following the LEADER

Well folks, we’ve arrived.  We took a detour to Casablanca, but after 33 hours of travel, we made it to West Africa.  The first night he slept in his own room, Sam turned to me and said, “Home, Mama.”

Things here have been hot, hot, hot.  The temps have been in the low 100s at night and 120s during the day.  We’ve lost electricity every night for the last four nights, but somehow we’re still able to smile and laugh as we sleep outside under our mosquito nets.

We’ve been helping out in the evenings with puppets at the kids crusades, and enjoyed Bible School graduation on Sunday.

This morning I woke up to the sound of kids in the house and was delighted to find 5 Nigerien kids (Amina’s cousins and their friends) tearing up the living room with Sam.  When I brought Nathaniel out, they sat around his chair and sang to him in French.  Then Sam and I taught them to sing “Wheels on the Bus”.

We are really enjoying having Brookley (a friend of ours from church) here for 6 weeks to visit and help out.  She’s fitting into the family like she’s known us her whole life.

If you’ve been trying to call or email keep trying.  Communication has been slow.  We’re doing really well and will try to update as possible.  If you’re in America, please know we love you and miss you!  The Johansson Clan

Greetings from the Pikes Peak Region. We have been in CO for 3 nights, and that vacation feel is definitely setting in.

If you’ve known Dave and I for very long, then you about our State Vacations. We have been visiting one state each year in alphabetical order since the first year we were married. Thus far we have traveled to Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, and California.

Although time was short and the decision to bring both boys was difficult (it’s supposed to be a building our marriage kind of thing) we decided to keep the tradition and make it to Colorado before we go back to Africa. So, here we are. It’s definitely a differet kind of vacation when you bring an infant and a two year old. Dave and I have been pretty jealous as we see hikers and backpackers at all our stops thus far. We would love to be spending some nights roughing it, but have decided that it just isn’t practical this year. Here are some pictures for ya…

Garden of the Gods

Dave and Sam drove to the summit of Pikes Peak.

Nathaniel and I waited here for them at a lower altitude that was easier on his little lungs.

We’ve had fun and spent quite a lot of time hanging out at the hotel.  Thanks priceline!