New pictures

Some pineapples growing in our yard.  We've picked the one that fell over and it's in the fridge waiting to be eaten.  Notice how dry the 'yard' is.

Some boys by the fence behind us.

It's cashew season.  Elianna with a cashew apple.  Notice how the nut grows under the apple.  There are a lot of cashew trees on our property.

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All in a week's work

You all probably know the saying "All in a day's work."  Well I'll just apply it to this week. 

One thing we've experienced here is many deaths.  I've often thought that some of my african friends have experienced far more death in their lives than I have.  This past week another baby died.  This was the 2 year old daughter of one of the believers here.  She was born with a hole in her heart and that set her back developmentally and in many ways.  She was a bit younger than our son Ian who was 2 in December but didn't even walk on her own yet.  A common belief here is that if a child is born and is 'retarted'  or handicapped in some way or another that they are not a real person but a demon or had an evil spirit.  They often try to poison the child.  People wanted to do this to little Hawa but a missionary lady stepped in and helped her get the medical care that she needed.  This was a struggle for the family though because she required regular medical attention at the capital and they often didn't have the money to pay for it.  Anyways her parents were planning to take her to the capital for treatment because  she was getting sicker but they realized the doctor they needed to see wasn't there.  They took her to another village to do 'bush' medicine on her.  It was after this that we received the word that she died.  In some ways it seems better because we know she's free from pain but in many ways it's very hard.  Please pray for this family.  Her father is a believer and some think that her mother is but has never been public about it. Pray that they'll be able to be a testimony through this.  I was thinking about how I would feel if it was my child and it hit close to home since Hawa was the same age as Ian.  I would be devistated.  I know they are hurting but when i went to give my condolenses the mom greeted me and asked about my baby, my baby when her baby has just died.  I'm so thankful for my kids but have been reminded that they're not mine really they're just on loan.

This week has also been filled with lots of battery work for Pete.  We create our own power by using solar panels and storing the power in large batteries for use.  We also use a generator to boost the batteries etc.  This powers everything we use, fridge, freezer, washing machine but very importantly now our ceiling fans and small fans that we have at our beds at night.  Well Pete's probably spent 6+ hours this week or more on our batteries.  We found out that one was bad so he unhooked it but the batteries still weren't charging where they should be.  We're not sure if it's resolved but should know tonight.  I forget how thankful I am for those batteries till they're turned off and there is no power on a 100F+ day!  I'm so thankful for Pete and all he knows and has learned about solar power etc.  It can be really frustrating for him though if he can't figure out the problem and if it turns out to be a big problem it takes a long long time for new batteries etc to come! (like a couple months) That might not sound like a long time but it can be if you're scrimping on power.

Oh yes and this morning one of  our dorm kids found a big cane rat while out walking.  Two of them trapped it and they took it to their biology teacher who allowed them to kill it (with a bb gun no less) then the dissected it for class.  It's not every day that that happens.

Also this is the time of year when our kids are climbing trees and picking local fruits to enjoy eating.  Mangoes are coming into season...life is good!:) 

We have another month or so till our first rains.  The days are getting really hot and the motivation runs low but we're hanging in there.

 

 

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picture catch up

A hodge podge of the last few months including Elianna getting her hair braided for the first time, the beach, a new baby in the village and Ian riding his tricycle.

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Is it February already?

I cannot believe that I haven't posted since October.  As I take a minute to think back though starting in October and for several months afterwards life was a bit crazy.  I know that's no excuse but it does let you know that we haven't been sitting around twiddling our thumbs...does anyone really have time to do that?  The end of October brought some of our coworkers leaving very unexpectedly.  So that brought extra responsibilities for us and thus we were busier for a few months. 

 We finished up our first semester of school in December and then we had our annual field conference.  It was a really encouraging time.  A team from the states came to do a childrens program and the Pastor of some coworkers came to speak to the adults as well as a worship pastor.  It was amazing.  Normally it's Pete and I leading music, I on the keyboard and singing and Pete singing with me which is ok but we love being in the audience singing.  The Pastor really challenged us from the Word.  He focused on God being the God of the insignificant.  He reminded us that often we miss the work of God because we don't see Him in the insignificant. We often feel that we're insignificant in what we're doing but God uses and loves to use insignificant tools and things we think are unqualified..  Another great reminder was that we don't own anything it's all a gift from our Father including our kids.  There were many other great things but those were some that really reached out to me. 

After conference we enjoyed a really nice Christmas break.  We thought about going to the capital but decided not to and just stayed home.  We did take our annual beach trip.  Our kids love it more every time.  There's nothing like staying on the beach and being able to play and swim in the warm waters of the Atlantic, chasing crabs, watching fishing boats, having campfires with hot drinks and smores. 

We've been back in school/dorm for about a month now and like usual time is flying by.  We had a great month of cool nights and mornings.  60F in the morning when you're used to 75 - 80F feels like it's freezing.  For that month we pull out the blankets and sweat shirts.  It's warming up now though and the mornings are much warmer.

Well, things are a bit crazy here.  I hope to post some pictures but will do it later!

 

 

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October's here

Explanation of pictures

Some recent pictures from the village.

We often give away cardboard boxes, here's one thing they get used for.  Baby beds.

A picture of how they make some shortbread type cookies.

The oven - a fire underneath a big pot with the cookies in it and then a piece of roof tin on top with more coals/fire on top of the tin.

The kids like going to the village to find/catch baby chicks - here's aidan with one.

Ian with a huge goose egg that he got.

Our goat had kids this week.  Twins and Pete and the kids along with some of the dormers got to watch them being born.  There's a girl and a boy.  They're just about 4 days old but have already changed quite a bit.

Some english muffins that Faith made.  They actually really look like english muffins that you'd buy.  They weren't as crunchy but still really good.

Ian with RaHndell, one of the dormers watching him play a game.  RaHndell really likes Ian and little kids.

Ian reading with Pete - he loves to read books right now.

 

We're already 4 days into October.  I'm not sure what the weathers like where you are but October always brings a bit of homesickness for me as I think of fall and the fall weather back home.  There are things here that remind me of fall.  It's the season of squash, not pumpkins but tons of green and white squash in all sizes and shapes.  I always buy some to put around the house as fall decorations.  The weather is cooler, it's not raining as much.  It seems like the days are dry and we get big storms at night.  The nights are pretty cool while it's raining.  The days are pretty clear with nice blue sky and birds always singing.

 

We are also finished with the first month of school and are enjoying a 3 day weekend.  The time hasn't seemed to fly quite as quickly as last year....we'll see if it continues that way.  It's a different year with different students and personalities.  In some ways we feel a bit more drained and tired but we're also a year and a bit into being on the field.  Life here has a way of making you feel tired all the time.  I know for many of you life at home does the same thing.  Faith's been able to participate in a Beth Moore Bible Study on the fruit of the Spirit with some other missionary ladies.  It's been a real encouragement but a huge challenge to her.  Pray for us that we'll be in the Word and strengthening ourselves in our Father and His truth.  Sometimes the cares of life can weigh on us...I'm sure it's the same for each of you.  I'm not trying to say we're discouraged but there are and have been some challenges lately.  Pray that we'll see clearly God's vision for us here and for our mission as there have been and continue to be changes. 

 

 

Pray for us as we continue to get to know our dormers and their families and interact with them.  Pray that we'll be an encouragement in their lives.  A praise is that Pete's been able to be involved with a young guy from the village who is a seeker.  He may actually already be a believer but is very afraid of his families reaction.  He has asked his dad for permission to study the Bible and his dad was not at all in favor of that.  Pray for this guy and Pete and others who are involved in his life that they'll know how to encourage him.

 

Ok, I guess that's all for now.

 

 

 

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June, July and August

Wow, I didn't realize that I hadn't posted since June.  I was sure that I had but maybe I started to and had issues.  Anyways...I should put a counter on here to see how many people actually look at the blog.  Sometimes I wonder if it's worth it with facebook but I know there are those who don't use facebook. 

Well the summer is somewhat of a blur now.  At the time it surely wasn't.  For nearly 2 weeks in July Elianna was really sick.  I think she threw up for 10 days and for at least 6 of those kept very little food down.  In the end we think it was amoeba or something like that.  She lost a lot of weight but has gained it back and is doing fine.

During that time we found out that school would be delayed a month due to various reasons.  It was a relief to us since we had been so preoccupied with Elianna.  Another big thing that Pete was busy with in July/August was some theft here at our mission center.  It involved some of our guards.  It was a sad situation.  In the end several guards lost their jobs since no one would confess but we knew it was one of them stealing.  Our 'normal' logic and reasoning don't always work here with the culture.  That was finished at the end of August.

Now it's already mid September.  School started on the 1st.  We have 6 dormers.  Three girls and three guys.  All teenagers.  It's going pretty well but is busy and intense.  I forgot how much energy it takes at the start.  Getting to know new dormers etc.  For me it's an increase in meal/food prep.  With a couple kids that commute into school  and our family/dorm there are 13 every day for lunch and 11 for all other meals.  We have 3 very hungry teenage boys among those numbers.  Anyways it's busy... with a 20 month old and homeschooling a kindergartner and the dorm.  Pete is a huge help but there are times he's not around during busy times.  Aidan is in 3rd grade now, it doesn't seem possible.  Ian is a fun, lovable 20 month old.  He is talking quite a bit and starting to put 2 words together.  In the last month he's really gotten into reading books and will come to you with a book and say 'book.'  Even thought we read 2 or 3 times a day he would love more!:)

Well that's a brief catchup and I"ll attach some pictures with this.

 

Pictures:

Faith eating with friends in the village

celebrating the 4th of July with sparklers on a rainy night

Ian pulling a wagon

Pete working on replacing a counter top in the dorm

Our coworker in the village teaching children, both the Word of God and french and math

loving brothers

Propane bottles (used to fuel our stoves) going to get refilled in a taxi ( there were 23 in total) not just for us but all our fellow missionaries as well.

Our kids in long pj's - we went to a hotel for a few days with A/C, we always bring our warm clothes for it.

rainy day fun making playdough

First day of school Aidan 3rd and Elianna Kindergarten

Full tables at lunch  with the dorm

family self portrait

Our little guy

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