Back to Africa

This morning, we got up and finished packing. We got everything in our eight allowed bags, and only three of them were over weight. Then we had to do every missionary's “favorite” thing — saying goodbye to our family.

We had a three hour-drive to Houston. Fro there, we had a nine and a half hour flight to Paris. Danny and Laura both got sick on that flight, and none of us slept more than one hour on that flight. The turbulence was bad, and we were in the last row of seats where you get the whiplash effect from the long plane being bounced around by the turbulence.

We had a four-hour layover in Paris. Gilbert and Danny loved to play by the window where they could see all of the planes, buses, tractors, trucks, and people as they went about their duties at the airport.

We all slept better on the second flight which took six hours. When Gilbert woke up on that flight, we had about two hours left. He looked at me and said, “Dad, I went to bed yesterday!” Then, right before the plane landed, he said, “The airplane is tired and needs to put its wheels on the land!” That is how we all felt by that time.

We got off the plane, and because of the boys that takes a lot longer. We were some of the last people off of the plane, and I was dreading having to stand at the back of the immigration line for an hour. When we went up to where the lines were, their were six lines open and only five lines of people. The man in the line with no people was waving his arms trying to get some attention. So, I stepped right up and after five minutes of having our feet on the ground, we cleared immigrations. As we left the immigration section and turned the corner into the baggage section, I saw my friend Raymond who works at the airport. He came over and hugged me and welcomed us back to Ivory Coast. He then got two porters to help us with the luggage. While we were waiting for the luggage, the head of the customs came up to us, I have met him several times while helping other missionaries get through customs. He shook my hand and welcomed us back. Then he said that we would have no problems clearing customs that evening. When our bags came out, we just walked right out the door. Matt Litson, Bob Engelhart, and Dan Post were there to greet us at the airport. The Lord greased the wheels for us at the end of a tiring trip.

Sarah Litson and Margie Engelhart had fixed supper and breakfast for us, and it was waiting for us in our fridge. We went over to the Litson's house first, and Danny and Gilbert got reunited with their friends! They were so cute playing together.

We came home and ate supper and then we called our parents to let them know we had made it safe and sound. Danny went right to bed, but Gilbert was suffering from jet lag and he was not ready to go to bed. Gilbert and I were up until 02:00!

A demain,

Joe, Laura, Gilbert, and Danny

January 5, 2008

We had a slow start this morning, but we did survive the first night of jet lagged boys. We started today trying to get our house back into shape. The bugs had taken over since we were not here to combat them daily.

We had lunch with the Litsons, and the boys enjoyed playing outside with their friends. Gilbert came in with red cheeks and said, “Dad, it sure is hot out there!” Danny started to get tired so we came home for nap time.

I decided not to let Gilbert take a nap since he wanted to stay up so late last night and then slept in so late this morning. I did not want to be up all night again.

Laura went on a walk with Gilbert and the ladies while I stayed here to listen for Danny. As is his custom, he woke up as soon as his mom left for the walk. We tried to play in the living room, but he was still too tired. He fell back to sleep in about ten minutes. Then he woke back up about two minutes before his mom came back home. Gilbert had asked if he could stay over there and play with the girls.

We ate supper with Bob and Margie. Then we came home to get baths and get ready for bed. Our plan for Gilbert worked! He was ready for bed at a decent hour. Yet, here we sit at 01:55 tiring to get Danny to sleep. Jet lag is such fun for these little ones!

A demain,

Joe, Laura, Gilbert and Danny

January 6, 2008

Danny finally went to sleep at 02:30 and Gilbert woke up at 05:00. That sure was a short night.

Danny was still asleep, and since Laura had only had about two hours of sleep, she stayed home with the boys. Church went very well this morning. People showed up a little late, but there was a good crowd by the time Sunday School was over.

When I got home from church, Danny was playing with his toys, and Gilbert had gone to sleep on the couch. Laura, Danny, and I ate lunch; and Danny fell asleep in his plate. So then Laura took a nap while the boys were down. Before I left this morning, I had told Gilbert that if he was a good boy and obeyed his mom while I was gone, then I would get his race car track out and set it up. As soon as he woke up from his nap, he asked me where his race car track was. We got it out and set it up.

We all went to church this evening. Danny had so much fun playing outside before and after church. He was filthy! The boys had to have a bath as soon as we got home.

Danny started acting sleepy at 19:30, but I would not let him go to sleep that soon. I would rather put up with a cranky baby than sit up half the night again. We just now put him to bed at 22:00, and now the rest of us are headed to bed. We sure do hope that jet lag is wearing off!

A demain,

Joe, Laura, Gilbert, and Danny

January 7, 2008

Bonjour,

Both boys slept better last night. Danny slept all night. Gilbert woke up at 4:30, but he went back to sleep.

This morning, Matt and I went into town to check on getting DSL here at home. We got the information that we needed. It was only Matt's third trip to that office; you can never get all of the information at one time here. Then, Matt took me into Abidjan so that I could trade money.

I had to have Matt take me into Abidjan because my brakes were not working. When we got back from Abidjan, I drove my car to the mechanic to get the brakes fixed. We found a hose that had dry rotted. The mechanic had to go into Abidjan to find that hose. So, while he was gone,I walked to the phone office with all of the needed paperwork to get DSL. When I got there, Matt's car was parked out front. I went in, and there was a long line of people waiting to see the man that I needed to see. So, I just told them that I was there with my colleague, and they let me go right back. We got all signed up for DSL, and now we just have to wait for the technician to come out and get us set up. They told us it could take up to ten days for the technician to come out.

Then, I walked down to the church to say hello to Max, but no one was there. So, I walked back to the mechanics to see if my car was ready, but it was not. I took a taxi home so that I could get some other things done while I waited for the mechanic to find the part.

This afternoon while Laura and the boys were gone on a walk, Matt took me back in to check on my car. It was ready! I got home just in time to see that the meter reader was just about to leave without reading our meter because no one was home. So, I let him in, and then I parked the car. Well, some how during all of that, I dropped my keys! Then I walked right out the front gate and locked the padlock on the gate with the keys lying on the ground in our front yard! Well, ain't that a blessing! I had to borrow a hammer from Matt and knock the lock off of our gate to get back in. After some searching, we found the keys.

The boys had fun playing today while I unpacked the rest of the suitcases. Danny kept helping me empty out the bags. Gilbert kept finding toys in the house that he forgot that he had. I set up the pop-up tent that is in the shape of a bus. The boys had a great time in there. Gilbert was full of questions today. Danny woke up after Gilbert had eaten lunch. Gilbert wanted to make sure that Danny was going to get to eat too. He decided to eat with him after he told me, “Mama, Danny needs some munch.” Gilbert likes to watch out for Danny, especially when food is involved!

A demain,

Joe, Laura, Gilbert, and Danny

January 8, 2008

This morning, we had a meeting up at the church. The meeting went well, and we were able to get a lot accomplished.

When I got home, we ate lunch, and then Gilbert and I went into town. First, we went to get our computer worked on. We were able to buy a new processor fan and more memory for our computer while we were in the States. I did not know how to properly install the fan; so I just let the computer repair man do it for me.

After the computer was fixed, then we went to the bulk food store. Everyone in there was glad to see Gilbert. We got done there, and the shopping made Gilbert hungry. He started asking for supper as soon as we got in the car.

When we got home, it was time for Laura and the boys to go on their walk. Gilbert wanted to play with the water hose, but when I reminded him it was time to go on the walk, he said, “OH! Great!”

Everyone was ready for bed at a decent hour! Maybe the jet lag is starting to wear off!

A demain,

Joe, Laura, Gilbert, and Danny

January 9, 2008

Bonjour,

Jet lag struck again this morning! Danny woke up at 04:00 and was up until 07:00 when Gilbert woke up.

We have paid to have DSL hooked up at our house, but we do not know when the technician will come by to set up the system. So, we have to stay close to the house until he comes because we do not want to miss him. If we miss him, who knows when he will come back! The phone company called just before we left for church to tell us that they would be here around 09:00 tomorrow.

Church this evening went very well! Jean-Luc preached a good sermon about new year resolutions. I had another meeting with Max after church this evening.

We had a lot of fun with the boys this evening. They are playing together more and more, and it is so much fun to watch. Danny fell asleep at 20:30 this evening! We sure are hoping that he sleeps all night tonight.

A demain,

Joe, Laura, Gilbert, and Danny

January 10, 2008

The boys both slept much better last night! We were sure glad about that.

This morning, we needed to go to town, but we could not since the internet technician was supposed to come at 09:00. At noon, he had still not come; so I called his office. They said that he had had some delays, but he would be here in a few hours. At 15:00, he had not come yet; so I called again, and his secretary gave me his cell phone number. He said that he would be here at 16:30. Surprise! He was here when he said he would be.

He got on line and tried to get us set up but could not because the office had not completed our subscription. So he has to come back later after they have set up our account. He said that he would come back tomorrow or the next day.

A demain,

Joe, Laura, Gilbert, and Danny

January 11, 2008

Bonjour,

This morning, we went to town to go grocery shopping. We have just been getting by on what we had here at the house. We really needed to go to the store!

Sarah called to ask if she could ride with us because Matt was sick and they needed groceries as well. So she and Joanna rode with us. Gilbert thought that was great to have someone go to town with us.

We went to the bulk food store to exchange the diapers that I had bought the other day. I always get the wrong size. Then, we ate lunch at the Lebanese restaurant. Then, we went to the grocery store.

We came home, and Laura took a nap while the boys and I played in the living room. They did not want to take a nap because they had both fallen asleep in the car. They were playing so nicely that I just let them play on.

Laura and the boys went on their walk while I was trying to call the internet company to check on the progress. I finally got through and found out that they are going to set up our account today, and then in two days we should have an internet connection that is ready to use. So, the technician is supposed to come out on Monday to set it up again. We hope!

The Litson girls came over to play with the boys this evening. They had a lot of fun and wanted to know where Gilbert got all of those great Christmas presents!

A demain,

Joe, Laura, Gilbert, and Danny

January 12, 2008

Bonjour,

This morning, Max and I went soul-winning together. We were able to lead a young man to Christ. The young man had moved to the States from Liberia and had been deported because he did not have a residence visa for the States. He moved here to live with his mother who is a member of the Anyama church. Now, he is seriously ill and needs to have several operations. We could not do anything about his physical ailments, but we were able to introduce him to Someone who could give him eternal life.

I had a slight problem with my car while we were out on visitation. The door hinges froze up, and neither of the front doors would close. Weird things happen when you leave your car sitting for awhile in Africa! So after visitation, I had to have a man work on the car doors.

After supper this evening, the boys and I all got haircuts. I cut the boys hair, and Laura cut my hair.

We went over to the Litsons' house after haircuts to celebrate Matt's birthday. Gilbert sang to him. We had a lot of fun!

A demain,

Joe, Laura, Gilbert, and Danny

January 13, 2008

Bonjour,

We had a good day at church. A lady got saved in the morning service. She lives in our neighborhood. Her two-year-old son died recently from some type of illness. Her four-year-old daughter is in my Sunday school class. The little girl told me this morning that her little brother is in Heaven with God. The Lord used this situation to bring this lady to Him. Her husband is Muslim, but he allows his wife and children to go to church with us every week.

I only had three in my class during Sunday School. Then, I had ten during church. Joe sent one of the teenage girls down to help me. Now that Danny is walking, he really didn't want to stay in our class area. There isn't a door; so, he kept trying to escape to play in the dirt. He fell a couple times and got some new head injuries. He has bumps and scrapes everywhere!

Everyone took a nap this afternoon. Danny fell asleep in his highchair. He does that quite often. If he hasn't taken a nap before lunch, he doesn't usually make it all the way through lunch.

The service this evening went well also. Romeo preached this evening.

Gilbert was jumping around this evening and landed on his toy gun. He cut his foot open and had to have a band aid. He likes band aids, but he doesn't like the cleaning of the injury!

A demain,

Joe, Laura, Gilbert, and Danny