Habari Moto Moto?

What's The Hot News??

Have I told you lately that I really appreciate when we have electricity? The power has gone out for at least 5 hours almost everyday lately, and some days more than 12 hours. We are in the dry season now and the power company isn't able to produce enough electricity for the whole city at once, so they ration power in different areas everyday. It is so nice to have electricity to keep the fridge cool and for fans when we all go to bed.

We have been spending several hours a day Monday through Friday with our language helper. She is a student in college studying to become a primary teacher. She was teaching us during her winter break from school. We had our last session with her yesterday. She is returning home for a week and then heading back to college. We are praying that we find someone, or a few someones, to be our "Nurturers" in the Swahili language. We are in the 2nd phase of our language program and really need someone who knows English enough to understand what we are trying to say. Our teammates who will be moving here next year arrive tomorrow to visit for a few days. We are looking forward to spending some time with them to chat about their upcoming move and language study.

A few of my thoughts...My faith is unwavering. My relationship with the Lord is strengthening. I know why we are here and am convinced that God will be glorified through our lives if we keep focused on Him. I miss our family, friends, and churches more and more everyday. I get a bit discouraged the moment that the electricity goes off. Rob is a rock! He has been such an amazing support through all these adjustments. I am so thankful to have a wonderful husband.

Hope all is well with you. If you get a chance, write us a note, we would love to hear from you. We love and miss you all. Here are some pictures of us.

Blessings,

Amy

Shelbyanne climbing at a playground! She will have her 6th birthday in 17 days and will be in a new school in the first grade a few days after that.

Donovan loved jumping on the trampoline. He is growing up so much!

Emily is our little treasure hunter. She looks for treasure in the dirt everywhere we go. One person's trash is another's treasure.

Rob and the kids hanging out under their fort. Rob is playing on his new musical instrument.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ulzj1JEgyw4

Check out this video on you tube of Donovan playing with his toys. He is getting so big!

Blessings,

Amy

I am Swamped!!

When I say that phrase, what do you think I mean? I have been thinking about my words so much lately. Especially since I have been trying to say them in a way that is totally unfamiliar to me to people who don't think the same way I do. We have been spending 5 hours a day for the past two weeks with our language helper. My brain is full, at least I feel that way. So when I say I am swamped, I mean my cup is full and overflowing with so many new Swahili words, that I don't know how I will ever remember them all. Someday all the words I am learning are going to all fit together in an amazing way to communicate the most wonderful story in history to people who may have never heard it before, and THAT is what keeps me motivated to press in when I feel like I can't stuff another word into the dictionary in my brain.

We had an awesome visit with a team of 17 folks from home. They went first to Rawanda to help with water projects. Then they came here to see us, see where we live, and connect with the local church here. It was an amazing time of fellowship and encouragement. One of the team members, Miranda, who will be a senior in High school next year, stayed for an extra 3 weeks. She has been such a wonderful help to us, not only with watching the kids and cooking with me, but also as a friend to talk to, watch movies with, and play games together. Rob and I have been able to play games that we haven't played in a long time. Tomorrow she and I will be going to an African arts and crafts market. She needs to buy some things for people back home. It will be a lot of fun.

Have a blessed day wherever you are!

Amy