Slumber Parties - posted by Karen

Well - sorry to say you're stuck with me again. The Internet Cafe in Freetown is not working right now. Christie was so excited to get e-mail and update her BLOG. She tries so hard not to be devastated when the Internet is not working. Fortunately she made a friend at the Cafe and she can now text to find out if the Internet is working before walking four miles to be disappointed.

Christie thoroughly enjoyed the Thanksgiving service off campus last Sunday. Her African dress was very special, altho she created quite a stir as she walked thru town. People kept pointing her out saying, "Look at the Pumoi wearing African Dress"!

The Pumoi's are multiplying at JCC! Kayla (Roger's daughter), Jeremy, Rachel and Dillon (who was on the Impact team with Christie when she went in 2006) all arrived a coupla days ago. The team members encourage Christie and they all went to a football game last night. Ceek, our sports fanatic, thoroughly enjoyed this get away! She's had quite an adjustment - being herself in a community of "gender roles". The women cook and clean and the men gather wood - but you know Christie - she'd rather gather wood!! They all have to make adjustments as she's trying to be more of a "girl" and yet be herself and enjoy sports and the outdoors and just be who God has created her to be!

They have already moved three mattresses into her room for Kari, Amy and Jordyn (Karen and Mark Boland's daughter), so until the team arrives there have been "slumber parties in Ceek's room each night. Fatmata and her young (18 month old) charge, Jessica have been staples, but then other kids take turns sleeping with them. Christie said it's been fun and interesting to see how much the kids enjoy being the special ones!

She's been doing lotsa tutoring with the older kids as the school year winds down. She's especially enjoying helping with math. She's finding it soooo fulfilling to come from a different angle and see the kids "get it"!! The only draw back is that this tutoring is done after hours - so that sometimes it is after midnight or 1:00 a.m. before they finish. She says the kids are handling it just fine - but she's not a college student anymore - so she's getting tired! Please pray for physical, spiritual and emotional strength for her as she is serving in this way!

Christie has been using the Honda sometimes when she goes somewhere. The price has just doubled because of the cost of gas. She said it has gone from 33¢ to 66¢ and she really feels it! She has a budget she must live within - and just like the price of gas is hurting us - it is affecting her and everyone in their country as well!

She is exceedingly grateful for all your donations for their school and medicines! Now we just hafta get them over there! United did allow two 50 lb bags for each of the travelers - so that helps a lot. But Mark's fence posts, wire, insulators and solar charger will take up most of his two bags - he'll be lucky to take many clothes. That means that Kari and Amy hafta get the rest of the stuff in their bags. We can pay $50.00 per bag extra to bring them up to the 70 lb limit that British Airways will let us carry. Packing an extra 50 lb bag will be $100.00. Lotsa decisions to be made in the next few days!! Please pray for wisdom for us!

Also - please pray for wisdom for the team as they decide whether to bring Internet onto the compound. They are researching whether the provider they have in mind would have reliable service and make it worth the expense that Christie would be shelling out. Would it be the wisest investment of her money?

Thanks for all your encouragement! You are wonderful supporters!
Love in Jesus,
Karen