A New Name

It's funny how a small act can change how you look at a day, or even at your life. How for a moment, you see yourself in someone else's eyes, and realize that you have an effect on people when you thought you were relatively insignificant.

Today I went down to "the circle" (the fenced in circle of cabins). I had the task of taking down a bunch of tattered curtains so that they could be replaced with new ones before our big conference next week. As I walked into the circle, concentrating on what I needed to do and where to start, I heard some of the workmeris say "NIKIO!" My head snapped up immediately and my whole face lit up with a smile. For the Bena people, adding an "o" to the end of your name is a sign of love and affection. I'd heard them do this to other people, but never have they used it for me. I waved, called back "Moning!" and practically skipped off to work on my curtain project. At lunch, I told Beth about the ladies calling me Nikio and she smiled and said "Oh yeah, Soni told me the other day that they all like you because you talk a lot to them". (Soni works in the kitchen with Beth) Now, while this does sound like me and my big mouth, I'm not sure it applies in this case. My pigin is borderline pathetic, so I really don't say much at all... maybe a few words and a big smile. I'm so happy they can tell that I care about them and I'm TRYING to communicate. See, THIS is my ministry. Yes I'm definitely here to serve and use whatever skills I have to do real work at ITF. But what moves my heart is people - the staff here, their kids, the Bena - they are my ministry. My desire for coming here was to be obedient and please the Lord, but also to be a blessing and an encouragement to the people here.
So life is good. I'm very busy this week preparing for a conference that arrives on Tuesday and lasts for 2 weeks. Our new Germans - Tobi & Jonny - seem nice and are pretty decent volleyball players, which makes our Saturday games even MORE fun! It's rainy season now, so it rains almost ever afternoon. Sometimes we even get some cool thunder and lightning. (Yay for storms!) Last week we had a downpour and I had run home in it... I giggled the entire way because I was completely drenched and muddy, but it was warm out so it just felt like I was playing out in the rain. It's interesting when it rains because we live on the side of a mountain. There are ditches dug all over campus, and now I understand why... the water positively RUNS downhill after just a little bit of rain. It's not like there's pavement here... it's all dirt roads and grassy hills... so running to my house in the rain was quite the adventure! I'm surprised I didn't fall and hurt myself. You all know how graceful I am! (*Note - That was the epitome of sarcasm.)
On Sunday we all went to the village together. It's still my favorite thing! Haha - I love the crazy faces and silliness of this first one...
This seems so odd to me - a lock on a hut. But it is sadly necessary.Just a beautiful view from the village."When was the last time you laughed for the sheer joy of your salvation? People are not attracted to somber doctrines. There is no persuasive power in a gloomy and morbid religion. Let the world see your joy and you won't be able to keep them away. To be filled with God is to be filled with joy."