It’s been a hard week or two for Elder Wells. Some very difficult issues have been presented by several of the mission presidents requiring some serious counseling with presidents as well as missionaries. Over the week end the phone and Skype lines were kept busy with calls to and from Salt Lake. This morning I caught him reading this book, Hold on to Hope.I tried to encourage him by handing him this one: Gifts of Self Esteem "You are doing fine, Elder. It's just one of those difficult periods in your life."
Then to make matters worse, neither of us could get onto the internet to get started on the day. Several others of the missionaries were wandering around visiting with one another and waiting for access to the net since most of the work that is done in many of the areas is by internet. Finally the word of explanation came from Dudley our CSR (computer service representative). It seems that someone had cut and stolen the Telecom internet cable leading from the ground to the top of the telephone pole on the office grounds. There is a market for the colorful cable wires so it is not uncommon to have such thefts. Dudley said ours were stolen once before about 3 years ago. Often these telephone wires are made into baskets and sold in craft markets. It is not uncommon to see a sign claiming: "These baskets were not made using stolen wire."
So people did what they could for a while at the office, then just went home. We don’t know if it will be repaired by tomorrow, but if not, we may just hang around the flat and see what we can do from here. What a funny place we are living in. TIA. This is Africa!
4 comments:
I think the book on Hope was already making a difference by the time he settled into re-vamping his self-esteem. I can see it all over his face.
Who wants colorful stolen wire baskets. What do they do with them?
I think one of those baskets would make a great souvenir! :-) Hang in there--think of the fact that we have snowmen and pumpkins on our porch at the same time right now, and enjoy those jacaranda blossoms while you can...
crazy how much we depend on the internet these days huh? Maybe someone will give you the basket they stole your wire to make!
I'm sorry but the idea of plastic-coated copper wire baskets made me laugh.
So here's an idea: string colorful macrame cords or painted willow strands up in an obvious place (try to make it look like cable connections if you can) and hide the real cables somewhere else.
Maybe start a Relief Society class on growing and coloring basket willow. It could be the start of a new cottage industry.
Best wishes to both of you for break-through days on counseling challenges. We send our love!
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