"There are two great moments in a persons life: the moment you were born and the moment you realize why you were born."

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Update

SO MUCH TO WRITE ABOUT!!! So since the internet has not been working, I have yet to put up a blog in like 3 weeks…c’est pas bon (it’s not good). So…now we are hopefully getting two blogs at once or at least relatively close to each other : ) a picture diary which I hope ya’ll enjoy and an update. UPDATE: So two weeks ago I attended a 4 day long traditional Muslim funeral. SO INTERESTING. I had the opportunity to see where the traditional views and modern views come into play with each other. The first day everyone (literally EVERYONE) went to the morgue to collect the body, my host mom made sure I got to see the body before it was buried [great : / ] . Then people carried the casket through the street to different houses. There was a parade blocking most of the streets with people dancing and playing music. It was kind of cool to witness how much they celebrate a life here. The next day the lady was buried in her village. There were “medicine men” shooting guns trying to scare off the evil spirits. Then for the last two days it was a HUGE party. Dancing and singing in the streets, tons of food and a sacrifice. It was interesting watching the preparation for the sacrifice (I did not actually stay for that). There were men who are going through “initiation” [a tradition for men only, in the sacred forest] and for three months out of their 7 year initiation they cannot wear any clothes…the first time I saw this my host papa was laughing his head off, because of how shocked I was that my neighbor wasn’t wearing clothing. So for the sacrifice only men who are/have been initiated can light the fire and do the sacrifice. It was interesting watching a man in a loin cloth light a fire on the side of a busy road with lots of cars and mottos running by…and then he pulled out his cell phone (where it came from I am not sure)…how weird is that? My cultural awareness was definitely shaken with that one. Last week we had a week long seminar at the ICA campus in Bouaké. That was really great, being able to see all of the journeyers and being able to say good-bye to a few other people. {more about the good-byes in a little while}. Our seminar was a review on “projects” and how to get those started, what questions to ask and how to evaluate it. It was a much needed review. Plus it was a great time of rest and relaxation (and American food :) ) It was also a time where God rejuvenated me, and showed me just how much I need Him. In Bouaké we also attended a marriage for our friend Tenana who works at ICA. It was a super fun wedding. It was just a twenty to thirty minute walk. For our gift to Tenana and his wife we danced “American” for them. So in our African outfits we line danced :) yes…line danced at a wedding. It was so much fun!! I forgot how much I missed line dancing. And then we were invited to eat with the bride and groom. Yesterday…if you haven’t seen my earlier blog post…Gbagbo has been captured, finally! The 6 journeyers who are living in Korhogo were all out to lunch talking about our small group up here and we see people running into the streets shouting. So our first reaction is, oh no…we need to get out of here, a fight is breaking out. Well that wasn’t it. People were dancing and shouting for joy because the Ivory Coast after ten years is finally able to move on and work towards reconciliation. So we left our lunches and joined the great celebration. YAY…I am still overjoyed and I have only been living here for 5 months, I can’t imagine what others are feeling. And finally…in the last few weeks there have been a few changes within the Journey Corps family. Two of my friends have decided to move from their families in Korhogo, to two new families in Bouaké. All though I am sad to see two of my friends leave, I know this move is for the best for them. It is so interesting how God pursues us, He knows exactly how to speak to us, and for these two that means moving. I am super stoked for them and their futures here. And my two small group leaders, Peter and Katrina, have decided it is time for them to return to the States. These two have been nothing less than a blessing to this program, and will be greatly missed. I look up to these two not only for their work here in Journey Corps and with me, but for also hearing God’s voice and being so obedient to that, even though it is so difficult saying good-bye. Prayer Request: -this country would be united instead of torn, and for the new (and only) president Alassane, that he would have wisdom and rule justly. -our friends who are moving and leaving, that they would have peace and be sensitive to the leading of the Spirit -host family and family in California -against spiritual attack -He would be our vision I put up the Scripture of the Week with the last blog so instead I will do a Quote of the Week on this blog. Quote of the Week: This is the good news we offer the world. Yes, we are born into the world as children of the deep, condemned to live in darkness, to live out the sinful nature of our flesh. But we can be saved from all of that if we are willing to put our faith in Jesus. This, indeed, is what it means to become a new creation. Once we were instruments of unrighteousness, but now, by the blood of Jesus, we are instruments of good. And if we are to take into account the call to go into all the world as Jesus did, then we are given the insight to understand that God is calling the church to go into all the dark recesses of the world and there proclaim the light of Jesus. We are to continue the ministry of confrontation with the evil one. Where fear is sown, we sow love; where deceit is sown, we sow the truth; where violence rules, we enter in peace; where sorrow reigns, we minister joy; where sin abounds, we usher in the forgiveness and cleansing work or Jesus. Dan Harrison Alrighty then, we are finally all caught up on lives…oh wait a minute…you need to catch me up on your life : ) awesome, can’t wait to hear from you and hear about how things are going. So until then… Have a good day

3 comments:

  1. Alyssa, it is so great to read these blogs and see how God is moving in different ways around and through you! I hope you are doing well and I continue to pray for you lovely lady! :)

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  2. Hey Lys! How's the moto? I saw on facebook it broke again :-( Miss you.

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  3. Thanks Beckie!!! The moto is alright...it broke down again this week. But I guess that's life. How are you doing lovely lady?

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