Tues Apr 7

 A wild storm came thru in the night. Quite a bit of wind with the thunderstorm. It made me think of tornadoes back home and I asked Lonnie if we shouldn’t find a safe place and he says, “You’re in the safest place.”. And then I wondered if we shouldn’t surely get the girls down from upstairs,  but he didn’t think that was necessary either.. we could hear the wind howling around the house and things crashing about outside.. we Are in a concrete house.. I said a prayer for our neighbors near and in surrounding villages that live in such flimsy looking houses with metal roofs.. I can’t even imagine how terrifying it would be! But in the morning, the damages weren’t so major. Tulshi did report his cowshed roof got messed up, but otherwise ok. Says his house is in a protected spot from the wind.

The power was out from 11:00 last night and all morning. Thankfully, some cooler weather was brought in. The girls played in the water on the roof again after school. With it not being as hot, the water from the tank on the roof is also a nice temperature to enjoy, and not too hot. The time on the roof also served the dual purpose of cleaning it of the debris from the storm. Gentry enjoyed sitting in the water, with the girls slipping, sliding, and splashing around him also 💦 

After Christina’s supper, Jaira crashed on the couch after being awake since the early morning hours and also coming down with something… headache, sore throat, and low grade fever. Maddie went to bed early also after waking early this morning. Lonnie was out playing Carrom and I was enjoying the beautiful cool evening outside with Annslie and Tulshi and then Gentry also after his nap. Night guard, Shunil, did not come tonight as he had been in to the hosp. again with his high blood pressure… Tulshi stayed almost an hour later.

Mon Apr 6

 After too many interrupted nights, we woke, realizing the power had stayed on All night🤗

After School, we had our 1st Mon of the month, School Board Mtg.

Meanwhile, the girls played in the water on the roof.

After awhile, Jaira came down, inspired to put on a tea party for Maddie and Annslie.

🕯️ On our coffee table in the living room she spread a black with gold orna/strip of fabric, candle, clear glass tea cups, black printed napkins, lemonade in a small gold pitcher, dish of Energy Biscuits(comparable a bit to Graham crackers) and Miss Christina helped her prepare a bowl of apples and oranges. Turned out the lights. Miss Christina joined them for the tea party and Annslie was super impressed with the occasion🥰

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Easter Apr 5

 To Gopalgonj for 10:00 service. 

Brian and Kaylee from Dhaka and Kobid and Liton from our cong. were there also.

All church attendance were invited to Doyle’s for lunch. Maid Sheema had cooked us a yummy Bangla meal. Her children were there too so she had her 15 yr old dau.’s help also.

A gigantic tarp had been strung from the house to the wall for shade and it ended up not being too miserable hot out there with a breeze blowing😌

The afternoon was spent with the children playing outside, the school children did another year end program practice, and the adults enjoyed each other’s company. Kobid bhay(bro) was on a roll about starting a cold tea dokan. He thinks Bangalis could enjoy drinking their cha cold, thru the long summer months. 💭 But how to go about it exactly and price for a cup of tea, etc. Liton said he would supply the tea leaves and sugar and it could be set up beside his barber dokan.. 💭 Beauty told how they how tried a tea stall by their ironing business and people thought the cup of tea should be Free!

The power was out most of the afternoon, so we enjoyed going home to our cool house. Although, it would be interesting to hear if you would consider 25*C/77*F. a cool house😉 Tulshi said our power came back on at 5:00 and we got home at 6:30..

Sat. Apr. 4

 Lonnie recently read and was inspired by a book titled The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer. One of the things it expounds on is the need for a day of worship and rest. Our day of worship does not feel like a day of rest. So we took today as a day of rest🤍

After lunch, one of the pastors that we supply with gospel literature, came by with 3 containers of  pita. 3 different kinds, the doughy turnover style filled with gur(molasses) and coconut, the crepe-like variety, and the round flatter deep fried ones that are delectable but leave your lips feeling like you just applied chapstick😅

Then a trip into Khulna City. 

Octane booster to take to Gopalgonj 

Mambos for hamburger, fries, fresh lemonade,(and Tom & Jerry😅) 

Safe and Save for groceries

Good Friday Apr. 3

 Gentry was down for his morning nap and with his continued respiratory ailment/chest congestion decided to just let him sleep. He was still sleeping when everybody stopped in after the 1st S.S. So they went on without me again. 

I worked on lunch prep and made cheesecake squares for the evening

The report from S.S.’s was the attendance was slim but at Chakrakhali, Bodi(the lady of the house), helped them sing and stayed for the story. She wondered about the other 2 crosses in the picture. Lonnie told her there is more details to the story and the grave is not the end of the story. Come back next Fri. to hear more!

BBQ meatballs from the freezer, mashed taters, and lettuce salad lunch

Afternoon service was scheduled to begin at 3:00 to allow everybody time to speak. Ripon Bro. came from Gopalgonj and All of the Khulna Brothers and Sisters were there! It has been Way too long since a full attendance even if there are only 5 households!

Gentry was napping at 3:00 so I stayed home with him till he woke. Worked on veggie platter for after church. When he did wake, Lonnie didn’t think I should bring him because we have entered the “dog days” of summer (And it’s only April!😱) That church house with it’s metal roof is a real oven Especially as the power was out this afternoon, so not even fans! When the power came back on, I walked to church and got in on the last hour or so. Lonnie’s message seemed timely today, Noise and Distractions. The Hindus we’re having some serious celebration going on and Lonnie had to raise his voice to be heard over the drums 🪘 🥁. And there was Quite the parades of hot pink T-shirts and then red shirts and red and white saris marching past the church windows🤦🏼‍♀️

After church Ripon took Gentry and carried him home.💙 

Shanto’s had brought snacks also. Chira, which is flattened/beaten rice. Shotti softened it a bit in a little water, making me think of cooked oatmeal a bit. So they served up the plates with a Nice sized spoonful of chira, a dollop of doy(yogurt), and raw sugar. To eat it, you mix it altogether for an enjoyable experience😋

They also brought a mango drink mix👍🏼

I served my fresh veggies and ranch dip. Ranch is not a Bangali thing, but they like it. I think, because it’s flavors they are accustomed to.. onion, garlic,.. and mayonnaise based dips are very common!

And the cheesecake squares.. they held their plates out till I’d put 2 on! I said, “How do you know you’ll like them?!” They do have a light, fluffy version of cheesecake in modern locations here..

Thurs. Apr. 2

 Lonnie and Annslie met Kobid in Khulna City.

bank: Christina’s legal work/bank account for extended visa. Still unsuccessful.

Hunt for Octane: one place said come back at 3:00 we don’t know if it will be Octane or Petro

Lunch at Mambo’s with Kobid

Picked up Octane booster in case only Petro is available

Headed back to fuel stations. stopped at one with long line of motorcycles. drove to the front of the line. No Octane, but they put twice the rationed amount of Petro in, 2,000 Taka, which got the tank to 1/2 full.

On to the place that said, come back at 3:00, long line of motorcycles + 5 cars. Got in the car line and they filled the tank with Octane🤗🤗 We never know when and where we’ll be able to get fuel hopefully we can continue to get it!

On the way home, he stopped at the veggie and fruit market that we frequent.

It was entertaining to hear him relate his experience

“Where is Madam?” “Sit,sit!” “What do you need?” “Madam always gets this!” “Where is Madam?” And then he would holler to a neighboring vendor for boro size peyag (large onions),….

Back at the house I was Sure glad Lonnie had Annslie as putting a load of laundry in and getting lunch on by noon was “pedal to the metal” in between taking care of Gentry. I did find out that it works quite well to plop Gentry in an empty laundry basket so he can be supported and upstairs with me while I do laundry, etc. without dragging anything up there or out of the girls’ room😊 and Dipti always seems to enjoy taking care of him if I need free hands for a minute.🧕🏾