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Working with Migrants in Rabat
As the group is upstairs in the hotel at the moment, I am back on the computer to share about our trip so far! The past three days have been wonderful as we have entered into the thick of the work that the EEAM is doing with the migrants in Rabat. Shortly after my last blog entry on Sunday, we went to another worship service... this time it was a 25 minute bus ride from downtown in the midst of a neighborhood. We walked into what seemed to be a home to find about 40 African refugees crowded together in a very small room for worship. We sat in two tight rows of white pastic chairs and got to experience a moving service of worship with sermon that was interpreted into English and music that seemed to pour of out their souls. Afterwards, we stayed for about an hour and visited with the people... lots of photos and sharing of email addresses. Almost all of those at the service were from the Congo. Yesterday (Monday), we gathered at the church and began spliting into groups to start the micro enterprise projects. Three groups split up and over the morning hours, we started/supported 7 projects. You will see photos on Flick from the projects that my group helped start. Those included a woman who bought materials to start a salon for fellow migrant women, a woman who bought fish to be salted and dried that could be sold and stored, and a woman who bought materials to make cakes. Then we had lunch and planned the youth programming for that evening. That evening, we gathered back at the church to be greeted by around 20 teenagers ranging from age 12 to 25. They continued to file in over the next 45 minutes until by the end, we had around 30. Our group did a wonderful job as they lead in group games, shared their names with one another, shared music together, and acted out Bible stories. We were extremely blessed by our two new friends - Tunaka and Kadija - two sisters (age 17 and 19) who lived in Morocco as children and then had grown up in the US where they live now. Both are here for the summer helping with the migrants. They were a great gift to our group for their language skills, their experience with the migrants, and their fun personalities! Today, we helped with the interviews with the migrants and then Ellie, Alecia, and I went with some migrants to start two more projects - one man bought a sewing machine for his wife and one man bought materials to make shoes. Each night, we have gathered together to share about all of the eye-opening experiences we have had. Our group is wrestling with the tough questions of how we can help these people when we are only here for such a short time... how can they have so little and yet have so much faith in Gods presence... how can we go back home having seen all of thsee things? We are here in Rabat tonight and tomorrow and then we are off to Casablanca to work with migrants on Thursday. Then traveling on Friday and Saturday and back home on Saturday. Thank you so much for all your prayers and your comments/emails. They touch my heart and I know that there will be much rejoicing when we can meet all together again to share about how God is moving in our lives. Enjoy the new pictures in the meantime! Carol
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Carol,
You and Roy are blessing all of us "shareholders" and the entire Highland family. We appreciate your hard work in preparing for the mission elements of the trip and the challenge of the trip, itself. It is clear from the comments on the blog that the parents especially appreciate your thorough "news coverage" of the trip.
Please give Holly (our special traveler) our greetings. We so enjoyed her contact with us just before you left.
Blessings for the remainder of your time in Africa and have a safe trip home.
Sandy and Reece
From the pictures and stories, you guys must be having a blast! We cannot wait to hear although it will be impossible to share all. You can see from the photos the appreciation and love your new Moroccan friends have for you. You will never know the impact you are having on their lives by sharing your gifts, time and faith with them. But also, you will always remember this experience and as great an impact is what these precious people are doing in your lives. You will have a special bond with one another as a group as well. Wade, all is well at home and we miss you but Sunday will be here before you know it. I will be coming to Cincinnati to meet you guys when you return. Love, Susan (Ken and Adam too).
As I look at the pictures of a place and faces familiar, I have that familiar feeling again, that feeling of indescribable joy and love for people who ask for so little and give back so much. I pray for you all daily, especially Alecia. Please give them all a hug for me (and an extra tight hug for Alecia).
Virenee
I can truly feel the joy and love in all the pictures! We pray for each of you daily and SARA - Phil and I pray for you specifically! I know you are receiving so much as you share your gifts. We soak up every word and experience that is posted - know that we are also energized by your experiences. Thank you for being the presence of Christ to these dear people. Kathy C/Mom
I too am so happy to see these pictures and to read of all the beautiful things that are transpiring there in Morocco! I love seeing some of the African faces I know along with all of you that I love. I have been teary ever since my return from Morocco, and these updates make my tears spill over again (sorry Holly). I know you are just where God wants you to be. If you're anything like me you're wondering "what can I possibly give them that could even come close to what they've given me?" Drink it all in as God's amazing gift. Love and prayers to you all, Libby (Miss you, Holly)
Daily I have prayed that God would move and work in the hearts of everyone participating in this mission trip. As I looked at the photos today and read your blog, I know these prayers are being answered in ways I have not even dreamed. I know that your lives are being changed, even as you minister and change the lives of the people you meet. I will continue to pray for your journey, physical and spiritual and also begin to pray for how all of these opportunities will be processed in the weeks, months and years to come. Blessings and love to all.
Kathey
Carol, et al:
I am so thankful to our God for the joy and wonder you are discovering in Morocco. Our friends across the ocean are truly a blessing and I am thrilled that you and they now know each other. Your lives are now and forever changed; this is one of the greatest gifts that can be given to all of you. Soak up all that you can while in Rabat and Casa, love and be loved by everyone you meet. God is truly at work in this amazing partnership we share between our continents. I look forward to reading more and hearing from you all upon your return. You are in my thoughts and prayers as you continue be the presence of Christ.
Josh Speight
I am so moved by your reports of the worship and migrant work and the good friendships you are forming. Those are such difficult and important questions you are discussing about how God is working in this situation and the connection between the world there and your world back in Louisville. It is exciting to get those updates. I'm praying for each of you daily and missing Jordan! Love to all - Mary BP
I am overwhelmed by your report and the photos. What a joy! Prayers and blessings upon you and everyone you meet there. I can see transforming love in the faces of your group and in in the people that surround you.
We are so excited that you had the opportunity to meet Loriane! Please pass on our greetings to her.
Phil
Carol - We are blessed with your updates as to what is going on. It
makes us feel as if we were there! What great experiences you and the
group are having and what wonderful things you guys are learning! We
are following your itinerary day by day and all of you are in our
prayers and thoughts many times a day! Give Anna a hug for us and we
can't wait to hear all that God has done.
Blessings - Debbie and Tracy