After two weeks of calling almost every day, and several times calling 2 or 3 times per day, Sara Ellyn finally called and said please call me back. I was very relieved to hear her voice and to know that she is OK.

Although, it turns out, she was in bed with a 104^o temperature all last week, and no one told her I called so many times until she went back to work yesterday. She was doing her radio program yesterday and today when I called, and left the phone after a little while to get back to the radio station. Her temperature was a virus, the same as last year.

She got our Christmas package yesterday, and was very positive about everything. I gues one of the things I was worried about was that my letter to her had upset her and this was why she was not answering the phone. She thanked me for the letter specifically, and said how much she liked the package. She pointed out we hid the money well. She was joking with her friend that it was put in the book to see if she read the book. Actually it was just hid. She also mentioned Christmas Cards from Melanie, from Paul, and from Kate. And she talked about the photos from Audrey and how excited she is about Audrey and Joshua getting married.

She mentioned she heard herself on the radio, and did not like it at all. She also said that everyone in Benin listens to the radio, and several people have talked to her about her program and about how it has helped them learn things they need to konw.

I asked about her sickness and whether it could be malaria. She said no, because they do blood tests and she diligently takes her medicines. She said she has no immune system. I mentioned that this is scary in a country with 40% HIV. She said, `Well Dad, it is not like I am going around becoming blood sisters with my friends. And she said there is more like 2.9% HIV reported in Benin, with pockets of 10%, and that the average is probably more like 5%. Still scary to this Dad. Oh well!

This is the time of year the cool dusty winds come in at 3-4:00 AM, and then it starts to warm up after noon. It is getting close to the hot season.

Sara is growing her hair out, and keeps it in a pony tail. She asked me to pass on to Marti to call her next Tuesday at 5:30 AM. And I told her I will call her next Tuesday at 5:00 AM.