Thursday, April 7

When Vivian was born and her mother learned she was handicapped, the mother disappeared, leaving the father with the baby. The father took the baby to his mother and left her there. The Grandmother had no money or space, or clothing, or any resource to take care of Vivian, so she soon took her back to her father. By this time the father had remarried, and the new wife wanted nothing to do with Vivian! So, the father took her, once again, to his mother’s. He said “ Either you care for her, or I will throw her in the lake!” So the Grandmother did the best she could. When Mrs. Mugabane,( the pasotr’s wife), first saw Vivian, the child could only drag herself across the ground, pulling herself with her hands. They took her into the center, cleaned her up, fed her, and loved her. A short time later, one of the workers (whom I met) was bathing Vivian, and one of the child’s legs cracked. The worker was horrified, thinking she had broken the toddler’s leg! (at this point, the worker was nodding her head rapidly, with an expression of deep alarm still remaining on her face). Then the same happened to the other leg! When the worker took Vivian out of the bath, and dried her off, the child wriggled out of her arms, and started to walk, and has continued to this day! This is the child in the picture, who is forehead-to-forehead with me! She is full of joy and claps all the time, with great excitement! (She indicated no fear of the giant albino!)

John 9:1-3
As Jesus was walking along, He saw a man who had been blind from birth. “Teacher,” His disciples asked Him, “why was this man born blind? Was it a result of his own sins or those of his parents?”  “It was not because of his sins  or his parent’s sins,” Jesus answered. “He was born blind so the power of God could be seen in him.”

.....Go Vivian!!!!!!
(sorry, can't get the picture through)

Thursday, April 7

When Vivian was born and her mother learned she was handicapped, the mother disappeared, leaving the father with the baby. The father took the baby to his mother and left her there. The Grandmother had no money or space, or clothing, or any resource to take care of Vivian, so she soon took her back to her father. By this time the father had remarried, and the new wife wanted nothing to do with Vivian! So, the father took her, once again, to his mother’s. He said “ Either you care for her, or I will throw her in the lake!” So the Grandmother did the best she could. When Mrs. Mugabane,( the pasotr’s wife), first saw Vivian, the child could only drag herself across the ground, pulling herself with her hands. They took her into the center, cleaned her up, fed her, and loved her. A short time later, one of the workers (whom I met) was bathing Vivian, and one of the child’s legs cracked. The worker was horrified, thinking she had broken the toddler’s leg! (at this point, the worker was nodding her head rapidly, with an expression of deep alarm still remaining on her face). Then the same happened to the other leg! When the worker took Vivian out of the bath, and dried her off, the child wriggled out of her arms, and started to walk, and has continued to this day! This is the child in the picture, who is forehead-to-forehead with me! She is full of joy and claps all the time, with great excitement! (She indicated no fear of the giant albino!)

John 9:1-3
As Jesus was walking along, He saw a man who had been blind from birth. “Teacher,” His disciples asked Him, “why was this man born blind? Was it a result of his own sins or those of his parents?”  “It was not because of his sins  or his parent’s sins,” Jesus answered. “He was born blind so the power of God could be seen in him.”

.....Go Vivian!!!!!!
(sorry, can't get the picture through)

   
    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

    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?!

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......!

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!

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!!