26.7.10
Happy Hikers
The other day, as the Yako mountains came into view, the children let out a soft cry. After a moment someone asked “we’re going to climb that?!” and I looked out at the rocky hills and smiled. A general feeling of excitement came over the group, as we descended from our perch in the back of the pickup.
Some of the younger ones were afraid- couldn’t we fall off the other side? And the bigger ones were excited- they’d never done something like this. Everybody wanted to see the top.
It was a hike in the hills (as dreamt up by Lisa)… I had Moore lessons and gave some English lessons as we walked, there lots of time to chat with the kids, and time to simply sit and enjoy creation together…
It was beautiful. There was no doubt. I noticed their giggles and calls I began to recognize how special it was to simply see the children enjoying their time in nature. And I began to wonder, if I can take so much joy from seeing these children enjoying creation, how much joy can our creator find in seeing us enjoy the beauty of this world he created?
… there was time for the kids to take pictures (the first picture was taken by one of the boys) and time for a hug or two…
22.7.10
Thankful Thursday
This morning we had four hours of steady, beautiful, rainfall this morning, followed by drizzling rain on and off all afternoon.
When I asked if it was enough rain, the response was simply “Yes, and there is more coming.”
When I asked if it was enough rain, the response was simply “Yes, and there is more coming.”
This is just what I wanted to hear.
21.7.10
20.7.10
on rain, corn and photos
The crops you see pictured are planted around our courtyard. Our kids, and some of our staff, have all taken small parcels of land to plant corn, peanuts, potatoes and beans. We have had one, or two good rains- but not enough to sustain the growing season. Now is the time when everyone waits, and prays, for the rain to come.
Last night, we all thought it would rain. The wind was right, the clouds were dark, the kids told me "we need rain." And then, the wind came, followed by a light sprinkle. The wind came back and the rain dissapeared. No rain that evening.
It's a funny thing, waiting for the rain. I am beginning to learn how the conversation goes:
I will notice the sky darkening and the wind picking up. Then I ask one of our kids if the rain is coming. If they say "no", then it never rains.
If they respond with "It might," I am hopeful.
If I press them for a definitive conclusion from 'it might' they'll say "I can't tell you". This is because, they don't want to be put in a situation in which they feel as though they've lied to me. If they say it will rain, and it doesn't, they said something that isn't true. Much better, to simply say "it's possible."
Sometimes I think, you have to wait for rain in Africa like you wait for everything else: it always comes, but on it's own time. Maybe, I should "patientez un peu" (be patient).
--------------------------
I have always loved when the kids borrow my camera. For me, as I look at what and who they’ve taken pictures of, I get a small glimpse into their world and their perspective. And, if nothing else, I love to see them so excited about learning to take pictures. Faischal took today's pictures of corn growing in our field.
Last night, we all thought it would rain. The wind was right, the clouds were dark, the kids told me "we need rain." And then, the wind came, followed by a light sprinkle. The wind came back and the rain dissapeared. No rain that evening.
It's a funny thing, waiting for the rain. I am beginning to learn how the conversation goes:
I will notice the sky darkening and the wind picking up. Then I ask one of our kids if the rain is coming. If they say "no", then it never rains.
If they respond with "It might," I am hopeful.
If I press them for a definitive conclusion from 'it might' they'll say "I can't tell you". This is because, they don't want to be put in a situation in which they feel as though they've lied to me. If they say it will rain, and it doesn't, they said something that isn't true. Much better, to simply say "it's possible."
Sometimes I think, you have to wait for rain in Africa like you wait for everything else: it always comes, but on it's own time. Maybe, I should "patientez un peu" (be patient).
--------------------------
I have always loved when the kids borrow my camera. For me, as I look at what and who they’ve taken pictures of, I get a small glimpse into their world and their perspective. And, if nothing else, I love to see them so excited about learning to take pictures. Faischal took today's pictures of corn growing in our field.
18.7.10
School's Out For Summer
This week was the official school closing for the 2009-2010 school year at our primary school.
There was a small ceremony (every school closes the year with a ceremony in Burkina), prizes for the best in the class, and a meal for all the students. Sarah had planned a balloon game for the kids and they had a blast with it. Generally, the kids seemed excited school was out for the year.
The courtyard is quieter now that school is out: there are no morning soccer matches, games of mancalla or hopscotch in the field, or crowds of giggling, chattering, children hanging around the flagpole. This is neither bad nor good, as it is how it should be; it is simply a significant change.
Below is a picture of the students and staff receiving new soccer balls for each of next year’s classes. This includes the two classes that will be at our new school!
Please pray for...
...the students as they head for the summer; visiting family in the village, working in the fields and spending time within Yako.
...the upcoming summer school (as preparation for the next year’s course work) that will be offered at our school.
...the new school (construction is almost complete) and the students that will attend this fall.
There was a small ceremony (every school closes the year with a ceremony in Burkina), prizes for the best in the class, and a meal for all the students. Sarah had planned a balloon game for the kids and they had a blast with it. Generally, the kids seemed excited school was out for the year.
The courtyard is quieter now that school is out: there are no morning soccer matches, games of mancalla or hopscotch in the field, or crowds of giggling, chattering, children hanging around the flagpole. This is neither bad nor good, as it is how it should be; it is simply a significant change.
Below is a picture of the students and staff receiving new soccer balls for each of next year’s classes. This includes the two classes that will be at our new school!
Please pray for...
...the students as they head for the summer; visiting family in the village, working in the fields and spending time within Yako.
...the upcoming summer school (as preparation for the next year’s course work) that will be offered at our school.
...the new school (construction is almost complete) and the students that will attend this fall.
15.7.10
ExciteD about ordinateurs (THANK YOU)
Earlier this year I discovered a need for laptops at Sheltering Wings. When I let EllisDon know they responded to the call by generously donating six company laptops!
Sheltering Wings is very excited to be getting started a program in which the children will have computer access and learn basic computer skills.
This program has great potential and it’s wonderful to see how this donation has helped to provide such an opportunity to our children.
This program has great potential and it’s wonderful to see how this donation has helped to provide such an opportunity to our children.
Thank you EllisDon for your continued support of Sheltering Wings!
13.7.10
tastes like chicken...
Rainy season has recently joined us in Yako. As the rains joined us, so did the termites.
The night after each rainstorm they came in hoards, gathering around the outdoor lights and sneaking their way, through cracks in the door, into the house.
After Saturday’s rain, as we ran around the house catching (and killing) the termites that had made their way into the living room, Achille came by. “We’re catching the termites to prepare them for tomorrow” he said. I quickly told him that if all the children were catching termites outside, they were more than welcome to come catch some inside, or even just get the ones around our house. He smiled.
Sunday though, Therese knocked gently on the door. “Cadeau” she whispered and extended her hand towards us: cooked termites. We laughed, and ate. A bit of a crunch and a peanut-pretzel flavour...no problem. Therese told Lisa later that she didn’t really believe we would eat them.
This was a fun experience. You can’t be in Burkina during the rains and not try the termites.
The night after each rainstorm they came in hoards, gathering around the outdoor lights and sneaking their way, through cracks in the door, into the house.
After Saturday’s rain, as we ran around the house catching (and killing) the termites that had made their way into the living room, Achille came by. “We’re catching the termites to prepare them for tomorrow” he said. I quickly told him that if all the children were catching termites outside, they were more than welcome to come catch some inside, or even just get the ones around our house. He smiled.
Sunday though, Therese knocked gently on the door. “Cadeau” she whispered and extended her hand towards us: cooked termites. We laughed, and ate. A bit of a crunch and a peanut-pretzel flavour...no problem. Therese told Lisa later that she didn’t really believe we would eat them.
This was a fun experience. You can’t be in Burkina during the rains and not try the termites.
11.7.10
One Word Definition?
If you charged me to define these past weeks for you with a single word I would give you the word “visitors”. It is, in these past weeks at Sheltering Wings, that we have received many visits. Teams, families and friends have come through our doors and it’s been a thoroughly exciting time.
I can’t begin to tell you everything these visitors bring us because the list would be simply too long. There are the tangible things: gifts for the children, workers or sometimes a tasty North American treat for us. However more than the tangible these visitors bring the intangible: they invest their time and energy in pouring out into the lives of those within the walls of our courtyard.
I have been working, alongside the other short terms (and Ruth of course!), to help facilitate these groups that come through our doors. This year knowing the busy schedule that was ahead for SW I knew before arriving in Burkina this would be a part of my “job description” even if I couldn’t have told you how I would be helping to facilitate the teams.
The biggest thing we do as a team is cook! Whether it’s meals for 17, 10 or just 6 we get the food on the table. This leads to the occasional stressful moment (like when the beans just won’t cook to soften) but mostly it’s a pleasure figuring out what too cook with the ingredients currently available. Sometimes we help translate conversations for our non-French speaking visitors, or go with them to the market to find fabric or flipflops. Often we work alongside the teams on their projects or spend time with them and the kids.
I have thought through recently the idea of being here and facilitating others time here. I have recognized this work might not be the kind you think of when you think ‘working at an orphanage’ and may not give me funny stories to tell you, but it is all for God. He has asked me to be here, to help facilitate teams that are here to bless the orphanage, and for that I am thankful. It’s so cool, for me to see the way he orchestrates things, and I’m so glad I get to be a part of this.
These past weeks have been full of exciting and encouraging visits. In between I’ve worked on projects and spent time with our babies. I’m excited about what the next weeks of visits and in between times have to bring whether it’s cooking for teams, translating paperwork or for visitors, or working with our kids.
I can’t begin to tell you everything these visitors bring us because the list would be simply too long. There are the tangible things: gifts for the children, workers or sometimes a tasty North American treat for us. However more than the tangible these visitors bring the intangible: they invest their time and energy in pouring out into the lives of those within the walls of our courtyard.
I have been working, alongside the other short terms (and Ruth of course!), to help facilitate these groups that come through our doors. This year knowing the busy schedule that was ahead for SW I knew before arriving in Burkina this would be a part of my “job description” even if I couldn’t have told you how I would be helping to facilitate the teams.
The biggest thing we do as a team is cook! Whether it’s meals for 17, 10 or just 6 we get the food on the table. This leads to the occasional stressful moment (like when the beans just won’t cook to soften) but mostly it’s a pleasure figuring out what too cook with the ingredients currently available. Sometimes we help translate conversations for our non-French speaking visitors, or go with them to the market to find fabric or flipflops. Often we work alongside the teams on their projects or spend time with them and the kids.
I have thought through recently the idea of being here and facilitating others time here. I have recognized this work might not be the kind you think of when you think ‘working at an orphanage’ and may not give me funny stories to tell you, but it is all for God. He has asked me to be here, to help facilitate teams that are here to bless the orphanage, and for that I am thankful. It’s so cool, for me to see the way he orchestrates things, and I’m so glad I get to be a part of this.
These past weeks have been full of exciting and encouraging visits. In between I’ve worked on projects and spent time with our babies. I’m excited about what the next weeks of visits and in between times have to bring whether it’s cooking for teams, translating paperwork or for visitors, or working with our kids.
B is for Barke, C is for Couche...
I’d like to extend another huge thank you to everyone that contributed to the fund for unforeseen ways to bless the orphanage and community.
When I arrived SW had recently acquired a washer and dryer. These items are a huge blessing to the orphanage as during the rainy season diaper washing, and especially drying the diapers is difficult to accomplish.
The funds weren’t yet in place to hook up the electrical and plumbing for the washers and dryers. Your donations went to electrical and plumbing installations that were a part of the process of hooking up the set.After this step a (WONDERFUL) visiting team completed the installation, cleaned out the equipment and got the set in full working order. This was a very exciting day!
When I arrived SW had recently acquired a washer and dryer. These items are a huge blessing to the orphanage as during the rainy season diaper washing, and especially drying the diapers is difficult to accomplish.
The funds weren’t yet in place to hook up the electrical and plumbing for the washers and dryers. Your donations went to electrical and plumbing installations that were a part of the process of hooking up the set.After this step a (WONDERFUL) visiting team completed the installation, cleaned out the equipment and got the set in full working order. This was a very exciting day!
Thanks so much for being a part of the process of getting these pieces of equipment going!
(Barke is thank you in Moore and Couche is french for diaper)
4.7.10
Bobo-Dialasso and Banfora (Pictures)
I promised a few pictures of my trip to Bobo...here goes.
In the old quartier of Bobo (built in the 11th century) we're standing looking over the canal in which the sacred fish swim. The little girl standing behind me is the one I mentioned in my last blog post about Bobo- she followed me for the whole tour.
In the old quartier of Bobo (built in the 11th century) we're standing looking over the canal in which the sacred fish swim. The little girl standing behind me is the one I mentioned in my last blog post about Bobo- she followed me for the whole tour.
Sitting over an old village (Koro?) that is built on the top of a mountain. The women climb the mountain everyday to get water from down below.
Banfora waterfalls!
Taking in some of Burkina's beauty...these are the peaks near Banfora.
Banfora waterfalls!
Taking in some of Burkina's beauty...these are the peaks near Banfora.3.7.10
Silly Saturday
I simply couldn't resist putting up this adorable shot we snagged of a couple of our little ones during a walk to the sports field a few weeks back... It puts a smile on my face.
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