Grocery Shopping

We are getting more brave this year and we also no longer have access to a car. So today we went down to the vegetable guy on the street and flirted a little to let him know we would be back often. So he would give us a good deal. Then moved on to the fruit guy flirting again. Hey gotta use it for something in this country. Then you jump on the closest bus and hope that it is going in the right direction to where you are going. Get off at the doucan (store) closest to your house and pick up a few other things. Oh wait we are not done yet we still do not have any meat. That is coming another day though cause for that we have to go to the butcher. So much for one stop shops like in Fred Meyers or Walmart. Oh and still have to go to the bakery. So when you are walking around your grocery stores and go to each department think instead of getting on a bus or taking another transportation to each area. Then ordering what you would like in another language. Oh how I love the adventures that life is when you are living here :) However we have most of our needs as far as food goes now! I have never been to a butcher, last year we went to the American grocery store so it should be exciting and another adventure. Hopefully we will not get sick.

My adventure across the world.

From This...

I left my house around 4:30 am on Monday morning of last week to head to the airport. I had slept about 2-3 hours, because I was getting thingstogether to leave. I get to the airport and my brother got lost trying to find his way to where Iwas after parking the car. Then we took and checked in all 9 bags with not a problem at all! Huge praise! The lady was a little surprised, but when none of them were over weight she was happy to help. Then as I am heading in to get my last starbucks for a long time to come. I started speaking with a pilot and asking him where he is going. I told him I was going to Africa and he was pretty interested. Before I knew it he bought me breakfast then just left. He said I reminded him of his own daughter! How awesome! I headed down to my gate hoping that all my flights would go as planned for the first time in over a year and then they decide to move us to another gate. This turned out great, I met a girl that has the same job as me in South Africa and she knows a lot of the same people I know. Small world!

On the plane to New York I met a superintendent and a science t

eacher. The superintendent wanted me to go and work at his school. I explained that I already have a job, but would be willing to do pen pals with a class at his school.

So we head to New York where, seriously that is the worst laid out airpor

t in the world in my opinion. It was fun though and I got m

y last McDonalds. Headed through security and walked right onto the plane and got to start speaking some Arabic which helped since I was kinda late to get on the plane, but hey I was going to Africa where everything is late. Then we sat on the runway for 2 hours waiting to take off.

10 hours of flying later and I was in Egypt my last airport before heading home. I was not there for long so I headed down to my gate and got dressed appropriately for the country that I call my home. I met some amazing people in the airport that ended up sitting next to me on the plane. I highly encourage people to talk to others when traveling you meet the most amazing people! Once we got on the plane the lady told me that I looked "drowsy" well I was thinking I have been traveling for over 24hrs at this point, "yes I am

drowsy!" Yet she kept waking me up for food and other things when I fell asleep... really? How I love this culture!

Arrived in my home airport and it was so welcoming

to know where I was going. I let the men help me, which I never do. However when you have 9 bags you do a lot of things you do not usually do. So excited to see people I knew that helped me out to the car where we loaded it down and paid the two men that were the ones that started helping us not the 10 that there were when

we finished. Then I was home and headed to my house! 27 hours after leaving the USA.

To This...

Math problem....

How do you fit 7 pieces of luggage into a car to get them to the airport... if you know please help let me know! I have to figure out how to get that many pieces of luggage to the airport in about 3 weeks.

You don't have to leave the country for culture shock.

I spent a couple of weeks in Springfield and now I am in Louisiana. I have learned that you do not have to leave the country to get culture shock. Just being on the Bible belt is enough. It is funny that we forget sometimes. How even though we are all part of the same country we have such different expectations. Such as in the North if you say "sir" or "maam" it is disrespectful where in the South it is expected. Who would have thought that you could experience a different culture when going such a short distance. That said I am counting down and have about 4 and a half weeks along with a miracle from God before going back to Africa!

Adjusting to the USA

It is funny, I have been back in the states for almost a month. However even though I grew up here I find it very odd when very "American" things happen. I have to think twice when I walk up to a gentleman even one I might have known for a very long time. In Africa, I would shake their hand no matter how well I know them. Here in the states I might give them a hug. So in my mind I find myself arguing with myself "what am I supposed to do?" Other things such as the number of choices of things in stores seems outrageous! One thing that I still do not completely understand is the fact that meetings here can last only a half hour and everybody be happy with what has gone on. In Africa the meetings last for 2 hours for a short visit and you know you are ready to leave when people offer you tea. Another thing that I hope to adjust to, however I doubt I will is it is COLD everywhere I go. You would think that I have spent more of my life in Africa then in the US. It is funny how quickly you can fall in love with a place you have lived in for such a short amount of time. I am enjoying time with friends and family and getting some extra time to spend with God which is always so revitalizing. I am also learning how much I have changed as I interact with people I have known for most of my life. The most valuable thing that I believe I learned this year is that JESUS is my PRICELESS TREASURE and I am HIS!!!!

Elections and Voting *borrowed from a friend*

It's one of those days when there's just not a whole lot to report. I thought there would be. You see, it's election week here in Sudan. Something of a rarity...(like 24 years, I hear). In countries like this, one can never be too sure about how the political system will progress or er...escalate. Many of the Sudanese living in Khartoum left the city and went to smaller villages until the event was over. Some of them encouraged us to do the same. However, it's best for us to stay put. So we did. While the election itself has caused world-wide controversy, things locally seem to remain quiet. We continue in our work, remain prayerful and do what we can, while we are able in this dry, dusty place so desperately in need of a unified vote for Jesus.

Local voting station in Sudan (*Photo from Sudan Tribune)

Defining Hot???

I was laying the the living room at a friend's house the other day. When my friend asked if I was hot? Well my first thought was no, but then I thought about it and realized I was sweating. However I think here to be "hot" is when you have sweat dripping all down your leggs, and you jump in the shower with all your clothes on as soon as you get home. Just sweating no longer defines what it means to be hot. I have a feeling many sweatshirts will be needed when I get back to the states. For now I am happy that God has allowed me to not let the weather distract me too much :)