4-8 March 2008

Post #37:  March Forth

Friends of ours, in Milwaukee, send out an annual newsletter, once a year, on March 4^th.  I understand they do so because it represents a “marching forth” through another year. In any case, this is our March 4^th blog, though it's being completed on March 8^th. (It's after midnight here.)  It seems we're marching forth on our mission here in Malta, and the time is really beginning to go by quickly.

This week, we went three days without hot water for the shower. Apparently the thermostat was shot, and though they kept saying, “We'll send someone first thing in the morning,” we didn't see anyone until Tuesday afternoon. The thing went out on Saturday. We were forced to take sponge-baths as a result. We toted buckets of hot water from the kitchen to the tub. Good thing Dave kept a few sponges they handed out at the marathon!

DeDe and the kids enjoyed another lunch date at Passmore's on Tuesday. Starting next week, the ladies will begin discussing the book, A Christian's Secret of a Happy Life. We'll be using an online version, since it would be difficult to obtain copies any time soon.  And there's a nice review of the book available as well.

This week, on Wednesday, Dave gave a lecture to the MCAST staff. Today, (Friday) he presented a lecture to the folks at the Embassy, and a few software/technology companies on the island were invited. (At some point, he will have to share more about these lectures. They're compelling topics, that initiate much dialogue, and he leaves the audience to ponder long and hard on the material he's sharing relating the future of technology and its impact on society.)

On Thursday, DeDe and the kids drove to MCAST at noon and had lunch at the canteen there with Dave. Then we drove by the prison, which happened to be just down the hill, and DeDe went in to ask about getting permission to see Nikki. After talking to three different people, she had the name of the inspector on the case, and was told to track him down either in San Gwann, or at the main police station in Valletta.

We then drove through San Gwann, primarily to find a shoe store, as Rachel and Addison have need of new shoes. Happened by the San Gwann police station, only to find a sign on the door that said, “Station closed. Sorry for inconvenience. Officers on patrol.” We realized also that, since it was between 1 and 4 in the afternoon, the stores are all closed, so we went home for naptime.

Tonight, DeDe went to a movie with Tara, while Dave hung out with the kids. She enjoyed the flick, P.S. I Love You, and we had a nice visit after the show. It's going to be hard leaving here, and leaving these sweet friends behind, but we're going to appreciate the internet, and the ability to stay in touch.  We really do hope that Tara will be able to come to America and spend time with us someday.

Tomorrow (March 8) is a big day in Malta. It is election day! We'll be happy to see it behind us because there's been a great deal of hoopla leading up to it, which has resulted in many traffic jams. We're guessing the Nationalist Party will retain the government, but hard to say for sure.  Stay-tuned...