Final update!

At last we are home in Mountain View!

We left Tabora Monday at noon. After a 5 ½ hour drive we arrived in Mwanza to spend the night.

Tuesday morning we went by Precision Air to pay for our tickets from Mwanza to Nairobi. Then it was on to the internet cafe to print confirmation of our flight to Dallas. Oh yes, we did have a great buffet breakfast at the hotel.

Reporting time at the airport was 12:30 p.m. Tim could go no further than the curb where we entered the building. Our bags were weighed and we were told they weighed more than was allowed. Faye said they are not over the limit because the two small ones are our carry ons. Of course the young Tanzanian didn't understand the white woman's Arkansas English so he tagged all 4 of the bags and they were put on the plane. There were no extra charges either!

We arrived in Nairobi about 4:30 p.m. We knew we had to get our luggage to check them all the way to Dallas. Immigration directed us to an office where a gentleman directed us to a couple of airport employees who assisted us. Kenyan Airways located our luggage and tagged them to Dallas. Kenyan Airways took them to British Airlines where they were retagged and checked through all the way to Dallas. That means no hassle with luggage in London. With all of that done (about 4 ½ hours)we were starving and went to the Java House, in the airport, for a sandwich and milk shake.

We boarded the plane about 11:00 p.m. for a 11:30 p.m. departure to London for the 8 ½ hour flight. We arrived in London at 5:55 a.m. and had about a 6 hour layover.

Getting close to noon it was boarding time again. Now a 9 hour flight from London to Dallas awaits us.

When we arrived in Dallas we had hoped to catch a flight on to Little Rock. However, all flights from Dallas to Little Rock were full. American Airlines personnel scheduled us for a 9:30 a.m. flight the next morning (Thursday). They assisted us in getting lodging and transportation. So Thursday morning we were up and ready to leave the motel at 7:00 a.m. Shuttle transportation was provided by the motel. When we arrived at the airport terminal B – we checked our bags at curb side and proceeded to gate B8.

Shortly after 9:00 a.m. the announcement was made that boarding to Little Rock had begun. The last leg of airline travel would soon be over.

We were met at the airport in Little Rock by our niece, Kim Fulmer. She drove us to Conway where we met up with Weldon and Sue Duncan at the Cracker Barrel for breakfast. After our meal we got in the car and headed for Mountain View. A deep sense of joy came over us as we got the first glimpse of our house. Home at last!

Bill was checked out by our doctor, Ron Simpson, Thursday afternoon. His lungs were clear. Did have a couple of x-rays and we both had blood work that we will hear from the first of the week.

The journey that began January 11^th when we left Mountain View has come to an end. What a journey it was! Thank you for praying and following us on the blog!

Friday & Saturday- Mar. 18th & 19th

Friday & Saturday-  Mar. 18^th & 19^th  - After 3 ½ days and 3 nights at the clinic, operated by the Anglican Church, the doctor said she was going to release me.  Her advice was that we go back to the States sooner than we had planned.  The climate, dust and etc. caused health problems that aggravated my compromised immune system.  After a sack full of pills and instructions for better health she discharged me.  So I was given the bill for all the meds, injections, meals, even petrol for the generator (when the power was off), breathing treatments, oxygen, doctor charges and “private room” the total came to 224,600 shillings or about $170.00 U.S.

Plans are underway for our return to the States as soon as flight arrangements can be confirmed.

We are doing okay – Just keep us in your prayers.

Had a good night’s rest last night.  Saturday has been spent resting and packing and resting some more.  Still taking breathing treatments and strength improving. We will keep you posted.

Thursday-Mar. 17th

Thursday-Mar. 17^th  -  Bill had another good night last night and still free of fever.  We are praising the Lord!  Dr. Ruth said “Even I say he is better today!”  She wants him to stay one more night.  Wants his oxygen level to be good, without oxygen, for 5 hours before dismissing him.  She wants him to be in good shape for the trip home.

Kim also had a fever free night and still none this morning.  She is feeling better everyday..

Did get an email from the travel agent this morning and she wants a date from us as to when we want to schedule coming home.  We will be making that decision based on how Kim and Bill are feeling since it requires a 6 hour trip to Mwanza to get a flight to Nairobi on to Dallas.  We will keep you all posted when a date is confirmed.

Oh yes, the toilet is fixed and will flush!  I have been flushing it by pouring a bucket of water into it so it hasn't just been sitting there! :)  Still better than the outhouse that I remember until I married.

The situation with the mosquitoes was much better last night also.

Bill's IV came out last night so had to stick him again.  You should see the size needle they use.  It is at   least 2 ½ inches long and big around!  For all of you who will get to see our pictures will see for yourselves when we get home.  (I do apologize that I have been unable to post pictures.  Guess I am too old to learn some things!) The first place didn't hold so they had to stick him again.  We really like the nurse who did it.  She is better at it than Dr. Ruth! :)  Even Dr. Ruth said that.

We just had a short walk and Bill said that he didn't feel weak.  He said that he thought it was because his appetite has been much better the last two days.  He had a 2 egg sandwich for breakfast.  Later a couple of biscuits (cookies), half a banana, and now coffee and 3 biscuits.  Looking forward to rice and beans with onions, tomatoes and green peppers chopped fine for lunch about 2:00 p.m.  Tim and Kim are bringing him pizza for supper.

Bill has had a real good day and will probably get to come home tomorrow.  He sat up almost all day and had a couple of longer walks this afternoon.

If we get confirmations on flights we will leave here hopefully in Tim's Prado (air-conditioned) on Monday for Mwanza.  Spend the night there and on to Nairobi Tuesday afternoon and out of Nairobi Tuesday night to London and then on to Dallas and into Little Rock around 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday evening.  Keep praying for confirmations and that Bill will really be kicking up his heels!  I am truly feeling fine.

Kim has continued to be free of fever today too!  God is so good and we are very thankful!

We will keep you posted on our flight schedule when it is confirmed.

Friday-Mar. 11th - Wednesday-Mar. 16th

Friday-Mar. 11^th  -  Thinking of our sister-in-law, Jean, today.  It is her birthday.  Happy Birthday, Jean.  We love you.

Of course after the tree trimming yesterday the guys are burning again and Tim is also mowing the yard.

Kim is busy preparing dinner.  A large fresh pork roast, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn and etc.  Special dessert, pound cake served with pineapple slices (butter and brown sugar) broiled and whipped cream on top.  Since she didn't have enough with 4 house guest she invited Dr. Ruth and a little boy 8 years old who is under Ruth's care right now.  On top of everything she started running a temperature along with Bill and Sam, one of the men from Ireland, wasn't feeling well, so looks like it's off to the clinic in the morning to be tested.  I do try to help Kim as much as I can.

Saturday-Mar 12^th  -  Kim, Sam, Bill and I off to the clinic after breakfast.  I was feeling fine and we all knew that Kim was the sickest one.  They talked me into being tested for malaria too.  We all tested positive for malaria but Kim.  It seems that she doesn't test positive unless she has a fever when pricked.  So four of us started on malaria meds and some on antibiotic also.  Bill also has a touch of pneumonia and the doctor started him on antibiotic and a nebulizer was brought to the house for breathing treatments.  Dr. Ruth is overly protective with him because of his CLL and we are glad.  She thinks we should consider going home early.  She doesn't like that he has had 3 bouts of fever.  Wants to check him again Monday.  

Everyone spend a restless night with fever and etc.  Not me, I still feel fine and no symptoms except a slight headache.

Tim said he was changing the name of the house from “Guest House” to “Hospital”.

When we had lunch with Al and Rose from “The Golden Eagle,” Kim invited Rose and Illa, Bharat's wife, to come by on Saturday.  That is today!  Rose had never seen Kim's house and she wanted to see it.  They arrived at 5:00 p.m. With Rose's daughter and niece.  They were given a tour of the house and were served pound cake, cookies, roasted and candied peanuts and cold drinks outside in the yard.  All really enjoyed the evening.  I'm sure they did since it was almost 9:00 p.m. when they left.  Kim was really sick but didn't want to cancel on them.

Sunday-Mar. 13^th  -  Bill and I stayed home but everyone else went to church in the village and out to eat at Tabora Hotel.  Bill seemed better during the day.

Kim should have stayed home because by the time they got home her temperature was very high and she felt terrible.

Monday-Mar. 14^th   -  Bill and Kim both had a terrible night.  Tim took Bill to the clinic and Kim was in bed most of the day – up and down.  Dr. Ruth told Tim that she thinks Kim has typhoid and Kim agrees.

Dr. Ruth gave Bill more medicine.  During the afternoon about 4:30 p.m., Bill's temperature went up to 101.5 so we called Dr. Ruth so off to the clinic we went prepared to spend the night but guess what by the time we got to the clinic the power was off.  Dr. Ruth put in a port for an IV and gave him a mega dose of antibiotic and sent us home to come back to the clinic in the morning.

Another up and down night checking temperature, giving Tylenol and going to the bathroom.

Tuesday-Mar 15^th  -  Kim says she is feeling a little better and hoping she has turned the corner.

Dr. Ruth picked Bill and I up at 7:45 a.m. on her way to the clinic. It was our understanding that Bill would be on oxygen during the day for a couple of days and spend the night at home.  Doctor changed her mind and wants Bill on oxygen for 48 hours so he has to stay in a private room and I have to go home.  I didn't like that so I asked, “Who will fan him?”  Understand there is no air conditioning or fans.  Finally she said I could stay and they fixed up a room for me to sleep in.

When we arrived at the clinic they started getting Bill on oxygen, gave an injection on the IV port and a shot in the arm.  About a hour or so they took Bill off the oxygen machine for about an hour because a very sick baby had been brought.  The clinic only has 1 oxygen machine.

Let me tell you about this private room Bill has.  It has its own bath but the stool doesn't flush and no toilet paper!  We have been to Africa enough that I came prepared.  Oh yes, the outside door can't be closed because of sharing the oxygen machine and a tube has to go out the door to the baby just outside Bill's room in an open air area.

Dr. Ruth called Tim in the late afternoon and asked him to bring our mosquito spray.  When he saw the set up and understood the door much be left open he wasn't very happy.  Earlier in the day he had been out and saw the set up and didn't like it but said that the baby wouldn't be staying all night because that door must be closed!

Shortly before 7:00 p.m. mosquitoes started swarming into the room.  I began frantically fanning to try to keep them away from Bill.  Dr. Ruth called a short time later and asked how things were going.  I told her Bill's room was filled with mosquitoes!  She said that she would take care of it.  She immediately called one of the nurses and instructed her to get us out of the room and spray it and put a mosquito net over the doorway.  Meantime, we were in an open waiting room and I was still fanning Bill like crazy.  He said you can stop fanning now, I'm not hot.  I said I'm trying to keep the mosquitoes off you!  It didn't take long until things began to look better.  Needless to say I slept very little.  It was noisy and the light had to be kept on so I was watching for mosquitoes and going up the hall to check on Bill.  I spent most of the night sitting in his room and watching him sleep like a baby.  He rested well!  Thank the Lord!

Wednesday-Mar. 16^Th  -  All the meds, oxygen and good night's rest did wonders for Bill.  He hasn't had any fever at all today and his appetite is back.  Kim sent his supper out to him tonight, fresh pork chops, mashed potatoes, gravy and corn.

I did come home and have my supper with Tim and Kim and will spend the night here and go back out in the morning.

Please don't get me wrong!  We love Dr. Ruth and she is doing an amazing job with what she has to work with!  Please continue to pray for all of us.

Kim said a while ago that today has been her best day.  She is still on meds.  Tim is fighting a cold.  Pastor John went to the clinic today and he has malaria too.  I am doing fine.

We are still waiting to hear from our travel agent to see about returning home earlier than planned.

Thursday-Mar. 10th

Thursday-Mar. 10^th  -   What an exciting day we have had today.  First the tree trimmers came and then we butchered a pig!

I don't know how to begin to describe the crew which came to trim the huge tree here at the house that was over the power lines.  Remember they have no bucket truck, no chain saw, only a short ladder, 1 ax, and machetes.  There were six men to trim and 3 men carrying clipboards watching.  Tim loaned them his extension ladder (none knew how to extend it) and a rope and his helper, John.  One man and John climbed the tree which was quite tall, sat on the limb and began to cut away with the ax.  When the largest limb fell (not the one he was sitting on) it caught in the power lines.  Now they have a real problem.  How will they dislodge the limb?  They can't reach it from the ground nor from above where the man is still sitting.  The Tanzanian engineering kicked in.  I could tell it was John's idea and that is when he went to get the rope.  The rope was thrown over the big limb in the tree.  Then somehow they managed to loop it around the limb on the power lines, now the men on the ground began to pull on the rope to hoist the limb off the wires.  It worked well and no one got hurt.  Faye got some good pictures.   It was like watching a 3-ring circus!

About 1:00 p.m. John Tuff and Sam, (from Ireland) came in with a pig that they had killed at the farm.  This was all planned of course.  On a table set up in the back yard the pig was butchered.  John Tuff has done this before so he knew what he was going.  Some of the meat was ground for sausage and I think that a large pork roast is on the menu for tomorrow.  It all depends on the electric being on.

The power was off from 8:00 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Lunch and supper were prepared on the 1 burner propane heater.  Kim certainly knows how to make do and everyone loves her cooking.

Power is still on at 7:00 p.m. and we are hoping that it will stay on all night!

Tuesday-Mar. 8th - Wednesday-Mar.9th

Tuesday-Mar. 8^th  -  Yes, the power came back on last night at 10:00 p.m., then off again at 2:00 a.m., on at 5:30 a.m., off at 8:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.  What a day!

Tim and Kim went into town to get groceries, bottled water and to the market to get produce.  When they got back I (Faye) washed all the vegetables in bleach water and rinsed them.  This is a necessity to kill germs and etc.  I am always happy when I can help.

Even with the power off we still had a wonderful meal by seven o'clock. Quiche, cooked greens, large salad, fruit salad with cake.  The fans are so important at night to keep mosquitoes off.  

We were so excited that we got to talk to Sonya, Cassandra, Kayla, and Olive by Skype about 8:30 p.m..  It took me from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. to finally get connected.  It wasn't very plain and we kept getting kicked off but it was just wonderful to see them and chat for a while!

After a leisurely evening it is off to bed.

Wednesday-Mar.9^th  -  Tim and I went into town this morning to have some copies made, check on the vehicle he is purchasing and to see some people.  While in town we learned that the electric was off again.  Hopefully, whatever the problem, it will soon be fixed.

Kim and Faye, each, got a load of clothes washed before the electric went off.  Keith, you are appreciated more and more every day.  The one burner propane stove has been a “life saver”.

It is possible that Tim will get the Toyota Prado by the weekend.  It is located in another town and the present owner doesn't come to Tabora every day.  It will be a great blessing when Tim does get possession.

Today has been a hot one, even though a gentle breeze is blowing it is very warm out in the sun.  That's why we spend time in the shade sitting outside.

Power came back on about 5:15 p.m.  After church we played scrabble and Bill won the game.

It is almost bedtime here so will get this posted soon.

Saturday-Mar.5th - Sunday-Mar. 6th

Saturday-Mar.5^th -  It is dog dipping day!  People take their dogs somewhere to get dipped (treated) for ticks and etc.  Tim and Kim's dogs want to bark at every dog that goes by.

Kim has gone to a ladies meeting.  Faye did not go because it will be in Swahili.  So she is in the kitchen baking a cake.  We will all benefit from that.

Tim did mow part of the yard this afternoon before the rain came.  We have had 2 good rains today.  The air is cool and fresh.  We sure enjoy the weather.

The electric went off about 1:30 p.m.  You never know when it will go off.  Even though you might be right in the middle of preparing a meal it doesn't matter to the electric company.

I have been asked to preach the morning message here in town in the morning.  We may go out to the village next week.  We do pray for our church family and Bro. Vickers at East Richwoods.  We miss our people and are counting the days until our return.

Hail storm struck the village late Friday.  It beat the maize into the ground.  The hail was so big and so much that there was still hail on the ground Saturday morning when John went out there.  Some reports of animals killed.

Sunday-Mar. 6^th -  John, Joha, and Baraka went to the village this morning.  After the message a man was saved.  I preached here in town.  Tim interpreted for me.  It is difficult to maintain your train of thought.  I think it was difficult for both Tim and me.

Two men from Ireland (John and Sam) arrived about 12:30 p.m.  They will be here for two weeks working on the building for a children's home.  They are staying here at Tim and Kim's house.

At 2:00 p.m. Tim, Kim, Faye and I had been invited to dinner at Al and Rose's House.  He is an Indian and she is Tanzanian.  They own the Golden Eagle Hotel and Restaurant.  WOW!  What a meal!  I can't describe all the food but it was delicious.  We enjoyed the food and hospitality.  Faye did make pictures of the food.

Power went off at 6:00 p.m. and came back on about 9:30 p.m.  We were certainly glad it came back on because we sleep under a fan.  The fan keeps the mosquitoes away.
 
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Sunday-Feb. 27th - Friday-Mar. 4th

Sunday-Feb. 27^th -  We all went to church this morning.  Bro. John went to the village to preach and Tim preached here.  Between Sunday School and Church a man delivered a “legal” paper.  Basically, the same man who attacked Bro. John, still living next door to the church on John's property, has made some false accusations against Tim. What the man really wants is money.  He is trying to extort money from Tim.  At any rate the District Commissioner is a friend of Tim.  He is a high government official.  He came by the house on Monday evening and advised Tim on what to do.  He wanted to hear Tim's version and then wanted John to tell his version.  He was quite upset with John for forgiving the man.  He said, “Are you more merciful than Jesus? He drove the money changers out of the temple.”  

Monday-Feb. 28^th -  We received a phone call from our son, Bruce, this morning that my brother had passed away.  Jim had been in ill health for a long time.  And more recently hospitalized with pneumonia and congestive heart failure.  We were saddened being so far away and unable to be with the family.  Jim was a wonderful man and a faithful servant.  I, personally, will miss him greatly.  We did call Jean to express our condolences and assure her of our love and prayers.

Tuesday-Mar. 1^st -   Bill and Tim have really been enjoying playing in the fire for several days.  They have been working on their road and several months ago cut some huge trees that were in the right of way so they have been trying to get the front cleaned up.  I think John has brought all the dry wood in the neighborhood to put on the fire to help get it to burn.

Power was off so we went into town and ate at the Golden Eagle.  While we were there the owner and his wife invited us all to their home for lunch this Sunday.  They serve roasted peanuts, onions and tomatoes.  I know that it sounds different but it is delicious.  We are hoping to get the recipe.  

Wednesday-Mar. 2^nd  -  Power on today so we got caught up on washing and ironing and Kim made fajitas (everything from scratch).  They were delicious!

The tree stumps are almost burned up.  Should be gone by morning.  Power was off after church so we have really been suffering from the heat without the fans.  A breeze just came in through the east windows but I heard a mosquito earlier and afraid to go to sleep without the fan!  It is only 9:00 p.m. so it is a little early.  According to the schedule the power should be back on about 10 o'clock.

Nothing gone through on the car yet.

Thursday-Mar. 3^rd -   I must admit that I am real homesick!  I miss my house, car, water, electric and on and on!  We have really been blue since the news about Bill's brother passing away.  I know he is in a much better place but it is still sad.  We realize that 3 months is too long to be away and I'm sure that Tim and Kim would agree! :)  There are so many things that we can't understand and it is quite frustrating.  I always thought I could be a missionary but I now know that it has to be a calling from God!

Don't get me wrong, we are really enjoying our stay but are ready to come home.  Anyway, so much for complaining!

Kim made pie crust today so we surprised the guys by making their favorite pies, raisin (Bill) and vanilla cream (Tim).  Of course they shared with us.



Friday-Mar. 4^th  -  Tim and I went into town this morning.  He had a couple of bills to pay (water and electric).  Water department told him that he will get water two days a week and only for a short time on those days.  We never know what to expect from the electric company.  They publish a schedule but never go by it.  And no one gets in a hurry.

We also went by vodafone.  I took our computer so they could see why the “stick” (purchased February 15^th) would not work.  I wanted it to work or my money back.  Well, lo and behold, the problem was soon resolved.  We now can send and receive email, view facebook, chat on facebook, and read the news.  We can now communicate anytime, with or without power.  What a difference a day makes.

This is Faye.  Got to chat with my sister, Sue, this evening!  What a blessing it was!  When I am home we talk on the phone almost every day! We are certainly going to have a lot of catching up to do when I get home.

We had a good rain this afternoon and another during the night before going to sleep.

The power went off about 7:00 p.m. and was still off when we went to bed.