Bonjour from Mali!

We are doing the usual here: french, french, french! We can now have a small (very small) conversation with the people we meet. Our professor said we are learning at the normal pace. I want to be able to speak more, but I have to realize that we have only been here for a month. Pray that we would retain what we have learned and can pick up more quickly.

We had our first African guest over for dinner last week. Our neighbor came over and ate peanut sauce and rice with us. This is a very common dish here, and Jon and Autumn think it is the best. They compare it to a Sonic burger. (it doesn't compare!) We are blessed to have this family that has taken us in and is teaching us the culture and language. On Saturday nights, Jon goes out and drinks tea with the men and their dog, Bob (such an american name for a dog;-) from 10 pm to around 1 am. I don't know what he can talk about for 3 hours since he isn't fluent in french, but you know Jon, he can talk! Of course, it does help that the neighbor knows some english.

Autumn is homeschooling and learning french along with us. I am glad that they have her attend all the french classes because she will be a vital part of the ministry. We haven't married her off yet! The other missionaries ask us if we have received any marriage proposals for her, and we say no, well not that we understood anyway! Autumn says, "If anyone is talking about me, always say no," to be safe.

Jon has been taking me out and teaching me to drive a stick shift. This is not something that I am excited about, but our leaders want the women to be able to know how to drive in case of an emergency. I am driving around the soccer stadium parking lot and am not in any hurry to get out on that crazy road! We really need to get a video of the driving to post on here!

We went shopping today for some skirts and the man at the shop made Jon try on an African outfit (he actually put the shirt over his head). In the end, Jon bought the outfit. I have posted a picture of Jon wearing it. It looks like pjs to me. I am proud of myself though, I was able to buy myself a dress and bargain the price. The man gave me a price, and I offered him half. He said no and I said ok, I don't need it. He waited a little while and decided that I meant it and came back and said I could have it for my price. That is how you shop here, they see a white person and put the price way up there, you have to be willing to walk away if they won't take your price. I have also posted a picture of me and Autumn dressed for church on Sunday.

Oh, we got to eat at our first fast food (not too fast though) restaurant this past week. We ate at the Broadway Cafe and had cheeseburgers, philly steak, fries and a CHOCOLATE milkshake. Yum! I think we will be going back soon!

Thanks for all your comments and prayers. Keep them coming!

In Christ,

Teresa