Wow, has it already been a week since we left the US?! My goodness! Let’s continue where the story left off. So we got to Moz, stayed with some dear colleagues, and headed to Q on a 6+ hour trip to our language study city.

“What was your favorite part about traveling to Q?” I asked them while flipping through the pictures in my mind. Stick houses. Cement houses. Brick houses. Burnt houses (sadly). Tents. Abandoned houses. Open markets. Sand and wild brush everywhere. Young children wandering. Freedom found in piles of sand and water jug companions. Hours of balancing things on heads. (I even saw someone carrying a hand plow on their head!) Goats on shoulders on motorcyclists. Whole families piggy backing on a traffic-dodging Yamaha. Semi truck flatbeds overloaded with a blur of crates, chickens, people, farming tools, bags, groceries, water jugs and so much more. Sometimes we would pass a man sleeping on the top of a fully loaded cargo bundle on a semi bed. …

                          (yes, that’s my guitar strapped to the top of the car!)

The oldest three road with car seats ratchet-strapped into the trunk.

It was hot and bumpy so we had one car sickness victim who later enjoyed the Dramamine side effects. 😉

When surveyed independently each of their responses were the same: “Peeing in the portable potty outside” was the best part of the trip.

Did I mention that there are no public bathrooms in Moz? 😉

#kidworld

With settling in at the new house we also got a chance to see around a bit, visiting Rachael and Abi’s future school (by Feb 2017 since the school year ends soon), a local grocery, and city church. I’ll let the pictures share themselves. Enjoy!

Our House: (I am obviously not sharing the view from the street for security reasons. 😉

 

 

I love how bright and colorful Wanne made the girls bathroom with a cute shower curtain. Such thoughtfulness in making it a fun kid space.

Each bedroom has a bathroom and due to current preference and transitions, the girls are all sharing one room/bathroom.

They transition better together.

Rachael and Abi’s new school starting in early Feb 2017 (on the African school schedule).

A local grocery store (complete with frozen squid!):

 

And once we learn to drive (a stick on the lefthand side of the road) and the driving “rules”, here’s how we’ll ride in our new car (the exterior is also not pictured for security purposes). 😉

Yep, this week has been a blessing! We visited a city church this morning, but I’ll share about that later.

Up on the agenda for this week?

• our house helper joins the mix tomorrow and starts to get familiar with the kiddos
• Matt and I will start language school Wednesday or Thursday of this week
• and another week of settling, transitioning and getting used to our new norms.

Love you all, take care!