the newbees are here

yes, NAM 27 (our replacements) have not only arrived, but by now they
are well on their way through training. through november megan and i
spent three weeks helping out with their training. first, we went to
the training site and facilitated sessions on the technical aspects
of our jobs, i.e. what it really means to be a TRC volunteer and what
it's like teaching in namibian schools. then for the next two weeks
we hosted groups of trainees at our place. first was their site
visit when they come to check out the place, meet their future
supervisors, etc. three stayed with us that week. the second week
was job-shadow training. we had seven trainees with us. it was a
house full, but we managed and i think that it went well. we had a
good balance of technical sessions, community project (map painting
at a school), and time to explore/experience the area complete with a
field trip to the hardap dam. i hope that they all enjoy their time
in hardap region as much as megan and i have! all the best to NAM 27!

What the Dixons are thankful for...

Ok, so it is past Thanksgiving, but reflecting on what you are thankful for can and should be done more than just once a year! Here is just a small list of the things that first came to mind of what the Dixons are thankful for this year.

1. Dad and Mom (Paul and Jill)
2. the unconditional love of God poured out through countless people who loved, supported, cared for, helped, and encouraged not only Dad and Mom, but Luke, Ellen, and I as well!
3. a bazillion cards and emails sent to Dad (and Mom) at the hospital and the house
4. a beautiful new bedroom with a deck and a wheelchair accessible shower on the first floor and every single person who contributed with ideas, hard work, materials, food for the workers, time, financial donation to the lumber store, and for some long distances travelled to work on it
5. new landscaping to accommodate the addition
6. additional modifications to the house and garage
7. the organization and delivery of a van for Dad to drive
8. dedicated, caring therapists for massage, physical therapy, and pilates
9. countless personalized, thoughtful gifts sent to the hospital and also to Medford10. many wonderful gift certificates
11. all of the visitors who made the trip out to Colorado and those who have come to Medford this fall
12. the surgeon who stabilized Dad's back
13. the staff of Craig hospital who cared for, encouraged, and prepared Dad and Mom for the transition home
14. the community of patients at Craig who they could share the ups and downs with
15. Packer tickets
16. Project Walk
17. GENUINE, LOVING FRIENDS and FAMILY from near and far
18. the Medford community (co-workers, friends, acquaintances, Klingbeil Lumber Co)
19. the fact that the support has not stopped! people still come over, help out, give love and support. even here in Namibia people still stop me and ask how my dad is doing.
20. Luker being a rockstar this summer and holding down the fort in Medford while working super-full time and training for a marathon
21. Ellen and Gloria (pilates teacher) going with Dad to Portland for Project Walk seminar for a week
22. the technology that has allowed for communication through email, cellphone, and blogging to get out updates and news on Dad's progress
23. that the accident did happen in Colorado where the best surgeons and rehabilitation are for spinal cord injuries
24. that the insurance agreed to let Dad stay there for the rehab at Craig Hospital
25. for the chance to see another day

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope that all those of you in the US enjoy the day, take time to
think about what you really are thankful for and thank God for the
blessings and provisions in your life! We don't have the day off
here in Namibia, but will celebrate by going out for dinner tonight
with the new volunteers who will take over for Megan and me in January.

This is now my third Thanksgiving in Namibia, specifically in Mariental!

First, Megan and I were here for our site visit during our pre-
service training in 2005. We went to Wimpy for burgers, fries, and
milkshakes to feel like we were having American treats on
Thanksgiving Day.

Last year in 2006 we made a fabulous Thanksgiving dinner with Jaco
and his family. We even watched a recorded football game from the US
after the meal and made the day as traditionally "American
Thanksgiving" as we could!

This year Jaco and his family are looking forward to Thanksgiving (we
will have it on Saturday) and even sharing in with preparing some of
the dishes this year. I hope that our Packers vs Redskins game comes
in the mail by Saturday so that we can watch another football game
this year. Plus, Megan it would be the perfect rival game for Megan
and I since she is from DC and a huge Redskins fan! Also, there are
three new volunteers visiting this week, so they will join us. There
will be so many people that we might have to implement the "kids'
table" for the youngest :-)

Hopefully by Monday I will have more posted on Thanksgiving. For
now, enjoy the day, the time with family, and all that you have been
blessed with :-)

Happy Halloween!

Halloween is not celebrated here in Namibia, but the girls club asked me about it a while ago, so I planned a girls club around it. I shared stories of dressing up in costumes, trick or treating, carving pumkins, and going to parades. Then the girls made their own little masks out of paper plates and we went out trick or treating to some of the offices of my colleagues at the Ministry og Education (people that I had prearranged with), and also bobbed for apples to round out the Halloween party activities. It was a fun way to share a bit of my culture/traditions as an American with the girls club here in Namibia.

Hope that all of you enjoy your Halloween with trick or treaters and making jack-o-lanterns! :-)

PHENOMENAL GIRLS OF MARIENTAL

THANK YOU for your support of this project. Special thanks to Diane Rydel-Milanowski, and Martha Rydel for donation that helped with purchasing supplies for the conference!! The Peace Corps Gender Awareness In Namibia (GAIN) Committee also helped out and everything was covered! It was a fantastic day with good participation from all of the girls!! See the article below for more details. Again, thanks for supporting projects like this!!

:-) beth

PHENOMENAL GIRLS OF MARIENTAL
I am a woman phenomenally, phenomenal woman that’s me.

These words from Maya Angelou’s poem, Phenomenal Woman which served as the theme for the day, kicked off the first ever Mariental Girls Conference early Saturday morning (13 October 2007) at Danie Joubert School Hall. The purpose of the conference was to imbue a sense of empowerment in the girls and to encourage each one to make healthy life choices that will enable them to reach their goals.

About 30 girls from Danie Joubert, Empelheim JSS, and Mariental High School came together for this special one-day event. The idea for the conference started in June with a small group of girls who attended the Southern Girls Conference (SGC) in Keetmanshoop and wanted to share what they gained there with more girls in their community. These girls generated a list of the most important sessions and a list of possible guest speakers for this one day event. The conference was then organized by local Peace Corps Volunteers and funded by the Peace Corps Gender Awareness In Namibia (GAIN) Committee as well as private donations. Some of the SGC participants played active roles in this one day conference. Charisma, from Danie Joubert, gave the opening remarks and purpose. Patricia, from Empelheim JSS, lead one of the energizer games along with Franzinia and Rachel also from her school. In addition, a teacher working with girls club activities from each of the three schools assisted in the event. The following three teachers deserve a thank you for taking up a whole Saturday to invest in the lives of girls from the Mariental community: Ms. Sonia Cloete from Danie Joubert High School, Ms. Elsibe Beukes from Empelheim J.S.S., and Ms. Denise Bock from Mariental High School.

The schedule of the day was jam packed with informative, enjoyable, beneficial, and some just plain fun activities! A team of Peace Corps Volunteers lead sessions about teenage pregnancy, self-esteem, appropriate relationships, and women’s health. Each participant received a journal that they used to record important thoughts and lessons learned throughout the day. After lunch, the girls listened to four phenomenal women discuss strategies for how young women can achieve their goals. The panel included Hannah Baldwin, Peace Corps Country Director, Ms. Louw, Principal of Empelheim J.S.S., Ms. Patricia Beukes, Mayor of Mariental, and Ms. Katrina Hanse-Himarwa, Governor of Hardap region. The speeches certainly made impressions on the young women and highlighted the importance of knowing where you come from in order to look forward and determine where you want to go.

Smiles and laughter throughout the day confirmed that the girls were having fun. Exchanging of phone numbers in a rush before leaving at the end of the day showed that the girls made new friends from other schools in Mariental that they would not have had an opportunity to get to know otherwise. In addition to having fun and making new friends, the girls also learned a lot. To wrap up the conference these young women were asked what they will take away from the conference. Besides receiving certificates of completion and t-shirts, the girls had very insightful responses about what they would take with them from the conference: new friends, self-confidence, self-respect and the power of being a phenomenal woman! For all involved, it truly was a phenomenal day!

what i get to wake up to...

Isn't this amazing?!?!?! Normally there aren't any clouds, but I enjoy the sunrise nonetheless as I sit on the counter by the window and drink my coffee with the cool morning air coming in the window. This moring, because of the clouds, I had to run outside and get some photos! Hopefully soon more clouds will come and clump together so that Namibia can get some much needed rain!!!

Enjoy the photo! I will miss these sunrises, the sky is just so HUGE here!

Lekker naweek vir julle! (Have a great weekend everyone!)

Reminder about Mtal Girls Conf $

Mariental Girls Conference is just around the corner on Saturday 13 October!
Thank you to those of you who have already sent gifts to my mom for Mariental Girls Conf!! I may have confused some of you a bit, please make the check out to me (Beth Dixon) or my mom (Jill Dixon) and put "Mariental Girls Conference" in the "memo"line. We still do need donations, so if you are thinking about it and want to help out with this conference, please send your check to my mom at:
Jill Dixon
W5380 Jolly Ave
Medford, WI 54451
We have confirmed the governor of the Hardap Region and a member of the regional council as well as a local principal and a teacher to speak on a panel highlighting women role models in the community! This afternoon Megan and I are meeting with the other teachers involved to finalize the plans and confirm the number of girls who will attend. Thank you for your support of this project!!!

Readathon in Namibia

Each year in the end of September Namibian schools have a national readathon or at least they are supposed to.  One school that does participate is Danie Joubert Combined School.  

This year I was invited to read to the grade four classes that I taught during the first term.  While I was their substitute teacher I read them Click Clack Moo: Cows That Type as part of a unit on communication.  It was great fun and they kids LOVED the book.  Not only did it have many different examples of communication in it, it was highly entertaining with cows typing letters to the farmer demanding electric blankets because the barn is cold.  I promised the classes that I would look for the next books when I was home in the US.  Thanks to my generous mom Danie Joubert Combined School now has a nice hardcover copy of Click Clack Moo, Giggle Giggle Quack, and Duck for President.  During readathon week I got to present the books to the school and read Giggle Giggle Quack to both grade four classes.  It was really fun for the kids and also for me since I miss being in the classroom and really enjoy sharing books with kids to get them more interested in reading!  

In addition to reading with the grade fours, I was also asked to be a judge for a costume contest.  On Friday of the readathon week kids could come to school dressed as their favourite character from a book.  There were so very good costumes demonstrating the creativity of the kids and their interest in reading!  It was such a fun competition and a nice way to promote reading in the school.  

The readathon week ended with a school wide 30 minute period of reading.  I brought books for the grade fours since they do not have a classroom reading corner and they read the whole time exchanging books quietly when they had finished one.  Even the ones who can't really read were trying and looking at the pictures.  It was such a nice scene.  Also this week, the second of two boxes of donated books from Dani, a former volunteer in Mariental, arrived for the school library.  This school library is actually functioning and utilized by the learners at the school!

If you would like to donate books to the Danie Joubert school library, here is the website for it: http://www.thelibraryproject.org/volunteer_display.cfm?VID=1003  If you do send books, please do include a note and a return address because they like to be able to send a thank you and know where the books came from.  Thanks!

If only ALL Namibian schools valued reading enough to have school wide reading periods and use them, to promote library use, to share the nice books in their libraries with their classes!  If only...well, at least for this week there was some emphasis placed on reading :-)  

a project you can help with: Mariental Girls Conference

In June Megan and I took nine girls and one Namibian counterpart to
the Southern Girls Conference (SGC) in Keetmanshoop. We helped
organize and facilitate this three-day girls conference. The overall
goal of the conference was HIV prevention through the empowerment and
education of girls in grades 7-10. One of the objectives in
achieving that goal was strengthening existing girls clubs. During
the community planning time the Mariental girls came up with a plan
to share the best parts of SGC with other girls in their community.

The nine girls from Megan's and my girls' clubs came up with a plan
to host a smaller, one day, version of SGC here in Mariental for
other girls at their schools and two other schools who did not get to
attend. The sessions that they felt should be in a one-day "mini"
girls conference were women's health, appropriate relationships, HIV
and AIDS info session, self esteem poems and collages, and the
phenomenal women panel. The theme of SGC was based off of Maya
Angelou's "Phenomenal Woman". The girls want that to be the theme
again and also want to invite some phenomenal women from the
community to share their stories of how they got to where they are.
They came up with a list of eight women including the governor, the
mayor, a principal, a teacher, and some local business women. We
only need about four for the panel, so hopefully from there list at
least that many will be willing and able to come and speak as
phenomenal women and inspire these girls on that same path! We hope
to have ten girls from each of four schools come together for this
event to not only empower and strengthen the girls who attend, but
the girls clubs and the schools that they go back to. In addition,
we hope that this mini girls conference will promote interaction and
collaboration between schools in Mariental, specifically between
girls clubs in Mariental.

Now the time has come to take these ideas and make them into a
reality. We now have a schedule, a plan, a budget, and a date
(Saturday 13 October). Last week I applied to the PC HIV and AIDS
committee for funding. This morning I am meeting with some of the
SGC participants from the Danie Joubert girls club to make
invitations for the women they want to invite for the panel.
Tomorrow Megan and I are going to meet with the teachers who lead
girls clubs at two other schools to go through the schedule and see
how they can also be involved in the day. Plans are in motion.
However, if you are interested in this project you can help from the
US. While we have already received one donation from a gracious
RPCV's mom and have applied to the HIV committee, we still do not
have all of the funds secured for this day. The total cost of the
day including supplies and meals is US$350. So far we have received
US$100. If you would like to help us get a little closer to making
this happen by contributing financially, please send your check to
the following address with "Mariental Girls Conference" in the
subject line:
Beth Dixon
c/o Jill Dixon
W5380 Jolly Ave.
Medford, WI 54451

Thanks for your interest in my work here in Namibia. Over the past
two years, the girls club has been a highlight for me!

Today is the day

Dad and Mom had their combined going-away party at the hospital with Gary & Sherry and Dave (all people they've gotten to know at Craig). Gary & Sherry (Gary was Dad's first roommate) and Dave (another patient at Craig) are all leaving this week so they combined their party. I imagine that it went well and that all are excited and maybe also a bit nervous about going home. Gary & Sherry are the folks that Dad & Mom played cribbage and dominoes with, shared stories and struggles with, and sometimes got take away dinners with. They are at a similar place in life as Mom and Dad and became friends through the course of their time together at the hospital. They will also return in six months at the same time as Dad and Mom for the six month check-up. I am very glad for all of them that they found friends in each other right there at Craig who are fabulous, quality people and going through the same thing. Dad and Mom are not the only ones making the transition home this week, but new friends in similar situations are as well. All the best to Gary & Sherry and to Dave as they travel their paths home this week!

Finally, after over twelve weeks Dad and Mom are returning home to Medford. Uncle Michael is driving their car to the Minneapolis airport from Denver where they will fly in today (Thursday, 30 August 2007). He is then returning to Denver and Dad and Mom will drive themselves home. Those of you who are praying people, please pray for all of these aspects to be smooth, hassle free, and safe! There are SO many more things that they need to consider and deal with than they ever did flying before. This is their first longer trip in the car (nearly three hours). It would just be really great if some guardian angels guided them smoothly from Craig Hospital to their home on Jolly Ave!!

At this stage I cannot imagine the mixture of emotions that they must be experiencing. Probably loads of relief and excitement about finally going home, but at the same time maybe some anxiety about how it will all work out. I know that there is an overwelming appreciation and gratitude for all of the people who have reached out to them in so many wonderful ways!

Those of you in Medford or planning to visit in the future, enjoy your time with Dad and Mom! I wish that I could be there to welcome them home and to see their reactions to all of the changes that you al made! What they have been through this summer has changed the rest of their lives. There will be so much more, I imagine, to adjust to once they are home in their own surroundings. However, what has been really special about the whole thing is the response from friends and family, from near and far! All of those positive, encouraging, helping, practical responses combined with their own attitudes and determination has made a world of difference!!

Much love and appreciation to you all!
Beth (on behalf of the Dixons)

Dad and Mom almost home

It's true, Dad and Mom are down the homestretch now with less than a week
before departure from Craig Hospital and their return to Medford.

The main news that I have on Dad (and Mom) is that Dad's brace came off last
week. The hard, plastic turtle shell was part of Dad's body for about 9
weeks, so he was relieved I think to have it off. He did say that it feels
like something is majorly different with his back...no surprise when you
have several rods, pins, and hooks holding a section of five vertebrae
together! Since having the brace off he has been working on more get-fit
skills, wheelchair skills, and personal hygiene issues. All of this is
making him more independent, which is the goal.

Thanks to Doug and Patty, Mom and Dad were able to host a little brat-fest
at the hospital with an assortment of brats from Nolacheks. This was
something that Dad wanted to do at the cottage this summer. We made it
happen in his honor, but it's nice that he was able to grill his own with
friends out in Colorado. Dad and Mom have had visits from Bill and
Arshebeth Hrabe and Steve and Anne Hayes recently. I know that they
appreciate seeing old friends and spending time together.

The plan as far as I know is for Dad and Mom to fly Denver to Minneapolis on
August 30. This means only one flight and NO Chicago O'Hare or tiny
propeller planes that fly in Mosinee. They are looking forward to it being
a smooth trip. I think that they have made arrangements for someone (not
sure who) to drive their car back to Wisconsin and someone to fetch them
from the airport. Pray that all goes smoothly.

I haven't heard exactly, but I am guessing that their room is pretty much
finished. There is a nice deck off the back with ramps, thanks Mike! I
wish that I could be there to see their reaction to the house starting with
the garage which has some new paint inside, a ramp, and a wider door into
the house. Then they have a fresh coat of paint and a wider door into their
room and finally their nice new room and bathroom!! WOW!!!!!!

I know that I always say this and some say I don't need to, but THANK YOU
ALL! We all deeply appreciate what you are doing!!

Much love,
Beth (on behalf of the Dixons)

getting back to namibia

well...the return trip was definitely not as smooth as going to the
US. after missing my connection in joburg and dealing with
unhelpful, sometimes rude airlines employees I had to stay overnight
in Joburg. my guardian angel was this girl about my age who was also
trying to make the flight to windhoek. we shared a room at a
guesthouse run by nice, old ladies and had pizza for dinner -- not
bad for being stuck in joburg, but still both of us wished we had
made the flight to windhoek. after being hassled a bit a passport
control going back into namibia, i arrived at the baggage claim to
find that neither of my suitcases made it. my luggage had spent the
night in the joburg airport basement, the last place that i would
want to leave my belongings, but i was not allowed to claim them the
night before in joburg because "it would take too long". i was at
the point of oh-well-what-else-can-go-wrong.

a friend was supposed to fetch me from the airport and then take me
to the bus later in the day for mariental. I sent him as sms saying
that i was still figuring out my luggage situation and would be out
shortly. when i finally came out into the arrivals area at the
airport i didn't see anyone that i recognized a first and then...jaco
came out from the crowd with a big smile on his face. at this point
i just started to cry. i had missed him so much and didn't expect to
see him until that night when i got off of the bus! what a fabulous
surprise after a not-so-fabulous trip! we drove to a lodge down the
road from the airport and enjoyed coffee while catching up and
watching wildebeast, ostrich, springbok, and warthogs come up to the
watering hole. this part was a really nice welcome back to
namibia :-) when we went back to the airport my luggage came on the
next plane and everything turned out fine.

as much as i enjoyed being in the US and seeing so many family and
friends, i also really missed namibia and my life in namibia. i have
six months left and much to wrap up in that time with projects
through the TRC and the girls club.

new room nearly finished

Words truly cannot express the depth of gratitude that all of us Dixon feel towards the community of people who have rallied together to put this addition on the house with tremendous care and quality work! As you can see from the progress in the photos, this has been a huge project and it is being done quickly! When I have seen folks in Medford who have worked on it, more than one has told me, "Beth, we are happy to do this for your parents because we know that if the shoe was on the other foot, Paul and Jill would be at our house everyday." This has really shown all of us the depth of bond and appreciation and care that exists between our family and the friends around us! Amazing seems an understatement to me!

rock wall and drywall

Having some fun along the way

Dad was not too excited about biking, but once he got out there he really enjoyed it. He came back with a huge smile on his face!! Mom and I were glad that he got out and had some fresh air and was able to have fun doing something out of his chair :-)

The cooking was an assignment for Occupational Therapy. He wheeled to Safeway and got the groceries a couple of days before. Then he knocked everyone's socks off with the deliciousness that he cooked up! Most people make things like hamburger helper or chocolate chip cookies. Not Paul Dixon. He made pork tenderloin stuffed with proscuitto, dijon, and fresh herbs with an amazing vegetable summer stir fry on the side! For an extra project he had Mom and I make stuffed squash blossoms. Everything was a big hit! NO surprises there :-)

On Tuesday Dad stood up in a standing frame. He slowly pulls himself up in it with a lever and then stands for a while. Um, I think that it makes him even taller than normal because I don't remember him being THAT much taller than me! It was great to see him be able to do that and it is also really good for his legs to have some weight on them AND some circulation in those legs!

In addition to all of this, we went for a picnic by a lake and some other patients went out in canoes. Dad went swimming yesterday. Mom said he even wore his goggles and was actually swimming around in the pool, not just sitting on the bench in the water. GREAT! This Friday is "Hobie Day" when they take practically the whole hospital boating, sailing, and have a huge bbq. I hope that Dad and Mom enjoy that and maybe even get in a boat out on the water.

Overall, it was wonderful to finally be able to spend some time with Dad and with Mom!!! The planned release date in August 30th, so Dad still has some time to wrk with the therapists after he gets his brace off. No one really knows exactly when he will get his brace off.

lots of work

foundation, walls, ramp

Building foundation.
Platform.












Up go the walls.














Arlo checking out the new ramp in the garage

Rehab and Remodel

It's so nice to finally be writing to you all from the Craig Rehab Center! You all have really blessed my parents...the room is filled with so many cards, books, magazines, other cool gifts, even photos and videos, lots of personalized special things. I couldn't even read through all of the cards, I was crying too much, too moved by all of the people who have reached out AND the wonderful, real, sincere things they (you all) had to say! I've already said that this is wonderful in previous updates, but to see it for myself was even more moving! Many of the cards said things like, "let us know how we can help you, what do you need, if you need ANYTHING let us know". Well, there is something and I will get to that in a bit, but first let me just tell about today.

Dad works his butt off in these classes! It is not a joke. The therapists and staff are really great and really encouraging. They have him do the exercises or activities on his own so that he learns how and builds strength. Dad had a time trial today on a wheelchair course with some ramps and turns in it. It was his third time and he shaved two minutes off of the previous time - excellent, but hard work! Then he went around the gym in a wheelie in his wheelchair - another skill to check off. He also mastered opening and getting through patio doors, no not with that automatic button, but on his own! All this was only in the first hour of the day. There was also OT and PT, each therapist is really great and impressed with Dad's improvements. In PT he worked on balance - sitting up on the edge of a raised mat in his brace. Then he and I played catch with weighted balls, he could do much more than the therapist's goal for that activity. Overall, he continues to improve, but this rehab is hard work and can get really frustrating. The positive atmosphere helps, but Dad's support and strong, persistent character also really makes a big difference!!

Mom is doing okay. She spends her days going to most of the classes with Dad, answering the cellphone, and making runs to Safeway when they need things. Some of the classes are for the two of them together and she learns a lot from going to the OT, PT, and other classes as well. Finally, she joined the "Wellness Center" which is a gym here and has started to workout in the mornings which Dad, Ellen, and I agree is good for her. While I am here I will go with her for a little mother-daughter bonding :-)

Tonight we made dinner in the apartment that I am staying in for the first couple of nights at the hospital. Dad got to see some of my photos while Mom and I made dinner. He actually had an appetite so it was nice to all sit together, not in the cafeteria, and have a nice dinner. Tomorrow I move into the suite that he and Mom are in.

The house is really changing FAST! I saw some more photos which I will post on my blog so you can check some of them. The room is closed in, the wiring and plumbing are in, and the drywallers (Uncle Ping and Cousin Buck and company) are driving from Montana as I write this. They are going to hang the drywall, tape, and paint. There is already a ramp in the garage. As this project has been going on countless people have put in countless hours to help either with the construction, meals for the crew, or providing refuge for Arlo or laundry services for Luke :-) MANY, MANY THANKS!!! This outreach is like something out of a Hallmark movie - you all are amazing!

The house project is where people can help in a tangible way. Many of you are already giving sooooooooo much of your skills (construction, cooking, hospitality, etc) towards remodeling the house for Dad to return and that's AWESOME! However, in response to numerous cards asking "what can we do to help you" you could contribute financially to the remodelling of the house. The former study is being turned into a bedroom/bathroom with a roll-in wheelchair accessible shower. Also, a ramp was built in the garage. All of the materials, aside from the bathroom tiles, are coming on account through Klingbeil Lumber and Bill Klingbeil is in charge of the account for the project. Those interested in contributing financially to this can send a check with "Dixon Remodel Project" in the subject line to:
Klingbeil Lumber Co
Attn Bill Klingbeil
1175 W Broadway
Medford, WI 54451

Please continue to keep up the support through your well wishes, emails, calls, prayers, letters/cards, and encouragement. This is not easy, I'm seeing more of the reality of that now that I am here. However, it's MUCH better because of you all and more not even on this list that some of you have informed. Feel free to forward these emails to others who would like to be updated. OR send me their email addresses and I can add them to the list. Thank you so much. A HUGE hug to each of you for every little or big way you have loved and support our family, especially Dad, through this so far!!!

Much love.

progress on Jolly Avenue

Thanks to the outreach of the Medford community, great progress is being made on expanding the study on the back of the house into a bedroom and bathroom that is wheelchair accessible. I can't wait to see it! I can't wait for Dad and Mom to be able to come home to it! I can't wait to see many of you in person when I am home soon :-)

You can see some of those who have helped with the remodel project in the photos: Al, Mike, Doug, Luke, Tom, and Peterson Concrete. Ellen, Dr. and Mrs. Robinson, Judy, and Joyce have also been there quite a
bit to offer assistance to the work crew. Ellen went home for a weekend and to my understanding spent most of it cooking and cleaning! There are many more not capture in the photos who have also helped out with the project so far. THANK YOU ALL who have jumped in to make this project happen so that when Dad and Mom come home Dad will be able to access a new bedroom and bathroom with his wheelchair!

Below are some quotes from Luke's emails.

"Here are some shots from the start of the addition project. Tommy Geiger is really good with a skid steer. Mom lost her hostas and they pulled out the stumps. Looking good so far."

"The forms are poured. We'll lay the block with Tom Geiger tomorrow."

"Mrs. Robinson made some great food for the crew last night."

from dad

Below is the message that Mom typed and Dad sent to me to share with
you all. I thought you might appreciate hearing from Dad himself!

(From 15 July 2007)

It is late Sunday afternoon, I am laying in bed with a sore butt and
Jill is typing this.

Last week I started Wheelchair Class and Get Fit Class in addition to
therapies and Ed. Class. Wheelchair class proves to be quite
strenuous. Mondays and Wednesdays are endurance runs which take
place in the communities surrounding the hospital. Tuesday and
Thursday are devoted to work on skills, Friday is game day i.e.
hockey and basketball. Get Fit class involves weights and work
stations with evaluations. It's a lot of upper body work. Ed. class
includes such topics as airline travel, medications, handling stress,
optimal health and so on. The Monday - Friday is busy so when
Saturday comes around I am quite grateful. Next week, they have me
scheduled for the pool. I am not sure how that will work with my
turtle shell brace. They also have me scheduled for hand cycling.

We have had a steady stream of visitors, besides Barbara, Ping &
Kathi recently Bob & Bonnie Linaberry, Bill & Arshebeth Hrabe, Todd
Harris, The Temme family, all paid a visit this past week. I am
looking foward to Ellen's visit next weekend. And also to Beth
coming here the week after. Luke sent a bunch of pics of the remodel
at home, the generosity of the Medford community is overwhelming,
just thinking about it chokes me up. In fact, the hardest part of
the day still the mail pile and emails and talking to people on the
phone. Even after a month, the continued outpouring of caring and
love is overwhelming. There is no practical way I can express my
appreciation and gratitude on an individual basis. I am truly
appreciative and grateful for all the cards, emalils, gifts, letters,
plants, and flowers.

Sounds like they got a great start on the remodel project this
weekend. I hope the weather is cooperative for the rest of the
project, I think they hope to close it in next weekend.

paul

how to make your own boerewors

1. kill an animal, slaughter a cow or hunt some springbok and blesbok
2. the animal must be skinned, gutted, and washed
3. chop up the carcass and cut off the chunks of meat, smaller chunks for wors, then the other parts for steaks, roasts, etc.
4. weigh out the chunks of meat (24 kilograms), add sheep fat (6 kilograms)
5. leave the science of spicing the meat for wors to the uncle who owns the farm
6. grand the meat/fat together in meat grinder
7. pack ground meat into sausage maker
8. check the derms (intestine) for any holes and put onto the sausage maker
9. turn the handle and out comes the meat into the derms and you have wors
10. neat trim and then coil the wors into huge basins
11. package into salad plate sized coils and label for distributing to the whole family OR just braai it!

How do I know all of this? I certainly did not tour a butchery. I went to Uncle Bucks's farm with Jaco and his parents and we did all of this ourselves. It was the big family hunt in which the processed a cow, four gemsbok (oryx), seven springbok, and a blesbok. After all of that, including making 180 kilograms of wors, I only wanted to eat only vegetables for a while before anymore meat :-)

keepin it real

I had a chance to get some more details
from Mom.

1. Family Meeting:
This was a meeting in which the Craig staff explained Dad's injury and his
progress. Mom and Dad were there with Dr. and Mrs. Robinson as well as
Uncle Michael and Karyn. Luke, Ellen, and Dad's longtime friend Mike Lynch
were listening in on speaker phone. From what I understand it was mostly
just informative, no real expectations or predictions were given.

2. Status of the injury and therapy:
At first the doctors were saying that his injury was "incomplete" which
means that he would qualify for some acupuncture (sp?) and other sensory
tests. However, now they are saying that it is "complete" so he does not
qualify for the acupuncture. Doctors have not said anything about the
status of the swelling in the spine.

From the surgery there is a bit of bruising and tenderness in his left
bicep, so PT is working on strengthening that muscle. Yesterday they put
him in this sling and brace kind of thing that allowed him to stand which is
good for blood circulation in his legs. Usually people cannot "stand" with
it on the first try, but Dad could :-) With more practice he will be able
to "stand up" with the support of this apparatus for longer periods of time.

Honestly, Dad and Mom are preparing for the "worst case scenario" which is
Dad being in a wheelchair the rest of his life. From what I understand, this
is what Craig prepares you for -- even drivers ed for people who cannot use
their legs. Ideas are already being generated in Medford to put in ramps,
additions, and/or remodeling of my parents' house so that Dad can actually
live there.

If any of you who were in on this meeting have more clarity than this to
send in an update, please email me.

3. Fireworks:
Yes, the fireworks story is true. Dad decided yesterday that he wants to go
up to the roof and watch the fireworks for the 4th with Mom and the
Robinsons there. They've also been able to enjoy a picnin kind of feast
that Bill and Archibeth Hrabe brought over from Whole Foods. There is a
grill and patio kind of area at Craig, so they might grill out while the
Robinsons are still there. They still enjoy cribbage and play with Dad's
first roommate at Craig and his wife.

4. On a personal note:
Please continue to pray Dad through to a strong recovery!

Whatever the outcome is with his legs, I know that he is tremendously loved
and supported by you all. Mike and Doug are already thinking of plans to
fix the house so that Dad can get around in a wheelchair. Klingbeil Lumber
even thought that they could get some kind of discount to help with this
process. People have just really come out of everywhere to help out in a
time of real need and that it so wonderful! We don't know exactly what will
happen, but as it unfolds we know that there are amazing people there to
reach out in whatever way they can and THAT is such a blessing to all of us!

On behalf of Dad, Mom, Luke, Ellen, and myself -- we appreciate everything
that each of you has done in prayer, thought, and deed to support Dad and
each of us :-)

Blessings and rehab for Dad

For those of you checking up on my dad, here is some more news for
you. The photo is from last week when Aunt Kathi was there for a
visit. Dad is able to sit up with the back brace. Mom has been an
incredible support through all of this! They are both amazing!

He started PT and OT at Craig Hospital last week and it is going
well. He is working hard and the doctors say that his flexibility
and strength will benefit him greatly in the rehab process. Somedays
he sounds like my same, witty dad on the phone. Other days he sounds
tired depending on how many exercises he had and how difficult they
were.

They have had some visitors. Their good friend Brian came out to
visit around the time of the surgery when Luke and Ellen were there.
Mike Malchow drove the Freestyle out for them, thanks Mike. Aunt
Kathi came down from Colorado. The Robinsons are flying out for a
visit July 2. Bill and Archibeth (Mary) Hrabe live out there and Bill
has been to visit, hopefully they will both come next time. Mom said
that they have been enjoying things like playing cribbage with
visitors, enjoying breakfast together in the cafeteria, and sitting
outside in the afternoons on the patio at the hospital. Rumor has it
that the patients get to go up on the roof on the 4th of July to see
the fireworks. Hopefully they will enjoy that with the Robinsons.
There may be some other visitors in mid July and then I will arrive
July 25 for a week with them -- cannot wait!!!

A special thanks to Debbie, friend of Michael and Karyn, who is
letting more stay at her house - only a five minute drive from the
hospital. I think it's quite nice for mom to be close.

Now here is where it gets a bit more emotional...you all are amazing
and showing God's unconditional love to Dad (and to Mom) in ways that
they cannot even fathom. When I asked Dad how things were going in
rehab he didn't mention the exercises or the physical pain. The only
thing he said is that the most difficult part is dealing with the
outpouring of emotion that comes with opening the mail. He has
received several special, thoughtful presents. The day that I talked
to him he had opened about 20 cards the morning before and had not
received that day's mail. He said he is really touched and never had
any clue how much people cared! This has been truly amazing and an
incredible blessing to both of my parents! Again, thank you for your
prayers, thoughts, cards, emails, presents, and phone calls! This
kind of support seems to really be lifting both Dad and Mom. Thanks
for loving them!

I am still getting some requests for contact information. Here it is:

Mom's email address:
jadixon54@hotmail.com
Mom's cell number:
715-560-0168
Address at the hospital:
Craig Hospital
3425 South Clarkson
Engelwood, CO 80113

Visit to Mooi Plaas

Now this was one unforgettable experience. Megan, Jaco, and I had a
great weekend in the end of May with Heidie & Lappies and Sonja &
Awie and all of there kiddos! This is one cool family that has
reached out to Megan and I since we first visited Mariental in
November 2005 before permanently moving in in January. Awie was
filling in as a relief teacher at Lappies' school and Sonja is
Heidie's sister, so there are many connections. In addition to spend
a day and night in the veld with the Bushmen (see below) we got to
touch Botswana, track a Black Mamba (the scariest, most dangerous
snake here!), drive in the veld in the night looking for animals,
braai, and hang out with two incredible families for a long weekend!

The Bushmen are traditionally nomadic people who live in the Kalahari
(Namibia and Botswana) as hunters and trackers. They have incredible
knowledge of the veld (open field) of the Kalahari and can survive
quite happily for a long time out in the veld.

However, there is little open land not owned by private people or the
government for them to live on, so many groups now live in
'homelands" which are like reservations. They are basically the
lowest when it comes to social rank amongst the different tribes of
people living in the homeland. Kids at school get teased for being a
"bushman" whether they are or not. We learned that many are ashamed
to dress in their traditional dress as other tribes can when going to
town because of ridicule. There are few opportunities for earning an
income on the homeland. In addition, their culture is sort of dying
out.

Awie, a farmer whose farm borders one of these homelands, has gotten
to know one special family of Bushmen. He has established a
relationship with them a created a camp on his farm where they have
built some of their traditional houses. He has worked with them to
establish Bushmen tours in a non-exploiting way for tourists. The
Bushmen come to his farm and stay in their own houses that they have
made. The tourists come to the farm and stay in stick and mud houses
built by Tswanas. The two camps are right next to each other, so the
tourists with Awie walk over and spend the day with the Bushmen
talking (Afrikaans is the common language), learning about their
lives, culture, and how they make things. Awie knows a lot about
their culture and wanted to help them to teach others about it while
also earning some money to help improve their lives in a way that
they are not exploited. He serves as a translator if the visitors do
not speak Afrikaans.

Luckily, the weekend that we (Megan, Jaco, and I) were visiting,
there was a tour scheduled. We were able to join in and were a total
of five visitors for the Bushmen. That is about the maximum size for
the design of the tour. We had a great day with the Bushmen. We
learned that the patriarch is one of the main leaders of the whole
Bushmen community in this homeland. His daughter who was paralyzed
at a young age and in this culture would normally be cast off is now
one of the main leaders and is a traditional healer in their
community. We didn't just meet any Bushmen, but some of the main
leaders! They were kind and enjoyed showing us things like how they
make ostrich egg shell jewelry and how they find water in trees in
the veld. They took us on a walk in the veld and showed Megan how to
track a springbok, don't think that she would survive very long in
the veld. What looks like a bunch of random marks in the sand is
actually a pathway to dinner for the trained eye and knowledge of the
Bushmen. They showed us how to make a traditional trap out of
sticks, string, and grass in hopes of catching a steenbok. The young
men taught us a game that they enjoy which involves throwing sticks
on a pile of sand and seeing which one flies the furthest.

In the evening we were invited to join them at their campfire where
they sang and danced into the night! The next morning, after a good
sleep in a stick and mud house in the veld, we went back to the
Bushmen to thank them for teaching us about their culture and say our
goodbyes. At this time we also had an opportunity to buy crafts that
they made. Megan and I both bought jewelry for ourselves and for
gifts. Jaco got a handmade walking stick like Awie and Oupa Bushman
(patriarch) have.

This was an experience that now of us will forget! We even learned
about a special connection between Oupa Bushman and Jaco's great
uncle who was from a farm only 60 kilometers west of Awie and Sonja.

Many thanks to Heidie and Lappies for arranging this weekend to visit
Mooi Plaas ("Beautiful Farm") and many thanks to Awie and Sonja for
hosting us!!!!!!!!!!!! We had a great time as you can see from some
of the photos!