Today We Grieve. Today We Celebrate.

Today we grieve, because a very special woman has gone from this life. Carson's Granny (his mom's mom) passed yesterday. We grieve because someone who was an important and instrumental part of our lives is no longer here to share it with. Death never really seems right. Even when the person has lived a full life, even when the person has been sick, the separation of it feels so wrong. We are relieved that she is no longer in pain, and yet there is still an aching. Perhaps, because it wasn't the original plan. This isn't a separation we were intended to know. Death came because of sin. But we have peace in the grief because despite man's best efforts to mess it up, God redeems. 

"We know that when Jesus was raised from the dead it was a signal of the end of death-as-the-end. Never again will death have the last word. When Jesus died, he took sin down with him, but alive he brings God down to us." Romans 6:9 The Message

Today we celebrate because Louree Mullins left a legacy. She left us with memories that not even death can take from us. Two children and 5 grandchildren are living proof of the life she lived. I look at the way her daughters took care of her in these last years and I know that they learned that caring spirit from her. 

We know that we are exactly where we are supposed to be, but there are days when it would be nice if Geita were just a little closer to home. We are physically on the other side of the world, but today our hearts are with our family in Tennessee.

Progress

A lot of progress has been made at the house. Ceiling boards are in. Concrete baseboards are in. The floors are all poured, except the bathrooms. Here's a shot of a fundi working on the living room floor. You can see how smooth it becomes in the hallway in the background.

The window screens and the wood frames that will get glass are being fitted. They have to fit them before they are actually installed because nothing is square here. You can't just build a square window and expect it to fit in the opening.

Here's the hole for the septic. Impressive considering that they were pretty much digging through straight rock.

Fence posts have been installed. They will get barbed wire and reeds that look like skinny bamboo. I know the name of them, but am not sure how to spell it!

Carson got a break from being constantly at the house last week when our container arrived! We are so glad that it made it, and everything appears to be in good shape. We can't really unload until our house is done, but we did get off a few important items like maternity clothes and a guitar. It's nice to have some things from home. We are looking forward to getting in the house and unloading the rest.

Eames

Last Tuesday we brought home an addition to our family, Eames. She is half German Shepherd, quarter Great Dane, quarter Rottweiler. We named her after our favorite furniture design couple Charles and Ray Eames who are responsible for such wonders as the Shell Chair and the Eames Rocker. We considered Frida Kahlo, a famous painter, but decided we would end up just calling her Frida and didn't really like that. Eames will be part of our security system here in Geita. We don't intend to train her into a mean dog, just one that makes some noise if there is an intruder.

If there was any doubt as to whether pregnancy has made me an emotional wreck, Eames has made it clear. This puppy has got me wrapped around her cute little paw. You have to understand, the only pet I've ever had was Mortimer Turtle. He was very small and lived in an aquarium. You don't pet turtles, and they don't whine. I never really understood why people got in such a tizzy over their pets. I now apologize to all of you for judging; I've joined your club!

Look at those eyes!

Here is a picture of Carson with her after her first bath. She is now getting a bath everyday, and then I sit for a long time picking off ticks. The yard where we currently live is infested big time. I'm hoping today that there will be less than yesterday. I pulled off over 200! Carson already has plans for a better dog house that will keep them out. He's so good like that.

a Boy!

We went to the doctor in Mwanza earlier this week and found out that we are having a boy! At 20 weeks Jude Edward is doing well. We are excited to finally know. We are also excited to tell you that we have decided to take an early furlough so that we can have the baby in the states. After weighing our medical options in East Africa, we've decided that having our baby surrounded by friends and family in a familiar environment is the best choice for us. We will be home from mid-January until the beginning of April and look forward to sharing with our supporters and friends in person. Due to the cost of a furlough we are currently raising funds to help make this possible. If you are interested in helping with this specific cost, you can send a donation to:

Gallatin Church of Christ

150 East Main Street

Gallatin, Tn 37066

Please make checks out to: McNeal Mission Fund and indicate Furlough on the memo line.