Day 40 in Africa ~ The Thatched Roof Garden Cottage

Today is Day 40 in Africa

GREAT developments have JUST occurred regarding our housing!!

We had budgeted $950 per month for rent. As Jennifer & I have been looking lightly for about 4 weeks and picking up the pace last week. We saw 4 houses/apartments on Sat (3 days ago). In our price range we started getting a little down and began to lower our expectations, while trying to keep a good attitude, (the good attitudes came and went, and came back, etc.)

Here are key attributes we were looking for:
1. Nearby our friends & work partners. Because:
a. Aidan wouldn't have to change schools.
b. We would be less "stuck," and more mobile, with better access to them and them to us.

2. Safe.
a. Crime is very high here. So a safe neighborhood and house is expensive.

3. At least a patch of grass for the kids. Not available in apartments & some houses. (with all the security... parks etc. are hard to come by!)

~Overall: Nearby, Safe, Outdoor Space for Kids to Play & in Our Price Range.

So we were starting to get a little discouraged with what we were finding. As we would tour through places. With bars INSIDE the house, in case someone broke through the bars/electric fences surrounding the house ~ then you lock the gates within the house ~ started getting more & more unsettling - in 'more affordable areas.'

The couple we are working/staying with were donated a wonderful house in an 'estate' with about 300 homes in the neighborhood, gated security around the perimeter, one-way in and one-way out with 24 hour security guards at the gate ~ and each person in and each person out, must have an electronic gate-key.

It is a very nice area. We were shocked. Not only the neighborhood, with expensive homes, but the surrounding region is extremely nice too. Parts of that made us feel guilty in several ways. One friend I spoke to early on about that was very encouraging about the gift and provision of God, to be thankful, and not feel guilty. Sometimes still hard to do, with the mass poverty so nearby.

*** Anyway, they were donated the house to live in and to pay the basic bills of the house. They have allowed us to stay in their 2 bedroom guest area, for the last 40 days. So... we have gotten to know the area, and the neighborhood, and with that, discovered a house that was for sale or for rent that we REALLY LIKED!

It was WAY out of our rental price-range. They were asking $2400 per month! When you see the place you'll know why! The house has sat empty for a while and needs some fixing up, but it's in a great location and has INSANE character! So we made a ridiculously low offer on the main house...Of $1300 per month. Which is a stretch for us but... figured God would make a way!

There is a school teacher renting the guest area. We toured the house with the agent twice ~ both the main house and the guest area. We really liked it. They didn't except my low offer ~ but the real estate agent said that the owner wanted to talk to us. Not sure if she was going to slap me because of the low/rude offer, or, work with us to get us into the house???

So... she said when we met, "yesterday the school teacher just gave me notice that she is moving out in 30 days!" ~ While the main house was magnificent and big ~ it still felt "like a little too much" from several standpoints. But the guest area would be perfect!

The whole house is a "unique" layout so I have to say it like this... It's essentially a 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom, guest 'cottage' with it's own kitchen and living room!
**** For $700 a month! Yeah!!!!

Wed. Dec. 9th (Day 41) we sign the rental agreement to move in Jan 1st.

It doesn't have it's own grassy play area... BUT! It backs right into a green-space common area that is perfect for the kids to play in!
It's in the same, safe neighborhood as our friends and work partners, (8 houses away!)
It has a pool for the main house ~ that the owner, takes care of, and is available for us to use!
It has a view of open rolling hills and a lake that with strong binoculars, you may see lion, ostrich, rhino and more!
It has a thatched roof ~ which is what we wanted ~ "when in Rome" : )
We have been donated 80% of our furniture! Which is also "very african!"
It is BELOW our price range!

It has all the criteria we wanted and a whole lot more. We are excited, and every time the owner or agent calls we are hoping they haven't changed their mind.
The house is for sale so we are on a month to month ~ no long-term contract. If they sell it and need us to move in the agreement they will give no less than a 2 month notice.

There's room for you to come and visit, between our place, and our work partner's home.

So..... Thank you, thank you, thank you for praying with us! And we are thankful to our provider who loves his kids very much, and gives us much more than we ask.

Here's a photo: You are basically seeing the back side of the section we are staying in - it's 2 stories - with a 1 car garage underneath: )