Camel riding in the Sahara

I fed this baby camel and he gave me a kiss for it (the Bedouin villagers probably train them to do that just so they can see us tourists flip out).  The Bedouin people are there own nation – they don’t own their Egyptian citizenship.  They’re nomadic and follow the water-source which, as far as I could tell, is a pretty rare thing.  It was dry, desolate, dry, and beautiful!  In the village where we were, there were about 50 people, who seemed to thrive on the tourist industry.    These little nomads tossed the cheap hard candies we gave them into the sand, but they LOVED the snickers we brought out!     I don’t have a great picture of me actually riding the camel – when you’re up 14 feet in the air, it’s NOT the time to be taking pictures – here’s the best shot Amber got:   Notice my tiny three-year old guide.  She was about as tall as the camel’s knee and i was a little afraid for her, but she dragged that camel around like it was her teddy bear.  When we came back to the village, she pulled his giant head down and gave him big kisses for a job well done.  As soon as I dismounted (which felt similar to the tilt-o-whirl at the fair) she held out her little hand for a tip.  I filled it with candies which she popped into her mouth even as she was shaking her head no and saying ‘ksh-ksh-ksh!’  I’m a quick study and I gathered that’s Bedouin for ‘cold, hard cash, please.’  She was so cute that I emptied my pockets.  I’m guessing that she usually gets that reaction. 

Everyone should go camel riding in the Sahara!!!

Back from Camp (and the computer finally works)

Well, here’s Captain Weirdo at camp a week ago.  We really had a great time.  We only had 12 kids – basically all of the 7-12 year olds whose families attend services.  None of these kids were saved, so 3 times a day they heard simple messages about Christ’s love for them and His gift of salvation.  Hopefully, they understand a little more clearly now what God’s grace is.  We also packed the time at camp with crazy games (thanks to Captain Weirdo), craft-times, swimming, singing, bonfires…you know, basically everything that in our experience means summer camp.    Maia really enjoyed the face-painting. And Mikaela had fun pretending she was one of the big kids.  She’s only five, but she got to go to all the sessions and do all the games.    Here she’s playing the game ‘dry,dry,wet’ – a lot like ‘duck,duck, goose’ only a lot more fun on a hot day.  Isn’t she a good runner?  Must take after her mom.  Speaking of which, one of my jobs at camp (and I know this’ll be met with astonishment and mockery by the family) was to lead morning excercises.    Pretty funny, huh?  Actually, those kids were wimps.  They were crying for their mothers before we were even half finished!  Just kidding – I think they had fun.  Notice the cute short one in the pink jacket. 

   All in all, it was a good week.  We’ve been trying to systematically focus this summer on all the different groups in the ‘church’ – first we had a ladies conference, then a couples retreat, kids camp, and now we have 2 teenage boys from the US with us for the next 2 weeks.  There are 3 Polish teenagers that attend and we’re really hoping that they’ll be encouraged to live for God by seeing the example of other teens following Christ.  You can pray for them, and as long as the computer doesn’t get thrown out the window, I’ll update you on how that goes.    Have a happy day!

Out of the Office

If any of you have been missing me in my absence, well, sorry, but there’ll be more of the same.  We had a marriage conference at which our field director Dr. Moritz spoke last week and then this week is our first ever kids camp!  We leave in 45 minutes and get back next Friday.  If you just can’t wait to get your fix of Layer girl photos, you can ask mom how to access my snapfish account.  (although I’m a little gun-shy of some of you hackers)  I recently downloaded some photos there.   Sorry about ‘leaving my Christmas lights up til March,’ but a missionary’s got to serve. 

Happy 4th of July!!

As I’m sitting here munching American flag cookies just before midnight, all done in from such a fun-filled day, I’m reflecting on something Ben said today.  Usually on American holidays (and today was no different), I find myself missing the things that make up our traditional celebrations.  Sometimes I even slide into this pity party wishing for things that can’t be: that we could go to a 4th of July parade, see a fireworks display, sit down to a big picnic with family and friends, go to the rodeo (the Wyoming in me slips out sometimes).  But Ben said something on the way to a little get-together with our American friends in Warsaw and then Derrek echoed it when he prayed before we ate.  He said, “Thank you, God, for the freedom we have as Americans to be here in Poland.”  What Ben said was along the same line:  ‘Because we’re Americans, we have this incredible opportunity to raise financial support so that we can be here in Poland.’  It took me by surprise because it was so far from what I was feeling.  But it kept coming back to me all day, and even though I miss America fiercely, I’m thankful that we’re here.  I’m also thankful that this time next year, we’ll be celebrating America IN AMERICA!!

a swingin’ good time

Our New Wheels

We’ve been saving toward a bigger car for a while now and a lot of people helped out in a big way.  Two weeks ago Ben drove to the other side of Poland to buy this shnazzy Ford Galaxy.  He’s happy that it’s mechanically sound and I’m happy it’s so cool inside.  Our friend Agnieszka and her 6 girls are happy because they now can each have their own seat (almost) when we pick them up for church.  She was saved last fall and is so hungry to know God.  In spite of her husband being killed a year and a half ago, going through the death of her dad, raising her 6 kids alone, her mom being an alcoholic and her step-dad being diagnosed with terminal cancer 2 weeks ago, she almost always has a sunshiny outlook.  She’s been a big source of encouragment for me.  She could definitely use your prayers.

  

A Tribute (Part II)

 A single post is really too little to share how touched we’ve been by the life of Mark Rivers.  After receiving several negative comments on the first tribute’s perception of Mark’s serious-mindedness and, uh, piety, i thought we’d focus on something we can all appreciate about Mark:  his willingness to go to any length in order to bring in the numbers.  Below you’ll see Mark promoting New England Baptist’s newest ministry, a Contemporary Christian Country Music group called “Twangin’ for Jesus.”  Thanks, Mark, for your unfailing example to us all.  You’ve made the West proud.

 

A Tribute

Of all the people who have influenced us (Judson,Taylor, Brainerd, Spurgeon, etc.) none have had a greater spiritual impact than Mark Rivers.  Mark’s piety and selflessness, coupled with his charity, graciousness, and wisdom, make him far and away our best in-law.  In fact, someday, when they are writing books about Mark, it will be our privilege to be able to say that we know him and to say that he considers us acquaintances.

Little Bunny FuFu

 

Mikaela recently starred in her preschool play (along with 20 other 5-year olds) as the baby rabbit who wandered away from her mother.  Obviously there was some moral to the story, but I was so busy taking pictures and being proud I missed it.    

  

Scuba Diving in the Red Sea

  One of the most incredible experiences of my entire life!  Now I know there are those in my family who doubt I really did it, given my very rational fear of sharks.  But here’s proof.  It was the most incredible sensation to be completely surrounded by water but able to see and breathe.  The colors of the reef and the fish were stunning. Just as I was getting ready to jump in, I saw a jellyfish.  The guide assured me that they don’t sting, but I don’t know if he was just trying to get me to jump.  Anyway, it didn’t sting me, so maybe he knew what he was talking about.  Ahhhh.  What an experience!!