45. The Sun Did Come Up and I Am Great Again!

Shared by a guest- one of my Southern Boys- a story he shared from the pulpit. A lady was asked to make an Angel Food cake for the Church Bazaar. When it came out of the oven the center had fallen. She did not have time to bake another. So she looked for something that would fit and a perfect fit was a roll of toilet paper. So she iced the cake and it was lovely. She called her daughter to get right over to the Bazaar and buy the cake she had just left. Daughter called back to tell her Mom she got there too late. Later in the day the upset lady went on to play bridge with her group. When it was time for dessert she saw the hostess bringing out her cake. She stood up to tell everyone the truth when another player said, “What a lovely cake!” “Thank you,” the Hostess replied, “I made it earlier today.” The cake maker lady quietly sat down and smiled.

We had 23 folks- 14 at our table-for breakfast and had a grand time. The Delaware Group was back and in rare form- especially my two Southern boys!! Four neat Canadians that had grown up here and had not been back since 1960 were also here. The humor and teasing and retorts at our table were great! We were wild! Some at the other table felt left out and some pulled their chairs over and joined our table. A lot of the “stiffer” folks at the other table thought I would be upset but I gave it all back in Spades! All clean fun.  To the new arrivals Ken gave his usual comical disclaimer when I am teasing folks- “This is my wife, Lenore. I’d like to apologize. ;))

The young couple, with the two kids, is back from up country and they were not in shock. They were prepared for no toilet, no running water, rustic living conditions, laundry by hand and different foods. They were surprised at water beds with- no heat turned on- to help one sleep cooler at night! The eight year old boy got tired of the kids touching his hair and skin and the 5 year old little girl was content with bugs, trees and other living things. Said it was not as bad as they feared. Now they will have to raise their support $$$ and then France for a year of French training. Then they will go to the real bush station. So they are two years off. Their 1-2 year old will be 3-4 by then. Said it was not as bad as they had been warned. There was a toilet but it had to be flushed with a bucket of water. So they are fired up and ready to go!! They will just live a camper type life. Cute!

We went to church yesterday. English one in Kinshasa. We sang a bunch of old familiar hymns and then newer ones with guitar music. Missed the choir girl that does the loud trilling in the songs!  Mike and his wife, Jill, do a great job running the church. Nice crowd and lots of visitors. Every Sunday there is a least one American family in the process of adopting one or more Congolese babies or young children. It is frustrating for all with three different languages going on. Those with the easiest time with the kids are those with babies since there is no language difficulties. The government often puts up roadblocks and eventually letting things go through. But flight changes cost a bunch. Play the game and pay the Piper! The folks yesterday were from Kentucky and adopting twins-boy and girl.

                  OK, MKs and Pks – “Say it Ain’t So -But Oh, You Know It Is!!”    ;)))

You Know You're a Missionary Kid When...

 You can't answer the question, "Where are you from?"

You speak two languages, but can't spell in either.

You flew before you could walk.

The U.S. is a foreign country.

You have a passport, but no driver's license.

You have a time zone map next to your telephone.

Your life story uses the phrase "Then we went to..." five times.

You watch nature documentaries, and you think about how good that would be if it were fried.

You think in grams, meters, and liters.

You speak with authority on the quality of airline travel.

You go to the U.S., and get sick “from a mosquito bite.”

Your family sends you peanut butter and Kool-Aid for Christmas.

National Geographic makes you homesick.

You have strong opinions about how to cook bugs.

People simply don't understand.

You live at school, work in the tropics, and go home for vacation.

You don't know where home is.

Strangers say they can remember you when you were "this tall."

You have friends from or in 29 different countries.

You do your devotions in another language.

You sort your friends by continent.

You keep dreaming of a green Christmas.

You tell people where you're from, and their eyes get big.

"Where are you from?" has more than one reasonable answer.

The nationals say, "Oh, I knew an American once..." and then ask if you know him or her.

You are grateful for the speed and efficiency of the U.S. Postal Service.

You realize that furlough is not a vacation.

You've spoken in dozens of churches, but aren't a pastor.

You know what REAL coffee tastes like.

The majority of your friends don't speak English as a first language.

Someone brings up the name of a team, and you get the sport wrong.

You believe vehemently that football is played with a round, spotted ball.

You know there is no such thing as an international language.

You realize what a small world it is, after all.

You never take anything for granted.

You know how to pack.

All preaching sounds better under a corrugated tin roof.

Going to the post office is the highlight of your day.

When you sing songs to yourself in a language other than English.

You get excited to find cokes are on sale for only 99 cents.

You carry Bibles in two languages to church.

You watch an English language video and read the foreign language subtitles.

When you dream in a foreign language.

Your Dad scolds you in a foreign language.

When you don't know how to count American money.

When you go on furlough  and your Mom buys everything in the store.

When adults want to pay you to teach them English.

When you would rather sleep on the floor than on the bed.

When the family gathers around the computer to check the E-mail.

When all your clothes have been worn by someone else.

When your friends know more English grammar than you do but can't understand an English conversation.

When you find a seven year old picture of yourself on someone's refrigerator.

When you know how to send a fax using an international call back service.

When you have carried the same dollar bill in your wallet for four years.

When driving on the right side of the road gives you the willies.

When the traffic light turns from red to blue.

When eating with chop sticks seems natural.

When you take a shower before taking a bath.

When you call senior missionaries Aunt and Uncle.

When the message on your answering machine is in two languages.

When you move into a new house you take a gift to all your neighbors.

When your Mom sends you out to sweep the street in front of your house.

When you pull into a gas stand and expect people to come running out screaming welcome!

You consider parasites, dysentery, or tropical diseases to be appropriate dinner conversation.

You have stopped in the middle of an argument to find the translation of a word you just used.

You calculate exchange rates by the price of Coke.

You would rather have a Land Rover Defender than a Lexus.

You enjoy textual criticism of customs forms.

                 (Originally compiled and published by Andrew and Deborah Kerr)

Copied and edited by Stephen Ross for WholesomeWords.org from multiple sources.

 Have a GREAT week!
Love Ya! Me