We are in full swing in the Sahel Dorm now! Everyone has arrived, we’ve broken more than a few things around the dorm, had a late-night rescue on our first outing together, celebrated our first birthday of the year (yay Daniel!), played frisbee, softball, basketball, ping pong, foosball, scrabble, bananagrams, settlers, legos … I’d say it has been a pretty exciting start for this dorm family! Our “family meetings” are helping us iron out the important policies for this year, and our dorm devotions are simple and in the Word. Here are some pictures of our first week and half — enjoy!

 

(above) Ultimate frisbee on our first friday evening.

 

 

Even our campus “pet”, Rover, wanted in on the action!

 

We now have a slackline behind the dorm — it is supposed to be great for training balance and strength in all sports. But you can ask Aunt Ruth how dangerous it is when TWO people try it at the same time!

 

Little Ruth and Tryphene – she always wanted a big sister! (Now she has 7!)

 

Foosball!

 

Aunt Ruth and Tryphene — a little bit of girl-time.

 

Little Ruth found someone who like Littlest Petshop – Suji!

 

Here is the creative solution to being stuck-in-the-mud — and it actually worked! Our van got stuck as we ventured out to view the Pleides Meteor shower on Saturday night. Alas, no meteors were seen, but the dorm family bonded in our first survival experience! Thanks to John’s excellent French speaking, the creativity of positive-thinking Nigeriens, and a rescue by fellow missionary friends, the experience was redeemed!

 

Daniel’s birthday was a blast — he invited two friends and this is the birthday table (his hallmates and two friends).

 

 

 

Daniel’s hallmates set the tables for the meal — and decided to arrange them in the shape of a “D”. Creative, eh?

 

Well, that is a glimpse of our first week or so! We look forward to many more to come!

A tout’a’leure! (See you later)

– Dorm Mom (Aunt Nikki)