We are getting a lovely tropical rainstorm this afternoon. We are approaching the end of the rainy season, so we don’t get rain every day, but still several times a week. The rain is a welcome friend. Although it limits our outside activities it cools things off a bit. If you can believe it, I think we are beginning to adjust to the temperatures here.
We visited another new church today. We haven’t been to the same church twice yet. Fun differences in service here are that they spend the first 1 to 2 hours in prayer, private confession and intercession, and praise and worship, 30 – 45 minutes on sermon and then 15-30 minutes on announcements. They don’t dance much here. Most people have a good sway going, and may shuffle their feet a bit, but that’s about all. The first part of the service is devoted to a more solemn time of prayer and singing and then they start singing more lively songs and clapping after that. They have an interesting clap rhythm that is hard to explain, but we are catching on. Some of the women carry small handkerchiefs or tissues that they use when they are singing the happy songs with hand motions. Something that hasn’t failed to make me smile yet is a little “Conga” line that breaks out as the happy songs go on. They range in size each week at the different churches, but we’ve always had one so far. Mike is threatening to join one, but hasn’t gotten the nerve yet.
Driving is quite interesting here. I haven’t yet tried as I am very unsure behind the wheel of a stick shift and the dodging of people, bicycles, potholes, and other drivers is still too scary to me. More than once we’ve watched or been cut off by a taxi driver making a left hand turn from the right lane. And turn lanes or driving lanes are just made by how many cars fit abreast and which direction the driver intends to go. It all definitely makes for an interesting ride. In addition to that fun, the horn here is used to say, “I’m “beside you”, “I’m passing you”, “Don’t crowd me out”, “The light is green”, “The light is red but I want to go anyway”, “Get out of the way pedestrian”, “Go faster”, “Let me pass”, and many other things I haven’t figured out yet. Someone here has said that Africans are never in a hurry until they get behind the wheel of a car.
We are enjoying living on the mission compound right now. Our neighborhood is nice and very tropical looking. There is always someone to talk to or visit here with two other families here and 3 single women plus those that are passing through the guest house rooms from time to time. The kids think it is great fun to visit their missionary family. It has been a little difficult to make contact with other African children, though. All houses in this neighborhood are surrounded by a 10-12 foot wall. We are hoping to make some good Mossi contacts soon.
We are going to visit a Mossi church next week. We had no idea that there was one, and so are excited about getting to go. The service is in French rather than their language. It should be fun.
Speaking of French, we are still trying desperately to learn enough to hold up even a 3 minute conversation. I was able to communicate to our house help that were going to the store for the first time. We are learning, it’s just going to take time.
Someone just brought by a litter of puppies. The kids are really missing our dogs. I really miss our dogs. It’s usually great being here, but sometimes it’s hard. We love our new friends and mission family, but we miss so much our family and our friends. Karis said yesterday, “Mom, it’s never going to be the same.” She’s right.
Life is beginning to take on routines. We’ve gotten in two full weeks of French tutoring and two full weeks of school. The kids both have their beds and we have plates and dishes and cookware and living room furniture. I have tried my hand at African brownies and chocolate chunk cookies (no chips here). Both met with hearty approval! We know where the grocery stores are and the markets and the mall and our favorite produce stops. We have a beef guy that drives by the house on Monday and a fruit guy that brings his goods to the mission compound to sale. I couldn’t quite bring myself to buy the chicken out of the back of a station wagon last week that drove up to our gate, but maybe some day I’ll be brave enough. I doubt it though.
We love you guys so much.
Love,
Heather
We visited another new church today. We haven’t been to the same church twice yet. Fun differences in service here are that they spend the first 1 to 2 hours in prayer, private confession and intercession, and praise and worship, 30 – 45 minutes on sermon and then 15-30 minutes on announcements. They don’t dance much here. Most people have a good sway going, and may shuffle their feet a bit, but that’s about all. The first part of the service is devoted to a more solemn time of prayer and singing and then they start singing more lively songs and clapping after that. They have an interesting clap rhythm that is hard to explain, but we are catching on. Some of the women carry small handkerchiefs or tissues that they use when they are singing the happy songs with hand motions. Something that hasn’t failed to make me smile yet is a little “Conga” line that breaks out as the happy songs go on. They range in size each week at the different churches, but we’ve always had one so far. Mike is threatening to join one, but hasn’t gotten the nerve yet.
Driving is quite interesting here. I haven’t yet tried as I am very unsure behind the wheel of a stick shift and the dodging of people, bicycles, potholes, and other drivers is still too scary to me. More than once we’ve watched or been cut off by a taxi driver making a left hand turn from the right lane. And turn lanes or driving lanes are just made by how many cars fit abreast and which direction the driver intends to go. It all definitely makes for an interesting ride. In addition to that fun, the horn here is used to say, “I’m “beside you”, “I’m passing you”, “Don’t crowd me out”, “The light is green”, “The light is red but I want to go anyway”, “Get out of the way pedestrian”, “Go faster”, “Let me pass”, and many other things I haven’t figured out yet. Someone here has said that Africans are never in a hurry until they get behind the wheel of a car.
We are enjoying living on the mission compound right now. Our neighborhood is nice and very tropical looking. There is always someone to talk to or visit here with two other families here and 3 single women plus those that are passing through the guest house rooms from time to time. The kids think it is great fun to visit their missionary family. It has been a little difficult to make contact with other African children, though. All houses in this neighborhood are surrounded by a 10-12 foot wall. We are hoping to make some good Mossi contacts soon.
We are going to visit a Mossi church next week. We had no idea that there was one, and so are excited about getting to go. The service is in French rather than their language. It should be fun.
Speaking of French, we are still trying desperately to learn enough to hold up even a 3 minute conversation. I was able to communicate to our house help that were going to the store for the first time. We are learning, it’s just going to take time.
Someone just brought by a litter of puppies. The kids are really missing our dogs. I really miss our dogs. It’s usually great being here, but sometimes it’s hard. We love our new friends and mission family, but we miss so much our family and our friends. Karis said yesterday, “Mom, it’s never going to be the same.” She’s right.
Life is beginning to take on routines. We’ve gotten in two full weeks of French tutoring and two full weeks of school. The kids both have their beds and we have plates and dishes and cookware and living room furniture. I have tried my hand at African brownies and chocolate chunk cookies (no chips here). Both met with hearty approval! We know where the grocery stores are and the markets and the mall and our favorite produce stops. We have a beef guy that drives by the house on Monday and a fruit guy that brings his goods to the mission compound to sale. I couldn’t quite bring myself to buy the chicken out of the back of a station wagon last week that drove up to our gate, but maybe some day I’ll be brave enough. I doubt it though.
We love you guys so much.
Love,
Heather
1 comment:
What a beautiful pool! The kids will be excited to see the new pics. Praying for you always,
Lisa
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