"What's in a name?" and Flowers

2 weeks in. On one hand I feel as though I've been here forever, the other is convinced I arrived just yesterday.

Week 1 consisted primarily of orientation, a kind of easing into Africa. We caught a glimpse of what was to come in the clinic, with the mission, and in Abengourou in general. Our mornings were spent in the clinic, meeting the people we would be working with, and learning how it functions. Afternoons were introductions to other aspects of the mission, Community Health Evangelism, and Coeur Ouvert (the child sponsorship program). At exactly a week in country, last Thursday, Andy set us free on our first solo journey to the market. We don't really speak French but we had some money and he gave us directions and off we went. Since I'm here writing this I'm sure you gathered that we survived, despite taking the long route (er making a couple wrong turns). Since then we've mostly been on our own, and we know the way to the market very well now.

Apparently "Courtney" is a challenging name, one they haven't really heard, so I was given an African name to make things easier. When I was first named by my friend Edith, I was afraid she was making fun of me, after all, I had no idea what the name "Agou" meant. She then pointed to a cute little patient in a pink fluffy dress and said that I was named after her. So even though "Agou" doesn't mean anything, it means a lot to me. Although it's a pretty common name, it's special because it's my name and it reminds me to pray for that little girl and all the other "Agous" that are running around.

This week I began clinical rotations in the lab, so most of my time was spent drawing blood followed by learning about and implementing different tests on that blood. It was pretty interesting and definitely brought out a bit of the science nerd in me. As a nursing student I've had the opportunity to draw blood and prick a lot of fingers, but my experience with the tests has been limited to a basic textbook knowledge and looking at the results for a given patient on the computer. Having the chance to go through the whole process was pretty neat.

Part of what CMF is doing in several places around the world, including here in the Ivory Coast, is a child sponsorship program. This week we had the opportunity to hang out with some of those kids, and it was with them that I saw God take something broken and make it beautiful.

Wednesday morning we made our usual walk to the clinic, but instead of going to our clinical rotation assignments we met up with a couple of the guys heading up Coeur Ouvert and waited for the kids to trickle in. At first it was a little awkward. The language barrier has been a challenge, there really isn't much I know how to say beyond a greeting and only a couple of the kids knew even an English greeting. So we sat there waiting for more kids to trickle in and we pretty much just looked at each other. My teammates and I were talking, trying to figure out something we could do to breach the barrier.

Each morning since arriving I've prayed that God would help break down the walls built by language, that he would help me learn French and also to communicate without words. So we sat, a bunch of darling Ivorians nervously whispering with each other and staring at 4 Americans who were also nervously whispering to each other. Then I saw a couple of the girls had flowers in their hands, making little flower chains. I watched them for a few seconds and realized that though I've always loved flower chains and have made countless ones in my life, never had I seen them made in the way these girls were. I got up, went to the bush and took a handful of flowers, then sat among the girls to learn. Before long, everyone was making flower chains, wreaths, bracelets, rings, and everyone was smiling and laughing. Pictures were snapped and it was good.

We then went with the kids to the library, we weren't strangers anymore, but friends. Their little hands holding on to ours. We would get stuck at the library because of a downpour and we would teach them the wave, the macarana, and the cupid shuffle. They would chase us and play with our hair. More pictures would be taken. But that moment with the flowers will forever be in my heart and mind as the moment God took the brokenness of different languages which began at the Tower of Babel, and made it beautiful with laughter.






PS If you're interested in learning more about Coeur Ouvert and child sponsorship through CMF check out http://cmfi.org/whatwedo/childsponsorship

Abengourou rhymes with Kangaroo

Bonjour from Cote d'Ivoire!
(as you can see, I don't actually know French but I am trying...)

I've been here in Abengourou, Ivory Coast, for a few days and am getting settled. My teammates and I are staying in a house right next door to the missionaries. I struggle to even call it next door because it's pretty much the same property but it is divided by a half wall. We share the house with one other young woman who's doing a longer internship/exchange program with CMF. The missionaries (Andy and Stephanie Gable) have 5 kids that run back and forth between the houses and are generally bunches of fun and laughter, they love have visitors so that's lucky for us.

Since we arrived right in time for the weekend and today is Pentecost (Ivorians celebrate all the holidays), we have spent the past several days slowly experiencing life before beginning at the clinic and with CHE tomorrow. I've felt all weekend that I should write, but I haven't really known what, or how to say it. I mean, I do already have stories, but to know what's important to share now and what should be saved is proving to be a challenge.

I guess I'll begin with Moringa, since I'm sure I'll talk about it a lot so you should be familiar. Moringa is essentially the superman of plants. It's good for everything, and every part of the plant can be used. It's rich in vitamins, minerals and is one of few, if not the only, plant that contains all the the essential amino acids. Its said to help with tons of health issues, including but not limited to diabetes, asthma, stomach ulcers, the list goes on. The stems can be fed to livestock, as a natural way of beefing them up. In fact, don't give it to pregnant animals because the baby will simply grow too large and will cause problems during birth. Having Moringa in a field helps maintain proper levels of minerals in the dirt.It can also be used to clean water, it causes all the dirt to clump together leaving the top clean. Anyway, short story is that this single plant is the healthiest plant in the world and the ultimate supplement.

In Djoula (a tribe language) Moringa means "Tree of Life" and that may not be so far from the truth. It seems this plant is good for everything, and the more research occurs the more good stuff is discovered. I haven't told you my favorite part though, If you look at a map of the world with the places that Moringa grows best, then compare it with a map of the world with areas of greatest malnutrition highlighted you'll find that the maps look almost exactly the same. Moringa grows where most other things don't, and it grows incredibly well. It's like God knew and provided an all-purpose plant for his people so that they could still get adequate nutrition.

I'm learning more about the wonders of Moringa everyday, but really, through Moringa, God is teaching me about His provision a little more everyday.

xoxo Courtney

5 Days. Go.

Five days ago I arrived at Pre-departure Orientation. The journey of this summer was just beginning and tomorrow the next step is taken as I, with my 3 teammates, board a plane. All these months of preparation, raising support, prayer, it's all for this moment. All the anticipation and excitement for these next 2 months has come to a head and I can hardly wait for tomorrow.


Here at PDO I have met not only my team that will be serving in the Ivory Coast, but 40 other men and women who will be serving in countries all over the world. A week ago I was nervous about meeting these people, but I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the opportunity. These past five days have been some of the most encouraging of my life. Few things are so incredible as being among people who love the Lord with their entire heart and have a passion for sharing that love with everyone they come in contact with.


In addition to connecting with such beautiful brothers and sisters in Christ, the past several days have been full of training for the field, lessons in team building, spiritual warfare, culture shock, safety and travel advice. We've played card games and eaten yummy snacks. The best part, beyond all shadow of a doubt, has been hearing each and every person's story. Nothing is so powerful as the way God works in our lives and nothing is so encouraging as to hear about that work in other's lives.


Sharing your story can be a little scary, it's a vulnerable and honest moment. I encourage you to be willing to share. I encourage you to ask someone else to share.


If you're joining me in prayer this summer I ask that you pray specifically for the other teams today. CMF has interns serving in Kenya, Germany, Thailand, Asia, Indonesia, Tanzania, Ethiopia, and Ivory Coast. We serve an incredible God, may this all be for His glory.








"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the father through Him." ~Colossians 4:18