11/22/07 Thanksgiving.

I'm am doing a horrible job of updating, and I am sorry to all of you. I rarely make it to town, and when I do, the internet is the last thing on my mind. I try to write out my letters at home and then bring them here, but it never happens this way. However the Lord has really been speaking to me about journaling. I see amazing things every day here, and they're are not to be forgotten!

Last weekend I went on an amazing medical outreach in the bush! We went to a place that still has elephants (however, we did not find any.) It was a 6 hour drive away. We set the clinic up early on Saturday morning. Our main focus ended up being scabbies treatments. (everyone here gets scabbies- sorry if I am spelling it wrong, I have no idea how it is spelled.) To our surprise, the Lord decided that we would be healing blind eyes as well. 4 blind people visited us through the day, and we prayed for them and they were healed. No joke! I was amazed! I still am! Later that night, we met another blind person that asked for prayer and he too was healed!

Jesus is amazing!

Early Sunday morning, I got a team together at about 4:30am to go searching for Elephant. We went on a 2 hour hike in the African Jungle, it was so beautiful! We found their tracks, but they were no where to be found. (Possibly a blessing because they are not friendly creatures.) We did however see many baboons. but I was unable to get pictures at the time. I did get a picture of a tucan however :-)
And I got some amazing pictures of the children. I'll upload them when I am back in the states. It's too slow here though.

I don't know what I did to the computer, but the puctuation is all off. so I am sorry if it turns out funky.

Today was my day to work in the baby house. I had two 1 year olds crawling all over me. it was a blast though. I love the children here! They are so beautiful, and want hugs all the time. they all need to be loved.

The Pastors are done with their schooling, so my Portuguese is not progressing much. It's not the same without them around. Eating lunch isn't the same. We can wear caprees whenever now though. (Before, we had to wear capulanas or skirts when the pastors joined us for class.) In the bush we always have to wear capulanas.)

I often think of fun things to share with people, but when it comes time to write, I forget. I wish it was safer to bring a bag with my journal in it to town. Wearing a bag is just a way of drawing attention to something people can steal from you. I hardly take pictures for this reason. Atleast not in town.

A girl here got her camera taken right out of her hands a few weeks ago. I guess all the village kids helped find the person, and the police ended up getting it back to her. (this never happend.)

Oh, something random! On the way back into town from outreach The police made all of us get out of the car to wash our hands in bleach water, because we were leaving an area where there was a breakout of something. (I found this kind of funny. because someone probably told them the best way to prevent spreading such a thing is to wash your hands. so they have people do it at the border! haha.) It was a bit scary because none of us were quite sure why we were getting out, and then the driver said don't ask questions, just wash your hands. The police want to get money any way they can. any ticket they give usually goes to them personally. and if you don't pay they can put you in jail. (most tickets have to be paid upfront or you will go to jail) It's terrible.

We had our thanksgiving yesterday. It was interesting, because there are so many people here from all over the world. 3 of us dressed up like indians (Myself being one of them) and we kept having to explain Thanksgiving to people. haha. it was nice to get together to have a big meal though.

It was different than home, but still fun never the less. I do wish I was at home cooking with the fam though. and eating amazing pumpkin pie. :-) I would also really like some mexican food. I think I miss that the most. everyone should take me to dinner at different times when I get back. because I crave many things. haha. (However, eating out might actually be difficult for me. I dunno. maybe not. I eat out here sometimes, and the most beautiful places ever. beach side dinners are wonderful! (The food is different though) I like just about anything these days. I had some icecream not too long ago, and I doubt it's very good, but it tastes amazing because I never have it. haha. It's actually a blessing I think.

I have to go to the fruit market before heading home, so I better get going. Love you all and I'll see you sometime in January! :-)

-Bethany