Sometimes weird weather happens even here. It's funny that just after I write about the weather, we have a weather event. I didn't exactly see it happen, but I saw the remains.
This morning we woke up to a cool, cloudy day (70's). My first thought was, "It looks and feels like rain,...but it's February!" A few minutes later, I heard a few sprinkles on the corrugate metal roof, but it wasn't enough to even see on the ground. The metal roof often makes nothing sound like something. Sprinkles like that don't happen very often, but it's not unheard of either, so I didn't think anything about it.
I had a meeting about 15 miles up the road this morning (a very boring, government sponsored "sensitisation" workshop- which in this country usually means giving information about something). As I was driving to the meeting I started noticing that the road was wet! A little further up the road and I was driving through actual puddles in the road! Just a few miles from here had a big rain and I missed it! At least I got to drive through the puddles :-)
I know, I know, what can I say? It doesn't take much to entertain me.
For those of you still trying to figure out what the event was, it was the rain storm big enough to leave puddles in the road. We are in the middle of dry season. Our dry season doesn't mean little rain, it mean NO significant rain for 6-8 months. I remember one January when it was cold and rainy for 3 days in a row, but that was so unusual, we still talk about it. Even that rain didn't leave puddles in the road. It just kind of drizzled for 3 days.
Someone told me that commenting on the blog isn't always easy, so please, keep trying. It's been fun to hear from some of you that I didn't even know were out there. I know there are more of you though. I had 30 hits and only 6 comments.
Some of you didn't do your assignment. (Said in a sing-song voice.)
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Sunday, February 10, 2008
A weather report
If you ever wanted a cushy job, become a weather forecaster in The Gambia. Most of the time the forecast would be the same, sunny and hot with no chance of rain. That may be why the Gambia TV news doesn't have a weather forecast. Of course during the rainy season, the forecast would change slightly to hot and humid with a chance of showers. We do have occasional changes in the weather, but so seldom that they are more like events- dust storms, electrical storms, wind and heavy rains. When things like that happen though, we talk about it for days. Of course, we also comment on the heat and the cold and every other slight variation of weather as well. I guess we are easily entertained.
Anyway, yesterday I was noticing what a perfect day it was. The sky was "postcard blue" and a comfortable 92 degrees in the shade. In the sun was a different story. This close to the equator, even the February sun can be pretty intense. I took the thermometer outside and held it in the sun for only a few minutes and watched the temperature zoom from 92 degrees to 112 degrees. Is it any wonder that Gambians and those of us who live here, make it a point to be in the shade if at all possible? In my house, it was a cool 80-85 most of the day. Then the cool ocean breezes started in the evening. (We are about 15 miles inland, but the land is so flat, the ocean breezes reach us very nicely.) By morning it was about 68 degrees outside (brrr) and a chilly 75 degrees in the house. Nice sleeping weather! When it's that cool we cuddle under comforters to sleep and if we have to be outside for any length of time, we wear sweatshirts.
We are heading into some of the hottest days of the year (April). I will try to record some of our hottest temps. with pictures of the thermometer in case you don't believe me. I don't usually notice it being hot until it's over 100 degrees unless it is also humid, but it doesn't usually get humid until May.
Anyway, yesterday I was noticing what a perfect day it was. The sky was "postcard blue" and a comfortable 92 degrees in the shade. In the sun was a different story. This close to the equator, even the February sun can be pretty intense. I took the thermometer outside and held it in the sun for only a few minutes and watched the temperature zoom from 92 degrees to 112 degrees. Is it any wonder that Gambians and those of us who live here, make it a point to be in the shade if at all possible? In my house, it was a cool 80-85 most of the day. Then the cool ocean breezes started in the evening. (We are about 15 miles inland, but the land is so flat, the ocean breezes reach us very nicely.) By morning it was about 68 degrees outside (brrr) and a chilly 75 degrees in the house. Nice sleeping weather! When it's that cool we cuddle under comforters to sleep and if we have to be outside for any length of time, we wear sweatshirts.
We are heading into some of the hottest days of the year (April). I will try to record some of our hottest temps. with pictures of the thermometer in case you don't believe me. I don't usually notice it being hot until it's over 100 degrees unless it is also humid, but it doesn't usually get humid until May.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Just curious
When I first started writing this blog, I didn't know if anyone would read it, but I figured that I would give it a shot. I got some positive feedback from a few people who read it, so I've made an effort to post regularly. I really started getting excited when I put the counter on the blog page and saw that people really were reading the blog. Not tons of people, but enough to encourage me.
Now, however, I want some more feedback. If you check this blog regularly, post a comment so I know who's reading. Even if I don't know you, post a comment. That makes things even more fun! Tell me something you want me to blog about. Maybe one of my earlier blogs sparked a question in your mind. Ask me the question. I have lived here in The Gambia for a long time. Many things that seem pretty normal to me, don't seem normal to you.
Okay, all, comment away!
If I don't get any comments, I'm going to think that Lutz family logs on several times a day, just to make me feel better. :=)
Now, however, I want some more feedback. If you check this blog regularly, post a comment so I know who's reading. Even if I don't know you, post a comment. That makes things even more fun! Tell me something you want me to blog about. Maybe one of my earlier blogs sparked a question in your mind. Ask me the question. I have lived here in The Gambia for a long time. Many things that seem pretty normal to me, don't seem normal to you.
Okay, all, comment away!
If I don't get any comments, I'm going to think that Lutz family logs on several times a day, just to make me feel better. :=)
Saturday, February 2, 2008
The Sisterhood Observed
One of the challenges of the sisterhood is the observation of our every activity. As you can see the simple placing of a sign drew a crowd composed of our yard workers, watchman and the shopkeeper from across the street. It was fairly early in the morning otherwise the crowd would have been much bigger. You see, our Gambian friends and neighbors find the sisterhood a bit strange. We do not deny our strange behaviors, but embrace them. Gambians, however, find the concept of women with no men strange to the point of being unbelievable, not to mention impossible. That disbelief leads to a multitude of marriage proposals to members of the sisterhood. So far the sisters have not been tempted by these offers since sharing a man (as in having 2 or 3 co-wives) and becoming a Gambian wife holds NO attraction for us.
Keep on keeping on
Our regional administrator's wife just brought us a book that she said she wishes she could have read before going to Africa. After reading it, I agree. For those of you interested in missions and wanting to know a little bit about life and missions in West Africa, find a copy of a book called, Beyond Surrender by Barbara J. Singerman, published by Hannibal Books.
I'm sure many people wonder why the 3 women missionaries in The Gambia continue to live and minister here when people are resistant to the gospel, living conditions are difficult and work load enormous. The author of this book expresses my thoughts about the matter so well that I decided to quote her here. These ideas go against the grain of much of American Christianity, but this is the truth that we need to return to.
"I am convinced that many people forsake their calling-God's will for their lives-- when they allow their minds to think what they ought not to have been thinking. They toy with the thought, "This is too difficult for me." Gradually negativity consumes them. The lives of those suffering without Jesus lose significance. They abandon God's highest for their lives and give in to their ruling emotions.
A great danger is to walk into God's calling with the thought, "If I don't like it, I can always quit." This person will. He has already programmed himself for defeat and escape before he has begun."
Besides dumping emotions into the "too-difficult" cauldron is the tendency to swim in the boiling mud of "happiness thinking". Many Christians allow their wayward thought to determine that God wants them "happy". But God cares more about the perfection of our characters than our momentary happiness. Consider the words of Paul in 2 Corinthians 7:4, "I am overflowing with joy in all our affliction." Paul was toughing it out. This was not an easy time. Was he happy? Was he grinning every moment? Was he having fun? I doubt it. But he had joy- overflowing joy. James 1:2 exhorts us, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds" (NIV). It doesn't say, "Run from the pain and by happy!" It says to considers trials as pure joy. .....
A fixation on happiness causes people to be impatient with God and to lose faith. Because of faulty "happiness" thinking they believe God is not capable of pulling them through heartache, difficulty or trauma. They think that since they aren't happy, God couldn't possibly mean for them to continue on. They bail out. Their spiritual lives are stifled. They sacrifice deep joy and contentment on the flimsy altar of temporary happiness. Don't give up. Determine to walk on through. Maintain your commitment. Be patient. At the other side is more than all you are seeking."
Barbara J. Singerman in Beyond Surrender
I'm sure many people wonder why the 3 women missionaries in The Gambia continue to live and minister here when people are resistant to the gospel, living conditions are difficult and work load enormous. The author of this book expresses my thoughts about the matter so well that I decided to quote her here. These ideas go against the grain of much of American Christianity, but this is the truth that we need to return to.
"I am convinced that many people forsake their calling-God's will for their lives-- when they allow their minds to think what they ought not to have been thinking. They toy with the thought, "This is too difficult for me." Gradually negativity consumes them. The lives of those suffering without Jesus lose significance. They abandon God's highest for their lives and give in to their ruling emotions.
A great danger is to walk into God's calling with the thought, "If I don't like it, I can always quit." This person will. He has already programmed himself for defeat and escape before he has begun."
Besides dumping emotions into the "too-difficult" cauldron is the tendency to swim in the boiling mud of "happiness thinking". Many Christians allow their wayward thought to determine that God wants them "happy". But God cares more about the perfection of our characters than our momentary happiness. Consider the words of Paul in 2 Corinthians 7:4, "I am overflowing with joy in all our affliction." Paul was toughing it out. This was not an easy time. Was he happy? Was he grinning every moment? Was he having fun? I doubt it. But he had joy- overflowing joy. James 1:2 exhorts us, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds" (NIV). It doesn't say, "Run from the pain and by happy!" It says to considers trials as pure joy. .....
A fixation on happiness causes people to be impatient with God and to lose faith. Because of faulty "happiness" thinking they believe God is not capable of pulling them through heartache, difficulty or trauma. They think that since they aren't happy, God couldn't possibly mean for them to continue on. They bail out. Their spiritual lives are stifled. They sacrifice deep joy and contentment on the flimsy altar of temporary happiness. Don't give up. Determine to walk on through. Maintain your commitment. Be patient. At the other side is more than all you are seeking."
Barbara J. Singerman in Beyond Surrender
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Sisters of Perpetual Togetherness
Most of you know that right now on our mission station there are only 3 single ladies. So when our regional administrator and his wife were coming with another couple, we decided that they needed to be informed upon arrival that there have been some changes. The station is now Ndungu Kebbeh Abbey, the residence of the Sisters of Perpetual Togetherness. This sisterhood was formed in 2002, but was only active for a few weeks. (Suellen and I are the charter members.) Since May of 2006, however, the sisterhood has been actively in charge of this mission station. We have had 3-4 members present at a time. It's possible that by the end of 2008 we could have a record 5 members here together.
This type of sisterhood is not for everyone. The sisters work together, pray together and play together, but they do NOT share a house. That is beyond the call of duty in the eyes of all the sisters!
So in anticipation of the boss's arrival, we decided that the change in status should be announced. Here Suellen blesses the sign before it's official placement. (as Teresa, the newest member, watches, thinking, "What have I gotten myself into?")
I have been designated the Mother Superior, due to my status as charter member and senior missionary to the other two. When more senior missionaries return, I will happily relinquish my position!
This type of sisterhood is not for everyone. The sisters work together, pray together and play together, but they do NOT share a house. That is beyond the call of duty in the eyes of all the sisters!
So in anticipation of the boss's arrival, we decided that the change in status should be announced. Here Suellen blesses the sign before it's official placement. (as Teresa, the newest member, watches, thinking, "What have I gotten myself into?")
I have been designated the Mother Superior, due to my status as charter member and senior missionary to the other two. When more senior missionaries return, I will happily relinquish my position!
Here are the 3 current members of the sisterhood. (Teresa suggested that the other name for our group could be the Ndungu Kebbeh chapter of the "Unclaimed treasures".) Of course, I would just say that the treasures have been claimed...by God and Africa.
Now for those of you that have taken any of this seriously, please don't! Our boss found it amusing and his wife wanted to stay. (He wouldn't let her though, go figure!)
Saturday, January 26, 2008
I've been tagged
A friend left me a note that I've been tagged. Now being new to the blogging world, I didn't really know what this meant. This what I have to do.
1. Post the rules and link to the person that tagged me.
2. Tell 5 random/weird things about myself.
3. List 5 places I would like to see or see again.
4. Link to 5 blogging friends and notify them on their blogs that they've been tagged.
Well, first of all, thanks a lot, Amanda. Amanda tagged me and she can be found at http://balutzfamily.blogspot.com/ I met Amanda when she came to The Gambia to teach missionary kids. That was pb (pre-Brad). Now she and her husband Brad are the parents of two cuties. Brad is in the military and will soon deploy. Amanda and I hadn't communicated in years, then we found each others blogs...and I got tagged!
5 random/weird things about me. This is a tough one. I'm pretty normal (okay, no comments out there).
1. I talk to myself (often) and in two languages.
2. I am a ventriloquist. (Now which came first number 1 or number 2? hmmm...I'll never tell.)
3. I have what my friends call a "texture thing" about foods. I won't eat foods that are "rubbery/slimy" (ie. eggs, mushrooms etc).
4. I go crazy without a book to read.
5. I hate wearing shoes. (Handy that I live in Africa rather than Alaska, huh.)
Five places I would like to see or see again.
1. I want to see all 50 states of the U.S. I have been to more than half, but I've never been out west.
2. London
3. South Africa
4. Orient-no country in particular, just that region
5. My first answer covers a lot of ground.
Now I get to tag some people. This is hard because I only know a few people who blog.
I tag Suellen a fellow blogging missionary here in The Gambia. http://suelleninthegambia.blogspot.com
I tag my nephew's girlfriend. I don't know you yet Chelsie, but welcome to the family.http://chelsieinaustralia.blogspot.com
I tag a missionary who seldom updates her blog, so I don't have much hope that she will participate. http://dusty-penquin.blogspot.com
I think that's all I can do. This was kind of fun. Although I wouldn't want to do it very often, hint, hint.
I might have a regular post later this weekend. We'll see.
1. Post the rules and link to the person that tagged me.
2. Tell 5 random/weird things about myself.
3. List 5 places I would like to see or see again.
4. Link to 5 blogging friends and notify them on their blogs that they've been tagged.
Well, first of all, thanks a lot, Amanda. Amanda tagged me and she can be found at http://balutzfamily.blogspot.com/ I met Amanda when she came to The Gambia to teach missionary kids. That was pb (pre-Brad). Now she and her husband Brad are the parents of two cuties. Brad is in the military and will soon deploy. Amanda and I hadn't communicated in years, then we found each others blogs...and I got tagged!
5 random/weird things about me. This is a tough one. I'm pretty normal (okay, no comments out there).
1. I talk to myself (often) and in two languages.
2. I am a ventriloquist. (Now which came first number 1 or number 2? hmmm...I'll never tell.)
3. I have what my friends call a "texture thing" about foods. I won't eat foods that are "rubbery/slimy" (ie. eggs, mushrooms etc).
4. I go crazy without a book to read.
5. I hate wearing shoes. (Handy that I live in Africa rather than Alaska, huh.)
Five places I would like to see or see again.
1. I want to see all 50 states of the U.S. I have been to more than half, but I've never been out west.
2. London
3. South Africa
4. Orient-no country in particular, just that region
5. My first answer covers a lot of ground.
Now I get to tag some people. This is hard because I only know a few people who blog.
I tag Suellen a fellow blogging missionary here in The Gambia. http://suelleninthegambia.blogspot.com
I tag my nephew's girlfriend. I don't know you yet Chelsie, but welcome to the family.http://chelsieinaustralia.blogspot.com
I tag a missionary who seldom updates her blog, so I don't have much hope that she will participate. http://dusty-penquin.blogspot.com
I think that's all I can do. This was kind of fun. Although I wouldn't want to do it very often, hint, hint.
I might have a regular post later this weekend. We'll see.
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