A state of emergency in Burkina Faso

It was a deeply, deeply troubling and tense day here in Burkina.

After the relatively quiet day yesterday, conditions deteriorated rather quickly today. And as of this evening, a state of emergency has been declared across the country.....

Around 7:50am this morning I heard the sounds of very loud banging. I thought Isaak was outside closing the gate, but when I went into the living room and saw him standing there, I realized it was coming from somewhere else.

We went outside and heard the roar of the crowd around the corner from our house.

Isaak went out to do a quick perimeter check and said that our neighborhood was barricaded in.

The sounds grew louder and louder as did the crowd.

The National Assembly building where the vote was to take place this morning is just down the road from us. Thousands of people were gathered there trying everything in their power to derail the vote from taking place.

(photo courtesy news.aouaga.com)

Me and Isaak were standing outside our gate intermittently and listening to the commotion.
We could actually hear the police firing tear gas into the crowds to try to push them back.

People were rushing up and down our street and our side streets covering their faces trying to get away...but then would circle back around to return to the activity and continue putting pressure on the police.

Outside my gate looking to the left....

Looking to my right....

Eventually the crowd was successful in breaching the police barricade and stormed the National Assembly building, looting it and setting it on fire.

(photo courtesy news.aouaga.com)

(photo courtesy BBC)

We were outside when that happened and could tell immediately that something significant had just occurred.

The roar of the crowd was very intense.

Chanting, shouting, cheering...followed by screaming as the police started shooting back with live ammunition into the crowds.

A huge mob started rushing down our side street. A man walked passed us and I asked him if he was okay, he said yes, and said that the National Assembly was on fire.

 A few minutes later the smoke began to rise over the trees near our house.

 (photo courtesy BBC) 

Absolute chaos followed.

Violence broke out.
People starting fighting the police and military.
Gunfire was heard all around.
Small explosions.
The crowd looted and burned down the Azalai Hotel down the street from our home, next to the National Assembly building.
They started burning cars, and police motos.
They tried to infiltrate the Prime Minister house, also on that same street, but were unsuccessful.
They marched to the national radio and television headquarters and stormed the building, looting, forcing them off air.
A large crowd started making its way to Ouaga 2000, an area south of town by about 8 miles where the U.S. Embassy and the Presidential Palace are located within about two blocks from each other.
The crowd was determined to storm the presidential palace.
Ouaga 2000 was quickly fortified with military tanks, barricades and perimeters set up.
When the crowds arrived they clashed with the military and police.
Lots of gunfire erupting through the streets.
Some people killed and wounded.
Downtown many people began ransacking and setting fire to some government officials homes.
The president has fled.
The airport is shut down and there are no incoming or outgoing flights.
A state of emergency was declared.
The military is now in charge, but the president has yet to officially step down.
There is a curfew in place, but people are resisting it, causing further confrontations with police.
Looting has been rampant.
Guards and security have disappeared and people are going from boutique to boutique pillaging stores and setting them on fire.

It's just so surreal. All of this. To be in the middle of something so strong. So extreme.
To be in the midst of it. Hearing it. Witnessing it.
I have never, ever experienced anything like this in my life.
The stress of it all is very intense.
So much chaos.

Isaak is at the embassy. He drove there on his motorcycle this afternoon; he had to go to work. But due to the deteriorating conditions throughout the day the Embassy is not allowing anyone to leave.
So he's stuck sleeping there tonight.
Me and the kids are riding solo at home until tomorrow.
I feel safe, we are safe, just feeling very vulnerable. We are under lockdown at the house until further notice. I am holding up okay, just very weary, and tense, from the emotional toll of it all.
The situation here is very serious.
It's midnight and I can still hear booming every few minutes, but it is finally getting quieter.
It's unknown how long these conditions will continue.

Just, praying that peace and stability will be restored soon.

Resting in Jesus. Resting in Jesus and taking hold of His peace. Taking refuge in His shadow and choosing to place my trust in Him.

*the BBC and France24 have been covering the breaking news of today*

Ladies' Night!

(Rebecca, Joanna, Me, Molly)

I enjoyed a lovely (and much needed!) night out with some of my nearest and dearest on Saturday evening. These ladies, there are no words to adequately convey how beloved they are to me. Truly. They are a gift and I am so overwhelmingly blessed by their friendship. 

This night we were celebrating Joanna and sending her off in Ouaga style as she prepared to depart for the mother land on Monday for the next four months. I had heard of a new restaurant that recently opened that had a rumored nautical theme, and so we went there for dinner and were not disappointed! 

This place was great! They constructed a giant ship in the middle of the room and a lighthouse off to our right, fashioned after the Saint-Mathieu lighthouse in France. There is a river running through it and a water wall off to the far left that we sat next to to pretend we were at the beach. 'Cause this is the closest you're gonna get in Burkina! The food was delicious and creative and not identical to every other menu in town. 

And of course, the company was great. As always with these ladies. =) It was a wonderful night. It always does my heart good to spend time with such dear friends. 

All quiet on the western front.....

It was a very quiet day today in Burkina, compared to yesterday. Life resumed as normal. People went back to work, businesses reopened, the streets were clear of protests and marching.

However, Isaak has the day off work again tomorrow in anticipation of the vote. Tomorrow will be interesting. The country is on edge right now. It's kind of 'the quiet before the storm'. Tomorrow is a very crucial day. This vote decides a lot for this country, as much is at stake. And people are waiting on pins and needles to see how this all plays out. 

We won't have to wait long to see what the government decides and how the people respond....

Tuesday's protests....

Well, the rallies, protests and demonstrations around Burkina today drew a lot of attention from many world news sites.......

France24, BBC, and even ABC and the Washington Post all reported on today's activity.

With us living downtown, near the epicenter of the action, it was pretty loud this morning as thousands and thousands of people made their way down to the center of town for a planned rally at a large square just a block away from the U.N. Circle.

From our home to the point of rally this morning and the center of the activity is 1.7km or roughly 1 mile.

Very very close.

The rally was planned by the opposition and drew hundreds of thousands of people ( and a lot of police) all blowing horns and whistles and shouting, chanting, singing, and honking for change....it made quite the commotion while we were attempting to sleep in since Isaak didn't have to go to work today.

Here's a picture of the square that I took a while ago on our way through town, there was a small gathering taking place this day. 

(photo courtesy from news.aouaga.com) Here's the square today. Filled with people! Some reported a million people present downtown this morning, but I find that number unlikely, although never underestimate Africans abilities to squeeze a million people into a parking lot meant for ten. They can do it. Seriously, only in Africa, and India maybe...

(photo courtesy from news.aouaga.com) 

"Blaise Compaore is our worst ebola, the people are in danger, disinfect us!"

Comparing Compaore to ebola....clever, and comical. 

Isaak ventured out this morning for a walk a few blocks from our home and came upon a large crowd in the "marche de la revolution" as they called it. All very peaceful. Just lots of marching and chanting. 

Honestly, the main demonstration this morning were a very peaceful event. They had permission to march down the streets they were on, and were granted permission to rally at the square. The vast majority of the people who showed up today in support of Blaise stepping down from power came with every intent to make their voices heard in a loud, but ultimately peaceful way.

 (these two photos courtesy from news.aouaga.com)

Unfortunately, some people spoiled the plans to keep the protests as peaceful as possible without having to involve the police when they decided to start barricading roads and burning tires and trees and threatening to move towards the Parliament building. The police were forced to tear gas groups of people to help restore order.

The picture on the right is the parking lot I park in to walk across the street to a little alleyway next to that Shell gas station to get to Nuance Galerie, my favorite little shop in town. Today it was the scene of something very different.

Here is a picture I took of the U.N. Circle a few Saturdays ago on our way home from Yako. If you drive straight through the light and drive down the road just a little ways and turn right into the trees up ahead, that's my neighborhood.

(two photos courtesy of news.aouaga.com) 
Here is the U.N. Circle this morning after some protesting got out of hand.

Very different scenes unfolding in Burkina right now, and not just in our capital, but all over the country as people take to the streets to push back against their desire to see change take effect in the government. Prayerfully, the rest of the week's planned demonstrations will remain peaceful and there will be no further clashes with the police. I love Burkina (most days). I adore the Burkinabé people and I want to see stability reign here no matter what the vote on Thursday decides.

Only time will tell I suppose. No matter what though, it's a very interesting time to be living in West Africa. Between the ebola epidemic ravaging our close neighboring countries and the political instability unfolding in Burkina, there is a lot of history being written for this part of the world. And we are seated very close to it all.....

In closing...this was on our way home this afternoon as we drove through someone trying to set up a road block at the end of our street. Umm, seriously? That is quite possibly the saddest road block ever. I drive over dirt roads worst than that!

Things are heating up-protesting and school closures

There has been a lot of protesting erupting around town this last week. This is in response to Burkina's long standing President, Blaise Compaore, who has been in power for the past 27 years, trying to change the Constitution to allow him to run for another five year term next year, even though the Constitution clearly states that a president can run for a maximum of two five year terms.

Compaore's presidency is set to expire in 2015, but if he is successful in changing the Constitution he has the potential to extend his time in office for yet another five years if re-elected.

There has been a large outcry in response to this maneuver. The Burkinabé have been expressing their disapproval over this action all week, by blocking roads, marching around town, burning tires and throwing rocks.

Here is the smoldering remains of tire remnants in the middle of an intersection down the street from our house.

On Friday evening I was passed by two trucks of gendarme in full riot gear heading down town to prepare for crowd control. 

This week the opposition parties have called for nation-wide protests against changing the Constitution with Tuesday being a day of "civil disobedience" planned in defiance of Compaore's desire to stay if office. There are a number of other demonstrations planned this week as well in their attempt to do everything in the people's power to dissuade from this course of action. 

In anticipation of this week's protests we received word last night that the county's Ministry of Education has canceled all schools in the country for the entire week. As a precaution. Which I think is wise. 

So we went shopping Saturday morning to make sure we had some extra food on hand in the event that it wasn't safe to travel around town. 

It appears things are heating up around here due to this political instability but prayerfully all the protests will remain peaceful and won't last past this week and eventually things will begin to run smoothly soon!

An impressive approach to food disposal

There are a lot of things in this world I have learned I can live without. For instance....

a dishwasher, cable t.v., a blow dryer, makeup, greek yogurt, fresh air, cool air, rain, fancy shoes, paved roads, running water, flushable toilets, electricity, being clean, a car, boneless fish and Target (self revelations since moving to this third world country and having these nice conveniences either no longer at my disposal or sporadically removed for various lengths of time).

In light of the many things I have determined I can in fact live without I have discovered that some things are vital to my existence. And one of those things is a....

garbage disposal.

Yep. That's right. It's true. No shame sayin' it either.

And when I say that a garbage disposal is something that I can't live without, I'm talkin' major major necessity, like, right up there with water....oh, and cereal, and Jesus....all must haves.

However, here is where the problem lies.

I don't actually, have a garbage disposal. Tragic, I know. Of all the injustices in the world, that I should have to live without a garbage disposal in Burkina Faso! Terrible!!

But, I found a way to rectify this little problem. Being the moderately innovative person that I am, I have come up with my own version of a garbage disposal.

It's a little something I like to call the old stick a butter knife down the little tiny sink holes and forcefully stuff all remaining food down the drain never to be seen of again- method of garbage disposaling.

Pretty ingenious, I know.

And effective too.

Thanks to my ingenuity I don't have to touch any food that gets thrown in my sink because little people mistake it for a garbage can (which is good, because I have a major aversion to wet bread. Oh my gosh....ick, I can't even touch it. Just the idea of touching mushy bread makes me want to gag. *shudder* And for some reason my little people like to throw their sandwich remains in the sink, and then dump their water cups over it. So, so gross. I can't even...uugh) .

Like I said, my ingenious method for garbage disposaling in W. Africa when my home doesn't have a modern garbage disposal, works pretty darn good.

I'd say, it is a great alternative to having the real deal. Just a few jams of the knife down the little holes and voila! Food be gone! 

Now ya see it....

Now ya don't!

Potatoes, rice, spaghetti noodles, bread, cauliflower stalks....it all goes into the abyss, forever.

And by forever what I really mean is until the pipes clog, and, the sink starts backing up, and spitting all the food I jammed down it (and thought was gone forever, what happened?!) back into my life.

Traitorous pipes....

Oh well.

It works for a little while. Then I make Isaak deal with it.

Isaak doesn't understand why I can't just throw the food in the garbage. Oooh, husbands!

Do you not see where the garbage can is located?! That is like, a good six feet away from me! I can not be expected to walk all the way over there just to throw away some left over food. Left over wet food. Gah. Uumm, no. It be goin' down the drain. I ain't touchin' no mushy bread.

And, I really, like, really deep down in my heart, feel like my resourceful way for disposing of food is a win win for both me and Isaak. Be-cause! this allows him the opportunity to hone his handyman skills!

Tchyeah! 

Of which, lets be honest, would not be honed to perfection without my attempts to modify things around the house.

I mean, I feel like this is a pretty fair trade off, I don't have to touch wet food, and he gets to practice being a plumber!

You are welcome, honey!

My impressive approach to food disposal is truly, truly, valuable on so many levels.

Yako visit-two weekends ago

Another Saturday, another visit up to Yako to spend time with some of our favorite missionaries, at one of our favorites spots away from home. This time, however; we brought some friends along too.

There is a family here with the embassy who we are acquainted with that has been wanting to donate a TON of items to a local ministry, and we pointed them to Mike and Amy because the work that they are doing in Yako and some neighboring villages is off the charts amazing and we look for every opportunity we can to support them and connect others to their ministry as well.

It took both of our cars to transport all the items they've been collecting because they had a lot to give!

In addition to bags and bags of clothes, diapers, wipes, bottles, formula, and boxes upon boxes of toys...they also brought a Little Tykes swing and slide set and a little kitchen for the kids, items that are impossible to find here. Isaak and Phil set to work straight away to put them all together.

No visit would be complete without Steve sitting in on lunch with his friends. Hilariously what transpired right before this picture was Steve refusing to eat without a spoon. The tantes kept telling him just to eat with his hands, like he used to, but he just stared at his hand, then his food, and back again, like "uh uh." When he finally complied he dug in with his left hand, which is the wrong hand (it's considered dirty here) and was promptly told to stop! by all the workers! Me and Amy were just laughing! Finally he gave up, and they gave him a spoon much to their amusement.

Another special reason for our trip was to see Guelil(loo) and make some pizzas with him as a special treat before he leaves the orphanage (his parents arrive in two days!!). But with the Air France strike that had been in effect cheese was non-existent in Burkina for a few weeks, but thankfully they resumed flights just days before this and we were able to buy some cheese and bring it up with us, making this little boy and Monica very happy! Amy bought some baguettes, set out the tomato sauce and cheese and let the kids do the rest. Voila, baguette pizzas.

*It is possible to find joy and be overwhelmingly content with simple things. Good life changing lessons I have gained from the Burkinabé since moving here. Content with less. Joy in simplicity. Not needing a gourmet pizza. Being satisfied with a baguette. I love it.

Guelil and Monica got to hang with us for a while forgoing their regular nap time so after eating lunch together, the kids all played hide and seek and chased the chics around the chicken coop.

Another life lesson gained these past 2+ years....language barriers are rarely an issue among kids. They will find a way to connect and engage with each other regardless of whether they can speak the same language. It's pretty cool. It fills me with a deep joy seeing my kids forsake the conveniences of a shared language to bond with other children.

Steven in his element. He requires no prompting, none whatsoever, to sit down and tenderly sooth and just offer the comfort of his presence to the younger babies. I'd say smaller, but even some of the babies are as big as he is. Amy tells us frequently that he used to spend a lot of time in the "baby cage" sitting with the little babies, rubbing their backs, looking at them. Even when he was just barely bigger than a baby himself. Despite everything that he has endured in his young life, he has this incredible God given ability and desire to nurture others. He is keenly aware and observant. And he responds to the hurt and vulnerability that he sees in others. At four years old. It leaves me speechless to see him display such tenderness and love.

*in the picture on the left he was very concerned b/c little Fatimata had her hands taped up. Steve didn't like the looks of this so he sat down straight away to be by her side. We tried to tell him that her hands were tied up to discourage her from sucking her thumbs....but he wasn't convinced. =) On the right he found a great discovery in that his belly button is the same as the baby's! "it da dame!"(he's still working out pronunciation) he kept saying over and over again. SO cute.

Great trip, as usual. Until next time....

Venez avec moi...

Come with me...

A moto driver sticking out his hand to indicate a left turn. This is the "turn signal" of choice whether or not you have a functioning signal on your mode of transportation.

Prisoners of poverty washing their clothes and filling their daily water barrels with murky canal water piled high with garbage.

A maquis worker gutting a pig for the afternoon lunch crowd.

Scenes from Burkina.

Ouagtoberfest and our 14th Anniversary

This past week, on Monday actually, me and Isaak celebrated our 14th wedding anniversary.

Every year together feels like a milestone to be celebrated. Our marriage has been hard fought for, and we celebrate the joy that we have in seeing what the Lord has done in our lives over the course of these last 14 years together. We serve a mighty God, and as if I needed another example of His power I have to look no further than my marriage.

We are covered in his fingerprints. We are covered in his mercy. We are covered in his love, and power, and persistent pursuit of us. We are eternally grateful to Him who makes all things new.

Our anniversary this year actually fell on Columbus day so Isaak had the day off of work, which was a wonderful bonus. Rebecca came over in the morning to stay with Steve for two hours while me and Isaak went out to breakfast at Chez Simon and feasted on crepes chocobanane and lebanese manouché. It was delish. Afterwards we stopped by the grocery store and then hit up a natte push cart on the side of the road to buy some nattes for the house.

 

It was a very nice morning.

We capped off our day by having nerf wars with the kids after dinner. This is the only photo of the two of us for our day, on our 14th...and I like it. Pure candid joy. Isaak was holding my sword hostage in his arm pit and I was trying to block his axe with my leg.

We have fun.

The Saturday just two days prior there was the 2nd annual Ouagtoberfest at the girls school. It was sponsored by the Embassy and open to the whole community. It was fun. Except for the part where Marvelly fell on the sidewalk as soon as we got there and bit through her lip and blood was rushing out. That wasn't fun. She was pretty banged up and had a bloody shirt but there were popsicles for sale and we bought our share because popsicles are the best remedy for a puffy lip.

After a little while she was off playing with her friends and having fun at the photo booth, we all were! "Ich Liebe Dich!" I love you! The German expats had a good time as well and all wore their dirndl's and lederhosen. And our Embassy P.A., who has a small brewery in his back yard, made a number of custom brewed beers in a variety of flavors that everyone enjoyed.

This however is the only beer you'll get me to drink...the not real kind! Ha! Isaak, however; the beer connoisseur, was quite pleased with getting to taste the different unique flavors offered. We had a fun time. Very very grateful to all the people who worked hard to pull this off. It means a lot, to a lot of people in this community to be able to do something really fun and different, even if it's only once a year.

To getting older, being together for a long time...and still being able to have fun and be silly! A true gift.

You know you've lived in Africa a while....

when you think this is a nice bathroom.

And by "bathroom" I mean three walls partially enclosing a porcelain hole in the ground outside of the doctor's office, as opposed to just a regular ole hole in the ground outside.

My how perspectives change..... =)

My awesome moves

Eat your heart out Dancing With the Stars....

 ...you don't got nothin' on my awesome dance moves.....ooooh yeaaaah

.....breakin' it down....showin' the kids how it's done....

 ...bustin' a move.....now whether they could be considered good moves or not, well, the jury's still out on that one! Ha!

"Can't touch this. Naaa na na na, na na, na na, can't touch this." We are way. way. too cool for our own good!