Market day in Toussiana

Market day in Toussiana like most of Africa has a kind of holiday spirit to it. It is a time to see people who come in from farther away villages. It is a great time to pass messages along as well.

Of course then there is the shopping, every thing you could want including vegetables and spices.

We actually have a special fruit market that is along side the main road for people passing by and not at the main market. You can almost always get mangos and lime. But there are also baskets and today, taro (starch like potato). You can also get prepared food at the main market, usually rice and sauce with or without meat/fish. Margaret and I have found Market day a nice day to eat out.

Here on the right is just about everything for a meal. Rice, bouillon cube and tomato paste for the sauce. Let's see you'd still need an onion.

You can also get household goods, like pots and pans ...

... plastic buckets, lanterns, soap and more.

Clay pots are also used for keeping water cool. We used them for plants.

You can get cloth for making clothes and there are several tailors right near the market. Solo, one of the tailors, is also a leader in our church.

He has several young apprentices and this is where I go for most of my sewing needs. Solo has been a real help to us in the translation process. He also is a good singer and writes songs.

Of course there are ready made clothes as well, flip flops and used clothes (not pictured here.)

Recently we have had Ruth Kelly from the Republic of Ireland staying with us. She slept at Margaret's house and did a lot of computer work for us. Ruth helped us finish the 2005 Toussian Calendar, and typeset James.

Plus, Margaret had about 6 books from her work with the Dogosé and Karaboro literacy projects for Ruth to work on. Ruth asked to borrow my camera and went mad with it. She took over 200 pictures! All of these pictures are ones she took. You will be seeing more later. One day, I went to the market and saw this white woman who looked like the "Pied Piper". It was Ruth and when I caught up to her I took her picture. The girl on the far upper left has a small stool upside down on her head. I mean how else would you carry it? Ruth is now back in Ireland ready to continue her studies in law. She'll be thinking of us when the rain and clouds begin to "get to her". We'll miss you too Ruth.

• August 2004, Return to Toussiana
• May 2004, In Memory of Wilhelm
• July 2003, Wilhelm’s Parents 50th Wedding Anniversary
• Feb. 2003, New Office Building
• Nov 2002, Reading Contest
• July 2002, Toussian Translators
• March 2002 Literacy classes
• Jan 2002 Bissa New Testament dedication
• January 15, 2002
• Nov 2002  Language learning, Translation, Revision, Ladies day at church
• Oct 2001  Sunday school outing, Fonio harvest
• Aug 2001  Cobly Reunion
• May 31, 2001  Return to Burkina Faso
• May 5, 2001  Germany, Az, Oregon office work
• Jan 2001  Our time in Germany

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