A little view of Africa

So, I am almost two weeks into this little journey, and it has already been quite the adventure! I can't wait to see what the next two years have in store. 

Here is a little glimpse into what life has literally looked like for me the past week or so. 

Drinking attaya (tea) has become a daily occurrence for us. The tea is a green tea that is imported from China, and it is really an art to make it. Mostly men make the tea, although our guard has been teaching Rebekah and I how to master this skill. The first time I tried it, I spilled tea everywhere, and he had to start the long process all over again. I felt terrible, but he just smiled and laughed. I think it's just because I introduced him to Lecrae, and he REALLY likes rap music!

This was taken in our neighborhood. There is a mixture between taxis, motorcycles, and horse drawn carts here. As you can see, these horses work hard! 

 This is another picture taken in our neighborhood. This is what the housing looks like here. 

Life in this city has been so much fun, but I am excited to see where I will be heading next. Tomorrow I leave for another training where I get to meet up with many friends from Virginia. I am so excited to see them and hear their stories. I won't be able to update the blog when I'm there due to lack of internet, but I will for sure have many stories once I get back on it. Hope this gave you a little glimpse into the life that I've been leading here. I wish all of y'all could come experience this time with me, but I'm so excited to share with y'all what is happening over here!

The New Home

I'm Here!!!

I am currently sitting in the living at my new home, trying to navigate around a website in French, with a hear that is full after an amazing day in this new country. 

In the past couple of weeks my life has gone through so many changes. 

1. I had to say see you later to amazing people who i trained/lived/laughed with for 2 months

 

2. I had the chance to say a quick hello, then goodbye again, to family and friends in the 3 places I have been lucky enough to call home the past couple of years. 

3. I finally got to say hello to my new home!!

The market in our city

We arrived in our country yesterday morning around 5 a.m. Once here, we drove about an hour and half to the city we will be calling home for the next couple of months. We also got the chance to meet our supervisor and other co-workers. Yesterday, we got accustomed to our new home and went to bed pretty early. We didn't sleep on the flight or all day yesterday, so we were pretty tired.

Today has been full of seeing more of the city, visiting the market, drinking tea with a local friend...and our first language lesson! I had so much fun learning a few key phrases in one of the languages we will be speaking in the city. This will not be the main language we speak in our village, but it is the main language in the city. Our teacher was great, and even gave us new names, Rama (Rebekah, my partner) and my new name is Abi. 

 Tea in the courtyard. 

Rebekah learning how to make tea. 

Tonight was filled with cooking dinner and a movie. Trying to figure out how to cook something that is not from a box is kind of challenging for us, but we're surviving! Now it's off to relax for the rest of the night. Can't wait to share more of this adventure with you all!

  

Life Lately

So many changes have taken place in my life lately, and so many more are surfacing within the next month. Changes that I'm so excited about, changes I'm nervous about, changes that I seriously can not wait to happen. This is just a little place that I can share stories that happen during these changes. Hopefully these stories find a way to entertain you because my life is anything but boring right now.

I have less than three weeks left in Virginia before the real journey starts. The time here has been such a sweet time where I have made friendships that are like no other. Here is a little glimpse of life here.

I've learned a little history. 

 (Here's the pink in the hair, Mom. I think Abe approves)

This is the girl who keeps me in check. Thank the Father for her. 

During my stay here, I live in a quad. Other people who are going to Africa are my neighbors. Such a sweet group of people. One night we had a chance to cook a meal from scratch. This was seriously one of the best nights. The food and the company were some of the best ever. 

 This is me, obviously. However, if you see what I'm doing here, you may have some doubts. I am really kneading dough to cook pizza from scratch. Watch out, Paula Deen. After 2 years, I'll be coming back to America a pro. 

Obviously my job wasn't that hard, though, because a 2 year old is doing it. Such a great help!

 The finished product. Yum, right?

 We also made salsa, salad dressing, and brownies...all from scratch. Guys, I should have been cooking like this much earlier in life. Late bloomer. 

Most importantly, I have gained a family. All of my Sub-Saharan Africa ladies after a night of celebration for surviving thus far. 

(I think we just use any excuse for ice cream. Better get it now, right?)

Although it looks like it's all play here, I promise we work..hard! Days are packed, and assignments are to be done, but I am so thankful for the chance to learn and prepare as I start this new chapter of my life. A little more than a month, y'all. A little more than a month and my address will be in Africa. Holy Smokes. Can you believe that?