I love me a good farmer's market...

Farmer's Markets are the best! For many years I have been visiting the farmer's market in City Market in Kansas City. It is in the heart of the city, which I love. I usually skip breakfast because I intend to buy some fruit like cherries and some baked goods from the Amish. Mmmmm....I can close my eyes and be back there right now. Enjoy the pictures while I daydream...

Here is the entrance

backdrop of skyscrapers

look at all those fruits and vegetable

this person came prepared with their handcart. I need me one of them next time.

In the fall and spring I would buy my flowers for pots here. In the summer I would buy all my produce. It used to be such an unusual event. In Africa  and Asia, outdoor markets are the typical means to buy groceries, but I still love me a good farmer's market! Visit one for me, okay?

Sheri

little eyes are watching...

On our recent home leave I was reminded of a saying I have not heard in years:

There are little eyes upon you, watching you night and day.
These little eyes and ears take in everything you say!
Their little hands are eager to do what you do, And dreaming of the day to be like you!...

In 2009, one of my young cousins was asked what she wanted to be when she grew up. I was just listening to the conversation and was not part of it. She said, "I want to do what Sheri does."

"What does Sheri do?"

"She helps people in other countries."

I don't even know how she knew that. My aunt later told me that my young cousin loves looking at the pictures I email. After I left New Mexico I got an email from this young cousin. She was making jewelry for sale and wanted to give the money to help kids in Africa. She then recruited a couple more cousins to help with the project and had a commitment from her step-dad to match whatever they were able to make. Below is a picture of them selling some of their jewelry. Aren't they precious? Love them!

I am praying God plants a dream in their heart. That God takes them on a great adventure. I never imagined a life like this, I didn't even know such opportunities existed. Step-by-step Providence led me down a path that brought me here. I know they were each created for a purpose. I pray they discover their purpose and that they make wise choices allowing them to live that purpose. The best decision I ever made was commiting my life to Christ and following His lead.

Little eyes are watching...

When in Virginia I spent time with the Williams family. I love this family. I have loved these kids since they were much younger. The oldest is now graduated from high school and off to college this month. They left at 4am for a family trip the same day we were leaving to Kansas City. I was sad that I did not get to give them a proper good-bye. I woke to a surprise that brought tears to my eyes...it was a spontaneous note from the oldest son thanking me for being an example of someone willing to "be the change I want to see in the world."

Little eyes are watching...

In Kansas City we stayed with a friend of mine from grad school.  Her daughter is 20 years old and about to be a mother herself. This is another family that is very special to us. I had some great talks with this young lady about the future and her dreams. On our last night she left a thank you note and a small gift in our room. Again, I was surprised and teary.

Little eyes are watching...

I don't share this to brag on myself. I share this to make a point. I am not a parent. I still consider myself young. However, there is a generation of younger people behind me and I have the opportunity to invest in them, a responsibility to be a good example to them.

Why? Because, little eyes are watching...

What little eyes are watching you? Are you setting an example worth following?

Sheri

ahhh, food. glorious food.

One of the things we missed about living in the USA is the food. We ate plenty of it on our recent visit. Just about every meeting with friends or family involved eating. I joked that when I returned to Africa they were going to tell me, "Sheri, you put on weight!" Usually, in this part of the world that is meant as a compliment. I did put on weight, just under 5 lbs. I enjoyed every bite...and the ice cream every day, too. Here are photos from some of our tasty treats. Yes, I take pictures of everything - food included.

can you say burnout? I almost lived it

It's been a rough year. I had two tearful good-byes from teams that I love and work that inspired me. We moved continents twice in the span of one year. Professionally, I was struggling to connect with the work in Mozambique. I felt like a young teenager who was scared to get their heart broken again. Because of this, I was just doing a job. I'd show up to work, check things off my to do list, go home. I hardly felt connected to what was going on in the field. I wasn't investing heavily in relationships with people. I was numb in some places and hard in others. There were many times I thought it would just be easier to throw in the towel. I left for home leave weary and had only one goal; find my passion again - if I could not, then I should get out as I wasn't doing anyone any favors in the state I was in.

Today, I am in a much better place. It is amazing what a little rest will do, it does the body (and the spirit) good! I also did some specific things to help renew my soul.

While in New Mexico I visited the Sangre de Cristo mountains. I love nature, mountains in particular. I hiked for hours, then watched a beginning painting class as I sat soaking in the sunshine. 

I purposefully and accidentally met with people who have impacted me in positive ways over the years, those who serve faithfully decade after decade.

We visited with many good friends. This is just a sample from Kansas City.

I also attended the annual Global Leadership Summit - the one conference I make sure to attend every year. Why? It inspires me. It envigorates me. It reminds me what a privelege it is to do what I do for a living, despite the difficulties. The conference this year did not disappoint...but more on that later.

I had lost my passion somewhere along the way. I didn't like operating without it. Somewhere in the past few weeks I found it again. There is wisdom in my employers strategy of allowing us home leave. Going home allows us to be refreshed so we can return anew, ready to face the daily challenges of this work and life.

I have already started back at work. Today is the start of my first full week. Here we go...

Sheri

back in Africa

In the past few weeks we have been in four states (New Mexico, Virginia and Kansas/Missouri) for a few days each. We had a great time visiting family and friends at each stop. Sadly, we did not get to see everyone we wanted to see and it was difficult to say good-bye.

We had a sweet welcome back to Africa. Some of the staff had come over and made sure our place was clean, stocked our fridge with food and left us flowers with a note. They even provided us dinner the first night in country, I was overwhelmed by their kindness.

I have already returned to work. Over the coming days I will post picutres of our visit to the USA and begin to post again about our life in Mozambique. I hope you are enjoying the remaining days of summer.

Sheri