July 1, 2012
While at training, I was introduced to Bible Storying through the use of Henna Tattoos. In Africa and India, Henna Tattoos are done to tell a story and some of our workers are using this outlet to share Biblical stories. We had several artists on campus and many women had their hands and arms tattooed. I allowed my foot to be tattooed with a simplified version of the story of the Women at the Well. (normally it would be much more elaborate) This is the picture you see below. But alas, I had a very mild allergic reaction to the Henna....which put an end to my "tattooing career." (To the great relief of my parents and in-laws!) I already had plans of coming home with a magnificent tattoo that went halfway up my arm just for the shock value.....what is that they say about best laid plans?! Probably for the best. My daddy might have disowned me if I had come home with such a dramatic tattooed scene. :)
Posted by Michele Barber.
June 19, 2012
Quad 32 was the quad to hang out in after classes. There were two ladies who decided to minister to the ladies at ILC training. Their ministry was teaching us to sew. They taught us how to make quilts, market bags, hobo bags, aprons, coin purses, hot pads, and many more items. They even taught me how to hem pants! The quad was open three days a week. If we had our homework done, many of us would go down and work on some type of sewing project. It was a great stress release after all day spent in class. It was also a great social outlet as I got to know many of the women there. I am so grateful that Bobbie, Reagan, and Deloris gave of their time to work with the ladies of FPO (field personnel orientation). This is Bobbie, Reagan, and Deloris and we are standing by the quilt that I created. Behind us are a few of the other quilts created while at ILC.
Posted by Michele Barber.
June 19, 2012
Well, we'd been in training for about a month when the flying ants decided to invade our quad. They were coming in at the window and collecting in the middle of our great room floor. It was quite the mess to wake up to each morning. Not a pretty sight to see. We turned in a maintenance form and after several visits they got rid of the ants. I was able to deal with the problem until I found one in my bed. Then, I was ready to move out! We would vacuum them up when we woke up in the morning and then there would be some to vacuum up after classes. This went on for about four days before we overcame them. Yeah, score for Quad 8 people. While the picture below really doesn't do the invasion justice, think about a swarm of ants about the size of a salad plate and piled high with ants! This was a picture of where they were coming in.
Posted by Michele Barber.
March 21, 2012
I think Lake Charles is the smallest airport we have been in. It was a
small brick building with two gates and one baggage claim conveyor
belt. With a small airport comes the small airplanes. Our flight in
from Houston was on a turbo prop airplane. So we got the experience of
flying at the cloud level and listening to the engines RPM speed up and
slow down. With the clouds as fluffy as cotton candy, we had many
moments of the wash board effect while in flight. Landing in overcast weather was a new treat as well. Feeling the plane fish tale as it landed was a bit disconcerting. But all in all, we arrived safely and made it back safely.
You know the plane is small when the flight attendant asks for all passengers to move to the back of the plane to equalize the weight distribution so that we could take off. I think there were about 12 people total on our flight and the plane sat maybe 30 people. The majority of us were headed to the same conference so we got to socialize while in flight.
With this flight we experienced a new luggage dilemma (if you could call it that). As we got off the plane and headed to luggage pick up, an airport worker was wheeling in two pieces of luggage and placed them on the conveyor belt. Those of us who did not see our luggage sitting there looked at each other and said, "well looks like there will be a line for lost luggage claims! Joy!" At which point the attendant commented, "Oh no, your luggage arrived about an hour ago....its over at the check in counter." Shew! Glad we didn't have to fill out another lost luggage form. Joys of travel. New experience all the time. Just gotta say, of all the problems one could have with flight...having your luggage arrive before you is a good problem to have.
Posted by Michele Barber.
March 8, 2012
Spent the weekend reconnecting with old friends as well as BFA alumni. We went to Texas for the wedding of our first BFA student we met back in 2005. We met her and her family in Richmond, VA when we were going through pre-field training. Brette made a lovely bride. Two of her bridesmaids were students that Hunter and I had taught at BFA. We had a great time reconnecting, sharing stories, and just catching up on life.
While in Texas, we had the opportunity to visit with Thomas and Wade family. That was a bonus visit while in town. Families grow so quickly. Got to play with the young Wade children. The Thomas kids have grown in leaps and bounds. They are not so little any more. Thanks for your hospitality, Bradley, Elaine, Rebecca, and Aaron!
Posted by Michele Barber.
February 18, 2012
We are now down to counting the days left. How time is flying as we
progress through the process and paperwork for the IMB. February is
almost over and March is full of activities, then comes April. At the end of April,
we head off to VA for 8 weeks of training. In July, we head back to
Germany for a year long language study course. Nothing like immersing one's self in language in order to learn it. I'm sure I (Michele) will make plenty of mistakes.
Now that we are into the count down time, we are trying to decrease the amount of "stuff" to take overseas with us. We are allowed 400 sq cubic feet of packing space in our crate. While I'd like to take everything with me when we go back to Germany, I must realize that my home will be much smaller and that not all our stuff will fit. It is not easy to minimize your life's belongs down to 400 cubic feet.
In March, we have a wedding to attend. One of Michele's past students from BFA is getting married. We met this young lady and her family in VA when we went through our first training session when we went over short term. We are excited to have the opportunity to attend her wedding and visit with old friends. Also in March, the third week, we have our commissioning week in Louisiana with the commissioning service on March 21st. After that, we will go visit Hunter's brother for a couple of days. We will return home in time for Michele to rush off to Indianapolis for a Science Conference and then the month of March is over. April will be here and it will be time to saying our goodbyes. By the last week of April, our life will be packed into a 400 square foot container and several suitcases. Wow! Germany here we come!
Posted by Michele Barber.
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