After a tear-filled goodbye on Saturday morning...
a time of prayer with the parents and family...
loading LOTS of luggage...
and many hours of waiting around two airports...
and waiting...
....and waiting....
(Syd's first Gabonese friend, Florence who travelled from Dulles to Paris to Gabon with us)
...we finally boarded our last plane in Paris, headed to Libreville, Gabon....
We've touched down on African soil and had our first good night of sleep in two days! From the time we left Lancaster on Saturday morning til the time we unpacked last night, we'd been on the move for almost 30 LONG hours!
The moment the plane made it's final landing, we were SO excited and ready to begin our time here with Tim and Meredith! We were met by Tim and two of the interns at the airport...good thing, because he knew just what to do to fend off all the young men who were fighting over the right to transport our luggage to the vans!!!
(Our luggage being transported w/bungee cords!)
We had a FAST ride (fairly SHORT too..but the operative word is FAST!) to the missionary house where we were greeted by Meredith and the rest of the interns who are working with them for the summer...had a short time of orientation (SHORT attention spans after missing a night of sleep!)...blew up 18 air mattresses...and finally SLEPT the night away! (or for some of us, attempted to!) Mom's, you'll be glad to know each room has FANS!
As may be the case throughout our stay, the internet was down when we got here, so parents, forgive our inability to contact you!!! We are ALL here...as is ALL our luggage...and we've ALL fared well through the hours of travel. Be proud of your kids!
(Emma, Jumpshot made it here, too!)
We're up now, having just finished a breakfast of freshbaked bread, cereal and fresh pineapple we're ready to face whatever lies on the outside of this walled compound! The plans for the day are to continue our orientation (which I believe includes preparing for some skits to be used tomorrow when we head out w/the medical clinic) and this afternoon we're heading out to begin cleaning and organizing a warehouse for the Bongolo Hospital supplies.
*************
The view outside our window this morning:
(the neighbor's outdoor "seating area")
(rooftops and banana trees!)
(in the Brokkop's yard)
(Missionary puppies!)
**I've been uploading pics as we've been going through orientation and having a time of worship. Tim has started our day off with a challenge: To listen for and hear the voice of the Lord as we are here. He challenged us to use all 5 senses to experience what God is doing around us while we are here, and throughout our lifetimes. Our time of singing together was lead by one of the interns, Lyndsay, and was a sweet time of regrouping our thoughts and connecting with the Lord this morning.
Thanks for your prayers throughout the last few days. Continue to remember us as we clean today (in the HUMIDITY) and tomorrow head out to do the mobile medical caravan, Hope House on Wednesday, and HEAD TO THE BUSH ON THURSDAY-MONDAY!!!!
19 comments:
So thankful and grateful all of you and all of your luggage made it safely. Love you Leah! So excited for you, for all of you! Thank you Terri for updating this blog. We are praying each of you daily! SO excited to see to see God's hands at work through each of you. Leah, did you eat your tots? :) Love you!
I echo Maria's comment in that I am very thankful that you have arrived safely! I am excited for the team as you begin your ministry and appreciate Tim's challenge to prepare yourselves for a complete experience using all God-given senses. As you soak in the experience, may you also allow God to pour out His Spirit through every word and action.
Some interesting pics of my wife here and no surprise that Syd made a friend along the way :)
I love you all but especially Holly and Sydney - you understand, of course!
hi mom and nick...................
hope your having a greeaaattttt time in africa!!!grandma is being a good girl and grandpa.....well he's in the process of trying to be a good boy!!!!im glad you all have some kind of air matress...oh and nice picture of holly and the giraffe..make sure you take some mosquito nets.....!nick im sure you will have lots of fun in the "bush" along with all of the others boys...(girls dont use hairspray, thats what draws all the icky bugs!!)
love you both,,
emma (your AWESOME daughter!!)
Hi Terri and Nick,
SOOO glad to hear from you this morning! Praise the Lord for safe travels...and a friendly face to pick you up from the airport...and air mattresses...and fans....and a good breakfast this morning! We were all anxious to hear about your trip and so excited to actually see pictures! Makes us feel more connected for sure.
Praying you all have a wonderful day of acclimation. Can't wait to see and hear more of what God is doing there and in each of your lives.
love you...Mom
Ter...I know you are the one holding the camera most of the time, but be sure you and Nick get in some of the pictures as well so we can see you sweating! Mom
What a great report! Thanks, Terri, for keeping us all informed. We are praying for you all the way and can't wait to hear how God will use this trip in your lives and our church's missions ministry. Thank you for taking the risk to open your hearts and minds for all God has for you there in Gabon. God bless each of you! Dot
yeah!!! you have arrrived! :) i have been anxiously anticipating your wonderful comments and commentaries, terri! thank you for keeping us informed and part of this whole trip!
i had butterflies as i read your notes this morning!..... excited to see and hear all that GOD does in each of your lives!
drew, we love and miss you and yet are so thankful you have this opportunity! the LORD is so good to allow you to be apart of this!
praying for all!
ooops, i didn't mean for that to be anonymous!
vivien
Hi everybody! Very glad you (and your luggage!) arrived safely. I have been thinking about and praying for all of you - and, yes, I have stopped crying! What an amazing experience - can you believe you are in AFRICA?! Terri, great job on the blog - thanks!
Hals and J - I love you. Treasure each day as a special opportunity to give of yourselves for God's glory. Miss you!
Wow...fans - who would have thought! I know that was a concern for some of you. Isn't it awesome to see how God takes care of you...even down to the smallest details. Glad to hear of your safe arrival. The team was the subject of the missions moment in church yesterday, so know that the entire church body is praying for you.
Ali & Alex I love and miss you and can't wait to hear the great and mighty things God is going to do through you. Ali how are the cats - can you still breathe??
So glad to hear you all arrived safely and with luggage - always a plus!! Know I am praying for you all throughout the day - its nice being in almost the same timezone for awhile!!
Hi from Potter Co., and Mt. Jewett, Nate. As you are spreading SONshine and hopefully eating a banana or two from that tree, remember your favorite thing to wear SUNscreen. Have fun working for HIM and the Brokopps. We love you. -M Terri, thanks so much for keeping us connected. Love, Dawn
We too are relieved to hear you have arrived safely and with all your luggage even! I know Amber and Nate are grateful to be able to sleep with fans. We think of you often throughout the day and keep you in our prayers. May you be a reflection of Christ in all you say and do this week. What great opportunities you have to be his hands and feet. May you be an encouragement to the Brokopps too. It is so great to be able to see pics and have updates, thanks so much Terri. Love you Amber and Nate. Looking forward to seeing some great pics Amber, and hearing some great stories Nate. Aaron's championship game got rained out so they have to finish it tonight. inning 2 ahead 5-0.Aaron's hit brought in 2 runs. Love, Kim J
Lyndsy, Ashley and Evelynn said
Hi mom and dad glad you landed safely. we love and miss you have a great time
Drew, Zane and I are quickly becoming the golden children. I also came very close to bringing home a 7 week old pitbull puppy... Other news... I did the dishes last night and Willy and Bryn wore matching clothes to church yesterday.. does that mean anything to you?
Don't forget that I am requesting a beautiful African bag... a somewhat large bag. Thank you.
~Your golden sister.
motttherrr.... and nick.
I'm really glad you guys got there safely. The house is still standing... messy but standing. =D
It's empty without you guys... but I'm having fun... and apparently you guys are too! Anywho... hope you guys can call soon.
love
Alex
Hello everyone!!!
I am so happy that you guys got there safely and look like you are having a great time!
I miss you all... church was so empty! But you were the main inspiration and topic in Pastor Carl's message. It was about faith... and since you all are stepping out in faith we used you as our inspiration! So not only are you touching lives in Gabon, you are touching lives back at home too!!
I am praying for you daily.
I love you guys!
Kelly
ps. Holly it looks like your perm is working!! you look great!!
Wish I was there with you. I know you are going to have an awesome experience as you serve our Lord in Gabon. WE'll be continuing to cover you in prayer! Have a great time in the bush, can't wait to see your pictures of that.
tuesday am...HI Ter...Praying for you all as I walked my neighborhood in the cool of the early morning while Emma (and Hannah) are sleeping. They...and Alex, Bryn and Bobby...had a late night at the Barnstormers game and then we had to make a trip to Homestead to pick up some things for GG and take them to the hospital where she was admitted for some tests Sunday night. She is going home today and didn't want to go in her nighty! The girls want to go to the MALL today, of course and I HOPE Alex is mowing lawns (RIGHT ALEX????) All of this sounds pretty boring compared to your day, I am sure! Praying that God will show His extravagant love to all of you today and it will flow through you as you touch others' lives. Can't wait to see how your day went!
Love you, Mom
Post a Comment