52., 52.1, June 17, 1968 One year Milestone in Africa and Happy Father's Day greetings to Barb and Frank's Dads

 52. June 17, 1968

Dear Dad, and Mom too! (Line from Barb)

(*air letter decorated for a Father’s Day Card)

Hope you have an extra nice Father’s Day, or at least the chance for an extra five minute nap. Looks like we might have a nice day today. The sun is out bright and clear, and it is about 8 a.m.

We went down to Embu to the Halls’ house for a movie. (Mr. Hall’s Brittish and teaches at Kangaru Boys’ School) They show the films that come to the school over again to all Europeans in the neighborhood. This one was a World War II film with Marlon Brando and Yul Brynner. I can’t remember it’s name!

We had our first fried chicken last Friday. The Bensens are raising some chickens and we got four from them. They were three months old, but about the size of the very first we would eat, out of a bunch at home. A little small, but very good! WE fried the four and just stuffed! We had thought that we would have company, but the rain scared them out. It rained two inches Friday night!

Amy is learning division and it is a big struggle. Milt is doing somewhat better on the reading. What a relief to know I don’t have to teach them all the rest of their school years!

We have been here ten months today. That is some kind of a mileage mark. Frank remarked on the different attitude he has toward the town of Embu. It is almost enjoyable to walk down the streets and look in the shops. At first all we could see was the mud and the dirt and a sea of strange, almost hostile faces. Now the faces look more friendly. Thank goodness humans can adjust to change. 

I’ll have to run to catch the mailman. Lots of love from all of us. May you have lots more pleasant Father’s Days. Love, from Barb, Frank, and kids.

****************

52.1 June 17, 1968

Dear Dad, (Cochrane from Frank)

(*This letter was decorated for Father’s Day Card)

I hope this gets to you before Father’s Day. We were slow on you birthday, and we resolved to get this to you on time. Now I’m not so sure it’s going to make it. At any rate, I hope that you have a nice Father’s Day. This is a holiday that they don’t recognize over here. I hadn’t realized that we depended so much on advertising to keep us informed of those days. I don’t know if we would have remembered it if we hadn’t heard about it on Voice of America. I hope you have a nice day, lots of good things to eat and a long afternoon nap.

We spent most of our spare time last week remodeling the seats in our bus. We will probably try it out the weekend of the 29th and go to Meru Game Park. Dr. Bevan and an ex-extensions agent from Boise are coming up. This extension agent is with the Ford Foundation in India and is just stopping by on his way back to India from home leave.

We thought we were going to get an invitation to have dinner tonight with the Ambassador. He is making a very rare visit up here to Embu and all the Americans expected to be invited to at least meet him. There have been no official invitations though. Some of the Peace Corp people heard about it and relayed the telephone message. Some of the Americans heard about it through Kenya Provincial Offices. Those of us who are on the periphery of the rumor area just plain did not hear a thing. It makes me a little disgusted that the representative of our country isn’t concerned enough to find out what Americans live in this area, let alone what they do here. I have got to run to class. Love, Frank

Hello! (From Barb) I hope you have a nice big piece of chocolate cake to celebrate the day with, and take an extra bite for me! Ellius brought us new potatoes today, so that is what we’ll have for lunch. Love from all of us, Barb and Kids.

(This is the last letter written home from Africa that we've found so far. We will enter more if and when we find the rest! Thanks for reading! Kiva and Debbie)

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