Wageni!

We've had an amazing 2 weeks with our wageni (guests), Carson's parents. They flew into Kigali so we got to spend a day there doing a little shopping and eating at a great Italian restaurant. Then we headed back to Geita where we enjoyed showing them around and introducing them to people we know. 

We went to Mwanza for one night where we had some more great food and saw our missionary friends.

All of us standing in front of Lake Victoria waiting on the ferry.

 Packed in the truck on our trip to Mwanza

Gran-Nan reading Jude's new Peak-A-Boo book to him

Jude really enjoyed playing in Gran-Nan's suitcase. Perhaps he was trying to figure out if he would fit!

On Thanksgiving eve we set up the Christmas tree so we could do Christmas morning on Thanksgiving morning. Here's Jude opening a gift from Granpa and Gran-Nan.

Jude was the only one who got turkey on Thanksgiving! The rest of us had chicken since turkey is pretty expensive. Otherwise it was a pretty typical Thanksgiving feast. 

During the 2 weeks, Jude managed to gain a little over 2lbs. He had not gained even a whole pound in the 3 months prior. You could blame it on Thanksgiving, but I attribute it to Granpa sneaking him treats!

There was lots of great conversation, good meals, golf, Monopoly Deal, and a ton of kissing on the baby! We were sad to see them go, but are thankful for such a wonderful visit.

Happy Thanksgiving

We've had a fabulous Thanksgiving! Last night we put up the Christmas tree so that this morning Jude could open presents from Gran-Nan and Gran-Pa. (There may have been a few for Carson and I as well!) I realize it's a little unconventional, but when you live on the other side of the world you improvise. We enjoyed a great meal with our team, games, and worship. I promise to post pics from today, but they haven't been put on the computer yet. Instead I'll leave you with a few pics of Jude swinging last weekend in Mwanza.

8 months

In the last 3 months Jude has grown a little over an inch in length, but less than a lb in weight. 

Can you tell how long he is?

A Cake and some Guests

You are probably going to start thinking that all I do is make cakes! I do enjoy it. Here's one that I made a few weeks ago when Sumbu's daughter had a birthday.

 Carson's parents arrived in Kigali late Sunday night and we are having a blast.

Here is a very pic from dinner in Kigali. It's a bit blurry, but you get the idea. We had amazing pizza and I didn't even have to make it!

Here's one of Jude with Gran-Nan

Coming soon: 8 month pictures

A Full Water Tank

It’s been almost a month since I posted.

I didn’t mean for it to be that long.

Sometimes it’s hard to know what to say...

Today it poured rain.

The sky opened up and buckets of water dropped.

There was even hail.

The gutter system Carson put in poured a little over 2000 liters of water into our tank.

It’s a wonderful system for water collection during rainy season, but it didn’t come into existence without a little struggle. We didn’t know we needed it until, well, we NEEDED IT.

It’s been almost a year since I was soaking dishes in rain water on the back steps. We were watching that beautiful liquid fall from the sky, but had no way to get it into the tank that feeds our sinks, showers, toilets.

“What every artist must learn is that even the failed pieces are essential.”

This is a quote from Rob Bell’s book Drops Like Stars.

What I must learn is that even the failed days are essential.

There are a lot of days here that feel like failures. In fact most of last week. Carson was sick and despite my many plans it seemed the only thing I accomplished was getting dinner on the table. The failed days are essential though. 

On the failed days we learn about culture. 

We get the motivation to study Swahili so that next time we’ll understand better, be able to speak better.

We get the inspiration for the things that will succeed. 

We remember we have to rest sometimes to regain momentum. 

On the failed days we remember that we are human and it is only by the grace of God that anything will come of our being here.

This is a truth that is perhaps illuminated in some ways by living in Tanzania, but it is a truth wherever you live.