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...

out with the Cops II

And today again.... coming back from the Gym class to the school, after pick up some beens and fish food a Cop pulled me over. Second time in last than 10 days... may be I have to let my facial hair grow again.... Anyway, he asked for my drivers license and I gave him my expired, laminate copy and told him I was a teacher and from Brazil. he took the license to his superior inside the official vehicle. The guy look and look at it, but can't read Portuguese.... The cop came back and asked me again, Are you a teacher?? My answer yes and a soccer coach... He smile and let me go. At least he didn't come inside my car or ask for a ride God is good..

Jess still throwing up, not as bad as was but a little. We are very excited about the baby and yesterday she started complaining about the pants... We wan tot go to the doctor everyday to see our baby, in few week we will go. This is her 11th week and growing...
I've talked to one of the founder of the school today about next year and the doors still open to come and coach for the school and start a soccer school after the school hours. He was very excited and seems like it will work it out for next year.

We are dealing with visas now, still early to renew, so we are wondering what to do to be able to come back with no much problems.. it will be very costly and time consuming, but we have to do it.

Photos:
Kailani, Jes's Brother's baby that came on Feb 21st. Gabriela, first grandchild of Eddy's family, came on March 21st, Eddy's sister expecting Mariannah for May. The year of the babies!!!

Blessings!!

Out with Cops!

Fridays I meet with two other guys for some accountability and time together. This last Fri, as I was on my way driving on the empty streets of downtown, because it's a day off, I stopped at a red light and waited for the green to go. I saw a policeman sitting on the corner of the street, stand up and come on my way. As I saw the timer for the light, it still had 23 seconds to be green, I could not go. Because of corruption here, when a cop approaches, check your pocket or run... but I couldn't!

So the guy tap on my window and asked for my Drivers License. Being a Brazilian here I have some advantages around. I gave him my copy laminated expired license from Brazil and it wasn't enough, he wanted my passport too. He made me pull over to the curb and got inside the car with me (!). In my head I just wanted to tell him that he wasn't welcomed in my car... (for the culture here, not acceptable). He wants my passport and because I didn't have it with me he wanted 30 SDG.(+/- 15 bucks). I told him I didn't have it and he got a little upset. He wrote on his hand 60. I started thinking that he was raising the fine. So, he told me to drive somewhere, I told him, "No-wait, the light is red", and he kept telling me to go! So, I just said (in a mix of Arabic/English), "no, no sir, it is red and put your seat belt on!!!

After the light turned green I drove for a block or two and then, fed up, pulled over and I told him that I wasn't going in that direction. I needed to turn around, and kept telling him to put the belt on. (He didn't anyway...) He asked me, "where is your Arabic?" I told him, (in Arabic) I'm from Brazil and we speak Portuguese, Arabic is too hard... The situation was getting kind of hot inside the little "Ferrari" and he was so disappointed!!! I told him that I would keep a copy of my passport inside the car form now on, I was just afraid of loosing the passport... He made me turn around and drop him off at the same stop light. He was pissed that I didn't buy him breakfast... and I went on my way happy for another Friday morning meeting.

We are at the 10th week of pregnancy. This week the little peanut can put his little arms around the tiny heart/chest and his nails are coming on his fingers and toes.

The hot season is here, this last week was around 105-108F during the day, praise God for energy and swamp coolers.

Blessings!!

Photos: A day at a Nile beach (up river a bit) with our friends who have access to a boat! Our homemade sun shelter, a king sheet, courtesy of our friends in MN!... Eddy and Mike playing frisbee in the Nile... Eddy coaching the NVA crocs in their final game- and a win!!

Little Soboll!!!

We decided that around 9-10 weeks we should take a trip to our local OBGYN to check on our little growing "mini-us"... And today was the day! But before diving in, let me give a little history. I'm (Jess) a nurse; I know perhaps a little too much, or maybe not quite enough, about the realities of pregnancy. My morning sickness had kicked in around week 7, leaving me nauseated and 5 lbs lighter, but started to dissipate these last few days... Causing growing concern inside of this hyper-aware nurses' mind. Perhaps there was something wrong? So instead of the usual giddiness of going to the doctor for a first Ultrasound, I was a bit more... resolutely realistic.

The large office with multiple rooms was clean and simple. Our appointment was for 5:30pm and we arrived in western style on-time. Close to an hour later (...Africa time) we were led to a small office where we gave our basic information. Then we were directed to the in-house lab, where 2 workers in plain clothes hand-pipeted my blood samples and looked under the microscope to count my blood cells... wow, so old school! After another hour passed, and now with the results of my iron level and blood sugar in hand, we waited to see the MD. Around 8:00pm we were shown into the US room. A pleasant doctor asked the routine questions and then onto the table I went... and there after but a second, was our little soon-to-be bundle of joy, measuring in at a little over an inch, heart beating and arms moving! After hearing the heartbeat and seeing him twitch around the screen, we were virtually speechless. To which the doctor laughed and patted the ultrasound machine saying, "thank God for the good American technology!"... Ha!

We were totally over-joyed! What an incredible miracle! And, the cherry on top? The whole thing, doctor's visit, ultrasound, labs... cost a whopping $35!!! Gotta love living in Africa.

We're both much more excited now and are thinking we'll hit the MD's office on a regular basis if an ultrasound is that cheap! Our next officail appointment is for the middle of May, right before we leave. Otherwise, everything looks good... Keep on growing little One!!! : )

Photos: First official picture of Mini-Soboll... Second official picture, with heartbeat showing... Yes, we're already the irritating couple that whips out pictures of their kids whenever there's a dull moment!

Glad that school started again!!

We are thankful for the opportunity and the time that we are spending at the school. Even that is taking so much time from our time and we would love to be in the East right now, the schedule and the routine help us alot. Jess is preparing another reading run with the kids and I'm with the classes. I want to start playing baseball with the older ones. It is funny that I made a comment with one of the parents about baseball and he told me that here no one plays that and he prefer that I teach his kids dance or gymnastics. GREAT, imagine coach Eddy with a pretty tight gym clothes. I'm not Nadia Comaneci.... it would be great!! Who does gymnastics here anyway??

This week we have a meeting with some guys that are interested in starting something in the are of sports here, may be another NGO with the focus on sports and child development in the Sport activities. Is an area here that hasn't been touch yet. If you want to put your kids at a soccer school, you have to be a part of a club, which cost lots of money. So we will see how this is turn around. This generation is almost lost, for the next one.... still hope.

Here is how is our baby doing:

Your pregnancy: 9 weeks

See the big picture

How your baby's growing:

Your new resident is nearly an inch long — about the size of a grape — and weighs just a fraction of an ounce. She's starting to look more and more human. Her essential body parts are accounted for, though they'll go through plenty of fine-tuning in the coming months. Other changes abound: Your baby's heart finishes dividing into four chambers, and the valves start to form — as do her tiny teeth. The embryonic "tail" is completely gone. Your baby's organs, muscles, and nerves are kicking into gear. The external sex organs are there but won't be distinguishable as male or female for another few weeks. Her eyes are fully formed, but her eyelids are fused shut and won't open until 27 weeks. She has tiny earlobes, and her mouth, nose, and nostrils are more distinct. The placenta is developed enough now to take over most of the critical job of producing hormones. Now that your baby's basic physiology is in place, she's poised for rapid weight gain.

Photo: Jess and my sister, both pregnant right now. My sister in law either... and Jess sister in law just had a third baby. Three girls, lets see what our is... but we have to wait!!

Blessings!!

Spring Break

This week we are on our Spring Break at the school. Reality, we are BORED. It is nothing to do here and to make worst Jess can't keep food in. Throw up is something of our daily routine now. The toilet sees her and say: "again?" She loss already around 5 pounds and is not feeling so hot. I was reading about pregnancy and feels like the she has all symptoms that are available douring pregnancy. Unrested arms and legs, headache, vomiting, morning sickness, emotional changes and so on. I'm so proud of her, she is trying to keep the good side of things. She still taking the tablets for pregnancy and trying to keep the iron coming...

Were were planning on going East this week but it felt through. She wasn't feeling good and the feeling of tension outside is pretty high so we were wondering about security the most. The situation with the Government still pretty much in the air and we just have to be careful.
The school starts again on Sunday, we are so looking forward to that. We are making plans for the future and we booked our tickets to go back to the States on May 14th. We were planning on going back in June or July but this tickets are for a year only and if we don't use it we will loose it. So Minneapolis, here we come!!

Your pregnancy: 8 weeks

See the big picture

How your baby's growing:

New this week: Webbed fingers and toes are poking out from your baby's hands and feet, his eyelids practically cover his eyes, breathing tubes extend from his throat to the branches of his developing lungs, and his "tail" is just about gone. In his brain, nerve cells are branching out to connect with one another, forming primitive neural pathways. You may be daydreaming about your baby as one sex or the other, but the external genitals still haven't developed enough to reveal whether you're having a boy or a girl. Either way, your baby — about the size of a kidney bean — is constantly moving and shifting, though you still can't feel it.

Blessings!!!

Inside for a few days...

We are staying inside this last two days because the news about the president and all that are happening here. Politically is not a good time for this part of Africa, specially for the refugees on the west that are seeing their most needed help from the NGOs leaving forcedly by the Government. This NGOs mostly provide clean water, medical care, food and all that the people need to survive as a refugee. We are deeply sad!

Jess is about 7 weeks now and she is not feeling so hot lately. Look at my wife just shows me that how amazing are the woman body and how amazing is the process of making a new person inside. It is hard though to see her throws up, don't eat much, sleeps more and pees more. What an amazing woman, what a change!! I'm so proud of her to just keep going and still smiling (most of the time).
We just found out that we have to go home a little early that we were planning too. Our tickets are good only for one year, with that said, because we came on May last year, we have to leave on May 14th. If we don't leave, we will loose the tickets (around 2000 bucks). So we will be going to MN on May 14th and we will decide from there where we suppose to be for the birth... (Brazil? Hawaii? Oregon? Minneapolis? Florida?Colorado Springs?) few things are in place, My parents are planning on coming for the birth, weather wise, green card applications and location location location...
Our plans are to come back in the beginning of next year, probably mids of January. All depends on green card, new passport for the baby, visas to comeback, tickets... just s few things.

Your pregnancy: 7 weeks

See the big picture

How your baby's growing:

The big news this week: Hands and feet are emerging from developing arms and legs — although they look more like paddles at this point than the tiny, pudgy extremities you're daydreaming about holding and tickling. Technically, your baby is still considered an embryo and has something of a small tail, which is an extension of her tailbone. The tail will disappear within a few weeks, but that's the only thing getting smaller. Your baby has doubled in size since last week and now measures half an inch long, about the size of a blueberry.

If you could see inside your womb, you'd spot eyelid folds partially covering her peepers, which already have some color, as well as the tip of her nose and tiny veins beneath parchment-thin skin. Both hemispheres of your baby's brain are growing, and her liver is churning out red blood cells until her bone marrow forms and takes over this role. She also has an appendix and a pancreas, which will eventually produce the hormone insulin to aid in digestion. A loop in your baby's growing intestines is bulging into her umbilical cord, which now has distinct blood vessels to carry oxygen and nutrients to and from her tiny body.


Blessing to you all!!

Ahmed or Yasmine??

And here comes..... JESS IS PREGNANT!!

See the big picture

How your baby's growing: This week's major developments: The nose, mouth, and ears that you'll spend so much time kissing in eight months are beginning to take shape. If you could see into your uterus, you'd find an oversize head and dark spots where your baby's eyes and nostrils are starting to form. His emerging ears are marked by small depressions on the sides of the head, and his arms and legs by protruding buds. His heart is beating about 100 to 160 times a minute — almost twice as fast as yours — and blood is beginning to course through his body. His intestines are developing, and the bud of tissue that will give rise to his lungs has appeared. His pituitary gland is forming, as are the rest of his brain, muscles, and bones. Right now, your baby is a quarter of an inch long, about the size of a lentil bean.



Unbelievable!!! We are so happy!! Just looking at the pictures about the 6th week and we just cant believe how one of 210,000 little guy get inside another weird "egg" and becomes a person, a World changer, a new family!!
We were in Kenya and after Jess got a little late, we got the test at a pharmacy. i didn't know that two lines have to show up in three minutes after 5 drops of urine. After 5 seconds the two lines were there. I thought that it might go away after three minutes and it didn't go.. so we just start looking a t each other, tears and the reality comes in... Baby on the way!! Parents!! Future!! Family!! Education!!God some help!!!

We are a little scared and excited at the same time, we will be a family in last than 8 months... We both don't know if we want a boy or girl...
Jess is feeling a bit a nauseas and a little more tired than the normal, It is hard to look at my girl and see that she is a little uncomfortable with the feeling on the body!
It is all good!!

Blessings!!

Crocs Finally Win!!!

Yesterday it finally came for the Boys U11 soccer team that Eddy coaches. We won the first on the season (2x1) and specially on the "house" of the undefeated team of the season.
First we had the girls played. Jess led the team greatly but, with our goal keeper kicking the ball to their striker, the goal was inevitable. The girls ran until the end but could not put the ball on the net.
The boys, after arriving at the school and being called losers by the other team and students, set together and we talked. I told them that I was tired of being called that and I just wanted the win. Play hard but play fair!! Two minutes before the game started I got one of our player and asked him to guard their best player: "don't worry about the ball or the game, he is not playing today!" and it did worked. Our two rotating guards did a great job! On the half time we were wining by one goal that their defense player kicked in by mistake. They tied the game right at the beginning of the second half and I told them, keep going guys!! At 7 minutes, our mid fielder kicked at the goal, the ball touched the defender and went slowly between the keeper's lags, the ball didn't even touched the net, it was really sow. The team and the parents went "nuts". 13 minutes to go, screams from the fans and coach: "Go Cros, STOP THEM" and it did worked out!! Our first win after the whistle blew felt like a dream.. players on the ground celebrating like the "World Cup winners", parents smiling and my heart so happy.
With some sorrows form the other team we shook hands and told the other team that they did a great job.

About here, things are pretty hot about the Government situation. Was ready announced on the news that on March 4th it will be announce the decision for the future of the President. The Brazilian Embassy highly recommended to us to leave this week yet and just wait outside for whats is going to happen at this Country. We decided in not leaving because of costs and all of the teachers of the school are staying too. We have some food stocked and we will make sure that we have enough for at least a week. We hope the power don't get cut because during the day is already getting pretty hot (102F today). Next week is our spring break and if the things are calm, we are planning in going East to see what we are called for!!

Nairobi- Mashallah!!

It has been an absolute blessing be able to spend some time in Kenya. Nairobi has grown in leaps and bounds since my (Jess) last visit some 23 years ago, when I was a whopping 12 years old... It's much more developed, with movie theaters, shopping malls and western-style stores. We have done a little shopping, watched a couple movies (yay!!!) and enjoyed wearing western clothes out in public!

The conference started a few days ago and what an encouraging time it has been! Over 40 some people from all over the world are meeting to discuss the same people- and see what's on the heart of God for them! Meeting new people and re-acquainting ourselves with others has given us fresh vision... and excitement for the future!

The meeting will finish tomorrow and we'll have a few more days in the city before heading back home. While we have had an incredible time, we are eager to get back to working at the school, our soccer teams and being at "home"... I think we're finally adapting!

Politically speaking, things are heating up and we're trying to be wise and lay low. Being out of the country is helpful, but makes getting back in a little bit more tricky... We will pray, trust and keep you posted.

Photos: Eddy in a market in Nairobi... Some locals playing soccer in the land of sand- nice pitch eh?? (And how about the local with the donkey selling laban, or milk, in the background?) A cool flower in Kenya... Jess and Eddy geocaching outside of Nairobi- near Karen's house, from the movie Out Of Africa...

NVA Crocs Defeated Again...

We had high hopes going into our games today- great practices, overall team improvement- only to see our hopes squelched out by heat, hunger and fatigue. U11 boys and girls lost their games against our fearsome competitor, the girls losing 0-4, the boys 1-13. They both played hard and held their own in the first half, but seemed to completely fall apart in the second. The Crocs play again next week- meaning just one practice to figure out what went wrong and make changes... Eddy and I are both devestated at the sad turn of events- we so wanted to see them win!!

Rumors are spreading fast about the political situation here- we're being told to prepare and be wise. Hopefully all will remain as usual, but if not, internet coverage could be sketchy. We'll keep you posted as best we can!

I threw in a picture of our usual evening meal time-- just to give you a picture of a typical dinner at our flat... Tonight was Pizza night; the crust made with my handy bread machine! (Hand carried over from the states-- Yay for cheap technology!) We make an effort every night to sit down to a meal together and try to relax. We brought over a couple pilar candles to add to the mood and help with the smell in the house/area/nation- predominantly dirt and dust.

We leave for Kenya next week.

Photos: This is the car we get to use which we lovingly call "The Ferrari". We routinely carry more passengers then should be allowed as there are really no seat belt laws and people always need a ride somewhere. This is heading out after the games... Some shots at the game- held at our opponents beautiful campus... Night At Jess and Eddy's Flat- once inside, I peal off the typical outerwear expected here and go Hawaiian style; and check out that tasty pizza!!! : )

Here and There

After much consideration we have decided to travel to Kenya for the upcoming meeting. We received our exit/re-entry visas quickly... and while we were hoping to get "multiple" exit/re-entry visas (saving us $$ later on), it apparently just wasn't possible at this time. We'll be heading out in mid-February for a week in the Nairobi area. We're excited to meet with friends and see another type of African culture.

Soccer: The NVA crocs push on despite some set-backs... The Under 11 girls tied their last game and will try again against the same team this next week. We unfortunately lost our fabulous goalie and are frantically trying to train up someone! The Under 11 boys put up a valiant fight this past week, but couldn't hold on, losing 0-1. They have 3 more tries to turn things around. On a positive note- a player's mother went to the local suuq to track down some matching shorts and socks, transforming our little ragamuffins into a genuine futbol censacao! (soccer sensation!)

In general though, we are re-ajusting well, and everything looks a bit sunnier after our break. Our plans for the summer and fall are still uncertain, wavering between studying language in another country to continuing to teach at NVA to heading out East... We'll keep you all posted!

Photos: Once a week I head over to our pre-school to read stories to our 4-6 year olds; a few speak english and as I read they yell out words they understand... "fishy!"... "lion!"... The Under 11 boys last soccer match- check out those classy uniforms!

It is time??

This month we have to answer if we will stay teaching at the school for one more year or not. We talked to one of the school leaders that has been here for almost 12 years now and he gave us total freedom to decide if we would stay or not.." no pressure, I want you guys to stay!!" he says. he gave us totally freedom to choose what we want to do at the school like, only coach; only nurse; only teach.... what ever we choose we need to be committed!!
We understand his point o view and the desire in keeping us. Now we are here to learn the language and move East sometime. This year was great to learn the culture from a "child like" point o view at the school. We learned a little bit of language and the adaptation was easier with something to do (it is so boring here!!)
But, to move East we are not so sue yet. We are not speaking Arabic yet. We can go to the Market, ask questions and have a little conversation, but nothing that we could chat and talk with the locals for a long time.
The leader of the school suggested to stay here one more year and focus only in language. He suggested that we would have something to take our minds of the "verbs" once in while but focus in the language full time. He has been many times at the target town and he knows how hard over there could be for us.
Our hearts are to go there now, but our fear is to wear out and comeback as a looser... Stay here another year and focus only in language seems more prudent for the future... do few trips there like once a month to pray and see would be great.
He suggested too TESOL school (teaching Language as Second language) that can be well use in the town. We are looking for classes on line. He suggested an intensive class in Egypt. The curriculum that the Arabic Schools here are using now are to so efficient, even for his team, he is a little disappointed with it. We just don't know about that one yet.... we are praying!

Please, pray with us!!!

Football, NVA style

School is clipping along with updated schedules and more classes to teach. Just this week we realized we only have 13 more weeks with these students and with NVA before heading out to other endeavors. We try to remind ourselves of this when the kids become unruly, disobedient or just down right irritating... patience, compassion and purpose!

Football Update: The football (soccer) season is in full swing, Eddy coaching the Under 11 Boys and Jess the Under 11 girls. The girls are holding their own with one loss (our first time goalie did a "woops" and kicked the ball into our own goal) and one tie. This is basically a huge success for us as we practice on a small rented field 1-2x/week and our opponents have their own pitches to play on to their hearts content! The boys are having a bit more trouble with an injured star player and 2 losses. We're hoping for strong comebacks for both teams and eagerly await our upcoming games- Go Crocs!

Kenya Plans: We have tentative plans to travel to Kenya in February for a meeting regarding our purpose. Our team (of sorts) here has expressed great interest in our attendence, almost begging us to come. While we are eager to have the opportunity to go, we dread the exit/re-entry visa hassles and cringe when considering the finances needed to leave this place... ouch! But we know that he is beyond faithful and has been/is an abundant provider. We'll keep you posted!

Football Quotes of the Week: There is no end to the interesting comments from onlookers and parents, reminding us that we are not in our home cultures... Here are a few teasers...
After practice one day: "The girls should stick with basketball; Soccer is a man's sport."
From a student, not allowed to play: "My father says I'm getting too dark."
From a student, not allowed to play: "My mom says my legs are not going to be feminine when I grow up."
From a mother of a boy player, commenting about our shared jerseys: "The jerseys should be for the boys, and the girls can wear something else."


Photos: I took my camera to our football match only to discover the dreaded flashing battery sign on the screen- Mushkila! So here are a few photos from our flat... Flowers are more readily available now with the cooler temps- this one is on the windowsill in front of my stove... Our new chairs! Friends sold us these to replace our rather uncomfortable metal ones, $20 for both and we had them recovered for $8-- the fabric is cheerful and brightens up our rather plain little flat! Mashallah comfy charis!

Upon Our Arrival...

We had to throw in the obligatory "Dust/Dirt" picture... We were away from the flat, windows securely closed, for a month and yet, somehow, the desert creeps in. It's an ongoing battle which is never won, just constantly kept at bay. People here joke about how the sands are trying to reclaim the territory the city took over, and I'm beginning to believe them! It has become habitual for us, when picking up a book or a note pad off the counter, to first wipe it down or brush it off, our hands then covered with the fine, brown desert grit. Our most astounding bit of culture shock when we first arrived back in the states- No dust/dirt!!! The counter tops and tables? Clean! And the next day, with the windows open... still clean! We routinely wiped our hands across surfaces in amazement...

Photos: Our windowsill in the flat; a carved crocodile (the tail in the photo) lounges in the dust; before the finger swipe test... And after... Yikes!

What a great day it was!!!

Looking at our wedding pictures today I got some good memories back from that day more than 2 years ago. WHAT A FUN DAY!!!
God ha blessed us so much here on the Land of Sand. The daily insecurity, the uncertain political future and the hope of making difference here makes me look to our God more and more! My wife has been the one that is on my side everyday and makes me look to the favor that I found in the Lord. Even with so much oppression here, she still wants to finish the job... Sometimes I wonder how can she do it?? Got married to a crazy guy like me and still loves me... She is amazing!! Praise God for this woman of faith that He gave me!!

About here:
The school started on last Sun and we are with our jobs with a "full throttle". Soccer season, classes Library upside down and the kids tired from the holidays.... Our Principal came with few more classes for me to teach and to go to another part of our school to teach the nursery kids. Unfortunately I had to say no. We are here to focus in the language and culture. We haven't done that as much as we want so far. I explained that we are here for the tribe and not for the school. I should be a soccer coach and Jess the nurse, but they needed a PE teacher and a librarian... so we jumped in. Such a blessing and so time consuming... We need to focus in what God called us. He was kind to us and totally understood what I was saying.

Today before the girls U14 soccer practice I went to one of the players and ask her if she was coming to the practice and she told me that she was no coming to play in the team anymore. I ask her "why?"
- My dad says that I'm getting to dark from the Sun, so I can't play anymore - she answer.
Unbelievable!!!

We had our first games with the U11 boys and girls yesterday and we lost both. Girls 2x1 (our goal keeper put the ball in hers own goal) and Boys 3x1. Fun to watch them playing and running. Both teams seems like that will improve after few more practices (we had only two).

Time is going fast here, 14 more weeks and school is over... we are just praying for when to move East... pray with us!!

Cover Me... I'm Goin' In!

"Three weeks from now I will be harvesting my crops... Imagine where you will be and it will be so... Hold the Line! Stay with me! If you find yourself alone riding in green fields with the sun on your face, do not be troubled, for you are in Alesium (sp) and you're already dead!
What we do in life, echoes in eternity." --- Maximus/Gladiator

And we're off again! We've wrapped up our few weeks here, back in the states, and are awaiting our flights back to the frontlines in the land of sand. We wanted to take this time to thank our family and friends for all your support, encouragement and love. And while this quote is a bit colored and dramatic, it's still basically true. Let he who began a good work in and through all of us bring it to completion!

Back-Tracking: World's Best Parents

In a nut shell: We decided to take a mini-break for the Holiday Season, leaving our African life for a month to R&R with some supporter friends in FL. We asked Jess' parents to come out to join us for a week; we'd meet somewhere and be able to reconnect for a few days. We decided on Orlando... and my parents tried as best they could to get there. We were blessed throughout the process, as Jess' dad got a free trip, mom had miles to get rid of and dad had connections for free lodging- a beautiful Townhome!

We had a fabulous time together! It's rare that one gets to spend time with their family and really connect- and that's what happened. Disney provided plenty of entertainment and activities and turned out to be the perfect back drop for a mini-reunion. It seemed to go by far too fast, but we so greatly enjoyed seeing them.

We're back in FL now after our 2 week venture to DC, VA, and NC... it was a fun, sight-seeing trip with the Carvalho family. Blessings seemed to follow us wherever we went... Our hotel in DC was a block from the Capital and cost $45 a night... We asked about the breakfast buffet- it was $20 a person; We said thank you, but no thank you- so they gave it to us for free... And our car rental- free upgrade! We can only praise God for the blessings that he has poured out over us!We have a week left before heading back to Africa... We have been loaned a phone and will be making many much-needed phone calls to all our family and friends... thanks for your patience!!


Photos: Us and my parents go crazy at the Disney Store... Our favorite ride- Toy Story shooting game- being attacked by Evil Lord ???... Visiting Norway in Epcot- Vikings at their best... It's tough to be a bug- what good-sports my parents are!... My Mom and I... While geocaching in FL- saw this 'coon taking cover up a palm tree... Car trouble- good thing we renewed our insurance for this rental (ours is the SUV)!!!