And last night Gene came down with something – Bonnie thinks flu from the flu shot he had just before we left. Whatever it was the community advice was to stay in bed and take any of a number of remedies. Not sure who he listened to (but we’ll say it was Bonnie) but he stayed at LaRochelle and slept. By the time we came back he was better – sore throat but not so sore that he couldn’t make jokes. Simon made sure he had some chicken soup at dinner so the cure may be complete.
So nine of us headed for our morning’s work. We dropped Jeanie and Pat at the Hartzell Central Primary School (to give it it’s proper name) at Old Mutare Mission. Jeanie was to give her 3rd graders an art lesson. Yesterday on our way back from the tour of Maria Humbane’s ministry we stopped at a stationer’s shop and she purchased paper and ink pads. The project was for them to make pictures using their thumbprints. Jeanie said that even the teacher wanted to make a picture!! Pat ran into a bit of a problem. The printer that was printing the photos blew a fuse (or something horribly technical) six photos short of completion. So while she is looking for a solution to that problem she continued to observe the class and share with them about life in America. She says that the teacher has used the promise of the photos as an incentive – they were getting a bit lax in completing their work and he has said that if they do their work they might get a picture of themselves!
We stopped at the bishop’s house to let the workers know that Gene and James wouldn’t be there to work but that Bonnie and Jeanie would be there later (after the art lesson). Then on to the campus. James went to work with the Intensive English students. Conversation is the best way for them to learn – both the students and James!! He is really enjoying the interaction with the students. So is Ron – he holds court with the chess board and learns all sorts of things in the meanwhile. There are benches in a little garden area around the peace pole and that is where you will find Ron.
Jerry and Jerry Jo headed for the farm again and Mary and La Donna went back to the library. Good to know that we are all accomplishing good things!
After a pit stop at LaRochelle so that we can pick up the gift bags (prayer calendars and Aldersgate tapestry bags) and Jerry Jo could change out of her ... umm ... chicken clothes we headed for Mutare and the churches where we were to attend UMW (called RRW here ... Rukwadzano Rwe Wadzimai) meetings. UMW/RRW units all over the district meet at the same every (yes, every) Friday from 2-4. Jeanie and Jerry went back to Hilltop UMC for the meeting there, Bonnie and Mary attended the meeting at Stream View UMC, and La Donna and Pat were at St. Peters UMC. The meetings include sharing testimony, singing, praying, sharing news about those who need assistance, and lessons and discussion about how to live a Christian life. We delivered greetings from UMW of Indiana and presented each of the units with the gift bags. We also presented a UMW Assembly Bible for the district president.
While we were at the meetings the guys (James, Jerry and Ron) went with Douglas to visit the shops. They were amazed at the number of electronics shops – none of which had the thing they were looking for! Some experiences (like technology deprivation) are universal!
Now we have had another wonderful dinner (Simon’s daughter Courtney and her friend Michelle made a lovely glaze for the ham tonight), devotions, and we are watching a DVD of "The Number One Ladies Detective Agency." The night critters are singing and we need to get to bed. Tomorrow we have the day off but we do need to get ready for the party. What party? We’ll tell you all about it tomorrow!!
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