Hi this is Shelby, has everyone can probably guess from the... interresting title.
Mom is doing fine and will probably be in tomorrow or Saturday. We didn't get to come in Tuesday like we usually do because of Christmas. And Mom walked in the tract work for over 4 hours. Her and the sister she was with finally after 2 hours of climbing up hills had to just sit down.
The president here promised National Power 24/7 by Christmas well Christmas has come and gone and no power. We don't mind so much it comes now and again. We also have the genorater which makes things better.
Last night from 5 to 7 Lorelle and I went to Bethel. A sister had invited us on Sunday to come and visit her. Her name is Christiana she is 22, and has been at Bethel for 2 years. She has always lived in Freetown and her family is not in the truth but are starting to come to meetings, along with her three younger brothers and three younger sisters.
Lorelle and I were a little cold when we first entered we were not used to the AC,but we liked it.:) Lorelle and I were also excited when she had hot running water. We are lucky if we get running water and it is always cold, even for showering. So to have hot water caome from the tap was very nice. We had a nice visit and we watched the News on CNN, Bethel has a satilite dish so she had real TV.
Lorelle and I also tried this drink they call Ginger beer, not it is not real beer. It was very good but a little spicy, for my like anyways. We really had a nice time.
When we got back, Lorelle and I went upstairs and visited with the girls. First they just wanted to say Hi, and I asked for my CD back that I had let them borrow the day before. Well Issha said I couldn't have it 'til I danced. She had tried to get me to the night before but when I started to dance she just laughed and ran away. So I said fine and canced to one song then another and Issha said just one more. Well that did it I couldn't stop I ended up dancing for another hour!! And no one would jion in I felt a little awkward, but I couldn't stop. A little girl that was visiting started to dance and that made me feel better. Sister Samouri asked to see me dance before I left, she laughed but in a good way. She was happy I knew how to dance and her friend jioned in too. It was alot of fun.
Mom is doing really good. We got our bookshelves this morning so it was nice to get them set up this afternoon. Every one went in service this morning and all the young ones, even Hunter, placed at least one of the inventations. It was really nice. The kids are all coing well, and school is going good. Lyam is really enjoying reading now and has a few easy readers he is enjoying.
Well, I have to go. I hope every one is well and staying extra warm!! I send my greetings to everyone I miss you all very much!!
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Friday, December 21, 2007
Along the road....
Hello one and all,
Hope this post finds you happy and healthy. The girls are doing much better and back to their usualy selves, now the boys are getting a bit of a cough, so maybe it is their turn to have the cold that has gone around... no big deal. We found a good place to get cold med and we also brought some with us.
Yesterday, Shelby and I went in the afternoon to conduct studies, none of them were home though since the people they work for had traveled and they were therefore not at work.... heading home two men called out, "you Jehovah Witnesses?" we said yes and they said that they had been given something by a tall man in a hat :) oh wonder who that was...... long story short they loved what they read had many questions and want to study, we placed the Require brochure with them and set up to go back next thursday afternoon. (Dennis, for your info they are the ones along babadory road at the food stop, they said to meet them at their mothers behind the shop)
This morning walking we had a man approach Shelby and I and ask if we were from Mercy Ship, we said no Jehovah Witnesses. He said he wanted to go to meetings and he wanted to learn more, we gave him the invitation to convention and showed him the coupon for the bible teach book, he said he will come and get a book now that he knows where the meetings are, he had seen the kh torn down and didn't know where to go.
Last Sunday friends from Cockerel North told us an experience, they were in sunday afternoon service the week before and two men came running up to two sisters as they were entering a gated compound in the ministry work, they called out "we want to join you!" The sisters stopped and said "what are you talking about, we are not living here, we are preaching". The men said "we know you are Jehovah Witnesses, is this where the meetings are?"...... they had spent over an hour going up and down roads looking for the private home that was holding the meetings. It was now after 2:30 and the sisters told them where to go, to join our Cockerel South meeting from 1:00 to 3:00, they ran saying thankyou thankyou. (Dennis, these are the two men that arrived late and asked for you and Lorelle after the meeting, they had tried so hard to find the meeting place, they have since continued to study and come to more meetings)
Weds. was a holiday here for muslims so most shops were closed. The Joseph family invited us to join them at Beach River No. 2, we had a wonderful day, the ocean water was so nice, waves perfect and the white, white beach sand. The river current was not strong that day and I took the little ones to the river inlet to swim, it was as calm as a swimming pool, they enjoyed running and jumping off the washed out embankments into the deeper water. (Dennis don't worry they say we can all go again when you return :)
So long to all, will try to post next week, but may not be able since it is xmas week, so if you don't read from us for two weeks don't worry, we are still thinking of you!
Love, Swift Crew
Hope this post finds you happy and healthy. The girls are doing much better and back to their usualy selves, now the boys are getting a bit of a cough, so maybe it is their turn to have the cold that has gone around... no big deal. We found a good place to get cold med and we also brought some with us.
Yesterday, Shelby and I went in the afternoon to conduct studies, none of them were home though since the people they work for had traveled and they were therefore not at work.... heading home two men called out, "you Jehovah Witnesses?" we said yes and they said that they had been given something by a tall man in a hat :) oh wonder who that was...... long story short they loved what they read had many questions and want to study, we placed the Require brochure with them and set up to go back next thursday afternoon. (Dennis, for your info they are the ones along babadory road at the food stop, they said to meet them at their mothers behind the shop)
This morning walking we had a man approach Shelby and I and ask if we were from Mercy Ship, we said no Jehovah Witnesses. He said he wanted to go to meetings and he wanted to learn more, we gave him the invitation to convention and showed him the coupon for the bible teach book, he said he will come and get a book now that he knows where the meetings are, he had seen the kh torn down and didn't know where to go.
Last Sunday friends from Cockerel North told us an experience, they were in sunday afternoon service the week before and two men came running up to two sisters as they were entering a gated compound in the ministry work, they called out "we want to join you!" The sisters stopped and said "what are you talking about, we are not living here, we are preaching". The men said "we know you are Jehovah Witnesses, is this where the meetings are?"...... they had spent over an hour going up and down roads looking for the private home that was holding the meetings. It was now after 2:30 and the sisters told them where to go, to join our Cockerel South meeting from 1:00 to 3:00, they ran saying thankyou thankyou. (Dennis, these are the two men that arrived late and asked for you and Lorelle after the meeting, they had tried so hard to find the meeting place, they have since continued to study and come to more meetings)
Weds. was a holiday here for muslims so most shops were closed. The Joseph family invited us to join them at Beach River No. 2, we had a wonderful day, the ocean water was so nice, waves perfect and the white, white beach sand. The river current was not strong that day and I took the little ones to the river inlet to swim, it was as calm as a swimming pool, they enjoyed running and jumping off the washed out embankments into the deeper water. (Dennis don't worry they say we can all go again when you return :)
So long to all, will try to post next week, but may not be able since it is xmas week, so if you don't read from us for two weeks don't worry, we are still thinking of you!
Love, Swift Crew
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Pictures!!!!!
Dennis and I, Taylor Michaud, spent a few hours putting together some of the pictures that he brought back to the U.S. Your can view a selection of them by clicking HERE. It will take you to a different site but it is own and opperated by my family so I know it's safe for use. Enjoy!
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Sunny and Hot.... in December?
Hi, this is Shelby. As I said it is sunny and very hot today, it is hard to imagine it is December. We heard that everyone in NH has lots of snow, please enjoy it for us. The boys miss sledding, but do like to play outside everyday in the sunshine.
Mum is home this afternoon, she went in service this morning with lots, and lots of walking. We have the District Convention Tract campiegn now for the Follow the Christ Convention. So they are working far out territoies with lots of walk because you are so breif not talking and sharing scriptures for ten to fifteen minutes. She may be able to come email tomorrow but if not don't worry. We are just very busy with service and we are getting our routine down we had to change some things with Dad working and not here with us.
We miss him very much!!! Lorelle and Shelby are feeling much better, they have got over the cold tht was going around. It is just like the winter colds in NH and nothing to worry about.
Brother Howard came over last night and played Checkers with Shelby, he taught her African checkers. It was very fun, Shelby lost every game but she doesn't mind. Br. Howard learned that Shelby wanted to be a nurse in the future so he got her a gift to encourage her to keeping going with that goal. A stethoscope and blood pressure meter they are so cool. Kadence and DJ liked being able to hear their heart beat and they thought the blood pressure meter was giving them more muscle, Shelby couldn't help but laugh.
We have had National power every night for the past week it is so nice some times it stays all night and frezes all our water. Which quickly thaws out in the heat. It is nice we have running water almost all day and eletricity almost all night. It is so nice. When Shelby first came to visit two years ago there was never runnign water or eletricity. We stiil have the genorator and buckets of water on hand just in case.
Nothing really special going on the kids are doing good in school and Mum. and Lorelle have been going in service. We are getting in to a nice routine.
Please continue to email we love to hear from you. We send our warm greetings and Christian love.
Mum is home this afternoon, she went in service this morning with lots, and lots of walking. We have the District Convention Tract campiegn now for the Follow the Christ Convention. So they are working far out territoies with lots of walk because you are so breif not talking and sharing scriptures for ten to fifteen minutes. She may be able to come email tomorrow but if not don't worry. We are just very busy with service and we are getting our routine down we had to change some things with Dad working and not here with us.
We miss him very much!!! Lorelle and Shelby are feeling much better, they have got over the cold tht was going around. It is just like the winter colds in NH and nothing to worry about.
Brother Howard came over last night and played Checkers with Shelby, he taught her African checkers. It was very fun, Shelby lost every game but she doesn't mind. Br. Howard learned that Shelby wanted to be a nurse in the future so he got her a gift to encourage her to keeping going with that goal. A stethoscope and blood pressure meter they are so cool. Kadence and DJ liked being able to hear their heart beat and they thought the blood pressure meter was giving them more muscle, Shelby couldn't help but laugh.
We have had National power every night for the past week it is so nice some times it stays all night and frezes all our water. Which quickly thaws out in the heat. It is nice we have running water almost all day and eletricity almost all night. It is so nice. When Shelby first came to visit two years ago there was never runnign water or eletricity. We stiil have the genorator and buckets of water on hand just in case.
Nothing really special going on the kids are doing good in school and Mum. and Lorelle have been going in service. We are getting in to a nice routine.
Please continue to email we love to hear from you. We send our warm greetings and Christian love.
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
8 weeks and counting...
This is dedicated to my dear husband, Dennis, he is currently enroute to the cold country but warm hearts in NH. Please all who read, if able, give him a hug for me :) and the children.
We as a family have thouroughly enjoyed our time together in the ministry, at home and in the markets here in SL. Never before have we been able to spend so much time together, it has truly been a blessing beyond compare!
The countdown is on to the day he returns to SL. I know his studies are also counting the days. He had four attend on Sunday, the house was again overflowed with 164 in attendance. We have convention January 4,5,6 in Freetown at the National Stadium, we are awaiting it with joyous anticipation.
The children are doing well, they have started to talk of snow since hearing of the snow back in NH. Here it is quite comical to hear christmas songs with it being so hot and feeling like August. We heard there is a wonder boy by the name of Spencer in NH that is planning to make three snowmen, named Hunter, Lyam and DJ :) thankyou Spencer! Have fun! Maybe even have a little hot chocolate for us too?
We were pleasantly surprised that I was able to find a place in the city market that sells american food, dent and dinged cans etc at very reasonable prices, we even got chocolate rice krispies! and gummie princess candy, and potatoe chips, Hunters favorite Dorito's and Pop tarts, can you believe it!!!! Pink pop tarts for Hunter!
They even had Sloppy Jo, so we purchased ground beef and treated brother Howard a special pioneer visiting from Liberia, serving here temporarily, to a traditional sloppy jo meal, with whole kernal canned corn too! Yum a taste of home.
Well now that I have made you hungry, I will let you know what Shelby did last night,
she nearly swallowed a fly! It was quite hillarious as she had been trying to just trap it under her cup and instead it was in the cup 5 minutes later without her knowing. We were playing trivial pursuit and suddenly she spewed water, all over the table, game, herself etc, and the fly...... it was still alive..... until she stepped on it :0
Our studies continue to come along well, Lyam even though not a publisher yet, has a study! Go figure! He was even busy yesterday trying to read ahead to prepare, he is really trying to learn to read and we are seeing good progress, it has been a struggle for him since coming home with no english. He is very mathematically inclined and excells in that aspect.
All the kids are doing well with their schooling. Shelby and Lorelle have colds this week, nothing too serious, although the little ones laugh when Shelby speaks as her voice is hoarse. They will try to come to the internet tomorrow, but if not don't worry they will email again as soon as possible. Thankyou, to all their email pen pals it is truly a blessing, they look forward to the communication very much.
Some have asked about DVD's and CD's, yes we can play picture cd's and dvd's we have a personal laptop at our house.
Thankyou to all for your love and support, may Jehovah be with you and keep you warm and safe,
Lorie
We as a family have thouroughly enjoyed our time together in the ministry, at home and in the markets here in SL. Never before have we been able to spend so much time together, it has truly been a blessing beyond compare!
The countdown is on to the day he returns to SL. I know his studies are also counting the days. He had four attend on Sunday, the house was again overflowed with 164 in attendance. We have convention January 4,5,6 in Freetown at the National Stadium, we are awaiting it with joyous anticipation.
The children are doing well, they have started to talk of snow since hearing of the snow back in NH. Here it is quite comical to hear christmas songs with it being so hot and feeling like August. We heard there is a wonder boy by the name of Spencer in NH that is planning to make three snowmen, named Hunter, Lyam and DJ :) thankyou Spencer! Have fun! Maybe even have a little hot chocolate for us too?
We were pleasantly surprised that I was able to find a place in the city market that sells american food, dent and dinged cans etc at very reasonable prices, we even got chocolate rice krispies! and gummie princess candy, and potatoe chips, Hunters favorite Dorito's and Pop tarts, can you believe it!!!! Pink pop tarts for Hunter!
They even had Sloppy Jo, so we purchased ground beef and treated brother Howard a special pioneer visiting from Liberia, serving here temporarily, to a traditional sloppy jo meal, with whole kernal canned corn too! Yum a taste of home.
Well now that I have made you hungry, I will let you know what Shelby did last night,
she nearly swallowed a fly! It was quite hillarious as she had been trying to just trap it under her cup and instead it was in the cup 5 minutes later without her knowing. We were playing trivial pursuit and suddenly she spewed water, all over the table, game, herself etc, and the fly...... it was still alive..... until she stepped on it :0
Our studies continue to come along well, Lyam even though not a publisher yet, has a study! Go figure! He was even busy yesterday trying to read ahead to prepare, he is really trying to learn to read and we are seeing good progress, it has been a struggle for him since coming home with no english. He is very mathematically inclined and excells in that aspect.
All the kids are doing well with their schooling. Shelby and Lorelle have colds this week, nothing too serious, although the little ones laugh when Shelby speaks as her voice is hoarse. They will try to come to the internet tomorrow, but if not don't worry they will email again as soon as possible. Thankyou, to all their email pen pals it is truly a blessing, they look forward to the communication very much.
Some have asked about DVD's and CD's, yes we can play picture cd's and dvd's we have a personal laptop at our house.
Thankyou to all for your love and support, may Jehovah be with you and keep you warm and safe,
Lorie
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Winter Rains
Hello All,
I am back and feeling much better, the malaria and throat/ear infection threw me a loop for a near two weeks. It is easy to get medicine here, so we were not overly worried, it was just my needing to rest that stressed me the most. I don't like to stay still.
This week has started with lots of rain, some are joking it is as if it were the rainy season. Dennis and Lyam went on studies on Saturday and the small brook they cross was swelled high, there were sand bags to walk across. And a local man carried Lyam. It was not so high to cause danger, just not wanting to get shoes soaking wet :)
This past Sunday another of Dennis' studies attended, he even answered his first meeting.
There is a woman here that I met my first trip to SL, she couldn't read well and was just an acquantance, not an rv or study. We have enjoyed visiting on a few occasions, but difficult to witness to as she was not speaking or understanding english and illiterate. Over the past few years I have learned more Krio and been able to witness a little to her, last month I found her again, she moves alot. She is doing well and has been taking english and reading classes. She accepted invitation to the KH and has attending two sunday meetings, after meeting this sunday she accepted the bible teach book and asked for a bible. She wants to attend Sunday meetings and study afterwards. What a blessing! It is a joy to see small seeds start to sprout even if at a slow pace.
Dennis was talking with a woman on Sunday after the meeting, she had arrived a bit late, usually she is early. She explained that she has an unbelieveing mate and has been through much opposition the past eight years while she has studied. This morning he had forbiddden her to go to the meeting. She prayed and prayed and prayed continually, 10 minutes before the meeting time, he said "ok, well go to your meeting", she came as quick as she could but was late as it is a long walk. It nearly brought tears to my eyes to hear this, as this morning was the morning that had been set up for her to go over baptism questions! Praise Jah she was able to come!
Two weeks ago I had stoped by the side of the road to rest from a long morning of walking in service. A woman approached asking if I was a JW, she said she wanted me to come to her house, and study with her. I set up to go, but missed because of being sick.... This past Thursday I regained just enough strength to do a few calls with an older sister who uses a cane. We went to find the womans home, we found her and she was overjoyed that we had come, she said she had waited and missed me on the day I had said, but she understood. We started studying, then a young woman came and was introduced as her youngest sister, she said she used to study, and would like to again. After studying we visited for a bit and learned that their father is a brother at the New England Congregation. The oldest sister though that stopped me on the road has never studied and is eager to learn. Just before leaving the younger one, who studied before, asked for the magazine for Sunday as she realizes she needs to restart her study and be more serious toward Jehovah. I have set up to study there on Tuesday after the internet cafe break.
We have had lots of rain, nearly every day, it is refreshing and has helped the weather to be cooler, it is also good for keeping the dust down.
The KH project is coming along well, they hope to begin using it end of December.
Dennis has been volunteering at Bethel working on cement projects.
Shelby, Lorelle and I are enjoying French book study on Saturday afternoon. It is at Liverpool Freetown KH so we have about an hours travel to get there. We first walk 15 minutes to where we take a poda poda, minivan size vehicle with benches and crammed in for space for a 30 to 40 minute ride, then a taxi if available for a 5 minute drive unless traffic is heavy than can be much longer, this Saturday we missed taxi and walked an extra 25 minutes. We hope to join the French language classes that will be beginning soon. Our Krio is coming along "small small" as they say.
Hear you are due for lots of snow! Keep warm! Thankyou for the personal emails to
LS2n2@yahoo.com and the comments posted, they mean so much to us! Eventhough we have a huge body of water between us we are still together in spirit and love.
Greetings and Love to all,
Jehovah be with you,
Swift Family
I am back and feeling much better, the malaria and throat/ear infection threw me a loop for a near two weeks. It is easy to get medicine here, so we were not overly worried, it was just my needing to rest that stressed me the most. I don't like to stay still.
This week has started with lots of rain, some are joking it is as if it were the rainy season. Dennis and Lyam went on studies on Saturday and the small brook they cross was swelled high, there were sand bags to walk across. And a local man carried Lyam. It was not so high to cause danger, just not wanting to get shoes soaking wet :)
This past Sunday another of Dennis' studies attended, he even answered his first meeting.
There is a woman here that I met my first trip to SL, she couldn't read well and was just an acquantance, not an rv or study. We have enjoyed visiting on a few occasions, but difficult to witness to as she was not speaking or understanding english and illiterate. Over the past few years I have learned more Krio and been able to witness a little to her, last month I found her again, she moves alot. She is doing well and has been taking english and reading classes. She accepted invitation to the KH and has attending two sunday meetings, after meeting this sunday she accepted the bible teach book and asked for a bible. She wants to attend Sunday meetings and study afterwards. What a blessing! It is a joy to see small seeds start to sprout even if at a slow pace.
Dennis was talking with a woman on Sunday after the meeting, she had arrived a bit late, usually she is early. She explained that she has an unbelieveing mate and has been through much opposition the past eight years while she has studied. This morning he had forbiddden her to go to the meeting. She prayed and prayed and prayed continually, 10 minutes before the meeting time, he said "ok, well go to your meeting", she came as quick as she could but was late as it is a long walk. It nearly brought tears to my eyes to hear this, as this morning was the morning that had been set up for her to go over baptism questions! Praise Jah she was able to come!
Two weeks ago I had stoped by the side of the road to rest from a long morning of walking in service. A woman approached asking if I was a JW, she said she wanted me to come to her house, and study with her. I set up to go, but missed because of being sick.... This past Thursday I regained just enough strength to do a few calls with an older sister who uses a cane. We went to find the womans home, we found her and she was overjoyed that we had come, she said she had waited and missed me on the day I had said, but she understood. We started studying, then a young woman came and was introduced as her youngest sister, she said she used to study, and would like to again. After studying we visited for a bit and learned that their father is a brother at the New England Congregation. The oldest sister though that stopped me on the road has never studied and is eager to learn. Just before leaving the younger one, who studied before, asked for the magazine for Sunday as she realizes she needs to restart her study and be more serious toward Jehovah. I have set up to study there on Tuesday after the internet cafe break.
We have had lots of rain, nearly every day, it is refreshing and has helped the weather to be cooler, it is also good for keeping the dust down.
The KH project is coming along well, they hope to begin using it end of December.
Dennis has been volunteering at Bethel working on cement projects.
Shelby, Lorelle and I are enjoying French book study on Saturday afternoon. It is at Liverpool Freetown KH so we have about an hours travel to get there. We first walk 15 minutes to where we take a poda poda, minivan size vehicle with benches and crammed in for space for a 30 to 40 minute ride, then a taxi if available for a 5 minute drive unless traffic is heavy than can be much longer, this Saturday we missed taxi and walked an extra 25 minutes. We hope to join the French language classes that will be beginning soon. Our Krio is coming along "small small" as they say.
Hear you are due for lots of snow! Keep warm! Thankyou for the personal emails to
LS2n2@yahoo.com and the comments posted, they mean so much to us! Eventhough we have a huge body of water between us we are still together in spirit and love.
Greetings and Love to all,
Jehovah be with you,
Swift Family
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
A not so long ago in country far far away,
Hi, this is Shelby. Mum is doing better but had to stay home and rest so you get me instead. Dennis had two Bible studies come to the meeting on Sunday. He was very busy helping them with their new Bibles. Dennis now has 15 regular Bibles studies and numerous return visits.
Sunday moring Lorie and Dennis went up to Regent to see the land we own up there. There is a new panbody (a new tin shack with cement floor.) A man and his mother live there as the care takers for the land.
We have gone to the ocean twice. The water is so nice and warm and the waves a really big. Some of them taller then Dennis, crashing right over his head. Dennis has also ejoyed playing checkers, (learning again) and reading to the kids as there is no TV. By the way who won the world series? We do not get any American news here. So if you would like to email headlines you are more then welcome. You can send them to Loires email ls2n2@yahoo.com thank you!
Monday Dennis was able to work at Bethel running a jackhammar all day. Horray!! He sweat so much that he joked with the brothers ther that some kid had dumped a bucket of water over his head. As that is what it truely looked like.
Thursday Shelby went on her first Bible study in the afternoon. Anitia (her study) was very enthusiatic and had already read most of chapter one from the last week when Shelby left the book, Bible Teach. They went over the first 7 pages and Anitia asked why do we suffer and how to make family life happier. Shelby was able to share the Gennis acount and other scriptures with her to answer her questions. Shelby is very excited as her study wants her to come back Thursday at 3:30pm and is very eager to learn.
The little ones are doing very well they really like their new teacher and being able to hang out with Mom and Dad some much. Lorelle and Shelby have been playing their guitar more and now that do not sound horible but still not that good.
Last night Mom, Lorelle and Shelby were able to go upstair and hang otu with the girls. They had a good time and watched a movie. Sister Samoura has a TV but they do not use it too much.
Saturday Shelby was able to go to the French Bookstudy (again) with Sister Hanna. She had a really good time. She was able to answer once, but it is better then nothing. Shelby is really enjoying learning and getting to use her French. Lorie and Lorelle are learning a little bit at a time.
Other then that every one has been busy in the feild ministry and the kids with their school work. Things are going quite well. We miss you all and think about you all the time, Dennis will be coming back December 11th to work. We hope some of you will visit us here someday.
Thats all I wrote.
Sunday moring Lorie and Dennis went up to Regent to see the land we own up there. There is a new panbody (a new tin shack with cement floor.) A man and his mother live there as the care takers for the land.
We have gone to the ocean twice. The water is so nice and warm and the waves a really big. Some of them taller then Dennis, crashing right over his head. Dennis has also ejoyed playing checkers, (learning again) and reading to the kids as there is no TV. By the way who won the world series? We do not get any American news here. So if you would like to email headlines you are more then welcome. You can send them to Loires email ls2n2@yahoo.com thank you!
Monday Dennis was able to work at Bethel running a jackhammar all day. Horray!! He sweat so much that he joked with the brothers ther that some kid had dumped a bucket of water over his head. As that is what it truely looked like.
Thursday Shelby went on her first Bible study in the afternoon. Anitia (her study) was very enthusiatic and had already read most of chapter one from the last week when Shelby left the book, Bible Teach. They went over the first 7 pages and Anitia asked why do we suffer and how to make family life happier. Shelby was able to share the Gennis acount and other scriptures with her to answer her questions. Shelby is very excited as her study wants her to come back Thursday at 3:30pm and is very eager to learn.
The little ones are doing very well they really like their new teacher and being able to hang out with Mom and Dad some much. Lorelle and Shelby have been playing their guitar more and now that do not sound horible but still not that good.
Last night Mom, Lorelle and Shelby were able to go upstair and hang otu with the girls. They had a good time and watched a movie. Sister Samoura has a TV but they do not use it too much.
Saturday Shelby was able to go to the French Bookstudy (again) with Sister Hanna. She had a really good time. She was able to answer once, but it is better then nothing. Shelby is really enjoying learning and getting to use her French. Lorie and Lorelle are learning a little bit at a time.
Other then that every one has been busy in the feild ministry and the kids with their school work. Things are going quite well. We miss you all and think about you all the time, Dennis will be coming back December 11th to work. We hope some of you will visit us here someday.
Thats all I wrote.
Friday, November 23, 2007
Port Loko visit and school
Backing up in time again....
November 9 to 12 we traveled to Port Loko about a four hour drive out of Freetown. We visited a family that moved there last year to help the congregation. Port Loko was a small group that had not had an elder or servant in over 10 years. The brother his wife and three children age 4, 8, 10 arrived last september. they are doing very well,
We had the priveledge of working in service in port loko saturday and sunday, the family has many studies so asked us to conduct some for them while we visited. Dennis had the priveledge of delivering the public talk it was amazing over 70 in attendance!
We hope to visit every few mos. it is like a mini vacation to go upcountry and out of the city. There are few generators there or motorcars, so at night it is pitch black and quiet, oh so quiet.
We are enjoying the hustle and bustle of the outskirts of Freetown where we live. It is always busy and many ask us for literature as we walk by. As dennis related in his post earlier this week.
I missed posting and emailing on Tuesday as I was not feeling well, I have been exhausted so am taking anti malaria as a precaution as well as an antibiotic as i ran a high fever on monday after service. It is easy to get perscriptions here and medicine is very reasonable in price. I will lay low this week and should be back to normal on Monday. The kids have been doing very well, Hunter had a bit of tummy trouble so is taking an antibiotic as precaution, but seems fine with energy and all.
the kids started school the week we arrived, but only were able to stay two days, as the head mistress was not allowing them to not sing the devotionals in the morning, we tried to reason with her, that the children would stand respectful she said "no", then we asked if they come 15 minutes late, when devotionals are finished, she said sternly "no" " if they don't sing devotionals they cannot be in this school, take them out!" so the missionary sister I was with and myself went to each classroom and collected the children. (the sister came with just in case there was difficulty with the language, but it was just an over strict head mistress) when we collected the children the teachers asked why, when we told them that the children would not be singing the devotionals they said it was not a problem, one even went to the head mistress to plead for the children, we latter saw her come from the office head hung low, the head mistress is so stern....... latter in the week Dennis met Kadences former teacher in service she again expressed her sorrow in there not attending shchool. but she understand and respects our stand. She was glad to hear we have a tutor for the children and they are continueing their studies.
Our stand has made a good witness. Some of the friends in the hall even brought the 2007 year book to show us the experience in it of others thrown out of school for the same reason, it was encouraging for us.
The kids are doing well, in a way it is a blessing, they are now able to take turns in morning service with us and we have a sister coming four times a week for lessons to supplement what Dennis and I are able to do with them. They enjoy being all together to learn and Kadence said she was being picked on at school alot for being a witness, it was even effecting her studies as we could see from her report card.
She is so happy to be with her brothers and sisters now.
I will try to post pictures soon, Dennis will be visiting the US Dec 11 and will bring our camera chip with him to make pictures. But I will try before then to see how to post them.
The kh reconstruction is going very well, the last hall was only able to hold 100 or so and they often had many sitting outside. the new hall will seat 300 plus, what a blessing! we had 169 at sunday meeting this week in our home. they seat over 90 inside the rest outside and on our back varanda. it is hot but joyous!
the sound equipment didn't work on sunday, so we sang without the music, still thunderous, I think if we shut the glass window they would break!
christian love to all,
Lorie
November 9 to 12 we traveled to Port Loko about a four hour drive out of Freetown. We visited a family that moved there last year to help the congregation. Port Loko was a small group that had not had an elder or servant in over 10 years. The brother his wife and three children age 4, 8, 10 arrived last september. they are doing very well,
We had the priveledge of working in service in port loko saturday and sunday, the family has many studies so asked us to conduct some for them while we visited. Dennis had the priveledge of delivering the public talk it was amazing over 70 in attendance!
We hope to visit every few mos. it is like a mini vacation to go upcountry and out of the city. There are few generators there or motorcars, so at night it is pitch black and quiet, oh so quiet.
We are enjoying the hustle and bustle of the outskirts of Freetown where we live. It is always busy and many ask us for literature as we walk by. As dennis related in his post earlier this week.
I missed posting and emailing on Tuesday as I was not feeling well, I have been exhausted so am taking anti malaria as a precaution as well as an antibiotic as i ran a high fever on monday after service. It is easy to get perscriptions here and medicine is very reasonable in price. I will lay low this week and should be back to normal on Monday. The kids have been doing very well, Hunter had a bit of tummy trouble so is taking an antibiotic as precaution, but seems fine with energy and all.
the kids started school the week we arrived, but only were able to stay two days, as the head mistress was not allowing them to not sing the devotionals in the morning, we tried to reason with her, that the children would stand respectful she said "no", then we asked if they come 15 minutes late, when devotionals are finished, she said sternly "no" " if they don't sing devotionals they cannot be in this school, take them out!" so the missionary sister I was with and myself went to each classroom and collected the children. (the sister came with just in case there was difficulty with the language, but it was just an over strict head mistress) when we collected the children the teachers asked why, when we told them that the children would not be singing the devotionals they said it was not a problem, one even went to the head mistress to plead for the children, we latter saw her come from the office head hung low, the head mistress is so stern....... latter in the week Dennis met Kadences former teacher in service she again expressed her sorrow in there not attending shchool. but she understand and respects our stand. She was glad to hear we have a tutor for the children and they are continueing their studies.
Our stand has made a good witness. Some of the friends in the hall even brought the 2007 year book to show us the experience in it of others thrown out of school for the same reason, it was encouraging for us.
The kids are doing well, in a way it is a blessing, they are now able to take turns in morning service with us and we have a sister coming four times a week for lessons to supplement what Dennis and I are able to do with them. They enjoy being all together to learn and Kadence said she was being picked on at school alot for being a witness, it was even effecting her studies as we could see from her report card.
She is so happy to be with her brothers and sisters now.
I will try to post pictures soon, Dennis will be visiting the US Dec 11 and will bring our camera chip with him to make pictures. But I will try before then to see how to post them.
The kh reconstruction is going very well, the last hall was only able to hold 100 or so and they often had many sitting outside. the new hall will seat 300 plus, what a blessing! we had 169 at sunday meeting this week in our home. they seat over 90 inside the rest outside and on our back varanda. it is hot but joyous!
the sound equipment didn't work on sunday, so we sang without the music, still thunderous, I think if we shut the glass window they would break!
christian love to all,
Lorie
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
The feild is white, but not with snow.
John 4:35 certainly applies here. When we go out to preach many take time to listen and if you leave them a publication to read and study they will prepare far past what you sugest. We have many calls and studys and this week as we are studing with one or two others passing by stop and jion in, then they wnat to show you where they live so that they to can have a study. Dennis was walking to help a brother monday afternoon and a group of men sitting in the shade called out to him to come and share with them something from the bible. They had seen him pass in service on sunday and now even though he was not even dressed for the ministry they knew him as a man of god. We always try to carry lititure and our bibles where ever we go, so he was able to share many scriptures with them and empted his bag of all his lititure 5 mags and 2 brochures. Today he and a brother from Liberia worked together and where following up on many rv's and studies that they started last week. As they were traveling a man in a shop called out to them, "Are you JW? I would like you to teach me about the bible". So the man took them to his home near by and they taught him many things. He had recieved an invetation to the Convention last year and went at the football stadium. He like what he heard and saw. He wants to learn about how the bible can change peoples lives.
Last Tuesday as Dennis and the young children were returning from walking along way in the feild they stopped to rest in the shade, a man near by came over and asked if they were JW, he had move here from England where he had run into the witnesses. Dennis left him with the magazines and returned on Friday for a nice one hour study in the shde of a big tree. On Friday Dennis and his partner walked over 10 miles in very hilly territory. That evening his legs ached, many freinds were visiting from the other congregation. Dennis was visiting with a CO form Liberia who was visiting SL. Just before Dennis was going to complain about his legs hurting the brother related how to visit one of the congregations in his circuit, he and his wife have to walk 22hrs one way it takes all of Monday and most of Tuesday, with the meeting that night. Plus they have to carry all the things they will need for the week on their head,then they walk all week in service and just about the time their legs stop acheing they have to walk back. Need less to say Denis did not complain about walking the day.
Shelby was able to start a study on Thursday. She is also commenting more in krio every meeting. Lorie, Shelby and Lorelle are attending a french bookstudy as they look to exspan their ministry. A young sister who has just finished secondary school is now tutoring the younger children four days a week, in addition to the time that Dennis and Lorie have each week to teach them. They are receiving the best education they can 2 Tim 3:16 and Isa. 2:3
Last Tuesday as Dennis and the young children were returning from walking along way in the feild they stopped to rest in the shade, a man near by came over and asked if they were JW, he had move here from England where he had run into the witnesses. Dennis left him with the magazines and returned on Friday for a nice one hour study in the shde of a big tree. On Friday Dennis and his partner walked over 10 miles in very hilly territory. That evening his legs ached, many freinds were visiting from the other congregation. Dennis was visiting with a CO form Liberia who was visiting SL. Just before Dennis was going to complain about his legs hurting the brother related how to visit one of the congregations in his circuit, he and his wife have to walk 22hrs one way it takes all of Monday and most of Tuesday, with the meeting that night. Plus they have to carry all the things they will need for the week on their head,then they walk all week in service and just about the time their legs stop acheing they have to walk back. Need less to say Denis did not complain about walking the day.
Shelby was able to start a study on Thursday. She is also commenting more in krio every meeting. Lorie, Shelby and Lorelle are attending a french bookstudy as they look to exspan their ministry. A young sister who has just finished secondary school is now tutoring the younger children four days a week, in addition to the time that Dennis and Lorie have each week to teach them. They are receiving the best education they can 2 Tim 3:16 and Isa. 2:3
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
All Afire
We hit the ground running here in sierra leone the first week, co visit was the tuesday we arrived, service was full speed ahead with many in the field, we all have rv's and many studies are starting. Lorie's study from her last visit, asked to study in the book instead of brochure, she is progressing wonderfully.
We have been blessed with running water in the house! something they have been trying to hook up to for over 8 years. We still can access the running streams in the backyard if the pipes from city pump go off, as they often do mid day.
They running water behind the house proved a true blessing our first saturday here, we were sleeping when Hunter awoke at about 2 am, Lorie rose to see why he was up, thought he was touching the mosquito net we had taped on the windows as she heard crackling sounds, they both lay back down to sleep, but then lorie heard more crackling, she rose and looked out the window to see a small fire on the other side of our compound wall, thought maybe someone was burning trash, she lay back down, but no sooner lay down when heard yelling, she looked out to see the flame twice the size, quickly she woke Dennis and the kids, and ran to get the landlord, the household and compound adults all ran to fetch water, the fire was on the other side of the wall but we have many trees in our compound and didn't want the fire to spread, the pig pen is just inside the wall, Ismael climbed on top and Dennis and at least 10 others ran buckets of water for two hours up to the wall. They were able to put the fire out before it spread to more of the metal hut homes that had caught fire, some of the compound wall could not sustain the heat and colapsed. Thankfully no one was hurt, not even those living in the tin shantys. They were very thankful for the water from our compound. There are three streams that run through.
Next day in service many approached Dennis and thanked him for his hard work, they had been learry to meet the big white man before this, but are now very happy to be our neighbor.
We are thoroughly enjoying the field, Dennis has 10 bible studies, 3 from the co from co week. this morning he had a fine experience while joining a brother at a shop on a bible study a small girl about 8 ran up and asked if they were Jehovahs witnesses, they said yes, she said please a man 4 shops down want to study. When they finished the study they went to the shop 4 down, the man has good bible knowledge and speaks english very well, he accepted the book and started studying.
Lorie's study from last trip has continued in the brochure, when she called on her today she asked to study in a book. Her brother who works in another shop has been studying in a book with another brother.
Lorie joined a missionary on studies today, but none were home, very unuassual. The last one they walked to the lady was out, but when the small child about three told her aunty that was visiting that Jehovah Witnesses were at the door, the aunt came running, saying, I want to study. She ran back in the house and came out with her book, she said I did my homework, she then explained that she lives near New England Congregation and attends meetings on Sunday, that she studies with a brother on Tuesday, but this week she had to watch her niece and was not able to contact the brother, she felt very sorry to miss her study. She thanked Jehovah we came so she would not miss. She had studdied ahead and prepared her lesson. She asked that we study with her every other tuesday, because she has to care for her neice every other tuesday, so she will do one week with the brother and one week with the sister.
Both Shelby and Lorelle are picking up the the krio language, it will take time for all of us. They both were able to work with the co wife and enjoy rv's, shelby has one that will soon be a study. For now they mostly enjoy the brief tract work that is done without having to do a lot of talking, there are always people to talk to as you walk along in service.
Thankyou to all for your love and support, our personal email is ls2n2@yahoo.com we enjoy brief emails. The server here often cuts out so brief emails are easier to access. Sorry for typos and spelling errors, I try to be fast before we loose service.
May Jehovah be with you all,
Love, Swift Family
We have been blessed with running water in the house! something they have been trying to hook up to for over 8 years. We still can access the running streams in the backyard if the pipes from city pump go off, as they often do mid day.
They running water behind the house proved a true blessing our first saturday here, we were sleeping when Hunter awoke at about 2 am, Lorie rose to see why he was up, thought he was touching the mosquito net we had taped on the windows as she heard crackling sounds, they both lay back down to sleep, but then lorie heard more crackling, she rose and looked out the window to see a small fire on the other side of our compound wall, thought maybe someone was burning trash, she lay back down, but no sooner lay down when heard yelling, she looked out to see the flame twice the size, quickly she woke Dennis and the kids, and ran to get the landlord, the household and compound adults all ran to fetch water, the fire was on the other side of the wall but we have many trees in our compound and didn't want the fire to spread, the pig pen is just inside the wall, Ismael climbed on top and Dennis and at least 10 others ran buckets of water for two hours up to the wall. They were able to put the fire out before it spread to more of the metal hut homes that had caught fire, some of the compound wall could not sustain the heat and colapsed. Thankfully no one was hurt, not even those living in the tin shantys. They were very thankful for the water from our compound. There are three streams that run through.
Next day in service many approached Dennis and thanked him for his hard work, they had been learry to meet the big white man before this, but are now very happy to be our neighbor.
We are thoroughly enjoying the field, Dennis has 10 bible studies, 3 from the co from co week. this morning he had a fine experience while joining a brother at a shop on a bible study a small girl about 8 ran up and asked if they were Jehovahs witnesses, they said yes, she said please a man 4 shops down want to study. When they finished the study they went to the shop 4 down, the man has good bible knowledge and speaks english very well, he accepted the book and started studying.
Lorie's study from last trip has continued in the brochure, when she called on her today she asked to study in a book. Her brother who works in another shop has been studying in a book with another brother.
Lorie joined a missionary on studies today, but none were home, very unuassual. The last one they walked to the lady was out, but when the small child about three told her aunty that was visiting that Jehovah Witnesses were at the door, the aunt came running, saying, I want to study. She ran back in the house and came out with her book, she said I did my homework, she then explained that she lives near New England Congregation and attends meetings on Sunday, that she studies with a brother on Tuesday, but this week she had to watch her niece and was not able to contact the brother, she felt very sorry to miss her study. She thanked Jehovah we came so she would not miss. She had studdied ahead and prepared her lesson. She asked that we study with her every other tuesday, because she has to care for her neice every other tuesday, so she will do one week with the brother and one week with the sister.
Both Shelby and Lorelle are picking up the the krio language, it will take time for all of us. They both were able to work with the co wife and enjoy rv's, shelby has one that will soon be a study. For now they mostly enjoy the brief tract work that is done without having to do a lot of talking, there are always people to talk to as you walk along in service.
Thankyou to all for your love and support, our personal email is ls2n2@yahoo.com we enjoy brief emails. The server here often cuts out so brief emails are easier to access. Sorry for typos and spelling errors, I try to be fast before we loose service.
May Jehovah be with you all,
Love, Swift Family
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Back in time, to catch up..
Hello family and friends,
we are doing very well, but before tellin you of current happenings we would like to step back a few weeks to fill in, i will try to do this on each email to catch all up on past and present happenings.
Thankyou so much for the love and support shown by so many, the get togethers were wonderful!
Brother and Sister Josiah from SL were at Patterson last mos. we had the priveledge of picking them up for a weekend. They say "thankee, thankee" for the love and hospitality shown by the friends. They enjoyed the gathering and seeing the sights of New England. Our family enjoyed spending time with them and getting tidbits to prepare us for the big move.
*i am currently in service and was able to stop at an internet cafe for a couple minutes while my service partner did a call in German
we have co this week, tuesday there were 120 in attendance at our home for the meeting, the kh is being demolished for rebuilding, they will continue to use our home for a few mos. it is such a blessing , both south and north congregations are meeting so we meet many new friends.
it was truly a miracle that they are using our home. they had been using it but when theyt heard we were coming they had a vote to move the meetings. they had two places to choose, neither easy for the friends to get to, the vote was tied..... this was last thursday..... they announced they would have a revote on Sunday. A brother emailed us friday night to get our vote, we did not know it was a tie or revote, they just asked our vote, we unexpectedly had email access at the room we rented in london, otherwise would not have gotten the email. we emailed our vote, but also let them know that our home could still be used if wanted. We were unaware of the tie vote or the big joy the friends had on sunday when it was announced to both congregations that they did not have to have a revote sunday, but could continue meeting in the home. It really is a convenient location for the friends and is a good witness in the neighborhood. Many know the home, because our landlord is a nurse and works out of her home. The blessing of 120 in attendance on Tuesday was wonderful! The other congregation has there service meeting on Friday, our is normally thursday but was changed due to co visit, we have book study tonight.
Goodbye for now, love to all,
Lorie
we are doing very well, but before tellin you of current happenings we would like to step back a few weeks to fill in, i will try to do this on each email to catch all up on past and present happenings.
Thankyou so much for the love and support shown by so many, the get togethers were wonderful!
Brother and Sister Josiah from SL were at Patterson last mos. we had the priveledge of picking them up for a weekend. They say "thankee, thankee" for the love and hospitality shown by the friends. They enjoyed the gathering and seeing the sights of New England. Our family enjoyed spending time with them and getting tidbits to prepare us for the big move.
*i am currently in service and was able to stop at an internet cafe for a couple minutes while my service partner did a call in German
we have co this week, tuesday there were 120 in attendance at our home for the meeting, the kh is being demolished for rebuilding, they will continue to use our home for a few mos. it is such a blessing , both south and north congregations are meeting so we meet many new friends.
it was truly a miracle that they are using our home. they had been using it but when theyt heard we were coming they had a vote to move the meetings. they had two places to choose, neither easy for the friends to get to, the vote was tied..... this was last thursday..... they announced they would have a revote on Sunday. A brother emailed us friday night to get our vote, we did not know it was a tie or revote, they just asked our vote, we unexpectedly had email access at the room we rented in london, otherwise would not have gotten the email. we emailed our vote, but also let them know that our home could still be used if wanted. We were unaware of the tie vote or the big joy the friends had on sunday when it was announced to both congregations that they did not have to have a revote sunday, but could continue meeting in the home. It really is a convenient location for the friends and is a good witness in the neighborhood. Many know the home, because our landlord is a nurse and works out of her home. The blessing of 120 in attendance on Tuesday was wonderful! The other congregation has there service meeting on Friday, our is normally thursday but was changed due to co visit, we have book study tonight.
Goodbye for now, love to all,
Lorie
Friday, October 26, 2007
A quick note from our log
Just a quick note this time, to let you know we have all arrived well in London.
We met witnesses on the cruise and have been doing very well.
Will fill in more later as this internet is not ours to use.
When we toured Bethel yesterday in london we met friends our ours from the US. and ones that know our friends in SL. Such a wonderful worldwide brotherhood!
Love to all, Swift Crew and Rita.
Rita is at Bethel in London now, we will meet her again on Saturday.
Signing off, Swift Crew
Good Day to all!
We met witnesses on the cruise and have been doing very well.
Will fill in more later as this internet is not ours to use.
When we toured Bethel yesterday in london we met friends our ours from the US. and ones that know our friends in SL. Such a wonderful worldwide brotherhood!
Love to all, Swift Crew and Rita.
Rita is at Bethel in London now, we will meet her again on Saturday.
Signing off, Swift Crew
Good Day to all!
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Swift Crew is Cruisin'
Ships Ahoy Family and Friends,
We are setting sail on October 19 out of NY on the Queen Mary II to London, England.
Sister Rita Hebert, a pioneer from Wolfeboro Cong. will be traveling with us to England, returning to US via flight. The Ship arrives in England on October 25 our flights onward to Sierra Leone are October 29. We are looking forward to visiting London Bethel and some other sites around London on our four day layover in London.
The cruise is a transatlantic cruise, we had been keeping our eye on for a couple mos. as the prices lowered. It will be more economical and easier on us all for jet lag to take our time across time zones.
Brother Mediyenlo and his family serving in Sierra Leone from Nigeria, send their love and greetings. They recently had there Special Assembly Day with 1,482 in attendance.
The Mediyenlo family is serving the Port Loko congregation, we are arranging to visit with them second week of November. They have three young children. Dennis, Lorie and Kadence visited in December of last year for just the Sunday meeting, it was amazingly wonderful. Lorie, Lyam, Lorelle and Kadence visited for a weekend in April, it was a completely different experience in the bush country verses where we live around the city of Freetown.
Port Loko is a 2 to 3 hour drive out of Freetown. There is no available electricity except a couple generators in the little village, the generators are only on until 10 oclock or so, then it is silent and dark, awe inspiring! Around Freetown the sound of generators is continual as well as the hub bub of traffic. Electricity is getting more regularly available, we currently receive electricity 2 to 3 nights a week, they are hoping by January that our city district is on electricity rotation for every night, the city is working on it. The water lines are also being repaired from the city source and it is looking good to have running water in the house, also beginning of the year. Until then we have Mr. Monseray to carry water for washing and flushing toilets. He also fills our water bottles from the city drinking tap, we than boil and filter it.
It is rainy season in Sierra Leone right now, William Slaughter, a missionary, said that one good thing about all the rain is that the return visits are always home :)
Sister Samura, our landlord, has been caring for one of Lorie's studies, she said the young girl is progressing well. The girls brother is also a study, called on at his place of work by a brother from our SL congregation.
Brother Slaughter says Kadence sends lots of Hugs and Kisses, she is doing very well and is excited that we will all be together soon!
Jehovah be with you all,
Swift Family
Isaiah 43:10+13
We are setting sail on October 19 out of NY on the Queen Mary II to London, England.
Sister Rita Hebert, a pioneer from Wolfeboro Cong. will be traveling with us to England, returning to US via flight. The Ship arrives in England on October 25 our flights onward to Sierra Leone are October 29. We are looking forward to visiting London Bethel and some other sites around London on our four day layover in London.
The cruise is a transatlantic cruise, we had been keeping our eye on for a couple mos. as the prices lowered. It will be more economical and easier on us all for jet lag to take our time across time zones.
Brother Mediyenlo and his family serving in Sierra Leone from Nigeria, send their love and greetings. They recently had there Special Assembly Day with 1,482 in attendance.
The Mediyenlo family is serving the Port Loko congregation, we are arranging to visit with them second week of November. They have three young children. Dennis, Lorie and Kadence visited in December of last year for just the Sunday meeting, it was amazingly wonderful. Lorie, Lyam, Lorelle and Kadence visited for a weekend in April, it was a completely different experience in the bush country verses where we live around the city of Freetown.
Port Loko is a 2 to 3 hour drive out of Freetown. There is no available electricity except a couple generators in the little village, the generators are only on until 10 oclock or so, then it is silent and dark, awe inspiring! Around Freetown the sound of generators is continual as well as the hub bub of traffic. Electricity is getting more regularly available, we currently receive electricity 2 to 3 nights a week, they are hoping by January that our city district is on electricity rotation for every night, the city is working on it. The water lines are also being repaired from the city source and it is looking good to have running water in the house, also beginning of the year. Until then we have Mr. Monseray to carry water for washing and flushing toilets. He also fills our water bottles from the city drinking tap, we than boil and filter it.
It is rainy season in Sierra Leone right now, William Slaughter, a missionary, said that one good thing about all the rain is that the return visits are always home :)
Sister Samura, our landlord, has been caring for one of Lorie's studies, she said the young girl is progressing well. The girls brother is also a study, called on at his place of work by a brother from our SL congregation.
Brother Slaughter says Kadence sends lots of Hugs and Kisses, she is doing very well and is excited that we will all be together soon!
Jehovah be with you all,
Swift Family
Isaiah 43:10+13
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Smooth Progress
Hi Friends and Family,
Wow, time sure is going fast. Where is summer? It was 50 degrees this morning?
Did enjoy the really hot weather a couple weeks ago.
To bring you up to date,
US Immigration has said that we can apply for a visa for Kadence after living with her for two years. Our Congressmans office has said to start applying after one year and they can get the ball rolling. Our adoption decree from Sierra Leone from 2005 is good and we are able to take Kadence anywhere in the world other than the US.
Once we meet this two year physical custody the US Immigration will grant her a visa.
We are looking to travel mid October. The presidential election in Sierra Leone went very well last Saturday. The results are being tallied and are scheduled to be announced September 20. We are confident things will go well. The missionaries in Sierra Leone have been emailing regularly and all is going fine. Jehovah is truly blessing the work as they are overscheduled with bible studies.
Kadence send hugs through the missionaries every meeting! She is missing us a lot, but doing very well with the family she is staying with. We rented a downstairs apt. she is living upstairs with our landlord, Sister Samura. Sister Samura and her husband have taken in 6 orphans during the war. They are now growing fine and doing very well, they are all studying. They are, FA age 15, Emma age 15, Princess age 15, Isha age 13, Mabinty age 10 and Musa (the only boy) age 9. It is a large happy family and Kadence is in good hands while we are apart.
We have rented a storage unit in Wolfeboro for our items that we will use when we return. Our yardsales have gone very well, and we have a donation place that is taking the rest. The realtor is having an open house August 20, so hopefully we will find a buyer. If not than we can always rent.
Thankyou for the encouraging emails and cards.
The friends in Sierra Leone email their Love.
Once in Sierra Leone we will post more often,
Keeping in touch with friends and family is so important to us,
Love the Swifts
Wow, time sure is going fast. Where is summer? It was 50 degrees this morning?
Did enjoy the really hot weather a couple weeks ago.
To bring you up to date,
US Immigration has said that we can apply for a visa for Kadence after living with her for two years. Our Congressmans office has said to start applying after one year and they can get the ball rolling. Our adoption decree from Sierra Leone from 2005 is good and we are able to take Kadence anywhere in the world other than the US.
Once we meet this two year physical custody the US Immigration will grant her a visa.
We are looking to travel mid October. The presidential election in Sierra Leone went very well last Saturday. The results are being tallied and are scheduled to be announced September 20. We are confident things will go well. The missionaries in Sierra Leone have been emailing regularly and all is going fine. Jehovah is truly blessing the work as they are overscheduled with bible studies.
Kadence send hugs through the missionaries every meeting! She is missing us a lot, but doing very well with the family she is staying with. We rented a downstairs apt. she is living upstairs with our landlord, Sister Samura. Sister Samura and her husband have taken in 6 orphans during the war. They are now growing fine and doing very well, they are all studying. They are, FA age 15, Emma age 15, Princess age 15, Isha age 13, Mabinty age 10 and Musa (the only boy) age 9. It is a large happy family and Kadence is in good hands while we are apart.
We have rented a storage unit in Wolfeboro for our items that we will use when we return. Our yardsales have gone very well, and we have a donation place that is taking the rest. The realtor is having an open house August 20, so hopefully we will find a buyer. If not than we can always rent.
Thankyou for the encouraging emails and cards.
The friends in Sierra Leone email their Love.
Once in Sierra Leone we will post more often,
Keeping in touch with friends and family is so important to us,
Love the Swifts
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Summertime
Hi all, for those in the heat wave, hope you are staying cool.
Summer temps were slow in arriving but are now on full force. Our yardsale went very well, even had some interest shown on the house.
Kadence, our 6 year old daughter in Sierra Leone is doing well. I spoke with Sister Samora last week, she said Kadence had been sick, nothing serious, and was in school taking exams.
Here is a clip from an email from William and Claudia Slaughter, our missionary friends in SL,
"Happy to hear from you and to know that all is going well. Every thing is going well hear.
The biggest problem is to many Bible studies. The grates joy in service is the house to house
but every time you go someone wants a study. If you agree to do it then you have less time
for house to house. Please hurry back we need the help. "
they have been in SL for over 18 years. Lyam was his service buddy while we were there in February and March. Lorelle and I both enjoyed going on studies with Claudia. Thought you would enjoy reading.
Thankyou for the emails we have been receiving. Please note that we are using LS2n2@yahoo.com instead of Dennis' email account for personal emails. Yahoo is more accessible in Sierra Leone.
Take Care, Lorie
Summer temps were slow in arriving but are now on full force. Our yardsale went very well, even had some interest shown on the house.
Kadence, our 6 year old daughter in Sierra Leone is doing well. I spoke with Sister Samora last week, she said Kadence had been sick, nothing serious, and was in school taking exams.
Here is a clip from an email from William and Claudia Slaughter, our missionary friends in SL,
"Happy to hear from you and to know that all is going well. Every thing is going well hear.
The biggest problem is to many Bible studies. The grates joy in service is the house to house
but every time you go someone wants a study. If you agree to do it then you have less time
for house to house. Please hurry back we need the help. "
they have been in SL for over 18 years. Lyam was his service buddy while we were there in February and March. Lorelle and I both enjoyed going on studies with Claudia. Thought you would enjoy reading.
Thankyou for the emails we have been receiving. Please note that we are using LS2n2@yahoo.com instead of Dennis' email account for personal emails. Yahoo is more accessible in Sierra Leone.
Take Care, Lorie
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
Constructing A Move
Hi Family and Friends,
Our preparations are coming together well for the big move. This Saturday June 9 we will have our yard sale and next week the house goes on the market. I am so thankful for the loving support shown and the wonderful internet, that keeps us connected with friends and family around the world.
Our tenative move date is September, we haven't locked in tickets yet, but are working on it.
We received an email from Sierra Leone Branch last week, they noted that memorial attendance was over 8,000 with publishers at 1, 700. Things sure are busy.
Kadence is doing well in school and was able to visit with our friends from Port Loko after the assembly day. There is about a 6 mos. difference in Assembly and Convention schedule, we will attend District Convention again in December.
I am hoping to post once a week to this blog site to keep in touch. I thouroughly enjoyed emailing while on my trips, but it wasn't always reliable, after arriving home we learned of emails that never reached their destinations. We hope this is more reliable and no one ever feels left out. Please feel free to share this site.
Lorie
Our preparations are coming together well for the big move. This Saturday June 9 we will have our yard sale and next week the house goes on the market. I am so thankful for the loving support shown and the wonderful internet, that keeps us connected with friends and family around the world.
Our tenative move date is September, we haven't locked in tickets yet, but are working on it.
We received an email from Sierra Leone Branch last week, they noted that memorial attendance was over 8,000 with publishers at 1, 700. Things sure are busy.
Kadence is doing well in school and was able to visit with our friends from Port Loko after the assembly day. There is about a 6 mos. difference in Assembly and Convention schedule, we will attend District Convention again in December.
I am hoping to post once a week to this blog site to keep in touch. I thouroughly enjoyed emailing while on my trips, but it wasn't always reliable, after arriving home we learned of emails that never reached their destinations. We hope this is more reliable and no one ever feels left out. Please feel free to share this site.
Lorie
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