Whirlwind

Do you ever feel like your mind is a whirlwind of too many thoughts and things to do? That is how I feel, ever since I got back from Africa I have been so crazy busy! I shouldn't complain because the busyness is all good things! It's just that sometimes there is just so much that I feel like I don't have enough time to process anything before I'm running off to the next thing. So much has changed in the past month and I am so excited to see where God is taking me on this journey, only sometimes I feel like I freeze and can't move. I can see a path in the distance but it seems so hard to actually get there!

For the past 5 or so years of my life I thought I was going to be a full time missionary to Africa, working as a nurse missionary. A month ago I went to Africa on a missions trip and taught health classes. While I was there I knew God was speaking to me however, I didn't like what He had to say, or at least not at first. So, you know what I did? I argued with Him, yup that's right God and I were having a disagreement, looking back on it is silly to think that I was actually arguing with the One who created me, my Lord and Saviour, the perfect One. What was the argument you ask? Missions, God was telling me that while I love Africa, this was not the mission field He was calling me to, I would not be serving there full time like I have been dreaming about! At first I was angry, mad and hurt, I thought God, how can you say no? I am doing this for you! I love you and want to serve you here! You know I love missions! What do you mean no?

God gently replied, I'm not telling you no to missions, I'm saying no to Africa. This confused me for a while, until I was back in the States, then it hit me, my mission field is right where I am, God showed me what I am truly passionate about and that is college students! I want to continue to be a part of the lives of college students and help lead them in their faith or to God if they don't know Him. So where does this all leave me? I am currently praying about interning with an organization called Campus Crusade for Christ. I love this group and what it does. I am excited to pray about and look into becoming more involved in this organization and most importantly doing what God has called me to do!

Health 101

In Africa we each had our own subject we were going to teach the girls at the school. I am a Registered Nurse so I thought it would be appropriate that I teach something health related. Only problem was, I hate public speaking, I hate being the center of attention and having all eyes focused on me! Good thing God is so amazing, He gave me the strength to overcome and I was able to teach some basic but helpful health classes to girls who were so eager to learn anything and everything I had to say.

Basic hand washing ... One of the girls told me that she use to not care about washing her hands but after I taught her the importance of proper hand washing and preventing the spread of germs she is now really careful to make sure she washes her hands really well! I was really touched by that comment! Who knew something so little to me would be so big to her!

How to rescue a choking baby! These girls absolutely loved the doll or "baby Emily" as we named her. They had never had a doll growing up and they were so excited to hold baby Emily!

How to bandage a wound. I also taught how to treat burns and the importance of getting enough sleep. I couldn't have asked for a better class! These girls are truly amazing and I wish you could meet each one of them because I just know you would love them as much as I do!

Beautiful Girls

Theses are the beautiful girls I had the privilege of ministering to in Africa, aren't they so beautiful? Their joy for the Lord is so contagious. I love all of them and miss their smiling faces and their laughter ... Oh these girls could laugh! This picture was taken after Church on the second Sunday we were in Africa.

The Team

So here it is, my first official post about Africa and I want to start it out my introducing you to the wonderful women I served with for 2 1/2 weeks!

I'm in the yellow on the left, than it's Victoria, Brenda, Bobbi-jo, Julie and Wanda. These are some wonderful ladies! I am a registered nurse so I taught health classes, Victoria and Bobbi-jo taught jewelry making, Bobbi-jo also cleaned the girls teeth (she is a dental hygienist), Julie taught the girls how to sew a purse and Wanda taught the girls how to sew a quilt. Brenda is the missionary who lives in Benin, West Africa. The picture above was taken at a restaurant. (which also was the only toilet between Cotonou where we flew into all the way to Parakou which is the city we worked in. It was about a 7 hour drive!) Now that you have met the team stay tuned for posts about the rest of the trip!

I'm Back!

I know I've been gone for sometime now. I got home yesterday from my wonderful trip to Benin, Africa!! I have so much I want to share that there will be more than one post about Africa. I'm still trying to adjust to being back home, the time change is really messing with me! In Africa were I was they are 7 hours ahead of us that and about 26 hours of airplanes/airports makes for a really long day! I've missed reading your blogs and can't wait to catch up!

It's finally here .... well almost!

Hello friends!

I'm sorry I have been so bad at writing and keeping up with what is going on with you! I promise I will have fill you in on all that has been happening at the end of September! Tomorrow I am leaving for Africa for a missions trip!!!

XoXo
Valerie

My week...

It's been almost I week since I've posted. I have been so busy preparing for the fall. I really love fall for many reasons I shared in this post. Tomorrow and Saturday I have a leadership meeting for a college group I am helping out with. I am so excited for the new semester and just want to meet all the new students and tell them about our group called 77, it is a Christian group on campus and is very new, this is only our second semester! You can check out what we are all about at our  web site. I have also been working night shift this week, 11pm-7am. I'm not going to lie, it was been terrible! I hate night shift because it is so hard to sleep during the day, I get home around 8am, eat breakfast and than sleep until around 3-4pm, wake up eat dinner and hang out for a few hours. I am so happy that tonight is my last night shift for a while, hopefully a long while!! Also a week from tomorrow I leave for AFRICA!!! So crazy!! I hope you have all had wonderful weeks!

XoXo,
Valerie

Two Weeks!!!

My dear friends and fellow bloggers,

In two weeks I will be disappearing for a while because I will be in Benin, West Africa!! I can't believe it is just two weeks away!! I still have so much yet to do before then, so please pray that I can get everything accomplished before I leave. For example, I still need to prepare most of what I am teaching!! I am teaching about basic first aid, hygiene, how to treat burns and who knows what else! It will be interesting because they speak French and I don't know any French!! I'm praying for interpreters!

Today I meet up with three of the other women who are going on the trip and it was so exciting to discuss how much God has already blessed this trip. We have received so many precious donations such as beads, bead making material, first aid kits and money. All of which make this trip possible! TWO WEEKS!!!

XoXo,
Valerie

In God we trust

This week I began sending out support letters for a missions trip I am going on in September. I have already received 2 checks this week and they were both for large amounts! I can't believe it, how quickly they came. It feels like the trip is years away but it is actually just a few months away! This will be the first time I leaving the country unless you count Canada .... I don't! It's like Christmas every time I go and check the mailbox!