Hello Everybody! I hope no one was worried about us since I didn’t post anything last week. Our internet and e-mail went down last Monday and it is all just restored today. The server needed to be rebuilt (whatever that means!) and the provider also had problems. I don’t know what all that entails; I’m just glad to be reconnected to the world. I only had a very few e-mails from last week, so some may have been lost. If you wrote to me and I don’t get back to you, that’s probably what happened.
I was very excited to hear that the tax measures passed in Oregon. Thanks to everyone who voted there! I have no guarantee that I will have a job even so, since budgets are still tight, but my chances are much improved over what they would have been had the measures failed. I won’t know for sure for some time yet. I have resigned my position here in the meantime. The Director needs to recruit for any openings for next year, so I had to make a commitment by last week. He has agreed to hire me back if necessary – and if he still has openings – if nothing works out at home. If that is the case, we will still be doing well. There are so many things that we truly love here, not the least of which is the wonderful friends we’ve made here. We will go where God leads us.
Mary is busy, busy, busy! She not only has her homework load and violin, but she just got a part in the middle school play! She will be rehearsing 2 – 3 times per week until the end of April. It’s exciting but a big commitment. I’m proud of her!
Bryce has one week left in his cast, which has turned a disgusting gray color. He hasn’t slowed down a bit with this arm – mostly all it’s done is keep him dry. Mostly.
I went to Chombo last weekend – January 24. It was wonderful to see the corn growing, and so much more of it than last year! I was also able to see and try out the pump on the well and had a nice drink of the water from it. Delicious! They have cleared a huge plot of land near the pump that has been fallow forever and are now growing tomato plants there along with peanuts and beans. It’s so exciting to see their new prosperity! The difference between this year and last – when they were racing home with the food bags to eat – is heart warming. My plan for the rest of this year is to take food out once a month until harvest time, rent them a bull , provide them with some chicken wire so they can build a coop and buy a few fruit trees. Then it’s up to them. My friends Al and Cindy, who deliver the food with me and have been wonderful about sourcing materials, etc., will be here next year for sure and will help out with seed and fertilizer if needed in the spring (fall in the US.) I feel very optimistic about their future independence! Thanks for all your help with this project! Jeff has to be smiling about this!
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We hope to see you back at Hallinan next year! I went to a Water for People fundraiser last weekend and I thought of you when the speaker was talking about their projects around the world getting water to communities much like the one you are in. It’s a great organization…you should check it out when you have a chance. I admire so much what you have done.
-Julie
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What a fantastic accomplishment to help to bring self-sufficiency to the people of Chombo. This is as good as it gets in terms of helping others.
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Hi Terry,
Thank you for the heart warming update. So wonderful hearing about Chombo! Please pass on our congratulations to Mary regarding her role in the school play. She will be fantastic! And let Bryce know we are happy for him that his cast will be removed soon! Take Care.
Our Love,
Karthleen, Caitlin and Family -
Dear Terry,
Thank you so much for telling us about Chombo. It is gratifying to actually see that the money we have contributed is helping these lovely people to become self-sufficient. Both you and Jeff are gold-star heros as far as I am concerned!!
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Terry
What a wonderful smile you have brought to my face with Chombo.
I can hear the excitement of your joy tasting the water and seeing the crops growing with anticipation for what is about to be. What better gift of life could your family and friends have given these people then the gift of a better quality of life with food and water. I know Jeff is smiling as his Legacy continues to grow with more and more plans for the future ahead.
I am saying prayers for your job back in Oregon to be more then you could have ever imagined because you deserve it Terry.
It sounds like Mary and Bryce are continuing on with life nicely. Congratulations to Mary for being in the play.
I can just imagine the colour of Bryce’s cast!! I’m happy to read there have been no complications and he is like every other normal boy breaking their arm. Nothing phases them! Oh to be so young again!
Have a fabulous February. Take some pictures of the beautiful scenery if you can.
Laura
Brougham, Ontario, CanadaLaura
Brougham, Ontario, Canada -
Hello again. I thought about you a number of times last week. Wondered where you had gotten to. Glad to hear you will have a job here or there. That has got to be a relief!
Do you think you would have extended your contract for another 2 yrs if Jeff was still there? Just curious. Seems like the 2 yrs have just flown by!
Wow.
Won’t it be amazing someday when you are back in Africa visiting Chombo years in the future and see how much it will have changed. What a difference one person caring can make. Truely amazing!! -
What a deep sense of satisfaction you must be feeling. Without any measureable sacrafice on the part of those of us who contributed money toward your project, the life of a village was reinvigorated and given hope for the future. What a legacy your family will leave behind when you move back to the states. What a sense of empowerment for those of us who didn’t realize what commitment and perseverance can produce! You and your kids sound like you are making lemonaid and providing inspiration to all. Will continue praying for a stateside teaching job in the school of your choice (or at least nearby!) Love, Aunt Ruth
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Terry,
I can’t imagine that you won’t find a job out here! I’m praying about it!How wonderful that Chombo is nearly self-sufficient! What an amazing miracle!
Wish we could be there to sign Bryce’s cast………you’ll have to take a picture of it for us! I’m sure Amiette would love to see a video of Mary’s play! She is doing the Beauty and the Beast middle school musical out here…….along with about 300 other middle schoolers………..
Love you guys!
Dean and Leana
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Hi, Terry!
Nice to have you back in communications again. Gloria e-mailed about Bryce’s arm – glad for your update that the cast will be off and arm mended soon.
What an uplifting report about Chombo! Amazing what water (and friends!) can do. And what an inspriation.
Yes, I’m really relieved the tax measure passed. Now if it translates into more jobs/better services….
Take care and you are always in my prayers.
(CONGRATS to Mary on her part in the play – with her confidence, she would be a natural!) -
Terry,
I am so delighted to hear about Chombo and their new prosperity! Just think of the huge impact you and Jeff have and on these village people and their future generations!
I have every confidence that you will have a job here in Oregon in the not too distance future. See you in June!
Patti
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