This
was supposed to go on the last update but somehow got missed. Must be my
age, the late hour, or just simply an oversight. Oh well. Won't be
the last one I'm sure. This is Connie's version of Friday in
Kavastu. Enjoy!!
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Hi
Lynda,
Just
thought you might enjoy seeing things from a woman's perspective instead of
always work updates.
I
was impressed with the loving,caring heart Steve and Phil have for Mighty, the
ferry boat driver. (person) They spent much time witnessing to him, and
talking about the Lord. We got some Estonian Bibles from Paavo so
they took one to him. He is a weekly + visitor upstairs here,
bringing apples, plums, cranberries or something. We too take things to
him, he likes when Riina brings him cookies we made or leftovers from
lunch. He has no wife these past 15 years so it is good for him to get a
good home cooked meal once in a while. He told Steve and Phil if he was
just a little younger................... he really likes Riina. He
has developed a real closeness to Christopher, there buddies.......... and
Cayla, she is his sweet little girl. He said the other day when he
brought them apples up he is going to miss them. I saw a little tear in
his eye. I believe that is so true they really are good to him, spend time
listening to all his stories. He even let's Christopher take out his boat.
The
last night for Steve here he invited both Philip and Steve to come
and see some things with him. What they didn't understand was he had
wanted all of us to come. Well he had prepared for a lot of
us, a big kettle of beans cooking on the open fire, sausages by the
dozens. Music and laughter. After a short time Tom and
Riina walked down, he ferried them over to join the party. After some
"Estonian language" Riina said " you all better sit
down, no I really mean it, you all better sit down. You know
that sausage you have all eaten.........it is blood sausage.
Somehow no one was very hungry anymore. What a person goes through
to be a "friend" and a good witness. A couple of weeks ago I had
a opportunity to share some food with the local dairy workers.
They brought in special to share with me this biggest longest slimiest
looking fish, special smoked to share with me..............I thought
I would die. I kept shaking my head no, but they didn't understand so
they ripped of a hunk and gave it to me, I had to eat some of it. I
took pulled of a small piece and choked it down. I then asked them
what kind was it..........Of course that was a stupid question because I don't
think I really wanted to know so the one man gets out this book and shows me
the American
word
eel. Makes me not want to share ANY MORE OF OUR FOOD with them. Wouldn't
feel so obligated to try theirs.
The
little 10 year old boy who Jim took to the hospital with his mother
and "older" sister yesterday was here with the 11 year
"older" sister tonight. Talk about a heart breaking
situation. She unbuttoned his coat, took off his shoes for him, and
mothered him to death. I have never seen a 11 year old so
motherly............especially to a younger brother. We asked him if it hurt
and he said yes. His sister showed us where it was all broken. the top of
his shoulder, the top of the arm, and his collarbone. 3 places. All
because of some playground foolishness. I don't think the other kid
really meant to hurt him, you know how kids ruff-house, they might be angry and
bickering back and forth but not really wanting to do damage to someone
else. They spent some time with Cayla when it was time to go
home, it was just a reverse process, she put on his shoes, tied them put
his coat over his shoulders buttoned them all up etc. This little 11 year
old is the same girl who all summer hours at a time pushed this buggy up and
down the road with a 2 month old baby. The week school started she was here
and I noticed the shoes she had were barely wearable so I gave
her some new shoes and slippers I bought at Wal Mart before coming here
for a few $ a pair, I have never seen her wear the shoes. Cayla say's she wears
the slippers at school, she kept the slippers because they were
pink. Tonight I found out why I have never seen her wear the shoes, she
was tying them on her little brother, she gave the white tennis shoes to him,
they were a bit big but at least he had shoes for school. I just can't
imagine.......can you see any of our kids doing the same???? The love these
kids have here for there siblings is unbelievable. I commented to someone
in a e-mail several weeks ago that ages 6-16 they are all friends, they all do
things with each other, they all look out for each other. They come here
in groups with Cayla after school. Before school started up this fall it
was nothing to have 15 kids all sitting at the bottom of the steps or the
computer room talking or laughing together. Or children are
homeschooled but they all want her to come to school and the teacher likes that
she speaks English as it helps the others learn easier. Even a English
teacher in town here who teaches at the high school has asked Cayla to come to
school with her and speak to her English class. For Cayla getting up in
front a big group is no problem.......She would have done morning devotions
and music every morning when the teams were here.
A
praise here now...........I received a call yesterday (Thursday) from the
government agency handling our visa paper work, looks like we all will not be
having only bread and water after all. Our visa's are approved and we can
pick them up Monday or Tuesday in Tartu, we don't have to drive all the
way to Tallinn to get them either.
My
biggest project now that we know our visa's are a reality is getting permission
from the airlines, and US customs for Cayla to take her new pet home. She
said she can't leave it here......ANYONE WITH A SMALL CHILD KNOWS THE LOOK OF A
FACE SAYING THAT Seems like her daddy gave her 100 Kroons for meals
at school and snacks. About equal to $5 American dollars.......well someone was
selling a hamster...she bought it....10 kroons
GREAT So today when she came home from school we went to the pet
store and bought cage, bedding, a play tunnel and some food. .
It is amazing how something so "little" can mean so much, and require
such official response-work just to go home.
Well
must get to the other e-mails.
God
Bless
Connie
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That's
all for now - more to come later.
Blessings
lynda