It's amazing that this trip is almost over. Yesterday the Kirbys got on a bus to Dar. They wanted to go to Slipway and the craft markets, etc... they had 11 pieces of luggage and had trouble getting on the bus, but they did make it. Talls leave today because they want to try and break up the trip for Leila and see what they can see in Dar. They only have 5 suitcases and 2 or 3 carry-ons. Our family decided to leave Sunday. I am hoping we have 6 suitcases and some carry-ons. Jean-Luc will drive us because he needs to pick up his daughter at the airport anyway. We gave him our bus fare and motel money to make it worth going a day early. So no buses, no taxies, no YMCA, no hot muggy nights in Dar, no haggling for food....! Can you tell I am getting tired of that part of our trip? The best reason for staying here until our flight date is to spend a little longer at Jason and Antionette's as we have no idea when we will see them again this side of heaven.
Yesterday my computer cord was giving me trouble as usual and I was wiggling it like always, suddenly there were sparks and then a lot of smoke! So I figured that was the end of it. But Jason and Steve took it apart and Jason was able to fix it for now. It still has one short, but I can deal with that a lot better than two. The Lord has been good to us to keep this computer going.
Before supper Mom, Teresa and I went with a man to see his little 6 week old baby. He was quite worried about him. A few weeks ago the twin girl died. They don't live far from here. Antionette rummaged up a bag of clothes for the baby and we went to see it. He is so tiny. He has a cold and seems quite congested. I suggested they use camphor oil on his chest, so we went back to the house to find a bottle of camphor oil. The father is obviously a gardener. Even the inside court of their mud brick houses were decorated with shelves of beautiful potted plants. I have many of those same plants at home. We may go back and see how he is doing before we leave.
I am going with mom this morning to Mago. She has some unfinished business to take care of and plans to be back tomorrow. It will be fun to see everyone again. Christina is begging to go but I am not sure yet.
We enjoyed a real nice time with the Ross family and everybody here last night singing Christmas carols. It's so hard to believe it is almost Christmas. It's nice with all the Christmas lights and stuff, but it feels a little warm to be Christmas! I guess we "feel" Christmasy as soon as we hit the cold at home.
Lake Malawi Cichlids
Posted by Tom on Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at 09:31 - Link
Hi Angela,
Lake Malawi has the most diverse fish assemblage of any freshwater location. In other words, you will never find so many different kinds of fish in one place unless you go to a healthy coral reef in in the South Pacific or Indian Oceans. I sympathize with you--it is very frustrating to not have an identification book with you so you can identify what you see each day. So, here is a link to a web site with descriptions (and photos of many) of the hundreds of species:
http://www.malawicichlids.com/index.htm
Hurry home!
Tom
Flight home
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, December 11, 2008 at 01:40 - Link
Angie,
Here is the phone number you can call for you family to get vegetarian meals on the flight home. I tried to do it for the entire group but they would not let me but said you can call them. You need to tell them the flight number and the confirmation number for flight ET804 and request vegie meals. The flight does leave 35 minutes earlier at 5pm. phone #0773793007.
Abigail
Coming Home
Posted by Jeanne on Thursday, December 11, 2008 at 09:20 - Link
Yeah!!! it wont be to much longer now. Time is finally starting to move along now.
Thanks for the update on the luggage pieces. I don't think we will have any trouble fitting everything and everyone in. We may have to do a little juggling when we get to C*shmere and start dropping you all off at your homes. Making sure the luggage matches the family that brought it. :)
We will be bringing extra blankets in the cars for everyone, because the weather is forecasting for Monday night to be in the range of -4 degrees to 4 degrees above. That is a drastic change for all of you coming from a warm climate. Seattle is wont be as cold...only in the low 20's.
At the airport, we will be waiting for you in the non-secure area near United, then walk with you down to baggage claim.
Hope you have a blessed Sabbath, cause its your last one there. We are still praying for you.
Love to all of you, (especially Bethany),
Jeanne
Edited by safords on Friday, May 29, 2009 at 02:28
Hello
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, December 12, 2008 at 06:28 - Link
We're sure looking forward to all'o y'all returning. The lake Malawi experience sounds great--I've considered changing my aquarium to cichlids, and would love to see what you guys have seen. We're thankful Jon was ok--looking forward to hearing that story. Hope you have (are having) a good Sabbath. Guess Jeanie already warned you about the temps on Monday--forecast is for high of 9 on Monday in Cashmere. We'll pray you have a safe trip, and make sure Jeanie has your new keys so you're not locked out of your house! Take care, and God bless.
above anyonymous comment
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, December 12, 2008 at 06:30 - Link
sorry I didn't attach my name. Happy Sabbath again!
Nick
Christina
Posted by Shiana on Friday, December 12, 2008 at 08:25 - Link
Dear Christina,
How was your stay in Mago? I'm eagerly looking forward to your return. Thank you for the letter that you sent with the Kahlers. I haven't developed the pictures you took yet so I don't know if all of them turned out or not. Hopefully they all did!
