Hoe Down

Last night we had a hoe down at the Muller's. The Muller's are leaving on furlough toward the end of this year and a couple has come to cover for them while they are gone. Part of the reason for the shindig was to get acquainted with the new people. The other reason was just for fun. There was a total of 41 people present last night, the most that they have ever had at one time. There was so much food, chili, BBQ pulled beef, salmon dip, pizza bites, and whole lot more, with dessert on top of that. There were even s'mores over a fire. I guarantee I ate too much. We stayed late and talked a lot. There was a young lady from New Zealand there who was working for a month at the prison clinic for some sort of internship.

We had another adventure on Thursday. Kevin and I had wanted to go to the black market, Narantol Zakh, but didn't think that we wanted to go by ourselves. When Pastor suggested that we go, we were all for it. There was only one problem: we didn't know where it was. That doesn't seem like that big of a problem, it's easily solved by asking someone who knows. The problem with that is that you can't ask for directions if you don't think you need them. That was the biggest problem, I thought I knew where to go. So we headed out thinking we knew where we were going. All that wouldn't have been a problem had I been carrying my cell phone with me. But pickpockets frequent Narantol and in that wise I took nothing with me but some cash. To make a long story short, an hour and a half later and one river crossed we finally made it to Narantol. When we finally did make it, it was because we met someone on the way who knew where it was. I felt bad for leading everyone on a wild goose chase for and hour and a half but we all had a good time and it certainly was an adventure. I would have posted a picture to document the event but I left my camera at the apartment so it wouldn't get picked. Oh well.

John

Flood Stage

We are still experiencing internet difficulty and it makes timing blogging hard.  When I think of it I can't get on the internet and when I have the internet I'm not thinking of blogging.  The engineer came today and couldn't get it figured out.  I'm hooked up right now to the regular (fast) internet but it's not cooperating with the router so only one person can be on at a time.  We've started another week of school and now we're learning about genitive cases.  I've also been reading books that Mr. Dean has been recommending and I've already been through two besides my own novels that I brought.  Now I'm reading a book called Fearfully and Wonderfully Made.  Written by a doctor who specializes in leprosy care.  It's very interesting and the author uses many fascinating illustrations from his past experiences.  We are really enjoying having the Jaquiths here.  I'm glad to hear preaching in English; I had no idea how good it was going to be hearing pastor's preaching again.  I guess we never really know what we have until we have to do without.  We had a really great time at prayer today.  There were 7 men present, the most we've had since I've been here.

Walking to school and home has revealed some interesting personal encounters over the weeks.  So far I've been engaged in conversation by two drunks.  More interestingly a group of three ruffians tried to pick my pocket.  We passed them at the bus stop and they began to follow us.  As we reached a narrow stretch of sidewalk two came up in front of us and there was one behind.  The two in front began to make a little tussle then one pushed the other and he bumped right into me.  At the same time the one behind bumped into me as well.  I was sandwiched between the two.  I shrugged them to the side and they ran off.  My camera was in my pocket with the lanyard hanging out but I had my hand on it so it was safe.  Nothing was taken (as far as I know) so everything is okay.

John