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.