DAY ONE!!

Be jealous, my friends, because this what I get to wake up to every morning. I really wish that the picture did the view more justice, but it doesn't. It actually hasn't been that hot here. I honestly did not sweat today. I'm sitting outside while I'm typing this, and I'm almost chilly... definitely not what I expected.



LILIAN! So, so glad that I got to see her last night! She's one of my friends that goes to school because of Invisible Children (www.invisiblechildren.com). I met her last semester when IC came to LSU. It was so good to see her on my first day because I was so tired and worn out.
So, you can't really see it, but there's a big silver bucket that had our leftovers from lunch in it. The neighborhood kids will come and just eat and eat and eat until they are so full. What a blessing that our food doesn't go to waste and instead goes to precious little children.
This is one of the precious little kids that greeted our bus when we got the primary school today. How precious!! They were chanting, along with the students "Hi Mzungo!" They were sooo excited we were there! I wanted to look at them and be like, "I'm really not that cool." I promise.
This is just a picture from the surrounding area from the school. There is so much poverty here, and the houses are barely staying up. I got so sad to see that but then again, how cool is that they're not like most Americans that think they need a fancy place to live. Air conditioning does not exist anywhere either. They really are content if they have a roof over their heads for their family. It is a HUUUGE deal here if you steal, so that isn't really a large concern either. We went to a primary school today, and all of the kids stood up when we walked in and said, "Good morning, madams. We are so glad that you are here" in their precious little African accents. I sat down next to one of them while Molly was sharing with them, and I laid my hand on the table so I could fit, and I looked down and I could not see any white on my arm. It was covered by beautiful children's hands. -- While we were there we prayed with them, sang songs with them, shared the Word with them, and let them know that they are loved. At this school EAC makes sure that they get a meal at lunch because that really is the only meal that some of them get that day. They are all so thankful to be there.

This is just a picture of a beautiful girl that was hanging out near the her house. Most places don't have doors. They just use sheets or don't have anything at all.

I didn't take a picture at the second school we went to. We went to a secondary school (high school/college to them). They school was actually called Harvard College School. It made me giggle a little. We did the same thing that we did with the primary school - love on them and share the Good News.

This morning Haley talked about needs and wants. God blesses us to be a blessing. I'm sure you've that before. The question is, are you really using your blessing to bless other people? How much? Most people, including myself would say that running water is a necessity. I learned last night it's really not. We ran out of water while I was in the shower .. it was interesting to say the least, but all 25 plus of us figured it all out. We have a toilet called the "squatt potty" that is just a massage rectangle in the ground. I had to use in the dark last night for the first time, and boy was it an experience. I'll have to take a picture later and upload it so y'all can see. Back to topic -- what do we as Americans called needs that really are just wants? I'm guilty of saying stuff like, "I need to eat sushi tonight," when I really don't .. not at all. That is definitely something I am going to think about over the next 6 weeks. I'm sure the Africans have a lot to teach me when it comes to my needs and my wants.

Fun Facts:
- In Mexico white people are Gringos, and it's kind of derogatory. Here, we're called "Mzungos," and it's such a good thing.
- deodarant is not one of the necessities here. I'm not sure I'll be changing my mind on that need.
- Africans dress SO nice everyday... like dress pants and khakis and nice button down shirts.
- They say a lot of "PRAISE GOD!" That is now how I'm going to end all of my posts.

PRAISE GOD!
-B