Making Preparations

Life and work have been very busy for us the past few weeks. We seem to be in preparation mode these days. We are expecting the next short-term team on June 4th and they will stay here until the 15th. This will be the first large team for us to host…10 people. (You may remember our last team was only made up of 2 people). There is a lot involved in preparing for and hosting a team. We have been working on all the details to get this team here and to make sure their time here goes smoothly.



Within this team of 10 people, are three separate projects. Part of the team will be working with some of the Elikya Center and CECU staff to help them plan for an Elikya Center restaurant. The idea behind starting a restaurant is to help the Elikya Center become a more self-sustaining ministry. There will be a lot of brainstorming and planning to help get this project off the ground. CECU (the local church) runs a youth camp every summer and they have purchased some land next to the Elikya Center as a new location. Part of the team will be working with the church leadership as they plan for this camp and the new property. The third project is called Kids for Congo. Four teenage girls (two of which are Sam’s cousins) started a non-profit organization in the states that helps raise awareness for orphans here in Congo. They will work alongside Global Fingerprints, the orphan sponsorship program here, while they are in Congo and spend a lot of time with the orphans.


A team of 10 people focusing on 3 different projects means there is a lot of coordinating to do! We are excited to soon welcome this team and want to have everything ready and well-scheduled. At the same time we are preparing the Hospitality Team to do this exact job in the future and we have begun to work one-on-one with the Hospitality Team members to train them in their specific job roles.

Sarah working with Bebe, who will take over Sarah's job when we return to the States

While we are in the throes of preparing for a team, Sam and I are also in the throes of preparing for our baby. The baby’s due date is July 31^st…only about 2 ½ months away! This is a very exciting time for us and we have been trying to get as much ready for our baby before the team comes on June 4^th. There has been a lot to sort out for the trip we will take at the end of June to Central African Republic where we will deliver the baby. We have been working out finances, visas, setting up guest houses and transportation. Of course, we are reading labor and delivery books and trying to prep Sarah for giving birth.

There has been much to do to get our house ready for baby, as well. We rearranged our living room to make space for an infant to play on the floor. (Please note that we did not choose the couch or curtain material. They were chosen for us and we are doing the best we can with what we have).

There is a new piece of furniture in the corner of our bedroom that Sam designed and helped build. We still need to attach the mosquito net to the pole hanging over the bed.



Now we are waiting for a dresser to put in the bedroom and a cabinet/pantry to put in the kitchen and a baby to put in the crib.