SHE'S HERE!!!

Koryn Elizabeth Shermer

Koryn Elizabeth Shermer was born on Monday June 23, 2008. She was born at 3:40pm and weighed 5lbs 10 ½ oz and was 17 in long. It was a party in the hospital room of course! My mom came down and I went there right after work and Jamie’s parents were there plus a few of Nick’s friends it was a lot of fun and we each got a chance to hold sweet little Koryn.

They got home Wednesday afternoon and are settling back in to their routine. Thursday mom and dad came down and we had lunch with Nick, Jamie, Alina, Koryn and Jamie’s Parents. It was a really fun time filled with lots of laughs and stories of when Nick and Jamie were little.



Christie is sad to have missed being here but we were able to call her right away and she is excited to be able to see Koryn when she gets back.





We are all so excited to be apart of this wonderful little girl's life!

Please Pray for Christie - Posted by Karen

All of the Pumois have gone back to America and Christie is re-adjusting to her previous schedule. While all the Americans were there, her life changed - she went to the farm, or the Banana Islands, or to town more often, etc. Now everyone is getting back into his or her regular schedule, and it's a bit of an adjustment again. Ceek is noticing that she really needs some time alone - but that is hard to come by. Please pray for her in this re-adjustment period.

Also, we'd really appreciate your prayers for her health. She has been running a low-grade temp, had a headache behind her eyes, and chills and sweats both at the same time. She has been wearing a fleece sweatshirt most of the time and is still cold, even as the sweat is running down her back! She took a Malaria test, which was negative, but has started Malaria treatment anyway because of many of the symptoms being similar. She has a severe rash on her back and chest and figures it is from the incessant sweating.

One "perk" of the headache is that she hasn't had to wear contacts or glasses since getting it. Her distance vision in her left eye has improved with the headache! I teased her that she just saved a ton in laser surgery cuz they correct one eye for distance and one eye for close. Her right eye can read and her left one now sees far away! She calls this her miracle headache! We're just praying that God is at work in her body for His healing and that she will get better instead of continue to get worse. Please pray for her health as well! She has continued to do her duties cuz the rash hurts too much to stay laying in bed all day - but she aches all the way to her bones. Please pray for extra strength and stamina as she is healing.

When Mark came home from Africa, he had several infected scratches and bug bites on his ankles and calves. His legs have swelled so bad that he couldn't get his slip on shoes on his feet when he got off the plane in Minneapolis. He tried doctoring at home for a week, but finally had to go to the doctor for antibiotics. He still has open sores that are healing, but extremely slowly, and he's been home for 2 1/2 weeks!

We're praying for Christie cuz she doesn't have the luxury of going to a doctor! She asked for any home remedies for the rash - and all the ones I could suggest she was missing an ingredient or two. If you have something that would help her itching - please comment to this blog or e-mail me at kshermer@2z.net and I'll call her.

Thanks for your prayers for Ceek. We really appreciate you!

Notes from Kari on Trip

Hey all-

I was talking with Amy and she asked me when I was going to put a post on my account of our trip. Like her, I feel there is so much to write about. So I will also try to paraphrase and hit key points!

I feel immensely blessed that God brought me to Africa! I know there are many reasons he brought me there... but a few things I feel he really laid on my heart are Education and Economic needs of the country! Did you know that most people are not able to enter a college/university until late 20's or early 30's?!? This is due to the fact that there are no Loan programs there like there is here! So most individuals have to work for years to earn the money to go to school. Some are fortunate enough to have parents that help. (but even they aren't able to attend college before late 20's). I also noticed, while we were touring the university, that they do not have much in regards to books! Here in America Professors switch their books/ curriculum every 2-4 yrs(roughly), while there they are lucky to have a few of the same books to teach with and learn from! Oh the things we are fortunate to have! There are a few things I think I could (with the help of others) bring to benefit Africa in this area. For Starters, I wonder what the universities here do with all the books that are no longer being used in the curriculum?!? (anyone know? e-mail me or comment kari.shermer@gmail.com) I want to find a way that we could possibly ship books to Africa. I have a few ideas... but if anyone wants to help me I'm always looking for more ideas! 2nd idea... What if we could start a Loan program to help their economy? Did you know that 1 in 20 women still die during child birth?!? What if we could help students going into the medical field with loans so they could go sooner?!? When they graduate they could have a grace period to find a job and start working. However, when they pay back the loan, that money would then be loaned out to another student to fund their loans! (Eventually they would be taking care of each other and not need us!!) Same thing with individuals persuing other careers. Once again... if you feel GOD has put these issues on your heart send me a letter or comment! I can use all the help to follow through on these visions!

Most of you know that Amy and Christie are Phenominal with children! I do enjoy kids but have been baffled at how to entertain them after a few hours! (being honest!) However, this trip made me truly cherish children! I couldn't understand exactly why I woke up Wednesday morning kinda sad. It was the first morning I woke up without the children singing and praising GOD! These Lovely children GOD created stole my heart while I was there. Even though I may still not know how to entertain children for hours on end... I do know how to Love them unconditionally and enjoy every one of them for their individual personalities! (Just to re-emphasize how great my sisters are with kids. When we got there Jessica, one of the babies, was afraid of all of us pomois. Within a Day she was sleeping on AMY!!! what a gift she has) Christie... I truly admire everything you are doing at the Orphanage and in Sierra Leone! I know that GOD has an amazing plan for your life and the effect you can have on this country!!

I feel blessed that we were able to help build the fence, paint the church, paint a bit around the orphanage, and spend time with the kids! The end of our trip was a Blessing too! When we went to Banana Island we learned Tons!! But the last 24 hours really touched my Heart. Amy explained the last night, when both Ibrahim's were talking about the war. The next morning Ibrahim, our guide, sat with us after breakfast. Pastor Ibrahim told him how GOD is the only one who can take away that pain and hurt from the War/ Experiences. After talking for a while Pastor Ibrahim gave him HIS OWN Bible! What an amazing exchange to witness. I know I wasn't always the best of individuals... so there are a few chapters in the bible that really speak to me. I showed them to young Ibrahim before we left the island. We have kept in contact since my return, as we are working on some investment ideas together. (If anyone has a philanthropical investing heart and wants to help invest in their economy let me know also!!) GOD is truly working wonders in his life! One of the lasts texts he sent me said "I Pray for you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ!"

Sorry this got a little Long! All-in-All... this Was an AMAZING trip! I can't wait to go back to Africa (but don't worry... I feel GOD has a large mission field here in America for me. So I won't be going to Africa to stay!) GOD Bless you All and thanks for caring so much about Christie and our Family! We are truly blessed to have everyone as our Prayer Warriors!

Love In Christ,

Kari Shermer

We had a GREAT time

I know Christie wanted me to come on here and tell you how the trip was and as I tried to summarize our trip I still ended up with a 3 page summary and decided that was too long to put on here so I guess I will try summarize my summary.

We had such an amazing time and I know that all of us would like to return someday. Christie seems to be doing so well there and of course everyone loves her. It was so nice to meet some of the people she talks about so much, they are such wonderful people. I really miss having morning singing and devotions with the staff, it was such a great way to start each day.

My favorite part of course was spending time with the kids. They were all so much fun and they all have such a vast knowledge of the bible and can recite bible verses like crazy. I feel like I learned so much instead of teaching anything.

One day we went and painted the inside and outside of a church in a village called Torwama which is about 3 miles from JCC. Many kids came to watch so we taught them a few songs and they taught us a few songs, it was a really fun time. We got really dirty and went to rinse off in the river and of course everyone had to come watch.

We were the only white people around so people were excited to see us and as Christie has said before they yell out pumoi pumoi and want to touch you or have you hold their child. In some ways we were kind of treated like famous people so it is nice to be back in America and blend in with everyone.

One day we went and toured the Njala University. That was really interesting to see and hear about. There is no electricity but they do have generators and it seemed like they have some really good programs there. We also learned that the students have to bring their desks with them to each of their classes if they want to have a place to sit.

We spent a few days at the farm which was not part of us girl’s plans but dad needed our help and we actually got a lot done. We cleared brush off the field and threw it over the fence. Then we hand hoed the entire field which took about two days. Thankfully there were some kids who lived around there that would come help after school. They were very hard workers and much faster than us.

We ended up having to do laundry 3 times and somehow Kari got out of helping 2 of the times. The kids were so nice and would come help us which was great cuz they are so much better at it than we are. After doing it all by hand and rubbing a couple fingers raw we were very thankful we have washing machines and driers.

It was sad saying goodbye to all of the kids Friday night. We got up at 2am Saturday morning and 5 of the older boys came with us so they could go with Pastor Ibraham to get our tickets for the bus since they charge more when they see white people. Then around 4am we got on the bus for 6 hours to get to Banana Island.

Banana Island was so nice. We swam a lot and relaxed quite a bit. We took a couple walking tours and found out a lot about the history of Banana Island. We saw remnants of the forts the slaves built and a big rock bridge they built. The last night we were there Pastor Ibraham and our tour guide Ibraham told us some of their experiences with the war. Ibraham, our guide, told of how his dad was a diamond trader and the rebels came and tied him and his parents up and they shot his parents and took him and tried to make him a rebel soldier but he was able to escape. Both of them were very open about talking about the war and it is amazing to see how well they are doing after hearing everything they had to say. They said after the war all of the weapons were melted and the rebel soldiers are a part of the communities now. So they can be in town and see the man who cut the arms off a 5 month old baby or the man who killed their parents but they have to accept them because they do not want to have war anymore.

Monday we went back to Freetown and got some souvenirs at the market before going to the ferry to get to the airport and head home. It was such an amazing trip and we are so blessed to have been able to go. It was hard to say goodbye to Christie but it was so nice to see how well she is doing and I’m sure 4 months will go by much faster than we think.

It's me again

Wow when it is so long between posts it is hard to be able to put all I want to say down in the time I have so I will just update you on my family's visit breifly and then have each of them sit down and put a post of their own on here for you to read.

First let me greet you all and say thanks again for your continued support and prayers. Especially in this time with no internet in Bo (it has been a bit busy but soon we will get the internet my mom has talked about so that I can have it at JH) it is a bit hard to feel connected to the rest of the world and yet to know that each of you are thinking of us and praying for us- I do feel it and have come to rely on it quite a bit.

It was so great to head to the airport May 28th and eventually see my family walk through the door. As soon as we were together it felt as though we had never been apart. Within no time they were right in the swing of things handing out with the kids, getting work done, walking around town... just a part of the team. The first few days we spent at the home getting to know everyone and just seeing the place. It was a good thing as it turns out the for most of the week we were farm hands, helping with dad's project at the farm. I am sure he will be able to tell you a lot about it and my mom has mentioned a few things already, but it was going back in time and working hard to accomplish what a machine could do in no time and yet we were able to get to know so many kids who came to help out as well as the people who work at the farm. We talked and laughed, worked and sweated, drank lots of water and finally taught my dad one Mende phrase- Thank God for the wind. Each time a breeze came he would stop and say this phrase- which I have no clue how to spell so I will just leave it out.

We were able to make a few trips to town and the girls and I headed to the Market to buy some fabric and a few other things while in Bo. It was a fun experience to show them how I do my shopping now. Just a little different than the MOA but not too much. Smile. I have come to really love the market, though it does have an interesting smell at times, the atmosphere is quite fun. Aunty Mary decided to come with us and I know that she has come to love Kari and Amy and Dad as well so being able to spend the day with us girls was a treat for her- but mostly for us.

As we walked around town we were talking about African dresses and how Kari and Amy could try on some of Auntie Mary's and then we could take pictures. Our last night at JH we had a little party in Auntie Mary's room and after taking pictures and dancing, Auntie Mary proceeded to give Kari and Amy the outfits they were wearing. Later she came into my room and lay on my bed- she was so happy to give them something and said that last time when I came she had money to buy a shirt for me but this time she didn't have the money to get them something so she had to give them something of her own and she wondered if that was okay. I told her it was better than okay- I know each time the girls look at those clothes, Auntie Mary will be in their minds and hearts and the fact that she wore those clothes... It means a lot more. I will say she is happy to have me back after everyone leaves as she has mentioned a few times that she hardly sees me and sharing me is not always easy.

Though it was hard to say goodbye to the kids and cut our time at Jonathan House short it was great to head to Banana Island with Pastor Ibriham for a couple days befor the Shermer's headed home. For most of this trip Jordyn Boland has been the fourth Shermer sister. We all love her and were so glad that she was able to come with us for this much needed vacation. We headed towards Freetown but cut off in Waterloo to head to the ocean. We took a boat from Kent and made it to Banana Island ealry Saturday morning. It was beautiful and of course the first thing we did was head to the beach for some swimming. I know Pastor Ibriham thinks I could live in the water after all the time I spent there the last few days and he is probably right- but I needed it. We were able to spend time walking around the Island and learning a lot about the history this island carries. My family will have to post pictures and tell the story with them sometime soon. The slave trade history is abundant here and though some things were hard to see it is something I think we needed to see.

The staff at the Banana Island guest house were great as well. There was only one other group of 5 there and then just us and the villagers. It was quite and peaceful and we were able get to know some of them quite well- I'll let Kari tell you about one who became quite close to our hearts.

Last night Joe, Pastor Ibriham and I brought everyone to Freetown and headed to the Big Market to get some treasures before heading home- I guess I have been here long enough to do some good bargaining on my own. It was fun to see Joe's face after I made a great deal and to hear how proud he was of me. Everyone keeps telling me I am no longer Pumoi I am becoming a Mendemoi- at times they even say I am becoming Nulele (black) as my skin is getting a bit darker and not everyone is Mende here it is only one of the tribes and I was able to negotiate with others as well so....

After the market it was time to catch the ferry to head to Lungi- where the airport is. We met up with some friends who are involved in another ministry in Bo. They were headed to the airport to pick up some guests and were willing to take us in their NICE van and for free. It was great. They even took the three of us staying back to our guest house in Freetown after we left the airport and are going to pick us up this morning to ride to BO with them. This is huge as if we had taken public transport we would have had to be at the bus park at 3am to get tickets- wait until 6am to leave and maybe not even get to Bo until 1 or 2 pm and NOT have comfortable seats. God is good and provides in every situation- as now I am able to spend a little time here at the internet before leaving. Anyway back to the family leaving. We had to leave them at the airport as we cannot go in here either. It was a bit difficult to say good bye but so great to have been able to share all of this with them. The big joke between everyone is who's prayers are going to be stronger now- the people here praying that I will stay here or the prayers of my family and friends that I will come home. I know Amers prayers are going to be more frequent and much more passionate. It is great to feel the love from all and even greater to know that I am whre God wants me know and I know he'll show me where he wants me later as well. To be in the path he has placed me, working with the people he has chosen, and using all the gifts he has given me- there is no greater feeling here on earth. I am blessed and I am blessed through each of you. Now it is time to go. There is so much more to say but I am hoping the pictures and posts my family is able to share with you will give you a better idea of all that is happening here.

Thank you once again- Lots of love and I miss you all- I really do.

Time to come home already! - by Karen

Mark, Kari and Amy are at the Airport in Freetown waiting for the 2:15 a.m. flight (7:15 p.m. our time) to leave. There are others from this trip coming home at this time also. Since non-passengers cannot go beyond the security clearance, Christie and those staying in Bo had to leave and catch the ferry back or they would have been stranded in Freetown overnight - so all good byes have already been said. Please pray for safety on the return trip.

Altho Mark didn't get the satisfaction of seeing the fence working, he does know that everything is in order and all they need is the ground rod and he has told them how to connect that. Now that they have picked up the fence posts they can finish that project. They all have the satisfaction of plowing the field and holding the children and completing projects that needed to be done. We know that God worked HIS plan for them in this trip even tho it didn't seem to follow our plans!

Amy's bag showed up in Chicago - minus the destination tag. I got a call from British Airways and they were going to ship it back home. I said, "no way - we want that stuff to go to Sierra Leone!" It took a bit of convincing since they knew Amy is coming back tomorrow - but once I explained that it is donations for the orphanage - they called Christie and are sending it there. It is due to arrive on a plane on Wednesday. Please pray that it arrives with all its contents intact!

Please pray for Christie as a very good friend of ours, Barb Lindgren, went home to be with Jesus last night. Gus and Barb have been another set of grandparents in our family for years and part of all our family birthday parties forever. It will be difficult for Christie to be so far away during this time.

Thanks for all of your prayers; we are so thankful for your support,
Karen

Fenceposts in Freetown! - by Karen

We are quite spoiled here in America. We have all the tools we need to do just about anything we want. We even have a riding lawn mower to cut our grass! At the orphanage, Mark, Christie, Kari, Amy and several others "plowed" an entire field with hoes and then "disked" it by breaking the clods of earth with rakes! Needless to say they were quite tired at the end of two days of this kind of labor in that kind of heat! But they were happy to serve with these very joyful people who truly do not know any other kind of life!

They understand that two "Shermer" bags are at the airport in Freetown. One contains the fence posts (thanks for your prayers as the grounding rods will now complete the fence!), and the other was emptied of its contents. Kari told Pastor Peter when she knew that her bag of clothes hadn't arrived that "Maybe God knows someone needs them more than we do". Who knows what God intended for those clothes and those supplies when He had us pack them to go over to Jonathan's House? We believe someone stole the contents - but God may have had another destination in mind all the time. We'll never know til we get to Heaven!

Mark, Christie, Kari, Amy, Jordyn and Pastor Peter are all in the Banana Islands at this time. They are touring a bit of Sierra Leone and getting a history lesson and learning about some of its Culture before they come home. They will visit Freetown on Sunday and Monday and then take off at 2:15 a.m. Tuesday (so much for sleep!!) for their 24-hour journey home. They are due to arrive in Minneapolis at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday evening, June 10th. It feels like we just said good-bye and now they are getting ready to come home.

Thank you for your prayers throughout this journey. Please continue to pray for Christie as she goes back to Bo to minister to those precious children there. She has already remarked that it will be hard to leave them in October - her heart is definitely involved with each one of them!!

Thanks,
Karen

Some baggage - maybe ours? - by Karen

Some baggage has arrived in Freetown. They will be going to pick it up tomorrow. We don't know if it belongs to Shermer's or Marshalltown travelers. One of the girls, Jordyn, who had lost both her bags, got them last week, so we are still praying that our bags come.

Mark and the crew completed what they can on the fence - but without the ground posts from the bag that is missing - the system will not work. So please pray that the fencepost bag will be one of those in Freetown tomorrow.

He has been busy helping cut brush in a field. Now they are going to plow it. He said that if you picture those old Chinese movies where they have a wide hoe with a short handle as they work in the rice paddies - that is the kind of hoes they are using to manually plow the large field on which they plant the food for the orphanage. Nine of them will be working on the field tomorrow and they are hoping to get it ready for planting, as the rainy season is coming. Mark said that he is amazed at how much work these children are capable of doing. If his Sunday pants barely stayed up last week - I wonder how they'll stay up next Sunday?!?!?

Amy said that they really don't sit around much! They have been busy painting, planting hair (this is done on Sunday's so that they don't hafta fix hair again all week!!!), doing laundry, working with the kids, etc. She said that they have bread or rice at every meal and they always eat that - but sometimes they can't deal with the "sauce" that goes over the rice. She took a picture of the fish sauce to bring home and show us. She did say that the fruit is very good and that she enjoys the pineapple and bananas, and that the oranges are green, but very tasty!

They had met a man on the airstrip when they arrived who is head of the University in Bo. He gave them a tour of the University today. They were all impressed with the quality of education that the students receive with so little supplies and things that we take for granted. They have outdated computers, few books and off and on again electricity! These students take their education seriously and work hard with what little they have. Kari got quite excited about seeing if her Alma Matter (Mankato State University) would be willing to donate computers, books and supplies to this University. The biggest obstacle would be the cost of shipping things over there. If any of you know of a way to get supplies to Sierra Leone, please let me or Christie know. We would be ever so grateful!! Today I mailed a package to Christie - it weighed 1 lb 4 oz and cost $9.00 to mail!! Shipping will hafta be creative to get Books and Computers over there!! A couple of the University Students took quite an interest in Kari and Amy and came to visit them at JCC. Kar and Amers had to tell them that they were not interested in a relationship, but Kari was able to share her idea of getting supplies to Sierra Leone. If she can get them into the Country, these young men will get them to the University!

Kari was pretty excited to become reacquainted with this man tho cuz she has missed running in the mornings. She is not allowed to run off the compound alone, and in the morning the older students have chores to do so they cannot run with her. This University man is also a runner and he will come to JCC and pick Kar-Beth up and take her running! God has answered her prayers!!

Christie continues to thrive in her role as Housemother. She is enjoying having her family there - yet continues to minister to her children also. When I called, Mark, Kari and Amy had retired to their rooms for the night - but Ceek was busy hanging out with the kids. She talked with me for a few minutes, then handed off the phone to her dad and went and got her sisters and then when I asked to speak with her again the reply was that she was with the children. Of course, she'll be where her heart is!!!

Thanks for your continues prayers and support along the journey. If you'd like to write to Christie, her address is listed a coupla posts back. If you'd ever like to call her - we got a Jupiter phone card by going on line at http://www.comfi.com/Phone-Card/Jupiter . This card lets you call Sierra Leone for only 12.8 cents per minute (cheaper than my land line by far and we have International calling!!). Anyway - once you put money on this card you can call Christie. Her phone number (with country code is) 011 232 766 99256#. When using the Jupiter card you must put the # sign at the end of the number!

Thanks for your support on this journey,
Karen

"Man cannot live by bread alone ..." - by Karen

I just talked with my family this morning - they are all upbeat and having a great time! Mark said that this is the most primitive place he has ever been - including the Middle East three years ago. As our church commissioned Mark, Kari and Amy for the trip last week, Mark wore his "Sunday Clothes". In Bo, everyone has Sunday Clothes, not necessarily a fancy outfit - but one outfit that they keep clean and nice for church to honor God. Today he put his Sunday outfit on and had some concerns that his pants may not stay where they are supposed to!! They have bread for breakfast everyday - and I guess Mark has been having bread for other meals as well. He is having trouble getting usedta meals where all of the chicken is cooked - etc. He says the food is good, and someone brought a delicious pineapple yesterday. Anyway less food and lotsa heat are combining to create a slimmed down Mark. He is having a minor health issue that seems to be resolving so please keep him in your prayers. The fence posts still haven't arrived so they are working on the perimeter of the fence.

The Neck Coolers are a real blessing as Amy said it is HOT there!! And she found a new use for her's - it is holding her Capri's up! She swears they fit when she left! I'm beginning to think I'm getting a whole new family when they come back!! Amy and Kari enjoy helping with the kids the most - but they also help with laundry, picking rice, getting wood, planting hair etc. Amy's most favorite time is the one-on-one times with the children. She just loves them up!! Kar-Beth loves just hanging with the kids and they are "Awesome". She'd love to just be able to take them all home!

Ceek loves having her family there! They will continue to work in the orphanage into the weekend and then spend a coupla days traveling in Sierra Leone getting a taste of Africa itself. They will tour Freetown (which is where the slaves were retuned to when they were freed in America) and the Banana Islands (which is where they were shipped out of when sent to the States in the first place). Their time is going soooooooooo quickly.

The lost bags still have not made it to the Orphanage - so please pray that if it is God's will He will direct them there! We covet your prayers! Thanks sooooooooo much!