I have taken a bunch of pictures with my phone, but haven't had a chance to put anything recent on my computer, so I can't put any new pictures on now. But here is a picture of my car (actually taken a couple of weeks before I bought it), being used to jump another intern's car.

I always said I would never own a 2-door, but I also never thought I would be buying myself a car in South Africa. It seems to run well and the interior/exterior are in very good condition.

February 18, 2009
We have been in the office the last two days after having Monday off and have been meeting in the mornings with a local pastor. We have been talking about evangelism and discipleship, but have focused mostly on the relationship aspects of each, rather than methods and such, which is good, because I think I would benefit more from this than from methods. His approach is somewhat untraditional and goes a little over the top and reads in to some passages a bit, but for the most part it has been enjoyable. Yesterday we talked a lot about creation and God’s creating man in His image and what that meant for evangelism and discipleship. Today we talked about the relationship between Adam and Eve, particularly their coming together as one, and how those principles applied to evangelism and discipleship. It was a little awkward at times, but we ended up talking about some relevant points. I think what I drew from the discussion on Tuesday is that it is a great need here to talk to people about their identity in God. It seemed that more than anything people need to know their worth as God’s image bearers and their value to Him, how much they are loved and the dominion God has given to people. At home I think evangelism has to make more of a point to stress people’s inability to attain salvation on their own because of their sin. I think the issue is different here, people don’t think they are good enough, they are not worthy of being loved; so they need to see that they are loved by God because they are made in His image.
We have been asked to write about three things so far. First, our thoughts on self-worth: who I am is not who you or others say I am, my worth comes from God, the fact that I am created in His image, called His child, bought at a price for an eternal inheritance in His kingdom, guarded by Him, pursued by Him, persevered by Him, and glorified by Him. Second, how we value others: all are created in God’s image and loved by Him, so it is my calling to see them how God sees them, love them as God loves them, and show them grace as God has showed it to me each and everyday in great measure. Third, what principles of a marital relationship apply to evangelism and discipleship: intimacy with God is first and most important; we must have a relationship with the other, we plant the seeds that God will make grow, but we must continue to nurture, care for, and admonish the new child of God; we must seek to leave a legacy, not just a fleeting relationship that will die; we must be rooted in Scripture, honest, personal, real, and vulnerable; and we must rejoice when someone comes to Christ.
I had my dad transfer money from my bank account in the US straight to the car dealer’s bank account. It has been over 24 hours and he said that the money has not appeared in his account yet. I pray that it will soon and that there won’t be any complications or difficulties and that the transaction goes smoothly.

February 21, 2009
Yesterday, we went to visit Drakenstein prison where Ambassadors runs a program called Hope Academy. This is the 2nd year of the program at that prison (it was previously held at a different prison) and they just selected their 22 members from 4 or 5 different prisons to move there and participate in the program. Because the new year is just launching, they held a ceremony yesterday and then they played a match against the Ambassadors interns and staff (guys only, girls were restricted from playing). The prisoners were selected for their soccer abilities, their attitude, commitment, and discipline. A would guess that a few are Christians, but most are not, although they have shown some desire to succeed and change their lives around. The program seems to have support from the right people, there were area directors and regional directors in attendance and all of them spoke for a couple of minutes to the guys in the program about the success of last year’s program and what the guys need to do to succeed this year. Their cell block warden and the recreation warden seemed like good role models, and also greatly supported the program. I was almost in awe when we were sitting with these 22 offenders and interacting with them, because you could see their potential and their desire for something more. They seemed like the kind of guys who I would hang out with and enjoy joking around with, even though most of them have been imprisoned for serious offences. When one of the staff members shared God’s word, it seemed as if they were listening eagerly and hopeful of what they could become. They have had many bad influences put on them, they’ve grown up with the wrong people, and they have made a lot of bad choices, but I pray that God would transform them and draw them to Himself, that they would know Christ as their Savior and Lord and start new lives.
There were two young men who I met whose lives were changed by God’s grace through the ministry of Ambassadors. The first guy was released last year and is now doing ministry in one of the townships through soccer and with the support of Ambassadors. He wants to reach kids before they make the mistakes he did, and he wants them to see that there is more out there for them. The second guy is a guy named Precious. I’ve read about him in some of the material from Ambassadors. This guy has a great testimony and a heart that has been won for the Lord. He went from a gang in the townships and a life full of violence to a young man who is loving God, witnessing for Christ, and leading other prisoners in their walk with God as well. He’s been sentenced to 10 years, but the joy he exudes is amazing and you wouldn’t know he is living his life in confinement. I pray that when he is released that God will use him mightily.
I got my car yesterday, the payment was all squared away, and I got an insurance policy put in to effect. The payment ended up being more than it was supposed to be because of some transaction fees taken out by the bank in Johannesburg, lowering the exchange rate by a full point. It ended up costing me an extra $100 from what I anticipated, but I ended up getting the car with the registration and license for $2800. I just have to pray that I don’t have any major maintenance issues, theft, or accidents, and that I can resell it and get them money transferred back to the US without any problems. That’s actually a huge prayer considering the crime and crazy driving in Cape Town, and the bank difficulties.
I also went to my first Rugby match ever yesterday (Friday was a big day). I really enjoyed it; those guys seriously take a huge beating. It was fun to watch and I think I understood most of what was going on. I went with a group of English guys, so they were knowledgeable teachers. It only cost $4 for standing room seats, which were tiered levels right behind one end line, so it’s reasonable enough that I would go back.
Today I did something stupid. Although I don’t feel entirely at fault. I activated my insurance policy over the phone yesterday and I was told that policy is conditional until you take your car to an inspection station, which you have 48 hours to do. There are only a few specific places you can go to and one was in Wynberg, which is where I live. I was given a number, an address, and the manager’s name. So I got up early this morning and called and they said bring it right it. So I drove to the intersection, which was the address I had and I didn’t see any garage, but right at that exact corner there was a sign that said Wynberg Vehicle Test Center to the left. So I followed that sign and found this facility that said Automotive Association Test Center. So I went in and said I needed an inspection to activate my insurance policy. They gave me a form to fill out and on the form where it said reason for inspection I wrote ‘new insurance policy with Auto & General.’ So I paid $25 and they took my car and started looking everything over: the tires, wipers, lights, etc. Then they drove it on to a spinning wheel to test the tires and brakes, then they pulled it a little bit further forward and sort of shook it around and tested the steering and such. (I’m not sure how some cars could even pass this test, but I felt good that mine did). Then these 2 guys asked me for my South Africa registration, which you need to be able to buy a car here. I told them it was at home, but they said they needed it to do the vehicle registration and licensing (which I already thought was done and paid for, which I mentioned). So I had my roommate run the paper over for me, along with the vehicle registration and proof of licensing. In the meantime I had a good conversation with these 2 guys, they were asking me about what I was doing here and how long I had been here and what Ambassadors did, so it was fine, and they were nice. When I got the papers I explained to them that I already had a current license and registration, which they saw, and asked why the insurance company sent me to them. I said I don’t know, but I was told to go have my car inspected to start a new policy. Then I showed them the name and number I was given and they told me I was at the wrong place. They felt bad because they don’t normally work at the front desk, but the administrative woman was not there that day and so they didn’t really get the information that would have let them know I was in the wrong place to begin with. They apologized and told me that I could try to come back on Monday to get my $25 refunded, because the administrative woman would have to do it. I don’t know if I’ll ever get that back or not, because they did run the test, which is what I paid for, but I think they felt partially to blame as well, which is why they offered for me to try. They also called the place where I was supposed to be and one of them let me follow him there. However, to make the story even funnier, I went in to that garage, which was a windshield replacement company and asked if that was where I was supposed to be. They said it was not. They sent be down the block back in the direction I came from, about 100 yards from the place where I originally saw the misleading sign (also 100 yards from the intersection where I was told the inspection station was). It was a windshield replacement garage as well, but they knew exactly what I needed for the insurance inspection. I filled out a new form and the inspection took about a minute to complete. What a morning!

February 22, 2009
I finally went to a church this morning where I would like to visit again as a potential temporary church home.

February 13, 2009
I just spent my week at soccer “boot camp,” a program called Trailblazers, that is intended to take a group of 12 people from a church and teach them how to start a soccer ministry in their church. We received material on loving God, sharing the gospel, building Bible study groups, and starting a soccer club. We also had physical training at 6AM every morning and played matches everyday as well. The physical training was good, although it wasn’t really necessary to run it at 6, and the idea of the program is good, but much of the material was very rigid and demanding, which sort of turned me off from the program. There were also some military aspects meant to teach discipline that I could have done without. Overall, it was a really good team building experience for our group and we enjoyed the time we got to scrimmage each other, but there was a lot of stuff I could have left behind. We will continue the physical training for the next 2 months, meeting 4 or 5 times a week at 7AM, which also includes time to read Scripture and pray, and I think I will look forward to it. That was basically my whole week, we were in a secluded area, unable to leave, unable to check email, and unable to use cell phones.

Please pray for some of the theological challenges I have been facing everday. It is a very different culture and many people's beliefs differ from mine, particularly concerning spiritual gifts.

February 15, 2009
Please pray that I find a church where I am comfortable and spiritually nourished. I would like to be active in a local church, but I would like it to be one that I agree with theologically as well.

Township Picture

February 7, 2009
Yesterday we drove around to some of the townships around Cape Town. For the last 2 weeks I kept thinking that Cape Town doesn’t feel like a huge city, it’s not like Chicago or LA. I couldn’t figure out where the3 million people were, because it has felt like a city more the size of Pittsburgh. But now I know, there are millions in the townships. They are slums. Those who are more fortunate have shacks built from cement. Those who are less fortunate have shacks built of corrugated metal. Most were lined up one right next to another is long narrow rows with foot paths in between. We started in an area were coloreds lived, most of it government housing, apartments where families shared small spaces and played in the streets with anything they could find. One little girl jumped on a stack of old mattresses with springs sticking through as if it were a trampoline.
Then we moved on to another area where blacks lived. They had a meat market where you could buy a variety of meats that they displayed on tables, protected from flies and bugs only by wands that resembled sparse pom-poms which the sellers waved back and forth over their product. There was nothing to protect from the heat. If you purchased meet though, there were people working over large fires and grills behind the food stands who would cook it for you, so you could eat in that common area and enjoy your meal with family and friends. I was told that it was quite a gathering place for the locals on weekends. Every part of the animal is used and sold as well. Many stands had piles of offal from a variety of animals for sale. One man was selling sheep or goat heads. They had been skinned and boiled, but still very much resembled the head and face of the animal. Outside, we saw a group of men preparing the goat heads, they had piles of them sitting on the ground outside their hut where they were skinning and boiling them.
After that we moved on to another township where the shacks were stacked closer and tighter together than you can imagine. After driving about a mile through the township I was amazed at how huge it was. After the second mile, I still couldn’t see the end in any direction and wondered when we would get through it. I don’t know how long and far we drove, but I would guess that it took 30 minutes to get from one side to the other. I don’t know how many 10 ft x 10 ft corrugated houses were in the distance and I couldn’t see the back side on either side of us, but there were thousands upon thousands, with over a million people living there. On the far side of this township the houses were spaced much further apart and all built upon the sand, as it got closer to the shore. It was almost as if people had yards in that area. We pulled in to the township and drove a little way back to an education center for children. There were about 30-40 kids under the age of 5, being cared for by half a dozen workers. The kids swarmed around us inside and outside, wanting their picture to be taken and then wanting to see the image on the camera screen. It made them giggle and squeal. A few of the kids followed us everywhere we went and wanted to hold hands and receive whatever attention we would offer. One woman let us go inside her house. It was corrugated metal on every side and the roof. She lived there with her 5 small children, but I would guess it was no larger than 8 feet by 16 feet. We were inside for about 2 minutes and were soaked with sweat when we walked out. It was like a hot box baking in the sun. We were told that in the winter time, huge eastern winds come up from the shore creating near freezing temperatures for shacks that are insulated as little in the winter as they are cooled in the summer.
No one had any water or electricity in their homes, but the government has built public water wells where people can go get water in buckets from pipes that come out of the ground every few hundred yards. I also saw very tall street lights throughout some of the townships and wondered if they were lit at night.
We were told that there are very few organizations working in the townships to make living better or more hopeful for the millions of people. At the first township we went to, we stopped at a little Christian center that had been transformed in to a place of worship and fellowship, after being used for years as a hang out for a gang. We were told that the walls had seen many repairs because when they took it over they were full of bullet holes from exchange of fire going in and out. I didn’t hear how the change took place, but you could see that the community was being transformed and one young man told us his testimony of going from the gangs and being shot to becoming a Christian and working for that particular center. We also went to another center in the middle of a fairly rough area where our guide works as the director. They take in 15 young men for 9 months in to their program where they work and are trained and discipled. One of this years interns completed that program and it is a part of his testimony and transformation through Christ.
It is an area in great need spiritually, physically, financially, and emotionally. South Africa is the wealthiest nation in Africa, but the wealth is incredibly unevenly distributed. The majority of the people are unemployed, with no hope for employment, and they waste their lives away.

The first picture is Lesley, Nomfundo, and Simone. The second picture is from one of the tourist sites in Cape Town. Table Mountain is in the background covered by a cloud. I like it because it looks like it is smoking. Like many vacation destinations, the tourist areas do not reflect the poverty just outside the resort areas. I will post pictures of other locations in the future.

I haven't been in the office until now and I have not had a decent internet connection, so blogging has not been possible. Today, I was able to get on my laptop in the office and to catch up I decided to paste parts of my journal. I apologize if it seems like rambling or for the overwhelming amount of information. I expect that maybe only my parents take the time to read it, and that's fine, but it is available for anyone who has a few moments to waste.

January 23, 2009
I arrived in Cape Town this afternoon. I’ll admit I’m somewhat nervous. I spent the descent on the plane reassuring myself of God’s promises and His ability to protect and watch over me. The time I believe will go quickly, especially as God shows me where and how He plans to use me. It will be good.
What of I saw of Cape Town from the air was beautiful. I didn’t have much of a tour from the ground. We drove straight from the airport to the house where I am staying. We drove past some of the townships outside of Cape Town, they are small shacks made of tin panels, and are known for their crime and gangs. I was told that the South African government is going to put up billboards or walls along the highway to hide them from sight before the World Cup is played here next year.
The area where I am living is called Wynberg, I don’t know yet where I am in relation to Cape Town, but it seems like a fairly quiet street for such a big city. I am in a house that Ambassadors just took over 2 days ago, so it is pretty meager at this point. We have beds, but no other furniture in the bedrooms (there are 2 rooms for 3 of us, at this point I will be sharing a room). The living room has one borrowed love seat and the kitchen has a table that came from the AIS office with 2 office chairs, which is supposed to be replaced with an actual kitchen table soon. We don’t even have a fridge yet, which I guess is okay, because I don’t have any food, nor have I had a chance to exchange money yet to buy food.
One of my roommates arrived Wednesday, the other is to arrive sometime next week. Lesley is from Scotland and just left the British army (she’s called me mate about 20 times in the last 5 hours, which sort of makes me laugh.) Simonae is from South Africa, but she is the one who I have not met yet.
There is a house 2 doors down where two other girls who work with AIS live. They are both South African and grew up in Cape Town. They stopped in this evening to say hello, but we were just sitting down to our two seat table for dinner, so they left and we went to see them a little later. I think it will be nice to have them close by. The neighbors seem friendly as well, but we do have bars on our windows and padlocks on all the doors. A little different from living in Butler or Harmony. I have to work really hard to understand what people are saying when they speak, their accents are thick.
I was told that I was put on a team to play in a tournament tomorrow. I know I am not in any sort of game playing shape. It will also be weird playing with a completely unfamiliar team and style of play. I don’t know how much playing time I will get, but I might be happier with very little until I figure things out. I just hope I won’t collapse in the heat; I haven’t been in weather this warm in 5 months.
My plane flight was uneventful once I was out of the US. But on my flight from Pittsburgh to JFK, the plane was ready to taxi when the ground crew overflowed our toilet. They pumped in 23 gallons instead of 2.3, and the chemicals poured out of the bathroom in to the cabin. They had to reroute us on an American Airlines flight that took off 2 hours later. Thankfully, I was supposed to have a four hour layover at JFK, because once I landed, it took me 45 minutes to get from one gate to the next, and they were just beginning to check visas when I got there, so I got right in the front of the line. That gave me just enough time to stand in line for 20 minutes to get a bagel and then board the plane. It was a long flight, 17 ½ hours on the same plane with a stop in Dakar, but I had two seats to myself the entire way, so I was able to spread out a little and even lay down in a ball to get a bit of sleep.
I pray for God’s sustenance and peace. I have always been an independent person, but God may be using this time to make me fully dependent on Him.

January 24, 2009
I experienced major jet lag last night. I laid awake all night, and nothing I did could make me tired enough to fall asleep even though I was very tired. My body just kept telling me that it was the middle of the afternoon and it was not time for a knap. So after not sleeping last night, or much the “night” before on the plane, I spent all day outside in the heat and the sun playing in a soccer tournament. I can only hope that I am now tired enough to get a good night’s rest for the first time in 57 hours. It was also pretty noisy here last night, which didn’t help, and it seems to be even worse tonight. Last night there was a dog that barked almost non-stop until 1 AM and then started again around 6. There was also some foot traffic outside, and then a Muslim mosque blasting its prayer at 4:30 AM. The walls are very thin and everyone has metal gates and gated doors, so anyone coming and going within a few houses away can be heard. Tonight there is a party going on somewhere, it sounds like it could be next door, but I think it is actually a few houses down.
I met about 8 of the girls today who play on the AIS Ladies football team, which is the team I will most likely be playing on or helping out with. Most of them were very friendly and I will look forward to getting to know them. They seem to be pretty close, so it may be hard to break in to their relationships, but I pray that they will accept me and that I will have the opportunity to disciple some of them. I think most of them are still in their teens, so I hope I am able to fit in with a younger generation within a different culture.
I pray that God would show me who is in need and how I can be used to offer help and healing. I pray also that God will allow me to be used in the lives of my roommates, who I will have even greater opportunity to interact with (although they may not be completing their internships in Cape Town).

January 25, 2009
I slept last night, very well, probably about 7 hours, and woke up this morning for church wanting to sleep a couple more. I wouldn’t let myself nap today though, because I just want to get good sleep at night. I went to church with the other interns this morning and two staff workers. The sermon was simple, but fine. The pastor, who I guess was not the head pastor, talked about Bush and Obama at the beginning of his sermon. It has nothing to do with the sermon, but it was interesting to hear what a foreigner had to say about American politics, even though I believe his opinions were a bit skewed. The church was a little charismatic, but nothing carried away (although I wonder if it is ever otherwise). It may be difficult to find any church around here that isn’t a little charismatic. I did get in touch with an MTW missionary before I came down who recommended the Church of England in South Africa though. I was told that we would be taken to six churches that have a relationship with AIS and then could decide which one we wanted to become a part of, so I don’t know if going to a different church will be an option or not.
One of the staff also invited two of us over for lunch and then took us for a drive and a walk down at one of the beaches. She has been here since 2003 and now has 3 foster girls and 2 American students living with her. It was nice to have lunch with them; I enjoyed the hospitality and hearing a little more about South Africa from her perspective.
The trip to the beach was interesting as well. We drove past some fairly poor areas and then through the rich white areas, very close together, but so very different. Even the beach was divided. It was only about ½ a mil long, but one side of the bay had rich houses up the hillside, and they looked straight across the bay at a very poor fishing community. I don’t know how people can live in a place where they are literally flaunting their wealth to people who barely survive on hard labor. Even the wealthy houses don’t compare very well with houses in the US. From what I saw, the wealthy houses compare more to middle class or may be upper middle class in the US. I don’t think people realize how wealthy and how well off the US really is. I’ve already felt rich a couple of times. I find myself thinking about the exchange rate and how cheap things like food seem and then I realize what I consider to be small change, the people here view as considerable.

January 27, 2009
It is very frustrating not having a car, because we can’t get anywhere and have to rely on other people all the time.
We went to the office for the first time this morning and all of the interns met and got an introduction to what we will be doing. I think there are 13 interns, but only 11 were there today. I think the first 10 weeks will be very busy and fairly intense hands-on training. After that, we sort of choose the area where we want to focus our attention and are more on our own to pursue ministry opportunities. Depending on what we choose, there could be a full-time staff focused on that as well, so there would be someone to oversee and give direction. Without having seen or experienced anything yet, I think at this point I would lean more toward the homeless/orphan shelter or the women’s prison. I don’t know what doors will open or what the possibilities will be, but it gives me something to think and pray about.
The interns all seem very nice and I think it will be a good group. There are about 4 from England, 1 Scotland, me, and the rest from South Africa. I don’t know how long most people are doing the internship, some just the first 10 weeks and others up to 2 years. It will be good to see every person’s passions and gifts and how they fit in to the ministry.

January 28, 2009
I went to my first practice yesterday for the ladies team. I think I should do okay. I am a little out of practice and my touch could be better, but I think I should be able to compete with them. My clearances that I sent a few weeks ago never arrived though, so I’m not sure what happened there, but was hoping that had all been taken care of. I hope it does not cause any delay.
I went to a supermarket today. I bought a 1 kg bag of plums for 69 cents, and my groceries totaled $8.26, including 2 big bottles of water. I’ve spent $35 in 5 days on food, but I have to buy more expensive items at little corner stores because I don’t have a refrigerator, and I still have some extras in the cupboard. Things seem so cheap to me, but I know they are expensive to locals. Tonight we bought a large pineapple and chicken pizza for dinner, for $6.10, and it was enough for 4 of us. My Scottish roommate and I split the cost and shared it with two other girls who could not have afforded to pitch in for it. Then, when we were done eating, we were talking about the townships, and one of the local girls was telling us how we just couldn’t understand the townships. Here I am feeling so good about getting a great pizza for so cheap, sharing it with two girls who couldn’t afford it, and they are telling me about people who are so far worse off than they; people who have nothing. She was very distressed as she was telling us how she wants to work with them, but they can’t afford soccer balls or shoes, so unless she is supported from elsewhere, she can’t get those things for them. She doesn’t work, and I think she believes that she cannot get a job if she tries, so she hasn’t. I had a conversation with her last night about what she wants to do in life and she says she just doesn’t know. I asked her what she liked, what she was passionate about, and what her gifts were, and she said she doesn’t know. I have started to believe that it is hard for people here to be motivated to do anything. They see hopelessness in their situation and resign to it. Not everyone; there are people who are very motivated and work hard, but I think others really need to be pushed to make something for themselves.
My second roommate moved in yesterday. She is 21, but this is the first time she has been on her own, so she has admitted that she has been apprehensive and nervous about not having someone to depend on. She finished high school this year and was the first one in her family to do so. And I think that was with a lot of support, as she was previously living with her principle, which seems to be common. If someone shows potential, but does not have support from their family or anyone who can help them with academics, they are sort of taken on as foster children to get them through school.
There is great need here; I think I have only begun to glimpse a small part of it. I feel small and insignificant in my ability to make any sort of impact, but if I just reach one person, it will make an impact, and I know God is great and mighty and He can do great and mighty things.

February 2, 2009

We have been attending TREC all week (Training, Resourcing, Equipping Churches/Coaches), which is similar to what I did in Cleveland in July, but this time it is with different people and a different culture. I think I got to know people better this week; it was much more relaxed and comfortable socially than it was in the US (which may just be the African people). There were leaders from the different offices in Africa; it was nice getting to know them, because they have passion for what they do and where God might use them as they start from grassroots. It was a hot and busy week, but I think it was a good first week, getting to know people, as well as getting things moving at a good pace.
I stayed up to watch the Steelers game last night, it ended at 5:15AM, so I am falling asleep writing this. The Steelers won, so that’s all that matters. But, I will go to bed now if it is not too noisy outside.

February 4, 2009
The last two days have been pretty slow. We didn’t do much yesterday, except spend about 2 hours at the internet café looking at car options, without finding any good ones. I played in a friendly last night against one of the best teams in the league. We lost 5-0 (I don’t think the score very accurately reflected the game), and I think I played okay for my first game in over 8 years. I played holding midfield, which was new or me. Playing with a new team in a country with a completely different playing style may take some getting used to as well. The players tend to get the ball and dribble forward, rarely slowing down and looking around for the best pass to make. The work ethic of the team seemed a little low; girls did not move up and down the field as much as I would have anticipated. I often felt like I was passing the other two midfielders in both directions in order to be where I thought I needed to be. They have been waiting for months for their season to start, but keep getting the run around from the league, so attendance at practice has been way down, which probably accounts for the fitness and lack of motivation as well. There are a lot of areas I know I can improve on and will continue to work as hard as I can to contribute what I can. My pray has been that I concentrate on how I am playing, not focusing on others and not focusing on what others think about me, and that whatever I do, I will represent God well and bring Him glory.
We wanted to go to the beach today, but the battery in the car we borrowed was dead, so we are waiting for the mechanic to call and let us know that he got one and can install it. It is almost 2:00 now and we have been waiting since around 9:30. It looks like it will be yet another day without making it to the shore.
We also found out today that our refrigerator, which the office just bought for us secondhand, is a dud. The lines in the freezer section we cut and patched and the gas has all leaked out. It would have cost just as much to fix as a new refrigerator. So, it has been almost two weeks and it seems we are back to square one, except that one of the wives said she would go out herself to look for one and not rely on the guys to do so. We still don’t have any other furniture either, so may be it is to be a lesson in humility and being thankful for God’s blessings and abundance that I have taken for granted in the past.