A Day in the Life of Karen

Our routine is slightly different this time around than when we were here in February-April. My tasks are not very different from Canada, albeit some of these tasks take a tad bit longer and if you’ve had a rough day, there’s no option for ordering take out!

If you’ve read our previous “Day in the Life of” posts, our mornings are pretty much the same. Between 8-9, I review all of my Arabic vocabulary.  Then David goes to work and our househelp, Nyamurle, usually arrives around the time he leaves. Nyamurle comes 4 days a week for approximately 3 hours. She washes dishes, clothes, and cleans the floor. Sometimes I get her to buy and cut vegetables and meat for me. The only thing my househelp doesn’t do is wash underwear and diapers. Currently I have switched to disposables as it is a busy season in our life. Between washing diapers, dishes and underwear, I was spending more than 13 hours per week just washing. Pausing with the cloth diapers has reduced that time by 6 hours! 

Studying Arabic

Handwashing clothes

I never realized how much time would revolve around water. I usually fill our Katadyn water filter which gets filled about 2-3 times a day. We use the filtered water to drink, clean food, boil food and wash hands. The water is supposed to be on from 10-6 everyday but that’s not always the case so I always try to fill up our filter and get the dishes washed before the water turns off.

Dishwashing station

So glad I brought my washboard with me!

Diapers hanging out to dry. 

I usually start lunch preparations at 10am. Sometimes, I pop in if I to see my neighbour, M and chat with her about really basic things, like how the night was, what she did yesterday and what she was planning on doing for the day. Sometimes I visit her after 6pm if I don’t get to see her in the morning. She doesn’t speak much English and my Arabic is pretty elemental, so our conversations are very simple but it it is quite satisfying leaving from her place knowing that I understood her. 

M & I. Isn't she beautiful!

A big part of my morning is looking after Rachel..scratch that. A big part of my day is watching over Rachel. She is two and I didn’t realize how much repetitive instruction and discipline/correction is needed at this age. There is constant interruption of whatever task I am doing, and sitting and talking with her as she learns social skills and obedience (mostly obedience!). David is usually home by 12:30 pm when we eat our lunch and then Rachel usually naps from 1:30-3:30. While she naps, we have our language helper who comes from 2:00-3:00 on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. I also read my Bible in the afternoon and sneak in a nap.

Rachel loves scribbling everywhere

Quiet time for me

On Fridays, our house help buys fish and guts it for me and I cook it South Sudanese style, fried. We call our fridays, "Fish Friday"!

Cooking the fish up for "Fish Friday"

On Tuesdays between 4:00-5:30pm, I go to the Women’s Health class and on Thursday at the same time, I attend the Womens Bible Study. Usually the other days, my friend Abook comes to visit me. She really deserves a separate blog post, as she is such a huge answer to prayer for me.

For dinner we usually have leftovers or I whip something up quickly. I have loved learning to cook with ingredients that I never cooked with in Canada. Big shout out to my Mama who has really helped me.

Pumpkin, eggplant, tomatoes, onions, yellow and red lentils 

While David gives Rachel a bath at night, I fold the laundry or catch up with washing dishes.

 I have been taking daily baths in a big blue bucket!

What the water looks like after my bath!

After a bath, David and I usually talk or watch a movie on the laptop. I think we have watched more movies here together than we ever did in Canada! That's how a week goes. 

On Saturdays, we go to the market and when we return, I organize the food for the remainder of the week.

Saturday morning traditions

 On Sundays, after church, we like to go out for lunch and in the evening we get together with our team for a time of prayer and singing. I also, enjoy drinking coffee with the ladies Sunday afternoon. I love that time because David has Rachel, women from out of town come, and there is usually always food of some sort involved! It's also a great place for me to practice language as I am the only non Sudanese.

Drool

My happy place

I think David and I have said this many times, but there really is no such thing as a typical day, but hopefully these “Day in the Life of” posts has given you a better understanding of what we’ve been up to.