TIA ... This Is Africa!!

While Doug and his family were here, every so often, someone would say, "TIA". Evidently, Dar, who spent 6 of her childhood years in Nigeria, often heard this growing up. "This is Africa!" Well, we had some "TIA" moments over the past few days!

Life has been interesting! We have had computer problems, phone line problems, electricity outages and a few interesting moments! But we love it all...well, most of it :) When it comes to not being able to communicate with my family and friends, that isn't a lot of fun :( Here are a few examples of "TIA"...

Our Wednesday evening Bible Study was scheduled for 6:00. At 5:30 we received word that the place was being changed to a different home, but we never heard of the new venue, so we assumed it was cancelled. Thursday morning we discovered that the meeting was held in a home we could have easily walked to, but somehow, the word never got to us! Yesterday, our phones went dead and early this evening they seemed to be repaired. We were eager to get on the computer to check email, but oops....the electricity was out! An hour later, the electricity came back on, but then the phone lines were dead again....yes, life is "interesting!"

Today as my Dad was walking around Choma Secondary School, he noticed the students "sweeping" the campus leaves into piles. As he got closer, he realized they had no rakes, but were bending over very low, using tall grass as their "brooms". "TIA!"

Today, My dad, Matt and I went joined Erma Herr, our neighbor, in her reading room, located in downtown Choma. Two afternoons a week she teaches boys English who are not going to school. We were each paired up with a youth who read to us, and we helped them where needed, asking them comprehension questions from the material they just read. Many of these students are reading at very elementary levels, but have made great progress through Erma's class. Matthew and I plan to do this every Thursday afternoon.

The weather here is still beautiful.....nights and mornings are quite chilly, in the 40's, but by noon, the sun is warming up the day and we typically enjoy 65-70 degree weather. The sun has shone every day since we arrived - the blue sky and pure white clouds are lovely. The other day, just above the horizon was a thick blanket of white clouds stretched out along the sky, then right above, the bright blue sky. Never saw anything like it before.

We are going into town to try to send all our e-mails ... we have not recieved any for 3 days, due to no phone service or lack of electricity ... but we are thankful for running water, indoor plumbing and electricity when we do have it ... so many of our friends here do not have those luxuries!