A Very Merry Christmas

This year, I celebrated my first Christmas in Liberia! To get the kids into the spirit of the season, we in the Child Development Program taught a Christmas lesson--complete with stories, Christmas songs and even an art project! We talked about why we celebrate the holiday, about the significance of Christ's birth and how thankful we are to God for sending us His Son. It was a beautiful reminder that all over the world, whether here in Liberia or back home in Canada and the US, people everywhere were celebrating Jesus and His glorious birth!


Then it was time to get to work and make some Christmas bundles! Each bundle contained a washcloth, a toothbrush, two pencils, some candy, a small toy and an apple (here in Liberia, the apple symbolizes a heart, so to give someone an apple is to say, 'I love you.')


After that came Christmas deliveries, which was probably my favorite part! In addition to a bundle, each child received some new clothes, (there's a pic of Deb and I fitting the kids for new outfits below) a new pair of slippers (ie, flip-flops), and a notebook with a letter from someone in America. I loved sitting with the kids, helping them read their letters, and watching their faces light up as they heard about people they had never met but who loved them and wanted them to have a wonderful Christmas. It was so personal, so intimate, and beautiful.


Of course, one of my favorite things about the holidays is spending time with those that I love. Whether it was swimming in a pool on Christmas Day (well, I was sick, so I ended up just watching everyone swim!), eating baked potatoes and playing dominoes with some friends, or worshiping during one of the most intensely and intimately beautiful Christmas Eve services ever, I was struck over and over again by how richly blessed I am.


I'm so thankful to have been able to truly celebrate this Christmas, in every sense of the word. The angel said, "Behold! I bring you good tidings of great joy!" What a reason to celebrate!

This holiday season, I'm thankful for the gift of joy, for the gift of friendship, for the gifts of smiles and laughter and hugs and tears. And even though I couldn't be with you in person, I'm ohsothankful for you. I know it's a little late, but I'm going to say it anyway: MERRY CHRISTMAS to each of you! I hope it was your most joyous one yet.

The New Normal

Tonight, I got an email from a friend asking me how I'm feeling now that I am "home." To be honest, the question actually caught me off-guard -- for a couple of reasons, one being that I don't think I can quite articulate yet how I'm feeling. In a lot of ways, I'm simply overwhelmed (in the sweetest sense of the word.) Overwhelmed by a fierce love for the children that we're serving. Overwhelmed by a deep connection to those I am honored to be working alongside of. Overwhelmed by God's rich goodness and faithfulness, that He has placed me here for such a time as this. While talking with a co-worker today, I realized that this is the first time ever that I can say I know, beyond a shadow of any doubt, that I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be, doing exactly what I'm supposed to be doing. To find yourself right in the middle of God's perfect and ultimate will for your life is nothing short of ... well, overwhelming.

Yet, at the same time, I'm struck by the fact that Liberia truly does feel like home and, as overwhelmed as I may be, it seems completely natural for me to be here. I haven't really felt the need to "adjust" or "become acclimated" because, from the beginning, it was a perfect fit. My definition of normal has been drastically altered, and it's got me thinking that, perhaps -- and most likely -- this new normalcy was the intention all along.

Liberia-bound!

For those of you who haven't already heard the news, my flight to Liberia is OFFICIALLY BOOKED (!!!), and I leave on November 29th. I'll be gone for seven months (almost exactly to the day), returning in late June of 2010. It's my sincere hope that you, first and foremost, join me in praising God for His goodness, for His provision, for His faithfulness. It's nothing short of awe-inspiring to look back over this entire process and meditate on how He has knit this whole thing together. This dream, this vision that was birthed in me long ago has beautifully evolved over time, and I'm struck, day after day, as I realize that it was His dream and His vision all along. How humbling! How ... full my heart becomes whenever I think about that.

I also ask that you keep me in prayer as I prepare to head back. I still have two weeks, yet I know that those two weeks will have flown by before I know it. There is much to do, and I could easily get overwhelmed. Yet I have this deep peace within me, even as I find myself caught up in the whirlwind of it all. Please pray for that continual peace for me; I'll most definitely need it. (And, if you live in the Reading area, I hope you can stop by Bala and Laly's on the 28th so I can see you before I go!)

New!

I just got home from an eight-day trip to spend some time in the Orphan Relief and Rescue office. It should go without saying that I ended up having tons of fun (and I have ohsomany stories to share!) - but what I'm really excited about is this:

orphanreliefandrescue.org

That's right. Our brandspankin'new website! Check it out, and feel free to let us know what you think!
(And while you're at it, you can read about Orphan Relief and Rescue in the Tyler newspaper by clicking here. Go ahead. You know you want to!)

Happy reading!

It's Global Handwashing Day!

All over the world, children are dying from diseases that are PREVENTABLE by something as simple as regular handwashing. Read how Orphan Relief and Rescue is teaching kids in Liberia how to fight germs -- and have some fun!

http://tinyurl.com/orroct09

tomorrow's the big day!

I hope to see you all at the Villa Gift Shop Fundraiser tomorrow (Sept. 26th) from 3:30 - 7:30 pm! Stop by any time during those hours and check out the huge assortment of things for sale: jewelry, fashion accessories, beauty products, candles, home decor, holiday items and so much more! (There will even be a table with yummy baked goods that you can munch on while you shop!)

Don't forget to bring your friends and family along, too! This is a great opportunity to learn more about what we do in Liberia, get your Christmas shopping done early AND help these beautiful children! And please keep this event in your prayers! Pray that God will provide and make it a huge success.
See you there!

coming up next ...

First of all, I'd like to say a HUGE "thank you" to all who attended the Orphan Relief and Rescue Dinner Fundraiser last night. (And let me just say that the food was delicious! Thank you again, Saul!) It was so wonderful to share with you all about the awesome work being done in Liberia, and the night was a great success!

Now I need your help to spread the word about an event coming up on Saturday, September 26th. Denise Colvin has a gift shop set up in the lower level of The Villa St. Elizabeth (1201 Museum Road, Wyomissing PA 19611) and has agreed to have a "shop drop-in" for Orphan Relief and Rescue. Come by between the hours of 3:30 - 7:30 PM, and a substantial portion from each purchase will be donated! It's a great opportunity to get your Christmas shopping done early AND help support the cause! She has a large variety of items available for purchase such as: Premier Designs and Estate jewelry, Mary Kay, Willow Tree, Jim Shore & other figurines, soy and wax candles, Home Interiors decorating items, framed art, Boyd's and other plushes, Christian books and greeting cards, Christmas, wedding & other holiday items, scarves and purses and much more! Light refreshments will be available, and I'll be there to share about ORR and the work that we do. So go ahead - mark your calendars and invite people to come along! It's sure to be a great time, and I can't wait to see you there. :)