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| Hills just a short walk from my house |
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| Flowers in my garden |
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Life Springs New
It is an amazing thing to see life spring up in the desert. While the
browns and reds have their own beauty the rest of the year, the addition
of green things everywhere is a sight to behold. Its no wonder that God
uses the imagery of growing things in the desert to describe His
amazing and beautiful work in the hearts of people. May life spring new
in the hearts of those around us, that though their hearts be hard and
dry like the desert ground, His Word and Living water might bring life
and beauty.
Thursday, June 28, 2012
A Week with Jemima
Jemima came to get a bit of village nursing experience. Unfortunately, since most people have started planting, not too many have come to the clinic. But she did get to see a few patients.
She has been experiencing some of G-town's "extreme" weather conditions, from cooler temperatures (and sleeping with a blanket) to dust storms and hail.
Yesterday's approaching storm.
Hail
Street becomes a river.
I recruited her for various household tasks like taking apart my ligadabi.
Before
After
We ate well, and very internationally. One of Jemima's goals for the summer is learning to cook. We've had enchiladas, Thai curry, pizza, Indian curry, and of course, local Esh and sauce.
This Chadian meal courtesy of our neighbors.
We've enjoyed some great fellowship conversation. One day we took a walk and retreat in the near-by hills. The rains are bringing beauty all around.
She has been experiencing some of G-town's "extreme" weather conditions, from cooler temperatures (and sleeping with a blanket) to dust storms and hail.
Yesterday's approaching storm.
Hail
Street becomes a river.
I recruited her for various household tasks like taking apart my ligadabi.
Before
After
We ate well, and very internationally. One of Jemima's goals for the summer is learning to cook. We've had enchiladas, Thai curry, pizza, Indian curry, and of course, local Esh and sauce.
This Chadian meal courtesy of our neighbors.
We've enjoyed some great fellowship conversation. One day we took a walk and retreat in the near-by hills. The rains are bringing beauty all around.
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Out and About
Today I decided to close the clinic and go to a village near-by with my teammates. We chose one of the villages where our partners IAS recently drilled a well, and where I knew a family who has brought their kids to my clinic. Our goal: to build relationships and practice language.
I went equipped with only the name of a woman and her twin daughters. I had no idea where in the village (which Dave later told me is quite spread out) her house would be. As the Lord would have it, Noura's house was the first we came to! The whole family was home and quite happy to stare unabashedly at the two white women with their boys who had come to visit (Dave had gone off to find some men to visit with.)
As is customary, we were quickly brought a bowl of water. You might be able to see from the picture below why this village was a candidate for a new well.
Next each of the three women brought out thermoses of sweet tea, and of course we HAD to try a cup of each! Thankfully they forgot to ask which was the tastiest! I've been on a caffeine high all day, and just now am feeling it wearing off.
It was a great visit, with lots of good conversation and laughter. As a team we are trying to gather some cultural information this month, specifically focusing on practices surrounding life events: weddings, births, circumcisions and funerals. So the ladies happily told us about the gifts you give at each one and the appropriate words to say.
Later we discovered this cool looking object:
Any guesses as to what it is? It's clay pot covered in cowhide, and used to hold homemade ink. The ink is made from a certain tree, water, and the blood of a calf. Its used by kids to write Koranic verses on a board. This same ink is given to sick people as a type of medicine.
Returning home I took the opportunity to visit my neighbor H. After lunch and tea at her house (2 more cups!) she came over to work on a cover for a platter while I did some language study.
The colorful round thing is a platter cover like she was making.
I finished the day with a visit to Baba's. This is Baba (left) and her daughter Ang.
More pictures of the rest of the family coming soon!
I went equipped with only the name of a woman and her twin daughters. I had no idea where in the village (which Dave later told me is quite spread out) her house would be. As the Lord would have it, Noura's house was the first we came to! The whole family was home and quite happy to stare unabashedly at the two white women with their boys who had come to visit (Dave had gone off to find some men to visit with.)
As is customary, we were quickly brought a bowl of water. You might be able to see from the picture below why this village was a candidate for a new well.
Next each of the three women brought out thermoses of sweet tea, and of course we HAD to try a cup of each! Thankfully they forgot to ask which was the tastiest! I've been on a caffeine high all day, and just now am feeling it wearing off.
It was a great visit, with lots of good conversation and laughter. As a team we are trying to gather some cultural information this month, specifically focusing on practices surrounding life events: weddings, births, circumcisions and funerals. So the ladies happily told us about the gifts you give at each one and the appropriate words to say.
Later we discovered this cool looking object:
Any guesses as to what it is? It's clay pot covered in cowhide, and used to hold homemade ink. The ink is made from a certain tree, water, and the blood of a calf. Its used by kids to write Koranic verses on a board. This same ink is given to sick people as a type of medicine.
Returning home I took the opportunity to visit my neighbor H. After lunch and tea at her house (2 more cups!) she came over to work on a cover for a platter while I did some language study.
The colorful round thing is a platter cover like she was making.
I finished the day with a visit to Baba's. This is Baba (left) and her daughter Ang.
More pictures of the rest of the family coming soon!
Tuesday, May 08, 2012
Making kisar
Sunday I was finally allowed to do "woman's work" at a wedding and got a lesson in making kisar (say kee-sar). These are kind of like large crepes made out of a millet batter that is usually fermented overnight.
Kisar are made on a griddle supported by large rocks or bricks over a wood fire.
After the batter is poured on (this much? More? Less?), they use any variety of round utensil to spread the batter over the griddle. Here we are using the top of a bottle of body cream.
After it cooks, it's pulled off with one's fingers, sometimes using a "clean" twig or stick to help lift the stubborn edges.
Kisar are made on a griddle supported by large rocks or bricks over a wood fire.
After the batter is poured on (this much? More? Less?), they use any variety of round utensil to spread the batter over the griddle. Here we are using the top of a bottle of body cream.
After it cooks, it's pulled off with one's fingers, sometimes using a "clean" twig or stick to help lift the stubborn edges.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Wednesday, January 04, 2012
Village Trip
The "taxi stand." I rode in the cabin of the right hand truck.
Some of Mary's family
Nieces and nephews
Some of Mary's family
Nieces and nephews
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