Interesting day today. Didn't rain but water everywhere. Toilets still don't work. Spent most of the day in the office sending emails and answering emails.
Liddy is really feeling quite well now. I just asked her how she's doing and she said "I feel normal, but my stomache is just a little sensitive". That's an answer to prayer. About the only thing lingering with her is that she's still taking her meds and wants to know when she can stop. She's evidently tired of taking them.
With all the rain the last couple of days it has been hard to keep the kids from playing in it. I must admit it is very refreshing to be out in it, especially when you realize that the temps drop to the low eighties or less with no humidity. But, and this is a Big but, it is important to remember where one lives. This isn't downtown Mt. Vernon, WA or even good ol' Fergus Falls. This is Chad, Africa. And, as such, it pays to remember that there are all kinds of "nice" little creatures, visible and invisible to the naked eye, that would just love to snuggle up inside your body and "hitch a ride" so to speak. The net result of all the kids playing outside? Two of them have new best friends who will be hanging around with them until the medicine does its good work. I don't know about you but I prefer to stay dry when it rains around here and I certainly won't be playing in it any time soon. YUCK!!!
The 5 oldest are going to a get together tomorrow afternoon so that'll give Janice a bit of a rest as she won't need to make dinner for the always hungry teenagers. (Man do they eat a lot.... Especially Libby. Who would've thought a girl that skinny could pack away what seems like 50 or 60 pounds of food a day. Holy Cow!!!)
That's it for now.
Hope you all have a great weekend.
sf
Friday, August 28, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Thursday, 27 August 2009
Hello All!!!
Today has been a very bizarre day for us. It started raining about 6 AM this morning and continued until about 1 PM this afternoon. There is mud and water everywhere. In fact, a good percentage of our concession is covered with at least 6 inches of water. Needless to say our toilets and sinks are non-functional. Since it's about 80 degrees out it's not unpleasant to slog around in the water as we walk over the Welcome Center to use the toilets there.
Tonight, some friends of ours will be leaving for France. They are eating dinner with us and then we'll go with them to the airport to see them off. That is, of course, assuming we can make it past Lake Gassi!!!
The best news of the days is that Liddy is actually up and around. She's feeling stronger and while she's not quite her normal self she's definitely improved. PTL! Thanks for your prayers.
Hope you all have a great day.
sf
Today has been a very bizarre day for us. It started raining about 6 AM this morning and continued until about 1 PM this afternoon. There is mud and water everywhere. In fact, a good percentage of our concession is covered with at least 6 inches of water. Needless to say our toilets and sinks are non-functional. Since it's about 80 degrees out it's not unpleasant to slog around in the water as we walk over the Welcome Center to use the toilets there.
Tonight, some friends of ours will be leaving for France. They are eating dinner with us and then we'll go with them to the airport to see them off. That is, of course, assuming we can make it past Lake Gassi!!!
The best news of the days is that Liddy is actually up and around. She's feeling stronger and while she's not quite her normal self she's definitely improved. PTL! Thanks for your prayers.
Hope you all have a great day.
sf
Monday, August 24, 2009
Monday, 24 August 2009
Hello from Chad!
It's 11:21 AM right now and so far the day has been without incident or fanfare. About the only news worthy of report is that Liddy is still sick. We treated her for Malaria to no avail. Now, we're treating her Typhoid and dysentery as she's been having some nasty intestinal problems. Pray for her. If she doesn't show improvement by tomorrow morning we are going to take her to the clinic.
Have a great week.
sf
It's 11:21 AM right now and so far the day has been without incident or fanfare. About the only news worthy of report is that Liddy is still sick. We treated her for Malaria to no avail. Now, we're treating her Typhoid and dysentery as she's been having some nasty intestinal problems. Pray for her. If she doesn't show improvement by tomorrow morning we are going to take her to the clinic.
Have a great week.
sf
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Saturday, 22 August 2009
Wow, what a busy day.
Action started almost immediately with several people showing up to see me by 8 AM. Much of the morning was spent taking care of the generator, cleaning, and helping out around the house and the Welcome Center.
Then, it finally ended at dinner time when, while we had just sat down to eat, a new guest at the Welcome Center showed up. She needed to know where her room was and get a key. Thankfully, we all had a nice, quiet evening. Had some good conversation too with some friends who are going to France later in the week.
Liddy is still sick but on the mend. After a couple of days of a 104 degree temperature we finally were able to diagnose the problem (thanks to a neighbor, an employee, and a couple of medical books we've got) as being Typhoid and possibly malaria. So, we gave her the appropriate drugs for both of those and she's feeling much better. Was up and around a bit today but couldn't really do much other than sit on the couch. What a trooper. She's done remarkably well considering all of the activity going on around her as she laid on the couch for several days.
Janice wasn't feeling well tonight so she went to be early. It would be a huge blessing if she were able to sleep through the night but that would take about 4 or 5 kids doing the same thing. We pray that one day it will happen.
Tomorrow will be a quiet day as Sundays normally are. Unfortunately for the family it is my day to cook. Hopefully, there won't be too much complaining!!!
See you soon.
sf
Action started almost immediately with several people showing up to see me by 8 AM. Much of the morning was spent taking care of the generator, cleaning, and helping out around the house and the Welcome Center.
Then, it finally ended at dinner time when, while we had just sat down to eat, a new guest at the Welcome Center showed up. She needed to know where her room was and get a key. Thankfully, we all had a nice, quiet evening. Had some good conversation too with some friends who are going to France later in the week.
Liddy is still sick but on the mend. After a couple of days of a 104 degree temperature we finally were able to diagnose the problem (thanks to a neighbor, an employee, and a couple of medical books we've got) as being Typhoid and possibly malaria. So, we gave her the appropriate drugs for both of those and she's feeling much better. Was up and around a bit today but couldn't really do much other than sit on the couch. What a trooper. She's done remarkably well considering all of the activity going on around her as she laid on the couch for several days.
Janice wasn't feeling well tonight so she went to be early. It would be a huge blessing if she were able to sleep through the night but that would take about 4 or 5 kids doing the same thing. We pray that one day it will happen.
Tomorrow will be a quiet day as Sundays normally are. Unfortunately for the family it is my day to cook. Hopefully, there won't be too much complaining!!!
See you soon.
sf
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Thursday, 20 August 2009
Hello there!
Hope this blog post finds you all doing well.
We are fine. Most everybody is healthy except for Liddy who's come down with a case of malaria. Poor thing is sacked out on the couch even as I type this update. We'll know in the next 24 hours if the meds she's taking do the trick.
Janice is feeling quite well although with all of the interuptions she endures every night it is hard for her to get a lot of sleep. We both long for the days when all of the kids sleep through the night IN THEIR OWN BEDS! (But, we also know that it is a precious thing to have little ones who still love to cuddle up to mom - and dad... sometimes - in the middle of the night.)
Things are getting busy at the Welcome Center. We've got a number of guests scheduled to come during the next several weeks. Some will even be staying for extended periods of time. What a blessing!
Just before I started typing this blog I put on some music, or at least I think it is music (Petra circa mid 80's). Anyway, just a few minutes after starting the music Libby came out of a room and said, "Hey, what's that noise?" Can you believe it? A teenager saying that my music is noise? I told her that that was a first for me. Just imagine what she'd do with somebody like Randy Stonehill or Keith Green (although, it would be VERY difficult to call any song by Keith Green "noise").
Hope you all have a great day.
sf
Hope this blog post finds you all doing well.
We are fine. Most everybody is healthy except for Liddy who's come down with a case of malaria. Poor thing is sacked out on the couch even as I type this update. We'll know in the next 24 hours if the meds she's taking do the trick.
Janice is feeling quite well although with all of the interuptions she endures every night it is hard for her to get a lot of sleep. We both long for the days when all of the kids sleep through the night IN THEIR OWN BEDS! (But, we also know that it is a precious thing to have little ones who still love to cuddle up to mom - and dad... sometimes - in the middle of the night.)
Things are getting busy at the Welcome Center. We've got a number of guests scheduled to come during the next several weeks. Some will even be staying for extended periods of time. What a blessing!
Just before I started typing this blog I put on some music, or at least I think it is music (Petra circa mid 80's). Anyway, just a few minutes after starting the music Libby came out of a room and said, "Hey, what's that noise?" Can you believe it? A teenager saying that my music is noise? I told her that that was a first for me. Just imagine what she'd do with somebody like Randy Stonehill or Keith Green (although, it would be VERY difficult to call any song by Keith Green "noise").
Hope you all have a great day.
sf
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Wednesday, 12 August 2009
It's been raining quite a bit around here. About every 2 or 3 days it'll rain for about an hour or two. About an inch or more. Consequently, we are unable to use our toilets or sinks because the drainfield is flooded. Not much fun.
Janice is feeling quite a bit better. And, she's even been taking a nap each day. (For those of you who know her you will immediately realize that this is something she we NEVER do in the States. Too much mommy stuff to do.) This has helped her recovery and we are hopeful that napping will help to maintain good health. (The kids are even guarding the time well. They play quietly and even screen phone calls.)
Tawnee has been sick for the past couple of days. Not sure what she has. Symptoms are high fever, throwing up, sleeping a lot. In short, could be just about anything. Pray for her.
Blessings.
sf
Janice is feeling quite a bit better. And, she's even been taking a nap each day. (For those of you who know her you will immediately realize that this is something she we NEVER do in the States. Too much mommy stuff to do.) This has helped her recovery and we are hopeful that napping will help to maintain good health. (The kids are even guarding the time well. They play quietly and even screen phone calls.)
Tawnee has been sick for the past couple of days. Not sure what she has. Symptoms are high fever, throwing up, sleeping a lot. In short, could be just about anything. Pray for her.
Blessings.
sf
Monday, August 10, 2009
Only in Chad
The other day I mentioned that Janice and I took the twins and Liddy out to dinner. We had a great time. But, before we found a restaurant at which to eat we stopped at one place that looked promising. Since it was a little early (about 5:50 PM) I asked the guard if the restaurant was open. "Yes" came the response. So, we parked and headed into the courtyard. We wound our way to the tables at which point a waiter (of sorts) came up to us. I asked him if we could just choose a table. He said, "We don't open until 6". Then, "What time is it?" I said "It is almost 6" and I showed him my watch. He looks at the watch and gave out a little "Yikes! Actually, we don't open until about 7:30". Janice and I looked at each other and started laughing. On the way back to the car we noted that something like this could only happen in Chad.
Kinda reminded me of that old skit on Saturday Night Live with the Liar.... "Yeah, that's the ticket!!!"
Hope you all had a great weekend and have a great week, too.
sf
Kinda reminded me of that old skit on Saturday Night Live with the Liar.... "Yeah, that's the ticket!!!"
Hope you all had a great weekend and have a great week, too.
sf
Friday, August 7, 2009
Snipet
Janice and I went out to dinner with the twins and Liddy tonight. We had a really good time. These three are so much fun to be around. They love to talk and have questionable social grace (by that I mean that they don't even think twice about doing things in the restaurant that they would do at home... some of which are not appropriate for a public setting! ) Thankfully none of them tried to lick their plates clean like Janice did in a restaurant in France!!!
I am thankful that our girls are so much fun to be around. Mrs. Flude is such a great mom. They are truly a reflection of her.
Until next time.
sf
I am thankful that our girls are so much fun to be around. Mrs. Flude is such a great mom. They are truly a reflection of her.
Until next time.
sf
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Scam!
Today I had an interesting experience. One of our guards sent Payton into the house to tell me that a man was here who wanted to talk with me. So, I went out to the gate and noticed that 2 men were chatting with the guard. One was his friend. The other was a Chadian who said he wanted to talk to me in private. I said ok and we walked a few yards away to just the other side of the Welcome Center gate.
After a few minutes I was able to figure out that the guy was telling me that he had received a text message from a woman who said he'd one about 34,500 Francs. He claimed that he'd called the number that came with the text only to be told that he needed an "intermediary" (his word) to help with the transaction.
I told him that I receive several of these types of emails every month to my computer and I just ignore them and put them in the trash. I said that in my opinion the email was a scam and that I wouldn't help him. He wanted to know if I was French or American. When I said, "American" he wanted to know if there were any frenchmen living here. He didn't like it that there were no frenchmen here.
He made on last attempt to get me to call the number (upon doing so I'm sure I would've been asked for my bank account number!) before I told him I was going home.
This little story only reinforces my belief (based upon what I've seen and experienced) that people are people and that there's more than enough sin to go around. Apparently, scam artists aren't only limited to the States. In my mind's eye can can see him wondering around N'djamena looking for frenchmen (why "frenchmen"? are they more gullible than us wiley ol' Americans?) who he can con out of a few bucks.
When I told Janice and the kids they were impressed that I was able to discern the trickery involved despite the "smooth" delivery of the erstwhile conman.
Hope you all have a great day and be careful with those nasty spam emails and "innocent" folks who want you to help them claim their prize!!!
sf
After a few minutes I was able to figure out that the guy was telling me that he had received a text message from a woman who said he'd one about 34,500 Francs. He claimed that he'd called the number that came with the text only to be told that he needed an "intermediary" (his word) to help with the transaction.
I told him that I receive several of these types of emails every month to my computer and I just ignore them and put them in the trash. I said that in my opinion the email was a scam and that I wouldn't help him. He wanted to know if I was French or American. When I said, "American" he wanted to know if there were any frenchmen living here. He didn't like it that there were no frenchmen here.
He made on last attempt to get me to call the number (upon doing so I'm sure I would've been asked for my bank account number!) before I told him I was going home.
This little story only reinforces my belief (based upon what I've seen and experienced) that people are people and that there's more than enough sin to go around. Apparently, scam artists aren't only limited to the States. In my mind's eye can can see him wondering around N'djamena looking for frenchmen (why "frenchmen"? are they more gullible than us wiley ol' Americans?) who he can con out of a few bucks.
When I told Janice and the kids they were impressed that I was able to discern the trickery involved despite the "smooth" delivery of the erstwhile conman.
Hope you all have a great day and be careful with those nasty spam emails and "innocent" folks who want you to help them claim their prize!!!
sf
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Healing?
Well, Janice is up and around and appears to be doing better. We've all been fooled before when she's made it this far only to become stricken again. Please keep praying for her.
Not much else is going on. Kids are all homeschooling and Ethan and Tawnee are learning to read and it is so fun to watch them try to make the sounds for each letter. They're so cute.
Hope you are enjoying the week.
Until next time.
Steve
Not much else is going on. Kids are all homeschooling and Ethan and Tawnee are learning to read and it is so fun to watch them try to make the sounds for each letter. They're so cute.
Hope you are enjoying the week.
Until next time.
Steve
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
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
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
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