So much to be thankful for!

 

 

Enough said, right? Our lives are so full. We have friends and family in the United States that we think about daily and love so much. We know that they are faithfully praying for us, providing for so many needs both financially and emotionally and laughing with us through this incredible journey we are on.  We have new family and friends here in Sierra Leone that love us, support us, and make fun of us when we can’t live up to African standards and generally make us feel like this is home. We are blessed beyond belief.

We spent Thanksgiving as a family. Of course, we were the only ones here celebrating, but we made a point to spend it in much the same way we would if we were home. (You know, for the kids, yeah right) If you saw my face book post, I am still bragging about my miraculous T-day feast. I cooked all day and pulled off a perfect imitation of festive goodness. Roasted Chicken (no turkeys around, boo), broccoli and cheese, beans, fried apples, stuffing, mashed potatoes, carrots and even some fudgy brownies were on the menu. The amazing portion, it was all on a large coal pot, called a wonder stove and a little on a gas cook top that you use like when we are camping. We decorated the house. Set out our best plates (which are also our everyday plates, well, they are the only plates in the house) which were beautiful, Heather Butler. We did good work! We gorged ourselves on yummy food and Skyped with our families and spent time making crafts with the girls. All in all, it was a good day.

Now, I would be lying if I said I had no mental breakdowns during the day. I love the holidays. I love being with our family. I love seeing aunts and uncles. I love cooking together and playing together. This year we missed decorating the tree at my dad’s. I missed attempting to defeat my father in law at a highly competitive, full of trash talk game of ping pong. (Don’t worry Don, I haven’t forgotten I owe you) We had conversations about what our families were doing at home and what we would be doing if we were there.

But then, we had conversations about how we love being at home. And we referred to Sierra Leone as home. We laughed and hung up our homemade decorations. (Only one tree this year, it’s crazy) We had visitors stop in just to wish us happy Thanksgiving because they had heard it was that holiday for us. We truly had a wonderful day. The happy and sad were there, but what holiday doesn’t have that?

Our blessings are so many. Our home is secure and perfect for our needs. Our friends are just what God knows we need. Our bellies are full and we are relatively healthy. We are watched over in ways we can’t know and allowed the trials that grow our faith. We are stretched and molded we are provided for and completely taken care of. How could we not be thankful?

We are most thankful for our little family. We constantly look at each other and wonder how on earth our children are turning out so well. I know, you now all feel obligated to tell us how awesome Michael and I are, but we go to bed with each other every night, we know better. There is nothing good in us to raise such amazing girls. We knew we would grow and change here and we would see changes in our kids, but frankly, we weren’t sure which way those changes would go! Never have we seen our kids blossom and grow than over the past couple of months.

A couple of months ago, our morning was flipped upside down. A desperate father, grandmother and village chief showed up at our front gate. We often get visits from people asking for help, so it didn’t seem that unusual at first. There was a terrible cholera outbreak here in Sierra Leone this year. Many people died and we were on high alert for some time. A young woman in a neighboring village had died three days prior due to this outbreak, leaving behind her husband, 2 year old daughter and 3 week old baby. The family brought the children to our gate hoping we could get them in touch with the right people who could help care for the children. Through conversation we discovered the baby hadn’t eaten since her mother’s death 3 days earlier and the 2 year old was suffering from malnourishment as well. Children here with orange hair are a common occurrence, I’m afraid, but it is one of the first signs of being underfed. We decided to take the children in for a few days until a social worker could come to do an intake.

I am going to pause this story to explain some things. We Americans often have these preconceived ideas of what love looks like and what a parent will do if they love their kids. I know, I have had these same thoughts. First, the average income here, around $1.25 a day. This is average. Meaning the population that brings in nothing most days is huge. This is a country of haves and have-nots. Not everyone has a little. Countless people bring home no money for weeks. They eat what they grow or trap or hunt. This is how they survive. The nearest “town” to us is a one hour drive and we are the only people in town with a car. The town has no factories, maybe 10 businesses, no industry. There are no jobs. NONE! So, those thoughts that you may have went to about what that father should have done, stop it. This man farms. He makes something called gari, which is incredibly hard work and occasionally he can sell some, when other people in his village find a way to get money. The man had no access to formula he had no access to better foods. He was doing all that he could do to provide for his family all while grieving bitterly over the loss of his wife. His love and compassion for his children astounds and amazes me. This father’s care for these two girls is stronger than I can understand. This is Sierra Leone. Strong, fiercely loyal, caring, compassionate, loving people, who work tirelessly to provide for and care for the basic needs of themselves and their families. My bare bones American budget, please, I don’t know poverty. It can’t be described until you look through the eyes of a hungry father at his hungry children.

Back to the story, through a turn of events, the children’s few days with us has turned into the last 2 months. Which, another rabbit to chase, if you will, if you aren’t sponsoring a child, shame on you. There are so many kids who need so much. Not new Christmas gifts or movie day, but food enough for at least one meal. Find an organization and sponsor a child, NOW, go!! I have a favorite, check out therainingseason.org. I love those kids and the way the founders and staff care for them. Back again, during this time God has made one thing blaringly obvious. These two girls are Ropiecki children, through and through. We love them. We need them. We have no doubts. This is crazy, right? We live in three rooms. NOT three bedrooms, three rooms. Our toilet is outside, our kitchen is outdoors we don’t own a tv!! Do you know how little it takes to take care for a baby? I have no baby seat, high chari, bumbo, swing, pacifier, diaper wipe warmer, crib or mobile. But she is happy and healthy. Ever potty trained a baby that has grown up in the bush and doesn’t speak English? She takes dumps in our yard on a regular basis. Sometimes the front steps and she spends a lot of time naked running around yelling Mende at us. But honestly, how many times have my kids behaved similarly? (Holly Lanius, if you read this, remember the incident with Ella in your front yard?) We are so excited to have them here. It is such an adventure and joy. When the two year old started calling Michael “daddy”, I thought I would never get him off of cloud nine. And when I pick up the now almost 3 month old and she gives me the big grin with those cute dimple flashes my heart is full. Aubrey, Anna and Ella have once again proved themselves the perfect children, when they came to us and said you aren’t really going to send them to an orphanage are you? They love us and we love them. They argue and bug each other, they giggle at night instead of sleeping and they all love each other.

So, it is with so much giddiness that we introduce Hawa and Maggie. They are amazing beautiful girls that we didn’t plan but God once again knew we needed. We have a long road ahead because adoption isn’t an easy thing here and there is a different route we will have to take, but we are confident this is our path. We can’t wait for you to meet them!

 

 

 

A rotten day

I usually try to keep my posts upbeat and positive. I don’t really know why. Maybe it’s because I don’t want my family to freak out over all that goes on here. Or maybe I don’t want to freak myself out by putting into words all that I experience. But this isn’t going to be a blog that leaves you happy or that makes you think wow, they are adjusting well. This is a blog about death, sin and sadness. It’s about poverty and hurt, pain that most of us will never know. It’s a picture of what I see so often, but don’t put into words. It is Sierra Leone.

3 weeks ago, I met for the first time a 13 year old girl on the front porch of her mud hut. This child had a younger sister about 8 and they were being cared for by their 18 year old brother because they had lost both of their parents several years ago. A child raising children…..

This, however, was not what brought me to their front porch. I went to the village to administer first aid to a few of the villagers. Nothing complex….boils, cuts and infected scrapes, simple infections and colds. And then I saw her. She was sitting on the porch maybe weighing in at 65 or 70 pounds. She was pale and obviously in pain. Michael had seen her the day before and wanted me to take a look. I stepped onto the porch and had to turn my head. I am not a person with a weak stomach. I have squeezed maggots out of a man’s arm…..I’m unflappable. But the smell coming from this small girl wasn’t anything I have encountered before. Then I moved the cloth from her stomach. Green bile was seeping from a gaping hole in her belly button. I was at a loss. Michael and I both were stunned. I patched her up and we began forming a plan for what we thought the girl needed. It took time (most things here do) but we drove her to the local clinic to see the Community Health Official……where she was promptly turned away and told there was no treatment. Michael drove to Moyamba, one hour away. They refused to take her in the hospital. After a few hours, he was finally informed there was an ambulance that could take her to Freetown for free treatment. Wahoo!! We were so happy and excited.

We got a call the next day from her brother that she was in Bo (a city 6 or so hours from Freetown, in the opposite direction from Bauya) and they needed money for a blood transfusion. Our kids have been dealing with a skin issue, nothing major, but we decided to have it looked at and went to Bo to help. Only to get there and find out the doctor who does the surgeries left the country because he was nervous about election time. There are 88 doctors in this country. That day there was at least one less. Never have I wanted 88 doctors like we did that day. This little girl was then put on a bus and shipped to Freetown to be turned away, yet again at another hospital. Another bus took them north to a hospital that promised results. All of this took place while she continued to ooze bile, her intestines were basically hanging out and she was so thin…..there aren’t words to describe this.

We got word that the little girl died. The hospital kept putting the surgery off because they wanted more money. MORE MONEY! What is the price of this little girl’s life? Somewhere around $100. She will not return to her small sister who cried and wailed when her sister was taken from her. Yet one more person has left this tiny girl’s life. This brother buried another family member, he put her to rest several hours north in an unmarked grave. The numbers have faces! The children are alone and dying. Who stands for them?

We decided a few months ago to hire full time security at our compound. We now have a day guard and night guard on duty 24/7. I know you are imagining guys walking around with clubs looking tough. Trust me they are tough, but we love them!

It is hot in Sierra Leone. Check a map, 8 degrees above the equator, makes for a hot sticky place. Seeing that electricity is not an option, you can bet that air conditioning is also not on the list of things we have. Instead, outside has become an extension of our home. It is where our classroom is. It is the kitchen we hang out in. It is the playroom where my kids romp around and play. Consequently, we spend a lot of time with our guards. They have become like family. They greet us at shift time. They check to see how we are. We’ve met their families. They play soccer with my kids. I take them food when we have leftovers. They call me Mommy Rachel (yes, this freaked me out at first. I would have been like 12 to have some of these be my children) But the name has grown on me and we truly love them.

At 7:15 this morning, a text came over Michael’s phone. I picked it up, still groggy to read a message from Patrick our guard. While he was on duty this morning, his 9 month old son died. This boy was at my gate last night. His mother came to me for medicine. I gave what I had not realizing the boy was so sick. He was smiling and giggling, although I could tell he wasn’t feeling well. This morning the smiling stopped. My heart hurts. This baby’s life just started….

I know the kind words that you are thinking, I know you want to lift us up. But frankly, it’s not about us. Looking at this young mother crying and putting her baby in a hole where dirt is tossed on his face….how do we lift that mother up?

In this area, most firstborns are not buried. Why, you ask? Because it is so common for children to die that they just go to the dust bin. This is not a culture that doesn’t love and care for their kids, but a culture who would be crushed under the weight of their loss. A world where grieving is a full time job if you let it be. A community that sees heartbreak as a way of life. Oh Jesus, be the light here.

I read a quote recently, that I will butcher, but it said something like poverty isn’t being without things it’s being without options. It’s true. There were no options for the little girl being sent from hospital to hospital looking for someone, anyone, to help. That mother had nowhere to go. After seeing the local doctor and getting the meds there was nowhere for a second opinion. There is no, I will pick up an extra shift to earn money for a really good doctor. No, I don’t like what that doctor said, I will go somewhere else. I didn’t understand poor until I saw people dying from it.

This post has a few purposes. One, I just need to vent. I won’t lie, I miss first world problems. Starbucks only serves caramel apple spices a few times a year. Target only has the shoes I want in a 7 ½. I have wanted several times to pack my bags, live in comfort and AC near my friends and family and chalk this up to a strange little time that I learned from. I am confident these pictures could fade if I can just get far enough away. But that is not where I am. And I want to get it off my chest!

It is also an honest picture of what we see. You need to know. This “adventure” we are on is ugly. It’s hard. It’s so full of sad some days I feel swallowed by it. I have been spared some of this tragedy only because I was born a few thousand miles west. A small ocean is all that has separated me from this hurt and loss. How have I lived so blind?

Now, that’s all said. Do know that we have also experienced joy and happiness like you can’t imagine. We have seen love displayed in incredible ways and God has displayed his majesty in ways I can’t describe. “Momma’s in a dark place” tonight, but I know tomorrow will bring the sunrise and a project that will hopefully save some of these lives from a similar fate of the children whose stories I shared. You know that story about the starfish littering the beach and the guy is picking them up one by one and throwing them back in the sea but there are like a million more all around. Someone says hey dude, you’ll never make a difference here and Mr. throw the starfish back says, “ I just made a difference to that one” as he throws another in. Have you heard it? Our beach is so full right now it can be hard to see the difference. But it’s there, I know.

Pray for these children. Pray for these parents. Pray for the leaders and the doctors. Pray for a divine difference.

 

Broom vs. medicine and medievil mayhem

I’m sorry for the silence. I can’t even try to explain how insane our lives have been the past few weeks. You wouldn’t believe me if I tried!

We have had some extreme joys and some extreme heartbreak. We pressed those in sickness and in health vows. We also had the privilege of sharing the country we love with people we love from good ‘ol TN. Between all of that, the rain and a few days of copious amounts of bathroom usage, we officially move to Bauya. (No it wasn’t cholera)

It is like no other place I have ever been. We were prepared by everyone to feel a bit isolated and lonely here in SL. Bauya did not get the notice! We have the cool kid’s house and everyone comes to hang out! EVERYONE!!

So many people have asked “what is a typical day for you?” Ha…..ha, ha, ha. Typical? Well, let’s see. Some mornings we are awoken by the town crier. (No joke, that’s his job. Hence the medieval title reference) Of course, he makes his announcements in Mende and we are pretty limited there. So it is our hope that he doesn’t warn us of some horrific impending doom. We then lay in bed, in the semi-dark, wondering if we can put off heading out to the toilet just 5 more minutes because once we are spotted it’s all over!

Eventually, the urge overcomes. I get fully clothed and head out to the outhouse. Now, we do have the deluxe model of outhouses, so don’t spend too much time lamenting our plight. It is complete with toilet and septic tank. No running water, but the jug we keep in there keeps everything……not bad.

When I open the back door to exit the house and make my way to the backyard, I often encounter various types of game that have been trapped that morning and can be mine for dinner that night. Freetown Bo (a tiny cute deer, very sad to see, very tasty to eat!), ground pig (a giant rat, complete with tail), and monkey (really no explanation needed) are a few that we have had waiting for our approval. I have been perfecting my, “Oh it’s just a regular old dead animal on my back porch” face. If you have spent more than 5 minutes with me you can understand how difficult this is for me. Said meat is then skinned and butchered and displayed on a banana leaf in my backyard for me. Ahhhh, dinner is underway!

Then, somehow, I have been confused for a doctor. It was a dream until I realized how much chemistry was involved and then my major was promptly changed to a degree that would require no lab time! I treat wounds, hand out dewormer and some general antibiotics when necessary. While all this happens, Michael is checking on the worksite, dealing with the carpenter (all of our things are in the floor of our house, 6 mos. of suitcase living is causing me to twitch), hearing people’s cases for why they should be employed and trying desperately to down that ever precious cup of coffee.

Now, it is 9 AM and I still haven’t used the bathroom!

Impromptu visits from the chief and other officials are quite common and this requires a costume change and cold cokes. We do have a freezer! Woot, Woot! We occasionally run our generator in the evening and it cools it down nicely. There are some beautiful women who have been helping with cooking and various other domestic chores that I try to accomplish between all the visitors each day. So we collectively try to catch up on laundry and cook a meal while the kids play with all the children that frequent our yard. (Don’t tell them, but school starts for our girls this week so their days of play are numbered.)

I am explaining things to them like the gas stove, why I wash my hands so much and how it is better to use a can opener than the giant knife for the tomato paste. All while they laugh and tease me for my inability to wring clothes, wash rice and sweep. Apparently, I’ve had a lot wrong for a long time!

At some point, Michael finds his way home and we eat while 50 of our friends watch. Our girls have made a theme song and phrase to our adventures. The first, “I always feel like, somebody’s watching me!” The other is Aubrey waving and under her breath to Anna saying, “Smile and wave boys, smile and wave!”

We often walk up to Chieftown at night. That’s the classy section of town. All the men engage in a game of football (soccer), while the kids play and ladies talk. Then back home, where, inevitably, there is another crowd. Eventually, our neighbor comes over and tells everyone to go home. Prayer time and falling into bed are all we can manage at that point! Whew, that day is done!

We love the village and the people. (Not to be confused with the village people. Although my hips can’t help but shake at some YMCA) We even love our little home. And it feels just like that, home. Our lives will change, the new will wear off and we will find our routine, but until then we are enjoying the chaos!

We will continue to choose meat, hold babies, doctor wounds and love on the people we meet there. Eventually, we will learn Mende, starting with learning to pronounce broom and not actually asking for medication.

Much love from Bauya!!

 

The father of all mix ups

I gave myself a fabulous pep talk before I left the US on how I was going to blog weekly. These blogs would be insightful, moving, pee your pants funny and heartwarming to all our friends and family or at least the 5 or 6 who read it! But alas, I have failed. I have had many funny moments and lots of moving, but to blog about these makes me think I may lose those handful if I’m not careful!

Today was a day of shopping for household items. I was able to bring along my faithful sidekick, Haley, and we pushed, pulled and bartered our way through the big market downtown. A few things about shopping here; there is no stopping to peruse. If you stop, you will be mobbed and before you know it you will be wearing a new dress and hat and walking away with some gari, which, if you are like me, you have no idea how to cook. So window shopping is to be done quickly and with minimum eye contact. Also, a fun question I have learned to ask, after they tell you an outrageous price, I like to say “That is a nice white price. Now what is the real price?” This usually makes them laugh and I have found ends in my negotiated price being even lower than I would have thought. (albeit higher than a nationals) But today, however, we ended up with a guide to help us. She was awesome. Someone would tells us a price, she would cluck and whisper under her breath what I should pay! Iesha is the bomb diggity! I walked out of that market feeling like a victor….a tired, smelly, sweaty, dirt covered victor! And now I have a can opener for my cans of tuna. I can put away that large butcher knife and keep all my fingers in tact! Good day.

I also took the three girls to the big market downtown. If you didn’t know, we successfully celebrated a Ropiecki birthday here in SL. Anna is 9! She had some birthday cash that was burning a whole in her pocket. We also lost a tooth in Africa (aubrey’s) and there was the fish eyeball eating dare that took place where Aubrey also made bank! (I have video, it’s awesome) So we had to go do a little retail therapy with the ladies. I also thought it was a good time to teach my girls a little haggling. Michael is not good at this. Although, with his love for not spending money, one would think this would be right up his alley. Neigh, neigh, he has other gifts. (he’s pretty) Anyway, Anna was the bomb, and we found some really great guys who were all about helping the girls out. It was so wonderful for me to see that. It can sometimes feel like everyone looks at you and hears ca-ching. (clearly they aren’t listening to us) But to see these men stoop down to talk on my kids level and actually tell them “No, that’s too much.” I wanted to hug some of those big ol’ guys. Most importantly my girls had the time of their lives! We met some really great people and I got a couple of really good laughs.

We stopped at one stall because Anna really wanted a dress. The owner of the stall was a really nice lady that I enjoyed talking to. She was asking about my children. Another woman beside her was sort of listening in on our conversation. I was asked to point out my kids. I pointed at Anna, then Aubrey and Ella was a bit further down with Michael. I pointed at her and the woman listening in, said “that is your daughter.” In the US I totally play this off and just assume people will figure this out. This does not fly here! The woman looked at Ella and said “This man is the father?” I reply “Of course.” Then I saw her face! She was utterly amazed that Michael and I could make a black baby! It was fantastic! Then Haley says, “uh, well.” I quickly add in, “it was adoption!” The shop owner laughed and said “I knew, but you might want to explain that to other people you tell!” I have laughed about this all day!!! It was epic!

I am happy to report that we will soon be in Bauya! Our house is almost completely finished and we are ready! The container will also be released soon! I am almost giddy with the thought of sleeping on my comfy mattress again. We are ready to put down our roots and put out the welcome mats! Just a few more days, then the quiet life. Ahhhhhh…….

Life as we know it.....

I just keep waiting……..I’ve been looking for some great revelation, some magical God breathed words of wisdom. I’m waiting and waiting. Today as I was riding, in a cramped taxi with my kids and husband to do something totally ordinary like go to the market and pharmacy, I realized I was waiting. I’ve been waiting for my life here to start. We are a little on hold since our house isn’t complete and the container with our stuff isn’t available to us. So, I’ve been waiting. Then I took a good look around. The sights, sounds and smells around as I rode with the windows down in the rain, were ordinary to me. I was looking at kids playing on the streets. I didn’t notice the trash. I was watching an older man tease his grandchild; I didn’t pay attention to her clothes with the holes in them, just laughed at his joke.  I simply shook my head in a way that told the woman with packages of tang that I wasn’t interested and she walked off, instead of apologizing and wondering if she needs me to buy that. With confidence, I found the store I was wanting to go to and even took the lead when Michael had no idea where to go. I told my children to “come” when we got out of the taxi. I didn’t freak when they went an isle over or stopped to look at something. I walked into the store and told everyone exactly what I needed and they totally brought it. I even know the guy to look for when we decided to buy bread on the street. These things that are now very ordinary to me were something that I couldn’t have imagined only 2 weeks ago. I noticed the trash, I smelled the fires and rot of sewage, I was completely freaked out by the honking of the cars and apologized profusely when approached by a vendor, but now it’s life.  While waiting for God to give me the go ahead to live life here, I started. Granted, that will change as soon as we are in Bauya, but for now, we live here. I LIVE here. This is home.  It frustrates me that I so easily look to him and say, “ok now do your work.” And he’s already done it. He’s created me for such a time as this. He has to shake his head and refer to me as his dumb child so often. I’m so slow sometimes.

Ella has also caught on to living life. One day last week we were riding down the road. She was “middle shotgun” her favorite place to ride, right between her daddy and Uncle Sainy. While sitting in traffic on the way back from Bauya, Ella announced to us she was hungry. (If you have spent any time with my daughter you understand this happens every 10 minutes or so) She then saw a man on the side of the road selling popcorn. Uncle Sainy spoke up and told the man to come. He of course came to the window and we bought some popcorn. I watched Ella as this transaction took place. It was like a very bright light bulb went off in the child’s head. She turns around and yells “momma, I can get food in the car anytime I want. I just hold out my hand like this and say come!” OH NO! Today, as I apologized the third time to a vendor for coming to our car because the 5 year old yelled come, I realized a monster may have been created. She has found a way to get around waiting.

African-ish

So basically, my kids are the most awesome people I know. Their faith kicks my faiths butt. I have stepped on SL soil before. I have read a ridiculous amount of books and other research. I have talked with people here, got advice from friends and family, met with pastors and even went fake shopping at several markets. My kids, on the other hand, totally “pulled an Abraham”. (yes, you can use that) With blind faith they followed their parents to a place they have never been. On every plane they had to catch they delighted in the TV’s, the ability to lay back their own seats and the “amazing airplane food”. I watched their hearts hurt as they left family and friends but I was completely blown away when they bravely wiped their tears, smiled and said “I can’t wait to go to Africa.”

Before we took the kids into the center, I was a wreck. We all know Anna does not enjoy being touched and Ella tends to freeze and not speak. So I warned them all and gave them a safe word, then I could swoop in and rescue them. I just knew this would be crazy overwhelming. Then I stood back and watched my kids amaze me again! There were gobs of kids holding their hands, hugging them, asking their names and trying to braid their hair. I saw Aubrey light up when Betty grabbed her hand. Anna was, literally, knocked over by the love shown to her in the form of a bear hug by Isata. They were glowing! Even Ella found a few friends to play tag with. They can’t wait to see and do everything. What was I worried about again?

I look around and see all the change they are experiencing; their lives are not the same. Last week it was Phineas and Ferb and some string cheese, this week……we hear the mosque up the hill playing the call to prayer, the goats in the neighboring compound and let us not forget the former presidents peacocks (do you cook those the same as turkeys, cause seriously). They on the other hand, see so much fun and adventure; they are excited about visiting the kids for worship tonight and can’t wait to see what Auntie Marie makes for dinner tonight. Oh to be like my children.

Now, I’m sure you are wondering what crazy things my children have said and done. Well, there really are so many! The best so far, Ella came to us and said, “I really like the kids, but I wish they would quit speaking Spanish to me. Don’t they know I don’t speak Spanish?” Krio isn’t even on her radar! There is Anna and all her crazy faces she thinks she is making on the sly while trying new foods. Of course, we see the scowl! Then Aubrey announced that she wanted “American extensions”, cause they are related to continents, of course. So, when asked to give a quote-Aubrey: I often smell armpits. Anna: Africans are much louder than Americans. Ella: This place is a little freaky. All in all, stuff freaks them out a lot less than us.

Hopefully, there will be a few pics to come soon! Much love from SL!

A day In the Life

So far every day in Africa has held new adventures for me. I have yet to grow bored even while inching through Freetown traffic for hours. I would like to recount a recent day in my life. It was a Sunday and so I attended church at The Covering. Church is quite the experience with visitors from the community the kids and the staff there was something like 150 people packed into a medium size sitting room praising God and worshiping.  After church I left to drive a young lady to the Ferry that crosses over to Lungi Airport. We left with time to spare but were stopped by a traffic cop. This particular civil servant spent 15-20 minutes attempting to extort money from me. He was not successful but now there is just enough time to reach the ferry before it leaves so long as nothing slows traffic for the next 10 miles. So I made a mad dash through Freetown to the Government Warf and arrived just as the ferry was blowing it horn to leave. There was seconds to spare but we made it.

From there I decide I will drive to a local stretch of beach and read for a while as I wait out the rain.  When the rain slows I take a stroll down the beach where I get to participate in hauling in the fishing nets, play a pickup game of beach soccer, and run into one of the visitors to TRS Church. Sorri is a young man that I had met on previous trips who live a few miles from The Covering but comes to the church every Sunday. He introduced me to his family and proudly showed me the family fishing operation.  They have a wooden boat and large drag nets that they use to harvest fish. Local women buy these fish and then re-sell them at market or in the street.  I got a lesson in microeconomics.

I latter received a call from my American African friend “Santigie” Andrew Sisco asking if I could exchange a propane bottle for him. Andrew is a missionary who moonlights as a DJ at African nightclubs. Upon returning to the Sisco home I run into Morli a young boy who lives across the street. Morli invites me to the 20th anniversary party for the generous couple who care for him. There were a lot of people and a lot of food. Africans are big on ceremony so there were multiple speeches and multiple prayers before we ate. There was even a ceremony of libation where a drink is poured on the floor to honor the dead. I ate many new foods to include fish balls, what I think was the male reproductive glands of a goat.  

I can’t wait to see what tomorrow will bring.

Living in Freetown

I am officially an expatriate now. I have been living in Freetown for 2 weeks now. I am caring for a sick monkey and a Sierra Leonian puppy. We traveled to Guinea to shop for vehicles and returned with one Toyota Hilux. We only had to stop at 7 border checkpoints to get there 6 to return. I am becoming more proficient driving around Freetown and out to Bauya without getting lost. Krio is the lingua Franca and it is becoming easier to comprehend for me. I still can't "talk Krio" to well but I am learning "small small". African time is difficult to get used to. Today I went across town ( maybe 20 miles ) to register my vehicle and returned 9 hours later without registration in hand. One task took all day and was still not completed in full. This task might have taken 3 hours at home, if the lines where really long.

I have made friends with some neighbor children and they come visit me often. Lucinda and Abdul  live up the hill in a corrugated tin house that is about 10'x12'. I treated a face wound on Lucinda and now I am Dr. Michael. The imaginary and real wounds abound but band-aids fix everything

The Bauya Project has begun at least in part. We are meeting with contractors and soliciting bids. Once we have the official land deed signed off on we can really begin. My quarters in Bauya remain inhabitable but that should change soon. In the mean time I am eating wonderfully as Auntie Marie has cooked wonderfully meals every day at the TRS guest house.

We meet Marie a young girl at the Children's Hospital who was slowly and painfully perishing from a facial tumor. We took her to the private hospital where much better medical care is available only to learn that it is too late to operate and radiation therapy does not exist here. Marie will meet Jesus soon and will experience indescribable joy. In the mean time she will anguish without pain medication, or food in her village. Her father decided to take her home to die upcountry. She can not chew food and I am not sure she can swallow as she spit up all liquids she was given. Please pray for this young girl and her family.

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Living la vida loca

I will begin by reporting we really miss Michael! This is a lot harder than I thought. I would not make a good millitary wife. I give props to all of you spouses out there that live without your significant others over long periods of time. It is really difficult. Don't let him know, but he does alot around here. If nothing more than take the kids for 15 minutes in the evening, it is what keeps me sane!! So yes, now you know, I am insane!
We have been able to skype him which has been fun. One skype session was done while a cute little monkey sat on his lap making crazy faces at us. Don't worry though, it is a city monkey and cannot come to Bauya, it can't make it. City monkeys do not belong in the country. We will remain a monkey free home.
The kids are ok, just doing everything any kid could dream of doing. Endless sleepovers, dozens of trips to the pool, visiting all the friends and family they can stand, pretty much anything they can think of that they want to do. It's been fun, but we are ready for life to slow down a bit. I think Africa is the answer to all this madness! If you've been, you realize the irony in this statement.
I just want to use this small paragraph to let my friends and families know how much I love and appreciate them. They have loved on us, cared for us, lifted us up, cried with us, and prayed with us so fervently over the past few weeks that I am blown away. I want to bottle up all these moments we are sharing because of how precious you all are. If I don't gush and tell you that all the time, forgive me, I don't want to be too mushy! But truly, you make it possible for us to live out an enormous dream and calling. We are forever changed and affected by you. (not to be confused with infected) Thank you.
I will leave with a funny Ella quote. While sitting on the couch the other day, she looks over at me and gives me a curious look. She says, "When are we going to go get Daddy and bring him back here?" I say, "We are going to fly to Africa to live there with him." She says, "No, I don't think so, I'm kind of over it!"

Oh child! Don't worry, you will be hooked like us before you know it!

One week down!

Phew!! We have been busy!
Michael has been in Sierra Leone for a week now. It is a lot harder than I thought it would be. Single parenting is not for me! Kids are nuts! They have been great, but it's so different not having Michael around. Don't tell him, but he does a lot around here! To sum up, we miss him.
The kids and I spent the weekend at our last kids camp with The Bridge Fellowship. It was awesome. We really loved every minute of it. It was fantastic!
We have one more camp at the end of the month and we are looking forward to that too. In between, we are spending as much time with friends and family as possible. It's really happening! We are moving to Africa.......all of us.
Today's big news: everyone in our family has a passport! That big piece of the puzzle is now in place. Next, it will be tickets and visas. There is still a fair amount of things I need to finish wrapping up here, but we're close!
It's crazy. This whole journey only began a little over a year ago for us. It was something we thought would happen in the future and even then a year seemed so far away. It's insane to see us at this point! Insane/good.
In the mean time, the kids and I are catching up on tv, soaking up some pool time (frankly, I have to prepare my white self for that hot African sun) and taking lots of showers! That should prepare us!
Thanks to everyone who is giving us so much support and love. We are overwhelmed by how everyone is lifting us up. So, if you happen to be near when I have one of my many crying fests, just know that I am speachless and appreciate so much all that you are continuing to do for our family.

My bottom half is African

Wow, it's been so long since I have posted anything! There have been so many things going on that I have felt a bit overwhelmed about what to share and what to let roll off. So, I'm sorry if you haven't been able to sleep at night in anticipation of the next great thought shared by the Ropieckis!
We are homeless and all of our belongings fit into a 10x10 storage unit. It's a little liberating and a little sad. We are staying with my dad. Big shout out to the poor man that gave up his bed, his personal space and his quiet! We are really enjoying spending time with him, but I know he is a little bit excited about having his bachelor pad back!
Both Michael and I have been back to SL for visits now. Michael's trip went well, but trying to get details out of him can be a little tricky. I can report that he is totally smitten with the kids at the center and Todd reports that he probably is African way down deep.
My trip was wonderful. I was able to learn so much. I "fake shopped" as Michael likes to say. I found prices as well as availability on items like food and housewares. I also got to see the new sections of land. I'm pretty sure we are moving to the Garden of Eden. It is gorgeous! I also fell further in love with the kids at the center and just the people in general. What an incredible place.
Mike is scheduled to leave in 3 weeks. It's going too fast!! We are trying to fit in as many friends and family visits as possible, as well as an array of speaking engagements......whew!! In the midst of all the craziness though, we are loving this time in our lives. We have had so many awesome people step in and do so many things. The stack of thank you notes I have to write is insane. We are overwhelmed most days! Thank you to all of the individuals that have stepped in and done so much to make this project a reality for us. I hope we do you proud!
Aubrey was able to speak to her merge group at church. Although I haven't seen the video yet, I have heard she did an incredible job. She is excited to go but spending as much time with her buddies as she can!
Anna is.......Anna. Love that girl. She is excited to have friends that live in another country but for the most part just wants to get through today and make sure that her sisters obey her!
Ella is convinced we are moving to India and can't wait to live with the "Indians". When she says Indians she means Native Americans. So you can see all the ways she is confused! She also wants to nail down if they will speak "American" to her or not. Oh, her redneck is showing! She will really be surprised when we arrive on a continent where her parents are big white freaks! I can't wait! She's also pretty sure that we should consider Disney World as an alternative to moving to Africa on account of there are fewer shots she would need. Africa is a lot like Disney........oh, wait, it's not.
We are all in between. We aren't starting to see "American things" as less important. But we still don't understand all the African things we need to know. And I'm not sure that being in this world not part of it, isn't what I should have been feeling all along. So we are all a little African and a little American. African Americans? Hmmmm.....

We are totally normal.......really.

I'm not really sure how to begin this post. There are a lot of things weighing on my mind!
First, I'll go over the essentials. We have begun the fund raising process full force. It's hard! The reality is this project can't happen until my handsome, intelligent, talented husband is there to begin it. The other reality is there are so many children in life threatening situations that can't be helped until the project is underway. This motivates us to work in ways we can't even explain.
Next, our moving date has changed to the end of May!!! What? I said MAY! But to be honest, our hearts are there. We truly enjoy spending this time with our friends and family, but we long to be in Africa. We feel in between. We are wrapping up one life and ready to begin the new. We selfishly want to be there.
We will be auctioning off Casa De La Ropiecki in April along with it's contents. Those people who know and love my Michael realize that we will need to be far away from our house that day. He loves his stuff! All that to say we are packing up and cleaning out! It's becoming so real.
Now the stuff that's been on my mind. Africa is going to be hard. No, we won't have electricity. Nope, no water either. Yes, it's hot. And we are so white!! We tend to stick out, majorly. It's crazy expensive, it's so dirty. There will be language barriers and I can already see how my heart will be broken. There may be some moments of danger. It's not the safest area of the world. Communication with friends and family may have its difficulties. I will be crazy homesick at times. I will miss showers, American junk food, watching netflix, air conditioning, wearing my diamond wedding band, a refrigerator, dinner and a movie, Thanksgiving and my pets. But I have never known with such clarity where God wants me. I can't wait for the craziness. Bring it! As far as I can tell, the Bible sort of sets us up for a hard time the second we become "little Christs". It's going to be so hard, but he's going to be there. HE's already there ahead of us. There is no place I want to be more than where He is right now. We aren't super human, we aren't the few who are "called to his service", we aren't "better Christians" than any of our sisters and brothers. We are totally normal...really! Our call just sends us a little further, plus I have this super awesome blog!
The point? It is this, if you are living a comfortable no real hassle life, check your call. I'm struggling hard to find a Biblical basis for this thought that God will protect us from a crazy life full of hassle. Instead, I'm finding his followers getting jailed, being chased having some totally crazy stuff happen to them. Why have we been playing it so safe? What have we been missing? Bottom line, we are all called. Go into all the world......ring a bell? Maybe your world is Africa, maybe it's in TN. I don't know. But I have learned that if your life is comfortable, you might want to take a look around and see if you aren't missing a call. So, although there will be very few cokes and snickers (oh how I will miss those), don't feel sorry for the Ropieckis. It's our place. It's our privilege. We are speechless that we get to be a part of such an adventure. Go get an adventure too!!! Trust me, it's a rush!
That's my soap box and our announcement. I hope I didn't offend. Pray for Michael next week, as he will be putting in 2 wells in Bauya. Pray for me, as I will be caring for 3 crazy girls, alone for 10 days! Thanks!!

February 13th

Yesterday was a goodbye ceremony from at The Covering. Needless to say I was in tears a good portion of it. I formed a really close bond with a girl named Betty. She drew me a picture and cried when I left. She hugged me so tight and I am really going to miss her. Along with 94 or so other kids! Not to mention the other Aunties and Uncles, Pastor Daniel, Quamey, and Ossay. It’s hard to leave!

Sweet girls here I come!!!

February 11th

It was a little hard to handle last night. I had a moment. We stayed in a “guest house” in Muayamba. No electricity, no water no toilet seat. I found the biggest craziest bug I’ve ever seen and I’m not sure what I slept on. After spending a few moments in the fetal position and having Michael laugh at me hysterically, I gave it up and went to sleep. I know God is calling us which makes it doable. Can’t say I enjoyed it, but I did it. It was a pretty big adventure.

 We also went to a sporting event in town. We were a total freak show. I’m pretty sure I was the first white woman a great deal of these people had ever seen. I think we trumped the race. Babies were crying and running away and people wanted my picture. Kids stood in a circle around us and stared at us while we watched the track meet. FANTASTIC!!

We were able to attend the donation ceremony on the land today. The Paramount Chief was there. I really liked him. He is a very wise man, I believe. He was very clear that he believed this community we will be building will provide a great future for his community. We will be bringing jobs to his people, clean water and much needed hope and education to the children of the Muayamba District.

I feel like we have such a responsibility to these people. This nation needs a turn around and to imagine that it could happen with us blows my mind. It needs to happen. They are so excited and eager to help.

The ceremony was really cool too. They prayed both to Allah and  to Jesus, which I found interesting. I really think things are so hard they are just trying to cover all their bases. And I think they still feel like no one is listening. The mosque was full in town. But they repeatedly yelled Hallelujah. I don’t doubt the commitment they have to either belief, I just don’t think they know. What  a responsibility we have to show them. They are so open and ready for truth. I can’t wait to get to know them and spend time with the people of the village. So many can’t read or write. They signed with their thumb prints. How much could their lives change? How much will ours?

February 10th

Most interesting wake up call ever!! There is a large tire rim in the middle of the community. At 6 a.m. some compassionate caretaker wakes the children by beating it wildly. Wow. If that doesn’t wake you, the dogs and rooster that take that noise to be the appointed time to howl, woot, cocka-doodle etc. Did I mention this was all underneath my open window? Yep. I can say with confidence, we will NOT have one of those in Buaya!!

We made it out to the land and the villagers were there with machetes building a structure for us to sit under for the ceremony tomorrow. Seriously, vines, bamboo and palm leaves and it was gorgeous. We were all blown away. I got my first look at Buaya and our possible in between home until ours is built. This is going to be tough.

The people were great though. So loving and excited about us being there. It’s going to be great.

February 9th

Today we rode out to the Children of the Nations community. It is similar to what we are planning to do with Just Hope. It is north of Freetown. Nothing like 6 ½ hours riding in the tiny backseat of an SUV with a pineapple behind your head. Oh and did I mention it was all pot hole infested dirt roads.  It was a long day. But I loved the adventure!! People really live in mud huts. The people who live in the villages couldn’t believe they were seeing white people. We got so many crazy stares. It was pretty funny!

We were able to get to know Ossay and Quamey better on the ride down. Quamey is the director at the orphanage. Ossay…I don’t know what Ossay does, but he helps get us around and takes care of so many details. They are really wonderful men. Quamey may be the largest man I have ever stood next to. He has a huge booming voice but he gets so squeaky and almost giggley when the kids get around. He really cares for the kids. He used to work for COTN and the kids here treat him like some sort of movie star. It’s crazy!

We stayed with Marc, the director for COTN, an Irishman. We also met Jim Jackson who is the building supervisor for COTN. He gave some great tips to Michael and was really genuinely concerned and caring for me. I really loved it there. It gave us a better picture of what we were doing and what it would look like when our community is finished.

My favorite part, we all sat outside on the porch at night watching the kids play and talking and laughing with each other until late in the evening. Why don’t we do that at home?? It was such a refreshing experience. Community is awesome, who knew?? No distractions. Just a Frisbee a harmonica and corny jokes. We are home.

February 7th

Karen and Todd are evil geniuses!! After the long hard day yesterday, I could only think of home. But this morning started with a trip to The Covering (the orphanage). I’m in love!! It was amazing. These kids were so incredible. We walked from the guest house down this crazy long hill and then around the corner to the alley where you enter to The Covering. The kids lined the alley and sang a greeting song as we walked in between them to the gate. Then they swarmed!! There were kids on our arms, legs, hands, touching our hair, everywhere!! They couldn’t get enough. It was so incredible. They couldn’t ask us enough questions. They were so sweet and beautiful. I am now Auntie Rachel. My husband is Uncle Michael.

I am overwhelmed by these kids. They are amazing and fun. We got to sit in on their worship, I have met my match!!!!  The singing, was so sweet and beautiful.  I will never be able to dance or learn the clapping rhythms. It was so fun to sing with them and watch them really worship. They get so much that it took me so long to understand. They all want their pictures (click, click) taken and then they want to see it.  I’m just blown away.

We were also able to spend some time with the Siscos. I really am enjoying our time together. They are settling and it’s good to see how easy they are acclamating. I’m hopeful our move is as easy!

We were able to drive into Freetown today as well. I am speechless. The trash, the poverty and the excitement in the city are overwhelming. Just heaps and piles of garbage in the water, on the ground put together to build homes. The roads are dirt and torn apart and there really are no driving rules!! In spite of all the sad things I saw, the town was so lively. There was so much community and connectedness with the people. The one thing that may take getting used to, men holding hands walking down the street! A bit odd?! But it’s so kind and endearing. It shows so much value for these friendships. The people were so kind and sweet. I loved it!!

We also got to go to the market. Great experience!! Michael is a horrible bargainer. I am the master!!  I loved the wheeling and dealing and haggling. The women kept grabbing me and pulling me into their booths. I enjoyed it so much. Plus, what beautiful craftsmanship. 

GREAT DAY!

Febuary 6th

We arrived in Freetown late this evening. What a long day!! I was totally exhausted and grouchy, to say the least.  I will admit I was blown away when we landed in The Gambia (that’s right, THE Gambia). I just kept looking at Michael saying “We are here. In West Africa. It’s really happening!” It is surreal. This has been so long in the making. It’s finally here.

I will be very frank when I say, I am homesick. The airport is very difficult to get through and we experienced our first corrupt government experience. Michael was hustled for money by an officer. We didn’t receive one of our bags. It had all the treats I brought for the kids. I’m bummed. It looks like I’m on my own for dazzling them! It was a long day with many adventures, disappointments and total exhaustion. Happy to be here!

Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone is the most ugly, beautiful, down trodden, resilient, dirty, fresh, brown, green, heartbreaking, spirit lifting, scary, welcoming, corrupt, honest, poorest, richest, depressing, awe-inspiring, backwoods, insightful, self-seeking, community minded, forgotten, prevalent, most amazing places I have ever seen.

I have never seen a place that contradicts itself so and I love it. There is so much that should bring down it's people but the spirit is so hopeful. I have never been to a city that was so alive and joyous! The affection the people show for one another is inspiring, but so many are forgotten and ignored. They are hungry for change. They need to see Jesus's face. The longing in my heart that has kept me awake at night for the past year now has a face. I love it. I can't wait to be there.

I wrote each day, or activities but the internet is sketchy so I'll post them now. Thanks!!

It's time!!

In the midst of a living room full of suitcases, backpacks and pillow we decided to shake our groove things to a little Just Dance! It has been used a celebratory tool for many of the great moments in our lives over the past few years and tonight is no different.

Tomorrow is the date of departure for Michael and I and believe it or not, we are still on speaking terms! Confirmation that people are praying, if you ask me!

All the bags are packed and the kids are excited about friend sleepovers for the next week. But, man, I miss them. At the same time, I'm so excited to finally see this year long journey start to come to fruition. It has seemed like such a far off dream with no clear form but it is really happening. That's huge!! I can't wait to see all the kids and the land that I hope to call home. The more we learn, the more we see how hard this journey will be. Strangely enough, we also find our hearts settled on it more.

So here are our prayer requests please:
1. Safe travel (that is sort of obvuous, right?)
2. our kids, this is difficult, we have never been apart this long
3. That we would either have perfect comfirmation or see red flags everywhere we look.
4. Health, for both the kids and Michael and I.
5. That we would learn specific ways to minister to the people of Sierra Leone.

Thank you so much for all your support and prayers. We can't thank you enough!

What makes a man a "westside Ropiecki" you may ask. Well, this is a complicated question with a long answer. But we shall disect its meaning together.
First, and probably most important, you must be a Ropiecki. Either by birth or you can marry into the fun loving, crazy clan that is our family! I, of course, did the latter and am so happy that I did.
The second part is a bit trickier. We live east of all local Ropieckis, so current geographic location has little to do with this title. What it really boils down to is the future plans of this particular sect of Ropieckis, Michael, Rachel, Aubrey, Anna and Ella.
About a year ago, Michael and I both had a burning desire placed in our hearts for the people of the world who may not know Jesus. We were also overwhelmed by the poverty, the death and hurt that so many people who share our planet endure daily. We have always had a love for the orphan, but we found that too was magnified. We didn't understand what it meant or what exactly we were supposed to do with this, but we knew sitting in our beautiful home surrounded by our things wasn't going to be enough for us any longer. A verse that has recently struck me hard says "Don't excuse yourselves by saying "look, we didn't know." For God understands all hearts, and he sees you. He who guards your soul knows you knew." Proverbs 24:12. HE KNOWS, WE KNOW!!! Scares the crap out of you too, huh?
So we knew and.......knew that he knew we knew (are you keeping up?) so we began to seek out the best possible way to do something! We didn't know where, but we figured we would begin by picking someone to send us. We went through the application process for several different organizations but never really had that "aha" moment. However, we chose a large organization that seemed to have their act together and began really pursuing a career with them. But we still had this niggling. This organization had a need in Africa, West Africa to be precise. And we were excited, elated! Yay, we picked a spot!
We then, through a series of events, found ourselves meeting with  Just Hope International, not our chosen organization. Why? We had picked an organization. We had prayed for West Africans. We had filled out loads and loads and loads of paperwork. But here we were hearing about people we had never met, children whose faces we hadn't seen, a country that needed so much and we were falling in love. That burn got hotter and we felt a pull that we knew was God.  Before the end of lunch Michael said, "I'm on board, let's go!" And by the end of lunch, I was ready to pack!
So, where are the Ropiecki's going, you ask. It turns out we were praying for West Africans for a reason. God was leading us to that place and over the past year growing a love for that country and that specific region. We are readying ourselves for Sierra Leone. Which is the formula for making Westside Ropieckis! We are still working on living up to our name, but we plan on enjoying the ride!
Mike and I are ignoring the impulse to head out next week and take the whole crew and instead doing the responsible thing and planning to go in February (just us two) to see the orphanage, the people we hope to affect and the land we hope to call home. We can't wait!! Our kids are so excited too. I was pretty sure it was going to be a hard sell, but I am blown away daily by the love and excitement my kids have for this next faze in our lives. So, check out justhopeinternational.org and therainingseason.org. You'll want to come with us, I'm sure!
I plan on keeping everyone posted here as we make decisions and progress in this venture. I will thank you up front for the prayers and thoughts during this process, we covet them.

In Him,
Rachel