Back from the East

Here are a few pics from our time out east... Eddy's passport was finally issued and then his visas were miraculously approved- literally within a few days. Some friends had gone out before us and were unexpectedly asked to leave the area, as they apparently did not have the right permits. This actually allowed us some extra time to acquire the right permits and get Eddy's visa... And finally, we, along with a khawaja friend and our Vancouver duo, made our way out to the Red Sea.

Ben on the plane... trying to "fit-in" a bit...

I'm hoping to write more later, when I've had time to really ponder all that has happened, all that God has done. It was a great time and we consider it a huge success. Ben was an absolute champ, coming with us in some of the most severe heat and humidity we've experienced! What a blessing to us!

We'll be leaving the sand-box here in a couple days, traveling through Turkey for some random sight-seeing and arriving in MN around the 8th. We thank you all for your prayers and support- we have had an incredible and miraculous time these past few months and are eager to see how God will continue to lead us into his perfect will, back here in the fall.

Visiting some ruins of the old port, formerly one of the largest slave-trade ports in Africa... Ben has eaten and napped in some interesting places!

We had our morning tea, jabana (coffee, locally made with roasted ginger) and zalabia (doughnut balls) down the street from our hotel... this was our friendly tea lady.

On the road outside of town- different nomadic tribes...

Drinking jabana one night with a local friend, a teacher from the public school overheard us and asked us to come teach an English class... Heng-zi is a French teacher in Canada and did a great job! The flash cards they used are made out of glue and sand/dirt... use what you have!

The local jabana spot... you remove your shoes, sit on large woven mats and sip scalding, spicy-sweet coffee... We were the only women patrons... it didn't take long for crowds to gather...

Ben was quite the attraction... or at least the stroller was! We were stopped constantly and when we did take a moment to look at things, large crowds gathered and gazed at Ben. We think they thought he was sick and that the stroller was some sort of gurney...?

I came out of one stall and had no trouble finding Eddy and Ben...

Passport Fun!

Coming to Africa, we knew that Eddy would need to renew his soon-to-be expired Brazilian passport. We made the decision to wait until here, our thinking being that the embassy here would be more adept and perhaps faster on issuing a new one than an embassy in the states... as there are only about 45 Brazilians in this country. Well, unfortunately, we were very wrong. The passport system has changed and the new system isn't working correctly. Surprise! After multiple calls, visits and "sit-ins", of sorts, there is "nothing more we can do". What?! Correct us if we are wrong, but isn't that one of the whole points of having an embassy in a foreign country?

So, Eddy's business visa process is on hold, as the government here will not re-issue his visa in an expiring passport. Eddy's passport apparently "cannot be renewed"- as the system, in place since the beginning of April, is not functioning. Eddy cannot travel anywhere in or out of the country until said passport is renewed. Hmmmm... quite the predicament!

Our "plans", held extremely loosely at this point, were to go out East for some planning this next week, after some friends from Canada arrive. It looks like I, Jess, will be going without Eddy and Benjamin. We were also "planning" on flying out of the sand box on June 2nd. And ultimately, I will have to leave the country as my visa has changed and I must leave by June 10. Leaving Eddy and Benjamin here? Hmmmm... interesting...

As I write this, Eddy is participating in another "sit-in" at the Embassy, having done a bit more research on the role of Embassies and emergency procedures for passports. It "seems" like he's making an impact as the ambassador said he "never wants to see him again". Issue him a passport, Mr. Ambassador, and you won't!

Please Pray!

Photos: Benjamin!... And buddy, Hudson... Dad and Ben taking our new wheels for a spin (seat belt laws don't really exist here)... At the pool with wonderful Khawaja friends...

Welcome Joy!

We had the opportunity a few nights ago to visit some local friends who had recently had a little baby girl. (She is just 3 days old here in these photos- just a tiny little one!) We were eager to meet her and congratulate the parents, friends with a similar passion working hard to plow up this hard desert ground.

Her name is Joy and we made sure she got some time with the other babies in our life. They all welcomed her and we shared some time holding this precious little gift.

A few days after this visit, little Joy came down with a high fever and stopped eating. Here in the land of sand, it is estimated that the infant mortality rate is 1:4. This is one of the highest mortality rates in the world. With extreme temperatures, poor medical facilities and the presence of many deadly diseases, newborns and infants are up against some incredibly powerful adversaries. Ensuring their health is of the utmost importance these first few weeks and months of life.

But even then, with all the good intentions and careful monitoring, sometimes the basic health care just isn't available. This is an incredibly frustrating and grave reality that as westerners we can't even fully comprehend. Even with our supposedly "flawed" health care system, you and I can walk into any hospital in any city and receive some of the best medical treatment in the world... pretty much no matter what. Here, even the simplest care is just not available. We were reminded of this painful reality last year when this amazing couple lost their first-born son, after only a few precious months of life.

With this painful history, the parents, Aboud and Nani, did their best to find a decent clinic where Joy was examined and admitted to receive IV fluids and antibiotics. Eddy and I stopped by several times to ensure she was being properly treated, but she ended up being "discharged" the next day. This was a bit premature in our opinions, and showing some concern, found a doctor friend who volunteered to make a house call for them. Long story short, Joy seems to have rounded the corner and is doing much better. The fever has gone and she is eating and sleeping well. We praise God for his provision and protection in this circumstance and continue to pray that Joy grows and develops well!

Visa News: We got a call a few days ago from our visa guy, Mohammed, who said that our visas were almost ready... still no word yet, but it looks promising!

NGO Update: For those of you who haven't heard, I, Jess, have accepted an offer to work with an NGO here. They have projects started in our focus area, with our focus people and are looking for someone to manage these and other development projects. I have tentatively accepted the offer and am now waiting for the government approval and eventual change in visa-- oh joy! As soon as our business visas are approved, I then do a final "exit visa", to terminate it. Then re-apply under the new NGO visa... ahhhh... the visa saga never ends! We'll let you know more details about the NGO as things develop!

Photos: Visiting Joy and her family... Babies!... Eddy and Mike, a good friend, and kids!... Ben and Aboud, Joy's father... Ben and Eddy playing...