Little brothers, future plans, and God's answers

This whole camping trip with the girls this last weekend caused my youngest brother, Joseph to want to go too. So, this morning he packed up his oversized, blue backpack and headed out for an adventure at the top of our hill. He set his tent up, got the left over food from my campout, made a little fire pit, and got his sleeping bag all set up. His excitement was so cute and it continued through the day. My mom decided that since I was 'SO knowledgeable on the subject of camping, I would be the one to get him ready for bed. So, instead of his usual 'Mom Time' I was the one that tucked him in and had to tickle his back to get him to sleep. The only problem was that he was so excited about this adventure in the tent that it took longer to coax him to dreamland.

As I was sitting there with him, thoughts of this next year came into my head. What do I think I'm doing? Do I really think that I can help make a difference? I'm so excited to go, yet I don't feel like I'm prepared. First off, where's the money? Or my gear? How am I going to get all that I need? What do I need? Am I close enough to God that I can completely rely on Him? Why don't I have a job right now? What are Your plans for me God? These were all the questions going through my head. Then this song came to me:

1. What a friend we have in Jesus,
   All our sins and griefs to bear!
   What a privilege to carry
   Everything to God in prayer!
   Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
   Oh, what needless pain we bear,
   All because we do not carry
   Everything to God in prayer!
2. Have we trials and temptations?
   Is there trouble anywhere?
   We should never be discouraged—
   Take it to the Lord in prayer.
   Can we find a friend so faithful,
   Who will all our sorrows share?
   Jesus knows our every weakness; (The many that I have. I greatly appreciate it!)
   Take it to the Lord in prayer.
3. Are we weak and heavy-laden,
   Cumbered with a load of care?
   Precious Savior, still our refuge—
   Take it to the Lord in prayer.
   Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
   Take it to the Lord in prayer!
   In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
   Thou wilt find a solace there.
4. Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised
   Thou wilt all our burdens bear;
   May we ever, Lord, be bringing
   All to Thee in earnest prayer.
   Soon in glory bright, unclouded,
   There will be no need for prayer—
   Rapture, praise, and endless worship
   Will be our sweet portion there.
5. So, even if I don't have all the questions answered, I have a place that I can go and let it all go. I just have to remember that I don't have to bear things alone. He will be there right by my side! Thank you God!

Crown Lake Adventures

This last weekend I got to go backpacking at Crown Lake with one of my best friends Sarah Wart and three of my sisters. We all set off on Friday in high spirits toward the Cascade Mountains hoping for a great adventure. We didn't know how much of an adventure it would turn out to be. On the way up we listened to 'The Midwife's Apprentice' and laughed at the blunders and antics of Beetle and Jane Sharp. Once we reached the gravel road the sun was starting to set and the potholes began to appear. Bumping along we chatted about how nice it was to be out in the mountains again. I was just soaking in the smells of the forest when suddenly Sarah pointed out that there was 'smoke' coming out of the hood of the car. I hurriedly pulled over and all of us car challenged girls piled out of the car and crowded around the front of the car just staring at the steam pouring out. We gave guesses to each other of what the problem could be, but of course we really didn't know for sure. At some point of our pondering, we decided it would be best to pray. After that we hiked up the road to find a flat spot to camp out since it was starting to get dark and we weren't really sure how much farther we had to go till the trail head. Only after a couple turns did we find a little road that flatten out to an open area perfect for camping. That was also when we saw one of God's first little blessings that He gave us that weekend, Mount Jefferson. It was so majestic with it's snow covered top and the orange sunset reflecting off of it! We spread out or gear, set up the tent for the little girls, and laid the tarp out for Camilyn, Sarah, and I. Our sleep wasn't the greatest since the moon was so bright and there were rocks under us, but we all stayed warm, which was amazing! In the morning we all got up early at 7, ate our breakfasts of bagels and trail mix, and packed up our gear.

We checked on the car again to see if we could solve anything, but all we figured out was that there was green fluid everywhere, which didn't mean too much to us :) (We wondered if the issue had to do with the coolant and the radiator, but weren't sure) Fortunately for us that afternoon a couple members of the church were supposed to come up to Crown Lake to go camping, so we didn't have to worry about being completely stranded out there. Another good thing was that we had a map, except we couldn't really figure out just how far it was to the lake. We had the whole day so we figured, why not try hiking up to it. (I'd have to say though, when you're out of shape it isn't the easiest thing to just start backpacking, but I did make it and later found out that it was only 2 measly miles...sad) The hike was spent encouraging either Rachelle or Selena to 'Keep going!'. They didn't seem to be too impressed with the idea of backpacking, but they were troopers about it. Once we got to the lake it was about 1:00 pm and we all decided to jump into the lake/muck to cool off. It was very refreshing and after a bit I started to lose feeling so we lay out in the sun to dry out. There were a couple of us that dozed off in the warmth. The church group got to the camp site around 4:00 so our quiet camp became filled with noise.

It was great having the company and many headed to the lake to get refreshed. Once everyone was out of the lake, a fire was made and the makings of s'mores were put out. Conversations and sticky faces (some worse than others) and fingers were seen all around. As the sun was making it's way lower in the sky, much of the group started to hike out. Only the Segura family, Sarah and I were left out there in the great outdoors. We continued talking around the fire and enjoying the companionship of those around us. Finally we headed off to bed, where the frogs sung us to sleep. On Sunday morning we ate a yummy breakfast and packed up our gear to head out. The Segura's gave Sarah and I a ride down to our car so we didn't have to hike out all the way. I was quite grateful! Apparently the car problems did involve the radiator and the lack of coolant! The rest of the day was fairly uneventful, which I was very glad about. So, I feel truly blessed! God gave me a weekend with one of my best friend and sisters, gorgeous views, cool water, sunshine, peace, wonderful weather, safety, the ability to laugh, rest, and so much more.... God definitely blessed us with an amazing weekend.

Cameroon

Hey everyone!

This past year has been extremely busy and exciting- keeping up in all my classes and getting accepted into the nursing program at Union College. Yeah! It’s been filled with good friends, schoolbooks, and late night study sessions. ☺

This next school year I am planning to go as a student missionary for 12 months to Buea 7th day Adventist Health Center in Cameroon, Africa. I will be one of two student missionaries working as a ‘nurse’. Some of the duties we’ll have other than working in the hospital will include working on AIDS workshops and helping with the nurse training. (You can see pictures on their Facebook account)

The clinic there has one doctor and about eight other full time workers. Buea is a university town located at an elevation of 2500 feet at the base of Mount Cameroon. At the present time they are finishing up the outside of the hospital before the rainy season starts. They are hoping to have the hospital running by Jan. 2011. The region that the clinic is in speaks mainly English, but there are regions fairly close by that speak French and local dialects. I will be living with the doctor’s family and sharing a room with the other SM, which happens to be my best friend, Moriah Ward. Being a university town the church has a large youth group and many activities to be involved in.

This will be a huge learning experience not only in the medical field, but also in experiencing a new culture. I would GREATLY appreciate your prayers and letters while I’m over there. It’s been great seeing how God has worked this call out for me. I can’t imagine what else He has planned for me – but I’m excited. If you want to keep up with what I’m doing check out any of the following contacts.



Email: clayvillech@yahoo.com
Blog: www.simplechacolife.blogspot.com/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/cherilyn.clayville
Address: Cherilyn Clayville
Buea 7th day Adventist Health Center
P.O. Box 33, Great Soppo
Buea, Republic of Cameroon

If you would like to make a donation to help please send the check to:

Union College
Student Mission
3800 S. 48th St.
Lincoln, NE 68506

• Be sure NOT to put my name on the check so that you can get a tax refund!!