F L A M E

African Journals

"Looking Back"

We had left Guinea Bissau this past April 20. It was very hot then, 98° to 105° most every day. To arrive in Snohomish where we live was indeed welcome. We wore extra clothes for at least a couple weeks until we adjusted to the 40° to 50° temperature difference. It was wonderful to see our family again.

We came home with the resolve to return to Guinea Bissau in October of this year, Lord willing. Also, after much prayer and consideration we determined that another container should be sent to Guinea Bissau. A container project requires much time and effort on our part. God has been faithful in providing the needed things to build and operate Jesus' Industrial School. As the summer and fall came along God brought us 128 gallons of free paint needed for the security wall around the compound, 27 boxes of garden seeds for the people, a Suzuki Samurai car for us to go back and forth to the school (one and a half miles away) and occasionally to Bissau, 5 computers, 10 boxes of medical supplies, a used welding machine plus a brand new one, 3 filing cabinets for our school office, 2 desks, 2 book cases, 13 nesting metal framed chairs, tables that can serve as student desks row irk tables in the sewing class room; also donated were hundreds of useful tools for auto mechanics, construction and carpentry classes. We also personally buy and bring canned food items particularly meat products. We have been blessed each year to have money donated to FLAME for container shipping costs. The container was picked up from the loading dock at Oak Harbor Freight Lines terminal in Montlake Terrace, Washington on October 5. We deeply appreciate the use of the Oak Harbor Freight Lines terminal to load the container. The scheduled arrival date in Bissau is November 28. While we were home in Snohomish this past spring and summer we completed our new garden area 48' X 40' complete with fence, raised beds and drip irrigation. We kept the family and neighbors well supplied with fresh vegetables. We are doing research and experimentation on drip irrigation because in the future we hope to teach this method of gardening to the people in Guinea Bissau.

As this summer progressed, there were many joys and some sorrow too. On July 20 Alice, Herb's beloved step-mother passed away and on August 21 Herb's Dad passed away. Both were suffering from the infirmities of old age, particularly Alice who had progressive neurological degenerative disease that had robbed her of the ability to speak, walk and feed herself. For a long time Herb would think of phoning Dad every night as he used to. We miss them very much but take comfort that neither of them is suffering anymore and that they now are enjoying the presence of God in heaven. We were thankful that we were "State-side" when they passed away. We have many good memories of being with them.

This summer we went to visit our daughter and two sons who live away from our State of Washington. It was good to be with Ann-Marie, Phil and Keith and their families. We did take a little time for ourselves at the Pacific Ocean. It was nice to be alone together without and agenda to keep up with!

There were many things to take care of prior to returning to Guinea Bissau including Herb's parents' estate. Thankfully, Herb's brother, Larry is overseeing this task. We visited churches that we considered prospective supporters. We also made presentations of our ongoing work to the churches that are currently supporting FLAME. By the first of October our adrenalin began to flow and the excitement of returning to Guinea Bissau had stirred our hearts. We were eager to go and resume our missionary work.