Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Federwitz in Transitz

It seems word has gotten out that we are living in Hong Kong and have plenty of room for visitors. We were delighted to have some new visitors this week from West Africa: the Federwitz family.

Paul and Ali Federwitz live in Tamale, Ghana with their two children where they work with the Ghana Institute of Linguistics, Literacy and Bible Translation (GILLBT). Paul is an Information Technology Consultant, helping national translators put their work onto the computer, dramatically reducing the amount of time required to complete a translation. Outside of her responsibilities as a wife and mother, Ali uses her passion for teaching to help other missionary mothers in their home-schooling endeavours. You can read more about the Federwitz family here.

Paul's bother David (who is also a missionary in Ghana) and I were in the same class at boarding school in the Ivory Coast.

The Federwitzes only had 26 hours to spend in Hong Kong before flying to Papua New Guinea to visit more family members who are missionaries there. We were so glad that they chose to stay with us, even for a short period of time. They were so exhausted after their long flight, but we did get a few opportunities to hear about their life in Ghana. I especially treasured my conversations with Ali whom I feel is a "kindred spirit" and who has much in common with my stage of life and my situation, despite the fact that we live in very different countries. They have two lovely kids, Hannah (3) and Levi (1) whom I must say were coping extremely well with the change of environments.



Hannah was pretending to call Uncle David on the toy telephone in the indoor playground of our estate. She is a delightful little girl, very inquisitive and friendly.



I tried and tried to get a good picture of Levi, but he is so active!





Our kids enjoyed playing with Hannah and Levi for the short time they had together after school.




Keegan found "Uncle Paul" to be quite the Lego enthusiast.




"I don't think we're in Kansas any more, Toto." (Or in this case, Ghana.) We all took the train to Sha Tin New Town Plaza for some tea before the Federwitzes had to leave for the airport.




It's just as well you can't see Ali's face here because she was seriously drooling over the Godiva chocolates for sale in that store!





We showed the Federwitz family the fastest way to wash up for dinner...




...then we decided on a restaurant.




Waiting patiently while the food was ordered...







Paul was so hungry he didn't bother to remove the wrapping from his burger!






Five quiet children enjoying their food.




After a kiss good-bye from Tirzah for a reluctant Levi, the Federwitz family and I headed off to the airport.




Ali thought she might like to "pick up" this good-looking tourist.




Good-bye Paul, Ali, Hannah and Levi! We're so glad you could spend the day with us here in Hong Kong. We know you'll have a fantastic time in PNG and the States, and we will pray for your ongoing ministry in Ghana.

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