bedbugs

Today's blog is just a little bit about my youngest daughter Sami, and her bedbugs. I know it is tough to see, but the picture on your right is of the bottom of her top bunk bed. Does that make sense? The little white spots are where she is having termites (of a sort anyway) come and eat away at her support braces. They literally come and start eating away at her bed and then dust falls on her bed and she knows that a bug has come. John sprays and then in a few hours the bug (bigger than you might think- like the size of a medium bee) drops down and kind of slowly dies.

The reason I tell you this is because I don't think I would have done this as a child. She came in the other night, pretty late, and told us that another big bug fell on her, but we shouldn't worry because she felt it on her arm so she threw it on her bed, smooshed it and then shoved it onto the floor. I just cracked up because she then proceeded to just go back to bed and fall asleep. This is a picture of her in her little "den". I would feel trapped by the netting with the bugs inside. It keeps the mosquitos out, but the bed bugs in.... ughhh......

I am grateful that she is a trooper with this because it has been going on for the last few months. However, today, John (and by John I mean Gus and Sami, hehehe) is fixing it by pulling a part her bunk bed and sealing the under braces so the bugs don't find her and eat away her bed. We praise God for the little advances we can make here!!

Lastly, tomorrow is Easter, and I cannot believe that it has been one year since I wrote my blog entry of "firsts" and now a year later, we have had lots of "seconds" and lots of routines and broken routines and just life happening. I will write more tomorrow on Easter. But, Christ has risen!! He has risen indeed!! Amen!!

team building

This weekend was a great time for team building. The whole first day with the students we went through a variety of exercises that caused them to think out of their box. This first one was called "Metro" and the picture below is called "Keypunch". We went through about five of them in total and they did well and actually came together as a team. Of course this is the idea, but it is nice to actually see it happen.

Team building ideas are one of my favorite things to do with groups because I get reminded every time the importance of a team. We all come to the table with gifts that can be offered to "better the team". It takes good leaders and good listeners. When you have that, you cannot lose, even if the results don't come out the way you had imagined. I have found that it is no easier on the leaders than it is on the followers. I use to think the followers must have it harder because they don't get their opinions out there, but I am coming to realize that it is really hard on the leaders because they are the responsible ones for the effects of the decisions made. I am also learning that it is not always easy to "come out of the closet" to lead. I don't know, I guess it is courageous to just play your role, in whatever it takes shape to look like.

I want to be a courageous leader and I want to be a humble follower in whatever role the Lord calls me to in the obedience of the given moment.

we are back

Hello everyone!! Happy last day of March. We have just returned back from serving at a retreat with the youth of a large ministry here in Jos. These were some of the students we were with over the last few days. It was first grade through 12th..... not an easy feat.It is always good to be back in your own home; however, we truly did enjoy creating new friendships, deepening existing friendships and serving in a way that John and I personally haven't in a long while. It was good to be with the youth again.

Since we have just returned. There is lots to do, so I will post again tomorrow. Have a great day.

a splash of color

Things here have been dull, color wise. But, in the last few weeks, in the midst of the heat and sun, there are some trees that have just become gorgeous. It is such a sweet reminder to me that there is always a splash of color in life, if you just look for it. You might not be able to see this color, but this tree is full of purple flowers.This tree is my favorite when I spot them, beautiful flaming red flowers that have a sweet smell to them.
This one below is so pretty. We planted three of these on our little compound. We will see if it all turns out down the road.
That is it for today. Just know that Africa might be the dry continent, but in the midst of it, there is beauty that cannot be replicated anywhere.

Hey also, an FYI, we are going to be traveling over the next few days, until next Wednesday. I don't know what our internet ability will be. SOOOOO, if you do not see any Africa posts it is because we weren't able to get online. We will try though. Until then, enjoy the end of March.

God Bless

fifteen years

Well, today is the day!! Fifteen years of marital bliss (okay, maybe not all of it, but still.....). I wish I had pictures in Africa or even on our computer of our first marriage picture. Truth be told, we don't look too different, but it still would have been fun to show.

So, below is the current house we are renting in Africa, fifteen years later. I still cannot believe we live here...

The next picture below is our house we owned in Elon, North Carolina, the last house we owned before being called into the mission field. Of course, most of you know it was Mexico we went first (that was anniversary ten)... I do miss this home. It was my favorite because of location. I loved our friends there, the creek by our house, the trees, no sidewalks, etc... I guess you could say we have downsized with each move.

And lastly, the oldest picture I could find of John and I was of just five years ago. So, here it is, sorry it is not fifteen years ago, but it is the best I could find. He and I were hiking (our favorite thing to do together). I love you John. I would love to write a tribute here on our blog, but I have a personal card for that..... I am grateful for our years of growth together!!

a fishing we will go

Welcome to the beginning stages of the fish farms that are being brought to life at one of the children's homes we work with here in Jos, Nigeria. OLA (Our Ladies of Apostles) has started some fish farms and they are also working on some chicken farms to help them create food and funds for their needs. Back 2 Back is choosing to come alongside them and help them whenever possible. Do you see some of the little fish in there? Cute huh? Cute enough to eat hopefully!Something that encourages us as staff is when you see someone who is already in place move forward with an idea that will better their situation. Sister Fidelia is such a woman. She is in charge of the inner workings of this facility and she is doing a great job. She has innovative ideas and wants to see them come to fruition. Back 2 Back is super excited about seeing where some of her gaps and needs are and then filling them where we can. Below is Jason (the director of Back 2 Back Nigeria) with Sister Fidelia. The fish hatcheries are behind them.
Below is the beginning ground work for the chicken homes. I know I am getting some of these words wrong, so sorry if you know a lot about these things. My husband would be cringing right now. Either way, they are moving forward and we are coming alongside of them. We are grateful when God makes some paths easy for us to see. We know it is not always this convenient, but boy, when it is, we are ecstatic! We thank you Father for your good gifts!

a little getaway

If people ask us what the hardest thing about living here, John and I would both say that there are not many places at all to just getaway. There aren't necessarily parks that you can just stroll in and to go to any hiking areas, it takes time.

Well, John decided as a surprise to me for our anniversary to take Monday off. So, he and I had the kids go to school then we went over to a nearby hotel and just hung out in their pool yard, had a lunch there in their restaurant and just read or whatever. I find it interesting because they didn't mind that we were there all day.

So, here are some pictures of our little getaway. The Lamonde Hotel and Pool. They also have a nice workout facility that you can actually pay a little monthly fee to use whenever you want. So, even if there are not many places to go to just "be", one can find with just a little asking, that if you think out of the box a bit, you can find SOME little getaways.

Overall, he and I just had a good time doing nothing together.

This is John just trying to relax (it doesn't come easily to him which is why his gift to me was super special).

Here is the restaurant.

This was our lunch. Pita bread with Hummous Kawarma (basically a spiced beef). I liked it, I think John thought it was all right.

These little lizard guys are everywhere. He came around a lot just to say hi. However, truly there are probably around 30 of them around this little area where we were sitting.