My First Week in Mokanji

I have been in Mokanji almost two weeks. Each day gets better as I learn more about this community, but I am homesick. I was not thinking that this summer would be a sacrifice, but an adventure--and what an adventure it has been so far!! I knew I would be sacrificing my personal comfort, but really that is not a big deal. However, I do miss everyone greatly and realize now that it is a big sacrifice to go to a place where communicating with people back home is not easy or even possible most of the time. But still, with sacrifice, God has blessed me and has taken me on this adventure with Him so that I might join in with what he is doing here!

There is another American family, the Hopkins, on the compound for another week and a couple here with the Peace Corps. They have been a huge blessing to me as I try to figure out life here in Mokanji. Life here moves slowly and everything is on African time. I am learning that if someone says they will be there at 4:00, it really means in the 4:00 hour or sometime after. Also, the culture here is very relational. It is important to say hello to everyone when you enter a place or take time to say hi to people on the road. The Hopkins are also kind enough to share food with me, which is mostly carbs. Rice, yams, and bread are staples of our diet here. We also eat a lot of pineapple, cassava, and ground nut soup. It is very hot and humid. The rains are the heaviest I have ever seen and it is a blessing when they come because it cools everything down.

I have never seen poverty like this before. Even the blessed ones have nothing by American standards. It is very humbling to see. The need is absolutely overwhelming. I feel like working here is like trying to empty the ocean with an eyedropper. However, God loves every single person in this village, so if I can help just one person the trip will be worth it.

I have observed and taught in two primary schools, teaching class 4. I teach math and English and enjoy it very much. I am also assisting at the Nursery School and am becoming good friends with the teachers there. They are young and very fun to be around. I also have been helping tutor the kids at the Children's Home. Since many of them have not gone to school before they are very behind, but are learning quickly.

The Internet the Hopkins are graciously allowing be to use is weak. I will upload pictures when I return. Please continue to pray for me as the trip unfolds and God allows me to be a part of his plan in Mokanji!

Facing My Fears

There are only a few more days before I leave. I am ready, but I would be lying if I said I wasn't a little nervous. There has been a lot on my mind that I have been nervous about - most of it is pretty silly to be honest. Here are some examples of the ridiculous things I worry about: will I remember to bring everything and would it fit in my bag (thankfully it does), will I be able to handle the 6-7 hour bus ride with no bathroom breaks, will I be able to handle the bugs and humidity, etc... Seriously, these are things I really shouldn't worry about.

My family also had some concerns. I can't blame them though, they are my family. They asked some good questions that I hadn't quite thought through (like what I would do if the person picking me up at the airport never showed up and other similar questions). Although I now have answers to these questions, my family is still a little nervous.

Fear happens. It's part of life. We all experience it, but what counts is whether or not you choose to let it control you. You can either back down, give up, and walk away or you can face it head on. I choose the latter. I am able to face my fears because of Jesus. Jesus is also the reason I can reassure my family.

There are so many references in the Bible where we are told not to be afraid. God knew that we would be afraid and need that reassurance. He tells us over and over that He will take care of our needs (Philippians 4:19), He will protect us (2 Thessalonians 3:3), and He has our best in mind (Romans 8:28).

With His promises in mind, I have packed my bags and I am ready to go share the hope we have in Jesus and His love with the people in Mokanji (the village I'll be in). I can't wait to meet the kids in Mokanji. I can't wait to work with the teachers at the local schools and the leaders of the church. I am choosing Jesus and His will for my life (Jeremiah 29:11) over my fears.

Two Weeks Until I Leave

So I have joined the blogging world. I've been hesitant to do this because so many of my friends who blog are great with words and are constantly sharing their wisdom. To be honest, I thought who would want to read what I think or about my ideas. However, I want to share my experiences in Sierra Leone this summer with whoever wants to read about it. I will update as much as possible, which will be minimal since I will hardly have electricity, let alone internet. I have been told I will have internet the first night and last night and if I need to go to the capital city of Freetown or Europe for medical reasons (I am praying that wont happen). My intention when I return is to update things God teaches me throughout the summer and how He works in the lives of the people I will be working with.

I am two weeks away from leaving for Sierra Leone to work with churches, schools, and orphanages in Mokanji for 6 weeks. I have gone on mission trips before so the idea of being in a country completely different from my own doesn't scare me, in fact I am very excited about it! God has used previous missions trips to mold my heart for Him. He has broken my heart for His creation, His people. He has brought people to himself and allowed me to be a part of it.

However, all of the trips I've participated in have been with teams. I have always gone with a group of other believers. I never thought much about it, but there is a great amount of security with going overseas with a team. That is not so this time. I will be going to Sierra Leone by myself. I will be meeting and staying with missionaries once I arrive, but as far as preparing and scheduling, it's just me. This sounds silly, but that didn't really sink in until a couple of weeks ago. All of a sudden I was terrified and overwhelmed just thinking about it. God is so good though and has taught me how completely inadequate I am. He has blessed me with a whole new level of dependence on Him. I've been thinking about and clinging to Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength" and Matthew 19:26, "Jesus looked at them and said, 'With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'” Because Jesus, my Lord, is with me I can breathe. I can have confidence in what I am doing, knowing that Jesus is with me every step of the way. The fact is that I am not brave. I am not courageous. I am simply following Jesus and putting all confidence in Him. He has never let me down, and I know He will come through for me this summer. I can't wait to witness how He changes the people in Mokanji with His love.