Puppy Love!

~ Puppy Love ~

Oh, how adorable is this puppy?! In my past, I had worked for 13 years as a veterinarian technician...and, well I have to say, I have always had a love for animals, and I always will...they have a special place in my heart! This little puppy pictured above, is what a typical African dog looks like. Ah, puppy love!

No, we have not adopted a dog....this little puppy belongs to an African family....I was just loving him a little, while I had the chance.

We have come to find out through others who live in Bangui, how challenging it is to own a pet here. So, we have decided not to adopt a pet while we are living here....trying to prevent heartache.

Thanksgiving Bangui Style

Thanksgiving Bangui Style

Yesterday, being Thanksgiving, we were so graciously given the opportunity to have a 'Thanksgiving Celebration' at the US Embassy, with the host and hostess of the US Ambassador and his wife, along with many others from the Bangui community.

We enjoyed the usual Thanksgiving feast, of chicken as a substitute for turkey (since turkeys don't exist in Bangui). We enjoyed eating all of the other delicious foods one enjoys on Thanksgiving day: sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and a whole lot of wonderfully delicious other side dishes (picture above on my dinner plate), and desserts too!

Okay, you are probably wondering why their is a picture of Trace alongside a tortoise. Well, the Ambassador and his wife, keep and care for two adult tortoise, a baby tortoise and also a river turtle. The male tortoise name is 'Monsieur' (Mr.) and the female tortoise name is 'Madame' (Mrs.), and of course the babies name is 'Garcon' (which is 'boy'). The tortoise in the picture with Trace is 'Monsieur'.

We also had an afternoon filled with fun activities as well at the US Embassy, like going swimming, and Trace enjoyed a game of tennis...which he loves!

Bible Study

~ Bible Study ~

Oh, how very grateful I am for this, the first Bible study that I will be able to be a part of since we arrived in Bangui this past Jan.. I'm really excited for this Bible study to begin, mainly because I've not participated in Bible study in some time! This is a Beth Moore Bible study on the life and ministry of Paul. This small group ladies Bible study begins on Tuesday, Dec. 8.....I can't wait!

Happy Thanksgiving!

"Happy Thanksgiving"!

Trace and I send to you our "Happy Thanksgiving" greeting from Bangui, CAR! We do hope and pray that your day is filled with an abundance of blessings! Give thanks to God, for He is good.

Bang.....look out for falling mango's!

~ BANG.....look out for falling mango's ~

On October 15, Trace and I moved into our latest 'new' home, that is on the center where we work. We have all types of fruit bearing trees, including mango's. We weren't expecting what happens when one lives with a mango tree that shades our lovely home. As we were unpacking our things the first day in our new home.....all of a sudden....BANG on the top of our metal roof!!! What was that?! Well, we had found out that, yes indeed, it was a mango! You can only imagine the ruckus a mango makes when it hits your metal roof from about a 25 foot drop! Since that time, we usually hear a mango fall once day, sometime during our day....it's a matter of when.

We will be posting pictures of our home soon!

Heinz Ketchup?!

~ Heinz Ketchup?! ~

Okay, all you Pittsburghers......see if you can find this Heinz Ketchup bottle in Giant Eagle the next time you go shopping! Make sure to double left click your mouse on this picture, to enlarge the photo....you will see that indeed, it is Heinz!

Gifts.....they come in all kinds of packages

~ Gifts....they come in all kinds of packages ~

For instance, this lovely looking pineapple. It was given to us by friends of ours as we were packing up from the last house we were living in, to move to our new house on the center, where we work. This loving looking, and delicious tasting pineapple I might add, was a gesture of a parting gift. This pretty decorative red box with a beautifully knitted purple wash cloth inside was given to us from a friend, as a part of our 'house warming' gifts. For each friend who has given from their heart a 'house warming' gift we have received, we are so truly grateful!" Thank you!