Break through....I'm back on the road :)

Someone was lifting me up this morning!  At 6:00am my alarm went off next to my ear, and I hit the snooze to roll back over.  Then I heard Him whispering in my ear, "Come on, get up you can do it!  I'll be running with you.  You can do this.  I love you."  Yes, that would be our Dad telling me to get up and go, and I did!  Whoever was talking to Him this morning about me please keep it up, it is awesome that He communicates with us in this way.  To translate all of that this morning for the first time in 7 weeks I woke up, put on my running clothes, put hair up, put on my running shoes and ran!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Only by His grace.  After 7 weeks of not having run it was painful towards the end and I could only keep it up for about 15 minutes without feeling like I had to hurl.  But I got out and I ran, and I felt so good afterwards.  Stretching this morning hurt like crazy because I was stretching muscles I had not stretched out in 7 weeks, but I ran.  Tomorrow I hope will be day number 2 of running in Camel Land. 

I'm not going to lie running here made me miss my trails and the peaceful quiet of a neighbourhood.  However, as I ran He gave me this idea and a goal to work towards.  In a year I hope to be taking a vacation in the US, and while I'm there my goal is to be ready to do a half marathon somewhere.  Please ask that I can keep to this, and train for it.  Also ask that I'll know which race to pick, and ask that I'll have enough funds to pay the entrance fee.  Thank you for lifting me up in this way please keep doing so.  He gave me running 3 years ago as a way to relieve stress and focus on Him please ask that I will continue to hold to it.

Rachel

Some Experiences....at your request

 I realized recently I probably need to post on here again.  First of I want to say thank you for lifting me up.  I know many people have been, and He is gracious to be with us in the storms.  Thank for lifting me up and please continue to do so.  At the request of my mom and a friend I think this post needs to have a few Camel Land experiences in it.....

On Saturday I was supposed to have a driving lesson ( I am learning how to drive a standard, and apparently I am a natural.  All those years of watching it being done have paid off, and those couple of times of almost running into Downing Hall taught me good lessons), anyway, the driving lesson was canceled I ended up spending the entire afternoon at the hospital with my team leader's wife and a lady in need.  Part of the work going on here is that we help the poorer segments of society in Camel Land through free clinics, and in our clinic on Saturday this lady came in, who had been living on the street with her one year old son.  She was also 7 months pregnant and suffering from grand mal seizures.  One of the seizures made her fall into the cooking fire, and her family accused her of having d*mons, so they threw her out of the house and she came to Camel Land not knowing where to go.  This past Saturday she came to the clinic, and we helped her get into the hospital here.  Now she is taking seizure medication, and she is now in something like a half-way house until the baby is born.  My team leader's wife got to share with her, please ask that she would become a sister through all of this.

Once we finished at the hospital on Saturday it was about 5:30, and we were invited to go and eat with my language helper.  So at 6:30 we went to her house to eat and didn't leave until 10:00pm.  It was a long day but a good day.  My language helper is an excellent cook, so her food is always good.  It was interesting to see her house because it is this tiny little house made of mud, manure, sticks, and plaster that is over 100 years old!!!!!!!!!!!  I have no idea how it's lasted this long, but it just tells you how old Camel Land is. 

This week has once again been full of language study, and it is getting hotter here.  I want to ask that you would lift up sleeping for me.  Often it is too hot to sleep, and when I can't sleep well I don't want to get up and run.  I haven't been running in 7 weeks so I am asking that you please ask that I could sleep each night, and be able to run in the morning.  Please also be asking for famine relief, our part of the world is experiencing a famine that is being equated with the famine in the 80s that hit the Horn.  Please ask that rain would come, and there would be food to feed starving people.  Also ask that we would be more concerned with their hearts, and that in this time they would receive ever lasting bread and water.

Rachel

First Month Down

The first month here in camel land has passed.  It has been a difficult month, and I continue to beg that you keep me in your pr before the Throne.  I hope to write you all soon in a longer update through e-mail soon.  Internet, electricity, and time are commodities that are hard to come by and retain here.  Be patient with me as I seek to get an update together soon.

This month is fasting month for the majority of people here in Camel land.  Please keep them before the Throne this month.  Ask that during these weeks of fasting there would be opportunities to share the Truth and see new brothers and sisters come to family.  Please also be lifting up my roommate, who is struggling with some serious health issues.  Ask specifically that she would take these seriously and be honest with those she needs to talk to about these issues, so she can get the care she needs.

Also ask that a position would open up for me where I could serve Him teaching children, ESL or both.  Ask that where ever He opens up this position I would be obedient and follow Him there.

Rachel

Pictures: 1. Me and my nephew the day I left.

2. A coffee cup in an H home.

3. Jars of Clay in an H home.