We had the most incredible light show this morning at about 4:30 am. We were all outside just watching this amazing phenomena. It wasn't really sheet lightening, it wasn't really regular flashes of lightning... but a continual lighting up of the clouds. It reminded us of northern lights. There was no sound for quite awhile but as it travelled closer we could hear thunder in the distance. The sky was mostly clear and the stars were shining in all their glory, but to the South and towards Lake Malawi there was a patch of clouds that were constantly lit up. Eventually the clouds drew closer and more of the sky was filled with this lightening. I don't think any of us have ever seen that kind of display before.
Supposedly the containers are due to arrive in port on Saturday and will be cleared by Monday; however, apparently the piracy off the Somali coast is a very real threat. Antionette tells me they're capturing many vessels every week and that's the route the ship carrying both the container for this orphan project and the container with Jason’s plane and farm equipment for Kibidula has to take. All is in God’s hands. We pray they arrive safely and well.
Yesterday we made some strides in the painting operation. We had help!! Many hands make light work. Barasa came back and helped and the Kirbys helped, also. We have had to put to coats of primer and now we have to put a second coat of the main color. It sure brightens up the place.
I talked to mom on the phone. She was meeting up with Jason about the time I talked to her. I asked for food. We are down to bare nothings here - except for our granola and dried fruit and potatoes. She said she found some lentils and mung beans for a change in our diet. She said she would get us some peanut butter and margarine and fruit and vegetables. The fruit that Kirbys bought in Iringa a few days ago still hasn't really ripened so we were feeling a little deprived!!! But Abi dug in her secret stash and supper was very good!
It's my turn to make breakfast this morning, but there isn't much to make so, even though I am hungry I am not excited about eating. Miriams parents did bring us a gift of plums, so I will sort through them for ripe ones.
The kids have found a couple more cameleons this week. They sure have fun with them!
We hope to finish painting the sanctuary today. We shall see what we accomplish.
Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, November 20, 2008 at 03:24 - Link
Hi there, just got an e-mail confirming that the cargo ship arrived in Dar es Salaam and will leave for the port of Tanga this weekend and our container will be ready to leave port by Tuesday next week. Thankful for the good news. A.
To Bethany
Posted by Jeanne on Thursday, November 20, 2008 at 10:24 - Link
Hi Bethany,
I am sorry that it has been so long since I have written a note to you. This whole week we have been traveling back home from Tucson, AZ.
We went and saw the Meteor Site just north east of Flagstaff, AZ. That was really cool. The crator was 4000 feet across and over 500 feet deep.
Then we went to Glen Canyon Dam on the Colorada River, on the border of Utah and Arizona. Behind the dam is Lake Powell. It is 186 miles long and has 1,960 miles of shore line, which is longer than the entire west coast of the Continental United States.
The dam is 500 feet tall, with over five million cubic yards of concrete. That is enough concrete to make a four- lane high-way from Phoenix, Arizona to Chicago, Illinois.
We had so much to see and do there, that we didnt even leave till about 3 pm in the afternoon. Then we had to drive all the way to Provo, Utah that evening. We were very tired when we finally got to the hotel.
The next day we drove all the way home. It was about a 13 hour drive. But we were so glad to be home and sleep in our own beds.
So today we are unpacking the car and doing laundry. Emily and Hannah are doing school.
Jimmy, Sam, and Squeekers were so glad to see us last night when we got here. Sam was meowing so much it sounded like he had the hiccups.
Sam was missing you though. He kept going into your room and calling for you. I told him that it wouldnt be to much longer till you came home.....just 24 more days and counting.
I love you and miss you alot.
Mom
Food
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, November 20, 2008 at 12:42 - Link
To our beloved friends---
I knew that you all said that you would probably be hungry. But I guess I never really thought about hunger. I would gladly feed you all! We are all anxious for the gang to come home and tell us stories from Africa. Hang in there!
So are there any requests for food when I invite you over for lunch?? Maybe that will keep your minds busy for awhile. It feels like snow today. Mission Ridge is covered again. They said rain but I think it is too cold.
Waiting for your safe return. We are praying for you.
Katie and gang (The Bidlemans)
Hi Over There!
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, November 20, 2008 at 03:11 - Link
Hello everyone,
How is everybody feeling today? Chris, I remember you telling us you had trouble with kidney stones at one time. I am so sorry and we have been praying for you. I can't imagine what you went and are still going through. Tall family, how are the fevers? You are in our prayers also. I bet you all have so many stories to share with us when you get home. We need to have a big potluck to hear all about them. You let us know what you want on the menu and we will make it! Chilli pie, Jon? : )
Vanessa, it was so sweet of you to write to Garhett, it just made his day. He sure misses you guys. Especially when he goes to class.
There is snow on Mission and it looks like it could snow here today. It has been raining a good part of the day. I wouldn't be surprised if we wake up to snow.
Abi, thanks so much for doing skirts for the girls. That is so thoughtful. They will enjoy them tremendously. I hope Bella is doing better.
Just remember when you feel like you can't endure things any longer, say to yourself: "This too shall pass." My grandmother taught me that when I was a little girl. I say that to myself sometimes and I always have comfort in those words. (Especially for you Chris! : ) ) Take care and God bless you all...
The Morgan's
Bethany,Vanessa,Brianne and Christina.
Posted by Grandma Wallace on Thursday, November 20, 2008 at 08:47 - Link
Hello you all,
How are you doing. I Hope you are learning and doing many new things. Did you give away all the beanie babies? Are you helping to teach the children?
When I go for a walk with the five dogs, it is like a wild animal zoo. Holly runs around in circles barking and crying. They all want to see who can be the nearest to me. What a wild bunch of dogs.
The button quail are doing their thing, laying lots of eggs. They love it when I feed them some romaine lettuce. I also grind up flax and sun-seed, corn and nuts and they seem to like it.
We will be in Wenatchee visiting Jeanne and Jeff for Thanksgiving.
We also went to San Diego and stayed with Sunhee and Andrew, Lauren and Lindsay. We stayed there for a week and had a wonderful time.
I an ready to start reading some new books and will be putting them on tape.
Be good, trust in Jesus, work hard and have fun.
