First of all dear reader, let me apologize for that last post. This time i've planned what to write in advance, and i learned how easy it is to change the keyboard language. I'm starting to adapt to the schedule here and I have recieved my work duties, so i'm staying busy. i've been working a lot in the office and the kitchen. in my free time, i'm reading a book in french, "quand les enfants crient misere" and i love talking with the girls and getting to know them better. we watch french, congolese, and nigerian tv shows and music videos sometimes. i'm learning more about the history of congo, and more specifically the history of this part of the country, Katanga. there have been many wars here and so much oppression. last week, i translated and typed the stories of the girls here, and the boys at the brother orphanage. some of the stories are unbearable. it really did shake me. i can't imagine living what some of these girls have lived, but there is so much joy here at the orphanage. the girls love to dance and sing. we have discussed everyone from shakira, to michael jackson, to patrice lumumba. The girls have had exams at school last week and will have them next week. the power has been working for the past few days, but when it doesn't the girls wake up early and study by candle light. no one complains about going to school, never! i know it sounds cliche, but it really is true that these girls value their education immensely, and i hope it teaches me not to take those opportunities for granted. After this week, school will be out for the summer, and i will start teaching english and baking! the girls want to learn how to make cookies, cake, and pizza. I'll also be teaching some of the adults how to type and use the computer more. I have an address now! and i'd really love to get a letter. i promise to try to write back! a wise woman once told me that email is nice, but nothing compares to holding that letter in your hand!! so heres the address:
Claire Kendig
Jamaa |Letu Orphanage
c/o The United Methodist Church
South Congo COnference
P.O. box 20219
Kitwe, Zambia, Africa
Thanks for reading!
I've been sending comments right along and not feelig as if they were being sent. Your Dad told me about the password this morning. Hope I can find it and be successful in the future. If it works, I'll send you my past attempts. Love you dearly, Mamaw Pat (Comment this)
June 10
And a special HI to all the girls from your Mamaw Pat. I will be their Mamaw too and will love hearing more about them.
Harley nearly lived on Nutella his entire 6 weeks in Bacau, Germany two summers ago when he was there as an assistant to a Math teacher! It had nutritional value and was easy, and he was responsible for preparing all his own meals.
A large package came to our door yesterday and the black delivery boy had to carry it all the way up our three flights of stairs. It was HOT HOT ... 98 degrees and 99% humidity. I asked if he might like a glass of cold water. He gratefully accepted, and asked for it without ice. I took a chilled bottled out of the fridge and as he drank it, I asked where he was from. He said Sera Leone or something. I asked where it was and he said in East Africa. I told him you were in Lumbumbashi and he said it was in West Africa. I asked how long he'd been here and he said 7 years. He was very thin and under 20 years old. I told him how proud I was of him for making his way in a foreign country, learning the language, and getting himself a good job. I think he left standing a bit taller. He said how wonderful it was that people like my granddaughter were doing what they could to help his country, which was so destitute. We are so fortunate!
Not much improvement in the vision. I go to Dr. again tom for exam under dilation. My eye glass prescription may need changing. SIGH! It's a small problem, but I need a magnifying glass to read a dictionary or phone book.
The love and prayers continue winging your way!!! Catch them on the next breeze that comes along.
Love you dearly .... Mamaw Pat
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Today we had lunch with Jim and Letty Carpenter. Jim was a co-worker of Dennis.
Jim will leave August 25th for Lumbumbashi. He helped found a charitable organization called Able and Willing that has been working in the DRC for the last two years, bringing them cast-off American computing equipment and helping them get it online. He was so excited to hear what you are doing. I have forwarded him stuff from your Mom and you may want to add him to your blog:
carpenterj@jeffersonmd.net.
Jim works through a Methodist church about 10 miles from you, and was hoping he c
ould talk you into staying until he gets there so you could come and help him. He said, altho only 10 miles away, it takes forever to get there because of the state of the roads. He said he may be able to arrange for someone to come and get you by car so you could help them while you are there ... with typing, translation into English, etc. You can always decline, but thought I'd introduce him to you in case he writes to you. I forwarded your blog to him.
In His love ... Mamaw Pat
PS - You can tell how proud I am of you! I talk about what you are doing all the time. You continue in my thoughts and prayers.
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It's great to hear about your days, thoughts, and experiences via your mom & dad's phone calls, and your blog. No doubt, your voyage is having a rippling effect on all those connected to you, it's great. You remind me that this world is complicated and difficult, and troubled to the core, but that, somehow, there is love and genuine concern and that creates meaning in our lives. Keep on keepin' on, as I know you will, strong young woman that you are! Lots of love, Julie (Comment this)