Driving Us Batty

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Unfortunately, we still do not have internet at our home, which means we are not able to communicate with everyone as often as we wish. However, we are thankful for a nice internet cafe in town that has been a great means of getting us by in the mean time.

We have been continually busy, morning till night. When George fixes one problem, it seems two more pop up. We are making progress, and hopefully our water/plumbing problems are slowly being resolved, thanks to George's ingenuity.

Last weekend, during the night, we heard quite a racket in the attic. We all knew that whatever it was - there was probably more than one, and they were larger than mice. We were guessing rats, and so the next day George bought some rat traps, which he and Jake set up before we went to bed the next evening. Sure enough, a couple of us heard some loud banging in the middle of the night (actually early Sunday morning) and we were really hoping that whatever it was found its way to the trap. Sunday afternoon George and Jacob went up into the attic and found that the traps had not been touched. It didn't take long to learn what the noise was - we have bats in our belfry! As long as they don't try to join us for supper, I guess we will leave them alone. They eat insects, which is a plus in their favor.

We decided to start visiting the members of the church in Iringa, one family at a time, so that we can learn where they live and have an opportunity to become acquainted with them. We made our first visit Tuesday to Zawadi (Gift, in English). I baked some banana bread to give to her as a gift. When we arrived, she - along with three of her neighbors - were waiting for us - ready to have a Bible class. We exchanged some general information about our families and then George gave a short lesson. Since this was our first visit, Zawadi had prepared some food for us - rice, vegetables, and stewed meat, along with providing some bottled water for us. She was so hospitable to us. Her neighbors were interested in having a Bible study, so we have one scheduled for next Tuesday. Two of them are Roman Catholic and one is not a member of any particular group. Zawadi is a new Christian, being recently converted from Islam. Her husband, a Roman Catholic, is a trucker, and so he spends a lot of time on the road, away from home. She is concerned about being spiritually divided and wants him to also learn the truth.

The Samfords are due to arrive next week and George has also been working on their water issues so that they will hopefully have an easier transition. The house they are renting did not have any water storage tank, and so they would only have water when the city water is on, which is only a few hours a day. So, George has been working on getting a water tank situated for them so that they can store water for those times when city water is absent.

The past couple of days Lindsey has been working on painting our kitchen. She did a great job and now we have freshly painted walls in the kitchen. Progress is being made!

Thank you for your continued prayers and for your faithful support. We have been so blessed.

Yours in Christ,
Joy

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Photos

Our First Visitation
From left to right: Luke, Charles (our translator), Edina (a neighbor) Zawadi, Joy, David (preacher at Iringa), George, and Jacob. Two of the neighbor ladies didn't want their picture taken. Lindsey (not pictured) took the photo.

Comments

[kup]

You want to know what is impossible-NOT LOVING THe JENSENS that's what!! Ya'll are amazing and wonderful and about a 100 other good things I could think of. Glad you are getting settled bats and all. Love you from here to there and back. just ken

[trina gee]

Hello from the Gee's
We're glad you arrived safe and sound. Setting up your house in Africa is certainly more complicated than moving in America. I hope the bats won't bother you. Back in 2005, we found a baby bat in a pile of clothes in our laundry room. I had no idea how it got there. I guess maybe the stork brought him to the wrong house! We hope things begin to get a little easier. I hope the church in Iringa will grow by leaps and bounds. Love, Trina (for the Gee family)

[Rod & Brenda]

Greetings
Just finished teaching my Missions class at ETSPM. I'm hanging on to it until George comes to take it. I won't teach this quarter but will teach World Religions summer quarter. We're going to Australia in mid-March for three weeks. I think we once had bats in our attic in one house we lived in in Zambia. I never went up to check it out. I was afraid of what I might find. We can relate to your water problems. You will really enjoy the luxury of living in America when you return. Keep up the good work. You are in our prayers. Rod and Brenda

[Larry Kee]

George, stop fixing one problem
"When George fixes one problem, it seems two more pop up." You've got to figure out how to get George to stop fixing one problem!

[Debbie]

Hello
Hello Jensen family! We are so glad to hear of your progress and continue to pray for you that the transition, repairs, home improvements and cleaning projects will run as safely and smoothly as possible Please let the Samfords know that we are praying for them in all things as well. Much love and many prayers. xoxo Love, Debbie

[Jason]

hello
Thanks for the updates. Love, Jason and Jill and the girls.