Monday 7 March 2011

We are still here

We apologize for our very long delay in sharing but we try to be as positive as possible even when things seem bleak around us. We, anyway, have decided to update our progress as follows;

The Elles (Jo and Jan)
We feel blessed in abundance. Just imagine them at their happiest ever, doing what kids should do – playing, making friends, exploring their environment and just loving every moment. This realization forces us to see the blessing in every situation as all our needs are met and Joelle seems to have just the right amount of friends to keep her happy. It’s even more amazing to know that before every change in accommodation we are always concerned because of the friendships she inevitably leaves behind, but God always provides. It makes us thank God for all His provisions even though it’s not yet revealed. She’s so happy in school and that makes her even happier for her sister to be around. Janelle is now on two legs- officially a toddler- and keeping us running. They are really a joy.

Michael
Remains challenged in his task of creating a department that envisions the change of direction for the church’s health service (Nixon hospital and clinics) as more efficient and manageable. It means brainstorming, creating workable solutions, preparing and going to meetings,traveling, sourcing other organizations for funding and hoping it all comes together. His job is HARD and SLOW, but with God’s help it will yield some fruit which will be long lasting, appreciated and used by the people who really need it.

Joanna
Remains very busy. In the day she’s on Kiddies’ duty and generally working with dear Mama S and her helper to maintain a smooth running of the house for the ever so happy, busy bunch of Tetteys. You need to remember that things taken for granted in the developed world – like 24/7 light and water – are not as easy and accessible. As I write we haven’t had electricity supply from our service provider for the last 14 days. So we get our electricity for a few hours every day from our generator which seems to need an overhaul (as do we all). Water is caught in the days (and sometimes very early in the morning – if it decides to come then) and stored in our very large containers which (we pray) will never run dry. Mama S and or helper have been instrumental in keeping us fed and watered and generally happy and we feel very blessed to have them. So the very busy Kiddies’ duty gives way to preparation for the delivery of the upcoming midwifery module at night. This DEPENDS on electricity since working by lamp/ candle light was never her strongest point and with the lack of this resource there has been very little preparation. She, however, plods on as she cannot imagine standing before Jesus on the day to say ‘I was unable to do the task because I had no electricity and the day duty of motherhood and house keeping was too much…..’ Yeah right!

So as we ask the prayer warriors to continue to remember us, please also thank God for revealing Himself as the parent God that He most definitely is to all of us, whether we want to accept Him or not.