For I know the plans I have for you . . . plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Praise God that He always has us in the right place at the right time!! Christie is not only at JCC for the orphans, she is there for Ashtyn Boland as well! He knew Ashtyn's needs before she even left the States, and provided that Ceek would be there for her just days before her arrival. We have a great and mighty God who sees to ALL of our needs ALL of the time!!
Christie is a tender-hearted, skilled nurse as we all saw with how she cared for her beloved Gramps. She is now putting those skills to use as she cares for her precious friend. The Boland family became special friends of Christie's as she got to know them thru Steve and Amy Stepec. She quickly was welcomed into their family and Karen (the mom) has mentored Ceek throughout her emotional, spiritual and physical journey to Jonathan's House.
Karen and Mark Boland and family adopted a daughter from JCC about a year ago and are in the process of adopting a son at this time. Mark and Ashtyn (Karen and Mark's daughter - new sister to John) went to Sierra Leone to finalize the process and bring their son, John, home. Mark had to go to Freetown to do all the legal work and Ashtyn stayed with Ceek.
Ashtyn is ill with flu like symptoms and has been for a coupla days. She spent most of last night vomiting and is weak and exhausted. Christie has Ashtyn staying in her room and is ministering to her there. Please pray for Ashtyn that God will bring healing to her body in His timing. . . He has a plan for her life. And pray that Ashtyn will look to Him for her comfort and strength. Pray also for Ceek as there is little medication there - pray for wisdom and emotional strength as she ministers to Ashtyn and all her other charges as well. Pray for Mark who is in the same Country - yet miles away from his daughter at this time. Pray for Karen and Ashtyn's sisters who are an entire continent away from their precious daughter and sister. It is soooooooooo hard to be so far away from our children when they are ill. Pray for Karen's mother-heart - that she will be able to trust God with her daughter's health and well being and have PEACE that God is in control!
In you, O LORD, I have taken refuge. Psalm 31:1
Thank you for your prayers,
Karen
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Christie walked to Bo - posted by Karen
Christie and others walked to Bo last week, to get supplies for JCC and she intended to update her BLOG at the Internet Cafe while she was there. However, it was closed. She tried really hard to not be disappointed cuz it also meant she was unable to check her e-mail. If you would like to e-mail Ceek while she is there her address is ceekshermer@yahoo.com I know she would love to hear from anyone who would like to encourage her. It appears that we were overly optimistic when we envisioned Internet on the compound in a week or two. So she will have to walk to town (4 miles each way, with someone from JCC to translate for her) until further notice whenever she wants to use the Internet. She is looking forward to this tho, as she will take a different older child each trip and take them to a restaurant and spend one-on-one time with them.
Christie said it is quite an experience going to town. She is quite a novelty there and people are always yelling "Pumoi-Pumoi" which is "white person". It causes everyone to turn and look at her. Kids run away from her to the end of the block and then turn and wait for her to come toward them and then run away again. It's disconcerting to have the little ones frightened of her. There is one supermarket with set prices - otherwise every other store in the market is a bartering system. She needs someone with her to be sure that she is bartering correctly and not being "taken" because she is a Pumoi. When she is sent to purchase things for Jonathan House she needs to be responsible with their funds so she needs to bring children who are Market savvy. Her goal is to become Market Savvy and be able to get good deals on her own.
She is having to get usedta the way of doing things in Africa. They live on a one lane road. This weekend they took the kids to a farm. As their van was leaving the orphanage, they met a Poda-Poda (a people transport vehicle - kinda like a bus). Both are larger vehicles and there was not enough room to pass. Neither driver was willing to back up so they both just stopped and turned off their engines and waited it out. . . for an hour! Finally one of them backed up! But in the African heat - the air in the two vehicles got mighty stifling before they were on their way again. Christie has lots to learn about patience in such situations!
She is settling into the routine. The weekend routine is different than during the week. Altho there are Cooks during the week, the JCC staff cooks on the weekends. Christie's job is to dish up the rice each meal during the week and help with the cooking on the weekends. Saturday is Laundry Day and Sunday is Church and Hair Day. They do everyone's hair for the whole week and then don't hafta worry about it again all week!!
Ceek is adjusting to the climate. Whereas she was always hot the first few days - she finds that she is using a sheet at night now! Mornings are her times with the little kids and afternoons with the older kids. She is enjoying helping the kids with their schoolwork the most at this point. The days are still long - but she is adjusting there also. Whereas she fought to stay awake during evening prayers at 8:15pm the first few nights - she is finding she is fully participating and thoroughly enjoying evening prayers now.
Christie said it is quite an experience going to town. She is quite a novelty there and people are always yelling "Pumoi-Pumoi" which is "white person". It causes everyone to turn and look at her. Kids run away from her to the end of the block and then turn and wait for her to come toward them and then run away again. It's disconcerting to have the little ones frightened of her. There is one supermarket with set prices - otherwise every other store in the market is a bartering system. She needs someone with her to be sure that she is bartering correctly and not being "taken" because she is a Pumoi. When she is sent to purchase things for Jonathan House she needs to be responsible with their funds so she needs to bring children who are Market savvy. Her goal is to become Market Savvy and be able to get good deals on her own.
She is having to get usedta the way of doing things in Africa. They live on a one lane road. This weekend they took the kids to a farm. As their van was leaving the orphanage, they met a Poda-Poda (a people transport vehicle - kinda like a bus). Both are larger vehicles and there was not enough room to pass. Neither driver was willing to back up so they both just stopped and turned off their engines and waited it out. . . for an hour! Finally one of them backed up! But in the African heat - the air in the two vehicles got mighty stifling before they were on their way again. Christie has lots to learn about patience in such situations!
She is settling into the routine. The weekend routine is different than during the week. Altho there are Cooks during the week, the JCC staff cooks on the weekends. Christie's job is to dish up the rice each meal during the week and help with the cooking on the weekends. Saturday is Laundry Day and Sunday is Church and Hair Day. They do everyone's hair for the whole week and then don't hafta worry about it again all week!!
Ceek is adjusting to the climate. Whereas she was always hot the first few days - she finds that she is using a sheet at night now! Mornings are her times with the little kids and afternoons with the older kids. She is enjoying helping the kids with their schoolwork the most at this point. The days are still long - but she is adjusting there also. Whereas she fought to stay awake during evening prayers at 8:15pm the first few nights - she is finding she is fully participating and thoroughly enjoying evening prayers now.
Specific prayer requests for her are:
- Walks to town - It is beastly hot and even tho she carries a wet cloth, she gets quite warm. And wiping with the cloth too much wipes off the sun screen and she burns a bit.
- She is experiencing Language Fatigue - Constantly having to translate everything that you hear is draining. Plus she asks them to repeat in Mende and Creole everything that is said in
- English so that she can learn both languages quickly.
- Individual time with the kids - there are so many that one on one time is hard to come by
- Refreshment when she is alone - that is also hard to come by. When I called her she went to her room to talk to me. Three year old Patrick followed her and kicked everyone else out of her room to give her privacy but then he wanted to stay - it was difficult for him to grasp that he needed to leave also. Very cute!
- Spiritual Refreshment in her Quiet times each morning. This is vital to her continued positive attitude and having something to give to staff and children
God's will be done regarding Internet coming to Jonathan House
Thanks for all of your prayers and support,
Love in Jesus,
Karen
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Christie is at Jonathan House - posted by Karen
Christie is now at Jonathan House quickly settling into her new life! When she came with a whole team, people mostly spoke English to everyone all the time for the sake of all the Westerners. Since she is the only American, they speak English to her and their native Mindi or Creole amongst themselves. This proves difficult when her charges are fighting among themselves and she is the Authority Figure who is to "solve the problem" and she can't understand the language to decipher what just happened! She is having to learn the languages QUICKLY!! She already understands several phrases in both languages "Good Morning", "How did you sleep?" etc. but speaking these phrases is more difficult.
They were very accommodating to her - giving Christie her own small room and walling off one of the communal showers and toilets for her private use. She has a bed complete with netting to keep the bugs away. She is grateful for their concern for her need for personal space and privacy. She is no longer able to just blend in tho. She is still constantly watched just because she is the only Westerner on the compound. She said they are not bad stares, just curious. And at night, everyone fades into the darkness - while she said "her skin glows".
Another thing she's hadta get used to again is the food. Since they don't waste anything, the whole chicken or the whole fish goes in the pot - so there are parts of the animal that we've never eaten before included with supper! At first she wondered if she could do it - but after only five days she is adjusting quite well.
Her schedule is roughly:
5:00 am - Quite time
6:00 am - make breakfast for kids and get them ready for and off to school
8:30 am - 1:30 pm - care for pre-schoolers - have some time to herself then older kids start coming back from school
afternoon and evening - help kids with homework, chores, supper, etc. and nightly prayers
Wednesday night she is to lead a Bible Study for everyone.
She said that by the time she gets to bed she has packed so much into the day that morning seems like it was yesterday, not just that morning!
When she got to Jonathan House she discovered that there currently is no Internet service into the compound. Her desire is to get a modem and bring Internet service to JCC and pay the monthly fee out of her support funds as her contribution to the Orphanage. There are some questions as to how this would work and the feasibility of it all - so until this is worked out, either I will update her BLOG or she will walk to town and use the Internet Cafe to keep you all updated.
We are sooooooooooo grateful for your prayer support. God's presence in this Ministry are evident in many, many ways throughout her trip and these first five days there! She said to thank you all for your support and your prayers and let you know that she is doing well. She got a SIM card for her cell phone and we are able to call her whenever we want. It costs big bucks for her to call us - so if she wants at talk she calls and says "call me" and hangs up! Then we call back with a calling card we got that is 11 cents a minute to call Africa. Her incoming calls are free - good for her!!
We all know this is a team effort. Christie is at Jonathan House because of your prayers and financial support. Thank you for your continued prayers during these next six months. God is at work!
They were very accommodating to her - giving Christie her own small room and walling off one of the communal showers and toilets for her private use. She has a bed complete with netting to keep the bugs away. She is grateful for their concern for her need for personal space and privacy. She is no longer able to just blend in tho. She is still constantly watched just because she is the only Westerner on the compound. She said they are not bad stares, just curious. And at night, everyone fades into the darkness - while she said "her skin glows".
Another thing she's hadta get used to again is the food. Since they don't waste anything, the whole chicken or the whole fish goes in the pot - so there are parts of the animal that we've never eaten before included with supper! At first she wondered if she could do it - but after only five days she is adjusting quite well.
Her schedule is roughly:
5:00 am - Quite time
6:00 am - make breakfast for kids and get them ready for and off to school
8:30 am - 1:30 pm - care for pre-schoolers - have some time to herself then older kids start coming back from school
afternoon and evening - help kids with homework, chores, supper, etc. and nightly prayers
Wednesday night she is to lead a Bible Study for everyone.
She said that by the time she gets to bed she has packed so much into the day that morning seems like it was yesterday, not just that morning!
When she got to Jonathan House she discovered that there currently is no Internet service into the compound. Her desire is to get a modem and bring Internet service to JCC and pay the monthly fee out of her support funds as her contribution to the Orphanage. There are some questions as to how this would work and the feasibility of it all - so until this is worked out, either I will update her BLOG or she will walk to town and use the Internet Cafe to keep you all updated.
We are sooooooooooo grateful for your prayer support. God's presence in this Ministry are evident in many, many ways throughout her trip and these first five days there! She said to thank you all for your support and your prayers and let you know that she is doing well. She got a SIM card for her cell phone and we are able to call her whenever we want. It costs big bucks for her to call us - so if she wants at talk she calls and says "call me" and hangs up! Then we call back with a calling card we got that is 11 cents a minute to call Africa. Her incoming calls are free - good for her!!
We all know this is a team effort. Christie is at Jonathan House because of your prayers and financial support. Thank you for your continued prayers during these next six months. God is at work!
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
World's Best Trip So Far
I cannot believe how easy this trip has been so far. Most everyone asked if I was nervous or scared to travel by myself and that is one thing that I have not been nervous about. However in the last week I have been very nervous about checking my luggage. You see I did pack more than I should. United Airlines limit is 51lbs but British Airways is 70lbs. I was only flying on United from MSP to Chicago and then I will be on British Airways all the way to Freetown. So in my thinking I decided that I would pay the extra $ for the overweight bag and have what I needed (or want) for the next 6 months. As I was weighing my suitcases though I was right at that limit and with all scales being different I wasn't sure what would happen when I go there and I still was excited about the extra cost. Also knowing me you know how I hate confrontations and have been picturing some crabby person not being to happy with me as I check in. Well today rolls around and I lug my heavy suitcases up to the check-in desk and meet the world's nicest attendant. He first asks me how to pronounce where I am going and proceeds to ask me about my trip. As we talk he decides that I need to be on an earlier flight out of MSP so that there is no chance of missing my flight to London. Then as we weigh my suitcases they end up being 70.5 and 71lbs- my big fear. He says "oh that's no problem- 6 months is a long time" That is exactly what I have been saying. As he puts the heavy tags on my bags he then tells me that he needs to go on his break now so he will not be able to charge me for the excess weight. "Have a great time and thanks for doing what you are doing," He says. Wow if you only knew how much time I spent worrying about that part of this journey. God is good and knows just what I need and gives me WAY MORE! I couldn't help but smile all the way to Chicago and as soon as I arrived I had to get on Skype and call my family to let them know.
Before I left a group of my family and I met at TGIFridays near the airport for lunch. What a great way to leave. We took a couple pictures- so here is the first look at this trip starting in my home state. 
My grandma Shirley, Uncle Dean, Uncle Mike, Aunt Lorie, cousins Sophie, Isabelle, Jackie, Samuel, Madalyn, Benjamin, and My lovely sisters Kari and Amy. How blessed am I?!?!
Sophie and Isabelle- the two girls who started my whole nanny career. These two are near and dear to my heart- I love them and will miss them tons.
A lady Amy works with- Barb- made us these hats for while we are over in Africa. How sweet of her. She has been so good to Amy and in turn to me as well over the last year and a half or more. I didn't know how handy this hat would be as I had packed my other one and was wishing I hadn't when my hair decided to grow a little bigger with frizz before even starting the next 23 hours of traveling. Thanks Barb- I love it! (Sophie took the photo- nice job)
Well in about a 30 minutes I'll board the plane for London- so that means I need to get some water and hit the restrooms-I know thanks for sharing that last part.
I hope to be posting soon after arriving. Thanks again for your prayers- God is answering them already!
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Finally- I am off...
At 8 am tomorrow morning I will meet John and Jane in Cook to finally start this journey. We will meet Amy in Cloquet and head to the cities to meet up with more family for lunch before I head to the airport and catch a flight to Freetown, Sierra Leone (via Chicago and London). I am packed and ready and I can honestly say that I am not too nervous. I am sure tomorrow I will have some butterflies and some uncertainty and yet I have been looking forward to this for so long...
Having said all of this- it seems a bit unrealistic that Thursday I will be in Africa. Maybe that is why I am not nervous- because it doesn't seem completly real. Either way the time has come and it is happening.
Last night my mom braided the front of my hair. The kids love it and it will be fun to head over with a bit of African style. It also helps with not having wild hair while traveling for 24 hours. My clothes are laid out. Everything in my room here is packed away. After I finish this post I will pack away my laptop in my carry-on and I will be all set to go- ready or not.
I am so grateful for all of you. I wish everyone could be so encouraged in what they are doing in their lives. I couldn't do this without you and I look forward to sharing it with you as I go.
I'll update again as soon as I can- who knows how easy and when that'll be. I do have high hopes.
I'll miss you so make sure and let me know what is going on with all of you as well.
God Bless
Having said all of this- it seems a bit unrealistic that Thursday I will be in Africa. Maybe that is why I am not nervous- because it doesn't seem completly real. Either way the time has come and it is happening.
Last night my mom braided the front of my hair. The kids love it and it will be fun to head over with a bit of African style. It also helps with not having wild hair while traveling for 24 hours. My clothes are laid out. Everything in my room here is packed away. After I finish this post I will pack away my laptop in my carry-on and I will be all set to go- ready or not.
I am so grateful for all of you. I wish everyone could be so encouraged in what they are doing in their lives. I couldn't do this without you and I look forward to sharing it with you as I go.
I'll update again as soon as I can- who knows how easy and when that'll be. I do have high hopes.
I'll miss you so make sure and let me know what is going on with all of you as well.
God Bless
Thanks Ruth
My Aunt Ruth has been reading my blog and has in turn made Amy and I some great gifts that we will cherish forever. First she made us each a pair of fleece mittens that are Packers on the outside and Vikings on the inside for our Gramps. (as you may guess I have used them quite a bit this month of April- who would have known) Then she surprised us with a gift that is so unique and special I know we will both treasure it forever. I have a picture of Amy's and honestly I am just too lazy to unpack mine to take a picture so maybe I'll post one after I get to Salone. Here is Amy's-
This is to remember our trip to the playoff game at Lambeau Field this year in which our Gramps help us go and also gave us a dollar each to buy a souvenir, because that is all her thought the Packers were worth. It is made from shirts Gramps had worn and the back is one of his hankies. It is such a special reminder of him in so many ways- knowing times he wore each shirt, his humor in the dollar, his support of us in all we do, all the times we have battled over the Packers and the Vikings, and so much more. We have been blessed by him as well as those who remember him with us. Thank you Ruth- we cherish these precious gifts you have given to us.
This is to remember our trip to the playoff game at Lambeau Field this year in which our Gramps help us go and also gave us a dollar each to buy a souvenir, because that is all her thought the Packers were worth. It is made from shirts Gramps had worn and the back is one of his hankies. It is such a special reminder of him in so many ways- knowing times he wore each shirt, his humor in the dollar, his support of us in all we do, all the times we have battled over the Packers and the Vikings, and so much more. We have been blessed by him as well as those who remember him with us. Thank you Ruth- we cherish these precious gifts you have given to us.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Good Friends
The goodbyes have started. After dropping Annabelle and Nicholas off at their house in Duluth I was able to meet up with my good friend Brenda for a walk along the lake walk. Bren and I met my freshman year in college, were roommates one year, and she has been one of my closest friends ever since. I am so thankful for her- always there to listen to me as well as encourage me and give me great advice. Someone I laugh with often and one of the first people I think of calling when things happen in my life. We have gone for MANY walks over the years, so what better way to say goodbye than to head out for one more. I am going to miss her!
After spending some time by the lake I headed up the hill with Derek to meet Holly at Grandma's for dinner. We all grew up in Cook together and I am grateful we have remained friends over the years. Well Holly is more like a sister and always has been and maybe you could say Derek is like a brother because we sure do bicker more than I do with almost anyone else- it's not a bad thing though (I'm sure it's just me). We had to go to Grandma's being that I do love it and Tuesday's special is Wild Chicken Tettrazini- my favorite. Another great way to spend my last evening in Duluth.
Both Holly and Derek are significant people in my life and one of the things I have appreciated most is how both of them have become such a part of my family as well. I am extremely bummed to miss the birth of Holly's son, but I will be right there when I get home to meet this precious boy. I cannot believe that Derek is moving to Texas and will be gone when I get home, but maybe I'll be looking to get back to some warm weather again so a trip south will be in order.
I know, I know- it is only 6 months, so what am I getting all emotional about? I am going to miss these three friends. I love them all dearly and am grateful to have them in my life.
Yes the goodbyes have started and I am sure they will continue all week. I do want to see everyone and at the same time it would be so much easier to just hop on the plane and leave.
After spending some time by the lake I headed up the hill with Derek to meet Holly at Grandma's for dinner. We all grew up in Cook together and I am grateful we have remained friends over the years. Well Holly is more like a sister and always has been and maybe you could say Derek is like a brother because we sure do bicker more than I do with almost anyone else- it's not a bad thing though (I'm sure it's just me). We had to go to Grandma's being that I do love it and Tuesday's special is Wild Chicken Tettrazini- my favorite. Another great way to spend my last evening in Duluth.
Both Holly and Derek are significant people in my life and one of the things I have appreciated most is how both of them have become such a part of my family as well. I am extremely bummed to miss the birth of Holly's son, but I will be right there when I get home to meet this precious boy. I cannot believe that Derek is moving to Texas and will be gone when I get home, but maybe I'll be looking to get back to some warm weather again so a trip south will be in order.
I know, I know- it is only 6 months, so what am I getting all emotional about? I am going to miss these three friends. I love them all dearly and am grateful to have them in my life.
Yes the goodbyes have started and I am sure they will continue all week. I do want to see everyone and at the same time it would be so much easier to just hop on the plane and leave.
Annabelle and Nicholas
My junior year in college I started nannying for these precious 4 months old twins. On April 22 Annabelle and Nicholas will turn 6. 
Monday they came to stay with me for the night so we could hang out one more time before I head off to Salone. We had a great time together playing in all our new snow. As you can tell from the pictures of Hannah and Mya, we had mud on the ground Saturday. Playing in Olmer's Cottage on Mon. and Tues. was a bit different- first we had to trudge through 3ft of snow to get there, then we had to dig out enough to get the door open. All worth it in the end as Ann.JPG)
abelle, Nicholas and I spent a good couple hour.JPG)
s out there. We had a blast and I always love spending time with these two.
Happy Birthday and make sure you eat a cupcake for me on the 22nd. I love you two.
Monday they came to stay with me for the night so we could hang out one more time before I head off to Salone. We had a great time together playing in all our new snow. As you can tell from the pictures of Hannah and Mya, we had mud on the ground Saturday. Playing in Olmer's Cottage on Mon. and Tues. was a bit different- first we had to trudge through 3ft of snow to get there, then we had to dig out enough to get the door open. All worth it in the end as Ann.JPG)
abelle, Nicholas and I spent a good couple hour.JPG)
s out there. We had a blast and I always love spending time with these two. Happy Birthday and make sure you eat a cupcake for me on the 22nd. I love you two.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Little Friends
I have been lucky enough to spend the last few days with my good friends Sarah's girls. Hannah and Mya have been so much fun for us to have around. Yesterday we spent some time playing in our old playhouse that we Shermer kids had growing up. It was a blast seeing Hannah use her imagination and allow us to come to "her house" for a visit as well as be told when it was time to leave. :)
I have been able to hang out with these sweet girls every Wednesday for the last 4 or 5 weeks. I have been helping out with the 3-5 year old class at church on Wed. nights so Hannah can come with and join out group, she loves it and so do I. Mya gets to spend time in the nursery where you know there are MANY toys so it is a good night for her as well. I have loved being a part of this cla
ss and am going to miss all the kids. They seem to have this way of getting into your heart.
Hannah peeking through the window, Mya enjoying the warm weather, and me getting some practice carrying kids around hands free.
So all of these pictures were taken yesterday. A nice warm spring day, great for being outside with no jacket and just enjoying the sun. However we can never forget that we live in Minnesota. So today... this is what Olmer's Cottage looks like. (the playhouse) Over a foot of snow on the ground and it is still coming down.
I thought it was warming up outside and Spring was coming (just like the rest of you). I was thinking that the transition to African weather would be a little less tramatic if I wasn't heading out of a snow storm into the tropical heat of the equater. I guess we just have to go with the flow though. (only 10 more days- I had better get packing)
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