Dear Family & Friends,
I wanted to start this e-mail out with a somewhat funny story. Bonnie has decided to go on a high protein diet (just kidding). Something that I grew up on and introduced to my own children at a young age for breakfast was rice with sugar and hot milk on top. We absolutely loved it. Bonnie decided to try and make this simple dish for her students. Soooooooooooooo she went to the grocery story and trying to be frugal with her money she bought inexpensive rice rather than the more costly rice. Big mistake. She went home and proceeded to cook the rice as she was accustomed to in the U.S. Fill the pot with water, brought it to a boil, and then put the rice in to cook. As the rice cook stuff started coming to the surface of the water. Not knowing what it was she began skimming the residue off the top. The more she skimmed the more came up. After doing this process for about 20 minutes the rice was done. As she took a closer look, at first she thought maybe this was baby ants that got into the rice. BUT as she looked more closely no it was not baby ants, but baby roaches. She then looked at the bag and the directions were a little different. She was supposed to rise the rice several times first, cook it and then rise several times more. Now she knows why. The conclusion she came to: Don’t buy cheap rice anymore. The end result, the kids loved the rice sugar and milk. Oh the differences she is finding in Africa but praise God adjusting to. As she would say “It is what it is” and therefore you do as they do, make the best with what you have.
Prayer Request:
Bonnie wanted me to give you all the names of her students so that you could be praying for them specifically by name.
1. Mapalo
2. Ketty
3. Davis
4. Kenma
5. Julius
6. Fazila
7. Alice K.
8. Pamulou
9. Angela and Gloria (twins)
10. Blessing
11. Dalitso
12. Prisca
13. Loveness
14. Orlando
15. Alice C.
16. Moses
17. Theresa
18. Febby
19. Margaret
20. Kennedy
21. Lois
22. Given
23. Leya
24. Dumisile
25. Edina
26. Godfrey
27. Lucky
28. Albena
2. Please continue to pray for Bonnie’s health that the Lord would continue to protect her. She has had 3 bouts with food poisoning, and flu like symptoms recently. You know if you have ever taught young children that it is hard not to catch what they bring to school, but God is faithful!!!!
3. The head teacher in the school “Susan” has been out of school sick. They just found out that she has some kind of liver and or kidney condition. Please pray that the Lord would heal her completely, we know that he can if it is his will! This has been a wonderful opportunity for Bonnie to go over and minister and encourage her. Bonnie went over and went grocery shopping for her and cooked some meals for her and her family. It is amazing how the Lord brings opportunity like this across our path to draw and knit hearts together. Isn’t He a good God!
4. As far as we know they are now in the process of painting Bonnie’s apartment so hopefully it won’t be too much longer before she can move in. Please pray the Lord would continue to provide for Bonnie as she has to go and buy a stove, refrigerator, bed and the everyday items to need to set up house. As she said in her last blog “He’s always been faithful to me” and he continues to provide for “ALL” her needs.
5. Please continue to pray that she would be able to find an affordable car. Wilbroad the pastor is helping her look and the finances would be there. It is amazing how the Lord provides for her!
Psalm 92:12-14 – The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those who are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bear fruit in old age; they shall be fresh and flourishing.
Isaiah 40:31 – Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.
Philippians 4:6 – Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your request be know to God.
Thank you Lord for the way you provide for Bonnie. Thank you for your faithfulness in her life and thank you that your mercies are new to her every morning. Each day could hold something very different for her, but you are with her! You are guiding her, protecting her, you are using her to touch lives for your glory. Thank you for the heart of love and compassion that you have given to her. Continue Lord to be her strength, her help, her guide, her protector. Continue to be he good Shepherd always watching over her. Thank you Lord for the work that you are about in Bonnie’s heart and life!
