We may just become a "bush family" after all!!

Before Zeke was born, Arnett and I visited "M-village". Arnett's been back since we got back from Dakar but I haven't made it out there, and not for lack of trying! We've been trying for weeks now to go out there but every week something came up to prevent us from going. Well, we finally made the two hour trip yesterday. We currently have a couple that are in from the states doing some work out in "M-village", so last night they had bought 75 kilos (yes, that's 165 pounds) of rice and invited everyone in the village and surrounding villages to come eat. Well, the villagers then invited some guys to come who play drums so it turned into a HUGE party!! I wish I had pics of the party but it was dark. The party didn't start until 10:30 pm (possibly later!) and went until after 2:00 am!! It was great fun!! They played the drums, the villagers danced - they even got Arnett to dance with them (so, wish I had a picture of that cause it was hilarious!!), and then the villagers put on these skits with costumes and props. It was quite an event!!

Zeke did amazing out there!! He let everyone hold him and didn't mind being passed around like a football. The villagers were so excited to see us again! The women put me to work helping with the cooking and cleaning. This morning after breakfast, we sat around and chatted and then "asked for the road". Anytime you leave a place you have to ask for permission first. The women of the village were not going to let me leave. They told me I had to stay and help them cook, pound millet, and clean. I did get a chance to pound a little bit of millet, which they got a huge kick out of!! I finally told them that I would come back next week and help them do a lot of work. Only after that, did they agree to let us leave!!

For those of you know me really well, know that I am in no shape or form a "bush girl". However, God is changing my heart little by little. PRAISE HIM for this!! I am actually excited about going out again next week. I'm even planning on spending not one, but two nights out there next week!! And I even told Arnett, that I think I'd be okay if we built a bush house!! I know, total shocker!! Another first, spending time out there with those ladies gave me such a desire to learn Bambara!! Thank you God for such an amazing trip!! Another plus...I'm surrounded by Bambara speakers and it's great language practice!!

So, here's what I know you've all been waiting for - assuming you didn't scroll down here first :~), the pictures...

Where Zeke & I slept! Not too bad!! Even though the sheep cried all night long!

Zeke and I hanging out in the village.

 

 

 

 

Zeke loved  this bucket. He kept lifting the handle up!! 

 

 

  The village chief loving on Zeke. A rare sight in African culture. It was too sweet.

Zeke hanging out with the village chief. He must have sat with him for     30 minutes. He's playing with an empty package of candy.

Me getting lessons on how to pound millet. The women loved the fact that I even tried it!! It was really hard work!!

So, the last time I visited "M-village" I met "Ava". She was also pregnant, which created an instant bond between us. Here's the pic of us from that first trip...

 

 

 

 

 

 

         And here we are now with our precious babies!! Her little girl is 6 months old. As you can see, Zeke is way bigger than she is. He was way bigger than all the kids in the village around his age.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you all for your prayers!! God is listening and answering!! Please continue praying for language. Also, we'll be making another trip out to "M-village" this week. Ask the Father for safe travels and the ability to speak and hear Bambara. Until next time...