Adventures Indeed

Dave and Luke have completed many projects on their "to do" list and many jobs that weren't on the list. Thus far they have power washed not only the gym but the Thelanders' steps, sidewalk, front porch and garage and Davis' outer deck; they have repaired two screen doors, affixed a magnet to Sarah's side of the Jack & Jill bathroom; applied "closure sweeps to two doors"; and today Dave cleaned underneath and in back of the refrigerator.


There has been no school this week at all. We kinda of miss it actually. It was fun to be in class with Luke & Sarah with Joanna as teacher. But we have had a fun time nonetheless.


Tonight we had dinner with missionaries and the Thelander family. After supper we came to our place and Luke and Sarah are sleeping over with us in the Triplex tonight. We all played Blokus together and the kiddos turned in about 9 PM. We will have breakfast together, play Blokus and maybe Sarah and Diann will work on cutting out more Laura Ingalls Wilder paper dolls while Dave and Luke will be involved with one of Luke's new Legos.


Friday night before Christmas, we went carolling around the station with other missionaries and some of the residents and their families. We held candles, went from house to house and sang beautifully together... sometimes in 4 or 5 different languages. Meladee and I rode in the golf cart and carried as many as 7 little ones with us. It was great fun. After singing we went to Davises' home for cookies!


Christmas Eve we participated in the Bongolo CMA Church service right here on the mission station. There was singing, skits and speaking. We only stayed for an hour and a half and left to attend the gathering at Paul and Meladee's home. Santa and Mrs. Claus made an appearance and brought a gift for everyone. Somehow Santa was able to get wooden toys hand carved by Paul's dad. Each child and adult received a special gift. Many of the residents came with their family and some of the single residents came too. Folks from Madagascar, Congo, Guinea, Gabon and the US enjoyed singing and fellowshipping together but especially the children enjoyed being together and the language difference didn't seem to matter at all. We had more of Meladee's homemade cookies and treats.


On Thursday before Christmas, Dave & Joanna returned to Lebamba to pickup our new clothes from the tailor. Dave's new boubah looks great! The new matching "Bongolo Hospital" fabric shirt and dress will be fun to wear in the States. The shoppers also bought a few more pineapples, potatoes and a diesel fuel for the Toyota Land Cruiser.


Before Christmas we made peanut blossoms (Keir's favorite cookie of all time). Planned to make more cookies but several missionaries shared their Christmas cookies with us so we postponed that activity.


Christmas morning we were able to call Deborah and Aden in Lucca. They were just opening presents. It was great to see and hear them. Aden was especially thrilled with the Nintendo he received from Babbo Natale.


The Thelanders waited patiently for us to open their stockings and presents and have breakfast. Luke and Sarah were blessed to be remembered by several churches and families in the States. Opening presents was such fun. Nothing like being with children on Christmas Day. Sarah received new volumes of American Girl books and Luke was delighted with new Legos. We both received special notes written by Luke and Sarah and Grandma even got a book written by Sarah. Mocha (the family dog) got lots of new bones and chew toys much to her delight.


Christmas Day the missionaries on the station gathered at Dr. Dave and Becki Thompson's home for a bring-a-dish Christmas feast. Before the blessing, Dr. Dave ask each person to share something they appreciate about the person on their left. It was fun to listen in on what the missionaries had to say about each other. For our feast, we ate baked ham (from the US), garlic (local) mashed potatoes (Senegal), candied sweet potatoes (local), green bean casserole (from Libreville), corn pudding (from US), homemade rolls, pumpkin pie, pecan pie, pumpkin roll, crumbled apple (South Africa) pie along with super berry juice and coffee and tea. Some of the group watched "Ice Age" til the DVD "froze" (get it?) while others played Mexican Train and a card game which we had played before in the States (golf something). It was a great day. Came home tired but rejoicing for the Babe in the manger.


After returning back to Thelanders' home, we both called some family members to wish them a Merry Christmas.


The problems with the electricity continue. Keir and Paul spent half a day on Christmas Eve rectifying a problem in the lines. Paul and his crew did more work this week. The water filtration system is still failing. The water from the tap is not pure enough to drink and turns the laundry a dingy color. The internet is off and on many times a week as is the Vonage phone. The telephones on the station are intermittent. It is so disruptive and frustrating to us. However, the Thelanders take it all in stride and say "Welcome to the jungle!" when these things happen.


Dave was able to scrub in on two surgeries this week: a non-descended testicle on a six year old and a stomach muscle adjustment on a six week old boy. Of course, Keir told him the medical terms for these procedures but it is long gone from memory. Keir put in a shunt in a five week on baby with hydrocephalus this week. He has a case right now of a 12 year old boy that was hit by a taxi. The child has broken femurs, broken shoulder and major head injuries. A large number of patients who come to the hospital have tuberculosis and/or HIV/AIDS.


Last week at the hospital, Dr. Renee had a 20 year old male patient with a racing heart beat. It was over 200. Renee was able to use the recently donated but acquired-from-Intervol (Rochester) defibrillator and save the man's life. Without it the man would have died. God is in the business of healing people and saving lives and souls at Bongolo.


Last night there was a major (to us) thunder, lightning and rain storm. Luke tells us it was "nothing"! It just poured for a long time. The daytime temperatures remain in the 80s and in the lower 70s at night (Joanna wears a blanket after dinner!). The kids wear a jacket and won't go in the pool because it is "too cold".


We have had thus far many times of excitement and diversity while in this place at this time. Seeing how Luke and Sarah continue to grow and learn and enjoy each other has been such a blessing. Being with folks from other countries with different traditions and languages has made us appreciative and accepting.