So, as we headed back to a quiet house, I had Nata boy on my mind.  He needed a back pack.  You don’t have to ask this Mama twice.  I love an excuse to sew.  And sew I did.  (pun intended!)

Caleb tried to be patient.  We were both aware that this sack was honing in our our baby-mama moment.

So after I finished, I let Caleb take the bag for a test drive.

He approved.

And when the big N arrived home, he approved to.

Now that’s better.

This morning, he’s all set.

It’s back to school time all around the world, and our children are no different.

Our boys didn’t have much of a break.  Their last day of summer classes was Friday.

Today felt just as celebratory as it would with months of vacation, however, because… much to Sam’s delight… he started today with a new teacher in a new room.  We already know his teacher from church.  She is new to the school after spending at least one year here serving a Canadien missionary family as their tutor.  She is French- Canadien, and we think she is going to be a fabulous teacher.  Maitress Joelle.

I am also happy to report that Nata is in Sammy’s old room with our fave, Miss Camille.  What a delightful surprise to find out this morning that we will be on familiar ground with him.

Delighted is the world that best fits my emotional state this morning.  How different from last year, when I felt a bit apprehensive dropping Sam off in a new place.  Now we are poster children for the Alliance School.  The photo for this poster was taken during summer school.  We are happy that our boys add to the diversity of the group.  Two other families in the missionary community have children in Sam’s class.  That means there are at least 4 nationalities, and I suspect a few more than that in his class.

And so I’m home this morning.  Enjoying my time with Caleb.  I think I might even dust off the sewing machine.  I have a special project for my Nata boy in mind.  More about that tomorrow….

The school pets.  Showing off their skills.

check out Sam’s left hand in this next one.

Nata is trying to help, but it’s not his turn.

my 5 kids.  It’s going to be a fun school year!

dirty shirt = fun times

So much is going on here; I don’t even know quite where to start.

Our new daughters, Amber and Ashley Teague, arrived last week.  Sunday morning we said a somewhat teary goodbye to their parents, and our life as a family of 7 began.  Every single day, without exception, I have been thanking God that we have this opportunity to host Amber and Ashley in our home and to enable them to continue their studies at a school that they love.  Transitions are always hard.  Please pray for the Teague family and for our family as we work this out together.  I’ve been praying especially for Shelley, perhaps because I relate to her as a mother.  May her hands stay busy and the time pass quickly and her heart remain full until we see her again.  The girls seem to be doing well.  I was up last night studying and talking with them and just enjoying the opportunity I have to bond with them in a new way.  I have also been treasuring our bleary eyed moments in the morning as we eat breakfast together and have a quick devotional before they head out for the day.

So far so good.

Kids camp is in full swing this week at the Bonifondu school.  Dan and Earlene Ligon have come from Miradi to help out with this.  They are doing a wonderful job with more than 200 campers.  Dave, Daniel, and Danika have been there too doing whatever they can find to lend a hand.  I got to sneak over there myself this morning while the boys were at school.  What fun.  Dankarami, Dave, Daniel, and I did puppets this morning.  This is the 5th year that I have been in Niger to participate in camp.  It is an awesome time for the children who enjoy the crafts and games and gain so much understanding.  This year Earlene is preaching on the Family of God and all the campers are split into teams with country names.  Some that I enjoyed were Sweden, Iceland, and Taiwan.

I also started teaching on Monday.  Every year it’s the same when school starts…. as the kids come into my classroom and the teaching beings, God confirms in my heart that this is what I was made to do.  The first day we talk about names (theirs and mine), rules (Respect. Unity. Listen. Engergy), and then we have about 15 minutes to squeeze in some singing, moving, and hopefully instrument playing.  This year I have three classes first thing in the morning.  Then I rush home to nurse Caleb, have a few minutes to rest, pick the boys up from school at noon, eat, and go back for one more class (5th and 6th grade) before bringing the girls home.  Monday afternoon in my 5/6 class we had so much fun laughing and joking.  It’s such a great thing to return to students who have decided already that they love you and want to give you their very best.  In enables us to cut up and have fun in a different way.

So, that’s what’s going on with us.  I haven’t had my camera in hand a lot lately.  I really want to take some pictures of THE GIRLS (A&A) with THE BOYS (S,N&C).  We really have been enjoying each other lately.  I’ve posted some pictures of camp on fb here and hope to be able to get some more up soon.

Thanks for your prayers.  This season is busy and we really, truly need the Lord in each step we take.

Hello.  Just checking in with our littlest bits of news.  More of the same around here as of late.

I spent this moment with our friends in Kora Tegui.  Thought a few of you might enjoy these pictures of my latest do…

All of these pictures were taken by my friend Yacouba.  He’s one of the older boys who I singled out years ago as especially helpful and kind.  He’s been translating my horrendus French into understandable Zarma for the little ones.

Once a few of the kids realized that I was letting these girls “tress” my hair, they all wanted in on the action.

I’m in there somewhere.

I’m raising my eyebrows in the next shot to try and stop the pain, but it didn’t work.  OUCH.

These kids have sat for HOURS having their hair “tressed” and therefore have absolutely no compassion for the white girl and her wimpy scalp.  The moment came to an abrupt halt with my insistent shouts of “LEAVE ME ALONE NOW!”  but it was an awesome moment.  I left with one single braid and a ton of knots.  But, we’re bonding for sure.

In other news, we continue to have lots of rain.  Our neighboring countries have too, I guess because the Niger River is reportedly more full than it has been in almost 80 years.

a link to the news about the flood damage.

Lastly, Moumouni called me outside yesterday to check out this wounded butterfly.  He knew I would (finally) be able to capture it on film.  I’m hoping my Aunt Susie and Tad can now identify it for me.

Our days have been busy, but good.  We hope that your days have been good too!  Love, from Africa.

The jos

I’ve been thinking tonight about why I’m so glad I married Dave.  Thinking about why I would do it all again in heart beat.  Here are just a few….

State Vacations: an idea that started our first year of marriage and has been successfully continued for the last 7 years.

[This photo was taken summer 2004.]

According to the kids at the orphanage he looks like Jack Bauer.  I agree.  He’s handsome.

He chases God, chases truth, and is not afraid to speak up for them when needed.

He knows how to keep his mouth shut and has been patiently trying to teach me to do the same for more than a decade now.

We’ve made 3 beautiful babies. And he’s a really great Dad.

[becoming a Dad:  May 21, 2006]

He has led our family to a life in this land that I love.

[vacation in Mali, October 2008]

I love being married to someone who dreams big dreams.

[paradise= our honeymoon, Providencialis BWI, August 2002]

He is faithful and of that I have no doubt.

He has forgiven me over and over.

The list goes on, but (as previously stated) I’m learning not to (go on and on that is)!  I have an amazing husband who teaches me and challenges me.  My life is fuller and richer because he is in it.  There is no one on Earth that I have more fun with or whom I would choose over him.

Thanks to all of you who have loved and supported and championed our marriage and our life together.  God is faithful and it is because of Him that we have enjoyed 8 awesome years of marriage.  I love you Dave.

The lizards have been hanging out “on the lawn” at our house to feast on the termites that are hatching there.  My friend Moumouni tells me that this is the season when the lizards grow fat because the bugs abound.

C’est comme ça ici.  [It's like that here].

With every grey cloud, there is a silver lining.  And my silver lining is the butterflies.  Our yard is FULL of them.  It is so fun to watch them float around playing games with each other.  They are difficult to capture on camera, but I have tried.  I’m wondering if anyone knows this species of butterfly.  Is it uniquely West African?  I wonder.

someone else has been learning to fly….

Happy Weekend!

These sweet girls are being taught by our friend Ali all things related to couture. (basically, here, couture is everything you need to know to have a sewing business- embroidery, making clothes, knitting).  Ali is a graduate of the Masters Commission program run by our friends Rodrigo & Juanita Rivas.  He takes his job as teacher very seriously. It’s his desire to minister to them by giving them a skill that they can really use. And he’s doing a great job.  The girls, as you can see, are having a blast.  What an awesome thing this is.  So near and dear to my heart because I love these girls and I love what they’re learning.

embroidery

Ali making his students laugh.

learning to measure.  learning to love math.

in French a measuring tape is called metre.  these are well loved.

Caleb had quite the cultural experience this week becoming acquainted with all of our friends at the Good Samaritan Orphanage.  He was just as delighted as they were.  Isn’t always a joy to know and love each other?  We thought so.