This blog is designed to share our life and work as we serve with the IMB in Africa. Based in Johannesburg, South Africa, we serve the entire sub-Saharan Africa area. Deron is a counselor for the missionaries and missionary kids who work here, and Mary Beth is a media strategist who works to recruit more missionaries, volunteers and prayer support.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Latest Project: AfricaStories
Check out the latest project of the Africa Communications Team:
My creative teammates traveled throughout the continent to pull together some really cool stories for the site. Then I worked with William, our volunteer web guru, to put the site together. The goal is to update it with new stories every couple of weeks, so keep checking back for more!
There is also an accompanying 8-page tabloid magazine called "AfricaStories" that is currently being printed. I'll let you know when it's available for order through the IMB Resource Center.
We had a great time visiting with Deron's parents over the last couple of weeks. Kylie enjoyed getting to know her grandparents, and they enjoyed loving on her. We were also spoiled by Grandma's good cooking, babysitting and willingness to keep the kitchen clean. Thanks! We were definitely sad to see them go (not because of the help, but because we really enjoyed hanging out with them!).
We all enjoyed our visit to Kruger National Park, one of the largest game reserves in Africa. The days of game viewing were long (5:30 am to 6 pm most days!) but we were rewarded with lots of animal sightings. On an African safari, everyone wants to see the Big Five -- lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and cape buffalo. We managed to see everything but a leopard, although we searched valiantly. We did see two cheetahs, though, which was exciting because they are also pretty "elusive."
On the way to Kruger we drove along Blyde River Canyon, the third largest canyon in the world. For more pictures from our trip, visit www.flickr.com/photos/globalnomads.
Sorry it's been sooo long since we've given a proper update! Here's some info on what's been going on over the last few weeks:
New Responsibilities / Trip to US Deron accepted new responsibilities in assisting the personnel director for the Africa Support Center. He'll continue counseling as his primary responsibility, but has now added some administrative tasks as well. In late Sept., he made a week-long trip to the US for some training in how to use a database program.
Big Project I've been working on the content and design for a new "AfricaStories" magazine and accompanying multi-media website, which should both be launched in November. Stay tuned!
Parenthood Kylie continues to be a joy and also a lot of work! She smiles a lot and recently started giggling, which always make us laugh, too. She doesn't sleep much during the day and likes to be constantly entertained, so we're always trying to come up with new songs, books, toys or other ways to keep her occupied. She's usually a happy and peaceful baby, so we feel very blessed.A little more sleep would be nice, but over all we can't complain. :)
Visit from the Parents! We are excited to have Deron's parents here visiting for a couple of weeks. It's great to see them again, and of course they are happy to finally meet and spend time with Kylie. This week we're heading to Kruger National Park, one of the largest game parks in Africa. We're hoping to see LOTS of animals!
We spent the weekend helping out at a retreat for our colleagues who work on the finance team. These are the missionaries who "keep the world running" by processing funds for ministries, rent, gas and many other needs. Without them, our job would be a lot more difficult.
Just like the rest of us, Africa's finance group is a new team, so they planned a weekend team-building retreat, and we went along to look after the kids. It was a busy time running around with six kids ages 3-12 (and little Kylie made seven), but we had lots of fun, too. It was great to spend so much time outside -- even Kylie enjoyed the breeze and the sunshine.
I even got some complimentary pampering at the hotel's spa -- what a treat!
Deron made it home safely on Saturday, much to the joy of his wife and daughter. Our week at home was not too stressful, thanks to a wonderful Grandma who came to stay with us several times, but we still missed Daddy a lot.
The trip to Burkina Faso was busy but productive. Deron had a great time visiting with lots of old friends and colleagues, who all enjoyed seeing photos and videos of Kylie. Deron said it was like he didn't even matter anymore -- everyone just wanted to know about the baby!
On the way to and from Burkina, he had to spend the night in Ethiopia, where he got to see some cool sites, like this orthodox church:
Last week we visited the Lion Park with the new teams of HandsOn missionaries who'll be serving in South Africa this semester. What a fun group of people! We also had a great time seeing the lions, feeding giraffe and ostrich, and even playing with lion cubs.
You can see some of our photos on our Flickr site. You might also enjoy the videos of me kissing a giraffe and getting "attacked" by a cub:
Today Deron headed off for a week-long trip to Burkina Faso. He'll be attending a meeting of missionary team leaders from several countries around West Africa, including Burkina Faso, Niger, Cote d'Ivoire and Togo. I'm pretty envious because he gets to see lots of our good friends from Abidjan and other parts of West Africa. I would love to see them all and introduce them to Kylie! Deron is very excited about this opportunity to reconnect with so many colleagues in that part of the world, although it's hard for him to leave "his girls" behind.
Please pray for us:
that Deron will travel safely and stay healthy
that the meetings will go well and that attendees will have spirits of grace and understanding as they talk about the many changes taking place in our organization
that Deron will have confidence as he presents a session on child safety
that Kylie and I will survive a week of single parenting (I'm very grateful my mom will be around and is more than willing to help out -- what a blessing!)
As you can imagine, for the past few weeks life has mostly revolved around the adjustment to parenthood. Deron continues to serve as a Member Care counselor but I have taken a month-long maternity leave and am enjoying the break.
Fortunately, we have a pretty amazing daughter and parenthood, while challenging, is not as stressful as I anticipated it might be. Of course there are lots of doubts and second guessing, but we are adjusting pretty well ... most of the time.
Yesterday, however, I was giving myself a hard time about the things I feel are going wrong: "I'm so stupid for not catching that sickness sooner." "Nursing is so hard -- it should be easier by now." "I wish she would be more consistent with her sleep patterns."
I was feeling pretty miserable, actually.
Then some Bible verses started coming to mind: "Be joyful always ... give thanks in all circumstances." (I Thess. 5:16-18) "Always giv[e] thanks to God the Father for everything..." (Eph. 5:20)
"Why do you always focus on the negative instead of the positive?" God seemed to be asking me. "Don't you remember you're to have an attitude of thankfulness about everything?"
So, instead of dwelling on the "problem areas," I started focusing on all the wonderful things about my daughter and her development. And there are lots!
She's healthy and growing.
She's strong and alert and is already focusing her eyes on faces and objects.
She isn't sensitive to lights and sounds so can sleep through almost anything.
She gets passed from person to person at parties without getting upset or fussy.
She switches easily between bottle and nursing, which apparently is an issue for some babies.
She never cries inconsolably or for long periods of time.
Her "awake time" hours are during the morning, not at night.
And the list goes on. It's so easy to compare myself and my baby to books and articles and other mommies and babies, but that'll just drive a person crazy! Instead, I'm learning to thank God for the blessings and pray for His wisdom in the challenges.
We both grew up overseas as MKs (missionary kids). Mary Beth lived in Zimbabwe, Malawi and Mozambique, and Deron lived in Zimbabwe, Costa Rica and Argentina. We met when we were 4 and 5 years old in Zimbabwe. After Deron's family moved to South America, we met again at Mississippi College, where Mary Beth majored in communication and Deron got a bachelor's degree in psychology and a master's degree in marriage and family therapy. We got married in December 2002. Our first child, Kylie, was born July 9, 2009.
Check out the latest project of the Africa Communications Team:
