You say goodbye, I say hello

I'm discovering I don't like goodbyes.
I'm not sure anyone really likes them, but having never really said them to so many people before it's quite a daunting task. I feel as if the four weeks from the day I graduated until the day I leave for Burkina (which is now 2 short weeks away) have been and will continue to be one long drawn out goodbye. However awful it is draw out goodbyes, it also wonderful to think of the "hellos" I will soon be saying, as my aunt recently reminded me. ("You say goodbye, I say hello..hello..hello") Nicole, the 24 year old with whom I will soon be living in staff housing on the orphanage compound sent me an email today saying that she has started telling the kids that I am coming back. She only told a few and soon word got out and she had some of them come and ask her "Is it true? Ami's coming and she's staying for awhile?" One girl in particular, who you will probably read alot about, Adilene (Adi for short) a seven year old has been praying for me every night since she found out I was coming! Adilene's mother died when she was very young and when she was around the age of four her father died from a snake bite. She came to live at the orphanage my first week of my first trip to Burkina in March of '04. I instantly fell in love with her HUGE eyes and big grin. I felt really blessed to witness the transformation that happens when kids come into the family created by those in the orphanage. The first few days she was quiet and withdrawn, but slowly she started coming out...alittle bit more every day. Unitl the day I left she was a bubbly, talkative, affectionate four year old. When I came home from that trip I started to sponsor her. That fall I returned to Burkina for the second time and I found myself teaching preschool to Adi as well as three others (one of them, Elysee is still there. The other two have since gone home with extended family) I spent every morning with these kids. We had a lot of fun together. Bubbles, snacks, sleep overs, books with no relevance to Burkinabe life (any story that has a boat in it...) In January I got to see her sweet face again (she's the one I'm holding in the picture to the right) I don't have kids so I don't know, but I can't imagine loving my own kids more than I love these kids...and THIS kid in particular. Like she is just an extension of my heart. To know that she is praying for me is an unbelievable and unexpected blessing. This is one hello I CANNOT wait to make...
I have to say that while I'm discovering that I'm not a fan of goodbyes, I'm realizing how amazing the people in my life are. I have some TREMENDOUS friends and family. I've spent the last couple weeks hanging out with friends. I've had numerous lunch dates and oppurtunities to spend quality time with the people who mean the most to me. I couldn't do this without you!! Your love, support, and your PRAYERS mean the world to me.
When I sat down to type this out I thought it was going to be like two sentences...oops! I have one more thought: GOD IS GOOD. And He is in this thing. He has assured me, reassured me, encouraged me....that this is where He has me right now. He has a place for me in Yako, Burkina Faso, West Africa. I'm not entirely sure what that looks like, but its ok BECAUSE He's gone before me. I'm so excited to see what He's up to on the other side of the world. :)

28 Days and counting!!

I've never blogged before, but I guess there is a first time for everything. For me, this will not be my first trip to Africa but my fourth. I'm really excited to share with you (the readers of this blog) my joys, fears, triumphs, defeats, adeventures and whatever else may come my way during this next year.
I leave June 10. I will arrive in Ouagadougou (Ouaga for short) on the evening of June 11. And I should arrive in Yako sometime on Tuesday June 12. Hopefully I will be able to send out a quick email or blog that I have arrived safely :)
For the summer (at least until the first week of August) I will be working under/alongside Ruth Cox, the founder of the orphange, Les Ailes de Refuge or Sheltering Wings in English to complete an internship for my Family Studies Degree for Mizzou. Ruth has been working diligently to start the process of getting some of our orphans permanent homes. It is not an easy process in Burkina. I will help in whatever way I am able. Hopefully I will be able to visit Social Action (Burkina DFS) and tag along on some home studies. Each morning I will be at the gate to the orphange compound with Ruth aiding those who come seeking help. I will also be traveling to the bush (out in the middle of nowhere) to visit the families of those children who are sponsored. The rest of my time wil be spent with the orphans!!!!!! writing journals and papers for my internship, spending time with Jesus, seeking His face and heart, learning French (the national language...I already know some) and enjoying the laid back Burkinabe life ;) These are the things you can expect to be hearing about.
If you are looking for ways to pray as I embark on this adventure please pray for grace, wisdom, health, and that I might find the heart of Jesus in and for the Burkinabe, and for greater intimacy with Jesus.
GRACE because life in Africa is not always easy (LOTS of heat, bugs, dirt...) and I know that in order to live in this place with the people I love so dearly will mean Jesus is with me. WISDOM because with the completion of my internship in August I am not entirely sure where my place will be...but I know Jesus DOES have a place for me!! Also, the wisdom to discern whether I am to stay for longer than a year. HEALTH because my cornea was scratched in September of 06 and has not healed. Dry weather and dehydration are two factors that can often have painful effects on my right eye. I'm going to be facing these two factors on a daily basis.
Also, prayers that I would be able to learn French quickly would be MUCH appreciated. I know enough to get by ok. But I realize that my ability to form lasting, deep, real, intimate relationships is dependant upon my ability to speak the language. And this is something that I greatly desire to do.
Thanks for reading and sharing this journey with me!!!