Archive for the ‘Family’ Category

This isn’t a story you’d hear in the States

Posted by Steve and Casey Cretsinger on Wednesday, September 7th, 2011
Bummed he can't go running around with his friends

Bummed he can't go running around with his friends

Do any of you remember the Little House on the Prairie episode where one of the kids falls down a well? Or the news story about the little girl who fell down a hole in her backyard and the whole country watched as she was being rescued? These memories stick in our minds (or maybe just mine) because it’s so out of the ordinary for us. We don’t say “oh yeah, he fell down a well last week” in passing conversation. But, shockingly it happens way too often over here and a few weeks ago we had a huge scare with Moustapha.

Everyone here gets their water from a hand dug well – lowering a bucket down to the bottom and pulling up the water. There are many wells in the process of being dug, or ones that are waiting for the cement walls to be built up around the outside. A group of kids were running through someone’s courtyard and they all ran over a rotting piece of plywood that was covering a well that had been dug, but wasn’t finished. The plywood broke, sending Moustapha down to the bottom of the well. That’s a 60 foot fall…. and into the water at the bottom…and the boy can’t swim…and the bottom is filled with natural gas in the air…yeah, pretty scary. One of the village men was quickly tied to a rope and lowered into the hole to go down and get him. (by the way, he needed to be tied to the rope because the gases in the bottom of the wells make people pass out quickly and they needed to be able to haul them up in case that happened)

They came running in to get us telling us that they had just pulled Moustapha out of the well. This is where our American minds say “WHAT??? You pulled him out of what???” People were starting to gather at the house the way they do when someone is dying! Steve quickly decided that he needed to get him to the hospital for x-rays. His mom was crying so hard that the Father decided she couldn’t go and sent his 2nd wife to the hospital instead. (Imagine that one in the states!)

So, of course, we get to the hospital and find out that there is no power for the x-ray machine, so he’ll have to wait for the next day. God was definitely protecting this little guy. We really expected a lot worse news than just a sprained ankle. They put him in a cast anyways on the back of his foot/leg to keep him from walking on it. But, just a few days later, the cast was off because they said “it needed to be washed”. I laugh even as I write that.

The good news is that Moustapha is again chasing after all the bigger kids (with a little limp that gets better each day). We went to the family that owns the well that he fell in and asked what they were going to go about it since a kid had fallen in it. They looked at us a little funny and said “he was the 4th kid that’s fallen in and no one’s died yet.”

…Let’s see if you count all the cultural differences between us in that story!

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Quite the celebration

Posted by Steve and Casey Cretsinger on Thursday, August 11th, 2011
He's got some amazing moves

He's got some amazing moves

I have a strict rule about dancing in public…I don’t do it.  No, it’s not because I’m against dancing.  I’m just against people watching me.  I was quite pleased that I’d managed to avoid being the center of attention at the various weddings and ceremonies that I’ve gone to over here.  Steve just gives in to the requests and does a little dance to satisfy the crowd.  Well, my luck had to run out sometime, right?

Steve’s very good friend, Mohammed, who works with him every day on every project just got “married”.  Little background here…he came to us months ago to let us know that his girlfriend was expecting a baby and he needed to begin the marriage process.  He gave kola nut to her family as an offering and to let them know that he was serious about marrying her.  Since then, we have been following this marriage journey with him as he seeks to fulfill his obligations to her family.

This is no one step process.  It means talking to a lot of people who each have to give their blessing, giving gifts to all those people and several ceremonies to actually be considered married.  We are learning a lot of culture through this process!  Since Mohammed’s family lives in another village about 10 hours away and Steve is his boss – we are seen as his parents and are responsible for him.  While we are thankful that we can be a part of his life this way – it also means that we get to pay for a lot of things!

Mohammed came to us and told us that Mawa’s family had given him 10 days to put together the wedding ceremony.  He also needed Steve to come and speak as his representative.  Yeah, that’s a new one for us.  Steve sat with Mohammed, the religious leaders of the village, the men of Mawa’s family and the leaders of the neighborhood as they discussed the price that Mohammed would need to pay to marry Mawa.  There’s a crazy amount of things that he needed to buy for the family – rice, bowls, fabric, soap, a suitcase…the list went on and on.  But, he agreed to it (and looked to us with hopeful eyes!).

Which brings us to the ceremony…after days of getting things together (speakers, sound system, gifts, food, fish, chairs…you get the idea) we were ready.  We knew it was going to be a long day and we also knew that there is only so much that Ephraim can handle.  You can be given a time when things will start, but it could be hours after that time that things actually begin.  We had Mohammed call us when it looked close to starting.  We arrived to a yard full of people and were given our usual seats right in the middle of everything (this way everyone can watch us at all times!)

Steve was taken to the “big man” meeting where they finished discussing the bride price.  He said he really didn’t know what was going on since they were speaking in a language other than French.  After a while, they all came back and the head religious leader sat in the center of the circle to begin prayers.  They said prayers, gave out the gifts – all the while Mawa is sitting there waiting to find out if the men in her family will give the final okay for her to be married.

…SO, all this leads us back to the dancing!  Then they start the party…Steve had brought along a dance mix CD that he’d compiled himself for the occasion :)  They start playing the American music and calling out our names.  Normally this is where I just smile politely and stay in my seat, but they weren’t having it at this party.  The next thing I know I find myself in the middle of a huge circle trying not to completely humiliate myself.  What a huge relief it was when my sons decided to steal the show and dance like they were in some kind of competition!  Ephraim went all out with it.  He was HILARIOUS.  He had the entire group laughing their heads off.  I don’t even know where he got all those moves – I just know I was glad that everyone had their eyes on him and not me!

Everyone sitting around as prayers are said

Everyone sitting around as prayers are said

Mawa sitting with her mother waiting to her if the bride price has been accepted

Mawa sitting with her mother waiting to her if the bride price has been accepted

Ephraim and Mohammed

Ephraim and Mohammed

That's my boy

That's my boy

All dressed up Guinean style

All dressed up Guinean style

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This week…

Posted by Steve and Casey Cretsinger on Wednesday, August 10th, 2011
A baby from the village.  I asked her mom why she put eyeliner on her six week old baby and she said "that's just we do" - like it was the most normal thing in the world.

A baby from the village. I asked her mom why she put eyeliner on her six week old baby and she said "that's just we do" - like it was the most normal thing in the world.

Steve, Malachi and our "guard dog" Tongo.  He doesn't really leave the back porch, but I do feel safer with him around at night.

Steve, Malachi and our "guard dog" Tongo. He doesn't really leave the back porch, but I do feel safer with him around at night.

Just a photo I liked of one of the kids in the village that I see a lot of.

Just a photo I liked of one of the kids in the village that I see a lot of.

Yup, it was as bad as it looked.  Ephraim got stung by a bee and his eye was completely swollen shut for three days!

Yup, it was as bad as it looked. Ephraim got stung by a bee and his eye was completely swollen shut for three days!

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Micah hits the double digits

Posted by Steve and Casey Cretsinger on Wednesday, August 10th, 2011
You can tell he wasn't quite feeling himself even though he's smiling

You can tell he wasn't quite feeling himself even though he's smiling

I know it’s been over a month since Micah’s birthday, but what kind of mother would I be if I didn’t post a few pictures of his big day. It’s a pretty big milestone to reach the double digits.  There’s a rule here on the center that you have to be 10 years old to open the sports equipment shed at the playground…believe me, my boys eagerly anticipate turning 10.  It’s quite the rite of passage over here.

The day before Micah’s birthday he woke up with a high fever and complained of a terrible headache.  He spent the day laying around and sleeping.  We hoped he would feel better after a good nights sleep, but he still woke up with the high fever, stomachache and headache.  We started him on a malaria treatment just to be safe.  Not the greatest way to spend your birthday, but he had a good attitude about it.

We made the next day the one to be celebrated.  We spent the day with friends and our usual trip to the pool. (I know it may seem like we are there a lot, but it is seriously the ONLY place we have to go every few weeks)  I was so glad he made such a quick recovery and could enjoy the milestone of turning 10.

Singing Happy Birthday at the pool

Singing Happy Birthday at the pool

Opening the presents from us, Gramma and Grampa that had been sent long ago and hidden away

Opening the presents from us, Gramma and Grampa that had been sent long ago and hidden away

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Fatou’s new baby

Posted by Steve and Casey Cretsinger on Wednesday, June 29th, 2011
Here he is one day old

Here he is one day old

Everybody loves new babies.  I’m one of those people who just can’t wait to get my hands on a new little bundle!  So, when we found out that my friend, Fatou, was expecting a baby I was beyond excited.  I have heard many stories that being at a Guinean birth is an experience one can never forget.  So, with a little nervousness I asked Fatou if I could be there when her baby was born – that’s taking your friendship to a whole new level!

A couple of weeks ago, they came for me to tell me that Fatou was at the clinic with a “stomachache”.  No talk of a baby.  They made it sound like she just wasn’t feeling well.  They said I should go check on her.  So, I walked out to the clinic and they ushered me right into the room.  I was completely shocked at the scene before me.

I’ll try not to go into graphic details, but oh my word!  I was a little terrified.  There was nothing in this room that gave you any idea that this was a good place to have a baby.  There is no water, no electricity, no medical instruments – nothing!  Poor Fatou is just lying on the floor and several women are just standing around waiting for something to happen.  Then they started all pressing and pushing on her stomach to make something happen!

I was just standing there in shock as everything happened so quickly.  The next thing I knew there was a little baby boy on the floor.  They were trying to get him to cry and he wasn’t making any noise and I started to feel panic.

Steve says that what I’m about to say is extremely disgusting, but it shows how easy it is for a baby to not survive here – the nurse running the clinic had to try and clear the airway with her own mouth.  I honestly couldn’t believe what I seeing – to think that it’s the year 2011 and women here still have to give birth this way.  It’s really just mind boggling to me.

I was praying over and over that God would save this little baby.  I don’t know how long it was before he was crying, but it seemed way, way too long.  Then when he finally started crying, they just set him aside and started to take care of Fatou.  Other women came in with buckets of cold water and she had to get up and be washed.  Then she went next door to lie down for a while.

Then they took the baby and washed him and weighed him.  I was just standing there holding onto his little fingers – completely overwhelmed by his birth

I sat with Fatou for a while and watched as many, many women from the village came into the room to offer their congratulations and joke about the birth.  It was a special thing to see.

I went the next day to visit and see the little cutie.  Women are very scared to have small babies and thankfully he seems to be healthy and a great eater so far.  I can’t stay away and could go and cuddle him everyday.

His baptism will have to wait until the next post…

So tiny wrapped up in a shirt for a toddler

So tiny wrapped up in a shirt for a toddler

The day after and she was already up and around taking care of the family

The day after and she was already up and around taking care of the family

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Happy Birthday

Posted by Steve and Casey Cretsinger on Friday, June 24th, 2011

Happy 9th Birthday

Happy 9th Birthday

  • He’s been 9 for two weeks now and he loves the fact that he’s the same as Micah for a month.  He had been looking forward to his birthday for the longest time and asked several times if we would be sure to make him a cake and give him presents.  Does he think we would forget?

We spent the day at the pool with a few extra friends to help make the day special.  We decorated the house and to his joy there were indeed a few presents.  He’s our creative and full of imagination kind of boy, so he was thrilled with a microscope, a new pocket knife and art supplies sent from Gramma and Grampa.  He was even more excited when a friend gave him a baby python snake…yes, a baby python snake.  I have given up trying to keep Malachi away from danger!

I’m thankful that even here in Guinea we can celebrate the milestones in the boys lives and I’m thankful for a Gramma in the States who keeps those packages coming!

Soccer uniforms are the clothing of choice over here

Soccer uniforms are the clothing of choice over here

Celebrating with friends

Celebrating with friends

A python snake makes a great present

A python snake makes a great present



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Going for the ball

Posted by Steve and Casey Cretsinger on Monday, June 13th, 2011
These games are intense

These games are intense

Steve and I received an invitation to a soccer match in our village a couple of weeks ago.  What we noticed right away on the invitation was that we were listed as the “parents”.  Basically, it means that we are the sponsors.  It’s little different than in the states though – there you are asked if you want to be a sponsor.  Here you are given the honor of being the parent in the hopes that you will help financially with the cost of things.  We went out with the kids to watch the big game.  You know it’s time for the game when the loud speakers start up and they are calling for everyone in the village to come out (including the players!)  Those speakers and the generator that it takes to power them are some of those expenses that the sponsors can help out with.  There’s also the food for the players or snacks for the important guests.  Our boys enjoyed watching the game (even though I think we lost a little of our hearing) and they are pretty impressed by the skills of the players.  Kids here start playing soccer as toddlers and it’s the only sport that they play.  With only a couple of balls for the whole village, if you want the chance to get in on the action you better practice A LOT.

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Looking for a new pizza topping?

Posted by Steve and Casey Cretsinger on Friday, June 10th, 2011
Python pizza

Python pizza

Are you getting tired of the same old thing on your pizza?  Well, how about you try a little python on your pizza!  We were visiting with our friends, the Bryants, when she brought out part of a snake to put on the pizza.  Someone in their village had killed the snake and shared the meat with people in the village.  See the snake skin the kids are holding – that’s the snake that the meat came from.  Pretty impressive!  Now our kids always ask if there is going to be python on the pizza.  Micah and Malachi didn’t really seem fazed by it and chowed down as usual.  Ephraim wasn’t quite so brave and passed on the whole thing.

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Random Photos

Posted by Steve and Casey Cretsinger on Friday, June 3rd, 2011
I couldn't find Ephraim one day and I finally found him sitting underneath a tree reading books like a little angel

I couldn't find Ephraim one day and I finally found him sitting underneath a tree reading books like a little angel

One night as we drove home from town we stopped to take a picture of this beautiful sunset

One night as we drove home from town we stopped to take a picture of this beautiful sunset

Malachi found this chameleon and wanted to keep it as his pet.  Unfortunately, it escaped after not too long.  Which made any visitors to our house very happy since Guineans are VERY afraid of chameleons.

Malachi found this chameleon and wanted to keep it as his pet. Unfortunately, it escaped after not too long. Which made any visitors to our house very happy since Guineans are VERY afraid of chameleons.

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How many more days till we can go swimming???

Posted by Steve and Casey Cretsinger on Thursday, April 28th, 2011
Having an adventure at the river

Having an adventure at the river

With temperatures climbing up towards 115 degrees in the afternoons we look forward to any chance to cool off.  If Steve is going to be able to spend some time with the boys without constant interruptions we have to leave home for a while.  So, what better way to fix both of these problems than with some time at a pool!  We try and go every few weeks to a town about an hour away to stock up on some groceries, eat a meal that mom didn’t cook, and spend some time splashing in the pool.  Oh, how we all look forward to these days.  Sweating it out every other day and just keeping an eye on the calendar for a day when we can get away!  We’re so thankful for our wonderful friends, the Bryants, who are usually always up for a day at the pool too.  Our kids have a blast together coming up with all kinds of death-defying tricks to do off the diving board.  If there’s no chance to head to the pool we can try the river about a five minute drive from our house, but it’s just about dried up after six months with no rain.  Here’s a few photos of the kids getting a chance to cool off…

Jumping contests off the diving board

Jumping contests off the diving board

Enjoying the river

Enjoying the river

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