Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Bug Battles Begin

Episode 1:

When we first got here, I thought the bugs weren't that bad at all, there weren't even that many mosquitoes flying around.  Truthfully, the bugs still aren't that bad, I just think we were exceptionally spared the first two weeks we were here.  Now that we're starting to settle in, I'm beginning to notice the little things.  Geckos scurry up the walls, but I can get used to them.  They keep the other small bugs at bay.  Ants crawl freely under the doors, some are big black ants, others are so tiny you can hardly see or notice them at all.  Keep the floors relatively clean and the lid tightly on the sugar canister, and they aren't a problem.  But, the other day I was outside burning our trash, and the biggest wasp I have ever seen landed on the bush right next to me.  I was more intrigued than scared, but I couldn't help thinking that the sting from a bee that colossal would probably make a rugby player cry.  I wasn't too concerned until I noticed yesterday that their nest is in one of our window sills.  I googled them today and found that they are among the most docile wasps in the world, and that they eat black and brown widow spiders and other insects.  I guess they can stay.

We also had a big surprise last night when I shut our bedroom door.  There was a spider the size of my palm staring back at me.  I promptly re-opened the door and ran to get the DOOM everything killer spray.  I let him have it until he shriveled up into a ball and then he went down the toilet.  I googled him too, and found out he eats mosquitoes, insects, other spiders, and even lizards and geckos, but I draw the line at spiders.  I don't care what they eat, how small they are, or what their purpose in life is--if they are in my house, they die.  Especially when they are that big, hairy, and can leap small buildings.  Their bite is not deadly, but can cause severe headaches, nausea, vomiting, and heart palpitations.  More than enough reason for me to justify my actions :) 

Until next time!

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Home Sweet Home

As we fly in over the city of Bunia on an MAF Cessna Caravan, I think to myself, "Wow, this is small...and this is home!"  I look out the window as we make our approach to land and the first thing I notice is deep ruts and ditches in the roads, a few cars and motorcycles inch their way along; there are no paved roads here, not one--boy am I glad to be flying!  I notice a few thunderstorms off in the distance.  We are met by the entire MAF-East DRC team as we get off the airplane and they begin helping us unload our luggage.  After quick introductions, we meet a MAF national staff person who takes our passports to finish up Visa and entry paperwork, and we are on our way "home."  After a bumpy 10 minute ride we arrive at a big green gate and honk the horn.  A young man opens the gate (our day guard) to let us in and we get our first glimpse of what will be our home.  It is fully furnished with everything we need (for now) and I can't help but be impressed by the cleanliness!  Everything looks spick and span.  A quick tour reveals 3 bedrooms (one currently being an office) and two bathrooms, living room, dining room, and kitchen. 
     I have to say, most of it has been a blur, but we are settling in, and are beginning to learn the ropes.  Managing the electrical power and water to our house, minimizing bugs, cooking with matchlight gas stoves, and listening in on the MAF radio have kept us plenty busy so far.  Much of it will become routine in the coming weeks and months, but until then, we have a sharp learning curve!  We will share more as more becomes availabe, but for now, I'll leave you with a photo of Kaitlyn helping mommy hang clothes out to dry!

P.S.  Please continue to pray for our health to be strong, for our adjustments to life here, and for our shipment to arrive in a timely manner (preferably in the next week or two!)  Thanks!

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Shipment

It's finished!  Quick facts:

Total shipment weight--1,919 lbs.
Total pieces--20 (17 plastic bins, 2 large boxes, 1 crated toolbox)
Shipping via--air freight

We've also pretty much completed packing our luggage.  For that we have 9 checked suitcases, 3 carry-on suitcases, stroller, carseat, 2 laptops with cases, and a diaper bag!

Our itinerary:

British Airways
Departing Los Angeles International Airport  September 8th @ 9:20pm
Arriving London Heathrow Airport September 9th @ 3:30pm
Flight Time is 10 hours 30 minutes
Aircraft =  Boeing 747-400

British Airways
Departing London Heathrow Airport September 9th @ 9:15pm
Arriving Entebbe, Uganda September 10th @ 7:45am
Flight Time is 8 hours 30 minutes
Aircraft = Boeing 767-300

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Kaitlyn's Second 1st Birthday

Yep, that's right.  She had a birthday party with grammy and popa in Ohio before we left, and Saturday we had a second birthday party at grandma Alvina's with Brian and Kristi's family.  This was however the first time she actually had a cake.  She wasn't too sure about everyone staring at her and singing, or the cake for that matter, until she found out what it tasted like!  Then it was all over!  There was cake everywhere.  After the cake and ice cream, we opened some presents.  Kaitlyn loves all her new toys...even though most of them are now packed in our shipment. 

In fact, we only have two more storage bins to pack before our shipment is complete!  Hopefully we will be finished by the end of this week.  Then we can focus more on last minute details, paperwork, and checklists.  It's hard to believe we'll be leaving in less than a month, but at the same time, we're super excited to begin this new chapter in our lives.  Please pray for our health in the next several weeks, as it will be undoubtedly stressful!  As always, we cherish your prayers!

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Silence

Chris:  "Why is it so quiet in here?  Hey Joy, do you know where Kaitlyn is?"  
Joy:  "Nope, I thought you were watching her."
Chris:  "Oh, I thought you were watching her." ..."Kaitlyn, where are you?"   Silence
Kaitlyn, where are you?!
Kaitlyn:  "He he, blah blah blah!

Oh there you are!  You found your bag of cheerios I see.  Didn't you eat enough at dinner?  

Apparently she didn't, because she had two big handfuls of cheerios and they were disappearing faster than I could pick them up.  After I got all the cheerios out of her hair, off her back, legs, and forehead, I decided to take a picture!  Now she goes in the luggage so we can keep a watchful eye on her!  If you look closely, you might even be able to see her first tooth that just poked through!
Other than chasing a 10 month old around, we've been packing, shopping, and packing some more.  With just one month left, we're starting to feel the pressure of getting everything done before we leave September 8.  You can praise the Lord that we are all healthy and doing well!

Saturday, June 26, 2010

Niagara Falls

Along the drive home, we decided to stop at Niagara Falls.  I haven't been there in quite a few years, Joy hasn't been there since she was three, and Kaitlyn...well, this was her first time.  We all enjoyed the break!  Kaitlyn LOVES water and all she wanted to do was jump in and take a dip.  As soon as she saw the water, she started kicking her legs and trying to swim!  Here are a bunch of pictures....

Wednesday, June 23, 2010