Thanksgiving and Christmas for teachers are about getting sick and recovering, grading papers, and preparing for the final stretch before midterms, not to mention seeing friends we’ve neglected over the semester. I thought that for a missionary teacher, though, the vacation would be about doing more ministry and seeing more of my country. Too bad I was wrong: fever, headache, congestion, fatigue, weakness, lack of appetite (though I’m still eating a ton) fell on me on Monday. Local meds for local illnesses, so I took something the pharmacist gave to me and I am slowly improving. Still resting the majority of the day, which is anti-me.

The vacation was still profitable; the girls, Angelika and I went to Korhogo (3 hours north) for 4 days while the boys and Rod roofed a church. We did a lot: visiting ministry opportunities, hiking, cooking, washing dishes, pedicures, playing games, watching movies, interneting, relaxing, sleeping in, singing along to our iPods, visiting the markets, looking for gas, visiting local villages, and talking.

Thanks to my heros of the week who made this sick vacation a retreat: Angelika for the pumpkin soup, Holly for the gum for the ride home, Alyssa for the back massage, CJ for her empathy on my weakness, Heidi for checking in, keeping me occupied, and holding me still on the bumpy ride home, and all the girls for their encouragement and help.

So Happy New Year! We are celebrating with a Pig Roast African style (buried). How are you celebrating? Are you making any resolutions? Instead of resolutions, I like to look back and be thankful about the great year and affirm that with God, this coming year will far surpass the last. That’s going to be hard, as this year has been so full of greatness: deeper relationships, fresh perspectives, and new ideas – thanks to Africa! Six more months here will sadly fly by, though I will be happy to be with you all again.