Most people that we talk to ask us what our children think about us living in Africa. Our response is always the same, “They love it in Africa.” However, if you have any doubts about our response and wonder what the children really think about living here, then read on and see what they’ve said in their own words. The itlics are parental editorial to give context and a better understanding to what the kids might have said.
Jada (2.5 years old) - “I like the lake and going to Bond and Heather’s house.” [Jada is very young and doesn’t yet realize that now that we are back in Kigoma we are nowhere near to our friends Bond and Heather in San Diego. We’re confident that she’ll adjust. She was only 1.5 years old when we left and remembers very little.]
Caleb (6.5 years old) - “I like it in Africa. I like the lake. I like swimming in the lake. I like diving off the rock. I like to eat mandazi and the round burnt things [he’s referring to kitimbua]. I’m looking forward to sleeping at home and finding quartz.” [FYI... we are currently staying at the guest house of another ministry. When we arrived in Kigoma our house was in terrible condition due to the regular dirt, dust, and bugs, but in addition we had some water damage that caused mold in our bedroom - on our bed and on many of our clothes - as well as a continued issue with bats in the the attic. It will take some time to get things back to normal. We are even praying about moving to a different house to start fresh as this house we are renting continues to have problem after problem.]
Keenan (8 years old) - I can’t wait to go to Bible Study and see my friends. I like to swim in the lake, jump off the rock, and go to Allys and Sun City. I have fun jumping on the big trampoline. I like making poison and doing secret stuff, and scaring people. I like playing with Jonas. I’m happy to be in Africa. Oh, and I like eating chips mayai. We try to fellowship with other missionaries in the region at a regular Bible Study. It really helps to have like-minded people of a similar culture to talk to from time to time. Allys and Sun City are a couple of little hole-in-the-wall places to eat in town. Visitors wouldn’t think much of them, but eating there is a treat to us! The trampoline belongs to another missionary in town, and Jonas is one of our guards who loves to play with the kids.
Kevan (10.5 years old) - I like the lake. I like to eat at Hilltop. I have a heart for the poor and want to help them. I like making new friends. Our guards are fun to play with. They are good at hide and seek. They’re hard to find in the dark because they’re black. I don’t like the monkeys because they take my things, so I shoot them with my sling shot. I like the food here. I have fun going on Harry’s boat [Harry Johnson - the one with the trampoline - has been a missionary in Congo, Burundi, and Tanzania his entire life. He has a little sailboat at the lake and takes the kids out on it sometimes.]
So you see, they really do like it here! In fact, because of their willing hearts and flexible attitudes, they have made it so much easier for us to transition to life here and do the ministry God has called us to!
Please Pray. After being gone for so long and having so many hurdles to cross in order to get back here and get going again, there is often a strong temptation to be overwhelmed and want to give up and go back to the “easy life” of the land and culture we are familiar with in the States. Please pray for us as we get things back in order and get back to the work God has called us to. Please pray for good health, spiritual strength and discipline, and family unity. Please pray for us to have wisdom and patience in dealing with an ever-growing problem with electricity and water in the area. Also, through our partners in this ministry God has provided a portion of the cost of our medical insurance for the year. Please pray that God would continue provide the remainder.
