I was going to write this Wednesday, but then that really wouldn’t have been the last update, because Brian called one last time from the school on Thursday. And I haven’t had time to write as I bought myself a new book last night and read it all. I need to read half of it again, as there are so many things to consider in it. It’s called The Shack by William P. Young. You can read about it at: www.theshackbook.com.
So anyway, this was the update from Wednesday/Thursday before Brian left. Right now he is flying from Ethopia to Washington DC.
On Wednesday he went in with Daniel to get the rest of the supplies he would need for now. On the way back, they stopped and met Kevin & Suzie Rodgers, whom I have told you about and linked to their blog at various times. We were hoping Brian would have some time to meet them while he was there, so I am glad he went up and knocked on the gate. He had a good time with them, and I am looking forward to meeting them soon too. Suzie says she reads our blog, which makes me just a little nervous! Hopefully if I confuse anything too badly she will let me know! We also just got an email from another missionary couple that Brian’s parents have been supporting since Brian was a teen. They were in Africa for a while (she didn’t say where), but confirmed some of the things we have been reading and learning, so that was fairly neat too.
While in town he got the lumbar he needed, the bolts, food for the last few days and fuel. He was also able to check prices at a few of the stores where Stewart has been getting supplies for himt so we are able to get an accurate accounting of what we have spent on the house so far, and also got ideas on prices of the things he will need to buy when he goes back in September.
He also stopped at one of the car dealerships to get an idea on pricing for a 10 passenger 4 -wheel drive van for us. This place got their vehicles from South Africa. He said he was told between $10-15,000 for a used van (which is actually fine, we don’t want to be too conspicuous driving a new one around-which we could never afford the $50,000 or so that they cost over there). There are also a few places that ship directly from Japan too, so we will need to figure all that out.
The veranda stones are all set in. On Tuesday of next week they are suppose to be delivering 50 bags of cement and then Abel and a few other guys will pour the floor.
The plasterers have about another week left. He is also going to hire John a few days a week for the next couple of weeks to clean things up-the window and door frames after the plastering, clean up around the floor that’s poured, etc.
Our container was picked up in Salalah on 7/9, and should be in Tanzania on 7/14! So you can keep praying for all the customs things that need to happen.
John brought a house warming gift to Brian on Wednesday. It was a flower from his own gardens at home to plant around the house.
The guys were finishing building the last of the trusses on Thursday afternoon and had started putting some of them up. Very luckily, Brian was still there. The workers were getting ready to tear them all apart because they thought Brian had them make them wrong. I don’t remember the exact measurements, but I think most of them were built to 36’, but where our room is, they were 40’. They just couldn’t figure it out, so thought it had to be wrong. Brian produced a picture of the design, and then they finally got it. CLOSE CALL THERE!
Brian said they killed another small black mamba somewhere around. He also says he sees the path of a very large snake that crosses the road down the way.
When the house is finished and we open it all up, we are expected to have a party I guess. I am not sure if this means when me and the kids get there, or if Brian can do it when they get done in September. Basically the party is a big meal of course, so he will plan to bring some extra money to buy some goats for all the workers to feast on.
Lucy’s choir from Chongwe came out on Tuesday I believe. Allen said they sang the whole way from Chongwe. They had never been to the college; they were excited at all that was there. They got a tour of the main grounds, the clinic, and then our house, so Lucy and the ladies could tell Brian it was time to stop working. Wendell-Brian said you would have LOVED the choir!
Daniel’s step-mom is in South Africa at the hospital, apparently she has some type of cancer. Please pray for her.
The national pastors next to Brian this last week held twice a day prayer meetings. Brian said it was just awesome to sit out by the fire and hear this men cry out to God all at once in their native languages.
And here’s a big PRAISE!! Allen’s step dad has been in the hospital. He was brought in by ambulance, but they weren’t really sure what was wrong, but he definitely wasn’t doing well.. So at one of the evening services Allen asked the group of pastors and mission-trippers to pray for his step dad. It was incredible I guess! Allen said he didn’t want to close his eyes as he was sure Jesus would show up any minute! The next day Allen got a call from his wife saying that his step dad was being discharged because he was all of the sudden better!
As exciting everyone is to have Brian around, apparently that is waning and they are now ready to meet me! :-)
That’s about it. We had to cut the conversation short-Goodbyes are a BIG deal in Africa and Brian needed to start saying goodbye to the workers. I remember at MTI our instructor, who had served in Sierra Leone and South Africa (to name a few) stood outside the building and waved and waved until we could no longer see him. Apparently that is one of the things we can look forward to-which I will say is hard for me. I often kick in to the next gear right after people are out the door; so this will be another of the many areas I will need to work on.
Well, it’s off to bed soon. My brother’s fiancé’s bridal shower is in the morning, so that will give us something to do for a while after baths and getting all ready and such. I don’t think we need to leave until 1:30-2pm for the airport, so the day will seem a little long. Most of the kids will nap during that time (of driving) which is good, but I usually take a nap then too, so hopefully I won’t be too tired!
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