My Last Christmas!

This has been my Last Christmas in Africa!! On Saturday evening we had a Christmas Hymn sing at the O'Connor's home. (photo to left)










On Sunday was my last Christmas church service at Kanda Alliance Church. (Photo to right)

Christmas Eve I went down to Bongolo Church to watch some of the Christmas program which is always like a Variety Show with many songs, skits, choreographed dances, etc. 

Christmas morning Deborah Walker and I had breakfast together. I made an egg casserole and a coffee cake.

We then opened the gifts we had under the Christmas tree.

In the afternoon we had a Turkey meal with other Americans and one Canadian who work here at the Hospital.

There was also a Bible reading and the lighting of the last Advent Candle.

I have had a very nice last Christmas in Africa. By Christmas 2014 I plan to be living in the States and getting ready for Speaking Tour in January. Then then in the Summer of 2015 when I turn age 66 I plan to "Retire" or refocus on another ministry, yet to be determined.

Surprise Christmas Luncheon!

This noon we had a Surprise Christmas luncheon for our Nursing Students. Normally on Fridays we divide the students into three small groups for Bible studies. But today we had a surprise luncheon with them and then a Christmas devotional study all together . Everyone was surprised. It was fun. Tomorrow half of them leave for a week long vacation. The following week the other half will have vacation.

Here a few photos from today.







Today's Positives:
1. It was fun surprising the Nursing Students with lunch together.
2. I showed a movie on the Life of Christ (Jesus film) at the Maternity this afternoon. There were four people who prayed to the Lord wanting to start following JESUS, starting today.
3. It's FRIDAY!!

Let it SNOW!

Well, here on the equator it does not snow. This is my last winter without snow before I move to Nebraska and winters full of snow. Someone asked my why I plan to retire in snow territory. Well, I've been living away from my family for 40 years. Now I plan to retire near family. That won't be for another year so for now, Let it snow in other areas. I'll keep enjoying snow free living!!!!!!

Today's Positives:
1. I LIKE living where there is no snow!!
2. I'm still on Staycation/vacation. I enjoyed some Christmas and grocery shopping in town.
3. I am now watching, "It's a Wonderful Live" on dvd.

Let is snow..... far away from me!!

To SPAIN and BACK to AFRICA!

This blog should have been posted BEFORE my Thanksgiving blog.

On Monday morning November 18th colleagues and I flew from Africa to Spain where we attended an "All-Africa" conference. It was great seeing people we had not seen for years, and meeting others we had heard about but never before met. We had helpful meetings and workshops. All of our food was included in the price of the hotel, much more food than we needed at the various buffet tables!

Although I was in a tourist area, I was able to do very little site seeing. Friends and I did walk around the hotel where there were cobblestone walkways between stores. On Friday a friend and I took an elevator down to the beach so we could walk on the boardwalk for awhile.

Saturday Nov. 23rd was travel day. We left the hotel at 11am and then had two flights to get to the equator where I live. It took til about 5:30 am Sunday before we got to the guest house. Tuesday we did the ten hour drive down to the hospital where we work on Tuesday.

My left leg/knee that I broke last year swelled up quite a bit all week. It will be good for me to get it home and back to my recliner with my feet up. I did not do extra walking during the week but I did lots of sitting with my feet down. This is not good for a leg that has bad circulation. Others drove us back to Bongolo on Saturday and since then I have been on antibiotics for my leg which seems to have "cellulitis".  Today it is back to "normal".

Also, many people passed around some sort of a respiratory virus during the week. I went to the conference having problems with my allergies but that did turn into a "cold" and with my asthma, getting a cold is never a good idea. My lungs got what may have been a secondary infection. The antibiotics that I am taking for my leg have also helped clear up my lungs! :-)

Here are some photos of me in Spain.

Yep, I broke down and ate a B.K. Whopper! We have NO American chains  in the African country where I live and eating a Whopper was a "little bit of America" to me.



Here is me by the Mediterranean Sea.

Celebrating Thanksgiving!

We celebrated our Thanksgiving Day yesterday, Friday. There were ten of us here: four doctors, three nurses, a Pilot, a school teacher and a Pastor! Oh, we were ten adults and one baby! Our meal was traditional, with turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole down to the pumpkin pie. After the meal we even had an American football game that we had taped off of satellite TV the night before. Here are a few photos.







For an update on my health. My leg is back to normal after a ten plus day bout of swelling. I am to finish off the ten days of antibiotics that I was given for that which is good. The antibiotic is clearing up my aggravated bout of asthma so coughing less.

Today's Positives:
1. I had a nice Thanksgiving time yesterday.
2. My leg is back to normal and my coughing is much less.
3. I am finishing decorating my home for Christmas.
4. A neighbor couple (pilot and doctor) is coming over this afternoon so I can give them some of my extra Christmas decorations. This is my last Christmas in Africa so everything will go at the end of the season.
5. I'm on vacation (Staycation) for another week. YES!!!!!

Have a nice weekend!

 

School, Church and Spain!

The second year of classes for the Bongolo Nursing students started out with a three day Spiritual Retreat. Pastor Konde from the Theological Center in Libreville came to be the special speaker. Our 16 students and we the profs all appreciated his ministry.  The day after the retreat ended the regular 1st Trimester started of classes. Each trimester is ten weeks long, followed by a week of Exams. We are now in week ten so the students take final exams November 11-14th. I am sure they will be glad to be done with theses classes. I know I will be!!

I have been attending the Kanda Alliance Church. About last March a strong tornado like wind took the roof of the parsonage completely off. This photo was taken two weeks ago, with the parsonage in the background and the church to the left. Last week the parsonage roof project was completely finished and the Laypastor moved back into the home. How happy the church members are to have that project done, especially the Laypastor, Wilfried.

On Saturday March 16th I plan to drive with others to Libreville so we can fly out early Monday morning, March 18th. We'll be headed to Malaga, Spain to attend the All-Africa Field Forum. About 330 people are expected to attend the conference, coming from many countries. I will try to update my blog after the conference, letting you know how it went. Thanks for your prayers for safe travel and a good conference.