It sure doesn't feel like we've been here 2 months already.  Crazy how fast time flies when your living in Africa.  Here are a couple of things that I've learned the 2 months we've been here, this isn't even close to everything I've discovered but none of us have the time to go over all that.  So here's some randomness:



I have learned that Africa has the most beautiful sunsets, ever. 
 'nough said.

I have learned that there is never a limit to how many animals you can fit on one bike or motto.  

Whether it's who-know-how-many chickens, 4 goats, or 3 sheep, it can be done.  Sorry the pic is a little blurry and unimpressive, most times it's hard to see the guy through all the feathers but you get the idea.  This guy had 2 goats, a bunch of chickens, and even more guinea fowl tied to his handlebars.  
The phrase "Where there's a will there's a way" takes on a whole new meaning here. 

I have learned that, as hard as curly hair is to try to control in the states, it is impossible to do here.  I think I've worn my hair down a total of about 10 times in 2 months, and I'm very proud of myself that it's been that much.  And the whole "where there's a will there's a way thing" doesn't apply to my hair, sadly.  I've tried more things than you could shake a stick at, but if you have any suggestions, I'm all ears.
  So far, the beast remains untamed….

I have learned that some fruit can weigh up to 30 pounds.  And it's a little scary when you have a 30-foot tree in your courtyard (which you walk under) that is full of them.  But it's totally worth the tiny bit of anxiety they cause when they become your favorite fruit.  The Jackfruit in this pictures is the smallest one we've gotten, the other ones have been about double this size.  You should google it, it's really weird looking inside, kinda like a Star Trek creature, but they taste amazing!!

I have learned to figure out time-differences around the world very quickly and efficiently.  One of the biggest, unexpected blessing that we have had since being here is finding out that our internet is (most times) good enough to use FaceTime and Skype.  It's not the best video quality by any means but being able to hear people's voices and kinda "see" them has been amazing!  Sorry, the photos a little blurry and I'm a mess.  But in my defense it was 10:15 pm and my chance to talk with some of my dear friends, so it was all worth it!

I've learned that tank-tops are my best friends.  My amassing of old navy tanks over the years has finally paid off.  But no clothing here lasts very long between dirt, sweat (gross but true), working and how hard washing is on everything…. 

I have learned (or been reminded) of how blessed I am.  It's unbelievable the things that I took/take for grated.  Some of it is not having things here that I miss from the states, but it's also realizing how good we have it here.  I can whine and complain about the heat and dirt, but we have the ability to have fans and stay clean(ish).  I am so blessed to have the life I had, and have now.  Random pic of someone burning their field.


~

I was thinking about trying to do a video, but actually post it this time.  The one I tried to do in France was a smashing failure, I took way too long making it and then moving to another continent got in the way.  So now that there aren't any trans-continental moves in my foreseeable future, I thought I'd try again!!  I tried to make one the other day but had no idea what to say, and sitting alone on your porch talking to a laptop is a little bizarre.  So  I thought I'd ask if you guys have any questions about life here,  in France, etc. and then it might make a video a little easier to make.

Love in Christ,
Jana

The question "Where are you from?" does not come with a short answer
("How much time do you have?  I can give you the short, medium or long version.")


You automatically think of football as a sport played with a round ball that you kick
(I now have to make the distinction of football or American football)

You know what it's like to be the minority
(indeed)

You're used to people always staring at you wherever you go
(It takes some time and isn't always comfortable but it does become normal)

You really have to think about time differences before you Skype or FaceTime someone
(More than once I've almost called someone at 3 am their time)

You don't really know where home is
(Home has a whole new definition)

Your life story uses the phrase "Then we went to…" more than 5 times
(a lot more than 5)

You have a passport but no drivers license
(sadly, but driving here is a hazard to your well-being)

You are grateful for the speed and efficiency of the U.S. Postal Service
("You mean it is guaranteed to get there in 2 days, and it will actually get there?") 

You know how small the world really is
("It's a small world after all")

 (though I don't understand why some of them have curbs...)

 You understand all of these things

When the Lord uses His people to make an impact in a community, we celebrate

We join together, the Elders of the village, the families and us

We love to see the smile on the children's faces, the pride in their parents eyes

I watch the women that have worked hard to fix food for all the people gathered

I eat the food lovingly given to us and pray for our stomachs to handle the food well

We smile with sweat running down our faces in the 102 F degree weather

I watch the sheet being hung for photos from the year

and the raw electric wires being hung over our heads

Small kids coming to sit by me, shyly looking over 

Laughing with an indescribable, pure joy when they see their faces on the camera screen

Waiting and waiting for night to fall and the party to start

The kids form a mob around me, all yelling in the little French they know,

"Prend une photo!  Prend une photo, s'il vous pliez!  Faire une photo comme ça!"

(take a photo!  Take a photo of us please!  Take a photo like this!) 

Hours later the Balafon (a traditional Burinabe instrument) players arrive, 

driving into the crowd honking the horns on their mottos all the while

The dust in the air, kicked up from the dancing and makes it hard to see

People dance and laugh, clap and shout, celebrating African style

hour after hour they dance, song after song

The dancing goes on long after we leave, till 3 am we learned this morning

people celebrating a year of learning and growth

I'm praising God for the encouragement of being able to speak with others and interact with the people we came here to serve!