Praises in a Cow!

Hello All,
Well, only 2 1/2 weeks left till we come home for a visit.  The kids already have plans about what they are going to eat!  There are a few chosen items that just can't be duplicated.  Timothy wants to have a whole foot long from Subway all to himself! And having real Maple syrup will be incredible.  I was graciously given some back in the spring and have been doling it out by the tablespoon full but am now sadly out!  We will be glad to visit for a while and get refreshed.

Today is the big pinewood derby race up at RVA.  They have this huge track with 6 lanes and electronic timing.  I am going to help score keep.  It is an all day process though.  Races start at 8:30 and go till 3 or 3:30.  Then, awards are given in a ceremony tonight at 6:30.  But, we have a huge conflict:  The hospital's new incinerator is due to arrive this morning!  It was supposed to be here last Thurs, then yesterday and now this morning.  Jim is pretty frustrated with the lack of ability here to do things on time (can you imagine)!  Some things are really coming to a head for him and he could use your prayers.  I should have pictures next week.  It is coming on a 40 ft container and we even had to repair the road for it to come.  The maintenance people put out 15 lorrys (trucks) of stone to try and improve the road.  They should be out there right now inching it into place.  The building that it is going into was being prepared all week.  They had to remove the roof so they can lower it in.  I am staying out of this one as Jim is worried enough about it for the both of us!

This is a picture of our friend Patrick Saroni.  He is a good friend from the Masai tribe.  He attends the local Bible college called Moffat.  His story is amazing of how he came ot be here.  His dad told him in 8th grade that his schooling was over and he had to stay and tend the cows (the Masai are great cow people).  He had meet some missionaries (Kenyan) and eventually they supported him and allowed him into their home (far from where he lived) and supported him through the 4 years of high school.  He wanted to study philosophy, but got hooked up with Moffat.  He had nothing, but was allowed in on a scholarship.  He has been going that way for 3 years now, just praying that the funds will come and basically living for his daily bread.  It is hard for us to imagine, but he does it.  His dream is to become a pastor and go back to the Masai people to help them understand the love of God.  He is currently talking to some US colleges and seeing if they have some opportunities for him.  Two of them were in Michigan.  I told him I did not think a Masai could survive in Michigan with the cold.  They usually wear just a red robe (with nothing underneath)!

This is a picture taken from the Internet of some Masai.  Patrick says they stand on one leg (like the man on the right) in order to let themselves breath!

This week we have several things to deal with for the hospital.  The Bethany kids wing is being rethought in order to bring it into budget, the incinerator will be hooked up and op tested, I will meet with some more people who can design a wet lands system for us, I am talking to the head Doctor about a scavenging air system for the theaters, and thanksgiving is on Thursday.  The school just changed the schedule and are having 1/2 day of school Thur.  I am going to stick with my original plan and have thanksgiving dinner on Friday.  That is their last day of school for the term.  They are very excited to be finished!  I have a 22 lb turkey taking up my whole freezer right now!  I had asked for a 10 lb turkey and got a 10 Kg turkey!  We will be eating turkey all next week I suspect!

Hope you have a great thanksgiving day this week.  This is my favorite holiday.  I will miss not watching football games!

 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.

Col 3:15-16

I have another praise to tell you about:  Remember last week when I talked about the orphanage needing a cow?  Well, someone spoke up and wants to buy a cow for them!  God is Good!  I am now hunting for a cow (trying to keep my white face out of the picture so that the price is reasonable)!  We are making progress and I will let you know how it goes.

Thanks so much!  We are so grateful to all of you!

In His Hands,
Jullie T.