So really what have I been up to and WHAT AM I GOING TO DO?

Covering the past two years on one sheet of paper is a difficult task for me. I would love to have you all over for a fine African feast and a great chat afterwards in our living room. Since that is not possible for everyone I will try my best here.

The ways in which God has stretched me, challenged me, blessed me, humored me, and allowed me to be used are more that even I will know. The same is true for each of you in this journey with me. My not being able to do this without you is a very real thing for me. My staff, children and I talk about the people in my life at home a number of times each week. "Mommy Christie's Supporters" are dearly loved people. Whether it is random conversations with you on the street while I am home, an email here and there, asking my mom and dad how things are going, reading my blog... your encouragement and prayers go a long way to lift my spirit and warm my heart. What a blessing to be able to witness how we truly are one body even through the distance, age differences, and cultures.

Now we all know that I come from a long line of talkers or is that a line of long talkers- either way they are both true. In order to not write a book here , I thought I might bullet point a few items. If we get a change to sit down for coffee or lunch or chat over email and you'd like to know more please ask- I'd love to share. For now here are just some of the areas the last two years have found me.

• Arriving to find a beautiful hut to live in that the staff had put their bonus' together to build.



• Blending into the culture fairly easily and becoming Christie (mommy, auntie, sister... whatever the title before it but CHRISTIE) and not just the pumoi (white person).



• Using your donations to put a new engine into the red Jeep Wrangler. This not only transported many of us around but 4 times became the maternity ambulance that saved the lives of these mothers and their precious babies.



• Building stronger relationships with not only our kids but many of the neighboring children. Setting high expectations and boundaries for them and seeing them thrive and surprise themselves along with me.



• Learning how to stand firm on Biblical truths and not American cultural norms nor Sierra Leonean and how to teach those to others.



• Continuing to build friendships with the staff while at the same time learning how to be a leader that holds them and myself accountable.



• Developing more friendships with Muslims as well as Christians outside of Jonathan's House.



• Making connections in many villages and cities other than Bo and now having friends welcome me back each time I visit.



• Working and meeting with Government officials, city leaders, chiefs and other dignitaries learning how to run an organization in this country as well as learning how to merge our organizations together for the betterment of all.



• Being able to have true friendships with others my age.



• Getting educated in the education system of Salone and how to better our school at JCC as well as to enter and remain involved in the right schools for our older children.


• Helping to move our children into family style living at the orphanage with smaller homes and not just one large dorm facility. This also means helping our moms and aunties learn how to become a true family and not just managing care givers.

• BLESSED by visits from family and friends...
• The list goes on and on but I see my paper is running shorter and shorter :)

Seeing myself in this place and position is not something I ever dreamed I would. However looking back I can see all the little experiences and tools that I have in my life and how they come together to fit so well right here in Bo, Sierra Leone. At the same time my departure had me uncertain if I would be returning and those next few months were some of the hardest, most soul searching of my life so far. YES I love being in Salone. I love the people, what I get to do, and MOST of all my children. Yet being away from my family, friends, culture, comforts of home... is NOT always an easy thing. Spending more time with my nieces and welcoming my nephew into the world, being there for my friends big life moments as well as just a walk or cup of coffee, attending family events... this has brought the realization of what I am truly missing into clear view for me. So even though to many of you it seemed to be a given that I would return, it took me some time to come to that conclusion with you.

There was not one moment when I knew I had made the decision. My feelings just began to get a bit clearer. HIS direction in my life seemed to become clearer. I began to get ideas of things we could do at JH, excitement would well up in me as I thought about implementing this or that or sharing something with one of my kids or the staff. It was also hard for me to hear of certain things going on and know I was not there to help them deal with it or celebrate it. So many prayers and thoughts running through my mind and eventually I DID KNOW and (the key is) BELIEVED that Sierra Leone is where God wants me to be. He has created me for this at THIS time in my life. So for now I say yes to Him and March 31st I will be going back to Salone as Program Coordinator along with Joe Freeman (and the rest of the staff) at Jonathan's House. I am thankful for my family's support even though this is a difficult thing for them and for me. Passion and excitement about what I am able to do alongside the staff and people of Salone does not take away the pain of missing my family and friends here- AND the knowing that they are hurting and missing me. However obeying God's will for my life makes me confident that He will hold each of us in His hands, provide for us and bring us comfort.

So again I THANK YOU for the support and encouragement you have given me and for allowing me to be a part of something great. Your love and prayers have reached me when I needed them most. If you would like to continue supporting me in anyway please let me know.

From the depths of my heart as well as the hearts of the staff and our children- we pray that you may know and feel just how thankful we are for you.

Love, Christie

** It has amazed me how many of you read my random thoughts and postings here on this blog. To know that people I only know through connections with others- or at times are completely new people to me- as well as those who have known me for quite awhile would take the time to not only come here but to also contact me or my family to share such kind words (or gentle pushing when I have not posted in awhile or just plain need it for other reasons :)) is more of a blessing to me that you would realize. What a feeling to be so cared about! For that reason I share all of this with you. It is not easy to share my deeper feelings (and not so pretty decision making process) though it always ends up being good for me. It is also not easy to admit that I need help to be able to do what I love. Let's face it asking for money is NEVER easy. However as much as I do need financial support I also need emotional and spiritual support (also not easy to ask for) and I feel that is very much what I get through those of you who follow me here. The affirmation, comfort and boost I often need that comes from many of you is something that I will continue to need and at times need even more. So I am putting this out there- even if it is not easy. Though I do find it getting a little easier all the time knowing that it is going to each of you.

I would love to send you more information or a prayer card with some photos on it for your fridge or desk- just email me with your name and address and I will get it right out to you. ceekshermer@yahoo.com Or email me just to let me know (or remind me) that you are out there- amazing how that simple thing of knowing you are there brightens my whole day/week/month...

Thanks again- for reminding me that I matter and am in no way- alone.

Just Because

I love this picture and these boys.

Got SNOW!?!

Here we stand on one of the sidewalks in Cook. Not all of the sidewalks have snow this high and yet this is also NOT the highest one either. Can you see the Subway right behind us? We are standing less than 20ft from the front door.

WE ARE SUPER BOWL CHAMPIONS!!!

I LOVE the way that sounds!It wasn't easy though we knew it wouldn't be. I admit to a bit of anxiety in the house as we watched however the jumping, shouting and celebrating during many different moments overshadowed any tension there was.
Two of my all time favorite people (my "sister" and "nephew") Holly and Jackson. How proud I am of this special boy. His "Go PACK Go!" cheer has to be the best around.

LoVe lOvE LOVE being a Packer and a Super Bowl Champion.
Our "Super Bowl Ring"! Dad had three of these necklaces made for Mom, Amy and I yesterday. How Great is He!?!

Congrats to all you Packer fans out there!!!

One of My FAVORITE Places

With the snow falling yet again I cannot tell you how often I think of the beach at River No. 2. (Though I do love Winter- really I do.) With people who have become great friends to take care of us, beautiful (almost empty) WHITE sand beaches, fresh barracuda for lunch, breath taking scenery- you can understand why THIS is one of my favorite places.

Leaving Salone

This post is a LONG time coming and yet still a little difficult to write.

The day I would leave was a day we talked about for months before it happened. The staff, my friends, our church and especially my kids. In some ways I am sure it was good as we were able to talk about what it would look like. I was able to convey the love I have for each of them and how that would not change. We talked about all that has happened over the past few years- just how far we have all come because of each other.

This may have helped in the long run but it did not stop the emotions of the final few days. We were able to have a great party together at JCC. The kids and staff were so sweet. Groups of them sang songs, acted out short plays, and had such kind words to say. When it was my turn to talk I admit to getting a bit choked up. I know this may not surprise to many of you (and shouldn't) yet it is not often that I have cried in front of any of these people. It was hard to get out what I wanted to say but I was finally able to. We all prayed together and ended the party in a way we usually do- with music, dancing and lots of laughter. A few of the younger kids in their JCC ashabei (matching clothes for a specific group or occasion)

Yes I knew I would be leaving soon, yes I had planned to pack over the last month and not all at once, however it was FATTY (pronounced with a short o sound) who got it done. This girl is amazing. She is who I want to be when I grow up. Fatty struggles in school and at times that is all she sees and has a low image of herself- what I see... A wise young woman who is compassionate, the best house mom (even if it is not her job) we have, a great cook, teacher, sister, and friend. She has written me the letters that have touched my heart the most. Her faith and relationship with God is STRONG. She knows the bible and finds verses that touch you in the moment you are in and has such a gentle way of showing them to you. There is so much I could say about Fatty- most of all I cherish her and love her dearly.

So back to the packing. Fatty and I often spend time together. In the months before I left she had just taken a large school exam and was off from school. This gave us a lot of time while the other kids were studying or sleeping. In the week before leaving she became my mom. We would plan to pack all day and then a friend would invite me somewhere or the kids would want to play or.... and I would put it off. Fatty would come in the evenings and say "Mommy Christie you have to pack now". It was hard to figure out what to leave and what to take- well just ask Fatty. We would run the generator and stay up late into the nights talking and laughing. She was strong for me when people would come to say goodbye and tears for them would follow. She brought me comfort and peace through it all. The last night she slept with me after we finished zipping the last suitcase. The next morning she was gone. I literally could not find her anywhere on the compound.

Staff devotions that morning found more tears for the staff (I have to admit that I had not cried since the party- well maybe at night alone but :) and for some reason did not this morning either) It meant a great deal to me to have this moment of singing and prayer one last time with my JCC family. I had not wanted to make a big scene with the kids. I knew that once one of them started crying they all would and it would be hard for the moms and aunties to calm them down once I left. So we had said goodbye at prayer time the night before (yes there were still tears in bed but with them being so tired they soon fell fast asleep). School devotions were about to start as I walked over and was able to address the school children and say goodbye to them. A few my kids had to grab one last hug and a few tears were shed but I felt good about how we were able leave each other.

With the jeep loaded and JK and Joe ready to go it was time for my final good byes. I had to find Fatty. I took one last walk around the compound and finally found her at the front clothes line hanging up clothes. As she saw me coming she ran into her room away from me. I followed her in there and found her just sobbing. Well the tears that I had done so well holding in came flooding out. I just held onto Fatty assuring her of how much I loved her and what a blessing she is to so many. I assured her that her place in my life will never changed no matter the distance. Auntie Mary came in shortly after and I was able to leave Fatty with her. This one was tough.

As we got into the jeep all of the staff on the compound came around and we had one last prayer for safety- it was so hard to get my emotions under control and knowing me you know I just wanted to get out of the gate. However it was a special moment and driving out with the group of staff walking slowly behind us, one last time of Pa Ben opening the gate and smiling and waving as we drove out is a memory that makes me smile.

One other special night I wanted to share was a party with our church family and my friends from all over town. They were all so kind to put together a going away party for me. We were able to invite so many people who have impacted my stay in Sierra Leone including my mechanics, market friends, and fuel station guys. This was a night that everyone deserves to have. People from different areas of my life there got up to say the kindest things (yes I was blushing and uncomfortable). Music groups performed songs, wonderful food and drinks were shared, and of course once again the night ended with music and dancing. I felt so uplifted and loved.

The next day I visited my mechanic friend Jaward (well first you have to understand that Jaward and Kai have taken such great care of me. They truly are my AAA in Salone. I call them when broken down and they come- they call me when I travel to make sure I made it to where I was going. Kai even had to help us late the night of the party as the clutch had slipped- he thought he was just coming to a party and here we call him while hauling things home LATE and he grabs a honda to come rescue us) So here I am getting the jeep checked one last time before traveling to Freetown and Jaward is asking me questions about the Christian music groups from the night before. Jaward is a Muslim. He knows I am a Christian. We have not talked much about our faiths. He sees who I am and accepts me and I do him as well. I care about him. I knew when inviting him that these groups would be there (they are great friends to me) but I had no clue how much they would impact him. That night I say him dancing and smiling, even going up to a couple of the guys. This day he asked me about their lyrics and told me how great they were. I was able to get him one of their cds. This was blessing to me. Jaward is someone who I do care about. Someone who I have been friends with for a year and a half. The door for us to talk about our faiths had not opened before this time and that was fine. When it did open it was natural and we were both ready.

Being so emotional about leaving and wondering at times about my place and impact- these last few days did a lot for my heart in reaffirming what I am doing in Sierra Leone.

These two guys are two of my best friends. Not just in Salone but in my life. They brought me to Freetown and treated me to one last special night in Salone and brought me the following day to the airport along with another of my great friends Pastor Ibrahim. I am not one for tears at the airport however I often find myself crying on both sides. Leaving is always so hard no matter where it is, that is truly the worst part of traveling for me. I have to get through this moment and then look forward to the wonderful welcome on the other side. This time the emotions were a little stronger as I did not know when or if I would be returning. These people who mean so much to me- how long was this good bye for- what was I going to do without them everyday? It was hard to get control of myself but when I did I was able to look at how blessed I am to have such wonderful friends and family in two places. It is a blessing and a curse I guess but this last week hearing just how much I am cared for and how much I love these people and at the same time looking forward to seeing my family and friends at home I have missed so much- it was more on the blessing side.

Less than 24 hours later I was able to have that wonderful welcome moment as Mom, Dad, Kari, and Amy were there with arms wide waiting for hugs. We headed to the Olive Garden to meet Mike, Lor, Sophie, and Isabelle. We laughed and talked over each other before driving North. As hard as it was to say good bye- it also felt really good to be home.