NEW HOUSE!

Many of you know that we are house sitting for a family this year. It was an enormous blessing to move into a furnished home, close to school, with just about anything and everything we would need in it.

In July, the family moves back and we have been on the hunt for a new home.

We found one across the street from the ocean. Amazing. We mentally 'moved in'. Then we saw another home which was close to school and many other perks.

We debated. We made pros & cons lists. We prayed. We recruited others to pray. We felt completely torn. We didn't feel a peace and kept wrestling with what to do. I liked one better, Marc liked the other.

Finally a week ago, I told a few ladies at Bible study that I just wanted someone to tell me which home to move into. That night, as I was giving the girls a bath, Marc walked in and said, "I've decided where we are going to live". I felt almost immediate peace about his decision. Having talked enough about it, he knew my heart and chose the home I was leaning towards.

This afternoon we were able to meet the landlord. He is a kind and gentle man and was willing to do all the 'upgrades' we asked about. Mainly we wanted a few additional safety features such as an added door to the hallway, bars across all the entrances and a grated in patio. He also plans to paint the interior and exterior (and we can choose colors!) and fix a few places that need repair.

In addition to our rent being $50/month cheaper than our current home, he is willing to take rent 6 months at a time instead of a full year! This is a HUGE answer to prayer. I'll be honest - while we are still so grateful for all the gifts, giving has been down (a LOT) in February and March, and we've had to use a lot of our savings just to pay for utilities and food. We weren't quite sure how we would be able to pay for a whole year of rent when we can barely make it through a month. We also found out the water bill is the equivalent of $6/month. Our current home it's more like $40-$50/month (we're not so sure our neighbors aren't stealing our water - this is a pretty high bill compared to most).

We are feeling so at peace about this home, the landlord and our decision. We thank God for his answering our prayers, and thanks to many of you who were also praying for us.

Now, a bit about the house: It's got 3 bedrooms and a 4th room for an office or spare bedroom (read: guest room - be our Guest!). The kitchen is not huge, but very nice. A large dining room and living room which have many windows and are very bright and open. The yard (it's called a 'garden' here) is landscaped very nicely with a papaya and lemon tree already planted. We're hoping to add a few more fruit trees. There is an out building which could be used for storage or for living quarters for our workers - we're still debating this one. There are two HOPAC families who live on the same dirt road. There are dukas (little shops) very close by I can walk to, and we could walk to school without facing chaotic traffic. We're also inheriting a few chickens. I'm a little nervous, yet a bit excited to try this out. There is already a coop, and the lovely lady who currently lives there is going to give a few away, but then also leave a few for me. If I give up, there are plenty of people around who would love a free dinner. :)

We aren't entirely sure of our move date - we have to be out of this house by July 15, though we might be out earlier and house sit for another family for a month or so. Likely we'll move into this house the beginning of August. When we do move, we'll be sure to post pictures! Thanks for your prayers, love and support!

Here are a few pics of the house that the current family still living there let us take. I think our kids are a bit disappointed that they aren't moving in WITH these kids, just into their house! :)

 

THIS WILL BE HOPE & GENEVA's ROOM

 

THIS WILL BE ISAAC's ROOM -
I THINK HE's EXCITED TO HAVE HIS OWN ROOM AS ALL THREE KIDS ARE IN ONE ROOM THIS YEAR.

 

HERE IS THE GUEST ROOM/OFFICE -
WE ARE HOPING TO PUT BUNK BEDS IN HERE SO WE'LL HAVE EXTRA SPACE FOR VISITORS! :)

 

THIS HOUSE HAS A LARGE LIVING ROOM AREA -
WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO USING OUR NEW HOME FOR WHATEVER PURPOSES GOD HAS FOR US!

November Photo Challenge - Our House

When we first decided to move to Africa, some of my initial thoughts were about our housing situation. Where would we live? What would it look like? Would it be small? Would it be in a neighborhood? Would there be a yard? Where will the kids play? It's Africa...and while I knew it wouldn't be a mud/straw hut, I didn't really know what to expect.

Where we live doesn't look ANYTHING like what I anticipated.

It's big - 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 bathrooms (room for guests!). It has a large yard. It's not really in a neighborhood. There is one house directly next to us, but our property has a wall around it, so it's not the same as what you'd imagine. It's comfortable - there is plenty of room - actually more than enough room. As a family, we love having people over & have great space to do that here.

We are in this furnished house for this year. Then, the family comes back from their home assignment back to Dar & will either a) move right back in and we'll find a new place and have to furnish it or b) move into a different house & obviously take their furnishings.

Either way, we realize that beginning in the New Year, we'll have to slowly start collecting things for our home - everything from couches, beds, table/chairs to mosquito nets, pots & pans, bathroom rugs. We cannot express what a blessing it's been to not have to worry about those things this year, as SO much is already new. We have already begun praying about where God will have us next year & we look forward to seeing how it will all unfold. God has certainly provided for all our needs here and we pray we will be good stewards of his gifts.

Looking from the entry way into the living room. The door at the back goes to the bedrooms/bathrooms. We lock & bolt this door at night to separate the back part of the house from the front part.

Living Room
 

Kitchen. Lots of space in it, though a small single sink (and remember, no dishwasher!)

Dining room. Windows look out onto the front porch, where the big dogs are usually napping.

MORE PICS TO COME! :)