AHA Moments

Do you ever have moments in your life when you say "AHA". This actually is a word that Webster's dictionary defines as "a moment of sudden realization, inspiration, insight, recognition, or comprehension." I know I have these a lot in my life...like the realization that hits me sometimes that I am actually living in AFRICA and pursuing the DREAM that long ago the Lord put in my heart to be a MISSIONARY.

I have often asked you to pray for the Friday children's ministry at Gaborone Baptist Church. Sometimes it just seemed so overwhelming with so many kids (averaging 120 kids) and so little helpers. I would make a schedule for the year and leave blank spaces for teachers to sign up and I was always discouraged when I ended up teaching the majority of the time because no one had signed up. A few months back, one of the helpers recommended I make a schedule and just put peoples names in the slots. At first I was so skeptical that people would actually show up on their scheduled date, but I am here to tell you it is working!! I had my "AHA moment"...this is what works here! People are showing up to teach and more people are become vested in the children's ministry. So now we have enough people to schedule not only teachers, but also translators and song leaders...it's awesome. I want to thank you for partnering with us in praying specifically for this ministry!!

Goodbye, Grandma!

Oh the memories I had with my grandma Martin growing up and I am so thankful my children got to know and love her as much as I did. As you can see below she was loved by ALL those who knew her.  I have poured over the many memories I have had with Grandma and at her house. It was always such a fun place to go and had all of our built in friend (aka cousins) to play with.  I remember being in her kitchen as a little girl, sitting on her counter and making biscuits with her...you never went away from her house hungry or it was your own fault. Her love was so BIG!! She gave her great-grandchildren horsey rides on her back and never let her age hold her back from anything she wanted to do. Since being in Africa, I have received some rather interesting packages from her. She always sent me dish towels and sweet gifts for the kids, but one time when opening a package I noticed something a little strange. Inside was cheese...the kind that needs to be refrigerated and not the kind that needs to sit in a box for 2 months. In this same box, she literally gave me the clothes off of her back, I honestly don't think she meant to send them as she was a rather short lady who had things hemmed quite a lot. Needless to say I never asked her about it, but will treasure them always.

Unfortunately she had to have dialysis the last 3 years and finally My grandma Martin went to be with the Lord on Sunday, September 11. Sometimes being an ocean away seems so far, and oh how I wish that I could have been there to say a proper goodbye if there is such a thing and to mourn with my family the loss of this sweet woman.She will be missed!!

Scott Update-Chemo and Radiation

I want to thank you all for your continued prayers and all of you who have inquired about Scott since his surgery. They got the results from the tumor and it is Stage 2 Oligodendroglioma Cancer. The remainder of the tumor (20%) that is left can not be removed due to the placement around arteries and veins. Upon testing of the tumor, it carries 2 mutations (idhi and 1p19q) that make the tumor react better to chemo and radiation, so that is great news. Scott will start treatment on September 25 and will do chemo and radiation concurrently for 5 days a week for 6 weeks. We are so thankful for how he is doing. Keep praying for Scott and Sara!

Update on Scott-post surgery

Thank you all so much for your prayers for Scott, his family and the surgeons! They were able to remove 80-90% of the tumor and he is recovering nicely.

Pre-op

 Sara wrote: I feel like I've felt every single human emotion possible in this one day alone. Grateful to have amazing people help support and experience the roller coaster alongside me. Scott is doing absolutely incredible, to the point that it's hard to imagine that he underwent an extensive lengthy awake craniotomy today. We still have a lot of this road ahead of us, with lots of ups and downs, but beyond happy that my favorite human continues to exceed expectations, and continues down this road with me. 
❤️❤️❤️ Thank you all for your love and support.

Post Op