Ratatouille

I have tried to be a good sport about the unusual and various creepy things that live in this country. For example, when the green mamba came into our house and slid under MY side of the computer desk, did I immediately yell and scream and write a nasty blog about it?  OK, maybe I screamed a little, but I did not write about it.  And when the guards finally killed the black cobra which resided under the container, I was rather calm and level-headed about the whole incident. (The guards ate it, by the way!  Ick.)

When fire ants attacked my feet, I was careful about which words I uttered (children were listening!). When another green mamba climbed up on the window sill of the supply cottage, I remained relatively sane and collected (children were watching!). And even the giant cockroach that nonchalantly sauntered out of the laundry room did not phase me. Nor did the gnarly-looking beetle that Dave stepped on in the driveway. A bat in the dining hall? I was a model of peace and tranquility. See? I have come a long way in my tolerance of creepy things.

But yesterday's incident was too much. I met Ratatouille.

We knew that we had a rat problem in the kitchen (don't ask how we knew), so Dave set out super-duper strength rat poison. And this guy had definitely found it. I came into the kitchen at 7:00 am, happy and cheerful (like always!). I greeted the kitchen crew, and went over to the medicine box on the counter (like always). The kitchen crew was watching me closely. As I opened the box to drop in my keys, I glanced to my left, and there, two feet away, on the counter, within arm's reach, was a nasty, large, hairy rat, gazing at me with his beady little eyes.  This rat was particularly ugly, as far as rats go. I screamed.  And rightfully so. I had been set up by the kitchen crew. They knew Ratty was there and they thought it was hilarious that I kind of freaked. 

Due to the super-duper poison, Ratatouille was in no shape to move, but he could roll his head back and forth, like he was trying to intimidate me. And it worked. I screamed again and ran. I called my big, strong, hunky husband to come and take care of dying rat. He called the security guards to come and take care of dying rat. (So much for visions of hunky husband riding in to save me!) The kitchen crew was still laughing when the guards took Ratty away. And guards Peter and Alphonso are my new heroes (Humph! Too bad, hunky husband!).

My heart finally calmed down, and the kitchen crew sanitized all counters, and life went back to normal. Except that my exceptionally loyal kitchen staff told and re-told the story of me and Ratatouille all day, to everyone and anyone that would listen.  I suspect that I also was the hilarious story told over many cook fires last night. No problem. Just between you and me, the kitchen staff might not be getting a holiday bonus this year!

Wishing you a great rat-free day!

love, Babs

(No Christmas presents in the stockings of these gals this year!)

Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice

Before children can come in to the village to live, certain requirements must be met. For example, they must be true orphans, or abandoned children, or vulnerable children who have been made wards of the government. Another requirement is that they must be free of communicable diseases (as any orphanage can become a hotbed of illness very quickly), and there are some age requirements.

We here in Liberia have added another requirement to the list: they must be cute!  We believe that we have some of the best looking kids in Liberia living at this village. Maybe the best looking in the whole of Africa! It's quite possible.  Here are some pictures of a few of the little girls, hamming it up for the camera.  They are just cute! Wouldn't you agree?  Now, if only they would always act as sweet as they look...

Shop Class 101

            Take six boys, three broken fans, six screwdrivers, two pliers, and one rainy afternoon. A recipe for a good time!  With Dave supervising, the boys dismantled the fans into piles of screws, cotter pins,and various pieces of metal.  Dave showed the boys the difference between a Phillips and flat head screwdriver, and he demonstrated the correct technique to use a socket wrench.  An interesting, educational afternoon for the boys and a fun time for Dave.

Public Service Announcements

Public service announcements here come with pictures, as there is a large percentage of the population that is unable to read. Here are some public service messages that were painted on the walls of a large medical clinic.

 

We Have Talent

We had the first ever Village Talent Show last month. Heidi and Joanie (our mini missionaries who were here for the month of June) helped the mamas of every cottage organize some sort of talent (OK, maybe "entertainment" is the better word, as "talent" might be too strong a term for what actually occurred!).

 

The evening began with a info-mercial, where Mr. Veneman's early morning beauty routine was explained. Basically, this skit consisted of Babs sitting behind Dave and mashing toothpaste and cereal into his face! This was enjoyed by pretty much everyone but Dave. Next on the program was a rousing rendition of  "Do Your Ears Hang Low?" sung by a group of boys. They changed the whole flavor of the song by singing it slowly and almost with a funeral dirge-type feel to it!  No one smiled, and it was the most serious rendition of "Do Your Ears Hang Low?" that one could ever hope to hear. 

Next, a cottage of girls put on sunglasses and sang the song  "Lollipop, Lollipop". Several of the lollipop girls really enjoyed the choreography and danced their hearts out! It was very fun. Many children recited Bible verses, and some cottages said their Bibles verses in unison. One older girl led her sisters in a church choir type song, which was nicely done, and another group of young girls sang some Ghanaian songs taught to them by their mama.  Mama had lived in Ghana during the war, and while she was there, she learned some children's songs with motions.

A group of marching boys robustly sang "Seventy Six Trombones" and Heidi and Joanie lip synced the song "I Can Do Anything Better Than You".  All the kids did a nice job of displaying their "talent" and there was only one case of serious stage fright. We are pretty certain that little Patience will not be a contestant on "American Idol" any time soon.

 

 We have pronounced the Talent Show a success, and we have proclaimed it to be an annual event! Yes, Liberia has talent.

Hip, Hip, Hooray!

It seems that at the beginning of the rains, we often get snake sightings. This year has been no different, with a small black cobra sitting on the school steps, a green mamba at the clinic sidewalk, and several garden snakes here and there. One snake in particular caused a commotion as it decided to visit a palaver hut that was full of children. Heidi Hollander (our niece who is helping for the month of June) accidentally kicked the snake as it stealthily sneaked along the brick walkway. It was an exhilarating moment for Heidi! But Mama Rebecca was all over the situation.

Here is an epic of this magnificent feat of courageous valor.

ODE TO MAMA REBECCA

Here is a story of a woman so brave;
Her courage and daring are remembered this day.        

She risked her life to save those all around;

Thought not of self as she went into the fray.

A calm, normal morn it began with all unawares
that evil and treachery were nigh underfoot.                                                                                

A simple misstep and a snake in the air,
and so the conflict Rebecca undertook.

Bea jumped on a bench, Makatee screamed.
There was shouting, yelling, arms all a’frattle;                                                  

But with calmness, speed, agility, and poise,
Rebecca scooped up her broom and stepped in to do battle.

She danced and twirled and beguiled that snake.
Her speed was incredible; her aim straight and true.                         

A hit, a nudge, a sweep of the broom;
The snake struggled no more, the battle was through.

We hail thee, Rebecca; our hero for good.
With no thought for self, you saved us from tears!

You will be remembered as A Great Snake Killer!
And so it is to you that we give a rousing Three Cheers!

Hip, Hip, Hooray for Mama Rebecca!

By the way, Dave and I have very different recollections on the length of that snake!  Dave might need new contacts.  Hope you all have a "Rebecca" on your side today!  

Just when you thought is was safe to go out at night...

I have put up with a lot of disgusting things here. Like sneaky snakes and monster spiders and cruel ants and R.O.U.S. (Rodents of Unusual Size). But this latest creature is just too much! A large boa constrictor has been sighted on our property! Up in the area I fondly refer to as "JungleLand", a guard spotted a large boa slithering under the fence. It was about fifteen feet long (or maybe it was twelve feet long. The guard was a little rattled. I do not care! Fifteen feet, twelve feet...anything longer than, say, two inches, is too long for me!)

 

Am I the only one who saw the "Harry Potter" movies? Big snakes are problems! And what about the classic movie "Anaconda"...or "Clash of the Titans"? Actually, I am not sure if there was a big snake in "Clash of the Titans", but it looked like a possiblity because of the trailers I saw.  Anyways, regular sized snakes are scary. And big snakes are really scary.

 

Of course, Dave's response was totally different than mine. When we were told of the boa, I screamed, I jumped up on the sofa, I might have fainted...it's all a blur. Dave grabbed the camera and headed to "JungleLand". He did not find it, but he has assured me it will be back. Fabulous.

 

Now, as I move around the compound, especially in the evening, every little thing spooks me. I am a mess. Jumpy, jumpy, jumpy. Dave thinks it is funny, but I am not amused. Neither is my sofa.

 

We will keep you posted about the boa. If Dave gets a picture of it slowly squeezing me 'til I lose consciousness, he will post it. If I get a picture of it trying to swallow Dave, I will post it.

 

And the adventure continues...