More about Christmas
I can't seem to get off the Christmas theme. Let me include a couple of images from this past week. The photo on the left shows Beacham, proudly displaying his efforts. His mother, Katya, the Public Affairs Officer (PAO) had invited me over to make cookies with her, Beacham and his sister, Hannah. The recipes included Florentines, sugar cookies, the famous peanut butter balls, gingerbread men, and oatmeal raisin cookies.
The top photo is Juliet Weibe delivering a wheel chair to a 17 year-old boy, the grandson of the man who worked as a chef for her parents when they lived here back in the 50's and 60's. I'll talk more about Juliet later, but she was born and raised in Congo until the family had to leave in 1967. Her father started TASOK, the American school near my home, in 1961. Juliet knew about this young man who was born with hydroencephalitis and has never been able to move on his own power and determined to give him a little mobility with a first-rate set of wheels. Talk about a Christmas to remember!
The photo on the right is what greeted us at church last Sunday, following he French service, which precedes the English service. These kids were all singing Christmas songs with all the gusto they could muster.
As hard as it is to be away from friends and family during this special Season, I feel richly blessed to have been able to experience Christmas here. I feel at peace and am thankful for the people that continue to affirm me and my work of teaching English to people who are eager to learn it. As I look back over the past two years, I can see God's guiding hand on my life, from getting my master degree in ESL, going to the TESOL meeting in Seattle, where I heard about this program. Applying, being accepted, and sent here. Who would have guessed? Again, I thank all of you for your part in this bigger picture. I'm sure I would not be in this frame of mind without your support and prayers. I don't know what the new year will bring, but I am confident that he who began a good work in me, will be faithful to complete it.
May I use that as a benediction for you as well? That God will also do his mighty work in all of us--to move us, slowly, gently, toward himself. And in time, he will perfect the work that he has begun. Blessings to you all! I think this is probably the last of the official Christmas blogging, but unofficially, I hope to hang on to the spirit of Christmas, long after the last peanut butter ball disappears.
posted by MeJane @ 10:40 AM
7 Comments
7 Comments:
Dearest Jane: You are a special inspiration of Christmas - hope, peace, joy & love. As we look toward the new year we keep these in mind and add commitment and enthusiasm. You are probably finding a good deal of the latter two in your work at Kinsasha - the people in Africa seem to have it while we here at home sometimes seem to be a bit ho-hum about it. We think and pray about you often. Your blog assures us that you are indeed AOK (even if you may have moments!). It is a wonderful tool for us worrywarts. All is well here at Cave Creek. This morning Tom Kapetyn sang a solo at church here & we visited with them briefly after church. He also sang in the choir Christmas Eve. Last Sunday we went to my son & his lady-friend's for Christmas dinner. Merele Katt called one afternoon. This afternoon we went for a 1 3/4 hr. hike up a mt. around the corner :)! Thanks for sharing your Christmas with us. God is good. Take care, God bless, and we'll keep praying & practising being better Christians. Love, P&C
cool. glad that you're frame of mind is finally changing... :) Just kidding!
Angie and I are trying to charter a boat to come visit you in Kinshasa... If that doesn't work, Kayaking maybe our only option.
You know that lady in the picture looks a fair amount like my sister, Grace... Does she cook like her?
See you soon! :)
Love,
David
Greetings of 2008 to you all! So far, so good! Can't believe i've already been here 103 days. Time is really going quickly. I'm ready to start in earnest on Monday and look forward to inproving my techniques in the classroom. Glad you are staying in touch--Pete and Carolyn. Give my best to all the 2nd CRC's in AZ, OK?
David and Angie: I've heard that going the water route is actually the only way they used to be able to get here! Its called the "Heart of Darkness!" Today Congo is honoring the martyrs who lost their lives for Independence from Belguim in 1960. No one goes to work. Again. As if there haven't been enough holidays during the past 2 weeks! Oh, and Beachum, really Beauchamp, is a 14 year old guy. Reminded me of working with you in the kitchen--long red hair, lots of fun, very creative. I realize it's hard to see the details in those little photos.
Till the next time, Jane
oops. yea, definitely didn't see the detail there.
Thanks for keeping in touch. I've got your blog on my homepage now so that I can see when you've posted something new.
D.
i love this post, jane. indeed, what you're doing (and the road that brought you here) is beautiful, and God is in it. we miss you but your encouraging words are quite consoling.
keep writing!
love
angie
Hi Jane,
Over a hundred days, and not a word from us! For shame. It's not that you have been out of our minds. On the contrary. Your on our mind each time we have a S.M. meeting, for sure. But that's not the only time. We just recently obtained your blog address, and have been reading furiously to catch up on all your previous communications. You write well, with clarity, passion and a good sense of humor. The latter is essential, and keeps you going when the screwiest things happen to mess up your day and sabotage your plans. It's clear that your making an important contribution in the lives of your students and colleagues, and that you feel good about being on the field. Do keep up the good work, both on the field and on the blog.
Dear Jane,
HAPPY NEW YEAR! I am praying that 2008 will be kinder to my body. It is so great to be a part of the AM Prayer Group and to take not only the church's needs, but also our personal needs to the Lord in prayer. I will be scheduled soon for an electrical cardioversion. They are waiting to make sure my blood is thin enough before the procedure. Keep praying that all will be successful in getting my heart back to a normal rythem. I have been feeling well and my energy level is good. So great to hear from you and we are so thankful for your blog. Today we will be celebrating Epiphany with our service being led by Rev. Scott Hoezee. The Koetjes are in FL for Stephen's Ministry training. We will have Jay this evening. He is a wonderful addition to our staff and we pray that when it is time to leave, that he and his family will not be far from all of us. You continue to make new friends and many inroads into the hearts and minds of your students and friends. It is amazing how fast the time is going not only for you, but also for us. You are in our prayers and we know that you are staying strong and are depending on God for your guidance and strength. We are so glad that we have you in our lives. Know that you are loved. Barb & Don
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