September 2009

Welcome to the September Installment of The Elisabeth Chronicles! It’s hard to believe that on September 30, I will have been in Senegal for 2 months. The time has definitely flown by!

We’ve been in school for almost 6 weeks now. I now have 9 students, with two more coming in the next few weeks. My class will be comprised of 6 boys and 5 girls. There are 4 Americans, 1 British, 1 Brazilian, 1 Nigerian, 1 Senegalese, 1 Saudi Arabian, 1 Indian, and 1 from Cameroon. Of those, 6 are from missionary families, 3 are from embassy families, and 2 are from business families. Only 7 of these families are of the Christian faith. Of the others: One is Muslim, one is Hindu, and the other two are unknown. Please pray for my students (and the school’s other students as well). Pray that the Christian values we are teaching them stick. Pray that one day, these students will be able to take what they’ve learned back to their “home” countries and spread the Gospel there.

Since I last wrote, I had the pleasure of going on Dakar Academy’s Staff Retreat to the nearby city of Saly. We stayed in a very nice “resort,” where I was able to enjoy the luxury of the swimming pool, the beach and nearby shops, good food and fellowship, and air conditioned rooms. *This is always a plus here. :) It was a great time of rest and relaxation and fellowship with my fellow staff/board members. I also got to spend a little more time getting to know the McLanes during this time as well. I feel so privileged to have been given the opportunity to work with, learn from, and get to know this missionary family.

I have also started reading a new book: Twelve Ordinary Men by John MacArthur. It is about the lives of the twelve disciples of Jesus and how they were just ordinary men called to do great things for God. I’ve always questioned why God chose me to be in the ministry. I often feel that I’m not a great speaker or leader. I still get nervous when I speak in front of a group of people. I’m not the best at remembering the exact scripture verse to give someone in different situations. I don’t possess any awesome talents or skills. I often feel that I’m just too ordinary to be used by God. But then I remember something. God takes ordinary people and transforms them into something extraordinary. Just as Jesus chose twelve “ordinary” men and trained them to spread His Gospel, He chose me and is training me to do the same.

A lot of people have been asking for a list of items I need/want. So in this e-mail, I’ve included a sort of wish list. Please know I’m not sending this asking for these items, I’m just responding to what a lot of people have asked. J Also, if you do send a package, know that it’s typically cheaper to send one in a flat-rate US Postal box and please let me know when you mail it, so I can be prepared to pay the small tax/fee to pick it up. If you have any questions about what can or can’t be sent or anything else, please let me know. Also, if you would like any contact information (address, phone numbers) for me, please let me know.

Thank you all for your prayers and support. This means so incredibly much to me. It is so wonderful to know I have so many people “back home” and abroad supporting me while I am fulfilling the call God has placed on my life. When you pray, I ask that you specifically remember these things…1) Pray for Dakar Academy and its teachers and students. 2) Pray for all the lost people in Senegal. 3) Pray for the missionaries in Senegal, working to further the kingdom of God. 4) Pray for me. I am starting French classes today (the 28th). Also, [ray that I do the things God wants me to do, say the things God wants me to say, and go to the places God wants me to go.

If you already support me each month financially, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. If you do not, and would like to, please contact me at enichols85@gmail.com and I can tell you how to do so. Any donations you make would be tax-deductible.

May God Bless,Elisabeth Nicholsenichols85@gmail.com

Elisabeth’s Wish List

Ziploc-type bags (all sizes – freezer and regular) – doesn’t have to be Ziploc bag (Dollar Tree brand is what I bought)
Nuts – you can take them out of the can (if they’re canned) and put in bags to save weight/$
Dried fruit
Candy (nothing that would melt too bad preferably)
Ranch dressing mix
Italian dressing mix
Seasoning packets (any kind)
Cocoa
Brownie/Cookie/Muffin mixes (usually smaller/weigh less)
Cornbread mixes
Packaged, microwaveable meals (those quick ones – nothing expensive)
Snack foods (nothing that would melt too bad preferably)
Individual packets of grits (I’m from the south and I love them…what else can I say?)
Pop-Tarts (doesn’t have to be name brand – my favorite kind is the strawberry ones)
Stickers, pencils, or other small (cheap) toys to give as prizes to my students
Sticky notes (doesn’t have to be post-it brand – any brand is fine)
Lined, looseleaf paper
Cinnamon flavored gum
Note cards or stationery/envelopes (really any kind of paper/cards and/or envelopes)
Lead pencils (any size) and lead
Ink pens (I really like the SHARPIE brand ink pens and flair brand colored pens, but I would honestly be happy with any kind.)
Christmas time – candy canes
Chocolate chips
Peanut butter
Kool-aid (any flavor) or flavored water packets
Jello and Instant pudding mixes
Clear Tape (any brand – doesn’t have to be scotch brand)
Books (no big preferences – except that they be clean and nothing sci-fi/mystery preferably)Magazines (no big preferences)
Puzzle books
Holiday Decorations (inexpensive ones – wall decorations, plates/napkins, stickers, etc.)
Games (board games or card games – nothing expensive…just small to save on packing/$$)
T-shirts (adult XL) – clothes take a real beating here between the sun fading the fabric, and the harsh sand and water too
American stamps (There are always people going back to the US that can mail letters for us.)Dvd’s or TV shows on dvd’s (I’m not hard to please… Just ask If you’d like to see what I already have first, just ask…)
Cd’s (same as dvd’s/tv shows)
Itunes gift cards
Online Gift Certificates (I know Amazon.com ships overseas and many others do too…)

God, you want me to do what?!

Saturday I was asked if I wanted to do Children's Church at one of the African churches some time soon.

My first reaction was almost shock -- He wants me to do what?! Then I asked if he was serious and he said he was and then asked, wasn't that what you were wanting to do here? I answered yes (with a little hesitation in my voice). And he said ok then, why don't you do it then? I then said, I don't know if I could do that by myself. He said, Oh yeah you could and then the subject got changed after that and it was left at that.

The rest of the afternoon and throughout the night (I couldn't sleep.) I kept thinking about him asking me this. The devil kept putting thoughts in my head, like...You're not good enough. You can't speak French. You're not even a real missionary.

So during thenight I was still praying about this and finally felt peace about it. I heard God say, Elisabeth I wouldn't call you to do a ministry if I'm not going to be with you and help you and take care of you. Why do you worry about these things? And this is the verse he gave me...

"I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is always right beside me." Psalms 16:8

Yes, I may be nervous. Yes, I might even mess up. But God will be right beside me.

Technology

My ipod's not working. An error message popped up and when I called the technical support people the lady sent me an e-mail of things to try, none of which have worked. So either a miracle happens and my ipod starts working again, or I'm going to have to call in on my warranty (I've only had it 6mths.) and get another one, which will be hard since they're in America and I'm in Africa! Grr to technology...

This is my latest status update on Facebook. And I called my mom on Skype and as soon as she asked how I was doing, I launched into a big spill about my ipod not working and blah, blah, blah and why me. And in the midde of my moaning and groaning and pity party, I remembered something.

Just last week gave a devotion at school, in which I said -- Remember, we need to not worry, but be happy. Plus, technology isn't all bad. It does make my life a LOT easier and it helps me stay in contact with all my family and friends since we're separated by thousands and thousands of miles. Plus, I've only had my ipod for less than 6 months, so it's still under warranty, so I could have it replaced/fixed.

My point is this...Sometimes we focus so much on the bad things that happen in life, that we forget good things happen too. We need to take time daily to thank God for all of these good things, like...

1) We didn't have running water when I woke up today, but it came on later in the day.

2) The electricity has not gone off in almost a full week.

3) I'm surrounded by people that daily encourage me.

4) I'm teaching in a Christian school -- which means I can post scripture on the wall and I can pray in class, all without fear.

5) I'm in Africa. I'm working with children. I'm doing what God has called me to do.

6) I'm saved, filled with the Holy Spirit, and working on the mission field.

7) God loves me.

Elisabeth Needs...

This is a silly little fad for bored people (like me right now). You google your name and Needs in quotes ["elisabeth needs"]. I got some interesting ones and some not-so interesting ones...

1. Elisabeth needs coffee.
2. Elisabeth needs to raise her voice.
3. Elisabeth needs to shut up. (It kind of contradicts the last one, doesn't it?)
4. Elisabeth needs a vacation.
5. Elisabeth needs to wake up.
6. Elisabeth needs a reality check.
7. Elisabeth needs to stay home.
8. Elisabeth needs a date.
9. Elisabeth needs to find a new doctor.
10. Elisabeth needs guidance and clarity.

Don't Worry. Be Happy.

Did you know that God wants you to be happy? He does. He really does.

I know what you're thinking. Duh, of course God wants us to be happy. Why are you asking that question?

But often, Christians are walking around worrying about things going on in their lives, their families, their world. They are walking around looking sad and just truly unhappy. They complain about every little thing -- whether that be the electricity going out, mosquito bites, or even health problems.

Oh wait. I'm talking about myself here. I've been in Senegal for 6 weeks now. The power has been going out almost every day. The mosquitos here love me. I get at least one new souvenir bite every day. I've been sick 3 times -- and had to see a doctor 2 of those times. I've been on all kinds of medicine -- including medicines to treat the allergic reaction I had to one of those.

Through those times, I know I did not act happy all the time. I cried. I complained. I was just in a good ol' fashioned bad mood. And all the while I was not doing what God wanted me to do. I was not acting happy. I was worrying about everything and not letting God take control, like I know I was supposed to.

In Philippians 4:6, Paul writes "Don't worry about anything, instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he's done." (NLT) There are 3 clear commands in this verse.

1) Don't worry about anything.

2) Pray about everything.

3) Thank God for all he's done.

It's simple. God is in control of our lives. God loves us and wants to help us. And we should let him. We should not worry about things in our lives. We should pray about it -- tell God what's going on, what we need help with, etc. -- and let God take care of it. And last, (but not least) we should thank God for everything. P.S. This doesn't just mean thank God for the good things. Everything happens for a reason (even bad things). We need to still thank God in the midst of our troubles.

Do you remember the Big Mouth Billy Bass? It was a popular item (at least it was in the South) during the 90's. It was this fish that was mounted on the wall and had this motion sensor on it. So when someone would walk by, it would start singing, "Don't worry. Be happy now..."