State Side

I came flew back into Orlando Tuesday night. I am glad to be home but I was not eager to leave. On July 12 we drove back to Ouaga for debriefing and shopping before going home. It was really hard to leave Leo. I had tons of fun with the kids and our English class. I met lots of amazing people and beautiful children that I hope I will never forget. In Ouaga I enjoyed hanging out with my team Liz, Leslie, and Katina and shopping for souvenirs. It was such an awesome trip. It seems like it wasn't that long at all and then at the same time I felt like I had been there forever. Its really hard to explain how I feel about everything and all that God has taught me because I don't understand it all completely. But trust me when I say there is a change in me and I have learned a lot. Ive learned a lot about myself, the world, God, and my future. I truly am richly blessed. I recommend missions trips to all Christians. One thing God has shown me lately is the importance of His call and our obedience. God gave us a call. It doesn't necessarily mean that everyone should go to Africa but we are all called somewhere. The world needs missionaries, people need to hear about Christ. "the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13for, 'Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.' 14How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!'" Romans 10:12-15. It is a privilege to be an ambassador for Christ We should take hold of the power the Holy Spirit gives us to share the gospel. It is humbling to think that God wants to use us when we are so sinful and unworthy but He does. I always doubt that I am worthy to be used by God but He continually shows me that He uses the willing. Therefore, with the goal of pleasing and honoring our God, I am will to go and do what ever He calls me to. I am confident that God will lead me where I need to go and am eager to serve Him. Through this trip He has shown me many awesome blessings that come with following Him. He has been faithful with every step by providing me with all that I need and more. I know I will only be truly happy and satisfied on His path. This is just one thing God has shown me clearly through this trip. If you want to know more please call me I am always eager to talk with anyone about the awesome things I saw and learned in Africa. Also, I took over 800 pictures while i was gone and i have posted several on facebook. Thank you all for your overwhelming support and encouragement for me before and while I was in Africa. All of the prayers, messages, and emails helped me feel connected and loved while I was away. :-)

Burkina Faso

Friends and Fam
Sorry it has taken me so long to right. I am super busy here and we have dail-up so this maybe the last one I write. I went to Waga for 4 days with Elsie to pick up the other members of our team from the airport. Katina, Liz, and Leslie are the new comers. Lord has blessed me with some more amazing people to work with. We all get along really well and have fun together. On Thursday we came to Leo and did a few days of orientation and planning. Monday we started our typical schedule which is morning with childrens ministry, lunch break, and then english teaching in the afternoons. Unfortunately our first week is over but we had tons of fun. I love everything:-) With the children we play games, sing songs, and learn a bible story every morning. The children are adorable and love white people, well most love us some of the little ones are really afraid of white people. In the market the other day we say a baby who has never seen a white person before and he did not stop screaming until we were out of sight. His mother and grandmother were laughing. It was very funny. But in general the children just want to be huged and played with. Yesterday we taught them heads up seven up and red light green light. Needless to say we are worn out by lunch time. Our afternoons are for the english class which I suprisingly love. I was relaly nervous about teaching english becuase i dont know any french but it is going really well and and the students say just hearing us talk is helpful. We have been teaching them lots of english words but we also introduce a bible story and american culture into each lesson plan. The age rang for our class is from 17 to 45 but they are all eager to learn and listen attentively to everyting we say. Thursday we taught them about music and dancing that was my favorite lesson so far. I am having lots of fun and and bunches to tell all of you when I get home. I will be home in 10 days although I am excited to see everyone again it will be really hard to leave. I love absolutely everything here.

=Brittany

Prayer request:
-Language barrier with the children
-the burkinabae will see Christ love through us
-safe travel to church tomorrow (its two hours away)
-the muslim people searching for the truth for protection and wisdom
-Jaque (a man from the ivory cost who is working iwth us) his family is moving here

Prayer praises:
-the first week of childrens ministry and EFL has been awesome
-we were all sick but now feel much better
-my team is great
-the power is on - it just turned on after being off for 12 hours


-tiffy and yvy i am reading the first book of the mark of the lion series and it is aweosme:-) im hooked