Well it's Sunday night and we have electricity, water, AND internet connection so it's time to write some more.  Sorry about yesterday, but we do live on the Dark Side of the Moon.

Yesterday morning we took off for a yard sale put on by a group of missionaries each year. It was a fifteen minute walk from Shiloh.   We had lots of fun, saw lots of friends, and came home with some useful goodies.  Doris hit the jack-pot as she is the same size as a missionary who was selling off a lot of dresses.  Francis found a pair of new shoes for his little girl for just 1.000 F.  Guy found a lovely quilt.  Someone gave Doris a free necklace and a headband (Pocahontas style).  She was thrilled.  People don't realize how little things can mean so much to a person.

When we got back home Guy took off to help his brother.  Arestid was "knocking on the door" yesterday afternoon.  It's the most scary part of the whole engagement, getting married process.  It starts with finding a girl you want to spend the rest of your life with.  He found a lovely young lady who is a strong Christian.  He brought her to us and very formally introduced us.  She's beautiful  But then a date is set and the man brings some of his family members, along with the "head" of his family, to visit the lady's family.  They come bearing a large bag of rice, wine, and lots of other food.  Money has been sent on ahead to the future mother-in-law.  She will buy special food and a group women relatives from their side of the house will cook a meal.  The gifts are brought into the house and set down in front of the father, or the male head of the family.  Then everyone sits down opposite each other and the grilling begins.  The girls family can ask any question they want.  At a certain point the girl herself comes into the room.  She is very shy and beautiful and does not say a word.  Finally her family head stands up and declares that they will accept to give their daughter to this young man in marriage.  Next comes the presentation of the "dreaded list".  The list is the official list of everything the family wants for the bride price.  They can ask for anything at all.  Unfortunately now days it gets pretty pricey.  Then they eat a meal together and the man's family leaves.  Soon they will have their family meeting to decide who will buy what item and when they will again meet to bring all the gifts together.  Once everything is gathered (and it can take months) a date is again set with the girls family.  Then a larger group of both families will gather for the paying of the bride price.  We might be invited to that event.  We were barred from knocking on the door as our white skin would have upped the bride price considerably.

Today things were quiet at Shiloh so I got to go to church.  I walked the fifteen minutes to church as was blessed as always.  We are so grateful for our wonderful church.  It's all in French so you probably wouldn't understand it.  One of the songs was "You are my delight" which describes my relationship with God perfectly.  I delight in Him in every way.  During announcement time we were told that the most important announcement is that Jesus Christ is coming back soon.  We were instructed to go back to our houses and get everything ready.  He's coming soon to take us Home to Heaven.  It may be today.  During the pastoral prayer he told the Lord "We have sinned.  We have rebelled this week.  Wash us, purify us, make us fit for You."  Can't you see why we love our church?  Jim stayed home to guard the house.  It's not safe to leave Shiloh empty.  He has a hard time hearing the French message as the acoustics aren't that great, so he guards and I attend church.  But often we are both at Shiloh serving others.

I trust your Sunday has been a blessing for you.