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
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