Lilly

After deciding to go to Nicaragua there were many ways I felt God reassuring me. One of the biggest ways was through my friend, Lilly. I first met Lilly in the summer of 2008 in Nicaragua. She was interning for the summer; I was there on a week long trip with my youth group. Lilly made an impression on me. I really enjoyed working with her and getting to know her that week.

A few weeks later when I started looking into the club process at Harding, I ran into Lilly! So while other people were meeting lots of people in her club, Chi Kappa Rho, I was just talking to her. Not exactly the point of a meet and greet. I ended up joining Chi Kappa Rho, XKP, and I am so thankful because the club has been a blessing in so many ways.  

The club provided many opportunities to serve and have fun with all the girls. There were even ways for us to help Mision Para Cristo- which was special for those of us who had been there. After graduation, I still kept in touch with Lilly and even got to visit her home.

A few weeks after I decided to go to Nicaragua, I got a call from Lilly. The call went something like this…

Lilly: “Do you want to be my roommate in Nicaragua?”
Colette: “Excuse me?!”
Lilly: “Yeah. I’m moving there in January and heard you were, too!”
Colette: **laughing** “Oh my goodness! YES!”

How awesome is our God?! He’s given me a friend and partner to share this journey with! Lilly has a huge place in her heart for Nicaragua, and you can read about her decision HERE. A link to her blog will be on the side of mine. We’ll both be posting through the year (two for her) and will have different focuses in our work. Please continue to keep her in your prayers as well. Elizabeth (Lilly) Garza. 

XKP had it's 10 year reunion in October.
As soon as I found Lilly, I cried.
*But that shouldn't surprise anyone*

November Moments

November 2013

First. Thank you so much to all family and friends who have read, commented, smiled and encouraged me through this decision! It means more than I can verbalize.

Second. Before I update you on the last couple weeks, I want to tell you about the excitement and emotions of November! November is when the trip/move/internship became real and felt “soon.”

Thanks to skymiles, I got to spend a weekend in Austin, Texas with Meagan, Kelly and Hanna! Oh my goodness. I knew how much I wanted to see them. I had no idea how much I needed to see them. We were able to process loosing Nelson, catch up on the other babies, hear about each other’s lives (more than texts and emails), challenge one another, and just laugh! We played lots of Hand and Foot while laughing until our stomachs hurt. Meag was also very helpful in giving me her wisdom about packing and leaving. She’s kind of experienced ;)

These girls are 3 of the best.
The 4th was our lovely KamJam. We missed her lots!

After Austin was Thanksgiving. Mom and I worked the first part of the week, so it was a quick trip. But the time together was wonderful. More games and laughter. The Auburn/Alabama game was a little bit of a heartbreaker but still didn’t ruin the trip. After so much quality time with extended and immediate family it reminded me of how much I’ll be missing them next year. That was the first big realization.

 We also studied Matthew 10 that Sunday in Bible Class. Verses 37-39 wreck my heart… “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.”

I love my family. And I love my life in Georgia. But God didn’t put us here to be comfortable and love the people who love us. He has given us a charge to spread the Good News of his Son to everyone we can. Reading these verses reminds me of why I am going and what I am “giving up.” I really am thrilled for this opportunity to teach and learn. However, I do not want to sit and talk about what I will be missing. There were lots of tears this day. Thankfully there were also friends to help me smile and dry my face.

A few days later, I purchased the plane ticket! AH! I typed all my information in then had to call Mom and Bridge in the room with me. I said, “I just needed someone here when I clicked ‘Buy.’” They understood and celebrated the moment.

So. Not that there was any question, but I am “officially” going! January 19^th!

I Refuse

October 20, 2013

We serve an awesome God. Who created us to be unique individuals with His gifts to shine His glory. Wow. The Creator of the world took the time to design each of us and loves us unconditionally. I don’t know about you, but that blows me away when I sit and reflect on that. He is full of blessings and lessons to teach us, his beloved children, if we listen to him. Now, I know there are many times I’ve said, “God. I don’t know how to do that,” or “God, you know someone else would be much better handling that.” But through careful prayer and advice from family, I am saying, “Yes, God!” to his most recent opportunity.

Where to begin? After returning from Zambia in August and processing the experience, I knew I wanted to continue pursuing a way to work with children in a mission/ministry setting. I love the daycare that I work in, but I longed for the children that needed someone else fighting for them. So I began talking with Mr. Benny, the director of Misión Para Cristo. Now, two months later: letters have been written, I am studying Spanish, and spending as much time with my family as I can… because I am going to Nicaragua to work with Benny and Donna Baker and serve the children in Jinotega and the surrounding communities for 11 months. After first working with them in 2007, I loved their mission and the beautiful people they served. Since that first trip, I’ve been able to return 3 more times with different groups and slightly different purposes.

This time I will be focusing on the ways the mission encourages the children. Between their school, pre-schools, children’s ministry and adopt-a-child program, I will be assisting the Nicaraguans to find my niche of service. There are lots of unknowns, but I am confident in the fact that God knows me and will be with me each and every day. This song has become my theme and my prayer for the month. Click HERE if you want to listen along. It’s about 3 and a half minutes, and in my unbiased opinion it is completely worth it..

Sometimes I, I just wanna close my eyes

And act like everyone's alright

well no they're not

This world needs God, but it's easier to stand and watch

I could say a prayer and just move on

like nothin's wrong

But I refuse

cause I don't wanna live like I don't care

I don't wanna say another empty prayer

Oh I refuse, to sit around and wait for someone else

To do what God has called me to do myself

Oh I could choose not to move

but I refuse

I can hear the least of these

cryin' out so desperately

and I know we are the hands and feet of You oh God

So if You say move

it's time for me to follow through

and do what I was made to do

and show them who You are

Cause I don't wanna live like I don't care

I don't wanna say another empty prayer

Oh I refuse to sit around

and wait for someone else

to do what God has called me to do myself

Oh I could choose

not to move

but I refuse

to stand and watch the weary and lost

cry out for help

I refuse

to turn my back

and try and act like all is well

I refuse

to stay and change

to wait another day

to die to myself

I refuse

to make one more excuse

cause I don't wanna live like I don't care

I don't wanna say another empty prayer

Oh I refuse

to sit around and wait for someone else

to do what God has called me to do myself

oh I could choose

not to move

but I refuse

I refuse

I refuse

I Refuse, by Josh Wilson

Transitioning Home

August 1-August 20.

Tomorrow will be three weeks since I left Zambia. It’s only been 20 days, but it feels like months. Time is such a strange thing. While it is incredibly consistent (always 60 seconds in a minute, 60 minutes in an hour, 24 hours in a day, 7 days in a week… okay so months get a little different but that’s besides the point…) time never feels consistent to me. Reflecting back on the flights to get to Zambia seems like ages ago. However remembering walking into the Haven 2 for the first time feels just like it was yesterday! Strange.

Thankfully on the flights back to Atlanta, I did not have any vertigo relapse or symptoms! Our Lord was watching over me and showing His mercy. I couldn’t stop smiling once I landed in Atlanta! Security and customs was painlessly quick. Then I got to hug my family! Bridgette, Mom, Dad and Beth were waiting with Toy Story balloons. Perfect. I was so relieved to see them that I barely had words or the ability to react except to stand there and smile.

They're the cutest.

Over the next few days, I visited good friends and family. We even went to Tennessee to celebrate Grandad’s 80^th Birthday! While I was thrilled to see everyone, jetlag was hitting me like a mac truck. So to everyone who saw me that first week I’m sorry I had very few words. To everyone who asked, “How was Africa?” please keep asking me! It’s just been the last 4 days that I have been able to actually answer that question without staring blankly or just wanting to curl in a ball and cry. I didn’t realize how many days it would take to get over jetlag, then how many more days until I could reflect enough to for complete sentences over what I learned and experienced in my 7 very treasured weeks at the Havens.

So to start answering, “How was Africa?” Let me share a few of the many lessons I learned…

Meagan Hawley. Wow.  She loves the children and people of Zambia with her whole heart. One of the many ways she inspires me is through constant surrender. There are times we would love for our dreams to come true and things to be easy, but Meagan has shown me the beauty that comes through the hardships of surrendering your dreams to let God give you His dreams for you. I love her so much.

 

Meagan with the Mungaila Children infront of their new house!

Joel. This three-year-old boy is so determined to walk! He was sweet enough to show me his smiles, squeals and hugs daily. I love him for that. Joel is learning and singing with his brothers and sisters in language class like a champ. With God’s help, I know he will walk on his own one day!

Lincoln (left) helping Joel walk!

Loving life in language class.
This boy is perfect! 

Ba Edinan is a shining example of servant heart and hospitality. She is a friend to everybody. Ba Edinan welcomed us into her home and treated us so warmly. She manages what she has very well and helps the families in her village without hesitation.

Visiting Ba Edinan and her nieces. 

Bina Mbombo trusts her Heavenly Father. She shows a different kind of strength and faith that I pray I have one day. Each day is a new day, and Bina Mbombo knows that it will be faced with a faithful God.

With Ba Edinan and Bina Mbombo at church.

Rodwell. Baby Roadie, who is now sitting up in a bombo seat, taught me the importance of relying on prayer as a first option not a last resort. Durning the days I was home sick or at nights when I wished I could be holding him, I learned that praying for him was the best thing I could be doing. He is God’s baby boy, not mine. But I am ever so grateful for the chance to love him and hold him. He continues to challenge and grow my prayer life.

 

I might be obsessed with this picture. Not going to apologize.

I don’t know how often I’ll blog from here on out. But please don’t hesistate to ask me about anything I’ve written or posted. I process and learn through writing and talking. While there are many things that are uncertain now, I am certain that I will keep processing and growing from this experience. Thank you for following me through this journey! Praying for clarity as we all find ways to serve our Father daily!

The Last Week

July 21-July 31.

Wow. Let me tell you a little about our last 10 days in Zambia then I’ll explain the shock of coming home.

At Victoria Falls during the Lunar Rainbow.

Monday was a very good morning in the Havens and the afternoon was at the Mungaila’s. We came home and made a big wonderful dinner because it was Kam’s last night in Kalomo. Boooooo! So we tried to just spend time together laughing. Since we love playing hand and foot while listening to music we succeeded on the laughing more than crying goal. Tuesday morning we packed up and went to the Havens so Kam could say her goodbyes. I was already feeling sad as it was becoming very apparent that we only had 7 days left. What? No! Where did the last 6 weeks go?! We enjoyed good food, fun games (H&F), and the best company while in Livingstone the rest of the day. We went to celebrate Hanna and Meagan’s birthday and get Kamri to the airport. God even showed us more of His glory with a LUNAR RAINBOW!!! Awesome is the only place to being because we were all in awe. A few times a year, at locations with lots of mist/water (mostly waterfalls) when the moon is full you can see a rainbow at night. I had never heard of these, but it was an incredible sight to behold! 

Lunar Rainbow at Victoria falls as viewed by Wikipedia.
The shutter has to be opened so long to get the rainbow colors
that it looks light daylight, but it's definitely very dark.

Saying goodbye to Kamri on Wednesday was not my definition of fun. She is such a sweet servant! I have loved getting to know her and have become so grateful for the moment she found me in London. Kam loves her veggies. I won’t be able to eat cabbage without thinking of her. Praying God lets our paths cross more! We spent a little time in the curio market after lunch buying some souvenirs. It was very neat to see everything they had but totally overwhelming to make decisions when under pressure to buy from everyone. We made it back to Kalomo with time to spent at the Havens! I helped feed nsima dinner at Haven 2, then helped Bina Jay, one of the night aunties, with toilet time. At night they wash the clothes before putting the kids in bed. It didn’t take very long. The boys talked to us while we washed there in the bathroom and that time was one of the closest things to a perfect moment. We joked while washing. Sang while dressing the boys. Laughed as I hugged them goodnight and put them in bed. The older boys were helping the younger boys. I loved everything about that hour. On the way home, the power went out, so girls devo was canceled, and we tried to get used to the house with 4 not 5.

Thursday and Friday were good days at the Havens. We stayed as long as we could wanting to soak up all the time possible with babies and aunties. Friday singing was wonderful. I’m going to miss the singing for sure. Florence also came home with us Friday night. Meagan wrote a blog about her, please read it HERE. When she wants to show it, this baby girl has the biggest smile! Saturday we spent most of the day with the Mungaila’s getting them settled in their house. Again, another goodbye. But I already talked about that. We went out to The Rock to watch the sunset before dinner. Beautiful. Once it starts falling, it hides so fast. Sunday was church and then a good afternoon with Katy. She had been a little sickly the last few days but had a good afternoon, until church. The she projectile vomited about 15 minutes into service. We walked home right away. I held her and let her sleep until the other girls came back from church, and we took the babies back to the havens. Monday and Tuesday were filled with as much cuddling and loving as possible. We played, swung, rocked, laughed, washed, cooked, read and sang with the Aunties and the children. Monday night we had dinner with the other missionaries that live at Namwinga. Tuesday night we went around and said goodbyes. Booo... Then went home for dinner, games, more goodbyes, packing and eventually bed.

 

Rodwell smiling big during the week!!!!

Ba Beauty who loves and serves so gently.

Lincoln has Joel's right and I had his left. He's walking like a Champ!

Wednesday morning we loaded the truck and went to the havens to spend a little more time with the babies before going to Livingstone to catch our flight. Those goodbyes were the worst. Getting so attached to these beautiful children of God and not knowing if I’ll ever see them again was a hard thought to process. Those kids are loved and cherished and cared for SO well by the Aunties and Meagan. I know they are more than fine. But leaving their smiling faces and arms open for hugs was terrible. We all got in the truck and cried most of the way to Livingstone. We got to the airport and waited in lines to get boarding passes and go through security. We hugged Meagan at the last possible second and kept waving through the door until she finally had to leave. Through the tearful goodbyes our song for the summer (or one of many) kept playing through my head, and I had to keep singing it to remind myself.

You are faithful
You are faithful

I know who goes before me

I know who stands behind

The God of angel armies

Is always by my side

The one who reigns forever

He is a friend of mine

The God of angel armies

Is always by my side

Chris Tomlin, Whom Shall I Fear

airport sendoff.

Mungaila’s

Over the last two weeks, we’ve helped the community in Tara (about a 30 minute drive from Namwianga) build a house for the Mungaila Family. Meagan does a wonderful job of explaining this family’s story HERE. Please read it! But the quick summary is both parents are blind and they have 5 children: Lushomo- 8, Choolwe- 6, Kurt- 4, Jessie- 2, and Leahndrea- 6 months. Leahndrea lives in Haven 1, Jessie, Kurt and Choolwe have lived at the havens and gone back home, and Lushomo is the man who takes care of the family with such gentleness and strength. I first met this wonderful family when we went out on our first village visit. We saw that their house walls and their ceilings didn’t meet and that there was only one room. Being that it’s winter in Zambia, Meagan really wanted to see what could be done about building a proper house. Well, less than a week and another survey trip was made to see about space and needed materials and budget… Add in a lot of prayers, a wonderful community in Tara, dozens of servant hearts from Namwianga and less than a month later the Mungaila’s have a 3 room house with full walls, a tin roof and cement floors! God is SO good!! It was such a blessing to watch the process unfold and get to participate a little. I say a little because our main workdays happened during my vertigo days, so I went with Meagan and the interns, but I sat in a chair and played with the kids while the other girls worked. Pictures will be posted when I get back to the States, but pictures will not be able to explain the peace on Lushomo’s face when he saw the new hooks for his clothes. They will not be able to explain the joy on Kurt’s face when he jumped up on his bed in his bedroom. Pictures will not explain the pride that leaders of the Tara community had for supporting this family and doing everything they could to help. Pictures will not explain the sadness, joy and peace that filled my heart when we left their house for the last time. Saddened to not be hugging those kids in a few days. But so much joy that they are able to rest behind a door. And somehow, still so much peace knowing that God is in that house and in their lives. He is holding them through all the hardships that family will face in the coming years. He is the one who loves them more than I can fathom. 

Be Still

July 6-20
Saturday began early, since my built-in alarm clock does not allow me to sleep late. I spent the morning reading, journaling and listening for God’s truth. Thankfully he spoke! I was able to smile and have peace with the passing of Jay because of verses like 1 Corinthians 10:13, Colossians ___, Psalm 18:1-2, Exodus 14:14, Exodus 15:2. Once everyone was up, the cards came out. We spent the rest of the day laughing with friends. It was beautiful.

Sunday’s highlight was bringing Roadie home for the evening. We went to church in Tomango, the same village Kamri and I visited. It was so nice to see the same kids and get to worship with the Ba Edinan and Bina Mbombo. The Zambia Medical Mission team has arrived and is making final plans for the two major outreach clinics in the next two weeks. So we helped the Meritt’s prepare food for Monday’s big meal, like 250 people. After washing potatoes and chopping vegetables, we went to the havens to pick-up one of the kids to take home and to church. I got to bring Roadie home!! It was just a few hours, and he slept most of the time. But it didn’t matter to me! I loved being able to love on him and not be rushed by anything. He looks like he’s grown- even though he hasn’t gained much weight. Rodwell is perfect with his huge, expressive eyes and long fingers.

Monday was a whirlwind of haven tours for the ZMM, serving the meal, and cleaning up. We drove into town to get supplies for distribution. Each week the havens and houses get the supplies delivered that they need for the week, such as millie-mill, oil, meat and milk. We finished distribution and can you guess… played cards :) Our favorite game of hand and foot. It was my night to watch Nelson. I love spending the night with him. He actually slept from about 1 to 7 with the exception of a 4:30 bottle. YAY! Go Nelli!

Tuesday morning was Jay’s burial. While I’m grateful that precious boy doesn’t have to know the hardships of this world, I still walked away from the burial broken. The Haven 2 kids were outside, and Ruben walked right up to me with open arms and said, “CoCo?” I picked him up, and he wouldn’t let me out of his hug. Exactly what I didn’t know I needed. Rubi is such a blessing to me all the time. I held him, cried and prayed that we don’t have to bury anymore. However, at the same time it’s difficult to pray that these kids grow strong because I know life here is just hard. Harder to go to school. Harder to find work. Harder to find daily food. And if they can escape these earthly difficulties then I want them to be in Jesus’ arms… But I also see how much of an impact they can have on the kingdom as a 3 year old and know that God has a plan for each them that involves their own gifts being used for God’s glory. I left the havens and went back home to watch Nelson. After spending the day holding Nelson, I realized I had a fever and a sinus infection and really terrible ear pain. As soon as the girls and Meagan came back from the havens I went to bed praying that Nelli did not get sick!

Wednesday the fever was gone, but I slept until 11! One of the truest signs of me being sick. Obviously I stayed away from the havens and spent the day resting and journaling. That evening, I was feeling SO much better. The other interns had come home from the havens, we were sitting around the den together when the room started spinning. After I realized it wasn’t going away by me being still, Kelly (my trusty nurse!) told me to lie down. Still didn’t help. Then I felt the nausea. And without too much detail ended up getting phernergan shots when the nausea would not let me move an inch- literately. Well while I was getting well aquatinted with the bathroom floor, Meagan and the girls were busy taking care of Nelson and the house. Nelson and Hanna went to the havens. Nelli was doing well enough and his aunties were missing him greatly! Hanna spent the night in the havnes to help with the transition and to stay away from my germs. Kamri was staying clear, as any smart person would. Meagan and Kelly were commandeering major disinfectants! They helped me to a bed, although it felt more like a boat, then cleaned everything.

I woke up Thursday with the world still spinning a little extra but praise the Lord, no nausea! We tried Dramamine to help with the rocking/spinning but no such luck. So I slept a lot and walked with assistance when necessary.

When the world was still rocking and tilting on Friday we knew a few things… 1: it was probably some sort of vertigo. 2: Thankfully, that’s not contagious. 3: I was pure entertainment walking down the hall! I spent part of the afternoon sitting on the porch and it was wonderful. Outside the world is bigger and the spinning slows a lot which helps me not feel like I’m about to fall over. I definitely was not being super active, but I did get to venture out of the house for dinner.  

Over the last week, the vertigo has majorly improved! By Monday I could walk without assistance. There was less spinning each day, by Wednesday basically none. By Saturday, today, the wicked headaches have gone. I still have moments when I move my head quickly or bend down and come up too quickly where I can’t really tell which way is up. However, other than that, feeling all-better. Thank you for the prayers, they worked. We have a God who heals and comforts!

This week has had other adventures (building a house and another overnight village visit that I will share more about later), I just wanted to give you a full update on the vertigo life. My song last week, mainly Friday through Monday, was Be Still and Know. Don’t worry, we sang it twice at church on Sunday night. The lyrics have so much truth to them, and the added irony of vertigo made me stop and listen very closely.

Be still and know that I am God.
I am the Lord, who strengthens thee.

I am the Way, the Truth, the Life.

So be still and know that I am God.