Greetings. It is time for a state-of-the-mission-trip address. We all wanted you to meet our Chief of Staff, Topista. If you haven't been reading the blog, maybe you think we have been "roughing it" here in Africa. I will give you a debriefing on the current status of things.
Topista has been tending to our every need while at home during the trip. Seeing as how we leave the house at 7am and come home around 7:30pm, the days have been busy so this is appreciated even more. Since I arrived Saturday, we've had waffles, crepes, fresh fruit, cinnamon rolls, passion fruit juice and coffee for breakfast ready for devouring as soon as we can get to the table. Every night when we arrive home from church, a Topista-esque dinner is ready. We have had Mexican tortillas w/ fresh guacamole, pasta, meat casserole, mixed veggies, pizza and other cuisines. Not to mention a whole china bar stocked with cookies, bananas, and other fine goodies. She and another helper promptly clean up afterwards. Topista also washes our clothes daily if needed and returns them ironed. Finally, she sleeps. We think.
Topista lives at the Jenkins household and has assisted them for thirteen years in Uganda and Rwanda. Doug Jenkins and his family also reside as missionaries in Kigali, and Doug is the pastor at Christ's Church in Rwanda. They are currently on furlough in the US, so we are enjoying their large and comfortable house during the trip. Topista's favorite food to cook is potroast and her favorite food to eat is motikas, green banana-like fruits grown in this region. In fact, her favorite thing to do is cook. So, we decided to make sacrifices and let her enjoy herself in practicing her hobby. She is Ugandan and speaks fluent Lugandan and English.
Disclaimer: This post is not meant to spite all of you at home with no on-site 24/7 cook/cleaner/launderer/cheerleader. We are so thankful to the Jenkins for the use of their house and to Topista for taking care of us. The trip has been wonderful so far, and God is rewarding us in all kinds of unexpected ways. My next post will be about all of my reader buddies I have made this week! -Nathan
8 comments:
All the good food sounds great! Perhaps you can bring a to-go box with some of the left-overs.
Brandon
Nathan-
Sounds like life is really tough there. Bring Topista back to Dallas with you!
Dad
I think I might like to come with you next time you go - for someone who loves to cook, the food you've described sounds fabulous!! I'm drooling - also, some of the stories Katie wrote about some of the people she has studied with - such sad histories - with hopeful futures. Do they repeat the English you are saying? Glad everything is going well - mom
Hey guys! It sounds like y'all are having a great time, and I'm so glad! Y'all are definitely in our prayers, and I look forward to seeing you after our trip and get to swap wonderful stories about what God is doing around the world!
Love y'all!
Amy :)
So glad your trip is going well. Sounds like you are definitely spoiled!
Lindsay
I _need_ a Topista. I am soooo jealous. You all are lucky. Poor Brandon is here eating my semi-decent tacos and lots of vegetables that he hates. I'm sure he'd wish for a Topista too. Glad you aren't going skinny... oh wait, you already are! Who am I kidding...
Topista Rocks! I will definitely miss her when we get back.
Nathan-
Whenever you perform a pushup, you do not lift your body weight up, rather you push the world down with your sheer strength.
-Clayton
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