Grace and Love 8/6/2014
Though most of you know Madison as "Maddie", she has chosen and prefers her middle name Grace. She tried to switch last summer but upon returning to school, the old name "Maddie" was predominantly used by her friends, her sister and me too. Change is hard!
Leaving the States made her name transformation into Grace quite easy. Everyone and everything was new so she has had a fresh start. "Maddie" is seldom heard here in Beré except from slips by Emmie and myself; Mason adapted much quicker than us.
Our current home sits very close to the edge of the compound next to a low clay-brick wall with see through fencing on top. During daylight hours, village children gather at the fence to peer through at the new "Nasaras", the local name for any foreigner no matter your skin color but whose meaning is white man.
Daily, we hear the call of "Nasara" from the fence but it is peppered with our girls' names, Grace and Emmie, as the children become acquainted with their names. Grace is a cognate with an accented "a" pronounced as in "auto." (Grawce). Emmie has been slightly altered in pronunciation to the word in French for love, "Aimer." (Aye-may)
Though Mason and I are still "Nasaras", it is pleasant and unlifting to hear "grace and love" sail over the fence. In effect, we have brought "grace and love" to Tchad with us ;-)
Many days are challenging for a variety of reasons but we are holding dear the local names for our children. A reminder for us to respond to those around us in grace and love but also an uplifting reminder of all our friends from afar covering us in prayer. As we hear "Grace and Aime" being called from the fence, church or soccer field, it is felt as a blanket of whispered prayer, encouraging and most humbly appreciated.
Thank you all for your continued support and encouraging comments and messages. These have all truly buoyed our resolve, purpose and faith.
-Kim
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