I thought I should greet all of you while we have the generator giving us enough power to get some internet!
Thank you, all of you my readers, for joining me here.
The past week, we had my senior pastor and a church member join us for a busy week of visiting different sites and people. Thanks for coming! Your visit was very encouraging and much enjoyed!!
We visited a 3 school total. The conditions of the buildings are so poor, and yet the love and dedication of the staff to these children touches your heart. At the school, I shook hands with some of the children (who, after this contact, put their palm up to their nose to sniff it! Haha......I hope that was a good thing?)
Children are so highly valued here. At home I often hear people say "It takes a village to raise a child" and then we teach them not to talk to people or trust people, and not to let anyone touch them.
Here, you see the 'village' taking responsibility for the children. I have seen police, directing busy traffic jams, stop the cars to let a small child cross. Then in the middle of the road with cars all around stopped, he bends down to wipe the child's nose and pat them on the shoulder and give a big smile and an encouraging word!
In church, the ushers hold toddlers hands to help them up and down the stairs or perhaps even carry them. If the child needs something, the usher will either fix it for them or find the parents to meet the need.
Now, I know it will not be like this everywhere, but overall, I see young people with great confidence and peace and joy.......no wonder!
Just a wee snippet of life here......
Thursday, January 16, 2014
I thought I should greet all of you while we have the generator giving us enough power to get some internet!
Thank you, all of you my readers, for joining me here.
The past week, we had my senior pastor and a church member join us for a busy week of visiting different sites and people. Thanks for coming! Your visit was very encouraging and much enjoyed!!
We visited a 3 school total. The conditions of the buildings are so poor, and yet the love and dedication of the staff to these children touches your heart. At the school, I shook hands with some of the children (who, after this contact, put their palm up to their nose to sniff it! Haha......I hope that was a good thing?)
Children are so highly valued here. At home I often hear people say "It takes a village to raise a child" and then we teach them not to talk to people or trust people, and not to let anyone touch them.
Here, you see the 'village' taking responsibility for the children. I have seen police, directing busy traffic jams, stop the cars to let a small child cross. Then in the middle of the road with cars all around stopped, he bends down to wipe the child's nose and pat them on the shoulder and give a big smile and an encouraging word!
In church, the ushers hold toddlers hands to help them up and down the stairs or perhaps even carry them. If the child needs something, the usher will either fix it for them or find the parents to meet the need.
Now, I know it will not be like this everywhere, but overall, I see young people with great confidence and peace and joy.......no wonder!
Just a wee snippet of life here......
Thank you, all of you my readers, for joining me here.
The past week, we had my senior pastor and a church member join us for a busy week of visiting different sites and people. Thanks for coming! Your visit was very encouraging and much enjoyed!!
We visited a 3 school total. The conditions of the buildings are so poor, and yet the love and dedication of the staff to these children touches your heart. At the school, I shook hands with some of the children (who, after this contact, put their palm up to their nose to sniff it! Haha......I hope that was a good thing?)
Children are so highly valued here. At home I often hear people say "It takes a village to raise a child" and then we teach them not to talk to people or trust people, and not to let anyone touch them.
Here, you see the 'village' taking responsibility for the children. I have seen police, directing busy traffic jams, stop the cars to let a small child cross. Then in the middle of the road with cars all around stopped, he bends down to wipe the child's nose and pat them on the shoulder and give a big smile and an encouraging word!
In church, the ushers hold toddlers hands to help them up and down the stairs or perhaps even carry them. If the child needs something, the usher will either fix it for them or find the parents to meet the need.
Now, I know it will not be like this everywhere, but overall, I see young people with great confidence and peace and joy.......no wonder!
Just a wee snippet of life here......
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
Just witnessed a man who scoots along on the ground using one hand (with a specially made leather ‘mitt’) and a stick. He was also carrying a 4 gal. jug on his head. He did not look unhappy!
Makes me think of what makes me unhappy? ....small stuff!
We can learn joy.....the kind that endures hardship and tragedy...... from these wonderful people!
Their courageous joy refuses to be silenced!
You know, it’s hard to get pictures of these things. I have trouble to bend down and snap a photo and walk away.....it seems so invasive and degrading.....and yet, how do I convey this to you otherwise? Hmmmm.....
Just witnessed a man who scoots along on the ground using one hand (with a specially made leather ‘mitt’) and a stick. He was also carrying a 4 gal. jug on his head. He did not look unhappy!
Makes me think of what makes me unhappy? ....small stuff!
We can learn joy.....the kind that endures hardship and tragedy...... from these wonderful people!
Their courageous joy refuses to be silenced!
You know, it’s hard to get pictures of these things. I have trouble to bend down and snap a photo and walk away.....it seems so invasive and degrading.....and yet, how do I convey this to you otherwise? Hmmmm.....
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
Life in other places....
Fridays are recognized, in the city, as the day for begging. The destitute walk the streets ducking into a store here and shop there. When they find one with something to hand out, all the rest rapidly join them. Presumably until the supply is depleted? The shop I was in, mostly sells plastic containers, but they were handing out slices of bread. So I assume they purchase bread for this event?
How many of our stores would be so inclined? Having a strong social system somehow makes the needs of people more remote....less 'our problem'......giving us the ability to politely look away.
These people, mostly women, scurried across the streets, back and forth like a flock of birds, their ragged clothing fluttering in the breeze.
I was riveted, stuck on 'brain freeze', just watching, trying to process this. (Yes, I generally return home changed....I problably need it?)
How many of our stores would be so inclined? Having a strong social system somehow makes the needs of people more remote....less 'our problem'......giving us the ability to politely look away.
These people, mostly women, scurried across the streets, back and forth like a flock of birds, their ragged clothing fluttering in the breeze.
I was riveted, stuck on 'brain freeze', just watching, trying to process this. (Yes, I generally return home changed....I problably need it?)
Life in other places....
Fridays are recognized, in the city, as the day for begging. The destitute walk the streets ducking into a store here and shop there. When they find one with something to hand out, all the rest rapidly join them. Presumably until the supply is depleted? The shop I was in, mostly sells plastic containers, but they were handing out slices of bread. So I assume they purchase bread for this event?
How many of our stores would be so inclined? Having a strong social system somehow makes the needs of people more remote....less 'our problem'......giving us the ability to politely look away.
These people, mostly women, scurried across the streets, back and forth like a flock of birds, their ragged clothing fluttering in the breeze.
I was riveted, stuck on 'brain freeze', just watching, trying to process this. (Yes, I generally return home changed....I problably need it?)
How many of our stores would be so inclined? Having a strong social system somehow makes the needs of people more remote....less 'our problem'......giving us the ability to politely look away.
These people, mostly women, scurried across the streets, back and forth like a flock of birds, their ragged clothing fluttering in the breeze.
I was riveted, stuck on 'brain freeze', just watching, trying to process this. (Yes, I generally return home changed....I problably need it?)
Friday, January 3, 2014
the story of power in the Congo....
Power is ALWAYS a big issue here....that being said, I thought you might like my recipe....
- forget writing to husband and updating blogs, drop everything, because power is ON and we can cook!
- the idea is pizza…yes yes yes
- open box
- read directions
- so far so good
- mix the dough
- welcome the guest who just entered the kitchen and is probably horrified to see a mzungu cooking!
- carry on with dough
- let dough rise while heating oven
- decide it would be nice to have more vegetables on the pizza than the mix provides
- wait while Pascal runs to the market for onion and green pepper
- chop these when they arrive and add other veggies we could find (no cassava leaves, please)
- put into a pan to heat them
- wait for the slow element to heat up
- NOOOOO!…..POWER OUT! possibly until tomorrow!!!!!
- write to your husband?!
- throw out everything?
- frustartaion.....resignation
= Oh well
- other than this I’m all right
power on again in an hour....
- finish cooking add ons and...
- NO....not again....yup! It's out!
- put it in the oven even if it sits there for 2 days!
- go to sleep for a few hours
- power on again before midnight
- pizza ready in 2014!!!
- aahhhh......good......somethings taste even better with anticipation!
You may feel free to use this recipe any time you wish! Enjoy!
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