Goal Accomplished

Once again I am proud to "announce" that I accomplished my goal of working out 5 times this week! Yahoo! Tuesday was looking bad -- I couldn't figure out how to get to the YMCA because of a sick kid and a busy schedule, so Ben came home from work over lunch so that I could get to the Y. What a great guy!

I am so tired from all my exercise that I went to bed at 8 p.m. last night! I'm feeling much more energetic today.

Now, I just have to figure out how to give up my night-time snacks -- then I might actually lose some weight. I'll have to wait until January 1 to make that resolution. I can't do it ALL now -- then I wouldn't have anything to "resolve" for 2008.

Ode To Evan

This is a little late in publishing, but my little three-year-old Evan turned 4 on November 24 and it was one of the saddest days of my life as a mom. I LOVE three! Three is the best age because Batman, Superman and Spiderman are REAL; Mom and Dad are perfect; it's still OK to be bad sometimes (because "that's what toddlers do"); and discoveries happen every day. I begged Evan to stay three but he said he didn't want to because "I like birsday cake."

Evan is so much fun to be around -- he finds a friend wherever he goes -- and he gets so excited and animated about everything. One little boy, Matthew, in Evan's preschool class particularly likes him because Matthew, who has major speech delays, knows sign language and apparently when Evan waves his hands excitedly about something, the boy interprets Evan's hand gestures for the sign for "play" -- Matthew thinks Evan wants to play with him all the time!

Now, I'm NOT saying Evan is perfect (he's recently taken to lying!), but I am saying I wish he would have stayed three forever! My mom says four is the perfect age; we'll see, I don't know how it could beat this past year with my Evan.

Exercising Sucks!

I managed to accomplish my goal this week -- I worked out FIVE times even though one day school was delayed two hours because of snow.

While playing in the snow with the three boys, I tried to justify not working out because, after all, isn't pulling a two-year-old on a sled up a hill exercise enough? But then I thought of you, my faithful blogger readers, and I knew I had to meet my goal or I would really hear it from you. Thanks for keeping me on track! (Now, where are the kudos? Pats on the back? And wonderful words of encouragement?)

Here's one cute picture of our snow day -- Drew loved the snow (for about 20 minutes).

Hey Otterbein Grads!

Since our blog address was listed in Towers Magazine, I thought I'd say, "Hello!" to any Otterbein grad who "stops by." Please leave your email address so Ben and I can reply back.

FYI, if you're interested in reading more about our trip to Niger, West Africa, please click here (Niger Blog, post #1) or on "June" in the right side column of this blog and then scoll down to June 6 ; it will take you to where I started writing about our adventures in Africa.

Thanks SO much for stopping by!

Carrie (Heibel) and Ben White

Brilliant or Incredibly Stupid?

OK, I've decided I need to work out on a regular basis. Yes, I did say "regular" -- that means 5 times per week. Here's where YOU, my faithful readers, come in. I need you to hold me accountable for working out. Ahhh! There, I said it. I'm actually going to do this thing called exercise and I'm posting it here so you (all three of you!) can harass me if I don't do it.

I will make weekly posts stating that either, yes, I did accomplish my goal of exercising 5 times that week or, no, I did not meet my goal. Then you can give me kudos, applause, pats on the back, and/or glowing words of praise if I am successful or you can kick my butt if I fail. Got it? Knowing some of you like I do, I'm guessing you hope I fail at least a few times just so you can make your sick little rude comments. :-)

I've already started my new routine and so far I have exercised for three weeks, two in which I accomplished my goal and one week in which I only worked out 4 times.

I don't know if this is a good idea that will keep me motivated, or if I'm just incredibly stupid and a glutton for punishment. We will see. (Note that the heading of my blog states that I tend to blog when I'm under the influence of caffeine, such is the case today, so I really might regret this when I crash from my caffeine "high.")

Shout Out to All Pastors

This month is Pastor Appreciation Month so I'd like to give a "shout out" to all the Pastors who read my blog. OK, so that's only Pastor Josh, so....

SHOUT OUT to ya, Pastor Josh! Our family greatly appreciates you and ALL the pastors at our church (Calvary Assembly of God).

The best way to show your gratitude for your pastor is to pray for them, so after you read this today, say a prayer for your pastor. (But I'm sure they wouldn't turn down a gift.)

It's a Dry Day!

Drew came to me for the first time today and said, "I don't have to pee, Mom." That was actually his way of telling me that he had to potty. This was the first time he told me before I had to ask him. Yahoo, we're making progress! We even went to the store and out for lunch today and Drew "held it" the whole time. Now, we still have to work on "number 2," but I am celebrating a dry day today.

I'm Potty Trained, Not Drew

At this point in the potty training world in which I'm encapsulated, I'm the one who's trained, not Drew -- I'm trained to put him on the toilet every 10 - 15 minutes. He pees on the toilet, but he never tells me when he has to go; it's me grabbing him and making him sit. I'm also making him drink lots of liquid so that he has to go often -- in hopes that this gives him more opportunities to learn. I'm still keeping my fingers crossed and praying.

I will be so relieved when this is over; I've been housebound for two days straight to focus on him. Being stuck at home is the worst part! But interestingly enough, I've enjoyed more quality time with Evan and Drew (Joel's at school all day) since it's just the three of us sitting around the house. We've read lots of books, painted, done puzzles, cooked together and,...I even watched Barney with them! Wow, I'm such a good mom. Plus, sitting around has made me look at my house a little closer -- thus I scrubbed my floors today. So you see, my carpet may be dirtier, but my kids and my hard surface floors are better off.

I feel sort of funny about potty training this kid because:
a.) He's the last kid and once he's done, it's all over for me!
b.) I realize I've put a lot of pressure on myself because I've told everyone. You know if this takes Drew forever to "get," I will feel like an idiot. Haha. Like I'm not used to feeling like that. I mean now, thanks to naked Drew in the front yard, even the whole neighborhood knows!

At least I'm still feeling optimist about this process. I get up every day with this short-term goal on my agenda. Let's hope I can cross it off soon!

Wet Carpet, Pee Cups and the Neighbors

Well, let's just say I will have to have my carpet cleaned pretty soon. Drew has had three "potty parties" today and he LOVES them, but trust me, he's peed more than three times!

Yesterday was a "wash." After naptime, we officially started the training, but it was useless. I tried to get Drew to pee on the toilet, but he didn't go. Then it was time to walk to pick up Joel from school so I packed a "pee cup" in the stroller. As soon as we were three houses away he said he had to pee. So there I am, in front of my neighbor's house, pulling Drew's pants down and holding a cup in front of him. He just wanted to hold the cup and "try," but the cup stayed empty. Of course as soon as we got to school, he started playing on the playground and peed in his pants. Ugh! Then we got home and Joel wanted to practice riding his bike. So I told Evan and Drew to stay inside while I went with Joel. (At this point Drew only had a t-shirt on because it seems easier to do the training naked than with underwear -- note above that I said my carpet needs cleaned.) Well, Joel fell while riding, so I ran clear down the street to help him. As I came back toward my house, I saw a neighbor man in my driveway talking to Drew, who had NO pants on. The neighbor didn't see me down the street and was worried when he saw Drew outside by himself. Of course then I had to explain why my son was naked.

Between pee cups and naked butts, I think we're going to get evicted from Perrysburg.

Since we had such a crazy start to potty training yesterday, I canceled all social engagements today (and tomorrow) -- all two of them -- and just focused on Drew. That is one key element that I don't enjoy -- staying tied to the house (and the toilet!). Today I even put a chair in the bathroom for me to sit with Drew and read to him while he's "perching;" although I can only get through about two pages in a book before he's ready to jump and run -- no toilet ring around the butt for Drew.

I'm hoping to have lots 'o potty parties tomorrow and here's to no more wet spots on the carpet.

Potty Training

Today is a BIG day for Drew -- we are going to start potty training this afternoon after his nap. We couldn't start this morning because we didn't have all the essential potty training supplies. So Drew and Mommy went to the party supply store this morning and now we're ready!

Our supplies:
1. Training pants (a little too big so that he can easily pull them up himself)
2. TONS of liquid so that he has to pee a lot!
3. M&M's -- one M&M each time he has a "success" on the toilet
4. Party hats and horn blowers.


Now every time Drew is successful, the whole family gets to have a "potty party." We will march around with our hats on while blowing horns, and Mommy (or Daddy) will throw Drew in the air while we all celebrate. This creates
a.) a wonderful, fun atmosphere for Drew to enjoy because of his success and
b.) a sore back for Mom and Dad.

I heard somewhere that 27 months is the "ideal" age for potty training -- it worked with Joel and Evan so I'm hoping (and praying) it will work with kid #3 too.

Today my outlook is very cheery and positive -- by Wednesday you might have to call Children's Services. :-)

Shout Out to Dave O.

Who needs Batman and Robin when you have a Dave Olin?! I was desperate, lost, a "damsel in distress." My problem? My internet wasn't working! I can hear all of you screaming --Ahhhh! Yes, I was without email for TWO WHOLE DAYS. But one call to Dave and I AM BACK! Thank you so much, Dave!

Dave: You know Ben is an Ob/Gyn, so anytime you need his help, just holler. :-)

Joel is FINALLY Riding a Bike!

My prayers have finally been answered -- Joel has learned to ride a two-wheeler! This has been quite a process because Joel has been scared to death to forgo the training wheels and ride on two wheels. For a while he has been riding with one training wheel (he looked quite funny).

You must understand what a big deal this is for Joel. When he was born 13 weeks early, he had a minor brain "injury" that was sort of like a stroke. This caused him to have difficulty with his left side -- his leg, foot, arm and hand are "tight" which makes it hard for him to use them. He went to several years of physical and occupational therpy and the occupational therapist explained it to me like this: "When he puts weight on his left foot, it's like me putting weight on a leg that is asleep -- Joel doesn't know if he can trust that leg or not." This also makes it hard for him to balance. Does that make sense? I know to see him, unless you look closely, you would never know that he has difficulty. So, the moral of the story is that riding a bike is a HUGE accomplishment and I am very proud of him.

For the last several practice runs, I wasn't allowed to give directions, cheer or say ANYTHING while he was riding because it distracted him. Today, he actually gave me permission to talk to him while he was riding. :-)

Joel went to take off his helmet and couldn't because his hands were shaking so badly. Poor kid! I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. After he went all the way around the block he came back in the house and said, "Mom, I'm excited and scared. My heart is beating so fast."

Way to go, Joel!

Pumpkin Farm

On Saturday Drew, Evan and I went to the Pumpkin Farm for some Fall fun (it was supposed to be a family outing, but Joel was rotten so he had to stay home with Dad). We had never been to this farm but some friends from church invited us and now it's our new favorite spot for pumpkins. The boys got to go in a corn maze, feed goats, go on a hayride and enjoy fresh apple cider -- it would have been the perfect Fall day had it not been 90 degrees!!

This is a picture of Drew lifting a gord. His comment: "This pear heavy." haha!

Drew was absolutey enthralled with the corn maze. I'm not a big fan of the things -- I'm a little clausterphobic and was afraid I'd never come out (and I'm not sure my boys would have come looking for me!)

Then when we got home the boys wanted to carve the pumpkin immediately. I'm sure it will be nice and moldy for Halloween. Yuck! Drew and Evan found the "guts" absolutely disgusting and even hated the smell of the pumpkin. The strangest part for mama, was watching Dad "pass the torch" (or should I say, "the carving knife") -- Joel decided this year he was old enough to do some of the carving himself. Oh, he's growing up so fast!

Flying Lessons

Batman and Superman show up at our house frequently (along with Spiderman, firemen, a football player, Buzz Lightyear, Power Rangers, a dinosaur, and many, many other "characters" thanks to Grandma and Grandpa "Popcorn" White). On this day, Batman was giving Superman flying lessons.

Oops! Better luck next time, Superman.

Crack Kills and Other Fall Activities

Now that Joel is in school all day, the two "little" boys and I are finding all sorts of new ways to entertain ourselves. Today we "painted" the sidewalk with water that was tinted with food coloring. I couldn't resist taking this picture of Evan that I've titled "crack kills."

Since Joel isn't around to "police" activities, "Thing 1" and "Thing 2" get into a lot more trouble. One day I found them with a box of spaghetti noodles -- they were eating some and breaking up the rest of them all over the floor. The crazy part -- they were being so quiet and having so much fun, I LET THEM DO IT!

On another day we were playing with rolls of toilet paper (my sister-in-law, Robbon, gave me this idea -- kids LOVE stacking and building with rolls of T.P.) and we ended up wrapping Evan as a mummy. Once Joel got home, the T.P. ended up ALL over the living room, including flying from the ceiling fan. Problem: now I'm almost out of toilet paper!

The White Boys

Our little White boys: Joel, 7; Evan, 3 1/2; Drew, 2 years. (My brother-in-law, Jeff, says they look like pickles.)

2 Years Old

My "baby" is now two years (and one month) old; I am SO sad! Here are a few pics of my cutie, Andrew Dean White.

Lemonade 25 cents

Evan came up with the idea of a lemonade stand to make money. However, he and Drew kept drinking all the profits! We only had 6 real customers (two of them are pictured here), and the boys only lasted about 20 minutes sitting and waiting, but it was fun while it lasted. We did get to meet two new neighbors this way, so maybe it was all worth it.

I've since done some "market research" and decided next time we should set up a "Gatorade Stand" in the BACK yard -- which is adjacent to a small park with a running trail. I think we'd make a fortune on a hot day! (It's all about finding the customer and "location, location, location.")

Crying Today...

Crying tears of JOY, that is! School started and Joel is officially a first-grader and gone from 8:45 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.! I never thought this day would come. It was such a quiet, calm day that I almost got...dare I say it...bored. Oh no, no, not bored in a bad way, bored in an "ahh, relaxation" and no more breaking up fights or yelling, "keep your hands off your brothers and stop tormenting them" sort of way. I'm already dreading Thanksgiving break.

I asked Joel to tell me the best and worst part about first grade:

Best: "Playground"

Worst: "There was no worst part"

(Gee, he didn't mention missing mama. Maybe he was crying tears of joy too?)

OK, please allow me one small "brag" about Joel: I asked him whom he sat with at lunch and he told me this:

"Remember when Evan went to preschool, you told him to be a friend to someone who was sad or who didn't have a friend. I remembered that and saw Jimmie sitting alone at a table so I sat with him."

Now THAT makes a mama proud!

My Newest Bribe

This week I took all three boys to the mall to buy Joel school clothes. On the way there I had a brainstorm: I could BRIBE good behavior out of them! (Sorry, Dr. Phil, I know this is not a "good parenting tip 101," but sometimes a mother is desparate to shop!)

My bribe:
The boys always want quarters to ride the mall "rides" and for the gumball machines. My brainstorm for this trip was to tell them that when I saw good behavior exhibited, they would earn a quarter. "Sometimes Evan will be the only one to get a quarter and other times Joel or Drew will earn one." This worked like a charm! They loved earning money and I loved not having to give them the "evil eye" or a silent sqeeze of the arm. The other benefit was they learned the value of each ride -- for instance, Joel wanted to ride a $2 "roller coaster simulation" ride but realized he didn't have 8 quarters. "Next time you'll just have to be even better to earn more quarters," I told him. (Note: I hope he's not THAT good, 'cause I can't afford to shop if I have to give out EIGHT quarters to each kid!)

Joel Apple Picking

Joel recently discovered that the apples on the tree in the park behind our house are almost ripe so he and Evan decided to pick some. The best part was picking the "wormy" apples and then smashing them on the concrete.

To all of you fellow scrapbookers out there:

When your kid goes apple-picking, make sure he/she is wearing a RED shirt, not an orange one! These pictures are going to look awful with red apple stickers in my scrapbook. :-)

Making Ice Cream with Grandpa

Drew loved watching Grandpa make ice cream, but he most enjoyed tasting it when Grandpa wasn't looking.

Planting Strawberries with Grandpa

Last week we had a fun visit with Grandma, Grandpa and Aunt Sarah from Montana. This is a picture of Grandpa planting strawberries with the boys in our backyard. We are all anxiously awaiting our first crop so that we can enjoy some strawberry shortcake.

Drew's New Car

Drew got a new car for his 2nd birthday -- all three boys LOVE it! Joel doesn't quite fit in unless he leaves one leg hanging out the side. Let's hope he doesn't drive a real car that way when he's 16! One day Evan disappeared with the Jeep (I thought everyone was upstairs brushing their teeth). The neighbor found Evan -- he was almost at the end of our block and was crying because he had "runned out of gas." Thank God he did "runned out of gas" because I think he would have driven to Grandma and Grandpa's. I've decided to put a GPS system in the car so I can find him next time! Haha.

My Little Knight in Shining Armour

Evan was invited to an all-girls "Princess" 4-year-old birthday party; he dressed as a knight. Here he is with the birthday girl, Keely.

Sad News from Niger

While our family was in Niger, we had the opportunity to meet a wonderful missionary family from the United States -- the Zoolkoski's. In one of my blogs I "introduced" the family -- Dr. Christopher, who is the medical director of the hospital, and his wife, Helene and their three children, ages 6, 10 and 13. Today we received a sad email from Christopher -- Helene, who has been suffering from skin cancer, went home to be with the Lord. I've included Christopher's email below. (Helene is the lady in the center of the picture, with her son, Joel, peeking over her shoulder.)

Dear Family & Friends,

Earlier this week we had to postpone our return to the US as Helene had become too weak to make the trip. We decided that, given the stresses of travel, the comforts & stability of our home here in Galmi, and the supportive entourage we have here, it would be better for all of us to stay here and simply enjoy this time God has given us as a family.

Last night, from here in Niger, Jesus took Helene to be with Him.
Yesterday, as we became aware that this would be our last day with her, the three children and I gathered around her bedside and sang Helene’s favorite hymn: Oh Sacred Head Once Wounded. This hymn became her favorite at the end of her senior year in high school. During the 4th verse, the kids and I talked about the paradox of “dying safely”. The words “safe” and “dying” don’t usually go together. But today they fit together very appropriately.
I invite you meditate on the words of this hymn along with us. We’ll be singing it again tomorrow at her funeral.

I could never have asked for a more perfect wife, mother of my children, or partner in ministry.
She is already greatly missed.

It is difficult to know how to pray at this time. Sometimes, when I find myself at a loss for words, I just ask God to listen to your prayers, since we know that you are interceding on our behalf. Thank you for this.

Reassured by what is certain,
Christopher

The Dream Team and Sai Wata Rana

This is a picture of the Operating Room staff whom Ben worked with all month. These guys don't speak English and Ben certainly doesn't speak Hausa, but they worked extremely well together. The men could anticipate what Ben needed even before he asked for it. And, when Ben was almost finished with the surgery,the men would tell him to go to the next surgery and they would "close" (sew up the incisision) in order to get Ben to the next surgery as quickly as possible. These guys don't even have high school educations but they have learned well through "on the job training."

On our day of departure, just as Ben and I were walking to the airstrip, we came out of our house to find these seven men waiting to say goodbye. Ben and I were overwhelmed with emotion to think that these men thought enough of Ben to walk down from the hospital just to say goodbye. And they all stood waving, along with all the missionaries, the tailor, and many local women and children, as our little single-engine plane flew into the sky taking us back to America. Sai wata rana Galmi. (Goodbye Galmi).

Beautiful Women and New Shirts

Picture #1: These women kept watching me and I finally, through "sign language," asked if they wanted me to take their picture. They smiled and nodded. Picture #2: Joel, Drew and Evan in their tailor made shirts.

My favorite Little Boy and the Tailor

"Out of Africa"

We are out of Africa, but I wanted to post a few more pictures that people have asked to see. I didn't get a picture of goats on a van, but I did manage to snap this picture of COWS on a van! (Yes, they're alive!) Can you believe it?

It Takes a Village

Blog #12 (FINAL) from Galmi, Niger, West Africa (#1-11 are below this blog)

Ben is now a plastic surgeon. He was on call the other night and a man come to the hospital after being in a motorcycle accident (maybe he was distracted by the goat in the back seat!). He had to stitch up the man’s nose. Ben says he was very nervous, but truth be told, I think Ben slightly enjoyed the change of pace – he is usually working at the “other end” of the body. Now that Ben knows plastic surgery, I told him to start working on me!

We leave Niger tomorrow (Friday) and arrive in Ohio on Saturday. Here are some statistics from our trip:

Statistics for our month in Niger:
Number of surgeries Ben did: 80 (including 28 c-sections)
Number of people hearing the gospel of Jesus for the first time: 100’s
Gallons of water our family drank: 60+
Times Carrie cried: 63!
Rolls of toilet paper used: 16 – we’ve had a few episodes of the “Galmi Gallops”
Lizards “caught”: 1
Lizards Joel saw “wrestling”: 2
College guys Ben “converted” to Ob/Gyn: 1
Mosquito bites: only 5!
Goats in or on a vehicle: 10
Snakes seen: 1
Spiders in our house: NONE (that we’ve seen – maybe some have seen us!)
Samosas eaten: 40

Since I whined in an earlier blog (O.K., so maybe I whined in several blogs), I started thinking that I should appreciate how nice I’ve had it here in Niger: I haven’t once had to mow the lawn; I never make the beds (why bother?); Tanti Robbie does my laundry for me; and we have a pool 50 feet from our house. Plus we see a lot more of Ben/Dad than we do back in the states. Maybe we should stay….Naw! You all would miss us too much!

This is my final blog from Africa and I want to leave you with a few thoughts.

Lois (one of the other missionaries) and I sat down for a “debriefing session” this week. Lois is in charge of hospitality at the SIM compound – she welcomes new comers, arranges meals and houses and also lends an ear when needed (bonus: she has a counseling background). Through our conversation I discovered that Lois feels much of the same way I have felt about my stay here in Galmi – she said she’s not a doctor or a nurse or even someone providing direct care or education to the Hausa people. Sometimes she questions her contribution as a missionary. However, in the same breath Lois is telling me how valuable my contribution is because I am here supporting Ben who is providing direct patient care. Do you see where I’m going here? Without Lois here, I would have been on the first plane back to Ohio. “It takes a village,” or should I say, “It takes a compound.” Lois supported me this month, while I supported Ben, while he provided a service to the hospital so that peoples’ quality of life could be improved and so the local evangelists could give the gospel message to the Hausa people.

That’s where YOU come in! You don’t need to be a doctor or a nurse to be used on the mission field. You could have the gift of hospitality or be an electrician, or a teacher or a building contractor or maybe you’re a “support” person. It takes all of us to improve the lives of others and to spread the good news of Jesus. Don’t underestimate what you can contribute to people all over the world. Jesus’ “Great Commission” from Mark 16:15 is “Go into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” That message wasn’t just for medical personnel or pastors, it was for all of us! And the message isn’t just for the “young.” Dorothy, one of the missionaries here, is 80 years old and her prayer request the other day was that God would show her where she should serve next. Wow! What an inspiration to all of us.

If you are interested in expanding your horizons, following the Great Commission and improving the lives of others, talk to Ben or me – we can point you in the right direction (or check out the SIM website at www.SIM.org ) I’ll even pass along some bug spray!

If you are a physician, or know someone who is, Galmi is in desperate need of general surgeons, plastic surgeons, ob/gyns, neonatologists, and internal medicine and family practice doctors. All are needed short term or long term. Ben and I know many people who would be eternally grateful for your help.

Thank you for reading and responding to my blogs! Writing has been cathartic for me, and the many posts and emails I’ve received from you have gotten me through the rough spots of our stay in Africa. I sincerely thank you!

It’s so hot in Galmi that a summer in Ohio sounds appealing! See you soon!

Carrie

The Chicken and Samosa Lady

Here is Rabi selling chickens and samosas (holding "Flat Stanley")

Local People

Top picture: "Maternity Ward" at Galmi SIM Hospital. Bottom picture: Local children in town. The girl on the left is selling peanuts. Children love having their picture taken -- especially if they can see it on the digital camera.

Houses

The first is a picture of a local house in Galmi. The second is a picture of the house where our family stayed on the SIM compound.

Polygamy? Count Me In!

Blog #11 from Galmi, Niger, West Africa (#1-10 below this blog)

I’m doing better today. If you couldn’t tell from my last blog, I’ve been battling “the blues” and guilt for feeling low. I got so many wonderful posts and emails from many of you – thanks! You truly lifted my spirits.

Now, on to more important matters: polygamy. During our stay here we’ve learned that many local men have more than one wife. I was originally appalled by this thought for my own family – Ben having another woman living with us. Then, after having the samosa/chicken lady come by weekly and three weeks of Tanti Rabi hand-washing all of our clothes, I’ve been “enlightened.” If Ben wants another wife, that’s fine with me – as long as she can cook or clean, I’m “in.”

In Niger, it’s the beginning of the rainy season and thus planting season. The other doctors and hospital personnel keep telling Ben how slow the hospital is right now because people don’t want to leave their towns / farms to come to the hospital – they have to get their crops planted. That doesn’t mean people don’t need surgery or that they don’t need to come to the hospital, they just don’t come because planting takes precedence. The one little 6-year-old girl who broke her leg is still lying here in her hospital bed, but only due to a lot of convincing from Dr. Christopher. Her father wanted to take her home (they live quite a distance from the hospital) because 1) he needed to plant his crops and 2) he was running out of money and resources to feed himself and his daughter during the hospital stay. Dr. Christopher contacted the local church and they are now making two meals a day for the girl and her father! This act of love convinced the father to allow his daughter to stay until her leg is healed.

Ben has had a rough weekend. On Friday he did a surgery removing a large tumor from a 10-year-old girl’s belly. All weekend he has been managing her care and doing everything he knows to do with very little resources. On Saturday she spiked a fever and began having seizures. Malaria? Brain tumor? The blood tests were negative for malaria and there is no MRI or CAT scan available to look for brain tumors. In the states, Ben would never have done a surgery like this and there would have been numerous physicians managing her care including a pediatrician, oncologist, internal medicine specialist, etc. It is so frustrating for Ben to watch someone suffer without having the resources to help. When Ben arrived at the hospital this morning, he was told that last night at 9 p.m. the little girl died. Could her life have been saved? We’ll never know.

I’ve added some photos of us in Galmi. Don’t laugh at my picture – this was the best I looked all month!

Me!

Here it is -- what you've all been waiting for. Am I "hot" or what? (Can you see the sweat dripping down my face?)

White Family Photo

Here we are, me minus my head wrap, in front of the SIM compound church / community center. My dress was handmade by a local tailor -- for $6!

From My Heart

Blog #10 from Galmi, Niger, West Africa (#1-9 below this blog)

I’m really ready to come home but we have six more days left. At night I’ve been getting in bed telling myself, “one more day down.” It saddens me to feel this way because I know it’s very selfish and whimpy, but I want my own bed, I want to open a closet door without being worried a lizard or a spider will be in there, I want my own bathroom and a clean house (OK, my house isn’t that clean, but it doesn’t get as dusty and dirty as this house gets). I’m tired of feeling hot, dirty and stinky. I’m tired of feeling sweat trickling down my back or dripping into my eyes. I’m just plain tired.

To all the mothers: Do you know those times when you go to bed at night and tell yourself, “Today I was a good mom”? I’ve been crying a lot lately because I haven’t had one of those days since I’ve been here. I am extremely impatient and grumpy with the boys and have so little energy that even playing with them is difficult. And the last thing I want to do is cuddle with one of them on my lap because of the heat.

Ben goes to work at the hospital and everyone loves him – he’s the “hero” – he is helping people and doing what he loves in a country that desperately needs doctors. I, however, am doing the exact same thing that I do at home – taking care of the house and children – and I’m not doing it well. Locals and other missionaries thank me for coming. Thank you? For what?! I’m not contributing anything. My “job” doesn’t matter, except to Ben and the boys, and I’m failing. Yesterday Ben walked in from work and I had just sat down and begun to cry. It’s a constant struggle trying to keep my spirits up and I’m not doing that well either.

Please – I don’t want a bunch of emails telling me, “Oh Carrie, you’re a good mother…etc.” I haven’t been and I’m not looking for pats on the back – I’m trying to tell you my reality – my heart.

I just want to go home and be a good mom. Maybe I’ll be a better mom because of this experience. I don’t know. I do know God called our family here (after all, He provided Kit Kat bars and Bounty paper towels) and I know God has a plan for my life. People tell me that true peace comes when you’re in the center of God’s will for your life. Ben has peace, I don’t. Does that mean I’m not supposed to be here? No, I don’t believe that at all. I need God’s peace in my life, a “peace that passes all understanding.” (“Then God's peace, which goes beyond anything we can imagine, will guard your thoughts and emotions through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7)

Thank you for reading my blog and for allowing me to be completely honest.

Lizard update: I think the lizard I “caught” recognizes me – there is one lizard that's been glaring at me and I think it's him. He is about 8 inches long but almost became a 2 by 4! I get woozy every time I think of it.

Lizard Mishap and Introductions

Blog #9 from Galmi, Niger, West Africa (#1-8 below this blog)

Our three boys were playing with a local child this morning when I had a very close encounter with a lizard. Rasheed noticed an 8-inch lizard caught between the closed bedroom window and the screen, so I took it upon myself to free him. In order to free the lizard, I had to quickly open the little “doggie door” in the screen and push open the window. I cautiously opened the screen and as quickly as possible I pushed open the window. However, the lizard was faster than me! It jumped toward the open screen “door” just as I slammed it shut pinning the lizard in the door! I’m screaming and shivering all at the same time (I might add that this is the first time I’ve shivered at 100 degrees Fahrenheit). There is the lizard – half it’s body inside my bedroom and the other half hanging out the screen door. I knew if I slammed the screen down hard, I’d cut the lizard in half and I sure didn’t want this mess, plus, I didn’t want to traumatize my audience too much. But, if I let go of the screen I’d have a lizard in the bedroom. Screaming, I told the four kids to go get help, but I knew my three boys didn’t know where to go so I, in my best “sign language” told Rasheed to go get help – “go get a man,” I said as I gestured for him to go get someone tall. All four boys went running out of the house while I precariously held the screen closed (not too tight, but not too loose). Finally, after what seemed like an eternity but was probably only 60 seconds, in walked my Hausa Hero! Laughing, he grabbed the lizard by the neck (as the lizard opened his mouth like he would bite if he had teeth!) and took him outside – where lizards belong! Ten minutes later Ben came down the walk and all four kids went running to tell him the story of Mom and the lizard mishap. Rasheed doesn’t speak a lick of English, but he watched and understood the entire retelling of the story about the white lady and her lizard.

Now on to goats: I saw another goat going at high-speeds, but not on a van – this time a passenger on the back of a motorcycle was holding it. “Gee, the Nigeriens must really be attached to their goats,” I thought. Then I asked a local about the importance of goats – they EAT them! And all along I thought they were traveling with the family pet.

Yesterday I bought raw beef from the back of a motorcycle – at least that’s what they told me it was! There is very little refrigeration available, so the cow is slaughtered in the morning and then the man on the motorcycle drives around the SIM compound selling beef. We don’t get to choose a chuck roast or a steak – it’s just “beef.”

I got to go to the market again yesterday. “Everyone wants to say hello to the white man.” My escort didn’t need to tell me, it was quite obvious. Some children wanted to touch me and others were afraid and went running when I said, “sannu” (hello). Now, if being white was not enough to attract stares, I managed with all my grace and charm, to trip on a rock and almost fall on my face. Thank God I was able to save myself from a complete fall, but not from total embarrassment.

The markets are very much like one of our farmer’s markets where vendors sell everything from food and drinks, to clothing and perfume. However, one “booth” caught my eye in particular because from it I heard the cries of a baby. I glanced over very briefly to see a man with a knife cutting small marks into a baby’s cheek. My escort, Rahilla, and I quickly walked away. She explained that in Niger Muslim culture the leader of the church cuts tribal marks into each baby’s face. I had previously noticed these markings on most adults in the village but did not know the origination. One of the missionaries later told me that after cutting the face, ashes are rubbed into the wounds and some babies get severe infections and can become permanently disfigured from this ritual.

Ben was called to the hospital two nights ago to do a c-section; the baby was wedged far into the birth canal and stuck. The c-section was so difficult for Ben that he was literally drenched in sweat, even in an air-conditioned operating room. Ben pulled and pulled to get the baby out, but during this process he noticed no movement from the baby. After struggling for a considerable amount of time, Ben finally freed the baby, but he had died. Ben assumed the baby had died long before the c-section, but there is no way to tell. As an obstetrician in America most of Ben’s experiences are happy ones, with good outcomes. But not in Galmi. Ben was devastated at the loss of life that night, but no one else in the room seemed phased – in Niger, infant mortality rates are so high, it’s almost expected.

I went to the hospital a few days ago because I wanted to find out what the local evangelists experience. I met with Nana. We had our conversation through a translator which made it a little difficult, but I was able to learn a lot. She told me she preaches in the various “wards” (i.e. maternity, surgery, etc.) and people are open to hearing about the gospel, but most hear it without making life changes. There are, on occasion, people who give their lives to Jesus Christ, but it’s very difficult for people who are hearing about Jesus for the first time to make a commitment to Him. I told Nana I would ask people to pray for her and for the “seeds” she is planting.

I’d like to introduce the other missionaries here with SIM. The long-term, lifetime missionaries are:
Christopher and his wife, Helene, and their three children ages 6, 10 and 13. He is the Chief Medical Officer of the SIM hospital here and is a Family Practice doctor, but since he has been in Niger on and off for 17 years, he can now do just about anything! They are from Klamath Falls, Oregon.
Esther is from Germany and works as an Obstetrician.
Henri is a Family Practice doctor and is also France.
Jeannie is from California and works in Community Health. Jeannie goes into the villages and the “bush” to teach the locals about health issues such as AIDS awareness, how to get clean water, when to go to the hospital (many locals try to have their babies at home and need to be educated about when a labor is going poorly and they need to get help), breastfeeding and more. She also has local Christians share their testimony at gatherings.
Genevieve is from Singapore. She works with the local youth, and this Saturday she will move into a mud hut in town to have more of an influence on the locals.
Dorothy, 80 years old, teaches Hausa to missionaries and hopes to teach English to the locals. She also works as a translator.

Ben and I have also had the pleasure of meeting many short-term missionaries. David and Lois, here for one year, are from New Zealand as “operations” people – David oversees the SIM compound/property and works in maintenance and building projects. Lois is in charge of hospitality – she gets the houses and apartments ready for new occupants and arranges welcome meals for new-comers like Ben and me!
Norman, from Northern Ireland, works with David on building projects.
Alice, 77 years old, is Helene’s mother (Doctor Christopher’s mother-in-law) and is here to help their family and to care for her daughter. Helene is dying of skin cancer. She wants to stay here, in Galmi, because this is where she feels God wants her and her family, but her health is very unstable – some days she feels good and other days the pain is so bad she cannot get out of bed. Please pray for Helene and her family.

Finally, there are three college guys (Jared, Michael and George) here from the United States and Canada. They are here for the summer working on building projects, computer programs and Michael (who is a son of a missionary family from Niamey, Niger), is starting a soccer program for local children where he organizes teams and shares the gospel.

These three guys gave Ben and me the best anniversary ever! On June 23 Ben and I celebrated 17 years of marriage. “The guys” offered to baby-sit while Ben and I went to the SIM compound Community Center to watch a movie by ourselves (bonus: the TV room is air-conditioned!). After the movie, we came home and the guys told us to leave with the kids while they made us dinner! One hour later, we returned home, put the kids to bed and enjoyed a romantic dinner of beef and onions, rice, gravy, green beans, and mango lycees (a special drink made with milk, yogurt and mangos). The guys even made heart-shaped ice cubes for our drinks! Now aren’t these quality people?! Two of the men are single and going to medical school.

It’s so hot in Galmi, my pillow has no “cold side.” I frequently flip my pillow at night hoping the other side will be cooler. It doesn’t work.

Eternal Purpose

Blog #8 from Galmi, Niger, West Africa (#1-7 below this blog)

One of the most difficult things for me here in Niger is not seeing first-hand an eternal purpose. Our mission here is two-fold: to heal the sick and to heal hearts by introducing people to Jesus Christ. On a daily basis Ben sees women (and a few men too!) who are better off because he is here. He sees long-term pain being relieved through surgeries and babies being delivered by c-section who might otherwise not have made it without his presence. He also sees local evangelists praying with each patient before and after surgery. Ben sees lives being changed. The only change I’m seeing is within me.

I am experiencing strong growing pains. My heart hurts that I am such a spoiled American. The Nigeriens are extremely hard workers and they never utter a word of complaint. Every time I see Maria, one local friend I have made, she gives me a huge grin and asks me how I’m doing. How am I doing?! I’m hot, tired, lonely and frequently frustrated with the kids. But I’m the one living in a Galmi mansion (at least that’s the way it must look to the her) with food in the refrigerator and ceiling fans; she lives in a house that could get destroyed with the next heavy rain. I push my kids around in a stroller; she carries Abednego, her five-month-old, on her back – while she’s working. But Maria, she never complains. I tell her, “You have a hard life.” She just says, “Oh, Carrie.”

I saw Maria singing in the church choir today. She is a life that was changed because of the outreach of SIM. She is the reason we are here yet she is ministering to me.

Speaking of church…I went for the first time this morning and boy was I gorgeous! I had my new Niger dress and head wrap on! “And don’t forget to put on earrings." Alice told me, "all the women wear earrings.” (Of course I’ll include a picture, as soon as I get it downloaded.) Church was very much like church at home – minus the air-conditioning, carpet, padded pews, English and deodorant! The instrument, a “drum,” was literally an empty old metal drum barrel but it sounded great! They did have a keyboard but didn’t use it much. The congregation sang, the youth choir sang, the women’s choir sang, the children’s choir sang, the women sang again, the youth sang again and then we all sang again. All the women were very dressed up and looked beautiful in all their colored fabric and head wraps to match their dresses.

Everyone is up from their naps – I must go. More later on our 17th wedding anniversary dinner – the best one we’ve ever had! And congratulations to my brother Mark and his wife Robbon who are expecting their second girl! (Why can’t I have a girl?! To quote my children, “It’s not fair.”)

High 5 and Baby-sitters

Evan teaching a patient how to give a high 5.

Drew and his "baby-sitters." These are the ladies we met upon first arriving at Galmi. They took his stick away from him and he was quite confused.