Cakes and Cookies for the President!

On Tuesday October 4th all of us American women made cakes and cookies to prepare for the arrival in Lebamba of the President of Gabon. Then on Wednesday morning Wendy Hofman, Joanna Thelander and I went to the home of the Minister of Health to cut our goodies and place them on about 5-6 large platters. Photos are of Wendy and I then of all three of us with some of the ladies at the Minister of Healthy's home.

Back to School!

I teach in the Nursing School at Bongolo Hospital. The students started their second year of classes last week and of course I too went back to school as one of their professors.



I am teaching Obstetrics (Maternity) this quarter.

CCC- Walking Stick

Gabon and my church Christ Community Church (Omaha) are linked together in this video about the opening of the Gabon Field.

Opening of the Gabon Field

Remembering 9-11.... !

On September 11, 2001 I was in the States, in Colorado, at a MidAmerica District Conference for all the Pastors and Delegates of a five State area. I was scheduled to speak at a Women's noon banquet that day. Mary Block, another International Worker,  and I went to Village Inn for breakfast. After finishing eating Mary and I walked over to  the table of Pastor Gary Benedict, who was the President of Crown College at that time. As we approached his table he got a phone call from his Secretary who was still back in MN at the College. She told him that a plane had just flown into the 1st World Trade Center Tower. Then she told him about the next plane flying into the 2nd Tower.

Mary and I walked back to the Hotel and found many of our conference delegates watching the TV in the Hotel lobby. Our conference had started only the night before and was to finish on Thursday. We went to our first morning of meetings, still not knowing what else was to happen. The Military Chaplains who were present left the conference to report in back at their bases.

At noon I was scheduled to speak at a Women's banquet for those women who attended and also for women from churches in the area. The banquet continued as planned and I was given the floor to speak. The title of my message that day was "UNDER HIS CARE". God had given me just the right message, even though I, of course, did not know what that day would entail. I shared many things but for this blog, I will only share which Bible verses I shared that day:

Psm. 91 “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.  Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence.  He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.”

Psalm 55:22 “Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.”

Philippians 4:6 “Do not be anxious about anything, b ut in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

SONG “Under His Wing I am safely abiding….”

Well, our Conference was shortened and finished on Wednesday instead of Thursday. Churches around the Nation were going to have services on Friday that week and all the Pastors from the 5 State area were in Colorado but needed to get home to their congregations. I got home on Thursday.

Everyone was flying American Flags at their homes, in their windows. I went to many stores before I finally found a package of plastic flags. I put one in the window of my apartment and one in my car window.

I live in Africa but I am an AMERICAN. I fly my flag!



I live in Africa but I have Satellite Television so I've been watching the news Remembering 9-11.

Where were you on September 11, 2001?

Birthday Blog!

Monday night my brother David and his wife Leslie had several of us over for a BBQ to help celebrate my August 16th Birthday. I turned 62 years young. The Chocolate with Mint Ice Cream Baskin Robbins Ice Cream cake was yummy.



Yesterday morning my brother Bill and his wife Shari took me for a Birthday breakfast to a restaurant called, "The Egg and I".



I had many online Birthday greetings yesterday. My 62nd Birthday was great!

I have been on a one month vacation in the States so that I could attend a Smith family reunion in CO.  I have had a great time in Colorado: visiting family, family reunion and Birthday. I fly from Denver back to Omaha today.... with only about ten days left before flying back to Africa.

1st Annual Bongolo 5K WALK/RUN!

Yesterday, July 2nd, was the 1st Annual Bongolo 5K WALK/RUN! There were 24 of us who registered to participate including Missionaries, Africans and many Visitors on the Station.



First the runners took off and then those of us who were walking. At first I stayed ahead of many of the walkers.



Then everyone passed me up and I was behind:



Although I came in Last at 55 minutes 25 seconds, I met my GOAL of improving my 1st ever, June 25th, 5K WALK time of 60 minutes. I had shaved off 4 minutes and 35 seconds!



At the end of the 5K WALK/RUN we gathered for stretching, carbs and water.



Here I am, the oldest walker in the 5K (62 years old next month), with the youngest walker who is 55 years my Junior!



Oops... Nope... she wasn't the youngest. Our youngest was pushed in a stroller!



Thanks for checking out my 5K Photos!