perseverance

The aftermath of a war is never pretty I suppose and N’djamena is no exception. Although I still feel rather distanced from it here in Abeche. I don’t think I really realized the severity of the situation until I read the stories of those who were evacuated. One missionary, who has lived in Chad for forty years, said it’s the worst he’s seen in his time. A big struggle for many people was the lack of communication. As both cell phone companies went down and the land line became unreliable it was very difficult for people to contact their families. Not to mention the fact that most people don’t possess a land line. A few of my English students struggled with not being able to find their families but I think all of them have been accounted for now- Praise the Lord! Some of the affects in Abeche have been the phone’s not working, the bank wasn’t open, trucks couldn’t get here and so food prices went up, and people living on the edge. What a life it is for them to constantly be in such tension. My peacekeeping neighbours have fully moved in now it seems, without a wall around their compound they’re quite exposed. For entertainment we can go watch them shave or try to get rid of the children who surround them. Always something to do here!

Perseverance would describe these people well. Although they don’t have much of an option. They aren’t the only ones that persevere here though. The nasty angarasa, ants, struck again this week. This time it bit me between my toes. I now try to keep my feet off the floor, at least without shoes. They seem to do a fine job cleaning it anyways as long as my toes don’t get in the way. Children persevere as well in asking, “Donne moi une cadeau!” Give me a present for those of you who don’t speak French. With which I respond, “Cadeau ma fi.” I don’t have one. To which they say, “La, cadeau ga’iid.” No, it’s there. At which point I continue to walk unless they’ve grabbed on to me. If they’ve done that I put on my mean face and say, “Abuk wen?” Where’s your father? Then they run away scared. I can usually get rid of them after I say I have none but there are those with determined minds.

The dust also persists in the place. If anyone is looking for a fake tan here’s the place to be! I often think my feet have tanned but by the time my shower is finished it seems the tan has completely faded away. The Sahara winds are starting and I’ve yet to experience a real dust storm but I’m told they are on their way. I have managed to start to get a real Lafaye (veil) tan. I think it may be worse than a farmer’s tan as only half of one arm is tanned and the other remains white. It could be worse though.

I will finish my English course this week and I’m probably more nervous than they are about them passing the exam. Then it looks like we have plans again to try to visit Adre, the very East of Chad. Third time’s a charm, right? Our, the family I teach and I, are also planning to move to N’djamena for my last month of Chadian life because the family that did live there was evacuated and not to return until May. So, as much as it kills me to say it, I’ll have to ask that no more mail be sent to me through the addresses I have given after this week. It for sure should not be sent through the Chadian address. If sent through the French Army address it should be sent air mail or else I’m afraid I will have left by the time it arrives. Thanks so much to all of those who have sent letters and packages. What a delight it is to receive them! And so I’ll leave you until next week. Keep persevering through that cold weather back in Manitoba, I’ll bring the sun home soon.