africa is big !!

Okay, so we haven't been in touch as much as we had hoped. We have been living like African Gypsies, on the road everyday, never sleeping in the same place twice. The three stooges sit in the back of the car, and the priests talk in a mixture of Hindi-Swahili-English and we never know the plan. Poor Frank, every time we stop anywhere, side of the road to pee, gas station, beer garden or whatever, he says"is this where we are staying tonight"?
We have been well housed, no huts or tents...one night in a forsaken church called Lobubu with no lights or running water. In the bathroom attached to our rooms was a cement pool with about 2 - feet of clean water. George reduced himself to its of laughter picturing himself just sitting down in it and soaping up. It was really about a four month supply of clean water for the whole house! The priest that is posted out there in the far side of nowhere was sent there right after ordination. I was reduced to tears that night thinking of the sacrifice these men have made to do what they are doing....

Special note to Jonah- Bert has a picture of Papa holding a 6 foot cobra!!

Tonight we are in Nairobi- we crossed into Kenya today- the border was a bit hairy, with armed guards and Masai tribesman trying to sell us stuff everywhere we turned. our shopping priest is keeping us safe, and his boss, Fr. Thomas is an absolute treasure. We are honored guests everywhere we go because we are with him. He is in charge of the Fransalians in Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda. You cannot believe what these people are doing here.

Yesterday we stayed in Arusha and went to the N'Gorongoro Crater. And it was like a day in a National Geographic movie. Mountains, and then down to the crater floor - I think he said it was 100 square miles? Anyway, every animal you have ever thought of in Africa (except Giraffe) were there as we drove around. Great pictures! BUTT...and I mean buttt...we were in the car for 13 hours yesterday! And the roads here leave a lott to be desired to put it nicely!

Day before that we were in Tabora, where the orphanage is . What Joy ! - Mary Beth- Enni send his hello's - he is quiet and shy, but remembers Fr. K... My favorite there was Heri - a 7 year old slightly naughty boy..Street kids come in during the day for a meal and a lesson, but the orphanage is almost at capacity, so they leave at evening. We had a bonfire with the kids, and our own Shemashi (Deacon) Frank got to stand by the fire in his African Kanga and tell the boys a story. Between that and the snake, that was Franks best day!

This is long I know - but in this land who knows when we will get to a computer again -
Random Things: Yeah Wings!
Saw a fully dressed Masai warrior herding cows down the road talking on a cell phone - weird
No Where in the world can traffic be like this!
I like the country better than the city.
Had Mass this AM with 6 people in the living rooom of a house, and felt I was in Notre Dame Cathedral- or St. Joe's - Ahhhh the universal church!
We arrive in Detroit about 10:30 on Saturday morning - Elaine- call Michelle if you want exact times - she can get ahold of my mother in law for details if need be. We will have a ride home from the airport. AND Frank says "have a Big Mac ready and waiting!" ( Everyone else, close your eyes - Frank says he Loves Elaine!)

I dreamed of home this AM- Michelle and Marybeth were setting up God's Kitchen in my basement and MaryBeth was decorating all of the spiderwebs with sunflowers! YIKES.

Love to all - kids and Anne especially - and the doodlehead - how's Joeys leg? I think of so many of you at random moments- as will be witnessed by the bits I pick up.

See you soon- Please appreciate all we have in the US and Keep up the prayers for ALL missionaries!

Bert and the Boys!