Adam Barnett

Kiss on the Lips!

I'll have to keep this post a little shorter than normal.  The electricity has shut off three times as I've tried to open the Internet... ugh!

Yesterday our entire team went to the Bocaria together.  It is such a difficult place to minister because of the presence of hunger, poverty and suffering.  However, what a privilege to serve "the least of these."  And this trip to the Bocaria, we had bread left over, praise the Lord!  Brent ran back up the mountain of trash (no exaggeration on the descriptive word, "mountain") to hand out the rest of the bread to people sifting through the trash.  These images are burned into our hearts and I think the entire team will come home with a burden to pray for the poor and hungry. 

Our team worshiped on the soccer field last night under a beautiful display of God's glory... the stars are stunning here.  There is a team here of college students from Texas - we've decided to put the Red River Rivalry aside for a few days and have really enjoyed getting to know them. It was fun to have them join us for worship.

Things are great here... everyone is having the time of their life and it is an honor to serve with such a fine group of young people!  Brent made us a delicious fish dinner last night.  Lauren, our prayer-warrior, just returned from ministry at the hospital.  Ashley and Riley have been decorating the Baby-House this evening.  Jeremy is now known here as "the tall man."  Heather and Amber are making popcorn for some kids right now... I'm unsure if they have any butter - let's hope so.  Kathryn has spent hours sitting in the sand with her little girlfriends.  Kelsey has befriended a stubborn little girl here and is starting to soften her heart. 

This morning at church, they honored our team because it is our last Sunday here at Iris.  They called us to the front and many of the kids came up to pray over us.  It emotionally wrecks you to feel the embrace of these kids.  We are already dreading Tuesday morning... it is coming quickly.

I had a sweet little girl this morning climb into my lap... she is probably 2 years old.  We danced and stared into each other's eyes for quite some time.  It was such a wonderful gift to spend time with her.  I gave her a big kiss on the cheek, and then she turned her head and returned it with a big kiss on the lips!  Ha!  It was hilarious!  She was adorable, and every little girl here is melting my heart... I think preparing me for little Ellie's arrival in August. 

I can't believe we'll all be packing tomorrow night and then boarding a plane Tuesday morning.  Of course, we have plenty of travel ahead of us which should allow plenty of time to reflect on these last two weeks.  Thank you for praying for us!  It is such a key component to have friends and family back home praying for our time here and the people we're serving!  Looking forward to writing when I'm home and posting pictures.  God bless you!

Daily Commission

Praise the Lord!  I have heard in the last few days from all of our teams that are currently on the field!  Kenya has been up until 1:00am two nights in a row praying for hundreds of people who are interested in the gospel.  Albania is seeing so much fruit in the relationships they are building with teens in Tirana.  Uganda is preparing to serve in a village that has never heard the gospel before!  Incredible!  Thank you for praying for our teams!

Our team in Mozambique is great!  Today, everyone is busy... some of team is praying for the sick right now at the clinic.  Amber and Heather are doing Children's Church at the Bocaria this morning.  Kathryn, Kelsey, Ashley and Lauren are visiting another Children's Center this afternoon while Jeremy and Riley will be going on street outreach.  Brent and I are going to prepare this afternoon for the boy's devotional that we are leading tonight for some of the kids here.  A packed day!

The girls were such a blessing yesterday.  I took the guys into the city to run a few errands and they stayed behind and washed our clothes.  What a gift!  Although, watching guys hand-wash clothes in a bucket is always pretty humorous.  Then, Amber whipped up a great chicken dinner for the team... it was nice to have some protein in our system!  All of the girls had their hair braided... it didn't last long for those that have little tolerance for pain - many of them worked for a while last night trying to get the braids out!  They looked hilarious!

Ashley and I are so blessed to be leading this team.  Amber does all the behind-the-scene stuff and never seeks recognition.  Heather hasn't stopped giggling once the entire trip, and it is very contagious.  Kathryn and Kelsey can barely get away from their two best friends, Amelia and Olga.  Lauren's smile is hard to describe, but it continues to comfort us!  Riley is a big hit around here in Mozambique Checkers... I can't beat him!  Brent is our Director of Creative Operations - a.k.a. always doing something to honor someone on the team.  Jeremy is doing his best to teach the boys here how to place HORSE on the basketball court - I think people here just love seeing such a big man have such a submissive heart to the Lord.  The girls are spending a ton of time trying to manage the chaos here in the little girl-dorms.  They are being patient and waiting for a breakthrough!  The guys... we wrestle and play jokes with the little boys here - mostly compete with them in everything and do all we can to ensure that they win! 

This morning, our team sat together and meditated for a while on the Lord.  We talked about how his tears are not clear, but they are colored with banners for each nation.  He weeps for his children, and his tears are stored up in a bottle for us to open and pour out throughout the world.  What a blessing to be on a daily commission, here in Mozambique and back home! 

Tomorrow, our team wakes up at 4:00am to head to Kruger National Park in South Africa.  I told the team this morning that after this trip to the bush, they'll never want to visit a zoo again.  There's nothing quite as exhilarating as looking into the eyes of a rhino who isn't caged or drive through a herd of elephants.  I will go into my Animal Planet/Discovery Channel mode tomorrow and I can't wait. 

FYI - my finger is getting better.  It was about twice as big as my middle finger (miserable!), but the swelling has gone down.  I soaked it in honey and lemon juice... a trick I learned in Nicaragua, but it didn't help. I went to chat with a nurse about it to see if there was anything I could do - she said, "Ahh... are you having trouble breathing?"  I said, "No."  She said, "Then just let it take it's course."  So, three days later, I can finally move my finger again.  This is Africa.

Empty Bread Sack

All is well here with the team in Mozambique.  We have been here a few days now, so the team is familiar with this place - I can tell that they are comfortable and loving every minute!  Today, our team went into Maputo to buy souvenirs because next weekend, we will be too busy to do so.  It was a good break and we really enjoyed the time together... especially us (and 3 others - total of 13) all fitting into one small vehicle.  Ahh... Africa.

I'll start by saying that we were served the greatest fresh salad in the world yesterday.  Amber (a.k.a. Mom) is taking care of us... cooking, laundry, etc.  She's incredible and helps keep people like me aware of things that "need" to be done.

Everyday that we are here, we celebrate and encourage an individual on the team and call it their "Special Day." Today was Kathryn's day. We all went out for lunch on the beach looking out at the Indian Ocean. We are trying to get her to forget that on her special day, she had to squeeze into a car with 12 other people for over an hour! HA!

Ashley, Brent and Riley all went to the hospital two days ago and prayed over the sick.  They were all very moved by the opportunity to love on those that are experiencing pain and sickness.  As they shared that night, they talked about how the power of God is revealed in such places - when there is nothing else to rely on or hope in.  I know it will leave a lasting impact on them, and others as they will all most likely go at least once during our trip.

Brent, Lauren, Jeremy, Kelsey, Heather and I went to the Bocaria (dump) yesterday to minister to those living and working on a mountain of trash.  The smell is almost overbearing and at times, it is even hard to walk.  I was able to kneel down and begin sharing with a woman, but we quickly realized that our translator had taken off with another group and we had no access to Portuguese.  So, in my frustration, I stood up and thought, "Lord, you HAVE to make a way.  You must."  Just then, I looked down and, there in the trash sat a worn-out, torn Portuguese New Testament Bible.  I picked it up and turned to John 14:6 - "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father but through me."  Of course, I wasn't able to share the entire gospel with her due to the language barrier, but I have no doubt that a seed was planted in that moment.  Praise the Lord for his mysterious ways - on mountains of trash that spread many miles sat His Word, waiting to be shared with this beautiful woman.  My comfort is that the Holy Spirit will take that scripture and press it into the depths of her heart, revealing Himself.  Incredible.

After walking through the Bocaria and praying for people, we invited them to a church service.  During church, I joined a South-African man out back to help with some of the medical attention they were giving to attendees.  One young girl had a hole in her foot wider than a quarter and all we could do is scrub it with alcohol and bandage it to prevent more infection.  One man with a burn on his foot pulled his sock off and pulled his skin off, too.  We fetched a bucket of very dirty water, but it was all we could soak his foot in to cool the heat.  It was almost too much to watch, but it only led us to pray more desperately for God to intervene.  This is just a typical perspective of the every-day needs here in Mozambique.  Please pray for the sick and injured that we met that day.

After church, we handed out bread to more than 75 kids and adults.  Eventually, the bread sack was empty.  I broke.  I wept.  A young girl looked into my eyes as if to say, "What about me?"  I have been exposed to plenty of poverty, but I have a hard time handling hunger.  I continued on, as did the team, but inside I was hurting.  I came back and that night read in John, "I am the bread of life; he who seeks me will never hunger."  So, that is what we are forced to pray over these people - that they would KNOW Jesus, seek Him and be filled by Him.  

The team has also spent hours playing in the sand, basketball, checkers and on and on.  Mostly, sitting around and talking with kids.  The Baby House was a chaotic experience for the team due to the 2-3 kids that climb on you at any given moment.  One boy who is disabled caught Heather's eye and she spent the majority of her time sitting on the floor next to him rubbing his chest and arms.  You could see that the affection she gave was so healthy for him and our team was moved as we watched.

For those of you who know my history with wasps, I got stung today by a bee on my ring-finger.  It is already swollen, but I'm trying not to think about it because it makes me angry.  Hopefully I don't come home with 9 fingers.  We'll see. 

Thank you for praying for us.  Through the spiritual, emotional and physical exhaustion each day brings, your prayers and the Lord's faithfulness gets us up each morning with zeal to serve!  We'll continue to pray for you back home.  God bless!

Safe in Maputo!

We are safe in Mozambique and witnessed a miracle in the process!  For those of you who don't know, we ran into some issues in receiving our Visa's (permission to enter the country), but with a lot of faithful prayer, the Lord broke down barriers that could have hindered us from coming... and here we are!  What a mighty and powerful God we serve!  And what a reminder to walk in faith and confidence instead of fear (thank you, Andrea, for gently challenging me in that!).

The team is doing great... tired, but great.  I was overjoyed as I watched their faces upon arrival.  Kids surrounded the truck immediately and made it hard for anyone on our team to move a muscle!  Personal space is never guaranteed here, which you quickly learn to love.  The kids here long for affection and their longing is equally met by ours to offer it. 

I can't tell you what a blessing it is to be reunited with my friends here... As I look at their faces and smiles and catch up a little, it is as if no time has passed at all!  There is a tremendous difference, though, in how much more English some of my friends learn in just one year!  It makes communication much easier!!  Many of the kids here are asking about my team members from last year's trip.  They miss you guys terribly and have been sharing their favorite memories of you.  Here I am, one year later, and you are still so fresh on their minds and hearts.  What an impact you continue to have on them!  Also, I guess the word got out here that Andrea is pregnant because many of the kids wanted to see a picture of Ellie.  So, I explained that she won't be here until August and showed them a picture of Andrea's tummy instead. 

It feels good to dig my toes into the sand here again... to hear the sounds of kids playing at all times... to be patient with slow Internet again... the list goes on and on!  I'll continue to update this as often as possible - please remember some days, Internet connection is hard to find and keep, but I commit to doing my best!

Love to you all and much gratitude for your prayers...

FYI - I think Team Uganda is writing on a blog during their trip as well.  I believe the site is www.ugandaloveit.blogspot.com - check it out! 

Ah... London!

Hello everyone!  The team is in London and we are departing for Johannesburg in a little less than two hours.  The flight here went well... for a few people, it was their first flight overseas and their first stamp in their passports, so there was excitement behind the 9 hour flight!  This flight is 11 hours... we'll see how they feel about this one!  Ha!

Although I know very little about the city of London, I took the team into the city today.  We had a good time - we got to watch the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace... didn't see the Queen though - maybe next time.  We also saw Big Ben and then hung out in a beautiful park for a bit.  Everyone's a bit exhausted and more so, just anxious to get to Mozambique!

All the girls have been playing games non-stop and the guys... well, we've been sleeping.  The best sign of all has been the non-stop laughter.  That is always a good indicator that this group will create wonderful, lasting memories together! Thanks for praying for us... Next time I write, it'll be from Maputo!  God bless you!

Off to Mozambique!

I am leaving bright and early tomorrow morning for the beautiful country of Mozambique.  This will be my third time to this wonderful part of Africa and I have my friends I can't wait to see!  Please pray for the team of 10 that I'm taking - for our ministry there and our safety.  Also, pray for the other teams I'm sending out tomorrow - Kenya, Uganda and Albania!  I'll be writing as often as possible from Africa.  Thanks and God bless you!

OKC Rescue Mission

This spring, it has been heavy on my heart to partner with the Oklahoma City Rescue Mission in huge ways.  I've taken all of our mission teams downtown to spend the night there.  It is extremely humbling to sleep on a thin mat on a cold, hard floor.  Incredible ministry is taking place there and it's such a joy to meet the people and build relationships with them!  Many people there are participating in a discipleship program that pushes them to sobriety and to hold a job.  Others, while suffering to different addictions/setbacks, are slowly finding hope in Christ for their future.  Here are a few students from our Albania and Nepal team's serving lunch...

  

Ellie Marie's Heartbeat

I am speechless when I listen to this.  Scripture makes it so much more intense... to realize that my love for Ellie will never compare to God's love for her! We can't wait for her to arrive, but I wanted to share her heartbeat with you.

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.  I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.  My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place.  When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body.  All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."  Psalm 139:13-16

Top 10 Lessons from Mom(s)

It's Mother's Day, and many of you will tell your mom she's the greatest in the world.  So, I'll let you believe that you're right while I know that I'm right.  I actually have the two greatest mothers I could ever dream of having - Debbie (mine) and Donna (Andrea's).  Here's the Top 10 Lessons I've learned from them, in no particular order:

1. The key component to seeing change is prayer. 
2. Love conquers all - no disappointment can make them love you less.
3. Laughter is a must... it adds years to your life and burns calories.
4. Spouse is always more important than children, even if the kids don't like it!
5. Few things are more peaceful and fun than a day on the golf course.
6. They promise not to, but they still worry (it's inevitable, but a sign of love).
7. Never turn down a mom-cooked meal.  They are simply the greatest.
8. The absolute greatest gift you can ever give a mom is a grandchild. 
9. No matter what you do around them, it's probably caught on camera.
10. They don't know how to dress you or do your hair when you're young.

All that to say, I'm the luckiest man alive with the two moms God has given me!

Nephew #3

Today, the Lord gave me one of the greatest gifts ever - Grayson Joseph Barnett... Nephew #3.  Alex and Luke were fun to watch as they met their little brother.  It is weird to look at it through a 4-year-old's eyes... one minute, mom's tummy is huge, the next minute, her tummy is gone and there's a baby in her arms!  I can't imagine having my own kids after knowing how much I love my brother's.  Here's a picture of Grayson and a picture of me playing doctor...