Pictures: Walking around a local market... so crowded today!

Entertaining

It is fairly common here to be invited to someone's house or to invite people over to your house. Last night was our third time entertaining while here and probably my fourth time in my life! If you don't have people over you might not see them very regularly; and we're trying to build up our friendships here. We invited one German couple and an expat friend whose family is in the states for holiday. He came a bit late and brought with him his Muslim friend. Great! Except that I was wearing pants and a T-shirt; I guess thank God it wasn't my usual shorts-n-tank! But nevertheless it was a tad inappropriate...darn.

We chatted in our little living area about life here and customs and then ate supper around our little plastic table. While us westerners chatted, our local friend remained silent. He shared with us how it is unusual in this culture to talk during meals; meals are a time for enjoying and respecting the food and eating. He was kind and non-judgemental. He found out I was from Hawaii and couldn't believe that I would choose to come here. It was a great opportunity to share why! He also noticed our musical instruments and hounded us to play for him. After supper, we passed around instruments and drums and sung worship songs for a good 40 minutes.

We will get our work permit tomorrow and then it's off to the visa office. PLEASE PRAY.

Global Warming

It was English Club again tonight and the topic was Global Warming. After doing a little research I was armed with some thought-provoking words for them to try to define before launching into the class. We split the class up into groups for them to wrestle with these terms. One of the terms was: The Greenhouse Effect. This one brought some great responses... "It's a house with lots of plants and stuff planted around it, and it's painted green" and "I know what green is; I know what a house is; and I know what effect means; does that count?". We had a great time of throwing around facts & figures and discussing solutions to this hotly debated topic. They are always eager to jump in, are ready with questions and never afraid to say they don't know or need help.

We discussed possible topics for the future classes. Some of the suggestions: Communication, Divorce, Employment/Job Interviews, Culture & Language, How to Open a Business, Tourism in Their Country and last, but not least, the Advantages & Disadvantages of having 1 or 4 wives. So before leaving, we asked if for next week they wanted to discuss Tourism in Their Country or watch a movie. It was unanimous- movie it is; they asked if they could bring popcorn and if we could watch Titanic. Priceless.

Tomorrow Eddy will start teaching English to a man that works in the store next to our house (he is of the people group we would like to work with). Please pray for this!

Flashcard Mania

We've had four lessons now with our friend Adam. They are going well and our Arabic is increasing... slowly! We're now up to about 300 words- give or take- but we haven't really learned any verbs. That makes communication a little rough, to say the least! I bought some nice markers before I left the states, just in case I wanted to pick up drawing or sketching whilst away. And in a sense I did! I have to make 30-40 new flashcards for every lesson. We have a book with images, actions and situations, but Adam finds it difficult to understand. Looks like I'll be sketching indefinitely!

Our Visa expires in 12 days-- please keep us in your prayers!

Picture: A sampling of our flashcards... Adam writes the word in Arabic... although we can't read it.

Intersting Info

Every week Eddy and I teach at an English Club... an informal gathering of locals (mostly Muslim) at a nearby Institute. It's free for them and fun for us, allowing us to meet people and socialize. We try to keep things interesting by peppering our "classes" with some interesting facts and figures. Starting out with a game that encourages talking, we ease into teaching on a subject and end with group discussion questions. While preparing for this last class, we combed the web for facts on transportation and country populations and finances. During my search I came across a fun little website called "aneki.com", where they post different "statistics" (I put quotations because I question their accuracy...) Nevertheless, one topic jumped off the screen, "Cleanest Cities". And wouldn't you know that my home town of Honolulu, HI is ranked #2 in the world! Right below that category was "Cities with the Worst Standard of Living". Curiosity got the best of me... Guess which city is in the top 5? (Or is it bottom 5?) Yep, that's right, where we live now.
Pictures: The streets of a market near our home... Waimea Bay Beach Park, Oahu, HI

Language help...

Our language class has stopped for a month for summer holiday and we've been left with going over our notes... again and again- how many times can you read the same material?! We've been searching for a tutor to supplement the classes and just yesterday we found one! Some American friends we met last year had a tutor-- and he just so happens to be from a group of people we are VERY interested in! How's that for divine appointments?! Our first lesson was today... Several other expats have had language help from him and he is now well versed in the Thompson method of learning (lots of listening, looking at pictures/objects and repetition... An example in English: eggplant (aswad), eggplant, eggplant, eggplant, eggplant... What's this? Eggplant. Point to the Eggplant. Eggplant. Where's the eggplant? Eggplant. This is an eggplant. Which is the eggplant? Eggplant.) You'd think you would never forget a word, but, trust me, after even just a few new words, we were both stumbling, fumbling and grumbling for the one's we just learned! (What's an eggplant? Where's the eggplant? Eggflant? Aggplant? Eggpland?) Learning a new language sure keeps us humble! We will meet with Adam 3 times a week... Insha Allah!

Jess' Bday

Another year- way to go me! There aren't exactly a plethora of places to celebrate, but we have a few little gems that we've found for such times as this... So after a trip to the American & Brazilian Embassies, to register ourselves here, we headed to our little international cafe (ie: lots of UN people). We munched on bread and slush puppies- yes, there's no mistaking it- for real slushies! Then for supper we walked across the street to the great little dive that serves amazing beans (fuul), meat (laham) and... drum roll please... chicken (jidaad)! Chicken tends to be pretty pricey- costing upwards of $15 for a meal... ouch!

We just got back from visiting with a friend we met at English Club. He invited us over for tea and to meet his family. It was not our first time in a local home, or one practicing other religions. But it was my first time experiencing it on a more personal level. Everyone here usually shakes hands or taps a shoulder upon meeting someone. We went around the circle meeting the various family members and saying the appropriate words. When it came time for me to shake hands with an uncle, he politely refused, saying that for religious reasons he would not touch me. The family reassured me, telling me to not be offended. And for sure I wasn't. But I was definitely confronted with the reality of their beliefs and the depth to which they believe them.
Pictures: My birthday dinner- what a feast! Getting ready to go outside... Walking down a busy road we passed this little moped with a postal box strapped on... (Click on the picture for a closer look!)

EDDY ICE CREEM

Nope, that's not a typo... that's the name of our new possible business venture. And yes, there is no possesive "'s" thus making it sound as if Eddy is, in fact, the ice cream (or wait, cr-e-e-m, sounds more creamy doesn't it?). Our tourist visas were extended and now we are trying to create a platform to stay here longer. We had tossed around the idea of opening a business in our target city- something marketable and interesting. One meeting with a lawyer, a few names tossed around (Eddy Ice Creem, was surprisingly not our first pick, the lawyer wrote it down) a little cash given and... drum roll please... Eddy Ice Creem is now licensed and legitimate!

There will be many steps to this process and the actual forming of the store could take years. But in the meantime, we will start the process for a work permit and a stay visa. It looks like we will eventually have to leave the country for a month (+/-) to switch from tourist to business, so we're checking out neighboring nations. We'll keep you all posted!

We meet once a week with our business associates here (Not Eddy Ice Creem associates, but our other business!) and share, pray, eat and play. We dusted off the Jenga box and were highly entertained for the first few hours... Meetings are a process... Starting times are suggestions... It's all about relationships... We were 30 min late, so we're trying to fit in... Unfortunately, we were the first to arrive!
Pictures: Playing Jenga at a expat friend's house; We were invited by some German friends to a private club with a pool!

Another Month!

Yesterday was the day after all! We went with yet another friend, hung onto our little Arabic scribbled receipts and presented them to yet another window... And they said to come back a little later! But nevertheless, we persevered and, sure enough, around 3pm they were approved and our passports returned to us! We have been given another month here and are continuing to pound, knock, push, nudge just about every other door there is to be able to stay here longer. We covet your prayers!

Our expat friends that live next door are leaving on Saturday for 3 months. I wanted to make sure to visit all our neighbors before they left; it's much easier visiting people when there's more than just me... She has an adorable 7 month old that grabs people's attention and takes the pressure/awkwardness off... Here- look at this baby!!! So we headed over to another family's house (the wife speaks English) and enjoyed meeting her family, chatting about her life and the culture and drinking tea (of course!). And I was again reminded of what a small world this is... This local neighbor was born and raised for 6 years in... Honolulu, Hawaii! Crazy. She doesn't remember much, but her father studied at the university there. With that one little connection, I felt so much less different and so much closer to home.

Hooray!

Yep, it looks like we were approved for another month here! We took a local friend (Steven) who helped with translation and stood next to the security window for a good 30 minutes. This security window is literally a window in a building where the screen is ripped part way up to allow transfer of passports; so you are standing next to a building peeping into a room and eventually someone notices and if your fortunate, grabs your passport and papers and you proceed to the next window... Where we pay our fees and then go to yet another window where we get some stamps, give our passports and get a receipt and are left standing there empty handed again! Thankfully our friend read the slip, in Arabic, and it says they will be ready the next day...! Phew!

Our American friend and I went next door to visit our neighbors- I asked her to accompany me as my Arabic is far below sub-par. It was actually quite fun and long overdue, as we've been receiving some not so pleasant looks from her lately. Visiting neighbors is customary and virtually mandatory and it involves a lot of sitting and feeling awkward while they prepare tea- which usually takes a ridiculously long time. I fumbled my way with Arabic and my friend filled in the gaps. It was pleasant and invigorating- we both weren't exactly positive as to what they were chatting about, but we heard the word for cheese (jibna) quite a bit...? Ummm...guessing I need to work on the Arabic a bit more.

Photos: Enjoying tea with our local deaf tea lady (not in pictures)

Patience continues to be a virtue...?

One month- how time flies! Our 2nd trip to the Visa Office proved just as frustrating. We caught a ride with a new friend as the office is quite far from our home and waited all of 10 minutes; just long enough for them to look at Eddy and say... yep, you guessed it, "Mafi mushkalla, Bukra, Insha Allah"... No problem, tomorrow, if God wills it. Eddy attempted to enter one of the offices and had the door closed in his face. Needless to say, we are learning PATIENCE!
We had some local friends over to the house today and watched Ice Age while eating orange slices and banana bread (recipe #4, not bad... anyone got a really good recipe for banana bread??).
Eddy will go over to a friends house later tonight to catch up on the Euro Cup 2008 (Soccer). And then tomorrow we set out once more to the fated Visa Office to see if perhaps that day is THE day! Insha Allah!

Patience is a virtue...

While I spent the majority of the day at home (cleaning, cooking, studying), Eddy had the good pleasure of accompanying an expat friend to the Visa office in hopes of extending our tourist visas (they expire in 3 days). Equipped with passports, copies of passports, passport pictures and cash, they proceeded to wait 6 hours, going from one window to another, getting forms, filling out forms, stamps, no stamps, approvals, refusals, nods, frowns, closed windows and the eventual- Mafi Mushkaalah, bukra, insha Allah... No problem, tomorrow, if God wills it. Everything is always, TOMORROW. And so, after 6 hours, he returned home empty handed.
We attempted to shake off the frustration of the day by walking the mile or so to our favorite local ice cream shop- Bambinos. It's some of the best ice cream I've ever tasted and it's only $1.25 for 3 scoops! We have yet to come down with any major stomach problems, so we'll continue to frequent it and encourage others to as well! While the frustrations didn't leave entirely, they were seriously weakened by the scrumptious chocolate and strawberry flavors.
Pics: Eddy with some kids drinking chaay, Jess on our street

110 F... and going up!!!

Wow, Thank you Lord for a swamp cooler and for the energy to run it!! Thank you for the water most the time to keep it cool, at least at night!!!
Yesterday the sand storm was big!! Dust, wind and rain, lots of rain!!! We were just imagining how the people on the refugees do it?? How they can get around with this weather?? Heat and a blast of wind and water... they are almost 2 million just around here... We just pray for them and for this government!!!
We are doing great, we did some teaching last week and on the beginning of this week to a group of almost 30 teachers from the South. What a great time!!! We could share the Lord and three of them became Christians during the Conference!! Praise God!!!
The Arabic classes are hard... the language is not easy and our teacher have a hard time on the heat of the day... In the first hour she is fine.. on th second she seats down and like to talk politics and culture... Fun!!! Imagine the teacher with three layers of clothes( she is a Muslim) and complaining about the heat... we just laugh...
This last week we had an great opportunity to pray for another teacher on the school. She had malaria this last week and some stomach problems. We told her that in our culture we pray for the sick and normally God heals them. So we lay hands over her and Jess prayed. Two days ago she said to us that she was feeling better because of our prayers. Praise God!!!
The school is going to have a break for a month, so we are trying to find a tutor to teach us!! Is their summer... Pray that we would find one!!!
Our visas are pretty much like a sand storm, we just can't see the other side and when we try, it hurts!!! No one know the rules or what can happened in this next week. We will probably renew our tourist visa for another month and then during this month see if we find the angel or the one to lead us!! We know we will get it, it is a matter of when!!! pray for us!!!
We are doing great personally, hitting the month mark is the first wall to crush and go over. I'm so glad that is Jess here with me, she is amazing and a great woman of faith!!!
Blessings!!!
picture of Jess teaching and water jugs. This jugs are everywhere and people ring from them... lots of germs and dust inside. People fill them up daily!! This is desert, water is life ( at least for few days then the cholera kills, at least is not of thirst!!!)

Night out with friends...

We got together with some friends last night and visited a Sufi Muslim gathering where the whirling dervishes...whirl, I guess! It was fascinating- to see the dancers spin and spin and spin for 20+ minutes in the same tight circles. We were gathered around them in a big circle, devout men in the inner ring, women a little further out. And they rocked, bowed, swung their arms, chanting songs in time with huge drums. This went on for about 3 hours. We took pictures, as this is a known "tourist" site, with about a handful of other foreigners in the crowd. As the sun set we sat down and drank tea with some of the locals watching the light fade across the desert landscape... Pictures are of the ceremony and a few by our house...

Here we are!

We have arrived and spent our first week in our target city- and it is going well! Our little house we are staying in is perfect and seems to meet all our desires... it will be a bummer to give it back in 4 months! We started our language studies this past week and the changing-our-visa process. It seems we have jumped right into life here, and it's only at midnight, when we can't fall asleep that we realize we just got here!
Sorry no photos this time- our camera is malfunctioning. We do have another, and we'll get some up here soon! Please pray for favor regarding our visas!

Today is the Day!!!

Leaving today to Africa for couple of years... We have six big bags and two carry one each!!!
We are excited, our flight goes from MN, to Chicago, to London, Beirut, and than the Capital....
Gos has speaking alot about peacemaking, assurance of the calling and marriage stuffs!!!
The Church here in Minneapolis is amazing, so many friends and encouragement. Is different because they are sending us out, so part of the people here are coming with us and is not just "we will never see them again" deal.
God has been so faithful, that's who He is and we are tasting that!!
Pray for our visas and bags. Visas for a long stay and bags for all of them make it!!
Blessings!!

Finally after two years...

We just realized that after two years of preparation we are moving to what has been in our hearts all this time: Africa!!
We are back from Brazil in Minneapolis for a week. The trip was amazing, a God sent time. Jess and my Mom had a great time together. Jess' Portuguese is impressive, she understands almost everything and the confidence behind it was just another plus.
We got sick over there, so with that 3 days where just on the low key... no much food agh!! No many visits or time with people.
Be with my family was a present from the Lord. My sister came from Brasilia so we could spend time like the old times... great memories came up and was so good to hear and see everyones lifes in progress.
The Church down in Brazil where I'm from sent us out too, we visit few supporters and friends.
Now back in home, packing is in our schedule. No much space and lots to bring with us.
We are amazed with the care that Jess' Church here in Minneapolis have for us, everyone seems to be involved and excited with what and where God called us for this next season. Well, is not everyday that a Church send missionaries to go and try to reach one unreached tribe in a Muslim nation. So we are blessed and encouraged for this new season.
We are leaving on the 17th of this month for two years. Please pray for our visas, we need a year visas!!!
Blessings!!!

Oi! Bem Vindo!

Hello from Brazil!
We arrived here Friday and have jumped into action- visiting with family, friends and supporters. How much we love this place! We were so grateful to be able to come and visit before leaving for N. Africa on May 17th. We'll be back in the states for 10 days and then we're off for 2 years. And praise the Lord- we got our entrance permits and visas!!! Thank you for your prayers and all your encouragement!! Some pictures from Brazil... and a couple from WY- we were there last weekend spending time with friends and sharing at a church.

Wisconsin for the Weekend

We had the sheer delight of spending the weekend with some treasured family friends- the Johnston's... We spent our time catching up with the family of 10 kids, cooking, playing cards, sharing at church, going for walks and eating around their giant table- how true the scriptures are, that God places lonely people (homeless travelers, in our case) in families! We then went on to Mineral Point, WI to visit another friend, Michelle. We ate pasties, watched the NCAA playoff and made plans for short-term trips to N. Africa. Many thanks to our dear friends that love and support us- we love you guys!

Wintery Spring...

Nothing like a half foot of snow in April-- at least it's very pretty... Thank God and our friends for our excellent 4x4 that makes life here just that much easier and more safe- phew! But truth is, we both woke up yesterday thinking on Oregon... friends, family... support, accountability... We miss you guys! But, with our eyes fixed on our goal, we push on, speaking at home groups, meeting with people, going through evaluations, spending time with friends and attempting to prepare and pack for our upcoming departure. We'll be spending this weekend in Wisconsin visiting supporters and speaking, and traveling to Wyoming at the end of the month for one last visit to friends and churches. We're also contemplating a trip to Brazil- as family is strongly encouraging us to come down before we head out. We should be starting the visa process this week- so we need your prayers! Here are a couple pics from Eddy's 32nd!! Sushi making!

Let it snow, let it snow....

Pictures are left to right: Snow in Minneapolis, 4Runner such a blessing!!! Geocaching with the princess Lucy in OR. - Hawaii, "Eddie would go" memorial.
WE SO MISS HAWAII!!!
This is our third week here in Minneapolis. We are having a bless!!! The Church is amazing!! Seems like we have been here for years, what ever we go in the Church or home groups people ready know us. We feel a part of the team that is going to Africa and not a couple that have a dream and call and is trying to go, but a Church that is sending and going with us.
We had some evaluations with a psychologist from the Church and we are meeting people and home groups. It is so good to see Jess here with her friends and a place that she had as home for more than 10 years. The children grew up and now they can hold her on their arms. She always says:"That guy over there was this tall when I left... now he has children."
The pastors are supporting and encouraging us almost daily and giving us few things to do.
Jess this week is doing taxes, we quite don't know how to do because the finances that comes from Brazil and because I never field taxes here
We are doing great marriage wise, have a house just for us is cool, we are having fun and enjoying every minute of it.
Blessings!!!!

So cold...

Yep -5F today, what a difference we will face in Africa in two months... We are excited though.
We have already few assignments and we are meeting people. It is funny that this is the first time that we have a house just for us since our wedding. It is so different wake up in the morning and don't have the Haile's or "Drew dude" there, or a community around us.
So we are reading and putting vision and goals statement together and getting settle in.
Last night we went on a movie and just shocked us. Both of us after the movie were just tears. If you can, watch the Kite Runner... Those questions comes again: How can we make any difference in this world that is so perverted and cruel??? How can the human be so cold and mean?? those questions just makes us "hairy"... you can see on the picture.
Well we understand that it is about obedience and not questions...
Our only request to the Lord is please fill us up with your Holy Spirit, don't let us go if we are going in our own strength!!!!
Blessings!!!

It's cold out here!!!

Warm wishes from MN!! As most of you know we have been planning to drive out to MN via Cody, WY (see photo of our good friends) this winter. And we did... just a little later and in a different car! The day we left Eddy had a CRAZY idea to call a good friends Chad & Leeanne and ask to swap our Honda for their 4Runner, as most of our belongings wouldn't fit in our snazzy little Accord. And wouldn't you know it- the night before they had prayed that God would give them a Honda Accord! They even turned down a buyer, feeling it just wasn't the right time to sell! Long story short, we delayed the trip a few days to figure out the titles and pray through the decision. But when all was said and done, God provided us with a wonderful truck to handle the weather and our gear-- and we have made it safely to MN! Thanks for all who prayed and the friends who blessed our lives back in Salem, OR... We miss you all already!

Almost time to go again.....

Here we are, this is our last week in Salem. We are almost packed and we are really excited. So much to tell about these last five years, so much that God did with/through us... the best is that God called us and He is sending us with His and the leaderships blessings. Today we were prayed off by the North American Leaders. What a great time, they just got back and are leaving again and gave us some of their precious time to meet one last time... Thank you so much Pete and Luba!!!
We are pretty busy this week still. We have to meet so many people and say goodbye's to our good friends, we have to decide what to take to MN and then to N. Africa. We are not coming back here before we go in May and because we are leaving everything in storage here, we need the right things.
In MN, it will be cold and Sudan, hot, so what we take to one, can not be taken for other....
We have a house to stay in MN. A dear friend opened his house to us to stay there. He has this house for missionaries to come and greatfully the house is open to us.
We are asking ourselves all the time: Do we have enough of the Holy Spirit to be able to be in Sudan for a season??? Is our mission call really a reflection of our relationship and intimacy with the Lord or we are going with our own strength??
We are excited and the Lord has been showing us that we are moving in the right direction and our marriage is a big reflection of that!! We are doing great!!
Blessings and Go Ryan GO!!! (This is another story, Ryan is a good friend!!!)

Here we are...

Here are some pictures of Hawaii... what a great place!!
We are back in Salem after a amazing time in Hawaii... We've been sharing the vision with a focus group here at the base and today we share with a group of Wyclife...
Now are are getting ready to go to Minneapolis for couple of months. We are leaving Salem in Feb 26th to Wyoming and then Minneapolis. On the 23rd and 24th of this month we have a soccer coaching classes.

We went to the coast last night with some friends just to spend the night and be with this good friend of us. They are getting ready to go to Azerbaijan in few months.
Jess still working for this next week and I'm studying and packing.
Blessings to you... We miss Hawaii!!!