Full House

Wow! Time has certainly flown. Christmas is only a vague memory and we're back into our routines. We had a really nice holiday with friends. It was very international with folks who work in Benin but come from Germany and Switzerland as well as a couple from France. From the 22nd of December to the 2nd of January, we had a full house. At times, we had 13 people sharing 4 toilets, 3 showers and 2 dining tables (or at least 1 dining table and 1 borrowed card table). Fortunately, Roger's students had already graduated and gone home so we could borrow beds from the training school. Everyone was nice and comfy and our house, though not terribly big, was roomy enough.

I (Kathy) was a bit stressed at times trying to cook for that many but the other ladies pitched in nicely and we "got 'er done". Everyone was happy and satisfied.

Of course, the day after everyone arrived, Sydney had her birthday. Our baby is now 6 years old. It's hard to believe she's growing so fast. She really prides herself on being our "best Christmas present, ever" and makes the most of her cuteness as well.


Our birthday tradition is for the birthday person to get breakfast in bed. This is Sydney's breakfast in bed.

Sydney and Miriam Stahl (whose birthday was only 2 days earlier). The cake was a German and a Swiss flag


Sydney with Patrick and Marie-Françoise from France. Sydney prays almost everyday for them.

The Stahl family who live in Benin. We've been to visit them twice. They are a lot of fun to be with--for the whole family.