July Home

DD was home to us from July 2 to August 2.

Took a hike one Sunday a.m. to overlook the city.

The purpose for our being in DD was to immerse ourselves deeper into the language and culture of our pg.  This particular city is home to a majority of our pg.  The city itself is very charming compared to the capitol city where we live.  However, it is not a city of convenience for westerners. It was a bit of change having to use buckets of water to flush toilets, use squatty pottys, cold showers only, not have reliable access to internet, or power for that matter; shopping meant a choice of three little marts and don't even ask where to buy cheese and butter because, you can't.  Another differences was the weather.  We went from daily temps of 70 to temps of 100. Lows of 50 were now lows of 75. Quite a change.  Especially considering we went many a night without power which meant no fan.  Admittedly, sleep was hard to come by.

But this hot weather is perfect for the much beloved animal of our people group, the camel.  Camels are their lifeline.  Camels provide not only milk, meat and transportation, but they also culturally provide for a groom when desiring a bride, or payment for the death of a man(100 for a man, 50 for a woman).

Camels came in from the country daily to drop off firewood.

 The treelined cobblestone roads in DD were so nice.

 The picture below shows downtown.  This was actually a quiet day now that I look at the pic.  But thankfully, amidst all the chaos of this city, HE is at work.  We were thankful to meet believers from all walks of life.  Believers who have been beaten, put in jail, fired from their job, or disowned by their family.  But believers who stand strong because of HIM.  Believers who stand strong for HIS SAKE.  Believers who continue to share boldly because, why shouldn't others know about this most wonderful gift?