Goats and Katy Perry!

Goats…the only thing I ever really knew about them from my many travels were that they smell pretty bad, they make horrible noises often, and that when cooked decently, they taste pretty good. Never did I think I would be spending my summer hanging out with them in a different land, actually enjoying all I got to learn!

The farm here breeds goats in order to provide for the people close by. The goats are given to different families in order to provide a substanable living. It has been very eye opening to see the need of these families, and also see how our Father has provided such a means for people who have very little.

During the goat clinic a few weeks ago, we were able to check out all the pregnant goats, provide inculations, run some blood work to test for diseases, and even perform a few minor surgeries. I will refrain from the grossness of much of the ordeal, but I think I can safely say that drawing blood from a goat has adequately prepared me for nursing school. I mean, at least humans will not try to bite me as I stick them!

My favorite story from the week is about our new little house addition, Katy Perry. The name has not so good connotations, but a friend always refers to Katie as Katy Perry, and for some reason that name just seemed to stick for this little goat. She was born a few weeks ago, but for some reason will not nurse from her momma. She also has a hurt little foot, so we decided to bring her and her momma home in order to provide some care. She really is quite cute, and lets me hold her like a little baby!

Katie and I did the best we could to nurse little Katy Perry back to life, but for awhile there she was not looking good. She just wouldn’t drink and most days looked like she was ready to just give up. Now, a goat is a goat, but still, we did not want her to die on our doorstep.

Last week, Katy Perry returned back to the farm. After a few days, Katie and I headed back to do some work, and were excited to see that no only was Katy Perry nursing from her momma, but was skipping around like all little goats did. We they got her out of the barn, I called her name and she quickly came running. I guess she won’t forget the effort Katie and I made in order to save her little life!

On a side note, being the smart goat that she is now, she has decided that drinking out of a cup is more her style. I guess she figures she is a human goat, since for the first part of her life she had two human momma’s. Goats…who knew they could be soo entertaining!

March Madness!

Man..I'm soo ready. March madness in my family has always been a big thing..I guess when you have four older brothers and a Dad who loves bball, you either join the fun, or keep your mouth closed! I'm all for fun...so I join!

Unfortunately, when you don't live in the land of plenty, all the fun and excitement tend to get forgotten when other things, like just surviving, become the new "madness"! I remember this time last year...our "March Madness" consisted of this...



...waiting for our precious new latrines to be built on out compound in the village!

We sat around and waited for those things for what seemed like eternity! They finally were finished though...and "March Madness" was glorious. You no longer had to use the old latrine, where every time you stood up the entire village would shout out your name! Victory was had and we felt that no matter who won "March Madness" here in the states, we owned it in that village!

This year I'm back though....I got my picks..I've e-mailed the fam..and I'm ready for the games to begin! Tonight as I sit back and watch my boys play..I'll think back to the sandox and the wonderful "madness" that seemed to be around every corner!

Mosquitos

The other day while I was sitting in my little cubicle in the office...yes, many day's I actually feel like I live the life of the show "The Office"...anyway, while I was sitting and typing and pondering life, a little mosquito looking bug flew straight into my face. Now, I have not seen a mosquito since living in the sandbox, so was a little surprised that this curious little creature was buzzing around. My immediate reaction was, "I must kill this blood sucking, disease infested thing or I will surely get the awful malaria and die". As soon as I thought that, I thought, "Sarah..get a grip...you live in America now...and if all else fails you still got some sandbox drugs in your top bathroom drawer at home!".

It has been funny the many experiences I have had since returning to the land of plenty and my reaction to those experiences. The normal person would look at the innocent little mosquito and 1) let it live it's little existence buzzing around, or 2) end it's little life right off the get go. I, on the other hand, tend to look at things through my "African colored lenses". I don't see a cute little bug that is just buzzing around. I see disease. When I go to restaurants, I don't see the nice and laid out dish ware. I look for foods on the menu that would be easiest to eat with my hands. When there is a noise or flicker in the house, I don't just assume someone turned on a new lamp or put the garbage disposal on. I prepare myself for the electricity to go off.

These are not always my reactions, and as times move forward, I am sure they will become less and less of them, but for the time being I embrace it. I proudly wear my "glasses", embrace the stares and awkward silences when I say something out out of the norm, and remember the blessings of my time in the sandbox and all the many lessons I learned. At least we know I'm prepared!

* no mosquito's or mosquito looking bugs were harmed in this blog

It's been awhile...

So it's been a whole year since I've blogged...and a lot has happened. I am out of the sandbox..for now, and living a new crazy life in the land of plenty. I won't bore you with details of the last year...but I will share some memorable pics...so get ready!



...this is my FAVORITE tree in the village...many a day was spent under here reading, people watching, and daydreaming...



...my women sitting under the shade...we did this..a lot...they sure liked those stories...



...who could say no to a party like this...especially being one of the only white people in the village at the time...




....our heli in to the village...and the amazing view from up in the air...




...last night in the village...

...so i rejoice for my time...I long for those days...but I delight that God is faithful and mighty and saves those who call on him...I pray Zephaniah 3:17 over that village, that country, those people, and over you..."The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you with his love; he will exalt over you with loud singing"...and I promise to be a better blogger...inshallah ; )

Stopping traffic...literally...

So here in the sandbox when you have to cross the street, it's kinda a take at your own risk adventure. The cars don't and won't stop for you, so you must always be aware, move quick, and never ever stop. Me and the sisters have grown somewhat accustomed to this way of living, but occasionally have a few mishaps, here or there. It was a day, not to long ago, that a mishap occured...and I stopped traffic....

It was normal day with the sisters. We had just spent some time in the internet cafe, checking e-mail and talking to friends. We decided, as is also a normal occurance, to stop at the dukan down the street to get a diet coke (pepsi here, but I like to pretend it's coke) and a candy bar...or two. Upon exiting the dukan, my sister May turns and say's, "Anyone want some tamia (filafal) for dinner?". Well me and McCaine quickly agree, and we all venture over to our favorite tamia man, across the road. I was lagging behind...no particular reason...just was, and got caught in between cars zooming by. I looked left and then looked right and thought I had plenty of time...but quickly realized there was a motorcyle and big bus headed straight toward me. I froze up for a minute, and then snapped myself out of it and charged ahead, telling myself the whole time, "You can do it...just don't stop!". Next thing I know, the motorcycle comes to a halt about 10 inches from my body and then a huge crash. I look at the motorcycle guy, who has just been hit in the back by a rickshaw, smile my stupid khawaja smile, and walk to the sidewalk. The bus zooms past just as I reach the safety of the sidewalk, but all the cars behind the motorcycle just sit tight. I fumble to my sisters, that I think I just caused an accident, which in turn May responds, "Well you had right of way!". I look back at the poor motorcylce guy, whose just sitting still, stunned a bit from what just transpired. I yell out, "Malesh" and retreat quickly into the shop. Afraid of what might come...can you get arrested for stopping traffic?...I stay in the store, looking every once in a while out of the window. The man sits for a while, staring at the ground, while others behind him honk. Next thing I know, he spots me staring, nods his head, and heads off into the sunset...ok, there was no sunset, but you get the point. Traffic once again continues, and I make sure to stick close to the sisters, and cross only when there is a good opportunity!

* * No people or cars were damaged in this act of khawaja stupidity * *