Continuing the rounds

'We go America', it is tough to say goodbye to our friends. The end of a
season also brings anticipation of...'what's next'? We ask the Lord that
everyday. What's next for this place? Pray for our team as we have 6
days left in country. Pray for the transition of the school and the
friends we leave behind.

Congrats Ali

The same man who invited us to build a school in his camp, the same man
who sweeps the school every morning all on his own, the same man coming
to adult literacy classes is the same man who began building a permanent
house in his camp. Happy day!

Timber

Time for the tree to come out. We began construction on the final
classroom block for our Primary School last week.

How do you live it up for a weekend in the village?

Wear traditional clothes and plait your hair of course. See Bridget all
in, celebrating with the people in every way.

see my students

How I will miss them come December 7!

We love marching

I think our kids secretly love marching. They complain 'cause it's hot
but when they are chosen to march you see the smiles come out. Who
doesn't love walking around to the beat of new band equipment? Thanks to
Aaron drum lessons are happening twice a week now and thanks to
our teachers our students are learning right from left, how to stand at
attention and how to walk confidently.

Drum lessons with Aaron

leads to impromptu marching.

Just your average cookout

We went to a Fulani wedding yesterday, the bride and groom weren't
around, which we found out after coming home is very normal- in fact
it's tradition to agree to the arrangement in the morning and then hide
away to the bush for a few days (not on a honeymoon mind you, but 'cause
they are shy?? and well it's just like that). Don't worry we still had
fun with the parents and family of the couple- plenty of no-no to drink,
cow to be cooked and party to be had. We count it a blessing to have
been invited, to walk in the midst of hundreds of Fulani from all over
Nigeria and to call them our friends.

Sunday morning sunrise

Sallah

for the old and the young.

Monkey Cage

I guess it works for kids too.

Always happy to help

Aisha x2

Dad and his new favorite girls.

today is Friday...

On our way to class this morning.

WFMC/ITEC

The crew.

Power

See how they work, work, work. Thank you WFMC and ITEC for your effort
this week.

Time to build

The old, the new and the not yet finished. These boys are in the process
of building new houses. Pretty sure at age 8 I couldn't have built my
own house, these kids have skill! They collected palms and sticks and up
it went with a whole lot of effort from the team. These boys are
boarding students in town. Not our own, they stay with another Fulani
man in Emi-woro, but they live without parents and away from home. They
are faithful to come to school, learning English by day and Arabic from
their boarding master in the afternoon. They also fetch water and
firewood, build houses and farm in their spare time. Many of them were
in my transition class last year. Since we don't get to hang out much
anymore (they are very busy) its a really special afternoon when I get
to visit their place with books and colors and jump rope.

This is one way

to sport your red, white and blue. We emptied out our 4th of July bag;
meaning we divided the goods among the kids- what else are you going to
do with a ribbon really but wear it?

Really?

Could he be any cutter? See Ayuba. The boy in the middle has the
greatest smile. All these cuties were around for the party/naming
ceremony today.

All dressed up with somewhere to go

This sweet girl has her best on for a naming ceremony that happened
today for Bature's newest child.