Moving Right Along . . .

It is currently 4:30pm (Mwandi is 6 hours ahead of EST) and 47 degrees.  It is cold!!!  So many vulnerable people in the village with no heat and with limited resources some do not even have blankets.  I am thankful to have a small heater in my lodging, however it doesn’t warm much it just takes the edge off.   I do find it a bit strange that early evening seems to be colder than early morning. There was even snow in Johannesburg, South Africa yesterday.  https://edition.cnn.com/2023/07/11/africa/johannesburg-rare-snow-fall-spc-intl/index.html  (The picture is last nights sunset on the Zambezi River, overlooking the Namibia side of the river.) 

Today has been a good yet tiring day.  It began with some Jungle Oats (aka “porridge”/oatmeal) and some juice.  Then on to the Sheltered Workshop for devotions.  After devotions the workers were provided with tea and “biscuits” (oreo cookies, yes I brought some 😊) while we discussed employment topics.  Today’s topic was about keeping a job, particularly as they are hard to come by in Mwandi as it is primarily a farming and fishing community along the Zambezi river.  General expectations that are Universal were shared such as being on time, no leaving early unless there is communication, choosing to do your best work, and of course put those cell phones away until break or lunch.  They asked some good questions and I was sure to state that these are general expectations!  Whether they travel out of Mwandi or internationally, these will be the general standards of expectations.  I feel that without knowing the expectation, there is no way to meet it. 

It was another round (2 hours) of how do I get my luggage from Denver, Colorado to here.  It has been all but a week and I’ve grown tired of the run around, jumping hoops and being told “policy states”.  If United Airlines would have delivered my luggage to Johannesburg as it was initially to be routed there would not be an issue. I have filed a complaint with Emirates as I did file for missing baggage last Thursday evening in Johannesburg but it never was properly executed.  Once I receive a response from the complaint, I will then have the “PIR #” to file for the baggage.  I was even told to call United Airlines and get a World Tracking number which I did.  The next person at Emirates didn’t want that number and directed me to online correspondence.  Go figure . . . it needs prayer . . . that’s all I will say for now on that subject. 

I then met “Mum” Gertrude at the road near the market to walk to the Village to visit the elderly, the sick and a severely disabled child.  I carried about 20 oranges to give to them as well as prayed for each as we visited.  It was good to see some familiar faces!  This is the first long walk in the sand since my recent back surgeries.   I slowed her down a bit but we made it.  I will return to walk with her on Friday to visit more folks, including down by the river which seems like 5 miles out. 

On the way home, we stopped at the Orphan’s and Vulnerable Children’s Center (OVC) to confirm where I would be volunteering.  I will begin volunteering with one of the counselors that I had met years ago.  She primarily works with the children and also participates in the Children’s Program after lunch.  There are devotions with the children at the OVC at lunch time also and I have been informed that I may have tomorrow’s time.  I have also been asked to teach a Symposium in 2 weeks to the OVC staff which includes the counselors, so I will begin to pray about the subject matter.

Once home, Mubita (son of the Waddles) came back from a run with the medical students from Davidson College (Davidson, NC).  It is good to get to know them also and we have had many great discussions in the last few days.  It is interesting how many professions/specialties have similar and or varying/different perspectives on many topics.  We will all join them and their instructor Dr. Verna Case for dinner on Friday at Simba House.  Surely it will be marvelous with great company.  I also remember how good Irene’s cooking is from when I stayed at Simba many years ago.

Well, I’m off for dinner and then an early night, especially since it is cold.  Please pray my bag issue is remedied tonight!  Thanks so much 😊