Birding

Posted on Friday, October 31, 2008 at 09:54

I have been sneaking out back to watch birds when I get a chance. I don’t have to go far; just behind the cho (outhouse) is a small stand of bamboo and behind the bamboo is a forest of pine. We discovered a pair of bright yellow Bertram’s weavers and their nest in the bamboo. Yellow seems to be a favorite color. I also saw a yellow canary that I am pretty sure is the African Citril. Tonight Vanessa and I photographed a streaky seedeater (whytii) and we scared up 4 grouse. My favorite find is a pair of Cape Robin-Chats.

Tomorrow some of us are leaving for Kibidula early in the morning. Apparently the birds there are different than the ones we see here. Too bad Matt is not coming with us, since he has the bird book. Maybe Vanessa’s friend has a bird book.

There is a Bible Worker’s bi-annual convention at Kibidula this weekend. Our church supports 5 of the Bible workers so it was providential that the meetings are on now. We are going to go and meet them and hear their stories. We plan on bringing a report home to our church. Dave and Kristen and their girls, Steve and I and our 4 girls are going to Kibidula for the weekend. My dad has the sermon there, too, so we are leaving Jon and Teresa, the Kirbys and the Kahlers with Paul to man the project. Some of us are going in mom’s pickup and Steve, Dave and Dakota and Vanessa are going by bus. That’s should be exciting.  Dave says he needs a little adventure in his life since he wants to be able to tell stories like Pepere (what everybody calls my dad).

Today was a slower day. Mom was quite frustrated with the window builders. All windows here have bars on them, but the men were not drilling the holes to match up… it took all day to finish them and get them right.

It rained again. That’s the third day in a row. I am afraid rainy season is here! We have to work like mad to get everything done in the morning, because the afternoon is so unpredictable.  The house is going up quickly. We cleaned up the yard and even scraped up the mess on the floors inside. They should be able to install the windows and the doorframes and when Jason comes next week the roof will be done. Then some of us will move into the house…. It has bedrooms!!!  YEAH! We are all getting along in our big room, but would appreciate the possibility of sleeping all night J

During the rain this afternoon my dad started telling stories. He told his “swimming with the crocodiles in Madagascar” story, his “hitchhiking from South Africa to Zambia with Jason” escapade, and the “train derailment in Africa” adventure and of course all the miracles associated with those stories. Mom told her “killer bee story when she was nearly killed here in the mountains by African Killer bees and the boys wanted to know her “Chainsaw” experience…

Teresa cut Dakota’s hair and took about 4 inches off of Brianna’s. It’s just too tough to manage that much hair out here.

The kids are all feeling better today.

I went and visited Sheri and Brent’s house today. Wow! They live in a two room brick house; so small and tiny and dark. She has done her best to make it cheery with grass wreaths and homemade decorations. I can imagine it is tough to live out here “forever”. We enjoy the fact that we can go home when we are done this adventure…but it is not so for them. Their little girl is about 5 and adopted. She speaks Swahili like a little pro. It’s amazing!  I’ll get some pictures of their place sometime. Sherri made a whole stack of tortillas for those who are staying tomorrow; I shared a little dried fruit with them. It isn’t much, but I know they will enjoy the treat. I took a 6 month lifestyle education course with Brent in Georgia years ago.

The kids are screaming and laughing and carrying on at this very moment. There are the biggest termites flying all around them and the kids screeching is deafening!!! I don’t know what all the bugs are, but there are some big black bumbling bugs that don’t seem to have any kind of direction or eyesight.

Vanessa played with the small African children that came this morning for about 3 hours. They are all about 5 or 6 years old and there were about 20 kids. She blew bubbles for them to chase, played duck-duck goose and taught them several games and songs and told them a story in her limited Swahili. Of all the kids, Dakota and Vanessa have a real way of mingling with the native children and teaching them. Dakota is a little better in Swahili than Vanessa, but Vanessa  seems more bold and outgoing (and is 3 years older).  Vanessa finally got tired and mom had to help her shoo them all home. When Vanessa’s friend Ariane was here she helped out the girls with Swahili and knows little songs.

GSE

Posted by Delores on Friday, October 31, 2008 at 11:14 - Link

I can still get some Grapefruit Seed Extract on Sunday then run catch the guys before they leave. It has been suggested for Isabella and her throwing up. To make sure I get you all enough, how much do you want?

GSE

Posted by momof4boys on Saturday, November 1, 2008 at 06:41 - Link

I thought about sending some grapefruit seed extract too but thought if I mailed it, it would probably not get there in time to cure any stomach problems but I'm sure it will help if it comes with the guys.
Julie