Dinner
Saturdays:
-These are pretty chill days with no real set schedules except for chores, music practice, playing games, etc.
Sundays:
-So far it’s just been church and then back to relax and enjoy the Lords day of rest! Next Sunday, though, we are hoping to make it out to the evening Wycliffe church service, which is a church for all the missionaries located in and around this area. (Most are Americans) They also have a big celebration for thanksgiving which we are hoping and planning to attend. That should be fun and interesting! Also, Sunday nights are usually when they do a movie night. Tonight it was “Honey I Shrunk the Kids”. It’s so much fun watching movies with them and listening to all their hearty laughter! (Even though the majority of them have no idea what is being said)

10.20.08-Monday
Today I had my first class. I was SO extremely nervous and leading up to it I was worried and questioning if this was something I really should be doing. Before I knew it, it was time. I started the class out with getting their hearts and minds in tune with what worship is and why we do it. One of the main classes I taught this past summer at camp was on “A Heart of Worship”, which answered those exact questions. I can see now how God gave me training in this area there, and how that training has prepared me to teach it here. God is so good!!! The class went so well, too. They were a great group of about 15 young people who were so receptive to all God was speaking through me! Victor translated, too, which made all of my speaking 100% understood. (Phew! Another blessing) Well, after the class was over I was made aware, by God, on how I had doubted Him again. I doubted my gifts which HE has established in me, I doubted that God could use me again for His good work, and I doubted that God was the same yesterday, today, and forever. I was reading just the other day too, in my journal entries, and seeing how God has been so faithful in all areas of my life! How could I see that and yet still dare to doubt Him now? He quickly reminded me that it is HE who has brought me to this place, it is HE who has put these opportunities in front of me, it is HE who chooses to use the weak to lead the strong, and it is HIM and HIM alone that I should be trusting in to fulfill the plans and work he is laying out in front of me, not my own strength or what I feel I am or am not qualified to do. HE has provided for me thus far, and in every situation I should and need to continue to trust that He IS unchanging. (Hebrews 13:8) He knows exactly what I need exactly before I even realize I am in need of it. My job is to continue searching out His heart, trusting in His heart, and not being anxious about anything, but rather knowing that “My God will supply every need of mine according to HIS glorious riches in Christ Jesus” Phil. 4:19. What comfort we can take in that promise! This is another situation God has used to remind and stretch me; that I may draw nearer to His heart. Thank you Jesus!

A deeper longing for Christ and time with Him, a deeper understanding of what it is to be His hands and feet, a deeper understanding of what it means to be still and know that He is God, an increased attitude of gratitude, a deepening of trust and reliance on Christ alone, a deeper understanding of the riches we as Christians truly have in Christ, the power of praying in Jesus’ name, and an increased understanding of a servants heart are just a few of the many things God is teaching, maturing, and stretching me in. I am ever so thankful!!!

“But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.”-Acts 20:24

"Halleluiah, what a Love!"

It’s been another great, and quite fast, week! There was no real set schedule, but still the days seemed to fill up really fast. Estephano, Victor’s younger brother, came in last Sunday and has been taking Clara and I out sight seeing and exploring for the past few days. I still can’t get over how beautiful it is here!

Wednesday, at 6am, all the kids and staff met on the foundation where the new boys dorm will be built. Victors dad was there and gave a message and then we all prayed for the project. We prayed that once we get started God would continue to provide and bless the work being done, and that it wouldn't stop until it was completed!

Later that day, Clara and I went for a walk around the town and met up with Estephano. We then walked back towards the orphanage and down to a "river". Due to the huge drought they are in, there was not a drop of water there! (As you can see) Come December, though, it should fill back up completely. So after that we came back to the orphanage and played with the kids, sat and talked with Christina, and played some more until dinner time.

Thursday,(yesterday) there was a huge struggle and need for prayer! The city shut the water off a few days ago, because of the drought, and by this day it still hadn't been turned back on yet and everything was completely empty and water was VERY difficult to find. The kids had not been able to shower and they were now limited on the water they were allowed to have. On top of that it has been exceptionally hot, which means the need for water is increased! Well, by that evening, due to many many prayers from all of you and more, the water was turned back on and we were able to fill everything back up again! Praise the Lord and thank you all for your prayers. Please continue to pray that, if it pleases Him most, God would keep the water on! Not only for the orphanage but for the whole city!
Hokay so, when we went for another days worth of walking and adventures, I got to ride on my first Chape(sounds like Shoppa). This is a van which is used for transportation. It's kind of like our Charter buses, but not really. (Picture soon to come) They pack these vans in tight and then stop about every 5 seconds to pick up more people. It was a fun experience and took us about 20 minutes to get to our first destination; the Mountain. Once we got there we climbed up and instantly stood in awe of the beauty that laid before us. God truly is the most amazing artist, y'all!!! So,we start walking around on this mountain, minding our own business and just talking away, when suddenly these 2 men start walking towards us. They seemed kinda sketchy and it looked like might have wanted to start something, and though I was ready to bust out my scissor kicks, Estephano thought it best for us to head in another direction. ;) Once we got to the next destination (still on the mountain) we saw more amazing sites. One of them was a little house with a yard of green grass! I was so excited to see this! I have not seen one house or area that really had any grass except for this house and a gas station down the road. Yeah, so after that we headed down to catch another Shoppa for our next stop. We soon arrived at one of Nampulas nicest and biggest, what we would call them, Malls. We went into this little cafe' place and devoured a bottle of sprite, then moved on to another cafe' place that over looked part of the town, and drank lots of juice and talked. We did this for the next hour then needed to head back because it was starting to get dark. (Dark equals not as safe) So, we get back and by this time we are all so tired from the heat, walking, and riding that we all go our separate ways and head to bed!

Today(Friday) has been a really hot day. Not humid though, like South Carolina! (For this i am thankful!) One of the neatest things I did today was lay the first huge rock down on the foundation for the new boys dorm.(pictures soon to come) It was heavy, and I found a shoe. After that I finished my laundry and then cleaned my little house. Then I headed over to my bathroom and ventured to fill up my big bucket used for showers. It was like an event because it soon turned from just me trying to do it, to 4 of us doing it! Everyone here is so sweet and jumps to the opportunity to help another in need. And they do it with a HUGE smile! I am learning so much from their cheerful servants heart! As for now I am heading out to ShopRite with Victor to get some groceries and then hopefully a fan tomorrow, which will be a HUGE blessing to have with this weather. Oh boy will it!
Thank you all for your continual prayers. They are felt and greatly needed! I wish you could all be here experiencing this with me, but since you can't please know you are in my thoughts and prayers daily! Please continue to fill me in and keep me updated on praises and prayer request you all may have! If you don't want to post them on here you can email me at Tynker9teen@yahoo.com and I will reply from there. I love you all and God bless!

As time goes by..

To start off let me share with you my excitement for the progression I am having in learning the language here! I knew it was going to be a challenge, but the more I talk with the kids, ask questions, and copy words from English to Portuguese in my little notebook, the more I am learning quickly! A few words I have put to memory that I use most are(and keep in mind they are spelt according to how they sound):

-Good morning: Bom Dia

-Good Afternoon: Boi Tarde

-Good Night: Boi Noide

-How do you say?: Como say deesh?

-Name: Nomay

-How are you?: Comoo shtah?

-I am fine, and you? Shtoh bang, evoh say?

*I don't understand, sorry!: Now say, dishculpa!

On Tuesday, 10-7-08, Victor and Gracious took me with them on 2 different trips. One was to get the sand needed to build the dorms, and the 2ND was to get the rocks needed to build the dorms. Both were quite the eye opener! When we arrived at the sand dunes out in the bush, there were pits everywhere from all the digging that had been done. Let me fill you in on how the work ethic is around here. First, jobs are VERY scarce, and when they do find a job, like digging sand, they make only pennies. The labor is all manual and hard. I was getting tired and sweaty just watching them!

They were joking about how they have been working this job for so long and yet they haven't even made enough to buy a simple(in my eyes) bike. (Walking and biking are the main uses of transportation. If you have a car you are seen as rich)

Next was the rock place where they would use fire to heat up the rock to make hammering and chiseling possible and easier to do. I remember while we were there, a young man on another part of the mountain came running up to the top of the hill screaming! I then watched as he tore his shirt off and jumped all around before running back to his spot. I asked Victor what that was all about and he said he was extremely excited because he made fire. Both jobs are quite strenuous, but I would have to say that I would want least to work at the rock place.

As we were waiting for them to load up all these huge rocks, Victor and I went up on the mountain to see the overview. It was amazing. It's beauty I tried to capture, but the camera does NOT come close to doing it justice.(Even though it's a great camera. Thank you again dad!!!) So once we finished these trips we came back to the house and..well..I don't really remember what exactly we did but I'm sure it involved eating dinner and sitting with the kids teaching them English as they taught me Portuguese!(This happens always!)

*I think one of the biggest eye openers about the whole work ethic is how the people here would literally do anything for work, and would literally do any kind of work. It truly is convicting!*

Thursday, 10.9.08, Victor and Christina left early on this morning to go on an overnighter to get some rest! They were busy in the states and ever since they got back here they have been busy. So, once they left I spent the next few hours in great quiet time! Then before I knew it there were about 10 kids all piled around me. I began to show them pictures of my famelia (family) and Amigos and Amiga's (friends boys and friends girls). They loved it! Then I showed them videos I had taken from my camera, which they also loved. The whole time this was going on we were teaching each other new words in each others languages. It was a lot of fun! Before I knew it hours had gone by and it was already time for them to leave for dinner. I then snuggled down with some rice and potatoes and watched a movie before heading back to my casa(pronounced caza, and in English house) to sleep.

Today, Friday 10.10.08, has been a good day. God is really teaching me a lot since being here. In the midst of my discomfort and overwhelmed self, He has continued to show me that He is the same yesterday, today and forever. He is the same God here in Africa as He was in the States. And by Him and His word alone, which is living and active, I may find all comfort and peace, in the midst of my changing and/or difficult situations! I always knew this was true, but more than ever I find myself coming to the realization of this as I cling fast, more than ever, to His word and promises. He truly is all I need. I pray that as I learn and grow in this that it will not change once I am in my comfort zones, but that I may ALWAYS realize my need for, and the value and importance of His word in every situation!

May I learn what it is to be content. Leaning wholly on Christ my Solid Rock. May I never be ashamed, but rather passionate, to share this hope, this truth, this gospel to the ends of the earth!! To God be the glory, forever!

AFRICA!

(Termite Hill..um.gross.)

Wow, I don't even know where to begin. I think my mind is on overload right about..now! First, let me just say how much I truly truly do appreciate your prayers. I mean, TRULY. A few difficult times so far, mainly mental overload, I know your prayers were speaking for me when I couldn't, and I thank you!

Second, I suppose I should fill some of you, that I have not yet talked to(which is most of you), in on how the trip over was! Personally, I thought it was a great flight from Atl. to Joberg. LONG, oh so very long, but good. I only slept a total of about 4 1/2 hours, and it seemed everytime i would start to drift someone would walk down the isle and knock into my feet and I would wake up. I think i was too tired to even care though!

I had quite a few great conversations with different people on the plane, which was cool. All of them were held while standing waiting in line for the bathroom. One specific conversation lasted about 15 minutes and we finally looked at the bathroom door and wondered if the person inside was ok or not, due to how long they were "in there". Well, leave it to another man, who just recently got in line, to walk up to the door and open it, only for us all to realize it had been empty the whole time! Oh the stupidity felt and the laughter belted!

The same man that I talked to in line introduced me to his wife, who immediately adopted the idea of helping me in anyway possible. They wanted me to come stay with them in Joberg but I already had other arrangements. They are a christian family with kids all around the world doing different ministries. It was encouraging and comforting meeting christian parents with arms held open for me.(seeing as I can't have my mom and dads at this time..im missing it already!)

Once I got in Joberg I met up with the Reymans who took me to their home to settle in. After getting adjusted I went in to join them for dinner and deser. Then I went to bed! It was so nice to finally lay down(fully) and go to sleep! The first thing I remember thinking was "wow, this pillow feels really nice!" I think I also must have woken up atleast 3 or 4 times during the middle of the night worried that I was late to catch my next flight. The whole time change is really weird, and how your body knows it's happening is even weirder, I think! Oh, the sun also comes up around 430am, so once your body sees it, it's hard to tell your body it can still sleep. (As I am writing this there about 11..no..13..ok they keep pouring in, kids sitting all around me and Christina, and on the floor playing with cars and trying to talk to me. I feel bad..all i know how to say is hello-Bom Dia, thank you-Obreegadoo, and I dont understand-Now say)
So then friday came(the next morning) and I had 2 more flights. First one was from Joberg to Maputo. Now THAT was a culture change all in itself. In Joberg I felt like I was just in a different state and their main lagnuage anyways is english. So, not much of a change there. Well, in Maputo, the living status changed drastically to cardboard boxes, mud homes, and huts. Also, english is VERY scarce. I found that out quickly!

When I got to Maputo I went through customs and had to get a visa..that whole experience was..quite an interesting one. To get a visa it cost $35 US dollars, so I gave her $40 because I didn't have smaller bills. Well, she goes away to get change and comes back 15 minutes later, finishes my visa, and then says they do not have the $5 dollars change to give me, and continues on with other work. I kind of stood there for a minute or two verrry confused. Do I leave? Am I done here? Is she saying too bad about the change? Where's my change? Im so confused!! So i looked at her, said "keep the $5 dollars, I'm leaving now. Thank you." And she looked very excited and thanked me so much. This was the start of it all..

Next, because I had a 5 1/2 hour lay over, I went up to the cafe' and sat..and read..and journaled..and sat..and stared..and read..and stared..and journaled. Somewhere in that time I went up and got myself my first good ol' Africa meal for lunch; a hamburger and chips! When it came time to pay(keep in mind I have no idea what the money difference is from american and african) the pay was 85,000 mets(i think that's what it's called). I had no idea what that was in american money so I just gave them a $10, hoping that would be enough. They smiled big and waved me off to sit back down until the food was ready. I never got change and later on came to find out that for every 20,000 met, its $1 dollar in US. My bill would have been $4.50 U.S. Yeah, thats the second time they got me for my money :) Oh well. They definitely needed it more than me! So anyways, as the time neared an end, I only had 30 minutes left, and it was then that I discovered they had free internet access....oh man.

So I get inline for checking my bags in and I come to find I am somehow 9 kilos overweight.(I was sure mom and I had the right weight measurement but I guess not) So, I was sent to another counter to pay. The people in Maputo know nothing about customer service.(it's what I'm told and came to see myself) I stood at the window for 15 minutes before the manager came in and told one of the ladies to stop and help me. She was not happy to do so, and it was obviouse. This was a test of patience and kindness on my part for sure! So, then after I pay, I go back and get all checked in and head over to the terminal area to wait. I get over there and end up sitting with a father and his co-worker talking for the next hour. They quickly took me under their wing and I tagged along side of them the rest of the trips. We flew for about an hour and then had to get off so they could refuel, then we got back on and flew another hour and then finally made in to Nampula! I walked out of the plane to be greeted with 3 huge smiles and waving arms. (Victor, Christina, and Clara-pronounced: Calauda) I got my luggage and off we headed.

I ended up staying in a hotel the first night(friday), due to the house I was going to stay in being unfinished. I didn't mind and they said to enjoy it because it would be my last shower, sleep in, and air conditioned room for the next 2 months! After we dropped the luggage off they took me to the orphanage to show me around, meet the kids, and eat dinner. It was all so exciting and the kids were so welcoming and giggley!

After that I went back to the hotel and got ready for bed and fell asleep around 1130pm. I ended up waking up a few hours after that thinking I was late for something or that I had overslept, but really is was only like..2am. So I went back to bed and then got up a few hours after that thinking the same thing. This happened so many times before I finally got up at like..10am. After I got all ready for the day, Victor and Christina came and picked me up and we went out to eat. We had chicken(which had amazing flavor) and fries. In american dollars for one plate of that it cost about 2 or 3 dollars(my kind of price!). After lunch we went to the shop rite (grocery store) and picked up a few things like apples, peanut butter, and canned tuna. Then we headed back to the orphanage.

*Let me just add that Nampula has AMAZING scenes. They are surrounded by mountains and hills, and everything is so green and lush. Its beautiful!!!*

So then we came back to the orphanage and hung out, watched the kids practice their music, and then Victor, Christina and I headed off to another village to drop off something for a friend of theirs. The view and scenes for that car ride was..again..amazing.(i didn't have my camera or I would post pictures.) The huge orange sun was setting too which added even more beauty. God is amazing!!!

Once we got back I got ready for bed, and then had my first night sleep in the house. It was awesome laying down and having a full view, from every angle, of the moon and stars all around me. There was a great breeze/wind too which brought it to a nice chill.

Around 2:30 am sunday morning I heard music, and singing. The village was starting to..wake up? I don't even know if they sleep! But noise started approaching. Then I fell back asleep and then heard a sirene go off at about 4:40am..that was the wake-up call for the kids in the orphanage. They wake up, do chores, eat, and SING. The next 3 hours, as i was in and out of sleep, all i heard was singing, roosters, and nature. It was great, but it will take a little getting used to!

So then lastly was church. Once a month all the kids pile into the truck and go to the "Mother Church", which is about 3 miles from the orphanage.(I've also added pictures of the church that are of inside, looking from the back to the front after everyone had left, and the 2nd is the outside of it.) It was a total of 4 hours long. The first 3 hours was communion, singing, singing, singing, singing, oh yeah, and singing! I got lot's of video's from it. It was extremely different, but also so awesome to get to see how other fellow brothers and sisters in Christ worship the One True and Living God! Oh, and a 4 hour service is considered really short to them. Talk about different, huh?

Anyways, after getting back from church Victor made lunch for Christina and I. It is part of their custom on sundays to let the women relax while the men do the cooking and cleaning up. This, too, is rather different from what we know! After lunch we went over to the main meeting room, for the kids, and watched an english movie called "Mr. Bones". It was really silly and the kids really enjoyed it!(even though they couldn't understand what was being said) Then, after the movie, I introduced the frisbee to the kids. It started out me teaching it to 4 year old Mina, but then kids from out of no where came running and laughing excitedly to see what we were doing. After playing this for a little while, they taught me some of their games! It was really great and fun getting to bond with the kids!(this was the first time I was able to since getting here.) Next, they had devotions. Victors dad came and taught this!

Afterwards, while Victor took his dad back home, Christina and I came back to their house and attempted to make pizza, but instead ended up talking for like, an hour! We finally made it into the kitchen and made it, while, of course, talking more! It was a time I greatly appreciated and was encouraged by in getting to know her. So then, to rap things up for the day, I got ready a second night usinging the Mozabiquian way! Which is really not that bad!

Lastly,today(monday) once Victor and Christina return, we will be heading out to price hot plates and refrigerators and other odds and ends of that sort! As for now I will continue to download pictures and try to carry on a conversation with Clara. :) (She just saw her name in the sentance and got really excited!)

I love you all and miss you and hope these entries and pictures help you feel like you are right here with me! I know you are, in my prayers and my thoughts. Thank you again, too, for all your many continued prayers! I appreciate them very much!! Hope your all doing well and look forward to talking soon. Chow!

In Him><>
Ashlie
"Jeremiah 33:3"

p.s. hope this scattered mess is easy to read!