Monday, April 19, 2010

Apparently, people know we are here

Last Saturday night, the girls stayed over with some college girls down the road, so Doug and I decided to take Caleb out to eat.

There is a inn/restaurant right around the corner that we had never tried, but we thought it would be a good night to do so.

We had come to this place every Friday to get sodas for "movie night" at our house, but we had never eaten there.

I walked over and placed an order for the three of us, and then I walked home to do some chores. I had heard it usually takes an hour to get your food, so I knew I had time.

I hadn't been home five minutes when there was a visitor at the gate.

Doug went to the gate, talked a while, came back to the house, and told me what had happened.

The manager from the inn had come to our gate to tell me that the fish I had ordered was what? Was finished. (that's how they talk here).

He wanted to know what I wanted in place of whole tilapia (which is not what I thought I had ordered, as in tail fin, eyes, scales, etc).

Doug changed the order to fried fish fillet (pronounced fill-it here).

This may only seem a little weird to you, but my first thought was, "How in the world did he know where I lived?" Did he go down the street saying, "Did you see where the mundu in the red shirt went?"

Or, more probable, did he just know because everyone here knows everything?

People come to my gate for money because I'm a mundu (foreigner).

The man came to my gate selling cheese last week because he knows mundus like cheese, although I had never seen him before in my life.

So, whether we think it or not, we are being watched...and that's a good thing.

I hope they can see the hope and life that we have, and they will want to know why we're different.

So, people I haven't even met yet know where I live...

I'm sure the whole town will be buzzing to know why we won't be here for the next month.

On second thought, who am I kidding? They probably know my schedule better than I do.

If I don't post again before leaving, have a great month of May.

Pray for us while we are at 40/40 to become more like Jesus and to learn all that He has for us. It will not be an easy journey, but we hope to come out on the other side, looking more like our Savior.

8 comments:

Aimee said...

Still no package :(?

Anonymous said...

I am new to reading your blog. Steve-O is my son-in-law and I just got your prayer card today from him. I will be praying for you all everyday of your 40/40. May God bless you all and protect you and keep you well.

Micah said...

Gonna miss your posts for the next month.

Pretty cool about being watched by everyone in the community. Oddly, I didn't think this was creepy. Just really cool. I know language is still underway, but you are making an impact already.

Praying for all of you!

Anonymous said...

Love your kid quotes. So glad to see the Taylors are thriving in Africa. You bet you are the talk of the town! I hope your electricity is not "finished" this week.

Unknown said...

I love reading the blog. I just wanted you to know that my family is praying for you.

Bran said...

Loving all the updates and keeping up with you guys. Our kiddos are actually making some things for your kids right now. They think of your kids SO much

We know with you what it's like to be watched. I introduced myself to a lady that lives behind us a few weeks ago. When I told her where I lived, she said, "I know...I've been "watching" (that's the exact translation too) you." But I think it's these people that protect us and look out for us too. ;)

Anonymous said...

How are the Africans?? Hope you are all healthy and learning a lot. We pray for you often, but never in Spanish...yet!

Love you guys,
Steve & Kathy

Laura said...

Happy Birthday to Karis this week!!!