Friday, April 1, 2011
OK, so I am in the restaurant, getting word out to my family and friends.......then, when we were leaving........I discovered the one pillar in the building that had been freshly painted (oil base, of course)! Now I am freshly painted as well! It’s a gift, really!
All classes were suspended until we all recovered from the weekend. Today, we are back on track. Next week we will be starting another class, so I have lots of prep ahead. Pray LIFE into these lessons!
I hope to help you visualize the latest amazing phenomenon. As you have been aware, our power supply has been largely nonexistent. Today, Raha’s efforts to have this repaired, gained a response from the company. They sent out a man to fix the problem. Picture, if you will, a man in dress shirt, dress pants, and dress shoes, climbing a very narrow ladder. He ascended about 20 feet (about the same in metric I think), and stood, not on the top rail, but rather on top of the poles on each side! Did I mention the rain? He proceeded to work on the lines while the power was full on! When he needed another tool, someone on the ground threw it up to him.......it took 3 attempts. He would reach out to catch it, and wobble on the poles. ( It’s just a good thing he had the metal pole to cling to, isn’t it?!) He patiently stripped wires, and joined them, and I think he pushed some into a ‘junction box’? The rain continued unabated. Whew! I have power, but the cost could have been steep! Raha suggested I take a picture, but my camera battery is dead. Now that I have power........ (I wonder if he would come back???)
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Wednesday, March 30
We are back on schedule tomorrow. Classes at 7:00 a.m. I am looking forward to getting back on track. We are planning cell groups for next week. They are an important part of building the church. We begin with a few day training, and then I hope to visit the groups in their own homes. There are a few other ideas taking shape also, I will keep you informed.
This trip, I feel that I am making friends. It’s wonderful! They are open and supportive, and more trusting of me as a person, I think. We share so many good laughs and great fellowship. The keep teaching me Swahili, and when I get it right, they laugh with pleasure. I can say “Tunaenda kuu kanisa.” = we are going to the church. The only problem with this very functional little speech, is that I often have a different driver. I fear hopping into a stranger’s car and saying “Tunaenda kuu kanisa” , when perhaps they came to visit, or they are simply asking directions?!
This trip, I feel that I am making friends. It’s wonderful! They are open and supportive, and more trusting of me as a person, I think. We share so many good laughs and great fellowship. The keep teaching me Swahili, and when I get it right, they laugh with pleasure. I can say “Tunaenda kuu kanisa.” = we are going to the church. The only problem with this very functional little speech, is that I often have a different driver. I fear hopping into a stranger’s car and saying “Tunaenda kuu kanisa” , when perhaps they came to visit, or they are simply asking directions?!
Monday, March 28
Some of the Canadians have left, it was a short visit, but I am sure they would call it memorable. The dedication service was fantastic! There were at least 500+ people. Every seat was taken, and all available standing room was a squeeze. The service was 4 hours, so they were dedicated. The work that Raha & Mapendo did to make this happen is monumental! It would appear that they thought of everything, and all the guests were made to feel welcome.
In the afternoon, we went on a cruise around the Lake, similar to my first trip, and just as panoramic. We were served a ‘snack’ (resembling a meal), and later a complete supper! I was able to sit on the top deck (I know, I know, there’s probably a name for that, I just don’t know it!), and found it relaxing and entertaining. Of course, we were accompanied by the musical talents of the choir. I missed taking pictures of that event, because I used up my camera battery on the dedication. I do have a spare battery, we DID think of that! We just didn’t think of putting it in the suitcase (a small thing really)!
We have 3 methods of cooking at my house. Propane (we’re out), electric (it’s out), and coals (they’re outside). We really are quite upscale! Actually, we think the power problems are worked out now......there is power, power, wonder working power......!
In the afternoon, we went on a cruise around the Lake, similar to my first trip, and just as panoramic. We were served a ‘snack’ (resembling a meal), and later a complete supper! I was able to sit on the top deck (I know, I know, there’s probably a name for that, I just don’t know it!), and found it relaxing and entertaining. Of course, we were accompanied by the musical talents of the choir. I missed taking pictures of that event, because I used up my camera battery on the dedication. I do have a spare battery, we DID think of that! We just didn’t think of putting it in the suitcase (a small thing really)!
We have 3 methods of cooking at my house. Propane (we’re out), electric (it’s out), and coals (they’re outside). We really are quite upscale! Actually, we think the power problems are worked out now......there is power, power, wonder working power......!
Saturday, March 26
The Canadians have landed! 8 of them! They are here for the grand dedication
Service on Sunday, so the visit will be brief. Today, we are taking a tour of the city. It should be interesting. It looks like it will be a very hot day!
Once again I am powerless! All around me they have power, but I have none! It is really only a problem for my computer. Thanks to the counsel of a very wise man, my husband, I have 2 batteries with me, so I switch them when I need to.
Supper will be by the lake tonight, in a beautiful setting. I will try to get pictures for you. We are having BBQ chicken, fish, (you thought I was going to say goat, didn’t you?), and yes, goat!! ..........Try it, try it Sam-I-am!
Greetings to my encouragers from Scotland....you are wonderful! Congratulations to Jeff & Danielle! L.H. I hope you are feeling better? Beth, it sounds like you are doing a great job, thank you, I am proud of you! Letting Dad do the cooking is a great motivator isn’t it? And to all of you, I appreciate your prayers and support more than you know!
Service on Sunday, so the visit will be brief. Today, we are taking a tour of the city. It should be interesting. It looks like it will be a very hot day!
Once again I am powerless! All around me they have power, but I have none! It is really only a problem for my computer. Thanks to the counsel of a very wise man, my husband, I have 2 batteries with me, so I switch them when I need to.
Supper will be by the lake tonight, in a beautiful setting. I will try to get pictures for you. We are having BBQ chicken, fish, (you thought I was going to say goat, didn’t you?), and yes, goat!! ..........Try it, try it Sam-I-am!
Greetings to my encouragers from Scotland....you are wonderful! Congratulations to Jeff & Danielle! L.H. I hope you are feeling better? Beth, it sounds like you are doing a great job, thank you, I am proud of you! Letting Dad do the cooking is a great motivator isn’t it? And to all of you, I appreciate your prayers and support more than you know!
Friday, March 25, 2011
Tale of two Cultures:
Two pre-teen girls stood a short distance form me laughing behind their hands and obviously looking at me. You share my culture, you can put your own interpretation on this, it would probably be close to mine.
Later, it was interpreted for me........”This is Dorine. She is so beautiful, I like to just stand and look at her.......”
I need to renew my mind!!
Later, it was interpreted for me........”This is Dorine. She is so beautiful, I like to just stand and look at her.......”
I need to renew my mind!!
Thursday, March 24
Today I am at home preparing for the big weekend. There are some very small jobs I can do.
The extreme heat yesterday took its toll and some rest is OK with me. I do have a class later on, but until then, computer work and catch up on my laundry etc.
Last night Eunice showed me a bag in our kitchen with an un-plucked chicken in it. This morning, that bag started to crow (OK ....so it was dark...... I couldn’t tell it was a rooster!) He is now loose in the kitchen. Wisdom dictates that I keep the kitchen door closed until Bahizire gets here! I was wondering if that constitutes a ‘bag lunch’? ..... nope....it’s a reprieve for the rooster! I spoke too soon.........
Next week I am hoping to hire a Swahili teacher. Last night I had guests, and I told them that I could speak Swahili, they were understandably surprised, until I recited all the non-verbal communication sounds! We shared a good laugh together! They agreed that I was part way there, but there was room for improvement!
Classes are cancelled until next Thursday, due to schedule overload. That will afford me some time for preparation and printing notes for the class. To do this, I open the English lessons I brought, select the points I want to highlight, open the Swahili version, and copy those points onto a sheet for the class. My English/Swahili course transcript is indispensable!
To all my invisible friends who have crossed cyber-space and send a friendly word, I thank you!
DDWS
The extreme heat yesterday took its toll and some rest is OK with me. I do have a class later on, but until then, computer work and catch up on my laundry etc.
Last night Eunice showed me a bag in our kitchen with an un-plucked chicken in it. This morning, that bag started to crow (OK ....so it was dark...... I couldn’t tell it was a rooster!) He is now loose in the kitchen. Wisdom dictates that I keep the kitchen door closed until Bahizire gets here! I was wondering if that constitutes a ‘bag lunch’? ..... nope....it’s a reprieve for the rooster! I spoke too soon.........
Next week I am hoping to hire a Swahili teacher. Last night I had guests, and I told them that I could speak Swahili, they were understandably surprised, until I recited all the non-verbal communication sounds! We shared a good laugh together! They agreed that I was part way there, but there was room for improvement!
Classes are cancelled until next Thursday, due to schedule overload. That will afford me some time for preparation and printing notes for the class. To do this, I open the English lessons I brought, select the points I want to highlight, open the Swahili version, and copy those points onto a sheet for the class. My English/Swahili course transcript is indispensable!
To all my invisible friends who have crossed cyber-space and send a friendly word, I thank you!
DDWS
Monday, March 21, 2011
Sunday, March 20
It rained so hard all Friday night, that Saturday classes were cancelled. There was however, a church meeting later in the morning.
OK, so the choir is ready as far as I am concerned. Apparently they are not perfect, but I can’t tell.......I think they are very close to perfect. I am ‘singing’ with the Swahili Choir as well, oh, and ‘dancing’! I will sit in the back row and no one will even notice me (who am I kidding?!.....just let me deceive myself. OK?)
Today, Monday, the class wrote their first test. We also shared a great lesson time. Corrections are done and I need to prepare the Thursday lesson. First, I am speaking in the Sayuni Church, to the ladies group. That will be Wednesday. I am taking in some classes myself every evening this week from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Things are well on the way for the big weekend. They are expecting approximately 500 people. There are plans throughout the day, each day from Thursday to Monday.
We have had some problems with the power in our house (the main wire was cut), so we have been in the dark for 4 or 5 days. No problem. .....I am usually ‘in the dark’ so to speak! But...... those cold showers at 5:30 a.m.......! Well, it’s better than coffee for waking one up, although there’s a slim chance of it becoming addictive behaviour!!
Important lesson of the day; a minivan is an 18 passenger vehicle, I did not know this! Life is all about learning, isn’t it?
OK, so the choir is ready as far as I am concerned. Apparently they are not perfect, but I can’t tell.......I think they are very close to perfect. I am ‘singing’ with the Swahili Choir as well, oh, and ‘dancing’! I will sit in the back row and no one will even notice me (who am I kidding?!.....just let me deceive myself. OK?)
Today, Monday, the class wrote their first test. We also shared a great lesson time. Corrections are done and I need to prepare the Thursday lesson. First, I am speaking in the Sayuni Church, to the ladies group. That will be Wednesday. I am taking in some classes myself every evening this week from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Things are well on the way for the big weekend. They are expecting approximately 500 people. There are plans throughout the day, each day from Thursday to Monday.
We have had some problems with the power in our house (the main wire was cut), so we have been in the dark for 4 or 5 days. No problem. .....I am usually ‘in the dark’ so to speak! But...... those cold showers at 5:30 a.m.......! Well, it’s better than coffee for waking one up, although there’s a slim chance of it becoming addictive behaviour!!
Important lesson of the day; a minivan is an 18 passenger vehicle, I did not know this! Life is all about learning, isn’t it?
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