Wednesday, March 9, 2011

You never call, you never write..........

Yes, I know that’s me. I am hoping to get hooked up today. Obviously there have been some delays, but if you’re reading this, I’m in!
The Bible class consisted of 29 students to begin with, but that was only for the meet and greet. Tomorrow morning, 7:00a.m., we begin in full force, or should I say they will, and I will try to catch up?
Cute story: I met the PAOC missionaries last night. They came to share my Starbucks. They have a plumber working for them who keeps saying “You are from Canada, you MUST know ‘Staney’, he was my teacher and he is also from Canada. I want his email”!
So when I mentioned Stan teaching plumbing and electrical classes last year, they jumped up to ask if this could be him? There will now be no convincing this plumber that Canada is a very large country and we don’t all know each other!

I am still not hooked up, but I was able to get these posts through. Please be patient with me.
It seems that I need to instruct the Bible classes, not use the DVD’s. Nothing like a challenge to keep one busy! Raha explained that the DVD instruction method would be too foreign for them to process, they need someone to share face to face. ( so thankful to know that in advance).
Now preparing lessons and instructions, and  also student outlines in Swahili. The DVD course is still integral to the success of this venture. To make outlines, I just need to follow the English outline and find the corresponding Swahili text, copy and paste! Easy ........... I hope !
The exams and corrections are all there, and instruction is simplified, so we’re still on track. Just takes more prep work than I thought.

Tomorrow is the planned meet & greet for the class. I am told to expect more than 20 men and women. Pray for them! :) and me too! Just had my lunch. It was so good, wish you could all join me. I had potatoes, rice with carrots, a stir fry, and goat .....yummmm! (Eunice claims that was chicken, so we are having an ongoing dispute.)
It is thundering, raining, and the power keeps going out. In spite of this, the intrepid Canadian keeps sending emails and plugging in chargers! Another week of continual reminders that “that doesn’t work!” and I may remember, but........don’t hold your breath.
Also, we plan to get my computer fixed up for internet.....since the emoticoms don’t seem to copy, I’ll give you the description....... ‘Happy White Smiley Face’
Missing all of your faces, wait a minute, they’re in my suitcase, I will get it out and appreciate God’s abundant gifts to me! (cryptic reference to church photo)

Church today!

WOW, what can I say all the familiar faces, all the warm welcomes, a wonderful message! Oh, and the music...........!!
With Mapendo’s help, I was able to prepare a short speech, in Swahili, to present at the service. It was received with an encouraging degree of enthusiasm! I wonder what I said?
Due to the renovations taking place on the Church, we held the service outside. They are always very thoughtful, someone found a large umbrella to post in the ground near me. Enough to provide shade. Life saving!
The changes to the building are amazing. I knew they had done alot of work, but I was still astonished! Yes I got some pictures. (Stan, where did we pack the camera-to- computer cord?)

Sorry for the silence.

I arrived safely on Thursday. Raha met me in Kigali with a warm “Welcome home”, and a big smile and we drove to a guest house near the airport, where he had arranged a beautiful suite of rooms for each of us.
Friday morning early we were off to the airport to catch the flight to Kamembe. We met up with Mapendo and other friends at the border. It was a wonderful reunion. The crossing went without incident, and we proceeded to my house. It is large and furnished, with balconies overlooking the lake. Can you guess who my cook is? Yes, Bahizire! I have been very well provided for and feel blessed.
The rest of the day was devoted to unpacking. In spite of my best intentions to stay awake, I drifted off on the sofa, then the armchair, then ........ well..... you get the picture.
In the evening the family came over and we visited and shared much laughter.
Tomorrow we will be seeing the church construction and........and..........well the rest of the plans elude me for the moment? I think my brain is expected to arrive sometime next week, not sure which plane I left it on? Perhaps lost luggage’?