Assinie

Our HandsOn team had their midterm retreat two weeks ago and I went a long. It was a great time of hanging out, relaxing and having fun.

We started off at the Crocodile farm.

I held a baby croc and a snake. You know the kind of snake that raps around you and squeeze. I also got to ride a turtle. All for fun!

Then a whole lot of swimming and sunning. I also had some really, really good times with Jesus. Just sitting and listening. Can never do enough of that...do some of it this weekend.

The Robertsons

Every pothole felt like the truck had hit a crater in the middle of the road. Pain went from my toes to neck. The constant shifting and pushing the clutch used muscle long forgotten.

But, it was all worth it.

Halfway down the sloping hill, surrounded by beautiful, pink azaleas bushes, the small home is almost the last one before the Ghana boarder in northern Cote d’Ivoire. It’s just right for IMB workers, Jerry and Carol.

For nine years they have worked to make this small village, known only because of the boarder crossing, their home.

Young children run through their yard, peak into their windows and doors at all the times of the day.
Young believers drop by to chat, neighbors come to use the only working telephone around, and you know someone has come to get water out of the back facet when the water inside doesn’t work.

The Robertsons just take it in stride. Today is just like every other day and it’ll be the same tomorrow.

They enjoy the lack of privacy, because it means the Nafana people accept them.

At one time the Roberstons never thought they’d be allowed to share the stories of Jesus. But after showing the Nafana that they were serious about learning the language and translating 130 Bible stories from French/English/Greek/Hebrew into Nafana, did the Nafana people truly understand the dept of what the Robertsons were willing to do for the Nafana people.

The long, tiring work of translation has paid off. God has called at least 14 Nafana people to him and they have shared the stories bring 40 more in different villages.

The Robertsons share the stories in three villages with men, women, chiefs, children, and teacher, anyone willing to hear and understand.

I, along with three new, short-term workers, spent four days with the Robertsons. Pray that they continue to have the strength and wisdom to translate Bible stories into the Nafana language.

The three new workers:

Jeslyn – writer

JJ – videographer

Joshua – photographer

African Dress

You know that thing called “irony?” It’s me in a skirt.

Well, it used to be.

I’ve never really had a “style.” Now I do – anything with a skirt. For years I never wore a skirt. During my younger years I had to wear one to school and after I transferred to a new school, I said never again. But, alas, God really does have a sense of humor. He sent me to a West Africa where every time I step out my door I had better have one on. That’s right–no pants, no shorts–just a skirt. I’m almost at 800 days of skirt wearing joy!

So, I’d thought I’d share with you my new style. Style: a mode of fashion, as in dress, esp. good or approved fashion; elegance; smartness. And let me tell you I am in style here.

Enjoy the following photos of me in some kind of skirt, panga (an African wrap skirt), or outfit.

(In Niger)

(with the Hausa)

(Christmas gifts)

(Sunday best)

(Cote d'Ivoire village)

(my desk at the new office)