Tuesday

Today was completely different than any day I have spent in Africa.  We got up super early this morning to travel to Yaloke - a three hour trip one way.  We were very thankful for the air conditioning in the truck, remarkably smooth roads, and great company on the way.

While in Yaloke we visited Emmanuel, the Hand in Hand School Coordinator.  (Hand in Hand schools partner an American church with an African church to provide an orphan school that meets at the church for those students who live too far away from the orphan care centers in Bangui.)  Emmanuel was in a motorcycle accident last Monday and could have died.  His injuries on his legs and arms were awful looking.  He had seven stitches in his knee.
Then we visited the Hand in Hand school at the Yaloke Grace Brethren Church.  We were able to give the students Christmas cards from kids in the States, cookies, candy, and lots of smiles. 

On the way home we stopped at the only tourist destination in the country - the Waterfalls.  It was so beautiful and so peaceful.  Truly a great reminder of God's amazing creation.

We ended the day having supper at Dr. Ngoumape's house.  We had a great dinner sitting outside under the stars.  We had chicken, beef shish kebabs with onions and peppers, rice with a tomato sauce, cold veggie salad with tomatoes, peas, cucumbers, and corn, leaves of the gozo plant - it was sort of like creamed spinach, bread, and pineapple for dessert.  The food was great and the company was great too.  Dr. Ngoumape and his wife Claire said to pass on greetings to the church.  They remembered their time with us this fall fondly.