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Dear Friends and Family,
(from Janet Elders and Mary Beth Zollars)
While we have use of a computer, we wanted to send you information
on our travels to Zimbabwe, beginning July 4, 2007.
Chapter 1
All went well at the airport check in -- even overweight luggage was
not charged. However, our flight was delayed due to weather in DC
and problems with the plane itself. The flight to Dulles was
uneventful. Fortunately, the flight to London was also late so we
even had time for a snack. Using a cane (Janet had fallen the week
prior to leaving and hurt her knee and shoulder) enabled us to get
special treatment when boarding.
Chapter 2
We had been flying (to London) for about 45 minutes when we realized
the plane was turning around. We landed in NEWARK due to smoke in
the cabin. Newark is where we had to spend the night on the way over
last summer! Both Janet and MB were able to laugh at the irony. We
ended up eating our dinner in the plane -- on the ground! We were
only 3 1/2 hours late arriving in London. Still had time for some
duty free shopping.
Chapter 3
The flight to Harare was uneventful but little sleep (lots of TV)
for Janet. Being met with a wheelchair really helped with going
through the long line for our visas. Then we went to claim our
luggage. Finally there was only a tire going around. It was deja vu
from last summer! Next thing we know we are in the "luggage did not
come line" AGAIN. Our bags appeared to still be in Pittsburgh. Does
this sound familiar TEAM? Solomon has been given the luggage forms
and we hope the plane due in on Sunday will have our bags. Sekai is
going in to Harare on Monday so maybe she can pick them up.
We were met at the airport by Julius. Had breakfast
at the Jamison Hotel a couple blocks from the UM Conference Center
and then back to the conference to meet with several people. We took
some pictures for our directory of friends in Zimbabwe.
Then we went on the hunt for the 2 TV's and DVD for the preschool
and orphanage. It took 3 stores to find them but we were finally
able to head out for Nyadire. We arrived at the Mission about 3:30
pm. Since Dr Tshiani and Rev Edcance were both in Mutoko we headed
to the Home of Hope to see the kids and Nancy. It was after dark
before we went to dinner (with Rev Edcance and Dr Tshiani) at the
Teacher's College -- prepared by the Home Econ. students. We will
have breakfast at the hospital and lunch and dinner at the college.
We had a good night's sleep. Woke to the sound of 2
roosters and a cow. Until chapter 4...
Monday, July 09, 2007: Chapter 4
Blessed greetings from Janet and MB! We are so glad to be on-line!
Razo and Edicance introduced the candidate for the
position of administrator of the Home of Hope to us today. They are
extremely excited about this possibility. He has excellent
credentials. Still no luggage. BA had determined they were in PIT
and/or DC. Logging on has been tricky...couldn't log on to AOL the
other day, couldn't log on to Verizon today. MB polished shoes with
the kids at HOH at 7 am today! The children are just adorable! I've
got new stories and we are planning a Mother's Day on Saturday.
Haven't installed the TV's yet but will tomorrow.
Edicance is now Janet's official spider swatter! We have a pic to
prove it!
Saturday, July 14 -Chapter 5
This is a quick email to tell you that Janet had been sick, but is
on the mend now. Today her fever is gone and she managed to eat
some food. She is in good hands. Everyone in Nyadire is following
her progress. And now that we have the golden three - electricity,
water, and phone network, we are embracing the weekend.
Marybeth is spending lots of time at
the orphanage. Rev Edicane and Edith came for dinner and
conversation. Fortunately you didn't have to see Janet trying to
get in the red land rover/jeep like car (vehicle)
The TVs are now delivered to the HOH
(orphanage) and Marybeth has installed them. Too bad there is no
electricity. She hauled the TV and DVD recorder down to the creche
in a wheelbarrow. She only tipped it over once, when she tried to
wave at someone!
Janet spent time with Dr. Tshiani --
took pictures of an x-ray and a little girl who benefited from
it. The clinic was packed to the brim. We were able to see Sr. Rut
after she returned from the outage clinic.
Yippee, we have some electricity, but
no phone service, so no email. Marybeth went to the preschool and
HOH while Janet was with Dr. T at the hospital. She and Dr. T had
a meeting until it was too dark to see each other's faces. We put
a calendar together as Rev Edicance wants us to be sure we see all
the mission.
Today we went to Nyahuku Clinic. When
we left Nyadire we had 8 people on board. We would drop off 2 and
pick up 3. The clinic buildings are in very bad shape. We have
lots of pictures. We purchased a little fruit and vegetables on
the way back to the mission. It is so much fun to ride on those
rough roads in a van that has no shocks.
During the night Janet became ill. She
spent 3 days in bed with little or no food. House calls from
Matron Joyce and Dr. T at least 3 times a day. DO NOT DRINK THE
WATER!!!
Marybeth has been over to a
neighboring village (Tumutsa) twice -- went to David's home to
meet his aunt. On Sunday, MB was busy with Church, Prayer Service
and making gifts and cooking dinner with the children at HOH. They
had a Mother's Day celebration.
Today is Monday and Janet appears to
be back among the land of the living. MB went to the hospital to
take care of bringing Tsitsi home to the HOH. we went to lunch
down at the canteen. After naps we had lots of company. Janet did
most of the entertaining as MB was zonked out. After dinner the
electricity came on but no phone line so we do not know when you
will get this email.
Janet is improving but still has no
strength. MB made peanut butter the African way. She then went to
visit an area, not on the mission, that has lots of orphans. This
may become an outreach program from the HOH -- it is only 20
minutes from Nyadire. She said the experience was surreal. Their
were chiefs and headmen and all sorts of people, including about
100 orphans.
When she came back, the T's came over
with material and dresses -- that perked Janet up.
Marybeth was up in time for hallways
prayer service. We got on line but were bumped off. Twice.
Something is wrong with Sekai's phone -- the only one connected to
a modem. Joyce came to tell us our luggage was coming -- not bad
-- only 15 days!
We had a long meeting with Razo,
Edicance and Chiumaba (the new administrator for the HOH). We've
been taking pictures for the directory.
Up early today for Julius's service
for the hospital at the chapel. We delivered stuff that had
arrived in our luggage. Rev Edicance and Edith had to go to Mutare
for the funeral of a family member. We are expecting the people
from Finland (Bernt and Annina) tonight. The instructor at the Art
dept at the Teacher's College brought us items to take home to
sell. Janet was up in time for Hallway prayer service today. We
all visited the primary school (including the hearing impaired
classes). They also need sponsors so we took their pics. Then we
were off to visit Mother of Peace orphanage in Mutoko. The ride in
the red torture chamber will not be forgotten. Ever. We were very
impressed with Mother of Peace, a Roman Catholic facility. Lloyd
had brought 75 nets so we delivered them back at the hospital.
Most of the morning and lunch was
spent with Razo, Chiumba, Lloyd, Bernt, and Annina discussing HOH.
Marybeth made chocolate chip cookies (thanks Sue) with the HOH
kids. We had more visitors then finished packing (now the lights
were on) -- got a nap and headed for the airport at 2:45am. Dr T
and Julius drove us to Harare -- we made it in 90 minutes. Dr T's
2 daughters came with us.
Final Chapter The Journey Home
We had to juggle things at the airport
due to weight limits. Julius teased us and said the flight was
cancelled (hardly any one was there). Unfortunately, Marybeth had
to give up her peanut butter at Heathrow as it was in her backpack
instead of checked luggage. We traded seats on the flight home and
were very happy with our accomodations. Arrived at Dulles at
10:45pm -- took about 1 1/2 hours to get through customs. We got
on a Conestoga wagon of a plane -- they had a rubber band to start
it. We kept going down the runway so long that Janet decided we
were driving to Pittsburgh, at which point Marybeth pointed to the
card in the slot that said we were on a Saab 340B so we began to
laugh again. We had many laughs on this trip.
And God willing we made it back in one
piece. Thanks for all the prayers. We needed them.
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