Getting closer

We are about 2 weeks away from being in the house. We can't wait! Last night Benton and Davis spent the night at the compound. They stayed in the tent with a few of the men working on the house. They had a blast staying up late and being served their morning chai. We are blessed to have a group of christian men from Uganda working on the construction of the house. They have been so nice and caring to our family. They have joined us for church each Sunday. We will be sad to see them leave.
The boys have decided that they need an outdoor kitchen for themselves. Here is a picture of them constructing the mud walls. Sunto and Lomkwam are two of their friends that have been helping. They always have some new project going on. Walker is always watching or destroying what they make.
We were able to get away for two days to Loki, Kenya. It is about a 3 hour drive from Kapoeta. We stayed at a place that had air-conditioning. It was nice to have the temperature under 90 degrees. We even found a place that had milkshakes.
Thank you to all of our friends and family that have kept in touch with us. We have really appreciated your words of encouragement. Please continue to pray for us and the Toposa people. We love you all!

House Pics

Sorry that we have not updated lately, we have been without internet. So glad to finally be connected!! Here are the most recent pictures of the house here in Sudan and the meeting tukel. The workers say the house should be completed within three weeks. We are so ready to get out of the one room house we are in now.
Things are going well with us. We are getting a little homesick and missing friends and family. Thank you for keeping us in your prayers!

Pics of the house

Here are some pics of the foundation being started. Our house is seen in pieces in another picture. More pictures will follow soon.

Ground Breaking!

   Yeah, the trucks have arrived with the supplies to start on the house!  We heard a big truck enter the camp last night around 10pm. This morning the crew and supplies headed to our compound and have been busy.

Language

   We are now learning the Toposa language. We have a language helper that comes everyday for about three hours. We are doing pretty well with the basic words but not so well with conversations. The boys are picking up the language, too.  Walker loves to say "mata", which is hello, to everyone he sees. Everyone laughs at him and word has made it around town that he can speak Toposa. He loves the attention!

Living in Sudan

   Okay, everyone has been asking where we are living and when will get into our house. We are posting pictures of where we are living now, the land where our house will be and a "little friend" that came to visit us the other night.

   We are living at Mango camp which is about 8 kilometers from where we will be living.  We have electricity, running water, internet and great food.  The staff at the camp is wonderful and have made us feel at home.  In the picture of the house we are staying in you can see Walker swimming in a tub that the workers found for him to play in.

   You can see the water tower on the land and the clearing that has been done. The house should be well on its way to Sudan. The papers were cleared and the trucks left Nairobi on Wed.  We can't wait!!!  Once the house and materials arrive on site, the company says it will take approximately 8 weeks to complete.

   The last picture was taken approximately 20 minutes prior to this blog. It is a puff adder (zebra snake) hanging out at Mango camp.  The armed security guard killed him with a rock.  Now, the kids understand the importance of carrying a flashlight at all times. If anyone knows where you can get a mongoose, we would love to buy one!

   Many answers to prayer: Walker has an amazing nanny, we have found language tutors and begin on Monday, the house is on its way, homeschool is going well and God has provided friends for all of us! What an amazing God we serve!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

   By the way, GEAUX TIGERS!

We are home!!

   We have arrived in Sudan! It has sure been a long journey and an exciting one since we have been here. It is very dry and hot, hot, hot. I would let you know the exact temp but there is no weather man here to let us know.  The kids have been absolutely amazed since we got off the plane. They may not speak Toposa but they are having no trouble  making friends. We have all been rubbed on and laughed at more than you can imagine. Walker is the laugh of the town. They aren't sure if he is a girl or a boy and his pacifier cracks them up.

   Today we met with the head chief of the area we will be living.  He has been so nice to us and he even remembered our names.  He told us that he is glad that our family will be living in the village. We can't wait to move out there!!!

   The house situation is  looking great. We got the okay on Friday and the company said that it should be on the way within days. Once it makes it up to Sudan it will take about 8 weeks to assemble. We can't wait!!! 

   The pictures are from the visit with the chief. The  kids were playing while we were talking. Benton fell in love with this sweet little boy.  Davis and Walker were busy playing and dancing around with the kids.

   Tomorrow morning we will attend a church in a nearby village that was started last October when were last here. It has been averaging 70 attenders. 

   Happy Father's Day to everyone!  We love you all.