Random Picture-less Thoughts From Africa

• I turned 38 last week, thus starting my 39th chapter of life.  But my header picture is on my dead computer and I cannot alter it. So, let's pretent I didn't turn another year older after all.  That game sounds like so.much.fun. 
• This was my SECOND birthday in Africa.  Two years ago I was in Sierra Leone!
• My African hair dryer is a taxi ride. I like window seats.
• On Sunday I wore make-up for the first time in over 2 months.
• I now LIKE daylight savings time. I never did in the States but now I am only 5 hours ahead of my family and friends instead of 6.
• Newcomer lesson #290744:  Do not drink coffee in the morning before going somewhere.  There are no public restrooms. I repeat. NO public restrooms.  I am forced to hold it or use the great outdoors like everyone else.  Not a problem except for the fact that I have no idea where the secret bathroom spots are. One day out of desperation I stopped at the US Embassy to use the bathroom.  Seriously.
• Even in Africa some things don't change. This past weekend we visited a friend's church. As we sat down one of my kids whispered to me and I realized they hadn't brushed their teeth. I took a poll down the row and found 1 out of 4 who actually brushed.  Feels like America.
• Jake-ism - "Mom is really generous. I think that's why God created Dad to offset her." :) Eric was standing beside me at the sink when Jake said it.  He laughed.
• I wore a skirt today to lunch with my bible study friends. We were celebrating March birthdays. What I forgot is that we pile into a boxy Land Cruiser with bench seats in the back. I opened the back doors and proceeded to flash everyone in the street trying to get out. Nice.
• The kids are working on a promotional video entitled: Please visit us in Africa. It is quite humorous. You won't want to miss this...if we can find the bandwith to upload it.
• J. Tobias Buller (aka Jake) has been preparing since November to publish his first e-book as a fundraiser.  Watch for it to come out soon!
• I have some cool pictures to blog.
• One of my new friends said today, "Ha. You're snorting." Um, yeah.  I do that. Can't help it.
• It is really hot.  I think this is the hottest time of the year.  The sun is sultry.  We have to be very intentional about drinking plenty of water.  Eric fought a UTI or something last week. It could've been caused by a kidney stone, which was probably from dehydration.  Stink.
• I just watched the evening entertainment of African boys acrobatics. Hilarious.
• I love African children. The end.

They're digging a well!

Our security guards are digging a well for us!  Actually, we hired out the job to a guy in our neighborhood who ended up being crooked and using junky materials. So our security guards came to the rescue and dug a real well.

Wait! A neighborhood boy needs a haircut.  Aloysius (pronounced A-lush-us) takes care of it.

This neighborhood boy's name is Sence. (Sense-A) He was sick for a couple of weeks and came daily for us to love on him and nurse him back to health. When he was well I asked him why he wasn't back in school.  He said he needed a haircut to go back to school. (Now I'm fully aware of the fact that this was probably not full truth...) But I am all for taking away any barrier my neighborhood kids have in going to school.  I don't believe in just giving out money.  I do believe in helping with our hands and feet...or should I say Aloysius's.  :)

That's a razor blade and comb they use.  I was so glad Aloysius's hand didn't slip.

Back to crawling down homemade ladders to dig.