Banana and Bambi in Africa

My parents arrived in Africa this week and Ellie and I are SO HAPPY they are here to see us and our life here!!! In the weeks previous to their arrival, Ellie and I studied pictures of them and worked on saying, “Grandma and Grandpa,” but the closest Ellie has gotten so far is “Banana” (grandma) and “Bambi” (grandpa)…which is actually pretty hilarious, so we might just stick with that.

It’s always interesting when “two worlds collide” (Iowa and Africa), but also really good. I think mom and dad are enjoying finally being able to put faces to the many names they’ve heard, and see first hand the places I’ve tried to describe to them on the phone. We’re just enjoying hanging out with them and showing them around!

Yesterday I was able to take my parents to the hospital where we found Ellie. I’m so thankful they were able to see where Ellie spent her first few weeks of life, and where myself and friends prayed and took care of her…clueless as we were!  On Thursday mom and dad came to my meeting with the women and got to see what’s happening there as well. Some women from my home church helped get together aprons for all the women I work with that had the name of the association printed on the front. Mom and Dad got to hand those out at Thurday’s meeting, and the ladies were pretty excited. The kids that were hanging around got excited about looking at pictures on mom’s digital camera and rubbing dad’s hairy arms!  

Banana and Bambi have been great at going with the flow of African life, and putting up with the heat and little cultural quirks.  One more week of adventures to come! Here’s a couple pics…