The Market

So we have been here for just over a week now. It seems like it has gone so fast. We have accomplished a lot and yet feels like nothing all at the same time. Benj or I have gone to town every day since our arrival at least one time if not more. We have a limit on how much money we can get out at the ATM every day so we have had to go get out the max everyday. We have also gone to a "supermarket" or two or the market almost every day. I am still getting use to the new way of doing things. I can't just run to Meijer and get everything I need (and then some). If one shop doesn't have what I need then I have to try to find one that does. I didn't realize how much I relied on my debit/credit card either. How easy it is to just slide the card and the things are paid for. Not only do you have to use paper money but it is in the thousands. I am still having a hard time figuring out my change or how much to pay. A coke costs 2500/= which is about $.73. The bills are 50,000 20,000 10,000 5,000 2,000 and 1,000 there are coins too, but I try to avoid them. 

Any way back to the market. Ellie likes going to town and I want to give her lots of opportunities to experience her new surroundings. Izaac doesn't like to leave the compound much but we keep praying he will feel more comfortable and confident with time.  Today I went with Beckie and Ellie to the market! It is very different then what we are use to in the states. Very crowded and lots of different smells. Ellie is sensitive to smells and plugged her nose on more than one occasion! I have told the kids they will be stared at and that maybe some people will touch their hair. (With Ellie's curls I don't blame them.) Today that happened. When we would pass people they would try to talk to her really close to her face. They would touch her arm or her hair. She did a great job. A few of them got her grumpy face but for the most part she would would do her shy smile and a little wave. You could tell she was getting tired of it towards the end though because she kept asking if we could go back to our house. I wish I would have taken pictures to post with this to give you a better idea but I did not this time. I will have to make sure it is ok to take them first and then I will post at a later date! Please feel free to contact us is you have any questions or things you are interested in learning about! Thanks for all your prayers! We can definitely feel them!