Merry Christmas!

Three days until Christmas... Are you ready? :)

It's weird to think that people around the world are preparing for Christmas with trees, snow, cookies and eggnog. At least, I always thought people around the world prepare for Christmas in some way. Here, Christmas is this Thursday and life seems to be no different from last month. Maybe it's only in the USA (or just the west), where people spend weeks (months, sometimes), getting ready to observe a day that is becoming more about the food that is eaten and the gifts that are received – then about God humbling Himself and coming to earth so that we, so that I, may be saved.

I'm told that Christmas isn't really celebrated like it is in other countries… In Kampala, Uganda, for example – the shops are full of people buying, selling, looking, etc. But here in Beni? It's quiet. Today is just another day in another week in another month… I guess that's why I am surprised when I see the date… Or when I saw Noé put Christmas lights up in the family room. However, Christmas is here, we have our last day of classes tomorrow, and then two weeks off for Christmas vacation... Stevie is here for a month, and tonight we will start cooking and baking!

I thank God for family in the USA, and family in the DRC. I couldn't imagine not spending Christmas without family.

Merry Christmas

love,
Bethany

Just for fun...

Here are a few photos... Just for fun... Of some of the people around! This way you'll start to know some of the people I know!

The student body president, Fila "Obama" being sworn into office!

Noe, Dogo's son who is over at the house often! What a sweetie!

Mama Kassie, me and Laura at the house

Luke, a pesky brother here who knows I hate spiders, so he took the picture below!

It was in one of the men's washrooms.... shiver!!!

This is Justin, our driver... He is teaching me French, Swahili and Lingala all at once... He's also promised to teach me how to drive a moto.... In turn, I'll teach him English! haha!

Um yeah, here I am, hard at work!

Three of our students... Chong, Yannik and Berthong

Nice shades. Here is Justin, another pesky "little" brother (who is older and much taller than me)...

This is Annie. She is a sweetheart and one of our Prep year students

Noe, teasing me about the clothes I'm wearing!

Hilda, one of our G1 students

So there are some pictures of some of the people I interact with daily... And some of the people who are quickly becoming my friends and loved ones!

With love,

Bethany

ps - Nine days until Christmas!

Pictures...

WE STILL HAVE POWER!! Hahah! What a great feeling to know that I'm connected with the rest of the world again :) Now I have lots of emails to catch up on!

Below is the link to my photo album... Just pretend that you are sitting on the couch next to me, while I show you some of the hundreds of photos that have recently been taken! :) Would you like a brownie???

http://picasaweb.google.com/bethany.erickson/PhotosFromTheMonthOfNovember#

with love,

Bethany

ps - here is a photo showing what the UCBC staff wore to Kaza's wedding on Saturday... It was a

beautiful wedding and a great time - I'll put those pictures up another day! :) And the clothes were fun!!

In this picture we have (front row):

Professor Bora, driver Justin, teachers Mashauri and Salita

(Back row):

a student, Aimee the fiancee of professor Thierry (next to her), professor Joas, Luke, Kaza and his bride Light, me, Noe, and Osee

AND FINALLY...................... HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, MOM AND DAD!!!!! I love you both so much!!

power, power, power

Dear loved ones,

I write this update to you on Monday evening, December 1st, but I don’t know when it will be posted online. For almost two weeks, we’ve had no internet at UCBC and very little power. The past week we haven’t had any power at all. The generators have been on the fritz but we are hoping and praying that these issues will soon be resolved. It’s very difficult to do your job without power, or internet. How can I update those in the USA about what we are doing here? How can I prepare things for class without power? How do we do our jobs without the ability to email and share with our colleagues? Ah, so it has been a trying time… But with few moments of total down-time… We still manage to have full days. However this is really highlighting to us the need to have solar power. We are in an incredibly sunny part of the world – solar power would be ideal here!! Especially as the price of fuel is high and electricity in general is expensive. So we are looking into the feasibility of solar power, even though we don’t have the funds to purchase it now. We’re praying.

And for the many of you who have taken the time to write and send me personal emails… I’m so sorry for not responding lately! Once the internet is back up I will do my best to dedicate hours of time towards personal emails, maybe on a Saturday or Sunday! Thank you though for sending them – it’s nice to come to my inbox and see lots of love, whenever we get to the internet café! :)

The classes are going well… I’ve had some students ask about the quantity and difficulty of homework and assignments… It’s so strange to hear students complain to me about how much homework they have. I’ve even had to say to a few, “Why are you in university if you don’t want to learn?” I get a response back like, “I want to learn, but why do I have four homework assignments in one week?” And without laughing I remind, “You are in university. It’s not going to be easy. If you continue to study and work hard – it will pay off. It will be worth it!” Haha – this one student in particular has not spoken to me about the amount of homework they are getting since that conversation!! And there are others who admit to having lots of homework to do, but that they are grateful for the work. “How else can I learn, Bethany?” So needless to say, they are all hard at work!

For about a week and a half now, we have been without rain. It’s remarkable how dusty everything is… The roads are covered; it clogs your throat, gets in your eyes, and covers your clothes / hair / skin. Even the leaves of plants are coated with a thick layer of dust. And my laptop – is filthy! I’m told it is the beginning of the dry season… I’m not sure what to expect when it will be weeks without rain! This dust is unending and everywhere!

This weekend one of our staff members is getting married. I’ve gone to a wedding here – but I didn’t know the people, and we didn’t stay for the celebration / party afterwards. So I’m looking forward to going to this wedding with some of the people in the house and some of our staff. Plus – we are all wearing matching clothes (uniforms) to support him. We were fitted last week and I’m told we’ll have them on Wednesday. I’ll be sure to share a few photos after the wedding! :) hahah. We aren’t in the wedding, but we are still matching… Ah hem.

Tuesday afternoon: I heard thunder a few minutes ago, saw that the sky was getting dark. And asked Honoré, “do you think we’ll get that rain? We could really use it!” And now, at 3:30 pm we have some rain! Well it didn’t last long, and it wasn’t very much, but it really cooled off the temperature a bit and hopefully it will make the dust settle a bit.

Wednesday evening: Unfortunately, you couldn't even tell that it had sprinkled outside yesterday... The dust almost seemed worse after that small amount of rain! haha! So we continue to live in this hazy world... I wonder when we will see the Rwenzori mountains again? It would be good to have another glimpse....

So how did we spend Thanksgiving? Well after working at UCBC, we came home in the afternoon and started cooking... We had chickens, beef, rice, mashed potatoes (whoo hoo!!), Chinese greens, and afterwards a bite of chocolate! :) hahah! :) It certainly wasn't the same as how we spend Thanksgiving in the States... But it was wonderful to share that day with people in another country... Who don't observe such a day, but who wanted to celebrate with us. It was a good time of family and friends, fellowship, and even a bit of over-eating!! Ah just like the States! It was good to have an environment that even though it wasn’t totally like how holidays are spent in the US, it was still a warm, home-like atmosphere, with love and conversations and food! :) Thanksgiving in Congo was a memorable one!!

Thursday morning: Finally! Thank you God, we have been desperate for rain these two weeks! And this morning, it poured! Maybe now I can go for another ride on a moto – it’s been too dusty to ride, everyone strongly suggested that I not because the dust will get in my lungs… But now that it’s rained, I’ll be able to again – hmm… I wonder when they’ll teach me to drive one?!

Thursday afternoon: And I’m at the internet café! :) Still no clothes for the wedding but I'm guessing we'll get them tomorrow... Otherwise we won't match! ;) Well, as always I hope and pray that you are well… I often pray for my friends and family back home.

With love,
Bethany

Encouragement

Well today is another day here at UCBC!

This week we are sort of back to normal… I’m still trying to figure out what a normal week is! Classes are moving forward, professors are giving quizzes, and we’re waiting for the rain to bring the dust down! I’m told that even though the roads seem dusty, that it’s nothing compared to the days when we’ll be without rain for 10 days… It’s only been two days without rain so far and we are seeing clouds of dust all over the roads.

But it’s been really nice here the past few days… Today it’s a bit cooler, but even on Sunday after church, we walked home. It was nice to be in the sun and in the fresh (and dusty!) air… It must have been about 90 in the sun though! Walking home with the sun on my back was good – and wow, were we hot!

Well it has been a surprising blessing to have Laura, Justin and Luke here. I didn’t know how much I had been in need of just a little interaction with people my age… And we’ve watched a few episodes of the Office! By the way… if this trend continues, I may end up becoming a fan of that show! Hahah. But on Sunday, the four of us spent a good amount of time playing a game of cards. It was called "Tonk" and I happened to win (graciously, of course!), to one of my new brother’s chagrin ;) Wow it was good to play cards though… So relaxing and it just really seemed to prepare me for the week and gave me so much rest! It was a fantastic way to end the day! This week has been good… We had visitors from Goma this week. It was good to meet and spend time with Christina and Chelsea… Not only did we get to hear a little more about Heal Africa, where they work, and the situation in Goma, but we spent last night making quesadillas and tortilla chips! Wow, what a treat!! All six of us muzungus went to work preparing for our dinner... Four hours later - we ate! :) It seemed like such a good idea to have a little grease and oil in my system… But boy did I have heartburn later on that night!! At any rate – I know that I have girls in Goma who I can always call on while I’m here, and even people that I’ll know and enjoy, whenever I get to Goma (which won’t be anytime soon, don’t worry Mom!). I feel so fortunate to have received so much encouragement this week. It wasn't always intentional and I don't know if people even realized how encouraging they were to me. But it's these small blessings that I cherish and am so grateful to receive!

Speaking of Goma, we still have quiet and calm here. There are still heartbreaking stories coming from the south, but we have not lost hope. The people are hopeful, especially as we hear that Nkunda is withdrawing troops.

Please continue to pray for the people of Congo and for UCBC.

And enjoy the photos :) This one here is of one of the bugs that Grace found outside last night... They were huge!!! And I think they sting... I don't know why they showed up in the grass or what their purpose is... But I'll stick to killing small insects and leave these big suckers to the boys!

With love,
Bethany

YUMMMM

Campus Cultivation

Hello!

Well Saturday was a work day here at UCBC and boy, did we work! It wasn't for more than three hours... But with about 110 people (Luke counted), we were able to get so much done!

From cutting down the tall grass and uncovering the basketball court to digging up plants and cutting down trees... We worked hard! But the results were well worth it... And now we have been joined by the architects so we will begin to break ground this week on the Community Center!

Take a look at some of the pictures that I’ve uploaded http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/bethany.erickson/UCBCWorkProgram# . The students were surprised that I knew how to use a hoe… I don’t know what they were expecting, but I assured them that I was taught well by my mother in our garden!! Granted, this type of digging was a bit harder than just hoeing a row for corn… But digging away at the dirt and roots was good exercise. It felt good to be active and working hard on Saturday… It kind of seemed like I’d been less active than normal lately, so the work was welcomed!

Ah but the students. It was amazing to have almost 100 students here, working hard for their campus, for their university. These students know that we need to have the Community Center and classrooms in order to accept another incoming class of students next year. So even though some of us would consider it to be “back-breaking work,” they were happy to do it. It’s so good to see them grasping the vision of UCBC and the impact it has not only on themselves, but on their community.

It is so good to have our architects, Dick and Eileen here with us. It was a long journey to get them here, but we praise God that they are with us and ready to work! We are too and are excited for the future.

We were given a matching grant from an organization, which is enabling us to begin work on the Community Center. We need to still raise support in order to maximize the impact and gift of the matching grant. But we are continuously in prayer – trusting that the Lord will move people and that He will provide.

http://www.congoinitiative.org/

Please keep us, UCBC, in your prayers.

In case you’ve been reading about Goma… Let me continue to emphasize that we are safe, well, and happy here in Beni. Like I mentioned before, we have just been joined by the couple from the States. Although they had problems getting here, they did not have travel difficulties because of Goma or any issues related to Congo. The conflict is still very centralized on the areas that you are hearing about in the news. We also have been told that the news in the States makes it sound much worse than it is… Dick was kind enough to bring back a few news articles about Congo to show us how bad things sound there!! All this to say, that we are safe, in the Lord’s hands, and enjoying a sort of quiet (though never dull), life here in Beni.

Much love to you all…
Bethany

Congolese Realities

Argh, I hate loosing my work! I had written a post and it got deleted! Well, I am now going to attempt to write my update… Again! :)

Monday was our first day of classes. It was wonderful to see so many students coming into the building, ready and excited for their first day. So many smiling and happy faces – ready to learn! Sitting in on Dr Kasali’s course, “DRC Realities,” I noticed a few things:

Doors would be really good to have on the classrooms. It’s incredible how much sound is in this building and how much of a difference doors would make in the classes. The sounds of students in the hallway just pours into the classroom. And it was quite easy to realize that the faculty nearly had to shout, in order to be head by their students.
They are hungry! It is a long day to be sitting in class with nothing to eat to carry you from morning to evening…
The faculty have a big task… We all do. There are many students, about 140, and just 12 teaching faculty and staff. Thank God we will be joined soon by Justin and Luke, so we’ll be at a ratio of about 14 to 140!

So now things are underway… And even as I write this, there is a group of men outside behind our building, and they are cutting down all of the tall grass and brush. This is so that when we are joined later this week by our architect from the US, we can begin to lay the foundation of the next building here at UCBC. It will be a community center, one that has many classrooms. And classrooms are needed! This is a great need and I ask that you would be praying for us as we try to raise the funds necessary for this building. Without it, we will not have the space to hold classes for another incoming year of students in 2009-2010.

Now I have two small children who have wandered into our building… They are speaking to me in Swahili and asking me for things… I keep saying “Sielewi” – “I don’t understand.” Or “Nina jifunza Swahili,” which means, “I am learning Swahili.” But they still keep speaking to me and wanting something! Hahah! One day I’ll be able to understand and respond back to them! For now, I just keep saying “hapana” to say “no” because I think they want some of the things here in the office! Wow.

So this morning I was awakened at about 5 am when I heard Dr Kasali laughing... I was confused, and then I realized that I could hear the generator going... Which I knew meant that they were watching the results of the US election... So I got up and like a good American (who failed to vote!), I watched as the news came in... We saw McCain's concession (I was impressed by it, I found it to be well-spoken and good content), Obama's acceptance, and then we went to work! It was incredible to witness these historic events... The impact this election has for the history of our country and its people - is so significant. Anyway I am starting to ramble...

Oh wow, these kids have brought more with them! I have an audience now of five… All wanting something and just staring at me, watching me work!!

Ok well I must work (and find someone to shoo away these kids who think I’m a movie), but I wanted to send a quick update. Things here are still fine… We hear of fighting and clashes around Goma. But it is quiet and calm here.

With Love,
Bethany

School's about to begin!

Well today was the last day of orientation, and we will begin classes next week on Monday. Until then we the staff and faculty will meet to finish preparing for courses and the students... Last week we had the board meeting and then the official opening of the second year of school. It was a beautiful celebration and very good for me to see just how excited the students and the community are about going back to school. Ah if that energy and joy could be found in students who have incredible buildings and resources...

So what can I say about Beni? It's really nice here. I mean – there is extreme poverty everywhere… There is not a day that goes by in which I see women carrying water on their heads or on their backs alongside the road or even near to the Kasali's house. The roads are all dirt… And it's a type of dirt (which I can't remember the name, of course), anyway it is pretty red in color… And it dries very fast. So fast that even if it rains (like it did a bit today), it dries so quickly that the roads become dusty. Tonight on our way back to the house – it was so dusty outside it looked like a dense fog. I was shocked. And this dust sticks in your throat and mouth… It makes people cough when it's really dry and I bet it causes health problems as well. It can be really bad at times. But in spite of those things - the people amaze me with their happiness, their joy. People laugh, tell jokes, give - even though they have little to nothing, or have lost more than we can even imagine.

As I think some of the pictures showed you... the drive here was really gorgeous… And even the views that we have here in Beni can be breath-taking! The Rwenzori mountains are incredible. Oh but it was SO COOL to see elephants from the car! When Paul said – "look Bethany, elephants." I was in shock. Really? It was so neat!!!!! I wish I'd gotten better pictures… But none of the ones that I uploaded have been edited (you know cropping is amazing!), so perhaps if I ever have time to do that… I'll have some good pictures!!

Ah there are so many things lacking here that it's really miraculous that they were able to have classes here last year at all... Much less bring in a second class of students this year... God is incredible. Wow. Anyway, things are good!

But at the same time, things here are so far below what most (and I) think are necessary standards for education... And we have seven brand new teachers. And a new board of directors. All of those things and more added together equal a big opportunity for mistakes, and struggles... So we are working together trying to iron out the issues we're already facing (classroom space is where??), and growing together as a team. It's exciting, and challenging at thes same time.

We, UCBC, are doing something that isn't normal. Education for students... By faculty who care about the lives and futures not only of their students, but also of their country. It's something that the people even here in Beni say "Wow. You go to / work at / are involved with UCBC?" It's becoming a place that parents are asking if their son or daughter can attend here... People in the community are noticing a difference in the students and how they behave and what they do... Especially compared to students from other universities. This is something that could become (and already is) so powerful.

Here are some more photos... Just a few from the last week or so... I hope you enjoy seeing a little bit into life here...

http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/bethany.erickson/AFewRecentShots#

love,
Bethany

Photos

Finally, here are some pictures!

Just click on the link, it'll take you to my photo album :)

http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/bethany.erickson/SturgeonBayChicagoLondonKampalaBeni#

Things here at UCBC are going very well... It's been a productive two days... And today is proving to be the same!

Next thing on my personal list of things to do... Is to figure out how to get minutes for my cell phone (which was purchased in Kampala), so that I can call home!! heheh :)

love,
Bethany

(edit 16/OCT/2008 5:20 pm)

I didn't put any pictures of the elephants in my album... So here is one! Kind of far... But still... They are elephants! ;)

Welcome to Congo!

Hello friends!

I just wanted to leave a quick note letting you know that we safely arrived in Beni on Saturday night, after leaving Kampala at 7am... It was a long 10 hour drive, but it was so beautiful!!! We saw so much... from plants and people and houses to elephants (!!!!!!!!!!!!) and antelope... It was fantastic. I can't wait to upload my photos so that you can see some...

Right now I'm at UCBC where Dr Kasali, Paul Robinson (the head of the US side of CI-UCBC) and I are meeting for a few days to get some work done before the rest of the board arrives! It's very exciting to be here and see this school! It's new and still developing but the people - teachers, students and staff are all so excited as well. I'm really happy to be here :) Today there is a group of students taking entrance exams for the first year... They are all hoping they will be able to attend school at the end of this month!! :)

I know I keep promising updates... But I will hopefully get a chance to do so soon... Gotta go... I hope that you are doing well...

Love,
Bethany

ps - The Rwenzori mountains can be seen right outside the house... Gorgeous. And yes, you should be jealous ;)

Kampala

Wow. Kampala, Uganda is so big, busy, crowded and beautiful! There are so many people everywhere, if it's not in a little motorcycle swerving around on the roads with at least one client on the back, it's the thousands of taxi's going in and out of the traffic with at least 15 people inside, holding on for dear life.



But I like it here. Lake Victoria is just a short (maybe two or three mile) walk away... There are boats and people all buying, selling, fishing... there is so much to see here!

And then when we go to the actual city centre of Kampala... I have never seen so many things being sold in one spot - hundreds of shops, merchants outside selling things, and thousands of people everywhere. I have pictures... But I can't upload them yet... Soon! :)

Anyway, things here are good... I'm excited to travel to Congo this weekend... It will be good to get there and get started!

More soon :)

love,
Bethany

Rest...

Just a quick (and unfortunately, pictureless), note to let you know that I have safely arrived in Kampala, Uganda. My flight from Chicago to London went well, my flight from London to Entebbe, Uganda, was good. And now I am staying in Kampala. It is beautiful here. After we get to Congo late next week, I will be sure to update with more information... But for now, I wanted to leave a quick message while I have time at the internet cafe that's just down the street from where we are staying here.

The time so far has been restful, encouraging, and enjoyable. I am happy to be here. Of course my family and friends are missed. But I hold on to the hope that one day (and maybe soon!), I will be joined or visited by some! (Mom? Dad? Diane? Hannah? Sarah? Stevie? Anyone else?? hehe!) :)

Ok well I am out of time so goodbye for now!

love,
Bethany

ps - the cafe i'm at is playing Christian music. It's really cool to hear :)

"Sayin' 'yes, Lord, yes, Lord, yes, yes Lord, Amen!'"

Farewell!

In a few short hours I'll be getting on the British Airways flight to London... After which I'll head to Entebbe, Uganda and then, on the Beni, Democratic Republic of Congo.

The past few weeks have really flown by. It's sad leaving my family and friends. But it's so exciting to begin this new part of life. I'm ready to see what the Lord has in store!

I'm not sure how long I'll be in Uganda, but I will do my best to update soon and will start posting on here regularly.

lots of love,
Bethany

He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted

Greetings!

It’s been a little while… about two weeks since I updated. So here's an update! :)

The support letters have been sent and though it's hard waiting… That’s about all that I can do right now. So what’s been going on? Well I’ve finished taking anti-Typhoid pills (I’m told that I’ll be immunized against it for 5 years, instead of 3 years with the shot), I’ve picked up my Malaria pills and some other medications for when I’m there… I’ve been poked and prodded and deemed “healthy” so I’m still on my way!

If you didn’t get a support letter and would like one – please email me your address and I’ll send it to you! My email address is bethany.erickson@gmail.com.

I was back in Chicago for a few days last week… It was so good to reconnect with some people while I was there. I saw friends, gathered more of my things that had been in my apartment, and met up with a lot of people in a short amount of time. One day I talked to a woman who shared about her time spent in Congo, I met with friends who gave me surprises of financial support, and I was even told about the desire to possibly send a team of high school and college-age students to Beni for missions in the future! This is the second time something like that has been mentioned to me already! God is so good! Actually, as the pastor in church said today, He is awesome! And it's so true...

I’m still in a waiting period, but each day there is encouragement for my soul. And there are many reminders that I am going where God wants me to go...

Spending time with my family has been good. It’s been relaxing, enjoyable, exciting and refreshing. I love being here. There is never a dull moment with my family (which is a good thing! heheh), and it makes sense because until this afternoon - Becky went back to Illinois today - all seven of us had been living together under the same roof, for the first time in a long time! It's been tight quarters at times, but so good! We've spent time canoeing, laughing, playing cards, biking, swimming in the pool, and lots of eating - is exactly what I needed!

A few months ago… I was speaking with a man who is widely traveled, a greatly respected pastor in the north suburbs of Chicago, and a Biblical scholar. He had just come back from his most recent trip to Israel and mentioned that they went through or near the town of Bethany. He asked if I knew what my name meant… I said “yes, it means, ‘house of God!’” He smiled and said, “Beth-el means ‘house of God.’ Bethany means, ‘house of the poor.’”

Strangely enough, this didn’t disappoint as I think it would for most… In fact, it almost relieved me… I always thought that there was a lot of responsibility in my name, and that I always fall short of it. However, house of the poor… That means that I can do something! I don’t know what exactly, but it encouraged me. Especially in light of where I’m headed for now… I feel like that is where I’m going – to help and in a way, provide a shelter / protection for the poor… Be it physically, emotionally or spiritually. So in a way, it’s not really less responsibility in realizing the true meaning of my name. Being a haven for the poor / disadvantaged / hurting isn’t an easy task either. However, I feel that it’s something I can do, something that God is equipping me to be able to do. And it just makes me smile. I want to be a house for the poor! Oh that God would use me in such a way.

The verse I’ve added to the side of my blog is one that one of my former co-workers, Susan, and I were talking about. She told me how they use this verse at her church… And it just struck me very deeply after reading it. This is my prayer for the Democratic Republic of Congo… And for UCBC.

Regardless of how this impacts anyone else – it spoke to me, and I feel that it is appropriate for where I’m headed in this next stage of life. Please read it!

Thank you for all who met up with me while I was in Chicago last week. It meant so much to me – more than I think you can realize! If I didn’t get to meet up with you, I probably will be back in the next few weeks – so let me know if you want to get together!

I need to say Asante Sana (“thank you very much” in Swahili) to everyone who has given financial support and started praying for me already. You are helping send me to Congo. Not for pleasure or a vacation… But so that I can help those around me. Those who want to make changes in their country – and be leaders in the name of God. Thank you!

Love,
Bethany

back in Wisconsin

Well life is changing, and pretty rapidly! I’ve finished my job in Evanston, moved out of my apartment in Chicago and am currently in Wisconsin with my family for the next month.

While here, I will spend a lot of time with family, and hopefully see some of my friends as well. However, the majority of my time will be focused on raising the financial support necessary for me to live for the next year in Beni. Your prayers are greatly needed!

Please pray for provision! I know that the funds will come in – I don’t know how or where they’ll come from – but I trust that they will come in.

Please pray for preparation. There are many things that need to be done before I begin my trip – including getting my visa, flights, packing, etc. Additionally there is the mental and spiritual preparation that I must have – which seems to be a daily process.

There are many people who have helped me in ways that without them, this transition would have been horrible! I count you among my blessings. :)

My family, Tikva, Gloria, Leah, Stevie, Chris, Baraka, Le Beni, Bonheur, Kim, Sarah, Kelley, Karen, Mandy, Heidi, Audra, Hanna, and I know there are more! All of you who offered me places to stay, helped pack, moved my belongings, helped me clean, fed me, gave encouragement, wisdom, guidance, supplied laughter or even just distractions – thank you. I love you all!

While I’m living at my parents’ I will still have my cell phone and I’ll do my best to answer it – or at least return phone calls! But I want to stay in touch with everyone as best as I can. I will start trying to update this blog more regularly... That way you can still be aware of what’s going on in my life.

Those of you who I’ve just moved away from – know that I miss you already but will see you soon!!

Love always,
Bethany

Last night at my apartment - eating out of containers and on boxes!

My apartment is empty!

Guess what...

Hi :)

Some news for you! I soon will be leaving the comfort of Chicago and the Midwest for a new adventure. I've been asked and accepted a position working with an organization in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Why? Well... That's a good question! :) I've had a passion for and wanted to work in Sub-Saharan Africa for many years... And I knew it was time for a change - you know when you can just tell that something has to change, and who knows what it may be - but that feeling is there just the same? Well, that has been a pressing feeling for several months. And it was from God, without a doubt!

So when Dr. Kasali suggested I go work with them in Beni, DRC, which after I realized he wasn't joking, I spent a long time praying about it, and talking to my friends and family about it...

Fast-forward a month or so - and I'm now preparing to leave!

People are already starting to show their support for me in different ways. Heidi told me that some of her friends have started praying for me... And Lord knows that I will need a strong support system!

Also, Baraka, Tikva, Kim and others coordinated a surprise for me as well... While I was out of town, they asked people to consider supporting me financially and after I returned they presented me with cash and pledges of support.... from my "friends in Chicago," and I was in tears. My friends collected money at a BBQ to help enable me to go accomplish, as I was recently told, my "God-given mission." I am floored, and feel so blessed!! God is amazing! His grace in moving people to help me, to provide for me to do His will... Is amazing.

I am going to Congo.

There is still much to do - I will be trying to raise the financial and spiritual support for my time there... In addition to getting all of the details together (like flights, my visa, shots - ouch!), before I leave.

I will be resigning my position and living with my parents as of August 1st - to save money and to focus more time on fundraising and preparations for my move.

And I will be updating this blog from time to time - hopefully though, on a regular basis! This will also be my primary means of communicating with people while I'm in Congo - so bookmark this page, if you want to stay updated! :)

Oh and if you know of someone who may be interested in reading my thoughts (haha!), please forward this link to them that way they can access my blog – http://bethanyerickson.blogspot.com/, thanks!

Please keep me in your prayers and I'll do my best to keep you updated on what's going on with me, before and after I leave.

much love,
Bethany

ps - here is the website - http://www.congoinitiative.org/