After a meal of barbecued chicken, steamed vegetables, and roasted potatoes I think I can say I am safely home. I joined my family on Friday night at the Winnipeg airport to enjoy a weekend of family, friends, and great food. Many people have asked what I missed the most and it would have to be (after people of course) food. I have noticed North American's obsession with oversized vehicles but I have appreciated my few days behind the wheel as well.
I was expecting it to be much warmer but I had to laugh when I woke up the first morning to snow falling. The novelty has worn off though and I'm ready for the sun again. Besides dealing with the cold weather I am busy catching my breath and visiting different friends. In a few days I will force myself to face the real world and find a job. That will be my first big task to overcome back here in Manitoba. An idea that does anything but thrill me. After summer I'll be back at the University of Manitoba to pursue my real teaching degree, Isaac and Eroni were just my little guinea pigs.
Thanks again to everyone for joining me for the last 6 months. I'd love to see people now that I'm home, you can drop me an email vhthiessen@gmail.com.
Lots of love from Carlowrie (mom and dad's),
Vanessa
Amchu aafe! (go well)
Monday, April 28, 2008
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
brrr...
Through shivers and chattering teeth I asked for a train ticket to the suburbs of Paris last Thursday morning. I couldn't believe how cold I was, what kind of Manitoban am I? That was my first thought in entering Europe. Cold!
I then proceeded to take the train into the 'burbs', if you may, where I found myself somewhat stranded. I had been given a phone number to call for someone to pick me up only it seems that French phones don't like my credit card. So, there I was without a phone in a place I didn't know, with 2 gigantic suitcases and a large backpack, and to make matters worse I really had to go to the bathroom (I thought that that information would make my situation sound more desperate). I thought to myself, "All I need is a phone" which seemed like an easy task in France, afterall I was out of Chad by that point. I asked a pizza place for a phone, he wouldn't let me use his business phone and his cell phone had no credit. He did give me instructions to walk to the place I was to stay as I had the address. I started walking uphill with my baggage, quite a humourous sight I can imagine, and quickly decided that was ridiculous. I found another man who also gave me directions to walk and who wouldn't let me use his cell nor business phone. There was a gentleman in his shop who did offer to help me out saying, "Elle va suffrir!" (She will suffer). He went and got his car and I jumped in not thinking twice about getting into a strange man's car. I arrived safely and without cost, he wouldn't let me pay, at my planned destination.
I enjoyed 5 days between Paris and Holland. What a joy it was to see beautiful, green grass and of course colourful tulips in Holland. I had to pull myself out of the shower the first night because I wasn't used to such wonderful, warm water. Then to climb into a bed with springs! Not to mention all the food. Brown bread, cheese, cappucino, chicken, fresh vegetables, cantaloupe, apples...ahh. As you can imagine my welcome back to western life was a warm one. Honestly, seeing the Mona Lisa and Eiffel Tower could not compare with the shower and seeing green grass and water. Rivers, canals, and the ocean are all quite impressive after life in the desert.
I had a wonderful time in Europe especially with my Dutch friend up in Holland but I am happy to say I'm on Canadian soil. Everyone speaks English! I guess you already knew that but it was exciting to not struggle through Arabic or French when I went through the airport in Toronto yesterday. I'm spending a few days in Hamilton at the mission where I started back in October. I'm doing some debriefing; what did you learn? what are you excited about? what did you hate? etc. I'm thoroughly enjoying the high speed internet. It's like candy to a child!
I'm back to Winnipeg in a few days. I'll write my last blog after the weekend. I'm excited to see you all! I keep picturing the Blue Bombers coming down the escalator in the Winnipeg airport after a big win. Maybe it's not as exciting as the Bombers winning the Grey Cup, which they'll do this year, but I can't wait to come down that escalator!
God bless!
I then proceeded to take the train into the 'burbs', if you may, where I found myself somewhat stranded. I had been given a phone number to call for someone to pick me up only it seems that French phones don't like my credit card. So, there I was without a phone in a place I didn't know, with 2 gigantic suitcases and a large backpack, and to make matters worse I really had to go to the bathroom (I thought that that information would make my situation sound more desperate). I thought to myself, "All I need is a phone" which seemed like an easy task in France, afterall I was out of Chad by that point. I asked a pizza place for a phone, he wouldn't let me use his business phone and his cell phone had no credit. He did give me instructions to walk to the place I was to stay as I had the address. I started walking uphill with my baggage, quite a humourous sight I can imagine, and quickly decided that was ridiculous. I found another man who also gave me directions to walk and who wouldn't let me use his cell nor business phone. There was a gentleman in his shop who did offer to help me out saying, "Elle va suffrir!" (She will suffer). He went and got his car and I jumped in not thinking twice about getting into a strange man's car. I arrived safely and without cost, he wouldn't let me pay, at my planned destination.
I enjoyed 5 days between Paris and Holland. What a joy it was to see beautiful, green grass and of course colourful tulips in Holland. I had to pull myself out of the shower the first night because I wasn't used to such wonderful, warm water. Then to climb into a bed with springs! Not to mention all the food. Brown bread, cheese, cappucino, chicken, fresh vegetables, cantaloupe, apples...ahh. As you can imagine my welcome back to western life was a warm one. Honestly, seeing the Mona Lisa and Eiffel Tower could not compare with the shower and seeing green grass and water. Rivers, canals, and the ocean are all quite impressive after life in the desert.
I had a wonderful time in Europe especially with my Dutch friend up in Holland but I am happy to say I'm on Canadian soil. Everyone speaks English! I guess you already knew that but it was exciting to not struggle through Arabic or French when I went through the airport in Toronto yesterday. I'm spending a few days in Hamilton at the mission where I started back in October. I'm doing some debriefing; what did you learn? what are you excited about? what did you hate? etc. I'm thoroughly enjoying the high speed internet. It's like candy to a child!
I'm back to Winnipeg in a few days. I'll write my last blog after the weekend. I'm excited to see you all! I keep picturing the Blue Bombers coming down the escalator in the Winnipeg airport after a big win. Maybe it's not as exciting as the Bombers winning the Grey Cup, which they'll do this year, but I can't wait to come down that escalator!
God bless!
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
all my bags are packed...
I'm ready to go! In actual fact as I write this my bags are already at the airport. They take them early here. Take off is in a little less than eleven hours.
This last week was school as usual until last Friday. Eroni had lots of work to do and so only finished his tests yesterday. Isaac got to take a break from the usual and got to write a story, and do some extra time on his spelling and math. Both are very happy to be on holidays now as they will also leave tomorrow for Fiji for a few month break. Besides school we spent some time doing the last shopping, Lavenia and I had our hair braided, we went to the pool, and went to a restaurant I didn't know could exist in Chad! I even got to spend a day at the pool by myself, that was nice. There are a few hotels in town that have pools and so along with my day at the pool I had their buffet lunch- lamb, chicken, roast beef that I didn't have to chew through for half an hour. Nothing brings a smile to a farm girl's face like a good piece of meat.
Now, how to sum up my African experience? When I set off I had goals of gaining international experience, a view into missionary life, and time in general somewhere other than North America. It has been exactly that! Not to mention a look into a country dealing with another country's crisis while working through their own problems. I have met many amazing people and have learned a lot through the process. I am grateful for the time I've had but would be lying if I said I wasn't ridiculously excited about coming home.
Thank you to everyone for your emails and prayers. Emails were so precious to me here where you often feel so disconnected. I guess I'm a child of the 21st century because I'm not sure what I'd do without the internet especially out here where phone calls are expensive and snail mail can be unreliable. Even this morning I received a bunch of emails that brought huge smiles to my face. I'm sorry if people don't get replies to emails they've sent in the last week.
I also know that prayer has made all the difference. Little details have come together that I didn't expect to, my homesickness was basically reserved for days I was really sick, and I had great joy in my work and time with the people that I know only comes from Him. Thank you for reading my blogs too, it's nice to know someone's reading what you write. I'll write one or two more times to give an update on the homecoming which I'm sure will involve much less sweat than my leaving here, the hot season is definitely in full force here. God Bless!
This last week was school as usual until last Friday. Eroni had lots of work to do and so only finished his tests yesterday. Isaac got to take a break from the usual and got to write a story, and do some extra time on his spelling and math. Both are very happy to be on holidays now as they will also leave tomorrow for Fiji for a few month break. Besides school we spent some time doing the last shopping, Lavenia and I had our hair braided, we went to the pool, and went to a restaurant I didn't know could exist in Chad! I even got to spend a day at the pool by myself, that was nice. There are a few hotels in town that have pools and so along with my day at the pool I had their buffet lunch- lamb, chicken, roast beef that I didn't have to chew through for half an hour. Nothing brings a smile to a farm girl's face like a good piece of meat.
Now, how to sum up my African experience? When I set off I had goals of gaining international experience, a view into missionary life, and time in general somewhere other than North America. It has been exactly that! Not to mention a look into a country dealing with another country's crisis while working through their own problems. I have met many amazing people and have learned a lot through the process. I am grateful for the time I've had but would be lying if I said I wasn't ridiculously excited about coming home.
Thank you to everyone for your emails and prayers. Emails were so precious to me here where you often feel so disconnected. I guess I'm a child of the 21st century because I'm not sure what I'd do without the internet especially out here where phone calls are expensive and snail mail can be unreliable. Even this morning I received a bunch of emails that brought huge smiles to my face. I'm sorry if people don't get replies to emails they've sent in the last week.
I also know that prayer has made all the difference. Little details have come together that I didn't expect to, my homesickness was basically reserved for days I was really sick, and I had great joy in my work and time with the people that I know only comes from Him. Thank you for reading my blogs too, it's nice to know someone's reading what you write. I'll write one or two more times to give an update on the homecoming which I'm sure will involve much less sweat than my leaving here, the hot season is definitely in full force here. God Bless!
Monday, April 7, 2008
9 days and counting
The next time I write to you it may be from Chad or could very well be from France, Holland, or our very own Land of the Maple Leaf and Hockey Puck depending on my procrastination skills in the next week or two (No, I'm not sure why Hockey Puck deserves capitalization except that I thought it deserved distinction). I leave Chad in 9 days now. We've started our last week of school with Friday being the last day. Poor boys won't know what to do without their no fuss teacher. They've recently heard me sing the endearing song, "Do Everything Without Complaining" on a regular basis. Isaac seems to enjoy singing it to his little brother now who is definitely less amused.
This past week was rather eventless with little to report. Although it did rain last week, in some parts of town. We were out on the Eastern side of the city when the rain came down hard, well sort of hard, for about 5-15 minutes. How refreshing! It turns out we were some of few who experienced it. The next morning the whole city received some drizzle though, enough to keep the dust down for a few minutes. Apparently they call these the mango rains. The very unexpected sprinkles that taunt the population at this time of year which happens to be mango season. Yeah, I eat one or two mangos a day. Mmmmm!
I also had a visit from dear friends of mine this week, the parasites. They just can't get enough of me! I'm never sure whether it's Giardia or some Amoebas but we treat them just the same. Turns out my Invertebrate Zoology class is now taking place in my stomach. In university they always made it sound like you would die if you got a parasite. I'm happy to report they're not quite that bad they just very much make their presence known in your stomach.
Well, that's enough about bugs. I'm sure you're all thoroughly disgusted now so I should let you go. For my university friends I'm thinking of you as you write exams, can't say I wish I were you. For those of you who can no longer remember your university days have a great week and enjoy the warmer weather. God bless!
This past week was rather eventless with little to report. Although it did rain last week, in some parts of town. We were out on the Eastern side of the city when the rain came down hard, well sort of hard, for about 5-15 minutes. How refreshing! It turns out we were some of few who experienced it. The next morning the whole city received some drizzle though, enough to keep the dust down for a few minutes. Apparently they call these the mango rains. The very unexpected sprinkles that taunt the population at this time of year which happens to be mango season. Yeah, I eat one or two mangos a day. Mmmmm!
I also had a visit from dear friends of mine this week, the parasites. They just can't get enough of me! I'm never sure whether it's Giardia or some Amoebas but we treat them just the same. Turns out my Invertebrate Zoology class is now taking place in my stomach. In university they always made it sound like you would die if you got a parasite. I'm happy to report they're not quite that bad they just very much make their presence known in your stomach.
Well, that's enough about bugs. I'm sure you're all thoroughly disgusted now so I should let you go. For my university friends I'm thinking of you as you write exams, can't say I wish I were you. For those of you who can no longer remember your university days have a great week and enjoy the warmer weather. God bless!
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