power, power, power

Dear loved ones,

I write this update to you on Monday evening, December 1st, but I don’t know when it will be posted online. For almost two weeks, we’ve had no internet at UCBC and very little power. The past week we haven’t had any power at all. The generators have been on the fritz but we are hoping and praying that these issues will soon be resolved. It’s very difficult to do your job without power, or internet. How can I update those in the USA about what we are doing here? How can I prepare things for class without power? How do we do our jobs without the ability to email and share with our colleagues? Ah, so it has been a trying time… But with few moments of total down-time… We still manage to have full days. However this is really highlighting to us the need to have solar power. We are in an incredibly sunny part of the world – solar power would be ideal here!! Especially as the price of fuel is high and electricity in general is expensive. So we are looking into the feasibility of solar power, even though we don’t have the funds to purchase it now. We’re praying.

And for the many of you who have taken the time to write and send me personal emails… I’m so sorry for not responding lately! Once the internet is back up I will do my best to dedicate hours of time towards personal emails, maybe on a Saturday or Sunday! Thank you though for sending them – it’s nice to come to my inbox and see lots of love, whenever we get to the internet café! :)

The classes are going well… I’ve had some students ask about the quantity and difficulty of homework and assignments… It’s so strange to hear students complain to me about how much homework they have. I’ve even had to say to a few, “Why are you in university if you don’t want to learn?” I get a response back like, “I want to learn, but why do I have four homework assignments in one week?” And without laughing I remind, “You are in university. It’s not going to be easy. If you continue to study and work hard – it will pay off. It will be worth it!” Haha – this one student in particular has not spoken to me about the amount of homework they are getting since that conversation!! And there are others who admit to having lots of homework to do, but that they are grateful for the work. “How else can I learn, Bethany?” So needless to say, they are all hard at work!

For about a week and a half now, we have been without rain. It’s remarkable how dusty everything is… The roads are covered; it clogs your throat, gets in your eyes, and covers your clothes / hair / skin. Even the leaves of plants are coated with a thick layer of dust. And my laptop – is filthy! I’m told it is the beginning of the dry season… I’m not sure what to expect when it will be weeks without rain! This dust is unending and everywhere!

This weekend one of our staff members is getting married. I’ve gone to a wedding here – but I didn’t know the people, and we didn’t stay for the celebration / party afterwards. So I’m looking forward to going to this wedding with some of the people in the house and some of our staff. Plus – we are all wearing matching clothes (uniforms) to support him. We were fitted last week and I’m told we’ll have them on Wednesday. I’ll be sure to share a few photos after the wedding! :) hahah. We aren’t in the wedding, but we are still matching… Ah hem.

Tuesday afternoon: I heard thunder a few minutes ago, saw that the sky was getting dark. And asked Honoré, “do you think we’ll get that rain? We could really use it!” And now, at 3:30 pm we have some rain! Well it didn’t last long, and it wasn’t very much, but it really cooled off the temperature a bit and hopefully it will make the dust settle a bit.

Wednesday evening: Unfortunately, you couldn't even tell that it had sprinkled outside yesterday... The dust almost seemed worse after that small amount of rain! haha! So we continue to live in this hazy world... I wonder when we will see the Rwenzori mountains again? It would be good to have another glimpse....

So how did we spend Thanksgiving? Well after working at UCBC, we came home in the afternoon and started cooking... We had chickens, beef, rice, mashed potatoes (whoo hoo!!), Chinese greens, and afterwards a bite of chocolate! :) hahah! :) It certainly wasn't the same as how we spend Thanksgiving in the States... But it was wonderful to share that day with people in another country... Who don't observe such a day, but who wanted to celebrate with us. It was a good time of family and friends, fellowship, and even a bit of over-eating!! Ah just like the States! It was good to have an environment that even though it wasn’t totally like how holidays are spent in the US, it was still a warm, home-like atmosphere, with love and conversations and food! :) Thanksgiving in Congo was a memorable one!!

Thursday morning: Finally! Thank you God, we have been desperate for rain these two weeks! And this morning, it poured! Maybe now I can go for another ride on a moto – it’s been too dusty to ride, everyone strongly suggested that I not because the dust will get in my lungs… But now that it’s rained, I’ll be able to again – hmm… I wonder when they’ll teach me to drive one?!

Thursday afternoon: And I’m at the internet café! :) Still no clothes for the wedding but I'm guessing we'll get them tomorrow... Otherwise we won't match! ;) Well, as always I hope and pray that you are well… I often pray for my friends and family back home.

With love,
Bethany