Breaking the Cycle

This photo is more than just a picture.

Like I said this morning, this photo represents something that is amazing, beautiful, exciting, and a dream come true.

It is amazing because it is the result of hard work,

determination,

and the sacrifice

of many.

It is beautiful because it is the beginning.

Beginning of change

and new opportunities

for an entire community.

It is exciting because

I was part of this

 

and you were part of this.

We were part of making this dream come true.

And in February these children attended their first day of school here.

Which was their first day of school ever.

With a little help from money I raised, a lot of help from a local Zimbabwe church congregation, and this community of villages, we were able to start school for these rural families almost immediately. But this is just the beginning. These coverings are meant to be temporary. Permanent bathrooms have already been built, and we are hoping to build a permanent school here that will serve many generations to come.

Currently this school is giving 159 students first time educations, and I am told that there are more than 1,000 children from surrounding villages who are in need and waiting to attend as well.

These communities are amongst the poorest in Zimbabwe. They are set apart down dirt paths that are complicated to travel on.

 Many children among the current students are orphaned, and are trapped in a cycle of poverty.

But we are equipping them with tools that will enable them to

rise above and break the cycle of poverty.

Over the last three months I have been able to build a trustworthy relationship with New Life Church in Zimbabwe, who was given the vision of building this school. I am still working on joining with a non-profit ministry here to raise funds through, but I could not keep my secret any longer.

More information will be coming soon. Until then I ask that you would be praying about this opportunity to bring education to these villages, and that you would be searching your hearts to see if there is a way you would like to take part in this blessing.

A Dream Come True

Can anyone tell me what makes the following photo amazing, beautiful, exciting, and a dream come true?

Okay, so here's a clue:

Any guesses?

Medicine for the Soul

I came home from surgery yesterday to my own little personal bouquet of sunshine.

Thank you April, they are beautiful.

I also found find this little note from Zimbabwe in my email:

We are praying for you so that you have a successful surgery, we have declared this day a day of prayer and fasting. Remember The LORD says 'Be still and know that I am LORD'. Psalm 103vs3 says; The Lord forgives our sins, heals us when we are sick and protects us from death.

Amen to that!

Thank you all for you prayers and encouragement. The surgery went well. They took out a lot of bad stuff (a lot more than they expected to be in there), and they were able to leave in all the good stuff (my ovaries). If you want all the details, leave me your email address. Just don't want to gross anyone out :) 

The Way to a Girl's Heart

Remember when you were little and you would carefully hand select assorted flowers and weeds and then present them to your mom like they were a diamond necklace?

Well, today one of my students spent his recess carefully sifting through the weeds on the playground.

Then he said, "Happy Saint Patrick Miss Allen," and he proudly gave me this:

It's the sweetest bouquet a boy has ever given me.

Diamonds are so overrated.

Weird.

You know what's weird? Me actually writing posts two days in a row.

But that's not what I want to talk about.

Here's the deal.

I am having surgery and would love your prayers.

There....I said it. I don't know why I have had such an issue with sharing my health problems with you all, because I know that among you there are many prayer warriors and friends.

I actually sat down yesterday to tell you about my surgery, and somehow it became a really lame story about a flashlight.

Consider my blog just another victim of my hormonal mindlessness.

How does a surgery post turn into a story about a flashlight? The same way I fall asleep in the park, or go the entire day with my shirt on inside out, or drive halfway to work before I realize that it is Saturday, and I am suppose be going somewhere else.

Long story short, I have lots of stuff inside of me that shouldn't be there....specifically on my ovaries. In hopes to avoid surgery, they have been experimenting on me. I have been on four different varieties and strengths of hormones over the last year or so, and other than giving me hot flashes and making me completely nuts, they have done no good.

Last week one of my doctors told me I was just weird. Unfortunately she was not talking about my personality.

On Friday, March 25th, I will be having surgery to remove cysts and tumors, and I would be so grateful for your prayers. They are also hoping that surgery will give a little more clarity as to what exactly is going on inside my body.

It feels good to have that out there.

I have to admit that I am worried about getting anxiety over this. Man, I have problems. But really, so far I am feeling okay, and am ready to get answers.

Thanks for listening,

A Two Dollar Torch and Other Nonsense

The day before I left for Zimbabwe I remembered that, although the lodge where I stay has electricity, it is sketchy at best.

So I went to buy a flashlight.

The price range jumped from $2 to $20, and because I am cheap I paid the 2 bucks and didn't give it another thought.

The flashlight was satisfactory in my little room when the electricity went out. It gave me enough light to brush my teeth, read my Bible, write in my journal, and check my bed for centipedes. You know, all the important things.

I am happy to say that for the most part I had gone my entire trip anxiety free. If you remember, I asked for prayer about anxiety shortly before I left. It was a new world to me to feel gripping fear over little things, and I was unsure how to deal with it to say the least. But I am happy to say that God answered prayer, and that throughout my journey I was anxiety free....

for the most part.

That is other than day two... when I was walking home (back to the lodge) from Tecla's house. At night. No street lamps. By myself. With a $2 flashlight.

If I haven't mentioned, the area I stay in is part of the national reserve. Meaning there are lots of wild animals. Lions, baboons, elephants, lions, warthogs, hippos, lions, kudu, water buffalo, lions, and did I mention

LIONS.

Lets just say that the 10 minute walk seemed about 3 hours that night. And a $2 flashlight....not satisfactory for scanning the bushes for lions waiting to pounce in the Zimbabwe night.

When I reached the lodge the guard helped me push open the gate, looked behind me, looked at me like I was crazy, and said, "You are without escort?" I told him yes, and realized that although I had walked that same path at night and alone countless times in the past, that I was probably crazy for doing so.

The next thing he told me was that my torch was smart.

In translation, that means that he liked my flashlight.

(In Africa the word smart is equivalent to nice, clean, pretty, handsome, happy, and is a wonderful compliment. For example, if you like the way someone is dressed, you would tell them that they look very smart. This concludes your Africa 101 lesson.)

As my little $2 flashlight led me to my room, I passed another guest at the lodge, and he too told me my torch was smart. I had to chuckle, because all I could think about moments before was that I would soon be devoured by a lion soley because I had chosen that stupid $2 flashlight over the $20 one.

In reality, I know that no matter the strength of my flashlight, it would not have saved me from a lion. Everyone knows that lions attack from behind and go straight for the spinal cord. But needless to say, I realized that I am not quite as courageous as I was a few years backs (exhibit A), and I opted to head home from Tecla's house at sunset the remainder of my visit.

I left my smart two dollar torch as a gift to the night guard along with some extra batteries. I think he will appreciate it much more than I.



(I know I got you all worked up about my "big announcement"...well, its still coming, but there are some things I have to organize before I can reveal it. But, because many of you have emailed thinking I am adopting or moving, I will burst that bubble and say it's not that big. It has to do with a new project...and that's all I'll say...)

(Oh, and sorry this post went nowhere fast, I didn't make any of the points I was hoping to, but that is how my mind is working nowadays.)

Lately...

Less than two years ago I was doing this:

Last week I climbed up the jungle gym to show one of my students how to slide down the pole,

And I chickened out....

Whats happening to me?