I'm coming home... My plane ticket is being confirmed and I'll be back in Manistee the 18th of September. Exactly one month from tomorrow... I truly cannot believe how fast the time has flown and that my time here is coming to a close. I'm not ready! Please be praying for this next month for me- for the many things to be done before I go, the goodbyes, and the many emotions of the changes to come.
A servant for Him,
~Liz
Monday, August 17, 2009
Estelle update!
In my very first update just 6 weeks after I arrived in Burkina Faso I talked about little Estelle. Finally a long awaited update on her…
In my update I misspoke and said that Estelle was two years old- she actually just turned two in May though! I haven’t had as much time with the babies lately as I’d like as I’m working on various projects before I leave. Right around the time Brittany left in June though, I started hearing my name being shouted from the baby play area. Tebnoma, Joseph, and Ibra had already been saying my name for awhile (“Eli tha bet” sort of all slurred funny- they like “Eliza” better). At this time though, it was Estelle!! Brittany had been working with all of the toddlers in a morning ½ hour sort of preschool and the other three had caught on VERY quickly and were speaking a lot. Estelle though, had not. But then she started saying my name!! It was incredibly exciting, especially when the first name she said was Tantie (for the women that work with the kids).
She’s starting to say more words now and has this great laugh when she’s tickled or happy. I’ve found that the more I clap and encourage when she does something we want her to do, the more she is determined to do more. Also a month or two ago she was working really hard on standing. A few points she showed me that she can stand without grabbing on to something. We still worked with her on walking and she has her stubborn days when she could care less.
Yesterday though, I went into the toddler room to greet them all and was shaking their hands when I looked up to see Estelle take two steps towards me!!! I yelled with excitement and she just grinned. A few minutes later she pulled herself up and walks 4 or 5 steps to me! I was (and am) SO excited. She laughed with joy as I tickled her and said good job over and over. Even cuter was that I told the other toddlers to say Bravo Estelle! and clap, and they did. I have been praying that she’d walk before I left and she did! She has come SO far. I'll put a video of her on here soon.
Another prayer request related to her though… Her mother recently had another baby… A little boy… There were a lot of issues with the man who got her pregnant and him taking responsibility for her and his child. He finally did but she is very irresponsible and has a tendancy to lie often. She was recently kicked out of his family’s courtyard and has come to us to get help again. She refuses to sign papers for Estelle to be adopted, but she is in no place to care for herself let alone two children… Please pray for her mother and that things can be worked out soon. As great as this orphanage is, it is not good for children to grow up without parents…
In my update I misspoke and said that Estelle was two years old- she actually just turned two in May though! I haven’t had as much time with the babies lately as I’d like as I’m working on various projects before I leave. Right around the time Brittany left in June though, I started hearing my name being shouted from the baby play area. Tebnoma, Joseph, and Ibra had already been saying my name for awhile (“Eli tha bet” sort of all slurred funny- they like “Eliza” better). At this time though, it was Estelle!! Brittany had been working with all of the toddlers in a morning ½ hour sort of preschool and the other three had caught on VERY quickly and were speaking a lot. Estelle though, had not. But then she started saying my name!! It was incredibly exciting, especially when the first name she said was Tantie (for the women that work with the kids).
She’s starting to say more words now and has this great laugh when she’s tickled or happy. I’ve found that the more I clap and encourage when she does something we want her to do, the more she is determined to do more. Also a month or two ago she was working really hard on standing. A few points she showed me that she can stand without grabbing on to something. We still worked with her on walking and she has her stubborn days when she could care less.
Yesterday though, I went into the toddler room to greet them all and was shaking their hands when I looked up to see Estelle take two steps towards me!!! I yelled with excitement and she just grinned. A few minutes later she pulled herself up and walks 4 or 5 steps to me! I was (and am) SO excited. She laughed with joy as I tickled her and said good job over and over. Even cuter was that I told the other toddlers to say Bravo Estelle! and clap, and they did. I have been praying that she’d walk before I left and she did! She has come SO far. I'll put a video of her on here soon.
Another prayer request related to her though… Her mother recently had another baby… A little boy… There were a lot of issues with the man who got her pregnant and him taking responsibility for her and his child. He finally did but she is very irresponsible and has a tendancy to lie often. She was recently kicked out of his family’s courtyard and has come to us to get help again. She refuses to sign papers for Estelle to be adopted, but she is in no place to care for herself let alone two children… Please pray for her mother and that things can be worked out soon. As great as this orphanage is, it is not good for children to grow up without parents…
Friday, July 31, 2009
Special for Brittany
We miss you Brittany!
(Brittany me manque- I miss Brittany... Bonsoir Brittany!! Hello Brittany!!)
(Brittany me manque- I miss Brittany... Bonsoir Brittany!! Hello Brittany!!)
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Updates from Yako
Finally have a few minutes in Ouaga to take care of emails and update my blog! SIM has a prayer weekend starting this evening in Fada so am waiting to head out soon for that.
It was HOT! Standing in the sun, bent over at the waist, and pounding the ground with a little hoe-like object gave me a totally new appreciation for the people of Burkina Faso. During the rainy season they work day in and day out like this when most at home would throw the daba and go find a machine to do the back-breaking work. I worked on and off for the morning- Tebnoma seemed to see the sun affecting me and me getting tired. She showed me another area of the field (so much land to cultivate!) and we went for a walk once or twice. Just before lunch I was feeling good and there were big clouds so the temp cooled way down. I was ready to work more and wanted to stay all day as they do, but with the clouds came huge winds and we thought rain, plus Tebnoma was planning on eating at home, so we headed back. Unfortunately no rain came and I was kind of sad my cultivating experience was done. I hope to go back with them again and do more though!
Tuesday afternoon we rested a bit- yes, I was pretty tired and sore from the little work I did. Tuesday night after dinner finishing around 9pm, Tebnoma and I made a cake! She has asked Ruth a few times to learn to bake and Ruth has taught her some. When Ruth got her small gas oven in the house she gave Tebnoma her toaster oven. We, after being creative and fixing a few of the little quirks with the oven (a rock propped against the door with a daba and tray), made cake for her family. It was real fun and her family appreciated it- even at 11pm when it was done.
A great three weeks with the team here from St Louis- celebrated Canada Day for Miriah
Saying goodbyes to some of my primary school buddies
Haven't spent a lot of time at the orphanage in the last week. Our pastor's daughter, Tebnoma Salou, has asked me a few times when I'm going to come stay with their family and I finally took her up on it on Sunday! I stayed in their family courtyard from Sunday afternoon til Wednesday afternoon. It was a great experience and I learned even more about life as a Burkinabe and their way of living. I still want to spend a little time in a village as Tebnoma lives within Yako still. Life even in a small town is very different from village life.
Sunday when I arrived Tebnoma greeted me with the Burkinabe 4 kisses and seemed excited to have me there! :) We just hung out in the afternoon. The Salous have electricity because they live right next to their church, the Central Church of Yako. We watched some tv which was so weird as I really do not do this often. Went to bed 8:30pm (not joking!) as Tebnoma usually is up between 4:30 and 5am.
I set my alarm as I knew there was no way I'd wake up naturally at that time, and found Tebnoma still sleeping- yay, a bit more sleep! Every morning at 5am the central church has prayer. Let me tell you, these Christians pray with FORCE! It was neat to lay in bed and hear them... Each morning they have breakfast as a family (or whoever is around) of bread and coffee/tea. As with every meal (and even at 6:30 or 7) anyone who stopped in was welcome (and almost forced) to join the meal. Most of Monday we hung out around the courtyard. Tebnoma and I made riz gras and greeted the stream of visitors that were in and out of the courtyard. Such is the life of a Burkinabe- always an open door and time for spontanious visitors- and it is multiplied for a pastor. Pastor Salou spent most of his day sitting outside with the various pastors and people from Yako, just chatting and spending time with them. It really convinced me even more how much I want a life like this at home- making relationships my priority.
Went in the afternoon and visited Tebnoma's friend Adeline. What an incredible girl. She has been sick for a few years- couldn't even eat or drink- and it was really serious. A couple weeks ago, a westerner came into a local clinic for just 10 days and knew the exact surgery that Adeline needed (that no one here could do) and was able, when she arrived on the 8th day, to treat Adeline. When we arrived I saw the very very skinny girl who was filled with more joy than almost anyone I know. She greeted me with a big smile and chatted happily with us for quite awhile. She praised God through most of the conversation for providing the person to do the surgery and for his goodness. She, in African style, even walked us way past her own gate as we left to head home. I will never forget the joy of this amazing girl. She just radiated God's love.
Made dinner when we got back- ingham, a starchy potato type of meal. They really treated me royally and we ate much more than just toh for my visit there. An incredible sacrifice for a little visitor like me. 
Tuesday we went to the fields!! I was ready to walk with Tebnomas siblings and the donkey cart, but Pastor said that it was too far and they were driving me in the church truck. I fought it for a few minutes, but of course in this culture when someone tries to bless you, the best thing to do is accept. We rode out (ok, I admit it was real far) and pulled out the dabas to start pounding the soil. And when I say soil, I mean hard sandy like ground. The rains have not come and people have planted anyway, trying to have faith that the rains WILL come.
It was HOT! Standing in the sun, bent over at the waist, and pounding the ground with a little hoe-like object gave me a totally new appreciation for the people of Burkina Faso. During the rainy season they work day in and day out like this when most at home would throw the daba and go find a machine to do the back-breaking work. I worked on and off for the morning- Tebnoma seemed to see the sun affecting me and me getting tired. She showed me another area of the field (so much land to cultivate!) and we went for a walk once or twice. Just before lunch I was feeling good and there were big clouds so the temp cooled way down. I was ready to work more and wanted to stay all day as they do, but with the clouds came huge winds and we thought rain, plus Tebnoma was planning on eating at home, so we headed back. Unfortunately no rain came and I was kind of sad my cultivating experience was done. I hope to go back with them again and do more though!
Tuesday afternoon we rested a bit- yes, I was pretty tired and sore from the little work I did. Tuesday night after dinner finishing around 9pm, Tebnoma and I made a cake! She has asked Ruth a few times to learn to bake and Ruth has taught her some. When Ruth got her small gas oven in the house she gave Tebnoma her toaster oven. We, after being creative and fixing a few of the little quirks with the oven (a rock propped against the door with a daba and tray), made cake for her family. It was real fun and her family appreciated it- even at 11pm when it was done.
Wednesday was my last day with the family and I was thinking of leaving in the morning. Tebnoma convinced me to stay until late afternoon though :) .. We prepared the lunch- toh- which took most of the morning. I sifted flour, cut onions, and mixed the sauce while Tebnoma made the toh. We did a huge load of dishes and went to visit a friend of hers.
I watched a special on Burundi just before lunch... How weird and different everything looked there. The customs, the dress, the music... I again realized how different every bit of Africa is. Of course there are similarities between the cultures, but each one is so unique. Even in Burkina, each people group is so unique and I'm certain that if I stayed in the courtyard of a Doula person, their customs and way of living would be even just a little different from the Mossi way that I'm more accustomed to.... As I watched the special and marveled over how different it looked, I realized how much the things of Burkina have become normal. How you read this blog you probably see the pictures and videos and hear the stories and think how weird and different it looks... And to me, it has become home...
It was really an awesome exprerience to be able to stay in the Pastor's courtyard and see just a glimpse of life there. I learned a bit more Moore and even impressed some of the locals with my speaking to them and cooking/ doing the things of the courtyard. Despite the bathing out of a bucket, peeing in a hole, mosquitoes, language difficulties, cultural differences, and hard work, I would do it again in a second.
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Other updates:
We got a new baby! See Ruth's blog (http://www.burkinaorphanage.blogspot.com/) for details. This little guy, Job, is premature and very sick. Please be praying for him!
My kid's club is going well! Had an amazing turnout of 31 kids the first week- we were surprised as we thought most would be in fields. Second week had only 8 though, but they were great kids and good listeners. This week I was not able to be there with being in Ouaga, but the two other Burkinabe guys who are working with the club were there and I'm waiting to hear how it went.
Prayers for a potential for two of our older boys to go to Canada! Pray that their visas will go through and they'll be able to head out with Miriah when she leaves end of August.
Just a few random pictures of my days here...
Great distribution for the bi-annual food distribution for the sponsorship program
VBS with the team- 25 kids came to know Christ!
A great three weeks with the team here from St Louis- celebrated Canada Day for Miriah
Saying goodbyes to some of my primary school buddies
Tibnoma was tired this day so carried her around on my back with her resting
Tibnoma and Joseph
My English class of 5th and 6th graders, now finished
Praying all is well in the States and I look forward to updates from you!!
A servant for Him,
~Liz
~Liz
Monday, July 13, 2009
Are you in need?
Of a ride? 
Of a mattress? All of them are comfy thin foam
A new tire? Or how about an old oil container used to carry water to and from the community pump?
Refrigerator? Or another shop to choose your tires
Just whistle or raise your hand and he'll stop for you to buy cigarettes
On your way through town (or even at each stop you make) you can stop for a quick instant coffee right on the road
In the cooler, bags of water or special juice drinks. In the glass case, some sort of dense, oily cake
Don't be fooled- it isn't wine or liquor in the old bottles, but a mix of gas and oil for the motos (motorcycles/mobylettes)... Believe me, it's easy to run out of gas in the middle of nowhere in the bush
Choose your chicken
Oranges?
In case you want a choice in your soap purchasing
Clothing stores are everywhere- tons of stands that are filled with beautiful fabric that you can literally do anything with
A blow up Teletubbie pool, pre-blown up for your convenience...?
Of a mattress? All of them are comfy thin foam
A new tire? Or how about an old oil container used to carry water to and from the community pump?
Refrigerator? Or another shop to choose your tires
Just whistle or raise your hand and he'll stop for you to buy cigarettes
On your way through town (or even at each stop you make) you can stop for a quick instant coffee right on the road
In the cooler, bags of water or special juice drinks. In the glass case, some sort of dense, oily cake
Don't be fooled- it isn't wine or liquor in the old bottles, but a mix of gas and oil for the motos (motorcycles/mobylettes)... Believe me, it's easy to run out of gas in the middle of nowhere in the bush
Choose your chicken
Oranges?
In case you want a choice in your soap purchasing
Clothing stores are everywhere- tons of stands that are filled with beautiful fabric that you can literally do anything with
A blow up Teletubbie pool, pre-blown up for your convenience...?
A day in my life...
(Wrote this more than a month ago to give a little more of a look into my life here)
I wake up early Friday morning to go for a run in the sports field nearby. As I leave our courtyard, a few of our kids are getting ready for school and greet me with big smiles. "Tu va faire le sport? (you will do a sport?)" I am still trying to figure out how even walking somewhere is considered a "sport." I smile back and greet them, wishing them a good day at school and "Bon appetite!" to those eating their morning "bouillie" (similar to cream of wheat, made of millet flour). I unlock our big gate and reach through the little hole to lock it behind me- goats and chickens wandering around outside the gate, just waiting to get in. I walk just a short distance around our outer wall to the entrance of the sports field (nothing like a sports field at home- completely dirt/sand). The sun in just coming up and the dust in the air makes it a strangely pretty orangish color. I run/walk around the huge field a few times. A few random goats, pigs, dogs, and chickens roam the field, and every few minutes a child walks through on their way to school. I greet them with a smile and "Bonjour!" Sometimes women will walk through with big pots on their head bringing things to the market to sell for the day. I greet them with "Ibeergo." "Ibeergo kibari!" they respond with a smile. Some laugh when the "Nasaras (white people)" speak in Moore, but many are very happy.
I finish my run and get ready for the day. I hate running, but always feel refreshed after running as the sun comes up. I eat a quick breakfast- often yogurt and homemade granola- and head across the courtyard for my Friday morning English class with the CM1 and CM2 (5th and 6th grades). I stand in respect as they sing the national anthem and raise the flag in the courtyard, and then enter the classroom. The kids all flood in, crossing their arms and bowing a little with their head in respect to the teacher and I (Bonjour Monsieur, Bonjour Madame). I greet them in English with "Good morning!" "Good morning," they call back. "How are you?" "I am fine, how are you?" they respond together. I've tried to get them to use other responses to the question (sad, happy, tired, sick, etc), but smile as they answer the same way and grin back at me, waiting expectantly for the next lesson. Today we reviewed body parts. We went over everything and then reviewed the song, "Head and Shoulders Knees and Toes." Schools use singing quite a bit here for teaching and helping the kids to remember things, so overall I think they like it :) They laugh as we try to speed it up faster and faster. As we finish, the CM2 leaves for their own class outside, and I hear kids continue to sing as they leave the classroom (which of course puts a smile on my face). Many shout, "Goodbye, see you soon!" as I leave the class.
Some Fridays I go and play with the babies til lunchtime. This week I worked on a document for the office staff (Brittany, Ruth and I are the only ones with a computer so Britt and I often help type up documents). I cannot say how much I appreciate Word's option to change languages- I would have no idea how to spell many words without spellcheck. After the document is done, I sit for awhile and cut placemats to prepare to send to the US to sell- our weavers have been making MANY more than usual, so there is always work to be done for Brittany and me.
I leave just before noon to pick up some bread for lunch. Sometimes we'll ask one of our kids to go out for us and give them some "bonbon (candy)" when they return, but today I went for a walk in the heat. I leave the courtyard and head for the nearest boutique. Women sit outside their home doing hair and yell "manawana (how are things?)" I bunch up a part of my pagne (skirt) to walk a little easier, and dodge the potholes, black saches (bags), and other various things lying in the street. Animals wander past and a dog sleeps in the middle of the dirt road. People greet me and I respond in Moore. I walk past a group of older men and say "Naywindega (good afternoon)." They respond and ask if I speak Moore, but I can only respond "Bilfu, bilfu (just a little)." I keep walking and a few young children run up to me, "Nasara! Nasara bonbon!" They excitedly shake my hand and grin, but don't say a word when I ask them how they are. I pass a large hangar where there are always cows and sheep standing around, and two sheep run around and around, through people and motos in a frantic chase. I giggle a little and greet the boutique owners. I ask for trois miche du pain and she gives me a choice of two different kinds. I choose the village bread we like best and pay her the 150cfa (about 30 cents).
As I head home, I can't help but smile at the sights and sounds that have become so familiar to me. The small path that leads to the orphanage- the trees lining the path with the black saches flying from the branches. We like to call them the national bird and the national flower as they are EVERYWHERE. Ruth, Brittany and I sit down to lunch- one of our favorite, veggie sandwiches (quick and easy). Veggies are more scarce now as the dry season is coming to a close and less crops are available. Tomatoes are almost impossible to find which leaves a few tiny onions and green peppers, cabbage, eggplant, and an occasional zucchini. Unfortunately mango season is closing as well.
12-3pm is "sieste" where literally the whole country rests for the 3 hours. In the hot season, no real work can be done and the people use it as a time to rest (as many get up very very early to get work done before the heat). Really I LOVE this time of day and see such a huge benefit to it. I come from a country where everything is go go go fast pace get everything done as quickly as possible and fill our schedules as full as possible while juggling not only a 10+ hour work day with family, other committments, and a perpetual inability to say no. My country is filled with high blood pressure and high stress levels with so many people suffering from an overall exhaustion as well as sometimes even depression. And yet in all of it, there is a profound emptiness in the hearts of many. As their schedules get more and more full, there is a stronger and stronger feeling of emptiness (I can talk more on that later though)... Anway I just see a huge benefit to just slowing down and taking time to just to be. Not overworking yourself to death... It's an incredible feeling. When I first arrived I thought, "How can I ever get used to just sitting and not being occupied with a million things as the Africans do so easily?" Not only can they just sit, but they really take their relationships seriously. Now, I often just sit thinking or even just sitting. I don't always have to be doing something (like at home where even just watching a movie or being outside I felt as though I had to be doing something else along with it or I was wasting time).
For us, sieste is often used for a nap, but often for reading, relaxing, thinking, etc. The courtyard is fairly quiet during sieste as many of the kids take quiet time to rest, study or chat with each other. Don't expect to get anything done in town for those three hours! After sieste sometimes I'll head out to the baby play area. They come out after their naps as well as have an allotted after nap diaper changing time. They might get some milk and a little snack, and then are left to play together with the tanties watching over them. There's a great outdoor play area that's concrete and fenced in with a roof overhead. They crawl around laughing, babbling, and interacting with one another. Such an incredible difference from other orphanages. When I visited one awhile back, I was surprised to see the children just sitting with very little expression or movement and no smiles. It was very sad. Our kids are very well stimulated. Brittany's toddler class has done wonders as many of them are starting to speak or at least make more babbling noises. "Eliza!" I hear shouted at me. I respond to the toddler who shouted my name, and we go back and forth for a minute or two. "Eliza!" "Oui (yes)?" "Eliza!" "Oui?" They grin and laugh and I sit down and pick up one of the little ones that's crying. Immediately my lap is filled and I am surrounded by 4-5 toddlers and babies. The first one that gets into me crawls into my lap and the other slower ones cry out as they wanted that spot. Instead, one more finds a spot on my calves and another lays their head in between the two kids on my lap. Estelle is learning to walk (a blog update on her soon!) and pulls herself up on my shoulder. She plays with my earring and giggles as I make sure she doesn't pull too hard. I feel my hair being yanked on and see Joseph trying to get my attention. I have to watch him carefully to make sure he doesn't spit in his hands before playing with my hair- no idea how he learned that. I watch the sights around me- tanties singing in Moore to the ones on their own lap, one of the toddlers clapping to the music, diapers changed, one cries out as another child takes their toy, but are quickly distracted with another tantie or an older child walking in.
Another thing I love is to watch the interactions of the older kids with the babies and younger kids. Two of our elementary school boys (much older than US elem. though) walk into the area and the toddlers run up to greet them- sticking out their hand and saying, "Ca va?" The boys laugh as they are also continually surprised to see what the toddlers are learning. They sit down and grab a baby. One finds clean diapers for the tantie who needs one. They chat with me a bit and laugh at a baby stealing a toy from another. "Voleur! (Theif)" the boy shouts. They pat the kids on their heads and leave for their various afternoon activities. On the weekend the back area by the babies has a number of older kids washing their hand washing their laundry- I still don't understand how they get everything SO white! A few sit at a table studying and few of the younger ones help the tantie finish up the dinner prep. 28 bowls are laid out on the wooden table in the outdoor "kitchen" and the white, fairly hard toh is plopped into each bowl. The sauce covers it and each bowl is nearly overflowing. Where do they put all the toh? Most of the kids are so skinny! It is good to see each one get three meals a day, even when they complain that they want something different than toh more often.
I head in for my own dinner. Usually something with rice or pasta and veggies. Brittany and I recently learned how to make the African peanut sauce that we love so much. We sit and chat around the dinner table, filling each other in on the events of the day, advances in adoption cases, and any issues we had. After dinner we relax a bit. Sudoku, reading, journaling... Some evenings we go out and spend time with the older kids, though during the school year they should be studying. I have an English help session tonight so I head to the tech center across the courtyard to meet the high schooler who needs help. I never realized how little I know the English grammar- it's tough when it's your own language, you just know the rules without thinking much about them. The French language is very focused on grammar though, so the kids often ask very specific questions about grammar. Sometimes I get stuck but sometimes I can answer their questions. I have learned a ton of French through this as well, as figuring out how to explain things can be a challenge. I also get to know the kids a bit in these times as they ask questions about my culture and we talk about differences and similarities with their culture. I just love spending time with them...
I head in after a bit and Brittany and I get coffee ready to take out to the guard. Hot water, Nescafe instant coffee, 4 cubes of sugar, and the bag of food garbage for the sheep. We chat with him a bit and he reminds us that it's almost Monday, the day he doesn't like. He lays back in his chair and Brittany and I walk around the courtyard saying goodnight to the kids, checking on their studying, and having short conversations. Ruth used to do the coffee before bed when I got here, but I just love being able to go out in the cool of the evening and see the kids to say goodnight. I gaze up at the stars (incredibly clear!) knowing that God is still looking out for me and I am so glad that He has a plan for my life. I know that even with the vastness of the universe, He cares for ME! He knows the number of hairs on my head and He wanted me in Africa for a reason. I often thing though, that I have already been blessed by the people of Yako and of Burkina Faso far more than I could have ever blessed them...
In for a quick shower (though I can never fully get the dust off) and then under my mosquito net for the night. Another beautiful day in Africa...
A servant for Him,
~Liz
I wake up early Friday morning to go for a run in the sports field nearby. As I leave our courtyard, a few of our kids are getting ready for school and greet me with big smiles. "Tu va faire le sport? (you will do a sport?)" I am still trying to figure out how even walking somewhere is considered a "sport." I smile back and greet them, wishing them a good day at school and "Bon appetite!" to those eating their morning "bouillie" (similar to cream of wheat, made of millet flour). I unlock our big gate and reach through the little hole to lock it behind me- goats and chickens wandering around outside the gate, just waiting to get in. I walk just a short distance around our outer wall to the entrance of the sports field (nothing like a sports field at home- completely dirt/sand). The sun in just coming up and the dust in the air makes it a strangely pretty orangish color. I run/walk around the huge field a few times. A few random goats, pigs, dogs, and chickens roam the field, and every few minutes a child walks through on their way to school. I greet them with a smile and "Bonjour!" Sometimes women will walk through with big pots on their head bringing things to the market to sell for the day. I greet them with "Ibeergo." "Ibeergo kibari!" they respond with a smile. Some laugh when the "Nasaras (white people)" speak in Moore, but many are very happy.
I finish my run and get ready for the day. I hate running, but always feel refreshed after running as the sun comes up. I eat a quick breakfast- often yogurt and homemade granola- and head across the courtyard for my Friday morning English class with the CM1 and CM2 (5th and 6th grades). I stand in respect as they sing the national anthem and raise the flag in the courtyard, and then enter the classroom. The kids all flood in, crossing their arms and bowing a little with their head in respect to the teacher and I (Bonjour Monsieur, Bonjour Madame). I greet them in English with "Good morning!" "Good morning," they call back. "How are you?" "I am fine, how are you?" they respond together. I've tried to get them to use other responses to the question (sad, happy, tired, sick, etc), but smile as they answer the same way and grin back at me, waiting expectantly for the next lesson. Today we reviewed body parts. We went over everything and then reviewed the song, "Head and Shoulders Knees and Toes." Schools use singing quite a bit here for teaching and helping the kids to remember things, so overall I think they like it :) They laugh as we try to speed it up faster and faster. As we finish, the CM2 leaves for their own class outside, and I hear kids continue to sing as they leave the classroom (which of course puts a smile on my face). Many shout, "Goodbye, see you soon!" as I leave the class.
Some Fridays I go and play with the babies til lunchtime. This week I worked on a document for the office staff (Brittany, Ruth and I are the only ones with a computer so Britt and I often help type up documents). I cannot say how much I appreciate Word's option to change languages- I would have no idea how to spell many words without spellcheck. After the document is done, I sit for awhile and cut placemats to prepare to send to the US to sell- our weavers have been making MANY more than usual, so there is always work to be done for Brittany and me.
I leave just before noon to pick up some bread for lunch. Sometimes we'll ask one of our kids to go out for us and give them some "bonbon (candy)" when they return, but today I went for a walk in the heat. I leave the courtyard and head for the nearest boutique. Women sit outside their home doing hair and yell "manawana (how are things?)" I bunch up a part of my pagne (skirt) to walk a little easier, and dodge the potholes, black saches (bags), and other various things lying in the street. Animals wander past and a dog sleeps in the middle of the dirt road. People greet me and I respond in Moore. I walk past a group of older men and say "Naywindega (good afternoon)." They respond and ask if I speak Moore, but I can only respond "Bilfu, bilfu (just a little)." I keep walking and a few young children run up to me, "Nasara! Nasara bonbon!" They excitedly shake my hand and grin, but don't say a word when I ask them how they are. I pass a large hangar where there are always cows and sheep standing around, and two sheep run around and around, through people and motos in a frantic chase. I giggle a little and greet the boutique owners. I ask for trois miche du pain and she gives me a choice of two different kinds. I choose the village bread we like best and pay her the 150cfa (about 30 cents).
As I head home, I can't help but smile at the sights and sounds that have become so familiar to me. The small path that leads to the orphanage- the trees lining the path with the black saches flying from the branches. We like to call them the national bird and the national flower as they are EVERYWHERE. Ruth, Brittany and I sit down to lunch- one of our favorite, veggie sandwiches (quick and easy). Veggies are more scarce now as the dry season is coming to a close and less crops are available. Tomatoes are almost impossible to find which leaves a few tiny onions and green peppers, cabbage, eggplant, and an occasional zucchini. Unfortunately mango season is closing as well.
12-3pm is "sieste" where literally the whole country rests for the 3 hours. In the hot season, no real work can be done and the people use it as a time to rest (as many get up very very early to get work done before the heat). Really I LOVE this time of day and see such a huge benefit to it. I come from a country where everything is go go go fast pace get everything done as quickly as possible and fill our schedules as full as possible while juggling not only a 10+ hour work day with family, other committments, and a perpetual inability to say no. My country is filled with high blood pressure and high stress levels with so many people suffering from an overall exhaustion as well as sometimes even depression. And yet in all of it, there is a profound emptiness in the hearts of many. As their schedules get more and more full, there is a stronger and stronger feeling of emptiness (I can talk more on that later though)... Anway I just see a huge benefit to just slowing down and taking time to just to be. Not overworking yourself to death... It's an incredible feeling. When I first arrived I thought, "How can I ever get used to just sitting and not being occupied with a million things as the Africans do so easily?" Not only can they just sit, but they really take their relationships seriously. Now, I often just sit thinking or even just sitting. I don't always have to be doing something (like at home where even just watching a movie or being outside I felt as though I had to be doing something else along with it or I was wasting time).
For us, sieste is often used for a nap, but often for reading, relaxing, thinking, etc. The courtyard is fairly quiet during sieste as many of the kids take quiet time to rest, study or chat with each other. Don't expect to get anything done in town for those three hours! After sieste sometimes I'll head out to the baby play area. They come out after their naps as well as have an allotted after nap diaper changing time. They might get some milk and a little snack, and then are left to play together with the tanties watching over them. There's a great outdoor play area that's concrete and fenced in with a roof overhead. They crawl around laughing, babbling, and interacting with one another. Such an incredible difference from other orphanages. When I visited one awhile back, I was surprised to see the children just sitting with very little expression or movement and no smiles. It was very sad. Our kids are very well stimulated. Brittany's toddler class has done wonders as many of them are starting to speak or at least make more babbling noises. "Eliza!" I hear shouted at me. I respond to the toddler who shouted my name, and we go back and forth for a minute or two. "Eliza!" "Oui (yes)?" "Eliza!" "Oui?" They grin and laugh and I sit down and pick up one of the little ones that's crying. Immediately my lap is filled and I am surrounded by 4-5 toddlers and babies. The first one that gets into me crawls into my lap and the other slower ones cry out as they wanted that spot. Instead, one more finds a spot on my calves and another lays their head in between the two kids on my lap. Estelle is learning to walk (a blog update on her soon!) and pulls herself up on my shoulder. She plays with my earring and giggles as I make sure she doesn't pull too hard. I feel my hair being yanked on and see Joseph trying to get my attention. I have to watch him carefully to make sure he doesn't spit in his hands before playing with my hair- no idea how he learned that. I watch the sights around me- tanties singing in Moore to the ones on their own lap, one of the toddlers clapping to the music, diapers changed, one cries out as another child takes their toy, but are quickly distracted with another tantie or an older child walking in.
Another thing I love is to watch the interactions of the older kids with the babies and younger kids. Two of our elementary school boys (much older than US elem. though) walk into the area and the toddlers run up to greet them- sticking out their hand and saying, "Ca va?" The boys laugh as they are also continually surprised to see what the toddlers are learning. They sit down and grab a baby. One finds clean diapers for the tantie who needs one. They chat with me a bit and laugh at a baby stealing a toy from another. "Voleur! (Theif)" the boy shouts. They pat the kids on their heads and leave for their various afternoon activities. On the weekend the back area by the babies has a number of older kids washing their hand washing their laundry- I still don't understand how they get everything SO white! A few sit at a table studying and few of the younger ones help the tantie finish up the dinner prep. 28 bowls are laid out on the wooden table in the outdoor "kitchen" and the white, fairly hard toh is plopped into each bowl. The sauce covers it and each bowl is nearly overflowing. Where do they put all the toh? Most of the kids are so skinny! It is good to see each one get three meals a day, even when they complain that they want something different than toh more often.
I head in for my own dinner. Usually something with rice or pasta and veggies. Brittany and I recently learned how to make the African peanut sauce that we love so much. We sit and chat around the dinner table, filling each other in on the events of the day, advances in adoption cases, and any issues we had. After dinner we relax a bit. Sudoku, reading, journaling... Some evenings we go out and spend time with the older kids, though during the school year they should be studying. I have an English help session tonight so I head to the tech center across the courtyard to meet the high schooler who needs help. I never realized how little I know the English grammar- it's tough when it's your own language, you just know the rules without thinking much about them. The French language is very focused on grammar though, so the kids often ask very specific questions about grammar. Sometimes I get stuck but sometimes I can answer their questions. I have learned a ton of French through this as well, as figuring out how to explain things can be a challenge. I also get to know the kids a bit in these times as they ask questions about my culture and we talk about differences and similarities with their culture. I just love spending time with them...
I head in after a bit and Brittany and I get coffee ready to take out to the guard. Hot water, Nescafe instant coffee, 4 cubes of sugar, and the bag of food garbage for the sheep. We chat with him a bit and he reminds us that it's almost Monday, the day he doesn't like. He lays back in his chair and Brittany and I walk around the courtyard saying goodnight to the kids, checking on their studying, and having short conversations. Ruth used to do the coffee before bed when I got here, but I just love being able to go out in the cool of the evening and see the kids to say goodnight. I gaze up at the stars (incredibly clear!) knowing that God is still looking out for me and I am so glad that He has a plan for my life. I know that even with the vastness of the universe, He cares for ME! He knows the number of hairs on my head and He wanted me in Africa for a reason. I often thing though, that I have already been blessed by the people of Yako and of Burkina Faso far more than I could have ever blessed them...
In for a quick shower (though I can never fully get the dust off) and then under my mosquito net for the night. Another beautiful day in Africa...
A servant for Him,
~Liz
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Mountains and Valleys…
There have been so many great things I have been able to report to you in the last 8 months. (Can you believe it has been that long?) Travels, adoptions, great relationships, etc. I have been thinking a lot about this though, and do not want to give a false picture of what all is going on here or even a false picture of mission work in general. Every day is not always a wonderful new day that great and exciting. There are many mountains and valleys with living in another culture and with being a missionary. I know that I don’t even know the half of them… I do know that one of the difficulties is that it is just so hard to convey even a portion of life here as it is so completely different from home. Therefore, I have thought I would try to share a little bit of the struggles I have been facing to help those at home see that life here isn’t always as it seems from my few quick blog entries…
One of the biggest things I have struggled with in the last month is saying goodbyes three months before closing my time here in Burkina… Our older kids are going to their villages this summer… Sometimes this is the case and other times they stay and continue to study and cultivate at the orphanage. This year, they are going home… I have realized, once again, so strongly, how God has completely surprised me in my time here. I have always loved working with younger children and I figured that would be one big part of my role here… It has, and I love it still, but I cannot explain the place in my heart that the elementary and high school kids have. I cannot explain the way I feel my stomach constantly churning and my heart aching at the thought of saying goodbye to these kids whom I love. I cannot explain trying to hold back tears in this culture where emotions are not expressed, and yet convey to these kids the enormous place that they have in my heart.
And so this time of goodbyes has begun… I really don’t like the word goodbye, so I am really not trying to say it… á plus, á bientôt, and many other “see you later” type of phrases are more common for me to say… I can’t imagine these next three months without these kids, let alone the rest of my life. More than any other short term mission trip I’ve done, I feel a strong sense and desire to return to this place that has become my home… Yesterday was the whirlwind day- kids coming to find me all throughout the day to say goodbye… And then today, Brittany leaves for Canada after finishing her six months here. The last high schoolers will leave this coming week after finding out the scores of their final exams for their last year of school. Primary school kids will all leave July 11… Most likely, I won't see most of them again before I leave as school doesn't start until October... My heart is truly hurting right now…
I know that God has a plan and I know that these feelings are ok. As Brittany said, if we weren’t feeling this, there would be questions of why we are here. God has blessed us so deeply with these relationships and the chance to get to know these kids with such incredible stories and love. I also know that Jesus took his relationships seriously. He wept over his friend’s death, even knowing that he could change the circumstances. He cared deeply for people, and I have to believe that he has made me this way-a sentimental 22 year old who absolutely hates change and has an extremely difficult time with goodbyes- because it is maybe just a portion of the way that He cares for us. I have a hard time imagining the vastness of this love that He has for us, but I believe I am feeling a little portion of this love that He has for me in the incredible love that I am feeling for these people . Wow…
So as I rest in this valley I know that God will continue to use me here even when it is difficult to see. Even as the tears flow (and I cannot begin to count the times that they have), there is a deep thankfulness in me for this time that I have been able to share with these kids here in Yako, Burkina Faso.
I pray that as we wait for God to rain down on this dry and dusty country, God will rain down on me in this dry patch. And until the rains come, I will forever praise Him. Thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers,
A servant for him,
~Liz
One of the biggest things I have struggled with in the last month is saying goodbyes three months before closing my time here in Burkina… Our older kids are going to their villages this summer… Sometimes this is the case and other times they stay and continue to study and cultivate at the orphanage. This year, they are going home… I have realized, once again, so strongly, how God has completely surprised me in my time here. I have always loved working with younger children and I figured that would be one big part of my role here… It has, and I love it still, but I cannot explain the place in my heart that the elementary and high school kids have. I cannot explain the way I feel my stomach constantly churning and my heart aching at the thought of saying goodbye to these kids whom I love. I cannot explain trying to hold back tears in this culture where emotions are not expressed, and yet convey to these kids the enormous place that they have in my heart.
And so this time of goodbyes has begun… I really don’t like the word goodbye, so I am really not trying to say it… á plus, á bientôt, and many other “see you later” type of phrases are more common for me to say… I can’t imagine these next three months without these kids, let alone the rest of my life. More than any other short term mission trip I’ve done, I feel a strong sense and desire to return to this place that has become my home… Yesterday was the whirlwind day- kids coming to find me all throughout the day to say goodbye… And then today, Brittany leaves for Canada after finishing her six months here. The last high schoolers will leave this coming week after finding out the scores of their final exams for their last year of school. Primary school kids will all leave July 11… Most likely, I won't see most of them again before I leave as school doesn't start until October... My heart is truly hurting right now…
I know that God has a plan and I know that these feelings are ok. As Brittany said, if we weren’t feeling this, there would be questions of why we are here. God has blessed us so deeply with these relationships and the chance to get to know these kids with such incredible stories and love. I also know that Jesus took his relationships seriously. He wept over his friend’s death, even knowing that he could change the circumstances. He cared deeply for people, and I have to believe that he has made me this way-a sentimental 22 year old who absolutely hates change and has an extremely difficult time with goodbyes- because it is maybe just a portion of the way that He cares for us. I have a hard time imagining the vastness of this love that He has for us, but I believe I am feeling a little portion of this love that He has for me in the incredible love that I am feeling for these people . Wow…
So as I rest in this valley I know that God will continue to use me here even when it is difficult to see. Even as the tears flow (and I cannot begin to count the times that they have), there is a deep thankfulness in me for this time that I have been able to share with these kids here in Yako, Burkina Faso.
I pray that as we wait for God to rain down on this dry and dusty country, God will rain down on me in this dry patch. And until the rains come, I will forever praise Him. Thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers,
A servant for him,
~Liz
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