Africa's Melodie

25% Off My Calendar!

2011-12-13T11:09:00.000-08:00

From now through December 14th receive 25% off any order from Lulu.com (promo code: COUNTDOWNUK). This would be a great time to order my 2012 Liberia calendar! To learn more about the calendars, click here. To place an order, go here.

Adoption Awareness Month

2011-11-22T09:32:00.000-08:00

It's Adoption Awareness month. Most families don't think about adoption unless they can't have biological children. I encourage everyone to at least consider adoption. Adoption is a biblical concept and changes the adoptive family in incredible ways. It's also the chance to change one life (or more), to disciple one soul, in a way that no other ministry can quite compare to. There are thousands of children worldwide in need of adoption.

This is one of my favorite adoption related videos.

Hope is Fading

-Melodie

2012 Liberia Calendar!

2011-11-15T15:24:00.000-08:00

In order to help us out a bit financially as we prepare for missions, I have put together a calendar of photos I have taken in Liberia. The calendar includes all Liberian national holidays in addition to the standard American ones.

There are two sizes, large (black and white photo on cover), which is 13.5 by 19 inches, and small (colored photo on cover) which is 11 by 17 inches. All the pictures are the same on the inside. Both calendars are called "Faces of Liberia".

Here's a look at some of the pages on the inside:

I have made these calendars keeping in mind all the families I know who are connected to Liberia in some way or another, whether by adoption, through mission work, or just through prayer. Perhaps they will make a unique Christmas gift for your loved one who is connected to this beautiful country!

To order a calendar click here, or see the button on the sidebar.

-Melodie

Something to Think About: Is Your Family's Size My Business?

2011-11-05T14:37:00.000-07:00

Why is it that in our country today, it is not considered politically incorrect to have an abortion? To terminate a child's life at almost any stage of pregnancy?

Why is it that it is completely OK with the vast majority of Americans to control the size of one's family through various methods of birth-control?

Why is it that it is considered acceptable for a parent of 1, 2, 3, X amount of children to roll their eyes at how difficult their kids are and how they would "die" if they had another? Or for them to say "You're pregnant! I'm so glad it's not me." (Happened to me the other day.)

Yet somehow a family is criticized if they are doing nothing to prevent pregnancy and they are "letting God plan their family size."

A family who has 4 children (sometimes less) is often asked if they are "done."

A family with 6 or more children is critiqued by strangers as to the quality of care they can possibly give "so many children," and if they "know what causes that."

If it is OK for people to not want a ton of kids, and to prevent pregnancy, why can't those who WANT a bunch of kids be given the same acceptance?

I understand that families are different and kids are different and there are a lot of factors that contribute to how many children a family decides (or is able) to have. I do not feel there is one correct size for a family. I also have no personal convictions against preventing pregnancy through healthy and safe methods (of course I am against abortion).

Yet if it is a matter of personal opinion to have 2 kids, can't we let it be a matter of personal opinion of someone wants 8? If it is a matter of personal opinion to prevent pregnancy, can't it be a matter of personal opinion to do nothing to prevent pregnancy?

Yes, many people will say that it is hard for a family of many kids to properly care for them all. Of course there will be some logistics to consider, but statistics do not really show that children of small families grow up healthier than children of large families. I've seen families who are doing a poor job raising 2 kids and families that are doing an excellent job raising 12 kids. If there is a problem with having a lot of kids, the problem has to do with the parenting, not the number of children.

It may be overwhelming for someone who feels they are only able to handle 3 kids to see a family with 8 kids. But the way to handle the situation is not to say "I could never do that!" or "you must be super woman!" or "I hope you are done!" Rather it's to keep your opinions and fears to yourself and ask God to give you the grace to handle the 3 he has given you. Chances are the family of 8 is madly in love with each of their kids and conversation starters like those mentioned above will not reflect the love Jesus has for children, even though it is true that many kids can be overwhelming sometimes.

While we do not plan on having 12 children, what offends me about the negative attitude many people portray when it comes to having more children than they think is ideal (whether that be 3 kids or 7, or 10), is that, whether or not the parent or random stranger realizes it, it acts like children are mostly a burden. You think my kids are cute? Let me set you straight by telling you what a burden there are. You have many kids? Let's make some small talk about what a burden they are.

Let us remember that children are a blessing from the Lord. Whether you have 2, and that’s all your family is planning to have, or 10. Lets not say negative things in front of them and others that devalue what children are; precious gifts of God.

Matthew 18:10 "See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven."

Mark 10:14 "But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, 'Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.'"

Psalm 127:3-5 "Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate."

Here are some links to more good reading on this issue:

Motherhood Is a Calling (And Where Your Children Rank)

"Everywhere you go, people want to talk about your children. Why you shouldn’t have had them, how you could have prevented them, and why they would never do what you have done. They want to make sure you know that you won’t be smiling anymore when they are teenagers. All this at the grocery store, in line, while your children listen…. Children rank way below college. Below world travel for sure. Below the ability to go out at night at your leisure. Below honing your body at the gym. Below any job you may have or hope to get. In fact, children rate below your desire to sit around and pick your toes, if that is what you want to do. Below everything. Children are the last thing you should ever spend your time doing."

Large Families Are Not Rare

"The other common theme is how much each of these adult children from large families has expressed how much they LOVED growing up surrounded by many siblings! Again and again they have each said how much fun it was, how close they are to their siblings, how they wouldn't trade it for anything. Yet, I cannot tell you the number of times I have heard negative comments that children in big families will HATE it because they didn't get enough one-on-one attention from their parents, that they had to help out too much, had to share a room, blah, blah, blah. Really? Ask the children in large families!"

Girl's Night at Starbucks

"Our children have always come right at the top of the priority list in our marriage. Our large family wasn't accidental. We wanted to surround our selves with children and in very short time we did."

Eleventy Billion Quips You’ll Hear About Your Large Family

"As we all joked about these and had a good laugh, I realized that most people (with the exception of some who are just all drama) say these things with all sincerity. They genuinely feel like these comments are wanted, appreciated or that it will spur on a fruitful discussion. I'm actually not sure why private issues like fertility have become such common place topics to bring up with strangers."

(And not all large families are Catholic!)

Something to think about…

Melodie

I have a new brother!!!

2011-10-28T13:04:00.000-07:00

As you know, I worked with adoptions in Liberia for about 3 years. During that time I helped my family as they cared for many foster babies. It was hard to see them go on to their respective adoptive families, yet we knew it was the right thing to do. Some babies we were closer to than others and it was even more difficult to say good-bye. I often prayed that God would let my family keep at least one of these babies. Well, my dream has come true! In what is truly a miracle, especially considering the current state of adoptions in Liberia, my family has welcomed a new child - Jonah - into their family.

Here is the story as written by my mom. (View the original post on her blog here.)

On Making Jonah a Sheppard

In 1986 I was pregnant with Nathan when Mark and I, along with toddlers John Mark and Melodie, left Minnesota's cold and snow for mission work in Liberia's never-ending summer. It turned out to be a life filled with more adventure and challenge than we could have possibly imagined. Despite many harrowing experiences in the years that followed - a civil war and its subsequent work among the refugees - by God's help we and our children (Heidi and Jared made five) not only survived, we learned to thrive.

(Sheppard Family in 2003)

After nearly twelve years in refugee work in the Ivory Coast, when the war ended and we returned to Liberia our focus was on the training of national leadership. All of these were adults, of course. However, God opened a door for us to touch lives through fostering. With the help of our children we took in numerous Liberian babies and toddlers who were later adopted into the homes of Americans. It was one of the most amazing ministries God ever gave us as missionaries. We had the opportunity to touch a child - in some cases to literally save a life - and then send that little one on to a loving Christian home. During this process, as we were out and about or when people came from the States to be united with their child, we were often asked if we planned to adopt a child ourselves. We always replied by saying that if God wanted us to adopt, He would have to make one child stand out.

At the end of 2008, after our one year home assignment in the States, we flew back to Liberia with Heidi, Jared and Melodie. Melodie, now a young adult, felt God was leading her back to Liberia to minister in her areas of greatest passion - the discipleship of women and the care of needy children.

(Melodie with neighborhood kids in December 2008)

After a busy Christmas and New Year 2008/2009 conference season in the interior of Liberia we returned to Monrovia, excited and primed to resume fostering. Melodie was already involved in the lives of a group of needy children from a local orphanage and within weeks we had three little boys sharing our home.

(Jonah at 12 months in January of 2009)

Boy #1, Jonah, was an extremely sad, 11-pound, one-year old. He had suffered several serious illnesses and was in desperate need of the love of a family. Boy #2, Titus, had a similar story. He, too, needed that same special attention as he waited to go to his "forever family." Boy #3, Levi, was a severely handicapped little guy and extremely close to death when he came to us. Our house and hands were full.

At the end of January 2009 an event occurred that would change the course of our lives forever. The Liberian government placed a moratorium on all international adoption. This sent our world, and that of many others, into a spin. I begged God for His mercy on the Liberian children with adoptions in process. I deeply feared for the future of the little boys in our home whom I loved so much.

(Titus and Heidi in 2009)

In the blackness of the African night I struggled with understanding the promise of Romans 8:28-29. "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren" (NKJV). While I was very familiar with those verses and had seen them played out in my life literally hundreds of times - that ultimate "good" of becoming more like Christ as a result of trial (vs. 29) - I could not imagine a scenario produced by the moratorium itself that was anything other than heartbreaking.

Time passed. After three months, Levi, who was now in great health but whose needs were more than we could handle permanently, went to live in a well-run special needs orphanage. Meanwhile Titus and Jonah learned to crawl, walk, and finally, run. We went through all the toddler stages with them. Finally, because his adoption decree had been signed before the moratorium, sixteen months after his arrival in our home Titus was allowed to go to his adoptive parents. We loved him tremendously, but rejoiced without reservation that the door had opened for him to go to the precious young couple that had prayed and waited so long for him to join their family.

(Titus, Nancy, Jonah and Mark - June 2010)

Jonah had no such decree and the moratorium remained in place with no end in sight. One child. One special child to whom we were attached at the heart. It gradually dawned on us that God was doing just what we had said He would have to do for us to know that we were to adopt. One child was standing out.

The decision to adopt Jonah was a big one, but, nevertheless, it was much easier decided than done. After waiting and waiting and waiting, through what can only be called a miracle of God's grace, He placed our case and the case of one other missionary family on the heart of the person in the administration of the government of Liberia who could allow an exception. While the moratorium for international adoptions continued, our two families were allowed to proceed as residents to adopt our long-term fostered children. There was no explanation for the mercy being extended to us other than God touching hearts as a result of the thousands upon thousands of prayers that had gone up on behalf of these two little boys. The following weeks were a flurry of activity as we did all within our power to prepare the documents necessary to adopt. The home study was done, the case study prepared and personal documents secured. The relevant papers were submitted to a local attorney who prepared the adoption decree to present to the judge. And then more waiting. Several more weeks. But at last, on October 27, we received the signed decree.

(Jonah after a baptism - January 2011)

Two years and nine months after his arrival into our home, Jonah became a Sheppard. As we look at this precious little boy who has become such an integral part of our lives, we are awestruck at the cleverness of God. Only He could have arranged a situation so perfectly that we would know beyond any shadow of a doubt this child was meant to be ours.

Years ago, as I agonized over the implications of the moratorium, I could not see how anything good could ever come from it. Ever. But there is no denying it grew us spiritually. And, among other things, through it God allowed me to see a side of my husband I had never seen before as he fought for the hurting children of Liberia. The moratorium also revealed my weakness, an unpleasant but necessary "good." I, who thought I had grown beyond not trusting God in trying situations, learned that certainly was not the case. Over and over I had to give my fear for Jonah's future to God, knowing if I didn't I would be consumed by it. God has been more than faithful and He has taught me, once again, to rest in Him.

Mark and I are totally humbled by the grace God has poured out on our lives. Despite our fears and doubts, God has used the thing that initially filled our hearts with dread - the moratorium on adoption in Liberia - for good. It is the reason we have a new son. His name is Jonah. He is our miracle.

Love,

Mark and Nancy Sheppard

(Jonah James Sheppard, October 2011)

Recipe: Parmesan Lemon Tilapia

2011-10-17T17:36:00.000-07:00

I love to cook and have been wanting to share some of the good recipes I've found or invented here on the blog. Tonight I made a variation of this recipe I found online. Both Kevin and I loved it and I thought it tasted like something you would find at an expensive restaurant.

Parmesan Lemon Tilapia:

4 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, divided

2 tablespoons mayonnaise
2 tablespoons Greek-style yogurt or sour cream
2 tablespoons soft butter
Zest of one lemon plus the juice of half the lemon (about 2 tablespoons juice). Use the other half to serve with the fish.
1/4 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon dried dill
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

4 (6 to 8 ounce) tilapia fillets

Combine 2 tablespoon Parmesan cheese with remaining ingredients (except fish). Coat fillets with mixture and place in 9x13" baking dish and let marinate for 15 to 20 minutes. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Sprinkle remaining 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese onto the fillets. Bake for about 20 minutes or until fish flakes easily with a fork and the fillets are light golden brown. Serve with lemon juice.

I had mine over quinoa (salted and buttered) but they would also be great over rice or by themselves. I served steamed green beans with butter and garlic salt on the side.

Liberian Elections

2011-10-11T19:46:00.000-07:00

Today Liberia had their presidential elections. From what I hear everything went well and there was no violence. Here are some good articles on the day:

http://jonesinliberia.blogspot.com/2011/10/election-day.html (This one includes a bunch of great pictures too!)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/10/11/us-liberia-election-idUSTRE79A64M20111011

Please continue to pray for Liberia, especially in about 2 weeks when the results will be announced.

-Melodie

Catching up/Our year at the Master's Mission

2011-09-30T16:56:00.000-07:00

Over a year has passed since my last post and so much has happened since then. I finally feel up to start blogging again, so I will try to fill you all in with all that has happened in this past year. I'll start back at the part where we got married...

On January 30, 2010, during an unseasonable icy day, Kevin and I were married in Charlotte, NC. What a joy to celebrate this start to our new life together with so many friends and family, including some of the little children I had the opportunity to minister to when they were orphans in Liberia (before they were adopted).

Before Kevin and I met, we'd each committed our lives in service to God on the mission field, preferably in Africa. While we were dating and through our engagement we were working in Liberia, Kevin with a construction company in efforts to pay off student loans (and get to know me better :-), and me with women's discipleship and an orphanage. Our plan was to continue with these jobs through the beginning of our marriage in an attempt to pay off our loans and then return to the US to prepare for our life as career missionaries. With this in mind we returned to Liberia just a few weeks after the wedding.Well, things in Liberia did not turn out how we'd hoped and Kevin's contract was not renewed. During this time he had the chance do some small contract jobs to make ends meet, to help some missionaries with a few projects, as well as to assist his dad and a team of short-term SIM missionaries as they made improvements on the ELWA campus.I volunteered again full-time for the same orphanage, and eventually Kevin got another construction job with an NGO. The pay from this job paid the bills, but was not fulfilling our main purpose of being in Liberia. So we began to pray and consider whether God was leading us in a different direction.While Kevin was in college he was blessed to make friends with a number of missionary kids from around the world. One of these was P.A. Teasdale, the grandson to the founder (Paul Teasdale) of The Master's Mission (TMM). After college Kevin spent six months in Kenya working with P.A.'s dad, Jim. Naturally this experience gave Kevin a real-life feel for TMM's approach to missions and he was very impressed. Paul Teasdale is a second-generation missionary from Kenya. Through his years of service he realized many missionaries are not properly equipped spiritually and physically to go overseas, especially those working in remote locations. With the help of other Godly individuals the Teasdale family established the Master's Mission missionary training program. This program would train potential missionary families in practical living skills,, ministering cross-culturally, and a solid foundation in the Bible. (TMM's training program doubles as their orientation for new missionaries, but the program is open to anyone interested in learning more about missions and the Bible, not just to those who want to be missionaries with TMM).Through prayer and God's leading we felt it would be right to apply to attend TMM's 2010/2011 training class. It would start in the beginning of September and end the following August. With our jobs in Liberia not fulfilling our original goal - to pay off student loans, we decided to pursue our ultimate goal - preparing for our life's calling as missionaries. We were accepted into the program and returned to the United States at the end of the summer. We moved to the mission on September 3rd and the program began on the 6th. The mission is located in the mountains of western North Carolina.

We lived in a cute two-bedroom cabin in the woods. The cabins do not have electricity and each is heated with a wood stove. Kevin quickly set up a 12-volt battery system with a few lights to help us actually see each other at night. Propane fuels a refrigerator, stove, and hot water. While the goal of the limited conveniences is to help people be more prepared to live overseas, Kevin and I felt very much at home!

We absolutely loved our time at the Master's Mission! It was a wonderful learning experience and the perfect environment to grow in our relationship with each other and the Lord. We enjoyed a lot of fun and fellowship with believers, and Kevin only tried to kill himself once. But seriously - we learned so much this past year. We're impressed with how thorough the program really is! We learned technical things that enhanced the experience we already have as missionaries/missionary kids in Africa.

The men's class is every day and includes mechanics, construction, welding, and more.

The women's class is two days a week to allow women more time to focus on home making and homeschooling (for those who have children). We learned about making a house a home in limited conditions, correspondence (something I need to work on!), and many other aspects of being a wife and mother overseas. One of our main projects was shopping for 3 months and not buying any food for that period of time (except milk and eggs) just as overseas missionaries living in remote locations often have to do most of their shopping in a big city every 3 months or longer.

But most importantly, we learned so much about the Bible. Every day we studied the Bible from 9:00 to 10:30 am and read through it discussing various topics and doctrines. What a blessing to have the Bible used as our textbook, to have the opportunity to ask those hard questions, to find the verses that support why we believe what we believe, and to learn new things for the first time. Guest speakers came in teaching us in-depth courses on many topics including Nouthetic (biblical) counseling, creation, eschatology, spiritual gifts, and more.

In addition to these things, we had a Christian vet come in every few months to teach us about animal husbandry. Went on field trips and studied the care of chickens, pigs, cows, goats, sheep, rabbits and bees.

During our time at TMM we attended Little Snowbird Baptist Church. Kevin had the chance to lead music off and on for quite awhile, and teach the adult Sunday school class for about 3 months. I was able to lead the children in an informal children's choir, as well as minister through special music. This too was a wonderful growing experience for both of us.

Overall we really feel we fit in well with TMM. I personally have felt more at home there than any other place I've been at in the United States. Biblically and practically we wholeheartedly agree with TMM's ministry philosophy and we love how their small size enables them to know and minister more personally to their missionaries. The staff was very loving and biblical to us, in our strengths as well as challenging us in our weaknesses. We were very impressed with the staff families and the other TMM missionaries we've had the chance to meet.

In addition to all our new knowledge and experiences, we also took away a pregnancy when we left TMM. We are having a boy and he is due January 22!

Our heart’s desire is to be missionaries in Kenya. But a lot needs to happen before then. Support needs to be raised, connections made with churches, Kevin needs a job, and we need a place to live (we are currently staying with Kevin's parents). While a lot is uncertain, we are thankful we serve a trustworthy God, one who we know will guide and provide for us as we seek to honor and serve him. We feel very blessed to be on this journey of service to Him! Please keep us in prayer as we take the next step on this journey to which God has called us.

-Melodie

My Faith and Liberian Adoption

2010-05-08T15:25:00.000-07:00

Being raised in a Christian home, I've had the privilege of knowing about Jesus and being taught to trust in him since I can remember. Though I never had seen him with my eyes, by faith I accepted Jesus as my personal Savior at the age of 5 and was baptized at 8. My faith in the Lord was strong and I continued having this "child-like" faith until my early twenties.

Then I began to see more of life and experience some very difficult circumstances.

In 2006 I began a job as the orphanage supervisor for an adoption agency (Acres of Hope) in Liberia. I was thrilled to assist needy children as they made their journey to loving homes in America. I expected this to be rewarding and enjoyable. That part was. What I didn't expect was how many children we wouldn't be able to help. How torn up I'd be when a birth parent would change their mind, when I knew they really weren't able to provide for the child. How many prayers I'd pray and the baby would still die. Somehow it seemed that malaria was more powerful than God. If a baby was sick I'd cling to them mentally - praying with every free thought - somehow imagining that if I didn't pray enough, they'd slip out of God's grasp and die. A baby died once and the family that wanted to adopt him said it was my fault. Another baby was sick at the time he was adopted. That, in his adoptive family's opinion, was my fault too.

I did everything I knew to do in every desperate situation. So if physically I was doing everything and something bad still happened, maybe it was that my faith wasn't enough, or that my prayers weren't enough, or that sometimes God really wasn't strong enough to stop something bad from happening. I didn't like being in this place spiritually, but my circumstances were so overwhelming, it was hard to see things from a different perspective.

Well, since that time I learned a lot spiritually and had mostly reconciled my questions and spiritual uncertainty.

But it is 2010 and I am back with Acres of Hope. Only this time I am the Country Director. And this time there is a suspension on adoptions. There's still malaria and death and birth parents who change their minds. Now I have to deal with all of what I dealt with before, and more. I am responsible not just for the orphanage, but for the entire adoption processes and what to do with those who didn't have adoption decrees before the moratorium.

These past few weeks I've told potential adoptive parents they will not be able to bring their children home, I've returned children to biological family (who were crushed with the turn of events), and I've been jumping through all the hoops the government has set up for the few children they are still allowing to be adopted (those with special needs and adoption decrees completed before the moratorium). I have also been actively involved in trying to settle a case involving a birth parent who wasn't sure he wanted his child (with a completed adoption decree) adopted after all.

No parent should ever have to give their child up for adoption, but because of circumstances, and the illegitimate relationship that brought about the birth of a child, sometimes adoption really is the best solution. In this case I wholeheartedly believed it was. Well, after 2 weeks of counseling and family meetings, the father still did not want the child to be adopted. Knowing what I know about Liberia, the baby will probably die if someone else (neighbor, etc.) does not intervene on his behalf.

And so again I wonder; did I pray enough that the suspension on adoptions would be lifted? Did I fight physically as hard as I could? With the case I just mentioned, maybe God really doesn't have this child's best interested in mind? I can't imagine how the situation he's going back to could ever lead to anything but an early death or being raised in abject poverty and neglect. Maybe God really isn't all-powerful…

But I know that this is not the case. Why? Because God says it's not in his Word. (Ps 10:14; 72:4, Isaiah 25:4). And God does not need my prayers to lift the suspension on adoptions, or change any of the things that are about to happen. ("Is anything too hard for God?" Gen. 18:14). If He did, then I would became more influential then him. He'd need me. But it's the other way around. I need him. And my prayers are more to change me, than to change the things I've been praying about.

Through it all I've seen my faith in God is weak and unsteady. Yes, I still believe God is real and that he has saved my soul. But at times I have so much trouble believing that God really is in control of all that is going on in Liberia right now. Thankfully, when I have my doubts, I hold to the truth in God's Word.

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast." Eph. 2:8-9. It's God's grace that saves us. Sure we need faith to believe and accept Jesus as Savior, but it's his grace that keeps us forever in him. When my faith is weak and I don't understand what God is doing. It shifts like sand under the waves, every time my circumstances change. I am so grateful that I can stand on Grace.

Shifting Sand

by Caedmon's Call

Sometimes I believe all the lies so I can do the things I should despise

And every day I am swayed by whatever is on my mind

It hear it all depends on my faith so I'm feeling precarious

The only problem I have with these mysteries is they're so mysterious

And like a consumer I've been thinking if I could just get a bit more

More than my 15 minutes of faith, then I'd be secure

My faith is like shifting sand, changed by every wave

My faith is like shifting sand so I stand on grace

I begged you for some proof for my Thomas eyes to see

A slithering staff a leprous hand and lions resting lazily

A glimpse of your backside glory and this soaked alter going ablaze

But you know I've seen so much, I've explained it away

My faith is like shifting sand, changed by every wave

My faith is like shifting sand so I stand on grace

Waters rose as my doubts came

Sandcastle faith it slipped away

Found myself standing on your grace

I'd been there all the time

My faith is like shifting sand, changed by every wave

My faith is like shifting sand so I stand on grace

-Melodie

(You can listen to this song online by clicking here. I took the picture of the sunset).

Update Letter as Interim Country Director for Acres of Hope

2010-04-29T12:40:00.000-07:00

Dear friends, families and supporters,

Allow me to introduce myself. I am Melodie Kejr (pronounced "care") and I grew up as a missionary kid here in Liberia and the Ivory Coast. My relationship with Acres of Hope began in 2005 when I met Patty in Liberia during my summer internship for college. After graduating in 2006 I worked for Acres of Hope in Liberia for a year and a half. Since then I have lived in the US, had a few other jobs, moved back to Liberia, and most recently, got married! My husband Kevin and I are back in Liberia and I just began work again for AOH as the Interim Country Director while Eric Sewa is on sabbatical. Eric is finishing up his master's degree and preparing to defend his thesis, so with my availability and Eric's schedule, it has worked out well for me to take this job during this time.

Things have changed so much over the years I have been connected with Acres of Hope. In 2006 there was one orphanage with about 40 kids. In 2007 we opened another facility and had nearly 100 kids. Later in 2007, we opened a third facility for special needs children. At our peak we had around 125 children between the three facilities and a few foster homes. Many desperately needy children were saved during this time and it was my privilege to have been a part of that process. Things began to slow down in 2008 and finally, in January of 2009, adoptions were suspended. I was devastated at this news and believed with all my heart that adoptions would reopen before too long. Well, "too long" has passed and there is still a moratorium on adoptions. Thankfully, children with adoption decrees completed before the moratorium and those with special needs are still being allowed to be adopted. Meanwhile, many children have been caught in limbo in various orphanages and foster homes around the country.

My work with Acres of Hope is fueled by my passion to find the best homes for the various children in our care. I will do my very best to get those who are allowed to travel home to their families. But this is only a portion of the children in our care. Additionally, the government of Liberia is establishing new requirements for orphanages and is altering their criteria for children they deem in need of alternative care (this includes those they believe are in need of adoption). Together with the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Acres of Hope will be going through each of our cases to determine what the potential future will be for each of our children that do not have special needs or adoption decrees. Patty and I will be available to discuss your concerns and the future of our children, but the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare is responsible for the final decision on each child.

We still have no idea when the suspension on international adoption will be lifted. There have been many rumors over the past 15 months, but despite all the good and the bad we've heard, things still remain essentially the same. However, we recently learned that the government of Liberia anticipates the new adoption laws will require an organization be a member of the Hague International Convention on Adoption before it can practice adoptions. Presently, all agencies will have to evaluate the Hague Accreditation requirements and begin the long process that will be involved. If you are a family who has been waiting a long time to be placed with a child or if you are matched to a child who does not have an adoption decree, we encourage you to contact the home office, Patty, or me to discuss what the best next step will be for your situation in light of these new developments.

As we consider all that has happened over the last year and a half, and where we are today, it is easy to feel disappointed, disheartened and even angry. Yet God is sovereign through all of this and if we seek Him with sincere hearts, he will show us what the next step is during this difficult time. Above all we need to remember that God truly does have the best interest of every Liberian child in mind, even when we feel the thing that was in their best interest may not happen anymore.

I pray God's blessing on each one of you as you walk through this time and encourage you to contact me with any needs or concerns.

In Christ,

Melodie Kejr

Haiti Crisis

2010-01-14T18:27:00.000-08:00

Hey folks! I feel bad for not posting more often, but at the moment I am deeply involved in wedding preparations! My wedding is on the 30th (of THIS month!) so needless to say I am super busy! I will update more on the details of my life later (maybe after the wedding and such), but I wanted to at least share something about the terrible tragedy in Haiti. The mission I served under this past year (Baptist Mid-Missions) has a relief program and they will be reaching out to Haiti. Please consider helping the devastated Haitians in this way.

Here is information on how you can become involved:

"Media sources have reported up to three million people being affected by Tuesday’s 7.0 magnitude earthquake in Haiti, with estimates of more than 100,000 dead. The epicenter of the quake was 15-20 miles from where our missionaries, Roy and Ruth Shelpman, reside. We rejoice that we have received communication from both the Shelpmans and our ministry partners in Port-au-Prince. (Click to read more.)

Currently, we are doing everything in our power to gather needed information. Plans are in place through Baptist Mid-Missions’ World Relief program to help provide emergency care in-country when travel is feasible. Initial steps will be to provide emergency food, clothing, supplies, and housing and to help repair housing. Dr. Shelpman reports the urgent need to repair and replace the exterior security wall that collapsed during the earthquake, in order to provide safety for their residents.

Your help is vitally needed and enables us to respond with critically needed resources. You can be assured that not only physical needs will be met but spiritual ones as well. For those who are suffering and have no assurance of a personal relationship with Christ, the Haiti World Relief effort will put them in proximity with Christians and churches that will give a distinct gospel witness.

And, 100 percent of World Relief gifts go into the relief effort without anything being kept back for Baptist Mid-Missions' administrative expenses.

If the Lord is challenging you to help bring the compassion and truth of Christ to Haiti, your help will be greatly appreciated. You can also give online through BMM World Relief’s web page, or contact the Administrator for World Relief, Larry Beckman, at lbeckman@bmm.org.

Checks may be sent to:

Baptist Mid-Missions,

PO Box 308011,

Cleveland, OH 44130

(Designated “World Relief Haiti.”)

On behalf of Baptist Mid-Missions—thank you for your support in prayer and tangible relief."

Note - 100% of your gift will go towards the assisting the Haitians! Please give today...

Melodie

Melodie's November Update

2009-11-16T03:57:00.000-08:00

Dear friends,

Hello from hot Monrovia! As I swelter in the 90 degree temperatures, believe it or not, I'm still happy I do not have to endure the cold most of you American's are facing right now! When I last wrote an official prayer letter in August, I never could have imaged all that would happen between now and then.

In the end of August I became very sick with salmonella poisoning. For those of you who were not on my parent's update list, or following my blog or facebook, I am sorry you were not aware of all I was going through. I was just too sick to send out an update. After battling salmonella for more than 3 weeks I contracted falciperone malaria. At this point, I was so sick and the doctors were not completely sure of what my illnesses were, that I was advised to travel to back to the USA for medical treatment. Just a day after receiving this advice I became even sicker, too sick to travel commercially. So I was medevaced to London where I was hospitalized for 8 days and then spent 11 days recovering in the home of retired SIM missionaries. All together I was very sick or weak for more than 2 months. It was a very trying experience for me, but also a time where I learned a lot spiritually. Please read my recent post entitled "My Unexpected Journey with Illness".

While I was sick, on days I wasn't feeling so awful and with the help of my parents, I was able to get A's daughter Tasha into a local Christian school. Unfortunately, the man who raped Tasha has never been apprehended even after diligently working alongside the police towards his arrest. Sadly many of the police in this country do not see this as a serious crime and will not fight for justice unless they are getting paid a lot in "tips". Thankfully the man does not live near A's home, but I am still working to get this criminal off the streets.

I could use a lot of prayer for A and her little family. I am still helping her to work through some serious consequences of her previous, sinful lifestyle. In the mean time this 25-year-old single mom still struggles with parenting a 10-year-old and a 2-year-old. Tasha even ran away from home a few weeks ago when she did not want to do her homework. Thankfully she hadn't gone far and a friend brought her home within a few hours. I have begun counseling Tasha alongside her mother to help her with the recent trauma she has faced, but to also give her a foundation of Biblical teaching and hopefully lead her to salvation in Christ.

Tasha is 10-years-old and has had very little, and completely worthless, schooling up till now. She is being tutored privately after school, but she is still so far behind. Also, Tasha appears to have a speech impediment or delay. I have been paying for Tasha's schooling personally. It would be a help to me, and give you the opportunity to take part in Tasha's life, if you would be willing to donate towards her schooling. Her first school feels and start up cost (uniform, etc.) was about $175. Her tutoring will be about $20 a month. Total school feels for the rest of the year plus supplies will be about an additional $200.

I have been able to do some stuff on the computer for Acres of Hope and I just started up counseling again with the 18-year-old I am working with. After 5 weeks of being home from London, I finally feel my previous strength level has returned.

So these last few months have been hard and sad, but something wonderful happened in the midst of it all! I got engaged! I will be getting married to my best friend and fellow missionary kid Kevin on January 30th, 2010, in Charlotte, NC. My time with Baptist Mid Missions will end at the end of the year and I am praying God will open the doors for a job locally with a Christian organization. Kevin and I will continue to live in Liberia after our marriage, for a year or more. My next "update" will be the story of how the Lord led Kevin and me together.

Please keep the following in your prayers.

1. That A would follow God faithfully, especially through the trials she is facing.

2. That Tasha would grow emotionally, academically, and spiritually.

3. Continue to pray that adoption would reopen in the country.

4. That God would continue to lead and guide Kevin and me as we prepare to start our new life together.

5. That God would provide me with a good Christian job after I get married.

Thank you so much for your prayers and for how you have supported my ministry here in Liberia.

In Christ,

Melodie

P.S. If you would like to donate towards Tasha's schooling please make out a check to Melodie Sheppard, with "Melodie's Ministry" in the memo. Mail the check to

Baptist Mid Missions

Box 308011

Cleveland, OH 44130-0011

My Unexpected Journey with Illness

2009-10-04T14:50:00.001-07:00

Recently the Lord has taken me on a very unexpected journey. The past 6 and half weeks I have gone through something I would never have chosen or expected. Yet God is good and I know he has allowed me to go through this for his greater purposes in my life.

On Thursday, August 20th, 2009 I woke up feeling tired, but fine. After eating breakfast I came down with a nasty bout of diarrhea and severe stomach discomfort. I had a lot of things to do that day, including an appointment that could not be rescheduled, so I pushed myself and went out with the car anyway (crying). I made it through the next few hours (using the bathroom at every stop) and finally came home where I was able to rest. I felt better (and the diarrhea subsided) by evening and I was able to eat a normal meal. The next day I was weak, but otherwise normal. That night I couldn't sleep because of heart palpitations that lasted most of the night. Finally I fell asleep at about 4 in the morning.

Saturday was up there with the worst day of my life, although over the past 6 weeks, there have been several close runners up. Diarrhea began, vomiting, and then HIVES! Horrible, head to toe, none-stop-itching hives! The 30 minutes before the Benadryl kicked on were literally the worst 30 minutes of my life. We naturally called the doctor at this point where he prescribed a strong antibiotic.

The following days were a bizarre repeat of these past two days. Felt better Sunday, couldn't sleep Sunday night due to a pounding heart, and woke up Monday where the exact same thing happened as Saturday (diarrhea, vomiting, hives). Felt better again Tuesday, couldn't sleep Tuesday night because of heart palpitations…. and then was admitted to ELWA hospital Wednesday morning when the "horrible day" part of the cycle repeated. (I did take Benadryl early in the morning, which at least prevented me from getting hives again). I had a fever of 103 when I went into the emergency room.

The tests in the hospital did not reveal anything too conclusive. There was no malaria, typhoid, hepatitis, etc. I was started on a very strong and thorough antibiotic and I started to improve. The doctor (Dr. Sacra, an American missionary) thought, based on the information we did have, that none-typhoid salmonella was what I might have.

I do have a history of mitral valve prolapse, which was not yet confirmed by an echocardiogram, but several doctors had noticed slight abnormalities with my heart. Because of this the possibility of endocarditis (an infection on my heart valve) was mentioned.

I went home after four days with the IV cannula still in my hand. My dad, "Doctor Daddy", would continue to give me the IV antibiotics from home. I improved daily and started doing ministry related things (around the house) that I really needed to have done by a certain date (in retrospect I may have pushed too hard). The antibiotics were stopped after a total of 11 days.

Two and a half days later the cycle started again, just the way it had before. Oral antibiotics did nothing. Friday I went back to the hospital where a cannula was again placed in my hand and I received some fluids. I went back home later in the day. Sunday was an awful day of burning fever and horrible, pounding heart palpitations.

During all of this we had been returning to the hospital about every 2 days to get the cannula replaced. The antibiotics are very strong and my veins were swelling painfully or the cannula would get clogged, sometimes even after one day. No one likes needles, but I have always tried to be brave when it came to being poked. Towards the end I ran out of usable veins and I would sometimes just cry as the nurse would poke and poke or blow my now fragile veins. I didn't know how long I would need to be on the antibiotic but I new I was running out of places to put the cannula..

Monday I went to Harbel Medical Center (Firestone's hospital, perhaps the best in the country), where I had a lot of lab work done. We were also given the same antibiotic, only produced in Europe, not India or China. Four days later we found out that I did indeed have salmonella.

Thursday afternoon heart palpitations began again, and pretty much did not stop for the next 4 or more days.

On Friday I returned to ELWA for more blood work and an echocardiogram. (The echocardiogram could only be done by a visiting Liberian doctor - the only one in the whole country trained to do these). The visiting doctor confirmed the mitral valve prolapse, as did Dr. Sacra. On the top of the valve a questionable spot was noticed. The spot could have meant endocarditis. Because of this, Dr. Sacra advised us to seek medical care in the US.

The blood tests indicated my body was still working hard to fight something serious, and also revealed malaria, something I had never had before. That evening I took a one-time malaria treatment.

Saturday I felt very sick again. I was nauseated all day and very weak. My dad booked tickets on a commercial flight for my mom and me for Wednesday, and we all hoped I would be well enough to make it to the US.

Sunday was another very difficult day. I had more heart palpitations, fever, and severe nausea. I laid in bed all day and vomited the only food I was able to eat. By evening we knew I could not make a commercial flight. By God's grace the short term medical insurance I bought covered medical evacuation to Europe, so my dad began making plans to fly me and my mom out as soon as possible. We would go to Europe to get me stabilized, then eventually make it the rest of the way to the states. I would stay in the US as long as I needed to treat whatever problems I had. Dr. Sacra agreed with this decision and also advised me to return to the hospital that evening.

My best friend Kevin, whom I had been dating for 10 months, spent the whole day (September 20th) with me Sunday (after returning from church). We had been talking about getting married but I was not expecting a proposal, certainly not then. But Kevin was prepared with a ring (and permission from my dad), to ask me to marry him, since we did not know how long I would be away and he wanted to make it official before I left. Of course I said yes! In my time of suffering Kevin's proposal was the greatest gift he could have given me. Though I was sick and being readmitted to the hospital, I couldn't wipe the ridiculous grin off my face.

Sunday I did not sleep well and Monday was another horrible day of nausea and vomiting. Since Friday I had been praying and praying that I would not feel so sick the day I had to leave. Just rolling over was nauseating and I couldn't keep any food down.

Tuesday morning I woke up feeling a little better and was able to take a bucket bath (all they offer at the hospital) before leaving bright and early for my emergency medical flight to London. Greg/Buster drove us in the Acres of Hope ambulance and also took care of our paperwork at the airport (such a blessing!). I never could have imaged 2 months earlier, as I waved good-bye to Alvin on his emergency medical flight, that I would be leaving the country the same way.

The flight went really well and the doctor and nurse took great care of me. We stopped in Morocco to refuel then made it the rest of the way to London. We landed in the Royal Air Force Academy where I was transferred straight into an ambulance. Just 30 minutes later I was admitted to St. Mary's Hospital in Paddington.

I have never seen so many tests done so fast! The night I arrived I had numerous samples taken, tons of blood, an EKG, two ex-rays, and an echocardiogram. The efficiency still astounds me, after coming from Africa!

At the hospital everyone was just wonderful. They were all so kind and considerate. Nurses from all over the world took care of me including a wonderful lady named Venus from Zambia.

The first tests showed pretty severe anemia (7.8 HB for you medical people) but nothing else too astounding. The head cardiologist looked at the pictures from the echocardiogram and said the amazing words "I don't think we are dealing with a heart problem."

The next day of testing malaria showed up - falciparum malaria (the worst and most deadly kind). Treatment was started the next day with quinine, after all the tests were confirmed and the medicine was rustled up from pharmacy.

The infectious disease doctor explained that for some reason it has been found that salmonella and falciparum malaria seem to go hand in hand. This would explain why I got malaria after never having it before in my life. Malaria could also have accounted for the severe anemia. The doctor also explained quinine would probably make me feel sick because when it kills the parasites the dead parasites will give you the symptoms of malaria again.

So the first day on the medicine I was miserable with malaria symptoms. Some magical "anti-sickness" tablets they gave me really helped with the nausea so I could still eat. Since the lab had not seen anything relating to the salmonella, they began to only give me a third of the antibiotic they were giving me before. (It seems the final antibiotics in Liberia, or soon after, finally killed the salmonella). Little by little I began to regain my strength. My anemia improved considerably every day. The doctor said malaria can hide the hemoglobin(?) in other parts of the body (capillaries?) and as the malaria is killed, those are released back into the blood where they belong. (Something like that - don't quote me word for word here). By the time I left my hemoglobin was up to about 12, which is considered normal (although normal for me has been closer to 15, since I have been very healthy in the past).

I was given a second echocardiogram one of those days, where two specialist's looked at my heart. Both said I had a very healthy heart and no mitral valve prolapse. It was thus confirmed that I have no heart problems.

By Monday evening I began to feel normal again. Wednesday (the 30th of September) I was able to leave the hospital after a stay of seven days. (My mom had been staying in an inexpensive hotel nearby.) We are now staying with a wonderful British couple who are retired SIM missionaries. They used to be in Nigeria but are now back at home here and their main ministry is hospitality for people like us - missionaries and others who need a place to stay for awhile. They have been a huge blessing to us. My mom and I both have our own rooms and they have a beautiful "garden" in the back. Plus, he is also a doctor! So I am in good hands.

Everything still feels pretty surreal to me. I was so sick for so many days I couldn't think about anything but making it through the next moment. But I have been so amazed and blessed by the many (more than a thousand, at least) people who have been praying for me, and those who donated so generously to my medical expenses.

I must say I am so privileged to have been trained in the Word of God as I have been. Through this whole ordeal I have never worried that God had forgotten about me, been angry that he was allowing this to happen, or doubted his goodness in my life. Some people think theology and a good knowledge of the Bible don't really have anything to do with daily life. But they are so wrong. It has changed who I am and gives me the strength to make it through the most difficult times. The Nouthetic counseling training I received last year has also been invaluable during this time as it also greatly influenced the way I think and significantly increased my trust in God and the way he is working in my life.

In all my life I have been very strong. Growing up in Africa I never got malaria. I have never been hospitalized or been in a car accident. I have cracked my collarbone (twice, as a kid) but that was localized pain that healed fast. I open the jars for my mom, run the house when she is away, can look after 2 two-year-olds alone and make dinner and clean the kitchen at the same time. But when I was sick my mom was feeding me, a nurse bathed me and I couldn't even use the toilet on my own. Those things are humiliating, yet I didn't feel that way when I was going through them. I was just thankful. Thankful God had provided me with such loving people to care for me in my time of need.

One thing I know is that if you have never experienced something, you can't truly empathize with a person. I consider myself a very empathetic person, but I have never had a serious problem with my health. Constant nausea and vomiting are what chemo patients deal with. Someone with Crohn's disease struggles daily with intestinal discomfort and diarrhea. My illness seemed to never end - many people have chronic illnesses. Additionally, I have been so weak I now know what it is like to not be able to bathe yourself or to even use the bathroom without help. I have shed countless tears during times I was so sick all I could do was cry. My heart has pounded so much my chest hurt, I have ached with fever over and over again, been poked and prodded countless times, and I have endured many scary sleepless nights. Though I never ever want to go through any of that again, I am already thankful for how the Lord is going to use these experiences in my life.

I have been so pleasantly surprised by the many, many caring comments people have left on my facebook page. Additionally, my dad received over 600 email responses to the update he sent out to our prayers supporters, as I was about to leave Liberia. People have shared my need in small groups, churches, and even over the radio. And those prayers were answered. The speed and smoothness in which the emergency medical flight was arranged was astounding. The care at the hospital was phenomenal. No one was ever grumpy or short with me. They took my illness, symptoms and concerns all very seriously. My favorite nurse Venus (from Zamia) was so touched by our ministry in Africa and she made me feel comfortable even in the most awkward situations. The food was amazing and tasted like a restaurant (I kid you not).

And the mitral valve prolapse and possible endocarditis? Well, I have a strong, healthy heart with not a trace of mitral valve prolapse. Was it a miracle? I could very well be. I can't explain it and I saw a prolapsing mitral valve on the screen in Liberia, and I saw a strong, normal valve on the screen in London. The discomfort I was feeling with my heart could be explained by my anemia, low potassium and low electrolytes. No matter what, I am so thankful for a healthy heart and to have been in a first-world hospital during the weakest part of my illness and so the doctors could do all their tests to see if there was anything else wrong with me.

We are planning to return to Liberia on the 11th of October. Since all my problems were addressed here we don't feel there is a need to go all the way to the states. I am very anxious to return to Liberia where my fiancé lives and to my family, friends, and ministry.

I am still so very, very weak, and tire pathetically fast, so this time in England is just what I need to regain my strength. I lost more than 15 pounds of muscle and fat, and I was actually pretty much at my ideal weight when I got sick! So I am not happy about the weight loss, but I AM happy about putting it back on! Gaining back the muscle will take time. Yesterday was a hard day for me and I was reminded that fully recovering after being so sick is not going to happen overnight.

I know I am only beginning to learn all the things God will teach me through this experience. I truly do desire to be made more like Christ, and it is times like this I realize two things 1. Becoming like Christ is very hard. And 2. God has taken me seriously! He is allowing me to experience the things he knows I need to go through in order to look more like his Son.

I also learned that God wants me (all of us, really) to trust him with the unknown. As I had a relapse of the salmonella, and then the malaria, no emotional wall was going to protect me from feeling sick, and it wasn't going to make things any easier to tolerate. At times I have wanted to sort of brace myself for the things God was going to bring my way. Yet this time around I really had to just let go and just put one foot in front of the other and hold on to the grace God gave me, one moment at a time. After 6 weeks I can already notice a change in my thinking. Again, God will use what he needs to teach us what we need to know…

I am so thankful to God for bringing me through this and so thankful for all that I will continue to learn from this in the coming months and years. I am so thankful I got insurance even though I didn't think I would ever need it. (Let this be a bit of advice for all you short termers traveling overseas!) I am so thankful for my wonderful mother who has so patiently cared for me and for the rest of my family who was there for me when I was still in Liberia and are taking care of things while we are away (including the 2 two-year-olds I mentioned). I am thankful for Dr. Sacra who looked after me so well in Liberia. I am thankful for the Jacksons who have opened their lovely home to my mom and me while we are in London. I am also thankful to all you who have supported me in prayer through this difficult time. Because of you I always felt protected. I wish I could thank each one of you individually…

Please continue to pray for me as I try to regain my strength. Just going about normal living activities wears me out.

"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you,

for my power is made perfect in weakness.'

Therefore I will boast more gladly about my weaknesses,

so that Christ's power may rest on me."

2 Corinthians 12:9

In Christ alone,

Melodie

the susie guenter orphanage and the baptist children's homes

2009-08-23T06:32:00.000-07:00

For eight months in 2002 to 2003 my family lived on the ELWA campus. During that time God opened the door for me to teach school at a nearby orphanage. Our house was just 20 minutes walking distance to the Susie Guenter Orphanage (also known as the Jahz Jet Outreach Center, located on the main road to the airport).

(Most of the staff from the orphanage and school,

back in 2002.)

Jefferson and Helena Zeon, who established and run the orphanage, are wonderful Christian people. Jefferson grew up with some of our Baptist Mid Missions missionaries (Abe and Susie Guenter). Jefferson is one of our Baptist pastors and in addition to running a great orphanage, he has established other ministries in various parts of Liberia.

(Jahz Jet/Susie Guenter Orphanage in September of 2002)

During the year I taught school I got to know Jefferson and his family quite well. They are doing such an amazing job at their orphanage. They are also honest and reliable. Unlike some orphanages in Liberia, they actually use their (small) government subsidy to care for the children. In addition to this, they are sponsored by the Baptist Children's Home in the US. (When they received money for a new roof, there was a new roof on the orphanage. When they got money for new beds, beautiful new beds were set up in the bedrooms.)

For part of my summer (2005) internship in college I taught a Bible study on Godly living for the older girls at the Susie Gunter orphanage.

During this time I met a pathetic little girl who was very sick. The Zeon's had tried their best to meet her needs, but at the time had nearly 100 kids, and with the extent of her problems, Mary was just too much for them to handle. I talked to my parents about bringing this child home for about 2 weeks so we could address some of her illnesses. Jefferson was delighted as they had been worried about Mary. Mary had been abandoned on the street and had been placed at the Jahz Jet orphanage. She had been there a year when I found her, and had already improved considerably since then (thanks to Jefferson's dedication). We brought Mary home…and our lives were changed forever.

After treating Mary's many illnesses, we could analyze herbetter. We had no idea how old she was, but she was tiny, with a mouth full of permanent teeth. She couldn’t talk and was mentally handicapped. She just blossomed in our care and we truly grew to love her. We wondered if we should adopt Mary, but knew her handicaps were something that we could not address in Liberia. We didn't know what to do. During a missionary potluck we met Patty Anglin, who assured us she could find a home for Mary. And Patty did. My family and the Zeons were delighted when Mary, after 8 months in our home, went home to her new family in Canada (a family who specializes in adopting special needs kids). Later through a bone-age scan it was determined that Mary was 11 years old - the same age as my sister Heidi!!

Mary was my parent's first foster child and while she was still with us Patty brought us another foster child: a 2-month-old baby boy. From then on my family became foster parents for Acres of Hope, and through that, dear friends with Patty.

So the other day I decided to visit the Susie Guenter/Jahz Jet orphanage. I was so encouraged to see how well Jefferson is doing with the children in their care.

Their numbers are way down (down to the lower 30's) so they are able to focus more on each child individually. Because of this they were ready to take in a few special needs babies. Jefferson was so excited as he introduced me to little Hawa and Dominic, and told me how the Baptist Children's Homes director in the states had called him asking if they would be willing to add an abandoned special needs child to their orphanage.

(This is Hawa.)

(And this is Dominic.)

They said yes to the first one, and later the other was added. Those who have supported the Baptist Children's Home's Liberia ministry will be happy to know they are the ones supporting these two special children.

(Jefferson was also given extra funds from the BCH to set up things for these new special needs kids, like the shiny walker Dominic is sitting in). Right now since there are only two babies, they have one hired caretaker at a time. One lady cares for them in the day (the daytime hired caretaker is Helena's sister, pictured on the left), and in the evening another lady takes over (through the night). Jefferson also told me they have a nurse named Garmae who checks on the kids a few times a week, along with their daughter Jackie who is studying to be a Physicians Assistant. As you can see Hawa and Dominic are doing great here at the orphanage!

(Jefferson with Hawa)

(Dominic)

Jefferson also told me about a little baby with hydrocephalus that was recently granted a medical visa to the states. He along with Pastor Peter Flomo, who is the head of the Abandoned Child Care Foundation (ACCF) for the Baptist Children's homes, were able to acquire the medical visa for little Nye (pronounced "Yah"). You can read about Nyelleneh on the Baptist Children's Home's website.

I am so proud of all Jefferson and his family have done and continue to do on behalf of the needy children of Liberia!

-Africasmel

Alvin's Miracle

2009-08-21T12:17:00.000-07:00

Two blind men were sitting by the roadside,

and when they heard that Jesus was going by, they shouted,

"Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!"

The crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet,

but they shouted all the louder, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!"

Jesus stopped and called them.

"What do you want me to do for you?" he asked.

"Lord," they answered, "we want our sight."

Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes.

Immediately they received their sight and followed him.

(Matthew 20:30-34)

When Jesus came to earth as God made man, his purpose was to die on the cross for sinners - every human being that has ever lived. The sacrifice of a perfect person was the only acceptable offering for a righteous God. Because of Christ's suffering everyone who confesses their sin and accepts Jesus as their personal Savior can be saved from eternal damnation and look forward to an eternity with God in Heaven.

In Jesus' first recorded sermon he said

"The Spirit of the Lord is on me,

because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners

and recovery of sight for the blind,

to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."

(Luke 4:18-19)

Christ accomplished so much during his time on earth (before he died on the cross, then was raised back to life, and soon after ascended back to Heaven). Miracles were a major part of his ministry.

The purposes of Christ's miracles were twofold. "First, they revealed the sovereignty, power, and glory of God and of His Son. Second, they revealed mankind's desperate need. His healings expose the devastation caused by sin, as well as God's power and will to repair such sin-wrought desolation and wretchedness." Another way to look at the first purpose is that "miracles are the testimony of God as to the nature and person of Jesus Christ." Miracles confirmed that Jesus was who he said he was.

While Jesus is not walking the earth in visible, human form today, he is every bit as much present and involved in our lives as he was with the individuals he healed in the Bible.

When a 13-year-old boy from Liberia, West Africa, lay dying in a tuberculosis sanitarium, it seemed this child had been forgotten. When his bed sores had eaten away his flesh to the point that he bones and internal organs were visible, he could no longer walk, use the bathroom, roll over, or simply lay in a comfortable position, Alvin's future seemed hopeless, and death just around the corner.

On one of Patty's first visits to Alvin she thought he would die within a few days. Alvin asked Patty to sleep near him in the sanitarium (on the floor beside the bed) so that if Jesus came, when he saw a white person, He would be inclined to stop and see Alvin. Patty explained to Alvin that Jesus showed no preference for black or white skin, and then led Alvin through the plan of salvation, so that if Alvin were to pass away in the night, Jesus would indeed bring him home with Him to Heaven. Alvin accepted Jesus as his Savior that night and Patty slept on the hard cement floor beside him.

Alvin and his birth mom had been praying a long time for

some way that Alvin's life could be spared. Some

way for him to live the future he dreamed of and recover from his constant suffering. Through the ministry of Patty Anglin with Acres of Hope, Water of Life, various missionaries on the ground in Liberia, and a loving Christian family in America, the present day hands of Christ reached out to Alvin to save his precious life and bring him to a place where he can receive the most physical recovery possible on earth. Through this, along with financial donations, and the prayers of thousands of people, God has worked a modern day miracle in the life of a little child who thought he had been forgotten. Who thought Jesus only came to white people. Who thought his dreams to see life and a future in America would never come true. Christ is still alive and well today, working in the lives of the great and the very, very small. I hope Alvin's story has convinced you that Jesus Christ is who he says he is, and he has great, great love and compassion for the physically suffering and spiritually lost.

As I stood watching Alvin's plane taxi toward the runway last night I realized I had just experienced one of those "once in a lifetime" days that you never, ever forget. Sometimes I just can't believe I am so blessed to be a part of what God is doing in the hearts and lives of people here in Africa.

Please visit my original post of this story on the AOH blog to see all the pictures of Alvin's departure day. The internet is too slow to repost all of those here.

-Melodie

August Prayer letter

2009-08-11T13:44:00.002-07:00

Dear friends,

I am finally sitting down for a long overdue prayer letter! After getting back to Liberia after my brother John-Mark's wedding, I hit the ground running with a number of situations that I will share with you.

I flew back to the states in May for John-Mark's wedding and returned the end of June. The wedding was simply perfect and it was such an honor to be a bridesmaid. I am so happy for my big brother and thrilled to call Sara my sister. While in the states I was also able to spend some much needed quality time with my friend Kevin. Kevin and I began dating about a month before I flew out to Liberia in December. Kevin is also a missionary kid from Liberia and he is also committed to full-time missions in Africa. And now, after much waiting and lots of prayer, Kevin has joined me in Liberia after being hired by an American construction company. Please keep this relationship in your prayers as Kevin and I seek the Lord's will for our future.

(Tasha and A's son at a recent visit.)

Back in Liberia I began counseling again right away. Both A and M seemed to do okay while I was gone. Sadly, when I was back for just 2 weeks, A's 10-year-old daughter Tasha was raped. The little girl was taken to a hospital and then transferred to a safe home where she has been for the past month. It just breaks my heart that this has happened, yet I know God loves A and her little family more than I ever could, and so I simply have to trust that somehow he is going to use this tragic circumstance for their good. In addition to this, A's ex boyfriend has been trying to weasel his way back into her life. So I am now in the process of helping A take legal action on behalf of her daughter and the ex boyfriend. After the rapist is rearrested (the police let him out), we will be bringing Tasha back home where I will begin counseling her (alongside her mother) half of the time. I am also hoping to enroll Tasha in a good, safe Christian school right near where they live so she can begin an education and have a safe place to be while her mother is working. Concerning the ex boyfriend, A and I will be meeting with her family and the young man to formally (and in a culturally appropriate way) inform him that he is no longer welcome in A's life (and to stay away from her house!). There is a man who is very high in government security who is also a good Christian (and attends one of our Baptist churches) who will be joining me for the meeting to properly threaten the young man since he (Tasha and A's son on our last visit) has already disobeyed the police's orders to stay out of A's life.

In addition to all this, A is dealing with another issue that I am not sure I am ready to share (or will share at all). It grieves me so much that she is going through all this, yet so much she has brought on herself through her sinful lifestyle. I know helping A change her life and establish a firm foundation in Christ is going to take time…and I have already seen it is very difficult. But God is with her and she really does seem to desire to be right with God, so I feel privileged to be here for her at this time. I wrote up an article (of sorts) about my ministry with A that I posted on my blog (and was also published on another Christian organization's website). I would appreciate it if you would take the time to read her story and what I am learning through my ministry with her by clicking here.

As if that were not exciting enough, I am working diligently with Acres of Hope to help get a critically ill child adopted to the states. God has also given me the chance to do some counseling with Alvin. Alvin is 13 years old and very intelligent, and he is also a born again Believer. While we are doing our best to get Alvin the life saving medical care he needs, Alvin still needs to be prepared for the chance that Jesus could take him home soon. But it does look like God is going to heal Alvin physically as we are just days away from getting him home to his adoptive family in the US. I had just begun blogging for Acres of Hope when God used the blog to find Alvin his adoptive parents. To learn more about Alvin's story please read what I have written on the blog by clicking here.

I have been helping my parents a lot with our two Liberian foster babies. These children are waiting for adoption to reopen in the country so they can go home to their respective families. The boys are both almost two, and one has been struggling with some issues that make him very demanding (even more demanding than your average two year old!).

Please remember to keep the following things in your prayers:

1. That God would give Kevin and me wisdom concerning our future.

2. That the rapist would be arrested very soon so we can bring the little girl home.

3. That I would have wisdom as I counsel Tasha.

4. That the ex boyfriend would be properly convinced to stay out of A's life.

5. That A would be strong to establish a firm foundation in Christ.

6. That Alvin would make it home soon and be able to heal from his multiple physical problems.

7. That the foster baby will grow through his struggles, that I would have a lot of patience to meet his needs, and that adoptions would reopen so both babies can go to the parents that have been waiting so long for them.

Thanks so much for keeping me in your prayers. I need them so much as I realize I can't do any of this in my own strength.

In Christ,

Melodie

Pray for Alvin!!!

2009-07-22T07:45:00.000-07:00

I am now blogging for Acres of Hope and I also wanted to share this critical need here on my blog.

This is a little boy named Alvin who is in critical condition. Alvin is 13 years old and previously had Tuberculosis of the spine. Alvin was successfully treated at the TB Annex in Congo Town but due to complications of his illness, has remained there much longer than his treatment required. While Alvin was so sick, lying in bed for so long, he developed bedsores. These bedsores grew and grew until the flesh was eaten away and now bone is visible! Alvin has bedsores on both hips, his lower back and between his knees. His bed sore on his right hip is so bad that all the muscle has wasted away, his hip has been dislocated, and his femur bone actually slips out of his body about once a day and has to be pushed back in by a doctor! I don't know how Alvin is even still alive.

Alvin is available for adoption and is in need of an adoptive home. He needs help ASAP, which means the family needs to be homestudy ready and have a hospital and insurance lined up for his care. Patty has been working very hard to save this little boy's life and has put together a plea for him here in Liberia. Thankfully, the government is ready to push his case through if we can find an adoptive home.

If Alvin can't leave Liberia soon, an American surgeon feels he should remove Alvin's right leg at the hip, since the ball and joint are no longer together. He also said he would use the skin from the leg he removes to cover some of the other bad areas that need skin grafting.

Alvin is a very

sweet boy. He is smart, can read, and loves school and learning. He is described as a peacemaker and knows the Lord as his personal Savior. Based on what we know of Alvin it is clear he is a very special boy and would be a huge blessing to an adoptive family. Right now he is grieving because he was told that his leg would probably have to come off. Please pray for this young man that God would give him the strength necessary to face the challenges of loosing his leg, if it comes to that. Also pray that if it is God's will, He would provide another way to save Alvin's life, and that he would one day have complete healing. If you can help Alvin or know anyone who might be able to help, please send an email to aoh.savinglives@gmail.com as quickly as possible. A fund has been send up to support Alvin's medical needs. Click here to donate towards that through paypal, or email the address above for more details or another form of payment.

The watermark I put on the blog pictures says "Acres of Hope...where new life begins..." Please pray with me that Alvin would have a chance for new life...

Africasmel

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(Those interested can see more pictures of Alvin at the AOH blog.)

A Liberian Woman

2009-07-14T14:46:00.000-07:00

God has given me a special desire. My life's call is to reach Africa with the gospel. In that call is a heavy burden for women. Most of you know I am involved in orphan ministries. I care very deeply for underprivileged children. But I am equally passionate about ministering to hurting and needy women. But stepping into someone's life in such a way to really make a difference is not easy. You need to be prepared. You have to make sure you know the culture, and you also know your Bible. Thankfully God has blessed me with a great, Biblical college education, an upbringing here in Africa, and Biblical counseling training. I am at a place where I can start truly making a difference, but I still have so much more I need to learn. Sometimes I feel so inadequate. This kind of ministry is difficult. Not only do I need to be the hands and feet - the voice - of Christ as I minister to these women, but I also represent a small piece of the heart of God as he fills my heart with love and compassion for these women. The more I work with them, the closer I get to them, and the more their suffering hurts me too.

I am a counselor and a Bible study leader, but I am also a friend. I show people hope and healing as found in the word of God. I also guide them with practical suggestions of how to live as a Godly woman in Liberia. Sometimes I help them out with clothes, money to take their child to the hospital, or something else material. But I am not the one to meet their everyday needs. One day I will no longer be working with them and they need to see how God is able to provide, without the help of a white person, and how they can bring in an income and support themselves. Part of showing Christ's love is meeting physical needs, but their needs to be a balance.

One of the reasons I am burdened for African women is their very difficult lives combined with very few Biblical resources. While everyone has faced some kind of hurt or suffering in their lives, the level your average African woman faces would simply astound most of you who are reading this. But I have hope. I have the Bible, which means I have the truth. I have answers. And God has given me training and desire to work with these women, and the ability to learn and understand the difficult Liberian English (all my counseling is done in this form of English, and to be most effective I have to use my heaviest accent and all the odd words that come with the dialect).

And so I want you to meet Patience* today. I want you to learn what your average Liberian woman is like.

*(Name changed for privacy)

In the fall of 2006 as I worked for Acres of Hope, I met many people looking for help from this humanitarian and adoption agency. Many single parents, with no alternatives, brought their needy and sometimes dying children as their last resort. One of these mothers stood out to me in a special way. Patience was a 21-year-old single mother of two. Her second daughter was born with a medical condition that could not be corrected in Liberia but with many surgeries could be fixed in the states. Since her daughter was born Patience had searched all over the country for a doctor who could correct her daughters problem. After 18 months of searching, with no assistance from the child's father or his parents, and completely on her own as her own parents had passed away, Patience finally heard of Acres of Hope. I established a friendship with Patience when she would come to the AoH office for funds to help with the care of her daughter or when I would visit them where Patience sold snacks. (While her daughter was accepted into the adoption program almost immediately, she remained in her mother's care since no foster homes were available at the time and her mother was already doing such a great job with her care.)

Well, due to complications with the child's extended family, this little girl was not adopted while I was working for AoH. I returned to the states in the fall of 2007 hoping that things would change and the baby girl would finally be able to get the life saving care she needed. I prayed frequently for this little family, for Patience's spiritual condition, for their daily needs, and that the baby would one day be adopted, before it was too late. Right before I left Patience gave birth to a little boy, by the same father as her second daughter.

In 2008, as I made plans to return to Liberia, God laid Patience on my heart. I had just received training in Biblical (Nouthetic) counseling and was excited to invest in the life of this single mom. I had made a difference in the lives of many children, but now I had the chance to make a difference in a mother's life, to show her how to make wise choices so she would be able to make it as a single mom, and most importantly, to have the hope and joy that only Jesus Christ can bring.

I was shocked to learn, just one month before heading to Liberia, that Patience's little daughter had passed away due to complications of her condition. We all knew it could happen…I was just believing God would spare this little girl. That someday it would work out for her to be adopted, that my involvement in their lives would maybe guarantee eventually she would find the help she needed. But that was not how God chose to work in this situation. For some reason he knew he would get more glory through the girl's death than through her life. I do not understand why God allowed this to happen, but it was very clear that God was leading me to be involved in Patience's life upon my return to Liberia.

And so when I began meeting with Patience, after returning to Liberia, it was for grief counseling. I was not able to start counseling right away, but again, when I was able to begin the sessions, it was very clear the Lord had me in Patience's life for a reason. The day I went to meet with her to arrange what our schedule would be like (we meet twice a week for about an hour) her ex-boyfriend had just beaten her up. Then, as we were talking, he stomped back to Patience's house, pulled out a bunch of her clothes, dumped them in a wheelbarrow, poured kerosene on top, and lit them on fire! I grabbed Patience and her kids and took them to the nearby police station to file a report on this abusive and dangerous man. Thankfully they were able to arrest him later, threaten him severely, and things have been better. Unfortunately the ex is not completely out of her life, but he seems to have decided he is going to be good.

In addition to the grief counseling, I have been helping Patience work through various areas of her life she needs to change to make right with God. Obviously Patience has had a very rough life. She is only my same age and has gone through more grief than many people will see in a lifetime. From the beginning Patience was ready to experience hope and healing, no matter the cost. When we began meeting she thought she already knew Jesus as her Savior. I knew she didn't, based on the lack of fruit in her life (Matthew 7:16). As those first sessions wore on, Patience started expressing interest in accepting Jesus as her Savior. I was thrilled she was so interested, yet I know one big problem with evangelism in Liberia (it could happen anywhere, really) is the push for a prayer or going forward, or some outwards declaration of following Jesus, when the person has no idea what they are really doing and is not truly ready to follow Jesus with their life. Most Liberians have no clue what it really means to be a Christian, or the high cost of following Jesus (the prosperity Gospel is very popular here). So after three more weeks of meeting, of explaining what it truly means to be a Believer, of taking her through the Bible and explaining how wonderful, but how hard, it is going to be to follow Christ, Patience accepted Jesus as her personal Savior!

Counseling and discipleship have been going very well. Patience is practically a dream counselee as she is so receptive to the truth and anxious to apply it to her life. But just because Patience is now following Jesus does not mean her life will be easy. I wish it did…

Just the other day Patience's 10-year-old daughter was raped. Patience had gone to the market and had left the girl at the house, as usual. There are many other women around and it really isn't a bad idea to leave a 10-year-old at home without mom around. Well, sadly a man who had been staying in one of the rooms at their house took advantage of this opportunity. The girl was admitted to the hospital right afterwards and then was transferred to a rehab center for counseling and encouragement (she will be there for about 3 weeks).

When I first learned of the rape I thought "why her? Why Patience, after all she has already been through?" Then I realize something; she is no different than your average Liberian woman. Only in her case I am here…Most of them just have to buck up and get on with life. It tears me up to think of that. To think that so many women live like Patience has lived, but with no hope. Yet God has given me the indescribable privilege of being here for this family. Of offering them the hope of Jesus Christ. Patience has become like a sister to me. I never knew I would grow to care for her so much.

I wish more people would join me. There is such a need. As Jesus said in Matthew 9:37 "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few."

When Patience's daughter comes home I will begin counseling her alongside her mother, half of the time. I don't know where to begin. I'm not ready for this. But God has placed me here for such a time as this (Esther 4:14) and how could I shy away from opportunity? After all, it's why I'm here.

Patience's two year old son.

-Africasmel

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April Prayer Letter

2009-04-20T13:52:00.000-07:00

Dear friends,

Hello from Liberia! I am doing well and eager to share the ways the Lord has been using me these past two months.

Praise God Acres of Hope has come through the crisis I mentioned in my previous letter. The little one I was caring for is healthy again and is back at the Acres of Hope Orphanage. My family still cares for two other babies who are waiting to be adopted.

As I mentioned in my last prayer letter adoptions are currently suspended in Liberia. One of the reasons international adoption is suspended is because new adoption laws are being written to improve the adoption process. While I support the new laws and think they will be beneficial to the country, we who work with adoptions are concerned about the length of time it is taking to come to a decision about these laws as there are many needy children waiting for adoption, including those with urgent medical needs. Since I believe adoption

and the care of the orphaned and needy is a biblical concept, I have felt called to advocate for adoption in Liberia. Because I am an independent missionary, and not employed with an adoption agency (but have adoption experience from my previous work with Acres of Hope) I have had the chance to speak out where someone officially with one of these organization may not have been able to (as I have nothing to gain from international adoption). I have had several opportunities to have an influence on the adoption situation in Liberia. I have helped to write letters to various officials, spoken on the radio, met with government officials, and participated in a press conference, which was written about in the newspapers and aired on TV. Additionally, a government official requested my input on adoption and how it relates to Liberia. In response I wrote a 22 page (single spaced!) research paper that was given to this man as well as many other officials involved in writing the new adoption laws. I have been given more influence in this area than I could have asked for and pray that God blesses my efforts - not for me, but for the sake of the many, many needy children in the country who would benefit from adoption.

Counseling has begun and I have been reminded again of how much I love working one-on-one with women! What a priceless privilege to be able to share hope and the keys to living a godly life with African women in their own cultural context, speaking the Liberian English they speak. I am currently counseling two young ladies. M is 17 and has some trauma in her past, but I belie

ve is a born again Christian, and A is a 24 year old single mom with 2 kids who recently lost her 3 year old daughter to a medical condition that would have been correctible in many other countries. The Lord has blessed me with the opportunity to bring hope to these women in the midst of some very trying life circumstances. I am so pleased to share that A just accepted Jesus as her personal Savior last week! Although only my same age, A has already seen so much heartache, but by God's grace she has taken hold of the only hope anyone has in life - the hope of Jesus Christ. I meet with M once a week and A twice a week, according to what works for their schedules.

I have hosted several gatherings for the older missionary kids in the area, including a big birthday celebration and sleepover for my brother Jared's 13th birthday. I can tell the kids really enjoy the get-togethers and it has been a joy hosting these occasions.

In March I went to for a long weekend to Yila where one of our Baptist Mid Mission's stations

is located. I went with my sister Heidi, Martha (a graduate from our Bible school in Yila), and Eveline (who grew up in Yila and is one of our pastor's daughters. I also discipled her a few years ago). We had the chance to visit the station and relive some memories of when we were all there years ago, as well as hold a class for the young ladies on the mission encouraging them towards purity and godliness (most of the teen girls already had babies out of wedlock). We thank God for a safe trip in the chartered taxi. On our way to Yila we witnessed a motorcycle accident and were the first ones on the scene to help the injured.

My older brother will be getting married in June so I will be traveling to the states for the occasion. I knew when I came to Liberia last December I would be returning at some point during the summer for the wedding. My family will also be going back to the states but I will be leaving a little earlier to attend another wedding. We will be returning to Liberia together at the end of June

Please join me in prayer for the following requests:

1. That international adoption would reopen in the country and the new laws would be accommodating to those already in the adoption process.

2. That the ladies I am counseling would be bold to live lives of godliness amidst many negative influences.

3. That I (along with the rest of my family) will have safety as we travel thousands of miles this summer.

Thank you again for your continued prayers and financial support. It is such a blessing to be here now being used by God.

In Christ,

Melodie

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Update...finally!

2009-03-16T13:47:00.000-07:00

Thank you all for you prayers. The crisis AoH was facing is over and the kids are doing great.
I returned my little charge to the orphanage (after he gained nearly 5 pounds)
and he is doing fine.

(AoH girls lined up to wash their hands before lunch)

Tim Faust, AoH USA employee and Clinical Therapist come out to the country to help do some therapy and training with me and the other orphanage staff members. We are grateful for his visit and I am excited about the new sensory integration therapy I learned and will be able to do with the children.

(Tim Faust, Patty Anglin - AoH Founder and Directer, Baby, Nanny)

Adoptions are still suspended in the country. Me, my parents, Acres of Hope, and the other adoption agencies in the country are advocating for the children and encouraging the government to finalize the new adoption laws and lift the suspension. There are many children matched for adoption in the country who need to go home, especially those with medical needs. There are many more needy children in Liberia who could be helped or even saved through adoption. Please continue to pray that the new laws will be set in place, that the laws will truly be in the best interest of the children, and that the suspension will be lifted very soon.

I have been so busy with all this adoption related stuff but I feel it is best to not give too many details in such a public format.

But I can share that I was on Liberian Radio last week!!!

Go to this link (I hope it still works!) to hear me, a Liberian adoption worker, and an American adoptive dad (from ACFI) on Liberian radio answering calls on adoption. We thought it was funny that I was introduced as an "Adoption Expert" but oh well…I guess I could be compared with your average Liberian who might not even know what adoption is!

(A fun picture I took in a market.)

-Africasmel

February Prayer Letter

2009-02-14T02:28:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends,

Hello from Liberia! I can hardly believe I have already been here two months! It is so wonderful to be back in Africa and an added blessing to be with my family. A lot has happened these past weeks, but not necessarily what I had planned.

First I would like to give glory to God for providing above and beyond my financial needs for this short-term missions trip. the money was trickling in VERY slowly, but in the very last days of being in the stats it all came! I am thankful for God's provision for me and believe this is a real confirmation that I am where he wants me to be.

My family and I arrived in Liberia December 3rd. Since my family had been on furlough we immediately began getting settled back into our house. A few days later I spoke with the director of Acres of Hope (the adoption agency I had previously worked for) about how I could be a help to them. I was able to take pictures of the children and gather information for updates to be sent to the adoptive parents of the kids. I have also been spending my mornings playing games and telling stories. It is a joy and pleasure to touch the lives of these little ones and to be an encouragement to the families who are working so hard to bring them home.

I celebrated the birth of our Lord at several Christmas gatherings. It was so wonderful to be here in Liberia for Christmas since, in light of my upbringing, Christmas doesn't feel like Christmas unless I am in Africa! Every year God shows me something new about Christmas. This year i was overwhelmed with the hope that Jesus brought to a hurting world when he came to earth as a tiny baby. Through his death for our sings, and resurrection, every lost and hurting person is given the chance at hope and a new life of freedom and peace.

"The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, because he has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor, He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed;"

Luke 4:18

A few days after Christmas my family and I headed up country for the Baptist Mid Missions New Years conference of the Mono and Geo tribes. I had the opportunity to teach the young ladies and girls. My theme was "The Blessings of Following God". I was encouraged to see the girls were so attentive, but it was sad that many of the young ladies already had children out of wedlock. I pray that God uses the words I spoke to help the ladies get on the road to freedom and home in Jesus.

(My sister Heidi with the girls, waiting for class to start.)

January I had anticipated beginning to prepare for my counseling certification. I still have to complete the exams before I can begin the mentored counseling. Those plans are temporarily on hold as I have felt led to assist Acres of Hope in a crisis, which includes the fostering of some of their needy children. My family now has three foster babies and I am completely responsible for a little boy who is severely handicapped. While I am anxious to begin the counseling, I can see God has me here for "such a time as this" since this little guy may not have made it had I not be available to help with his care.

At this time adoptions have been suspended in Liberia. They are supposed to reopen after new adoption laws are set in place. We are praying this happens soon as there are many children in the orphanage who are waiting to be united with their adoptive families (all overseas adoptions, mostly to the US).

On the first Friday night of January I was able to host a dinner and overnight for 10 missionary kids. Everyone had a blast, especially my sister Heidi(14) and my brother Jared (12). A

gain another Friday two missionary kids and two of my friends (a young lady I have discipled in the past, and a young lady i am planning to disciple) came over for another overnight. At this time I am hoping to use several Friday nights a month as a time for fellowship and encouragement of the missionary kids and some of my Liberian friends.

In the mean time I would like to start at least on Bible study with a teenage girl I have known for several years now. I am eager to be involved in the lives of the women of Liberia and am excited to teach my friend about being a Godly young woman.

Please join me in prayer for the following things:

1. That the children I am caring for would improve daily in their health.

2. That the Acres of Hope crisis would be resolved.

3. That adoptions would soon reopen in the country.

4. That I would have the chance to begin the preparations for my counseling certification.

5. That I would be able to begin at least one Bible study.

6. That God would use me to be a blessing to the missionary kids.

Thank you all for your financial support and your prayers. I wouldn't be here without them. I am blessed to be called to serve God in Africa and blessed by your prayers and financial gifts that make it possible.

In Christ,

Melodie

Psalm 64

2009-01-20T02:23:00.000-08:00

Well I am pretty sure I won't be able to make my goal of posting twice a week. So I will now try to post at least once a week! I really enjoy having the blogs and like sharing what the Lord is doing in my life and ministry, but I get so busy, and with unreliable internet, sometimes it's really hard to get an update in.

So we did go to the conference up country and I had a wonderful time. I still plan on posting about that and sharing some of the over 500 pictures I took!

For now, please keep me and my ministry in your prayers. Something bad has happened that I really need people to remember in their prayers. Unfortunately I don't feel I can share what it is, but I will let you know when it is resolved. For now, this is the passage the Lord has laid on my heart concerning this situation.

Psalm 64

Hear me, O God, as I voice my complaint;
protect my life from the threat of the
enemy.

Hide me from the conspiracy of the wicked,
from that noisy crowd of evildoers.

They sharpen their tongues like swords
and aim their words like deadly arrows.

They shoot from ambush at the innocent man;
they shoot at him suddenly, without fear.

They encourage each other in evil plans,
they talk about hiding their snares;
they say, "Who will see them?"

They plot injustice and say,
"We have devised a perfect plan!"
Surely the mind and heart of man are cunning.

But God will shoot them with arrows;
suddenly they will be struck down.

He will turn their own tongues against them
and bring them to ruin;
all who see them will shake their heads in scorn.

All mankind will fear;
they will proclaim the works of God
and ponder what he has done.

Let the righteous rejoice in the LORD
and take refuge in him;
let all the upright in heart praise him!

-Africasmel

Going up country!

2008-12-30T01:44:00.000-08:00

Today we are leaving for a conference up country! We will be staying in Tappi, a small town in Nimba County for 5 - 6 days. My parents always teach at this conference and this year I have the privilege of teaching as well. I will also have the opportunity to get many amazing pictures. Please keep me in your prayers and expect a really great post when I get back.

-Africasmel

Jesus, Our Hope

2008-12-22T13:31:00.000-08:00

As believers we are challenged to remember the "true meaning of Christmas": the birth of Jesus Christ. This is very important. Christmas without Christ is empty and meaningless. But there is more to Christmas than even this.

I'm 24 this year. Not too old in the eyes of most of you, but because of my mission work I have had the opportunity to see a very hard side of life. Everywhere around the world are hurting people, people living in extremely difficult circumstances, with pain and fear an everyday way of life. Much of America has had the privilege to avoid too much heartache. It surprises many Americans when they learn the shear number of orphans around the world (about 143 million), that almost half the world lives on less than $2.50 a day , that a 13 year old could be forced to hit the streets to bring in an income for her family. What should also be as shocking to Christians is how many people live without Christ. In America there are still many, many people who haven't found hope in Jesus. But there is the chance to find answers all over the place. Bible preaching churches are in most (all?) cities, Bibles tucked into end tables in hotels, information just a click away on the Internet, and there is little to no real persecution for following Christ.

But for most people around the world the gospel unavailable, hard to find, there is no Bible or Christian literature in their language and/or they will face harsh persecution for following Christ. Did you know that of the approximately 16,321 people groups around the world 6,675 of them are still considered unreached? That's a total of 40.9% of the world's population. English is the trade language of Liberia, but most people speak 1 to 3 other tribal languages. Some people don't speak English at all (especially in the villages). Some tribes right here in Liberia do not have a Bible in their language. My brother John-Mark has a burden for these people and will be starting linguistics training in a few weeks to come back to Liberia to bring the Gospel to some of these tribal groups.

As I look around Liberia I see many humanitarian organizations. But comparatively speaking there are way more groups bringing physical aid than those bringing theologically sound spiritual hope. Clean drinking water is good, and everyone deserves that, but without Christ people will simply be given the opportunity to live longer lives of fear and despair, then die and go to Hell. Teaching someone a trade theoretically will build the country up, but without moral groundings in Christ there is nothing to stop the person from selling their new tools for money instead of putting forth the effort to make a living. I am happy to see people caring about Africa. This is the land I love and I feel so strongly for Africa. God had given me a passion for Africa and it is my life goal to bring hope to her people. But when I look around I know that the people in a local community may have clean drinking water, but they are plagued with the fear of evil spirits. The women live like prostitutes to survive; the children are used and abused in the most horrible ways. They have a closed well to get their water from (though that doesn't automatically mean they will now wash their hands after they use the bathroom, won't share cups, etc.) Who is bringing Jesus Christ to these people? Sure, there is a church on every corner. But the leaders are not trained, poorly trained, or teach heresy.

When you truly understand the depravity of humankind, you realize we have no hope but in Jesus Christ. I've had conversations with American Christians who think there is some value to the "good" people in the world. They might not be saved, but "we have a lot to learn from them". An American friend of mine wondered of her religious Muslim friend might actually be on her way to Heaven because of her faithful devotion to Allah (though in reality the person did not practice what is required in Islam to reach paradise). But the Bible is very clear. Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6). And " there is none righteous, no not one." (Romans 3:10) The truth is, any good anyone does, saved or unsaved, is all a reflection of God. There has never been a good dead done that was not a picture of the goodness of God. When you live in a society where being nice and good is pretty much the norm (a place founded on Christian principles), you can believe that being good is something that anyone can do, and doesn't have anything to do with God. But when you see more publicly the hopelessness of man, like I have seen here in Liberia, you are reminded that without Christ it is all impossible.

My favorite Christmas song this year is "I heard the Bells on Christmas Day" by Casting Crowns. Some of the lyrics are:

I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play
And mild and sweet their songs repeat
Of peace on earth good will to men

And the bells are ringing
Like a choir they're singing
In my heart I hear them
Peace on earth, good will to men

And in despair I bowed my head
There is no peace on earth I said
For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men

But the bells are ringing
Like a choir singing
Does anybody hear them?
Peace on earth, good will to men

Then rang the bells more loud and deep
God is not dead, nor doth He sleep
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
With peace on earth, good will to men

Do you hear the bells they're ringing?
The life the angels singing
Open up your heart and hear them
Peace on earth, good will to men

Peace on earth, Peace on earth
Peace on earth, Good will to men

You see, Jesus is the reason for the season. But as my friend posted, he is not just the reason for the season, he is the reason we live! The more I learn in life the more I am overwhelmed at how bad the world is. (I am not being dramatic here. I could tell you things that are normal in many places of the world that some of you wouldn't even believe.) In middle-class America it's easy to think that things really aren't that bad. But they are…It would be very easy for me to feel hopeless. Like the song says, "In despair I bowed my head. There is no peace on earth I said." But I am reminded this Christmas 2008 that there is hope. Jesus Christ came as a baby to the world to bring peace to a troubled world. Without Christ there is nothing good on earth, there are no answers to life, there is no hope…and this is just the earth part! When we die we will either go to Heaven or Hell. All of us are destined to Hell unless we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. Jesus also brings us hope for eternity! I am moved to tears at this realization and am more thankful than words can convey to know these truths, to know personally Jesus Christ, and to have the chance to bring hope to lost souls here in Liberia.

I pray you too understand the true meaning of Christmas. Do you understand that Jesus came to earth as a baby, God made into man, to die as the sacrifice for our sins? That in believing in him we may have life? I hope so.

John 3:16
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Jesus, our hope.

I pray you have a wonderful Christmas!

I'm in Liberia!!

2008-12-12T13:47:00.000-08:00

I am back in Liberia! I traveled with my family and had a surprisingly uneventful trip.
We got in a week ago Wednesday.
(My sister Heidi took the picture of me and some neighborhood kids.)

We arrived Wednesday night to our wonderful house, but no electricity (and no generator). We ate and got mostly unpacked in candlelight. On Thursday we unpacked some more and then on Friday I went over to the Acres of Hope office to talk about what I'll be doing at the orphanage. I also had the chance to go to the orphanage. It was so great to be back and to see things not too different from how I left them. I knew all of the nannies and, sadly. some of the kids. A few of the children who were still in the orphanage last year are there today. Mostly special needs kids…I'll definitely be posting more on this soon.

The rest of December will be fairly laid back as we have a conference up country at the end of the month. When we return I'll start going over to the orphanage every morning and begin the counseling with the ladies that I know (I have already set up one contact for this).

It is just so good to be back. I adjusted to the time difference in just two days and the heat and humidity in about three. For me this is truly like coming home. Our house still isn't all set up and I'm not moved into my own bedroom yet, but we are actually back in the same house we left (literally a first in my family's years as missionaries) and most importantly, I'm in Africa!

I have been out with my camera a couple of times which is so much fun. I was able to by a new camera this time back in America, which will greatly improve the quality of my pictures.

This is an adorable neighborhood baby who

was having a blast taking a bath. She was absolutely adorable!

This little girl's family runs a shop near
the orphanage. Here she is directing her baby brother's attention to the camera.

We just got internet the other night so I should be able to begin posting fairly frequently. My goal is twice a week. We'll see if that actually happens!

-Africasmel

Three Weeks Till Liberia!

2008-11-11T11:01:00.000-08:00

Three weeks from today I am scheduled to leave for Liberia. I am so excited about this but am still in need of a lot of financial support. I can survive on less than my goal, but at this point I still need a lot more to make it to my minimum requirements (I have only raised 18% of my monthly expenses and 65% of my one time expenses).

Here is a copy of my support letter with details on how you can be involved in my ministry:

Here is a brief overview of what I have been doing in the past few years:

I graduated from Cedarville University in 2006 with a degree in International Studies and an emphasis on Missions. Right after graduating I went to Liberia where I lived with my parents while working for Acres of Hope as the orphanage supervisor. After a year and a half I felt led to return to the States to take a course in Biblical Counseling. I came back last November and then in February moved to Indiana where I attended Faith Baptist Church, took the counseling course offered by the church, and worked at a Christian Camp (Camp Tecumseh). My time in Indiana is over and I have moved to Minnesota where I am living with my parents (who are on furlough) while I raise support for this next ministry.

I have strongly felt the Lord leading back to Liberia. Through a lot of opened and closed doors God has really confirmed that this is where I am supposed to be for the coming year. I will be leaving December 2nd and will be serving as a short-term missionary with Baptist Mid Missions for up to a year. I will be working alongside my parents, Mark and Nancy Sheppard, who are missionaries with Baptist Mid Missions, and with the ministries of Calvary Baptist Church in Monrovia.

There are three main ministries in which I plan to be involved. They are biblical counseling, orphan work, and a missionary kid youth program.

Biblical Counseling:

My first priority is to complete the counseling requirements in order to become a certified counselor. I need 50 hours of mentored counseling and to complete some exams. (I'll be mentored long-distance through email.) Biblical counseling is basically just using the Bible to solve life's problems. It can be as simple as a Bible study or as intense as trying to save a marriage. I already know several young ladies in Liberia that would love to participate in a Bible study and I am sure there are many other women who would be interested. Women's discipleship is one of my passions and I am so excited to have this opportunity to help train Liberian women in the Word of God.

In addition to personal contacts, I'll also be involved with the ministries of Calvary Baptist Church. Calvary Baptist is a church that was started by Baptist Mid-Missions years ago. It is now a thriving church and interested in starting a counseling ministry. I plan to attend this church, teach a young women's Sunday school class, and counsel women who are referred to me.

Orphan Work:

Over the past few years the Lord has opened my eyes to the needs of orphans around the world. As James 1:27 says, "Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world." There are approximately 143 million orphans around the world. Since God calls orphan ministries "pure", and there is such a tremendous need, I want to be a part of this work. I plan to volunteer for Acres of Hope, but there are also other orphanages where I could be involved, should the Lord open those doors. Volunteering could involve office work, leading programs for the kids, completing projects or fostering needy babies.

Missionary Kid Program:

As a missionary kid myself, I know it's important missionary children to have opportunities to fellowship with one another and learn lessons from the Bible that are applicable to their unique lives. Gleaning from my own upbringing and my recent camp experience, I plan to design a program that will meet the needs of missionary kids in Liberia. I look forward to working with my own little brother and sister, and the other children able to attend.

Other Ministries:

Working alongside my parents I'll have the opportunity to be involved in many other ministries, including their regular leadership conferences and their hospitality ministry. I look forward to the many opportunities this will present. I am really excited about returning to Liberia for this next year. For the first time I'll have the chance to be involved in both the ministries I am passionate about: orphan care and women's discipleship, plus have the chance to work with missionary kids!

This is where you come in. Unfortunately there are no organizations that will pay people to counsel women, work part-time in orphanages, and minister to missionary kids. So I will need to raise my own support for this. While this will take more work on my part, it actually opens a wonderful window of opportunity for you to be involved in the work God is doing in Liberia.

I have analyzed my needs and prayed about what figure I should aim for, and have determined that I'll need $1000 a month. I will also need approximately $3000 for one-time expenses (tickets, etc.). All monthly and one-time donations are tax-deductible.

Please let me know if you feel led to support me on a monthly basis. One-time gifts are also welcome and there is the option to keep these anonymous.

If you feel so led, please send your gifts to:

Baptist Mid-Missions
Box 308011
Cleveland OH, 44130-8011

Checks should be made out to Baptist Mid-Missions with "Melodie Sheppard's Ministry" as the subject. If you would like to give online, click this link to the Baptist Mid Missions website. After you login to paypal, click on “Add special instructions to merchant” and type, “For the ministry of Melodie Sheppard.”

Finally, whether or not you are able to help me financially, I ask that you would keep me in your prayers. It is only through Christ's power that I am able to do any of this, and it is the prayers of the saints that will hold me up, especially when times get tough.

In Christ,

Melodie Sheppard

P.S. If you have any questions, or would like to be on my email update list, please write me directly at ivorycmelodie(at)hotmail.com.

God is at Work

2008-11-06T13:27:00.000-08:00

"Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities,

for there is no authority except that which God has established.

The authorities that exist have been established by God. "

Romans 13:1

Though I am not happy about the person that was elected president of the United States I know God has allowed this to happen. With this knowledge I can confidently go about my life without dwelling in fear over what the future holds. God works in ways that are hard for us to understand sometimes, but he is always at work. Im so thankful I can rest in him during these times of uncertainty.

-Africasmel

The Election

2008-11-02T10:45:00.000-08:00

I hope everyone is planning on voting in just two days now (or has already voted). It is very important to actually get out there and cast your vote and not just talk about things you don't like in the US.

Over these past few months I've had a lot of time to learn more about the two main presidential candidates and really study up on political views. I must admit that I didn't know much about American politics before this year. But I'm not afraid to share my opinions and convictions on the issue. I will be voting for McCain for a number of reasons. I am very pro life, believe less government involvement is better, do not believe sharing the wealth will solve any problems, am for proactive measures to ensure the safety of the US, and agree with many other conservative policies. I don't have time to type up a long post with details on why I believe these things, but if you have any questions or disagree just leave a comment and I'll try to address it (although by then the election may be over.) Anyway, my point is I do have detailed arguments on why I believe what I do, I just don't have time to type it all up.

Here are some youtube videos that talk about how Obama is not the best choice for a Christian to vote for and certainly not the best choice for America. (I hope the links work).

I'm sorry if this post is offensive to anyone but I do not believe it is right to be silent about these things.

-Africasmel

These I Have Not Forgotten

2008-10-17T11:40:00.000-07:00

Presenting...

These I Have Not Forgotten

From the jungles of Africa to the suburbs of America.

From utter despair to unbelievable opportunity.

Beginning in the tiny village of Bellafani, Liberia and ending in Campbell California, These I Have Not Forgotten is the based on a true story account of three liberian siblings who are adopted by an American Christian family. Depicting their lives before there was ever a need, through a devastating tragedy, and finally fully provided for in the home of a loving adoptive family, These I Have Not Forgotten illustrates how God is actively involved in the lives of seemingly forgotten orphans. Working in both the orphans and the adoptive family, God's plan for adoption gives life to these desperate children while creating a passion for God and the needy this ordinary American family never thought possible.

After seeing real life miracles every day during my time working for Acres of hope, I felt compelled to write a book about the work God is doing in the lives of Liberian orphans. The book is basically complete (all 20 chapters) and as soon as I finish some final touches I'll begin searching for a publisher. Please pray with me that this book will be accepted by a publisher (I do not have the time, money, or desire to self-publish) since this is a story that people need to hear. It's a story of Liberia, a story of adoption, and a story of Christians living out the Gospel in a practical way. This is God's story, and I want everyone who desires to learn more about any of the things I've mentioned to have the chance to read it.

-Africasmel

My Special Project

2008-10-13T11:29:00.000-07:00

But there will be no firey chariots ushering in salvation...

...no miraculous bread from heaven...

For it is through the obedience of an ordinary American couple...

...that God's salvation will arrive.

My Special Project

2008-10-11T19:15:00.000-07:00

But the needy will not always be forgotten,

nor the hope of the afflicted ever perish.

Psalm 9:18

My Special Project

2008-10-06T18:11:00.000-07:00

From the most desperate of conditions, when all seems lost...

...there is hope...

There is One who is might to save.

...a Heavenly Father who has promised to sustain...

You have not been forgotten.

My Special Project

2008-10-05T16:10:00.000-07:00

Is there a God who sees the tears you cry?

...someone who aches for your suffering...

A savior who will intervene on your behalf?

My Special Project

2008-10-05T13:43:00.000-07:00

Would there be someone who would rise to save you?

My Special Project

2008-10-01T13:55:00.000-07:00

What if everything changed?

What if the life you knew was turned upside down...

Your family torn apart...

And all you had was taken away?

My Special Project

2008-09-30T20:49:00.000-07:00

What if you were content with these conditions, but daily dreamed of something more?

My Special Project

2008-09-29T10:43:00.000-07:00

What if disease and unimaginable living conditions were just things you dealt with?

My Special Project

2008-09-22T09:08:00.000-07:00

What if you daily endured hunger and the uncertainty of where

your next meal would come from?

My Special Project

2008-09-19T19:02:00.000-07:00

What if you lived in a small African country on less than a dollar a day?

Liberia!!!

2008-08-30T13:08:00.000-07:00

At last! The announcement you have all been waiting for!

I am sorry for waiting so long to share, but am very glad I DIDN'T since my plans have changed some since the Lord first laid this on my heart. Even now, nearly two months later I DO have the details worked out, but am still in the process of applying to the organization (I have received the OK, but all the paperwork is not done).

I AM GOING BACK TO LIBERIA!!!

I am planning to go to Liberia this fall as a short-term missionary with Baptist Mid Missions for about a year. I will be working alongside my parents, Mark and Nancy Sheppard, who are missionaries with Baptist Mid Missions in Monrovia, and with the ministries of Calvary Baptist Church.

There are three main ministries I plan to be involved with during my time in Liberia. They are: Biblical counseling, orphan work, and a missionary kid youth program. Because of my recent counseling training I realized I needed to dedicate more time to the counseling (it IS a very important ministry), and I also need 50 hours of mentored counseling (the mentoring will be through email) before I become certified through the state of Indiana. So about half of my time will be spent with the counseling ministry, and half with the orphan work.

Biblical Counseling:

I really enjoy working with women and the Lord has laid on my heart the great need of Biblical counsel for African women. During the spring of this year I took Faith Baptist Church's course in Biblical counseling. I need to complete theological exams, and also perform 50 hours of mentored counseling to receive certification.

Considering my experience in Liberia, I feel this will be a great place to minister while fulfilling these requirements. I speak the Liberian "English" (often more of a Creole than English), and already know several women that would appreciate Biblical guidance for their lives. For example, my friend Beatrice accepted Jesus as her Savior two years ago. She is a single mother of tow young girls and lost her baby do to illness while I was in Liberia. I know she would love to have more instruction on how to be a godly woman in her situation.

In addition to personal contacts, I'll also be involved with the ministries of Calvary Baptist Church. Calvary Baptist is a church that was started by Baptist Mid Missions years ago. It is now a thriving church and interested in starting a counseling ministry. I plan to attend this church, teach a young women's Sunday school class, and counsel women who are referred to me.

Orphan Work:

Over the past few years the Lord has opened my eyes to the needs of orphans round the world. As James 1:27 says, "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." There are approximately 143 million orphans around the world. Since God calls orphan ministries "pure", and there is such a tremendous need, I want to be a part of this work. I plan to volunteer for the organization I worked for previously (Acres of Hope), and be a part of their adoption ministry. There are also other orphanages where I could be involved, should the Lord open those doors. Volunteering could involve office work, leading programs for the kids, completing projects, or fostering needy babies.

Missionary Kid Program:

As a missionary kid myself, I know it's important that the missionary children have opportunities to fellowship with on another and learn lessons from the Bible that are applicable to their unique lives. Gleaning from my own upbringing and my recent experience at camp, I plan to design a program that will really reach the needs of the missionary kids in Liberia. The program may be once or twice a month, since schedules are hard to juggle for the families, but I know even a few lessons will be better than none. I look forward to working with my own little brother and sister, and the other children who are able to attend.

Working alongside my parents I'll have the opportunity to be involved in many other ministries, including their regular leadership conferences in various villages up country and their hospitality ministry. I look forward to the many opportunities this will present.

As soon as the paperwork is completed I'll share the details of the support I need to raise (I have to raise it all independently) and how you can be a part of my ministry, if you should so desire. Support letters will be sent to all my personal contacts and information will be posted here for those of you that I either don't know or who I don't have continued contact with.

I am so excited to be going back to Liberia, even though originally I'd planned to work in a country I'd never lived in before. But since I distinctly sense God leading me back to Liberia I am excited to see the work he will do in and through me. I am only 23 so there is plenty of time to live, work, or visit other places.

-Africasmel

Personal Testimony, Part 4

2008-08-23T12:53:00.000-07:00

This is the last part of my testimony. If you are visiting for the first time, or haven't been here in awhile, please scroll down and start from part 1 to get the full story.

My senior year of college was wonderful in that I learned so much from my major. I learned a lot from my classes, which included, Urban Ministry, Cultural Anthropology and Hermeneutics (basically, how to understand and interpret the Bible accurately). I thoroughly enjoyed my major and can honestly say I liked every class. While I was enjoying school and making some wonderful friends, I was pushing through a dating relationship that turned out to be a lot more complicated than I'd anticipated. I had not entered my senior year planning to date, but the Lord had led this young man into my life. I really liked him and became very emotionally attached. Through the ups and the very low downs of the relationship I continually asked the Lord "should we continue?" And each time I felt the answer was "yes". The Lord led me through a series of big surrenders during this time and it was a very painful learning season. As the relationship started to deteriorate I prayed God would work everything out. I believed and trusted that he would turn the crumbling relationship into something beautiful. But it was not to be, and through a number of things it became clear to me that breaking up was the right decision. This guy was not who I thought he was, and not the kind of guy I wanted to marry., so I was extremely thankful God closed the doors. We dated for nine months.

My parents were in Liberia and not able to come to my graduation. I didn't think this would be a big deal to me, but I was heartbroken as the day approached and went, without my family there to join me.

I flew to Liberia right after finishing summer school at Cedarville. My intentions were to spend the summer with my family while I applied for a job somewhere in Africa (Liberia, or another country).

Over the summer i began doing volunteer work for Acres of Hope. After several weeks and some conversations with Patty (the director) it seemed that Acres of Hope was the job I was looking for. I was really excited about working with orphans and my experience in Liberia helped me make it through a rough start as the orphanage supervisor.

During my time with Acres of Hope I went through one of the most physically and emotionally taxing times of my life (second to the dating relationship). I experienced failure; when I didn't do a job the right way. Criticism; from people who didn't know me well and would make judgment calls that weren't theirs to make. The frustrations of working in a third (forth?) world country, constant hospitalizations of children, the uncertainty of the Liberian government, and the deaths of 5 babies. There were times I didn't even know how I was keeping my head above water.

But through it all, I saw God work like I'd never seen before. I know without God, everything I did would have been for nothing. But through his power in me, my feet carried me as I visited orphans in their distress, my arms held children grieving the loss of their birth parents, my hands stroked the heads of babies screaming as they were being poked and prodded for IV's. My eyes assessed cases that I knew needed medical attention, my ears could tell when that cry wasn't normal, my fingers typed emails describing personalities and needs of kids the nobody seemed to want. I became the hands and feet of Jesus to these, the least of these. I know I saved lives. I know if I hadn't been there some kids wouldn't have been adopted. It blows me away that God would use me like this.

Aside from the obvious physical and emotional struggles I had to deal with, I was going through some spiritual confusion. If a baby would die, I would question God, wondering why he'd save so many others but not this one? There were other issues as well. Eventually the Lord revealed to me that I didn't really trust Him. Sure, I knew I'd go to Heaven when I died, but I didn't really trust that God had my best intentions at heart. I found the root of this problem could be traced to the relationship I had in college. I had surrendered everything to the Lord (yes, even the mission field) and in the end I didn't get what I wanted (a restored relationship, marriage). though I was thankful the relationship ended (as mentioned before), I still didn't know why I suffered so much that year. I felt my senior year had been wasted. So there I was, a year later, realizing I had lost my trust in the Lord. While I am of course guilty of any sinful behavior this issue caused, I don't see my view of the Lord as any sort of rebellion, but rather a time of growing that I had to work through. yeas, it was wrong to not thrust the Lord, but a whole year went by without me realizing this. As soon as a realized this I apologized and prayed the Lord would change my heart. I didn't know how, but I knew I needed it.

The song "Shifting Sand", by Caedmon's Call became very dear to me during this time. Some of the lyrics are

I've begged you for some proof

For my Thomas eyes to see

A slithering staff, a leprous hand

And lions resting lazily

A glimpse of your back-side glory

And this soaked altar going ablaze

But you know I've seen so much

I explained it away

(Chorus)

My faith is like shifting sand

Changed by every wave

My faith is like shifting sand

So I stand on grace

Waters rose as my doubts reigned

My sand-castle faith, it slipped away

Found myself standing on your grace

It'd been there all the time

Trough all the uncertainties in my life and doubts I had about God, I knew since my hope was in him I could stand on Grace, even when my faith in what i was doing changed constantly.

Eventually I felt it was time to move on from Acres of Hope. I had been interested in Biblical Counseling since college (remember my first major?) and I also needed to take care of some things in the states that needed to be settled before I could really settle down in Africa. So I returned to the states in November, spent several months with my grandparents, then moved to Indiana where I took Faith Baptist Church's course on Biblical counseling.

The counseling course started in March, and at the same time I started my job at Camp Tecumseh. The job was light hearted, fun, and I got to be with kids. As the course progressed (it was all day Monday, only Monday, for 11 weeks), I slowly started seeing things differently. As I was being trained to counsel people through life's problems, I started finding answers personally. Little by little I was understanding why I'd gone through what I'd gone through, why God had allowed so many things to happen. You see, most people don't understand just how involved God is in each of our lives. I have seen over and over again people questioning God asking, "why did you let this happen?" I've been there. Wouldn't the all powerful, loving God protect us from heartbreak, the death of a loved one, the loss of an adoption...any heartache for that matter? But I learned that it's BECAUSE he is an all powerful, loving God that he DOES allow this to happen. Every trial we face in life is not random chance, it's actually a personalized trial that God crafted just for each one of us individually, to mod us into the image of his Son. EVERYTHING. When we don't believe this, we don't trust God.

I realized that everything I'd gone through was not the result of an indifferent God who wasn't paying close attention to what was happening, but an intimately involved God who intensely loves me and wants to see me become more like him. We are told to "give thanks in all things" (I Thessalonians 5:18) but for the first time I was truly thankful for the trials God had allowed me to face, since I knew they were designed just for me, to help make me into the person I am today, and the person I will be for eternity. A person that is more like Christ. From being stranded in Liberia when the war started in the ivory Coast, to feeling rejected in college, through the dating relationship, and in all the difficulties of working in LIberia, this was the journey the Lord had chosen for me, to chip away the person I was, and turn me into the person he wants me to be. I am so thankful that "he who has begun [this] good work in me will carry it to completion" (Philippians 1:6). The trials in my life are proof that God is indeed working in me.

The counseling class ended (I still need to fulfill some other requirements before becoming a certified counselor through the state of Indiana), and the spring season of Camp came to a close. Summer camp started and my job changed. Both of my camp jobs were fun, but I especially liked my summer job.

I could write another blog entry this long about all the Lord taught me over the summer. But there are just a few things I want to highlight:

First of all, I realized I am so privileged to have been raised in the home I was raised in. I learned about the Bible from an early age and grew up in Africa as a missionary kid, experiencing missionary work first hand.

Second, I am privileged that God has called ME to the same kind of ministry I was raised in.

Third, I became increasingly curious about what Heaven and our lives will be like after we die, for eternity. This led me to purchase Randy Alcorn's book Heaven. God totally rocked my world through what I learned in this book and I started seeing things with new eyes. I could go on and on with all that I have and am still learning through this book, but I will have more time to share in the future. I HIGHLY recommend this book!

Finally, after learning of God's personal involvement in my life, all the blessings i have been given, and the unimaginably amazing plan he has for my future in eternity, I was overwhelmed by God's great love for ME. I've loved Jesus since I was saved as a 6 year old. But I didn't fall IN LOVE with him until this summer.

There are many Christian songs that the Lord used in my life this summer, but my ultimate favorite is Born Again, by Third Day.

Today I found myself

After searching all these years

And the man that I saw, he

wasn't at all who I thought he'd be

I was lost when you found me here

And I was broken beyond repair

Then you came along and you

sang your song over me

It feels like I'm born again

It feels like I'm living

For the very first time

In my life

Make a promise to me now

Reassure my heart somehow

That the love that I feel

is so much more real than anything

I've a feeling in my soul

And I pray that I'm not wrong

That the life I have now, it

is only the beginning

It feels like I'm born again

It feels like I'm living

For the very first time

It feels like I'm breathing

It feels like I'm moving

For the very first time

I wasn't looking for

something that was more

Than what I had yesterday

Then you came to me and you gave to me

Life and love that I've never known

That I've never felt before

It feels like I'm born again

It feels like I'm living

For the very first time

I'm living for the first time

It feels like I'm breathing

it feels like I'm moving

For the very first time

In living for the first time

In my life.

Yes You Have, by Leeland, is another favorite, and I have the lyrics on the sidebar of this blog.

I knew I needed some healing when I came back to America this time. But I have been blown away by what has happened to me. This spiritual awakening I have experienced is unlike anything I've been through before. Though I've been living my life with purpose for years, now I feel so much more AWARE of all that God can use me fore, if I am fully surrendered to him. And now that he is so personal to me, it will be easier to do that he wants me to do...you know, the hard stuff.

The time is perfect for me to start preparing to go back to Africa. The next post will be about my new plans. I will also be getting a new website and my blogging style will change. I'll be one a schedule and plan to share spiritual lessons I've learned, scripture, and of course, what's happening in Africa.

Thanks so much for reading these entries. I really wanted to share this part of my life with those of you who really care about me and my ministries. I hope it's been a blessing and encouragement to you.

Africasmel

Personal Testimony, Part 3

2008-08-15T19:06:00.000-07:00

I am now back in Minnesota with my parents! It's great to be back together again. for a few more days we'll all be together, minus my older brother John-Mark. Then my brother Nathan will return to college and I'll stay here while I raise support to go back to Africa. VERY soon all surprises shall be revealed!

So here is part three of my testimony:

(I have some pictures that go along with this post that didn't load. You can see them at my other site)

My family returned to the states in April of 2003, just days before the rebels invaded Monrovia and the third major uprising of the Liberian civil war took place.

I began college that fall at Faith Baptist Bible College in Iowa. At the time I really felt the college would be a good fit for me. I had a lot to learn, however, when it came to friendships and interacting within the American culture. Though I did great academically, I struggled through some social awkwardness and even feelings of rejection as many of my peers seemed to feel I was too different to be close friends with.

Over the summer between my freshman and sophomore years I thought it would be wise to take some summer classes, so I ended up taking three. By taking an extra class during the spring semester I was able to begin my sophomore year a semester ahead.

That fall at Faith was even lonelier than the spring and I began to question my decision for staying at the school. I didn't have many friends (even despite the fact I was on the ladies' soccer team) and was not satisfied with my major. I met up with my brother over Thanksgiving break and he didn't have enough wonderful things to say about his college (Cedarville University in Ohio.) In addition to all the like-minded people he had met, and good friends he'd made, Cedarville was a larger school and offered many more majors. I finished Thanksgiving break having applied to start school at Cedarville the very next semester, with a major in International Studies. I prayed it was the right decision to leave Faith and by God's grace, the transfer was one of the best decisions I've ever made, leading to tremendous academic and spiritual growth in my life.

The next summer (2005) I took two online classes while I performed my missionary internship in Liberia, working alongside my parents. I designed and taught a Bible study for the teen girls of the Suzie Guenter orphanage (the same orphanage I'd worked at before), taught young ladies at a conference, and helped my parents as needed around the house.

While working at the orphanage I noticed one little girl in particular that was extra pathetic. She was shockingly thin and had dull, lifeless eyes. She kept to the edges of the crowd, seemed ill, and like she was losing her will to live. She was tiny, the size of a bony 2 or 3 year old, but because of malnutrition we assumed she was about 7 years old.

I approached my parents about taking this little girl into our home to help her get well, and then bring her back to the orphanage. I just knew we had to do something. After speaking with the director of the orphanage we found out this child had been brought to them a year before by the police, after they found her abandoned on the streets. She was mute, so they knew no history, and had continuously struggled with sores, sever malnutrition, and illness. Despite the orphanage's best efforts, they were just not equipped to give the right care in this kind of situation. The child had been through so much they called her "Kana-Kana" or "bitterness" at the orphanage. "Mary" the Liberian equivalent to "Jane Doe" was her name on paperwork.

When we brought Mary into our home we were alarmed at her many illnesses, including severe malaria, worms and kidney failure (due to malnutrition). As we loved Mary, fed her, and treated her illnesses, she slowly developed into a different child, one amazed by our love and full of life and energy. We soon figured we'd never be able to send her back to the orphanage. It was during this time we met a very special woman at a missionary potluck. My mom was sharing Mary's story with another missionary lady, and this lady, whose name was Patty Anglin, said she ran an adoption agency and could find a home fore Mary. And she did. Mary was adopted by a wonderful Christian family. We could not believe how God had worked out all these details to bring such a hopeless case to a great home in North America. (After a bone-age scan it was determined that Mary was actually 11 years old!). Mary was my parent's first foster child, and the second became a little baby boy, followed by many others.

That summer as I left, being changed forever by the power of God's love for the least of these, I (along with a young man who stayed with us over the summer) brought home three Acres of Hope babies and delivered them to their adoptive families.

In the fall I realized I would probably be able to graduate in only three years if I took enough classes and then took summer classes the following summer. I also began a very serious dating relationship with a young international student who had just graduated.

The fall of my Junior/Senior year was the beginning of a new chapter of growth in my life. Once again, I had no idea how the next years would play out and what God would teach me through it all.

Part 4 ends with where I am today! You don't want to miss it!!!

-Africasmel

My Plans

2008-08-05T19:13:00.000-07:00

Hey Everyone! The testimony has been put on hold since I am so busy this week. It's the last week of summer camp and Saturday will be my last day of work. I'll then be heading back to Minnesota on Monday. I plan on spending the next weeks/month/s with my parents (who are currently on furlough) while I raise support to go back to Africa, and finish my special project that I haven't had time to work on this summer. So I will be really busy but have much more time to be in touch personally with those of you I know, and even spend time with some of you in the area.

-Africasmel

Personal Testimony, Part 2

2008-07-26T16:33:00.000-07:00

During the Liberian civil war my parents worked with the Liberian refugees in the Ivory Coast. My high school years were spent in San Pedro, Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast). Though my parents were the missionaries, they always tried to include us kids in what they were doing and pushed us to get involved in our own ministries as well. In speaking with other missionary kids I have learned that not all missionaries knew to do this with their kids. It was a privilege to grow up being involved in what God is doing in West Africa. While in San Pedro my ministries involved teaching Sunday school to the kids at the church we were working with, and having one-on-one Bible studies with teen girls. As things became more peaceful in Liberia (between the 2nd and 3rd major uprisings of the war), my family began taking short trips into the country for conferences and the encouragement of the believers. While my dad taught the men and my mom taught the ladies, I led a program for the kids.

During one of these trips the civil war (which is now over) started in the Ivory Coast. The borders were closed and our three-week trip turned into and eight-month stay. While it was hard dealing with the abrupt end to our life in the Ivory Coast, the Lord opened up some great opportunities. We lived on the beach during this time and just 20 minutes walking distance was an orphanage run by a pastor associated with my parent's mission organization. I, along with a young missionary lady who was living with us, had the chance to teach school at this orphanage for almost their whole school year.

Growing up in the Ivory Coast was such an amazing experience. I was exposed to so much of the world and became familiar with many needs of people around the world. But an interesting thing is that though I knew about orphans (that there were a lot of them), the Ivory Coast is a wealthier African country, not shattered by war, famine, or disease. While the average standard of living is much lower than what you would find in America, the Ivorians are doing fairly well for an African country. When I was 11 my family spent three weeks caring for an orphaned baby. As a kid I visited one orphanage and only heard of one other (and the orphanage I visited was beautiful). Though the Ivory Coast has many needs, orphan care is not one of them. So when we moved back to Liberia it was overwhelming seeing orphanages seemingly on every street corner crowded with tons of children in pathetic conditions. As I grew close to the orphans of the Suzie Guenter orphanage and heard their stories, I was experiencing a new part of Africa, but with all the cultural background I'd grown up with.

As my family was unexpectedly displaced and we found ourselves in a place that hadn't been our home for 12 years, it was clear to us all that God had a plan in the turn of events and was doing something amazing in our lives...but especially mine.

Please come back for Part 3. You don't want to miss it!

-Africasmel

Personal Testimony, Part 1

2008-07-19T19:55:00.000-07:00

My parents became missionaries in West Africa when I was just a baby. Their first term was spent in Liberia and after that, the civil war started and we moved to the Ivory Coast where they worked with the Liberian refugees.

I chose to make Jesus my personal Savior when I was six years old. As my parents are missionaries, I had grown up hearing the gospel since i could remember. One night as my mom was putting me to bed I asked her if I had ever asked Jesus into my heart. She said "no". Then I asked her if I could. Of course she said "yes". Though I was pretty young, I understood what I was doing.

At 8 years old I realized I needed to be baptized. I talked to my parents about this and one Sunday my dad baptized me in a river, along with the other Liberians that were ready to be baptized.

Growing up my faith was very real to me. My parents did a wonderful job of making Jesus real in our family's life. They always told us the biblical basis to why the were doing things (from parenting to ministry) and were appropriately open about personal struggles, and what the Lord was teaching them. This taught me to be an open person and to easily share my feelings and what the Lord is doing in my life.

From the time I was 6 until I was 15 my spiritual growth was steady and what you would expect of a child. But at 15 God really started to stretch me. though God was very real to me before, during this time god started teaching me the tougher things a relationship with christ requires. things like servanthood and sacrifice were introduced to me in a personal way and since then I have realized these spiritual disciplines are ones believers wrestle with their entire lives.

I had always wanted to be involved in Christian ministry, but when I was 16 I knew God wanted me to be a missionary. Where? I had no idea. But was excited to serve the Lord in this way.

This is my testimony of my childhood. Stay tuned for the next chapter of this story when God began working in me as a young adult (a stage of learning in my life that began when I was 18 and went until just recently).

Thanks for reading this and visiting my blog!

-Africasmel

The Big News!

2008-07-14T18:51:00.000-07:00

I am thrilled to announce that with much prayer and guidance from the Lord, I have determined what my next ministry is going to be. Because I am still working out details with the organization (and I want to create some anticipation!), I will not share exactly what I will be doing just yet. Instead I want to take some time to share my testimony and the background of what led me to where I am today. I know most of you probably know I grew up as a missionary kid, but that's about it.

I will say that I will be going into orphan care again. This may be surprising to some of you since in a post written during the end of my last ministry I said I did not feel led to full time orphan work. While I do have a great burden for women's discipleship (i.e. Biblical instruction and counseling) and skill's training, I have distinctly felt the Lord leading me back into orphan ministries. (Although, this time around I am planning to do women's discipleship on the side.) At this point in my life I really don't have any idea how long I will work with orphans, or if I will do it for may years to come. No matter what, I am excited about the direction the Lord is leading me and thrilled to be an advocate once more for those with no voice.

Please be in prayer for me as I work out details with the organization. I clearly know the Lord is leading me here (it's actually a very cool story) but it is a leap of faith since I will have to raise my own financial support. I will share more details about this in the future as well. Right now I need prayer that all the details would be worked out and that I would raise the money I need (fast, hopefully) to begin this ministry.

-Africasmel

P.S. This is not my "special project". You can look forward to being surprised about that too!

Working at Camp T

2008-06-21T15:12:00.000-07:00

For the past four months I have had the privilege of working at Camp T.

The camp is an independent YMCA camp but is run with a Christian emphasis.

For the spring I worked as an Outdoor Education leader. School groups (grades 2-7) would come and spend 2-3 days at the camp and participate in one of the four outdoor education programs the camp offers: Pioneer Heritage, Foundations of Success, Discovering Nature and Earthship Journey.

I primarily taught the Pioneer Heritage and Discovering Nature programs. I really enjoyed the spring season and learned a lot about education combined with fun.

The Outdoor Education staff was made up of 11 individuals. It was fun working with a smaller group of coworkers.

At the beginning of this month Summer Camp started. I help run the Trading Post (camp store) and my days are filled with sorting camper mail, managing the camper's accounts, and running the store in the evenings. I really enjoy this job since I am able to see and interact with many campers, as well as the counselors, but don't have the hassle of living in a cabin with 11 kids.

Working at the camp has been so nice for my time in the states. The job involves children (I love working with children), there is very little stress involved (no lives depend on me), and I am learning a lot about childcare in large numbers, team-building techniques and games, and teaching children while being fun and entertaining. I already have some ideas for how I will use these new skills for my work in Africa!

-Africasmel

Faith

2008-06-14T19:44:00.000-07:00

I believe that the soul is eternal so it is very important for Believers to minister to people spiritually and help them come to a saving knowledge of Christ. I also believe the physical is very important and by ministering to the physical needs of a person we show Christ's love and enable them to focus on Christ through us, and also since they are not so consumed with pain or hunger. The author of Hope and Healing worded what I believe so eloquently in their recent post "Faith".

"It occurred to me that perhaps faith is just as important as clean water or a bed to sleep on, because faith makes the intolerable tolerable. Wester donors are never going to have pockets deep enough to fix the problems caused by civil war or natural disasters. Furthermore, even though foreign aid workers like to throw around terms like 'sustainability' and 'cost-effectiveness,' very few projects ultimately are. If, however, we can offer the sort of faith that Augustus had, faith that on the one hand costs nil in terms of resources, yet is also impossible to purchase with any earthly currency, then perhaps we have made a lasting difference."

It is my goal as a missionary to make this kind of difference.

-Africasmel

What are YOU doing July 19th?

2008-06-11T19:50:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to let all my AoH/Liberia adoption readers know that I will be attending the Festival of Hope this July 19th at Acres of Hope US office in Mason WI. I would LOVE to see all of you there, if possible.

Just a reminder: you do not have to have adopted through Acres of Hope, or actually have your child home yet to attend this Liberia adoption reunion. I anxiously await this time to finally meet many of you in person and to see some of my beloved children from the orphanage!!

-Africasmel

Crossroads...

2008-06-09T18:26:00.000-07:00

"At crossroads in life, we often choose not between right and wrong,

but between two rights, between two loves..."

-William Powers

Pray for me...I have some tough decisions to make.

Africasmel

Mini Vacation

2008-05-30T19:30:00.000-07:00

A week ago Friday my job as an Outdoor Education Leader at camp ended with the spring season. On Sunday afternoon I started my new summer job at camp (I'll share more about my camp job soon.) So I had a week off work.

I decided to make the most of my time and went to visit a family I knew through their adoption of two little girls from Acres of Hope orphanage. I have already seen several kids here in the US that I knew in Liberia (some that I welcomed into the orphanage personally) and it is always a bit surreal to see them on this side of the world, all Americanized. Rhianna and Baylee have only been home for about three months, but I think they are doing

amazingly well with their new family.

This is the Berryman family. They live near Chicago.

This is Rhianna. Her favorite Disney Princess is Cinderella. Four months ago she wouldn't have even known what a Disney Princess was.

This is Baylee. Just as cute as ever! She is enjoying being in a family with three sisters.

I had intended ton staying the whole week with the Berryman family, but sadly Pat's dad passed away, shortening my visit. We did get the chance to visit Chicago, which was a lot of fun.

Baylee and a "tin" man.

Posing in front of the Great Iron Bean.

The girls playing by the bean.

Special thanks to the Berryman family for a great visit! I hope to see you again soon!

-Africasmel

Three of My Favorite Things

2008-05-19T17:48:00.000-07:00

So I was tagged again. This is very exciting. Two tags in a month is more than I have ever been tagged in my life! Okay, so I am being a little dramatic here, but I do think these tag "games" are fun.

My friend Faith, whom I met when she came to Liberia to pick up her two little boys, has tagged me to share three of my favorite things.

1. Rice Krispy Treats.

Yes, I know it's just something simple, but these are my all time favorite snack-y dessert. Thankfully they do serve these here at camp, which has helped me survive the repetitious meals that are served.

2. Humid, 80 degree weather.

It's so warm and comforting. I hate being cold, and when it's nice and warm like this, I feel great and I can wear my fun summer clothes (instead of a bazillion layers to keep warm).

3. Praise and worship music.

It's so uplifting and it helps me remember to praise the Lord throughout the day. I don't listen to praise and worship all the time, but the times I do (like when I'm driving) are enough to get the songs stuck in my head for awhile!

As is custom, I am supposed to tag several other people to share 3 of their favorite things. But alas, I have realized that the majority of my viewers are from a specific circle of people (you know who you are). These people have all been tagged already. Now, kind of on a different track, one reason I have this blog is to share my thoughts, photography, and what I am up to with my friends and others who I may have crossed paths with, who care about me as well. Another reason is so I be a witness and/or learning opportunity to people I don't know personally. If you are a "secret viewer" it would be really cool if you'd comment here (and preferably on other posts), to let me who you are. Yes, I do love comments, but I don' know that my blog is reaching as many people as I hoped it would. So please leave a comment (this blog does accept comments from people who do not have a blog.)

-Africasmel

(P.S. In the future I will be posting about my involvement with the Red Letters Campaign, which will help more people get connected to my blog.)

Pray for Asia!!

2008-05-13T18:30:00.001-07:00

Right now the people of China and Myanmar are experiencing terrible grief and suffering.

Over a week ago a cyclone hit Myanmar (pronounced Mee-ann-mar. Known as Burma to the US). At this point about 30,000 people are dead and more than that number are still missing. Myanmar is a reclusive military government that is very protective of who comes in their country. Under normal conditions this might just be considered a matter of preference, but at this point their delay in letting in rescue teams has really slowed down the rescue progress. Because of this, many people do not have food or clean water, and disease is spreading. This source says that "The lives of 1.5 million people in the areas hit by the cyclone are at risk due to disease unless a tsunami-like aid effort is mobilized." This article shares more details about the situations and rescue efforts that are being made.

On Sunday there was an earthquake in China with a magnitude of 7.9. So far the death toll is up to 12,000, but 60,000 people are still missing! Many injured people can't be hospitalized since the hospitals collapsed in the quake along with everything else. Terrible weather is impeding rescue efforts. So we have people stuck in collapsed buildings, and injured people laying out in the cold rain. Please visit BBC News to learn more details.

Have you ever tried to imagine what this would be like? Seriously, have you ever sat down and thought about how you would feel in a situation like this? Okay, work with me here; Imagine you were sitting in your house like normal for dinner. All of a sudden a huge wave washes over your house, or a giant earthquake shakes your house to the ground. In both situations you are separated from your children, husband and /or friends. You have no idea where they are. Days pass and very few people are able to help you. You are hungry, thirsty, injured, in dirty, bloody clothes, have no place to go to the bathroom, and CAN'T FIND YOUR FAMILY. Then...horrors. You do find your family, only half of them are dead. Which half would you want to lose?

I could go on...

How often do we really think about the suffering that these people are facing? Today I cried for these people. Not that I am so spiritual that I cry over this, but we ALL SHOULD BE CRYING when things like this happen! Even if their is nothing physical you can do for a particular crisis, there is still a lot you can do to make a difference and be a light in that situation.

1. You can PRAY for the hurting people. For the unsaved that this terrible situation would bring them to Christ. For the Believers that they would find their strength and hope in the Lord. That more people would be reached with aid. That food and water would be made available. That disease would not spread.

2. You can TALK about the situation. Discuss the situation with your family. Pray with them. Even little children can be told in appropriate terms about the crisis so they can join the family in prayer for these people. Talk about it at church, and especially at work. Show the unsaved you really do care for these people, that you are concerned about the hurting people in the world.

3. You can GIVE money to relief organizations. World Vision and several other organizations have places where you can donate online towards their relief efforts. Click here if you want to give through World Vision to help their relief efforts in both China and Myanmar.

-Africasmel

Tagged!

2008-05-11T15:27:00.000-07:00

I've been tagged again! I do like most of these little games since the creative ones really help you learn more about a person.

I am: forgiven, redeemed, and loved by an amazing God!

I think: about a lot. I'm always analyzing things.

I know: I will experience many changes in my lifetime.

I want: to be a wife and mother in Africa someday.

I hate: apathy.

I miss: Africa terribly.

I fear: being "stuck" in America.

I feel: homesick...but content, since I know I am where God wants me to be for now.

I hear: too much! My siblings complain about my sensitive hearing. I like it, but can get annoyed when people are talking really loud.

I smell: very well. I have a good sense of smell and a good smell-memory. I can often tell what the smell is (the brand shampoo in a girl's hair, what exact spices were put into the soup, etc.)

I crave: Ivoirian Attieke (cassava prepared in a particular way).

I search: the internet for a new job in Africa.

I regret: not a whole lot. God has helped me to live deliberately with few regrets.

I love: the life God has called me to.

I ache: to go back home.

I care: about other people's feelings.

I always: will be different. The life I have chosen will make "fitting in" very difficult, even in the general Christian community.

I am not: reserved.

I believe: every Christian is called to some form of adventure that involves obeying God and leaving something significant behind. A right relationship with the Lord will yield amazing rewards, but requires a lot of sacrifice.

I sing: praise and worship when I am in the car, RnB love songs during the day (I love RnB love songs...)

I cry: when I read or hear of amazing God stories.

I fight: selfishness every day.

I write: a lot!

I win: at arm wrestling, even with guys sometimes!

I lose: at almost any other sport.

I never: drink pop (or alcohol, for that matter).

I listen: to the songs on my iTunes playlist at home, and the Christian radio station in the car.

I can usually be found: at Camp T, or on my computer when I'm off work.

I am scared: of being alone (in a location and for the rest of my life).

I need: to spend more time working on my "special project" so I can share it with everyone else!

I am happy about: the direction my life is headed.

I hope: to be in Africa in September.

(I'm not going to tag anyone else for this since the people I tag usually don't play the game.)

So what do you think? Surprising? What you expected?? Let me know!

-Africasmel

Photography

2008-05-08T18:32:00.000-07:00

When I worked for Acres of hope in Liberian one of my primary resonsibilities was to take pictures of the kids at the orphanage. The pictures were then forwarded to the respective adoptive parents. I really enjoyed this part of my job, and the longer I worked for AoH, the more particular I became about the quality of pictures I was sending. A good picture is not simply about documenting an occasion on film, but it's about capturing the emotion, energy, and intricate beauty of the individual object.

In September of last year I got my first camera. It's not a schnazzy black one with fancy lenses and such, but it does have some cool settings. In October I realized I loved photography so much I wanted to make it a hobby.

People are my favorite thing to photograph. I am always looking for unique situations and cool angles. In this picture Hadassah is playing in a pool of ocean water that formed beside the rocks. Hadassah is the daughter of some of my missionary friends. I took this picture when I visited San Pedro, in the Ivory Coast, one of the towns I grew up in.

These are my favorite kinds of images to capture. This Liberian woman is sitting in front of her mud-stick house selling coconuts, palmnuts and mangos. Not only is this situation so completely different than anything you would see in America, but it's also unique to Africa. I took this picture when I visited Greenville, in Liberia.

Photography can also give glory to God as his beautiful creation is celebrated. Did you know grass could be so stunning? I took this picture here at camp at about 9:00 in the morning.
As I have the opportunity to see things many of you (and most Americans) will not get the chance to see, I want to use photography as a ministry. I want others to learn about the needs of the world, how other cultures live, and God's amazing creation in the pictures I take. Eventually I want to take a photography course (maybe online) but for now I just continue to study other pictures and take a lot of pictures myself. I am also a member of this online photography club (of sorts) that has monthly contests. I have already won two Editor's Choice awards which has been encouraging and exciting! Almost all the pictures you will see on this blog are mine. Of course I didn't take the ones with me in them, and the two pictures of the Liberian jungle (one at the top and one at the bottom of the blog) were taken by my brother. Unless I say otherwise, the picture was taken by me.

-Africasmel

Spring!

2008-04-28T16:03:00.000-07:00

In West Africa there are only two seasons: "dry" season and "rainy" season. Both seasons are hot and in Liberia, it still rains even in the "dry" season. There are some changes during the turning of the seasons, but nothing as dramatic as spring in America. Every time I am in America in the spring I am so surprised how beautiful the changing of seasons is and how filled with hope and joy I become.

You see, I love hot weather. I think tropical nature is just gorgeous and miss it so much when I am away from Africa. And I just detest cold weather. I am content and get along fine during the days in the winter, but I always forget just how joyful I become when it gets warm and things turn green! I am so thankful for spring, not just for the warmth and beauty, but for the new life and hope it represents.

I love photography (I'll post more about this later) and the spring has given me a lot of opportunities to capture God's beauty in pictures. Unfortunately I do not know the names of a lot of American flowers and trees (please let me know in a post if you recognize any!). These flowers below are some of my favorite. The first picture is about ten days ago, before the buds opened up. The second I took a few days ago. This tree has been my favorite this spring.

As the drab weather and ugly bare trees are transformed into bright blue skies and trees covered with vibrant blossoms I am reminded how God takes our ugly, sin-stained lives and makes them beautiful and new. Even as Christians we sometimes fail to live up to God's standards and find ourselves in ugly situations. God is still faithful even through our failures to come around and create something beautiful of our failures.

"Therefore, if

anyone is in Christ,

he is a new creation:

the old has gone,

the new has come!"

2 Corinthians 5:17

Africasmel

God's Direction In My Life

2008-04-22T17:15:00.000-07:00

In going through my old xanga posts to glean out the most interesting and significant posts to repost here, I found this. It was written at the end of 2006 (I couldn't find the date). Recently I shared my "Reflections on Acres of Hope" in a post. One post was made at the beginning of my time in Liberia, the other after it had ended. I was amazing to see the changes God orchestrated in my life and his will he revealed to me as a result of my year and a half working for Acres of Hope in Liberia.

(Originally posted fall/winter 2006)

"So I was thinking that a lot of you might not know that I am a missionary kid. I grew up here in Liberia and in the Ivory Coast. Most of my growing up years were spent in the Ivory Coast because of the Liberian civil. war, but my parents continued to work with the Liberian refugees.
My parents are still in Liberia, which is so nice, since we are able to see each other all the time. We had been apart for awhile, as I was in college. It is so great to be in the same city (the even the same country would have been great!) My parents recently started a xanga where they post their month news letters (see the blog on the right side bar).

So being raised in Africa has greatly shaped who I am. I have always loved being a missionary kid (not that there weren't some challenges I have had to face), and since I was little I always knew I would be involved in some kind of ministry. Now that I am grown I strongly feel I am supposed to live overseas for the rest of my life. I don't know what kind of ministries I will be involved in, or what the Lord has in store, but I am excited to do whatever the Lord might call me to.

I often feel that I'll never be able to get Africa out of my system, that ministering in another continent would be a big sacrifice. But then again, I have never been to other continents besides Europe and North America. I think I could get used to India...For now, though, I am very content working at an orphanage, right here in Liberia."

(Originally posted January 2008)

"Many of you know I worked as the orphanage supervisor for Acres of Hope, a humanitarian organization and adoption agency in Liberia. I am now back in America (hopefully only for a short period of time) and am praying to go back to Africa in the fall.

Working for AoH a year and a half was a priceless opportunity. I learned and experienced so much that looking back I feel like I was there for three years, not one and a half. I was fresh out of college when Patty Anglin (the director ) hired me, even though I did not have a lot of "professional" experience. She trusted me and gave me the experience I will need to get another job in Africa. I met Patty the summer of 2005 and though when I returned to Liberia I wasn't planning on working for AoH, Acres of Hope needed someone to help at the orphanage and Patty offered me a job. So I accepted!.

And I'm so glad I did.

I didn' t know what to expect when I started the job, but I knew it was not going to be easy. Though nothing could have prepared me for some of the heartbreaking experiences I went through, I started the job with very realistic expectations and was well informed with the organization. I met Patty the year before, and my parents, who are missionaries in LIberia, became close friends with her. Their connections to Acres of Hope started when the began to foster babies for them. They learned a lot about Acres of Hope and couldn't help but get to know Patty since she is a very open person. My parents, who have been missionaries for over twenty years in Liberia and the Ivory Coast (with Liberian refugees) know Liberia so well and have met many kinds of missionaries over the years. They have seen people succeed in missions and people fail. They have seen what works in Liberian, and what doesn't. While they wouldn't necessarily do everything the same way Acres of Hope does, they are proud to support Patty and her ministry as she stays true to the very difficult calling God has placed on her life. I too was proud to support Patty even though God has called me to a different stage in my life, I continue to support Acre of Hope and their ministry.

Some of the things I knew when I started working for AoH was that I would be working with Liberians. Liberians do not have an eye for detail like Americans do, so I expected things like mistakes in paperwork (sometimes rather comical ones if you took them literally!), delays in completing paperwork, and lots and lots of car trouble! One thing I didn't necessarily expect was how open the staff would become to me. After about nine months with Acres of Hope the staff really saw me as a trustworthy friend and coworker. I knew about almost every case,
the timeframe, the things that weren't going as planned, problems
the country was facing with adoption, problems AoH was facing, the triumphs of seeing a child as they were dying in the hospital to the day they made it home to their families, and the joys of successful visits from the Liberian and US governments. I also developed very close relationships with the nannies at the orphanage. We laughed together with inside jokes about the babies, cheered babies together as they learned to walk, fought together on and off the clock to save sick babies, and cried together when children we loved so much passed away. Leaving these close friends was truly the hardest thing about moving on from Acres of Hope.

So what led me to leave Acres of Hope? Well, I actually graduated from college a year early. So I only had three years in school. Though I didn't see it at the time, God really used my time with Acres of Hope like my senior year. Though I learned so much in college, my time with AoH solidified what I had been taught and opened my eyes to God's true calling on my life. While I already knew I wanted to be a missionary in a third world country, and I loved working with orphans, these are the things I learned by working for AoH in Liberia:

-Africa is IT! I love Africa and her people so much and though God may have unexpected plans for me later, right now I am certain he is calling me to live and work in Africa for the rest of my life. I not only feel called to work in Africa, but Africa is my home. Being in America is definitely like being away from home and living in a different country. God has given me so much contentment in Africa that I no longer even miss America when I am there.
-God is not calling me to direct orphan work (i.e. run an orphanage, etc.), but instead to adopt some orphans and do foster care.
-I feel God is calling me to work with the discipleship of African women. I have seen a great need for missionary women who learn a language and culture so they can minister directly to African women and really meet them at their level. To teach women what it means to be good Christians in THEIR cultures. While of course there are many things that are very easy to understand in the Bible, other things are very hard for people to learn, especially if they have never been exposed to that kind of teaching before. How do you teach abstinence to a society

that believes you will die if you don't have sex? (This is taught in Liberia.) The women have to know and trust you well, and your language, dress, and interaction have to be flawless if they are

going to believe what you are teaching. God has given me a love for

Africa, for women and children, and a great interest in other cultures and languages. I am excited to see where he will take me with my future ministries." (The remainder of the original post goes on to say how I want to see what ministry in east Africa is like and I do have to work for a paying organization until my student loans are payed off).

I know God is working in my life, but what a blessing to see basically concrete evidence of the change. I didn't write the first post expecting a follow up post in the future, nor did I write the last post thinking about what I had said over a year before. I am so thankfully that God not only IS working in my life, that he is leading me in clear, understandable ways. He doesn't have to do that...He is already good just for giving me a purpose in this life and hope for eternity.

John 15:15 says,

"No longer to I call you servants,

for a servant does not know what his master is doing;

but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard

from my Father I have made known to you."

What an honer to be called the friend of God. What an amazing adventure this life is!

-Africasmel

Welcome!

2008-04-17T19:23:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Africa's Melodie, the blogspot edition! I decided to set up a Blogspot account in addition to my Xanga so I will be able to share links, pictures, and so you will be able to read previous posts without have to scroll through them all one by one (check the "labels" section for posts on various topics). I will start reposting all of my most significant posts from since I began the Xanga about a year and a half ago. I will still continue to post on Xanga, but will post most things on both sites. I hope this is more convenient for everyone. I am excited about the extra information I will be able to share with my guests by using the right hand side bars.

To those who are new to my journey I am Melodie. I grew up in Liberia and the Ivory Coast as a missionary kid. My parents are still going strong as missionaries in Liberia! I graduated from Cedarville University in 2006 and returned to Liberia where I worked for Acres of Hope (an adoption agency) for a year and a half. I am now back in the states training in Biblical counseling (an 11 week course) and working at a great camp. I hope to return to Africa in the fall (the location is still unknown). Much thanks to all of my faithful followers! It is a blessing to know so many people care about what I am doing in my life!

-Africasmel