Family Life

The rat we ate for dinner one afternoon

Being part of an Ivorian family is an unbelievable experience. In fact, it’s hard to sit down and write about what it’s actually like, living day to day with my family here. The last 6 weeks in Niakara deepened my relationships with each person in the family. I care about each one. And, I’m feeling cared for by them in fresh ways. 

My sisters and I at the annual church youth conference

My sister Affou affectionately calls me toubabou – white person – when she wants to tease me or grab my attention. She also calls me by my Senoufo name, Katchinnin. But the most common name I here from her is Emi. My sister Kinafou is convinced that I’m going to go back to the States as an Ivorian woman who speaks French, Senoufo, and Dioula, and who prepares the typical cuisine of rice and sauce, kabato, and foutou with perfection. Her positivity makes me smile. Assetou, my sister who works at the hair salon, is a little closed-off but is letting her guard down more and more. She laughed so hard when I squealed at the dead rat on our table that she was in the process of preparing for lunch. “No, I don’t want to touch it!” I exclaimed. “Why not? Are you afraid of it?!” She teased as she swung it around by it’s nasty tail. Yes, I was afraid of it. But once prepared, that rat was surprisingly delicious. Suzanne is my most sensitive sister who demonstrates to me what is means to be faithful in prayer. She is on her knees countless times each day bringing burdens, praises, and requests before the Lord. Last week, one of Suzanne’s childhood friends unexpectedly died. Seeing her grieve wasn’t easy, but being there through that time brought us closer together too. And last but not least, Rachel. She helped me learn how to cook over the fire as I experimented making pancakes for the family. And, just last week when I decided to make spaghetti, she helped in the process of cutting vegetables and preparing the noodles. Since I’m a novice when it comes to cooking the way they cook here, her willingness to help without being asked made things turn out 10x better.

Stirring Kabato on the fire

My parents and little brothers are also amazing. Mom spends most of her days at the garden. She cultivates several different vegetables and herbs there. Dad is a salesman who sells natural health care products. And, the little boys are just adorable. They are also more well behaved than the average kids around here. Sammy, the oldest, is starting to learn French in school and likes practicing his phrases with me. Alfonce is a character. You can tell just from the pictures that he’s a goofball and loves to show off a little bit. He doesn’t speak French but loves to come up to me and say, “Emi,” and then mumble a bunch of little things. And Ebenezer, or “Ebey,” is the happiest baby. Last week he was sick with a cold, but still had a constant smile on his face. Everyone who meets him falls in love immediately.

Sammy and Alfonce, enjoying "American spaghetti" for the first time ever

Lina's new baby sister, who is also named Lina :)