God Knows

Everyday I think of things I want to blog about- I wish it were easier (or maybe that I was more willing to deal with the setbacks and slow service) so I could share much more with you.

This one I can't get out of my mind and so I am trying my best to get it down here.

MONTHS ago my sister Kari was able to get some school textbooks donated for JH. A friend of hers had a container being shipped over and she was able to send them. We though we would have these things around Christmas time, but in true African time- we were just able to go get them yesterday. JK and I took off for Freetown in the morning. I also had a meeting in the city before we headed out to get the books. We were a little early so we walked around downtown Freetown. Of course we found some fake ice cream to eat- and enjoyed in the HEAT.

As we were walking we came upon a girl who looked to be about 9- NO MORE than 11. She wore a tattered slip dress and almost completely worn through flip-flops. She had a basket with bags of cold water on her head. She was selling them. These bags sell for Le 100. That is roughly 2.5 cents. She carries around 25 bags at a time and I am sure it takes time to sell them all. She walks around downtown Freetown (a city of around 3 million), alone, not in school, working all day- and most likely not eating. Here you see sights like this everyday- some children much younger. However seeing it everyday does not lessen the gravity of it all- and for some reason this day it was hitting me hard. As she was walking toward us something happened and her basket fell from her head and most of the waters broke. She tried to go into traffic to get the few that were okay (and still worth 2.5 cents). She started crying and I wanted to cry with her. You see- there are times when these children are working for their parents, but often these children are taken in by another person or family and become their servants. Especially the way this girl looked that seemed to be the case. If she were to come home without the money for those waters they would beat her. The ache I felt at seeing her selling was compounded greatly thinking of the situation she was facing now. JK and I could help her collect what she could from the street, give her more than enough to cover the cost of what was in her basket as well as a hug and move on, but it doesn't seem like enough. Yesterday I carried that girl with me all day- still today.

We proceeded to the meeting and on to get the books. As we were loading the books into the car I saw that at least on of the boxes had formula in it. I smiled and at the same time felt a warmth run through me. You see Wed. morning a man came to our gate asking for me. He was carrying a tiny little girl. She was born this past Sat. and her mother died giving birth to her. Her father brought her to me because he had no way to buy her milk. He had been giving her only water since leaving the hospital. We had one can of formula left in the clinic. I gave it to him and asked him to come back Friday. I would try to buy some formula in town- it is expensive and the quality is not very good, but it is what we have here. We were able to get her some cloth diapers, a bath, a thermos for keeping water clean and warm, and a few other things. We could go to Social Welfare and I am sure they would let us keep her at the orphanage, but then she would not be with her family. The best situation is to be able to support these children with their families in their own villages. When these children turn 18- they need their extended families and communities. The man's sister was on her way to come help care for this precious girl (who has not been named yet), but he still did not have money to buy her formula.

You can imagine what I felt when I expected to find science books and math books and instead found something completely different and exactly what we needed. I am sure my mom told me she was sending formula and I just put it out of my mind- I am also sure that if we would have gotten these books when we expected to- that the formula would have been used elsewhere by now. However God knew- and I think God also knew that I needed the reminder and encouragement that HE KNEW. I can do all this organizing and planning, I can check in and monitor everything. I can help start knew projects and be tough where I need to be. I can discipline and encourage... I can do all this- but it is God who facilitates it. It is He who knows what I don't even know we need, but more than that- he also provides that need. WHEN IT IS NEEDED.

As JK and I left there I couldn't keep my mind from going back to the little girl we met earlier in the day. I still hurt for her and carry her in my mind and heart- only now I pray in a different way. GOD KNOWS. He knows who she is and more than that He Loves her dearly. He knows the situation she is in and He knows how to meet her needs. Tough times and difficult situations will still be there- for her in particular. I am not sure what tomorrow looks like for her let alone her future, but GOD KNOWS. He knew that we would cross paths at that moment and we could help her in the smallest of ways, but we can also continue to pray for her and know that the life she is in is common here and still needs to be fought against. She needed to know someone cared- even if her life was no where near what it should be. Oh there is so much in my head now- and I am sure I can ramble on and on- but what I feel most (and I truly have this physical feeling) is that GOD KNOWS.

He knows these big things and cares. He also knows the little things AND CARES. As we left back for back for Bo- we stopped at a big Supermarket in Freetown that is like a store at home (America). They had so many things we are used to- though they are all much more expensive. I walked through the store saying- "oh JK I love these- oh look at this..." Of course we could only get a few things and headed home. Opening the boxes after arriving home I see some treats my family sent. JK's Oatmeal he loves so much- and for me some Chrystal light juice packs- EXACTLY what I was looking at at the supermarket and did not buy. Also we missed celebrating my birthday and JK's is in a little over a week- we decided that next weekend we would celebrate both. My family doesn't know that- but inside the box was a birthday present for me as well as JK. A few other things as well- but the reminder that He knows the little things as well, that was what I needed most.

Daughters

My dad often took us girls along with him- wherever he went. It wasn't just Nick. Whether it was changing the tire, butchering pigs, cows, chickens- whatever, skinning deer, hitching the trailer, driving in bad weather, chopping wood, lifting HEAVY things, chasing loose animals, cleaning out the barn, throwing hay bails, driving the tractor, getting vehicles unstuck (or stuck for that matter), putting the boat in and out, driving the boat, playing ball...

I love that- I love that Amy, Kari, and I are able to take care of ourselves quite well- and that we were able to get that time with Dad. Even if we did complain a bit each time he said it was time to butcher chickens or spend the day throwing hay bails- once we got out there we seemed to have a good time together.
Here roles are a bit more defined. Just last week when Roger was visiting he comment on the fact that you see all these businesses named "so and so and Sons" no businesses involving daughters. Slowly things are changing and women are becoming more involved in areas that were dominated by men. At times it is a bit hard for me here to find my place. It seems often I spend more time with men since I am not so good at staying home.

I have always been pretty happy with my garage (auto-shop). They take good care of me- as I have mentioned before they are like my own AAA. I have known that there was a female mechanic working there for some time. Amie has changed my oil a couple times and worked with Kai on my carburetor. However I was pleasantly surprised when I went for an oil change before our trip to the North to find a mechanics class only for women.

Jawad is the owner of the garage. When I arrived I found him sitting next to an engine with 11 girls surrounding him- sounds like this story could go two ways- but these girls all had their oil stained grungy clothes on and you could tell they had been working right along side him. I love this garage all the more now.

I let them all know that my dad would have been proud. I too was proud.

Thanks Dad!

Procrastination - posted by Karen

For any of you out there who tend to Procrastinate (like me) - and meant to send a card or letter to Christie but realize that Amy Stepec and Karen Boland have already left . . . there is hope! Roger Hatch is going to Bo on March 16th. We have one more SLIM window of opportunity to get something to Christie! Mail letters to:

Christie Shermer
c/o Roger Hatch
2626 Smith Avenue
Marshalltown, IA 50158

He must receive these notes by Friday, March 12 (Saturday at the Latest).

Thanks for your prayers, cares and cards.

Swimming

I am sure with the snow just starting to leave the ground- all of you are not thinking of swimming yet- or maybe you are hoping that you will be sometime soon. I mentioned before that for Christmas day we took the kids to Bandejuma to the river beach. It was beautiful and I promised myself I would be back again soon. Well as you know- life gets busy and it hasn't happened yet. Today was to be the day. For the past few weeks I had this day on the calender and was somewhat counting the days. As silly as it is- I miss water. Here in Bo we have streams and very small rivers. I am so used to driving by large bodies of water everyday- I miss even just seeing them. Granted when I travel I do see them, but.. I wish it were more often.
While in town the past two days I have tried to get fuel for the jeep- each time finding all the fuel stations empty. This has happened quite a few times in the past. Usually the next morning you will be able to get fuel. Well three days into this- still no fuel- even early in the morning. When I asked today they said it would be at least Monday. Since there is only about 1 gallon left in the jeep-I have now parked it. That also means no trip to the beach.

This time, with it having lasted for a few days, everything is a bit more difficult. We are in the time of year when electricity is very rare. At times there will only be light for 4-5 hours every 3-5 days. That means all business are running their generators- if they have not stocked up on fuel- it's time to close until there is more. (Good thing the Internet cafe is still open). Charging phones, keeping anything cool, and especially getting transport is not easy. It is a good thing I am good at walking as now almost all the transport hondas are short on fuel as well. I guess it will be a few days of fun found at home.

Overloaded

I have seen up to 5 people on a single honda at one time. Granted two of them were children- but still three were adults. Amy and Meghan experienced another part of African life while they were here. Unfortunately they didn't experience too many public transport rides (or fortunately for them I guess). It is standard to have 7-8 people in a regular 5 seater car. For a 7 passenger van it is quite common to have at least 12-14. One trip I took from Mattru there were 15 of us already in the vehicle when the driver pulled over to add one more. I was sure we were full- but there is always room for one more I guess. One evening found a large group of us in town all looking for honda's to get home. Our friend Rainny had his honda with him and it was decided (I think for him by the other guys) that he would take both Amy and Meghan with him. I am not sure who enjoyed this more- Rainny having the opportunity to escort two beautiful girls through town home- or Sorba who you can see watching them in the photo.

New leg- Long time coming.

Matthew "Sorie" is one of the teenage boys who lives with us at JCCM. When he arrived at JH he had a terrible infection in his leg. After trying to treat it for quite some time (over a couple years I think)- it was decided that the best course of action would be to amputate. Sorie and AUnty Mary went to stay at the hospital for sometime and when Matthew came home with crutches it took him a little time to adjust. Before long he was playing football with his crutches- doing the high jump- almost anything the other kids were doing. As I was getting ready to come home last Fall we started the process with Matthew at the Bo Rehabilitation Center at the Government Hospital for getting a prosthetic leg. I think at first Matthew was excited about this- but with all the work and time it took- he was not so excited. After many set-backs, by both Matthew and the staff- Sorie and I came home last Monday with his new leg. (I have uploaded this photo 3 times and each time it loads this way even though it is right on my computer and since it takes 35 mins to load each time- I figure about now it is easier for you to turn your head sideways than for me to try yet again) Here is Matthew with the man who made his leg.

Sorie has become quite adept at using his crutches. He is not so sure that he wants this leg. I guess that is where being a parent comes in. I do (along with the staff) feel this is the best thing for Sorie. He will soon adjust and be able to run and play football with this leg as well. It will take a lot of time and work before then- but without doing it he will never get there. During the time when Matthew was going to rehab to learn how to walk- we had been giving him his transport money and sending him on his own- we found out two sperate times (over 6 months apart- we gave him a second chance that did not go well for either of us) that Sorie was taking the money and going elsewhere. We had to go with him, sit and watch him rehab, and take him home. The nurses and doctors working with him have encouraged him often- but he just doesn't seem to fully agree. I also admit that Sorie is a stubborn boy ( I am sure that you picked that up already) who continues to get into a bit of trouble at the home. A few weeks ago he broke into the Head Teachers office to steal some money. He has the punishment of cleaning the school each Friday for the next month- but also that he has to start using his leg. The doctors felt he was beyond ready- just not in his mind. So as one of his parents I have decided that one of his punishments was to take away his crutches and have him get used to this new leg. I know right now he is not too happy with me- but in the long run I feel this is best for him. This might be punishment now, but it is going to be a good thing for him not too far from now. He may not admit it to me, but when I see him wearing long jeans and standing with his friends- I can see that he is proud to be seen looking just like one of them. As people compliment him- I can see a little pride sneaking in there. No pain- no gain. I guess this goes for me and for him. He has to work through the difficulties of getting used to a foreign leg and learning to walk again- I have to watch him struggle and be upset with me- though I know it is best for him.