What a week!!!

Where to begin… So much has happened the past few weeks that I would like to tell you about. The international president of COTN came to Sierra Leone and while he was here, there were many amazing things that we were able to take part of. We were able to take part in a baptism for 76 people. All 76 people were dressed in all white and we took them to the beach to be baptized. While they were waiting, they sang praises to the Lord. Watching children from the home get baptized was so exciting. For me the best part was to see our next door neighbors who used to be Muslims, being baptized with the two of their children. Once they all were baptized they began to sing, “I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back, no turning back.” There were all ages that have decided to follow Jesus, from small children to elderly men and women. The Lord is at work in this place and I am excited that he is allowing me to be a part of it.
The next day we had our thanksgiving service, which is where all the children from the school dress alike and all the COTN staff, including us, dress alike and we march through the streets with a marching band. It was quite the cultural experience. The children had such a fun time marching and singing, although the little ones got very tired towards the end. Here we are with Mama Angie and Michelle, ready to march.
Our friend Michelle, who is also our triplet, got married this past Saturday. Her wedding was similar to a Western wedding, with an African flair. Relationships are different here, and so the weddings are also different. Once again, all the teachers dressed alike in beautiful gold fabric. I enjoyed the day and getting to spend time with all the people that I love here.
We also got to take some of the children to the beach. They were so cute playing and splashing in the water. It was fun to get to spend time with them outside of the home. My favorite memory was sitting in the water with three of the girls and we all linked out arms together because the waves were really strong. We were all laughing as we tried to fight against the water pushing us over. I loved seeing how much they trusted us instead of looking at the size of the waves, and then realizing that that is the way that my relationship should be with the Lord. I should be clinging to the Lord with the same trust that the children were clinging to us. When we cling to the Lord, then the waves of life won’t seem as big.