Black mamba?

The great excitement for this week came in the form of a black mamba snake in the laundry room. Well, we think it was a black mamba. Emmanuel, the man helping us in the garden, killed it with a hoe and declared it to be a black mamba - only the deadliest snake in Africa. We then found out from some friends last night that people around here seem to think that every snake is the dreaded black mamba. We felt much relieved that it possibly was not a black mamba, and could have just been one of a number of poisonous snakes that are found here. It was just a baby, so we are praying that he had strayed far far from home and that there is no mama snake around. The children loved it!!! Of course!

Sam is enjoying his last day of complete freedom before school starts on Monday.... at 7:15. Early, huh. He can't wait to go. I think he is most excited about getting to ride his bike to and from school. They get out at 12:30 everyday which will be great. We will all be home for lunch. He has met one girl that will be his classmate - her dad is a professor at ABC and her mom teaches Bible study for the highschool girls at ABC Academy. One familiar face will be nice. We've seen the list of names and can't wait to find out what countries will be represented in his room. His teacher is going to be great. We are really excited about that. Ford will start pre-school next week in the cool thatched roof building across the street from our house. It is huge and makes us think of Noah's ark. He is so excited. He also knows one girl that will be in his class and is looking forward to meeting everyone else.

John is feeling slammed at the clinic right now. There are so many things that he is seeing that would be easily and effectively treatable in the US - it is just so different here. He feels a bit overwhelmed by all that he has to learn and at how limited the care is that he can offer. I will say that the care that he and Mark are able to give at the ABC clinic is exeptional. It is known for being the best around. There are just limitations here that we don't even consider in America.

As far as my daily living is concerned, I'm feeling a bit helpless. I am very dependant on the other women to help me figure where to go and how to get places. It is difficult to want to function independantly but to have no option but to call someone or wait until I can catch a ride and find a babysitter just to go to the grocery. We are hoping to have a car during the weekend and I am determined to drive soon. I've got to be able to go out when I need things. I've never been one to leave my children with a sitter to go to the grocery or on errands at all, but this is a different place. There are no three passenger grocery carts here !! I left a store one day this week and we were bombarded at the car with vendors selling different fruits and beggars asking for money. At this point it is a bit overwhelming to think of juggling the children on top of all the other people. In time, I suppose it will feel normal.

We're sorry that we haven't gotten any pictures up yet. We will to that this weekend.

We are dying not to be able to watch the Olympics!! We've kept up with the medal count, but are really missing getting to see everything. NBC.com will only let U.S. residents watch on their website. We do have some friends here with satellite TV - we may have to invite ourselves over!!

Please let us hear from you. We are anxious to hear what all is going on with you!

We miss you all!!!
Emily