da chenu?

“Da chenu? Da chenu?” I asked my clando driver on Friday. What’s that? is how that translates. I was pointing to a hyena which was running around the large compound across from ours. The goats were anxiously watching it and keeping their distance. Unfortunately my driver didn’t actually tell me what it was, rather he said, “Namchu, Namchu (let’s go)” but I watched it long enough and asked others to reliably say that I did indeed see a hyena. Apparently goats are often eaten up by hyenas in there.

Many of you have asked about the weather. Yes it’s hot here but really not that bad. We are in the cold season after all. We had about 2 weeks where it was honestly chilly in the evenings (about 15 degress) and we closed up our windows, put on our sweaters, and pulled out the wool blankets. At this point I pull out the wool blanket around 4 in the morning but I’m alright. It’s about 30-35 degrees during the day. We heat our bath water outside in the sun during the day and it’s nice and warm still at 9 in the evening. I have only had one sort of sun burn, it was on Christmas day when I spent the day sitting outside on the mat in a half shaded place. It is getting drier as the trees are starting to lose their leaves and sometimes the winds are pretty strong, especially at night, bringing in the dust of the desert.

I have been much healthier for the last week but as I watched a worm crawl in the food I was offered today I realized it’s the reality of living here. Sickness isn’t a random happening, it’s life. I’m just thankful for the times I’m healthy now.

I now teach English twice a week so I am keeping quite busy. I continue to play volleyball once or twice a week too and also regularly visit local people with other missionaries. My Arabic is slowly coming along now, we’ll see how much I can accomplish in the rest of my time here.

Until next time.