Daughters

My dad often took us girls along with him- wherever he went. It wasn't just Nick. Whether it was changing the tire, butchering pigs, cows, chickens- whatever, skinning deer, hitching the trailer, driving in bad weather, chopping wood, lifting HEAVY things, chasing loose animals, cleaning out the barn, throwing hay bails, driving the tractor, getting vehicles unstuck (or stuck for that matter), putting the boat in and out, driving the boat, playing ball...

I love that- I love that Amy, Kari, and I are able to take care of ourselves quite well- and that we were able to get that time with Dad. Even if we did complain a bit each time he said it was time to butcher chickens or spend the day throwing hay bails- once we got out there we seemed to have a good time together.
Here roles are a bit more defined. Just last week when Roger was visiting he comment on the fact that you see all these businesses named "so and so and Sons" no businesses involving daughters. Slowly things are changing and women are becoming more involved in areas that were dominated by men. At times it is a bit hard for me here to find my place. It seems often I spend more time with men since I am not so good at staying home.

I have always been pretty happy with my garage (auto-shop). They take good care of me- as I have mentioned before they are like my own AAA. I have known that there was a female mechanic working there for some time. Amie has changed my oil a couple times and worked with Kai on my carburetor. However I was pleasantly surprised when I went for an oil change before our trip to the North to find a mechanics class only for women.

Jawad is the owner of the garage. When I arrived I found him sitting next to an engine with 11 girls surrounding him- sounds like this story could go two ways- but these girls all had their oil stained grungy clothes on and you could tell they had been working right along side him. I love this garage all the more now.

I let them all know that my dad would have been proud. I too was proud.

Thanks Dad!

Procrastination - posted by Karen

For any of you out there who tend to Procrastinate (like me) - and meant to send a card or letter to Christie but realize that Amy Stepec and Karen Boland have already left . . . there is hope! Roger Hatch is going to Bo on March 16th. We have one more SLIM window of opportunity to get something to Christie! Mail letters to:

Christie Shermer
c/o Roger Hatch
2626 Smith Avenue
Marshalltown, IA 50158

He must receive these notes by Friday, March 12 (Saturday at the Latest).

Thanks for your prayers, cares and cards.

Swimming

I am sure with the snow just starting to leave the ground- all of you are not thinking of swimming yet- or maybe you are hoping that you will be sometime soon. I mentioned before that for Christmas day we took the kids to Bandejuma to the river beach. It was beautiful and I promised myself I would be back again soon. Well as you know- life gets busy and it hasn't happened yet. Today was to be the day. For the past few weeks I had this day on the calender and was somewhat counting the days. As silly as it is- I miss water. Here in Bo we have streams and very small rivers. I am so used to driving by large bodies of water everyday- I miss even just seeing them. Granted when I travel I do see them, but.. I wish it were more often.
While in town the past two days I have tried to get fuel for the jeep- each time finding all the fuel stations empty. This has happened quite a few times in the past. Usually the next morning you will be able to get fuel. Well three days into this- still no fuel- even early in the morning. When I asked today they said it would be at least Monday. Since there is only about 1 gallon left in the jeep-I have now parked it. That also means no trip to the beach.

This time, with it having lasted for a few days, everything is a bit more difficult. We are in the time of year when electricity is very rare. At times there will only be light for 4-5 hours every 3-5 days. That means all business are running their generators- if they have not stocked up on fuel- it's time to close until there is more. (Good thing the Internet cafe is still open). Charging phones, keeping anything cool, and especially getting transport is not easy. It is a good thing I am good at walking as now almost all the transport hondas are short on fuel as well. I guess it will be a few days of fun found at home.

Overloaded

I have seen up to 5 people on a single honda at one time. Granted two of them were children- but still three were adults. Amy and Meghan experienced another part of African life while they were here. Unfortunately they didn't experience too many public transport rides (or fortunately for them I guess). It is standard to have 7-8 people in a regular 5 seater car. For a 7 passenger van it is quite common to have at least 12-14. One trip I took from Mattru there were 15 of us already in the vehicle when the driver pulled over to add one more. I was sure we were full- but there is always room for one more I guess. One evening found a large group of us in town all looking for honda's to get home. Our friend Rainny had his honda with him and it was decided (I think for him by the other guys) that he would take both Amy and Meghan with him. I am not sure who enjoyed this more- Rainny having the opportunity to escort two beautiful girls through town home- or Sorba who you can see watching them in the photo.

New leg- Long time coming.

Matthew "Sorie" is one of the teenage boys who lives with us at JCCM. When he arrived at JH he had a terrible infection in his leg. After trying to treat it for quite some time (over a couple years I think)- it was decided that the best course of action would be to amputate. Sorie and AUnty Mary went to stay at the hospital for sometime and when Matthew came home with crutches it took him a little time to adjust. Before long he was playing football with his crutches- doing the high jump- almost anything the other kids were doing. As I was getting ready to come home last Fall we started the process with Matthew at the Bo Rehabilitation Center at the Government Hospital for getting a prosthetic leg. I think at first Matthew was excited about this- but with all the work and time it took- he was not so excited. After many set-backs, by both Matthew and the staff- Sorie and I came home last Monday with his new leg. (I have uploaded this photo 3 times and each time it loads this way even though it is right on my computer and since it takes 35 mins to load each time- I figure about now it is easier for you to turn your head sideways than for me to try yet again) Here is Matthew with the man who made his leg.

Sorie has become quite adept at using his crutches. He is not so sure that he wants this leg. I guess that is where being a parent comes in. I do (along with the staff) feel this is the best thing for Sorie. He will soon adjust and be able to run and play football with this leg as well. It will take a lot of time and work before then- but without doing it he will never get there. During the time when Matthew was going to rehab to learn how to walk- we had been giving him his transport money and sending him on his own- we found out two sperate times (over 6 months apart- we gave him a second chance that did not go well for either of us) that Sorie was taking the money and going elsewhere. We had to go with him, sit and watch him rehab, and take him home. The nurses and doctors working with him have encouraged him often- but he just doesn't seem to fully agree. I also admit that Sorie is a stubborn boy ( I am sure that you picked that up already) who continues to get into a bit of trouble at the home. A few weeks ago he broke into the Head Teachers office to steal some money. He has the punishment of cleaning the school each Friday for the next month- but also that he has to start using his leg. The doctors felt he was beyond ready- just not in his mind. So as one of his parents I have decided that one of his punishments was to take away his crutches and have him get used to this new leg. I know right now he is not too happy with me- but in the long run I feel this is best for him. This might be punishment now, but it is going to be a good thing for him not too far from now. He may not admit it to me, but when I see him wearing long jeans and standing with his friends- I can see that he is proud to be seen looking just like one of them. As people compliment him- I can see a little pride sneaking in there. No pain- no gain. I guess this goes for me and for him. He has to work through the difficulties of getting used to a foreign leg and learning to walk again- I have to watch him struggle and be upset with me- though I know it is best for him.

Notes to Christie - Posted by Karen

Amy Stepec and Karen Boland are going to visit Christie. If you would like to send a note to her (or a Birthday Card, since they will be arriving on her birthday) you can send them to:

Christie Shermer
c/o Karen Boland
2347 Oak Park Road
Marshalltown, IA 50158

Karen will need to have them by Monday, March 8th in order to be able to pack. Thanks for all your prayers and encouragement to Christie. You are an important part of her ministry!