Update from...... North Africa!!!

IS. 40:28 - “Do you not know? Have you not heard?  

The L’d is the evr-l’sting G, 

the Cre-tor of the ends of the earth.  

He will not grow tired or weary, 

and his understanding no one can fathom.” 

(warning.... lots of photos in this letter!!)

WE MADE IT!!

On March 8, our visas were finally approved.  Joanna flew to FL on the 15th to pick them up ALONE!  So thankful the kids didn't have to go on that very long day-trip.  The airline was having major issues, so though every flight was delayed, we got all 3 visas without any problems!!  Such a mir-cle!

     On March 19 (G's 2nd birthday!!) we got our itinerary for travel... for March 23.  It was a whirlwind 4 days of packing and loving on family and close friends.  We finished our "see-you-laters" with family on the 22nd because we wanted a little time to ourselves to focus on the exciting things about our move instead of the sad things.

     We went to Chuck E Cheese with our 7 checked bags + carry-ons loaded into (and on top of!) our car.  We all had a blast!  We used leftover tokens and ate greasy pizza before we drove to the airport.  We left our phones and keys in the car.... it's such a strange, nomadic feeling to have an empty key ring and no phone to check.  

     The trip overall was harder than we thought it would be.  The kids did pretty well, considering they only slept about 3 out of 24 hours. (Mostly under a makeshift tent in the airplane over the ocean- who knew blankets and tray tables could be combined for such a fantastic purpose!!)  Another big exciting thing is that we didn't have to pay for our luggage a 2nd time in Madrid!

     When we touched down in our city at 630am EST on the 24th, we were all worn out.  G was so exhausted that Andrew put his jacket and shoes on... and G slept through it all!  He didn't wake up until the rain hit his face on the runway.  A really kind, native man made friends with G and held him while we loaded up our luggage.  ALL 7 bags made it that day! Whoohoo!!  Funny moment- as soon as we were in our supervisor's car to go to our apartment for the first time, G shouted out, "Wanna go to Pizza Inn!"  To which, A replied, "No, G, they don't have Pizza Inn in Africa."
     That day, we went straight to our apartment and sacked out for a few hours!!! Neither of our kids wanted to wake up after a 3hr nap... in A's words... "Mommy, please go away.  I'm still sleepy."  :)  It took over 30 minutes to get them up out of their beds!!

     
















     We have started language school and the kids have started learning words/phrases in Spanish.  They're both really willing to learn, for which we are really grateful.  It's amazing to watch their mouths form new and different sounds than they have ever made!  We have a wonderful woman from our people group who is coming every day to watch the kids while we're in school.  We will call her Mia here.  She is so patient and loving with them and I think we are friends already!  I expect that she will be a great language teacher for them since she doesn't speak any english.  

     Our teammates in the city have helped us TREMENDOUSLY in our everyday needs.  We also have a local body of bel;ev'rs here that have welcomed us into their family.  It's been so wonderful, amazing... to have so much support here.  Also, Dad was definitely with us when we applied for residency last week.  The remaining 3 members of our family we re ALL approved that one day!! (It should have taken WEEKS!!) 

     It's amazing how Dad works.  After over 3 years of trying to get here, After 10 months of being nomads in our home country and after saying goodbye to everything we've ever known... here, we are starting to feel like we're finally at home.

Happy girl!

Dance party with good friends!

CELEBRATIONS AND REQUESTS:

• We’re HERE!! We have our own keys and plates and cups for the first time in 10 months!  It’s so good to feel “home”, even though we’re so far away from everything familiar.

• There is a wonderful, M’sl;m woman from our PG that is coming every weekday to our apartment to watch our babies.  Mia is trustworthy, patient, kind.... and she loves us and our children.  And we love her!

• We have amazing support from our teammates and the local body here. They’re priceless.  Wonderful... We got to meet several people from our PG that are bel;ev’rs here... in Andrew’s words, “They’re my heroes!” 

• We have been approved for residency!! Andrew picked up his card yesterday!  Overall, Dad has bl’ssd us far beyond what we could have ever thought to ask or imagine.

*   *   *   *

• Please remember Joanna- she’s been struggling with dizziness to the point that it is difficult to walk.  Please ask for that to subside completely.

• Please remember Andrew’s mom, Janice, as she is having a serious procedure on the 5th.  Please ask for her doctors to know exactly what to do.  Please remember Andrew as he wishes he could be there with her.

• Please ask for our new friend, Mia to see the love of J in us.  Aidyn was crying last night because she wants Mia to be able to go to h’ven.  So thankful for our tender-hearted little girl!

• Please ask that He would open our minds to learn the language quickly so we can share accurately and effectively.  

      We love you!!!

Serving in peace....               .
*  *  *  *   

G on the balcony... next to the gas tank!

Hanging clothes to dry on our balcony!

Yes, it tasted that good, too!

Our room.

Can you spot the precious girl hiding in her room??

Some things never change... they really love each other!!

Some of G's books on his bookshelf.

G in his "big boy" room!

Can't beat the view!

Our beautiful kitchen!

One of the greatest things EVER.

Dish drying rack built in to the cabinets- over the sink!

Our OWN PLATES AND BOWLS!

Plain, simple... and OURS!

Flower, flour, noodles, sugar, lentils.
Somehow, this just makes me really happy.

Here's a vase. It seems so un-necessary... but It's funny, the things that make this place feel more like home.

We are really beginning to love it here... and are hoping and asking that He will help us to show the people here how to drink living water so that they will never be thirsty again.