Wednesday, March 21, 2007
lack of connectivity
Our internet and email is down and out. We're not sure when it will be up again or even if it will be before we come back. So, we probably won't be replying if you send us emails. Skype is also out since it's internet dependent.
Monday, March 05, 2007
Two in a row!
Hey everyone!
Two good updates in a row! This time the strike is officially over. We're still holding our breath a bit until we see what this new government is like, but we are relieved to know that people are back in school and back to work.
Pastor returned from a great trip to the U.S. the day before the strike officially ended. He waited in line for gas for 3 hours in Conakry before he could return. Most gas stations were completely looted and stripped of everything, including their doors. But he was able to get all of our passports so we praise God for that answered prayer. Now that the strike is over we finally have the documents we need to flee:)
We moved back to our village this week just in time to wish one of our villagers goodbye. Hawa, a young woman who has been getting our water for us was getting married the same night we moved back. The wedding was late at night in Sambouya so we only got to see the pre-wedding stuff but it was still interesting. We all sat around while some of the elder men and women gave their advice to her. Then when the drummers showed up the girls all went to her hut to get her things and put on some perfume. Some of the villagers then left in a procession following the drummers to Sambouya for the actual ceremony. We were sorry to see her go, but glad that we got to see her before she went.
They also started building a house in Bilingkoro. It will be the first non-hut in the village and it's actually a little bit bigger than our own house. It's been interesting to see them make bricks, mix mortar and do construction.
Over the weekend we had a campfire with the kids. We made a huge fire and they tasted marshmallows for the first time that my family sent in a package. We attached some pics so you could see how much they enjoyed them.
This past week was also Carol's birthday. It was the day after Pastor returned so we had a nice time of celebrating and fellowship. Carol got some nice things and many cards. Some of the students even gave her their own lollipops that they had earned and saved. Lollipops, or bong-bongs, are about the only candy you can get here so they're as good as gold to a kid. It was touching to see our kids being so generous even though they have so little. Sarah also baked a delicious cake! Mmmm...
On a final note, we have decided to return here again next year. God led us to this place and is working in this place, but there's still so much to do and we want to remain a part of it. That makes 4 teachers for next year so far since two men from the LA team have also committed to come. We're still hoping and praying for more teachers as we welcome TMICA's second class of students in the fall! If you're interested, check out teachusmission.org.
Thanks again for all of your prayers. No doubt they have sustained us throughout our time here in Guinea.
Love you and miss you!
Shannon and Carol
Artsy wrapping
Carol's cake
Big fire
Carol's group
Shannon's group
Enoch eating
Rachel eating
Two good updates in a row! This time the strike is officially over. We're still holding our breath a bit until we see what this new government is like, but we are relieved to know that people are back in school and back to work.
Pastor returned from a great trip to the U.S. the day before the strike officially ended. He waited in line for gas for 3 hours in Conakry before he could return. Most gas stations were completely looted and stripped of everything, including their doors. But he was able to get all of our passports so we praise God for that answered prayer. Now that the strike is over we finally have the documents we need to flee:)
We moved back to our village this week just in time to wish one of our villagers goodbye. Hawa, a young woman who has been getting our water for us was getting married the same night we moved back. The wedding was late at night in Sambouya so we only got to see the pre-wedding stuff but it was still interesting. We all sat around while some of the elder men and women gave their advice to her. Then when the drummers showed up the girls all went to her hut to get her things and put on some perfume. Some of the villagers then left in a procession following the drummers to Sambouya for the actual ceremony. We were sorry to see her go, but glad that we got to see her before she went.
They also started building a house in Bilingkoro. It will be the first non-hut in the village and it's actually a little bit bigger than our own house. It's been interesting to see them make bricks, mix mortar and do construction.
Over the weekend we had a campfire with the kids. We made a huge fire and they tasted marshmallows for the first time that my family sent in a package. We attached some pics so you could see how much they enjoyed them.
This past week was also Carol's birthday. It was the day after Pastor returned so we had a nice time of celebrating and fellowship. Carol got some nice things and many cards. Some of the students even gave her their own lollipops that they had earned and saved. Lollipops, or bong-bongs, are about the only candy you can get here so they're as good as gold to a kid. It was touching to see our kids being so generous even though they have so little. Sarah also baked a delicious cake! Mmmm...
On a final note, we have decided to return here again next year. God led us to this place and is working in this place, but there's still so much to do and we want to remain a part of it. That makes 4 teachers for next year so far since two men from the LA team have also committed to come. We're still hoping and praying for more teachers as we welcome TMICA's second class of students in the fall! If you're interested, check out teachusmission.org.
Thanks again for all of your prayers. No doubt they have sustained us throughout our time here in Guinea.
Love you and miss you!
Shannon and Carol
Artsy wrapping
Carol's cake
Big fire
Carol's group
Shannon's group
Enoch eating
Rachel eating
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Good News
Dear Family and Friends,
First and foremost, thank you for all your thoughts and prayers! We have a good update to send you! Praise God, because peace seems to be coming back to Guinea. The strike is still on, but the martial law curfew has ended. The president wanted to extend it, but his legislature unanimously voted him down. Benjamin also told us this past week that it was safe to go to Faranah, so we went to the market today and things seemed to be as normal. Please continue to pray that the strikes would end and the president and union leaders would come to an agreement. Please also pray for Pastor Joshua, who will be flying back and arriving in Conakry this Sunday. He will be there for the day to run errands and pick up my passport, and will return to Sambouya by Monday. We hope all is well back home too. God bless!
Love,
Shannon and Carol
First and foremost, thank you for all your thoughts and prayers! We have a good update to send you! Praise God, because peace seems to be coming back to Guinea. The strike is still on, but the martial law curfew has ended. The president wanted to extend it, but his legislature unanimously voted him down. Benjamin also told us this past week that it was safe to go to Faranah, so we went to the market today and things seemed to be as normal. Please continue to pray that the strikes would end and the president and union leaders would come to an agreement. Please also pray for Pastor Joshua, who will be flying back and arriving in Conakry this Sunday. He will be there for the day to run errands and pick up my passport, and will return to Sambouya by Monday. We hope all is well back home too. God bless!
Love,
Shannon and Carol
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Peace amongst turmoil
Hey everyone!
Thank you so much for all of your prayers. I'm sure without them we would just be overwhelmed right now. U.S. Embassy officials have pulled out, Peace Corps workers have left and it seems like a lot of missionaries have also fled the country. Meanwhile we just keep on living as usual.
The stuff that happens in the cities doesn't seem to have much impact on the lives of villagers. The demonstrations in Faranah have quieted since the curfew was imposed and Benjamin has been able to go in a few times to pick up some supplies. We're not planning on moving back to Bilingkoro until everything has been settled, but we feel very safe here and still visit our village whenever our schedule allows. Everyone here at TMICA is healthy, strong, and not feeling the effects of the turmoil very much.
Yesterday the president and the union officials were set to have a negotiation meeting in the morning. However, the union leaders refused to come until the president lifts the nationwide curfew. Please pray that both the president and union leaders would both have wisdom and humility to bring peace back to the land. Thank you for your prayers and we'll continue to keep you updated as much as we can.
To answer a question completely unrelated to the strikes that came from my brother, "Why aren't you guys tan?", we don't like to stay in the African sun. I wear sunblock, we both wear hats whenever we're outside, and we stay in the shade whenever possible if we're outside. Although I know people love to have a nice tan, it's not worth it when it's 90 degrees and you can feel the sun scorching you whenever you're outside.
Thank you so much for your prayers. We are so thankful for you and miss you all!
Love,
Shannon and Carol
Thank you so much for all of your prayers. I'm sure without them we would just be overwhelmed right now. U.S. Embassy officials have pulled out, Peace Corps workers have left and it seems like a lot of missionaries have also fled the country. Meanwhile we just keep on living as usual.
The stuff that happens in the cities doesn't seem to have much impact on the lives of villagers. The demonstrations in Faranah have quieted since the curfew was imposed and Benjamin has been able to go in a few times to pick up some supplies. We're not planning on moving back to Bilingkoro until everything has been settled, but we feel very safe here and still visit our village whenever our schedule allows. Everyone here at TMICA is healthy, strong, and not feeling the effects of the turmoil very much.
Yesterday the president and the union officials were set to have a negotiation meeting in the morning. However, the union leaders refused to come until the president lifts the nationwide curfew. Please pray that both the president and union leaders would both have wisdom and humility to bring peace back to the land. Thank you for your prayers and we'll continue to keep you updated as much as we can.
To answer a question completely unrelated to the strikes that came from my brother, "Why aren't you guys tan?", we don't like to stay in the African sun. I wear sunblock, we both wear hats whenever we're outside, and we stay in the shade whenever possible if we're outside. Although I know people love to have a nice tan, it's not worth it when it's 90 degrees and you can feel the sun scorching you whenever you're outside.
Thank you so much for your prayers. We are so thankful for you and miss you all!
Love,
Shannon and Carol
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Strikes in Faranah
Dear Family and Friends,
We have an urgent prayer request. The strikes have started again, earlier than scheduled. The President named a new Prime Minister, but it was not the man the people wanted and was instead someone President Conte is very close to. The people are outraged at the President's conduct. The strikes started yesterday in the major cities and so far 9 demonstrators have been killed. Looting has also started in the cities, somewhat in part to food shortages due to the strikes.
Our biggest concern is that they started striking in Faranah today. Benjamin drove in today to get supplies and turned around and came back immediately. We're stocked with food and supplies for ourselves but we don't know when the strikes will end. On Benjamin's suggestion we are moving from Bilingkoro into the guest house with Mira and Jeje.
We hate to leave our village but it seems like the safest thing to do at this point. Please pray that peace may be restored and that the President will do the right thing. Many of our students' families live in these cities, so please pray for them as well. Please pray for our continued safety. So far we're all well and healthy and the kids had their usual Saturday soccer match today. Thank you so much for your prayers! We'll do our best to keep you updated on our situation.
God Bless!
Shannon and Carol
We have an urgent prayer request. The strikes have started again, earlier than scheduled. The President named a new Prime Minister, but it was not the man the people wanted and was instead someone President Conte is very close to. The people are outraged at the President's conduct. The strikes started yesterday in the major cities and so far 9 demonstrators have been killed. Looting has also started in the cities, somewhat in part to food shortages due to the strikes.
Our biggest concern is that they started striking in Faranah today. Benjamin drove in today to get supplies and turned around and came back immediately. We're stocked with food and supplies for ourselves but we don't know when the strikes will end. On Benjamin's suggestion we are moving from Bilingkoro into the guest house with Mira and Jeje.
We hate to leave our village but it seems like the safest thing to do at this point. Please pray that peace may be restored and that the President will do the right thing. Many of our students' families live in these cities, so please pray for them as well. Please pray for our continued safety. So far we're all well and healthy and the kids had their usual Saturday soccer match today. Thank you so much for your prayers! We'll do our best to keep you updated on our situation.
God Bless!
Shannon and Carol
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