We spent almost every day with orphans and spent time with over 500 in 8 different groups in Bangui. The people of CAR are very loving, creative and joyful, even in the poor conditions they live in, by our standards. We spent time playing games, a lot of soccer and basketball and other “motion” games requiring no equipment. The children make up games to enjoy and we loved playing with them. The children come up to you and just want to hold your hand and be near you. There greatest need is for sponsorship so that they can have food, clothing and maybe private school.

It was awesome being with the ICDI staff. We miss them and will continue to communicate with them.

Thanks for bearing with us and not being able to get e-mails to you. Internet access in CAR was very limited, even when electric power was available.

Fody just celebrated the 5-0.  That’s right his 50th was celebrated today.  There wasn’t any cake, but there were seven, eight, nine, ten and 11 year olds at the orphanage that they were at.

They played barefoot soccer with the kids on dirt and rocks.  Whenever the kids were pushed down on the rocks (hopefully not by our own team), they wouldn’t cry or run to their mom’s.  Fody said that they are “tough little buggers”.

Tomorrow is their last full day in Africa.  In the morning they are heading to some type of Grace Brethren mission and then in the afternoon visiting another orphanage.  They have visited pretty much one orphanage per day to just play with the kids.  The kids are excited just to have someone to play with.

If you can’t imagine what the team is feeling, neither can I.

Kelly said that both Fody and Addie can’t describe emotions and what they have seen.  Absolutely nothing is like our life.  There are power outtages throughout the day.  They will be with electricity and then nothing.  Just darkness.

Fody said that everything has failure.  There is always a failure rate, regardless of what the item is.

The team has been completely wowed by the entire experience.

They leave C.A.R. Thursday at 6 p.m. and then have a layover in Paris and will finally arrive Friday in Detroit around noon.  After a six hour lay-over, the team will finally arrive back home by eight in the evening.

If I receive any other updates, I will pass them along.

Here is the first update that I have received from the team currently in Africa.

***

Praise the Lord we have internet for a minute tonight!
The team have been able to visit with almost all eight orphan care groups, the children have all touched our hearts. Everything is going well, as for safety, health and seeing the Lord at work! We have attended two African services, in sango and in french. Due to internet limitation, we will share more later.
In Christ, The team
Addie was scribe if there are mistakes blame me…Pray for Fody though, for no fainting or sickness, he switched malaria meds too, Alot of heat here , pray for hidration, since we are on the equator.
We got to meet Hunter’s sponsor and met a new one his brother, and Fody and Addie met Luisa their new little girl, Wayne is celebrating his birthday tonight.
Greatest need is for sponsorship of orphans and aid children, through ICDI.

***

You should be able to see some pictures above.

Thanks for visiting!

Here are some pictures taken from the Prayer service Tuesday morning…

Garret and Rhett pray with Wayne

Frentsos' pray together

The Frey's pray together

The CAR Team prepares to say good-bye

Yesterday was the commishioning service for the team at DGBC.

Here are some pictures

(you should be able to click the pictures to enlarge them)

The team leaves tomorrow,

Be sure to join them tomorrow for the prayer send-off at 10:30 a.m. in the church parking lot.

It’s coming quickly.

Be sure to check this for updates as internet connection and power permit.

July 15 –     Depart Columbus Airport to Detroit, MI then onto Paris
July 16 –    Arrive Paris, 12 hour lay over then depart for Bangui, Central African Republic
July 17 –    Arrive Bangui, rest, settle in and tour city
July 18 –    Visit Orphan Care Center
July 19 –    Visit Orphan Groups
July 20 –    Church  and orphan visits
July 21 –    Visit GBIM orphan center
July 22 –     Accompany ICDI Nurse on Medical visits, orphan home visits
July 23 –    Visit Boali and Radio Station
July 24 –    Work with Orphan Care Groups 1 and 2 with flannel graphs
July 25 –    Work with Orphan Care Groups 3 and 4 with flannel graphs
July 26 –    Visit Orphan Care Group 5 with flannel graphs
July 27 –    Church and orphan visits
July 28 –    Work with Orphan Care Group 6 and 7 with flannel graphs
July 29 –     Pessele Pygmy Village visit
July 30 –    Work with Orphan Care Group 8 with flannel graphs
July 31 –    Baggage registration and depart from Bangui to Paris
Aug 1 –        Depart Paris for home

They offer a lunch buffet from 11-2 and dinner from 4:30-9:00pm. They also
offer carry out. Lunch to Dinner prices range from $5.95 to $18.95 and
they offer everything from spaghetti, lasagna, ravioli, veal, chicken,
whitefish, salmon, vegetarian, alfredo and steaks.

If you would like to support the team in this manner please pick up a ticket
at the narthex information board or contact Robin Frey to have one mailed to
you.