This post has been a long time coming and for no particular reason.
The "Cooking in Joanna's Kitchen" schedule included not only biscotti and breadfruit but also forming and baking and eating 16 batches of cookies. Yes, 16 batches! Joanna invited about 20 women over for the fun afternoon. The women included missionaries, residents wives and about 8 women from Benin who are local merchants in Lebamba. The cookies we baked were mostly the type that is formed into small balls in the palms of ones hands and then baked. They were peanut butter cookies, Mexican Wedding Cookies (re-named Missionary Cookies), Cinnamon Crinkles and Graham Cracker Cookies. Joanna had prepared the dough ahead. The women sat around the dining room table and chatted with each other and with me. I always had to make sure their was someone around to translate for me since I was the only one-language speaking person there. Luke and Sarah entertained 8 children all younger than themselves. A good time was had by all.
Reading "Pinocchio" was such fun for me and for Luke and Sarah. That boy could sure get into some messes. There was always a lesson. Sadly we did not finish the book. Pinocchio was born in Lucca Italy which is where I picked up the book when visiting Deborah, Aden and Paolo there over Christmas.
Diche's is the new restaurant in town which features a printed menu, air conditioning, table cloths, stainless flatware, glass glasses and an attentive server. I feasted on Mongolian Chicken with Coucous both times we were there. I had Pomplemouse to drink. Pomplemouse is a grapefruit soda and it is yummy. Being in air conditioning was a treat!
Shopping in Lebamba is always an adventure. The last time we were there I picked up some souvenirs from some of Joanna's umbrella shopkeeper friends. It was fun buying a few items from each of them. The soft ice cream vendor was not open any of the times we were in the village and that was a big disappointment to Luke and Sarah and to me too frankly. I wondered how soft soft ice cream really is in 99 degree temperatures.
I passed on the line dancing classes this trip except for one. The first Monday I was exhausted from the trip and once Luke and Sarah and I stayed at home. Meladee does a great job as she ministers through music and dance to the women who attend.
The mission station changed its landscape greatly while I was there. Paul, maintenance supervisor and grounds superintendent, hired a crew to cut down about 10 dead trees - some being over 3 feet in diameter and over 200 feet tall. The man using the chain saw moonlights as a lumberjack but his day job is as the nurse who administers anesthesia at Bongolo Hospital. He was bare chested with no protective eye wear, no helmet and no gloves. God protected him and the entire crew with no major injuries. Most folks on the station sat in the 90 degree heat to watch the show from afar and cheer on the lumberjacks on two separate Saturday mornings. The huge clean-up was still underway when I left on the 26th.
More later.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Blessings Abound
Large ceiling fans in every room of the Thelander home to help combat the high temperatures and high humidity.
Hot and cold running water; electricity generated from the hydroelectric power plant just two miles away at the Bongolo Falls; gas dryer; gas stove; electric fridge and freezer; Sarah's bed to sleep in at night.
The pool here at Bongolo Missionary Station is just the thing to cool off; we use it least every other day for at least an hour.
Being able to see and hear the loud and hard rainfall and see the rain storm move in as the clouds gather over Bongolo.
Being greeted personally by all the residents and their wives upon my arrival; their children have grown and a couple more children are on their way. It was so good to see them when they came by to say hello.
Amazing sunset every day just about 5:30 until 6 when the sun is completely set. The sunrise is 6 AM every day; the sunset is 6 PM every day.
Oliver killed a yard long iguana with his machete. One less jungle creature to be concerned about. Oliver plans to grill it and take off the skin then cook the iguana in tea to dispel some of the "gamey" flavor.
Star Fruit galore. Joanna, Luke and Sarah are picking some as I type; Joanna will make Star Fruit Crisp for tonight's dessert. (Pickers just cam back with 23 prime Star Fruit.)
Local banana every day; often from the Thelander property but the ones this week are from the bush about an hour away.
Fresh lime in the seemingly gallons of water I drink every day in the Thelander's new Purdue insulated plastic see through glass.
The privilege of tucking Luke and Sarah in every night which includes reading, singing and praying with them.
Visiting time with Joanna every night. She has been able to be excused from the weekly staff meetings so we can be together.
Being able to talk with Dave every day and Deborah and Aden often. (Please pray for Aden to heal quickly from infection in both ears and bronchitis in both lungs.)
Realizing all over again how content Joanna is to be here in this place at this time. They are committed to two more years after July.
Having access to Internet (be it ever so slow!).
Spending time with the other missionaries on the station and having dinner in their home; a team of dedicated folks. I continue to be in awe of how isolated they all are and how remote this hospital and the mission station are but how content the missionaries are to be here.
Seeing the transformation of the physical plant that Paul has made since coming here a year ago December. Things are really shaping up.
Hot and cold running water; electricity generated from the hydroelectric power plant just two miles away at the Bongolo Falls; gas dryer; gas stove; electric fridge and freezer; Sarah's bed to sleep in at night.
The pool here at Bongolo Missionary Station is just the thing to cool off; we use it least every other day for at least an hour.
Being able to see and hear the loud and hard rainfall and see the rain storm move in as the clouds gather over Bongolo.
Being greeted personally by all the residents and their wives upon my arrival; their children have grown and a couple more children are on their way. It was so good to see them when they came by to say hello.
Amazing sunset every day just about 5:30 until 6 when the sun is completely set. The sunrise is 6 AM every day; the sunset is 6 PM every day.
Oliver killed a yard long iguana with his machete. One less jungle creature to be concerned about. Oliver plans to grill it and take off the skin then cook the iguana in tea to dispel some of the "gamey" flavor.
Star Fruit galore. Joanna, Luke and Sarah are picking some as I type; Joanna will make Star Fruit Crisp for tonight's dessert. (Pickers just cam back with 23 prime Star Fruit.)
Local banana every day; often from the Thelander property but the ones this week are from the bush about an hour away.
Fresh lime in the seemingly gallons of water I drink every day in the Thelander's new Purdue insulated plastic see through glass.
The privilege of tucking Luke and Sarah in every night which includes reading, singing and praying with them.
Visiting time with Joanna every night. She has been able to be excused from the weekly staff meetings so we can be together.
Being able to talk with Dave every day and Deborah and Aden often. (Please pray for Aden to heal quickly from infection in both ears and bronchitis in both lungs.)
Realizing all over again how content Joanna is to be here in this place at this time. They are committed to two more years after July.
Having access to Internet (be it ever so slow!).
Spending time with the other missionaries on the station and having dinner in their home; a team of dedicated folks. I continue to be in awe of how isolated they all are and how remote this hospital and the mission station are but how content the missionaries are to be here.
Seeing the transformation of the physical plant that Paul has made since coming here a year ago December. Things are really shaping up.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Hot and Humid
February 11 - Thursday afternoon
The mission station pool is such a blessing on these hot and humid days! 92 degrees when we went into the water.
Our Louisiana Red Beans experiment was not ready to eat at supper time. The Lebamba red beans are clearly a different variety than what we have in the States. After twice the time cooking, they were still very crunchy. We changed the dinner menu and put the beans in the crock pot to finish cooking for dinner on Friday.
February 12 - Friday
Dr. John finally got pain meds through the Air Calvary plane and was able to lance what was believed to be an abscess on a missionary kid. Turns out Dr. John thinks the orange size enlargement is probably five bites, possibly spider. The young boy still has difficulty walking and sitting but is doing much better since the area has been packed.
Luke and Sarah and I spent almost two hours in the expansive air conditioned mission office reading Pinocchio, playing Memory and writing out Valentine's for folks on the mission station. It is a joy to watch these two curious grandchildren anticipate the upcoming events in the book. Pinocchio was born in Lucca, Italy where their cousin Aden lives which personalized the story for them.
Tonight was movie night. "Cars" for Luke, Sarah, Emma and Forrest; "27 Dresses" for Dr. Wendy, Amanda, Meladee, Carolyn, Dr. Renee, Joanna & me. The salted and buttered popcorn from the hot air popper was a treat. Plus we were offered chocolate of our choice. And Dr. Wendy brought fresh baked breadfruit cake. All in the jungle, mind you.
February 13 - Saturday
Today's adventures began with the spectator event for us of tree felling. Uncle Paul and 6 hired Gabonese "lumberjacks" felled 5 trees that were in danger of falling on electrical wired. How amazing to watch the helmet-less, protective eye glass-less, shirt-less nurse from Bongolo Hospital use his chain saw to get just the right angle to make the tree fall in the designated spot. Success on all 5 trees except one tree did take a large branch of the now prized breadfruit tree. The same crew moved the large trunks from the roadway and began cutting them into more manageable pieces. Most of the trees were rotten in the core and would surely have fallen soon during the horrific wind and rain weather of this season.
A quick lunch and we are off to a small stream of the Louetsi River for some "fishing". Luke and Sarah replenish their one gallon fish tanks from this stream. Drs. John & Renee & Aunt Meladee went along. Renee and I caught the two largest (5 inches) fish which were black and were similar to catfish. The Thelanders have access to a large two-person net and own several single person hand held nets. We returned home after about 2 hours with 12 fish. Sarah choose 5 for her tank which was completely empty; Luke decided he didn't need new fish. The rest were going to be dinner for Pokey and Johnny, two kittens in residence here on the station but the fish all died in the heat.
After a quick change into a skirt we are off for shopping Lebamba. Dr. Renee, Amanda and Meladee joined us in Joanna's taxi service. Joanna picked up Gouda and Edam cheeses & yogurt from France, some local brown eggs, yellow apples and a few other items. We weren't able to find baking powders this week. Dr. Renee had purchased some material and then visited Ose, the tailor to have some souvenirs made. She also bought a machete for her hubby in Lafayette. Picked up come coupe coupe which translates to "cut cut" barbequed chicken which was cooked on an open grill. It takes it name because the griller cooks a whole chicken and then will "cut cut" what you want.
More adventure to follow. I fear the Internet will go down again. Blessings to all. Thanks so much for your prayers. Plus it is "QT" in the jungle which translates to "Quiet Time". 88 degrees.
The mission station pool is such a blessing on these hot and humid days! 92 degrees when we went into the water.
Our Louisiana Red Beans experiment was not ready to eat at supper time. The Lebamba red beans are clearly a different variety than what we have in the States. After twice the time cooking, they were still very crunchy. We changed the dinner menu and put the beans in the crock pot to finish cooking for dinner on Friday.
February 12 - Friday
Dr. John finally got pain meds through the Air Calvary plane and was able to lance what was believed to be an abscess on a missionary kid. Turns out Dr. John thinks the orange size enlargement is probably five bites, possibly spider. The young boy still has difficulty walking and sitting but is doing much better since the area has been packed.
Luke and Sarah and I spent almost two hours in the expansive air conditioned mission office reading Pinocchio, playing Memory and writing out Valentine's for folks on the mission station. It is a joy to watch these two curious grandchildren anticipate the upcoming events in the book. Pinocchio was born in Lucca, Italy where their cousin Aden lives which personalized the story for them.
Tonight was movie night. "Cars" for Luke, Sarah, Emma and Forrest; "27 Dresses" for Dr. Wendy, Amanda, Meladee, Carolyn, Dr. Renee, Joanna & me. The salted and buttered popcorn from the hot air popper was a treat. Plus we were offered chocolate of our choice. And Dr. Wendy brought fresh baked breadfruit cake. All in the jungle, mind you.
February 13 - Saturday
Today's adventures began with the spectator event for us of tree felling. Uncle Paul and 6 hired Gabonese "lumberjacks" felled 5 trees that were in danger of falling on electrical wired. How amazing to watch the helmet-less, protective eye glass-less, shirt-less nurse from Bongolo Hospital use his chain saw to get just the right angle to make the tree fall in the designated spot. Success on all 5 trees except one tree did take a large branch of the now prized breadfruit tree. The same crew moved the large trunks from the roadway and began cutting them into more manageable pieces. Most of the trees were rotten in the core and would surely have fallen soon during the horrific wind and rain weather of this season.
A quick lunch and we are off to a small stream of the Louetsi River for some "fishing". Luke and Sarah replenish their one gallon fish tanks from this stream. Drs. John & Renee & Aunt Meladee went along. Renee and I caught the two largest (5 inches) fish which were black and were similar to catfish. The Thelanders have access to a large two-person net and own several single person hand held nets. We returned home after about 2 hours with 12 fish. Sarah choose 5 for her tank which was completely empty; Luke decided he didn't need new fish. The rest were going to be dinner for Pokey and Johnny, two kittens in residence here on the station but the fish all died in the heat.
After a quick change into a skirt we are off for shopping Lebamba. Dr. Renee, Amanda and Meladee joined us in Joanna's taxi service. Joanna picked up Gouda and Edam cheeses & yogurt from France, some local brown eggs, yellow apples and a few other items. We weren't able to find baking powders this week. Dr. Renee had purchased some material and then visited Ose, the tailor to have some souvenirs made. She also bought a machete for her hubby in Lafayette. Picked up come coupe coupe which translates to "cut cut" barbequed chicken which was cooked on an open grill. It takes it name because the griller cooks a whole chicken and then will "cut cut" what you want.
More adventure to follow. I fear the Internet will go down again. Blessings to all. Thanks so much for your prayers. Plus it is "QT" in the jungle which translates to "Quiet Time". 88 degrees.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
More Adventure than I Wanted!
February 4 - Thursday
Left Tobey Road about 10:30 am after stopping to say hi to our neighbor Gale who is battling lung cancer; as we travelled down Tobey Road, I checked to make sure I had my passport and not Dave's and I did have my own. Check into the airport at Delta with no problems. Left Rochester 45 minutes late; arrived Atlanta just 15 minutes late; met up with Drs. John and Renee from Lafayette, Indiana as scheduled; departed Atlanta on time; arrived and departed Paris on time; arrived Libreville about 5:30 pm on time. Followed John & Renee through immigration; arrived at the police stop to discover I did not have all my paperwork! After 4-1/2 hours and a series of tears and miracles, I was granted entrance into Gabon (by merit of the miracles not the tears even though several of the Gabonese police did say "Madame, do not cry."). God is good all the time. It is only that I see Him at work some of the time. I am grateful for His mercy and His grace in allowing all the pieces to fit together for me to continue on my journey to Bongolo.
Spent the night as planned in Libreville Guest House and had a wonderful night's sleep without hearing the roosters who crow through the night; enjoyed pain au chocolate for breakfast; flew with Drs. John & Renee and a Bongolo Hospital patient at 10 am on the new Cessna with Captain Steve from Libreville directly to Lebamba airport in 1 hour and 40 minutes as opposed to a 10 hour car ride on bumpy roads. It was wonderful to be greeted at the airport by Luke, Sarah, Joanna & Keir, Afoussa & Pastor Serge (my Hero!). Luke & Sarah had made a huge "Welcome Back Grandma" sign. Very Exciting! I was so happy to be here.
Thanks to Alace I was able to bring a few carrots, a few salad greens and a couple cucumbers from a Libreville market. During the rainy season these items are not available in Lebamba and often not even during the dry season.
Lunch at Thelanders with Dr. John & Renee; headed back to the airport to say goodbye to Keir, two of the residents and Dr. Renee from Victor and Dr. Deborah as they headed to Libreville (and Kenya and Nigeria). Incidentally their flight out of Libreville was cancelled, Keir's luggage lost so they headed back to the Guest House; Keir finally arrived in Nigeria with out luggage thus with only the change of clothing in his carry-on (no suit, etc for the meetings) and the others finally arrived in Kenya.
Back on the mission station, we went to the pool to cool off from the 93 degree heat. Dinner and off to bed; Sarah has given me her bed and she sleeps on an air mattress in Joanna's room. Slept till 10 am. Home church and Sunday school; another visit to the pool and a quiet day of rest. Began work on the new John Deere 500 piece puzzle with Luke, Sarah and Joanna.
Had a 1-1/2 hour "nap" before joining many others on the mission station for the Super Bowl; most of the crowd rooted for the Colts; I was quietly rooting for Drew Brees who played for Purdue! Go Boilers! Go Saints! Perhaps the only bonus for Keir's cancelled flight was that he was able to watch the Super Bowl. Got to bed at 4:35 am; it was 86 degrees which is the high when Dave & I come in July or August.
Luke and Sarah have changed so much since August; both are taller and more inquisitive; both are reading more difficult materials; they are enjoying spending more time playing and just being with their sibling; both are speaking more French. It is great to be with them for this period in their lives.
Monday - February 8
Late brunch of bacon and eggs; Luke & Sarah were on "vacation" from school. One highlight today was picking and cooking with breadfruit. Breadfruit grows on large trees here in the Rain Forest of Bongolo; it looks like a cross between papaya and mango with a green skin. Joanna invited Nurse Lisa, Dr. Wendy, Amanda and Meladee (Carolyn was here too preparing to teach a class at the nursing school) to join in the fun of making breadfruit cake (baked in loaves and tastes like banana bread), breadfruit pie (baked in 9X13 pan and looks and tastes like scalloped potatoes) and fried breadfruit (looks and tastes like french fries). Fun time when we got to sample the "fruits" of our labor. Afoussa and Evelyn plus Bebe Christine and Bebe Blanche stopped in for a visit and a taste test.
Barack Obama Cafe has a new cook who served chicken and fish on fancy rice. We enjoyed dinner with Drs. John & Renee there. Worked more on the John Deere puzzle.
Joanna & I stayed up waaaay late chatting.
Tuesday - February 8
Breakfast after sleeping in late was a choice of 3 cold cereals and fresh bananas from the freshly chopped regime from the Thelander jungle served with milk from France and a freshly baked blueberry muffin.
Mama Jacqui gave us a tour of her and Joanna's plantation which is right here near the Thelander home. They have planted banana & plantain trees which will produce in 11 months, spinach, a large type squash, corn, aubergine (bitter eggplant) and pineapple which will bear fruit in 9 months. The plantation is on a hilly slope and is about 1/2 acre. We also collected some orange wild inedible cucumbers which Joanna brought to her newly painted kitchen for decoration.
Tuesday afternoon was another "Cooking in Joanna's Kitchen" event with Nurse Lisa, Meladee, Joanna & me. This time we tackled my friend, Adina's Almond Biscotti which were delicious and a huge hit. Lisa called her Italian mother in the States to report on our progress.
Thelander household continues to be a bustling place with people coming and going a lot of the time.
Dr. Renee, an obgyn, is busy seeing lots of patients, teaching the residents and performing surgeries as well. Dr. John, a general surgeon, seems to have a full schedule of hernias, broken bones, etc. and they are both doing C-Sections when needed.
February 10 - Wednesday
38 years ago today I became a mother when Deborah Jean Conquest was born at New York Hospital in Manhattan. I could never have imagined all "the places we'd go" since she came into our world. It is a joy and a blessing to be her mother. We were able to chat with her on the phone just before she and Paolo went out for Indian food in Pisa while Aden stayed with his first Italian babysitter whom we hear specializes in Legos.
Luke & Sarah were back to the books! Joanna facilitated the Pledge, math, spelling, Bible, English and I helped out with reading, history and science which included a seed experiment. I did need some reminders of which went first and what page we were on. Reading included each student listening to each other read as well as a time of listening to me read. Fun!
The pool was refreshing for 3 hours under the shade of the Kelly house after 95 degrees in the early afternoon. Dr. John came for a short while and came home with us to dry his clothing in Joanna's gas dryer and have a grilled cheese sandwich (made with Congolese bread made by Evelyn and Gouda cheese) and Pringles. Imagine! Pringles in the jungle. They come in the food order from the States but once they are opened they must be eaten quickly because of the humidity and the ants.
My bifoutou (no seeum) bites are multiplying at a fast pace. Cortizone and anti-itching cream don't touch the itch. Small price ...
Every night I have been able to put both Luke and Sarah down for bed - including reading their book, reading their Bible, singing (sometimes I get requests) and praying. What a blessing!
February 11 - Thursday
Up late again; slept in till 8:30 when Sarah creeps in and whispers "Grandma, time to get up, Sleep Head". What a thrill. Luke & Sarah start school at 9 am.
Our popcorn seed experiment is going well. The seeds with the water are markedly larger than the seeds with no water.
We had another big rain here this afternoon which is common during the rainy season. No thunder or lightening today.
Luke & Sarah spend time on Thursday with Uncle Eric who this week is doing a magnet project with them in one of the two air conditioned rooms on the mission station - the office. The other room is one of the operating rooms. They are there now and scheduled to return soon just as I am completing my first blog entry.
Left Tobey Road about 10:30 am after stopping to say hi to our neighbor Gale who is battling lung cancer; as we travelled down Tobey Road, I checked to make sure I had my passport and not Dave's and I did have my own. Check into the airport at Delta with no problems. Left Rochester 45 minutes late; arrived Atlanta just 15 minutes late; met up with Drs. John and Renee from Lafayette, Indiana as scheduled; departed Atlanta on time; arrived and departed Paris on time; arrived Libreville about 5:30 pm on time. Followed John & Renee through immigration; arrived at the police stop to discover I did not have all my paperwork! After 4-1/2 hours and a series of tears and miracles, I was granted entrance into Gabon (by merit of the miracles not the tears even though several of the Gabonese police did say "Madame, do not cry."). God is good all the time. It is only that I see Him at work some of the time. I am grateful for His mercy and His grace in allowing all the pieces to fit together for me to continue on my journey to Bongolo.
Spent the night as planned in Libreville Guest House and had a wonderful night's sleep without hearing the roosters who crow through the night; enjoyed pain au chocolate for breakfast; flew with Drs. John & Renee and a Bongolo Hospital patient at 10 am on the new Cessna with Captain Steve from Libreville directly to Lebamba airport in 1 hour and 40 minutes as opposed to a 10 hour car ride on bumpy roads. It was wonderful to be greeted at the airport by Luke, Sarah, Joanna & Keir, Afoussa & Pastor Serge (my Hero!). Luke & Sarah had made a huge "Welcome Back Grandma" sign. Very Exciting! I was so happy to be here.
Thanks to Alace I was able to bring a few carrots, a few salad greens and a couple cucumbers from a Libreville market. During the rainy season these items are not available in Lebamba and often not even during the dry season.
Lunch at Thelanders with Dr. John & Renee; headed back to the airport to say goodbye to Keir, two of the residents and Dr. Renee from Victor and Dr. Deborah as they headed to Libreville (and Kenya and Nigeria). Incidentally their flight out of Libreville was cancelled, Keir's luggage lost so they headed back to the Guest House; Keir finally arrived in Nigeria with out luggage thus with only the change of clothing in his carry-on (no suit, etc for the meetings) and the others finally arrived in Kenya.
Back on the mission station, we went to the pool to cool off from the 93 degree heat. Dinner and off to bed; Sarah has given me her bed and she sleeps on an air mattress in Joanna's room. Slept till 10 am. Home church and Sunday school; another visit to the pool and a quiet day of rest. Began work on the new John Deere 500 piece puzzle with Luke, Sarah and Joanna.
Had a 1-1/2 hour "nap" before joining many others on the mission station for the Super Bowl; most of the crowd rooted for the Colts; I was quietly rooting for Drew Brees who played for Purdue! Go Boilers! Go Saints! Perhaps the only bonus for Keir's cancelled flight was that he was able to watch the Super Bowl. Got to bed at 4:35 am; it was 86 degrees which is the high when Dave & I come in July or August.
Luke and Sarah have changed so much since August; both are taller and more inquisitive; both are reading more difficult materials; they are enjoying spending more time playing and just being with their sibling; both are speaking more French. It is great to be with them for this period in their lives.
Monday - February 8
Late brunch of bacon and eggs; Luke & Sarah were on "vacation" from school. One highlight today was picking and cooking with breadfruit. Breadfruit grows on large trees here in the Rain Forest of Bongolo; it looks like a cross between papaya and mango with a green skin. Joanna invited Nurse Lisa, Dr. Wendy, Amanda and Meladee (Carolyn was here too preparing to teach a class at the nursing school) to join in the fun of making breadfruit cake (baked in loaves and tastes like banana bread), breadfruit pie (baked in 9X13 pan and looks and tastes like scalloped potatoes) and fried breadfruit (looks and tastes like french fries). Fun time when we got to sample the "fruits" of our labor. Afoussa and Evelyn plus Bebe Christine and Bebe Blanche stopped in for a visit and a taste test.
Barack Obama Cafe has a new cook who served chicken and fish on fancy rice. We enjoyed dinner with Drs. John & Renee there. Worked more on the John Deere puzzle.
Joanna & I stayed up waaaay late chatting.
Tuesday - February 8
Breakfast after sleeping in late was a choice of 3 cold cereals and fresh bananas from the freshly chopped regime from the Thelander jungle served with milk from France and a freshly baked blueberry muffin.
Mama Jacqui gave us a tour of her and Joanna's plantation which is right here near the Thelander home. They have planted banana & plantain trees which will produce in 11 months, spinach, a large type squash, corn, aubergine (bitter eggplant) and pineapple which will bear fruit in 9 months. The plantation is on a hilly slope and is about 1/2 acre. We also collected some orange wild inedible cucumbers which Joanna brought to her newly painted kitchen for decoration.
Tuesday afternoon was another "Cooking in Joanna's Kitchen" event with Nurse Lisa, Meladee, Joanna & me. This time we tackled my friend, Adina's Almond Biscotti which were delicious and a huge hit. Lisa called her Italian mother in the States to report on our progress.
Thelander household continues to be a bustling place with people coming and going a lot of the time.
Dr. Renee, an obgyn, is busy seeing lots of patients, teaching the residents and performing surgeries as well. Dr. John, a general surgeon, seems to have a full schedule of hernias, broken bones, etc. and they are both doing C-Sections when needed.
February 10 - Wednesday
38 years ago today I became a mother when Deborah Jean Conquest was born at New York Hospital in Manhattan. I could never have imagined all "the places we'd go" since she came into our world. It is a joy and a blessing to be her mother. We were able to chat with her on the phone just before she and Paolo went out for Indian food in Pisa while Aden stayed with his first Italian babysitter whom we hear specializes in Legos.
Luke & Sarah were back to the books! Joanna facilitated the Pledge, math, spelling, Bible, English and I helped out with reading, history and science which included a seed experiment. I did need some reminders of which went first and what page we were on. Reading included each student listening to each other read as well as a time of listening to me read. Fun!
The pool was refreshing for 3 hours under the shade of the Kelly house after 95 degrees in the early afternoon. Dr. John came for a short while and came home with us to dry his clothing in Joanna's gas dryer and have a grilled cheese sandwich (made with Congolese bread made by Evelyn and Gouda cheese) and Pringles. Imagine! Pringles in the jungle. They come in the food order from the States but once they are opened they must be eaten quickly because of the humidity and the ants.
My bifoutou (no seeum) bites are multiplying at a fast pace. Cortizone and anti-itching cream don't touch the itch. Small price ...
Every night I have been able to put both Luke and Sarah down for bed - including reading their book, reading their Bible, singing (sometimes I get requests) and praying. What a blessing!
February 11 - Thursday
Up late again; slept in till 8:30 when Sarah creeps in and whispers "Grandma, time to get up, Sleep Head". What a thrill. Luke & Sarah start school at 9 am.
Our popcorn seed experiment is going well. The seeds with the water are markedly larger than the seeds with no water.
We had another big rain here this afternoon which is common during the rainy season. No thunder or lightening today.
Luke & Sarah spend time on Thursday with Uncle Eric who this week is doing a magnet project with them in one of the two air conditioned rooms on the mission station - the office. The other room is one of the operating rooms. They are there now and scheduled to return soon just as I am completing my first blog entry.
Monday, February 1, 2010
It won't be long now...
It won't be long now! Today is Monday. Thursday departure is fast approaching. Just returned last night from attending my father's funeral in Kentucky. His ten children were there and most of his 31 grandchildren and 34 greatgrandchildren. Mother is doing well. He had been away from their home since September 9 in the hospital, in rehab or in the nursing home. The end of an era! Thanks for yours prayers and your support to me and our family.
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