It is nearly 5 o’clock in the afternoon on Christmas day here in Chad. I am sitting on my verandah writing this to you all. I have had a very different Christmas than ever before. It came on so quickly since we don’t have the pre-Christmas hooplah that occurs at home here in Chad. In fact when I asked my English students what happens on December 25 (just last Tuesday) they had no response. Of course they have a hard time understanding English but even with French help it took them a long while.
We had our Children’s musical on Saturday and it went very well, the children performed it twice since people showed up an hour after the proposed starting time. All in all it was wonderful though, the Chadians who were there appreciated the children and their hard work.
I celebrated Christmas in two different ways in the last two days. Yesterday, Christmas Eve, we had a sort of Western Christmas here at our house with 3 other single foreigner ladies in town. It was great! We had the whole works mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, pumpkin pie, yams, beans, carrots, chicken, and ice cream. Marlene received a package of goods from the States that contained most of those things.
As a Mennonite girl who grew up on a farm it was painful, and seemed almost sinful, to open up boxed mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, beans, and so on, especially for Christmas. But I’ve never appreciated fake mashed potatoes so much in my life. We finished the evening with carols, a small gift exchange (I got some Swiss chocolate) and reading of the Christmas story from the Bible. I can not forget my annual watching of the classic Christmas musical, “White Christmas.” I received a package from my mom last week that contained the film and I was thrilled! I may have to watch it again.
Today, on Christmas day, I experienced the Chadian style Christmas. Yes, there are a few Christian Chadians who also celebrate my favourite holiday. We went to the church, not the large one I usually attend a much smaller one where many of our team members go to, around 10 where the women had already been cooking for hours. I sat around with them while they cooked massive pots of macaroni, rice, goat, wecki (sauce), and fungaso (basically parsaltchi for my Mennonite readers, or deep fried bread pieces for the others). In the mean time I ate some stomach and another body part, that I didn’t ask questions about with fear it would make me gag, and we drank chai and hot sweet milk. Never has mind over matter meant so much! It was a nice time of watching this different world go by, emphasis on the watching since the conversation was in Arabic.
Halas, a wonderful Arabic term for the end or finished. It was interesting to spend Christmas in a place that looks like Bethlehem. As ladies go by on donkeys it does make me realize how uncomfortable and unglamorous the birth of Christ really was. We often have a quaint, romantic view of the nativity scene but in reality it was a dirty, disgusting, I-never-want-to-be-in-her-shoes kind of situation.
I am looking forward to having the rest of the week off to sleep, read, learn Arabic, write emails, learn how to play the recorder (so I can teach the boys) and all sorts of things…I hope you’ve all had a wonderful Christmas break. I’d love to hear from you, especially while I have time to write. Mabruk al-eed (happy feasting), Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year to all of you.
Sorry this is soo long- again!
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Sunday, December 16, 2007
nose picking, hand holding, and the 19th century
Ahh, where to begin with that title? I’m glad I didn’t come for 2 weeks because I don’t think I could’ve picked up on the culture very well that well. Now, two months in I’ve learned a few things (yes it’s been 2 months already!).
Let’s start at the very beginning, a very good place to start. You all might find it interesting that I actually used that, the Sound of Music, for teaching my children the major scale last week. Some of you may know that I have a certain soft spot for that movie and so I was thrilled to find it here and more thrilled to use it for teaching. Anyways, I digress.
Living in a dry climate brings along a different set of circumstances than that of life lived in humid or not the desert like climates. When I lived in Saskatchewan I had a glimpse of this dry life but not to this extent. With the dry weather we have clothes that are finished on the line quickly, if you spill water you leave it because it will be gone shortly, and you also have noses that dry out. It seems very normal to pick your nose without being a social outcast. In one day I saw at least 4 locals do it and then I saw an expat (foreigner) jump out of his SUV and dig in as well. I’m considering joining them, when with the Romans…
It also seems quite normal for both men and women to hold each other’s hands (those of the same sex) without any sexual connotations. In fact men do it much more often than women. It’s a sign of friendship say the locals. I think it’s nice. You think what you want.
Most of you know about my job at Lower Fort Garry, a historic site, for the last three years. Here I have learned to spin wool and make soap which is always incredibly awe striking to the developed world’s mind. Today we made a trip to the corners of the market that you don’t usually see. We walked by the many men who are essentially blacksmiths using primitive looking anvils and hammers. Some children also explained how to make ink from the Arabic gum tree and old charred baskets to use with the pen made from a piece of straw. This is how children write out their Koranic verses on a piece of wood. They also sell sugar in sugar cones just as we do in our fur trade era sales shop. This list could go on. Mirjam told me a story of her student learning about the “olden days” who had to say what was different about the way the women in those days washed their clothes and the way we do now. The student responded, “My mom doesn’t have the wash board.”
I must be off, this is much too long again. I spent a day in bed this week with some sickness. My burn is healing quickly but my foot is not doing as well although it is starting to get a little better (last week’s blog). Prayer for my health would be wonderful. For the most part I am healthy just a little recuperation left right now.
Next week will be filled with reports on the Christmas musical that we have been practicing hard for this past week and any new observations I have on Abeche life. God bless you all in this Christmas season, may you feel His love and grace.
Let’s start at the very beginning, a very good place to start. You all might find it interesting that I actually used that, the Sound of Music, for teaching my children the major scale last week. Some of you may know that I have a certain soft spot for that movie and so I was thrilled to find it here and more thrilled to use it for teaching. Anyways, I digress.
Living in a dry climate brings along a different set of circumstances than that of life lived in humid or not the desert like climates. When I lived in Saskatchewan I had a glimpse of this dry life but not to this extent. With the dry weather we have clothes that are finished on the line quickly, if you spill water you leave it because it will be gone shortly, and you also have noses that dry out. It seems very normal to pick your nose without being a social outcast. In one day I saw at least 4 locals do it and then I saw an expat (foreigner) jump out of his SUV and dig in as well. I’m considering joining them, when with the Romans…
It also seems quite normal for both men and women to hold each other’s hands (those of the same sex) without any sexual connotations. In fact men do it much more often than women. It’s a sign of friendship say the locals. I think it’s nice. You think what you want.
Most of you know about my job at Lower Fort Garry, a historic site, for the last three years. Here I have learned to spin wool and make soap which is always incredibly awe striking to the developed world’s mind. Today we made a trip to the corners of the market that you don’t usually see. We walked by the many men who are essentially blacksmiths using primitive looking anvils and hammers. Some children also explained how to make ink from the Arabic gum tree and old charred baskets to use with the pen made from a piece of straw. This is how children write out their Koranic verses on a piece of wood. They also sell sugar in sugar cones just as we do in our fur trade era sales shop. This list could go on. Mirjam told me a story of her student learning about the “olden days” who had to say what was different about the way the women in those days washed their clothes and the way we do now. The student responded, “My mom doesn’t have the wash board.”
I must be off, this is much too long again. I spent a day in bed this week with some sickness. My burn is healing quickly but my foot is not doing as well although it is starting to get a little better (last week’s blog). Prayer for my health would be wonderful. For the most part I am healthy just a little recuperation left right now.
Next week will be filled with reports on the Christmas musical that we have been practicing hard for this past week and any new observations I have on Abeche life. God bless you all in this Christmas season, may you feel His love and grace.
Monday, December 10, 2007
a full week
I’ve had an interesting week. Sorry that this is later than usual. As I’ve been told there are actually regular readers of my weekly story. I was sure I was sending this off into oblivion. Thanks to all of you who take the time to read these.
I had a week with some new events. I attended a Samai on Wednesday which is basically a Chadian baby shower and naming ceremony. It occurs about 8 days after the baby is born and it is a large community and family event where the father or religious leader reveals the name of the baby and people eat! We had lots of kisaar (fermented crepes) and wecki (sauce) with Chadian Chai tea to follow, red tea with lots of sugar and very hot. It was great! Lots of laughter and chatter- that I didn’t understand.
I also had the opportunity to go to the Kided or Hadgar on Saturday which is basically really big rock piles that I don’t think I can call mountains, although there are mountains near the city. It was nice to get outside the city for a bit. We observed the “moving hay stacks” down below as donkeys who were covered in hay made their way towards the city. Today, Sunday, we also did our “tour de ville” where we drove around Abeche. It was nice to see more of the city I live in.
I also was blessed to eat ice cream this week! For the few of you who have lived with me you’ll know that was very important. Mirjam and I managed to make Mocha ice cream and it wasn’t half bad. Of course most of you wouldn’t dream of eating ice cream at this time of year but it was a blessing to me.
Being in the season you are you’d also find this story funny. Eroni was reading a book of vocabulary words to me this week and he came to the word mittens. He struggled through it and finally he got it out. Next came the question, “What are mittens?” I had to laugh but he being a Fijian growing up in Chad has no need nor concept of what they are. I informed him of their use and practicality for every child at home.
Amongst ice cream, tours, and Hadgar this week I’ve also managed to injure myself a few times. I’ve kicked rocks twice while playing soccer with the boys. One of these times I got a pretty decent sized cut, pray it doesn’t get infected with all the dust around here. I also burned my leg on the side of my clando’s exhaust pipe, I knew that was bound to happen. And in perfect Vanessa form I managed to twist my ankle slightly while jumping around on the rock piles. This has all happened on the same leg and foot. It has been suggested by at least 2 people that I cut it off. After contemplating the idea I’ve decided to keep the leg until further notice.
So, I had lots to tell you this week which probably means next week will be boring. Mirjam and I are also in the midst of writing a Christmas musical for the 15 missionary children who live in Abeche. I must go help her; she does the hard work of writing the songs, I just correct her Swiss German style of English. Have a great week.
A bientôt!
Things had heated up a little more in Chad at the beginning of this week but it seems as though that is over for the moment. Potential peace keepers coming to Chad in January.
I had a week with some new events. I attended a Samai on Wednesday which is basically a Chadian baby shower and naming ceremony. It occurs about 8 days after the baby is born and it is a large community and family event where the father or religious leader reveals the name of the baby and people eat! We had lots of kisaar (fermented crepes) and wecki (sauce) with Chadian Chai tea to follow, red tea with lots of sugar and very hot. It was great! Lots of laughter and chatter- that I didn’t understand.
I also had the opportunity to go to the Kided or Hadgar on Saturday which is basically really big rock piles that I don’t think I can call mountains, although there are mountains near the city. It was nice to get outside the city for a bit. We observed the “moving hay stacks” down below as donkeys who were covered in hay made their way towards the city. Today, Sunday, we also did our “tour de ville” where we drove around Abeche. It was nice to see more of the city I live in.
I also was blessed to eat ice cream this week! For the few of you who have lived with me you’ll know that was very important. Mirjam and I managed to make Mocha ice cream and it wasn’t half bad. Of course most of you wouldn’t dream of eating ice cream at this time of year but it was a blessing to me.
Being in the season you are you’d also find this story funny. Eroni was reading a book of vocabulary words to me this week and he came to the word mittens. He struggled through it and finally he got it out. Next came the question, “What are mittens?” I had to laugh but he being a Fijian growing up in Chad has no need nor concept of what they are. I informed him of their use and practicality for every child at home.
Amongst ice cream, tours, and Hadgar this week I’ve also managed to injure myself a few times. I’ve kicked rocks twice while playing soccer with the boys. One of these times I got a pretty decent sized cut, pray it doesn’t get infected with all the dust around here. I also burned my leg on the side of my clando’s exhaust pipe, I knew that was bound to happen. And in perfect Vanessa form I managed to twist my ankle slightly while jumping around on the rock piles. This has all happened on the same leg and foot. It has been suggested by at least 2 people that I cut it off. After contemplating the idea I’ve decided to keep the leg until further notice.
So, I had lots to tell you this week which probably means next week will be boring. Mirjam and I are also in the midst of writing a Christmas musical for the 15 missionary children who live in Abeche. I must go help her; she does the hard work of writing the songs, I just correct her Swiss German style of English. Have a great week.
A bientôt!
Things had heated up a little more in Chad at the beginning of this week but it seems as though that is over for the moment. Potential peace keepers coming to Chad in January.
Sunday, December 2, 2007
North America and the rest of the world
This may seem like the sterotypical complaint of the Western world who engages the rest of the world but I am now part of that group and therefore I understand what they mean.
Early last week we had a small war in the East of Chad. You can find the details online. Life in Abeche remained relatively normal but it was serious somewhat east of here. I think for the most part civilians lives remained in tact. I thought that someone back home may be concerned about my life and so I went to check my email. Nothing. I decided not to assume that no one cares whether I survive and I checked the Canadian news networks. There I found nothing but George Bush, Iraq, and Dick Cheney's heart problem. If the world ever had a problem it would definitely be that Dick Cheney's heart missed a beat one time last week. Chad was the top of the African BBC news. I had some romantic idea that Canada cared about more than the United States but I have been mistaken.
Enough complaining and ranting! I did start my Arabic class this week which basically consisted of repeat this word after me. We'll see how much I retain. I was also able to play volleyball this week. That was a treat! At one point a chicken ran around but otherwise it was great. For those of you who don't know I am deathly afraid of chickens. I was informed that I would have to get over that fear. But as it stands that fear will remain almost completely in tact as there are remarkably few chickens here. Apparently they don't take the climate here very well.
So this week I will start teaching English. I have realized that the Chadians may be in for a bit of a surprise when they find out my English aint so good! I'm looking forward to the interaction with the locals but could definitely use prayer for that. I hope everyone's start to their holiday season is going well. Good luck to everyone writing their finals right now.
Still feeling the blow of the grey cup loss,
Vanessa
Early last week we had a small war in the East of Chad. You can find the details online. Life in Abeche remained relatively normal but it was serious somewhat east of here. I think for the most part civilians lives remained in tact. I thought that someone back home may be concerned about my life and so I went to check my email. Nothing. I decided not to assume that no one cares whether I survive and I checked the Canadian news networks. There I found nothing but George Bush, Iraq, and Dick Cheney's heart problem. If the world ever had a problem it would definitely be that Dick Cheney's heart missed a beat one time last week. Chad was the top of the African BBC news. I had some romantic idea that Canada cared about more than the United States but I have been mistaken.
Enough complaining and ranting! I did start my Arabic class this week which basically consisted of repeat this word after me. We'll see how much I retain. I was also able to play volleyball this week. That was a treat! At one point a chicken ran around but otherwise it was great. For those of you who don't know I am deathly afraid of chickens. I was informed that I would have to get over that fear. But as it stands that fear will remain almost completely in tact as there are remarkably few chickens here. Apparently they don't take the climate here very well.
So this week I will start teaching English. I have realized that the Chadians may be in for a bit of a surprise when they find out my English aint so good! I'm looking forward to the interaction with the locals but could definitely use prayer for that. I hope everyone's start to their holiday season is going well. Good luck to everyone writing their finals right now.
Still feeling the blow of the grey cup loss,
Vanessa
Sunday, November 25, 2007
cold weather and the english language
We have officially entered the cold season here in Chad. I have put on a sweater at least 3 times this week. I’m not sure how cold it gets in the evening but I do know that with no hot water heater the shower takes your breath away. You don’t have to worry about anyone taking a long shower- just maybe showering at all. Yes, I shower everyday. I have also gone from sleeping under a sheet to a sheet and a blanket and I close all the windows.
I’m not sure how many of you remember learning the English language but I have learned in the last two weeks that it is ridiculous. Much credit to grade 1 teachers everywhere! Eroni is really learning to read well sometimes English just tricks you. Ou doesn’t always make an ow sound you know and why use a c when you could use a k or s? Is the letter c really necessary? That is what I questioned this week. I also realized that I am once again very grateful for taking a Science degree and not an English one although it would’ve helped me teach Isaac predicate nouns this week. Does anyone really care what a predicate noun is?
Anyways, I’m sure none of that interests anyone. I would love your prayers this week as I try to be creative in teaching some of the extra courses I’m doing with the kids like Music and French. I am also going to take up a sort of “survival Arabic course.” It will be very useful as I interact with locals. Of course my French is still coming along so maybe I should take it one language at a time!
Your prayers and encouragement through email and snail mail (my first letter arrived from Canada this week) have truly been a blessing. God bless you all.
Bombers biggest African fan!
Vanessa
I’m not sure how many of you remember learning the English language but I have learned in the last two weeks that it is ridiculous. Much credit to grade 1 teachers everywhere! Eroni is really learning to read well sometimes English just tricks you. Ou doesn’t always make an ow sound you know and why use a c when you could use a k or s? Is the letter c really necessary? That is what I questioned this week. I also realized that I am once again very grateful for taking a Science degree and not an English one although it would’ve helped me teach Isaac predicate nouns this week. Does anyone really care what a predicate noun is?
Anyways, I’m sure none of that interests anyone. I would love your prayers this week as I try to be creative in teaching some of the extra courses I’m doing with the kids like Music and French. I am also going to take up a sort of “survival Arabic course.” It will be very useful as I interact with locals. Of course my French is still coming along so maybe I should take it one language at a time!
Your prayers and encouragement through email and snail mail (my first letter arrived from Canada this week) have truly been a blessing. God bless you all.
Bombers biggest African fan!
Vanessa
Sunday, November 18, 2007
living in the lap of luxury
Ahhh, what a life. I don't think I've informed you all of my lifestyle here. For starters, I have yet to do my laundry or wash the floor. We have a house helper for that. For the first time in my life I have a chauffeur who picks me up every morning on time. And, one of my favourites is my 4 poster bed with canopy- it even keeps the mosquitoes out!
Really, life isn't too hard here. I wouldn't trade my motorcycle chauffeur in for a camel though! My ...derriere...is still recovering but it was fun. I got some great pictures. It's basically a tall, bumpy, horse ride on a beast that is quite stubborn. When it decides to eat, it wants to eat and when it wants to sit down- it sit's down. Going up and down is the difficult thing as they lift one end up and then the other. Who needs an amusement park when you have a camel!
I also enjoyed my first week of teaching. It included paper airplanes (as I told them to make), drums, crayon throwing, jumping jacks, and many pages of booklets. Never a dull moment with my 2 boys.
I was also able to use a bit more French this week as we did registration for our English classes (mine starts in December) and talked with more local people who actually knew French. Not bilingual yet though!
I've appreciated your emails and have worked out a system that will give me more time to write them (I think- it may change quickly, you never know around here). Look forward to hear about the Bombers winning today;)
Agodu aafe and au revoir!
(go well)
Really, life isn't too hard here. I wouldn't trade my motorcycle chauffeur in for a camel though! My ...derriere...is still recovering but it was fun. I got some great pictures. It's basically a tall, bumpy, horse ride on a beast that is quite stubborn. When it decides to eat, it wants to eat and when it wants to sit down- it sit's down. Going up and down is the difficult thing as they lift one end up and then the other. Who needs an amusement park when you have a camel!
I also enjoyed my first week of teaching. It included paper airplanes (as I told them to make), drums, crayon throwing, jumping jacks, and many pages of booklets. Never a dull moment with my 2 boys.
I was also able to use a bit more French this week as we did registration for our English classes (mine starts in December) and talked with more local people who actually knew French. Not bilingual yet though!
I've appreciated your emails and have worked out a system that will give me more time to write them (I think- it may change quickly, you never know around here). Look forward to hear about the Bombers winning today;)
Agodu aafe and au revoir!
(go well)
Monday, November 12, 2007
normal life has begun
So, I finally started teaching today. It's been a month since I left and I just started what I came to do. Conference ended well with our missionary kids (all 8 of them) presenting a musical on Friday afternoon on Dr. Luke. They did very well! I am excited to be teaching. Eroni is learning to read and Isaac is plugging along through grade 5.
I was very excited to hear (well read) about the Bombers win! Yeah!
Yesterday my Swiss roomie and I attended a choir concert at our church. It's a large church made up of Southerners who are what one might often associate with African churches. The concert was packed with about 700 people in a building that holds probably 400 to us. The choir was great! We ended up leaving early when the crowd became louder than the choir. It was a good experience though.
I will register my students tomorrow for the English class I will start teachng in December and Thursday afternoon brings my first camel ride. Looking forward to it! An update on that to come.
Where the dust and the lizards never die. Vanessa
I was very excited to hear (well read) about the Bombers win! Yeah!
Yesterday my Swiss roomie and I attended a choir concert at our church. It's a large church made up of Southerners who are what one might often associate with African churches. The concert was packed with about 700 people in a building that holds probably 400 to us. The choir was great! We ended up leaving early when the crowd became louder than the choir. It was a good experience though.
I will register my students tomorrow for the English class I will start teachng in December and Thursday afternoon brings my first camel ride. Looking forward to it! An update on that to come.
Where the dust and the lizards never die. Vanessa
Sunday, November 4, 2007
conference, a chadian diet, and a visitor
Asalama Leckum (peace be to you all, typical Arabic greeting)!
So, I have had a wonderful week. In fact I think I'd pass as an African already, ha ha!! We've had a wonderful time at Conference. It's been great getting to know the team and learning about missions and my relationship with the Lord. I have also had the chance to play piano which I didn't think I'd get to do.
I have also had the opportunity to have some real Chadian food this week. Boule, French for ball, is a millet bread sort of mush that you pull parts off of and dip in a sauce. This is all done with your hands, actually hand as you can only use your right hand to eat. One's left hand is used for dirty tasks such as blowing your nose or wiping... We do regularly wash our hands though! We eat on mats and everyone eats off the same tray. So there are much fewer dishes to do here.
We had a visitor in our house this week. His first name was preying and his last name was mantus. Julie, one of the ladies I live with, and I let him loose after he looked up at us with his big beady eyes. The other ladies wanted us to have mercy on him for some reason or another. The lizards don't usually make it inside, but there are a lot of them! The cat's stomach keeps growing also as a result of his lizard diet.
You may have also seen the now famous city of Abeche on the news as a result of the French organization who tried to remove children from the country for trafficking purposes. I'm sure you can find more information about it online. The local people are pretty upset with this group and rightfully so! Most people are!
That's all for this week. I'm enjoying the emails I've received from many of you. Remember to use my gmail address, vhthiessen@gmail.com. It's great to hear what's going on in the outside world even if it is that the Bombers aren't doing so well.
So, I have had a wonderful week. In fact I think I'd pass as an African already, ha ha!! We've had a wonderful time at Conference. It's been great getting to know the team and learning about missions and my relationship with the Lord. I have also had the chance to play piano which I didn't think I'd get to do.
I have also had the opportunity to have some real Chadian food this week. Boule, French for ball, is a millet bread sort of mush that you pull parts off of and dip in a sauce. This is all done with your hands, actually hand as you can only use your right hand to eat. One's left hand is used for dirty tasks such as blowing your nose or wiping... We do regularly wash our hands though! We eat on mats and everyone eats off the same tray. So there are much fewer dishes to do here.
We had a visitor in our house this week. His first name was preying and his last name was mantus. Julie, one of the ladies I live with, and I let him loose after he looked up at us with his big beady eyes. The other ladies wanted us to have mercy on him for some reason or another. The lizards don't usually make it inside, but there are a lot of them! The cat's stomach keeps growing also as a result of his lizard diet.
You may have also seen the now famous city of Abeche on the news as a result of the French organization who tried to remove children from the country for trafficking purposes. I'm sure you can find more information about it online. The local people are pretty upset with this group and rightfully so! Most people are!
That's all for this week. I'm enjoying the emails I've received from many of you. Remember to use my gmail address, vhthiessen@gmail.com. It's great to hear what's going on in the outside world even if it is that the Bombers aren't doing so well.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Been here for a week...
Hello everyone,
This is the first contact I've had with the internet since I left Canada and I am thrilled to touch technology! I arrived in N'Djamena last Saturday evening and left the following day for Abeche, now home to me. It's about an 850 km drive that took nearly 2 full days of driving. The first day was spent watching the herds of goats and cattle go by as shepherd boys took care of them. We also passed village after village of thatched houses with fields of millet (like corn) surrounding them. That first night was spent in a small town where we slept beneath the stars and I enjoyed my first Chadian meal of macaroni and some sauce which we all ate from the same tray.
Our second day of driving was through the mountainous region of Chad in the beginning and towards the end of the day we encountered scores of camel herds led by nomads. One of the WEC missionaries travels with them from time to time. We also enjoyed wildlife of monkeys and vultures- my favourite;). We arrived to a wonderful meal that night at my new home in Abeche. I live with 2 Americans who are both here long term as well as a Swiss girl, Mirjam, who teaches the other WEC missionary family here. We share a room and it is wonderful to have someone to relate to.
The rest of my week here has been fairly relaxed, I have not yet started teaching (I did a few short hours). I have also visited the market a few times where I purchased my Lafaya, a head to toe veil. It definitely adds to the heat! We never leave without covering our heads and a good part of our arms though. I also have been learning a few Arabic words and have been getting used to African French. I have also rode on a clandeau and rickshaw (taxis!!, motorcycles and motorized buggys).
The next two weeks are the Chad WEC Conference here in Abeche. The second week is business talk and so Mirjam and I will be leading the Children's Program for that week as we are only short termers.
I am looking forward to teaching but it's nice to relax and get to know people as well. I would love to hear from everyone. Please use my gmail account!!! I can not open my hotmail account. I also have a phone and you can get that number from my mom or Andrea (if that's your better option). I'm also hoping to get a cell phone soon (everyone has them here).
This is the first contact I've had with the internet since I left Canada and I am thrilled to touch technology! I arrived in N'Djamena last Saturday evening and left the following day for Abeche, now home to me. It's about an 850 km drive that took nearly 2 full days of driving. The first day was spent watching the herds of goats and cattle go by as shepherd boys took care of them. We also passed village after village of thatched houses with fields of millet (like corn) surrounding them. That first night was spent in a small town where we slept beneath the stars and I enjoyed my first Chadian meal of macaroni and some sauce which we all ate from the same tray.
Our second day of driving was through the mountainous region of Chad in the beginning and towards the end of the day we encountered scores of camel herds led by nomads. One of the WEC missionaries travels with them from time to time. We also enjoyed wildlife of monkeys and vultures- my favourite;). We arrived to a wonderful meal that night at my new home in Abeche. I live with 2 Americans who are both here long term as well as a Swiss girl, Mirjam, who teaches the other WEC missionary family here. We share a room and it is wonderful to have someone to relate to.
The rest of my week here has been fairly relaxed, I have not yet started teaching (I did a few short hours). I have also visited the market a few times where I purchased my Lafaya, a head to toe veil. It definitely adds to the heat! We never leave without covering our heads and a good part of our arms though. I also have been learning a few Arabic words and have been getting used to African French. I have also rode on a clandeau and rickshaw (taxis!!, motorcycles and motorized buggys).
The next two weeks are the Chad WEC Conference here in Abeche. The second week is business talk and so Mirjam and I will be leading the Children's Program for that week as we are only short termers.
I am looking forward to teaching but it's nice to relax and get to know people as well. I would love to hear from everyone. Please use my gmail account!!! I can not open my hotmail account. I also have a phone and you can get that number from my mom or Andrea (if that's your better option). I'm also hoping to get a cell phone soon (everyone has them here).
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Canada Post comes through
I was able to track my Visa yesterday and found out that it was stuck at Customs just a half hour away from Hamilton. This morning it had arrived in Hamilton and just an hour ago I received it! Praise God! Take off day tomorrow, it's becoming a little more real.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
visa and faith
My Visa has yet to arrive in Hamilton and I am supposed to leave in just 2 days. They say it's on its way! I am surprisingly not yet discouraged. Although I did end up having a little cry today:( Anyways, I'd appreciate your prayer for the Visa. This afternoon I'm off to get an International driver's license so I can rip a car around the desert...in a very respectful manner.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Arrival
Hey everyone,
So after much consideration I have decided to make a blog rather than bombarding facebook with updates on my trip. I arrived in Hamilton yesterday and am staying in a very old and amazing looking house. It's a pretty relaxed orientation which means I get lots of time to catch up on sleep. Yeah! I'll keep you all updated on what's happening by this glorious thing we call the internet. You can keep praying about my Visa, it has yet to arrive. Take off day is Friday!
Thanks to everyone who has already been praying. Also a big thanks to everyone who signed the journal, I must admit I already read it and I'd like to go on record that I did NOT cry while doing so! Talk to you soon.
So after much consideration I have decided to make a blog rather than bombarding facebook with updates on my trip. I arrived in Hamilton yesterday and am staying in a very old and amazing looking house. It's a pretty relaxed orientation which means I get lots of time to catch up on sleep. Yeah! I'll keep you all updated on what's happening by this glorious thing we call the internet. You can keep praying about my Visa, it has yet to arrive. Take off day is Friday!
Thanks to everyone who has already been praying. Also a big thanks to everyone who signed the journal, I must admit I already read it and I'd like to go on record that I did NOT cry while doing so! Talk to you soon.
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