The British Army

The well... I am looking for a closer up pic of the donkey's packs... maybe later

Ali, who always has a smile, was one of the translators. He had the fun job of trying to understand the british accent before translating into Gabbra!

Come for us to poke you babies and make them cry! Mom, you could do this!
The British Army comes every year for a training excersise... they vaccinate the children and deal with some of the minor health care problems. I think they treated over 1,000 people in the 9 days that they were here.

The Doctors working hard... notice the guy in the background is busy busy!

I am really enjoying my zoom, 'cause I get get pics without people knowing!

And then they go home... walking, however far that they need to go.

What's the News???

Kalacha Daily Monday June16, 2008

Waiting Game.
We are still eagerly awaiting Paul and Salome’s new baby to arrive. They are staying in Marsabit and we are hoping that any day now we will get the news!!!

Double Duty Singing!
Two new arrivals in Kalacha! Both received the celebration songs for praising the baby boys! Olla Chirra claims one as their own, and little Abudo belongs to our neighbours in Olla Duke. Godanna and I (naïf Godanna) were able to attend both singing celebrations, and even got in on some of the jumping/dancing! I wonder what the mama’s thought of two mzungus joining in their celebration, we got many smiles so I had the feeling that they very much enjoyed themselves!

Brits vs. the Barefoots!
The british ‘escari’ (soldiers) were challenged to a match by our local hero’s, the Kalacha Berefoots! We all know the real reason that the british troop came to Kalacha was to play football (soccer) but in their down time, when it is too hot to play, they tend to the local’s medical needs. It was an intense game, with handicaps on both sides! First of all the Brits only had 8 players and had to be given two extra players (the two best of course- only the best for the guests), plus most of them had only heavy army boots to play in. Of course they could have opted for the lighter option of no shoes, as did all but one of the Gabbra players, but the rough, rocky field discouraged them. I am no sports broadcaster, so I don’t know who scored, or who assisted…. But Gabbra 3 and Brtis 1 was the end total! What a game!

In other news;
Singing practice is much fun and very energetic… understanding the words is not necessary to worship such an awesome God.
Dutch Blitz Championships! The record high score for one round was 25, held by Barille and Dube. Record low, -12, held by Galgallo and I.
I got pooped on by a bat.
Robe’s new cooking school (located in our kitchen) was a huge success! We can even make our own Mandazis now!!! (very mini deep fried crunchy doughnut type yummies)
Mikey is now leash trained, knows how to do a few tricks and routinely chases off neighbour kids (bad dog), but he still must learn to control the ergs to frantically chase livestock!
I killed another scorpion – total = 4
Gabbra is so frontal in our minds that we are having troubles with some English sentences… lucky for us we have spent SOOOO much time together we are starting to finish each others sentences and soon expect to not have to talk at all, we will just be communicating by our psychic connections.
3 Camels were sighted in town this morning.
Record all time temp lows for the town, it’s common to see people wrapped in blankets in the early morning…. It was almost cold enough to make me sleep with a sheet on.
Bugs=1 ‘Mini Sabdiofi Godanna’ = 0 Our hospitality was invaded upon by the unwelcome flour eaters! Even after sifting out the bugs and most of the larva we could not bring our selves to eat it. We donated it to the kids ‘arts and crafts’ cause. They say one day we will not mind and just cook and eat it anyway. Eww
Abbo got new socks! After observing Isacko putting on the ‘socks of many holes’, a collective decision was made to donate the ‘airplane’ socks to him! A ‘spit on your hands’ blessing was given back…. That takes some getting use to.
I had a shower! Oh what a glorious day!

a few random pics

Paul and Salome (these two pics are taken in Marsabit, that's why its so green!)

Steve and Angie Harding (now known as Sora and Bokayo)

Sabdio and Jillo, our little sisters.
Taking out the goats.

Water transportation.

Robe and Arbe teaching us how to make 'mandazies'! yum!

Desert Picnic

There is much to be done, and much to do when you are trying to learn a new language, a new set of cultural norms, a new way of living, plus a new pace to everyday life! Barbara and I are getting slightly more adventurous with our cooking, learning how to wash clothes by hand, getting better at our sewing skills (thanks mom for the great sewing kit!) and we have now purchased a 20L drum for hauling water! It still smells of gas, but this morning Barbara made 3 trips to the well. The very nice ladies at the well helped her as to how to put it on her back and she made it back safely. Our Iyo laughs every time we tell her that we want to learn how to haul water, like the other women. Our father seems to think that we should not be haluing water, its too heavy. The well isn’t too to far, but it’s a good walk.

I am starting to understand more and more Gabra, at least the regular questions (especially “are you married?”) and can come up with a somewhat appropriate response! But still leaps and bounds to go! Right now I am trying to get all of the names of our neighbours, and then trying to recognize them when I see them throughout Kalacha. It’s a bit of a task for me ‘cause I was never good at names to start with! This will be an ongoing task requiring much brain work!

Last Friday we had the neat opportunity of experiencing some traditional Gabbra and Rendili dances. There was a peace conference going on and once the sun set they started to have some fun. We were escorted by the youth from church, which was a great comfort because I still get lost in the dark, and joined the circles where the dancers were in the center. Since my description would never give it justice I will just say that it was amazing!

There is much to be learned about the concept that character is higher than productivity... I don't have much time to elaborate, but I am in the process of switching my way of thinking - learning to value 'being' over 'doing'. Charmyn