for a season

Today was the last of the first aid and CPR classes.  It was interesting and so enjoyable and actually quite humorous because Bryan came in and asked if the students liked the class.  They said, "Oh, it is the best one we have had so far".  Now Bryan has taught a class too so he made a joke out of their response.  I must say, I so enjoyed the time and wish it wasn't over so quickly.

Our gardener has begun putting in a garden of vegetables that we will be able to grow here.  We have corn, wing beans, green beans, cassava, a papaya tree, and yesterday he was so pleased when he brought a fig tree.  The fig tree grows very quickly but I don't know how soon it will bear fruit.  It will be great to have a tree in the back yard though.  I have tried to start an avocado tree from 3 seeds and finally the last one has sprouted so this will be added to the yard and it will be great!

It is amazing to see that we have been here in Soyo for almost 3 months.  My visa requires that I leave the country every 90 days until May 2012 so that is when we will take our R&R.  Bryan is going to Indonesia to make sure all preparations are completed for the trainees to come for the next 6 months for hands on training at a plant.  So, we decided to also make this our R&R and to stop in Thailand and visit friends and rest there.  For those of you that don't know, we used to live in Thailand...from 1992-2004.  We absolutely loved the people, culture, food.... and to have the opportunity to go back for a time is wonderful.  Just wish we could bring our children and their families.....that would be true rest and relaxation for me......We are leaving next week and will be back in Soyo before the end of May.  I have mixed feelings because I am looking forward to this time and I will also miss all my English students while I'm gone.  We haven't told them yet because they will be sad.  But everything will resume when I return.

Update on Ms Kitty.  With us leaving for 3 weeks, Ms Kitty must have someone care for her and change her cat box since she isn't using the toilet yet.  We have one of the office staff coming over tomorrow to see if she wants to take care of the cat.  Many people have dogs as pets here but not cats so this is very different for any local person.....to care for a cat inside and not just let them fend for themselves outside.  We will see what happens tomorrow.  If she says that this isn't something she wants to do, then we will just have someone come by daily to feed her and leave her on her own......sad.....

So what have I learned today?  It is a reminder that all good things are for a season.....and just like I enjoyed teaching the class on first aid and CPR, this is now finished.  I am sure that God will bring another opportunity to volunteer and share some skill that I have.  I never hear anything about the possibilities to help at the hospital or the hospice idea and I have made peace with that.  I continue to live each day the best I know how, find the interest and humor in all that is out here, and be thankful that we are here.