Skyperific

On a dark and stormy night, with a 57 mph gale pummeling the windows of the beach cabin, my family was snuggled inside, garbed in flannel PJs and a rainbow of fuzzy socks. I, on the opposite side of the world, a bit chilled in 80 degree weather, received a call from that cozy cabin. We chatted, joked, and toured my house. Even our inanimate objects had a chance to chat (my giraffe and their sunflower are fast friends). Skype is a lovely thing.

Happy Valentine's Day!

On Valentine's Day I was on an unexpected adventure in Nairobi, Kenya. The adventure ended sweetly, with this bowl of Planet Yogurt and roses given to all customers at Nakumat (similar to Walmart) that day.
The adventure began when I arrived in Musoma. Sleep was a struggle from the start, due to mosquitoes and dogs. Then a few weeks ago I started feeling feverish and dizzy. It wasn't an awful illness, but it must have worn on me until one evening I felt tightness in the chest and palpitations.
The medical situation in Musoma is sparse and murky; there isn't much to have faith in as far as diagnosis or treatment. However, that evening I was surrounded with help from a nurse friend in Canada via Skype, her doctor friend in Dar via phone, and multiple friends in prayer via email and in person. God provides. I was less worried, but my symptoms continued. God provided again, in the person of a nurse here who made a prescription that got me back on a good sleeping schedule, a friend who covered my classes for me, and friends who prayed. Then I started feeling better.
I was urged to go to Nairobi for tests anyway, since my heart was involved in the symptoms. The doctor there was very thorough; I was amazed at how many tests could be run in a couple hours. He declared my heart healthy and said that tightness and palpitations are common when under physical or emotional stress. That was Valentine's day, an appropriate day for heart doctors... and a perfect day for frozen yogurt.

Adventures in Housekeeping

These photos are from a little earlier on, when Crystal and I had some thief problems. We had to beef up our fence, hence the photo of me tying up grass mats. And since our dog is a puppy some friends kindly lent their experienced dog, to give our dog guard lessons. I'm thankful we've been safe, for help from the body of Christ here, and getting to know my house-mate better!