Christmas Cheer and Tree Fairies!!

This blog is dedicated to my Christmas tree fairies!! I was so excited to receive a real Christmas tree when I got back from Nigeria. I knew I had missed the family tree hunt and had prepared myself to go treeless this season . . . but, I hear Aunt Brenda had the great idea of picking one out for me and then she and Mom scoured the forest in search of a tree for my apartment. Thanks Aunt Brenda and Mom! It's exactly what I would have picked out myself--I love it!!! You guys are the best. Maybe we should do a progressive dinner so you can check out the tree all decorated?

Nigeria '09--Another great trip!

Deaf students marching in the 75th Anniversary celebration for the Assembly of God Nigeria

Garden eggs--staple used to greet guests with--hard to say no to a raw squash like vegetable that you are expected to just chow down on:)

Students at EVAMI: Who doesn't love playing with Play-doh!

Love this group of teachers--we had some great sessions!

I can't believe it's been one week since I got back from Nigeria. We had such an incredible time again. I am always so grateful for the warm welcome and hospitality of our Nigerian friends. I miss them all so much already. We spent a few days doing "courtesy calls" to several government leaders of Enugu State. Met the Commissioners of Health, Education, and for Human Development and Poverty Reduction. The visits were incredible to me in light of my new pursuit for a Masters in Public Health. I start classes in January and kept thinking at each visit that I wish I could use these experiences for class credit--maybe next year:) These men and women shared their hearts and desires for growth and sustainability within their state, and I truly believe that Nigeria will continue to grow exponentially under their leadership.

The rest of our time was spent working with the teachers and a few students at EVAMI school for children with special needs. School technically was not in session due to relocation to a site that is still under construction, but I think it worked out exactly how it was supposed to because it gave us some awesome time for educating the teachers. I have way too many stories to post in one blog, so if you are curious . . . let's go out for a cup of coffee sometime and I'll share:) The first weekend Karen, Georgian and myself left the rest of the team in Enugu to travel 5 hours into the bush to a village called Ogoja for an outreach to the widows in that district. I am always humbled to see the strength and courage of these women who often have nothing left in life, but recognize their hope in knowing that God cares for them.

Well, enjoy the pictures. There are more posted on my facebook site as well. The very first picture is our Thanksgiving dinner feast:)--boiled potatoes, chicken in a stew, fried plantains, and STOVE TOP stuffing that one of the team members brought along. I think that may have been the best stuffing I have ever eaten--I am sure it was all relative:)

Feelin' purdy nerdy at 30:)

Oh, boy! It's been a while since I've visited my blog. I figure turning 30 is just as good a time as any to don my site with a new post. For those non-Nebraskan readers, my family threw me a fabulous surprise birthday party. I had an idea that Amy and Katie were scheming something, but didn't envision the magnitude of fun they put together! They had me all confused when I was asked to bring a change of clothes and my ID?!?! It was so great to celebrate with family this year. I enjoyed hearing and trying to guess songs that spanned the last 30 years--Tina and I will perform our rendition of the Titanic theme song for a small fee (see photo below). Thanks again to everyone that helped me celebrate and for your thoughtful gifts. I should have Uncle Harv and Aunt Brenda email the photo of their birthday card creation, so I can post that on another blog. I've never heard my life summarized by candy and chocolate before, but I loved the "sweet" expressions!

On to other news, I received my visa for Nigeria! Yeah, cause at 30 I don't think I could have withstood the drama that proceeded last year's trip while waiting for my visa:) I am so excited to have another opportunity to go, and would love it if you all would join me in praying for the trip! This year I will primarily be working at EVAMI school for children with disabilities. There are several children that I met last year that I can't wait to wrap my arms around with ginormous hugs when I get there. There is one little girl in particular that had the most contagious smile--she would walk around with a pink washcloth on her head, and greet everyone with the type of hug that would melt your heart! They are such an incredible crew with stories I can't even imagine at such young ages! I will be doing some Occupational therapy consulting with the students and teachers. Last year we also had a few opportunities to meet with government officials and provide input on disability awareness and other health related concerns. It was amazing to see how God orchestrated each visit throughout our time there. I know some of you have said you would be praying and asked for specific areas, so here are a few of the main ones. . . overall health/protection with travels and while in country--for myself and the 3 others I will be traveling with, wisdom on providing appropriate therapy interventions/recommendations to support the needs of the school as well as any other places we might be consulting, and divine opportunities to not only provide knowledge and support as a therapist, but to really be a blessing and share Christ's love within the communities that we come in contact with. I will try and post again as departure date becomes nearer, but I can't promise it will actually happen:)

Love you all and thanks for the immeasurable encouragement and support that has helped me grow over the last 30 years!!!

Here are a few birthday pics that I stole from Amy's blog and a few Nigeria pics mostly taken at the EVAMI school last year!!

African Sunset and a field of Maize!

Ok, really just an update on my apartment:) I recently dusted off the camera and took a few pictures of my place after the painted wall in African sunset color and the the new maize colored sofa. Mom and Dad are awesome and helped me hang pictures one night, so it finally feels like home:) If you haven't seen it, then you should probably come over and enjoy a cup of coffee on the maize sofa.

For oft, when on my couch I lie In vacant or in pensive mood, They flash upon that inward eye Which is the bliss of solitude; And then my heart with pleasure fills, And dances with the daffodils.

-William Wordsworth

Another blog to come when I upload my pics from a recent weekend getaway to RI.

Sycamore trees and other tall places . . .

I know it's been a while since my last post, and per the request of Amy and Bob I decided to update. To be honest, since returning from Africa I have thought that life had taken a dramatic dip back to status quo--which isn't really blogable material:) It's like a part of me still wants to be in Africa continuing the work that we began while there, but I've had to be reminded that my time here doing the every day things in just as important and necessary.

You're probably wondering what in the world sycamore trees have to do with any of this! Well, the picture above is of a sycamore tree that was pointed out to me while in Africa. Just a side bar--After taking a picture of the tree (since I don't recall ever seeing one before) I then proceeded to sing "Rebecca was a wee little girl and a wee little girl was she, she climbed up in a sycamore tree, for the Lord she wanted to SEE . . ." My Nigerian friends didn't seem to get it, but at least Karen humored me with a good laugh that seemed to say "we have been in Africa for over a week and Rebecca has finally lost it!" Now hold that thought about sycamore trees . . .

When I was thinking about moving back I was praying about what I wanted to do for a church when returning to Omaha. God seemed to have everything under control, as I was excited to hear that BCC was starting a new church in the Old Market area that fit with what I was praying! It has been great being a part of the church from the start, and I am excited to see what God wants to do downtown. Check out www.themarketchurch.com for more details. Anyone is welcome to visit--we would love to have you. We meet at 5:15 on Saturdays.

Ok, now back to the sycamore tree:) Last Saturday at church Pastor spoke about Zacchaeus' famous climb up into the sycamore tree, among other things, but there was one point that really stuck out to me. What are we willing to do to meet Jesus? We say we want to know him and be a part of what he's doing, but are we willing to climb to uncomfortable places--or branch out (pun intended!) to meet him? It doesn't matter really where we are in life, but what does matter is are we willing to do what it takes to see him. Every day we should be asking ourselves "what do I need to do today to see God" --whether we are in Africa or Omaha:) So, life really can't be status quo with an attitude like that! Why shouldn't we expect to find God in our everyday experiences. The faith of the Nigerian Christians blew me away while I was there. Why as American Christians do we not pray and seek to catch sight of God in all of our experiences? Are our prayers just simple sticky notes to God or are we writing love letters with the anticipation of a truly intimate response from a God who wants to be noticed and involved in our lives?!?

Ironically, the picture of the sycamore tree was taken outside of the house of an incredible family that we payed a visit to one of our last days in Nigeria. The youngest daughter had been born with severe physical disabilities. Imagine the struggles that a person living with disabilities has in the US and then magnify that by 50 to picture the obstacles that this young woman has "climbed" as she had just graduated early from university with a pre-law degree--pretty big when just one of your obstacles is that you have to be carried up 3 flights of stairs in your wheelchair in order to attend class every day. As she applies to law school, she prays that some day God will use her to make an impact on accessibility and awareness for people living with disabilities in Nigeria. We sat and chatted for a while in her parents living room that afternoon. At one point Chica expressed to me that there are days that she wakes up and dreads even just the process of what it will take to get ready for the day and for a brief moment wonders what life would be like if she hadn't been born with disabilities. She then looked straight at me and said that at those moments she is reminded that God chose her (who is also created in his image) to be used for his greater purpose. I think for every branch that Chica has climbed and sat on she gets it, because she has done what it takes to see God!