Gracious Uncertainty

Before we meet for school everyday some of the staff gather for devotions, each taking weekly turns throughout the year to lead these 15-minute re-focusing times. It's our turn these next 2 weeks and I had spent some time trying to plan what I was going to say. I was thinking to share some cool life experience with a neat truthful tie-in, when last night, at 8:30 pm our power was cut. My plans changed a bit... It wasn't that the power cut deleted my little talk or that there was no more power to finish composing it. Rather, it was how things continued to transpire that inspired me to change the topic.

It was close 105F outside when the power cut and reaching 100F inside. With no fans running and no swamp coolers cooling, it would likely become much hotter. We immediately called some friends who happen to live in an area with lots of prominent businesses and business owners and therefore, have virtually no power-cuts. We threw ourselves at their mercy and begged to stay the night with them. They gladly welcomed us and Eddy and I slept in their living room, swamp coolers whirring about us.

Now this all sounds nice and good, we handled the situation well. But what I neglected to report was our rather awful attitudes throughout this time. We were discouraged, frustrated, angry, hot, irritable, grouchy, catty to each other... and the list goes on. And as the night progressed and I had time to reflect, I realized how much we wrongly assume about life and living, especially here in the Land-o-Sand. Certainty. We, especially as westerners, take so much for granted, assuming so many things are assured, trusted, reliable and dependable. Things like electricity, health care, national security, food, shelter, clothing, governmental assistance, our "rights" as citizens, freedom, etc. When in reality, and Biblically speaking, almost nothing is certain! God promises us that- as it says in scripture... who knows what tomorrow will bring? The only thing truly certain, in things, events, life, is God himself, all else being certainly uncertain!

As the saying goes (sort of)... Life is 10% what happens to us and 90% how we respond to what happens. So in light of this promised and experienced uncertainty, we fall on the grace and mercy of God and ask him to work in us a response that is glorifying to him and encouraging to others. 'Cause we can bank on all sorts and lots more of uncertainty in this place!

Visa Update: We have successfully renewed our visas for another year- thank God Eddy is Brazilian! It cost us a pretty penny, but almost guarentees us re-entry next year. We are now in the process of getting our exit/re-entry permits (we literally cannot leave the country without them... they usually cost around $900... nice.)

Pregnancy Update: I'm working on my 15th week, and all seems to be progressing just fine. We'll go in for another ultrasound before we leave.

School Update: Only 11 more days of school... whew! We're in the process of closing things down, returning library books, cleaning the nurses area, etc. Eddy is trying to figure out what to do with the kids when it's 117F outside; or more simply put, how to keep kids from dying during PE.

Photos: Pool time again! We jumped at the chance of chaperoning a pool party for a multitude of middle schoolers... anything for a swim! Neat tricks? Eddy still can't move his next freely! I've had a strong hanckering for cantalope- and we found these Galia melons, a close cousin.. delicious! We went with some friends to explore a park/zoo in the city- sort of, or rather, very depressing... (that's a giant replica of what they serve coffee in).

Peak Heat, Pools & Pregnancy

In case you were wondering, it's still hot. We're guessing the "coolness" of winter/spring is long gone and are settling into the sweltering heat of summer. We're also expecting our friendly Habuubs (sand storms) to start as well... good ol' Land-o-Sand! What we would give for a little Oregon rain here!?

As the temperature rises, the one thing we all desperately crave is WATER- any form really. Drinking water- we keep a 3 gallon cooler/jug filled 'round the clock, with added frozen bowls of water to attempt to keep us cool; we'll go through it everyday. Showers- we praise God that our little flat has an electric pump that sends up water, allowing us to rinse off the sand and dirt... and while the water isn't cold (or even cool), we're not complaining! Pools- there are a few clubs in the city that have decent swimming pools and similarly decently steep membership fees that don't fit the budget. However, a few of them do allow guests daily entrance for about $10. While this seems a bit pricey for a day at the pool, we consider it a gift from God when it is 118F in the shade.

This past weekend was Coptic Easter and we had a couple days off from school. So we grabbed some food, towels and friends and headed to the German club for the day. This club tends to draw a more local crowd. As we got ourselves situated we couldn't help but glance around at the other patrons. To our left, a European in a tiny string bikini. And to our right, a woman in a burka (the long head/ body covering gown; only exposing eyes). That... that my friends, you don't see everyday. Needless to say, despite the scantily clad khawaja, it took us awhile to feel comfortable enough to get in the water!

And finally, why not a pregnancy shot?? Just this week I've had people commenting that I'm looking more pregnant... I've started my 14th week. Now you can be the judge...!

Photos: Easter party at our friend's house- us, Mike & Suz and our German friends, Christian and Silke... Our weekly organization meetings... At the German Club- relaxing- the cabanas really add soemthing!! My preggo pics- 5 weeks, 10 weeks, 14 weeks...

Spring in the Land of Sand

Really, it's all just variations of summer. We've started to see the thermometer creep up over the last few weeks; well, perhaps "soar" or "sky-rocket" are more accurate! We've been steadily over 110F all week, with a high a few days ago of 118F. And with the warmer temps always come frequent electricity cuts, stretching our tolerance and patience. But praise God, the power usually resumes before the day is over and/or the food spoils... and His grace is always sufficient!

I'm (Jess) finishing up my 1st trimester, and aside from some occasional dizziness, am feeling much better! The heat has made things a bit more uncomfortable, but we try our best to stay hydrated and take frequent rests (me especially!)... Eddy hasn't been as fortunate and came down with a digestive bug a few days ago. We stopped counting trips to the bathroom yesterday, losing track during the wee-hours of the morning. We since have started him on a course of antibiotics and he seems to be on the mend. I forced him to stay home today, believing a day without teaching PE in the blazing hot N. African sun might save him from severe dehydration and complicating his condition.

Occasionally, with the routine of life, we tend to forget the realities of where we live... a developing nation, fresh from civil war, with serious health problems and risks. We were painfully reminded of those realities today. A dear local couple we know lost their first child, a 6 month old, due to blood poisoning, ultimately leading to kidney failure. A dedicated, like-minded inter-tribal pair who have struggled to be accepted by their in-laws; Recently married after years of waiting; Proud and loving parents to an adorable baby boy... Our hearts and prayers go out to them as we trust God to bring comfort during this incredibly difficult time.

Out with Cops III

I have to tell this one:
And it did happened again. Got pulled over going to the gym class this time. I was quite in the hurry and had two hard classes right before.. so wasn't too happy at the moment. When I saw the cop, my mind just said " no way, all that we need now!!" The cop almost jumped in front of the car for I stop. I opened the window and he asked for my license... again, I gave my expired, laminated Brazilian license... he looked at it and asked where is my new license, this time in broken english... I just looked at him and told him " this is good, I don't need a new one!" and he told me again "where is the new one?".. I got a little more "on fire" and told him "I don't need a new one, this is good!". So he looked at me and look at the license, gave the the license and told me to go.
Third time in 10 days, not a fine, praise God!!!

Yesterday we went to the doctor again and look at the baby. Jess was a little nervous about somethings and we went just to make sure that everything was fine. After few hour we did another ultrasound and the baby is fine. Has a little over 2 Inches (5.06cm) and is moving a lot. No marks behind the neck and seems to be perfect. The doctor told us that seems to be a boy but still to soon too confirm. We could see the vertebrae and the ribs.. The hands and feet are there and the baby can really move. Seems like he is laying with a pillow, so cool! Tears again and a great relief! 12 weeks today, almost second trimester.

This weeks has been hot, today 110F.. poor Jess, so hot inside the little ferrari without AC but, it is such a blessing don't have to catch the bus.
We are in the new visa process, if everything would go fine, we should have it by few days.
I'm running again, on May 31st I'll be running a half marathon in Minneapolis and I want to run a full marathon in October before the baby comes. Exciting and exhausting...
Jess put a little party for me last Friday. We had some close friends coming and so much fun to have few different nations getting together to eat some meat like we do in Brazil.

Blessings!!!

Photos: Our Little Soboll, already practicing soccer kicks! Eddy at work- grilling on our roof top hosch(patio/veranda/balcony area)- we all agreed it was the best tasting meat we've ever had in the Land of Sand...