Saturday, April 2, 2011

Bonjour,

This morning, Joe was all packed and ready to go up north in Ghana to
meet Pastor Ake, a national pastor in Ivory Coast, to give him money for
the orphans from Lenell Smith. But when he talked to Pastor Ake on the
phone, he found out that Max is stuck in Anyama right now. His family
and the orphans are in a village up north. He went down to Anyama to
check on things and got stuck there with all of the fighting that has
taken place in the past few days. The new plan is for Max to come to
Ghana. Then, Joe will drive him up through Ghana back to where his
family is. He just doesn't know yet when he will be able to leave. Max
said that this is the worst he has ever seen it in that country.

Things have gotten very bad in Ivory Coast in the past couple days. In
a town in the west, over 800 were killed in that one town. On Friday,
Ouattara's men had the presidential palace surrounded and had put
Gbagbo's TV station off the air. Gbagbo was able to get his TV station
back. Since that took place, civilians have turned against civilians
because they think that the military forces cannot handle the problem.
People are also taking advantage of the situation and are looting
everywhere. Please be much in prayer for the people there. There are
still some independent Baptist missionaries who are stuck in the country
right now – The Andy Messer family, The Cuthbertson family, Mrs. Joan
Watkins, Mrs. Johnny Todd, and Mrs. Rebecca Walker. The American
Embassy sent out an e-mail today saying that they had warned people to
get out and that they are on their own.

Joe took the vehicle back to the mechanic. They built a new top for the
radiator, and he also got the starter rebuilt. He got home about 4:00,
and the vehicle seems to be running well.

Before Joe left, he gave the kids some used hats that he had found for
them when he was in town on Thursday. The kids were all excited about
their hats.

The boys were cutting up paper this morning making boats. Their
creations were interesting. Then, all three kids went outside to play
for a while.

Danny has been complaining about his stomach hurting quite a bit and
hasn't had much of an appetite. We have been in Africa about six
months now; so, it is time for worm medicine. We all took our worm
medicine before lunch. The boys said that it tasted nasty, and Bonnie
said that it was good. Theirs was liquid; ours was a pill.

The kids and I all went down for naps. I think Bonnie was the only one
who actually went to sleep. Gilbert went outside and came back in
crying because some boys were throwing rocks at him. I went outside.
There were about six kids all trying to ride the tire swing at the same
time. I told them that three was the limit. Danny went outside so that
Gilbert wouldn't be alone. Gilbert ended up going up to the Luthers and
leaving Danny behind. I heard Danny yelling outside; I went out to see
what the problem was. The same kids who were throwing rocks were now
trying to take Danny's sticks. Danny brought all of his sticks to the
porch for safe keeping. About ten minutes later, I heard Danny crying.
I thought that he had headed up the trail to the Luthers. He said that
just as he got to the trail, the six boys surrounded him, took his hat,
and hit him in the head. I set off with Danny to find those boys. We
did catch up with them; but as soon as they spotted us, they scattered.
Danny cried all the way home about the loss of his "most awesomest hat
ever." When we got back to the yard, we found Danny's hat by a tree.
The boys must have thrown it down when they started running. Danny was
happy to have his hat back.

Joe came home about 4:00. He took the electric card to go put more time
on it. He also found a Lebanese restaurant and brought Lebanese pizza
home for supper. Everyone was excited except Danny; that is not his
favorite for some reason.

A demain,

Joe, Laura, Gilbert, Danny, and Bonnie