Ash and I got up around 8 for a cool morning run...can you believe that?! COOL! The weather has been nothing shy of amazing and I couldn't be more thankful. I like the heat so 85 with a breeze is glorious to me! We set out for our run, and please keep in mind I haven't ran but about 4-5 miles since my marathon in October!!!! I...thought...I...was...going...to...die! Running here in Africa is much different than home. The terrain is so bumpy and uneven, so even my back and abs were sore! It was a great run though...she wouldn't tell me how far we were going and at the end (when I was so relieved to be alive) she said we had gone 6 miles! (According to Sheila that's about 8miles on US ground haha). We had a great run though...great weather, and great chats. Ashley truly is like a big sister to me. She's wiser than her years, has learned from other awesome great mentors, and pours into my life more than she will ever know. It's very refreshing.
When we got back we got some cold showers, did some laundry, and cleaning up and headed over to have lunch with the kids. The kids are currently in school, so it's nice to go spend time with them over lunch. After lunch Ash got wind that the kids were being beaten MUCH harder than they should at school. It's a part of their culture for them to get hit, but beat is NOT ok. Some of the kids were crying over their sore wrists that got beat all for not singing properly. Let me just tell you...Ashley might be 5'2 and a 100 pounds, but if you mess with her kids...she's 7'1 and 400 pounds, as any mother should/would be! So off to the school she went! While Ash was taking care of that issue and Jon was working on the building project, I was able to have some one on one time with the kids. Some of the kids had the day off so once homework was completed, we played some rounds of Phase 10 and Left/Right/Center! I love playing games with them...it always ends up in giggling.
Sidenote: While playing games, I legit got about 10 years or more taken off my life. As lunch was wrapping up the kids were dispersing at different times to walk (about1.5-2 miles) back to school. I was seeing them off and taking pictures of them in their school uniforms like any annoying aunt would do ;) The last child to leave was Viviane. In the middle of helping Lousiette with her homework, we heard this HUGE crash and up the road a bit there was a HUGE truck that had crashed and gotten turned over. I heard a couple kids say "Viviane!" I don't think I've ever panicked like that..She was our last child to leave! A million things ran through my head as I sprinted down the path to the main road. I was screaming "Viviane!!! Viviane!!" all the while begging God that she was OK. A few of the other children followed to see if she was involved. PRAISE THE LORD she was not. She had already walked past and was on her way to school. WHEW! Talk about a panic attack. It was so scary, but we give praise to God for protecting her.
Moving on, the games continued, and Maman Ashley even joined in. Before dinner time, Ashley had asked Louis to walk to the market for some rice. I hadn't been to the Sakete market (also known as a squirrel fest of chaos) this time around so decided to talk a walk with him. Louis is so special to me, as are all of the kids, but he's always been there. I met Louis back in 2008 and man has he grown! During our walk, Louis spoke very well to me in English. He is learning a lot and picking up quickly! When I told him he was doing well with English he said, "All the glory and honor goes to Jesus. He has helped me to learn quickly." How humbling. He told me about his life before coming to Arbre de Vie. He lived in the village with his father (who had a couple of wives) and he step brother and sister. His father was a Voodoo king in his village. I asked him if he knew Jesus before Maman Ashley and Papa Jon, and he explained that there were many Christians in his village, including himself, but because his father was a Voodoo king, he had to do both. It broke my heart. He went on to tell me how thankful he was for his "home" at Arbre de Vie, and how God truly saved his life. Tears welled up in my eyes and I put my glasses on to try and look composed. Louis has been through a lot, as have many of the kids, but they NEVER cease to thank and praise God for all that He does for them. It's incredibly humbling and makes me look so much deeper into myself. How much do I have to be SO SO thankful for and how many days pass that I don't take time away from my busy schedule to praise the One who gave me ALL that I have. We are a BLESSED people and need to be more vocal to our King about it. That is a walk I will always remember....
When night time came (around 7pm) most of the kids were heading back from school. We had some rice for dinner (delish!) and began the second wind of homework. Some of the kids colored with me when they were finished, others worked well past 10pm. The generator broke, which is not uncommon, and we all worked under the little flashlights. Sidenote: Please be praying for electricity funds to come in...this is something they are trying to get started in the next few months, and can not do without God's people and divine provision. It's a HUGE struggle to try and do homework in the pitch black with a tiny flashlight. We wrapped up the homework session and headed back home around 11:30. After an episode of Duck Dynasty (per Jon's request) we all headed to bed to get some good rest!
This morning, I am sitting here sipping my coffee in the warm breeze and was reading in Nehemiah 9. If you haven't read it...read it! It talks all about the things God did for the people of Israel and how stubborn they were to see his awesomeness. I often find myself being just like one of them. I've seen miracles, experienced His greatness and have neglected him so many times. Here it tells about all the reasons God is good and worthy of praise. He keeps his promises, He is our provider, He is a forgiving God, His mercies are great etc. It's a great reminder of how stubborn our flesh is and how forgiving and great God ALWAYS is. Take a minute to read it and spend some time praising him for his goodness! It's a refreshing feeling :)
Lots of Love!
Tata Erika
Thank you for this post Erika! So glad you can be there to see the building, help with homework, run with Ashley, and sacrifice by watching Duck Dynasty! Say hello to Vivianne, Louis, Adjoke, Rosaline, and of course Noel! Hug all of the kids and say hello from me please;) We are praying for you and for Ash & Jon, and the kids daily!
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