I have been here for a couple of days. Honestly I am not even sure. The days just seem to melt together and it is hard to keep track. I don't have my calendar to constantly check every couple of hours. This is very nice.



I'm really enjoying my time here with my new friends. I live in a house with 9 other people. I live on the top bunk of a bed that I share with Linda. There are people at this school from all over the world but for some reason in our house we are all from America or Canada. I can see that living with others has prepared me to live in a small space with this many people.



The weather is warm and I am constantly sweaty, but don't mind. Today I'm wearing the skirt you made me mom. Everyone loves it and joked about looking you up in America to make them ones.



Each day we go to class to hear speakers. We open with some worship that always goes longer than planed, we sit on benches or mats that have been placed on the sand. Often people are on their faces during worship or up dancing. There is a lot of freedom here to be as you are.



We have homework and are excpected to work with the nationals by visiting them and talking with them. The children have a lot of personality and quickly will lay on your lap and put their arms around you before they even ask you your name.



Everyone has a story here of what they have been saved from, of what their life used to be like. It is powerful to talk with them and learn from their experiences. I am surrounded by a library of life and victory. Their stories should be collected and read by everyone in the world. They have been changed and now are changing others.



Yesterday I went for a swim in the Indian ocean. It was so refreshing and beautiful. The ocean is a one minute walk outside of our gates. I am surrounded by beauty of heart and land.

Multiplication

I'm in Mozambique and having an amazing time. Today during breakfast I sat next to George. He is one of Mama Idas sons. He and I were talking and he began to tell me stories about having everything stolen from him. Everything he was given something it would be stolen and he told me that if they just asked him he would freely and gladly give it to them. I sat there his words piercing my heart because God has begun to stir in me a new revelation. It started a while ago as I was reading the book "There is always enough" by the Bakers. They have story after story of Gods multiplication of food, money, resources.

Yesterday Mama Ida taught us about the be attitudes and how the mourners are blessed because they shall be comforted. One thing she said was she was always giving away things. One day her son came to her and said "Mama you know, I am not complaining but I just wanted you to know that you have given away all of my clothes again. This t-shirt I'm wearing and one other is all I have." When a new child came to the home she had nothing and Mama Idas daughter had a favorite dress that she willingly surrendered to this girl. These testimonies of giving have pierced my heart.

God is already breaking me of many mindsets that I have, one in particular is the mindset that I need to hoard and keep things for myself. This is a deeper work than before because earlier I would easily give because I knew that I could easily get. It was simple to give over half of my paycheck to missions because I could comfortably live on the rest without luxury. But, right now I have nothing. I am living off of others generosity and literally the clothes I brought are all I have. But, at the same time my mom could easily send a package with anything that I do really need. This is such a humbling place because I can't just return to America and have abundance again. But, God is telling me to give and it is so hard when it is my only pair of flip flops. Please pray for me that I would be broken knowing that He will always provide. I want to truly believe in my heart that there is always going to be enough. That is the type of anointing on this ministry and God has done miracles of provision and multiplying. I am getting desperate for God. I wan to be able to give my best.


God is the God of multiplication. He doesn't just do the addition. He multiplies. When I don't give the heavens and locked and closed, but when I give out of a grateful heart he will rend those heavens and release blessing upon blessing into my life. I want my choices to rend those heavens unlocking the blessing of knowing my Father as a multiplier.

I need to save the pictures to my jumpdrive and then I can add them to the blog. I will add a lot of pictures next time.

Oliver's

I walked down the alley for the last time to the Oliver household. They live just a couple of houses down and the walk is quick. Angie greeted me at the door with her usually shy grin and deep hug. "There's a boy." She said pointing to Orion who was flat on his belly infront of the dancing flames of electric fire. Soon E'lin joined us with his hair stylishly pushed into a feathery wave by his bedtime pillow. We took pictures as Angie arranged her usual gourmet feast in the kitchen. E'lin brought down pillows from upstairs and we gathered around the trunk spread with the banquet. As we ate we talked about writing letters, how Orion thought meat had seeds, and how they want to eat all organics when they grow up. After breakfast the boys rushed to calm down their hair, gather some last minute parting gifts, and grabed their school gear for the day. "I'm proud of you." Angie whispered in calm voice that I will so deeply miss. We said our goodbyes outside their house before they quickly piled into the maroon Volvo and putted down the road hitting their tail pipe as they zipped over the speed bump. I watched as they passed barely able to make out their smiling faces and waving hands through the foggy windows that Wasington fall mornings so well paint.

Farewell Tacoma

Here is my busy calendar for the past week. I was so grateful to meet one last time with so many of you.

Well, this is it. My last day in Tacoma. I have had a crazy busy week filled to the last minute with sentimental partings. It has been really good though. I don't think that our American culture takes enough opportunities to tell someone how we truly feel about them or let them know the impact they have had on our lives. It is so important to let someone know what they mean to you. I have been flooded with encouragement these past three weeks since I found out I was leaving on a jet plane and not knowing when I'll be back again.

Today my mom will drive up and be here by 9:30 to spend the day with me busily finishing the last minute details like washing my car, closing my bank account, and picking up the remaining eight Malaria pills from Costplus. But, before that I get to eat breakfast with the Oliver family before they head off to school and work. In fact I need to go right now, but here in my flight itenerary so you can pray for my travels.

Loving you!


IRIS MINISTRIES MOZAMBIQUE
PO BOX 275
PEMBA CASO DELGADO


BRITISH AIRWAYS From: 23OCT SEATTLE WA To: LONDON Depart: 640P
Arrive: 1145A


BRITISH AIRWAYS From: 24OCT LONDON To: NAIROBI Depart: 835P
Arrive: 725A


LAM MOZAMBIQUE From: 25OCT NAIROBI To: PEMBA Depart: 505P Arrive: 615P

Valhalla pop in

Today I had a great surprise hidden up my sleeve. Earlier I had called to find out when the third graders eat lunch at Valhalla. I wanted to surprise my students at their lunch tables. When 1:00 rolled around there I was and there they were. Like a Where's Waldo book they quickly found me and ran to me like little programmed robots returning to the motherboard.

I wish I could describe the joy their faces held and how they were all interrupting each other to tell Ms. Diamond that they brought their hamster to school yesterday, or that they couldn't bring their birds to school any more, or that now they had a remote control car and truck. They all wanted to show me their latest tricks. Kiana did a million cartwheel splits, Steven and Gavin raced to the yellow fire-hydrant, Damanpreet dominated in the four square court.

They begged me to come into their classrooms and excitedly called me their new teachers name on accident. They all were doing so well and seemed so happy. It was hard to say goodbye especially with Aaliyah and Megan holding me in a death lock. I had a great time seeing these precious children that poured so much life into my heart. Their estatic greeting, their popcorn questions about Africa, and their pleas to stay or at least visit each of them at their individual homes deeply touched my heart. This was one of the most rewarding moments in my teaching career.

For your dining pleasure

After my last day of school I quickly drove home to pack my car with all of my belongings that wouldn't fit into my one suitcase and my one backpack headed for Africa. These items were too precious to give away so they will be stored in the convince of my old bedroom that my mom faithfully keeps as mine and has my old stuffed cat ginger guarding my bed and forever waiting for my return. This job of packing my car was easy since I had been really preparing for this school two months ago when I applied. Backs were back and just needed to be jigsawed into my trunk. The tricky part was a desk that couldn't make it's way down the stairs. Just when Ray and I thought it impossible we would remember that it go up this narrow jagged stairwell and what goes up must come down. I worked quick because some of my most favorite people in the whole wide world were driving up from Shelton to visit me. I wanted to be ready to drive south homebound after our dining at East and West Cafe.

When Sandra, her daughter Sage who is ten and Allena who is living with them for a year and is from the Ukraine came we all wanted to start crying right then and there. Sage gave me a amoeba hug and as I she pulled away said "No, I'm not done yet and would come in for another tender squeeze only to decide that she needed even more. Don't you love kids because they have this amazing ability to make you feel like you are the most important person in the whole world.

We ate a delicious dinner that was sprinkling with deep conversation then a little of funny face squishing, and completely covered with side splitting laughter. I was excited to have my favorite dish Swimming Angel because I had tried to eat it last Wednesday with Bill and Kathy and Le Le but because of the crazy spinach they were serving it. The first time I had this meal that is a yellow sea of peanut sauce surrounding an island of rice and spinach was with my adopted mother Christy Romfo. She took me here when it was just a one roomed house for my twentieth birthday. I've also celebrated a handfuls of other birthdays here as well. Maybe every birthday. . . I'm not sure. Anyways, I loved my time with these people that are so gentle, peaceful, brilliant and compassionate. They are my favorite!

And of course we couldn't say goodbye so we made plans to see each other again next week for our final amoeba hugs and teary smiles because then it will truly be our last, for a while anyways.

After dinner I drove home to Oregon and don't tell anyone especially my parents but I plugged my headphones into my ears and listened to my ipod all the way down. Otherwise I was sure that sleep would have had victory over me. I realize this was a law breaking solution to a detrimental problem and I promise to never do it again.

I got home at 12:30 where my mom greeted me with a half awake hug and smile and then I drifted off into my own slumber fully aware that it was close to the last time in this twin bed beneath my window. Well, last for a while anyways.

Last Days of School

So, I have a lot to update you all on.I'm going to break this into bite size chunks so that it is easier to digest.

Thursday I woke up for my last day of "I'm a teacher" mode. I went to the Y at my normal hour and started my day like every other Thursday. But, this day was different. It was my last day at Rainier View and my last day with these children that I had been building community with. Laura the sub that was taking over my position came that morning and spent the day in our class observing our routines. The bell had rung, homework was turned in and children were quietly finishing their Thursday morning work of D.O.L. Then bursting through the door was my lovely housemate Tray, toting in her hands two plastic boxes filled with teeny carrot cake muffins which where mostly frosting and delicious. She had come to surprise me on my last day of teaching. Then one minute later just as I was adjusting from that heart attack in walked Jamie asking "Does anyone know where Ms. Diamonds class is?" and in his arms were brilliant orange tiger lilies beautifully complemented by neon green tissue paper and a hand written note from Tray. They stayed for about 20 minutes. Before the announcements came on James and Tray had all 20 kids minus the slow pokey ones that always need more thinking time, on the couches mezmorized as James read from Aladdin. This happened to be a perfect choice since Aladdin was one of our new vocabulary words that we found during our read aloud two days ago.

This whole last day was filled with joy but at the end of it I was ready to head off into new adventures and am excited to see how my teaching hat will look in Eastern Africa, but I was also really glad that I got to meet some really kind and caring friends at Rainier View. Specifically my friend Dotty who teaches fifth grade and was so nice to approach me on our first inservice and introduce herself. We knew right from that time that this was a friendship that only God could have ordained.

When 4:00 came I wasn't in the least sentimental about handing the classroom keys back to the chatty office manager Kay and head home for the last time past Wild Waves and Native American smoke shops.

Wonderfully Blessed

Thank you to all of you who came to the going away party. It was so great to see so many people at one time. Our house was full to capacity with a steady flow of friends from 5:30 to 10:30. I felt encouraged and supported by the great show of people. I also enjoyed seeing people connect or finding out that they knew each other through a brother or work. I love it when God connects his people. The room was crowded and buzzing with conversation. The doors slamming every couple of minutes letting this kid in and that kid out. Jamie set up my slide show outside to play on our garage. The food table was quickly devoured and replaced with what ever we could find in our kitchen.


I was overwhelmed at times with some of the goodbyes. I didn't expect it to saying goodbye to be such a challenge for me. I find myself covered in tears as I drive to school or as I huge Abby even though I'll see her tomorrow. It is hard but it is so beautiful and I wish that everyone would get the opportunity to feel as loved as I do.

So, here is the progress on the grand departure. I still am working out the details of the tickets. I had a crazy idea of asking my friend Tim who has family in South Africa to come with me on that leg of the trip. I think that Tim and I would have a blast traveling together and he would help in the transition to my new world. Hopefully by tomorrow I will have heard from the travel agent and had finalized the details.

I've sold my car to my housemate Rachel but I need to get the carpets cleaned to get rid of the moldy milk smell that decided to pop up its ugly head this past weekend. It's a mystery smell.

Yesterday I cleaned out most of my possessions from my room and divvied them up to their new owners. Giving away all of your stuff is actually very liberating and I am really enjoying the process. I like the idea of living out of two bags. I don't need that stuff anyways and this makes me feel like I can zip around with a new found freedom.

Now, I'm off to bed so that I can wake up early to welcome the morning with a jab and squat at my kickboxing class.

Thanks for all of your love and support! I'm overflowing with love. It's oozing out of me through every pore.

Loving you!

Surprised! Shocked!

I just checked my email and you know how you check them from most recently sent to the older ones. Well, I had like 7 sent from the same person, Tamara. And I read the last one that she sent and it was something about a travel insurance. And at first I thought it must have been a scam and I was about to delete it when I noticed that it was sent to a group of people and they had addressed us as students. I thought that it could be from Iris ministries so I read the earlier emails and I have been accepted to the school! This is the biggest surprise ever. In my heart I had died to the idea of going and my life would be a lot easier if I didn't. Honestly, I am so excited about going, but I am very confused about what I should do.

When I list the reasons why I should go and shouldn't go the list of the shouldn't is longer. I would have to end my subbing job early. I wouldn't get Christmas with my family. I would have to cancel a trip to see my best friend Roxie in California. I would have to figure out a plan for my graduate classes. BUT, I feel that Gods ways are higher than our ways and this practical mambo jambo, doesn't mean no. I feel that this school is an amazing opportunity and training for my work with ELI. I feel that I need to have the impartation of this ministry that has seen 19 people raised from the dead. I have been begging God to show me more of His glory and this is a Glory Driven school.

So, in many ways I feel it is the practical vs. the spiritual and usually with me the spiritual always wins.

Please pray with me for discernment and direction because this decision is significantly important.

I would be leaving for Africa in 18 days!
WOW! God what are you up to?

Overflowing with opportunities

My step mom Kathy read this article and sent it to me. I really enjoyed the perspective of the people who were interviewed. I agree that there are so many children like Job that are bright and have so much potential. We must reach them by getting them off the streets and showing them that someone notices them. I pray for a resolution to the amount of children per teacher ratio. Even though the situation is difficult it is great to hear about the new opportunities this offers the chidlren. This article also made me really grateful for my class of 26 students even if 19 of them are boys!

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/education/2003283469_kenyaschool01.html