day 6. (sabbath)

Hello everyone! Danielle here. :) I thought we'd give sleepy eyed Annie a little extra rest tonight. I am personally loving being here with the team. Today was our Sabbath, so we took some much needed rest. We woke up this morning to a special Sunday Liberian breakfast. They feed us so well here. The table was filled with cornbread, fruit, ham, scrambled eggs, and oatmeal, then we headed off to church. In my limited experience of travel and missionary work in Africa, I always find so much joy in going to church here. This morning we went to Providence Baptist church in Monrovia. Everyone here puts on their best for church, and I can't get enough of the ladies fashion. So maybe the land is one of the poorest places on earth, but not on Sunday morning. Ladies dresses are vibrant and tailor made for their shape. Beautiful dresses and head dresses shine out against the red dusty roads. Its like a painting.

Church was so encouraging to me. Africans in general, seem to have such a special way of doing it. There is so much joy overflowing out out everything they do. They dance and sing and hug, and hug while they sing. I would recommend it, to anyone who has never done this.

Our goal today was to be refilled. All of us have been pouring out a lot of ourselves here, and we all felt the need to take some chill time. So Brent, Dave, Rodney, Jesse, and Annie took naps this afternoon. Dimitri, Amy, Jeremiah, and Kayla visited our neighbors next door for a football (soccer) game, and I spent some time resting and looking at the other team blogs. (I am so encouraged by what God is doing all around the world.) A Liberian tailor came over, and we are all getting dresses made for us, so hopefully we can do a fashion show for you of some kind.

I'm curious to know if anyone more then our parents are reading this blog, so please take a second to show us some "comment love :)" if you are following us.

Brent is doing great. We are so proud to have him as our leader. He such an example to follow went it come to crossing cultural barriers to form meaningful relationships with the Liberians, and the kids at Rafiki adored him. He is always so good at engaging the kids. He just oozes with love and joy over them, and the kids just soak it all up.

Dave is sitting in front of me, but he doesn't know that I'm writing about him right now. His love for Liberia is uncontainable, and he is such a constant joy to have around. He is always the first one to glorify God through some amazing story, in fact he's working right now--so hopefully you'll be able to hear some.

Jeremiah is full of energy, and full of Jesus' love for the Liberian children. He has recently discovered that teaching children is a large part of his calling... which is incredible news for any 18 year old seeking purpose. We can always count on him for jokes too, he loves to make the kids laugh however he can.

Jesse is soaking this place in. Last night Christine Norman told us her testimony. What an incredible woman she is. Jesse really connect to her story. Christine told us about the coup, when her father, the President of Liberia, was assassinated, and she was put under house arrest with her sisters among other things (solitary confinement, refugee escape, battling food shortage, depression, and a victorious round of cancer). Christine life is so full of trusting God one step at a time-- which seems to be a theme for Jesse this trip. Jesse is so precious.

Dimitri is so good at connecting with people. The soccer players have all nicknamed him Drogba...which he is loving. He brought a guy named Henry to church with us this morning. It was cool because when Dimitri met Henry in the neighborhood a few days ago, Henry told Dimitri that he couldn't go to church because he didn't have shoes. So Dimitri, without thought, gave Henry his extra pair of shoes, which lead to Henry coming to church with us today. In many situations, Dimitri seems to find many creative ways to be generous and practically love people.

Lindi is connecting with the girls really well. She's been here a week longer then any of us because she got here before Christmas with her Dad. Lindi LOVES the children, and she is so good with them. Her teachers heart shines through whenever she speaks to them. Her stomach was feeling better today, but I'm sick of this. Please pray that she will be able to enjoy the rest of the trip without having to think about feeling bad.

Kayla is such a sweet soul. She connects so well with the young women here. (I am secretly jealous) ;) Yesterday she boldly walked around the hospital, and prayed for women. Some of them woman were so close to death, and she was fearless in the way she interacted with them. Today she taught the children in the neighborhood dance moves. She is becoming more and more alive.

Amy is loving this place. I've heard her say a few times, "I just feel like everything in my life has led my up to this point." It's so good to hear from her. Right now she is trying to figure out what direction God would have her take for her life. Pray that God would direct her steps in every way. She also went to the neighborhood next door today, and also came alive. She painted nails and danced with them. (The kids here really like to dance).

Annie's hearts melts when she holds the

African babies, and at this point she would say that she has not held nearly enough. Pray for the next week that God would set her exactly where he wants her. Pray that God would put her in her "sweet spot".

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! For continuing to keep us in your prayers!

Tomorrow Brent, Jeremiah, Kayla and Lindi are going to Diana Davis Orphanage, and Jesse, Annie, Amy, Dimitri and I will be going to THINK (Home for Sexually Abused Kids). Please pray for us.

Good night :)

Danielle