Building blocks & Stepping Stones

It amazes me how the things that seem so small are always the ones which impact me the most. Friday, I led another bible study about purity and integrity with the Kabala youth group. At first I was a little worried, because I hadn't prepared as well as the other 2...this one I just started talking from my heart and saw which bible verses God led me to. But of course, our God is good...and he managed to make it our most meaningful and incredible session yet. I started talking with the youth and emphasizing once again how we need to respect and value ourselves, and not involve ourselves in ANY kind of sexual immorality...cause not only does it hurt those around us, it can so quickly destroy our own future. After a while, Rev. John gave some input and started talking to the youth AGAIN about how valuable they are, and emphasizing that they are too precious to let anyone take advantage of them. Since I arrived in Salone, my heart has been breaking for the thousands of young women who have been abused and hurt, all because of power relationships: they've been told that they're not smart enough or they don't have enough money to become educated, and because of that they NEED a man. Unfortunately, where power is in play, abuse often comes too...when a man knows that his woman relies solely on him, he won't hesitate to beat her, abuse her, mistreat her, or cheat on her. Why? He knows she has nowhere else to go, he knows that no matter how bad he treats her, she still needs to eat. My heart has had a huge ache for this situation, but I have been overwhelmed about how to deal with it. Thankfully, on Friday, we were able to get the message across to over 30 youth...which may seem small, but you need a stepping stone before you can make a footpath. I discussed with these youth the incredible oppurtunities they have, and how they should all pursue their education...whether male or female, they can be INDEPENDANT, not dependant...and God has some amazing plans for them! By the end of the discussion, I was nearly in tears. Maybe it was because I had finally recognized the pain in my sisters' faces as told stories of abuse and relationships gone wrong...stories that could all too easily be their own. Maybe it was because I realized that this was the first time these youth has been told that they were precious, and that they could do anything they set their mind to. Maybe it was because I saw the glimmers of tears in their own eyes, but tears that were overcoming sadness and entering into hope... my precious brothers and sisters finally believed me when I said they could accomplish ANYTHING, believed me when I said they were unique and valuable. It was so amazing to see that something so small could actually have an impact on these youth.

Saturday, I went to CRC school with the entire church to help them build cement blocks for the new church building. Although I wasn't feeling 100% (I had stomach flu of some sort), it was such an amazing thing to see children, youth, and women and men of all ages come together to join hands and work! It was so incredible to once again witness the sense of community and love that is embodied here, such a huge part of why I love this country so much. It was awesome to get the chance to help lift cement blocks, carry sand, and just be a part of something that these church members will be so proud of in years to come. I hope that when I return in 2 or so years, their new church will be built, and I will be able to meet with them in a place we started together.

Although there has been a lot of encouragement lately, the road is not always easy. Right now my Canadian friends who are staying in Kabala, Joe and Adrienne Melissen, are going through a lot of trials. They are not sure if they will be able to take the one year old baby they successfully adopted a month ago into Canada with them. Unfortunately, the Canadian adoption rules say that you must complete a 3 month home study in Canada before you can bring a baby inside the country...which is quite hard to do when you are with your child halfway across the world. As you can imagine, they don't want to leave their new family member here without them...and they certainly don't want to go back without her. Please pray for favour for them as they continue to beg with the Canadian embassy, and for God to make a way when there seems to be no way!

As for me, I am continuing work with the youth groups, the school, the prison ministry, helping type reports at CES, travelling to villages, and of course, visiting the many friends I have in Kabala on a daily basis. It's tiring, but I am trusting in God to give me strength. On Friday I will be taking a one week holiday to go to Kono and then down to Freetown to pick up my Canadian friend, Katie, who will be serving as a missionary with me in Salone for my remaining month here.

Continue to be blessed and be a blessing.
Love you and miss you all so much,
Krissi