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So sorry

So since I am terrible at blog posts I am now asking for help. Seeing as it is nearing the end of the Sierra Leone you can ask me a question and I will do my best to answer and post a picture with each question. So get asking and I will get answering. :)

Change A Life

Hey so I know it has been a really long time since I have posted and for that I am sorry. It is not something that comes easy to me but I also know it is important. So I am going to try and fill you in on a few of the things that have been going on in the last month or so. I gave blood for the first time in my life, at first I was freaked out because I thought I would be able to feel my blood flowing out of me. However I soon found out this was not the case. It is such a unique experience as well because we do not have a blood bank on board so we are on a list and when they need blood in a surgery they call you down. Now this is interesting in several ways, way number one is that you know that all the blood they take is needed and will be used immediately. Way number two for me as a hairstylist is that I could get called down at any time, I happened to be in the middle of a haircut when I got called. And way number three is that you have the opportunity to meet who you have blood to. I so wanted to take up this offer but never had the chance, but I did get the 10 yr old boys name. His name is Karamouko Djanea and he had a maxillary tumor. The surgery was a huge success and he has now left to go back home to Guinea.

I have also had opportunity to get off the ship and see some amazing beaches. I feel so blessed to be in such a beautiful place. But as much as I love being here and seeing all that this country and its people have to offer I at times miss home. I don't miss the weather or even necessarily the surroundings, like the mountains. But I miss the people, I miss being able to share these wonderful experiences with the people I love and am closest with. I also miss being there for the exciting moments like my friends weddings. It is a weird feeling because I know that non of you will ever be able to fully understand what I am experiencing here even if I was a great writer, and I also know that I will never be able to understand all that I have missed.

This week leads into another ship holiday, and I will be spending the weekend giving back and rejuvenating. Friday I will be going to a vocational center to minister to sexually abused women, and just to love on them and show the love of Jesus. Then on Saturday I will be going to the beach to recharge for the week to come, and Sunday I will probably go to another local church. I will hopefully be writing another post sooner then the last but until next time pray for the love of Jesus to flow in and through me to those that I am around and with.

I love you guys so much
Jillian

The Journey Continues

So I have been on the ship now for 3.5 weeks Friday will be 4 weeks and so far so good. I am settling into a routine and I love my job. I have made some great new friends and am really excited to see what God has in store. I will post a few pictures of my life here on the ship. I will post one of my room and one of the salon. It is a blessing to be in such a unique atmosphere I feel totally and completely blessed. I have this week gotten to move down to the bottom bunk which is a blessing. My bunk-mate switched cabins so now I get the bottom bunk :).

This past Sunday I went to a local church and let me tell you I will never complain again about not wanting to go to church because I am too tired. We had quite a journey to get there. So first we walked about 5 min to the junction of savage road where we caught and arcota which is a local motor bike and the cheapest and fastest way to get around. We then took about a 3o min ride to get to the base of a really large hill. We then proceeded up this hill over a river and 20 min later arrived at the church on the very top of this hill. I don't have any pictures because it is not really safe to carry them around, but let me tell you the journey was long and strenuous. After church we went over to the pastor and his wife's home for lunch and they served us amazing food, spicy but amazing none the less. There house was about 10 min from the church. The most amazing part of it all was that this lady Esther is one of out day workers on the ship, that means Monday through Friday she makes that journey just to come to work and on wednesday and Friday climbs back to the top of the hill to go to evening prayer services. If that's not dedication I don't know what is. Everyday at home we find something to complain about but we do nothing to change our circumstances, and yet here everyday these people could complain but they don't they overcome obstacles and just keep on going. It is a beautiful thing to see. I have everything and more I need on the ship, and if I don't get off ship it does not even feel like I am in Africa. We are so blessed and we don't even see what is in front of our own eyes. My challenge to you is to open your eyes and look around. See the beauty, see the struggles, see the obstacles and overcome them with a positive attitude. I promise you that you will feel so much better for it.

Ship Life Begins

So I arrived on the ship yesterday after 2 weeks in a village. We built latrines which were much needed because they were replacing the maggot hole. Yes that's right the maggot hole. I have no picture of said maggot hole because it was a little too disgusting for that I don't want anyone fainting while reading my blog. We led a week long VBS and that was a really big success it is exciting to hit the ground running. It was very emotional saying goodbye to the people on Yams farm they gave us dresses and shirts and just gave us word of affirmation that make me know I am here and doing the right thing. I love the people there and especially pastor Marks heart, these are Africans that know it takes hard work and dedication to change there environment. I think that the hard work they put in to assisting in building the latrines is amazing. God is good and I am excited to start on the ship serving Him with my talents and gifts. I got the key to my salon today so that is exciting. And I am in a 4 berth cabin which is good. I have Kelly and two other girls that I am sure will be wonderful once I get to know them. Anyways I am kind of not focused becasue there is so much new that I have to process.Exciting times are ahead I know this for sure.

My Final Night in Texas

OK so this is the collective bags of my roomies and I, 3 peoples stuff for a total of 4 years.

OK so tomorrow I am leaving Texas which has been my home for the last month. We will be leaving at 5:45 am. We will drive to Dallas fly from Dallas to NY then from NY to Brussels, then Brussels to Sierra Leone. I have a mixed bag of emotions. I am so excited to go on this new adventure and to see what God has in store. I am sad to leave the people I have met in Texas and we leaving the last close place I will be to anyone I know for a long time. I am happy to meet new people that will most likely become life long friends. I am nervous about adjusting to the new culture. I am super nervous for the trip well once I am on the flight I will be good. I just dislike checking in. But most of all I am excited and now getting tired since it is late but I want to thank you all for the prayers on this whole journey. I will update you has soon as I can but it probably wont be until first week of August and I won't be on the ship until July 28th. Anyways bye for now.

Only 1 week left

So my time here in Texas is coming to an end. I only have one more week of training then I fly out for Sierra Leone on July 13th. I have learned so much in my time here, like how to fight a fire and survive a sinking ship. Also I have learned about interpersonal and personal relationships, laid some solid foundations of faith, and how to resolve conflict. I have welcomed a whole new lifestyle and left behind another. I have had to say goodbye to my parents, friends, my sister and brother in law, as well as other family. But in return I have gained a whole new family.

One thing God has taught me is you cannot do what God wants you to 'do' until you become what God wants you to 'be'. I am in the learning process and probably always will be. I am discovering more and more who God want me to be and I can't wait to see what He will have me do for His kingdom purpose. I am on a never ending journey with the one I love, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Jesus is my best friend and I am falling more in love with Him in this process.

I am preparing along with my team for our field service, I am so excited to be going back to Africa. Our vbs plans are coming along and so is figuring out all of the worship. It is really exciting to be using the gifting's God has given me. I have also been cutting through most of the teams hair, I have not touched every head but its getting there.

I will also let you know that this may be my last post in a bit I will try to get one more in before I leave for Africa but there is lost left to do so no promises. If I don't get one in then my next one will be once I am on the ship because there will be no internet or very limited on our field service. I will get word home to my parents that I am there and have them post it on my facebook page. I thank all of you so much for your continued support financially, emotionally, and spiritually. It means so much to me to know I have a team of people rooting me on.

A few prayer point heading into the field service would be:
1. Health and safety of the whole team.
2. Adjustment to a new culture, we will be working in a muslim community at a Christian school and church.
3. An open mind, and flexible attitude to deal with the things that might go wrong.

Exciting Times

I have now been at the IOC in training for 1 week, I love it God is so good and is teaching me so much. Tomorrow we are going to Tyler State Park for a silent retreat. I am really looking forward to hearing God speak. He is a good God and He knows our needs before we do. I am adjusting well to community living again it has been a while. The people here are so nice and have all fell Gods call on there life to be here. I am rooming with Amy from Florida she is going to be the grade 2 teacher and I am rooming with Abby from Northern Virginia and she is going to be the receptionist. They are both going for one year. I just figured I would touch base so that you guys can start to journey with me on this adventure. I know what we will be doing for my 2 week field service in Sierra Leone before I get on the ship. We will be working in a Muslim village about 45 min from Freetown We will be working with the local Christian Church and school. We will be digging latrines and helping with health care and dental as well as run a VBS program. I am in charge of the worship team and coordinating the VBS program. I am so excited to get in and serve. God has placed a passion in my heart for these people that I cannot even explain. God is so good. Well that is about all the info I have for now but I will keep you posted and put up more pictures soon. If you would like to send me mail it is a process but is doable. If it is just a letter or a small package the you send it via the address I will post in a moment. If you would like to send a large package then you will send it to the same address but write on it via container that way I do not have to pay. Mail takes about 4 days once it hits Texas so I will get mail about once a week. containers come every 6-8 weeks. If you send a large package through mail then I will need to pay $8.00 a pound when it comes on the ship but it is free in the container. It needs to have a general itemized list. So here is the address.

Mercy Ships- Africa Mercy
c/o Jillian Norris
Hairstylist
P.O. Box 2020
Lindale
TX 75771

via container (only if you want it to go on the container)


If you don't list via container then it will go in mail .... just saying

Jillian

The last streach

Hey so time has flown and it is my last week here in Calgary its crazy to think that my dream is now becoming a reality. Thank you to all who have made this dream come true. I look forward to see what God has in store for me in this next stage He is so faithful and has been through this whole journey and I don't expect that to stop. I will be updating more regularly no so stay tuned for more.

Tick Tock

So the clock is ticking, I head to Texas in about 11 weeks. Crazy I know this once was in the distant future but now it is upon me. I am excited, nervous, overwhelmed. I am excited for what God is going to do in and through me. I am nervous of what I will encounter and adjusting to a new culture. And I am overwhelmed with how much I have to get done before I leave. But through it all I am trusting God, I can't wait to see what He is going to do.
Jillian

My Bad

So I made a mistake and signed up on the American donor page so have now switched to the Canadian one. The link is on the side bar under Mercy Ships Donor Page. I hope that if you have revived my support letter already you look on my blog and ignore the page I gave you. Thanks for your continued support. http://mercyships.donorpages.com/MERCYGIFTS/JillianNorris
Jillian

A Week of Blessings

Wow God is good, I am always in awe of how God knows our exact needs at the exact time of our needs. I have been blessed with great tips to help pay for my trip, free dental work, and free concert tickets. All things I did not ask for but all things I needed. The money helps to add to my savings for Africa, the dental work fixed my pained tooth, and the concert tickets allow me to have some fun with a friend I have not seen in a while, both of us needed a night out. I can't say it enough God is good.

The Journey Begins

Follow me on my andventures as I partner with Mercy Ships and head to Africa in July 2011 for 2 years. I will keep you posted on what I am doing as well as what Mercy Ships is doing. If you feel led to support me in my journey click on the Mercy Ships link and it will take you to my profile page. If you would like to subscribe to my quarterly news letter e-mail me at jillian-norris@live.com and I will set you up on my list. If you would like to recive a hard copy of my newsletter, then send me your address and I will get you set up.