This is our 4th Sunday morning in Africa. Amazing! We are half-way through our adventure. Everyone is doing fine, outside of a few colds, and no one has acquired a funza yet! J
My husband looks wild! Have you ever kissed a hairbrush? Ick!!!This is his once in a life-time chance to grow a beard and he doesn’t plan on shaving until it’s time to go home. He looks older….at first I thought he looked more like his older brother Les, but no he just looks old and scruffy, kind of like Oscar the Grouch. Thankfully his personality doesn’t match the look. I wish I could post a picture. I am almost embarrassed to be seen with him.
We enjoyed wonderful fellowship with Barasa and Miriam and Yona’s family. Sabbath afternoon Mom and I visited with them for quite some time while everyone else went for a walk before the rain.In a gang like ours it’s been a challenge for them to put husband with wife and figure out which children belonged to whom. They know Vanessa from 2 years ago and they figured out Christina was also mine, but hadn’t the least clue Brianna belonged to me. We had her play her violin for them and they chose various hymns for her to play. Pretty soon they were singing for us and as our gang came from their walk we took turns singing and sharing music…. Christina was pressed into playing flute for them and since Steve pressured her to do that, he was in turn pressured to play his harmonica. The choir sang Ni Wangu and the Tanzanians did understand us. J The men sang, the women sang, the kids, etc… trading turns with the Tanzanians.
We had popcorn for supper with mango and avocado and then we invited the fundisin to watch the Jesus Video in Swahili. I didn’t stay for the video as my Christina, and even Brianna don’t handle the stress of movies well.My kids haven’t seen more than a half- a-dozen movies in their whole life and they don’t know what to do with the suspense and adrenaline. They like nature DVDs like planet Earth, but nothing with a story line.
Since we have moved into the house away from everyone else I feel more restful. I will be honest; of all the things we have experienced on the trip, long bumpy roads, stinky hole in the ground outhouses, beans and rice everyday, camping lifestyle, etc… doesn’t bother me, except not having anywhere to go to be alone. I love our friends and I love being with them…most of the time J However, I get really, really stressed if I cannot get a few minutes alone in quietness. I can’t even think at times and I become introverted and have trouble responding to jokes and humor. Now that we have a room for just the 5 of us (Steve, Bri, Beth, Christina and I – no room for Vanessa’s bed) I feel like a bird let out of a cage. Weird parallel, I know… 4 walls representing freedom J.
Dad’s morning worships have been a real blessing to all of us. They are based on the quote:“Above the distractions of the earth He sits enthroned; all things are open to His divine survey; and from His great and calm eternity He orders that which His providence sees best.” MH chapt 35
We all have trial and hardships in our lives, but they are all ordered and arranged and allowed by God to help us grow and build character worthy of heaven. The sooner we accept and embrace His will for our lives the sooner we can glorify God and reproduce His character in ourselves.
I have started copying the comments from people from home onto a Word document and reading them before worship. Everyone loves to hear from home. They enjoyed Jared’s comments this morning along with a couple from Delores. Dad also gives us the morning news. He listens to the BBC first thing in the morning before coming here and he gives us the rundown. There wasn’t much positive in this morning’s world news. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
To Angela
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, November 9, 2008 at 09:42 - Link
I am glad that you have been able to move to a quieter place. I totally understand about needing time to be alone and being just with your family. I still dont think I could handle that much camping either. I am glad that you are half done with your time there. It will be wonderful to have you back again.
Thanks for taking such good care of Beth for me.
I like hearing about all the things she gets to do with everyone. Please tell her "Hi" for me.
Jeanne
Hello from Washington!!!
Posted by Emily A. on Sunday, November 9, 2008 at 09:01 - Link
Hi Everyone!!!
I'm sorry I haven't posted a comment at all yet, but I've been keeping up with all of your adventures and stories. Must be such a blast over there, but also very tiring. I hope you guys are having fun. I can't wait till you guys come back!!
Boy, church last Sabbath at Cashmere just wasn't the same without everybody there. It was the first time I was at Cashmere for church since you guys left for Africa. There was no Sabbath School for me, so i joined in on one of the adult Sabbath Schools. It was....interesting. lol
I got hooked into playing piano for Cashmere church last Sabbath. I enjoyed it, but I think everyone misses the little "orchestra". I can't imagine what it must be like for Vanessa, not having a piano around to just go play whenever you feel like it. I know that would be hard for me.
Christina, I'm so happy to hear about your baptism! = ) I betcha not many people from America can say that they were baptized in Africa!
Well, I hope you guys are enjoying yourselves and not working TOO hard. "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy" ya know. = D I'm praying for you guys, and I can't wait to see all the pictures when you come back!!
(I'll try to post a comment every once a while) = D
GOD BLESS
Emily
back home to Dave and family
Posted by darcy on Sunday, November 9, 2008 at 11:36 - Link
Just thought i would drop you all a quick line. The hospital is good ther is an ACLS class at the end of Jan. that Dave needs to sign up for hopefully it will not fill up. Kelsey and Micheal have booked a venue for their wedding the date is June 20th. Ray is Ray. The weather has been really rainy for about a week now.Looks like you all are having a great time. have a safe trip home. see you when you get back
Darcy
News From Home
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, November 10, 2008 at 09:09 - Link
Hello to all of our church family in Africa!
We hope and pray all is going well. Thank you so much for posting about your adventure. The kids love reading and looking at the pictures. It makes them feel closer to you guys somehow!
Things around here are changing some. About half of the leaves are off the trees now, but the Lord has brilliantly colored them so beautifully this year. You know we haven't had such a nice fall like this in a couple of years. We have had more than our share of rain, although I love it, some don't! My brother has about 6 inches of snow up at his place on Badgar Mt. They are loving, rubbing that in!! Right now as I am writing this, the sun is finally showing up and the sound of geese is heard overhead! I never tire of hearing that. The kids are starting school and anxiously awaiting their turn to write to their friends!
Teresa, I have got to tell you something Rhett said. I will quote him, okay! " I am not opposed to adopting. I actually would like to some day." Can you believe that? Have you been praying? I tried not to jump up and down and scream, inside I was, though. Having Jenisis and Addie here, is working on him, I think. Jenisis is soooo funny. She smiles in her "Kristen smile" and says, "Yeahhhh, tootie!" and laughs and gets all my kids laughing. Poor little Addie, the girls and even the boys can not leave her alone! The other day I put Jen down for a nap, put the other kids to finishing their choirs/homework and I took the baby into the kitchen with me to make dinner. She was finally in a deep sleep. Can you believe the kids got their work done likety split that day and had time to bug the baby again? It is so cute. What joy they give your family Kristen.
Oh, yesterday Rhett and I went for a walk and while we were gone, you won't believe who called. Hannah Monroe! Garhett talked to her for a minute, she wanted to talk to me, then quickly hung up. I pray for that dear child every day! To think I missed the call! Garhett didn't know where she was calling from or where she is!
I am a little long winded, huh? I haven't talked to you guys forever! Cindy I am so glad Tom is with you now. Jon, Rhett is celebrating his 34th birthday this week and wanted me to tell you Happy Birthday Geezer!! Okay, the kids want to say hi!
Garhett: Hey Jonah, Sam it looks like Mission Ridge might be open Thanksgiving. They have gotten some snow. Sam, Mat, how did your life raft work out? Looking forward to seeing you guys.
Tori: Hannah how are you doing? I hope I see you soon sometime. I like your hat Issy.
Nathan: Mrs. Tall when you come back I will be glad to see you.
Mitchell: Jonah and Sam are you dreaming about Pizza?
Ellile: Hi Mrs. K Tall. I really like Addie. I miss you.
May the Lord bless you all. We miss you and you are in our prayers.
Come quickly Lord Jesus, come!
The Morgan's
