EpiBlog
March is suppose to come in like a Lamb and go out like a Lion … or the other way round. Not us. We went out with the Lion, and came back with one too! (And no, we did not see any lions in Abidjan. The only one in the city escaped the zoo and the police had to shoot it.) It is tradition in Newfoundland to have a storm right around St Patrick’s Day. It is often one of the worst storms of the year and is called “Sheila’s Brush”. Sure enough, it was waiting for us to get home. Thursday we heard that ‘weather’ was expected. We were to fly out on Friday evening, so we started worrying. It held off. Now all predictions were for Saturday. Friday, we set off. Serge & Lynn drove us to Montreal and we joked about the weather and being stranded along the way. Serge suggested the title of this blog (and this really is my last one!) Our plan was to stay over night in St John’s. We were only getting in at midnight and it is a three and a half hour drive home in good conditions. However, as the predictions of the storm got worse, we imagined being stuck in town until Monday and then losing the first two days of the week. Sigh. By the time we got in we had decided to make a run for it. I drove a bit, but could barely stay awake (remains Continue Reading →
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All good things …..
So here we are, back in Canada. Our trip is not over, precisely. We will be a week in Sherbrooke to see family (parties, yea!) and then we will head back to our home on the Rock. Thursday was our last day in Abidjan. We were almost finished packing before breakfast, so we decided we had time to cram in a little more stuff. Leslie had some dresses fixed by her ‘seamstress’ so these had to be picked up. Then we made a last raid on the market. This time we knew our ‘favorite’ sellers and what the prices should be. We wasted no time in buying up all we could afford, and fleeing. After wonderful lunch (Thanks Mandy!) we headed off to the airport. Check-in went quick, we had almost an hour to sit and have a parting beer with Marvin & Penny. Then we started the 25 hours of flying home. On our way past the last security guard to the plane he asked me “Where are you going?”. I said “Montreal”. “Oh, going back to your village?”, he grinned. He knew about Montreal, but that is a way of saying ‘going home’. He asked Leslie the same and then asked “Will you come back and see us again?” Leslie said, “I hope so.” Then he said “No. You mustn’t hope, you must be certain!” Nothing was too eventful on the planes. The food was stunning again, beaten only by the service. If you want to fly great Continue Reading →
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The last day
We really packed it in today! Last full day in Africa! Tomorrow we will pack and then head off to the plane, so this might be my last blog until we get to Sherbrooke. Marvin & Penny took us to see some of their old haunts in Abidjan. Now Abidjan is a very large city, around 5 million inhabitants (and, according to Wikipedia, the second largest French speaking city in the world). There are many different areas, or communities within the city. Today we started off with a trip to Abobo. This is much poorer than the areas we have been working in. Marvin & Penny spent a year here. (The area they are in now is more upper-middle class). The streets are worse and the vendors stalls are smaller and everything is dirty – or so it seems by comparison. We took some time to walk around in the market, but we didn’t dawdle. This area is a little rougher, and you try not to look like a tourist! The only pictures we took were from the car window. But what a contrast from their current territory. Its interesting how the street shops are all in ‘areas’. I posted pictures of a furniture area a few days ago. But this is true of many things. Plumbing supplies will take up one section, sinks, toilets and everything in between lined up outside. Hardware might be another area. Today we went through about a kilometer or two of car parts, all Continue Reading →
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A Day at the Beach
Monday we had planned to spend at the beach. We were planning on heading out early to avoid traffic, but it turned out to be a Muslim holiday. We were worried that this would mean a lot of traffic and a crowded beach. Not so. There was very little traffic actually. We passed workers getting their stalls ready for business and the ever-present street sweepers making things neat and tidy. On the way out of town you go through the ‘furniture’ district. We actually saw this the first day in, as we came from the airport. Marvin & Penny pointed out their favorite “Mobidecko”. (When we got home that first day, they said “later we’ll see some of the area, it was all pretty normal coming from the airport.” I said, “I didn’t see anything normal the whole way back!”) The furniture shops have everything set outside for viewing (and testing). Some of it is beautiful furniture, although some seem to like rather gaudy stuff. Also, leather is popular although it does not tough the climate so well. Keep in mind too, that there is no putting the furniture under cover when it rains. It just gets wet, dries (no doubt molds) and then waits for a prospective buyer. A couch at one of these shops is like a puppy at the pound, just waiting for some kind soul to buy it and take it to a home with shelter! (there are upscale, real furniture shops, but that takes real Continue Reading →
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On a Cellular Level
There is a great deal of poverty here. People live in conditions that we would think impossible. The very poor live under conditions that should kill them (and probably do), but even the average person has very little by our standards. Still, most manage to have a television. Not the 42″ plasmas that most Canadians seem to manage, but televisions. Many have better jewelry than we do. This is an important thing. Many are very well dressed. It is common to see men in suits on the street, very sharp. Much more common than back home in St John’s. They like to look good. (After all, its hot, and they’re sick. If you can’t feel good ….. it’s better to look good than to feel good ….) Local rum can be purchased for about $6 for 1.5 liters. Not half bad. Breakfast cereal on the other hand is over $10 a box. Go figure. Cake at the bakery is over $40. Forget it! There is little accounting for prices …. And almost everyone has a cellphone. You almost can’t live without one here. Some don’t have land lines, but they have a cellphone. Cellphones are cheap to buy, not so cheap to run. They are all “Pay as you go” type phones. You load on credits and then use them until they are gone. Only the person making the call pays. No charge for receiving calls on your cell. So everyone has one. Street vendors have ‘cards’ for sale to Continue Reading →
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The Last Sunday
Its sad to be counting off the last days. Yesterday was a Big day! In the morning I went with Marvin on four (yes 4) studies! We didn’t even have time for door to door. By the time we got to the last study we had to take a local taxi to get there in time. That is an adventure in itself. You negotiate a price to where you are going before getting in. You pay according to the number of places you take in the taxi. They can stop and get others along the way if they want. Then you hold on and pray! Now as to the packing in of studies: Marvin & Penny work on the premise of the airlines. They have to count on a lot of studies canceling on them so they often have more booked than they can fit in. If no one cancels … Yikes! Marvin had actually had one study that canceled for Sunday, but one got moved from Saturday. Thus the panic. Penny and Leslie had less success – more cancellations, so they took some time to do some shopping and site seeing. Leslie got some pictures of a local knife sharpener at work. They walk through the neighborhood calling out their trade. People that need their services come out and call them over. This man was happy to have his picture taken (many are not. They think you are going to make money off it somehow. Or at least that Continue Reading →
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Nothing for Granted
Just back from the meeting. It is Saturday night, but we just had the ‘Sunday’ meeting. hmmm. Tomorrow is a big service day, but its Sunday. hmmm. Totally out of my element. Take nothing for granted. For example, a mostly empty hall at the first song, does not mean most are missing. We started tonight with probably 50 or so. After the talk it was announced that there were 105 for the talk! Wow! Now don’t get the idea that its just a poor concept of time that makes people late for the meeting. Most work long hours, perhaps until 6:30. The meeting on Tues is at 7:15. They have to fight through endless traffic just to make it to the meeting at all. Saturday, some work, but, even for those that don’t, it is an ordeal to get to the meeting on time. Interestingly, those that arrive late sit down, bow their heads and say a quick prayer. After all they missed the opening prayer and they need Jehovah’s spirit to take in the meeting too. I want to take this one home with me! What a good attitude! I presumed before coming here that I would place tons of literature. Take nothing for granted. You could leave as much literature as you wanted with the people. But you can’t be sure that they are really appreciating the spiritual value of it. Some think it best to start with the “Do You Want to Know the Truth?” tract and Continue Reading →
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A Cookin’ and A Cleanin’
Cooking and cleaning in a missionary home is quite an experience. They run a tight ship here! Each couple has a cook day. More couples, more cook days.The meal is served at noon (12:30ish) and then the cleaning takes place around the cooking and some in the afternoon. The meal is no small task. Since we are visiting there are 6 for the meal. It takes on the proportions of a “company meal”every week. They cook for 8 (12 while we are here). That is so that aside from the major meal, each couple will have a meal of leftovers. It is very hot because there is no A/C in the kitchen. “If you can’t stand the heat”. . . doesn’t cut it here! The week starts with shopping on Monday. They make sure the home is stocked with necessary staples and the needs for the weeks’ cook day. The meat and grocery items are bought at a modern grocery store and the fruits and veggies they get from a colorful stand on the street. Pineapples, papaya, mangos, passion fruit – A February treat for a Canadian! The cooking starts first thing in the morning while the clothes are washing and drying. While we are here the girls do the cooking and the guys do the cleaning. Each couple takes care of cleaning their own space, and each week a they are assigned a different part of the common space. This is all detailed on a chart on the fridge Continue Reading →
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In the Heat of the Night
After a couple of long, hot service days we were looking forward to a nice night, sleeping in and regathering strength. We were all invited to John & Mandy’s room to play dice last night. We had a good time and then crawled off to our nice cool room and collapsed in sleep. About 1 or 2 in the morning I woke up a bit warm. I thought Leslie had turned off the air-conditioner, a bit funny, but …. maybe she found it too cool. I woke up again, bathed in sweat, sweltering hot. Too bad for her! I’m turning it back on. Click. … click, click. …. click. Then I notice that it is pitch black. Not a light anywhere. The power is off. It turns out that Leslie had thought that I had turned the AC off, until figured out the same thing. “Our power is off.” she mumbled. Half-asleep, I said “Our bottle-gourd plant died.” We tossed and turned all night. Showers of water (almost cool, but as cold as we could make it) helped in the morning … for about five minutes. We were very glad when, about 9:00 am the power came back on. We made mad dashes to turn on all the AC units and planted ourselves in front of them for a bit. I don’t know if I would have survived two weeks here without the AC at night!
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Where’s the Beef (been)?
Another hot, humid day. Serious sweat going on. And Marvin kept me going until 7:30 tonight! I finally got a chance to start a study! We only did 3 doors this morning before heading off to studies. The last door I tried. Two woman answered the door in spite of the fact that I woke them up and they weren’t dressed. When I said we were sharing a thought from the Bible, they went and got dressed and had us in. They got each one their Bibles and were ready to chat. I did an introduction and then got into the “Would you like to know the truth?” tract. They read the paragraphs and the verses from their Bibles. A very nice call. Marvin & Penny will have to fit it into their schedule somehow. We have had quite a variety of calls. I have been with Marvin on a study where we sat in a a courtyard of a nice house and had a servant bring us pineapple. Today we studied with a man living in a ‘squatters’ hut, sitting on a very low stool. Basically, this is a very small one room shack with a tin roof. There is a line of these side by side with all the people sitting outside. You have only a curtain for a door so there is no privacy. We sat in the sweltering heat, inside, with one dim light bulb to give us light. The whole room is maybe 6′ X Continue Reading →
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