June 6, 2009

I was woken up this moring at 5:00 am. We're required to watch a demonstration on clothes washing in buckets and bucket baths. I'm thankful for washing machines and the orphanage has one so I will never have to use this newly acquired skill. : ) We will only have to hang our clothes up to dry.

Right now I'm sitting under a large pavillion watching fisherman cast their nets into the bay. Orientation is starting to feel like it may never end. Maybe I'm just ready to get on site and get to work. God is going to amazing things this summer! Yesterday I was talking to Jenny and got a better understanding of our ministry this summer. Not only will I be working with 40 orphans but I will also have the opportunity to minister to over 200 students in their private school and work with a youth group of 30-40 students.

I don't know what the food will be like at the orphanage but the food here is very good! They spoil us. Rice is served with every meal and there are 2-3 meat and vegetable options that you put on top of the rice. The fruit is awesome-- very fresh and ripe. Everyone should try mango.

The rain is different from the last few days. It is constant and steady. Normally it comes in thirty minute waves. Sometimes it comes down so hard that we have to stop what we are doing because we can't communicate to the person next to us.

Today we start out first Nehemiah Teams quiet times. They've developed 52 days of devotionals studying the book of Acts. Every two days we break apart a chapter.

Prayer Needs:
- That I seek the fullness of the Holy Spirit.
- Team unity and a shared purpose and vision.
- Strength, despite little sleep.

Prayer Praises:
- The rain, it brings new creations of God.
- The opportunity to serve in this capacity.
- The facilitators, missionaries, and journeyman that are here with us and passing on their wisdom and experiences.
- A family and church that support me through prayer.