Pix from Africa

Thanks to Kate, I have a few pictures to share with you all. Enjoy :)

I'm sure you all remember Kate and her team started out teaching school to Zulu teenagers in the hills. Here are a few members of one of her classes.


When they were working in the squatter camps (Diepsloot?) they learned how to wash clothes without electricity or running water. Here Kate and one of her teammates are washing a blanket for one of the ladies they met.


And of course, who are we to resist a picture of a twin with a teeny twin? The baby's sister ran home and brought her to play with Kate, but the sister wasn't sure which twin it was. Nobody but the mom could tell them apart. Sound familiar?

Have a good day,
b

Better Never Late?

So a month after meeting the girls at the airport in Minneapolis, I'm finally sitting down to fill you all in on that day....

Phil and I drove to the cities on Friday, sadly the air conditioning stopped working, the sun shone enthusiastically in through the windows, and we just about melted. But other than that, we had a nice visit, and I was able to get a little knitting done in the car.

Their plane arrived Saturday morning, and we arrived at the airport about an hour early. I just hated to take the chance that we might miss them or that they might end up waiting for us. It was okay; Starbucks and a crossword puzzle took care of us nicely while they waited. As the minutes ticked down, I found it harder and harder to concentrate on the clues and ended up just getting myself covered in newsprint and not ever solving the silly thing.

But then they were there. Hurrah!!!

We hugged, we cheered, we all talked at once, and then we gathered their bags up from the luggage carousel and wandered over to the car. Donna was there too since Talia had decided she would go nanny for Donna for a few months while she decides what she wants to do next. And since we weren't going to take both girls home with us, we all went over to the Mall of America for lunch and a visit. Stories, laughing, talking, and good food filled a couple of lovely hours; and all too soon it was time to hit the road if we were all going to make it home before it got too late.

The girls hugged one last time. There were a few tears and another hug or two, and we separated the girls. It was hard. For them and for us.

Now, a month later, Talia's been home for her first visit. The girls stayed up late every night for a week catching up, and then we put Talia back on the bus to head back to Iowa. Life feels very different this year.

However, just so you all know that they really did make it home all in one piece, here they are:

Aren't they beautiful?

Later,

b

Update Number I'm Not Sure

Another day, another phone call. Hurrah.

Talia called from Thailand. It was so good to talk to her. I knew she was going to call; she had called this morning while we were at church and said she'd try again this evening. I'll admit I didn't wander too far from the phone as the afternoon wore on and the evening began.

First she called asking permission to be baptized. They're having a special service at one of the rivers there, and she'll be baptized by one of the team leaders she's grown to admire. Of course I said that would be fine. I know she was baptized just before she was confirmed, but I think this has a little more personal meaning for her. She told me she would come home with a picture and a certificate, so you'll all get to see the picture here.

And she said her time in Thailand is almost over. She's spent her weeks there planting rice (which was very fun she said), teaching English, working with orphans and with old folks and doing lots of shopping. What size shirt do you wear Loren?

Tomorrow (today in Thailand) is their free day and after the baptismal service; they'll be riding elephants, watching an elephant show and going bamboo rafting. Then I think they have one last day in Thailand before they board their plane for Texas, and a few days later for home.

The newest news? She's hoping to live with Donna and Loren in Iowa for a bit, working and saving her pennies, and then she's considering art school or Bible school. She's so much like I was when I was her age -- she changes her plans about every 10 minutes :)

Anyway, same as last post, there probably won't be any more entries until I've actually squeezed her to pieces. I'll give both girls hugs from all of you until you can see them yourselves.

Later,
b

News from South Africa

This morning (a lovely, warm, sunny North Dakota morning) as I was drinking my coffee, the phone rang. It was - surprise - Kate in South Africa. It was so lovely to talk to her. She sounded healthy and happy and like she's having the time of her life.

Since they finished teaching school, they came back into the slums around Johannesburg and starting doing "hut-to-hut" ministry. I think it's been an enormous eye-opener for Kate. They basically spend their time as part of a small team (usually 4 kids) going from hut to hut in the slums doing whatever needs to be done. They clean. They wash clothes. They take care of small children. In small, electricity-free huts. Kate tells me she's gotten very good at washing clothes by hand. They are also doing VBS part of the time, but mostly they're just helping people and talking with them and trying to form relationships.

The only time Kate hasn't been 100% healthy was when they were teaching school. Then she says she had a terrible cold and couldn't even talk. Luckily they were team teaching so she either drew illustrations on the chalk board or had someone repeat what she said in an audible voice. They also did a lot of individual tutoring, trying to slide the gospel in when it was appropriate.

Next week will actually be her last week in Africa. Monday they're going hut to hut in the morning and packing their bags in the afternoon. Tuesday they're going on safari. Wednesday they're flying back to Texas. And on Saturday they'll be coming HOME!!!

Hurrah.

I'll post pictures when Kate gets home with her camera. And hopefully a few stories of some of her adventures.

Next time you see me, I'll have my girls home again.

Later,
b

P.S. A couple of quick notes: She said it was REALLY cold when they were out in the bush. Like 20 degrees at night and 40 to 50 during the day. Luckily it's warmer near Jo-berg, about 70 degrees during the day; and, sadly, she did manage to get sunburned.

She also said that one of Talia's leaders in Cambodia had come to South Africa and was leading one of her group's smaller teams. Cool, eh?

P.P. S. I am posting one picture of the area where they're working that I borrowed from the Global Expeditions website. Yikes.

New Pix....

Still no new news. But a couple of pictures.

Can you find TJ in this picture:

How about here:


Doesn't she look good?

More later,
b

Look...Look...Look

Although there's not much news about what the kids are doing in South Africa, the Global Ex website has published a couple of new pictures. Here it's easy to see Kate. (And doesn't that landscape look desolate?)

Once you see her in the above picture, you'll find it easier to find her below.

See what I mean?

More later,

b

New Day, New News

Last night, as Donna and I were sitting around visiting with Mom and Dad, the phone rang. It was Kate calling from Texas. It was about 10 (I think) and she was hanging around waiting to drive to Dallas to start her trip to Africa. They were leaving the GE site at 1:30 a.m., driving to Dallas, flying to New York, then some mystery city in Africa and finally onto Johannesburg. They expected to arrive in Jo-berg at about 5:30 this afternoon.

Kate was so excited. They've spent most of the last few days learning curriculum because they're going to be teaching school to teenagers who belong to the Zulu tribe for their first week in S. Africa. Then they'll be going back to the city to run VBS and do other kinds of ministry things.

Too exciting for words,
b

Just a quick update....I had a phone call from Kate Friday afternoon at 3:30. She had arrived in Johannesburg about an hour before and was finally making her call home. It was 11:30 at night and she was tired and looking forward to being horizontal for a while. More news when I know more :)

Kate's First Flight

Today's news? Kate's arrived safe and sound in Texas.

After spending a few days with her auntie and uncle in Iowa, she boarded her plane this morning and just landed in Dallas. Now she'll spend a few days getting to know her teammates and learning the songs and skits they'll do in South Africa. Then, on Thursday I think, they'll all get on another plane and fly to Johannesburg.

She was happy to tell me that she even met another GE missionary in the airport in Minneapolis. He was on his way to Argentina; I think he was meeting his team there since he wasn't going to Dallas first. By the time I talked to her in Dallas, she had already met up with three more GE travelers.

After days and days of being a little nervous, Kate sounded happy and excited on the phone. I let her go before I got all teary and made her sad too.

More later,
b

TJ Phone Home #2

Another early morning phone call from Tal. Four a.m. here -- five p.m. there. She just called to let us know that, after spending a little time on the road, they've arrived in Thailand all in one piece. They have a couple of free days now while they wait for a few new recruits from Teen Mania in Texas. In the meantime, they're planning to travel to Burma and Laos. They're hoping to shop, ride elephants, and generally have a good time. We're hoping they'll have time to rest and recuperate before their second month.

While they're in Thailand, they're set to do more Vacation Bible School with the little kids and to work with the older kids and young adults helping them with their English. It also looks like they'll be working with the local church, which should be an eye-opening experience.

I guess that's all I know for now. It was another of those lovely overseas phone connections where we had difficulty with the delay and kept talking at the same time. About the time I figure that out, it will be time for the girls to come home. I'll let you all know more when I know more.

Later,

b

Sad Day #2

Oh man, I've hit a new low in blogging. I just deleted today's entire entry. Rats. I'll do my best to recreate it, but it was good. Sigh.

Ummm....it was another sad day in the Randall car today. After hugging Kate and holding her close, I had to let her go, get in the car, and drive home. We were at Donna's house (surprise) where we spent the last couple of days. And I had promised Phil I would drive home today so we could spend the 4th together.

It was a sad, lonely trip. My only company? A mystery novel on CD. There was no giggling. No cow poker or license plate bingo. No long strings of silly jokes or goofy songs from my childhood. Just me. Tired and teary. I don't know if you all know, but Donna and Ren just moved to a new town. They're in Ida Grove, IA. It's a nice little town, but the drive is a little longer. By the time I hit Jamestown, I was so tired I thought I might drive off the road. So I parked in the shade at a rest stop, cracked the window a bit for fresh air, leaned my seat back, and closed my eyes. But there was no way sleep was going to work. I laid there, eyes squinched shut, vibrating. After a few minutes I gave up, bought another Coke, set my cruise control, and hit the road again. I did make it home -- obviously -- but I think it'll be an early night tonight.

Kate's spending this week playing with her little cousins and helping Donna and Ren get settled into their new house. Then next Monday, Donna will drive her to the Minneapolis airport and see her onto her plane. From there, Kate will head for Texas for a few days of getting to know her fellow missionaries and then they'll fly away to Africa. How cool is that???

There was a nice surprise waiting for me when I got home. Tal had called and left a message on the answering machine. She's just finishing up in Cambodia and will soon be heading for Thailand. In between, she's going to be spending a few days in Burma. She promised to try and phone again this weekend. If it works, you'll all hear more from me. Otherwise, we'll all wait together for our next update.

Promise,
b

TJ Phone Home

Last night as we were watching the Dog Whisperer, about 10:30, the phone rang. Now with caller i.d. a person is getting a little more careful about answering the phone -- it's nice to know who's on the other end of the line. When I looked at the phone, it was coming from somewhere I'd never heard of in California. Still, being a risk-taker at heart, I answered it.

And it was Talia. (I know that's not a surprise. Otherwise I wouldn't be writing about it here.)

She was calling from Phnom Penh and it was 11:30 Sunday morning there. Maybe.

Anyway, she just wanted to touch base and let us know what she's been doing. Here's the scoop....

First they went back to the orphanage where Tal worked last year. She was happy to tell me that ALL the kids and the wife of the couple who run the orphanage remembered her and were delighted that she had returned.

Then her team spent last week in a little village in the middle of nowhere, Cambodia. Several translators who work at the orphanage where they're staying have family who live in the village, and they wanted to spread the good news there. So the kids stayed in the village, without benefit of western amenities. They taught VBS and performed their skits and sang their songs and generally lived life with the Cambodians. Life is very rustic in the village, Tal told me. They had to shower by pouring a bucket of water over their heads and use "squatty potties." This was pretty extreme for kids used to their own bathrooms and hot running water ALL the time.

They were spending the day in Phnom Penh before returning to the orphanage for another week. There, they'll be doing whatever needs to be done. Although Tal did mention the possibility of working on the water system.

It was good to hear from her.

More later,
b

Look What I Found....

This is a picture from Talia's trip last year -- can you see her in the back? I'm hoping that there will soon be new pix on the Global Ex website.

Later,
b

Time Travel

After some SERIOUS confusion I think I have finally figured out when Talia is. Yesterday at work, Paula reminded me that when she flew west out of San Francisco, she must have crossed the International Date Line. So she's not only 13 hours ahead, which was what I was thinking, she's 37 hours ahead. She gained a day.

Imagine that. Here's it's 7 a.m. Tuesday morning. In Cambodia it's 8 p.m. Wednesday evening. She'll lose that extra day when she comes home again, but it's still playing with my head. I suppose you all had already figured that out, but I've officially caught up.

Whew...now I need a nap.

Flying Away

As I write this entry this morning, Talia is somewhere over the Pacific. She and her team flew out of Dallas late yesterday afternoon, heading for San Francisco. From there they were scheduled to fly to Hong Kong and then on to Phnom Phen. She phoned to talk to Kate Thursday night to say good-bye. I know those two are missing each other and will have a million things to talk about when they meet up in Texas in a couple of months.

I don't expect to hear from Tal until she actually lands in Phnom Penh. Last year she called when they arrived, about 3 in the morning here as I remember. But I wasn't complaining about the time. The phone connections were always terrible when we tried to talk, but at least I could hear that she was okay. She was good about emailing when she had a few minutes near a computer and I hope she'll keep that up this time.

Here at home the news is good -- all of Kate's funding has come in. We're going to the bank later today so she can deposit some and get a certified cheque to send away to Global Ex. I would like to say again and again and again, "Thanks!"

I'll let you all know when I hear from her.

More later,
b

Saturday Morning Update....

Talia called at 12:45 last night (this morning?) to let us know she'd arrived in Cambodia. Of course it was 1:45 in the afternoon there and we could hear hordes of excited teenagers calling their parents in the background. Now the fun begins.

Good-bye Girl

This morning Kate and I said, "Good-bye," to Talia. We were up early, hoping to get to Fargo in time for a lunch date with a friend, and woke her up to hug her one last time.

I know it's not the last time, really, just the last time for two months. That makes it more manageable. Still, we were sad and dripped a little on the way out of town. Talia's going to spend this week with Donna and Loren and their crew and next Monday, June 9, Donna will drive her to the airport in Minneapolis.

After Kate and I had recovered our composure and said a little prayer for Tal, we had a fun day. We visited most of the way to Fargo -- 5 hours -- listened to a lame story on tape, and held our breath hoping we wouldn't run out of gas before we got to the city. We ate at a nice little Mexican place (Acapulco) and spent an hour wandering around the mall looking for the last few things on Kate's South Africa list. I don't think her new Ramones t-shirt was actually on the list, but it made the cut anyway.

From there, we stopped briefly at Cassleton (20 minutes west of Fargo) to admire the world's largest pile of oil cans. It wasn't much to see since it was still wrapped in shrink wrap from being moved. Maybe we'll try again next time we go to Fargo. There's a story about it in one of last week's Fargo Forums (http://www.in-forum.com/photography/gallery.cfm?id=1194) if you're curious.

We made it home about seven, had hamburgers and fries for supper and were happy to get ready to sleep in our own beds. Now I get to spend a month enjoying quality time with Kate before we repeat the process when she's ready to fly to Texas.

More later,
b

Hello Everyone

Acting on Johanna's very welcome recommendation, I've decided to write a blog this summer while the girls are traveling. I know you all know that they're off on missions trips -- Talia to Cambodia and Thailand through June and July and Kate to South Africa in July.

On Friday I'll be driving them both to Donna's for the weekend, but when Kate and I come home on Sunday, Talia will stay with Donna for about a week and then get on the plane in Minneapolis. She flies to Dallas on June 9 to spend a few days getting to know her teammates and learning some songs and skits to use while they're working. From there, they'll fly to Cambodia via LA.

Same as last year, watching God supply the funding the girls need through His people has been a faith-building experience. I'd like to thank you all for praying, for giving, for being there when I need someone to remind me that they're in His hands. Although I won't write much over the next couple of weeks, I will update this blog every time I get an email or a phone call from one or the other of the girls.

Thanks again for keeping us all in your prayers,
b