Sunday – Wednesday, December 7-10, 2008

Bonjour,

 

I was busy getting ready for our trip to Yamoussoukro on Sunday night and didn't get an e-mail sent to let you know that you wouldn't be hearing from us for a few days.  I tried to send an e-mail last night, but it wouldn't go through.  So, I'll try to briefly catch you up on the past few days.

 

We had a good day at church on Sunday.  There were 88 in attendance on Sunday morning.  I had 23 in my class.  Joe preached in the morning service.  We had a good evening service as well.  Romeo preached in the evening service.

 

After church, I worked on getting our bags packed for our trip.  I was also trying to get the last of the laundry caught up as well.  It was a rather late night for me.

 

We left at 6:30 on Monday morning to meet the Posts at a gas station next to the interstate.  It is about a three hour drive to Yamoussoukro.  We stopped about halfway to walk around for a minute.  We traded some passengers at that point.  Our boys went in the Posts' vehicle, Nathan and Justin sat with Bonnie.  (The Posts have five boys).

 

When we got to the hotel, they tried to give us the cheaper rooms at the more expensive price.  After we looked at the first set of rooms, Dan talked to a contact who works at the hotel.  He came and rectified the situation.  We got nice rooms on the tenth floor.  While the guys were getting that squared away, we took the children outside to the playground area.

 

We got settled in our rooms.  We all ate our picnic lunch together.  Danny and Bonnie were ready for a nap.  I took a nap with them while everyone else played tennis.

 

After naps, we went to tour the Basilica, the world's tallest Catholic church.  It is a big place!

 

We found a pizza place and ate supper there.  We went back to the hotel and played a game of Monopoly.  The chilren were getting tired and were ready for bed.  So, we just counted up the money and property to see who had the most.  Joe was the winner.

 

On Tuesday morning, we all met at the breakfast buffet at 8:00.  It was very good.  We kept the lady busy making omelets.

 

The pool opened at 9:00.  The boys all swam for awhile.  Jennifer and I looked at cooking magazines while Bonnie rested.  Then, we all went to play tennis.

 

Joe and Dan picked up chwarmas (a Lebanese sandwich in pita bread) for lunch.  After lunch, everyone rested for awhile.  Then, we drove to a village where they weave cloth.  It was very interesting to watch how they do that.  Of course, we were the talk of the village.  Jennifer was holding Bonnie so that I could video.  Bonnie was asleep which turned out to be a good reason not to pass her around the village.  There was a man who was apparently deaf.  To get people's attention, he would hit his stomach.  He followed us around the village and pointed out the different places that sold material. 

 

From there, we went to the mote around the presidential mansion.  There are crocodiles in the mote.  We bought some chickens at the market to feed to the crocodiles.  The boys thought that was great.  Danny wanted to throw chickens to the crocodiles.  After all of the chickens were gone, Danny said, "Dad, do you see that big one?  I want to go ride him."  Oh dear!

 

We picked up some hamburgers for supper for the children.  Jimmy babysat all of the children, and the four adults ate at the restaurant at the top of the hotel.  We had a very nice evening, and the children did well too.

 

Wednesday morning, we met for breakfast at 8:00 again.  The boys swam for awhile after breakfast.  We got everything packed up.  Then, we went to a restaurant.  We ordered pizzas.  While we watied for lunch, Joe and Dan went to fill up the vehicles with fuel so that we could head home right after lunch.

 

We had a great time with the Posts.  It was a lot of fun.

 

About half of the trip is on a two-lane road.  Buses kept passing us at high speeds.  One bus almost ran us off the road.  We are so thankful for the people that pray for us on a daily basis.

 

When I woke up Wednesday morning, I had a cough.  By the time we got home, I had lost my voice and was not feeling well.  I seem to be coming down with bronchitis again.

 

Joe quickly unloaded the vehicle and then headed to church.  The service went well. 

 

Lady, a woman in the church who has been sick for several months, died on Monday.  Her baby died just a couple weeks ago.  Please pray for Lady's husband.  He does not attend church. 

 

A demain,

 

Joe, Laura, Gilbert, Danny, and Bonnie