3X3 - Part One

3X3
Been thinking of several odds and ends to write about, so thought I would do 3 activities the next 3 times.

1 - BABY SITTERS -
You don’t have to twist our arms very hard to get us to say ‘yes’ to baby sitting the 3 sweetest girls in Europe. While their parents were busy in a different part of town, we were having a blast with those darlings. Although I enjoy all activities with them (playing games, reading books, going for walks) there is just something special about going through their nightly rituals of getting ready for bed. Those good night hugs and kisses after baths, hair blowing, brushing teeth, are just extra special. After spending the night with them, we returned home the next morning.2 -TOUR GUIDES -
After graduation in July, a young couple here are planning to spend a few months in the Philippines, visiting a few tribal areas and helping with various projects.
They invited us over for the evening to talk about the different areas and diverse needs. After a yummy chicken curry meal, our role of ‘travel agent’ began - talking about places to go, things to see and do, transportation, flights etc. We are excited for them in this adventure, and know it will be time well spent.

A couple weeks earlier these dear folks called us at 10:30 on a Friday night to see if we were up for a game of ROOK. Their uncle was visiting from Germany and we were hoping for some time with him. Sure, come on over. A fun few hours followed, but I don’t remember who won. While we were chatting over our snack, the conversation led to our Open House the next night and they told us they would not be able to come to that. So soon plans were made for a BBQ at lunch time the next day. Their uncle raised a question that we had never thought of before - How did we come to have so many children?
- Maybe ‘cause we are old enough?
- We are surrounded by young people and love having students in our home?
- Our own family live so far away?

3 - STUDENT VISITS -

Crockinole - This Canadian game has followed us around the world and been a hit wherever we have lived. I remember how much the dorm kids loved it; the tribal people spending hours at it; playing it with fellow missionaries in Manila and now it is a center point at out Saturday Open House. From our experience - the game that no one but Canadians have seen and the game that all Canadians are familiar with. We have had some friends here call it ‘finger pool’.
When Hannah and Ruth made a special visit to play a few games the other night, they found me topping big star cookies with a little star cookie with jam. They soon joined me and the task was finished in no time - on to Crockinole. We kept switching partners, trying to keep the score even, but thankful that wasn’t the bottom line. We could enjoy the time together no matter who won.

Unruly kids - Steve and Helen Martin lighten up any room with their cheery smiles and outlook on life. They worked in PNG for a couple years as Associates before coming thru the training here, which they have almost completed. One night recently when we were enjoying a nice conversation with them, their baby sitter called to tell them they needed to come home right away - kids were acting up. The surprised/shocked look on her face soon turned into a smile when she realized it was a joke. I think the Martins got her back good though by continuing our conversation until after 1:00.

Sister & granddaugher - I remember when these 2 young ladies popped over for a visit at the beginning of the school year - we knew them as Andy’s sister and Willcock’s granddaughter. We have enjoyed spending time with them over this past year and now knowing them as Katarina and Hannah. .
Here they are having a chat after returning our ‘sticks’ (stretched out coat hangers) for roasting marshmellows down on the beach.