Happy Birthday Kari!

Hey Kar- Have a great birthday and New Year's Eve!

Love and Miss Ya!

Christmas with the Shermer Family

                         Here we all are.

Snowshoeing into Vermilion Falls

Yesterday Amers and I decided to take a little trip north to Crane Lake, MN. We wanted to check out Vermilion Falls and maybe even see if we could trek into the Gorge. After driving the 5 miles down the unplowed road to the Falls we decided that our first stop on our trip might just be our only stop. We had brought the snowshoes along (thanks Dad) and after strapping them on started down the path to Vermilion Falls.
As soon as well started we both had to use the bathroom- thank God for out houses. Taking off our snowshoes is not one of our favorite things so we managed to use the facilities without having to remove them. Talent. We happened to arrive first and be the only ones at the falls but it wasn't long before many different groups of snowmobilers joined us. We were the only ones to brave trekking in without winter machines and for some reason it seemed to impress many of them. We even happened to be called sweeties- not a name we were too impressed with but...
Though some of the water was open, the main part of the Falls was not only frozen but covered in snow so we weren't able to see as much, but it was a great time to be in the woods covered in snow. I do love that part of winter.

Taking off the showshoes to head further down the Falls sounded like a good idea, but only served to remind us how useful they are. The snow was a bit deep and we each managed to end up with more than just our feet in the snow at least once.
We were a bit cold by the time we reached our car. We headed straight to Grandma Syvilla's where she promptly heated some water for Hot Chocolate and got out the sweets.
We truly enjoyed blazing our own trails (however I seemed to almost always be the one in front making the initial tracks- hhmmm... Amy?!?!) and are now thinking about our next trail to head out on.

Broomball, Basketball, Bruises and Beth (sorry Holly you don't start with a B)

Cold weather doesn't keep me inside. (well not all the time) On Saturday we had some people over to play games and a little broomball on the pond out back. After putting on a few layers of clothing and trying a bit unsuccessfully to get a fire going (even with the magic lighter fluid ?!?!) we made do with our Christmas lights around the pond and started playing. We quickly remembered that our roughest opponent was the ice- notice my brother Nick flat on his back. I didn't win any hosting awards after I whacked this nice girl in the shin with my broomstick. We were even on the same team. I soon found out that she is a hockey player and a little hit wasn't going to stop her- however she did leave with a very large parting gift in the shape of a goose (or ostrich) egg on her leg. Sorry Jeannine! Last night Amy, Mom, Dad, and I went to the Girls Basketball game in Cook. When I was 16 I started babysitting for the Youngstrom family. Emily was in preschool and Darby was just barely a year old. Now they are both taller than me, Em is driving, and they both are amazing B-ball players. It was a blast watching them play. They've got some skills.


Darby is on the Junior Varsity team. She was a lot of fun for me to watch. I've made it to some games over the past years, but you know that point when it moves beyond a bunch of girls running up and down the court just trying to get it into the hoop? Well they are past that and it is great to watch her decision making and all the skills she has acquired. She's gonna be a great baller. (Already is I guess)

Emily is on the Varsity team and has been for some time and will most likely be scoring her 1000 point this season. (Only her sophomore year) I am sure her height helps her out a little, but her skills are what give her the real advantage. Along with being a great player comes the not fun part of being double teamed often and fouled constantly. She manages though and still puts up the stats.

This makes me realize that I am old and to top it all off- This summer is my 10 year High School Reunion. It doesn't seem possible. Bummer for me is that there is a good chance I will be in Sierra Leone when this happens so Holly, Beth and I had our own little pre-reunion last Thursday. It has been MANY years since the three of us were together so we had some catching up to do. Both Beth and I have spent time away from the mainland in warmer climates recently so I had someone to commiserate with. Beth has just returned (to America :)) from Hawaii and arrived just in time for the extreme cold and winter snow storms.
We spent some time reminiscing about camping trip to the BWCA, school trip to Europe, learning who is where from Cook and just a lot of time laughing. I love when you are able to be with old friends and feel right at ease. I miss these two and am so thankful we were able to get together- and learn a few things while we were at it. (Don't hold the baby too close, Hawaii is not America, your phone can attach to your radio. :-)) I hope to get together again soon.

You can take the girl out of Africa, but you can't take Africa out of the girl

Just because my nieces are here- it doesn't mean my work goes unfinished. The kitchen got cleaned, the salsa made (with plenty of heat), and we were ready for the broomball and game party we hosted that night. Just so you know, Koryn not only did fine being "po-poed" around, she even fell asleep and took a good nap right where she was.

Hangin' with Jack

I spent last week in Marshalltown, IA. I do admit driving by corn field after corn field doesn't excite me, but once I am in Marshalltown it isn't so bad. First of all I was able to spend the week with Steve, Amy, and Jack. I spent the days with Jack learning some new basketball skills, how to play guitar, more basketball, hiding in the tent, basketball, cooking, basketball, playing in the snow- you get it more basketball. If Jack's unhappy all you need to do is ask him to play basketball and all is fine.

The proof is in the hoop!

When Jack did get tired of playing, he would climb onto the bench near the hoop and say, "Christie's turn." I would say, "let's play together." "No Jack watch." And being the people pleaser than I am (well that may not really be the reason, but...) I would play for a bit- shooting hoops on the 3 1/2 foot hoop- really caring about making it, while Jack sat and watched me.

I did however forget to teach Jack a few things- and should have been fired. I was meeting with my friend Karen at McDonalds so Jack could run around in the playland for a bit. Karen watches Jack often and is like his second mother, so all of this should have made for a great time, until we heard Jack crying up in the top of the Playland. First we had to look at each other and ask, "Is that Jack?" Great sitters, then we start calling him to come down when he really starts crying- "alright Jack for you I will climb up into this thing," I had just told myself when this dad already starts up the tube saying, "That's probably my son too, I'll get them." So Karen and I wait at the bottom just in time to see Jack and the little boy trip at the end and tumble out together. Jack has a couple scratches on his face and marks on the back of his neck. The kid (who is about 3) had Jack in a headlock and was putting some moves on him Jack hasn't learned yet. The dad was great- had his son apologize and took him right home. Jack was pretty much done for the day, but he did rebound well. Good thing Dad took him to a wrestling meet a couple days later to teach him the things I did not. Pay attention Jack for the next time you get into a brawl at McD's.One of the best days was Thursday when Amy took a half day and we went to lunch and shopping for the rest of the day. It was a much needed time for the two of us. I have missed her dearly and love that once we are together again it is like no time has past. I'm sure Steve is thankful we didn't get ourselves into a craft project this time.

Being involved in Jonathan House has also given me some friendships with a few others around Marshalltown, most of them I met at different times while in Salone. I love coming into town knowing I have dinner with this family, lunch with another friend, and coffee with the next. These people have come to mean a lot to me and it's always nice to be with people who understand all the little things that happen over in Africa. Of course i was able to meet with Roger and Karen (each a couple times) and things are moving forward in order for me to head back to Salone. I will fill you in on that soon.

For now I am back in the freezing Northland where I finally had to break down and take my Grandma Syvilla's advice and wear a few extra layers. Now of course Grandma suggested cuddle-duds (not sure how you really spell it) which I do know are great, but for now I just wear an extra pair of pants underneath and at least 3 shirts. I am sure I'll come around and get used to the weather just in time to leave again.

Building a School African Style

JCC has a Primary School- nursery through grade six. At the moment the school has been meeting in a temporary building that is made of woven walls. The class rooms are small for the number of children in each, but everyone has managed to make it work for the time being. Now we are in the process of raising funds for a new permanent school building on the JCC compound. We are half-way there and the building can now begin.

First the brush had to be cleared and stumps removed- the area in the top left photo is where the school will be built. The clearing did go fairly quickly and then it was time for the first load of supplies to come in. Now there is no running to Home Depot, Menards, Lowes or the Cook Building Center. A few large trucks hauled in most of the supplies but I did pass these four guys pulling a load of rocks up the JCC road not realizing they were going all the way to the home and had come from town. They arrived about an hour and a half after I did and were already over 3/4 of the way there. The other part of this is that we have to make the bricks with the supplies delivered. So first the cement was mixed and then the molding of the bricks began. The first time around about 1500 bricks were made. As you can see in the photos below it was a large number but the guys made then all in just a couple days. (Little did they know they would be back to make more than that not too long after).

Next we had to get out our string and make the lines where the "trenches" would be dug for the foundation. Yes we had guys in the corners of the building site pounding in stakes and tying string to it to make our foundation straight- and with all their old homemade tools it did turn out right. Digging began and amazingly enough took only a couple days- with our old shovels and machetes cutting away at old tree roots and stumps, hauling out large pieces of stone until the whole floor plan was laid out and dug three feet deep. (See William standing in the trench in the top right photo below) The older boys were a great help during this stage.

It was finally time to start miking the cement and pouring the foundation. Large and small rocks had to be carried around the rim of the trenches to mix in with the cement. The girls and I were in charge of making sure there was enough water in the drums for the mixing as well as to work with some of the other kids carrying the stones. The cement is mixed on the ground. First a layer of sand is poured out, bag of concrete mix on top of that, a layer of rocks, and then buckets of water poured on top while guys are using shovels to turn it over and mix it up. It is then loaded into a metal pan with handles on the side and carried to the place where it will be dumped into the foundation- each load consisting of only a couple shovel fulls. When the distance gets to be too far an assembly line is started and the full tray is passed through with an empty one coming back. It takes a bit of time to get all the way around the building but it is done and even leveled out (again using string and a piece of wood nailed into a T to smooth it out).

After the poured foundation is set, it is time to start hauling the bricks that were made over to the edges of the building. Before or after dinner each night we each had a set number of bricks to haul over. Each of the kids did their part and we managed to make it a good time filled with laughter as well as some whining. I of course had to use two hands and after only a few trips with two bricks decided one at a time was better- however the boys especially would all take two at a time. (see Joseph, Emmanuel, and John below) Usually if you finished your quota for the night you would help everyone else until it was all done- it was great to see the kids not only working together but going that extra step for each other as well.

In no time at all the foundation was over three bricks high in all places and more in a few others. Re bar (I have no clue how to spell that) bent by hand was in place for the pillars and the school was all set for the next stage. The building was put on hold for a short time so this was how it looked when I left. Since then I have talked to Joe and the walls are almost all completely finished. The floor should be layed soon and then it is just floating the roof (so someday we can build a second level) and plastering the walls, adding doors and windows and finally finishing the new JCC school. It will be great to see the kids in there soon, but it has also been good to watch them each be a part of the building process in their own ways. The kids can come back to the home long after they are grown and know that they had a part in this school coming to be at Jonathan House. Thanks for your donations towards this project. Every night at prayer time the kids pray for the school- not just that the rest of the money would be raised, but to thank God for those who have given and been a part of making this happen. They remember to say thanks and I think they really do realize what this school means for their futures.

This is a far cry from how we build here in America- and yet they amaze me with the speed in which they can do things with only hand tools. The relationships you build while standing next to each other all day passing a bucket of cement, a stone, or a five gallon pail of water is something that could never be done between cement trucks or cats. Technology is great- and don't get me wrong- I am sure they would love a big turning cement truck or even a cordless drill, but they are little things we miss out on here that I will remember and be thankful for. (Of course I only have to do this every now and then and it is still a bit of a novelty for me- ask someone there and they may not feel the same :)