Thursday 6/24/2010
Today we went to Kiegea (Masai Village) for clinic. When we pulled in to the lot very few people were there, but by the end of the day we saw a total of 175 people. (86 eye room, 150 medical doctors). Many of the same conditions as other days in addition to an albino baby, TB, sleep walking, hepatosplenomegaly, enlarged liver, and multinodular goiter. We got back to LJS at 6pm, had devos at 7 and tried to get on internet in common room, all to no avail.
Friday 6/25/2010
Today we arrived in village at 9am, the whole team is healthy, Praise God. When we arrived more were waiting for us. We quickly set up and prayed with villagers at 9:20am. It was very windy in the am, had to hold on to pages, etc. However the cool breeze was welcome. We saw the Asbury well drilled last June, right after lunch. Everyday the villagers cooked us food, usually rice, beans, soup with potatoes, and a few pieces of meat and greens. We served the Masai people and a few (3-4) Baribeig men came at the end of the day. We saw everyone either by doctors or at the very end just triaged through the pharmacy and gave 39 vitamins/pain pills. Our totals for eye was 113, medical 166, pharmacy 39, and total seen 221. Our week totals were eye 577, medical 727 and pharmacy 97 and grand total of 1,140. Priase God. Friday night we had dinner and walked to the house by Linda and Robert's for devos. Grant shared Matthew 9:35. Then we quickly inventoried/sorted all things left (supplies and meds).
Saturday 6/26/2010
We ate at 7am like usual, packed, walked the campus, etc. We pulled out of LJS at 10:25 headed for Dar es Salaam. We stopped at several shops and are now off to eat dinner before arriving at the Catholic guest house. We do have a few members with bad stomachs today, but I think they are feeling better. Please continue to pray for our health and safe return. Can't wait to see you guys!
Cheri Watkins
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Tanzania Medical Team Update, Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Last day in Lukangazi was tiring. Crowd control issues, end of day/learning issues for those unable to be seen. We saw 295 total people(medical-134 and eye-121. At the end we sent 58 to pharmacy for just pain, worm and vitamin medications.) Saw a lot of same conditions plus sickle cell, leg mass (possible bone cancer). Tonight we will attend the chapel service on campus of LJS. Tomorrow we go to a Masaii
village-Kiagea- for clinic for 2 days. Mary Pittman needs prayer. She stayed in bed today not feeling well. The pastors, evangelists and interpreters have been a huge help. They have made things much easier. We saw a beautiful rainbow on the drive back to LJS this afternoon.
village-Kiagea- for clinic for 2 days. Mary Pittman needs prayer. She stayed in bed today not feeling well. The pastors, evangelists and interpreters have been a huge help. They have made things much easier. We saw a beautiful rainbow on the drive back to LJS this afternoon.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Tanzania Medical Team Update, Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Clinic Day Review
Wow-what a day! Hectic, emotional and fantastic. We saw 162 in the eye room, 151 in the medical rooms (total of 284 people). Some people saw both eye and medical doctors. We treated 2 children with burns, re-dressed one leg wound from Monday, saw African sleeping sickness, Leismoniasis. We saw many headaches, back aches, hydroceles, abdominal parasites, arthritis, hernias, typhoid, diabetes, hypertension,sprains, fungal rashes etc.
All members of team are felling well and are working hard. One last thing, at lunch break we walked down to the AUMC water well and quickly walked through the village of Lukangazi.
Sharon and Team
Wow-what a day! Hectic, emotional and fantastic. We saw 162 in the eye room, 151 in the medical rooms (total of 284 people). Some people saw both eye and medical doctors. We treated 2 children with burns, re-dressed one leg wound from Monday, saw African sleeping sickness, Leismoniasis. We saw many headaches, back aches, hydroceles, abdominal parasites, arthritis, hernias, typhoid, diabetes, hypertension,sprains, fungal rashes etc.
All members of team are felling well and are working hard. One last thing, at lunch break we walked down to the AUMC water well and quickly walked through the village of Lukangazi.
Sharon and Team
Monday, June 21, 2010
Tanzania Medical Team Update, Monday, June 21, 2010
Today we went to Lukangazi village, a one hour ride away on bumpy dirt roads. We quickly set up in their school, each doctor had their own room, as well as the pharmacy. We had a lot of evangelists and pastors helping us, along with interpreters. We gathered to pray with the villagers before starting. We saw total of 165 people, 95 saw the eye doctor, 126 saw medical doctors. We saw hernias, leg wounds, HIV, back pain, gastritis, migraines, malaria, scabies, leprosy, diabetes, STD's and more. Dr. Reinking is feeling much better, praise God!
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Tanzania Medical Team Update, Sunday, June 20, 2010
All travel has been great. No problems. Saturday we had a delightful day at the Mikumi game park. We saw a lion, giraffes, elephants, impala, many beautiful birds, zebra, wildebeest, warthogs and baboons. We had lunch there at the park before returning to LJS (Lutheran Junior Seminary). That afternoon some went to the orphanage while others counted meds and organized for clinic. In the evening we eat dinner at 6 pm and then have devotions. The Spitaleris are very hospitable and are along side us for everything! Today we went into Morogoro to Pastor Raymond's church. It was a 4 hour service honoring Bishop Mameo. Many heads of government were there and the Bishop from Sangidi preached. The public health officer ran the auction and the lunch served afterwards. It was a delight to see and worship with all the fellow Christians in Morogoro, Tanzania. After lunch we returned to LJS where most continued to prepare for our clinic days and some went back to the nearby Catholic orphanage to play with the kids. Tomorrow we will go to Lukengazi village for the 1st day of clinics. Keep Dr. Richard Reinking in your prayers-he was sick all night Saturday and stayed in bed today (Sunday).
Happy Father's Day to all the fathers!
Sharon Hedgecock, Team Leader
Happy Father's Day to all the fathers!
Sharon Hedgecock, Team Leader
Friday, June 18, 2010
Tanzania Medical Team Update, Friday, June 18, 2010
We have arrived safely in Tanzania. Other than the fact everyone being exhausted from the traveling, we are still enjoying ourselves.We really just got situated today (after leaving Tulsa time at 2:30 on Wednesday) and organized medical supplies and a few others went to the orphanage. Tomorrow (Saturday) we are heading to
Mikumi (game park), bright and early. We are excited for what the week has to
offer and will be sure to keep you updated. Hope all is well in Tulsa.
Mikumi (game park), bright and early. We are excited for what the week has to
offer and will be sure to keep you updated. Hope all is well in Tulsa.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Estonia, Lighthouse VIM Update, Sunday, June 13, 2010
I am writing from a very slow computer in the hotel where we are staying. It reminded me of the piano that I played on this morning. More on that later.
On Friday, we packed up and loaded up in a rented van to go south. We crossed to an island in a ferry, and saw the beautiful Estonian countryside. We stopped along the way and visited a 13th C. castle-museum. It gives new meaning to the song, "A Mighty Fortress is our God." The walls were made of very thick walls that are still in excellent condition. (only some WWII damage from bomb) We visited the many rooms with interesting artifacts from the past.
We arrived at our hostel, that was arranged for us. It would have been fine, except there were 43 people to one bathroom. We did the minimum "requirements" and waited for better things ahead. We made our way to Haaspula (?)for Saturday evening, and this time we had very nice facilities. We ate at a famous cafe where we ate a pear torte that was delicious. We had lots of intresting food, and all of it excellent.
Sunday, we ate breakfast close to the church, and went on over. The pastor was very friendly,and we shared during the entire service. I played by myself (I Sing he Mighty Power of God), and the I found out later that they know those words to a different tune. They didn´t care, though. The piano was very stiff just like this computer--but I got by. It was in tune. Delores sang "Surely the Presence", and I played for all of the hymns that were chosen by the pastor, and were all familiar. Wayne spoke on the "Potter and the clay vessel", and did an awesome job. The pastor was so grateful for everything that we did. It was a small congregation--only about 25 people. He wanted Deloris to sing again, so we "winged it" with "Because He Lives". (she had mentioned that it was one of her favorites, so I knew that she knew it. We had never done it before the service, but it went fine.) I will never forget the communion service where we all made a big circle around the communion table. He invited Wayne to break the bread, and the pastor shared the wine. Wayne spoke the scriptural words in English, and the pastor spoke in Estonian. That will be forever etched in my memory.
We will leave early in the morning (Monday) with nearly a 24-hour trip home. Thank you for your prayers. We have felt Godś blessings.
Judy Werner and the team
On Friday, we packed up and loaded up in a rented van to go south. We crossed to an island in a ferry, and saw the beautiful Estonian countryside. We stopped along the way and visited a 13th C. castle-museum. It gives new meaning to the song, "A Mighty Fortress is our God." The walls were made of very thick walls that are still in excellent condition. (only some WWII damage from bomb) We visited the many rooms with interesting artifacts from the past.
We arrived at our hostel, that was arranged for us. It would have been fine, except there were 43 people to one bathroom. We did the minimum "requirements" and waited for better things ahead. We made our way to Haaspula (?)for Saturday evening, and this time we had very nice facilities. We ate at a famous cafe where we ate a pear torte that was delicious. We had lots of intresting food, and all of it excellent.
Sunday, we ate breakfast close to the church, and went on over. The pastor was very friendly,and we shared during the entire service. I played by myself (I Sing he Mighty Power of God), and the I found out later that they know those words to a different tune. They didn´t care, though. The piano was very stiff just like this computer--but I got by. It was in tune. Delores sang "Surely the Presence", and I played for all of the hymns that were chosen by the pastor, and were all familiar. Wayne spoke on the "Potter and the clay vessel", and did an awesome job. The pastor was so grateful for everything that we did. It was a small congregation--only about 25 people. He wanted Deloris to sing again, so we "winged it" with "Because He Lives". (she had mentioned that it was one of her favorites, so I knew that she knew it. We had never done it before the service, but it went fine.) I will never forget the communion service where we all made a big circle around the communion table. He invited Wayne to break the bread, and the pastor shared the wine. Wayne spoke the scriptural words in English, and the pastor spoke in Estonian. That will be forever etched in my memory.
We will leave early in the morning (Monday) with nearly a 24-hour trip home. Thank you for your prayers. We have felt Godś blessings.
Judy Werner and the team
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Estonia, Lighthouse VIM Update, Thursday, June 10, 2010
Thursday at the Lighthouse
Today was our last day at the Lighthouse. We hustled around to get ready for the last day of music and puppets. We set up the front room with the puppet stage and the music sheets so that we could perform for all of the adults in the building. We finished making our Oklahoma chili and made spaghetti for the lunch. We told the children that it was "cowboy" or "cowgirl" chili. They seemed to really like it. We made it on the mild side. It was "no alarm" chili. We also bought Coke for them, which they wanted an unending cup! After lunch we did our performance, and the children did very well. They gave us a hand made art card with dimensional flowers on it as a gift. We sang the chorus "Alleluia" together at the end.
At lunch, one of the former Lighthouse kids came by. He is now a medic in the army. I think that the Lighthouse gives these children a hope for a different life from what they presently have. Their home backgrounds are so bad that in America they would be removed to a foster home. Here in Estonia, they do not do that too often, since the alternate is an orphanage.
Dave and Wayne did all of the painting that they could. Wayne was still wanting to get another coat of paint on the stairwell, but I think that time is running out for them. The work that they did was well appreciated.
Tonight we are going to Mallś (director of the Lighthouse)house for dinner. Her husband doesn´t speak English, but smiles all of the time! (Love in any language!)
Tomorrow we are heading to the south, and will take a ferry across. We will attend an Estonian church on Sunday. Delores is singing "Surely the Presence of the Lord" on Sunday. She has a beautiful voice.
If I don´t have a computer in the hotel, I won´t be able to email. This may be my last until we get home.
Thanks for your continued prayers.
Wayne and Judy
Dave and Jan
Delores
Today was our last day at the Lighthouse. We hustled around to get ready for the last day of music and puppets. We set up the front room with the puppet stage and the music sheets so that we could perform for all of the adults in the building. We finished making our Oklahoma chili and made spaghetti for the lunch. We told the children that it was "cowboy" or "cowgirl" chili. They seemed to really like it. We made it on the mild side. It was "no alarm" chili. We also bought Coke for them, which they wanted an unending cup! After lunch we did our performance, and the children did very well. They gave us a hand made art card with dimensional flowers on it as a gift. We sang the chorus "Alleluia" together at the end.
At lunch, one of the former Lighthouse kids came by. He is now a medic in the army. I think that the Lighthouse gives these children a hope for a different life from what they presently have. Their home backgrounds are so bad that in America they would be removed to a foster home. Here in Estonia, they do not do that too often, since the alternate is an orphanage.
Dave and Wayne did all of the painting that they could. Wayne was still wanting to get another coat of paint on the stairwell, but I think that time is running out for them. The work that they did was well appreciated.
Tonight we are going to Mallś (director of the Lighthouse)house for dinner. Her husband doesn´t speak English, but smiles all of the time! (Love in any language!)
Tomorrow we are heading to the south, and will take a ferry across. We will attend an Estonian church on Sunday. Delores is singing "Surely the Presence of the Lord" on Sunday. She has a beautiful voice.
If I don´t have a computer in the hotel, I won´t be able to email. This may be my last until we get home.
Thanks for your continued prayers.
Wayne and Judy
Dave and Jan
Delores
Wednesday, June 09, 2010
Ecuador VIM Update, Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Our group had another full day in Shell. Our medical professionals and therapists spent another day with the kids at Casa De Fe. They made corrective devices for kids with disabilities and examined and worked with other kids. The rest of the group spent part of the day at the construction site, finishing up with plastering the walls and ceilings, and helping the Mississippi group begin painting. They then spent the rest of the day at casa de fe, playing with and loving the kids, taking some of the toddlers to a local park, which is a real treat for those kids, and spending time with the kids doing crafts.
It was busy and challenging again, but well worth it. God really works wonders here in Ecuador!
Tim
It was busy and challenging again, but well worth it. God really works wonders here in Ecuador!
Tim
Estonia, Lighthouse Update, Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Wednesday at Lighthouse, Estonia
Today we got to the Lighthouse early so that Mall, the director could take us to a discount store to buy chocolate and coffee. Delores, Jan, and I rode in the car to the store. Mallś husband drove us, because Mall doesn´t like to drive. I can see why, itś crazy! When we returned to the Lighthouse, the children began arriving, and we did the "Cha Cha Slide", "Alice the Camel", and played musical chairs. They loved playing musical chairs while I played the piano. I would pick very abrupt places to stop!
We did music again, and added the paper plates and chopsticks activity, which was pretty wild!! Delores helped me pass out plates and chopsticks, and also took pictures. (She really "loves" on the kids", Her "grandma" approach seems to be working well with the kids.) We needed the interupter to say " Do it together, and don´t hit your neighbor with your plates!!! All of these kids seems to have a very good sense of beat, and when directed, can do well following the boomwhacker and bell charts that I brought. We practiced our other songs, since tomorrow we will perform for all of the adults before the children go to see "Shrek" in Russian and Estonaian (two different times for shows). It is their special treat since they just finished school. Wouldn´t it be funny to see "Shrek" in Russian"? We won´t be able to do that tomorrow, as Mall has other plans for us.
We used the puppets today, and they sang to some recordings that Jan brought. The little boys are pretty wild! Tina told us that three of them come from a home of 7 children, and the mother couldn´t remember how many kids she had! The mother is probably on drugs, and the children are on their own. It is survival mode for them. I noticed one child with bruises on his face, so it is as we knew, that these children come from very difficult homes, where abuse and neglect are likely.
Wayne and Dave have painted the first coat on a large room. They are putting the second coat on tomorrow, and also plan to paint the very high stair well. They are using a very tall ladder to reach this area. Wayne arm-wrestled a boy today. He could have wiped him out in two seconds, but he played along for quite a while, and finally let him win.
Jan and Delores are in the kitchen making chili with spaghetti for the kids tomorrow. We are making an "American" meal for them. Dave insisted that chili over spaghetti is the way people eat this in Oklahoma. Jan and I were discussing this, and she said that Dave likes his chili this way. I am guessing that the children may like it with pasta, too.
Last evening, we went to eat supper at a place called "Texas". It was very interesting Tex-Mex. I ordered tostados that were tortillas with chicken, zuchinni, and red peppers, with a Holandaise like sauce with dill in it. The chips also had a fruity dip. No salsa for us! It was very tasty, but we decided that it was definitely Estonian Tex-Mex.
Tomorrow is our last day at the Lighthouse, and then we go down south and will visit two churches. Wayne is speaking on Sunday, and I will be playing the piano. When Mall talked with the minister he said that his parishiners were sick of him, and they would like to here someone else.! He wants me to play before during and after the service, so I guess I will be "faking" it a bit!
Hopefully I will send one more email tomorrow. I am uncertain whether we will have email when we go south.
Thanks for your prayers and support,
Judy and Wayne
Today we got to the Lighthouse early so that Mall, the director could take us to a discount store to buy chocolate and coffee. Delores, Jan, and I rode in the car to the store. Mallś husband drove us, because Mall doesn´t like to drive. I can see why, itś crazy! When we returned to the Lighthouse, the children began arriving, and we did the "Cha Cha Slide", "Alice the Camel", and played musical chairs. They loved playing musical chairs while I played the piano. I would pick very abrupt places to stop!
We did music again, and added the paper plates and chopsticks activity, which was pretty wild!! Delores helped me pass out plates and chopsticks, and also took pictures. (She really "loves" on the kids", Her "grandma" approach seems to be working well with the kids.) We needed the interupter to say " Do it together, and don´t hit your neighbor with your plates!!! All of these kids seems to have a very good sense of beat, and when directed, can do well following the boomwhacker and bell charts that I brought. We practiced our other songs, since tomorrow we will perform for all of the adults before the children go to see "Shrek" in Russian and Estonaian (two different times for shows). It is their special treat since they just finished school. Wouldn´t it be funny to see "Shrek" in Russian"? We won´t be able to do that tomorrow, as Mall has other plans for us.
We used the puppets today, and they sang to some recordings that Jan brought. The little boys are pretty wild! Tina told us that three of them come from a home of 7 children, and the mother couldn´t remember how many kids she had! The mother is probably on drugs, and the children are on their own. It is survival mode for them. I noticed one child with bruises on his face, so it is as we knew, that these children come from very difficult homes, where abuse and neglect are likely.
Wayne and Dave have painted the first coat on a large room. They are putting the second coat on tomorrow, and also plan to paint the very high stair well. They are using a very tall ladder to reach this area. Wayne arm-wrestled a boy today. He could have wiped him out in two seconds, but he played along for quite a while, and finally let him win.
Jan and Delores are in the kitchen making chili with spaghetti for the kids tomorrow. We are making an "American" meal for them. Dave insisted that chili over spaghetti is the way people eat this in Oklahoma. Jan and I were discussing this, and she said that Dave likes his chili this way. I am guessing that the children may like it with pasta, too.
Last evening, we went to eat supper at a place called "Texas". It was very interesting Tex-Mex. I ordered tostados that were tortillas with chicken, zuchinni, and red peppers, with a Holandaise like sauce with dill in it. The chips also had a fruity dip. No salsa for us! It was very tasty, but we decided that it was definitely Estonian Tex-Mex.
Tomorrow is our last day at the Lighthouse, and then we go down south and will visit two churches. Wayne is speaking on Sunday, and I will be playing the piano. When Mall talked with the minister he said that his parishiners were sick of him, and they would like to here someone else.! He wants me to play before during and after the service, so I guess I will be "faking" it a bit!
Hopefully I will send one more email tomorrow. I am uncertain whether we will have email when we go south.
Thanks for your prayers and support,
Judy and Wayne
Tuesday, June 08, 2010
Ecuador VIM Update, Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Our group has been busy at the Casa De Fe orphanage and also at the construction site of the new two story building that is being constructed. Don Hamilton, our doctor, has with Kelly Bryan's help, been assessing children, taking vital signs and working on getting medical records and histories. In a place where birth dates are not even known for some of the kids, this is a huge undertaking and is desperately needed. Teryl Speryle and Julie Wilson, our therapists, have been very busy assessing the many needs of the special needs kids, working with the Casa De Fe staff to help train them to perform some therapies, providing assistance devices for some of the kids, and loving on them. Michelle Carney, Lily Heine, Debra Knight and others in our group have been playing with the kids, taking them to a nearby park, where they almost never get to go because of a shortage of supervision, and doing crafts and games.
Our construction crew has been working with another group from Mississippi at the construction site. We have plastered walls, wired the first floor for electrical power and helped pour concrete to construct a five foot high, ten foot long cistern for collecting rain water. Anne Heine is a master plasterer, and Debbie Hamilton should be on Tool Time for her use of power tools. It is fun, exciting and tiring. With the work we are doing, they may be able to occupy the first floor within a month or so. We hope to lay tile on some of the floors later in the week.
We have had an exciting and challenging trip so far, and God has shown his presence in so many ways that it would take many more pages to describe them.
Tim
Our construction crew has been working with another group from Mississippi at the construction site. We have plastered walls, wired the first floor for electrical power and helped pour concrete to construct a five foot high, ten foot long cistern for collecting rain water. Anne Heine is a master plasterer, and Debbie Hamilton should be on Tool Time for her use of power tools. It is fun, exciting and tiring. With the work we are doing, they may be able to occupy the first floor within a month or so. We hope to lay tile on some of the floors later in the week.
We have had an exciting and challenging trip so far, and God has shown his presence in so many ways that it would take many more pages to describe them.
Tim
Estonia Lighthouse Team, Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Tuesday at the Lighthouse
Greetings again from Estonia. We are in the second day at the Lighthouse. Wayne and Dave succeeded yesterday at installing a toilet, and also mounting two large fire extinguishers. Today Wayne has been scraping a stairwell that was loaded with loose paint and plaster. The children called him a "snowman". He is now putting on new plaster so it can dry overnight, and then put on paint tomorrow. This area is in very bad shape! I know that Mall, the director, will be very happy to have it looking better.
After coffee (with pastries, cheese, ham and tomatoes), we got out tables for the crafts, and prepared for music. The children made a cross necklace with colored beads that represented the Gospel story (black for sin, red for the blood of Jesus, etc). The all seemed to be very proud of their project. One Russian boy drew me a picture. It was very well done, and was a picture of a man with a top hat carrying flowers. I thought that was very nice! The children are often hungry when they come, so we don´t put off lunch. After they are fed, we have music, and today I used a colored chart with groups of rhythm instruments. We also played bells and boomwhackers on a couple of other songs. We repeated "Jumpin´for Jesus". Wow! I feel like I´ve had an aerobic workout after we do that song! These children are younger than the group I had two years ago, and their attention span is shorter. They did seem to enjoy being wild and crazy during "Jumpin´for Jesus"!
Jan did puppets again, and they also enjoyed doing that. Tomorrow we are doing the "Cha Cha Shuffle" or whatever it was called. Oops, I got another workout because Jan and I practiced after the children had left so we won´t get too mixed up tomorrow.
In the evenings, we are relaxing. Last night, we slipped into an organ and violin recital at a church nearby. The music was really beautiful. However, I was afraid that Wayne and Dave might interrupt with snoring, so we didn´t stay too long. This church has painting all across the top of the church of Bible stories, that were during a time when people were illiterate. They would learn from the pictures.
Last night we walked around Old Town, near our apartment for about two hours. The churches and old structures are interesting and beautiful. Some of them have recently been restored. (I noticed progress in this area since I was here in 2008). The daylight lasts until about 2:00 in the morning, so before we knew it, it was bedtime (10:30) ,and we were still wandering around town.
We continue in our efforts tomorrow at the Lighthouse. Thanks for your prayers and support.
Judy and Wayne Werner & the team
Greetings again from Estonia. We are in the second day at the Lighthouse. Wayne and Dave succeeded yesterday at installing a toilet, and also mounting two large fire extinguishers. Today Wayne has been scraping a stairwell that was loaded with loose paint and plaster. The children called him a "snowman". He is now putting on new plaster so it can dry overnight, and then put on paint tomorrow. This area is in very bad shape! I know that Mall, the director, will be very happy to have it looking better.
After coffee (with pastries, cheese, ham and tomatoes), we got out tables for the crafts, and prepared for music. The children made a cross necklace with colored beads that represented the Gospel story (black for sin, red for the blood of Jesus, etc). The all seemed to be very proud of their project. One Russian boy drew me a picture. It was very well done, and was a picture of a man with a top hat carrying flowers. I thought that was very nice! The children are often hungry when they come, so we don´t put off lunch. After they are fed, we have music, and today I used a colored chart with groups of rhythm instruments. We also played bells and boomwhackers on a couple of other songs. We repeated "Jumpin´for Jesus". Wow! I feel like I´ve had an aerobic workout after we do that song! These children are younger than the group I had two years ago, and their attention span is shorter. They did seem to enjoy being wild and crazy during "Jumpin´for Jesus"!
Jan did puppets again, and they also enjoyed doing that. Tomorrow we are doing the "Cha Cha Shuffle" or whatever it was called. Oops, I got another workout because Jan and I practiced after the children had left so we won´t get too mixed up tomorrow.
In the evenings, we are relaxing. Last night, we slipped into an organ and violin recital at a church nearby. The music was really beautiful. However, I was afraid that Wayne and Dave might interrupt with snoring, so we didn´t stay too long. This church has painting all across the top of the church of Bible stories, that were during a time when people were illiterate. They would learn from the pictures.
Last night we walked around Old Town, near our apartment for about two hours. The churches and old structures are interesting and beautiful. Some of them have recently been restored. (I noticed progress in this area since I was here in 2008). The daylight lasts until about 2:00 in the morning, so before we knew it, it was bedtime (10:30) ,and we were still wandering around town.
We continue in our efforts tomorrow at the Lighthouse. Thanks for your prayers and support.
Judy and Wayne Werner & the team
Monday, June 07, 2010
Estonia, Lighthouse, Monday, June 7, 2010
After arriving on Friday, we spent the rest of the evening trying to stay awake, so that we could get our days and nights switched around. I made it until about 8:00 (That’s 4:00 AM), I gave in and went to bed. Saturday was a little easier, and we spent the day with Mall, the Lighthouse Director, as she walked around Old Town in Tallin with us. We saw numerous old buildings and churches. We got ready for Sunday services. I was playing the piano for the service at Baltic Methodist Center, so I spent some time practicing. There is a piano on the lower floor of the building where we are staying.
In our little apartment, we are able to fix our own breakfast, and make coffee, etc. We have interesting experiences buying groceries at the store since everything is in either Russian or Estonian. We bought some cereal that we thought was granola, but it was cooked cereal. It really tasted funny, too. I had different grains in it, like corn, flax, and other seeds. I have to say that it did stick to my ribs, though!
On Sunday, we took a tram down to the BMC and I was asked to play extra music for the prelude. I just chose a few songs from the hymnal, and played for about 10 minutes before the service. I also played "I Sing the Mighty Power" later during the service. We were all introduced as friends of Estonia, as our church, Asbury UMC, has given a lot to help establish and build this church. It is a beautiful building and a very modern structure. It is striking to look at the city and see the very old against the very new.
This morning, on Monday, we walked the short mile to the Lighthouse. We hurried about, getting things ready, and the children arrived around 11:00. We did some craft projects with the children, and then they ate lunch. We then did music and puppets. They did very well with "William Tell Overture" and " Ode to Joy" on boomwhackers. We added the bells to "Ode to Joy" and then did "Amazing Grace" on bells. They did pretty well. We played "Alice the Camel has 10 humps" and also sang "Jumpin’ for Jesus". We were really moving fast this morning!! Jan did a puppet song that was "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" with Christian words. The kids seemed to enjoy it.
While we were doing all of this, Wayne and Dave were working on putting a toilet in a bathroom. As Wayne would have guessed, when you do plumbing, there seems to always be something needed that is missing. They went to the store with a translator, and later returned with it. They are still working as I am typing. I know that they would like to get it done, so they can get to other repairs and painting.
I should be able to update you daily this week, as I have access to a computer after the children are gone.
Thanks for your prayers.
Wayne and Judy
In our little apartment, we are able to fix our own breakfast, and make coffee, etc. We have interesting experiences buying groceries at the store since everything is in either Russian or Estonian. We bought some cereal that we thought was granola, but it was cooked cereal. It really tasted funny, too. I had different grains in it, like corn, flax, and other seeds. I have to say that it did stick to my ribs, though!
On Sunday, we took a tram down to the BMC and I was asked to play extra music for the prelude. I just chose a few songs from the hymnal, and played for about 10 minutes before the service. I also played "I Sing the Mighty Power" later during the service. We were all introduced as friends of Estonia, as our church, Asbury UMC, has given a lot to help establish and build this church. It is a beautiful building and a very modern structure. It is striking to look at the city and see the very old against the very new.
This morning, on Monday, we walked the short mile to the Lighthouse. We hurried about, getting things ready, and the children arrived around 11:00. We did some craft projects with the children, and then they ate lunch. We then did music and puppets. They did very well with "William Tell Overture" and " Ode to Joy" on boomwhackers. We added the bells to "Ode to Joy" and then did "Amazing Grace" on bells. They did pretty well. We played "Alice the Camel has 10 humps" and also sang "Jumpin’ for Jesus". We were really moving fast this morning!! Jan did a puppet song that was "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" with Christian words. The kids seemed to enjoy it.
While we were doing all of this, Wayne and Dave were working on putting a toilet in a bathroom. As Wayne would have guessed, when you do plumbing, there seems to always be something needed that is missing. They went to the store with a translator, and later returned with it. They are still working as I am typing. I know that they would like to get it done, so they can get to other repairs and painting.
I should be able to update you daily this week, as I have access to a computer after the children are gone.
Thanks for your prayers.
Wayne and Judy
Friday, June 04, 2010
Estonia Lighthouse Team Update, Friday, June 4, 2010
We arrived in Estonia this morning (Friday) after a long , but uninterrupted flight with all of our baggage, so I guess I won´t have to wear white tennis shoes with dress clothes on Sunday. We are spending a few hours at the Lighthouse before returning to our rooms later this evening. Some of the kids are still here that were here in 2008 when I was here, and they remembered me. Yeah! I am looking forward to Monday when we begin our weekly camp with music, puppets, and crafts. Wayne and Dave are doing a tool inventory to see what they need to do some plumbing and painting. With a language barrier, it was hard for them to explain that they needed an adjustable wrench, but I showed Mall (the director) a C with my fingers that gradually got smaller. Sign language always works! Thanks for all of your prayers.
Wayne and Judy and the rest of the VIM
Wayne and Judy and the rest of the VIM
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