Archive for August, 2010

Painting – With A Little Help From My Friends

Tuesday, August 31st, 2010

Well, we came here to be put to work.

Our first painting project was some art in the Takambe Youth Center on the grounds of the clinic. We were assigned 6 hand picked youth (18-21yrs) who we thought would take more ownership of the project if they were involved.

We prepped (sanded and scrubbed) the 2 large walls in two separate rooms, and have painted a lot and are about 85% done at this point. The kids are really into it and everyone seems pleased, so far. Our next project is awaiting glaze to be delivered from another city, and another is waiting for the clinic to do the base coat.

But I really wanted to brag on what we’ve done so far :).  Tomorrow I’ll show you the other room’s art work!

Crisis Orphanage

Tuesday, August 31st, 2010

We spent some of Sunday afternoon at the Crisis Orphanage; where babies are brought that either have lost parents, or a parent can’t take care of them just yet.

I have a one month old in my arms, and 2 1/2 year old Blackstone took to Steve.  Blackstone was undercared for as an infant and is way behind in developement.  He is just trying to walk, is not verbal, but can sure smile!

We took plastic pants and will return with some blankets, because when a child gets a home, they send them with a blanket!

Lunch With The Staff

Sunday, August 29th, 2010

At the Moyo Clinic, a caterer brings in lunch for the staff , there are 106 when they are all there). We have been invited to partake in this pot luck line at noon, sharp (snooze you lose)!

We tried the staple of the country “nsima” a patty of mush that seems to take on the flavor of what it is served with, a gravy or such.  Steve thought it was a cream of wheat taste, but I thought it was definitely a thick wallpaper paste. Along with this was rice, beans, greenbeans and carrots and a chicken leg!

Thank heavens KC sent us with “sporks” (spoon/fork – spoon with tongs) because most just pinched it together with their hands, or tackled the larger pieces with a toothpick!

They have a little company store that sells bottled coke products and cookies and crackers.  A lot of carbs and no McDonalds in sight.

Ending My Friday

Friday, August 27th, 2010

Finally got to work on some murals today but paint availability is still an issue.  Hope all is well there, things are unusual here but so far, so good.

We will be going to  Lake Malawi tomorrow which is about 1 1/2 hours away.  It is 365 miles long and 50 miles wide and it looks like an ocean, I hear.

Love and miss you.  I would say wish you were here, but I wouldn’t do that to you.

Where Did I Put The Keys?

Friday, August 27th, 2010

We are currently residing with Dr. Perry and Brenda Jansen and their kids Nate, Erin and Olivia. They live in the older section of town on an acre surrounded by a 10′ block wall, topped with an electric fence and barbed wire. There is a guard on site 24/7 and an on-call private security firm.  Brenda says if you call the police, you’d probably have to go pick them up and give them a pencil and paper to write up the report.

Our attached guest house has two entry doors with dead bolt and an iron gate with a 5 lb padlock that we latch every night. Let’s see, bars on the windows, 2 German shepherds, I guess that’s it.

Oh and the best protection, is the mosquito netting over the bed.

Up in Smoke

Friday, August 27th, 2010

Dry season, Wet season, Cold season,and Burning season.

We are in Dry/Burning season.  High 70’s in the day and low 60’s at night and always a haze of smoke.  Fields, prunings, trash, you name it and they burn it.  Then it’s  “ashes, ashes, they all fall down”  on your clothes, in the contacts, on the computer, in the lungs.

Lilongwe

Friday, August 27th, 2010

Driving in Lilongwe is on the WRONG SIDE OF THE ROAD! And so many people everywhere, some on bikes with balanced baskets, papoosed babies, beggars astride traffic, slow moving, bundles of sticks, lock you car door, try not to stare, close your eyes, traffic coming right at you, traffic lights but the power is out.  phew, made it home behind the wall.

Sooooo Far To Come

Tuesday, August 24th, 2010

Well, here we are on the other side of the world!

Steve and I boarded an “Airbus’ in D.C. (it’s as big as a football field) for the flight to Johannesburg, South Africa via Dakar, Senegal for gas.  In Dakar, before taking off again, the stewardesses run down the aisles  with bug spray above their heads, spraying the inside of the plane and us occupants with insecticide saying: “please cover your mouths and close your eyes.”

After 20 hours, several airplane meals, and NO sleep, we arrived in Jo’berg for an overnight before the last leg to Lilongwe, Malawi and another 2 hours of flying. But we’re here, and our friends Brenda and Perry and their lovely family have opened their hearts and home to us. What fun getting to know them all over again.

Tomorrow, we check out the tasks ahead.  THANK YOU for all your prayers , they keep us uplifted!

Soooooo Long A Flight

Monday, August 23rd, 2010

We are in Johannesburg for an overnight and then 3 more hours of flying tomorrow to get to Lilongwe and finally see familiar faces.

It is just such a brutal flight…especially if the tv in your seat doesn’t work.  I am glad we don’t turn around and leave in a week.   We see lots of soccer signs.  Sending you all hugs.

Calendar Updated

Monday, August 23rd, 2010

This is Andy, just wanted to let any readers other than me, know that I have updated the calendar on the left with their itinerary.  If a date is white in color, hover over it for the simple details or click on it and it will show you more details about what event is beginning that day.  Most of the information is merely travel dates.