Hope for Africa

Final Thoughts....

2008-05-19T19:50:00.018-07:00

We're back!!! We had an incredible time with Koos and his team in Mozambique. We camped out in the village of Macacaza near the village school, which was deserted and appeared to be out of commission. We spent our days visiting various clusters of huts. My (this is Kate speaking) idea of an African village was a fire pit with a gathering of huts around it, with all of the villagers living close to each other. That was not the case in this village. Each family had its own collection of huts, and each group of huts was a 5 or 10 minute hike from the next one. We did a lot of walking.

Koos has been working with villages in this area for about 4 years. There are several believers in Macacaza, but no pastor or church (in the way we think of a church). Our visit was an encouragement to our brothers and sisters there. One woman named Rosa had a glow that could light a room (which was good, because we did not have electricity). She thanked Koos for coming to teach the villagers about God. From a Western perspective, it might seem that what Koos was doing (teaching a basic Bible lesson) was not that ground-breaking, but for believers who do not have a shepherd living among them and leading them, what Koos is doing is revolutionary and life saving. This week reminded us how much we take for granted as well-resourced, "plugged-in" Christians. We have sermons at our fingertips and books on every shelf, yet often we lack that personal touch of Christ that was this woman's foundation.

We also worked with the children who lived in the local village. We played tag, gave hugs, sang songs, shared stories and passed out school supplies. What a humbling experience to love on these children who long to be loved unconditionally. What a true blessing.

As we finished our time in Africa, we had much to reflect upon. So many thoughts filled our head and we were asked so many questions that may never be answered. And yet, we still have many to answer as we come back to the States.-"How was Africa?" was among the first to be asked. And how do you answer that with all that was learned? We literally saw the poorest of the poor, the effect of AIDS, the importance of relationships and still saw the goodness of God. We are still trying to convey to our friends and family exactly what we are feeling and so excited to share!

Thank you. Thank you for your prayers and for your consistent love. They are coveted.

Enjoy the pictures from Mozambique and please continue ask us how we are feeling. We love sharing our hearts.

Peace, love and Africa,
Rachelle and Kate

rlpichardo@yahoo.com
katherine.schoen@gmail.com

Heading to Mozambique

2008-04-22T14:15:00.006-07:00

Our time at Sparrow ended well. The Lord blessed us with sweet moments of goodbye with the kids, and the other volunteers. We look forward to sharing our experience with all of you in depth when we return.

We have reached Mokopane, South Africa., where we are staying with Koos and Jeni Basson. We are excited about our trek into Mozambique with Koos and his team tomorrow. Our role will be to conduct the children's ministry. We think most of the children's ministry will be centered around the village school. From what Koos has told us of the school, they lack the most basic items (pencils, paper, scissors, etc). We are going today to purchase school supplies and hope that will be a blessing to both the children and the teachers.

The area we are going to does not have a strong church or local faith leaders, so much of the work Koos will be doing is to build up those he has met on previous visits and further establish a presence in the area. Please pray for our interpreter and for clarity of understanding. This is one of Koos' "young" missions, and we are excited about what is in store!

We will return on Monday....then head back to Jo-Burg Tuesday, and fly back to the States on Wednesday and arrive on Thursday!

What a journey!

What an adventure!

Peace, love and Africa-
Rachelle and Kate

This Week in Pictures

2008-04-18T22:43:00.001-07:00

Showtime at Sparrow

2008-04-15T04:07:00.006-07:00

This weekend was a busy one. On Friday morning, we hosted 15 teenage girls at the guesthouse for a beauty party. They had a blast painting their nails, putting on make-up, and dancing around to the sounds of High School Musical 2. Though it has taken almost two months to build a relationship with these girls, the time and energy was well spent. As we spent time beautifying outward appearances, our conversations revealed the beauty inside each girl. Our friendships with these girls have given them confidence in their identities as daughters of the King. They no longer resist our hugs or make funny faces when we tell them we love them. Our prayer as we prepare to depart is that they would realize that the love we show them is not our love, but Christ’s love in us. That is our prayer not just for the teenage girls, but for every child, caregiver, and adult we have met during our stay.

Saturday night, Sparrow’s talent kids debuted in “Spotlight on Sparrow.” The kids worked on their performances for two weeks, and the result was a wide array of singing and dancing that delighted the house mothers and the other kids. Again, all that was required on our part was to affirm within these kids that they are special, and the kids rose up with confidence, beaming as they took the stage. The following afternoon, the kids did an abbreviated performance in the hospice for the patients. This time, it was not about building up the kids, but about showering the patients with love. As we were setting up for the talent show, one of the patients asked what was happening. We told her the kids were going to be singing and dancing, to which she replied, “Oh, what a nice surprise.” As she watched the kids perform, her glowing face said it all: people rarely take time to think about my pleasure. We are not nurses or doctors by trade, but we can help people to enjoy the life that they are able to live.

With only five days left at Sparrow, we are making the most of our last moments here with the people we have grown to care about. We feel a sense of urgency to say our last thoughts, but also realize that for everything there is a season.

A Picture Speaks A Thousand Words

2008-04-10T01:21:00.001-07:00

Different Views

2008-04-03T04:09:00.004-07:00

Tuesday was one of the longest days we have had since arriving at Sparrow. We went from two funerals to laser tag, a tough transition for even the most seasoned minister. The day’s event brought before us the humanity of Sparrow, but we each saw that humanity in different ways. Here is an account from each of us.

Buried and Broken (Rachelle):
As I try to put my thoughts into words, all I can think about is Siyabongo. He is 7 years old. He is now an orphan. His face cannot be put from my mind. Tuesday, he buried his mother, who died at a young age from this heartless disease we call AIDS. They both lived here at Sparrow. This was one of two people we buried Tuesday. The other was a man who was taken in off the streets, who had no one at the funeral but a couple of friends-no family. I cried for Siyabongo; for these loved ones we lost; I just cried.

I had the honor of sitting next to Siyabongo in the car on the way to the burial. We were silent. I was silent the entire service. As I sat by Siyabongo, I thought about how he felt. Although we don’t speak the same language, we did that day; I felt his pain-the pain of losing a mother. It has been almost three years since she has been gone, but it was a fresh feeling that day. How I wanted to hold Siyabongo and tell him it would be okay; that Jesus would heal his little heart. I put my arm around him and I silently prayed for him. It would be a long road ahead. A road that he knew nothing of.

He cried as they buried her. He threw flower pedals into her grave and songs of praises and mourning were sung by all who were there. Vusi preached and prayed. It was a day of grieving for everyone present.

A different perspective was given to me that day, a perspective I had yet to see. I saw death in the face of AIDS. All I felt like doing was being alone.

Where is your heart today? Where do you need healing? What perspective is God asking you to look from today?

Healing Touch (Kate):
“And all the crowd sought to touch him, for power came out from him and healed them all.” --Lk. 6:19

On the drive home from playing laser tag with the teenage girls, I felt something tickle my shoulder. I glanced down just in time to see a head sink into my shoulder as one of the girls napped on the seat next to me. The bakkie jerked its way through rush hour traffic, but I stayed as still as possible, hoping to prolong this tender moment. Looking down at her, I was struck by the healing I sensed in this simple posture.

From the hugs Rachelle gives to every kid she sees to the way Caroline cradles the babies, from the way siblings hold hands as they frolic across the playground to the way mothers carry their children on their backs, everywhere I see this healing touch. Perhaps I am romanticizing what some consider a basic fact of life, but I think not. An American missionary we met a few weeks ago at the Baptist Training Center told me about a study in which babies were changed regularly and given food and water. Some babies, however, were never touched, apart from that required to change their diapers and clothes. The babies that were not touched quickly sunk into a state of despair that bordered on death while those who were touched thrived.

Although I am not sure about the ethics of this experiment, the point is striking: without touch, we die. That an act as simple as rocking a child to sleep is as powerful in the fight to keep him or her alive as the medicine the doctors prescribe seems too incredible to believe. It is difficult to understand how powerful and healing a touch can be, until you consider those moments when you have been broken, and the Lord has reached out, touched you, and healed your brokenness.

Lessons Learned

2008-03-26T10:05:00.005-07:00

One of the first questions most South African's ask us is, "How do you like South Africa?" We reply, "The landscape is nice, but it is the people we love." We have been overwhelmed by the hospitality of strangers we are now blessed to call friends. Here are some lessons we have learned from people we have met. We hope these reflections encourage you to think about the meaningful people in your lives and take time to express your appreciation to them.

From the kids...Everyone wants to be loved and to know they are loved. On a walk to the corner store, one of the teenagers asked Rachelle why we love them. She did not ask if we loved them, but why. This was a great reminder that sometimes living your faith and sharing God's love through your actions is not enough: we need to express in words why we believe what we do and why we do what we do.

From the caregivers who truly care...Jo-burg has been experiencing random blackouts for the past few months as the government has enforced electricity load-shedding. Most of the blackouts happen at night, so we do not notice. Lately, however, Sparrow's electricity has gone out just before dinner. We do not have generators, so this loss of power creates a bit of chaos. From feeding 250 kids to ensuring that oxygen-dependent patients continue to receive their life-sustaining flow of air, the caregivers at Sparrow have amazed us. Without skipping a beat, they drop what they are doing, light candles, and give all their attention to the patients. Selflessly, they work together to keep the situation as normal as it can be. We have witnessed several caregivers turn around as they were departing the building at the end of their 12-hour shift to help out during a blackout. The love these men and women show for the babies, children, and adults is a challenge to anyone who really sees them. Their actions push us beyond our limitations.

Vusi...With a 9mm on his hip and a bulletproof vest on his shoulders, Vusi is not the most likely visitor to the baby room of the hospice. Every night, however, Sparrow's night guard pays a visit to the youngest residents. He calls each child by name as they hold up their fists in anticipation of their nightly fist pound. Those who cannot make a fist get a thumbs up. And some get both. His enthusiasim and consistency let the kids know they are cherished and significant and important. We all need a little more Vusi in our lives!

These descriptions do not do justice to the souls we are meeting here, but we hope this glimpse of who they are to us ministers to you.

Peace, love and Africa.
Rachelle and Kate

Pictures in order of appearance:

Kate with the kids in the Hospice
Rachelle with one of the babies in Hospice
The kids sitting outside of church
One of the kids with their faces painted with white chocolate from an Easter Egg
Showing off her decorated egg!
One word describes this child: precious
Here are our guys getting more firewood for our bonfire: um, a tree?
Kate and I enjoying our bonfire with our friends!

Our Identity

2008-03-18T06:12:00.005-07:00

It’s the start of a new week, and we are excited about what God has in store. From the kids we tutor to the babies we rock to sleep each night, we see the face of God.

There are many struggles foreign missionaries face as they seek to share the truth of God’s love with different cultures. Although we have both had experience ministering among different peoples and cultures, each new expereince gives rise to its own questions.

We keep coming back to our Pastor Bryan’s words from a past sermon about our identites. Before we are anything else, we are Christians. In this situation, before we are relevant to the culture of South Africa, we are followers of God. The reason we have been meditating on this is that we have faced a few situations with the teenage girls where we were put in a position to respond to the culture. We want these girls to know, as they watch us and talk with us, that they are precious in the eyes of God and that they can make choices different from the ones the world and their classmates encourge them to make. In one conversation, this meant being honest about our belief in abstinence until marriage (something the government does not actively promote). Our struggle to be a fiathful witness without being culturally insensitive is tiring and sometimes we doubt our testimony, but we trust in the Lord and His power to work through us.

Our friend “Erica-from-America” picked us up and took us to the campground where we spent our first days in Jo-burg. Amid the solace of this peaceful place, we were able to commune with the Lord and gain strength for the week ahead. We also had the chance to talk at length with 3-D’s interns who are preparing to set out for 6 months of missions. Our faithful guide Lennit and his encouraging wife Janine took us to church on Sunday morning. The campground’s director, Dawn, let us crash at her house and watch movies on Sunday afternoon when it became terribly cold and rainy.

We cannot express the depth of our thankfulness to our church leadership and to those who are praying for and are encouraging us. We feel the warmth of your care, even as we are thousands of kilometers away. Please continue to pray for our relationships with the teenage girls and with the other volunteers. Pray for Rachelle as she begins helping in the local school and for Kate as she helps another volunteer revise the volunteer application process.

Peace, love and africa!

In order or appearance....
Kids from the hospice
Rachelle's new sweet friend she just loves so much
Kate's new buddy she is trying to get to sleep
Our sweet girl in the hopsice
Rachelle teaching her new friend 'I love you" in sign language
"Erica from America"
Trying to survive the cold, rainy weather!

Finding Our Place

2008-03-13T09:37:00.006-07:00

Today concludes our first week at Sparrow. We came into this journey trusting the Lord, and not knowing what our time would look like. Based on information from Sparrow's website, we thought we had an inkling of an idea. Rather than arriving and finding room after room of near-death residents, we found bubbly teenagers practicing their "walks" for an upcoming beauty pageant at school. The situation at Sparrow reflects the positive result that medicine and consistent treatment can bring. Rather than coming here to die, most children and adults now come to Sparrow to get well and go on to lead healthy lives. We rejoice that these are the lives Sparrow's residents are now living!

Sparrow's main focus is still providing healthcare to those faced with the AIDS epidemic, but they find themselves in a new struggle--that of educating the next generation. After several days of observing the Village, we finally found our niche. When they arrive home from school, we work with them on homework and reading skills. Around 7pm, we head to the baby room of the hospice to help feed the infants and get them ready for bed. This makes for a long day!

We are praying for opportunities to share the Gospel and minister to some of the teenage girls. We ask for prayers for discernment in how to fit in at Sparrow and for strength and kindness as we build relationships with the students and our fellow volunteers.

Just hanging out with some of the girls at a soccer game!

Kate with some kids at church!

Kids just being kids....adorable!

Assisting on homework!

So cute....look at their little feet!!!

Getting Acquainted

2008-03-05T07:36:00.014-08:00

Our journey has begun. We landed in Johannesburg, South Africa, with adventurous spirits, ready to do whatever is placed before us. We have been blessed to take the first few days to acclamate ourselves to South Africa. We have been meeting those who live in the area near where we plan to work. Our hosts have been warmly hospitiable and have brought us up-to-date on various situations including the history of South Africa, apartheid, racial relations, and the effects of AIDS. Here are a few of the many insights we have gained from our new friends: Koos and Jeni Basson and our faithful guide, Lennit.

With the focus of our trip being to serve residents at an AIDS hospice, many of our initial questions had to do with the disease and its effects on South Africa. AIDS was first identified in South Africa in the mid-1980s. Truck drivers and mine workers were the main progaters of the disease, as they were mobile throughout Africa and often had many partners. Today, we see the government trying to fight promiscuity with the “ABC”s of healthy living. “A” is for abstinence. If you cannot abstain, then “B” is for be faithful. If you cannot be faithful, then “C” is for condomize.

Given the rise in the number of people with HIV/AIDS, it is clear that most people choose “C.” Those we are meeting with believe this educational strategy tries to placate different interest groups, but fails to give the right information. Whether you believe in God and His design for marriage or not, abstinence is the only way to prevent the transmission of HIV/AIDS through intercourse.

In the words of a Congolese immigrant (who is a student of Lennit’s wife), “South Africans are the victims of their own democracy.” We are seeing the truth of this statement as we learn more about all aspects of life here.

We have so much to learn, so much to do and there is much ahead of us....we head to Sparrow Village on Friday to work at the AIDS Hospice. Pray as we prepare for the work ahead.

Enjoy the pics....more to come.

Peace, love and Africa.

The pictures below are Kate and I looking into the city, Kate and I petting baby cubs, and the last one is a look into the Squatter Camps...a very sad situation.

We arrived!

2008-03-03T01:00:00.001-08:00

Our team arrived safely!

We don't have much time here in the internet cafe, but we will post later on in the week!

The country is beautiful.

The people are beautiful!

We can see the Lord's hand.

Thank you for your prayers.

It was a long journey!

-South Africa Team!

The Countdown Begins....

2008-02-29T12:25:00.004-08:00

Drum roll please....(da da da da....)
After conference calls, phone calls, text messages, emails, a nice farewell lunch at the Ugly Mug and a good cry with my refugee families, I think I am almost ready to go.....
As Kate and I decide what we should and should not take, we are quickly reminded of the luxuries of America...and how much we really don't need to take to South Africa.
I have been reminded so much this week of how much others love me. A friend bought me a new backpack today-just because. Another friend helped me pack last night, even though she had to be up early for her meeting this morning, another brought me a devotional book we could go through together....and another ran errands with me and is setting up my new computer for me so I don't have to worry about it...I am telling you-I just don't understand it sometimes. Why amd I so blessed? Another friend went to target for me for my shopping....ahhhhh!!!!!
Kate's mom has been so incredible...from sending me a sweet card, to buying us medicine to help us with our crazy stomachs to just being so encouraging....blessing upon blessing...my roommates leaving me with notes to open on my birhtday...I am telling you....I could go on and on and on....(sorry if I am forgetting...I am about to go run some more errands!!!!)
My family has called me this week to just talk...I love it. I love it. I just love my family and appreciate them being proud of me...I received a card from my brother in New York saying that he was so proud of me and was just excited for my trip. I am so blessed.
Kate and I are also just anticipating the road ahead....what we are going to encounter...and the unexpected. We pray that we would be able to communicate clearly to you all and be transparent as we see some hard stuff. Pray that we would truly be servants...that we would be sensitive to what the people are going through and that we would continue to have joy as we are there.
You may go HERE to see more of what we are doing and go HERE to keep an update from our church.
Peace, love and Africa.
-Rachelle and Kate

5 Days and counting!!!!!

2008-02-25T08:25:00.005-08:00

My sweet friend at tutoring....I am going to miss my kids!

Can you believe it? 5 days and we will be boarding a plane to South Africa!!! I can't believe it!
I am trying to prepare myself spiritually, emotionally, physically and honestly, I don't think I can do enough. So many questions linger in my mind. What am I going to see? What can I offer? What in the world am I walking into? How can I prepare?
It's been a hard weekend....just walking through emotions that I thought I had dealt with. And honestly, allowing the Lord to truly define and refine parts of me that I didn't want to see. And it's allowed me to get rid of some junk that He didn't want me to take with me to Africa. I praise Him for that.
I am overjoyed with how many people have been so supportive of what our team is doing. I am so blessed my friends, strangers and the church. I am so thankful for such an amazing group of people who just want us to do the work of the Lord. I pray that we can be poured out. Just be used by Him.
Prayer requests:
~ Safety for our travel
~ For our team: Soup, Linda, Kate and myself
~ A love and sensitivity for the people who are sick
~ Protection in South Africa
~ A consistent joy in serving

I will keep you posted as the week continues!

You may go HERE to hear our sending out at church!

Kate and I....

South Africa or Bust!

2008-01-30T12:03:00.002-08:00

Hello everyone!!! I want to update you on my life thus far since Sudan!!!
I have continued to volunteer in the refugee community. Most of these families are from Sudan, Somalia, Ethiopia, as well as Afghanistan and we have new refugees from Burundi and Rwanda. As you may know, they are in the US because they are experiencing war in their country. Many have been living in refugee camps the last few years and now have an opportunity for a new life in America. We have over 6,000 families here in Memphis. There are many problems when they arrive in America, language and education just being a couple. Because one out of every three adults in this refugee community are illiterate and cannot speak English, we implemented an after-school program for the children and English as a Second Language (ESL) class for the adults in 2002. We serve nearly 250 children and about 100 adults. It’s the only program in Memphis that serves the refugees in this capacity. Life is busy here in Memphis.

My sweet friends in the refugee tutoring program!

I am currently working at Ugly Mug Coffee, a Fair-Trade Coffee Company, here in Memphis. Part of my job is to help develop a Jobs Program for refugees in the community. We currently have two employees, one from Afghanistan and one from Burundi. I teach English as a Second Language (ESL) and help them with on-site job training. We also work with their families and assist them with any need that arise, empowering them to become self-reliant and equipping them to someday move to a better-paying job.

I am excited to share with you an opportunity to support a ministry for individuals with HIV/AIDS. Located outside of Johannesburg, South Africa, Sparrow Village was created to care for those living with HIV/AIDS and those who are in the final stages of the disease. Since its inception in 1992, Sparrow Village has expanded under a vision of ministering to an entire village, rather than limiting their reach to individual patients. They now provide counseling for the families of their patients, education for schools, businesses, and churches, and a work rehabilitation program for homeless people living in the vicinity of the ministry. They believe that people should be able to die with dignity.

Over the past decade. Sparrow Village has said farewell to over 2,000 individuals, but with dignity and peace. As the pressure of beds intensify daily, they have "enlarged our tent" and opened Sparrow Rainbow Village - The first AIDS village in the world. Their new village project enables them to care for 400 individuals including 200 children.

I plan to visit Sparrow Village for the months of March and April. My friend Kate and I, along with our friend Soup and Linda Campbell will be leading this trip. Discussion of this visit arose when two pastors from Fellowship Memphis (my church) returned from a trip to South Africa. They were impressed by the ministry, but wanted to see and learn more of how it operates and who it serves. Given that they could not leave their congregation for the length of time it would take to make these observations, they turned to us. I will be serving with my friend, Kate. As ambassadors from the church, we will, first, be serving in the ministry along with other volunteers from around the world. Our second purpose will be to discern whether Sparrow Village could become a ministry partner with Fellowship Memphis.
You may go to Sparrow's website here to view more about what they are doing!

I will keep you posted as the time to departure draws near....

Final Thoughts....Words....

2007-01-17T18:49:00.000-08:00

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and fautless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep onself from being polluted by the world"
James 1:27

I cannot express my thoughts, experiences and words about my life in Africa the last month...but, I can try.

The children absolutely amazed me and their unconditional love has changed my life. They have a love for Jesus that I can only hope I can obtain. They have lost their parents to this war; to disease; to tragedy, and still, they are strong. They blame no one and I never heard one of them complain. The widows' stories were amazing. They shared their hearts and were absolutely transparent. Some of their husbands died many years ago and never re-married and some of their husbands just left them because they couldn't have babies...others husbands died, then they re-married and then their new husband died. To see the life they have now, giving their lives to these children, just challenged me to press on in my own life. They take care of these orphanged children and still send money home to their own children. What a testimony of giving your life away. They have so much love to give.

I saw people on the streets pushing their bikes up a steep hill, in very hot weather, carrying heavy bags of rice, hay and water, with miles and miles to go, because they needed to provide for their family, and yet, we complain when we have to walk up the street...I saw a boy on the way to the orphanage with half of this legs cut off, and he was using his arms to walk. One of my team mates saw a man with one leg, riding a bike, using a cruth on the other side, pedeling, to make his way around town. I think one of my new friends in Sudan, who lost her leg when she hit a landmine as she was fleeing the war, and has a "new" leg now, and bikes an hour and a half to work everyday because she has to make ends meet...I am just as guilty of complaining as the next person....I needed to learn these lessons as much as anyone..I hope they have taught you as much as they have taught me....take a lesson from these amazing people.

I think that as Americans, our first thought is to take these children to America for a "better" life...but, I learned, this is not the answer. It really isn't. What is "better" anyway? As Americans we think we have the best answers, but I learned quickly that we don't. I don't atleast. These kids don't belong in America. and America is not always the best answer. These kids are so happy where they are-their life is happy; their life is good. What is best for them is for us to go to Sudan, train them to be disciples of Christ and build them to be leaders of their country to make a difference. They are coming out of decades of war...naturally, we just want to take them out of that, but that is not always the best thing. We need to make them into the best leaders possible so they can change their country for the best...these kids are already making a difference where they are and Sudan needs them...it really does.

Sudan isn't just poverty, people dying, war, starvation, etc. It isn't just what you see on TV. It's a county where there is hope and a place where I see people coming together and a place I really see Christ evident.

People keep asking me, "Did you just want to stay there?" I have so many mixed feelings about it. I have so much here that I feel like God has called me to. So many kids and families here that I know He has me to work with...and honestly, I am not sure I am called to Africa full-time. Please pray with me as I am going through all of my thoughts, feelings and emotions....Maybe I am supposed to be in America full-time ministering to internationals...I don't know. Maybe I am supposed to be overseas...I really don't know, but I am open....

The experience was amazing, humbling and one that I learned so many life lessons from...one I will always keep with me. The people I met have forever changed me. The children taught me life lessons. The nation taught me more about life than I never would have imagined. I am a better person because of Sudan.

Enjoy the pictures and feel free to contact me further if you would like....this jet-lag and adjustment back to America has been a little overwhelming, but with some good friends here, it's been so much easier!

Thank you to all of you who have been such a great encouragement to me throughout this trip and for all of your prayers. I could not have made it through without you.

Please continue to keep these children and people in your prayers and they continue to strive to keep peace in their country.

Peace, love and Africa.

I take my final words from a song called "Galeana" by Lori Chaffer....
As I look into your face I see hope and not disgrace
And strength that carries you along the rugged road you travel on
And as we go our separate ways you can be sure
that I have changed
Because I’ve seen the way you live

P.S. If you know of a Plastic Surgeon who is willing to do Pro-Bono work for a child in Sudan, please contact me or post. Thank you.

rlpichardo@yahoo.com

-Rachelle

My first experience at the orphanage...trying to fix the button on her shirt...she is so adorable!!!

This is me and Eva....she was one of my best friends at the Orphanage

Ahhhhhh....sweet Grace...don't you just love her?

The crazy kids in Morobo....I love them!!!

This is my friend Beatrice....she is in the Women's Empowerment Program.

Me just hanging out in front of the guest house....

One of my favorite pics...Grace is teaching me how to dance...:)

My amazing friends in the Empowerment Program....

Charity (Mrs. Ruth's sister), Mrs. Ruth's mother, and myself...HUMBLING....

Megan and I with some of the kids in Morobo

Seriously...need I say more? Adorable....

Go HERE to see a cool video of the orphanage.....it's a little dark, I am not sure why, but oh well!!!

Home

2007-01-14T08:18:00.000-08:00

Hey...I just wanted everyone to know that I am back in the states safely...after over 20 hours of traveling, I have made it safely...

I am in Dallas, TX right now, but am on my way to Memphis today...pray that my flight would leave, because there is ice on the ground here today.

Thanks and look forward to updating you later on....

Sometimes I feel like Doogie Howser updating these things!!!

-Rachelle

Uganda

2007-01-10T06:54:00.000-08:00

Hello....Well, please go HERE for an update on the orphanage and for pics...man, it was amazing and I could talk forever about the faith these children, widows and leaders have in Jesus Christ. He is their foundation and the only thing that keeps them going everyday. They have prayer and a time of singing twice a day...and it doesn't matter it's it's pitch black at night...they just sing and sing and sing their hearts out to Christ...He has brought them out of such darkness....their stories will bring tears to your eyes, but they have hope now...they really do. Their past has not defeated them and they will be leaders in Sudan...I know they will. This war has not defeated them. Although they are orphans, they have a heavenly Father. Megan and I didn't want to leave....
The widows...where do I begin. Each one has a story and it's so amazing. They serve these children like their own and still, they have family they send money to back home they are supporting...As they shared their lives with us, I was so humbled. We sat and talked, or mingled as they would say, each night, as we would teach them English, they would teach us Bari or Kaukawa...we would laugh and just talk...

We are in Uganda and Mike and Megan are preparing to fly out to the states...we are sad they are leaving, but excited they are getting to go home to be with their families...pray for a safe flight....

Vernon, Amber, Titus and I will be here until Friday night. Our flight leaves at 11:55pm (2:55pm your time) and we will be in the Dallas on Saturday around 5:30...I will come back into Memphis on Sunday afternoon...I actually fly into Little Rock (it was cheaper) and Mimi is picking me up-thanks Mimi-and will be in on Sunday at some point....so, pray for all of this to come into place and for safety and all of that...

I hope this time in Uganda will be refreshing...actually, I just got done with the steamer in this hotel...ahhhhh...this hotel is really nice....:)

I will post when I get back in the states, but please, keep the comments coming!!

Love you all and thanks again for all of the prayers, encouragements and LOVE!!! They have gotten me through!

-Rachelle

Monday, January 8

2007-01-08T16:39:00.000-08:00

I spoke with Rachelle today as she has returned back to the village from the orphanage in Morobo. Thank you for praying for her time there. She had an amazing visit! They had a good time with the women they were able to share with and was so impressed by the children there. There is no electricity anywhere in Morobo. The kids would sing and pray every night before bed. It sounded like a highlight of her trip!

Tomorrow, she will leave for Uganda and stay there with the Bishop and his wife for a few days. Pray for this time together.

A quick update on Isaac ..... he is in need of a surgeon in the US to look at him to determine what his physical needs are. Rachelle will fill those of you in Memphis or with connections in Dallas that could help her in this area when she returns.

Pray for Rachelle's health to stay strong these last few days in Africa. Pray for her sleep, as she begins to readjust to US time zones soon. Pray for her to come home refreshed, with a clear vision, and many lessons and insight to share with us and use in her ministry.

Thursday, January 4th update

2007-01-04T12:45:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone. It is Marilyn again writing on behalf of Rachelle. I spoke to her yesterday and she is doing good. She has spent the last few days painting the medical clinic and was able to do some shopping at the market yesterday.

Today she and Megan are headed for the Orphanage in Morobo. It is 26 miles away, but will take them 2-3 hours to get there because the roads are in such terrible conditions. She was really looking forward to her time there. They will not have any electricity, and we won't be able to contact her by phone until next week. So she will not be available at the Dallas number posted in the previous entry! Also, she is 9 hours ahead of central time.

Prayer Requests while in Morobo:

Discernment on changes that need to be made at the orphanage
Encouragement for the widows - They will do bible study with the ladies, so please pray for the opportunities to share Christ and encourage them
Rachelle will be using her sign language to teach some children at the orphanage

As a reminder, she will leave the village on Tuesday, 1/9 and go to Uganda. She will arrive back in Dallas on 1/13 and in Memphis on 1/14. She is ready to come home and share what she has learned.

It's Rachelle

2007-01-02T05:11:00.002-08:00

It's Rachelle....

Short, but very cool....

Christ is so evident in this place...it's amazing...

I have access today from an internet café, but will not until I get back to the states…I hope Marilyn will call me so I can update her before I leave for Morobo tomorrow. I will return on Monday from Morobo (the orphanage) on the 8th and we leave the 9th for Uganda and from the 9th on I won’t have access to a phone or internet. Mike leaves the team on the 9th. So, you can call his cell phone 432-614-0300 until then, but not when I am in Morobo.

Our biggest deal right now is finding a Plastic Surgeon (for free) for our new friend Isaac. He is 13 years old and is a victim of a fire. He is an orphan...He needs surgery on his left arm because he is not able to currently use it all the way. It is really damaged...I will post pictures when I can. If you know of someone that can do it, we have housing and will work out details and all that jazz, but it will have to be done in Dallas. Bishop Taban will fly with him to the states, so we will have to get them both tickets and work out all the details, but we will have to find a surgeon first. We can do it. I know we can. We prayed for him yesterday. I will share more later when we have time. So, for now…Amy Cox, Amy Morris….anyone…I know you know people….let’s start looking….asking….we can do it for Isaac!!!!

Call me people….it’s a Texas number….

Oh, I am nine hours ahead of you all!

Love you….

Oh, I have 2 infections I am trying to fight….

Go to our other site for an update…www.sudanskids.blogspot.com

Thank you Avery and Marilyn for your help in updating….Moses and Robert are good…Robert will return this weekend…

Pray for Sudan.....

Saturday

2006-12-30T10:53:00.000-08:00

Rachelle has had a good day. Tonight they are having movie night with the kids and it sounded like fun. Robert was going to stay with them, but Moses is going to his mother's funeral this weekend.

Today the she spent the day helping paint a medical clinic there. She asked that we pray for her because she has broken out with a rash on her neck.

If would like to call her, you can reach her at 432-614-0300. This is Mike's (one of the team members) cell phone, where you can leave a message for Rachelle. She will be unable to call me for the next several days, but I (Marilyn) will try to call her and update again soon.

Continue to pray for her health and strength during the last 2 weeks of her stay and for clear vision. She is really appreciating all the prayers and post on the blog!

Circle of Life

2006-12-29T19:41:00.000-08:00

Friday's update from Rachelle (this is Marilyn again)....Today Rachelle's niece was born and her name is Mia Lucia, named after Rachelle's mom. She is 7lb. 7oz. This is exciting news as a new life has entered the world.

Oceans away in Africa today, Robert & Moses' mother died this morning. This is obviously hard news,especially for Rachelle. The Lord has orchestrated a relationship with Rachelle and these boys so that she can minister and relate to them as they grieve the death of their mother. She met them within the first hour she arrived there and just learned last week that their mother was sick. The father is not present, however, there are some others there to help take care of the boys. Please pray for Rachelle as she grieves with them and ministers to them. Pray for Robert & Moses especially the next few days. Rachelle said she won't be able to attend the funeral in the village this weekend because the streets will be unsafe, once again, due to drunkeness because of the holiday.

I will update as I hear more. Pray for Rachelle...she sounded very tired.

2006-12-28T14:54:00.000-08:00

Hello to all of Rachelle's family & friends! This is Marilyn. I am typing this message for Rachelle as their modem is not currently working there. I will update this for her as I hear from her or until it is fixed and she is able to do so. Rachelle says life in the village is great and is staying healthy. She asked that we pray for Moses (12 years old) & Robert (13 years old). Their mother has liver cancer and they moved her from the hospital back to her village today, which is about an hour away. The doctors have told her there is nothing left they can do for her. Robert has also been sick with headache & fever, so he can also use prayers for his health.

Beatrice is healing and is thankful for everyone praying for her.

And some exciting news, Rachelle got to spend the day with Ms. Ruth's mom and sister today! They traveled from Uganda, which is difficult because of the roads there, but finally made it. Ms. Ruth's mom was so excited to see Rachelle and kept hugging her over & over. They made a video for Ms. Ruth to see. She said it was awesome to meet them.

Please continue to check wwww.sudankids.blogspot.com for updates on the team in Sudan with Rachelle. They are preparing for the new year and Rachelle & Megan are going to the orphanage from January 4-7. Then she leaves for Uganda on January 9th and will leave Uganda January 12th to head back to the states.

Continue to pray for Rachelle, Robert, Moses, Beatrice and Ms. Ruth's family.

Thoughts

2006-12-26T10:38:00.000-08:00

Hey you all....
Please go to www.sudanskids.blogspot.com for update, video and pictures...

Also, read the previous posts to catch up on life here in Yei....

Thanks....

Much love...

Pray for me to sleep during the night....I am very tired during the day....which is at night for you all....

Christmas in Sudan

2006-12-25T10:33:00.000-08:00

(Robert and Moses) (Isro and I....Mrs. Ruth's sister)

Wow, I think we have missed it in America. Well, most of us....
Today was so amazing. Today the only thing we celebrated was the birth of Jesus Christ. We didn't exchange gifts...we danced, sang, ate, and fellowshipped....the people praised God all day today. The youth sang so beautiful...Vernon did an amazing job preaching...the day was beautiful!

We couldn't leave the compound today because Bishop Taban said there would be many people getting drunk and the streets would be filled...it wouldn't be safe. He prayed for those people today. It breaks my heart. We had a long talk on the way back from Morobo the other day. He has seen so much persecution. His church is one of the biggest in Sudan, if not, in the world. He has been through much, which is why he helps his people.

Moses and Robert...my two friends who live in the compound. (Pictured above) They live with Brother Jackson, who is their half brother...he takes care of them because their mom, (Brother Jackson's step-mother) is dying of cancer. I will be visiting her tomorrow with the children. She is in Yei Hospital, the same one where Megan, Mike and Vernon were that we spoke about earlier in the week....Pray for me as I am with them. If you knew this family, you would never think they were dealing with anything...they have so much joy and continue to give thanks to God for EVERYTHING He has done...I have learned so much from this family. Each night, we go to visit with them and they tell us thank you...they tell us we bring them so much joy. If they only knew the joy they have blessed us with.

Pray....I am getting anxious, but I don't know why....

The women's dance was beautiful...I will try to have Mike post it, so we will see...we are about a day behind, so be patient....internet is VERY slow here!

Merry Christmas....

Please keep leaving comments, they really encourage me.

-Rachelle

Morobo

2006-12-24T10:31:00.000-08:00

Go here for video and pictures of Morobo.

Morobo is about 27 miles from Yei, but in reality, it took about 2 1/2 hours because of the conditions of the roads. When we arrived, the widows and children greeted us all the way down the road with dance and songs. I got out of the car and was surrounded by songs of Jesus. Their smiles were priceless and their joy was boundless. The widows singing at the top of their lungs and the orphans just singing and singing and dancing....tears were filled my eyes...I couldn't stop them. All I could do was praise God for the privilege of being in this village.

We greeted the people and they welcomed us and treated us like royalty. When we got settled, we joined the children for a time of singing and dancing. We had a drum in the middle of a circle and danced forever....and ever....I loved it!!! The children's joy and love was so contagious! The widows just loved and loved us...what did we deserve to receive such love?

They showed the Jesus film in Bari, their main language, and people were coming out of the bush to see it. It was so amazing...the children went to bed and we proceeded to our huts. Oh, and I peed in a hole for the first time!!! Yeah!

I also met my friend Santos. He has a speech problem because he has a hearing problem. They can't get a doctor out there to see if how bad his hearing is and if he will be completely deaf. When Megan and I go back there on January 4th, I will have lessons prepared for them to teach him everyday how to pronounce letters, speak and also sign-language. Who would have thought I would use my sign-language here?! If he does go deaf, he will need to learn it now when he has some hearing. They will have an arrangement made so someone, one of the older boys, will work with him everyday. Santos is 4 years old and doesn't interact with anyone because he doesn't have the confidence to speak and not many kids have the patience to speak to him loud enough for him to hear. It breaks my heart. I look forward to going back.

Tomorrow is Christmas. I really miss my family. I miss the dinner we will be having at my brother's house. I miss the family talks. It's not the same. I miss my mom. The holidays are always hard, but they are harder this year because of the distance. I hope you all know, family, that I love you and I will be thinking of you all during these days...Rodger, no Fancy Feasts parties without me and Raeann...Billie, I am praying for Mia as she arrives....I love you all so much! Don't have too much fun without me!!!

Be praying for our team....pray for the women as we will dance for the church tomorrow and we will be able to show these people the love of Christ.

Pray for peace for Sudan.

No more spiders and cockroaches in our room....seriously. It's getting old, okay?

Yei Hospital

2006-12-23T02:04:00.000-08:00

go HERE for our update.

my heart is burdened.

pray for peace for Sudan.

Another Hot One Here (And no, it's not me!)

2006-12-22T09:08:00.000-08:00

Today was another day…a hot one! Megan and I spent time with the ladies doing the dance. It was fun!

Remember to go HERE for continued updates on the orphanage and the team!

For those of you who know Mrs. Ruth, her sister, Isro visited me today!!! I will post our picture soon…Isro and her mother will visit me on December 27th for a couple days!!!! I WAS SO HAPPY TO SEE HER!!!! I hope you will let her know if you see her before I do! She looks just like Mrs. Ruth! That was the HIGHLIGHT of my day!!! I wasn’t expecting her until the 27th. Mrs. Ruth hasn't seen her mother in 13 years! She will be so happy when I return with video of her. She doesn't remember what she looks like....what a blessing to be here.

Also, I talked to Pete today and he is doing well. He is working his tale off, as always, and his class is doing great! I am so proud of him. Please pray for him as he is serving in Northern Sudan.

We had some orphans come today and Vernon spoke with the families. We won’t take them to Morobo. They will go to a different orphanage. It was hard to watch them all sit together and to see the innocence on their faces…just the plain innocence of not knowing what was next for them. I had to get up and walk away so they wouldn’t see me cry. There were seven of them from ages 3 to 12. The oldest cannot take care of them. Pray for them as they will head to a different orphanage in January.

Thank you to those who prayed for Beatrice. She wanted me to tell you thank you because she looked so much better today and felt so much better. She biked today to the compound just to practice the dance! It blows my mind! Please continue to pray for her as she is healing from malaria. She told me that she feels the prayers coming from our friends. Thank you so much.

Prayer Requests:
Megan: she is our nurse here (she doesn’t have a blog), so we are her prayer partners. Pray for discernment for her. She will be heading back in January and isn’t clear as far as the next step for her-here or the states. She is very familiar being overseas and is very good and HUMBLE at what she does, but needs clarification on where God wants her. She is definitely needed here, but wants to be where God wants her. We will be in Morobo tomorrow and then again the 4th-9th attending to the needs of kids and I will be her shadow!!! Pray for wisdom as she examines the children and that she would be able to access their needs and help them as she is here.

Please continue to pray for sleep through the night. Also, Christmas is coming up and the women will perform their dance….exciting. My health is improving and I am so thankful!!!

Oh, I found my toothbrush! Thanks!! I guess the cockroaches had a meeting and decided the joke was getting old…man, I am happy!!!

Today we went to Harvesters orphanage…it was so awesome!!! They have over 100 kids and it’s in a different part of Yei. It is American run, but have a lot of locals employed and running it also. It’s amazing to see how they are serving the children and teaching them at the school. There are over 400 kids at this school! We were able to play and just love on these kids!!! Amazing.

This morning Vernon, Mike, Megan and I discussed what it means to serve. I think we think it’s actually ‘doing’ something….but, it’s not. It doesn’t have to be. For us, here, at least Megan, Amber and I, it’s laughing with the women in the kitchen, or walking down the compound and dancing with a family or teaching them how to dance…it’s just simply relationship. Isn’t that how Christ did it? The absolute joy of laughter and relationship is so amazing and I have learned a new way to serve since I have been here.

Please continue to pray for Bishop Taban, Anna Grace, Mike, Amber, Vernon, Titus, Megan, Asunta, Fastena, Dennis and Brian...They are our main team here. Thank you.

I will try to update daily, but power here is on and off….so, please continue to post. They are VERY encouraging to me…
Good night (for me), good day to you!!

New Day

2006-12-21T11:16:00.000-08:00

Okay, it was a hot one!!! For sure!!! But, it was a good day!

Remember, we are 9 hours ahead of everyone, so it’s 9pm right now. We only have power from 7pm to about 10ish at night.

Please go HERE to see a video and an update on everything!!!! Turn up the speakers because it’s not that loud!!

Beatrice came back to work today. I didn’t see her yesterday and I was a bit worried. She told me that she has malaria and feels very weak. Please pray for her because she rides an hour and a half to the program everyday.

I have been having some good time talking with the women here at the Empowerment Program. I feel like I am really getting some good time with them and we are having some good laughs!!! I am learning Arabic and trying to teach them English as well. It’s worth it for me to see them smiling!

Also, Brian, Dennis and Fastena help get us through the days! They are our friends from Kenya who are here short term! They are loads of fun and always have a story for us! I can always get a good laugh from Brian…Just hearts of servants.

Megan and I taught the women a dance today that they will perform on Christmas Day. We are doing “Knees to the Earth” by Cristy Nockels and it’s been very encouraging to the women. I think they feel so free and are super excited! To see the smiles on their faces was so encouraging today!

Amber, Megan and I went to visit Moses’ family today, the boy we met yesterday. It was so amazing! We sang, danced and just visited! Humbling. Very humbling. Joyful. We sang songs in Swahili and Arabic and at first, some of the kids didn’t want to dance, but then they really enjoyed it. As we were getting ready to leave, they prayed for us-yes, they prayed for US. Amazing.

Mike and Vernon returned from Maorsak where Vernon preached and met with the village leader, and tried to see if they were going to build a church and an orphanage. They had a good journey.

Tomorrow we will be going to Harvesters. It’s an orphanage where we will be visiting with the children and talking about how things are run with our orphanage. I look forward to it.

Oh, I keep losing my toothbrush. I bought my third one since I have been here. I think the HUGE spiders and cockroaches are taking them…anyone else know?

I will have pictures soon….I will…..okay?

Thanks to those who prayed for me….I slept well last night. Please keep praying that would continue….

Oh, I am learning how to make socks….by hand on this cool machine…!!!!

Oh, the kids here are awesome….they just run up to you and love on you!

Oh, and um, I love it here!

Okay, I am done!

For real.

Until tomorrow!!!!

I have arrived!!!!

2006-12-20T09:56:00.000-08:00

Thank you so much for those who were praying for a safe arrival....It was a long journey, but we have made it to Yei, Sudan. We were in Brussels, Belguim, then to Nairobi, Kenya, to Entebbe, Uganda, to Juba Sudan then finally to Yei, Sudan. It took almost 2 days....

Yesterday and today was absolutely amazing...meeting women, children and walking through the streets. We went to the market today and the children crowded around us. I am getting to use my arabic and it's been so beneficial.

Yesterday I spent most of the day with my friend Beatrice. She is a tailor here at the Women's Empowerment Program. She is disabled and lost her leg when she hit a landmine about 7 yrs. ago during the war. She is a mother of two chidren and has one of the biggest hearts I have ever known. She has restored hope in me. I look forward to getting to know her more.

I met some amazing children today who cut our grass in front of our house. They actually used these tools and manually stroked the grass back and forth and it took them the whole day. I later learned they lived on the compound and we went and met their family. Moses, he is 12 yrs. old, lives with his uncle, because of terrible conditions at his house, and works because he knows he has to...even if he doesn't get paid, he has to work (he says). They are off school now for 2 months and looks forword to working everyday.

The work ethic of these people is amazing. The strength these people have is encouraging. The love life. In the midst of hurt, they have hope. I am humbled to be here.

I look forward to teaching the women a dance for Christmas day to show everyone. It will be so powerful for them to show everyone the talents they have...

Pray for our team....the men went to the bush to preach. They will return tomorrow. Pray that I would get sleep. I have not slept one night through since Saturday night. It's been difficult.

Continue to pray for the people of Yei. That hope would be restored to this village of hurt.

God Bless.

Tomorrow

2006-12-16T19:26:00.000-08:00

I leave tomorrow....can you believe it? I am ready....

I have been sick the last few weeks, and went to the doctor and I have bronchitis...please continue to pray for healing as I get on the plane tomorrow....

We leave tomorrow at 1pm and head to Brussels, then to Uganda and then to Sudan. We will be in Yei, Sudan on Tuesday morning. The rest of our team is already there doing check-ups and have already shown the Passion of the Christ. We are so excited to be able to be there to serve the people.

Please pray for our team, health, safe flights and for everything....I want to be sensitive to the culture and to the people.

I want to just serve and give them hope....I want to love unconditionally. I never want to complain. I never want to argue. I never want to grumble. Let every word that comes out of my mouth be pleasing to God.

Thank you for your prayers and thoughts....go here to view updates and videos on the orphanage.....

Peace.

Good night.

5 Days and Counting!!!!

2006-12-12T22:19:00.001-08:00

Can you believe it? The time has come....Sudan is calling my name....(This is a pic of my sister Raeann who came to visit me this week and help me before I leave)

I have many prayer requests as the time is quickly approaching for our journey to Sudan. Please pass this sight around to all you know who will pray.... I love hearing from you. I and am so thankful for your love and support.

Please Pray for :

I am very sick right now. I have an infection that is causing me to cough, and now I am throwing up and can't fight it. I have been sick for about 3 weeks and will see the doctor again this week. I am also taking my typhoid medicine and malaria along with my normal prescriptions. Please pray for healing.

Amber: She is not sick, but needs her prescription (thyroid) refilled early this month so she has enough to make it through our trip. Blood work will prob. have to be done so pray she is willing to go ahead and get her get a refill before the blood work comes back.
Pray for Megan, Mike and Dr. Kelly. They are out of Liberia and headed to Uganda. There they will be seeing widowed Sudanese Refugees and medically attending to them until we arrive on Monday.
Pray for Titus (Amber and Vernon's son) He is getting very anxious about the journey. Pray for him to SLEEP on the plane as much as possible. Pray for him to not be scared of the Sudanese people but to take to them quickly.
Pray for Amber because she has a lot on her plate between now and Sunday. She is dealing with all the money, logistics and packing. And all of you mothers/wives know that just because you are busy doesnt mean your other responsibilites go away. Pray for balance and joy.
You may go HERE to check out videos and pictures and the latest on our entire team and more specifically about the orphanage and what is going on in Yei. (This blog here will be more on how I am doing personally.)

Thank you for all of your prayers....I am a little anxious at this point...getting everything done that needs to be done, packing, flying, etc, but I am really okay. Please just lift up our entire team in your prayers: Megan, Mike and Dr. Kelly, Amber & Vernon and their 2yr. old son Titus. We leave for Brussels on Sunday, arrive in Uganda Sunday night and arrive in Sudan on Monday. The anxiety is eating me...:)

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!

Africa Bound

2006-12-02T21:15:00.000-08:00

It's almost here....I will be in Sudan in 2 weeks....I will smell the sweet air of Africa again and I cannot wait! The anticipation is eating me! To see the faces of children....to hug the women who have suffered the unthinkable and to sit at the feet of those who are hurting absolutely humbles me. I am amazed at the opportunity to learn from these people and to serve them. I can't wait....

Please pray for safe travel....for safe flights....for no complications with anything....for our team:
Amber, Vernon, Titus (2 years old)

We will help the staff choose the new orphans while we are there and will have to turn children away. They said this will be the hardest few days while we are there...kids will literally be turned away and go back to living in the streets...I am trying to prepare myself for this part.

I will be living in the commune in the Women's Empowerment Program. I look forward to learning from the women and just spending time with them. I hope to be able to encourage them as much as I can. I imagine they will teach me more than I could ever dream of!!!

I hope I can bring them as much joy as I know they will bring me!