Kenya or Bust!

Hey everyone! :)
We are 11 hours from leaving this Ship off to an adventure to Kenya, East Africa! It has been a whirl-wind of an adventure to get to this point, but its amazing how God really and truly provides!! (and all I need now to be provided is..sleep! hehe!...so this is the reason for the short blog post)...

About 2 1/2 weeks ago, we were finally approved to go to Kenya for an ACSI International School's Teaching Convention in Nairobi, Kenya! However, we were also faced with the challenge of raising over $8,000 in 2 weeks! ...We held an auction to "sell ourselves" ...okay wait wrong wording... to auction off our services.... of a variety of things such as baking brownies, putting on a birthday party, having a driver for a day (a prized need on a weekend), a pedicure at the local hotel, even hotel accomadations in South Africa (when we get there in a few months)....oh wait...and the best one of all... Our male teachers shaving their legs, face (both have go-tees) AND their heads!! In one night the Lord allowed us to raise $4,500!!!!!!! WOW!! then an anonomous donor of $2,000 the next day... and then again, small donations fled into our school...raising above our need!!!! This is truly a miracle being witnessed before our eyes! So....
OFF TO KENYA WE GO!!!

Please pray for our safety to Kenya, our connections and relationships between international teachers at the conference, and that we learn a lot and are able to bring it back to our school!

Also, I have the amazing opportunity to visit Bishop Francis Kamau's church on Easter sunday, and as some of you know, this is a church and school that my family has supported and prayed for and my dad and grandpa have both been there (my dad several times!). It has always been a dream of mine to visit Kenya and the Church and School there, and its amazing how God really just allows so many things to be done in our lives when we just allow Him to lead. I cannot thank the Lord enough for this opportunity, nor can I thank Bishop Kamau to allow me to come and visit his chuch, school and most of all, family! Please keep us in prayer as well!

A few fun things to add really quick, would be our Academy Student's blogs that they create during Computer IT class! Check them out! They are pretty cool! and they update them regularly!
Grade 3's Blog : msagrade3.blogspot.com
High School Blog / Academy School Newspaper Blog: boxshipnews.blogspot.com


Also... Just an update from our ship... We are always and constantely needing prayer... please keep everone in prayer about events that happen during our services here in Togo, and all over Africa. An amazing amount of AMAZING happens... but with that comes the hard times too... Love you guys and miss you! Here are the blog links for the ship news of the latest happenings... (you may want a box of tissues...)
Baby Ani (1) : http://alirae.net/blog/archives/370-baby-ani.html
Baby Ani (2) : http://alirae.net/blog/archives/371-speak.html

Been in Benin...Get to go to TOGO!

We have "landed" in TOGO!!! And this experience was one for a lifetime! There are a few feelings that I think will stick with my for the rest of my life, and many of them have occurred here with Mercy Ships. One of the big feelings was walking up the gangway for the first time, and looking back once getting to the top, and realizing that this was going to be "home" for the next two years! And it has become that to me, though small, and uncomfortable at times, it feels like a home. The next big feeling was the day we sailed away from the port in Benin. I dont think Ive ever had that same feeling, until again today. Its a feeling that overtakes your whole body, and words cannot explain the excitement, anxiety, nervousness, and over joyed feeling! Watching our ship drift away from the port, trusting that it actually floats, and will stay that way through the roughness of the ocean's waters was an incredible feeling. Its the feeling that comes over you when you know that you are in the Lords care, and that He will protect you, no matter what comes along. Then, today, again I had this same tingle in my soul. Watching the land creep up closer and closer, hearing the familiar pounding of the African tribal drums, and the voices of the people praising the Lord, singing songs of thanksgiving for our arrival, many of the African songs we knew, gave me the shivers of glee all over again. You are the most High...You are the Most High God! This song was sung and played with the trombones, trumpets and drums upon our docking in the Lome, Togo port. This picture will never fade from my memory.

Please join me and our ship in prayer as we begin a new adventure, and new journey, a new outreach---stretching even up to the norther parts of the country. Please pray that the Lord would give the country peace during the presidential elections, and that we would stay protected. Also, pray for the patients and everyone that we will come into interaction with during the next 6 months, that HE will shine through each Africa Mercy Crew Member, and that many would come to know Him as their own personal Savior, through our actions and our ministry! Please pray for safety, health, Spiritual protection (as this is the Voodoo capital of the world), and wisdom for each crew member, along with strength and courage to do the things that the Lord places on their hearts. I am so excited for this outreach! And I look forward to meeting and reaching out to the Togolese, making friends and building relationships that reflect our true purpose for having life here on Earth.

I am also excited and am praying for opportunities for my students to interact with the Togolese, and expanding their biblical worldview, shaping their faith and beliefs. Please pray with me for this next semester, that has already began with a crazy sail, not only for the students but for the teaching staff. One big prayer request from the Academy side of things, is that we as a teaching staff (which is the best staff that we could have ever asked for!) is planning on attending a Teachers Confrence (ACSI) in Nirobi, Kenya to learn more about...well basically everything! We are going through an accredidation process right now (which is an abundance of work for 12 teacher and staff!), and this opportunity would be a blessing in every way to our staff! But funds have not come in as we have projected, and we must raise about $700 per teacher to cover airline travelling. Everything else has been raised. (Thank you Lord!) We know if it is in the Lord's will, this will be made possible, and He will make a way! This conference will be a 4 day conference during the Easter weekend.

Here are a few picture from our sail from Tenerife, Spain to Lome, Togo:

Danae and I Sailing into the port in Lome, Togo!

A VERY rough night at sea = disaster in the classroom.... (and this is after securing the room!)

Sailing away from the dock in Tenerife, Spain....this is a little bit of what it felt like leaving Benin... (Yay! this thing really does float!)

In our dock in Tenerife... if you look really hard, in the port hole to the left of the flag...you can see a red bouncy ball...one of my students miraculously kicked the ball straight up into the hole while playing kickball for the very first time!!! (and this wall is about 40 feet high!)

Our dock in Tenerife... there is a trumpet player playing on our arrival and departure! Oh how I loved Tenerife!

Jesus and I walking on Water!!! (hehe! thank you to my 6th graders! ;) I do not know where they come up with these things! but it always makes me giggle!)

Some of our students pointing towards LAND!

Our welcoming party of drums, music, and a lot of cheering and waving!! Lome, Togo!!!

You are the MOST HIGH GOD!!!

Jesus walking on Water!

Coming into the port in Lome! Berry and Cheryl and a family (which has 3 of my students) are on that tug boat coming to guide our way in!!!

The Pilot is on board!!!

TOGO!!!

Tenerife Spain!

Sailing, sailing, over the ocean blue!!! yay!! The ocean IS blue right now! Im sure that will change in a little over a week...when we reach Lome, Togo (West Africa). We are about 1.5 hours into our 10-11 day "cruise" through the Atlantic ocean from Tenerife, Spain (Canary Islands). I want to share with you a visual tour of the last 6+ weeks :)

Christmas Spirit Day at the school :) Can you guess what I dressed up as?? ;) hehe!

Arrival in Tenerife!! This was our first site of ships! A cruise liner and a Russian training sailboat! We even got to have a tour of the sailing ship! Здравствуйте! До свидания!

My dad came to visit for 2 weeks!! He took Danae and I around all of Tenerife for a week (and actually while this picture was being taken...my wallet was being taken from my purse in our car...) but it gave us a "good" excuse to take a ferry to another Island Gran Canaria, and explore there for a week too!! Wow! what a fun trip we had! I miss my Daddy already!

I think I took him by surprise! and then he took me by surprise too! and wouldnt let go! hahaha!

Casa sweet Casa! My cabin right about in the middle... with those little port holes at the bottom.. :) and the school is in the back :)

Can you believe it?!! I am climbing a volcano?!! haha! Teide, the tallest peek in all of Spain... if it exploded, it would force half of the island to slide into the Atlantic ocean, and cause a 1000 foot tidal wave in New York, New York!

I choose the straight and narrow... haha! this believe it or not is a TWO way street!! haha!

This was in the other Island, Gran Canaria... WOW! Breath taking! Those are all little roads that we explored! :)

Prime Real estate?? ;) Never say that your piece of land is not buildable!!!! Because these people know how to build ANYWHERE!!

Tunnel through the mountain!! ...again...a two way road!

Spectacular Spelunking in Spain!!! We found more caves than we can even count!! It was SO amazing!! so much fun!

I thought this was cool picture! and the outline of it kind of looks like Benin! ;)

Danae and I searched for a comfy couch!! and Im pretty sure we found it!! This was one my favorite hotels in the whole world! ...actually probably my favorite! Breath-taking views, sweet Spanish hospitality, and it was just placed in a quaint little town!

One of our last nights exploring Gran Canaria... this was our sunset outside of our hotel window/patio! God You ARE AMAZING!!

I dont know why, but I love this picture of my Daddy! We had so much fun spending time with one another!

I promise I wont jump! And that I wont do this again ;)

We always found the craziest things!! Supposedly, this is an ancient ancestor of ours ;) haha!

Mi Papa e yo! we think this thing is for keeping in the goats at night... we had so much fun taking random roads and discovering where they go, and what their purpose was :)

In the middle of Gran Canaria... Beautiful!

Double beauty!

Now we are sailing to TOGO!!! Please pray for our safe journey and for our next outreach in Togo!!

Dr. Amelia, the American Ambassador's wife visits Academy!

Dr. Amelia is the one in Teal in the center of all of the Academy teaching staff

Yesterday I had the priveledge to invite the American Ambassador's wife to speak to our Junior High and High School students. I felt honored meeting her and her husband about 2 weeks ago, while they were taking a tour of the ship, and saying hi to the crew. Dr. Amelia Bell Knight is a rare woman, with so many experiences and has such a passion for international affairs, travelling and serving the United States of America. Her husband and family have been in governmental work for over 20 years, and they feel that they were called by God to be doing the work here in Africa. She has been to all but 2 countries here in Africa, and has visited almost every other country of the world (literally). Inviting her into the school seemed to be a wonderful opportunity for my students, especially since most of them have been to more countries (and lived in them) than I am years in age. Dr. Amelia's belief in prayer and the power of it has definately been evident in her life to those around her. She was definately an inspiration to me. She told the class about the gifts and desires of her heart that had been placed in her life since she was a young girl. One, to travel (especially with the intent of studying cultures) and two, to teach. Its amazing how God puts people in our lives to continue to inspire us in His will for our own lives. I could see a lot of myself in her. I can see truly how God directs us on a path that He paves, not the one we try to fill the potholes in. I probably ended up getting more out of it than my students, but her intriguing life was encouraging to my students too, especially since they too have a "nomadic" type of life. I continue to strive to live my life following Him, shining for Him, and trying to be that mirror for others to see Christ's face in! I cannot wait to see what God has instore for my life, and I feel like this experience here in Africa is really just the stepping stones to something that I cannot even comprehend. Lord, may I look up, and seek your guidance, and follow the path You have intended me to walk on, leading others to look up and see Your glory!

As our time draws to an end here in Benin, we need several prayers!



1. For the enemy to be bound, and God's glory to shine through!

2. For our Captain (and his family) for wisdom, understanding, faith, strength! (physically, mentally & spiritually)

3. For the Engineers and Deck workers, that they may have the strength, wisdom and encouragement---and for their health! The enemy ceirtainly likes to attack...

4. For the health and patience for each crew member (especially on the sail)

5. For the Academy, teachers (grades and planning) and students...and for the Christmas Play that we will be directing during the Sail!

Thanksgiving!

This is my "Official" Mercy Ships Academy Teacher Picture! haha!




Here's our Teaching Staff



Mercy Ships did an article on the Academy, and interviewed me and my class :) So heres a few pictures from that...






Academy Spirit Day! Twin Day!! Except my Twin (Danae) was bed ridden... she sprained her knee really bad! ...but thats okay, I stole one of her crutches and pasted her face on my shirt and ended up matching 2 of the other teachers, Tommy and Ben! Lol!



We were invited to the Presidential Palace (yes! ALL 400 of us!!!) for a Thank you dinner from the President himself! It was definately an experience! Im basically smack dab in the middle, towards the left... im waving ;) lol! jk!






We went to Porto Novo...a city not too far from Cotonou... and had fun taking pictures :) (this was a little while ago)






Heres's Hotel Du Lac! Its about 15 minute walk... to relaxation :)

Heres Danae and I at my FAVORITE resturant in the whole world!! Its a Thai place!! mmmm!!! (haha! i guess im not allergic to shrimp.... lol!)


What?! God you told me to bring my FLUTE?!! to AFRICA?!! haha! I dont know why I do these crazy things..but its been a blessing being able yo play! Ill get to play some Christmas Music soon too! :) that'll be fun! :)

My Birthday toys made it to Africa! and now are a tradition to bring to other birthdays!! hehe! fun fun fun!


SUPER SQUIRRELS!!!! We won best Costume!! haha!! We had the best Team Spirit too!! :D




What?! Again Lord, you want me to bring my BIKE?!! haha!! Its a wonderful way to get around town! ...except having to carry it down from Deck 8.....down to deck 5 and then 2 decks of gangway stairs... :) its fun though!



I love meeting the people, and being on this journey! Thank you Lord for Sending me! Thank you Lord for blessing me the way You so often do! I am thankful for what Your Son did, for me, for my students, for everyone!! I love You Lord! THANK YOU!


"Rejoice in the Lord Always, and again I say REJOICE" Phil. 4:4