237th Marine Corp Ball

We went to the Marine Corp Ball on Saturday night. It's the first Marine ball they've ever had in Burkina since getting a detachment here. And since there aren't exactly a whole lot of reasons to get all dressed up here in Burkina Faso everyone was very excited for this formal night.

This was the first time we have ever been to a Marine Corp Ball....normally everything formal we go to is Air Force related. It was special getting to sit and take in the Marine side of our military and participate in something that is so personal to each of them. The Marines are something else let me tell ya. This is not just some party...this event is sacred to them.

Actually, what they do is sacred to them. They protect. And they do it with pride. And it's not just a job. They serve because their desire to protect is stronger than anything. And being in an embassy on foreign soil, surrounded, quite literally, on every side by unrest and turmoil, I don't look at them the same. They are not just another branch of our military. I value their presence and commitment more than I ever have.


I pray that there is never a reason for them to draw their "swords" and defend the Embassy, but I know if that were to ever happen....those faces, they would defend it without hesitation.

We invited some great people to attend the ball with us who work so hard in this country. We wanted to give them a night where they could get dolled up and dance and just, do something different. It was such a fun night had by all.

Our guests.....Mike and Amy, some awesome missionaries who work in Yako at Sheltering Wings. (who happen to have a teenage daughter who so graciously offered to watch the girls while we were away!)

And Becky and Rebecca. Becky is here with Envision and works up in Yako with Mike and Amy, and Rebecca lives here in Ouaga as a teacher for a missionary family.

Ambassador Dougherty, Marine Justin Genovese and guest speaker Col. Bristol

The purple squad! Whoo hoo! Purple's the new black we say!

Me and Jean, a dear friend. The Lord is so good to have blessed us with such a fantastic family and people here. I met Jean while we were both living in DC for our husbands training and we came out to Burkina within two weeks of each other. (Along with Becky down below and her husband Heath! They were in DC with us too!) Our husbands, Isaak, Andy and Heath, work together side by side. We're all here doing life together. I love these ladies.

Blessed to know every single one of them.....we have such fun when we get together!

(Katina, Nicole, Tara, Jayne, Becky, Me, Anne, Sheryl)

To a great night!!