The Rose in a Trash Heap, Day 1

Day 1 at Imani children's home: I am literally flabbergasted and in utter awe over how quickly our plans change on us out here. So a quick and short (short only in comparison to what is really going on out here) recap, just this past weekend we were waiting in expectancy over the acclaimed arrival of Elizabeth and Abby (Pastor Robbie's wife and daughter). This has been an event over 3 months in the making and MUCH anticipated by poor Robbie having been separated from his family for so long. We originally planned to stay with Jonathan and Adrienne Ferguson for a weekend to give Robbie a few days to be alone and catch up with his girls. The Spirit bore witness on all sides and thus the plan was agreed upon. All was set in motion when, yet again, let-down. The girls were delayed AGAIN, and were going to arrive a day late. Robbie, whose poor emotions were being yanked up and down like a roller coaster--but all the while composed himself and always praised the Lord in patience--now had to wait more... The girls arrived the next morning as scheduled (the morning of the U-Turn Pig Roast Party on Saturday) but once again there was a flip. The girls arrived sick, and poor Elizabeth's neck was hurting her. Robbie joked with Jonathan over the phone, "I finally get my girls back and I receive them defective." Needless to say, the family needed some long-awaited recuperating time. So what was originally a Friday thru Sunday plan, became Friday thru Tuesday, and THEN metamorphosized into Friday through the following Sunday scenario, haha. And all in a matter of days! Though Nathan and I were becoming accustomed to "last minute" alterations in schedules this was still yet another hilarious example of, "You never know what tomorrow brings..."

We were just about to get psychologically prepared for the new momentum of being with the Fergusons for a week and even bought a weeks worth of groceries in preparation for it all when the VERY NEXT MORNING we awake to yet another SURPRISE... I had just finished my bowl of morning cereal when Robbie called us telling us to "quickly" pack your bags "you are going to Imani." I couldn't believe it. It had to be a joke, I thought. No way plans change THAT MUCH and THAT QUICKLY, AGAIN! I quickly realized once more... yes they do. : / We quickly packed our things, got onto Jonathan's laptop for about 7 minutes to attempt to update the blog thus far: "Church Relocation Project - Take 3" when Robbie arrived at the door and rushed us into the car. Hence the quick, "Uh oh, I got to go..." We quickly drove home to pack for a week, having nearly no clue what to expect, and almost no clean clothes to prepare with. Poor Nathan had to pack nearly all soiled clothes for the week. In fact, the only reoccurring statement or description from Robbie was an exhortation that Imani would be "very hard," and no matter what we've done up to now, we "will be stretched." AWESOME! Within 30 minutes we gathered our belongings and were off. Nearly the entire ride Robbie pep-talked us over how big of a deal this was. The fact of the matter was Mama Faith (the founder of Imani Children's Home and completely in charge of their 7 scattered compounds) had called Robbie that very morning asking for us, having already arranged jobs for us in expectancy. This was a huge deal according to Robbie. Having served with Faith personally he explained that this never happened before in the 9+ years he had known her (to his knowledge). "Mama Faith loves her kids dearly and has never let anyone serve with the kids without having met and interviewed all volunteers before a single thing is decided," he said. Unbenounced to us, Robbie had spoken to Mama Faith earlier this trip and personally likened Nathan and I unto the male versions of two outstanding young ladies named Vira and Talitha who had served at Imani years prior and left with an amazing reputation of sincere servanthood in their wake. It was a beautiful and sincere compliment from Robbie and ultimately got us the stamp of approval. Though overwhelmed with the knowledge that Robbie thought so highly of us--and after living in such close quarters with us for over a month no less--these were still very big shoes to fill. Earlier that morning Nathan and I had prayed together for the complete armor of the Lord and perfect strengthening of the Spirit so I definitely had a "peace that surpasses all understanding" but also knew aside from our Father's help, we were doomed, haha.

Robbie dropped us off at Imani A (where we would be actively serving) to give us a familiarity with the facilities as well as meet our presiding supervisor, Maria. She was a kindhearted and very hospitable host, and as it turns out, she was one of the original orphans Mama Faith took in when Imani started. The fact that she was now 25 years old having left and lived her own life for a bit, to then return to the home that nurtured her as a servant and now a member of the board. Maria asked us many questions concerning our strengths and weaknesses, what we could and could not do, and our overall willingness to serve. In multiple ways throughout the conversation we admitted we were not in any means fully in-tune with our gifts and didn't fully know what we were going to be better at in a given situation BUT we were willing to do anything and everything that needed doing. Wherever there was a need we would fill it, there was nothing we wouldn't try, and whether or not we excelled at a given task we would always give our best and not complain. It must had sounded over the top but we were honestly willing to get the full experience and do all that needed doing. This answer shocked and thrilled her. She gave us a thorough tour of the baby house (where we would be serving) and then arranged for us to be driven to Imani B (where we would be living as well as have our meeting with Mama Faith). Both places were beautiful in a unique way. Like Robbie said, it truly was a "beautiful rose in a trash heap." We met Mama Faith officially at Imani B and had our second tiny interview though she made it abundantly clear we were already wanted. We promised her 2 weeks of service though she wanted us longer but also encouraged us that they were overjoyed with whatever they could get. She too expressed her joy that two young American men would leave their comfortable homes and serve with them thousands of miles away. We knew we never deserved such praise, but thanked her nonetheless and often pointed up into the sky saying, "Hey, this isn't us, it's all our Father's doing." The meeting didn't last long and we settled into our new living arrangement which included our OWN ROOMS! Nathan was ECSTATIC, proclaiming he would finally get a good nights sleep, lol. I must admit, the sparkle in his eyes of pure happiness was duely noted. It was an interesting setup. The front door emptied into a living room area which then had a right and a left door, like something in a maze. The right door belonged to Eda's room. Eda was a tall, older gentleman from the Netherlands who spoke in extremely broken English. Our conversations with him were often humorous was we both did our best to pretend to comprehend what he was saying to us. ANYWAYS! The door to the left opened to the bathroom, which also had a door opening to another room. That room had a door as well which opened to the end room like some kind of reverse Jack & Jill apartment situation. We agreed that I would take the room closest to the bathroom because I am notorious for regular restroom trips. I really need to not drink water before bed : / . This decision only sharpened Nathan's joy. All and all this had been an amazingly interesting day, and the precursor to an epic week. God help us, lol.