Musings

Well, it has been a few days since the last post to this space.  It's not because we haven't been thinking of you.  The reason is simple - our internet connection was messed up for about 5 days.  Thankfully, I was able to get to town today and the fix was pretty simple as it took the technician about 2 minutes to correct the problem.  It's amazing how badly we miss something when we don't have it, isn't it?  Ever smash your pinky finger and realize after struggling with it for a few days just exactly how much you use that little thing?  For us, the internet is the same way.  We use it mostly to stay connected with friends and family back home and scattered throughout Africa.  Life is just not the same without it.
 
Life here has been pretty routine of late... if you include Janice getting sick again (pneumonia) and spending the night in the hospital.  (Unfortunately for her, this sort of thing appears to be rather "normal" over the course of the last 6 months or so.)  Please pray for her and our family.  Janice and I are convinced that there is some sort of spiritual warfare going on that we can't see (except for the results).  We aren't discouraged or angry.  We are, however, thankful that these trials have come our way.  Through our suffering we are made perfect and we are drawn closer to Him.  That's good news.
 
A friend and I were discussing our lives in Africa.  When the subject of "care packages" came up we both had plenty to say.  Mostly, what we talked about was how AWESOME it is to receive cards, letters, packages, and e-mail from folks back home.  I know every time we get one, like we did last week from Janice's parents, it is like Christmas around here.  Kids are hooping and hollering.  They actually fight over who gets to open them!  My buddy and I both agreed that we do an awful job of letting you all know how much we value the contact with you and we noted that we often forget to say "Thanks".  Well, I, for one, would like to take this opportunity to say a BIG Thank You to all of you who have sent cards and letters and packages and emails.  They bless us greatly.  (You know, there are a group of ladies, many of whom we've never met, who take the time at least once per month to write us a short letter.  Often times these letters contain snippets of what's going on in their lives.  You wouldn't think that reading about what's going on in somebody's life (particularly somebody whom you've never met) would be all that exciting, but it is!!!  We appreciate the ministry that these women have.  It is so much fun.)
 
Another thing my pal and I talked about was American culture.  He said he has a few people who send him DVD's of shows like the Super Bowl and American Idol and 24, etc.  Sure, he and his family get them 2 or 3 months "late" but boy do they enjoy them.  They have family "Super Bowl" night or "American Idol" night.  (He even said that he's even received NBA games on DVD.  Ordinarily he can't stand the NBA but, for some reason, he watches every second of the games, even the commercials.)  Staying connected with our "home" culture is important and any time we get anything like this it is a blessing too. 
 
I told him that back in the States I wasn't much of a magazine or newspaper reader but since getting here we devour any American newspaper or magazine we can get our hands on.  Many times they're 2 or 3 months old but we don't care.  He said he even reads the stupid little ads and notices!!!  I have another friend who receives a big envelope of old newspapers about twice a month from a family friend.  And, whenever Janice's parents send us a box they always include several weeks worth of Sunday edition comics pages.  You wouldn't believe how these things are fought over and how many times they get read.  (I think I read the last set of comics at least 2 times!)
 
We appreciate all of you who read our blog.  Just knowing that folks are interested in what we are doing and care enough to pray for us is a tremendous comfort. 
 
Hope you all have a great week.
 
sf