Roommate

Last night I went to the cinema in order to watch a football game. If any of you follow Soccer you will know that yesterday was the big "Superbowl" of the Champions League. Anyway I will fill you in more on that in another post as I have photos and want to explain what it is like to watch at the "cinema". Afterwards Pst. Ibrahim and I went to church in town because they have a big service this weekend and have events all week leading up to it. Last night was what they call the Singer's Fest. People come from all over and from within the church and sing for everyone. It was a great time- but we ended up staying a bit long as it was the first time I had been back to see everyone. It was so fun to have everyone greet me and get so many hugs. Even some of my little friends who were scared of me and cried at first the last time I was here- remembered me and came running and smiling. It was a great time- but it also made us a little later in getting home. Since I did not make arrangements (and have not moved into my hut yet) I had to wake Auntie Mary to let me in. So kind of her. As I was unlocking my door I could hear some noise inside. I tried to gather my strength and with my little keychain flashlight I opened the door and went inside. Something was inside my wardrobe. I could here it and even see the door moving slightly. Being the brave soul that I am- I took my keychaing flashlight and ran to Auntie Mary's room (well I walked quickly). She came and we opened the door- nothing, but we could see the evidence that a RAT had been there- some sawdust as well as some droppings he so kindly left. We knew he was in there but our hitting the wardrobe did nothing- so we started to take out all the clothes. Since I am planning on moving I have only hung a few things and the rest were in a pile- so we had to slowly take it all out and of course it was the last thing that many the rat run out- I jumped (but did not scream) and the rat ran to the other side of the room. We continued to chase it a bit when we heard ghost like noises in the hall. Jerry- one of the middle boys- had put his mosquito net over his head and was trying to scare me. Little did he know I now had a job for him. In moving everything around and all my jumping I think we managed to make a bit of noise and were soon joined by Sylvester and Bangalie. We managed to trap the rat behind the wardrobe once again- or so we thought. After much time over there we realized he was gone. We searched and searched but could not find him. I was trying to get up my courage to be able to just go to sleep without knowing where he was. Afterall I had been sharing my room with two large spiders for the past few days- but I felt like my net protected me from them- that rat could chew through my net in a second. Just as everyone was leaving Bangalie spotted the rat in my shower room- so being the good house mother that I am- I locked Bangalie and Sylvestor in the room with the rat and told them to kill it before they could come out. Jerry stood holding the door asking if it was dead. We soon heard them saying, "it de dead." Jerry goes to open the door and Bangalie shouts "It de alive- it de alive." "Close the door!" I shout. This time they killed it. We managed to make enough noise that Pst. Kutubu who stays on the other side of the building had just come to help- however our kids sleep so hard most of them had no idea.

Anway needless to say I was not very happy to share my room with that roommate and am so grateful I didn't have to.

Adjusting

So after a few days of pretty good electicity and internet I spent a few days with no charge on my computer so therefore I did not have much communication other than phone. I know that is the way it will go here so I had better start getting used to it know.

I am sitting in what is going to become my new home. I know that I have not made many posts yet but even in that I cannot remember if I have mentioned the hut yet- so I am going to assume that I haven't and go from there.

The staff and some people from the villages and communities we have helped got together and donated their bonuses, time, skills, materials, and other things- along with some other help- and built a hut for the guests who come to stay in. It will be where I live for the next year. It was something that really touched me and I am honored to be staying in this place. It is a round building with a thached roof- though it does have walls and a ceiling so it still feels like a normal house. There are two bedrooms a sitting room and a bathroom. I have to say it is MUCH cooler than my old room and it is nice to have a little more space as well as my own entrance for when I come home late from a football game or time with friends. I will have to write more about it later and try to post some photos.

I had plans to put on a lengthy post, but a friend came to visit and my battery ran down as I ran to help- I need to remember to always take the time to shut-down- even on hibernate it just uses too much. So for now I just wanted to touch base and let you all know I am doing well. The kids are great. I have even been able to spend time with a number of the kids who have been reunified with other members of their family. I miss having them here with me but to be able to see them and know they are doing well is good. The staff is doing a wonderful job and it has also been a lot of fun to reconnect with friends I haven't seen for the past 7 months.

I must close- thanks for your prayers- I have needed them as I go through the adjusting period. Though it has been a great time and I love being with everyone, I do admit to missing my family and friends and home at times. It probably doesn't help that for the first week I have been getting little sleep so I am sure some of my emotions can be attributed to that- but I appreciate your continued prayers.

Home

After our journey yesterday it was so sweet to see Bo come into view as we pulled into town. We stopped at Joe's place on the way where a few of the older boys from the home are now staying- so fun to see them. We then headed to JK's to drop our traveling companians and to see my good friends Nancy, Auntie Margaret and others. Nancy had made ground-nut soup- one of my favorites so of course we had to have a quick bite to eat. Pst. Ibrahim reminded me we shouldn't stay long as there were many anxious kids waiting at home for me- I was anxious to see them as well.

As we had driven down the road to Nancy's some of the kids started seeing me in the vehicle and soon we heard shouts of "mommy Christie" with kids running from all over. Many of these kids attend our primary school and know me from Jonathan's House- and others know me from time spent in the community. It was really funny to hear them and other kids along the whole road to Jonathan's House. Word spread quickly and I had a few visitors last night.

Pst. Ibrahim had told the kids I would be coming in the white van- but since we had given up and that vehicle and had called for the bus to come get us- they didn't realize I was in it as we pulled into the compound. They continued to mill around until one of them realized I was here- they began shouting and running and I barely made it out of the vehicle before I was wrapped into many hugs- just the welcome to make me forget about the long journey.

If you have been reading my blog for awhile- you may remember my little buddy Patrick. Everyone calls him my son. Joe had told me that he has been asking often the past week when I am finally going to come. Well he was in the back when I got here so he came around the corner as we were all standing in a group just outside the vehicle. He looked over and just stopped. After staring for a moment he began smiling a smile that looked as though it would break his cheeks. I started to walk towards him and he laughed and ran away from me around the bus- then peaked to see if I was following. He started to run towards me but as soon as I took a step towards him to turned and ran away. I caught him and he was so excited he couldn't even talk. He was laughing but barely making a sound. It was so funny- everyone was laughing so hard. He kept pinching my cheeks and looking at me. So precious. Since then and into this morning he has been my shadow once again.

All the kids are great- some have grown so much in the past 7 months. We'll have plenty of time to catch up.

One other thing I need to mention quick is that I have a new home- The staff and some people from neighboring communities got together donating their year end bonuses, time, materials, and labor to help build a new hut. It is a round hut- 2 large bedrooms, a sitting room, and a bathroom with a cute little veranda on the front. This is going to be where I live. At the moment I will stay in my old room as we are going to have 16 or so people from the states here for the month of June. It will be a good place for them to stay and then I will move from my old room where I am now into there. What a huge gift and blessing. Something I never expected. It will be a ton of fun to set up my own little African house. That means I'll also have room for visitors- so if any of you want to come stay- the room is open. :)

FIVE FLAT TIRES?!?!

Is that really possible- YES IT IS!!! So we decided to take our own vehicle to Freetown this time instead of public transport. Usually this is a MUCH better option as it saves time and provides a lot more comfort. It also allowed us to go to the beach on our own time and leave for Bo when we wanted this morning. What we did not count on was the complete incorporation of our front passenger tire. Joe brought a spare along but even that has not been enough. We have gone back and forth between the two- stopping at the next town to patch the one we just had go flat again- FOUR TIMES. Now here we sit on the side of the road yet again- 9 miles from Bo- with our Fifth flat tire. We have all decided that this is enough. We have sent for another vehicle and driver from Jonathan House and we will let that driver take this vehicle (with another new tire) and we will switch to the other. Though we have managed to make some fun of this- we have all rank our tanks empty of patience. Just so you know it is a 150 mile trip and we have been making our way for 8 1/2 hours. The roads are much better now so even with Sierra Leone roads we should have been able to make it in 3-3 1/2 hours.

The crazy thing at this moment is that though I am here with these troubles in remote Africa- since we have a cell modem I am able to come on here to share it all with you- The wonders of technology.

I am so thankful to have this happen when we are in our own vehicle with good friends- we have kept each other company and each of us have surely become experts on changing tires.

Soon I will be in Bo. (I know my mom sent out an email saying I was already there and by all means we should have been but...)

Oh how I wish we had AAA.

Busy Day in Freetown

Today started off by spending a lazy morning in bed- sleeping in and hanging out at the guest house for a bit. Joe, JK and I headed out to the Immigration office (where we found out it would be best for me to get a residence card- I guess I am truly residing in Salone) and then to this little hidden restaurant for some great Joloff rice. After lunch we returned to the Guest House to get my camera and headed off to Suzanne Bay (not sure on the spelling but...) It is one of the worst slums in Sierra Leone. It is just unimaginable to me that people actually live here. I know we see it on TV and of course in the movies like Slumdog, but to actually walk through it... I guess the pictures can say a whole lot more than me.

(Okay I guess no picture today- I have tried to upload even one for the last hour and it has not worked today so I wil try to get them on here soon) UPDATE: here is one photo to get a glimpse I will try to add more as time comes- MAYBE.


After this it was a bit needed to return to our rooms for a little break- both physically and emotionally. While resting I received a call that some friends were here to visit- Lily was back with her sister Theresa, their friends Musa and our friend Jawara. It was great to see them and it turns out we'll all travel to BO together early tomorrow morning. Soon after Joe, JK, Paul, and I headed to the Beach- yeah!!! We were able to walk the shoreline (I did manage to get my pants pretty much soaked so I should have just gone swimming) just as the evening was getting dark. We have now just come in for the night after walking around here a bit and getting some good spicy food for dinner on the street- (don't worry about me- we are getting food from good places and I do have the Shermer iron stomach- AND some good meds if needed). I am a bit exhausted and looking forward to sleeping- and then of course getting to see all my kids and friends in Bo tomorrow. I can't wait.

I've arrived

Just a guick post to let you know that I have arrived safe and with all my luggage. The trip went very smoothly and I was so excited to be met by my good friends JK, Joe and Lily. We headed to the ferry, made it to the guest house, had some good spicy salone food and are now trying to get ready for bed (oh and I did have an actual shower and will be sleeping with a fan tonight so I am not roughing it yet). It is hard to get ready for sleep- though I am exhausted it is fun to just talk with everyone and my mind is still very active- soon though.

Tomorrow I head to immigration and then we'll head on to Bo- though I may try talking everyone into a stop at the beach first.

Thanks for all your prayers- I truly felt them as the last time I did not feel well at all on the plane- even our last trip to Texas I was not all that great- but this time was so smooth. God is good. I hated saying goodbye and miss my family already but am so thankful to be here.

Last Weekend Home

So today I am home with Mom and Amy and we are trying to get all my things packed and ready to go. First (or really in the middle of it all- I need a break from packing) I wanted to fill everyone in on my last weekend home as well as let you all know that I am leaving. My flight is tomorrow night (Tuesday) and I will arrive in Freetown about 2:30pm our time Wednesday. Please pray I get there safely as does my luggage- also pray for the goodbyes at the airport with my family. That is not going to be easy.

My weekend may have started a little early with a trip to Grand Rapids to meet my friend Sara from college. We hadn't seen each other in some time and it was really nice to just sit and catch up a bit. Bren came to Virginia on Friday to meet for lunch and a good walk. We managed to have some great laughs like usual over the silliest things. I think that these are some of the things I miss most when I am gone- going for a walk with a good friend. Friday evening we had a birthday dinner for Amy (complete with DQ ice cream cake) and then a Shermer Family Game night with the extended family. No shortage of food, noise, or laughter. It meant a lot to be able to see so many family members before leaving.

The Shermer kids decided for our last adventure together we would go rock climbing. So we left EARLY Saturday morning and headed past Ely and hiked in to this beautiful location. Tim and Bruce came along with their equipment and knowledge and we all made it back safely. I have to admit that though I really wanted to do it I was a bit TERRIFIED. The bummer was that with SNOW on the ground- yes it is mid May but...- we were not able to do the climbing so much as the rocks were a bit slippery- however we were able to repel down. Amy and Nick were the two to help me. I had to tell them that though I trusted Nick's strength I trusted Amy's knowledge a lot more (as she has done this a few times and it was the first for the rest of us). The two of them did great and it only took me a matter of minutes to get myself over the ledge. What a tangible way to learn about trust and faith as well as a great bonding experience for all of us.
I guess it is a bit hard to see me in the picture below but I am up between the two trees. It was quite high- Tim brought along this measuring thing and learned it was 78 ft. No wonder my stomach dropped a little as I thought about doing this.
I had to leave a little early so I could make it to April's baby shower. I am so thankful it was before I left. Erin did a great job with it all and it was a perfect time with the girls. Amy, Jack, and Henry were also able to come up for the weekend to surprise Ape and also give me one more chance to spend some time with them. I know that they are not coming to Salone in June along with Steve- but having him come makes me feel like I will see them again. Of course we were able to fit in a run to Moosebirds on Sunday for one last REALLY GOOD ice cream cone.

Sunday morning my family and I all wore our African clothes to church. During the service we had a little Commissioning time that really meant a lot to me. Then of course it was home to take all kinds of photos. I had just enough Garri (an African food I brought back with me) to make Acheke for the whole family. It is one of the African dishes that all seem to like and is not too scary for us Americans to try. I LOVE IT.
It was such a fun weekend with the family. That everyone was able to come home for all of it was special and I know we laughed a ton. It was also kind of a nice was to transition into African ways by being able to share it with my family. I love being a Shermer and love spending time with my family. It is hard to not be able to do that for the next year, but I know our love and connections are STRONG and DEEP.Both Grandma's were able to join us for the day. We are so blessed with the examples they are to each of us- in their Faith especially. What a legacy we are a part of.
And of course my sweet nieces. They really were the cutest in their African dress. They definitely got the most comments at church.
All the Shermer kids together. Our clan is starting to grow. It'll be fun to see how many this photo holds in 5 years. (I guess that means Amy, Kari, and I had better get moving :))

After our lunch (and a really quick nap), Amy Stepec, Jack, Henry and I were able to go on one last GOOD walk together and get the previously mentioned ice cream before Amy Shermer and I headed over to Tim and Leah's. It was great just to sit around a talk about all the things each of us have coming up in the next year and of course eat some more food. When I roll onto the plane everyone will know why. :)

This last weekend was a blast- I have to admit at times it felt like I was running a marathon going from one thing to the next but I wouldn't have changed a thing. Thanks to everyone for being a part of it and fitting me into their schedules as well.

Honestly is seems crazy to think I will be in Africa on Wednesday. I don't think it will be real until I am there. I have so many emotions right now. I am excited and thrilled to see everyone there again- I have missed them all dearly- and yet to have to say goodbye to everyone here. That part really is not easy. Once again there will be tears at one airport and cheers at the next. That will probably never change. I guess I need to keep looking at how blessed I am to have such good friends and family in both places.

If you think of it over the next week- pray for me and my family. I know they love and support me in this and at the same time their hearts don't want to let me go. How blessed are we to love being together- it doesn't always happen that way- but we choose to spend a lot of time together- so choosing to leave them.... not done lightly. I also get to be the one to go somewhere, while they see the place where I am not. Pray that God would give them (as well as me) peace and comfort.

So everyone- here we go again. I am off.

A few highlights over the past month or so

• Shermer girls shopping trip to Duluth. We were able to head down together in order to get all the things I still needed to move to Africa for 1 yr. I had slowly been collecting things and had received quite a few items from people at church (THANK YOU) but still needed a good amount of things; so the extra hands (and wallets) helped a ton.

  Of course lunch at the Olive Garden was a nice treat for all.
  

  My niece Koryn- I think she might actually like me. :)
  
  Jamie, Amy, Koryn and I
  While the girls were shopping for supplies Dad, Nick, and Alina did a little shopping of their own- at the Home Show. We all met up at Cold Stone before heading home.
  
  

  -I was able to spend a fantastic weekend with two of my favorite people. Sophie, Isabelle and I tried to fit in as many fun things as we could the few days we had together- including a trip to the Como Zoo.
  

  The girls and I in front of the conservatory
  

  
  

  Isabelle and I at our picnic
  
  

  Soph is growing up so much. The two of us went on a bike ride and had a real adult conversation together. It was a blast and great to really see who she is becoming.
  
  

  The three of us doing a little exploring together.
  
  

  
  
  • For the past couple months I have been lucky enough to spend a couple days a week with Hannah and Mya- one day late in April we ended up having to bundle up to go out in the snow one day after having a picnic lunch at my house- outside with only sweatshirts on. That's Minnesota weather for you- the thing I can always count on being good though is my time with these two. (may sound cheesy but it's true).
    
    
    
    
    
    • A few weeks ago we headed up to Orr for the Country Music and Pie Social- yup that's right. My mom sang during the show and was great. We even learned a thing or two to take with us.
      

    This sweet (hilarious) lady came on with her "How to Catch A Man Kit" and really gave Amy and I some good tips- though it may be a little late for me I sure hope Amy puts these tools to good use. Oh yeah- the pie was good too.
    

    
    
    • Another trip to Iowa was in store. It was a perfect time with the Stepec family and other friends in Marshalltown. Amy and I were able to get away Friday for shopping and eating out. Of course I got in a few games of basketball with Jack- I mean who can resist him, especially when each morning he would come into my room and say "oh- you look beautiful".
      -Who says that watching TV is a waste of time. Wednesday we managed to get dinner for free on Oprah and KFC. Grandma even treated at DQ on the way home- rough night.
      
      - Holly and Jackson came for the afternoon Thursday. I honestly cannot believe how big he has gotten. He really is fun. Holly, mom, and I managed to sneak in a couple rounds of speed scrabble while Jackson napped. (I'm going to miss you so much Hol)
      
      

    • This weekend we also had a good old Neighborhood party on Saturday. We roasted our own polish, brats, and mini-hot dogs over the fire. However since we had roasted all the big marshmallows the night before we had to use the mini-size - they are bite-size with a little less mess involved.
    
    
    
    • One more Camp Christie- Nicholas, Annabelle and Alina came for this past weekend for a FULL weekend of activities-
      

      What's camp without a campfire and marshmallows
      
      We always knew those old tap costumes would come in handy.
      

    
    
    • One more hike and picnic at Vermilion Falls- though this time we went in the Spring (May 9Th) we still managed to run into a few snow flurries.

    
    Amers, me, our niece Alina (center) and Annabelle and Nicholas (kids I nannied for during college starting when they were just 4 months old- now 7 yrs)
    
    

    Last time we were here the water was mostly frozen over

    
    

    Now the water is really rushing by- head for dry land.
    Cold weather didn't stop our stomachs from growling so we carried on with our picnic.
    No need for snowshoes this time.

  • I may have said a few- and really out of all that has happened it was just a few- but if you made it to the end of this post- thank you.

  I'll try to post soon about leaving for Sierra Leone- I leave a week from tomorrow. It came fast.