Contemplations....

I am sitting in my room contemplating things…

I haven’t written for a few days… mostly because I have been caring for Nathan. I am finding out how many potential dangers there are lurking around every corner, literally. Let me just state here and now the size of speed bumps in Rwanda... they are three feet across and almost a foot tall. Three days ago Ben didn’t see one of those bumps and hit it going 20 miles an hour. We all went air born and hit the ceiling. Nathan, Mike and I got minor whip lash. Then the next day we went on a safari with a large bus that fit 40 people. It was 8 hours of driving on horrible roads. Lots of jarring movements. Nate’s whip lash went from minor to major. He couldn’t walk for almost 15 hours. He wasn’t numb or anything… just too much pain. Now he is up walking again and seems to only be in pain when he bends over. A huge improvement.

Yesterday night Tim Wolfe and Dr. Bill Gossman and his daughter Casey left. We all had been expecting them to leave early because of work schedules but most of us cried in protest anyway. I drew a lot of strength from Dr. Bill being here. He is not only a doctor with a wonderful bedside manner, he is also an encourager. Before he left the house, he knocked on my bedroom door and said, “Melody, I have been on a lot of missionary trips and this has been one of the best. You guys are doing a great job and it was a privilege being here.” It was the highlight of my week. We will all miss Tim’s devotions in the morning… he is an amazing leader. I could always count on a stable voice from him… and God knows I need that! Casey will be missed for her cheerful disposition. She is a fire cracker… always ready to go at a moments notice. Amber will miss her too… having someone your age to hang out with keeps loneliness at bay.

I have been thinking lately how strange it is that my job has changed so much in the last two years… I have gone from being very hands on (which I still do at times) to an overseer of sorts. I am encouraging others to be hands on. I am very new at hosting a team and all of the work that is involved. Of course, Travis and Astrid did so much of the prep, but I am starting to manage 4 house staff, preparing food schedules, delegating work in the field and organizing administrative work, as well as also being a liaison. I am also TRYING to get myself and my children acclimated to a physically demanding environment (of course that is relative!).

Last night, Ben and I took the kids to get some ice cream... It amazes me how much the kids are changing. They are becoming more patient. They were laughing hysterically at a bug zapper while we were waiting to be served (which took more than an hour). They began to cheer as a bug would fly near the screen and cry out, “BURN! BURN!” It was so funny to me that they could be so easily entertained by smoking insects. If we were in America, they would be whining about how bored they were! But they are adjusting and I am happy about that. After all, I think our biggest job here is to help the kids adjust. If they can’t, then our work here can not be accomplished.

Yesterday I took care of Nathan while Ben took the team to Zoko for interviews. It was a good day for them. There was one story that really touched me. Pam Haines was interviewing people and she met Earl and Pat Ferguson's sponsored family. She told the wife that she knew her "helper". The woman was thrilled. She began to tell Pam her story. Before she received sponsorship, she was blind. After the first month of support, she was able to purchase mutual insurance and went to the doctor. The doctor gave her medicine for her eyes and now she can see! Pam said, "I know that Earl and Pat pray for you each day." The woman replied, "I know that is why I can now see!" God healed her through her sponsorship! Praise God for his amazing work in her life.