Houston, we have ice cubes.

We are back in Lome and enjoying ice cubes as fast as our little circa-1950s refrigerator can kick 'em out. Our research this weekend went well, thanks to those of you who prayed about that. We tested our survey  on Sunday at a savings group meeting. Working separately, Hannah and I got through a total of 8 people in an hour and a half. Whew, we're in for some long days ahead of us. The test was very helpful in revealing what we need to change about the survey and how we need to adjust the length, language, and approach. For example, we thought "How many people live in your household?" would be a simple question, but found that it often takes them a long time to understand the question and then still are not always sure how to answer it because it is common for one household to contain many family members outside the nuclear family. Also, words like "income-earners" aren't familiar. Lots of little things like this need tweaking, but we think we will be able to get our survey to a lot of people, provided they are able to meet with us. One think that both Hannah and I struggled with during the surveys was feeling overwhelmed and saddened by the suffering of our sisters and brothers in Christ here. It is clear that these savings groups are helping them in their poverty, but it is still a shock to hear about such great need. Pray for our strength in hearing difficult stories from these men and women and for trust in a God who is bigger than all of this and in the fact that he is actively sustaining them. I am only one person and can not fix the great problems I see around me, but I trust in a God who can and who promises to care for his children.

We got to attend our first traditional church service too! Oh my goodness, what an adventure. We wanted to sneak in the back and blend in... should have known that's never gonna happen by now. We were immediately given chairs in the front of the church facing the congregation. It was probably hilarious watching Hannah and I not know what to do with ourselves up there. It's definitely a little awkward to not understand anything anyone is saying and trying to participate anyway. At the end of the service, we were asked to present ourselves to the church and give the closing prayer. Being the resident extrovert of the two, I recognized my responsibility to take one for the team and lead this one. They let me pray in English, which was kind. They took my "Amen" as a queue to start the music for the dance we were to lead. Most people would be phased by this, but I jump at every opportunity to dance, so I was pumped. Give me some African drum beats, a community or believers and some loud singing, and I'm a happy girl. I LOVED it. We may not speak the same language, but we can still worship together. Here's a little snapshot of our exciting morning.

We were able to attend one of the training sessions this morning. Some members of the Chalmers staff have flown in to train the local leaders some new material. It was great to sit in and listen to how these men facilitate this training. They are all extremely good at what they do and it's a joy to see God using his faithful followers to do his work here in West Africa. We sit in a room full of men and women devoted to helping people live better lives and to sharing the love of Christ. God is moving here and I am thankful to be a part of it.

Now on to everyone's favorite blog segment (ok, maybe not "everyone's" but hey, can't win 'em all) . . .

Things I Will Never Again Take for Granted: My Mom and Dad.

Today is my dad's birthday! I love birthdays, I love him, I love this day. So much love to go around. By being in Africa all summer, I not only am missing his birthday, but also my mom's birthday, Mother's Day, Father's Day and their 30th anniversary. Worst daughter ever x5. I have a lot to make up for. So this is a little post of appreciation.

I love the way they love me unconditionally and support me in everything I do (I can already hear my mom saying "How dare she think missing our birthdays, etc. is a big deal. We're so proud of her . . . blah blah blah.") I love the way they are patient with me and know I love them even when I am impatient with them. I love the way my abs hurt after I have a laughing fit with my mom. I love the way a good bear hug from my dad fixes any bad day. I love how a quick two-minute conversation between classes makes me feel like Georgia isn't really so far away. I love the anticipation of seeing them at the airport on August 8th. I love the way my mom always cries at Christmas when we get her sappy presents. I love the fierce mama-bear love she has for me. I love that I can call my dad and he'll drop everything to help me fix whatever problem I have. I love that he taught me how to write good papers and to love history. I love that he used to selflessly buy us the next season of Gilmore Girls every Christmas and then not complain when all we girls did for the next three days was sit and watch it (what a trooper).


I love the way they were SO involved in my life growing up. I love that my dad was my youth group leader for four years. I love the way they threw parties for me in high school like it was their job, having 50+ people over like it was no big deal. I love the way they came to every performance of every play and concert I was in. I love the way the hosted all nighters so the fun didn't have to stop at prom. I love the way they insisted my best friends come with us on family vacations. I love that instead of traditional graduation gifts, they surprise me and my best friends with a road trip to Canada/ tickets to the American Idol tour (don't judge, it was good back in the day).

I love that he still organizes the Turkey Bowl every year. I love that my dad surprised me with a spontaneous trip to a Chicago history museum so I could see the King Tut exhibit during my "Egypt" phase. I love how I felt after they took me to Disney World and I actually met Pooh Bear (he is so real when you are 4 years old, let me tell you).  I love the memory of tickle fights on Saturday mornings. I love the way they chaperoned any school function/trip I asked them to. I love the way my mom can run a fundraiser or other big event like it's nothing.  I love the way they really get to know and love my friends. I love that they are the "cool" parents (though my dad likes to test that sometimes in my opinion . . .) I love that they haven't missed a second of sharing and enjoying my life with me.

And as a birthday gift to my dad I'm going to list all the items he made me pack that I told him I would never use, but I've used. Knowing how stubborn I am and how over-prepared he always is, he might say this is the best present I've ever given him.
  ~That extra set of headphones. I did loose the first set... I can't believe it.
  ~That first aid survival kit. Hannah burned her leg on a moto but I had just the thing.
  ~That mini screwdriver for glasses. The tiny screws on my laptop needed tightening.
  ~Those cargo capris. He bought them without me even being there, and I love them. That's a first.
  ~The mini flashlight zipper pull. It gets dark here around 6 pm.
  ~The waterproof layer on all my bags. He sprayed it on minutes before we left for the airport, but I'm so glad. Rainy season is no joke over here.
  ~The Euros for my layover in Paris. That chocolate croissant was delicious.

So thanks Dad, for taking care of me. Happy Birthday.

I love you both very much and I hope this makes up for missing all of the major events of the summer.