Feb.28th-Homeless in Houston-Farewel!

This is a statue of Sam Houston at the Sam Houston National Park outside Houston! We're on our way to Dallas!

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Jim, loading up and ready for the next chapter. But we are leaving Houston with no job, each other, a little savings, and a BIG BIG unknown. But "With God before us, who can be against us?" (I can tell you-The dad danged Devil, that's who, and all of his little minions who are employed at his beck & call!

Janet Holt Hall wrote at 11:29am

Godspeed as you travel into the next part of your lives..... Deut 31:8 says "The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave or forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."

(My new Houston friend, Janet, sent this encouragement to me on my Facebook. Needed it desperately today. See below):

Farewell, Houston! I will add our pictures later on, but we left Houston at 230 on our way to Dallas. We had a wonderful dinner with our "Angels" Charles & Janet Hall dining at Carrabas. Our first time there, but it is an excellent chain we can highly recommend (especially their bread-that stuff was obscenely good)!

Anyway, we packed all of our "wordly belongings" and left to come to the next step in the journey. Our "Angels," Charles and Janet Hall, suggested that we could be operating in cyberspace while we drove. They have Verizon connection on their computer. Now I know I am not quite in the 21st century but really long to be, especially if we are going to drive across the entire United States! So, Cricket & AT&T were our stopping points. Cricket had little coverage in many of the areas we would be passing through; AT&T had many more-ergo, there was little choice. We bought the service, so that we can surf on the internet while we are driving.

Today, we were driving to Dallas, and I am paying bills and checking e-mails. Then I get this notice from Expedia that our reservations for our plane flight to Sacramento had been cancelled. Aghast, I called them, and guess what? I had made our plane reservations for Saturday vice Sunday. Boy, did I screw up! Anyway, I was able to change our reservations, but it cost usanother 320 which is money we didn't want to spend at this point with Jim's being unemployed. We are now gearing back to the basics.

Jim was his wonderful self about it all. He didn't yell, didn't scream, didn't anything, except tell me that he loved me, and we would make this work, but I would have to do pennance by getting up at 300 am CST to catch ou 600 am flight! Ugh! I redid our reservations feeling just awful, but knowing that Jim's love is beyond my screwups. I will say that the Devil has been trying to get in little dings in-not big major majors, just little "gotcha's" to keep us off balance. But, he's not going to win. I know that God knows how this story is going to turn out!

Got to Angel's. Her friend, Janice, also was staying at what I call the "Antal B &B"! John and Angel are truly angels and open their home to any and all. Janice was a friend of theirs when they were stationed at Ft. Knox. Talk about another person God put into our paths. She and her husband had just retired from the military, planning the next chapter in their lives with lots of freedom and travel. Then, her daughter was killed when a drunk driver came across the road and slammed into the car. The children (she had four) were not hurt. Now Janice and her husband are raising these four children, and what a testimony to God. She told us this is what she was called to do, and this is her service to God and her daughter! Jim and I were so humbled just being in her presence. It's so hard to look upon our difficulties when we hear stories like this. And as I have said so many times in this blog, He has caused our paths to cross and hear stories far far worse than ours. People have seemingly just been opening up and sharing their burdens with us as we share ours with them. In some strange way, it buoys all of us, doesn't it? We are also finding more children of God handling major major attacks from the enemy and testifying to God's goodness through the dark times.

I told Jim that I have come to one conclusion. Either these are all series of bad mistakes and circumstances in many of our lives and there's nothing. Or God is in charge and He loves us enough and trusts Himself in us enough to allow us to share in His suffering, so that we can become more like Him. When I hear people who have been hurt beyond belief, lost loved ones, and are forging ahead and giving God the glory, it's a truly humbling thing.

Thank you, Lord, for allowing me to hear with my ears what you have done in so many lives, and how You have brought people through the darkness and back into the light. Instead of Conrad's book "The Heart of Darkness, "I should write one called "The Heart of Light and Love" if it hasn't already been written.

Feb. 27th-Homeless in Houston-The Final Day

"The Lord gave (Marathon)and the Lord has taken away(Marathon); may the name of the Lord be praised." (Job 1:21)
"Shall we accept good from God (Marathon and Shell) and not troubles?"(The loss of the job) (Job 1:10)
"What I feared has come upon me;(no job, no house, no retirement) what I dreaded has happened." (Job 2:25)
"Blessed is the man whom God corects: so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty." (Job 5:17) (How can we despise a God who loves us so much that he wants only the best for us)?

Equatorial Guinea fires security chiefs after clash
25 Feb 2009 14:42:23 GMT 25 Feb 2009 14:42:23 GMT ## for search indexer, do not remove
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Source: Reuters
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MALABO, Feb 25 (Reuters) - Equatorial Guinea's president has sacked three senior security and defence officials a week after gunmen attacked the oil-producing country's island capital, state media reported.
President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo fired his security minister and the vice-ministers for security and defence, and reshuffled six other senior posts responsible for protecting the volatile Gulf of Guinea state, state media said late on Tuesday.
The Feb. 17 attack triggered several hours of fighting near the presidential palace. Obiang was away from Malabo at the time. His government accused militants from nearby Nigeria's Niger Delta of mounting the attack.
Nicolas Obama Nchama was named as the new security minister while Julian Ondo Nkulu and Vicente Ella Olomo, were named vice ministers of security and defence, respectively.
At a rally meant to shore up national unity over the weekend, Obiang said that the authorities were aware of the identities of locals who had been helping the attackers by guiding them by telephone.
Obiang has ruled the former Spanish colony, which pumps around 380,000 barrels of oil per day, since he toppled his uncle in a palace coup in 1979.
Last week Spain said the attack appeared to be criminal in nature. Gunmen operating in the Niger Delta have become increasingly bold, launching a seaborne raid on banks in Bata, a town on Equatorial Guinea's mainland, in December 2007.
Delta militants denied any role in last week's attack. (Writing by David Lewis; Editing by Louise Ireland)

So, maybe in some way a small justice was done in this little part of the Dark Continent. Only God will know the outcome.

I didn't post yesterday, as I probably was at the lowest point since this entire thing happened. Yesterday was the day that my wonderful, strong, brave husband had to go through the worst humiliation a man can endure. Being involuntarily terminated. And Jim took it like a true true Marine and the man he is. If I only had half his character in my little finger. It's so very hard to watch the person you love have to endure injustices, but that was our day, that was our duty.

I awoke to the above information that the evil little Vice minister of Security who had accused Jim of planning this stupid coup had been fired along with three of his minions. I got excited thinking that maybe justice had been served, and now we could return to our lives, and Jim the job he loved. That would have been an easy fix to this drama. I called him and told him about it. He didn't know about the latest news as he was on his way to the office. He called the manager of Marathon over in EQ and asked him if there was now a possibility he could return. There was again, a resounding "NO!" This has been the strangest thing. I've said before, Marathon really came after Jim to get him, and this one little thing happened and through a series of sheer stupid blunders, Jim is the only one that is really suffering; it's almost as we have been declared persona non grata not only from Equatorial Guinea, but also from Marathon. Things still don't make sense, but in the end, Jim and I both believe God's hand is in this and we have to trust Him.

Anyway, back to my whining-I went with Jim down to the Marathon International HQ to the HR. As we came into the monolith tower, we both just looked at each other; I couldn't stop the tears, as I know we were both thinking the same thing-remembering our coming there in September excited about this new journey, this new opportunity, and feeling Marathon's caring and all the things they were giving us just to get Jim to come to work for him. They spared no expense, met our every need. That seems like a million years ago (was it only five months)?

We went up to the 37th floor and the HR office. Two HR personnel sat with us and explained our TAP (basically involuntary separation and benefits). It was very sterile, by the book, and very difficult to watch my husband who is the epitome of "doing the right thing" and being so strong, have to endure this. But, I will say, he did it like a true officer and gentleman. There was not one bit of anger, bitterness, or whining. He is the consumate professional. My heart was breaking for him.

After enduring that, we then drove back to the office where Jim has been working at AMPCO (one of the subsidiaries of Marathon). It' s a smaller company with a smaller staff. Jim introduced me to the people who work there. He had told me that they had been very kind to him. The ladies had organized a pizza party, and we all sat around the conference table. They gave Jim a card, Paul Michele the President of the company, said a few words, and Jim was very strong as he thanked each of them for being so kind to us during this difficult time. I also apologized to Paul privately. He's the one I mentioned in a previous blog that I had gone off on at dinner one night when his wife had told me he had influence with the EQ government. He has been kinder to us than anyone and put his money where his mouth is by paying for this transition. Marathon certainly hadn't done it, but I suppose all the $ comes out of the same pot in the end.

After that, we left, and I just fell apart. I think I cried for two hours on and off. I'm still teary as I write this missive. Jim continues to have faith in our God that we will get through this. Deep down in my soul, I believe that, too. But it's just this interim that bothers me so. I love comfort. I love routine. I love having our home, flowers, staying home and relaxing with Jim, and just watching Andy Griffith! Now, for an undetermined amount of time, we are just moving in a direction. So, here's what our plans are after we leave Houston tomorrow.

We'll drive to Dallas, drop off our excess bags at Jim's brother's house. Spend the night the fly to Sacramento. Rent a car. Hopefully, we will get a room on base at TRAVIS AFB. Monday, pick up our car, tow it to the Honda dealer for repair, then we'll drive to Pasadena. Jim has a job interview. I'm not thrilled about this upcoming possibility, but I shan't say any more at the moment. I asked God not to let this opportunity happen, but in the end, "Not my will, but Thy will be done." I think this is our Garden of Gesthemane. Sometimes I feel like I'm walking into the mouth of the lion. But I do remember that God was in the fiery furnace with Shadack, Mishak, and Abednigo. So, I'm sure if this is the path we have to take, He will go with us.

After that evolution, we'll drive back to Sacramento, pick up our car, then head to WA to accept delivery of our Household goods that were stored in San Jose. We'll stay with our wonderful Angels, Ed & Chere who are letting us stay with them for a few days. Ed's heading to Iraq, so it will be good to be with them before he heads over. They have been such dear people to us and also our property managers of our condo.

Then, we'll drive back to Dallas, pick up our bags, and head to Jim's moms in Florida. We'll be there for an undetermined time-if Jim takes this other job, we'll leave the end of March; if not, then we'll be there until Jim gets another job.

I am not anticipating this entire month, but I know that we will get through it with God's help, lots of friends and family who have shown unconditional love, and each other.

I will start a new blog called "Making Meaning out of Madness" and enter as I have internet access and time. This has been quite healing just writing my thoughts and getting some kind of clarity.

So, we've been rejected, cut off, but blessed with friends we never knew, family that has kept us in prayers, lots of angels in every corner to ease our burdens and most of all we have been blessed with each other. I told Jim last night, there is no place I would rather be than with him while he is going through this. I am excited to see how he will "land on his feet." His mom always tells the story of when he played football in high school, would get knocked down, bloodied, and get up and keep on playing the game. I would say that pretty much says it all, doesn't it?

Feb. 25-Homeless in Houston-3 Days Til Liftoff

Well, today I went to BSF (Bible Study Fellowship). This is a wonderful, organized non-denominational Bible study that I would highly recommend. Having attended one similar in the 70's, I can attest that you will learn more about scripture and God's purpose in your life.

Another Angel, Sharon Mineer, picked me up. This was arranged by Angel Janet Hall. Part of me didn't want to go, since I'm out of here on Saturday, so what the heck; but the stronger part of me said, "Just GO!" (Figured that must have been God, so go I did)!

Oh, my WOW! I know God was speaking to each of us through the lesson, but He really screamed at me! The lesson was from Numbers 11-Complaints and Numbers 12 Criticism-oooo, ohhh, ouch! I'll just list a few of the lessons that were taught both in the small group and the general lecture. I will also add my asides as they apply to me:

1. God will silence complainers and criticizers. (Youch)!
2. Complaining angers God.
3. I lack nothing, yet I still complain. (another Youch! God has provided for us every step of this path He has brought us down-yet I have still complained-I mean, Marathon had sold our condo in CA, and we still didn't lose any money in this horrendous market. On top of that, our final settlement came on the Monday before we were kicked out of the country on Saturday-another provision that I cannot forget)!
4. God expects me to learn from my experiences-(My only question is should we return to Africa, since three times we have encountered near misses with either death or prison-Jim's answer is a resounding "No!" He sees it as an opportunity and believes we help more people when we are in Africa, than anywhere else. But, I keep reminding him that we haven't been "called" to do mission work in Africa-and he just chuckles-hmmmm!).
5. Negative attitudes and negative people corrupt a society. (the news media-drive bys as Rush would say-people I have encountered, especially in Malabo who were biting and negative-I cannot afford at this juncture to even entertain negative words or attitudes as Jim and I are pushing to get through this trying time. Although, I would like to see the evil little dictator in Equatorial Guinea and his minions get their comeupance)!
6. Negative people are never satisfied.
7. It's easier to remember the "good old days" and forget the "bad old days." (This was when the children of Israel were wishing that they were back in Egypt even though they were in bondage.
8. Let me see about complaining-I used to complain about cooking everyday in Malabo as I'm not much of a cook and the challenges of cooking from scratch were things I didn't want to deal with. Lesson learned-God gave us restaurants for five weeks during this period of exile, and we are sick of them much like the children of Israel complained about the "manna in the wilderness" and God gave them quail for a month. They were given so much that the got sick! I think I got the message! I also need to be very thankful for the provisions that the oil company has provided us during this period of transition. I haven't been as thankful as I should.
9. Moses brought his complaints to God. I need to do the same instead of complaining to others. IT won't change the situation.
10. The Israelites complained instead of asking God to help them. One of the ladies, Peggy, in the Bible Study small group, shared an instance where she asked God to take care of the details of a problem rather than her just barging in and taking over the situation. When she did that, God answered her prayers. I need to ask God to be in the details of these last few days and show us he "pillar of fire" as we move forward. I still have no idea where we will be this time next week (execpt on this planet). I am a detail person and would like to see the details, but God will have to work this out, and I need to trust in Him for these details.
11. Complaining reveals a lack of trust in God. (Ouch!)
12. God is sovereign. What He allows in my life isn't too hard for Him to handle.

Numbers 12 is about Criticism within the family:

1. Sin always leaves scars.
2. Envy can lead to the disruption of the family. The lesson was about Miriam, Moses' sister, beig envious of Moses' relationship with God and being in charge when she was the "big sis." (hmmmm-some food for thought)! Sin in the heart will manifest on the outside as jealousy, envy, and confusion and lack of communcation. Boy, that sounds like what happened to Jim in Malabo!
3. God defends His own; He doesn't need our help! (Another ouch-I want so badly to defend Jim's innocence in this mess, but God really doesn't need me to do that. I just need to be supportive as his wife and be there for him).
4. If I really trust God, I will wait on Him to work. I am setting in God's hands, and nothing touches me that He doesn't allow.

So, the question to me from all of this is: How much do I really trust in God? The answer, honestly, I don't know. Stay tuned . . .

Feb. 24th-Aunt Irma Update

Happy news for our family! I just called mother, and guess what? Aunt Irma is back at mother's from the nursing home. She sounded great and was sharing about her departure from the home. They wheeled her out amid dozens of roses! Isn't that typical Aunt Irma? She has full time nursing care during the day provided by the state. It's a new program. Again, she sounds like the "Queen Bee" surrounded by her servants. Some things never change, but isn't that good news!

Again, in this entire lunacy-one bad balanced by one good!

Feb. 24th-Homeless in Houston-The Final Days Part 1

To those of my family and friends who are trying to make sense of our lives through this blog, I won't be posting today as far as details go. Just know that we are safe, we have each other, and Jim won't be working for Marathon again. I'll send the details when I think it's appropriate. Please, continue to keep us in your prayers. Thank you for your love.

Beth

Feb. 24th-Homeless in Houston-The Final Days

Well, last night the end of any hope with Marathon was dashed. Jim got a call from the HR in Findlay, Ohio. They decided to "restructure" the job and gave it to the other candidate. I can make no sense out of this entire situation. Jim is more qualified in his little finger than most other candidates seeking a job in the security sector. Marathon pursued Jim to get him into their company, and now, even though they have given us a fairly decent severance package, I still feel abandoned.



Jim, on the other hand, seems to have a much stronger faith than I do at the moment. He's up early, slept well, worked out and trusting in God. He even told me that he and the Good Lord "had a good talk this morning," and Jim is positive that things will work out.



There is one job tentatively out on the table, but it isn't what either of us are excited about, nor is it in a place either one of us wants to go. I won't go into detail yet, in case I jinx the offer, but suffice to say, the story of Joseph will become too true if this is Jim's only opportunity. I'm talking about the part in Joseph's story where he was put into prison, rose to the top, was released, then falsly accused and thrown back into prison. If this opportunity avails itself, we will be returning to our own "prison."



I called my "bestest" friend, Pat, this morning, just to get her wisdom. She has been through so much in her own life and is one strong pillar to lean on. Her words were wise pearls: God will get us through this; it won't be fun going through, but we will be able to look back after this is over and see the end of this and the reason for it. Pat believes that God is moving, and somewhere deep down in my soul where things make sense, I believe that, too. However, on the surface, nothing that has happened makes sense. I mean, two months ago, December 24th, we were having Christmas Eve dinner for the MPRI guys on the compound in Malabo; our biggest stress was where we were going for our first vacation off the island, and now two months later, we are in a hotel with our bags and each other.



And that is the bottom line, we do have each other to lean on throughout this challenging time. I don't know what I would do without Jim, his strength, his belief in God, and his love for me (especially when I doubt).



So, now we are working on Plan C. Some of the things we are having to think about:



1. Where do we go from here? We are thinking of Jim's brother's in Dallas on Saturday night.

2. Do we hold our excess bags there, or do we ship them on to Florida and Jim's mom's house?

3. When does Jim fly for the job interview? Will I go with him? It's looking like next Tuesday or Wed.

4. How do we get to CA to pick up our one and only car at Travis AFB?

5. When do we get Marathon to ship our stored furniture, and where? (They will hold it for 90 days, then it's our expense). Since our retirement home is WA, we would like to get our stuff back in that area.

6. What's our drop dead deadline for Marathon to get our stuff out of the Guinean custody and back to us in the US?

7. If they don't get our stuff back, do we file a claim (according to our hiring package, they owe us that).



All the details are very stressful to me. We will be meeting one more time with Marathon's HR on Thursday to hopefully iron out the details.

_______________________________________________________________

Jim's interview in Pasadena will be next Mon/Tues/Wed. If he decides to sign then it's back to Africa again. UGH!!!! But, if that is truly what God wants, then I need to be ok with it, and pray for his wisdom.

We had a really fun night tonight and got our minds way off this drama. Saw the Pink Panther 2. Although it wasn't as funny as Pink Panther 1, there were some funny moments, and it did the magic of taking our minds off our troubles. We laughed a lot, especially the part about Mr. Pope and his stealing the Pope's signature ring. Now that was funny! Then we went to Market Square in The Woodlands and had a wonderful dinner (again on AMPCO's dime)-they have treated us very well in all of this. Walked around the town-it's one of those little planned towns with music piped in on the streets and upscale shops, back to the Hilton Refugee Camp for cookies (they have homemade cookies every night for the refugees), and now in our "home." I'll miss it, but it's time to move on. Looks like we'll be driving to John & Angel's in Dallas on Saturday, then fly to Pasadena on Sunday or Monday, then Sacramento on Thursday, get the Honda fixed, then drive up to WA state to get our stuff put in storage that still remains in San Jose. We don't think we will ever see our other things that are being held by Guinean customs and criminals. So, I guess we either file a claim or take this to court. UGH!!!!

Feb. 23-Homeless in Houston-The Final Week

Nigeria ’Not Certain’ Who Attacked Equatorial Guinea (Update1)

By Dulue Mbachu and Antoine Lawson

Feb. 19 (Bloomberg) -- Nigeria is unable to ascertain the identity of gunmen who attacked Equatorial Guinea on Feb. 17, Foreign Minister Ojo Maduekwe said.
Equatorial Guinea’s Information Minister Jeronimo Osa Ekoro blamed rebels from Nigeria’s Niger Delta region for the attack near the presidential palace in the capital, Malabo. Nigeria’s renegade Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta has denied it was involved.
“The authorities in Equatorial Guinea themselves are not certain about the identities of those people,” Maduekwe said in remarks broadcast on state-owned Nigerian Television Authority today. “But whoever they are, whether they are militants from the Niger Delta or they are mercenaries from outside Africa, this kind of act should be condemned.”

Equatorial Guinea, a former Spanish colony, was the target of a failed coup d’etat by foreign mercenaries in 2004. It vies with Sudan as the third-biggest oil producer in sub-Saharan Africa, after Nigeria and Angola. The country has been ruled by President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo since he seized power in a 1979 coup.

Equatorial Guinea’s embassy in Libreville, capital of neighboring Gabon, said today that 15 people captured after the attack are being interrogated by the police. The assault was staged by fighters traveling in an unspecified number of boats and were repelled by Equatorial Guinean forces using helicopters, the embassy said.

African Union Condemnation
African Union Commission Chairman Jean Ping “strongly and unequivocally” condemns this week’s attack, the Addis Ababa-based organization said in an e-mailed statement today.
Ping “is concerned about these unprovoked and unwarranted attacks by unknown persons and groups, and calls on those behind them to stop the attacks immediately.”
This week’s attack underscores the need for countries in the Gulf of Guinea, which holds one of the world’s richest hydrocarbon reserves, to increase their security cooperation “in order to confront non-state actors who wish to destabilize the region,” said Maduekwe.

In recent months attacks have increased off the coasts of Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea, threatening shipping and oil operations in the Gulf of Guinea, according to Bergen Risk Solutions, a Fantoft, Norway-based security advisory company that works in the Niger delta.
To contact the reporters on this story: Dulue Mbachu in Lagos at dmbachu@bloomberg.net; Antoine Lawson in Libreville via Johannesburg at pmrichardson@bloomberg.net. Last Updated: February 19, 2009 06:10 EST

Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah-more insanity from the "Dark Continent." Wonder why it so deservedly got that moniker??? Anyway, last night, we had a pleasant dinner with Brian and Debbie Hodgsen from Marathon. He is a chemical engineer; Debbie is his lovely wife whom I sponsored when she came to Malabo on her Advanced Trip. We ate at a wonderful Latin American Restaurant and shared stories. As Jim was relating our experiences to them, I realized he is much more bothered by this than he is letting on to me. I know he wants to keep me from worrying about our situation, and I know he has a strong faith. But last night, I realize as he was sharing that he is bothered, he is hurt, and I just cannot stand to see him that way. He is such a very good man, an honest person with so much integrity. He does not deserve this.

I woke this morning with a heavy burden to keep him in my prayers all day. As low as he gets, Jim gets up, goes to work, works out, and promises to love me. I wouldn't take anything for being with him, and I want to help him through this mess. Deep down in my soul, I know things are going to work out in a surprising way. But in the natural, I cannot see how. We have blessings-at least if there is no job with Marathon, we have some savings, Marathon has offered some type of severance, and we can make it for awhile. I think what I'm dreading most is just living out of these damned suitcases and in motels and with family and friends for an undetermined amount of time. But, Jim remains positive about our many blessings, all the people (including Brian and Debbie who offered us their home for a week), Janet and Charles, perfect strangers who have made our lives so much easier introducing us to a great church, Bible Study, and even Spanish classes, the wonderful staff here at the Hilton Garden Inn, Stacey, the gentleman who gave us an entire free month's pass for the 24 hour fitness gym next door prior to his resigning, and on and on, John & Angel letting us come up just to get out of the hotel. I even have to thank Paul Michele, the President of AMPCO, who has generously taken care of all of our needs both in housing, food, and transport until Saturday. This has been a constant balance of good and bad-good, the people; bad, the situation.

Nevertheless, here we are on Monday, Feb. 23rd. On Saturday, the 28th, things come to a close and we must move forward. As Jim says, we have Plan A and Plan B and a half of Plan C. So, we will be going SOMEWHERE, just not sure which direction.

My Bible Study lesson is from Numbers and it's all about the Children of Israel complaining, angering God, and wanting to return to Egypt. Remembering the past good food, but forgetting the slavery they found themselves in. One of the questions asked in the Bible study for his week is:

What is our response when things are hard or you do not get your way? DUH, and Ugh. I probably don't handle it really well based on this latest challenge. But I know that the Bible teaches that in whatever circumstance to be content-in much or in little. In difficult circumstances I am comanded to:

1. Praise the Lord-Psalm 16:6
2. Be still before the Lord, wait patiently, fret not for evildoers-Psalm 37:7
3. Keep a happy heart (is that possible when things are going south)-Poverbs 15:13
4. Be content in all circumstances-Phillipians 4:11-12

My daughter, Missy, reminded me that I have asked for patience and now am in the classroom. Thanks, daughter, but I am aware and most certainly will think twice before asking for this again. Getting close to God is a heavy requirement, and I am seeing how easy it is to trust when we are in the sunshine. It's those murky, damp, dark places when we cannot see beyond our noses that it is the most difficult to believe and to trust. I am thankful that I have Jim to lean on and that he is truly leaning on God much more than I am, otherwise, I'm not sure I could make it.

Feb. 22nd-Update on Equatorial Guinea Situation

16 held in coup effort in Equatorial Guinea
By Lydia Polgreen
Published: February 20, 2009
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DAKAR, Senegal: The last time foreigners tried to topple the government of the tiny, oil-rich nation of Equatorial Guinea, it was a band of upper-crust Britons-turned-mercenaries involved in an elaborate plot, allegedly for a shadowy businessman, in exchange for cash.
On Thursday, officials in Equatorial Guinea said they had arrested 16 men in an equally bizarre but even more mysterious attempt this week to overthrow the government of Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, who has ruled the country, a former Spanish colony, for almost three decades.
Men in speedboats attacked the capital, Malabo, which sits on an island off the West African coastline in the Gulf of Guinea. They struck before dawn on Tuesday and were heavily armed, the government said in a statement, but the army, using boats and a helicopter, quickly repelled the attack.


Diplomats and analysts say the evidence points to a nearer menace than last time: militants from the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Fighters from ethnic minorities in the oil-rich region have carried out insurgencies there for decades, demanding a greater share of the country's oil wealth. In recent years, they have gained steam, carrying out increasingly sophisticated attacks on oil installations far out at sea.

The men who carried out the attack had Nigerian currency and other items that pointed to a Nigerian connection, officials in Equatorial Guinea said. But Nigerian officials said Wednesday that it was too early to say for sure who was responsible.
Today in Africa & Middle East
Profiteers turn to an African Eden
Obama upholds detainee policy in Afghanistan
Israel's new leader faces a rough ride to the middle

"So far, the investigations we have been able to make show that even the authorities in Equatorial Guinea are not yet very certain as to the identity of those who carried out the act," Ojo Maduekwe, Nigeria's foreign minister, told reporters in Abuja.
But officials in Equatorial Guinea said in a statement released Thursday that the men who had been arrested were members of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, the most powerful of the rebel groups operating in the region.
In a statement sent by e-mail to reporters, the spokesman for the group, who goes by the nom de guerre Jomo Gbomo, said the Nigerian government was behind the attack, calling it an attempt "to install a dissident based in Spain as head of state."
Equatorial Guinea is one of Africa's wealthiest but least stable nations. It is one of the continent's largest oil producers, yet it has a history of coup attempts and strife.
In 2004, a group of foreign mercenaries led by Simon Mann, a former British special forces officer, tried to sneak into the country with a cache of weapons to overthrow the government. The attempt was suspected of being at the behest of a rich investor who wanted an ally installed as president.
Mann, who helped found some of Africa's most notorious private, for-profit armies, was convicted last year in Malabo for his role in the plot and sentenced to 34 years in prison.


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Feb.22nd-Homeless in Houston-The Final Week

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God."
Matthew 5:9

"...You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God."
James 4:2

"Go ahead and be anry. You do well to be angry-but don't use your anger as fuel for revenge. An don't tay angry. Don't go to bed andgry. Don't give the Devil that kind of foothold in your life."
Ephesians 4:26-27

"But now, put off all such things as anger, rage, malice, slander, abusive language fom your mouth."
Col. 3:8

"Where do yo think all these appaling wars and quarrels come frm? Do you think they just happen? Think again. They come about because you want your own way, and fight for it deeep inside yourselves."
James 4:1

These are just a few of the scripture references from Pastor Kerry Shook and his wife, Chris, at the Fellowship of the Woodlands Church today. Jim and I needed to hear this, since last night, we let the "Devil shove us" as Chris so aptly put it, and we fell into some anger and stress. We did resolve the issue before the "sun went down on our wrath..." but the sermon today really spoke to both of us. We must remain focused on our relationship to God first, each other second, and the path God is setting before us third.

Just when we think we have God's path figured out He throws us a curve ball. This morning we woke up to yet another of these curves on this rollercoaster ride we've been on this past month. I told Jim living with him was like "whiplash." I won't go into detail just yet, but it's another opportunity back in Africa-no, not Equatorial Guinea, that's for sure; nevertheless it would mean returning to Africa. So, the stars are lining up, but here we are less than one week out, and we still do not know where we will be this time next week. God is the only one who knows. I do know that one thing I'm having to learn is that we will be living out of five suitcases for at least 6 more months in the best of circumstances, and much much longer in the worst of circumstances. So, is the lesson, stuff doesn't matter? Just when I think I've learned this lesson, I'll see someone on a bike, a Total Gym commercial on tv, see a bag of Splenda, and think about some of the clothes that the Guineans have (as well as Jim's Marine Mess Dress Uniform), and I get sad thinking that we will probably never see them again. I'm not angry, just sad about the loss.

I'll swear, if I didn't have faith that God was in this mess, I would literally lose it! Jim says that God is trying to teach us patience. Duh! This is definitely a classroom, just not one of the elective courses I would have chosen. I guess this is one of those "required" courses for the spiritual Ph.D in Patience!

Anyway, it's a gloriously beautiful day here in Houston. A storm came in yesterday and cooled things off-it had been in the late 60's. We are planning to meet Debbie and Brian Hodgeson, the lady I sponsored in Equatorial Guinea, for dinner this evening at a restaurant halfway between the Refugee Camp and their home. We are looking forward to seeing them, since they are scheduled to return to Malabo in March/April.

This week should prove to be interesting. I'll try to stay busy finishing up taxes, doing the final pedicure, micro dermibrasion, and hair do before leaving for??????? Wherever??????? If I go, I need to go looking as good as I can for this next leg of the journey-I guess "Vanity, thy name is Beth....."

Feb. 21st-Homeless in Houston-the final week

" So, do not fear, for I am with you. Do not e dismayed, for I am your God. I will stenghten yo and hep you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. All who rage against you will be surely ashamed and disgraced; those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish."
Isaiah 41: 10-11

My cousin, Gerry Perry Lindler sent me this as one of her favorites. That surely is neat! Do you just suppose God might eventually bring down that tyrant over in EQ who not only screwed up our lives, but think of all the helpless people that have to live under his despotic rule.

At least we had a chance to get out and create another life. I think of the poor people that passed throughout my life during our short time in Equatorial Guinea: Elena, the maid, the men who came an worked on our house (I called them our little "fairies" as all I had to do was pick up a phone and call and things were miraculousy fixed); the bus drivers who were so friendly and willing to take me into town and speak Spanish and French to me so that I could practice; Fernando Modu, the extremely patient transportation coordinator; and who could forget Ike my wonderful Nigerian hairdresser and the lovely ladies at the salon on Calle Nigeria. Our Spanish teacher at the Spanish Cultural Center, The Lebanese owners of the pastry shoppe!! Ouch, I miss those poor people and feel bad for their situation. They have to live it daily. So very sad witnessing man's inhumanity to man up close and personal like this. Now I've been in three African nations and seen pretty much the same brutality in each one-despotic leaders from Ben Ali in Tunisia, to Conte in Guinea, to Obiang in Equatorial Guinea-all they care about is keeping their powers at the expense of their people, taking away from their people to feather their own nests-kind of sounds like Congress, doesn't it? Oh, well, I'll try to refrain from ranting about the US politics as it cannot (as of yet) hold a candle to African politics.

Anyway, back to the homeless. We met with Marathon Oil HR yesterday and finally have some direction. Oh, everything isn't 100% clear as of yet, but we did get some commitments in writing and they finally acknowledged that we had been screwed and they owed us something. Stay tuned.....got to go to the eye doctor and use our benefits in case Jim doesn't keep his employment with them. I'll relate the details later.

Basically, Marathon has offered Jim a severance package or a job in Findlay, Ohio. Do I relish livng in Finday? NOT. But we'll take it, because it's a job. But if they don't offer it, at least we have a pretty good severance package until Jim finds something else. My emotions are on this continual roller coaster-I am really tired of uncertaintly. But at least they did offer us in the sevrance package enough to sustain us for awhile. We are putting this decision in God's hands as Jim has done all he can to make things happen. He has pushed Marathon to make a decision, he has interviewed for a job, and now, it's truly out of our control. So, if Marathon offers him the job, we take it; if not, God must want Jim to look elsewhere.en

Our Angels, Charles and Janet Hall are going to let us keep our stuff at their house when we fly to CA to get our car. Then we'll drive back and pick it up on our way to either Florida or Ohio. The thing I'm having to get used to is that no matter what, we will be living out of these same suitcases for at least six more months-but probably longer as we are not counting on ever seeing our stuff from EQ again. YUK!

Feb. 20-Homeless In Houston-Resolution begins

Remember the poem in a prevous post: "The Road Less Traveled" by Robert Frost? Well the two roads are diverging, and now Jim and I must choose the path that will change our entire lives. This is one of those times that we recognize the gravity of our choice in the next week.


FINALLY! Jim and I met with Marathon, and they finally acknowledged that we had a problem, and they felt very badly about our situation, and here were our two options. Option #1 will be Jim being offered a job in Findlay, Ohio, with their National Operation. This job would entail at least 50% travel and not employ his unique set of skills in the security industry. Honestly, Findlay, Ohio, is not a place I would really want to live, but then neither was Africa, California, or Washington State, and they all turned out better than I thought. I'm learning to NEVER say NEVER. I think we are held accountable for our NEVERS. At least I am!

The second option is a very sweet severance package. So, this weekend will now be filled with the burden being lifted-finally, and two very good decisions that will lead to two very different paths. I am just thankful that now we have seen on paper that Marathon wants to help us whichever path we choose. That will make the chosen transition much much easier.

My faith-not in God, but in the whole situation has waivered; I've had some really down days, but it seems like "all things are working together for the good..." I know one thing through all this... I don't do limbo very well. But, maybe we are now getting ready to leave limbo and move toward some type of certainty based on our decisions. As Jim so aptly put it, we are now back in control of our lives, not the govt of Equatorial Guinea, and not Marathon. We can choose, and choice is a good thing!

Also, on the heels of this day, I had applied last November with MPRI for a teaching position in Africa. So, I get an e-mail when we got home from our Marathon mtg asking if I'm interested in a consultant position in Mali, Uganda, Nigeria, and Tanzania. Talk about timing!

So, the drama continues to unfold, but at least we have a better understanding of what Marathon will do for us after the 28th of Feb.

Stay tuned

Feb. 19th Homeless in Houston-The Saga Unfolds

Angel and I at Southfork, JR's Ranch in "Dallas." (Feb. 15th, 2009).



Equatorial Guinea Arrests 15 Over Attack on Capital, AFP Says
Email Print A A A
By Vernon Wessels
Feb. 19 (Bloomberg) -- Equatorial Guinea authorities arrested 15 people yesterday over an attack on the capital, Malabo, Agence France-Presse said, citing an announcement broadcast on state radio.
One attacker was killed in the presidential palace and several were injured when their boats were destroyed before reaching the city, the news agency reported.
Equatorial Guinea blamed the attack on Nigerian militant group, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, which has denied any involvement, AFP said.
To contact the reporter on this story: Vernon Wessels in Johannesburg at vwessels@bloomberg.net Last Updated: February 19, 2009 01:07 EST


What can I say to the above info? Jim has been getting daily updates about the latest crisis in EQ. He should be there as that what he does best-go figure the lunacy of this entire situation.

Ok, so we go to Ohio in a one day travel marathon so that Jim can interview for a job. In his typical self-he gets up at four am to prep for the interview, reading tons of documents to make sure he goes into this "battle" ever ready and armed. THEN he finds out that there is another candidate. Now heretofore he had been told that no one else was applying for the position, that it hadn't been advertised, and he was the only candidate. When he came back from the interview and told me this, I lost it! Now maybe, just maybe, I'm a little paranoid, but at this point in the game, I think paranoia might be a good thing with this company, since from the time we got kicked out of EQ nothing, nothing at all has gone like one would think. In my elementary logic I would think they would want to ensure that we were at least communicated with and not left in this state of limbo one week out of the end of our pay? hotel? food? transportation? It doesn't seem that the left hand has talked to the right hand, nor the fingers, nor the toes! Also, Marathon told us that they had all of our stuff except for the three boxes of Jim's professional books-come to find out, the gov't of EQ has ALL of our stuff still in custody, and now with this above outbreak in violence, I'm not sure we'll ever see it again. If something doesn't happen, I think we will have to see a lawyer. This inconsideration should be worth some sort of monetary compensation as well as paying us for the loss of our household items.

I do know that our situation isn't the worst case scenario. I was talking to Terrance, one of the desk clerks here at the Homeless Hotel. He came to Houston from Hurricane Katrina with his flip flops, a pair of short, a tank top and 50.00 in his pocket. He got here, couldn't find his wife and son for 6 months. FEMA gave him 900.00 to start his new life. Talk about a story! He was so positive, and I asked him how he coped through it all. He told me that he said lots of prayers to God, refused to look back, it was what it was and he couldn't change it, and he had to focus on getting his family back together and get a job. Talk about the best advice anyone could give-that was it-and he's lived it! God keeps giving me people to show me how very fortunate we still are i spite of this upset. I mean, Jim and I have his retirement from the military, our military health benefits, a good renter with a new one in the wings when this one leaves, our health, and each other nd a little savings. Plus, AMPCO is at least paying for eveything through the 28th. God has also provided people like Janet and Charles Hall. Janet has been a Godsend, picking me up for Bible Studies, Spanish, and having us to dinner, and even offering their home after our time runs out here. I need to really reflect on these blessings; I know I talk it, but walking it is so much more difficult. Jim has such a great attitude and faith. I guess, to me, it seems so unfair to him, because he is such a good man, with such strong character-he's as honest as the day is long and would not deliberately hurt anyone. And I see him being so misused-it just torks me, truly! Hurt me, don't hurt him.

But it is what it is, and I must join him in focusing on the next leg of the journey. I had hoped to avoid Plan B which basically means we have to move in with his mother and our mother until he gets a job. Who would have thought at nearly 60 years old I would be moving in with my in-law and mother. Oh, ugh I know they are wonderful people, but I really need my own nest. Guess God is thinking differently, huh?

Stay tuned as the drama continues to unfold. I need to work out to relieve some of this depression. . .

Feb. 18th "Homeless in Houston" Ohio Version

Pics of Jim and me at the Houston airport chasing another dream-

Here we go again. When I stop to think about what has been happening this past month, it doesn't seem real-Malabo to Paris, Paris to Dallas, Dallas to Houston, Dallas to Tennessee, Tennessee to Houston, Houston to Dallas, Dallas to Houston, and today, Houston to Ohio. Sometimes I wake up and don't even know what room I'm in. The other night at John's, I literally walked out of the bedroom trying to figure out where the bathroom was. John saw me on the balcony and thought I might fall. He was poised to pick me up before I tumbled down the stairs. Guess I was sleepwalking.

Today we are in Findlay, Ohiom HQ for Marathon Oil's National Operations. Findlay is literally in the middle of nowhere. We landed in Columbus and drove two hours through fields and fields to get here. The town is fairly nice from what I saw, but it's still not anywhere I would choose to live. But, if Jim gets this job, I won't complain, because it seems like this is where God is taking us whether we like it or not! I told Jim that I feel like I'm on a rollercoaster, holding on with bare knuckles, and just waiting to see where this bloody thing ends. This machine is taking us places that I would never choose in a trillion years! And my daughter-in-law wants us to sign up for the Amazing Race! My good Lord, we are living the Amazing Race right now!

It's raining and brrrrr cold. Jim and I flew up yesterday. Marathon would not pay for my ticket since they are saying he is "technically" on an interview and not employed by Marathon upstream yet. The difference in upstream and downstream is this: downstream gets the oil out of the ground; upstream sells it (or something pretty close)! Anyway, I think they are starting to try to back off and just make us go away without a law suit. They do not know what to do with Jim, since nothing like this has ever happened to them before. Our possessions we found out are still being held in customs in EQ by the government. Marathon had told us they were working on getting everythig back. They lied. Not sure we'll ever see our things again. I know it's just stuff and can be replaced, but we had some family pictures, my Total Gym, our Christmas Dishes, clothes, Jim's USMC Officer's uniform-it just sucks-truly! But complaining won't change anything. It is what it is. Anwyay, if Jim doesn't get this position, the we are SOL after the 28th of Feb. Then we will have to resort to plan C. I'll dilineate that more later.

Yesterday, there was a boatload of people who landed in Malabo, got off the boat and started shooting. I called my friend, Kitty, who's still on compound. She told me they are on lockdown and no one can leave the compound for now and haven't since last Saturday, Feb. 14th.

I keep wanting to know why this had to happen. Jim is so good at what he does; he is an honest, intelligent person with more character in his little finger than most of us have. I just don't get it. The only thing that keeps coming to me is the story of Joseph in he Bible. Joseph was twice thrown into prison and falsly accused. He kept rising to the top of where he was in whatever place he found himself. I have no doubt that Jim will come out on top of this situation. He is such a positive person. However, I have seen him waiver, and I need to be strong and hold him up in prayer and be supportive and not complain because Marathon has screwed us over.

So, I sit in yet another hotel room writing this bloody blog in yet another state. Through this all I don't know much except that God is on His throne and all is right with the world; Jim continues to be my rock and strength; my famiy is wonderful, each in their own way, and we have much to be thankful for in spite of this current insanity!

Feb. 14th Homeless in Houston-Dallas Chapter

I didn't submit yesterday, because so much was going on. Workout, pedicure, hair, grocery store, then Jim came home and we drove up to Dallas to visit John, his brother, and Angel, John's wife. Got here about 800. Met John at the Olive Garden. Angel was taking hula lessons.

Today we worked out at the local gym; Jim bought a basketball and shot hoops, and we've just hung out. It's cloudy, cold, and gloomy here in Dallas. I got a Facebook from my son, Rich, that our good friend, Katie Rowe, had died last Saturday. Katie was good friends with both Jim and me in Sigonella. She and I talked at least a couple of times a year about politics, history, etc. She was a wonderful, woman, and I shall miss knowing she's on this planet. The world was a better place because of Katie. Her liver gave out according to her husband, Bob. I called and talked to him, but there's really nothing a person can say in this situation. They had retired just a few years ago, and seemed to be enjoying their lives on Cape Cod. So very very sad. It just makes me want to stay as close to Jim as possible; nothing is guaranteed, is it?

Then my wonderful inspirational friend from Korea, Lou Ann Skinner, called to check up on us. She was sharing with me that she had gone to Morrocco, slept in the desert, and taken a hot air balloon ride. What a lady! She makes life and doesn't wait on it to happen to her.

Jim had an interview yesterday for a position with Marathon in Findlay, Ohio. They want to fly us to Findlay next week for a face to face interview. If it works out, I'll let you know more. This would be the easiest transition all the way around. But, it's not over, as Jim says, until the fat lady sings; she's getting ready to go on stage, but she hasn't opened her mouth yet! We do believe that God took us to Guinea; He closed the door to return, so we are open to the next path He's going to open up for us!

Stay tuned. . .

Feb. 14th Happy Valentine's Day-Homeless in Dallas

It's great to have family. We came up to John's last night to spend the weekend. They have a gorgeous TX style and sized home in Allen, TX. It's cloudy and a lot cooler than Houston. Marathon is finally getting off their duffs and starting some movement. They called Jim for a telephonic interview yesterday afternoon. Now they want to fly us to Findlay, Ohio, HQ for Marathon, next week for a face to face interview. Hopefully, this will work out, they will find a suitable spot for Jim, and we can recover our stuff. Findlay, Ohio, doesn't thrill me, but if this is God's will, then I will accept it for the current time. Jim and I both know that God is totally in charge of this movement, and we need to be obedient.

Today made me want to double up and just hold onto those I love. Our good friend, Katie Rowe passed away last Saturday. She was exactly my age and had only been retired a few years. It seems like people work so hard and plan for the next stage of life, then many times, it doesn't happen. We have no guarantees, so enjoying each moment-crazy as it may be at times-is the most important thing. I'm still meditating on: "Take no thought of what you will eat or what you will wear. Look at the lilies of the field. They toil not, neither do they spin. Yet God takes care of them; He will take care of Jim, me, and our loved ones. (My addition)! But it still bears meditating on.

Tomorrow we go to Rev. TD Jakes, Potter's Church. I'm excited. Don't think Jim is quite as much, but we will get up and be there by the 800 am service in downtown Dallas.

Feb 11th, 2009-Homeless in Houston

More "Angels" who care for us at the Hilton Garden Inn Refugee Camp. Above are Samira and Olga who get up early and are at work by 500 am to take care of customers at breakfast! They are always smiling and ask about us.

This is one of the desk family who is also efficient and seems to really care, not just give us lip service!

Another low/medium/high day. Started another day thinking about our circumstances, where will we be after Feb. 28th, who is in charge, what on earth is anyone in Marathon doing about this?

Jim is taking the bull by the horns, because he doesn't just sit around and wait for things to happen. I've got to quit talking about what happened, because it's not going to change a damn thing! Jim and I have to move on. Jim is calling HR, both his bosses, Rocco and Bernie, and try to figure out what in the Sam Hill is going on. Why is no one taking responsibility for us after Feb. 28th. We have exactly 17 days left, then what? So far, people are so sorry this has happened to us, but no one is taking action. There's always hope, and hopefully, tomorrow, Jim can talk to Bernie, HR, and maybe somone will have some decision or at least a thought about what might be going to take place. AMPCO notified Jim that they are going into our home tomorrow to pack our stuff. I'm glad we got Kitty and Carl over to take care of the preponderance of stuff before he got his hands on it. We still have no idea where they will be sending it.

Bible Study was about Leviticus 25-27, being what the Lord wants, resting in the Lord, trusting the Lord, and confessing our sins. I know I'm supposed to be resting in the Lord, but it's hard to do. Getting through something like this is just plain hard. But, we have no choice, do we?

I had a great lunch at Schlotzky's with Janet Hall, my Angel I met on the Atlanta-Houston flight.

We sat outside. It was a wonderful, warm, sunny day here in Houston; the flowers are starting to bloom, and it's hard to be really down when it's so beautiful outside and spring and new life are everywhere. I did get a happy announcement-Amanda and Maurice have a contract on their house; this is a real blessing from God for their family, and I rejoice in that-especially in these economic times.

Feb 10th-The Drama is Finally Unfolding

"He cried in a whisper at some image, at some vision-he cried out twice, a cry that was no more than a breath-"The horror, the horror!"
-Joseph Conrad, The Heart of Darkness


Well, things are finally making sense. I am not at liberty to go into the details on this blog, because I will be mentioning names. Suffice to say that things are starting to make sense in this entire lunacy; people are coming to Jim and me and offering us information that we aren't even asking for. All I have wanted to know is why, and now, I'm beginning to think I might know.

To my very close friends & family, I will send you my missive to read if you so choose. So, stay tuned . . .

Sunday/Monday-Feb. 8th & 9th

These two days have gone from high to low. We started out going to church, hearing a wonderful sermon on love and relationships:

"Choose to love the Lord your God...and commit yourself to Him..."

"If you only ove thoe who love you, what credit is that to you?" (I should know when you hear something, you are called to task about living it)!

Met Janet and Charles Hall at the church(see pic); our wonderful Angels who always make us feel good (which we sorely need at this point). Then, Jim just worked on resumes all afternoon, and I tackled taxes. This is going to be a nightmare trying to get everything put together by April 15th in this state of disarray we find ourselves in. That didn't help my mood.

We went to 24 Hour Fitness to work out. I talked to Stacy, the "Angel" who had given us the two week free pass. I told him we would be staying until the 28th and could he give us some kind of interim membership-willing to pay, of course. He went to see his Manager, retuning with a free membership until the end of the month! Like I keep saying, for every negative that occurs in this weird journey, God provides a balance of something good! God knows how much Jim and I need and love our workouts. It's our sanity! Stacy and I talked briefly, and I discovered that he is a Christian interested in missions even visiting Turkey on a mission trip. He invited us to his church and had once attended the church we are going to with Janet and Charles, The Fellowship of the Woodlands. This six degrees of separation gets more uncanny along this path we find ourselves.

After our workout, we went to dinner with the President of AMPCO, several AMPCO people, and one of the Resident Managers from Equatorial Guinea who was "supposed" to be helping Jim. As I sat there listening to their talk, I felt like I was in the middle of a bad dream. People at the table were talking about their impressions of Guinea, wonderful stories about their travels, and Jim and I are sitting here homeless after Feb. 28th if nothing develops with Marathon-and we are supposed to be acting polite and laugh as if nothing is the matter.

Bottom line, I was sitting next to the Pres. of the Company, and one thing led to another, and his wife said he was very influential with the leaders of Equatorial Guinea. I lost it (quietly) and said, "Well, if he was that influential, why was Jim kicked out of the country?" My timing was off, to say the least! He then chastised me that this wasn't the place to discuss it, but he would be glad to later. I haven't slept much, and still don't understand why things have happened like they have. I know what they are saying; I know the ulitmate outcome is in God's hands, but it all seems so useless. We changed our entire lives for this job-giving up both our cars, our home, our furniture-for what? I know all the nice platitudes I've uttered heretofor, but right now at this moment, this sucks royally! I suppose we had a restful time to get ready for this battle; but if you had told me last month on January 9th, we would be in this situation, I would have laughed you out of the room!

I've opened the door and have invited Satan to come in and sit down and discuss this with me!

The President did offer to come over and talk to me today, but I sent my apologies through Jim for my rash timing and declined knowing that a discussion won't change anything. We have to move on. So, today, it's cloudy, rainy, and my mood matches the day perfectly. I guess I'll go work out and try to do something productive. I did wash clothes in the one and only hotel laundramat, had my usual breakfast in my room, and answered e-mails.

I am having to really practice loving some of these people who are "so sorry" that this has happened but don't seem to want to go any farther with getting us back to EQ or getting our stuff back. I KNOW something is not being said; I just don't know what it isn't! They rave about Jim and what an excellet manager he was, how he was a perfect fit for the job----AND---????

Feb, 8th, Homeless in Houston-Life is Good!

Feb 7th-Homeless in Houston

TWO roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;
5

Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim, Our Refugee Camp-The Hilton Garden Inn

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really about the same,
10

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back.
15

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

As I sit here "Homeless in Houston" I think about this poem by Robert Frost. There are moments in our lives when we make decisions that will forever change how we live from that moment on. I think in our spirits deep down, we struggle with those types of decisions, because we realize the magnitude and the change it will not only bring in our life, but in the lives of others. I also don't believe that those "diverging roads" happen that often in life. Maybe two or three times. Mine came when I chose to leave my small hometown of Elizabethton, Tennessee, and take out to Germany to teach. The motivating factor was money and supporting my family. But that decision changed not only my life, but the lives of my children and family forever. I would not trade that decision for anything. I have been blessed to see parts of the world that many only dream about, and places that I didn't even know existed. But most importantly, I've met people who have changed my life as a result. The thing I've learned is that God is faithful, He will not desert you even if you desert Him, He will be there in time of plenty and time of famine, and He will bring those angels into your lives to guide you along the path. Above are only a few of the Angels he has given us in this precarious time of uncertainty in our lives. Along side of each curse goes a blessing-the yin and the yang. I'm excited to see how this unfolds-but had I not gone to Germany, I would have not ended up in Sicily where I met and married Jim who literally changed my life!

Here we are on Saturday am in our refugee camp. The above picture is our sign denoting our home away from home. We had a wonderful dinner with Jim's former boss from Shell, Terry Whitley, and his wife, Patti. It was at a super little Italian restaurant-good food, good wine, and live piano music-the guy sounded like Dean Martin-he was great!

Anyway, lots of things are happening, and I'm just being calm (believe it or not) and praying for Jim's wisdom, since at this point, I really have no idea where we belong. All I know is I belong with him, and he has to be where he believes is the best opportunity-so this thing is unfolding at a phenomanal pace. I can say there are some solid possibilities, but I'm not at liberty to say who or where just yet in this public forum-but STAY TUNED to the unfolding drama. I'm including some other pics of our refugee camp and the lovely staff who have taken us under their wings.

Friday, Feb. 6th-Homeless in Houston-God's Balance

Well, let's see where do I start today---I need to back track about God's balance in this unfolding drama. I think in a previous blog I referred to Janet Hall, the lady I met on the plane coming from Atlanta to Houston. She had been in Malaga, nearly missed her flight in Paris, and ended up as a seat mate next to me from Atlanta to Houston. Normally, I prefer not to yak on the plane, but I overheard her conversation about being in Malaga, Spain, and I had to ask her, since I had lived in southern Spain for two years, and Jim and I had married in Gibraltar. She and I talked non-stop for the entire trip. She told me her story-living overseas in Mexico and Puerto Rico, and her husband's working for Maersk Shipping Lines. Jim had provided security for Maersk in Conakry, Guinea, and also understood shipping container challenges when he was security director for the Port of Tacoma. I shared my sad saga.

She left me her number, told me about her blog, and given me her e-mail should I need her. So, I took her up on it. She is also a Christian and told me about her church, the Fellowship of the Woodlands, near where we would be staying. Jim and I took both her and her husband, Charles, out to dinner on Friday night, and it was like we had known them forever. We joined them for church on Sunday, then she invited me to a Bible Study on Wed. am. The study was similar to one I had attended many years ago when I was a stay at home mom. This was a wonderful study, and Janet shared our refugee experiences with some of the ladies, who volunteered to pray. I am convinced their prayers brought about the answer we received on Thursday, since they were all praying on Wed at 200 pm when Jim was at Marathon discussing trying to return to EQ Guinea.

Then, Janet invited us to dinner on Thursday night. Little did we know that we would be in mourning over losing the job-since the dictator (President Obiang) decided that Jim was "persona non grata." We decided to go to Janet's and Charles' rather than sit around and feel sorry for ourselves crying in our beer. It was the best thing we could have done. They have a beautiful home, are gracious hosts, and we keep discovering ways we are all four similar-this has to be a God thing as being with them has been so easy, no pressure! Jim and I were really relaxed, the dinner was fabulous, their home is fabulous, and we felt very comforted and cared for by strangers.

Lessons I am learning are that:

1. God does NOT make mistakes.
2. When He takes something out of your life, he balances it with something in your life-ergo-lost the job, but gained some neat friends. We also are thanking God for the blessings of family and friend who really care.
3. Tonight, we are having dinner with Jim's old boss from Shell. Jim will meet with Marathon Global Security to decide what his future with Marathon holds.

Either I am totally nuts, in shock, or at peace that all that has transpired is God's moving in our lives. Now, He has not answered the prayers like I wanted them, but my experience tells me that when He says "no" he has another plan.

There are so many details that I cannot comprehend:

1. Our car (one and only is in California)-some of our stuff is in San Jose,CA, the rest is in Malabo in our home and at the Port being held by the EQ Gov't.
2. We have a home at the Hilton Refugee Camp until Feb. 28th, then God is already out there.
3. Marathon wants to retain Jim and have told him about an offer in Findley, Ohio. Where on God's green earth is that? The irony is that Jim did apply with Marathon several years ago for a position with Marathon in-you guessed it-Findley, Ohio; he was turned down. Isn't that a hoot!

So, stay tuned for the drama of "Homeless in Houston" to unfold...

Final Outcome

Well, it's finally been decided. Jim is not allowed back into EQ Guinea and is deemed a threat to the government by the President (Obiang) himself! It's hard to believe that we are in the midst of this insanity. But, we are. I attended a Bible Study yesterday and there were at least 30 women praying for our future, and this decision was made today; ergo, this is God will, but I cannot for the life of me figure out why God allowed us to go over there, why He opened up all the doors, and then allowed this to happen. But, it doesn't matter, I guess. I suppose we still must believe that "all things work together for the good..." But I am still saddened for Jim; he's so decent and good at what he does and doesn't deserve this.

The Final Outcome

Well, it's finally been decided. The President of EQ Guinea (Obiang) does not want Jim back in the country Go

Saturday, Jan. 31st-Day 14 in Exile

Here's Jim at Lake Livingston, TX. We decided to get out, go on the back roads, and explore a little bit of Texas. We drove by Lake Conroe, then on to Lake Livinsgston. We even called our friends, Ellie and Don Schmidt to see if they were still camping out there. They weren't, but at least we saw where they stay when they take their trailer out. It's a lovely place, and nice to see God's beauty. There was not one cloud in the sky; I think anytime we can get out in nature, it makes us appreciate what's important. God grant us wisdom to see ourselves in the bigger picture.

Tuesday, Feb 3rd-Day 19 in Exile

Nothing is happening today, other than the Hilton Garden Inn & Refugee Camp screwed up our credit card, charging our card with the entire balance. The oil companies were supposed to take care of that. I lost it, but Jim took care of this with AMPCO's HR lady, and it's all worked out. I do NOT need one more added bit of stress in this entire drama.

I did get some microdermabrasion yesterday. That felt really good, and I'm glad I treated myself. I cannot find anyone who wants to take over the spouse's list for Malabo (in case we don't go back). My devotional was from Psalm 37, "Fret not for evil doers..." I think I also need to revisit Joseph's story. Twice in the prison, unjustly accused, before he took over 2nd in command of Egypt. I hope there is some similarity in our story. I don't want to lose hope. Jm is working this morning. This afternoon we are going to work out at the 24 Hour Fitness next door, then drive to Galveston to check it out. Trying to keep upbeat, trusting in the Lord. He has provided us with some wonderful Angels-Janet and Charles Hall, whom I met on the plane (Janet) who invited us to her church, The Fellowship of the Woodlands. A Mega church with 14,000 members, but it was very good-a good sermon on taking care of our finances. Hah! But we are maintaining our belief that God is in charge. Jim is truly being very strong in all this. My faith waivers-when I think about the injustice of this entire thing, I get very down, but there is absolutely nothing we can do except wait, pray, and trust God. "In everything give thanks for this is the will of God, in Christ Jesus concerning you (me)." Lesson learned, life can turn on a dime, literally.