If you're going to San Francisco. . .

It is official - I am headed back to San Francisco on December 21st - my year of living abroad is complete and so many of my dreams have come true! Thank you all for joining me on these adventures - you have been my constant companions over the 12 months and 3 continents! I am forever changed and will never forget all that has happened! Please continue to pray with me as I head out into the wild blue yonder of what comes next!

I leave you with the verse that I have learned and lived so well this year:

Philippians 4:10-14 (The Message)

Content Whatever the Circumstances

^10-14I'm glad in God, far happier than you would ever guess—happy that you're again showing such strong concern for me. Not that you ever quit praying and thinking about me. You just had no chance to show it. Actually, I don't have a sense of needing anything personally. I've learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I'm just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I've found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am. I don't mean that your help didn't mean a lot to me—it did. It was a beautiful thing that you came alongside me in my troubles.

Music is in the Air

Well, the past two months have been full of music. First of all in November, we had the Middle School Musical - Annie Jr. Pictured above is Angela Slaughter, one of the teachers that helped out directing the musical, Avery who played Grace Farell, Claire who played Annie, and Andy Slaughter, Angela's husband.

I can't tell you how blown away I was by this production - this was WAY better than any play I had ever been in and this was being done by middle schoolers!!!! I was so proud of them. Of course, I sat in the audience swaying and singing every song with the kids - "You're never fully dressed without a SMILE!" It was so awesome!

Then, this month was the Christmas Concert. I was excited to get to substitute teach in the Middle School Choir. I knew the Mrs. Mann, my music teacher growing up would be proud - as I helped the altos pick out their harmonies!!! It was really fun to help get them ready for their concert. Then, last night was the production and it made me excited to see the kids all lit up by the stage lights and singing their hearts out! I swear that I was as proud as any parent! Singing is just one of the many things I love about the holidays, but as you know - I always have a song on my lips!

Coffee House

Last night, ICSB sponsored a Coffee House for Teal Ribbons, and ovarian cancer charity. One of the former teachers here at ICSB, Libby Apel, died this year of ovarian cancer and it devastated the school. It was awesome to see all the people come out to honor this woman who had an impact on their lives through her teaching. We had a night of fun, hanging out and listening to an awesome hungarian jazz band! It was great to see the students, parents and staff come together to make a difference for other women never to have to go through what the Apels did. Please take the time to find a way to make a difference in someone's life this holiday season!

Cultural Heritage Week

November has been a super busy month - one of the many reasons I'm behind on my blog entries! One of the highlights of the month was November 9-13 was Cultural Heritage Week sponsored by Middle School Student Council. As most of you know, I am one of the Student Council Sponsors - so needless to say I was busy that week. The purpose of the week was to bring awareness to our cultural diversity within the middle school - we have kids from 12 different countries! We wanted everyone to understand what it truly means to be an "international" school and celebrate our uniqueness! So each day we had a homeroom devotional featuring two countries and the issues that are going on in each.

Then, on Wednesday for chapel time we had a special multi-lingual worship time. We sang songs in french, spanish, swahili, hungarian and english! It was a lot of fun because it was my first time to help lead worship in chapel! We also had displays from each of the countries that the kids were able to look at and pray over specific issues that those countries are facing! The picture above is of a group of kids praying over the America display.

Lastly, on Friday we had dress up day - of course I broke out my Congolese choir outfit and we had kids dress up in outfits from India, China, and American military. We finished the day with a international snack time at recess.

All in all, I thought it was a great week to just think about the many places in the world that we take for granted. It made me very grateful that I have been blessed to see a good part of the world and I recognize all the many things I need to be thankful for!

Imagine Me!

Music is the language of my soul! You can always tell what mood I'm in by what I'm listening to! My life verse is:

Zephaniah 3:17 (New International Version)

¹⁷ The LORD your God is with you,
he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing."

He rejoices over me with singing! It is how God speaks to me - through song! I get songs in my head for people - I will sing it over them all day long!

All my favorite memories in life involve singing - road trips in the car with kent and my dad singing at the top of our lungs with the windows rolled down, kent and I dancing in our mom's living room listening to 70's albums, sitting in my sissy's bedroom singing "strawberry fields forever", kent and I driving home from college belting out "scenes from an italian restaurant" in 3 part harmony with Billy Joel, worship practice with bob & barbie at SCF, the Ebeneezer choir concert in the congo, our multi-language worship for cultural heritage week here at ICSB, and my last sunday in the africa - my fiancee' singing to me how I am his angel!

I was blessed this month with a great half-birthday treat - tickets to a Kirk Franklin concert!!!! For those of you who don't know who Kirk Franklin is - I'm sorry - he blesses my heart so much with his truth and joy. When I listen to a kirk album - I laugh, cry and dance!!! That is exactly what happened at the concert! It was the exact thing I needed at this time in my life!

I'm enclosing the words to the song that touched my heart the most at the concert - I am praying that these words will touch you as well:

"Imagine Me"

magine me
Loving what I see when the mirror looks at me cause I
I imagine me
In a place of no insecurities
And I'm finally happy cause
I imagine me

Letting go of all of the ones who hurt me
Cause they never did deserve me
Can you imagine me?
Saying no to thoughts that try to control me
Remembering all you told me
Lord, can you imagine me?
Over what my mama said
And healed from what my daddy did
And I wanna live and not read that page again

[Chorus:]
Imagine me, being free, trusting you totally finally I can...
Imagine me
I admit it was hard to see
You being in love with someone like me
But finally I can...
Imagine me

Being strong
And not letting people break me down
You won't get that joy this time around
Can you imagine me?
In a world (in a world) where nobody has to live afraid
Because of your love fears gone away
Can you imagine me?

[Bridge:]
Letting go of my past
And glad I have another chance
And my heart will dance
'Cause I don't have to read that page again

[Chorus x2]

[Vamp:]

This song is dedicated to people like me

Those that struggle with insecurities

acceptance and even self-esteem

you never felt good enough,

you never felt pretty enough,

but imagine God whispering in your ear

letting you know that everything that has happened is now. . .

Gone, gone, it's gone, all gone

it's all gone, every sadness

Gone, gone, it's gone, all gone

every mistake, every failure, it's all gone

Gone, gone, it's gone, all gone

depression, gone, bad faith, it's gone

Gone, gone, it's gone, all gone

low self-esteem, hallelujah, it's gone, it's all gone

Gone, gone, it's gone, all gone

it's gone, all my scars, all my pain

Gone, gone, it's gone, all gone

it's in the past, it's yesterday, it's all gone, ahhh

Gone, gone, it's gone, all gone

gone, what your mother did, gone, what your father did, hallelujah

Gone, gone, it's gone, all gone

It's gone

Bosnia

This is the eternal flame that is lit downtown to remind people of all of those lost in the war.

This past weekend was a holiday here in Hungary celebrating the revolution against the Russians in the 1950's. So we had an extra day off of school. I chose to go visit some friends living in Sarajevo, the Duerods. Malcolm is teaching at the American University there and Corah is working with Roma children to try and create a preschool for them! It's really a blessing to see how they love on the people of this hurting country trying to recover from a war that ended not that long ago!

We had a great time just catching up and hanging out. It was the first time I had gotten to see their beautiful daughter, Tikvah Joy, since she was born over a year ago! We also got to go walking around downtown so I could see old town Sarajevo. They took me on a driving tour of the city as well where I got to see the site of the 1984 Winter Olympics and the many large cemeteries from the war. It was extremely interesting to see buildings full of bullet holes and right next to them brand new mirrored sky scrapers going up! The old and the new trying to co-exist!

One of the funniest things that happened was one day we were driving through town and this guy gets behind us and starts flashing his lights and honking his horn. We think that maybe we have a flat tire or something wrong with our car - so we get over in the next lane to let him pass so he can tell us what is wrong. He passes us and waves and smiles and then drives up to the car in the lane ahead of us to curse him out! I couldn't believe it!!! He just wanted to pass us to get closer to the guy in front of us and curse him out! WOW! I'm glad that was so urgent - we caught up to him again at another light and he smiled and waved like a thank you. I just had to laugh!

The 12 hour train ride there and back gave me some time to really process through all that has happened in the past 3 months. In fact, I had my own private car for the last 9 hours on the way there. I just spent the time singing, dancing, journaling & praying. I know that I was definitely entertaining the ticket guy that kept walking by - at one point he stopped outside my door and just danced with me!!! The whole thing just helped me to feel refreshed, focused, and loved. Because of course, Corah & Malcolm spoiled me rotten while I was there. It was just nice to see some beloved friends from California!

Spreading the Love!

Most people I know don't know what it is like to be homeless. I can honestly say that I do. More than once in my life, I have either had to live on people's couches or sleep at the office or hide out in my car. So when I walked onto the former Russian Army base that is the living area for several Hungarian families, I was taken back to those periods in my life. They say that a picture is worth a thousand words - and the one above I feel is worth a million. This mom and daughter were blissed out because we took their picture and gave them a picture frame to hang it up in their small apartment. How simple is it to spread the love?

Last weekend, the Middle School here at ICSB did service projects. The 6th graders walked around Diosd, our city, picking up trash. The 7th graders went to visit a mental health facility to throw a Harvest Festival. I was with the 8th graders at this homeless ministry out in the middle of the Hungarian Countryside.

We arrived on Friday to do some much needed yard work. There were tons of thorn bushes and trees that needed to be taken out of the back yard so that these adorable children could have a place to play that was safe. So we took on some war wounds and rounded up the trees and yard waste and made them home more ascetically pleasing! Then, we had a good ole fashioned bonfire complete with sausages on sticks to roast! We had a round of worship with guitar around the fire and then followed it up with a movie night of Ratatouille in Hungarian with English Subtitles. We traveled to a hostel for the night's devotions and rest.

Saturday morning we got up nice and early to return for breakfast with the residents. They proceeded to give the students a tour of the facilities, while us chaperons set up the craft time. We had brought picture frames for the kids to decorate with paint, feathers, stickers, glitter, etc. They had a blast making them beautiful and we had fun communicating cross-culturally! The families got all dressed up and we took and printed up their pictures so that they would have something to keep! We had a communal dinner where they expressed their gratitude and then we headed out to catch the train ride back to Budapest. The students were excited because we got to ride on a "Harry Potter" Train - it had compartments instead of rows of seats!

All in all, we were supposed to make a difference in those families lives. However, I know that it made a difference in mine. Once again I am reminded of the many things God has carried me through in my life and how grateful I am to be blessed even with something most people take for granted - a place to live!

Color Clash Calamity!

Color Clash Calamity was the theme for our Welcome Back to School Party in the Middle School. I volunteered to be one of the sponsors of middle school student council since I have all of those years of experience in school politics - hahahaha! Plus, you know how I don't ever pass up an opportunity to plan a party! So I made sure that I joined in the fun and dressed in my most clashing outfit! In fact, I was the only teacher that dressed up - that surprised me! But I had fun in my pig tails and crocs and I got some votes for best dressed!!!

We had fun playing a skit game, octopus tag & guessing games. Our prizes were some good old fashioned american food - oreos & doritos! The kids went crazy! We also surprised them with root bear floats for the snack time!

All in all everyone seemed to have a blast and the parents said we did a great job! Not to bad for a first time class sponsor!

Hungarian Cultural Heritage Days

So this weekend was the annual Hungarian Cultural Heritage Days! Which means I got to wander around the city for fun and visit some cool museums for free!!! You will have to check my link here under "Hungary pictures" and see some of the cool stuff!

The ethnographic museum was definitely the coolest - not only did I learn more about the Hungarian people but about some amazing art! Did you know that the Hungarian people originated close to China and from the designs in the fabric and early paintings it looks as though they may be of mixed Chinese and Russian decent - never would have guessed that in a million years! Also, the museum had an amazing display of Agnus Dei - Lamb of God - depicted in folk art of the Hungarian people. It was really cool to see all of the handicrafts that they used to depict their Catholic Heritage.

I'm still constantly working on developing my Hungarian speaking skills, but it's a lot harder than KiSwahili!!! Plus, I am working with kids that speak English on a daily basis and really only get to spend time out in the community on Sundays. So, I will only be able to teach you a few Hungarian words next time I see you - but I'll be able to have a conversation in Swahili! No worries - at least I am more cultured in the Hungarian Heritage now!

Slip 'N' Slide Whirlpool

You would think that after being a life guard for over a decade that I would have learned what is "proper etiquette in a pool! However, this is me we are talking about! I got in trouble at Kehina Thermal Pool by going into the middle of the vortex! I got the whistle blown at me - WOAHHHHH! Well, now I know where not to go! Then after that, another life guard came up to me and asked me to give the kids a chance to go down the water slide because I was "hogging" it! Yes, I was hogging the water slide - it was a really cool tube slide with flashing and twinkle lights inside - it reminded me of Magic Mountain at Disney - so I kept going down it! Plus, I had interesting fun with my bathing suit now that it is 4 times to large - HILARIOUS! What do you expect? It is me we are talking about!

Well, as you can tell I got to have some fun this week. The faculty and staff of ICSB went on their annual retreat - first of all to recover from the first 3 weeks of school and secondly to grow a little closer! We had a last minute change of retreat location - and let me tell you that everyone was more than happy at the change of accommodations! There were 7 swimming pools, natural hot springs, saunas and hot tubs! We were spoiled rotten. There was also a massage parlor and I took advantage of the pedicures to try and get my feet back in shape from all of the Congo sandal wearing! You wouldn't even recognize my toes - I was trying to explain to the lady who I think only spoke German and Hungarian that I used to have cute feet! She just smiled and nodded as she tried to shave all of the calluses off the bottom of my feet! But they are some gorgeous toes - pics are on their way!

Well, the best part of the weekend was the guest speaker, Ronnie Stephens from Danube International Church here in Budapest. I swear that God was talking to me through him about the story of Joseph and the picture of redemption ministry. I was in tears almost every session and knew that this was exactly the encouragement I needed to hear! I got to spend some quality time with my fellow teachers and staff and feel a lot more connected at the school. I really got some quality time sharing some of my Congo story and feel a little more "known." I don't know how we got to be blessed with this retreat - but as for me - it has made my month!

UWM Hungary Team

Well, here is the group shot of the UWM Hungary Team!!!! My new teammates - we definitely look a little different than the East Africa Team - but these are amazing people that love me - so I'm in good hands!

I've survived the first day of school at ICSB and there were no casualties!!!! I figure that that is success!

Actually, it was a good day of introduction and me feeling like I can actually teach middle schoolers - YEAH!!!!!

My new apartment is HUGE - I could fit 4 of my Sausalito apartments in it! My new wardrobe (courtesy all of the UWM families and ICSB teachers) is adequate to get me looking like a "proper" teacher. Actually, it is really funny because in the Congo - it was like pulling teeth to get me to wear a skirt or dress - and most of my new clothes that have been given to me are skirts!!!!! HILARIOUS!!!! As always, God has an amazing sense of humor and gets me to do things that I normally would not do on my own. However, my boss approves of my wardrobe and the fact that I didn't have to spend any money on it is blessing enough for me. Plus, it all fits my new slimmer figure - YEA CONGO DIET!!!!

The hard part now is keeping my slimmer figure!!!! Surrounded my dairy again, I've gone a little wild!!!! CHEESE - ICE CREAM - YOGURT - CHOCOLATE MILK - OH PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW!!!! I will never take dairy for granted again!!! However, keeping it down to 3 servings a day has been a challenge!

In fact, reverse culture shock has hit me at every turn. WOW - how much I took for granted in the states - never again. The new theme of my life is gratitude and thankfulness! I have been so blessed my whole life - and never really appreciated it. I mean - yes - I had a good lesson on materialism when I was watching all of my earthly possessions burn up on the highway in Wyoming - but I knew that I could replace those things. Now, I'm facing the idea of what if I can't replace those things! I've decided that's ok! It is the people in my life that matter most! Nothing can replace them! I am now trying to cherish each moment with people and not worry about the distractions of things around me!

As most of you know, during my years of seminary, 8 people in my life moved on to eternity - that was really hard for me. For some of them, they lived full and rich lives. For others, their life was cut short. It is now, when people I love are separated from me and yet are still there - that I truly understand what it means to cherish them and not take them for granted.

It is so interesting how I think that I've learned a lesson, but then God brings me to a deeper level of understanding later on! I guess all of life's lessons are that way - that is why wisdom is especially prevalent in those who have lived longer on this earth - you can't help but learn amazing lessons. I'd like to think that because of all of my wild adventures I've learned a lot in my life for my meager 33 years on earth - however, I am humbled once again that there is so much more to learn!

I'm blown away - I'm undone - I'm on my face - saying I am not worthy (Wayne and Garth style!!!!)

Thank you all for loving me and for continuing to support me on this wild journey that I call life! I praise God for you all!

Your absolutely "un-normal" friend - April Aubrey Welch

Euro-Africa Conference - Part Three

The Congo Team's Last Night Together!

Love you guys!

The conference also brought with it some hard things as well.

As most of you know by now, while serving in the Congo, God brought an amazing man into my life who got down on one knee on July 22 and asked me to be his wife. Without hesitation and with the peace that passes all understanding, I said "yes." My fiancee, Angello Castero, is a Kenyan man who runs two of his own English Language Centers there in Beni. We met at the English Club that I helped with every Saturday and the SECA 20 church, where we both sang in the choir. Those of you who know me well, know that I did not go "looking for love" in the Congo. In fact, I had several conversations before I left for Africa about this exact subject. As always, I blew off the fact that this would happen to me, since my previous history of "no dating" always seemed to come true. Therefore, this all took me by surprise when I found that I was falling in love for the first time.

Unfortunately, this conflicted with my job there at UCBC. They were not comfortable with my having a relationship with someone from a different country. They asked me to go and settle this with his family in Kenya and my family in the states. Also, according to UWM's policy, I am not allowed to be in a relationship while serving with my sending agency. Once reaching the conference here in Budapest, we began meetings to discuss the terms of my contract and the consequences of my actions.

It was decided that I would remain here in Hungary and work with the International Christian School of Budapest (ICSB). I have been given the position of Middle School Science Teacher and have also been asked to help with a class to teach Hungarians English. I am excited about this new opportunity to use my gifts and talents in a different setting. The ICSB staff have welcomed me with open arms and have been helping me to get ready to jump into a new school year next week. It is a very supportive and loving environment and I know that I will be able to thrive here!

Therefore, the conference ended on a sad note. I would not be able to go home to Beni with Grant and Meredith. The picture above was our last night together here in Hungary and unfortunately the only picture I have of the three of us together! I already miss them dearly, but I know that they are continuing the amazing work they have started there in the Congo. Meredith has already started teaching at the women's center and Grant is excited about the Frisbee class he is going to get to teach over this "summer break" they have until October 1st. I love and miss everyone there in Beni and I pray for them daily. I know that it is not "if" I return some day, it is "when!"

Thank you all for sharing in my journey! Thank you all for the love and support you have shown me through the years! Please continue to pray for me as I transition into this new position and focus on my new job. Most importantly, I ask you to pray for Angello. The last consequence for my actions was that I am not allowed to have contact with him. He is now navigating the waters on his own right now. Please pray for God's love and abundant blessings to be showered down on him as he trods a path without me now.

As always, my life is full of adventure, twists and turns that no one could predict! As always, I am clinging to God who has lead me down this path faithfully! As always, my heart is full of joy over the amazing love that has been bestowed upon me and that I willingly bestow on others! As always, I know there is a reason that everything happens and I always come out stronger in the end! The verse I have clung to for years, and that will carry me through this season - most of you have heard me quote it a million times:

Jeremiah 29:11 - "I know the plans I have for," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you; plans to give you hope and a future."

I have faith, hope, and love - but the greatest of these is love!

I LOVE YOU ALL - as always!

Love ya lots, April

Phil. 1:3

Euro-Africa Conference - Part Two

Our flight to Amsterdam was interesting in that I was exhausted and obviously emotional. Plus, I chose to watch the movie, "He's just not that into you," since I had read the book back in the states. All I could think was - "Well I never had this problem, there was never a doubt in my mind!" The funny thing was that I kept turning to Meredith to talk about it, but she was watching a different movie - so she didn't understand. I luckily was able to catch some sleep and was ready to face immigration into the EU when we hit the Netherlands! Of course, coming off the plane my first excitement was to see Starbucks!!!!!!!!!!!! Home Sweet Home!!!! Most of you know, that I gave up caffeine the week before I left the Congo - so that I would not have any more negative coping mechanisms to use! Well, luckily, I knew Starbucks has DECAF!!!!!! Unlike most other coffee shops in Europe! So, I was blissfully excited to mark all the boxes on the cup and have a Triple Decaf Iced Venti Non-fat No Whip White Mocha! I said to the girl - "yeah - I worked at Starbucks!"

We arrived in Hungary around noon and after some searching found my friend John Wilson who took us home to his amazing flat in downtown Budapest. After some cleaning up, Meredith, Grant and I went to the mall to catch a bite to eat. It was extremely weird walking into a mall! I really started having reverse culture shock moments, which are still continuing as I adjust back to "modern" society. Five stories of stores full of stuff that you don't necessarily "need" but "want." It was hard! I was excited though to have a fresh salad for lunch, since we didn't get lettuce in Congo! Meredith and I decided to just go back and chill at the apartment for a while and Grant decided to go explore Castle Hill.

The next day, we just got out and explored Budapest. We went to Hero's Square and Millennial park and had fun roaming around. We got a game of Frisbee in and I went shopping at the little open air market they had set up. I needed a purse, so Meredith wouldn't have to carry all my stuff around and I wanted to buy a necklace to replace the one I had around my neck. Plus, we got to eat some good ole park food, like Hamburgers!!!! We had fun dipping our feet in one of the fountains and exploring castles. Grant checked out the baths, since Hungary is famous for their spas. It was a good day learning the public transportation system and just hangin' out! Plus, lots of cool pictures!

Saturday was Grant's B-day as you saw in the previous video. So we walked to our new hotel on Margitsziget Island and checked out the park and all the other amazing things for us to explore on the island. After running into some friends from the Kenyan team, we decided to go back to the mall for lunch and then return to the flat to pick up our suitcases and move into the hotel. Of course, the first thing we did once we moved into the hotel was head for the swimming pool. I have to admit that it is interesting to wear a bathing suit that is four times to big now, but there was no way I was not getting into that pool! We finished off the day by celebrating Grant's birthday at a local pub and eating the famous Hungarian goulash.

Sunday started the conference and it was great to catch up with all of the rest of the East Africa Team in Kenya. Plus, to spend time with the Belgian Team that I was originally going to be part of - good to see old friends that I travelled with back in January of 2007! Of course, it was great to make new friends from the rest of Africa and Europe! The best part of the conference though was the main speaker, Brian Rice. He just really confirmed in me everything that I had already been learning in the Congo - practicing spiritual disciplines! It really made me reflect on prayer, meditation, silence, fasting, and simplicity. What were the things I truly gained by practicing these disciplines? Will I be able to maintain these disciplines now that I have returned to society with more distractions and temptations? How can I go even deeper?

He also talked about "The Shack," this is a book that played a key role in my life in the Congo! It not only helped me come face to face with my own past hurts, but I was able to use it to minister to others. I used it in class with my boys to discuss the idea of the trinity. I heard an interview by the author of the book when I was sick and on bed rest and it comforted me. God used "The Shack" powerfully in my life in the Congo. So, to me, the fact that Brian referenced it was confirmation of all the work that God had done in my life over the past 6 months. "The Shack" will forever be an Ebeneezer for me about the Congo!

To be continued . . .

Euro-Africa Conference - Part One

This is my favorite place in Beni - my tree at the park!

Well, I promised some details about the conference that brought me here to Hungary. . . So here they are!

Grant, Meredith and I left the Congo bright and early at 5am on Tuesday, July 28, 2009. Noe' Kasali came with a car to take us to the Ugandan Border. After giving away 3 suitcases of clothes, electronics, personal hygiene items, books, etc. - I still had four bags worth of stuff to take with me on the plane to Europe. On our way out of Beni, I gave my "I LOVE YOU" sign language symbol to the town I still call home and the place that I left my heart with all the people I love. Then, I broke into songs from the Ebeneezer Choir that Noe' had wrote. It was comforting to sing his songs with him in French. Noe' said that he would truly miss my talent and that I now know his songs better than him. We continued singing in Lingala, Swahili and English until our driver started asking questions about the fact that I could sing in four different languages and I was a mzungu. Grant proceeded to tell our story of how we came to the Congo.

Once we got to the border, Grant had an extensive conversation with a man in Swahili and I was really proud of him at how far he had progressed in the past 3 months. He was just excited that he understood him. We said goodbye to Noe' and switched cars and drivers and headed into Uganda. The first noticeable thing was that the roads were now paved!!! YEA - I will never take that for granted again! The second noticeable thing was the amount of people speaking English. When we went into the immigration office to get our visas we had an extensive conversation about our President Obama - which always happens in EVERY African country - but also the immigration officers asked Grant to pray over them. So he did - right there in the middle of the office - it was AWESOME! The drive was quiet because all of us were so tired - so we all took turns sleeping or listening to ipods or just watching the beautiful scenery pass us by.

We arrived in Entebbe mid-afternoon and after checking into our hotel, we decided to go check out Lake Victoria. We found our way down to the beach and then just spent some time wading in the water, taking pictures, and enjoying the sun, sounds, and smells of the beach! We had a lovely dinner at the hotel and then settled in for the night. The next day, we decided to go exploring and we went to the Botanical Gardens and then back to the beach. All in all it was a great day of hiking through town and then resting at the beach.

We flew out that night at 10:30pm to Amsterdam. It was hard getting on the plane to go to Hungary, knowing that I was leaving my beloved continent of Africa behind. I looked at Meredith as we boarded the plane and said, "I'm not going to cry because I am coming back, it's just a matter of when!" However, as we loaded on the plane, the tears couldn't help but come. I've left people behind me before in all my adventures, but I have never left my heart behind me. I just kept praying, "Daddy, You know my heart's desire - I trust You love me enough to give it back to me one day!" I still believe that to this very second!

To be continued. . .

Things I Learned in the Congo

Over the six months of living in the Congo, I learned some valuable lessons about myself. Along the way, I was making a list - today I decided to share the list with you! I hope that today you decide to start your own list. On days that it has been hard, I pull this out and remind myself of who I am now and how far I've come even in the past 6 months! Thanks for being my friend and going on this journey with me! The Adventures of April have only just begun, so HANG ON!

Things I have learned:

God does love me!

I am worthy!

I am strong!

I have spiritual power!

It is ok to need other people!

God answers prayer!

I am lovable!

I do receive knowledge!

All those people who picked on me were wrong!

I have authority!

I cannot let money control me!

I am beautiful!

I do hear from God!

Anyone is redeemable!

My gifts are from God!

Boundaries are ok!

I do receive prophecy!

I know what unconditional love looks like!

My dad does love me!

I can discern spirits!

I ravish the heart of God when I look at Him!

I am THAT girl!

Your Afro Conference!

As most of you know - I've been at the UWM Europe-Africa Conference in Budapest, Hungary. I will update you with more details about that later. But I wanted to share this great video of Grant on his 24th B-day! Happy Birthday Grant - I was glad to get to spend the day with you!!!

Culture Shock 101

I'm not sure what characteristics are trying to be developed in me - but I've been on a wild ride lately! They say the first 3 months in a new culture is the "honeymoon" phase - no problem. They say the second 3 months is the downhill slide. As you all know a lot of interesting things have happened to me in the past three months. So I decided to do some research on "culture shock". Here is what I found out below!

Outlined below is an example of the stages people go through with culture shock:

Stage 1 - Excitement

The individual experiences a holiday or 'honeymoon' period with their new surroundings.

They:
. Feel very positive about the culture
. Are overwhelmed with impressions
. Find the new culture exotic and are fascinated
. Are passive, meaning they have little experience of the culture

Stage 2 - Withdrawal

The individual now has some more face to face experience of the culture and starts to find things different, strange and frustrating.

They:
. Find the behaviour of the people unusual and unpredictable
. Begin to dislike the culture and react negatively to the behaviour
. Feel anxious
. Start to withdraw
. Begin to criticize, mock or show animosity to the people

Stage 3 - Adjustment

The individual now has a routine, feels more settled and is more confident in dealing with the new culture.

They:
. Understand and accept the behaviour of the people
. Feel less isolated
. Regains their sense of humour

Stage 4 - Enthusiasm

The individual now feels 'at home'.

They:
. Enjoy being in the culture
. Functions well in the culture
. Prefer certain cultural traits of the new culture rather than their own
. Adopt certain behaviours from the new culture



Well, the latest info. is that I've had another moto accident. I'm ok - but I will have a souvenir from the Congo - a circular scar on my right leg. I always said that I would never get a tattoo, but now I've been branded! Oh well! Maybe I'll reconsider the tattoo?

Don't worry - I'll keep you posted on the latest! School's out for summer - I just finished my church history class - 2000 years in 8 days! It was crazy and I'm tired now. This next week we are going to rest as a sabbath from the school year!

All my love - you guys prayers have been working!

Beginnings

Today is a new beginning. First of all, Meredith & I are starting a new small group based on the "Sonship" Program at lunch today. The whole program will be in English without translation so that students in other departments have the chance to interact in a small group with just english.

Tomorrow, I start my new class - History of Church and Spirituality. How do you combine 2000 years of history into an 8 day class? We will see! Stay tuned for all the gory details!

Last time I talked of endings - today its beginnings. Anyone who doesn't believe in the universe being cyclical - come talk to me! I have another beginning in my life this month - the possibility of being lovable! I have truly come to Africa to help transform others, but it is me, myself & I that is being transformed! I am overwhelmed and undone - but the happiest I've ever been in my whole life. I am so blessed and unworthy. I think of that Sound of Music song "I must have done something good." Throughout the crazy world of humanity, God has put people in my life to teach me lessons. Some of these lessons have been hard and painful to learn. Some of them have been delightful and lovely. I've just walked through both during the month of June. July is proving to be my idependence! I've let go of it all - and I know I am a stronger and better person for it! I am free indeed!

Goodbyes

Goodbyes are so hard - these past few weeks there have been many and it has been hard. In my life, a lot of people have left me. Unfortunately, it had been one of my many fears - abandonment. I am continuing to be amazed that I am surrounded by people who love me, even when I don't love myself. I have been blessed with great friends who encourage, support and lift me up. So when they have to walk away to go on with their own lives, it makes me sad. I know that they go on to what they need to do and that unfortunately, most people can't forget me! Lord knows that I am very UNIQUE!!!! They take my love with them when they travel and luckily most of them I already know I will see again. It's just hard - to let go!



This is one of my favorite poems that I think sums up my feelings:


"People - a reason, a season, a lifetime"

People always come into your life for a REASON, a SEASON, or a LIFETIME.

When you figure out which it is, you know exactly what to do.

When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed outwardly or inwardly. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, or to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally, or even spiritually. They may seem like a godsend too you, and they are. They are there for a reason...you need them to be. Then, without any wrong doing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die, Sometimes they just walk away. Sometimes they act up or out and force you to take a stand. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled; their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and it is now time to move on.

When people come into your life for a SEASON, it is because your turn has come to share, grow, or learn. They may bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it! It is real! But, only for a season. And like Spring turns to Summer and Summer to Fall, the season eventually ends.

LIFETIME relationships teach you a lifetime of lessons; those things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person/people (anyway);, and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas in your life. It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant. Thank you for being part of my life.....

A Reason, A Season, and A Lifetime written by:Brian A. "Drew" Chalker©2002

By the way, my beloved friend and roommate Meredith Knuckles (Sandwich) has encouraged me to begin sharing my poetry. So, I am starting a new blog with my poems on it. If you want to read it feel free - they do not follow the "rules" of normal poetry - they are just the outpouring of my heart. Feel free to check it out here: http://soulnakedness.blogspot.com

Bachelor's Degrees

A couple of my friends from the English Club have surprised me this past month with a couple of excursions to places that would make me happy because they have to do with my bachelor's degrees. Most people here know me for theology, since that is all I have taught so far. However, I have a bachelor of science degree in forestry and a bachelor of arts degree in geology with both of them emphasizing hydrology.

The first trip was with my friends Malonga & Angello. They are friends with a family here in the town of Beni that have their own private estate with a park in it! It was amazing - check out my flickr photo site for some great pictures. It was just good to walk around the grounds looking at the flowers, to relax on a tree stump and talk and to just be surrounded by the beauty of nature! Plus, the family told me that I can come visit any time I want!

The second trip was with one of my students from English Club, Marveix. He wanted to take me to greet his parents and he just happens to live next to one of Beni's hydrology plants. So, he organized a tour for me with the plant managers. The picture above is me sitting at the reservoir.

The month of June truly has been about making true friends who want to share life with me and get to know me on a deeper level. All of this has given me even more blessings and life lessons than I could imagine!

It's gonna take a lot more than that to stop me!!!!

So, for those of you who have not heard - I was hospitalized last week!

Don't worry - I'm fine!

In fact, it took 4 separate issues to bring me all the way down - malaria, typhoid, hypertension and a bacterial infection.

The people in the hospital couldn't believe that this was the first time I had ever been in the hospital in my life!!!!

They took really good care of me and I'm doing well! I finish up my pills today!

Thank you for your love and support and you will hear more from me soon!

Driving in the Dark!

Interesting night last night -

We went to eat at Cafe' Hellinique and I was beyond excited with the fact that I got a fresh salad!

Well, we were on our way home and the van is broken down so we had to take motos. Normally this wouldn't be a big deal except it was after dark. We've heard stories of guys taking off with girls on motos after dark, because people can't see as well and do anything about it. Well, normally this doesn't even enter into my mind as a reason to worry.Of course, I temporarily forgot where I am - Africa.

So, we are all in a row going home and my moto driver doesn't follow the other motos with my friends on them - he continues on down the road. I then scream "Atcha!" Which is Stop! I swing my arm out and start yelling "A Gauche" which is "to the left" in french. Well, finally my moto driver takes the hint and realizes everyone else is not in front of us anymore.

Unfortunately, we are out of gas as well. So he pulls over to by gas from a street vendor. Then he realizes that he is even farther away from the other "wazungus" and he starts to worry. A lot of time the drivers forget that I know Swahili and they'll start talking not realizing that I understand them. So my driver starts freaking out. He says "I'm gonna get in trouble for taking this muzungu woman. They are going to capture me and put me in prison. I better get her there faster." And so he speeds up, trying to catch up to the others, but they are long gone.

The problem now becomes me staying on the back of the bike, because we are flying over these large bumps in the road and I am bouncing up and down on the back like a rag doll. Normally, the drivers go slow, but he was so worried about what they would do to him if they didn't get me home!So, of course me bouncing up and down on the back made me burst out laughing like crazy.

So now the driver thinks that I am laughing at him getting into trouble instead of laughing at me trying to hold on. This makes him even more scared because he thinks that I am excited that he is going to get in trouble. The moto driver now gets scared because he thinks now that maybe Grant is my husband. Well, if any of you have seen the pictures of Grant yet, you will know that Grant is a football player and as the Congolese are unusually small people anyway - he looks even bigger. So now the driver is terrified that Grant is going to beat him up and now I'm laughing even harder at the thought because Grant is a big teddy bear!

Finally, I get calmed down enough to tell the driver "Iko sawa sawa, hakuna matada! Tunarudi nyumbani sasa" Which is "It's fine, no worries! We return to my home now."The funniest thing of all, was that the others barely even noticed that I had deviated. The guy didn't have to worry about Grant beating him up!

All in all, it was an adventure of a night!

Choir Concert

On Sunday, the choir from UCBC - Ebenezer performed at CAP in Beni. We wanted to do a benefit for more music equipment. The whole concert was awesome because a lot of my Congolese friends got to come and see me sing in 4 different languages. I am excited about continuing my language development in lingala and french. It was fun to practice all of our Congolese dance moves as well! We raised over $500 for the music equipment - so it was all worth it!

I received a lot of compliments, but the best one of all came from my friend Noe'. He said, "April you just proved that you love us Congolese, by getting up there and singing and dancing the same way that we do!"

Community Service

These are the four orphans: Muhindo, Kambale, Kambale, and Manda.

The students of UCBC are required to do community service as part of their education here in Beni. One group of students went to visit orphans of the war here in the Congo. While they were there they discovered that the students didn't have anyone to ask for money to take their tests. Here for you to attend final exams you have to pay a fee for each test. Since the students were orphans, they couldn't ask their parents or family members for the money. So my students decided to take up a collection to help the students be able to take their finals. I was super excited to contribute and to see how my students saw a need and worked hard to meet it!

A Message from my Boss

This is an e-mail my boss Honore' sent me - it touched me a lot so I thought I'd share it with you:

Hi Sister Furaha,Thank you for the BT topics 4 and 5. Beyond all, thank you for the greatwork that you are doing for the Kingdom of God: transforming young people to become transformers. The seeds that you have sawn and are still sawing willyield great fruits someday. The Bible says, 'Things that eyes have not seen,things that people have never imagined, things that the heart has neverthought of, He has prepared for those who trust in Him.' Out of what youhave sawn and are sawing, will come things that you cannot imagine.I just wanted to say thank you for all you are doing. God bless you!

Honoré

Letter from my students!

My three students decided to write a letter to my agency that got me here - United World Mission - and also to you, my friends who support me in my endeavor here. They are praying hard that I will be able to stay the full two years here to teach them - but right now with the current economic situation in America it might not be possible, because some of the people who intended to give to the cause of the Congo Initiative have not been able to. They asked me to send their plea out to you to see if you would be able to help via prayers or financial support. I promised them that I would send it out to you. Here are their words that brought me to tears:









John MUSAVULI. Student at UCBC in Theology Department.






I sincerely thank the UWM for sending April to us. She had been more than a good theology Professor for my class. She has been both a teacher and a friend to us. Moreover, she is serving the University by arranging books in our library. In addition, she joined us in chaplaincy ministry at the school.
April is one of the people that God has made and prepared so that they can build into my life. Her Biblical theology class has supported both me and my ministry. I am patiently waiting for her Hebrew and Church History classes. More than every other thing, her personality has been a great blessing in my life. So, I thank first of all God who prepared her, secondly, the team that sent her and then herself for her sacrifices.









Michel N’SINGOMA, student at UCBC in Theology Department


As God has good plan for who believes to him, so Miss April is the one that God made to contribute in my life through her own life, her education and her experience by sharing with us from the USA to Congo, especially at UCBC in the theology faculty.







Joel ASIIMWE, student at UCBC in Theology Department.

Hi, I am Joel, one of three students of Theology Department at UCBC.
I’m personally blessed and motivated by April’s who is more than a Professor for me. She’s such an inspiring person in my life. Her class is usually friendly and enjoyable.
Her teaching methodology is strategic because it let us interact with her and discussions among ourselves. Since I commenced studying, I’ve never got such a teacher or professor. Most than that, she’s member of the chaplaincy Comity and member of the Ebenezer Worship Team, which is the worship team of our University.
I thank God for her presence here at UCBC for she’s so much useful to the school. I also thank the UWM for sending April here for the mission that she has here among us.
As the DRC needs a hand for lifting it up and people who have desire to put even one stone on the reconstruction of Congo. Surely, what you’re doing for contributing to the construction of the DRC is great. What you’re doing is not in vain. You’re not sawing in the air. God is faithful to what you’re doing; he’ll repay you back in his right time and his right way.
Thank you.

Dancing Dancing Dancing!!!!

Anyone who knows me knows that I LOVE to dance!!! Even the first time Bora (one of the teacher's here at UCBC) met me - he told me that he could tell that I love to dance! I said, "how do you know." He said, "because you can't stand still!" How right he was!!!

Luckily, I've had lots of opportunities lately! First of all, we had a going away party for Luke and I taught my three students and my boss the electric slide and the kid & play that night! Then, I taught the ladies at the women's center the chicken dance. This past weekend at English club, I taught the guys the electric slide! They begged me to make it a regular feature at English club - learn a different American dance every week! It's hilarious!

I've learned a few Congolese moves through being in the school choir - so maybe when I get home to the states - I'll teach you all some new dances!

UCBC Library!

After months of hard work, the UCBC Library is open and ready for business! Thank yous go out to Luke and Angie for raising money to buy the materials to build the bookshelves! Super shout-outs go to Angie & Becca for helping me with entering all of the books into the cataloguing system! Lastly, thanks goes to Justin for his manly strength for helping to carry in the shelves and for taking this awesome picture! We are super excited to have probably the most extensive library of English books in the Democratic Republic of the Congo!

Women's Center

Every Wednesday, I go to the Women's Center. This is a place where women who are lonely housewives or widows or former prostitutes or tired mothers come to get a way to earn money for themselves. The women meet Tuesday-Thursday mornings at the UCBC Language Institute - a house that is owned by the school downtown. Some women attend classes and some just come for the fellowship. They all come together and make craft projects which we transport to the US to sell to help build them their own place and to give them a little money of their own. The women make cloth bracelets, pot holders, and paper bead necklaces to name a few. They sing as they work and it usually brings tears to my eyes.

I come on Wednesday mornings to give them a devotional and teach them some English. I teach them in Swahili and it has been great practice for me to become conversational quickly. I prepare my lessons on Tuesday and my Swahili teacher looks over it to make sure that I am grammatically correct. Then, on Wednesday I teach the ladies the lesson and then usually a song in English. I use a lot of little kid songs, because it is easier for me to explain to them in Swahili what the words mean. This last week, I taught them the chicken dance and they were laughing uncontrollably. I tried to explain that we do this dance at weddings or parties and they thought it was hilarious!

I've uploaded a video of the women at the center that my friend Angie made when she was here working with the women: http://www.flickr.com/photos/belgiumpostmods

My Students

These are the three reasons I needed to come to the Democratic Republic of the Congo - Joel, Michael & John! My "Holy Trinity." My three students who make my day every time we have class! I was recently asked if I would go through all the hard work to get here again - I would say without hesitation - "YES - they are worth it!"