Last Visit With Kids -- Photo Album

Thursday we had our last time with our children. After school at the PHC Center we all met back at the mission for lunch -- some coming via mission vehicle, others shared a special "adventure" on public transportation.

The whole gang of us.

After a traditional lunch of hamburgers, homemade fries and Cool-Aid,
we played games for about an hour.

Of course we had to have at least one Uno game going.

Brenda Artrip with her boy Delphine.

Carol Claes with her girl Abigail.

Kay & Kirk Carver with Junior, one of three orphans they sponsor.

As you can see, Petula, Carvers second orphan, got over her shyness!

Margaret Hull pictured with her special gal named Jossette.

Lee Ann Parsons with her gal Blandine.

Earlier that morning out at the PHC Center, Madame Alexandrine
met with care providers for our new children that just entered the
program this year. Mme Alx had the difficult task of turning away
hundreds of needy children because we are at full capacity for this year.

Lee Ann Parsons's friends collected some money to help some
needy kids. The Bemba children certainly fall into that catagory.
We were able to supply this orphans with 3mattresses, 3
sets of sheets, and a lamp. The smiles say it all!

Last Day Bitter-Sweet Blues

A photo album will be posted in an blog entry on Saturday.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30th

Carol Claes writes:

This is it, our last day. We leave here changed - more open, loving, and aware of God’s heart for people. Please Lord keep us tender and remembering, faithful and sharing. A trip to the Air France office this morning to check luggage and get our boarding passes was made easy by the presence there of Dr. Hibaile. He is obviously well respected, practicing what he preaches about character, because “we’re with him” was all it took to get us through smoothly.

We were glad to make another trip to the Orphan Care Center to sit in on our own child’s class, and be amazed all over again at the job these teachers have. In Abigail class they were doing math problems on the chalkboard. School began this week, but they are still working on separating out the classes. Abigail's class at present has 80 students, but will be split next week. I sat on the bench with her, unfortunately displacing 2 children, who had to stand by the wall or squeeze into another row. Needless to say, I and my camera were a distraction that the teacher was glad to get rid of!

Our kids were then transported back to the Guest House for lunch (hamburgers and French fries and chocolate cake). I gave Abigail her dress that matches mine and she beamed! Also, thanks to the generousity of my teammates (I’m low on funds) I was able to give her a Sango New Testament. I highlighted John 15:5. I so pray that this is a milemarker in her life and spiritual development. I was very hard to see them leave here. She told me, “God provided a way for us to meet. Do you think the tears were flowing from me? Oops, here they come again.

But, let’s go home. It’s too hot here! I can say to everyone that the CAR is full of wonderful people, and that PHC is absolutely worth the prayer and money given for this ministry.

As they say here, Ciao!

Lee Ann writes:
Here’s what I remember about today. Our visit at school with our kids was all I expected. Blandine’s class was working on grammar and arithmetic. They all seemed pleased to have a visitor and she especially seemed proud to have someone sitting beside her on her bench.

As we left the center to share lunch together back at the our residence, I was struck by the fact that she didn’t know how to open the car door. Probably was the first ride in a passenger car ever. I think she’ll remember this for a long time.

She, too, received a matching dress. We had fun shopping for material a week ago . . did I say a week ago . . where did it go? We had a skilled seamstress who had 7 outfits done in 2 days. I was able to give her a New Testament and included some favorite Bible verses. She said she didn’t have a Bible.

It was so hard to say, “Good Bye” but she told me she no longer had sadness in her heart as she had Jim and I now.

A side note, I got to meet 3 beautiful children at the school who have much sadness. They lost their widow mother several years ago and were living with their aunt. Their aunt and grandmother were walking on the road, the aunt carrying a little baby on her back. They were hit and killed by a car. . . The grandmother survived but is still in the hospital.

While these children do have a home to live in with some extended family members, they are not treated the same as the biological children in the family. When food and money are tight, the orphans get slighted. The PHC group mother has been keeping close tabs on these children and tries to make up for the deficit in these children's care, but she is limited in what she can do.

I had some funds that people gave to help out with just such as case as these three children -- George, Prince and Regina. With these funds we purchased some of the things these children need:

• 3 foam mattresses
• 3 sheets
• a lantern

I got to meet the children, who are in school at PHC. They do have someone looking in on them and helping them until something else can be worked out. It was through the money that I was able to have sent over that provided for these children. PHC will continue to work through their needs but at least they have bedding now thanks to many of you.

Also, you should know that over 100 kids not in the PHC program showed up the first days of school in hopes of entering the PHC program, but there just aren’t enough spaces for them right now.

PHC also needs sponsors to take on some of the fifty or more new children taken in this year. Barb Wooler (bwooler@gbim.org) is the contact person if you would like to become a PHC sponsor. You can also sponsors a child through the PHC website (http://www.ph-c.com/) which will have some of these new children posted next week. These folks do a wonderful job . . . We are anxious to come home but missing our children and we haven’t left yet!! God Bless . . . Lee Ann

Brenda Artrip writes:
I’ve been talking to people and still need to get cleaned up before we leave so I’ll make this short. Delphin asked that I give my love to Terry and Godiva. He knew Godiva’s name from my letters! I got to be a room mother today and visit his class. He thanked me for everything over and over…such a little man…I am so proud of him.

Delphin presented me with a picture of him taken just Sunday (how he got it developed is a mystery to me). He was so very proud when he presented it to me. It is now one of my greatest treasures! He seemed sad to say good-bye but promised to work on his English so that we could write more often. I told him that we’d have plenty of time to talk in heaven!

I am emotionally wrung out, hot and looking forward to getting home now that my last visit with Delphin is over. In the picture he is wearing his Flambeau uniform (kind of like Bible Boy-Scouts) and he has already earned the first level (a big accomplishment I’m told for a boy his age.)

Blessings and home soon -- B

Uno Games at PHC Orphan Center

Wednesday, October 29th

Carol Claes writes:
We received a wonderful treat this morning, having two very special men come to the Guest House and share their ministries and hearts with us. Dr. Hibaile is the head of an organization called CIDEL (Center International for Development of Ethical Leadership.) He is a police chaplain, works with university professors, the Prime Minister of the CAR, and youth. The goal is to encourage good character which will lead to ethical conduct in these areas of leadership. He leads seminars and meets one on one with individuals. He and his wife will be on the plane with us to Paris tomorrow on their way to Israel. The other gentleman, Dr. Mboi Andre is president of the union of Grace Brethren churches in this country. (There are many, and the total membership for the country around 300,000.) He has a heart to encourage the pastors, and also a desire to reach Muslims with the gospel. It was a treat to listen to them. There is a Pastor’s Conference next week, and some of the guests from the US arrive in the morning to stay here at the Guest House. They’re kicking us out!

Next, we were off to the PHC Orphan Care Center! I was blessed to spot Abigail right away, there is no way to miss her winning smile! They let “our” kids out of class and let us spend time with them in the “Grand Salon”. We played Crazy 8’s, had fun with balloons, bubbles (my favorite), and sidewalk chalk on the cement floor. I think Abigail liked posing for, and taking pictures best! We sang “Jesus Loves Me” in English phrase by phrase. I never want to go a day without praying for her. Ask me, keep me accountable, please.

Well, I need to let someone else have a turn to share. I’ll see some of you on Friday!

Joyfully, Carol

Kay Carver writes:
Kay Carver writes: We met with our orphans at the center today. What a joy… Kirk spent time with Junior while he drew pictures with his new notebook and colored pencils. I got to play with Petula. Junior remained a bit guarded and shy but was obviously grateful and touched by the attention he received from Papa Kirk . Petula blossomed, talking in Sango, singing, dancing and cheesing for the camera.

I took the opportunity in the afternoon to visit a True Love Waits (ACLS) meeting of the leaders with missionary Laura Engle. These teenagers and young adults meet together on Wednesdays to experience the lessons they in turn share with their clubs throughout the city of Bangui. It was encouraging to see over 30 young people committed to the biblical truth of remaining sexually pure. We took a city taxi and I am glad we chose to share the front seat with the taxi driver because we picked up 6 other people along the way.

Later in the day we watched the sunset over the Oubangi river enjoying the view across the river of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Lee Ann writes:
Blandine shared that, when she completes her school work, she wants to work for God which was like music to my ears. While it is of course hard to communicate, her winning smile and sparkling eyes tell the story of a girl at peace. We certainly have had fun playing games together. She has a brother whom I have met. But, I haven’t met her younger sister, Marlene. Her aunt is taking care of her since her mother died 2 years ago and her father 13 years ago. She got to talk to her mother about PHC before she died so hopefully she her Mom had peace knowing that she would be cared for. She gets to come to lunch tomorrow at the mission house with 5 other children. We’ve told the kids that we are having an American meal . . hamburgers and French fries, of course. We’ll have a happy houseful. We are packed and ready to go to the airport early in the morning to check in. Then we wait until 11:05 tomorrow to depart. It will be 5:00 PM here. We get into Columbus at 8:15 PM so it will take us a total of 27 hours to get home. So, see you soon in Columbus. Please pray for safe travel!! Thanks so much to ALL the staff who have taken such good care of us and lovingly planned every detail of our visit!!

Brenda writes:
I am so content. I got to play Uno with Delphin today at the Orphan Center and met Chamberlin, the boy that my friend Sylvia sponsors. I adopted him of for the day too. He was trying to teach me Sango—I’m a poor student! Chamberlin quickly gained a reputation of being a real flirt. He was helping me communicate with Delphin. Chamberlin has the biggest dimples and I would love to bring both boys back with me.

I bought 2 elephant hair bracelets—one for me and one for Delphin. I gave it to him today and asked Laura to translate that we have a saying that an elephant never forgets so I am giving him an elephant hair bracelet to help him remember me! Every so often I saw him looking at it and smiling. Tomorrow we have lunch together and I’ll give Delphin his back pack and more t-shirts. He was wearing the yellow Columbus Crew shirt today and it was already all pulled out of shape and dirty…I’ll bet he hasn’t taken it off since I gave it to him!

Sunset on the Ubangi River was fabulous. The guys on the river paddle these ancient-looking canoes. They are made from hollowed-out logs just like the “olden-days.” While we couldn’t take photos the pictures in my head will be with me as long as I live.

Sorry to leave but so happy and thankful to be going home to my family!

Tuesday Blog Entries from Kay, Brenda & Lee Ann -- HnH Schools

Tuesday October 28, 2008

Kay Carver writes:

9:00-ish…We loaded up the truck for the drive out to the Hand-in-Hand school, Cite de la Paix (City of Peace) our team of 8 (Kirk and the girls). It was evident that the students knew we were coming because as we drove toward the church on the dirt road all of the students ran out of the church screaming with excitement, waving their hands and running along side the truck. We felt like celebrities.

We met Pastor Simon and the 3 teachers. There were two classes inside the church building and a third outside with palm frond walls, a chalkboard and some benches. We worked individually with the students in reading and writing and we observed level 3 learning French. The children were fed a bowls of porridge. The church is making bricks and will begin construction of a school building with 3 classrooms, an office and a nurse’s office (Pastor Simone is a nurse) in January. The funding and construction of the project is supplied by the church members themselves. It was a blessing to see this church, that has little, sacrifice for the children of their community. The pastor said they are soldiers of the Lord.

Brenda writes:

One of the most touching things I’ve seen this week happened today at the Hand in Hand school we visited. One little boy got his cup of porridge and, against the rules, fed a bite each to two younger children not enrolled in the school. That cup of porridge may have been the only thing that child had to eat that day, or even for two days since this school gives food three times per week. But it is forbidden to feed those that are not students as the numbers of “bystanders” who coming to be fed would quickly overwhelm the staff and resources. That young, hungry boy knew that he would be scolded, yet he shared his meager lunch and “took a hit for the team.”

Kay again: After lunch, which was "Pizza a la Rosalie" (the wonderful cook at the guest house), the ladies assisted Heidi with her English class while Kirk and I treated a few ‘patients’ here at the mission station. I am not sure what they did during class, but we could hear a cacophony of laughter from the ‘classroom’.

We, the ladies, have helped the economy of the C.A.R. by shopping at the artisan market. That is quite a cultural experience. I did the bartering myself in French.

Tomorrow Dr. Hibaile from the International Center for the Development of Ethical Leadership (CIDEL) will share with us the vision and work of the organization. Then, we will go to the center to visit with our orphans (all of us can’t wait!!!) and visit the widow’s garden.

Lee Ann writes:
During my teaching career, I’ve had the opportunity to work with many interesting and fantastic ESL students at the middle school level. Today, the highlight was working with 7 adult people who are closely associated with PHC and are learning English as a second language.

Knowing before we left that they would be working on telling time, I found little clocks with hands that moved. It was so much fun working in groups with these clocks to practice various practical situations dealing with time. It was challenging thinking up questions that were meaningful to them such as “What time do you arrive at work?” They then had to set their clock to indicate the answer to the question.

“Nicholas,” one of our valued security guards, “if you go outside to play with your boys at 3:00 and come in at 4:30, how much time were you outside?” Rosalie, who lovingly prepares our fabulous meals, shared that she goes to church at 7:00 and leaves church at 9:00. “So, how long are you in your church service?” The questions all came after we practices telling time. Carol just came through and said, “That was so much fun.”

Brenda, Carol, and I feel that the students are well prepared for their big quiz next week!! They are in the beginning class but I’ve never seen such striving for excellence. They smiled and laughed with us and had time to ask questions for the last few minutes of class. Of course, they had to ask using their new English skills.

Of course, at the very end, we had to teach them how to spell O - H - I - O that we all love. We have really cute pictures of helping with this Buckeye tradition. Thanks to Heidi who is the residence manager and the teacher of these students for sharing them with us today!

Trying Our Hand at Teaching Literacy

Monday, October 27, 2008

Carol Claes writes:

Welcome to PHC blog readers today. It was another hot one today, and after having electricity all weekend, it was off most of the day. It’s on right now though.

After a time of worship and prayer this morning, which was a tremendous personal blessing, the Team piled in the van with fearless driver Barb and went to the Hand in Hand School at Yemba. We got to help! The level 2 readers came to us one by one and we “tested” them by pointing to words and saying “Diko”, which means “read”. The children taught us to count to 5 in Sango. Oto, ase, ota, usio, oku.

Then came recess without swings, balls, or any playground. But they are kids and like kids anywhere had no problem making their own fun. We helped Level 1 children write on their slates and say the letters “A” (sounds like ah) and “O”. Fun for us and hopefully not too scary for them to sit with us to read and write!

We had our first rainfall this afternoon as we left for the Artisan’s market on foot. Yea for the cooling rain and yea for a beautiful rainbow against the sky and a hillside. It seemed close enough to run up and touch it. We left the market happy and left some happy vendors behind. We look forward to a cooler night with fans running for sleep and more contact with precious children at another Hand in Hand school tomorrow.

Brenda & Lee Ann Write -- Sunday, Oct. 26

Brenda Artrip writes:

Sunday in Bangui…we’ve worshiped with Africans in French and then with kids this evening in Sango…FABULOUS!!! My husband (Hi Honey) prayed that today would be the best worship of my life today and his prayer was answered. I just kept thinking that someday I would be worshiping with these believers in heaven and no translator would be needed.

This evening we attended a PHC neighborhood group. They had lots of singing and a Bible lesson on John 3:16. Their offering was a contest between boys and girls…you should have seen them when we added out coins to the piles – girls won!!!!!

I met my future "daughter-in-law" there. My new friend Laura (a fabulous missionary working here with us) helped me talk to some of the girls. I asked them if they knew Delphin and one of the girls lit up like a Christmas tree at the mention of his name, “Oh yes, that’s a boy I know! I’m going to marry him!” I told her that I would come back to dance at the wedding!” Oh, you have seen the giggling. She posed for a picture of me and continued to giggle the whole.

All for Jesus – Brenda

Lee Ann Parsons writes:

Today I have been thinking so much about, “This is the day the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad it.” We rejoiced at worship this morning in an outdoor church with a cool breeze and no humidity. There were about 100 African believers there during the service. The message was from Matthew on the judgment of believers. He had a very clear message on how we should live day to day. Then, this afternoon, what fun we had at the group meeting with about 50 or 60 young believers of all ages who will start school this week. I got to meet Ornella who is the child of Sharon and Jim Edwards. I have wonderful pictures for the Edwards, and Ornella told me how much she appreciates their love and support. Barb worked with her on reading the Bible while wearing several different pairs of glasses which they sent with me. The teachers will know best what will help her with reading. Each day reinforces the beauty and wonder of reaching beautiful children with God’s love. We “rejoice” each day in our unique experience and are “glad” to have the opportunity to see PHC first hand as they provide so much for these dear children who live in Bangui.

Lee Ann & Carol Blog Entries from Friday, Oct. 24

Lee Ann Parsons writes:

Today has been another incredibly busy day but a wonderfully uplifting day. The staff here have thoughtfully planned our days and have shepherd us around the city. We started out at the market selecting material to make matching dresses for ourselves as well as our sponsored child. Of course, everyone nearby the store wanted us to stop and look and to sell us their wares. Believe me, it was hard to walk by and ignore their pleas.

The end of the afternoon was spent swimming at the U. S. Embassy which was a refreshing treat after these past 2 hot and humid days.

However, on a personal note, I got to go on a home visit with our child, Blandine (see photos here in a previously posted photo album). She is 16 and only has been in school since she was 13 ½. Her brother greeted us and invited me to sit with them in the living room . . which is their front yard. I was told that go inside the house would be like our asking someone to come into our bedroom. In other words, they primarily live outside.

They had set a small table with a cloth and had lawn chairs around the table. As it turns out, Blandine’s mother died 2 years ago and her father died 13 years ago. There are 7 people who live at her house but only Blandine and her brother, Armel, were there today. I had a wonderful visit with this amazing young lady.

Blandine has done well in school even though she got a very late start. Her first opportunity to go to school was when she was 13 years old and just entering PHC. She started first grade at that time, but today, three years later, she is in fifth grade. She wants to continue her education.

I’ll have another visit with her at school the day before we leave. We played a new game to her called Right, Left, and Center. Both she and her brother caught on quickly and we really had fun. At this time, there were at more than 50 beautiful children surrounding us in a circle. They were so curious! During our lunch prayer, Kirk Carver was praying and he said, “language has barriers but love has no barriers.” While this should be obvious, I certainly saw this in a very real way today!! God is so very good and so are the PHC folks in the U.S. and in Bangui. A big “thank you” to Margaret Hull for her skilled and careful translation and to Barb Wooler for being our GoTeam Leader thus making my visit with Blandine possible.


Carol Claes writes:

I was blessed to accompany Lee Ann on her home visit with Blandine, nothing but smiles and tears of joy. Barb chauffers us around Bangui like a pro! I’ve seen one traffic light so far, the norm is for pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles all seem to have the right of way all the time. They treat us like queens here, good food and lots of it, same for the conversation.
I have the home visit with Abigail and her family tomorrow, hopefully be at the Lumiere
(girl’s group) meeting, and go to the market. It is very hot! But it is very wonderful to be here.