time to face the real world

After a meal of barbecued chicken, steamed vegetables, and roasted potatoes I think I can say I am safely home. I joined my family on Friday night at the Winnipeg airport to enjoy a weekend of family, friends, and great food. Many people have asked what I missed the most and it would have to be (after people of course) food. I have noticed North American's obsession with oversized vehicles but I have appreciated my few days behind the wheel as well.

I was expecting it to be much warmer but I had to laugh when I woke up the first morning to snow falling. The novelty has worn off though and I'm ready for the sun again. Besides dealing with the cold weather I am busy catching my breath and visiting different friends. In a few days I will force myself to face the real world and find a job. That will be my first big task to overcome back here in Manitoba. An idea that does anything but thrill me. After summer I'll be back at the University of Manitoba to pursue my real teaching degree, Isaac and Eroni were just my little guinea pigs.

Thanks again to everyone for joining me for the last 6 months. I'd love to see people now that I'm home, you can drop me an email vhthiessen@gmail.com.

Lots of love from Carlowrie (mom and dad's),
Vanessa

Amchu aafe! (go well)

brrr...

Through shivers and chattering teeth I asked for a train ticket to the suburbs of Paris last Thursday morning. I couldn't believe how cold I was, what kind of Manitoban am I? That was my first thought in entering Europe. Cold!

I then proceeded to take the train into the 'burbs', if you may, where I found myself somewhat stranded. I had been given a phone number to call for someone to pick me up only it seems that French phones don't like my credit card. So, there I was without a phone in a place I didn't know, with 2 gigantic suitcases and a large backpack, and to make matters worse I really had to go to the bathroom (I thought that that information would make my situation sound more desperate). I thought to myself, "All I need is a phone" which seemed like an easy task in France, afterall I was out of Chad by that point. I asked a pizza place for a phone, he wouldn't let me use his business phone and his cell phone had no credit. He did give me instructions to walk to the place I was to stay as I had the address. I started walking uphill with my baggage, quite a humourous sight I can imagine, and quickly decided that was ridiculous. I found another man who also gave me directions to walk and who wouldn't let me use his cell nor business phone. There was a gentleman in his shop who did offer to help me out saying, "Elle va suffrir!" (She will suffer). He went and got his car and I jumped in not thinking twice about getting into a strange man's car. I arrived safely and without cost, he wouldn't let me pay, at my planned destination.

I enjoyed 5 days between Paris and Holland. What a joy it was to see beautiful, green grass and of course colourful tulips in Holland. I had to pull myself out of the shower the first night because I wasn't used to such wonderful, warm water. Then to climb into a bed with springs! Not to mention all the food. Brown bread, cheese, cappucino, chicken, fresh vegetables, cantaloupe, apples...ahh. As you can imagine my welcome back to western life was a warm one. Honestly, seeing the Mona Lisa and Eiffel Tower could not compare with the shower and seeing green grass and water. Rivers, canals, and the ocean are all quite impressive after life in the desert.

I had a wonderful time in Europe especially with my Dutch friend up in Holland but I am happy to say I'm on Canadian soil. Everyone speaks English! I guess you already knew that but it was exciting to not struggle through Arabic or French when I went through the airport in Toronto yesterday. I'm spending a few days in Hamilton at the mission where I started back in October. I'm doing some debriefing; what did you learn? what are you excited about? what did you hate? etc. I'm thoroughly enjoying the high speed internet. It's like candy to a child!

I'm back to Winnipeg in a few days. I'll write my last blog after the weekend. I'm excited to see you all! I keep picturing the Blue Bombers coming down the escalator in the Winnipeg airport after a big win. Maybe it's not as exciting as the Bombers winning the Grey Cup, which they'll do this year, but I can't wait to come down that escalator!

God bless!

all my bags are packed...

I'm ready to go! In actual fact as I write this my bags are already at the airport. They take them early here. Take off is in a little less than eleven hours.
This last week was school as usual until last Friday. Eroni had lots of work to do and so only finished his tests yesterday. Isaac got to take a break from the usual and got to write a story, and do some extra time on his spelling and math. Both are very happy to be on holidays now as they will also leave tomorrow for Fiji for a few month break. Besides school we spent some time doing the last shopping, Lavenia and I had our hair braided, we went to the pool, and went to a restaurant I didn't know could exist in Chad! I even got to spend a day at the pool by myself, that was nice. There are a few hotels in town that have pools and so along with my day at the pool I had their buffet lunch- lamb, chicken, roast beef that I didn't have to chew through for half an hour. Nothing brings a smile to a farm girl's face like a good piece of meat.

Now, how to sum up my African experience? When I set off I had goals of gaining international experience, a view into missionary life, and time in general somewhere other than North America. It has been exactly that! Not to mention a look into a country dealing with another country's crisis while working through their own problems. I have met many amazing people and have learned a lot through the process. I am grateful for the time I've had but would be lying if I said I wasn't ridiculously excited about coming home.

Thank you to everyone for your emails and prayers. Emails were so precious to me here where you often feel so disconnected. I guess I'm a child of the 21st century because I'm not sure what I'd do without the internet especially out here where phone calls are expensive and snail mail can be unreliable. Even this morning I received a bunch of emails that brought huge smiles to my face. I'm sorry if people don't get replies to emails they've sent in the last week.

I also know that prayer has made all the difference. Little details have come together that I didn't expect to, my homesickness was basically reserved for days I was really sick, and I had great joy in my work and time with the people that I know only comes from Him. Thank you for reading my blogs too, it's nice to know someone's reading what you write. I'll write one or two more times to give an update on the homecoming which I'm sure will involve much less sweat than my leaving here, the hot season is definitely in full force here. God Bless!

9 days and counting

The next time I write to you it may be from Chad or could very well be from France, Holland, or our very own Land of the Maple Leaf and Hockey Puck depending on my procrastination skills in the next week or two (No, I'm not sure why Hockey Puck deserves capitalization except that I thought it deserved distinction). I leave Chad in 9 days now. We've started our last week of school with Friday being the last day. Poor boys won't know what to do without their no fuss teacher. They've recently heard me sing the endearing song, "Do Everything Without Complaining" on a regular basis. Isaac seems to enjoy singing it to his little brother now who is definitely less amused.

This past week was rather eventless with little to report. Although it did rain last week, in some parts of town. We were out on the Eastern side of the city when the rain came down hard, well sort of hard, for about 5-15 minutes. How refreshing! It turns out we were some of few who experienced it. The next morning the whole city received some drizzle though, enough to keep the dust down for a few minutes. Apparently they call these the mango rains. The very unexpected sprinkles that taunt the population at this time of year which happens to be mango season. Yeah, I eat one or two mangos a day. Mmmmm!

I also had a visit from dear friends of mine this week, the parasites. They just can't get enough of me! I'm never sure whether it's Giardia or some Amoebas but we treat them just the same. Turns out my Invertebrate Zoology class is now taking place in my stomach. In university they always made it sound like you would die if you got a parasite. I'm happy to report they're not quite that bad they just very much make their presence known in your stomach.

Well, that's enough about bugs. I'm sure you're all thoroughly disgusted now so I should let you go. For my university friends I'm thinking of you as you write exams, can't say I wish I were you. For those of you who can no longer remember your university days have a great week and enjoy the warmer weather. God bless!

life in the big city

So, I have left Abeche now and am now soaking in the hot and slightly more humid climate of the capital city, N’djamena. We had a great trip down with seeing gazelles and some crazy birds and of course hitting paved road. Pavement had been somewhat of a lost idea to me in the last 5 months. It was also interesting to see a small amount of the damage from the war of a month and a half ago. Outside the city we saw burnt vehicles and the digging of a trench around the city as a result of the rebel activity. We also visited the large market on Sunday where much of it was burnt or destroyed because of the rebels hiding in there. Otherwise there’s not a lot of evidence of the war. Especially since I didn’t know the city before although those who did would say the same.

Since arriving we’ve taken in a bit of city life. Ice cream (twice!), swimming at one of the hotels which is definitely stepping outside of Chad for a few hours, and I found my beloved diet Coke. It’s true I drink much of the aspartame ridden beverage in my homeland and have not seen it since leaving the airport in France. So, you can imagine my excitement when finding it in the grocery store the other day. Yes, I did say grocery store. There’s also one of those here, not a market for buying “packets of salt and sugar.”

As for the next two weeks I will try to not become anxious about going home and continue my job as a teacher. I’m enjoying quiet afternoons of reading and playing with the boys and my own room and bathroom. I’ve never had that in my life- my own bathroom that is. Nights are hot though in our well walled concession. At least the electricity has come back which means fans work, they also help to keep the mosquitoes at bay.

That’s it for this week. I contemplated trying to fool you with a cruel April Fools joke but I was neither witty nor brave enough to do so. Hope you all have a great week.

I’m bringing home an African baby.

saying goodbye part 1

Well, this week went by quickly with much packing (okay not that much) more saying goodbye. I write this before I actually say goodbye to the rest of our team and my housemates but having said goodbye to Chadian friends.
I spent one last night with my good friends Jamila, Noora, Zanuba, and their adorable mother yesterday. They were probably the hardest of Chadian friends to say goodbye to. Other goodbyes include my neighbours, my Coke supplier and friend Saleh, my Arabic class and our teacher, my English class, our house helper Yakhuta, and the UN guards who so graciously let me in so that I can send this each week. Not to mention my 2 American students who I’m not sure I’ve ever even told you about. I’ve been splitting my time for the last month and a half between the Drodrolagi’s (the family I’ve been with the whole time) and the Donoghue’s (an American family who arrived in late January).
Don’t expect me home next week though as my adventures in Chad continue for 3 more weeks in N’djamena. Then a little of this and that before I actually hit Winnipeg soil, which I’m hoping will not still be frozen at that point. I am glad that I have a few weeks left with my Fijian family before saying goodbye to all those big brown eyes. Eroni was talking about us leaving the other day, as they are going on holidays for 3 months, and said, “We’ll go to Fiji, you’ll go to Canada and then we’ll all come back.” Tears came to both of our eyes when I informed him that I wasn’t coming back.
So, I’ll leave it at that for this week. I’m almost finished packing for the big city. I’m looking forward to the French pastry shop and swimming pool out there that I’ve heard so much about and Coke for half the price! Happy Easter to all, I hope you’ve all had a good time with family and have peace and hope knowing Christ our Saviour died and lives for us all. Amen!
*Disclaimer on last week’s blog: I don’t know if I actually was on CNN (I highly doubt it but I think our director was and our car) and we had no real part in bringing the kids back we merely needed a convoy for safety reasons to drive that road and that was convoy of convoys. Also it only took us 4 hours to drive back with no broken radiator and a stop to buy 50 mangoes for $6-7 CDN mmmmm.

CNN live

I got to experience a special delivery this week, not of a baby but of children. Back in November I wrote about the organization that stole 103 children who have been kept at the orphanage for the last 4 months. Our good friends there have worked tirelessly and with little help from outside organizations including the well advertised and funded UNICEF (although they were “in charge” of taking them home). So, if you were watching CNN this weekend and didn’t hear the names Annemarie, Annalina, Phillipe, Saleh Idriss, or Carmen or those of the Chadians who prepared their every meal and kept them clean then you can know that these were the amazing people who took care of them all this time. I guess I just wanted to make sure credit was given where it was due. I have no idea what the media said though.

All that to say I was in the convoy that headed to the Eastern border of Chad to return these children. We went to Adre to do some repairs on the WEC property out there but it’s safer to travel by convoy and we’d been waiting for one for months so we were happy to join them. We were there as the Chadians gave speeches and as the first children were returned to their parents after more than four months. What a joyous reunion! We also watched the CNN reporter struggle through the harsh conditions of Chad (heat, dry, and poor roads- an understatement). He mentioned to our director that he wished he’d gone to Palestine or Israel for the weekend instead. Chad isn’t for the weak. It took 6 hours to drive the 170 kilometres there with the road conditions which caused holes in the radiator hose, only 4 hours on the way home.

I thoroughly enjoyed our time in Adre. It’s actually cooler there as it’s about 1000 feet higher in altitude. From there we could look over the border into Sudan and it’s well known Darfur region. We saw the bullet holes in the home of some good friends of ours and I talked with a high school biology teacher who is one of only 5 teachers in charge of over 300 students. Not many are willing to go teach in this war torn town. It’s hard to believe what this town often faces as it seemed so tranquil, it was a relaxing weekend.

I also got one more sick day in before leaving Abeche, in one more week. As the heat soared to over 40 degrees and the fans sat still due to a lack of electricity it was more and more uncomfortable to be sick. Praise the Lord it was only really bad for about 12 hours and that the power came on an hour and a half earlier than it usually does. Most days the power goes out around 7 in the morning and returns between 4 and 5 in the afternoon. That day it came on at 2:30- Machallah (praise the Lord).

I have one week left in Abeche and a month left in Chad (to the day today). I heard Manitoba got some reprieve from the cold this week. I hope that continues for you and that it’s all warmed up by the time I get home! Have a great week everyone.

gaga

Gaga is not how I feel about Chad rather the name of the refugee camp that I was privileged to visit yesterday. I spent the day trying to capture everything but it was difficult to take it all in. A friend of mine is the country director of the Aid Organization CORD which is how I got to go. She was spending yesterday, March 8, at the camp for International Women’s Day.

The Gaga CORD staff, all Chadians and one refugee, had organized a day of speeches, singing, and small dramatic presentations. Each speaking to the rights of women. Girls are usually forced to marry at the age of 13, no longer being allowed to go to school and never having met the man before. I visited the school rooms that have been built at the camp, they’re simple. A blackboard, sand floor and cement walls.

Later in the afternoon a game of soccer, football around here, between the refugees and the Aid workers had been organized. The refugees won and they celebrated as though they’d won the World Cup. “Gaga foog, Gaga foog” (Gaga up, Gaga up), they chanted. It was amazing to see the sense of community that’s developed in the camp. During the soccer match I had the privilege of being the ref for the teenage girls volleyball game. A volleyball camp was conducted earlier on in the camp where the girls were given the opportunity to play a sport. Not very common!

We also visited the women who have started their own small businesses making bread, spaghetti, perfume, and toques and booties for children. I think these people have come a long way from their desperate situations in Darfur. Fifteen thousand refugees live in Gaga and 9 000 new refugees have poured into Chad in the last few weeks. This crisis has persisted since 2003 and it seems as though there may be no end in sight. Troops are supposedly moving into Sudan but reports from different sources give different information on their status.

As the day ended we drove out to the nearby CORD base to watch the most beautiful sunset. It was a picture perfect African savanna sunset although my picture of it doesn’t do it justice at all. I spent the evening with the Chadian staff and slept in a small concrete hut. I was exhausted though having been in the over 40 degree weathering sun all day and so I had my bucket bath, used the cockroach ridden squatty potty and soon after said good night. What an amazing experience!

I was thankful to not have a nosebleed yesterday as that has been a problem for the last week with the Harmatan winds bringing in more dust, if that’s possible, and the temperature rising. I’ve never had a nosebleed before this past week. Remarkably though it seems the cracks in my feet are starting to heal a bit.

From the African sun,
Vanessa

maybe we don't live in the bush

Another week has passed and it went by quickly. I officially finished my English course as I had one straggler finish her exam this week. I am helping teach a beginner level class for the last few weeks I’m in Abeche (3 more!). Then we’re off to N’djamena for 4 weeks until I fly over the big blue ocean to home.

Great excitement came to Abeche on Thursday when the cell phone network was finally turned back on after a month of it being gone because of the war. Even Chadians are attached to their cell phones, maybe more so because not many people have a land line.

A great part of my week was taken up planning for the weekend as we had all the missionary kids come over for Friday to Saturday for a little mini-camp. We being Mirjam and I. We did the story of Queen Esther with our only girl as the Queen herself and much help from the other missionaries who became the King, Mordecai, Haman, and beauty contest contestants. It was a lot of fun and the kids were all sad and very tired when it was all over. It’s hard for me to believe how many weeks I’ve spent at camp on end in the past. Only with God’s strength!

Today, Sunday the 2nd, our household decided to try out the new Chinese restaurant in town. You did read it properly, there is a Chinese restaurant in Abeche. It’s basically a N’sara (foreigner) place though with N’sara prices! It was weird to step into the Western world for 2 hours (the food was slow coming). The food wasn’t exactly Chinese as I’m used to it but it was good. I think I’ll stick to the local restaurant though for the rest of my time here though. The food’s great and cheap and it’s called 4 Etoiles (Four stars) so it must be near the best.

Well, that’s all for this week. It’s getting up to forty degrees now during the days. No such thing as Spring around here, straight from cold to hot season. Talk to you soon, I hope March came in like a lamb.

a different way of life

Sometimes I get to writing this at the end of a week and think, what have I done? What could I tell you that’s interesting? I think I forget how different life really is here than home.

Last Sunday I went to visit a leper lady with Marlene (housemate who’s lived here for 8 years). We sat on the mat and visited, by that I mean Marlene visited and the rest of us tried to understand. A friend of hers made us coffee as she has only tiny stubs of fingers left and toes that are similar. She has 7 children, lives in a small hut that is kept well. She can no longer make the Tekias (straw walls that people use to make shelter from the rest of the world), that she used to make for money. I think I often forget, even being here, how sad some people’s lives are here. How much we take for granted!

AIDS runs rapidly through Africa. We all know that. I’ve been told that it’s either not talked about here or it’s not as bad but I saw a woman affected by it this week. She walked past me with her stick as a cane, probably no more than 35. She moved slower than anyone I’d ever seen. She has a few, I’m not sure how many, beautiful children that play with friends of ours. Both parents have it and the children haven’t been tested.

I finished teaching my English class this week. I think I’m contemplating whether or not I want to be a teacher or not anymore now. It was so hard to mark the exams and not be sad as a few of them came close to failing. I thought how can I be a teacher if I cry when I mark exams! I’ll have to work on that area. It’s hard when you know they’re trying. I got some redemption though when I had a small party with them on Friday to give them their certificates and give them my congratulations on passing. This included introducing 6 innocent souls to chocolate cake and potato chips. Yes I did say introduce. We had been discussing the vocabulary word “chip” during class and none of them knew what it was in English or French. They’re sold in town but at $4.50 a tube (Pringles) they’re not in most people’s price range. Not really in mine! I think they like my chocolate cake more than the Pringles but they were excited to try something new. If only North Americans didn’t know the word “chip.”

Lastly I must apologize to my fellow Manitobans who may have heard me on the radio (CJOB 68) this week. In my 2 minute live interview I said something about “going to the market and buying small packets of salt and sugar.” I have since become the laughing stock of our team and have some reservations that this confession may leave me in the same state at home. I have not bought salt or sugar since coming to Chad. In fact we buy salt in fairly normal form here. To my aid I must say you can buy salt in rock form in small packages and sugar in a large cone form. It’s funny what your mind comes up with when put under pressure for an answer so quickly. I should’ve just referred them to here where the truth comes out! Really, everything I say here is truth… I think.

That’s it for this week, maybe next week I can tell you about my conversation with my friend on how many wives a man should have. From the desert where the air is heating and the Sahara winds are blowing, Agodu aafe (stay well).

perseverance

The aftermath of a war is never pretty I suppose and N’djamena is no exception. Although I still feel rather distanced from it here in Abeche. I don’t think I really realized the severity of the situation until I read the stories of those who were evacuated. One missionary, who has lived in Chad for forty years, said it’s the worst he’s seen in his time. A big struggle for many people was the lack of communication. As both cell phone companies went down and the land line became unreliable it was very difficult for people to contact their families. Not to mention the fact that most people don’t possess a land line. A few of my English students struggled with not being able to find their families but I think all of them have been accounted for now- Praise the Lord! Some of the affects in Abeche have been the phone’s not working, the bank wasn’t open, trucks couldn’t get here and so food prices went up, and people living on the edge. What a life it is for them to constantly be in such tension. My peacekeeping neighbours have fully moved in now it seems, without a wall around their compound they’re quite exposed. For entertainment we can go watch them shave or try to get rid of the children who surround them. Always something to do here!

Perseverance would describe these people well. Although they don’t have much of an option. They aren’t the only ones that persevere here though. The nasty angarasa, ants, struck again this week. This time it bit me between my toes. I now try to keep my feet off the floor, at least without shoes. They seem to do a fine job cleaning it anyways as long as my toes don’t get in the way. Children persevere as well in asking, “Donne moi une cadeau!” Give me a present for those of you who don’t speak French. With which I respond, “Cadeau ma fi.” I don’t have one. To which they say, “La, cadeau ga’iid.” No, it’s there. At which point I continue to walk unless they’ve grabbed on to me. If they’ve done that I put on my mean face and say, “Abuk wen?” Where’s your father? Then they run away scared. I can usually get rid of them after I say I have none but there are those with determined minds.

The dust also persists in the place. If anyone is looking for a fake tan here’s the place to be! I often think my feet have tanned but by the time my shower is finished it seems the tan has completely faded away. The Sahara winds are starting and I’ve yet to experience a real dust storm but I’m told they are on their way. I have managed to start to get a real Lafaye (veil) tan. I think it may be worse than a farmer’s tan as only half of one arm is tanned and the other remains white. It could be worse though.

I will finish my English course this week and I’m probably more nervous than they are about them passing the exam. Then it looks like we have plans again to try to visit Adre, the very East of Chad. Third time’s a charm, right? Our, the family I teach and I, are also planning to move to N’djamena for my last month of Chadian life because the family that did live there was evacuated and not to return until May. So, as much as it kills me to say it, I’ll have to ask that no more mail be sent to me through the addresses I have given after this week. It for sure should not be sent through the Chadian address. If sent through the French Army address it should be sent air mail or else I’m afraid I will have left by the time it arrives. Thanks so much to all of those who have sent letters and packages. What a delight it is to receive them! And so I’ll leave you until next week. Keep persevering through that cold weather back in Manitoba, I’ll bring the sun home soon.

teacher life and so much more

This was my original blog for this past week or more which I have not been able to send the last few days. Grab your cup of coffee, it’s a long one.

I think many of my blogs have lacked what I do on an everyday basis, that is teach. Teaching English has been interesting and a wonderful way to get to know Chadians. Much bonding occurs when you work together in learning to say words like teeth, month, and with. “Just stick your tongue out!”, I say and I have 5 of the reddest black faces you’ve ever seen. I’ve also been given some interesting homework. Two of my favourites have been, “A person with diarrhea must not stand.” and “The girl does not wear clothes to school.” Admittedly it was my face that was red when I had to explain the word diarrhea.

The boys have also been hard at work this week. I put a deadline on them and insisted we finish their grades (already late from last year) by the end of this week. On this glorious Saturday morning Isaac sits writing his last few tests. I can hear my mom saying, “Oh Vanessa, let them be.” Eventually there has to be an end! Anyways, we had a party yesterday to celebrate. It was fun for all of us to take a break. This also means I’m writing up my first report cards. It’s hard to do when you practically live with the people.


Blog Part 2: The security situation, the war or whatever it was.

Some of you may have no idea that life has become chaotic in parts of Chad and some may think I’m already dead from what you’ve seen. Well, I’m alive and well. Abeche has been untouched and life has been same as usual minus some communication problems (phone lines and networks down or unreliable). Unfortunately N’djamena, the capital city, cannot say the same. Almost all foreigners have been evacuated and at least 20 000 locals have left to nearby Cameroon claiming refugee status. Rebels attacked at the end of last week and the battle moved from outside the city to inside where tanks and heavy artillery were used. The real situation remains unclear but the rebels have left whether to reload, for good, or to wait on negotiations we’re not sure. At the moment we are staying put although we had planned to go to the far Eastern Chad of Adre this coming weekend. It seems the old cliché, “Better safe than sorry” is more relevant than ever.

We’ve had reports from N’djamena on WEC’s belongings and all Praise goes to God. We have one family who lives in N’djamena, who were evacuated, who’s home was untouched. This is amazing but even more remarkable since the homes around it were destroyed and it stands the tallest in it’s neighbourhood. Another amazing story is how the faithful guard at our compound, who had moved his family in to it for safety, was able to stop men who came to rob the house. Also the vehicle that was left outside when the family evacuated was left untouched. The window’s of the vehicles surrounding it were all cracked from the pressure of the artillery but our vehicle remained in tact. Alhumdillallah! (Hallelujah!)

European Union troops are set to move in soon. They’re not just moving in to Chad they are moving in across the street from us. The poor hyena I spoke of a few weeks ago will no longer have a home. The French Army was busy setting up camp for them today. Although they are not really coming in to settle Chadian political problems so much as to protect the Sudanese refugees and Aid Organizations as they travel across the country.

Please pray for Chad and it’s security situation that it may be remedied quickly. Also pray for our sensitivity to the people around us. Thank you for your prayers that you have already sent up on our behalf. He is all we can rely on in this life. Sorry this is a novel although I feel after the last week I could write an encyclopaedia.

God bless you all,
Vanessa

Just so you know that life really is normal here…
As we were asked to stay at home for a day or two we spent our time cutting each other’s hair, watching movies and eating grasshoppers. Yes, grasshoppers, and it was a missionary who gave them to me to eat not even a local! They really weren’t that bad in fact I liked them better than the madide (see last week’s blog).

wata barid bilhen

(It's sooo cold)

So, I’ve heard that home (Manitoba, Canada for my international readers) has entered the ridiculous cold season well we’re following right behind here in Chad. I sit here writing in my sweats, long sleeve shirt, and a sweater. It’s around 20 degrees now maybe a little less and we experienced a miracle in the last two days here in Chad. It rained! Like streams in the desert. We’re calling it Miracles 2008 as we’ve seen fireworks, street lights have appeared in the city for the first time, the road from here to the capital is starting to be paved, and we had rain in the dry season. Admittedly, the rain came and went within minutes but what a blessing it was. It has sort of scared the local population though and made them stay at home. People don’t have clothing to deal with cold conditions, as not cold as it is. If it was plus 35 and you never saw a cloud outside of the rainy season you might be a little concerned too. A man answered my “How are you” today by “a little” when I asked why he said it’s so cold (sounds better in French). I’m hoping for more miracles in this country this year.

The reason this blog is so late is because I was able to spend the weekend at the house of the sisters who work for the boy’s mom. I guess it was really only a little over 24 hours but it was interesting. I was pleasantly surprised that I was not mute and even had some choppy Arabic conversations. Don’t get your hopes up yet, my Arabic skills are yet to really be discovered. I did have some time to speak French as well with the ladies’ sister who is well educated. She is working on her nursing degree and it was nice to hear a woman say, “I’m going to wait and get married when I’m done my education.” In a place where women don’t often have that option it was a breath of fresh air.

I also had the chance to try my hand at pounding millet. I will leave that to these ladies though! Zanuba quickly showed me how she can pound and clap in between. I was impressed as she wanted me to be. I also had to say “adjab (amazing)” as I watched their elderly mother sort millet, wheat, and coffee to sell. I drank chai (strong, very sweet tea), coffee (ridiculously strong and sweet), and madide (hot, thick, millet milk). All of these containing strong ginger. I had recently had a pretty poor experience with madide, gagging a few times but managed to keep it down, and so you can imagine my excitement when it came my way especially when I was given seconds. Of course this is a delicacy to them and they couldn’t believe that we don’t have it or esh in Canada. I guess taste is nurture not nature! Other highlights were of course the squatty potty out in the sun and a night in a mud brick house. The door was closed on that little brick house at first and it was so hot. Luckily they too were hot and opened the air so that the wonderful sounds of the city could make their way in. This was, of course, slightly prior to Jack Frost making his appearance.

I think I sound somewhat cynical and sarcastic but it was really nice to sit and watch them. To talk with them and experience their life which as a whole is so normal. The 3 sisters reminded me of my sisters and I. They laughed at each other and told each other off when they needed :) (love you girls!). Although they don’t have as much as we do they live an ordinary life, it was a nice thing for me to see as so often our Western view of Africa is a World Vision commercial, no offense intended.

I write this to you slightly past the half way point. Is it going by quickly? No, not really but it’s not going by slow either. I guess 6 months is what it is. Hope you are all surviving the cold. Excuse my tardiness, the length of this, and my overuse of parenthesis. Looking forward to seeing you all in a few short months.

From the land of miracles,
Vanessa

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.

ants in my pants

This was a funny situation I found myself in last week…
I was preparing supper one night when all of a sudden I felt something pricking my thigh. It quickly moved from my thigh to...higher and I realized that it was not something just pricking me but biting me. I ran to the bathroom to discover an ant which had bit me about 5 or 6 times in…different…locations. This led to the jumping around you can imagine if one indeed has “ants in their pants.” The burn of the sting wasn’t going away and so my housemate who has been here some years suggested using a little electric shocker on each bite to remove the sting. It’s quite a funny situation with me in the bathroom electrocuting myself to rid myself of the sting. I finally used some other product she had called, “Grandpa’s Salve.” It smelled like a grandpa, not that grandpa’s smell bad. It helped a little. I eventually sat down and ate and tried to pretend it didn’t sting and focus on eating. Then on New Year’s Eve we were having a wonderful time with a bonfire and singing when I thought a thorn had come through the mat we were sitting on. Sure enough I had been bit again by those pesky “angarasas,” as they are called by the locals.

Life seems to remain interesting around here. On New Year’s Eve, after the ants got to me, just past midnight fireworks went off. This is definitely a first for Abeche. The President was in town which is why they had such a special occasion. Unfortunately for those who have never seen or heard fireworks before and those asleep in their beds this meant fear! With a growing military presence around town the boom of the fireworks made some sure that a war had broken out in the city. A good friend of ours didn’t sleep most of the rest of the night.

I also had the…opportunity to attend a Kalawada, funeral, last weekend. At 7 o’clock in the morning the goat had already been slaughtered and cooked and we ate amarada, a mixture of the body parts cut up, esh and wecki, which you’ve heard about many times, and of course fungaso (see last week’s blog). Anyways, it was a breakfast of champions that’s for sure!

I’m back into teaching now. I only accomplished a small amount of what I hoped to last week, surprise surprise. Although I may get a few extra days off now as I’m being treated for malaria. It sounds worse than it is- really! I may not actually have it but around here you treat for malaria right away. Yes I am taking my pills to prevent this but as I’ve learned from many who have had it before you haven’t really become a missionary until you get malaria!

Happy New Year everyone!

I wrote this on January 2, but I have learned that since the malaria pills didn’t work, so I must have had something else. I’m drinking, eating, and taking a few different things now to kill parasites or bacteria or whatever is keeping me down. I think I’m on the way up now though, Praise God! Prayer for health would be great. I don’t think I’ve ever been sick so often in my life. Blog should be back to the regular schedule now, happy reading!

mabruk al-eed

It is nearly 5 o’clock in the afternoon on Christmas day here in Chad. I am sitting on my verandah writing this to you all. I have had a very different Christmas than ever before. It came on so quickly since we don’t have the pre-Christmas hooplah that occurs at home here in Chad. In fact when I asked my English students what happens on December 25 (just last Tuesday) they had no response. Of course they have a hard time understanding English but even with French help it took them a long while.

We had our Children’s musical on Saturday and it went very well, the children performed it twice since people showed up an hour after the proposed starting time. All in all it was wonderful though, the Chadians who were there appreciated the children and their hard work.

I celebrated Christmas in two different ways in the last two days. Yesterday, Christmas Eve, we had a sort of Western Christmas here at our house with 3 other single foreigner ladies in town. It was great! We had the whole works mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, pumpkin pie, yams, beans, carrots, chicken, and ice cream. Marlene received a package of goods from the States that contained most of those things.

As a Mennonite girl who grew up on a farm it was painful, and seemed almost sinful, to open up boxed mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, beans, and so on, especially for Christmas. But I’ve never appreciated fake mashed potatoes so much in my life. We finished the evening with carols, a small gift exchange (I got some Swiss chocolate) and reading of the Christmas story from the Bible. I can not forget my annual watching of the classic Christmas musical, “White Christmas.” I received a package from my mom last week that contained the film and I was thrilled! I may have to watch it again.

Today, on Christmas day, I experienced the Chadian style Christmas. Yes, there are a few Christian Chadians who also celebrate my favourite holiday. We went to the church, not the large one I usually attend a much smaller one where many of our team members go to, around 10 where the women had already been cooking for hours. I sat around with them while they cooked massive pots of macaroni, rice, goat, wecki (sauce), and fungaso (basically parsaltchi for my Mennonite readers, or deep fried bread pieces for the others). In the mean time I ate some stomach and another body part, that I didn’t ask questions about with fear it would make me gag, and we drank chai and hot sweet milk. Never has mind over matter meant so much! It was a nice time of watching this different world go by, emphasis on the watching since the conversation was in Arabic.

Halas, a wonderful Arabic term for the end or finished. It was interesting to spend Christmas in a place that looks like Bethlehem. As ladies go by on donkeys it does make me realize how uncomfortable and unglamorous the birth of Christ really was. We often have a quaint, romantic view of the nativity scene but in reality it was a dirty, disgusting, I-never-want-to-be-in-her-shoes kind of situation.

I am looking forward to having the rest of the week off to sleep, read, learn Arabic, write emails, learn how to play the recorder (so I can teach the boys) and all sorts of things…I hope you’ve all had a wonderful Christmas break. I’d love to hear from you, especially while I have time to write. Mabruk al-eed (happy feasting), Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year to all of you.

Sorry this is soo long- again!

nose picking, hand holding, and the 19th century

Ahh, where to begin with that title? I’m glad I didn’t come for 2 weeks because I don’t think I could’ve picked up on the culture very well that well. Now, two months in I’ve learned a few things (yes it’s been 2 months already!).

Let’s start at the very beginning, a very good place to start. You all might find it interesting that I actually used that, the Sound of Music, for teaching my children the major scale last week. Some of you may know that I have a certain soft spot for that movie and so I was thrilled to find it here and more thrilled to use it for teaching. Anyways, I digress.

Living in a dry climate brings along a different set of circumstances than that of life lived in humid or not the desert like climates. When I lived in Saskatchewan I had a glimpse of this dry life but not to this extent. With the dry weather we have clothes that are finished on the line quickly, if you spill water you leave it because it will be gone shortly, and you also have noses that dry out. It seems very normal to pick your nose without being a social outcast. In one day I saw at least 4 locals do it and then I saw an expat (foreigner) jump out of his SUV and dig in as well. I’m considering joining them, when with the Romans…

It also seems quite normal for both men and women to hold each other’s hands (those of the same sex) without any sexual connotations. In fact men do it much more often than women. It’s a sign of friendship say the locals. I think it’s nice. You think what you want.

Most of you know about my job at Lower Fort Garry, a historic site, for the last three years. Here I have learned to spin wool and make soap which is always incredibly awe striking to the developed world’s mind. Today we made a trip to the corners of the market that you don’t usually see. We walked by the many men who are essentially blacksmiths using primitive looking anvils and hammers. Some children also explained how to make ink from the Arabic gum tree and old charred baskets to use with the pen made from a piece of straw. This is how children write out their Koranic verses on a piece of wood. They also sell sugar in sugar cones just as we do in our fur trade era sales shop. This list could go on. Mirjam told me a story of her student learning about the “olden days” who had to say what was different about the way the women in those days washed their clothes and the way we do now. The student responded, “My mom doesn’t have the wash board.”

I must be off, this is much too long again. I spent a day in bed this week with some sickness. My burn is healing quickly but my foot is not doing as well although it is starting to get a little better (last week’s blog). Prayer for my health would be wonderful. For the most part I am healthy just a little recuperation left right now.

Next week will be filled with reports on the Christmas musical that we have been practicing hard for this past week and any new observations I have on Abeche life. God bless you all in this Christmas season, may you feel His love and grace.

a full week

I’ve had an interesting week. Sorry that this is later than usual. As I’ve been told there are actually regular readers of my weekly story. I was sure I was sending this off into oblivion. Thanks to all of you who take the time to read these.

I had a week with some new events. I attended a Samai on Wednesday which is basically a Chadian baby shower and naming ceremony. It occurs about 8 days after the baby is born and it is a large community and family event where the father or religious leader reveals the name of the baby and people eat! We had lots of kisaar (fermented crepes) and wecki (sauce) with Chadian Chai tea to follow, red tea with lots of sugar and very hot. It was great! Lots of laughter and chatter- that I didn’t understand.

I also had the opportunity to go to the Kided or Hadgar on Saturday which is basically really big rock piles that I don’t think I can call mountains, although there are mountains near the city. It was nice to get outside the city for a bit. We observed the “moving hay stacks” down below as donkeys who were covered in hay made their way towards the city. Today, Sunday, we also did our “tour de ville” where we drove around Abeche. It was nice to see more of the city I live in.

I also was blessed to eat ice cream this week! For the few of you who have lived with me you’ll know that was very important. Mirjam and I managed to make Mocha ice cream and it wasn’t half bad. Of course most of you wouldn’t dream of eating ice cream at this time of year but it was a blessing to me.

Being in the season you are you’d also find this story funny. Eroni was reading a book of vocabulary words to me this week and he came to the word mittens. He struggled through it and finally he got it out. Next came the question, “What are mittens?” I had to laugh but he being a Fijian growing up in Chad has no need nor concept of what they are. I informed him of their use and practicality for every child at home.

Amongst ice cream, tours, and Hadgar this week I’ve also managed to injure myself a few times. I’ve kicked rocks twice while playing soccer with the boys. One of these times I got a pretty decent sized cut, pray it doesn’t get infected with all the dust around here. I also burned my leg on the side of my clando’s exhaust pipe, I knew that was bound to happen. And in perfect Vanessa form I managed to twist my ankle slightly while jumping around on the rock piles. This has all happened on the same leg and foot. It has been suggested by at least 2 people that I cut it off. After contemplating the idea I’ve decided to keep the leg until further notice.

So, I had lots to tell you this week which probably means next week will be boring. Mirjam and I are also in the midst of writing a Christmas musical for the 15 missionary children who live in Abeche. I must go help her; she does the hard work of writing the songs, I just correct her Swiss German style of English. Have a great week.

A bientôt!

Things had heated up a little more in Chad at the beginning of this week but it seems as though that is over for the moment. Potential peace keepers coming to Chad in January.

North America and the rest of the world

This may seem like the sterotypical complaint of the Western world who engages the rest of the world but I am now part of that group and therefore I understand what they mean.

Early last week we had a small war in the East of Chad. You can find the details online. Life in Abeche remained relatively normal but it was serious somewhat east of here. I think for the most part civilians lives remained in tact. I thought that someone back home may be concerned about my life and so I went to check my email. Nothing. I decided not to assume that no one cares whether I survive and I checked the Canadian news networks. There I found nothing but George Bush, Iraq, and Dick Cheney's heart problem. If the world ever had a problem it would definitely be that Dick Cheney's heart missed a beat one time last week. Chad was the top of the African BBC news. I had some romantic idea that Canada cared about more than the United States but I have been mistaken.

Enough complaining and ranting! I did start my Arabic class this week which basically consisted of repeat this word after me. We'll see how much I retain. I was also able to play volleyball this week. That was a treat! At one point a chicken ran around but otherwise it was great. For those of you who don't know I am deathly afraid of chickens. I was informed that I would have to get over that fear. But as it stands that fear will remain almost completely in tact as there are remarkably few chickens here. Apparently they don't take the climate here very well.

So this week I will start teaching English. I have realized that the Chadians may be in for a bit of a surprise when they find out my English aint so good! I'm looking forward to the interaction with the locals but could definitely use prayer for that. I hope everyone's start to their holiday season is going well. Good luck to everyone writing their finals right now.

Still feeling the blow of the grey cup loss,
Vanessa

cold weather and the english language

We have officially entered the cold season here in Chad. I have put on a sweater at least 3 times this week. I’m not sure how cold it gets in the evening but I do know that with no hot water heater the shower takes your breath away. You don’t have to worry about anyone taking a long shower- just maybe showering at all. Yes, I shower everyday. I have also gone from sleeping under a sheet to a sheet and a blanket and I close all the windows.

I’m not sure how many of you remember learning the English language but I have learned in the last two weeks that it is ridiculous. Much credit to grade 1 teachers everywhere! Eroni is really learning to read well sometimes English just tricks you. Ou doesn’t always make an ow sound you know and why use a c when you could use a k or s? Is the letter c really necessary? That is what I questioned this week. I also realized that I am once again very grateful for taking a Science degree and not an English one although it would’ve helped me teach Isaac predicate nouns this week. Does anyone really care what a predicate noun is?

Anyways, I’m sure none of that interests anyone. I would love your prayers this week as I try to be creative in teaching some of the extra courses I’m doing with the kids like Music and French. I am also going to take up a sort of “survival Arabic course.” It will be very useful as I interact with locals. Of course my French is still coming along so maybe I should take it one language at a time!

Your prayers and encouragement through email and snail mail (my first letter arrived from Canada this week) have truly been a blessing. God bless you all.

Bombers biggest African fan!
Vanessa