I really don't like flying...which is so ironic, considering I want to live overseas someday, and I go to school all the way across the country. It's just such a hassle, especially when trying to keep up with personal hygiene in the airports!
Last night I said my second tearful goodbye to Gabon, although this time it was different...in a way it was harder because as I walked away I didn't have the same resolve in my heart to return in a year like last time. As much as I would love to go back to Gabon again as soon as possible, I know that I need to be open to whatever God wants for my future, not just what I want.
I am thankful that I have been blessed to stop in Paris for ten days before going back to the States. Ever since I was little I have dreamed of visiting Paris, and as I walked through my dream city today I kept saying, "Wow...wow...this is so beautiful...wow..." This definitely is one of the coolest cities I have visited!
Being here is a good segway between Gabon and America...I am surrounded by whities again, but because of the more conserved culture, I still don't really make eye contact with people and smile at them. It's important to be aware of your surroundings just as much here because of pick-pocketing. Of course, as usual, I am freeeeezing!!!
The family I am staying with, the Roos family, is awesome--they just moved here about six months ago and have been going to language school. The girls--ages 7 and 10--have picked up a lot of French from their public school, and they already are very good at figuring out transportation on the subways and metro. If they can do it, so can I!
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Monday, June 4, 2012
two decades later...
...and I celebrated my first birthday away from home! But it was awesome, spent with awesome people, eating awesome food, dancing, singing, relaxing, and lots of laughter (c'est naturel!).
I went in the morning to a church I never visited before (Sortega) with Leanne and Happy (our guy intern). We got there around 9 and left at 2, but the time was filled with awesome singing, dancing, and a lunch afterwards. It was the "mama's day" (like Mother's Day) so it was a special service for the women...I am so glad it was on my birthday!
In the afternoon we relaxed and watched some of The Office (I had to include that bit...it was an awesome couple of hours). Then Leanne and Hannah told me to get dressed and be ready to leave...and the mystery began. Before we left the house they blindfolded me, then put me in the car and we started driving. Happy had way too much fun videotaping me while I was blindfolded. And apparently there were lots (more than usual, at least) of people staring at us as Hannah led me by the hand from the car.
The surprise was revealed as I took off my blindfold and all of my OSPAC family and the Straws were sitting at a table at a new restaurant on the beach! For the next three hours we ate food, sang, danced, and they gave me kisses and gifts. It was an awesome night and one of the most memorable birthdays of my life for sure. :)
I went in the morning to a church I never visited before (Sortega) with Leanne and Happy (our guy intern). We got there around 9 and left at 2, but the time was filled with awesome singing, dancing, and a lunch afterwards. It was the "mama's day" (like Mother's Day) so it was a special service for the women...I am so glad it was on my birthday!
In the afternoon we relaxed and watched some of The Office (I had to include that bit...it was an awesome couple of hours). Then Leanne and Hannah told me to get dressed and be ready to leave...and the mystery began. Before we left the house they blindfolded me, then put me in the car and we started driving. Happy had way too much fun videotaping me while I was blindfolded. And apparently there were lots (more than usual, at least) of people staring at us as Hannah led me by the hand from the car.
The surprise was revealed as I took off my blindfold and all of my OSPAC family and the Straws were sitting at a table at a new restaurant on the beach! For the next three hours we ate food, sang, danced, and they gave me kisses and gifts. It was an awesome night and one of the most memorable birthdays of my life for sure. :)
Leanne and I on the beach (I am still blindfolded!)
Mama Clementine giving me a gift
Arricain and Joseph giving a very exuberant hug!
Mama Jeanine et moi
Pastor Jacob dancing!
Friday, June 1, 2012
living with a couple of missionary spinsters :)
Hannah and Leanne
A few days ago we parked our car along-side the beach front here in Libreville, ready to spend about an hour walking and just enjoying the ocean breeze and setting sun. I jumped out and ran barefoot across the sand to the water, eager to feel the African Atlantic for the first time this trip! I stood in the water and took in the view, letting the waves lap up over my feet, sand giving way under my weight. After a while I turned away from staring out into the ocean, enjoying some alone time of prayer and thinking, and looked up towards the car to see what Hannah and Leanne were up to. I started laughing at the sight of them sitting in their folding chairs, side by side, Hannah reading a book aloud to Leanne. It was such a cool moment that I decided I wanted to write a post about them.
Something Leanne and I have been talking about recently is how difficult it is for people who choose to serve overseas long term to leave their families and loved ones behind (usually in the States). During this trip I have gained a new-found appreciation for people who make that sacrifice and obey the Lord's call, despite the difficulties. Both Leanne and Hannah struggle in their own ways with this issue, and after a year of being away from my own family and struggling with it, I admire these two women so much because while I know that I will be hugging my dad, mom, and sister in a month's time, Hannah and Leanne probably won't be seeing theirs until the winter.
Living with these girls means that there is never a dull moment...literally, because they turn moments that have the potential to be dull into moments full of laughter. And when we aren't laughing, we are probably having a deep and insightful conversation about God and life in general. It's so cool living with people who have only known you for a few months, because they noticed quirks and things about you that people you grew up with probably don't take notice of. I earned the nickname "Cookie Monster" last year when Leanne and Hannah noticed how much I like to eat cookies and sweets...something no one in America takes notice of because you all eat like me!
Leanne is one of those people that will tell a story without using any names, just "they" and "he" and "she", so if you don't know what she's talking about then you might actually believe that she is telling you that Cirque de Soleil was in our backyard (as opposed to a group of interns doing acrobatics, who she likes to compare to Cirque). Sometimes she will be talking to you, then she'll get up in the middle of her sentence and walk out of the room to get something. Or in other instances she might be talking to someone on the phone in French and then change mid-conversation to English to point out to us something random (and when I say random, I mean RANDOM, like, "Oh look guys, there isn't an eraser on this pencil."). All in all, Leanne is a hilarious woman! Quirky, funny, and always ready to laugh...but just as ready to listen to you talk about your life and ask you insightful questions. And when she puts her arm around me and says in a laughing way, "I love you, Olivia!" I feel truly loved. (And I love how with every team or intern that comes out, she always works into her story the bit about how she used to work for a Sweet Potato Company...so random it's perfect!)
Hannah...never ceases to amaze me. Her middle name is "Grace", which is so cool because when people describe her, they describe her as "being full of grace" (without even knowing her middle name!). This girl is young, beautiful, cultured (my word to describe people with excellent fashion, music, and movie taste), and yet she has obeyed the Lord's call to move to Gabon! She is one of those Intercultural Studies major missionary kids who actually does something with their degree (and calling) that is for the Kingdom and glory of God. One of the things I love about her is that I could start singing any song from any musical, no matter how old or obscure, and she would be able to guess the movie (and then keep singing the song). And Hannah is one of those legit people who needs to make a cup of coffee first thing in the morning or her day just doesn't go well. Oh, and she makes the most amazing food from the most miniscule amount of ingredients. She's one of those rare breed of people who will actually do loving acts of service for the people she finds most difficult to get along with. Not only does she have a beautiful face (without make up, everyday, rockin it!) but when I say she has a beautiful heart, I mean it in every sense of the word.
Anyways, I just wanted to write some of these things in hopes that it encourages my two sisters. I love you girls. :) And for the rest of the world, come to Gabon with ENvision! Or just read Leanne and Hannah's blogs. They are truly giving American missionaries a good face in Africa...loving on the Gabonese people here...hosting and mentoring teams and interns...being obedient.
Friday, May 25, 2012
in my Father's house...
Yesterday I read Luke 2 and a passage that I have read over and over again my entire life stuck out to me in a new way this time.
41 Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. 42 When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. 43 After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. 44 Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. 45 When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.”
41 Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. 42 When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. 43 After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. 44 Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. 45 When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.”
49 “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” 50 But they did not understand what he was saying to them.
51 Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.
When I first read the highlighted verse, I thought to myself, "Jesus, you should have known that your parents would be worried! Why did you just 'sneak off' like that??" Then I realized that Jesus was having his moment of "rebellious independence"! Even good little homeschooled Christian girls like me have that time in their life where one needs to make a move to branch out from their childhood routine, often times at expense of their worried parents.
The temple was Jesus's "Father's house". It was the first place where He seemed to take ownership of His ministry and the plans for His life. And I wondered to myself, "What is my 'Father's house'?" It doesn't necessarily have to be a place of moving out of my parents' home...it can be that place (or moment, or circumstance, or choice) where one moves on from what is holding them back in their ministry/purpose/dreams.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
You can't navigate the caves on your own...
Wow, if you knew Leanne you would be as surprised as me that she posted so many posts faster than me! Click there to see some pics of my time at Samaritan's Purse Christmas present handout!
It's so weird to live a life where I have lots of down time yet I find it so hard to write blog posts because of all the thinking I am doing and all the lessons God is teaching me! There is so much I wish I could share with the world but I will have to limit it to one thing I want to share most. Please be prepared for a bit wordy of a story below, as I want to write this out more for my own benefit than anything. Also, I am going to be entirely honest about my thoughts involved with this experience.
Two weeks ago, Hannah and I went with our (then) newly arrived team from Simpson University to Bongolo Hospital. One of the coolest things that a few members of the team and I did was go caving in the extensive underground caves below the hospital and village. It turns out that "caving" was much more than just walking around in some dark caves. I knew I had gotten myself into something much more involved when we came to the 'entrance' of the caves and our leader told us to crawl on our hands in knees--in the mud--into a two-foot-high opening under the rock.
By the time we reached the first chamber where we could stand up, one of the girls on our team was having a hard time with our situation. Her panic was obvious in her voice, and she demanded that we pray before we moved on. Finally, after promising that we would go as slow as she needed, we continued on.
Let me add in a bit of a precursor to this experience by saying that as we went into this adventure, I was expecting of myself to be a leader and supporter of the other members of the group. I figured that my experience with adventure-esque things [aka growing up in Colorado] would make me one of the stronger explorers on our team. But as we began to navigate through the caves, I found it difficult to do much to guide the other people from the group because my head lamp was one of the dimmest ones of the group.
After about half an hour of wading through knee-deep pools, climbing up narrow rock chambers, and crawling through mud, we came to a large open chamber. Brett, our leader (a team leader who grew up in Bongolo as an MK) had us turn off all of our lights. In the pitch darkness that surrounded us, he gave us the analogy of how our sin is like the darkness that surrounded us, and until someone turned on the "light" (Jesus) that people wander in the darkness all their lives.
Friends, from that moment when he switched on the little flashlight, flooding the room with light, something in my brain clicked. That simple message (which I have heard numerous times) impacted me like baseball being thrown at my head. I was struck with the reality that I hold the ability, the power (from Christ) in my hands to turn on that light to people that I know. And I wondered to myself, "How many times have I held that flashlight in my hands and not turned on the light for someone wandering around in the darkness?"
Everything that happened for the rest of the time was symbolic for me about faith, my walk with Christ, and a Christian's role in the world. From things as little as who in our group had the brightest light, who brought up the rear, and even changes in attitudes about the experience in different people all had symbolic meaning for me.
Perhaps someday I can share with any of you in person some of the things I learned, as I just don't have the time or words to type up all those lessons. But that night as I shared about my experience during team debrief, tears ran down my face as I was honest about my realizations about my outlook on my own spiritual walk. One of the biggest lessons that I learned I will share here. As I mentioned, I from the group had the dimmest light, which prevented me from being the leader that I thought I would need to be. Instead, I found myself relying on the other people in the group and the light that they shared to guide my steps. The literal experience of relying on my teammates for light was humbling because usually I like to get through experiences on my own strength without accepting help from other people. That experience symbolized to me, though, that in my spiritual walk I am just as dependent on other Christians for support as they are dependent on me. Since going to Nyack I have seen my need to be more open to honest Christian community, one in which I can and will ask my brothers and sisters in Christ for prayer and for help. For too long I have been relying on my own (dim) light to find my way through the "dark caves".
You can't navigate the caves on your own. Ultimately, we need the light of the Christ to guide our steps. But God gave us the Church (worldwide, multicultural, all creatures of our God and King) to be that light of the world and to "navigate the caves together".
It's so weird to live a life where I have lots of down time yet I find it so hard to write blog posts because of all the thinking I am doing and all the lessons God is teaching me! There is so much I wish I could share with the world but I will have to limit it to one thing I want to share most. Please be prepared for a bit wordy of a story below, as I want to write this out more for my own benefit than anything. Also, I am going to be entirely honest about my thoughts involved with this experience.
Two weeks ago, Hannah and I went with our (then) newly arrived team from Simpson University to Bongolo Hospital. One of the coolest things that a few members of the team and I did was go caving in the extensive underground caves below the hospital and village. It turns out that "caving" was much more than just walking around in some dark caves. I knew I had gotten myself into something much more involved when we came to the 'entrance' of the caves and our leader told us to crawl on our hands in knees--in the mud--into a two-foot-high opening under the rock.
By the time we reached the first chamber where we could stand up, one of the girls on our team was having a hard time with our situation. Her panic was obvious in her voice, and she demanded that we pray before we moved on. Finally, after promising that we would go as slow as she needed, we continued on.
Let me add in a bit of a precursor to this experience by saying that as we went into this adventure, I was expecting of myself to be a leader and supporter of the other members of the group. I figured that my experience with adventure-esque things [aka growing up in Colorado] would make me one of the stronger explorers on our team. But as we began to navigate through the caves, I found it difficult to do much to guide the other people from the group because my head lamp was one of the dimmest ones of the group.
After about half an hour of wading through knee-deep pools, climbing up narrow rock chambers, and crawling through mud, we came to a large open chamber. Brett, our leader (a team leader who grew up in Bongolo as an MK) had us turn off all of our lights. In the pitch darkness that surrounded us, he gave us the analogy of how our sin is like the darkness that surrounded us, and until someone turned on the "light" (Jesus) that people wander in the darkness all their lives.
Friends, from that moment when he switched on the little flashlight, flooding the room with light, something in my brain clicked. That simple message (which I have heard numerous times) impacted me like baseball being thrown at my head. I was struck with the reality that I hold the ability, the power (from Christ) in my hands to turn on that light to people that I know. And I wondered to myself, "How many times have I held that flashlight in my hands and not turned on the light for someone wandering around in the darkness?"
Everything that happened for the rest of the time was symbolic for me about faith, my walk with Christ, and a Christian's role in the world. From things as little as who in our group had the brightest light, who brought up the rear, and even changes in attitudes about the experience in different people all had symbolic meaning for me.
Perhaps someday I can share with any of you in person some of the things I learned, as I just don't have the time or words to type up all those lessons. But that night as I shared about my experience during team debrief, tears ran down my face as I was honest about my realizations about my outlook on my own spiritual walk. One of the biggest lessons that I learned I will share here. As I mentioned, I from the group had the dimmest light, which prevented me from being the leader that I thought I would need to be. Instead, I found myself relying on the other people in the group and the light that they shared to guide my steps. The literal experience of relying on my teammates for light was humbling because usually I like to get through experiences on my own strength without accepting help from other people. That experience symbolized to me, though, that in my spiritual walk I am just as dependent on other Christians for support as they are dependent on me. Since going to Nyack I have seen my need to be more open to honest Christian community, one in which I can and will ask my brothers and sisters in Christ for prayer and for help. For too long I have been relying on my own (dim) light to find my way through the "dark caves".
You can't navigate the caves on your own. Ultimately, we need the light of the Christ to guide our steps. But God gave us the Church (worldwide, multicultural, all creatures of our God and King) to be that light of the world and to "navigate the caves together".
Saturday, May 5, 2012
there's no place like "home" :)
bonjour world!!! did you know that I can speak franglais?
I arrived in Libreville two days ago. After two long flights (although this time around not nearly as nerve-racking as last year) it felt good to walk on solid Gabonese ground again. I must admit that feeling the hot humidity and breathing in the polluted air brought me joy, as there is no place I have experienced such an environment except this beloved city.
Words cannot describe the feelings I experienced when I walked out of the double doors from gathering my luggage into the common area at the airport. All of my OSPAC family, plus Alace and Steve Straw, as well as Leanne and Hannah were all there and bombarded me with hugs. I was given a HUGE mango as a welcoming gift from the OSPAC team, and we all went out to pizza for dinner! I wish I could speak French well enough to have told them how much the experience meant to me.
This time around I have had a harder time adjusting to the time difference, but despite being pretty worn out everyday, I am filled with so much joy as I go about life here in Gabon again.
Today I went with Leanne and the OSPAC gang to a village out in the jungle to hand out Operation Christmas Child gifts. It was awesome being on the other side of the operation and getting to hand the gifts to the children. It isn't Christmas but they were obviously filled with much cheer as they received the gifts.
Also today we had a team from Simpson College arrive. They will be here for three weeks, so we look forward to bonding with them! On Monday we go down to Bongolo for the week, so look for an update sometime in the next two weeks!
I arrived in Libreville two days ago. After two long flights (although this time around not nearly as nerve-racking as last year) it felt good to walk on solid Gabonese ground again. I must admit that feeling the hot humidity and breathing in the polluted air brought me joy, as there is no place I have experienced such an environment except this beloved city.
Words cannot describe the feelings I experienced when I walked out of the double doors from gathering my luggage into the common area at the airport. All of my OSPAC family, plus Alace and Steve Straw, as well as Leanne and Hannah were all there and bombarded me with hugs. I was given a HUGE mango as a welcoming gift from the OSPAC team, and we all went out to pizza for dinner! I wish I could speak French well enough to have told them how much the experience meant to me.
This time around I have had a harder time adjusting to the time difference, but despite being pretty worn out everyday, I am filled with so much joy as I go about life here in Gabon again.
Today I went with Leanne and the OSPAC gang to a village out in the jungle to hand out Operation Christmas Child gifts. It was awesome being on the other side of the operation and getting to hand the gifts to the children. It isn't Christmas but they were obviously filled with much cheer as they received the gifts.
Also today we had a team from Simpson College arrive. They will be here for three weeks, so we look forward to bonding with them! On Monday we go down to Bongolo for the week, so look for an update sometime in the next two weeks!
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
wow...a year later?!?!
I cannot convey to you the feelings I am experiencing right now as I think that it was a year ago that I was in Gabon...I had 23 days left in that wonderful country, and I was dreading that the end of my internship was near. Quite clearly I remember the last day I spent in Libreville...the conversations I had, the tears that were shed, and how everyone said that I was coming back.
Despite the fact that I committed to returning to Gabon even before asking the Lord what His will was, God was gracious and blessed me immensely again by providing for me to return to Gabon this summer! My visa came back to me uncharacteristically quickly and all of my funds were provided for. Even this past weekend as I finished up finals and packed up all of my belongings I have seen God's hand in every situation.
When people ask how I feel about going back, I say, "I'm so happy I could throw up!" I just don't know how to express my excitement. Think of a time that you were going to see someone that you loved very dearly...or of a time when you were going to eat your favorite meal, or go to your favorite place...I don't even know! All of those things are going to be happening for me in two days! And ask much as I hate flying (and this 24 hour trip is brutal) I know that when I land I will be in the hot, humid country I love so much.
I don't know if I will be able to blog while I am there, but I will certainly share thoughts from this trip either from the field or when I get back to the States in June. After Gabon I will stop in Paris for a week to visit the ENvision site there! The song I could sing is "God You are so good to me! La la la la so good to me!!"
Despite the fact that I committed to returning to Gabon even before asking the Lord what His will was, God was gracious and blessed me immensely again by providing for me to return to Gabon this summer! My visa came back to me uncharacteristically quickly and all of my funds were provided for. Even this past weekend as I finished up finals and packed up all of my belongings I have seen God's hand in every situation.
When people ask how I feel about going back, I say, "I'm so happy I could throw up!" I just don't know how to express my excitement. Think of a time that you were going to see someone that you loved very dearly...or of a time when you were going to eat your favorite meal, or go to your favorite place...I don't even know! All of those things are going to be happening for me in two days! And ask much as I hate flying (and this 24 hour trip is brutal) I know that when I land I will be in the hot, humid country I love so much.
I don't know if I will be able to blog while I am there, but I will certainly share thoughts from this trip either from the field or when I get back to the States in June. After Gabon I will stop in Paris for a week to visit the ENvision site there! The song I could sing is "God You are so good to me! La la la la so good to me!!"
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