Catching up...

Good morning!

Wow, what an awsesome week. I didn’t realize how much I needed a break from all the drama that is Benin. Lome was great! (Btw, it’s pronounced low-may!) Becky and I are very similar creatures, content to not schedule out our days, just chill, and relax. A great week. Her house is super nice, definitely a huge step up from my concrete block house. Her roommate made some awesome food, we went to the artisans market, the beach, shopping… and relaxed a lot! It was wonderful.

It’s been a drama-filled few weeks in Benin. A few of the bigger things:

The Beninese government has determined there isn’t enough evidence to prosecute in the Kate Puzey murder trial (The volunteer who was killed in 2009, the 20/20 episode…) . This is a devastating blow and my heart goes out to her family. The Peace Corps Director and the Ambassador have requested that the case be re-opened and the FBI be invited to assist. It’s so frustrating that it took them over two years and several trial delays to decide that they can’t pursue. It makes us all wonder if/how it would be different if the roles were reversed and they were prosecuting a foreigner who inflicted violence on a national…. But anyway, that is where it stands.

Then, just a day or two later, during a training up in Parakou one of the volunteer’s homologues (Beninese work partner) drowned while at a pool party in the evening with other volunteers and work partners. My heart goes out to the volunteers involved. Tragic. I’m not going to publicly broadcast details of what happened but please keep everyone involved in your prayers.

This weekend is the big GAD dinner and auction in Parakou. If you read my blog last year I talked quite a bit about it, and some of you sent donations (thank you!) I have chosen not to attend this year. I fully support GAD and appreciate the idea of GAD weekend but the reality is it’s expensive to get there and then to stay there and to eat there, and a whole lotta drinking goes on and I don’t care to be a part of the shenanigans this year. I donated a few things to the auction, and I hope that the weekend goes well and that people stay safe! I’m teaching at the UNHCR (United nations high commission on refugees) refugee English class this weekend here in Cotonou, so that everyone that wanted to could go to GAD. It’s actually really nice to be here in the bureau right now, totally empty – the internet is pretty fast and the kitchen will stay clean!

I’m a bit discouraged, though, to check in with my Mercy Ships page and find that I’ve received ONE donation. (A huge thank you to that one person, you know who you are!!!) Please consider giving a tax-deductible donation towards my service fees on the Africa Mercy. We are all called to serve the poor and needy in our world, and if you can’t go yourself, help someone who can!! Please visit http://www.mercyships.org/page/outreach/view/crewmates/closek and donate. Even just $10 would be a huge blessing. And if you need a little extra incentive, everyone who gives will receive a hand made gift from a local artisan here in Benin. Please help me in my calling to serve.

Okay! What else is going on? I’m looking forward to heading back to post and seeing my latrines being built!! Hopefully the foreman of the project has gotten the work started!!! The goal was to have them finished by the end of may – I’m trying not to set my expectations too high, because since I wasn’t there it is totally possible that absolutely no work has commenced, but I also want to give my counterparts the benefit of the doubt and hope that they have at least done SOMETHING!! I will post pictures of the progress when there is something to share!!

Also going on, the SPELLING BEE!! Okay, some frustration there as well. I wanted to be able to order and buy some of the prizes and supplies while I was here this weekend, but alas, it has yet to be fully funded. Geez, I hate asking for money again, but if you are feeling extra generous, please visit www.peacecorps.gov/donate and search for project 680-203. If we don’t get it funded in the next few weeks, I’ll have to cancel it which would be a huge bummer. There are 18 volunteers involved in this project and I know most of them have NOT asked their family and friends to donate, I didn’t expect it to be a problem to get it funded with that many people involved! Sigh. Thanks for your help! If you are involved in a rotary club or other similar organization, consider bringing this to them as well. Thanks!!

Elections passed without major incident. There was some rioting and demonstrations in Porto Novo and Cotonou, but they have installed Yayi Boni as the president for his 2nd term and everything has calmed down. Phew! Actually, the legislative elections are this weekend, so we’re on alert but not on standfast. No problems are anticipated.

Okay, what else? Well, our COS conference is coming!!! In just three weeks my ‘stage’ or group of volunteers that came in July 2009 will all come together for the first time since our swearing-in! It’s kind of exciting! It’s tradition that each sector gets outfits made of the same fabric, like we did in swear-in, so for Environment volunteers we got a nice green leafy design, which I will need to have made in to a dress once I get back to village. Geez, COS conference in three weeks! A lot of people have been asking “can you believe it!” Yes, I can. I have felt every day of the last nearly-two years. It’s been awesome, don’t get me wrong, but I’m excited for what is next.

After COS conference comes the Spelling bee (if we get funded!) and then Bante girls camp I am directing – SO excited about that!! I think the time between now and my COS date (September 16th!) will go very quickly, especially now that rainy season is here!! Hot season was so miserable, but I made it and am a stronger person because of it!!! Cheers!

Well, that’s what I have for now. Thanks to those of you who dropped me a comment or an email recently! And if you haven’t – why not??? Click the little ‘comment’ button below and if you enter as anonymous, that’s fine, just make sure to tell me who you are in the comment!!

Today?? Keeping my mouse on ‘refresh’, can’t wait to see photos from the Royal Wedding!! Unfortunately the internet here is not fast enough to handle a streaming video of the event. Sad. I’m also catching up on emails, they’ve gotten quite backed up, so please be patient with me!!

Peace! Krissy