They are on their way home and Amy and I are eating ice cream

So our family girls' trip has come to an end. I have so much to blog about and will try my best later this week when we get back to Bo- but I wanted to send out a quick update.

We spent the last few days at River No 2 Beach- it is beautiful, relaxing, and like coming home as I have built a few friendships there and they take such good care of us. We started the trip by taking everyone to the market to buy gifts- WOW!!! Maybe still a little surprised we made it through that one. It was then on to the guest house. They didn't quite have room for us so they made some- well that turned out to be a house with a huge parlor and two fine rooms with bathrooms inside each. Our first activity was to head to the cinema- cram in with everyone else and watch on two small TVs USA lose to Ghana. That was not what we had hoped for. The last game Amers and I watched with many who were cheering for us and hugging us as we won. This game of course we were pretty much the only ones wanting USA to move on so it wasn't the greatest of environments- but still an experience.

Amy, Rainny, and I ate our dinner on the beach under the moon- a great way to get over a difficult loss. Of course you know how we love to swim so the next item on the agenda was a good night swim. It didn't last long as the waves were getting bigger and bigger and our suits were taking on a lot of sand as we crashed into the shore.

Sunday was the perfect last day for all of us. We ate breakfast on the beach, walked around, chatted, read our books, grandma took a nap in a little hut right there on the beach... and yes we swam- ALL OF US!!! This beach has a river entering the ocean so there is a really calm spot to swim in this little inlet- I thought this would be perfect for Grams but she first wanted to try the ocean. Lorie and I each grab one of her arms and climb down the sand to the beach. Mom came with us as well. The waves were not huge but were also by no means small. Lorie and I are holding tightly to Grams when a good size wave comes in- just as we have all our focus on her and realize we are all still standing we see that mom went down. Well as the ocean goes- the wave that knocked her down is now trying to pull her back out and a new wave is coming in to push her back- AND we are all laughing so that makes it all the harder to get up. I give Grams to Lor and send them in and then Mom and i work on getting her up and out. We decided that the inlet was the place for us.

Our friend James at the Guest House told Grams of this waterfall just up the river. After talking to everyone we thought that would be a good excursion to take. Later in the afternoon we hopped into this wooden boat and started our journey up the river. We were looking for monkeys and crocodiles and really just appreciating the birds, fish, crabs and other things we were seeing- but wanting the big ones. It is not often they see crocs so we were on the look-out for monkeys. HOWEVER you know how easy it is to keep the 5 of us and our friend Rainny quiet. We saw nothing on the way there, but the falls were great and Amy, Rainny, and I along with James and our boat man Sheku climbed to the top and found this amazing fresh water pool. It was SOOO clean and it was cold- just what we wanted. Our new favorite place it has become.

On the way back we tried our best to be quiet and I think you would all be proud of us- however we didn't see any monkeys. We were almost out when I heard James and Sheku talking behind us. I could understand what they were saying and they were arguing about whether this thing in front of us was a croc or log. I began watching and soon we all saw that indeed it was a croc- you could see his eyes and back and he kept going up and down just slightly. We were able to watch him for a good couple minutes before he finally went under. It was then that James and Sheku told us it had been quite some time since they last saw a croc. We were happy and satisfied with our boat trip.

Once again we ate a fine dinner- shrimp, barracuda, lobster- and yes chicken for Rainny. We laughed and talked into the night. Woke to a bit of rain but still enjoyed our last morning together. We drove the coastline back to town and headed to the ferry- that was a long wait and travel to the airport but we made it safely and said our good byes. We think they made it off safely, but to be honest don't know for sure. :) No I know they are fine.

I am not sure if it was to comfort ourselves or to celebrate but Amers and I went out and had the best dinner yet. This whole trip grams has asked for ice cream which we found once. Lor wanted ice in her pop. So as soon as they left Am and I tried this new place I had heard about and had not only ice in our pop, we had REAL pizza that was delicious, and of course ice cream for dessert. We did miss them though and talked about them the whole time.

So now it is Amy and I and yes a bit of work as well- can't take a full month off.

I'll be back on here soon to fill you in on our past and future adventures. Thanks for your prayers- our last bag came in, Everyone's health was good after our one bad night, and Grams was a huge hit and did amazing. I am so proud to be a part of this family and that they were here with me.

Mattiama Village

During Amy and Karen's trip this past March we were able to visit a village named Mattiama. Here in this village many of the children do not go to school and spend their days mining for diamonds. Some of these children are just toddlers. It was a very difficult trip to make and yet it is something that happens so often here in this country- we needed to see it.They spend time digging the ground and then fill rice bags with the dirt- the kids then carry these bags down to the water.Here Amy and I are making the trip along with the villagers down to the place where they actually search for the diamonds. As they get to the water it is usually two of the older boys or men who do the actual sifting. The kids take turns putting shovels of dirt onto the men's strainers. They then dip it into the water and shake it until the loos sand falls through. They search through the larger stones looking for a diamond and when they don't find one they throw it all out and start again. ALL DAY they go through this process- often not even getting one full meal. The deal is that the children work for the man and he is supposed to feed them- they don't get paid and to be honest they don't get fed either. On top of that they will do this for months and months and not find a single diamond. When we asked when the last time was they found a diamond- he told us it was before Christmas but the diamond was not good so they got nothing for it. We couldn't determine when the last time money actually came into the village.

The children who are lucky enough to go to school have to walk 4 miles each way- and in the Rainy Season there are not many places to hid from the rain once it starts so it makes for a long difficult walk and many sick kids.

My family and I are going to head back to this village today. We are bringing some of the used clothing so many of you donated to us, as well as toys for each of the kids. We are also going to do a two day bible school, with crafts, snacks and tonight we will be showing the Jesus film to all the village people (in Mende). It will be a long time and take a lot before this situation changes for these children, but at least we can come be a part of their lives for a couple days and hopefully introduce them to the One who can truly save them.

(I am posting all these posts in advance to come out on these days- so we will post again after letting all of you know what actually happens- but I know that my few followers who are still reading this blog are looking for updates and the only way I can really do that is to spend a good day getting a bunch ready and scheduling them to come out on certain days- the good things is that even though I will not actually be able to communicate with all of you on this day- you will read this post as we are going to Mattiama and will be able to pray for us. We ask that you do as I know this will once again be an eye opening, emotional trip.)

Electricity

I have mentioned before that we have no electricity at JCCM. There is some electricity in town but the poles don't reach us yet. Even the light in town is really hit or miss. During the dry season we can go days sometimes weeks without light. It has been changing a bit and Bo and Kenema seem to have light more often than Freetown but even at that it can come for only a few hours that will have to last for many days. Now that the Rainy Season has come we have light more often. Kenema has a hydro plant and they service Bo as well. Still this does not help us at Jonathan House. I have a generator thanks to the ONe-by-ONe team, but I don't run it all that often and even at that it is only strong enough to feed the hut.Kerosene lamps are still in use here, but it really is not the best thing for the kids. No worries we have some smart boys. Here Abdul Kareem has learned to make his own light. With an old sheet of zinc, some large batteries and wire, and the light from a 50 cent flashlight he goes to work. After creating a box for each set of batteries he goes to work wiring each room in the big house.

He is able to connect a couple rooms to each set of batteries. It is not the brightest of lights but enough to see in the room and enough for the kids to be comfortable at night- NO ONE here likes darkness. They are all shocked that I like to sleep with no lights on.And let there be light. We have success. Of course this is a short term thing and we hope in the future we really do have electricity but for now this is a big help. I am amazed at how these kids figure these things out. It is beyond me.

Anyone else want to come?

7 suitcases 6 people 1 small jeep

Mom promised so I have to follow through and post the photos of the jeep. Unfortunately we did lose one suitcase (and with all our calls and contact with the airline I am not sure we will ever get it back) but everyone arrived safely and in good moods. We first had to load into two taxis (one with the luggage and our friend Rainny and JK and the other with us Olson girls) and head to the ferry. We met some new friends on the ride over to Freetown and Grandma even fell asleep (though she will tell you she was just resting her eyes). After reaching the other side and getting all our luggage to the jeep we started loading it on top. Good thing I have been to the ferry many times and have some friends who were waiting to help us. All luggage on top and for a short time 7 of us in the jeep we headed out of the parking lot. We dropped Rainny off at the top and he headed back into Freetown while we started the 150 mile trek to Bo. It was just after 11pm when we started our journey. I have to say the trip went pretty well. The jeep did fine and we had no trouble at all. The pringles I happened to find at the Supermarket when we left Bo were a big hit in the car, but after a bit of water and a lot of talking it was time to stop for a bathroom break. With no 24hr Holiday stations the bush on the side of the road was the 1st class restrooms we used. We were still so excited about our little jeep and all our stuff that as we got in we decided that some more photos were needed. This is when we got into a bit of trouble.

Somehow at this point I (Christie) lost my purse. Unfortunately we didn't realize this until we got all the way to Bo (another hour and some from this point). Of course I had a lot of what I needed in this bag and it is usually ATTATCHED to me. The kids make fun of me because I am always wearing it and checking for it. Thank the Lord that I had taken my camera out and my passport is at immigration because I had to get my resident card renewed. I did lose my ipod, drivers and international drivers licenses, my bank card for here and there, a good chunk of money and of course the little things- one of my favorite shirts, my favorite hair tie, the handy little tool my dad gave me, my grandpas pen, oh and so many other things I like to stuff in there.

So after a long day I quickly tried to get my family into the hut- had Amy show them around and JK and I took off back to Mile 91- where we knew it went missing. (No all fuel stations are closed and I just happened to have a five gallon jug of fuel that we turned into the vehicle). We prayed before leaving and JK prayed for our safety, that we would find the bag, and that we would be okay either way. I am sad to say that we did not find the bag. I did lose it all, but God has been working on the part that I would be okay either way. I thank him that it is my family that is here now as I know with all that is in me they will take GOOD care of me. I have had a sick stomach a few times but I have been able to set it aside to have a good time with my family and not be too worried about it. We are all here safe and sound and having a great time together. We'll be able to get passed this. (Though JK did let me know it was alright to be upset about it and let me have my moment- thank you for that too)

So I have interrupted my scheduled posts to give you a little update on our family girls trip. We are loving being together and of course laughing and yes even crying a little as well. Tomorrow we head out to a village for one night and I am going to love showing them that part of Sierra Leone. Our friends Rainny, Abu and JK will be traveling with us. Pray for not only safe travels but also good health and energy for us (especially mom and grandma).

Speaking of mom and grandma they are both doing well and Grandma is a BIG HIT! Everyone just loves her and are so amazed at how strong she is and the way she gets around. I am proud of all my family and have loved showing them off and introducing them to my friends and family here.

Alright- everyone has gone to bed and I should get there too. So we'll update more later. Thanks again for all your prayers, encouragement, donations and more. We are all in this together. I LOVE THAT!!!

PATO

My boy once again. I know I have to be more careful- as I really do love them all, but it seems Patrick is my shadow and always around so there happen to be more photos of him and I just love this one. Amy wanted to take a picture of us so Patrick said, "Mommy Christie come closer." and just held my face like this. He is so sweet. AND smart. He and Betty have a big part in our up coming school graduation ceremony. Together they go back and forth in a short reading- where each of them have a good 15 lines each. Patrick was slower than Betty to learn, but once he did he learned both parts and no corrects Betty each time she says it wrong. He can even stand there and read both parts from start to finish. One evening we were practicing together and the two of them could not stop causing trouble. So I said to them that I wanted them to each be serious- to try their best to make it the whole way through. Then as soon as they started I just got the giggles and couldn't stop. It was hilarious and we decided that a night of laughing was better for us at that time.

When it comes to this jeep Patrick thinks he is the co-driver and in turn co-owner. I remember when we were little my gramps would let us sit on his lap and drive. When we were a bit older in Elementary school my gramps lived with us while they were building their home on Elbow Lake. Each morning we took turns sitting beside him steering on the way to school. When the kids and I are in the car driving up our JCCM road I let them take turns driving with me- oh how Patrick loves that. He is always telling me to let go of the steering wheel and he honks every two seconds, but I love seeing his smile. The other day he came to me after uncle Joe borrowed the jeep. He said, "Mommy Christie, Uncle Joe spoiled the jeep." "No Patrick he is just borrowing it." "Mommy Christie he spoiled it- the voice changed." Well he was right- not that the vehicle was broken but that the voice had changed. There was an exhaust problem so it sounded a bit different and he knew that.

It will be so much fun to have my family meet all of my kids and come to know them and love them as I do. Emily and Darby Youngstrom were the first girls I nannied for- they became my parents first grand kids. My mom spoiled them and loves them. Now just think how many grand kids she is going to have.

Rat Hunt

This is one post I should have posted at the time, the story would have been so much better. I will still try my best now. While Amy and Karen were visiting I once again had some rats in the hut. They seem to know when other guests come and decide that is the best time to come welcome them too. For a few nights we could here them but could not find them, one evening we finally saw one run across the floor. Who do we go looking for but Jerry of course. As we walk out the door we run into Bockarie instead. When we ask him if he is a good rat hunter he replies YES very confidently. So we invite him in- he comes into my room, starts looking and when he sees the rat he jumps and screams like a girl. HHMMM- good rat hunter I think not. Back to Jerry. Now we have the two of them. We often see the rat but it manages to get right past them. Bock looking in the pot- why? well maybe those rats are trickier than we thought.

Jerry- more of the professional, looking behind the chair.

I was of help as long as I could hold the broom or something- as soon as they took it away I felt the need to stand on the chair. Amy and Karen just sat on the couch laughing the whole time- especially when they locked the three of us into my room with the rat- however even that didn't stop him and he managed to escape. We ended the night not finding him- we thought he ran out the front door. No worries the sticky traps we put out managed to catch him in the night. I ran out the next morning saying, "We caught him, we caught him!" However no one gave me the credit for catching him. Oh well at least we had one less visitor for awhile.

I am hoping that they do not choose to come while my family is here- that and the spiders as my mom is not good with them at all.

They're COMING

Today JK and I head to the airport to pick up my family. This trip has been a long time coming. First of all my mom missed out on the last family trip (and has honestly been my biggest supporter- so that was tough), second my grandma has been walkig everyday for well over a year in preperation, thirdly Lorie has encouraged me, listened to me talk on and on and really honestly "let me go" to be here and now gets to come see for herself, and of course Amy is my "other half" and will be returning for her THIRD time. (that is only one less flight than I have logged- granted my stays are a bit longer).
Lorie and Mike welcomed me into their family just before their second daughter Isabelle was born, hard to believe that was 10 years ago this month. Lor has become a second mom, an older sister and a good friend. I'm thrilled she is able to come on this great girls trip. JK loves that her daughters introduced him to bowling (which he became very competetive at), horseback riding, real ice cream, and the fun? game of Twister. He smiled and laughed a little when he found out Lor was coming- he has in his head that this city girl will struggle a bit here in the bush. Little does he know she is a camping queen and of course spent a bit of her childhood in the Great North. She's a tough lady who will give him a run for his money.Oh how I wish that both these ladies were able to come on this trip. The people here would get such a kick out of Grandma Syvilla and her friend Darlington would love to meet her- maybe that will have to wait for another time. For now everyone is most excited to meet Grandma Shirley. They cannot believe that my GRANDMA is coming-and she is over 80 yrs old. When I explain that Grams has been walking almost 2 miles a day for over a year in preperation for this trip they are in awe. That she lives by herself, drives a car, and rides a stationary bike is beyond them. I cannot wait to "show her off". Grams and Gramps had a big part in my being here as well. They too were missionaries and showed all of us how to build relationships that last and show a love much deeper than any love we could give on our own. I can't go into how much I wish Gramps were on this trip. JK too loves Grandma Shirley. I'm sure it helps that she often baked him chocolate cake with rich homemade chocolate frosting (and would keep an extra piece hidden for him after everyone else had one) My mom! My mentor, inspiration, friend, guide, comforter, encourager, gentle admonisher, I could go on and on. We've waited over 2 years for this- much longer actually. She knew before I did that I would be coming here. She prayed for me years before my first visit here, knowing this would be in my heart. After learning that he good friend Sandi's daughter was moving to Nigeria (I was yet in junior high I think) she started praying about the time she would have to let her own daughter go. As I struggled with my decision to come or not to come- she was a strong rock. In 2006 as I spent my first 3 weeks here the praise song "Blessed Be Your Name" ran through my head often. In some ways it became the song I associated with my time here. After returning home I knew that I wanted to come back. Many things delayed that from happening and I began to question whether it was to be a one time trip for me. As I shared with my mom she told me how while I was here the first time and many times since she has been awakened in the night with the song "Blessed Be Your Name" running through her mind. I had never shared with her that this was the song I associated with Sierra Leone. God is good and gives us these little reassurances that I really cherish. I love that my mom and I are so connected and finally she will actually see this place that I know she already feels. AND YES JK loves Karen too. I mean who wouldn't. Especially because she was so good at taking care of him while he was home. He loved playing darts for the first time- with my mom getting a bullseye while we were all NOT looking and yelling at us that "YALL MISSED IT!!!" While stomping her foot. He loves that my mom is actually the one with all the musical talent- playing the quitar able to keep the right rythym with the shaker...

AND Last but certainly not Least is Amers. EVERYONE here is waiting for Amy to come. I went a few weeks back to Freetown and traveled back with my friend Rainny- all the kids thought I said Amy so before I was even awake in the morning they were standing on the veranda of my hut yelling for Amy to come out. They were not happy when I said it would still be a couple weeks. Amy has made some good friends here during her visits. I love that my sister and best friends is loved as much as I am here. From her first visit here, before JK and I ever built a relationship- JK and Amy started to be friends. I'm thankful that they are friends too.

Not too long from now we will all be together again- in AFRICA. We are starting out trip African style right away. As they fly in with their 8 suitcases and carry-ons we are still using the jeep- 6 people with carry-ons inside and 8 suitcases tied to the top- we'll be sure to post that photo too.

We are headed to Africa - posted by Karen

Gramma Shirley, Mama Karen, Sister Amy and Auntie Lorie are in London, England! We are waiting to board our plane for Freetown, Sierra Leone, Africa! We have 8 bulging suitcases checked through, filled with your generous donations of over the counter pain meds, cortisone cream, exam gloves, flip flops and shoes, underwear, clothes, sheets and curtains for the ministries we will be serving while there! Thank you for your donations of items and money that will be used for these people that are so near and dear to Christie's heart! Please keep praying that ALL EIGHT suitcases make it to Africa!

When we arrive, Christie will meet us with a jeep, and we will pile all 8 suitcases on top of the jeep, African style. Then 6 people and all of our carry-on luggage will squish into the jeep and we will travel 90 miles (about 4 hours) to Bo. Please pray that the tires and everything else works on the jeep so that we make it to Bo without mishap!

I hope that our next post will have a picture of the jeep and all of our supplies! Thank you for your generosity and your continued prayers!

Storytime in the Hut

If anyone needs quite time in order to read their book- this is not the place for you. It is all a bit chaotic but I love it.

Who needs Toy's R Us

While visiting the river in Bandejuma we found a few boys playing with this truck they made themselves. It looks much the way the big trucks here do- with tarps covering the sides and often times make shift parts on other places as well. They were quite proud- as they should be. My kids would LOVE to have a truck like this.

Birthday Gift

I know, I know. It is almost 3 months after my birthday, but I still fell the desire to post about this great birthday gift I will never forget. The night of my birthday found Joe and I at the airport waiting for Amy Stepec and Karen Boland to fly in. Amy is one of my oldest and dearest friends- and Karen has become one of my newer (not New any more) dearest friends. Who wouldn't want to spend their birthday with two good friends from home. More than that though is that these two have both played a very vital role in me being here in Salone. Once again God used tragedy for good. Amy and Steve became friends with the Bolands shortly after moving to Iowa. The Bolands happened to be named Mark and Karen- hmmm-sounds a bit familiar. I remember Amers calling and telling me about this couple she met that remind her of my mom and dad- not just the names. Our house has always been open- seen somewhat as a free rest and snack stop on your way through. Since we live right on the main highway often times people will stop to use the bathroom and are welcome to look through the cupboards to find a snack if they need as well. We love that Amy took advantage of this from time to time (and knew exactly which cupboards to look in). She said that this Mark and Karen made her feel just as welcome.
Unfortunately the first time I spent any real time with Karen was when she drove Amy and Steve up to Cook after Amy's Mom and sister were killed in a car accident. Amy and I talked a few times as she was packing and then as they were making the trip up. She would explain how Karen was helping them through- even stopping to buy some fun shoes at Target, lightening the drive a bit. By the time they got here and I really met Karen I already felt as though we had already spent time together. That only continued over the next few weeks.
We were all able to spend some time together at the lake in the following weeks. I remember sitting on the pontoon talking about Africa with Karen and Amy. Karen and Mark had each been to Sierra Leone at that time and were also planning trips to return. At one point Karen said, "Next summer we will be visiting you in Sierra Leone."
To make what could be a very long (and emotional for me) story shorter- God used this time to connect me with this place and these people here in Sierra Leone. Steve and I came (along with Jordyn- Karen and Mark's daughter) together on our first trip here in 2006 and yet again this past June the three of us were here together again. Amy watched as Steve came two times- the Bolands came numerous times and other friends and my family had come- now it was finally her turn. I cannot tell you how much it meant to me to have my closest friend/sister come to meet my friends and family here, but more than that to be able to have her here and say thank you for opening this door in my life... Without my friendship with Amy I wouldn't have met these people here, found a new home, or have all my children who have become so dear to my heart. She is a blessing in my life in so many ways- this is just one of them.
You can imagine the fun we three girls created during their one week here. We had some pretty emotional experiences along with fits of laughter and of course not much sleep. There was no better way to end their trip than to have a little time at the beach. Joe and JK were able to come with us- I think we needed them to keep us on track.
In honor of Jordyn we had to have a vimto- it is a grape soft drink. Some people just love it but to me it tastes a bit like grape medicine (and the last two events I was invited to they served me vimto while the people next to me had fanta and coke...). Jordyn is one of those who likes the vimto. In June of this year when their team was getting ready to leave after a long two weeks with lots of tired people, we decided to try this new restaurant (well new to us- and Joe and I were the ones who decided to take everyone here). It took FOREVER to get the waitress to come over. By that point we wanted to order food and drinks at the same time. After much debate we decided to go along with what she wanted and order just drinks. The time came for Jordyn to order and she said, "Vimto" "Can or Bottle?" the waitress asked. "I don't care." "Can or Bottle?" the waitress said again. "Either one." "CAN or BOTTLE?" She asked with a bit of irritation so Jordyn replies, "Can" "We don't have the can only the bottle" the waitress responds. OH MY WORD!!! Of course at that point I break out laughing- why even ask then, and she made such a big deal about it. Anyway- Jordyn we (some of us) had bottles of vimto for you.