Miss Marshall returns to Burkina

I don’t really know where to begin. I guess I will start by saying that I am here in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso safe and healthy! It has been an adventure so far! I’ll back up to Friday, departure day!

Friday
I left my house around 11:30pm after my “last meal” as dad would say at Olive Garden with Mom and Dad. We headed to Pittsburgh and said our goodbyes. I then flew to JFK where Eddie was waiting for me when I got off the plane…what a good surprise! I haven’t seen him since the beginning of August. We had dinner together in the airport and tried to catch up as much as possible. We eventually made our way to the International terminal, and since Eddie wasn’t allowed to go through security with me, we decided to chat awhile at the food court. I had my boarding pass to Casablanca and was told that I would not need to check in till I arrived there in Morocco. So, it was almost time for the plane to board, so Eddie and I said our goodbyes, and then the lady at the gate told me that my boarding pass was no good. Umm…what? I hollered for Eddie, and we quickly followed a man to Royal Air Maroc’s ticket counter as he said, “I hope that they are still opened.” You can imagine the state I am in right now as I was quite emotional before this! We arrived at the ticket counter and the lights were out, and there was no line. We found a man that worked there….a tall, intimidating man…and he looked directly at me and said, “sorry, it’s too late. We’re closed.” I then stared at him and then Eddie for a few seconds and burst into tears. He then proceeded to tell me he was “just kidding.” Funny joke! I then took my new ticket to security and said goodbye to Eddie, still crying. I called Mom and Dad one more time on American soil and tried to explain the previous situation. My poor family! As I got on the plane, the man from the ticket counter was there, and said, “Oh, you’re still crying! Stop that!” and laughed. I then finally started to calm down. As the plane took off, I realized for the first time how crazy this idea may be…the whole traveling to Africa by myself. I have to admit that I was incredibly nervous…more about my upcoming experience in Casablanca knowing how long I had there and not knowing what the airport would be like. I kept repeating Joshua 1:9 over and over in my head to fight back tears, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” These were exactly the feelings that I had! I thank God for the calming peace He gave me that evening and thus far. I was able to sleep a decent amount on the plane which was a blessing for the next day.

Saturday
This day can be summed up by waiting! I arrived in Casablanca around 7:00am. My luggage was there which was comforting. Only one more stop to go! After using the “Do you speak English question” several times, I finally found out how to get to the ticket counter and lugged my things upstairs. I wasn’t sure if I would be able to check in 15 or so hours early, but thankfully, I did. The man at the ticket counter spoke some English, so he told me that I could go to the hotel. I didn’t know where it was, and was NOT leaving the airport. I was already way out of my comfort zone. Also, because of safety reasons, my parents and I decided to take this flight instead of going to the hotel overnight. So, I told the man “no thank you.” He said, “Mam…do you know you are here for a long time?” I told him that it was okay, and he looked at me like I was crazy. After I had my boarding pass, I asked the man where a phone was. I needed to let my family know that I had arrived safety to Morocco. I found this hole in the wall dark shop that sells cell phones and phone cards. I saw a payphone on the wall, so I dialed the numbers that the phone card people had told me (that I had checked three times for MOROCCO). It didn’t work. I thought that it was just because I didn’t understand how to work the actual phone, so I asked the man at the desk, “Do you speak English?” He responded by putting up two fingers close together…very close together! I tried to explain that my card is supposed to work, and he kept saying “no Morocco.” After 10 minutes of going back and forth, I decided to buy his 60 minute phone card that he kept shoving in my face. I didn’t expect to use my Euros yet, so I had to grab some money from my money belt underneath my jeans. I tried to be discreet, but it didn’t work. He started laughing at me. I asked him if he could help me dial on the phone since I was already frustrated. He took his fancy card, all excited, and put it in the phone, and it didn’t work. I’m sure he thought, “I am in trouble now.” He tried a few more times—no luck. The phone kept reading something in Arabic that meant… “ERROR!” He shrugged his shoulders and said in broken English, “I don’t know.” He then tried to write down my number on paper to see what was wrong. He realized that there was an extra one. He tried again and it started ringing! Mom answered, and of course I started crying! See a pattern here? I promised her I was okay, but I don’t think she believed me. She asked if I was safe, but I really didn’t know the answer to that yet. Our conversation lasted only a few minutes, no more than 3, because my phone card showed 18 minutes already gone. I then waited around the middle of the ticketing room because I didn’t know what would be on the other side of the gate, and I had a long time to wait. I met two older women—Iris and Norah—from Scotland. One was Irish! I really enjoyed talking to them. They were trying to “ring London” because of flight mess ups. Iris knew if she ringed London, the problem would be solved. I hope she got through on that stupid phone! Ha! I then sat a little longer, knowing I had some time to kill! I figured I would sit there until I came in contact with an English speaking person that could tell me about the rest of the airport. God is good because a Dutch girl, Wendy, sat down right beside me. She was a little older than me and was in Morocco for a friend’s wedding. She checked her things in, and we both went through customs and security. I was glad we did because there was a lot more on the other side. Not nearly like Pittsburgh, but it at least had a few shops and food stands. Wendy and I explored a little and talked. This made the time go until 1pm when she left. I ran into the man from the ticket counter, and he said, “Mam, are you sure you don’t want a hotel room?” I again said, “no thank you.” This time he just walked away shaking his head. I sure have had a lot of people look at me like I’m a crazy lately! :) I was bored silly for the rest of the night. People watching is fun…especially in another country…but after 14 hours it gets lame. I didn’t hear English for about 10 hours. When I was waiting at my gate around 10:10pm (boarding time), I met a girl from Germany going to Burkina who spoke English. She and I talked for awhile as African time we boarded around 11pm and didn’t take off till after 11:30pm since I was sleeping then. I woke up for breakfast at 2:30am which is when we were supposed to be landing in Ouagadougou. I was then a little nervous about whoever was supposed to pick me up. Anyways, I landed in Burkina at 3:30AM…an hour late.

Sunday
I guess it was Sunday now. There were three buses that were waiting to take us ten feet to the airport which I remembered thinking was so funny last time. I saw a man that I talked with in line as we were boarding in Casablanca, so I joined him on the first bus. I thought it was funny that we were the only two on that bus. But, I thought, well…we will get through customs first! Well, our bus took us to an unfamiliar entrance. After the guard looked through my passport and kept shaking her head no, I thought there must be something wrong. I thought I’d help her out by showing her my visa. I realized then from my little friend, that we were at the wrong entrance. Here we had went to the VIP entrance for officials who skip customs. NICE! Yep, right on the bus was a big sign! We were now last in line through customs. Good news…my bags were both there! Thank you, God! That was so reassuring! I then went outside and saw a sign that had my name on it that was held by a Burkinabe man. It sure wasn’t like in the movies, but at least it was my name, and he had a big smile! His name is Justan (Justin in the states); however, this evening I thought he said Pizsta. Hmmm…don’t know?!? Anyways, I remembered that the last time I arrived, I was scared by the Burkinabe who try to sell you things outside the airport. They are very pushy and intimidating. This time I knew what to expect, so I was okay. Justan grabbed by bag and another man grabbed my other one. They loaded them in the van, and the man started talking to me in some language. I don’t know what he said, but I know it involved me giving him money. I wasn’t sure what I was supposed to do, so I looked at Justan who shook his head. He only spoke French. He opened the door for me, and I got in and closed it. The man wanting money kept getting louder and looked like he was trying to open my door. I held it closed while Justan got in and finally started the car. The thought ran through my head, “French would sure be nice right now.” I hoped that Justan was taking me to Sheila’s house, but I didn’t know. So, I just prayed that he was truly the man that I heard was coming to get me. The side streets got darker and darker. One time I thought he was pulling over, but he just slowed down a lot and turned to miss a big bump in the road. We pulled up to a house, and I was hoping that Sheila was on the other side…she was!! She greeted me with a hug, and she showed me to my room. We sat down for about 15 minutes and had some water before getting some well needed sleep. Wow…I am here!

I woke up around 2:30 in the afternoon, and went to the living room to meet Sheila’s son, John. The three of us went to the US embassy for lunch. I went here 2 times the last time I was here, and really liked the food. We then went to the school, and Sheila showed me around as we got last minute things done. The rest of the evening Sheila and I talked and watched some TV. I also had some great tea which reminded me of Ireland…that good! :) Sheila went to bed around 9, so I did some journaling and looked around my room for lizards because Sheila warned me that one lives behind the hot water tank in my bathroom. When I looked, there were two tails. Then, as I was sitting on my bed, I looked up to make sure none could possibly be on the ceiling, and I was wrong…there was a pair of eyes staring at me. They are all over. This reminded me of Paraguay a lot. Ellen, I thought of you last night! I felt like the first night I was in Ypetimi and moths were falling down on us all over our bodies. I knew that they couldn’t hurt us, but they still freaked me out. Same situation. I am not used to showering with lizards or hoping they are not in my bed. I just pray that one doesn’t fall on my head or on my face anytime! I was thinking that God sure has stretched me between Paraguay and Burkina. I don’t think He is done with me yet, but I know that I have become a lot better.

Monday
Today was my first day at the school. The class has 15 kindergarten and first graders. What a difference between 15 and 32! These kids are precious! I love this age! I already know that this is going to be a wonderful experience. The principal got together with me today which was nice, and I learned more about the school. One funny story…we had show and tell today, every Monday, and one girl brought a rabbit. Sheila already has another rabbit, a turtle, and a hedgehog as a pet. So, she added the other rabbit to the cage. After break time, the little kids came running in, and one little girl said to me, “The rabbits are hugging each other. I think they are falling in love!” Let’s just say that bunnies will be here soon! :) I love the slow pace of life here which is also in the classroom. The students are from all different countries which is awesome because it is a true international school. I was busy learning their names that are hard to pronounce and getting to know their little personalities.

After school the technology man from the school came over to hook up my laptop to the internet here. This was a blessing so that I can keep in contact somewhat.

Sheila and I then went back to the school to meet up with some other teachers and some junior high girls. The group of us went to the outskirts of Ouagadougou to an orphanage that houses about 15 babies. What a heartbreaking experience. Sheila goes every Monday to hold and love on these little ones. I think that I will go with her each time. I can’t begin to describe the smell of urine and dirty babies…much worse than a nursing home. There were several times when I tried not to gag at the baby I was holding. Then, there was one baby that was the most malnourished baby I have ever seen. The lady working there gave her to me to hold. It was everything I could do to fight back tears. This precious baby was several months old but her body was not big enough to hold up her head. She maybe weighed three pounds. She just kept crying. I didn’t even know how to hold a baby that small. I sang “Jesus Loves Me” to her as I prayed for her. It is comforting to know that she has a Father who loves her so much and His heart is breaking for that one little one because she is precious in His sight.

Well, I think that this blog is huge already, so I better do a few other things before I go to bed. I hope that all of you are doing well. Know that I am doing well and learning a lot! God is good! :)

Im almost there...

I am in Casablanca, Morocco now going on my 13th hour. It has been a really long day. English is fading out each stop, so I have been reading and journaling. This trip has already been quite the adventure starting yesterday. I have been really emotional which I think is due to just the pressure of traveling alone. I am really excited to get to Burkina tonight...or tomorrow at 2:30am. I also cant wait to get on the plane in a few hours so that I can sleep. Not really being able to talk and the small terminal has made me sleepy b/c I am bored. I know that this isnt much of an update but Im on a timer and the keyboard is not American, making typing somewhat difficult. Thanks for all of your prayers thus far. I cant wait to share more. Love you all. :)

One malaria pill down and thirteen to go

Today I took my first of fourteen anti-malaria pills. The journey has officially started. Traveling always seems like a reality with this medicine to me. Also, this weekend has been great so far with closure to relationships here at Taylor. I have had a wonderful week full of dinner dates, coffee dates, and just spending quality time with friends and even some family.

It is hard to believe that in a week, I will be in Morocco sitting around for fourteen hours waiting for my next plane to Burkina. Please pray for this.....for safety and that I won't go stir crazy! :) I am starting to get more excited about this new adventure but also am still anxious. I think that once I get there I will be okay and my heart will be calmed. The aspect of traveling alone has hit me quite hard. However, my Protector will be right with me the whole time.

Today I was asked if there was a question that I feel I am asking God about this experience or something that I specifically am hoping to get out of it. My prayer is that God will confirm in my heart whether or not He wants me to teach in an international school or somewhere else overseas. Right now, that is where my heart is, and I have an idea of what this may look like; however, I know that only by experiencing it will I truly understand some of the unique dynamics. If you think of it, would you join me in praying about this? I long to serve God and bring glory to His name whether that is in Canfield, Ohio or in Burkina Faso or in some other part of the world. I want God's voice to be ever so transparent to me during these next two months. I cannot express my thankfulness for your prayers!

Well, it is time to do some more packing up. I will be heading home to Canfield, Ohio on Tuesday after school. I am greatly looking forward to the few days that I will have with my family.

Here are a few pictures of my precious family from last weekend!

Dad, me, and Mom

Bri and me...he is trying hard not to laugh at his funny sister. ;)

Our newest addition to our family....LEXI!!!! :)

Gramps, me, and Grandma after lunch at my favorite restaurant...Antones!

Precious gifts like these come only from our loving Father!

The Ocean

This is my third week of full time teaching, and when they say full time, they mean it. Even though I literally come home around 5:30 pm, eat, plan, and go to bed.....I am LOVING teaching! I end up laughing all day long...inside and outside (even when I am trying to be serious and the "adult"). The more that I teach, the more that I realize how much this fits me and who God has created me to be. This semester has been a major challenge and struggle for me socially. A lot has changed with people and with schedules; it hasn't been easy. However, I feel that God has used this heartache for good like always. I have been able to pour my whole self into student teaching and feel like I am succeeding. It is the first time since I have been at Taylor that I have been able to just focus on my relationship with God and one thing. Being a TU student, you end up being over committed and spread too thin. I forgot what it felt like to truly give my all to something. This has been so refreshing!

This week at school I am teaching a unit on the OCEAN!!! Being a scuba diver, I am really passionate about the ocean. Also, last year for my thematic unit, I did it on the ocean. So, it has been so rewarding to get to actually use this unit and to see how the students respond to my ideas. Two days in of fun and three more to go....with a BEACH PARTY on Friday! Get excited! :)

Today my teacher was videotaping my science lesson (the second one I have ever taught...the first being yesterday) about the animals that live in the coral reef, so I was already feeling a little under pressure. Then, as I was teaching, the principal walked in and observed me. I think that it went well, and I surprisingly was not that nervous.

So, two weeks from today, I will be done teaching and on my way home to Ohio for a few days before I head to Burkina Faso. I cannot believe that I am at this point already. I know that my experience in Africa will fly by, also. Therefore, I am going to try to soak the life out of the culture, the people, teaching, and lessons and growth that the Lord has for me. Now, I will continue to pray as I wait.

The One with all the Spilling

Today can be summed up by saying that I literally and emotionally am spilling everything. Thank goodness that I have a Father and a grille worker to clean up my mess!

The one with full time teaching and surrender

This is my sixth week of student teaching....it is seriously flying by!! When people ask how it is going, I simply say, "I love it!" And I do! Every morning when I walk through those doors, I get excited for what is ahead. Being with these students has brought me so much joy which has been so comforting and encouraging. I know that I am right where God wants me. I laugh either to myself or aloud all day long. Today was one of those out loud experiences! One of my students who is a handful to say the very least, decided to beat up a baby doll. Knowing how devastating this would be to a little girl as I myself once related to this, I took the baby doll away and put it next to another baby doll...but I couldn't help laughing when this kid said, "ah, shoot....looky there...twins!" It really isn't that funny writing this, but I seriously could not control my laughter and had to walk away. Whether it is something like that or a nine year old asking me to be his girlfriend...there is always laughter! Besides laughter, I am learning SO MUCH! I am now teaching full time and am really enjoying it. It has been a unique week since ISTEP (Indiana's standardized test) is occurring. Next week we will begin with ISTEP and end the week with a field trip and then all day in-service at Taylor which will be exciting. I really miss being a part of the Taylor community and really miss attending chapel. I think that even though it has been difficult in many aspects to not experience the normal TU life, it has been so good for me. God has taught me so much already, and the year has just begun!

Since I arrived at Taylor, God has been really speaking to my heart about surrender. I have a really difficult time letting anything or anyone go that I love...especially when it is my family and close friends. For years I have struggled with putting my family and friends as my first priority. I guess I just rationalized it by making God a really close 2nd. However, this year God has begun to show me areas in my life that can no longer be that way. I am so thankful for the change that he has been making in my heart. I was reading in Genesis about how God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac. He only waited 100 years to have this kid! What must have Abraham thought as he walked up the mountain beside his precious son who asks his father, "Dad, where's the lamb?". I was awestruck as Abraham responds, "God will provide the lamb," thinking at that point that it was his own son. Then, when God sees Abraham's heart, he blesses him for listening to His voice and being willing to give up his son, his only son- for His sake. This passage jumped out at me as I realized I am experiencing just a glimpse of this situation. God may not have me move thousands of miles away from my family and those I love, but He may. And either way, He wants to know that I am willing and trusting. I have said that I will go anywhere He leads me, but it has taken me a long time to realize that it must mean more than words or intentions but a total surrender of myself. I can't say that I am there all of the way...but I know that my faithful and loving God is molding my heart and holding my hand.

With the whole surrender issue and other situations, I have been very emotional this semester thus far. Even though there is pain and uncertainty, strangely enough I am so content and happy at where I am. I thank God for the joy that He has given me.

The one with the precious love of Jesus

Tonight I am overwhelmed by the love of God. And with that, I am saddened by how much we (me included) as Christians don't take advantage of this all surpassing love. Last night I went to the Spiritual Renewal service, and Colin Smith spoke. The theme is living a Gospel centered life. Since Paraguay God has been really speaking to my heart about the Gospel and what that really means in my life and in sharing it with unbelievers. We often take for granted truly how blessed we are are "sons of God." Colin shared what adoption in Christ really means which I thought was an awesome way of explaining this beautiful picture. He said that the legal part is the hard part and really expensive. Christ made our adoption legal by His death on the cross and shedding His precious blood for our sins. It was the most expensive price He could have paid. But...He thought that I was worth it...and you too! Then, the next part in adoption is the bonding experience. Christ does this by giving us the Holy Spirit and being able to communicate with Him. Wow....I left just thinking about how I don't thank God enough for His love. I think that I often am in such a schedule with God, so I forget to stop and think about who He truly is. Colin read a quote from John Owen, a puritian writer that explained the true heart of God so well. "The greatest sorrow and burdem you can lay on God the Father, the greatest unkindness to Him is not to believe that He loves you." WOW! This is the God that we serve! One that longs to be compassionate to us (Isaiah 30:18) and hear us cry out, "Abba, Father!"

This whole sermon about the love of God came at the perfect time for me. Yesterday and today I have been kind of frustrated with student-teaching overall. I think that there are several things that this stems from...mainly that I am still trying to get used to all of these changes. I am having a difficult time being at Taylor but not being a real student. I miss chapel so much! Last night reminded me of that; however, I am so thankful that I still have the opportunity to experience things like Spiritul Renewal. As far as student teaching, I am teaching about half of the day....less than I thought I would be teaching at week 5, so I have not been too overwhelmed yet. I think that living off campus is required for a reason! I know that I would never be able to complete student teaching in the dorm with all of the distractions (mainly fun ones!!!). Even though there are so many great things about living off campus and I know that it is what I need, I am stiill struggling. I hate that friendships have already changed due to different lives now. I hope that in the spring things go somewhat back to normal because I miss certain people so much.

Well, I think that I am going to go the other spiritual renewal service and then spend the rest of my evening planning for tomorrow and the rest of this week.