Fruits of our Labor

Who knew workbooks could be so much...work?  We made about 50 of these puppies for our English classes (which are going great by the way).  Whew.

They sure are pretty, though, aren't they?

Speaking of pretty, look at those bathing beauties!  Our recent sunset hot dog roast at the beach found us playing at our new favorite spot, tide pool included.

Yeah, we were there too.  Love this place.  (Hate the sweat)

 

Please continue to pray for our relationships at home, work and play.  Pray every day is a purposeful step down the path we've been called to.

Up and Running!

Both the car and our second set of Adult Education Classes!  Justin got home Sunday, found the problem with the car and was able to fix it on Monday!  Praise God and thank you for praying!  It was some main fuse right off the battery that needed to be soldered back to functionality.  Cool.  I've learned a lot.

As for the school, we opened up again yesterday with 2 classes in English: a beginner and an intermediate.  Both went great!  There is some tension or awkwardness with having male and female mixtures in the class, but we decided that those who knew a fair bit of English should not have to start over with "Hi, my name is" just because they were female.  So there it is.

Please pray for us and the students involved.  Pray that all would learn well and we would teach well.  That above all, we would be like stars shining in the heavens, that those who see us would see Him.

 

 

 

 

 Say "Goodbye" to Squeakers.  This little lady (guinea fowl) squeaked from 6am to 10pm, every day.  We hoped that she would get used to the place and pipe down. She did not.  So, we gave her to the neighbors who had some guinea fowl too, hoping the friends would help.  Today, we could hear her from across the street!  Crazy bird!

Saturday

FOR IMPORTANT PART, SKIP TO THE LAST PARAGRAPH

 

I'm on a work computer, so forgive my lack of pictures.  Justin is on Big Island getting some work done and for the first time ever...the girls are playing at the neighbors house.  All of them!

 

Our neighbor across the way just got remarried (after dismissing his wife of 25 years or so, so sad).  The new wife brought with her...a 10 year old, delightful girl (the only other girls in the area are about 3)!  They are from the biggest city here, so Aisha knows a smattering of English.  Hunter is working hard to use her Swahili and Avery is busting out with the cutest Kenyan accented English!  I'm so proud of them for stepping out with bravery!

 

Unfortunately for Aisha, Little Bit is the least shy and would NOT let her sisters go play without her.  But one girl's pain is another mama's pleasure!  I'm home alone!  I am sitting looking out my door at their's, but I'm alone.

 

OK, PRAYER REQUEST:

2 years ago we were blessed with an amazing car.  It has done us well through rough roads, flooded roads, clamboring children, speedy husband and occasionally absentminded wife.  Well, the battery has been on its last leg, so before heading off the island, Justin bought a new one.  Just in case. 

Sure enough, day 2, it dies.  Me, being the toilet fixing, drain unclogging, adventurous woman that I am decide to put the new one in myself.  Nicely enough, someone put red tape around one of the attaching cables.  So I hooked that one up to the red capped side.  I pop the other side down (ignoring the sparks with the hope that that simply means this battery is good) and....chug, chug, chug, nothing.

 

After some phone calls with Justin, we get the battery in right (apparently I should check the signs, not the color of patching tape) and a few fuses changed and....it cranked!  I was whooping and dancing a little bit.  Then we climbed in to venture out.  No gauges worked.  The air won't turn on.  The windows won't roll down.  The clock won't even show.

 

More phone calls back and forth.  Remember, this is Africa so this little story is now spread over 3 days.  After checking all the fuses, it appears the only other thing we can think of is:

 

I blew the electrical system out on the entire car.  This is a very big deal.  A get-a-new-car-and-scrap-the-old-one kind of big deal.  A thousands of dollars big deal.  But it is not a bigger deal than our BIG, BIG GOD!  So, I am asking you to pray with me right now that the BIG GOD of the universe would fix this problem.  Pray HE would guide us to a fixable problem and help us fix the car.  That's all for now.  Thank you.  I rejoice through my angst that I am not alone...I have YOU and we have HIM!

Goodbye to Grandad

 

We have had an amazing two weeks with Grandad! It was such a blessing and encouragement to us to have him here.  

 

 

To be able to share him with our friends here and introduce him to what our lives are like here.

 

 

To partake in daily life together while touching and being touched by the special people that surround us here. To be a part of our community.

 

 

To make new friends and experience new customs. He did a pretty good job at teaching a few American customs as well.

 

 

To love on his kids and grand kids and make special memories for all of us. We are so thankful for the visit and those who made it possible for him to make the trip. We love you Grandad and hope you enjoy your safari and have a safe travel home!

 

New Adventures for Grandad

 

We have been having so much fun this past week playing with Grandad and showing him around the island. We have even gotten him to doing some stuff he isn't used to. Braelyn's favorite activity here is riding the piki piki (Motorcycle) so Grandad got to cruise around the island on two wheels.

 

 

An activity that he probably isn't used to but did over and over again here for us is the dishes. No machine to help out so it is long and hard. Grandad was always happy and willing to lend a hand to help out where he could.

 

There are sand banks like this around our island. This one is about 2 miles offshore and is beautiful. At high tide is disappears but at low tide, there is lots of sand and great coral to snorkel around. As we were taking in the beauty of the water around us, Grandad made a spectacular entrance off the boat face first in the water. Thankfully was not hurt and we all had a good laugh at his expense.

 

 

Grandad also got to spend time holding and playing with this cute little boy who is the only person from this island named Justin. One of our best friends here decided to name their son after Justin and we have become very attached to him. He is always full of smiles and laughs and we can't wait to see him grow up.

 

 

And of course Grandad wouldn't be Grandad if he didn't get half of the island rubbing their hands together every time he saw them. Justin is hopping the people here have short term memories and don't continue this greeting ritual when Grandad leaves. Regardless it has been special having him here with us!

 

Fishing Trip

 

The boys decided to go out on a fishing adventure yesterday out in the Indian Ocean. Fishing is a little different here than most places. Trolling is done with a sail instead of motor. The boat itself is a dhow which is made out of mango wood and ropes....no metal or fiberglass and just like the traders from Arabia used when they came down the African coast centuries ago.

Our best friends from Kenya are here visiting while elections are going on there. It has been so nice having them around to share in the fun. Grandad, Justin and Josh caught 11 red snapper and 4 sharks on the fishing trip.

 



Justin had a great time introducing his dad to fishing in the Indian Ocean. They even did some fishing the local way and caught a red snapper in 400 feet of water on a hand line without a rod or reel. There were dolphins and sea turtles swimming around and the bluest water we have ever seen.

 



 

The kids were all excited with the catch and helped with cleaning and getting dinner ready. Josh and Maggie brought supplies to make sushi with them so we had one huge feast.

 

We picked up an octopus and made a bunch of yummy food....octopus sushi, snapper sushi, octopus and snapper sushi and of course fried snapper. I think we had more fun eating the fish than catching it!

More Adventures!

 I don't know if Grandad knew exactly all the adventures he was going to be getting into with life on the island. We have been without water for the past two weeks so bucket baths outside is how we bathe. Grandad has been great at rolling with the punches no matter if it is no electricity or no water or loud guinea fowl outside his window.

The adventures have not all been bad things.  Justin was also able to take his dad out scuba diving one day and the reefs here are near perfect. They got to see lots of fish, eels, lobster, and beautiful coral.

It has been lots of fun having grandad here to join us in new adventures and sharing life with us and our friends. Wonderful memories are being made and we are so thankful his time with us.