Andrea's Journey to Botswana...and Back!

Botswana On My Mind

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea) — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 23:57:00 +0000

Disclaimer: Yes, I do have a new blog where I mostly post to now, but I like to copy any posts about Botswana over here for any remaining readers who followed my experience there and my transition home.

You know those times when the same topic keeps coming up in conversation after conversation and you realize that maybe God is trying to get your attention on something? That's been happening to me recently, and it's resulted in quite a bit of heart searching. In the last two days I've had multiple conversations with people about my time in Africa, and many questions have been asked that have caused me to dig up memories and experiences that I haven't thought about in quite a while. And that brought up all kinds of emotions...and inspired this post. Please forgive me while I do some psychologizing. :)

I don't know if everyone is like this, but I have found in my life when I make a painful transition out of a season that was very special to me, I seem to deal with the ache in my heart by pushing it aside and trying to quickly 'move on' to life's next chapter. It's so hard to dwell on what was, and it honestly just gets to a point where I'm tired of feeling sad. The unhealthy part of that process is attempting to remove something from my heart that God has used to help shape who I am. It's impossible to get rid of it, and I shouldn't try to push it to the side. I actually need to embrace it as being a forever part of me.

I'm so thankful for my two years living in Botswana, as well as the prep time leading up to it. I'm thankful for the many, many experiences I had while living in such a different culture, learning a new way of life, building relationships with such beautiful people, and pouring my heart out for the kids and teenagers the Lord allowed me to teach and minister to. Although I knew it was time to move home after my two years there, I still had such a huge hole in my heart for all that I was leaving left behind.

Because of not wanting to hurt anymore, and because of this unnecessary pressure on myself to move on, as soon as God revealed a new love for teaching middle school, I found it easy and safe to begin focusing on and pouring myself into this new calling and life chapter. This is not really a bad thing in itself, except that I was simultaneously pushing Botswana aside, figuring it was just time.

Having all of these conversations recently about my experience in Africa, along with shedding lots of tears while looking through a friend's pictures recently, has really caused me to consider how very much I still love the country of Botswana and the amazing people there. It is still so much a part of who I am. God used my time in Botswana to change me in many, many ways. I have to embrace that and realize that a part of me will always be "Botswana Andrea". And that's a very good and special thing.

God uses every experience in our lives to help mold us and grow us into who we are today. I am sure there are others out there who can relate on some level to this process of pushing things aside and trying to hurry on to life's next season. I just want to encourage you along with myself to just slow down, do some heart-searching, and appreciate every single thing about the experiences we've had, appreciating who they've helped us become. And let's give ourselves permission to feel the pain of loss, realizing it really is ok to miss those life seasons and special people, while also embracing and loving our current season of life.

I know it's cheesy, but this old song I learned in Girl Scouts has come to mind. "Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver and the other's gold." My mom used to use this song to encourage me after moving to a new school that it was ok to make new friends and that it didn't diminish the value of the friends I already had. I believe this same truth can be applied to every special experience we have in life. We can have new experiences, but still appreciate the old ones, recognizing the incredible value they both have in our lives.

“All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy; for what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves..." Anatole France

Reunion with Sweet Friends = Full Heart

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea) — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 04:16:00 +0000

Have you ever had the experience of spending hours reconnecting with friends you haven't seen in a while, recalling old memories, laughing until your side hurts, and remembering tough times with a heart of gratitude to have made it through? I love those times! I find that as I get older, life seems to be passing by at a greater pace, and I often don't make time to stop and look at old pictures, read old journals, and just remember past life seasons. It's good for me to do this occasionally because it reminds me of where I've been, how I got to where I am now, and God's incredible faithfulness to me along the way. I love even more revisiting these memories with friends who were there with me.

Matt and Kelly lived in Botswana for much of the time I was there, serving as the youth and children's ministers, teachers at OIS, and quite a few other roles at the mission. We really connected my second year there, and ended up becoming huge supports to each other, both emotionally and spiritually. For seven months we met together twice a week to spend time in prayer, sometimes with other missionaries, and sometimes just the three of us praying our hearts out for the teenagers and kids God had called us to love on and minister to. During that time, He used us to encourage, strengthen, and sharpen each other, and blessed us with such a special friendship. Leaving them was one of the harder parts of leaving Botswana.

It's been over a year, but I was finally able to see my sweet friends and enjoy a short trip down memory lane as we recalled so many moments of our time of life and ministry together in Africa. Part of the time was spent in so much laughter that I thought we'd be politely asked to leave the quiet restaurant we were at. :) And part of our time was spent just shaking our heads, amazed at how God pulled us through some very difficult moments together. I left with a reflective heart, just absolutely amazed at all that God has done, both in my time in Botswana and my time in America since returning. He is so faithful. And He truly pushes us to our absolute limit sometimes, showing us that what we perceived to be impossible was actually quite possible with His help (and through the incredible people He sends our way).

My heart is full. I love being reminded of God's faithfulness. And I'm amazed at the people He keeps putting in my life.

Thanks Matt and Kelly for a wonderful evening, great memories, and a very special friendship. Love you guys!

*Reposted from http://andreasfootprints.wordpress.com

Exciting Meet-Up in Botswana

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea) — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 15:08:00 +0000

I have to admit, I'm missing Maun, Botswana a little more this week. Yes, because of the kids, my friends, and the beauty of course, but even more so because of this...

FANS of the World Cup have been driven to despair by its irritating drone during every match.

But Prince William yesterday gave the vuvuzela the royal seal of approval.

He blew the notorious plastic horn during an official royal tour of southern Africa, and found himself outblasted by an 11-year-old.

Prince William has a go at blowing a vuvuzela after arriving at a football training session for young children in Maun, Botswana

William was in northern Botswana for a football event with more than 250 schoolchildren, while his brother Harry travelled to neighbouring Lesotho where his own charity is based.

William was presented with the green trumpet by primary schooboy Rebaone Badubi, 11.

But the prince asked the youngster, who barely topped 4ft, to have a go first.

He then blew the vuvuzela himself, declaring his feeble parp 'embarrassing'.

William listens as Rebaone Badubi, 11, tries out the vuvuzela, leaving the prince holding his ears in pain

The 27-year-old is apparently not as sensitive to the noise as thousands of British TV viewers, who have called for them to be banned.

A royal aide said: 'He has had a bit of a go with them already.'

British fans could soon be given respite from the trumpets, after it was revealed the BBC is considering offering an option to strip out crowd noise using the red button following hundreds of complaints about their 144-decibel noise.

World Cup officials have ruled out a ban because they are 'part of the culture of South Africa', while the horns are being sold in British supermarkets at a rate of one every two seconds.

Prince William plays in goal during the coaching session... and finds himself the target of more than just one shot

Earlier at the Tusk Trust charity event in the city of Maun, William met American pop star Joe Jonas, who was representing the Jonas Brothers' charity Change for the Children.

Hoards of screaming teenagers welcomed the 20-year-old Christian - who has vowed to remain celibate before marriage - while some were less impressed by the British prince.

Schoolgirl Megan Butler, 16, said: 'I love Joe Jonas - he's very good-looking. I like Prince William as well (but) I'm most excited about seeing Joe Jonas.'

Her friend Emma Sandenbergh, 14, added: 'Joe's got more than William so he's better looking.'

William dribbles the ball on the pitch with the hundreds of local children taking part in the session

William also acted as goalkeeper to defend penalties from the children, and played a version of the playground game British Bulldog, which has been banned at several schools in the UK under health and safety rules.

The prince accidentally knocked one young child over on the grass, before helping him up and carrying on with the rough-and-tumble.

In his role as the royal patron of the Tusk Trust charity, he said: 'Sport gives us a purpose and a sense of belonging through being part of a team.

Prince William meets American singer Joe Jonas, who was looking at the work of the Jonas Brothers' charity Change for the Children

'It gives us fitness and health. It gives us respect for skills and talents of others. These qualities are shared by the extraordinary creatures that surround us, particularly in Botswana.

'The wild dogs that work as a team and can run rings around even the best organised defence in the World Cup, even Germany's.

'The slowest cheetah that ever lived could beat Ronaldo to the ball. The impala's awareness and agility makes even (former premiership footballer) Lucas Radebe's awesome dribbling skills look, well, rather like mine.'

William wasn't alone in trying out the vuvuzela, Mayor of London Boris Johnson gave one a blow on the Waterfront in Cape Town, South Africa

Here's a fun video from abc news, showing them at the stadium in Maun. I'm a little sad I'm not there, but I'm so excited for all my kiddos and friends in Bots!

And here's Joe meeting my former class! Gosh, I miss these kids!

Photo from Jana Lackey

New blog

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea) — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 05:36:00 +0000

Well, as I begin this new chapter in my life, I've decided to move to a new blog. I may be back here every now and then, but I plan on using the new blog to process through things I am learning and share about life experiences. You can find the new blog here.

Thank you for sharing this amazing journey to Botswana and back with me! What a great adventure it's been! :)

Birthday Blessings

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea) — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 17:00:00 +0000

So today is the day I celebrate another year of living. I honestly have not been looking forward to this birthday at all. I'm not sure exactly why, but it just hasn't been a priority to me. I was very, very blessed this morning, though, when I had a skype phone call at 6 am with who I thought would be one of my former students using my friend Theresa's computer in Botswana. What a shock it was, though, to see all of my former class on the other side of that video! Yep, all those precious kids crammed into Theresa's office and we were able to chat via Skype for a little while. Can I just tell you, it was SO great to hear their voices! Man, I love those kids.

An added blessing was Semakaleng walking by and getting to sign hello to me and me getting to have a long chat with Theresa. It was a beautiful start to a great day! I've been loving my morning with Jesus and looking forward to time with friends later today. So far the prayer for my day has been one of thankfulness for another year of life, a year so full of blessing, challenge, and growth. And I pray that I will use this next year as an opportunity to reflect Christ more in all that I do and say, that I would love well, and that I would live a life that truly brings Him glory.

Sidenote=I think on people's birthdays we should also give a birthday greeting to their mom. I mean truthfully, it's the moms who did all the work on that day! So thanks, Mom. I love you!

True Identity

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea) — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 03:42:00 +0000

Something the Lord has been driving home with me lately is the truth that our identity should be found in Him alone, and that being His is enough. This is a harder truth for me to swallow than I'd like to admit. For a couple of years now I think I have found my identity in Botswana and God's ministry for me there. Before that I think it was in being a teacher or in having various leadership positions. But I'm not sure I've ever been in a place where I had nothing else to put my identity in other than Christ. It is so humbling...and hard. But so, so good.

You know, if you are like me, you spend so much time worrying what other people are going to think, how they are going to perceive you, and hoping that they never find out that you really don't have it all together. The fact is, though, we ALL have things we are going through, things we are struggling with, things bringing us pain in our lives. None of us really have it all together. I think if we would spend less time trying to make other people believe we did, we could actually begin really ministering to and encouraging each other. I don't know; maybe you don't relate to this at all, but this is very true for me.

Let me just put it out there...I am a mess. I don't have it all together. I am feeling pretty lost right now. I have nothing to really put my security in or find my identity in right now. BUT, that's ok. Because the fact is, I am Christ's. I am His. I am His precious daughter, a life that He ordained and knit together in my mother's womb. I don't have to have it all together or have things all figured out...because I am His. I don't have to find security in things or in people...because I am His. Nobody else in this world needs to value me or love me...because I am His and He does. No matter what I do or don't do, what sins I struggle with, no matter how many mistakes I make or how many good things I do, nothing, absolutely nothing will change who I am in Him and His perfect love for me.

This is what the Lord is teaching me right now and I have a suspicion that there might be a person or two out there who is struggling with the same thing. Can I just encourage you with something...YOU are His! He loves you! He created you and has a purpose for your life. You don't need to find value or identity in any other thing or person because He loves you, He values you, and even if you feel totally alone and lost, He never, ever, ever leaves your side. He knows the way for you to go, takes your hand, and leads you one step at a time.

Let's keep reminding each other of this because we have a great deceiver who is desperately trying to make us believe otherwise. But praise God that His word is truth:

"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. You did not choose me, but I chose you..." -Jesus (John 15:9, 16a)

"Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence?...For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made...Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there none of them." Psalm 139:13-14a, 16

"As indeed He says in Hosea, 'Those who were not my people I will call 'my people,' and her who was not beloved I will call 'beloved.'" Romans 9:25

This is one of my new favorite songs:

Last Days Part 2: Teenagers

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea) — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 19:47:00 +0000

Here are some pictures from my last couple of weeks with the teenagers in Botswana:

Game Time!
Win or lose, game nights with the teens were guaranteed fun :)

"Crazy Dress Night" at Fire by Night
Um, I think these pictures speak for themselves

Chao's Good-bye Slumber Party and Dinner
Chao was kind of my 2nd in command while I was boarding mistress. She was such a help and blessing to me! To send her off as she graduated, we had a mini-slumber party...loaded with fun and laughs! On her last night in Maun, she and I had a nice dinner out, enjoying some nice quality time. I miss this girl so much!

Sign Language Girls
The few weeks before I left, we were blessed to have three deaf teenagers from one of the local high schools come to church, and I loved getting to interpret for them! Here is a picture of them, along with Patricia, who helped me with interpreting

Tummie and Maipelo
These sweet girls were in boarding my first year in Botswana and it was so great getting to know them. Right before I left, they returned to Maun to get baptized. It was such a treat to get to have some time with them, give them big hugs one more time, and get to celebrate their baptism with them!

Silliness
As the days wound down, the silliness seemed to increase! Here are pictures from the last week at school, the last Fire by Night, and the last Sunday at church with the teens

Boarding Christmas
Haha! I just love this sad little tree that was part of the boarding Christmas decorations.

Last Movie Night
One of my favorite things to do once I moved out of boarding was to have frequent movie nights where a few of the teenagers would come over to hang out and watch a fun movie. This was our last one when we watched "Steel Magnolias".

Good-byes
These are pictures from different times of saying good-bye to the teenagers. I was able to have lunch with the last group that left and then go with them to the airport. We had a wonderful time, although watching them leave was one of my most emotional moments. :(

It's funny because before I moved to Botswana, I had almost zero experience with working with teenagers. When the opportunity was presented to me for me to be the boarding mistress and I had such a great stirring in my heart for it, I knew that the Lord was up to something big. I could never have predicted how challenging and extremely rewarding it would be to live with these kids, to build relationships with them, and to have the opportunity to disciple them in the Lord.

I am so thankful to have developed what I hope will be lifelong relationships with many of these guys. I can never thank the Lord enough for taking me out of my comfort zone and giving me such an incredible life-changing experience with those precious teenagers!

Processing through Lots of Random Thoughts and Feelings

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea) — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 08:00:00 +0000

I can't sleep tonight. Today has been a day full of emotions for me and I have so many thoughts and feelings that I'm still processing through. This morning I had a job interview, and although it wasn't anything major (just an introduction interview for substitute teaching) it was still kind of tough. I didn't expect to feel so nervous and self-conscious. On top of that, I never know what small thing I will see throughout my day that will remind me of someone or something in Botswana and get me all emotional and teary-eyed. Today while waiting for my interview, it was two young girls walking through the school hall, whispering and giggling, each wearing their school uniform sweatshirt. Something about that moment just made me ache for my sweet kids who I love and miss so much.

It felt so strange to be about to have an interview for a new job, kind of the first big step to starting over. Actually the feeling started last week as I began filling out job applications. It's funny because the applications ask for a job description of my previous job and only give me two lines. How can I possibly sum up my experience from the last two years in two lines? The first day I started on the applications, I ended up taking a break and making a long Skype phone call to some of the teenagers. I just needed it.

This afternoon I spent time buying things to get me settled into the room I'm staying in at a friend's house. Although mostly it is really exciting and helping me to feel settled and ready for what's next, I also have all of these other unexpected emotions. I have a bunch of little trinkets around that I bought in Africa, and it's weird looking around the room and seeing them now mixed in with the new things I bought today. My past mixed in with my future.

I found myself praying so much today for the country of Botswana and the people who live there. It's kind of like I've come full circle; this is so familiar to what I did three years ago before leaving. I was always thinking about and praying for the people there, my heart so full of love for them. I knew for certain that God was doing things there and felt humbled and excited to be able to be a small part of what He was doing. I couldn't wait to get over there! Now unbelievably, I've already been and come home. And amazingly I've been home over two months already...that's so crazy to me!

I don't really have a point to all of this, other than it was all running through my head so I decided to type it out instead. I have this weird feeling of fear that I am going to lose this love I have for Botswana, that I am going to forget, that I'll move on to something else and think back on this as "those two short years I lived in Africa." I pray that that doesn't happen. I pray that no matter where I am or what I am doing, my heart is always stirred for Botswana. I hope that I remain in prayer for the people there, people who are no longer just pictures in a book, but who have names, whose lives I was a part for a while, and who occupy such a huge piece of my heart. I hope also that I can help others to not forget about this small, sweet, beautiful country thousands of miles away that still needs our love and prayers.

Ke a go rata thata thata, Botswana.

Last Days Part 1: My Class

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea) — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 21:45:00 +0000

Here are pictures from the last week with my class:

Christmas at OIS

Last Fire by Night

Ice Cream Outing

My Surprise Going-Away Party

Final Ice Cream Outing

I wish I could put into words just how special each of these kids are to me and what a great blessing it was to teach them, but I really can't. Honestly, being their teacher, mentor, and friend was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I miss these kids like crazy, but I know that the Lord has them in the palm of His hand and will continue working in their lives. My prayer is that He will continue sending people into their lives who will love them and take time to invest in their lives emotionally and spiritually. I pray that they continue working hard in school, doing their best, and will each be academically very successful. And I pray that they all grow up to be men and women who love the Lord with all their hearts and love other people well, reflecting Christ in all that they do.

I'm so proud of these kids and I just praise God for the opportunity to have had a small role in discipling this young flock. What a blessing it truly was!

Finishing Up

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea) — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 16:57:00 +0000

Ok, I think it's time to begin winding down on this blog. I have a just a few more posts to cover my last couple of weeks in Botswana. Dragging out this update process has definitely helped me. I love going back through the pictures and remembering those last fun memories I had in the country I came to call home for two years. But I think it's time to finish it up and close the door on this season of my life. So, if you're still hanging on with me and following along, thank you! We are almost finished.

To close out this post, here are a few pictures of my pet cats I had in Botswana:

Mittens

Flash (so regal)

Princess

Flash hiding from the camera

Princess trying to block out the cold

Mittens making herself at home

Flash trying to cool off while he sleeps

These three cats provided sweet companionship and lots of laughter for Theresa and me in the house and for the teenagers while I lived at the dorm. I love the little unexpected blessings that God provides for us. :)

Cuties

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea) — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 21:16:00 +0000

Seriously, can you get much cuter than this??

I miss them.

Music Recommendations

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea) — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 19:19:00 +0000

I love music. Seriously, I don't know what I'd do without it. I always appreciate getting music recommendations from others, so I thought I'd share a few of my recommendations for any of you maybe searching for something new to listen to.

About a year ago, Emily introduced me to JJ Heller's music and I fell in love with a few of her songs from her newer album, "Painted Red". I just downloaded one of her other albums, "Only Love Remains" and man, has it be ministering to me! If you like acoustic, coffee shop kind of music with lyrics that minister, check her out!

Although an oldie, Shane Barnard's album, "Rocks Won't Cry" is one of my all-time favorites. It is a sweet worship album that also has that coffee-shop feel. The rest of his music is also good, but I think this album will always be my favorite from him.

I recently discovered Meredith Andrews and have had a few of her songs from "The Invitation" on repeat lately, particularly "You're Not Alone" and "Draw Me Nearer ". Amazing, amazing songs.

I also recommend Hillsong's "Faith+Hope+Love" album, Aaron Ivey's "Between the Beauty and Chaos", Andy Melvin's "The Human Engine Waits"... and for a fun time, I always recommend a little Glee music. :)

Happy listening!

"Ice, Ice Baby"

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea) — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 18:13:00 +0000

One of the last Fire by Nite youth services we had was a talent show where the kids could show off their singing and dancing skills. To kick the night off, Matt, Kelly, and I had a surprise talent of our own to show off. Decked out in our best wannabe gangster attire, we rocked the house with our amazing rendition of "Ice, Ice Baby" with Kelly and I on vocals and Matt showing off his mad dance moves. Oh how I wish you could have seen us in action! (Ok, not really...)
Regardless of our actual talent, we had a blast!

Made my day

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea) — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 15:58:00 +0000

I love that one of my students made this and emailed it to me. Gosh, I love those kids!

This helps

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea) — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 23:02:00 +0000

The last couple of days have been emotional ones for me for some reason. I just find that I am really, really missing all of my kids in Botswana. It might have been printing off a bunch of pictures from my camera this week and looking through them all that did it, but whatever it is, I just find myself aching lately to hug those kids or even just to hear their voices. Since I can't really do that, I find that it helps for me to pray for them and to talk about them to others.

So, if you see an increase in blog posts over the next couple of days, know that it is really helping me in this emotional transition. And if you have still been keeping up with this blog, thank you for your interest. It warms my heart that others are interested in Botswana and want to hear about the precious kids there. Of course I ALWAYS love to talk about them! :)

Milkshake dates

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea) — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 06:48:00 +0000

One of my absolute favorite things to do with the teenagers in Botswana was to go to a nearby outdoor restaurant, Audi Camp, and have milkshakes (cafe mocha for me) and muffins. We would sit on comfy couches and just enjoy each other's company for about an hour or so. There were also some really great conversations, some competitive domino games, and lots of laughter.

Since I could only fit four people in my car at a time, our groups were kept fairly small. (Although there were a couple of times that we squeezed in an extra kid or two...crazy.) As the end of the year drew to a close, I found myself on one of these milkshake dates 2-3 times a week so that I was able to take as many of the kids as possible. I'd already taken most of the girls out, so the last few weeks were mostly hang-out times with the guys. We had such fun!

Here are some pictures from a few of those final milkshake dates:

A beautiful God-story

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea) — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 20:08:00 +0000

I love when God shows Himself in miraculous ways. I love how He makes the impossible possible and how He can bring such beauty out of a very dark situation. I am praising Him today on behalf of a couple from my church who I've been watching from afar go through the hardest waiting period imaginable, waiting for their children from Haiti to come home. Apparently the adoption process is a long, grueling one and Aaron and Jamie Ivey have been waiting 2 1/2 years for their sweet son, Amos, to come home and waited almost as long for their daughter, Story.

I've been following Jamie's blog for about a year and a half and my heart has hurt with them as they've had to wait. Story was able to come home in October but the wait has continued for Amos. The devastating earthquake hit Haiti and amidst the destruction and despair, God has worked a beautiful miracle by providing a way for many Haitian orphans to come home, including Amos. Many were glued to their phones and computers last night, reading one Twitter update at a time as Aaron and Jamie got closer to their son. What a joyous occasion it must have been when they were finally reunited this morning at the Orlando airport!

To follow this beautiful story as it continues to unfold: http://twitter.com/jamie_ivey or http://twitter.com/aaronivey
Other links:
Aaron's AmosStory music video
KXAN's news story on the Ivey family

"But Jesus looked at them and said, 'With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'" Matthew 19:26

"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful." Hebrews 10:23

One word

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea) — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 05:05:00 +0000

I heard on the radio today (KLOVE, I think) a challenge to choose one word to be a defining word for you in 2010. Maybe something you aspire to, or just a word that encompasses who you hope to be this year. Some examples I heard were "healed" "patience" and "love". I thought about it for a while and I think mine is "joy". I really want this year to be a year of joy for me. Not just because of tangible blessings, but because I remember to be joyful in all circumstances, at all times, no matter what's going on because I serve a God of joy. Just being His should cause me to live a life of joy.

So what about you? What will your one word be for 2010?

You know you lived in Africa too long when....

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea) — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 00:15:00 +0000

you get spooked by every crooked skinny thing on the ground, thinking it's a snake
you get excited when you see a little bug in the car with you while driving because you haven't seen any in so long
you have to frequently remind yourself which side of the street to drive on, especially when pulling out of a parking lot
you stop and just stare in awe at all the granola bar choices at the grocery store
you greet every sales person, whether in person or on the phone, with "Hello, how are you?" and are surprised when a long greeting process does not follow
you are slow moving at the gas pump because you haven't had to pump your own gas in two years
you keep waiting for your phone to tell you that it is out of airtime, forgetting that it's on a month-to-month contract
you see a big wooden giraffe outside of an apartment complex and have to take a triple take, forgetting which continent you are on and that there is no way that it is real

Just a few of my transition challenges. :) All in all, things are going very well and I'm enjoying catching up with friends and family and getting reacquainted with America. More pictures and updates soon!

I love my church

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea) — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 17:39:00 +0000

I am a little behind in watching this video, but I'm so glad that I sat down and finally did watch it. I encourage you to watch it, too, when you have about 25 minutes free. Even if you aren't a part of The Austin Stone, it will inspire you to pray for and be more involved with your city, wherever you live.

I love Austin and I love my church. I'm so excited to be a part of a church that not only loves Jesus, but is passionate about the people of Austin.

For The City-Revisited from The Austin Stone on Vimeo.

The Blindside

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea) — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 17:07:00 +0000

Last night my family and I went together to see the movie, "The Blindside" and I just want to encourage you if you have not seen it yet, to make a plan to go and see it soon. It is an amazing movie and such an inspiring story. I loved it!

Leadership Team

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea) — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 18:54:00 +0000

One of the things I'm most excited at having been involved with is the youth leadership team I helped lead with Matt and Kelly. This was a group of eleven young men and women, both boarders and non-boarders, who we saw incredible leadership potential in. During the last three months of the year, we met with this group every other Saturday for two hours. During that time we ate lunch, shared testimonies, and took turns teaching and discipling this young group. We always left the meetings feeling encouraged and challenged by these amazing teenagers.

Probably the greatest experience with this leadership group was the Friday we let them run Fire by Nite, the weekly youth service. They literally ran the whole night, from music selection and leading in worship, to games planning, sharing testimonies, and even preaching! The whole night Kelly, Matt, and I stood at the back, watching the night unfold with huge smiles on our faces and such love in our hearts. As Kelly states in her blog about the night, we felt like proud parents. And the Lord moved in a powerful way that night, as many of the teenagers ended the night in tears of repentance and some of them making their first decision to follow Christ.

I will miss those kids so much. I am extremely proud of them and know that God will continue growing them and using them in powerful ways with their peers. There are plans this year to continue the group and even add to it, which is very exciting!

Here are some pictures from our last leadership team meeting:

the leadership circle

sweet girls

camera shy :)

more sweet girls

such a character!

fearless leaders

our sweet picture

the true personalities come out!

I praise God for this group and look forward to hearing many more testimonies of all they are doing and their amazing leadership in Christ.

Field Trip

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea) — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 01:19:00 +0000

Before the year ended, my class had the opportunity to go on one last field trip together to a nearby safari lodge. We traveled about 30 minutes outside of town and then were able to enjoy a nice walking safari, where we saw lots of animals: zebra, giraffe, ostrich, horses, and sprinkbok. Here are some pictures of our day:

Loaded up on the bus and ready to go

Halfway there we were able to switch to safari trucks

I was so excited to see zebra!

Hanging out before our walk

We all loved this cool tree

Heading out on the walk

A couple of students and I getting a tour of some of the fancy lodging

They loved the outdoor showers

Learning from the great Dougie

Learning about this old tree

Mason's fun find!

Ostrich eggs

Giraffe!

One last ostrich on our way out

Heading back to school after a long day

The class

We enjoyed our day so much and were grateful for one last outing together. Not to mention getting to see some fun animals! :)

Catching Up

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea) — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 06:00:00 +0000

With the end of the term being so hectic and our internet at the mission being unreliable, there were many things I wanted to share but just wasn't able to. So, here is the first of a few "catch-up" blog posts.

My Class:

(These are just some random pictures of the class from October and November.)

Playing with the custom timer on my camera

with my girls before they left on a camping trip

friends

At our Thanksgiving "feast"

I'm crazy about these kids!

Merry Christmas!

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea) — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 22:05:00 +0000

"And the angel said to them, 'Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.'" Luke 2:10-11

Merry Christmas everyone! I hope your Christmas is a blessed one!!
:) Andrea