Family Visit

Here are some pictures from the time that my Mom and Sister came to visit.  They had a good time, despite the heat.  We showed them the sights, gave them African names (Aiwa and Daba). They bartered, walked and generally experienced Africa.  My Mom struggled with the "throng of humanity" - just the fact that there are so many people on the roads/streets all of the time.  Any time you are on the street, there are people walking about.  When they arrived, we headed off for some fun to the resort area Saly.  We stayed at a nice hotel and just relaxed, swam and ate fancy French food.  They experienced the French with their itty bitty bathing suits - both guys and girls!  We went to Bandia game park and saw a few animals.  The park had lots of grass so a lot of the animals were hidden.  But we got up close and personal with the rhino and giraffe.  We actually got out of the truck and walked near them.  They experienced some time at the school as well - they ate with the guys in the dorm, went to Faith's class, watched Zach's soccer game and watched him practice his trumpet at band practice.  All in all, I think they had a great visit.  We will miss them very much!

Family Visit

Harvest Fest

Last week the school held their annual Harvest Fest - the theme was the Outback Down Under. The kids had a great time - the boys participated in the Amazing Race.

Crazy week

We had an interesting week last week with injuries, illnesses and weather. First Ron has been battling his kidney stones again. He spent several days in the past 2 weeks miserable in the bed waiting for the stone to pass. It still has not passed, but seems to be at bay for the moment. Then on top of that he had a stomach issue for several days. He was not able to keep anything in him and he was lethargic and miserable. Then on Saturday night, I was trying to be the cool dorm mom and play soccer with the kids. I was in the goal and a boy took a shot on me and it hit my finger weird and completely dislocated it. At the same time it started to rain - rainy season is over, so that was weird. It started to pour while we were organizing dorm coverage, who would watch our kids, etc. We head off to the hospital and when we were about 1/2 mile from the hospital our car breaks down. We could not find a taxi anywhere, we started walking. We get to the hospital, have an x-ray and confirm that it is dislocated. They call the orthaepedic surgeon. Ron has to walk back to the car to turn off the hazards. Within 5 minutes of him leaving, it starts pouring down rain. He has to stop in a door way with some guards and wait it out. While he was gone the surgeon comes and he sticks a giant needle into my pinky twice to numb it. When it was sufficiently dead, he pops it back into place. Thankfully Ron wasn't there! He sends me on my way and I go to wait for Ron. He shows up 20 minutes later. When we leave, we see only 1 taxi and he said he wouldn't take us to our neighborhood. So we walk and walk and walk. We finally found a taxi and paid an outrageous price, but soon found out why. There were accidents everywhere - standing water up to the door of the taxi and closed streets. We finally arrived home where all was safe and sound. So, I have to keep my finger splinted for 3 weeks and then see how it does. Hopefully I didn't tear any tendons. Ron continues to be on the mend, although we both have colds.

On more exciting news - my Mom and sister are coming on Saturday and we are taking our 3 day break. Everyone is very excited. Will post pictures!

Here are my nasty pinky pictures:

School Stuff

Here is a picture of Faith at the snack bar - this is a cool picture because she was okay ordering in French and getting exactly what she wanted. Pretty cool to see her branch out! Zach is on the intermediate soccer team. He is having fun! Here he is at the latest match against the other American school in Dakar.

This past week was spirit week and on Sunday, they did a Junior vs. Senior girls soccer game. Our boys got in on the action and routed for the Junior girls. They are with some of our juniors.

Faith routed for both!

School continues. We are halfway through this first semester with only 9 weeks until our Christmas break. Time is flying by. We have settled into a routine and are continuing to progress with our comfort in our job and improving with our language. Some days are better than others, but overall there are general improvements.

Pray for Ron as he has been dealing with kidney stones again. He will hopefully be able to pass them soon, for he is miserable! Love and miss you!

Goreé Island

Zach went to Goreé Island last week on a field trip with the 8th grade class. I was a chaperone. The island is rich in history. The island is the most famous tourist attraction in Senegal. One of the most frequently visited sites is the Maison des Esclaves (Slave House), a poignant reminder of Goreé's role as the center of West African slave trade. Built by the Dutch in 1776, the slave house has been preserved in its original state. The island was colonized in 1817. As with Manhattan Island, the Dutch bought the island from a local chief for a pittance. Goreé became a way station for Dutch ships plying the route between their forts on the Gold Coast (now Ghana) and the Indies. The Dutch gave the island its name, most probably for "Goeree" Island in Holland, or more fancifully - according to some - for its sheltered harbor, "Goode Reede" (good harbor). Goreé changed hands many times. The British took it from the Dutch; The Dutch then recaptured it, but had to give it up again to the French during French maritime expansion under Colbert. In 1802, by the terms of the Amiens peace agreement, the island became French and remained so until Senegalese independence in 1960.

Goreé was the principal entry point off the coast of Africa for slavers and merchantmen flying the French flag. Thousands of Africans passed through this island fortress on the continent's bulge. After the abolition of the slave trade in France in 1848, Goreé was an outpost for policing the seas. As its role in trade declined, it became a stepping off point for French colonization of the interior of West Africa.

Below are some pictures of the day.


The island is steeped in idol worship. Above is one of the many idols that they sacrifice things to.

Here is the ferry that we took to the island.

Upon leaving these boys encouraged us to throw money to them and they dive for it.

The sign above Zach's head says "cellule de recalcitrants" - it was the isolation cell.

This was a lookout, now it is a home. How would you like living there?

Zach sitting atop one of the cannons. This cannon was only fired once and it sank a ship that still lies at the bottom of the ocean. When we went scuba diving we explored the ship wreck.

Here is our guide by one of many cannons still on the island.

It was a fun day. The island has about 1,200 people that live there. There are no cars or bikes. It is heavily Muslim with a slight Catholic population. Pray that their eyes will be open as new ministries are trying to be started with a storying group.

A few pics

Here are some of the kids playing football on the field after a rain!

Here is Zach hanging out the van window!