Family Addition

We are a few weeks late, but allow us to introduce to you the newest member of our family!

 Her name is Calli. She is a very loving chocolate lab. She is about 5 years old. She loves to play fetch and find the coolest places in the yard to lay. Even when it means digging big holes under the car!

Abby is in love. She chases after Calli anytime they are outside together. She feeds Calli and sits with her, watching her eat every bite. She brushes Calli off before bringing her in for the night. She shouts "Calli Calli" at least 300 times each day. 

Abby even told us that having Calli makes her feel more like she is in America. We are so glad this gives her a deeper level of comfort away from the comforts of her American home.

As I have observed Calli and Abby playing together, a spiritual concept has struck me. Calli is pretty good at obeying when Denise and I ask her to sit, come, and stay. But Calli has no regard whatsoever when Abby gives a command. So it makes me wonder who am I plugged into in life, and how do I know who to obey? Do I listen to God when He directs me each day? When He wants to spend time with me? Do I instead put my focus on people that do not love me as much as the One calling to me throughout the day? 

May we remember every day the One who calls to us, and may we make it a priority to stop, listen and fellowship with God.

Back to Normal, we hope!

It has been a little while since we have updated you on life here. Here are some recent happenings!

July and August were rainy season. Overall we felt it was a light rainy season. There were some big rains and some local flooding. We did have neighbors experience some flooding. They lost everything. Roy helped carry beds and belongings out while the men took doors off their door frames and hit their mud homes with hammers to destroy them before the flood waters did. Maybe they did this so noone would go back to the home and it collapse during the night when someone was sleeping, that is our best guess. It was surreal to see men taking everything including the door frames, and seeing them chunk pieces of their breaking house into the water.

    

This picture is drawn to show where the flooding occurred 2 weeks ago. Our house is shown with a star between the 2 ponded areas of water. You see the green, which are hills nearby. The darker blue is a depression area that fills with rainwater and run off from the hills. In our last big rainstorm the water ran off the hills and flooded the area in light blue. They said it last happened in 2018. 

You also see the schoolyard (also edited in the color blue) which has been under water since June. Our house is on a high point between the 2 areas and is not in danger of flood waters. We didn't even have a puddle in our yard, while neighbors 200 feet away were in flood waters 20-30 inches deep. But we are on an island when big rain storms come. To get out we have to wade through or drive through water in any direction. 

We are finally feeling healthy again as a family. For weeks we have all been passing along runny noses, coughs, fatigue, and low grade fevers. Denise had Malaria and Roy is sure he did, too. 

Roy's Bible study group has taken the rainy season off. He has plans to start it again within the next few weeks.

   

Abby has taken a few more naps than normal.

Abby and Roy after getting tested for Malaria.

 She had a great time with her summer pre-k program. It was an adjustment for her. For 3 hours, 3 days each week she was with her teachers who only spoke French. Some days were especially hard. After 2 months she was getting used to it, even wanting to stay until the end. She heard stories and colored, she played with new toys and played on the swing set. We are so proud of her for being brave for the summer program. Real school starts in just a few weeks! We are all excited for her as she grows up so fast.

Roy prepared and preached 3 sermons for the English-speaking church we attend over the last month! He felt blessed and challenged to be able to do that. 

Here's to living la vie sauvage! (the wild life)