10.17.07

hello, support team -

so today where did i take you, you ask? well, we toured the different
parts of the Ray of Light project and then in to town for culture
education (and shopping!).

it was a difficult dichotomy to drive through the poorest parts of
town, taking in the poverty i saw, the huts they lived in right along
the dirt road, the boy showering outside, the thin thin animals, while
at the same time riding in the back of the truck and being greeted so
joyfully from kids and adults alike that would smile and wave and "ta
ta" as we drove past. it challenged my thinking as to WHAT do people
really need to be happy. i know here the poverty is strong and
happiness is not constant, but it is there in the playing and seeing
new americans.

our first stop was the preschool. oh my were those kids just what the
doctor ordered. smiles and greetings and handshakes as we piled out.
then in the classroom they sat smartly at their little desks and sang
a song for us - once in portugeuse, once in english. some of us sat
down next to kids where there was room. i sat behind a little girl who
turned quietly around as the teacher (and our teacher) spoke, and
batted her eyelashes at me. pretty soon we had a winking game going
on... blink.. blink back... blink... blink back... then i winked one
eye... she blinked.. i tried again very intentionally... she got it!
and winked back and with a big grin. i had completely lost sense of
what was being talked about at the front and when i did realize maybe
be shoudl pay attention i found it very hard to want to... :) ;) ;) ;)
and so on...

a few thoughts on life here to close up and then must head to bed for
lights out --
> it is very dusty here, especially riding in the back of the truck!
> we wear deet all the time
> and drink lots of water
> we saw jellyfish washed up on the shore of the Indian ocean as we strolled along the beach waiting for our food to cook
> we went in 3 capalana shops today
> and spent all the money we were alloted on our first shopping day
> we did not find me a drum

please pray for... a drum :)
>> and the wisdom, courage, guidance to play it (when, where, etc).
spiritual warfare is a very real thing here. sometimes you hear
witchdoctors' ceremonies marked by drumming all through the night. i
have not yet. but i might. and i want to know how to respond. so far
the simple act of coming together each night and worshipping God has
been powerful
>> pray for the ones who spiritual warfare is a new concept. so far we
have only talked about it and heard stories. tomorrow will be our
first day of 'work' out in the community.
>> a good portion of our luggage has still not arrived. it shoudl come
in tomorrow... but we're pretty cool about the whole thing. sharing
toiletries, clothes... underware.. as needed. we really do have
everything we need. (we really don't need much). but there are also
gifts, tools, and meds that need to arrive.
>> that god would clarify our own particular 'jobs' here and give us
the confidence and abilities to carry them out. please pray for my
preparation to lead a worship workshop. in the meantime i'll be
painting, teachign powerpoint, serving soup, and praying and doiing my
best to love on people.
>> also, PLEASE pray for the team members' sleep. several said they
did not sleep more than an hour last night. we need to catch up
tonight. and woudl someone please tell the roosters they're not
supposed to wake up until dawn!

love to you all -
Boa noite (good evening!)
worship leader jen