Greetings from Africa!				10 Dec. 2004

I have been preoccupied with getting things ready for the upcoming trip
to the US, and all the issues related to closing out the first year
here and getting ready for year #2, and had forgotten about the weekly
emails until about 5 minutes ago. Yikes! 

I went to the eye surgeon on Wednesday and heard that everything is
proceeding well. A particular eyeball measurement taken before the
second surgery turned out to be slightly in error, which resulted in
him implanting a lens in my right eye which differs a little from the
one in my left. The result, however, is actually rather good, since the
left eye focuses perfectly at infinity but not at nearer distances (one
or more yards). The right eye is the opposite, being not quite perfect
at infinity but sharp nearer in. So, in practice, I'm covered for
everything but reading! He was concerned I would be unhappy, but I am
actually quite pleased. 

Speaking of pleased, we have had a very nice week in terms of rain
(lots) and heat (not so much). The green plants in the lawn that used
to think they were grass now think they are bean-stocks. Rather than
mowing I think we may have to bale.

South Africa is a bit weird - to me at least - in December. ALL of the
schools close down, as do many of the businesses. Everything just
STOPS, and people scatter to the winds. At church we had the major
Christmas service last Sunday, in order for people to actually be
there. There will be a service on Christmas Day, and every Sunday of
course, but one doesn't count on good attendance. The service last
Sunday evening was nice because I got to meet some of the church
members who don't regularly come on Sunday morning. 

Speaking of Sunday morning, one of the founding members of the church
is an elderly lady named "Annie". Her memory isn't what it once was,
but she is picked up and faithfully comes and sits in the front pew
every Sunday. Since I have been giving a teaching every Sunday before
Rev. Ruth does the sermon Annie has decided that I am the minister. She
often comments to the people who drive her around how much she likes me
as her minister. One of the people to whom she frequently makes this
comment is the ACTUAL minister, Rev. Ruth. When Ruth gently corrects
her Annie always reacts with surprise and congratulates her!

I have been seriously urged to shop for a nice Santa suit for myself
when I am in the US, because I may be using it more next year than this
and it may as well be something I like and that fits. If anyone knows
of a place to get a nice one, at a big discount since Christmas will
just be over, I would appreciate the tip. The ones they loaned me here
were, shall we say, WELL used in the past. And the second one was well
over half the size it needed to be, or at least a little over half.
Good thing I had a red T-shirt!

There is a year end Christmas celebration braai at the Mission Station
tomorrow night, so I hope to get some good pictures for next week's
email. Sorry I don't have any this week!

Love from Africa,
Lary

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