Zara looking up

Zara looking up
Originally uploaded by mikelyth.

Chris and Esther just sent this to us and we couldn't resist putting it up. Do you think it would win a prize??

Susannah and Dave

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Originally uploaded by mikelyth.

Elsie and I don't know where this is going but these two are very close. Dave Kretzschmar and Susannah met late last year and relationships came together at Christmas. Within a couple of weeks Dave is due to head off to the USA for 4 months to do firefighting in the backwoods of some National park. We will keep you posted.

Wow!! They did it!!!
Friday 29 April the Engagement!!!

Breakfast on the Verandah in Kabul

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Originally uploaded by mikelyth.

The freezing weather was gradually thawing during the first week and by the end breakfast on the verandah became possible. Aunty Carol loved her chance at visiting a country she has prayed for so long.

The buds were just beginning to show promise on the fruit trees in the garden.

Zara and the books

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Originally uploaded by mikelyth.

Zara is so responsive. What a joy to visit Chris and Esther in their home in Kabul. They are digging into the tongue challenging Dari a couple of hours a day. We had a good bit of time with Zara and she responded in a grandparent-gratifying fashion. At night we handed her back!!

Biggest, tallest, most expensive - Dubai

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Originally uploaded by mikelyth.

Dubai is a city of superlatives. A few years ago it was a pearl fishing village out in the desert although on a trading route. From early days it was duty and tax free. Now it boasts 'two thirds of the construction cranes in the world' (no sure if I believe that.

It has the only 7* hotal in the world Al Burj. Quite a contrast to Kabul anyway

Photo irrigated flowers and palms, Dubai

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Originally uploaded by mikelyth.

Dubai Visit

I am not sure if it is best to go to Dubai before or after visiting Kabul. Anyhow Elsie and I spent 4 days in our friends' house in Dubai in the lap of luxury. I think the house they rent belongs to one of the Sheikhs. This will be the house that Elsie, Ali and Susannah will run for 2 months in September and October, so it was a scouting trip for Elsie.

I had SERVE Board Meetings over that time and so was fairly busy. What a privilege to be involved with such a great bunch of people who really are making the difference. An Afghan proverb says 'one drop at a time a river is made'.