many willing hands, of all different sizes, shapes and colors, make the work light.

  i'm constantly amazed by our Creator at how things grow.  how a raised patch of soil, can hold life...

… but small reminders of the harsh environment i live in are everywhere.

and life moves on.  it struggles through the rock and sand, stems poking up to the sun, roots diving deep to seek the water that all need.

please be praying for opportunities as we continue to seek how the Lord would have us use this lot for His glory.  we are already seeing relationships develop and deepen through the work here and are looking forward to so, so much more.   

"If wealth was the inevitable result of hard work and enterprise, every woman in Africa would be a millionaire."

-George Monlot

// a package received on a day when both water and power are out // 

// the ability to get FanMilk when we go into Bobo, it's the closest thing we have to ice cream outside of fancy restaurants.  It's nothing like real ice cream but it's great for africa, and it's cold//  

// finding a small unpopular area in the big city //

// power, it helps make the 106 degree days bearable//

// laughing about the way people travel here //
hint: look on the roof of the truck

// technology that make it possible to Skype or FaceTime with loved ones around the world//

// mounds of white cotton and brightly clad bodies on the red landscape //

// new music, it helps keep me going //

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driving down dusty dirt roads lined with 100 year old trees and listening to Mumford & Sons is enough to get anyone in a sentimental mood, despite the incessant bumping, road work and cattle crossings.           

armed with camera, ridiculously floppy hat and sunglasses i wander through the masses of people, taking in the smells, sights and sounds that are africa.      

smoked catfish that has been away from the water so long it no longer deserves to even be called a fish are mounded on tables. 

never have i felt what it's like to be celebrity, but now that i have, i know that i don't like it.  it makes me smile at first, guys hurriedly pulling out their cellphones to take pictures of the sweaty, sunburned tubaboo, maybe it was the awesome hat and sunglasses that made them think i had celebrity status…. 

things made by hand, with tools that would have been used in Bible times are sold for a fraction of the price that you would have imagined

chenilles (caterpillars) sit in an old, red bowl waiting to be bought, fried and consumed.  woman hurry to shout their prices and assure you of the quality of their goods

rustic, handmade tools like those you would see in a museum are, are highly coveted and longed for,  items that most people wouldn't take a second glance at are the only means to live in this harsh place  

animals brought from near and far are shown with pride, an animal that would take a man's years wages  to buy

"fresh" fish sitting in 106 degrees, in a landlocked country, what exactly is the definition of fresh? 

empty water pouches litter the dry earth, bright colors stand out against the dull, red earth.  

earthen pots, made by hand and carefully brought are showcased to all.

all of this and more is the nations agricultural fair, people trying to learn how to not only survive in this harsh place, but thrive.  

Lord, show us how to help your people here. 

 Let us be the hands and feet of Christ, let us bring the Living Water to this dry and dusty land.