McAfees in Abidjan

One of Those Days!!!!

2012-01-24T04:20:00.000-08:00

Well, today was one of those days where you just have to do what you have to do. I have been going to Seidou's house for several weeks now. I usually go right after breakfast to avoid eating anything at his house. Seidou has a good heart, but they don't have very much money, so I don't want to impose any more financial burden on them by always eating with them. Well, today it was unavoidable. I arrived at Seidou's house around 10am and did my normal greeting and asking about the family. My main goal is telling Seidou Bible stories. I was getting ready to tell Seidou this weeks story when his sister came in with a bowl, and I knew what it was. I thought maybe I could just sit while they ate, but immediately they got a bowl and a spoon for me. Well, I decided that if I am going to eat with them, then I am going to eat with them like they eat. So I declined the extra bowl and spoon and washed my hands in the offered bowl of water and dug my right hand into this hot plate. I thought for a moment that maybe I should have taken the spoon since my right hand fingers now seemed to be on fire. The dish served was called "Cabato" or just "Toe" for short. It is a mushy paste type dish that you dip in sauce. Well, I sucked it up and then dipped my food in the sauce and stared eating with my friends. It was one of those days where you pray"Lord, if I get it down, then can you please keep it down." Luckily the Lord kept it down for me and when we were finished Seidou asked me for this weeks story. Not only did I tell him the story, but then he asked if he could read the story. So we told the story again and then we read the story I had written. Please pray for Seidou as he and his family are Muslims, but we recently were able to give him a Bible in Arabic, which he can read, and he has told me he wants to know the truth. Please pray that these stories will touch his heart and the hearts of his family and they will see the truth that Jesus is the only way that we can gain eternal life.
-Mike

Vridi Buddies

2012-01-20T12:41:00.000-08:00

This is Christine that has been suffering with illness. You can see her stick arms sticking out of her shirt. I told her people all over the world are praying for and she is very happy with that.

This is my friend Alima. She has a permanent smile.

This is dear Grace. Her mom, Marie, lost her husband in August in the bus accident. Grace is hanging out at mom's market stall, while mom does people's hair for a buck or two.

I got my camera out at Vridi the other day so that you can see some of my buddies. I don't get around to taking a lot of pictures as it can be quite a distraction and a little weird. I know you like to put names with faces, though.

This week has been challenging as Caleb has been sick. He'd been sick since just after Christmas, but we finally got some good medical advice and he is doing much better. This time of year, a dust comes down from the dessert and sits in the air like smog. We don't have as much trouble here as they do further north, but we do see some of it. The doctor Caleb saw recently feels like he had an asthma like reaction to the dust. Because of that, he's been having serious trouble breathing for the last few weeks. After spending most of every day this week at the doctor's office, Caleb is doing really well. Thanks, Christi, for the recommendation!

It feels crazy to say, but we'll be traveling again in just over a week. We don't travel much, but this year it has come in bunches. We'll be headed over to Ghana to get refreshed spiritually and share some of the things we learned in Vancouver. We are looking forward to seeing some old friends and are currently planning to stay an extra day so Mike and Caleb can watch the superbowl with friends instead of solo.

With Love,
Heather

Niger

2012-01-20T12:21:00.000-08:00

You've heard about my Burkina escapades, but the real purpose for my trip last week was to go to a home school conference in Niger. I'd never been to Niger, so it was a treat to get to go. I wished the whole week that the kids had come as all of the rest of the attendees were able to drive there and so brought their kiddos. The guest house was located on this pretty river, but the rest of the countryside was pretty brownish red. I got a chance to catch up with some old friends and make some new ones. The rest of the trip was mostly in class.

I got home to find everyone in Abidjan safe and sound. I think they even ate while I was gone. I was putting Ben to bed that first night and after the lights were out and I'd said goodnight, Ben called, "Mama, no airplane, no bye bye!" I guess he did miss me after all.

Heather

Ben 1 Cor. 6:19-20

2012-01-17T00:52:00.000-08:00

Every morning we read the Bible and learn a Bible verse. Ben learns them too and also loves to read his Bible. Here is Ben saying 1 Cor. 6:19-20.

Time In Burkina Faso

2012-01-15T10:04:00.000-08:00

Where I stayed was a 45 minute walk off the road, so my friend carried my suitcase on her bike.

Adiara and her youngest

Adiara's sister

So, I’m off on my own. I left Ben and the rest of the gang in the truck at the airport Sunday afternoon. He cried. I cried. Mike gave Ben a sucker. He stopped crying and I don’t really want to analyze where that puts me on Ben’s list of favorite things!!!!

In normal African form, the trip was interesting. We got of a bit late, but not too bad. We fly into an airport just a bit before the landing time I had listed, so I figured we must have made up time in the air, yay us! I’m looking around as we taxi and things are a lot greener than I expected. I have never been to Burkina in January, but since it’s during the dry season, I had the idea everything would look dead. No matter. I continue reading my Kindle which was malfunctioning and really irritating me. Every few minutes the stupid thing would freeze up and I’d have to spend about 5 minutes or getting it rebooted and find my place in my book again because it would return to the front of the book! Notice my level of distraction here. Add to that, announcements on airlines here are barely recognizable in any language and they are speaking a language that’s not my mother tongue. At any rate, while reading, I thought I caught the name “Lome” which is a city in a country several over from ours. To start with, I write it off as mishearing or possibly an announcement for where the airplane is going next. It’s not unusual for our airlines to stop over at multiple cities.

Next time, the announcement comes on I try really hard to listen better, but I’m still getting Charlie Brown’s teacher in my head and there it was again, “Lome”. I can’t figure out what in the world they were talking about, so I pull out all of my information. No, it clearly says my plane will arrive in Ouaga at this time. Crud! Now I think back. What if I got on the wrong plane? I’m probably going to jail. I know I’ll go to airline jail because I don’t have a visa for Togo. No, no I remember well that the monitor over the lady’s head had read Ouaga. OK. Maybe I’m hallucinating and this is Ouaga. I’m searching the airport for any signs on the outside that would give me a clue. The Air Togo hangar made me worried, but I see no other evidence of where I am. I get really desperate and decide to ask my neighbor.

I know, I know. You figure that since I’m a missionary I’ve already lead my seat mate to Christ and gathered believers in my section to form a church plant of rows C through G. A and B would have rounded out the alphabet but we don’t want things so big that we can’t really get to know one another, right? … And here’s the truth. I’ve spoken only a couple of words to the lady and she doesn’t want to talk to me and I’m happily working on my Kindle, remember? Whatever the reply is at this point, I’m going to look like an idiot, but here goes. “Excuse me, isn’t this Ouaga?” “No.” Gee, thanks for the help!

I did eventually make it to Ouaga. Fortunately being 2 hours late is quite acceptable here and so it all worked out fine! My friend didn’t even comment on my tardiness.

I love the city-village life and so I had asked to spend the night at my Burkinabe friend, Agira’s house. Those following for a while remember her as my dear friend that you’ve prayed for for ever so long. The nasty red clay dust, Ouaga was brown by the way, really choked me up to start with. I’m certain it has settled in parts of my lungs that aren’t supposed to be dusty, too, so I could be dealing with it for years to come. I got to spend the night in a little clay hut, unfortunately it was square instead of round. I slept on the concrete floor on a plastic mat. Some of you just conjured up a kindergarten nap mat in your head and were horrified by the small level of cushioning that would have been. I don’t want to deceive you here. My mat had 0 cushion because it was made of tiny plastic straws woven together!!! Now the locals are all complaining about the cold, but at that point it was only around 75 and with no wind blowing in the little hut, I was fine. Around 4 AM it dropped to around 60 and my thin African blood was no longer tolerating that. My arms hurt, my shoulders hurt, my back hurt and my nose was frozen. I had reached for the only thing I could find in the night which was the towel I’d dried off with when I took my outhouse with no roof, bucket bath a few hours earlier. I think I dozed off a couple of times, but it was a long night. Maybe I should look into purchasing one of those kindergarten mats!

I woke up to donkey’s braying, sheep and goats frolicking and little pigs oinking. I don’t know how they manage to have little pigs because I never see big pigs! All this farm life roaming around gives the village feel, but the fact that I can look over the outhouse wall and count no less than 30 huts gives the city feel. It’s all complicated and interesting and I love it mostly because I got to spend nearly 24 hours with a dear friend I can only see once every couple of years.

We stopped to rest after lunch as is local custom and since I was super tired I dozed off right away. Within a few moments, the feel of something climbing up my stomach awakened me. I screamed and dove over the nearest sleeping body as sleep gave way to realization. It seems the mice mistook me for a jungle gym. All I can say is that I am thrilled they didn’t try that trick in the dark!!

On a final note, I didn’t really get to share more about Christ with my friend, partly because I don’t know what more I’d share. I’ve told her nearly every Bible story I know. Listened along with her to 2 gospels in her language. I’ll never give up hoping, but it didn’t happen this trip. I was interested to hear how God is answering some of my prayers and yours for her. She mentioned a friend she has made that believes in praying for others “like you” she says. She also mentioned that this friend was a Muslim, but converted. I’m interested in seeing where God is going with this one!!

My love to all,

Heather

Fireworks

2012-01-08T02:26:00.000-08:00

OK. So, those of you that are REALLY close friends and family already know about my firework phobia. The rest of you, just get ready to say, "We always knew there was something wrong with that girl!" For as long as I can remember I've had a dislike for fireworks. They scare me. I don't even like sparklers. I especially hate the loud things. They make me want to hide in a closet and not come out! Unfortunately, living in a big city means fireworks are everywhere. They like to shoot them off the week of Christmas and more and more until New Year's comes and goes.

For the last several weeks or more like a few months, we've been hearing firecrackers in the streets. Firecrackers are among my least favorite of the fireworks especially if I don't know they are coming. Think with me for a moment here. Only a few months ago here, men had guns and were running around in the streets shooting them at one another. I've felt OK about being here, fairly safe and not too worried, but random pow pow noises in the street are not really what I want to hear!!!!

Fast forward to the weekend of New Year's. Before the sun is even down, people started with the bottle rockets and firecracker and some sort of super bottle rocket. Around 9, apparently the city stages a big show which consists of an hour worth of constant fireworks including that big cannon sounding thing they like to do in the grand finale of a show in the states. I went outside in the yard for one reason only, to look and see if there was a portion of the city going up in a TNT explosion or something. I thought maybe somebody had gotten into one of the supposed weapons cache things and had blown it up. I thought the whole city might be blown off the map, with what I heard. That went on Friday night, Saturday night and Sunday night. The neighbors seem to have finally run out of their stash, much to my relief! Since buying and selling fireworks is illegal here, I have no idea how the WHOLE city came by them, but I'm glad they seem to be gone for now.

This week, I've been getting ready for my first solo trip since Ben was born. I have to go to Niger for a home school conference. I'm hoping he'll be good for Mike and not notice I'm gone.

This week has also brought up one of the biggest challenges to me of living overseas. Caleb has had a bad cough and I finally decided it was time to take him to the doc. She says it's bronchitis and gave him a boatload of meds. When he didn't respond like I thought he should to those, I am posed with the ever present dilemna. Do I really trust the healthcare here and where can I turn if I don't? I suppose I had an easy time of things in the states. The kids aren't sick much, I was never sick much either. When the doctor told me I had an illness, I believed them. If they said, it's not something to worry about, I didn't worry. If they gave me medicine, I took it. All of the sudden, we're off in the wild blue yonder. I barely understand the doctor and I'm not always sure they understood me. They treat people differently here. They explain nothing. They prescribe unnecessary meds. We've been frequently misdiagnosed, sometimes gravely so. I've even been prescribed medicines that don't exist. We do have help. We have people we can call, it's just so frustrating not to know a doctor in country that I feel like I can trust. To end a long rant, Caleb is doing better today. I think the meds are finally working and he'll be fine. It's just a reminder that "I'm not in Kansas anymore"! ;) I miss my family, I miss my friends and I miss Dr Milroy!

Heather

Christmas 2011

2011-12-28T09:11:00.000-08:00

Christmas here always means going to church, so it was just and added bonus that it fell on Sunday this year. One of the churches we attend was having a dinner together after church, so we enjoyed sharing Christmas dinner with them all. I look really thrilled to be there, wouldn't you say! ;) I dont' know what I was doing in that picture, but we did have a great time together. Since the preparations for the Christmas party had kept me busy, I had to fulfill my promise to make Christmas cookies with Karis on Christmas day. Then some friends came over and we spent the evening playing games and then Skyping with our family! It was a very nice day.

Heather

Christmas Party

2011-12-28T08:54:00.000-08:00

We had our annual Christmas party on the 23rd. We try to take the time every year to tell our staff how much they mean to us and invite special friends as well. We share traditional African food of rice and sauce and I bake a boatload of cookies and cake and muffins. 50 people managed to consume 4 batches of peanut butter cookies, 4 batches of sugar cookies, 8 batches of pumpkin muffins, 4 batches of banana bread, 2 batches of snickerdoodles, 1 chocolate cake and 3 gallons of KoolAid! Aside from that they each ate several plates of rice and sauce! This year we made popcorn balls for all of the guests to enjoy and got the kids a little gift to take home. It's always SO MUCH WORK, but because we have their undivided attention we get to share the reason we celebrate Christmas.

Mike let me share the story this year and I told of God's plan from creation to redeem mankind by sending His son as the perfect sacrifice. It was a fun night. We hope you had fun celebrating the Son wherever you are!

Heather

Christine is Still Sick

2011-12-28T08:10:00.000-08:00

I've hesitated to write this story as I don't know if I can do justice to the cultural knowledge you need to understand it. I'm fairly certain that I don't even have the cultural understanding to truly grasp what is going on, but it is such a good picture of some of the obstacles we face that I want to give it a try.

Many of you may remember the name of Christine. Those that have been here may even remember her. She is a widow in her mid 50s that has had a very difficult life. She is an immigrant from Burkina that has lived in Abidjan for more years than I've been alive. She worked every day in the market for a dollar or so each day to be able to pay the rent on her house of around $30 and to have whatever else she might scrounge up to eat with. I honestly don't know how she lives. She is involved in the local Catholic church and they may help her a little when she's in a tight spot, but they have a church full of people in nearly as dire a need as her. I've storied with her for a long time in her spot in the market. Occasionally other women listen, but she's always had a bit of a rivalry going with her closest market. They seem to be friends on the outside, but they often snip at one another and are competing for my attention.

Christine has been sick a lot of the time since I got back. She has some grown children, but they aren't really helping her. Some of them are still living at home and eating her food and taking up space. If they get sick, she has to get them to the doctor. To start with we all assumed she was just overstressed and tired. By the first of September she was treated for malaria a few times. After a few weeks, she finally went to another doctor who did a blood test for her. It should have been done long ago, but she had no money to pay for it. She was diagnosed with typhoid fever and kept in the hospital a few weeks. This particular doctor does charity work and was treating her for free. She's the only one of her kind that I'm aware of in this city. She was sent home for a couple of days and quickly taken back. They thought the typhoid fever had just flared up, but after several more weeks of treatment they've found that something worse is going on. Many years ago, she was diagnosed with TB and that is what seems to be back. About 2 weeks ago her doctor told her that she'd be spending the holidays in the hospital, but unexpectedly she was released only a few days after that. I still don't have the whys of that decision or if she fled, but from then on, she's been nearly unresponsive. She won't talk to friends. She sits in her house and sleeps and refuses to talk.

Christmas eve, I ran by with some food to try to lift her spirits and finally found out what was at the heart of her utter despair. Christine thinks that someone has put a curse on her to knock her off so that they can have me as their very own friend. Now I know my American friends just spit on themselves in sloughing that off as the most ridiculous thing they've ever heard. Let me just say that is not at all uncommon thought here, neither that someone would put a curse on her out of jealousy, nor the idea of a curse in general. Our friends here live in constant fear of a spirit world that I am oblivious to and even often skeptical of, but I have seen the power at work in the lives of others. I don't have any idea how much of this power is in the minds affected and how much is pure evil at work, but I do know that it is very effective whichever way it works. I don't suppose it matters if the evil one destroys by the power of one's mind or if he wields power over germs and sickness.

After I picked my jaw up off the floor, because although I've worked here for 4 years, I wasn't expecting this one, I tried to compose myself and figure out what to say. I've never in my life prayed "God help me say the right words" as I have here! In that short instance I decided not to tackle the validity of the curse, argue who may have made such a curse or even assure her that she'd be fine. What was impressed on me in the moment was to remind her who Jesus is, the authority and power He has and at the same time warn her that we are all to be ready to stand before a Holy God. I wanted her to understand that we are all ashamed, in filth and without hope if we stand on our own merits and that only Jesus can cleanse and restore us. She listened. She's not looked at me in weeks, but she looked me in the eye and heard what I said. In one hateful moment she sarcastically retorted to a comment that I had made, "So you think I'll get better?!" It was the perfect chance to say that none of us is guaranteed tomorrow and we must all be ready. God laid in on my heart also to reassure her that He never leaves us and His plans are for our good even when we can't see it.

In all honesty, I really only held it together long enough to get out of there! The idea that she may die had already worked it's way into my thoughts as I saw her sitting there a complete skeleton. The thought that she figured she'd been cursed on my account was enough to make me cry buckets. In a moment, I wondered if my presence does only cause suffering. Then I remembered we are all under the curse of our sin and we surely will die a spiritual eternal death without the news of salvation. For that reason, He calls His own to share what He's done for us. So I must keep on and so must you. When you look at your neighbor who seems to have it all together on their own, think of a skeleton wasting away because of the curse of sin and death. If you don't do something, Christine's possibility will be their reality.

Sorry, I didn't realize this story was going to turn into a lecture! On a happy note, Christine called me Monday to wish me Merry Christmas. She sounded upbeat and her reaching out is something I haven't seen in a while. I'll try to keep you posted, but pray for her body as well as her heart. I'm not sure about her soul. She has a lot of good answers to my questions, but on a deeper level, I really don't know where her heart and her hope is.

With Love,
Heather

Christmas Misadventures

2011-12-27T13:48:00.000-08:00

Those that have been following my ridiculous self for a while will remember that 2 years ago around Christmas, I had my first encounter with a pickpocketing ring that hauled off some of my hard earned cash. Christmas in the big city always brings out the best and worst in humanity, so I had another round with the wrong side of the law this year too!

I had had a particularly hard day. It had been a full day of homeschool, learning 3 stories in my spare time (which consists of basically memorizing around 15-25 verses of scripture per story), got the family lunch, went out and taught the 3 stories, fielded many difficult questions about who God is and what we have to do to please Him, taught one of the stories in Moore (which I struggle with for every word), handled a rowdy gang of women half of whom wished to have a loud discussion and the other half wished to study the Bible and pray. I had gotten a call during my last group to let me know that a good friend that was deathly ill had been released from the hospital. I had no details, but normally they don't let deathly ill people out of the hospital for their continued health. I was really worried about her. I was definitely feeling the weight of the day and I knew that I still had to get home and make supper for the family! Traffic is a bear in the city during the holidays and arriving home without being killed or killing someone is hard work. We'd made it nearly home, I was out with a female colleague that day. Just when we'd nearly made it, disaster struck.

I was in bumper to bumper traffic waiting for a light and inching forward. I spotted a well known trouble maker headed toward our truck. He usually just aggravates people for money or tries to wash their windshield to make them feel like they should pay him. I kept sight of him in my peripheral vision, but my main worry was the traffic and the light. He slowed as he saw my vehicle and walked past too close. I barely saw him reach up and slap my sideview mirror with his hand as he passed. I fussed and said that guy hit my mirror, while my colleague rolled down the window to flip it back out straight. About that time, I see him sidle up to my window holding his shoulder. OH BROTHER! was my first response. I really thought he was going to be silly and beg money out of me pitifully. My colleague wagged her finger at him and told him what he'd done was wrong and all of a sudden I saw the anger and hatred spark his eyes. He tore around to her side and started a screaming match. As soon as traffic began to move he went in front of our vehicle and blocked my path. We stood there locked in a stare down with no way to move, other than run over the punk, which I did consider. A crowd started to gather. He spouted off that I hit him and he'd not move until I paid him. In normal African fashion, a spokesman came to deliver his demand. I retorted that HE hit my truck and HE should pay ME! Finally the crowd pulled him out from in front of my vehicle and I took off.

This sounds like a fairly stupid incident, but I was pretty scared and fairly humiliated by what passersby that hadn't seen him hit my truck would think. I was really afraid for a few days in that area as he and his gang are usually close. He had murder in his eyes during the incident and I wasn't sure what exactly he might do if he had another chance. Mike wanted to go back up there and "have a talk with him." Our househelper was fit to be tied to go with Mike in case he needed help "talking". I was certain that somebody would get hurt if that happened and begged them not to go. For a few days as I rode around with Mike, I avoided the intersection, but to do so really makes it hard to get around. Finally, on Christmas Eve, I headed back through, figuring I'd have to find out sooner or later what he intended to do to me. I will have to admit that I had thoroughly outfitted my phones with all possible numbers I might need to call! Sure enough, there he was. It was my first time driving again after the problem and I drive straight up to him!!! He saw my truck and ran toward it. I plaster on a smile, check all of my escape routes and look right at him. "Merry Christmas!" he says smiling sweetly. "Merry Christmas to you" I echo. I wave, he waves and walks off. He didn't even beg for money, which would have been his usual routine. Whew! A Christmas miracle for sure.

Crazy times! We'll hope I can manage to stay out of trouble next Christmas.
Heather

December Catch Up

2011-12-27T05:37:00.000-08:00

I'm going to try to play a little bit of catch up in these next few days. So much has happened and that I want you to know about. My intention is to do it little by little so that you will understand.

First I wanted to catch up on my little groups and some of what Mike has been up to. Mike has begun storying with a family that has been a long term project not only of ours, but of many colleagues before us. This is a family very tied to Islam with some of them having responsibilities in their local assembly. The younger brother has long had contact with the mission as a guard, but was reassigned a couple of years ago to a different job. We have kept in contact with him as we have frequently visited his home and invited his family to ours. His situation in the family, as younger brother, keeps him from feeling like he can make a decision against family wishes. I have storied with one of his sisters, but she moved away while we were in the states. During our visits with them this year, it became apparent that this young man, Seidou, and his family were open to the stories. Right now, they are all saying, "It's all the same thing and we serve the same God." Pray with us as Mike teaches through the evangelistic stories that they will see God we serve is different from what they have learned and beyond that, the only way to find peace with God is through His Son Jesus! Pray also that the younger brother will have the courage to follow Truth even if it is difficult.

Mike's been sharing with his "drinking buddies" too, tea drinking buddies that is! He's been able to share with them some about our faith and tell the creation story. Pray that he knows how he can best share with them.

I've been sharing with the same people in Vridi and my friend in Marcory. Alima, my Muslim friend in Vridi, is still listening as we moved into the Jesus stories. I was worried about her because she gave me a speech a few weeks ago about her being who and what she is and I need not think I'm going to change her. She refused outright prayer, but is unopposed to a blessing placed on her as I leave. The language barrier has increased as the wording of the Jesus stories is super important and there are often times quotes which are hard to share. I can handle old testament stories in Moore as they seem to be easier, but every time I go now, I am stretching my language to the limits. Her French is just not good enough to do more than chitchat in! Distractions are also a serious problem. She has a little one that is about 18 months old and since we are sitting out in the road, he needs to be watched carefully. Also everyone that walks by is someone to talk to and often friends drop by just to chat for a few minutes. I always wait for a good time to start the story and usually the first part goes alright. Then as the story heats up distractions come by the truckload just like ants scenting out a picnic. I tell you, Satan is fighting hard for her!

My mixed group including the young Catholic widow and a young married nominal Muslim is always interesting and challenging. They ask such hard questions and I have to think so hard about the background of them both as I story and answer their questions. The joyful part about Agira is that she seems to be seeking so strongly. Among my favorite comments by her are "Pray for me that God will change me and make me a better person", "How can we have a restored relationship with God?", and "God's word is just so interesting." She is pushing for the story as soon as I arrive and demands to hear a story if she's missed one. Marie is also fun as she asks for the scripture references so that she can read and study when she has time. She's also asking the hard questions and digging deep into the stories.

My last group in Vridi is in the courtyard of a lady that attends the Baptist church we visit frequently. She had wanted to tag along with me to my other groups and I suggested we start one where she is. She's got a ragtag bunch of ladies there from all kinds of different churches. Knowing the theology of our local Baptist church I can only imagine what they hear in theirs. They are almost all single mothers. Some are widows, some were never married and some are living with men now. They are listening well to the stories and some of them are sharing them with others. Their group is always very loud. They bossy and often times obnoxious, but God is working in their hearts. He is also answering amazing prayers from that group. They can swell to a group of more than 10 sometimes and almost all of them have seen God work in their lives in answer to prayers we've prayed as a group. Several of them are retelling the stories to their friends and acquaintances.

Aisha, my Marcory friend, is still listening too. She seems to be whole heartedly interested. I'm not sure what she'll decide at the end of the story set, but I can see God working in her heart. She comes from an ethnicity that to be that group is to be Muslim. It will be a hard choice if she chooses Jesus. She seems to be leaning back into her old answers, such as, I just have to pray everyday and God will help me. However, she is also quick to point out to me friends that she has seen a change in their behavior after having chosen to follow Jesus. I'm just trusting Him to make it all clear to her.

We are also seeking to build relationships with pastors and their wives so that we can be and influence and a help to them.

That is what is going on from a ministry perspective. We ask that you pray for these groups. We know that not even our faith comes from ourselves, we ask that you'd pray that the Father draws these to Himself.

Stay tuned for more crazy stories and some pictures too!

With Love,
Heather

Ben's new Guitar!!!

2011-12-08T12:35:00.000-08:00

Well, here's the story. We bought Ben a guitar for his birthday in October. About a week after it broke, to the point that it could not be repaired. He loved that guitar and has asked and asked for it. So while I was out today I saw this guitar. It has strings just like his old guitar, but this one makes music like an electric guitar when you strum the strings!!! Ben is actually dancing and spinning around as he plays his new guitar. I guess you had to be here to get the full effect.
Mike

Christmas Time is Here!!!

2011-12-03T05:45:00.000-08:00

Ben helping us put the branches on the tree and fluffing up the branches!!!!

Karis putting on the branches!!!!

Caleb helping with the tree and branches!!!

Me, Ben and Caleb putting on the lights!!!!

It is the hottest time of the year, so it is hard to get into the Christmas spirit. We played Christmas music to help, but it was really hard to think of it as Christmas!!!

This little light of mine, I'm going to let it SHINE!!!!

Hey this one stopped lighting up!!!!

A wreath of lights!!!

Heather and Karis adding the finishing touches to the CHRISTMAS TREE!!!!

Ben tying bows on, ok he was just throwing the ribbon onto the tree and Heather was coming after him tying them on the tree.

All done and we have three happy campers!!! Now for some AC and Christmas movies!!!!!

-Mike

Bamba's Wedding

2011-11-30T05:13:00.000-08:00

Bamba aand his wife Colette. This was at the Mayors office. The 2nd of the three wedding ceremonies.

THis is Bamba and his wife standing in front of a bush just before we did the religious service.

My first wedding ceremony and yes it was in French!!! I have never led a wedding ceremony so I asked an Ivorian Pastor for information and he gave me his outline for the Church Wedding.

More from the Religious Ceremony.

-Mike

A Baptism, a Holiday, a Wedding and a Baby Dedication!

2011-11-28T13:31:00.000-08:00

We made homemade Thanksgiving decorations since we can't buy them here.

Ben and Caleb just hanging.

Getting ready for the baptism in the tub. Since we don't have a building, we have to think outside the box a bit!

Singing before the fun begins.

In between the two backsides you can just barely see the baptism. The location wasn't conducive to photography!

There's the newly baptized woman and also the bride to be.

The groom is proud to have dunked his lovely bride.

I found these critters peeking out from a tree in the yard!

Much more Ben's style. He doesn't like to be cramped!

Just monkeying around!

A couple of other monkeys

Thanksgiving with friends

Z finally filled his plate when he was sure that everyone else was taken care of!

Crafts included candle making while Auntie Barbara was here this time!

Auntie Barbara is a face painting genius!

Ben and his beloved Mater

Trying to lose use of his other eye now!

If we'd had a funeral to attend, we could have covered most of the important life events. I am glad that no such opportunity presented itself. We wouldn't have had time for it if it did.

I think I've given up on keeping you up to date on everything that is happening around here. I am so behind that I'll never get there. We'll sum it all up by saying Mike got home (Yay!), we had visiting missionary friends (yay!) and we've told some stories. Everything else is just a jumble at this point.

Last week was very busy. We had a baptism on Wednesday. Bamba's wife-to-be asked to be baptized before the wedding on Saturday and so we accomplished that. Since Mike didn't feel like risking life and limb to go back into the lagoon again, we started looking for other options. Mike got the Mission to loan him a bath tub that was just sitting around. He built a make shift frame for it and voila, he had a portable baptistry. Bamba baptized her with Mike standing alongside. I think he was supposed to pull her out if Bamba held her down too long or something!

Thursday we celebrated Thanksgiving along with all of you. It wasn't so different her, besides the temperature. We don't have family hanging around out here, so other missionaries are our family. We only had one of those on hand, though, so we had to invite a few Indians to this Pilgrim party! We invited out househelper and the other missionary's helper. That still wasn't enough, so we invited the office staff too! When we moved beyond double digits, we decided to hold there. Africans can eat once they get started! We couldn't have turkey as it is fairly rare and expensive around here. Nevertheless, the two big chickens I cooked cost nearly $40. OUCH! I think next year we'll tell the Indians to bag their own food on the way to the feast! Hee hee. Our missionary friend had some canned sweet potatoes, canned cranberry sauce and canned pumpkin, so we didn't miss out on some important parts of the meal. The kids and I decorated cookies, which we usually do at Christmas, but we couldn't pass up the chance to use the maple leaf cookie cutter we were given in Vancouver to help us feel like fall! All in all it was a nice day. I got to talk to my family for a few minutes on the computer to top it all off.

Saturday was the big wedding we've been waiting for. Mike got his debut in weddings. He did wonderfully even in French with a rowdy crowd. We left the house around 9 AM and got home just before 5 PM. AAAAHHHH! Here a wedding has three components. The village part was done a few weeks ago when the groom wannabe presented the potential brides family with the presents required to give her up. This was comprised of some fabric, a sheep, some sheets and some cash in lieu of alcohol. After her family gave their blessing they came back and planned the civil ceremony 3 weeks later to be followed the same day by a church wedding. The civil ceremony has to take place at the mayor's office and then the couple rented a room for the church ceremony and reception. They are a part of one of Mike's group, so no church building exists. It was a very nice day. They honored Mike and I by asking us to be their witnesses. That means for the rest of our lives, they'll come to us for marital advice and if there is trouble. Yikes!

Last but not least we had a baby dedication for one of our Vridi friends on Sunday. It was a long hot day to follow our other long hot day, but it was nice. They gave the baby my African name as a middle name, so that was very sweet! Ruth Esther had a lovely service, and Tauntie Esther took lots of photos! ;) I'll try to get some of those up another time.

It's getting late around here and tomorrow holds another big day. I am looking forward to being with my Vridi buddies in the afternoon after I finish teaching the kids. Pray for Christine if you will. You'll remember her name as my older widowed friend. She's been in and out of the hospital for a couple of months now and they are saying her typhoid fever is back. We are hoping they can get that taken care of and she can come home for good soon. Christine has never made a decision as far as I know. She knows a lot of stuff and has heard so many stories, but ultimately she is holding onto the hope that Mary along with her good works can get her in!

Heather

Ben and Donald Duck

2011-11-17T12:20:00.000-08:00

Ben takes after his Daddy when it comes to cartoons. He loves watching Donald Duck. Watch as he cheers when the video starts.
Mike

Making It On Our Own

2011-10-31T10:00:00.000-07:00

Karis and Daisy

Karis

Silly Ben

Ben Daisy and Jolie

Ben and Jolie

Life has been full blast with just the four of us around here. Mike went to the states for a conference and having made the long expensive trip across the ocean, he took advantage of the chance to see his family.

With lots of people listening right now, the pull to ministry is strong. Many days I've gone from morning to night with homeschooling and home responsibilities and ministry responsibilities. We'll all be glad to see Mike come back home.

We have an extra puppy around here these days too. You'll notice how happy Ben is to have another creature to add to the family. Jolie's family is in the states for a few months, so she is keeping us company.

I'll catch you up soon on the stories of these weeks. My sister said I had to let everyone know I'm still alive! ;) I've worked long and hard on a prayer update, so you should be getting something in your inbox soon.

Love to all,

Heather

Psalm 91 by Caleb Karis and Benjamin!!!

2011-10-17T07:20:00.000-07:00

The kids learned 2 verses a week for 7 weeks until the memorized the entire chapter!!! Ben even helps them a little in this video. enjoy!!!

Mike

Ben Turns 2

2011-10-06T03:17:00.001-07:00

Thanks Nana and Papa!

Playing in the Rain

Dancing in the Rain

Not sure what they are supposed to be here!

Playing in the sprinkler

Pushing Dad down the slip 'n slide, shortly before Mom got thrown down the slip 'n slide

Blowing out the candles

Cake good!

We celebrated Ben's second birthday yesterday. It rained all morning, but that didn't bother Ben much. We had planned to play in the morning with water toys in the yard. Since Ben was OK with the rain, we just played in the rain in the yard with water toys.

In the afternoon we got ready for a dinner meeting with another family and made a cake for the big day. Everyone around celebrated. I roasted a chicken for supper with mashed potatoes (Karis' favorite). The chicken head, feet and organs went to the man that helps us around the house, he was delighted. The skin, bones and some meat went to the evening guards, they couldn't say thank you enough times. I drew a little Elmo face in icing on Ben's cake. It was a rather pitiful attempt, but he recognized it. All went well until I cut the cake and Elmo's face was on four pieces. I never could understand if Ben was upset that I cut Elmo or that he didn't get all four pieces!

Since we didn't buy a gift for Ben to bring, we had to get that here. He got a goofy little plastic guitar, which he LOVES, and some million dollar bubbles! OK, they weren't a million dollars, but knowing I can buy a couple gallon in the states for less than we paid does not make me feel great about the purchase. Ben thinks they are super wonderful, though, so I guess that works.

So, it was a pretty good day. A little weird, but a good day.

Heather

Ben "If You Give a Pig a Pancake"

2011-10-02T05:58:00.000-07:00

This is Ben reading his favorite book. "If you give a Pig a Pancake."

Mike

Saturday Fun

2011-10-01T12:52:00.001-07:00

It was a rainy day today. There wasn't much to do for most of the day. But around 5:00 the clouds broke and so we got out the slip 'n slide. All of the kids love water, so that's always a hit.

Thought you might like to see some smiling faces today. Gotta save my real news for the October prayer letter. Let me know if you need to get on our email list for that!

Love,
Heather

Beauty for Ashes

2011-10-01T12:39:00.000-07:00

When we came back from our time in the states and Canada, our yard was looking a bit neglected and pitiful. With the wonderful tropical climate here, even me, being a terrible gardener, can keep a few flowers going. With lack of love and care the flower beds were a little ragged. With just a little watering and weeding they are looking a little better now.

It reminds me of the scripture where God promised beauty for ashes. We all make a pretty good mess of our lives, but with just a touch from the creator, He can make something good from what we have ruined.

Embarrassing Moments

2011-09-26T15:00:00.000-07:00

So, a funny thing happened today. I was about to write up a blog about a typical occurrence in my life and the electricity goes out. Talk about typical. Fortunately I have battery and some time to kill, so here goes.

I’ve thought for a while about writing this incident, as it is really a great picture of life around here. For all of you that are prim and proper, this may not be the post for you. I can nearly see my sweet Grandma fainting and my wonderful Grandpa saying, “I thought we taught that girl better than this.” Maybe this won’t get back around to them, but at any rate, here goes.

If you’ve been following me for any length of time, you know that I spend a lot of my time in Vridi. It is a lower income neighborhood in our fair city. I came to love it nearly at first sight and have been there regularly for nearly 4 years. Many of the people there are immigrants along with a good helping of my precious Burkinabe women and a host of other lovely people. I’d guess that most of the families that live there make $5 or less a day for their whole family! Many of the houses are made of pieces of falling apart wood nailed together with a piece of metal on top, patched with plastic to keep it semi rain proof. Most often they don’t have running water. The family, which is often 7 or so people, lives in an 8X10 room. They cook outside on a little fire or a gas burner. They share a common “outhouse” that is nothing more than walled, no ceiling, stall with a tile or concrete floor and a drain at the back to take away excess liquid. They would use this for using the bathroom and showering. They would bring in their own bucket or small pitcher or water to use as this area doesn’t have running water either. As many as 5 families or so would share this “outhouse”.

So now that you are all up to speed on the background details that you can’t see, here comes today’s story. I always make sure I use the restroom before heading out to my beloved Vridi for reasons that I am sure are already clear to you! This particular day I didn’t need to go, but I did what my Mom always told me on long car trips and went anyway. We’d had a particularly spicy African lunch and it didn’t really register in my head that I had probably put down a half gallon or so of tea. I was in a hurry as usual and hit the ground running. After about 10 minutes of the car ride there, I realized I “needed” to go again. I should have stopped somewhere at that point, but since I had just gone, I figured it would be OK. After another 10 minutes of the trip, things had gotten to be more of an emergency. I began to look everywhere for a place to stop, but I’d gotten out of the more modern part of the city and couldn’t find any place. I began running through my options in my head and none of them were good. I had about 10 more minutes on the ride to Vridi. I could make it, but it wasn’t going to be easy. I had 20 minutes to get back home and I couldn’t make that. I could have an accident in the car, but then I’d have to walk past the guard and our visitor that was at the house. Not a good option. If I made it to Vridi, the only possibility of in door plumbing would be at a pharmacy and I didn’t think they’d let me back into the medicine area to use theirs if they had one. Being turned away at that point would have probably caused an accident before I could get to another place. This left my only real option of going to some of my acquaintances house where I park my truck and asking to use their “outhouse.” I don’t know these ladies very well yet, but I figured now was as good a time as any to get better acquainted! ;)

All of this terrible problem was compounded by the fact that I wouldn’t be able to use any polite language to describe my predicament. I would generally ask for a toilet, but knowing they wouldn’t have one, made that choice of words impossible. Other polite phrases I know are not always understood by the type of women I would be asking and so I was about to have to walk up to a lady and say, “I have to pee now!” I was excited to see two young teenage girls sitting in the place of my new friends and figured this would be the least embarrassing route anyway. So I walked up and blurted out my phrase. To my chagrine they looked at each other and pointed down the street and said go that way. Now at this point, I HAD TO GO! I didn’t know if they were pointing me to a public toilet, which would consist of several holes in the ground for which I’d have to pay a few cents. I didn’t know if I had a few cents, but I did know I didn’t have time to find it nor the public toilet. So I looked at the closest adult female there and again repeated my phrase. She started to look around and I got desperate. I dropped all sort of manners and formality and said, “I have to PEE NOW!” clapping my hands to punctuate my need. She seemed to understand and started walking back to her house. She didn’t say a word, but I followed like a hungry puppy. She went into her house, but did not invite me. I waited at the door and she returned and signaled for me to follow. There were a few women in her courtyard and she looked at them all and announced, “MamaBenjamin has to pee.” GREAT! Now even more people know. I wave and smile politely. Not sure what my response is supposed to be at this point.

She turned on her heal and headed back out of the courtyard. I have no idea where we are headed, but what choice do I have at this point? We headed down into the next courtyard. We find a lady with a baby in her lap. They have a short discussion, then my “helper” announces AGAIN, “MamaBenjamin has to pee!” REALLY?! Another smile and wave. “Well you can’t take her in there!” says the other lady. “Oh yes she can!” I say. On we go.

Now we come to yet another LARGE group of women. Here we go again. 1…2…3… “MamaBenjamin has to pee!” I’m figuring at this point we should just get a megaphone and let the whole neighborhood know so as to save some time. I gave up with the smile and wave now and try a desperate look. Now my “helper” turns to me and matter of factly says that the woman to my right just lost her mother. HORRIBLE timing! I murmur I’m so sorry and then look to the closest person begging for the directions to the outhouse. She says, “You can’t take her in there it’s dirty!” “It’s fine,” I say. “OK, but I don’t have any water in my pitcher. I’ll have to go get some.” “Water or no, I have to GO!” Another lady offers up her pitcher with an amused grin. As I am ushered around the next corner, I gladly run for the tiny wooden smelly space. I couldn’t have been happier to be anywhere else! As the immediacy of my problem fades, I now realize that I must walk back past all of the women who are just now discussing the nutcase that is using their outhouse.

You’ll be proud to know that I got myself together. Walked back out like nothing was going on and faced those ladies. I walked directly to the poor soul that had just lost her mother and asked for the details. After being sufficiently informed, I asked to pray for her. This also gave me a few seconds to ask for divine help for my wounded ego. Fortunately it also gave me time to remember that He cares more about my humility than my comfort. I drew myself back up, thanked all of the women for their kindness and hit the road to find some more friends and see if anybody needed to hear a story.

I am sure that news of my exploits has leaked far and wide by now. I hope that I have been sufficiently deflated so that more humiliation can wait a few days anyway.

Here’s hoping that I have decreased so that He can increase.

Heather

New Friends All Around

2011-09-18T12:41:00.000-07:00

So something unexpected has come with our return. Everyone is making new friends. As I'd already mentioned, word has gotten out about my Moore speaking skills (or lack thereof) and that has won me some new buddies in Vridi. Mike has turned into a tea drinker so that he can hang with some new buddies in Marcory. Some men drink a mint tea that goes on for several rounds. The tea gets weaker and sweeter as you go. I'd found some guys that get together every afternoon to drink tea. They kept wanting to talk to me and so I figured I'd introduce them to Mike. They are very friendly, but also very closed to the gospel. We'll see how it goes in the long run.

We'd found a little basketball court that the kids played at some. Now they took down the goals, so there is no way to play there, but there is a soccer field right beside it. As we've been in the area for the last few weeks, Caleb has gotten more comfortable with the kids there and has started to play soccer with them some. Fortunately sports is a universal language and their love of sports helps them all to just all hop in there together.

Most of the kids in that neighborhood are Ivorian and the little girls are usually busy helping mom or when they are a bit older than Karis, getting their own work. We've run into a few girls, but girls don't usually play ball. That means that Karis would have to make small talk and that is more complicated than just language skills. It means knowing what a little girl that age would talk about here. Since that is complicated, Karis has had a hard time finding buddies. She had a buddy during our first year here, but since she moved away, not much else.

Yesterday I had our pile of kids out and about. They were all grumbling except for Ben who was enjoying the stroller outing. The big kids knew that the walk was going to be over 2 miles round trip and weren't thrilled about that. Caleb was griping that he wanted to go play soccer with his new buddies, but that involved a separate 3 mile walk that I wasn't up for in the hour or so before I had to start dinner. Since he's twelve now, he thinks he can do anything, but I didn't want him making that long trip alone including crossing a 4 lane divided highway. Since we all know that moms of 12 year olds are all mean, you get the gist of the conversation. Finally a few blocks from home, we found another group of boys playing soccer and so he joined them with promises of being home in an hour. Karis, Ben and I hit the road and as we were just about home, we ran into a pack of girls on bikes. There must have only been 7 or 8, but as we stopped to talk to them they were all talking at once and I thought there were 50. After there initial shock that children in the US don't speak French they speak English, we had a few other interesting discussions. They each pointed out the houses they belonged to, right on our road, but behind HUGE walls. After I carried on with them for 20 minutes or so, I left Karis to talk to them. First I had to pry her fingers off of my shoulder and pull her out from behind me. Then Ben and I made a sprint for our gate and slammed the door. ;) She was afraid at first, but after a few minutes, the girls had begun to be buddies. When they all had to go home a half hour later, they were all sad and we tried to figure out when they could get back together. They wanted to come to the gate to get Karis this morning at 9, but since today is Sunday that didn't work. They were here around 3 this afternoon when Caleb and Karis went out to greet them. They took them back to one of their houses to swim. Since they had 3 nannies with them, there were no worries! Now I just need to hook Ben up with a family like that, I can sit around and do nothing all day! Unfortunately school is an all day affair here, so there will only be the weekends to play, but that is better than nothing! We are so thankful for new friends.

Now if I can only form my new Vridi friends into storying groups, we'll be all good!

Love,
Heather

Full Days

2011-09-11T08:15:00.000-07:00

Ben has become fascinated with sunglasses and disinterested in photos! No more posing!

There's a highly irritating song that goes with the Cool Cat look. Aren't you glad I can't figure out how to get a video from my camera on here?!

Sunday morning in Vridi

Ben's buddy, well... sometimes. ;)

Since the big kids are doing school every morning and a little after lunch, Ben has become great at using the Ipod. He's always loved music and so now that he can cruise his way through Veggie Tales music, Wiggles music and GoFish, his favorite word is IPOD! I think he knows more about using that thing than me!

Caleb is starting is first online class this year and seems to be a little nervous, about getting everything just right. Hopefully this school will prove to be a help when he moves into 9th grade and needs to have more official records kept. We are trying it out this year with a Science class to see how it will work for us. I think Caleb is going to enjoy this little dose of independence.

Karis is enjoying getting to do her Science without big brother. Up until now all of her Science and History have been done together with him. I think she is enjoying having her own thing too.

Ben's love of music is beginning to get a reputation in our neighborhood. There is a makeshift basketball and soccer field not too far away and we like to go there to play. The basketball goals have been down for a couple of weeks, but Caleb has enjoyed playing a little street soccer with some boys there anyway. He'll be really sad when they are in school until late every day starting the end of next month. Anyway, in that general area, Mike and I have been making some new friends too. I introduced Mike to some tea drinking Muslim men and I've found some tea drinking ladies just down the street. I don't get to drink much tea with Ben tagging along, but he enjoys the family because there is a guitar in the house and sometimes somebody will bring it out and pick a little. The group thinks it hilarious how "stuck" Ben is to whoever is holding the guitar. Since Ben is such an oddity anyway, they think most anything he does is hilarious. He was trying to catch a couple of not so tame house cats the other day and I thought they would bust a gut watching him.

Every Sunday is another marathon day of trying to keep Ben quiet enough and out of trouble. Now I used to be one that would sit in my air conditioned, padded pew and get frustrated if there were too many announcements or my stomach started growling in church, but I am now reformed!!! I have grown to love our 2 1/2 hour services even in French. I won't say that I love the hard benches with no backs we have in some of our churches or the way the sun turns a tin roofed concrete building into an oven, but it's not so bad anymore. Adding Ben into the mix can be difficult, though. One of our favorite churches often has a service that lasts more like three hours or so. He does well through the early part of singing and dancing. This morning he lasted over 2 hours in the service, but when Sunday school let out and the other kids poured into the courtyard, he was ready to "go pway!" The only trouble is that short little Ben with his light colored hair is an invitation to every other kid to come and gather around him like a pack and rub his head. Fiery Ben does not like that at all. In just a few minutes he starts swinging. Once he lands a few whacks, some of them get the point, but they are just drawn to his hair like a magnet and are back in a short time. Some days, they get it worked out. Some days, like today, he just screams and swings at everyone around getting mad and wanting to leave. Those are the days that I wish the pastor might preach on just a few verses instead of a whole chapter of Romans!

I'm still enjoying my new Vridi buddies, too. If you are a prayer, you might write down a couple of names. In addition to the other ladies I've told you about, there is a new lady named Alima, that has captured my heart. She is a Muslim Burkinabe, as you may have noticed how they so easily entangle my heart strings. She is the mother of two little boys and has a beautiful smile. Hopefully I can get a picture soon. Her French is limited, which will be good for my Moore. We've only had limited contact so far, but she wants me to come and sit and talk. She's interested in me, but she does know what I do. Pray for me as I try to begin to share a bit about God's plan for our salvation. I hope that she will accept me not only as a friend, but also as a storier. Pray also for a lady named Aisha (I-ee-sha). She is a non practicing Muslim that says she needs to hear God's word because there is trouble with her husband. I know little more than that her husband is no longer in the house. Pray that she'll find Jesus saving power. She's from an ethnic group that has very few believers. She thinks she can gather others to hear the Bible stories, so Mike will be giving that a try.

Ben's getting a little wild. Guess it's time to go outside!
With Love,
Heather

Last Days of Summer

2011-09-04T11:01:00.000-07:00

This little girl is practicing for when she grows up.

Her Dad is the one I mentioned that was lost in the bus accident. Her family seems to be doing OK but can use your prayers.

Wearing Mom's head cover!

Caleb's favorite spot.

Unpacked the slip n' slide

Soccer with the boys

New Hat

Where's the CAKE?!

If it weren't for the kids' school, it would be hard to remember that you all will be moving on towards fall soon. We live in a state of perpetual summer!

Mike and I are concentrating on a couple of areas of town right now with our ministry. I've spent a lot of time in Vridi due to the bus accident. I've made many new friends recently and am excited to see where those new relationships might go. Most of them seem to be women whose origins are from a neighboring country, Burkina. It was that local language that I learned and I am still quite the oddity because of that. I can do a little chit chat and when people first figure that out, women come out of the woodwork to see the white lady do a trick! I am hoping that some of these new relationships will bring new opportunities to share. So far, my success rate with Muslim women is a big zip, so pray for me as I try to explain the gospel. Women are more than willing to listen to me, but I have trouble helping them see what the gospel requires. Beyond that, their social status here is a bit precarious. For a Muslim wife to accept the gospel, she'd likely be divorced and sent packing without her kids. My access is to women, but for them to accept we need to also get to their husband.

I think everyone is getting used to being back in Africa. It feels like we've been here forever again instead of just arriving. We look forward to seeing what God will do here in Abidjan in the coming months.

Serving Him,
Heather

Birthday Girl

2011-09-03T08:26:00.000-07:00

We celebrated Karis' Birthday Friday with a quick day trip to the beach/pool. The day time temperature is only around 81 right now, Mike would point out that there is LOTS of humidity, but that still feels too cool to me. The pool was just too cold for Ben and I, but that didn't stop Ben. Twice he stayed in until his extremities were blue and he was shivering. Caleb, Karis and Mike kept enough energy going that they were fine and had a blast!

Sick Day

2011-08-23T12:25:00.000-07:00

This is Ben's sick face. He was actually on the mend by this time, but throwing a tantrum just seemed to be a habit at this point! ;)

Daisy's back!

Welcome Home Daisy

She's already back to taking a Sunday afternoon nap with Dad.

Benjamin loves it when Daisy says, "Please!" I'm pretty sure she gained a few pounds that day.

Playing Wii with Autumn

Our little Ben used up a sick day last week. He got malaria and so we had some scary moments. We are getting better at enduring those terrifying fevers now and with the prayers of many, he came through just fine!

We enjoyed a farewell visit from our old teammates. The kids played wii, board games, watched movies and threw water balloons. It was great to have them all together again! Ben loved babysitter Autumn. I really think she should just stay with us!!! I was able to go out and not worry about him fussing. Guess we'll have to find somebody here that he enjoys spending time with.

School is officially in again, so we are all learning to juggle schedules. Come on out and we'll show you do it!

Love to all,
Heather

Volunteer Fun

2011-08-14T07:24:00.000-07:00

Caleb on the Basketball Court

Ben crashing the game with his own game of chase

This is a painting by a man depicting some of the horrors of the war here in the spring.

We've been having a great time with the young man, Zach, that came from our home church. We haven't been able to do quite as much due to more worries of security and just a smaller number team. We don't often get to host just one person, but we've been glad to have him.

Mike and sometimes Ben and I as well have been hitting a few of our favorite spots with him trying to drum up new interest and find seekers. The guys have done fairly well. I can't say that Ben and I have found a lot, partly due to his inability to sit still. I have enjoyed my time in Vridi reconnecting with old friends and greeting new ones.

Because of the bus accident I mentioned a few days ago, there has been much sadness. I have been glad to see that my friend who lost her husband seems to be dealing OK. She was so distraught in those first days, that I was worried. I still feel so bad for her, but it looks like God has wrapped comforting arms around her. The first of last week, I found out that another acquaintance of mine was in the bus. She is someone I spoken with often, I just hadn't gotten around to sharing stories. I had thought on Wednesday about how open she seemed with me right now and had thought I'd try to see if I could sit down with her next time I saw her. On Friday of that same week, she was on the bus. Now that is an opportunity I'll never have. She also left 3 small children behind.

The kids and I have taken the last couple of afternoons to do our own work in the neighborhood, or at least attempt to. Thursday we tried a little Bball game. Caleb got in some play time and so did Karis, but the court was in the sun. Our play time choice of around 4 wasn't so great. They got a little too hot to fast. I think we may try a little later next time. Ben led a parade of children around the court in the middle of the game. They followed him like the pied piper wanting a chance to play with his soccer ball, or touch his hair or his skin. He thought the whole thing was quite amusing. With all of the madness going on, I didn't get to talk to anyone. I kept my eyes glued on the little running white baby and tried to keep from losing sight of him. I didn't even get a picture of Karis playing because Ben was so hard to watch. It was fun, but stressful. I'd hoped to sit and chat with some ladies while the kids played, but there was a lot going on and too many danger zones! Friday we just walked around the neighborhood greeting those we've missed. Walks with Ben are never dull.

We are now waiting for our old teammates and sweet little dog to arrive. They are on their way from Ghana and we can't wait to see them all. Ben is so excited about something named Daisy, that he can't seem to place, but wants to meet. It will be so good to have a dog again!

We are looking forward to a few more good days with Zach and lots of catching up with the Moodys! Hopefully I'll have more photos and stories soon.

With Love,
Heather

A Picture's Worth a Thousand Words

2011-08-06T14:03:00.000-07:00

Bamba and some ladies he's been sharing with and Ben

Ben and Mike ready for Vridi, guess who picked the hats!

JB's bullet This is a stray that hit our gate near where our guard was sitting.

Ben's favorite time of day is when JB comes every evening!

Here's Zakariah with his new chair.

Who needs a moving van when you've got a bike!

Ben Cooking

The Bus Fell in the Water

2011-08-06T13:29:00.000-07:00

We've been enjoying our time back in Abidjan even though a lot of our time over the last few weeks has been hearing the difficult stories of friends from their time during the crisis here. I had wanted to write here some of their stories, but there were some pretty terrible things that happened and so I've decided to cancel that idea. We knew they'd lived through hunger and thirst, fear and gunfire. I was a little unprepared for the torture that happened right in the street.

Our Vridi friends had been glad to tell us that although they suffered hunger and fear, for the most part, they suffered the crisis without permanent loss. This week, loss came to Vridi.

Mike, Ben and I arrived in Vridi Friday morning to visit some people. Ben hadn't made an appearance yet at Vridi and he is a BIG attraction! Soon after we'd gotten there one of the people that passed us in the street stopped us to say that "a bus had fallen in the water". The French at Vridi is always interesting and she was indicating another part of town, so I couldn't figure out her story. Besides that, I didn't know her from the man in the moon and so we moved on. Upon arriving at the stall of my market friends, I was not even greeted properly before the whole story came rushing out. There was a city bus crammed full of people, many of them from Vridi, that had an accident on a bridge and as a result, tipped over the side and plunged into the lagoon. 37 were quickly found dead and 10 survived. The numbers will most likely rise to around 100 men, women and children, as this was a busy time of day for the bus. For me the worst of the news was that the husband of a friend was among those on that bus. She waited around 36 hours to hear the final news. Her name is Marie and she has a daughter just younger than Ben. She is Catholic, but has listened to many of my stories. Pray for her tonight as she deals with her first night of no hope! Pray too that I can be an encouragement and a comfort to her in the coming days, weeks, months.

Heather

Catching Up

2011-07-24T05:57:00.000-07:00

Belcarra Park

I thought Caleb was the only mountain goat in the family.

Celebrating Mike's Bday with a few more days in Vancouver

Ben loves water, expecially falls

Karis, Ben and I went to Bridal Falls while the other two took the trailer for the biker church.

Here's Ben and Karis at the bottom of the falls.

Lily Pad Lake!

Happy fisherman getting his gear ready

bird

Caleb chipped his front tooth in a scooter trick gone wrong the second full day in Africa.

Chicken and Fry night is back!

Potato Chefs

Ben knows how to carry his liquids in carry ons.

Last picture in Vancouver

I guess it's time for a little catch up. As I mentioned last time Mike hurt his knee a few days before our departure date and we did indeed receive a 2 week 1 day delay in our return for him to get physical therapy. Thanks to your prayers, the injury wasn't as significant as first thought. I think it is entirely possible that miraculous healing took place as all of the physicians were thinking it was BAD! What was found on the MRI was not nearly as bad as first thought. We are all glad to now be on the field instead in line for surgery somewhere!

While in Canada for the extra weeks, we moved to a different house to save the company some money and so our internet was off and on for that time. Here is a little run down of some of our adventures.

Caleb convinced a colleague with a vehicle to help him get his fishing license, which we'd tried to do earlier, but were unsuccessful. The laws were tricky and finding some place that could actually print a license was quite time consuming. Armed with his new fishing license and later on a new pole, we tromped here and there so that he could use it. One such adventure was at my expense and chronicles how many of my adventures, or misadventures as may be more suiting a name, go. I'd worked all day with the kids of a new group of colleagues coming to Vancouver and upon arriving home, found Caleb chomping at the bit to fish. I quickly made supper and then phoned a friend that had said she would be heading out and could drop us off at a lake. Unfortunately, I called too late and she was already gone. So Caleb, Karis, Ben and I headed out for the bus. We had just missed it and so had to wait 20 minutes for the next one. Upon finally arriving at the location the computer directions had told me to get off the bus, there was no lake in sight. So we started walking after a good 10 minutes, we found a sign for the lake. As we tromp off into the woods, still not seeing a lake, we hike for another 20 minutes and FINALLY we see the lake. Please remember we have a 21 month, and not too keen on hiking, in tow! So we get there to a small dock and for about 50 yards out the lake is all lily pads. It's now approaching 8:15 PM and Caleb is trying to get his rod ready to throw out. I am no help at that as I haven't done too much fishing myself. I'm trying to keep Ben amused so he doesn't fall in the lake, but he is tired and cranky by this time. He picks up Caleb's tackle box, which I figure is OK because it's latched, and quickly heads to the edge of the dock and chucks it as far into the water as he can. Horrified, Caleb runs over and is prepared to jump in if he can't fish it out as his grandfather gave it to him. Fortunately he gets the tackle box out with the rod as it continued to float for a few minutes. Now it is nearly 8:30 and Caleb is just starting to fish. He can't get the line out beyond the lily pads and loses one piece of bait after another casting, getting stuck, pulling the line out and starting all over. By close to 9 we've all had it, dark is approaching and we still have to hike out to the bus stop. Nobody is in a good mood at this point and Caleb is sure he knows a better way out to catch the bus. So we try it. After 30 minutes we finally hit the road just to see our bus pass us. Not good, but there is another bus on that road so we still have hope at this point. We hike/jog along the road for nearly half a mile trying to find the bus stop. Just as it comes into view, the second bus passes us!!! So now, it is really late. The two buses have just gone by and we are really tired both from the hour of the day and from all of that walking. We have to wait over 20 minutes for the next bus, and everyone was so glad for that day to be over, that Caleb didn't ask me to take him fishing the rest of the time we were there!!

We caught a few more provincial parks while we were there the extra time. Mike and Caleb got to help a Biker church get their trailer to a big rally called Sturgis North. We also got to dogsit for a colleague so our kids are ever so anxious to get their own dog back now.

When we were cleared for travel, there were no good tickets available. We were offered a ticket that would have us traveling the wrong way around the world to get to Africa with three days travel or a ticket way in the future. Since we have a volunteer coming the first week of August, we didn't want to wait and come just before him, so decided to go the torturous 3 day option. Everyone did fairly well on the trip, but we have all hope to never to do that again.

Now we are back in our old house. Thanks to the help of a national, we had most of our belongings back in place in just two days. There are still a few boxes to unpack, but we covered a lot of ground in a little time. We are beginning to catch up with a few friends. We hope to see so many more this week. We are already hearing terrible tails of the trials they've suffered in our absence. I'll have more of how God answered your prayers of protection for them in the coming days and weeks.

Everyone is so happy to be home. The kids are acting like all of their toys are new and amazing. It is so much fun to see Ben learn about his new environment. He loves the ants and lizards and frogs! Just a blown kiss or a little goodbye wave gets him cheers from the crowds and feeds his baby ego!

I'll be sure to write more soon although our internet is not great right now. We are borrowing from the mission and hope to get our own hooked up soon so that things will move more quickly. Even at that, it won't be as fast as I'm used to. I'll have to learn patience again.

With love,
Heather

School's Out

2011-06-30T20:44:00.001-07:00

Deep and Wide
This was about where Ben realized that the whole room was watching him and started really hamming up the performance. It was side splitting entertainment!

If you're happy and you know it clap your hands.

If you're happy and you know it stomp your feet.

We had our last day of class today. The kids had some special things planned for our Celebration time, so I had to share some cute shots. The little ones were terribly cute with their three songs. Ben, being quite the ham, danced and jumped around through the whole thing! The big kids quoted a good portion of I Corinthians 13 and a long recitation about Romans. Everyone did really great, I just wished I'd had a video camera!

For those that keep up with us on Facebook, you've already seen some pictures and know about Mike's knee injury. We are still waiting on results from the MRI and a decision to be made about what that will mean for our travel plans. We're still hoping for the best.

With Love,
Heather

Lasts

2011-06-29T21:11:00.000-07:00

Football Fun

Just Hanging Out

Crazy Hat Day

Caleb admitting defeat in a wrestling match with B

Ben loving on his buddy S

We are half way through our long week of lasts. A sweet M came over on Friday and the kids had some special time with Aunt S while Mike and I got to have a "last" date. Tuesday night some other friends came over and we had some family fun with them. They are the closest family in proximity to us here and they have been very special to us. Everyone here has been so great and we'll hope to be crossing paths with them again sooner than later. We had some nice "last" moments with some national friends too and hopefully more to come as the week wraps up. And this will probably be my "last" post from Vancouver.

With love,
Heather

Family

2011-06-25T14:55:00.001-07:00

We are making lists, sorting what to keep and what to trash and what to keep and eating weird stuff as we prepare to head back to Abidjan. We are making plans for our return and dreading goodbyes this week.

I talked to my friend, Agira, in Africa, and she has been having trouble with her left hand/arm. Pray that God will heal her. She's supposed to go next week for an Xray to see if they can find what is going on. She seemed really down when I talked to her, so I am looking forward to being on the same continent and staying in touch better.

We'd also love for you to pray about details of our return. There are lots of decisions to make as we go back. Pray that we will hear well from the Lord and make good choices.

With love,
Heather

Summer Fun in Vancouver

2011-06-22T19:58:00.001-07:00

Long Day!

Playing ball with the boys! Thanks for being so patient Uncle R! Ben is going to miss his little friend S too!

There's a whole park and Karis and Ben are playing on the dirt pile.

Ben loves to CHEESE!

Goofball

Weady, Set, DOOOOO!

"You stay over there, and I'll stay over here!"

Lovin' the water

Park Fun!

Today was one of the rare days of our stay here when the temperature got nearly up to 70. It may be the warmest day before we depart, so Karis and Ben tried out the water feature at our neighborhood park. Karis loved it, but was cold within a few minutes, as you can imagine. Ben thought the water was much better for stomping in than for running through. Apparently he prefers puddles to sprinklers if the temperature is below 70! Can't say that I blame him.

If you are one of those "prayin' Christians", I ask that you'd pray for a recent contact that Mike had. It's a lady that I feel like is teetering on the edge of a decision. We have so little time left and I hope she will understand fully the gospel and make her choice while we still have time to hook her up with someone else here.

It's about time to be hearing of some of you buying those tickets to Africa. We need HELP out there. Let us know if you are looking for an overseas trip and think that Abidjan might be right for you!

With love,
Heather

Ticket Day

2011-06-21T13:27:00.000-07:00

When we were in our orientation session before going overseas for the first time, we were told that it isn't unusual to have a "ticket day". A "ticket day" is a day when one says to themselves, "if only I had a ticket in my hand right now, I'd go home". We were told that we just need to hang in there and remember our calling and hope our spouse didn't have a "ticket day" on the same day!!! ;) I was thinking of that as I counted how many more days were left until our real ticket day when we will head back to our West African home. In less than two weeks, our feet will be on African soil again!

Knowing our time here in Vancouver would be short, although there have been moments that our departure seemed an eternity away, I determined to "be" here and "connect" here, but on a limited level. I planned to engage myself in our task here, but to hold people at arm's length. Our task as sent out ones requires that we get personally involved in the lives of nationals, pray for them and love them, but I figured I just needed to get along with the other sent out ones here. I mean, we're all going our separate ways soon, to work with the people we hold dear, so no need to get emotionally attached. Well, of course you can imagine that we work with really great people and so that desire drifted off somewhere and I've found people that are great kingdom workers, amazing partners in ministry, wonderful thinkers and strategizers and yes I love them!

So as we pack our bags and try to make up menus to use up supplies in the cabinets we are looking to more tearful goodbyes not just to nationals, but to co-laborers as well. SBs have amazing people on the field and if you are one, you should be proud to know that.

God bless you and keep you and make His face shine upon you!
Heather

Tragedy Strikes

2011-05-29T18:20:00.001-07:00

Ben's sad eye

Ben hugging the Baluga whale.

At Shannon Falls

Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge with the family

Ben demonstrating proper usage of an umbrella!

We've been carrying on with what we do in Vancouver these last few weeks. We are meeting new people and chatting up the love of Christ!

My parents were able to come this month for one last visit before we leave the continent! We hit all of the tourist traps in and around Vancouver that we could possibly fit in. We got lots of great pictures and memories to last a lifetime. Mom and Dad got to experience the joy of public transit. They did rent a car for a couple of days so that we could enjoy the beauty of God's creation outside of the city.

Caleb's 12th birthday was on Friday. We are now that much closer to having a teenager! Scary.

So now I guess you are all wondering to what tragedy I was referring. Some of you probably got an emergency prayer request from us late on Wednesday evening. I had run out to buy some vegetables for dinner and the rest of the family was at home working to rearrange the house after having my parents here visiting. I come back into the house to see my precious baby boy on the couch with a bloody wash cloth covering what I would soon discover was a grossly swollen left eye. His terrible crying didn't equal the horror of the sight. Now being a good mom I demand, "What happened?" To be really honest, I didn't want to know, but I figured it could help me assess what to do next. Poor dad says that he had been working on moving the crib from one room to another. He put the screwdriver in a place he thought was out of reach, but moments later heard the shrieks revealing that it hadn't been. Ben fell while holding it and scraped below his eye and poked a hole in his upper eyelid. I now look below the cloth to see the horribly swollen eye and start calling for help. Colleagues here have a vehicle and I was determined to get medical help as quickly as possible. Once help was on the way, I held my battered baby and tried to calm him down. Now I am a product of the head protection generation and for as long as I can remember, they've been teaching us about wearing helmets on bikes and what terrible damage can be done to the brain. I've also probably watched one too many ER episodes and all I could think of as I looked at my baby was how damage to the brain is often irreparable. And then all of the things that moms say about poking your eye out were running through my head too. I set off for the ER while Mike got all sorts of people praying.

The ER was a new set of terrible memories. The story had to be told over and over of how my poor child came to look as he did. I had to endure lots of screaming during exam after exam. On and on that night, I had to hold ice, that Ben didn't like, to his swollen eye. He fought and screamed to exhaustion. Then came the stitch, nothing to dull the pain, just a needle and thread. More ice on a very MAD baby. One more exam of his poor battered eye then revealed that the doctor didn't see any actual eye damage and I was to take my pitiful baby home. I sang a lot of praise songs that night as I was all alone in a strange ER. I convinced myself I was singing for the little guy with me, but often he was asleep due to the late hour and having worn himself completely out from the fighting and crying. What I came to remember is that often those things that happen to us that we might fight and cry and demand why through, have been done in the loving arms of our Father for our own good. Often they do hurt, but they are so that we can see better when the pain is gone. I couldn't have explained to Ben if I had tried that all that was happening was for his benefit, so I didn't try. He wouldn't understand and he wouldn't agree. Sometimes we don't understand why things happen, but we do live in a fallen world. However we can have the assurance that our Heavenly Father holds us and works all things for our good. Ben probably didn't learn much at this visit, but I did.

On another note, we are now beginning to think and long for our return to Abidjan. We will be returning without teammates as our former teammates have felt God moving them to a different area. Pray that God provides workers for the harvest in Abidjan. Pray also as we decide logistical details and try to get all of the visas we will need for our area. We've had many trials this month and I ask that you would also pray that we remain steadfast on the task. Our rental properties are continuing to be an emotional and financial drain, so we ask that you'd pray with us for an end to that.

May God bless you in the work he's called you to. Don't forget to tell the story. When we think about the reality of life and death, it's hard not to share. Make opportunities to share your love for the Father. Don't wait for people to ask you. And as always, don't run with sharp objects in your hands.

With love,
Heather

Fun in the City

2011-05-14T13:48:00.001-07:00

This is just one of our beautiful Vancouver parks.

Watch out for the wildlife!

Ben chased this poor Canadian goose all over this huge field. He wanted to give him a hug!

Look carefully and up on top of this tree in the left corner is Caleb.

Don't ask me why these children are dieing in this huge flower garden!

Ben is taking after his dad with his early love of sports. The Vancouver hockey team is still in the playoffs for the Stanley Cup. Go Canucks!

WAITING FOR THE BUS! This is our most familiar Vancouver activity. We do it every day!

At the end of a long hard day, Ben likes to curl up in the chair with a couple of his favorite things!

We are still enjoying our time here in Vancouver. Things are much different here than we are used to in our African homeland. People here are much more resistant to the gospel than most we have encountered, but they need Jesus nonetheless! I am tired of hearing myself say, "But it's just harder here!" We have begun to make some contact with other Africans. Finding those from West Africa has still proven to be difficult. We do have an area of town now that we know is more likely to turn up some success.

Most weeks, we spend 4 or 5 mornings in class talking about ways to engage people, discipleship plans, church formation ideas, evangelism tools and so forth. The rest of our week is trying to engage people we come in contact with in spiritual conversations. Sounds easy, huh? Not so much. Like in many US cities, people here are busy. Your average conversation is probably about 2 minutes. People don't talk to one another on the streets or public transit as a general rule. Add to that, that Christianity seems to be one of the most hated topics of conversation. Now that is a mix for a difficult task. Of course we weren't promised an easy road nor acceptance. So we just have to do the best we can with what we have.

Mike is beginning to have some success with a basketball group he's been going to. I also have found an organization that helps immigrant families from Africa. I'll get to go next week for the first time to see if I can make any good contacts there.

Caleb, Karis and Ben are still really enjoying their time with other TCKs. They still like their school time while we have class time and this is a great city to explore. There's always another place we want to visit when we get a chance.

Things are also still going better in Abidjan. Life seems to be returning to some sense of normalcy. We are looking forward to our return there in July.

As you remember us in prayer, we ask that you would pray for opportunities to share the love of Christ, boldness to do so in the face of opposition, rapid reproduction as we have very little time here and protection as we go. Pray also for those that we are currently talking to. Pray that they will see their need for a Savior and choose not to put off that decision. Pray also as we attempt to secure visas and plane tickets for our return to our African home.

We are looking forward to a visit from my parents next week. We wish all of the family could come, but will enjoy the chance to see Mom and Dad one more time before we leave the continent! Keep watching for pictures from that trip!

We love and miss you all!
Heather

Spring in Vancouver

2011-04-24T15:43:00.001-07:00

This is a view of the mountains from our neighborhood.

Caleb and Karis are wheeling their way to the park.

Ben's favorite place to be is "outslide".

This is a little bitty steam engine at a local park.

Cherry Blossoms are Everywhere!

We are learning all about getting around Vancouver now. We learn about a new bus every day that goes here or there. We have been figuring out what to do when we get to the bus stop only to see the bus rolling on down the road. We've learned what sky train stations have working elevators so that we can get to the platform with the stroller. We've learned where to buy groceries and where not to. We've learned what parks have good slides. We've learned about some of the best places to meet up with people in our neighborhood and even a couple of stores where we might run into West Africans.

We have class sessions about four days a week now and the rest is time out in the field. The kids have quickly located some things they want to do. Now they just need to locate the money tree so that they can do them all!!! You can ski or snowboard around here. There is a great aquarium and a zoo. There are all sorts of shops and parks. There are swimming pools and restaurants of every kind. There is whale watching and ice skating. There are beaches and mountains and waterfalls. Of course we have to do our work, but we hope to do many of the things that are Vancouver specials during the time we are here.

I hope you all are having a great time basking in the glory of our risen Savior!
Heather

At Home in Vancouver

2011-04-12T20:36:00.000-07:00

Our Home

On the Sea Bus

At the airport

We are figuring out our new home. We have learned to take Sky Trains and Bline buses and Sea Buses. We've seen, at least briefly, many of the sights here in Vancouver.

Our regular day starts out as we catch the bus to catch the train to walk up the mountain to get to the office. There the kids spend time with their TCK friends doing some school, while the adults have our own classes. Then we walk down the mountain to get to the train to get to the bus that takes us home. We're meeting many people from many different parts of the world but are still a little short on West Africans. We hope to remedy that soon. Pray for us for open doors and words to say.

I thought you might like a few shots of our new home.

Love,
Heather

Farewell Photos

2011-04-02T07:39:00.000-07:00

Enjoying the Spring Flowers

Cold Day in the Park

Just Goofing at Nana's

Bedtime Story

Homesick

2011-03-27T15:44:00.000-07:00

We listened to one of my favorite albums on the way to church this morning. We were to speak at a church about 2 1/2 hours away, so we had a lot of time to kill. It was an album we bought in Abidjan and is my favorite not because of the perfection of the recording or the magnificent voices of the singers but because it sounds just like a worship service in our Abidjan home. It is all in French and decoding what is being said is part of what keeps my attention always on the praise that is wrapped up in the wording of each song. Sometimes when I sing familiar songs in English, I just get caught up in the singing and don't really "hear" what I am singing about. I was also imagining my favorite Africans leading and dancing and enjoying the words of the praise that was being sung. One of the choruses to a really happy song said "...Even when things are bad, I won't be afraid, because You are always with me." It was so neat to hear that and another that says that "God is a God of miracles". I hope and pray that yesterday they were able to join together and sing and believe songs like that.

While we were in worship, I was so thrilled to see several African American families there. To have them worshiping with us was great. All of this and talking about our beloved city and friends and brothers and sisters began to make me very homesick. But even in the middle of all of that, I know how terribly I will miss my friends and family here. So I began to really think about something else. Maybe the home that I am more homesick for than anything else is that day when we are all at home in the Lord. Then my worlds will collide. I've often said that it feels that I live in two worlds, one in Abidjan and one in the states. As our career goes on, I imagine that we will be fortunate enough to call many places home, but we can know that all of those that believe will one day be reunited to worship the Lamb in our many languages. I hope we are yet given more time. There are those that I pray are with us on that day worshiping the Lamb that haven't yet gone that direction.

We are still ever so sad and mindful of our friends in Abidjan. They are still having such a difficult time. Please don't grow tired of praying for them.

We are getting ready to go to Vancouver. We are deciding what will go in a suitcase, what will go in our ocean freight crate and what we need but don't have. I hope we can get it all together because we are now down to less than one week. We have to get the house we have lived in and the car we have used well cleaned and prepared to be returned to their owners. We are so thankful for Joyce, Eastwood Baptist Church and The River that have given us a great place to live for these last 5 months. We are thankful to Macedonian Call for a vehicle that has never failed us.

We love you all. For those we leave behind here in the states, it has been so great to be with you. I wish that we could have seen some we missed and seen others that we did see more, but it has been a good time. To those that we are missing in Africa, I wish we were getting on a plane to come to you, but all in good time. To those new friends in Canada, we are looking forward to a time of learning more of what it means to serve in an urban setting with you.

Serving Him,
Heather

Visiting

2011-03-09T04:21:00.000-08:00

After our trip to Cullman, AL for their missions conference, we headed down to FL to see my family. I've been able to visit my grandparents home and enjoy the nostalgia of so many good memories with them and made some new ones. I got to visit with some of my cousins and my aunt and uncle. Now we are back with my parents and sister's family and my youngest brother. There is only a short time left until our departure, so there is much to do!

Please continue to pray for the people in Abidjan. Things have gotten pretty bad since I last reported. We pray that things calm down for the sake of our people and so we can go back in July.

Heather

At the Park

2011-02-15T08:28:00.000-08:00

One of the things that we really miss when we are in Africa is all of the great parks you all have here. There is absolutely nothing like that where we are, so we have been not so patiently waiting for weather good enough to go out to play! The temperature was in the mid 50s here yesterday, which is still ridiculously cold to me, but much warmer than it has been. We had a great time feeding the ducks and geese, playing on the playground equipment and walking a couple of miles on the walking trail around the lake. I did inform Caleb and Karis that we are NEVER walking around the lake again without the stroller. I said this as Ben kicked and screamed to get off of my shoulders because "he's a big boy and he can walk too!" I can only imagine how long it might have taken us to walk the 2+ mile trail at 16 month speed!

Heather

Basketball

2011-02-15T08:17:00.001-08:00

In between speaking and home school and visiting friends and family, the kids have taken this opportunity to play some organized sports. Caleb has always enjoyed playing sports, but this was Karis time to play basketball. Caleb has been amazing everyone with his quick movement around the court. He is often the smallest kid on the court, but still manages to take several rebounds. He is a good shot when he takes his time and often steals the ball from his opponent before he even knows what happened. Karis has learned to play very quickly. She has already made some baskets and is a good defensive player. She loves to bring the ball down the court and if she gets stuck, she looks for her best friend/cousin to bail her out. Karis has enjoyed getting to learn the sport at the side of her favorite cousin!

Winter Weather

2011-01-25T16:27:00.000-08:00

Benjamin doesn't like to be left out of anything including school.

Part of the gang on Christmas morning

Ben and Grandpa

I looked back to find that I hadn't blogged for over a month! Shame on me!! We have been busy going here and there. We got to enjoy Christmas with my family in Florida. It was great to see my parents, my sister's family and my youngest brother. Unfortunately, my other brother's family couldn't make it until after we had to due to work obligations.

We got a little sick over Christmas with colds and stomach viruses and that took a while to kick. Karis and I even had to miss Mike's family Christmas gathering to avoid spreading the germs. While attending a conference in Virginia a couple of weeks later, Ben picked up the flu and so started another round of sickness. Thankfully we are all well now and hope to stay that way.

Many of you may be wondering how our beloved Cote d'Ivoire is doing. Things are very much the same politically. On a more personal note, I was reading about some of the difficulties to the average person there. Nearly 300 have been killed in the problems. Many, many more have been injured. Food is scarce and expensive. Many businesses have closed or have paid their workers only a portion of their salaries. Life is hard! Please don't stop praying. Our teammates are still in a neighboring country, waiting for the end to come.

Well, I can't believe we only have a little over two months left. We will be in TN most of the next month, but do hope to plan a week day trip to Gastonia. We will be in Cullman, AL the end of February for a conference there, so if you are in the area, we'd love to see you there.

Heather

Anniversary Trip

2010-12-18T17:08:00.001-08:00

Mike and I celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary with a little trip. It was great to get away for a few days.

Benjamin enjoyed this large version of a "woo woo". He even learned it makes a different sound. Who knew?!?

We enjoyed exploring the grounds of this fun place. I just wish it had been warmer.

Benjamin found a great way to relax after a long day of exploring! No sore muscles for him.

Trying New Things

2010-12-14T07:26:00.001-08:00

Here is what Ben thinks of putting on 2 pairs of socks, 2 pairs of pants, shoes, coat and hat to go outside only to get cold! He cried to go outside and then cried because he was cold.

This was the first time the kids could actually play in the snow. We had flurries the week before, but they didn't amount to much.

Here's the gang listening to the Christmas story in French at Christmas in Africa night!

This is Ben's first time to see snow flakes falling.

Pumpkin pie smothered in cool whip is good!!!

We've been able to stay home most of the time for the last couple of weeks. We've been getting reacquainted with those things that we love but miss while we are in Abidjan. For Benjamin it has been a time of trying new things. Some of those things he has loved, like macaroni and cheese and lima beans. There are other American things he has not been so fond of.

We have enjoyed being able to romp around the country and tell our story in churches here, there and everywhere. We've enjoyed hearing their hearts for the nations and talking about how people can join us.

One thing I wanted to ask you to remember in prayer is how our country is still being affected by the problems of the presidential election last month. Both run off candidates felt they had won the election and began to set up their own governments. With neither candidate willing to concede the election chaos quickly ensued. An independent counsel says the opposition candidate had won and that the incumbent needs to step down. The incumbent claims there was fraud in areas help by the opposition and in throwing out those "fraudulent" votes he wins. The world and Africa as a whole are standing behind the opposition guy and calling for the incumbent to step down. Whatever happens there are a few things that continue to bother us. Currently the borders of Cote d'Ivoire are closed and we couldn't get back in if we were to be headed back today. Our teammates evacuated with our "Daisy" dog before the mess started and now cannot get back in. Of greatest concern are those that are daily being hurt in the protestations and scuffles. Many of our friends make very little money and live from one day to the next on the few dollars they make each day. When they must stay in because of violence or when there is no market, they can't make money. Without money coming in, they don't have money for food. Also the surrounding countries are using their influence to try to force the incumbent to relinquish power, but that will make life even more difficult for the common people until a solution is found. All around there is much suffering and a peaceful solution is not forthcoming. Names and faces of those suffering are constant in my thoughts. Those that follow what we do know them too. Please pray for them. Pray that through all of the trouble they will turn to the only source of real peace. Pray that in the midst of their suffering, they'll turn to Jesus.

If I don't post again, I would like to wish you a Merry Christmas. May you celebrate the true gift of Christ.

Love,
Heather

Brrrr!

2010-12-07T17:29:00.000-08:00

Well, coming from 90 degree weather to this 20 degree weather is quite a shock to everyone. Even Mike has taken to wearing long johns around the house! We've now had our first snow since we've been back. It didn't actually stick to the ground much, but it was enough to excite the kids. We took Benjamin to his first Christmas parade too, and he was highly unimpressed. He hates extra clothes and he hates to be cold. Those two injustices put together led us to a couple of hours of a screaming baby. To his credit it was 19 degrees and we ended up standing around for a long time. Even my toes and fingers were frozen and I was quite ready to go too! The worst thing about the whole evening was that someone decided, in our absence, that throwing candy was hazardous to the health of small children. Thus there was no reward for the frostbite!!!!! Let me just say that I think that candy is a small reward the parade watchers should receive for braving the cold to see 27 pint sized beauty queens riding around all bundled up and all of the other cars that are merely in the parade for advertisement purposes! Without candy, I found myself thinking all too soon, "How much longer can this possibly go on!?!"

So often, my heart turns home now. Please don't misunderstand me. I love seeing my family and friends here in the states, but I miss my African friends too. The fact that life there is in a big uproar probably doesn't help. Most of you have heard of the political troubles facing the Ivory Coast. To make a long complicated story short for those of you that haven't heard, after a recent election, the opposing parties are both claiming to have won the election and both have had their own ceremonies and chosen their new government. This is causing protests in the country and in our home city. Ultimately, two presidents cannot coexist. Our teammates decided to leave before the trouble began having heard how things might go down and can't get back in now due to turmoil and closed borders, making their lives difficult and unpredictable right now. At least we don't have to worry about their safety since they are out of harms way, but that makes the holiday season difficult for them. Precious national friends are stuck in the thick of it. Some of those are believers, many are not. For those that will be ushered straight into eternity because of this problem, many of them don't know Jesus as their Savior and Friend. They will stand before the throne as enemies of God, well deserving His wrath. Those are heavy thoughts. Please pray for our friends.

In remembrance of our friends and our newly acquired African culture, we've decided to host a Christmas party as we have every year for the last 3 years. This year, though, we'll be inviting Mike's family to enjoy "Christmas in Africa" in America. Those that have been following our happenings for some time know that we invite our African friends to our home at Christmas to eat rice and sauce and hear the Christmas story. After a recent visit to a church celebrating missionaries around the world with a taste of recipes from around the world and a word from my sweet niece about how she wants to eat with her hands as we do on the other side of the ocean, I thought it might be fun to bring some traditions from our African home to our American home. So we will subject the McAfees to some African culture and hope that they enjoy themselves half as much as we will.

I know you all are busy as Christmas approaches so quickly. As you give your Lottie Moon Christmas Offering this year, know that you are giving directly to our ministry. Please hear us say "Thank You!" from the bottom of our hearts. We are able to go because of the sacrificial gifts of Southern Baptists! God bless you because you bless the nations with the gift of the news of Jesus.

Heather

Where in the World are the McAfees

2010-11-30T12:27:00.001-08:00

Benjamin learns about donuts!

Movie time with the cousins

This is a photo of a us in a friends house saying our goodbyes. He wanted us to come over and pray for his 'big' new house before we left. He had just moved his family of 5 out of their smaller house to this house. Mike is standing in the doorway and this is a photo of the whole house. The curtain to the right is shielding his bed. Guess we should be thankful for what we have. He is.

We've been traveling so much this last month that some times it is hard to remember where we are or where we are going to be the next day! We've been in NC, FL and TN. We were thankful to enjoy Thanksgiving with Mike's family and then have my sister and her family with us that weekend. We got to see many of our dear NC friends before heading to a missions conference to meet new friends. It has been fun to reconnect with so many already.

We are looking forward to some time in TN this month with Mike's family and some great churches followed by a little family time in FL.

It seems like it has been so very long since we've seen our African friends. We miss them dearly. Please pray for our country as you think of them in the next few days or weeks. Their elections have been completed, but all has not gone well. We don't know what will happen or if there will be problems, but things are tense right now. Our teammates are safely out in another country in case of trouble, but our national friends are all still in Abidjan. Please pray that the country will remain peaceful and work out any difficulties without violence.

With Love,
Heather

Returning to the States

2010-11-05T21:16:00.000-07:00

This is our guard and one of Ben's favorite Africans. Pray for JB while we are gone.

Here is T B RAY another guard. He'll miss us as well, so pray for he and his family.

Benjamin is not too sure why all of the leaves are falling off of the tree, but he thinks it's pretty funny!!

Bring on the toys!!

Fun with family

Benjamin can't figure out why God made all of his family white!!! "Let me out of here!!!"

Boys from any culture can enjoy a good old game of CARS!

I've meant to write a million times already since the last time I posted. There has just been so much going on that it has been impossible. We've taken the long flight across the big pond, visited doctors, dentists, grandmas, aunts, great grandmas, friends, churches, cousins, etc and attempted to devour all of the food we've been missing. We're also trying to pack in all of those fun things we can't do in Africa. Poopa took the kiddos fishing in the rain because it wouldn't stop and missing the opportunity was unacceptable! We've been on a hay ride and had weenies and smores around the bonfire and it was COLD!!!!! We went to the national peanut festival and enjoyed the sights and sounds, well at least some of them! We've enjoyed days with family, just being a part of normal everyday family life. It's fun to know that if somebody has a big job and needs our help, we can just swing over there and do something about it!

I can't really express to you all the range of emotions it's been to me in coming back. It's really hard to leave friends and "family" across the ocean. Our teammates are family and we miss them. I have friends that are to me like sisters and I miss them. People will go on with life there and we'll miss all of that for these months. Hard times will come for them and we can't do anything about it. On the other hand, we've missed our friends and family on this side of the ocean for so long. I have friends here that are also like family and we are so looking forward to connecting with everyone here. We've had so many joyful reunions with our loved ones already and can't wait for those to come.

It's a strange and yet familiar world here. I'm different (surprise, surprise) and yet I am who I've always been. I can't even begin to relate what it is like to be back. Suffice it to say that often it is GREAT and sometimes, it is hard.

We've been introducing Benjamin to all of his cousins, aunts, uncles, grands, great grands, family friends, foods, animals, and places we find familiar. He's not too sure about most of it, but he's being a good sport for the most part. I just hope that when we go back home to Africa, we won't be having to reintroduce him to everything and finding that world unusual too!

We'll be at the TBC in Knoxville, TN next week. Please come and see us if you are close. We'll be in Gastonia, NC for a week starting November 13. We hope to see you if we can. We'll be back in TN for Thanksgiving and the first part of December. We'll be in the panhandle of FL for Christmas to be with family. Needless to say, we're burning up the roads. There's just so much to see and do and so little time!

We love you and hope to see you soon!
Heather

Packing

2010-10-16T01:35:00.000-07:00

Benjamin's 1st Birthday in Ghana!

Saying Goodbye to Friends

Packing Up

Memories

I am so sorry to have been absent for so long! I had no idea how demanding these last few weeks would be. For many months now I've been looking forward to our time returning to the states and friends and family. I knew a lot of work would be involved, but I didn't know how involved it would be.

We had to pack up our entire house as if we were moving. We also had to equip and prepare each of our storying groups to be on their own. Just for the amusement factor, we also got to plan and execute a spiritual retreat for ourselves and several other families!

There has also been an unexpected development. I did not realize how difficult saying goodbye here would be. I guess I supposed my African life would just go on hold until I could come back and pick it back up. In reality, everybody's life goes on. My friends will miss me and I'll miss them. Some of them will move away while I'm gone. Some of them will have difficult times and I won't be here to help them through. There's the real possibility that there are those I'll never see again and I have to wonder, did I say enough, do they understand what they have to do to walk in right relationship with God?

So I guess the thing I have realized is that goodbyes aren't easy either side of the ocean. Fortunately, though, hellos are GREAT! Can't wait to see some of you, and to those we are leaving, we'll be back soon!

Heather

Benjamin Helping Me Wash the Truck!!!!

2010-10-01T01:59:00.000-07:00

I decided to wash and wax the truck today for our Ghana trip. I promise I was only turned around for a few seconds and I saw this!!!!!

Yes he got in by himself and just started playing in the soapy water!!!!
-Mike

Friends and Neighbors

2010-09-17T01:49:00.000-07:00

They are playing a game like marbles with seeds they found from a tree. Even getting the seeds to play with was a game as a nut like thing has to be opened. If the nut has been on the ground too long, the seed inside turns to dust. So the kids crack open and count how many they've found and when they all have enough, you play marbles with them!

This is Mamouna, one of the ladies you have prayed for, with her daughter.

The Muslim holiday to celebrate the end of fasting was last week. Thank you so much to all of you that prayed for our friends. We really had many good conversations with all of them. Each and every one of them were told that not only were we praying for them, but you were as well. I wish I could tell you that one or all have already given their life to Christ, but as of right now, that is not so. We will continue to pray and trust in the One that draws the heart of sinful man to repentance.

Love to all,
Heather

Karis' Birthday

2010-09-17T01:20:00.000-07:00

Karis turned 9 on September 2. She talked her teacher into declaring a school holiday in honor of her birthday and we all went to the pool. I personally thought it was a little cold for the pool, but it wasn't my birthday. Now I do believe you are all laughing at me. When you are used to temps in the 90s, temp in the 80s does not say jump in the pool! Why, you might ask, are we coming to the states during the COLDEST PART OF THE YEAR!?!?! Well, that was Mike's idea. So don't be surprised when I get off the plane in October and ask for my parka, gloves, scarf and snow boots!;)

Heather

Updates

2010-08-29T08:37:00.000-07:00

Fatimata and Baby (read on for their story)

I have a few updates for you from different areas of life around here. We have 7 weeks left in Cote d'Ivoire. One of those weeks we will be meeting Mike's dad in a neighboring country for a spiritual retreat. Some of that time we will have to pack up everything we own and prepare it to be left in a hot, humid environment for 9 months. Much of that time will be used in going to visit EVERY person we know to say goodbye, because we are African and that is what we do. In our spare time, ha, we'll be trying to prepare all of our areas of ministry for our absence. Needless to say, we have more stuff to do than time to do it with.

I know that you all have prayed with us on numerous occasions for many different things. If I remember what I've asked you to pray about, I try to let you know how that turned out. Unfortunately, my memory is a little slippery.

A few months ago I told you about the baby of a Muslim lady that I knew that was very sick. Mom's name is Fatimata. I was almost certain the baby was near death. His little head just rolled listlessly. He wasn't focusing on anything. When he was trying to nurse, he couldn't really even suck. You prayed and within a few days the baby was doing better. His mom called me after 3 days. My heart sunk when I saw the number. I thought they were calling to say he'd died, but not so. After a week or so, he was much better. Within a month, he was doing well. It is obvious he has some form of disability, but now he is starting to babble and hold his head up well. The best thing of all is that she credited our prayers with the healing. She has now started listening to the story set of God's plan for redemption. Her French is not good and my Moore is not good, but we are making it work. Each phrase we work through in both languages to make sure she understands. Right now, she's listening. She even told me last week that she "prefers" Christianity for a number of reasons. Her home life is HARD. Just pray with me that God opens her eyes to eternity and the exclusivity of the Way.

My dear friend Agira, now in Burkina, had her baby this week. She had a little boy on Wednesday. Everything went wonderfully and she also thanks you for your prayers. She has no doubt that your prayers work, but she is just blinded thinking that either road is equally good and you should stay on the path you started on. Unfortunately, my influence is now limited to 5 minute phone calls. Pray that this dear one understands the Truth! Pray also that she finds a home she can afford. After 3 months in Burkina, she still hasn't found a home for her and her 3 kids there with her.

I also remembered one of my more amusing moments in Burkina last month. Every day while there, we walked a lot. The people I was able to visit lived in more remote areas, even those that were in the city. Upon driving as close as possible, I would have to walk for an hour or so to reach their homes. One particular day we'd walked for an hour and a half (walking briskly mind you) and came to this chasm. There was a 3 foot jump to an island about 3 feet wide and another 3 foot jump on the other side. If you missed the jump, the fall was only about 5 feet, but not something I wished to do. We had a guide that was leading us back to the house with a little moped in tow. The moped looked like a bicycle with a gas tank and our guide was a beautiful African woman, but she easily made 2 of me. In addition, she was carrying a 2 year old baby on her back and had a 4 year old with her as well. At this point Agira was 8 months pregnant. Our guide jumped the chasm first and Agira handed across the moped. Then I jumped, graceful or not, and I made it. Agira jumped too. One down, one to go. We did the same with the next jump and all made it safely except for a 10 year old tag along that was caught mid fall by the arm by Agira and pulled to safety. We've now been walking for about 2 hours and our guide looks at me and asks if I am ready to ride the moped. Now, I am used to walking, but I am carrying an 18 pound baby and he is getting really heavy. I am, however, TERRIFIED of the moped and I've never ridden one here. I ask, "is it still REALLY far?" and get the answer, "yes!" OK, time to swallow my fear, because if I say I'm walking, that means the pregnant lady will have to walk too. I agree and warn them that I've never ridden a moped and don't know how. "No problem!" they say. I pull out my baby wrap and tie Benjamin on my back tight. Now that I've agreed to this, I've got to figure out HOW. There is a little metal rack that hangs out behind the seat, and I know that is where the little ones sit when Mom drives. So upon mounting that, I have to figure out what to do with my tight wrap skirt, which I forgot to wear pants under this particular day (some days I do, some I don't). So I climb on as best I can and Agira arranges my skirt for me. That is really not what is bothering at that moment though. What bothers me is that I am on a moped with a baby on my back behind a large African with a baby on her back. I am trying to figure out how hard I can cling to her and where exactly I can get a good handhold that won't hurt the baby. I settle for wrapping my arms around her as best I can and hanging on for dear life even though, the WHOLE VILLAGE is now watching me. I am fairly certain the back seat person isn't supposed to hang on, but I don't really care right now. Note to self, wire rack may be good for hauling water, but HURTS for carrying grown woman. All I can think of is, if I fall off, Benjamin falls of too! Finally we make it and I gladly hop off. Now this lovely lady heads off with her baby on her back, to get my 8 month pregnant friend and her 4 year old. They join me in no time and I feel like a total loser for being such a scaredy cat. Of course, my sense of safety has kept me alive thus far and must be good for something. We took a different route out that evening that meant a LONG walk, but let me keep at least on foot on the ground at all times. It was great.

And that was just another great day in the life of a missionary. Come join us for some good old FUN!
With Love,
Heather

Back to School

2010-08-21T03:56:00.000-07:00

Our little buddy LOVES music.

The kids have started back to school and so that is a big part of our day right now. For some reason, school seems to take longer at the first of the year around here and so goes this year. Benjamin doesn't appreciate school time too much right now. He thinks EVERYONE should play with him ALL of the time.

Our storying groups are still going full swing. We are looking forward at the time we have remaining here and figuring out how to get everyone either to a stopping point or to a way to continue. Some groups will be finishing out the evangelism set so that they can come to a decision time. Some groups will be continuing with stories from one of their own. Some groups will be handed off to friends. Pray as all this goes on that we don't lose momentum and that the Word continues to spread.

Continue to pray for our Muslim friends are they are in this time of fasting. Pray that they find the Truth.

Love,
Heather

First Steps

2010-08-20T06:55:00.000-07:00

Benjamin decided to take his first steps on film. He'd taken one step here and there before, but this time when I pulled out the camera, he took 6. I think he'll be a while in continuing on his own as he prefers to have someone help him. No doubt he'll be ready for a pair of shoes by the time we get to the states!

Heather

Same Old, Same Old

2010-08-08T10:52:00.000-07:00

We are back to life as usual. We started back on school last week as we will have some interruptions again this year and so need to get as much under our belt early as possible.

We've recounted all of our Burkina stories to all of my Burkina friends. We are always met with the same responses... "You rode the train?!?!" "What did you eat?" "Who did you see?" "Where did you go?" It's been great fun to recount people and places and food to all of my friends and see the appreciation that I understand where they come from now. They'll test my Moore out a little to see if it has improved and we all go away happy.

We are coming into the month of fasting for our Muslim friends and neighbors. Starting Wednesday, or a little earlier for the women, they will be rising around 3:30 AM to prepare a big meal for the family of rice and sauce. They will eat some time before 5 AM depending on the family. They will then take a nap or just carry on with their day. They will pass the entire day, without eating or drinking. Some will even spit out their saliva all day. They will continue with their normal prayer times and then after the 6:30 PM prayer, they will eat another large meal, again probably rice and sauce. They do all of this in an effort to do a couple of things. One this is supposed to help them decrease their sinning and increase their list of good things before God. Also this is a time to better know God. The last week or so may be spent in all night prayer meetings at the mosque. They will ask God to give them dreams and visions.

This month will allow for many conversations for us. For one thing, we will be asked why we don't fast this month. We'll be asked when and why we fast and so we'll have many opportunities for sharing our faith. Also since everyone's thoughts are on spiritual things, conversations are more likely to start on any manner of topics. In addition to that, we take this opportunity to ask God to send our friends and neighbors exactly what they are asking for. We hear many stories of Muslims that were converted after dreams and visions of Jesus and a further look at His claims and WHO exactly He is. Pray with us as you can by name for several friends we SOOO want to become believers: Agira, Mamouna, Seidou (SAY-doo), Mariam.

We also hope that you might pray with us as there is a possibility of the political climate heating up a bit again. Elections may come in October. Pray with us for peace and for the leader that God wants and can use.

Benjamin is growing like a weed as usual. He's 10 months old now. He is honing in his skills at furniture cruising. He really loves to have someone hold his hands so that he can run through the house like everybody else. He is still afraid to turn loose, but I am sure that once he gains his confidence, he'll be quite the terror! He appears to be very good at languages although his words are not at all clear yet. He very often gets his point across by shaking and nodding his head as well as gesturing. All of my Burkina friends are sure he'll be speaking Moore in no time. We'll see. I have a feeling he hears too much English, but we'll see. He still doesn't like to sleep, so maybe he's putting all of that extra free time he has into being multilingual.

Hope this finds you all well. We love and miss you all.
Heather

Together Again!

2010-07-27T01:39:00.000-07:00

We are finally all in the same place at the same time again. After Mike's 10 day trip to Kenya, I took a 17 day trip to Burkina. It will be good to spend some time at home now.

I had a great time in Burkina learning more about the people we've prayed for now for so long and whose language I've learned. Of course we have Mossi people here in Abidjan, thus the reason for my language choice. It is just a different thing to see and understand and know where someone is coming from and what has shaped who they are. I also benefited from a couple of weeks of all Moore all of the time. I also got to spend some time with my Mossi friend that went back to Burkina to live. All in all, it was a wonderful time.

Because of the expense of airfare, Benjamin and I hopped on a train for the journey. We could have gone all of the way to the capital city, where we would be staying, but decided to break the trip up by stopping at friends' house on the way. So instead of a 42 hour train ride, we stopped after 32 hours. Let me just say that 32 hours is a LLLLOOOONNNNGGGG time to sit in a seat with a baby on your lap! You do get to know your neighbors, though. We got to the Abidjan train station at 8 AM Thursday morning to leave and when I saw the lights for my friends city at 8:30 PM on Friday night, I was ever so grateful!! After a little sleep, good food and a quick visit, we continued on to the capital city by bus. It was only another 5 and a half hours by bus, but after the train ride from the days before, we thought we'd never get there. Benjamin was a pretty good sport for this leg of the trip, but he was getting tired of being held. He wanted to be FREE!

After settling in at our temporary home away from home in the capital, my good friend came to greet us. I was so happy to see her and although Benjamin seemed to remember her, he was a little leery. After another decent meal, he was feeling more friendly. On the train and on the bus, we were limited to what you could purchase from a tray that women carry on their heads at the stations. You never knew what you'd find. There were bananas, boiled eggs, and a local dish called attieke (not my favorite) at most stops. Other local delicacies were at some stops like kidney sandwiches. Benjamin and I opted for a mystery meat sandwich the first night and fruit and bread to fill out the rest of the days. Fortunately I had packed baby food and water so that Benjamin wouldn't be dependent on what we found. We were glad to have eaten at our friends' house the night before and to finally be starting our all African diet with some tame rice and sauce this night.

The next day we started life full speed ahead. We went out to visit a family for the day. This meant a 30 minute taxi ride and then a 45 minute walk to their house. They were so glad to see us again as this is a family that I had visited last year in August. Benjamin was a hit every where we went. They served up a local dish, please don't ask me to tell you what is in it as I can't even pronounce it. All I could recognize were leaves. As usual, one meal wasn't enough so I was soon served another meal that I can only describe as black-eyed pea jello with mayo to dip it in! Oddly enough, that was the one I liked! Benjamin loves to be outside, so for the whole two weeks he enjoyed all of the visiting, just not the long car rides. He also did not appreciate the idea that the baby shouldn't play in the dirt with the rest of the kids and made his opinion about that loud and clear. There were many biting ants and so we tried to restrict him to a mat thrown out for him. That worked some and later in the week, Benjamin began to get excited when he'd see a mat come out as that meant he could get down and play.

Most of the families we visited, we would just sit and talk for several hours. We always got fed well and many times we were even given gifts by these that had so little. I was glad to have my friend with me everywhere as she was able to pick up the slack when we were served things I didn't care for as much. I always tried carry my weight, though.

Some of my favorite visits were to the villages. We are currently living and working in a BIG city, but I am a country girl at heart. So seeing kilometers of land with fields and small houses and animals, was so much fun! Because it was rainy season, there was even beautiful green grass waving across the pastureland. We were quite the amusement in the village as well as westerners are not often seen there and not only were we westerners, but we were westerners learning to speak Moore. It never grew old to hear what those sitting around would say about us and then have my friend turn and say "She understands you!" They might have been horrified to know that if they weren't so amused and determined to see just exactly what the white lady did understand. What was nice and difficult all at once was that we never walked away with nothing. We were given everything from local food and fruits to a live chicken! In other homes we were given peanuts, okra, onions and tomatoes. In the market, Benjamin was given baskets, hats, and many other gifts. The Mossi are so generous and hospitable. Thanks to some shirts my mom brought last year when she visited, Benjamin had a little something to give to most of those we came in contact with as well.

Benjamin did end up having an encounter with one of those biting ants. He was on his mat, so I didn't get in trouble for having allowed him to be bit. Fortunately he handled it well. I hear that many cry for a long time afterward, but Benjamin just cried a little bit and it was over. I also had some stupid moments of my own. I locked my keys in the car along with all of our water, food, diapers when we were in the village one day! Benjamin and I wound up with a stomach virus or a bad reaction to food one miserable night and day. One morning we went out to find the truck dead as a door nail for no apparent reason and had to wait for the mechanic. Fortunately, my dear friend was with me the whole time, so I never lacked for moral support or somebody to speak Moore with!

I think I have a million more stories, but I better get on with life in the here and now. Our love to you all.
Heather

Carnivore Restuarant, KENYA

2010-07-13T03:35:00.000-07:00

These pictures are in black and white, but I think you will be able to see enough to want to go here if you ever visit Kenya. Welcome to the Carnivore. It is a world famous restaurant that serves exotic meats. Hence the name Carnivore. They use to serve Zebra and Giraffe and meat like that before Kenya outlawed those meats. The Carnivore is an all you can eat meat buffet. The exotic meat of the day was Ostrich, which comes from an Ostrich Farm, that is why they can serve this meat. We also had some Crocodile because it was not outlawed. The best meat in my opinion was the lamb. It was the best meat I have ever tasted.

This is the 6 of us who ventured out to the Carnivore. The one you don't see is taking the picture. We had a great time.

As I said this is an all you can eat restaurant. They bring a flag to your table and then start bringing you the meat. They tell you when you have finished eating you MUST surrender and lower your flag, or they will keep bringing out the meat. They bring the meat to your table on skewers and cut it off onto your plate.

This is the meat preparation area. It is hard to tell, but there are around 15 to 20 different meats being cooked in this area. Yes it smells great!!!

This little tray is the tray of sauces they bring to your table. There are 6 sauces and when they bring the meat to your table they will tell you which sauce to put on your meat. For instance the lamb goes with a mint sauce. Also in this picture you can see that we have surrendered and lowered our flag. The cost per person is a little high. It is about 2800 Kenya shillings. About $30 to $35 dollars per person. But you can eat all you want. I skipped lunch because I knew we were going to the Carnivore!!!! After I had finished, I asked my self if I brought my father and father-in-law to this place, how much they would eat and how long would we be sitting there. I dare say I might still be there!!!

Elephant Nursery, Kenya

2010-07-07T00:44:00.001-07:00

The elephant nursery has about 20 little elephants that have lost their mother in some way. Some the mother has died from old age and the little elephant got separated from his heard. Others have lost their mothers to other types of death. Some of these little guys just got separated from the heards by getting swept away by flooding. This organization has adopted these guys and will raise them and then release them as a heard into the wild in about 5 years. This little guy is the youngest of the heard.

This is the elephant version of "kill the man with the ball". Ok not really, but they do like to pill up on each other. It is a way of showing affection and also they get to play in the red dirt.

These little guys are so small they still need milk. They are feed from a bottle several times a day.

The elephant nursery is in the wild and we had a few visitors. This giraffe came by to say hi and to show us her young one. We did not get good pictures of the little giraffe.

Pumba showed up before the elephants came out to roll in the mud and water. It reminded me of the "Lion King" where Timone and Pumba are in the little hot tub in the movie.
-Mike

Celebrating from Afar

2010-07-04T23:47:00.000-07:00

We celebrated our nation's birthday from the beautiful shores of West Africa. Being out of the country makes you appreciate even more the freedoms and advantages we have as Americans.

As for all holidays, being out here means that we can't just go participate in the festivities some where or pop over to Mom's to hang out with the family. All festivities have to be thought up and created and we have to be friends and family for each other. Fortunately our wonderful teammates were doing the thinking this year and the kids had a great time with all of the games and activities they planned. They even managed to lay out some great grilled food and we enjoyed the day of celebration.

We'll be celebrating Mike's birthday today again from afar, but for a different reason. He is still in Kenya and we are here in Abidjan. We are looking forward to his return tomorrow and wishing him the best today on his special day.

Love,
Heather

4th

2010-07-04T23:43:00.000-07:00

Lake Naivasha, Kenya (Hippos, Zebras and cormorants)

2010-07-04T09:27:00.000-07:00

Just some more pictures from Lake Naivasha, Kenya. Here are some Hippos. We saw around 30 to 40 Hippos. None of them would get out of the water more than this one. We were charged by a hippo that came to 15 feet away. Our tour guide said he was teasing us. I didn't think it was very funny. The Hippo was about 50 feet away and he went under water and the next thing we know he pops up around 15 feet away snorting and huffing at us. I don't think he was teasing.

You can see the middle hippo just popped up and blew water out just like a whale or dolphin.

Look close, there are 3 wild Zebras in this photo!!!! Can you find them?

This is a Cormorant drying his wings. A Cormorant doesn't have the oil on his body that ducks have which means they cannot float. They also cannot fly when they are wet and they have to dry their wings before they take off.

"Run Forest Run!!!! This cormorant is running across the water flapping his wings trying to take off.
Nature is such a wander!!! Praise God for all of His incredible work in out world!!!
-Mike

Lake Naivasha, Rift Valley Kenya, Fish Eagles

2010-07-02T10:35:00.000-07:00

Lake Naivasha, Kenya. This is the highest fresh water lake in Kenya. The name Naivasha is Massi for "bubbling water". This lake sits next to a volcano. The volcano has not erupted in a long time so it is relatively safe. One of the main features of this lake is the animal life that surrounds the lake. This Fish Eagle is one of the main attractions. There are also hippos, zebras and other wildlife.

We took a boat out on the lake to view the Eagles and Hippos. We also, got a glimpse of some Zebras. Hippo and Zebra pictures will be posted later. Our tour guides carried dead fish with them and when they saw the Eagles in the trees they threw the fish in the water and the Eagles took off and came for the food. The Eagle were so far away you could barely tell they were animals, but they were able to see the small fish thrown into the water.

Starting his dive for the fish.

Touchdown!!!!! You can see the fish in his talons and the water splashed trailing the Eagle in this picture. This was an awesome display of God's creation. When God makes stuff, it is wonderfully made. It is just incredible to be out in nature and enjoying the awesomeness of God.
-Mike

Ballerina Girl

2010-06-27T02:04:00.000-07:00

Karis had her ballet recital last week and here are some pictures. They didn't allow pictures during the performance this year, but Mike did get video. We'll show it to you in November!

Heather

We had a Little Rain Last Night

2010-06-24T04:55:00.000-07:00

As you can tell we had a small storm come our way and because the ground is saturated now we almost flooded the house. You can see that the water is at our door in the first picture so I decided to go out and bail water. I eventually opened our big doors for the truck and started bailing water from there. I know I have bailed water out of a boat before, but I think this is the first time I've had to bail water from my house. We removed about 2 to 3 inches of water from our yard, but as I type this post it has started to downpour again. Wow, anyone need any water?

Happy Father's Day

2010-06-20T10:26:00.000-07:00

I hope that many of you that read our blog are Dads. And to those of you that are, from the bottom of my heart, Happy Father's Day!!

God has blessed me tremendously with wonderful men in my life. Men that are truly storing up treasures in heaven. My own dad has loved me and encouraged me all of my life. He worked harder than most men will ever work to earn a living and take care of my family. To my small frame, he's always been a big man with big feelings. When my Daddy is happy he laughs in such a way as the whole room has no choice but to laugh too. My Dad loved us all in a big way too, from me the oldest down to the youngest. I'll never forget the day he told the whole church that my youngest brother had been born with tears of joy. Some people out there think four kids are a burden, but not my Dad. He'd tell you that each of his babies were a gift from God. I remember trips to the farm together and trying to wrap my little hand around his gigantic pinky as we walked through the field. I remember that he always reminded us that an education is very important and he backed that up with all sorts of spur of the moment spelling bees and research papers! I hated them then, but know that was because he loved me and wanted the best for and from me. He expected and exhibited a life devoted to God.

My father-in-law has also been a great spiritual influence in my life as one of my earliest remembered pastors. He taught me much of what I know about the Bible. He taught me how to share my faith and was the first to whom I shared a desire to "go into all the world and preach the gospel". He raised three men that he can be proud of today.

My grandfather has a special place in the heart of his first granddaughter! He's always been someone that I respected greatly and knew without doubt was a man of incredible integrity. He's always accepted a tag along to "share" in his work. He also is a part of so many memories that I hold dear. I can hear his deep bass belt out hymns that would make anyone cry and his voice praying will forever be with me. Grandpa, thank you for being a rich spiritual heritage for me and my children!

Lastly and with special importance, Happy Father's day to my kids' dad! You are a wonderful father and husband. Your obedience to be sent out is an example to us all. I love seeing you play with and spend time with your kids, as I know this will shape their hearts to become the kind of people God can use.

And so to all, may this day be a time of refreshing and renewal. If you are feeling unappreciated as a Dad, I hope you know today that your appreciation is just slow in coming, not absent. God bless you as you follow the example of our Heavenly Father!

Heather

A Frustrating Day/ An Answered Prayer

2010-06-20T09:33:00.001-07:00

Friday was a day that by all appearances was about to go down as one of the more frustrating of my time here. Our baby is still not sleeping well at night and likes early mornings, so even little things can be highly irritating and the day was shaping to take the cake in the irritating department.

By early afternoon I found myself with a few extra minutes on my hands. Our great teammates were taking care of food for our evening team time and so I turned my thoughts to what else needed to be accomplished for the week. It had been a couple of weeks since I'd made it out to see my friends at the market in Vridi and so I decided to set off to do that and try to mark another errand off of my to do list while I was out and about.

Benjamin doesn't like car rides and so decided to serenade me for a little while with a song about terrible mothers and hated car seats, at least that's what I got in the translation. ;) He had just stopped his warbling when I had an encounter that I'd best not go into detail about. It would most likely end up in me insulting certain people best left uninsulted if I would like to keep my visa to stay in the country! SEVERAL minutes later, and a few dollars shorter, I moved on in my trip down the road muttering to myself about injustice and untruth. GGGRRR! Because I was muttering to myself and not completely thinking through where I was going, I missed my turn. I had to loop back, losing another 10 minutes, but then couldn't find the side errand I had meant to do. GGGGRRRRR! Now I've been on the road A LOT longer than I meant to be and Benjamin started up his song. GGGGGGRRRRRRR! If I wasn't so stubborn and hard headed, I probably would have given up and headed for home. Finally arriving at my destination, I hopped out to see rain clouds. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!! I went on thinking my time now would just me a greeting and goodbye. I haven't been storying with the two ladies I was going to see anyway. One is a Muslim and one a Catholic. Both are pretty content in their positions and since they see us as all being on the same road of worshiping the same God, are happy to see me, but don't see their need to change.

I greeted. I was polite. I asked about their families and everyone we mutually know. I looked around at the Catholic widow's meager products in search of something that I could use or give to someone to use in an effort to help her make enough money to eat today. Not seeing anything, I was thinking of how I might palm her some supper money. Suddenly my little Muslim friend announced, "I had a dream about Jesus, tell her about it, Christine." Now one might think this would be the first piece of information you would give a friend that has been beating her head against the wall trying to tell you about, but in traditional African style, she'd waited until the end of the visit to announce her news. Now my Muslim friend speaks some French, but not much. She understands things if I say them REALLY slow and don't use any words of substance! My Catholic friend speaks a language they both understand well and French well, so is our translator if there is something important to be said.

You may remember my Muslim friend as the mother of a baby I had asked you to pray for a few months ago. Thanks to your prayers for the baby, he came back from death's door. Even that is a great miracle as I wasn't sure he'd even make it through the day when I posted that note. He still seems to me to have something seriously wrong, but looks healthy enough besides terribly poor muscle development.

Back to the dream, it all boiled down to; she had seen Jesus in a dream and the others in her dream had said that JESUS was the answer to her child's healing. Now she's always given credit to the prayers that were prayed for that baby, for bringing him this far. The dream was just absolute acknowledgment of that. She's also had a feeling from the dream that there were further keys to her understanding Jesus. Fortunately, for right now, she has sought those answers from me. I told a quick story of the paralyzed man with four friends. In that story, if you remember Jesus himself makes reference to their faith and His ability to forgive sins. I told the story as simply as possible and she seemed to understand. Pray with me for Fatimata, her baby and my friend Christine. Pray that God reveals the truth of salvation to these women through the divine healing of this baby.

Thanks so much for your prayers!

Heather

Baptism

2010-06-06T07:38:00.000-07:00

I had the privilege of Baptizing one of my African friends today. Bamba had accepted Christ several months ago. Central Baptist Church from Arkansas has been coming to Cote d'Ivoire and traveling up North to share God's word with a village. In the process they meet Bamba and shared God's love with him. He was Muslim and had a lot of questions. I learned Bamba spoke Jula so I decided to start talking with him in Jula. After I finished my language study, Heather and I started storying with him and his family. He had already accepted Christ and was now being discipled. The church brought a group to Cote d"Ivoire this week and Bamba asked me if I would baptize him while the group was here. I found a place in the Lagoon that wasn't too dirty and I joyfully baptized Bamba. It is with great joy to hear that Bamba has already started sharing his testimony with everyone. I heard the stories while he was up North about him sharing with other bus drivers and also the police and rebels. This is exactly what happened in the Bible when someone accepted Christ. They were full of the Holy Spirit and shared with everyone the love they had found. Now, I challenge you to remember the joy of your salvation and go and tell someone about the love Christ has for them.

More City Pictures

2010-06-03T06:43:00.001-07:00

City Pictures

2010-06-03T06:34:00.000-07:00

As I've mentioned in the past, we don't get very many pictures of us actually at work as getting them are a bit difficult. Just imagine if you wanted to carry a camera to work and take pictures of everything you do during the day. Your coworkers would think you were a little weird to say the very least. Add to that the fact that we already stick out like a sore thumb and we don't wish to distract from work we are trying to accomplish.

Some good friends visited recently and did some work capturing in pictures the heart of our city. I am slow in posting these, but here is a little bit of a visual idea of where we are and what we do.

Love,
Heather

Anyone can Story!!!

2010-05-28T08:23:00.000-07:00

Caleb found 3 people that would listen to a story. He is telling the story in English and Olivier is translating for him.

It's a long story, but from what I heard he told it ALL!!!!

He even asked the 4 questions we ask at the end of the story.
1. what have you learned from this story.
2. What are the characteristics of God in this story?
3. What do we need to obey in this story?
4. Who needs to hear this story? now go a tell 5 people this same story.

This is again on the campus where Jonathan did a devotion to over 20 Christians and I followed up to encourage them how they can change peoples lives by just telling a story.

I remember the line from the movie Ratatouille "anyone can cook". The meaning through most of the story was just that, anyone can cook. However, later in the story the meaning changes to a good cook can be found anywhere.
Our team from Parkwood Baptist Church came to Abidjan the other day for their annual mission trip and witnessing at our University here in Abidjan. The team did a GREAT job and we talked with over 200 students and faculty. This is my sidebar to let the other Churches out there know that we would love for them to come to Abidjan too and help us out. Anyway, Caleb and Karis love it when the Parkwood team comes. Caleb asked if he could go with us to the campus and watch and listen and just be with the team. He was allowed with the warning that he should be quiet and not interrupt anyone when they are storying or talking with people. He was also told to stay with me and Zach as I could keep him in line. Caleb did real well the first 2 days and he asked if he could go with Olivier and Jonathan the 3rd day. I decided it would be ok since he obeyed so well the first 2 days. The above pictures are what happened when Caleb went with Jonathan and Olivier.
I am humble by what Caleb was able to do. I did not know he even knew the stories we told. We generally tell the stories in French and I was not aware that he knew them so well. We are told in Matthew 28:19 to go and make disciples of all nations. Caleb was willing and able to tell these people (his current nation) about the love of Jesus. Caleb just turn 11 on the 27th of this month. He told 6 people the story of Creation to Christ. So I am sitting here thinking "Anyone Can Story" we just have to be willing and obey God's will and go. So I ask you, How many people have you told about Jesus' love this month? We also need more people willing to come help us. Are you willing? remember "Anyone Can Story"!!! This doesn't mean that a great story teller can come from anywhere, it means ANYONE can story and we are commanded to tell that story to ALL the nations. Why don't you come to Abidjan and tell a few stories. Don't worry, if you forget a part of the story, Caleb can help you.

Going, Going, Gone

2010-05-20T05:35:00.000-07:00

I sat on a crude wooden bench in the shade of a tree this morning with the stench of the lagoon being carried my way on a breeze. I watched as my dear friend's entire stock of worldly belongings were tied to the top of a bus in a couple of boxes and then as she and her two girls climbed on that same bus. I wished I could get on with her, but my family, my work and my calling are here. We waved goodbye from alongside the bus. Karis was tearfully lifted high to reach out and touch the hand of my friends oldest daughter as she reached out to say goodbye. All of my goodbyes had to come with no tears. Tears aren't acceptable here for any reason other than death and even then they must be restrained. The ache still burns the back of my throat with tears that are yet to be shed. My friend left for Burkina to be with her family in her home country, leaving her husband and two sons behind. It sounds odd, but is very common and normal here. I will miss her terrible as she's been a HUGE part of my every day. Please pray for her as she tries to purchase a home with her savings from working here. It's so little, but she knows that my friends and I are praying that she will be able to get something quickly as her fifth baby is due in September. One of the hardest thoughts for me is that she left not understanding why Jesus is the only way. I've tried for as long as I've known her, and yet she still doesn't understand. I just pray that the Father calls her and makes truth clear. I don't know when I'll see her again, I hope sooner than later. May the One that loves her more than I, reveal His will to her.

On a happy note, we have our annual Parkwood team here with us this week. They are working hard and enduring hardships for the sake of the gospel. Electricity is sketchy this week. Running water is not dependable. People on the university campus are argumentative and unreceptive. Pray that through the struggles, they succeed in accomplishing the works God called them to this week.

With Love,
Heather

Happy Mother's Day

2010-05-08T13:24:00.000-07:00

How's that for tough?!!!

I wanted to take a minute to appreciate the special ladies in our family and thought what better way than a whole bunch of pictures. We know that the call that took our family across the ocean separated you from some special people. So enjoy these.

To our moms: We know that you have endured many days that you may have felt unappreciated. Know that today you and the many sacrifices you made on our part are very much appreciated. I pray that God will give me the same patience and endurance and careful instructing in the word that you both passed on to us. We love you both so very much.

To my Grandmas: The loving legacy you passed on to my parents and then on to me will continue on for generations to come. The songs you sang and the stories you told are treasured in my heart for always. I pray that God gives me at least of fraction of your grace and beauty.

To my sisters-in-law: I know you didn't choose me, but I am so glad that God chose you and put you into the lives of my kids. It is nice to that God gave you special ladies as Aunties to my kids.

To my precious sister: I love you so much and miss you today. I thank God that he gave my adorable neice and nephew such a good mommy. Know that you are in my heart and thoughts today and always.

To all of you special ladies that are aunts to my kids by calling, not by blood: We are so glad that God has placed you in our lives as an added blessing and bonus to the wonderful family we have that is so far away. Thank you for the time you take to love our kids!

May God bless you moms tomorrow!

Love,
Heather

Pictures

2010-05-08T13:20:00.000-07:00

Just some more shots I thought you might like.

Heather

Babysitting African Style

2010-05-08T13:19:00.001-07:00

This little five year old loves taking care of her little sister while Mom gets things done around the house.

Pictures, Pictures, Pictures

2010-05-08T13:15:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures I thought you might like.

Heather

May is Here

2010-05-05T09:30:00.001-07:00

It is May already! Our baby is 7 months old. Caleb and Karis are looking and hoping for the end of school. Keep watching kiddos! We have volunteers on their way and the rains have come!

Everything is happening so fast right now that the days/weeks just slip by. Rainy season seems to have made its appearance. The road in front of our house fills with water when the rains begin and stays that way until long after the rains are gone. We lovingly refer to it as the little lagoon! Mike calls it our "pool", but I don't like to even joke about that. Let's just say that safe sewage disposal is not always a reality in Africa.

We have some new groups started and we are just waiting and watching to see how those will go. We really see the parable of the seeds that were sewn in the different soils as we start these groups. We are praying for fertile ground.

For those that have been wondering, I finished my language requirements last month. I'm not going to say I am done learning, as I want to continue.

Benjamin is seven months old now. He is getting to be more fun as we see his big personality emerge. I am worried that we may be in for a rough ride. He's got too many big people in his life that love the stuffin's out of him. I am afraid he might be a little rotten already. He's learned well how to voice his opinion on who he wants to be with. He can stretch out little baby hands in acceptance or turn his face away and hide. He's crawling, but not satisfied with that. He thinks he should be able to run and play with big brother and sister. He's pulling up on things already wishing and hoping to head off and play. He loves to eat and NOBODY gets to put something in their mouth without finding something he can eat to. He's got me on a no wheat, no dairy, no eggs, no nuts diet trying to find the source of his fussiness. That has definitely gotten better the last couple of weeks, so maybe it's working. I think I am fussy now, so how do we get this to work out right.

Caleb tried to knock a new whole in his head this last month. He was climbing, imagine that, and fell and hit his head on a concrete stepping stone. I was in the house right beside where he fell and ran out right away as the fall sounded bad. I arrive a few seconds after the event to find so much blood I can't even imagine where the source is. A few towels later and a hectic taxi ride to the clinic just to find that he knocked a little, yet deep, gash that didn't even require a stitch. I think they probably would have given him one in the states just to make mom feel less stupid. I have to say that when I saw all of the blood that fast, I tried to think how much would it take before he'd lose conscientiousness and was afraid to try to find the source as I didn't want to see by child's brain leaking out!!! Please stop laughing at me, this was traumatic!

Karis is just up to her usual antics. Fortunately enough, she doesn't do too many things that could cause her brains to leak out! She'll be finishing up ballet in the next few weeks or so and having her annual recital. She's fussing right now about how "hard" ballet is, but after her evening in the lime light I expect she'll be all aglow like last year!

We are looking forward to a big month of May. We have volunteers from our great home church on the way in less than two weeks. That will keep us very busy for a while. Then of course there is our regular work and Caleb's birthday at the end of the month.

I hope this finds you all well. May God bless your work wherever you are reading from. Think about a trip to Abidjan, it's a great place to be.

With love,
Heather

Benjamin is 6 months old

2010-04-08T03:36:00.000-07:00

Hi, Mom! I have NO idea why Caleb is screaming!!!

This has been a big month for Benjamin. He's pretty much mastered sitting, which was slowed way down as he doesn't wish to sit, he wants to crawl and run and jump! He's tried apples and green beans and a few other things, but he prefers those. He's baby babbling. He's riding on my back or the back of my friend without so much fuss. Around here, your baby just has to ride! And he's worming himself further into the hearts of all that know him. Current greetings from all now consist of "How are you? How is Benjamin?" and on the rare occasion he's not with me, "WHERE is he?"

There was a presentation at church for Benjamin. Babies are presented here much like we do dedications, but they are a bigger event here as all other religions have some sort of celebration around the birth/naming of a baby. Muslims have a feast on the eighth day where they kill a sheep and feast with family and friends as they announce for the first time the name of the baby. Catholics have infant baptism after which they also have a feast. So as Benjamin was presented, it is customary for everyone to bring soap to the baby. Benjamin received a bucket load of soap from people at church to welcome him to the world. It is quite humbling to see these people giving out of their extreme poverty and a reminder that God calls us all to give cheerfully. May our hands be open towards those in need. Also a reminder that we should be willing to do without all of the frills so that we can be able to help those in need.

Sending our love as always,
Heather

Kid Pix

2010-04-08T03:23:00.000-07:00

Some of you may wonder why in the world we post so many kid pictures instead of ministry pictures. First of all, the grandparents grudgingly let us haul the grandkids half way around the world with threats that if we didn't keep them updated, they would personally come over here and take us behind the barn, so to speak. Secondly, in this culture there are many people glad to see the camera come out, but there are also many that are irritated or even angry to have a photo taken. There are beliefs about soul stealing and things like that. Third, the kids are just cuter than their Mom and Dad.

When It Rains, It Pours

2010-03-21T13:02:00.000-07:00

...And that is exactly what it is doing here at nights already. Normally we don't move on into the rainy season for another couple of months, at least from our experience, but we are getting hard rains early. Don't worry though, it's still hot as blue blazes during the day. :) We did get some fun word that possibly the regular power outages are finished. We'll see, but that is definitely not one of those things that I will grieve its passing!!!

I am however already beginning to grieve what will be the parting of my close friend to Burkina next month. I've mentioned her frequently, but only those that have been here know how big a part of my everyday that she is. Now let's just rewind a few years and see how perspective changes. Not all that many years ago, I barely knew anything about Muslims. Just before we left the states, our church went through the 30 days of prayer and fastings with an emphasis on Muslims. Through that I got a small taste and begin to have a heart for those striving so hard, but living without a real relationship with their Creator. Then God, in all his infinite wisdom, brought me to a city where a very large chunk of the people follow Islam. What is so very, very hard to watch is that some of them are so very religious, putting forth serious effort to do enough to please the most High, while totally missing the fact that WE can never DO enough. I began to have my eyes opened to the importance of me sharing at every opportunity, but also praying earnestly for the Spirit's work, because it is the work of the Father to draw the heart. This in no way releases me from my responsibility to "always be prepared" and to strive to stand before the throne innocent of the blood of those who reject truth. But even yet, God would continue to work in my heart anew. I would still at that point pray for nameless, faceless Muslims. Now there are names and faces woven into my prayers, and very especially the name Agira. I've lived most of my life with barely any friends that don't at least confess to believe in the name of Jesus. Now I know what many of you have known for a long time and that is what it feels like to care so deeply for someone that means so much to you, but can't see and understand the vital, simple truth that would set them free. Now this friend, that has heard SO MANY stories will be moving out of my reach, praise be to God that she won't be out of His. I'll still keep in touch with her, hopefully I'll see her as often as I can, but that will be a two day journey each way, and I'll pray for her until she believes. She will continue to be a reminder of the importance of the call to leave the comforts of home. God loves her infinitely more than I do, and I feel privileged to be an ambassador for Christ with the hopes and prayers that she and others can be forever free from the bondage of sin and darkness.

Another hard thing of being here is looking into the eyes of the sick and dieing. Yesterday I prayed for a baby that is only a few months old. I really don't even have a clue what is wrong with this little one, but I know that without the miraculous touch of the Savior, he'll not live much longer. His mom is a Muslim woman that sits near an older Catholic lady I story to. She has never wanted to listen to the story, begging off on the pretense that her French isn't good enough, which may be true. She's accepted my prayers on many occasions as I've asked her if I could pray for her. Mike and I went by her house after the birth of this baby and prayed for him as we do all newborns. Yesterday, she asked that as soon as I had time, could I please pray for her baby. I haven't seen him since he was born and I looked around into lifeless eyes. He had sticks where plump little arms and legs should have been. I prayed for this little one with all that I've got, not with shouts and demands, but from a broken heart. I can't tell you that I got a feeling that all will turn out well with this baby. I prayed for courage for his mom as well as his ultimate healing. What I do know is that for him to make it will be an undeniable miracle, but I also know that sometimes walking through the difficulties is what brings us to our knees. Please join me as I pray for this little one and his mom.

On a lighter note, but to add insult to injury, sadly Mike has finished his second language before me! He passed his test today. I don't know if you remember or not, but we chose different languages to help break into the diversity of the city. AND, not that I'm making excuses but, everybody says that Moore is the harder choice, just sayin'. I haven't yet taken my test. I don't feel like I am quite where I want to be and so will hold off a little longer before attempting to move on. Saying goodbye to learning this language will likely come in conjunction to me saying goodbye to my favorite Moore speaker as I mentioned earlier and that may be some of my hesitation as well. I do know that as God finishes chapters in the story of our lives, new chapters begin. So hopefully I will be telling you soon with joy and sadness that I too have achieved my required Moore level. So congrats to Mike and HIT THE STREETS (because hitting the books is not what I need at this point) to me! I have to just talk, talk, talk, talk, talk now until this comes.

So, here's me wearing my heart on my sleeve. I hope my senseless ramblings have touched your hearts because that's why I write. We see that the harvest is ripe and we need to pray to the Lord of the harvest for workers for the field whether that is PRAYers, GIVErs, GOers, ENCOURAGErs or whatever God calls you to. You know you can do more than one of those too! ;) Go, go, go, go, come, come, come...

Love you a lot,
Heather
P.S. I promise I'll get Benjamin and the gang pictures back up soon!

New Name

2010-03-13T13:03:00.000-08:00

First Food

See that hair Nana!

For those of you that have followed the Blog for quite some time, you will remember that when we first got to Africa, I was sad because my name is to difficult for our friends and neighbors to say, so I went nameless for a while. In February of '08 I got my first African name, Esther. That has been my most used name, although I've accumulated quite a collection Mariam, Awa, Fatimata and many others, but there is a quite persistent new name that I have now. I am BenjaminMa. Calling a women by her firstborn's name is very common here, but my first and second born children have names that are also difficult. To add to that, they don't walk with me out in the community a lot and so not everyone knows them as well as myself. I enjoy being out walking in the heat, go figure! However, EVERYONE knows Benjamin. So I am wearing proudly my new name and hope that by some miracle when we go stateside in November, I will remember to respond to my given name!!!

I would ask that you all remember my friend Agira for the next little while. She is expecting her 5th child in September, which will hasten her departure from Abidjan. I don't really know when yet, but fear she'll be moving back to Burkina in just a few short months. She's been very sick this week with asthma, and I was very worried for a few days, but she's on the mend now. Just pray that Father draws her heart and she will see and believe the Truth. Pray too that I am sensitive to the Spirit's leading as I want so badly for her to believe.

My love to all,
Heather

The Lights are Out, the Party's Over

2010-03-13T12:49:00.000-08:00

We've been experiencing intermittent power outages for the last 6 weeks or so. It usually isn't more than four times a week, but it is usually all day, or all night, when it happens. To beat the heat, Benjamin likes to strip down and soak in a cold sink of water around noon. I wish I was still that little!

I do wish you would pray for the people of Abidjan. Many people make a meager living by selling frozen juice or sewing or many other things that require electricity. These days really hurt them. This has also led to a city wide water shortage which is very difficult for those that don't have enough money to go buy water on days when there is not enough to drink.

With Love,
Heather