TEAM PIRINI Keep up to date with where we are, what we have been doing & what we look like!
Out & about…we have watched all the All Black games, which included the French games in the pub, with French commentary – quite an experience. The other weekend we hired a car, and together with
We have found a church in
It is about 3 weeks until the end of the school year, and our trip back to
God Bless,
Well it seems as tho October is nearing an end… and we can tick off another month in
At the moment we are on half-term break (a week) so it is halfway to Christmas! It will seem quite strange for us to build up to Christmas with the weather getting colder & colder!
I have had only 2 days off in the last 6 weeks of work, so the initial 3 weeks extended quite far. I really enjoyed my time there, and don’t want to go back to supply teaching, so I am applying for a fulltime job there working as an “inclusion support assistant”. This basically is a person who works with children who have behavioral problems etc. I have been interested in this area for awhile, so would enjoy the experience, plus the stability of a fulltime job!
Jon is enjoying his job as the music teacher (although it’s not that challenging) but not at all enjoying the other part of his job which is to release the deputy head’s class for about 4 periods a week. They are a really problem-filled class, and not at all fun! I have been in there for an afternoon, and if I had to do that on a consistent basis, it would drive you insane. It is hard to separate it out from you as a person, and thinking you are not a good a teacher, whereas in fact it’s that there are some issues beyond the actual teaching that need resolving. Jon had a positive meeting with the principal about it, so we are praying for a good resolution after the break and as the term wears on.
We took the opportunity last weekend to travel to Brighton (which for some reason reminds me of a mixture of
We went and watched the changing of the guard at
We are struggling at the moment to enjoy our time here, but have to keep reminding ourselves that it is just for a reason & a season. Organising travel and seeing different sights & countries will help us to pass the time. We are realising that where ever else we have lived doing things with people & having people around has been a huge part of our lives… and now we feel very lonely & isolated.(But getting very good at playing settlers online!) We are praying for some people to be able to spend time with, and also a church where we will feel comfortable to attend. We will try a few more out… but that gets tedious after awhile!
On a positive note, having to walk everywhere has been good for us, we have both lost quite a bit of weight and enjoy the forced exercise of about 30 mins walk each day. Jon has also joined a chess club, and enjoys extending his brain this way. The staff from school are also very friendly, but we feel if these were our only friends, we wouldn’t have any spiritual encouragement. We know God is teaching us, and growing us through our experiences here. At times we want to just pack up and go home (or back to Ukraine), but we know that pushing through to the end of the year is what we need to do, and that precious jewels are found on the hard road.
That’s about all from us I think… o wait… Jon has a cell phone now too (surprise!) and the number is on the email signature.
God Bless,
Hi there everyone…
Time flies when you’re working!! It didn’t seem that long ago I was beginning the 3 weeks supply work at
Other than work, we haven’t really done much so far. We aim to head to Brighton, (where my Dad was born) the south coast of
Our future ideas at this stage are to head back to NZ after we finish up here in July 07 for about a month to visit everyone, and then head back to
It is not too cold here yet, but definitely autumn. We have enjoyed a few days where we have headed to the park with a rug to read a book, or a picnic. One of those occasions was to catch up with one of Jon’s school mates which was really cool.
It has been interesting for us to observe the culture here, and although we speak the same language, it is easy to assume we are the same, but we have found that is not the case. Food & clothes etc are really cheap here, people are buying stuff (and lots of it) all the time. There is people everywhere & heaps & heaps of smokers. Customer service is really useless because there are so many people it doesn’t really matter! We have started our own tradition of having a roast every Saturday night and our first couple have been NZ legs of lamb!! Cheaper than we can get in NZ, and taste very nice. This country is a very rich, prosperous place, but almost void of any kind of identity, direction or common beliefs. Everything goes, and religious tolerance is absolutely huge. We are getting a chance to learn firsthand about many different religions. It is very interesting.
Anyway… that is probably enough for this time.
Until next time,
We are still alive and survived the week marooned on the island! It was definitely a different type of camping than what we are used to in
Since the camp we have spent 2 days in
You can pray for us as we feel we have come to a crossroads in our travels, Jon has been offered a job in
So hope this keeps you up to date....
Jon’s corner...
Language learning again is awesome but much more difficult than Spanish, although it is said once you have learned a second language it is much easier to learn a third. And though I would not claim to have 'learned' Spanish in its entirety I certainly feel like it has opened my mind to some different dynamics within language. I guess more than all this though in seeing many different ways of existing on this earth from the obscene amounts of money that circulate in England to the very miniscule dirty pieces of paper that are exchanged between paupers in the main streets, we are left a little confused as to where God wants us in this picture. On one hand there is the freedom from the rat-race and the promise of discovering deep relationships but on the other hand there is the reality of earning the elusive but necessary dollar to maintain this standard of living we call 'normal'. I really do wonder about the possibility of having the best of both worlds but highly doubt my ability to live consistently with what I believe whilst being part of the rat-race. As for the concept of financial independence, I don't buy it mainly because all the people I know who are trying to achieve this goal seem to have lost sight of the important things in life. Anyway, please pray that God would give us a conviction about our next moves.
Until next time
We have now been in
We have been involved with both of these things and managed to keep ourselves busy. Although the projects (running a camp and youth work) are very similar to what we used to do in
The village we are staying in is built next to a big river and the beach and water is a big part of the community's life now as it is summer. The camp we are having starts this Monday until Friday and is on an island in the river. It is an absolutely beautiful spot and an amazing piece of God's paradise here on the other side of the world. We have spent the last 2 days setting the camp up, taking dozens of boatloads (Jon) of people, firewood, tents etc. over there. We are looking forward to a great time.
The people here are very friendly and we have made friends easily within the group of young people and the church here. We have spent time on the beach with them, watching the world cup, going to the circus and also a traditional festival. The town was celebrating its 855th year -- there is so much history here its really amazing. Going to the war memorial where battles actually happened was also quite sobering to think about.
We are enjoying our time... still not sure yet as to where to after this- I think we will think about that when it happens!!
Until next time
Well hello again...
Tomorrow we leave for the
Well this last week has been very busy for us. Jon has worked every day and I have had 3 days teaching. It has been good for us both work wise and also for the wallet. Supply teaching over here gives us about 125 pounds (before tax) a day.
The latest on the job front is that Jon has been offered a few jobs so far, but none of them have seemed right (not according to the agencies who have pressurized us to take them). So as it stands at the moment is that we have applied for jobs at an international school in
This last weekend, we discovered '
Saturday night,
We have enjoyed our time here in
Until next time,
This update has taken me quite a lot longer, as you can imagine we are no longer living in
It has been good to work though, and we have had to leave home about 6:50am and we get back home anywhere between 5-7pm. That is mainly because we are living north of
We have had time to do a few other things though, such as paint some windows and varnish some doors here where we are staying. We visited the British museum, (Jon enjoyed this, I couldn't wait to get out) Big Ben, and other sights around
We have had some awesome weather since we have been here, and it has actually got hot. IT really intrigued us the other day when we were wandering around London about 5-6pm that on every corner (literally) there was a pub, but instead of the patrons drinking inside, they were out on the street (see photos) enjoying the weather, standing on the footpath in groups. Was quite interesting and strange for us. The pub scene here is actually really nice, it is open to everyone, (has family areas) and serves great food. It’s great to watch sports games in too!
Last night we went into
Been good to hear about the All Blacks winning, and so weird to hear about the snow in
Anyway that's all from us this time round, one more week before we head to the
Be good to hear from ya,
Love,
'ello everyone 'ows it going?
We have made it safe and sound to
We are staying here at a relatives place just north of
WE have explored the main centre of Watford a few times, helped in the garden, watched NZ play Brazil in football (I think they did ok, at least I wasn't embarrassed) and spent time online looking for jobs. We have wireless broadband where we are staying so that is great. World Cup Fever is well and truly underway here and next Saturday
Yesterday (Sunday) we got the train into central
We haven't really done too much else yet. Have booked tickets to fly to the
Jon is trying to sort out a permit so he can busk on the London Underground!
Until next time,
This is the last one from the land of extremes --
We head off tomorrow morning on the bus to
We will update you from
We have enjoyed our time here in
* Rest & relaxation
* Read heaps of books
* Helped out with MEGA (painted, varnished & sanded windows, doors, tables, chairs, made a soccer & volleyball court, started the playground etc)
* Managed to break a few things (including a bent bike tire (see photos) and cut the skill saw cord in half!)
* Sightseeing around
* Learnt some Spanish (Jon learnt enough to have a decent conversation)
* Grew a beard (Jon)
* Experienced a different cultures traditions (food, music, way of life etc)
* Received multiple mosquito & ant bites
* Got stopped by police who were looking for an American named "Ruth" (kinda scary!)
* Got sick!
* Saw God at work in 2 different cultures (Ache & Paraguayan)
* Spent time with God & discussing future plans and philosophies
* Spent time with the family
* Finished "Farcry" (a new computer game we bought before leaving NZ)
* Wrote a few songs
Just to name a few!
All in all it has been good, and we feel that out horizons have been broadened, hopefully our understanding deepened and learnt heaps.
We hope to indulge ourselves tomorrow with the Super 14 final on TV once we arrive in
Oh well, that's all from us now,
Signing out from
Yes we still are alive & kicking, although not entirely well! We have been out of email contact for the past week or so, hence this late update. I also have not been able to keep any food in for the past 5 or so days, and now also have a sore throat, so at the moment trying to keep my head above water!
We have been up to quite a bit, but I will still try to keep this short, so if you want extra details on anything, just ask for in a separate email!
About last week sometime we left General Aquino with the family (the van is at last fixed & working well) and headed for the East City (Cuidad del Este) which is on the border of Brazil, Paraguay and also very close to the Argentinean border too. We stayed there 4 nights and visited a few things. Firstly we had a look around a Christian school there for rich upper class kids -- really interesting and a great place. They are looking for native speaking English people to teach there on 1 year contracts if anyone is interested. We really enjoyed the company of the director and we organized to go out for dinner with her the next night. This ended up being in
The next day we had a tour around the Itaipu Dam (I think the biggest in the world) and then also there zoo of animals they rescued when they flooded the area above the dam. Very cool animals and some very cute, and some very scary!
We headed off the next day to visit one of the Ache people tribes and spend some time with the family who have been helping them to cope within the 21st century. The people have really been brought forward 500 years in technology and learning modern techniques of farming and agriculture instead of trying to live off the hunter-gatherer type of scenario. They are a really lovely people with lots of love & hugs for everyone. Jon especially enjoyed our time there (I spent most of it in bed unfortunately) and they even organized a concert for him to play at, although he just thought it was going to be a jam with a couple of guys. The village really loved it and it was a great night. It is a really special place and so awesome to see these guys so happy and full of life. In some ways these people are primitive but their ability and desire to work as a community is advanced. We were excited to see an expression of God through another culture where they are taking what they want from the western world and remaining Achè in the process.
We are now back in
Lots of traveling, lots to see & lots of photos taken, too much to write here in this one email.
Hope that gives you the basics though.
Until next time,
Well since last week... we were suppose to be away for a trip around the countryside. We set off okay, but got only about an hour away, when the car decided to have a bit of a spazz again!! (see photos) So the safest option was to turn around and get back. We got back okay, and now the car is at the mechanics awaiting a new engine! So far they have had 3 different engines sent up from the capital, each time the wrong one, so sent back again!! We are yet to see if they will get the right one.
If this doesn't work out, then maybe in about 2 weeks time, we will bus ourselves into
So in the meantime, we have got back into the swing of things here, and since all the doors have been hung in MEGA we have just completed the last coat of varnish on them. We have also enjoyed the extra time to read heaps of books, and relax and have spent a bit of time in song writing.
This last Monday was a public holiday, so we spent a bit of time with the local boys, even taught them how to play touch rugby. Not too many forward passes, although some attempts at American Football styles! They seem to enjoy it, although as young boys go, they really want Jon to teach them 'hard' rugby! This weekend we may try to see if any want to be converted to a 'Settlers fan'!
We have had a cold spell here -- down to 19 degrees in the day, and about 10 at night. With a cold southerly the wind, the locals are really complaining -- kinda funny to watch them layer on the clothes!! We have a fire inside the last few nights too (see photos) which takes the chill off the air, and also fills the house with smoke!
You will also notice in the photos, Jon's new growth, kinda like the face stuff, but on his back -- that's disturbing!!
We have heard there is a Tsunami warning today for Fiji & New Zealand, we hope & pray you will all be safe, and that there won’t be too much of a disaster. We will keep our eyes on the internet news, but let us know what is happening if you can!
Until next time,
God Bless,
Week 7
Hey there everyone,
We are doing well here and just coping with the very hot weather we have at the moment!
Yesterday it was 38 degrees in the sun, and 33 in the shade!!
We have completely finished the soccer field although it still needs leveling, and also
finished painting the windows. The doors have been hung, so I suppose the next job
(apart from the playground and volleyball net & poles) will be to put the last coat of varnish
on them. There is lots here to keep us busy.
We are off tomorrow on a bit of a sightseeing trip, which will include the largest falls in the
world and also the largest hydro-electric dam in the world, plus a night or two with the
Ache Indians and also a look at some Jesuit ruins. We aim to be on the road about 2 weeks in
total. We will take our laptop, but the email maybe sporadic.
Last weekend we took a trip out to the country to visit Frank's great uncles, who live in a
small cottage (see photos). We also got to see firsthand the making of a thatch roof -- very
interesting!
Other than that, not much to report, we are keeping well, attempting to make plans for our
trip to
before we leave.
Thanks for all the news we get from home, it is really good to hear how everyone is going.
Until next time,
Hasta la vista
Hey there everyone,
Hope you all had a good Easter. Over here the Easter break is quite a big thing, religiously and family wise. A lot of families get together for this time.
We had a few trips away during the long weekend. We drove out to the port (river, not the sea!) and went for a ride on a boat. I was desperately trying to see a crocodile or piranha but I had no luck. We also visited a few people plus a trip to
Work wise we have finished the varnishing of the doors, and this week we have measured, mown, & marked both a volleyball court & soccer field (see photos), and we have enjoyed using the soccer field, yet to get the net sorted for the volleyball court. We have also painted the table tennis table its last coat, and been painting the louver windows in MEGA.
MEGA is coming along quite well, (see photos) and is not far off being ready for the pre-school to start. We have enjoyed the physical work, and learning things as we go.
Next week we are off to visit I think the biggest dam in the world in
When we get back our project is to start the building the playground!
We are well, although suffering from insect bites, and I dropped a glass jar on my foot last night & got a few small cuts! But otherwise we are good and enjoying the change, lots of good books and time to talk and chill.
GRINGO CORNER
Well it has been another week of learning Spanish- and making mistakes. This week’s funny was when I was trying to say that “this is my brother-in-law”, instead I managed to say “el es mi hermano epeleptico” meaning this is my epileptic brother which brought a bit of a laugh.
Hasta luego,
Jon & Ruth Ellen Pirini
Hey there everyone,
Another week, and another dollar, or is it in our case another week, another few dollars spent!! Actually here there is very little to spend our money on, so that is good. We are just enjoying doing and being here with not much stress!
I have finished sanding, painting, sanding again & then varnishing the tables & chairs (see photos) and now both Jon & I have started oiling & varnishing the 10 doors for MEGA. Jon had sanded them all by hand before this! (I will include photos of MEGA and its progress next week.)
We have been playing soccer a bit (no-one really wants us on their side tho, cos we are useless & it comes so naturally to them!) and Frank has just completed the legs for the table-tennis table, so I'm sure that will become a fierce competition soon!
We had a little visitor to our bedroom the other night (lucky Jon found it before we went to sleep) in the form of a little frog (see photos) that could jump a mile high! We attempted to catch it with a container and Jon thought he had it when it jumped on his arm & he screamed (I did as well just for effect), then Joanna managed to get it & put it outside. Phew, glad it didn't do that during the night! Although these little ones are quite harmless, not like the big toads.
Every morning & night me & my little nephew (he's 2 and a half) go "og" (his name for frog, but he actually means toad) hunting. There are 3 that we know where they live, so we have named them Fred, Mack & Wooster and check on them everyday. He is quite good at spotting them and gets very excited when we find them. I pick him up so as not to get too close tho, because if they feel under attack they will shoot stuff at your eyes that if it gets in them will make you go blind. So although it keeps him (& me) occupied I make sure it's at a distance! There name in Spanish sounds like "Gestapo" so that's what I have named them!
We have met a few people around the town, and it seems that the conversation seems to go something like this: Hola! Then if I'm not with Jon, the next question is, "Are you married to which I answer yes, then the next question is do you have any children, to which I answer no. Then they ask why!! So I tell that we are still practicing! They then carry on to tell me some story about how they never had the chance to do that, or that they were pregnant 1 month after getting married, and all this other stuff. It's quite amusing really.
GRINGOS (foreigner learning Spanish) CORNER:
Today I (Jon) tried the traditional "sopa". It is a bread type dish made in that outdoor oven in the photos. Anyway when I left I said "gracias por el sapo" which mean thanks for the toad! LOL.
Anyway, that's enough for this week, we are well, the Easter break here started today (Wed) and is until Sunday, so we may do a few different things. Let you know about it next week!
Until next time,
Jon & Ruth Ellen Pirini
We have had one week here now, and have enjoyed getting into routine and settling a bit into "everyday" life.
After the initial shock of hard physical work to Jon's body of machete-ing a field of grass (in the heat) he has adjusted, is feeling better and enjoying helping out with the building & cleaning up of MEGA (Multi Education for General Aquino) & it's grounds.
I have finished sanding & painting the tables & chairs, and will be varnishing them in the next week.
We have meet some of the locals, had an exciting trip to the Mennonite colony (called
We are gradually getting more understanding in our Spanish, and keeping well. It's not too hot here, nothing we can't handle.
It has also been good to have a break and take a step back from our lives in NZ and re-assess what is important to us, and dream about our future.
The field that Jon spent some time cutting (& taking the hay away) is now been able to be used for soccer, so tonight was the first game. Apparently it's a daily occurrence after work is over for the day, so that should keep us fit.
Hope you enjoy the photos, and that it gives you a bit of a visual idea of what it is like here,
Until next time,
Jon & Ruth Ellen Pirini
Well I am writing this time from General Aquino, but there was a lot of distance in between.
We ended up spending a week in
We made the most of our time in
The last day we were in
We left the next morning and traveled 2 hours on a sealed road, and then about 2 & half hours on a dirt road. The dirt road was only 45kms long, but was also contained lots of puddles, holes & other interesting objects. We also had to stop a few times because the car was again overheating.
We arrived here at about 4pm or after and unpacked everything from the very muddy car & trailer.
We encountered for the first time that night the huge range of bugs and beetles this land has to offer including big moths (I really don’t like these!) fireflies, huge toads, spiders and other creepy crawlies!!
Sunday we went to church, and spent the day relaxing, and today Monday was our first real day of work. The girls had school; Jon slashed long grass with a machete, & other jobs with the boys. My project is to sand, varnish & paint 16 little chairs & 4 tables for the pre-school. This kept us busy today and we are enjoying a bit of routine & work.
Jon is quite sun burnt & has a sore throat so we hope that gets better overtime.
I also had my first Spanish lesson today when Joanna & I went “down town” to buy an alarm clock.
My description & the photos will only give you a small snapshot of what it is like here, it really needs to be seen to be believed!!
Until next time,
Jon & Ruth Ellen Pirini
Thought I would send some photos this time, so they are attached.
We are enjoying
Yesterday Frank spent at the mechanics workshop while the car is getting fixed. It looks as though it is the head gasket so it will be a big job!! He has to stay and watch them the whole time, as they may do something dodgy otherwise. We are just hanging at the guest house and killing time, as we have no vehicle, but it's been good just to relax, do some reading and hang out with my nieces and nephews.
I went to the hairdressers yesterday and got blond streaks in my hair. Cost me $10 NZ!! We are heading to the markets this afternoon on the bus, so that should be an experience!
Hopefully next time I write from General Aquino (the village Joanna lives in) if the car is fixed in time!
Laters,
Jon & Ruth Ellen Pirini
Hi there everyone again,
This time I am writing from
Once we arrived in
It was great to see Joanna and her family and also great to again speak in English. There car has a mechanical problem, so we will be in
Yesterday we went down town, and had a look around, and also saw a show being put on in the street. We came home for the cooked meal of the day and a rest, and then later on went out for a later light tea and a look around a mall.
Today we went to a church, which was great, friendly but I had no idea what was being said. We sang 3 songs, 2 of which I knew the tune of because they were English ones that had been translated. Quite an interesting experience.
I am enjoying
Hope you are all well, and we are enjoying getting the news from home, keep it up,
Until next time...
