Six Months In...

Hi everyone!

I'm posting this as a blog as well as an email update for the month. Today marks exactly 6 months since the day we left the U.S. Its been quite an experience so far. It's amazing to me that it's already been that long, but some days it seems we've been here forever. I will be completely honest and admit that, for me, this has been and continues to be an incredibly difficult journey. For anyone who has visions of foreign mission work as being some exciting adventure in culture and getting to see different lands full of amazing sights while sharing Jesus with people who willingly accept him, let me just say that that is more of the dream than reality. We are finding that mission work is difficult and messy. It's definitely not easy, and when it comes to being involved with a family, it's even more stressful. It's hard work, and little family time. We find that we have many acquaintances, and great people that we work with, but we have missed having friends- close friends that we can confide in and just have those real and honest conversations. It's hard to explain how isolated we can feel, and yet be in the midst of so many people. So I guess this is a prayer request for us, and a glimpse of reality for you back home.

Having said that, this is not a pity party!! We have seen so much in the past six months. We learned that our calling and mission here is even more than ministering to the kids who reside at the CORM village. We get to be examples to almost 180 local kids at the school everyday.   There are half a dozen or so local guys who work on the projects going on here every day, and they watch us. We sometimes interact with parents of the school kids, and they watch us.  We've had over 100 volunteers and interns come to CORM since we have been here! Some have stayed for a month, some for a couple weeks, and some for only a day or two. We know that while some have been here because they have sensed God's calling and have been obedient to that, there have been many who were not believers, and have come because of education requirements or humanitarian efforts. And they watch us. I am continually reminded that our mission here is not as pinpoint focused as we might think. 

God continues to do amazing things here, and we get to be a part of it, even if only in a small way. But our involvement here has an impact on the kingdom that we can't even begin to see. Those who are on the periphery of our focus here- the volunteers that come, the families that are affected by what happens here, and you, our family and friends who support us with your giving or with prayer, all are being impacted by what God is doing. If we could see the big picture, I think we would all be amazed. 

In this is my challenge to you. Even as God shows us that this ministry is more than what we might think, so also is your impact on others around you in your ministry...in your life. People are watching you. Make sure your actions and words reflect what God wants. That is part of YOUR ministry!

As far as new things to update you on, one thing is that Dawn and I are excited about Caylan's recent engagement! On one hand, it's difficult to be so far away from her during an exciting time in her life, but we also feel so grateful for the way God has been working in her life. Her fiancé, Matt, is a great guy who we absolutely believe is part of God's plan for Caylan.

This also means we will be traveling home sometime around March or April of 2014. This will obviously create a need for travel expenses, and we would be grateful for any help with that. It also means we will get to spend some time with as many of you as possible, and share more about our ministry here!

Also, we would ask that you be in prayer as later this month we will have a group that will be traveling to the Lake Volta region, and the plan right now is that we will bring back two young boys who have been working on the lake as slaves for the last few years. In addition, work will continue there to locate and free other children. It is a process that requires patience, which is difficult when you see so many children being mistreated. At this point, I don't know for sure who all will be going on this trip, but will update as soon as we do.

School is going well, and a new missionary family has joined us. The Ochs family from Tennessee has 3 girls in high school, so along with the Beebe family and our girls, there are 10 American kids at the school now.

We will be celebrating Katie's 15th birthday, along with a couple of the other kids here at CORM, so this Saturday will be birthday celebration day. The kids always look forward to that!

Again, at risk of sounding repetitive, we are so blessed to be a part of Gods plan here, and you are too! Thanks for all your prayers!

Cayle, Dawn and girls

Building progress

The building projects are continuing to move along here at CORM. I honestly don't know how they continue, other than God continues to provide for them. We believe that God will see them through to completion, but we also ask that you will continue to pray for them as well. The ministry here provides so much for the people of this area, and these projects will benefit them as well.
Thanks for your prayers and support!
Cayle


Getting ready to pour the second floor deck of the staff apartment.

A view inside the church building, looking toward the stage area.

The next two photos are the second story walls for the childrens house.

The CORM administration office, ready for roofing.

Digging In?

This week I was talking with Carissa and sharing with her that God is trying to stretch her, get her out of her comfort zone. I know that she knows this, but sometimes we all need a reminder. I know from experience that getting out of your "normal" is scary! I told her to pretend that one of her friends wants to take her on a trip. She has two choices: to dig her heels in and say no the entire time her friend is pulling her along and begging her to go OR to walk along beside and soak up every moment of the trip. 

I'll admit there have been many times when I know God is leading me in a new direction, and instead of saying, "Lead the way!", I pull in the opposite direction, digging in my heels and groaning. In the midst of the the struggle, I miss all the beauty I could be soaking up along the way. So many times, we are afraid of the "hard" or "scary" things, but if you've ever watched a storm roll in, you know that in the midst of the storm, there is beauty. You realize, too, that the beauty of the rainbow and green plants that we see after the storm would not be possible without the rain.

Last night in our women's Bible study, we were reading in Matthew 4. Verses 18 - 22 share about Jesus calling some of his disciples. The words that jumped out at me were "at once" (verse 20) and "immediately" (verse 22). These were men who left not only their "careers", but their families. All without any hesitation! I wonder how I can read scripture and "see" all of Jesus' miracles and teaching, know what He went through to restore relationship and still hesitate when He asks me to follow wherever He is leading. I pray that I learn to immediately say, "Yes, Lord! Wherever You want me to go, whatever You want me to do, whoever You want me to reach out to!"  I don't want a fear of the unknown to hold me back because God did not give me a spirit of fear. I pray that for you, also.

Dawn

Matt and Caylan!

I've slipped a little lately when it comes to adding to the blog. We have been so busy with things here that days fly by and time gets away! So, I sat down tonight and decided to write a little update. We have good news, but it is a little bittersweet. Last week, we got the news that Caylan, our oldest daughter, got engaged!

Dawn and I are truly excited for her and Matt, and very proud of her. It truly was great news for us, but it didn't exactly come as a surprise, since I had already talked to Matt and knew it was coming. He had requested that I call him so that he could talk to me about it before he asked her. I must say I was pretty impressed by that! He's a great guy, and I'll be proud to have him as a son-in-law. 

    But this was a little sad for us as well, because we are so far away from them. I would love to have been there when she came to tell us the news, and been able to see the excitement on her face!  This is something that we really did not anticipate when we left, but now it is reality. Thankfully, Matt had a friend taking pictures, so we got to see the happiness in their eyes that way. It's all good! I am finding in this particular experience that we continue to learn to be flexible and deal with things in whatever ways we can, and to trust that God will provide. It doesn't always mean things are easy!

     We also now know that we will be making a trip back to the U.S. sometime in the spring, so this creates some excitement and apprehension as well. It will be so nice to get to see family and friends, but it also means saying goodbyes again, and that will be hard. 

     I am so proud of both Matt and Caylan, and how they have put God at the head of their relationship. I couldn't ask for anything more! 

     And if you know our situation, we believe God has been active and working on this long before we ever left the states. It was so hard to leave her home, but we knew God had a plan, even if we didn't know what it was at the time! Even in the midst of struggles, God is still good!!

My Lifesong

Music has always been a part of my life, from the country music I listened to growing up, to piano lessons, to band, to concerts, to my MP3 player. I love music. Many times when I hear a familiar song, it takes me back to another place or time. A couple weeks ago in our Sunday morning worship, we sang "Shout to The Lord". I have so many songs that remind me of Camp Otyokwah, old songs and newer songs, and this is one of them. Although, I can't recall the date, I do remember the end of Jr. High week as we stood on Quiet Hour Ledge for our final time together before dismissal. "Shout to The Lord" had been a favorite of the campers all week, but never did it sound quite as beautiful as that day, everyone singing it a cappella. The sound of our voices, a mix of out of tune, perfectly in tune and teenagers' changing voices, gave me goosebumps. Such a special moment that I hope to always treasure. There's nothing more beautiful than the sound of God's children lifting their voices in praise!

Last week, there were two songs that stood out for me. The first was "At the Foot of the Cross". I first heard this song when Emma sang it during our cross ceremony at CHJCF during an Epiphany weekend. It fit the moment so well. We (the team and the young men) were placing notes on the cross with the names of those for whom we held unforgiveness in our hearts. It was such a emotional but freeing experience. The chorus of the song is:

"Trade these ashes in for beauty

and wear forgiveness like a crown

coming to kiss the feet of mercy

I lay every burden down

at the foot of the cross" 

And that is exactly what we were doing. Laying every burden down, so we can celebrate the freedom and forgiveness that is ours in Christ, if we're willing to ask. 

The second song last week, "And Now My Lifesong Sings", speaks of what I want my life to reflect. I pray that even though I make plenty of mistakes, that when people look at me, they will see Jesus. Jesus' heart of mercy, His arms willing to give plenty of hugs, His feet willing to go the extra mile to help someone, His smile to encourage someone having a rough day...these are the things I want to define my life.  I look at the kids here, and know that the love I have for them is possible because of the way Jesus loves ME! Part of the lyrics say, 

" I once was dead, but now I live

Now my life to You I give"

I want to live intentionally. That's not always easy...sometimes I get caught up in the day to day living, too easily. I am alive only in Christ and I have to continually turn my life, actions and thoughts over to Him. I am so thankful for His love and grace that covers me daily. 

Dawn