Flexibility!
Solomon Island 2007 July 16th, 2007 by ElizabethWritten 7/12/07
Hello from the Islands,
Progress continues as we press on in the Solomons. The Bosma House (where we are remodeling a kitchen) is coming along nicely. The residents were a bit surprised to have part of a wall missing for more than a day, but the framing is done on the new wall and even though windows, cabinets and flooring need to be added, at least no one will fall out the second story should they happen to sleep walk into the kitchen.
At the West Kola house (where we are remodeling the bathroom), the cardinal rule of short-term teams has come into play: FLEXIBILITY! The old walls are down and the tiling has been removed, but in the process of doing those things we discovered tha the plumbing is falling apart. In a way it is god’s blessing because it would have been unfortunate to remodel and then have serious water issues! So our project there has been expanded and I am proud to say that our team and the missionaries have maintained a great attitude about it!
One thing we have learned about the social issues here is an addiction to a local nut. When this nut is ground up and when combined with other common items here, produces a narcotic effect. Apparently, there is a significant portion of the population that is addicted. The nut is called the beetle (pronounced beatle) nut and it leaves the user with a bright red mouth making those individuals easy to identify.
We are happy to report that each member of the team is doing well and we all are in good health.
The work here by the missionaries has impressed us all. As they continue to press forward in bringing the word of God to the people of the Solomons, may we contiue to lift them up in prayer (Ephesians 6:18).
Blessings,
Eric and Team
P.S. I am still working on getting a picture or two out to you!
July 25th, 2007 at 9:02 am
Actually, it is spelled betel nut and is popular not only in the Solomon Islands, but all over Southeast Asia, including Thailand and Burma.