merry wednesday eve day

OK, so titling my last post "thoughts on a rainy day" was an understatement. The title for this month and next should be "thoughts during a hurricane". OK, it's not that bad. But I've never seen so much rain in so few days in my life! In light of it being the one year memorial of hurricane Karina, I think it may be bad compare it to that. So instead "thoughts during a two-month-long monsoon". If wearing a poncho was a fashion statement, I'd be the new Marylin Monroe. (please take a moment here to pray that a poncho is never a fashion trend...amen) I didn't know it was possible, but there is a place that it much more humid than Indiana on a hot summer day--Sierra Leone during the rainy season. Going to bed last night I was really excited because not only was I not dripping sweat for once, but I actually could cover myself with a sheet and be comfortable...it was heaven.
I don't really know how to transition into my next topic so here:
Speaking of which...
Eric is having a tough time recovering from the Malayria he has already accuired. It hasn't even been two weeks. He's really lathargic and has had some hard nights gettin sick. Please keep him in your prayers as he sticks this out. The rest of us are healthy minus the fact that I seem to get tired really easily but that is the least of my concerns.
This past weekend Katie and I went on a 'tour' that David, one of the lighthouse boys, lead us on. It was about a three hour walk and thankfully it wasn't too rainy but it was humid as normal. I cannot discribe to you some of what I saw. I have never walked through so many slums in my life. There is a unique, unpleasant smell to eachone. The living conditions got to me. As I lead the way through the Kroo Bay slum, where the kids we work with on Saturdays are from, I couldn't hold myself together anymore. I just walked through with tears streaming down my face. I was unable to look at the people anymore...I can't explain it. My lacking vocabulary would not do it justice. We also went thorugh Dove Court, the largest market in Freetown. One word: dirty. I couldn't believe people were getting their food from there. The streets were just mud, the humidity made it feel like the smell was just sticking to me. That's really all I can share about it right now.
On a positive note,we had our first Krio lesson yestarday. The faster I learn this language the better. My team and I definetly want to be able to communicate better. I would also like to tell you that after ruining 2 meals, we have finally cooked our first successful meal. This morning Jeremy and I made scrambled eggs with stuff on it and this sweet rice milk stuff. I don't know what it's called but it was good. We were quit excited after our last 2 disasters.
My brain is so scattered today so I appologize for the randomness of this e-mail.
Confession: I need you moe than I have let on. I need to hear from you. What's goin on in your lives back home? Just cause I'm here doesn't mean I've stopped caring. To be honest,I have never gotten so excited over e-mail as I do here. Each one holds something I needed to hear and on the lonely days, they are a greater comfort than you could imagine. I try to respond to every e-mail. If you comment on my blog, I can't reply to you unless you leave me an e-mail adress.
Speaking of adresses, I am going to post an adress next time I'm on so that I can recieve real mail! YAY! So don't worry it's coming...
Praying at night is one of my favorite times because I just lie in bed and talk about you all to God. I often find myself smiling into the darkness because just thinking of you makes you feel closer. I miss you all very much and I can't wait to share more with you later.
I know that the tone of this e-mail may be bland but know that although there are though times, the joy I am experiencing here is also new for me. I am learning that I must choose it and that as long as I am trusting God I can "run and not grow weary, walk and not faint". I Praise God for that. Love you!
Haley Kate
I would like to ask that you pray with me that I would look to God first, not to my team or myself for answers. It has been hard for me to open up here and there is a lot that I don't share that I need to. Please pray with me that I would be more vulnerable and that God would continue to shape our team into a true community. Thank you so much for your prayers!!