Just Checking In!

Hello my dear friends! I don't have long, but I just wanted to let you all know that I arrived safely in Zimbabwe 8 days ago with all my luggage and no problems! Last week was spent preparing for our Christmas party for the orphans. It went well, and all the kids got atleast one new outfit.

I will be spending the next 10 days visiting families and spending some quality time with the kids, as well as a few other projects we have in mind.

I must go before my time runs out, but thank you for your prayers, and keep praying! Love you all!

My Bags are Packed, It's Time to Go...

I am happy to say that around 50 complete outfits (minus shoes) have been packed successfully for the orphans in Zimbabwe, as well as several extra items I was able to squeeze into any little space I could find. Today I thought of about a million things I should be taking with me, but both of my bags are right at their weight limit, so I will trust that what God placed on my heart to take originally will be a blessing.

Doobie begged me to squeeze him in, but I convinced him he needed to stay here and keep my bed nice and warm for when I return. (In reality, he really is stressing out. He has learned what suitcases mean, and he is stuck to me like glue. I am taking volunteers to come cuddle with him while I am away.)



I also had an unexpected stop today...at the doctor. I have had a chest cold and sore throat for a week now, and decided today that before I leave I had better make sure it wasn't anything that needed prescription meds.

They squeezed me in with a nurse practitioner, whom I had never met. I explained to her that I am usually not such a baby, and wouldn't usually go to the doctor for something so simple, but that I was leaving the country and didn't want to be sick my whole time in Africa. She then excitingly told me that she had just returned from Kenya on Sunday.

She told me about her medical missions that she takes regularly to Africa, and we became BFFs just like that. I turned into one of those patients that people hate, because you can hear their murmered drawn out conversation with the doctor while you wait patiently dying in the next room. We also discussed our overseas illnesses, and her goal in life instantly became to keep me (or make me) healthy and well for the next three weeks.

I can't help but look at this picture and feel like a paranoid over-medicated American snob, but I admit I already feel better after she drugged me up. I honestly came home and made a chart of the meds, with my schedule in California time, and then in Zimbabwe time. 

All this to say, I am ready to go. Like, now.

It is a bit of a long story, but I just want to say that this week God's faithfulness, as well as Satan's schemes, have become apparently clear. God wants me in Zimbabwe, and Satan does not, but it's too bad for him, cause God wins. And I would like you to know that your prayers and encouragement have played a big part in this journey, and in speaking God's truth into my life. So, again, because I cannot say it enough, Thank you.

P.S. I need an entertaining, not too intense, but preferably meaningful book to read on the plane. Suggestions very welcome.

One Reason to Become a Mentor

Being a mentor can turn everyday drab events, such as running errands, into laughter worthy, bonding experiences.

You never know when a simple thing may be a first time and exciting event for a child.

Such as going through an automatic carwash.

It's in these simple moments, just living life together in ordinary ways, that I have found the extraordinary.

God Bless,

Exhortation: It's a Good Thing

Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way;

 say to those with fearful hearts,

“Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance;

with divine retribution he will come to save you.”

Isaiah 35:3-4

The time is near! I leave for Zimbabwe next week. For those of you who would like to join me in prayer on my journey, I will share with you some specific ways you can do so.

Encouragement:
As my time in Zimbabwe draws near, I have been seeking God about what role he wants me to play during my visit.

The thing that He keeps pressing on my heart is encouragement.

Zimbabwe and its people have been through so many hardships, and my hope is that I would able to uplift them with prayers and the Word, and to simply coming along side them and fellowship with them.

I want them to know that they are not forgotten.

I want them to know that people on the other side of the world are seeking God and praying for justice on their behalf.

I want them to know that they are so very loved.

I am aware that I will likely have some very emotional moments while there, as I am returning to face loss of many people that I cared for. Please pray that I will not be overwhelmed with prolonged grief or sadness, but would carry with me the hope joy of Christ.

Safe Entry:
I know I have not gone into too much detail here on my blog, but many of you know that last time I was in Zimbabwe I was forced to leave the country. It was at the height of political tensions, and although much of the situation there has not improved, my wise counsel believes I should have no problem returning for such a short amount of time.

I would also like prayer for safe entry with all my luggage. While I am there Tecla and I will be hosting a Christmas party for the orphans she works with. I will be taking with me a new outfit for each of those children. Pray that all the luggage gets there without incident, and that I would be able to get through customs problem free and without having to pay heavy taxes.

Safe Travels:
I will be flying out of San Francisco on Friday, December 17th, 2010, and will be returning home on Friday, January 7th, 2011. I am traveling alone. Thankfully I have been able to get on a flight with no overnight layovers. However, I only have two hours in South Africa to make my connecting flight to Zimbabwe, which does not give much wiggle room for delays on an international flight. Please pray that I land in South Africa on time and am able to catch my flight to Zimbabwe without any problems or delays, as well as for safety.

Wisdom:
While there Tecla and I will be discussing how to best use the money I have raised. I hope to be able to fill any gaps in paying school fees, buying school uniforms and shoes, and covering some medical needs.

In terms of long term, I would like to also invest some of the money in Tecla's business. The majority of the ministry that she does is funded by her businesses, so I believe investing in that area would be a significant and long lasting gift. Please pray we would have wisdom in the best way to do this, as well as open communication in how we can better support her ministry more consistently.

Health:
Over the last year or so I have vaguely mentioned some personal health issues. I am not going to go into detail now, but I have consistently been in pain for the last 15 months. Most days I function just fine despite the pain, but other days it completely wipes me out. In addition, I have been getting frequent and long lasting migraines the last two months. Please please please pray that I may go my entire stay in Zimbabwe (and traveling) without debiliating pain.

Also, in 2004 I contracted Dengue Fever while traveling in Africa, and in 2006 I got Malaria. I do not especially want to add to my list of exotic diseases. I would love if you would pray for my health in this way as well.

Thank You to all of you who have supported me with encouragement, gifts, financial support, and prayer. It is all so very appreciated.

God Bless,



Please know that I can't wait to share pictures and stories with you of my time in Zimbabwe, but I will most likely not be able to post much while I am there, for several reasons, including safety. Please know that if you don't hear much from me while I am away, I still love you all, and you will hear from me soon.

Whats in a Name

I have always been one to make up nicknames for people.

I myself have always loved when people give me nicknames (for the most part ;). They are a special little link to someone else.

Growing up my dad called me "Lumpy" because I had ear infections frequently, and would fall or run into things on a regular basis. I would always have bumps and bruises from my clumsiness, therefore making me Lumpy.

I think I got my nicknaming talent from him.

I don't purposefully try to think of a nickname for all the people I know, but a lot of times they come to me, and they stick.

Although most of them don't make sense to other people, they come from special little quirks or events that only we understand.

When I was a group home manager, one of my dearest girls I called Chicken Donut. Chicken donuts are those donuts that are lumpy and a little crisp on the outside, and they are soft and sweet and yummy in the middle. (They are not really called chicken donuts, I call them that cause they look kinda like fried chicken). Anyways, they are my favorite donut, and this girl was one of my favorite girls. Not to mention that she was hard and rough on the outside, but had the sweetest little heart. She will forever be my Chicken Donut. I still have countless little notes from her, always signed "Your one and only Chicken Donut."

And then at other times the names stick for so long, and they are so weird, I don't even remember where they came from.

I have a good friend named Alicia. Naturally, I call her Richard. Yep, don't know why. But I do.

Unfortunately, though, I have recently found that there is a downfall to my nicknaming. 

Sometimes, after calling someone by a nickname for a long time, and then going years without seeing the person, and then getting old person brain, you can actually forget their real name.

And then when you see such a person, and you call out the only name you can think of for them, some people may look at you weird.

Like when you yell out "Hasselhoff!" in a crowded store, and all the middle-aged women get weak in the knees scanning the area for the Baywatch heart throb (puke), only to cause great disappointment for them and humiliation for yourself.

Or when little girls grow up, and they don't like you yelling "Booboo!" out the window when you pick them up from high school.

What's the deal with that?

Anyhoo, I know that I will always love nicknames, and I cherish the ones that others have given me, no matter how absurd the may be.

What about you? Any special, embarassing, or just weird nicknames you have but you love?

Until next time,

Becca
Bek
Becca Boo
Smiley
Cheeks
Cubby
Honey Bee
Shorty
B
Lumpy

World AIDS Day

Today is World AIDS Day.

It is a time to pray for those who are suffering.

And a time to remember those who suffer no more.

God Bless,