Links

We are enjoying our two boys and having Gran-Nan around as we work on the necessary paperwork and recovery here in Dar. Today I just have a couple of links to share.

Jonathan and Brooklynn Sims have spent the last 8 months in Tanzania apprenticing with different missionaries.  Some of that time was spent with our team in Geita. We enjoyed getting to know this great couple.
Here is a link to Brooklynn's latest post reflecting on her experiences here.

Caleb and Kristina Meek are missionaries in Mtwara, Tanzania, a town in the South East of the country.
This is a great post about their experiences helping a Tanzanian boy.

Introducing Silas!

Silas Andrew McNeal was born May 11th at 1:20pm TZ time weighing 7lbs 3oz.
We are all doing really well.

Jude asked to hold him this morning and loved it.

He's really enjoying being a big brother so far. He checks on Silas when he's sleeping and wants to touch and kiss him a lot.

Waiting in Dar

We've been in Dar es Salaam for a little over 2 weeks now waiting. We waited as late as we felt we could (38wks) to come because I kind of suspected Silas would take after his brother and be late! Today is my official "due date" and still no signs of his arrival. Carson has been able to accomplish some editing on a video he filmed before leaving Geita, but otherwise our time has been spent trying to keep all 3 of us sane which mostly means Jude. He is an active kid so we try to do things that let him use all that energy as often as possible. Here are some pictures from a day last week when we took him to a playground. It's in the middle of a shopping center and pretty cheap. 

We also went to a driving range mostly for Carson, but Jude also enjoyed it.

We've been eating as much yogurt as humanly possible and getting ice cream and milk shakes more often than we should! 

This week we have a doctor visit followed by a test at the hospital, just to check on things since I'm past due. Later in the week we are moving to a different place to stay for the remainder of our time here. I'm sure we'll also try to go to the beach and the playground (several times... did I mention that the best milkshake in the world can be found next to that playground?) Then, next Sunday Carson's mom arrives! 

Hopefully, I'll be posting pictures of Silas soon.

A Link about Missionary Stress

 I just read this post from this blog:





About half way down there are some statistics about missionary stress that are pretty shocking, but I can certainly see how they would be true. I'm sure it varies from person to person, but there are a lot of things about life in a different culture that can keep you on edge.

We've been in Dar for almost 2 weeks now and still no sign of baby's arrival. I'll post more about our time here soon.