HOME sweet HOME!!!

Tracy arrived home safely to GR at 11:59 pm Wed August 6, after 33 hours of traveling. Unfortunately their plane had mechanical problems in Chicago, so she sat in o'hare airport for 10 hours. We all greeted her at the gate with signs, balloons, hugs, tears, cheers, and smiles. Despite the long day(s) of travel, we still had a little ceasars pizza party (by tracy's request) at 1 AM and partied till 3 (even grandma byma!) We've only heard the beginning of the stories of her AMAZING summer in Nigeria. Trace is planning on sharing a little bit of her trip on Sunday morning at 2nd Allendale CRC at 9:30. Anyone is welcome to come and listen.

Thank you all so much for your prayers and messages for tracy this summer. Please continue to pray as she again makes another transition back to "American culture." The Holy Spirit has moved mountains this summer in Nigeria. We all truly serve an AWESOME God!

FYI, Tracy is going to be updating the blog shortly to summarize her summer trip, so keep looking for another update!!

Serving for the summer....coming home changed...

Just wanted to update the blog one last time before Tracy gets home. She will coming home this week Wednesday (8/6) and I know that there are a lot of people ready for that time.
Things have gone amazing for Tracy and she and the group have been going through some debriefing exercises to help them recap the summer and see what they have learned. It has been quite a ride for them and I know many of them are going through some anxiety thinking about leaving.
She asks that you pray for the group to go through the transition process well as they arrive home and also for safe travels leaving Nigeria and flying home. We are all ready to see her back home safe and begin hearing the hundreds of stories that Tracy will have for us.

doing GOOD works

hey everyone, I haven't got an update from trace recently, so I thought I'd remind you of her verse that she chose for inspiration as God lead her on this summer, but yet lifelong, journey.

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this is not from yourselves, it is a gift of God-not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Jesus Christ to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:8-10

TWO weeks to go

Tracy has about 2 weeks until she comes home. According to her itinerary, she is at a cattle ranch/tropical rain forest in Obudu. Then next week she finishes her trip with urban ministries in Abuja. Pray for safe travels and happy good-byes to everyone she has got to know over the past 2 months.

"Msugh" from Nigeria

I'm not sure what "msugh" means, but I received an email from trace with that in the title. She is seeing God's hand at work through so many things in Nigeria. She is in her last week of VBS in Lupwe, and by day 2 they had already seen 800 children. God is so amazing!! Pray for continued energy as they work with the children. The weather is hot and I'm sure their patience has been tested. Pray that God gives them the endurance they need to finish the week strong.

Throughout the past several weeks, when the group is not working with the VBS, they are focusing their attention on the youth in the villages. Together they have learned that they share similar struggles as young people. Tracy and her group have been encouraging the youth the step up and be leaders in their community. They are beginning to learn that they can make a positive difference within their own community.

Next week sounds pretty busy for the group. They are going to be doing a lot of traveling such as visiting a seminary, an orphanage, and then making their way back to Abuja. Remember to pray for their safety as they do travel the next couple weeks.

Other prayer requests from Tracy:

• She asks for prayers as she continues to struggle with the language barrier. The young kids don't know any English yet, there are several different language dialects she is trying to understand, and the interpreter can't understand her English "accent." She has already picked up the basics in 4 different languages.
  
• Pray for continued health for her and her group.
  
• Pray for her family as they prepare to move out of their house and into Jenison.

Overall, it still sounds like Tracy is having an amazing time. Thanks so much for your prayers and support through out her journey. Continue to pray as her journey in Nigeria comes to an end. Pray that she stays encouraged and that she brings all her excitement home with her to grand rapids.

Even More LOVE for the Children of Nigeria!

Hi all we received another email from Tracy. She first apologizes for not sending out a mass one, she is just limited on time. Things have been going AMAZING in Takem for the group. Last week they did some community service and as you read in the last post they are holding another VBS this week. God had been doing so many amazing things for this group and the people they are serving, why not just add one more to the list.
Tracy has been working with one of the girls from Calvin, Sara, and they have been in charge of the 4-6 year old group for the VBS. She said that this did not last long as a 4-6 year old group, more like a 1-6 yr old group. As you remember they had very large numbers of kids at the VBS in Mkar. She said that on the first day this past week she and Sara had 150...JUST IN THEIR CLASS! On Tuesday, there were 300...and on Wednesday they had a totally of 380 in the 1-6 year old class!!!!!! WOW WOW and WOW! That is call for some serious PRAISE to God for having all these children come. She said that they already have over 1,00 kids at the VBS and it was only Wednesday. They are making such a difference out there right now that some of these kids are coming from over half hour away just for the 2.5 hours of the VBS! GOD IS SO GREAT!!! She made mention that this is truly what they have deemed "organized chaos." We can all imagine can't we?! They were told after Wednesday that next week VBS might also grow to these numbers and the group is just waiting for more excitement and the chance to witness to many many more!

Trace also was able to use her nursing skills a bit this past week. Towards the end of one of the days some people came running to her and said that girl had fainted in the sanctuary. She said with so many kids singing and jumping up and down, she wasn't surprise with the heat. Trace went over to the girl and she was already foaming at the mouth. Trace was able to roll her on her side and knew that it wasn't an ordinary fainting. She stayed close until and a Sunday school teacher, who was also a nurse, came over and told Trace that the girl was epileptic. They stayed with her until she woke and helped the girl until she was feeling a little better.

Going into the last 4 weeks Trace asks that you pray for continued strength for everyone. They are all getting along so well and she just hopes that unity continues as they keep working each new day. Again, as the last post said God loves the little children and he is defiantly showing that in Nigeria this summer. Trace and the group are working with so many and they are changing hearts and showing these kids to Christ. Please pray for this to continue.

Tracy also has some new names...African names. In TIV her name is Doofan, and in Juken - Ama. Just thought you would all like to know.

Jesus LOVES the little CHILDREN

When trying to figure out what to say on my next post, I searched the CRWM webpage and came across Megan and Mike Ribben's Blog, the missionaries tracy is serving with in Nigeria. They have a post about the SMP (summer missions program). There is even a picture, and if you click on it I think you can even see trace! Here is the link...

http://mribbens.blogspot.com/2008/06/summer-mission-program.html

Tracy's team continues to lead a VBS in Takum this week. Pray that their planning and organizing all comes together smoothly into action. Jesus has a passion for children. He says "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." Please pray that the group connects with the children on a spiritual and emotional level, so that they may crawl into the open arms of Jesus. While about 50% of the Nigerian population is christian, they never completly abandon their "traditional" beliefs, so their is still room for more ministry. My prayer is for everyone, children and adults, to see the light of Christ in Tracy and her group. If the rest of the team is anything like tracy, God's light should be shining all over Nigeria!

Four more weeks still Tracy comes home!!!

News From TRACY!

Tracy had some time to call home on Friday. She bought a 10 minute phone card and called her parents while we were all at the Allendale parade (a birthday tradition for tracy). Reg and Jerene put her on speaker phone and we all sang happy birthday to her (also a tradition, but this year we were unable to see her embarassed face :) It sounded like they were trying to make the day special for her. They wrote happy birthday in glow sticks and when she woke up in the morning, it was still dark so she could see it. She also recieved a mud cake with flowers in it. Tracy is still having problems adjusting to the nigerian food. She said she has lost quite a bit of weight, but now they are staying at a place where the cook will personally take orders and cook for them. It was so nice to hear from her. She is thankful for all your prayers and support. Continue to pray for tracy and her team as they start a VBS in Takum this week. Pray for the same success as the VBS in Mkar.

If your interested in looking at a map to see exactly where tracy is, I found this website useful http://www.maplandia.com/nigeria/taraba/takum/takum/

HAPPY 21ST BIRTHDAY TRACY!!!!

Just wanted to let everyone know to think of Tracy today as she is celebrating her 21st birthday in Nigeria. Wish her a HAPPY BIRTHDAY on her blog.

VBS in Mkar

Reg and Jerene got to talk to tracy again wednesday after the funeral. She was feeling sad and alone knowing that the whole family was together and that she wasn't able to see grandpa byma laid to rest.

Sounds like Trace is having a fun time though. In the past 2 weeks she has had only 4 hours of electricity. Her group quickly learned how to haul water and take bucket baths and live by candle light. Tracy said it is really cool because everywhere you go there is always music or drums playing in the background.

Last week they ran a VBS in Mkar. On wednesday alone there was 400 kids. Imagine the lives they are changing! Sounds like her group had to come up with their own cirriculum and run the VBS by themselves. Saturday the group traveled to Takum and this week they are doing a community clean-up in Takum, fixing the Civic/Community Center.

One day they went on a 5 hour hike up a big mountain. Tracy said it was amazing, like nothing she's ever done before. She also got to have an entire outfit custom made for her- including a headpiece- and it was only $12! I'm sure you are looking pretty hot trace! It doesn't sound like tracy can go far without the little orphan kids hanging by her side. They love the white people, and who's more white than tracy? She said she thinks she could probably fit 2 kids in her suitcase. I have a feeling she's not going to be coming home alone :)

Pray for Tracy this week as she works in Takum. It sounds like it is going to be a bit more labor intensive this week and I'm sure the weather is nice and hot. Remember her on friday, because it's her birthday. Pray that she doesn't have to follow the african tradition and eat a cow's tail on her birthday!

Be STILL and KNOW

Grandpa Byma has been set free from his battle with Alzheimer's and is now at home with his Heavenly Father. This is a hard day for the Schierbeek and Byma families. Tracy heard the news this morning from her family and was able to stay "home" for the day and make a couple phone calls and talk to family. Please pray for peace for Tracy and her family as this is a time where family draws near, and yet she is so far away from home.

This morning after church, the congregation gathered in the sanctuary and prayed together for people that were suffering mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. We had a small group of about 15 people that were joining hands and praying for the Schierbeeks. It was awesome to see God's family join together and pray for those in need of comfort. Although we are going to miss Grandpa Byma, he is now rejoicing with the angels. "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds." Psalm 73:26 & 28

News from AFRICA!

Hey all, we got an email from Tracy on Saturday morning. She is doing great and from the sounds of it she having an AMAZING time. She continues to talk about how great all the people are and she loves working with each one of them.
Trace and group have just completed their first week in Mkar at the orphanage where they did a lot of service work jobs. She said they did a lot of cutting grass, moving dirt, and doing laundry. She also mentioned that once theses jobs were finished, they got to play with the children. She loved every minute of this said each day was a new and wonderful experience. This week they will be beginning their first VBS camp and she said they had to plan all of it themselves. They are expecting between 80 and 100 kids the first couple of days and were told that they might get as many as 200 by the end of the week. They are all ready to get the camp started and begin working with more children in the city/village of Mkar.
She is also still getting some of the many living experiences of Africa. They have gone hiking up a mountain, which she said was absolutely amazing, and while they receive limited electricity where they are staying, most of the time it is candlelight and bucket showers. Other than that it sounds like things are going very well and she is having as much fun as she expected. She asks for continued prayers as they begin this week of VBS and continue to work in Mkar.

on your mark...get set...GO!!!

Sorry no update in while, but I haven't heard from Tracy lately, which means she must be out in the bush teaching the nigerian children about God's love. You go girl! So I thought I'd share a message pastor Harold preached a couple of weeks before tracy left.

The message was on the armor of God from ephesians 5:10-20. Part of the armor of God that we are to wear is our running shoes. We are to have our "feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace." This sermon describes tracy's mission so perfectly. Before she left, she had her running shoes on, ready to serve God where ever He took her. My prayer is she keeps those shoes on for the next month and a half, no matter what struggles come her way. I pray that she runs with the message of God's good news and shares that news with everyone she meets while in Nigeria.

Please pray this week that Tracy successfully ran with God's message to the children in the orphanage in Mkar. Also pray as her team prepares for the VBS in Mkar. We all serve an awesome God. We all don't need to go to africa to serve Him. Let's all put on our running shoes and share God's news :)

Ready to Move and Schedule

Tracy and the team are getting to make the move from Abuja to Mkar in the morning. They are very eager to get there and get started with working in an orphange there. She has already been experiencing some of the many different aspects of Nigerian culture, which is including living with a cockroach and the extreme amounts of other bugs. She is also experiencing the food as the team was taken to a local resturant and was able to experience some Nigerian cooking. She has also been given her schedule for the time in Nigeria. Her schedule is as follows:
June 14-Travel to Mkar
June 16-20: Mkar Orphanage
June 23-27: VBS Mkar
June 28: Travel to Takum
June 30 -July 4: Community Clean Up in Takum (We are fixing the Civic/Community Center)July 7-11: VBS Takum
July 12: Travel to Lupwe
July 14-18: VBS Lupwe
July 19: Free Day
July 20: Worship in Takum
July 21-22: Free Days
July 23-24: Obudu Cattle Ranch ( I guess it is like a tropical rainforest)
July 25: Travel to Abuja
July 28- August 1: Urban Ministries in Abuja.

Now you all can figure out where Tracy is at any given time, at least a rough estimate. Thank you all for your continued prayers and support. I know that God is doing some amazing things in her life already.

Adjusting to an African LIFESTYLE...

Please pray for Tracy and her team as they get used to the new lifestyle and culture of the African people. Pray that their bodies adjust well to the change in diet. Pray without ceasing as they prepare to leave for Mkar on Saturday.

Here we go...

We got an email from Tracy and she sounds super excited for what lay ahead for her over the next few weeks. They have been going through some more training in their first day and they got an itinerary that includes all of the places they will be going and things they will be doing while in Nigeria. She said that on Saturday the team leaves for Mkar which is not to far from Abjua. She mentioned that it was a little bit more of the "countryish" type of place for pray for safety there. Tracy and the team will be in Mkar for 2 weeks and will be doing work in an orphanage for the first week and then moving in a Bible camp for the second week. Once they leave Abjua they will not be back in the capital city until the last week of their stay so this is the beginning of the traveling for them. She again expressed the excitement of everyone on the team and how they are all getting along very well. It looks like her summer is going to be packed with excitement and even more adventure and she is ready for it all to begin.

ARRIVAL IN NIGERIA!

Today the team arrived safely in Abuja, Nigeria. They were very tired after their long trip, but were excited about meeting their leaders, Mike and Megan Ribbens. They were also greeted by their Nigerian teammates at the Ribbens and were even more excited to meet them. The group now consists of 5 guys and 5 girls for the next two months. Very cool for all of them. Tracy is feeling great as she is in Nigeria and even more excited to explore outside in the morning. She asks for your continued prayers and support as she gets settled in and in tune with Nigerian culture.

Departure Day

Today Tracy left for Nigeria! Tracy's mom, Grandma Schierbeek, and Jeff were there to see her off as she left Grand Rapids for a summer in Africa. She got off well without any difficulties at the airport. The entire group was eager and ready to go as they had been waiting and praying about this day for many weeks. Trace and her group hope to arrive in Abuja, Nigeria about 3:00pm est. tomorrow (Tuesday). We pray that her flight goes well and that the group has no problems with luggage and any delays. They will be stopping in Frankfurt, Germany before heading to Abuja early tomorrow morning. Keep Tracy and her group in your prayers as they arrive in a new country and begin this incredible journey working for the Lord in Nigeria.

Tracy did send out an email to some people about leaving comments on this site, but for those of you who may not have gotten the email here are some hints for leaving comments. Click on the comments link below and follow instructions to leave a comment for her. In order to leave the comment though you will have to click on an ID of some kind. For this step, simply subscribe for a "Google/Blogger" account. You will only need an existing email and have to create a user name and password. It's quick and simple, but if you have any questions please feel free to email Jeff at jeffrey.roon@trnty.edu or Lindsey B at battsl@student.gvsu.edu. Thanks again for your prayers and support of Tracy as she begins this amazing summer.

Moving back in

Tracy moved back in to the calvin dorms today. Here she will have a week long orientation session. They hopefully will be preparing her for everything she needs to know while in Nigeria. She will meet the other 4 students that she will be working with all summer long, as well as 20 other students who will be serving Christ all over the world. Please pray that she goes in with an open heart and mind and a calm spirit. Also remember to pray for her parents, Reg and Jerene as they worry about their little girl all summer long.