Catching the vision...

So.. I must admit that for the past couple of days I have allowed discouragement to get the best of me. It is always hard for me to adjust to a new place.. I am very impatient. So when I arrive somewhere I want to know everything already. I don't want to have to go through the learning process. Crazy I know! So this past week was a lot of just getting accostumed to the routine around here and not doing much and the not doing sort of drove me crazy at times. How often and easily I make things all about me and what I want instead of allowing God to do his work through me in his time. I have also had the unfortunate burden of not being able to sleep at night. My first couple of nights here I took Tylenol PM to help me and then the nights that I have tried to sleep without it I haven't been able to. The nurse in me doesn't want to keep taking it because it would not be in the best interest of my liver. So last night I didn't take any and didn't sleep. Thankfuly because of technology I was able to talk to some family and good friends on the internet for a while which were really enjoyable and encouraging!! :) So after a cat nap I woke up for another day here in Abengorou. Being that it is Sunday we were headed to church. So.. this is when the story begins to change. Let me tell you.. if you are ever feeling in the dumps, gloomy or just down right blue, find yourself an African church. The way they worship God, can change your mood instantly. The dancing, clapping, beating of the drums and singing is so beautiful, so unique to their culture. I couldn't help but be reminded of how much I have to be singing about. These people have so little and yet they worship so much and in such a BIG way. It really changed my attitude. So.. the video is a little present to you all to be able to experience in a small way what I experienced this morning. A beautiful reminder that our God rules over all the world and that he is good! It was a small glimpse of what it will sound like when before the throne there are people from every nation, tribe and tongue! After the service we went back home and had lunch and then had a small break before our first Community Health Evangelism training (CHE). I was first exposed to CHE in Tanzania two years ago. But today for some reason it took on a whole new meaning to me. It is a movement that aims at not only bringing Christ into lost communities but transforming them for his glory. They have seen churches who use this program go from 50-500 and the percentage of diseases cut down by 80%. It really is a new movement in missions and the thing is it can use anyone. It is not just for the traditional Bible trained missionaries, it is for business professionals, health care providers, teachers, anyone. It is really exciting stuff!! Anyway, it really helped me catch a vision for my time here. I am hoping to learn more about how CHE works in this community and how it would look to start it in another community somewhere else. If you want to know more about it check out the website http://www.lifewind.org/. It is kind of complicated so my explanation doesn't really do it justice. Anyway, I am doing much better now that the Lord has humbly reminded me that he is in charge of my future and that he will show me his will for my life in his time. Thank you all for your prayers. I can't wait to share with you all in person. Please add to the prayer list that I start sleeping at night, that would probably be really helpful. I will spend this whole week in the clinic as well as having some more CHE training and French lessons. It should be a busy week. I love and miss you all.. sorry this one was so long and enjoy the video!!!