September 22, 2012

     This week was definitely a little rougher.  The newness of school has worn off.  We had a few tears as our students are realizing that we do expect them to push themselves and work hard, that we aren’t just there to be their friends and have fun.  Abi also (who has been stellar up till now, happy to play with the centers and go back and forth between the classrooms) was more obnoxious, feeling more comfortable to be a nuisance and distract the students from their work.  She’s also attempted to run away from school a couple times—while we’re in the middle of our teaching she’ll make a break for it and can usually get half-way to the house before one of us sees her out of the window.  Finally I was feeling a little sick this week.  I think my tiredness finally caught up with me.  Mostly this is due to the kids coming in to our room during the middle of the night.  Since our yard is the main thoroughfare to our neighbor’s house, many people come and go right outside the kids’ windows, sometimes even until late at night, talking and shining their flashlights as they go.  Jen and I’s room is on the opposite side, right next to their patio, so it often sounds like they’re having conversations right in our bedroom. 

    And if it isn’t the neighbors or the kids waking us up, then it’s often the thunder storms.  We get hit with a good storm about two or three nights a week.  The rain drums on our roof, the wind howls through our curtains, and the thunder sends waves of fear through the water beds.  And if it isn’t the weather, the neighbors, or the kids, then it’s the little bats that fly around right outside our bedroom window.  We know they’re outside, but it sounds like they’re flying right over our heads with little squeaks that sound like mice.  All that to say that I haven’t been sleeping very well.

     This week we also had several emails warning us about various possible protests.  First it was the Muslims vs. Americans thing.  Then it was the political parties of Guinea protesting and fighting against each other.  We never saw any problems though and most of the action was based in the capital, about five hours away. 

     So that’s been our week.  I don’t want to sound pessimistic though, because so far we have been so blessed being here.  School has gone remarkably well.  As I mentioned, Abi for the most part has behaved really well, which is a huge answer to prayer, and everyone enjoys having her around. Nico and Isa particularly get a kick out of it when she runs out of the bathroom without any pants on, asking for mom and dad to help.  Also, despite some minor illnesses, God has protected our family and we’ve stayed very healthy.  I expected more stomach issues, adjusting to different foods and what not, but so far we have only had really mild problems.  And we’ve hardly seen any mosquitoes, though we continue to apply repellent as a precaution.

     Diana and Andres have also been super helpful and generous.  They keep expressing to us how grateful they are to have us, what a blessing it is to be able to have their language sessions in our house, etc…  We’ve tried encouraging them to let us know if they have any issues or problems with us, but so far they have only given us positive feedback.  They’ve also gone out of their way over and over again to show us around, take us shopping in the markets, make calls to people on our behalf, set up things in the house, and take charge of the house help while we’re at school. 

     Finally, we are super grateful for all the support we’ve received from friends and family.  We regularly get emails and notes indicating people are praying for us and miss us, and we’ve been very well provided for financially.

     We praise God for being with us here in Africa, and we continue to pray that He would open up the doors of opportunity to share and minister to the people around us, asking that He would do big things in our midst.  Amen!