just a hop and a skip.

Only in Africa would you send an excited text saying that the toilet flushed. And since I’m in Africa, I sent that text, just this week. I think that there was a break in the pipes or something, and most if not all of camp was waterless. But, at around 12:15 in the morning on Wednesday after watching a movie with Amethyst, I sent her that text  after using the choo down the hill from their house. Oh, it’s the small and unexpected things in life that we get the biggest kick out of!

At least a couple nights I had a new roomie. Unfortunately my creativity failed me on this one, and I didn’t come up a name much beyond Mr. Frog, but the name was pretty appropriate nonetheless since he/she was a frog. The first night I noticed him was quite a hopping one. I also had a lively grasshopper hopping about. He was fine until he jumped into my hair. That was just too much! I eventually let him out, but it took some effort. I captured him under the bottom of a solar lantern, and eventually got him outside. I think his heart was still beating when I set him free, and if it was, I imagine it was beating quite wildly. I know mine would have been!

I have to confess: I’m rather afraid of hopping things like frogs and grasshoppers. I mean, if they’re just out doing their thing its fine, but I’m scared to pick them up. The idea of them jumping in my hands doesn’t bode well with me. So, while I tried to shoo Mr. Frog out, he was also scared of me, so he would hop to some unfortunate hiding place where I could no longer reach to shoo. I think he might have stayed the night inside that night. The next night or, he (or his buddy) showed himself again. After I went to Morrison’s house to potty, Tricia brought their little broom down with her and helped – ok pretty much did all the work – shoo Mr. Frog outside. She left and I immediately put a towel/shoes down to block the huge gap under my door. I turned my light out shortly after that, and I hadn’t laid in bed very long before I heard something. I shone my flashlight about, and the light landed on something. I looked around a bit more then got up to check. Sure enough, there was a frog, frozen in the light, scared for his life. I’m not sure if he was Mr. Frog, or the buddy, but regardless, I left him to hop around and went to bed. I didn’t wake up to a frog on my face in the morning, and I really haven’t seen him since. Maybe he decided I wasn’t the best roommate…

This weekend, we had a nice visit with the Morrison’s colleagues from Dar who came for a visit. We even hiked and ziplined across the river to a farm where some of the kiddos got to ride horses. Last week was Avery, Tricia, and little Emily Ellis’s birthdays. So, for the girls’ birthdays they got to ride horses. And Tuesday, Avery had her first riding lesson at that same farm. It was a most beautiful place to be, full of green, and hominess, and great creatures like hyraxes and friendly dogs. They have this great big Belgian Shepherd named Dingo who’s fir you can simply sink your fingers in and who would do just about anything to get some lovin’. I won’t lie, I’m thrilled to give that lovin’, even if he does shed like crazy. J

Sunday morning, God’s goodness shined. I got a special phone call: My mom and very sleepy dad! We got to talk for over an hour, and as wonderful as it was, it simply wasn’t enough. I’m thankful that I’ll get weeks with them when I get back! I felt bad that I did most of the time. They sounded healthy aside from my dad’s sleepiness, which isn’t much of a health thing, just a need for sleep. J Thanks to mum and dad, and our DCBC pastor’s Skype, my morning was made!

HOPAC is an international Christian school in Dar. Just this week some single gals who teach there stayed the night at the campsite, and I got to play Hearts and Dutch Blitz with them. What a blessing to get some single gal time. Since my roomie left, that’s been lacking in my life. And it was funny too because just that day while on our prayer walk, Tricia prayed that God would maybe send other friends for the kids and I. I think it was around this time that I realized that girlfriend time is lacking in my life. It’s quite different than my life back in the States. And then God provided me a night of cards, girls, and then a movie with Amethyst while her hubby watched soccer. Way to go God!

I’m scared to say this for fear something will change, but miracle of miracles, I think I’m getting this Swahili thing. Pole pole of course (pole-a pole-a means slowly slowly). Don’t get me wrong, I can’t speak like a Tanzanian. I can’t speak much at all. But, I’m understanding the language more, and I feel more comfortable and less like AM I EVER GONNA GET THIS?!

I’ve enjoyed getting more reading time in, and have made it through several novels since being in Africa. Tricia loaned me The Shack which I’m reading right now. I don’t think I’ve ever read such a thought-provoking novel in my entire existence! It’s such a good reminder of God’s love and how as humans we complicate what God intended to be simple. If you wish to be challenged a bit, and haven’t read The Shack yet, read it!

The last chapter in Tricia and I’s Bible Study has really challenged us to acknowledge God’s presence more in life. When we wake up. Thank God for the food. Travel (even more important while living in Africa J). Dot dot dot. I’m still working on it, but it’s really quite amazing. I’ve been seeing it, and it’s awesome. God is never not there, but the unfortunate side of life is that we sometimes miss him in the business of our schedules. The life that God intended us to live for him sometimes gets sidetracked and way too distracted.

This week’s thank you’s… For fluffy dog fir. All the great friends we’re blessed with here. Progress. Silliness. Peppermint tea. New music. God’s continual provision and fulfilling of desires. The best parents on the planet. And changes for the better.

Have a wonderfully Happy Easter, friends! Amidst all the fuzzy bunnies, Cadbury eggs, and Easter baskets, be sure to stop and just thank Jesus for the ultimate sacrifice He made for every single one of us. How different our lives would be were it not for that painfully great moment so long ago…

PS- please pray. Will Phillips, who owns River Valley with his wife, passed away in the night. How interesting that he died on Good Friday… As far as we know, he was closed to the gospel up until his death. Pray for a miracle in the lives of his wife and daughter and for comfort. The funeral is on Tuesday.