Greetings from Salone (that's what everyone here calls it)
We had a nice Thanksgiving, fellowship and food with our new friends, expats who are here doing various ministries. It was a turkey less Thanksgiving as the price of a turkey here is unreal! I made sweet potatoes using my moms' recipe and banana bread. Many of the expats are young families with babies and small children. One little boy is about four months old and made me long for our grandson. I so admire the couples who pick up their families and follow Gods' calling. It was wonderful to be with friends and celebrate as we are so thankful for all the blessings God has bestowed on us.
We even had our own touch of Black Friday as we drove into Freetown for generator parts and the crowds and traffic are truly overwhelming. There are streets that are so crowded with people and small stalls that you truly cannot see pavement. Shopping in Freetown is truly an adventure, first you have to acquire/exchange money. This can be done at the bank but most use "money changers" on the street that offer better rates. The currency here is called Leones and there are 4,450 of them to each USD dollar. The denominations are 1,000, 2,000, 5,000 and 10,000, nothing larger. So when you exchange a few hundred dollars you have what equates to a suitcase of cash. It's heavy and cumbersome, challenging at times to do the conversion in your head.
Thank you for all your prayers, the investment forum was a success, over thirty of the participants traveled from Freetown to the site by bus (a good two hour drive) for a tour. The tour went well and it was very interesting to meet people from different countries and industries. David has been working hard to get the whole site cleared from boundary to boundary. That's over 50 acres, which many still have tall elephant grass and numerous types of trees. The work force has really been busy! David has really established a good relationship with his crew and enjoys their company. Nice group of guys, I process payroll for them twice a month and enjoy the time greeting each one and counting out their funds. David and I have noticed, even since we've arrived, how much new building is happening between Freetown and here. It's wonderful to see the results of a government that wants its' people to succeed. So refreshing after Haiti, which was so heartbreaking.
All our barrels arrived, intact and never opened. We were thrilled to be able to set up house and have a few creature comforts. Before we left we purchased a knock off brand foam mattress at CostCo. It was vacuum sealed in a plastic bag and much smaller after having the air sucked out. We were hoping to get it into a barrel but no luck... then our friend Mike got a great idea. He cut a piece of metal sheeting, banded the bag and then ratcheted it down and it fit in a steel barrel. What a feat and I can't tell you how wonderful it was to pull it from the barrel, open the bag and watch the lump turn into a wonderful, comfortable queen mattress. Just in time, David and I struggle sleeping on the slim foam mattresses most use here. Since we've both had back surgery, it really is wonderful to have a good bed, we both function much better with a good nights' rest.
The other thing... a member of our church donated funds for us to purchase and ship a washing machine along with the barrels. It arrived intact! Our house is small so David built a lean to on the back of the house and put the washer outside so it could connect to the water tank. There is no electricity where we are, so the only power comes from a generator. It was necessary to call the "plumber" which involves trying to find him and then going to collect him. It was with great pride he unpacked his three tools from a black plastic bag. Then, considering he had never seen a washer before, he set about hooking it up and completed his task in a few hours. He was smiling and laughing as I jumped up and down with joy! The water pressure is not good... so in order to nudge the machine along, I have to use a hose connected to a pump sunk in a barrel of water and partially fill the machine through the detergent slot. The first load of wash was done with a big audience in attendance. No one had ever seen a washing machine and they were amazed. I narrated the wash process and everyone checked the results to make sure the clothes were clean. The ladies just kept shaking their heads and smiling. I think we will begin to save the wash/rinse water so it can be used for washing other things. Water is a luxury here and not to be wasted.
I love my walks... people here are so friendly and you learn so much. I was approached the other day by the futbol coach of the mens/womens leagues in this area and he offered to be my personal trainer. He went on to tell me word had spread that there was a very strong "obotu" (white person) who jogged everyday and may play futbol. I was flattered but told him I thought I was a "little" old and didn't really understand how to play nor wished to try out for the team. All three of our sons played "soccer" and I never did understand it:) I do have fans though...it's so cute as I pass through the small village and market on my walk a group of about a dozen middle aged women gather and clap and cheer each time I go by. They mimic my movements and laugh. All the children run up to touch me, they are so beautiful, big gorgeous smiles!
Our pet family is growing, Walter and Diesel, the two puppies are a riot! They love to play and refuse to be ignored, whether by us, the neighbors or the guards. Yesterday they even got Rocky, the newest kitten to play with them. Tillie, kitten number one escaped the house and now lives with the families behind us. She just didn't want to be inside. Thank goodness for tile floors...eventually the dogs will be outside most of the time. Diesel came to us from the headman who gave him to us as a gift, on the way home in the back of the truck a can of diesel partially spilled on him resulting in many baths and his name. Last week, on our day off, we went to the beach and a man approached us with a old cement bag tied with elephant grass. He offered to sell us a "wild cat" for 10,000 Leones ($2.50). I couldn't say no and he looks almost exactly like my first cat Sam did. On the way home, a bucket of rocks fell on him resulting in his name. He loves being a house cat and has fit right in.
I'm excited, I'm going to start my first knitting/sewing class soon. The barrels were full of yarn and needles that had been donated. We also had a large number of pillowcase dresses made by ladies in our home district. Thank you so much, there are a number of girls running around in them now! If you are interested in donating yarn/needles/sewing supplies/material, let me know. If you can get them to our home church, they will be shipped to us in a future barrel. Looking forward to meeting more women in the community and developing relationships. There is such a large Muslim population here and the holy spirit has been encouraging me to find ways to talk to those I meet about our Savior. Lots of babies and children with strange things tied about their stomachs, necks and wrists. The only power available to us is through him and not through any charms or talisman. I want to share what God has done in my life and wants to do in others!
Our favorite reading this week comes from a devotional referenced from Psalms, Luke and Philippians. "Problems are a part of life. They are inescapable: woven into the very fabric of this fallen world. You tend to go into problem-solving mode all too readily, acting as if you have the capacity to fix everything. This is a habitual response, so automatic that it bypasses your conscious thinking. Not only does this habit frustrate you, it also distances you from Me." As "fixers" this really spoke to us, we continue to learn that it's not within our "power" to fix anything.. without his help!
Thank you for your wonderful emails and encouraging words. They mean so much to us! We have had some tough days but know without your prayers they would have been impossible. If God has been nudging you to financially support our work and you still can't decide, please take that leap of faith! The end of the year is quickly approaching, any contribution made before December 31 will be a charitable deduction on your 2011 income tax return. You may send them to World Hope International, Attn: Contributions Lockbox, P O Box 17151, Baltimore, MD 21297-1151. Please remember to enter our constituent number 28163 on the memo line of your check. You may also donate by credit/debit card and if you have questions please call 1-888-466-4673 and ask for donor services. The quickest way to donate directly to our account is on-line at https://giving.wesupport.org/gift2/designation.php?GUID=0A797C5B-2B8A-4686-AB22-A52383315A6B&id=7327 . Thank you!
In Him,
Mr. David and Mrs. David (again...:)
P. S. We have these goofy bugs, pill bugs I think. They range from the size of a peanut to MUCH larger and their "back" is so tough. They can withstand being stepped on (numerous times)... they play dead then next thing you know they are moving! I've seen a few snakes and still didn't freak out, I think my fear has been removed. I don't think I'll ever like them, but I'm not petrified anymore:) Thank you Lord...
P.P.S. I'll try to post some pictures on our website/facebook, our internet connection isn't very fast and sometimes just cuts us off. Our bathroom, check out the shower in the middle.
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