This has been a hard, sad week for my family and friends. I've never fully grasped or understood why children die, or why wonderful, kind, good people go to be with Jesus. I hate to think about it, to be honest. I know God has a plan and time for each of us to go home, but it seems like those amazing people who die young could have been used so much more in this crazy world.
I am encouraged that the Lord has it under control and I don't have a say in it anyhow so I shouldn't worry about it, right?! Well, easier said than done. When my sweet husband got a text message from a wonderful friend in Mozambique, I thought something very tragic had happened to his mother or one of his siblings. He has a sister in Nigeria who would be considered high risk in her pregnancy, and a sister-in-law in Chicago who is almost 35 weeks pregnant. I was certain either someone was in labor or something really awful had happened. I was right something awful had happened, just not what either of us would have expected.
Our dear friend Mike, in Mozambique, lost his little boy on Tuesday. He was somewhere around 4 years old. We never got to meet Saulomon. But from what Mike had told us, he was perfect.
Now that I'm a momma myself , it's really hard for me to stay emotionally calm. I'm crying as I write this. I've had to walk away and come back a few times. I just don't know how to make sense of what has gone on this week. I trust God with my finances, my own family and my own protection, but death and why it happens to a child is something I don't understand. I know we don't need to understand but we do have to grieve.
When we found out Mike had lost his son, only a few hours later, we found out that an amazing man, Dave, that had been missing had been found, lifeless. He was a part of our family for many years and we had lost touch for a few years. He had been a part of my church as a teenager, and he helped teach me and my best friend how to ski! He was an awesome guy who taught me a lot about life and what it meant to love God with all your being.
Dave let us subject him to torture when we would go to summer camp. We gave him a mohawk and dressed him up like a girl one year. He never stopped laughing, and he never stopped serving. He really was the picture of what God meant when He said to be His hands and feet.
I have to admit, I'm VERY emotional. I cry at commercials! But I have been so busy this week that each time I got heart breaking news, I had to pull myself together and figure out when to grieve, but later, not now. I'm finally home from Albuquerque (I had a training for my internship), I finished my class for the day, and I have some time to be by myself and reflect. The tears won't stop.
In the midst of all the saddness, I'm reminded that life is PRECIOUS. Period. End of story! We can not take each day as if we have hundreds more because it simply isn't true! And, don't forget to grieve. It's cleansing, healing, and it provides some kind of closure.
My contacts keep coming out and the tears won't seem to stop, so I'll end here. Just remember, nothing is guaranteed. Do what God has called you to do TODAY; forgive someone, rebuild a relationship, or for crying out loud, move to AFRICA ALREADY!! (We're working on it!)
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Saturday, September 8, 2012
Preparing our minds
What a crazy week it has been. Pure. Exhaustion. School is now in full swing for all, which doesn't leave a lot of time for much else! But what I'm learning in school is making us ready to get to Mozambique in a hurry.
Philemon is working on his degree for safety management and I'm working on my Masters in clinical social work. I'm interning for the Children, Youth and Families Department here in Farmington, NM. I must say that this internship has already made me think twice and even three times about moving to Moazambique and working with children that have been traumatized SO severally.
The stories here that involve children and sexual abuse make me gag. My stomach turns to a pile of giant knots that continue to get tighter and tighter as I hear of the trauma some have survived. The extreme situations are even worse. Some parents have prostituted out their children for drugs. Some have sexually abused their children and violently caused physical harm as well. Some parents have left their toddlers alone to fend for themselves, in disgusting environments; many times, children are part of drug operations. And some have even killed their children.
I'm shocked at the things that go on in this area. Shock isn't really even the word. Disgusted. Horrified. Sickened. Outraged. The hate that I feel towards the things I have heard so far is great. But it is the need for change that motivates Philemon and I. If these things can be happening here, these things can happen anywhere. But the difference is that there aren't enough people in certain places to help. We know there are hundreds of thousands of organizations that have committed themselves to caring for hurting and abandoned adults and children. While the intentions are good, what is it doing?
This is how Heart for the Needy is different. It is not about having good intentions or wanting to help. The reason this organization exists is to change the future of the lives we come into contact with, and stop putting a band aide on the problems that we see and experience. I do not, by any stretch of the imagination, think we have all of the answers. But at the same time, I can't help but take notes from the few things I have seen that don't work.
I'm sure as the semester rolls on, I will learn how to help and understand the problems that plague our area. In essence, I'll be preparing for the rest of our lives. There's no time to waste! We both have so much to do, so much to learn, and so much to understand. But then again, we were made for such a time as this!
Blessings,
Phil & Laura
P.S. By the way - if anyone would like to join our Board of Directors, let us know at heartfortheneedy@gmail.com.www.facebook.com/laura.olaniyi
Philemon is working on his degree for safety management and I'm working on my Masters in clinical social work. I'm interning for the Children, Youth and Families Department here in Farmington, NM. I must say that this internship has already made me think twice and even three times about moving to Moazambique and working with children that have been traumatized SO severally.
The stories here that involve children and sexual abuse make me gag. My stomach turns to a pile of giant knots that continue to get tighter and tighter as I hear of the trauma some have survived. The extreme situations are even worse. Some parents have prostituted out their children for drugs. Some have sexually abused their children and violently caused physical harm as well. Some parents have left their toddlers alone to fend for themselves, in disgusting environments; many times, children are part of drug operations. And some have even killed their children.
I'm shocked at the things that go on in this area. Shock isn't really even the word. Disgusted. Horrified. Sickened. Outraged. The hate that I feel towards the things I have heard so far is great. But it is the need for change that motivates Philemon and I. If these things can be happening here, these things can happen anywhere. But the difference is that there aren't enough people in certain places to help. We know there are hundreds of thousands of organizations that have committed themselves to caring for hurting and abandoned adults and children. While the intentions are good, what is it doing?
This is how Heart for the Needy is different. It is not about having good intentions or wanting to help. The reason this organization exists is to change the future of the lives we come into contact with, and stop putting a band aide on the problems that we see and experience. I do not, by any stretch of the imagination, think we have all of the answers. But at the same time, I can't help but take notes from the few things I have seen that don't work.
I'm sure as the semester rolls on, I will learn how to help and understand the problems that plague our area. In essence, I'll be preparing for the rest of our lives. There's no time to waste! We both have so much to do, so much to learn, and so much to understand. But then again, we were made for such a time as this!
Blessings,
Phil & Laura
P.S. By the way - if anyone would like to join our Board of Directors, let us know at heartfortheneedy@gmail.com.www.facebook.com/laura.olaniyi
Sunday, September 2, 2012
The End of Another Summer!
I honestly can NOT believe it's the first day of September! How is this even possible?! We had a fabulous summer, full of different surprises in so many different ways. We started out our summer with the Taste of Durango; we painted faces with the First Baptist Church here in Durango. From about 12pm-3pm on that Sunday afternoon, my mom and I didn't MOVE out of our face paintin' chairs! Our booties were glued to the seats! It was a ton of work but seeing those sweet kiddos leave with fun creations on their cheeks was so worth every minute!
We spent some time in June in the Grand Junciton area, participating in the River Run for Orphans. There are now many differtent races all over the country and we were really blessed by our time in Grand Junction. Talking about this project gives us such joy and excitement! We really are 'people people,' and love meeting and hearing the stories of others that have similar hearts to ours.
June was also very exciting as I had decided through lots of prayer and conversations with my hubby that I really want to go back to school to persue my Masters in clincial social work, in order to prepare for many similar situations we will see in Mozambique. I found a very affordable program through New Mexico Highlands University, with a branch right in good ol' Farmington! I also found out the end of June that I had been selected for a scholarship through the CYFD (Children, Youth, and Family Department) office of San Juan County! They pay for school, books, transportation, daycare and many other things. We are so inredibly grateful that God showed us why we are in Farmington, especially for me. It made me realize how many resources I have at my fingertips, and that I can really prepare for what Mozambique will have in store for us. I've also learned that God's promise is to direct our paths. If we ask where He wants us to go, He will figure out the 'how' and the 'when' logistics.
We spent most of July trying to beat the heat and enjoying some AMAZING peaches from our tree in the back yard. Philemon worked an average of 70 hours per week and managed to keep up with his school work! He's currently working on his safety management degree so we can transfer with his company to Africa. I'm so thankful for the opportunities we both have received this year! We really
are exactly where we need to be and our doubts about what our purpose is in Farmington have slowly subsided.
August was a very busy month and it seemed to fly right passed us. We both started our classes and also have an internship 2 days a week. My job wasn't able to accommodate such a busy schedule so I'm no longer working. At first I was worried about our financial stability, but after only one week of being at home part time with Jadon, God clearly knew that I would worry. He showed me this scripture:
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways
acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight." - Proverbs 3: 5 - 6.
I have always loved Proverbs. It's an amazing book of life advice! I almost feel like I'm having a conversation with Jesus when I study Proverbs. This verse has popped up several times over the last few days and each time, I was thinking about things that were slowly turning into worries. But God knows exactly what our family needs! He knows the path and the plans he has for us so I have to rest in His peace and love.
There is a lot stirring within us right now. We are so anxious to start making physical improvements on this project but we also know God has a way - He has a plan! Philemon is going to Mozambique in October to pave the way, so to speak. There are many specific things he must put in place and he only has a limited amount of time to do them. Please pray with us as we begin to ask God to reveal the best way to get paperwork rushed so that we can begin building.
Of course, as always, traveling half way around the world is costly but we don't worry about the cost because we know God has ALWAYS provided. We have spent too much time on this Earth worrying and not enough time doing. It is a lesson we have learned and now it is time to trust!
We will be praying and fasting every Friday before Philemon's trip to Mozambique. We are praying that God will reveal Himself and His will in this project. We would love any support, so feel free to join in the prayers or fasting or both as we seek God.
Blessings!
Phil & Laura
We spent some time in June in the Grand Junciton area, participating in the River Run for Orphans. There are now many differtent races all over the country and we were really blessed by our time in Grand Junction. Talking about this project gives us such joy and excitement! We really are 'people people,' and love meeting and hearing the stories of others that have similar hearts to ours.
June was also very exciting as I had decided through lots of prayer and conversations with my hubby that I really want to go back to school to persue my Masters in clincial social work, in order to prepare for many similar situations we will see in Mozambique. I found a very affordable program through New Mexico Highlands University, with a branch right in good ol' Farmington! I also found out the end of June that I had been selected for a scholarship through the CYFD (Children, Youth, and Family Department) office of San Juan County! They pay for school, books, transportation, daycare and many other things. We are so inredibly grateful that God showed us why we are in Farmington, especially for me. It made me realize how many resources I have at my fingertips, and that I can really prepare for what Mozambique will have in store for us. I've also learned that God's promise is to direct our paths. If we ask where He wants us to go, He will figure out the 'how' and the 'when' logistics.
We spent most of July trying to beat the heat and enjoying some AMAZING peaches from our tree in the back yard. Philemon worked an average of 70 hours per week and managed to keep up with his school work! He's currently working on his safety management degree so we can transfer with his company to Africa. I'm so thankful for the opportunities we both have received this year! We really
are exactly where we need to be and our doubts about what our purpose is in Farmington have slowly subsided.
August was a very busy month and it seemed to fly right passed us. We both started our classes and also have an internship 2 days a week. My job wasn't able to accommodate such a busy schedule so I'm no longer working. At first I was worried about our financial stability, but after only one week of being at home part time with Jadon, God clearly knew that I would worry. He showed me this scripture:
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways
acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight." - Proverbs 3: 5 - 6.
I have always loved Proverbs. It's an amazing book of life advice! I almost feel like I'm having a conversation with Jesus when I study Proverbs. This verse has popped up several times over the last few days and each time, I was thinking about things that were slowly turning into worries. But God knows exactly what our family needs! He knows the path and the plans he has for us so I have to rest in His peace and love.
There is a lot stirring within us right now. We are so anxious to start making physical improvements on this project but we also know God has a way - He has a plan! Philemon is going to Mozambique in October to pave the way, so to speak. There are many specific things he must put in place and he only has a limited amount of time to do them. Please pray with us as we begin to ask God to reveal the best way to get paperwork rushed so that we can begin building.
Of course, as always, traveling half way around the world is costly but we don't worry about the cost because we know God has ALWAYS provided. We have spent too much time on this Earth worrying and not enough time doing. It is a lesson we have learned and now it is time to trust!
We will be praying and fasting every Friday before Philemon's trip to Mozambique. We are praying that God will reveal Himself and His will in this project. We would love any support, so feel free to join in the prayers or fasting or both as we seek God.
Blessings!
Phil & Laura
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