MozamWeek

Did I say I'd do Thanksgiving if I had air-conditioners? I HAD Thanksgiving BECAUSE I have air-conditioners! Bought them and had them sitting in the living room for a week. Found professionals to install them. Did it on Friday, but not the electrical... you have to call another guy for that. HE came on Saturday. Unplugged the fridge and freezer because he was worried about spikes when he reconnected the power. BUT he didn't unplug the new air conditioner! Poof... seems it blew a hidden fuse and now Mikael is in town trying to hear what can be done and by whom. Purchases and workmanship are usually not guaranteed in Tete. That was Saturday morning. Sunday morning, after a late breakfast, we opened the freezer to find that "we" forgot to plug it in after the electricity was back to normal. Oops! Surprise! Thanksgiving! I'd found 3 turkey legs in town. They were thawed. So, like a true African housewife, I announced a feast. Amazingly just about everything I need...

No, the AC man didn't come and install our air conditioners yet, but we have had electricity for the past 48 hours! It came back Friday evening 9pm. We'd just prayed with the kids before bed. I went to get a spray bottle to mist them while they wait for that elusive breeze to hit them. As I squirted Katie, the power came back! "Wow, Mom! God was really listening to that prayer!" We'd asked God to give the repair men good ideas about how to fix the power cut that lasted 29 hours. We also prayed that He'd give us restful sleep even if the power didn't come back. We got power and restful sleep, so say a little prayer of thanks with me! We advanced to the part of the nighttime ritual where we place the fan in just the right place so it almost hits all three kids in its oscillation. Saturday was a dream... Mom's package arrived with presents for all. Most packages have been lost or so delayed that she has little incentive to send them. It worked this ti...

I think I'm homesick. Tete in November is enough to drive anyone to dreams of leaving. It isn't the heat and the paperwork and the monotony of life in the hot season. It's different, I think. What do you do when you are far from home in the most family-centered season of the American calendar? It isn't here yet, but it is coming fast. Thanksgiving to Christmas is a tough time for missionaries and others overseas. I think it is worse for Americans. I'll tell you why. WE have THANKSGIVING! It is really the most American of all holidays, I think. More than the 4th of July for some of us. Sure, we have traditions on Independence Day, but not like the traditions on Thanksgiving! You can celebrate the 4th with friends on the beach. You can celebrate with strangers. You can eat almost anything or nothing and it doesn't matter. You want the Star Spangled Banner and Fireworks, but it's nothing to call home about.On Thanksgiving, you WILL call Mom... and you will ...