An evening on the Banks of the Nile...

It has been wonderful getting back together with good friends here... especially one family from Germany and another from the states. They both have kids and being together is very encouraging. Our latest outing was to an island that rests where the two Nile rivers (the White and the Blue) merge, in the center of K-Town. For years the only way to reach the island was by ferry boat, but recently a bridge was built to span the short distance, making our planned adventure very accessible!

The plan was dinner by the Nile- and it was truly lovely! It started out hotter than anticipated- I guess the sun doesn't really lose it's heat after 4pm... or 5pm.. or...! But soon enough the breezes grew cooler and we laid back in the sand while supping on homemade hamburgers and potato and pasta salads. The "beach" was teaming with locals picnicking and playing soccer in the dark Nile sand. It was a relaxing time of enjoying the outdoors, the rare beauty of this place and friends.

We've officially been here for over 2 weeks and the jet-lag has, or at least should have, passed. We are however, still struggling a bit during the late night hours, tossing and turning in the wee hours of the morn, making our true-mornings quite unpleasant! But, all in all, we are doing well and handling the transition back to African life in stride. Ben is a champ and is winning the hearts of the people here with one look- honestly though, who can refuse those cheeks?! The women in the market adore him, calling us over, hugging him and kissing his feet, hands and once, even the mouth! Our usual quick trip took at least triple the amount of time... Which we loved! How the once sour looks have melted into huge smiles!

We continue to meet with former colleagues and make new contacts, bringing new opportunities. Our timing seems to be good, as some doors have opened that weren't open before. As soon as things become more concrete, we'll let you in on the plans!

Visas: We started the renewal process on April 1st and 6 days later our previous ones expired. Our visa-helper-guy, Mohammed, seems to think there shouldn't be a problem... so now it's just back to the waiting game.

Photos: Our arrival and spot in the sand... Ben resting in our stroller (note soccer players praying in the background)... Ben's supper time... Khawajas (foreigners) and locals sharing some sand... The water is only about waist deep during the dry season... The Cheeks- they just don't stop!!!... Our current modes of transport- 1st pic: the bus (Muhata)... 2nd pic: Rickshaw (pronounced Ruckshaw here)...

On the way to the Sand Box

We have arrived! As did all of our luggage-- always a bonus! However, the trip getting here didn't start out as we had anticipated... a bit surprising, but it ended up being all for the better- God is good in working things out that way!

When we arrived at the Minneapolis airport, with our 7 pieces of not-so-small check-in luggage and 3 not-so small carry-on items (not including Ben, who technically could be considered just that!), we expected nothing but the usual- fairly normal check-in, pay a few luggage fees, wander through the security check point, take off some stuff, put some stuff back on, grab a snack on the way to the gate and sit back, relax and play some sudoku before boarding. Well, much to our chagrin, it didn't go as planned. We were actually fortunate to discover that our original flight to Phili had been delayed, as check-in seemed to be taking much longer than usual. Eddy and Ben's e-tickets were located , processed and baggage tags printed, but mine (Jess's) seemed to be more difficult to locate. So difficult in fact that they couldn't find it all. As it turned out, our travel agent (one of the few times we have ever used one) had never issued my ticket. Not so good when you are trying to fly somewhere!

Frantically we began the process of locating our agent, who we had only contacted through email- great. Using our good friend Kevin's smart phone and calling our other good friend Jeff, to use his blackberry, we made a search for the agency and started calling numbers. By this time 2 hours had passed and we were losing flights right and left... The ridiculously helpful check-in agents weren't looking too hopeful for us getting out of there that day- swell. After a few short, but nerve racking minutes we found someone at the agency to help us, who immediately issued my ticket, and assured me that had never happened before, and why hadn't I called earlier? I stated, as calmly as I could, that had I known the ticket I purchased wasn't going to be issued, I'd have called right away--How foolish of me to assume it would be! Ugh.

To make a long story shorter, the fabulous agents at the counter worked their magic and found us a completely new route, on a completely different carrier to get us reconnected with our itinerary in Frankfurt. So, we hauled our ridiculous amounts of junk over to United and re-started the check-in process. Not all our stuff made the cut; our beloved little generator was refused passage due to the potentially dangerous fumes wafting up from its box. But everything else got on, and not a cent was paid on luggage fees!

To top it off, someone along the way bumped us up to economy plus- more leg room in the cattle car! And when we got on our connecting flight to K-town, we discovered the plane was a chartered private liner- only business class! Three course meals, champagne, chocolates, magazines, lazy-boy style seats, a bassinet and toys for Baby Ben... a dream! So much so, that when the plane arrived in the Sand Box, and the seat belt lights chimed off, not a person on the plane moved- no usual shoving and pushing or tapping toes as the door opens. Really who wants to rush off that plane into the desert? Nope, we all basked in the final comforts of the west...

Ok- that's it for now- we are doing well, adjusting and acclimatizing. It's a slower process, but we're all taking it in stride. Thanks for your thoughts and prayers... More to come!

Photos: Our fabulous little fam... What made the packing list, you ask? The obligatory inflatable ducky bath!... Ben LOVES it... Ben and the duck in our little flat in K-town, oh- and our propane tank which needed filling- great for the child play area, eh?

Little Changes....

As we know, our heart can make plans, but the right plan comes from God...

We had a plan in going to the Land of Sand for a year.... As we came back from the West Coast and Canada, we feel (and our team in MN) that this will be a time to renew our visas, search the projects opportunities with the village and come back to form the team and to put some projects together.

This projects are related to Community and Development. When in Canada, we talked to a Church that wants to partner with us.

Coming back to MN with the news, our "senders" felt that is better to go for a shorter time and get things straight out here first to be more affective when there.s and they have a opportunity to encourage us to work in this area. They are few NGO's ran by this Church and one of them is a International NGO that the office is in Vancouver, BC.

So, we are leaving on March 30th to Africa, secure our visas to another year and in May is a Conference/Training in Amman, Jordan for couple of weeks.

When in the West Coast, we visited the Base and few supporters. It was a blessing to see how God is moving there too. We missed the warmth and hugs from friends and supporters. The Church there is on "fire" for the Lord and growing...

Thank you so much for your prayers and hope that the HS is moving in you as is in us!

Photos: West Coast with Ben, Flowers in Oregon and Baby Ben with us and uncle Kevin.

Back and going again...

We are back from Brazil. What an amazing time there!! It was so short.... we traveled quite a bit to Camboriu (beach in the South), Brasilia (visiting Eddy's sister and family), Sao Paulo (visiting Eddy's Dad side of the family) and back to Curitiba.
We were running too with Ben's birth certificate, Marriage certificate, driving license for Eddy. We did some teeth tretment that cost almost nothing comparing to the States and the Doctor was amazing. We try to start a process for Jes's Brazilian passport but we ran out of time.
We visit some supporters and friends but it wasn't enough time to see everyone.

Now we are going on March 1st to the West Coast visit the Base, Churches and friends. We are going to Vancouver, Canada on the 8th until the 10th and back to Minneapolis on the 12th. In Canada, we are going to visit another Ministry and Church that work with Community Developement and wants to partner with us in Africa (very exciting!!)

We booked our tickets to the Land of Sand on March 30th. For another year we will be there.... We got our re-entry visas in Brazil with some of the easy and cheaper way of all times.
Please pray for Ben, he did so well in Brazil and coming back, now we are going again. Yesterday he had his 4 month check up and shots. Now he is 27 and 3/4 inches long, his head is 17 cm diameter and his weight is 18lb6oz ( a big guy!!!)

Blessings to you all!!!!

PICTURES: Eddy and his brother paragliding, Eddy's sister with Ben and Mariana, One of the beaches in the South, little monkeys in Deborah's house in Brasilia, Sao Paulo at the Uncles ranch, Deborah's family with a Golde Retriver tht they raise in Brasilia, Jes and Ben at the Sunset and Ben and Ben.

BRAZIL! and baby stuff... of course!

Eddy's parents meet Benjamin!
We have made it to the southern hemisphere and are savoring the warmth! Brazil seems even more beautiful than when we were last here... the trees are brighter, the air is fresher, the food is- well, the food is always better! It's been about 5 days and we've been to four, yes (4) churrascarias (all you can eat style BBQ restaurants... that happen to be uber-cheap!)... the hope of shedding a few winter pounds has suffocated under pounds of beef... literally.
Diaper change on the flight!
Ben has been fabulous here- he slept through most of the flights, barely made a peep and has been adjusting to the weather, people, places, parties... wonderfully. We couldn't have asked for a more precious son!
The meeting of the cousins, Eddy's brother Danyel with Gabriela
Today was our family baptism, where Benjamin and Gabriela, Eddy's niece, were dedicated and baptized at his home church here in Brazil. It was good time of celebration with family and friends.

Enough talk- the rest is photos to give you a glimpse into the last few weeks/days here... enjoy!

And the poking begins!
Playing with the kids in Danyel and Lis's house
The baptism...
The After Party, at a Churrascaria, of course!, celebrating baptisms and birthdays!
The "I'm overstimulated" look...
The whole fam!
Danyel, Lis and Gabriela
The cousins... the poking continues!

3 Months with Benjamin!

Our Ben is 3 months! Woot-Woot! Eddy and I feel so fortunate to have this time to spend with him, watching him grow, adjust and learn... and doing some of that ourselves! While granted it has only been just a few weeks, we absolutely LOVE having a son! Yes, there are days of stress and little sleep and feeling totally incompetent... but above all that is the overwhelming, inexplicable love. He's smiling and cooing, gasping and batting at toys. He's started to drool, making us wonder if there aren't some teeth wanting to break the surface... oh boy! And he's no little fella- he's over 16lbs... and it looks like most of that is in his head!

In other news... We're heading to Brazil in a few days and will be there visiting family, friends and supporters for about a month. It will be Ben's first airplane experience and we're curious to see how things go... we'll keep you posted!

It looks like we'll be making one last trip out west in March, before we return to the Sand Box in April, just in time to renew our visas. We'll be stopping by Salem to visit friends and supporters and also swinging by Vancouver to look into some different ministry opportunities. We're very excited to see if we can partner with different people to better reach out to those in Africa.

Photos: Ben! Our big smiley Boy!!!... Car seat dreams- as he munches on his teddy's ear... Feeding in the car... Feeding in the bed- the blessed "dream feed", where he never wakes up, just gulps down the milk!... Eddy running the Polar Dash- it was -10 degrees!... Out and about in MN during winter- brrrrrr!... Batting at a musical toy.... Daddy plays Rasta Man with Benjamin!