Counting on God

I'm in a fight not physical
I'm in a war but not of this world
You are the light that's beautiful
I want more I want all that's Yours
Joy unspeakable that won't go away
Just enough strength to live for the day
So I never have to worry what tomorrow will bring
'Cause my faith's on solid rock and I'm counting on God
I am counting on I am counting on God
I'm in a fight not physical
I'm in a war but not of this world
You are the light that's beautiful
I want more I want all that's Yours
Joy unspeakable that won't go away
Just enough strength to live for the day
So I never have to worry what tomorrow will bring
'Cause my faith's on solid rock and I'm counting on God
I am counting on I am counting on God
The miracle of Christ is in me
The mystery that sets me free
I'm nothing like I used to be
Just open up your eyes
You'll see
Joy unspeakable that won't go away
Just enough strength to live for the day
So I never have to worry what tomorrow will bring
'Cause my faith's on solid rock and I'm counting on God
I am counting on I am counting on God
I am counting on I am counting on God
I am counting on I am counting on God
I am counting on I am counting on God

(Phillips, Craig and Dean)

Bon Voyage!

Goodbye to Caleb, James, Lauren and Claire! Thanks for all your hard work at H.E.L.P.!

We had a farewell dinner at Tropicana in honor of those leaving last night, and today a big group of us went to the airport to see them off. The plane left without any trouble, which is always something to be thankful for.
With Lauren, my lovely "room mate":

"Team 1" (minus Tom). Lauren and James have spent the majority of the summer here and it's been great having them! I am sad to see them go.

We will miss you guys!

His Eye is on the Sparrow

Joyeux Anniversaire!

 Another birthday party! Lauren and I finally figured out how to use the oven (after trying different things and then calling Joyce) and we made sugar cookies and a chocolate cake for Dulce's 21st birthday.

 James and Helena:

Yvonne admiring pictures...

 Raphaella, who's dancing was a big hit. Afterwards a couple people danced and I think Eamon and Rapha tied for the 'most popular dancer' award.

(The guys were most impressive in their dancing performance as well!)

 

Organized Chaos

Another afternoon with the neighborhood kids... there were about fifteen this time, although they came in and out of the house throughout the afternoon so I never really got a head count. I'm sure the house hasn't had that much noise or that many dirty little feet running through it in years. Lots of shouting and laughter and door banging. We had a grand time playing games, talking, painting fingernails, sorting and labeling the tupperware, cleaning one of the bedrooms, having a snack and washing the dishes. Never mind the fact that they spilled fingernail polish on the floor, broke a dish, used up all the cold water, or peed in the shower. (I guess I forgot to teach one little girl how to use the toilet. Oops!) It was a tiring, but thoroughly enjoyable afternoon. When some of the little kids cleared out, a couple of the teenage girls hung around and I sat at the table with them while they did their fingernails and talked. It was entertaining to listen to their conversation and I understood enough to know what was going on. Girls are the same the world over it seems.

Under Pressure

The past three days have been exceedingly stressful for the three of us at the office - especially me. The Microsoft Excel program decided to shut down momentarily, resulting in the disappearance of a lot of important data that I needed! This made doing the payroll accurately impossible. The timing was really bad because this is the week I have to get everything done, 6 people are going out of town and the rest need to be paid by the government deadline. It has been just short of a nightmare.

As I sat in chapel this morning listening to a sermon I couldn't understand and the sound of wailing over a toddler who had just died, I was feeling pretty discouraged... like things couldn't get much worse. However, when I got to the office Clotilde and I called our accountant and when I opened up the Excel documents again they were miraculously restored. (I think the author, Jay, might have done something for us from the States). I am so thankful! So now I'm experiencing the joys of relief and the uncomfortable feelings of immense pressure at the same time. But I remember that God is good... and even if I'm up all night working on it, at least I have the information I need to get the job done.

So that's my story for the day. Sometimes life just gets complicated. Thanks to Caleb, Lauren, Sarah and my dear old dad for their assistance and moral support. :)

News

Here's a quick update on what's been going on:

• The Cedarville team left - complete with braided hair and souvenirs to take back to America. It was really great having them here, but the time went by really fast!
• Dr. Harvey went to Brazzaville to try to work through some legal complications and red tape to get the container out of Pointe Noirre. Hopefully he'll be back on Monday!
• I moved to the Samoutous' house with Lauren since they are on vacation and wanted someone to stay there. I don't really like having to move around but it's been nice to be living at the hospital and not having to worry about getting to and from work.
• Next week Lauren, James, Caleb and Claire will all be leaving, as well as our nursing staff director. He is a vital part of the staff so it's going to be a bit rough for a while.
• The Bloc has been closed for the week and we're referring surgery patients to the government hospital. Sarah S. is in charge of transportation during the night and has been living at the hospital this week.
• Mama Olga, Raphaella and Mariana are coming back this week! I'm really excited to see them. They have been gone for a whole month.
• Another doctor, nurse and a medical student are due to arrive this month and they will stay for a few weeks. This will hopefully be a huge help to the hospital!