New Things

I know it’s been a while…lets catch-up

Last trip as a journalist
Senegal was a blast at the end of January. It was warmer there than Nigeria, but I still walked around all day with a light jacket. The volunteers think I am crazy, they felt great! I was cold, of course. We had a great time and I got to hang out with some great people. I really do think I had the best job in the world.

Travel to places unknown
Experience new cultures
Meet interesting people
And hang with different IMB workers every month
Then tell everyone who will listen about it

In Senegal a group of second-generation Hispanic-Americans came out to see how their churches could be involved in missions. I really feel I laughed for a whole week. They were a great group and the people here loved them.

They were from all over the U.S.--Texas, D.C., New York City, Richmond, Va.

I hope they come again. West Africa needs more churches involved in the work.

(This is me eating Chee-bo gen, a great rice and fish meal)

I started my New Job as part of the West Africa Regional Media Team. I will now work on websites, training material, video, short stories, and helping missioanries in all their media needs. Right now, I am doing research to help prepare some training materials for volunteers, churches and missionaries. Interesting reading. Soon, I will know everything one would want to know about how to be a good volunteer and missionary. (Maybe I should already know this…oh, well!)

I will also get the chance to know the great city of Abidjan better.

It rained last night for the first time in over a month. That means rainy season is on its way. I will have to show you our street. It literally becomes a flowing river.

Two of our friends in the neighborhood have had babies this month. Neither told us they were pregnant. So, it came as quite a shock! That’s the way it goes here, because the baby might not survive. Madame Bambara looked like a healthy lady, quite large – a good thing here, and then when we got back from Nigeria, theirs a new baby in her house! JB, one of the mission guards, told us last week that his wife was pregnant and she had a little girl this weekend. These guys just love to keep us on our toes! Go to www.xanga.com/emilyinwestafrica to read about it.

I still don’t have a working computer. But, I am surviving and hope to get one in March. Why March, you might ask? Because…I am coming HOME! That’s right I have two weeks of vacation and I will be in the states March 8 – March 21. I look forward to seeing as many of you as I can!

And just for your enjoyment: Emily and I modeling our Christmas gifts from our friend Louis! Don't you wish you had one just like it?!?