And voila! Here's my new African outfit. I wore it to the store yesterday and got great feedback. A random guy on the street was like, "Madame! You are so well dressed. It's wonderful!" And the ladies in the bakery exclaimed, "Just like an African!" I enjoyed it since most of the time you just get stared at or hassled for money.

Here's a closer look at some of the details. The tailor pretty much thought most of it up on her own. I just kind of said what kind of sleeves I wanted and the shape of the neckline. Unfortunately, the yellow ribbon is now sort of greenish after washing it!

This weekend I flew to Pointe-Noire, Congo's big coastal city, for the dedication of the New Testament that was recently completed in a trade language called Munukutuba. I felt really lucky to be a part of the celebration and it was a great way to kick off my work here in Africa.

Here's me and my friend Elizabeth getting ready for the parade that would kick off the celebration. We carried banners with verses about God's Word in Munukutuba.

This is an evangelical choir. They sang at the dedication ceremony. I think Africans really like uniforms.

The parade was made alive with this brass marching band.

We wore these grey t-shirts with a Munukutuba verse on the back and a picture of their Bible on the front.

On Sunday some of us met up with some missionaries from other organizations and went to the beach.

I guess the missionaries that work in Pointe-Noire own or rent this great little "beach house." It's right on the beach and there are little cabins for changing or sleeping or storing stuff. It was great sitting in this shaded area. We had quite a feast too.

This huge church where we had the ceremony was really impressive. I'd say it seated at least 3,000 people.

We ate shark!! I love adventures in eating...so long as it tastes good :o) This tasted great. It's like fish.

I boogie boarded for like 2 hours. Fun!

Yes, I felt quite spoiled. It was beautiful.

Flying into Brazzaville. It's jungly in Congo!

Adventures in Airplanes

Just returned from a weekend trip to Pointe-Noire for a New Testament dedication. Amongst the many new experiences I had, top ranking has to go to flying domestically on an African budget airline. I think my favorite thing was the goat-in-a-bag amongst the checked luggage. Or the 70's couch upholstery on the seats. Or the fact that they'd check a few of our passports and then just decide that we all must be OK and not check the rest. Or the bananas going around on the conveyor belt. Or the people riding the conveyor belt back to find their baggage for themselves! Other than that, it was pretty much a normal flight :o)

I was so proud to buy my first pagne! (pronounced "pawn-yuh"). Tomorrow I get to go to the tailor's and pick up the outfit I had made! Watch for pics of me in African garb coming soon...

Lucky me, though we live in a part of town that doesn't have much going on especially in the way of food, we do live just up the street from a French bakery and icecream store! Every Sunday night after our time of singing and sharing together, we head down for some cones and a little airconditioning. This is my British colleague Gabrielle who is orienting with me and Lee, a Swiss girl tutoring the kids of a family here.

Every Thursday we eat an African meal together at the center. That brown lump is called foufou. It is made from manioc. You pinch off a piece in your fingers and dip it in the sauce of whatever you're eating. It's OK, but it's just a filler so not too exciting.