Lefse Fest 2008

Thanks to each of you checking back for Africa pictures! I think I'm about ready to post a few. I appreciate your patience! Monday was spent with Brent, on Tuesday I was hit hard with jet-lag, and today was Lefse Fest 2008. If you're in the area, my mom has 38, well, maybe 34..., pieces of lefse that are pretty tasty. :) If you're heading here for Thanksgiving, you'll be in luck!

The struggle for me has been deciding how to post my Africa pictures. I have a couple of hundred shots, and while I won't share every single one with you, I wanted to share as much as possible. I've decided on grouping them into themes, and sharing them via slide shows. It's not the most ideal way as the pictures are usually a bit smaller for you to see, but then I figured when I was done I'll probably pull a few of my favorites for a separate post all together.

So, I've been spending time uploading to slide.com, and I think I'm about ready to share a few. Check back later tonight still, and otherwise there should be more tomorrow. Thanks for sticking with me!

I'm Home!

Hello from Minnesota! I wanted to post a quick note to let you all know that I arrived safely back at home again. Team Cameroon 2008 was able to catch the regular flight from Paris to Seattle with no troubles and actually empty seats around us, and then I had two additional flights to get all the way home, but landed last night just before midnight.

My parents were waiting for me at the bottom of the escalator to baggage claim, and it turns out they had a surprise waiting for me.... Brent! I had so badly wanted to see him, but didn't think it would work until Thanksgiving weekend when he'll be here with my family. Little did I know that he's been planning for weeks that he'd take today off and be able to greet me off the plane and spend the day with me today. What a thoughtful guy!

So, I was going to post this a little earlier today, but... well... I'm sure you understand! :) I needed to tell him stories and show him pictures first. Now I'll spend the evening showing my family the pictures and telling stories, and I'm sure there's some laundry that needs to get done. There's a bit of African sand on everything in my suitcase!

I'll leave you with these two pictures, and the promise to post a bunch more. I have hundreds of photos (not the thousands like some thought I might!) to sort through, and can't wait to share them with you.

The kids were amazing, and my favorite part of the trip. They would run to our vehicles in any neighborhood we entered and especially loved having their pictures taken. I just love their faces!

Here's my one shot of our whole group. I can't wait until we all share our pictures and I can get a few more. This was taken just before leaving Africa, and is at the Welcome Center in N'Djamena, Chad.

Don't worry, there's lots more to come! I'm a little overwhelmed at the moment, trying to think of how to process all that happened, and then figure out ways to tell you about it, but I'm looking forward to that as well.

THANK YOU so much for your prayers!! There's no way we all could've gone without them, and there were definite times I knew people were praying for us right then. THANK YOU to Brent for being such a great shadow-blogger for me while I was gone, and for handling all sorts of details I'm sure I don't even fully understand yet. WELCOME to the new readers we've picked up because of this trip -I'm so glad you've joined in on the fun! I'm excited to have you stick around!

To Seattle then ... Home! - Day 13

Ephesians 4:11-16 (New International Version)

It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

• Pray for continued travel mercies.
• Pray for us as we return home, that we will be able to process all that God has done, that we will be able to express to our family, friends, and church what the Lord has done, and that we will be changed by this experience.
• Pray for a heart of thankfulness and gratitude.

1/2 Way Home!

I nodded off this morning watching live airport updates from Paris and awoke to a text message from Kari.

They were delayed in leaving Chad, but did take off around 2:00 a.m. Africa time. They then touched down in Paris around 1:30 a.m. central US time. She said they had a nice flight and found out that they are confirmed for their regularly scheduled flight to Seattle on Sunday.

Praise the Lord! Thank you for all your prayer and for putting up with my babbling along the way. I promise I will be handing over the reins to the original blog-mistress Monday. :)

The team doesn't seem any worse for wear as Kari said they were on their way to take a bus tour of Paris. What a trip!

Have a blessed day and please continue to not only pray them all safely home, but do remember to continue lifting up the efforts in Cameroon. I know I am looking forward to hearing and seeing what God not only did in their time there, but what He continues to do in Africa in the days, months and years to come.

Brent

An "American in Paris" :) - Day 12

Psalm 91 (New International Version)

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. If you make the Most High your dwelling— even the LORD, who is my refuge- then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent. "Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation."

• Pray for us to process all that God has done.
• Pray for those we left behind who have just heard the gospel for the first time, that they will understand the Lord is continuing to draw them to Himself.
• Rejoice in the Lord!

On to N'djamena... then Paris - Day 11

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (New International Version)

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

• Pray for travel mercies as we move through Chad and later on an evening flight to Paris.
• Pray that the Joy of the Lord continues to penetrate all involved in this mission.

The French Airline Pilot Union Strike set for this weekend

***UPDATE***

Information has come to bear that we must pray for the safe and timely return of the Cameroon Team with the advent of the French Pilots' Union strike.

The official statement I have found says the following:

"French airline pilots´ unions have unanimously called a four-day strike from Friday 14 November at one minute past midnight to Monday 17 November at midnight, to protest against changes to the retirement age currently under discussion in the French Parliament (changing from 60 to 65)" [From Flight Operation News on the Air France website]

The flight from N'Djamena to Paris leaves Chad at 11:50 PM Chad time tomorrow (Friday). According to airline reports, this flight is still listed as on-time.

The flight from Paris to Seattle on November 16th is the leg of the trip that is of greatest concern. At this time there is no information available to give any definitive decision on the status of that Air France flight 40. According to the airline website,

"The flight schedule to be operated each day will be published the evening before at about 8 pm. Air France cannot however rule out the risk of last-minute cancellations, i.e. at the time of departure."

The airline has gone on record stating they will make arrangements to transfer individuals to other airlines, if possible and available, to facilitate a timely return to their original destination.

• Please be in prayer for the continued safety of the team.
  
• Pray that the stress of this potential change will not be overwhelming or troubling and that God's peace be upon all of the team members.
  
• Pray that any needed arrangements will be made in a timely fashion in order to return all our loved ones back home safely.

I will attempt to update with responsible facts as they are made available to me.

Brent

Begin Return Trip Home, Maroua & the Harvester School - Day 10

Romans 15:5-6 (New International Version)

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

• Pray for travel mercies.
• Pray for the Harvester School and the work being done there.
• Pray for the health, strength and stamina of the entire team.

Evangelism & Discipleship, part 3 - Day 9

1 Timothy 2:8 (New International Version)

I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.

• Pray for today's afternoon Celebration Worship Service.
• Pray that lives will be changed by the message of Jesus Christ.

Evangelism & Discipleship, part 2 - Day 8

Ephesians 6:10-20 (New International Version)

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

• Pray for perseverence in warfare.
• Pray that all will be filled with an expectation that the Lord will only be able to fulfill.