It's hot season. That means it's hot.

Not sure the temperature outside actually, but inside, under the tin roof I've been seeing over 100 degrees by mid afternoon. The inside doesn't cool off much unfortunately even after dark. We're really looking forward to rainy season...

During this last dry season we had a little improvements made on our house. Pastor Samiel had to make a whole new 'porch' for us and then added to it so we could keep the truck under a shade too. Also, without much in the way of electricity for fans to run off of, sleeping inside is simply... uncomfortable and sweaty. We've been putting up tents in the yard every night to sleep. The air cools off a good bit still at night and we're almost cold by morning, allowing us some decent hours of sleep before the sun comes up. However, it means we are still up and taking down the tents by 6 am since the neighbors are out and about by then and I just can't sleep comfortably with them walking around us. Hot season is so tiring...

The Most Awesome Non-Birthday EVER!!!!

So this year for my birthday... my most amazing teammate (pictured above with, yes, a boa on her head-- apparently the zoo lives across from the Rachels...) put together a SWEET birthday-non-birthday celebration for me (it wasn't actually my birthday yet). And here's a little of what went on...

First, my supervisor and one of the other girls took me golfing at what might be the best golf course in all of West Africa, located right here in our very own capital city. I got to wear PANTS in PUBLIC!!!! It was great. And I have missed getting to golf.

I have golfed many times in my life, but never, ever have I had a caddie. So, here in Africa, I experienced my first golfing with a caddie. He even knew the game and was giving me tips and correcting my swing in Bambara. We had a great time just getting away from work for a little bit.

THEN... all the girls showed up at the hotel/golf course and through me a surprize birthday party. Ballons. Cake. Possibly the best pizza I've eaten in Africa. and for my presents? a Dr. Pepper (NOT easy to come by over here). a CD of my favorite African rapper. and the Amazing Book of Spam. (me and Reaiah have totally embraced this marvel of modern cuisine as an acceptable addition to our meal options here and it totally grosses our boss out, so she mocks us frequently over it-- however, what she doesn't know is that the makers of Spam are quite witty and leave all sorts of little quips written on thier product. And now I have a whole book full of their incredible humor!)

Some of my friends getting their first glimpse into the awesomeness that is Spam. And loving it.

But that night they beat it all with this! I must explain. First, me and Reaiah have been talking about wanting one of these shirts since we got to Africa and started seeing them around advertising the local cell company. Second, I should tell you that a few months ago, after listening to our supervisor talk about how much she loved these certain signs in the market that advertised for the places selling fresh fish (I won't explain her attraction to it, just know that it was.), a few of us decided we would try to buy it from the shop that owned it. They tell us everything is for sale in Africa, so we thought we would test it. It took some work, but sure enough, the second guy we talked to let us buy the sign for his fish business. Since that day we have debated amongst ourselves if we could convince someone on the street to sell us something off of their person. A t-shirt from our hometown or alma mater. A pair of shades, whatever. Until finally, that theory was also tested. On the day we celebrated my birthday the girls passed a kid selling phone cards on the street wearing none other than the black 'Orange' shirt we had been coveting for two years now. Once he figured out they wanted the shirt and not the cards he was selling, he pulled it off and handed it over. They washed it before presenting it to me that night, but I didn't care anyways, because I think this might be the coolest thing anyone has ever given to me. And I realize that that probably makes no sense to most of you reading this.

Camping retreat with the girls outside of our village. Yeah, I said camping.

Natural bridge. Cool view over the town. Stinkin hard to get up there. But we did it. And it was AWESOME.

Told you we were camping out there. My favorite spot, near the waterfall. It was pretty chilly, but we had enough blankets to keep warm and some sweet hot chocolate off the fire.

You can't see him, but I'm holding our friend Curious George. He has had many adventures with us in the last year and we didn't want him to miss out on the camping trip.

Once again enjoying the sweet waterhole. diving from the rocks in to the FREEZING water.

Some photos of Christmas in our town

Our friends Jenny and Nantene (from Andrew's village) helping cook the Christmas lunch

Pastor Samiel, his little one Asa, boys Solo and Abel, girls Masara and Miriama. In front, his wife Ruti and sister Jane.

Our family of believers: Front left- Andrew, OldWoman, Pastor, his wife Ruti and their girls.
Top left- visitor from another town, Rachel P, 'Mighty Mouse', Jane, another visitor, Reaiah, me, Rachel C

Rachels were staying with us for the week and a few of our normal believers were not there for the photo.

I have my hair braided. With extentions. It does not feel good and I am thankful that this not required of me to inflict on myself on a more regular basis. But I'm not really angry in this picture. or bitter. I promise.

All of us girls, along with Pastor's wife, Ruti, had matching outfits made, had our hair done in the same style, and dyed our feet with henna. This is what happens after the first application. It requires two, which means two nights of sleeping with your feet caked in mud, wrapped in plastic sacks. Then you put on some really strong smelling stuff that turns it black. They love it here. 'It's pretty.' I just think its amusing. And way more trouble than I have ever gone to to get dressed up for any other event in my life. I mean, what else says "Merry Christmas" than big clothes, fancy hair and black feet, right?

Deep in the Jungles of Southern Guinea...

Now THIS is what I thought Africa should look like. Great isn't it! No lions, though. As far as I know.

So on our trip to help the new girls get set up we were also fortunately and blessed to be able to travel WAY out into NOWHERE (even more nowhere than Timbuktu, ok!) and meet some amazing followers of Jesus tucked quietly away in the hills of Guinea. We prayed for one another and shared with each other a song in our languages of praise to God. This is one of the views along the road. Gorgeous mountains they have there... After randomly stopping in the village where we found the believers, they were so excited and honored by our visit that they proceeded to load up our truck with gifts. Because we couldn't stay and eat dinner with them (it was getting dark and had to find our way home), which is the African way, they sent us off with a small thing of rice, some bananas and oranges, plantains, and, oh yes, a live chicken. Your complete meal, on wheels, my friends. We were so humbled by their gifts and unable to politely refuse that I almost cried. Our poor little feathered friend had to ride a REALLY long way on a bad road cramped in the back of the SUV with two of us.

So they have monkeys there in Guinea. We don't have monkeys. So, we, of course, had to go looking for them one day. It was a mean hike, but we found some with the help of the local guide. Wore us out, but it was totally worth it. They really DO do the crazy screaming thing when they get excited. It will scare the mess out of you too.

Here's one of our little guys. He's not really little at all, but way the heck up there. We felt we had a special bond with the poor things as so much of our lives are now spent with a crowd of odd onlookers just watching us sit there, or eat, or swing through the trees... They even showed off for us and peed from way up there, almost hitting us who were watching from below. Could've been their way of saying 'buzz off already...' but who knows. They are monkeys. I can't read their minds.

Our escapade into Guinea (neighboring country)!

Helping the newbies get settled into their new house and showing off some mad water-carrying skills.

In Africa we often feel like we are on display for the locals to stare at 24/7. Sitting inside their house we are mocking ourselves by pretending to be 'American barbies' inside our little doll house as the neighborhood kids stare at us through the open windows.

This, my friends, is a beesh. Have YOU ever heard of a beesh?!?! Ya, I thought not. Well, we had a wild one wander up to us at the place we stayed the night. He was friendly and let us pet him.

Hey look pictures!!! Been a while, eh?

Reaiah and Pastor's youngest daughter Asa. She's a mess. But really cute.

Me and the Guinea girls on a recent trip out to our waterfalls on the other side of our mountains. Water was REAL cold (it's winter here...) but I couldn't resist getting in. Once you numbed to it, it really wasn't that bad.

Reaiah sitting on a cliff overlooking our little waterfall and swimming hole. I love this place. Wish it was closer and easier to get to.

This was our 'day off' when we had the new girls all out for their village orientation. After a few days in the village for the first time, who couldn't use a nice afternoon chilling by the isolated and quiet falls.

random glimpses of my life

one night in the village at a friends and no mosquito net... left me with feet literally covered in bites. (can you see all the red spots on me?)
on our hike up the hills, the view of the village and surrounding countryside from the cliff. Did I mention that I LOVE it up here?
me and our 'goldfish' who stayed with us for a week, enjoying the view and freaking out our friends by sitting too close to the edge.
This my friends is a good ole fashioned homecooked meal, straight from the bush: chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes, biscuits and gravy, topped off with some delicious Chicken Express serendipity (thanks to my sister). I have to introduce my teammate to SOME southern country food, don't I?

just me chillin
the is me, Reaiah, the 'goldfish' and most of the Pastor's family one night. Us and our kids. This is Ruti, Pastor Samiel's wife. She's braiding one of her daughter's hair
Doing the laundry... folding up the clothes and balancing them on my head carefully while I gather the rest. It's tricky. You should try it sometime.

A little hike up the hills...

i love climbing. even in a skirt, if i have to.
one of the views from the top of our cliffs.
this is one of the hills we climbed. there is a natural bridge. its amazing.

we're working on a story with Andrew.
a friend is teaching our little girls to draw pictures in the dirt
the hills outside our town, beautiful huh? but an exhausting hike.
at the top there is a cave, we went climbing the other day with a friend

Other important aspects of our new crib...

Our house is basically sitting in the middle of a corn field. In another month we won't see much outside of this window in our living room besides tall, green stalks.
This is looking out the side of our yard. Our village sits in front of a beautiful range of rocky hills and cliffs. I'll try to get some good pictures of those for you the next time we go hiking around.
and this! THIS is our very own, brand new bathroom. We have it all to ourselves with seperate 'potty room' and shower room. We're quite excited about it. I'm sure you would be too.
this is looking out the door of our shower room (no not a real shower, but a whole little room where we can bathe). It has a lock and a door!!! Moving up!

around the house

the kitchen hut and office room are actually seperate from the other hut. but our clever electrician who set up the solar power thought to give us a light bulb inside so we won't have to use our flashlights to cook at night now. inside the kitchen we have a gas stove/oven to cook with. it's very handy. if we ever actually go to the trouble to cook...
inside the kitchen hut, our pantry. beautiful isn't it? Notice (if you can) we are sufficiently stocked for the time being with plenty of pasta sides, club crackers, instant oatmeal, cereals from the great USofA, peanut butter, and pringles. we also have quite a bit of packaged meats that we are greataful for. after 4 days in our new town, we've still hardly cooked an actual meal for all the 'premade' stuff we brought back with us from home. it's great, but our neighboring family, i think, is getting concerned that we don't actually cook anything to eat. she's brought us food at every meal.
next to the kitchen hut there is another room that we are using as our 'office'/storage room. our bikes, books, and extra cot for all you visitors we are expecting to come see us...
once again, inside the living room, the view from my room door looking across to Reaiah's room

inside our kitchen hut. we have a fridge that is still trying to figure out if it's going to work or not (run off of gas), and a few storage trunks to hold our pans and dishes, water filters on the table to get that extra clean drinking water...
and HERE is our water system. ya, we don't have running water, so we have this ingenious method of sending the neighborhood boys to the water pump to get water in 5 gallon jugs. we then empty the water into these 25 gallon barrels where we can retrieve water for bathing, cooking, cleaning, and keeping the filter's supply full. Kind of a long process for having water alway accessable, but at least its clean water, and its close. to go get the water a bucket at a time would mean a 10 minute walk to the closest good well, hoping not to spill it all before getting home.

inside the house...

Oh yes, that's right my friends... we have electricity! Only one normal plug to charge things off of and a few others to run some fans off of, but we are totally excited about it. More than we've ever had in a hut! here is the underworkings of our solar power system... the car batteries that are charged by the sun panels, then the power box which converts it to the right voltage for us to plug in and charge the computer or phone or whatever... pretty sweet isn't it! This contraption sits just inside our front door.
The second night in the house the first big rain of the season came (bringing with it a huge dust storm and nearly ripping our poor little house apart...). The next morning the whole house was covered in dirt. This is the top of my dresser after i removed some of the things that had been sitting on it during the night.
This is from out side the house, in the yard. You can see our solar panels attatched to the roof above my room (that's my window). The bathroom is to the left.
Reaiah is sitting underneath our porch washing our dishes that have been in storage while we were gone. They were nasty, so it took us a while to get them all ready to use. But this is how we wash dishes. Big buckets of water. Dry em in the sun. then shut them up inside a storage case so they won't just get covered in dust again.

this is inside my room. its kinda bare right now, and still being unpacked/organized, but it's mine. with a window!
the other side of my room
inside our living room. not much, but we don't spend much time inside anyway. it's too hot to stay inside a mud hut with a tin roof during the day... (we've been clocking it inside and out... temperatures in the high 90s during the day inside with almost no air circulation. at night it only goes down to mid 80s, still with no air-- we've been sleeping outside. SO much nicer.)

Ever wonder what they make mud huts out of?

At first guess, I would imagine 'mud' would make it into your answer. And that would be correct. The bricks are dug out of the ground, but once they are stacked into a hut, there are some finishing touches that must be made. That requires more than just mud.... Enter manure.

After making a suitable mixture of mud and manure (mixed by hand of course. literally), they take a handful of it and smear it across the mud bricks like a stucco. Last step? Wash thouroughly with good soap. You're gonna use that hand to eat later and unfortunatlely that smell will not have worn off yet. Also watch out entering the hut before the coating is sufficiently dried. But don't even kid yourself that your hut won't STINK for the next two or three nights. Sleep through it, that's all there is to do.

More delectableness from the kitchen hut

high quality white rice with 'green slime' sauce (shredded leaves of some unidentified green plant boiled with a touch of peanut butter and local seasonings). Once you get past the texture... actually not bad.
lesser quality (and therefore, more frequent) white rice with an oil and onion-based sauce poured over it. The funky green things are boiled mud-fish, our nearly-sole source of protein on a typical day. Top it off with a hot red pepper. Yum.
This--- is what the men do. They play with the tea. This is green tea, served very strong, and in varying degrees of very sweet. Three rounds. Everybody gets a shot. Greater height, more foam. More foam, more glory. Add in some mint leaves or lemongrass and it can be quite tasty.

Fine cuisine, my friends...

So here we have field corn charbroiled for a snack.
Me sipping at our breakfast porridge, 'purposeful lumps' as it has been so lovingly termed. It's basically flour balls cooked into soupy, mostly tasteless liquid. Sugar makes it so much better...
A version of couscous with an onion sauce poured on it that is quite delicious out here, as you can see, our sister scarfing it down for the camara.
The lady is grinding roasted peanuts into peanut butter. They add it to sauces for flavor. We are strange when we put it on bread...
And then a great shot of me (thanks Reaiah) shoveling in the rice and sauce a la Maninka style--just stick the whole hand in there. Keeps you from losing too much of it on the ground.

Let's try this again...

As my brother has pointed out, it's been a while since I put new pictures up there for those of you who check this way more often than I do. Thanks for continuing to check it. I'll try to do better and get some good pictures on here for you. Most of these are going to be ones that, if you have seen me in the last few weeks, then you've probably seen these too. Enjoy. (By the way, some of these are a little old...)

Some of our friends came over to celebrate Christmas with us. We had a great time. Spent some time with their wives and children (trying to help them cook the massive meal of rice and goat meat-- I know we bought goats!!! It was exciting). The men are helping each other prepare to tell the story of Jesus' Birth. It was a great Christmas for us.

I'm getting painted on for the biggest holiday of the year in Mali. We spent the day with our friend and her family.

This is Brother and me sitting inside our 'studio' that we have created in our house to do some of our final recordings for the stories. And Brother telling the story of Creation.

And Reaiah working on the tech side of our recording work.