They are following me...

Just opened Google this morning, and for a while it has been in french - I thought b/c sometimes Gabonese use my computer and need it in french, but this morning it said Google Gabon! My old boss used to say that "it's not paranoia if they are really after you"!

Medical Caravan

Thought I would post a few pics of one of our recent medical clinics. It is near here, take a right at IAI (pronounced E ... short A.. and E again, kind of like in the song "Old McDonald had a farm...").

Here is a picture of Mama Edith giving an eye exam before the patient gets their consultation.

This is Mama Josephine who does the consultation. She is a nurse specializing in the eyes. She only uses one of those handheld light things. All the consulting we do is pretty basic stuff... if they need more attention we forward them to a hospital.

Mama Christine (standing) and Mama Perrine, both are here at the "prescription counter"... sorry the picture is a little fuzzy but I liked their smiles in this one! For some reason Christine reminds me of Nicole C. Mullins.

Here is Erican, one of the nurses, that does consulting... in his makeshift office. You do with what you have.

So I was with Joseph when he went to this cartier (sp?) to give them a letter about the medical clinic. I stayed in the truck while he went to see the chief (chef). Before he left he told this 16 year old girl to be my security... and she took him seriously (she doesn't know Joseph very well :). I soon got out of the truck - too hot - to go check out this monkey in a cage about 30 feet away from the truck. (I was not in a dangerous area, it was during the day, and a lot of people were around.) Well she decided to start following me - she is very good at this security thing and I think she might have a future in it! It just made me giggle so when we went back for the medical clinic I got a picture with her. Her name is Monet... or at least it sounds like that.

Not ready yet

Apparently this little guy is not ready to come out yet... one of my many mango worms! Mama Jeanine tried squeezing him out today, but he isn't ready - phewy! He's kind of getting on my nerves! There is a pinching sensation every now and then, like now... give me a minute... and they itch! Can you see his little black head? I was hoping today was going to be the day, but I guess not... oh well. Maybe tomorrow...

Anna's last week

Just a few things I wanted to mention about Anna's last week...

Ok, first a short snipit about Anna in general... my one word to describe her is FUN! She got me into watching the Misadventures of Flapjack... a strange show at first but somehow it pulls you in. She and I had a few good conversations, but wishing we had had more...

One of the ladies who works at the Eye clinic (where Anna worked when she was here), had us over to dinner last Friday. Anna had made hints about having Monkey, but it turned out we had crocodile instead - actually a good meat once you pull off the 1/4 of fat. Also we had worms that Mama Jeanine normally eats when she works on her plantation. They look like the grub worms that infest sweet potatoes back home! Those were not as good and it turned out both of us had to choke them down! After dinner there was a little dancing - always a good time with that group!!

We went to Point Denis for her last beach day on Saturday! She and the kids jumped off the pier about 15 times!!! It's quite a swim from the end of the pier to the beach so I think it was a good workout! Ok this has nothing to do with Anna, but while we were in the water... which as you can see is pretty clear... there was this fish that kept circling me - we named him Jared (another great fish name - just like Reggie). Now I should explain that Jared was only about 2 inches long, so we were not exactly afraid of him - but he was a daring fish... but not a loyal one, he soon left me for others in the group! It turned out to be beautiful day (thought of you Meredith and how much you would have liked it!) and Anna got a good sun burn to take home with her to snowy NY.

Francais from here on out...

Anna has left me now (the last of the Americans). So from here on out it will be French in the house... I will be teaching them English when I can work it in, but since there are three of them, I think I will be speaking French. Mama Jeanine and Pastor Jean Marc (pictured here as the cutest Gabonese couple!) thought it best if a few people stayed with me, so now there are two guys living downstairs and a woman staying with me upstairs.
Side story on them: Mama Jeanine is the woman who runs the clinic that we work with here - have I told you about mobile clinics before? We go to villages in and around Libreville and do basic medical consultations for general health and eyes. She looks like she is - cute! She makes me laugh, she's sweet, thoughtful, and giving... but she can also be a fireball! She is not afraid to take charge and straighten out rough situations!
Pastor Jean Marc is shy when you first meet him, and doesn't say much... to be honest I didn't warm up to him as fast. Well it turns out that he is a great guy - more of the strong silent type, but can be just as silly and cute as Mama Jeanine! What a cute couple! He is the Director of the Samaritan's Purse Shoebox for Gabon so I may have mentioned him in previous blogs on that subject. He also runs an organization that helps handicapped children (so you know that endears him to me!). He knows somebody everywhere he goes - definitely a people person! Give him some time you'll warm up to him too!

Meredith Update (but you might enjoy it too!)

Okay Meredith here's an update... thought others might be curious on day to day as well so here it is! This won't be in any particular order, but just as I remember it. Gave Titus a bath today and put him in his kennel for a little while to dry. (see photo) Of course when he got out he got back dirty again, but his fur does feel softer! I gave Gentile her Frontline treatment today, still waiting for Bandit to show up for his... I'll get him tonight when he comes for supper! Here's also a picture of Gentile eating, she's actually been really good except for seeming a little clingy. Titus prefers to eat in the afternoon now... don't know if it is the heat or what??!! But he is eating!

We went to the Kings the other night for supper! Had fun but forgot to take Sequence so they are coming over here for dinner Monday night.

I actually forgot to take pictures Thanksgiving, but I think Anna took a couple, I'll get some from her and pass them on!

Life is tres calme here, but we are slowly filling up the schedule so it's not just Anna and I staring at each other. Monday night a girl Sangoye knows came over and we spoke English. She told me a quick version of her life story and how she has many questions about God... we are supposed to meet again next week - please pray for our time (her name is Chanie). A few of the girls from Nzong were supposed to come over today, but we had French and they didn't want to come after 3pm, so they are supposed to come Tuesday.

Next week is my last week of English class for level 1!!! We talked about them continuing on to level 2, but I think they are a little hesitant... so we decided that the Tuesday after next they should take the test (didn't take it in the first place) and that would be able to tell me if they are really ready for level 2... I think they are! The printer guy is supposed to come tomorrow and take a look at our yard sale one... called him today just to confirm.

Mama Jeanine came to English class Thursday and I think she is feeling better! She has invited Anna and I to work out in the bush, but it won't be this Saturday, maybe next. She also talked about eating what sounded like grub worms. I was able to work it into the lesson on "might/may/maybe" by saying "I might eat insects." It was funny... they loved it!!!

I had called the salad guy earlier in the week and he said he would have some stuff Friday... so he came by this morning with his wheelbarrow. I bought a few heads of lettuce (which reminds me I need to wash them!), some tomatoes, and some green leafs that start with an "F". Mama Justine showed me how to prepare them today!!! They were good... think I might have to do that again!

That's about all I can think of right now... we all miss you and hope you are doing well!!

Shout out!

Just wanted to give a shout out to all the people that follow my blog! Just saw that I had 14 followers! I like the number 14, mostly because it is my birthday, but also because it is 2x7... 7 is really my favorite number. Anyway... I also want to give a shoutout to those who may not officially follow my blog but I suspect do anyway... like my mom... pretty sure since I am in Africa she is following it!! And one of my other "mothers" Meg who has made comments from time to time! To all who follow my blog whether "officially" or not... I love you! And I miss you! Just wanted you to know that!

leanne