Out of Africa

In case you wondered about the pictures of Africa--I was in Kenya this summer. I went on a mission trip where we dug trenches and laid pipe to bring water into the village of Ngaamba. It was a small remote village about 3 hours south of Nirobi. The people were very poor. They lived off the land, mostly corn. There had been very little rain so the crops were poor. Most had goats and chickens; some had cows. There were not many fences so someone had to stay with the herds and drive them to feed and water. The people had to walk miles to fill jugs of water to drink and cook. Many wore no shoes. There were no cars or trucks. One man in the village had a tractor. Everybody wanted to ride on it and many did. The children go to school if their family could pay the tuition. It's not much in our world, but expensive in theirs. Many children could not attend.
In Javilla we worked in an orphanage. Actually, it was a young married couple (Joseph and his wife) who have taken in 44 homeless children and were raising them like their own (they have two). We washed their clothes by hand, prepared their lunch, and ground up feed for the cows. They entertained us with their songs. They were all so well behaved. They all have chores (the ones we did for them that day), and they all go to school. Joseph's wish for them is to have them all go to college. They were so beautiful, and it was an amazing trip. God is doing many good things for that family.

Visiting Texas

This is my last day in Waco, Texas where I thought I would never come back to. I have had a great time though. I'm visiting my sister who just moved back here a few months ago. My mother is also here from Tucson. We went to church today at Perry Methodist Church out in the country. I went there when I was little. So many people remembered my mother or my brother. We talked to so many. A small church (actually tiny) like this is so different from the one I go to. There may have been 20 people there. Ours has 3 or 4 thousand in a service. Of course, we sang the old hymns. The pastor was very friendly and introduced us in church. He asked my mother her impressions. She said she was very impressed with the upkeep of the church. (It's 138 years old). She told the church attendees, "We visited the cemetery to check out our relatives". I couldn't resist--I said, "they're still there". That entertained the conservative crowd! It was very nice. We visited all our old homes--some were there and some were gone. Visiting Marlin always makes me sad. The town is extremely depressed and poor. The downtown is practically deserted. Most houses need paint--many are falling down. It's of a time gone by.
We visited Fredericksburg a couple of days ago. Now, that is an old town; but it's still thriving-- mainly from tourists. There are many antique shops and boutiques. The houses are all so quaint and well kept up. Cute houses! We visited my great-great-great-grandfather's log cabin which was constructed in 1846. It had two rooms and a loft. It was eventually bought by the Episcopalian Church. The cabin was kept and is now the chapel. St. Barnabas Episcopalian Church is where Lady Bird Johnson went to church. Our family cabin has an historical marker.

Decisions! Decisions!

Why do we have so many decisions to make? I hate decisions-I think. I'm not sure why. Maybe because so many of them are wrong. I'm of the age to be settled down, but I can't. There's always more to do and see. I thought if I moved closer to my kids, I'd have that closeness back that I've missed so much through the years. I hated my parents for divorcing because that family feeling of closeness was ruined forever. From that point on, nothing was familiar. It left me with this sense of wandering on-- in search. OF WHAT? I finally have found Jesus, and I think I should follow Him. In doing so, I may be giving up the two most constant things in my life--Horace and Cindy (and Oreo)--can I give them up when they have loved me unconditionally? Don't I want unconditional love? That family feeling of closeness?

Free Classifieds

Hey People,
I found this great website for classified ads. Check it out! http://www.ablewise.com/?ref=judeclaverie You can post free ads around the world or look for items. Also interesting:
Airline Secrets-fired airline agent reveals secrets--fly for less-learn the loopholes.
http://jude60.session99.hop.clickbank.net/

Talk to Me!