December 1991

Dear folks and friends,

Yes, we're still in Ouagadougou, but this is our last year.  To make sure of that, we resigned our jobs last May, effective June 1992.  Four years in "paradise" is quite enough, thank you.  Actually, we have enjoyed our time here more than not, and we're sure that our remembrance of the place will be very fond indeed, once we get the dust out of our lungs, the amoebas out of our bowels, and lose the weight that we have gained from vegging out in front of the video every night.

The best thing about our stay here has been the jobs.  I've been very happy as a school director, and I've been able to accomplish just about all the goals that I set when we first came.  The most ambitious was the construction of an entirely new school, something which will become a reality by the time you read this.  To be able to plan a full educational facility from scratch and then see it through to its completion is a wonderful opportunity for anyone, and I've been lucky to do it here.  I've also been very active in the Association of International Schools in Africa (AISA) and have recently assumed its presidency.  And I'm just short of getting my PhD, with only my dissertation to complete (hopefully, this summer).

Sharon has also been able to expand her career in several new directions while in Ouagadougou.  She has gotten into administration (she doesn't care for it) as the primary principal, she wrote a manual on library management that is being used in many small international schools on this continent, she has been in demand as a consultant to other international schools, and she has been able to have her own class of students as an elementary teacher rather than as a specialist, something which she always thought she would enjoy (she does).

Although we have lived in relative isolation here, we have managed to travel quite a bit over the years, including many trips to the States, two trips to Kenya, one to Lesotho, several to neighboring West African countries, and our first trip to the Caribbean this past summer.  We notice that, as we get older, we are beginning to slow down when it comes to travel and that the comfort level that we require has risen quite a bit.  Trips which we would formerly have taken have just seemed like too much of a hassle or too dangerous.  What a bunch of old fogies we are!  We even spend time (and money) planning for retirement!

In February, we will travel to the States for the annual administrator conference and recruiting fairs, and we'll try to rustle up some jobs for ourselves.  We haven't a clue where we will be next year, which is both exhilarating and frightening at the same time.  We are open to just about anywhere, but, please, not another Ouagadougou!  We've paid our dues!!!!!  Actually, we like Third World living (and the perks that come with it) and wouldn't mind a similar post, but perhaps a bit more "upscale."

In March, we will be in Lome, Togo for another teacher conference, and in April, we will go to Nairobi once again, this time for a meeting of the AISA board.  Since the trip coincides with our Easter vacation, we'll get in a little safari time as well.  We still think that Kenya is the best tourist place we've ever been, so we love it whenever we can get the chance to return.

No matter what happens in the job market, however, we will be home in South Carolina this summer for at least a few weeks.  We have enjoyed having our apartment on Lake Murray as a refuge during our winter and summer trips to the States, and we even purchased another one last year which is closer to the water.  It's rented out now, but we may just move into it when we retire in the year 2001.

And on that old fogey note, I will close this Christmas letter with our love and best wishes of this holiday season.