God’s Miracles in Kelma

 

Our new mission is taking place in Kelma which is a village about ten miles from Bere.  This is a village that Naomi and I visited one Sabbath morning and we preached in their church.  We have been developing a relationship with the pastor there over the last few months before we left for our furlough to America.   He shared with us his desire to buy the land next to the church to start an Adventist school.  We of course started to pray and think about this.   After some time we went back and asked the pastor how much it would cost to buy the land, $500.  We felt as though that was something we could afford since there were a few donations that we got when we were in the states that the people said could be used for anything.  Our first project from the ground up.  We were very excited.

 

So this particular morning we were on our way to sign the papers for the land.  But we have heard that there is another piece of property that they want us to look at first.  When we arrived, we go around to the back side of the church and there are about 50 people waiting for us.  Many were very important chefs from the surrounding villages.   We had no idea that this was going to be such a big ordeal and so official.  After introductions and a lot of hand shaking the meeting begins.  Everyone tells us how happy they are that we have decided to put a school in their village.   We all go and take a walk to see the new piece of property.  They said that it would be only $200 more.  When we go and walk around the land Jamie takes his GPS and figures it out to be about 12 acres.  As we are walking we are in amazement that they want to give us this land.  It was too perfect, nice and flat for the children to play on.  The other piece of property was about 2 acres and had a big dug out hole in the middle of it with about 5 huts on it.  We would have had to ask the people to move that are staying there.and they have no where to go  We just can’t believe what God worked out for his people.  This land had many different trees on it and some were beautiful mango trees.  We of course tell them that this is what we want.  We sign the papers and give the $700.00 to the pastor to give to the right people.  We think that $700 is not bad for 12 acres. 

 

About two weeks later we have the official papers saying that the land is ours for the SDA School.  The pastor there says that he has done all the work paying everyone and he has a surprise for us.  He hands me an envelope and there is $400 in it!  He was able to get the land for only $300, unbelievable!  God is so good!  I just know that He is letting us know that He is with us in this project.  We know it is going to be a lot of work, but we also know what this can be if we put everything before the Lord.  We are planning on making this school the model school for all the Adventist Schools in Chad.   We want it to be the location for summer training for teachers.  Many teachers do not know how to run a school yet alone a school room in the proper way for a true Christian school.  Right now Gary Roberts, the pilot, has agreed to go to the Congo and get a couple of people that he knows that do just this, train. 

 

Jamie and I feel like reaching the children is going to be a big way of reaching the people and changing their way of thinking.  We can help be apart of teaching children the love of Christ as number one importance in education.  We can be apart of how a man treats his wife or children in the next generation.  We feel like the children here are just starving for knowledge.

 

We have many things in motion on how we are going to do this.  We have someone helping us purchase a new brick machine to fabricate really beautiful bricks.  We have a little money put aside to get this building started but we are going to need help.  We need to try and pull all of you together with us in this project and see if we can get Christian education out there.  We need you all to help us to purchase the materials that we will need.    Please pray with us about this project.  We know if we have Him as the center everything will work out. 

 

We also want to just put the option out there if anyone is in the position to be a sponsor a “One-Day School” that would definitely be a great option.  You can get more information on this at www.asiministries.org or www.maranatha.org

 

If you have any questions or comments please email us at Parkers4bere@gmail.com

 

Thank you and may God bless the mission here in Kelma!

The Good Samaritan

 

I know that I am long overdue writing a letter to everyone and I am very sorry about that.  I have sat down many times to write and the words just are not coming out right so you could say that I have been having writer’s block.  But the event that happened this morning must be written.

Jamie left this morning to go to Moundou to get several things accomplished.  The administrator of the hospital was going with him along with four others that had business to take care of in the same direction so they were catching a ride.  They all prayed together for protection before leaving.

Not far down the road there was a young boy riding a bicycle and struggling in the deep sand.  The young boy lost control of his bike  and the sand pushed him in the middle of the road.  Jamie was driving and swerved toward the left side of the road to avoid the out of control bike.  But it was unavoidable, Jamie hit the boy and his body flew up into the windshield.  The sound of the body crashing into the van raised the fear in everyone that he must be dead.  The van stopped immediately and all the doors flew open.  Jamie was thinking that everyone was going to check on the boy but instead everyone ran into the bush.  The people here know that if there is an accident and someone dies, that the local people will beat the person that was driving.  Many people came running out with sticks but the chef of the village was there and told them not yet, the boy was still alive.  Jamie standing there alone trying to help the boy, not knowing the language of all the people shouting.  He got help enough to get the boy into the van and the other passengers joined back in once they saw that their lives were no longer in danger. 

Jamie returns to the hospital with the boy and gets him right into the preoperative room to be checked out immediately by Dr. Olen.  The amazing part of the story is that the boy seems to be fine.  He is staying here for observation but there is nothing really wrong with him.  His leg hurts a little and the back of his head but he has no cuts and seems to be fine.  Praise the Lord!  Because by the pictures of the van you would never think that he would be ok. (picture below)

When Jamie came home to tell me the story I could hear the disappointment in his voice about how everyone just left him and he was the only one that stayed to help the boy.  It just reminded me of the good Samaritan story.  He was the one that stayed and helped even if his life could have been in danger. 

I am very proud of my husband for his courage.  It is at times like these that you can see the true character of people.  He didn’t even think twice about running.  He knew that someone needed his help and it was the right thing to do.  We hope that the way Jamie dealt with this situation can be a witness for God.  Maybe for those in the car or those in the village or for the stories that were told at the hospital all day.  May all praise be to God for the good that He has done today! 

 

A Day on Film

Today I knew was going to be busy. But you don't really know what you

are in for until you jump in with two feet. Naomi was going to come to

work today and Becky, Olen's Aunt, was going to be following us around

to film my day for friends and family that may want a glimpse of what

what I do. When everyone gets here I am ready to talk to the group

waiting for me on the bench outside my house. I start with the couple

that brought a baby 3 days old that is not eating. It is so tiny and

limp and lifeless. We ask several vital questions. The baby was born

at home and has cloth tied around its umbilical cord. There was a twin

but the other baby died. I prepare some baby formula and with Danae I

was able to help show the mother how to feed the baby by putting her

finger in the babies mouth and using a syringe pumping a little milk in

the babies mouth as it tries to suck down the milk. It was starting to

work and you could almost see the baby being brought back to life like a

wilted flower being watered. The three of us women pray for the health

of this baby. Then I left the mother and father to work together on

this while I go and talk to a blind man that has given me a chicken as a

gift. This man has a request for helping him repair his home that has

tumbled down. I glance over at the couple with the baby and notice that

the father has stopped his part of the feeding and the mother is just

giving the baby formula straight from the syringe without using the

sucking method. I don't think too much. But after talking to the blind man and working out some details, I go back over to the family with the baby.

But as I come close the baby does not look good. It has milk coming

slowly out of it's nose. I am confused and see that the mother is

concerned and pushes on the babies stomach and milk begins to pour out

even more from its nostril. Naomi is trying to take the baby and is

saying that she gave too much. I then take the baby from Naomi and turn

the baby upside down. I push on the baby and milk is just streaming out

of the face of this child. It was so much. Now the baby is turning

blue and I am so scared the baby is going to die in my hands. I right

away start to head over to the hospital with out saying anything to the

parents and I am just desperate for help. Half way to the hospital the

baby begins to breathe. Thank you Jesus! I continue to go over to the

emergency room and have Dr. Olen listen to the lungs and breathing and make sure she is ok. All is fine. God is with us!

Its only ten o’clock and time to go to visit with Abduli an Arab man I am friends with from the market.  We are going to his house today because his son was in the market fire that happened last week.  There were 3 people that got hurt in this fire and two I knew.  One was the father of one of my students last year and he actually died two days after getting burned.  Abduli’s son got burned too but just his arm and the side of his face.  When we get to his house we are warmly welcomed and asked to take a good place on the beautiful red and yellow carpet mat that is under a huge mango tree.  We begin to talk and laugh and share stories and give gifts.  I brought a few things along for their son like cars and a little bible book and I brought some incense for his wife.   They just loved it all and then they brought out some beautiful smelling incense of their own for each of us (me, Naomi and Becky).  We were all having such a good time that they asked us to stay and eat with them.  This is such a big deal for them.  We accepted their invitation and grabbed the opportunity for an adventure and that it was.  The men and women eat separately so the men stayed there under the tree and the women went further in to their compound to the outside of one of the various rooms they have to sleep in.  We were under some kind of awning and his wife had it made up so beautiful for us.  There was the same kind of carpet mat but this one was green with a design on it.  At each of the corners she had a beautiful pillow for each of us to relax on after we eat.  Then here comes the food.  It is boule of course with my favorite sauce with greens in it but this time they put some ox meat in it.  Becky speaks out and says that she wants to eat it the way they would eat and that they should show us how.  Us girls had such a good time.  Eating boule for the first time is always an adventure.  Becky ended up taking a picture of her place because she had rice everywhere.  We then sat around talking to Abduli’s wife in Arabic through Naomi.  Her name is Zarah and she is 23 years old, has three children with her oldest at the age 8.  So you do the math.  She started very young.  Right now she is having a lot of female medical problems that she felt comfortable talking to us about.  We told her that she needed to come to the hospital and see the new OB doctor, Danae.  So we felt as though even though we were just there enjoying their company we were still able to reach someone that needed help. 

 

After a long day we come home about 4:30 pm.  It is Friday and we have all the volunteers coming over to our house for vespers.  I am grateful for a good husband cause he had the living room all nice and clean.   After everyone is at the house after 7:00 pm I get a knock at the door.  A lady I know tells me that there is this little girl around age 8 at the front of my house just crying.  I ask her why and she says that she has no mother and no father.  She has been staying with someone else I know but the man left to go to Lai and the wife kicked her out and said that she needs to go.  But there is no where to go.  I go inside and get some potato soup and a piece of bread and have Tony interpret that she can stay the night out on the back porch and that she is expected to go to church with us the next day.  I set her up outside with a blanket and water.  My heart just breaks and I cry for her.  I think to myself what if it was me or one of my children what would I want someone to do?  I prayed with one of the volunteers in my kitchen for God to give me guidance with this.  I come to the conclusion that I will take her to church and see who knows her and knows her story and what I should do for her. 

 

And that is how my day ended! 

An Amazing Day!

 

Monday, February 7, 2011

An Amazing Day!

 

    Woke up at 6:00 am.  Went straight to the kitchen and put on a kettle of water to heat up.  Walked back to all the rooms with all the kids and woke them up for school.  On my way back to the living room I hear an early knock at the door.  I answer it and it is Valery.  This is a 24 year old boy that I call one of my sons.  He is married with a 2 year old little girl, Riesa with another child on the way.  He has come to my door to let me know that his wife is at the hospital getting ready to have their second child.  I was so excited but also surprised because I didn't think that she was due for another month.  I knew that I wanted to be in the delivery room and hopefully deliver the baby if all goes well.  Without another thought to the hot water on the stove or anything else, I run to my room and put on a set of scrubs.  I grab a water bottle for her and some things for the baby and I run out the door.  I didn't want to miss anything.  Valery meets me half way and walks with me to the maternity ward.  As soon as I get there I am trying to find out some information on how far along she is so I can know how close we are.  I soon find out that she is at 6cm.  I then call Naomi and let her know that Valery's wife, Chouka is having her baby.  I knew that Naomi would want to know because Valery and Naomi are first cousins and just found eachother about a year ago.  Their father's are brothers and neither one knew that they had family here.  So I had Cory run out to her hut and pick her up with the motorcycle and bring her to the hospital.  I am so happy to see her.  Anyone who knows me knows how much I like to talk.  In the situation I was in I was unable to really talk to anyone and it was driving me crazy since I was so excited about this baby being born.  So as soon as Naomi gets there I get to release all the questions and comments I had been storing inside for the last hour.  We end up having to walk Chouka around a bit for now she is at a stand still.  It takes a few very long hours of anticipation.  Then finally, around 12:00 noon, Naomi and I have her on the table and she is ready to push.  I am starting to freek out.  I put on my gloves and I am yelling for Denae, the new OB Dr. to come and talk me through this.  As soon as she gets there it is time for me to grab the baby's head.  Denae calmly tells me what to do and lets me do it all.  I am absolutely freeking out inside.  I can not believe I am doing this and as the rest of the baby comes I am just in awe.  It's a girl!  I set the baby on the mothers stomach and work with Denae with the clamps and cut the cord.  I also am taught about what needs to come out next and how to work with all that.  After that I take the baby and begin to clean her up.  She is healthy and perfect!  Praise the Lord!  Jamie comes and checks in and hears that it was a girl and all is well.  I then have him call Valery and let him know.  I can tell by the conversation at this end that Valery thinks Jamie is joking that he has another girl.  I know that he wanted a boy.  He shortly there after comes to see his family.  He has the proud father's look and the thoughts of wanting a boy are gone. 

Valery tells me that he wants me to name her.  I knew this was coming because he told me this before but I thought that I had another month to think about it.  I give him three names.  Neveah (Heaven backwards), Brianna which is the name I was going to give Brichelle and then the last was Diane which is my middle name which means celestial hunter.  I told him he should pick the name.

Just the other night we were at Valery's house celebrating the birth of his baby girl and someone asked me what her name was?  I turned and looked at Valery and asked him what he named her and he said Diane.  I was really surprised.  I had heard that it was going to be Neveah.  Later when Valery and I had a moment to talk I asked him what made him pick that name?  His response was beautiful and this is what he said.

"Mom, one day you may have to go back to America.  If that happens I will be sad but it will make me happy to be able to call my daughter by your name everyday so then it is like a part of you is still here with me.  Your family has really changed my life and I thank God for that.  I realize now how important family is and I want to just thank you for being here for me and my family." 

At this point I just want to cry.  He is saying so many heartfelt things to me that makes being in this country worth being without a few things that America can offer. 

Everyday is an adventure here.  Adventure is something I anticipated on the way here.  But the love I found and experience with the people has been a complete surprise.  This place has really taught me about the love God has for His people.  Love is very powerful.

OUR TRIP BACK

OUR TRIP BACK

    We started our journey on a positive note.  We were standing in line at the airport, waiting for our turn for checking in our luggage.  Mrs. Parker and myself were talking about our journey ahead of us.  A man behind us overheard some things and ask me where we were going.  I told him but not giving much information.  He continued to ask questions.  Immediately he said that he was going to be praying for us.  Then he proceeded to get his wallet out and said that he wanted to make a contribution.  I was jaw dropped to the floor.  I couldn't believe that this stranger felt inclined to give us money.  Then as I stepped up to the counter I gave my first set of luggage.  The first person was checking in three bags which was going to be an extra $200.  He again immediately stepped up to the counter with us and gave his credit card and said that he would pay for it.  I couldn't believe that God had touched a stranger to help us out.  As the man walked away I got tears in my eyes just thinking about how good God is.  I felt at complete peace the rest of our trip just knowing that God is taking care of us.

    Well we are back in the crazy land of Chad.  Only those who have ever been here can understand the culture shock that you feel when you step foot off the plane.  Right away I felt the culture difference of the people in Ethiopia.  We are taking a bathroom break before entering the next secure area for our next flight.  We take turns watching the luggage.  Brichelle and I get to go first.  As soon as I walked into the bathroom I could smell that it was not going to be pretty and it wasn't.  But the more entertaining part was after getting out of the filthy stall.  An Arabic woman began to wash her hands in the sink next to mine.  I didn't think much until she began to take part of her clothes off.  Then she proceeds to put her foot in the sink and wash her feet and then her legs.  Then she washes her arms and her armpits.  I was not too surprised but it sure was entertaining watching another American come into the bathroom and try and process what in the world was going on.  I just laughed inside thinking that was me a year and a half ago. 

    As we proceed to the gate as we are going to be boarding, many people are pushing their way ahead.  This pushing dose not stop until you get to your seat.  Jamie had one guy really push him and I thought for a minute that Jamie was going to loose it with the guy.  Instead he just said in English, "the plane is not going to leave without you, you are already on it".  Then after we sit in our assigned seats we are moved again.  I look over at an Arabic man in the seat next to us and he has a gray ski mask on.  My first thought was how uncomfortable it made me just looking at him as though he was dangerous.  But then Jamie and I talk about it and figure that this is just something he is probably just showing off that he has.

    We finally get to Ndjamena and all goes well there.  We got all of our bags without a problem and James Appel was even there waiting for us. It was a weird feeling being back again.  It was really hot outside.  Everything was so dusty and dirty.  Several times I just silently laughed at the situation that we are in again for another year and a half.  There is just something about this place that is addicting.  I look down the dusty road with all the different people walking to and fro and all the run down stores which all have most of the same things from one store to the next.  As we go by people they stare.  Some people yell "Nasara" and some run to the window trying to sell you something.  I just continue to think of all the people I will being seeing in Bere' that I love so much.  That is why I love it here.  And my tomorrow was such a perfect day!  Hugs were given out left and right.  Whether they were ready for it or not.  Hugs are not something they are use to but something they accepted from me.  Seeing all our friends was great!  But I must say that the inch layer of dirt in my house was a little shocking and something I am still working on.  All of the missionary volunteer women came to my house and did alot of cleaning too, which I was very touched by.  But it is just a tough place to keep It is good to be home.

XO

We are in the states now and enjoying our time with friends and family.  I have to admit though that I have thought several times about going back to Africa early.  There are so many things about the place that I miss but nothing compares to the hole I feel in my heart not being with the people.

Today was a hard day to get through.  I want to blink my eyes and be with all my loved ones in Bere.   Today there was a tragedy!  I got a phone call from Tony.  I called him back.  The first part of our conversation went like normal asking how he was doing.  He said he was okay and then started to tell me that his friend Kalgonbae (16 years old) was with him and that he tells me hi.  I of course responded with a hello back and said for him to tell everyone that I miss them very much.  Then Tony starts to try to tell me something about a little boy that is Kalgonbae's nephew, one of my rays of sunshine.  His name is Exode (my xo at least that is how I always heard it pronounced) and is about 2 years old.  I am having trouble understanding what Tony is trying to say and part of me knows and understands completely but I want to be wrong.  I ask him over and over to say it again.

"Say it in French if you don't know how to say it in English."  I hear him say Exode (XO) is dead.

 I respond with "What? What are you trying to say?  Is Exode (XO) okay?"

 Tony responds, "no, he died today."  I instantly drop to my knees in Kohls and begin to cry not even acknowledging that people are around me.  I am in denial. 

"No Tony!  Why are you saying this?  Are you saying Exode (XO) is sick?  What happened?  How?  Comma?  (How? in French) 
 Tony put Kalgonbae on the phone and tells me clearly in French. 
"Il est tombe dan l'eau  (He fell down in the water)

I instantly knew that he fell in a well.  I have heard of other children doing the same.  It is very common there.  Many have open wells where it is just a hole in the ground with nothing around it to stop someone from falling in.  I take it in and begin to cry to him on the phone.  I am overwhelmed with sadness.  They ask if Cory is around.  I go around and find Cory and tell him in 2 seconds what happened and give him the phone.  I move to another place out of an isle and go back to my knees and just sob.

I need to tell you about this boy.  He was not just any boy.  He was very special to me.  He would come visit me almost daily.  He would come to ask for candy or a balloon.  Or sometimes he just wanted to barrow a ball to play with.  Every time I would leave my compound on my motorcycle I would have to stop and pick him up to give him a hug if he was out there. (his family lives right across the street from us) I always thought that he had the perfect name because he was so affectionate.  Saying his name would make me think of xo for hugs and kisses.   I have become good friends with his whole family.  To know his family would allow you to understand how this boy has become so sweet.  All of them are very kind and gentle people. 

I am absolutely heartbroken.  It is the hardest thing for me to be here and not with them all.  I think about all the suffering that happens over there.  It is just too much!  Why?  Why does it have to be this hard for them?  I don't understand the imbalance of America and Africa?  I know God loves them but I can't help but ask many questions about this place.  My heart has totally melted with love for all of them.  I must admit it does scare me about going back.  I look back at everything my own family has gone through in the last year and four months but then to add all the things that have happened to all the other volunteers or the locals, it is just too much.  What will happen this next year?   But I remind myself that God has put a love in my heart for the people in Bere for a reason and it is even hard for me to think about being truly happy in the states again.  See that is what God can do.  If you remember our very first letter, our testimony letter,  you would know how much I never wanted to go to Africa in the first place.  I am learning  not to ever limit God.  He has worked miracles.  Because of all those miracles and experiences with God, that is what helps me keep my faith in times like these.  He knows best.  But I am sure ready to go home and put all this sadness behind us. 

Please pray for XO's family and for all of us in Bere.  When I walked to the airstrip that last morning in Bere before coming to the states.  I had no idea that when I walked outside my gate and saw little XO running up to me with his arms stretch up for a goodbye hug.  Little did I know that it would be my last hug and kiss that I would get from my little ray of sunshine, XO. 

Tammy (Mama of Bere)

Nov 2, 2010

It was a quiet night and all the children were settling down.  Every night we have several children visiting.  This night was no different. The only thing different was that Brichelle told me she was not feeling good.  I thought that it was only because I gave her an antibiotic and another medication for her malaria treatment.  She ended up laying down in the hallway on the cold cement.  After about 10 minutes her stomach pain got progressively worse.  She started to vomit.  I thought she was just having real trouble with the medicine I gave her.  Then the stomach pain was still getting worse.  Usually once you throw up you feel better and that was not the case with her.  She began to sweat profusely.  Her face turned white and she began begging to God for Him to help her. Over and over again she would say, "Oh God help me!"  She looked over at me and said, "mom it is like I have been poisoned."  Jamie had already gone to sleep and by this hour there was just our family and Tony and another boy.  I decided I needed to do something. Brichelle is a tough cookie and she was really suffering.  I was starting to become really scared.  I woke Jamie and told him something was really wrong with Brichelle and we need to get Dr. James.  Jamie gets dressed and runs over to James' house. No answer!  He runs back to let me know.  I told him that we need to just get her over to the hospital.  She is unable to walk and so Jamie carries her over to the emergency room and puts her down on one of the beds behind a curtain. Now her fingers are becoming numb and her face is as white as a sheet. The nurse takes down all information and goes to find James.  He was at his house in a deep sleep.  He comes into the small cubicle and asks many calm questions.  Brichelle is concerned about the fact that her hands are going numb.  James continues to touch her stomach and locate the area of pain.  He then hits the bottom of each heal and asked her if it hurt her stomach and where?  The pain is bad now and she has to concentrate on every breath.  James looks at me and says that it is her appendix.  I just looked at him in fear and said, NO!  I knew right away that it meant surgery.  This is the last place on earth that I would ever want any of us to have surgery.  Not because of James.  I trusted him fully.  My concern was in the cleanliness of the surgery room and all the instruments that would be entering my baby girls body. Once Brichelle discovered that she was going to have to have surgery she became scared but never shed a tear.  She is such a strong person.  I am the one who began to cry.  She looked at me and said, "mom if you start crying I am not going to be happy."  I knew I needed to be strong for her.  I ran to the house to get on my scrubs.  I was with her until they began to cut her.  Dr. James told me that if something went wrong that I should not be in there.  That I could get in the way of them helping her.  I was way too emotional and knew he was right.  Jamie and I waited in the prep room right outside the operating room.  I cried the entire time she was in there.  I think it was just so late and everything was happening so fast.  I had Cory go down to the airstrip and get Wendy Roberts to be in the operating room with Brichelle and to help with any embarrassing situations.  We were up with her even after the surgery. She got sick from all the medicine they pumped into her small body. Jamie stayed with her over night so I could get some sleep at home.  We were up until about 2:30 a.m. My past week was full of Cory getting malaria and strep throat and then his whole mouth broke out in white spots, on his tongue and gums and all over his throat.  He couldn't eat and if a person can't eat then he can't take the medication for malaria because it will lower your blood sugar.  Cory had to be admitted into the hospital and have an IV put in. He was in tears even after coming home due to the pain in his mouth. One day after Cory comes home from the hospital then Brichelle starts in with a high fever and a headache which is classic symptoms for malaria. The next day she gets strep throat too.  Now I have them both on the same medicine.  Then the third day of malaria treatment Brichelle gets this.  I feel as though Satan is really doing his best to get us down.  I think he wants us to stay in America and not come back.  I really feel like we are being attacked.  Right now all I have energy for is to survive.  I am so tired and I know the rest of the family is too.  Please pray for our family.  We need encouragement and rest.  We need this time in America to get our strength back to fight Satan and all the things he is doing here.  At least I know Satan is not happy.  That must mean we are doing something here he does not like.  So that thought alone keeps me going.