Hello everyone,

It’s been a while and I have sat in front of the screen on a few occasions to write a letter and then something more urgent crops up, or I have an errand to run, or I just can’t put the words on paper.

I finally decided this morning, that I must pull up my socks and give you all an update.  Here goes…

We moved into our apartment in Port Said a month ago and like most buildings in this part of the world, they look like they are falling down and you shudder to think that people actually live in them but once you go inside, its more than just livable.

We have a terrific view from the lounge/dining room and the bedrooms.  Ignore what you can see on the rooftops in front of you and just look up…



One of the many mosques to one side, the Suez Canal and Mediterranean Sea in front of us.

We were told that the building was built in the 1930-1940’s and if you ever had to experience the elevator, you would believe it.  It is made of wood and creaks and groans every time you get into it and it moves. 

I have this little ritual with the elevator.  Before I step into it, I close my eyes and I say a prayer and when we get out at the bottom, I stop again and say thank you. 

We have had some interesting experiences with the elevator.  I can hear it every time someone uses it.

Andre has on occasion stepped into the elevator, the door closes, he presses the button for the ground floor and the ride begins….  Only it doesn’t end,  he rides up and down a few times between the 6th floor and the ground floor and finally it stops where it wills…. And the ride begins again.  He has been stuck in there riding up and down for 5 minutes before.

One day, Andre got in and began the journey down, it stopped 1/3 of the way at the 5th floor and a lady (in English – blow us over with a feather!) said, “Pull me in please, I can’t step in so high” – Andre being the gentleman he is, obliged.

Two days ago, I was sitting in our “office”

and I heard a terrific crash.  Expecting the worst, I rushed out to look to see what was going on, just in time to see a poor man stagger from the elevator.  The thing did not slow down when it reached the top.  Needless to say the guy refused to get back into the elevator.  I closed the doors with some difficulty and it went down to the ground floor.  (Of course I didn’t get into it! – I may be many things but I am NOT dumb!)  There is stayed for a few hours.  Later that night we heard some hammering and low and behold its working again.  Now do you understand my prayer, every time I get into it, and that we often walk up and down instead of taking the elevator!

Speaking of hearing the English language, Andre was walking down the stairs and an elderly gentleman who stays on the 2nd floor greeted him in English, asked him where he comes from and Andre said “South Africa” and the man switched to Dutch!  We can understand him!  How’s that for a miracle!

He told Andre that he spent many years in the Netherlands!  When Andre came and told me I felt like crying!  Hearing Afrikaans is strictly confined to speaking it with Andre and listening to RSG on the internet.  Dutch is so close to Afrikaans that we look forward to hearing it.

And speaking of miracles, I prayed and asked for a woman friend here in Port Said, and now an expat couple is moving here from the UAE, and they are South African and Afrikaans! 

It has been particularly difficult adjusting to life here in Port Said, especially since Natassja and Loz came to visit and we came back from holiday in South Africa.  Missing our families and friends is part of everyday life.    Seeing photos and following on Facebook helps, the phone calls help but it is not enough.  Every day we get up and remind ourselves that we are indeed blessed that we can be on this adventure. 

It is true though that being away from your comfort zone, your home, your country, your families and friends puts a strain on your relationship.  You have to admit that and be extra patient and extra forgiving.  I have had to be quick to admit that I am being silly, moody, irritable and generally grumpy.  Thank God that Andre is a very patient man. Under these circumstances I can understand that a lot of relationships fail.  If our relationship was not built on the Rock and we were not 100% determined that we will not let anything come between us, we would become one of the statistics.  We both work very hard on our relationship.

Enough of being serious.  All in all, love is wonderful, life is great and I wouldn’t change it for anything.

Keep us in your prayers as we keep you in ours.

Much love,

Andre and Juanita