So I hijacked another email from Josh to his parents. I thought it would be nice for you to hear another perspective of our life in Gamboula! But like any good wife, I will add my two cents in here and there!
Sorry guys for not communicating! It
has been a little crazy here. I've been very involved in fixing
the mass hysteria known as their computer systems here. I've
looked at over 30 computers, removed viruses, fixed power
supplies, updated service packs, and on and on and on... They
need lots of work. I've also gotten very involved in the new
properties power systems. We are building a hybrid solar/diesel
power plant with 12volt and 220 volt power. It's a bit crazy
especially considering the budget size. Our own hydro plant here
is having a few issues as well and I've been doing lots of
research on how to fix it along with Luke. (Luke is another missionary here in Gamboula)We've got some super
fancy diagnostic equipment here from Younde that will hopefully
let us fine tune it. I've got so many stories I don't know where
to start. Maybe I'll just summarize:
1. I got to be present in the operating room to watch a lady get a
hysterectomy. It was so hot in there I had to walk out about half
way through.
2. I went on a long hike from our compound to the new property the
other day with Ben (teacher age 22) and Alisa (doctor age 24).
3. We have lunch everyday with our house help and babysitter.
Lori is speaking Sango well and I'm mostly cheating by speaking in
French.
4. I drove for the first time in Africa the other day. SCARY!!
I got yelled at by a police officer for parking too close to the
center of town but by the grace of God didn't have to pay any
fines.
5. I saw a lady try to slash another lady with an axe because she
slept with her husband.
6. There are tons of super poisonous snakes all around this
place. We seem to find 1-2 snakes per week a short distance from
our house. They are commonly Green Mambas... One guy got bit the
other day but it looks like no venom was injected.
7. I've been working with Luke a lot on the hospital systems
including the photo spectrometer and their bleach maker. I've
enjoyed learning from Luke!
8. There is a mysterious short in our electrical system that
makes everything that touches our water supply get jacked up to
230 volts. It just comes and goes each night at around 5pm-7pm.
Every house on the system gets energized... hope no one wants to
shower then!
Emotionally we are doing well although today was a bit of a
downer (Josh was tired). I'm sure tomorrow will be better. We are having fun with
our friends Ben and Alisa playing games, watching movies, hiking,
talking... actually lots of talking. They are fun southerners!
Charlotte is happy as a clam especially with all the attention she
gets from Bonard and Fredoline (our hourhelp and nanny). She speaks better Sango than I
do! The other day I couldn't remember the word for "tomorrow" and
Charlotte yelled out kekekeke which is pretty close to the right
work kekeleke. Sometimes she says things in Sango that we have to
ask Fredoline what they mean. (she knows how to say- one, come, tomorrow, and hello in Sango!)
Lori and I were looking through our wedding pictures the other
night. One thing is clear...we don't look that good anymore!
It's been nice spending lots of time with Lori and Charlie,
something that didn't happen as often in the states.
Pray that God gives us meaningful things that we can do while we
learn the languages. It kind of stinks to be so restricted
because we can't communicate well. We are learning at an alarming
rate though. The tension of not being able to get a lot done each
day is really bothering me. I know it is 'just the way Africa
is', but when you calculate how much money we are spending just to
be here, it makes the words "overhead" run constantly through my
mind. Seeing all the good that comes out of this place and
knowing that I'm part of it usually puts my concerns to rest
though.
Write us and let us know how you are doing.
Love you,
Joshua
No comments:
Post a Comment