Allios 24/7

I love those moments when Annie is so happy. She is being the normal 10yr girl. Life has gotten better thanks to our amazing doctor! He is awesome. With the new meds Annie is doing a ton better. Today Amy was in her piano lesson and I was waiting for mine so I told Annie that we should play so she heads over to her igloo that she got as a present and tells me that I was going to work there and she wanted to check out some books. As she was walking over to get her book stamped I start talking in a sorta New Yorker voice and she just laughs. From there is a valley girl and so much more. J We had some good laughs today and it was really fun.

We get to see Annie’s personality more and more and its so great! She makes us laugh a lot. She loves to quote the duchess from the 12 dancing princess which is hilarious. Its great to have those moments with her and know that she is being her and not Battens.

So Amy and I are on spring break this week and having one of the best ever!! We are staying at my cuz Nick's house for the whole week. We have had so much fun. As I get older I learn so much more! In the last year I have been really busy and I haven't been able to come visit when Amy has, so being able to come this week reminded me to enjoy the times we have. I am going to be a senior next year which means time to get a job and lots of school. So I'm going to be even more busy. With that in mind It really reminds  me to have fun and enjoy the times we have together  and that goes for being with a cuz friends or even my family at home. 
"Lose the humor lose the fight"

Hey Everyone!

Wow how long has been since I was here. I didn’t mean for to be so long but oh well at least I’m back. So I’m going to try and keep this up once again. Life hasn’t really changed much. Were still really busy. I don’t think that will ever stop. Hahaha . So I guess I’ll go down the line and get everyone caught up.

Dad-- He has been really busy with work and planning the next trip to Rwanda. Yep were going again!! We are going to have a pastor’s conference in Kagoogoo Rwanda. Dad will be preaching along with some other pastors from Vacaville. We had the pastor from Rwanda here a couple weeks ago so dad took him to San Francisco along with Mr. Rogers and Mr. Quinn.

Mom-- Is being such an amazing mom! She is still grieving from losing my uncle less than 3 months ago but can keep up everything else. She is being a full time teacher caregiver friend and mom. I don’t know how she does it but she does. J

Tony-- Is doing really well. Were still praying for him. He has been on tour for two months. He is here but will be leaving again on the 9^th and wont be back till may. They just recorded their new album and will hit store in July. We miss him but it good cause we know he’s doing what he loves!!

Kelly & Kyle-- I can’t believe that their one year anniversary in on the 5^th!!!! It seems like only yesterday they had their first date and Amy and I were staring him down. J They are doing great. Kyle is graduating this year from college and Kelly is doing hair / cake business / respite care for Cattie and Annie.

Catie-- Is her happy self but is slowing down really fast. She is staying home a lot cause of seizures of just tired. She sleeps a lot doing the day. Right now her days and night are mixed up which means graveyard shifts here.

Me-- Well I’m pretty much the same. I’m really busy with school speech and driving. I have my permit and have been driving around town and just started driving on the freeway. I can’t wait to go back to Rwanda!

Amy-- Is busy being 14. She got a new corgi puppy this Christmas. She is loving Bio this year and is very excited cause we are going to my cousins house next week.

Annie--- We are thankful to see her personality when she can show it. You never really know how she is going to be. She has been better since last summer but we are afraid she is going back.

That’s what we have been doing. I’ll be back soon. J

“Lose the humor lose the fight”

8-28-08

It seems like I haven’t posted in forever. The main reason I haven’t is I don’t know where to begin. A trip like this is way too big to just do a little post. So I guess I should just start.

As I sat on the plane of our first flight my mind was racing from what Africa would hold for us to… what was happening at home… to where we were only two months ago. It’s funny to think back only two months ago when dad and I were sitting in the kitchen and dreaming about going. We talked about what we would do and what it would be like. Nothing could have prepared us for a trip like this. As I sat on that plane flying to Chicago I had no idea what God planned for this trip and how much it would change my life.

We landed in Nairobi Kenya after 31 hrs. of traveling. As we stepped out of the airport it really hit me that we were on another continent. Our driver picked us up and we were driving…we were driving in AFRICA.

Our guest house was really nice. It had two beds with mosquito nets of course, a bathroom, and a TV. One thing that we were told many times was not to drink the water. So the first night I showered and I have never held my mouth so tightly!!!!!!J I went to dry my hair and my hair dryer blew out the very first night; it wasn’t that big a deal so I just threw my hair back for the rest of the trip. Electricity was a problem at first (sorry Kyle for blowing out your converter J ) but we eventually figured it out.

The next morning Brian, Aaron, Jaken, Kayla, and Sylice Richerson came to pick us up and take us to do the ‘tourist thing’ in Kenya. They are a family that moved to Kenya from Vacaville, 8 yrs ago. They work as Administrators at Rift Valley Academy. It’s a school for missionary children. The students board there and can go to school while their parents in on the field.

Driving through Kenya in the day is so different than night!! There is a lot of traffic!! It took us one hour just to get through town. Our first stop was a giraffe sanctuary where we fed and were able to pet several giraffes. It was really cool!!! Mr. Rogers even kissed one. EWWWW!!!!! We then visited a bead factory where single mothers can make a living by making jewelry or pottery by hand. That was really amazing to experience. We purchased beaded necklaces and bracelets for our family; they loved them!

We spent the night at the school where dad and I had a house and Mr. Rogers stayed with the family. It is so cute to see the kids with Mr. Rogers!!! It’s always, “ Gary, sit by me” or “I love Gary” and he is the same with the kids.

When I left the RVA (Rift Valley Academy), the idea came to me that I could come to be a dorm mom there at the Academy! I think my future is in Africa so I am praying for direction from God. Rwanda is definitely a place that I could live for the rest of my life!!!!!!!!!!!

So, it’s Thursday for us as we woke up at the RVA and headed to the airport to fly to Rwanda. Realizing the time, we had to hurry to get our tickets. When we got there, we were at the end of a long line. We ended up missing our flight and sitting in the airport for 8 hrs. It wasn’t that big of a deal. We sat at the Nairobi Java House which was a really cool place. Mr. Rogers got a hotdog that looked sort of weird. I had a BLT, and Dad had melted ham & cheese sandwich.

Finally it was time to leave Kenya. As we walked to board the plane we walked down onto the runway. That was surreal. It was an hour flight to Rwanda. I didn’t feel good on the plane; I fell asleep before we even took off. When I woke up I notice that outside the plane window there was a light. It wasn’t the light of buildings but of fires.. That is the source of electricity for many people…stove and heater in one. That was a shock, of course. Then before I knew it, we landed. We were in RWANDA!!!!

After getting our luggage we were met by Pastor Esron and about 6 other men. (I cant’ spell their names), it was really exciting. Pastor Esron said that we were going to his house for dinner. As we drove there it was really different from what I had expected. The poverty is very bad. I was feeling really sick so I didn’t take any pictures ( I’m so sorry now); dinner was so good!! It was our first Rwandan meal. Kesia, pastor Esron’s wife, is a really good cook. She made beef, rice, peas, and beans. After dinner it was time for Pastor Esron and Mr. Rodgers to get caught up. It was really cool to see him interact with the men from the church! After that, Mr. Rodgers showed them some videos on his laptop. It was really cool to see their faces and reactions to the different videos.

It was time to leave and when we got to our guest house, A.L.A.R.M (African Leadership and Reconciliation Ministry), Pastor Esron left, I took my meds, and went to bed. As I got into bed I was feeling really sad because it was our first night and I didn’t want the trip to start out like this…sick. So, I put on my ipod and the first song was, “It is Well With My Soul”. That was a great reminder that God was in control and I didn’t have to worry about anything.

The next morning I was still feeling a little sick, but after meds and a walk I was back on track. We went to breakfast with Pastor Esron and then to a Genocide Memorial. That was extremely hard, especially the children’s room. Posted was a name, favorite things, and how the child died. It was an overwhelming experience. There is a very moving story about the memorial visit that I will post soon.

After the Memorial we headed to Remera Church where Pastor Esron preaches. It was really cool to see the church that I have heard so much about and have seen pictures; it was something so different to see it in person. It’s the same with the Cyber Café. I saw pictures of the Cafe being built but to be there and to see it finished was so cool! The Cyber Café is going to be where people can use the internet and students will receive training. It will have a shop that will sell internet time, soda, snacks, etc., that it might be self-sustaining. That was Dad’s idea!! He thought of it a year ago when Pastor Esron was in America.

After that we headed to Bugesera Church. The last time Mr. Rodgers was there, he passed out Bibles and food. They had remembered Mr. Rogers and were excited to see him again. When we walked in they started singing. There are no words to describe the sound of their voices…just beautiful and very moving. After Dad, Mr. Rogers and Pastor Esron all spoke; we went outside and I took photos. That’s when it really hit me, “This was a place that, Lord willing, I could come back for the rest of my life.” That’s when I realized that Rwanda would have a place in my heart forever and ever.

So after seeing the place that I had heard so much about, and taking several photos, we got back into the car and drove to our next stop. We went to dinner at a hotel, The Hotel Novetel (sp?) It was so strange to come from a church where the children’s clothing were hanging on by a thread and some didn’t even have shoes , to having a hamburger with a band playing, a swimming pool, and tennis courts. It makes you appreciate what you have so much more!

Well, seeing how our Africa trip was so huge, I am going to have to write in parts. So…to be continued………….

An Africa post is coming soon. I promise!!!!!!!!

I'm Home!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and have been awake for almost 24hrs straight. :)

Hey,so last Sunday the 28th, Catie had 8 seizures and since then she has been out of it till this morning.  Now we have our Catie Nana back! And TONY is back from tour. We all missed him ; Tony and I get to hang out .

 Kerri and my dad called, they are in London and were getting on a subway train. . Well, that's all for now.. I gots to go because Annie wants to play with me... fun     :(  bye.

Amyfoofoo

    Hi everyone.

         Just wanted to say hi from Kenya. We are waiting for our flight to London. I love Rwanda!!!!!!! My heart is tied there forever as well as my dads. I can't help but wonder what God will have for me there. It will be somewhere ( Lord willing) I will go back to for the rest of my life doing His work. post pixs soon.

Kerri

 X O to my family

   Hey,

Here's an update on Kerri and my daddy. They arrived in Africa today and all is well. They are ten hours ahead of us.So when he called at 1:00pm, my daddy said he was going to bed. That actually sounds good LOL. I'll try and keep you guys updated.

  Amyfoofoo

Well it the last post for a while. Goodbye and remember to pray for my family here with Annie. We go as ambassadors for Christ. We also have the missionary's prayer. " Lord where you lead I will follow, what they serve me to eat I will swallow."  LOL :)

Kerri

" Lose the humor lose the fight"

Rwanda