Down With The Sickness!!

So originally I was going to title this blog ¨Down with the sickness¨ because I got pretty sick the weekend after Pakisa, Gail, and company left. I had what I now think was a 24 hour flu of some sort and then I was fine after I rested for the weekend. However, now it retains its title because the woman I live with - Mama Jackie - suggested I go get a Malaria test today and so I went with the oldest girl and got my finger pricked. A few hours later we found out I indeed have Malaria..!! I was slightly surprised because I havent felt sick. The last few days I have been tired but I thought that was related to my Hypothyroid and didnt even know that was a symptom of Malaria. So now Im onsome meds that were seriously cheap in comparison to what I paid for other things this weekend...we'll get there...So that was a relief. I went to the convent next door and the Nuns who speak English were able to talk to me a little about the meds and that Id just be more tired and that fruit juice might be something to think about right now.

So this weekend some wonderful Canadians I met while Pakisa was here and who are the only people from N. America Ive met so far who live close...the other side of my street just across another smaller street, about a 5 minute walk! I was ecstatic when I found that out! Anyway, they were planning on taking me to the market a few weekends ago but that was when I got sick so they took me this weekend. I went mainly to look and see and discover what I can get here and what I get to ask Mommy and Daddy to ship me. I discovered that you really can get everything. HOWEVER...I went to specifically pick up notebooks, pens and pencils for my 12 kids for our English sessions during the week. Seriously, no exaggeration...14 notebooks - not even as good as spiral bound - along with some pens and pencils...50 DOLLARS....50 friekin dollars!! And the candy I WANTED to get along with it because one of my kids' birthdays in in a week or so was an additional 30 bucks!! To spend that much on candy in the US I would have to buy like 6 lbs of candy at Smart and Final!!! this wasnt even a pound of candy!! So unfortunately I couldnt do that and just went with the necessary notebooks and school stuff for now. I was pretty shell shocked after that and the fact that literally a can opener was 24 bucks...that I didnt actually check the prices on other necessities like toiletries. Ill look at prices for that stuff next time when I am a little more mentally prepared!

If anyone is keeping track I officially have been away from home for a month now and officially in Kinshasa a month as of tomorrow and officially been with my Congo family a month the end of the week! So Ive survived so far with little incident honestly. One case of Malaria when I didnt even feel sick isnt anything to complain about for now. As I told someone today, in the US I used to say I was having a bad week, or you know whatever the situation but here its hard to judge on a week by week basis. I have to just go one day at a time. Today was a good day, at first I laughed with Mama Jackie and oen of the other women who works here about having Maleria because I honestly found it amusing. BUT then I went and called my mom and then cried for like 10 minutes after! Thanks mom! It really wasnt a bad day I just have to put things in perspective. Recently my kids have been getting more into our schedule of English and eating lunch and then sports or our long walks so I look forward to days just to see who will say what in English to me when we arent actually in our English sessions at that moment! You wouldnt believe - out of the mouths of babes thats for sure! I do miss being funny because I would like to think of myself as quite amusing but I cant really be funny in French yet. I sometimes mock my kids as an example and thats gets a laugh. Or I want to say something but Im usually sure it wont come out right so I just laugh along when others are amusing.

The Malaria is wiping me out today so this is about to wrap up. Again, I have plenty of pictures and videos but I cant upload them yet. There is an American I think can help me but he is at the conference with Pakisa in where ever right now. So maybe in about a month that will be working. But just so you know I taught them American football and its hilarious...it has not yet been videod but that and me teaching are on the queue for being videod dont you worry!! My kids are really pretty funny!

Ok I hope all is well with all of you and feel free to email me because I find it refreshing to hear from people and keep up. I also find that I love to tell about whats going on and about my kids! So ask away and share whats going on in your life!!

Love and God bless! Have a good week

The Glisten

I have discovered that I have this constant glisten about me. While some of you may find me to be angelic…I don’t think that’s what it’s from. The glisten is from to constant application of bug spray mixed with sweat> I apply every morning to exposed skin as well as to whatever clothing I’ll be wearing that day. And then I work with my children all day which is tiring even if we aren’t trying to accomplish anything. So I constantly glisten.

So I’ve now been in Kinshasa for a few weeks…I think at least. I’m getting used to my life, food, daily schedule and just becoming accustomed to Kinshasa in general (the power going out several times in an evening or having no running water all day…the usual stuff).

I know all of the names of the children I live with as well as their respective personalities and voices. During the weekdays we are doing a program of English lessons, typing and computer skills, sports or just going for a “promenade” as the kids call it. I think they are enjoying it but any teachers with good fun things to do or just any ideas of games would be very welcome. This weekend we went to the convent next door that houses orphans, people with physical and mental handicaps, along with people dealing with AIDS. It is all women and children. It was hard a first but as I got used to what was going on I decided that when my kids go back to school I will probably try to volunteer and work some at the convent.

This past Sunday I went to Mass with my kids and it happened to be at the same convent with the same people we had spent time with on Saturday. I think this coming Sunday I will be going to a different, much longer Mass with Jackie, the mother of the children. I do still hope to go to the International church I wrote about awhile ago. I met many Americans there and even babysat for some last night and had my first hot shower in weeks! It was fantastic! Their house is going to be my safe haven.

I took some video of my kids doing different things in the past few weeks but I have been having trouble getting them online. I am trying to send one to my parents right now but I haven’t even been able to upload a picture for you guys so I don’t know if that will happen. But anyone who is interested can talk to my parents about seeing the videos.

Everyone just returned from Kijiji yesterday but they are all out with Pakisa so I will see them all for dinner tonight and am going to bunk with the girls – Jill, Gail, Lainie, and Hannah this evening. Gail already rubbed it in earlier that they get to go home in a few days but that I will still be here…thanks Gail. But honestly I’m doing ok and am excited about all the things I will get to do and see in the next few months.

Thanks for all of your prayer and support you send my way!
Sorry I couldn’t do the pictures I had planned on maybe I’ll master that at some point in the next 6 months and get you some pictures of my great kids!!

Love to all

Cold Shower

I discovered this morning that I could be thankful for a cold shower. In Kinshasa the electicity is shut off or goes away frequently and I had been warned about that but what I discovered the other day is that the same thing happens with the water. The day the water went away I somehow managed to shower under the smallet trickle of cold water. This morning I woke up praying that I could get a good shower and feel clean and nice for church. Well I had a good shower this morning which consists of a good flow of cold water. And I have learned to be thankful for that. That is not however to say that I will take cold showers when I return...no no they will at least be tepid...

So I have been in Kinshas for nearly a week I believe and also with the family I am housed with for just short of a week. I have learned all 11 names and am getting the lay of the land...in the house and yard. Kinshasa is a confusing place and seems to be about the size of Texas only with somewhere between 7 and 8 million...so Ive been told and it feels to be accurate. I will post pictures as soon as my laptop is connected to the internet and I can.

Today Mama Jackie, the mother to the 11 (all orphans really) graciously took me to a nearby international church that has an English service. I met a few women that will be incredibly helpful in my time here and will begin to sort of plug myself in there. There are many churches I have been invited to or told that I would be visiting but this one is close enough for me to attend regularly and the English service is a God-send for my French tired ears.

Tomorrow I get plugged in with my work at the English Center at the Christian University and with the US Embassy. This week I will also be starting my work with the kids I live with. I have spent the last week resting on orders from Pakisa and Mama Jackie. And it turned out to be much needed but now I am well rested, beginning to feel like myself and am ready to hit the road running.

Continued prayers for good listening ears and a good mind to remember the French I hear would be much appreciated. Also for the people I will be with and that I can be useful here.

Thank you all for all of your support and continous love, I would not have survived the last week without it. I hope you all had a good 4th of July and I will write again soon hopefully with pictures

Love to all