moments & memories

It seems that I have gotten into the routine of choosing a word to summarize my updates with, and this post could be summarized with the word 'people'. While that sounds vague and fairly ordinary, it does capture what our last month has been filled with. Yesterday morning, we bid farewell to the last of eight Americans that were staying on campus for the past few weeks. Before that we had a South African solar technician stay for over a week. In-between all that we have had some joy-packed time spent with people from the community. 'People' captures the essence of why we're here, and why we love it here. I'll rewind and work my way back to present day.

Jon and the solar technician worked for two weeks together. We had him for breakfast at 7 am every morning and they would wrap up work around 7pm and come in for dinner and the evening. They removed six old inverters and replaced them with 3 upgraded inverters. An inverter takes the energy from the solar panels and converts it to energy that the batteries can use. This was a much bigger project than expected, and they basically ended up re-wiring the whole system. We are so grateful for having solar onsite, and for all the knowledge and overseeing Jon does for the system to run so well!

While the work for Jon amped up with the solar stuff, our homeschool was wrapped up, which meant more time for play. We found badminton rackets in the house and had some rallies in the front grass using a garden hose for a net. We did the local (hill) hike and had time to peruse stores instead of being pinched for time. I've had more time for walks down the road, runs on the treadmill, and baking some different things that aren't sold here (like bagels). The kids have carried on with the soccer & volleyball training, as well as karate classes.

At a soccer practice a few weeks back, a teenager from the community was elbowed in his temple, and a big indent was left where he had been hit. No one had ever really seen this before, and we were recommended to go to the local hospital and get him checked out. It was an experience to see how the "ER" worked. When we first showed up, there was no power and the nurse was walking around with a flashlight. The power returned, but in the hospital, there is only one doctor at night, so we had to wait 2 hours before getting checked out. The nurse misplaced the sole thermometer and was pacing back and forth trying to find it. She couldn't admit anyone else till she found her missing thermometer. When the doctor attended the young man, she said she would have done an x-ray if their machine was working, but it wasn't, so he could just rest at home under closer supervision. I was so thankful all was ok with him, but the experience didn't have me feeling too confident in the quality of care provided at this particular hospital!

Also a few weeks ago, the kids and I thought it would be fun to open our home to some of the teens in the community and organize a bunch of different games. We had the classic Balloon Stomp (where you tie a balloon to your ankle and try to pop everyone else's balloon without having yours stomped on), Musical Pillows, Chicken Wars and different relay races. It was an absolute blast. There was so much laughter and joy. After all that we went for a dip in the (cold!) pool. The following week we had another big group come over, and this time it was for Spike Ball and coloring. We love having a big yard and ample space to host and hope to do more of this in the future.

In the midst of all this the Living Hope Board, along with a few supporters, made their way from America. Thanks to some hard work by many hands, the conversion of an unused dorm to a team house was completed in the nick of time! This is the first time that a team was able to stay on site! No more 45 minutes (or longer) commute in first thing in the morning. No more rushing to get out by late afternoon to beat the traffic and be able to have dinner on time. All of them agreed that it made the stay much more relaxing to be staying on the campus!

There were a bunch of things scheduled with the visiting Americans that we really enjoyed - like Mike making hamburgers and macaroni & cheese for the entire campus! Having a bonfire with all the Living Hope children and staff and just listening to the beeeautiful singing! Watching one of the ladies from the States work with the school children on worship dances. Checking out the library and computer lab setup at a school campus down the road to get ideas for how Living Hope can set things up in the future. Walking through the tall grass to go on a village visit. Enjoying dinners together every night with the team. Ivy even had daily piano lessons from an incredibly thoughtful board member!

A big highlight for me was having the Living Hope Christian Academy Sports Day. The teachers poured in lots of prep and practice for this big day. The day started off with the school children reciting different memory verses they had learned and performing some dances. Parents & guardians were invited to come to campus and watch from the sidelines as their children shouted their team war cries, ran their hearts out and worked together with their teams. It was a day filled with beautiful sunshine, so many laughs, and just a great sense of community!

We continue to learn lots about the culture here. Like, when someone makes a phone call, the person who initiates the call has to be the first person to hang up. We had it on a village visit a few weeks ago that we popped by the Headman's house, and when we sat down his wife apologized that they had already eaten and they didn't have some to offer us. I kind of chuckled to myself. Rarely do people in Canada just pop by, and if they do, they don't expect to be fed a meal! In the last week, a man at the neighboring farm passed away, and it was incredible to see the support of the community. When funerals take place, the family hosts friends and family at their place - there are mattresses throughout the house for people to sleep, fires for people to congregate by, and food provided for all the guests! It really goes to show just how important relationships are to people here!

All in all, it's been quite the last month. We are grateful for all the paths that crossed ours in the last month. It was filled with so many good moments & memories. So much time in the presence of other people; getting to know new people & deepening existing relationships. Hearing words of encouragement. Sharing laughter. Understanding more about others. Sitting under the Word of God and feeling like the pastor was speaking right to me. Appreciating those who made a big effort to make our kids feel heard and seen. It has filled our hearts (and also, we could all sleep for days, haha!).

I hope that you, dear reader, are also in a place where you're feeling encouraged and supported by those around you. May God bless you & keep you.

With love,

Renae

"This is the day that the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." - Psalm 118:24