Dear Friends,
I don't think I've mentioned it before, but shortly after arriving in Zambia I found out that my Opa, my dad's dad had stomach cancer and was going to have surgery on February 24 to remove his stomach. Well, I got an e-mail from my mom yesterday and the news was not good.
Please pray for me and my family in these next few weeks--they found out that my grandfather's cancer is much more serious than the tests and scans indicated, and that he might not have much longer to live. This is devastating news at the best of times, but as I am halfway across the world from my family right now I'm feeling very helpless and distraught. Please pray for us as we cope with the news, and as we make hard decisions about what to do next. Please pray for my grandparents as they make arrangements and deal with the news themselves. We know the Lord is in control, and if He calls him home we will rejoice that he is at least face to face with his beloved savior even as we grieve his parting.
"In my distress I cried to the Lord, and He heard me...I will lift my eyes up to the hills--from whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth...Behold He would keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep."
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Five girls and two men in a Land cruiser, to say nothing of three dogs.
Five girls and two men in a Land cruiser, to say nothing of three dogs.
Last weekend was my weekend off, so a bunch of us headed to the cottage on Saturday afternoon. Beth, Bethany, Mr. and Mrs. Ronald, Jill, Mr. Wideman and I all piled in the Ronald’s bright green land cruiser with the Ronald’s puppy Sasha, Bethany’s dog Teddy, and my puppy Ceili and headed out at about 2 in the afternoon. One of the missionaries who was out here for most of her life, Miss Hoyte, was given a piece of land on the Zambezi river where she built a cottage for use as a get-away for missionaries, family visiting their kids at Sakeji, a place to take the kids for half term, and for weekend trips. Right in front of the cottage there is a small waterfall (about 2 feet tall), a nice shallow spot with smooth rock and sand, and a nice wide bend of the river to swim in. I had been out there a few times when I was here before—I celebrated my 20th birthday at the cottage as well as half term.
Upon arrival, we found that Ceili had thrown up on the seat in the back of Ronald’s car. I rinsed the quilt off in the river, and tied her to a tree while we got the chairs out of the cottage, changed into swimming gear, and jumped in the river. It was so cool and refreshing! I know a lot of you are thinking, Crocodiles! Germs! However, this part of the river is safe and as the water is swift flowing, its quite safe. We had a lot of fun swimming and sitting under the waterfall (back massage!) before heading out dripping and hungry for tea. We had all brought something to share, and after enjoying the treats, we settled down to read, knit, and chat. The puppies rough-housed when they weren’t tied up—Ceili managed to knock Sasha into the river at one point!
After packing up, closing up the cottage and loading everyone back up, we headed back to Sakeji. This time Ceili threw up about 5-10 minutes before we arrived back at the station—apparently she had found something to eat out there. I was not amused! Mr. Ronald was gracious and helped me clean it up. I think Ceili will stay behind next time unless I bike over!
Today we went to a tinny little assembly out down the Mwunilunga road. I had been there once before with Poidevins, and it looked much the same. The roof was so low that I had to duck to avoid the rafters. There is now a big ant hill on the men’s side—we were a little surprised that they had allowed it to get so big! The seats were really low so my knees were sore by the end, but it was a nice service and I enjoyed hearing Mr. Ronald’s message and meeting the people. I love the singing—though we were only a few, the little church was filled with the sound of praises to the Lord. We enjoyed Sunday lunch when we got back (complete with ice cream and fudge!) and now I’m relaxing and catching up on marking and correspondence. These down times are so needed and enjoyed—as much as I love the kids, being on call essentially all week takes it out of you!
Its hard to believe a third of the term has gong by already, and hard to believe that I don’t have to go home at the end of term! I’m looking forward to dry season—its been quite hot these last few days. I was amazed to hear that it snowed back home—Beth laughed at the ‘snow’ in Texas! Ah well, I wouldn’t trade my sunny skies, tawny-green grass, and cold river water for anything.
Last weekend was my weekend off, so a bunch of us headed to the cottage on Saturday afternoon. Beth, Bethany, Mr. and Mrs. Ronald, Jill, Mr. Wideman and I all piled in the Ronald’s bright green land cruiser with the Ronald’s puppy Sasha, Bethany’s dog Teddy, and my puppy Ceili and headed out at about 2 in the afternoon. One of the missionaries who was out here for most of her life, Miss Hoyte, was given a piece of land on the Zambezi river where she built a cottage for use as a get-away for missionaries, family visiting their kids at Sakeji, a place to take the kids for half term, and for weekend trips. Right in front of the cottage there is a small waterfall (about 2 feet tall), a nice shallow spot with smooth rock and sand, and a nice wide bend of the river to swim in. I had been out there a few times when I was here before—I celebrated my 20th birthday at the cottage as well as half term.
Upon arrival, we found that Ceili had thrown up on the seat in the back of Ronald’s car. I rinsed the quilt off in the river, and tied her to a tree while we got the chairs out of the cottage, changed into swimming gear, and jumped in the river. It was so cool and refreshing! I know a lot of you are thinking, Crocodiles! Germs! However, this part of the river is safe and as the water is swift flowing, its quite safe. We had a lot of fun swimming and sitting under the waterfall (back massage!) before heading out dripping and hungry for tea. We had all brought something to share, and after enjoying the treats, we settled down to read, knit, and chat. The puppies rough-housed when they weren’t tied up—Ceili managed to knock Sasha into the river at one point!
After packing up, closing up the cottage and loading everyone back up, we headed back to Sakeji. This time Ceili threw up about 5-10 minutes before we arrived back at the station—apparently she had found something to eat out there. I was not amused! Mr. Ronald was gracious and helped me clean it up. I think Ceili will stay behind next time unless I bike over!
Today we went to a tinny little assembly out down the Mwunilunga road. I had been there once before with Poidevins, and it looked much the same. The roof was so low that I had to duck to avoid the rafters. There is now a big ant hill on the men’s side—we were a little surprised that they had allowed it to get so big! The seats were really low so my knees were sore by the end, but it was a nice service and I enjoyed hearing Mr. Ronald’s message and meeting the people. I love the singing—though we were only a few, the little church was filled with the sound of praises to the Lord. We enjoyed Sunday lunch when we got back (complete with ice cream and fudge!) and now I’m relaxing and catching up on marking and correspondence. These down times are so needed and enjoyed—as much as I love the kids, being on call essentially all week takes it out of you!
Its hard to believe a third of the term has gong by already, and hard to believe that I don’t have to go home at the end of term! I’m looking forward to dry season—its been quite hot these last few days. I was amazed to hear that it snowed back home—Beth laughed at the ‘snow’ in Texas! Ah well, I wouldn’t trade my sunny skies, tawny-green grass, and cold river water for anything.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
With a hey, ho the wind and the rain...
And the rain it raineth every day! -Twelfth Night
Well, it was a rather damp half term, but a good time was had by all, and no one was too seriously injured, so all in all, this first half term was a success. Yesterday Beth and I offered roller skating in the hall as an activity for the juniors (because a lot of the fun extra activities at half term are seniors only). This turned into a little bigger of a deal than we had anticipated. Getting that many small children into roller skates, into the hall, getting knee pads on the 1st and 2nd graders, and then helping kids pick themselves up off the floor for an hour was rather very loud, and rather stressful. However, the kids on the whole had a great attitude about falling on the cement floor, and seemed to enjoy themselves very much. My arms and shoulders are a bit sore from being hung on and suddenly grabbed, but I’m glad we did it.
Lunch was at the river again, and then Beth and I walked up to get changed and relax a little before swimming at 2. I took the silver and gold seals (the two highest levels in swimming lessons) tubing down the Sakeji river—what an adventure! Margie Young went with us, and we had a lot of fun. I fell off my tube twice—once when I was smacked into a tree, and once when I got stuck on a rapid. The bottom of the river is VERY rocky and I wished I had water shoes! I arrived at the end in one piece though bellow the swimming pool, and hope the river is high enough to do that again next half term! It started raining when we were almost all the way down though, so the kids had to shelter in the changing huts for a little. The rain let up though, and Beth Vickie and I continued our supervision until 4. After supper half term is officially over, but we finished watching Up! that evening. The kids enjoyed the movie, and the staff got a kick out of the keen observations on human nature and kids. I told the kids I should get one of those talking collars for Ceili!
School is back to normal today with us staring the Aztecs in social studies, watching part of “The Voyage of the Dawn Treader” with the 5th graders, and math and computers later this afternoon. I didn’t get near as much marking done during half term as I had planned, but I have time today and I think I needed the break. Thanks for all your prayers and letters/e-mails—they mean the world!
Well, it was a rather damp half term, but a good time was had by all, and no one was too seriously injured, so all in all, this first half term was a success. Yesterday Beth and I offered roller skating in the hall as an activity for the juniors (because a lot of the fun extra activities at half term are seniors only). This turned into a little bigger of a deal than we had anticipated. Getting that many small children into roller skates, into the hall, getting knee pads on the 1st and 2nd graders, and then helping kids pick themselves up off the floor for an hour was rather very loud, and rather stressful. However, the kids on the whole had a great attitude about falling on the cement floor, and seemed to enjoy themselves very much. My arms and shoulders are a bit sore from being hung on and suddenly grabbed, but I’m glad we did it.
Lunch was at the river again, and then Beth and I walked up to get changed and relax a little before swimming at 2. I took the silver and gold seals (the two highest levels in swimming lessons) tubing down the Sakeji river—what an adventure! Margie Young went with us, and we had a lot of fun. I fell off my tube twice—once when I was smacked into a tree, and once when I got stuck on a rapid. The bottom of the river is VERY rocky and I wished I had water shoes! I arrived at the end in one piece though bellow the swimming pool, and hope the river is high enough to do that again next half term! It started raining when we were almost all the way down though, so the kids had to shelter in the changing huts for a little. The rain let up though, and Beth Vickie and I continued our supervision until 4. After supper half term is officially over, but we finished watching Up! that evening. The kids enjoyed the movie, and the staff got a kick out of the keen observations on human nature and kids. I told the kids I should get one of those talking collars for Ceili!
School is back to normal today with us staring the Aztecs in social studies, watching part of “The Voyage of the Dawn Treader” with the 5th graders, and math and computers later this afternoon. I didn’t get near as much marking done during half term as I had planned, but I have time today and I think I needed the break. Thanks for all your prayers and letters/e-mails—they mean the world!
With a hey, ho the wind and the rain...
And the rain it raineth every day! -Twelfth Night
Well, it was a rather damp half term, but a good time was had by all, and no one was too seriously injured, so all in all, this first half term was a success. Yesterday Beth and I offered roller skating in the hall as an activity for the juniors (because a lot of the fun extra activities at half term are seniors only). This turned into a little bigger of a deal than we had anticipated. Getting that many small children into roller skates, into the hall, getting knee pads on the 1st and 2nd graders, and then helping kids pick themselves up off the floor for an hour was rather very loud, and rather stressful. However, the kids on the whole had a great attitude about falling on the cement floor, and seemed to enjoy themselves very much. My arms and shoulders are a bit sore from being hung on and suddenly grabbed, but I’m glad we did it.
Lunch was at the river again, and then Beth and I walked up to get changed and relax a little before swimming at 2. I took the silver and gold seals (the two highest levels in swimming lessons) tubing down the Sakeji river—what an adventure! Margie Young went with us, and we had a lot of fun. I fell off my tube twice—once when I was smacked into a tree, and once when I got stuck on a rapid. The bottom of the river is VERY rocky and I wished I had water shoes! I arrived at the end in one piece though bellow the swimming pool, and hope the river is high enough to do that again next half term! It started raining when we were almost all the way down though, so the kids had to shelter in the changing huts for a little. The rain let up though, and Beth Vickie and I continued our supervision until 4. After supper half term is officially over, but we finished watching Up! that evening. The kids enjoyed the movie, and the staff got a kick out of the keen observations on human nature and kids. I told the kids I should get one of those talking collars for Ceili!
School is back to normal today with us staring the Aztecs in social studies, watching part of “The Voyage of the Dawn Treader” with the 5th graders, and math and computers later this afternoon. I didn’t get near as much marking done during half term as I had planned, but I have time today and I think I needed the break. Thanks for all your prayers and letters/e-mails—they mean the world!
Well, it was a rather damp half term, but a good time was had by all, and no one was too seriously injured, so all in all, this first half term was a success. Yesterday Beth and I offered roller skating in the hall as an activity for the juniors (because a lot of the fun extra activities at half term are seniors only). This turned into a little bigger of a deal than we had anticipated. Getting that many small children into roller skates, into the hall, getting knee pads on the 1st and 2nd graders, and then helping kids pick themselves up off the floor for an hour was rather very loud, and rather stressful. However, the kids on the whole had a great attitude about falling on the cement floor, and seemed to enjoy themselves very much. My arms and shoulders are a bit sore from being hung on and suddenly grabbed, but I’m glad we did it.
Lunch was at the river again, and then Beth and I walked up to get changed and relax a little before swimming at 2. I took the silver and gold seals (the two highest levels in swimming lessons) tubing down the Sakeji river—what an adventure! Margie Young went with us, and we had a lot of fun. I fell off my tube twice—once when I was smacked into a tree, and once when I got stuck on a rapid. The bottom of the river is VERY rocky and I wished I had water shoes! I arrived at the end in one piece though bellow the swimming pool, and hope the river is high enough to do that again next half term! It started raining when we were almost all the way down though, so the kids had to shelter in the changing huts for a little. The rain let up though, and Beth Vickie and I continued our supervision until 4. After supper half term is officially over, but we finished watching Up! that evening. The kids enjoyed the movie, and the staff got a kick out of the keen observations on human nature and kids. I told the kids I should get one of those talking collars for Ceili!
School is back to normal today with us staring the Aztecs in social studies, watching part of “The Voyage of the Dawn Treader” with the 5th graders, and math and computers later this afternoon. I didn’t get near as much marking done during half term as I had planned, but I have time today and I think I needed the break. Thanks for all your prayers and letters/e-mails—they mean the world!
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