Living in the Bush with people who once prayed for my death

I spent the last week in the Bush with a group of Jehovah's Witnesses. A group that hated me, called me a child killer, wicked American and said that I came to Africa to hurt the African people. I'm sure I don't have any idea of all the horrible things spoken about me.  Why would they say such things?
A member of their family needed medical treatment and I said that God laid it on my heart to help them...

The child in question was 3 years old when we met. I asked the parents if we could take the child to the hospital to see if anything could be done. The answer was yes. After several visits to a local Cameroonian Dr., he decided that surgery was our only option. The mother and father discussed and a message was sent back to me that we could move forward with raising money for the surgery. It was decided that we would wait 6 months for the child's health to improve to be able to tolerate the operation.

During one of our hospital visits, mom told me that the last time she had taken her child to the hospital was when she was a year old. At this time, she was told that her child was being punished for sins the mother had committed and the punishment for both of them was for the child to live this way. Mom hadn't taken her child to a hospital since then. She and I had long discussions about this and how wrong this form of thinking was. I had to tread very lightly because there are "traditional beliefs" in Africa that I just don't understand and you don't want to completely offend people's way of life when trying to introduce Christ to them.  The next day I went back to America.

Flash forward 4 months later... I called back to Africa to wish the family a happy Easter and to check on the birth of the new baby mom should have had a few weeks earlier. I was informed that the baby was stillborn. I wept, I prayed with mom and then spent a lot of time with God asking numerous questions...

What I did not know at the time was that when mom informed their family members (parents, brother's sister's etc) of the pending operation they essentially ex-communicated them. Apparently there is some "doctrine" that JW have that prevent them from doing things with blood...African's also traditionally "ex-communicate" members of their family that bring shame to the family. I don't understand it all and at the time of meeting I had no idea of this families "religious beliefs." We discussed salvation and God's plan for their lives. They gave "all the right answers." This is why relationship is so important. You can't just run through asking questions and spouting off "Christian-ese" to people and expect their lives to be truly changed. People learn to say what you want to hear to "get you off their backs." In this case, mom was terrified that we would not help her child if they didn't believe the way I believed. When the new baby was stillborn, their family blamed me and the parents for agreeing to have the operation. This is where I earned the name child killer. The family was convinced that not only would this child die, but the child having the operation would die as well.

Mom and Dad discussed at length whether to go through with the operation or not. They desperately wanted change for their child but living without family in Africa is beyond difficult to say the least. When your family disowns you, many members of the community do as well and it makes an already hard life one hundred times harder. They ultimately decided to do what was best for their child and move forward. Mind you, I had no idea all of this was going on behind the scenes. It was only after the fact that I found all of this out. 

So our precious child had an operation and it was completely successful. Mom actually got pregnant again shortly after the operation and gave birth to a healthy baby boy. The parents were convinced this was a gift from God and that I was their angel. Her words to me were, "We will never refuse anything you tell us because God sent you to us for a reason. All of this pain and suffering could not be for nothing." While honored with her words, I stressed the importance of God's words being the authority in our lives and His words are the ones we follow.

On my next trip to Cameroon, I learned of all the "drama" that had unfolded the year before. The family had been welcomed back into the lives of their families and no one had an unkind word to say. Shortly after the extended family found out I was in the country, they "called for me." Mom and Dad also insisted that it was important for me to "see their roots" and to know where they were from. Well, you can imagine, I was not thrilled about going and in all honesty, I didn't have the time to travel 8-10 hours away at the time.

This year, I was asked again to go to the Bush to visit the family during their annual family meeting/gathering. I asked why? What is the purpose of me going? God is the one who deserves the glory for the wonderful outcome of the operation. The answer, "They want to know why an American who has so much would leave her country to come and help people she doesn't know?" Well, that changes things a bit. A friend once told me, you pray for doors to be open to share the gospel and when they are opened, how can you refuse? This was one of those times.

So last week, I squished in a truck designed to carry 6 people with 10 people inside and the back loaded with "stuff." We drove from 10 p.m - 7 a.m. this way. Physical pain is all I can tell you.  It was not comfortable, it didn't smell good and I'm sure I have a permanent bruise on my shoulder from bouncing up and hitting the "chicken bar" every time we hit a pothole. If you have ever traveled in Africa, this is about every 15 minutes...

I wasn't sure what to expect but I was welcomed with open arms and shown love that I didn't expect or deserve. For days, people walked from all over the village to be able to meet the "stranger who is not normal." I was able to share the love of Jesus with them. He is the only reason that I can do anything that I do. Their answers to that statement, we know God but many people who say they know God do not do such things. This is where RELATIONSHIP with God makes a difference and listening to the voice of the Lord comes in to play. I certainly don't do any of these things on my own. If I had my way, I would be traveling around the world from beach to beach chilling and planning some serious parties. That was my plan for my life. God had a different one and I am oh so happy that He did.

We talked about the Lord, I taught about physical hygiene and the importance of clean water. They don't have electricity there or any plumbing of any sort. This opened the door to talk about the Light of the world and the Living Water in a way that was not threatening or seemed condemning to them. This particular area of Cameroon is very cold. In the evenings around 10 p.m. someone would start music and we would dance for hours until people were exhausted and ready to sleep. This was both to keep warm and to make you tired enough to sleep through the cold. They had their morning and evening prayers that I did not participate in for obvious reasons. I wasn't sure how that was going to work but they were very respectful. We didn't have any converts on this trip but I have been invited back. I asked if I came back, could I bring others with me to talk about Jesus with the children in the form of Vacation Bible School. The answer was yes... My heart is full and I am overwhelmed. Now we just have to find the right group of people who can withstand the "harsh" conditions and the tough questions.

One could not have told me a few years ago, I would be living in Africa sharing life with people who once prayed for my death. I would have been more surprised to know how much love I would have for them.

People all over the world ask me why I live this type of life. Many times I don't have a very good answer to give. This is one tiny example of why I live this life. Jesus died so that we could all have life and life more abundantly than we could ever ask or think. I'm grateful that He chose me. I'm grateful that He loves and accepts me with all of my flaws and quirks. How can I be selfish and keep that just for me? He fills us up with His love, so that we can share it with others and others will come to know the TRUTH of who He is. What a joy. What a privilege.

It's not always easy. There are days that I cry and many days that I miss my friends and family. There are times that people take advantage of me and I am often misunderstood. There are even days that I want to give up and go home and have a "normal" life. (whatever that is, I never have, nor will be normal) Every time I have my times of tears, I am reminded that Christ went through all of this and so much more. He didn't give up so how can I?

As I reflect back on 2011 with all of it's challenges and happy times, I'm grateful for my life and grateful that God is using me to hopefully change lives all over the world to know and love Him.

Thank you for your prayers, your sacrificial giving and your love and encouragement today and every day. You are a part of all of everything I do. One plants, one waters and God is the one who gives the increase. Continue to allow Him to mold and shape you into a vessel for His use! People all over the world are depending on you! Remember that you don't have to travel to Africa or some foreign country to make a difference. Your mission field is right where you are!

Blessings to you for a wonderful New Year!

Buckets and Baby Wipes

Someone stole our bucket as we were carrying water from the tap.

 

While this may not seem important to you, we are in a hospital that doesn't have any running water. Before you gasp, try to wrap your head around the fact that 70% of the people living in Cameroon don't have access to potable water. For the few who are blessed with "indoor plumbing" it usually only works a portion of the time. (my house has been without running water for a week now.)

 

We are entering dry season and water is even more of a precious resource. Many people trek to taps or rivers several times a day to collect water for their homes. It's a sad day when the taps themselves run dry. We had  filled empty water bottles and were taking them to the room while the water filled the bucket when ours was stolen. Here in the hospital, we are gathering water several times a day for just about everything. There are no nice CNA's to come change you bed sheets and to bathe you. No nice person with a food cart coming by 3 times a day with "wonderful hospital food." All of that is left to the care-giver that you bring with you to the hospital.

 

So while a bucket may not seem like much to you, it is our saving grace on many occasions. We bathe with it, flush the toilet, wash our clothes, our sheets, and dishes with it. To say the least buckets are a HOT commodity in Cameroon. If I were a poet, I would write a poem entitled, "Ode to the Bucket."

 

Fortunately, I am from America and we have these wonderful things called Baby Wipes. I had the good sense to purchase a case before coming and the thieves who stole a good portion of my other things were nice enough to leave these on the ship. Being the anal person that I am, I packed some before coming to the hospital. They became our second saving grace after our bucket was stolen. Just as we were depleting our stash, some friends dropped by with more...

 

Once again, we "washed" dishes, our bodies and anything else that we needed to disinfect with them. My second poem is going to be entitled, "Ode to Baby Wipes." I am very grateful that the good Lord gave someone a serious master mind to invent them.

 

Hospitals in third world countries always amaze me. They don't seem to have half of the resources that we do and yet, people's lives are still being saved. Mind you, the ways that they go about things here still make me very angry but I realize that in most circumstances, people are doing the best they can with what they know and have.

 

Achiever has been blessed with nurses who care and have compassion. I can't say this for many of the hospital staff I have seen in other places. On his second night, he ran a fever. I asked for fever medication. The nurses came with "horse pills." I asked for them to be crushed or to bring a liquid form of the medication. Liquid?? They looked at me like I had two heads... If you want to crush the pills, you must provide paper... It was my turn to look at them strangely but I pulled out my notebook and gave them paper. Someone else came back a few minutes later with the crushed pills. From the screams coming from the room next door, our original nurse was delivering her next round of injections to her next "victim." 

 

We are in a semi-private room. There are 3 beds here with a bathroom attached. The general ward has 7 patients in a room. There are no curtains for privacy. Given that most people here are completely bed ridden, it has made for some interesting moments. (bathing, using the bathroom etc.) None of the patients should be left alone at any time. There are no monitors for blood pressure or to be sure that you are even still breathing. Your care-giver needs to be on hand at all times. In addition to that, since this is a hospital that specializes in bone issues, most people have iron rods sticking out of various parts of their bodies that can severly hurt them if they are bumped in any way. (Iron rods - think metal chopsticks sticking out of your legs or arms, holding your broken bones in place.)

 

Achiever has 3 rods on his left leg and 2 rods on his right. He also has 3 bags or plastic bottles (depends on what is available the day they change them) that are collecting blood and fluid as his swelling goes down. This makes life interesting when changing his diapers and bathing him but so far he has been a trooper and we have figured out a system to try not to hurt him too much. It is definitely a two man job. Mama Grace and I make a good team... Achiever still fights to want to use the bathroom and not a diaper. He has found interesting ways to "rebel" against the diapers but I think we have finally convinced him that the diapers are in his best interest.

 

We switched his I.V. port from one hand to the other in hopes that the pain would be reduced a bit. He still screams bloody murder when he gets his injections but today he isn't fighting. We have told him that the medication is necessary if he wants his legs to get strong so that he can go back to his house. Yesterday I played videos of the children at the orphanage singing and showed him pictures of all his friends. He smiled for the first time. A friend of mine from childhood is living in the U.K. and sent cards a letters to the children. We saved one for him and we read that and played with the stickers enclosed in the card. This was his second and last smile so far.

 

As I type, he is laying on the bed next to me, sleeping soundly.

 

His legs have stopped "jumping" consistently and for the most part he is able to rest in peace. He is still pretty drugged so that he isn't constantly feeling the pain. The nurses come like clockwork 4 times a day. I hate it but it's a necessary evil for now.

 

The mother of a child I raised money for a surgery on a previous trip has been faithful to bring us food every day since we arrived. Lydia herself came yesterday to try to encourage Achiever a bit. She showed him her scars and told him how fast he will run when he leaves the hospital. It was way too much for my heart to take. Happy tears are coming as I write this.

 

We don't have water. Electricity has gone out every day that we have been here but people are as happy as they can be under the circumstances. There is an odd family that has come together among the many care-givers. Everyone does their best to help the other person out. There are a few patients who don't have care givers here full time and people band together to help them as well.

 

As a ministry we are working to bring the Living Water of Jesus to the people of Cameroon. We will also do our best to help provide access to clean drinking water and water in general. In the future, we have plans to build a medical clinic to help alleviate some of the pain many people in this country suffer and they do not have the resources and finances to take care of their medical needs. Sitting in the hospital with Achiever reinforces our goals more and more. People are desperate for help. They are looking for a way out of their ruts. While assisting with help for their physical healing we hope to introduce them to the Ultimate Healer and hopefully change this nation and many others around the world.

 

This morning while boiling water outside to bathe Achiever, Mama Grace saw our bucket. She immediately went to go and take it back. The older gentleman who had it told her that the bucket was hidden in the bathroom of his room when he arrived last night. She explained that it was our bucket and we have been without for several days. He explained to her that he is keeping the bucket and we can have it back when he is discharged....

 

Good thing I went to the house yesterday and picked up a few more packages of baby wipes...and another bucket... :-)

The Pain of Healing...

Achiever's first night after surgery was rough to say the least.

His surgery that was estimated to take 2 hours was slightly more than four. His left leg gave the Doctor's some problems. In the words of Dr. Pahle..."That leg was torture." His left leg continues to be etremely swollen and full of pain. He can barely move it.

During the night he woke every few minutes shouting various things. Auntie, carry me away from here. Auntie, hold me. Auntie the pain...

I did my best to comfort him while trying to hold his legs down so that he can't cause damage to what has been done to help him. Even in his unconscious state he is aware of where you are and your movements. I had spent some time with his head in my lap cradling him until his legs began to involuntarily "jump up." I moved down to the end of the bed to hold his legs and he began to scream, Auntie, hold me, come this way, hold me. I began to pray that his legs would stop jumping so that he could feel the comfort he so desperately needed.

As I lay with him in my arms he would say, hold me Auntie, tight, hold me. I held him, I sang, I whispered in his ears, "Give me all your pain."

Later, as he was calm the Lord began to speak to me. Let me hold you Toya, let me take all your pain. You don't have to do it alone. As tears came to my eyes, I saw the picture of Achiever raising his hands as I walked around the bed. He was very unconscious but he knew where I was going and he followed me with his hands. The Lord does the same with us. We are walking around full of pain, doubt and fear. All the while, He is there with His arms wide open saying, come to me, let me carry your pain. You don't have to walk alone...

Why do we try to carry it all ourselves? Better question, why do I try to do it myself? There is always going to be some sort of pain. Most of the time, in order for healing to come, you must go through various stages of pain. The beauty of this pain is realizing the joy that is going to come  from the other side.

Achiever lived with the pain of his spine and his legs being twisted. He was 3 years old before he even began to crawl. He is now 5 and is experiencing the pain of the legs being broken and repaired. This is the pain of healing. Without it, his healing will not come. Over and over the care giver of our "room-mate" kept telling Achiever, take care, they are helping you, they are helping you.

We go through many things in this life that cause us various types of pain. God is there telling us, take care, don't give up, I am here to help you. We must decide to give the pain over to Him and walk through the process of healing. Many times this means that we have to experience a bit more pain before the ultimate healing can come. The Lord reminded me last night that it is o.k. to give into the pain to allow Him to reveal to us what we need to know in order to be healed.

A little bit of pain now, for a lifetime of joy is worth it.

My heart breaks with and for Achiever during this time. He doesn't understand all that is going on with him. Truth be told, I don't even understand all that is going on with him. What I do know is that God is with him and He is comforting him in a way that we can't in the natural.  While Achiever goes through his pain, I will do my best to comfort him and allow the Lord to speak to me about all the "hidden pain" that has been in my own heart.

We will cry together and comfort each other as God heals both of us from the inside out.

Please continue to pray that Achiever's healing goes well and he deals with the least amount of physical pain possible. He is still struggling. We have given him a different medication to help him sleep a bit more as he heals.

Thank you again to all of you that donated to make this possible for him. His life will be forever changed.

Achiever is Having Surgery!

Whoa...It has been quite some time since we have posted...

This isn't because nothing has been going on...Quite the contrary, the Lord has been busy blessing our socks off and I haven't had time to catch my breath.

I have just left the hospital for a few hours but our dear little friend Achiever has been admitted and will be having surgery around 5 a.m. EST tomorrow.

When I arrived at the orphanage this morning the children were shouting, Auntie Yaya, you have come for Achiever! Yes indeed. Before we left a little boy named Dominion prayed the most powerful prayer over him. I was in tears.

There are 3 other children having bone surgeries of some sort tomorrow morning before Achiever. Please pray that the Lord guides the hands of the surgeon and he has the stamina to perform all of these operations back to back without any complications.

I will update as I can.

Thank you to all of you who donated and who keep us covered in prayer! We couldn't do anything without you!

A Place of Hope in Haiti

A seed was planted in 2010 to help provide hope and change for the people of Haiti, specifically the children of Foyer la Providence Orphanage in Carrefour. The idea was to open a cyber café to provide much needed funds and educational opportunities for children in the orphanage.

Foyer la Providence Orphanage has been in existence for more than 20 years. Madame Gustave and her family have served hundred’s of Haitian children who have lost or been abandoned by their families.

A Place of Hope Cyber Café will help provide change for the children of the orphanage as well as other’s in Haiti.

How will Place of Hope help to provide change for the nation of Haiti?

Provide access to the Word of God which is how permanent change can take place within the lives of individuals;
Provide jobs for individuals – teachers, manager of Internet Café, etc.;
Provide a source of education in the form of English Classes, Bible Studies, and Computer classes;
All classes will be available to the general public as well as older children at the Orphanage;
Provide access to the internet;
Provide access to local and international phone calls for those who can’t afford their own phones;
Provide a place of respite for visiting missionaries and others
Provide a place of worship on Sunday mornings for a local Pastor who has a “Church on the Street.”
Our goal is to provide tools and education to the people of Haiti so that through the grace of God, they will be empowered to help themselves as individuals and then to the nation as a whole. Unfortunately, because of the extreme poverty, the nation has come to rely on the aid of foreigners and many see this as their only source of help. We believe that through education, the people of Haiti can begin to recognize and utilize their God given talents to change their individual situations and improve their nation.

Through spiritual education and traditional education we hope to make small steps to empower the children of the orphanage and people in their community.

We have located a building to house the cyber café and the classes. The building is located on the Main Road in Carrefour and a busy business district.

We are so pleased to tell you that the Lord has provided more than 100% of the funds needed to secure the lease for the building and we have a group of people who will come to Haiti in August to help renovate the building and get things started!

The facility will be called, A Place of Hope. Hope for change, Hope for the people, Hope that God's will is done and realized in the Nation of Haiti.

The Lord says that He will take care of all of our needs according to His riches in Heaven. He owns everything here anyway!

Please continue to pray for this endeavor and the many lives that it will affect. If you would like to be involved in any way, send us a message!

Praise the Lord for all He is doing. May He continue to prove Himself to us over, and over. Change will come to the Nation of Haiti. It will begin with the Word of God and the way He chooses to use His people.

If you would like to be a part of helping A Place of Hope please email us for more details. 

Achiever - An Orphan with an Awesome name and Destiny

Achiever is a child that I met at the Hotpec Orphanage in Cameroon. 

He has a severe case of Ricketts and his spine and legs are very twisted. We took him and he was placed on medication and a special diet.

 

I have been prayerful about his surgery and the funds needed to make it happen. As always, the Lord does things in His own time.  We now have 100% of the money needed to help Achiever. Just like with Lydia's surgery, the funds came in just before they were needed. In this case, the money is coming just before I head to Cameroon again! God is so good!!

 

This is why my life verse is Psalms 62:8, Trust in Him at all times ye people... We can't do anything in or of ourselves. It is only by His grace and mercy that we are able to anything. I am grateful that the Lord has allowed me to be a part of His plan and we are able to help children all over the world.

 

In just a few weeks I will be leading a team (with my co-leader Kyle) of 15-18 year olds going to Cameroon to minister to orphans and other children throughout the country. Please be in prayer for us that we will do all that God is calling for us to do, that we will have safe travels, many people will come to know the Lord, and our walk with the Lord will deepen and we will grow stronger in Him.

 

Pray that the Lord will guide the Doctor's working with Achiever and that everything will be as smooth as it can be. 

His Body Ministries

His Body Ministries

Using our gifts and resources to be the hands and feet of Jesus around the world.

Mission Statement:

·         We exist to assist with the spiritual, medical, and physical needs of the disadvantaged.

·         Our desire is to provide the resources, tools, and education necessary to equip and empower people for lifelong change.

Why we do what we do:

·         Jesus and His disciples traveled the world ministering to people.  As He provided for their spiritual needs through teaching and prayer, He also met physical needs that were brought to His attention along the way.

·         Before leaving this earth, He said that we would not only do what He did, but that we would do even greater works.  We desire to serve the Lord with our whole hearts while serving our fellow man.  He is our example, and we will follow in His footsteps to meet spiritual needs while assisting with the everyday needs of our brothers and sisters who are less fortunate.