tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50086440641776298832024-03-05T03:00:02.524-05:00Kidwells in AfricaThe Kidwells in Africahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04109519875535853067noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008644064177629883.post-75334742932580318742013-10-11T16:17:00.001-04:002013-10-11T16:17:37.482-04:00Wrapping Up 2 YearsWe only have a couple of weeks left before we return to the U.S. Our time here at Karanda Mission Hospital has been a great time of growth in many ways. We are thankful for the experiences we have had and the valuable lessons we have learned. We know God put us here for a very specific purpose and we pray that our presence here has been a blessing in some way.<br />
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As a part of our wrapping up, we took a trip to South Africa as a family. This has been something we have wanted to do since we arrived in Zimbabwe, but for one reason or another, we were not able to go. Finally, we had our car back, and the timing was right. We enjoyed lots of family time and even reconnected with missionary family from 30 years ago!<br />
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This was Dontie's first grade teacher, Laura Peppetta (and her husband), from when Dontie attended<br />
Rosslyn Academy in Nairobi, Kenya.</div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">We also got to visit with Andrew and Laura's daughter, Bekiwe, and her new husband. </span><br />
<span style="text-align: left;">Dontie and Bekiwe went through elementary school together. </span></div>
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Here are a few other glimpses into our trip and the fun we had as a family:<br />
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A great train theme park we found just outside of Pretoria, the capital of South Africa.<br />
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Little Christopher loved the water slide at the theme park.</div>
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Leena got to have her first swing experience!<br />
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Luke learning how to care for collard greens at Peppetta's farm.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Having fun getting to know mommy's first grade teacher, "Auntie Laura"!</td></tr>
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The Pretoria Zoological Gardens: The boys loved seeing the animals up close!</div>
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These are Madagascar ring-tailed lemurs.</div>
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A big treat was getting to spend a lot of quality time with daddy. </div>
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We also managed to squeeze in a few things that were more historic, like the Voortrekker Monument. We learned about the history of the early settlers of South Africa.<br />
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Even the boys enjoyed the experience.</div>
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We also went to Union Hill, the office of the president. What beautiful gardens and architecture.<br />
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It was a little difficult coming back after such smooth, modern roads and fantastic rest stops, unlike anywhere in Africa. However, we were happy to be out of the car and not in a different bed every few nights. Vacations are wonderful, but it is always good to go home. Now we are at the task of sorting, packing, and saying goodbye to the people, places, and things that have become special to us in these two years. For two of our kids, Karanda is really all they know!<br />
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We are looking forward to seeing family and friends in the U.S., but also have a lot we have to do. We feel God leading us back to Africa, so we will be looking for another mission-sending agency and continuing or journey from there. We have felt so blessed to be a part of the Samaritan's Purse team and are grateful for these two years serving under them. We will continue on this blog wherever God takes us, because we are The Kidwells In Africa!</div>
The Kidwells in Africahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04109519875535853067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008644064177629883.post-87069561542949711112013-08-31T08:32:00.000-04:002013-08-31T08:32:19.664-04:00Through Another's EyesOne wonderful thing about having visitors is seeing our life through their eyes. Often they pick up on things we have just come to see as normal. Dontie's parents and brother Nate were able to visit this month. We thought we'd share some glimpses into our life and surroundings that Nate captured on camera during his time here.<br />
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Everywhere you walk there are conversations to be had with those in the community. The culture here is very relationship oriented and it is rude to just walk by. Here are some guys working on our water system to draw water from the riverbed.</div>
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Precious water in the near-dry river. This is the area from which we will be drawing water once the pumps are up and running.<br />
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All of this is under water when the rains come. There is such a huge difference between our wet and dry seasons.<br />
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The water pump.<br />
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The sun is getting intense again as the heat returns. We must wear sunscreen and sunhats to protect our skin. Our hottest months are October and November, leading into the rainy season where it is still hot, but becomes more humid with the moisture.</div>
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Ladies carry everything on their heads. Here is a load of laundry going down to the river to be washed.</div>
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The river crossing is always busy with trucks, little minibuses, and cattle carts bringing patients to the hospital. This is one of the many who get stuck in the sand.</div>
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Luke wears these red boots every day, despite the lack of mud or rain!<br />
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Uniforms are highly valued in Zimbabwe. Every church denomination wears a different color uniform. These were some ladies and kids who were on the minibus that got stuck in the sand.</div>
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Dontie's brother, Nate Edwards, enjoying our river.</div>
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A cattle cart. These are so common around this area and also are a big source of the injuries that come to our hospital doors. Just this week, a young boy came to the hospital with his arm completely cut off by an accident in such a cart.<br />
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Dontie's parents enjoying time with the grandkids and meeting Leena for the first time!</div>
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One of our favorite parts of Africa are the awesome skies and gorgeous sunsets. This was taken on a little vacation we took with Dontie's parents. The green grass was as much of a treat as about anything else!</div>
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Bath time fun with our little African princess!<br />
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Getting to share our life with family is such a joy and makes it hard to say goodbye knowing it will be awhile before we are together again. This is a difficult part about being a missionary.<br />
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The Kidwells in Africahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04109519875535853067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008644064177629883.post-44387471776849326712013-07-22T15:51:00.000-04:002013-07-22T15:51:28.439-04:00At the Last MinuteA supporter sent me this quote from the book, <u>The Circle Maker</u>, saying, "God is a God of making things happen at the last minute. God loves to play chicken to see how we will react." How true is that! We have seen that over and over as we have served here, from the moment we decided to come to Zimbabwe, until today. It started when our house in the U.S. wouldn't sell. We prayed and prayed for someone to even come look at it. Nothing happened month after month no matter what we did. Then we decided to rent it and within a month, our house was rented, we packed, and left for Zimbabwe. For some reason it was not time for us to sell our home. <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>
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<br /> From the very start I think God was saying, "I have some things to teach you and to refine in you. BUT I will be with you, I WILL PROVIDE, just walk and trust ME." <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As you've traveled this journey with us, we've asked you to pray for things, and God always answers. His answers are not always what we are wanting or when we want them, but He always answers. Just a month ago we were praying for our water issue as 4 of our 5 boreholes had dried up. Many of you were praying, praying even for rain. It has rained a couple days now for a bit, and the water came back on just as we were at the bottom of our water barrel. We've had water every day since for half the day which is a praise!<br /><div>
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<br />Also,14 months ago, we asked for prayer for our car we purchased that got confiscated as we were getting it cleared to go into South Africa for a trip. The police said they suspected that it may have been stolen (before we bought it). That has been a long road of hearing we will never get it back, to we may possibly get it back but with a big price tag. This past weekend we went to town to get our monthly groceries, and there in the mission parking lot sat our car that had just been released! PRAISE GOD! We have 3 months left, but we got the car back!!!!! It will be a valuable addition to the hospital for short-term visiting doctors or even those who may come for longer like us. God returned it to us just at the last minute and in the meantime provided us with transportation when we needed it.<br /><br />
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I was visited the other day by my friend who almost died after having her baby. Her life is a miracle because of prayer. Both she and her little boy are strong and doing well! God is at work, He hears our prayers, He has plans for us that we can't even imagine. I reminded my friend of that. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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So hopefully we have grown in this adventure. Zimbabwe will be a part of who we are now for each one of us. As it says in 2 Corinthians 12:9, "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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These two years have been a time of learning to trust God and allowing Him to use us in our weaknesses. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The Kidwells in Africahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04109519875535853067noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008644064177629883.post-24636272696931314112013-06-28T10:02:00.001-04:002013-06-28T10:02:51.752-04:00Water ProblemsThe water had been off for a day and a half, but that is not unusual here at Karanda. Then we got a call, "4 of the 5 boreholes have run dry! Do what you can to manage until we can pump up water from the river!" We quickly shot out a request for prayer and water came back on after the third day, with only a pitcher left from our resevoirs. It was a beautiful sound to hear our tank filling up at 5 AM! <br />
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But we still have a problem on our hands. This is June, and the rains don't come until mid-November. It is highly unusual to get any rain until then. In the past, the water table has not been so low until later in the dry season, and so it is difficult not to worry. Water is something you just don't do without. If this was just our own home, or a small compound, it wouldn't be such a concern. But we are a hospital with big water needs. <br />
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Our hospital laundry is always busy keeping linens clean.</div>
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The gardens provide almost all the food for patients enabling us to keep costs down.</div>
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A busy kitchen making "sadza", the staple (made from cornmeal).</div>
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This just touches a few areas where water is vital. Right now the river is quite low.<br />
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We are not the only ones who use the river. It is used to water vegetable gardens (what the people around us survive on), do laundry, water animals, as well as hauling back to their homes for daily needs.<br />
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The lack of water is a community problem, and many people from around the surrounding villages have been coming to our compound to get their water. Our boreholes have been carrying a heavy burden. But God promises to meet our needs. The borehole we just drilled a couple of months ago is now meeting the needs of our compound, as well as our part in being responsible with the water we have.</div>
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Resevoirs of water for when it is turned off daily. We use it sparingly and reuse water however we can for flushing toilets, etc.</div>
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A small tub of water can go a long way! (especially when its a sweet baby who's been in it!)</div>
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Thank you to all who have been praying with us for God's provision or guidance in what to do with this water situation. We are so grateful that in this place we have the Living Water Jesus talked about in John 4 when he met the Samaritan woman at Jacob's well. Jesus said to her, "Everyone who drinks this water [the physical water] will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." (John 4:13-14)</div>
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We have a great opportunity to share this abundant, life-giving water with those around in the community as they come to us seeking a basic need. We look forward to see what God is doing and will do in both realms.</div>
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<br />The Kidwells in Africahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04109519875535853067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008644064177629883.post-79585320138636402022013-05-31T08:40:00.001-04:002013-05-31T08:40:32.048-04:00The Power of PrayerOne reason medicine in Africa is a drawing factor to us is the reliance we must have on God's hand. There are many times when medicine is not available or procedures are not a possibility, and all we can do is pray. This has also been a tough thing because it stretches us and it is difficult when the answer is not as we pray or hope. But we believe, and continue to believe, that there is power in prayer. We want to share a few ways we have seen that very evident in the past few months and even just in this week. <br />
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A young woman became our friend right soon after we arrived at Karanda. She helped Dontie out in the classroom and Luke grew very attached to her. After a number of months, she and her family moved away. However, we get to see her from time to time as she returns for visits. Several months ago, she announced that she was pregnant with her third child. Her two former pregnancies had been very difficult and her boys were both born prematurely. With each pregnancy she has struggled with dangerously high blood pressure during her 3rd trimester. <br />
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Just last week, she came out with very high blood pressure and an emergency C-section was conducted. Baby boy #3 was born early and very little (3 kg), but strong. However, our friend started going downhill. She began oozing blood inside and it wouldn't stop. It is a clotting problem called DIC. This is the same thing that happened to the mother of the little girl we wrote about a number of months ago who died. DIC is a dangerous thing anywhere in the world, but particularly dangerous here where there is a shortage of blood and only whole blood is able to be given. Our friend received 5 units of blood (mostly given by nurses and staff here) and she teetered dangerously close to death. People surrounded her praying for her healing. She is well loved here and she had great numbers of people who were continually bringing her before the Lord, asking for complete healing. It was just this past weekend that she was in critical condition. <br />
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Today, I went down to visit our friend, and found her cuddled close to her little boy and smiling. She knows she should not be alive, BUT SHE IS! That is God and only God! We spent some time rejoicing and thanking God for her life and the life of her sweet little boy as he grows stronger each day. James 5:16 encourages us, "The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective."<br />
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The awesome thing is that prayer is not only for adults and "spiritual giants", but God's power is evident even in the answer to a child's prayer. Matthew 18:4 says, "Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." Many of you know we have been struggling over the past number of months with continual outbreaks of abscesses. Every one in our house has had them, and the treatment for them is painful. Leena had a series of 3 on her face just at 3 weeks old, and had to have them cut open and drained. Just a couple of weeks ago, little Christopher had one pop up on his stomach area and it got nasty overnight. Unfortunately, he knows what it takes to get them better and he has become very fearful of them. We prayed that night over his sore and he continued on in prayer, with all his heart, that God would heal it and it wouldn't have to be cut open. The next morning, the redness had reduced in size and even though Christopher did have to squeeze it, he didn't have to go down to the hospital and have it incized. Little Christopher continued to pray each day for healing, and within 2 days it was almost gone. This was the prayer of a child! We thank those of you who have surrounded us, over the ocean, praying for our healing. Your prayers have touched us and as of right now we are all healthy. Thank you for praying over us and know there is still power in prayer, even from the mouths of babes.The Kidwells in Africahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04109519875535853067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008644064177629883.post-46921772414214424052013-05-30T03:43:00.000-04:002013-05-30T03:43:20.199-04:00African Mother's Day and VacationThis has been an exciting month getting to share our life here with family. Christopher's mother visited us for just over two weeks.<br />
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A part of her time here was over Mother's Day and what a special Mother's Day it was for Dontie.<br />
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After church, the women's group came to our house singing and dancing. They surrounded Leena and Dontie in a time of prayer and blessing as a welcome to Leena. There was a spiritual challenge given to Dontie as a parent and the pastor's wife blessed our sweet girl. This meant so very much to Dontie to have the women share this special time with her and for Christopher's mother to experience it as well. We then were invited to a traditional Shona meal at the home of one of the church ladies. What a treat!<br />
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After giving Christopher's mom a good rural exposure to Zimbabwe, we headed off for Victoria Falls on a 12 hour busride! Victoria Falls is one of the 7 natural wonders of the world. We stayed in a lodge that's walls opened up onto the gamepark like a tent and wild animals just wandered around in our "yard".<br />
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warthogs everywhere around the lodge</div>
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We were able to relax and also fill our time with fun explorations of the area around us. Here are some of the animals seen on a safari that Christopher and his mom took for a day.</div>
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A kingfisher bird<br />
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Giraffe with oxpeckers on his neck<br />
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Wonderful views of hippos<br />
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This is an area of Africa where there are many elephants.<br />
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A male kudu<br />
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We enjoyed learning about the Ndebele culture (the tribe of this part of Zimbabwe),</div>
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and then Christopher bungee jumped off the third tallest jump in Africa.</div>
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After all that excitment, we walked the trail around the falls and were thoroughly soaked as the mist (which at points was like a rainshower) billowed up from the powerful falls.</div>
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We are so thankful to have the chance to get away and enjoy another area of Zimbabwe, making memories, and sharing them with family.<br />
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<br />The Kidwells in Africahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04109519875535853067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008644064177629883.post-74486048165099758312013-05-03T15:48:00.000-04:002013-05-03T15:48:42.173-04:00Under ConstructionThe past two weeks have been exciting around Karanda. Our hospital has been dealing with water issues and shortages for quite some time now, and we were finally able to get enough funds to have a new borehole drilled. The boreholes we already have not only provide water for the hospital and the staff living on the compound, but also for the community around us who come in to collect water. So we have struggled to have enough even to make it through half a day each day. We are hoping that with a new borehole, we will be able to meet the growing needs and have enough water to make it through the dry season (which has now started and lasts through mid-November). There was much excitement as a truck with an air compressor on it and the drilling "rig" came onto our compound!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicznkcBRZVeuoXOnt57vZWlSJtUjvPlRwPWTL9UsBF51lKHzak8OfjJvQdX9txcBZIY3ScOlw5ip3EJP7umXYLeZC5L3ka3O373hqj8EBnz8ANU0UqJsV1UcQit6HEPZehln_4rpoOzEo/s1600/DSC_2151+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicznkcBRZVeuoXOnt57vZWlSJtUjvPlRwPWTL9UsBF51lKHzak8OfjJvQdX9txcBZIY3ScOlw5ip3EJP7umXYLeZC5L3ka3O373hqj8EBnz8ANU0UqJsV1UcQit6HEPZehln_4rpoOzEo/s400/DSC_2151+(1024x683).jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Setting up to drill. Check out the HUGE air compressor in the truck by the tree! It was very loud!</div>
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A few of the spectators. This was before the great cloud of rock dust erupted and everyone ran screaming!</div>
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This is just a little bit of the rock dust that was all over the compound.<br />
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The other exciting construction event was one of completion. The new Male Ward had its opening day on Tuesday, April 30th.</div>
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This has been a project in the making since 1980. It was a need that never had sufficient funds to see it to fruition, until now. Back in 1980, the then used male ward started meeting its limits in occupancy. This has been a continuing problem over the past 30 years. There were many who were praising God as the ribbon was cut signifying the opening of a beautiful new building.<br />
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The nurses' station.</div>
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Spacious and bright rooms</div>
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Of course we had to have an opening ceremony for the boys' room so that they too could cut a ribbon!<br />
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In our house there is always something under construction, whether that is legos, train tracks, or some sort of boat made out of beds and toy boxes. On this day, we were superheros saving the people of Karanda from bugs and imaginary bad guys!</div>
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Leena Grace is now 2 1/2 months old. She keeps growing and fills our house with coohs and great smiles. She is a joy to us!<br />
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We are looking forward to the numbers of volunteers and work teams scheduled to come out over the next 2 months. This will keep our compound very active and exciting! Keep praying that our lives will show the construction God is doing in each of us and that we will remain a work in progress. </div>
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<br />The Kidwells in Africahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04109519875535853067noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008644064177629883.post-60397437380449624482013-04-02T15:40:00.000-04:002013-04-02T15:40:51.907-04:00Easter MeetingsA month has flown by, and we are looking towards a season that is going to fly even faster. As we move into the month of April and May we begin to see a good number of volunteers and short-term teams coming out to help at Karanda. We love the activity and new faces (and some ones we got to know last year) around on the campus. It also means a lot more help with the busy load of patients who come to our doors. Rains have ended and we can now cross the river! That means a lot quicker trip to Harare (with a lot less bumps) and the patients who have needed to come can now cross. We continue to pray with the rest of the community for a bridge to be built. <br />
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Leena Grace has been working hard at growing and enjoys here brothers' attention. She is now over one month old!<br />
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We hope you had a wonderful Easter. Easter here is quite a bit different from the United States. The church here has what is called Easter Meetings. They meet, along with other churches, to have a weekend of services, meetings, lessons and fellowship. Christopher was able to go along this year and spend one night. Here are some pictures of the time he was there. </div>
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The Easter Meeting Christopher attended was with our local pastor at Rusambo, a former mission station, one hour north from Karanda Mission Hospital.</div>
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Uniforms are important in Zimbabwe. The women dress in a certain outfit for their church denomination. This is one of the services inside the church.</div>
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At night he enjoyed worship with dancing and singing!</div>
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The second night of Easter Meetings, they showed the Jesus film on the outside of the church building. The film is in Shona, the language of the area we work. </div>
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With how busy the hospital gets, Christopher has not been able to get away and participate in outreaches and rural activities of the hospital such as this. He was happy to be a part of this experience and hopes with this season of help coming to Karanda, he can do more things like this before we leave. </div>
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We also want to share that our TEP (our work permit) has been extended through the end of this year! We are thankful that this was not a big ordeal like last year, and we can focus on ending strong here at Karanda. Thank you for your continued prayers in many different areas. You lift us up!</div>
<br />The Kidwells in Africahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04109519875535853067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008644064177629883.post-13135749879511092042013-02-24T08:18:00.002-05:002013-02-24T08:18:54.279-05:00And Now We are 5!Introducing the newest member of the Kidwell Family:<br />
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Leena Grace Kidwell</div>
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born Friday, February 22, 2013</div>
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at 5:58 PM</div>
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on the Karanda Hospital Mission Station </div>
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Zimbabwe</div>
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Dear Leena (light),</div>
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Its been a long journey this past month, but we finally did it! Your birth was the light at the end of the tunnel for me to get through the number of nights of contractions and no sleep. How appropriate is your name now to this birth story. You were so very worth every minute of it though, and I praise God for the blessing of your life and having you in my arms. We have loved you from the moment we knew of your existence. God has had His hand on your life in so many ways already. </div>
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Here is our story of your birthday:</div>
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Thursday night mommy started early labor (once again) and it was much harder this time around so we hoped this was for real. But once more, at 5:00 AM, the contractions petered out, leaving mommy very tired and in a heap of tears. Throughout the morning, mommy continued with contractions every 10 minutes, and finally at 2:00 PM they began to become more regular and strong again. </div>
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God ordained a wonderful couple (who just happened to come out for the weekend) to take care of your brothers for the afternoon not knowing if this was it, or if it was more false labor. You were 2 days past your due date, so we were really hoping this was near the end. They took Saint and Luke down to play at the guesthouse at 4:30 PM, and by the time they were out the door, mommy was already feeling very strong contractions. But upon checking mommy, she was only still 3 cm dilated, which is what she had been for 3 weeks. Within the hour, mommy knew she couldn't possibly be 3 cm still, and asked daddy (he's a doctor) to check once again. Sure enough, mommy was now at least 7 cm dilated! Daddy rushed around to go get a car to take us down to the hospital. While he was gone, our friend, Miss Rejoice (a midwife here) came to help. She has helped mommy through a number of tiring nights and took such good care of the both of us.</div>
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Before daddy got back with the car, mommy was already fully dilated and her water broke walking to the door. Daddy and Miss Rejoice helped mommy lie down on the living room floor and in a few minutes you graced us with your beautiful cry of life! We did it little girl! </div>
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You were born 2 minutes before 6 in the evening at our house, which was not at all in OUR plan! But God had it all worked out. He had and has HIS hand on your life. There was a flurry of nurses and midwives in and out helping make sure everything was alright, and by the time your brothers came back from their play date, you were snuggled up with mommy on the bed. What a blessing!</div>
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You weighed 3 kg. exactly (6.6 lbs), and were 48.5 cm (19 inches). What a little lady. Welcome to our family!</div>
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Always loving you,</div>
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Mommy</div>
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The Kidwells in Africahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04109519875535853067noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008644064177629883.post-45063774355452617992013-02-15T03:28:00.001-05:002013-02-15T03:28:49.538-05:00SupportI am feeling overwhelmed. Not overwhelmed in a bad way, but in a "God speaking directly to me" kind of way. These last few weeks of my pregnancy have been a time of waiting in expectation and have provided some challenges in that wait. But in this last week particularly, God has used so many people to show me His hand on my life and His care for me and baby Leena. Tonight, I received a "baby shower in a box" from a group of moms from the church we attended back in Indiana. God put on one person's heart to minister to me through gift, and through her, a number of others joined and blessed me in more than words can say. These boxes were packed full of clothes for my baby and to share with others around (and believe me, there are plenty of babies around to share this gift)! Just looking at the boxes, said to me, "Dontie, we may not know you personally, but we believe in what you are doing and we want to support and love on you." That meant so much!<br />
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We have received several other care packages, from friends in different stages of my life, who just felt they needed to send some encouragement. Again, God using His people to say, "I love you. Hang in there."<br />
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But it doesn't take sending a package half way around the world to support. We have received countless e-mails of prayer, facebook messages, phone calls checking in on me from town, and even neighbors and hospital staff members just stopping by to make sure all was well. A meal was brought over after a full night of contractions and I was too weary to do much of anything. That made my day. <br />
<br />
A midwife stopped by to take the boys for two hours so I could rest. Then she returned that night to help me through another episode of contractions, rubbing my back, and continually checking on baby Leena. <br />
<br />
God has said to me through all of these precious acts, "Dontie, I am with you. I love you. I will take care of you and this one I created in you. Look at how I am telling you that through all these ones who love me and listen to my urging. I have done this for YOU."<br />
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So, I am overwhelmed. Thank you God and thank you church - believers responding to a whisper to reach out and support and minister. You humble me.The Kidwells in Africahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04109519875535853067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008644064177629883.post-90731437093106737202013-01-20T10:34:00.000-05:002013-01-20T10:34:01.652-05:00Coming soon!We are excited for the newest member of our family to join us! Dontie is now 35.5 weeks and so we are praying that after the next few weeks, we have a healthy and safe delivery here at Karanda Mission Hospital. Big brothers, Little Christopher and Luke, have been talking about all the things they can teach her and share with her. Please pray for us as we go through this process/miracle and as we adjust to a little blessing in our house. It will be an adjustment for all, but we are looking forward to it. <br />
<br />
Also please pray for our computer. Over the past few weeks, we've been having more and more problems with it and now it won't work at all. We are trying to get it looked at by a professional soon. We have realized how very cut off from everyone we feel, and our need to communicate is being hindered greatly. We hope to be up and running again soon, especially before our little girl arrives.<br />
<br />
So hopefully, coming soon will be pictures of our little daughter...keep us in your prayers! The Kidwells in Africahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04109519875535853067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008644064177629883.post-19143598526653297292012-12-22T02:55:00.001-05:002012-12-22T02:55:33.575-05:00Love in a Shoebox<br />
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A number of years our family has participated in Operation
Christmas Child by preparing one or several shoeboxes and praying for those
kids who would be receiving them somewhere in the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was such a fun thing to go to the store and
pick out gifts that we thought a boy or girl would like within a certain age
range.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Watching the promotional
presentations of what kinds of kids receive them always brought joy to our
hearts and a tear or two to at least one person’s eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s nothing like giving to someone
who receives so very little, all in the name of Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<o:p> </o:p>Then we were accepted to be a part of the Post-Residency
Program, through Samaritan’s Purse, and at orientation, got to walk through the
HUGE storehouse/packing center for over a million shoeboxes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was a thrill to say the least.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were so proud to be serving under the
organization which runs this powerful ministry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
I</span>t became a dream to get to see OCC at work wherever we ended up
serving.</div>
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<o:p> </o:p>Finally, this year, we were able to get 100 shoeboxes (after
a year of working with the OCC team here in Zimbabwe, and hitting wall after
wall with shoeboxes being held at the port, and customs, etc.) out to
Karanda!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> T</span>oday we were so fortunate
to be on the other side of the shoebox, handing them out to the kids in the
PEDS Ward at the hospital!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
Our whole family trooped down to the hospital to gather
the shoeboxes and stuffed animals for the babies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christopher called all the patients together
to share the true reason for Christmas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He talked of Christ coming as a baby. He continued that Jesus ultimately gave us the
greatest gift of his life so we can be forgiven of our sins and be with Him in
Heaven one day if we accept this gift and ask Him to be our Savior.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We prayed and then
shared that people in the <st1:country-region><st1:place>United States</st1:place></st1:country-region>
had prepared and given these shoeboxes because they wanted to share God’s love
with each one of these kids in the hospital. It is a way to say, "Happy Birthday," to
Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then we handed out the
boxes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most kids had no idea what this
shoebox was all about, but as they opened them with their mothers or
caregivers, huge smiles broke out and a wave of excitment went through the ward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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<o:p> </o:p>Thank you to all those who participate in OCC.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We wish that you could be the ones to hand
out your boxes and see the joy your love brings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We feel very honored to be your hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>May you receive some blessing by looking at
the faces of these kids who’s hearts were touched this day in Jesus name.</div>
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The Kidwells in Africahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04109519875535853067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008644064177629883.post-44093052858653673952012-11-11T02:17:00.001-05:002012-11-12T03:31:25.895-05:00Nameless<br />
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I don’t have a name…yet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was born just hours ago and my mommy had problems.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The medical staff here worked on mommy for 6
hours trying to stop her bleeding, but her blood wouldn’t clot and early this
evening she left me here alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dr.
Kidwell was one of the doctors who worked tirelessly on mommy, skipping lunch,
and continuing on into the evening. He got blood from several staff members who
matched my mommy's, and gave her several units of blood hoping it would help
her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chaplains came in and out praying
for her and several others, including Dr. Kidwell, prayed many times over
her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know they did everything they
could to save my mommy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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I have family, but they are not here to care for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was very lonely all alone in the maternity
ward and it was a busy night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> The Kidwells came to care for me. They</span> bathed and dressed
me in clean clothes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The family held me and
loved on me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is how it is supposed
to be I guess.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I never got to be held by
my mommy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was nice to hear a heart
under my ear and be bundled up tight knowing for now I was safe and secure and
loved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<o:p> </o:p>I had to be fed by a syringe since most mommies either nurse
or feed their newborns from a little cup.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They did have formula so that was good for my tummy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After Mr. and Mrs. Kidwell got me cleaned up
and warm, Mr. Kidwell laid his hand on my head and prayed for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He talked to my creator and asked for
protection and blessing over me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He prayed
that one day someone would introduce me to Jesus, and that I could come to know
the one would so intricately and lovingly made me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mrs. Kidwell cried, but they
were so thankful to have this chance to take care of me…that’s what they told
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<o:p></o:p><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">I am one of many orphans that come into this
world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is a harsh reality of life
in </span><st1:place><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Africa</span></st1:place><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will most
likely not remember this night with the Kidwells, but they said it will be in
their minds forever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just need to be
cared for and hope for someone to love on me too like I felt tonight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I needed that touch after my long day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank you </span><st1:place><st1:placename><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Karanda</span></st1:placename><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span><st1:placetype><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Hospital</span></st1:placetype></st1:place><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> for caring for my mommy and me and being Jesus to us.</span>The Kidwells in Africahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04109519875535853067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008644064177629883.post-24231535701310591042012-11-08T02:45:00.002-05:002012-11-08T02:45:39.931-05:00Hope<br />
A verse has been very meaningful to us for a long time, but it is now, in this place, that we read it with a whole new understanding. The verse is from Jeremiah 17:7-8.<br />
<br />
"But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when HEAT comes (and boy its hot!); its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit."<br />
<br />
It has been almost 6 months since our last rain. Our river has gone from full and quickly flowing to completely dried up now in early November.<br />
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The river back in March. The river in September.</div>
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Everything has gone from beautiful green to brown as far as you can see. Dirt swirls can be seen walking anywhere on the compound and now the heat has returned. Today, inside the house our thermometer read 98 degrees F. Outside it is way over 100. We hunger for anything to give us hope and encouragement. </div>
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We serve a creative and good God who cares about even this arrid time that could be very discouraging. All of a sudden we notice color popping up in places we've not seen anything but brown before. </div>
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Jacaranda trees that were brown and leafless, have now burst forth in bright purple distributing a violet carpet below.</div>
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The trees seem to draw down from deep in the earth and pour forth color that lifts our eyes from the death below. It is all a part of God's design, and we are reminded that every year has its seasons. It takes every season to bring about life and growth. It is the same in our lives as well. There is a purpose and a growing in EVERY season we go through. </div>
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We find an extraordinarily beautiful butterfly in our garden of flowers and we marvel at God's creative work in its wings. We find a small chameleon by our house and watch how God uniquely made this little guy. Little discoveries like this bring us joy in our day.</div>
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Like the verses remind us, we can go through drought and heat, whether literally or figuratively, but if our roots are established deeply in HIM, we have no fear and we can still bear fruit. </div>
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Thank you to all who send us encouragement, whatever form that is. You don't know what a cool drink of water that is for our spirits. We could not be here and do what we are doing if we didn't have this HOPE in Jesus and you lifting us up around the world. Continue to pray with us for a good rainy season this year, and that it comes soon! We wait in expectation.</div>
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The boys in Harare after we bought new gum boots in expectation of our rains to come!</div>
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The rains have already started in Harare, thus the beautiful green grass. Makes it a little harder to come back out to our brown :)</div>
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The Kidwells in Africahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04109519875535853067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008644064177629883.post-50357382460120904782012-09-29T14:04:00.000-04:002012-09-29T14:09:15.450-04:00Resilient MKsHow You Know When Your MKs (Missionary Kids) Have Acculturated?<br />
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1. When the power is on, the first question out of their mouths is, "is this zesa (electricity) or generator?"<br />
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2. They have learned NOT to flush the toilet after every use.<br />
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3. They clap when receiving something (the sign of thanks here).<br />
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4. Going somewhere, means walking, not the car!<br />
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5. A trip down to the river is equivalent to a trip to the swimming pool.<br />
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6. You overhear in their play, "let's go to Mr. Maguti's store!" (the local shop outside the compound)<br />
instead of Target or Walmart.<br />
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7. In their drawings, the trucks now bear the letters TM (our grocery store in Harare).<br />
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8. What is McDonalds again? We love Pizza Inn (the fast-food place we enjoy in Harare)!!<br />
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9. It is a treat to get to ride in the car.<br />
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10. They kick over rocks before picking them up...you know, scorpions!<br />
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11. Goat, chickens, donkeys, and cows are just a part of the normal day.<br />
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12. The drink of choice is Mazowi (local sugary drink) over koolaid.<br />
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13. "Where's the mosquito net?" when seeing a bed without one.<br />
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14. The only time little Christopher knows is 10:00 because that's tea time!<br />
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15. Baboons are old hat.<br />
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16. Sitting through an hour of worship at church in Shona and Awana in Shona is all a part of a normal Sunday.<br />
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17. Luke says everytime we drive through the bush, "Yeah for Africa!"</div>
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The Kidwells in Africahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04109519875535853067noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008644064177629883.post-89699643913359030652012-08-17T06:47:00.000-04:002012-08-17T06:47:31.511-04:00Grade 0For a month now, three days a week, the boys and I have been having school with 4 staff kids. I was asked if I would be able to help out any at the school here on the compound. I agreed to teach Grade 0 once we got settled into our house. Grade 0 is what is equivalent to kindergarten in the U.S. The school here is called Correspondance School. It has been around over 50 years and several of our missionaries, who grew up here in Zimbabwe, attended Correspondance School as young children. It is the homeschool program here in Zimbabwe, but on our compound, we have teachers who walk through the program with the children. This school is open to staff members who are well established here and meet other requirements. Right now we have 3 classes. Grades 1 & 2, Grades 4 & 6, and Grade 0! In all we have about 12 kids. <br />
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All of the school lessons are in English and so the kids who enter Correspondance School must be somewhat fluent in English. In the past, students enter with a low proficiency in English and that makes it very difficult on them as well as the teacher. So this is where I come in. My main job is to expose my class to as much English as possible to help when they enter Grade 1 next year. <br />
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Our boys are thoroughly enjoying school! They have gained 4 new friends in a safe and structured environment and toys belong to the school so they are fun to share all around! The boys and I were sick one week and were not able to do school. When we returned, the boys were blown over by the hugs and squeezes the kids gave them! It has been a good change in environment and schedule for all of us. <br />
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Our class is made up of 2 boys and 2 girls, all right around the age of 6. We were fortunate to start off our time with a helper. Miss Julie is the daughter of one of our missionary staff who came out to visit for 2 months. She blessed all of us by helping out in the room every day and the kids all got rather attached to her. We are having to adjust to not having her with us now. <br />
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Our school year here goes from January to December with 3 month-long breaks at April, August, and December. We have only a few months to get these kiddoes ready for Grade 1, so please pray for wisdom as I prepare lessons and balance being a mommy and wife as well as a teacher now. Welcome to Grade 0!The Kidwells in Africahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04109519875535853067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008644064177629883.post-67571512033398107322012-07-07T06:04:00.001-04:002012-07-07T06:08:18.613-04:00Semi Long-term Housing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here are a few pictures of our home that we have moved into for the rest of our stay here. We are at the top of the hill on the hospital compound, so we hear it has the best breeze when it gets so very hot here. This is a duplex that once was the guesthouse a long time ago. So we've moved from guesthouse to guesthouse!</div>
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The front entrance of our house.<br />
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Our door and the little flowerbed Dontie has been working on to get some color going.<br />
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The living room/dining room area.<br />
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The living room.<br />
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Our kitchen, very bright and spacious!</div>
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The master bedroom.</div>
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Bathroom<br />
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Hallway leading to all rooms.<br />
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The boys' bedroom.<br />
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View #2</div>
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The laundry room. There is no water source into this room so all water must be carried in by bucket to the washing machine, and the used water emptied into the big black trash bucket. I use this water then to water my plants or flush the toilet if we are having a water shortage. One small load fills that black bucket! Clothes are hand rinsed. The drying rack is for anything you can't iron as we have flies that lay eggs on clothes out on the line, and so all things hung outside must be ironed.<br />
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The back of the house and clothesline.</div>
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</div>The Kidwells in Africahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04109519875535853067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008644064177629883.post-4087295266418890432012-05-24T04:27:00.001-04:002012-05-24T04:27:42.135-04:00KaribaWe decided that after 6 months, our family needed a little down time and a chance to explore another part of Zimbabwe. So we took off in a borrowed car to the northwest part of the country to Lake Kariba. We had been told that the best time to go to Kariba is during this colder part of the year as it can get horribly hot during the summer months. God gave us beautiful weather and we enjoyed ourselves immensely! It was so nice to be together and see wild animals just outside our front door. <br />
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We enjoyed high tea and lake breezes. <br />
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The boys LOVED swimming every day and they both are getting very close to swimming without floaties! We have two little fish for boys :). It was a wonderfully relaxing time. <br />
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Here are some pictures of the lake and the animals that were just roaming around the cottages where we stayed! <br />
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We could hear hippos grunting all night long.</div>
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This is Big Boy, the resident elephant. </div>
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The lake was full of crocodiles.</div>
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Dontie's favorite time of the day was evening, watching the beautiful sunsets over the lake and the daily ritual of white birds covering a tree on an island in the lake.</div>
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Our family at the end of our much to short stay. This is a termite hill just outside our cottage door!</div>
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As we drove home, we found this enormous baobab tree. </div>
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Immediately after returning from our vacation, we moved up to our house from the guesthouse, and are in the process of settling and making it feel like home. We thank God for the time away to rejuvinate as we head into a very busy season at Karanda.</div>
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<br /></div>The Kidwells in Africahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04109519875535853067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008644064177629883.post-4309156202706843052012-04-30T03:57:00.001-04:002012-04-30T03:57:35.102-04:00Rolling with the Punches<br />
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The cell phone rings and we answer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Hello, Christopher, your car has been
impounded!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>WHAT?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had come into town to buy things for our house
(which we are currently moving into). While in town, we had our car taken to the police
headquarters to get a permit to cross the border, so we could go to South Africa
on a little vacation/supply trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the
process of clearing our car, it was noted that something was amiss about the
car and they said it looked like it had been a stolen car!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So we may have bought a stolen car!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were able to get all our personal things
out and are borrowing a monster of a car to get around town and continue our
errands, but we have no idea what is to happen now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Obviously, we aren’t going on any
vacation!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were just informed as well,
that IF we ever get the car back, it could take months to several YEARS!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Here’s a new prayer then for all you prayer warriors:
that we can either get our car back in a short amount of time, or that we can
find another means of transportation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
certainly can’t afford to buy another car, but we do have to get around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God is in control<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and we trust His goodness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So as long as you stick with us in this
adventure, you’re in for a ride (no pun intended)!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">We will keep you updated.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">So you can see what you are praying for :)</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>The Kidwells in Africahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04109519875535853067noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008644064177629883.post-52958905006191195192012-04-25T09:41:00.000-04:002012-04-25T09:41:07.186-04:00When Paths CrossBeing a part of a mission hospital compound brings a number of short term guests across our path. These people give up vacation time, sacrifice money they could spend on themselves, and they come and work with us. Having lived at the guesthouse here at Karanda, we've been in close contact with several shorttermers. We are thankful that we've had this opportunity to gain new friends and rub shoulders with some incredible people. I recently received a book, <u>One Thousand Gifts</u>, from such a friend. I have only started reading it, but it has already powerfully affected me. Maybe its the recent loss of a friend and her child in a fatal car accident, or maybe the humdrum of life on a mission station that has begun to get to me. Whatever the reason, I haven't been able to tear myself away from the words of challenge and encouragement to live a daily life of gratitude. So I will not share a list of one thousand blessings (that might lose some readers), but I want to offer some gifts I've received from living here at Karanda.<br />
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1. Going to sleep at night to the sounds of a cooing bird.<br />
2. Seeing much more of Christopher than we have in a long time!<br />
3. Friday Family Night of movies and popcorn.<br />
4. Missionary family who make a birthday memorable and special.<br />
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Sharing the same birthday with fellow missionary Kathy Christiansen!</div>
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5. The temperature has cooled WAY down and I actually wear my fleece jacket in the morning!<br />
6. Green grass because we won't have it much longer as the rains have stopped.<br />
7. My African violets blooming like crazy on my windowsill.<br />
8. A husband who comes home after a long day's work and yet plays ball with his sons because they ask.<br />
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Daddy reading books at bedtime.</div>
9. Beautiful walks through farmland and riverbeds.<br />
10. Friendships from long ago and newly found ones who make this journey meaningful.<br />
11. A heart that feels such great emotions.<br />
12. Supporters who send us letters, packages, cards, and e-mails of tangible encouragement.<br />
13. No T.V. (can you believe it!) and the gift of many more hours to read, talk, play games.<br />
14. Prayer meeting nights and hearing the faith-filled prayers of our local staff.<br />
15. Bright, happy curtains for our new home just waiting to be hung!<br />
16. Electricity and water has been on for long periods of time.<br />
17. Skype dates with family...we can't wait all week for those!<br />
18. Two heartily growing boys who have learned to play together and are each other's best friends.<br />
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19. Being able to settle knowing our TEP was granted.</div>
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20. Being given gifts of food by those who have nothing.</div>
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These just graze off the top of the iceberg. We are so blessed! Thank you God for paths that cross, for however long, and friendships and memories that come from them.</div>The Kidwells in Africahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04109519875535853067noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008644064177629883.post-63195222550228897522012-04-03T08:55:00.001-04:002012-04-03T11:09:11.476-04:00Answers to PrayerEvery Thursday night, the missionary staff, as well as the heads of the various ministries of the hospital, meet together for a time of praise and prayer. It is a blessing to come together and hear what God is doing and what is on people's hearts for prayer. We spend time thanking God for the ways He has answered our previous prayers, and then we break into groups to pray for ongoing and new requests. <br />
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One ongoing request has been the need for rain as this season just has not been good for crops. Many peoples' crops are struggling from not enough rain or too long of a time between rains. We live among a people depending on what comes from their fields to make it from year to year. <br />
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The number of patients filling the hospital wards is also an ongoing request along with a very overworked staff. For the past several months, our family has been held up in prayer as our TEP (work visa) had been denied and then, as we put in an appeal, we were going month to month on extensions. <br />
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Well this week we have some HUGE praises! We've had some wonderfully soaking rains (actually every day since our last prayer meeting) and our TEP was granted just yesterday! After 5 months, we are so grateful that we now can move into our house and settle a bit more knowing this is where God has us for now. We know many of you were praying along with us and we thank you for lifting us up faithfully. We don't know why this took so long, but there was reason, and we trust His ways in all of this. We're looking forward to our next prayer meeting!<br />
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Two weekends ago, Christopher and a couple of the nurses went for a rock climb up a famous rock in this part of Zimbabwe called Pulpit Rock. It was a great time to get to know these two guys better and enjoy the beauty around us. We are thankful for the friendships that have begun and look forward to new memories ahead! Here are a few of the pictures from the day:<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlaYUg46tGU7gsasTJxt2h_w12bLdG6wSrCTUlDiYvRyQHXPgM1YRg2cE2rSAMRHd2qZ3HwlhyVntgEVHqDuWVWlPSfpsgZq536zpw221GxUenOozX2ts0Cy3TFMkjeByF5vmcJEIbIBM/s1600/pulpitrock+(1024x682).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlaYUg46tGU7gsasTJxt2h_w12bLdG6wSrCTUlDiYvRyQHXPgM1YRg2cE2rSAMRHd2qZ3HwlhyVntgEVHqDuWVWlPSfpsgZq536zpw221GxUenOozX2ts0Cy3TFMkjeByF5vmcJEIbIBM/s320/pulpitrock+(1024x682).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Pulpit Rock</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNi8y6wAilS3XndSr4Zw81OhftEqoOSndWVQFEjGebwho4G-clSlsjpA6PVS9prBeHfKYYwT9cVHiuQ2pv4yeCxNibTIi22DkqUjeeRpUij3wqqdxWBHi_CvbUOPxviWSbTMktaoMB7xQ/s1600/pulpit3+(683x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNi8y6wAilS3XndSr4Zw81OhftEqoOSndWVQFEjGebwho4G-clSlsjpA6PVS9prBeHfKYYwT9cVHiuQ2pv4yeCxNibTIi22DkqUjeeRpUij3wqqdxWBHi_CvbUOPxviWSbTMktaoMB7xQ/s320/pulpit3+(683x1024).jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yes, they climbed straight up! Not for the faint of heart!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhnm0ziLDvAxT1zi0d8NCzxDseuRthCpNulEytb1X4mufbMGN3ROB5-StvS9KsfK2qYkbSVRFVOqFg3CS3wpoNshO1iX67-IAoFeqYuBfGHegRgy5zUo05cDIhDJk5KnURpwudaHiMwRg/s1600/pulpit7+(1024x667).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhnm0ziLDvAxT1zi0d8NCzxDseuRthCpNulEytb1X4mufbMGN3ROB5-StvS9KsfK2qYkbSVRFVOqFg3CS3wpoNshO1iX67-IAoFeqYuBfGHegRgy5zUo05cDIhDJk5KnURpwudaHiMwRg/s320/pulpit7+(1024x667).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">At the top and what a view!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqzSQo4gCLPNIbcbdkT2Z3d4mQ4yHrc7LQgW1X0P4ISinMoa3gtchKI7yjVd-UE1i0rb6_AkRF241IAA7b6hlclsybU60gMHtcnQY_HUUYIH0FDMdPc80hvEtULy4jShTK6X04rlV2he4/s1600/village+(1024x681).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqzSQo4gCLPNIbcbdkT2Z3d4mQ4yHrc7LQgW1X0P4ISinMoa3gtchKI7yjVd-UE1i0rb6_AkRF241IAA7b6hlclsybU60gMHtcnQY_HUUYIH0FDMdPc80hvEtULy4jShTK6X04rlV2he4/s320/village+(1024x681).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">What a musha (village home) looks like from above. Often extended families live close to each other. So one family is in one circled area, and maybe the grandparents or a sibling and his/her family live in the nearby circle of homes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div align="center"></div>The Kidwells in Africahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04109519875535853067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008644064177629883.post-20603184015669154812012-03-16T11:12:00.000-04:002012-03-16T11:12:02.103-04:00Musha VisitThis week, the boys and I were privileged to be invited to lunch at a lady's musha home. Musha is a village home. Of course we were eager to go and have a cultural adventure. She invited us to walk with her and look at her various fields. This rainy season has been rough on people's farmland. Many crops are failing or have a small yield. Looking at her huge, beautiful fields, I was surprised that our hostess is a widow and has done most of this farming on her own. Here is a quick photo-journal of our time with this gracious woman:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlaCnV-Vl2n7FMCApUMRkz4DU16yD_DC6lXo-ExTx6KNraWvSYcNDjf90jTojpBhwQYOo4NJ6yM7hyphenhyphenwbGbgN09dxpy3XDP0AkDPgNDezkQKUGplzuzu4AscCkd7pubi_0m3NH7wYXJPEE/s1600/DSC_0872+(683x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlaCnV-Vl2n7FMCApUMRkz4DU16yD_DC6lXo-ExTx6KNraWvSYcNDjf90jTojpBhwQYOo4NJ6yM7hyphenhyphenwbGbgN09dxpy3XDP0AkDPgNDezkQKUGplzuzu4AscCkd7pubi_0m3NH7wYXJPEE/s320/DSC_0872+(683x1024).jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div align="center">Outside her kitchen, a typical Zimbabwean hut.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjipl_WGqnWQ3a5haUjGiN3OPmKyB-_NAR8VORDcNHa2PFv0NbSNJw42JKUuT5o976_-P9tLBipREi2shlwn6VUgN_K_BB8n1CT8i_o-SCEM_Db_3cgv56FWlMAl8lqrPYiRWWYAUKevPQ/s1600/DSC_0873+(1024x795).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjipl_WGqnWQ3a5haUjGiN3OPmKyB-_NAR8VORDcNHa2PFv0NbSNJw42JKUuT5o976_-P9tLBipREi2shlwn6VUgN_K_BB8n1CT8i_o-SCEM_Db_3cgv56FWlMAl8lqrPYiRWWYAUKevPQ/s320/DSC_0873+(1024x795).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Inside her kitchen. I love that in Zimbabwe they have these built in cupboards that display their plates and other utensils. It makes their kitchens so attractive! Also her fire pit is unusual. Most have their cooking pits right in the middle, but her stove is built up on the side and is safer for children. At the hospital there are so many children that come in with burns from falling into the fire.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho4sm1yNuYji-AlmD7Hhdb8tE_X8jSWrO8o22ovJ4NjTXyoVZDNemeLNGJCNll5KwH1PBTtD6KblrlnpTQiq-X0a1OA6Kup0AP_7ul9MS2D408BHnue9jSJYGkkM1-d3cbAMrVVKr6SKk/s1600/DSC_0884+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho4sm1yNuYji-AlmD7Hhdb8tE_X8jSWrO8o22ovJ4NjTXyoVZDNemeLNGJCNll5KwH1PBTtD6KblrlnpTQiq-X0a1OA6Kup0AP_7ul9MS2D408BHnue9jSJYGkkM1-d3cbAMrVVKr6SKk/s320/DSC_0884+(1024x683).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A feast fit for a king! We had sadza-the white food-which is a stiff porridge made from ground maize. The green is similar to collard greens in a delicious sauce. Then there was rice with a sauce made from soya-mince (made from soy product), and finally a slice of squash.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhXgHKBXYrwtVdRl4UjCQTxpJB6gc1KNOvk9kvDrjc9QEV-H5aXaRSOoS3KODWorzTnlzeNaMCBBTFn9xTn4qi4B498LGFDRzoUMpTW0RIVR5PajYFDrNde_w7m8SAJR_dMOXtOmfD2V8/s1600/DSC_0876+(1024x608).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhXgHKBXYrwtVdRl4UjCQTxpJB6gc1KNOvk9kvDrjc9QEV-H5aXaRSOoS3KODWorzTnlzeNaMCBBTFn9xTn4qi4B498LGFDRzoUMpTW0RIVR5PajYFDrNde_w7m8SAJR_dMOXtOmfD2V8/s320/DSC_0876+(1024x608).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">One of her fields. This one is cotton. All through her field of cotton she had pumpkins and various squashes growing. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMSegrZzbC70JwL7mE3usGo34GtcUJO0QweZm1ZebULdNrorWwbUjhEeNML0b_DbuEhAhCMdu7NS8-NsG_1CZfefhl4UV6WZji0LEDPGjIScsKYaU4aW8lY22sG4DgnRE_ZJH5y-0wEzE/s1600/DSC_0879+(653x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMSegrZzbC70JwL7mE3usGo34GtcUJO0QweZm1ZebULdNrorWwbUjhEeNML0b_DbuEhAhCMdu7NS8-NsG_1CZfefhl4UV6WZji0LEDPGjIScsKYaU4aW8lY22sG4DgnRE_ZJH5y-0wEzE/s320/DSC_0879+(653x1024).jpg" width="204" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A beautiful wildflower along the path to her musha.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtvzrCgE12C0bCk17i5L5Jatg0AB-bdF167xnzBKYNwB__B2tDSiieoWONV3_yynpPp_4nvGNVjQ7DY0zhAGi7p1oZsl3M-yW_YaLXgQ4wSUYejn97_NKVcj2TrPC9-w52wzKtmZGV8_g/s1600/DSC_0880+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtvzrCgE12C0bCk17i5L5Jatg0AB-bdF167xnzBKYNwB__B2tDSiieoWONV3_yynpPp_4nvGNVjQ7DY0zhAGi7p1oZsl3M-yW_YaLXgQ4wSUYejn97_NKVcj2TrPC9-w52wzKtmZGV8_g/s320/DSC_0880+(1024x683).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Another set of wildflowers on our walk.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was an honor to be invited into this woman's home and learn about her life. Now when we see her around on the hospital compound we don't just recognize a face, but we embrace a friend!</div><div align="center"></div>The Kidwells in Africahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04109519875535853067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008644064177629883.post-85671021237217955362012-03-07T10:11:00.000-05:002012-03-07T10:11:00.375-05:00Learning to Let GoI, Dontie, am sitting here reading my Bible reading for today in James and the words jumped out at me:<br />
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"Now listen, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.' Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow...Instead, you ought to say, 'If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that.'" (James 4:13-14a, 15) <br />
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We have this illusion that we are in control and we make plan, but ultimately, we don't know what tomorrow brings. Africa has been such a good teacher in that lack of control. <br />
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Water may or may not be on for who knows how long. Do I worry about that? The power may be on or it may be off for 10 days straight. Do I worry about the food? What am I going to do with that month's supply of meat in the freezer that is thawing? Every vegetable I pull out of the fridge (as quickly as possible to save every last bit of coolness), is going bad and we can't use them fast enough. Do I worry and fret? Am I in control of these circumstances? <br />
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What about our future here at Karanda? Our TEP (long-term work visa) was denied and we are in the process of appealing it. We have had a handful of extensions, and we go month by month not knowing if we'll have to be out of the country or if we can stay. My first instinct is to worry and wonder what is going on here. I want stability and knowing what tomorrow brings. But here in James (as well as so many other places in the Bible), God reminds ME that He is in control. He knows the details. This is ALL in His plan and He has a plan that is perfect and good. <br />
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Christopher and I are learning to let go and just live each day. For someone like me, this is a tough lesson to learn. But what freedom it brings! <br />
<ul><li>Yes the water goes off, but we learn to use what we have wisely and not worry. </li>
<li>Yes, the zesa (power) is off, but I have to go one day at a time, use my brain that God gave me to be creative, and ultimately trust that God is in control of even the zesa! I have to let go and believe in His goodness. Maybe that month's supply of meat can be a blessing to several people around who are starving. </li>
<li>Yes, we don't know where we will be after this month's extension has expired, but its ok. God has a plan and He's got a reason for this uncertainty and I have to trust Him. </li>
</ul>So we now are learning to say, "If it is God's will..." Because that is why we are here for whatever amount of time that is!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWybVWGV3CKJyaIq8xbT6xn2OmEFgCT42g0vfCOu9gV6HtaHxzA-gGuCdFufgVCcr1B0JIugxs0XrlN6TH9DWtmKldGEmwj6huf_odHereZm76Xy426eVJW9jkrETRo3JoMMwLvVcua38/s1600/DSC_0792+(1024x682).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWybVWGV3CKJyaIq8xbT6xn2OmEFgCT42g0vfCOu9gV6HtaHxzA-gGuCdFufgVCcr1B0JIugxs0XrlN6TH9DWtmKldGEmwj6huf_odHereZm76Xy426eVJW9jkrETRo3JoMMwLvVcua38/s320/DSC_0792+(1024x682).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
A section of our drive to Karanda Mission Hospital. Zimbabwe is a beautiful country.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">Some of our critter friends around (or in) our home:</div><div align="center"></div><div align="right" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZD_GchA9DGhMXYMEh6m-k1zfHxUB_TEStkOskpXuHp05OjaDulBgEQKw4hkHNzA7WtMrAwn0zCaaaY5dUyC5BRj98E6yZhfsSRvQWxHMGDJ546INjGz_xRs80CClF12trHOsedIuTd8I/s1600/DSC_0808+(1024x681).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZD_GchA9DGhMXYMEh6m-k1zfHxUB_TEStkOskpXuHp05OjaDulBgEQKw4hkHNzA7WtMrAwn0zCaaaY5dUyC5BRj98E6yZhfsSRvQWxHMGDJ546INjGz_xRs80CClF12trHOsedIuTd8I/s320/DSC_0808+(1024x681).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZD_GchA9DGhMXYMEh6m-k1zfHxUB_TEStkOskpXuHp05OjaDulBgEQKw4hkHNzA7WtMrAwn0zCaaaY5dUyC5BRj98E6yZhfsSRvQWxHMGDJ546INjGz_xRs80CClF12trHOsedIuTd8I/s1600/DSC_0808+(1024x681).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZD_GchA9DGhMXYMEh6m-k1zfHxUB_TEStkOskpXuHp05OjaDulBgEQKw4hkHNzA7WtMrAwn0zCaaaY5dUyC5BRj98E6yZhfsSRvQWxHMGDJ546INjGz_xRs80CClF12trHOsedIuTd8I/s1600/DSC_0808+(1024x681).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><div style="text-align: left;" unselectable="on"></div></a>Guinea Fowl right outside our door <br />
<div align="right" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHKOskYeXC8IeFCI_h-GqPpT82aOAWr-Uf9JYRoSCBjxqlWHYs1K8ZD2Y4gBNq-7Ld5b4m5ZemLjdtU6mJmu05wQAlOIn_q_5uxroMtV-WJ9BKF9VtfL2ymFW50AF033VW6Bvi2y0ENsI/s1600/spider+(836x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHKOskYeXC8IeFCI_h-GqPpT82aOAWr-Uf9JYRoSCBjxqlWHYs1K8ZD2Y4gBNq-7Ld5b4m5ZemLjdtU6mJmu05wQAlOIn_q_5uxroMtV-WJ9BKF9VtfL2ymFW50AF033VW6Bvi2y0ENsI/s320/spider+(836x1024).jpg" width="261" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Wall Spider hanging out on our wall</div><div align="right" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFxmNMbcrfiR7B7B0S-SNUuF2Z_-sSPtrkJ9YTzafPX-uOpe9YWytRTbANlfecoWPyRm7YtnZVOpk67nkTwadm1j5uGkJxPpkrI77-Kr6fR_qJkVtBH7d7dV1tpnWEj7ivlU2-jTC9ehs/s1600/DSC_0838+(1024x664).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFxmNMbcrfiR7B7B0S-SNUuF2Z_-sSPtrkJ9YTzafPX-uOpe9YWytRTbANlfecoWPyRm7YtnZVOpk67nkTwadm1j5uGkJxPpkrI77-Kr6fR_qJkVtBH7d7dV1tpnWEj7ivlU2-jTC9ehs/s320/DSC_0838+(1024x664).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The largest snail we have ever seen. We named him Sully.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju8qA-ulrrtPKvuChqJmGNRoKs4DUkoj7RNnIn2O4YHHXIzLN9j4bCYVgXLBbGJFzrF63DLui7etds_R5x3_2Wl-Xv9M03YUFmVtD_MMy32BkfIHC8LDE5K25t9dZOJK4QKzRI4orM70A/s1600/DSC_0823+(682x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju8qA-ulrrtPKvuChqJmGNRoKs4DUkoj7RNnIn2O4YHHXIzLN9j4bCYVgXLBbGJFzrF63DLui7etds_R5x3_2Wl-Xv9M03YUFmVtD_MMy32BkfIHC8LDE5K25t9dZOJK4QKzRI4orM70A/s320/DSC_0823+(682x1024).jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
A high bridge we cross getting to the hospital, and our car. Water has gone over this bridge a number of times during the rainy season. </div>The Kidwells in Africahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04109519875535853067noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008644064177629883.post-2184638404823087592012-03-02T01:59:00.000-05:002012-03-02T01:59:43.287-05:00All in a DayHere is a snipet of what a day is like at Karanda:<br />
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Woke up to the roosters crowing at 5:00 AM. This is farmland and most everyone starts their day at 5!<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eb1QQIH-teg/T1BtQ1YWg2I/AAAAAAAAAI4/TH4vuUmm0Hk/s1600/DSC_0833+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eb1QQIH-teg/T1BtQ1YWg2I/AAAAAAAAAI4/TH4vuUmm0Hk/s320/DSC_0833+(1024x683).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Water has been on for only a few hours in the morning these past weeks, so I hurry to fill up all our buckets in each room and the kitchen. I make sure to flush the toilets several times.<br />
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Zesa (electricity) is off, so wait for the hospital generator to kick on sometime between 8 to 9 so we can have some coffee and plug in all the torches (flashlights) we used last night. They charge in only a few hours. <br />
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It begins to rain in torrents, so I hurry with buckets outside to collect water as we quickly go through all our "water buckets" even with being extra careful. Several pots go on the stove to boil the rainwater that I will then put into our water filter. It has to boil at least 10 minutes to kill bacteria before filtering. <br />
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We thank God for the rain, but sure enough, there goes the zesa for who knows how many hours or days. Our record so far is 10 days with no power (outside of the generator). Someone figured out that in 20 days of February, we only had 96 hours of electricity!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7QmqOrD3yFmMyQKFzJLGAG3zU_DWYElYy_C1lodtKBm4tgVVBZk7nBYlt890nTm4dn4WmLAeo6Kh5taf3NenQO4vtCVMOICG10PbzNID5XQ6VuVCsqOeB2t1F-5R_pK1t8Oewl8D-pvM/s1600/DSC_0820+(683x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7QmqOrD3yFmMyQKFzJLGAG3zU_DWYElYy_C1lodtKBm4tgVVBZk7nBYlt890nTm4dn4WmLAeo6Kh5taf3NenQO4vtCVMOICG10PbzNID5XQ6VuVCsqOeB2t1F-5R_pK1t8Oewl8D-pvM/s320/DSC_0820+(683x1024).jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
Go to feed a fellow missionary's cat (Mittens). The missionary is on home assignment so we are taking care of the cat until her return this month. Find a fruit bat in the sink and it is still alive with a broken leg! Decide to wait for Christopher to help me get it out. Not feeling that adventurous and brave just yet! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhunEcdBMVDMH7ntZKyx7Mp3-K5EvxAyqLnyS_x-AoGzoMx_vesdiPAC4bAvNhjuy1rsdfFgNp4C4ovJHxN4roBiP_rW7Daf8XAB0-u-epbAtEU_iBzNLRQwa1hGCeMyrvx7ypTvC5a8CY/s1600/DSC_0671+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhunEcdBMVDMH7ntZKyx7Mp3-K5EvxAyqLnyS_x-AoGzoMx_vesdiPAC4bAvNhjuy1rsdfFgNp4C4ovJHxN4roBiP_rW7Daf8XAB0-u-epbAtEU_iBzNLRQwa1hGCeMyrvx7ypTvC5a8CY/s320/DSC_0671+(1024x683).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Christopher comes home from work for tea (half hour break), and he is my hero as he rescues the bat (hissing and all) with a bucket and gently releases it in a garden outside. We admire the creativity of God in the wings and architecture of the bats body. We even get a look at its little sharp teeth as it hisses at us shaking all over. Poor little bat.<br />
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Visit with some of the ladies who come around selling fruits and vegetables. I never know what they will bring and sometimes it is just one item. But I try to buy from them as much as possible as there is a famine going on all around us in this area. I would have never guessed with the green all around and crops growing beautifully, but last year's harvest was small and hasn't lasted through until this year's harvest. <br />
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We hear that a World Vision truck is coming to the little town area outside the hospital to distribute sacks of corn and other items. People wait in anticipation. The boys and I walk to town to buy a coke from one of the hospital employees who also runs this little store. The shelves are almost bare...but he always has cokes...and ice-cold too! The boys and I practice our greetings with people in town.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjletXYleNBRZ4TcFjQH1UTAZns6X-9OT16TSkfqYARqZ8GLjYxW_eMuwXXI7IcaA_1WZ2L3RoRsqlQTBWed7TcwWfwRIfG1q16-nwEsBDM15oLS10qQF0D_ugai5VBCUwbaEGjHgyxl3k/s1600/DSC_0832+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjletXYleNBRZ4TcFjQH1UTAZns6X-9OT16TSkfqYARqZ8GLjYxW_eMuwXXI7IcaA_1WZ2L3RoRsqlQTBWed7TcwWfwRIfG1q16-nwEsBDM15oLS10qQF0D_ugai5VBCUwbaEGjHgyxl3k/s320/DSC_0832+(1024x683).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Christopher gets off work unusually early, so we go with him to visit the Peds Ward. The boys love this and I am once again humbled by the way they love on the kids, touching them and jabbering away with them. They don't even seem to notice some of the abnormalities they see. I wish my eyes could see past as they do.<br />
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Supper by candlelight and baths from a bucket. We go out in the courtyard to look at the incredible stars in this African sky. There is nothing like it! We praise God for His awesomeness and thank Him for the chance to be here at this time in our lives. <br />
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Climb in bed under our mosquito nets and pray for our families and supporters. It's the end of another day at Karanda.The Kidwells in Africahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04109519875535853067noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008644064177629883.post-88377705513397106642012-02-21T09:30:00.000-05:002012-02-21T09:30:15.762-05:00Deliverence for PatienceI wanted to share an encouraging story about what God recently did.<br />
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Patience is a 15 year old female who was admitted to our hospital one evening. She was totally disoriented and was suicidal. Her husband reported that for a month or longer she was refusing to eat, was having visual and auditory hallucinations, as well as various delusions. <br />
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The next morning when I met her she was lying in bed with an apathetic expression and a hollow/blank look in her eyes. I sensed that there was a spiritual problem present rather than a medical one. As I evaluated her, I noticed a red string around her neck which held an item blessed by her religious leader. (Many people here wear a string around their neck or waist as a way to protect themselves or ward off evil spirits.) She was part of a cult that did not believe that Jesus is God, but rather their prophet/leader was God. <br />
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I said through the interpreter, “This necklace cannot protect you, only Jesus can protect you. This is not helping you. Can I remove it?” After hesitating, she agreed. I broke the string and threw it away. Then I asked if I could pray for her and she reluctantly agreed. I prayed a prayer of deliverance over her and wrote an order for the chaplains to come pray with her as well.<br />
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The next morning, during rounds, I saw Patience, but she was a totally different woman. She had already eaten breakfast, and was peacefully sitting up in bed, smiling. The change was so dramatic it was amazing. As I sat on her bed, she immediately said in English, “Thank you. I am free.” I excitedly replied, “Jesus did this! Jesus set you free!” Her nurse told me that her confusion, hallucinations, and suicidal thoughts were all gone. Patience told me that she prayed to my God the night before. I was very excited for her and proceeded to thank the Lord for delivering this young woman. Since she lives near the hospital, I invited her to come to our church and said she could even sit with my family.<br />
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Seeing what God did with Patience has been invigorating. It reminded me that Jesus came to, “heal the brokenhearted and set the captives free.” The Kidwells in Africahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04109519875535853067noreply@blogger.com1