Interesting International Facts: Kingpin Law

Did you know?

In 1999, the US Government enacted a law known as the Kingpin Law. I'd never heard of it until recently. Essentially, the Kingpin Law is aimed at drug traffickers. It targets business interests and restricts access to the US financial system for those identified as drug traffickers. If you're interested, you can read about the designation act here. This summary states: "The Kingpin Act authorizes the President to take these actions [sanctions] when he determines that a foreign person plays a significant role in international narcotics trafficking."

Recently, President Obama gave this designation to a prominent business family in Mozambique. I found out through an email from the embassy. That was the first time I heard of this law. There were three businesses listed and an announcement that American citizens are advised against using these businesses and federal dollars (NGO dollars) are forbidden from being spent with these companies. One of them is the Maputo Shopping Center. There is a movie theatre, restaurants, a grocery store and the best electronics available at this shopping center. Basically, there are things we are looking for that we have only found available there. Since we were advised by our government to sanction these businesses, we have not returned. Which means, living in the developing world, we have further limited our access to goods and services.

I read an email today, that at least one of the businesses, a taxi company in a province we work in, is seriously struggling since the sanctions were put in place. NGO's who had contracts for drivers have looked for these services elsewhere. Losing lucrative NGO contracts was a huge loss to them financially and the taxi business is not expected to make it to the end of the year.

Will this change the actions of the drug trafficker? I don't know. What are your thoughts on sanctions?

I can tell you, from current experience, it does take some effort on this end to comply with the request of my homeland.

Deodorant. A luxury item?

One of the things we took for granted in our old life (the life in the developed world) is the accessiblilty to inexpensive, and sometimes free, deodorant (or other hygiene products). We have noticed the lack of it. I don't have to tell you how we noticed. Kenyon says sometimes the smell is so bad it makes his head hurt.

The first time I went to the store to buy deodorant in Maputo, I understood why it is rarely used. The cost is ridiculously expensive in comparision to what I am used to paying. I came home and told Kenyon the price. We agreed that at that cost, it would easily be considered a luxury item. If I had to choose between deodorant or food, my choice is clear, it would NOT be the roll-on anti-perpirant!

So, the next time you are at the store buying your roll-on, remember there are some places in this world that only the wealthy can afford such a luxury item. Be thankful for your blessings!

Anniversary Number Three

Three years...and counting. Kenyon and I celebrated our three year wedding anniversary last week. It was a week day, which means I had to work. So, he brought flowers to my work and we had dinner that night at a Portuguese restaurant we had never been to, but came highly recommended.

I used to wonder how old married couples often seem to communicate without saying a word. I think I've learned their secret. In recent months I realized that Kenyon and I have spent enough time together and I know him well enough now that I can often accurate predict his response to things. I am familiar enough with his likes and dislikes that I don't always have to ask, I just know. His ways are familiar enough to me that with a quick glance I know what he is doing (or about to do). Don't tell him he's predictable, but there is something to knowing someone that well or being familiar enough with them that these things are just known.

We spent the weekend at a beach on the coast of Mozambique. As we drove out the six hours to our destination, we used some of the time to make our annual list of favorite memories. This has been a tough year with two cross-continent moves, continued unemployment, and other issues...pardon us, but we couldn't come up with 10 and instead have a list of nine favorite memories for the year. To see lists from previous years, visit here and here. These are listed in the order they came to us, not necessarily a preference ranking:

9. Moving to Mozambique

8. Visiting good friends in Dubai

7. Watching Avatar outdoors in Phnom Penh, Cambodia

6. Nelspruit with the Whitlock's

5. Visiting the Power and Light district in Kansas City

4. Being chased by an angry momma elephant at the Royal game park in Swaziland while on our self-guided tour with the Whitlock's.

3. Christmas gift exchange with the Cambodian staff

2. The taste of turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie at the annual partner dinner in Cambodia

1. Snorkeling in Sihanoukville, Cambodia

Obviously travel is the inspiration for many of our favorite memories. How about you? are your favorite memories from special occassions or everyday events?

is it medical?

We have not gone to a doctor to find out if there is a problem; partially, because we live in the developing world and such things are difficult to diagnose here and infertility treatments would also be difficult. Partially, because I was hoping it would just happen without complications. Honestly, who thinks they are going to have trouble getting pregnant? That is not generally someone's first assumption. Will there be a medical intervention in our future? I don't know.

I have found this experience to be faith growing. It isn't easy to hope for something year after year that doesn't seem to become reality - for whatever reason. There have been times that I tried to squash the desire for children. There have been times I thought it would just be easier if I didn't want it. Hoping hurts when it is hope deferred. I've had many chats with God about this. Many questions related to why it hasn't happened? The only answer I received is found in Luke 18:1.

I believe God is asking me to "always pray and not lose heart." Praying keeps hope alive, but as I mentioned before, hoping hurts. I keep praying through the pain. Will I get what I am asking for? I don't know. But, I will keep hoping.

the adoption option

On our first date Kenyon said, "I plan to adopt. It's very important to me." Not exaclty appropriate first date conversation, but that's one of the things I love about my husband - no pretense...never, ever.

Adoption has been an option I've considered for a long time. I think I was 15 years old when I told my mom I wanted to adopt. I believe she told me that I might want to wait on that decision until I was older. In my work I see so many children who need a home. So many children who have been abandoned. On my first trip to India in 2004 there was a little girl who captured my heart, her name is Chandini. She was living at an orphanage. I was single, but always thought that someday, perhaps, I could bring her home with me. When I knew Kenyon and I were serious, I told him about Chandini. I introduced her to him when we went to India. He fell in love with her, too.

We wanted to adopt Chandini. It didn't work out. It broke our heart. We still have photos of Chandini on our fridge. I pray for her almost every day. We still love her.