The Morale Boost of Visitors

Africa regards the elderly in high esteem. To have 2 older men sitting with me at a bore hole negotiation is a huge asset. The presence of Dave Goolsby and Randall McAdams has been unbelievable here over the past week. We are finally beginning to solve our water problem at the Pompomari drip irrigation farm because we have a well. This project is no longer about one person but about an entire community benefiting because of the assistance of older qualified personnel.

When we go for our Saturday workdays out at the farm, there is always advice-sharing that occurs. However, when Brother Dave speaks everybody listens and our conventional wisdom is put in perspective. This again gives us a tremendous advantage as we approach people in the community who revere gray hair. One can never underestimate the presence of sages from a far country who come for technical support. Without the presence of Healing Hands personnel, INTERCEP would look like an operation run by local yokels.

Our house has been a beehive of activity this week with 7 expatriates but truly we have loved every minute of it. Our children wake up every morning with such joy that they can play with Uncle Randall. We have been blessed by the Greek cuisine of Eleni Merrylitou. The playful nature of Alissa Merrit has given our kids something to look forward to when they get home from school. All of our little ones are ever-ready for a tickle from Uncle Dave.

This team of 7 from Healing Hands is just the beginning of groups that may comes for a mutual learning experience in agriculture. Even if just 1 or 2 expatriates can pop into Maiduguri from time to time, the impact from their moral support is immeasurable. Just to sit down with Brenda McVey and hear about her 20 years of experience serving in Ghana is awe-inspiring. Taking Dr. Willa Finley out to the farm to hear her wisdom on methods of preventing pests is thought-provoking. Listening to Janice Goolsby's tips of food preservation could mesmerize one for hours on end.

What are we saying? PLEASE COME VISIT US IN MAIDUGURI! The impact of a 2 week stay really lifts us up for weeks after you're gone. Please plan your trip now to visit in 2008 or 2009. Your faith will be strengthened and you will strengthen our morale.