Thursday, March 17, 2011
Thursday, March 17
I just spent the last half hour watching a woman across the road. She had a bundle of sticks that was taller that she was, and it would take 2 of us to reach our arms around. (I hope you can picture this.) She was an older woman and very thin. She laboured to roll the bundle around on the ground, as she put ties around it, top and bottom. Can you guess where I am going with this? Yes, eventually she sat on the ground and pulled one of those ties around her forehead. She couldn’t stand under the weight of it. In spite of her tremendous exertions, she failed to rise from the ground. Finally, a young woman ran to help her to stand up. It still took some time, as her legs wobbled under the burden. When she was finally standing, with the sticks balanced on her upper back, the younger woman left. However, a stick fell out of the bundle after the first few stiff steps. Yes, she tried to bend and retrieve it. As she lowered herself, she almost collapsed, but she recovered, stick in hand, and headed off to the steep hill going up to market! You may ask why I didn’t help her instead of watching? ......... good question..........no answer.........heart-breaking.........
Wednesday, March 16
Today started with a meeting of 216 women, some from quite far away. We gathered for a ladies meeting at Bethsida. We still sit outside as the builders are still busy on the interior. It may not be totally finished, but it looks wonderful! I brought formal greetings from NLA, which were received with enthusiasm.
Tomorrow is the last class before our first test. Our lessons may be hit and miss next week, because of the frantic schedule on the weekend, but we’ll make the best of it.
Tomorrow is the last class before our first test. Our lessons may be hit and miss next week, because of the frantic schedule on the weekend, but we’ll make the best of it.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Monday, March 14
Habari za asubuhi.......Good morning to all my invisible friends!
It’s a beautiful day here. i think it is going to be quite hot again.
I am sorry for causing concern. I don’t have internet availability yet. I do have a cell phone, but I used up my minutes! I hope to send out a message today. Don’t worry, I am doing very well! I am well cared for, safe, well protected, and rested. (No, my dear Mother, no one has kidnapped me! I have put out the word that we are Scottish, so they all know that ransom is out of the question!! Even here, our reputation precedes us!) Interesting....all banking is done on paper, as are gov’t records etc. They even add the account information manually. It is unusual to see a bank teller adding sums on paper.
Had a new fruit today, some day I may have a name for you, but that is not today! An acquired taste I think.
Should be leaving shortly to do some banking. They now have RBC, and debit machines! Now to see if they work internationally? Then off to CEPC head offices. We have started the process for a resident visa. The only question remaining is.......can I get my passport back from Kinshasa (other side of the country) in time to leave? In the absence of said passport, they will provide me with a document to cover me while in Congo, but then, I cannot leave the country. So, the stakes are high, we need more information, so that I won’t be job hunting! I
It’s a beautiful day here. i think it is going to be quite hot again.
I am sorry for causing concern. I don’t have internet availability yet. I do have a cell phone, but I used up my minutes! I hope to send out a message today. Don’t worry, I am doing very well! I am well cared for, safe, well protected, and rested. (No, my dear Mother, no one has kidnapped me! I have put out the word that we are Scottish, so they all know that ransom is out of the question!! Even here, our reputation precedes us!) Interesting....all banking is done on paper, as are gov’t records etc. They even add the account information manually. It is unusual to see a bank teller adding sums on paper.
Had a new fruit today, some day I may have a name for you, but that is not today! An acquired taste I think.
Should be leaving shortly to do some banking. They now have RBC, and debit machines! Now to see if they work internationally? Then off to CEPC head offices. We have started the process for a resident visa. The only question remaining is.......can I get my passport back from Kinshasa (other side of the country) in time to leave? In the absence of said passport, they will provide me with a document to cover me while in Congo, but then, I cannot leave the country. So, the stakes are high, we need more information, so that I won’t be job hunting! I
Saturday, March 12
Getting ISOM lessons ready, choir songs, and preparing for meeting. I hope I will get better at preparing lessons (I am too slow). We have had 2 classes so far, and there will be 3/week from now on.
Yesterday...... hot, hot, hot......you can’t imagine......really!
Up to the present, I have no internet access. Still ‘sending’ emails randomly throughout the day! It’s kind of like having an imaginary friend! We even tried the restaurant today, and their internet was down also. However, there is hope, we are working on it.
Got a cell phone, and sent my first text......are you supposed to be able to read them??
Went to the bank and saw a tiny bit of the news about Japan. Jim & Colleen, is it any of the areas where you have friends? Terrible!
Went through a couple of ‘toll bridge’ crossings today. You know...... a few young men get together and block the road. Then accept money from drivers to remove the blockages. Resourceful, don’t you think?
You know, we always comment on the roads in Congo. I was thinking......they have beautiful weather, beautiful flowers and trees, beautiful scenery, fresh food all the time.....us?......well.......we have good roads!
Will talk to you again soon, my invisible friends.
DDWS
Yesterday...... hot, hot, hot......you can’t imagine......really!
Up to the present, I have no internet access. Still ‘sending’ emails randomly throughout the day! It’s kind of like having an imaginary friend! We even tried the restaurant today, and their internet was down also. However, there is hope, we are working on it.
Got a cell phone, and sent my first text......are you supposed to be able to read them??
Went to the bank and saw a tiny bit of the news about Japan. Jim & Colleen, is it any of the areas where you have friends? Terrible!
Went through a couple of ‘toll bridge’ crossings today. You know...... a few young men get together and block the road. Then accept money from drivers to remove the blockages. Resourceful, don’t you think?
You know, we always comment on the roads in Congo. I was thinking......they have beautiful weather, beautiful flowers and trees, beautiful scenery, fresh food all the time.....us?......well.......we have good roads!
Will talk to you again soon, my invisible friends.
DDWS
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.
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)
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?)
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?)
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