Grace. Chibeuze. Nsukka.

Well the baby has a name! Her name is Grace, she is just precious. She is one week old today. She helps in mine and my mom's room at night. She is a very quiet baby.

Chibeuze went back into the hospital on Friday night. He was very dehydrated. I spent the day in the hospital yesterday with Odi Naka, a 14 year old girl. We had fun talking. Chibeuze slept most of the time so we walked around some. The hospitals here are nuts. NUTS. I hope I never have to go there. He may get discharged sometime today. Pray that he can come home. Also be praying that he will continue to get better. This little one has a long way to go until he's considered healthy. 

A group came last week from the Starlings church. They brought a soccer ball for every kid. I wish you could have seen their faces. It was truly great. Tomorrow we start VBS at our Opi church, (the church in our town). Pray that many children kids come and hear the truth about God instead of the health and wealth gospel.

On Saturday they started digging the foundation for the boys house at the land! I just think it's so exciting! I mean the building process has started! BE EXCITED. IT'S A BIG DEAL. There needs to be a lot more money raised in order to finish the building. Please pray that the building process goes smoothly and the funds come easy. I would love if you, yes you, considered giving something to help this. Or even if you would give to help cover some of the recent unexpected medical expenses. Things are tight around here, as they always are. But for the past two weeks there has always been a child in the hospital. Guys they need some help here. Bev is currently seeing some sick people or I would ask her what website to go to in order to donate. I'll post is as soon as I can.. 

There is a church plant in Nsukka, a nearby city. A Catholic church there told people if they go to the White people church they will never receive holy communion at the Catholic church again. For those who don't know, this is a big deal. Others have been telling people who go to that church that they only go so the white people will give them something. Even though these things are happening this past Sunday 58 people came to church, more than any other week. God is moving here. Pray that people don't try to get in the way.

Okay that's all I have time for right now. Hopefully I can fill you in soon.

Update turned into new baby? and prayer!

I have a little black shadow, his name is Jonathan. If I go the field he wants to go. If I am sitting on the couch he is either in my lap or next to me. He wants to hold my hand when walking somewhere. He tells me that he will follow me to America and wants to stay there. I wish I could take him with me when I leave. The thought of leaving already tears my heart out and we just got here a week ago. I'm making plans about when I can come back.

Today we started tutoring groups with the kids for math and reading. I choose the youngest group, that don't even know their letters. I have Ugo, Noso, Kwasi, Ababy, Terry, Jonathan, and Emeka. This group has A LOT of energy. Their ages range from 5 to 15. The oldest has developmental delays. We tried just writing the alphabet so I could see what I was working with. But I quickly found out that wasn't going to fly. So I had them write their names and tell me the letters in their names. Well that didn't work either. So they would tell me the alphabet and I would write the letters down. So they would say “A” I would write “A”, and then they would say “A, B” and I wrote “B” and so on. We went through both upper case and lower case alphabet. Then we started making the letters with their bodies and taking pictures. This they really liked. Whoever wasn't in the letter would see if they had done it correctly and would move them into the right position.

Of course we went to the field today. The kids would love to always go to the field. Guys I can't stress enough how good these kids are. It's so much fun to play with them, I love just watching them. Destiny always dances and sings whenever the ball isn't near us. And he yells in his language, he is from another part of Nigeria, so not all of the kids understand him, and he just laughs and laughs. It's great to see.

We have also been bracelet making fools here. I pretty much am always making one for a kid, and most kids now know how to do it.

Well I was informed that we may be getting a new baby, like right now. The family is down stairs. I think the mother died in child birth. I'm hiding in my room with Sati, a boy who has a big ulcer thing on his leg in my room because I'm wearing the same clothes I went to the field in. He's coloring and I'm praying and frantically blogging. And we are both eating gummy bears. His dinner was just brought in, but no spoon to eat with, so his yam and beans are hanging out on the shelf. Now we are singing and dancing (quietly). I love this kid. I wish you could have just seen his face when I popped my neck. Priceless. 

PLEASE pray for this baby! I don't know the name, I don't know much at all other than it may soon be part of the A Place of Hope family. While you are praying for babies, please please pray for Chibeuze. He is about a year and a half old and is very very sick. We are worried he wont make it. We are pretty sure he has HIV, and he is so small. I thought he was just a few months old. He is so weak as well. He can barely hold his head up when you are holding him. He recently stopped throwing up his medicine, pray that continues and that God's healing hands would hold this precious baby boy.

Also pray for Sati's leg to heal, and Odi to fully recover from her surgery (she had her appendix removed.) 

Thanks for reading all this, you guys are great. 

It's Good to be Home.

 I wrote this blog on the tenth, and saved it to my computer and that didn't help much when the internet hasn't been working on my computer. I would have more blogs written, but the kids are always watching movies or playing games.

Well we got here! We should have landed 3:30 om on Sunday. Instead we landed 3 am on Monday. Our flight out of Atlanta was delayed...and delayed...and delayed. We were supposed to fly out at 10:45 Sunday (24 hours after our original flight), we fly out about 8 Monday morning. So we spent the night, not sleeping, in the airport. While we were in the airport we met some really great people. We helped one mom take care of her three children so she could get some sleep. We watched people's bags so they could go eat, or sleep. It was a LONG time to wait, but it was okay because we spent most of the time helping people.

Our flight from Lagos to Enugu was delayed 30 minutes, and it couldn't land the first try. But we landed! We went to a grocery store, guys this is a big deal. It was almost like a Wal Mart, be impressed. Then we were on our way!

We pulled up to A Place of Hope about 3pm. On the road to the orphanage we saw a few of the kids. And let me just say my heart jumped at the sight of Swardat! And then when I saw Mesoma sitting with some people. Oh goodness I was even more excited to get there. Pulling up a group of kids was outside the gate waving and such. When the door opened inside I saw Simdat's beautiful smile and he said “Good afternoon Brie.” Then I heard lots of yelling, and there were so many hugs. I almost cried every time a new child turned the corner to say hello. I met the new children, who are also just the sweetest things ever. We hugged, exchanged greetings. I went upstairs to take my things and when I started down the stairs I heard some of the older girls running up screaming “BRIE!” We stood on the stairs hugging. Then some of the women staff came up. It was the best welcome I could have asked for.

I spent a good deal of time asking everyone how they are, catching up on things I missed. We played 'Mother May I?', Little Sally Walker. Then I took a two hour nap. I was woken up by Ugo and Mom coming in my room. I talked some more, played some more. It's been a great day.

I can't put into words how great it is to be home.

My day. This one is for the record books.

This morning I woke up at 8:30 am. Got ready to go, and such. went to lunch at Taco Cabana, went to the airport. And then the fun started...


So found out my bag was slightly over weight. While shifting things around I found the security tag still on my rain jacket I bought sometime in June. We go through security, Mom got her hands checks for chemicals. Got to our gate with plenty of time. 


Then they tell us our flight was delayed due to weather. Then it gets delayed again. And again. And just one more time. So now our 5:15 flight is leaving at 7:24. That means we are landing in Atlanta at about 10:20 to catch our 10:45 flight to Nigeria.


While on the plane a flight attendant said they normally hold international flights if it's the last one for the night and a connecting flight was delayed. Well this was not the case.

We arrive at 10:20 pm. Get off the plane at about 10:30. RAN through the Atlanta airport to the shuttle, RAN from shuttle to our gate. I turn the corner to see the door to our gate closing. The flight attendants all look at me like I was a poor lost puppy and say "Awwwwww. You just missed it."

Yep. We missed our flight.

So we go to the desk. They tell us they can't help us because our flight was delayed for weather. So my mom books a hotel. Then we are told they will get us a free hotel. We can't cancel our reservation. The next flight to Lagos Nigeria is at 10:45 pm the next day. A full 24 hours later. So then we take our time getting to the shuttle because we did a lot of running around. We get to the place where all the shuttles for hotels are, and they tell us  our shuttle just left. And guess what? He didn't come back.

So another driver comes goes twice. So he offers to take us on his next round. We go with him. Well this guys gas light was on, so we were just waiting for the van to break down. That didn't happen. But he did run three, yes three, red lights. The first two while others cars were driving around. The third Mom, Allison and I were the only ones in the van. He asked "Do you see any cops? These lights keep getting longer and longer..." Then proceeds to run the light.

We get to our hotel and the shuttle driver is in the lobby and asked why we didn't ride with him. We explain. We get checked in, I realize I my toothbrush is in my checked bags. Get a toothbrush from the desk guy. Wee get to our room, and our key doesn't work. Why? Because the hotel key maker doesn't work of course.

FINALLY make it in our room about 12. I call my dear friend Jesse who is in Atlanta with Go Tell to see if he is free tomorrow to spend time with us, to find out he left Atlanta this morning and is now in Texas. My mom realizes she left her phone charger in her suit case. Allison realized she left her camera. My mom gets ready for bed and wants to take an advil for her knee and found that all of her pills had spilled in her purse.

It's just one of those days.

Tomorrow we are going to find somewhere to take the security sensor off my jacket. And we may do some exploring of Atlanta. But you better believe we will be at the airport early in case anything else happens.

I'm currently waiting for our hotel to catch fire, or for the zombie apocalypse or something along those lines.

Throughout most of this long crazy day the song I've had stick in my head is "Love You Sworn" by John Mark McMilan. The part I keep singing is "Harbor me in the eye of the storm. I'm holding on to the love You sworn." I love it. God is so nice. He reminded me all day long that I am in the eye of the storm, and He has sworn to love me. How great? He knew this was going to be a long day and I would need to be reminded. Don't try to tell me my God isn't a personal God.




Just to add, I went to check my grades from summer school. The website is down for maintenance.

TODAY.

I apologize for my lack for writing the past few months. I've been doing all kinds of things, blogging not being one of them.

Lately I've been in summer school. I've determined the devil himself created it. Yes I dislike it that much. But it's okay because it's done! Hallelujah!

I leave in 5 hours, and 41 minutes. It's so close I can taste it. I can't wait to see those sweet sweet faces I miss so much. And I'll see them all on Monday!

This week was dedicated to finish summer school, pack, and eat things I'll miss over there. I had Chinese food from my favorite place, pizza, bbq,  Tex-Mex, and I'm drinking a chai tea frap right now. Oh goodness life is good, but it's about to get better.

Please be praying for my mom, Allison, and I as we are traveling and while we there! I promise to do my best with blogging so you know all about everything! I'm not sure how often I'll be able to post, internet isn't always reliable. But when it's working I'll hopefully be posting!

Well Darby and I are leaving the house in about an hour so I better so I better go do something. I just love and appreciate all of you!

Never thought I'd say this...

I'm thankful for the insurance company, but not just them, but also for the wreck. It's even in writing so I'm not taking it back. I never thought I would say I'm thankful for a wreck that could have, and should have, done serious harm to me. Or that I would be thankful for an insurance company that is slow, and has been rude. But I am. But even more so I'm thankful for my loving Lord.

The insurance company is giving me a check for pain and suffering and such. We had been waiting to hear back about how much this amount would be. My dad said to expect between $500 and $1,000. So that's exactly what I was doing, waiting for a phone call telling me that's about how much they were giving me. Funny how God works.

On Monday I went to my parents house and picked up my new car. It's a 98 Buick Le Sabre, the grandmother of all grandmother cars. Her name is Lucille. As soon as I pulled up I went to check mail. I had a letter from State Farm. I opened it and stood in my front yard in shock for a few moments. I read and reread. "We extend a settlement offer to you in the amount of $4600.00 for your claim. We believe..." $4600. I immediately took out $500 that goes to my parents for my car, and another $100 for a speeding ticket. Leaving me with $4000.

I have about $1400 left for my trip to Nigeria, so that's paid for.  Can we dwell on that for a moment? MY. TRIP. IS. PAID. FOR. The thought brings tears to me now. I still want to scream, cry, fall on my face in front of the Lord, run around, dance. I've been doing all of these things lately. PAID FOR. The Lord is good. He provides.

Ready for it to get better? That's right it gets better. I'm sure you thought "Brie, you still have over two thousand left." You're right, I do. So that goes to registering my car, buying band aids, soccer balls, clothes etc for the kids, various things I need for the summer, and my teacher clothes. I need to have some by this fall and my parents and I were not sure where that was coming from since ALL our money was going towards paying for our mission trip. The rest of the money will go into savings, maybe for a future mission trip. :]

With one letter, soon to be one check took care of my mission trip, registering my car, things I need for the summer, some things for the kids, and clothes I need for school. I can even replace my watch! I know that my watch seems small in comparison to all of that, and I admit it is. But for everyone who knows me I love watches, and I was so sad I lost mine somehow at the hospital. Guys, isn't God great? He took care of all the big stuff, the things I had no idea how it would work out. And even the little details such as registering my car, and replacing my watch. He is so nice. Nice actually doesn't even begin to cover it. He is wonderful. Great. Loving. Amazing. Ever other word that has a positive meaning. He's all that and more.

I have been blown away by Him. As I often am. I'm at a loss. So I'm sitting soaking Him in. Enjoying my time with Him.

Our God is good. He is loving. He is personal. Don't you ever doubt that.



PS. If you want to donate you still can, but it will go towards buying various things for the kids. These items will be band aids, kids vitamins (non gummy), hand sanitizer, clothes, sports balls and things like that. If you want you could pick these out yourself, or have them laying around your house you could bring them to me.

Summer. School. 56 Days. $30.

The semester is over. I repeat, it's OVER. I'm just really excited about that. I made four A's, and I'm waiting to hear back about the last class. I don't know if I've ever been so excited for a semester to end. In the fall I start student teaching! I'm so excited! I can't wait to find out what schools and grades I will be in.

I start summer school in a few weeks. First time in my life I'm going to summer school, and I'm not excited. 

BUT in 56 days 2 hours 37 minutes 10 9 8... seconds I will be on a plane headed to Nigeria! Well..Houston, and then that plane heads to Nigeria. It's so close I can almost taste it.  My tiny bit of Igbo is working it's way into my vocabulary. Instead of saying sorry I want to say "ka". I love it. 

I recently did some math and found out if 47 people give me $30 I'll be done raising money. When you look at it like that's it's not much. It's seems so much easier. So I'm asking all of you to think and pray about giving me $30. Also ask your friends to give something. I would really appreciate it. More than you will ever know. Think about it. That's a few times eating out, or going to Starbucks. Just think about it please.

Well I need to go get Colby, one of my nephews, ready to go to the park! So I gotta go!

Because every post needs a picture!

This is Abiola, he's 7 now. 

Isn't he precious?!

Before you read this, know I'M OKAY.

Yesterday, Saturday, I was in a car wreck. A pretty bad one. I was stopped on the highway and was rear ended by someone going over 60 mph. I had to go to the hospital and spent several hours there.

I don't remember the wreck other than there was a man leaning in my window asking what hurt I said "My back! OH MY GOSH MY BACK HURTS!" He told everything would be okay, I was going to be fine. And I instantly felt peace.

The other driver said as soon as I got hit the drive and her passenger (They both walked away from the wreck. Praise Jesus!) ran on of their car and saw a man in a blue shirt leaning in my window talking to me. She said there was no way anyone could have beat them to the car, and there wasn't another car stopped yet. They said he only talked to me for a few seconds and walked away and they could not find him again. I'm sure he was an angel. Call it cheesy, but I'm sticking to it.

I don't remember my time in the hospital other than people holding my hand and different faces flashing above my head. I didn't like the CAT scan, it was so loud. I had to pee really bad and they didn't do anything about that for a while. I was also really thirsty but they couldn't give me anything to drink because they thought I needed surgery. I also remember the nurse getting mad because so many people came to visit me.

But I was only in the hospital for a few hours! PRAISE THE LORD. My parents took me to their house for the next few days until we are sure I'm doing good and can return to school.

I appreciate all the prayers. I honestly don't think I would be doing this good if it wasn't for all of them. I ask that you continue to pray for a quick recovery and all the insurance stuff goes smoothly.

I can't tell you enough how much everyone's love has meant. I read through my facebook comments, posts, and all my texts and am always brought to tears. I'm not sure why He let so many wonderful people love me. But I'm forever grateful for that.

Here's my car now!

If you were at the hospital with me please feel free to tell me what I was saying and what all was happening. I have heard some funny stories so far, please keep them coming! :]

When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers...

Today there has been some pretty bad storms going on all around me. For a while  I stood on my front porch and watched the rain and listened to the thunder. I watched little caterpillars crawling across the cement trying to get out of the rain.

I was reminded of great big God is. It blew me away.I mean He created the massive storm. He created the caterpillars. He created everything. He is so big He can hold the ENTIRE universe in the palm of his hand. And still He loves me. Blows. My. Mind.

Here are some verses to read, dwell on, soak in.

³ 

When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,

    the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,

⁴ 

what is man that you are mindful of him,

    and the son of man that you care for him? 

Psalm 8:3-4

³⁴ 

“Can you lift up your voice to the clouds,

    that a flood of waters may cover you?

³⁵ 

Can you send forth lightnings, that they may go

    and say to you, ‘Here we are’? 

Job 38: 34-35

Man. Our God is good.


In other news 72 Hours of Prayer started last night. For those who don't know, we as a BSM are praying for our campus for a full 72 hours. It started Monday at 7 pm and ends Thursday at 7 pm.We are out near the library with some tents, chairs, and a table. People can walk up and write down their requests be prayed for at the moment and then for the rest of the time we are out there. (Their requests go into a jar and people are constantly praying for them.)


Also you can now donate online for my mission trip! And you can do it right here on the blog! Look to the right. See a little button that says "Donate"? If you don't just scroll up, or down. I promise it's there. Just click there and bam! You're done! 


Well I need to go study and do school work... 

Best. Day. Ever.

Guys. Today I have been blown away. I mean seriously. God is amazing!

For starters, today was beautiful. Blue skies, 80's. B-e-a-utiful. I mean how do you not look at a day like today and see Him in it? To me it screams "HEY WORLD I LOVE YOUUUU!" And makes me want to scream back "HEY I LOVE YOU TOOOOOOO!" It also makes me want to go sit outside and just soak in the beauty He placed around me.

Today I saw my adviser about summer school. I found out that I am going to take a Maymester, and the first summer session. This means I can go to Nigeria for the entire month of July! And with my mom! Let's recap because those two sentences mean a whole lot and I want to make sure you're following me. I'm going back to Nigeria. I get to see those sweet beautiful faces that I long to be with. That every part of me wants to hug and hold just about every second of the day. I get to go back to a place that feels so much like home it's weird. AND my mom gets to come? She gets to also see those sweet beautiful faces. She gets to hold their hands, play games and love them right along with me. God is good. I don't know how to contain myself. For most of today, now yesterday, I just wanted to yell, jump, cry, and sit in His presence thanking Him. And believe me I did all of those and more.

I talked to always wonderful Kara Rainwater on the phone today! It always fills my heart with joy to talk to her. If only you knew how much she means to me! I just love that over the course of our almost two year friendship we have only spent about 2 months and 2 weeks actually together. And yet she's kinda like my other half. The gina to my beans. Kara please tell me you read that last sentence and laughed, since only you would understand it. :] Guys I can't stress enough how much I love this girl.

I got to spend time with a dear sweet friend who I love dearly and haven't seen in far too long! Shout out to Cam! It was so great to just sit and hear about his life. Truly a wonderful hour or so.

I had some delicious root beer. For those who don't know I love root beer! It's one of my favorite drinks! Martin and I went into a candy store on the square that has so many different kinds of root beer it's crazy! Our new goal is try them all. Two down, lots more to go.

Tonight was our outreach at Crave! One of my Chinese friends from WorldLife came and joined my group. We had some good conversations with people. It was wonderful! And back to first paragraph,  it felt WONDERFUL outside. Two girls in my group even got me an ice cream cone. :]

This trip will cost $2,750, due to a rise in airfare because of gas prices. So let another season of support raising begin! If you could please be praying for my mom and I during these next few months that would be much appreciated!

I just love you guys.

If you made it this far in your reading, go find a gold star and stick it to your shirt. I'm impressed.

There have been two songs that have been floating around in my head lately.

Both are by the oh so talented Aaron Ivey. One is called Found.

It can be found by clicking here. You're going to want to hear this.

But if you don't believe me here are the words:

Jesus, healer of brokenness
Savior, the fixer of troubled souls
Redeemer, you’re turning my eyes to thee
Mighty God, you’re just and merciful

Oh God of beauty and grace
You are my resting place
All of my life is found in You
You’ve taken my brokenness
Made me whole once again
All of my life is found in You
I’m found in You

All my security, my destiny
What lies ahead is found in you
All my hopes and dreams, my thoughts unseen
All my wants are found in you
What I dread and fear, all that weighs me down
All my trust is found in You
You’re my sustaining breath, all that gives me strength
All life-giving is found in You

Are those not good? Are they not true? Mmhmmm. I love it. 

The second song is Amos Story. He wrote it when waiting to adopt from Hati. Please go listen. Now.

How do you not miss this face?

Also, this past week has been especially hard for me. I just miss Africa more than I normally do. I spent a good  deal of time one morning crying and praying. I know this doesn't make sense to most. But it tears my heart out. It rips me into pieces. You will never know how much I miss those beautiful little souls on the other side of the world. I have been praying and thinking about when and if I can go back to Nigeria. The thought makes heart jump inside my chest!

How cute are they?

 My motivation to do school work has gone done drastically within the past week or so. (Sorry Mom and Dad if you're reading this.) Senioritis hit a year early. I. have. one. year. left. WEIRD. I don't think I'm ready to go be a real adult yet. I just don't know how to feel about leaving college.  I guess it's good I have a year left right?

Alright well I need to shower, so I can get to bed. Goodnight dear few faithful readers.

Loads of Encouragement. Loads of Love.

Lately I have been spending a good deal of time thinking about my friends. I have spent only God knows how much time sitting wherever thanking Him for them. I was recently a leader for a DNow the topic was *insert drum roll here* community!

I have been blessed beyond belief with wonderful friends. Friends with whom I can call and talk about the "Jesus moment" I just had. I can tell all of my dreams and goals for the future, and no matter how ridiculous those may be they support me. They sit and listen to me talk about Africa...and talk...and talk...and talk... Until they are surely tired of it, but they still smile at me as a continue to tell them one more story, one more blog or book I read, one more orphanage I found I would love it visit. And still they ask me questions, they love me, support me.

I have also been so encouraged it blows my mind. I mean pretty much everywhere I turn lately points me towards more encouragement. It's wonderful. From friends at the BSM, my church, my church again, oh hey did I say my church? This week I received two notes in the mail. Notes that were just saying thanks for little things. I love getting real mail, not junk mail, and I love getting sweet notes from people, so putting the two together is magic.

I really have been reminded of just how much I love my church family. My Sunday School class is the most wonderful thing ever. Every Sunday I walk in and I'm greeted by the most loving women I've ever met. Every week I am blessed by them. I love that we have been studying the book of Mark for about two years and we just got to chapter 10. I love being in a room full of Godly women and hearing them share their life.

But just walking the halls of my church is encouraging. I mean have you ever walked around First Baptist Corinth? Isn't it wonderful? I relish my walk from my car to my class. Walking through the children's wing getting hugged, or high fived by mass amounts of children. I wouldn't trade it for anything.

I'm just not sure why God decided to bless me with the best friends, and church family ever. But I'm just so glad He did. And if you're reading this I'm sure your on that list. So just know that I am so very thankful for you.