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Thursday

Another exciting day in Kabul! We began the morning at Eggers Military Base, meeting with the chaplain and touring the base. Several NGO’s cooperate with the base to meet the needs of local people, thanks to the donations that are sent from American people. I appreciate those who serve in the military even more, after seeing the base and talking to some of the service men and women. One of the soldiers said that being here was worth it, every time he saw little girls in their black dresses and white head coverings running to school. Later, we took the teachers to lunch for pizza, and I presented them with leather portfolio notebooks with the Uncharted logo. I had a great conversation with the English teachers about observing at the International School the next time we come to learn American teaching methods. Also, I told them that I wanted them to work diligently with the English software while I was gone, and they promised to do so. After lunch, Bret Nicholson, Jason Claspell, and I went to see teacher training at Women to the World NGO, where we met the most delightful young women who are teaching English to girls and women. They said many mothers and their daughters come together to learn English. That could not have happened just a few years ago. While we were out, Jason (who is working on a story for Fox 7 News Channel in Evansville on the improved conditions in Afghanistan) wanted to finish up a few shots and promos. After covering several interesting shots, we stopped at the Ministry of Commerce and asked the guards if he could take their picture while he filmed one more promo, and they agreed, even posing with their guns. After the short 20 second promo was completed, a supervisor of these policemen came out and challenged Brett and Jason about filming. I was sitting across the street in the van, seeing this beginning to go bad. They quickly came to the van, but the supervisor called Masood back. Now, let me assure you that I am fine. However, after some arguing, all four of us were taken to an Afghan police station, and two policeman rode with us – with guns – arguing all the way – and yes, I cried a little. Brett prayed as we went, since the policemen could not understand our English, and Masood kept telling me it would be alright, that he knew someone at this station. Even the policemen in the back parroted what Masood said, saying, “No problem”, and I am thinking, “If there is no problem, why am I driving to a police station.” I asked him to call Peter Chun or Bob, and he tried but could not get them. When they found out where we were, they prayed and Dr. Ahmad at the school also called someone he knew at the police station (we found out later). We were escorted into the police station and taken to a room that looked very much like someone’s living room, and they served us hot tea and candy. Masood interpreted for us, and after about twenty minutes (the police supervisor even used the word “arrest” in the conversation) we were allowed to leave. I guess he felt a little sorry for me, because as he walked us to our van he said to me, “Chin up, we are here to protect you!” Masood is definitely the hero today. I think I have experienced enough “firsts” for this visit in Kabul. I’ll save the other details for later, but just wanted you to know that your prayers for protection this week have been answered! When we returned to the school, everyone was laughing and we all were relieved. Since there is no school on Friday, I said goodbye to all of the teachers. We will go to the International Church tomorrow, have lunch with Cheryl Beckett, and prepare for our flight to Dubai later in the day. This will be my last blog from Afghanistan for this trip, and I think we have covered our objectives.

Love to all, Mrs. Masterson

Wednesday

We covered a few miles on Wednesday (and after three bumpy trips out of Kabul, I’ve only been sick once!), going to an area where another NGO Morningstar has set up a community called Tangi Saidan that serves thirty-nine area villages. I wish I could describe riding in a car or van in Afghanistan. I can only say that some people pay for thrill rides like this! The road was narrow and full of deep ruts and at most parts, two vehicles could not pass at the same time, which made for a fun game of chicken as we passed two tanks! We saw a women’s and children’s health center, a computer lab, a library, and a guest house in this community and many people were using the facilities here. Several women with sick children were there, and as the director explained the health facility to us, he said many times they treat dehydrated children who cannot cope with the heat and poor water conditions here. The director said that providing educational opportunities is transforming these villages. His quote was, “We are putting computers in their hands in exchange for an AK47”. In the afternoon, I spent time at our school, and again the teachers were asking about the English language software. I think they each want their own. I helped one of the teachers, Farshad, teach his class, and of course the students want to ask questions. A widow also came by the school and asked for help. The team is visiting her home Thursday, and Teresa Patchin and I have gone through our suitcases to leave as much as we can for her. She said she needs shoes, and Joseph at the school said he used a stick to measure her foot. I can’t tell if her foot is a size 6 from the stick(!), but I am taking my shoes to her anyway. The funniest thing happened today and totally was a first for me! We sent two men to buy two sheep for the orphanage, and they came back with the two sheep in the trunk – alive! A holy man has to bless them, before they can be killed and given to the orphanage. We are invited to the orphanage on Thursday for lunch, where the sheep will be the “guest of honor” (ha!) , and we are also taking cookies. What food adventures we are having! The vitamins will be distributed in villages through health programs, thanks to our friend Cheryl Beckett who is serving long-term here in Kabul. Our day ended at a coffee shop, Chaila, which serves real American coffee drinks and homemade pizza. Many families that serve long-term here in Kabul were there, and children were playing and watching a movie on a screen outside. What a great connection place that provides some community for these families. Many children are growing up here, as their families serve the Afghan people, and I thought of our ECS middle school students and how much the kids here must want to connect with others their age. Madison Nicholson would be a good person to talk to about that, as she lived here a month last year. When the parents serve, the children are along for the ride, and they must continue to go to school and deal with their teenage needs in this culture. On Thursday, we will be visiting a base, the orphanage, taking the teachers to dinner, going to the widow’s home, and visiting a teacher training that another NGO is conducting today. Every person we meet and each opportunity we have opens our eyes to the direction we need to take in working in Afghanistan. God is shaping the vision with every visit. I have felt more at home here this visit, although talking to my daughter and my mom today was “great medicine” for me. Love to all, Mrs. Masterson

Tuesday

Today I feel more rested, and we accomplished a lot and covered many miles. We went to a rural school in the morning near the Bagram Military Base, where we delivered cookies, along with some health supplies and pencils. At this school, some classes are held outside, and I shared school supplies sent by the ECS 4^th graders. These children were all 4^th grade or under, I think. I showed the students how to use the modified white boards (plastic white plates and wax crayons), and they loved it! I demonstrated how to write on them using the few Farsi words I know, and thankfully Masood translated for me. We were mobbed, as the students all wanted their own plate and crayons, and I had to ask Masood how to say “share” or “wait a minute”. In fact, they were more excited about the school supplies than the cookies! They immediately began drawing pictures, some of them quite artistic. Then they wanted to run up and show me. I’m sorry to say that their teachers were a little harsh with them as they came up, so I gave the teachers my best disapproving teacher look (ha!) so they would allow the children to come up to me. I had them teach me the words for what they were drawing, such as flower or bird. In the afternoon, I visited classrooms at our school, where the students were having a dialogue lesson on the topic of marriage. They debated whether marriage in Afghanistan or marriage in the US was better. In Afghanistan, the parents choose the bride, the groom’s family must pay for everything, and the couple are not allowed to communicate from the time of engagement until marriage. They asked my opinion, so I told them about my daughter Alissa’s wedding to her husband John. They couldn’t believe that the bride’s family pays and that American couples go on a honeymoon. I tried to explain Disneyworld to them when they asked if my daughter had a honeymoon, and they had never heard of Disney or Mickey Mouse. When I drew mouse ears they asked if it was a boat! I guess I don’t have my daughter’s artistic talent! These conversations are the best way to share my English and learn some Dari. Later, we shared the Rosetta Stone software with a group of the English teachers, and they are so entertained by it. I think they will use this for improving their own English and to help the students. Thank you so much ECS 5^th graders for earning money to purchase some of these software kits. Those of you who supported me on this trip also contributed, as some of the funds helped to purchase two of the kits. Some of the other team members visited the home of a family where the father is disabled, and the mother and daughters of the family work sewing rugs. One of the sons in this family is the gatekeeper at the school, and Uncharted International (the NGO I am working with) is helping this family. There are so many needs everywhere in this country, and at the end of the day we are tired, but know there is more to do than we have time to spend here. Love to all, Mrs. Masterson

Monday

Monday was a very busy day. In the morning, I visited the International School of Kabul, which has been the highlight of all my time in Kabul so far. I met with the principal Gail Goolsby, and after only a few minutes I felt we had know one another for years. She gave us a tour of the school, which is K-12, and it looked in all ways just like a school in the US, since it uses American teaching techniques and American curriculum. Sixty-five percent of the students are Afghan, mostly children of members of Parliament or other government ministries. Other students are children whose parents work for non-government organizations (NGO’s) or children of Afghan parents who have lived in the US for years and are now returning to Afghanistan. I learned a lot about education in Afghanistan from the principal, and she offered to let some of the teachers at our school come to observe their techniques. I also observed a beginning English class at our school in the afternoon. Hey, I attended my first Afghan cookout today! We celebrated Peter Chun’s birthday with a cookout (even French fries) and a huge cake. Later in the day, we drove to the general’s house for a visit and for dinner. We watched a storm come across the mountains, some of the guys played volleyball, and were treated to a beautiful Afghan meal. Cheryl Beckett, who lives in Afghanistan and works with rural health projects, has become a friend of ours, and she went with us. She speaks Pashto, so she is a big help in talking to the general’s grandchildren. The way she serves the people here is an inspiration to me. Riding in a car on these roads really take a lot out of me, so I am always glad to get back to our guest house and go to bed. On Tuesday, we are driving to a rural area to visit a very poor school. We may take some of the vitamins with us. Thank you ECS students and friends for contributing to our vitamin collection. Many of you also contributed to gifts of lotion for widows, and those are being delivered also. You are all a big part of this trip, and I think of you as we get to meet with the people here. As I see the children here, I think about my little nephew Jacob or my students at ECS, and I want these children to know the same love and care. Love to all, Mrs. Masterson

A Wonderful Welcome

We arrived at the Kabul airport, so thankful that the long travel was behind us, but so aware of the possible confusion that would await us.  The airport is a hectic place, and we didn’t know that some dignitaries were also arriving (I guess we thought all the fuss was about us), so security was especially high.  We later found out from Chun that President Karzai was arriving.  You know, it didn’t take long to get right back in the familiar feeling of being in Kabul – the sights, the sounds, the smells, the traffic – and it still feels unreal to be here again.  We are staying at a new guest house, and we got in a short nap before going to the school.  We were also served a beautiful lunch, and you guessed it – a huge bowl of kabali (rice, carrots, raisins, and a seasoning that just “makes the dish”).  The meals always are presented in such a colorful and artistic manner, and that is all I have to say about that.  After a great night of rest, we are planning a full day today.  I will be visiting the International School of Kabul, which is taught by American methods and uses an American curriculum, however I think I can ask many questions about the state of education in Afghanistan and hopefully learn more about the educators I will work with.  We previewed one of the Rosetta Stone English language software kits with Joseph and Masood at the school. Yes, Masood came to pick us up, and while it is complicated to explain now, I was so filled with joy to see him and told him that many people had been wishing him well.  Seeing him was a special welcome. Both Joseph and Masood had fun trying to imitate the English speaker to see if they could get a green rating (meaning that they spoke as well as the example).  We also plan to have dinner at the home of the general, a tradition when a team visits.  You may remember that he lives outside of Kabul in a beautiful setting, but getting there is a straight drive up a hill on no road that I ever saw.  We have a interesting day ahead!  Love to all, Mrs. Masterson

So far...Amsterdam

Dear Family, Friends, and ECS Family:  We are in Amsterdam and I just found out that a banana is 3 Euro or $6 – I wanted breakfast, so I paid $6!  We had a great prayer time with the team, family, and friends at the Evansville airport – a great sendoff.  We all appreciate your prayers for our safe travel and for effective relationships with our friends in Kabul!  I am anxious to share the English language software with the teachers.  I know it is not the way they learned English!  Thank you ECS 5^th graders for helping to purchase the software!  Thank you to all who helped me travel and have this opportunity for a second year.  Love, Susie (or Mom or Mrs. Masterson – whatever you call me!)

Coming soon...

Watch this space for Mrs. Masterson's posts from Afghanistan.

Until then, you can catch up on her blog from last year's trip here.