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Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Home school
Colleen and Ruben do home school every morning for about 2 hours. Ruben is in KG2. We decided to home school Ruben so that we do not have to make another trip into town in the middle of the day. The kindergarten classes are not the same time as Hannah and Larisa's classes. We wanted to save ourselves another 2 hours of driving, the road conditions here are very difficult and nearly unexplainable if you haven't seen it with your own eyes. Home school is going well, the Bengalis cannot understand it and think that Ruben and Colleen must just play all morning! Today they celebrated being half done with the year and since the room temperature is only 61F in the house,this morning Colleen decided to do school outside in the sunshine in front of our house.
posted
by Thomas at 10:19 AM
Please check "URGENT NEEDS" (left)
There is an up-to-date entry.
posted
by Thomas at 10:15 AM
Monday, January 28, 2008
Fire
It is winter in Bangladesh, this week it is the coldest it has been. Many people are dying because of the cold. It is in the 50's, not cold for you but with the humidity it seems even colder. Many people are without proper winter clothes, none of the homes have any type of heating or sealed window or doors, so it can be very chilly in the mornings and evenings.
The boys are "working" here in this picture clearing old shrubs and burning tree branches. It is remarkable how enjoyable this type of "work" is for teenage boys!
posted
by Thomas at 5:19 PM
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Team from Korea
We had a team from South Korea last week. There was eight of them and they were students from universities in Korea. They stayed for two nights and spend much time with the children and youth from the "Home of Love". They also helped at the two APAB schools across the pond and organised a sports day. The young people spoke good English and they really encouraged us.
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by Thomas at 12:05 PM
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Phoebe and Liton
Last week, I was in the baby room doing John's therapy and enjoying the love of 9 toddlers. They took turns jumping over me, climbing my back, playing peek-a-boo and saying my name as often and as loud as possible. Total chaos you could say but I would describe it as my love bank! Most sweet is little Liton, our stick-legged midget with the biggest eyes possible and a goofy grin. Rarely do we get to see that grin and when we do it is all joy. On that night, Liton was wound up and finally healthy. He would run to one side of the room and come and hug my neck, smile and run away again. I marveled at the grace of God to so complete a work of healing and to give Liton a new chance at life. Thank you for praying for Liton, he remains skinny and weak but seems to be improving. Written by Colleen and as always
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by Thomas at 5:31 PM
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Visitors left
I just came back from the Dhaka airport. We left the orphanage to drop our German guests this morning at 2:30am and arrived back at the HOL at 2:30pm. It is VERY crazy driving on the road and we give God Thanks for protection. We thank Gabriele, (above) her husband Bernd and Werner W. for their help while with us. They are representatives from the ACH. This organisation does all our finances in Germany.
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by Thomas at 3:01 PM
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Brothers in casts
Samuel broke his arm in December. Ruben broke his arm three days ago as he fell off the monkey bars. They have always been good friends, now they understand each other better. Ruben still has lots of pain and Samuel's cast should be removed this week. This is Ruben's second broken arm in 9 months time.
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by Thomas at 11:15 AM
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Colleen's thoughts
Its nearly 10pm. I hear the distant yet near yells and cheers of our neighbors. It is the rise and fall of human voices making halloween-like sounds in an eery unison. Now bells are clanging and a tambourine is vibrating. If tonight's worship is to scare away demons or appease their gods, I can find no distinction. I sit here, the playground quiet for once and try to find a place of peace for my thoughts but to no avail. My thoughts wander to those who make those goulish sounds. Do they close their eyes while singing booh, boooh in different octaves or do they look around at each other? Do they do this worship in the dark or in the light? Is the time set for how many booh's or is it just up to the individual? Our neighbors surrounding the property are so different yet we do share a common thing: our humanity.
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by Thomas at 2:42 PM
Friday, January 18, 2008
From Germany
We have guests here from Germany, Gabi and Bernd Lieberman and Werner Weber. They are staying with us for one week. Unfortunately, our neighbors had their big annual festival this week and put up loud speakers in the near vicinity of the guest house... That meant little sleep and strung nerves. The music blared for 3 days straight, day and night. We were grateful that Werner, who is a policeman had left his weapon at home so that he was not tempted to shoot out the loud speakers when no one was looking...
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by Thomas at 2:19 PM
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
pictures from the market
Please see some impressions from the outdoor market. Most of the little stands are very interresting to look at, colourful and smelly. You have to bargin for everything or you will get ripped off.
Chicken is about $1.15 per kg.
The above blankets cost around 3-4 Dollar. You need them now as the night temperature falls to about 50-60 Fahrenheit.
posted
by Thomas at 12:59 PM
Monday, January 14, 2008
mobile phones
Something that has really changed in Bangladesh over the last couple years is the mobile phone density. At the end of 2007 there were 30 Million phone subscribers in Bangladesh. Even some rickshaw pullers have them. It is common to see people talking on the phone as they ride on rickshaws these days. A few of the kids at the orphanage also have their own mobile phones. You can add money to your phone these days at stores on every corner. (see picture)
Mobile phones have changed so much in Bangladesh, now suddenly people can stay in contact with their families and get news quickly. On the flip side of that, thieves use them to coordinate robberies. On election days or on days of violence on the university campus's, the government shuts down the mobile phones in order to confuse evil plans.
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by Thomas at 10:45 AM
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Sheila
Look what I made...
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by Thomas at 6:05 PM
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Birthday Party
For all the kids that have their birthdays in January we had our celebrations today. We had a nice program and many guests. Charlotte and John Screnock from the USA and a team from an University in South Korea. Charlotte has been at the HOL in 2004 and this time brought her husband. Hope next time you can stay longer.
Today is also my moms 75th birthday and I dedicate this blog to her. Where would I be without you? Thanks for your strong faith and your daily prayers.
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by Thomas at 12:02 PM
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
Guests
Sonia Wegscheid arrived the end of December. It is her second visit at the "Home of Love". She came first in summer of 2004 for about 3 weeks. Sonia is well liked by all and often surrounded by children that want to play some kind of game.
Naomi is the younger sister of Sonia and it is her first time with us. In the picture above she is feeding Liton, one of our youngest. This morning Sonia, Naomi with the help of some older girls worked in the library and labeled books. We are thankful for their help.
posted
by Thomas at 4:51 PM
Monday, January 07, 2008
Late pictures
We have not put up any pictures from the "Home of Love" Christmas party as our family was not in the country. There was a big party with many guests and good food. A big party tent was erected over the basketball court. There were several cultural dances, songs and a drama.
The children had also practiced for a story that had the meaning of Christmas in it in modern form. Our Korean colleague Mr. Jang had spend many hours with the children on that and they showed it as a video.
Sugoto was leading the whole program and Ms. Park translated for the many Korean guests that came.
In case you have wondered, Colleen is sick and in bed that is why the English of the blogs is rather bad.
posted
by Thomas at 4:22 PM
Saturday, January 05, 2008
Joanna
This is a picture from a recent walk. She has now advanced to class 7. Joanna will start the new school year later this months at our Sunrising school.
posted
by Thomas at 9:46 AM
Thursday, January 03, 2008
I got a present
Isita received a present from her sponsors in Germany for Christmas and her birthday. She was so happy.
posted
by Thomas at 9:39 AM
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
From our heart
We want to thank all of you who have stood behind us in prayer in 2007. Thank you to all our dear friends that we have seen or that have visited this year. We have enjoyed you and you have enriched us. Thank you to all the friends we didn't get to see this year but still think of us, pray for us, love us and help us financially. We pray that all of you faithful website readers would experience more of God in 2008 and find His blessing and assistance in your jobs and family.
posted
by Thomas at 5:58 PM
Dust everywhere
It has not rained in weeks and there is dust allover the place. The banana tree not far from the HOL shows the difference.
posted
by Thomas at 5:34 PM
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