I was driving the other morning when I got pulled over.
I had just driven through an intersection and way way up in front of me a cop steps into the street and waves for me to pull over. "Great, what now? Maybe he just wants to check my papers...."
It's uncommon for the police to pull over cars with diplomatic plates, but it does happen on occasion...usually when I'm driving is the occasion.
So I pull up behind the three wheeled hybrid motorcycle cart in front of me that was also flagged down, I grab my paper work and license and roll down my window to talk to the officer.
In the best of situations it's challenging to understand French here (for a variety of reason) but factor in I'm on the side of the road, there are cars zipping by, it's windy and loud from the car engine and outside traffic and the officer is not speaking loud enough.... and I was basically doomed for being able to hear and understand him through the passenger side window that he came to.
Great, this outta be good....
So I smile and try to hand him my license through the opposing widow but he won't take it.
Okay.
Instead he starts talking and looking behind me, but the word he keeps using I don't understand so I'm all like, "quoi? quoi?", which of course just prompts him to keep repeating himself. So I tell him very politely, "Je suis désolé, mon francais n'est pas bon," hoping he'll just leave me alone and let me go.
Finally he says in english, "You stop, fire!"
What?!
A fire?
I start frantically and confusedly looking around. I don't see a fire. I look at him confused and say,
"fire? where?"
"You stop, fire!"
"I did stop! I'm stopped. See. Stopped! Right here. Where's the fire!?!"
"Fire!"
AH! I'm looking around again, thinking that maybe my car is on fire, or I maybe drove through a fire and somehow missed the part where I screamed while charging through scorching flames and thick black smoke.
But nope.
No smoke. No fire. At least none that I can see.
I look back at him with my eyebrows all cockeyed in different directions not having a clue why he keeps telling me to stop, which I was, because of a fire, which there wasn't.
When finally it dawns on me....
"you when the traffic light? the red light back there?"
"Yes, fire. You no stop."
"Yes I did. The light was green."
"Okay, have a nice day."
..................*breathe*..................*take deep breaths*.......................
See. This is why we have problems Burkina. Right here. This is it.
Because when you say "fire", I think you're talking about a fire, when in fact you are referring to a stop light. You didn't have to talk in English. You could have said in French something similar that would convey the same meaning, like, "la lumiére" or "rouge" or "pas vert".
Something that would put my mind at ease that I wasn't about to spontaneously combust while traveling down Charles De Gaulle. But no, no, that would make too much sense. This whole learning a foreign language thing...not all it's cracked up to be.
And then after all of that...."have a nice day"???
Um, just so we're clear...if I was a dragon and could breathe fire on you right now...you'd be toast. Just sayin'.
Bonne journée.
Come on in...
Saturday, August 23, 2014
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
Thoughts from my pillow....
I'm lying in bed, reading the first paragraph in a new book.
It just started to rain, for the fourth, maybe fifth time today....I've lost track....
Rain is not a good word for what is happening outside tonight. The sky is savagely dumping obscene amounts of rain down upon the earth with such force it feels as if the whole house will be blown away by its power.
I am listening to the sheets of rain pound against the roof.
The wind is whirling.
The ceiling fan is spinning, creating a slight breeze inside.
The mosquito net I'm laying under is gently shifting against the current.
There is a leak in my bedroom ceiling. It's dripping faster and faster now. I'll have to lay down another towel to soak up the water soon. The paint is peeling. The ceiling is sagging. I wonder if that part of the ceiling will hold much longer?
Isaak is out there somewhere. He left an hour and a half ago to pick up Seth and and Rebecca and their friend from the airport. I hope they have found refuge in their home and are waiting out the storm and not trying to drive through the streets that have turned into rivers.
West Africa welcomes you back.
This is not a place of moderation.
It is a land of extremes....
extreme rain,
extreme heat,
extreme dust,
extreme sun,
extreme smells,
extreme joy,
extreme thankfulness,
extreme suffering.
I leave Burkina in ten months.
Can it be? Have we really been here two years already? That doesn't seem possible, and yet...
I will miss this land deeply....and also, not at all.
Conflicting emotions.
Like and dislike.
Love and loathing.
Side by side. Co-existing together, always.
And I wouldn't have it any other way.
The constant battle, the tug of war, the beauty with the pain....it pushes me, it challenges me, it compels me. Keeps me from becoming complacent.
Builds character.
Today I went to a friend's house with Steven for a final week of summer playdates. While chatting, I paused for a moment and smiled to myself, letting it soak in. I was sitting in the company of friends from Poland, Kenya, Bolivia, and the U.S. It was lovely. I have grown deeply fond of living in an international community. It is one of my favorite things. The medley of cultures. The blend of people.
It is beautiful, diversity. Absolutely beautiful.
The rain is letting up. I hear it trickling off, growing ever quieter. The ceiling will drip all night. But that's okay. It will not impede my ability to sleep. I've grown used to the hard sound of the drops falling onto the soggy towel below it.
Never mind....the rain is whipping up again. I hear more thunder crackling in the distance. It can't seem to make up its mind tonight. Back and forth she goes......
But it is late. I will put down my pen and paper and force my brain to rest. I will get back to my book....
...it holds the promise of Italy, a place I've never been but very much hope to visit someday.....
It just started to rain, for the fourth, maybe fifth time today....I've lost track....
Rain is not a good word for what is happening outside tonight. The sky is savagely dumping obscene amounts of rain down upon the earth with such force it feels as if the whole house will be blown away by its power.
I am listening to the sheets of rain pound against the roof.
The wind is whirling.
The ceiling fan is spinning, creating a slight breeze inside.
The mosquito net I'm laying under is gently shifting against the current.
There is a leak in my bedroom ceiling. It's dripping faster and faster now. I'll have to lay down another towel to soak up the water soon. The paint is peeling. The ceiling is sagging. I wonder if that part of the ceiling will hold much longer?
Isaak is out there somewhere. He left an hour and a half ago to pick up Seth and and Rebecca and their friend from the airport. I hope they have found refuge in their home and are waiting out the storm and not trying to drive through the streets that have turned into rivers.
West Africa welcomes you back.
This is not a place of moderation.
It is a land of extremes....
extreme rain,
extreme heat,
extreme dust,
extreme sun,
extreme smells,
extreme joy,
extreme thankfulness,
extreme suffering.
I leave Burkina in ten months.
Can it be? Have we really been here two years already? That doesn't seem possible, and yet...
I will miss this land deeply....and also, not at all.
Conflicting emotions.
Like and dislike.
Love and loathing.
Side by side. Co-existing together, always.
And I wouldn't have it any other way.
The constant battle, the tug of war, the beauty with the pain....it pushes me, it challenges me, it compels me. Keeps me from becoming complacent.
Builds character.
Today I went to a friend's house with Steven for a final week of summer playdates. While chatting, I paused for a moment and smiled to myself, letting it soak in. I was sitting in the company of friends from Poland, Kenya, Bolivia, and the U.S. It was lovely. I have grown deeply fond of living in an international community. It is one of my favorite things. The medley of cultures. The blend of people.
It is beautiful, diversity. Absolutely beautiful.
The rain is letting up. I hear it trickling off, growing ever quieter. The ceiling will drip all night. But that's okay. It will not impede my ability to sleep. I've grown used to the hard sound of the drops falling onto the soggy towel below it.
Never mind....the rain is whipping up again. I hear more thunder crackling in the distance. It can't seem to make up its mind tonight. Back and forth she goes......
But it is late. I will put down my pen and paper and force my brain to rest. I will get back to my book....
...it holds the promise of Italy, a place I've never been but very much hope to visit someday.....
Sunday, August 17, 2014
Last day of summer
School starts back up tomorrow. We're all a little sad about it. It is a deep joy of mine to have the girls home all day again during the summer months. I miss them a lot while they're in school, and it makes me happy to be able to spend so much time together when they're home.
Our summer has been full. It's crazy to me that it is over already. I remember like yesterday sitting in the car just a few days after school got out and making up a summer to-do list with the girls. They were sad that we didn't have any travel plans while school was out so we made a point to come up with activities to do at home to pass the time.
Our list included....
baking lessons
art lessons
hiking in the forest
lunch with daddy
trip to Koubri
visiting the art store
swimming and playing at the embassy pool/playground
picnics and playing at ISO
movie/camping out nights
....all things we could do here.
We didn't get to everything on the list as the art store was closed all summer and we never set foot in the forest. But we did do everything else. Plus some. And we had a great time. We stayed up late. Watched movies. Slept in. Swam. Played. Worked on school a little everyday. Went to "home camps" a few times. Syd's horse riding lessons. Some days were busy. Some days not so busy. On the not so busy/boring days when we had nothing planned but to stay home the kids would busy themselves here making forts and playing legos for hours. We would crank up the music and have dance parties. Play board games. Uno. Go-fish. They'd ride scooters on the patio. Play dress up.....
We've enjoyed ourselves this summer.....
There's Steve, hiding in the luggage in a game of hide and seek. Best hiding place to date! The girls could. not. find. him!
Seriously, he has the best expressions. When they say that God hand picked the child you adopted to be a part of your family...it's true. He fits in around here perfectly. It's crazy how similar to us he is, from the very first day...it's like I birthed him!
She grew this summer. Little stinker is catching up to me! I'm just a head taller than her now. It won't be much longer till she surpasses me...which I have no doubt she will!
Hanging out at the embassy playground.
We made "clay" dough for art one day. Everyone molded little figures, baked them and painted them. Steve was really confused at first. This was his first time painting, for real. Before this he had "painted" sugar cookies a couple times which he got to eat ....poor kid kept taking bites of his hard figures and getting paint all over his tongue!
Twirling each other around on the scooter as fast as they could.
Sydaleigh lost another tooth....
...and developed a real love for reading.
Playing and picnicing at ISO. Marvelly really loves school, she's excited to start again and see all her friends!
We spent a day at Nong Taaba getting to know an American family who was in town picking up their new son Arnoud! It has been such a joy getting to connect with other adoptive families traveling to Burkina!
Nerf wars.
Steve's in there.....
Dress up. Yup. This happens. Sorry Steve (and Amira). One day, soon, very soon I promise, we will get some cool boy dress up clothes. Until then, you are at the mercy of your sisters, sorry. (Look at that smile, though, he totally digs it. He has no idea, yet, that he's wearing a dress!)
"Nigh nigh time"
It was a great summer. I can't believe it's already over. I'm sure gonna miss all my time together with these three during the days!
Praying this new school year is just as fun for them and goes by just as quickly!
Our summer has been full. It's crazy to me that it is over already. I remember like yesterday sitting in the car just a few days after school got out and making up a summer to-do list with the girls. They were sad that we didn't have any travel plans while school was out so we made a point to come up with activities to do at home to pass the time.
Our list included....
baking lessons
art lessons
hiking in the forest
lunch with daddy
trip to Koubri
visiting the art store
swimming and playing at the embassy pool/playground
picnics and playing at ISO
movie/camping out nights
....all things we could do here.
We didn't get to everything on the list as the art store was closed all summer and we never set foot in the forest. But we did do everything else. Plus some. And we had a great time. We stayed up late. Watched movies. Slept in. Swam. Played. Worked on school a little everyday. Went to "home camps" a few times. Syd's horse riding lessons. Some days were busy. Some days not so busy. On the not so busy/boring days when we had nothing planned but to stay home the kids would busy themselves here making forts and playing legos for hours. We would crank up the music and have dance parties. Play board games. Uno. Go-fish. They'd ride scooters on the patio. Play dress up.....
We've enjoyed ourselves this summer.....
One, two, three.....!!!! My water babies. They love to swim.
We spent a day at Nong Taaba getting to know an American family who was in town picking up their new son Arnoud! It has been such a joy getting to connect with other adoptive families traveling to Burkina!
It was a great summer. I can't believe it's already over. I'm sure gonna miss all my time together with these three during the days!
Praying this new school year is just as fun for them and goes by just as quickly!
Weird statue man
Drove past this random 15+ foot big eared bearded statue on the side of the road while driving to Loumbila on Friday. Whaaat?! So naturally I made everyone get out and take a picture with it on the way home. There was no passing up on a family photo with the weird statue man!
One never knows what you'll see while driving here!
Saturday, August 16, 2014
Loumbila-Beach
Yesterday we headed to Loumbila -Beach with the Dunns and Hansen families, Ben and Molly and Joanna for a fun "day away" before school resumes on Monday! It's always nice to drive out of the city, even if it's just 10 miles. =)
We hadn't been back here in two years and they actually made a lot of improvements to the place since our first trip in 2012. One thing they have not improved on, however; is their "beach", aka that brown parasite festering crocodile filled sludge of a lake. Ick. They actually have a couple jetskis and paddle boats you can rent to take out on the water.....but we said nay nay. No body wanted to get stuck in the middle of that thing or risk falling in!
The place looks empty, but it was actually swarming with people! It was a national holiday on Friday so the place was packed.
It was fun to go back again. We certainly had a fantastic day together!
Wednesday, August 13, 2014
Time to unpack the suitcase
My trip to Mali has been officially cancelled. I will not be going this week. Me and Joanna set out first thing Monday morning to track down the Air Senegal office in town, and upon finding it we were told they did not have an outgoing flight to Bamako until Saturday....the day I was set to return.
So now I am unable to go.
Just, another hard example of how life in this part of the world functions so much differently than life in the West. It is incredibly frustrating at times to live in a part of the world where things like outgoing flights to other countries occur once a week. In the States, if your flight gets delayed or cancelled it's automatically re-booked by that airline for its next available flight which in most cases is that same day, or the next day at the latest. I mean, lets be real, if I back up to the beginning to the main cause of this problem, there would never even have been some crazy no-existent flight posted to begin with.
But not here.
First, they don't take the initiative to stop posting and booking flights that no longer exist, then they don't rebook you or offer to refund your money when you have purchased a ticket for that non-existent flight, and then, the earliest they can get you to your desired destination is seven days from your original planned departure.
Eyeyeye. There are times, many many times when life here just causes me to shake my head and wonder, "really? really?!"
A prime example of life on this continent....it just doesn't plain make sense sometimes.
So, I suppose it's time to unpack my suitcase.
I am disappointed. I was looking forward to spending some quality time with Kate and Joanna this week, planting my feet on another African country, and just having a little time away to recharge.
But, life is not always fair nor does it always turn out as we thought it would. And even though I'm disappointed, I'm resolved to choose thankfulness.
Spending this week in Burkina wasn't my first choice, but I must say, it's still turning out pretty good......
Already, I have seen the Lord's hand at work. I was able to connect Kate in Bamako with a newly arrived gal from the Embassy who mentioned to me via our correspondence last week, when I contacted her about meeting up during my trip and having dinner, that she had been praying about getting connected with some other Christians to fellowship and worship with upon moving to Bamako and now the two of them already have a few standing dates to connect. Praise! An answered prayer for friendships with fellow believers. I love how God answers prayers through unlikely means! And how we, sometimes completely unbeknownst to us, get to play a tiny role in bridging those God moments.
And, even though I don't get to be in Mali hanging with Kate, I do get to stay here and hang with Isaak, who took leave this whole week to stay home with the kids, and now me too. =) Isaak hasn't had any time off of work since we brought Steven home in April (actually since last October) so it's been nice having him home, just, to be here-to have more time to bond with Steven, spend time with the girls and me, sleep in a bit, not have to rush off in the mornings or rush back in the late evening for dinner. It's been good. He's enjoyed the down time.
Plus, in addition to being able to spend good quality time together as a family, we've had opportunities to spend time with friends everyday. Saturday night we had Joanna over for dinner and a movie. Monday night we had dinner at Joanna's house and played Catan. Tuesday night we had our crew of eleven people over for a breakfast dinner and Ticket to Ride game night. Wednesday, today, we moved slow in the morning, bought some groceries, Isaak made fried zucchini and pickles, Joanna came over for a few hours in the afternoon and we ended the evening with a family movie night topped off with Festival de Glace. Tomorrow we have some needed appointments in the a.m. but after lunch I have a shopping trip with my girlfriends planned at a local clothing market. And Friday us and everyone are headed to Loumila-Beach for the day.
So yeah...I'd say this week is shaping up to be just as memorable as the week I lost in Mali. It's different than what I originally expected, but is just as enjoyable and filled with goodness. Choosing thankfulness despite the change in plans. Choosing to have a grateful heart and focus on the blessings in front of me. I am over the moon thankful for the life the Lord has opened up to us here. He has just knocked our socks off in His provision and blessings.
A great final week of summer vacation.
So now I am unable to go.
Just, another hard example of how life in this part of the world functions so much differently than life in the West. It is incredibly frustrating at times to live in a part of the world where things like outgoing flights to other countries occur once a week. In the States, if your flight gets delayed or cancelled it's automatically re-booked by that airline for its next available flight which in most cases is that same day, or the next day at the latest. I mean, lets be real, if I back up to the beginning to the main cause of this problem, there would never even have been some crazy no-existent flight posted to begin with.
But not here.
First, they don't take the initiative to stop posting and booking flights that no longer exist, then they don't rebook you or offer to refund your money when you have purchased a ticket for that non-existent flight, and then, the earliest they can get you to your desired destination is seven days from your original planned departure.
Eyeyeye. There are times, many many times when life here just causes me to shake my head and wonder, "really? really?!"
A prime example of life on this continent....it just doesn't plain make sense sometimes.
So, I suppose it's time to unpack my suitcase.
I am disappointed. I was looking forward to spending some quality time with Kate and Joanna this week, planting my feet on another African country, and just having a little time away to recharge.
But, life is not always fair nor does it always turn out as we thought it would. And even though I'm disappointed, I'm resolved to choose thankfulness.
Spending this week in Burkina wasn't my first choice, but I must say, it's still turning out pretty good......
Already, I have seen the Lord's hand at work. I was able to connect Kate in Bamako with a newly arrived gal from the Embassy who mentioned to me via our correspondence last week, when I contacted her about meeting up during my trip and having dinner, that she had been praying about getting connected with some other Christians to fellowship and worship with upon moving to Bamako and now the two of them already have a few standing dates to connect. Praise! An answered prayer for friendships with fellow believers. I love how God answers prayers through unlikely means! And how we, sometimes completely unbeknownst to us, get to play a tiny role in bridging those God moments.
And, even though I don't get to be in Mali hanging with Kate, I do get to stay here and hang with Isaak, who took leave this whole week to stay home with the kids, and now me too. =) Isaak hasn't had any time off of work since we brought Steven home in April (actually since last October) so it's been nice having him home, just, to be here-to have more time to bond with Steven, spend time with the girls and me, sleep in a bit, not have to rush off in the mornings or rush back in the late evening for dinner. It's been good. He's enjoyed the down time.
Plus, in addition to being able to spend good quality time together as a family, we've had opportunities to spend time with friends everyday. Saturday night we had Joanna over for dinner and a movie. Monday night we had dinner at Joanna's house and played Catan. Tuesday night we had our crew of eleven people over for a breakfast dinner and Ticket to Ride game night. Wednesday, today, we moved slow in the morning, bought some groceries, Isaak made fried zucchini and pickles, Joanna came over for a few hours in the afternoon and we ended the evening with a family movie night topped off with Festival de Glace. Tomorrow we have some needed appointments in the a.m. but after lunch I have a shopping trip with my girlfriends planned at a local clothing market. And Friday us and everyone are headed to Loumila-Beach for the day.
So yeah...I'd say this week is shaping up to be just as memorable as the week I lost in Mali. It's different than what I originally expected, but is just as enjoyable and filled with goodness. Choosing thankfulness despite the change in plans. Choosing to have a grateful heart and focus on the blessings in front of me. I am over the moon thankful for the life the Lord has opened up to us here. He has just knocked our socks off in His provision and blessings.
A great final week of summer vacation.
Saturday, August 9, 2014
Change of plans...no Mali today.
Psych. Just kidding.
I should be in Mali right now. Should be. But instead I am at home, in Burkina.
Because as it turns out, after waiting at the airport for over four hours, being told continually to wait and be patient and they would be checking in the Air Senegal flight soon, having an embassy expeditor come to investigate why they were not letting us check in and getting no answers from the staff and not being able to get in touch with any Air Senegal employees because their office was closed, to having Isaak call priceline to check on our flight and being told repeatedly that it was "confirmed", then having Kate call the Air Senegal office in NYC to also be told our flight was "confirmed", to then having Kate drive to the airport in Bamako and speak with an Air Seng. staff member in person to find out what the heck happened to our airplane....
....we were finally told that Air Senegal discontinued flights to Mali over a month ago.
Oh, I'm sorry. Come again? You say what now? There was no flight? Like, ever?
Okay....here's my question Africa.....why. the. heck are you still posting and booking flights that don't exist?!!??!
Can somebody tell me please, because I would really like to know that! I mean, how did no one know that?!
Kate was told by an employee in Bamako that Air Senegal had a meeting today and decided to resume flights to Mali as of Monday. So there is a chance I could get on a flight Monday. But lets be real here....this is Africa. They are never on time. For anything. Ever. "On our way" means showing up six hours later, or the next day. So saying that they decided to resume flights on Monday could very well mean on a Monday two months from now.
If I can't make it to Mali I am going to be mega ticked.
So as it stands....Africa wins, for today.
*but if I do miraculously get on that Monday flight, I have every intention of flipping you the bird as I take off for Mali, just so we're clear.
I should be in Mali right now. Should be. But instead I am at home, in Burkina.
Because as it turns out, after waiting at the airport for over four hours, being told continually to wait and be patient and they would be checking in the Air Senegal flight soon, having an embassy expeditor come to investigate why they were not letting us check in and getting no answers from the staff and not being able to get in touch with any Air Senegal employees because their office was closed, to having Isaak call priceline to check on our flight and being told repeatedly that it was "confirmed", then having Kate call the Air Senegal office in NYC to also be told our flight was "confirmed", to then having Kate drive to the airport in Bamako and speak with an Air Seng. staff member in person to find out what the heck happened to our airplane....
....we were finally told that Air Senegal discontinued flights to Mali over a month ago.
Oh, I'm sorry. Come again? You say what now? There was no flight? Like, ever?
Okay....here's my question Africa.....why. the. heck are you still posting and booking flights that don't exist?!!??!
Can somebody tell me please, because I would really like to know that! I mean, how did no one know that?!
Kate was told by an employee in Bamako that Air Senegal had a meeting today and decided to resume flights to Mali as of Monday. So there is a chance I could get on a flight Monday. But lets be real here....this is Africa. They are never on time. For anything. Ever. "On our way" means showing up six hours later, or the next day. So saying that they decided to resume flights on Monday could very well mean on a Monday two months from now.
If I can't make it to Mali I am going to be mega ticked.
So as it stands....Africa wins, for today.
*but if I do miraculously get on that Monday flight, I have every intention of flipping you the bird as I take off for Mali, just so we're clear.
Mali here I come!!!
I am headed to Bamako, Mali today with Joanna to visit with Kate for a whole week!!!
I am SO excited! Really looking forward to connecting with my dear friends and having some time away to connect with the Lord and recharge a bit.
It's gonna be a fun time no doubt!
Can't believe I have the opportunity to tread my feet on Malian soil.....a blessing. And for Isaak's encouragement to go and his willingness to stay home with the kids for the week.
Feeling blessed and excited!
Mali, here I come!
I am SO excited! Really looking forward to connecting with my dear friends and having some time away to connect with the Lord and recharge a bit.
It's gonna be a fun time no doubt!
Can't believe I have the opportunity to tread my feet on Malian soil.....a blessing. And for Isaak's encouragement to go and his willingness to stay home with the kids for the week.
Feeling blessed and excited!
Mali, here I come!
My Burkina boy
He likes to wear his dolls and stuffed animals wrapped on his back. He straddles the djembé and pounds out beats. He dances and shakes his little bum with African flair whether there is music playing or not. He encompasses so many aspects of his people and culture. He is Burkinabé thru and thru. No amount of living with us will ever change that, I pray.
I pray that no matter where we go in this great big world, or how American he becomes, that he will always feel a deep connection to his homeland....that he will always be my little Burkina boy, proud of who he is and where he came from.
Friday, August 8, 2014
Thursday, August 7, 2014
Sydaleigh's summer horse riding lessons
Sydaleigh resumed her horse riding lessons again this summer. Isaak takes her bright and early every Saturday morning....and she's lovin' every minute of it.
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