A Day in the Life – of Ruth

Alex hanging out with the stuff on our steps.

We finally have something to share with you about Micah. His blood tests show that his immune system is overwhelmed and his intestines are inflamed. Because of this, his body is attacking most of the food he eats as if it were harmful substances or toxins. They have put him on a strict and very limited diet, based on his blood test results, which should allow his body to start healing. After 10 days on the diet, with improvement, we will start to add one food item at a time every 3 days. The good news is, after 3-6 months, his body should be healed enough that most, if not all, foods will be re-introduced. Thank you for your continued prayers for him.

The following is what I wrote for the blog before getting Micah’s test results. After finding out his results we have quit doing the 3-month-no-shopping activity after one month so we can start his diet. However, it still gives a good representation of what my curriculum is like, so I’ve posted it below.

We are in the midst of what they call 3-months-no-shopping as part of my women’s curriculum. In many areas of Africa where the staff has served, the closest stores were a few days drive away. While Betty Lou, one of my teachers, remembers her father shopping for food and supplies for a whole year, some of the TMM missionaries in Kenya now only have to shop for food for 3 months at a time. In preparation for this possibility in a remote area, one of my assignments is to plan, shop for and then live off of 3 months worth of food, supplies and any other item needed at the store. The exceptions are eggs, milk and gasoline.

I bought most of my dry goods in bulk while at home for Christmas (50 lbs. of flour and oats, 25 lbs. of rice…); the car was more than packed. (and remember what fun we had coming home?) Then I went to Asheville (about 2.25 hours away) to get our produce. There was no way I’d be able to get all I needed in Robbinsville (the closest town to us, 40 minutes away) with only one grocery store, and leave enough for anyone else hoping to shop that day!

Hanging up the onions

At the first store, when I checked out, the lady said “7 bags of onions?” I definitely didn’t mistakenly put 7 bags of onions in my cart (my kids weren’t even with me) – but I appreciated her trying to help me out. The onions I hung in a closet in 2 pairs of cheap stockings that I had bought for that reason.

The next store I bought 14 acorn squash, 7 bags of potatoes, 11 bunches of parsley, 20 lbs of carrots and 13 bags of apples (which only equals 3 apples a week for everyone). Thankfully the parsley and carrots were on sale… The man who checked me out tried to be polite but eventually did ask what in the world I was doing. As I left the store I heard him telling the next customer, “She’s learning to live in a remote part of Kenya and buying enough food for…” Oh the stories we cause.

We learn other practical things in women’s class, like what you need for a safari camping trip. Apparently in Kenya the 3 day trip to Nairobi to buy supplies for 3 months, sometimes turns into a 2 week trip instead, because of a river flooding or car troubles, with nowhere to buy anything along the way of course. I’m sort of used to that already though, right?

We have a huge 3-ring binder for class full of tabs and useful information which, for good reason, most women take to the field with them. We cover every area of life from practical to emotional to spiritual. Here are some of the subjects included in it: Correspondence and Record Keeping, Ministry Essentials for Women and Children, Media Presentations and Furlough, Safari – Camps and Cupboards, Food Storage and Bulk Shopping, Mechanics, and Danger, Loneliness, Illness, Death. We have class twice a week taught by two women (Barb Teasdale is the other teacher) who have both served as remote-missionary wives, so have first hand knowledge and very practical advice for every situation.

Thank you for your continued prayers as our family gets equipped for the mission field. They are so appreciated.

– Ruth, for our family.