Quite a MIRACLE!

You have to understand that I live and work in a developing country in Africa, where things don't work as fast as they do in the States. My last blog entry talked about the FIRE we had in our hospital and station transformer. It was totally demolished. We have been using a backup generator since Friday evening.

Our hospital administrator called the company where transformers are purchased the evening of the Fire. On Sunday he drove to the capital city to meet with the dealer on Monday. By Tuesday afternoon the new $175,000 transformer had been driven the 350 miles south with our new transformer on a flatbed truck. Now THAT is a MIRACLE! Thinks just don't usually work that rapidly in this part of Africa.

The electric company has been working for two days in the installation of the transformer. I am not sure how long it will take until it is hooked up and running so how much longer we will be having to use our diesel fueled emergency generator.

Here is our new Transformer:



Here is our emergency generator:



Praise the Lord for answered prayer.

FIRE!

FIRE!! Last night the main electric Transformer of the Bongolo Hospital and the Bongolo station BURNED. We're using an emergency generator right now and will need to do so until a new transformer is installed. Our emergency generator has recently been giving us problems and we have been awaiting some parts for it. Thanks for your prayers that the transformer be quickly replaced and installed. Pray that our generator gets needed repairs and keeps going. 

The photo was taken by Dr. Renee Valach. I heard about the fire after the it was over. I only knew that we were using the emergency generator. Here is a link to Steve Straw's blog which will share more details: http://gabonpilot.blogspot.com/2014/01/fire-at-bongolo-hospital.html

 

Cooking with African Local Produce

I was given both fresh "Field" corn and also a gift of cooking bananas. I made both of them for supper tonight (I had eaten a chicken dinner for the noon meal).

Boiled "Field" corn



Fried ripe cooking bananas



I cook with gas. We turn our empty bottles in when we buy filled bottles.



Today's Positives:
1. I enjoyed church in Kanda this morning.
2. I made the local produce for dinner rather than let it go to waste. I am bad with buying fresh food but then not getting around to cooking it. I ate half the corn and gave the rest to my neighbor.
3. Although we had a very bad lightening strike somewhere near here last night, it did not fry any of our electrical equipment and the lights stayed on.

P.S. I did not take a photo of the brownies I also made today.
I have visitors coming for dinner tomorrow so now my dessert is already prepared!

Question: Do you ever buy fresh foods that you don't get around to using?

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!!