Aug. 9-20
I found a great coloring book on the one story of the Bible. It is so helpful in introducing the youngest children to the Bible stories because each large colorful picture tells the story as well as the one or two English sentences under each picture. The Malawian teacher, Patience, reads the few sentences in Chichewa and then reads them again in the English. Our children are beginning to respond to English, even those children who do not have English speaking parents are speaking a little English. They understand a lot more English than they speak. I have been spending all my spare moments in coloring pages. Now that the Ter Haar and Nagy children are back, they have helped to color some; thus I have been able to finish the Old Testament. We have 3 different children’s Bibles that are great. We are using the large pictures and few words with the youngest children because of the language barrier. The young children are responding to the pictures and that’s encouraging.
The oldest Nagy and Terr Haar children will be leaving for Kenya on Wednesday. Dr. Ter Haar and Dr. Nagy will be going with them to get them settled into their dorms and to attend parent orientation. Willeke and I will keep the other children. Happy will be up here at the Ter Haar’s with us. All the children get along beautifully. They really enjoy playing together.
There has been a lot of turnover in the volunteer missionary helpers recently. The McAuleys left yesterday and the guesthouse group of over 60 camping out on their grounds have returned to California. Their organization, WHY MALAWI, comes every year with a large group. Jane, a nurse from England, just arrived for three months, She and Maralise came to see the school yesterday. I was glad to see them, for I had collected a number of things that Mraslise could use at her Orphan School.
We finally moved the first grade into the new building for the last week of school. So I have been busy moving an administration office into the room that the first grade was using last year. I have made three attempts to get Linken to the school to make shelves for a library to house all the wonderful books people have so graciously contributed. As I go through the books received I get bogged down because I feel I must read a lot of them. We really have some great books. Thanks to so many of you.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Aug. 2-8
This has been one busy week with my moving out of Barbara’s house and into the guest quarters at the Ter Haar’s. We have been blessed with the visit of David, Christine and Allie, Mariella Provost’s son and family, who came to see the school building that was dedicated in June to his father. They brought us many gifts for the school. We now have a wonderful Library and many grand items for the school. We will not need pencils, crayons or colored pencils for a lllllllong time!! They brought a number of soccer balls and large beach balls. The boys and the girls have had a wonderful time with the balls on the playground. Amy and Jim McAuley, both pediatricians from Chicago are here working in the children’s ward at the hospital for 5 weeks. The McAuleys brought their 4 children, 14-20 year olds, with them. All four worked for over 2 weeks in our school. They helped us finish-up the school year. Ruth, a college ager, helped to teach the first grade during the 2 weeks Miriam took off for her mother’s funeral. Miriam, the oldest McAuley child, read stories to all three classes, and both McAuley boys played ball on the playground with all the classes. The McAuley young people appreciated having something to do while the parents worked, and the Ebenezer teachers and children enjoyed the help.
The McAuleys are staying in the guest houses at the Ter Haars, so we share the kitchen area. We share many meals together. The day that the Provosts arrived I had Victor to make us a stew for lunch for the Provosts, Barbara, Jessie and the McAuleys. Barbara took the Provosts on a tour of the hospital which they enjoyed seeing. Barbara took David to one of the outlying village clinics that the hospital supports while Christine and Allie stayed and helped us at the school and got to know some of our students.
We were expecting the Ter Haars to return on Friday, but about 8 pm Thursday I received a call that they would be home late Thursday night. I rushed over to clean out their refrigerator so they could start house keeping again after 7 weeks. I’m thrilled to have them back. They have done so much for me. They are like adopted family, and it’s good to have Willeke to help to start the new school year.
There have been 2 big missionary birthday parties since Barbara and the Ter Haars have returned. Maralise had a lovely party to celebrate 74 years and 4 of the Nagy and Ter Haar children celebrated a joint birthday party at the Ter Haar’s to celebrate their missed birthday parties while they were away.
Saturday evening was a very special evening as 70-80 Malawians and missionaries gathered at the home of Eric and Naomi, two doctors from Holland, who are leaving to take a position in Portugal. Naomi is expecting their second baby girl in September. They have been here for 3 ½ years. The music and food were great. Eric and Naomi are both musical, and they said the Malawian music was one of the things they would miss the most. Both of the doctors were given a wonderful send-off by everyone. They both have made tremendous contributions to the work of the hospital. They have been extremely activity in the church here and everyone has loved having them in Nkhoma. We will all greatly miss them. Naomi and two year old daughter, Fenni, will be with Naomi’s mother in Holland until after the birth of the baby. Eric will start to work in Portugal and get settled there for the family to come.
This has been one busy week with my moving out of Barbara’s house and into the guest quarters at the Ter Haar’s. We have been blessed with the visit of David, Christine and Allie, Mariella Provost’s son and family, who came to see the school building that was dedicated in June to his father. They brought us many gifts for the school. We now have a wonderful Library and many grand items for the school. We will not need pencils, crayons or colored pencils for a lllllllong time!! They brought a number of soccer balls and large beach balls. The boys and the girls have had a wonderful time with the balls on the playground. Amy and Jim McAuley, both pediatricians from Chicago are here working in the children’s ward at the hospital for 5 weeks. The McAuleys brought their 4 children, 14-20 year olds, with them. All four worked for over 2 weeks in our school. They helped us finish-up the school year. Ruth, a college ager, helped to teach the first grade during the 2 weeks Miriam took off for her mother’s funeral. Miriam, the oldest McAuley child, read stories to all three classes, and both McAuley boys played ball on the playground with all the classes. The McAuley young people appreciated having something to do while the parents worked, and the Ebenezer teachers and children enjoyed the help.
The McAuleys are staying in the guest houses at the Ter Haars, so we share the kitchen area. We share many meals together. The day that the Provosts arrived I had Victor to make us a stew for lunch for the Provosts, Barbara, Jessie and the McAuleys. Barbara took the Provosts on a tour of the hospital which they enjoyed seeing. Barbara took David to one of the outlying village clinics that the hospital supports while Christine and Allie stayed and helped us at the school and got to know some of our students.
We were expecting the Ter Haars to return on Friday, but about 8 pm Thursday I received a call that they would be home late Thursday night. I rushed over to clean out their refrigerator so they could start house keeping again after 7 weeks. I’m thrilled to have them back. They have done so much for me. They are like adopted family, and it’s good to have Willeke to help to start the new school year.
There have been 2 big missionary birthday parties since Barbara and the Ter Haars have returned. Maralise had a lovely party to celebrate 74 years and 4 of the Nagy and Ter Haar children celebrated a joint birthday party at the Ter Haar’s to celebrate their missed birthday parties while they were away.
Saturday evening was a very special evening as 70-80 Malawians and missionaries gathered at the home of Eric and Naomi, two doctors from Holland, who are leaving to take a position in Portugal. Naomi is expecting their second baby girl in September. They have been here for 3 ½ years. The music and food were great. Eric and Naomi are both musical, and they said the Malawian music was one of the things they would miss the most. Both of the doctors were given a wonderful send-off by everyone. They both have made tremendous contributions to the work of the hospital. They have been extremely activity in the church here and everyone has loved having them in Nkhoma. We will all greatly miss them. Naomi and two year old daughter, Fenni, will be with Naomi’s mother in Holland until after the birth of the baby. Eric will start to work in Portugal and get settled there for the family to come.
Friday, August 20, 2010
MOM??? Where Are You????
I feel the need to post a comment on mom's lack of posts. Barbara Nagy returned home to Nkhoma with her three girls the first of August, the place Barbara graciously allowed mom and Jessi to live. Therefore, Jessi moved to the Guest House, while mom moved into Willeke Ter Haar's guest quarters AND the computer belonging to Jessi....well, I think you must be realizing what I am, that the convience of having the computer right there every night made it so much easier to keep her blog updated. I am amazed at the incredible response you all have shown by keeping up with her blog and I know I speak for mom and my brothers when I say thank you for all the thoughts and prayers you have sent her way. Hopefully, mom will find a way to keep all of us updated and involved in her incredible experience. In his love, Lynne, Jim, and Dan
Sunday, August 1, 2010
July 30-Aug.1
I have been sewing green curtains and have finished most of the machine sewing on them. I don’t know when the curtain rods will be installed so that I can measure for the hems. It will be done in African time..
There always seems to be something to redo! The swing sets on our playground are only 3 months old and already the “soft” steel metal has worn thin in the hooks that hold up the chains for the seats. I brought it to the attention of the overseer of construction and repairs and he said that its just African quality. He’s studying for a solution.
Barbara and children arrived at about 5:15 Thursday. I helped Rebecca Morton to carry them a soup dinner that she made. Barbara knew exactly where my pictures of Lily and family were and gave them to me immediately. So I have seen my beautiful great granddaughter. Everyone looks so proud and happy. I wish I could hold her. She will be a big baby before I get to do that. I was at Barbara’s getting my last load of things when Barbara arrived. So I got to welcome her home. I’m glad she didn’t come to an empty house.
I have moved to a beautiful spot on the side of the mountain with the view of a huge rock at the top of the mountain. This is the mountain that the PWNC mission group climbed when they were here. At one time this kitchen was a Tea House where folks were served tea and biscuits either inside or outside of the house. Now 2 guest houses grace the property and the Tea House serves as a kitchen, a sitting area and a dining area for the guests. It is a lovely area to relax and read or to write on your blog!. I will be here until Barbara’s girls go to school the first of September. Then I am suppose to return to Barbara’s house with Barbara and Happy. While the Ter Haars are away in Holland , their cook is spending much time at the Tea House cooking special things at the request of the people. He attended a Chef’s School in Lilongwe and now is making wonderful very thin crust pizzas for folks in Nkhoma. He’s gone to the market for me to buy the supplies to make bread for me.
After church today I went to check on some booklets I want to send home with the children who have been in the 3 year old class. Church was over this morning by 9:15 so I plenty of time before lunch. I had Jessi and Rhona to come for a lunch of cabbage, lamb and rice. I had visited two Norway girls who live across the road from my new home, and they were cooking cabbage and lamb. Barara Morton had offered to take me to town yesterday and I bought cabbage.I tried fixing their recipe and it turned out good. .
Last week Jessi and Rhona brought me 9 PACKAGES of books! I had received one package 2 days ago and had no idea that there was more to come. When they went to the post office to get the packages, the workers all told them they could not take them without a car! A nice healthy student offered to carry them. With his help they managed to get them here. The student wouldn’t take any money for helping them, which was a pleasant surprise because most of the time the students are asking for money.
What a neat idea to have people donate books to our library. I am so moved by the fact they were all given in honor of me. I feel like a little of each of you are a part of what I have been able to do here in Malawi at Ebenezer School. I think I learned all the things I know through my relationship with PWS, and I feel that the school here is an extension of PWS. The Malawian children are keeping in touch with the PWS children, and the children there have sent us a wonderful letter and a most attractive poster made to show a relationship between our schools. Lyndi Williams has been great in helping me to bring some wonderful ideas and materials to Ebenezer. She keeps the relationship going in many ways. I have had wonderful support from so many of the church members. Please know that you are an instrumental part of getting the much needed Ebenezer School established. I praise God for all the wonderful support from 1st Pres. Gastonia, and I thank God that I can be your representative in this particularly needy area at this time.
I have been sewing green curtains and have finished most of the machine sewing on them. I don’t know when the curtain rods will be installed so that I can measure for the hems. It will be done in African time..
There always seems to be something to redo! The swing sets on our playground are only 3 months old and already the “soft” steel metal has worn thin in the hooks that hold up the chains for the seats. I brought it to the attention of the overseer of construction and repairs and he said that its just African quality. He’s studying for a solution.
Barbara and children arrived at about 5:15 Thursday. I helped Rebecca Morton to carry them a soup dinner that she made. Barbara knew exactly where my pictures of Lily and family were and gave them to me immediately. So I have seen my beautiful great granddaughter. Everyone looks so proud and happy. I wish I could hold her. She will be a big baby before I get to do that. I was at Barbara’s getting my last load of things when Barbara arrived. So I got to welcome her home. I’m glad she didn’t come to an empty house.
I have moved to a beautiful spot on the side of the mountain with the view of a huge rock at the top of the mountain. This is the mountain that the PWNC mission group climbed when they were here. At one time this kitchen was a Tea House where folks were served tea and biscuits either inside or outside of the house. Now 2 guest houses grace the property and the Tea House serves as a kitchen, a sitting area and a dining area for the guests. It is a lovely area to relax and read or to write on your blog!. I will be here until Barbara’s girls go to school the first of September. Then I am suppose to return to Barbara’s house with Barbara and Happy. While the Ter Haars are away in Holland , their cook is spending much time at the Tea House cooking special things at the request of the people. He attended a Chef’s School in Lilongwe and now is making wonderful very thin crust pizzas for folks in Nkhoma. He’s gone to the market for me to buy the supplies to make bread for me.
After church today I went to check on some booklets I want to send home with the children who have been in the 3 year old class. Church was over this morning by 9:15 so I plenty of time before lunch. I had Jessi and Rhona to come for a lunch of cabbage, lamb and rice. I had visited two Norway girls who live across the road from my new home, and they were cooking cabbage and lamb. Barara Morton had offered to take me to town yesterday and I bought cabbage.I tried fixing their recipe and it turned out good. .
Last week Jessi and Rhona brought me 9 PACKAGES of books! I had received one package 2 days ago and had no idea that there was more to come. When they went to the post office to get the packages, the workers all told them they could not take them without a car! A nice healthy student offered to carry them. With his help they managed to get them here. The student wouldn’t take any money for helping them, which was a pleasant surprise because most of the time the students are asking for money.
What a neat idea to have people donate books to our library. I am so moved by the fact they were all given in honor of me. I feel like a little of each of you are a part of what I have been able to do here in Malawi at Ebenezer School. I think I learned all the things I know through my relationship with PWS, and I feel that the school here is an extension of PWS. The Malawian children are keeping in touch with the PWS children, and the children there have sent us a wonderful letter and a most attractive poster made to show a relationship between our schools. Lyndi Williams has been great in helping me to bring some wonderful ideas and materials to Ebenezer. She keeps the relationship going in many ways. I have had wonderful support from so many of the church members. Please know that you are an instrumental part of getting the much needed Ebenezer School established. I praise God for all the wonderful support from 1st Pres. Gastonia, and I thank God that I can be your representative in this particularly needy area at this time.
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