In Sickness and in Health

      We’ve been absent in the blogosphere recently. I’ve been very sick and Ryan was working extremely hard to cover my office hours, his office hours, other sick team member’s hours, arrange for someone to teach my class, teach his own class and bring home food to feed me. Phew.

In the midst of all of that, blog time went bye bye. So I thought rather than recount depressing sickness, I would share a lighter story.

      Last week, just before I got sick, I went to the market with Caleb and Rachel. Rachel was buying ingredients for a bake sale to help out mothers in need (She’s only 12-years-old and she’s already doing great things). As we shopped “Super Market Sweep” style in a hurry (so I wouldn’t be late for class) I found myself screeching around corners with the cart and hastening my pace for all actions. At one market I needed something upstairs. I started my swift stair climb with track arms and high knees. I booked it up the stone stairs, but tragically, 5 steps from victory, my high knees became low knees and a clipped big toe sent me face first into the stairs. I thought I broke my shoe I biffed it so hard. I army-crawled up a few steps as if battle-stricken, slowly got up and looked around. To my surprise NO ONE was around. I was almost disappointed that I couldn’t trade my embarrassment to make someone’s day. At least if someone got a laugh it would have felt half worth the achy knees.

    Well, yesterday I finally felt good enough to get out after being sick. When I finished teaching class I went to get groceries. As I made my way to the second floor, I passed the spot of impact, my battlefield. I felt a small twinge that seemed to say “take it slow. You don’t want to do that again.” With a small giggle I stepped over it and kept going. As if to respond “Well, I fell, but I’m back up.” I love that physically, spiritually, and emotionally we can face plant one moment but triumph the next. Some very wise words I will never forget from Junior High say “I get knocked down, but I get up again. You’re never gonna keep me down.” ;) Have a good week.

-Ci

Prayer Requests:

Sickness in the team

Children’s home/ projects

Funds for a moto. $1500 needed, have $400 so far

Funds for Ryan to go to U.S. later this year. Need miles or $ for a round trip ticket (right now cost is about $1500)

Thank you to David Pinkard and Christ Pointe Church for their jumpstart to our saving for transportation! The church supported us without even knowing us. Thank you David for getting to know us on your trip. We are truly grateful for your heart and time you gave to us (away from your family no less).

We also find ourselves overwhelmed with thanks to Michael McDonald and his anonymous donor for such a huge blessing. Thank you for your service to our great country and to humanitarian aid here.