Friday, April 20. 2012

                I’m sitting at the hotel in Dubai, having just had the best shower in 7 weeks!  AHHHH!

            I will quickly try to finish this up as I have to get up at 5:30 and it’s midnight now..and had about 3  ½ hours sleep last night. I have no idea why this turned blue…but I’m not going to try to figure it out!  I still have a learning curve on this laptop!

                Thursday’s events:

                Went to Sango to dedicate the well there that our small group joined with another who had already been working towards this well.  It was quite special.  First we went to the water source that they had been using before the well…a little pond that is pretty well dried up during the dry season.  It looked brown.  There were two women and some kids still getting water there! (The well had been officially opened before but “dedicated” this day.)  We were welcomed with the traditional songs.etc…and lots of hugs.We sat in the shade and  Sam gave his very thorough sanitation lecture…about  washing the pots and Gerry cans,washing your hands OFTEN…with soap or ash and hot water.  They have to make a fire of wood or charcoal to do this.  It was quite extensive but I won’t go into it all.  Many things that we don’t have to worry about or even think about!. Village dignitaries and Pastor Hillary and Angie spoke, introducing me so that I could send greeting and love  from Southside and assure them that we are praying for them and want them to be sure to follow Sam’s directions about cleanliness. All Africans seem to be so very pleased to think we are praying for them,…or even just thinking of them. And they were thrilled to think Southside was !(I even  began my “talk” with Alleluia!(like Angie had…and many Africans do)…that’s a first for me!  They respond with AMEN! J   Then onto the well dedication.  I held the pump handle along with a young boy and girl and woman and we all pumped together.  Then  I released the handle and” gave”  the well to the Africans, as they continued pumping!  It was very special and I was so proud to represent our church!  The well was decorated with fresh flowers…very nice.  I had taken a sample of water from the previous source and the well and compared the two.Wow!  Can’t imagine anyone taking water..especially to drink..from that giant mud puddle!

                Then we gave out dresses and shorts for the boys,plus mosquito nets.

                In the afternoon we met with our sponsored children.  I had saved a pillow case decorated by all of our familes..grandkids, included…and Sharon loved it.  We waited for her Grandmother to come (singing Eensy Weensy Spider..which I taught her when she was 7!)  It’s our tradition to sing it now!  Her Grandma came(and my friend Margaret also was there)and it was so nice to see her after 8 years! And that’s when I received  something that thrilled me..as well as surprised me!  A chicken!!!!I had to explain (Margaret helped)that I couldn’t take it on the plane, but that I loved it and appreciated her generosity!(It’s a very special gift…and costs dearly).  Well, she said she would keep it for me and next time I came it would probably have chicks.  I held it…so sweet…and named it Henny Penny, which they all laughed a bout! 

What a great way to end my African Adventure!

I was afraid I might be late to the airport because of all the traffic in Kampala due to school holidays.  As  a result, I didn’t dare chance going to the big market I love to go to to get special gifts.  So I had to hurry at the airport to finish up, which wasn’t nearly as much fun.

Now to bed. I should definitely sleep well!  If I’m lucky, I can send this at the Seattle airport…or else, when I get home.  Thanks for coming along on this amazing journey with me! (I still need to check out more descriptive words!)  I know I’ll never be the same again.  I say that after every trip..but 7 weeks really makes an  impact.  Now I just have to be careful not to overdo it when talking to people…I don’t want to tire anyone…but it will be hard to stop!  See you soon! (and feel free to ask me any questions…or…tell me   "Okay, that's enough already!"  (>:)

p.s.  I made it home safe and sound.  Am now "transitioning" to this real world while at Discovery Bay at the Olympic Peninsula...where I don't have to face the mound of mail that awaited me on my dining room table!

I am surprised at how I've been impacted by being immersed in the African culture for 7weeks.  I miss my friends there...and still am amazed at how I lived there.  So very many special moments...and a few traumatic ones!...and so many unbelievable  people..who work so hard and have so little (Material things, that is)..but who are so rich in their faith and overflowing with warmth for others.  God bless them all.  I will return to see them next year, if it's in God's plans for me.  I certainly know it was His plan for me to be there this year. There was no doubt about it.

“that’s enough, thank you”!)

My last days in Africa, this year!

The last three days in AfricA!!!

 Here I sit, my last night in Africa, bags are packed and somehow I need to catch up on my last 3 incredible days…and get to bed at a reasonable hour, so I have had breakfast and am ready to go at 7 a.m.!  (It’s already 12:20 a.m. ) Tuesday I left the team to go with Pastor Hillary to one of Southside’s sister churches, Lumino.  It was a beautiful drive and we never would have gotten their if I had asked Hillary to stop  every time I wanted to  capture the vivid green landscape, the ladies digging, typical “African” trees ,etc.!   Everything has changed so much this last week since it has begun to rain!  It’s no longer  so hot and dusty..I have even worn a jacket once or twice         So after  about 1 ½  hour trip we  arrived at Lumino and I was greeted warmly by a small group of Sunday School teachers and Pastor Justice, who I had met before.  We started trying to organize the flannel board pieces, which was a little challenging as we still did not find the main book for all the Bible stories.  Fortunately, I had gone through it all before and it wasn’t as hard as doing it all by myself.  Bottom line, we pretty much found all I needed for 4 stories and after I demonstrated, they worked in teams of two and practiced telling one of them. They did a really good job and seemed to appreciate my helping them to understand how to get organized ,etc.  We had lunch at the Pastors house…very tasty…and then I went back to do one more story w ith them.  Noah’s Ark was a great success when I demonstrated how to involve kids (and adults ,too) by making the various animal sounds!

We worked a total of about 6-7 hours and when I got home, I was pretty tired! ”Just ate the last of my tuna and read for awhile and went to bed.  Too tired to even go check on the rest of the team’s day!

Wednesday we started out early for a village beyond Lumono called Naymayingo, another church we are helping to support.  I guess this is when I really had my great African adventure…as we attempted to try an alternate road because we could not cross a main one we needed to.(They were blacktopping it)So…Hillary drove through this extremely crowded, extremely muddy and extremely rutted dirt road.  The trucks that made the ruts were huge semis (it seemed more like canyons than ruts to me) , the street (?!)was filled with the huge trucks, motorcycles and bikes carrying huge sacks of beans, maize,etc…and people shoveling out the contents of the trucks onto the ground while others filled the sacks.  I’ve come to the conclusion that Africans ldrive in a straight line.  They Can’t! Too many potholes..or simply pieces of road missing one that  has to go around, bikes and cycles coming at you as others are trying to pass …it’s a madhouse !One always has to avoid something!  I so often find myself either holding my breath or closing my eyes!  This time I just prayed continuously!  That we wouldn’t get stuck in a quagmire, that we wouldn’t hit someone. Or someone wouldn’t hit us, that we could find a path that led to a road we could cross.  We finally did reach the road and I was thanking God…when a policeman told us we could NOT cross there and had to turn around and GO BACK!!!! And the way back was now blocked by 3 or 4 huge sacks!  The rest of the road was impassable.  (Did I mention this was NOT 4 wheel drive but a simple little Toyota, 21 years old?) Someone managed to guide Hillary backwards and helped us try another way.  Just as I was saying “With God, all things are possible”, we actually found a bit firmer ground and managed to finally make it back.

This little adventure took about an hour! And all along the way, men were making comments about the “muzungu” riding with Hillary.  I did not ask Hillery what they were saying!

                Finally got there and met Pastor Stephen and was greeted royally!  Yesterday I was pleasantly surprisedto find the pieces in bags labled “men” women”,etc..which was nice, though many were mixed up.  I had no idea what to expect this time…just hoped maybe the book would be there.  No book.  Many S.S. teachers to help (some came from nearby churches). There were labeled bags.  There were also many of these bags that did not smell particularly good…and had little droppings in them. YUK!  I again called on protection from God as I tried to NOT handles the pieces. I just was praying for someone to bring me some gloves! When I asked them to find a moon, they said they had one and held it up.  How could I tactfully say ”Yes, but it looks as if it’s been a part of a mouse nest”?!Long story short, we found the majority of the pieces and did the same kind of practicing as before, but with 3 or 4 working together so all could have a turn.  They were absolutely great and seemed to really get into it.  I was so proud of them!(by the way, a few years back, I helped paint that church just after it was built).

I felt very appreciated and very blessed by every single person there .And I do feel confident they will go on to the other stories and have fun doing it.

                It was pouring during most of the afternoon…hard to hear each other…no electricity so a little dark,but a great day and we managed to get home safely, going slowly.  So many bikes and motor cycles out without lights, people dressed in dark clothes getting soaking wet…so very dangerous!

Well, it’s 1”20 a.m. so I guess I’ll have to save the best for last!  Maybe when I’m overnight in Dubai, I can type it out and might have to wait til I get home to send it.

Tomorrow I hope Emerates will give me some good news about restitution for my damaged bag and the $100 extra I paid for extra weight.

See you soon!  Appreciate prayers for a safe journey!

Stevie

p.s.  Have to tell you hints about one of my BEST days!(Today!)  Dedicated the well(even got samples of  the prior source of water YUK..and the new water…and also received a very unique gift from my sponsored child’s grandmother!

Saying Goodbye at Juba,and Shopping at the Market

Monday, April 16. 2012

                Well. My stay is beginning  to wind down and I have such mixed feelings.  I thought I’d be counting the days til I leave…and, indeed, I do have a calendar with April’s days marked off, however, I never expected to feel  so reluctant to actually leave, now that I have made so many “connections” and relationships.  Who would ever think this  possible, when we have a difficult time communicating in our respective languages (even if they are both English!)?.   I have been trying to learn at least a little of Jap, one of the two languages spoken in Tororo.  Last night Rose began my “lessons” (she is able to communicate in English better than most) and I learned “Come here” and Come and eat”…and. Most important, Grandmother!  Today,as I was surrounded by a few of my favorite people, I think I learned (mostly with “cheat sheets”?)a few more : friend, goodbye, .. “I don’t want to” which I put together with “goodbye”, plus “I will come back in one year!” and most  important, God Bless You!  I will have to study these continuously! ( I REALLY KNOW “how are you?” and “Good!)  though they all laugh when I say it!  My friend Sue told me the secret to remembering it..it sounds like” Yogi..Bear” It really is “Yoga” and Bar”  The accents and tone has a lot to do with saying it…and that’s when they laugh at me..and clap at my attempts!

                So, this morning  we  saw a fantastic music program, including songs made specifically for us, who come from America  as well as their national anthem  and school song(school motto: “With God we attain wisdom”)…and the traditional dances.  We toured the site and saw the classrooms (which I know quite well!)saw the dormitories (one is now being built for the girls), the new kitchen that Bonnie’s son Kent’s church is building, and the chicken yard where they raise them  mainly for eggs for the children to eat as well  as well as to sell.

The headmaster said there are 380 students enrolled, preschool to P 6.  They have attained a very good reputation!  They are particular about whom they hire. (though not all have attended university) 

Hearing about the reputation of Juba before ,the first Pastor  and then Peter…. It was unbelievable the change!  It was a place of killings, rapes, robberies…you name it.  Now, there is my favorite church and an excellent (Ugandan standards) school.  They are expanding yearly, thanks to Hope 4Kids..and hope to have a high school eventually so they know the character and academics they have strived for in the Primary school will be maintained to produce top graduates for the welfare of Uganda.

                One last thing happened:  I met Juliette, whom I’m going to sponsor for this next year.  If you were reading my Blog, you may remember the story of a Mother who set her son on fire…and my friend Sue was going to sponsor the boy, Lban.  Well, that’s who I will sponsor.  Talking with both Pastors, Ruth and Peter, they support this.  I have to admit, I volunteered with a lump in my throat…but felt led to do this.  She will need all our prayers.

                Then we went to the outdoor market…that Sue and I used to frequent often and enjoyed so much. What a difference when it’s been raining!  I was used to hot and DUST..and now, with the rain, many goods were covered up…and it was a challenge to stay upright, with the wet, slippery soil and unevenness of the ground!

This weather has been so much cooler and it’s now beginning to rain at least some each day..The “diggers” are so happy!  And everything is so green instead of brown and covered with red dust.

                Tomorrow  I visit Lumino…one of my church(Southside’s) sister churches.  Can’t wait!

Saturday,April 14, 2012

Two amazing events today!(I really need to look in the Thesuarus to find a better variety of describing words..but there often are NOT enough words to describe these things.  The teams has often been heard to say, especially those coming for the first time. ”Pictures cannot do this justice, nor can words”.  I totally agree.  The only way you, who are reading this, could possibly understand and get the full impact is to be here  yourself.  It’s such a struggle to try to get you to feel my feelings! Maybe before I send this off, I will look up to see if I can find better words. 

Well..we started off with a  well! We went to the village where my friend, and field worker for the women’s program is from (Timothy) and where yesterday we met his  Mother and Gandmother and other family members.(I got chased by a pig,too)..for as long as his tether would allow!

We got there around 10:30 and the well was all decorated in pink…balloons and fresh flowers.  There was a big “Dress a Girl Around the World  banner up by the well and it looked very festive.  We were greeted by million (Yes… a slight exaggeration..but the singing and “trilling” I don’t know what you call that particular call~!) sounded like that many!  The children were singing “Dress a Girl around the world, …” AND THERE WAS A GREAT DEAL OF JOYOUS SOUNDS.  They surrounded both side of the bus as we proceded  to the sight,  As we got out, the women continued to sing and dance.  What a welcome!  The  traditional hugging :  one side ,the other side and back to the  first.  Plus : God Bless You!” and  “You are most wel-e-;come”~  It took a while for this excitement to quiet down enough for us to be ushered to some seats under shady trees(Thank goodness, it was getting hot!) then  we heard welcomings from local dignitaries who spoke of ow important the well would be to the many surrounding villages and about the previous well…We then took a walk to see where they had been getting water((they previously  had gone to a nearby swamp..with pythons,etc..certainly a danger and very contaminated water! ) This well was very difficult to operate and sometimes children fell into the well. It was not as contaminated as the swamp, but still very much so.  Pastor Hillary, in charge of the well drilling procedure, explained that the government had determined this to be a “No GO’ area,,,not suitable for wells(there were various reasons) but Hillary and his team were able to find water in a deep well.(Ugandans usually drilled only 25-30 feet down, reaching only the surface water,,,and this would dry up quickly in a drought)

So it was with great joy that the Dress a Girl well was dedicated, honoring Rachel and Robert and another church who had funded it.  It was great…and made me teary-eyed thinking that in just 5 days I would be standing at Sango as a representative of Southside Church,as our well is dedicated!

After this we had a special cake and the village people had pink lemonade made from water from the well!

                We then dress many girls with our pinkdresses…probably about 100 , all ages and sizes!  I love doing that!  Last year I did it..but had never sewn one…but this year I have..and loved seeing all the varieties, getting many good ideas.  Now I can’t wait to get home and start sewing again!  I highly encourage you to do this, too! If you need a little persuasion, Just let me show you some of the pictures of...especially "before and after"!  And the SMILES!!!!! 

 I also got to see some great little dolls that were given away, so if this is something you..or friends, might enjoy doing, let me know!  

I forgot to mention that there was a videographer (is that a word?) along for just this occasion, though he was persuaded to stay for the Graduation.  He loved it all and was there mainly to video for Duke University.  They had made hundreds of dresses (pink,of course) for the well dedication and he was to film it all and interview Rachel and get an understanding of the whole concept.  He was great and I wish I could have a copy of his final product.  I think clips will be on the dress a girl website eventually.  It's for a conference at Duke sometime soon...so he had a big job getting everything put together.He leaves in the morning.  A quick trip,for sure!!!

The second event was so very special to me…the Graduation of the Sponsored women, who now are officially “business women”!  We again were greeted with singing and dancing…even more than this morning! ( and there were more women there ,too!) As I looked at them, from the bus, I again got teary-eyed…recognizing so many of those that I helped Rachel  with when she interviewed them.. I though”How can she do this?..get to know them and see how they have grown…and then have to give them up to arrange for the  new class of women?! (I guess it’s because I know how it can feel when you have to let go of your class you’ve nurtured all school year and then they move on.  You are so connected!  And I felt this after just one encounter with them!

There was a huge tent with plastic chairs scrunched together.  About 5 dignitaries were there, including the M.P (Member of Parlament, who they all seemed to love!   They all spoke a great deal of God, including the M.P. whom I believe is Hindu. How refreshing!  And they all applauded the program and it’s objectives.  Pastor Ruth kidded them saying.” You know, if you keep your promises and stand behind them, you are assured of their vote”!

                I got to sit between both Rose (who had little Sarah with her)  and  Lona  , so I was  so very ecstatic!!!  It took a while to have the speeches (they always say, “Now I am not going to say many words:…” )!!!! (Sarah kept trying to play with Rose’s tastle!)   All the Graduates then received pink graduation hats…they were SO PROUD!!!! Then  they introduced  the 16 students who completed the tailoring program, presenting them each with a tredle sewing machine…and finally, the rest of the graduates were called up, received their certificate, with their sponsor beside them of they were there, and received a big black handbag filled with goodies!  It was , as they say” AWESOME”!!!!!

                We were all given sodas and a doughnut –type pastry and got to do a lot of visiting.  Rose kept telling me how much she ws going to miss me…and Lona smiled big and held my hand (She doesn’t speak much English)  Sarah giggled and smiled  at me…after all this time(she was as good as gold) and after playing with my team tag,etc, we were great friends.  I told Rose she must teach her to say my name by the next time I come!

                I got a lot of hugs from many of the women who recognized me from my time with Rachel and them,,,loved it!)I really hated to say goodbye, but tomorrow night they are coming here to the Rock, so I will have one last time with them.  Man!  It’s easy to get attached to these people!

So..back onto the bus.  We were thankful there was no rain! 

Tomorrow is church..and I will get to see Sharon!  And  hopefully her Grandmother. 

Then, at 6:00p.m we have our ladies for dinner.

Gosh...I'll be home in less than a week!  Everyone keeps asking me how I'm doing...and I can honestly say it's been great!  I just guess it's because God wanted me to be here?

But it sure will be great to see my family and friends again.  Bless you all!

My. the days are going by quickly! When they are as busy as this one, time flies!

Hope4Women

Thursday, April 12,2012

Well, I certainly am NOT bored (Oh! How I HATE that word!)…..anymore!  Ever since Rachel (founder of Hope 4 Women) came into town and I joined up with her, I’ve been BUSY<BUSY<BUSY and so very impressed with the 100 plus women we interviewed.(Rachel actually did the interviewing, I “assisted” by changing the name of the sponsor on one of the 30 little dollar store “white boards” I had brought and given to teachers.etc. and taking Her picture with each of the sponsored women.  Tuesday we worked 7 hours, without any break…and yesterday we worked 11 ½ hours(this time had a 15 min. lunch break), working the last 2 hours in the dark..and pouring rain outside.  The windows had no covering so we did get a little damp at times, and even if there had been lights in the building, the power was again out,so we used flashlights.  Despite these conditions, we really paid little attention to it because it was so powerful to hear how sponsors’ monthly $30 for a year had empowered so many women in so many ways.  Over and over we heard how their attitudes changed dramatically, from being fearful and  ashamed (many were taunted by others when their husband died…verbally abused because of this that they had no control over!) to being proud and standing tall because of meeting in classes with the others and learning English, how to write their names, budgeting,etc, plus a very much appreciated class “ Mission Character “ which teaches about forgiving, controlling anger, God’s love, etc.  I wish I had written down some of their phrases and thoughts as they were often quite profound.  Being able to start some sort of business with some “seed money” has helped many pay school fees, have a change and variety in diet, put a roof on their house or a floor……They all wrote (or had someone who wrote what they said) a letter to their sponsor and Rachel asked about their business, how it was faring, plans for the future, what changes have occurred in the last year , and what they would like to tell their sponsor. (Many desired their sponsor to come visit them so they could meet them in person)I am so very honored that I will get to sit between both of my ladies…and have had seen their workplaces and even had them for an American lunch at my house!

    Today we went to see some of the businesses.  We went into a mill and saw cassava being  ground (I got a chuckle seeing the very black skinned boys who worked there very white from the flour!)  Three ladies sell the flour, sitting the 200 lb. sacks by the road and selling it by the kilo.etc.   My Lona grinds maize and sells it. She’s doing quite well.  However, during that rainstorm that blew rain into my bedroom…a minor inconvenience..the steel roof of the mill where she does her business flew off..and a man there suffered greatly when it sliced his head!  Two children were also severely injured from it. Fortunately, they did live…

    Other businesses: selling vegetables (some leased land to grow some, others walked into town early each day (my Rose does) to pick up tomatoes,bananas, onions,cabbage, g-nuts  (similar to pnut butter)and often silver fish (They remind me of N.Z”s  beloved whitebait, which  also failed to impress me!)..tiny, skinny fish that appear to be mostly eyes!) They have little stands by their villages.  Many sell charcoal or second hand clothes.(I think most of the people buy only 2^nd hand.)  Some are into making  and selling food or raising chickens.  Several had a “piggery”.

     At Rose’s veggie stand we decided to pass out dresses for the girls.  Three of Rose’s got one and how darling they looked!  We gave out about 20 I think.  If any of you reading this like to sew and want to really make a difference, check with me!  It’s easy, fun…and so worthwhile!

   It’s getting late so I’d better call it quits.  I have packed once more to move to the The Classic Rock Hotel (where the team always stays) and will leave at 9 a.m., picked up by Timothy and Rachel and heading off to more business further out..and maybe the jungle?The team arrives about 4 p.m. It will be good to see many of my friends from previous trips, including last year’s roomie, 84 year old Mae!

      Next time I pack up it will be to GO HOME!!! But I have some exciting days ahead before I go….Good night! (>:)   

p.s.Did I mention that I have been enjoying 6 days of HOT Showers?!!!!after 5 weeks of cold, it's wonderful!(and I even have a tub the water goes into...not all over the entire bathroom floor!)  Life is Good!  

Last week's post..just posting it!April 2-6,2012

Wow!  These past few days have been pretty incredible! I spent the mornings at the two different sites, teaching (basically, reading stories…expanding English comprehension??? With repetition, they are beginning to understand me more..and repetition is how they learn most things. ( I need much more repetition to understand them, though!) Exams are being taken everywhere this week, so I had to really see where I might help, instead of hinder.  I found in the “baby classes” I could keep the rest of the class busy while the teacher worked with two or three.  It still boggles my mind how the children are just expected to keep themselves quiet, sitting next to their classmates, maybe sharing a small chair, for what seems like endless time….no books to read, no paper to draw on..no assignment to do(copy from the board) …just sit there and be quiet.  They are not perfect in doing this, but far better than I would expect! But, what a waste of learning time)  Yesterday, in P1, all the children had “organized themselves” and were kneeling on the cement floor, using their chair or bench as a desk. The teacher spent a great deal of time just getting them to put their surname on..and then their “religious” name on.  There were about 4 older girls trying to help this process.  I have no idea how a test could be taken when the children had a hard time getting their name on the exam form…and having it quiet enough to hear the directions.  WOW!

          Yesterday afternoon and this afternoon I had the two ladies I’ve sponsored for lunch.  Timothy(Hope 4 Kids Field officer) was with Rose (about 26, she has 5 children, was married at 15), and her sweet year old Sarah…and they loved EVERYTHING!  They were game to try it all and appreciated it so much. Timothy has been exposed to the staff of H4K often, so knew a lot about our food and liked it.  However, he had never had deviled eggs…nor the chocolate no-bake cookies I made.  He wanted recipes for both, as he likes to cook!

 This afternoon was almost the complete opposite concerning the food…but NOT the appreciation of my efforts.!  Lona( about 54, no children but raising some relative’s) was not about to even try anything except the ice tea ( a drop or two) and she did enjoy the powdered drink packet in the bottle of water!  She didn’t try the tuna noodle casserole..deviled eggs or tomato/cucumber salad.  She also tried the fresh fruit that I put in a little watermelon half (fancy!) and the store bought cookies.  After much encouragement, she also tried a bit of my chocolate cookie.  Doris, new friend and interpreter, revealed she did not eat fish!..so that wasn’t touched by her as well..though she did try the eggs.., and the garlic toast I made..which,surprisingly, she liked!  But, again,they appreciated my attempts..and we laughed a whole lot! as we learned about our different cultures.

What happened at the end of the day..I wish you could all have been there! Peter had told me we could get my twin bed and mattress to Lona’s..but I couldn’t believe it could really happen as he promised me!  Well, Lona is probably about ready to try out her new bed in an hour or so,..delivered to her by a rider on a bicycle!!!  I even took a video of them tying on the slats, putting the bed frame around the bike and tying on the rolled up mattress…and then it all being  driven off by quite a small young man!    Totally unbelievable !and all for 2,000 shillings.. or about $1.00!

TIA!!!!!

Public Holiday tomorrow() so I’ll just be packing up(I’ve given away half of my clothing and most of the school supplies so it will not be as heavy!  I started with 70 lb. bags...and now probably have bags of 30 or less each.  I'm packing up my water and it weighs a ton!

Belated  Happy Easter!!!!At the Prime Hotel...and missing everyone whole lot!  Went to my favorite church,in a tent...and felt totally loved. My last time there.  Now that I know the songs and dances!  I'll miss them so.

 Thursday, March  29,2012

.This morning has been nice, because we haven’t had to rush.  It’s a good thing, because when I went to press down on my French Press, it was almost impossible to move.  I was being VERY careful as I didn’t want it to come out all of a sudden.  Well, it did anyway!  ALL OVER EVERYTHING!!!!!!  THE REFRIDGERATOR, THE SINK, COUNTERTOP, BACK SPLASH, FLOOR..AND…MY YOGURT WITH THE BANABA AND MANGO IN IT! AS WELL AS MY -TOAST!  WHAT A MESS!!! So, of course, it took forever to clean it all up.

        Well, today is Sunday, April 1…Happy April Fools day, everyone!  It’s been awhile since I’ve written but I hope my server,etc. is now  completely “healed”.  It’s taken me a while to get myself organized with this new e-mail address (steviebe1@yahoo.com) ..trying to figure out what is still on okay from my Comcast address.  Hopefully I’m okay now!

Sue and Bonnie must be home now, trying to get acclimated to morning instead of approaching dark here!  I miss them a bunch but have kept myself busy cleaning the other side where Sue and I were, plus washing (I will be so happy not to have to ring out anything by hand when I get home!) and organizing and  unpacking my things on this side.  I have begun distributing some of my skirts to the people I have become friends with in Juba as this next week will be my last week with them.  I will be having Rose for tuna noodle casserole,etc. here Wed. along with Timothy (the field officer for the women,Hope4Kids) and will give her a set of my sheets,etc..plus things I’ve collected to celebrate her Graduation.  Thursday I’ll have Lona, the other lady who will also graduate, and Doris (Smile Afric) who has become a friend also..and will help Lona and I communicate!  I’m giving her my bed (still not sure how this will be managed!).

Speaking of beds…last night there was a huge thunder, lightening ,wind and RAIN storm!  I was feeling a little alone..but then remembered that I was really NOT alone.  God has always been with me, and that was comforting.

However, the next thing I knew, I was getting wet!  Because we put the screening on (gorilla duct tape!) I could not close the window.  We didn’t think the rain would come in, but, it did!  The wind helped accomplish that!  So, at about 1 a.m. I was pushing the bed as far away from the window as I could…which allowed only half of it to get wet ,then.  Fortunately , it’s a double bed so I could stay on the dry side.  Unfortunately, because it was so big, I couldn’t move it through the doorway to a dryer spot! There was a curtain that had been put up out of the way, so I dropped it down, fortunately.  Unfortunately, the string for my mosquito net was in the way so it couldn’t cover the whole window   )>:    Anyway, I survived.

 And then learned at church how insignificant this was…a woman arrived at Pastor Lawrence’s house at 1 a.m . telling him the roof had blown off her house.  He went to help…everything was soaking wet.  So things quickly get put into perspective. Don’t they?!

        I’m going to miss going to Kingdom Preparation church.  I’m getting pretty good copying the children’s choir as they do their foot and hand motions as they sing! (They always seem to either appreciate my attempts…or are just laughing at the silly muzungo!)

Well, enough for now.  Hopefully my attempt to get this posted will go well.  Three more weeks and I will

be with you!

        I had some wonderful Skype visits with family and friends this weekend!!! What a miracle to see my smiling grandchildren (and even all of Elliot’s favorite “friends”..his stuffed animals…and Abby’s hamster,Sweetie Pie! If anyone has Skype and wants to see Africa, let’s set it up! I’ve even been able to show some red headed and tailed lizards!  I think my Skype name is Stevie1944.

Love and miss you all! Stevie